Put On Purple for Lupus Awareness

Friday, October 14, 2011

Review: Dust City


Dust City
Dust City by Robert Paul Weston

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



This was a great twist on retold fairy tales and certainly deserves four stars for it's plot. But I felt the world building was a little lackluster. Something about it just didn't grab me and make me wish I could be there seeing the glimmering towers of Eden or smell the pepperminty smell of Grandma's house....I can't quite put my finger on it though.

I though the idea of Henry battling with his inner wolf while trying to be the good guy he is was just a little bit overdone. That being said I did enjoy the book and wish there was more to it. Perhaps a sequel. I never did figure out if Skinner was supposed to be a remake of Rumpelstiltskin or Humpty Dumpty or both. I'm betting he is supposed to be a blend of both.




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Review: The Willoughbys


The Willoughbys
The Willoughbys by Lois Lowry

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



This was such a cute read. I loved the way the children interacted with one another and I found myself laughing out loud many time. The plot was interesting and certainly drew from elements of "old fashioned" children's stories. All the characters were charming (except for the parents..no they were Nefarious) and I especially enjoyed the idea of Nanny as an alabaster Aphrodite. That was very comical. I must say I learned a few new vocabulary words from reading it and the addition of a glossary at the end of the book along with some examples of "old fashioned" children's stories was great.



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Review: iDrakula


iDrakula
iDrakula by Bekka Black

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



I enjoyed this quite a bit even if it left out many of the aspects of the original Dracula that make it so great. It is a very interesting take on the story and serves the purpose of laying out the basic plot to Bram Stoker's novel in a modern way.



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Review: Divergent


Divergent
Divergent by Veronica Roth

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



I enjoyed this book. The idea that people would be separated into different factions based on their personality attributes was interesting and I enjoyed the way the author conveyed the idea. At times though the plot seemed predictable and I guessed the true identity of Four long before it was revealed. I also guessed the main plot before it was revealed.

I thought Tris was a little disappointing at times. I felt her attachment to her friends and her good character traits were admirably described. Peter made me mad and I felt myself hoping for a unhappy ending for him thorough-out the entirety of the book.

I enjoyed the action sequences and pace of the book. I will be looking forward to the next in the series.




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Review: Delirium


Delirium
Delirium by Lauren Oliver

My rating: 2 of 5 stars



I felt that the world constructed within this book was ok. I don't see a world where teen are forced to undergo brain surgery as plausible though. I think there would be too much scientific evidence against the procedure and the risks would be too high in order for it to be required of everyone. I also can't see a world where all manner of emotion is medically removed working out. Seems like it would crash and burn within a few decades.

Too much about this book seemed implausible. I felt the characters where exactly flat but they could have been developed just a little more. I just really couldn't sympathize with the characters. The relationship between Alex and Lena was too unbelievable. I mean in a world where teens are segregated from the opposite sex I felt it was too unbelievable that they would have that much freedom. I understand Lena was lying to her Aunt the whole time and saying she was with Hana, but still it seems like freedoms would be restricted quite a bit more if LOVE was that dangerous.

I just didn't like this book very much. I mean it was OK...but it never really grasped my attention and pulled me into the story. I felt myself skimming through many parts just to be done with it. In my opinion love isn't such a strong emotion that it would cause people to completely lose their minds. And don't even get me started on the animal abuse present in one part of the story. That just annoyed me. If love and desire are not present then why in the heck would a family even have a pet? It just didn't make sense. You have to have a DESIRE to have an animal companion which would cause you to have a feeling of attachment (ie Love) toward the animal so that you would be willing to feed, water, care for the animal properly. If the procedure supposedly removes these emotions and feelings then why would anyone even seek a pet in the first place?




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Review: The Giver


The Giver
The Giver by Lois Lowry

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



I found this book very exciting and the storyline seemed very realistic. This is a world I could see happening. Even in our present society we seek pleasure and happiness over pain. But what happens when our memories of pain are gone and we no longer remember what it is like to hurt, not physically, but emotionally? How can we call ourselves human if we actually feel nothing?

The main characters were a mix of flat and well-rounded. But for this novel that mixture works. Mother, Father, and Lily seemed flat but I expected that given the subject matter. If they were as well rounded and fleshed out as The Giver and Jonas, I do not feel the book would not have the same pull and meaning to the reader.

Asher was a bit cliche as your typical hyperactive and fun seeking child. This is what I call the "poster child for Ritalin" and it was not surprising when his assignment was revealed. I felt Fiona was only mentioned by name in order to advance the plot and give a reason for the changes brought on by Jonas' maturation.

The world built within the book was fascinating and I felt it was the right choice for details to be withheld until needed in conjunction with the storyline. I did not expect color to be absent until it was mentioned that Jonas was beginning to see the color red. This took me by surprise but made sense as too much unrest could be created within a society based on coloring alone. Not just unrest over differences in skin color but the concept of beauty based on coloring or the mental notation of all members of a certain profession having a certain coloring similarity could create apprehension in Elevens. There are so many reasons for the absence of color that I could see why it would be reserved only for the Receiver of Memory.

I felt the pacing of the novel was just a bit hurried toward the end but that fits well with the danger and fear that Jonas felt fleeing the community. I would have loved a further discussion of the significance and meaning when the Giver said that Rosemary was his daughter. Does this mean that Jonas is genetically his son? What about Gabriel? Or was it meant that she was his "daughter" in his family unit? How do geneticists get the DNA used to create the newchildren? I know there are Birthmothers but how is the process of insemination started and where do the male sex alleles come from? I wish it was discussed in further detail.

I gave this book a five star rating because I was deeply interested and entertained by the storyline. I felt the writing was spectacular, and I enjoyed the use of flat and complex characters. There was meaning behind the construction of the world within this book. And I found it thought provoking and contemplative. My only complaint with the book was that it ended too soon. LOL.




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Monday, October 3, 2011


Hey right now my Broadband card with T-Mobile is out of service, gotta pay the bill *blushes*, so whenever we can get to a T-Mobile and get it back on I'll be able to post the reviews as I get them done. But for right now I'll probably be posting a lot of r
eviews at one time whenever I can get free WiFi.

Sitting at the truck terminal for the company my husband drives for right now, so I've got free WiFi and I've posted around three reviews?(I think)

I even read one of the books my brother bought me for my birthday!




I've been reading some of the books out loud to my husband while he drives. He enjoys it sometimes but he really wants me to finish the Twilight Saga soon cause my annoyance at the series is driving him crazy. LOL...but the great thing is he asked me the other day about possibly getting him a Nook! Can you feel my excitement right now!MICHAEL...READING!!!


Review: Mermaid: A Twist on the Classic Tale


Mermaid: A Twist on the Classic Tale
Mermaid: A Twist on the Classic Tale by Carolyn Turgeon

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



This was a retelling of one of my favorite sub-genres, fairytales. I loved the complexity and emotion behind this book. I love how the author took HCA's Little Mermaid and expanded it to a full length novel with real purpose and meaning behind the mermaid's sacrifice. And even though it doesn't end the exact same as the original fairytale, the ending does add a distinct moral to the story.



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Review: The Eleventh Plague


The Eleventh Plague
The Eleventh Plague by Jeff Hirsch

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



I enjoyed this book even though I am not the target audience, Young Adult. Now I wouldn't even mention this unless it was obvious from the writing. I inhaled this book mostly because it has a very easy and simplistic writing style. That is not a bad thing mind you. I'm actually happy of that. Something quick and fun to read is always great inbetween long reads.

The pacing of the book was acceptable and I enjoyed the characters. Stephen and Jenny are a couple of misfits who always find themselve in trouble in this post apocalyptic community. I am glad they redeemed themselves in the end. That's about all I have to say about the book. I liked it.



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Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer Review

My rating: 1 of 5 stars

I got so angry at this book that about half way through I gave up writing down what in particular was annoying me because it was just a repeat of what was annoying me in the first half. Edward seems really cold and heartless toward Bella when he doesn't like how she reacts.


Edward says something that offends Bella about Jacob and he gets very stiff and formal with her. Like it's HER fault he said it. Like it's her fault about everything. What a jerk.


When she says something about her dad suggesting she go see Jacob he gets all stiff and formal again. She pleads that he is hurting but Edward refuses to discuss the matter. It's his way or no way at all apparently.


I think Meyer was making fun of her own ridiculous storyline in this book, evidenced by this.




When discussing why she enjoys Wuthering Heights so much he says the book would be better if either of them had one redeeming quality and Bella says that their love is their only redeeming quality.


At times their back and forth love mushy gushy bullsmack make me want to scream. Ugh we get it Meyer, Bella and Edward love each other...for no reason at all.

"I love you."

"I love you more"

"I love you most"

"I love you more than a small tree compared to a forest"


*Pukes*



And yet STILL Edward will not let Bella go see her friend. Claims it is TOO DANGEROUS. Ugh...his way or the highway.


Bella decides that she is going to go see Jacob, after curfew, with her dad's permission. EDWARD being the asshole that he is...has had Alice watching Bella's future. So when Alice tells Edward that Bella's future disappeared, this meaning that she was going to see Jacob, EDWARD disables her truck so she can't go anywhere. Isn't this sort of obsessive?


Ok so then Edward tells Bella if she wants him to stay away that night and not watch her sleep...ugh...for her to shut her window. So she stomps in and slams her window shut. Then the BIMBO opens it back up so Edward can come in and watch her sleep.


So many things about Edward make me hate him. He is obssesive, jealous, petty, and thinks everything should be HIS way. A selfish heartless jerk in my opinion. He's so wrapped up in himself that he can't see he is being a controlling FREAK!


Even Bella's mom sees something weird about their relationship. She thinks Edward is protective. That is not the word I would use but I guess it works well enough if you don't know he is a vampire and wants his way all the time.


On a side note, I am going to go on a little rant about Bella's dad.

This man cannot cook for himself. It is like he expects Bella to cook for him. Which being the overeager little woman, not the feminist that I've heard people proclaim she is, she happily cooks, cleans, blah blah. Ok I'm not downing people taking pride in doing the deeds of a good daughter, not by a long shot. I myself play the good daughter role quite a bit at my parents' house. Bella seems to literally LIVE to do these things. Maybe I'm reading too much but sometimes it really irks me.


Edward is always pulling Bella behind him. Like he thinks he needs to protect her all the time. I guess Bella just looking at someone else is dangerous to her health. Or maybe it's just dangerous to Edward's brainwashing of Bella.



Jacob is standing outside Forks High School. Edward says that he wants to talk to him. So Edward and Bella walk over. Edward pulls Bella behind him. I have this mental picture of Bella standing behind Edward with this "oh dear I'm so fragile and scared" look on her face while biting her nails and Edward puffing up his chest with this look like "I'm the man. The man makes the woman stand behind him so he can protect her." Ugh...give it a flipping rest!


And Edward never tells Bella anything. He probably justifies that he is "protecting her" when really he's just keeping her dumbed down and submissive in my opinion.


So then it starts to make sense to Bella, wow took her long enough, that something is going on. That Edward kept something from her that Jacob would not keep from her. That the Vamps and Wolves where in close proximity to each other and it was this close encounter that make Edward so adamant and demanding that Bella go see her mother in Florida that previous weekend. Edward lied to Bella about a vision Alice had about Jasper.


Edward takes his stalker/obsessive tendencies so far as to follow Bella's truck. Now tell me that isn't insane.



Bella snuck off to see Jacob, HER FRIEND, and Edward obviously finds out. So Bella is driving home and this crazy psycho vampire is FOLLOWING HER IN HIS VOLVO...and she goes to her friend Angela's house. And he passes by.Typical "I MUST KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING AT EVERY MOMENT!" stalker fashion...


And of course he can't let her out of his site for a moment. Ugh...STALKER!

Bella gets back from her friend Angela's house and goes up to her room and OF COURSE EDWARD IS UP THERE IN HER ROOM...UGH I soooo want to just strangle this, this, ugh EDWARD!

It's like he freaking pats her on the head all the time going "Silly woman, don't you know you need me, THE MAN, to protect you. You're not safe on your own. No and you don't need to think for yourself either, that is the MAN'S JOB." It's like he is one of those, hope this doesn't offend anyone, over fanatic religious people who feel that women should be there to produce offspring, wait on the man hand and foot, and sit there looking pretty. And of course Bella does all these things. (Hmmm one of those is based on what I know happens in the last book so yea...Spoiler) I would love for Buffy the freaking vampire slayer to stake this jerk. LOVE FOR BUFFY TO WIPE HIS A($($ OUT!


So that is my review. At times I repeat myself but this is exactly what I was feeling as I was reading the book. Extreme rage.