This is my very first book to movie review, but it's not the firsttime I've watched a movie based on a book I've read before. I know how people can be, sometimes even me, that when watching a movie adaptation of a book, they want those two to be identical. It is practically impossible. So what I look for when doing a comparison is that the movie did justice to the book.
The Sweedish version of this movie came out in 2009, it was directed by Niels Arden. Lisbeth Salander is played by Noomi Rapace, and Mikael Blomkvist is played by Michael Nyqvist. That is probably one of the most famous local movies in Sweeden and was a worldwide success as well. The US version of the movie came out in 2011, directed by David Fincher. Rooney Mara plays Lisbeth Salander and Daniel Craigplays Mikael Blomkvist. That movie was very successful as well and it was nominated for various awards.
Both movies were extaordinary by themselves. What I mean by this is that people who didn't read the book were able to enjoy the movie at its fullest. And they could also understand what was happening without the necessity of knowing the book's every detail. The Sweedish version, as well as the US version succeeded in doing so.
First of all the character adaption. I think it irritates us all when, for example, the character's a blond and they cast a brunette. Or when the character's outgoing and they portray a shy one. This wasn't the case in neither of them. Noomi Rapace was stunning as Lisbeth Salander, she brought the character to life in a very literal way. Physically she looked just the way she was described in the book. And the characterization and performance was trully impressive. Now to the US version, I was excited when they announced that Rooney Mara would play Lisbeth Salander. I first saw her in A Nightmare on Elm Street, and even though it's not that good of a movie, I loved her performance. She trully proved herself in this movie, and she did a really good job playing Salander. I liked watching them perform the hard scenes, especially because Lisbeth is such a complicated character, breinging her to life must've been a challenge. In the books, this character brings out so much emotion, not from the outside, but she's got so much in her. They both managed to transfer those emotions without the need of a omniscent narrator. Which is the hard part of the adaptation, because the narrator, dialogue and description make up the story. In the movie you have to get rid of the narrator and adapt the description. Which is why I think that in the acting part, they aced it. If I had to pick a favorite, it would be a tough choice, since they were both unbelievable, but I think I would pick Rapace.
I could say the same for the rest of the cast. In the Sweedish version all of the actors were completely unknown to me, but they did surprise me. I know that Daniel Craig is hotter than Michael Nyqvist, but they both were marvelous as Blomkvist. The rest of the characters like Martin, Cecilia, Harriet, etc. were excellent in both of the films. They didn't go wrong when casting.
Now the most important part of an adaptation, the plot. They always end up cutting it. It is important to make it shorter, while keeping the important details. In this part, it was pretty surprising that the US version did that better than the Sweedish version. It impressed me how similar the US movie and the book were. I think that the only thing they radically changed was the ending, but the rest of it is as close as the movie could get to the book. Probably the best book to movie adaptation I have seen so far.
The Sweedish version was also good in adaptation, but quite few things were changed. Those things didn't make the movie less understandeable, they weren't key to the story, but they could've been there. Ironically, this version chose to keep certain scenes that the other movie chose to omit. Like in the US movie they don't show that much about Lisbeth's mother or her past. Only a dialogue she has with Craig in the movie mentions it. But on the Sweedish movie they show several flashbacks. Also, Cecilia Vanger was a more important character in the Sweedish movie than the other one, they chose to show heraffair with Blomkvist. And they kept the ending the same as the book, while the US version didn't.
In conclusion, I did like the US adaptation of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo better. The way they asapted the story was impressive and almost identical. The casting was perfect and the performances were stunning, not to mention the settings and the score. However, that doesn't mean the Sweedish version is no good. It is very good as well,and the performances are amazing too. Plus, it was where it all started. It had its merits because its completely local. An adaptation from the local book with local actors and actresses. They are defenitely both worth watching.
Showing posts with label Novel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Novel. Show all posts
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Bitter End By Jennifer Brown
When Alex falls for the charming new boy at school, Cole, a handsome, funny, sports star who adores her, she can't believe she's finally found her soul mate-someone who truly understands her and loves her for who she really is.
At first, Alex is blissfully happy. Sure, Cole seems a little jealous of her relationship with her best friends, Zack and Bethany, but what guy would want his girlfriend spending all of her time with another boy? But as the months pass, Alex can no longer ignore Cole's small put-downs, pinches, or increasingly violent threats. As Alex struggles to come to terms with the sweet boyfriend she fell in love with and the boyfriend whose "love" she no longer recognizes, she is forced to choose - between her "true love" and herself.
I didn't know what to expect of this book. I read the Hate List and it was a pretty intense book. What I really like about Jennifer Brown's books is that it's always pretty original topics. When someone thinks 'teen' they usually think of these words: sex, rape, love. But suicide? Bullying? Abuse? This book really got my attention. I have read books about sexual assault before, such as Speak, but never physical abuse. You know what I loved about this book? The way it gets to you. When I read what it was about I thought "I will never like the son-of-a-bitch that hits her" but those first few pages when Cole is actually nice and loving, I actually did fall in love with the guy! I mean seriously, he was so sweet and the guy we all dream about. I was actually feeling what the main character, Alex, was feeling. Even those first times when he started with small threats I felt bad for her....and then fell in love with him again. The book is also very realistic, no abused girl goes for help the first time. And you can see that the Alex is truly in love and has confused feelings. She doesn't want to turn her back on her friends but she doesn't want to leave Cole even after everything he's done to her because he's in love. The reader is a little confused as well, at least I was. One would think when dealing with an abuser one would say "Hell, I'm done with him!" But no, because when someone's in love the think they're gonna change. But they don't, and it takes for someone to hit rock bottom to realize it. That's what happened to Alex, she hit rock bottom. All I can say is that I loved this book's realism the way the writer reaches to the reader just by the way the main character narrates the way she feels about a guy.
I give this book 5 stars!
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
A Stolen Life by Jaycee Lee Dugard
In the summer of 1991 I was a normal kid. I did normal things. I had friends and a mother who loved me. I was just like you. Until the day my life was stolen.
For eighteen years I was a prisoner. I was an object for someone to use and abuse.
For eighteen years I was not allowed to speak my own name. I became a mother and was forced to be a sister. For eighteen years I survived an impossible situation.
On August 26, 2009, I took my name back. My name is Jaycee Lee Dugard. I don’t think of myself as a victim. I survived.
A Stolen Life is my story—in my own words, in my own way, exactly as I remember it.
This book is something I wouldn't normally pick up. But I wanted to know her story. I wanted to know Jaycee Dugard's story in her own words. The first thought that came to my mind since page one was "What a strong woman." I remember reading in a magazine about her spending 18 years in captivity. And when you read or hear that, it takes a while for your mind to process it, 18 years is a long time. And she endured it, had two kids in the process and she survived. When reading this book, I constantly had to remind myself that this wasn't fiction, that this was real. That all of the things in the book, especially in the first chapters, actually happened to a little girl. Some part of me wanted to believe it was all fiction, because then my stomach wouldn't turn whenever this man abused her. It seemed unreal to me that a person, especially at her young age, could survive all of that torture. But you see the way she writes and you have to believe it. I believed it. This girl had so much strength. Thinking about her story makes my stomach turn. Thinking about her being taken at such an innocent age, losing all those years, about her mother. It's all a swirl of emotions, even tears, I felt angry at Garrido, scared for Jaycee and her family, and generally angered at the world. I asked questions to myself like: why her? Why are people like Phillip Garrido allowed to live in this world. Why didn't anyone ever notice, 18 years and nobody did. And that was just a reader's reaction, I couldn't even begin to imagine how Jaycee Dugard felt. That's another thing, the whole book there's one thought that crossed my mind and everyone else's I'm sure. "If I were in that situation I would...." But that's the thing, it didn't happen to me, or you, just to her. And she found a way to survive it, in her own way, but she did. And in the end that's what counts. Jaycee Dugard found a way to survive and never lost hope. This book really makes you think, if Jaycee survived 18 years of captivity with a psycho, then why is it so hard for people who have normal lives to deal with every day things. From now on one phrase will always cross my mind. Jaycee Dugard survived those horrors, I can survive whatever's going on in my life.
For eighteen years I was a prisoner. I was an object for someone to use and abuse.
For eighteen years I was not allowed to speak my own name. I became a mother and was forced to be a sister. For eighteen years I survived an impossible situation.
On August 26, 2009, I took my name back. My name is Jaycee Lee Dugard. I don’t think of myself as a victim. I survived.
A Stolen Life is my story—in my own words, in my own way, exactly as I remember it.
This book is something I wouldn't normally pick up. But I wanted to know her story. I wanted to know Jaycee Dugard's story in her own words. The first thought that came to my mind since page one was "What a strong woman." I remember reading in a magazine about her spending 18 years in captivity. And when you read or hear that, it takes a while for your mind to process it, 18 years is a long time. And she endured it, had two kids in the process and she survived. When reading this book, I constantly had to remind myself that this wasn't fiction, that this was real. That all of the things in the book, especially in the first chapters, actually happened to a little girl. Some part of me wanted to believe it was all fiction, because then my stomach wouldn't turn whenever this man abused her. It seemed unreal to me that a person, especially at her young age, could survive all of that torture. But you see the way she writes and you have to believe it. I believed it. This girl had so much strength. Thinking about her story makes my stomach turn. Thinking about her being taken at such an innocent age, losing all those years, about her mother. It's all a swirl of emotions, even tears, I felt angry at Garrido, scared for Jaycee and her family, and generally angered at the world. I asked questions to myself like: why her? Why are people like Phillip Garrido allowed to live in this world. Why didn't anyone ever notice, 18 years and nobody did. And that was just a reader's reaction, I couldn't even begin to imagine how Jaycee Dugard felt. That's another thing, the whole book there's one thought that crossed my mind and everyone else's I'm sure. "If I were in that situation I would...." But that's the thing, it didn't happen to me, or you, just to her. And she found a way to survive it, in her own way, but she did. And in the end that's what counts. Jaycee Dugard found a way to survive and never lost hope. This book really makes you think, if Jaycee survived 18 years of captivity with a psycho, then why is it so hard for people who have normal lives to deal with every day things. From now on one phrase will always cross my mind. Jaycee Dugard survived those horrors, I can survive whatever's going on in my life.
Monday, July 25, 2011
The Lying Game by Sara Shepard
I had a life anyone would kill for.
Then someone did.
The worst part of being dead is that there’s nothing left to live for. No more kisses. No more secrets. No more gossip. It’s enough to kill a girl all over again. But I’m about to get something no one else does—an encore performance, thanks to Emma, the long-lost twin sister I never even got to meet.
Now Emma’s desperate to know what happened to me. And the only way to figure it out is to be me—to slip into my old life and piece it all together. But can she laugh at inside jokes with my best friends? Convince my boyfriend she’s the girl he fell in love with? Pretend to be a happy, carefree daughter when she hugs my parents good night? And can she keep up the charade, even after she realizes my murderer is watching her every move?
Where to start with this book? I have never read the Pretty Little Liars books, I watched like two episodes of the show, so I really didn't know what to expect of this book. And I didn't pick it up because it was being made into a show. But I did pick this book up in the bookstore over and over again and didn't buy it until now. First of all, wow. What a book. It had me hooked every single page. Literally every single page. As in I stayed up at night to finish the book because it had me. The narrator, the way the story was told was truly unique. How it changes points of view, but it doesn't at all. It's amazing how Sutton is an important character in the story but it's actually there in a couple of chapters. When reading you actually forget that it is her who is narrating the story, only when the she/he changes to an I you remember that she is there watching everyone. And I think it adds certain mystery to the book, apart from the killer's identity, is that Sutton doesn't remember anything. It was really clever what the author did here, she left unanswered questions so that people can't wait to read the next book. I call it clever...others might call it cruel. And the game. Some may say pranks are for kids, but this book only shows that you are never too old for them, because as you get older, the game gets harder. In general, all I can say, is that this book was a big surprise for me. It had it all. Mystery, bitchiness in it's most pure state, ghosts and high heels. What more could you ask for?
How many stars?
5 stars
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning
MacKayla Lane’s life is good. She has great friends, a decent job, and a car that breaks down only every other week or so. In other words, she’s your perfectly ordinary twenty-first-century woman. Or so she thinks…until something extraordinary happens.
When her sister is murdered, leaving a single clue to her death–a cryptic message on Mac’s cell phone–Mac journeys to Ireland in search of answers. The quest to find her sister’s killer draws her into a shadowy realm where nothing is as it seems, where good and evil wear the same treacherously seductive mask. She is soon faced with an even greater challenge: staying alive long enough to learn how to handle a power she had no idea she possessed–a gift that allows her to see beyond the world of man, into the dangerous realm of the Fae….
As Mac delves deeper into the mystery of her sister’s death, her every move is shadowed by the dark, mysterious Jericho, a man with no past and only mockery for a future. As she begins to close in on the truth, the ruthless Vlane–an alpha Fae who makes sex an addiction for human women–closes in on her. And as the boundary between worlds begins to crumble, Mac’s true mission becomes clear: find the elusive Sinsar Dubh before someone else claims the all-powerful Dark Book–because whoever gets to it first holds nothing less than complete control of the very fabric of both worlds in their hands….
Okay, so first of all i have to thank Goodreads...or rather the people there, who pushed me and pushed me into buying and reading this book. It was my first adult book ever. That been said, knowing they won't beat me up for not giving them credit, let's get to the book. I know I have been saying how i have been missing a good book, but I read two good books in a row. The Dead-Tossed Waves and Darkfever. And both being opposites, I loved them both. But I'm gonna focus on Darkfever. I have read a ton of Fae books and none of them were even as good as this one. Not even close. This book was so original, all of it, the plot, the characters. I have never been to Ireland so I have to say the author did a hell of a job in the descriptions. I could feel as if I was actually there. She had obviously some knowledge of the setting as well as the topic. The fae topic was extremely well developed, narrated and explained. Cause at first it was hard to understand some of the fae-related words, but she explains it pretty well. The narration was something I really had been missing. This book had me laughing every two pages. The narrator manages to be humorous without ruining the books dark mood. And last, but believe me, not least, Barrons. Oh...Barrons. You can't help but love that character. Yeah, readers (and the main character of the story) always fall for the jerks, but Barrons is the king of them all, we all want to be with him, even as cold as he is. In conclusion, I recommend this book for everyone looking for an amazing read.
How many stars?
5 stars
When her sister is murdered, leaving a single clue to her death–a cryptic message on Mac’s cell phone–Mac journeys to Ireland in search of answers. The quest to find her sister’s killer draws her into a shadowy realm where nothing is as it seems, where good and evil wear the same treacherously seductive mask. She is soon faced with an even greater challenge: staying alive long enough to learn how to handle a power she had no idea she possessed–a gift that allows her to see beyond the world of man, into the dangerous realm of the Fae….
As Mac delves deeper into the mystery of her sister’s death, her every move is shadowed by the dark, mysterious Jericho, a man with no past and only mockery for a future. As she begins to close in on the truth, the ruthless Vlane–an alpha Fae who makes sex an addiction for human women–closes in on her. And as the boundary between worlds begins to crumble, Mac’s true mission becomes clear: find the elusive Sinsar Dubh before someone else claims the all-powerful Dark Book–because whoever gets to it first holds nothing less than complete control of the very fabric of both worlds in their hands….
Okay, so first of all i have to thank Goodreads...or rather the people there, who pushed me and pushed me into buying and reading this book. It was my first adult book ever. That been said, knowing they won't beat me up for not giving them credit, let's get to the book. I know I have been saying how i have been missing a good book, but I read two good books in a row. The Dead-Tossed Waves and Darkfever. And both being opposites, I loved them both. But I'm gonna focus on Darkfever. I have read a ton of Fae books and none of them were even as good as this one. Not even close. This book was so original, all of it, the plot, the characters. I have never been to Ireland so I have to say the author did a hell of a job in the descriptions. I could feel as if I was actually there. She had obviously some knowledge of the setting as well as the topic. The fae topic was extremely well developed, narrated and explained. Cause at first it was hard to understand some of the fae-related words, but she explains it pretty well. The narration was something I really had been missing. This book had me laughing every two pages. The narrator manages to be humorous without ruining the books dark mood. And last, but believe me, not least, Barrons. Oh...Barrons. You can't help but love that character. Yeah, readers (and the main character of the story) always fall for the jerks, but Barrons is the king of them all, we all want to be with him, even as cold as he is. In conclusion, I recommend this book for everyone looking for an amazing read.
How many stars?
5 stars
Sunday, July 10, 2011
The Dead-Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan
Gabry lives a quiet life. As safe a life as is possible in a town trapped between a forest and the ocean, in a world teeming with the dead, who constantly hunger for those still living. She’s content on her side of the Barrier, happy to let her friends dream of the Dark City up the coast while she watches from the top of her lighthouse. But there are threats the Barrier cannot hold back. Threats like the secrets Gabry’s mother thought she left behind when she escaped from the Sisterhood and the Forest of Hands and Teeth. Like the cult of religious zealots who worship the dead. Like the stranger from the forest who seems to know Gabry. And suddenly, everything is changing. One reckless moment, and half of Gabry’s generation is dead, the other half imprisoned. Now Gabry only knows one thing: she must face the forest of her mother’s past in order to save herself and the one she loves.
This book, despite being the second one of the series, didn't fail to make me love it. I mention the second book part before because many second books of the series have disappointed me. And it's always that famous saying that goes "Oh the first book was waaaay better than the second one." But that didn't happen with this book. What this book had that many books have failed to give me, and until now I hadn't realized I was craving it, was a good surprise. You guys know the surprise, that part of a certain book when you gasp loudly and just read that surprising part over and over again cause you just can't believe that it's true. Tat book gave me that surprise I was missing. I'm not gonna post what it is here cause I'm no big fan of spoilers. Also, I loved how this book had a different main character from the first book, but still managed to connect this book to the last one. It was really accurate how these two books were connected and I loved it. A part that I really consider important in a book, for me to keep reading it, is to have a hook at the end of some chapters. It is important for the author to keep you wondering. And by adding a hook at the end of a chapter they just make you want to keep reading. It happened when reading Hunger Games, and this book had it as well. As I have mentioned before, I happen to love dark books. This book (as well as the last one) happened to be a dark book but it always had that little light of hope that makes you want to keep reading and pray that things get better for the main character. Because, let's face it, in books, especially this books, it's the author's job to make the main character's life as miserable and complicated as possible. This book kept me hooked and I just loved it. I recommend it for everyone looking for a good read. Did I ever imagine myself saying all these about a zombie book? No I did not. Which is a really good sign.
How many stars?
Five stars
This book, despite being the second one of the series, didn't fail to make me love it. I mention the second book part before because many second books of the series have disappointed me. And it's always that famous saying that goes "Oh the first book was waaaay better than the second one." But that didn't happen with this book. What this book had that many books have failed to give me, and until now I hadn't realized I was craving it, was a good surprise. You guys know the surprise, that part of a certain book when you gasp loudly and just read that surprising part over and over again cause you just can't believe that it's true. Tat book gave me that surprise I was missing. I'm not gonna post what it is here cause I'm no big fan of spoilers. Also, I loved how this book had a different main character from the first book, but still managed to connect this book to the last one. It was really accurate how these two books were connected and I loved it. A part that I really consider important in a book, for me to keep reading it, is to have a hook at the end of some chapters. It is important for the author to keep you wondering. And by adding a hook at the end of a chapter they just make you want to keep reading. It happened when reading Hunger Games, and this book had it as well. As I have mentioned before, I happen to love dark books. This book (as well as the last one) happened to be a dark book but it always had that little light of hope that makes you want to keep reading and pray that things get better for the main character. Because, let's face it, in books, especially this books, it's the author's job to make the main character's life as miserable and complicated as possible. This book kept me hooked and I just loved it. I recommend it for everyone looking for a good read. Did I ever imagine myself saying all these about a zombie book? No I did not. Which is a really good sign.
How many stars?
Five stars
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
XVI by Julia Karr
Nina Oberon's life is pretty normal: she hangs out with her best friend, Sandy, and their crew, goes to school, plays with her little sister, Dee. But Nina is 15. And like all girls she'll receive a Governing Council-ordered tattoo on her 16th birthday. XVI. Those three letters will be branded on her wrist, announcing to all the world—even the most predatory of men—that she is ready for sex. Considered easy prey by some, portrayed by the Media as sluts who ask for attacks, becoming a "sex-teen" is Nina's worst fear. That is, until right before her birthday, when Nina's mom is brutally attacked. With her dying breaths, she reveals to Nina a shocking truth about her past—one that destroys everything Nina thought she knew. Now, alone but for her sister, Nina must try to discover who she really is, all the while staying one step ahead of her mother's killer.
All I have to say about this book is wow. It surprised me how much I loved this book. I've only read a few Dystopian books and this one is definitely my favorite. Well, not only in the dystopian genre but in general, it's one of my favorite books. The whole idea was really creative but simple at the same time, in a good way. I don't like the fact that dystopian movies/books sometimes overdo what the future might be like: everything destroyed, mankind slowly dying, all that scary s**t that scares all of us. Well this one took an actual world, and changed a few things. But there's one thing that remains true, that is not something that will happen in the future, but something that's happening today. Most of the people, especially teens, are ruled by whatever media says. And this book emphasizes on that point, that we all see but never really think about. I think a lot of us can relate to the main character, especially teens. Today we are pressured by media, and how we're supposed to act and look, and at what age we should have sex. The main character knows she doesn't have to act according to the government and society, but to what feels right. I liked the fact that there wasn't something supernatural or over the top included, it was pretty concrete and, well, normal. Another thing I loved and was missing in other books. A good villain. Ed was an excellent villain and he's one of the things that made me want to keep on reading. Was he a demon? No. A vampire? Hell, no. A fairy? Those make good villains, but no. He was just a person, and a scary one at that. Julia Karr did an excellent job creating an antagonist and really brought me to the point of hating him. So, in conclusion, this is a really original, realistic and amazing book that will keep you hooked and will open your eyes to a world we do have today.
How many stars?
5 stars (with standing ovation)
Sunday, June 12, 2011
The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter
It's always been just Kate and her mom—and her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate's going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear her mother won't live past the fall.
Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld—and if she accepts his bargain, he'll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests.
Kate is sure he's crazy—until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she succeeds, she'll become Henry's future bride, and a goddess.
I've been dying to read a good greek-mythology book. I've tried Percy Jackson, Abandon and other books but so far this was the one that I liked the most. I liked the pace of the book, it was perfect. It wasn't slow enough that I got bored or fast enough, each event in this book went at its own perfect pace and made the book entertaining since page one. The main character was pretty realistic, it's one of the only books I've read in which the main character doesn't actually believe what the hot guy says he is until she gets concrete proof. Believe me, it's pretty unrealistic when a guy goes: "Hey, guess what, I'm a god!" And the girl's like: "Okay, cool!" It's not real, no person in their right mind would believe it. Henry is a bad boy, and I know I say this a lot, but I'm a sucker for bad boys. But this one was different. He didn't fall head over heels for the main character until later in the book, which was also pretty original considering that in most YA books it's the other way around. The girl always plays hard-to-get while the boy chases her around like a lost puppy. The ending was extremely surprising, which is something that I have been missing in other books either. They were getting too predictable for me, but not this one, not at all. In the end, you're as confused as the main character is. So in general, this book was unpredictable, with an unexpected ending and believable characters. Sounds confusing? Just a little. Should you read it? Yeah, you should.
How many stars?
5 stars
Friday, May 27, 2011
Deadly Little Secret by Laurie Faria Stolarz
Some secrets shouldn't be kept...
Up until three months ago, everything in sixteen-year-old Camelia's life had been fairly ordinary: decent grades; an okay relationship with her parents; and a pretty cool part-time job at the art studio downtown. But when Ben, the mysterious new guy, starts junior year at her high school, Camelia's life becomes anything but ordinary.
Rumored to be somehow responsible for his ex-girlfriend's accidental death, Ben is immediately ostracized by everyone on campus. Except for Camelia. She's reluctant to believe the rumors, even when her friends try to convince her otherwise. She's inexplicably drawn to Ben...and to his touch. But soon, Camelia is receiving eerie phone calls and strange packages with threatening notes. Ben insists she is in danger, and that he can help--but can he be trusted? She knows he's hiding something... but he's not the only one with a secret.
I read Blue Is For Nightmares before reading this book and I absolutely fell in love with it. So when I saw another book series by the same author, I knew i had to read it. It's hard to read another book series by the same author because you can't help to compare them. Well when I picked up this book I didn't even think about comparisons. Since page one I loved it. I love books with the whole 'stalker' theme. Don't know why, call me weird, but i do. I've always loved a good mystery. So add this up: supernatural+mystery+stalking+hot bad-ass = AWESOME BOOK! I mean it, one of the best ones I've read in quite some time. It kept me guessing and guessing and it also kept me hooked. The plot was an amazing combination of a little bit of drama, and whole lots of mystery, romance and paranormal. The characters are likeable, they like to take risks and are headstrong, which was one of the many aspects I loved. I love the unpredictable truth about the stalker and the ending that is not quite a cliffhanger but it leaves you wanting more. I recommend this book to everyone who enjoys a good mystery and paranormal romance.
How many stars?
5 stars
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Wither by Lauren DeStefano
What if you knew exactly when you would die?
Thanks to modern science, every human being has become a ticking genetic time bomb—males only live to age twenty-five, and females only live to age twenty. In this bleak landscape, young girls are kidnapped and forced into polygamous marriages to keep the population from dying out.
When sixteen-year-old Rhine Ellery is taken by the Gatherers to become a bride, she enters a world of wealth and privilege. Despite her husband Linden's genuine love for her, and a tenuous trust among her sister wives, Rhine has one purpose: to escape—to find her twin brother and go home.
But Rhine has more to contend with than losing her freedom. Linden's eccentric father is bent on finding an antidote to the genetic virus that is getting closer to taking his son, even if it means collecting corpses in order to test his experiments. With the help of Gabriel, a servant Rhine is growing dangerously attracted to, Rhine attempts to break free, in the limited time she has left.
What really called my attention in this book was the whole darkness with it. It kind of reminded me of The Forest of Hands and Teeth. This wasn't the typical happy story in which everything ends happily ever after. It was sad in its own way, and I loved it. The theme was creative, many futuristic books involve a world that's completely destroyed or overrun by technology. This book takes the world we still have today and adds a little future to it in a very creative way, by shortening the people's lives. This book really gets you thinking, like it says on the first line, what would you do if you knew exactly when you would die? If you think about it many people around you would be dead by now. That's what also makes it kind of sad that in the end you know who's gonna die and who's not. I loved the way Rhine narrated the story, it was realistic. And you could really notice that she wrote the truth of what she saw. And also, it's realistic the fact that not everyone likes her, because I hate those books in which everyone loves the main character. I always love the most anonymous character in almost every book I read. I fell in love with Jenna. She was this strong character who was in the middle, Cecily trying to please everyone, Rhine struggling to keep up acting like she was okay with everything and her, who hid nothing. There was one thing that made me kind of mad though, the fact that i almost fell in love with Linden, the fact that he wasn't really a bad guy but just naive, he didn't know any better, and I couldn't help but feeling sorry for him, and even liking him. If I had to use one word to describe this book I would use these: peculiar, brilliant, original and captivating.
How many stars?
5 stars
Thanks to modern science, every human being has become a ticking genetic time bomb—males only live to age twenty-five, and females only live to age twenty. In this bleak landscape, young girls are kidnapped and forced into polygamous marriages to keep the population from dying out.
When sixteen-year-old Rhine Ellery is taken by the Gatherers to become a bride, she enters a world of wealth and privilege. Despite her husband Linden's genuine love for her, and a tenuous trust among her sister wives, Rhine has one purpose: to escape—to find her twin brother and go home.
But Rhine has more to contend with than losing her freedom. Linden's eccentric father is bent on finding an antidote to the genetic virus that is getting closer to taking his son, even if it means collecting corpses in order to test his experiments. With the help of Gabriel, a servant Rhine is growing dangerously attracted to, Rhine attempts to break free, in the limited time she has left.
What really called my attention in this book was the whole darkness with it. It kind of reminded me of The Forest of Hands and Teeth. This wasn't the typical happy story in which everything ends happily ever after. It was sad in its own way, and I loved it. The theme was creative, many futuristic books involve a world that's completely destroyed or overrun by technology. This book takes the world we still have today and adds a little future to it in a very creative way, by shortening the people's lives. This book really gets you thinking, like it says on the first line, what would you do if you knew exactly when you would die? If you think about it many people around you would be dead by now. That's what also makes it kind of sad that in the end you know who's gonna die and who's not. I loved the way Rhine narrated the story, it was realistic. And you could really notice that she wrote the truth of what she saw. And also, it's realistic the fact that not everyone likes her, because I hate those books in which everyone loves the main character. I always love the most anonymous character in almost every book I read. I fell in love with Jenna. She was this strong character who was in the middle, Cecily trying to please everyone, Rhine struggling to keep up acting like she was okay with everything and her, who hid nothing. There was one thing that made me kind of mad though, the fact that i almost fell in love with Linden, the fact that he wasn't really a bad guy but just naive, he didn't know any better, and I couldn't help but feeling sorry for him, and even liking him. If I had to use one word to describe this book I would use these: peculiar, brilliant, original and captivating.
5 stars
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink
An ancient prophecy divides two sisters-
One good...
One evil...
Who will prevail?
Twin sisters Lia and Alice Milthorpe have just become orphans. They have also become enemies. As they discover their roles in a prophecy that has turned generations of sisters against each other, the girls find themselves entangled in a mystery that involves a tattoo-like mark, their parents' deaths, a boy, a book, and a lifetime of secrets.
Lia and Alice don't know whom they can trust.
They just know they can't trust each other.
This book surprised me. It had been sitting on my shelf for a while, and always thought I had something better to read, so it took a while for me to pick it up and read it. And I wish I would have read it sooner, because I loved it. I loved how it was set in the 1800s, it gave a good essence to the story. I had to admit I judged the book by it's title before reading it, and I'm not proud. I thought this book would be about the typical prophecy that said that the 'chosen one' (cause there's always a chosen one) will save them all and that dark things would do anything to stop the one. This book kind of had a little of that, but it was different. The prophecy seemed genuine, original and yet believable. I also loved how the book had a little bit of everything. It had a little bit of romance, adventure, fantasy and thriller. It managed to keep me hooked without overdoing the events that happened in the book. What I always analyze more than anything in books are the characters, and Alice was a character that really stuck out. She wasn't actually there in every single part of the story, actually, she wasn't there a lot. But her presence was always there, everywhere. She was a different kind of villain, she was evil in a way that cannot be described. One last thing I loved about it that is not always found in other books, is the darkness of the story. It's this lugubrious setting and environment that made the story what it is, and the presence of death through the story it's what made it so believable and relatable. I highly recommend this book.
How many stars?
5 stars
One good...
One evil...
Who will prevail?
Twin sisters Lia and Alice Milthorpe have just become orphans. They have also become enemies. As they discover their roles in a prophecy that has turned generations of sisters against each other, the girls find themselves entangled in a mystery that involves a tattoo-like mark, their parents' deaths, a boy, a book, and a lifetime of secrets.
Lia and Alice don't know whom they can trust.
They just know they can't trust each other.
This book surprised me. It had been sitting on my shelf for a while, and always thought I had something better to read, so it took a while for me to pick it up and read it. And I wish I would have read it sooner, because I loved it. I loved how it was set in the 1800s, it gave a good essence to the story. I had to admit I judged the book by it's title before reading it, and I'm not proud. I thought this book would be about the typical prophecy that said that the 'chosen one' (cause there's always a chosen one) will save them all and that dark things would do anything to stop the one. This book kind of had a little of that, but it was different. The prophecy seemed genuine, original and yet believable. I also loved how the book had a little bit of everything. It had a little bit of romance, adventure, fantasy and thriller. It managed to keep me hooked without overdoing the events that happened in the book. What I always analyze more than anything in books are the characters, and Alice was a character that really stuck out. She wasn't actually there in every single part of the story, actually, she wasn't there a lot. But her presence was always there, everywhere. She was a different kind of villain, she was evil in a way that cannot be described. One last thing I loved about it that is not always found in other books, is the darkness of the story. It's this lugubrious setting and environment that made the story what it is, and the presence of death through the story it's what made it so believable and relatable. I highly recommend this book.
How many stars?
5 stars
Monday, March 21, 2011
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.
Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before—and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that will weigh survival against humanity and life against love.
I have nothing else to say about this book except for wow. This book was definitely one of the best books I've read. It was unique in every single way, and I think we can all say we've never read something like this before. When I first saw this book and read the summary, I wasn't that interested in reading it. But when I started reading it, it was a drug. It made me addicted to it. I was caught in Katniss's world, in the Hunger Games. This is one of those books that will keep you thinking and dreaming about it even long after you've finished it. What I also loved about this book was that it wasn't all roses and rainbows and daffodils, it was realistic and drastic. I liked the graphic way it described the games and everything every character did in order to survive. It shows that part all of us have but never take into account, our survival instinct. What we would be capable of doing just to survive. Katniss was an amazing leading character, it inspired strength and desire to be free. She showed that she could make the rules herself, Katniss was definitely not a damsel in distress, but rather a Robin Hood, a Joan of Arc. If we had to describe Katniss in just one word, it would be the word heroic. And Peeta, you fall in love with this guy since he first shows up. Some authors do a great job writing a lovable male character. But Suzanne Collins did a hell of a job. So, in concluison, this book is amazing, if you're thinking about reading it, do it!
How Many Stars?
5 stars
Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before—and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that will weigh survival against humanity and life against love.
How Many Stars?
5 stars
Friday, March 11, 2011
Matched by Ally Condie
Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is her ideal mate . . . until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black.
The Society tells her it's a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she's destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can't stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society's infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path that no one else has dared to follow.
This book wasn't what I expected. I haven't read that many dystopia books, and I didn't think I would like this book. I just thought I'd give it a try, that it would be nothing special. Boy, was I wrong. What a good book. I loved how different from everything else I've read it was. It was really unique. Cassia's a deep character. I love the way she talks about poetry and the society she lives in. This book really makes you think. It makes you think and appreciate the choices you have today. I think the books started off a little slow, but ti picked up the pace pretty fast, and when it did, I didn't want to put it down. This book was a real surprise for me and i'm glad I read it. I recommend this book for everyone who is looking for something new and unique to read.
How many stars?
4 stars
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Storm Glass by Maria V. Snyder
As a glassmaker and a magician-in-training, Opal Cowen understands trial by fire. Now it's time to test her mettle. Someone has sabotaged the Stormdancer clan's glass orbs, killing their most powerful magicians. The Stormdancers—particularly the mysterious and mercurial Kade—require Opal's unique talents to prevent it happening again. But when the mission goes awry, Opal must tap in to a new kind of magic as stunningly potent as it is frightening. And the further she delves into the intrigue behind the glass and magic, the more distorted things appear. With lives hanging in the balance—including her own—Opal must control powers she hadn't known she possessed…powers that might lead to disaster beyond anything she's ever known.I've owned this book for a while now, but hadn't had a chance to read it until a while ago. I have to say I was a little concerned about the book, because the last book I read by Maria V. Snyder was Fire Study and it really disappointed me. But I decided to give the book a chance and read it. And I'm so glad I did. This book was...wait for it...amazing. What I loved most about the book was not only the narrator, but also the knowledge Maria V. Snyder had about glass blowing. She really proved she knew what she was talking about, and that gave a great quality and originality to the story. Opal was hilarious, I found myself laughing every five pages. Also, and I think this is something, or rather someone, we all loved, I fell in love with Kade. He wasn't the typical cheesy romantic guy, but he wasn't the typical bad boy either. Kade was someone you really don't notice at first, but when you get to know him better, you can't help but to fall for him. There is an originality to this book that other books don't have, the fact that it's set on a medieval, old-age era makes it fascinating. I give five stars to this awesome book and recommend it to everyone looking for a good read.
How many stars?
5 stars
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Paranormalcy by Kiersten White
Evie’s always thought of herself as a normal teenager, even though she works for the International Paranormal Containment Agency, her ex-boyfriend is a faerie, she’s falling for a shape-shifter, and she’s the only person who can see through paranormals’ glamours.
But Evie’s about to realize that she may very well be at the center of a dark faerie prophecy promising destruction to all paranormal creatures.
So much for normal.
First of all, ever since I read this book I started saying 'bleep' (If you've read the book, you know what this means). Anyway, I know I said this on my last review but I am addicted to paranormal books, so this book was just perfect for me. I have to admit this book exceeded my expectations. I expected just the typical paranormal book, but it was more than that. This book had me literally hooked. And not only was it interesting it was also funny. I haven't laughed with a book ever since I read Jinx by Meg Cabot, but this book just made me laugh way too many times. People in my class even asked me if I was okay cause I started laughing out of nowhere, little did they know I was reading Paranormalcy. Evie is a very funny, relatable character and one of my favorite main characters EVER. Another thing, I read Wicked Lovely, Ink Exchange, and Fragile Eternity, and I knew faeries were bad. But it wasn't until I read this book that I discovered how bad faeries were, I was actually afraid of Reth. I can say nothing bad about this book, there is nothing bad to say. It was amazing, awesome, incredible, wow! And those aren't even describing how great the book was! Amazing job by Kiersten White! I highly recommend Paranormalcy.
How many stars?
5 stars
How many stars?
5 stars
The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan
In Mary's world there are simple truths. The Sisterhood always knows best. The Guardians will protect and serve. The Unconsecrated will never relent. And you must always mind the fence that surrounds the village; the fence that protects the village from the Forest of Hands and Teeth. But, slowly, Mary’s truths are failing her. She’s learning things she never wanted to know about the Sisterhood and its secrets, and the Guardians and their power, and about the Unconsecrated and their relentlessness. When the fence is breached and her world is thrown into chaos, she must choose between her village and her future—between the one she loves and the one who loves her. And she must face the truth about the Forest of Hands and Teeth. Could there be life outside a world surrounded in so much death?I'm not fond of zombie books. I´ve only read one zombie book in my life (not including this one), and I liked it, but not one of my favorites. But this book was...wow. I mean I really didn't know what to expect out of it. When I got to the bookstore I didn't know whether to buy it or not, then I thought "Why not!" And I started reading it right away. I devoured it. I couldn't take my eyes off of it. What I liked about it was that it moved real fast, cause I hate it when a book's slow and it takes an hour for something interesting to happen. I loved, loved, LOVED IT! The story was believeble, I know it sounds weird since it's a fiction novel, but it was. Mary was completely believable, the way she behaves, what leads her to doing what she does (not going to say anything specific I am against spoilers). What really called me about this book it's that it's a dark novel. It's not rainbows and sunshine, it's dark, and I loved it. Once I opened the book, it was a virus that invaded my mind. When I wasn't reading it, I was looking forward to reading it. When it was time to go to bed, I thought about it over and over again. And once I was done with it, I wanted to read it again. A huge thumbs up for this book, I highly reccommend it.
How many stars?
5 stars
Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick
Nora would have hardly noticed Scott Parnell, an old family friend who has moved back to town, if Path hadnt been acting so distant. Even with Scott's totally infuriating attitude Nora finds herself drawn to him - despite her lingering feeling that he's hiding something.
Haunted by images of her murdered father, and questioning whether her nephilim bloodline has anything to do with his death, Nora puts herself increasingly in dangerous situations as she desperatly searches for answers. But maybe some things are better left buried, because the truth could destroy everything - and everyone - she trusts.
This book was addictive, one of the most addictive books I've read. Most of the times, I don't expect the second books of a series to be better than the first ones, but this one was better than the first one it was wow. I have to say the cliffhanger was just mean. In this book there was a constant "What's gonna happen next?" thought. But the cliffhanger, it was the biggest of all, it was a "What the hell is going to happen next?!" The worst part of the cliffhanger is that you don't have the answer to that question. What i really liked about this book was Nora. She was reckless and a reckless character always gives a great essence to the story. And Patch...oh god Patch. He is my main reason for reading the book, he is the perfect guy and you can't help to feel attracted to him. The plot was unbelievable, it had me hooked the whole time. This book really did exceed my expectations. I highly recommend it. But be sure to read book one first. Believe me, both of them are worth reading!
How many stars?
5 stars
A Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
Magic is dangerous--but love is more dangerous still.
When sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray crosses the ocean to find her brother, her destination is England, the time is the reign of Queen Victoria, and something terrifying is waiting for her in London's Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit streets. Only the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons, keep order amidst the chaos.
Kidnapped by the mysterious Dark Sisters, members of a secret organization called The Pandemonium Club, Tessa soon learns that she herself is a Downworlder with a rare ability: the power to transform, at will, into another person. What's more, the Magister, the shadowy figure who runs the Club, will stop at nothing to claim Tessa's power for his own.
Friendless and hunted, Tessa takes refuge with the Shadowhunters of the London Institute, who swear to find her brother if she will use her power to help them. She soon finds herself fascinated by--and torn between--two best friends: James, whose fragile beauty hides a deadly secret, and blue-eyed Will, whose caustic wit and volatile moods keep everyone in his life at arm's length...everyone, that is, but Tessa. As their search draws them deep into the heart of an arcane plot that threatens to destroy the Shadowhunters, Tessa realizes that she may need to choose between saving her brother and helping her new friends save the world...and that love may be the most dangerous magic of all.
A friend told me to read the Mortal Instruments series, I don't know why, but I never did. But then I saw that A Clockwork Angel in Borders and I said "I have to read that." What I mostly loved about this book is that it's in the nineteenth century and at the same time it includes all of the supernatural stuff I love. Maybe I don't say this much, but I love books that take place during the 1800s and then I realized it also included paranormal creatures and I couldn't stop thinking about reading that book. And when I finally started reading it, I couldn't put it down, and when I had to put it down, it was pure suffering. Normally (when I have time) I read one book in about four days or sometimes even a week. This one took a while longer. Not because it was long or anything, but because I was loving it so much I wanted to take my time reading it. Then I was done with it, and the suffering came again. So i've got five things to say about this book.
1. Cassandra Clare did a hell of a job writing it.
2. I love Will.
3. I know she's kind of anonymous, but Sophie's my favorite character.
4. I love Will.
5. I can't wait for the next book (and until the next book comes out, the suffering will continue.)
When sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray crosses the ocean to find her brother, her destination is England, the time is the reign of Queen Victoria, and something terrifying is waiting for her in London's Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit streets. Only the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons, keep order amidst the chaos.
Kidnapped by the mysterious Dark Sisters, members of a secret organization called The Pandemonium Club, Tessa soon learns that she herself is a Downworlder with a rare ability: the power to transform, at will, into another person. What's more, the Magister, the shadowy figure who runs the Club, will stop at nothing to claim Tessa's power for his own.
Friendless and hunted, Tessa takes refuge with the Shadowhunters of the London Institute, who swear to find her brother if she will use her power to help them. She soon finds herself fascinated by--and torn between--two best friends: James, whose fragile beauty hides a deadly secret, and blue-eyed Will, whose caustic wit and volatile moods keep everyone in his life at arm's length...everyone, that is, but Tessa. As their search draws them deep into the heart of an arcane plot that threatens to destroy the Shadowhunters, Tessa realizes that she may need to choose between saving her brother and helping her new friends save the world...and that love may be the most dangerous magic of all.
A friend told me to read the Mortal Instruments series, I don't know why, but I never did. But then I saw that A Clockwork Angel in Borders and I said "I have to read that." What I mostly loved about this book is that it's in the nineteenth century and at the same time it includes all of the supernatural stuff I love. Maybe I don't say this much, but I love books that take place during the 1800s and then I realized it also included paranormal creatures and I couldn't stop thinking about reading that book. And when I finally started reading it, I couldn't put it down, and when I had to put it down, it was pure suffering. Normally (when I have time) I read one book in about four days or sometimes even a week. This one took a while longer. Not because it was long or anything, but because I was loving it so much I wanted to take my time reading it. Then I was done with it, and the suffering came again. So i've got five things to say about this book.
1. Cassandra Clare did a hell of a job writing it.2. I love Will.
3. I know she's kind of anonymous, but Sophie's my favorite character.
4. I love Will.
5. I can't wait for the next book (and until the next book comes out, the suffering will continue.)
How many stars?
5 stars
Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles
Nothing has been the same since Caleb Becker left a party drunk, got behind the wheel, and hit Maggie Armstrong. Even after months of painful physical therapy, Maggie walks with a limp. Her social life is nil and a scholarship to study abroad—her chance to escape everyone and their pitying stares—has been canceled.
After a year in juvenile jail, Caleb’s free . . . if freedom means endless nagging from a transition coach and the prying eyes of the entire town. Coming home should feel good, but his family and ex-girlfriend seem like strangers.
Caleb and Maggie are outsiders, pigeon-holed as "criminal" and "freak." Then the truth emerges about what really happened the night of the accident and, once again, everything changes. It’s a bleak and tortuous journey for Caleb and Maggie, yet they end up finding comfort and strength from a surprising source: each other.
It's been a very long time since i've read non-fictional-creatures books. I don't enjoy them much, that's why I read fictional-creatures-books. But it didn't happen with Leaving Paradise. First of all I loved how it alternated the points of view, cause first-person-narrator books are my favorites. I also loved the plot, when I started reading it I was thinking that that was a very common plot. But as I kept on reading, my family heard on hearing my occasional "NO!" or my typical "NO MA!!" (that kind of a 'no way' in spanish). I also loved the characters, it's not the average teenagers who have issues, it goes beyond that. When I was done with it I wanted to buy the next one! I really don't enjoy cheesy romantic books, but this wasn't a cheesy romantic book. It was something else it was a romantic book but in an exciting kind of way, "excitedly romantic". I recommend this book to everyone who is looking for something good to read. It doesn't have to be something specific, just a good read. Believe me, you will fall in love with the book.
How many stars?
5 stars
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Hush Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgment, but after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure whom to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is, and to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is far more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.
For Nora is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost her life.
I loved this book in so many different ways. I loved it because of the plot, the characters, the writing, but mostly, Patch. When he first showed up in the book I didn't know whether to like him or not, but as I kept on reading I fell in love with him. I found attracted to him and his whole 'bad guy' image. But I found out he could be funny, yet sweet. I was looking forward to reading that book everyday. And when I was done with it all I could think about was "No! I didn't want it to end!" And that happens with all of the books I like. I've been reading books by new authors lately, so if you're looking for new authors, read Hush Hush.
How many stars?
5 stars
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