Happy August everyone. It's me, well the odd-ball that hasn't post a jack load of stuff since what the beginning of July? Well damn it all, I do apologize. However, I figured it was time to tell you all why I haven't been around. If you all have read my previous posts or the small sentences of me moving and work, well that is completely true. I've begun the moving process with the boyfriend and it's a very, very slow process. Let me explain it to you all in some shape or form.
After almost exactly two months since the boyfriend officially moved to my hometown, he finally landed a full time job. (Woo!) He's been searching and searching until a couple of weeks ago my uncle somehow presented my boyfriend with a opportunity and he grabbed it with force. He landed the job two days later, which was awesome yet ehh at the same time. The main reason I say that is I'm now the one with two jobs and with little to no time for us to clean and pack up for this house. (Yes two jobs..) I nabbed a second job, so as a result to it, I have no free time other than when I have a complete day off from both jobs. The second one is a Halloween season job so I can live with it, but its a struggle to keep at it when the other job is my number 1 priority.
Another reason why things are slow is due to the moving process. We literally gotten the electric turned on a few days ago and with the sudden heat waves of death, we barely did anything to clean up the house we are going to be living it. I wanted us there by the beginning or end of this month, but shit happens.
And finally, the real reason. I've been in a horrible slump. I've been somewhat reading, somewhat writing, and so forth. However, I just never had the motivation to keep notes to review the books up until now. I'm going to making a goal to actually keep up with being a writer and reviewer of books for you all and that's a pinky promise and hope to die cross. So I do hope that you'll stick around when I can give you more content in this journey. But, until then keep strong and howl my fellow wolves. I'll be back soon!
Tuesday, August 9, 2016
Friday, July 1, 2016
Book Review: Secret Saturdays
Release Date: April 15th, 2010
Publisher: G.P Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
Format of Novel: Paperback
Rating: 3/5 stars
Summary: A poignant look into one fatherless twelve-year-old’s struggles with friendship and trust. Sean is Justin’s best friend, at least Justin thought he was. But lately Sean has been acting differently. Sean’s been telling lies, getting into trouble at school, and hanging out with a tougher crowd, even getting into fights. This isn’t like Sean at all.
When Justin finally discovers that Sean’s been secretly going to visit his father in prison and is dealing with the shame of that, Justin wants to do something to help before his friend spirals further out of control. But what if confronting Sean means Justin loses his very best friend? In the end, he decides it doesn’t matter; he’s got to man up.
Set in one of New York’s most dangerous neighborhoods, Secret Saturdays is an affecting read highlighted by strong characters and an authentic, heartening voice.
When Justin finally discovers that Sean’s been secretly going to visit his father in prison and is dealing with the shame of that, Justin wants to do something to help before his friend spirals further out of control. But what if confronting Sean means Justin loses his very best friend? In the end, he decides it doesn’t matter; he’s got to man up.
Set in one of New York’s most dangerous neighborhoods, Secret Saturdays is an affecting read highlighted by strong characters and an authentic, heartening voice.
- - - -
This middle grade story was one of the fastest books I've ever read in a long time. I picked up at the local book festival my old high school had back in May and got it because I wanted to explore diversity and middle grade fiction. This story was about Justin and his two friends who are just reaching teen hood and figuring out what their other friend Sean has been doing while attempting to maintain their 'normal' lifestyle. The entire story involves the 'secret' of Sean's weekend trips and odd behavior when around them, which made the story pretty straightforward once you get into it.
While I did enjoy the simplicity of the story and the little development the main character gains throughout the book, I did have minor problems with it. One I can quickly think of was the general plot. Even though the story is more focused on how the kids are growing up in a rough environment and without fathers; I did have issues with how narrow the overall concept of secrets. I didn't feel that the story was resolve in any shape or form and for a middle grade novel, I feel that kids within that age group would feel the same as well. Another issue I had with this story was the characters, while they quite relatable and young, they were also faded in a way. I mean, the only focused character we get is the narrator Justin and like the other ones, he is at odd standstill, and we don't get to see much growth from him as well. We only got to see bits and pieces of it, but nothing exciting at all.
Overall though, the story was a straightforward read and the message of being honest is quite strong within Maldonado's writing. I believe that the younger age group would enjoy this book. Unfortunately, I'm in my early twenties so I couldn't really enjoy it as much as I wanted too. This book is a great addition to the diversity we need in books, but I wish this was a little bit stronger in terms of plot and the characters had more growth than they did in the short amount of time we got to know them. :)
Overall though, the story was a straightforward read and the message of being honest is quite strong within Maldonado's writing. I believe that the younger age group would enjoy this book. Unfortunately, I'm in my early twenties so I couldn't really enjoy it as much as I wanted too. This book is a great addition to the diversity we need in books, but I wish this was a little bit stronger in terms of plot and the characters had more growth than they did in the short amount of time we got to know them. :)
Wednesday, June 8, 2016
Book Review: The Body Electric
The Body Electric by Beth Revis
Release Date: October 6th, 2014
Format of Novel: E-book/On the Nook
Publication: I think it was self published? Not sure.
Rating: 3/5 stars
Summary from Goodreads: The future world is at peace.
Ella Shepherd has dedicated her life to using her unique gift—the ability to enter people’s dreams and memories using technology developed by her mother—to help others relive their happy memories.
But not all is as it seems.
Ella starts seeing impossible things—images of her dead father, warnings of who she cannot trust. Her government recruits her to spy on a rebel group, using her ability to experience—and influence—the memories of traitors. But the leader of the rebels claims they used to be in love—even though Ella’s never met him before in her life. Which can only mean one thing…
Someone’s altered her memory.
Ella’s gift is enough to overthrow a corrupt government or crush a growing rebel group. She is the key to stopping a war she didn’t even know was happening. But if someone else has been inside Ella’s head, she cannot trust her own memories, thoughts, or feelings.
So who can she trust
Ella Shepherd has dedicated her life to using her unique gift—the ability to enter people’s dreams and memories using technology developed by her mother—to help others relive their happy memories.
But not all is as it seems.
Ella starts seeing impossible things—images of her dead father, warnings of who she cannot trust. Her government recruits her to spy on a rebel group, using her ability to experience—and influence—the memories of traitors. But the leader of the rebels claims they used to be in love—even though Ella’s never met him before in her life. Which can only mean one thing…
Someone’s altered her memory.
Ella’s gift is enough to overthrow a corrupt government or crush a growing rebel group. She is the key to stopping a war she didn’t even know was happening. But if someone else has been inside Ella’s head, she cannot trust her own memories, thoughts, or feelings.
So who can she trust
- - -
Recently, I've been trying to expand my reading tastes and try stuff that I'm not normally into like science fiction. Beth Revis is a very popular author and I do enjoy her Paper Heart series since it was very honest and enjoyable to read. So as a result, I figured why not try out her other books. I've had this one on my nook for a while and gave it a whirl. Meaningless to say that I fairly enjoyed it. The characters were interesting to say the least with each of them having their own goals following this sudden take over of the upcoming battle between the government and the uprising rebel group. Etta sparked by interest because she is a stubborn one and has that powerful passion to go out of her way to save her mother and uncover the mysteries of her father's death and this unknown group. The other characters were cool as well, but at the same time, I didn't really connect with them. They were there for one second, then they weren't, especially during the action packed scenes. And the main guy character, Jack, was annoying as heck. I wanted to deck him in the fact for Etta. He was annoyingly set on being with Etta and at times I wanted him to be more mysterious and cunning instead of 'oh here you go, I screwed up your past!' to Etta.
As for the plot, it was the typical dystopian plot with the world going to shit and the main female protagonist is the source of saving the shitty world. I enjoyed the idea of Revis' world building and the scientific elements for this book. However, I felt that it was lacking and the pacing and the short chapters made it a little difficult to the overall concept of this book. I'm not sure if this was because I didn't read her Across the Universe trilogy before I picked this one up or what. Who knows.
Even though I wanted something more from this book, it was still an generally decent book to read. It was filled with action and passion. The characters were easy to follow and enjoyable and the plot was on point for a person that enjoys books within the sci-fi genre. I wish I can that I fell in love with it, but I didn't. But, I did enjoy it.
What are your opinions about this novel? Let me know in the comments below. :) Bye for now my fellow wolves!
As for the plot, it was the typical dystopian plot with the world going to shit and the main female protagonist is the source of saving the shitty world. I enjoyed the idea of Revis' world building and the scientific elements for this book. However, I felt that it was lacking and the pacing and the short chapters made it a little difficult to the overall concept of this book. I'm not sure if this was because I didn't read her Across the Universe trilogy before I picked this one up or what. Who knows.
Even though I wanted something more from this book, it was still an generally decent book to read. It was filled with action and passion. The characters were easy to follow and enjoyable and the plot was on point for a person that enjoys books within the sci-fi genre. I wish I can that I fell in love with it, but I didn't. But, I did enjoy it.
What are your opinions about this novel? Let me know in the comments below. :) Bye for now my fellow wolves!
Monday, June 6, 2016
Book Review: Falling Kingdoms
Release Date: December 11th, 2012
Publisher: Razorbill
Format of Novel: Paperback
Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
Summary from good reads: In the three kingdoms of Mytica, magic has long been forgotten. And while hard-won peace has reigned for centuries, a deadly unrest now simmers below the surface.
As the rulers of each kingdom grapple for power, the lives of their subjects are brutally transformed... and four key players, royals and rebels alike, find their fates forever intertwined. Cleo, Jonas, Lucia, and Magnus are caught in a dizzying world of treacherous betrayals, shocking murders, secret alliances, and even unforeseen love.
The only outcome that's certain is that kingdoms will fall. Who will emerge triumphant when all they know has collapsed?
It's the eve of war.... Choose your side.
Princess: Raised in pampered luxury, Cleo must now embark on a rough and treacherous journey into enemy territory in search of magic long thought extinct.
Rebel: Jonas, enraged at injustice, lashes out against the forces of oppression that have kept his country cruelly impoverished. To his shock, he finds himself the leader of a people's revolution centuries in the making.
Sorceress: Lucia, adopted at birth into the royal family, discovers the truth about her past—and the supernatural legacy she is destined to wield.
Heir: Bred for aggression and trained to conquer, firstborn son Magnus begins to realize that the heart can be more lethal than the sword....
As the rulers of each kingdom grapple for power, the lives of their subjects are brutally transformed... and four key players, royals and rebels alike, find their fates forever intertwined. Cleo, Jonas, Lucia, and Magnus are caught in a dizzying world of treacherous betrayals, shocking murders, secret alliances, and even unforeseen love.
The only outcome that's certain is that kingdoms will fall. Who will emerge triumphant when all they know has collapsed?
It's the eve of war.... Choose your side.
Princess: Raised in pampered luxury, Cleo must now embark on a rough and treacherous journey into enemy territory in search of magic long thought extinct.
Rebel: Jonas, enraged at injustice, lashes out against the forces of oppression that have kept his country cruelly impoverished. To his shock, he finds himself the leader of a people's revolution centuries in the making.
Sorceress: Lucia, adopted at birth into the royal family, discovers the truth about her past—and the supernatural legacy she is destined to wield.
Heir: Bred for aggression and trained to conquer, firstborn son Magnus begins to realize that the heart can be more lethal than the sword....
- - - -
Did you ever wanted to read a book that sparked your love for adventure? A drama that screams love and despair, and loads of swoon of men and spunky girls? Well, that's what I got from this book. As it was blurb to be the 'YA of Game of Thrones", Morgan Rhodes delivered it to full justice. I absoultly fell in love with Falling Kingdoms. It had everything I was craving for at the time I read and I speeded right through it in a matter of days. The world building and the characters, holy crap the characters were cool. Even though they had similar to some of the modern fantasy character tropes that we see in YA fantasy, each of the focused characters had their own arc and it was wonderful. Jonas was the acting avenger like Sasuke from Naruto. Cleo was a semi humble yet sharp princess, and Magnus, oh my poor prince, such a tragic character. Almost like a darker version of Halmet. Lucia was this naïve and innocent girl yet she held her own and kicked ass in the end too. Man, I wanted to hug all of them at once while I was embracing myself in their story till they lost some air from the constant hugging..
The world building was (in my opinion) very standard to a fantasy series. However, it was presented very well with the right amount of pacing when it came down to it. The magical and political systems are somewhat revealed, yet at the same time, we are only touching the basics of it all and that's perfectly fine with me. I want to enjoy the world that our characters are enduring so I don't have to feel out of the loop and with the semi-slow info dump and the multiple point of views, it was good.
Another thing I also truly enjoyed was a couple of hidden stuff I've noticed in terms of tropes. Can we be grateful that the main four are literally like realistic young adults?? As a twenty two year old reader, I'm starting to crave the realistic stuff like "Teens drinking, smoking, sex before marriage' shindig as I'm reading and I was so happy when I read that Cleo wasn't a virgin. It's such a minor thing, but that small detail made me respect Cleo so damn much as a young lady. She's flawed, but she's becoming her own being or queen in a sense for her kingdom. She quickly became my favorite with her attitude and willingness to do shit for her family. Yet she's a snarky little bitch with her quick impulse when taking action. The other thing did also shine in their own way, but I think Cleo shinned a little more in this own. Don't get me wrong, I loved the other three and their point of views, but Cleo took my heart in this own.
The overall plot and battle between the three kingdoms was epic and emotional. It was predictable with some of the stuff like Jonas' character and how the battle was going to be foretold. Which is why I didn't give this book a five star rating on good reads. But, in the end, it was very exciting. I highly recommend this book to anyone truly starting in the fantasy genre while reading. This book is a start to an epic series that will knock the wind out of you and will make you crave more than you realize after flipping the last page.
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