Book Review #12: "Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin

Let me first say that this book has a fabulous concept. The summary on the back of the book is thrilling and entangling! Sadly, that's really where the fun ended for me.

Sorry guys, but not so into it. The only character I remotely liked at the end was Jon and Martin really didn't give him much to do. I used to love Renly until I realized absolutely nothing was going to be done with his character…what a complete shame. Tyrion was funny, but not one I can easily relate to. I already knew Eddard's fate so I tried not to get attached. All the girls are flipping annoying, except for Arya, but again, nothing done with her storyline. Every time her plot got interesting, Martin dropped her to move onto other more boring characters and forgot about her until ten chapters later, and, by then, it feels like he just forgot to write something in her point of view in such a long time that he might as well stick something in there so his audience doesn’t completely forget about her existence.

I’m not even going to get started with the sex scenes. If it isn’t rape or incest, I don’t know what to call it.

My greatest pet peeves are really these two things though. 1) Are these characters forbidden to talk to each other? The book is written in several points of view. 8, I think. And, I know these characters are technically scattered across this country, but for the sake of the story, can’t they cross paths once in a long while. I wanted them to interact and talk with one another, but apparently that may never happen. 2) Isn’t this categorized as fantasy? Besides the idea of the Direwolves, some little dragons in the last few lines, and some supposed array of beasts that live beyond the wall, I’m not seeing much.

Strongly considering not touching the second book. It’s feeling more like torture than entertainment at this point.

I know I'm not the only one that feels this way. Also, I know there are several out there who probably feel the complete opposite. Tell me about it!

I have also seen some of the HBO series and do intend to continue watching here and there, if not for the sake of seeing how it differs from the book. I've had a lot of luck lately with books I didn't like turning into shows I love. Anyway, feel free to chat with me about the show too.

Book Review #11: "One for the Money" by Janet Evanovich! Movie Review Coming Tomorrow!

Title: One for the Money

Author: Janet Evanovich

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Edition: Movie Tie-In Edition: November 22, 2011

Summary:
ONE FINE MESS
Welcome to Trenton, New Jersey, home to wiseguys, average Joes, and Stephanie Plum, who sports a big attitude and even bigger money problems (since losing her job as a lingerie buyer for a department store). Stephanie needs cash—fast—but times are tough, and soon she’s forced to turn to the last resort of the truly desperate: family...

ONE FALSE MOVE
Stephanie lands a gig at her sleazy cousin Vinnie’s bail bonding company. She’s got no experience. But that doesn’t matter. Neither does the fact that the bail jumper in question is local vice cop Joe Morelli. From the time he first looked up her dress to the time he first got into her pants, to the time Steph hit him with her father’s Buick, M-o-r-e-l-l-i has spelled t-r-o-u-b-l-e. And now the hot guy is in hot water—wanted for murder...

ONE FOR THE MONEY
Abject poverty is a great motivator for learning new skills, but being trained in the school of hard knocks by people like psycho prizefighter Benito Ramirez isn’t. Still, if Stephanie can nab Morelli in a week, she’ll make a cool ten grand. All she has to do is become an expert bounty hunter overnight—and keep herself from getting killed before she gets her man.
*******

By the time I got my hands on this book, one of my best friend's had already read ALL 18 of the Stephanie Plum novels and a movie based on the novel was about to come out! But I got it, read it, and then was able to see the movie the very next week!

High Notes: As many of you must already know, I am not the type of person to pick a piece of contemporary fiction. I just think reading about every day life can be a bit boring or depressing. I enjoy the escape from it so I usually turn towards historical fiction or sci-fi/fantasy. However, One for the Money was so very, very funny! And, at the same time, very serious! A great mix. I enjoyed the main character's, Stephanie Plumb's, sardonic reasoning. "Well, I was fired and am going to lose my car and my apartment so I might as well become a bounty hunter so I can bring in that hotty that I had a one-night-stand with in high school and ran over a few years back because he never called!" LOVE IT! Completely ridiculous, but Evanovich just sweeps you away with her fast-paced dramedy.

But it's not all guns and roses. The novel tackles some serious issues like rape and abuse. Stephanie is constantly just getting away from trouble with the help of the quiet, but buff, fellow bounty hunter, Ranger, and the guy she's trying to bring in, Morelli. She is a strong personality that doesn't stop until she achieves her goals and puts the real bad guys behind bars.

Low Notes: This is a tough one for me. I tend to like just about everything I read, because if I don't like it, I won't read it! So, most of the times, you guys only get the good reviews. :). But, I will say, for some of you, the book could be a bit offensive. There is quite a bit of swearing, including the F-word. None of the violence or sex is really described, but it is talked about and implied. And shooting people is taken pretty lightly, but just because most of the people in the book accept is as "life" in certain parts of town.

I'd suggest that you be at least 16 years-old to read the book.

*****

As a final note, ladies, I must ask! Morelli or Ranger? I'm personally leaning towards Morelli!

Ratings:
Character Development: 5/5
Dialogue: 5/5
Prose: 5/5
Believability: 4/5
Style and Grammar: 4/5 At times there are accents built into the dialogue. Not, necessarily a bad thing, but I know some people find that hard to read.
Entertainment Value: 5/5 This book is pure entertainment!
Overall Rating: 93% A quick and entertaining read!

Look for my "One for the Money" movie review coming tomorrow!

Must Reads #5: "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins

Title: The Hunger Games

Author: Suzanne Collins

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Edition: 1st edition Hardcover: September 14, 2008

Back Cover Summary: Katniss is a 16-year-old girl living with her mother and younger sister in the poorest district of Panem, the remains of what used be the United States. Long ago the districts waged war on the Capitol and were defeated. As part of the surrender terms, each district agreed to send one boy and one girl to appear in an annual televised event called, "The Hunger Games." The terrain, rules, and level of audience participation may change but one thing is constant: kill or be killed. When Katniss' sister is chosen by lottery, Katniss steps up to go in her place.

*******

When I finished reading Twilight, I was really starved for another book that would capture my interest. I had a long summer ahead on me, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but I like to fill it with lots of reading! Harry Potter had ended, I was waiting for Breaking Dawn, I had finally finished The Host, and none of my other favorite authors seemed to be producing anything. So, when Stephanie Meyer suggested The Hunger Games, saying she couldn't even put it down, I jumped. I wanted the book in my hands now!

High Notes: Absolutely, one of the most interesting and well thought out dystopian novels I have ever read. Believable too! I loved all the characters. Everyone from Katnis, to Gale and Peeta, to Prim and Rue, to Haymitch, and all the funky people from the capitol. I loved the creation of this new world that had new rules, yet was dealing with the same timeless ordeals that any human must face, like love, sacrifice, pain, survival, etc.

The book truly dived into what you have to do when you feel helpless, when your entire family is depending on you, when you are forced to do things you don't want to do, and finding a way to stay true to yourself, to act both selfishly and selflessly at the same time.

Also, a major contributing factor to the novel's, and it's 2 sequels', success is its appeal to a wide audience. After discovering the book for myself and wanting to discuss the book with others, I found people as young as 12 or 13 reading it, and people as old as 60 reading it. I not only could chat with my friends, but my cousins, aunt, uncle, grandma, etc. It was very exciting.

Low Notes: The only low note for me was that I did not get to see enough of Gale!! Luckily, he is a continuing character that you get to see much more of, especially in Mockingjay, the 3rd installment.

Now, before this is over, for all of those who have read it and are girls! Peeta or Gale? I'm obviously partial to Gale. lol.

Ratings:

Character Development: 5/5
Dialogue: 5/5

Prose: 5/5

Believability: 5/5

Style and Grammar: 5/5
Entertainment Value: 5/5

Overall Rating: 100% Yes, that's right! 100%

You can find the next two installments of The Hunger Games just about anywhere! In stores and online! Go and get them!

  

 And don't forget about the movie that comes to theaters in March!!!

Who else is excited for that!??!

 

Must Reads #4: "Hood," "Scarlet," and "Tuck" by Stephen R. Lawhead

Title: The Raven King Series (Hood, Scarlet, and Tuck)

Author: Stephen R. Lawhead

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Edition: Hardcover: April 8, 2008

Back Cover Summary: The Legend Begins Anew

For centuries, the legend of Robin Hood and his band of thieves has captivated the imagination. Now the familiar tale takes on new life, fresh meaning, and an unexpected setting.

Steeped in Celtic mythology and the political intrigue of medieval Britain, Stephen R. Lawhead's latest work conjures up an ancient past and holds a mirror to contemporary realities. Prepare yourself for an epic tale that dares to shatter everything you thought you knew about Robin Hood.

*******

With my love of all things Robin Hood in full bloom, picking up this book was a real no-brainer! What? More Robin Hood stories to fuel my obsession? Yes, please! What? It's a trilogy? Heck-to-the-yes!

Hood is a brand new take on the Robin Hood Legend. Where most tellings base the story around the 13th or 14th century, Lawhead decides to base it more around 1066 when the Normans (French) decide to invade England and take of the little Welsh kingdoms.

High Notes: The history is fabulous! I first started reading the series when I was taking Medieval Civilization and England to 1600 back to back in college. I was able to keep right up with the book and all the politics that were going on between the Welsh people and their new Norman conquerors. Might be a little more difficult to keep track of for someone who was not previously taught the history, but as long as you care to understand it, there really shouldn't be a problem.

Each book has a different narrator, Hood is narrated by Hood, or Bran, as he is called, Scarlet is narrated by Will Scarlet, my personal favorite, he was very funny, and Tuck is narrated by Friar Tuck.

This is also an origin story, which is always fun. Bran starts out as a bit spoiled, really only thinking of himself, fooling around with Marian from time to time, until his land is stolen from him and he is wounded and forced into the woods where he is thought to die, only to be reborn, after months of stubbornness, as a powerful leader.

There are many characters you will recognize and others that steal your love just as easily as the old ones!

Low Notes: Some slow parts, like in Hood when Bran is wounded, it takes a long time for him to heal and become stronger, but you do get to see him grow and morph into the legend that he is, which is very interesting.

If you're looking for romance, you might not get all that you want. There is a love story between Bran and Marian as you would expect, but it takes a long time to develope and is really on the back burner for almost all the books. There are other little relationshipd that help fill in, but it really is all about Bran's transformation and his and the Welsh peoples' impact on this particular period in history.

Ratings:

Character Development: 5/5

Dialogue: 4/5 Not a ton of dialogue.

Prose: 4/5 Bit confusing at times.

Believability: 5/5 More believable then almost an Robin Hood I have read or seen!

Style and Grammar: 5/5
Entertainment Value: 4/5 You have got to be into it or else it could seem a bit tedious.

Overall Rating: 90% Best Robin Hood book I have read thus far!

Book Review #10: "The Near Witch" by Victoria Schwab

Title: The Near Witch

Author: Victoria Schwab

Publisher: Hyperion

Edition: Paperback Advanced Reader's Copy: August 2, 2011

Summary: The Near Witch is only an old story told to frighten children. If the wind calls at night, you must not listen. The wind is lonely, and always looking for company. And there are no strangers in the town of Near.

These are the truths that Lexi has heard all her life.
But when an actual stranger—a boy who seems to fade like smoke—appears outside her home on the moor at night, she knows that at least one of these sayings is no longer true.

The next night, the children of Near start disappearing from their beds, and the mysterious boy falls under suspicion. Still, he insists on helping Lexi search for them. Something tells her she can trust him.

As the hunt for the children intensifies, so does Lexi’s need to know—about the witch that just might be more than a bedtime story, about the wind that seems to speak through the walls at night, and about the history of this nameless boy.

Part fairy tale, part love story, Victoria Schwab’s debut novel is entirely original yet achingly familiar: a song you heard long ago, a whisper carried by the wind, and a dream you won’t soon forget.
*******

I found this book in one of my favorite places on the planet: the basement of the downtown bookstore! That's where all the good stuff is hidden!

High Notes: I have to start with the fact that the very best part of this book was the backcover summary (which I have typed out for you in the summary section about.) Now, don't take that the wrong way! It doesn't mean that the rest of the book wasn't just as poetic, but the summary is probably the BEST summary I have read in my entire life!!! I think summaries are terribly difficult and this one just seemed effortless and beautiful.


The entire book reads just as seemlessly beautiful, really like some old folk music, or a poem. That was my favorite part. Victoria schwab really does know how to craft a sentence and paint a scene.


I also loved the style of the book. It read like a story some elder would tell his/her children, as a warning, or as a great story to lull you to sleep. It had this very old storyteller tone, both somber and pretty at the same time. 

 

Low Notes: I've read some other book reviews about this book before writing my own and the one thing I noticed complaints about the most was the character developement. The story really is about just that...the story. The main characters are very typical of the YA characters of our generation. The main girl, Lexi is strong willed, independent, lacking in a very sturdy mother or father figure, has a younger sibling to take care of (note also: Katniss Everdeen, Elena Gilbert, etc) and the main boy, Cole, is quiet, secretive, a bit broody, but really a loving teddy bear under it all (note also: Edward Cullen, Stephen Salvatore, etc.) Nevertheless, that does not mean we love them any less. And besides that fact, there are other very unique characters in the story that break the mold, especially, the two witches that live right outside town.


The story did slow a bit in the middle, but once the two main characters set out into the woods for the final time to complete the task they need to do (I'm trying not to give anything away), things pick right back up.

Ratings:

Character Development: 3.5/5

Dialogue: 4/5

Prose: 5/5

Believability: 4/5

Style and Grammar: 5/5

Entertainment Value: 5/5

Overall Rating: 88% A quick and beautifully written novel!

Book Review #9 "Haiku for the Single Girl" by Beth Griffinhagen

Title: Haiku for the Single Girl

Author: Beth Griffinhagen

Publisher: Penguin

Edition: Hardcover: November 1, 2011

Summary: Unsolicited relationship advice from relatives, disastrous dates, men who wear thumb rings, and the moments of deep satisfaction when a single girl realizes that she can do whatever she wants with her time- it's all here in Haiku for the Single Girl. Reading this brilliantly incisive and wittily illustrated collection, every woman- whether single or not-will laugh until she cries, and then start laughing all over again.

*******

Just the name of this book makes me chuckle, so when I saw it in the store, I figure it was something I needed to read.

The entire book consists of over 100 haikus, all with the same theme...Being a Single Girl.

High Notes: It reaches into the psyche of the single woman and bares it to the page without any restraint. Learn a little about your single self or single friends in this quick read. The blunt trauma of receiving relationship advice from others, the madness of seeing some guy from highschool, now chubby and disgusting, and still thinking "what if," the cold stare you give when everyone in the room suddenly couples up without leaving you a memo, or the fantasy of walking around the corner, running into the hottest guy on the block, and him not minding that your hair isn't quite right that day or that you spilled his coffee.
For example...The first Haiku...

I feel it's approach,
As inevitable as death;
Internet dating.

The truth in every poem is hilarious and a must-have for every single girl.

Low Notes: The book reads so fast becuase it only consists of the haikus. However, it makes it perfect for sharing with friends or just having on the coffee table or in a waiting room.

Ratings:

Character Development: N/A

Dialogue: N/A

Prose: N/A

Believability: 5/5

Style and Grammar: 5/5

*NEW* Entertainment Value: 5/5

Overall Rating: 100% A quick, honest, and funny read!

What's on my bookshelf?! (S-Y)

Well, today concludes this mini-adventure across my bookshelf. Like I mentioned in my previous two posts, this is a list of the books that are on my shelf that I HAVE NOT READ! With so many left to read, I have a hard time choosing what to read next. So, I am turning towards all of you. Let me know what you think about any of these books. Have you read any of them? Did you like them or not, and why? Are any of these books on your shelf as well? And anything else you can think of. Just PLEASE, NO SPOILERS!

Looking forward to what you have to say and share!

S-Y

Author                        Title

Schwab- The Near Witch

Scott- The Candidates

Slade- The Dark Deeps

Slade- The Hunchback Assignment

Smith, C.L.- Tantalize

Smith, L.J.- Dark Visions: The Passion

Smith, L.J.- Dark Visions: The Possessed

Smith, L.J.- Dark Visions: The Stranger Power

Smith, L.J.- Nightworld: Black Dawn

Smith, L.J.- Nightworld: Dark Angel

Smith, L.J.- Nightworld: Daughters of Darkness

Smith, L.J.- Nightworld: Huntress

Smith, L.J.- Nightworld: Secret Vampire

Smith, L.J.- Nightworld: Soulmate

Smith, L.J.- Nightworld: Spellbinder

Smith, L.J.- Nightworld: The Chosen

Smith, L.J.- Nightworld: Witch Light

Smith, L.J.- The Forbidden Game: The Chase

Smith, L.J.- The Forbidden Game: The Hunter

Smith, L.J.- The Forbidden Game: The Kill

Smith, L.J.- The Secret Circle: The Captive Part 1

Smith, L.J.- The Secret Circle: The Captive Part 2

Smith, L.J.- The Secret Circle: The Initiation

Smith, L.J.- The Secret Circle: The Power

Smith, L.J.- The Vampire Diaries: Dark Reunion

Smith, L.J.- The Vampire Diaries: Midnight

Smith, L.J.- The Vampire Diaries: Nightfall

Smith, L.J.- The Vampire Diaries: Shadow Souls

Smith, L.J.- The Vampire Diaries: The Return Vol. 2

Smith, L.J.- The Vampire Diaries: The Return Vol. 3

Smith, L.J.- The Vampire Diaries: The Return Vol.1

Snyder- Outside In

Standiford- Confession of the Sullivan Sisters

Testa- The Cassini Code

Testa- The Web of Titan

Vornholt- Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Coyote Moon

Wardell- Elemental

Waters- Generation Dead

Waters- Kiss of Life

Werlin- Impossible

Westerfeld- Leviathan

Whitcomb- A Certain Slant of Light

White- Paranormalcy

Woon- Dead Beautiful

Yancey- Monstrologist

What's on my Bookshelf?! (G-R)

Moving on! A few days ago I shared with you guys some of the books that are sitting on my book shelf, just itching to be read. Like I mentioned before, I've gathered quite the collection of books so far this year, more than ever, and I am both excited and overwhelmed by it. Excited because I now have so many books to choose from, but overwhelmed because I don't know which one to pick up next.

So, just like last time, I am asking everyone to look over the list and let me know what books you have read, which ones you recommend, which ones you want to read yourself, what books you too have bought and are waiting to read, or any kind of mini book review. AGAIN, I stress, I HAVE NOT READ ANY OF THESE BOOKS YET, so PLEASE, NO SPOILERS!

Also, I thought I would note that I just applied to work at the new book store that is coming to town, Books A Million! I'm very excited. I know it won't be that high paying, full benefits job I have been looking for and apply for for the last few months, but it could be a good way to make a bit more money to feed my book buying obsession. We'll see!

Anyway, here's the continuation of my list!

 

G-R

Author                        Title

Gerber- Trance

Gilman- Flesh and Fire

Gilman- Weight of Stone

Goldman- The Princess Bride

Goodkind- Blood of the Fold

Goodkind- Chainfire

Goodkind- Faith of the Fallen

Goodkind- Naked Empire

Goodkind- Phantom

Goodkind- Soul of the Fire

Goodkind- Stone of Tears

Goodkind- Temple of the Winds

Goodkind- The Pillars of Creation

Goodkind- Wizard’s First Rule

Grange- Mr. Darcy, Vampyre

Griffith & Griffith- Vampire Empire

Hale- The Wizard’s Ward

Hannah- The Angel of Blythe Hall

Henderson- Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Portal Through Time

Hockensmith- Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dreadfully Ever After

Howe- The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane

Maguire- What the Dickens

Martin- Clash of Kings

Martin- Storm of Swords

Martin- The Feast of Crows

Mead- Vampire Academy

Mead- Vampire Academy: Blood Promise

Mead- Vampire Academy: Frostbite

Mead- Vampire Academy: Shadow Kiss

Mechling- Dream Life

Micklem- Firethorn

Miller- The Eternal Ones

Mitchell- The Vespertine

Ness- The Ask and the Answer

Ness- The Knife of Never Letting Go

Ness-Monsters of Men

Neyeri- Another Pan

Noel- Blue Moon

Noel- Evermore

Pearce- Sister’s Red

Peck- Three Quarters Dead

Pullman- The Amber Spyglass

Ryan- The Dead-Tossed Waves

Coming soon! S-Y!

What's on my Bookshelf?! (A-F)

Bookshelves are one of the first things that attracts me when I walk into someone's house. I'm always curious what books people are interested in or just what books they are proud enough to display. I have a special bookshelf just for the books I have read and decided to keep, but I have an entire bookcase for all the books I have yet to read! (Trust me, it's a BIG bookcase!!!)

This year I have accumuplated more books than ever. Mostly because I haven't had the time to read as much as I would have liked, but also because two bookstores in my area have gone out of business, I've discovered new outlets for finding bargain books, and since books are one of my main interest, most of my spending money goes towards buying books. :)

So, now, with all these books, I'm having the hardest time deciding which ones to read next! I figured that some of you must recognize a few of the titles and have probably read some yourself and have your own opinions of them. Please, look through the list and let me know some things about them. But remember, I HAVEN'T READ ANY OF THESE BOOKS, so please don't give spoilers! I just want to know if you ahve any of them on your bookshelves, if you enjoyed reading it, if you hated it (let me know why you hated it), if you want to read it, et cetera. Kind of like a mini review/recommendation.  

I look forward to hearing what you have to say! Also, feel free to share with me what is on your bookshelves? Let me know in the comments or make your own blog post with your own list and leave me the link!

A-F

Author                        Title

Austin & Graham-Smith- Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

Barrie- Peter Pan

Barry & Pearson- Peter and the Starcatchers

Beddor- The Looking Glass Wars

Blakey-Cartwright & Johnson- Red Riding Hood

Bradshaw- The Hawk of May

Bray- Going Bovine

Brennan- The Shadow Project
Bronte, C.- Jane Eyre
Bronte, E.- Wuthering Heights

Brooks- Black Rabbit Summer

Burnett- A Little Princess

Burnett- The Secret Garden

C.L. Smith- Tantalize

Carrol- Alice and Wonderland

Carrol- Through the Looking Glass

Cashore- Fire

Cast & Cast- Betrayed

Cast & Cast- MarkedChandler- Den of Thieves

Chima- The Warrior Heir

Clare- City of Ashes

Clare- City of Glass

Coe- Robin Hood

Cohn & Lavithan- Dash and Lily’s Book of Dares

Cooney- Prisoner of Time

Corrigan- Accomplice

Cover- Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Night of the Living Rerun

Dashner- The Scorch Trials

Diepen- The Vampire Stalker

Donnelly- Revolution

Eagland- Wildthorn

Eliot- The Mill on the Floss

Elliot- Ambergate

Fisher- Incarceron

Fisher- Saphique

Coming soon! G-R!

Book Review #8: “The Metamorphosis” by Fran Kafka

Title: The Metamorphosis

Author: Franz Kafka

Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company

Edition: Paperback: February 17, 1996

Summary: A novella about a man who finds himself transformed into a huge insect, and the effects of this change upon his life.

*******

Now, with a summary such as, “A guy wakes up only to find that he has turned into a giant bug,” I can hardly see why one would pick up such a novella in the first place. However, it was assigned for my World Literature class so I was forced to pick it up and see what I could make of it. This was my first attempt at reading surreal fiction.

High Notes: It’s actually quite the entertaining story. Not because the poor man gets turned into a bug, but because NO ONE, not even the main character himself, asks WHY! Everyone freaks out for a few moments and then it’s on with normal life. The man insists on getting out of bed, trying to get on clothes and go to work. Sadly, it takes him forever to get out of bed because he is stuck on his back, his clothes do not fit, and he can hardly make it out the door without injuring himself. It’s actually funny until everything turns unbearably bad.

Low Notes: the lowest note is the pain you feel for the character. He spent his entire life taking care of his family and then when he actually needs them to take care of him, even just feed him something, they eventually fail him. He suffers, unable to communicate as he actually begins to feel and act like a bug, lost in this world that no longer suits him. It’s heartbreaking. It was the worst feeling as he withered away and his family just waits for it to happen so that they may be free of him and the burden he had become, like they weren’t terrible burdens on HIM when he was slaving away to take care of them! I just wanted to punch a character in the face!

Ratings:

Character Development: 4/5

Dialogue: 3/5

Prose: 5/5

Believability: 3/5 No one EVER asked why! But it is mean to be surreal.

Style and Grammar: 5/5

*NEW* Entertainment Value: 4/5

Overall Rating: 80% Strange!

Book Review #7: “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” by William Shakespeare

Title: A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Author: William Shakespeare

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Edition: Reprint Edition: July 27, 2004

Summary: One of Shakespeare’s most popular comedies, chronicling the on-again, off-again relationships of four Athenian lovers and a Faerie King and Queen. Full of magic, meddling, marriages, and a play within a play.

*******

So, as many of you may know, I am taking another Shakespeare class in which we will study five or so of Shakespeare’s famous plays. Number one of the list was the comedy, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. I was excited to go over this play again because I haven’t studied it since high school and it really is one of my favorites.

High Notes: Absolutely hilarity ensues when the young Athenian lovers Hermia, Lysander, Helena, and Demetrius enter the forest where the fairies dwell. In the beginning of the play, Lysander and Demetrius only have eyes for the fair Hermia and poor, lanky Helena is left pining for Demetrius on the side. However, when they enter the woods and the fairy king and his mischief maker try to intervene on her behalf, they turn all the lover’s lives upside down. The confusion, bickering, and magic spells makes for a great plot and a good laugh.

The play also ends happily in marriage which is a nice change from some of Shakespeare’s more tragic endings. This is also one of the shorter plays so it’s a good one to start with. Just about all the characters are entertaining and there aren’t really any long monologues to get through.

Low Notes: The language is obviously strange for our 21^st century tongues, but honestly, the more you read it, the easier it gets. When reading Shakespeare, I will often find a movie version of it and follow along as the actors on screen read the lines. Obviously, some movies are more true to the script than others, so you may have to pause the movie to catch up on what it has skipped. It has been my experience that any of Kenneth Branagh’s movies are pretty faithful. That can also mean they are very long, but if you like the content, it’s worth it.

Other than that, nothing else was low, for me at least. :)

Ratings:

Character Development: 4/5

Dialogue: 5/5

Prose: N/A (Although in some of Shakespeare’s plays, some people speak in prose, I usually use this portion of the ratings to judge all non-dialogue points, and since everything is dialogue in a play, I’m considering this to be N/A and will not include it.

Believability: 4/5

Style and Grammar: 5/5 (What else would I say here!? It’s flippin Shakespeare for goodness sakes!)

Overall Rating: 90%

Must-Reads #3: “The Gemma Doyle Trilogy” by Libba Bray

Title: The Gemma Doyle Trilogy (A Great and Terrible Beauty, Rebel Angels, and The Sweet Far Thing)

Author: Libba Bray

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Edition: Paperback: 2003

Back Cover Summary: Gemma Doyle isn’t like other girls. Girls with impeccable manners, who speak when spoken to, who remember their station, and who will lie back and think of England when it’s required of them.

No, sixteen-year-old Gemma is an island unto herself, sent to Spence Academy in London after tragedy strikes her family in India. Lonely, guilt-ridden, and prone to visions of the future that have an uncomfortable habit of coming true, Gemma finds a chilly reception. But she’s not completely alone…she’d been followed by a mysterious young man, who warns her to close her mind against the visions.

For it’s at Spence that Gemma’s power to attract the supernatural unfolds; there she becomes entangled with the school’s most powerful girls and discovers her mother’s connection to a shadowy group called the Order. It’s there that her destiny waits…if only she can believe in it.

*******

The first thing that stood out to me about this book was the cover. It instantly hit me as a book I would enjoy reading. It looked to be in a time period I love and the girl on the cover had red hair just like me. :) (Ohhh! When things are simple.)

High Notes: It definitely turned out to be in a time period I love! (Victorian England) so that was a giant plus for me. But would it follow up with equally interesting characters? Yes, it did. Gemma is a very interesting character. She goes from a rather carefree adventurer, loved by her family, to a motherless young woman who has been dumped off at a boarding school for girls, inhabited by stuck up prisses (some of which you grow to love or hate), surrounded by woods full of gypsies, and smothered in dark secrets. Oh! And there is a secret portal to another world that only Gemma can open! From the very start I was intrigued and continued to be all the way until the third book (which slowed down quite a bit, but picked up in the end, thankfully.)

There is also a pretty good love story between  Gemma and one of the gypsy boys.

Low Notes: As intriguing as the “other” world may sound, the real world was actually more interesting. In the other world, Gemma and her friends have powers, which they spend conjuring butterflies and flowers. (This is not a joke. Butterflies and flowers. Wouldn’t you do something else if you had powers?) Every now and then, they venture from a relatively safe meadow to other parts of the world and encounter interesting creatures, but other than that, it’s rather boring. I very much preferred when the girls were in the real world, running from a secret order, uncovering the past of the boarding school, avoiding embarrassing marriage proposals, and getting out of all the trouble they found themselves in.

Ratings:

Character Development: 4.5/5

Dialogue: 5/5

Prose: 4/5

Believability: 3/5 (I would give it a five if the whole book was based solely in the “real” world, but the “other” worldly stuff was ridiculous for the most part. Butterflies and flowers!)

Style and Grammar: 5/5

Overall Rating: 86% Fascinating!

Book Review #6: “The Vampire Diaries: The Awakening and the Struggle” by L.J. Smith

Title: The Vampire Diaries: The Awakening and the Struggle

Author: L.J. Smith

Publisher: HarperTeen

Edition: Paperback including volume 1 and volume 2: June 26, 2007

Back Cover Summary: Elena: the golden girl, the leader, the one who can have any boy she wants.

Stefan: brooding and mysterious, he seems to be the only one who can resist Elena, even as he struggles to protect her from the horrors that haunt his past.

Damon: sexy, dangerous, and driven by an urge for revenge against Stefan, the brother who betrayed him. Determined to have Elena, he'd kill to possess her.

*******

Once again, I watched the show before reading the books and absolutely fell in love with what I was watching. In the show, the background story is interesting, the characters are gorgeous, the plot line is very active and intriguing, and I was left with only wanting more. So, I picked up the books which I had saved on my shelf since finishing Twilight. And did it live up to the show…Not so much. :(

High Notes: While waiting until I had the time to watch season 2 of The Vampire Diaries online, I turned to the books to get just a little bit more of Elena, Stefan, and the oh-so-irresistible Damon. I figured that the books would just fill me in on more of the deliciousness that the show wasn’t able to fit in. Let me just say that I was in for a surprise. From the first page, I thought, “This is…wrong!” I know this is supposed to be the high note section, but I can’t think of ANYTHING that I really LOVED!!!

I did like that the plot in the book moved fast like the show, but at least the show slowed down the romance. In the show, Elena and Stefan had time to get to know each other, their obvious attraction towards each other, and eventual love and modesty. In the book, it goes from Elena “having to have” Stefan when Stefan ignores her to instantaneous soul mates when Stefan saves her one night.

I did, however, enjoy Damon (my absolute favorite on the show), but it took him forever to show up and without Ian Somerholder’s beautiful eyes staring at you when Damon speaks, it’s just NOT the same.

Low Notes: I have got A LOT to say here!!! But, I will try and keep it short and not let it turn into a rant. (That’s going to be hard, though.)

First off, the book’s plot relies HEAVILY on coincidences. (I feel that one coincidence in a book is acceptable. Anymore is CHEAP!) For example, in the show, Stefan seeks out Elena when he discovers that she looks very much like his 150 year-old, ex-girlfriend, Katherine, that he thinks died sometime around the Civil War. However, in the book, Stefan just happens to move from Italy to this itty-bitty town of Fell’s Church, and just happens to decide to go to this high school so he can integrate himself with the humans, and just happens to see a girl that looks a lot like his dead-undead ex-girlfriend that he knew around the Renaissance period. That’s THREE coincidences in ONE chapter!!! And they just keep coming. It really destroys the believability of the book.

Secondly, the instantaneous romance that I mentioned before.

Thirdly, Elena is a shallow, snobbish b*tch in the book! And Katherine looks like a pretty, frail, naïve child. Because of this, I didn't even like the main character! This is opposed to the show which makes Elena strong, empathetic, self-sacrificing, and lovable while Katherine is her doppelganger, a sexy, manipulative brat. This clearly defines Elena as the protagonist and Katherine as her personal antagonist. The other characters get more background story and bit more of the limelight in the show as well.

Finally, there is a whole lot of sucking of each other’s blood in the book. Yes, that’s what vampires do, but the book glorifies it as one of the only ways Elena and Stephan can connect and feel close to each other. I found it just plain gross. ("Ouch! You bit me! Why are you cutting yourself? Your blood tastes ucky!" Way to ruin the romance, Mrs. Smith!) I didn't like it.

Ratings:

Character Development: 2/5

Dialogue: 3/5

Prose: 2/5

Believability: 1/5

Style and Grammar: 1.5/5

Overall Rating: 37% Suckage!

This is my personal recommendation…Please read carefully!

SAVE YOURSELF FROM THE BOOK! JUST WATCH THE SHOW!