THE PASSION OF DOLSSA BY JULIE BERRY

MISS PEREGRINE'S HOME FOR PECULIAR CHILDREN MOVIE REVIEW

FANGIRL BY RAINBOW ROWELL

"Always. That's the ultimate kind of broken. The kind of damage you never recover from."

Honest to say, this story was my life during my freshman year in college. College to me is one of those things that makes you and breaks you, but in the end you come out being the person you are meant to be. That's why there was many times during this book where I found myself in the shoes of Cath. It was nice knowing that that awkward first semester of freshman year I was not completely alone and found myself saying, "Me too" through out the book.

Cath is a writer, she lives and breaths words. She reads as if it is real life and consumes her time writing her own stories. Those stories being about Simon Snow. Cath is one of the biggest Simon Snow fans. Has been for years. Though now as she makes a transition into college, she needs to write more than ever. With the stress of classes, roommate, and first love, writing is her only outlet. She also had her twin sister by her side. But when  her sister decides to take a different path then Cath, its up to Cath to navigate this new world by herself. Can she make it under the stress? Or will this new experience crush her? Or is it leading her to exactly where she is meant to be.

WARNING THIS POST WILL CONTAIN SPOILERS!

As I had stated before, I found myself relating to Cath many times through thoughts and events. My first semester of Freshman year was crazy. You are thrown into this unfamiliar world where you know no one and for most, its the first time being away from home. Their are always the questions, "Will I get along with my roommate?" "Will I make life long friends?" "Is this the major I should be in?" Now add the struggles of everyday life and I wonder how most get out alive! Though through this book I found my rock. It made me take a step back and think, "Maybe I'm not completely alone in this?"

Being a freshman in college, I find we are very vulnerable. We let down those walls we spent so many years trying to build up in hopes that we find our place. We are quick to judge who is and who isn't our friends. That's why when Nick betrayed Cath into helping him write her paper, I personally can relate to. Sure, I was never tricked into helping someone write an essay, but the need for friends made me easily trust people who really never intended for their to be a friendship at all. Cath trusted Nick and was tricked and I feel that happens to most people whether their in college, high school, or an adult in the real world.

Though it did confuse me on the fact how in Chapter Thirteen, Cath stated how she never wanted to make any friends. I'm not sure if she really meant it when she stated this, or was this her kind of self-defense to the fact she doesn't have any friends. But slowly as the book progresses she ends up finding people to befriend and I found this happening to me as well. It normally happens when you leas expect it.

Cath is one of the most popular of Simon Snow Fanfiction, or FanFixx. Though once college began, he found that her weekly and daily writing was being pushed to the side due to school. As an aspiring author myself, I can tell you that it is a challenge to balance school, friends, and writing. I go from writing and editing for eight hours a day to not being able to pick up a story until Christmas break. As a writer, we live and breath words, and to go months without putting a single word on paper is like going a month without breathing--IMPOSSIBLE! Writing is our oxygen and to go months without picking up a single manuscript is hard.

I would also like to point out the part where Levi asked Cath his she could read to him her story. Cath at first was very hesitant having to read something she wrote. Even though she publishes it to the computer, it is still nerve racking to see and know some reading it. As a writer myself, I had finished up my second draft of a story I had been writing. In college, my friends found out about it and asked to read it. Writers are always looking for a second hand opinion about their story, but to be the one to hand it off and know that their opinion of you relies on words on a page, is a scary thought. I remember when I first had someone read my story. They started reading it in front of me and I wanted to hide under the table and disappear at the fear of what they would think. Is it any good? Is that scene to awkward? Is my imagination too weird? Though chances are you are working it up to much in your mind and if you are confident in the story then your readers will be as well.

Over all, I would give Fangirl a 3.5 stars and still highly encourage it to anyone looking for a good contemporary read. Please also take into account that most of my contemporary books rating are usually lower due to the fact I'm very picky when it comes to contemporary books. But none-the-less, I highly encourage you to read it because I feel that no matter where you are in life, you will find pieces of yourself in this story and be able to relate to Cath.


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THE HEIR BY: KEIR CASS

        Eadlyn Shreave is confident, she was born to be Queen, has been training for it her whole life. She is powerful and can do anything and everything. Not only is she the future ruler of her kingdom, but she is the ruler of herself. Until she is told that she will be hosting a selection. What? As the country of Illea is falling apart, the King and Queen feel as if a Selection is what can put this broken country back together. The only problem is, Eadlyn needs to decide between losing her country, or loosing her heart.

          When I found out that Kiera Cass was continuing The Selection Series, I thought it was a gift from Heaven itself. I love The Selection books that took place from the point of view of America Singer, and now, hearing that their would be two, not one, but two more books taken from the perspective of America and Maxon’s daughter, it was like Christmas came early. Yes, that may sound a little crazy and way too excited, but this series is honestly my favorite.

            Though this book was not what I expected nor anticipated. As much as I hate to say it, but I feel as if it did not live up to the hype nor the previous three books. To be honest, I felt as if this book lacked an interesting plot line. I felt it drag on and on with not much happening, and the parts that were interesting were short lived, until the very end. Where the Selection series with America’s point of view had an interesting plot, an average girl trying to find her place among the royals all while trying to decide what is best for her, it also featured interesting sub-plot lines as well. The Heir I felt had less complexity to the fact that it felt more like; and this happened, then this happened, then this other thing happened, and now I’m not sure why I’m doing  this Selection, when can this be over? And we never really get into much details about the sub-plot line. There were a few interesting plot points in this book, but I feel as if the bridge to get there, ran dull.

                I believe this is due to Eadlyn’s character. Often in this book I found her rude and acting like a brat. She is so closed off as a person, and carries such a big head on her shoulder, that even as readers who are reading from her perspective, find there is a huge wall surrounding her and can’t break through her core personality. She doesn’t really know what she wants, and the fact that she doesn’t even want to participate in the Selection already coats the book in negative colors and gives the reader’s an even more disadvantage.

                I say that because I feel the downfall to hosting the selection is the wide variety of characters us as readers have to comprehend. In America’s selection, yes there were other contestants, but the only characters we had to really focus on where America, Maxon, Aspen, and maybe a few other contestants. The original Selection series also served in a three book time period, in which it gave us time to familiarize ourselves with the characters and any character’s stat stood on the outside we were able to understand through the sub-plot. Now in Eadlyn’s case I feel that having only two books about this is only going to lessen our understanding of the characters. There are so many more characters we need to familiarize ourselves with that we will never be able to really see into the character’s personality.

Though one thing I like about this book is its perspective on feminism. Eadlyn loves her freedom and independence, she likes the idea of running a country by herself. Though she feels if she finds a husband, that she will be tied down and loose her freedom and would have to share the crown with another person who could potentially out rule her. Though as the book progresses Eadlyn finds that it is not true. That just because she chooses a husband, that doesn’t mean her freedom is automatically gone. It only means that there will be someone to be with during this long journey. That she can have her freedom and independence, and having someone by her side can make the stress of her job more bearable. It also shows that, yes, you don’t need a man to be happy, but it can add to your wellbeing and you can still keep your independence. (This is my opinion)

As the book progresses, we do see a major change in Eadlyn’s character. She goes from being a stubborn brat, to finally realizing that she needs to live for more people than herself. It may be scary to fall in love and take the chance of being hurt, but you will never get anywhere if you’re not willing to take that jump and see where it takes you. It may be wonderful, or you may crash and burn, but nonetheless it grows you as a person.

Though America and Eadlyn are very similar. Both were forced into doing a selection in which they despise and both tried to get it over with as soon as possible. But in the end of both stories each realize that they need to be in this and their might actually be something worth fighting for.

Over all I would give this book a 3.5 stars for I feel it serves more as a set up book for the final book. Despite what I had said before, I still encourage you to read this book because I find it interesting to compare the differences between America’s and Eadlyn’s Selection. But I can guarantee to you, that by the last page, you will be checking your calendar’s in anticipation to when the final installment comes out.

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EVERY LAST WORD BY TAMARA IRELAND STONE

Samantha hides behind a mask.........

 

"What if I’m Crazy?"

In this book, Tamara Ireland Stone demonstrates the ongoing struggle of a teen with OCD (Obsession Compulsive Disorder). Samantha, or Sam, in which the point of view the book is taken from, feels like the outcast of her group of friends in which she has known her whole life. She easily hides behind a mirage of what her friends think she should be like. Until one day, she is lead to a secret group under the theatre’s stage where she is told it will change her life.

As Samantha is drawn further into this group, she begins to find courage to speak in a voice she never knew she had. Slowly, she finds herself more relaxed, gaining better confidence in herself, and discovering a whole new group of people that soon become her closes friends. Though there are some things in life you can never fully escape……….

To be honest, this book took me a long time before I had enough courage to pick it up and read it. The fact that the book revolved around a girl with OCD played one of the key elements to why I refused to read it.

This is why……

I was diagnosed with OCD when I was very young, and has anxiety and occasionally has panic attacks . My OCD follows along the lines of Sam’s, which made me hesitant to read at first because, when an author writes about any mental illness, it either boarders the lines of being over exaggerated, or not enough detail to fully understand what the character is going through. Though I have to admit, the book was pretty accurate.

Now I have been seeing some criticism from people saying that the author “sugar coated a mental illness.” But the way I see it, someone who has never had OCD, or any mental illness, would never be able to write about it to the full extent. That’s like trying to write a book about the thrills of skydiving but never actually been skydiving. You can come close, but the full emotions would never be there. So in my opinion, I think the author did a really good job with writing about someone with OCD. Yes, you don’t have all the emotion and terror that may come with this illness, but really the only people who can go in that great detail are the ones who have experienced it. Besides, the book is only 355 pages long, how in-depth can the author get?

Another thing I would like to highlight is, yes the book is about a girl with OCD, but it more than that. It’s about her becoming more comfortable and confidant with herself. It shows that, here is a barrier, but here is how she is going to overcome it. It’s more about finding herself than anything. If you want an in-depth description of OCD and a deeper/more serious version of the illness, that you feel does not “sugar coat” anything, go read a psychology book.

Anyways, let’s get back on track. I was able to relate to Sam a lot throughout this book. Especially with her obsession with the number three. Three seems to be a big number with me also. For example, having to click a pen three times. Another aspect I can relate to is having obsessional thoughts that only go away with some sort of action, like Sam’s.

In order to get a better understanding of these thoughts, I will tell you this, for some reason, one’s brain with OCD likes to use ones morals and fears against them. For example, Sam has a thought that her friends will turn toxic. My guess is that Sam probably has a fear of something happening to her friends. Though I believe everyone’s OCD is different.

Though I will say throughout the years, I have been able to get my OCD under control. I still get the thoughts and compulsions, but I have learned how to manage them to a lesser degree. It wasn’t easy, and it had taken many years, and someday I struggle with it more than others, but it’s a battle that I plan to win. I don’t like calling it a mental illness, even though that’s how science describes it as, I like to call it a battle. Everyone struggles with something in life, and this just happens to be what my battle is. I fight it every day, but every day I come out a little bit stronger, and every little step, no matter how small, counts towards a big victory.

Over all I would give this book a 4.5/5 stars. If you have an interest in learning the basics about OCD then I highly recommend this book to you. If you want to read it for fun because it looks interesting, go for it. I think no matter what, readers will take away something from this book. It shows that even in our toughest struggles, if we open ourselves up to new possibilities, we may be walking right into the one thing that will save us.

 

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CROWN OF MIDNIGHT BY: SARAH J. MAAS

In this second heart pounding installment in The Throne of Glass Series, Sarah J. Maas continues this marvelous story in Crown of Midnight. Celaena, having won as the king’s champion, now works for the ruthless king who would stop at nothing to explained his kingdom and power. He is a power hungry tyrant who shows no mercy to those opposed of him. Though one day, Celaena is sent on a mission that entangles her deeper and deeper into a force that is determined to stop the king. As Celaena is pulled into this force against the king, she begins to lose the people she trust the most. As everything becomes a battle for power, something dark is lurking within the castle. A power so strong, Celaena has to be the very thing she tries to hide in order to stop it.

 Celaena needs to learn who she can trust, and which side she is fighting on. For not everyone is who they say they are.

 

Like the first book, it is taken from third perspective point of view of Dorian, Chaol, the King, and Celaena as the main point of view. As I have said in other blog posts, I normally don’t like it when books are taken from different perspectives. But Sarah J. Maas has a way to keep the story moving and interesting even from different points of views. Though out of all the POV’s this book is taken from, I would say Dorian, Chaol, and Calaena are my favorite. Each of them bring a certain aspect to the story, and it’s interesting to see how the author ties all their stories into one giant plot that seems to all work and entwine with each other.

 Though as the plot line goes deeper and deeper, Celaena begins to fade further away. She begins letting her deepest and darkest secret shine through, and one night, it’s impossible to cover it up. Caleana finds herself explaining her true self and a shocking discovery is made by the Captain of the Guard. Though this discovery made Chaol realize one thing, he might have just doomed all of Adarlin by one decision he made in order to save the one he loves the most.

Through this second book, we get a better look at who Chaol really is. We find there is more to him than his tough disposition. In Throne of Glass, I would’ve said Dorian was my favorite. But now after reading about Chaol, his complex character really came together and became rather likable. We learn that he is willing to do anything to protect the people he cares most about, even if it means giving up what matters most to him.

Dorian is facing something dark inside him. Something he did not know existed till one day he let his anger get the better of him. What he possesses could be the very thing that will destroy him. In this book I do wish we could’ve seen more Dorian and Celaena together. It seems once they decided to be friends, they just stopped visiting each other all together.

Over all I enjoyed this book. The plot kept me interested and with the constant twists and turns this book provided, it was hard to guess what would happen next. There is so much going on, so many secrets everyone is keeping. Eventually those secrets come out and the characters are forced into a fate there is no turning back on.

Sarah J. Maas truly has way to make a story come to life, and will leave you guessing.  I’d give this book a 3.5/5 stars for their where some parts I was bored with, but what is boring is easily made up by the amazing twist and turns this book brings. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a fast pace fantasy read.

THRONE OF GLASS BY: SARAH J. MAAS

Celaena Sardothien is the best assassin around. She’s brave, smart, tough, and had trained for it all her life. Though one day, Celaena is captured and taken to a death camp where very few to none survive. The experiences at the death camp is appalling, and Celaena has scars to remind her of the horrors that she faced. Though one day she is dragged from this camp by the Crown Prince Dorian, where he gives her two options; stay there and die or fight to be the King’s Champion.

Celaena is now thrown into a world she never could imagine as she fights for her freedom in a cruel game. As this brutal competition happens, something dark is lurking within the castle walls, and Celaena could be the only one to save them all. Celeana is now the key player in trying to stop this dark force. Now Celeana is fighting two battles, and loosing either, could result in deadly consequences. Celaena needs to choose her allies wisely as she learns to trust no one for not everyone is who they say they are.

 

First off, let’s admire this beautiful cover. I’m so glad they redid them for I feel they now give a new element to the books. It shows just how powerful Celaena’s character is. After all, she didn’t earn the title of being one of the best assassins for anything.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the complex characters. The world building is fantastic and easy to fall into.  Though warning, it is a page turner. So only read it if you plan to dedicate hours and hours into it without putting the book down once.

The plot is fast pace and will leave you guessing at every turn of the page. That is what I found to be really enjoyable about this book. Once I thought I knew what was going to happen, nope, the storyline was thrown in a completely different direction.

The characters are all easy likable and honestly I cannot choose a favorite. I cannot wait to read the second book Crown of Midnight and see were the amazing series takes me.

Over all I would give this book a 4/5 stars and highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a fast pace fantasy read.




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