Hey there! Here's a lovely little piece on my ever-depressed young witch/werewolf, Cleo!
Cleo sighed heavily. She glanced around at the cheery lights, the fire blazing in the hearth, the smell of pumpkin spice coming from her favorite candles…everything was right, so why wasn’t she happy? Her family was out of town for the holidays, so she had the house to herself. Not that they knew that. She hugged her red sweater tighter to her skinny form and carried her mug of apple cider over to the couch. The cat was nowhere to be seen. No surprise there.
She wrapped her sweater-covered hands around the mug and sipped it, scorching her tongue. Double sigh. She flicked her wand at the stereo and Christmas music with the lilting tone of the Celtic women drifted into the living room. Outside, it was cold as a fridge, but no snow. It never snowed in Limerick, though it rained a good deal, probably contributing to their sky-high suicide rates.
She shook her head. She’d come here to have a nice warm evening. So, like all her plans, it was going great. She set her mug down and picked up the crumpled up bit of parchment she’d set on the coffee table earlier. It was clear by the way it was wrinkled and beaten she’d read it dozens of times, but she read it again, drinking in the words like a dozen cups of rich apple cider. It was the last bit that really made her heart warm: With love from the deepest depths of my heart, Rackal.
Even now, it made that stupid, silly smile cross her face which would make her die of embarrassment if Rackal ever saw. She held the parchment to her regrettably flat chest. Rackal. Her…what? Friend was too casual for what they were. And yet, she hesitated to use ‘boyfriend’. It too, seemed inappropriate for her relationship with the Orro heir. And they’d never actually been on a real date.
“Oh, who cares?” she breathed to herself. She cast a dismal look down at the letter. If only he were with her now! But no…she wouldn’t want that. Then he’d have to see this little hovel where she’d spent her childhood, and there would be questions. Always questions. Not just Rackal, but everyone. With those ridiculous, concerned looks on their faces. Like by growing up poor, she was automatically bound to have psychological issues.
Again, she shook the thoughts from her mind and laid back on the worn but comfortable couch. For the first time in weeks her toes and fingertips didn’t feel like icicles, her breath wasn’t visible inside and her stomach was full. She really had nothing to complain about. She thought about turning on the TV and watching some cheesy Christmas specials, but for now she decided to just listen to her music. She picked up the letter and read it again. She’d memorized it the first run through, though, so she didn’t have to read it to know what it said. But it was something else letting her eyes skim over Rackal’s elegant, careful script. It was more like the words were from him, then when she simply recalled them from her memory.
Had she replied? She couldn’t remember. She must have. She was terrible about getting back to people. She was so busy! Especially now that she was balancing multiple part-time jobs, trying to get a hold of that scientist in Romania and having to keep up payments on her decrepit old apartment. No wonder she’d broken into her parent’s house. Suddenly, she was gripped by a terrible fear that she hadn’t replied. What would he think then? It was Christmas and she didn’t even reply to his letter? She’d kept them all. They were all stowed in a water-proof box beneath her bed back in the apartment, and she’d started marking the ones she’d replied to, but then she’d forgotten to mark them. She must have replied to this one. It was so heartfelt. And the invitation to come over was so sweet, even though he must know she’d never on her life take it up. The less his parents knew of her, the better. In fact, she’d prefer to stay off their radar altogether. Would she kill and die to spend Christmas with Rackal, whether it be in his lovely mansion or a cardboard box? Yes, absolutely. Would she put up with the insults, snide comments and general hostility that was sure to come of her appearing anywhere on the Orro property? No, not a chance. She took enough abuse already without welcoming it. I’m sorry, love, she thought with chagrin.
Drawing the quilt over herself, she curled up on the couch and carefully folded Rackal’s letter, setting it on the table, but just as quickly snatching it back and placing it beneath her pillow, where her hand could rest on it. Perhaps, miles and miles away in London, Rackal could feel that she was thinking of him. She hoped so.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Wartime Jigs
So, haven't been doing a lot of review lately. Sorry 'bout that. Tech week for my play is upon me, and I'm busy as all out. Instead, enjoy another vignette about my nameless couple. Much to my displeasure, I was forced to name a few people in this one to make it clear.
“You should go dance,” Xavier said lazily from her left, indicating the rest of the group, spinning around in gleeful circles to the sound of fiddles playing.
“Not a chance,” she said, crossing her arms and legs, sullenly refusing to look at the man on her other side, who was showing the same level of apathy towards the situation.
“You should mingle with kids your age,” Xavier said. She snorted and cast a glance to her right. Yeah, kids her age. What a joke.
“I don’t want to.”
“It’s being broadcast back home.” She sat bolt upright in her seat.
“Then my family will see this?” she asked.
Xavier nodded.
“Come on,” she grabbed the other man’s hand, jerking him off his feet and dragging him onto the dance floor, despite his adamant protests. “New Year’s Eve jig,” she said to him.
“I don’t know it,” he drawled, folding his arms.
“You’re a terrible liar,” she snapped. “Don’t be more thick than you can help. EVERYONE from home knows the New Year’s Eve jig.” She gave him such a glare that he relented and allowed himself to be pulled into the dance.
To his surprise, she did know the jig, and although she wasn’t the most graceful dancer, she had more energy than the would have thought she could muster for an inane function like this. Ah, the New Year’s Eve jig. It definitely brought back memories; of cold, icy streets, snow softly falling, fires smoldering in the fire place and the sound of lively fiddles playing. The New Year’s Eve jig was all the good things from home, and none of the desperation.
But at the same time, he couldn’t help but feel like a moron. Dancing a jig. He was a bloody Commander. He was THE Commander, and he was dancing a jig with a seventeen year old girl, who’d threatened him into it. However, his determination to scowl through the whole thing was soon lost.
As they danced, they got more and more caught up in the energy, and he caught a look at the was something akin to happiness on her breathless face. She spun and twirled and kicked like she had forgotten all the terrible things that had happened to them. She didn’t hesitate to link her arm with his and dance in a circle, as it required, when the time came. In fact, she seemed oblivious to all her typical boundaries, but he had no doubt that this was more for the sake of letting her family see she was alright than with any desire to be close to him. Even so, she seemed to get more and more light on her feet as they moved, as though she were actually enjoying it. He wasn’t sure what to do with that. As she’d pointed out, he was a terrible liar, but she could give lessons in how to deceive.
She let him wrap his arm around her waist and take her hand and dance her up the center of the floor, and then spin her in a circle, her curls flying out around her. As she swirled back for a brief two-step together, and then move on, he thought he spotted a smile -impossible!- on her face.
When they at last stopped, they were in the center of a circle, which cheered and grinned. She lay draped over his arm, panting and he was balanced almost solely on one foot. The biggest grins of course, belonged to Kerwit and the Terrible Triplets, who looked like they were all thinking of a million ways to mock him for this. Orbokov was nowhere to be seen, which was a massive relief. He hated to think what she’d make of this; she was smart enough to see past the innocent façade that the rest of the party saw.
But when he glanced down at her face, shinning and ruddy with exertion, her eyes sparkling with something he’d never seen there before, it seemed worth it. Almost. He straightened her up and started to lead her back to the table, but she unexpectedly caught his hand. He turned to give her a puzzled look, and she hesitated a moment, as if she were going to ask something, but then she said coolly, “Bring me some punch, won’t you?”
As usual, it wasn’t a question. He sighed and let go of her, making his way through the crowd to the punch bowl.
She weaved her way over to the table and sat down, crossing her legs and looking almost wistfully out at the other couples dancing. The words, killed in their voicing by that…that look from him, were still frozen on her lips: Would you dance another with me?
“You should go dance,” Xavier said lazily from her left, indicating the rest of the group, spinning around in gleeful circles to the sound of fiddles playing.
“Not a chance,” she said, crossing her arms and legs, sullenly refusing to look at the man on her other side, who was showing the same level of apathy towards the situation.
“You should mingle with kids your age,” Xavier said. She snorted and cast a glance to her right. Yeah, kids her age. What a joke.
“I don’t want to.”
“It’s being broadcast back home.” She sat bolt upright in her seat.
“Then my family will see this?” she asked.
Xavier nodded.
“Come on,” she grabbed the other man’s hand, jerking him off his feet and dragging him onto the dance floor, despite his adamant protests. “New Year’s Eve jig,” she said to him.
“I don’t know it,” he drawled, folding his arms.
“You’re a terrible liar,” she snapped. “Don’t be more thick than you can help. EVERYONE from home knows the New Year’s Eve jig.” She gave him such a glare that he relented and allowed himself to be pulled into the dance.
To his surprise, she did know the jig, and although she wasn’t the most graceful dancer, she had more energy than the would have thought she could muster for an inane function like this. Ah, the New Year’s Eve jig. It definitely brought back memories; of cold, icy streets, snow softly falling, fires smoldering in the fire place and the sound of lively fiddles playing. The New Year’s Eve jig was all the good things from home, and none of the desperation.
But at the same time, he couldn’t help but feel like a moron. Dancing a jig. He was a bloody Commander. He was THE Commander, and he was dancing a jig with a seventeen year old girl, who’d threatened him into it. However, his determination to scowl through the whole thing was soon lost.
As they danced, they got more and more caught up in the energy, and he caught a look at the was something akin to happiness on her breathless face. She spun and twirled and kicked like she had forgotten all the terrible things that had happened to them. She didn’t hesitate to link her arm with his and dance in a circle, as it required, when the time came. In fact, she seemed oblivious to all her typical boundaries, but he had no doubt that this was more for the sake of letting her family see she was alright than with any desire to be close to him. Even so, she seemed to get more and more light on her feet as they moved, as though she were actually enjoying it. He wasn’t sure what to do with that. As she’d pointed out, he was a terrible liar, but she could give lessons in how to deceive.
She let him wrap his arm around her waist and take her hand and dance her up the center of the floor, and then spin her in a circle, her curls flying out around her. As she swirled back for a brief two-step together, and then move on, he thought he spotted a smile -impossible!- on her face.
When they at last stopped, they were in the center of a circle, which cheered and grinned. She lay draped over his arm, panting and he was balanced almost solely on one foot. The biggest grins of course, belonged to Kerwit and the Terrible Triplets, who looked like they were all thinking of a million ways to mock him for this. Orbokov was nowhere to be seen, which was a massive relief. He hated to think what she’d make of this; she was smart enough to see past the innocent façade that the rest of the party saw.
But when he glanced down at her face, shinning and ruddy with exertion, her eyes sparkling with something he’d never seen there before, it seemed worth it. Almost. He straightened her up and started to lead her back to the table, but she unexpectedly caught his hand. He turned to give her a puzzled look, and she hesitated a moment, as if she were going to ask something, but then she said coolly, “Bring me some punch, won’t you?”
As usual, it wasn’t a question. He sighed and let go of her, making his way through the crowd to the punch bowl.
She weaved her way over to the table and sat down, crossing her legs and looking almost wistfully out at the other couples dancing. The words, killed in their voicing by that…that look from him, were still frozen on her lips: Would you dance another with me?
Friday, April 29, 2011
Nightmares
Here's another short with my two nameless people, who seem to have serious relationship problems. But that's the fun in writing about them!
“Clarice!”
He sat bolt upright in bed, his bare, thin chest heaving, his eyes wide, terror pounding in his veins. Again and again in his mind he saw the flames engulf the house, heard his sister’s cry pierce the air. It didn’t matter that he hadn’t been there; he could see it in his mind all the same. The heat felt sweltering even in the tepid air of his bedroom. His hand flew across the sheets and hit the cool indent where she had been sleeping and a pang of disappointment shot through him. She must have left again. Most nights she left. Even several heartbeats after waking, the horror and fear did not fade, but remained as prominent as ever.
He glanced up, feeling eyes on him, and saw her standing there in the doorway, dressed in a sheer bluish nightgown, a lit cigarette in one hand. She was staring at him, looking a little alarmed, and very much like she didn’t know what to do. Moonlight from the tiny window on the wall lit against her bleach-blonde hair, making it seem very out of place against her swarthy skin. She said something, softly, uncertainly. His name. He didn’t reply. The flames licked the edges of his vision, and he could feel the burn sear across his chest once more.
“I thought you had gone,” he managed to choke out, staring off at his terrible vision.
“I woke up…I decided to go out for a smoke,” she said, sounding utterly bewildered as to what to do next.
He nodded slowly, and turned his head away, trying to hide his face in the darkness. She approached slowly, her feet shuffling against the carpet. She put out her cigarette in the ashtray by his bed and much to his surprise, lowered herself down onto the edge of the bed next to him.
She shook slightly (if only he knew the internal battle she was fighting!) as she wrapped her arms around his torso. She rested her chin on his good shoulder and whispered, “I miss my sisters too.”
Of all the things she could have said, nothing could have unhinged him more. He could feel the sobs catching in his chest, but he refused to let them come. He was stunned that she was allowed this kind of touch, the kind that denoted affection and not simple lust. He settled his arms around her waist and took comfort in her familiar curves, hiding his face in the stray blonde curls that brushed the base of her neck.
All his energy was now concentrated on not weeping. Of all people, she understood best the flashbacks, the pain, the loss…No one else knew it like she did. All had lost family…but their families had died as a direct result of their insurrection, of their dissent. They were the faces, the instigators of the rebellion, and as such the death of their families was on their shoulders alone.
Damn. Too much thinking. A few lone tears oozed from his eyes, and dripped onto her shoulders, tight with muscle that she worked every day. He felt her stiffen in shock, and then her arms tightened almost infinitesimally around him. Suddenly, he didn’t care how rare this touch was. He didn’t care that it might never happen again, that she most likely thought him weak for crying. He’d never seen her cry. She was letting it happen, and she had spoken of her sisters, which she almost never did. So she must care…right?
He pressed his cheek against her shoulder, feeling the silent tears wrack his ruined body. She didn’t speak, but he could feel her discomfort acutely. Yet she didn’t move. She stayed, and offered her shoulder to him. And that was everything at the moment.
After a long while, she said roughly, “No crying now…if the president finds out, she’ll find a way to tap into this water resource.”
He let out a huff of breath through his nose. She never could be serious for long, unless she was insulting someone. He pulled back and they looked awkwardly at one another. At last she said with a touch of impatience, “Well, scoot over!”
Was there no end to the ways she’d stun him tonight? Wordlessly, he moved over a few inches on the bed. She slipped beneath the covers and snuggled into the pillow, close enough for him to touch her. He could hardly believe she was inviting what it looked like…generally, if she stayed, she slept far enough off that even with his arm stretched out he couldn’t hold onto her.
She shifted pointedly, and sighed. Slowly, tentatively, he settled down next to her, and put one arm around her waist, pulling her into the curve of his body. She didn’t protest, or slug him in the gut, which was her usual response. He laid his head down on the pillow behind hers, and wondered perhaps, if she wanted protection from the nightmares too. It wasn’t inconceivable, considering all that had happened. She was human too, after all.
“Clarice!”
He sat bolt upright in bed, his bare, thin chest heaving, his eyes wide, terror pounding in his veins. Again and again in his mind he saw the flames engulf the house, heard his sister’s cry pierce the air. It didn’t matter that he hadn’t been there; he could see it in his mind all the same. The heat felt sweltering even in the tepid air of his bedroom. His hand flew across the sheets and hit the cool indent where she had been sleeping and a pang of disappointment shot through him. She must have left again. Most nights she left. Even several heartbeats after waking, the horror and fear did not fade, but remained as prominent as ever.
He glanced up, feeling eyes on him, and saw her standing there in the doorway, dressed in a sheer bluish nightgown, a lit cigarette in one hand. She was staring at him, looking a little alarmed, and very much like she didn’t know what to do. Moonlight from the tiny window on the wall lit against her bleach-blonde hair, making it seem very out of place against her swarthy skin. She said something, softly, uncertainly. His name. He didn’t reply. The flames licked the edges of his vision, and he could feel the burn sear across his chest once more.
“I thought you had gone,” he managed to choke out, staring off at his terrible vision.
“I woke up…I decided to go out for a smoke,” she said, sounding utterly bewildered as to what to do next.
He nodded slowly, and turned his head away, trying to hide his face in the darkness. She approached slowly, her feet shuffling against the carpet. She put out her cigarette in the ashtray by his bed and much to his surprise, lowered herself down onto the edge of the bed next to him.
She shook slightly (if only he knew the internal battle she was fighting!) as she wrapped her arms around his torso. She rested her chin on his good shoulder and whispered, “I miss my sisters too.”
Of all the things she could have said, nothing could have unhinged him more. He could feel the sobs catching in his chest, but he refused to let them come. He was stunned that she was allowed this kind of touch, the kind that denoted affection and not simple lust. He settled his arms around her waist and took comfort in her familiar curves, hiding his face in the stray blonde curls that brushed the base of her neck.
All his energy was now concentrated on not weeping. Of all people, she understood best the flashbacks, the pain, the loss…No one else knew it like she did. All had lost family…but their families had died as a direct result of their insurrection, of their dissent. They were the faces, the instigators of the rebellion, and as such the death of their families was on their shoulders alone.
Damn. Too much thinking. A few lone tears oozed from his eyes, and dripped onto her shoulders, tight with muscle that she worked every day. He felt her stiffen in shock, and then her arms tightened almost infinitesimally around him. Suddenly, he didn’t care how rare this touch was. He didn’t care that it might never happen again, that she most likely thought him weak for crying. He’d never seen her cry. She was letting it happen, and she had spoken of her sisters, which she almost never did. So she must care…right?
He pressed his cheek against her shoulder, feeling the silent tears wrack his ruined body. She didn’t speak, but he could feel her discomfort acutely. Yet she didn’t move. She stayed, and offered her shoulder to him. And that was everything at the moment.
After a long while, she said roughly, “No crying now…if the president finds out, she’ll find a way to tap into this water resource.”
He let out a huff of breath through his nose. She never could be serious for long, unless she was insulting someone. He pulled back and they looked awkwardly at one another. At last she said with a touch of impatience, “Well, scoot over!”
Was there no end to the ways she’d stun him tonight? Wordlessly, he moved over a few inches on the bed. She slipped beneath the covers and snuggled into the pillow, close enough for him to touch her. He could hardly believe she was inviting what it looked like…generally, if she stayed, she slept far enough off that even with his arm stretched out he couldn’t hold onto her.
She shifted pointedly, and sighed. Slowly, tentatively, he settled down next to her, and put one arm around her waist, pulling her into the curve of his body. She didn’t protest, or slug him in the gut, which was her usual response. He laid his head down on the pillow behind hers, and wondered perhaps, if she wanted protection from the nightmares too. It wasn’t inconceivable, considering all that had happened. She was human too, after all.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
School
Today I discovered the real uselessness of school. After being rear-ended, I went to the doctor to see if there were any ill effects. There weren't, but it was decided I should stay home anyway, lest something develop. Deciding to be productive, I got started on the crap-load of AP World History homework I had to do. Five maps and 3 pages of notes. I managed to finish all of it in less than three hours. I then cleaned my room and the kitchen before school even lets out. This says something very wrong about our school system. I was more productive alternately chatting online and doing homework in three hours than I am in eight hours of straight school. Maybe it's time for a reform?
P.S. Iggy won the poll
P.S. Iggy won the poll
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Jealous?
Here's a short original I wrote for fun. The charecter of Finnick Wonder-boy was taken from the Hunger Games. Enjoy!
~~Warning: There is cussing and sexual referrences in this. FYI.
Where was she? His eyes scanned the room, but only the few who knew him well would know how intently he was focused on finding something. Her. There she was! Instantly his hand tightened around his wine glass, a muscle tightened in his jaw. What was she doing talking to Finnick Wonder-boy? They talked far too much lately in his opinion.
He watched in dismay as the surly look slipped off her face, and she got that trying-not-to-smile look on her face, and rolled her eyes good-naturedly. Finnick Wonder-boy grinned and offered her something from the palm of his hand; she took and ate whatever it was. Someone mumbled for him to move so they could pass and he stepped to the side, his eyes still fixed on the couple on the far side of the room.
Finnick Wonder-boy leaned in and whispered something in her ear, and she laughed. She laughed! It was short and small, but still! She'd never once laughed at anything he said! She'd almost never even smiled. Most often she scowled and was in general irritated in his presence, like someone was forcing her to be there. And Finnick Wonder-boy! Who did he think he was? If he'd ever tried to whisper in her ear like that, she'd elbow him in the gut, at the very least! He realized he was holding his glass tight enough to shatter it. They were still talking…
Then without warning, Finnick Wonder-boy slung an arm around her shoulders and pulled her in for a lip-lock kiss. Crack! The glass exploded all over him, dripping wine over his shoes and the floor, embedding glass shards in his hand. He waited for her to pull away, to smack that arrogant bastard Finnick Wonder-boy like he deserved. But she didn't. She didn't move until Finnick let her go, and even then she merely rolled her eyes and turned away from him. Of course he leaned over her shoulder, trying to regain favor. She pushed him off, but she wasn't really into it. He could tell. If she really wanted Finnick Wonder-boy to leave, she drop-kick him in the gut. But she didn't. He didn't get it! She never kissed him, and only reluctantly allowed him to kiss her, but only in bed, and she acting like it was kissing a cockroach.
He felt like he was barely a step away from throttling that…that…scumbag, man-whore Finnick Wonder-boy. How dared he? How dared he lay a hand on her, kiss her with those filthy lips that had been across the abdomens of half the women in the Capitol alone?
He was so wrapped up in his thoughts, he didn't notice her until she was standing next to him.
"What's gotten into you?" she asked, taking a sip from her wine glass. "You look like you swallowed corrosive acid."
"None of your business," he growled. "And what the hell is up with Finnick? He ought to know better than to kiss you."
She gave him a long look. "Finnick knows where he stands with me," she said at last, taking another sip of wine.
Spots of red swam before his eyes. She really valued Finnick Wonder-boy over him? He'd MURDER that stupid punk!
"Well you sure make it clear where people stand with you," he snarled.
She looked him up and down, taking in the busted wine glass, the furious expression, and her lip curled in disgust. "You're jealous," she said. "Jealous of Finnick."
"Jealous of Finnick Wonder-boy?" he said in disbelief. "What does that man-whore have that I could possibly want?"
"My attention," came the short reply.
He was so close to losing it and breaking into a full-scale yelling match with her in the middle of the crowded room.
"You think I care about your attention? What would I want with an arrogant little slut who's hardly half my age?" he shot at her.
Her jaw got that familiar set that meant she was ready to kill him. As it was, she said, "Then I suppose you won't miss my company tonight. Or the night after that. Or until I bloody well feel like it." She turned sharply on her heel and strode away, leaving him fuming on his own.
Great. Now she was going to find Finnick Wonder-boy and they'd have a party tonight while he was alone. Just great. Why does everything in my life get fucked up?
~~Warning: There is cussing and sexual referrences in this. FYI.
Where was she? His eyes scanned the room, but only the few who knew him well would know how intently he was focused on finding something. Her. There she was! Instantly his hand tightened around his wine glass, a muscle tightened in his jaw. What was she doing talking to Finnick Wonder-boy? They talked far too much lately in his opinion.
He watched in dismay as the surly look slipped off her face, and she got that trying-not-to-smile look on her face, and rolled her eyes good-naturedly. Finnick Wonder-boy grinned and offered her something from the palm of his hand; she took and ate whatever it was. Someone mumbled for him to move so they could pass and he stepped to the side, his eyes still fixed on the couple on the far side of the room.
Finnick Wonder-boy leaned in and whispered something in her ear, and she laughed. She laughed! It was short and small, but still! She'd never once laughed at anything he said! She'd almost never even smiled. Most often she scowled and was in general irritated in his presence, like someone was forcing her to be there. And Finnick Wonder-boy! Who did he think he was? If he'd ever tried to whisper in her ear like that, she'd elbow him in the gut, at the very least! He realized he was holding his glass tight enough to shatter it. They were still talking…
Then without warning, Finnick Wonder-boy slung an arm around her shoulders and pulled her in for a lip-lock kiss. Crack! The glass exploded all over him, dripping wine over his shoes and the floor, embedding glass shards in his hand. He waited for her to pull away, to smack that arrogant bastard Finnick Wonder-boy like he deserved. But she didn't. She didn't move until Finnick let her go, and even then she merely rolled her eyes and turned away from him. Of course he leaned over her shoulder, trying to regain favor. She pushed him off, but she wasn't really into it. He could tell. If she really wanted Finnick Wonder-boy to leave, she drop-kick him in the gut. But she didn't. He didn't get it! She never kissed him, and only reluctantly allowed him to kiss her, but only in bed, and she acting like it was kissing a cockroach.
He felt like he was barely a step away from throttling that…that…scumbag, man-whore Finnick Wonder-boy. How dared he? How dared he lay a hand on her, kiss her with those filthy lips that had been across the abdomens of half the women in the Capitol alone?
He was so wrapped up in his thoughts, he didn't notice her until she was standing next to him.
"What's gotten into you?" she asked, taking a sip from her wine glass. "You look like you swallowed corrosive acid."
"None of your business," he growled. "And what the hell is up with Finnick? He ought to know better than to kiss you."
She gave him a long look. "Finnick knows where he stands with me," she said at last, taking another sip of wine.
Spots of red swam before his eyes. She really valued Finnick Wonder-boy over him? He'd MURDER that stupid punk!
"Well you sure make it clear where people stand with you," he snarled.
She looked him up and down, taking in the busted wine glass, the furious expression, and her lip curled in disgust. "You're jealous," she said. "Jealous of Finnick."
"Jealous of Finnick Wonder-boy?" he said in disbelief. "What does that man-whore have that I could possibly want?"
"My attention," came the short reply.
He was so close to losing it and breaking into a full-scale yelling match with her in the middle of the crowded room.
"You think I care about your attention? What would I want with an arrogant little slut who's hardly half my age?" he shot at her.
Her jaw got that familiar set that meant she was ready to kill him. As it was, she said, "Then I suppose you won't miss my company tonight. Or the night after that. Or until I bloody well feel like it." She turned sharply on her heel and strode away, leaving him fuming on his own.
Great. Now she was going to find Finnick Wonder-boy and they'd have a party tonight while he was alone. Just great. Why does everything in my life get fucked up?
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Today's Language
This isn't related to any book or movie, it's just a plain ole' rant. People today! Have you ever had the misfortune to be in a discussion with someone who insists on speaking in 'text language' OUT LOUD? This has got to be one of the most obnoxious trends technology has brought about. Using these ridiculous abbreviations like 'Sups' [What's up?] 'Tots' [Totally] or 'lol' [Laugh out Loud] in actually text conversations is mildly understandable, though still irritating. But to use them in face to face conversations as if they were actually words? How lazy are people these days? Or do they somehow think chopping off letters from a recognized English word to make in grammatically incorrect makes them cool?
Whatever the case, these stupid, inane, asinine abbreviations are unforgivable, and use of them should be punishable by death. Anyone who is so pathetically lazy or verbally inept as to have to resort to text speak is obviously mentally impaired in some drastic fashion, and should be given immediate help or be put down for the betterment of society. There are many things we've lost over the years, and some are excusable, but text language should be something we are ashamed of.
For a full report on this, read the next edition of The Barque.
Whatever the case, these stupid, inane, asinine abbreviations are unforgivable, and use of them should be punishable by death. Anyone who is so pathetically lazy or verbally inept as to have to resort to text speak is obviously mentally impaired in some drastic fashion, and should be given immediate help or be put down for the betterment of society. There are many things we've lost over the years, and some are excusable, but text language should be something we are ashamed of.
For a full report on this, read the next edition of The Barque.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
The Heros of Olympus: The Lost Hero
So, this is the follow-up series to Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan. It starts off with three new demigods: Jason, Piper and Leo. Since the writing style is just as awesome as his first series, I'm going to focus now on our new demigods. Warning! There are major spoilers ahead!
Jason is a son of Zeus, and Thalia's sister. Apparently they were separated at birth, yadayadayada. I really don't have any strong opinions on Jason. He didn't really have a strong personality or anything. His powers (controlling air currents and redirecting lightning) were cool, but not excessive.
Piper McLean is a daughter of Aphrodite who has the rare gift of charmspeaking. Piper I honestly find to be a bit of a Mary-Sue. She's always described as 'stunning' and 'beautiful' which I get, since she's a daughter of Aphrodite, but it does go a little overboard. In addition, she's nothing like her airhead siblings, being smart and powerful. She kicks the butt of the head Aphrodite counselor and takes over at the end. Really? So not only is Drew a bully, she can't fight? Piper needs to be taken down a notch, it seems like Riordan is trying to make her perfect, which is sickening.
Leo is cool. I wasn't sure about him at first, but on the second read through, I realized I love Leo. Leo is the troubled kid who makes jokes to cover up his inner turmoil. He's nothing flashy or special like Piper and Jason, he sticks to the background and keeps the group moving. He's got terrible luck with girls (always falls for ones WAY out of his range, ie: Thalia and Kihone, goddess of snow) and his mom died in a fire when he was a kid. He's a son of Hephaestus with the almost unheard of gift of being a firebender. The only problem I have with Leo is at the end, where he becomes head counselor. Just because he discovered Bunker 9 is no reason to dump the head counselor. He's still an inexperienced leader.
Plot! The idea of Gaea waking is absolutely terrifying! I really liked this idea, though I don't think Riordan will be able to top this. The Latin and Greek camps warring was also an awesome idea, and I can't wait to see what the Latin camp has done with Percy! Getting to meet some of the old Greek myths like Midas and Medea was really cool, and I loved Aeolus, the winds master. He was great. In all, this book was every bit as exciting as the first series and promises to have even more action and hilarity in the following books! Keep reading guys!
Jason is a son of Zeus, and Thalia's sister. Apparently they were separated at birth, yadayadayada. I really don't have any strong opinions on Jason. He didn't really have a strong personality or anything. His powers (controlling air currents and redirecting lightning) were cool, but not excessive.
Piper McLean is a daughter of Aphrodite who has the rare gift of charmspeaking. Piper I honestly find to be a bit of a Mary-Sue. She's always described as 'stunning' and 'beautiful' which I get, since she's a daughter of Aphrodite, but it does go a little overboard. In addition, she's nothing like her airhead siblings, being smart and powerful. She kicks the butt of the head Aphrodite counselor and takes over at the end. Really? So not only is Drew a bully, she can't fight? Piper needs to be taken down a notch, it seems like Riordan is trying to make her perfect, which is sickening.
Leo is cool. I wasn't sure about him at first, but on the second read through, I realized I love Leo. Leo is the troubled kid who makes jokes to cover up his inner turmoil. He's nothing flashy or special like Piper and Jason, he sticks to the background and keeps the group moving. He's got terrible luck with girls (always falls for ones WAY out of his range, ie: Thalia and Kihone, goddess of snow) and his mom died in a fire when he was a kid. He's a son of Hephaestus with the almost unheard of gift of being a firebender. The only problem I have with Leo is at the end, where he becomes head counselor. Just because he discovered Bunker 9 is no reason to dump the head counselor. He's still an inexperienced leader.
Plot! The idea of Gaea waking is absolutely terrifying! I really liked this idea, though I don't think Riordan will be able to top this. The Latin and Greek camps warring was also an awesome idea, and I can't wait to see what the Latin camp has done with Percy! Getting to meet some of the old Greek myths like Midas and Medea was really cool, and I loved Aeolus, the winds master. He was great. In all, this book was every bit as exciting as the first series and promises to have even more action and hilarity in the following books! Keep reading guys!
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Maximum Ride: Max's Final Warning
So, against my better judgement, I decided to give Max and her wings another chance, and read to book four, where I promise I will be stopping. Maximum Fail: Max's Final Rant was by far, the worst book I have EVER read. And that's saying something, because I've read a lot of books. And I never thought anything would top Any Small Goodness, a.k.a the most boring book ever put into existence. But James Patterson did it. This book zipped right to the top of my 'All Time Worst Books Ever' list. I didn't even want to finish this book, let alone the rest of the stupid series. As soon as I finished the mini-torture session, I promised myself I'd never read another James Patterson book as long as I live. My little reward to myself for slogging through it.
So, onto the book itself. For a blanket statement, I'd say it was the most poorly-written, tree-hugging, blatant left-winger, politically colored, righteous book I've ever read. I'm not a hardcore conservative, but this book actually infuriated me with it's obsessive 'Save the Planet: Stop Global Warming' attitude. First off, the earth goes through completely natural periods of heating and cooling. Many scientists (Who have degrees, Patterson!) will back up this statement. To assume that humans alone are causing global warming is not only uninformed, but arrogant. Not that I'm not for wasting less; that's always a good thing. But to make it the main point of the book? THIS is how Max has to save the world? Tell people to use less water bottles? Not only was this supremely anti-climactic, it was incredibly boring and an all around stupid idea. Everyone in the book (Aside from the government and large companies of course!) was on board with the green train. Only one person on Fang's blog disagreed (BitterGummy) and they were portrayed as unschooled and rude. Give me a break. We get it that you're a Democrat Patterson, but we're here to read an exciting book about flying kids saving the world, not a book about why all large companies stink and the government is corrupt and mean.
Point two on the political side is Max's raging feminism. As a woman, I totally support women's rights. However, there is a point where you go overboard and become a FemNazi, or just plain old annoying. Max definitely crosses into this category. Every time Iggy or Fang (adolescent boys, people!) make any kind of comment about a woman's looks or wanting a girlfriend, Max denotes them 'A sexist pig'. They're BOYS, Max. What the hell do you think they think about? Give 'em a break. Iggy and Fang are way more polite and chaste than any boys who walk the halls at my school. I'd count myself lucky if the comments made by those two in the book were the only sexual comments I head in a typical day at my school. And then in her pompous, crappy speech to the Senate, she replaced 'mankind' with 'personkind'. Really? What's next: Herstory? It's just a word, Max, it doesn't mean that women aren't included in mankind. Get over it.
Alright, now that my political rant is over, let's move forward. On the characters: Max, as you saw earlier in my post, has become super annoying. I no longer care for her. The other characters remain relatively the same, showing no character growth nor signs of trauma from their bizarre and hectic upbringing. Trust me, if a child went through what these kids went through, they wouldn't be making smart remarks to a doctor, they'd be cowering on the floor due to mental scarring. Aside from the totally unrealistic nature of their escape from mental problems, their powers are growing at a ridiculous rate. Wings, cool. Angel's mind reading, I can handle. But now, Angel can CONTROL people with her mind, Nudge is magnetic, Iggy appears to be getting his sight back, Fang's a freaking human chameleon and Gasman, as befits his name, can now emit a small nuclear blast from his rear end. This is too much. They're not kids who've been mistreated anymore, they're freaking superheros. And they show no downsides to their genetic modification, despite the fact that ALL other recombinant lifeforms have some kind of defect, often a fatal one. Total the dog is more obnoxious than ever, and I wish that the leopard seal that tried to take out one of the environmentalists (Of course it was the spy for Them, whoever They are, that was killed) had chomped down on the Scottie instead. His fawning over Akila is vomit-inducing and his humor is not funny in the least. I can't stand him.
The enemies are more ridiculous than ever. At one point, Gazzy, Fang and Iggy (Who's supposed to be blind, by the way) are facing off against 300 robot Erasers (You heard me right: Robot Erasers) and somehow the barely teenage boys manage to blow all the robots to smithereens. How am I expected to be worried when Patterson writes 'An army of Flyboys was headed right at us' after something like that? It's not realistic at all, and it takes all the threat away from the Flyboys. Obviously they're not a threat as he presents them to be, and the Flock has no reason to be worried. The Uber-directer came out of nowhere. We're not sure who he is, who he works for, or quite frankly, WHAT he is. It was totally random, like the kind of plot written by an English-challenged third grader. I'm going to skip that whole part because it just left me confused and with a strong desire to go on a shooting rampage due to the inane nature of the book.
The plot points are as bizarrely fashioned as ever and by the time I closed the last agonizing page I was wondering if James Patterson was on some kind of hallucinogenic drug when he wrote it. Turns out, the over-friendly doctor we met back in book one is Max's mom! That's totally not cliche! And guess what else? This'll really shock you. In a Star Wars-like turn of events, Jeb is Max's dad! Yeah, never saw that one coming (Can you sense the sarcasm? It's fairly dripping). Apparently, Jeb can 'do the Voice' in Max's head, but he is not the Voice (Am I the only one thinking '...what the hell?'). Aside from that, the main plot is about the Flock trying to stop global warming. Whoever told Patterson that was good premise for a book needs to be killed. The government, of course, tries to step in and gets smart-mouthed by Max, because they're so clearly up to no good. An unknown rival tries to kill her with a pizza bomb (WTH?). They then flee to South America (Of course! That makes perfect sense!) instead of vouching to attend the school the government offered to build for them. Did it ever occur to any of these semi-literate bird kids that in the future, despite their amazing powers, they'll have to-BumBumBAAA- get jobs? I'd love to see Max standing in a McDonald's saying 'May I take your order' with her trademark scowl on. That's where things are headed if these guys don't get an education soon. But, predictably, Max chews out the government agents, dodges the bomb with no injuries and makes it out fine. Can I repeat how boring this book is? In a final attempt at drama, a 'global warming-induced' hurricane hits and Akila the secondary character is thought dead. If you thought she really died, you're a moron. Max spots her in the hurricane, flies up and rescues her, and then kicks the Uber-director into mush. I'm stunned (More sarcasm).
And lastly, Patterson's writing. It's as juvenile as the last three books and shows no sign of improving. In addition, I'm fairly sure he invented a few words. Or is 'gigundo' actually in the dictionary? I could let it slide if it was slang, but I have never in my life heard someone use 'gigundo' to describe anything, and if they did, I'd probably sock them for using such an asinine non-word. Max shows no ability to be responsible or give a decent speech. Her irritating excessive use of sarcasm and smart-ass attitude were present even in her discussion with the Senate. She seems to be able to bad-mouth any adult and get an angry, nonsensical response. I can assure you that if I saw a fourteen year old ranting at me like that, I'd ignore, as she clearly needs to take it down a notch and calm down. The way she can up anyone in an argument or even just a discussion is really tiresome. If she was my daughter, she'd be grounded. Max needs to face facts: She's a kid. Her Flock are kids. They need to learn, have a stable home and get into the flow of society. They can't spend the rest of their lives on the run. Especially the little ones, Gasman, Nudge and Angel. She claims to always think of them, but if she did, she wouldn't turn down offers for help or schooling. Her smart-assing doesn't help anyone, and while it was cool a couple of times, it's worn out. I now loath her attitude. Patterson tries to present her as a bad ass, but all that comes out is a snarky, arrogant smart mouthed brat. This book was also clearly meant to be a thought-provoking novel, but I think we can agree it failed miserable. Patterson tries to have profound ideas, but they're not there. I felt no grief, anxiety or any feeling that might suggest I cared about the ideas in the plot. If you want a profound book, read Les Miserables, which moved me to tears with it's cruel portrayal of the miseries of human life. Global Warming and incompetent robots are not scary, sad or unjust.
So, that's my opinion of this latest work of shit by James Patterson. Let me know what you think in the comments!
So, onto the book itself. For a blanket statement, I'd say it was the most poorly-written, tree-hugging, blatant left-winger, politically colored, righteous book I've ever read. I'm not a hardcore conservative, but this book actually infuriated me with it's obsessive 'Save the Planet: Stop Global Warming' attitude. First off, the earth goes through completely natural periods of heating and cooling. Many scientists (Who have degrees, Patterson!) will back up this statement. To assume that humans alone are causing global warming is not only uninformed, but arrogant. Not that I'm not for wasting less; that's always a good thing. But to make it the main point of the book? THIS is how Max has to save the world? Tell people to use less water bottles? Not only was this supremely anti-climactic, it was incredibly boring and an all around stupid idea. Everyone in the book (Aside from the government and large companies of course!) was on board with the green train. Only one person on Fang's blog disagreed (BitterGummy) and they were portrayed as unschooled and rude. Give me a break. We get it that you're a Democrat Patterson, but we're here to read an exciting book about flying kids saving the world, not a book about why all large companies stink and the government is corrupt and mean.
Point two on the political side is Max's raging feminism. As a woman, I totally support women's rights. However, there is a point where you go overboard and become a FemNazi, or just plain old annoying. Max definitely crosses into this category. Every time Iggy or Fang (adolescent boys, people!) make any kind of comment about a woman's looks or wanting a girlfriend, Max denotes them 'A sexist pig'. They're BOYS, Max. What the hell do you think they think about? Give 'em a break. Iggy and Fang are way more polite and chaste than any boys who walk the halls at my school. I'd count myself lucky if the comments made by those two in the book were the only sexual comments I head in a typical day at my school. And then in her pompous, crappy speech to the Senate, she replaced 'mankind' with 'personkind'. Really? What's next: Herstory? It's just a word, Max, it doesn't mean that women aren't included in mankind. Get over it.
Alright, now that my political rant is over, let's move forward. On the characters: Max, as you saw earlier in my post, has become super annoying. I no longer care for her. The other characters remain relatively the same, showing no character growth nor signs of trauma from their bizarre and hectic upbringing. Trust me, if a child went through what these kids went through, they wouldn't be making smart remarks to a doctor, they'd be cowering on the floor due to mental scarring. Aside from the totally unrealistic nature of their escape from mental problems, their powers are growing at a ridiculous rate. Wings, cool. Angel's mind reading, I can handle. But now, Angel can CONTROL people with her mind, Nudge is magnetic, Iggy appears to be getting his sight back, Fang's a freaking human chameleon and Gasman, as befits his name, can now emit a small nuclear blast from his rear end. This is too much. They're not kids who've been mistreated anymore, they're freaking superheros. And they show no downsides to their genetic modification, despite the fact that ALL other recombinant lifeforms have some kind of defect, often a fatal one. Total the dog is more obnoxious than ever, and I wish that the leopard seal that tried to take out one of the environmentalists (Of course it was the spy for Them, whoever They are, that was killed) had chomped down on the Scottie instead. His fawning over Akila is vomit-inducing and his humor is not funny in the least. I can't stand him.
The enemies are more ridiculous than ever. At one point, Gazzy, Fang and Iggy (Who's supposed to be blind, by the way) are facing off against 300 robot Erasers (You heard me right: Robot Erasers) and somehow the barely teenage boys manage to blow all the robots to smithereens. How am I expected to be worried when Patterson writes 'An army of Flyboys was headed right at us' after something like that? It's not realistic at all, and it takes all the threat away from the Flyboys. Obviously they're not a threat as he presents them to be, and the Flock has no reason to be worried. The Uber-directer came out of nowhere. We're not sure who he is, who he works for, or quite frankly, WHAT he is. It was totally random, like the kind of plot written by an English-challenged third grader. I'm going to skip that whole part because it just left me confused and with a strong desire to go on a shooting rampage due to the inane nature of the book.
The plot points are as bizarrely fashioned as ever and by the time I closed the last agonizing page I was wondering if James Patterson was on some kind of hallucinogenic drug when he wrote it. Turns out, the over-friendly doctor we met back in book one is Max's mom! That's totally not cliche! And guess what else? This'll really shock you. In a Star Wars-like turn of events, Jeb is Max's dad! Yeah, never saw that one coming (Can you sense the sarcasm? It's fairly dripping). Apparently, Jeb can 'do the Voice' in Max's head, but he is not the Voice (Am I the only one thinking '...what the hell?'). Aside from that, the main plot is about the Flock trying to stop global warming. Whoever told Patterson that was good premise for a book needs to be killed. The government, of course, tries to step in and gets smart-mouthed by Max, because they're so clearly up to no good. An unknown rival tries to kill her with a pizza bomb (WTH?). They then flee to South America (Of course! That makes perfect sense!) instead of vouching to attend the school the government offered to build for them. Did it ever occur to any of these semi-literate bird kids that in the future, despite their amazing powers, they'll have to-BumBumBAAA- get jobs? I'd love to see Max standing in a McDonald's saying 'May I take your order' with her trademark scowl on. That's where things are headed if these guys don't get an education soon. But, predictably, Max chews out the government agents, dodges the bomb with no injuries and makes it out fine. Can I repeat how boring this book is? In a final attempt at drama, a 'global warming-induced' hurricane hits and Akila the secondary character is thought dead. If you thought she really died, you're a moron. Max spots her in the hurricane, flies up and rescues her, and then kicks the Uber-director into mush. I'm stunned (More sarcasm).
And lastly, Patterson's writing. It's as juvenile as the last three books and shows no sign of improving. In addition, I'm fairly sure he invented a few words. Or is 'gigundo' actually in the dictionary? I could let it slide if it was slang, but I have never in my life heard someone use 'gigundo' to describe anything, and if they did, I'd probably sock them for using such an asinine non-word. Max shows no ability to be responsible or give a decent speech. Her irritating excessive use of sarcasm and smart-ass attitude were present even in her discussion with the Senate. She seems to be able to bad-mouth any adult and get an angry, nonsensical response. I can assure you that if I saw a fourteen year old ranting at me like that, I'd ignore, as she clearly needs to take it down a notch and calm down. The way she can up anyone in an argument or even just a discussion is really tiresome. If she was my daughter, she'd be grounded. Max needs to face facts: She's a kid. Her Flock are kids. They need to learn, have a stable home and get into the flow of society. They can't spend the rest of their lives on the run. Especially the little ones, Gasman, Nudge and Angel. She claims to always think of them, but if she did, she wouldn't turn down offers for help or schooling. Her smart-assing doesn't help anyone, and while it was cool a couple of times, it's worn out. I now loath her attitude. Patterson tries to present her as a bad ass, but all that comes out is a snarky, arrogant smart mouthed brat. This book was also clearly meant to be a thought-provoking novel, but I think we can agree it failed miserable. Patterson tries to have profound ideas, but they're not there. I felt no grief, anxiety or any feeling that might suggest I cared about the ideas in the plot. If you want a profound book, read Les Miserables, which moved me to tears with it's cruel portrayal of the miseries of human life. Global Warming and incompetent robots are not scary, sad or unjust.
So, that's my opinion of this latest work of shit by James Patterson. Let me know what you think in the comments!
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Phantom of the Opera
Yay, more classics! I've been listening to Sarah Brightman sing Phantom of the Opera since I was a child, and have recently rediscovered it! It really is a touching story of the heights of love and the depths of suffering.
For those of you who don't know this story, it centers around Christine, a young soprano at the Paris Opera House, but we all know the real main character is Erik. Better known as the Phantom of the Opera, he resides in a place by the lake beneath the Opera House. A tormented genius shunned for his physical disfigurement, he has spent his life alone, living only for his music. That all changes when he falls in love with the beautiful Christine Daae. There's several problems with this relationship, but the most prominent takes the form of her fiance: Raoul de Chagny. Now Christine must choose between her childhood friend and sweetheart, and her teacher, the man who captured her imagination and worships the ground she walks on.
Erik is a singularly unforgettable character, with so much depth it's almost painful. He has suffered unbelievably in his life, cast out by his mother, captured and paraded about by gypsies and at last driven beneath the Opera House to live out the rest of his life in solitude. His so described 'angel's voice' and passion for music lead him to Christine, whom he mentors in secret to usurp La Carlotta as the Prima Donna of the Opera House. To be sure, he had some real issues, and is incredibly emotionally unstable, but he cares deeply for Christine.
Christine herself is mind-bogglingly naive, believing Erik to be the angel of music, sent to her by her dead father. Given, he was hiding and projecting his voice into her room, but still. She is very sweet and innocent, fairly the picture of everything Erik isn't, and can't have. She has an amazing vocal talent, but it seems lost after her father's death. With Erik's mentoring, she regains the muse she lost.
Raoul, needless to say, is hated by the majority of the phan base. He is a flat, one dimensional character who serves as the hero in the antihero's world. He not only fails to notice something is wrong with Christine, but fails to rescue her from Erik, who had taken her to his house below. He is a hindrance to the mission and the my serious Persian would have done better to leave him behind.
The story itself is unique, written by Gaston Leroux and set in 18th-century France. It's a beautiful tale of love, redemption and the ultimate unfairness and cruelty of life. Some people just get dealt really shitty hands in life. Some people get to be happier than their wildest dreams. That's just the way it goes.
If I am the phantom, it is because man's hatred has made me so. If I am to be saved it is because your love redeems me.
For those of you who don't know this story, it centers around Christine, a young soprano at the Paris Opera House, but we all know the real main character is Erik. Better known as the Phantom of the Opera, he resides in a place by the lake beneath the Opera House. A tormented genius shunned for his physical disfigurement, he has spent his life alone, living only for his music. That all changes when he falls in love with the beautiful Christine Daae. There's several problems with this relationship, but the most prominent takes the form of her fiance: Raoul de Chagny. Now Christine must choose between her childhood friend and sweetheart, and her teacher, the man who captured her imagination and worships the ground she walks on.
Erik is a singularly unforgettable character, with so much depth it's almost painful. He has suffered unbelievably in his life, cast out by his mother, captured and paraded about by gypsies and at last driven beneath the Opera House to live out the rest of his life in solitude. His so described 'angel's voice' and passion for music lead him to Christine, whom he mentors in secret to usurp La Carlotta as the Prima Donna of the Opera House. To be sure, he had some real issues, and is incredibly emotionally unstable, but he cares deeply for Christine.
Christine herself is mind-bogglingly naive, believing Erik to be the angel of music, sent to her by her dead father. Given, he was hiding and projecting his voice into her room, but still. She is very sweet and innocent, fairly the picture of everything Erik isn't, and can't have. She has an amazing vocal talent, but it seems lost after her father's death. With Erik's mentoring, she regains the muse she lost.
Raoul, needless to say, is hated by the majority of the phan base. He is a flat, one dimensional character who serves as the hero in the antihero's world. He not only fails to notice something is wrong with Christine, but fails to rescue her from Erik, who had taken her to his house below. He is a hindrance to the mission and the my serious Persian would have done better to leave him behind.
The story itself is unique, written by Gaston Leroux and set in 18th-century France. It's a beautiful tale of love, redemption and the ultimate unfairness and cruelty of life. Some people just get dealt really shitty hands in life. Some people get to be happier than their wildest dreams. That's just the way it goes.
If I am the phantom, it is because man's hatred has made me so. If I am to be saved it is because your love redeems me.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment
You might say I need to read the whole series before I review, as I've done with previous books, but I can tell you right now that won't be neccecary. I won't be reading any more of Maximum Fail. Having heard the hype about these books, and had my friends beg me to read them, I at last capitulated to find...major disappointment. The charecters I liked, but the rest of it? Yuck.
The plot moved fast, as everyone said. It was way too fast. There was barely time to absorb and think over one idea before a whole new plot line was coming in. Rescuing Angel or the trip to New York could have been sufficient on their own. And there were a lot of things that seemed to just pop up when convenient. Like Nudge's power. What the hell? Where did it come from? How could she have never realized it before? And it comes into being at exactly the moment the need it? That was so cheesy. And Dr. Martinez was real nice and all, but Patterson is clueless if he thinks you'd find a person who's really like that in the world. You come across an apparent run-away kid with wings and a bullet wound and you TELL NO ONE? Who does that? Honestly, she's a bad mother if she leaves Max out there all on her own. Their breakout from the school seemed very rushed and poorly plotted. If Max could unlock Angel's cage without a key, it stands to reason she could have gotten them all out earlier.
The writing was horrible. It was the worst writing style I've read since Twilight. It felt like I was reading a book meant for fifth graders, but with cursing. I HATED it. Short, choppy sentances are fine if they suit a purpose. That's ALL James Patterson wrote! His chapters were also too short, that bothered me a lot. His lack of description left me to try and puzzle out their surroundings on my own, while I struggled to keep track of the plot points.
Erasers? Really? 'The School'? 'The Institute'? NUDGE? Could there be less creative names in a book? Put some effort into your writing, Patterson! Names are a really imporant part of a story! Gasman? That one drove me nuts, but not as much as NUDGE. Nudge is a VERB. Not a name, by a long shot.
The dialogue. Max's dialogue felt very forced and staged, not at all natural. How many fourteen year olds call other kids 'lamby'? Or 'my baby'? What the cuss? Her sarcasm in the narroration was funny at times, but went over the top. It got tiresome. I'd also like to say that Total is the most annoying animal to ever walk the Earth. He shows up at th end of book one and I loathe him. I'd like to fly up to Flock height and drop him.
The Fax. Okay, I totally see Max and Fang as good friends. I like Fang. And then suddenly, out of the blue, with no warning at all, she kisses him? I'm going to have to say it once more: What the hell? Where did that come from? We had no idication that she was any better friends with Fang than any of the others, nor was there ever any sign of attraction between them. They just have no chemistry! The kiss was awkward, misplaced and poorly written.
The Erasers in generally. They're made out to be these bad-ass wolf-men that are super-scary, but they get beaten by a group of BIRD hybrids every single time! Not only are they complete wusses, they pop out of no where, get their butts kicked, then hop back into their van and drive away. What kind of a crappy wolf-mix does that? If I were half wolf, I'd dole out some pain to those wimpy birdies! Secondly, despite the fact that this is set in modern day times, they fight with CLAWS and FANGS. Yes, that's right. Fisticuffs are used to apprehend their "totally unique recombinent life forms". Apparently this massive facility can afford helicopters, but not tranquilizer darts or guns. This is a HUGE hole in the story, and it really detracts from the action, knowing the Flock isn't in any real danger.
Overall, Patterson started out with some good charecters and a cool idea, and then dropped the ball, majorly. I had mused over them in the bookstore several times, as they sounded interesting. I am so glad I didn't spend money on these. I don't reccoment these AT ALL. However, there are some manga adaptions, which I actually quite enjoyed. There the fast plot fit the cartoony style and there was a great deal less of Max's lame dialogue and excessive sarcasm. The art was also very cool. The Maximum Ride movie is slated to come out soon, and as it's directed by the same person who did the first two Twilight movies, I think we can expect another pile of garbage on that.
The plot moved fast, as everyone said. It was way too fast. There was barely time to absorb and think over one idea before a whole new plot line was coming in. Rescuing Angel or the trip to New York could have been sufficient on their own. And there were a lot of things that seemed to just pop up when convenient. Like Nudge's power. What the hell? Where did it come from? How could she have never realized it before? And it comes into being at exactly the moment the need it? That was so cheesy. And Dr. Martinez was real nice and all, but Patterson is clueless if he thinks you'd find a person who's really like that in the world. You come across an apparent run-away kid with wings and a bullet wound and you TELL NO ONE? Who does that? Honestly, she's a bad mother if she leaves Max out there all on her own. Their breakout from the school seemed very rushed and poorly plotted. If Max could unlock Angel's cage without a key, it stands to reason she could have gotten them all out earlier.
The writing was horrible. It was the worst writing style I've read since Twilight. It felt like I was reading a book meant for fifth graders, but with cursing. I HATED it. Short, choppy sentances are fine if they suit a purpose. That's ALL James Patterson wrote! His chapters were also too short, that bothered me a lot. His lack of description left me to try and puzzle out their surroundings on my own, while I struggled to keep track of the plot points.
Erasers? Really? 'The School'? 'The Institute'? NUDGE? Could there be less creative names in a book? Put some effort into your writing, Patterson! Names are a really imporant part of a story! Gasman? That one drove me nuts, but not as much as NUDGE. Nudge is a VERB. Not a name, by a long shot.
The dialogue. Max's dialogue felt very forced and staged, not at all natural. How many fourteen year olds call other kids 'lamby'? Or 'my baby'? What the cuss? Her sarcasm in the narroration was funny at times, but went over the top. It got tiresome. I'd also like to say that Total is the most annoying animal to ever walk the Earth. He shows up at th end of book one and I loathe him. I'd like to fly up to Flock height and drop him.
The Fax. Okay, I totally see Max and Fang as good friends. I like Fang. And then suddenly, out of the blue, with no warning at all, she kisses him? I'm going to have to say it once more: What the hell? Where did that come from? We had no idication that she was any better friends with Fang than any of the others, nor was there ever any sign of attraction between them. They just have no chemistry! The kiss was awkward, misplaced and poorly written.
The Erasers in generally. They're made out to be these bad-ass wolf-men that are super-scary, but they get beaten by a group of BIRD hybrids every single time! Not only are they complete wusses, they pop out of no where, get their butts kicked, then hop back into their van and drive away. What kind of a crappy wolf-mix does that? If I were half wolf, I'd dole out some pain to those wimpy birdies! Secondly, despite the fact that this is set in modern day times, they fight with CLAWS and FANGS. Yes, that's right. Fisticuffs are used to apprehend their "totally unique recombinent life forms". Apparently this massive facility can afford helicopters, but not tranquilizer darts or guns. This is a HUGE hole in the story, and it really detracts from the action, knowing the Flock isn't in any real danger.
Overall, Patterson started out with some good charecters and a cool idea, and then dropped the ball, majorly. I had mused over them in the bookstore several times, as they sounded interesting. I am so glad I didn't spend money on these. I don't reccoment these AT ALL. However, there are some manga adaptions, which I actually quite enjoyed. There the fast plot fit the cartoony style and there was a great deal less of Max's lame dialogue and excessive sarcasm. The art was also very cool. The Maximum Ride movie is slated to come out soon, and as it's directed by the same person who did the first two Twilight movies, I think we can expect another pile of garbage on that.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
The Millenium Trilogy
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. A juicy story about the trials and tribulations of Mikael Blomkvist as he struggles to solve the mystery of Harriet Vanger's disappearance forty years ago. An impossible crime; a disgraced journalist and a girl with some very interesting tattoos.
Lisbeth Salander, the troubled, genius hacker who aides Mikael in his attempt to solve the decades old crime. First off, I LOVE Lisbeth. She is a girl who has suffered a lot, and she has come out fighting. She takes no crap from anyone, and always gets her revenge, even if it's not totally legal. As a character, she is wonderfully dark, beautifully troubled and endearingly scrappy. A tiny, doll-like girl who manages to assert her dominance over full blown gangsters. And yet, she doesn't come off as bitchy. She only ever bothers with people if they've done her a wrong, otherwise, she "just wants to be left alone."
I have no strong feelings on Mikael Blomkvist, save to point out that he's a terrible womanizer.
I had heard a lot about this series, and was very interested in the idea, so I took it upon myself to seek them out. It most certainly was a fascinating story, but I have to say I didn't care much for the writing style. Given, it was translated from Swedish, so perhaps it lost something there. However, the story, in my opinion, was worth slogging through the stylistic problems. It is not a story for the fainthearted, that's for sure. This is a dark, gruesome and detailed story, so if you don't have a stomach for the appalling depths of human cruelty, just leave this one on the shelf.
On the other hand, if you enjoy heinous crimes and murder mysteries, this one is definitely for you! The movies too, are worth checking out. The actors do wonderful jobs and bring a terrifying story to life.
Lisbeth Salander, the troubled, genius hacker who aides Mikael in his attempt to solve the decades old crime. First off, I LOVE Lisbeth. She is a girl who has suffered a lot, and she has come out fighting. She takes no crap from anyone, and always gets her revenge, even if it's not totally legal. As a character, she is wonderfully dark, beautifully troubled and endearingly scrappy. A tiny, doll-like girl who manages to assert her dominance over full blown gangsters. And yet, she doesn't come off as bitchy. She only ever bothers with people if they've done her a wrong, otherwise, she "just wants to be left alone."
I have no strong feelings on Mikael Blomkvist, save to point out that he's a terrible womanizer.
I had heard a lot about this series, and was very interested in the idea, so I took it upon myself to seek them out. It most certainly was a fascinating story, but I have to say I didn't care much for the writing style. Given, it was translated from Swedish, so perhaps it lost something there. However, the story, in my opinion, was worth slogging through the stylistic problems. It is not a story for the fainthearted, that's for sure. This is a dark, gruesome and detailed story, so if you don't have a stomach for the appalling depths of human cruelty, just leave this one on the shelf.
On the other hand, if you enjoy heinous crimes and murder mysteries, this one is definitely for you! The movies too, are worth checking out. The actors do wonderful jobs and bring a terrifying story to life.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Percy Jackson and the Olympians
Yep, time for a more popular book: Percy Jackson and the Olympians. Ever the fan of Greek mythology, I fell in love with the idea for this book. The writing style is punchy and action-packed, yet also has some good emotion. The basis for the story is that Percy Jackson, a dyslexic, ADHD twelve year old from New York finds out that he's the son of Poseidon. That's right: The Greek gods DO exist, and Zeus and Poisedon are on the verge of war over Zeus's stolen lightning bolt. Worst of all, Percy is the prime suspect.
The charecters are awesome too: Annabeth, the smart, brave daughter of Athena. Grover, the slightly incompetent yet well-meaing satyr. Hades, the dark lord of the Underworld. And who couldn't love Dionysus, the burnt-out god of wine in charge of Camp Half-blood, the training camp for demigods?
The story is exciting and has surprises at every turn, not to mention nasty Greek monsters like the Minotaur and the Furies. If you've only seen the movie, you're missing the best parts of the story. The whole series is amazing and I highly recommend it! Even if you're not a big reader, this is a great book. It's an easy read and they're fairly short.
I didn't ask to be a half-blood...- Percy Jackson
The charecters are awesome too: Annabeth, the smart, brave daughter of Athena. Grover, the slightly incompetent yet well-meaing satyr. Hades, the dark lord of the Underworld. And who couldn't love Dionysus, the burnt-out god of wine in charge of Camp Half-blood, the training camp for demigods?
The story is exciting and has surprises at every turn, not to mention nasty Greek monsters like the Minotaur and the Furies. If you've only seen the movie, you're missing the best parts of the story. The whole series is amazing and I highly recommend it! Even if you're not a big reader, this is a great book. It's an easy read and they're fairly short.
I didn't ask to be a half-blood...- Percy Jackson
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Megamind
So, a few months back in the dog days of summer, my girlfriends and I went to go see Megamind. I fully expected to be bored to tears watching a little kid's film, so I was really surprised by how much I loved it! It was super cute, and the animation was great. It had some great funny moments, and who could deny how adorable Megamind is? Tina Fey did a nice job as Roxanne Ritchi and overall the acting was very good. It won't be winning any awards anytime soon but it was a very sweet film and I really enjoyed it. Definately on my birthday list!
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Les Miserables
My dad had begged me for years to read this French classic, but what really got me on it was reading the super-abridged version in French class. So I decided to have a crack at the full-length English version that's been looming in one of our many bookshelves for years. Inside I found an indiscernible note and a 30 year old bus ticket that made a nice bookmark. But on to the story!
Like most teenagers these days, I had my trepidations about settling in to read a classic, especially one that looked thick enough to knock someone out with. But, being the avid reader that I am (and perhaps wanting some bragging rights) I forged ahead. At first, the book seemed to be headed no where, and I slogged through long descriptions of the tiny French village of Digne, but it was well written, and encouraged me to keep going.
Enter Jean Valjean, ex-convict and man who's soul is on the line. Imprisoned for 19 years for stealing a loaf of bread to feed his starving family, Jean Valjean has recently been granted parole. I won't give anything away, but I must say Valjean has moved onto my list of best literary characters of all time. He's deeply troubled, but has an inherent goodness to him that makes him someone you wish you knew. He always tries to do the right thing, and I found myself silently cheering him on as he struggled with his criminal past, and the officer intent on tracking him down: the infamous Inspector Javert.
Although Javert is loathsome in personality, I thoroughly enjoyed him as well, and was somewhat shocked as to how his part in the story ended (Again, I refrain from spoilers). He made an excellent villain, and the cat-and-mouse play between himself and Valjean kept me on the edge of my seat as Valjean maneuvered his way out of impossible situations, a few times with an orphaned girl (the lovely Cosette) on his back.
The love story between Marius and Cosette is very sweet and touching, but it was the effects of losing Cosette that befell Valjean that interested me the most. He truly grew to love her as a daughter and losing her ultimately was worse for him than returning to the Gallares.
So, was this book an easy read? Definitely not. I don't recommend it for the casual reader. But for those of you with some literary prowess under your belt, and a lot of free time, I fully support this. It has well-earned it's place amongst the classics.
They were...les miserables.
Side note: The Hunger Games poll was a tie between Rue and Haymitch.
Like most teenagers these days, I had my trepidations about settling in to read a classic, especially one that looked thick enough to knock someone out with. But, being the avid reader that I am (and perhaps wanting some bragging rights) I forged ahead. At first, the book seemed to be headed no where, and I slogged through long descriptions of the tiny French village of Digne, but it was well written, and encouraged me to keep going.
Enter Jean Valjean, ex-convict and man who's soul is on the line. Imprisoned for 19 years for stealing a loaf of bread to feed his starving family, Jean Valjean has recently been granted parole. I won't give anything away, but I must say Valjean has moved onto my list of best literary characters of all time. He's deeply troubled, but has an inherent goodness to him that makes him someone you wish you knew. He always tries to do the right thing, and I found myself silently cheering him on as he struggled with his criminal past, and the officer intent on tracking him down: the infamous Inspector Javert.
Although Javert is loathsome in personality, I thoroughly enjoyed him as well, and was somewhat shocked as to how his part in the story ended (Again, I refrain from spoilers). He made an excellent villain, and the cat-and-mouse play between himself and Valjean kept me on the edge of my seat as Valjean maneuvered his way out of impossible situations, a few times with an orphaned girl (the lovely Cosette) on his back.
The love story between Marius and Cosette is very sweet and touching, but it was the effects of losing Cosette that befell Valjean that interested me the most. He truly grew to love her as a daughter and losing her ultimately was worse for him than returning to the Gallares.
So, was this book an easy read? Definitely not. I don't recommend it for the casual reader. But for those of you with some literary prowess under your belt, and a lot of free time, I fully support this. It has well-earned it's place amongst the classics.
They were...les miserables.
Side note: The Hunger Games poll was a tie between Rue and Haymitch.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
The Hunger Games
What can I say beside: Most incredible trilogy I've ever read. The Hunger Games is the perfect blend of tragedy, action, moral questions and heart-rending love story all blended together in a post-apocolyptic world where 12 Districts are spread across what remains of North America and the Capitol rules all.
Katniss Everdeen, our 16 year old heroine in the first book, member of District 12, the coal mining district (located in the Appalacian Mountains) voulenteers to take her sister's place at the reaping for an even known at the Hunger Games. Every year, as a reminder of the rebellion the Districts once instated, the Capitol runs the Hunger Games. Every district must send two children, one boy and one girl to compete in the Hunger Games, an annual fight to the death on live television. Only the victor surivives, to be the mentor to the next year's tributes.
Let's analyze some of the components, shall we? First off, the plot/idea. This is a brilliant idea, a terrifying version of reality that promises a heart-pounding adventure. It unfolds with just the right amount of breath-taking action scenes, dramatic twists and turns, moral questions and quite moments before the next storm. There are one or two flat chapters throughout the trilogy, but you're always being fed valuable information even if it isn't the most excititing. I, a fan of anything macabre, was of course excited by the idea of a post-apocolypitic world hosting what are esentially gladiator games for kids. But Susan Collins doesn't get in your face with the violence. Sure, there are some gruesome moments, to be sure (it is the Games, after all!) but she doesn't go into stomach-churning detail, or include more than nececary.
The charecters, the backbone of the story, were masterfully crafted. Katniss is scrappy, determined and couragous. She isn't afraid to do what needs to be done to survive. She's clever and a masterful hunter, yet she is compassionate. She takes Prim's place in the Reaping. She teams up with a girl who can't possibly help her, but who needs protection. She sings her to her death when she's attacked. Katniss is definately a badass, but she isn't heartless. And she's not perfect. She is a deeply flawed person, which allows me to really relate. Peeta is just the sweetest guy! He's very much an artists, and often adds a measure of thought and sanity to this crazy world. He's the perfect counter to Katniss's fire, balancing out her anger with a gentle touch. Haymitch is just hilarious. Loved him. The charecters in this book all have distinct, flawed personalities that have this ability to draw you in, make you see things from their view.
I've read some of Suzanne Collins' work before, but none of it left me desperate for more like the Hunger Games did. This is clearly her magnum opus, a masterpeice of art. Some liken it to Twilight, which is riduculous, as they're about as much alike as a chocolate cake and a rotten bannana peel. The book is being made into a movie later this year or the next, and promises to be a stunner. If I can impart anything on you by your reading of this blog, let it be this: Read the Hunger Games!!
Also, if you enjoy fanfiction, I have a Hunger Games one: Flight of a Broken Mockingjay on deviantart.com and fanfiction.net
May the odds be ever in your favor (Effie Trinket)
Katniss Everdeen, our 16 year old heroine in the first book, member of District 12, the coal mining district (located in the Appalacian Mountains) voulenteers to take her sister's place at the reaping for an even known at the Hunger Games. Every year, as a reminder of the rebellion the Districts once instated, the Capitol runs the Hunger Games. Every district must send two children, one boy and one girl to compete in the Hunger Games, an annual fight to the death on live television. Only the victor surivives, to be the mentor to the next year's tributes.
Let's analyze some of the components, shall we? First off, the plot/idea. This is a brilliant idea, a terrifying version of reality that promises a heart-pounding adventure. It unfolds with just the right amount of breath-taking action scenes, dramatic twists and turns, moral questions and quite moments before the next storm. There are one or two flat chapters throughout the trilogy, but you're always being fed valuable information even if it isn't the most excititing. I, a fan of anything macabre, was of course excited by the idea of a post-apocolypitic world hosting what are esentially gladiator games for kids. But Susan Collins doesn't get in your face with the violence. Sure, there are some gruesome moments, to be sure (it is the Games, after all!) but she doesn't go into stomach-churning detail, or include more than nececary.
The charecters, the backbone of the story, were masterfully crafted. Katniss is scrappy, determined and couragous. She isn't afraid to do what needs to be done to survive. She's clever and a masterful hunter, yet she is compassionate. She takes Prim's place in the Reaping. She teams up with a girl who can't possibly help her, but who needs protection. She sings her to her death when she's attacked. Katniss is definately a badass, but she isn't heartless. And she's not perfect. She is a deeply flawed person, which allows me to really relate. Peeta is just the sweetest guy! He's very much an artists, and often adds a measure of thought and sanity to this crazy world. He's the perfect counter to Katniss's fire, balancing out her anger with a gentle touch. Haymitch is just hilarious. Loved him. The charecters in this book all have distinct, flawed personalities that have this ability to draw you in, make you see things from their view.
I've read some of Suzanne Collins' work before, but none of it left me desperate for more like the Hunger Games did. This is clearly her magnum opus, a masterpeice of art. Some liken it to Twilight, which is riduculous, as they're about as much alike as a chocolate cake and a rotten bannana peel. The book is being made into a movie later this year or the next, and promises to be a stunner. If I can impart anything on you by your reading of this blog, let it be this: Read the Hunger Games!!
Also, if you enjoy fanfiction, I have a Hunger Games one: Flight of a Broken Mockingjay on deviantart.com and fanfiction.net
May the odds be ever in your favor (Effie Trinket)
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Lockdown- Escape from Furnace
Looking for an action packed thriller, with frightening beasts and prison gangs? Lockdown- Escape from Furnace is that book. Non-stop action pulses through this book, about a young teenage boy framed for murder and sent to Furnace Penitentiary, the toughest prison in existence for kids under 18. Strange creatures kidnap people from their cells in the middle of the night, massive dogs with vicious teeth patrol the hallways and murderous gangs with shanks build power. In the midst of all this, Alex, our protagonist, fights to find the impossible: an escape from Furnace.
This book is awesome! Solitary, the next one in the series, recently came out in hardback, and I am eager to appropriate it. Alex, while not a murderer, is no teacher's pet. He's a thief, and it was that that got him in trouble in the first place. But he does an extraordinary amount of growing throughout the book, and is all-in-all very likable.
Escape from Furnace is fast-paced, never letting up or slowing down. However, unlike Maze Runner, the plot doesn't seemed rushed. Everything fits into place, and you find yourself up into the late hours of the night, cheering Alex on, holding your breath as he attempts to fend off the horrors of Furnace. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes action. Beneath heaven is hell. Beneath hell is Furnace. (The Warden)
This book is awesome! Solitary, the next one in the series, recently came out in hardback, and I am eager to appropriate it. Alex, while not a murderer, is no teacher's pet. He's a thief, and it was that that got him in trouble in the first place. But he does an extraordinary amount of growing throughout the book, and is all-in-all very likable.
Escape from Furnace is fast-paced, never letting up or slowing down. However, unlike Maze Runner, the plot doesn't seemed rushed. Everything fits into place, and you find yourself up into the late hours of the night, cheering Alex on, holding your breath as he attempts to fend off the horrors of Furnace. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes action. Beneath heaven is hell. Beneath hell is Furnace. (The Warden)
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Leviathan
I recently got Behemoth, the second book in the Leviathan series by Scott Westerfeld (also the author of Uglies, which I loved) and Behemoth impressed me every bit as much as the first book, Leviathan. It was full of attitude from Deryn, a girl posed as a boy in the British Royal Air Navy and heavy life questions from Alek, a Hapsburg prince on the run from Germans and their Clanker war machines. The drawings in the book were absolutely amazing, and I actually put the picture of the behemoth as the background on my computer.
Also, we get to see the Ottoman Empire at the time of WWI and Dr. Barlow's eggs finally hatch, with highly unexpected results! An Ottoman underground shows us Lilit, a young woman who is a remarkable fighter and a fierce feminist. This proves awkward when she develops a crush on "Dylan"!
These books are amazing, and I recommend them strongly if you haven't read them before. If you have, post and tell me what you think! Also by Mr. Westerfeld is the Uglies series, which I also immensely enjoyed. I'll have to do a separate review on those though ;)
Also, we get to see the Ottoman Empire at the time of WWI and Dr. Barlow's eggs finally hatch, with highly unexpected results! An Ottoman underground shows us Lilit, a young woman who is a remarkable fighter and a fierce feminist. This proves awkward when she develops a crush on "Dylan"!
These books are amazing, and I recommend them strongly if you haven't read them before. If you have, post and tell me what you think! Also by Mr. Westerfeld is the Uglies series, which I also immensely enjoyed. I'll have to do a separate review on those though ;)
Maze Runner
Alright, last night I finished Maze Runner. And I hated it as much as I thought I would at the start, but I had to find out what happens. First off, I don't get why Thomas was always bashing Alby. The kid had been through a lot and I liked him, more than Mr. Wonderboy Thomas anyway. Teresa I still despise, and I hate Thomas with the same burning passion. They're both perfect, attractive, brilliant, level-headed, brave, tough...and a couple. It makes me want to puke. Newt and Minho are way cooler! And *spoiler* why did Alby have to die? He was so much better than Model-girl Teresa. And Chuck...Why couldn't it have been Thomas?!*end spoilers*
All in all, the book was awful. The idea was good, but rushed and I hated the charecters. Unless you enjoy Mary-Sues and a long story squeezed into a short space, I'd leave that book on the shelf.
All in all, the book was awful. The idea was good, but rushed and I hated the charecters. Unless you enjoy Mary-Sues and a long story squeezed into a short space, I'd leave that book on the shelf.
Friday, January 7, 2011
I'm Back!
So, it's been AGES since I posted last, I admit that. I kinda got discouraged because no one ever commented, but hey! I'm gonna keep posting anyway. I wanted to talk about my latest obsession: The Hunger Games! For those of you who don't know, they're a dystopian book series by Suzanne Collins, set in the future. They're epic and amazing and have lots of action mixed with a deep message and a stirring love story that isn't all sappy or unrealistic (*cough* TWILIGHT! *cough*) Director Gary Ross is making it into a movie he hopes to rate at PG-13. There's more information at GirlonFire.blogspot.com. Check it out man, it's wicked.
On the flip side, I've been reading Maze Runner. Yuck. Good ideas, but rushed and poorly portrayed. Also chalk full of Mary-Sues and one-dimensional charecters. I really hate Teresa and I hope she and Thomas are related so they can't be together. I'd rather see her with Newt, if she has to live at all.
This Christmas I got leather boots and a flip, so I might be posting some dorky little videos every now and then ;)
On the flip side, I've been reading Maze Runner. Yuck. Good ideas, but rushed and poorly portrayed. Also chalk full of Mary-Sues and one-dimensional charecters. I really hate Teresa and I hope she and Thomas are related so they can't be together. I'd rather see her with Newt, if she has to live at all.
This Christmas I got leather boots and a flip, so I might be posting some dorky little videos every now and then ;)
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