tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25120303425806809482024-03-13T05:35:01.093-07:00The Reading FishIshita Singh http://www.blogger.com/profile/08912337400387785456noreply@blogger.comBlogger445125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512030342580680948.post-35253600775645168742014-09-03T00:00:00.000-07:002014-09-03T00:00:00.453-07:00If Only... (21)<div style="text-align: center;">
If Only <i>Obsidian</i> were a movie.<br />
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Haven't read or heard of the book yet? Here's a taste:<br />
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<a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1328275091l/12578077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1328275091l/12578077.jpg" width="206" /></a><br />
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Starting over sucks.<br />
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When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I'd pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring... until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up.<br />
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And then he opened his mouth.<br />
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Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something... unexpected happens.<br />
The hot alien living next door marks me.<br />
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You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon's touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I'm getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades.<br />
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If I don't kill him first, that is.</blockquote>
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I know I may be cheating a little since the rights to a film adaptation of <i>Obsidian</i> have already been obtained by some major studio, but since there hasn't been any official word yet, I'm going for it anyway.<br />
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I think it's fairly common knowledge that I've loved JLA's books since the very first time I read <i>Half-Blood</i>, the first book in her <i>Covenant</i> series. Naturally, when <i>Obsidian </i>released, I was just as excited but for slightly different reasons. For one, Katy Swartz and Daemon Black are impossible not to love. No matter how good a movie's plot is, I don't think it could have much success without likable main characters, and these two are simply perfect. They're both equal parts witty and softhearted, stubborn and protective.<br />
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Story wise, this novel is very marketable at the moment because of the sci-fi trend predominating Hollywood. At the same time, I think JLA's interpretation of aliens is unique and fresh enough to keep audiences intrigued and entertained. There's a little something for everyone--action, angst, romance, comedy, lightheartedness, and incredible depth. </div>
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Casting no doubt would be important because all fans of the book(s), myself included, have our own personal visions for the characters (Daemon especially). However, as long as the author is allowed some involvement in the potential production, I'm sure it'll be handled accordingly.<br />
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That's all for me this week! Feel free to comment on my choice down below. :)</div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i39.tinypic.com/rr2s9c.png" height="50" width="150" /></a> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512030342580680948.post-69921119128266265072014-09-01T00:00:00.000-07:002014-09-01T10:50:30.412-07:00Review: The Pregnancy Project by Gaby Rodriguez<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Growing up, Gaby Rodriguez was often told she would end up a teen mom. After all, her mother and her older sisters had gotten pregnant as teenagers; from an outsider’s perspective, it was practically a family tradition. Gaby had ambitions that didn’t include teen motherhood. But she wondered: how would she be treated if she “lived down” to others' expectations? Would everyone ignore the years she put into being a good student and see her as just another pregnant teen statistic with no future? These questions sparked Gaby’s school project: faking her own pregnancy as a high school senior to see how her family, friends, and community would react. What she learned changed her life forever, and made international headlines in the process.<br />
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In The Pregnancy Project, Gaby details how she was able to fake her own pregnancy—hiding the truth from even her siblings and boyfriend’s parents—and reveals all that she learned from the experience. But more than that, Gaby’s story is about fighting stereotypes, and how one girl found the strength to come out from the shadow of low expectations to forge a bright future for herself.</blockquote>
<a name='more'></a>It's been quite a while since I've read anything nonfiction for fun, but I remember being intrigued by Gaby's story back when it first became a media frenzy. That said, I was willing to give it a chance, and it actually surpassed my expectations in the end.<br />
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Seventeen-year-old Gaby Rodriguez's life is a tale of beating the odds. It's about breaking stereotypes and overcoming hardships. I can't even begin to imagine how she managed to handle being raised under conditions of poverty in a single-parent household, surrounded by siblings with broken relationships and children of their own. Throughout my reading of <i>The Pregnancy Project</i>, I found myself repeatedly astounded by her ability to get by, let alone the fact that she managed to thrive even in harsh circumstances.<br />
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<i>The Pregnancy Project</i> is so much more than a slew of pregnancy statistics. It's thoughtful, it's deep, and it's provocative. This memoir encourages you to look beyond whatever ingrained views you may have about teenage motherhood, something that is highly disapproved of in modern society but almost never handled with the delicateness that it deserves, and truly opens your eyes to how drastically one moment of bad judgment could affect a young woman's social, mental, and emotional health almost immediately.<br />
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In terms of technical aspects, I think some of the text could have been cut to shorten it a bit. A few scenes, especially before the details of the project were revealed, seemed unnecessary. Nonetheless, however, it's a very quick read that flows in many ways like a YA contemporary. I'm glad I took a chance and delved out of my usual reading comfort zone, and I'd definitely recommend that everyone else do the same. There is a lot to be learned from <i>The Pregnancy Project</i>, especially if you've never been directly involved in or associated with a case of teen pregnancy.<br />
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Rating: 4/5 stars<br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i39.tinypic.com/rr2s9c.png" height="50" width="150" /></a> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512030342580680948.post-72027306813229477112014-08-27T00:00:00.000-07:002014-08-27T00:00:13.984-07:00If Only... (20) <div style="text-align: center;">
If only <i>Ice Princess</i> were a book.<br />
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Have seen or heard of the movie yet? Here's a taste:<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uDbeB5I06go/U_1OzpT9VNI/AAAAAAAAAVw/n4PW92BYjso/s1600/ice%2Bprincess.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uDbeB5I06go/U_1OzpT9VNI/AAAAAAAAAVw/n4PW92BYjso/s1600/ice%2Bprincess.jpg" /></a><br />
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<span style="color: black;">Brainy Casey Carlyle has never quite fit in. Caught between her fantasy of becoming a championship figure skater and her strong-willed mother, who has her on the fast track to Harvard, she can only hope to be like Nikki, Tiffany and Gen--three elite skating prodigies who are ruthlessly competing on the US National circuit (and have attitudes to match). But when Casey gets the chance to train with Gen and her coach, a disgraced former skating champion who also happens to be Gen's mother, she must dash her own mother's hopes in order to pursue her dream. Now, with only the support of Gen's teenage brother, a hunky Zamboni driver, Casey takes on the challenge of her life when she finds herself competing against the best to make it into the championship circuit and become a real "ice princess."</span></blockquote>
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<span style="text-align: center;">I just watched <i>Ice Princess </i>earlier today, and admittedly I didn't think at first to use it for this meme because I assumed it was based on a book. However, the reason why it seemed to play out like a YA novel makes more sense when you consider this: Meg Cabot wrote the original screenplay. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">What I love about this movie, and the novelized version if it existed, is that Casey isn't the average teenage girl-next-door who needs a gorgeous boy to be her saving grace. Sure, she start outs as the academic type, but Casey later proves that a girl can indeed have the best of both worlds in terms of academics and athletics. She's pretty and intelligent, talented and driven. There is a bit of romance involved, but guess what? Casey's love interest is not some popular hot shot with every girl fawning after him--he's a gentle, sweet boy who instead simply admires her ability out on the ice.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">Secondary characters in <i>Ice Princess</i> work so well in keeping things interesting and driving the plot forward. Gen, one of Casey's classmates in school and an up-and-coming skater, is a genuine soul torn between dedicating her life to the sport or giving it all up. Her mother and coach, Tina, is a former skating pro who would do almost anything to see Gen succeed, even if it means sabotaging another skater's chances. Casey's mother has her own dream for her daughter, causing some familial conflict and strife. All of these little traits and side stories, in my humble opinion, would make for a brilliant book.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">And there you have it! Feel free to comment on my choice in the comments. :)</span></div>
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</a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i39.tinypic.com/rr2s9c.png" height="50" width="150" /></a> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512030342580680948.post-43889474503291718742014-08-25T00:00:00.000-07:002014-08-25T00:00:07.981-07:00Review: Two Way Street by Lauren Barnholdt <div>
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<a href="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1381750633l/1672727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Two-Way Street" border="0" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1381750633l/1672727.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a><br />
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There are two sides to every breakup.<br />
This is Jordan and Courtney, totally in love. Sure, they were an unlikely high school couple. But they clicked; it worked. They're even going to the same college, and driving cross-country together for orientation.<br />
Then Jordan dumps Courtney -- for a girl he met on the Internet.<br />
It's too late to change plans, so the road trip is on. Courtney's heartbroken, but figures she can tough it out for a few days. La la la -- this is Courtney pretending not to care.<br />
But in a strange twist, Jordan cares. A lot.<br />
Turns out, he's got a secret or two that he's not telling Courtney. And it has everything to do with why they broke up, why they can't get back together, and how, in spite of it all, this couple is destined for each other.<br />
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Summer, road trips, romance, new beginnings, and a dark secret that can change your life = <i>Two Way Street</i>. If you're looking for the perfect summer read, this would be the next book you should pick up; it's a quick read, but some of the twists will feel really unexpected. You're emotions are going to be in a twist, and that oh-so-emotionally confused feeling will follow you with each page *just a warning, expect to have a release of a bundle of emotions.*There were definitely moments of fangirling, but overall it's one of those comfy, lay in a hammock, under a tree kind of book.<br />
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So you've got his perfect couple, Jordan and Courtney, they're going to college together and basically have their life planned out. But with an unexpected breakup, and new romance (sorta?) their relationship is as heated and confusing as can be. Now, both of them have to figure out a way to stand each other as they travel the whole east coast on their way to college in Boston.<br />
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I'll be honest, I might have been a tad annoyed by Courtney- though she was this simple girl, who did what she was told, and worked hard, she just seemed over dramatic...though that might just be me thinking that- I tend to have moments where I judge characters more. She grew on me though, as I continued to ride in the back seat of their car (not literally of course, but Barnholdt did a fantastic job making you feel like you were right there in the car with both, Jordan and Courtney). With the alternating simultaneous perspectives you ended up getting a full picture of what was going on. I guess that's how I became more empathetic to both Jordan and Courtney. Fine, I'll be honest I never really disliked Jordan. Yea, he broke up with Courtney, but that's life...sometimes you meet other people, or situations happen and you have to end it. So initially I just considered Courtney melodramatic and Jordan was just this normal teenage guy, who just met someone else.<br />
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As great as those two are, I have to say their best friends are even better. They made <i>Two Way Street </i>light, fun, and had the comic relief the book really needed. They balanced out the seriousness and had me LOLing throughout the book. They were very quirky characters, and basically that movie best friend to the normal person (everyone needs a weird person in their life, right? So, why not your best friend).<br />
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With the end of summer approaching, I would suggest you pick up this book soon. It's a great summer romance, and road trip contemporaries are always fun! I would suggest this book to people who enjoyed <i>In Honor</i> by Jessi Kirby or <i>Amy and Roger's Epic Detour</i> by Morgan Matson.<br />
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Rate: 4/5<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iypfqIDZPhc/UfGLmdCDG1I/AAAAAAAAIJ4/KN7sJfOKro0/s1600/SSS.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iypfqIDZPhc/UfGLmdCDG1I/AAAAAAAAIJ4/KN7sJfOKro0/s1600/SSS.png" height="258" width="320" /></a></div>
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Commence part 2 of the major fangirling for <i>Gaurdians of the Galaxy</i>:</div>
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So last week I fangirled all over Chris Pratt and his manliness. This week I'm fawning over all that is GROOT! </div>
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There isn't much to say about Groot besides "I am Groot." </div>
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Groot is just this badass tree thing who can't really say anything besides "I am Groot," yet even those three words can mean so much. </div>
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At some points this gentle giant will be on a massive rampage smashing anything he sees in sight, and at other times he's like this, providing light for those around him: </div>
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<img src="http://imageserver.moviepilot.com/why-groot-is-the-best-of-the-guardians-of-the-galaxy-spoilers-dc725ea6-6fd7-4017-8980-4ee6cb2d72a6.jpeg?width=1200&height=600" height="200" width="400" /></div>
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He may be a tree, but he is probably the most lovable character out of all the Gaurdians. I mean if you haven't seen this Baby Groot Video here it is: </div>
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Now, how can you not love Groot?! He's just to adorable and sweet and funny and just wonderful! Well that's my end of fangirling, but if you STILL haven't seen the movie...even after last weeks post, you better watch it now ^ just for that! :D </div>
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Ishita Singh http://www.blogger.com/profile/08912337400387785456noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512030342580680948.post-79188810446056868022014-08-20T00:00:00.000-07:002014-08-20T00:00:00.897-07:00If Only... (19)<div style="text-align: center;">
If only <i>Shatter Me</i> were a movie.<br />
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Haven't read or heard of the book yet? Here's a taste:<br />
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Juliette hasn’t touched anyone in exactly 264 days.<br />
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The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette’s touch is fatal. As long as she doesn’t hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don’t fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.<br />
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The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war – and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she’s exactly what they need right now.<br />
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Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.</blockquote>
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There is quite literally nothing that I don't like about the <i>Shatter Me </i>trilogy. In fact, I think it's the only YA dystopian series that has ever left me satisfied with the ending.</div>
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<i>Shatter Me </i>would fit right in with the common trend of a future/altered Earth fallen into chaos that has pervaded Hollywood lately. As always, casting would be incredibly important, as would setting/filming locations. However, I think if this series ever got past the optioning stages (I believe it already has been picked up by a studio), those issues could easily be ironed out. The bigger question I'd have is how they would incorporate the run-ons and strikethroughs that exist in protagonist Juliette's thought process. </div>
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Aside from that though, I imagine <i>Shatter Me</i> could do extremely well on the big screen by drawing in both fans of the books and other curious moviegoers of all ages. It's heavy on the action and suspense, but still includes just enough romance and eye candy to make you swoon (Warner, anybody?).</div>
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And there you have it! Feel free to comment on my choice down below. :)</div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i39.tinypic.com/rr2s9c.png" height="50" width="150" /></a> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512030342580680948.post-31013840405282017292014-08-18T00:00:00.000-07:002014-08-18T00:00:10.801-07:00Review: The Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Mara Dyer once believed she could run from her past.<br />
<i>She can’t.</i><br />
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She used to think her problems were all in her head.<br />
<i>They aren’t.</i><br />
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She couldn’t imagine that after everything she’s been through, the boy she loves would still be keeping secrets.<br />
<i>She’s wrong.</i><br />
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In this gripping sequel to The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, the truth evolves and choices prove deadly. What will become of Mara Dyer next?</blockquote>
I know what you're thinking--it's about time, right? Ish reviewed this over a year ago now, yet here I am, seriously lagging it to the point that I had to reread book one, <i>The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer</i>, before cracking this open. Let me tell you, I'm mentally kicking myself for not having done so a long time ago.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>It has been at least a few years since I first began reading this series. As soon as I began <i>Evolution</i>, I remembered why I initially loved the Mara Dyer books so much. It's so easy to forget that protagonist Mara and her love interest Noah are just seventeen. Both are such strong characters, brilliantly witty despite all they've been through, and literally a match made in literary heaven.<br />
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One thing I did not expect from this book was the level of psychological intensity. Think the first novel was bad with the ouija boards and frightening flashbacks? <i>Evolution</i> was ten steps up from that. Not once was I able to see what was coming next, and it got to the point where I had to genuinely consider whether or not reading before bed was a good idea. That said, I still absolutely loved the fact that words on a page had the power to give me chills just as well as images on a screen could.<br />
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There is really no good way to sum up this book without spoiling something, so I'll just say that if you opt to read it (and you should), you will not be disappointed. The only qualm I had was the length; maybe a few pages or scenes could have been cut, but overall, it was so well written that I didn't always notice. I'm so, so excited to see what happens in the final book, <i>The Retribution of Mara Dyer</i>.<br />
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Rating: 4.5/5 stars<br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i39.tinypic.com/rr2s9c.png" height="50" width="150" /></a> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512030342580680948.post-14253039780789261832014-08-16T00:00:00.000-07:002014-08-16T00:00:01.585-07:00Special Someone Saturday: Chris Pratt as Peter Quill <div style="text-align: center;">
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Last week I finally got the chance to go watch all that is fantastic, known as Guardians of the Galaxy, and for those of you who haven't seen the movie, you should definitely check out the trailer:<br />
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This trailer doesn't even do the movie justice. The music, the acting, and the comedy had be laughing non stop! Of the many reasons I was dying of laughter, and swooning oh so often had to be because of the glorious, hilarious, completely insane Peter Quill. </div>
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Behold Chris Pratt as Peter *swoon*</div>
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The movie begins with this great dancing sequence which will have you dying of laughter, I mean imagine this:<br />
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goofing around and using some creepy outer space rat things as a microphone. Peter Quill's earthling behavior is entertaining to see in comparison to all the other species of the galaxy. Being a hero, a comic, and a misfit seriously played for his benefits. Besides Groot, I fangirled way too hard over Peter, it might be because he is gorgeous or it might be because he is a total funny fam/ play boy. I'll never know. But if you haven't gotten the chance to see the movie, I would say GO RIGHT NOW. LIKE LITERALLY RIGHT THIS MOMENT. It is so worth watching, especially in theaters!<br />
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As a for a parting token, I'd like to leave you this little present ^.^<br />
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<img height="320" src="http://profwebsite.com/wp-content/uploads/chris-pratt-plays-peter-quill-in-guardians-of-the-galaxy-20140805105938-53e0b91ad2923.jpg" width="213" /><img src="http://38.media.tumblr.com/9446922869b7f8457e9e84e8adaa26f6/tumblr_n8gwo1MN101spx215o1_250.png" /><br />
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Ishita Singh http://www.blogger.com/profile/08912337400387785456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512030342580680948.post-76604628290178404002014-08-11T00:00:00.000-07:002014-08-11T00:00:06.609-07:00Review: Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins <div>
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Embrace the Forbidden<br />
What if there were teens whose lives literally depended on being bad influences?<br />
This is the reality for sons and daughters of fallen angels.<br />
Tenderhearted Southern girl Anna Whitt was born with the sixth sense to see and feel emotions of other people. She's aware of a struggle within herself, an inexplicable pull toward danger, but it isn't until she turns sixteen and meets the alluring Kaidan Rowe that she discovers her terrifying heritage and her willpower is put to the test. He's the boy your daddy warned you about. If only someone had warned Anna.<br />
Forced to face her destiny, will Anna embrace her halo or her horns?<br />
<a name='more'></a>Wow, I've finally gotten the chance to review this book after reading it a whole month ago. If you remember, a few weeks ago I featured the Kaiden Rowe *swooning at just the thought of him* for my Special Someone Saturady (<a href="http://omgitsfishy.blogspot.com/2014/07/special-somone-saturday-kaiden-rowe.html">Which you can check out here</a>) and just by how much I fawned over him, I'm pretty sure you could tell I fell in love with Sweet Evil. </blockquote>
Over the past few months I had given up on reading...that too, reading paranormal romances. I am SO glad that I decided to pick up <i>Sweet Evil </i>after two years of owning the book; by doing so, I had one of the best 4 hours in the longest time. I was completely engaged, and there was no way I was going to stop reading to sleep! This is one paranormal romance you don't want to miss!<br />
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Anna is this sweet girl who can sense emotions/ auras of other people, but on her sixteenth birthday, everything changes; after finally getting permission to get out of the house to go out with a friend she ends up encountering the elusive Kaiden Rowe *commence swooning,* this hot shot, bad boy, drummer. This connection with Kaiden will completely change Anna's life and everything she has ever believed in.<br />
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Now, if you are looking for a romance, you know, a hot, steamy, emotional roller coaster of a romance, this is DEFINITELY the book you need to read next. Higgins portrayed emotions in a way I've never seen emotions portrayed before in a YA novel, all the arguments and conversations felt so real- which is hard to achieve in general, but especially when dealing with unrealistic circumstances as nephilim.<br />
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<i>Sweet Evil </i>will satisfy your thirst if you're in search of anything steamy, romantic, emotionally tormenting, funny, snarky, sexy, entertaining, nail-biting, and basically anything else along those lines. This is one of those gems that you have to give a chance, and I am so glad I did! (Big thanks to Twitter for suggesting me to read it, y'all never let me down!) Now that I loved <i>Sweet Evil</i> I somehow need to get my hands on <i>Sweet Peril</i>!)<br />
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Rate: 5+/5<br />
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<br />Ishita Singh http://www.blogger.com/profile/08912337400387785456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512030342580680948.post-8082696285739894792014-08-06T00:00:00.000-07:002014-08-06T00:00:01.015-07:00If Only... (18)<div style="text-align: center;">
If only <i>The Other End of the Line</i> were a book.<br />
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Haven't seen or heard of the movie yet? Here's a taste:<br />
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<span style="color: black;">Struggling to convince his new hotelier client, Kit Hawksin, Granger Woodruff is told by one Jennifer David that his identity has been compromised, and his credit card is being misused. While tracing transactions, both become friendly and agree to meet in San Francisco at the Hawksin Hotel. She does not show up, and Woodruff befriends an East Indian woman, Priya Sethi, who has come to attend a relative's marriage. Woodruff will get a rude awakening when he finds out that Priya is actually Jennifer - who is the fiancé of wealthy Mumbai-based Vikram Bhatia - and has traveled there without informing her family. He will also incur her dad's wrath, who has been compelled to travel there along with his wife to first locate and then escort Priya back home to get her married to Vikram.</span></blockquote>
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Anyone who knows me well is aware of how much I absolutely adore this movie. Being Indian by ethnicity, I may be a little biased, but generally it's just a feel-good type of film, and I think it would translate quite well on paper.</div>
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Both Granger and Priya have the capacity to be very dynamic, relatable main characters, and that makes for a good starting point in terms of the written word. Their relationship could easily attract readers of all ages.</div>
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The characters in <i>The Other End of the Line</i> are clearly too old to fit into the YA genre of literature, but I think NA could work; however I wouldn't complain if it was left as an adult contemporary/romance. One thing I would absolutely love about a novelized version of this movie is the attention to culture. I think that even in this very open-minded age, books still lack some diversity and an accurate portrayal of experiences from a variety of backgrounds, so this would be a nice addition.</div>
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That's all from me this week! Feel free to comment on my choice in the comments. :)</div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i39.tinypic.com/rr2s9c.png" height="50" width="150" /></a> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512030342580680948.post-67872288315659348472014-08-04T00:00:00.000-07:002014-08-04T00:00:13.890-07:00Review: Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor<div class="separator tr_bq" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Around the world, black handprints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.<br />
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In a dark and dusty shop, a devil’s supply of human teeth grows dangerously low.<br />
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And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherwordly war.<br />
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Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real, she’s prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands", she speaks many languages - not all of them human - and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she’s about to find out.<br />
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When beautiful, haunted Akiva fixes fiery eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?</blockquote>
<a name='more'></a>I know what you're thinking--I just raved over <i>Daughter of Smoke & Bone</i> in my most recent If Only... post. Yes, I did indeed, but quite honestly, I kept that short and sweet for a reason. The real fangirling starts now.<br />
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This novel is unlike any I have ever come across, and considering how much I read, that's saying something. The world-building and sheer amount of thought that went into constructing such a vivid backdrop are astounding. Many parts of the text are almost lyrical and poetic in technique, which can sometimes be a little overwhelming but suited this story absolutely perfectly. It's been a while since I was so drawn into the pages of a good book.<br />
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Protagonist Karou is everything I want in a female main character. There's nothing ordinary or typical about her backstory, yet she's so relatable. I loved her curiosity and her courage even in the face of some truly horrifying circumstances. On the other hand is Akiva, a broodingly mysterious, ethereal individual who turned out to be surprisingly endearing. My biggest initial qualm with <i>Daughter of Smoke & Bone</i> was how quickly Karou and Akiva seemed to fall for each other; however, later revelations do manage to explain why that happened fairly well.<br />
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Aside from setting, secondary characters had a huge influence on my adoration for this book. In particular, Karou's best friend Zuzana was thoroughly supportive and entertaining. All too often in YA novels, a main character's "best friend" turns out to be unreliable or even just a complete jerk, so I appreciated that Zuzana was there for Karou no matter how ridiculous the situation became.<br />
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All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed the story and cannot wait to see what happens next in <i>Days of Blood and Starlight</i>!<br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i39.tinypic.com/rr2s9c.png" height="50" width="150" /></a> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512030342580680948.post-5881596470912059362014-07-30T00:00:00.000-07:002014-07-30T00:04:25.270-07:00If Only... (17)<div style="text-align: center;">
If only <i>Daughter of Smoke & Bone </i>were a movie.<br />
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Haven't read or heard of the book yet? Here's a taste:<br />
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Around the world, black handprints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.<br />
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In a dark and dusty shop, a devil’s supply of human teeth grows dangerously low.<br />
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And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherwordly war.<br />
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Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real, she’s prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands", she speaks many languages - not all of them human - and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she’s about to find out.<br />
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When beautiful, haunted Akiva fixes fiery eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?</blockquote>
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I only recently got around to reading this book (review pending!), and I'm honestly kicking myself for not getting to it earlier. On paper, <i>Daughter of Smoke & Bone</i> is already so vivid and imaginative that I can't even begin to imagine how amazing it would be on a big screen.</div>
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This novel has it all--mystery, suspense, fantasy elements, and a whirlwind romance that may as well be out of this world. The characters are so wonderfully multi-dimensional and the storytelling is phenomenal, and I think all of that would transfer extremely well on film. Casting and setting would both be pivotal to a movie adaptation, but boy, I definitely think the cost would be offset by the fact that it could draw in a diverse audience. </div>
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Anyone with me on this one? Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments! :)</div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i39.tinypic.com/rr2s9c.png" height="50" width="150" /></a> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512030342580680948.post-75455783149935648452014-07-28T00:00:00.000-07:002014-07-28T00:00:13.022-07:00Review: Also Known As by Robin Benway<a href="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1354665105l/13132661.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Also Known As" border="0" height="320" src="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1354665105l/13132661.jpg" width="211" /></a><br />
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Being a 16-year-old safecracker and active-duty daughter of international spies has its moments, good and bad. Pros: Seeing the world one crime-solving adventure at a time. Having parents with super cool jobs. Cons: Never staying in one place long enough to have friends or a boyfriend. But for Maggie Silver, the biggest perk of all has been avoiding high school and the accompanying cliques, bad lunches, and frustratingly simple locker combinations.<br />
Then Maggie and her parents are sent to New York for her first solo assignment, and all of that changes. She'll need to attend a private school, avoid the temptation to hack the school's security system, and befriend one aggravatingly cute Jesse Oliver to gain the essential information she needs to crack the case . . . all while trying not to blow her cover.</blockquote>
<a name='more'></a>Though it's been almost five months since I last read Benway's <i>Also Known As</i>, I'm surprised how much the book has stuck with me. Maggie Silver, international spy in training, daughter to two world famous spies, and the best locksmith/picker the world has ever seen; she is basically living the dream. After being assigned on a super secret mission, that only she can accomplish, Maggie for once in her life will not only stay in one place, but she is also going to have to deal with high school- one mission she might have trouble cracking.<br />
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Benway does an incredible job painting a great scene for her characters. Like in her previous novels, such as <i>Audrey Wait! </i>(which is a MUST READ), she makes sure to put thought into all the characters so the the reader actually knows who is who, and how each personality is relevant to the novel. The use of comic affect has me "LOLing" way too many times...I think my roommates got scared when I would burst into laughter out of nowhere. Maggie is such an entertaining and well thought out character; she's funny, witty, smart, and even though she's never been in her situation before, like a chameleon she easily (pretends) to adapt.<br />
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This was one of those reads that you can read a few times over and over if you have nothing to read and to stay entertained. It may have taken me a while to get into it, especially because initially it reminded of the <i>Gallagher Girls</i> series, so I had very different expectations when I was approaching the book (but in actuality the book is not like the other series at all, so don't worry, this story is unique, fresh, and you'll love it). I am personally a huge Benway fan and love contemps, so if you are one of the two or are interested in trying something new, I would definitely say check out <i>Also Known As</i>, it's a fun quick read, and you won't be sorry!<br />
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Rate: 4/5<br />
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Ishita Singh http://www.blogger.com/profile/08912337400387785456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512030342580680948.post-76970997061278835422014-07-26T00:00:00.000-07:002014-07-26T01:29:44.800-07:00Special Someone Saturday: Braden from On the Fence <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This past week I finished reading <i>On The Fence </i>by Kasie West, and well safe to say I have officially added another special someone onto my never ending list! This week, I'm featuring my newest bookish boyfriend, Braden ( I don't know his last name :(( I feel like it would be Thomas for some reason but I can't remember).<br />
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<a name='more'></a>Braden, is the type of guy, any girl would call her perfect match. He is the best friend, boy next door, and basically a guy you have grown up with. He is that guy who respects you and knows you better than anyone else. So, I mean, how would I not swoon, and fall in love with him as I got know Braden more.<br />
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Figuring out who a real life version of Braden would be was quite hard to determine. It's always the hardest part; the books are so detailed and thorough on characters and who they are that finding them in real life tends to be difficult. Now I get how hard it must be to cast people for book to movie adaptations!<br />
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After searching for over two hours (I mean it's not too bad of a task googling attractive guys...but it takes up waaay too much time) my version of Braden would be *insert drum roll here*<br />
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ALEXANDER LUDWIG<br />
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I had such a difficult time finding the boy next door who's attractive, smart, the best friend, doesn't give off a creepy vibe, with an athletic build, and so much more. But I can definitely see Ludwig as a Braden of some sorts.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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I mean look at those eyes *swoon* though they gaze deeply into yours there is a soft knowingness and comfort in them (just like how Braden acts/ looks towards Charlie).<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.picturesnew.com/media/images/alexander_ludwig.jpg">Original Image Link</a> <a href="http://static.entertainmentwise.com/photos/Image/090113_alex3s.jpg">Original Image Link</a><br /><br />And those abs definitely prove his athleticism, and I can assume you can tell he is attractive too *swoons in the back*<br /></span><img height="280" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ1kRd-f6fDjk0UMvQQcABar9rw4om_wx4Pjl3KubVj1VMGXcUJ" width="320" /><br /><a href="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ1kRd-f6fDjk0UMvQQcABar9rw4om_wx4Pjl3KubVj1VMGXcUJ">Original Image Link</a><br /><br />And I mean, look at him with the puppy; it practically screams boy next door (well with a huge dose of "damn, this boy is fine!")!<br /><br />So after searching for so long, I think I have done a pretty good job with finding a great real face for Braden that we can all admire and love! I would definitely reccomend reading <i>On the Fence</i> not only for the swoon worthy characters, but also for the fact that the book is well written, simplistic, and a perfect summer read for those who are in search for one! </td></tr>
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<br />Ishita Singh http://www.blogger.com/profile/08912337400387785456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512030342580680948.post-46303495292163549962014-07-23T00:00:00.000-07:002014-08-03T13:48:02.083-07:00If Only... (16)<div style="text-align: center;">
If only <i>People Like Us</i> were a book.<br />
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Haven't seen or heard of the movie yet? Here's a taste:<br />
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<span style="color: black;">While settling his recently deceased father's estate, a salesman discovers he has a sister whom he never knew about, leading both siblings to re-examine their perceptions about family and life choices.</span></blockquote>
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Fun fact: I never expected to like this movie, let alone love it. To be honest, I was initially in it for the fact that I adore both Chris Pine and Elizabeth Banks. <i>People Like Us</i> is such a simple concept, and from what I've seen of reviews, many think it was melodramatic and overdone, but it resonated quite strongly with me. I've got one older brother and he's always looked out for me, so it was sweet to watch Sam (Pine) look after Frankie (Banks) after so many years of not knowing about her existence. Also adorable, and entirely amusing because he had such a potty mouth, was Frankie's son Josh.</div>
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As a novel, this film would definitely fit more of an adult contemporary category. However, I think a lot could be said for characters that are so complex and multidimensional. They make the story without setting playing much of a part. I wouldn't be surprised if a literary version also had the capacity to make me cry. A tale like this one could be just as powerful and poignant when told through words, and I would absolutely love to read it.</div>
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Thoughts on my choice for this week? Feel free to comment! :)<br />
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i39.tinypic.com/rr2s9c.png" height="50" width="150" /></a> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512030342580680948.post-72185419177581264742014-07-21T00:00:00.001-07:002014-07-21T00:00:04.698-07:00Review: Sentinel (Covenant #5) by Jennifer L. Armentrout<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>It's a beautiful day for a war.</i><br />
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As the mortal world slowly slips into chaos of the godly kind, Alexandria Andros must overcome a stunning defeat that has left her shaken and in doubt of their ability to end this war once and for all.<br />
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And with all the obstacles between Alex and her happily-ever-after with the swoonworthy Aiden St. Delphi, they must now trust a deadly foe as they travel deep into the Underworld to release one of the most dangerous gods of all time.<br />
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In the stunning, action-packed climax to the bestselling Covenant series, Alex must face a terrible choice: the destruction of everything and everyone she holds dear… or the end of herself.</blockquote>
<a name='more'></a>It's no secret that I've loved JLA's writing ever since <i>Half-Blood</i> first released back in 2011. The wait time between sequels has always been painful, but that definitely applied tenfold for <i>Sentinel</i>. I'd been eagerly awaiting (and honestly, mildly dreading) a chance to find out what happens to Alex and Aiden for ages, and now that I know, let me tell you--ecstatic doesn't even begin to describe my feelings.<br />
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Alexandria Andros is easily one of my all-time favorite protagonists. She's got so much sass, a wit that always keeps me amused, and I don't think I even need to bother repeating what a badass she is. At the same time, she's every bit as relatable as a female character in, say, a contemporary novel. The fact that Alex is a skilled fighter in no way dismisses the fact that she is a somewhat flawed, extremely real individual. The same can be said for her love interest, somewhat-broody-but-still-gorgeous, stormy gray-eyed Aiden St. Delphi. These two balance each other out perfectly, and I absolutely love that they have so much belief in the strength of their bond that they no longer feel the need to hide it, even in a world where their relationship is essentially forbidden.<br />
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<i>Sentinel</i> is quite literally everything I wanted in a concluding novel and more. It's almost as if JLA has perfected the art of balancing romance with action, of countering lightheartedness with drama. I have so much respect for the fact that she's not afraid to break her fans' hearts a little bit by making us say goodbye to some characters and forget how to breathe when others are teetering between life and death. I even found myself cheering for Seth, who I could not stand from the very beginning, after he very selflessly managed to redeemed himself in this book.<br />
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While I'm genuinely sad to say goodbye to Alex and Aiden, there really couldn't have been a better ending to a truly amazing series. I can't wait to read more from this author, especially when one of my other favorite couples--a certain Kat and her hot alien boyfriend Daemon--are involved!<br />
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Rating: 5/5 stars<br />
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i39.tinypic.com/rr2s9c.png" height="50" width="150" /></a> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512030342580680948.post-5539173250589204032014-07-16T00:00:00.000-07:002014-07-16T00:00:00.692-07:00If Only... (15)<div style="text-align: center;">
If only <i>The Girl of Fire and Thorns</i> by Rae Carson were a movie.</div>
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Haven't read or heard of the book yet? Here's a taste:</div>
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<b>Once a century, one person is chosen for greatness. </b>Elisa is the chosen one.<br />
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But she is also the younger of two princesses, the one who has never done anything remarkable. She can't see how she ever will.<br />
Now, on her sixteenth birthday, she has become the secret wife of a handsome and worldly king—a king whose country is in turmoil. A king who needs the chosen one, not a failure of a princess.<br />
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And he's not the only one who seeks her. Savage enemies seething with dark magic are hunting her. A daring, determined revolutionary thinks she could be his people's savior. And he looks at her in a way that no man has ever looked at her before. Soon it is not just her life, but her very heart that is at stake.<br />
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Elisa could be everything to those who need her most. If the prophecy is fulfilled. If she finds the power deep within herself. If she doesn’t die young.<br />
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Most of the chosen do.</blockquote>
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Fun fact: I have been in love with this book for ages, so much so that I actually purchased a hard copy when it released even though I had the e-ARC on my Kindle. I'm sure you can imagine my joy when I managed to get an ARC of the sequel at ALA Annual 2012 and then again when I finally got to read the last book in the trilogy.</div>
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The <i>Fire and Thorns</i> series has it all--fantasy, action, adventure, romance, and possibly the best part? A female protagonist who isn't considered conventionally attractive. Imagine how epic that would be on the big screen. I can already see it. </div>
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In all honesty, I can't find one reason for this novel to not succeed if it were to ever become a movie adaptation. Given modern technology, I don't think the world-building would be difficult at all. Casting would be pivotal as many of the characters are not racially white, but I think the film industry has diversified enough to manage that.</div>
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So seriously, what are you doing still reading this? Go read the book, or better yet, buy the book so it can become crazy popular and then be made into a movie! :D</div>
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2512030342580680948" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2512030342580680948" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i39.tinypic.com/rr2s9c.png" height="50" width="150" /></a> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512030342580680948.post-86208474252810139502014-07-14T00:00:00.000-07:002014-07-14T00:00:09.762-07:00Review: Ungifted by Gordon Korman <div>
<a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1340757270l/13623777.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Ungifted" border="0" height="320" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1340757270l/13623777.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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The word gifted has never been applied to a kid like Donovan Curtis. It's usually more like Don't try this at home. So when the troublemaker pulls a major prank at his middle school, he thinks he's finally gone too far. But thanks to a mix-up by one of the administrators, instead of getting in trouble, Donovan is sent to the Academy of Scholastic Distinction (ASD), a special program for gifted and talented students.<br />
It wasn't exactly what Donovan had intended, but there couldn't be a more perfect hideout for someone like him. That is, if he can manage to fool people whose IQs are above genius level. And that becomes harder and harder as the students and teachers of ASD grow to realize that Donovan may not be good at math or science (or just about anything). But after an ongoing experiment with a live human (sister), an unforgettably dramatic middle-school dance, and the most astonishing come-from-behind robot victory ever, Donovan shows that his gifts might be exactly what the ASD students never knew they needed.<br />
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I've been on a literary diet per say, the "real world" genuinely had taken over my life that I forgot about my blogging and reading one. Coming back to reading and blogging after a whole year definitely feels great, and <i>Ungifted </i>was the perfect book to break my dry spell.<br />
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Having not read a MG in a while, I was surprised how easily I got into the book. Korman had a fresh medley of a fluid and unique plot, one of a kind characters, and a fantastic moral that was the cherry on top. Donovan, the young troubled pre-teen, is a character that everyone can relate to- not because we are all troubled, but we all have that one flaw or insecurity when we compare ourselves to others. With being placed into the Academy, Donovan and the other students begin to realize more about themselves and what they want in life.<br />
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The people in the Academy are all geniuses, while Donovan is far from one. But even with the scholastic differentiation between Donovan and his peers, Korman did a great job showing how Donovan is "gifted" in his "ungifted" way. This novel was one of those timeless novels that almost everyone can relate to; the idea of wanting to "fit in" and be "normal" is one that every pre-teen, teenager, and adult has gone/has to go through. I feel like I may have enjoyed this book a lot more than I would have if I had read it any other time, while reading the book it was really relevant to what I have been dealing with for the past few weeks. So if you are in a slump, or don't feel great about yourself, this is probably one of the best books you could read to fix your self-esteem and mood up.<br />
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Uplifting, comical, witty, relatable, and well written, are probably the best ways to describe <i>Ungifted. </i>Though it's a Middle Grade novel, I would suggest everyone try giving the book a shot. It's written in a mature way, and it's overall very enjoyable, plus it's one of those books you could easily connect to.<br />
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Rating: 4.5/5 <br />
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Ishita Singh http://www.blogger.com/profile/08912337400387785456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512030342580680948.post-78864099981311920772014-07-12T00:00:00.000-07:002014-07-12T00:00:07.688-07:00Special Somone Saturday: Kaiden Rowe <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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After <b>finally</b> reading <i>Sweet Evil</i>, I can now see why EVERYONE loves Kaiden (as in "ai" in Thai). He is literally the epitome of the bad boy gone somewhat good *swoon.* Over the past two years since the book has been out I never knew why everyone loved his character, but after staying up all night till 3 am to read the book (I made the mistake of starting at 11 pm) I realized I was falling in love with Kaiden just like everyone else. </div>
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Kaiden, basically being a son of a fallen angel is literally what one would call "bad," plus his sin may or may not make him even better *insert a winky face emoji.* I was so conflicted by him through the novel #TOOMANYMIXEDSIGNALS and honestly that just made him much much more attractive! *pursue swooning*</div>
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I had a lot of trouble figuring out who to pick as my "visual" for Kaiden. I had an idea of who he looked like, but I couldn't think of the actor- though, luckily with the help of Zareen and our twin telepathy, she found me my perfect Kaiden! So lo and behold Wade Poezyn as Kaiden Row! </div>
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Now tell me you don't think he is perfection? *swooning* Now that I've finished <i>Sweet Evil</i>, I need to get my hands on the next book! I need to know what happens to my beloved Kaiden! </div>
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Ishita Singh http://www.blogger.com/profile/08912337400387785456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512030342580680948.post-89664964628393819982014-07-09T16:55:00.002-07:002014-07-09T16:55:54.440-07:00If Only... (14)<div style="text-align: center;">
Hi everyone! Now that it's officially summer, Ishita and I have decided to get back into blogging, perhaps not to the full extent that we did previously, but in some context just to keep things flowing. So without further ado, let's take it from where we left off!<br />
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If only <i>Lucy</i> were a book.<br />
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Haven't heard of the movie? Here's a taste:<br />
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In a world that is run by the mob, street gangs, drug addicts, and corrupt cops, Lucy (Scarlett Johansson) is a woman living in Taipei, Taiwan who is forced to work as a drug mule for the mob. The drug implanted in her body inadvertently leaks into her system, changing her into a superhuman, due to accessing much more than the normal 10% of her brain capacity.[6] She can absorb knowledge instantaneously, is able to move objects with her mind, and chooses not to feel pain or other discomforts.</blockquote>
So I'm definitely cheating a little with this one because <i>Lucy</i> hasn't even released yet, but my goodness, I'm dying to see it. I'm a huge fan of both Scarlett Johansson and Morgan Freeman, and I think a written format would make for an amazing action/adventure, thriller type of novel. Granted it would probably fall into an adult genre rather than YA/NA due to the age of the main heroine along with the violent content, but nonetheless, it's something I would love to read.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>I know some people tend to have an issue with the far-fetched, unrealistic idea of humans not using their full brain capacity, but quite honestly, I'm in it for the sheer entertainment value of the film, book, or both. Also, badass female protagonists? Sign me up!</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512030342580680948.post-43405836156999398782013-10-06T17:14:00.000-07:002013-10-06T17:14:31.473-07:00Hiatus: College! Hey Guys!!<br />
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So I know it's been a long time since I (Ishita) have posted something, and well in short I have been beyond busy with my freshman year of college. With life moving on I haven't been as active online as I usually am, and well it sorta sucks. I do feel bad for leaving you guys stranded, but with classes, socializing, and studying I have had less time to read and blog. I hope once i get into schedule I can change that, but until then I just wanted to say Zareen and I will be slowing down with the posting for the time being. We will post periodically but it will definitely not be as frequently as we had been doing. I love all of you and hope you guys love this blog enough to keep coming even though the time spent on the blog will decrease a bit. Thanks for understanding! And until the next post....Byeeee Guys!! :D<br />
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Ishita Singh http://www.blogger.com/profile/08912337400387785456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512030342580680948.post-37332884977720297402013-10-05T00:00:00.000-07:002014-07-09T15:49:14.438-07:00Special Someone Saturday: Elijah (from The Reece Malcom List) <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This Saturday my Special Someone has to be Elijah from <i>The Reece Malcom List </i>which I reviewed a few weeks ago <i><a href="http://omgitsfishy.blogspot.com/2013/09/review-reece-malcolm-list-by-amy.html">here</a></i>.</div>
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Elijah may have been the guy that Devan didn't want, but the moment this rocker was introduced was definitely enticed. </div>
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He genuinely cared about Devan, and he listened and talked to her. His conflicted feelings though made it suck for them. He is the sweet, but funny musician *note: musicians are hot* so I was automatically attracted. But his caring nature and how he sorta marks his territory so other guys don't on Devan was really cute. </div>
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And even though he kept tabs, he gave Devan space. Non clingy is always a win for me :D Even though he wasn't the main love interest, I honestly felt more for him as a character than the main love interest. Like I was seriously screaming at Devan/the book when things were not going the way I wanted....I get emotionally invested. Don't judge me >.<</div>
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Without further ado, let me present to you Daren Kagasoff as Elijah (well what I thought Elijah looked like). I say go a few years younger and add some guyliner and we are golden! </div>
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<img alt="Celebrity Crushes♥" src="http://data3.whicdn.com/images/45740374/1307509471108783_large.jpg" height="320" width="250" /> <img alt="Daren Kagasoff (DarenKagasoff) on Twitter" src="http://data1.whicdn.com/images/54230727/8bub93tu3svjytv3z3l0_large.jpeg" height="320" width="320" /><img alt="ANGELS LOOK THE OTHER WAY - Daren Kagasoff by Hedi Slimane | November 2009" src="http://data2.whicdn.com/images/24600545/tumblr_m0ociq309V1rqsqpho1_500_large.jpg" height="149" width="200" /><img alt="Facebook | Josh Williams Photographys Photos - CELEBRTIES" src="http://data1.whicdn.com/images/1523278/22336_255122314755_218602679755_3105576_5705312_n_large.jpg" height="153" width="200" /><br />
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So that was my special someone; who's yours? Tell me in the comments below!<br />
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Ishita Singh http://www.blogger.com/profile/08912337400387785456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512030342580680948.post-84346759231703470082013-10-02T00:00:00.000-07:002013-10-02T00:00:06.344-07:00If Only... (13) <div style="text-align: center;">
If only <i>Starcrossed</i> by Josephine Angelini were a movie.<br />
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Haven't read or heard of the book yet? Here's a taste:<br />
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How do you defy destiny?<br />
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Helen Hamilton has spent her entire sixteen years trying to hide how different she is—no easy task on an island as small and sheltered as Nantucket. And it's getting harder. Nightmares of a desperate desert journey have Helen waking parched, only to find her sheets damaged by dirt and dust. At school she's haunted by hallucinations of three women weeping tears of blood . . . and when Helen first crosses paths with Lucas Delos, she has no way of knowing they're destined to play the leading roles in a tragedy the Fates insist on repeating throughout history.<br />
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As Helen unlocks the secrets of her ancestry, she realizes that some myths are more than just legend. But even demigod powers might not be enough to defy the forces that are both drawing her and Lucas together—and trying to tear them apart.</blockquote>
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When it comes to <i>Starcrossed</i>, I'm admittedly a bit biased--it was the first ARC I ever received, and on top of that, Josie Angelini actually personalized the copy for me. However, my personal affiliations aside, general audiences will agree with my view of this book as brilliant. I think it would make an awesome addition to the current list of YA page-to-screen adaptations.<br />
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In terms of genre, <i>Starcrossed</i> supersedes labels. Though typically classified as paranormal romance, it also contains major elements of drama, mythology, suspense, and action/adventure. As a result, I think it would appeal to a broad audience. If done right, the novel could have major success on the big screen. We've seen the <i>Percy Jackson</i> films do mediocre, so age-appropriate casting and script accuracy would be highly important in a project of this sort, but as always, the task is nowhere near impossible.<br />
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Anyone else think the <i>Starcrossed</i> trilogy would be well-suited to the entertainment industry?<br />
Feel free to comment on my choice down below. :)</div>
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2512030342580680948" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"> </a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2512030342580680948" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="50" src="http://i39.tinypic.com/rr2s9c.png" width="150" /></a> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512030342580680948.post-51362876109716658722013-09-30T00:00:00.000-07:002013-09-30T00:00:13.538-07:00Review: Rift by Andrea Cremer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Chronicling the rise of the Keepers, this is the stunning prequel to Andrea Cremer's internationally bestselling Nightshade trilogy!<br />
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Sixteen-year-old Ember Morrow is promised to a group called Conatus after one of their healers saves her mother's life. Once she arrives, Ember finds joy in wielding swords, learning magic, and fighting the encroaching darkness loose in the world. She also finds herself falling in love with her mentor, the dashing, brooding, and powerful Barrow Hess. When the knights realize Eira, one of their leaders, is dabbling in dark magic, Ember and Barrow must choose whether to follow Eira into the nether realm or to pledge their lives to destroying her and her kind.<br />
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With action, adventure, magic, and tantalizing sensuality, this book is as fast-paced and breathtaking as the Nightshade novels.</blockquote>
<a name='more'></a>Quick confession time: I've had a copy of <i>Rift</i> since ALA Annual 2012. At the time, I was desperate to read it. However, once I got the ARC, my anticipation died out for one simple reason--I was afraid of reconnecting with the <i>Nightshade</i> world. I still haven't gotten over the events of <i>Bloodrose (Nightshade #3)</i>, specifically a certain character death, so I was pretty weary about starting this book. To my surprise and utter delight, <i>Rift </i>holds very little connection to Andrea Cremer's original plotline except as an explanation of how that world came to be.<br />
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Protagonist Ember Morrow will do anything to get away from the married life of a noble that her parents have planned for her. Fortunately, her life essentially already belongs to a society of sorts referred to as Conatus. As a result, Ember's path crosses with that of Barrow Hess, one of the most skilled knights of Conatus. I absolutely adored Ember's spirit--her name definitely suits her. If you've seen my most recent Special Someone Saturday post, you already know how much I love Barrow. In terms of being a couple, Ember and Barrow are very much equals, and that's what I love about their relationship. They constantly encourage and challenge one another, but they're also very much connected on an emotional level.<br />
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Regarding revelation of how the <i>Nightshade</i> verse came to be, <i>Rift </i>was nothing like what I expected. The Guardians (shifters) have yet to come into existence; in fact, the Keepers and Seekers are never even mentioned. That being said, I still enjoyed it immensely. I love being taken by surprise, and I definitely didn't see the connections between the two worlds until they were right smack on the page.<br />
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Two big things that I loved about <i>Rift</i> were the fact that, despite initial impression, it does <b>not</b> contain a love triangle, and that the prequel series is only a duology. The changes in perspective were nice, though I would've appreciated a bit more insight into Ember's mind. I most definitely can't wait to get my hands on <i>Rise</i>, the next and final book in this riveting set of prequels to the fantastic world of <i>Nightshade</i>.<br />
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Rating: 4.5/5 stars<br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2512030342580680948" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2512030342580680948" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="50" src="http://i39.tinypic.com/rr2s9c.png" width="150" /></a> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512030342580680948.post-31287679236402682912013-09-28T00:00:00.000-07:002013-09-28T00:00:06.049-07:00Special Someone Saturday: Barrow Hess<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hi lovelies! This week's Special Someone Saturday post is brought to you by Barrow Hess from <i>Rift</i> by Andrea Cremer. </div>
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I fell head over heels for Barrow Hess basically as soon as he was introduced. He is initially described as being rather tall and having "steel gray" eyes and smooth, dark hair the color of "a tree's bark after rain". As a knight, he has a bit of a stiff personality but is highly skilled. In essence, he fits the "tall, dark, handsome" cliché.<br />
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One of my favorite things about Barrow is that he always gives Ember the respect she deserves. It doesn't matter that she's female or just sixteen years old; he doesn't treat her like a child. He challenges Ember and pushes her limits, but he also knows when to reign in his teachings and just listen. He's both compassionate and stoic; it just depends on what the situation calls for. Barrow is the epitome of noble and it's difficult to not adore his protective side as well.<br />
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It took me a while to put an actual face to Barrow, but once I figured it out, I knew I'd gotten it right. In my head, this is who I see...<br />
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Hellooo, Gaspard Ulliel! <3 </div>
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And that's all for me; feel free to comment on my choice or share your own special someone in the comments below!</div>
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Have a good weekend. :)</div>
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