Review - The Winner's Trilogy

The Winner's Trilogy

5 out of 5 Winning Stars

“If you won’t be my friend, you’ll regret being my enemy.” 

I love this series. I feel like I need to lead with that statement, because it's been awhile since I've read a complete series, beginning to end, back to back with no wait for the next installment, that have left such a great impression. The progression of the story, the pacing, the characters and themes, and how everything is connected and flows together so well is not easy to do. Ms. Rutkoski, you've created one hell of a series here. 

So a bit of information for you guys: this is a fantasy series, and Rutkoski has created a whole new world for us to read about. To sum it up really quickly, there's the country Valoria, whose emperor is on a power quest to conquer pretty much everything, and one of the conquered is the country Herran. Valoria's offer after conquering land is die, or be enslaved. The Herrani chose enslavement, and that's what their lives have been for the past ten years.

Kestral is the daughter of General Trajan, who is second only to the Emperor of Valoria. While dealing with the decision of joining the army or marriage, as all Valorians must do, she ends up buying a slave. There is something different about this slave, Arin, and though the two are enemies, the connection between them grows. But with this connection, there are unexpected consequences that Kestral could have never foresaw.

"Do you think I care how you won?" her father said softly. "You won. Your methods don't matter."
Kestral thought about the Herran War. She thoughts about the suffering her father had brought to this country, and how his actions had led to her becoming a mistress, and Arin a slave. "Do you really believe that?"

"Yes," he said. "I do."

The first book in this trilogy, The Winner's Curse, does have quite a bit of romance to it, but that's not all that is happening. There is action, trickery, deceit, violence, and so much more. As the series progresses, the stories become even more intricate and intense. There is so much more to The Winner's Trilogy than the relationship between Kestral and Arin. And the best part about their relationship is that it is believable; it doesn't feel forced, and just leads to more complications (and drama).

The Winner's Trilogy is a series about alliances and treachery, secrets and revenge, gambling and plotting, and, most importantly, slavery and freedom. What will you do for your freedom? What will you sacrifice for your freedom? Compelling storytelling, intricate relationships, high-packed action and strategic plotting, along with gambling and awesome battle scenes, and doing whatever it takes to win, The Winner's Trilogy is a cleverly-crafted, complex, fantastic series, with a perfect ending. Thank you, Ms. Rutkoski, for sharing this story with the world. It's going to stay with me for a long time.

“Happiness depends on being free, and freedom depends on being courageous.” 

Watching Wednesday - Containment

Containment

Okay, this post is going to be full of gushing, super-excited feelings. I love this show. Containment is seriously making its way up my favorite's list and I just need to share this with you guys so more people can feel what I'm feeling right now: trepidation, anxiety, fear, and a will to keep fighting, no matter how bad the odds are stacked against you.

For anyone now curious about Containment's plot, I'll give you a little info. A mysterious virus has broken out in Atlanta, and it has a 100% mortality rate. This has lead to a quarantine being enforced: no one in, no one out, no exceptions. Those inside are separated from their families and homes, and left to fight for their lives. Those on the outside are searching for a cure, but progress is slow and daunting. Violence is inevitable, and peace seems unattainable. 

There is an amazing cast for this show; the actors play their roles magnificently, and the characters are very interesting. There's police major Lex, who tries to keep the peace and protect his city, but this task is so much harder than he could have ever imagined. Matters become worse when he learns that his girlfriend, Jana, is stuck inside the cordon, along with Lex's police friend Jake. There's also school teacher Katie, with her son and students, and pregnant Teresa, whose boyfriend is outside the cordon. 

The separation between loved ones just makes matters even worse, and they get pretty bad. Containing the spread of the deadly virus is more difficult than imagined, and the violence inside the cordon is getting out of control. The fear and anxiety I feel are so real while watching Containment–seeing how people are in danger, how authorities are making decisions that are hurting more than helping, is scary. The despair the people inside the cordon must be feeling is terrifying.

The fact that Containment can make me feel so much is how I know this show is something special. I fear for the characters, I worry about how everything is going to play out. It's scary how real Containment is; if a virus like the one in the show broke out here, I could see real life progressing just like the plot of this show, and that's not okay. It's terrifying. Especially to see how quickly things can take a turn for the worst, and losing hope that it can get better.

I hope my feelings on this show has sparked your interest, and that you give it a watch. Containment is a limited series airing on the CW, Tuesdays at 9pm. We're about halfway through the series, so if you're interested in watching, I would check out the CW Website for episodes, or look for repeats on TV. This is not a show to miss.

*Shout-out to my sister for saving the recordings for me, and telling me how good the show is. I'm so glad I'm watching it!

Trailer Link

Spotlight Sunday - Author Marie Lu

LEGEND TRILOGY

I really, really love this series. I read it about two years ago now, and am already feeling a reread coming on. If there weren't so many other books and series to read, I would totally be reading the Legend series again this summer. But enough gushing, let me tell you guys what this series is about.

Legend is a dystopian novel, and the United States doesn't really exist. Instead, it has been split into two parts, The Republic of America covering the western area, and The Colonies of America in the east. The two sections are constantly at war, and the Republic is determined to win. They hold trials every year to determine who will fight in the war, or become part of the work force. 

One of our main characters, June Iparis, is part of an elite family in the Republic, and has the highest known score for the Trials. She is the prodigy of the Republic, and has no reason to cross the country's most wanted criminal, Day. No reason, that is, until Day becomes the prime suspect in the murder of June's older brother. Things start to get complicated pretty quickly.

I don't want to give too much away, but just know that this series is so much more than a dystopian-romance-YA novel. June and Day crossing paths is no coincidence, and the secrets of their country is more sinister than they could have ever imagined. The Legend series is filled with twists and turns, betrayal and action, and it only gets better and better with each book. You don't want to miss out on this one.

THE YOUNG ELITES

I read The Young Elites about a year or so ago, but it was around finals week and I actually don't remember too much about the first book. The story got pushed out of my mind to make room for study notes, haha. But anyways, I do remember liking what I read, and am definitely going to reread the first book, then make my way onto the second.

The Young Elites is a fantasy series, set in a different world that has been ravaged by a deadly virus known as the blood fever. Many died, but those who survived became a bit... different. Drastic changes to their appearances, like dark hair turning silver, is a small when compared to the manifestation strange powers. These survivors become known as malfettos and are hunted down by the Inquisition Axis.

Our protagonist, Adelina Amouteru, is a survivor of the blood fever. After discovering her own abilities, Adelina finds herself in a world where it seems everyone is an enemy and no one can be trusted. Enzo Valenciano is a member of the Dagger Society, a group of Young Elites who tries to find others like themselves before the Inquisition does. Teren Santoro is part of the Inquistion and is determined to destroy the Young Elites. Quite a cast we've got here.

This book is so dark, and I absolutely love it. No one is good, not really, and the 'villains' have complex reasoning behind their actions. You can't trust anyone. It's addicting. Add in a plan to take the throne, which of course will involve deceit and murder and tons of other dark goodies, The Young Elites is quickly becoming one of my favorites.

*The last book in the series, The Midnight Star, is due to release in October of this year

Okay, I just have to throw this last thing on here: Marie Lu has a new book coming out in 2017, called Warcross, and it sounds so freaking awesome

"Warcross, according to the publisher, will follow two teenage bounty hunters who are 'hired by a young billionaire to catch a hacker in the world’s most phenomenally popular virtual reality video game.'"

Is it 2017 yet?? I need this book!

Music Monday - Mr. Sandman

Okay, so this is going to be a short post, but I haven't done a Music Monday in awhile, and this song has been stuck in my head so I figured I'd share it with you.

As I mentioned before, I love Bates Motel, and a recurring song on the show is Mr. Sandman. There's just something about Norma and Norman singing it together, as Norma plays the piano, that really creeps me out - which is probably why I like it so much.

Since Bates Motel just loves to make things extra creepy for us, there was a scene in an episode towards the end of the season (4x09) that was disturbing enough in itself, but then the producers just decided to up the creep-factor by adding in this eerie rendition of Mr. Sandman. I've been humming it non-stop lately, even singing it occasionally (and I am not a very good singer). I can't seem to get it off my mind, and it's quite catchy, so I think it's going to be background music for a while more.

For anyone watching Bates Motel, did you see that finale? So crazy! Leave some comments and let me know what you think–I need to talk to someone about that ending!

You can listen to the song by clicking on this link
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Mr. Sandman by Nan Vernon

Review - Sharp Objects

Hey everyone, sorry I haven't posted in awhile. Finals may be over, but work is just getting started. I (promise) to be more active and update a bit more often. There are so many books to read, to review, and the same goes for new music, shows, and movies. But to get back into the swing of things, I'm going to start with an awesome psychological thriller by none other than the kickass author Gillian Flynn.

Sharp Objects

5 out of 5 Haunting Stars

"That's Wind Gap. We all know each other's secrets. And we all use them."

Holy shit. What the hell did I just read?? Sharp Objects has to be the most fucked-up, creepy, utterly disturbing book I have ever read. I love it. I feel sick to my stomach and like I need to cleanse my brain after finishing it, but it's so worth it. I have absolutely no idea how it is going to end, and just when I think I have everything figured out, Flynn throws in another plot twist that literally has me gripping the pages and having to re-read paragraphs. Amazing. Completely, totally unsettling, Sharp Objects is one hell of a debut novel.

Okay, moving on from my I-just-finished-reading-this-and-need-to-purge-my-feelings state, why don't I tell you guys what Sharp Objects is all about so you can understand my freakout (of the good variety). To sum it up real quick, our protagonist Camille Preaker has some mental instability due to an event in her past, and she's fresh out of a psych hospital when her boss sends her back home to cover the murder of two girls. See, Camille is a reporter, and her boss is hoping she'll have an in with the townies since she once lived there. It really does seem like small towns have the biggest secrets, and it's up to Camille to find out what's going on.

"Sometimes if you let people do things to you, you're really doing it to them. Know what I mean? If someone wants to do fucked-up things to you, and you let them, you're making them more fucked up. Then you have the control. As long as you don't go crazy."

I admit, I don't really like Camille's character. I don't really like any of the characters in the novel. But I think that's what makes Sharp Objects so addicting. Everyone has a problem, a dark side, something off about them, and it's very entertaining getting to read about it. Camille actually isn't too bad when compared to her half sister, Amma. Yeah, Camille makes some bad decisions that she knows she shouldn't be making, but Amma is serious bad news. Camille's  family is bad news. Hell, the whole freaking town is bad news. You really can't trust anyone.

Flynn deals with a lot of ideas and themes in Sharp Objects, but the one that stands out the most to me is the role of women. Women are seen as damsels in distress who need a big, strong man to take care of them. They're portrayed as victims. Imagine you're walking down a street alone at night. If a man is walking behind you, you're probably going to be on edge, but if it's a woman, not so much. Flynn takes this idea and twists it around; women may seem safe and kind, but that's not always the case. We're all human, and we all have the capacity for cruelty. This is what makes Sharp Objects such a complex, nasty book, and one hell of a dark, psychological thriller. Don't miss out on this one.

You're crazy to think what you're thinking. You're crazy to not think it.

*Oh, and Sharp Objects is being made into a TV series–so exciting!

Watching Wednesday - Intense Shows I'm Currently Watching

So, I realized I haven't done a "Watching Wednesday" post in ages, and decided instead of reviewing one show, why not make a list of some amazing ones I'm watching now? Enjoy!

GAME OF THRONES

I'm sure most people have heard of Game of Thrones, and for good reason. George R.R. Martin has created one hell of an epic fantasy series, and producers have done an amazing job translating the books into a TV series. Set in medieval times, there is deception, wars, magic, violence, betrayals and some pretty horrible characters that we all love to hate. It seems like everyone in the Seven Kingdoms wants the Iron Throne, and the writers are not kidding when they say "you win or you die." No one is safe in this show, and the intricate plot-lines are addicting. 

If you aren't watching Game of Thrones, you really should start ASAP–you're missing out on something special. Plus, spoilers are everywhere, so be careful about that. You can find the series on HBO, and if you don't have HBO, I'm sure there are other ways to get the episodes. I actually caught up when I first started watching by renting the DVDs from the library. Whatever you need to do to get your hands on the episodes, it's so worth it.

Game of Thrones Season One Trailer–just a warning, this show does contain graphic violence and nudity in it, and is rated Mature.

DAREDEVIL

Daredevil is a Netflix original show, and they recently added the second season–by recently I mean back in March, but I've just been able to start watching. I'm speeding through this season, and loving every second of it. Sometimes I think I should try and pace myself, drag out the season a bit longer, but then I realize I need to find out what happens next, and watch the next episode. I actually have some free time right now, so I'm not feeling too bad about binge watching this season.

For those of you who haven't heard of Daredevil, it's about lawyer-by-day, vigilante-by-night Matt Murdock, who was blinded in a terrible accident as a child. Losing one of his senses has made him more reliant on his other senses, especially hearing, and after rigorous training by [deleting spoiler here], he now uses his heightened senses to fight crime and clean the streets of New York City's Hell's Kitchen. He's taking the law into his own hands in a different kind of way, and creating lots of enemies in the process.

Daredevil is a dark, intense show, and I absolutely love it. The first season is amazing, and the second hasn't disappointed me yet. I'm probably going to finish it up in the next day or two, and I can't wait to see how everything plays out. If you have Netflix and are in need of a great show to watch, you really can't go wrong with this one. And if you don't have Netflix, I'd buy season one on DVD when you get the chance–this is definitely one of the better 'superhero' shows I've watched. Speaking of watching... time to get back to season two!

Daredevil Season One Trailer–also very graphic with violence, can get very bloody.

BATES MOTEL

Oh, Norman, Norman, Norman... you're seriously creeping me the hell out lately. Bates Motel is a prequel to Alfred Hitchcock's classic thriller Psycho (it may be an oldie, but it's a goodie too, and if you haven't seen it, you really, really should). The show is basically showing how Norman Bates become the crazy guy he is in Psycho, and the writer's are doing a fantastic job. The relationship between Norman and Norma Bates, and what happens in the small town of White Pine Bay, will stick with you for awhile after watching.

Bates Motel is currently in it's fourth season, an A&E original show that airs on Monday nights at 9pm. If you haven't seen the show, the first three seasons are on Netflix (and this is a very binge-worthy series), or I'm sure you can find the season DVDs to watch. The progression of the plot and the development of the characters are amazing, and this is not one to miss. It's scary how normal the Bates think they are, when it is very clear that they are not, and it's especially creepy when we get inside Norman's head. But that's what is so addicting about the show, and what keeps me coming back for more.

Bates Motel Season One Trailer–Mature rating for some episodes.

Game of Thrones, Daredevil, and Bates Motel are just a few of the shows I'm watching right now, but they are definitely some of my favorites. Have you seen these shows, are you caught up on the current seasons? If so, let me know what you think! I love discussing awesome, dark, complicated TV shows with people. And if you haven't watched any of these shows, I hope my post gets you interested! They're really awesome series, I promise.

Review - Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock

Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock

5 out of 5 Heart-Breaking Stars

"End this. Pull the trigger. Make it easier for everyone."

Holy crap this is a depressing novel. The whole time I was torn between just wanting to hug Leonard and then yell at everyone who's let him down to open their eyes! I feel like it should have been so obvious to others that Leonard was clearly spinning off the deep end, and that's the scary thing: sometimes, it's not as obvious as you think, and sometimes, people notice but just don't put together what all these signs mean, or just don't care to.

It's heartbreaking how many times Leonard is let down, how the few people he does care about don't realize he's saying goodbye. The redeeming factor about these characters is the few that matter do care, they do realize that Leonard needs help. But sometimes it's just too late.

"I feel like I'm broken–like I don't fit together anymore. Like there's no more room for me in the world or something. Like I've overstayed my welcome here on Earth, and that everyone's trying to give me hints about that constantly. Like I should just check out. I'm so fucking worthless."

Quick is very blunt in his writing; he never holds back on describing what Leonard is feeling, as he repeatedly reminds us how he is going to kill Asher and then himself. It really drives home how dark of a place Leonard is in. When the secret is revealed about why Leonard wants to kill his former best friend and then himself, I completely understood why Leonard wanted to commit a murder-suicide. This just goes to show how talented Quick is in his writing, and just how much Leonard has suffered.

The wonderful thing about Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock, is that, even though it is an extremely dark and sad book, it's about got humor and a sense of hope. There are two characters that I absolutely love in this novel (Walt and Herr Silverman). Also, the footnotes is a really cool idea. What I hope people take from reading this novel is that you can't put a measurement on pain, not really, and to never give up. Hold on to hope; it's one of the most powerful things in the world.

"People pay for what they do, and still more for what they have allowed themselves to become. And they pay for it very simply; by the lives they lead."

*Quick addition: Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock is in film development, with Channing Tatum as the director. Not sure about a possible release date yet, but I'll be looking out for it!

Spotlight Sunday - Sharp Objects

Sharp Objects

Gillian Flynn

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Synopsis:

WICKED above her hipbone, GIRL across her heart 
Words are like a road map to reporter Camille Preaker’s troubled past. Fresh from a brief stay at a psych hospital, Camille’s first assignment from the second-rate daily paper where she works brings her reluctantly back to her hometown to cover the murders of two preteen girls.

NASTY on her kneecap, BABYDOLL on her leg 
Since she left town eight years ago, Camille has hardly spoken to her neurotic, hypochondriac mother or to the half-sister she barely knows: a beautiful thirteen-year-old with an eerie grip on the town. Now, installed again in her family’s Victorian mansion, Camille is haunted by the childhood tragedy she has spent her whole life trying to cut from her memory.

HARMFUL on her wrist, WHORE on her ankle 
As Camille works to uncover the truth about these violent crimes, she finds herself identifying with the young victims—a bit too strongly. Clues keep leading to dead ends, forcing Camille to unravel the psychological puzzle of her own past to get at the story. Dogged by her own demons, Camille will have to confront what happened to her years before if she wants to survive this homecoming.

With its taut, crafted writing, Sharp Objects is addictive, haunting, and unforgettable.

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When I saw the movie Gone Girl and then found out it was actually a book, I knew I had to get my hands on Gillian Flynn's other works. I read Dark Places first after hearing about how creepy and awesome it is, and loved it. Now, I'm finally making my way to Flynn's other novel, Sharp Objects. I have started reading it, and let me tell you, it's so eerie and sinister and I'm loving every sentence Flynn has written. I'm sure I'll finish it quite soon, so you won't have to wait to long for a real review!

Just reading this teaser will probably peak your interest and have you checking this one out of the library. And it's only going to get better.

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Teaser:

"Okay, so what's your favorite color, your favorite ice cream flavor, and your favorite season?"

"Blue, coffee, and winter."

"Winter. No one likes winter."

"It gets dark early, I like that."

"Why?"

Because that means the day has ended. I like checking days off a calendar -- 151 days crossed and nothing truly horrible has happened. 152 and the world isn't ruined. 153 and I haven't destroyed anyone. 154 and no one really hates me. Sometimes I think I won't ever feel safe until I can count my last days on one hand. Three more days to get through until I don't have to worry about life anymore.

"I just like the night."

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Has anyone read any of Flynn's other works? What about this one? What did you think? I love hearing from you guys, so don't hesitate to leave a comment! Talking about Gillian Flynn's works is bound to be interesting.

Film Friday Review - We Are Your Friends

We Are Your Friends

4 1/2 out of 5 Makes-Me-Wanna-Dance Stars

"Any successful artist, they have this moment when they stop being an admirer and find their signature."

Since finishing the novel This Song Will Save Your Life, I've been curious about DJing and remembered seeing a trailer about just that with Zac Efron as the lead role. I mean, music and Zac Efron? I knew I was going to be watching this one at some point.

I really like We Are Your Friends. It may be cliched and predictable at times, but I'm okay with that. I didn't go into watching it thinking that I was going to be getting some amazing film that was going to really make me think. But We Are You Friends did surprise me, and I like it way more than I thought I would.

I think what really has me enjoying this movie is the music; it's amazing how music can unite us. The way that Cole can read a crowd, understand what they want and connect with them through music is awesome. His character develops a lot throughout the movie, and it's great getting to see him move from an amateur DJ to the real deal. It isn't an easy journey for him, but it's a great feeling at the end.

If you want a surprising movie to make you feel good and want to dance your heart out, then this is the perfect one to watch. Cliched it might be, but that isn't stopping me from really liking what I've watched. And even better, I've found a soundtrack of some of the songs used, and while this normally isn't my go-to kind of music, it's definitely worming its way in.

"Are we ever gonna be better than this?"

Trailer Link

Spotlight Sunday - The Fantasy Fiction Formula

The Fantasy Fiction Formula

Deborah Chester

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Synopsis:

There's more to writing a successful fantasy story than building a unique world or inventing new magic. How exactly is a plot put together? How do you know if your idea will support an entire novel? How do you grab reader attention and keep it? How do you create dynamic, multi-dimensional characters? What is viewpoint and do you handle it differently in urban fantasy than in traditional epics? What should you do if you're lost in the middle? How do you make your plot end up where you intend it to go? 

From the writing of strong, action-packed scenes to the handling of emotions, let award-winning fantasy author Deborah Chester guide you through the process of putting a book together. Convinced there's no need to shroud the writing process under a veil of mystery, Chester supplies tips that are both practical and proven. They are exactly what she uses in writing her own novels and what she teaches in her writing courses at the University of Oklahoma. 

Along with explaining story construction step-by-step, Chester illustrates each technique with examples drawn from both traditional and urban fantasy. The technique chapters include exercises to assist novices in mastering the craft of writing fantasy as well as suggestions for avoiding or solving plot problems. More experienced writers will find tips for taking their work to the next level. 

With an introduction by author Jim Butcher, The fantasy fiction formula provides the information you need to gain skill and proficiency in writing fantasy like a pro.

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I've been an aspiring author since about the time I could read, emphasis on aspiring. I've started books, scrapped ideas, written and tried a new angle with the same general idea only about a thousand times. I always seem to get stuck about thirty pages in - is what I'm writing making sense? Does the plot work, are the characters developed? Is this something someone would actually want to read?

Around this time, I get writers block, like somehow the next scene will just come to me if I take a break. But it won't. Being an author is something that takes a lot of work, and writing any chance you can get. Writing a novel is like dealing with a monster, and I'm in way over my head trying to finish a 300+ page novel right off the bat. And this is why I've been writing short stories and flash fiction a bit more lately; building the tension and getting to the climax is done much quicker, and I find that easier.

But that doesn't mean I've given up on writing a full-length novel. I've just put it on the back burner so I can (hopefully) develop my writing skills a bit more before trying something so difficult. I'll take any advice I can get in how to accomplish this task; and the ones who know what they're talking about are the ones who have already reached the goal of being published.

Deborah Chester was Jim Butcher's teacher, and we all know how much I love Butcher's Dresden Files. So when The Fantasy Fiction Formula was given as a gift to me, I started to read it right away. Butcher's introduction got me excited for what advice I am going to get diving into this novel, and I can't wait to take in every word Chester has to offer. 

Unfortunately, I'm nearing the end of the semester right now, and that means papers piling upon papers, and don't forget to write that other paper, too! Once I get out from underneath all this work, my next go-to book is going to be The Fantasy Fiction Formula. I can't wait to take in all this knowledge just waiting at my fingertips, and learning some of the secrets to finishing a novel.


Give me all the info.

Review - This Song Will Save Your Life

This Song Will Save Your Life

5 out of 5 Uplifting Stars

"I didn't want to run out of music and die in silence."

Leila Sales, you have really impressed me with this novel. Your writing is addicting. I read This Song Will Save Your Life in two days, and would have finished it sooner if I didn't want sleep (I have had late nights reading, but come on, who doesn't love sleep?). The plot may seem a bit simple—girl almost commits suicide, finds something to live for—but it is so much more than that. Maybe it's the characters, how they develop, the power of music, or all that mixed together, but this novel is everything I could have wished for and more.

I need to start off by saying that, while this book may seem like it's been done before, Leila Sales has something special about her story-writing that makes This Song Will Save Your Life very unique. She doesn't hold back, and her characters are so real that you can't help but be sucked into their life and wanting to know what is going to happen next. Sales deals with many topics in this novel, and gives out advice without it seeming like she started this book with a moral lesson in mind. Everything comes together exactly as it should, in ways you might not expect, which just makes me love this novel even more.

"I saw them, just for a brief flash, as he probably saw them: three harmless-looking teenage girls, delicate features, pretty smiles. Like they couldn't cut you until you were so disfigured that you hardly recognized yourself."

Friendships, relationships, siblings and parents—Sales explores all of these in a way that you might not expect. There are different types of friendships, and sometimes people aren't who you need them to be, but that's a part of life. People can surprise you, can understand you even if you think you're alone, and Sales gets into the heart of this. And speaking of hearts, I cannot forget to mention the music. Elise finds her passion in DJing, and I love how music helps her find herself. We all have music in our hearts, and this connects us in amazing ways.

So, hopefully after reading this review, you'll take a chance on This Song Will Save Your Life. I love everything about this novel, and hope you guys will enjoy it just as much as I do. Also, it's not too long, so whenever you find yourself will a bit of free time, I'd go with reading this book. I can't wait to see what else Leila Sales has written!

"Sometimes people think they know you. They know a few facts about you, and they piece you together in a way that makes sense to them. And if you don't know yourself very well, you might even believe that they are right. But the truth is, that isn't you. That isn't you at all."

Film Friday Review - 10 Cloverfield Lane

10 Cloverfield Lane

4 1/2 out of 5 WTF Stars

"No! Don't open that door! You're going to get us all killed!"

What. The. Fuck. This pretty much sums up my feelings after finished 10 Cloverfield Lane. I was thrown around so much with this movie. I mean, obviously Howard, the guy who kidnapped our protagonist, Michelle, is completely and utterly insane. There is no crazy threat outside, the air isn't poisonous. Or is it? 

Could Howard actually be on to something? There is definitely some strange crap going on outside, is he actually protecting Michelle and Emmett? But whatever threat is outside, could Howard be the more pressing one? There is something not right with this man. And whatever is wrong with him is putting Michelle and Emmett in danger. They are not safe in that bunker. But are they safer outside, or in?

10 Cloverfield Lane really screwed up my head; every time I thought I knew what was going on, that I had everything all figured out, something would happen that would make me doubt my predictions and begin questioning everything all over again. I absolutely loved it. I had no idea what to believe, and it was great. It kept me on my toes, and I could not accept anything as truth (until the ending, of course).

A tense film that doesn't hold back, 10 Cloverfield Lane is well worth the $13 to see it. I can't really say to much without spoiling what is going on, and I can't do that to you guys, or the movie. It's too good to rob you of the truth. I love 10 Cloverfield Lane, and I'm loving even more all these movies that have strong, badass female leads. Take a chance on this one, it's worth it. You'll be kept on the edge of your seat the entire time, I promise you that. Mary Elizabeth Winstead and John Goodman are fantastic in their roles.

"You can't run from them."

Review - Vicious

Vicious

4 1/5 out of 5 Twisted Stars

"ExtraOrdinary. The word that started—ruined, changed—everything."

Ohmygosh, V.E. Schwab has created a really vicious story here. See what I did there? Haha, okay moving on from my lame jokes. Vicious is an intense, disturbing, brutal story. It's like a comic book, but without the pictures. Schwab captures my attention right from the very first sentence of her novel, and keeps me hooked until the very last.

Vicious is novel about two brilliant and arrogant college students who decide to take academic research to the experimental, creating ExtraOrdinary abilities through near-death experiences. However, these experiments go horribly wrong, and results in Victor in prison and Eli carrying out some crusade to eliminate all EOs. This continues until Victor breaks out of prison, ready for revenge.

"All Eli had to do was smile. All Victor had to do was lie. Both proved frighteningly effective."

I need to start off by saying that the logic behind this science works, and it works well. For that, Ms. Schwab, I need to thank you. One thing I can't stand in stories is when things do not make sense logically, but Vicious is not one of those novels, and that is one of the many things I love about it.

Another thing I love about Vicious is the characters. Each one is so fully developed and flushed out, and the detail that Schwab gives them is amazing. Even characters that you may think aren't going to be important, and later become important, are given backstories. The explanation of how they get their powers is great. Third-person point of view is the best way to write this story as it allows the readers to really get to know why each character does what they do.

"The difference between Victor and Eli wasn't their opinion on EOs. It was their reaction to them. Eli seemed intent to slaughter them, but Victor didn't see why a useful skill should be destroyed, just because of its origin. EOs were weapons, yes, but weapons with minds and wills and bodies, things that could be bent and twisted and broken and used."

Speaking of characters and their actions, Eli is the perfect bad guy (even though no one in this story is good). He is completely insane, but wholly believes in what he is doing. He is using religion to justify his own actions and excuse his EO powers. It's scary how realistic this is, how these fanatical actions happen too often. Going through Eli's thought process and being in his head is so disturbing, but it's what helps make Vicious as awesome as it is. Also, I love Victor's quirk of blacking out sentences in books to create his own, and how his power gets developed.

The reason I'm taking away the half-star is because I was able to guess at ending. I was very nervous at parts, and didn't figure out the ending till later in the novel, but I wasn't surprised by final result. That doesn't mean I don't like it, though. Also, there are several unanswered questions that I am curious to solve, which is what the second novel will be for. I'm very excited for what V.E. Schwab has up her sleeve for Vicious #2 (currently not titled) in (hopefully) 2018. That's awhile to go, but I will preorder it the second I can.

"To never dying. To being remembered. Forever."

Film Friday Review - Hush

Hush

5 out of 5 Heart-Pounding Stars

She can't hear. She can't speak. But she's not going down without a fight.

Maddie is a deaf mute, living a nice seclude life in the woods. Unfortunately, the also means she is isolated. So when a masked man shows up at her doorstep, intent to kill her, Maddie doesn't have anyone to rely on except herself. Get ready for one hell of a night of cat-and-mouse, and fighting for survival.

Hush is crazy intense. It had me guessing at every turn what was going to happen next. Is the killer going to get in the house? Is a neighbor going to show up and help? Is Maddie going to survive? Maddie being a deaf mute is essential to the story, as it places many limitations on her and definitely helps ramp up the tension. She cannot hear the killer, she cannot call out for help, but that doesn't mean she isn't one hell of a smart protagonist. 

I am rooting so freaking hard for Maddie. She is not going to give up, and she is not going to hide or play defense. And that's what I love about movies like this. What makes the killer think he can do whatever the hell he wants with no repercussions? He's certainly met his match with Maddie. She's going to have to push herself beyond her physical and mental limits in order to survive the night, but she is going to fight.

I was very nervous throughout this whole movie; I had no idea what was going to happen next, or where the story was going to go. I admit to yelling at my TV screen, trying to tell Maddie what to do to survive. My nerves feel fried after watching Hush. It was like I was right next to Maddie as she was fighting for her life. Hush is a tense, breathless horror film that is different from any others I've seen, and I am so glad I watched it.

*Hush is on Netflix, and it's only an hour and a half, so if you find yourself with some free time and in the mood for a horror flick, this is definitely the one to go with.

Trailer Link

Review - Forget Tomorrow

Forget Tomorrow

2 1/2 out of 5 Futuristic Stars

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Synopsis:

Imagine a world where your destiny has already been decided…by your future self.

It’s Callie’s seventeenth birthday and, like everyone else, she’s eagerly awaiting her vision―a memory sent back in time to sculpt each citizen into the person they’re meant to be. A world-class swimmer. A renowned scientist.

Or in Callie’s case, a criminal.

In her vision, she sees herself murdering her gifted younger sister. Before she can process what it means, Callie is arrested and placed in Limbo―a prison for those destined to break the law. With the help of her childhood crush, Logan, a boy she hasn’t spoken to in five years, she escapes the hellish prison.

But on the run from her future, as well as the government, Callie sets in motion a chain of events that she hopes will change her fate. If not, she must figure out how to protect her sister from the biggest threat of all.

Callie herself.

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"Knowing the future doesn't take away your free will. Only you can decide what you will do."

I was really looking forward to this one, even debated buying it. I'm sad to say that I'm glad I borrowed Forget Tomorrow from the library instead, because I'm a bit let down. I love the first half of the book—it's different, engaging, fast-paced, and really held my attention. 

In the first half, there's action and depth and complexity to what's happening, and it's a great read. I love getting to experience Callie's future memory and the life inside of Limbo, of these teenagers who haven't committed any crimes but are being punished based on what their future selves will do. It's an interesting idea and really shows how twisted this future is.

Dunn doesn't hold back on the gruesome details either, and her use of dark sarcasm is spot on. The analogies she uses are unique and interesting in a good way, and the relationship between Logan and Callie doesn't feel forced at all. It feels natural and sweet, even though it gets a bit cliche and sappy at times, and I like the flashbacks to when they were kids. 

The development of Callie's power and the character of Sully are also parts that make the book interesting. All this in the first half of the book had me devouring page after page, but it's after Logan helps Callie escape Limbo that things start to go downhill for me.

"I killed her. In my future memory, Jessa was in a hospital bed in TechRA, and I stabbed a needle into her heart. I murdered my baby sister. How can I love her? And if I don't love her, how can I love anyone?"

First off, the logistics of the escape don't really work out for me. It's too simple, too easy. This problem comes up again later in the book, and even though this is a futuristic dystopian type of novel, I still like the world-goings to be realistic, and in this area, the novel definitely is not. 

Also, the reasoning behind some ideas doesn't sit well with me. It's like Dunn went with the easy way out, the fit-in-the-box answer, and I expected more. The big reveal at the end, again, seems too easy. There's not enough evidence for the conclusions that are made, making them feel illogical and simple-minded. I want more depth, like we have in the beginning of the novel. 

What happened between the first and second half that changed this awesome book into a let-down? I'm disappointed where the story went, with how it goes from this new, engaging idea, to something that I've read already. Callie goes from a character whose thought process I'm able to really able to understand to a character that I've read about a thousand times now. 

Oh, and a quick thought—why the bird feathers on the cover? Yeah, it's pretty, but leaves definitely have more significance throughout the story than the small mention of a feather. And never have your characters say "what could go wrong?" Obviously, everything is going to go wrong! (I am all behind using this line sarcastically, but unfortunately, that is not how it is used in this specific scene)

"Love isn't something you can give halfway."

Despite all my problems with the second half of Forget Tomorrow, Pintip Dunn really did surprise me with a secret revealed about Callie and her sister Jessa, and with the ending. I guess I should have seen the ending coming, as it fits in so well with Callie's character, but again, it feels like the easy way out. Maybe I was surprised because I was still hoping for the awesomeness of the first half to make its appearance again, that Dunn wouldn't fit so well into the mold of YA dystopian. I don't know. 

If you really like YA dystopian, then this is the novel for you. And if you like the idea of the future affecting the present and the idea of time travel (which starts to get more engaged throughout the novel), then take a chance on this book. This novel just wasn't for me, no matter how much I wanted it to be. I might read the sequel Remember Yesterday when it comes out on October 4th, or I might not. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

"Hope, no matter how irrational it is, is a powerful thing. When the odds are against us, when the battle seems insurmountable, hope may be all that keeps us going."