Winter | by: Marissa Meyer

*It's probably not a good idea to read this review if you have not read Cinder, Scarlet, and Cress just in case of spoilers.

The end of 2015 was both exciting and sad in the bookish world since Marissa Meyer's Lunar Chronicles series reached its conclusion. This action-packed science fiction spin on Sailor Moon and fairytales is easily one of my favorite series of all time; I adored and devoured each book, and I expected this new installation to have a similar effect. So, did Winter meet those high expectations?

HECK YES IT DID. Even though it's over 800 pages, I couldn't put Winter down! The plot reached an all-time enormity and complexity as Cinder and her allies attempt to dethrone the malicious Lunar Queen Levana. Everyone is putting their lives at risk as they sneak onto the Moon and tell Lunar citizens of their plan. It's full of some intense moments - even more intense than the previous books in the series!

And of course, these characters are perfect. The girls are so badass! They all feel so real, and they're so funny as they interact - some are basically polar opposites in some senses, so that always makes things interesting. In my reviews of the previous books of the series, I've fangirled over basically all of the characters as they were followed more closely, and I still love all of them. Cinder, Scarlet, Cress, Iko, Kai, Wolf, Thorne... and of course the ships are just so cute in their own unique ways! Where all the characters end up by the final pages could not have been more satisfying.

But even though Winter is the last book in the series, we get to spend time with some characters who weren't as prominent before. Now Princess Winter is on their revolutionary team, and her love interest Jacin takes on a more prominent role as he strives to protect her from both Queen Levana and herself. I love them just as much as the rest of the allies. Winter embodies the idea of Snow White being pure and innocent in both old forms (her connection to animals, her indisputable beauty) and new forms (she isn't white - her skin is actually quite dark - and she refuses to use her Lunar gift because she values the truth over her own health). I love that Marissa Meyer created a character whose flaws enhance her beauty: Winter may be crazy, but she's harmless and sweet, and she may have scars on her face, but not even scars could make such a lovely person less pretty. Even though Winter's mental health is suffering, she makes herself quite useful as a revolutionary. She's not weak.

One ongoing theme in this series is that it's not so much about beauty or lack thereof, it's about how you use what you've got, it's about the heart and its intentions, and Meyer really drives this point home in Winter. Overall, I think this conclusion is basically perfect. Everything is wrapped up quite nicely... It's difficult not to spoil anything, and I feel like I'm not saying much in this review, but honestly, what more can I say? It was fantastic. I had so much fun reading each and every Lunar Chronicles book, so even though Winter wraps things up nicely, I'm a little sad to say goodbye. Someday, I'll have to reread these lovely books.

Fairest | by: Marissa Meyer

Between the third and fourth novels of the fairytale- and Sailor Moon-based Lunar Chronicles series, Marissa Meyer treated fans to a prequel about the series' villain, Queen Levana: Fairest. This short novel begins with the assassination of Levana's parents and shows the evolution of her character in the events following that particular episode. It provides a great deal of insight not only about Levana, but her family in general - especially her sister Channary. It even answers the question all Lunar Chronicles fans have been asking - what does Levana really look like under the glamour, under the veil?

I must admit that despite being a huge fan of the Lunar Chronicles series, I wasn't excited for Fairest. Why? Well, it seems like most villains' stories follow the same structure: The started out (mostly) normal, something bad happened that isn't entirely uncommon in the grand scheme of terrible things that can happen even in the real world, and they were so affected by what happened that they turn into a bit of a psychopath even if you can't quite understand their rationales.

I suppose I forgot for a hot minute that Marissa Meyer knows what she's doing and underestimated her ability to paint this character's picture. Fairest is actually really good and it breaks the pattern I mentioned before. If Levana's pattern of development could be labeled, it be something like this: She started out crazy as her whole family was batshit crazy to begin with, and in baby steps she just got crazier and crazier. Furthermore, the ONE THING that happened to her (I refuse to spoil) just does not generally happen to people. This girl's circumstances are just... Messed up. She's messed up. And her sister Channary? She is absolutely insane. I feel like I have a whole new understanding of this family after reading Fairest. Levana's deep attachment to Sybil is also explained.

This prequel also provides a bit of insight on exactly who Winter is and what her upbringing was like. It was fun to see cameo appearances of the heroes we've read about in the series as children. Winter, Jacin, and Cinder playing together - isn't that adorable? Well, until that thing that happens that we all know about from the first novel, Cinder. Plus, I really liked Evret and Solstice... The way that Levana treated Evret really enforced how Levana is such a psycho that she doesn't even realize it. From her perspective, she's not quite as manipulative as she actually is.

So, even though I originally thought that Levana's history wouldn't be as exiting to read about, I liked Fairest a lot. I plowed through this quick read in one day, curious to discover more about this villain's past and how it formed her future. Now that I know Levana's whole story, I am prepared for the series' monstrous 800-page conclusion, Winter... but I still don't want the Lunar Chronicles to end!

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 2 | Directed by Francis Lawrence | Screenplay by Danny Strong and Peter Craig

This review will contain spoilers for those who have not seen the previous movies/read the books.

Mockingjay Part 2 set the box office on fire this past weekend. Fans who read Suzanne Collins' books knew exactly how depressing this film could be... Personally, I dreaded watching it because of how the book impacted me: I cried so hard I vomited. Yes, vomited. I just wasn't prepared for all the sadness, and I brought a whole box of tissues to the theater just in case.

Even the overall premise kind of hints that this movie isn't going to be the happiest. Katniss Everdeen has been through hell in back a number of times, all because of President Snow's violent leadership. As the rebel forces gain strength, Katniss knows that the war will not end until Snow is dead. Peeta struggles to recover from his capture as he and the rest of Katniss' squad tries to make it through the Capitol (which has been filled with deadly traps) to reach Snow. All the while, they realize the true costs of war - not just for themselves and the rebels, but for the Capitol as well. Will all the pain and suffering of Panem lead to an era of peace, or will it all be for nothing?

Despite the bleak premise and the gut-wrenching events that occur... I only used one tissue during this film. Some of the heartbreaking things that happen (particularly THE event - those who have read the book know what I'm talking about) were really underplayed. Not on the actors' parts - the screenplay itself doesn't give some moments the right amount of face time to truly impact audiences in an extreme way. Part of me is disappointed that this happened, another part understands in the context of what the film was trying to achieve, and another part is just flat out relieved that I didn't have to go through the whole emotional turmoil that I endured when reading the book again. But that moment when Jennifer Lawrence is screaming at Prim's cat... Oh my God, she did it perfectly. Out of all the film's events, that one struck me the hardest. She's such a great actress.

Mockingjay definitely sends some strong anti-war messages, and I think that's what will resonate with people the most. When it comes to wars and worldly conflict it often seems society picks and chooses who to care about and struggles to sympathize at times. Mockingjay sympathizes with everyone harmed in conflict - rebels, civilians of the Capitol, and those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (Katniss, Peeta, Annie... well, most of the characters, to be frank). This story resonates with people because it isn't afraid of showing how broken we can be and because it's relevant in some ways. The again, that goes for all the installments, not just this one, but the conclusion is where the bigger picture is considered the most.

Even though I have mixed feelings about how some events were presented, Mockingjay Part 2 was one hell of a movie regardless. There's a ton of action, a heavy dose of ethics, and feels - all amid a great score by James Newton  Howard and some on-point portrayals. It seems like a lot of people like to hate on Josh Hutcherson's acting, but I honestly enjoyed his portrayal of Peeta. People also seem to dislike Liam Hemsworth's portrayal of Gale, but I think a lot of the issues connecting with Gale in the films comes from a lack of face time. As a fan of Suzanne Collins' books since 2010 I must say I'm happy with how the films turned out overall.

Cress | by: Marissa Meyer

*You may want to considering skipping this review unless you've read Cinder and Scarlet. I don't reveal anything vital or consciously spoil the specific events, but even revealing a synopsis of a third book in a series may give more information than one desires depending on the person. You've been warned.

 

This third novel in Marissa Meyer's Lunar Chronicles series retells Rapunzel in the most action-packed way possible. Cress is all alone in a satellite hovering in space. She's a mastermind when it comes to hacking, and unfortunately, she's forced to do as the sinister Queen Levana commands. But she doesn't always follow the rules. She's secretly been working to help Cinder and her friends, and now that they know she exists and that she's on their side, they're her only hope for escape.

 

Things don't always go as planned. In fact, things can seem to go completely wrong. And since the Queen of Luna, Levana, is also about to become Empress and gain control of Earth, there isn't much time to spare. Cinder, Scarlet, and Cress have to worry about the survival and well-being of themselves and their friends, and all the while, they have to prevent Levana from taking the Earthly crown.

 

Action, cuteness, romance, amazing characters, warm-hearted moments, scary moments, miserable moments... Cress has it all. It should have come with a warning label saying YOU WILL READ AND READ UNTIL YOUR EYES HURT BECAUSE THERE'S NO WAY YOU'LL BE ABLE TO PUT IT DOWN. That's how good it is.

 

Where should I start? Well first of all, Rapunzel is in a satellite... That is one of the most genial things I've ever heard. Marissa Meyer really knows how to retell. I love how the hair-cutting is completely different symbolically in Cress than in the original story, and really Cress' character in general is just fantastic. She's still a bit of a damsel, but she's smart; the girl can hack into anything and everything. Furthermore she's just so childlike since she hasn't had much experience in the real world and her imagination is constantly running wild. I think she and Thorne are perfect matches. There's still plenty of room to grow when it comes to their relationship, and that's one of the many things I'm looking forward to when Winter comes in November.

 

Of course, Meyer didn't abandon all the other characters we've come to love from previous books. Cinder was already a strong heroine in the very first book, but now she's stronger than ever as she learns to wield her gift. She's so honest too. Strong as she is, she's still afraid, and rightfully so. As far as Scarlet and Wolf... I can't say anything about them without spoiling anything, but holy crap, I don't know if it's possible for these two to go through any more. I expect progress with this situation in Winter. Substantial progress. Like, majorly substantial.

 

And oh goodness, Dr. Erland... again, I won't spoil anything, but I will say this: There are quite a few revelations in this installment. The only downfall (if you can even call it a downfall) of Cinder and Scarlet was that they were predictable. But they're retellings - of course there will be a level of predictability because we all know the stories they were based on. Cress loses this. It's less predictable and more surprising, and it's also way more chaotic. There's so much happening all at once - that's what makes it impossible to stop reading. And it's just so good.

 

Obviously, I love this series so, so much. I have absolutely no complaints. I don't know for sure if Cress or Scarlet is my favorite; they're both so great! It's been a long time since I've actually been on time with a series aside from the House of Night books and I actually have to wait for the sequel - this is going to be agony. In the meantime, if you haven't given these science fiction masterpieces a try yet, you need to. Right now.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part One | Directed by Francis Lawrence | Screenplay by Danny Strong and Peter Craig

*This contains SPOILERS for those who haven't read Mockingjay AND some minor stuff for those who have not seen the movie yet.

 

Katniss Everdeen has already been through the Hunger Games. Twice. But danger for her - and all of Panem - is far from over. A revolution is beginning because of her spark, and now she must accept her role as the face of the rebellion. Violence is taking over. And Peeta, who Katniss has always strived to protect, is still in the hands of the Capitol. Mockingjay Part One, like the other films (and books) of this series is packed with emotional turmoil and action, making it an excellent (though 100% accurate) adaptation.

 

In my review of the book in 2011, I talked about how strongly impacted I was by the book. In fact, I even mentioned having no intention to see the films when they'd come out because I loved them too much to see anything go wrong. But, the first movie's trailer convinced me that everything would work out, and it did. Jennifer Lawrence is a perfect Katniss and Josh Hutcherson makes a great Peeta. But weirdly enough, they've decided to split this movie into two parts as they did with the Harry Potter and Twilight series. I wasn't thrilled about this decision: How could they possibly make a 300-something paged book into two effective movies? After all, even though they improvised well with Breaking Dawn, that 700-something paged book could have been one single film.

 

The thing to remember is that the films show more than what's going on in Katniss' head, the books do not. It demonstrates the difference between what works for a book and what works for a movie. That being said, it definitely works here. In fact, some of the parts I thought would be less-effective on screen were cut down and the ones that would work best on screen were amplified. I was surprised, however, that they cut out certain things like the mystery behind District 13, but in the grand scheme I can see why it was necessary for time constraints and to really get the ball rolling right away.

 

I definitely think they split Mockingjay in two in just the right spot... If I was a person who hasn't read the books and just watched the movies, I'd be SO PISSED about such a cliffhanger, but as someone who has read the book, I'm primarily just worried about Part Two. I'm not worried that they'll mess it up or anything; I'm worried about the general content overall. My emotional reaction to the last half of this book was off the charts (perhaps the strongest reaction I've ever had to any book, along with Yann Martel's Life of Pi coming in second), and there have been plenty of times where my initial response doubles when I see a film adaptation because the actors in my head as I read weren't as effective as the ones on screen. Jennifer Lawrence does an amazing job at conveying raw emotion... And I know what's coming next... I don't think I'm going to handle it very well. Even in Part One, I became sad remembering the fate of a certain character.

 

I suppose in some ways this can hardly even be considered a review because I'm hardly reviewing anything... And really, there's not much to critique. Everything was done well, from the acting, to the script, to the special effects and everything in between. The only two things these movies haven't done as effectively as the books is really make me love Gale, be able to picture him with Katniss, and make me adore Finnick as much as I did when reading Mockingjay... They probably could have squeezed in a few more moments with Katniss and Finnick; those two characters could really relate to each other in the first half of Mockingjay and were able to struggle together. So, not perfect (because absolute perfection is impossible in the world of book-to-film adaptations), but it's still one hell of a good movie. There won't be much disappointment.

Scarlet | by: Marissa Meyer

I've read a lot of books that left me thinking "Wow! I should read the sequel sometime soon!" and then I get to the next book within another year. Cinder, the first novel of Marissa Meyer's Lunar Chronicles series, left a stronger impression: I needed Scarlet about as much as we need oxygen to breathe.

 

In this installment, Meyer puts a spin on the old tale of Little Red Riding Hood, and hence, we are introduced to Scarlet. Scarlet's grandmother has been missing for a couple of weeks now, but no progress has been made in the search. So, Scarlet decides to go looking for her herself, and as it turns out, things are much more complicated than she would've ever anticipated. She encounters a dangerous-looking street fighter named Wolf, who could be her best protector or her worst enemy on this quest, and her grandmother's secrets could be utterly groundbreaking. But can Scarlet save her in time? Meanwhile, what will Cinder do next after that awful cliffhanger in the first book of the Lunar Chronicles, and how are these two teenage girls connected?

 

Isolated aspects of this book are fabulous: The plot, the characters, the contrasts and relationships, the action... But blended together, it's so good that it's almost too much to bear. I CANNOT STOP FANGIRLING. Scarlet was an amazing book!

 

As one could tell from a description, the story isn't just about Cinder and Kai anymore; Marissa Meyer has added quite a few new characters and concepts to the story. As much as I love Cinder and Kai as characters, I can't complain about the newcomers taking up any facetime because I adore them just as much. Scarlet is so strong, and even though the poor girl's going through so much, she handles everything with bravery. And oh my goodness, then there's Wolf... I LOVE HIM. He's a flawed character (even though there's not much he can do about it to a degree) and his background is so interesting to me; I've never read about anyone in his situation before. He's definitely my new favorite fictional love interest. I can't wait to see more of his relationship with Scarlet as well as more of his affectionate side.

 

But I must say, I'm also excited for more of Thorne! Another awesome new character! This guy is hilarious; I was laughing out loud when reading his dialogue, and he clashes with Cinder's personality so much. Thorne's self-centered and materialistic attitude, Cinder's sarcasm... I think they're a great unlikely team.

 

Even though these characters would be interesting enough sitting in a cardboard box, all the action adds to the excitement - and trust me, there's plenty. The fight scenes are intense and well-executed, and overall, I just couldn't put this book down. It's urgent, it's entertaining... It's basically flawless. There are some more dark moments in Scarlet too. Granted, anyone who's read Cinder will know that the character Queen Levana is evil, but after reading this sequel, the fact feels as though it's been enforced even more. She is horrible and ruthless.

 

I really just want to babble about this book forever, to be honest. It's a perfect blend of elements, and Marissa Meyer polishes each element as though each one would have to stand out on its own. I don't even care for fairytale retellings in general, but this is just epic. Cinder was a truly outstanding book, and Scarlet is just as amazing. One of my favorite books; one of my favorite series... Scarlet has made me so happy, and I'm sure the third installment, Cress, won't disappoint.

Shades of Earth | by: Beth Revis

WARNING: As this is the final book of a trilogy, this review will inevitably contain spoilers for those who have not read the previous two books, Across the Universe and A Million Suns.

 

Ever since Amy has been awakened early, chaos has rippled through Godspeed, leaving her and Elder to make groundbreaking decisions and discoveries. But now the time has finally come to land on a new planet, no matter what new struggles may await them. And there will be struggles; they know that much already. What they'll have to face will be utterly alien to them, even to Amy, who has known what it's like to live outside of a spaceship. In a time that requires good leadership and a strong will to survive, there's already a lot to deal with, but they also are unsure of who they can trust.

 

It's certainly no secret that I have adored the first two books in Beth Revis' Across the Universe trilogy, and I already knew ahead of time that Shades of Earth was going to be really different from the first two books based on the new setting alone. I must admit, even though I was excited to read the story's continuation in a new setting, I was also a bit nervous that I wouldn't enjoy it as much. However, this change turned out to be fantastic. I love reading about Centauri-Earth. I suppose that before I began reading this installment, I thought that there'd be less mystery on Centauri-Earth, but c'mon... It's Beth Revis - why would I ever expect that? There's plenty of mystery! As with the first two books of the trilogy, just when you think you understand the situation at hand, Revis throws a couple curveballs. This is unquestionably one of the best aspects of these books.

 

Furthermore, everything about the plot is just so cool! I'm about to jump up and down in a fangirling craze as I type. I loved the new species; the new revelations concerning the past, present, and future; the new characters. The FRX isn't what I expected at all, and to an extent, neither is Centauri-Earth. I'm almost always proven wrong (I did guess one major thing right this time though) and that makes it more fun. 

 

But as far as the characters are concerned, Amy and Elder have had so much on their plates for the past couple of books, and all of that seems to climax in Shades of Earth. They're pushed to their limits. Elder cares so much for his people yet he is still underestimated by those who don't know the whole truth of what he's been through, and all of the bad things that happen to Amy make her a stronger person. There are definitely more sad moments in this final installment, but even more hope. There are still softer moments here and there; just because there are more dreary moments doesn't make it a dreary book in any sense. There's no questioning when it comes to Amy and Elder's relationship, and even though it's more out in the open than ever, this is still far from a romance novel. Shades of Earth is full of action, as per usual with this trilogy. I couldn't put it down.

 

Needless to say, I loved this book. I loved all three books, and hence, Beth Revis' Across the Universe trilogy is one of my favorites EVER, and I definitely recommend it to science fiction fans. I couldn't be happier!

A Million Suns | by: Beth Revis

A Million Suns is the second installment in Beth Revis' Across the Universe trilogy. I truly loved Across the Universe, so I  had high expectations for this sequel, and fortunately, those expectations were met. A Million Suns has the same sort of intense mystery that kept me flying through the debut, so I couldn't put this one down!

In result of the resolution made in Across the Universe, Amy and Elder have a lot of problems to deal with. The citizens of Godspeed are officially done with Phydus, and while that may be the morally correct thing to do, this has caused the citizens to realize their wants, which may not always be the best for the ship. As chaos seems to increase, Amy and Elder are still uncovering more secrets about Godspeed and its history, and what is uncovered will change everything.

Because, you know, we all thought we understood the gravity of Godspeed's situation during Across the Universe, but in reality, we still didn't know diddly-squat. Seriously, a new truth is unveiled in the first chapter of A Million Suns; Beth Revis certainly didn't mess around! That's one of the aspects I love most about this trilogy: There's always a mystery to solve with secrets to uncover. Who knew that one spaceship could have such an extensive list of secrets! Even when reading this installment, there were plenty of moments in which I thought I understood the true nature of the situation, but I was proven wrong time and time again. Even when I started to think that some of the secrecy was getting excessive and I just wanted someone to come right out and say it, it all adds up in the end: There's a foe on Godspeed who is affecting a lot of what's going on, and this ship has gone through a lot more than people give it credit for. Plus, as the secrets become more explosive, so does the action, and I'm always a sucker for an explosive ending! Altogether these elements create such an unputdownable book.

There's also a lot of relationship evolution in A Million Suns, and I always thought it was interesting to watch characters' relationships change and grow. Of course, we see some more feelings sprouting between Amy and Elder, but friendships among the ship also evolve. Such change occurs  between Amy and Victria and also between Elder and Bartie... And let me just say that Elder and Bartie give me whiplash sometimes. It all demonstrates how traumatic situations can either pull people apart or tie them together. But as far as the general population of the ship... Their unease made me jittery for both Amy and Elder's sake.

But the problems Amy and Elder face on Godspeed aren't all completely new. Unfortunately, we still have to deal with my least-favorite character, Luthor. It's so easy to despise him. Amy still bears scars from a frightening scene with him in the last book, and those memories continue to haunt her, especially since Luthor hasn't changed a bit since the first book.

There are also recurring themes found in both of these first couple of books that I adored. I still love the premise of this series; a story that takes place on a spaceship is so intriguing and just screams "Critica will love this stuff!" And while I know that the final book, Shades of Earth, will be a bit different from the first two, I'm actually quite excited to see how this trilogy will pan out with such a different feel. I hope it's just as good as Across the Universe and A Million Suns, for I love these two books equally. I really couldn't have asked for anything better in A Million Suns. This has to be one of the best sequels I've read.

Cinder | by: Marissa Meyer

Many readers have already discovered and fallen in love with Marissa Meyer's Cinder as well as the other books in her Lunar Chronicles series, but as usual, it took me a little while to join the bandwagon. Cinder is a Cinderella retelling, and the concept of fairytale retellings never draw me in. However, I also heard that it was a Sailor Moon retelling, so I finally decided it was time to give it a chance. Thank goodness I did - even after one book, The Lunar Chronicles is a new favorite series for me.

Cinder is a cyborg - she's human, but she's also made of robotic parts, marking her as an outcast in this futuristic China. Her legal guardian, Adri, is always finding something new for Cinder to fix, for Cinder is a well-known mechanic of their city. But her latest customer? The prince. And from what he's been telling her, there's a lot at stake right now. Queen Levana, who reigns on the moon, is a threat to Prince Kai and everyone on Earth. But Cinder knows she has no chance going to Prince Kai's ball, let alone being able to do much about intergalactic problems.

The truth is that there's a lot more to Cinder than she ever realized.

...Sounds like a pretty badass take on Cinderella, doesn't it? I never would've thought that a Cinderella-Sailor Moon mash-up would necessarily be a good idea, but Marissa Meyer created a truly amazing story. Honestly, readers will enjoy Cinder even if they don't like Cinderella and/or don't know anything about Sailor Moon because it's such a vivid story. But for fans of Sailor Moon, it’s quite fun to see the parallels in this novel.

Cinder is set in such a unique futuristic world. Unlike many novels set far into the future, New Beijing isn’t really a horrific dystopia even though there are some frightening aspects (the plague, intergalactic tensions, cyborg hatred – cyborg hatred is like the new racism). Even though the time it took for society to reach this point in time had a rocky past, it seems that world leaders have been able to find peace among another – at least on Earth.

That brings me to another aspect I loved about this book: Lunars. There are people living on the moon that have powers! But unfortunately, this is where another of the more frightening aspects come into play. The Lunar Queen Levana… Well, no one likes her. She’s crazy and manipulative. Cinder’s stepmother, Adri, and her stepsister Pearl are also bound to get under everyone’s skin; they’re so bitchy.

But of course, there were characters I really enjoyed reading about. Cinder is a strong heroine; she has moments where she feels like a broken outcast, but she definitely has fight in her and I love that. I think she's only going to get stronger and stronger as the series continues. Her love interest, Prince Kai, is so suave and humorous, but their situation is quite complicated right now; I’m hoping to see more with their relationship in the sequel, Scarlet. The somewhat whimsical Dr. Erland is another one of my favorite characters in this series even though he's a bit flawed, and so is the fun-loving android Iko.

Throughout the course of the novel, there are moments both full of hope and full of hopelessness. There are parts that are sad, parts that are empowering, and everything in between. Cinder is a fantastic science fiction novel; now I finally know why readers have been fangirling so much.

I loved this book. I didn’t expect to, but I loved it, and I'm desperate for the next book in the series. I haven't coveted a sequel this much in a really long time.

The Killing Moon | by: N.K. Jemisin

Ehiru is a Gatherer, collecting the dreamblood of souls for the good of his people, the people of Gujaareh. His deep devotion to the goddess Hananja has guided him in this job; he and the rest of Gujaareh's citizens live to keep peace in her name. But now, Ehiru's whole world is turned upside down. A Gathering gone wrong, forewarnings of corruption in their society... But are the warnings true?

 

Alongside a spy from a neighboring city and his apprentice, Nijiri, Ehiru will discover horrifying secrets of his city-state and the strange being that roams it. All the while, debates concerning Gujaareh's use of magic flare. How can something so normal to Ehiru be so wrong in a foreigner's eyes?

The Killing Moon is the first novel of N.K. Jemisin's Dreamblood duology, the second being The Shadowed Sun (which also has a beautiful cover). I discovered this novel on Goodreads some months ago, and of course, the drop dead gorgeous cover attracted me to it, leading me to a most peculiar fantasy-oriented summary. Ever since then, I have needed to read this book.

Now that I've finally read it, I can definitely say that it's a very unique piece of fiction. I don't just mean that in terms of plot and magical elements, but I've simply never read a book set in a mock-Egyptian society. It was refreshing to be in such a different world, and Jemisin did a wonderful job crafting it. At the beginning of each chapter, a law of Gujaareh or a piece of wisdom is written before the scene begins, which helped us get to know the world she created even better. Plus, her writing style is just lovely; she definitely has a lot of skill in that department.

 

The characters really stood out as well, especially Ehiru and Nijiri. Both meant well and were guided by love for their goddess in addition to love for each other. But I must admit, their relationship confused me. They have a father/son relationship, yet they were also in love in a romantic way (mainly Nijiri). The idea of both relationships taking place at once made sense for their scenario, but it kind of freaked me out. I just can't imagine being in love with someone and then comparing them to a parent. But like I said, it does make sense for their particular scenario, whether anyone likes it or not.

 

Throughout the novel, there's a huge debate concerning the ways Gatherers use magic, and it parallels to debates on mercy-killing. Anyone reading this book won't be frustrated with this, because the author doesn't really force anyone to pick sides. We're dealing with prominent characters with differing opinions on the matter, and after a while, the problems with Gujaareh become bigger than this debate... Reapers are scary (though very interesting to read about).

 

Oftentimes when I was reading The Killing Moon, I kind of wanted more. There were just a few things that felt a little bit two-dimensional that primarily had to do with magic and dreamblood. I guess I just had a hard time picturing dreamblood, so I wanted to hear more about it on a physical, scientific level. That was probably my biggest complaint as I read. Anything else that seemed to fall flat was inflated in the end - the end of this book is definitely the best part. So much is explained that I didn't see coming! But the ending turned out to have emotional appeal as well. It made my heart sink a bit.

But this book has some interesting features after the story that I'd like to mention: A helpful glossary to guide us while reading (so we understand words like "dreamseed" and "jungissa") and a fun author interview. The author interview was particularly awesome because N.K. Jemisin got to interview herself, and she has a great sense of humor! A unique addition to a unique novel.

So overall, I'd say The Killing Moon has a lot to offer. I liked this book - it didn't strike me as 'Omg, this is mah new favorite!' or anything like that, it just has an excellent quality to it and I've never read anything like this before. N.K. Jemisin accomplished a lot with it, and anyone looking for a different kind of fictional world will find this refreshing.

Cloud Atlas | by: David Mitchell

David Mitchell's ever-famous Cloud Atlas managed to never cross paths with me for the majority of its existence, for I was way too young to grasp the themes presented in this complex novel when it first came out. But since its cool-looking film adaptation was released a little over a year ago with celebrities such as Tom Hanks and Halle Berry playing lead roles, I inevitably heard about it, read the story's summary, and thought it sounded wonderful. Still, I loved it way more than I anticipated.

 

When one hears that Cloud Atlas is complex, it is because it includes six different stories occurring in different time periods. Reincarnation ties it all together, you just have to pick up the signs. We start in the past and head toward the future, but then we begin to descend into the past. From a man at sea in 1800s to a horrific dystopian future and everything in between, Cloud Atlas' stories are all extremely different. A new time period, a new set of characters, a new writing style, and a new genre comes with each section - but they're tied together somehow.

 

I'll be honest, at first I wasn't the craziest about this book. The first section about Adam Ewing in the 1800s didn't really click with me, personally. But, I had a feeling that this book may require patience, which I had. The second section began to pick up a bit, even though I wasn't exactly Robert's number one fan, but stuff started getting intense with Luisa's story. That's when the action started and when the common theme really took precedence.

Then, we get to step into the present in the life of Timothy, who runs a publishing company gaining success, but Timothy ends up on the run. His story is probably my least-favorite of them overall. It just felt... Morbid.

But finally, we're transported into the future to meet Sonmi-451. Her story is my favorite of them all; this is when I really began to love this book - and not just for this story, but for the common themes throughout the novel. Unlike the previous stories, this one is dystopian, and I tend to be a sucker for dystopian stories. But part of what's special about Sonmi's story is how innocent she was when she began, before her friend lost her mind for a way out of the restaurant they were basically slaves to, even just after she left to see the unknown outside world. There's a part in which she travels from one part of Korea to another, and she said she thought she'd seen most of the world. That killed me.

Sonmi didn't go off to fight in any epic battles or win any Hunger Games, but she wrote something that would make her one of the most important historical figures later on. She started out not knowing much of anything about the world she lived in, but she knew what she was getting into. The dystopian scenario she lived in was horrific. She knew what would happen, but after seeing so many horrible things in this futuristic hell, she knew what was important was so much bigger.

So much bigger, in fact, that her memory would remain for such a long time. In post-apocalyptic Hawii, civilization has taken a huge downfall. Technology is gone. There is no security. But Sonmi-451 is so important to Zachry, who has not had an ideal life in any sense. Tragedy is everywhere on Big I, so I found this story very depressing - even disturbing at some parts. However, it's very meaningful, and I think it's my second-favorite tale. But when Meronym comes from afar, Zachry learns about some of the history and present conditions of civilization outside of their little island. He also makes some of his own discoveries about reincarnation.

But what ties all of these stories together? Well, for one thing, people. Like I said, reincarnation is prominent in this book. However, in each of these stories, the characters have similar problems with suppression, being confined to one place, not knowing the whole truth, questions of what is moral. But they all also find that there are some people in the world that will try to help. It's like Meronym tells Zachry, the whole world isn't all bad; the villains and tyrants of the world just have the ability to scream a little louder than everyone else. They somehow end up with obvious power, but our characters are also certainly not powerless. One person can put a decent-sized dent in history that will affect generations to come.

This was a brilliant idea for a novel; it's no wonder it's gotten so much praise. Deep themes, a unique set of characters, and great writing - what more could I ask for? I highly recommend David Mitchell's Cloud Atlas to anyone that hasn't tried it yet. Just be patient in the beginning and pay attention to birthmarks, because this book is definitely worth paying attention to.

Across the Universe | by: Beth Revis

There have been many times in which I've mentioned how I took a ridiculously long time to get around to reading a specific book, but this by far is the most ludicrous. Seriously, Across the Universe by Beth Revis was on my TBR long before it even got a cover (I somehow ran into the summary somewhere in the bookish realm of blogs), and I'm just now reading it, when all the other books in the trilogy have long been released.

How did this happen? That summary grabbed me like no other summary I've ever read, the book trailer is the best book trailer I've ever seen before in my life, and it ended up with one of the most beautiful covers of all time. This is what happens when the TBR list gets too big.

Anyway. Across the Universe is dually narrated by main characters Amy and Elder, both aboard Godspeed, a spaceship destined to reach a new Earth-like planet. While Elder (who is bound to be the future leader of Godspeed some day) is fully conscience living on the ship like many others, Amy and her parents are amongst those frozen, preserved to be awakened once the ship lands on the new planet. Their lives become intertwined when Amy wakes up early, and it becomes evident that there is a murderer on the ship. It is extremely difficult to get any answers when it seems that Eldest, the current leader of the ship, and the primary doctor shield the truth concerning just about everything.

...Where to start? First of all, WOW. Second of all, I haven't plowed through a book so urgently since Mockingjay, nor have I read anything so utterly intense in a very long time. Across the Universe is fantastic; I could not put it down. I never felt that I wanted to continue reading, I felt that I needed to.

 

Part of that need came from my constant worrying over Amy and Elder. How could I not - I like them so much! Amy felt very real to me and I sympathized with her throughout the story, but I also enjoyed reading about Elder and Harley since they were both kind of raw in a unique way. But my nervousness was also caused by the primary antagonist, Eldest. I could not stand him. He is perhaps my least favorite antagonist of all time... Really, all of the antagonists in this book were cringe-worthy, even the ones without Eldest's power. Take Luthe for an example; he's an  absolutely horrid excuse for a human being.

 

In addition to Luthe, the Season disturbed me. It gave the people of the ship (particularly the Feeders) such a primal feel, and when the Season wasn't in swing, they were like brainwashed zombies in some ways. Everyone has been so consumed in lies. Between them and Eldest, I felt like poor Amy had to fear nearly the entire ship, and that's what made this dystopian novel especially scary. To top it off, it's not like she could run or hide anywhere, it's not like she can just leave the claustrophobic realm of Godspeed.

 

Despite it's like a cage, I must say I loved the concept of being on a spaceship. It's quite interesting to see how generations of people lived on Godspeed and how technology has advanced, but it's also fascinating to see how Earth-like they tried to make it by (poorly) insinuating the outdoors. It all doesn't seem to be too unrealistic, and it's unsettling to think about.

The ending of Across the Universe was indeed fulfilling but I can sort of tell that there may be a conflict ahead in its sequel, A Million Suns. I can't wait to unravel more of Beth Revis' sci-fi magic in her lovely, emotional prose (though I wouldn't necessarily say it was 100% perfect, she's definitely good!) and I must admit, I'm excited to see Elder and Amy's relationship develop some more, especially since it's been developing at such a normal pace compared to other characters I've read about.

I really don't know what else I can say about this amazing book, all I know is I haven't said enough. I feel as though I can't entirely express my fascination with it. But without a doubt, I loved Across the Universe. It's definitely one of my favorite books, and hopefully the other two novels make it one of my favorite trilogies... But at this point, I really don't think they'll disappoint. If you haven't read this book, buy it. Now.

**I gave Across the Universe 5/5 stars on Goodreads**

Mockingjay | by: Suzanne Collins

This review, despite the hype behind the book, contains no spoilers, but perhaps a few slight ones from the previous books of the trilogy (The Hunger Games, Catching Fire) will. (This is so difficult to write about without spoiling, and I don't like the way it sounds, so anyone who didn't want spoilers better be happy even though it's written in an odd way!)

Sparks have turned into flames. Katniss Everdeen and her fellow tribute, Peeta, have been the face of a rebellion against the Capitol. Now, the rebels are gaining power, and Katniss is beginning to accept her role. Emotions tear at her constantly with this new turn in events, despite her strength, because she's human. But she is also the Mockingjay, the face of hope in the revolution.

Thank you so much for this spectacular reading experience, Suzanne Collins.

Suzanne Collins has created a masterpiece, yet again. But I must say, that sometimes I am angry with her. The revolution was not peaceful because it's a revolution. Tragic things happen because that's the way life is. So why am I angry? Because I cared way too much, and it's all Suzanne's fault, with her beautiful writing and fearlessness in creating the plot, and those characters! Katniss, Finnick, Peeta, Gale, Prim, Haymitch. How was I supposed to not love them?

Of course, her writing is immaculate all through Mockingjay, and the plot remained just as action packed as the other two novels. But Katniss has so many emotions in this one, and all were displayed clearly. I felt everything she did. Fear, sorrow, worry, love. Reading this book almost hurt, because I hurt when Katniss hurt. She is a strong heroine and always will be, and I don't believe that she broke in this novel, as other reviews I read mentioned.

One character that was introduced in Catching Fire I never liked until reading Mockingjay: Finnick. Behind what you originally see in him lies so much that it broke my heart. I loved him, and I loved seeing his relationship with Annie. That's all I'm going to say about him, but the bottom line is that he's so... great. And everything that Peeta had to go through made me feel horrible, as it did Katniss.

I'm happy with the ending. I just wish that it wasn't so shadowed by everything that happened in the past, all of the depressing moods and thoughts from two pages before the epilogue were still piercing my heart. (Why did so many have to die?) I didn't want this long-awaited happy ending spoiled by the horrific events that took place. However, I am overjoyed that she and *I'm not going to spoil it* end up having a beautiful life together. I always suspected that in the end, she would be with him, but I also loved the other character that she could've loved. Well, until he made me very angry at the end. Well, she picked my favorite, so I'm ecstatic. Obviously, Katniss' love interests are not the main focus of the novel, but I have to admit that I've been itching to see how this ends. Want to know exactly why I'm happy with this character? Read the novel. You will not regret it.

The last few pages of the novel, I bawled. Many tissues were needed. It ended up being so happy and sad all at the same time, and I couldn't take it. It was too much for my emotional equilibrium to stay stable. Never have I cried so much over a book, with the only exception of Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech. That book and Mockingjay made me a completely insane, crying mess. But I guess Mockingjay had the strongest effect, since I cried even though my dad was in the room (thinking that his daughter has lost it), and I basically cried myself to sleep. Had nightmares about only the sad parts, only that the book was just ended with those, no happiness. I'm even losing control of my tears as I write this.

Although I already thought about this in the past, Mockingjay helped me decide that I can't see the film adaptations of this trilogy. It means too much to me. Even if one thing isn't the way I imagined it, it could be ruined. This is the first time I read a book without wanting to see the movie. I need my personal vision of it, and nothing else.

I will give Mockingjay the same rating that I've given all of The Hunger Games books, despite that each individual book is so important to me, made me realize so much, and feel so much raw emotion. All are worthy of infinate stars.

5/5 Stars


Collins, Suzanne. Mockingjay
New York: Scholastic Press
2010

Catching Fire | by: Suzanne Collins

I fell into a deep infatuation with Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games at the end of last summer, and have been craving Catching Fire ever since!

Katniss has survived the Hunger Games along with Peeta, so anyone would assume that the nightmare of her life is over. But just as she begins the required tour to all of the districts in honor of winning the Games, she discovers that since both she and Peeta survived the Hunger Games, the Capitol is angry. For they have started a rebellion against it, without even realizing it. And the only way to prove their innocence in sparking it is to deny the rightness in what could finally overthrow the dictatorship of the Capitol.

Suzanne Collins really knows how to write a sequal. Wow.

If you're going to sit on the couch for hours reading Catching Fire, don't worry about leading a sedentary lifestyle, because this book will give you a cardiovascular workout. I had to stop reading for a couple of minutes, because I thought my heart was going to beat itself out of my chest. I'm not so sure if this is because of the twists and turns embedded througout the plot, or the consistent high-level action. Either way, I was totally blown away.

Catching Fire has the same great qualities as the first of the tirology, The Hunger Games. The writing is still superior and urgent, though maybe the sentences were too choppy for my comfort at times (probably to stress such urgency, so I'm greatful that this has a purpose), and Katniss is still a marvelous character. She's so strong and selfless that she puts today's typical sense of humanity to shame. And then there's Peeta... oh, the ever-loving and caring Peeta...

Speaking of which, despite the centeral focus of this novel is the action and revolution, we still have hints of a love triangle between Katniss, Gale, and Peeta. Just hints. It's not like a Edward-Bella-Jacob type of thing. Part of Katniss' problem is that she loves them both to death, but not in a particularly romantic way. If anything, it's the way we as humans should all love each other. Honestly, I love both Gale and Peeta. A lot of times I favor Peeta, but whenever I read about Gale, I understand why Katniss will never stop caring about him. Then again, I find it hard to believe Katniss will ever stop caring about anybody: Her mother, Prim, Gale, Peeta, Haymitch, District 12. Despite she is protective and a strong hunter, Katniss, the greatest heroine I've ever read about, loves with all of her being.

Still, the Capitol, that wretched disgrace of a government, stunned me the most. What they do is unbelievable. Punishments are torturous, food is scarce, and the president is the core of it all. He, okay the whole government, is cruel in every extent. Do any of them care? No. I was in awe the entire time. I was teary-eyed because of this, and I am now giving endless thanks that my country isn't run like this. That my government isn't so brutal.

Throughout this compelling read, I was a complete mess because I didn't want to leave this book alone for a minute. This trilogy is an addiction like no other, heed the warning. I can never stop thinking about it! Catching Fire is the perfect sequal to The Hunger Games, and I can't wait to see what happens next in Mockingjay!

5/5 Stars


Collins, Suzanne. Catching Fire
New York: Scholastic Press
2009

Divine by Mistake | by: P.C. Cast

Being a fan of the House of Night book series for young adults (and pretty book covers), I was very curious about this earlier adult trilogy from P.C. Cast.

Shannon Parker is an Oklahoma English teacher. She lives in the world as we know it; the only world she ever knew. But while on summer break, is sucked into a new world by an antique vase. Within this strange dimension, she is known as Rhiannon: Goddess Incarnate of Epona. In fact, she has stepped right into Rhiannon's role, which she has no choice but to play.

Immediately, she's treated like a (very rude and feared) queen and has to marry a centaur. Despite she's not the happiest about the situation, Shannon tries to be the kind, compassionate Goddess Incarnate that Rhiannon could never be.

Soon enough, she will see that dark creatures are lurking amongst this new world, and she knows that she must do her part to stop the sinister beings for the sake of peace as well as the people Partholon.

P.C. Cast is a really cool writer. I already knew that, and I've already established this here, but I may as well say it again. Though it's obvious that it's an earlier creation, it's still extremely well written and has her signature humor. It held my attention, and oftentimes fascinated me with the plotline and mythic creatures. As usual, each character had defined idiosyncrasies that were unique from other characters of the book (although Shannon sometimes reminded me of Zoey from the House of Night, but that was only because of slight smiliarities, or maybe just the way of the narration). With that being said, this book was not bland at all.

As I mentioned, I found it quite interesting to read about the creatures of this novel. Other than an appearance or two in a a few fantasy books I've read, I've never actually read a story that included many centaurs. P.C. Cast sort of makes me wish they'd appear more, since she makes them so beautiful and strong. I'm happy she included them.

The Fomorians, on the other hand, were quite scary. I know I talk about this book like it's so great (which it is) but there are other things I need to take account for, and these Fomorians have a little bit of something to do with it. Are they creative? Yes. After all, these beings only exist in this particular trilogy. Have I ever read anything so morbid? No. Sometimes their morbidity was too much for me, and I'd prefer to look away. It's not that their freaky description of appearance scared me away, it was the whole rape issue. I really can't stand reading about events of rape, or seeing it in movies. I don't care how good the movie/book is, if I know that there's rape in there, I avoid it. It disgusts me beyond words. I'm aware that it disgusts everyone, but the idea bothers me so much... you get the idea. So creepy monsters with no sense of goodness + rape was just way too much for me.

Divine by Mistake was just about exactly how P.C. Cast described it in her little note before the story began. It held my attention throughout the entire thing and turned out to be quite enjoyable, since there were no moments where nothing was happening. Even though P.C. left us with only a small cliffhanger, I plan reading the rest of the trilogy within the year.

This romantic fantasy is an entertaining and adventurous page turner that just gets better and better.


4/5 Stars

(Possibly a 3.5/5)

The Hunger Games | by: Suzanne Collins

In The Hunger Games, North America is much different than we know it today. It has become a country built on dictatorship. Each year, two chosen citizens from each of its twelve districts between the ages of twelve to eighteen must participate in the Hunger Games, where all tributes must destroy another until the last one is standing; the lucky winner that survives. For as long as it takes, the tributes kill each other, by law, where the entire country can see: Live television.

Anyone can guess from the start that the Hunger Games itself is sort of disturbing and morbid. That's plain and clear. But this year in the Games, a beautiful story unfolds...

Katniss was not chosen to take part in the Games, she volunteered, so her young sister wouldn't have to. Although many in the Capitol find the Games to be entertaining, Katniss sees how trecherous it really is. Of course, she aims to survive. How could she go down without trying? Putting up a fight? But survival means she'll have to kill humans, and what will that make of her?

The Hunger Games stands out in every way. There were parts where my heart was pounding, and even my eyes were tearing up. Never have I read about a country where acts of innocence were considered rebellious and acts of love could be against the law. Nothing is better than a book completely unique AND moving. Also, the writing in The Hunger Games is impressive and descriptive. I found myself enjoying every word in this amazing novel Suzanne Collins created.

Although this strange country helps to make the enviornment of this book even more interesting, the bulk of this book mainly revolved around Katniss's survival and her relationship with the tribute boy from her district, Peeta. This alone made this book suspensful, yet filled of emotion. Still, it was more than that. It was their thoughts on the Capitol that captivated me, as well.

Katniss, the main character, is the greatest and strongest heroine I've ever heard of. She is always the provider, the hunter, for those she cares about and for herself. Constantly, she thinks of her family, and fears dying not for her sake, but for theirs. What would happen to them if she died? Her way of thinking was fresh, yet I could relate. I admire her.

I was always intrigued by she and Peeta's relationship, because it's so hard to describe. I knew that anything Peeta said or did could only be for the cameras, and hoped that it wasn't, but I was never sure of Katniss. So often she was so concentrated on survival that I couldn't tell if she could identify her own feelings for him, so how was I to identify them? Though I sometimes disagreed with her, I had utmost respect for her.

The Hunger Games was a magnificent story. One that many will enjoy, whether you want suspense, meaning, or romance. One that you'll never forget; one that I absolutely love. I was left fascinated.

5/5 stars

Under the Dome by: Stephen King

Alright, I just finished reading Stephen King's new masterpiece, Under the Dome, last night at 11:56 pm. It took me awhile to read, since it's 1074 pages (including the Author's Note), and was always afraid it wasn't going to be worht it.

Immediately this novel could hold my attention, because the action starts right away. Stephen tells the stories of many, many different charecter's (even some dogs) while the little town of Chester's Mill is mysteriously and suddenly placed underneath an invisible barrier - a dome.

Through most of my time reading this huge book, I always thought it was worthy of 4/5stars (very good). Stephen King wrote fantastically and humorously, and I wanted more to some extent, but it wasn't like I couldn't put it down, I could.

Yesterday, when I was creeping toward the end, I couldn't get enough. I couldn't resist this novel and took it with me everywhere. Somewhere between three-fourths until the end of the book, Stephen King defined the difference between a 4/5 star novel and a 5/5 star novel. The ending left me a bit mesmerized, and that's what makes a story special, the feeling you have inside after reading it. That's also what made me give this novel 5/5 stars, despite however I felt previously.