In My Mailbox (16)

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren and inspired by Pop Culture Junkie.

Borrowed from Library (To Be Read):

•  Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick
• The Replacement by Brenna Yovanof
• Dark Song by Gail Giles
• Matched by Ally Condie

As you can see I got a really good haul from the library and in time for the winter vacation :). I'm again sorry for not posting constantly and I know it's all my fault and stupid school. But my winter holidays begin this week, so I hope I can get in some reviews before the year ends. (And I might have a giveaway soon in light of my blogoversary so look out :))

What books did you get?

In My Mailbox (15)

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren and inspired by Pop Culture Junkie.

Borrowed from Library (Reading):

• Torment by Lauren Kate (Loving it! Much better than the first :))
• Illyria by Elizabeth Hand (Very interesting...More to come)

Borrowed from Library (To be Read)

• Pathfinder by Orson Scott Card (Loved Ender's Game. Can't wait to see what this brings!)

What books did you get?

Hex Hall Mini Review

Title: Hex Hall
Author: Rachel Hawkins
Publisher: Hyperion Books
Published Date: March 2010
Price: Amazon ($11.55)
Synopsis:  

Three years ago, Sophie Mercer discovered that she was a witch. It's gotten her into a few scrapes. Her non-gifted mother has been as supportive as possible, consulting Sophie's estranged father--an elusive European warlock--only when necessary. But when Sophie attracts too much human attention for a prom-night spell gone horribly wrong, it's her dad who decides her punishment: exile to Hex Hall, an isolated reform school for wayward Prodigium, a.k.a. witches, faeries, and shapeshifters. By the end of her first day among fellow freak-teens, Sophie has quite a scorecard: three powerful enemies who look like supermodels, a futile crush on a gorgeous warlock, a creepy tagalong ghost, and a new roommate who happens to be the most hated person and only vampire on campus. Worse, Sophie soon learns that a mysterious predator has been attacking students, and her only friend is the number-one suspect.
As a series of blood-curdling mysteries starts to converge, Sophie prepares for the biggest threat of all: an ancient secret society determined to destroy all Prodigium, especially her.


Mini Review: 

Hex Hall was a magically crafted debut, a little of flirting and romance (and of course, the bad pretty boy, Archer), mystery and tension (making me turn the pages and losing sleep), and magic (the interactions of the different fantasy creatures was hilarious). The protagonist, Sophie Mercer, is a spunky protagonist, with sarcasm, loyalty, and kindness. I loved how she was independent from the beginning, not feeling the need to conform and staying by Jenna’s side even when everyone turned against her. The friendship and love twisted nicely with the main plot, where Sophie learns to define herself as the witch.

I also loved how Hawkins fired surprise ending after ending, not leaving time for the reader to get bored. There were so many twists that just left you hanging your jaw open and meticulously looking through the pages for a sequel (which is coming out in one month!).

I loved Hex Hall and it was a nice salve for my gaping wound of the lack of Harry Potter. Hawkins created a unique tale of a boarding school of the magical creatures we all know about, a tale of a witch finding her identity through her past, and of (MILD SPOILER) forbidden love.

Plot: 4/5
Characters: 4.5/5
Cover: 5/5

The cover is absolutely gorgeous and the mirror (dual personality) really depicts the book well and Sophie's journey for identity.

Overall: 4.5/5

Note: Sorry for the very short review. I'm currently engulfed with homework, tests, and reports so I won't be able to write full blown reviews until the winter holidays.

Winter Holidays-Wish List Recommendations (Best of 2010)

Hey everyone!

So the winter holiday is coming up (and it sure feels like it too), with Hanukkah already starting and the Christmas music pouring from our radios. In the light of the winter holiday, I wanted to compile a "2010 Wish List" of the books you need to have or want to buy for other people. (It'll also help me decide how to spend my money.) It would be great if you could leave the book that YOU would personally want to have for the winter holidays with a URL that links to a summary (Goodreads) or somewhere you can buy the book (Amazon). Thanks! Hope you find these helpful :)

Hunger Games Movie Rumors Galore

I spent my Thanksgiving Holiday rereading the Hunger Games after buying the boxed set, and let's just say I'm even sadder about the whole series ending than I was when I immediately finished Mockingjay.

So where does this leave for readers? The movie, of course! (Yes, I know. Movies usually can't capture the perfectness of books, but it's better than nothing.)

Even though I heard so many rumors of a Hunger Games release date, I checked the IMDB page and it says 2013! (Too long!! 2 more years.)

But, luckily, there a lot of actresses that are interested in playing Katniss, receiving scripts and expressing interest.

Lyndsy Fonseca

Kaya Scodelrio

Malese Jow

For me, the actress that would best fit Katniss would be Lyndsy Fonesca. Her look has a resembelence of being the tough Katniss in the books. Both kaya and Malese would act as Katniss well, except the look too innocent and young to play the girl on fire. :) What do you think?

Also, right now, there is a hot fan made trailer of the scene of Rue and Katniss. I absolutely love it and I thought it did the scene justice.

Waiting on Wednesdays (12)-Sequel Edition

Waiting On Wednesdays is a weekly meme, hosted at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights highly anticipated releases.

 I haven't done a Waiting on Wednesdays in a while, so I decided to put together all my anticipated sequels for 2011. Beware for spoilers in the synopsis if you haven't read the first book. (Also, Happy 1st Day of December! 23 more days till winter break :))

Title: Demonglass (Hex Hall #2)
Author: Rachel Hawkins
Release Date: February 15, 2011
Synopsis:
Sophie Mercer thought she was a witch.

That was the whole reason she was sent to Hex Hall, a reform school for delinquent Prodigium (aka witches, shapeshifters, and fairies). But that was before she discovered the family secret, and that her hot crush, Archer Cross, is an agent for The Eye, a group bent on wiping Prodigium off the face of the earth.

Turns out, Sophie’s a demon, one of only two in the world—the other being her father. What’s worse, she has powers that threaten the lives of everyone she loves. Which is precisely why Sophie decides she must go to London for the Removal, a dangerous procedure that will destroy her powers.

But once Sophie arrives she makes a shocking discovery. Her new friends? They’re demons too. Meaning someone is raising them in secret with creepy plans to use their powers, and probably not for good. Meanwhile, The Eye is set on hunting Sophie down, and they’re using Archer to do it. But it’s not like she has feelings for him anymore. Does she?

Title: Always a Witch (Once a Witch #2: Review here)
Author: Carolyn MacCullough 
Release Date: August 1, 2011
Synopsis:  
The adventures of Tam and Gabriel continue with more time travel, Talents, spy work, and of course, the evil Knights.

Since the gripping conclusion of Once A Witch, Tamsin Greene has been haunted by her grandmother's prophecy that she will soon be forced to make a crucial decision—one so terrible that it could harm her family forever. When she discovers that her enemy, Alistair Knight, went back in time to Victorian-era New York in order to destroy her family, Tamsin is forced to follow him into the past. Stranded all alone in the nineteenth century, Tamsin soon finds herself disguised as a lady's maid in the terrifying mansion of the evil Knight family, avoiding the watchful eye of the vicious matron, La Spider, and fending off the advances of Liam Knight. As time runs out, both families square off in a thrilling display of magic. And to her horror, Tamsin finally understands the nature of her fateful choice. 

Title: Outside In (Inside Out #2)
Author: Maria Synder
Release Date: March 2, 2011
Synopsis: None yet :(


Sadly, I read both Inside Out and Hex Hall recently and loved them both, but have not been able to write a review because of school. I am planning to write short reviews soon by this week of both books, because they both merit reviews (aka I loved them both :)).

In My Mailbox (14) + Updates

Hey everyone! So, I know I've been out of the blogosphere for quite a while without mentioning any formal hiatus, so I'm really sorry. It's just that homework, school life, activities have been culminating into this huge snow ball and I haven't had much time to post a review, always postponing my blog to sometime later.

Even though I can't ensure a constant update of reviews, I promise I'll try to make a more dedicated effort and since the holiday season is coming up, I'll have a bit more free time (hopefully :)).

But I hope everyone had a relaxing and enjoyable Thanksgiving break with your family.

Due to the Black Friday shopping craze, Borders had a 50% off sale on all list items, and with a $25 gift card I was saving, I was FINALLY able to buy the SACRED Hunger Games Trilogy Boxed Set. (We all know what I did for Thanksgiving Break.)

I also spent my Thanksgiving break watching Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. I LOVED IT. It just let me stunned and after the movie ended, I was craving for more. Director David Yates played up the emotional turbulence of Harry, Hermione, and Ron especially [SPOILER] the romance and the jealousy and Dobby's death [END SPOILER]. The action was also brilliantly done and FINALLY, the movie stayed by the book most of the time.

In addition, I'm almost finished with reading Scorch Trials (sequel to Maze Runner) and I'm craving for the third book. (I'll try to have my review up ASAP.)

SURVEY: What do you like about YOUR LIBRARY?
I also wanted to use my blog to learn about different library systems. I was selected as the Student Board Member of my county library. Right now, we’re facing budget cutbacks, which means less new books and programs for teens.
I wanted to learn about how other different library systems receive books, cool programs for teens, things that you ENJOY about your library system. I would appreciate it so much if you could drop a comment, email me about the great features of your library system and what you would like to see in your library.

I hope everyone enjoyed their break. Tell me what you did and what you got :)

In My Mailbox (13)

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren and inspired by Pop Culture Junkie.

 Borrowed (from Library)

• The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson
• Possessed by Kate Cann

I'm really excited for both books (and I've been waiting for like, 3 months?, for the books to come.) In addition, I've finished Inside Out, so I'll try to have that review up ASAP (I'm just getting lazier and busier by the minute. What books did you get?

In My Mailbox (12)

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren and inspired by Pop Culture Junkie.

Borrowed from Library (To Be Read)

• The Everafter by Amy Huntley

I've read the synopsis and I'm so excited to start reading this! What books did you get? Post a link in your comment. And sorry for being so sporadic in my posting. I've been really  busy with school and SATs, and I don't know when that will come to a pause (Where's winter break?!)

Girl, Stolen Review

Title: Girl, Stolen
Author: April Henry
Publisher: Henry Holt
Published Date: September 2010
Price: Amazon ($11.55)
Synopsis: 

Sixteen year-old Cheyenne Wilder is sleeping in the back of a car while her mom fills her prescription at the pharmacy. Before Cheyenne realizes what's happening, their car is being stolen--with her inside! Griffin hadn’t meant to kidnap Cheyenne, all he needed to do was steal a car for the others. But once Griffin's dad finds out that Cheyenne’s father is the president of a powerful corporation, everything changes—now there’s a reason to keep her. What Griffin doesn’t know is that Cheyenne is not only sick with pneumonia, she is blind. How will Cheyenne survive this nightmare, and if she does, at what price? 

Review:

Girl, Stolen is a chilling and suspenseful story, with a little peek of romance. However, intertwined is the heartwarming story of a world darkened eternally for a teenage girl.

Cheyenne Wilder, sick with pneumonia, is jerked out of her stupor as Griffin kidnaps the car. What Cheyenne doesn’t know is he didn’t mean to kidnap her. He only meant to steal the car. What Griffin doesn’t know is she’s blind.

What Griffin thought was a fatal mistake becomes a fortune, as he and his father discover Cheyenne is the daughter of Nike. But as the risks grow to release Cheyenne, Cheyenne’s fate becomes uncertain, and only one person can help her.

The suspense and the fearful aura Henry creates with Griffin’s father, Roy, and the environment Cheyenne is forced into made me turn the pages madly and finished this book in two sittings (it was only two because I had a lot of homework). The ending and the surprise attack (keeping my mouths sealed) just kept me at the edge of my seat. Griffin’s kindness and his care for Cheyenne was juxtaposed against the pure meanness of Roy and his cronies, which really created this twisted romance and the intertwining of their fates.

There are a lot of flashbacks into Griffin’s and Cheyenne’s past, which developed the majority of their characters. However, there was too much of a ‘telling’ and didn’t transition well when the time frame changed. For example, more interaction and dialogue between Griffin and his mother could really drive the sorrow of the ending and Griffin’s innate kindness. Also, Cheyenne’s incident in which she becomes blind and her relation with her first mother, would have created a nice emphasis and the hardships of trying to adjust to her blindness.

The chapters switching the point of view was executed successfully, since it wasn’t confusing to follow and smoothly brought the reader to create this balance between the characters. However, I really wished that Henry switched between Cheyenne and Griffin at the end. The ending, like always, just left me craving for more and was way too much of a cliffhanger.

Plot: 4/5
Characters: 4/5
Cover: 4/5

I thought the cover really showed the vulnerability and portrayed Cheyenne’s ultimate fear and her terror under the brave façade she shows. In addition, I also love the glass breaking apart at the end, because not only does it represent the glass that helps Cheyenne escapes with, but also shows how everyone’s innate violent nature.

Overall: 4/5

The unique premise and the page-turning suspense, along with the thoughtful way Henry clearly portrays and illustrates Cheyenne’s journey to adjust to being blind creates a story that’s not only adventurous and a thriller, but also emotional with the past Henry builds.

Mockingjay-SUZANNE COLLINS AUTOGRAPH

So I mentioned before that I went to Suzanne Collin's Mockingjay fan signing event :)
So my friend and I went, running straight from school, so excited as we were both Hunger Game die hard fans :D.

Luckily we didn't have to wait too long to get our book signed and I was literally shaking with excitement when I actually took a picture with Suzanne Collins and got to ask her some questions about the book. Here are some pictures I wanted to share of her "autograph" (she gets hand strains so she used a stamp, which I was still satisfied with) and some goodies Scholastic was nice to give out :)

New Layout, New Buttons, New Blog + Short In My Mailbox

Hey everyone. Sorry I've been in and out for the past two weeks. School is really starting to build up its homework and I've been trying to set up the new layout for a while. As you can see, it's all finished :D
In my opinion, I think it's beautiful, but I would love to hear your comments and suggestions.


First of all, I wanted to thank my friend, Heartbreakn, who created this whole layout, header, and blog button even with all my pestering. I also wanted to thank my other friend, Astrid, for creating the Movie Poster Monday and Fashion Friday buttons. Thank you so much to both and I really appreciate your work and effort :) You don't know how much I love both.

Here are some buttons that I hope you guys will share and help publicize my blog 2.0 :)





<center><a href="http://tuningintoyabooks.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy290/trashmail819/header03o-1.jpg" /></a></center>

Movie Poster Monday

<center><a href="http://tuningintoyabooks.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy290/trashmail819/movpostmonday.jpg" /></a></center>

Fashion Friday

<center><a href="http://tuningintoyabooks.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy290/trashmail819/fashionfriday1.jpg" /></a></center>

I am planning to put my review of Girl, Stolen, which I got from Holt InGroup, oon in a few days time. In addition, a few days back I went to Suzzane Collin's book signing and I got her Mockingjay stamp with her signature :D :D I was so excited and ecstatic. I'll put a picture of it asap.

Halo Review

Title: Halo
Author: Alexander Adornetto
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Published Date: September 2010
Price: Amazon ($9.93)
Synopsis: 

Nothing much happens in the sleepy town of Venus Cove. But everything changes when three angels are sent from heaven to protect the town against the gathering forces of darkness: Gabriel, the warrior; Ivy, the healer; and Bethany, a teenage girl who is the least experienced of the trio. They work hard to conceal their true identity and, most of all, their wings. But the mission is threatened when the youngest angel, Bethany, is sent to high school and falls in love with the handsome school captain, Xavier Woods. Will she defy the laws of Heaven by loving him? Things come to a head when the angels realize they are not the only supernatural power in Venus Cove. There′s a new kid in town and he′s charming, seductive and deadly. Worst of all, he′s after Beth.

Review:


Embedding the romantic belief in true love and angels (with the occasional hot guys), Adornetto entrances the reader into a utopia of love and heaven, of earth and heaven connecting together in a love story that was never supposed to happen. Personally, I’m not a huge fan of true love, but after reading Mockingjay, the romance, kisses, innocence provided a brief relief from the hatred and destruction seeping through that book.

Bethany and her two siblings (at first I thought Gabriel and Bethany and Xavier were going to create a love triangle, which would have taken an exciting turn) enter Earth to create and form humans into more sensible and good beings. However, the mission goes askew off course when Bethany lays her eyes on Xavier and irrevocably and of course, fatally, loves him (i.e. Their relation isn’t supposed to happen.)

Maybe it was all the bloodshed I experienced in Mockingjay, I devoured the sweet fluff of the cotton candy of romance. I wished I had a boyfriend like Xavier swoon. However, there are many flaws in the book, including the characterization and the plot. Before I do though, let’s all take a moment of envy of the 17-year-old girl who’s already published two books. Sigh, how unfair life is. Kudos, Alexander Adornetto!

The flat characterization of both Xavier and Bethany detracted from the book and the romance a bit. They were the perfect couple you could only dream of and I didn’t really believe there was anything exciting happening in their relationship. They kissed, hugged, said “I love each other”, realized how much they love each other, wonder about their future, in which there wasn’t a plot driven conflict or tensions in their relation, just showing adorable chemistry and cute moments.

My favorite part of the book was the description and the fantasy world she created with the angels and their relation to God. Personally, I’m not a very religious person and don’t attend church weekly, which means I don’t know much about angels. However, I absolutely love the different levels of Heaven and their roles they took. In addition, I loved the conflict and the cliffhanger at the end (even though it was way too obvious that it was coming) and it heightens up the angel world (that the readers are left out on due to Beth’s infatuation with Xavier, ignoring her original mission of saving humans).
Since the first book focused on developing the characters, the romance, and assimilating into human society, I cannot wait for the second book (Hades) to come out and bring out the evil forces the readers only got a taste of at the end.

Plot: 3/5
Characters: 3/5
Cover: 5/5

I mentioned Halo before in my Waiting on Wednesday Post and like I said I’m absolutely entranced by the color scheme and Beth and Xavier’s silhoulettes. Unlike my movie poster, it really conveyes this heavenly sense.

Overall: 3.5/5

Even though I believe Adornetto could develop the characters a lot more emotionally (including Jake), I thought the heavenly angel idea was unique and conveyed the creativity in the novel. The chemistry between Xavier and Beth, including their cute scenes, was adorable, but there was a lot of development needed in the plot section and also in the evil demons part. There was too much of black and white, good and bad, heaven and hell. The book isn’t very much action packed and only brings back Beth’s role as an angel at the end, but if you like romantic books (reminding you of your hope for true love) then Halo is a great book. Either way, I’m excited for Hades to come out next year (ah, too far!)

Waiting on Wednesdays (11)

Waiting On Wednesdays is a weekly meme, hosted at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights highly anticipated releases.

Title:  Entwined
Author: Heather Dixon
Publishing Date: March 2011
Synopsis:  

Azalea and her younger sisters dance in the mysterious silver forest every night, escaping from the sadness of the palace and their father’s grief. What they don’t understand—although as time passes they begin to get an inkling of the danger they are in—is that the mysterious and dashing Keeper is tightening his snare with deadly purpose. Luckily, Azalea is brave and steadfast. Luckily, a handsome young army captain also has his eye on Azalea. . . . Lush, romantic, and compelling, this debut novel by Heather Dixon will thrill fans of Shannon Hale, Robin McKinley, and Edith Pattou.

My Thoughts: 

I smell another love triangle :). And beautiful adventure, fantasy, and also romance. The premise (and of course I'm so shallow that I absolutely love the cover and will read it because of the cover) seems so intriguing and it reveals very little while still making me interested.  This book reminds me of Princess of Midnight Ball with the dancing and the sisters, but it actually seems more adventurous and mysterious. What book are you waiting for?

Movie Poster Monday (5-Halo)

First of all, I wanted to jump in joy with my new MacMini. Essentially, the hardware is Mac. I don't have a Mac Laptop (I wish I did.) I'm getting used to the hang of things and I actually like it better than Windows Vista :)

So I finished Halo today. It was really nice and calming, with the romance, compared to Mockingjay so it was a nice change. The movie poster is pretty simple. Because of school I couldn't do it much elaborately. I had a hard time choosing the actress for Bethany, because she was supposed to represent innocent beauty and I didn't know who could portray it. While I was looking through other fantasy casts, Emma Roberts caught my eye and I thought she could pull it off a bit. And for Xavier Woods, there were just so many options I could choose from, but ultimately I chose Logan Lerman. Who could resist that dimpled smile? :) So, without further ado, here is my (pitiful) attempt at the movie poster for Halo.

Mockingjay Spoilers Discussion Forum

My face after finishing the book.

So, I already had a heated debate with my friends, but I would really love to have everyone else's opinions, because I felt like Collins just left so many gaps and so many controversial moments.

I'm going to list the thoughts on some important parts of the books (chronologically.)

•  Hijacking Peeta: I thought it was a brilliant move on Collin's part because it really just turns the tables and everything over in the book. The loving, warming Peeta has turned hostile to Katniss, but also calculating and realizes the flaws in Katniss. I just loved how she did and I really felt that it perpetuated Katniss's character development. 
• Katniss's Reaction to Peeta: In one word: B*TCH. (and a brat). I absolutely hated it! I mean, GOD what the heck?! Would Peeta do that to you, Katniss? I felt that it detracted from Katniss and I know it isn't part of her character to be comforting, but ARGH AFTER EVERYTHING PEETA DID TO YOU, YOU BETRAYED HIM THAT WAY! And, she only changed AFTER Haymitch TOLD her to, which emphasizes that she isn't acting on her emotions or love for him.
• Deaths: I didn't really think the deaths of the characters were actually that bad or too many. I think it really emphasized the violent human destruction theme. But Finnick's death just nearly killed me. After Collins took all that time to develop his character in the book and made the readers sympathize and love him more, she just killed him off in ONE sentence. And in the whole section where Katniss tries to go to the Capitol, Collins doesn't mention Finnick much, maybe once a page. And the other deaths, who got killed by the mutts, we don't even read what happens to them. Just that they disappeared. (Also, what the heck happened when Katniss looked at Finnick and saw his life flash by? They didn't explain it at the end so I'm really curious.) I  believe that the weakness in the deaths was not the quantity, but the quality as Collins just killed off each character quickly, not really elaborating on it a lot.
• Katniss Going Insane (Both before and after Coin's death): I don't know about this one. I'm really controversial about this. I understood WHY Collins did this, to emphasize the effects of war and being shell-shocked. But was it necessary to go into it that much that the readers lose faith in the protagonist? The hero we relied solely on? I don't know. This also made the whole ending with Peeta and Katniss loving each other and marrying as invalid. What's your opinion?
• Katniss's Response to Hunger Games: Ok. PLEASE TELL ME WHAT HAPPENED HERE! Why did Katniss say yes to another round of Hunger Games? Maybe she was insane, I get that. But what is up with the long paragraph leading up to that? It was like "Oh, I think humans will always be destructive no matter what." And she ended up going against her thoughts.
• Katniss's Decision: So Katniss decided Peeta. But did she really? Where did Gale go? I thought that was the worst ending ever with Gale and it seemed that Collins wanted to end the love triangle quickly in order to emphasize the anti war. But there weren't even parting words with Katniss and Gale. And how could Gale just leave Katniss alone like that when she was in the worst condition ever and just go get a fancy job when two other books pointed towards that Gale cared and loved for Katniss. 
• Did Katniss and Peeta really love each other?: I believe that they've moved an inch away from their insanity/killing persona. But my friend thinks otherwise. She took it as a wholly negative and pessimistic view and saw Peeta as never loving Katniss again and Katniss never being sane. I don't know. I thought the epilogue was a nice relief for the readers, but...
• Will there be another Hunger Games?
• The ultimate million dollar question. What does everyone think?

The beginning was well played and brilliant. But, I really wish that Collins could rewrite the ending. So I gave my opinions and I hope to hear everyone else's thoughts :)

But however the series ended. I'm so sad so so so sad that they ended the series. No more Hunger Games. Let's just hope they release a movie soon!

In My Mailbox (11)

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren and inspired by Pop Culture Junkie.

Bought 

• Halo by Alexander Adornetto (Reading)
• Inside Out by Maria V. Snyder

Borrowed (from friend)

• Sapphique by Catherine Fisher (Reading)
• Virals by Kathy Reichs

What did everyone else get for the weekend? Luckily for me, September is scattered with holidays so more time to read rather than the banal homework. 

Mockingjay Review (Non-Spoiler Edition)

Title: Mockingjay
Author: Suzanne Collins
Published Date: August 2010
Price: Amazon ($8.44)
Synopsis:

Katniss Everdeen, girl on fire, has survived, even though her home has been destroyed. Gale has escaped. Katniss's family is safe. Peeta has been captured by the Capitol. District 13 really does exist. There are rebels. There are new leaders. A revolution is unfolding.

It is by design that Katniss was rescued from the arena in the cruel and haunting Quarter Quell, and it is by design that she has long been part of the revolution without knowing it. District 13 has come out of the shadows and is plotting to overthrow the Capitol. Everyone, it seems, has had a hand in the carefully laid plans -- except Katniss.

The success of the rebellion hinges on Katniss's willingness to be a pawn, to accept responsibility for countless lives, and to change the course of the future of Panem. To do this, she must put aside her feelings of anger and distrust. She must become the rebels' Mockingjay -- no matter what the personal cost.

This is the non-spoiler edition. It’s primarily to discuss my overall perception of the book.

The day I got Mockingjay: Hands shaking. Crying. Trembling. Throwing the book against the wall. Staring up at the ceiling for 3 hours (not getting enough sleep) and wondering what the heck just happened.

1 day after completing Mockingjay: My post about my first reactions to the ending. Reread the book, trying to digest it all.

It’s been a week since I completed it. In the beginning of the book, I wanted to pray to Ms. Collins and worship her saying, “Oh dear Ms. Collins, how can a brilliant author like you exist? The plot, the tension, suspense spinning this book into a dystopia shattered with emotions, like a game you control masterfully. ” By the time I finished this book, I wanted to throw this book at her and beg her to write another ending, another sequel and say, “Ms. Collins! What the heck! How can you end the book that way? Don’t you have any conscience to what you did to your characters, your “grandchildren” really, that you took so much time and effort to stoke fire into, created depth into , making the readers love them, sympathize with them, even developed crushes for them (ok, maybe that’s just me) and this is what you DID?!.”

Mockingjay was a plate of emotions, not sparing us any deaths or any nice flowers or unicorns to a mirror of the destruction of human nature. Many would say the book was a stance against antiwar with the sadness, sorrow, and anger entrancing the deaths and the readers, but I wouldn’t say so. Laced with the violence and trauma the ultimate questions of human nature are not answered, but shown. “What can we constitute as a boundary of war and destruction? What are the limits to human’s instinct to kill, murder, if there are any?”

The one thing that didn’t change in the final trilogy was the tension, suspense, and Collins dropping a bomb at every chapter (literally and also metaphorically). There were twists in plot and one part (can’t say what, sorry ;)) just made me stare at the book for ten minutes straight without comprehending what the heck happened. The details of the war, bloody scenes, and also Katniss’s emotions (which were magnified by a hundredfold with a sense of intimacy that I came to love and then hate) were detailed so vividly that the readers’ emotions mirrored the protagonist. (By the way, the romance is kept to a bare minimum, sadly.)

The ending was what leaves me angry and sorrowful (no more Hunger Games, except for maybe the movie? Please, pretty please with a good cast?). To me, it seemed like Collins became lazy, decided to tie a nice little ribbon on it, and tried to create it into an ending that pleased the readers. There were so many gaps, rushed ends, and I kept thinking “Wait? What just happened?”, that it didn’t feel like a nice close. (I wish I could say more, but I would be revealing a bit too much.)

Plot: 4.5/5
Characters: 4/5 (More explanation in spoiler post)
Cover: 4.5/5

I have always loved the simplicity of the cover with the Mockingjay. But I think the blue color, which evokes a sense of peace, deceived the readers into thinking that this was a peaceful ending. Alas, Collins couldn’t even spare the readers that much.

Overall: 4.8/5


The emotions, the deaths, the violence, the suspense, and the twists in the plot creates a war environment within the reader’s mind, playing each scene of a loved one falling, of a look of love turning to disgust, but ultimately spelling out what humans are. Do humans have the innate want to kill and destruct each other? And if we do, where is the line to killing innocent people? I wouldn’t be surprised if Mockingjay left a spark of fire and started a revolution in 2010.

Fashion Friday (4-Fallen)

I haven't done Fashion Friday in a while. So for those of you who are new this is the gist:

Fashion Friday is creating a fashion wardrobe and picking out clothes that I would think a character would wear based on the type of personality Using pictures from different magazine, such as Vogue or Elle, or from model shows, I will usually pick out one or two types of outfits, and even accessories or shoes. I hope everyone enjoys it and if you have any suggestion or fashion websites, please feel free to tell me!

So I wasn't able to finish Fallen because like me, there were a hundred other fans waiting like wolverines to rip the book out of my hand, before I could finish it. So I decided, while I wait again in the long line of holds, I decided to do a little tribute for it.

 For the dark Luce, she mentioned in the book she liked black so I decided to use the "bad and sexy girl" kind of fashion.

f(x) in Calvin Klein Jeans © Eiffel in Seoul

Miranda Cosgrove © Teen Vogue

For Daniel, I decided again the "bad guy look" and of course the smoldering, sexy look.

Kim Soo Hyun © Dramabeans

Song Jong Ki © Dramabeans

Also, I couldn't forget Cam (which is by far my favorite character.) who came across as a skater boy or casual boy.

©Armani Exchange

I also saw some really good "couple" pictures of both Daniel and Luce (the fashion of both the boy and girl are so perfect.)

Also, I'm working on the background right now, so please bare with the white color. Thanks!

WTF?! WTF?! MOCKINGJAY!!

I'll post an official review in a few days...whenever I get over my aftershock.

But. Three words. WHAT THE FUDGE?!
MS. COLLINS, you blew both Hunger Games and Catching Fire wtih Mockingjay. THIS BOOK WAS AMAZING. The right amount of romance twist, tables turning, shock, violence well played, and emotions of fear, love, sorrow just making me shake with anticipation.

Below I'm going to include my first opinions. It will include spoilers. Cover your eyes. And before I talk about the endings, what happens in the book, EVERYONE, READ IT! I've been shouting this during my whole lunch period today, but I think I was more obsessed with this than I was with Harry Potter, which is saying something.

Also, on another note. I am back officially. I'm currently designing the layout with my friend, so please bare with this until we're finished. Below is just a preview of what you'll see (I'm planning to use this is as my button.) Please give your opinions  :)

SPOILER DISCUSSION (Cover your eyes from this sacred discussion if you have not read it! Feel free to leave comments below)

• Peeta!! MY LOVELY PEETA THAT I FELL IN LOVE WITH! (Sorry, Katniss, he's mine :P) God. I felt so so so so bad for him when he was hijacked. My beloved Peeta tortured. But I really wish Collins had extended the book a bit more to see more of Peeta's actual gentle side to make the ending scnee more touching since either we barely saw him or he was mentally evil.
• Too many deaths :(. God, I was crying within my heart when Finnick and Prim died. I was growing really fond of Finnick. 
• Gale. I didn't really like him much in this book, but I felt like there should have been a better tie with him with Katniss. 
• Just absolutely loved the violence in the book. Made it seem much more tense and rigged with emotions. God! I was literally shaking at every chapter. At every chapter, Ms. Collins left a bomb that left me hanging for more.

Please tell me what you think! I'm so rigged with shock and happiness and SADNESS (NO MORE HUNGER GAME BOOKS) that I can't even form coherent thoughts/ (MS. COLLINS, why did you release this book so late in the summer, right when school starts?!)

Winner to CSN Giveaway & Hiatus

Hi everyone. So I'm leaving to Europe soon and before I did so, I chose the winner of the CSN Store Giveaway.

The winner is:

Sarah M. 

 

Congrats to her!!! I will send an email and if she doesn't reply in 48 hours, I will choose a new winner.

So, I decided, since I need to prepare for my junior year and use my summer to the fullest, I'm going to put off blogging until the beginning of the school year (September). I will be on and off since then but please, please wait for my full comeback until then with a new layout (the person who is making it is off on vacation too, so I need to wait till then) and until my library gets more new books for me.

So, adieu until later! I'll be in Europe and I'll make sure to post up pictures! Thank you for sticking with me and please wait for a better and more awesome blog.

Also, I WILL make sure to post a review of Mockingjay as I wait hungrily.