Saturday, January 31, 2009

Watchmen


author: Alan Moore
illustrator: Dave Gibbons
stars: 4
Summary:It all begins with the paranoid delusions of a half-insane hero called Rorschach. But is Rorschach really insane or has he in fact uncovered a plot to murder super-heroes and, even worse, millions of innocent civilians? On the run from the law, Rorschach reunites with his former teammates in a desperate attempt to save the world and their lives, but what they uncover will shock them to their very core and change the face of the planet! Following two generations of masked superheroes from the close of World War II to the icy shadow of the Cold War comes this groundbreaking comic story -- the story of The Watchmen.(barnesandnoble.com)

Review:First off, I hated the art for this comic. I've been told it was made to look bad on purpose but that doesn't seem to be much of an excuse to me. what can I say, I'm more of a manga girl.
The story was pretty heavy but good. To be honest it wasn't really my thing but I could appreciate it. The ending was genius, no ifs,ands, or buts. I'm not sure if I've ever read an ending like that before but I think it was very realistic. It was happy in a twisted way and left me heartbroken and glad.

Monday, January 26, 2009

Slumdog Millionare


I know I haven't posted anything lately but there's been little time for reading. I saw Slumdog Millionaire last Saturday and it is now my favorite movie of all time. It was so gritty and real and maybe in an inverse reaction made me want to visit India. I've seen Dev Patel from Skins so honestly I wasn't expecting a whole lot from him. I was wrong; expect people, expect. You won't be let down. See it no matter what genre you're into because this film didn't sugar coat anything. And it was shot really well if that's what does it for you.

Friday, January 23, 2009

Revelations


author: Melissa De La Cruz
pages: 264
stars: 4
Summary: Have you ever wondered what secrets lurk behind the closed doors of New York City’s wealthiest families? They're powerful, they're famous... they're undead.

Schuyler Van Alen’s blood legacy has just been called into question - is the young vampire in fact a Blue Blood, or is it the sinister Silver Blood that runs through her veins? As controversy swirls, Schuyler is left stranded in the Force household, trapped under the same roof as her cunning nemesis, Mimi Force, and her forbidden crush, Jack Force.

When one of the Gates of Hell is breached by Silver Bloods in Rio de Janeiro, however, the Blue Bloods will need Schuyler on their side. The stakes are high; the battle is bloody; and through it all, Carnavale rages on. And in the end, one vampire’s secret identity will be exposed in a revelation that shocks everyone.(barnesandnoble.com)
Review:
This series is really getting somewhere now. Each book is a little more kickass. There were some suprising and satisfying twists. Melissa De La Cruz also did a really good job of making the story significantly about history and yet very modern. When there wasn't direct vampire business the characters were doing something classically teenage.
Schuyler really annoyed me in this volume. She is selfish and doesn't know what she wants so she just tries to have everything. I think she may have made some progress by the end of the book but let's see if that lasts until the next volume.

Friday, January 16, 2009

Blood and Chocolate


author:Annette Curtis Klause
pages: 264
stars: 3.5
Summary:
Vivian Gandillon relishes the change, the sweet, fierce ache that carries her from girl to wolf. At sixteen, she is beautiful and strong, and all the young wolves are on her tail. But Vivian still grieves for her dead father; her pack remains leaderless and in disarray, and she feels lost in the suburbs of Maryland. She longs for a normal life. But what is normal for a werewolf?

Then Vivian falls in love with a human, a meat-boy. Aiden is kind and gentle, a welcome relief from the squabbling pack. He's fascinated by magic, and Vivian longs to reveal herself to him. Surely he would understand her and delight in the wonder of her dual nature, not fear her as an ordinary human would.

Vivian's divided loyalties are strained further when a brutal murder threatens to expose the pack. Moving between two worlds, she does not seem to belong in either. What is she really--human or beast? Which tastes sweeter--blood or chocolate?
Review:
Yes, I know, the cover is really ugly but the story makes up for it. And hey, if you read the story you won't be able to keep looking at the cover. The writing was good, with none of the awkwardness in dialogue that you see with some authors. And let's face it, it's easy to make werewolves seem cheesy. I figured out the ending before hand and it seemed like a bit of a cop out. By the time I actually got to the ending it wasn't. Well, maybe a little.
I liked the main character, Vivian, because she was different from many of the teenage heroine's out there. She actually had confidence, which seems to be forbidden in most YA nowadays.
there was one problem I had with the book though. The werewolves spoke very demeaningly about humans. I mean, ooh you're a werewolf, stop thinking because you can beat us up you're better than us. Some of the story was about how humans need to be more open minded but the point wasn't brought across in a way that would convince me because of the werewolves us vs. them mentality. They complain people don't accept them and then they look down upon them. Practice what you preach buddy.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

First Review


author: Julie Hearn
pages: 351
Stars: 3
Summary: Ivy is used to being overlooked. The youngest in a family of thieves, scoundrels, and roustabouts, the girl with the flame-colored hair and odd-colored eyes is declared useless by her father from the day she is born. But that's only if you look at her but don't see. For Ivy has a quality that makes people notice. It's more than beauty- and it draws people toward her.
Which makes her the perfect subject for an aspiring painter named Oscar Aretino Frosdick. Oscar is determined to make his mark on the art world, with Ivy as his model and muse. But behind Ivy's angelic looks lurk dark secrets and a troubled past -- a past that has given her an unfortunate taste for laudanum. And when treachery and jealousy surface in the Eden that is the artist's garden, Ivy must learn to be more than a pretty face if she is to survive.
Review
This wasn't one of my favorites but I liked it. I really love accents so listening to the Jackson family was fun. Oscar didn't turn out how I expected at all but I think it worked, he was funny in an absurd kind of way. His mother was one of those "love to hate" characters, until we find out just how devious she can be.
I like how drugs were such a big part of a story based in the 1800s. I haven't seen that before.

Monday, January 12, 2009

Indirect Suicide

It's that time of year again folks. Yep, track season. There will be sweating and there will be pain, and there will especially be boys in really short shorts. We have started pre-season conditioning at my school already. There was this creepy guy who was video taping us as we ran. Scary. I can't help wondering what he's going to do with that recording.

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Fixed

Okay i think i've got this thing worked out now and i think it's about time for a real introduction. my name IS Megan. I am currently a sophomore in high school. Reading is almost all that I do. i'm giving writing a shot too. I'm a huge music lover so I might start ranting about the awesomesness that is William Beckett. Don't be alarmed. I hope to be able to write some awesome reviews for y'all.

testing

testing 1,2,3...

Friday, January 9, 2009

Still Working

I really am not technologically inclined.

Whoops

My computer seems to be having technical difficulties. Typical... Well, I'm sure I'll have everything sorted soon.

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Introductions

For those of you who don't know me, which is all of you, My name is Megan and I am in high school. Mostly I read, running takes place when i am forced. That will be soon because track starts soon. I am planning on using this blog to review books but it will probably be used for random mutterings too. I hope you enjoy.