Review: The Weakness (Animorphs #37)

09:06 Cilla 0 Comments

Title: The Weakness (Animorphs #37)
Author: K.A. Applegate
Publisher: Scholastic Paperbacks
Source: The internet
Synopsis: 

While Jake is away at an out-of-town wedding, Tobias discovers the place where Visser Three feeds. There is a unanimous decision to acquire cheetah morphs and run him down. But which Animorph will lead the mission in Jake's absence?


Review: ⋆⋆

My endeavour to complete the Animorphs series continues. I've lost interests after the last couple of books dipped in quality, but I only have about 14 more to go before I finish, so I'm going to hang in there.

Unfortunately #37 hasn't impressed me any more than the last few books have. I'm going to go ahead and assume this was one of the ghost-written installments, because Rachel's character was pretty much ruined in this one. There was no subtlety about her warrior instincts, and her struggle with leadership was as predictable as it was flat. The action scenes were a lot of fun, but Animorphs' strength for me has always been about the emotional struggles. That was sorely missing here. 

Overall, I don't see the point of this installment, except maybe to highlight that there's no better leader for this little rebel group than Jake

Review: The Beginning of Everything

10:52 Cilla 0 Comments

Title: The Beginning of Everything
Author: Robyn Schneider
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Source: Periplus Bookstore
Synopsis:

Ezra Faulkner was supposed to be homecoming king, but that was before -- before his girlfriend cheated on him, before a car accident shattered his leg, and before he fell in love with new girl Cassidy Thorpe.

Review: ⋆⋆⋆⋆

"Sometimes I think that everyone has a tragedy waiting for them, that the people buying milk in their pajamas or picking their noses at stoplights could be only moments away from disaster. That everyone's life, no matter how unremarkable, has a moment when it will become extraordinary - a single encounter after which everything that really matters will happen."


I'd never even heard of The Beginning of Everything until my sister decided to buy it while we were book browsing. It popped up on my Goodreads dash afterward as a 'What's Trending in YA' book, so I assumed there was hype around it, but that was the extent of my knowledge of it. I'm glad for it; this turned out to be another reading experience where I went in with little expectation and ended up pleasantly surprised.

When I started, I thought it was going to be your run-of-the-mill YA with a bitter male lead and the girl who saved him. It isn't. Ezra is angsty, yes, but he didn't wallow so completely in self-pity. The way his emotions and identity crisis was written was smart; I understood why Ezra made the choices he made, even when he made bad ones. The unfolding of the romance was predictable, but I loved its conclusion. I'm not sure I can really go into it without spoilers, but I think I can say that I adore how this book is about Ezra's journey of self-discovery and that Cassidy wasn't his salvation.  

My absolute favourite thing about this book is the cast of characters. The blurb on the back of my copy said that there's 'no doubt girls everywhere are going to fall deeply, madly, hopelessly in love with Ezra Faulkner'. I didn't fall in love with Ezra; I fell in love with Toby Ellicott. Toby is witty, kind and wonderfully weird. I'd love to talk about his friendship with Ezra, but that again might spoil the story. (If you have read this book, talk to me!) Then there are the rest of the debate team. Each of them are unique and fun, and quite importantly, of diverse backgrounds. I was pleased to see that there were more than one Asian character in the group; it made the setting feel more real to me. These kids were all relatable in their experiences and personalities, and the book is most vibrant when they were together. (All the Harry Potter references didn't hurt either, to be honest.)

All in all, it was a fun book to read. Though it was mostly unsurprising, I found myself unable to put it down.

Review: Next

09:59 Cilla 2 Comments

Title: Next
Author: Michael Crichton
Publisher: Gramedia Pustaka Utama (my copy is an Indonesian translation)
Source: My parent's collection
Synopsis: 

Welcome to our genetic world. Fast, furious, and out of control.

This is not the world of the future --- it's the world right now.

Is a loved one missing some body parts? Are blondes becoming extinct? Is everyone at your dinner table of the same species? Humans and chimpanzees differ in only 400 genes; is that why an adult human being resembles a chimp fetus? And should that worry us? There's a new genetic cure for drug addiction --- is it worse than the disease?

We live in a time of momentous scientific leaps; a time when it's possible to sell our eggs and sperm online for thousands of dollars; test our spouses for genetic maladies and even frame someone for a genetic crime. We live in a time when one fifth of all our genes are owned by someone else, and an unsuspecting person and his family can be pursued cross-country because they happen to have certain valuable genes within their chromosomes.

The future is closer than you think. Get used to it.

Review: ⋆⋆⋆

"Science is as corruptible a human activity as any other."

Michael Crichton is one of those authors whom my parents have been telling me to read for as long as I've been old enough to really understand science. Having read Jurassic Park, I can see the appeal, and I wanted to read more. Hence, Next.

Unfortunately I didn't love Next as much as I loved Jurassic Park. Crichton is excellent with the scientific parts. You can tell it's well-researched and I enjoy the way the information was presented. The arguments laid out in support of the idea that genes might determine not just the way we look but also our behaviour is fascinating (though I'm definitely more of a fan of the nature-nurture interaction school of thinking). At times, however, there could be four pages straight of science, and I would get bored. Also because there was so much information about the science that needed to be relayed, the actual plot is sluggish. It only picks up speed toward the end when the action began to kick in and we spend more time with the characters.

Speaking of characters, there are A LOT of them. I counted twenty-three named characters in seven different sub-plots. Not the kind of book you can two-timed; I focused on just reading this one, and I still lose track of who's having what problem. Although the characters eventually cross path and some of the stories converged, I didn't feel there was a strong enough thread to connect all of them. There was probably one or two sub-plots that the book could've done without.

It was a fascinating read, though it took some time for it to be truly compelling. The characters were downright horrible sometimes, and though there was some sort of justice for them at the end, I finished the book with a sense of foreboding. If science is as corruptible as Crichton portrayed it, we're bound to face some horrible things.

Review: Scarlet

08:41 Cilla 0 Comments

Title: Scarlet
Author: Marissa Meyer
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends
Source: Book Depository
Synopsis:

Cinder, the cyborg mechanic, returns in the second thrilling installment of the bestselling Lunar Chronicles. She's trying to break out of prison--even though if she succeeds, she'll be the Commonwealth's most wanted fugitive.

Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit's grandmother is missing. It turns out there are many things Scarlet doesn't know about her grandmother or the grave danger she has lived in her whole life. When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information as to her grandmother's whereabouts, she is loath to trust this stranger, but is inexplicably drawn to him, and he to her. As Scarlet and Wolf unravel one mystery, they encounter another when they meet Cinder. Now, all of them must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen Levana, who will do anything for the handsome Prince Kai to become her husband, her king, her prisoner.

Review: ⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆

"I think I realized that I would rather die because I betrayed them, than live because I betrayed you."

Like the best fairytales, this book doesn't skip the dark parts; the monsters commit horrible crimes and the good guys get by on more than just luck and a good heart. Scarlet, like Cinder, is a strong character in many ways; I love their separate story lines as much as when they intertwined, and I look forward to seeing more of them together.

Speaking of great characters, we meet Thorne Carswell in this installment. I adore his interactions with Cinder; he brings light to what would otherwise be completely angsty situations, and he brings out Cinder's dry humour which I love. I look forward to see how this little group of misfits will accomplish their mission.

I'd protest that Scarlet's romance with Wolf seems too quick to be more than just a passionate crush, but there is this chemistry between them that couldn't be ignored. And Wolf! Every series could do with a (well-written) tormented not-always-nice-but-actually-good-hearted character (X-Men's Logan/Wolverine, anyone?). I continued to be intrigued rather than exasperated by his dilemma.

It's delightfully easy to sink into the world of The Lunar Chronicles, and I couldn't wait to do it again with Cress.

"It would be easy to abuse a person when they never recognized it as abuse."

Wishlist Wednesday: Princess Diaries XI: Royal Wedding

08:04 Cilla 0 Comments

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Princess Diaries series, comes the very first adult installment, which follows Princess Mia and her Prince Charming as they plan their fairy tale wedding-but a few poisoned apples could turn this happily-ever-after into a royal nightmare.

For Princess Mia, the past five years since college graduation have been a whirlwind of activity, what with living in New York City, running her new teen community center, being madly in love, and attending royal engagements. 

And speaking of engagements. Mia's gorgeous longtime boyfriend Michael managed to clear both their schedules just long enough for an exotic (and very private) Caribbean island interlude where he popped the question! Of course Mia didn't need to consult her diary to know that her answer was a royal oui.

I am so excited for this book! Michael Moscovitz and Mia Thermopolis were my OTP before Ron and Hermione came along. (As much as I love Chris Pine, I was very disappointed that movie!Mia didn't stay with Michael in the second movie). I'm excited that Mia is a twenty-something now; it makes me feel like I've grown up with her.

It has been years since I last read any of Princess Diaries though; I might need a re-read session of the whole series before this one is released. Princess Diaries XI: Royal Wedding comes out in Indonesia in December 2015, so I have some time!

Other release dates as found on Meg Cabot's website:

June 2, 2015 (USA/Can)              October 2015 (Brazil)           July 2, 2015 (UK/Aus/NZ)
August 2105 (France)                   Spring 2016 (Japan)

Review: White Cat

10:47 Cilla 0 Comments

Title: White Cat
Author: Holly Black
Publisher: Margaret K. Elderberry
Source: Periplus Bookstore
Synopsis: 

Cassel comes from a family of curse workers -- people who have the power to change your emotions, your memories, your luck, by the slightest touch of their hands. Since curse work is illegal, they're all criminals. But not Caseel. He hasn't got the magic touch, so he's an outsider - the straight kid in a crooked family - as long as you ignore one small detail: he killed his best friend, Lila.

Now he is sleepwalking, propelled into the night by terrifying dreams about a white cat. He also notices that his brothers are keeping secrets from him. As Cassel begins to suspect he's part of a huge con game, he must unravel his past and memories. To find out the truth, Cassell will have to outcon the conmen.

Review: ⋆⋆⋆⋆

'It's sweet. All this trouble for a kitty.'

I picked up White Cat at a book sale, firstly because I recognised the author's name and was curious, and also because it was ridiculously cheap. I didn't even try looking up reviews about it on Goodreads, so I went in with zero expectations. That was an advantage, as much of the plot relies on the element of surprise.

For a while at the start, I was really confused. There wasn't any exposition about this world or its history, and I kept feeling like I must have missed something. Once I've settled into the story though, I enjoy the way information was sprinkled through the dialogues and snippets of Cassel's thoughts. It felt like I was hanging on for a fast ride and had to keep my eyes open if I wanted to get the full experience.

I'm not sure how I feel about any of the characters. The Sharpes are not likeable, but the (mostly dysfunctional) relationships between them are fascinating to follow if a little sickening at times. Cassell seems like such a pushover half of the time that I find him exasperating, but then the other half of the time he's an intelligent boy with understandable issues. I think this may be one of those few times where I love the story but not so much the characters.

As I mentioned earlier, this story relies on the element of surprise; there are plenty of twists and turns right up to the last page, and I found myself constantly turning the page despite flinching at certain parts. I'm keen to read the next installment in the series, if not for Cassell then to see where else Black will take the story.

'We are, largely, who we remember ourselves to be. That's why habits are so hard to break. If we know ourselves to be liars, we expect not to tell the truth. If we think of ourselves as honest, we try harder.'

Top Five Books I'd Love To See As Movies/Tv Shows

17:27 Cilla 2 Comments

4. Nancy Drew. I know there has been movies and TV movies, but I haven't liked any of them. With the right update though, I think it could be a cool mystery TV series.

5. Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo. All the time I was reading it, I kept thinking it would make a gorgeous movie. It has an interesting landscape that will translate well to film. Plus, there is plenty of action sequences.

Review: Journey to the Center of the Earth

11:51 Cilla 0 Comments

Title: Journey to the Center of the Earth
Author: Jules Verne
Publisher: Tom Doherty Associates
Source: My aunt's collection. She's had it for ages, so I have no idea where she got it from.
Synopsis:

Descend into the crater of Sneffells Yokul, over which the shadow of Scartaris falls... and you will reach the center of the earth. I have done this. Arne Saknussemm.

It was a secret message by an ancient alchemist, found on a crumbling scrap of parchment. And if Saknussemm was right, then every theory about the molten core of the earth is wrong. Prof. Otto Lidenbrock has to learn the truth. So Lidenbrock, his nephew Axel, and the Icelandic hunter Hans climb down the cone of an arctic volcano and into...

A realm of awesome mystery, weird beauty -- and deadly peril. Where vast caverns and endless mazes lead to an underground ocean, living fire, and prehistoric monsters. But where any wrong turn, any misstep, can leave the explorers trapped forever in the eternal darkness of a planet-sized tomb... Buried alive at the heart of the world.

Review: ⋆⋆

I was first introduced to Verne's writing through Around the World in 80 Days. I enjoyed 80 Days, and given Brendan Fraser's version of Journey to the Center of the Earth is a guilty pleasure of mine, I felt compelled to read this book. I did not think it would require so much effort.

I spent some time at the beginning of the book in a state of confusion over the names. There were no Professor Lidenbrock or Axel; instead, there were Professor Hardwigg and Harry (or Henry) Lawson. A bit of googling revealed that there is an 1871 abridged and altered English version where the publisher changed the names, omitted chapters and rewrote or added parts to others. My copy must be a reprint of this version, which irked me. If you're going to change the names inside the book, why not change the summary at the back too? I couldn't help feeling a little lied to, and though that's obviously not Verne's fault, my reading experience was off to a bad start.

There is a lot of scientific information in the story. A lot. The characters have a lot of conversation about geology and biology, and Harry/Axel's narrative is heavily peppered with his observations about the environment they are descending into. I enjoy learning, and most of the time I like science fiction, but it was too much for me. I kept losing interest and skimming through the descriptions in an attempt to find something more exciting. For a story that's meant to be a thrilling adventure, I found it to be rather dry for about 170 pages. That's a problem when the book is about 258 pages. I enjoyed the small burst of dry humour and sarcasm here and there, and when the creatures appeared, it was quite fun to read. I just wish the sense of danger was more present. Despite Harry's constant talk of eminent doom, I never truly believed they would not make it to the end.

Because the story is driven so much by the scientific aspects, there is hardly - if at all - any room for character development. All three of the characters felt flat for me, none of them developed in any way, and I couldn't muster any sympathy for Harry. In addition, I was really bothered by the generalisation of Icelanders. The majority of the Icelanders we encounter in the duration of the story are portrayed as robust, solemn, and quiet; I can think of only one exception to this, and it's not the Icelander we follow through the book.

Hans is the embodiment of the stereotypes: he speaks probably no more than twenty words throughout the book and doesn't contribute any opinion; he might as well be another one of the professor's instruments for the purpose he served in the story. Sure, Hans is an important character, that can't be denied, but I feel he's also very much set as a strange Other in comparison to the other two men. (80 Days contained a similar undercurrent of stereotyping which also annoyed me, i.e. most Indians were depicted as savages except for the one Phileas Fogg married, and she's a light-skinned Indian with a European education.) I am aware that this perception of foreigners was probably widespread when Verne was alive, just as marrying your first cousin was okay back then, but I can't get past it.

In short, this wasn't my cup of tea. The only thing I really love about it was when they discussed why the public library in Reykjavik was mostly empty:

"We are of opinion that instead of letting books grow moldy behind an iron grating, far from the vulgar gaze, it is better to let them wear out by being read."