Tuesday 30 October 2012

November To Be Read (TBR)


Books I will be reading in November include some adult fiction and Asian literature!

Books mentioned:

Velveteen by Daniel Marks




Velveteen by Daniel Marks

October 2012, Delacorte Books for Young Readers

464 Pages

Description:

Readers of Carrie Ryan and Richelle Mead will love this dark revenge fantasy.

At sixteen, Velveteen Monroe was kidnapped and murdered by a madman named Bonesaw. But that's not the problem.
The problem is she landed in the City of the Dead. And while it's not a fiery inferno, it's certainly no heaven either. Grey, ashen and crumbling more and more by the day, and everyone has a job to do there. Which doesn't leave Velveteen much time to do anything about what’s really on her mind.
Bonesaw.
Velveteen aches to deliver the bloody punishment he deserves. And she's figured out just how to do it. She'll haunt him for the rest of his days.
It'll be brutal...and awesome.
But crossing the divide between the living and the dead has devastating consequences. Velveteen’s obsessive haunting could actually crack the foundation of her new world, not to mention jeopardize her very soul. A risk she’s willing to take—except fate has just given her reason to stick around: an unreasonably hot and completely off-limits coworker. 
Velveteen can’t help herself when it comes to breaking rules . . . or getting revenge. And she just might be angry enough to take everyone down with her. - Amazon.ca



My Review:
4/5 Stars


I was really looking forward to reading Velveteen. I was not disappointed! The story did follow a bit differently than what I expected, but I loved every moment of it.

Velveteen seems to have 3 different story lines. There is the one that is mentioned in the synopsis which is Velveteen's obsession with haunting the man who murdered her, but there is also some shiz happening in Purgatory and a potential romance. The book focuses mostly on what happens in Purgatory, which is a place full of broken buildings, strict rules, Shadowquakes, and ash. It felt like a dystopian type of society, except everyone is already dead. That added an interesting element to the story.

Velveteen's character was one of my favourite aspects of the book. However, I feel like her personality might be hit or miss for some people. I personally adored her sassy character, quick wit, and imperfections. She is a tough girl with an attitude and does whatever she wants. It was refreshing to have a character like Velvet.

The creativity in this book was also incredibly refreshing. We have a serial killer that uses a grater on his victims, the world of Purgatory accessed via "cracks" between it and our world, a plot full of twists and turns, the Salvage team in Purgatory, and of course Velveteen. The main plot felt almost like a mystery novel. We are trying to figure out what the hell is going on and who is behind it all, while things keep happening. 

The pacing of the book is pretty fast, which I really enjoy. I like that there isn't too much downtime, but the downtime we are given is very important and not boring at all. The writing was really good as well. Danny's sassy personality is really amplified in the writing and in Velveteen. I think if he had a daughter, she would be Velveteen. I did notice a pattern to his writing that was purely structural, so that lessened some of the suspense for me but not by much. It was definitely an enjoyable experience.

I loved this book, so why did I only give it 4 stars? Well, I wanted to see more with Bonesaw (Velveteen's murderer). I am a psychology undergrad, so getting into the minds of serial killers is right up my alley. The book spends some time with Bonesaw at the beginning, but quickly the reader realizes he is just a side-plot. There is a more exciting plot happening, but I would have liked to see more of the murderer. You know me - I love nasty gore. So there wasn't too much in this book, but that is just a personal preference. 

Overall, I think Velveteen is a great read. It offers something new in the YA genre and Velvet's character really makes a statement. I can't wait to read more about what happens to her! 

Monday 29 October 2012

October Summary

October was a good reading month for me. I was able to read a good variety of scary and creepy books. I also watched a movie based on a book, which I haven't done for awhile.

Books Mentioned:



Also Mentioned:

  • Daisuki by Hildred Billings (Amazon Kindle Store)
  • The Grimm Chronicles (Amazon Kindle Store)
  • Chasing the Dragon 


My top picks of the month were The Shining by Stephen King, and Possess by Gretchen McNeil.

Did you read any spooky books this month? Which was your favourite?

Wednesday 24 October 2012

The Isle of Blood by Rick Yancey


The Isle of Blood by Rick Yancey
558 pages
Published September 2011 by Simon & Schuster


Description:


When Dr. Warthrop goes hunting for the “Holy Grail of Monstrumology” with his eager new assistant, Arkwright, he leaves Will Henry in Victorian New York. Finally, Will can enjoy something that always seemed out of reach: a normal life with a real family. But part of Will can’t let go of Dr. Warthrop, and when Arkwright returns, claiming that the doctor is dead, Will is devastated—and not convinced.
     Determined to discover the truth, Will travels to London, knowing that if he succeeds, he will be plunging into depths of horror worse than anything he has experienced so far. His journey takes him to Socotra, the Isle of Blood, where human beings are used to make nests and blood rains from the sky—and puts Will Henry’s loyalty to the ultimate test. - Amazon.ca



My Review:

Rating: 4/5


Each of these books has taken a different approach to telling a story, and surprisingly I have enjoyed them all. The first book was a classic monster hunter story, the second book was mainly about character development of Dr. Warthrop, and this book was about Will Henry's character development and the darkness within all men.

I was expecting a ton of gore, so I was a bit thrown off that there didn't seem to be too many scenes that fit that agenda. Near the beginning and near the end there are a couple of scenes, but I was hoping for more sprinkled throughout the middle. That's just a minor point, though.

The prologues to the story seem to have their own thing going on, and I especially liked how I was able to really connect the prologue in this book to elements in the story. It made it feel more realistic and interesting.

I love Dr. Warthrop, but I feel some people may have been less than enthused with him in the Curse of the Wendigo. In this book, I feel he becomes more likable and vulnerable. Will Henry's limits are tested, and he grows quite a bit as a character too. Will Henry is also tempted by the Bates family in regards to where he belongs.

The plot has a bit of a thriller aspect to it, in that the characters are on the hunt and are being hunted themselves. But instead of being hunted by a monster, they are hunted by some bad guys. This was a change to the previous books, but it did work out quite well, especially given that there were some celebrity guest appearances!

These celebrity guest appearances also really added to the world building. Rick Yancey has done a phenomenal job in creating this world where men and monsters exist together, but by keeping it realistic and historical. The writing was just as amazing as the first two books, although some bits felt a bit slow.

If you liked the first two books, I highly recommend this one. Just be aware that it is more philosophical and contains less gore. :)

Sunday 21 October 2012

Book Haul

There have been some books I have been hoarding for awhile, so I finally got around to making a book haul!


Books Mentioned:




What books have you gotten recently? I have read & reviewed The Shining, and I am currently reading The Isle of Blood. Next on my list is Velveteen! I actually have a personalized copy coming to me in the mail of Velveteen because I won a giveaway. I'm extra excited because the author, Daniel Marks, knows who I am and he is really fun! Looking forward to getting into his dark mind.

Saturday 20 October 2012

Book Chat: Book Spines


This month's Book Chat is about book spines and which ones we find pretty. It is hosted by Misty at thebookrat.com and so, here are my answers!

For those that like video, here you go:

And for those that would rather read, here you go:
Books I chose:
  • Tiger's Curse series by Colleen Houck
  • Cinder by Marissa Meyer
  • Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
  • Purity by Jackson Pearce
  • The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
  • The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
  • Godmother by Carolyn Turgeon
  • Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli
I realized that I enjoy books that have only a few colours, and one of those colours really has to pop. Robin's egg blue seems to be the winner of the books I chose.

Books Mentioned:



King of Horror: The Shining (Book & Movie Review)


The Shining by Stephen King
"The Overlook Hotel is more than just a home-away-from-home for the Torrance family. For Jack, Wendy, and their young son, Danny, it is a place where past horrors come to life. And where those gifted with the shining do battle with the darkest evils. Stephen King's classic thriller is one of the most powerfully imagined novels of our time." - Amazon.ca Description



I recently read the book and watched the movie starring Jack Nicholson. First I will talk about the book and then my thoughts on the movie (spoiler-free of course!).

My Rating: 4/5

We have all heard of the Shining. We all know it is one of Stephen King's greatest novels. But what exactly is it about? Personally, my only recollection of the story concerned a parody the Simpsons did several years ago. I knew a hotel was involved, something called "redrum," and lots of blood.

The book is brilliantly written, although some foreshadowing was a bit obvious. I really felt like we got to know the characters. Not only are we acquainted with their stay at the hotel, but we learn of their past struggles as a family. These past episodes add a depth to the characters that can be interpreted later in the story as being significant or not. Jack, the father, is a man with a history that is trying to support his family. He is an aspiring author and is looking forward to months of peace and quiet. His wife, Wendy, is along for the ride and plays a very supportive role. They have a little boy, Danny, and he is special. 

Let's talk about the real aspect of the book: the horror. The horror was the believable type with a bit of supernatural essences thrown in. Or, if you'd like, it was purely believable. There were several scenes in the book with their fair share of gore, but also several creepy moments that I felt were more convincing than the gore itself. The book is not particularly scary, but it is absolutely creepy. Imagine being in a large hotel in the middle of a snowstorm, phones are out, radio doesn't work, and you can't escape. Then creepy things begin to happen. Ready to leave yet? This family all struggles with the hotel in their own way, and I felt the progression of the story with the winter was really fitting. 

Movie Review - Rating: 3/5

The movie was adapted from the book, so it did not follow the same script. Some minor things were changed and the ending was also slightly adjusted. I was a bit disappointed in that the movie chose to omit some of the best gory and creepy scenes, and also a large part of back-story for Jack's character development. The movie demonstrates that he is trying to write a book but it does not tell what the book is about. In the book we learn exactly what he is writing and why it is affecting him so much. As well, the movie added a huge element to the story - an outdoor hedge maze. Although plants were significant in the book, I was disappointed in the maze because it meant an omission of two scenes I was looking forward to seeing on the screen.
However, it should be noted that Jack Nicholson's portrayal of Jack was an amazing performance. His famous line, "Here's Johnny!" should be witnessed sometime in your life, and can be if you watch this movie.

Friday 19 October 2012

The Army of Ten

There is a recruitment going on. It is to promote Gretchen McNeil's new book TEN. If you would like to help spread the word, then join her army at Army of Ten!



What is TEN all about?


Shhhh!
Don't spread the word! Three-day weekend. House party.
White Rock House on Henry Island.
You do not want to miss it.
It was supposed to be the weekend of their lives—three days on Henry Island at an exclusive house party. Best friends Meg and Minnie each have their own reasons for wanting to be there, which involve their school's most eligible bachelor, T. J. Fletcher, and look forward to three glorious days of boys, bonding, and fun-filled luxury.
But what they expect is definitely not what they get, and what starts out as fun turns dark and twisted after the discovery of a DVD with a sinister message: Vengeance is mine.
Suddenly, people are dying, and with a storm raging outside, the teens are cut off from the rest of the world. No electricity, no phones, no internet, and a ferry that isn't scheduled to return for three days. As the deaths become more violent and the teens turn on each other, can Meg find the killer before more people die? Or is the killer closer to her than she could ever imagine?



Why don't you buy it? Sounds good, doesn't it! I know I'm planning to buy it very soon! I read Agatha Christie's "And Then There Were None" which was one of the influences in writing TEN. I really enjoyed Agatha Christie's book so I am looking forward to the modern spin that Gretchen McNeil has taken for TEN. It would make for a great read before Halloween!




Recently, I also read and reviewed her other novel, Possess. For that review please click here: Possess!
And if you want to buy Possess, then you can find it here!


Thursday 18 October 2012

King of Horror: Misery by Stephen King

Misery by Stephen King
338 Pages
Published 1988, Signet
My rating: 4.5/5
Click below to purchase the book or the movie!

Paul Sheldon. He’s a bestselling novelist who has finally met his biggest fan. Her name is Annie Wilkes and she is more than a rabid reader–she is Paul’s nurse, tending his shattered body after an automobile accident. But she is also his captor, keeping him prisoner in her isolated house. Now Annie wants Paul to write his greatest work–just for her. She has a lot of ways to spur him on. One is a needle. Another is an ax. And if they don’t work, she can get really nasty… (From Goodreads.com )
 My Review:
I really enjoyed this one. It felt so realistic, which made it feel very creepy.
The protagonist, Paul, is an author that ends up in the care of a crazy fan/ex-nurse after being in an accident. She is nuts! Most of all, she wants him to continue writing the series of books he is known for. The set up – being trapped in a room with limited access to anything at all – feels like the story could be restrictive or drag, but it was quite the opposite. The tension and suspense was high in this one!
What I liked the most about the book was that whenever Paul was in a situation, he would think of all his options. The process of him thinking of his options felt similar to how my brain works so I felt like we were on the same page (har har puns). While reading, I would think of something and then Paul would think of it too. Then King would decide if it would work or not. It was exciting trying to figure out what to do during different situations. It made it feel like *I* was Paul and I had some crazy bitch after me. So, it felt exciting!
The amount of gore and horror was great. It was gruesome, but realistic, which is perfect for this type of story. It was also spaced nicely throughout the story. The ending was also very satisfying.


Monday 15 October 2012

Possess by Gretchen McNeil


Possess by Gretchen McNeil
378 pages
2011, Balzer + Bray
My Rating: 4/5




Description(From Goodreads.com - shortened):
Rule #1: Do not show fear.
Rule #2: Do not show pity.
Rule #3: Do not engage.
Rule #4: Do not let your guard down.
Rule #5: They lie.
Fifteen-year-old Bridget Liu just wants to be left alone: by her mom, by the cute son of a local police sergeant, and by the eerie voices she can suddenly and inexplicably hear. Unfortunately for Bridget, it turns out the voices are demons – and Bridget has the rare ability to banish them back to whatever hell they came from.
My Review:
I really enjoyed this book. I was a bit hesitant at first because of the major Catholic themes in the book, but it all worked out. I am an atheist so I tend to roll my eyes over religious talk and I was worried that there would be a lot in this book that I didn't care about. I was very pleased to see that there wasn't much of a religious agenda at all and that the plot was great!
Bridget is our protagonist. She is half Chinese, which is something I haven't seen in a protagonist before (in books, obviously), and her personality is quite spunky. She has a gay friend so I enjoyed that there were pro LGBTQ themes. The other characters were realistic and likable. I liked the variety of characters.
I was worried about romance, but I liked the direction this book took it. In particular, Bridget's mom is involved in a love triangle that involves Bridget's best friend's dad. I thought that was an interesting touch because it isn't often that we see a love triangle that involves the parents!
The plot was really well done and I think this was my favourite aspect of the book. Some bits were predictable, but there were so many layers to the story that I couldn't help but try to anticipate what was going to happen next. The book read like a creepy mystery, and I found I especially loved the creepy scenes. There were several instances where I was creeped out and I really enjoyed that. Alongside the creepy scenes, there was a phrase that jumped out at me a few times for comic relief: "Sweet cartwheeling Jesus!"
This was a really nice read to have right before Halloween. I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking to read a YA horror/paranormal story. Plus, look at that cover! It is so beautiful. :)