Review: Moore Zombies by Wendy Knuth

Moore Zombies: The Search for Gargoy by Wendy Knuth
Publisher: Self-published
Release Date: September 16h, 2014

You’re not really afraid of zombies, are you? Take a peek into the lives of the Moore zombie family. When Gargoy goes missing, Baby Zom enlists her siblings to help in the search. Follow along with Gothina, the critter loving goth zombie, Broheimer, the nerdy zombie, and Kamper, the messy zombie who enjoys camping. Who, or what, is Gargoy?

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author. This did not affect my review in any way, nor am I being compensated for this post.

To be honest, I'm not really a huge zombie person. I don't watch The Walking Dead, and basically the only zombie-eque thing I've read/watched/enjoyed is Susan Dennard's Something Strange and Deadly series. But this book sounded fun, and the pictures looked amazing.

Perhaps my favorite aspect of this picture book was the illustrations/pictures themselves. They really stood out and were extremely well done. The images matched the words perfectly. The colors are rich and are sure to captivate young children.

The story itself is also pretty engaging and leaves kids hanging until the end. The text is easy to follow but would probably still offer challenges for children learning to read. The plot is interesting and there are parts that kids might not find funny or at least amusing, but anyone reading along with them probably would (like play on words and stuff like that). My only qualm is that there are portions where the zombies are compared to humans, and I don't think it's necessary. It'll be like "this is a little known fact about zombies" etc, etc, but again, it's not necessary and sort of breaks/detracts from the narrative and the rest of the writing.

Overall this is a fun, engaging read that's perfect for kids who love zombies and perfect around Halloween (which was when this was supposed to go up)!

Moore Zombies: Goodreads | Amazon

Wendy Knuth: Website | Facebook | Twitter

Music Monday (#9): Budapest by George Ezra

Every other Monday, I'll share a song/artist/album that I'm either currently listening to or currently obsessed with, though they often go hand-in-hand. Some may have special themes or surprises. This means that I might share a playlist, fan!mix, Top Ten list, etc.

It's been a while since I've done one of these, but as I've started getting back into regular blogging, I wanted to share this. 

I stumbled upon George Ezra after watching his performance on Ellen, and oh my gosh, I'm now obsessed with him and his voice. His most well-known song right now is probably Budapest. I can't praise him and his music enough. I highly recommend you check out more of his music. AH-MAZING.

George Ezra on Ellen:

Review: If I Stay by Gayle Forman

If I Stay by Gayle Forman
Publisher: Dutton Books for Young Readers
Release Date: April 2nd, 2009

Just listen, Adam says with a voice that sounds like shrapnel.
I open my eyes wide now.I sit up as much as I can.And I listen.
Stay, he says.

Choices. Seventeen-year-old Mia is faced with some tough ones: Stay true to her first love—music—even if it means losing her boyfriend and leaving her family and friends behind?

Then one February morning Mia goes for a drive with her family, and in an instant, everything changes. Suddenly, all the choices are gone, except one. And it's the only one that matters.

If I Stay is a heartachingly beautiful book about the power of love, the true meaning of family, and the choices we all make.

"I liked the book, but it doesn't stand out in any way in the sea of other books."

To be quite frank, this book disappointed me. It's not that I enjoyed it. I just went into it expecting a lot more. I read this around the same time as I read Just One Day, and they were my first Gayle Forman books. I've heard people gushing about how amazing her books are and how amazing her writing is. So it isn't hard to say that I had fairly high expectations. But while many readers find her as a staple author, similar to that of Sarah Dessen, I don't know if I do. Her writing doesn't stick with me the way other authors' works and words do.

As I mentioned, I enjoyed If I Stay, but it didn't wow me. It didn't really impact me or leave a huge impression. It felt more like I was skimming it, even though I read every word. Certainly, Mia's story is compelling. It's tragic and sad. It's a beautiful story, or it should be. But it didn't do anything for me. I loved learning about Mia and her connection to/with music. As a violinist (ex-violinist?), I could understand her love, even though I've never felt that much of a connection myself. This is not something you see in most YA books and even in most books generally, so I found it to be beautiful and extremely well written.

I liked the exploration of Mia's relationship with her family, especially her brother, and her friends. They were semi-compelling for me. I could see why others might have enjoyed this book a lot more, but again, nothing was particularly spectacular to me. Just meh. I did love Kim as a character, and she really stood out to me in this book. She felt fully formed, and she was interesting. In a sea of pretty forgettable characters (not all, but for the most part), she stuck out. I also found the pace to be really slow, and though the back and forth between past and present was interesting, it was also very jarring at times. It felt as if we were moving on to something else before the scene was already done.

Perhaps the biggest hindrance to my enjoyment of the book and the most disappointing aspect was Mia and Adam's relationship. To be quite honest, I didn't really feel their connection. There were small glimpses here or there where I could start to skim the surface of their relationship, but otherwise, it felt really empty. It felt awkward and at times one-sided, and it just irked me for some reason.

I can't say I hated the book, however. It just didn't really work for me, and it didn't wow me. There were scenes that I loved and scenes that I hated or winced about (Mia playing Adam like a cello? Awkward as heck, let me tell you). At the end of the day, I liked the book, but it doesn't stand out in any way in the sea of other books.

If I Stay: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository

Gayle Forman: Website | Twitter | Facebook

Review: The Walled City by Ryan Graudin (ARC)

The Walled City by Ryan Graudin
Publisher: Little, Brown
Release Date: November 4th, 2014

730. That's how many days I've been trapped.

18. That's how many days I have left to find a way out.

DAI, trying to escape a haunting past, traffics drugs for the most ruthless kingpin in the Walled City. But in order to find the key to his freedom, he needs help from someone with the power to be invisible....

JIN hides under the radar, afraid the wild street gangs will discover her biggest secret: Jin passes as a boy to stay safe. Still, every chance she gets, she searches for her lost sister....

MEI YEE has been trapped in a brothel for the past two years, dreaming of getting out while watching the girls who try fail one by one. She's about to give up, when one day she sees an unexpected face at her window.....

In this innovative and adrenaline-fueled novel, they all come together in a desperate attempt to escape a lawless labyrinth before the clock runs out.

"I couldn't put the book down, and I stayed up really late on a school night just to finish reading it."

Disclaimer: I received an eARC via Netgalley. This did not affect my review in any way, nor am I being compensated for this review.

 The Walled City was everything I was hoping it would be and more! I was drawn in by the fact that it takes place in Asia (there was an actual Walled City--Kowloon Walled City) with Asian characters. Hooray for diversity!

The book is fast-paced and suspenseful but not in a way that makes the story hard to follow. I couldn't put the book down, and I stayed up really late on a school night just to finish reading it. It's an interesting concept, set in a unique setting, and it's very well executed. The setting felt so real, and it isn't hard to picture the Walled City. Graudin's writing brings the story to life, and it draws you into the plot.

I absolutely love the characters and how they are written. Every one of them makes mistakes, but you can't not cheer for Dai, Mei Yee, and Jin. And as for the characters I don't love, I still think they're well-written, even if I hated them. ;) In addition, the sibling relationship between Jin and Mei Yee, which can be hard to achieve because of their circumstances but is shown through their thoughts and actions, is well-explored and is complex. I love the way it was written, and having a younger sister, I really connected with a lot of what Jin was thinking/going through because I think I would have felt the same way had I been in her position. I also enjoyed how the romance was very subtle and was secondary to the other relationships (friendships, siblings, parent/child, etc). Yes, it wasn't the greatest romance, nor was there much to it. Normally I would hate such a relationship, but I didn't mind it in The Walled City, likely because though it played a large role in some of the characters' actions, it was really just a small part of the overall story.

As I mentioned, the book is fast-paced and a lot is slowly revealed as the story progresses. One of the main revelations is in regards to what the countdown is about. I enjoyed the slow reveal of the pieces that make up Dai's story. We don't know much at the beginning, but we slowly figure it out. The countdown was slightly annoying and/or confusing before the reveal of what it was, but I thought the reveal/explanation itself was well done.

I don't fully understand Dai's parents and their thoughts on the entire situation, but it didn't hinder my enjoyment much. I also wish more had happened with Bon. I loved how he redeems himself, but. And similarly, I like how readers' feelings of Dai's redemption comes from his actions for Jin and Mei Yee more than anything else.

Honestly, I just can't stop thinking about the book, even though it's been a while since I've finished it. I highly recommend The Walled City!

The Walled City: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository

Ryan Graudin: Website | Twitter | Pinterest | Tumblr | Blog

Review: Find Me by Romily Bernard

Find Me by Romily Bernard
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: September 24th, 2013

“Find Me.”

These are the words written on Tessa Waye’s diary. The diary that ends up with Wick Tate. But Tessa’s just been found . . . dead.

Wick has the right computer-hacking skills for the job, but little interest in this perverse game of hide-and-seek. Until her sister Lily is the next target.

Then Griff, trailer-park boy next door and fellow hacker, shows up, intent on helping Wick. Is a happy ending possible with the threat of Wick’s deadbeat dad returning, the detective hunting him sniffing around Wick instead, and a killer taunting her at every step?

Foster child. Daughter of a felon. Loner hacker girl. Wick has a bad attitude and sarcasm to spare.

But she’s going to find this killer no matter what.

Because it just got personal.

"While I enjoyed the book, it left me feeling a bit disappointed."

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author. This did not affect my review in any way, nor am I being compensated for this review.

I'm not going to lie. I went into this book with pretty high expectations because so many of my blogging friends love this book and raved about it all the time. Unfortunately, while I enjoyed the book, it left me feeling a bit disappointed. 

The book's premise is what originally drew me in. It sounds intense and exciting, fast-paced and just right for me. I love crime shows, and I always love the sequences when they're hacking their way through a computer or a system. So intriguing! The book, however, remained a merely "okay" read for me.

Firstly, considering the situations and challenges the characters face in the book, particularly Wick, the book felt slow, dragging out parts that didn't need to be. The slow pace doesn't fit the expectation of something intriguing, as we're led to believe in the blurb. Everything develops slowly, moves slowly, etc. On the other hand, a lot seemed to be resolved quickly, particularly Wick's conflict with her father.

Secondly, while the characters themselves were interesting to read about, I really didn't feel Griff and Wick's romantic relationship. I like Griff on his own (A LOT), and for the most part, I enjoyed his interactions with Wick. However, when it was the two of them romantically, I really didn't feel any real connection. After so many people talked about Griff/Wick, I was hoping for a lot more.

My last big thing against the book was that after a while, it seemed like the diary excerpts were either repetitive or weren't really enhancing the story any more. At first, I really enjoyed those sections, but they seemed much less effective and necessary later in the book.

That being said, I did enjoy the book as a whole. I enjoyed the plot, and to some extent, it did hit my expectations. I loved the complexity of the situations, leaving you unsure of how much you agreed or disagreed with different characters' actions. There was a lot going on, but it wasn't overwhelming by any means. The relationships between the characters were generally well done, especially between Wick and her sister and Wick and her foster mother. 

Also that ending?! What a twist! I didn't see it coming at all. Now, I know I haven't said much about the positives and the reasons why I enjoyed the book, but there was something about it that I can't quite pinpoint. The story was still interesting and, for the most part, kept me engaged.

(I should really pick up my ARC of Remember Me and finally read it. Exciting stuff!)

Find Me: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository

Romily Bernard: Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | YouTube

Review: Strange and Ever After by Susan Dennard (ARC)

Strange and Ever After by Susan Dennard
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: July 22nd, 2014

In the conclusion to the trilogy that Publishers Weekly called “a roaring—and addictive—gothic world,” Eleanor Fitt must control her growing power, face her feelings for Daniel, and confront the evil necromancer Marcus...all before it’s too late.

He took her brother, he took her mother, and now, Marcus has taken her good friend Jie. With more determination than ever to bring this sinister man to justice, Eleanor heads to the hot desert streets of nineteenth-century Egypt in hopes of ending this nightmare. But in addition to her increasingly tense relationships with Daniel, Joseph, and her demon, Oliver, Eleanor must also deal with her former friend, Allison, who has curiously entangled herself in Eleanor’s mission.

With the rising dead chomping at her every move and Jie’s life hanging in the balance, Eleanor is convinced that her black magic will see her through to the bitter end. But there will be a price. Though she and the Spirit Hunters have weathered every battle thus far, there will be consequences to suffer this time—the effects of which will be irreversible. And when it’s over, only some will be able to live a strange and ever after.

"Strange and Ever After lived up to my expectations, even going beyond them."

"[Dennard] gets at the nuances of human life, and she knows how to craft her story realistically, even while it's set in a very unrealistic world/situation"

Disclaimer: I received an eARC on Edelweiss from HarperTeen. This did not affect my review in any way, nor am I being compensated for this post.

So I was supposed to review Strange and Ever After ages ago (around the end of July/early August), but I got so caught up in everything else that it just didn't happen. Anyway, I absolutely adore this series, and I was so excited to read the final book to the trilogy (despite being saddened by the fact that this is the last book). While the previous book suffered from "second book syndrome," Strange and Ever After lived up to my expectations, even going beyond them.

Dear gosh, this book has a little bit of everything, and it's honestly my favorite book of the series. Firstly, there's all the suspense and the plot twists, some of which I saw coming, some of which took me by surprise! The plot is fast-paced but still has its mix of great, memorable, slower intimate moments. The book really found a perfect balance between the two.

And all the feels too! There was romance, friendship, betrayal, and so much more. Each relationship is complex, just as each character is. Every single character is flawed and makes mistakes, but you still cheer for the good guys. Yes, there were many times when the characters annoyed me or times when I just wanted to smack them for being so dumb or oblivious or whatever, but at the end of the day, I love the Spirit Hunters, Eleanor, and even Oliver. Seeing how Eleanor's relationship with the Spirit Hunters after the events in the second book changed made the story so much more real; their interactions are ones that could actually occur in real life if all of these events had actually happened. In tandem, there's Oliver and El's evolving relationship, growing ever more complicated and complex but still so exciting to read about and experience in the book. There's also the interesting development of Jie and Oliver's relationship, which should seem surprising but isn't once it's broken down a bit and explained. Then, it makes complete sense considering all that both characters have been through and continue to struggle through, which brings me to my next point. Jie's trauma from being kidnapped and all that happened to her while she was under Marcus' influence, especially in terms of how violated and weak she felt, is really well-written. I'm so glad to see that trauma such as hers is discussed and isn't glossed over, as it is in many other books. It's ever-present, and it impacts her decisions, her relationships, etc. It's this holistic approach, as well as the holistic approach towards Eleanor's trauma in regards to her mother, that truly makes the book stand out among others in the same genre or with a similar plot.

Lastly, I want to mention the ending of the book and of the series. I won't spoil anything, but I think the end is really important and impactful. It left me in tears, but it reminded me of just how great of a writer Susan Dennard is. Besides her beautifully crafted story and world, she gets at the nuances of human life, and she knows how to craft her story realistically, even while it's set in a very unrealistic world/situation. When I was at the panel at Books of Wonder (Sarah J Maas' release party for HoF), Susan spoke about having realistic consequences in books. Realistically, with a book such as Strange and Ever After, there isn't going to be a completely happy ending. It's improbable that everyone will get through the fight alive. And it makes me SO happy that she did just that. The characters face real consequences, ones that they can't escape and that would likely occur if such events happened in real life. Yes, it broke my heart, but I can completely understand why Dennard wrote it. It makes sense. It's sad, but it's life. Just as there are consequences to war, there are consequences to the war they fight in the series. And seeing how the other characters honor the dead character (I'm intentionally leaving this very vague) made me sob but also made me smile. It's perfect.

Props to Susan Dennard for this amazing book and for this amazing series. I can't wait for Truthwitch! If you haven't read Something Strange and Deadly, the first book of the series, yet, get on it!

Strange and Ever After: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository

Susan Dennard: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Tumblr | Pinterest | YouTube

Mini Review: Stars and Swipes; Hugs and Misses by Wilhelm Staehle

Disclaimer: I received these for review from the publisher. This did not affect my thoughts in any way, nor am I being compensated for this.

Stars and Swipes by Wilhelm Staehle
Publisher: Quirk Books
Release Date: December 3rd, 2014

Stars and Swipes illuminates lesser-known--maybe for good reason--moments in US history. Join the Boston Terrier Tea Party, Lady Liberty struggling to flag down a cab in New York, and Lewis & Clarke & Dwayne for comedic insight into the Land of the Free. Send a historic barb to your favorite patriot!

Okay, I actually do really love this because I'm a fairly big history nerd but especially an American Revolution history nerd, so I got such a kick out of these cards. I loved most of them, and I just found them to be hilarious. I really want to share this with my US History teacher because I know she'd love it. I honestly can't even think about parting with some of these cards because they're just so great. I absolutely love this set, and if you're a history nerd, particularly an American history nerd, I highly recommend that you check this out!

Hugs and Misses by Wilhem Staehle
Publisher: Quirk Books
Release Date: December 3rd, 2014

Hugs and Misses is full of lovelorn ladies and roguish gentlemen suffering through painful encounter, indecent proposals, tasteless pick-up lines, and failed attempts at charm. The postcards feature the truths about love and relationships that we're not permitted to say aloud (lest we find ourselves sleeping upon the couch).

While I loved the history one, this one fell a bit short for me. I didn't enjoy this nearly as much, probably because I didn't find the jokes as funny. There were a few I didn't understand, a handful I really liked, and the rest were pretty mehh to me. I'm still not sure how I feel about this pack. I can see some people loving it, but it didn't stick completely with me. I might give this away at some point. ;)

Stars and Swipes: Quirk Books | Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Book Depository

Hugs and Misses: Quirk Books | Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Book Depository

Wilhelm Staehle: Website | Twitter | Facebook

TV Tuesday (#6): Spotlight: Orphan Black

Once a month on a Tuesday, I'll showcase a TV in some way, whether it be an episode review (or bundle), a discussion, some thoughts and reactions, Top Tens, a fan!mix, or a recommendation.

TV Show Showcase: The other day, I had a sudden burst of inspiration. I was thinking about Red Band Society and about my favorite and least favorite character(s) when I suddenly got this idea. For the next few weeks, I'll be spotlighting some of the many shows I watch.  I watch so many shows, but I still haven't talked about most of them on here. I could be writing reviews, but I've been so busy that it's already been a hassle to try to keep up with one or two shows, let alone write some reviews. So this is my way of mentioning and talking about the shows I love.

Today's show is one that I have talked about before, but I'm just too obsessed not to talk about it. It's my favorite show at the moment, hands down.

When did you first start watching the show? Why did you start watching it?

I'm not quite sure! I had known about it because I semi-follow BBC America, but I think I heard one of my friends praise the heck out of the show, and I decided that I needed to watch it. It was probably mid-season 1 when I started watching, possibly earlier. I've been hooked ever since, and I'm SO glad I found this show. Literally the best thing ever. I NEED MORE.

Who's your favorite character?

THIS IS THE HARDEST QUESTION. But I think I have to go with Sarah and Felix. All the clones, really, but I think Sarah edges out a tiny bit. I really love them all, and I love Delphine and Kira and Mrs. S (well, I did then didn't then did) and Paul (well, I did then didn't then did then didn't then did) and Cal.

Who's your least favorite character?

Leekie or Vic or Tomas or the Proletheans

Favorite guest star or addition to the cast?

Cal, Gracie, Doctor Marian (excited to know where the plot is going), Mark. Don't make me pick, though it's probably Cal. 

Favorite episode?

HOW ABOUT ALL OF THEM?!

What's your favorite aspect of the show?

Aren't you tired of hearing about it? It's so intense and well-paced in that it's quick but allows you to follow the plot. I love all the plot twists. I love how it explores the complexity of people and shows changing relationships and character growth. The cast is literal perfection, especially Tatiana Maslany. This show is so near perfect I hope it'll remain that way forever. 

What's your least favorite aspect of the show?

That it's so short! 10 episodes per season and per year! There are also times when some of the characters annoy me or give me second-hand embarrassment, but in the end, I still love it.

OTP and/or ships?

Conflicted between Sarah/Paul and Sarah/Cal. Delphine/Cosima. Gracie/Mark.

What do you think/predict about the future of the show?

I HOPE IT NEVER ENDS. But in all seriousness, they could take this show anywhere. I have faith that it'll remain perfect and amazing, and I hope I'm not wrong. I think there's a chance it'll become more mainstream, but it's already a cult-favorite. Sure, it's not big-big, likely because it's hard for many people, myself included, to find a place to watch the show, but there's such a large following. I can that only growing, and it makes me so excited. I hope my love never dies.

Website | Twitter

Review: Side Show on Broadway

Disclaimer: I, and a guest, was invited to see Side Show in exchange for a mention on the blog (thank you to Side Show and 87AM). This, however, does not affect my review in any way.

I have to be honest. I barely knew anything about Side Show when I was first contacted about the show. I had seen the image from when I had been in the city, but I hadn't heard about the show. But as soon as I read about it, I got super excited because it sounded like the kind of show I'd love.

And I enjoyed it more than I was already anticipating, though there were some flaws that keep me from being completely in love with the show. But the good stuff first.

The cast was fabulous, with some standout performances. Erin Davey (Violet Hilton) and Emily Padgett (Daisy Hilton) were spectacular in their own way; their acting was so amazing, and they both truly captured the two girls and their similarities and differences. My personal favorites were David St. Louis, who killed it as Jake, Brandon Bieber, dancer extraordinaire, and Charity Angel Dawson, who was my favorite member of the freaks cast because of her voice. His voice is just mind-blowing, and I really hope he'll land another role soon because more people need to be exposed to his talent. Charity Angel Dawson (Fortune Teller) also had an amazing voice, and actually, both David and Charity's voices really shined in the song "The Devil You Know." And as a dancer, I loved Brandon Beiber's dancing; it stuck out to me right away, and I wasn't surprised to find out that he's the dance captain. But honestly, the entire cast, particularly "the freaks," were just great, and the chemistry between everyone was evident.

Next was the singing and the score. Wow! I really loved the big numbers, and I also love how there are silly ones, some deeply emotional ones, and some in between. I feel like that truly fit the tone of the show--a bit light and funny at times, deeply emotional and heartbreaking at times, some in-between times, but overall amazing. There were some songs that seemed a bit unnecessary--some did break up the drama and add a bit of humor--and seemed to break a bit away from the story, but at the end, I really enjoyed the music as a whole.

The last thing is the costumes and sets in general. The moving Freaks set reminded me so much of when I saw Newsies, but that'll lead me in a different direction. So I was a tad irked afterward about how it was mentioned once that this takes place during the Depression but you never really see any of that, but then I remembered the life Daisy and Violet were living for most of the plot, and it didn't really bother me. I especially loved Daisy and Violet's outfits, of course. (Also, that on-stage costume switch was just so woah! to see, despite a slight wardrobe malfunction for one of the girls.)

Now, onto some of the more bothersome parts...to be honest, it was mostly in regards to the plot. The story seemed to be going in an upward projection for the first part of the show, but somewhere along the way, it began to fall apart, leaving me disappointed by the end. Firstly, there were some character-related issues. Though I absolutely loved Jake, it felt like he was in and out of the story and thus in and out of the girls' lives, which of course wasn't true from what we were told. It just felt like he was a plot device when he could've been a much more stellar character. (Also, the not-so-subtle racial undertones were noted.) Then there was the fact that all the romantic plot lines were just so weak--there was seemingly no chemistry between any of the characters involved other than the bond between the sisters themselves. The Jake-Violet part was only semi-hinted at in the beginning but hardly continued in any way. Maybe it was meant to be a surprise, but it just didn't feel that way. But for me, the worst was the Terry-Daisy and Buddy-Violet romances because it seemed either convenient or like a trick meant to further make the girls stay with them and the vaudeville show. There seemed to be little actual chemistry, though they sure tried to make it seem like there was something there. And the hinting that Buddy's gay but oh-I-guess-not-because-wedding! was cringe-worthy at best, and it made the whole romance-might-be-a-ploy idea seem not too far-fetched. I really thought the thing with Buddy was going to lead somewhere, but his possibly being gay was just never brought up again and later didn't seem like had ever been hinted.

And perhaps what bothered me most was the end itself. So I know the show is based on the real lives of the Hilton sisters, but seeing as how the show was already changed a bit for this revival, I don't see why they couldn't change the end a bit. I feel like part of what drew me to the show when I read about it was the fact that it was supposed to be about the girls coming to accept who they are and then through that, learning to do what they want and figure out what's best for them without letting someone dictate that. They went from the hands of Sir to the arguably manipulative Terry (and Buddy), which was another never-mentioned-again plot lines that seemed important but was messed up because of the messed up romances, and then SPOILERS into the hands of a guy making a movie about them called Freaks. This leaves me feeling conflicted because on the one hand, perhaps they're okay with being freaks in the eyes of the world because they understand that the world will always see them that way and that they were the ones who changed inside. On the other hand, it feels like the entire journey the girls when through didn't matter because they're still just freaks and being taken advantage of by the movie director or producer or whoever. END SPOILER The ending just felt so anti-climactic and slightly disappointing, especially since the first half had set up for a great second half, which failed to deliver.

Overall, the show was enjoyable though certainly not my favorite. Many flaws in the characters and plot kept the show from being spectacular and on top of its game. I would say, if you have the time to see the show before it closes, go do so and quickly because the show ends on January 4th (!!!). The music and acting are really amazing, and if the show had a stronger plot, the show would've been ever greater. But if you can't find the time, it's not the end of the world. I'm sad the show won't have a longer run, but I'm happy to have been exposed to it this time around.

And thanks again to Side Show and 87AM for the opportunity to see the show before it closes.

Side Show: Website (buy tickets!) | Twitter

TV Tuesday (#5): Spotlight: Red Band Society

Once a month on a Tuesday, I'll showcase a TV in some way, whether it be an episode review (or bundle), a discussion, some thoughts and reactions, Top Tens, a fan!mix, or a recommendation.

So it's been a while...but the other day, I had a sudden burst of inspiration. I was thinking about Red Band Society and about my favorite and least favorite character(s) when I suddenly got this idea. For the next few weeks, I'll be spotlighting some of the many shows I watch. It'll (mostly) be the same set of questions, and I'll try to stay on top of this. I watch so many shows, but I still haven't talked about most of them on here. I could be writing reviews, but I've been so busy that it's already been a hassle to try to keep up with one or two shows (currently those two are Red Band Society and NCIS:LA).

Since Red Band Society inspired this post (and I'm really sad it's been abandoned by Fox), my first spotlight will be for the show!

When did you first start watching the show? Why did you start watching it?

I started watching it maybe the second or third week into the show because I had been hearing so much about it. Much of it was mixed, but I grew increasingly interested in the show. I've been watching it ever since! It's far from perfect, but there's something about it that leaves me wanting to watch it week after week.

Who's your favorite character?

I can't pick just one! I'd say Nurse Jackson, Leo, and Emma. I love how snarky Nurse Jackson is, but at the same time, we know just how much she cares. I've loved Leo since the very first episode; I can't pinpoint why, but I just do (there have been times when I've wanted to smack some sense into him, but he's still one of my favorites). I love Emma because I love her story-arc the most, and I can see pieces of her within myself.

Who's your least favorite character?

Definitely Jordi. Jordi has grated at my insides since he was first on the show. I'm not quite sure why, but I just don't like his attitude and the way he acts. He just seems so arrogant? Yeah, I feel bad about him and his background, but I can't stand the dude.

Favorite guest star or addition to the cast?

Hunter (Daren Kagasoff) for sure! I think Doctor Erin Grace (Mandy Moore) is a close second. Sure, the whole plot line with Hunter and Kara was pretty predictable, but I LOVE IT SO MUCH. I also love how complex his character is. I'm enjoying Doctor Erin Grace on the show, but the plot line with her and Doctor McAndrew is much more mehh for me (great for McAndrew's character development but perhaps not so much for Erin).

Favorite episode?

Either Know Thyself or How Did We Get Here? I think....I don't really know! There are positives and negatives for each episode...

What's your favorite aspect of the show?

Honestly, it's Emma's anorexia. I think this is most well-developed story line, and it's one of the strongest ones on the show. It addresses both sides of it, the patient (Emma) and those around her, watching her suffer but not knowing what to do. I love that we got to see how it affected/affects her family, but I think it's also so important to see how it has affected her. All the destructiveness and the feeling of being lost and out of control. It's just so powerful, and I would continue watching just for her story.

What's your least favorite aspect of the show?

There are many things about each individual episode that bother me, but I guess if I had to pinpoint one, it'd be the overwhelming number of romances and romantic conflicts on the show. Not everyone needs to be involved! I think it works and makes sense for certain characters, but does everyone need to have some kind of romantic tension??? I think Hunter and Kara's relationship is important, as is Emma and Leo's and to a lesser extent Doctor McAndrew and Doctor Erin's relationship. But the others (and that horrible love triangle, which (slight spoiler) might now have shifted to a different one) are just too much. I was expecting more friendship, less romance, but alas...*pulls out hair*

OTP and/or ships?

Emma and Leo, and Hunter and Kara! But I do think, on Emma and Leo's front, that Emma really does need to first come to love herself. She's so blinded by her hate for herself and by her disorder, and it makes Leo so...awkward, but I really do love their relationship so much. I think it's a great way to get a deeper look into Emma and to her disorder, and I think it complements both of their struggles. 

What do you think/predict about the future of the show?

It's definitely not going to be continued, sadly. I think there are just not enough viewers. It's really sad for me, and I'll really miss the show. I guess in the long run, it was really the way they looked at certain aspects of the characters that will stick with me, while most of it will fade for me. It's not the best show, but it's not the worst. I'll be sad to see it go, but as long as it's not left too open-ended, I think I'll eventually be okay with it. Can another show explore eating disorders the way this show does though?

You can catch Red Band Society Wednesdays @ 9 PM EST on Fox!
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(If there are any questions you'd like me to answer, I'll add them in future spotlights. :) I may add some more as they come to me as well.)