Review: Thor: The Dark World Movie

Hmm...what can I say about Thor: The Dark World? Well, I have a lot to say, but I'm not sure how to best do so.

I suppose we can start with the acting and characters. Firstly, I was disappointed that Jane Foster, a completely competent woman, gave up all her work once Thor left. Fine, I sort of get it, but move on with your life! Maybe I say this because I've never been heartbroken, but she's an amazing scientist. Why give up on everything just because Thor's gone? She knew he'd leave. What if he never came back? Would she have lived the rest of her life that way? What a shame. 

Besides Jane, I continue to be a huge fan of Darcy, although come on, we knew what would happen with Ian in the mix. But Darcy continues to be hilarious and Kat Dennings does a fantastic job. I don't have much to say about Ian, but he's okay as a character. Erik was...interesting, to say the least. Jaimie Alexander continued to be great in her role as Sif, though I was annoyed that while she seemed independent, she was portrayed to be someone that's just jealous of Jane because she (Sif) likes Thor. Like come on!

Tom Hiddleston and Christ Hemsworth continue to portray their characters well. I continue to enjoy the mischievous,  manipulative Loki, and I think Hiddleston portrays that well. Also, that little scene where [retracted for spoilers] shows up was awesome and hilarious! And Chris continues to portray a really interesting character. I can't say he's (Thor) changed a lot, but I think Chris does a good job of showing the emotions and actions of Thor.

Lastly, Christopher Eccleston!!! If you know anything about me, you know I am a Doctor Who fan and that I love Nine. Don't ask me about which Doctor I like most because you'll get a super long explanation. Moving on, Eccleston does a fabulous job as Malekith. Definitely creepy. Definitely villain-y. My personal favorite parts are the times when you can hear Eccleston's voice. They just reminded me of Doctor Who. *cries*

Speaking of being reminded of something else, for at least half of the movie, all I was thinking about was the similarities and parallels between Thor: The Dark World and Star Wars. Okay, part of it may be that Natalie Portman was in both (by Star Wars, I mostly mean Episodes 1-3). I really would elaborate on this further but again, I don't want to spoil anything. Let's just say, that it kind of took away from my overall enjoyment of the movie. Sure, it was a great movie, but really. I love Star Wars, but I'd rather not think about it as I watch Thor. Maybe it's inevitable. Maybe it's just me.

Additionally, there's the whole predictability factor. Maybe I've just watched too many of these types of movies. Maybe it's supposed to be a little predictable. Maybe that's inevitable. I don't know, but there were so many times where I knew what would happen. Sure, there were a few surprises, but it could've been better.

Overall, this was an enjoyable movie with really great acting. (Also, did you know I met Zachary Levi the day I watched the movie? Heck yes.)

[Sorry, I was just listening to some really great music, and everything else I was about to write just escaped me and jumped out the window, so uh...I guess this is it. *sigh*]

Characterize It (#2): The Wicked Witch of the West (Favorite Villain)

Hosted by Em @ The YA Book Butterfly

The Wicked Witch of the West (Favorite Villain)

This one's a hard one, mainly because I have to think about the villains in the books I've read! I guess I could go with an obvious one...

Bellatrix Lestrange FROM Harry Potter

Lord Voldemort FROM Harry Potter

Yes, both. For different reasons. I love Bellatrix because she's the villain that I love to hate. I really love her as a villain. She's ruthless, cunning, dark, independent, crazy (subjective), and all of that stuff. I don't know why, but I've just always liked her as a villain.

And of course, there's Voldie. :P What do I say about him? I enjoyed how Rowling gave him such a strong, specific background. You could see where he went wrong and what led him to become the villain that he is. (I still like Bellatrix better as a villain, but I didn't think it'd be fair to put Bellatrix and not Voldemort.)

Who's your favorite villain?

Review: Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard

Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: July 24th, 2012

The year is 1876, and there’s something strange and deadly loose in Philadelphia…

Eleanor Fitt has a lot to worry about. Her brother has gone missing, her family has fallen on hard times, and her mother is determined to marry her off to any rich young man who walks by. But this is nothing compared to what she’s just read in the newspaper—

The Dead are rising in Philadelphia.

And then, in a frightening attack, a zombie delivers a letter to Eleanor…from her brother.

Whoever is controlling the Dead army has taken her brother as well. If Eleanor is going to find him, she’ll have to venture into the lab of the notorious Spirit-Hunters, who protect the city from supernatural forces. But as Eleanor spends more time with the Spirit-Hunters, including their maddeningly stubborn yet handsome inventor, Daniel, the situation becomes dire. And now, not only is her reputation on the line, but her very life may hang in the balance.

I'm going to start off by saying that I was not expecting to love this book as much as I do. It's probably something I'd pick up to read, but not one I'd like so much.

All of the characters are extremely complex and thought out. They all have complicated (in a good way) backgrounds that leave you wanting to know more. And although the situation is a little less than real, unless you've seen the Dead walking around, the characters feel so tangible and real. You actively cheer them on, you cry with them, you feel their frustrations, and you maybe even hate them. 

The plot is also riveting and exciting. While there are some slower parts, that's only to be expected, and it gives you a slight break from all the movement. Even if you're not a fan of historical fiction or of zombie books or whatever, this book is so much more than just that. It's also about relationships and society and how we're led to make decisions we would never want to.

Another aspect that I loved was that I found the book to be less descriptive and more character and plot driven. I'm the type of reader that hates to be bogged down by description unless it's really important. Susan Dennard does a fantastic job of describing the important things so that you get a sense of the setting without it being overwhelming. I found that many parts also had more telling than showing. Perhaps you don't view this as a good thing (although there's plenty of showing as well, don't worry), but as someone that struggles with the concept of "show not tell," I really enjoyed the bluntness of some of the statements and facts. It didn't take away from the story, and it didn't leave you hung over on what it means so that it would slow you down.

I literally only have two criticisms, and they're both pretty small in the grand scheme of things. Firstly, if you didn't know beforehand, it'd be very hard to figure out exact which time period the book is set in. You can tell that it's in the Victorian era by how society is in the book, but it's hard to get an exact date, unless you know about the history of Philadelphia, I suppose. And my other minor criticism is that one of the plot twists (I guess you could call it that) was extremely easy to predict. It made it less of a big deal because you're already expecting it, but the other plot twist was one I didn't see coming (there was some foreshadowing beforehand but). 

This is a fantastic read, and I highly recommend it.

You can find Something Strange and Deadly on: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble | The Book Depository | IndieBound

You can find Susan Dennard on: Her website | Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr

Cover Reveal: Learning to Swim by Annie Cosby

I'm so excited to share this with you guys because Jayne had recommended me to Annie Cosby as one of the bloggers to reveal this cover. :D

First, let me be honest, aspects of the cover aren't usually my type of thing. BUT then I read the synopsis and BAM! I wanted to reveal this cover because I think it's a really interesting book, at least judging from the synopsis. (Also, there are aspects of this cover that I LOVE. You'll probably agree with me on some of those aspects.)

Before I reveal the cover, here's that synopsis I mentioned. Maybe it's your thing, maybe it's not. It's probably my thing though. xD

When Cora’s mother whisks the family away for the summer, Cora must decide between forging her future in the glimmering world of second homes where her parents belong, or getting lost in the bewitching world of the locals and the mystery surrounding a lonely old woman who claims to be a selkie creature—and who probably needs Cora more than anyone else.

Through the fantastical tales and anguished stories of the batty Mrs. O’Leary, as well as the company of a particularly gorgeous local boy called Ronan, Cora finds an escape from the reality of planning her life after high school. But will it come at the cost of alienating Cora’s mother, who struggles with her own tragic memories?

As the summer wanes, it becomes apparent that Ronan just may hold the answer to Mrs. O’Leary’s tragic past—and Cora’s future.
Now, without further ado...THE COVER.

[Drum roll]

I love the font and how it connects the L in Learning to the S in Swim. Looks awesome, doesn't it? Also, that little sparkle is such a nice extra touch! And it looks cute and fun (and possibly feels-y because all seemingly cute and fun books are feels inducing). :D

Thanks to Annie Cosby for asking me to be part of this cover reveal! I hope you all like the cover and check out the book! 

You can find Annie on: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Review: You Knew Me When by Emily Liebert (ARC)

You Knew Me When by Emily Liebert
Publisher: NAL Trade (Penguin)
Release Date: September 3rd, 2013

Best friends forever… until life got in the way. Katherine Hill left her small New England hometown in pursuit of a dream. Now, twelve years later, she’s a high-powered cosmetics executive in Manhattan and a much glossier version of her former self, unrecognizable to her family and old friends. Not that she would know—she hasn’t been home in over a decade.

Laney Marten always swore she’d never get "stuck” in Manchester, Vermont. No, she was destined to live out her glamorous big-city dreams. Instead, she wound up a young wife and mother. That was when her best friend ran out.

When Katherine receives word of an inheritance from former neighbor Luella Hancock, she reluctantly returns home to the people and places she left behind. Hoping for a second chance, she’s met by an unforgiving Laney, her former best friend. And there’s someone else who’s moved on without her—someone she once loved.

Tethered to their shared inheritance of Luella’s sprawling Victorian mansion, Katherine and Laney are forced to address their long-standing grudges. Through this, they come to understand that while life has taken them in different directions, ultimately the bonds of friendship and sisterhood still bind them together. But are some wounds too old and deep to mend?

Note: I received this as a Goodreads First-reads winner and have not been paid to write a review for the book.

I'm going to start off by saying that this isn't normally my type of book. I don't even completely know why I entered the giveaway other than the fact that it's a book about friendship. BUT now, I really love this book. 

The premise of the novel is actually pretty interesting, and although I don't normally like books that switch perspectives much less time frames, it's extremely well done in the book. The switching of POVs allows you to look at each situation from both sides, and it makes you ache for Katherine and Laney's (lost) friendship even more. The changing time frames was well done because it not only added to the story, but as the period changed, so did the POV, not in terms of the characters but rather from first to third person. It made the transitions smooth, and you always know whether you're in the past or the present. It worked favorably because the past moved in the opposite of the present so that only by the end of the novel do you know the entire story of what split the girls up, and it has a much more powerful impact. 

This book really made me think about the friends that I have and how friendships work. We always wonder whether or not we'll stay friends with the people we're friends with now, and this book makes you possibly rethink that answer. The book may be considered chick-lit, which I usually don't read, but it's fantastic. I'll be honest; I cried during certain parts of this book. I wasn't expecting to, but it's just so real, especially if you've ever lost a childhood friend along the way. (Also, there's a really cute (sort of) couple, and I just want to squeal over them, but that's a different matter.)

My one concern is that while the main and major characters are extremely complex and well thought out, the minor characters (this doesn't include Grant, Laney's husband (whose name I'm blanking out on), or Laney's daughter (whose name I'm also forgetting at the moment)) are much more bland and one-dimensional. Of course, this can be expected, given that they are minor characters, but Emily Liebert does such a great job of crafting the important characters that the others just felt...empty. Also, you could basically piece together what happened between Katherine and Grant in the past, but maybe that's not such a bad thing. ;)

All in all, I'd recommend this book, perhaps not to someone that only reads fantasy, adventure, and action books, but I'd suggest trying it out even if it's not normally your type of book.

You can find You Knew Me When on: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

You can find Emily Liebert on: Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter | her official website.

Review: Sea of Monsters Movie

(Photo Credit)

Note: I'm reading this review over again, and I am SO sorry for my over use of "(really) well done." But this is an old review, so I'll leave it. -1/10/14

Before I start with this review I should make it clear that it's been a while since I've read the book, and I'm a bit fuzzy on the details of the events. There are also some minor spoilers for anyone who hasn't read the book.

So this movie was definitely a lot better than the first movie. It was much truer to the book, albeit some changes and differences (though these were much more manageable than in the first PJO film).

First, here are the good things, or at least the things I liked about the movie. Grover was still fantastic and funny. The entire scene with Hermes was great, particularly the Firefly reference. Mr. D was hilarious and very well done. I could definitely see the similarities between Mr. D in the movies and in the books. The taxi cab was very well done, and I thought it was a well-paced scene. I'm also fairly satisfied with the way they brought Luke back, and Jake Abel is greater than ever. He felt a lot colder and resentful in this movie, and I thought it was very well done. Additionally, one of my favorite scenes was the oracle scene, even though it's a bit off. It was more of the way they presented it that made an impression on me. Lastly, the ending set up The Titan's Curse really well, and I believe it was pretty spot on.

Now, the not-so-good aspects...Firstly, Annabeth is still an extremely flat character. She doesn't seem unique or different from the other background characters other than the fact that she's with Percy and Grover. She isn't shown to be the same Annabeth we know and love in the books. She's not as clever, witty, or just as personable as she should be. The beginning voice-over was also a bit strange, and it felt really awkward. The scene with Kronos was also really weird, and it was one of the scenes that made me want to hit myself in the head because it was so far from the books (I think...I'm relying on what my sister remembers, so my apologies if I'm wrong). And lastly, I was just really confused about why Silena was apparently on the yacht with Luke and his "crew." I'm hoping that they don't mess up her story-line.

And there were so many things about this movie that I'm neutral on, or at least that I'm unsure about at the moment. One is Clarisse. While I think she's really well written and is snarky and arrogant without being overbearing, she's just not the Clarisse from the books. She's too pretty and almost too nice. BUT she's just very well done in the movies, and I enjoy her as a character, so I'm not sure. There are three other characters I'm not sure of yet. One is Tyson. I liked him in the movie, but he didn't make a huge impression. You could see the innocence and child-like side of him at times, but I'm not sure how I feel about him yet. Another is the new Chiron. I don't think he's bad at all, but I also quite liked the previous Chiron. I don't think I've seen enough of him to really judge, but I'm leaning towards really liking him. And the last character I'm definitely not sure about is Thalia, whose name I am still convinced is pronounced with the 'h.' I didn't like her in the books, and from the two minutes we saw her, she wasn't as snarky, BUT I can see her being that way. Given she's a character I didn't like in the books, that might influence my view on her later on, but I'm holding off judgement until at least Titan's Curse.

Before I get to the end, I just want to mention the pacing a bit. It actually wasn't that bad. I think that the middle slowed down a bit, but not to the point where you were getting bored. The very, very end was also a bit slow, but given that it's the end, it wasn't that bad and it set up the next movie well, so.

And on a last and separate note, while the wedding dress scene was okay, it didn't have the same impact or hilarity as it did in the books, and I was really looking forward to the Circe scene, which they changed into Circeland. It's not a big deal and doesn't change much, but I really wanted to see Percy turned into a guinea pig, and I think it would have been a great time to see Annabeth on her own (if I'm recalling the book correctly).

All in all, this was a major step up from the first movie, but there was still quite a bit that could have been improved on. I actually am excited to see the next movie, especially if they continue to improve them.

Summary Saturday (#2): 1/11/14

Sunday (1/5):

Promo: Vitro by Jessica Khoury (Corpus Giveaway)

Mondays (1/6):

Review: Orphan Black--Why Everyone Should Watch This Show

Music Monday: CHVRCHES
6 Month Blogiversary!

Tuesday (1/7):

N/A

Wednesday (1/8):

Review: Into the White (Covert Affairs)

Waiting on Wednesday: Nil by Lynne Matson

Thursday (1/9):

N/A

Friday (1/10):

Review: The Civil Wars by The Civil Wars

Saturday (1/11):

N/A

I hope you all had a great week!

Review: The Civil Wars by The Civil Wars

(Photo Credit)

Firstly, I love The Civil Wars, and I'm pretty upset that they're not even speaking to one another yet. But anyway, this is my review for their new album.

The Civil Wars is amazing, as I expected. Their sound is a bit different, but not in a bad way. Their voices continue to blend together perfectly, each with their own unique sound. The chemistry is still there when they sing. The songs are so meaningful, and I completely understand what Joy said when she said that it goes through their journey as a duo. This album is everything I was hoping that it would be.

My one criticism is that Joy completely overpowers John Paul on the album. They both have strong, powerful, and fantastic voices, but I think that John Paul was almost always covered by Joy. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it makes it seem like it's more of Joy's album than The Civil Wars', even if that wasn't the intention. Maybe they both agreed that it worked better like that. Maybe it was one of the reasons for the "internal discord." Whatever the reason, it doesn't make the music any less amazing, but it's certainly an aspect that made the album weaker.

Characterize It (#1): The Heavy Lifter ("Strong" Female Characters)

Hosted by Em @ The YA Book Butterfly

The Heavy Lifter ("Strong" Female Characters)

I put the quotations because I don't necessarily like the word strong, but it's the one used by the host, so I'm going to roll with it.

Anyway, I have a few choices (yeah, I'm cheating. Deal with it. xD). Here we go! (I'm so excited!)

Note: These are my personal opinions, and even for some of these, which I won't point out, I could argue against, but bear with me.

Eleanor Fitt FROM Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard

Celaena Sardothien FROM Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

Eva AND Addie FROM Once We Were by Kat Zhang (Note: This is book 2, but it applies to book 1)

June Iparis FROM Prodigy by Marie Lu (Note: Also a book 2, but applies to book 1)

Rory Deveaux FROM The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson

Andi Alpers AND Alexandrine Paradise FROM Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly

Waiting On Wednesday (#1): Nil by Lynne Matson

This feature is hosted by Breaking the Spine!

For more info on this feature, see my features page.

Nil by Lynne Matson
Publisher: Henry Holt (Macmillan)
Release Date: March 4th, 2014

On the mysterious island of Nil, the rules are set. You have one year. Exactly 365 days--to escape, or you die.

Seventeen-year-old Charley doesn’t know the rules. She doesn’t even know where she is. The last thing she remembers is blacking out, and when she wakes up, she’s lying naked in an empty rock field.

Lost and alone, Charley finds no sign of other people until she meets Thad, the gorgeous leader of a clan of teenage refugees. Soon Charley learns that leaving the island is harder than she thought . . . and so is falling in love. With Thad’s time running out, Charley realizes that to save their future, Charley must first save him. And on an island rife with dangers, their greatest threat is time.

 Why I Want to Read This Book

The premise just sounds amazing! And the new tagline is so intriguing. There's so much potential with this plot line and story, and I really hope it's as good as it sounds. Plus, this seems like a fast-paced book. I'm also intrigued by the fact that it seems like Charley has to save Thad, rather than the other way around. Yay! Lastly, after seeing various tidbits about the story, I'm excited to learn all about Nil.

Also, I know it has no impact on the writing or the story, but Lynne is so nice, and I love being part of the #NILTribe! :)

(Also, come on, the cover is amazing--both this new version and the old one.)