Sunday, February 28, 2010
Depresssed much...
Despite the fact that I am totally in love with these books, I can still look at them from a critical standpoint. Though the writing may not be amazing or deep or insightful, it is just a plain amazing story. It's a bit refreshing to have such a straightforward writing style. You get the feeling that miss Harris isn't concerned with being thought provoking or trying to leave an impression. She is simply concerned with conveying a fantastic story, which she accomplishes amazingly well. Though some aspects of the novels I can't help but go "Really?", say when the Fae was introduced and stuff like that. (Trying not to ruin anything here) Yet at the same time nothing is so outlandish that it makes you roll your eyes. The author does an excellent job inkeeping with the novels true story. Nothing happens that doesn't directly corrolate to the plot and I always enjoy trying to figure out the newest twist in the story. Believe me, there are plenty of twists. Sookie gets around a bit, though I honestly can't blame here. If I suddenly had about five supernatural suitors clammering for my attention, who were all amazingly gorgeous, but all in different ways, well... you know. Even though there are plenty of love interest possibilities I am the firm shipper of Eric/Sookie. Big, blond haired, blue eyed, Viking? Yes please!
Despite my slightly unhealthy obsession with this series as well as the tv show, it truly is a great story and I encourage everyone to read them. Though probably not as quickly as I devoured them. Bahahaha. Devoured. Vampire crack. Oh wow... I shall stop.
Posted by Ky at 10:43 AM 3 comments
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Fancy-ful Designs!
Yes I'm actually going to put a post up ON TIME! Amazing is it not?! Haha. Fancy-ful Designs is a way for me to feature album art, book covers, or just awesome fan-art that I think deserves some recognition. This weeks spotlight is on Kristen Cashore's Fire.
In addition to having a beautiful cover, it is also an amazing novel. A wonderful companion to Cashore's first novel, Graceling, it introduces the reader into another portion of the world. Somewhere so similar, yet so completely different from where Katsa is from. Those different are still feared and misunderstood, yet in an almost more terrifying way. Beautiful story, beautiful cover. What more can I say?
Posted by Ky at 7:01 PM 4 comments
Playing catch up...
Why does life have to be so crazy?! So I have been an extremely horrible sickening excuse of a person and have totally ignored the internet and all of its addicting wonders. Woe is me. So in a mix of work, homework, 65th Anniversaries, big-ass school projects, and more work, I haven't had time to update my blog in a whole week!!! Awful I know. I feel horrid. So now I'm playing catch up! So there is going to be a few posts all at once. Okay... probably more than a few. Haha.
TIME-WARP to last Thursday!!!
Dog Eared!
Anyway, don’t let the photo deter you. Peeps (not to be confused with those disgusting marshmallow wads of sick) is one of my favorite all time books. I think I’ve actually read this more than I have Two Princesses of Bamarre. Actually… I’m almost positive that I’ve read it WAY more. And despite the photo, this book is not scary in the slightest. It is quite possibly one of the most hilarious books of all time. It’s the perfect mix of intriguing plot, romance, humor, science, and win all combined into one. Peeps(short for Parasite Positive) are people infected by a disease. More commonly known as vampirism. Don’t you dare stop reading because I said it was about vampires! These Peeps are not your ordinary vampires. For one they are not steeped in mysticism. There is an actual scientific explanation for their existence. The main character is a carrier for the disease, and it’s his job to hunt down those he has spread the virus to. In his quest he discovers a plot that will literally shake the foundations of the world and everything he was taught to be true. It’s simply an amazing read. Plus every few chapters you get the coolest little snippets of modern day parasites that are prevalent in the world. You will never be able to look at your cat the same way again, knowing that he/she gave you toxoplasma that is now residing in your brain. In addition to being hilarious, this book is also highly educational. Haha. Overall it’s just an amazing read, and you will read it over and over again. I haven’t tired of it yet, and trust me I’ve read it very many times.
Posted by Ky at 6:41 PM 2 comments
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Fancy-ful Designs!
So yay! This is one of my pieces I have done in the past few years. Not really much to say about it. Other than the fact that this was my first water color and a bit of a pain in the butt. Haha.
Posted by Ky at 7:00 PM 1 comments
Vampires... again.
Blurb: This paranormal fantasy novel tells the tale of Sookie Stackhouse, a Louisiana barmaid with a disability--- she can read minds. This unusual ability causes most locals to think she is crazy and shun her. But then Bill walks into her bar, and he's a little unusual himself--- he's a vampire Sookie finds that she can't read vampire minds--- a restful experience--- and soon Sookie and Bill are dating. Bill even finds the time to meet Sookie's grandmother, and to speak on his Civil War experiences to her group.
But dating a vampire is not all sunshine and lollipops. Many people are biased against the newly-revealed vampires. And then there are the murders, which start with the violent death of one of Sookie's co-workers. Her brother Jason is suspected. Then Sookie's grandmother becomes a victim as well, and Sookie worries that she was the intended victim.
My Review: What I found I adored most about these books was the straightforward-ness of the story. Some of the more mysterious parts could have been incredibly more dramatic. Yet at the same time I'm glad they weren't. Harris keeps to her style through and through and doesn't try to fancy it up with hype and suspense. It's something I really enjoy about these books. They are just a great story, unblemished by gimmicks. Sookie and Bill are even more adorable together in the novel than in True Blood, I'm pleased to say. These books are just such a fresh take on vampires, and I've yet to read any other book (except maybe Sunshine by Robin McKinley) that handles vampires quite this way before. What makes it even more amazing is the fact that these books were out way before any of the vampmire hype consumed hormonal teenagers everywhere. They are truly original and not playing off of someone else's success. I actually found that Twilight basically copied the basic romantic relationship and just switched some things around. As much as I love to diss Twilight I won't dwell on that. I greatly appreciated the fact that True Blood followed the novel incredibly well. Of course they took their license with some things, but it was incredibly close I am pleased to say. Overall, just a great series that I can't wait to read more of! I'll stop my rambling now.
Posted by Ky at 6:04 PM 0 comments
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Blood is all too sweet
I love the traditional, yet new take on vampires and vampire society. It's dark and dirty and yes I admit it, sexy. I do not think I have ever been motivated by a tv show to read the books. Thank goodness I have all of them downloaded onto my lovely handy dandy laptop. Teehee. It kept me guessing after each episode, and was never predictable. I loved how Bill isn't drop dead gorgeous. Just dark and brooding with a classic handsome going on. Sookie is amazing as well. She's such a sweet and caring person you just can't not adore her.
If I haven't made my love for this clear, I am willing to pay to have HBO now just so I can watch the new episodes because I'm dying for the second season! And to give a clearer view of how addicting this show is, my own mother stayed up till four a.m. with me watching this. I shall even quote her exact words "I'm so tired, yet I just don't want to stop watching!"
Posted by Ky at 1:38 PM 0 comments
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Dog Eared
So in a fit of creative inspiration I thought it would be a cool idea to do a weekly little snipit of some of my most worn "dog eared" books that I love to read over and over.... and over again. Not only will I be overwhelmed with nostolgic feelings for forgotten but still adored stories, but hopefully I'll be spreading the love of my most beloved books as well.
Posted by Ky at 9:03 PM 0 comments
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Another reason to love the undead!
Trust me you'll catch on pretty quick with the Rules to Survival. I have to say Rule Number 2 is my personal favorite. Double Tap baby. It's horribly cliche and ridiculous but it is so funny! I was doing the slap- thigh throughout the whole movie. (I tend to do slap-thigh a lot if you can't tell)
I can't even describe this movie well. I was trying to do a good review of this and actually tell you what it's about, but I just have this big goofy grin on my face.
Hilarity: Five stars!
Just go rent it. Seriously. You'll thank me.
Posted by Ky at 3:41 PM 0 comments
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Whip it! Whip it good!
In Whip It, directed by Drew Barymore, Miss Page does another excellent job. She's an inspiring model for young girls to take charge of their life and pursue something they enjoy for the love of it. Her character goes from being incredibly timid, to embracing her inherent ability to kick ass. It's a story of transformation and self discovery. Plus it's laugh out loud hilarious about 85% of the time. I was laughing so hard, I literally did the slap-thigh action. As horrible as that is, it's true. Plus a hot, shaggy haired, skinny jeaned, singer with an accent just adds on to the awesomeness.
I really want to try Roller-Derbies now,.... though I have a feeling I'd get my ass kicked. Talk about some tough chicks. I will forever be a fan of the Hurl-Scouts. (I'm a Girl Scout, and I found this extremely funny)
Acting: Five stars!
Story/ Plot: Five stars!
Overall: Five stars! It was just an amazing movie that I could watch over and over again. It's cute and adorable yet inspiring at the same time. I'm looking forward to more movies starring Ellen Page. ^.^
Posted by Ky at 8:07 PM 0 comments
The Best New YA Read!
And then Finn finds a crystal key that allows him to communicate with a girl named Claudia. She claims to live Outside- she is the daughter of the Warden of Incarceron, and doomed to an arranged marriage. Finn is determined to escape the prison, and Claudia believes she can help him. But they don't realize that there is more to Incarceron than meets the eye. Escape will take their greatest courage and cost more than they know.
My Review: Three words for you. OH MY GOD! And just for emphasis... OH MY FREAKIN GOD! What can I say? I mean really? Just utterly fantastic! I can't believe that I have never heard of this before hand, because 1) It's already out on paperback in the UK and 2) It was so amazing I'm surprised no one else has read this! Aside from my utter fangirlish-ness, there is some basis on why I am dancing around clutching this to my chest begging for more.
Not only were the characters well developed and enjoyable, but even the side characters I loved. Those characters who were supposed to be disliked, I found myself loving them anyway. The dynamics between Finn and Claudia were excellent and well balanced, keeping you at the edge of your seat. It went from one climatic scene to another, and just back and forth continually. It was incredibly well written. I felt like I was reading an adult fantasy novel. The ideas were so mature in a novel way. Hopefully that makes sense because I can’t begin to describe it. I guess what I’m trying to say is that it doesn’t read like your typical YA novel. The concept of Protocol, in which society has been essentially frozen in time to prevent progress, is such an interesting concept I found myself wanting to hop right into the novel. Incarceron is dark and edgy and just overall an amazing piece of literature. I’m forcing myself to wind this down because I know I won’t be able to stop praising this book. I honestly haven’t read a YA book this truly sensational for a very long time. The only thing I can compare it to is Hunger Games, but even that doesn’t truly compare. If my outrageously long review isn’t convincing you, well let’s just say I read this for about an hour on a Saturday night, the next morning I continued reading it until I was finished because I had to go to work. I read it THAT fast. Go. Buy. It. NOW!
Posted by Ky at 7:34 PM 2 comments