johanpatricksy

Not The Girl You Used To Know
A review onDanielle Paige’s Dorothy Must Die


Title: Dorothy Must Die
Author: Danielle Paige
Series:Dorothy Must Die #1
Rank: 97th book in 2014

Plot movement: 4stars
Entertainment Factor: 5stars
Characters: 4stars
Writing Style: 4stars
Details: 4stars
Provoking: 4stars
Action Scenes: 3stars
Suspense: 4stars
Conclusion: 4stars
Emotion: 4stars

Therefore
And here she is….. Dorothy. Ooooops! Yes, this is her legend but this is not her story. She is not the girl you used to know.

I honestly don’t know the story behind The Wizard of Oz. I didn’t read the story or even watched a play regarding Oz. I’m totally new as baby reading this novel. Luckily, the author recalled the previous story on her previous novella which is No Place Like Oz (4stars) so I had a glimpse of the legendary Dorothy Gale. Early 2013, there was a movie which is Oz, The Great and Powerful. Unluckily, I didn’t watch the movie because I’m busy with my field study teaching. Another cross marked to encounter the magical world of Oz. That time, I’m so obsessed listening to the movie’s OST which is Almost Home by Mariah Carey. I’m really hooked with the beat and its powerful lyrics. Since I’m reading Dorothy Must Die, I keep the song repeating on my player. What can I say; I immersed myself to the song while reading the novel. I’m so in love with the magical presence strong as the lion’s courage here in this book.

Characters from the original story were presented here in re-telling of Oz. Dorothy, together with her friends like Tin man, Scarecrow, Lion and Glinda– The Witch of South. It all started with the new Oz, not The Wizard of Oz but Dorothy’s Oz. After claiming the throne for the right heir which is Ozma, Dorothy was crowned as the Princess of Oz. But unlike the previous Oz, the land encountered a very great change. The land was worse than the time the Worse Witches were ruling the throne. The magic that keeps the Oz alive was lessened and lessened until the magic itself was rare on the land. Oz is not the place for laughter and peace, the terrain was place for fear and slavery. Because of hunger for power. The root of all the problem – MAGIC. The Oz began with magic and could end with magic.

The main protagonist is not Dorothy, in fact she was the main villain in the story. Funny how the author made the desirable character undesirable. I am used to retelling which the original protagonist was still the protagonist on the new story but not with Paige’s world. Yes! Dorothy must die because all of the fear and tears was all her fault. She ruined the magical land of Oz. If you can still recall her contribution on the freedom of Oz, it seems the she put the world into chaos. Hunger, fear, anger and abuse were the effect of her reign. Amy Gumm was the main character in the story, same as Dorothy, she came from Kansas. Tornado was the way to let her enter to the world of Oz. I told you, same as Dorothy, she came from the Other Land and one thing, she was sent here to kill the one who was responsible for the suffering of the land, to kill Dorothy. Together with the Revolutionary Order of Wicked she joined Gert, Mumbis, Nox and Glamora to kill the princess. Good or wicked was not how we were going to classify the witches here. Good or not, they joined each other for rule out the evil.

Very entertaining story, what more can I add. Except for the cliffhanging ending. Paige wants us to wait for her next novel. To find out if Amy will kill Dorothy. I can’t wait for the next book. Please Paige, release a new book this year. The book contains too much conspiracy, secrets and confusing characters. The author keeps playing our emotion in her hands. I’m tired reading Young Adult with the same formula. Same character, same plot, same ending but the magical world of Oz is different YA book for me. It’s like tasting a re-cooked food with a new taste.

One thing that I don’t like in this novel was some parts of it were unnecessary. Like what’s the point of doing this or that. Then there are some inconsistencies in this book like the painting, if I were Dorothy or Glinda, I’ll look for Amy through the painting. And another point is the Emerald City was the territory of Glinda and Dorothy so they can’t easily appear on the hallway or anywhere near the palace but how can they appear in the palace like it’s too safe. I recalled that there are some precautions that they cannot use their magic inside the premises but the used a lot of magic and still they are unnoticed. Why?

If you want some magical plot to imagine, I’ll recommend this book to you. Thumbs up!

Uniting The Lost Sky
A review on Veronica Rossi’s Under The Never Sky


Title: Under The Never Sky
Author: Veronica Rossi
Series: Under The Never Sky 1
Rank: 94th book in 2014

Plot movement: 3stars
Entertainment Factor: 2stars
Characters: 2stars
Writing Style: 3stars
Details: 3stars
Provoking: 2stars
Action Scenes: 2stars
Suspense: 2stars
Conclusion: 3stars
Emotion: 2stars

Therefore
Now, this is the first book in the Under The Never Sky trilogy. I read lots of dystopian novels and when I say lots of dystopian it means plenty of books that can be categorized as this classification. Since I read books in this genre, I’m looking for something remarkable. Unfortunately Under The Never Sky contains formula that we can find in other books. What do I mean by that? Now, let’s explain it well…

The land under Aether. Aether, Aether, Aether. What is Aether? I asked my friend here in Goodreads. Aether is a storm in the series. Okay, now I know but what is the beginning of Aether? I looked for further information in the book but unfortunately I didn’t find what is the beginning of this storm. The storm exists but what is its origin?

There are different tribes such as Tides where Peregrine or Perry (male protagonist) belongs. Dweller where Aria lives. And so much tribes such as carnivore tribes, etc etc. same formula in The Hunger Games where there are different districts. Also I think of Veronica Roth’s factions in Divergent trilogy. I told you, same dystopian formula.

Another one, in Tides, some of the members are called Marked. What are Marked people? They have special or more improved senses. Examples of this are Seer (visual), Aud (hearing), Scire (smelling). What are those people? I think these powers or should I say extra skills are same as Tahereh Mafi’s Unravel Me trilogy. There’s resemblance with the characters of Rossi and Mafi. Sorry but I didn’t like it.

BUT, but but. There are some scenes where I learned to like the novel. And these are….

Smarteyes – yes! They are tribes but with this smarteyes towards Realms, well it’s fantastic. I love it. It’s like escaping reality by looking into Realms. You can go wherever you want and I wish I can have one! HAHA

Another one is Roar. No Liv? So sad but I like Roar. I always imagine him as Wolverine. HAHA

Maybe Through The Ever Night (Under The Never Sky 2) can wait. I’ll probably read it but not now.

Liv or Love?
A review on Veronica Rossi’s Roar and Liv


Title: Roar and Liv
Author: Veronica Rossi
Series: Under The Never Sky 0.5
Rank: 93rd book in 2014

Plot movement: 4stars
Entertainment Factor: 3stars
Characters: 4stars
Writing Style: 3stars
Details: 2stars
Provoking: 4stars
Action Scenes: 3stars
Suspense: 3stars
Conclusion: 3stars
Emotion: 3stars

Therefore
Welcome to another young Adult novel. Under The Never Sky series by Veronica Rossi. What can I say? This is good for a novella. I read novellas from different YA series such as Legend, Shatter Me, Lunar Chronicles, etc. but this is one of my favorite novella. Why? It can stand alone as a love story presented by the charaters of Olivia or Live and Roar. Smart story and full of love. This is a good impression to start a new series. I’ll finish Under The Never Sky, promise. :)

This is the story of young love from Tide. I am confused, what is tide? Is it tribe, kingdom or faction? It was not clearly stated on the book but this Tide as ruled by a leader which was called Blood Lord. Vale, brother of Liv was the Blood Lord in Tide. The story revolves around the selling Liv to other tribe or kingdom or whatsoever. Ah, young love. Roar fights for his love. No matter what happens, Live is for Roar. Very common plot but I like the story.

Here are some points in the story:
What are the terms the author used? Seer? Scire? Aud? Aether? What are those? Since this is the introduction to the series can the author give us some information about these terms? A simple gist so the readers will understand the world in Under The Never Sky.

Conflict starts without warning. As a reader, you’ll visualize the world in the book so there will be numerous opinions about the flow of the story but in this novelette I find it too fast faced. What’s happening? What are those people who ambushed them? What is beyond Tide boundary and the last question.. What happened to Liv? What’s with the time? It happened already, they need to survive but running away is not the answer for it. What makes this a strong point? I’m craving for more. I’m looking forward to meet Roar and Liv on the second book or first book in the series.

BTW, I love these chessy lines:

Roar: I’m not terrified of what I could be losing in the future. I’m scared of losing what I already have.

Liv: When I think about being without you, I can barely breathe.

Welcome to the world of Under The Never Sky! And another question, what is the real name of Roar? Katy Perry’s Roar song keeps playing in my head.

The Monster Inside Us
A review on Patrick Ness’ A Monster Calls


Title: A Monster Calls
Author: Patrick Ness
Rank: 82nd book in 2014

Plot movement: 5stars
Entertainment Factor: 5stars
Characters: 5stars
Writing Style: 5stars
Details: 5stars
Provoking: 5stars
Worldly Relevance: 4stars
Suspense: 4stars
Conclusion: 5stars
Emotion: 5stars

Therefore
What can I say in this book is WOW. I can’t get over with this book! It made me cry. I can’t remember when was the last time I cried over a book. Probably I can line this up with The Fault In Our Stars (5stars) and A Walk to Remember (5stars). At first, I don’t know if I’m going to give this book a try. But here I go, I’m so thankful I got to read this novel. My friends in Goodreads rated it almost 5stars and it seems they really enjoyed reading this book.

12:07 – A monster in a form of a yew tree always appears in front of Conor’s window. It always haunts him after his nightmare. At first, Conor didn’t think the monster is real. However, the pile of leaves and berries were proof that the monster was real. I don’t know if I’m going to consider this as YA or children genre but who cares, I love the story. I know its cliché when it comes to bullying, dying character in the story but I love it. Probably, the bullying part can be omitted, I don’t understand the role of the two bullies but I like Harry. Bullying part is just a piece of scene in the book. Maybe this made Conor tougher than before.

Three tales were told by the monster. Three meaningful stories. I won’t spoil the three tales but I really love it. How these stories can reflect Conor’s life. Acceptance is the key to set you free. This will make you happy, accept the fact that nothing lasts forever so let’s live it up while we are still living. We are faced with different problems but we must conquer it. Fight! So we can see the bright sun after the rain. Be brave.

Sometimes people need to lie to themselves most of all.

There is not always a good guy. Nor is there always a bad one. Most people are somewhere in between.

I cannot relate to Conor’s situation but I can feel his burden. We face difficulties, and this book will let us understand the real meaning of love. Love not in terms of opposite sex but rather in family. I cried a lot to tell you honestly. I shed tears while reading this novel. I’ll always remember Conor and his braveness.

I love this line. I keep reminding myself this line:

Stories don’t always have happy ending.

Patrick Ness you made my heart melt for Conor.

Burn! Girl on Fire, BURN!
A review on Suzanne Collins’ Mockingjay


Title: Mockingjay (The Hunger Games 3)
Author: Suzanne Collins
Rank: 91st book in 2014

Plot movement: 3stars
Entertainment Factor: 3stars
Characters: 3stars
Writing Style: 3stars
Details: 4stars
Provoking: 3stars
Action Scenes: 3stars
Suspense: 4stars
Conclusion: 3stars
Emotion: 3stasr

Therefore
Last year, I read The Hurger Games and Catching Fire. I’m hooked with the latter novel and I continued reading Mockingjay but I’m not satisfied on how it was ended. I gave this book 1 star and told myself that I will read this next year which is this year. So I gave another try.
Last installment in The Hunger Games trilogy. I’ll be honest; THG is my favorite dystopian series. I really love The Hunger Games (4stars) and of course Catching Fire (5stars) however this last book had some trouble to catch the suspense factor on the said two books. This is the last book, so I expect more, more action, more revelation and more turning tables. Yes, I love how it was ended but I’m not satisfied. There’s something missing in this novel.

My name is Katniss Everdeen. Why am I not dead? I should be dead!

She’s Katniss, the girl on fire! After surviving the Quarter Quell, she was sent to District 13. The secret district which was the start of rebellion that results to the formation of The Hunger Games. She was not safe! The fire ignites; the capitol wants revenge same as the rebels.

I really love this trilogy, however there are some points you must observe on the flow of the story.

First Different Katniss Everdeen
If you’re going to analyze Katniss’ character based of the first two books, she deserves to be a mockingjay. I love how she fights to live, to survive the arena. I salute Katniss for that. In mockingjay, I don’t know why but she’s so weak. Her character didn’t match the previous books. She’s not the girl I liked. Primrose is much better in this book than her. What happened to the GIRL ON FIRE? Maybe Collin wants to spill the other side of Katniss but I don’t buy it.

Second Unjustified Killing
Why Collins? Do you need to kill some important people here? Please, I know you want to manipulate the feelings of your reader but you must elaborate more. Okay, they die and so what? It’s not just you want to kill them but keep them into spotlight. You just focused on Katniss, how about Prim? Annie? Jhoanna? What? Killing some people here doesn’t make the book brutal, it makes nonsense. I want justice! JUSTICE FOR PRIMROSE AND FINNICK!

Third Annoying Peeta
This is the last book Collins. Give me something remarkable on every major character in the story. Give their legacies. On Peeta? What the fuck! Through the book I hate him and my hatred for him grows and grows until it seems Gale is much better for Katniss for me. I understand Peeta’s situation but he deserves more character because it’s the last book Suzanne. The last book, so the characters must have more and more strength or development. Peeta ruined it. I don’t like it.

Fourth Rushed and Unsatisfied Ending
Ugh! On chapter 21 onwards, I feel the story was so fast that I don’t understand what and why. Unsatisfied in terms of rushed things. I expect Katniss to kill President snow but what happened? Katniss blew it. To many unjustified killings plus rushed and unsatisfied ending = BOOM! Mockingjay bye bye!

Still, I love this series. Mockingjay was not the ending I expected but overall, I’m THG fan. 

Live Life to the Fullest Bond or Die
A review on Ian Fleming’s Live or Let Die


Title: Live and Let Die
Author: Ian Fleming
Rank: 89th book in 2014

Plot movement: 3stars
Entertainment Factor: 3stars
Characters: 3stars
Writing Style: 2stars
Details: 4stars
Provoking: 3stars
Action Scenes: 3stars
Suspense: 2stars
Conclusion: 2stars
Emotion: 2stasr

Therefore
Second novel from Ian Fleming’s original James Bond Series. Live and Let Live or should I say Live and Let Die contains a dose of actions than his previous book. It was about stopping Mr. Big on smuggling gold coins which is one big fund for SMESH (previously mentioned on Casino Royale). Mr. Bond together with his American friend Leiter uncover the big smuggling business in Harlem.

On this novel, contains more BANG BANG BANG< KILL KILL KILL, DIE DIE DIE scenes. I’m comparing this book on Ian’s Casino Royale (James Bond 1). I like the action but it’s not something to remember. Let’s just say that the book doesn’t sustain the suspense factor. Too blunt and unsatisfying. And again, youre very luck James Bond. I think you’re the older brother of Robert Langdon. Why is it when the villain tortures James Bond, someone will help him to stay alive? You’re very lucky Mr. 007. You Live and Let Live.

I’m just wondering, this book was written in 1954, but the sexual gratification of characters are explicitly described. Seriously, premarital sex was pretty much obvious during the time of legendary James Bond. I guess, who can resist with the beauty of Solitaire (so named because she excludes men from her life). She drives men crazy based on how Fleming described her.

Her hair was black and fell to her shoulders. She had high cheekbones and a sensual mouth, and wore a dress of white silk. Her eyes were blue, alight and disdainful.

And what about Mr. Big? Buonaparte Ignace Gallia is a voodoo leader and a smuggler of golden coin and lastly, works in SMESH. If your going to read this novel, I think, bad men are those black people. Mr. Big was a African – American, and his associates are Negroes. Negro was the term Fleming used. Because it was written in 1950’s, expect the term used were not the same as the terms we used today. If Fleming was still alive today, I’m going to ask him why he used black people as bad people. I don’t want to think he’s racist. I’m off to the races please. :D HOHO

So again, the plot movement was okay. It didn’t catch my attention. There was absence of WOW factor. WOW factor that will you remember. For example, you will recall it after few years the ou’ll remember the action scenes on this book. But meh! Action scenes were okay but not satisfying. But there’s progress than his previous adventure. This contains more action.

I need more of Solitaire. I want her in my bed. Lol kidding!

007: The Origin of the Secret Agent
A review on Ian Fleming’s Casino Royale


Title: Casino Royale
Author: Ian Fleming
Rank: 88th book in 2014

Plot movement: 3stars
Entertainment Factor: 3stars
Characters: 4stars
Writing Style: 3stars
Details: 3stars
Provoking: 3stars
Action Scenes: 2stars
Suspense: 2stars
Conclusion: 3stars
Emotion: 2stars

Therefore
Another book marathon. Last night, I posted a picture of 007 logo on my facebook account as my cover photo. So officially, yesterday was the start of my 007 Book Marathon.

I’m not fond of James Bond movies. James Bond’s character was too old for me. My father loves 007 a lot. Probably, his favorite next to Bruce Willis. I didn’t like Bond before (I’m talking about before) because the movies are too old for my taste plus the explicit content which is not suitable for kids so I didn’t have a chance to witness the killing of legendary agent 007. But recently, last 2012, I was in Cebu that time together with my cousin, we watched Skyfall (recent James bond film) in SM Cebu. At first I think this movie will kill me to boredom but I’m wrong! YES! SKYFALL WAS FANTASTIC! Maybe I liked it because it was my first James Bond experience. James Bond was WOW (plus the soundtrack was sung by no other than Adele *fanboy*)

Ian Fleming’s debut James Bond novel was Casino Royale. The start of the Legendary 007 agent . I’ll be honest, I am vacillate on reading this book. Why? Because on my first reading it was like I really can’t grasp on the story but fortunately YEHEEY! I finished reading this book. It was okay for me. Not bad for an opening novel for a book marathon. Thank God I like this novel because if I don’t then probably I will not finish the entire series. There are 14 James Bond Original Series written by Ian Fleming so if I got bored on this one how can I have a courage reading the next one. It’s just like listening to an album, you’ll look your first impression on the first track. If you’ll find it boring, how will you judge the next one? There is an impression already. So like what Ive said, this book was okay for me. I like it.

Let me divide the book into three parts. The first on is the introduction. Introducing James Bond with his skills in gambling. *confetti* It’s like the author introduced different characters such as M, Le Chiffre , Vesper Lynd and other characters. Also, Fleming introduced different organizations like SMESH, CIA, etc. The beginning was XOXO or it was okay, just plain and nothing new. James Bond playing baccarat with Le Chiffre for bankruptcy of the later. What I liked on this part was the instruction in playing baccarat. With a simple glimpse of the game Fleming described, I knew something new. It’s a plus point for this novel. And the stakes a high, millions and millions of Franc (the setting was in France).

Another part is the action. Because it is 007 novel, readers will expect more actions. If you watched 007 movies (currently as of today, 2014, they had 24 James Bond movies), there was pure action, BANG BANG BANG, KILL KILL KILL, DIE DIE DIE. But unfortunately, there was less action on the novel. I was expecting more but it turns out that there’s more torture than action. Yes readers, there was a scene when James Bond was tortured while he’s naked. But because here the main protagonist, what will you expect? He survived! And the reason? LUCKY James Bond! You must be lucky agent 007 (of course I won’t spoil, HAHA). That was the reason why I rated the Action Scenes 2stars. I want more actions, more killing, more pleading! Lol. Kidding!

Last part is romance. If you’re going to ask, aside from action, what is the highlight of 007 the answer is girls. Beautiful, seductive alluring femme fatale. Leading ladies of 007 are expected to be beautiful and seductive. Let’s not forget Bond having a happy time with her leading ladies. My father told me that in every James Bond movies, love, sex, intimate scenes were part in the flow of the story of 007. And here it is, the last part of the book. Love love love. James bond as Don Romantiko. I like how the story ends. I’m satisfied with the ending. Lynd, girl you rock my world with your revelation!

1 book down, 13 books to go. Another James Bond novel coming up!

The World full of Lies
A review on Booth Tarkington’s Alic Adams


Title: Alice Adams
Author: Booth Tarkington
Rank: 87th book in 2014

Plot movement: 2stars
Entertainment Factor: 1star
Characters: 1star
Writing Style: 3stars
Details: 3stars
Provoking: 3stars
Worldly Relevance: 4stars
Suspense: 1star
Conclusion: 1star
Emotion: 1star

Therefore
My 3rd Pulitzer Prize Winner for Fiction (1922). Alice Adams is different for Tarkington’s previous novel which is The Magnificent Ambersons which is also a Pulitzer Winner. Unlike The Magnificent Ambersons – which lives belonged to aristocratic family – Alice Adams fits in a poor family. And because they are less fortunate, they look for more. They crave for luxury and comfortable life.

Alice Adam is a normal girl who wants to have a successful life. She goes to dance to meet young men. I think she’s social climber. I don’t know how I will write a formal review to this novel. I can’t express my feeling toward the book. One thing I appreciated in this book was the love of the mother towards her children. She’ll do whatever it takes to make her daughter happy. That’s all.

The Secrets Behind The Symbols
A review on Dan Brown’s The Lost Symbol


Title: The Lost symbol
Author: Dan Brown
Rank: 86th book in 2014

Plot movement: 2stars
Entertainment Factor: 1star
Characters: 1star
Writing Style: 3stars
Details: 4stars
Provoking: 2stars
Worldly Relevance: 3stars
Suspense: 2stars
Conclusion: 1star
Emotion: 1star

Therefore
My 3rd Dan Brown and a major disappointment. I don’t know why but I didn’t grasp my attention. Totally boring for me. When I say that this book is boring, what I mean is the content of the book gives too much gibberish information. Oodles of information that didn’t make a sound for me. While reading the book, I’m eager to finish this tonight so I can move on to a next book. Definitely not my type of book.

Before the further explanation of my rating, let me share first what I experienced earlier. I went to Brgy. Sta. Elena in Hagonoy bulacan to attend fiesta. We go to this church yearly. Then we’ll attend to the parade because I am one of the consorte of the Hermano Mayor. Because im so eager to finish this book, even in church I’m reading this novel. Of course there is no mass, I’m just taking a rest from the parade. Then one man, probably same as my age approached me and asked:



Man: Bro, you’re reading a Dan Brown novel?
Me: Yes, why?
Man: You’re reading a Dan Brown novel inside this church?
Me: Yes, is there any problem?
Man: Bro, don’t you know that Dan Brown is a disciple of Satan?
Me: What? Sir, you don’t know what you’re talking about.



Quite funny because he approaches me to say that the author of what I’m reading is a disciple of demon. Well, I can’t blame him because of Brown’s work and his popularity. After that, I can’t stop myself from smiling. The perks of reading a book! Yey~

So, lets go back to the book, as what I’ve said, this is the kill for Dan Brown for me. The plot was definitely in slow pacing. Because the book is non-linear, I had a hard time catching on what is happening. I am not amazed on the magic square, Egyptian decoding, Masons, or even the secret behind the Capitol. Although Dan Brown wanted to change the flow of his works since Angels and Demons, it is obviously same. It’s like finding something new. Readers crave for more. That is a major No No for a writer, although you’ll give a watermark to your novels or should I say your trademark, like the works of Haruki Murakami, John Green, Nicholas Sparks, etc etc…. you should be sensitive to what will the readers feel about your new installment. Will they be amazed by your now work or they will find it blant?

Because of its slow improvement, the entertainment factor decreases. While reading this, I feel bored. The magic of Dan Brown from Angels and Demons decreases. For me, I just regret reading this book. Look, 500+ pages, I can read almost two novels. If the entertainment Factor lessens, then how it will catch my attention also lessens. Dan Brown can give as many information as you want, he can relate everything and with that, it seems that the information he serves us seems unreliable or part of his wild imagination.

Another plus, this time I hate the character of Robert Langdon. He’s too hard-headed. And the each characters presence changes from one point to another. And I don’t like it. I want a stable character. I know there must be change, but too much change can be unreliable. Sorry Dan Brown, not a good book for me. Probably, I’ll save Inferno, Digital Fortress, and Deception Point on my future readings.

A Code That Breaks Your Faith
A review on Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code

Title: The Da Vinci Code
Author: Dan Brown
Rank: 85th book in 2014

Plot movement: 4stars
Entertainment Factor: 5stars
Characters: 3stars
Writing Style: 4stars
Details: 5stars
Provoking: 5stars
Worldly Relevance: 4stars
Suspense: 4stars
Conclusion: 4stars
Emotion: 4stars

WARNING This book belongs to fiction genre. Always remember that this is fiction . If you have queries please conduct a research. This book will challenge your faith.

My second Dan Brown experience and still not to disappoint. This is the second adventure of Robert Langdon, symbologist in Harvard. Unlike his previous work which is Angels and Demons which explains more of the brotherhood Illuminati and the history that lies on the sculptures and sculptors in Rome, The Da Vinci Code elucidates more of The Bible and Jesus Christ. A sensitive issue for religious person. No wonder they banned the movie to many cinemas worldwide including here in Philippines. The largest mall in terms of branches which is SM banned the movie because of its sensitive content.

For me, this book was entertaining. That’s why I don’t hesitate on giving the Entertainment Factor 5 stars. Really, this book sometimes gave me Goosebumps. The content of this book will surely gives you a challenge to your faith. Read this at your own risk. Remember, I’m warning you, this book is not for people who have weak faith. I can honestly say that some scenes on the book make me question the reality. Is this real? All the time I believe in…… but after that I keep reminding myself that this novel is fiction. Okay, this is fiction.

Although this book entertained me a lot, I find some part boring or let’s say that I just want to skip some parts on the book. Plus, same formula in Angels and Demons, her sidekick was a girl related to a murdered victim. Then here comes the blessing, I wonder if Langdon was born to be lucky. Every time that he’s in a big trouble, someone will help him. The villain is related to Robert Langdon same as his previous work. I won’t spoil. HAHA. These are the factors I observed on this book.

I liked the novel. Really, but there are some issues that I don’t like on the book. Like what I've said earlier the same formula, and some boring parts but I like the book entirely. Good entertainment factor plus, I love the ending. Dan Brown will let you see the other side of what we believe. It’s like letting our body flow in the river of truth.

PS:
While reading this book, I just wondered. On the bible, it explained well the birth of Jesus until he’s 12 years old. Then after the incident on the church, it skipped when he was 30 years old. Where are the missing years of Jesus that doesn’t include in the bible? Form 12 y/o – 30 y/o. Hmmmmm. Any explanation?

In the Name of the Brotherhood
A review on Dan Brown’s Angels and Demons


Title: Angels and Demons
Author: Dan Brown
Rank: 84th book in 2014

Plot movement: 5stars
Entertainment Factor: 5stars
Characters: 5stars
Writing Style: 4stars
Details: 5stars
Provoking: 5stars
Worldly Relevance: 4stars
Suspense: 5stars
Conclusion: 5stars
Emotion: 4stars

Therfore
This is my first Dan Brown experience so let me say that it exceeds my expectation. Since I read Gone Girl – Gillian Flynn (5stars) I craved for more suspense/thriller books. I’m not used to it at first because my common books in my bookshelves are more of dystopian or young adult. I give myself a try, why don’t I seek for more genres outside my haven. So here it is – Angels and Demons.
My close friend warned me about this book. She doesn’t like Dan Brown much because of the impression on his The Da Vinci Code novel that turned into film last 2009 if im not mistaken. I’m the bad guy here so I didn’t follow her opinion. I read A&D (Angels and Demons). So here’s the catch, when I took my Art Appreciation subject when I was a first year student (2010), this subject was my most favorite. Maybe because of the sculptures and the history that lies on it. Plus, my Art Appreciation teacher was agnostic so he gave plenty of his understanding about this matter. That time, I was feeling a little bit agnostic (I even questioned the existence of God) but now, I renew my faith with God so there’s no problem with my religion stableness. :D HAHA
As a physics teacher, yes I agree with the opposite of everything such as up quarks and down quarks, protons and electrons, north pole and south pole of magnetism. Even with my classmates, we discussed a little bit of existence of what we called antimatter with is the topic on the novel. But on the book, there are some flaws regarding science and religion. We cannot make opposites join together such as science and religion. If the science proves the existence of particle God, then the faith on churches will decrease no matter how strong the churches are. I just ignore it because while reading, I remind myself that this is a novel – fiction- this is not a textbook so let me just digest the context of the book.
Highly engaging, what more can I say. With the Illuminati brotherhood, fucking awesome ambigrams, the killings of cardinals on different elements are the strong points of the novel. Plus with this 500+ pages, the entire book happens within 24 hours period. This is awesome.
When it comes to entertainment factor, this is very entertaining. When I’m reading this novel, sometimes I murmur foul words because of the intense scenes on the book. Fucking book! I even had a palpitation because of the information about the brotherhood. Another one, I am highly amazed on the angles pointing to each destination of the new element. I even looked for the pictures of the said church or sculpture mentioned on the book.

THIS IS IT! My favorite Murakami book...
I love it!

I WAS THERE!!!!!!!! Im on the verge of my emotion, then suddenly.........
URG! I HATE IT! FUCK YOU WATANABE!! :(

I Want You To Die For Me Baby

Personal review for Lullaby

Let's say that a simple chant can change your life forever. A simple song can really make you devastated. The words behind Chuck Palahniuk’s Lullaby is simply ambitious. Imagine a simple poem can kill many people, simply by reading it to your victim. Oh boy! This is different from his other works. What makes it different is for its fictional content. Too much power and I can’t believe it. Did Chuck write something more of a fiction? Maybe I prefer his other works such as Invisible Monsters, Survivor and Choke. For me this is far more different from his previous novels. Don’t make a wrong impression, this is a wonderful book but it does simply don’t satisfy my reading taste of his works.


What is Lullaby? It is a song or hymn to make a child sleep. But with this novel, it makes them dead. With Carl Streator, he collects the information about the child killing because of his nature of work which is news reporter. He looks for the reason of numerous deaths of babies.
Words are your powerful weapon – that’s what Chuck Palahniuk’s trying to tell us. Words can make you laugh and also can make you sad. Words can bring life but also pass death. That’s how powerful a word can be. Life depends on what is supplying words in it. Can you live life with wordless sound?


For example, listening to music can make you feel down. Emotional songs with strong lyrics can make you sad. See how words can control you? What will you do if you are lonely? Listen to lively music. Enjoy the beat, bring the beat in. That’s why some people commit suicide because of the songs they are listening to. Words words words! They can deceive you.


Words can control you, what you see on the television, hear on radio can affect you too well. Colonial mentality, you can brainwash people by letting them believe on your words. Suck life! That’s too bad. Words, life, death. Let’s have a wordplay.

Review to come. :) LEt me digest first this book1 Super wow! :)

Boy or Girl? Invisible or Visible? Monster and more Monster
[Personal Review for Invisible Monsters]

I read three Chuck Palahniuk books. My first Chuck experience was Fight Club and I am not disappointed with this book. It was like a new taste for me. Then I tried to read Survivor, I found it with the same taste of beginning and the finale same as the Fight Club but it was better than the first.

I dedicate my reading life reading Young Adult books but unfortunately, I find it boring reading the same stories, same plot, same flow of actions and suspense. So I tell myself that I need to recess just for a while reading dystopian novel and focus on fiction books. And voila! I will never regret it!


I picked Invisible Monsters because I want to read Palahniuk’s works chronologically. Why I chose to read in sequential order? Simply because I want to find out if the author is improving. Some of them are good with their debut novel but with the other novels, I don’t know what happened. First I’m afraid reading Invisible Monsters because Chucks first two novels had the same formula, a flashback of what happened to them, and I was disenchanted (at first). Yes! You got it right, this book had the same formula with the two previous books, and I asked myself – “Why Chuck! WHY?”. Well, I gave this book a chance to prove itself to me. And It worked! IM SO INLOVE WITH THIS BOOK! 



The story is in the 1st person point of view in the character of
Shannon McFarland – beautiful, alluring model. At first there is an incident of shooting Brandy Alexander and the story revolves around the flashback of the events.


So much words of chuck that I will never forget:
The best way is not to fight it, just go. Don’t be trying all the time to fix things. What you run from only stays with you longer. When you fight something, you only make it stronger.


The story is not only about beauty, lifestyle or being fabulous but also how will we deal with third sex. Let’s be honest- even I have some fear with gays (yeah, fear because of some tragic experiences with them) – some of us single out LGBT in our circle of friends. We are not capable of hanging out with them because of them being different (not all of us, I said some). But reading this book made me realize the even gays or lesbians deserved to be accepted and to be loved.


When we’re talking about LGBT, some will associate this with AIDS, or any sexual transmitted disease. Some people, they can’t accept them as a member of society because of their unwanted illness. We may find it disgusting but still they are people and I’m sad because I had two friends who died because of HIV. But the lesson is let’s not be afraid of them instead help them.


I love Invisible Monsters because of its web-mapping revelation. You’ll be surprised by what happened to the character and WOW! REALLY? FUCK YOU CHUCK! THAT WAS FANTASTIC! This is the best Chuck Palahniuk book I read so far. Thumbs up Chuck!


We have an invisible photographer in our minds.
Give me acceptance
Flash
Give me understanding
Flash
Give me love
Flash

57th Book for 2014