Monday, November 23, 2009

Two great books in under a week!

I've been pretty lucky. I received earlier-than-usual copies of Beautiful Creatures and The Seven Rays.
These authors are pulling out all the stops. Mrs. Meyers should be proud of herself. Not only is she compelling the casual NY Times and magazine readers to actually pick up a book and READ, she's really set the bar for these unheard of authors.

Beautiful Creatures was an amazing read. Simple, yet captivating. I loved reading from a boy's POV. I was never a misfit or outcast in high school, so this book really captivated me. The fantasy part of the story was so different, and the southern charm was everywhere. The accents, the food, the scenery - I felt as if I were at home.
Although the book had a lot of characters, they were very easy to keep up with and understand their importance. LOVED the way the chapters were named, and mostly, the dates at the beginning of each, very poignant.
The second half of the book got a little scary and even more suspenseful - I almost had the feeling that a Dark Willow story was brewing. (Sorry, I often use the Whedonverse when doing reviews, can't help it).
***Warning....if you're a sensitive schmuck like me, the last 20 or so pages will have you crying, so keep a Kleenex box handy.
The book ended with many unanswered questions, IMO, so if a sequel is in the works, sign me up!

The Seven Rays
was original. Mind boggling at times too. Without giving too much away, make sure you pay attention at the beginning of each chapter - it means something. This book totally took me to places I wasn't expecting. You grow up with Beth. You wonder right along with her "Why her?". There is so much to be explored from this book. So many story-lines that need exploring, and I look forward to Mrs. Bendinger elaborating more on these stories - because believe you me, the name of the book "The Seven Rays" was no accident.

Saturday, November 21, 2009

My New Moon Theater Experience

This is me, telling you what I feel, felt, loved, hated, about the movie. Totally from a Twi-Hard POV.Contains spoilers for those of you who haven't seen the movie. Beware, my thoughts are all over the place given I cannot put myself to sleep...so without further ado....

1. The dream sequence at the beginning was possibly one of the best depictions of Bella's feelings towards her birthday at the start of the book. The word Epic comes to mind when I replay this scene in my head.

2. When Edward first appeared during the dream sequence, we "the ladies" went berserk and started hootin' and hollerin' for the presence Rob P. makes in this scene. That smile just melts my heart, and the way he looks at Old Woman Bella is priceless.

3. "Jasper! No fair with the mood control!" L.O.L. Love Jasper and the way he can say so little yet his words reach you. "Happy....never-mind".

4. A word to the Producers of New Moon...please get your act together when it comes to the hairstylists. Jasper's and Rosalie's hair wig things were WORSE than they were in Twilight. Seriously. That wig that Rob P. didn't want to wear, obviously got handed down to Jackson. Didn't you WATCH the horror that was Jasper's hair in the first one? The reason the boy looks like he's always in pain is because of the dead squirrel/racoon hybrid you guys pile on his head day after day. Did you maybe stop and think the reason why Rosalie's such a biatch is because of the peroxide number you make her wear? I know the bigger budget went towards the CGI wolves, but seriously, spending a couple extra hundred bucks on some decent hair extensions might have made Jasper not go after Bella on her B'day party.

5. What happened to the huge Cullen mansion? It looked like a box.

6. Billie Burke (Charlie) is a hot ladies man. I don't care if he's Bella's dad.

7.It's a tie between Billy Burke and Ashley Greene (Alice) on who portrays their character as if they were coming out directly from the book. Simply put, these two can act.

8. Taylor, Taylor, Taylor...what can I tell you that you haven't already heard? I sure am glad you didn't have to wear that God-awful wig throughout this movie. I was afraid it would get stuck on one of those dirt bikes you were working on. Have you not heard of on the job hazards? Hair nets are your friend my man. Just saying.

9. "I don't want you to come"..."You don't want me?"...."No"....Ugh, that still hurts. Thanks Edward. (1st cry)

10. October. November. December. Ugh, that still hurts. Thanks Edward. (2nd cry)

11. Jessica...."Yeah, those guys look great!" L.O.L. moment.

12. My Favorite Bella/KStew moment? The rain scene with Jacob when she first confronts him. She's actually ACTING and emoting something other than awkwardness. Way to go! I knew you had it in you.

13. Paul is hot. His wolf self isn't as good looking as Jacob's wolf, however, he still looks better than Sam's Yeti-looking wolf.

14. Sam's wolf looks like a Yeti. Didn't know if you caught that bit. It needs to be reiterated.

15. Victoria's hair ROCKED the HOUSE. However, her skin care regime needs to be questioned. Dirt is organic and all, but I'm sure you need a little water in order to get the effect you were hoping for. Just saying.

16. The wolf pack jumping off the cliff? Hot.

17. Victoria jumping off the cliff? Olympic-like graceful.

18. Bella jumping off the cliff? Pathetic.

19. Bella in the water...ugh, that still hurts. Thanks Edward. (3rd cry)

20. "What is that God-awful wet dog smell?" L.M.A.O.

21. "Don't go, please, I'm begging you, please"...Jacob honey, c'mon, get some dignity.

22. Edward's apartment in Rio? GROSS. OMG. He totally let himself go, and it looks like he wasn't even cleaning up after himself. I really wanted a book to explain "his" side of New Moon, since we really have no idea what he did, but this movie gave me CLOSURE. Thanks Chris Weitz, I owe you one.

24. What happened to 23? A rat in Edward's apartment ate it.

25. Damn, those muffins Emily made looked good.

26. Talk about adding insult to injury... Did you SEE the nice shot of the "Virgin" plane flying Bella and Alice to Italy?

27. Alice's Grand Theft Auto. Priceless.

28. Is one of Edward's nipples bigger than the other? All signs point to yes.

29. "I LIED, you believe me so easily" Duh.

30. Dakota Fanning stole the scene. The girl has presence. Excellent casting choice.

31. Ok, so did you laugh when Edward and Vamp Bella were running through the meadow? That was such a Jack-and-Jill-went-up-the-hill-moment. Everyone laughed when this scene played out in both theaters. I hated it. Could have totally done without it.

32. The Volturis were extremely well done on all accounts. Again, Dakota stole the scenes she was in, but they all did a very good job overall. Major creep factor, which was the point.

33. The humans screaming, wow, just like the book. I was waiting to see the lady with the bible, but she never came. Sad. It would have made that scene ever more poignant.

34. The sad puppy dog eyes that Jacob give Bella at the end were heartbreaking. Ugh, that still hurts. Thanks Bella. (4th and last cry)

35. Marry me. Ha! Edward, you have no idea the can of worms you've opened up. You're about to start taking her on play dates in Eclipse, you just don't know it yet.

So cynicism aside, I absolfreakinglutely loved this movie, and the company I had made the experience even better. C'mon June 30th! I'm ready for some Eclipse!

Monday, November 09, 2009

New Moon is only 10 days away!

10 days until New Moon! I'm so excited. I apologize to anyone around me when I suddenly yell like a fan girl at the top of my lungs and scare the crap out of you!

Saturday, November 07, 2009

Updates on my October to-be-read books...

  1. Ink Exchange (Wicked Lovely #2) - TBR
  2. Fragile Eternity (Wicked Lovely #3) - TBR
  3. Eyes Like Stars: Theater Illuminata, Act I - TBR
  4. Tithe: A Modern Faerie Tale - Hated it.
  5. Wuthering Heights (the one with the Twilight-looking cover)- Reading it now.
  6. Hush, Hush - Loved it, 5 out of 5 stars
  7. Wicked Lovely: Desert Tales, Vol. I - Liked it very much 3 out of 5 stars
  8. Storm Born - TBR
  9. Thorn Queen - TBR
  10. Vampire Academy #1 - Fell in love with this book and the entire Vampire Academy series! I didn't get started on any of the other books because I had to go out and get Vampire Academy #2, #3, #4.

Thursday, November 05, 2009

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl


Amazon.com: Beautiful Creatures (9780316042673): Kami Garcia, Margaret Stohl: Books

I just received notification that Amazon has shipped this book to me today. I am so ecstatic! I wasn't expecting it until December, so Christmas has come early for me!