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__ceecee__'s Reviews (414)
Finding the Animorphs series in GR...
Man, this brings me back to the good old days. When kids in my school went to the library to read the newest Goosebumps installment. I remember a pile of Goosebumps books in a table and these boys were sifting through it, because Goosebumps was the thing. I remember the Magic Eye books, too, which leave you cross eyed just to see the object hidden in those optical illusions. These kids went to the library, and it was thrilling, being with other kids that read, or simply checked out books.
Now, when those things died down, Animorphs came.
I have to admit though, that I haven't read these books, because I was too busy reading every bit of abridged versions of Classics the library acquired.(I don't know, I fancied myself an "intellectual" bahahaha) Besides, I didn't want to start a series I knew I couldn't finish, and I wasn't into sci-fi then. I guess, this is a great fandom (when fandoms didn't even exist) that I missed on. :(
Man, this brings me back to the good old days. When kids in my school went to the library to read the newest Goosebumps installment. I remember a pile of Goosebumps books in a table and these boys were sifting through it, because Goosebumps was the thing. I remember the Magic Eye books, too, which leave you cross eyed just to see the object hidden in those optical illusions. These kids went to the library, and it was thrilling, being with other kids that read, or simply checked out books.
Now, when those things died down, Animorphs came.
I have to admit though, that I haven't read these books, because I was too busy reading every bit of abridged versions of Classics the library acquired.(I don't know, I fancied myself an "intellectual" bahahaha) Besides, I didn't want to start a series I knew I couldn't finish, and I wasn't into sci-fi then. I guess, this is a great fandom (when fandoms didn't even exist) that I missed on. :(
Ooh, I found this while I was re-arranging my bookshelf. Brings me back to the good old days.
Gaia (oh-my-god her name!) was born without the fearless gene. I don't know how true that is since I never got the chance to follow up on the series. So let's just stick with it. She was trained from a very young age in various fighting skills an 11-year old me would envy. I still would, actually. She roams around at night in the most dangerous part of the park just to see who would ambush her. But lo-and-surprise! She kicks their butt!
I really enjoyed this, because of the Multiple POVs, and mostly because of the love triangle. I'm pretty sure this has an Alias-y storyline, but the thing I remember the most is the love angle. Gaia can hardly believe she's beautiful, but her two guy friends think so, and of course, they fall in love with her. One of these guys, is a cute one in a wheelchair, and the other is a jock-who-is-actually-a-nice-guy. Typical, right? Wth, I was hooked.
And of course, I liked Gaia, maybe even the same way I like Katniss. They're just strong, no-nonsense kind of gals, you know?
I don't know what I would think had I read this for the first time today. All I know is, I really enjoyed this during my childhood, and I loved rereading this, and I probably would read this again today, so that's the reason for the 4 stars.
I would love to have followed up on this series, but it's a 90s book, and 30+ installments (or so I've heard), and you just don't see these books lined up chronologically in a bookstore. (I found the book 2 and book 24 in the same volume, but what good would that do?)
As it is, it's a great way to start off a series.
Gaia (oh-my-god her name!) was born without the fearless gene. I don't know how true that is since I never got the chance to follow up on the series. So let's just stick with it. She was trained from a very young age in various fighting skills an 11-year old me would envy. I still would, actually. She roams around at night in the most dangerous part of the park just to see who would ambush her. But lo-and-surprise! She kicks their butt!
I really enjoyed this, because of the Multiple POVs, and mostly because of the love triangle. I'm pretty sure this has an Alias-y storyline, but the thing I remember the most is the love angle. Gaia can hardly believe she's beautiful, but her two guy friends think so, and of course, they fall in love with her. One of these guys, is a cute one in a wheelchair, and the other is a jock-who-is-actually-a-nice-guy. Typical, right? Wth, I was hooked.
And of course, I liked Gaia, maybe even the same way I like Katniss. They're just strong, no-nonsense kind of gals, you know?
I don't know what I would think had I read this for the first time today. All I know is, I really enjoyed this during my childhood, and I loved rereading this, and I probably would read this again today, so that's the reason for the 4 stars.
I would love to have followed up on this series, but it's a 90s book, and 30+ installments (or so I've heard), and you just don't see these books lined up chronologically in a bookstore. (I found the book 2 and book 24 in the same volume, but what good would that do?)
As it is, it's a great way to start off a series.
[Edit]
Lauren Oliver's writing was lyrical. (It makes me want to read her other novels Before I Fall and Liesl and Po ). The background story for amor delirium nervosa was pretty interesting. The excerpts from The Book of Shhhh were well written and the highlight of the book, for me. Though it's kind of ridiculous to name their Bible as such.
As a story, though, it fell short. I felt like it dragged too much, had scenes that weren't necessary, and that it's sole purpose is to build up, on and on, for a sequel, which I don't like. It's possible to make a really good story with only one book, you know. Also, the love story, though cute, wasn't that convincing.
In the end, I'll rate it 2.5 stars, because it's still better than Hush, Hush (which I just finished reviewing, and I gave that book 2.5 stars previously, but is now 1.5 stars).
Lauren Oliver's writing was lyrical. (It makes me want to read her other novels Before I Fall and Liesl and Po ). The background story for amor delirium nervosa was pretty interesting. The excerpts from The Book of Shhhh were well written and the highlight of the book, for me. Though it's kind of ridiculous to name their Bible as such.
As a story, though, it fell short. I felt like it dragged too much, had scenes that weren't necessary, and that it's sole purpose is to build up, on and on, for a sequel, which I don't like. It's possible to make a really good story with only one book, you know. Also, the love story, though cute, wasn't that convincing.
In the end, I'll rate it 2.5 stars, because it's still better than Hush, Hush (which I just finished reviewing, and I gave that book 2.5 stars previously, but is now 1.5 stars).
I guess the reason I like reading Agatha Christie's murder mysteries so much is because I love me my unforgettable, mind-blowing endings. In every book I read. To me, if it's a story that doesn't end well (or rather, does not have a very good falling action), it's just an okay story. You have to end a story well. And Christie does it very well.
Even though the beginning was slightly dragging (which I had to understand, because the author needed to establish the mystery and the red herrings first), the ending made up for it a hundred percent. No wonder Orient Express is up there among Christie's best.
I mean, in murder mysteries, you expect that there will only be one murderer. So, yeah, I greatly appreciated Christie's different take on the murder mystery, by making all the suspects guilty of the crime.
Update: I found the 1974 movie version for this, and I'm surprised it's so star-studded. Sean Connery, Ingrid Bergman, Anthony Perkins, and I don't know any of the actors, but they do look glamorous. Already I'm thinking up my own version of a 2013 adaptation for this.
Even though the beginning was slightly dragging (which I had to understand, because the author needed to establish the mystery and the red herrings first), the ending made up for it a hundred percent. No wonder Orient Express is up there among Christie's best.
Spoiler
Okay, who would have thought that everyone was in on it. *Mind-fucked*I mean, in murder mysteries, you expect that there will only be one murderer. So, yeah, I greatly appreciated Christie's different take on the murder mystery, by making all the suspects guilty of the crime.
Update: I found the 1974 movie version for this, and I'm surprised it's so star-studded. Sean Connery, Ingrid Bergman, Anthony Perkins, and I don't know any of the actors, but they do look glamorous. Already I'm thinking up my own version of a 2013 adaptation for this.
[Edit Sept.1,2012]
It's fun reading about different takes on how people reacted to this book. Some people got bored with it, some people downright hated it. And some people, like me, who enjoyed it.
It was fun, guys. I don't care if Clare used ridiculous similes, or that she used almost every plot-twist-element from Harry Potter, Star Wars, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, etc (call it plagiarism if you will), or that Clary is one of the most hateable heroines ever written. It was fun. It was fun reading about demons, warlocks, and faeries. It was fun reading their fight scenes. It was fun watching Jace pursue Clary (although my logical mind knew that this love story was sort of ridiculous considering that they only knew each other for 2 whole months in the duration of the series). Magnus Bane was fun. Magnus x Alec was fun. I liked how I can easily visualize a lot of stuff Clare was writing about - the fight scenes, the scenery, the faeries and the demons. And so, I can't understand people who got bored with it. For me, it was a welcome break from the stress of real life.
[First draft]
Fast-paced, at times hilarious, with characters - and ships! - to root for, and an incredible plot twist. It was a fun read.
It's fun reading about different takes on how people reacted to this book. Some people got bored with it, some people downright hated it. And some people, like me, who enjoyed it.
It was fun, guys. I don't care if Clare used ridiculous similes, or that she used almost every plot-twist-element from Harry Potter, Star Wars, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, etc (call it plagiarism if you will), or that Clary is one of the most hateable heroines ever written. It was fun. It was fun reading about demons, warlocks, and faeries. It was fun reading their fight scenes. It was fun watching Jace pursue Clary (although my logical mind knew that this love story was sort of ridiculous considering that they only knew each other for 2 whole months in the duration of the series).
Spoiler
It was fun to think that Jace and Clary were siblings and yet they're in love with each other. Incest in real life is gross. Incest (even though it wasn;t really incest) among fictitious characters - amusing.[First draft]
Fast-paced, at times hilarious, with characters - and ships! - to root for, and an incredible plot twist. It was a fun read.
What can I say, I loved the show and I loved the books even more. Can't wait to read [b:A Storm of Swords|62291|A Storm of Swords (A Song of Ice and Fire, #3)|George R.R. Martin|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1329188100s/62291.jpg|1164465]!
**Just replace Candy with ASoS**
**Just replace Candy with ASoS**
Yeah, there are thousands of reviews for Twilight. And even though this review of mine won't weigh in much, I'm still writing it for the heck of it.
3 stars means "I liked it". I really did, four years ago when Twilight was all the rage, and soon to become a movie. A friend of mine posted something about wanting an Edward Cullen as a boyfriend. So what kind of person - and bookworm - would I be if I wasn't even mildly curious about this book? I was then very surprised that my classmates, most of whom are reluctant readers, were lining up to read it.
I was ready to fall in love with Edward. And I did, for a while. (Rob Pattinson's portrayal was nothing like I imagined Edward to be, though). Edward had red hair and a playful smile (booya!), plays the piano (double booya!) and is very attentive to Bella (so attentive that he watches Bella sleep which I found really creepy even then). But still, I liked him. He's a hot, rich guy who noticed a plain-Jane Bella. It's wish fulfillment, man. I was totally hooked.
But I utterly disliked Bella, I resented having to read Twilight in her POV because she is so *makes a strangling motion*. I only read Twilight for the Edward parts, and Alice and Jasper. In fact, I hated Bella so much in [b:New Moon|49041|New Moon (Twilight, #2)|Stephenie Meyer|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1308815097s/49041.jpg|3203964] that I didn't finish the book. Not even my love for Alice and Jasper would make me get through 3 more books in Bella's POV. Besides, vampires have never really fascinated me.
So there you have it, I liked Twilight. It was fun while it lasted.
3 stars means "I liked it". I really did, four years ago when Twilight was all the rage, and soon to become a movie. A friend of mine posted something about wanting an Edward Cullen as a boyfriend. So what kind of person - and bookworm - would I be if I wasn't even mildly curious about this book? I was then very surprised that my classmates, most of whom are reluctant readers, were lining up to read it.
I was ready to fall in love with Edward. And I did, for a while. (Rob Pattinson's portrayal was nothing like I imagined Edward to be, though). Edward had red hair and a playful smile (booya!), plays the piano (double booya!) and is very attentive to Bella (so attentive that he watches Bella sleep which I found really creepy even then). But still, I liked him. He's a hot, rich guy who noticed a plain-Jane Bella. It's wish fulfillment, man. I was totally hooked.
But I utterly disliked Bella, I resented having to read Twilight in her POV because she is so *makes a strangling motion*. I only read Twilight for the Edward parts, and Alice and Jasper. In fact, I hated Bella so much in [b:New Moon|49041|New Moon (Twilight, #2)|Stephenie Meyer|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1308815097s/49041.jpg|3203964] that I didn't finish the book. Not even my love for Alice and Jasper would make me get through 3 more books in Bella's POV. Besides, vampires have never really fascinated me.
So there you have it, I liked Twilight. It was fun while it lasted.
It was a satisfying read. Satisfying enough to earn 4 stars from me. Of course, my rating could have been biased by the fact that the title features my name on it. The girl is named Christine, and she's depressed? Could this be written about me? Kidding aside, I do remember well enough to know that I really liked the book, even though I can't remember every detail. It was a pleasant surprise. A book that ended with all the characters well. (And at the time, I so badly wanted to read something pleasant).
Surely recommended for a quiet,lazy afternoon.
Surely recommended for a quiet,lazy afternoon.
I totally forgot I owned this book. I hid it in a part of my shelf where I would easily miss it, at the bottom. It's too bad I didn't like it, though. My friend gave it to me for Christmas, and I know she had good intentions. No doubt she was persuaded by the blurbs in the book, and since I liked spiritual fiction/non-fiction she must have thought it would be perfect for me. You know it wasn't the case. And for that, I am truly sorry to my friend.
So here's my problem with the book: It was more focused on marketing Christianity than a life-affirming belief in God. I do believe in and love God, I just do not like how some people think one religion is better than the other. I was raised a Catholic, and studied in a Catholic school but it was also a scientific-focused school, and, well, I wanted to figure out things for myself.
I like the idea of religion as a unifying body, but I don't like how it divides people as well. There was this one story my teacher told me of a girl who had an after-life experience. The girl met Jesus, and saw her mother (or some woman she knew, I can't remember), who wasn't converted to Christianity, burn in hell. So apparently, no matter that you were a good person while you were living, if you weren't a Christian, you're still going to hell? What the hell?! It makes me so angry. If there is an afterlife, I still believe in justice. But I don't believe in an afterlife. Which makes me a black sheep of Catholics, but there you have it.
This book didn't anger me like that story of the girl with the near-death experience did. But it still reminded me of that much-hated story. It was more like "Okay, this book is trying to sell me Christianity but I'm not buying it." I would so love to meet God. But,as one reviewer pointed out, the Jesus in this book was "mainstream." Not enigmatic, or eloquent. If I was really having dinner with a guest like the Jesus in here, I would be, "Ooohkayyy, now stop shoving it down my throat."
Again, it was too bad, since I had hoped this book would be life-changing, and make me comfortable with Jesus as my savior. What I got away with this book was, " Sinners are punished, but God loved us so much he didn't want us to all go to hell, so He sent Jesus instead to die for our sins, and eventually for all of us to be forgiven. Instead of all of us getting punished, only one person did, and it was God Himself. It's really humbling."
Yes, really humbling. But where have I heard that before? Oh, yeah, in Catholic school, and numerous Sunday mass. This aspect of Christianity has never particularly moved me, even when I wished it did. What amazed me more was God Himself, the all-forgiving, who created this awesome earth. His perfect timing, His Presence. I always liked to believe that what you do with your life, the "now", is more important than being in a certain religion. Let me give you a hippie vibe and say, "It's all about Love, man. Love is all you need". So who cares which religion you belong to?
So here's my problem with the book: It was more focused on marketing Christianity than a life-affirming belief in God. I do believe in and love God, I just do not like how some people think one religion is better than the other. I was raised a Catholic, and studied in a Catholic school but it was also a scientific-focused school, and, well, I wanted to figure out things for myself.
I like the idea of religion as a unifying body, but I don't like how it divides people as well. There was this one story my teacher told me of a girl who had an after-life experience. The girl met Jesus, and saw her mother (or some woman she knew, I can't remember), who wasn't converted to Christianity, burn in hell. So apparently, no matter that you were a good person while you were living, if you weren't a Christian, you're still going to hell? What the hell?! It makes me so angry. If there is an afterlife, I still believe in justice. But I don't believe in an afterlife. Which makes me a black sheep of Catholics, but there you have it.
This book didn't anger me like that story of the girl with the near-death experience did. But it still reminded me of that much-hated story. It was more like "Okay, this book is trying to sell me Christianity but I'm not buying it." I would so love to meet God. But,as one reviewer pointed out, the Jesus in this book was "mainstream." Not enigmatic, or eloquent. If I was really having dinner with a guest like the Jesus in here, I would be, "Ooohkayyy, now stop shoving it down my throat."
Again, it was too bad, since I had hoped this book would be life-changing, and make me comfortable with Jesus as my savior. What I got away with this book was, " Sinners are punished, but God loved us so much he didn't want us to all go to hell, so He sent Jesus instead to die for our sins, and eventually for all of us to be forgiven. Instead of all of us getting punished, only one person did, and it was God Himself. It's really humbling."
Yes, really humbling. But where have I heard that before? Oh, yeah, in Catholic school, and numerous Sunday mass. This aspect of Christianity has never particularly moved me, even when I wished it did. What amazed me more was God Himself, the all-forgiving, who created this awesome earth. His perfect timing, His Presence. I always liked to believe that what you do with your life, the "now", is more important than being in a certain religion. Let me give you a hippie vibe and say, "It's all about Love, man. Love is all you need". So who cares which religion you belong to?