Sunday, April 3, 2016

Review: The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner (Twilight, #3.5)As far as novellas go, this one was different in that the series's main characters were not the main characters of the novella, which I though was really interesting. This is the story, or the vampire story, of Bree Tanner, the minor minor character that we meet in Eclipse. It gives insight to the newbloods that are in book 3 and I thought that it was really interesting to see how they were raised and what they were told, and how that affected their lifestyle and their ideals. The thing I like most about this book is that I started to wonder, how do you know when you have a mate? With the exception of Bella and Edward, most of these vampires and their mates meet when they are already in their second life, right? So it there like a certain way to tell whether you found a mate? Do they have to last for forever? Or can you like "break-up" with your mate if things don't end up well? I'm curious.... Anyway, the novella was good. A bit longer than what I'm used too, but I thing this length worked for it because we had to get to know a whole new lot of characters. Thanks for reading!

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Breaking Dawn Book Review WITH SPOILERS

Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer
Book Review
4.48 Stars out of 5
WITH SPOILERS
I'm not really sure why, but it took me a really, really long time to finish this one. It was good- a nice ending- but it took me longer than I expected to finish it. I think maybe it dragged a little bit too long with the middle part and towards the end, some parts just seemed unnecessary and others seemed like they were placed very conveniently to make a nice little bow for the end. The plot in this one was my favorite out of all the books. I just felt like there more happening and an actual cohesive point and purpose behind the story that was driving it. The characters are rounded out nicely and were given very nice finishing touches. One of the things I really like about this one, is that we meet so many new vampires from so many different areas. It is no longer just the Cullens and the Volturi, and that just added in another really interesting element.



Breaking Dawn (Twilight, #4)When I first opened the book and I saw "Book One", I was sooooo confused. But then I flipped ahead to the title page for "Book Two" and saw "Jacob" underneath, and I got so excited. I loved that kid- he is easily my favorite character in the entire series. Like I already stated, I thought the middle part dragged out a bit. It is in Jake's POV, but the pregnancy just didn't seem to end, which is ironic because it was shorter than normal pregnancies. But then Jake IMPRINTED on Renesmee and I just thought, "I'm pretty sure that was the entire point of Bella getting pregnant: sink one ship by giving Jake another ship".

 At then end, we meet all these vampires, I think it is so convenient that Eleazar can predict extra powers. And that Bella happened to be a shield. But, it did work out very nicely for the story, and I liked the ending. The one biggest complaint that I had is that nobody fought! I watched the movie first (*sad face*) so I was expecting it to be like the movie, foolish me. BUT I STILL WOULD HAVE REALLY LIKED A FIGHT SCENE! Seriously, there is literally just tension, then more tension, then angst on top of even MORE tension, and it all is resolved so peacefully without anyone having to move from their side of the battlefield. It was really diplomatic, and I just wished there were even a few sassy comments thrown in before it was all resolved.

Thanks for reading! Go pick up the books!!!

Review: Breaking Dawn WITHOUT SPOILERS

Breaking Dawn Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I'm not really sure why, but it took me a really, really long time to finish this one. It was good- a nice ending- but it took me longer than I expected to finish it. I think maybe it dragged a little bit too long with the middle part and towards the end, some parts just seemed unnecessary and others seemed like they were placed very conveniently to make a nice little bow for the end. The plot in this one was my favorite out of all the books. I just felt like there more happening and an actual cohesive point and purpose behind the story that was driving it. The characters are rounded out nicely and were given very nice finishing touches. One of the things I really like about this one, is that we meet so many new vampires from so many different areas. It is no longer just the Cullens and the Volturi, and that just added in another really interesting element.



Thanks for reading! Go pick up the books!!!


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Thursday, March 31, 2016

Review: Eclipse WITH SPOILERS

Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer
Book Review
4.24 Stars out of 5
WITH SPOILERS
Eclipse by Stephenie MeyerThis series is semi-surprising me. There are still some characters that I find REALLY annoying, but the series of events is actually pretty entertaining. And, obviously, if you read the first two books you're probably going to finish the series out. I recommend that in general, but I feel like it will be worth it for this series especially. Even if you saw the movie first (**bows head in shameful guilt***) and know the ending, I would read them anyway because I am catching things that differ from the movie and my opinions on some of the characters has changed. Keep reading! I approve! :P
The one thing I will say, is that I feel like this could have been the last book in the series. There was one little snag that wasn't resolved in this that I know will get fixed later, but it could have been put into this one....

BELLA AND EDWARD. WHAT THE ACTUAL ****. I have to say, I'm Team Jacob. And it's not because I think Edward is a bad guy or anything. It's just that they don't balance each other out with their personalities. Example (in comparison to Christian and Ana (Fifty Shades)- seems fitting): Christian and Edward are both super overprotective to a point that I want to hit them over the head- repeatedly. But Ana and Bella are not the same in their responses. Ana doesn't always do what Christian says. She actually makes it a point to go off her own instincts and if he doesn't like it, it's his own fault for not giving her more details. Bella just sits there and bemoans about it. Edward: "Jacob is dangerous, he's a new werewolf." Bella: "He really isn't. He is my best friend and he would never hurt me." Edward: "No." Bella: ***cries in corner*** "I miss him so much!" Gah! It was so frustrating!!! Honestly, I think Jacob is better for her. I will admit that Edward improves throughout the book, but still.... Jacob. He himself actually describes it well at the end by comparing Edward to a drug and himself to the sun and air. Gee, I wonder which one is healthier...

Most of my reactions about this book have to do with how Jacob is better for Bella than Edward, and what kills me is that SHE LOVES HIM TOO. I totally agree with the capability for someone to love more than one person at once but, having watched the movie first, I though it was mostly something Jake made up. BUT IT ISN'T. I died inside when she realized that she loved him too AND THEN STILL CHOSE EDWARD. Edward is a reasonable vampire, he would have let her go live a normal human life with Jacob and not kill the entire tribe in retribution. Not the choice I would have made... I love the werewolves. We learn so much more about them and I like them even more now.

Thanks for reading!

Review: Eclipse SPOILER FREE

Eclipse Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This series is semi-surprising me. There are still some characters that I find REALLY annoying, but the series of events is actually pretty entertaining. And, obviously, if you read the first two books you're probably going to finish the series out. I recommend that in general, but I feel like it will be worth it for this series especially. Even if you saw the movie first (**bows head in shameful guilt***) and know the ending, I would read them anyway because I am catching things that differ from the movie and my opinions on some of the characters has changed. Keep reading! I approve! :P
The one thing I will say, is that I feel like this could have been the last book in the series. There was one little snag that wasn't resolved in this that I know will get fixed later, but it could have been put into this one....




Thanks for reading!

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Tuesday, March 29, 2016

New Moon Review WITH SPOILERS

New Moon by Stephenie Meyer
Book Review 
4 of 5 Stars
WITH SPOILERS 
I honestly think this one was so much better than Twilight. I do not have a review of Twilight up, nor do I plan on putting one up, but in comparison I feel like this was an improvement. I don't really know what the general opinion about this one is (not majorly a part of the fandom), but I do know that many people get annoyed with Bella in this one. People, she is annoying 24/7; however, I feel like her reactions in this book were described very acutely in a way that I feel like not many people can necessarily relate to or they are uncomfortable with, resulting in them degrading her character for it. For those who have read the book, you probably know what I'm talking about (more details later), and for those of you who haven't, it isn't bad, it's just honest and people don't like that honesty.
New Moon by Stephenie MeyerPLOT: Nothing major happens in the plot in this one--- I feel like it's more setup. Although, I really liked what was going on during the setup. It was exploratory of human nature and there were some really fun scenes.
CHARACTERS: Bella- Honey, grow up. You're not ten anymore. That being said, people say her actions and reactions are exaggerations, but you have to put in into perspective. It is a paranormal situation.... I think it's fairly safe to say non-normal reaction are the new normal. Edward- Get over yourself. Dumb***. Jacob- I fell in love with Jacob in this book. I don't ship them. I think they're better as friends. But I'd ship him with me .... :) Nobody else is a main player in this one I don't think.....
WORLD: I really liked how we got to hang out around La Push more. That was a really interesting development of where Bells lives and I feel like it filled in the picture more- it added some more colors to it. The Volturi I thought were really interesting. Especially Aro and Jane. It brought to the surface the dangers of vampires that was mentioned in Twilight, but we weren't really exposed to before. The whole thing with the Treaty is brought up too and we get some interesting info on the wolf-y ones as well. :)

SPOILER TIME
PLOT: I liked the plot!! Like I said, not much happens, but we get to hang out with Jacob and it seems like there was more doing instead of talking. We get Bella talking so much and her adjusting in the first book- which is fine- but in this one, we see her develop more indirectly, which made her character more relatable while making the plot and events more fun and interesting at the same time. We got to see a lot of really fun things, like motorcycle riding and cliff diving. And then later on we get an almost-death when Alice, Bella, and Edward are in Italy, which is always something that keeps us on our feet.
CHARACTERS: (I'm not going to do everybody) Jacob- We really get to know Jacob and his personality in this book. One of this things that I love about him is that he won't stop trying to get Bella to go out with him. This was sooooo cute to me. She even admits it to him at one point that she isn't ready to date, and he's just like, "Eh. I'll just keep it up 'til you say yes". It is just so boyishly charming that it made me love him so much more. Aro- The contrast between his authority and how he behaves and speaks is hilarious. Granted, there is nothing funny about the situation they're in when we meet him, but he seems like he's trying so hard to make everything less tense in the room. This makes me think that he isn't really that bad of a vamp. Bella- Ok. Previous to reading this, I had heard so many negative things about her depression and how the pages only had months on them, but when I was reading it, I couldn't see anything bad with it. If anything, it was very strongly accurate to depression and what that feels like. I'm not sure why people got so annoyed by that. If anything, it should have made them more aware of anyone around them who seemed "numb". I actually thought the whole month-on-a-page thing was really creative. And you shouldn't have had to have ever been depressed or know anyone depressed to see that- it was obvious that that was what she was feeling.
WORLD: Nothing really spoiler-y to say here. Jake becomes a werewolf, so they are introduced. Adds another element to the series. And like I stated previously, the Volturi come into play, and I think they are really interesting.

Thanks for reading! :)

Review: New Moon (Spoiler Free)

New Moon New Moon by Stephenie Meyer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I honestly think this one was so much better than Twilight. I do not have a review of Twilight up, nor do I plan on putting one up, but in comparison I feel like this was an improvement. I don't really know what the general opinion about this one is (not majorly a part of the fandom), but I do know that many people get annoyed with Bella in this one. People, she is annoying 24/7; however, I feel like her reactions in this book were described very acutely in a way that I feel like not many people can necessarily relate to or they are uncomfortable with, resulting in them degrading her character for it. For those who have read the book, you probably know what I'm talking about (more details later), and for those of you who haven't, it isn't bad, it's just honest and people don't like that honesty.
PLOT: Nothing major happens in the plot in this one--- I feel like it's more setup. Although, I really liked what was going on during the setup. It was exploratory of human nature and there were some really fun scenes.
CHARACTERS: Bella- Honey, grow up. You're not ten anymore. That being said, people say her actions and reactions are exaggerations, but you have to put in into perspective. It is a paranormal situation.... I think it's fairly safe to say non-normal reaction are the new normal. Edward- Get over yourself. Dumb***. Jacob- I fell in love with Jacob in this book. I don't ship them. I think they're better as friends. But I'd ship him with me .... :) Nobody else is a main player in this one I don't think.....
WORLD: I really liked how we got to hang out around La Push more. That was a really interesting development of where Bells lives and I feel like it filled in the picture more- it added some more colors to it. The Volturi I thought were really interesting. Especially Aro and Jane. It brought to the surface the dangers of vampires that was mentioned in Twilight, but we weren't really exposed to before. The whole thing with the Treaty is brought up too and we get some interesting info on the wolf-y ones as well. :)

SPOILER TIME




Thanks for reading! :)

View all my reviews