Ink by Amanda Sun: Review *Spoilers+ Rant

On the heels of a family tragedy, the last thing Katie Greene wants to do is move halfway across the world. Stuck with her aunt in Shizuoka, Japan, Katie feels lost. Alone. She doesn’t know the language, she can barely hold a pair of chopsticks, and she can’t seem to get the hang of taking her shoes off whenever she enters a building.
Then there’s gorgeous but aloof Tomohiro, star of the school’s kendo team. How did he really get the scar on his arm? Katie isn’t prepared for the answer. But when she sees the things he draws start moving, there’s no denying the truth: Tomo has a connection to the ancient gods of Japan, and being near Katie is causing his abilities to spiral out of control. If the wrong people notice, they'll both be targets.
Katie never wanted to move to Japan—now she may not make it out of the country alive.

Getting through this book was pure pain. I kept at it went through the whole thing only because I carried with me a stifle of hope that maybe I was just prejudiced against the book by the first few foibles of the characters that irritated me. I carried that hope with me to very end cause I had such faith in the possibilities of the plot. How pointless my perseverance turned out to be though. 

The book had so much potential and was so unique. It is pretty rare, at least in my opinion, to find a young adult novel set in an Asian country and had such deep integration into the traditional culture. Usually when the main character was to have moved to somewhere it would have been a small town, or etc. not a whole other country especially in the fact Katie was not of Japanese ethnicity. The strong incorporation and connection to traditional Japanese culture was very cool. I especially liked the uniqueness of the idea of the power behind the ink and pen. However, all this potential was killed in the cheesiness of this book. 

I hate to be so mean and brutal with a book but I simply have to with this one. Reading this was like reading straight chick-lit even thought the back cover plot summary offered so much more potential. I hated this book. It was just so sappy and icky that I can literary picture this book to be a glob of melted candies that sat in the sun too long. Reading this was bad to the point of almost painful. This utmost stupidity/idiocy of the character was appaling. I was mind blown that this book was actually published and I didn't end up finding this book online on a online romantic fiction writer's cult.

During the whole time period I was reading this book mostly all I could think about was how this book was almost an exact copy of Twilight.  Here are the parallels I have drawn:

1. Katie is like Bella a weak female character who is plain whimpy. She "attempts" at time to help the situation but before she actually does anything she has already hit the stage of waiting for prince charming to save her. All her actions were selfish, idiotic, and stupid. The thing is, all the drama that is happening to Tomohiro (her love interest) is not all that really connected to her. She's like a nosy spoiled brat who head buts her way into his life and helps stirs up the mess. It's like she messes with his life, screw it up for a moment in trying to help, then sits in a corner and cries while he cleans up the mess. The thing that irked me the most however is the fact that she was constantly crying. Tomohiro's problems weren't even bothering here. If she was educated and had a real attitude she'd get self together and stop crying so he doesn't have to concern himself with her to add to his problems. 

2. The similarities between Tomohiro and Edward Cullen is appalling. They are both described as the mysterious dude. The classic untouchable bad boy that is swoon worthy of all the girls. They even both have magical powers, (though in Edwards case he is a vampire) that they don't want and is suffering from. Must I also highlight the annoyance at their utmost dedicated protection of their female character counterpart? I know I just bashed Katie and Bella for both being sappy, weak, princesses believing faithfully in chivalry but it isn't all their faults as that is what their male counterpart regards them as. 

3. The failed, try-hard parent figure. Diane and Charlie are perfect parallels of each other in their parenting awkwardness. 

4. The friend groups are even similar. Tanaka= the guy friend you can easily tell has a crush on Katie even though he'll never admit it. Yuki= the really cheesy, feminine best friend that is a huge gossip.  I'm not going to say which of two Twilight characters I believe these two represent but I'm pretty sure it is obvious. 

5. The other man: Jun. This is definitely a Jacob Black parallel. Described as dark and dangerous, he hasn't made an official move on Katie yet, but I certainly expect one to happen in the next book. It looks to me at this point as simply inevitable. Kate even admits a certain light layer of attraction to him. 

6. (The most annoying one) It is the fact that Katie is magically this trigger figure for Tomohiro. Some how, magically, whenever she is around, his power gets stronger. Of course, Tomohiro responds by stating, "stay away from me. I'm dangerous." Doesn't this scene/ action course feel familiar to anyone? *cough When Edward was all like Bella some how your blood draws me in like none other. Also let's not forget that fiasco that was New Moon. 

I'll draw a line to the end the parallels here, but there are certainly more. The only thing that doesn't make this book openly a copy of Twilight is the change in ethnicity of the characters, the different supernaturality going on, and the book's setting in Japan. 

This book is, in a summary,  one girl's fantasy of a perfect Japanese world found through over obsession of Japanese culture yet with no real understanding of the culture. Yes, basis were covered with tradition but it was highly stereotypical with attitudes and actions of the characters. It is a bad manga come to life crammed with every Japanese stereotype there is. 

I simply wish there was a way to salvage this book. Maybe take it back and put it through a severe round of rewriting to make it better. I liked the cultural approach of the supernatural aspect but it was swept into the dust by its Twilight like plot. If that part was further emphasized and the book not such a ball a cheese, I might have enjoyed it. I do acknowledge that in saying this I'm basically asking for the book to be rewritten. The idea was good but the execution of it was far off target from what it could have been. 

I wouldn't recommend reading this book at all. It simply isn't worth the mental torment. Though sounding harsh, this is my example of trash literature. It had no glory or honor behind it. It is simply just a collection of pointless action and drama and tears. It is at these moments I feel bad for readers that only read these types of books. What a world they are missing. Oh, the greatness of words. If I could I'd throw this book into the fire to prevent any one else pains.  But alas, it is a library book so I can't . Read it if you must but I certainly don't wouldn't recommend it. 

Leave Myself Behind: a novel by Bart Yates: Review *Spoilers

Noah York is a closeted gay teenager with a foul mouth, a critical disposition, and plenty of material for his tirades. After his father dies, Noah's mother, a temperamental poet, takes a teaching job in a small New Hampshire town, far from Chicago and the only world Noah has known. While Noah gets along reasonably with his mother, the crumbling house they try to renovate quickly reveals dark secrets, via dusty Mason jars they discover interred between walls. The jars contain scraps of letters, poems, and journal entries, and eventually reconstructs a history of pain and violence that drives a sudden wedge between Noah and his mother. Fortunately, Noah finds an unexpected ally in J.D., a teenager down the street who has family troubles of his own.

I loved this book. It was pure fate and luck that I happened upon it in my school library and decided to take it. It was hidden on a bottom shelf and with the light coloring of the cover I almost missed it. I think it was the title the cause me to grab it. Usually I'm not a big fan of the self discovery type of books but some how that day the title, Leave Myself Behind, appealed to me.

One word to describe this book would be raw. It is dirty, earthy, and grounded. Curses are sprinkled in it giving it character and the educated quirkiness of the main character drew me in. How often does one find a main character in a fiction book that makes references to Neitzche and other various philosophers, thinkers, and writers. It is just so relate-able to the average high school student. So many high school romance books dumb down the characters to greatly wanting love and magically having great gpas and test scores; However, that intelligence shown in that magical gpa is never demonstrated fully in the character.

The substance of this book was also very interesting. It was a romance, yet it wasn't completely targeted at the lovey-doviness of it all. It more of a journey with romance that just happened to be equally entwined in the plot. The romance in the novel was a homosexual one, but I don't think that part is needed to be emphasized. A good romance shouldn't matter whether the love is homosexual, heterosexual, etc. but by the fact that it was more of a process where it all happened naturally.

I absolutely fell in love with the main character, Noah. I already remarked that he is very educated and relate-able to the average student. His education is shown very clearly in his character and his intelligence is very appealing. Noah's colorful language is just beautiful. I tell you, its very rare these days to find a teenager who doesn't curse at least mentally. His honesty in the expressal of his feelings is so straight forward the reader gets hit with his ever emotion and thought.

Noah is also not a weak character; He has a pretty solid backbone. He knows love when he sees it, yet he won't let it rule him- to bend him. In the story after J.D. and Noah finally discover that yes, the love each other, they face the dilemma of J.D.'s girlfriend. J.D. wanted desperately to keep their relationship a secret and keep is girlfriend. Noah would have none of it. He very blatantly states: Yes, I do love you but you can't keep me in the shadows J.D.. Make your choice. This standing of his ground is just something that we rarely see these days in high school romances. High schoolers are usually portrayed as so desperate at seeking love they would stoop to any level. This standing gives a larger perspective the character of an average teenagers. We aren't all sad little people living for our moment of finding affection.

The only iffy part of this book was the fact that everyone was raped: Noah's mother, J.D.'s mother, Nancy. Seriously? That is a lot of assault going on in one novel. I understand that that author was trying to get a point across to connect all the stories together but this felt like a little much. It definitely passed the line of coincidence to forced planning. There were also various little cliches lightly dusted around but I excused those. I like the fact that this book didn't solve all its writing problems. Its flaws added to its character and that's a rare thing for me to say.

I also didn't see much point to the side story that involved the jars, and all the rapes. It was simply just there. Yes, it added to some of my fascination with this book but I didn't find it particularly connected to the main plot of the story.

However, on a note of surprise, I came to find J.D.'s father to be one of my favorite characters also. He really didn't have a large part or even a point in the story but I frankly don't care. His simple drunken attitude plainly appealed to me. To me he showed that life wasn't always a wonderful adventure. Sometimes to will prove to turn out to be plain sucky, yet we still continue living the same repetitive life. He was real and I liked that.

Yes, this book has its flaws, but somehow the flaws in this book just makes it more precious. The cleverness of Noah's character is enticing and the whole book is a picture of raw reality. I would definitely recommend this book as a must read.

Uninvited by Sophie Jordan: ARC Review *Spoilers

When Davy Hamilton's tests come back positive for Homicidal Tendency Syndrome (HTS)-aka the kill gene-she loses everything. Her boyfriend ditches her, her parents are scared of her, and she can forget about her bright future at Juilliard. Davy doesn't feel any different, but genes don't lie. One day she will kill someone.

Only Sean, a fellow HTS carrier, can relate to her new life. Davy wants to trust him; maybe he's not as dangerous as he seems. Or maybe Davy is just as deadly.

The first in a two-book series, Uninvited tackles intriguing questions about free will, identity, and human nature. Steeped in New York Times bestselling author Sophie Jordan's trademark mix of gripping action and breathless romance, this suspenseful tale is perfect for fans of James Patterson, Michelle Hodkin, and Lisa McMann.

The first thing I picked up when I read Uninvited's back cover was "Homicidal Tendency Syndrome." That line just grabbed at me and I knew I had to read this ARC. I have read Sophie Jordan before with her Firelight young adult series so when I picked Uninvited up I had a feeling of what I was going to get into. I remember that when I was reading Sophia Jordan's Firelight series that enjoyed it but I didn't classify it as anything particularly great. It was good enough that I went and read through the whole series but not for me to go back and reread to soak in every word. I hoped in reading Uninvited I would grow to like Sophia Jordan's work more and that this book would prove me wrong in my mild reaction to her Firelight series. This book seemed to have a good plot and could go some where great. Unfortunately, this book was also just okay. It was iffy. When it ended I wasn't really sure if there was to be a sequel and frankly I didn't care that much. I was glad I read it and had some mental relaxation time but I know I would definitely not reread it.

The plot of the book, at least to the back cover, seemed exciting and build-able. To have a disease that labeled you as a killer is pretty unique as an idea. However the plot had a lot of holes and pointless moments. It was like a puzzle that fit together only because you jammed the pieces together. I simply didn't go together naturally. There were some ideas and characters that were introduced but never concluded and parts I thought could have been expanded but wasn't. 

First, remarking on the main character, Davy, she is described as literally perfect until she got HTC (Homicidal Tendency Syndrome). For me, perfect characters bother me. They are so easily destroyed and brought down with one single pull of a brick. In Davy's case, the brick was HTC. Immediately she became this weak blob and the unfortunate thing is, this is simply unavoidable when you have a perfect character that has never met failure.  And of course now as she is now diagnosed her love interest enters the picture.

Sean is the picture of the classic bad boy, now-I-must-swoon character. He was a good character but he was just so typical. I felt the book revolved strongly to the cliche of: Good girl meets bad boy, bad boy magically likes the good girl, bad boy isn't that bad and proves to have a heart, yay, life is good, destiny forces them together. Not that it isn't fun to read these type of cheesy romances, I feel these types of books are dangerous at times. Maybe its my inner health class showing but in real life this doesn't usually happen. This book is targeted towards grades 8+ and people 13+ so basically tweens and teens. To form such an idealization of this glorious fictional romance in such a young mind is probably not healthy for these children in the future. Idealizations are never good.

Now for the trials that Davy went through; they felt really forced. The antagonists were all really one dimensioned characters. They were simply mad scientists who decided to gather up all the supposed HTC carriers because they could. It was like reading a pointless, without reason, genocide that didn't really make sense. Of course, classically, all of Davy's old "friends" abandon her as soon as she is diagnosed. Her supposed best friend immediately turns on her and I could easily tell she was out for Davy's man (boyfriend before they broke up). She goes from sweet to a bitch (excuse the language) in a few chapters. Like what? Was perfect Davy just simply innocent enough that she couldn't even recognize her real friends if she even had any? Davy is like a freakn' Disney princess whose happily ever after just died. Everything in this book is set for a certain end and I don't like that. I like plots that are expandable and twist-able for more possibilities and depth.

Davy's brother was also introduced in this book at the beginning and his frequent appearance made me feel he would be substantial to the plot. Nope, that didn't happen. He encourages Davy in a few chapters to fight back the immediately fades into the background when Davy leaves for Mount Haven (basically a HTC carrier concentration camp). I felt his character could have easily been expanded to mean more to the plot. I guess if there is to be a sequel he could grow to become an important character then but as of now he just kind of died in the background.

What also really bothered me was in the first part when Davy was sent to a different school due to her HTC. This whole section could have been completely cut out and it wouldn't have effected the plot at all. It was all really pointless. All it served as was a grieving period for Davy to play sad princess and for introduction of pointless characters that were never mentioned again after this section. Why was Sean's adoptive brother even introduced? All he did was say Hi to Davy and eat cereal. And all those students too at Davy's new high school? If you aren't going place all of them in Mount Haven (the concentration camp) why bother even introducing them. Don't waste your words Sophia, you could have built something much greater with words you didn't waste.

In conclusion, the book was simply okay. It'll do for a simple mindless read that you would breeze through. If you read this book carefully it will bother you and torment you mentally with its foibles. One part I really did like about the book was the little random excerpts of news and etc. that kind of showed what was going on in the rest of the world. However, those didn't really serve a purpose either. I know everything that I felt was flawed could be all nicely knotted in a sequel but with the first book in its current state I don't feel very motivated to go search for one if it came out. If it just happened to be in front of me in a library, I'd grab it. Other then that, I'd just let it fade from my  mind into oblivion.

The publication of this book is due to be the January 28, 2014 though on the back of my ARC it says March. Hmmm.... confusion. If you really need a mindless read and you find this right in front of you, go ahead and read it. It's plot is pretty unique but if you wan't a really good story, this book simply won't make the cut.

Last note: To be honest, I think we all have a little bit of HTC in us. Its just our limits that let us break are set differently.

Draft 1: The Fault in Our Stars: An Analysis of Block and K. from The Trial by Franz Kafka

            In Shakespeare's famous work Julius Caesar, the Senator Cassius is famed for saying the line: "the fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars". This line relates to the idea that our lives are not limited to a certain road by destiny but by the strength of our will to struggle. One must question however is it really our own will that defines our fate or is that what our ego wants us to believe. Perhaps, Cassius is wrong in his words, that the  fault is indeed in our stars with the end being the same for all men. Perhaps, it is only because of human ego that one wants to believe that he has control over his destiny. In the paradox between Kafka's characters Block and K., the two men react very differently to their dance with the court (one allowing himself to be reduced to the state of a dog and the other to a state mental fragility); yet in their struggle they both achieve an equal state of success at free will.

            Though K. chooses to pursue absolute acquittal and Block seeks to remain in the constant state of deferment, their faith in their decision allows then the freedom achievable in the constraints inflicted the court. The court in truth wants nothing of Block and K. It symbolizes the constraints in one's life; it symbolizes destiny and fate. The priest had clearly said to K "So why would I want anything from you? the court doesn't want anything from you. It accepts you when you come and it lets you go when you leave." This is what fate does. It constrains you. Block and K. follow Nietzsche's beliefs in wanting to transcend from the common man: achieving freedom from the court. They are only successful in achieving freedom in the fact that they do not accept their trial as the sentence it is but constantly fights these restraints. Block begins a love affair with the court with his obsession to find lawyers to save him. "Five petty lawyers", and the lawyer he shares with K is not enough to satisfy is will to struggle causing him to continue to "even [negotiate]with a sixth one". K in contrast sacks his lawyer, and allows himself to be consumed mind and soul into proving his innocence. Both these men will not let themselves be taken freely by the court instead "[want] to see some tangible progress" in finding innocence. This innocence of course is unfindable as fate is set and its boundaries unalterable. Though the court (fate) bind K. and Block by beginning and end, the differences in their journeys demonstrates the free will attempted.

            The parallelism between Block and K. and their interactions with the court is apparent in the doorkeeper's parable as they both are represented by the man waiting outside the door.   Both men believe in Camus' idea that they can transcend the absurdity to find innocence from the court. They have the faith that they can change their fate from its set boundaries. The fate of Block and K. fixed. It is to wait outside the door. However K. and Block's door differs due to their varying journeys to the end thus their doors are different. The doorkeeper himself had said to the man. "Nobody else could have got in this way, as this entrance was meant only for you.". These words reflect the ultimance of free will is in the struggle. Both K. and Block are limited by boundaries set by the court which they cannot escape yet knowing that each of their doors is different shows that the little resistance they were able to put up did make a difference. It was a difference in journey to destination. The doorman had said "If you're tempted give it a try, try and go in even though I say can't."and both men did try. Their differing struggles demonstrate the little amount of freewill they could thus making all the difference.

            At the end of The Trial, K is dead and Block still lives yet both men remain at an equal state of being. When K. is finally killed by the two policemen his last thoughts turn to the fact that "the logic cannot be refuted, but someone who wants to live will not resist it." At this moment K. is broken and he finds that everything he has fought for is pointless and that there never was a way out of the court as an innocent man. K. reflects to the fact of "where was the judge he'd never seen? Where was the high court he had never reached." At this stage K. and Block are parallels. Block from the very beginning has chosen deferment to avoid the court. His faith is in the fact that he will continue living by parasiting as many lawyers as he can. K. immediately  regards Block's choice as weak and hopeless for "he was no longer a client, he was the lawyer's dog". Similarly Block had noted K as a dead man for sacking his lawyer and trying to achieve absolute acquittal. Block only comes to view himself in the perspective of K after hearing the lawyer say "What do you think he'd say if he learned his trial still hasn't begun, if you told him they haven't even rung the bell to announce the start of proceedings." This serves as Block's revelation that everything he has been doing: succumbing, begging, groveling, is pointless. Block instead of submitting like K. his death to the point of the knife he submitted his death to his lawyer. At this state "if the lawyer had ordered [Block] to crawl under the bed as if it were a kennel and to bark out from under it, then he would have done so with enthusiasm." Block in using deferment to avoid his trial was killed by the court just like K. only mentally. The irony between these two men is that they each recognized that the other's struggle was pointless but could not see that his own was also. They are both victims to Camus theory of absurdity. In truth there may be no point to the trial and the court yet Block and K. still seek a meaning to it.

            K. and Block, through all the surface differences of their separate journeys, walked the same road down to the same fate. They were trapped by the stars, the court, and were unable to leave those limitations that bound them. Still though, they managed to grasp at in which ever direction they thought best to define the fact that though they were bound they were not broken. Both K. and Block did not give up. They took the situation were offered and worked as best they could. This is what gave them success, this is what made them unique even though they walked the same road. One is birthed and one dies, that is the rule of the world-that is everyone's fate. It is because that we are all Blocks and K's seeking our own definition of our fate that our lives differ. Free will is not the act of doing our actions but choosing to do them. It is the faith in the hope that even though our ends are the same we chose to make what we can our own.

Man Of Steel: A rant of a review *Spoilers

*Please excuse all grammar and spelling errors. I typed this pretty fast and didn't go back and check thoroughly... Sorry! :)

So today, I decided it would be worthy of my time to go and watch Man of Steel as I am currently running a new found love for Superman. I've gone from watching Smallville(the CW TV show), Superman(1978), Superman 2 (1980), and Superman Returns(2006) in a matter of one week. That is a lot of television ambition right there. So much of my life wasted for a sudden fascination with the Superman character. Overall, this movie was pretty good. The special effects were amazing and the story line was plotted out was great. The fact that Clark's back story was told not in consecutive order immediately fascinated me and kept me very entertained. The only thing about it was that it just simply wasn't deep enough to let me call this movie wonderful.

Let me first remark upon the creation and birth of this Superman movie. This Clark just seemed to accept his destiny is saving the world and being a hero. In the scene with the priest/pastor he said he felt he was compelled to have faith in the human good.  Where is the back story to this? In the flashbacks to his past and childhood one can see that he was a very tormented soul: friendless and alone. Other than the guidance and the words of wisdom he received from his fathers(both Jonathan and Jor-el), we can see no other reason for him to have such faith in human nature for he has only seen the ugly in how his peers treat him.  Perhaps there is more to his back story but it is simply not portrayed in the movie.  This portrayal of Superman was simply more human: more flawed and not glass perfect.  There were more quirks and untiable loose ends in the plot. The acting, however, was pretty good. I really enjoyed watching the dramatics and the whole shabang. 

I must also touch on the subject of Lois and Clark's relationship in this movie. I just simply did not see a  relationship being formed. It felt almost twilightesc with its "I see you. You intrigue me. Bam its destiny" moments between Lois and Clark.

 A. Lois follows Clark into a cave.

B. Clark saves her.

C. Lois is intrigued and begins tracking/stalking Clark.

D. Lois and Clark just suddenly become entwined in the whole center of this mess.

Was there really a reason for Lois to be called upon the ship? Maybe I wasn't watching carefully enough but I couldn't seem to pinpoint a reason. Their relationship seemed to be another destiny thing set in the plot. They just had to end up together, no questions to be asked. This part just made the plot cheesy. Oh, and one more thing. That screaming by Lois.  The character of Lois is described to be a headstrong, feisty, never giving up reporter. The portrayal of her in The Man of Steel did not scream this to me. All I felt was the "Bella" female image. Snooping where she shouldn't be snooping and waiting for Superman to save her. If Lois was to truly be the character of Lois then the moment when she was screaming in that burning pod falling from space, she would have been trying her guts out to get out instead of screaming as she falls to her death. The fight in her character just never seemed to show. She gets thrown in the locked room by Faura and she just sits for a moment to catch her breath- no banging on the door, no cursing, no nothing. Not even the will to struggle. The portrayal of what Lois could have been never truly showed through. She went from being a strong character to an okay, mild-ish one: a damsel in distress.

Also, the destruction of Metropolis just didn't feel right. I just couldn't feel that if superman was indeed being superman he would let that many people and the city just fall and die like that. It felt off and unsettling. Maybe it is that I am supermaning this particular Superman: wanting to be such an ideal human perfection. I must admit this movie did make him seem more human in his inability to save everyone and everything but the amount of violence and unnecessary deaths kind of ruined the point. I feel like "Superman" would have been more mindful in his actions of saving the world as it is his compassion and his faith in the good that makes him what he is. I do understand that in the battle and when the towers/buildings were falling there was no way that Superman could have been at both destinations at the same time and I accept those destructions. It's just that his execution of how he saved the world that bothers me. The carelessness of slamming through all those buildings after Zod threatened his mother could have possibly endangered and killed a lot of people. Was that really a "superman" thing to do? This movie seems to make Superman just a regular man who was given super powers and a destiny instead of showcasing the glory of the soul that makes Superman super. This portrayal of Superman in Man of Steel (not to be condescending) showed not "Superman" but a simple man who was destined with power, glory, and magically, a trusting- faith in humanity heart. Man of Steel could have easily been adapted into any other hero movie, not necessarily Superman's story. It was good but it lost its portrayal of the purity and the greatness that makes Superman Superman.

All in all, I'm glad I watched Man of Steel. The whole picture of this movie was good and enjoyable for a relaxing, I-want-to-just-lay-back-and-enjoy-my-day mind relaxer. I know I didn't reflect much on the other characters and happenings but I simply don't feel obligated too. I only feel a sympathy for Zod and I can almost say he was my favorite character oddly enough.  He was portrayed with such a deep sense of faith and belief that his actions were really going to bring back/save Krypton. He also bad a back story and a stronger cause in his faith. If I compare the back story of Superman and Zod in Man of Steel, Zod's would win for being the stronger.  His character lingers with that Nero, Calupurnia, Hitler feel to it: desperation in the last moments of failure at glory's end. So, yes, Zod won it for me in this movie. Last thought and most importantly, there was no mention of Kryptonite and that killed me a little. 

I will now end with a statement of my favorite quote from the movie. As both the Colonel and Faura said "It is an honor to die a good death" and yes, yes it is.  

Sabian Cross Body Mini Bag from Kipling: Review

Front View: Emmauel, The Kipling Logo, Classic Kipling Zipper, Blue Strap, Front Pocket

What I have here today is the Sabian Cross Body Mini Bag from Kipling. I received it as a gift and I've never owned anything from Kipling before so I was ecstatic. The color I received it in is color: 803 and is called Blubuttfly on the back. I think that Bluebuttfly stands for Blue Butterfly just condensed? I hope it does cause then it just sounds weird. It is a beautiful bag with very vibrant colors. My sister received the same bag in the same color number (803), yet her designs were different so I think every bag has its own unique color combo to it. That is pretty cool to own a unique bag. 

The bag has a dark blue strap and is lined with a light, mint-green lining. It features a Velcro closure. The dimensions of the bag are 7.5in-6in-3.25in (length-width-height). Its a pretty small bag but not too small. You could probably put your cellphone, wallet, iPod in it, and it would be pretty full. I really depends though. A regular sized water bottle would defiantly not fit in it though so that makes it slightly inconvenient if I were to take this bag for a trip. There is a little zipper pocket on the front of the bag which you could put little things in like change if you'd like. There is also a pocket on the inside. You could use that one to carry your cash with instead to lighten your load or whatever you happen to want to carry. On the inside, this bag also has a little clip thing which I would use to clip my key chain with to keep my keys handy. I think this little addition was pretty nice. Of course this bag had the classic Kipling logo, zippers, and monkey. :)

Now a little bit about the monkey cause obviously he's most important. This little guy's name is Emmanuel which I actually really like. Its totally a great name. You never see any Emmanuels anymore and now I know one who's a monkey. He is a neon, lime-green color and ,of course, his little thumb goes into his little fist and mouth. 

This bag retails for the cost of $54 but I think it is currently on sale. I'm betting that that the person who got me this bag (not mentioning names) got it at the outlets that are really near my house so it probably was on sale. Currently online, this bag is on sale for $29.99 on Kipling-usa.com but they don't have this particular color. They only have this green hue available which I don't think is quite so pretty. I don't know where else you could get this particular color of this bag, but I guess you could try your local outlets or do some major bag stalking. 

As a final thought, I really do like this bag. It's very light and Emmanuel's adorable. In terms of handiness I would rate this bag a 3 out 5 because of the fact it can't carry much, but if I were to rate on looks, it would be 5/5 all the way. 

Side View: Emmauel, The Kipling Logo, Classic Kipling Zipper, Blue Strap, Front Pocket

Back View: Emmauel, Blue Strap

Inside: Pocket, Little Clip Thing, Light, Mint-Green Lining (It looks really dark and gray from the lighting.)

The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski:ARC Review *Spoilers

Plot Summary: Winning what you want may cost you everything you love 

As a general’s daughter in a vast empire that revels in war and enslaves those it conquers, seventeen-year-old Kestrel has two choices: she can join the military or get married. But Kestrel has other intentions. One day, she is startled to find a kindred spirit in a young slave up for auction. Arin’s eyes seem to defy everything and everyone. Following her instinct, Kestrel buys him—with unexpected consequences. It’s not long before she has to hide her growing love for Arin. But he, too, has a secret, and Kestrel quickly learns that the price she paid for a fellow human is much higher than she ever could have imagined. Set in a richly imagined new world, The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski is a story of deadly games where everything is at stake, and the gamble is whether you will keep your head or lose your heart

As part of this book group I am in, I have access to many ARCs (Advanced Reader's Copies) of books. This is the first one that I have gone through so far and I loved it. First of all, let me just have little word about the cover and the book design because it is amazing! The cover is gorgeous, though I must say a bit cliche with the romance novel theme. That fact that it is printed horizontally just gives it enough uniqueness to make it special. I must also have a moment to relish the exquisiteness of that dress that girl is wearing. That color (a roseish hue) is simply ravishing.

When I first picked up The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski and I saw on its little summary on the back that it was a slave romance I was a bit tentative. I really wanted to like the book but was scared that it would be just a ball of cheese. After going through the intensive English class I have been taking this semester everything I read I analyze and I was just crossing my fingers that this book would be good enough that I wouldn't get distracted by its possible crappiness and start analyzing it for faults. I was very lucky and this didn't happen. This book turned out to be absolutely great to read. I tore through it within 4 hours of receiving it and had a blissful mental break from reality.

The main character, Kestral, was very human and stuck strong to her beliefs which I really enjoyed. There are so many books out there today that have such enticing cover flaps of strong female characters, but once you start reading you end up seeing another "Bella" (Twilight reference guys; I tend to make those). Yes, she did fall in love, yet she didn't let that love stand in the way of her duty and honor embedded deep into her from her customs. At the end, her decision wrapped up both her feelings of her people and those of her love, Arin. This character's steadiness is what makes her so wonderful in my eyes. She didn't loose herself in her journey yet she embraced the new. She rebelled even as she loved the enemy.

The plot of this book in comparison was not steady at all- which was great! When I first began to read this book I felt like I could already picture the road The Winner's Curse's plot was going to carve. Boy was I wrong. There were satisfying twists in every corner that I never expected and I liked that. I'm the type of person that usually never begins a book without reading/knowing the ending first. These twists gave me very pleasant surprises.

Of course, I have to also remark on the relationship between Kestral and Arin, our two starstruck lovers. I like them both a lot, which is pretty rare to come out of my mouth/fingers? :) Arin's character was more emotional than Kestral's, in my opinion. He seemed to feel more and was more willing to act in the name of faith or love. Kestral was the live-by-the-book, logical one. I feel this is usually switched in young adult romance novels so this was refreshing to find. These two characters weave together seamlessly to form a sappy perfection which makes me all warm and happy a mist all the stress I am suffering through from the joys of homework. Of course in the next book (*spoilers) there will be an introduction of a new character that could possibly tear these two starstruck lovers apart (think Gale- Hunger Games). I am crossing my fingers and praying this doesn't happen. I just love these two characters together too much.

After finishing this book I was really sad that I couldn't get my hands on the next book immediately. What makes it hurt even more is that it hasn't even been published yet/ released to the public. Oh the pains of reading an ARC and loving it. And to add another layer of icing to the cake, the book ends on a cliff hanger. Please. No. My heart cannot take such pain at this moment. I am really exited for this book to be published so that everyone can be exposed to the wonderfulness of this book. It makes for a great, light-hearted read to relieve yourself of the everyday stress. It isn't too deep, too sappy, or too boring. It is just perfect and the title connects with the book in just the most delicate way that will kill you emotionally.

I have never read anything else by Marie Rutkoski but I will probably check out more of her books after being exposed to such a great read. Next book, just please come out already. I'm on my knees.

March 4th, 2014 is the expected release date. Make sure to check it out and get your hands on a copy!

Short Story for English

So for English, we had an assignment to write a short story (AKA flash fic.) using our this week(s)'s vocab and grammar rules. I really enjoyed this assignment and I thought it was really fun to do. Sure assigned writing can be a pain but when you are bound by so many rules to follow, you really begin to think, apply, and better your writing. I though I did pretty well with this assignment and though this isn't my best piece of writing, I really like it. I was bound by a limit of two pages double spaced so I really couldn't build nor expand this story much but I feel it is pretty descent at painting a picture of the story I wanted to tell. Just mark off the vocab words as you go! :)

I'm Sorry

            I'm sorry that after this cessation of my convoluted  manipulation of your mind I finally realize how I have ruined you. I drew you into my voluptuous life style,  and you loved it. You were my rose, and I watered you with poisoned waters. I am so sorry but I didn't know and I was selfish; Forgive me I think you cannot and I don't seek it.

            Can you still remember the dammed day I first met you? Your face was so fresh, emanating light from youthful giddiness, so innocent and oblivious to the dark world you had blindly walked into. You were an imperceptible taste of something I had never tasted before and I wanted it. So we danced and we danced that night. You, at first tremulous, grew bolder with each passing waltz. I had sought just one, for a taste, but was intoxicated and couldn't let you go. I should've though and I am sorry.

            My intoxication of you grew into what I thought was love. I adored your pure smile that emanated innocence when you were happy and I bought it, because I loved it so, with every gem I showered on your lovely, golden head, thinking them emphatic of my loving declaration. I had no right to be the imperious ruler of your life, but I have always been one who adores power and worship of which you so willingly laid at my feet. You made me a god and I loved it.

            At first you held dissent for my lifestyle, able to see through the cracks in its bright chaotic beauty. But like it does to all who walks into its traps, my world blinded you and , being so amenable to my suggestions, you became hypnotized and walked blindly in. Then my lifestyle began to cause you to crack and change. The profusion of chaos and interminable fetes began to intoxicate you as you had intoxicated me. Your smile slowly twisted into  grimaces more and more often in till you forgot how to smile and I lost what I had adored;I did not notice and  still led you deeper and deeper. At this point, I now reflect, I don't think we even loved each other anymore:I had just simply grown addicted to you and you addicted to my world.

            Remember that time when your parents came to visit to see how you were doing? They tried to pull you out from my world's spell and give you back your moral conscience. You were too far gone to care. The discord that night I can still remember though it is covered with a drunken haze and filled with bright spasmodic moments of color. You were drunk, I was drunk, and my encouragement led you to cut all ties with the ones who truly loved you in that fatal dispute. I am sorry. I made you a disreputable monster and now you will die a monster.

            Today, I found you in an alley outside the New Years Ball lying prostrate on the floor. I took home and laid down with vain attempts to comfort your broken self. How far have you fallen from your previously heavenly divine status to the  illimitable depths of earthly hell. If you were to look at yourself know in the view point of those bright eyes I first saw you with you would be filled with tears and disapprobation at what you have become. Now if you see yourself, you wouldn't feel anything:frozen and immune to human emotions.

             I wish I had realized, before I had finally left you earlier this year , the inestimable damage I have caused you but I didn't because I was selfish then. I had taken and consumed all the light in you and when I found there was no more I cast you away: I disparaged you as no longer worthy of my vain affections. I had cast you alone into the sea of chaos and you floundered helplessly addicted.  

             I see that you are fading fast and I will aid you. I had somehow in my twisted thinking found glory and power in my dark, chaotic world. Now, I see it as  my attempt to banish my fear of mortality. I am no longer afraid so I will join you after I ease your pain. I deserve it.                                                  

             We will probably not end up in the same place: me to join the queues of the dammed and you to the queues of those who deserve redemption. I just want you to know how much I wish I had found my humanity before I met you. Then I could have really loved you and treated you the way you deserved. You would've  been happy. Don't forgive me.  I don't deserve it. You won't linger in this dark dream much longer; you will soon see the light again. Remember to smile. Goodbye. I'm sorry.