Cinder

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

 (Check out the Spanish cover here: http://marissameyer.livejournal.com/280010.html Not sure which one I like better. Which shoe fits better???)

Description: Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . .

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.

Opinion/Recommendation: This book was an amazingly new take on the story of Cinderella. Of course it has that dystopian setting, which I'm loving at the moment, but the premise of the story was very refreshing. I really enjoyed Cinder's character; part human and part cyborg, she's a social outcast with a hidden agenda...certainly not the kind of Cinderella I grew up with. But I think her strength makes Cinder more appealing to audiences today. Along with that strength, Cinder is very smart and genuine. Despite her lack of friends, she's probably the one person who you would want to be friends with. 

Even though the story is based on Cinderella, you don't need to worry about knowing the entire plot line. Meyer provides enough of the original story without it seeming like a word for word retelling of the classic. It branches out from the original story in many different ways, including the relationships Cinder shares with her family and the prince, as well as the introduction of a political/power driven war and plague that sweep Cinder from her life as a mechanic to a much more vital role (I like to think of her as an essential weapon). Can't wait to find out what happens in Scarlet, book two, coming out January 3, 2013.

On a bunny trail side-note: Yesterday, I went to a teen author showcase. Marrissa Meyer was there!

(Marissa is on the left. Kiki Hamilton, author of The Fairy Ring is on the right.)

I sat in the second row (the first row was empty, so it felt like i was right up front). It was a very insightful event and I now have a few new books I'm interested in reading. Ex. Velveteen by Daniel Marks. From his description, the book sounds pretty dark and humorous...haven't really read that kind of genre before, but you never know...............

Anyway, Marissa was really nice and spoke often about her book(s). I'm so excited for the whole series; and I'll let you know, that she said the other books will be based on other fairytale stories. She said Scarlet will be based on Little Red Riding Hood, and Cress will be based on Rapunzel. 

Also, another extra tidbit: I found out how to pronounce Cinder's sidekick robot's name "Iko". The whole time I was thinking it was pronounced I (like eye) and ko (like the beginning of coca-cola)...but no. Marissa kindly told me it's pronounced "eco" like the beginning of ecosystem. She was also handing out specially made fortune cookies (how clever). My fortune said, "Take comfort in your friends. Especially the android ones." That makes me smile. 

...Hope your day is bright

Olive juice 

Legend

Legend by Marie Lu... 

(Right: US cover Left: UK/Aus cover) personally, I like the UK/Aus cover best. Which cover do you like?
Description: "What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.
From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths - until the day June's brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias's death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets."

Opinion/Recommendation: I enjoyed reading Legend. June and Day are an interesting mix and have unique character qualities. They both possess a strong sense of leadership as well as a tendency toward rebellion (I find this unique because they share the same qualities..not the typical opposites attract). And they both have a keen eye for spotting little details. I enjoyed watching them sort of dance around one another, taking note of each other's similarities and weaknesses. As for the storyline, you know I like dystopian novels, so I was all for the rising-out-of-the-ashes and fighting-for-what's-right plot. Some of the plot was easily guessable, but that doesn't bother me too much, cause then i feel smart (haha). But it flowed nicely from one scene to the next and didn't linger on the mundane things in life too much (just enough to add a sense of reality). I especially liked June's memories of her brother, Metias. Even though he's murdered, you get a sense that he's very much in the present. I grew an attachment towards him through June's feelings and descriptions, so in that way, you feel closer to her character. The same goes for Day, but I can't say why without spoiling the story. So...
Would I recommend this book. Yes. It's fun, adventurous, mysterious (I'm still not entirely sure what the evils guys have planned up their sleeves...need book 2!), and romanctic. It also has a lot of action/fighting for any guys who might be interested in reading it. 

So that's all I have to say about Legend except that I'm looking forward to see what happens in book two, Prodigy, coming out January 29, 2013...oh! the wait. Thank goodness for other books. 

oh...and a little
Sidenote: Last night I watched The Vampire Diaries. Holy smokes. Did anyone else want to cry? I almost, nearly did. And, I have to admit, I was a little disappointed in Klaus. Did you notice his little fit of anger when Caroline shot him down? He's almost reminds me of a twelve year old boy. Doesn't he realize he needs to practice wooing without getting upset? I was happy to see Elena and Stephan dancing together. Also, I loved the song "Be Still" by The Fray. It made that moment between Alaric and the rest of the cast so special. What did you think???
 

...Hope your day is bright
Olive Juice 

The Vampire Diaries

so...I'm super excited for The Vampire Diaries tonight!

Just in case you aren't up to date on this show (haven't seen the first and second seasons) then STOP READING...i might spoil it for you. But if you are...oh boy(s)! 

First things first. I love Klaus. I especially love him because he is, not necessarily misunderstood, but complex (side-note: I love his mouth). When he first appeared in season 2, I hated him; mostly because he was manipulative, and murdered so many innocents (I still don't like that about him). Not to mention how he took over Alaric's body in season two....(side-note: Does anyone want to kick Alaric in the teeth right now?)

But anyway. Once he (Klaus) started to reveal himself as more than a "bad guy", as a man with "feelings" (tortured feelings?)...I don't know, a switch must have gone off in my brain. Said "switch" caught on fire when Klaus turned his head toward Caroline. It's almost like a cross between forbidden love and unrequited love. Don't you think? Does anybody else feel this way?  Also, I'm not a huge fan of Tyler anymore. And I'm pretty sure Klaus has nothing to do with this opinion...almost sure, like 90% sure.

As for Damon and Elena. Well "slap me thrice and hand me to me momma". I, as well as many others (maybe even you) was not surprised at all by last week's kiss. It was all a matter of time my friends. But the question is. Do/did I like it? Or, more accurately, do I want them to be together? Right now, I'm going to say no. WAIT...don't hurt me. Let me explain. 

In season 2, I was all over Damon wanting to be with Elena. I loved her with Stephen, but I had a little hope pocket in my heart completely reserved for Damon. He was (sometimes) making a turn for the better, especially when it concerned Elena (doing the right thing because she would want him to). And then to top it off...he was going to die?! I wanted her to kiss him something fierce. 

But now. Elena isn't with Stephen. She's free pickins'. Should she be with Damon??? Does she love Damon? I think so, but now my little hope pocket has Stephen in it, and I want him to be happy again. I still love Damon, but he seems like he's more together, better adjusted. Still volatile. But less...I'm going to go with sad puppy. He's less sad puppyish. More, vampire-with-two-feet-on-the-ground.

This picture is how I feel about Stephen right now. Don't you just want to hold him?! Poor lil' brudder.

Anyway, that's about all I have to say. I can't wait to see the girls in their 20's outfits...and Klaus.

In my next post, I think I'll review Legend by Marie Lu. It was really good...but that's all I'll say about it for now. 
And one more side comment...I saw the Hunger Games for the second time today. I loved it. The cinematography was amazing and the sound was incredible the way they used silence, ringing, and technology/voices to make the scenes come alive. It felt so realistic (I pray it never is). 
I can't wait till the next movie is made. As for me, I want to see who the casting agency chooses to play Finnick. I loved him (and Johanna) in the books. But I think Peeta is my favorite character overall. I was a little unsure with Josh Hutcherson at first, but he really pulled off Peeta's sincerity very well. And he didn't look so bad as a blond. I think it's his best performance to date.

Anyway, hope your day is bright.
...Olive juice everyone. 
   

Reading! cont.

Silly blog. it cut off my last paragraph from "Reading!"....so scroll down a little and read that first, then come read this when you finish.

Let me know if you find this review helpful or if you want me to review any other books you aren't certain about reading. I love the YA genre and have read many other books besides Shatter Me (I have two BIG plastics bins full of books, two shelves jam packed with more books and other assorted piles lying around my room to prove it). And let me know if you read Shatter Me, what you thought, and any books you might recommend. I’m always looking for something new to add to my book wish list.

Reading!

So, today i devoured a new book I got for my birthday...Shatter Me...by Tahereh (pronounced "Ta"-like the beginning of toffee..."he" like the beginning of head...and "ra" like the beginning of ramen, but with a spanish doupble r) Mafi. (check out the real prounouncation here.. http://taherehmafi.tumblr.com/post/5223879481/okay-guys-i-have-recorded-my-voice-in-an).

...3 months later. I loved Shatter Me. It fit perfectly into this new craving I have to read dystopian novels (thank you Suzanne Collins). I would highly recommend it to anyone who:
1. loves dystopian novels (complete with mystery and surprises---yes, plural)
2. loves a female protagonist who can really bite back
3. loves a male protagonist who you wish could be real just because he has a heart of gold, and is tough as nails (nails made of titanium)
4. loves to hate the antagonist...he's just so good at being evil.
Personally, I love to read a book that sucks me into the world, grips my heart strings, and leaves me wanting more. Thankfully, Shatter Me is just the beginning.
 
Here's the book description from Tahereh Mafi's website:
"Juliette hasn't touched anyone in exactly 264 days.The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal. As long as she doesn't hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don't fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war-- and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she's exactly what they need right now.

Juliette has to make a choice:
Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.

In this electrifying debut, Tahereh Mafi presents a world as riveting as The Hunger Games and a superhero story as thrilling as The X-Men. Full of pulse-pounding romance, intoxicating villainy, and high-stakes choices, Shatter Me is a fresh and original dystopian novel with a paranormal twist that will leave readers anxiously awaiting its sequel."

And here's the book description from Amazon:

"You can't touch me," I whisper.
I'm lying, is what I don't tell him.
He can touch me, is what I'll never tell him.
But things happen when people touch me.
Strange things.
Bad things.
No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal, but The Reestablishment has plans for her. Plans to use her as a weapon.
But Juliette has plans of her own.
After a lifetime without freedom, she's finally discovering a strength to fight back for the very first time—and to find a future with the one boy she thought she'd lost forever"
 
Let me know if you find this review helpful or if you want me to review any other books you aren't certain about reading. I love the YA genre and have read many other books besides Shatter Me (I have two BIG plastics bins, two shelves and other assorted piles to prove it). And let me know if you read Shatter Me, what you thought, and any books you might recommend. I’m always looking for something new to add to my book wish list.