We Survived 2012...Onward to 2013

Newsflash.

We have survived 2012! Feels great to be alive, doesn't it?

Let us reminiscence a little bit. 2012 was a big year. The next few posts are going to be some of the most anticipated book/movie releases that we waited for for ages. To start things off, the highly anticipated Twilight finale.


The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn-Part 2
Release Date: November 14
Trailer:

The epic, ground shaking, much anticipated, breathtaking finale to the series. The trailer does that name justice, but that is just the trailer, not the whole movie. I hear this is the best instalment in the Twilight series, but then again, it is Twilight we are talking about.

I don't mean to hate on the movie, because I haven't watched it yet, but I am glad that the Twilight saga has drawn to a close. I stopped watching the movies after the utter disappointment of New Moon, but I would be willing to give this series a second shot.

Don't get me wrong, the Twilight books were really, really good, and they sparked my interest in the YA romantic genre, but the movies just weren't cut out for me.

Sigh...I have a feeling that, someday, despite all my criticism,, I'll re-watch all the movies in the series, just for the sake of saying I did, of course.

Map of MY World

Before you continue on to my post, I wanted to say I am SO sorry I haven't been blogging as much lately. School has started and I no longer have all the time in the world like I did before. Now that that is out of the way, onward!

For those of you that can't tell, this is a map. A very awesome map. Do you know why? BECAUSE!! Just look at it! Narnia, Hogwarts, Middle Earth, Panem...all very awesome countries in my very awesome fantasy world. If I could live here, I so totally would! Some lands, however, I don't recognize.  Maybe some of you guys could help me out?

Ten Books I Wish I Could Read Before 2013

Here are 10 books I wish I could finish before the year is over. I know some of them won't be out until next year, but I couldn't very well title this post "Books I Wish I Could Read Before 2013 But Half of Them Won't Even Be Out by Then". That's too much of a mouthful. Most of them are either sequels or spin-offs, just because I'm that kind of girl.

1.The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan- it might be a spin-off series about demigods, but I'm not sure. Rick Riordan wrote it though, and that's good enough for me.

2.Dark Triumph by R.L. LaFevers- for this book, I'm hoping to hear more about St. Mortain, the ancient Brit god of death, and Sybella, his handmaiden (who might or might not be insane).

3.Jane Erye by Charlotte Bronte- people tell me this book is about love and I think I'm ready to try another classic by one of the Brontes.

4.Scarlett by Marissa Meyer- part cyborg, part Lunar, and could possibly be in love with Prince Kai. AND it's based on Little Red Riding Hood.

5.The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa- it might be another overrated, dopey, foolish vampire story like-ahem I think we ALL know what I'm talking about, but it might not. With an author like Julie Kagawa, I'm leaning more towards the 'not what you expect' side.

6. The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks- I know, I know!! I'm cheesy :) ...and a sucker for romance and dying to read some Nicholas Sparks. I haven't seen the movie so I'm not going to be biased or influenced by anything when I read this. And I will!

7.Diva by Jillian Larkin- boys, booze, speakeasies...wrecked debutante balls, scandalous love affair, ruined marriage. Needless to say, bring. It. ON!

8.The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater- the author of the Shiver series and Scorpio Races has brought us Raven Boys. I'm guessing their were-ravens...?

9.Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare- agggghhhh ^#$%@ this love triangle is KILLING me and I need to know who Tessa ends up with! 'Nuff said.

10.Lost Prince by Julie Kagawa- another book by the author of the Iron Fey series. I read an excerpt, amd it left me wanting more. *sighs* ahhh Ethan, I think I love you.

Note: I tried uploading the covers for each of these books, but I had a MILLION things go wrong and I just lost patience. I'm soorrryyyy!

Will Grayson, Will Grayson-Mini Review

Will Grayson, Will Grayson. It was actually a pretty good book. It did not. however, impact me enough to write a full review. The first time I picked up this book was at Chapters, and I thought it looked intriguing. Then, I actually read it (in two days I might add). I have to admit, I was a bit disappointed. I'm not a big fan of musicals, and it seems to me it was a big part of the book. The romance was also disappointing. My favourite Will Grayson was the gay one, although he was pretty messed in the head.

PS: I found a picture online of the characters in the book. In my head, Tiny was white, but it makes so much more sense if he's black (I don't really remember his skin color though). The first Will Grayson is really hot...don't get me wrong here though, I'm not trying to be racist.

The Second Base Club-Mini Review

Do you ever find yourself pondering this question: what exactly is second base? For those of you who are extremely inexperienced and don't know, don't be ashamed. Search it up on the internet. OR you could just read this book.

We're not talking about baseball here...

I have to admit, it was predictable. Poor Elroy goes through so many girls, and he never seems to get it right. The stupid jocks at his school make a club called ( you guessed it!) 'The Second Base Club', because they can get to second base and more with ease. It was a nice, entertaining easy read, and from a guy's point of view too. Haven't really read many of those lately. It provided a break from all the freaky paranormal love stories I spend too much of my time reading...

The Prophecy of the Sisters

Let's compare COVERS!!! Down below are two covers of the very same book. The first one is the hardcover version, which came out in 2009. The second, of course, is the paperback version. Scroll down and start comparing!

After looking at these two covers for the better half of an hour and gone through the gruelling process of deciding which is the better one, I have settled on the second one. By a LOOOOONG shot. The title, as you can tell, is the same in both covers, and the author's name is written in the same bottom-left corner. The only thing that changes is the background. This clearly determines the winner doesn't it? I mean, look at it! The two sisters look like their ready to kick ass. And of course, it can't hurt that they're both so beautiful. I'm guessing the blue-eyed sister is Lia (the protagonist) and the green-eyed sister is Alice (the antagonist, or one of them anyway). The second cover absolutely grabs your attention, while the first just gives you a WTF moment. I personally think that whoever designed the hardcover version was one brick short of a full load. But enough about me. What do you guys think? Seriously.

What Do YOU Think About...Divergent?

So...at school today my very awesome Humanities teacher reccomended a book called Divergent. I have heard of the book, but it sounds too much like the Hunger Games, so I never really got interested in it (just so you all know, I was never a big fan of the HGs. Don't ask me why, but I think it's because everyone likes it so much that I don't). The reason Divergent caught my attention this time is because my teacher said it was better than the HGs. I've read lots of positive reviews, and think I need to try something different than what I usually read (both Gone and Variant aren't the types of books I would normally read, but they were really REALLY great). The summary goes a little like this:


In Beatrice Prior’s dystopian Chicago world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can’t have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris, and struggles alongside her fellow initiates to live out the choice they have made. Together, they must undergo extreme physical tests of endurance and intense psychological simulations, some with devastating consequences. As initiation transforms them all, Tris must determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes-fascinating, sometimes-exasperating boy fits into the life she’s chosen. But Tris also has a secret: one she’s kept hidden from everyone, because she’s been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers unrest and growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly-perfect society, she also learns that her secret might be what helps her save those she loves . . . or it might be what destroys her.

I don't think this is the "official" summary but it was all I could find without first getting my hands on the book. Then again, I didn't really look that hard. Tris sounds alright...I really hope she's not shy and innocent. I never like those shy and defenceless heroines. I don't have extremely high hopes for this book, but we'll see how good it is.

Gone By Michael Grant REVIEW

In the blink of an eye,

Everyone disappears.

GONE.

EVERYONE except for the young.

Teens. Middle schoolers. Toddlers. But not a single adult. No teachers, no cops, no doctors, no parents. Gone, too, are the phones, internet and television. There is no way to get help.

Hunger threatens. Bullies rule. A sinister creature lurks. Animals are mutating. And the teens themselves are changing, developing new talents-unimaginable, dangerous deadly powers-that grow stronger by the day.

It's a terrifying new world. Sides are being chosen and war is imminent.

I wasn't sure about this book. I've seen it recommended a lot, and many people said it was good, but I never really felt a drive to read it. BUT I got this for my birthday, and have been meaning to read it ever since.

Let me tell you something, I needed this book! Needed it. I recently noticed I've been reading wayy too much fantasy/romance, and this was a nice break from all that. The book started right when all the over-fifteens disappeared, and went from there. At first, no one really cared that every responsible person was gone, but after a few days, the kids started to realize their situation. They finally figure out that they are stuck inside the FAYZ and start to despair. Before things start falling out of hand, Sam, the main character, his best friend Quinn, and Astrid (the Genius) decide to escape for a while, and everything goes wrong from there.

I genuinely liked Sam. He doesn't have Caine's natural (or extremely practiced) charisma, but he is still a very good leader. I like how he is down to Earth and doesn't really want to step up as a leader, but does so anyway. He sometimes makes stupid choices but that is to be expected. Since the book starts right when the over-fifteens disappear, we don't know much about Sam's life beforehand, but we know he is shy, likes to surf, and once saved a school bus full of kids from a crash (this gives him the nickname Schoolbus Sam).

His best friend Quinn I liked less. He was wimpy, annoying and whiny most of the time. He did get better towards the end of the book, but he is still a coward at heart, and admits it to himself. While Sam changed for the better inside the FAYZ, Quinn changed for the worse.

Astrid was okay. She was mostly the brains behind the whole group, and helped generate theories as to why everything was happening. I did find her a bit stuck up, and know-it-all, although I know the author probably did that on purpose. Everything she did was to protect her autistic five-year-old brother, Little Petey, as much as possible, so that somewhat justifies her actions.

The pacing of the book as a whole was great! As a reader, I had time to digest new information as it was thrown at me. I don't think we had looong and boring pauses between the exciting stuff, mostly because dear Mr. Grant did not use too much imagery or description. The book IS long though, but not an exceptionally hard read. I would definitely recommend this, especially to people who are looking for something different.

Question: Will I continue with the series? OF COURSE! The whole concept of the FAYZ has really interested me, and I really would love to know what happens after. So, as they have started to say, keep calm and read on.

Best Friends and Bad Boys

You find yourself sitting in a cozy corner of the library, drinking some coffee (or tea, or whatever hot comforting drink you might like), texting (because, well, you just never stop texting) and reading an amazing YA book. Suddenly, BAM! You come to an instantaneous conclusion. You realize, "Damn…the main character in this book really should end up with Best Friend instead of Bad Boy (or vice versa)." From that moment on, you are inexplicably Team Best Friend, or Team Bad Boy. 

Do not panic, this happens to all of us. It's called Chooseateamitis and its a severe medical condition that makes us choose between two fictional guy characters in a book. Most commonly, these two guys are competing for a young girl's sweet love. Despite many protests, the girl almost always falls in love with the 'bad' guy, and the best friend is left behind, brokenhearted. Of course, the bad boy is hotter, and more exciting, and might have a slight drinking problem, but come on! The poor best friend shouldn't be discarded as one discards garbage. Most times, he isn't even considered seriously. And this makes me mad.

I'm sorry, but I have a strong belief in the best friend. The guy that has known her for ages, and has secretly harboured a crush on her? That's so very cute!!! He has stayed with the girl through her good and bad times, always sticking up for her, flirting nervously (occasionally) and just being plain sweet. Who wouldn't want a guy like that? Apparently, seven-eights of the heroine population.

I just don't understand what it is about bad boys that's so endearing. I get it that when something is forbidden, you want it all the more, but that doesn't mean it's the right fit for you. Of course, you can't help who you fall in love with either,  but that doesn't mean that the 'bad' guy should always get the girl. Also, he usually brings tons of paranormal problems to the girl. This happens in possibly most of the YA romantic fantasy books. I'm thinking we need a change from all this. It's becoming way too common and often turns a potentially great book into a good book, because it ends up being so predictable.

I think that if our heroines occasionally fall in love with the best friend, it wouldn't be so bad. It doesn't necessarily mean the book will be more boring.

Pretty Little Liars: Book or TV Series?

I am an avid fan of Sara Shepard's PLL series. I recently read the eleventh book and am waiting somewhat impatiently for the twelfth. While I do think she has drawn this on and on, I still need to know who A is.

I also recently watched the 2012 summer wrap up episode called "Lady Killer". There is one word for this, and that is INTENSE. I don't make a habit of watching the ABC series, but since I read the books, I have a pretty clear understanding of what's going on. Of course, there are different people in the series than in the books so it's somewhat different. I might be biased, because I do not actively follow the TV show, and chose to read the books instead.

My question to all you PLL lovers: which is better, the books or the series?

TV Show

Books

                   OR







You tell me. I would love to hear other opinions.

MILESTONE MOMENT: First Review :)

I know the review is slightly late, but my internet has been down these past few days. With that out of the way, here it is. 

Immortal City by Scott Peer

It's not the best cover out there,
but it is certainly intriguing.
Never judge a book by its cover!

Immortal City was surprisingly better than I expected. I know the Young Adult Fantasy Romance genre is waayy too overwritten but I can't stop myself from reading it. It is common knowledge that most, if not all, young adult fantasy books follow the same kind of plot line: girl meets boy, they fall in love, girl finds out boy is a fantastical creature, they have a big fight, girl finds out she is also a fantastical creature, they make up, all the while authorities are trying to break up the couple. A side of battling mortal danger accompanies this main dish. So, knowing that, the part that makes a good book is not the plot, but mayhaps the danger that is battling this couple, or if the setting is 400 years from now. It all depends on the author. Immortal City caught my attention because of the summary.

We pay them to protect us. And we're their biggest fans.

They are our celebrities, and we worship them with paparazzi and endless gossip and speculation.

To us, they are glamour. To them, we're an assignment.

Their job is to guard us-that is, those of us who can afford them…

Because the only things stronger than a Guardian Angel is the rule they must obey.

So what happens when one of them falls for one of us?

In the City of Angels,

the rules are about to be broken.

What I liked about this book is that it was based on a really original idea. To have Angels be the celebrities and superstars of today? That is simply genius. The story goes something like this: Angels came out of hiding a hundred years or so before 2012 and developed a system to help save the lives of people, as opposed to just doing random acts of kindness. There weren't enough Angels around though, so the system was based on only saving the people who could afford to pay to get watched over. As time went on, the prices climbed higher and higher, until only the richest people in the world could afford to pay for the Angel's services. The Angels got richer and richer, and eventually became everything the world could talk about. Things like reality shows and movies were made by Angels, and when an Angel saved someone, they became super-famous for a little while. The whole world wanted to be saved by an Angel.

I don't think I need to repeat this, but I thought that was a really good idea. The book had a good pace too, it wasn't rushing or stalling. Sometime books go from problem to problem and you never have a break from action, so I liked that Immortal City wasn't like that. Like I said before, the plot line wasn't what caught my attention but despite everything I mentioned before, it did certainly have some surprises in store. Also, a thing a YA book can't be without: a love triangle. I thought that part was underdeveloped, since I, as a reader, did not even consider the other contestant to be a contestant.

I found Maddy a very levelheaded, and smart character. Even when all that the rest of the world cares about are the sexy, immortal Angels that plague Angel City (Los Angeles in a parallel dimension), she focuses on school, and work. Sadly, she doesn't have time for a social life, and that made me disappointed, yet it was expected. At least her BFF Gwen is very outgoing and has tons of friends, so they sort of cancel each other out. I had a love/hate relationship with Maddy not because of her social life, but because of the choices she makes throughout the course of the book.

Jacks I completely loved. He is a very famous, very attractive blue-eyed, blonde Angel of just nineteen years of age (or so I was led to believe). You can tell he takes his duty seriously, and he is also levelheaded. He slightly resents all the attention he receives, because he feels that the people only care about the idol Jackson Godspeed, not the guy he is inside. But he does indeed enjoy the good life. And I thought it was original that his nickname is Jacks, not Jack.

Of course, you can already predict what will be happening between Maddy and Jacks. I do not feel the need to specify.

What I loved the most about the book was the ending. What happens on the rooftop is really shocking and heartbreak ing at the same time. I cried a bit there, although I knew it was an awesome twist. Then I stopped crying because the awesome twist did not happen. But a surprising turn of events did happen. I won't continue though, because I think I'm probably going to slip up and I don't want to ruin this book for you. Which means, you need to read it. I would definitely recommend it. One hundred percent.

Thoughts on What To Post

Having a blog is harder than I thought. I am not entirely sure what made me create one, but here I am, and I'm ready to blog!!

As you can see, this blog is called Books: Immortalized. The real reason I chose to name my blog this is that there weren't that many other options out there. It does have quite a nice ring to it though, doesn't it? Plus, I'm all about books. I read them, rate them, review them, and ask you questions about them (of course, you are under no obligation to answer them. They're more like monologues, really).

Many a day goes by when all I do is read my books. Just last night I stayed up until three am reading The Golden Lily. I would say that it was very exciting turning the pages, and continue the amazing journey that the characters in the book where undertaking, but in reality I just wanted to see if my two fave characters ended up together. The ending was a disappointment. But more on that later.

I just want to give you guys, as well as myself, an overview on what I'm possibly going to be posting about. Pretty much anything interesting to do with books, including what I'm reading, what I am planning to read, reviews, funky quotes or interesting pictures about my favourite books, and occasionally I might branch out of that (I'll need to get my creative juices flowing first).

I'm still getting everything set up, so it might take me a while to get into the rhythm of things. For now, goodbye, and keep reading.