Happy Thanksgiving!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE! This is the time of year - which it should be done everyday - where one should really take a good look at their lives and be grateful for what they have. 

For me...I have to be grateful for for. I have hit many speed bumps in this life of mine, but I have been blessed with many good things and people. Thank you everyone!

Movie Review: The Man from Nowhere

Length: 1 hour & 59 minutes
Released: 2010
Genre: Action & Adventure,
Rating: R, blood, language, and nudity
Directed By: Jeong-beom Lee
Where I Got It: watched on Netflix


SUMMARY:

A retired special agent forges an unlikely bond with his neglected young neighbor, and vows to bring the girl back home safely after she's kidnapped by violent criminals. When Tae-Shik hung up his guns to open a small pawn shop, he also shut himself off from the world. Tae-Shik prefers to live in solitude, yet he still takes a liking to his precocious neighbor So-mi, whose mother pay her little attention. When So-Mi's mother crosses a local gang of criminals who respond by kidnapping the desperate mother and daughter, Tae-Shik realizes that he may be their only hope of making it out of the situation alive. After entering into a tenuous agreement with the local mob, Tae-Shik becomes the target of an intense police manhunt and finds himself besieged on all sides. Now the closer Tae-Shik gets to So-Mi and her mother, the more his dark past finally begins coming into focus.

TRAILER:

CAST:
Tae-sik - Bin Won
Jeong So-mi - Sae ron Kim
Kim Chigon - Tae hoon Kim
Man-seok - Hee won Kim
Jong - Seong oh Kim
Detective No - Jong-pil Lee
Ramrowan - Thanayoung Wongtrakul

REVIEW:
This reminded me a lot of the American film 'Taken' with Liam Neeson, but with deeper meaning and possibly a more bad ass as the main character. The guy who played Tae-sik was a total bad ass and kicked some major booty and took names. The action and the fight scenes were epic and graceful and bloody. I would hate to be on the opposite side of Tae-sik. Even though he barely knew the little girl, he adored her and would die for her. Such a brave and admirable guy. Just imagine if that little girl was his little girl - which I had hoped it would be, but alas, that was just a hope. I especially hoped for it after a scene was shown that mad me tear up for him. Poor guy.

The little girl was adorable and felt so bad for her. However, she was strong and kept her strong spirits up. The actress they got for her was adorable and did a wonderful job. Well, the whole cast did a good job. The acting and fight scenes were wonderfully done. Kuddos to the actors and screen-writings. It all worked well. Especially the balance of fighting and story-telling. A lot of times the balance is off and the writings try to get the audience attention with lots of action and explosions. No, there was a good balance. The story-line wasn't cheesy either; which sometimes that can be found in movies of this genre. 

The only thing I didn't like was the ending. Yes, it was sentimental and it had deep, deep meaning, which Boyfriend pointed out to me. It also would be the most realistic ending in a scenario such as that. I'm glad that the writers were honest with the viewers. The ending would 99% likely happen to you if you were to take the road of Tae-sik. Even though it had meaning and it is most realistic, I still don't have to like it. *crosses arms and pouts* Stupid....meh *sticks tongue out*

Anyways....

All-in-all I adored this film. It was filled with action, adventure, tears, and meaning. Even though the ending isn't the ending that screams HEA, it is realistic and has deep, deep meaning. I would recommend this to those that like action and adventure movies with great fight scenes and a deep story-line. Out of five stars I shall grant this....4 stars. I had to take a star off for the ending. I understand WHY they made it the way they did. I do...BUT I didn't like it. 

Would I re-watch?:
I would...it was really good.

Favorite Character(s): Tae-sik, So-mi, and Detective No (even though he disappointed me at the end)
Not-so-favorite Character(s): The baddies and So-mi's mother (stupid *cough*whore*cough*)

Book Review: The Remains of the Day

Author: Kazuo Ishiguro
Title: The Remains of the Day
Genre: Historical Fiction, Drama, Classic
Pages: ebook
First Published: 1989
Where I Got It: On my self (Got a free copy of the ebook here)

"In 1956, Stevens, a long-serving butler at Darlington Hall, decides to take a motoring trip through the West Country. The six-day excursion becomes a journey into the past of Stevens and England, a past that takes in fascism, two world wars and an unrealised love between the butler and his housekeeper. Ishiguro’s dazzling novel is a sad and humorous love story, a meditation on the condition of modern man, and an elegy for England at a time of acute change."


I had to read this for my Contemporary Literature class. I normally don't read books set in the 1950s...just not my cup of tea really. However, it also included the 1940s/WWII, so it made up for the decade I'm not a huge fan of. Don't know why...but I don't care for the Cold War era. 

Anyways, this was pretty good. It was a different angle to look at the world of WWII and the fall of England as a superpower. They still had great power, but the USSR and USA took over the reigns of hegemony in the world. There was a lot, and I mean A LOT, of symbolisms and themes and all that fun stuff. It was a short book, but jammed packed with a lot of meaning. However, it wasn't overbearing and made your mind swirl. It was written in a way that was simple and the common reader would understand it and enjoy it.

However...it was rather boring sometimes. Especially at the beginning of the book. Good lord...I learned SO much about being a butler then I ever wanted to know. I pushed through it and it got 100% better. As my professor said...just get through the prologue and things get better. Well...more entertaining, but the plot begins to thicken with some subtle drama. Poor Miss Keaton. I felt bad for her. Stupid Mr. Stevens being thick-headed and selfish. All he cared about and thought was important was being a butler to Lord Darrlington. Which was a waste of time, because Lord Darrlington was a Nazi supporter. Mr. Stevens ignored it and thought that Lord Darrlington was just an innocent puppet to the Nazis. NO. I'm sorry Mr. Stevens, but he knew what he was doing. 

Getting off my rant before I spoil anything....

This was an okay novel; heck it was my second favorite novel out of my class. It was slow...and I mean slooooooooow at the beginning of the book. BUT it does get better, even though much drama occurs. It's a simple and quick read that is also free. Glad it was free though, because the library at my school wanted like $10 for it. I wish I could say that this ends happy, but it really doesn't end happy. It has a good moral lesson though. I would recommend this for those that like the classics and are looking for a quick read. Out of five stars I shall stamp this with 3 stars. 

Favorite Character(s): Miss Keaton and Mr. Farraday 
Not-so Favorite Character(s): Lord Darrlington and Mr.Stevens (I respected him for seeing the errors of his ways, but...yeah)

Wordless Wednesday

Book Review: Queen's Gambit by Elizabeth Fremantle

Author: Elizabeth Fremantle
Title: Queen's Gambit
Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance, Intrigue, Drama
Pages: 424
First Published: August 2012
Where I Got It: Given to me by the author/publisher to give my honest and unbiased opinion.

"Widowed for the second time at age thirty-one Katherine Parr falls deeply for the dashing courtier Thomas Seymour and hopes at last to marry for love. However, obliged to return to court, she attracts the attentions of the ailing, egotistical, and dangerously powerful Henry VIII, who dispatches his love rival, Seymour, to the Continent. No one is in a position to refuse a royal proposal so, haunted by the fates of his previous wives;two executions, two annulments, one death in childbirth;Katherine must wed Henry and become his sixth queen. 

Katherine has to employ all her instincts to navigate the treachery of the court, drawing a tight circle of women around her, including her stepdaughter, Meg, traumatized by events from their past that are shrouded in secrecy, and their loyal servant Dot, who knows and sees more than she understands. With the Catholic faction on the rise once more, reformers being burned for heresy, and those close to the king vying for position, Katherine's survival seems unlikely. Yet as she treads the razors edge of court intrigue, she never quite gives up on love."

Like earlier stated, I read this for the author/publisher for my honest and unbiased opinion.

When I seen this, I knew I had to read it. There is a sparse amount of Katherine Parr based books and I needed a nice dose of some Tudor drama. Haha. I've honestly always been fond of Katherine Parr and I highly respect her, because she was the only wife that truly survived and managed to outlive Henry VIII. She was a strong woman...not many people know that, because she appeared meek and weak, but she was strong enough to hide it and do it subtly. However...she did have her kryptonite: Thomas Seymour. He made Henry VIII seem like a saint in love. At least Henry loved all his wives for them (maybe not the 1st since she was a royal princess and brought money to the English treasury). Henry VIII didn't really gain anything from marrying them, because the majority of his wives were pretty much of lower rank then him. Only two of his wives came from royalty. Hell, he divorced both in the end. However, Thomas Seymour seduced women to increase his wealth and standing. He was an ambition jerk. He got what was coming to him....>.>

Sorry for the rant, but I loath Thomas Seymour.

Anyways...

This was a really intriguing book. I could barely put this down. Even though I know the story of Katherine Parr, I couldn't help but want more! I was also intrigued in Dot's POV. I'm really glad that the author put in one of the close servants of Katherine's point of views. I really liked Dot even though she was totally not a fan of Elizabeth, who I adore. Adding her POV was needed I think. It really added something to it. I'm so glad that Dot got her HEA even though poor Katherine Parr didn't. Poor girl...she truly deserved to be loved for her and her mind. 

I wish they knew what happened to Katherine Parr's daughter. One of the mysteries that bug me...

In the end, I really liked this book. I could go on and on, but I think that I shall stop myself. This was truly addicting and it killed me to have to put this on the backburner for a long, long time. Sighs. Such is life I suppose. :/ BUUUUT, in the end it was totally worth the wait. I'm really forward to more novels by Elizabeth Fremantle. Maybe she could totally do a book for each of Henry's wives. *hint hint*. I would recommend this to those that really like Historical Fiction. Out of five stars I shall stamp this with 5 stars. 

Favorite Character(s): Katherine Parr, Dottie, Elizabeth, Lady Jane Grey (even though she just played a small part), and Hucike (loved the whole angle of him being gay, very interesting and made the story interesting). 
Not-so Favorite Character(s): Thomas Seymour (snake)

  

Book Review: Head Games by Erika Rummel

Author: Erika Rummel
Title: Head Games
Genre: Adventure, Drama, Mystery
Pages: ebook
First Published: April 30th, 2013
Where I Got It: Given to me by the author/publisher to give my honest and unbiased opinion.

"Argentina 1979. Life has gone stale for Jim, an expat working in Catamarca. Everything is predictable until he meets Lisa. She has the starry eyes, the sensuous lips, and the tango steps that make all rational assumptions go away. Jim gives her top marks for animation but there is a warning at the end of his tip sheet: Danger. Lisa is a little too intense, a little too crazy, a woman with too many scenes playing in her head. Lisa's antics don't faze Santos, a spiritualist, who is looking for a medium to channel the dead and attract his lost sister. He lures Lisa to his compound in northern Argentina, where she becomes a pawn in a deadly family feud. Jim goes in search of Lisa. Tracking her down turns into a double mission -- freeing Lisa from her captors and himself from the monotony of his life. The story unfolds against the background of a country under military rule. It is a place where kidnapping, violence, and death no longer make headlines, a place where you have to learn survival skills."

Like earlier stated, I have read this book to give me honest and unbiased opinion.

GAH! Stupid Lisa. Stupid girl getting into trouble and just being an idiot. I wanted to slap some sense into her. Yes, she was ultimately a very sweet girl, but she was an idiot. Due to this and her being extremely attractive, Jim got suckered in. Poor guy never stood a chance. I honestly think the only reason he truly feel for her was the fact that he was simply and utterly bored with his life and this crazy, idiotic, and "hot" chick. Tsk. HOWEVER, there had to be a catalyst to make Jim a "hero" and make a book. 

Kuddos to the author for making the setting interesting and different. How many books can you honestly say is set in Argentina? The setting made this book. It was like adding the right amount of spicy to your food. Not too over the top, but not boring and A-typical. 

There was so much going on and there was never a dull moment. Sometimes, though, my head would get lost. HA! "Head Games". I get it now... I really wish I could say more though....but giving away too much would totally ruin this book. Everything is connected and pretty much everything makes sense at the end. 

It was such a good book, so I wish I could say I loved this...but I didn't. Perhaps I'm biased because me and the '70s don't get along. Or perhaps I disliked Lisa. I don't know. I didn't like any of the characters, but poor Jim. However, he was a blimey idiot too. I just found myself confused and would have to walk away from the book a time or two and re-read. I would get it then. Also....I did not like the ending that much...I totally get why it ended the way it did, but that doesn't mean I have to like it. Plus, I'm still trying to completely understand the last sentence. Mmmmm. 

Advice. Take your time with this book and let your brain wrap around what you just read. Also, remember EVERYTHING! Everything is important to solving the puzzle in this book. 

In the end, this was a good book. I just didn't LOVE it. I liked it. However, I had a hard time connecting to any of the characters and sometimes I would find myself getting confused as to what was going on. Also the ending didn't feel completely right to me. Yes, I re-read those parts and got back on track, but still it was annoying those couple of times. OVERALL, this was a fun adventure. It would really make a good movie one day. Mhmmm. Yup, I would totally go see this in theaters. Anyways...I recommend this to those that love a good puzzle of a book with danger and an intense location. Out of five stars I grant this 3 stars. 

Favorite Character(s): Jim
Not-so Favorite Character(s): mmmm everyone else. hahaha

Book Reviews: The Three Sisters by Bryan Taylor

Author: Bryan Taylor
Title: The Three Sisters
Genre: Historical Fiction, Comedy, Adventure
Pages: ebook
First Published: July 23rd, 2013
Where I Got It: Given to me by the author/publisher to give my honest and unbiased opinion.

"Nuns just want to have fun! But when three former Catholic nuns have too much fun and get in trouble with the law, they become nuns on the run.
Driving back to Washington D.C. where they work at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Parts, the three sisters are arrested in Tennessee. After defeating the local deputy in strip poker, they escape from jail, and are pursued by the zealous Detective Schmuck Hole, who has personally offered a $10,000 reward for their capture on The 700 Club. Little do they know that when the three sisters visit the Washington Monument, their lives will change forever.
Set in 1979, The Three Sisters is a humorous, adult satire that skewers not only organized religion, but the government, the media, intellectuals, corporate greed and every other part of the establishment. Maybe not the greatest story ever told, but possibly the funniest.
“The most pestilential book ever vomited out of the jaws of Hell.” — Billy Sunday"

Like earlier stated, I was given this by the author/publisher for my honest and unbiased opinion.

Just....wow....ummm...where to begin?

Even though I read the summary, I still had no idea what was in store for me. I'm still stunned by what I read as a I write this review. I think I shall divide and conquer this review, since I'm a little tongue tied:

The Good

• This was hilarious. Simply and utterly hilarious.
• So much irony and satire going on I can't even begin to explain you some of the scenes.
• A very well written book. I felt like I was in the pages of the book. 
• Simply loved the addition of pictures throughout the book. It added to the feel of the book. 
• This novel is very sacrilegious. However, nothing is left alone in this book, which is entertaining and it adds spices to it. Politics, social, and etc are under the satire fire. (haha, witty)
• The characters were fun and funny. 

The Bad and the Ugly

• The characters were very 2D, but that might just be due to the nature of the book.
• I'll admit I skimmed a little bit...
• Mmmm, not a big fan of the ending...there were many things left untied.
• Once you read it once, I feel like thats it. I don't think this is one you can really re-read. A one hit wonder I believe.

Conclusion

A fun book for a cold fall night. It was funny and entertaining. Even though the characters felt really 2D to me, I think this characterization will happen with the nature of the book. Kuddos to the author for being unbiased with what he made fun of. Religion (of course), politics, society, women, men, and etc. I will highly suggest people who get offended earlier, should avoid this book like the Black Plague. This can be offense to those who get offended. I would recommend this to those who like funny, witty books. It was defiantly worth reading. Lot of stress these last couple of weeks, so this was just what the doctor ordered. In the end, I shall stamp this with 4 stars....again...wow. So many 4 stars lately. haha

Favorite Character(s): Regina

Not-so Favorite Character(s): meh, no one in particular

 

Movie Review: Hwang Jin Yi (2007)

Length: 2 hours and 21 mins
Released: June 6, 2007
Genre: Drama, Historical Film
Rating: G (but...I feel it is more PG)
Directed By: Yoon-Hyun Chang
Where I Got It: watched on Netflix

SUMMARY:
Raised as an aristocrat in 16th century Joseon, an era when class status dictated one's destiny, Hwang Jin-yi discovers a shocking secret about her birth. She therefore belongs to the lower class, and has no recourse but to give up her aristocratic status. As a gisaeng, Jin-yi becomes celebrated for her legendary beauty, wit, and talents in singing, dancing and poetry. But although she is surrounded by an entourage of noblemen showering her with gifts and admiration, she lives a solitary life of tragic isolation.


TRAILER:
(Couldn't find one with English subtitles)

CAST:
Hwang Jin Yi - Song Hye-Kyo
Nomi - Yoo Ji-Tae
Hee-Yeol - Ryoo Seung-Ryong
Old Woman - Youn Yuh-Jung
Gwiddongi - Oh Tae-Kyung
Yi-Geum - Jung Yoo-Mi


REVIEW:
Mmmm, for this review I think I shall divide and conquer it.

The Good

• Beautiful costumes. Kuddos to the costume department
• The actors all did pretty well...especially Song Hye-Kyo who played Hwang Jin Yi; so many emotions to portray. Also, I'm glad it took not only the character, but the actress too to go from the sheltered rich girl, to a gisaeng. The transformation they showed on the screen was very good and realistic.
• Nomi was a cutie, an idiot, but a cutie
• I'm glad that Old Woman stuck around, she was great.
• The setting was lovely. 
• Loved the added romance that will never be. It broke my heart, but it was a nice add. 
• The ending was okay, very symbolic. HOWEVER, I have mixed feelings about it (see in later section of review)

The Bad and the Ugly

• Had mixed feelings about the end....I hated a certain event that happened. NOT happy about that. *SPOILER ALERT* They had Nomi sacrifice himself for one of Hwang's servants who was arrested and was being tortured. Yes, it was nice, but they were going to probably let him go anyways. I was so mad that Nomi was executed. *END OF SPOILER* 
• Some spots were really, really boring. Sometimes that happens.
• A couple spots I was rather confused on what was happening. 

Conclusion

This was a nice movie. I liked it. Never watched a Historical Korean film, so it was a nice addition to my movie experiences. The acting was great. I was really into the movie, but ending left me with mixed feelings. I get why they did what they did. I do. I really do. However, it doesn't seem realistic in a way. In the end, though, I did like this film. I would recommend this to those that like Historical movies and ones with some major drama happening. I shall stamp this with....4 stars. It's more like 3.5, but I rounded like normal. Wow...I've been giving out a lot of 4 stars lately. hahaha. 

Would I watch again:
Mmmm, perhaps not. It's one of those one-time watchers, in my opinion. 

Favorite Character(s): Old Woman (funny and snarky and reminded me a little of my Grandma), Hwang Jin Yi (strong woman, who had to make a huge life change due to an uncovered lie), and Nomi (he was dumb and did something bad, but you can't but like the guy). 

Not-so Favorite Character(s): Hee-Yeol (meh)

Book Review: Gracianna by Trini Amador

Author: Trini Amador
Title: Gracianna
Genre: Historical Fiction, War novel
Pages: ebook
First Published: July 23rd, 2013
Where I Got It: Given to me by the author/publisher to give my honest and unbiased opinion.

"The gripping story of Gracianna--a French-Basque girl forced to make impossible decisions after being recruited into the French Resistance in Nazi-occupied Paris.

Gracianna is inspired by true events in the life of Trini Amador's great-grandmother, Gracianna Lasaga. As an adult, Amador was haunted by the vivid memory of finding a loaded German Luger tucked away in a nightstand while wandering his great-grandmother's home in Southern California. He was only four years old at the time, but the memory remained and he knew he had to explore the story behind the gun.

Decades later, Amador would delve into the remarkable odyssey of his Gracianna's past, a road that led him to an incredible surprise. In Gracianna, Amador weaves fact and fiction to tell his great-grandmother's story.

Gracianna bravely sets off to Paris in the early 1940s--on her way to America, she hopes--but is soon swept into the escalation of the war and the Nazi occupation of Paris. After chilling life-and-death struggles, she discovers that her missing sister has surfaced as a laborer in Auschwitz. When she finds an opportunity to fight back against the Nazis to try to free her sister, she takes it--even if it means using lethal force.

As Amador tells the imagined story of how his great-grandmother risked it all, he delivers richly drawn characters and a heart-wrenching page-turner that readers won't soon forget."

Like earlier stated, I was given this book to review for my honest and unbiased opinion. 

Where to begin....mmmmmmmmmm......

Well, this was such an interesting story. It made it even more interesting when I found out that this story was based off the writer's great-grandmother's story. I'll be honest though...I didn't Gracianna at first, but I grew to love her when she proved she'd do anything for her dreams. Then especially when she risked her life to join the French Resistance against the Nazis. I brave girl and she didn't take people's crap. Which I admired.

The beginning was really slow, but get past it and you can't put down this book. The imagery was fantastic through-out the whole novel. I felt like I was sucked into the story and I felt like I was there. I'm really glad that I read this while we were studying WWII in my World History IV class. I had a better understanding of where Gracianna was from. I never heard of Basque before, but we talked a little bit about it that area in our studies. How funny!

I can't say much else without giving out spoilers. But I will say, I enjoyed the ending...it just was perfect for the story. I think it would be rather interesting to get a book about Gracianna's sister and her experiences in the Concentration Camp.  

In the end, I really enjoyed this book. It was good. Even though the beginning was really, really slow, I grew to really adore it and I couldn't put it down. Gracianna was one heck of a character and I grew really to like her. I recommend this to those that like Historical Fictions and the time period. It's a very good perspective and, at least for me, a different and new perspective. I shall stamp this with...mhmmmm....4 stars. 

Favorite Character(s): Gracianna, Juan, and Grandma 

Not-so Favorite Character(s): No one in particular....maybe Colonel?

Thursday Book Teaser: Gracianna

Happy Thursday everyone. How is everyone's week going? Mine has been sort of stressing this week. Sighs. However, things are looking up...maybe....we shall see.

For this week I'll be sharing a teaser for you from the book Gracianna by Trini Amador. 

Starting Location: Paragraph 2

"The empty bar became very quiet and, as he stood just outside the door wavering, the last two couples got up and left on cue. There were hugs and kisses from couples, and 'au reviors' and light jackets and scarves, and lights going off in the kitchen and bartenders instantly pushing glasses and cloths across clean bars, while all looked at each other to see what Gracianna would do. Within four minutes, the place was dead, with music turned down and lights lowered as well. The 'last' bartender went out as Gracianna headed to her 'office' for supplies. It was all an act. She knew her fellow resisters were still close by. 

Marceau, relieved, passed the officer coming back in as he walked out and made it clear, 'you are on your own,' as he gestured to the officer, 'no more drink.' The officer waved him off as inconsequential. Marceau just gave him the 'I'm tired, do as you wish' wave."

Book Review: The Road

Author: Cormac McCarthy
Title: The Road
Genre: Science Fiction, Dystopia, Drama, Classic
Pages: ebook
First Published: Janurary 1st, 2006
Where I Got It: Borrowed ebook from my local library

"A father and his son walk alone through burned America. Nothing moves in the ravaged landscape save the ash on the wind. It is cold enough to crack stones, and when the snow falls it is gray. The sky is dark. Their destination is the coast, although they don’t know what, if anything, awaits them there. They have nothing; just a pistol to defend themselves against the lawless bands that stalk the road, the clothes they are wearing, a cart of scavenged food—and each other."



I swore I typed up a review for the movie of this book. I watched the movie a few months ago (before ever knowing it was a book) with Boyfriend. I thought I made a review for it. Huh. How odd. Maybe I'll do some more digging. Golly....my brain is fried so I wouldn't be surprised if that review never existed....

ANYWAYS....

I technically had to read this for my Contemporary Literature class, but since I had this on my TBR list it seemed like an excellent excuse to put this on the front burner and get it read now. haha. Funny how life works. 

This was super, super dark. Super gloomy and super depressing at parts. I recommend that you need to have a thick skin to read this, because there are a few scenes that are rather disturbing. I love it. Okay, I don't love all the cannibals and the putting infants on a roast spit, but I love how McCarthy didn't shy away from the truth. If there was a huge disaster and 99% of animals and vegetation were destroyed, yes, the people that survived would turn to desperate measures. People would lose all of their humanity and become little better then animals in starvation mode. It's a shitty world and people do shitty things.

Simple truth. Which I'm so glad McCarthy didn't try buttering anything up. However, there is a light of hope in this world. The Boy (and one can argue the Father shows this once in a while) has a golden heart and is filled with goodness. He has hope. I can't spoil the end, but I will say that...there is goodness out in the world. Small as it is, it is there. 

Another good thing about this book, it wasn't long at all. It took me virtually no time to finish (took me a long time to actually sit down and write this review though). I am thankful for McCarthy doing this, because it was a hard book to get done. It was rather simple in writing, it was just emotionally hard to get through from time to time. Just some scenes made me shake my head and have to walk away for a moment. Which...I'm glad the author also included some happy memories and flashbacks, which temporarily added the sun to this ashen world of terribleness. 

In the end, it was a good book. I feel that the movie and this are near equal. Some parts of the movie were better and some parts of the book were better. This may have been a dark novel to read, but if you are an avid (adult) reader I highly suggest this. You may not fall in love with it, I know I didn't, but it really makes you think. I also highly suggest this to those who love the classics. This is a modern day classic and will be remembered throughout literature. Out of five stars I shall give this 4 stars. 

Favorite Character(s): The Son
Not-so Favorite Character(s): The Woman (what a selfish, selfish bitch)  

Happy, Super, Late Halloween! + Some Poetry

Totally been insanely busy with homework, so I've neglected you all. WAAAAAAAH!
But
Happy Halloween! (a wee bit delayed).

In honor of Halloween, I wrote up a poem. I hope you enjoy it!

Halloween

by: Carole Rae

A windy night
A windy night
Fright fills the night air.

A joyous laugh
A joyous laugh
Rings in the night air.

Come sing with us,
Come dance with us,
We children of the night.

A masquerade
A masquerade
Hide your face for the night.

A windy night
A windy night
Enjoy the crisp and cool air.

Come sing with us,
Come dance with us
On this dark and lovely Halloween night.