Graphic monday: Batgirl - Year One

So, this is how it all began…. Although Barbara’s motives for wanting to become a superhero (help her dad, help the city, become more than just a regular girl, be recognized for her hard efforts) are somewhat understandable, I found it a bit difficult to relate. She kept putting her life at risk effortlessly and was too competitive to receive help from a man. However, a girl helping was okay?!? Having said that, the illustrations were easy to look at and the dialogue was on point.

Every Day movie review

David Levithan doesn't need an introduction in the YA world. He has published several bestsellers including The Lover's Dictionary. It was with great enthusiasm that I walked into the movie theater to watch his masterpiece, Every Day, adaptation to the big screen. 

For the most part, the movie stayed true to the book. The actors, particularly Rhiannon, matched well with the book descriptions. Although I must admit that my non-reader friends found the plot extremely difficult to understand. I truly suggest reading the novel first. 

Review: The hearts we sold

What if Daemons no longer wanted your soul – but your limbs?

Dee signs over her heart to a Daemon in exchange of money without a second thought. After all, it is only a two-year contract, and her home situation makes it worth the risk. Unfortunately, contracts aren’t often black and white. Daemons are at war against unknown powerful creatures. And Dee is now their new recruit!

The book just seemed to change from one direction to another. What started off as a contemporary/paranormal, soon became a romance/sci-fi. Although I enjoyed the relationship between Dee and James, I felt a bit cheated when new characters such as Riley were thrown into the story (what exactly did she contribute?).

The ending felt like a sequel was at bay.

Review: Asking for it

We teach women how not to get raped, hoping we can protect them from the disastrous consequences. As if that could stop the planet from turning. Bad things happen, even to people that are aware that life is complicated, and a heartbreak or need for attention can lead to unwanted situations. Without getting into the details (yes, the book is explicit on this) Emma gets raped at a party while under the influence of several substances, and the video gets posted online. Lots of people around her will focus on that. Had she been sober, she could've ''prevented it,'' the guys who took advantage of her were ''sweet kids'' while Emma constantly puts others down. The author did a good move by making Emma a dislikable character from the start. She made the reader distant and unattached. I couldn't sympathize with Emma and yet at the same time wished for justice.

Review: And the trees crept in

No matter what, don’t go into the forest or the Creeper man will find you. 

An abusive situation leads Silla to seek refuge at her aunt’s hidden manor in the forest with her kid sister Nori. Life is quiet at first, and might have remained so if Nori had followed the rules and stayed away from the forest. Now the manor is cursed. And everything in it is starting to rot. 

Although I got hooked by the premise and fast-paced beginning, I admit the story soon dragged on. I felt like an idle man running on the treadmill with a warm donut hanging in front. A glaze chocolate donut! It seemed that the more I read, the less the story made sense. Silla was going crazy and the romantic interest kept switching from prince charming to antagonist. 

Regardless of the drag, the end is worth it, so hang in there and watch it all make sense.