Book and Movie Challenge: Mockingjay and Veronika Decides to Die

Resolute in keeping my challenge, here is my first January movie/book post.

Mockingjay Part II

Why did it take me so long to review this film? Because I had to reread the book. It had been so long since it was published (2010, keep in mind that there is no Mockingjay part 2 novel) that I felt the need to refresh and understand why a few scenes were presented the way they were. 

All in all, I found the plot stuck mostly to it's original story enough to give book fans their bucks worth. I was however surprised by the movie fanatics who didn't seem to grasp why the rebellion was not in center focus. They wanted more political details, which is impossible due to the fact that the story is told by the point-of-view of Katniss alone. And at that moment all she could think about was Snow. A great eye-opener on how revenge can blind us. 

Veronika Decides to Die

Ugh where do I start?

Paulo Coehlo is an amazing author, so amazing he can actually afford to make a cameo in his own book. While the novel deals with all the downside of depression (therapists says sadness and anger are emotions, while depression is a condition that we force upon ourselves) and reveals lots of great quotes to turn our frowns upside down, the film misleads its message. Aside from the strange sexual scene, the movie just seemed dull. 

**If you've reviewed this film or any other movie adaptation this month, please make sure to leave your link below. I'm always searching for movies to watch or skip. 

Review: The Dark and Hollow Places

That sad part when you don't follow your instincts and DNF a book.

Annah is scarred inside out. She abandoned her twin sister several years ago to the Unconsecrated (zombies) and has since survived with various scars all over her body and face. But now, that her sister is found, Annah starts developing other feelings such as jealousy and lover boy envy. Can Annah ever be at peace? 

Despite being the third book in the series, Ryan chose to focus the story on a new character with a dull personality. Not only is Annah constantly conflicted, but her reasoning makes little sense. She immediately sees her sister after years of guilt, and feels nothing but jealousy. Admits to loving Elias, only to flirt with Catcher right away. It's impossible to root for a character that doesn't know what she wants. 

The action is also constantly stalled, as our four main characters are being held under their will. Together they must decide if they desire to live or exist (tough existentialist question during apocalyptic zombie times).

Wish Ryan would have stopped at book two.

Review: Not if I see you First

"One of the unexpected side effects of Parker going blind, was how she got less and less sensible about what she said to people, because she couldn't see them flinch."

After a drunk driving accident (her mother had too much wine), Parker not only loses her mom but her eyesight. A few years later, her dad passes away from a medication overdose. Thankfully her aunt and cousins move in with her (Parker had already memorized the house and neighborhood, not an easy task when you are blind) but there's a cold shoulder coming from her cousin Sheila. 

Then we have Parker's friends, who are tired of seeing her put up "bitchy" attitudes and excluding them from sharing her feelings. All in all Parker isn't mean, she's just extremely sad and bottles her emotions. But what will happen if she keeps up this front, will everyone leave her, including her soulmate?

To be honest, this book had a lot of characters. What worked against the story, is that all these characters were polite. No one had attitude as much as Parker. Although, I liked her "I can do it" motto, I couldn't see the author's message about bottled emotions until 2/3 into the book. By then, Parker became an adrenaline rush junkie, and went from wanting to take relationships slow, to, I love my ex-boyfriend and he has to love me back right now. It just shows how after a huge tragedy, you need to talk to someone before you explode.

Feature and Follow Friday: Ink and Quills talk

Parajunkee / Alison Can Read

FEATURE & FOLLOW FRIDAY

Once you answer be sure to leave me your link so I can follow you back

Q: If you could write a book, what would it be about?

Une photo publiée par natalia (@natyuniverse) le 10 Nov. 2014 à 15h27 PST

I was published in a steampunk anthology, Gears of Brass, and loved the genre that I twisted with horror. For my next story I'm planning something even more scary and gory.

What genre would you pick?

Review: DOAWK: Old School

It's not me, it's you.

I'm a huge fan of Greg and his awkward life moments. He has a quirky family that means well, and the most amazing best friend. But this time (book 10) I feel like Kinney is running out of ideas and just adding things to fulfill his novel deadline. 

We get some deja vus as Greg and his Dad end up in a camp thanks to a one week school break that is not clear(I mean, is he on vacation). All the campers are unsupervised and fed weeks old food, even forced to live without showers. Don't get me wrong, the giggles are there, but barely in plausible situations. 

How long can this series last?