Walking Disaster

Walking Disaster, a follow-up to Beautiful Disaster, by Jamie McGuire

An amusing book about the inner workings of Travis Maddox. The story that Beautiful Disaster had laid hadn't been changed only the perspective. Walking Disaster was a story of a boy who promised his dying mother to fight hard for love and fulfilled it at the end.
His mind was not a beautiful place to be, but because of his passion and drive, you would want to stay in his head to see what he would do. I guess, he would just do anything for Abby. From abstinence to kneeling and laying out his heart, he would do anything to prove that he belonged to Abby and that he was insanely and irrevocably in love with the girl.
To be honest, his version of love was scaring me because it was bordering on obsession. Their love was like a hurricane; it was so fast and so powerful that they didn't know what hit them. Abby was stuck in the past and was trying out the clear waters of the present when Travis appeared and brought the waves back in and the jagged rocks of the past.
I liked how this version was told.I liked reading about the Maddox men and the tightness of their family bond. Even though it was the same story, it has a different feel to it. The readers of Beautiful Disaster has both sides of the story. I think we just wished a longer epilogue for this one.

My rating: 3 out of 5

***

The Elite

After waiting for months, I have finally read this book and I couldn't believe that I have finished it in 6 hours. Was that good or bad? I think I need the third book!!!
I was amused that my qualms against Prince Maxon was answered in the first chapter. I recalled saying that Prince Maxon was "too like-able" in The Selection, and here in The Elite, he was even more likeable because of his adoration for America.  I was quite satisfied to have seen more complexities in Prince Maxon's character.
I was as confused as America when choosing between Aspen and Maxon. Even though I love Maxon more than Aspen, I couldn't help thinking that America might still choose Aspen because of his tenacity and perseverance. I think that was his redeeming quality in this book. Maxon on the other hand was being his usual princely charming self that we ladies couldn't get enough of. America... well, she was slowly realizing her worth and what she could do, very like Ms. Katniss Everdeen.
The characters have evolved a little bit but I'm still waiting for them to fully bloom. I was expecting some political revelation and actions to emerge and it did happen, but I wish there were more. The plot was great, sustained by an average amount of surprises. It wasn't dull considering that it gripped me for 6 hours but as I have said, I was expecting more revelations from this book.
I've enjoyed this book as much as the first one. I am curious for the third book and I couldn't believe that I have to wait for a year to read it. I guess more time to read The Selection and The Elite again! :D

My rating: 4 out of 5 stars because of Prince Maxon <3

The Picture of Dorian Gray

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

An elaborate tale of a young man, Dorian Gray, who was introduced to vanity and was reared by a vile amoral influence, Lord Henry Wotton. Even though Basil Howard, his friend, tried to pry him from the claws of the wicked ways, Dorian Gray had already traded his soul to the immoral pleasures of the world.
This was a tragic tale. No heroine to root for and not a single thing to love. The only thing you could take from this book was the lesson of having a narcissistic life. You have nothing to gain from the immoral pleasures of the world aside from temporary satisfaction. This book was a reminder of what was important in life than having a good time, which was having a friend who rebukes you to lead you to the right path, and a friend who would stick to you in the worst of times.
I would still recommend it but only to those who have strong sense of their values because this book is not for the easily swayed. I would recommend it for it’s a classic.
My rating: 3 out of 5

Clockwork Princess

 

"At last, the wheel comes full circle..."

 

Clockwork Princess (Infernal Devices #3) by Cassandra Clare

I could not ask for a better ending than this, but I could ask for another book! The conclusion was similar with Mockingjay and the Deathly Hallows; our beloved characters have their hearts broken and was mended over time, then lived through their days in contentment or as they say, "happily ever after."

Even though the Mortmain issue was resolved in a predictable manner, I was very taken by the peculiar love triangle between Jem, Tessa, and Will. I had to pause my reading several times because I was in an emotional distress with Jem's dire situation. In the wee hours of the morning, I was crying silently trying to relieve some of the agony Jem has given me in the first half of the book. I have fallen for Jem's character more than Will's and I guess because he was musically inclined and naturally sweet in a shy kind of way. Don't get me wrong, I love Will's character as well because he was a book nerd and who wouldn't fall for someone who quoted the classics? With his flowery words and sarcastic antics, Will could be our generation's Mr. Darcy.

If this novel would have a classical music soundtrack it would be Paganini's Violin Sonata 6 together with Antonio Vitali's Chaconne and Elgar's Salut d'Amour. Listen to it, you'll know what I mean.

Have you ever heard a violin when it glides over a high note and produces that thin string sound that makes your heart soar? Or when a cello plunges into a series of pulsing notes caressing it with a vibrato and gives you a melancholic feel? I have felt those in the scenes mostly when Jem was in. This book has been a musical ride. I felt like every scene had a classical song accompaniment in my head. I was emotionally taken by the exceedingly passionate confessions of love from both Jem and Will. Both sweet in their own way and both rang of purity and honesty.

-----

I have so much to say about this novel but I still have to gather my thoughts about the other characters so that my review wouldn't be all fan-girling about Jem and Will. I would edit this review when I have read it again and have settled my feelings over the things that have happened. I am still overwhelmed. Whew!

I would leave by saying that Madam Cassandra Clare has scored not only a 5 starred rating but a "turkey."

*applauds*

Uglies

Honestly, I wasn't excited to read this book. I was only intrigued by the good reviews from my friends so I decided to give this book a chance. It turned out well.
Though there were twists that I found predictable, such as David and Tally's romantic affair, the detonated tracker, and the Specials, I was still intrigued by the history of the different towns. I was also curious in progress of David and Tally's relationship.
I guess I'll have to read the other books to determine where I stand. Would I love this series or not?
*on to the next book*
*** Will edit this when I have something better to say >.<

Verdict: 3 out of 5 stars.

Mortal Instruments: City of Lost Souls

I have finally read the fifth book of the Mortal Instrument series, City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare.

What you wouldn't miss about this book was the kissing. There's a lot of mouth to mouth action. After reading this, I'm like, "what just happened?"


Aside from the abundance in the kissing department, there had been a lot of Magnus and Alec action too! Fans of Malec would squeal their lungs out! As a matter of fact, most of them were paired up only Sebastian was left out, which is understandable since he planned to wreaked havoc with his dear old daddy.


The only progress I saw in this book was the growth in the relationship of the minor characters, in Alec and Magnus, Izzy and Simon, Maia and Jordan. Other than that, it was the same old plot, Clary saving the world while Jace was helpless and possessed. In most of the scenes, Clary and Jace were making out... so yea, not much progress there.


As much as I liked the series, I am not excited for the next book as I was with the others. I would only read it for more information about Magnus' origin which I hope would be in the Bane Chronicles. Actually, I was really wondering who was this powerful father of Magnus. And yes, I wouldn't say no to some more of Alec and Magnus.


Verdict: 3 out 5 stars

Clockwork Prince

I have decided to start posting my reviews here on my blog, which was my plan before but was postponed due to my poor memory and laziness. Anyway, without further ado... my review on Cassandra Clare's Clockwork Prince.

Clockwork Prince is my new favourite among all Cassandra Clare's books.

This book reminded me of a lot of scenes from different books, but mostly from the Harry Potter series (sorry, Potterhead here)...

1. Jem and Will's parabatai relationship reminded me of Jonathan and David in the Bible
2. The Lightwoods reminded me of the Malfoys in Harry Potter.
3. Henry was like Arthur Weasley in Harry Potter, who loved to tinker with muggle(non-magic folk) things.
4. Henry's invention, the Phospor reminded me of Dumbledore's Put-Outer.
5. I can't help but compare witchlight with the spell Lumos in Harry Potter. >.<
6. Will was like the Phantom in the Phantom of the Opera. ( I dare not elaborate for spoilers)
7. Jem reminded me of Jake in the TV series Awkward (which makes Tessa as Jenna.)
8. Mortmain was very much like Moriarty. A spider tangling you in his web.
9. No one would disagree with me when I say that Will has so many similarities with Jace.


I was not judging the book by my comparison so don't think I don't like it. I love it. As I've said it is my new favourite. What I love most about this one was how Cassandra Clare poured snarky sarcasms from Will, and balanced it with Jem's quiet rebuff, mixed with Tessa's smart remarks. I find every character interesting especially the development in the Immortals like Magnus Bane and Camille who have lived both in Mortal Instruments and Infernal Devices series.

So that's my verdict, 5 stars because I simply love it. <3