[Books, Review] The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Goodreads 

Started on: July 20, 2012

Finished on: July 31, 2012 

Synopsis
Twenty-four are forced to enter. Only the winner survives. In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. Each year, the districts are forced by the Capitol to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the Hunger Games, a brutal and terrifying fight to the death - televised for all of Panem to see.

Survival is second nature for sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who struggles to feed her mother and younger sister by secretly hunting and gathering beyond the fences of District 12. When Katniss steps in to take the place of her sister in the Hunger Games, she knows it may be her death sentence. If she is to survive, she must weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

WINNING WILL MAKE YOU FAMOUS. LOSING MEANS CERTAIN DEATH

Review
I said "I will only watch the movies, no need to read the books, there is wikipedia". I took that back when I picked up the first book of The Hunger Games. Since everyone around me has already read them, I then said "Why not!".

Book 1 of The Hunger Games series. It's going to be as big as Harry Potter. Well, that's what I think.

The contents of the book was great. I enjoyed it very much, despite the fact that the Capitol is totally screwed up in so many ways. They have nothing better to do with their lives then assign kids to an arena and watch them slaughter each other.

The characters of the Capitol seem very colorful, and they do all seem to dress like clowns. Those from District 12 know how to survive, I think that is what helped Katniss and Peeta survive in the games. They were brought up with poverty, and not much food. They were taught on how to live to survive.

The tributes from the other Districts seemed to be lacking in the details, it was very vague. But since the book was from Katniss's point of view, it is understandable and very realistic.

When the games started, my heart raced every time something or someone gets killed. That's what I love about books like this. It makes my heart race and gives me heart palpitations. It makes me read more, and faster. It shows that I'm really into that book.

The love Peeta has for Katniss is just amiable. I love him for loving her for so long. I don't know how he just stood there, without even telling her. But poor thing, Katniss broke his heart. I wish I could just give him a hug and all his problems will go away. I love him.

Katniss's confusing love for Peeta and Gale. She thinks she loves Gale but no, her heart says that she's meant to be with Peeta. Its fate! They should be together.

In conclusion to my review, The book was fabulous. I recommend all those who loves Harry Potter, reading YA novels, and absolutely everyone to read it.
I cannot wait to get my hands on the second book!

★★★★★

[Book, Review] Forgive my Fins by Tera Lynn Childs

Goodreads

Started on: July 18 2012

Finished on: July 20 2012

Synopsis 
Lily Sanderson has a secret, and it’s not that she has a huge crush on gorgeous swimming god Brody Bennett, who makes her heart beat flipper-fast. Unrequited love is hard enough when you’re a normal teenage girl, but when you’re half human, half mermaid like Lily, there’s no such thing as a simple crush.

Lily’s mermaid identity is a secret that can’t get out, since she’s not just any mermaid – she’s a Thalassinian princess. When Lily found out three years ago that her mother was actually a human, she finally realized why she didn’t feel quite at home in Thalassinia, and she’s been living on land and going to Seaview high school ever since, hoping to find where she truly belongs. Sure, land has its problems – like her obnoxious, biker boy neighbor Quince Fletcher – but it has that one major perk – Brody. The problem is, mermaids aren’t really the casual dating type – when they “bond,” it’s for life.

When Lily’s attempt to win Brody’s love leads to a tsunami-sized case of mistaken identity, she is in for a tidal wave of relationship drama, and she finds out, quick as a tailfin flick, that happily-ever-after never sails quite as smoothly as you planned.

Review
I love this book! I love this book! I love this book!!!! I absolutely love books about mermaids! Whether it's contemporary or romance. I some how cannot put the book down.

Forgive my Fins. My second mermaid book. When I started reading it, I swear, I could not put it down.

Alright. Lily Sanderson. Princess Waterlily. Is half mermaid half human. She's been living in the sea all her life and she wanted to stay on land to get the feel of being a human or a terraped. She happens to fall in love with this swimmer, or the image of him. Whenever she tries to ask him out to the school dance, her annoying pervy neighbor Quince interrups them and also happens to ruin Lily's life in a way.

Lily is blind when it comes to people. That's one thing I don't like about her. She doesn't know what others really mean to her. She only cares what others think of her. She's a typical insecure teenage mermaid, trying to find her mermate before her 18th Birthday.

Quince was just so sweet to Lily, even if her annoyed the heck out of her. I guess that was his way of getting close to her and making himself a memory Lily would always remember. Plus he's hot and he knows what he wants, even thought he may sometimes be a blowfish

The plot was great. It was very very intriguing. How Lily was in love with an image of a guy she barely knows, How Quince seems to be all calm and fine with the fact that he was turning into a merman. I love the tension between Lily and Quince. I am happy they spent most of their time together in the book.

I absolutely loved the ocean-terminology that Lily used! It was hilarious!! It makes me want to used them.

The book cover tells the viewer of a sneak peak inside the book. A viewer can tell that it's a mermaid book, which is a good thing. It's a fabulous cover, perfect for YA readers.

I absolutely recommend this book to everyone. I don't care if you don't like YA or read about supernatural beings. I recommend you all to read it. It was an easy read and it's perfect for preteens and young adult readers.

I cannot wait to get my hands on the next book!

★★★★★

[Fashion] Outfit of the day: July 13 2012

Top: New Look 

Jacket: New Look

Jewelry: Forever 21 & Philippines

Skirt: Discount Homestores

Belt: Philippines

Bag: Abakada

I wore this outfit to the Sound of Music Musical at the Bahrain Summer. 

When I say Philippines, I mean some where in the Philippine, I just don't remember where exactly I got it. 

[Review, Books] Gossip Girl (1) by Cecily von Ziegesar

Goodreads

Started on: July 5 2012 

Finished on: July 9 2012 

Summary
Older teens and adult readers can't get enough of Gossip Girl, the anonymous narrator who made her catty debut in the bestselling Gossip Girl and titillated readers in the juicy sequel, You Know You Love Me. Now in All I Want Is Everything, readers will love her even more as Gossip Girl dishes up dose after hefty dose of dirt on all her friends-New York's wealthiest private school teens. Sharp wit, intriguing characters, and high-stakes melodrama drive the action of this wildly popular new series.


Review

I’ve always been into Gossip Girl since the TV series stated. But I didn't actually want to read the books, but when I saw it on the bookshelf at the bookstore in the Philippines, the book just looked too tempting for some reason, so I just had to get it.

Once I picked it up and started reading it, I couldn't put it down. As I was reading I was replaying the whole first episode of the first season in my head. I actually thought that the first book will have at least 2-3 episodes in it. I was slightly disappointed that it was only 1 episode. Well, it is a small thin book.

The storyline was good, as I said, it was just like the first episode of the first season. The return of Serena, Blairs jealousy, and the Kiss on the Lips Party. The reason why I love reading the books rather than watching the TV Series or the Movie sometimes because you miss out on what may seem like small tiny details but are actually pretty big ones. I think the reason why I couldn't put down the book was because of how the story line was suppose to be.

I was very surprised at how much these kids smoke, drink and swear. And that their parents even allow them to do so much of it. I just find it very shocking compared to my teenage years.

The first edition of the Gossip Girl series was great, in my opinion and I recommend it to young adults who enjoy reading about Gossip, Drama, Chick-lit, and of course the upper east side of New York City.

★★★★

[Book, Review] Juliet Immortal by Stacey Jay

Goodreads

Started: June 24, 2012

Ended: July 4, 2012

Summary
The most tragic love story in history . . .
Juliet Capulet didn't take her own life. She was murdered by the person she trusted most, her new husband, Romeo Montague, a sacrifice made to ensure his own immortality. But what Romeo didn't anticipate was that Juliet would be granted eternity, as well, and would become an agent for the Ambassadors of Light. For 700 years, she's fought Romeo for the souls of true lovers, struggling to preserve romantic love and the lives of the innocent. Until the day she meets someone she's forbidden to love, and Romeo, oh Romeo, will do everything in his power to destroy that love.
"These violent delights have violent ends
And in their triumph die, like fire and powder,
Which as they kiss consume."
"--Romeo and Juliet" by William Shakespeare

Review

I cannot believe I took a week and 4 days to finish this book. I have not read a good book in so long; I was surprised that I was taking so long to finish it.

Juliet Immortal, a modern book of what really happened with Romeo and Juliet. It is my first book written by Stacey Jay. I thought the story line was very original, I really adored reading about Romeo and Juliet, and it has always been my favorite pieces of Shakespeare.

The book cover is Juliet sitting on a hill by the sea. I do not know how that incorporated with the book. It’s a beautiful cover of course, a great stock photo and the bright red dress. It was beautiful. But I still don’t know how that has to do with the book. I always like a book cover that says something about the contents of the book.

Ambassadors and Mercenaries, two households that has a problematic history. Just like the Capulet and Montigue families. I found it very pleasing that Jay used the basis of Romeo and Juliet to write the book. Not only using the characters but also using the story like that was forgotten, the dispute between the Capulate and the Montigue family. 

The Mercenaries are kind of gross, because they jump into dead people’s bodies. It’s just disgusting. Zombies are gross. Because of this book I slightly hate Romeo, because he can be such a fool and an arse most of the times, and sometimes a stalker-pervert person. I just found it creepy.

I loved the ending. I absolutely loved it. I’m so happy that Juliet got another chance at true love with her true soul mate, BEN. And that Romeo got a second chance to redeem himself and correct his mistakes. Hence, the second book Romeo Redeemed. Even though I found Romeo annoying at times but he actually makes the book stimulating and exciting by being irrational and imprudent.

All in all, Juliet Immortal was a fabulous book. I recommend it to all the YA readers out there and to those who love Romeo and Juliet. I cannot wait to get Romeo Redeemed; I know it’ll be as good as Juliet Immortal. 

★★★★

[Books] Monthly Review Wrap-up: June

Good day everyone!

It's July already! OMG! That was sooo fast.
Lets get to it shall we.

I only read 3 books last month (June), and one of which was on my to-be-read pile. The Queen of the Dead by Stacey Kade. 

Here are my reviews for June

The Queen of the Dead - Stacey Kade
I Kissed a Zombie and I liked it - Adam Selzer
Ditched: A Love Story - Robin Mellom 

Just if you all want to join the TBR Pile Challenge and if you're wondering who will be handling the wrap-up posts for each month.
To-be-Read Pile (TBR Pile) Challenge - Here

It seems pretty sad, reading only 3 books on June. Same as number as on May. I'm 3 books behind on my 2012 reading challenge on goodreads. I blame university. Hopefully this month I'll be reading more.

I bid you all a good day!
Until next time!