Turbo

Summary:

After a freak accident infuses him with the power of super-speed, Turbo kicks into overdrive and embarks on an extraordinary journey to achieve the seemingly impossible: competing in the world's fastest race, the Indianapolis 500. With the help of his tricked-out streetwise snail crew, this ultimate underdog puts his heart and shell on the line to prove that no dream is too big, and no dreamer too small.

Plot:

This was a really sweet story, but I feel like it’s all been done before, the racecars, the animal who wants to be something unusual and gets a human to help him. It could have been really original if Cars and Ratatouille hadn’t already exsisted. That being said it was really cute in a clichéd type of way. It had its funny moments, and it’s just a fun movie, without trying too hard to be deep or emotional.

Characters:

The characters are a bit eccentric, all of them, but they’re lots of fun. I liked Turbo a lot, he’s a very likable guy...uhm snail...and his snail buddies are all quite funny, if a little generic. I liked the humans as well, they were a little overshadowed by the snails (haha, they’re overshadowed by snails...no you’re right it’s not funny...), but they were still interesting enough.

Cinematography:

Pretty good, the animation is colourful and inventive, and doesn’t try too hard to be realistic, the music isn’t exactly my style, but it fit the feel of the movie well.

Who should watch this:

If you’re looking for a nice, clean movie for your kids this is definitely one I’d recommend. Seeing as how they like watching the same movie over and over again they won’t mind that it’s kind of similar to many other kids’ movies out there, and if they loved Cars or Ratatouille, and you’re tired of watching that, try this one... However, don’t expect to love this if you’re an adult, this is not that type of kids’ movie.

My rating:

While this was a sweet story, it didn’t have the same entertainment value that the previously mentioned movies did in my opinion, which is sad because it’s a great premise. The characters and animation were good, but honestly, I probably won’t watch this again.  3/5

Quote:

Turbo: Are you crazy?

Whiplash: Yeah, I'm crazy! What made you think I was sane?

Forbidden

Ted Dekker & Tosca Lee

The Books of Mortals #1

Summary:

The world as we know it is unrecognisable.

Almost 500 years have passed since civilization’s brush with extinction. Perfect order reigns and humanity’s greatest threats have been silenced by the ruling totalitarian government.

There is no disease. No passion. No hate. No war.

There is only peace.

Until one man discovers the truth hidden in a secret journal: the human heart has been stripped of all emotion and exists only in a kind of living death. But when Rom became exposed to the vial of blood contained in the journal he was filled with uncontrollable passion. Only Rom is now truly alive, and only he has the knowledge that can reawaken humanity.

But the way is dangerous and the cost staggering...the way is Forbidden.

Plot:

I have to admit, the start of this story was not very promising in my opinion. It felt like the authors were having a bit of trouble explaining the premise of the story. However, I might have wanted something from the book that wasn’t what the author intended. I wanted the book to showcase how beautiful all emotions are, even the negative ones, but I realised about half way through that that wasn’t the point of this book. This story is about a saviour, coming to save the humans from death, and to teach them about love. I personally read it as an allegory to the life of Jesus Christ, but even if that’s not your cup of tea this is a really interesting and unique story.

Characters:

It’s kind of hard to fall in love with characters who can’t love, but Dekker and Lee manages to make them come alive, and you really start to feel for them. I didn’t have a favourite character, and that’s usually not a good sign, but this book didn’t need extremely good characters to make it special. The characters were flawed, although one was a little too good to be true, and the villian was extremely scary.

Who should read this:

13+, mainly for violence, it’s not extremely graphic, but it is disturbing. There is no language and very mild sexual content. The story might also be a little hard to understand for younger readers. If you’re looking for a book that will make you think, this is a good choice. If you want something simple and lighthearted I don't suggest this one. Also if you don't like books that have Christian undertones this might bother you a little.

My rating:

I didn’t love the beginning of this book, I felt like the authors had a little trouble explaining exactly what was going on. I did however, love the rest, and I can totally appreciate the complex ideas that they tried to incorporate. Do I think it’s the best Dekker can do? No. Do I think it’s a good book. Yes. 4/5

Quote:

It's the sorrow you feel that allows you to crave love. Without the suffering, there would be no true pleasure. Without tears, no joy. Without deficiency, no longing. This is the secret of the human heart, Rom.

A Feast for Crows

George R.R. Martin

A Song of Ice and Fire #4

Summary:

WARNING: MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS OF PREVIOUS BOOKS!

Crows will fight over a dead man’s flesh, and kill each other for his eyes.

Bloodthirsty, treacherous and cunning, the Lannisters are in power on the Iron Throne in the name of the boy-king Tommen. But with fear and deceit in the air, their enemies are poised to strike. The Martells of Dorne seek vengeance for their dead and the heir of dead King Balon of the Iron Isles, Euron Crow’s Eye, is as black a pirate as ever raised a sail.

Across the war-torn landscape of the Seven Kingdoms, the daughter of Lord Selwyn of Tarth, called Brienne the Beauty in mockery of her great strength, seeks the late king’s widow, Sansa Stark. She promised the girl’s dead mother to protect her from the wrath of Queen Cersei, Tommen’s power-hungry mother. Meanwhile, apprentice Maester Samwell Tarly bring a mysterious babe-in-arms south to the Citadel from the cruel frozen north where the sinister Others threaten the Wall.

Plot:

Once again I feel like I’m going to repeat myself. I could’ve written one big review for this entire series. This part of the story wasn’t as shocking or thrilling as the previous installment, but that doesn’t mean it was dull in any way. I couldn’t tear myself away. The writing stays extremely brutal, but wonderfully captivating. There are so many events that happen in these books I can only give a very abstract opinion on the plot, but everything that happens is interesting.

Characters:

At first I was a little disappointed with the fact that we don’t see some of my favorite characters in this book, including Tyrion and Daenerys. However, the author did explain this at the end, saying that what happened to them during this period of time will be told in the next book, which makes me very excited. The characters didn’t develop as much as I would’ve liked, except for Jaime Lannister, who is a very interesting character with many contradictory elements to his personality. There were less deaths in this installment, so don’t worry too much about your favorite characters (if they were still alive in the previous one).

Who should read this:

16+, like always the author doesn’t shy away from graphic violence, sexual content and language, so if you’re sensitive, I would not suggest this series. If you enjoyed the previous installments, you should continue, I’ve said before how consistent this series is. This is a must for fantasy lovers, but not for people who want to finish a book quickly or want a light read.

My rating:

While it wasn’t as exciting as the previous book, mainly because many of my favourite characters weren't featured, it was still extremely engaging and I couldn’t put it down. 4/5

Quote:

I prefer my history dead. Dead history is writ in ink, the living sort in blood.

Read my review for the previous installments: 'A Game of Thrones', A Clash of Kings' and 'A Storm of Swords' here! 

The Adoration of Jenna Fox

Mary E. Pearson

Summary:

I used to be someone.

Someone named Jenna Fox.

A girl wakes from a coma following a devastating accident, her memory a blank.

One day she can’t walk; the next she can.

One day her right eyelid droops; the next it doesn’t.

Her parents call her recovery a mircale – but at what cost has it come? What are they hiding from her?

Who is Jenna Fox?

Plot:

This story is extremely intriguing, and had me captivated and interested throughout. It’s fast paced and never gets boring. The writing flows very well and is just descriptive enough to make it interesting. I liked the way the author used the different structures and so to create impact, some parts are structured almost like a poem.

Characters:

I liked that the main character is a teenage girl who is searching for ‘who she is’, but that the circumstances makes it more interesting and original than that. It keeps it relatable. The main character is very likable, but not in any way flawless. I also really liked her grandma, her parents were a bit one-dimensional in my opinion. Her friends at school were original and interesting without drawing the attention away from the main character too much.

Who should read this:

12+, there is very little violence and nearly no sexual content, but the themes might be a little dark and disturbing. The language is also kept pretty mild. If you want an easy read with an original plot and good writing then you might enjoy this one. If you want a simple, realistic story this might not be your cup of tea.

My rating:

I didn’t have any expectations for this book, I just picked it up by chance and I really enjoyed it. It kept me interested, the writing was interesting and so was the plot and characters. 4/5

Quote:

I don't want five hundred billion neural chips. I want guts.