Eldest

Christopher Paolini

The Inheritance Cycle #2

Summary:

Eragon and his dragon have just saved the rebel state from destruction by the mighty forces of King Galbatorix, cruel ruler of the Empire. Now, Eragon must travel to Ellesmera, land of the elves, for further training in magic and swordsmanship, the vital skills of the Dragon Rider. It is a journey of a lifetime, filled with awe-inspiring new places and people, each day an adventure.

Plot:

This is an incredible sequel to Eragon, it answers many questions that arose in the first book, but asks new ones, making you want to continue reading the series. I really enjoyed the storyline, and while it started a little slow, when I reached about a quarter of the book I couldn’t put it down. I especially enjoyed Paolini’s creation of Ellesmera, the elves’ country, or province or whatever. It’s rich in imagination and I found it fascinatingly beautiful. The battle scenes were also handled better in this novel than the first, with more suspense and action, but less gore. The ending is also adds a marvelous twist, which makes me even more excited for the third book.

Characters:

There is great character development in this book. Especially in the main character, Eragon, who learns more about magic and being a dragon rider from the elves. Saphira also grows, and we see a different side to her, she shows her immaturity more, but still retains respect. I cannot describe all the characters in this book, as there are too many, but Paolini manages to separate them enough that it never gets too confusing.

Who should read this?

13+, again, as with Eragon, it’s mainly because of violence, as there are little other mature content. I felt the violence in this book was slightly less graphic than the first, but maybe that’s just me. Some people might also feel uncomfortable with the magic used in this novel. I think fans of Eragon should definitely read this, however if you didn’t like the first book, don’t bother. Paolini’s style hasn’t changed. Also, this is a long book, as with the first, so if you like shorter, easier reads, this might not be the one for you.

My rating:

I really loved this book, it gripped me more than Eragon did and I adored the different settings and cultures implemented into the story. I would give this a 5/5.

Quote:
“....avoid roasted cabbage, do not eat earwax, and look on the bright side of life!"
-Angela”

Read my reviews for the first and third books in this series, Eragon and 'Brisingr', here! As well as the movie 'Eragon'.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Stephen Chbosky

Summary: 
Fifteen-year-old Charlie is coping with the suicide of his friend, Michael. To lessen the fear and anxiety of starting high school alone, Charlie starts writing letters to a stranger, someone he heard was nice but has never met in person.

Plot:

This story is told from the perspective of the slightly different boy, Charlie. It’s a very interesting angle, as Charlie has a way of saying something directly, which can sometime be very embarrassing and other times he comes up with sayings that are incredibly wise. I really like this story, it’s different and very well written. I found it a little hard to understand the first time I read it, because if you miss anything while reading, a lot of the book won’t make sense. This is not necessarily a bad thing, it means every time you read it you find something new.

Characters:

While I like the story of this book the characters are far better. Charlie, the main character, is incredibly naïve and almost like a child in the way he acts and speaks, yet he is extremely intelligent. Sweet and unassuming he is a unique and interesting character. Sam, his love interest and one of his best friends, have been through a lot, and has much more experience, but are always very kind and encourages Charlie to come out of his shell and be himself. Patrick, Charlie’s other best friend, is Sam’s gay step-brother, he acts funny to hide his hurt, and is a character many could relate to, whether they’re gay or not. All the characters are unique and interesting and colorful.

Who should read this?

13+, there are some swearing and other mature content, also younger people may not understand the depth of this book. Anyone who likes a book that’ll make them think, laugh and cry, you should read this one. As I said with the movie, I’m not sure if everyone will get this book, but it’s worth trying right?

My rating:

I really like this book, although I like the movie more, maybe because it’s just so well made. But I’ll give it a 4/5.

Quote:
“I would die for you. But I won't live for you.”

Read my review for the movie here!

Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron

Summary:

The mustang stallion Spirit grows up to proudly succeed his father as leader of the Cimarron herd in the unspoiled Wild West. When 'civilization' reaches Dakota territory, naive curiosity gets him caught by cowboys and sold to the US Cavalry. Its method of training by breaking a horse fails utterly on him. Just when the colonel intends to shoot Spirit, the equally indomitable captured young Lakota brave, Little Creek, escapes on his back. He also tricks him to a coral with his beloved mare, but shows respect and wins some trust. As the railroad arrives, the Indian village is wrecked and Spirit gets captured for use as a draft-horse. When the stallion realizes this project threatens his whole world, he escapes and unleashes the fury of a force of nature, ultimately teaming up with Little Creek.

Plot:

I’ve loved this story ever since I was little. It’s a story of not giving up, of fighting for what you believe in, and horses, all of which make it incredible. I love the passionate nature of this story, how every part is extremely emotional. You don’t have slumps where nothing is happening. Incredibly sad, with some light bits of humor thrown in when appropriate, this movie made me cry and made me smile.

Characters:

I adore the characters in this movie. The main character-the horse ‘Spirit’ is incredibly head-strong and feisty. The gentle horses ‘Rain’-spirit’s love interest and Spirit’s mother are great. The Indian, Little Creek, who connects with Spirit in a way that no other human could. They’re all incredible. Especially considering that, even though Spirit is the only horse that ‘talks’ in the movie, you can still tell the characteristics of all the others.

Cinematography:

This is quite an old movie, and the animation isn’t quite up to today’s standards, but I could tell that the producers and directors put a lot of thought into this movie. The character’s facial expressions and body language are beautifully portrayed, and you don’t really notice that they don’t look completely realistic. Also the music in this movie gives me chills every time.

Who should watch this:

(PG) as some younger kids may be frightened by the way the horses are treated by some of the humans. Anyone who liked movies like ‘the Lion King’ etc., that make you cry and laugh, watch this one! I think this movie will appeal to all ages.

My rating:

I really love this movie, it being one of the few animated ones that make me cry. I love the soundtrack and I love…just everything about this movie really. 5/5

Quote:
And so I grew from colt to stallion, as wild and as reckless as thunder over the land. Racing with the eagle, soaring with the wind. Flying? There were times I believed I could.

The Lorax

Summary:
The latest Dr. Seuss book to get the Hollywood treatment revolves around The Lorax, who would like to fix the pollution in his town caused by a greedy industrialist. Help arrives in the form of a young man desperate to impress his girlfriend by producing a real tree, not the plastic ones they have in town. This sets up the battle between the young man, The Lorax, and the evil mayor.

Plot:

I found this to be a very sweet and funny story, although I would’ve preferred a little subtlety with the whole ‘save the earth’ theme. It made me laugh, had me slightly sad, and it got the message across. It was cute.

Characters:

I really want a singing fish! Anyways…the characters were also incredibly cute, and quite funny. They were fun, upbeat, well most of them anyway, and they sang. So they were great. Is it just me or does the ‘bad guy’ looks like that dressmaker from ‘the Incredibles’? Just wondering.

Cinematography:

Okay, I loved the way the ‘paradise’ place at the start was portrayed, the colors were used well throughout this film. If you’ve seen ‘Horton hears a Who’ you would know what to expect. Not the greatest animation, but somehow it works.

Who should watch this:

(PG) This movie is definitely aimed towards kids, there are no mature content at all, not even crude jokes. I don’t think anyone over the age of 10 would really love this movie, although I did like it (yes I am over 10).

My rating:

I liked this movie, only now I really want a singing fish, and I don’t know where to find one, so that’s quite sad… 3/5

Quote:
It's not about what it is. It's about what it can become. Just like... you're not just a boy.

Invictus

Summary:

The inspiring true story of how Nelson Mandela joined forces with the captain of South Africa's rugby team, Francois Pienaar, to help unite their country. Newly-elected president Mandela knows his nation remains racially and economically divided in the wake of apartheid. Believing he can bring his people together through the universal language of sport, Mandela rallies South Africa's underdog rugby team as they make an unlikely run to the 1995 World Cup Championship match.

Plot: 
A truly inspiring film about Nelson Mandela played by Morgan Freeman (who else?), including some of the most epic and nerve wrecking rugby matches in world cup history. This is an incredible story that will make any South African proud of their heritage. This story is about equality, forgiveness and being the greatest you can be.

Characters:

As they were based on real people, the characters in this movie are very much flawed, even Mandela isn’t shown as being perfect. I think the characters in this movie were very well handled, although the ‘rugby players’ didn’t look much like rugby players at all. The acting was good, Morgan was absolute perfection as Mandela, Matt Damon's (as Francois Pienaar) accent was also spot on.

Cinematography:

Good, it is quite interesting in fact. Much of the movie is shot almost like an excerpt from TV news, making it seem more authentic. The more undocumented events were shot very well. The costumes etc. were all very well done. None of this ever distracts from the story, it only adds to it.

Who should watch this:

(PG L) the only mature content is the language. Anyone who is South African or who is interested in South African history should watch this movie. I would also recommend it to anyone who wants to be inspired, or who really likes rugby.

My rating:

I really liked this movie. It kept me interested. 4/5

Quote:
Brenda Mazibuko: You're risking your political capital, you're risking your future as our leader.
Nelson Mandela: The day I am afraid to do that is the day I am no longer fit to lead.

The Truth about Forever

Sarah Dessen

Summary: 
Macy's summer stretches before her, carefully planned and outlined. She will spend her days sitting at the library information desk. She will spend her evenings studying for the SATs. Spare time will be used to help her obsessive mother prepare for the big opening of the townhouse section of her luxury development.

But Macy's plans don't anticipate a surprising and chaotic job with Wish Catering, a motley crew of new friends, or…Wes. Tattooed, artistic, anything-but-expected Wes. He doesn't fit Macy's life at all-so why does she feel so comfortable with him? So…happy? What is it about him that makes her let down her guard and finally talk about how much she misses her father, who died before her eyes the year before?

Plot:

This is a very likable book, it gives you the ending you wanted. It had me smiling at times, and had me feeling sad at others, but it didn’t make me laugh out loud or cry my eyes out. The ending is quite predictable, although I appreciate the author’s attempt at making it slightly different. It was cute, and fun and nice, but not very memorable.

Characters:

The characters in this book, unlike the story, are quite interesting and quirky. They all have their own weird uniqueness that make you wonder about their stories. And thankfully the author does give us a bit of a backstory on most. I really liked most of the characters, even the ones that were supposed to be less likable. I didn’t fall in love with any of them, but I like them, and they are much more memorable than the story.

Who should read this?

10+, there’s very little mature content, some language, and the topic of death is brought up quite often. I think this is essentially a teen chic lit book, and I don’t think guys will appreciate it. If you like nice, light romantic books, with a slight sad twist, you will probably like this one

My rating:

I liked this book, it's not going to make my favorites any time soon, but it’s one of those relaxing books I enjoy very much when I don’t feel like thinking. It’s just a very likable book overall. I’ll give it a 3/5.

Quote:
“I like flaws. I think they make things interesting.” 

The Bride Collector

Ted Dekker

Summary:

FBI Special agent Brad Raines is facing his toughest case yet. A Denver serial killer has killed four beautiful young women, leaving a bridal veil at each crime scene, and he's picking up his pace. Unable to crack the case, Raines appeals for help from a most unusual source: residents of the Center for Wellness and Intelligence, a private psychiatric institution for mentally ill individuals who are extraordinarily gifted.

Plot:

Horrifyingly brilliant, sickeningly ingenious and terribly excellent, this book reels you in and ties you up so tightly you won’t be able to get away. The story had me scared and amazed and thrilled all the way through. The writing is incredible, I’m pretty sure Ted Dekker is a slightly insane genius, just like most of his characters…The symbolism and deeper meanings you could get out of this book are so many I’m not even going to try to explain them. This is an incredible, but horrific story.

Characters:

This book’s characters will have you questioning your own sanity, beliefs and ideas. The scary part is that while many of them are clinically insane you can still sort of relate to them. They are excellently portrayed and you find yourself appalled and enthralled by them.

Who should read this?

16+, this book scared me, and that doesn’t happen very often. The violence and sheer insanity of the ‘bad guy’ is so cruel and sick that I would definitely recommend caution, but aside from that there’s very little mature content. This is an excellent psychological thriller that will have your mind reeling, but it’s not an easy read. If you prefer something relaxing and simple, this is the wrong book for you. However, I will recommend this to anyone who are interested in psychology, or who likes books that will have you on the edge of your seat throughout.

My rating:

This is not my usual type of book, I found myself hating it and loving it at the same time, which was really confusing. The horrifying, terrible and cruel actions of the ‘bad guy’ terrified me, but this book is sheer genius. So I have no idea what to rate this right now…I’m giving it…a 4/5, the ending did it for me…

Quote:
“Everyone is a lonely victim of life's complexity.”