Page & Screen Pairings: For the Rebel

I am a huge lover of dystopias so I was thrilled when my friend Kay requested movie matches for my new favourite dystopian series, Delirium. The world in Delirium, as in most dystopia, is a frightening one. But it also unique. In it, love is a sickness, something to be avoided and feared and cured and our MC, Lena, must decide if freedom and love are worth forsaking her family, her government and the safety of the cure.

Equilibrium: In the nation of Libria, the rules are simple. If you are happy, you are arrested. If you cry, you are hunted down. If you read an unapproved book or look at a painting, you are a criminal. To keep the peace, citizens must take their daily allotment of Prozium, a powerful drug designed to stop feelings and keep everyone in line. Refuse to take the drug... you will be found.

Pleasantville: David loves Pleasantville, the cult1950's sitcom. His sister Jennifer, however, is too cool to bother. When a mysterious TV repairman gives them a new remote , the pair are magically transported IN to the fictional town. For better or worse, they are trapped in the alternate black and white reality---a white bread world without passion or violence---and it's up to them to bring life and colour back into their world.

V for Vendetta: Evey lives in an oppressive world. When faced with a life-or-death situation, V, a masked vigilante, comes to her aide. Both charismatic and highly skilled, V ignites revolution against the totalitarian regime, urging his fellow citizens to fight against the tyranny of their government. As Evey uncovers the truth behind V's identity, she also learns the truth about herself, becoming an unlikely ally. Their fight---to bring freedom and justice to a society that now only knows cruelty and corruption. 



So, what do you think of my matches? Have you read this book or seen any of these movies? Are there any books/movies you'd like to have recommendations for? I want this to be an interactive feature so tell me what books/movies you'd like to see paired. As always, leave your thoughts in the comments below!

Audiobook Review: Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver

Title: Pandemonium
Author(s): Lauren Oliver
Genre(s): Dystopia, Romance, Science Fiction, Young Adult
Publisher/Release Date: HarperCollins / February 28, 2013
Series: Delirium (Book #2)

“Grief is like sinking, like being buried. I am in water the tawny color of kicked-up dirt. Every breath is full of choking. There is nothing to hold on to, no sides, no way to claw myself up. There is nothing to do but let go. Let go. Feel the weight all around you, feel the squeezing of your lungs, the slow, low pressure. Let yourself go deeper. There is nothing but bottom. There is nothing but the taste of metal, and the echoes of old things, and days that look like darkness.” -Magdalena Haloway-Tiddle

Warning: This review may contain spoilers concerning Delirium

 Case Study

I’m pushing aside the memory of my nightmare, pushing aside thoughts of Alex, pushing aside thoughts of Hana and my old school, push, push, push, like Raven taught me to do. The old life is dead. But the old Lena is dead too. I buried her. I left her beyond a fence, behind a wall of smoke and flame. (synopsis from Goodreads)

The Game's Afoot

You guys, I am totally hooked on Lauren Oliver's Delirium series. So intense. So many emotions!

Pandemonium begins immediately after the events of Delirium with Lena's daring escape in to the Wilds... without Alex. While Delirium had the whimsy factor, Pandemonium was all about the action... and drama. Pandemonium reminded me of Catching Fire in a way --- the plot lines are similar but the stakes are higher, the revelations, bigger and bolder. Delirium introduces us to Lena but Pandemonium opens us up to so much more of her world and the politics behind it. Basically, they're headed for all out war.
  
The book is told in two sections, Now and Then and the contrast between past and present is effective in building the tension in the story. It's never confusing or boring and it really highlights the growth of these characters while providing a constant sense of intrigue. And if that's not enough to keep you reading, Oliver's beautiful prose will. True to form, every word has its place, every sentence, its purpose. No word or chapter is wasted. Every page leaves its mark. And this is why I am and will be a forever fan.

One of the most remarkable things about this book is Lena's personal journey and growth. She experiences the aftermath of losing her one and only love and is forced to deal with survivor's guilt. She has to start anew and rebuild her life in the Wilds. And that's another thing I loved, seeing the infamous Wilds. Things are hard for Lena, life there is hard in general. It's not the fantasy world that Lena originally imagined. People suffer and people die. But after spending some time in the Wilds, Lena learns to become a fighter. Her transformation is earnest, believable and not without its share of hardships. She's not handed anything and her friend and savior, Raven, sees to that. Lena earns her place with Raven and the gang and that's really rewarding to see.

I wasn't a huge fan of the romance in Pandemonium, as admittedly, I am a Lena-Alex shipper. Lena and Julian progress slowly, in a very natural sort of way, from overt wariness to gradual friendship then to something more. It's a slow, simmering sort of burn. Don't get me wrong, I understood the development of her feelings for Julian, but that doesn't mean I have to like them. It's interesting that Lena and Julian's relationship mimics the path that Lena and Alex took when they first met, only the roles are very much reversed. Lena is to Julian in Pandemonium what Alex was to Lena in Delirium. Eventually, Julian experiences the same progression that Lena did with concern to delira amor nervosa and he turns out to be a great character. He's one of those people who was initially shaped by his environment but as soon as you take him away from that, he really flourishes. Then there's Lena, who went from this scrappy, lost girl to this bad-ass, hard-edged, self-sufficient woman. She's a fighter. She fights for who she loves, what she believes in and for, well, love itself. 

  
And you've got to admire a girl like that.

Summary Prognosis

Pandemonium is everything you could want and love in a series sequel. With serious character growth, amped up stakes and lots of dramatic tension, it had me hooked from the first page. And trust me, you're gonna want to stick around for that ending --- holy cliffhanger, Batman! I think, deep down, I knew it was coming but no amount of preparation could lessen the shock of it. It's a beautiful story and has solidified itself as one of my top book series EVER. 

Rating: ★★★★½

Read It: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible
Discuss It: Goodreads | Author's Website 

Movie Review: Ender's Game by Gavin Hood

Title: Ender's Game
Director(s): Gavin Hood
Genre(s): Dystopia, Science Fiction, Young Adult
Rating: PG-13
Release Date (USA): November 1, 2013

“Fifty years ago an alien force known as the Formics attacked Earth. Tens of millions died. It was only through the sacrifice of our greatest commander that we avoided total annihilation. We've been preparing for them to come back ever since. The International Fleet decided that the world's smartest children are the planet's best hope. Raised on war games, their decisions are intuitive, decisive, fearless. I am one of those recruits." -Ender Wiggin

1985 was a good year --- not only was I born but this was the publishing year of what many call the original YA dystopia. Ender's Game as a film had a lot of work to do from the outset. It not only had to overcome years of developmental hell but had to contend with severe controversy surrounding the Orson Scott Card's questionable ideals as well as high expectations from the series' legion of die-hard fans. Now, I haven't ever read the books so I had no basis of comparison when going into the film but I did have high hopes. Based on the trailer, the movie looked awesome! Unfortunately, for me, Ender's Game did not defy the odds.

The story follows Ender Wiggin, a newly recruited member of a battle school designed to train young children to fight a war against the alien forces that attacked Earth years prior. Ender finds himself alienated and must overcome incredible pressure from everyone, and most of all, from himself, in order to lead the team to victory.

I can't really say if the plot remains faithful to Card's original novel, but I did enjoy the idea of it. For the time it was written, it was probably uniquely original, but being late to the game, I can't say I haven't already seen it all before. Despite the predictability of the storyline, my biggest gripe was that it felt like key elements were missing --- not plot holes exactly, just like critical scenes had been cut at the last minute, like there were gaps in important information. Instead, it relies heavily on these grand info dumps from Wiggin via the narration and the character development and storyline suffer because of this. Another big problem I had was with the story's overall cohesiveness, in that there is none. The whole movie feels as though it takes place in the matter of a week and because of this, there's very little depth. I lost track of time watching it, probably because I was doing other things other than watching it. In short, I just didn't care.

You would think that the star-studded cast (Harrison Ford, Ben Kingsley, Hailee Steinfeld, Viola Davis & Abigail Breslin) would be enough to save this drowning movie, but alas, such was not the case. Breslin has but a minor role and Davis, arguably the best in her role, isn't featured nearly enough to leave a lasting impression. Ford and Kingsley deliver passable performances, but they hardly shine. And newcomer Asa Butterfield is wooden and stiff in his role as Ender. I don't know if the character in the book is this way, but he's incredibly unrelatable in the film. Things come to him far too easily and I had no idea why he was appointed to be the leader of the group. Nothing he said or did really gave me a good feeling about him. Honestly, I didn't care about a single one of the characters and if you don't care then what's the point? 

I guess the look and feel of the film were about the only things I think the filmmakers got right. The set and cinematography were spot-on, everything I imagined from the spacey, sci-fi setting. I want to play in that Battle Room. So. Freaking. Amazing. But other than that, Ender's Game was an utter fail as a stand alone movie. If it's done anything positive, it's only made me want to read the book that much more.

Summary Prognosis

All in all, I was less than impressed with Ender's Game. Though it was a visually stunning movie, I found it to be predictable, full of wooden performances and too hard to comprehend. Since I haven't read the book version, I have no basis of comparison so I'll let the rest of you be the judge of that one. Overall, it was a majour letdown for me. 

Rating: ★★½  

Watch It: Amazon | Target
Discuss It: IMDB | Rotten Tomatoes
View the Trailer: 

Audiobook Review: Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Title: Delirium
Author(s): Lauren Oliver
Genre(s): Dystopia, Romance, Science Fiction, Young Adult
Publisher/Date: HarperCollins / February 7, 2012
Series: Delirium (Book #1)

“Love: a single word, a wispy thing, a word no bigger or longer than an edge. That's what it is: an edge; a razor. It draws up through the center of your life, cutting everything in two. Before and after. The rest of the world falls away on either side.” -Magdalena Haloway-Tiddle

Case Study

Ninety-five days, and then I'll be safe. I wonder whether the procedure will hurt. I want to get it over with. It's hard to be patient. It's hard not to be afraid while I'm still uncured, though so far the deliria hasn't touched me yet. Still, I worry. They say that in the old days, love drove people to madness. The deadliest of all deadly things: It kills you both when you have it and when you don't. (synopsis from Goodreads)

The Game's Afoot

Guys. Guess what!? I'm in love and I don't care who knows it!

I have it bad. A serious case of derliria amor nervosa. I am completely, hopelessly and totally in love with Delirium. I know I'm a little late to the game when it comes to Lauren Oliver's books and I don't know why I've avoided this series for so long, but better late than never, right? 

In Delirium, Oliver has created a unique dystopian society, one where love and passion and feeling is a sickness, something to be avoided and feared and cured. It's really quite brilliant and so, so scary. Just imagine a world without love, and not just love, but a world without pain or hate or fiery passion. The cure for amor deliria nervosa renders people into shells of their former selves. Their vibrancy is gone. They are zombie-like. They don't feel. They don't care and people who don't care are capable of doing terrible things because they lack compassion, the ability to relate. There's no remourse or responsibility for their actions. It's all about duty and safety and security in this highly regulated society. Just think about it. What kind of life is that? A life like that, even one without pain, is not a life worth living and that's what our MC, Lena, eventually learns. 

I loved watching Lena's transformation from a silly, obedient, little girl into a strong, vibrant, self-aware woman. At first, she was kind of hard to relate to. She was so young and naive, not questioning anything or anyone around her. It was frustrating. But it was also authentic given the narrowness and control required to live in her world. The more you start to understand her world, the more she starts to grow on you. She's more than just a shell and as you get to know her, you unearth this dazzling fighter. She fights for what she believes in and for the people she loves. She's inspiring. And while we're speaking of love, I LOVED her friendship with Hana. I LOVED her relationship with Alex. There is depth to each of these relationships, they're layered and they aren't perfect which lends to their believability.

I really enjoyed the intros to each new chapter. Oliver begins with a relevant philosophy of the time or commandment from The Book of Shh, which added to the authenticity of the dystopian environment. And she's done a great job of crafting such a scary world with her vivid imagery and incredible world-building. This truly has to be one of the most beautifully written stories I've ever read. Oliver has a way with words, a way of making a sentence seem like it's the most lyrical and poetic thing in the world. I also have to give Sarah Drew some serious cred for her narration of the audiobook. She is definitely one of my favourite narrators. Everything about her performance was perfect, she added so much dimension to the words, so much soul. 

My experience with Delirium was a little like Lena's journey --- I started out wary, scared. But the more I read, the more I learned, the more I was wooed by Oliver's gorgeous prose and engaging characters, the more I began to fall. It was like fireworks exploded within me. It touched me and it's hard to put into words just how much it blew me away. This book is a profound whirlwind of depth and beauty and emotion. This book makes you feel things, amazing things, so much so that you want to cry and laugh and live. It's been a long time since a book has really made me feel this way and it's so freaking incredible. THIS is the power of words. THIS is why I am and always will be a reader. Because of books and authors and moments and feelings like this.

Summary Prognosis

Delirium is a thought-provoking, gorgeous story about passion and love and fighting for what one believes in. This book will make you think and feel things and want so much more. Oliver's prose is poetic and her characters, layered and relatable. And the narration by Sarah Drew is incredible --- she's one of the best narrators I've ever heard. It's been a long time since a book has made me feel so much and I'm so glad I gave this book a chance. Oliver has found herself another unabashed fangirl and I can't wait to finish the rest of this series.

Rating: ★★★★★

Read It: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible
Discuss It: Goodreads | Author's Website

Book Review: Into The Still Blue by Veronica Rossi

Title: Into The Still Blue
Author(s): Veronica Rossi
Genre(s): Dystopia, Science Fiction, Young Adult
Publisher/Date: HarperCollins / January 28, 2014
Series: Under The Never Sky (Book #3)

“We have to tell each other the little things, the bad things. Maybe they’ll hurt for a while, but at least they won’t become big things. If we don’t, we’re just going to keep hurting each other. And I don’t want to do that anymore.” -Aria

Warning: This review may contain spoilers concerning Under The Never Sky & Through The Ever Night.

Case Study

Their love and their leadership have been tested. Now it's time for Perry and Aria to unite the Dwellers and the Outsiders in one last desperate attempt to bring balance to their world.

The race to the Still Blue has reached a stalemate. Aria and Perry are determined to find this last safe-haven from the Aether storms before Sable and Hess do-and they are just as determined to stay together.

Meanwhile, time is running out to rescue Cinder, who was abducted by Hess and Sable for his unique abilities. And when Roar returns to camp, he is so furious with Perry that he won't even look at him, and Perry begins to feel like they have already lost.

Out of options, Perry and Aria assemble a team to mount an impossible rescue mission-because Cinder isn't just the key to unlocking the Still Blue and their only hope for survival, he's also their friend. And in a dying world, the bonds between people are what matter most. (synopsis from Goodreads)

The Game's Afoot

Series enders are tricky business. I'm always hesitant going in, hopeful that the resolution will be everything I wanted and also so afraid that it won't be. Into The Still Blue does what any good series ender should --- it ups the stakes and gives you the FEELS. It answers all our burning questions and does so in a way that feels natural and makes sense. In short, it was exactly the ender I've been hoping for.

Stylistically, Into The Still Blue is a little different from UtNS and TtEN in that it's more action driven than character driven. But I don't think this is a bad thing because action is the bridge to the resolution. The book also focuses more on the group as a whole as opposed to any given individual (or couple). Everyone gets equal screen time, per say, and I think that plays into why the book worked for me. Plus, we get answers, answers about the Still Blue, about Aria's father, about Hess and Sable's grand plan! All of these things are wrapped up in a very organic and cohesive way.

And then there are THE FEELS. Oh my god, there are SO MANY FEELS!

Rossi doesn't hold back in this book. Sacrifices are made, friendships tested, allegiances broken. The stakes are super high and it's do or die time. And people DO die. Between certain deaths and Roar's grief and Cinder... MY HEART! Then we have Soren who is a total wildcard and Sable who is in a villainy class all of his own. The characters undoubtedly make this series one worth reading! They are all complex and dynamic and layered, each with a strong voice and distinctive personality. There are NO stock characters here. And the relationships they share with one another, both romantic and platonic, are to die for! I ship the friendships most of all!

The one thing that really caught me off guard about ItSB was how abrupt the ending was. I wasn't expecting it to come in the form or swiftness that it did but I think my reluctance to admit that the series was ending probably played a big part in that surprise. Though I wasn't quite ready to say goodbye to the gang, I do think Rossi brought their story to a natural and satisfactory conclusion. There's a nice balance of adversity and triumph. The group doesn't walk away unscathed, all of the characters suffer in some way, though ultimately, they do get a happy sort of ending. It feels very real, organic because everything isn't tied up in a pretty little bow. People die but people also get to live. And for Perry, Aria and the rest --- what more could you ask for?

Summary Prognosis

Into The Still Blue is an action-packed, high stakes series ender. It definitely tugged at my heartstrings --- people die, people we've come to know and love BUT, overall, all the majour issues were resolved in a natural sort of way and the characters get a somewhat happier ending. Though this wasn't my favourite book of the three, it was still a satisfying ending to a brilliant series. I will be pushing this series on to everyone I know!

Rating: ★★★★½

Read It: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible
Discuss It: Goodreads | Author's Website

Mini Reviews: Roar and Liv & Brooke by Veronica Rossi

Warning: These reviews may contain spoilers concerning Under The Never Sky & Through The Ever Night.

Title: Roar and Liv
Author(s): Veronica Rossi
Genre(s): Dystopia, Science Fiction, Young Adult
Publisher/Date: HarperCollins/ October 30, 2012
Series: Under The Never Sky (Companion Novel)

After a childhood spent wandering the borderlands, Roar finally feels like he has a home with the Tides. His best friend Perry is like a brother to him, and Perry's sister, Liv, is the love of his life. But Perry and Liv's unpredictable older brother, Vale, is the Blood Lord of the Tides, and he has never looked kindly on Roar and Liv's union. Normally, Roar couldn't care less about Vale's opinion. But with food running low and conditions worsening every day, Vale's leadership is more vital—and more brutal—than ever. Desperate to protect his tribe, Vale makes a decision that will shatter the life Roar knew and change the fate of the Tides forever. (synopsis from Goodreads)

Summary Prognosis

I love reading novellas. They're the perfect opportunity to delve deeper into backstory, provide a better look at secondary characters and elaborate on the world-building. While they're not necessary additions to a series, I feel like they can certainly add to and enhance the overall reading experience and Rossi's novellas do exactly that. They give us a new perspective into the minds and relationships of some of our favourite characters and add depth to events that have already taken place within the series.

Roar and Liv takes place prior to the events in Under The Never Sky, focusing not only the romantic relationships that Perry and Roar have, but also their dynamic as friends and as family. We learn how Vale came to sell his sister and exactly why Roar left the Tides. We get to see how things came to be so tense between Perry and Vale and experience just how callous Vale could be. This story unequivocally broke my heart. It broke my heart because I read it with the tragic knowledge of what would befall Roar and Liv in Through The Ever Night. Roar quickly became one of my favourite characters in this series with his easy-going nature, humourous attitude, loyalty and strength. In a way, after seeing what transpired between Roar and Vale, you can really understand why Roar could be a bit of an ass sometimes. You feel the love between him and Liv, the way they thought they'd really be together for forever. Roar and Liv adds so many feels to this series and I highly recommend reading it after UtNS and TtEN.

Rating: ★★★★★

Read It: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Discuss It: Goodreads | Author's Website

Title: Brooke
Author(s): Veronica Rossi
Genre(s): Dystopia, Science Fiction, Young Adult
Publisher/Date: HarperCollins/ November 26, 2013
Series: Under The Never Sky (Companion Novel)

The only fight she can't win is the one for Perry's heart. Following the stunning climax in Through the Ever Night, the Tides have been forced to seek shelter from the Aether storms in a dismal, secluded cave. But Brooke's memories of the cave go back much further, to when she and Perry used to come here together. That was before Perry fell in love with Aria and before Vale's dealings with the Dwellers altered the course of the Tides forever.

Now, with her sister back from a haunting year in captivity and Aria lying unconscious in the sick bay, Brooke struggles to put the pieces of her life back together. Without Perry, who is she? And what is her role in this frightening new world? As these questions swirl about her, an old threat to the Tides resurfaces, and Brooke is forced to put the lives of her people before her own. But in taking this step outside of herself, Brooke may finally discover what she truly wants. (synopsis from Goodreads)

Summary Prognosis

Much like Roar and Liv, I feel like Brooke was a novella that added a little something extra special the the UtNS series. We don't really get a lot of insight into her character and what little we do know, isn't very pleasant. Brooke comes off as the a-typical jealous ex-girlfriend. To be frank, she's nothing short of nasty to Aria throughout the series and despite her mad skills as an archer, there's very little to her besides a hostile personality. Between both novellas, we actually get inside Brooke's head and are able to see just how much of a mark Perry left on her heart. These stories make her relatable, make her likeable.

Brooke is bitter and hurt about the loss of Perry to the dweller, Aria, for the loss of her best friend, Liv and for the arrival of the people who previously stole her sister. But as the novella progresses, Brooke undergoes an amazing transformation as she reflects upon her heartbreak, comes to terms with her losses and rekindles the relationship with her little sister. Her abrasive exterior slowly softens to reveal a fiercely loyal, strong and independent woman. She begins the journey of forgiveness and of understanding exactly what she wants in a man. By the end of the story, I had so much more respect for the girl and I really enjoyed the brief glimpse inside her head. I read this before reading Into The Still Blue and I'm glad that I did because I feel like it enhanced several moments in the series finale.

Rating: ★★★★★

Read It: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Discuss It: Goodreads | Author's Website

Book Review: Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Title: Cinder
Author(s): Marissa Meyer
Genre(s): Fairy Tales, Science Fiction, Young Adult
Publisher/Date: Feiwel & Friends / January 3, 2012 
Series: Lunar Chronicles (Book #1)
Challenge(s): 2013 Catch Up Reading Challenge

"And the prince did know her now, sort of. He had been kind to her at the market. Perhaps he would ask her to dance. Out of politeness. Out of chivalry when he saw her standing alone. The precarious fantasy crashed down around her as quickly as it had begun. It was impossible. Not worth thinking about. She was a cyborg, and she would never go to the ball.“ -Linh Cinder

Case Study

Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl.

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future. (synopsis from Goodreads)

The Game's Afoot

Cinder is one of those books that everyone really loved and raved about, so I knew I had to get my hands on a copy. Welp, I finally (I know!) read it and I have to say, I'm thoroughly glad I did. Not many books live up to the hype but this is certainly one of them. Cinderella wasn't exactly my favourite fairy tale but when you put a futuristic spin on it, suddenly, it becomes totally awesome! 

This book brings a fresh, new twist to fairy tale retellings with its heavy science fiction influence and incredible future-filled world building. You can definitely see the parallels between it and the original source material but the connections aren't so blatant that you're able to predict exactly where the story is going to end. That being said, there were a few big revelations regarding Cinder's true identity that I was able to pinpoint pretty early in, but overall, they didn't detract from my enjoyment of the book.

There's a lot going on in Cinder --- androids, lunars, cyborgs, classism, intergalactic war --- but it's all woven together in a way that makes sense. And futhermore, there's the romance, familial relationships and friendships that bind it all together. Admittedly, I was more entranced by the Meyer's storytelling and compelling plot than I was by the actual characters which isn't to say they were bad, because they weren't. While I liked Cinder and Kai, they didn't captivate me in the way they seemed to do with everyone else. Instead, I was more interested in the book's secondary characters: Iko, Dr. Erland, Pearl, even Queen Levana. I guess I just didn't connect with the MC's as much as the others, though I did feel for their situations (equality struggles, political problems, etc.).

Overall, I'd say Cinder was a fast-paced, fun read with a unique premise and culturally distinct setting which meshed so well with the book's futuristic vibe. What really intrigued me was Meyer's ability to add so much dimension to such a familiar tale by infusing so many diverse ideas into it. While I expected to engage a bit more with the MC's and though some of the surprises were anticipated, I wasn't at all disappointed. The book definitely lives up to the hype! I'm really excited to see how Meyer will weave this story into her next set of fairytales and am wondering exactly how they'll all manage to find their happily ever after.

Summary Prognosis

Cinder is one of the few stories that actually lives up to all the hype. A little bit classic and a lot sci-fi, it puts a fresh spin on fairy tale retellings. Though I wasn't as taken with our MC as much as some of the others, this book is a fun, quick read that will entrance a whole new generation of fairy tale lovers with its incredible uniqueness and wonderful world building. I'm really excited to see what other adventures we can get into in the sequel.

Rating: ★★★★

Read It: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible
Discuss It: Goodreads | Author's Website

Audiobook Mini Reviews: Midnight by Dean Koontiz & Inferno by Dan Brown

Title: Midnight
Author(s): Dean Koontz
Genre(s): Horror, Science Fiction, Thriller
Publisher/Date: Berkley Publishing / January 1, 1989
Series: Stand Alone

The citizens of Moonlight Cove are changing. Some are losing touch with their deepest emotions. Others are surrendering to their wildest urges. And the few who remain unchanged are absolutely terrified—if not brutally murdered in the dead of night. Enter the shocking world of Moonlight Cove, where four unlikely survivors confront the darkest realms of human nature... (synopsis from Goodreads)

Summary Prognosis

I've never read anything by Dean Koontz before so I wasn't really sure what to expect when I purchased this audiobook. Murder, monsters, mayhem---well, that's right up my alley, I'd thought. Unfortunately for Koontz, my first impression left me with the shivers (and not the good kind). My qualms lie more with Koontz's writing style than with the plot which is a shame because this is a story with some serious potential.

As far as the concept goes, I thought it was pretty fantastic. I thought the creatures' lack of empathy to be quite chilling. But I had a hard time connecting with most of the characters save for Harry (the disabled war veteran) and Moose (his dog). Generally, I thought the writing was repetitive and the story, dated. There's an abundance of archaic technological and historical references which really showed the book's age. Little did I realize Midnight was published in 1989. Koontz also has a tendency to repeat the same minute details over and over and over again, causing no shortage of frustration on my end. 

Midnight started off with a bang and the ending had a lot promise, but alas, all the build-up was for naught. Like the rest of the book, it lacked the real scare-factor that I was looking for. J. Charles was a decent reader and the audio production itself was well done. Overall, I could see this story being adapted for TV and, in the right hands (here's to looking at you Guillermo del Toro!), I think it could be brilliant.

Rating: ★★½

Read It: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible
Discuss It: Goodreads | Author's Website

Title: Inferno
Author(s): Dan Brown
Genre(s): Historical Fiction, Thriller
Publisher/Date: Doubleday / May 14, 2013
Series: Robert Langdon (Book #4)

In the heart of Italy, Harvard professor of symbology Robert Langdon is drawn into a harrowing world centered on one of history’s most enduring and mysterious literary masterpieces . . . Dante’s Inferno. Against this backdrop, Langdon battles a chilling adversary and grapples with an ingenious riddle that pulls him into a landscape of classic art, secret passageways, and futuristic science. Drawing from Dante’s dark epic poem, Langdon races to find answers and decide whom to trust . . . before the world is irrevocably altered. (synopsis from Goodreads)

Summary Prognosis

Generally speaking, I'm a fan of Dan Brown's work, particularly the Robert Langdon Series. Sure, Brown's books are predictable. Yes, they're a tad formulaic, however, for me, it's a formula that works so I can overlook all that. I loved the first two books in this series; however, because I was let down by the third, I picked up Inferno bearing some caution. Though it didn't quite live up to Angels & Demons or The DaVinci Code, overall, I found it to be more enjoyable than The Lost Symbol.

Before you go and pick up this book, there's one thing you should know: it's heavy on the history and lacking in action. But if you're like me and enjoy historical fiction, it shouldn't really be a problem. Though it can sometimes read like a giant info dump, Inferno touches on several subjects of interest: Dante Alighieri, the literary masterpiece Inferno, Florence and overpopulation. What? Yes. Overpopulation. I know it sounds a bit out of place but the relevancy behind it is both effective and befitting. In other words, Brown makes it work and in doing so, raises some chilling questions.

You don't really need to read the other books in the series to be able to follow Inferno, although,  some familiar patterns become apparent (i.e. - the supposed good guy who ends up being bad). I did like how Brown structured this book differently than the others, using Langdon's amnesia as a means by which to tell the story. It was unexpected and a nice twist. As a reader, I really liked Paul Michael's performance and would happily listen to him narrate again. Inferno was a likeable book, though I'd hardly rank it as one of Brown's best works to date. If you enjoy books heavy on history or like books dealing with this subject matter, I recommend it.

Rating: ★★★

Read It: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible
Discuss It: Goodreads | Author's Website

Cover Reveal: Into The Still Blue by Veronica Rossi

You guys. OMG! OMG! OMG!

If you hadn't noticed, I am completely in love with Veronica Rossi's Under the Never Sky series (my reviews of book 1 and book 2) and this morning I was delighted to see the cover reveal of Into The Still Blue. What do you think?!

The final installment of this AH-MAZING series is due for release on January 18, 2014. I KNOW! So to tie yourselves over during the angonizing wait, head on over to EW and grab a sneak peak at the first three chapters.

You're welcome.

Movie Review: Oblivion by Joseph Kosinski

Title: Oblivion
Director(s): Joseph Kosinski
Genre(s): Action, Romance, Science Fiction
Rating: PG-13
Release Date (USA): April 19, 2013

"60 years ago, Earth was attacked. We won the war, but they destroyed half the planet. Everyone's been evacuated. Nothing human remains. We're here for drone repair. We're the "mop-up crew." -Jack Harper

Earth has suffered a cataclysmic alien attack. In an effort to save the human race and the planet, we fight back. Nuclear weapons are deployed. We fight valiently but it is not enough. The population is decimated. Cities are destroyed. The Earth is in ruin, virtually uninhabitable. The survivors are left with no other choice but to flee the dying planet and make a new home on Titan, Saturn's largest moon.

Now imagine that you are one of the only people left on Earth, tasked with protecting and syphoning what few resources remain so that your people can survive. This is Jack Harper's (Tom Cruise) job. He and his partner, Victoria (Andrea Riseborough), are tasked with drone maintanence --- drones that are critical for protecting their harvest operations. These drones are also the last line of defense from hostile "Skav" attacks. The pair's mission commander, Sally (Melissa Leo), provides support from the space colony above. In a few short weeks, the harvesters will have collected enough of the remaining raw material needed to ensure humanity's long-term survival and Jack and Victoria can then return to their people. Only, after a drone repair goes horribly wrong, Jack is left questioning the motives behind his mission and the supposed dangers posed by the Skavs. And he quickly learns, things on the surface are not always what they seem.

You may not have noticed but I've been on a BIG sci-fi kick lately. Suffice it to say, when I saw the trailer for Oblivion coupled with the knowledge that Joseph Kosinski (of Tron: Legacy fame) was attached to direct --- welp, this was my initial reaction:

Yeah. Mega excited to say the least! Alright, so I may not be the biggest Tom Cruise fan or anything but with an all-star cast consisting of Melissa Leo, Morgan Freeman and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (aka Jamie Lannister from FREAKING Game of Thones!!!), there was no way this movie wasn't going to be a sure-fire winner. To sum up, Oblivion has everything you want/expect out of the genre: killer SFX, action aplenty, pivotal plot-twists and aliens (of course); but it also delivers more than what you initially anticipate. You go into it expecting spaceships and lasers and invasions but you come out having seen so much more.

I will utter a word of caution, however, to those of you who expect to watch an a-typical sci-fi thriller: you will probably walk away from Oblivion feeling slightly underwhelmed because the movie takes its time while unraveling its mysteries. It doesn't just jump straight into the action like many others do these days. But if you love a good storyline, I think you'll be thoroughly pleased with what you see. I have to give Kosinski credit for doing the impossible --- he finds that all-important balance between showing riveting action on screen and telling a captivating story, especially in a genre where excessiveness reigns supreme. This isn't just another alien invasion story. There's some good stuff here. And while even the most adamant of sci-fi fans might preemptively anticipate several of said plot twists, it never detracts from the intended impact.

But as much as I hail this movie for its amazingness, it's not without its flaws either. There was one big thing that forced me to knock my glowing review down from a 5-star to a 4-star rating. Oblivion isn't just a sci-fi film, oh no. It's a goddamned love story! That's right, my friends. When you expect aliens, instead you get a googly-eyed, sap-filled romance. In fact, a good chunk of the film is dedicated to this unanticipated plotline and it made me absolutely crazy! It's kinda similar to what I felt for the movie Titanic. If you take out the love stuff, the movie would've been so much better! Look, I know what you're thinking. It's not that I'm anti-love, I'm just not a fan of love where it doesn't belong ---- like on sinking ships and in goddamn alien invasions! Get with the program people! When it comes to, I dunno, my survival or getting in my kicks one last time, you bet your asses I'm gonna go with the former. Come on, man! Priorities people!

So, yeah. The love stuff. Not a big fan. And that brings me to Olga Kurylenko. Where I felt like Riseborough owned her performance (even the romantic parts), Kurylenko's character only serves to move the love story forward. And while she's not terrible, she's not exactly pivotal either --- more like, just another pretty face. Her character, while it does add some momentum to the spacey stuff, doesn't really inspire. The big surprise for me was Tom Cruise. As I said before, I'm not exactly Tom's biggest fan. For me, he plays much the same character in every movie he's in --- the more-than-meets-the-eye-bad-ass on a mission who ends up questioning authority.

Oh, hey Tom Cruise! Is that you?!

That's essentially the case here, only there's more of a softness behind his performance than I've seen in recent years. And where Cruise can sometimes seem a bit alien in real life, he's shockingly human in Oblivion. He proabaly won't win any awards for this performance but you do have to appreciate those subtle nuances that cause you to sympathize with his character's plight. Another suprise for me was how little screen time Melissa Leo and Morgan Freeman are given. Their roles albeit miniscule, do serve a larger, more all-encompassing purpose though. They each serve as a meaningful addition and do shine with whatever time they're alloted. I won't say much on Nikolaj Coster-Waldau's character other than HUBBA-HUBBA! I mean, seriously. Look at the man!

Officer Schmexy at your service!

I digress. It's easy for me to get off track when I'm staring at the smoldering gaze of Office Schmexy over here. Let me just clean the drool off my keyboard and we'll soldier on...

Another amazingly effective role in the film was actually that of the drones. They are surprisingly animated, each reflecting distinctive and tempramental personalities. They kind of reminded me of WALL-E, in a more deadly, shoot-em-up kind of way. Their almost human nature highlighted the terrifying and hostile situation while also bringing the comedy needed to lighten the mood. And to this I tip my hat to the SFX guru's behind-the-scenes. Much of the drones' character was emphasized by the incredible realness of the barren landscape and the stark modernness of their technology. It also doesn't hurt that I saw the movie in IMAX so much more attention to detail is paid visually as well as audibly. I'd say that I had some fairly high expectations for this film, most of which were met. Oblivion is wrought with surprises mostly good, some bad; but overall, I was pretty blown away this post-apocalyptic journey and the depth to which it went.

 

Summary Prognosis

Oblivion is a surprisingly contemplative film with genre-defying cinematography. For a flawed film, strong performances, unexpected plot twists and appropriately timed action still make it a must-see. And despite complaints that I might have, I think both fans and non-fans of the genre can find something to enjoy whether it be the sci-finess of the journey or the romance that drives it. Oblivion is a sure bet for all!


Rating: ★★★★


Watch It: This movie is currently out in theatres
Discuss It: IMDB | Rotten Tomatoes
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