When Blog and Book Collide

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roll_zheick@yahoo.com.ph (Unknown) — Sat, 30 Jun 2012 13:22:00 +0000

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A Rank of a Fan

roll_zheick@yahoo.com.ph (Unknown) — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 18:59:00 +0000

When do you consider yourself a top-list fan of a certain author? Is it only when you’ve read already almost all of his/her works? Is it when you know the personal life of the said author? Or is it only when you know everything about him/her?

I’d been pondering about those questions even before. I, myself, am a dedicated fan of Orson Scott Card. However, I don’t think my addiction over his intelligence when it comes to his works is necessarily served as an excuse to read his works. Believe me, no matter how deep my admiration on him as an author, I judge his books through a rational evaluation. Yes, there are books of his that I don’t really like. But, should it tend my admiration over him to descend? Certainly not! As a reader, I barely count the books that haven’t made me well, those ones instead that let me scream because of their awesomeness.

Some author produces countless of works. Some works may be collaborated with other authors but it should not pressure us to buy all of them even if he/she is listed as our favorite author. As a reader, we should be wise on picking books. When a new book from our favorite author pop up, first we should do is take a glimpse. Read the synopsis/blurb of the book. Second, absorb the plot if it’ll make you. Third, take heed from others’ judgment without spoiling yourself. Fourth is, decide whether to give the book a shot or not. Those are the steps to make a wise pick because no matter how genius the author is when he jumps doing a different genre that you feel awkward trying to, you’ll feel sorry still for yourself at the end.

Knowing about the personal life of an author is just one of the effects of our admiration for them. Contrary, it is not a healthy idea to go over their personal lives when the author actually keeps it private. We should always bear in mind that authors are human and thus they need privacy as well. However, if the information is given, grab the opportunity of its existence.

Perhaps, counting yourself as a top-fan list of your favorite author doesn’t count on how many of his/her books you’ve read. It’s not as well based on how many information we know about the author. It’s by heart when you love an author and it’s a personal consideration if you rank yourself among the others. Competing with other fans is disease and should be ceased. Befriend them and consider them your brothers instead! It’s you who determine your rank.

Book Review: A walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks

roll_zheick@yahoo.com.ph (Unknown) — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 05:59:00 +0000

A Walk to Remember

Nicholas Sparks

Four-star Rating

REVIEW:

I'm Rollie... and now leaping over my bounded forte?

Romance is the least among the genres that I craved to try. Instead, I stumbled upon reading this love story book. A risk indeed to read a different genre especially when it exempts among the genres you always thinks about. Thus, it doesn't just take twenty gulps to risk for it but takes time and sweat to decide the dilemma whether to give it a shot or not. Lately, I decided to widen my braced genres and I thought this book is worth the risk to try. So as a love story as this title represents, I'm afraid that the further words I will emancipate may loosen up the tightness of the statement I previously, in my reviews, professed.

The life of Landon Carter during 1958 has been brought back by his memories.

Landon is sixteen-year-old senior high student of Beaufort High School, North Carolina. Being a son of congressman, who he rarely see in their house in a year, is normal. Being with his friends Eric and Margaret are even normal for him, for he used to be with them since grade school. But being the Student Body President is another thing, while signing up for Drama Class is definitely not his thing.

Jamie Sullivan is surely the last girl in the world Landon wanted to marry but absolutely not the last girl to ask as a date for the school's homecoming. As Landon's world becomes closer to Jamie's, he'll find a plan he never thought fated for him.

I was sure then before I tried that I wouldn't like this book, though I was in the mood to read this kind of book. The moment I fixed my eyes onto the surface of the first page of the book's prologue, my feet as if set foot onto the world of what I was reading. I became the main character himself. Marvelous really it is to say how amazing the approach of the main character's perspective to me as a reader. Truly effective. A perfect thing to add up is that the perspective used in the story is from guy's character, considering that it gives perfect justice to how a guy thinks, utters, and acts.

The story composes of just simple elements: The typical story of ugly duckling that turns into swan; typical story of a jerk guy who fell in love to the swan; and a typical story of a man who'll do anything for love. The magic of how it turned out to be good is the summation of all those factors. Moreover, Spark really used the overused concepts perfectly during the shifting of events, which of course a positive move for the book to become better.

I'm told that the movie is way better than the book. Granted, for I am one of those unfortunates who haven't watched the movie yet. Yes, I did not itch to watch the movie the moment it had been shown in cinemas nor did I eagerly wait for it in movie cable channels. But I'm very much glad, for I think that choosing to read first the book over watching the movie is one way or another, a smart decision.

I honestly admire Spark for writing down the solid description of Jamie Sullivan, yet unknowingly behind her image is a great mystery. That despite of the best answer a normal person could offer to the reason of her action, there is still hidden truth behind it that alters the nearest possibility.

The greatest thing I liked about this book is the profound messages of the story beyond what are written, though some are already given. I liked how faith works at Jamie, that even though everything has been taken from her, she dignifies how her faith still remains. I was also touched at how simply a very kind person could turn the people oppositely to what they were. There is even presence of the true effects of love, which it leads the in love human to think either sane or insane. And the story, in a way, emphasizes how humans should give attention, importance and deeper understanding on the things that surround them not until it's too late. And the best of all is how faith can bring out the miracle to the surface out of the deepest pit.

I admit that there were many times the book led me on the verge of tears. For I reckon that this book, no matter how cold-hearted I am, is no wonder a heart-moving one.

Book Review: Shadow Puppets by Orson Scott Card

roll_zheick@yahoo.com.ph (Unknown) — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 11:57:00 +0000

Shadow Puppets

Orson Scott Card

4-star Rating

REVIEW:

If you are unaware that I'm a dedicated fan of Ender's Game, much less Ender's Shadow; count yourself as one of those I am not really close to. However, if you liked this series without knowing that I do as well, well then, consider yourself as one of those I'm planning to chat with like no end

Bean-or better yet Jullian Delphiki is cute no more. The theoretical effects of Anton's Key are gradually revealing. From a small child Bean, now he's growing to be like a giant. Contrary to the physical growth, the genius-ness is still in him without any change... and the enemy is still acting around

It starts with a doubtful move. Peter Wiggins decides to rescue Achilles from being a prisoner of China to use his knowledge for personal--Hegemony--purposes. His freedom has become a threat to Bean's and Petra's life. So as Petra and Bean try to escape from the deadly monster Achilles, would they able to escape from him successfully... or will they able to stop Hegemony’s insanity over using Achilles

Bean embraces me back as once I again I read another book from his series. Frankly, my excitement over this book has subsided since it was already, as if, decade before I able to continue reading Bean's journey. However, even millennium is nothing if the author himself knows how to bring back the hype that has been lost in you through doing great with his book. The moment I read the first ten pages, I'd been as if brought back to the day I read the prequel book of this title. Then I came across with a philosophy: The quality of story to how would it make you depends not on reading interval of books of a certain series, rather depends on how brilliant and creative the author is at making his books worth praising

Finally, Orson Scott Card has break through the glass of risk. On my part, it's really hard to get over a character when it seemed stricken your preference deeply. And of course, on the other hand, this book started to expose what the main character should go through gradually as he gets older. A risk indeed when apparently followers have deeply fallen into the previous Bean's image. Unfortunately, I did find the transition very rough, for I finished the prequel with him as still a kid and I did open this book with him as a young man. Figuratively, Bean as I said is an image of bravery and justice. Eventually, this book opposed my philosophy but I prefer to think of it as part of his sudden maturity

The story might just be about warring of different countries. But to root out what's behind it, there are many things that push it to go through... War is the effect of fear to become inferior among nations. War is the effect of culture differences. And war is the effect of people who are greedy of power and superiority above all nations

As I was expecting before, Petra played a deeper role in this series. However, as this series go further, other characters are being put onto a spotlight as well. Thus it tends to cover up the space Bean should have. But, I'm glad that somehow Bean's shown ups are greatly impressive, for every time he shows up he always did think maturely and act sensibly

If I consider Ender's Shadow as a butt-stapler, called Shadow of the Hegemon as political knowledge starter, I believe that it is rational to say that this book is a Goosebumps-spelling reminder. Yes, all the books of this series--the ones I read so far--are considerably great. But to point out what book among them made my hair stood perfectly, I think this is the one. Because honestly speaking, the moment this book evoked my excitement as I went onwards, all I did was to drop my jaw and be amazed. Though everything has gone mature, their intelligence is still irreplaceable and the clever twists are still unimaginable.

I consider that this book is partly a revelation and a conclusion. First, this book reveals who is the real intelligent because Card magnificently bomb my face up that their gifts have still limitations. And I admire him for it just suggests how still imperfect they are and how still human they are. Lastly, this is a great spoiler but as I said everything has gone mature and everything will end up through Bean's mind and hand. And I'm glad how I found a lesson in this book: sometimes, we must change and kill for everybody’s peace. Brutal but true.

So far, neither books of this series has ruined my expectations, slide down my excitement as i was reading, and of course, failed to impress me deeply. So I don't think a question should arise why this book mounted over the hills of other great books in my field of books. Everything is explained and this series really suits me.

Book Review: Blood Red Road by Moira Young

roll_zheick@yahoo.com.ph (Unknown) — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 04:34:00 +0000

Blood Red Road

Moira Young

5-star Rating

REVIEW:

This is indeed a great book. Special thanks to my friend Maria for letting my eyes get into the pages of this book.

On a midwinter day, when the sun sets low they were born. Lugh, handsome and shines like a sun, was born first; whereas Saba, beautiful like a darkness of night, followed after two hours. The twins lived bonded to each other in an isolated place named Silverlake. As they continue to grow, they realized how much neither of them was worthy to live if either would be separated away from another

And in a sudden, it all happens in a very unprepared day. A sandstorm has visited their place and brisk soldiers have been behind it. Lugh has been taken away and Saba is left behind with a memory of her mother, body of her dead father and, of course, her gawdfowsaken sister—Emily

A month, I think, was consumed before I finished reading this book. A negative word to reason out the period of time objects how I honestly felt towards the book, much less how I rated it. It's not easy to comprehend unlike memorizing one-plus-one-equals-to-two kind compared reading a perspective of an illiterate narrator. Fortunately, I neither did find it annoying nor disgusting. On the contrary, it instead served me as a challenge on how probably would I bite the wrongness of the character's perception. In fact, it dared me more to point out the flaws instead of applying them for myself.

However, I can't figure out any slight knowledge that suits the reason why Saba is illiterate. Speaking up about her isolation? Well, it hadn't bought me enough and I have many thoughts to counteract that weak reasoning. If there's evolution of language and writing, wouldn't it be great and factual to be more futuristic, as this book represents, than leaping back to Stone Age? Lucky for it being the first of the series because it has still a long bloody road to go before the end, and I might find the reason while I'm on my way

The places are amazingly reconstructed. But then, Young has given hints on what places are they at present era. If there is a thing to consider for myself that justifies being a dystopia, I guess it's the unique names that the characters have. In addition, though I don't really like crows, I love how Young associated the main characters journey with a savior crow. Another thing, I was touched at how Saba, being a mean and evil against her little sister, turned a protector and so did Emily towards Saba. Furthermore, Emily as a younger sister never failed to get my attention. Though sometimes unruly, she showed a more fearless persona than Saba

Moira Young did a good job at making Saba's character--hard and potent. No doubt, it lines up among Katniss Everdeen, Beatrice Prior and other female dystopia protagonists. In fact, this book has been compared to Hunger Games of Suzzanne Collins and The Knife of Never Letting Go. To be honest, I'm one of them, unfortunately. I'm very much glad that in a way, my personal view on how would have it ended had failed. To clear things out and at the same time my conclusion: this book is neither just about running; nor just about arena or cage fighting; it's more not less an epic adventure of a lady who was dependent, weak and just a follower who turned to be a strong, independent instigator. Likewise, this is neither Hunger Games nor The Knife of Never Letting Go but just a very mere Blood Red Road.

Book Review: A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray

roll_zheick@yahoo.com.ph (Unknown) — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 03:25:00 +0000

A Great and Terrible Beauty

by Libba Bray

Five-star Rating

REVIEW:

1895: after seeing her first vision of how her mother dies, Gemma Doyle goes back to Spence to enroll in a proper boarding school in England. Many have changed during the death of her mother, not just her school but also her father… and her frequent having of weird visions.

Gemma in Spence has a hard life at first but with her gladiatorial attitude, she stands to turn her enemies to new friends. And as her new friends try to discover more what’s behind the group called The Order and the death of two mysterious girls who were burned in school, even it’s highly forbidden, they starting to unleash the secrets behind the curtain of mysteries.

A very much thanks to my ever book sponsor Kwesi for letting my hands get on this book. I wouldn’t have the chance to read this if it were not for him. A credit to you, kid!

First strike for first ten pages: I could have considered this book (which is my first time to read a Bray’s book) as one of many that have been influenced by unworthy popularity of some dark novels. However, checking the publishing date, it opposed that understatement.
Many have actually asked me: Why do you hate romances in a novel? But is it really the question to ask? Do I really hate romance in a story? Well, to end it up, I say it depends. There are books that, I called, have lost genre, especially the paranormal books. Why lost genre? Authors nowadays try to insert their stories with romances which, unfortunately, end up dominating the whole story over the showcased genre. However, it would be understandable if the target market of a certain book is girls. But exaggerated declaration of love? Such a vomiting crap! Before I end up discussing irrelevant ideas, let’s connect what I discussed above with this book. Libba Bray has proven one thing: Don’t generalize the paranormal books for having cheesy romances. And that fact pushes me forward to read the second book of this series. Or is it because dark books before the publishing date haven’t been influenced yet by sticky romances?

I don’t want to break the rating I gave in this book but it is quite normal for a book for having flaws. The first few chapters were really confusing. I was really sad at how the main character had the unexplainable power without any clue of whether she was a witch or a what. And imagine, the mystery lasted past halfway through. Quite slow, isn’t it? And one of the most disappointing things is that the main character showed no interest on knowing what she was or the origin of her power.

Let’s get back to the positive things about this book. The last half makes up for the loss of the first half. I, myself, had decided to give this book with only one star but take a look at how my rating ended. With its flaws? Quite impossible if I were to compare this book from the other books I’ve read before. I very much admit that I’m easily being fed up with eye-bulging twists. Oh yes, to confirm what you’re thinking this book has an extraordinary twist that indeed filled my hunger. The concept is original if I were to ask. I can’t compare it actually to anybody’s book. The ending isn’t exactly as perfect as an ideal book should be but it is enough for a reader to have a logical leap to read the next book.

I can’t promise that all of the reader will actually like this. But there’s always no harm on giving a try.

Book Review: Jumper by Steven Gould

roll_zheick@yahoo.com.ph (Unknown) — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 16:22:00 +0000

Jumper by Steven Gould

Five-star Rating

REVIEW:

It all began when David Rice was seventeen years old and was being abused by his father. Then it was immediately followed when he was almost raped after he ran away from their house. He knew it was teleporting, but he preferred to call it jumping and he considered himself from then as … a Jumper.

Though he knows that he will be alone in the street, he is still willing to pursue running away from his alcoholic father. He is determined to find his mother. But how when the world as if turned its back from him and all he can afford to trust is just his ability being a Jumper?

I knew this book before I bought it not because I heard or knew someone has read this but because I already watched the movie version of this book. But I wouldn’t have still picked this one, though I already watched the movie, if I didn’t fall into loving Orson Scott Cards books. However, given the chance that I already watched its movie, it’s another factor for me to pick this up now that I’m already starting to become obsessed of sci-fi books.

My admiration to Steven Gould is new but solid just because of this book. No matter what they say negative about this book will just be nullified from me. But to study the whole story, it just flow as normal as single thread—no twist and no surprise--just plain. Furthermore, I know that Gould wrote this book without making first a pattern or an outline which basically a way of creating a book I commonly dislikes. Well, what I said above is, I think, a suggestion that I totally admired this book with the way of creating a book I mentioned above. So the realization just came to my mind recently that it’s not the way how the author creates a story nor just how an author fills a story with exploding twists and turns that would make a reader like a book to the extent of dreaming over it, but it is how the author really pushes and masters himself harder at becoming a proficient story-teller.

Teleportation is commonly considered by some people to be at the paranormal line since they say that it’s one of the abilities of extra sensory perception that theoretically work of neurons. Since I’m aware of this thing, the first thought that came to my mind when I read this book is why labeled as sci-fi? But because I haven’t read yet the second book, I’m very much hoping I would find an answer from that book. On the other hand, there was still an associate of scientist’s theory on the things like Davy’s unexplainable landing when he’s doing his jumping that opposes this theory. But all of these theoretical sciences have nothing to do with the reason behind his ability to teleport. So still my question, why sci-fi? Nonetheless, the aura of the book is sci-fi.

One reason I admire Gould because despite of being overused of teleportation in novels, Gould still made out a new dress for it by calling it in different name. I also admire at how Gould really creates a very much normal world and put a special human out of it. In movies, once a superhuman fell to the earth, a super enemy would follow him. But it is very much rare for this like of story that even though the whole theme of the book is fantasy, Gould pulled back still the world in it as normal as he could by creating spark between supernatural and deadly terrorists.

It is also admiring that behind of unrealistic ability; Gould stamped it with realistic situations. The question in our dream that “what if we can teleport” has been successfully answered by Gould through this book. Though I understand why this book is one of the most banned books way back then, I still love it the way I love sci-fi books I read before. As what it says, there is more than to know than page 9. And of course there’s nothing makes a book more popular than being banned just because it is just read by mass of people around the globe.

Book Review: Fablehaven by Brandon Mull

roll_zheick@yahoo.com.ph (Unknown) — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 11:07:00 +0000

Fablehaven by Brandon Mull

Five-star Rating

REVIEW:

As Kendra and Seth’s parents off to a cruise, they visit their Grandfather Sorenson’s house for one summer vacation. But as they lived in their grandpa’s house, not just the rules are seem to be odd but also the place their grandpa claimed to be his own.

Kendra being the rule bearer and Seth as the rule breaker, one will try to break his grandfather’s rule while one will try to obey the said rule. However, both ways will unveil the secrets behind Fablehaven. And as they venture Fablehaven, they discover creatures and beautiful places but unfortunately set free a force of evil.

It’s been actually three years since I set the space in my bookshelf for this book. When the time I signed up for goodreads, Fablehaven and The Lightning Thief were the books that rocketed on my top wish list. Since The Lightning Thief had stricken first the availability I went for it first. Besides, Fablehaven is a little shy to show up until lately. Three years of waiting for this book is worth it, but more like three years of waiting to be in an updated bookstore is worth it. At last I bought and have read this book after as if a millennium.

I pretty enjoyed this book. I mean I enjoyed this book literally like laughing out loud while I was in my room. I am really light at laughing because I immediately laugh at simple jokes but Jesus! Drop the corny ones and thus the jokes in this book exempt from being corny for once again this book made me laugh.

I truly admire Mull for being magnificent at creating a smooth story flow. As we experienced in other books we are as if bombed in our chair while reading a certain book for a sudden pop up of a concept without a farther or even nearer notice. Drop again this book from the others because this book will not suddenly say “I am a vampire” or “You’re a werewolf”. Mull as if slowly pulled a curtain for gradual recognition and realization of his concept. A hint after hint is a good way of a better acceptance for a reader to immediately sink in the concept.

Since I can’t say other words toward how I’m amazed with this book. All I can offer with this review is just comparison and contrast from the other books. So the next to tackle is the creature in this book—the fairies. Let’s accept it, when we hear fairies all we could think of is a girlish story. Well not all because there are still Artemis Fowl and this book to spare. I couldn’t really understand the authors these days. Why? Other authors, in order for them to show their understanding towards their creature that unfortunately exist already in a mythical history, try to bend the persona of a certain mythical creature by mixing it with love story and thus they think it’s a better introduction for the reader to grasp the new persona they put into the altered mythical creature. Mull quite did an impressive way of showing his fairies without further modification of the creature and even brushing a slight touch of love story. To add my points, almost all of the books I’ve read that have fairies depict only the bad side of them and for a light change, this book has not followed the others.

I highly recommend this book to the readers who enjoyed The Lightning Thief for Rick Riordan is not the only one who can strike you with his books; so does Brandon Mull.

Drink the Milk.

Book Review: Redwall by Brian Jacques

roll_zheick@yahoo.com.ph (Unknown) — Sun, 29 May 2011 12:02:00 +0000

Redwall by Brian Jacques

Four-star Rating

Redwall Abbey is a peaceful place of noble mice. Out of suddenness, a legendary rat called Cluny the Scrounge, evil as always, appears to invade Redwall and kill all the animals that are to stand against him. The mere news that Cluny is alive has already brought tremble on the animals living peacefully along with the rules of Redwall.

Matthias as a warrior of Redwall is afraid of no one. Though he knows that the only way to defeat Cluny and his army is to restore the lost sword of legendary hero of Redwall—Martin. Matthias will find a way to restore the sword even if it’ll cost his life just for the sake of protecting Redwall.

I did not really think I would come a point of reviewing another book for this month after I make a review for Playing Hurt. I did not even think I could finish this book by now. The only reason that hinders me from reading before was my stupid work.

Brian Jacques is quite good at giving equal parts for every character in this book. Every hero seems to be distinguishable through their own personalities and talents. And with giving equal parts, I think the problem was I find hard to accept Matthias as really the main hero of the book when some of the likable characters in this book had fought and turned out to be braver than him and yet the main dig of the story is Matthias as the main hero.

However, I liked this book because anyhow though there were some brutalities in this book; Jacques made this book to be readable by kids as well through effectively making different kinds of animals as different kinds of races in lieu of races of people or magical creatures.

This book has nevertheless a non-stop action that would really match up LOTR.

Book Review: Playing Hurt by Holly Schindler

roll_zheick@yahoo.com.ph (Unknown) — Sun, 15 May 2011 14:13:00 +0000

Playing Hurt by Holly Schindler

REVIEW:

Whoah! For almost as if a decade I have written again a review. I think I must thank Kai for letting me part of the Playing-Hurt Blog Tour because in the first place I could not have written this review if not only for the tour.

Chelsea Keyes used to live as a basketball superstar in Fair Grove High School but the world seems turned against her when an accident takes back what she got. Fortunately, her boyfriend Gabe is always there to comfort her despite of what happened. When Chelsea meets his trainer, Clint , would she still able to pay back what Gabe has given her even though little by little she’s cheating him?

I haven’t really read a lot of YA Contemporary and I’m currently not in the mood of reading a book. So to sum up those two, equals I didn’t really like the book. However, the books is an easy read one. Yes a plus point but I find it a little slow. I didn’t find the two point of view of the main characters interesting. I once lost of it the first time I read it.

I’m in the process of jumping over my depression but reading this book as if halted my motion of overcoming it. This book arrived really in a bad timing. Though, I won’t say that I hate this a lot because honestly, if not only of the current situation I’m into, I could have given this book a four star.

Book Review: City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

roll_zheick@yahoo.com.ph (Unknown) — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 04:25:00 +0000

City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

REVIEW:

Everything is assumed as finally over. Valentine is dead and so does his real son, Jonathan Morgenstern. Everything as if has gone back to normal and there are some who made it to amend what they did in the past. But as for Simon Lewis, being a vampire is still a fact that hardly to sink in into him, much less the ability of his being a daylighter. When he knows that despite that there are creatures that are after him as an ally, there are still people who are after him not for him to be on their side but to kill him, he must figure out then who’s behind it, for almost everyone knows how reckless is it for any creature to harm him.

Clarissa Fray is now on training as a shadowhunter under Jace as his teacher. For almost two months has passed since she has used her talent, she thinks that her power has gone off by any chance until in the middle of mysterious killings of shadowhunters it returned to her immediately. The return of her power only affiliates one question: does it mean also a return of a major, past enemy?

The death of Valentine Morgenstern had sunk in already. But as nightmares hunt Jace Lightwood everynight, he still couldn’t drop the idea that in any angle of his life, the reality of his memory still lingers that he had been raised by Valentine and in the sixteen years of his life being with him, the darkness that Valentine had brought into him couldn’t just be put off eventually. And that no matter how right that he’s still not his biological father, it terrifies him to know that he still a silhouette of Valentine and in any time he will kill his beloved ones. Even Clary.

It’s been as if a million(kidding) times I was told not to expect too much; and does read in some discussions and reviews a billion(again) times not to expect too much again. For my part, expecting not too much on a book, except the ones I haven’t heard yet, is like preparing a match that in anytime a certain book suddenly disgusts me, it’ll be too way easier for me to burn it.

I must admit that I really liked this series and I am very much vocal about it. A very good YA book that suits not just to girls but to boys as well. In the first place, I like to bring up what I noticed that made me liked from the first series—the last three books—is the balance of femininity and masculinity approach of the book. A person who feels suicidal about romances in a novel will hardly notice the romance in it, and if they do, they won’t consider as worth throwing up like other books are. However, Clare manages to put a concrete characterization in every character in the story. Everyone has its own special personality with them that would make an easier way for them to be identified separately from each other.

It’s been a year already since I finished reading City of Glass. Some of the information in the last book has been forgotten already but when I read the first page of this book, everything returns in a flash. Quite odd, isn’t it? I was not really thirsty for this book because I was contented at how City of Glass ended. Imperfect, yet it was the nearer thing to perfection—in reality.

To be my rating specific to you, it is 3.7 and don’t dare ask me with my basis because it’s another long story. Yes, apparently it declined on me. I wouldn’t say that there were plot holes because I haven’t seen one or I wasn’t just able to observe it. The main thing that it declined for me I think was the absence of balance that I admired the series before. The declaration of love isn’t really comforting at all that it almost consumed half of the book without some slashing of swords in it. The secondary thing I disliked about is the villains, though I don’t want a further discussion about it because I’m sure it’ll be inevitable not to insert some spoilers. And the last is how the book ended. It wasn’t an ideal ending I was hoping for. It was an ending that will just drown the readers into depression.

On the other hand, there are really things I pretty liked about this book. Though the twists weren’t surprising as her last books did, she did still able to put enough ideas to catch readers’ attention and keep reading. Clare posted several, I mean trillion(kidding again) times that this book is all about Simon. Fortunately, Clare put Simon’s story into more interesting one than the character itself. However, I might totally disagree that this book is all about Simon.

Mortal Instruments dying fans weren’t just excited about this book because some of them are frightened too of what might be the feedback of the sequel series: would it shine like the three or start to slide downhill? One thing to admire about Clare, she said she weren’t supposed to make this book, and yet out of complication I could see with the story, she has able to pass the tiniest hole ever in her story just to make the problems in this book sensible.

One thing to end this review, I liked her writing style. Hardly metaphors in it and this book somehow becomes an easy read.

Book Review: Xenocide by Orson Scott Card

roll_zheick@yahoo.com.ph (Unknown) — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 15:57:00 +0000

Xenocide by Orson Scott Card

REVIEW:

After thirty years, Valentine and her family arrived in Lusitania. But instead of expecting a happy reunion with her long-time-no-see brother, she gets a depressing reunion with a problem she once set aside.

The Lusitania hasn’t yet resolved the problem of killing descolada. It’s still undecided if it’s a raman or a varelse.

At the same time, the Lusitania fleet is coming and every species in Lusitania is preparing for it.

A planet has dwelled by people who are genetically altered by Starways Congress.

Among the problem rising, Ender should choose which he must resolve first regardless of the problem of imminent death of Jane.

The concept of the last two books was different from each other. Thus it is not shocking to know that this book has a different shift of aspect from the previous books. Unfortunately, Card wasn’t able to make up or to elevate what the two previous books have achieved. Ender’s Game and Speaker for the Dead won the Nebula and Hugo Award. Though this book has been nominated, yet the fact that it hadn’t won the title shows how this book declined from readers’ interest.

The story in Xenocide has been dominated by studies of DNA. If Card had just focused on DNA, this could have been better. But because this book is a sequel of a sci-fi book, the sci-fi-ty of the Ender’s Game and Speaker for the dead had been dragged into this book. And it caused complexity and complications into the stories. The science terms and theories that Card made up weren’t able to stand perfectly. Furthermore, it deepens into reasons that are hardly understandable. A perfect example of biopunk.

When Card introduced Lusitania in his Speaker, he did somehow give a sense on why should they be introduced. But when Card did the same introduction in this book with People of Path, the world becomes complex and confusing. A complete failure. It’s also undeniable that his characters in the last books were likable but reading this one, Card made sure that some characters here are meant to be dislikable. The reader may burst into tears but mostly erupts into anger.

The twist Card made at the near end was intended for the story to be more interesting. Unfortunately, it leaves the readers disgusted.

I rate this book not through how I feel on this book but how this book evoked my loath and disgust.

Book Review: Obsessed by Ted Dekker

roll_zheick@yahoo.com.ph (Unknown) — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 16:03:00 +0000

Obsessed by Ted Dekker

4-star Rating

REVIEW:

From the beginning, I am very much curious about this book. So I really searched first its author and found out that Ted Dekker—the author—is known for his book entitled Three. However, since the copy I only saw from Dekker is just this book, I searched first for readers’ feedbacks. Honestly, I’ve been picking books up safely these days because eventually, I don’t want to go bashing and ranting some poor books just because they hadn’t made my taste. I’m glad that the feedbacks I’ve read were all so far positive that it got me pursue to read this book.

Stephen Friedman is normally living as a realtor. He inherited a big amount of money from his foster parents to make it way enough for his living. When the rich old woman Rachel Spitzer died and reveals a note that she’s searching for her son while she was alive, Stephen’s life changed. No matter how he denies that he’s the son of the old rich Rachel, gravity as though pulls him towards the house of his late mother. In just a single visit, he didn’t think that he would discover a safe in the house’s basement nor does he know how much it will change his life forever and turn him as obsessed as he never could imagine.

Roth Braun is living as a serial killer. Knowing a Rachel Spitzer died in a newspaper, he is soon requested by his father, Gerhard Braun, who’s also a killer to search for the relics which Rachel had stolen from them. Roth did follow his father’s request, but the main reason he goes for it isn’t for the relics that stolen, but for Stephen whom he has waited for a long time.

Let’s have this straight, I don’t know if I’m just being generous on giving stars these past few weeks since I hadn’t encountered again a book worth bashing. Probably, my safety picking of books has indeed worked. I liked this very much if that’s again you want to hear from me as what I said from my other book reviews.

I rarely read a suspense fiction books and if I do, I’m really much into praying that I’ll be able to read the book through all the way. At first, I thought this was a horror kind of book or a fantasy one. As I make it halfway through, it was impossible for this book to make up for either fantasy or horror and obviously, I still continued reading. Many suspense books had tried me, but they aren’t worthy as putting in a suspense genre. However, when it comes to this book, I assure you one-hundred percent that this will terrify you to the bones; oh-uh not because there are some ghosts in it, but this book has a super strong factor of suspense. There was one time that this book (Obsessed) really made me laugh to the point that my mom asked me if I’d gone nuts and while in the motion of laughing, I immediately closed this book and stopped reading because I’m very much terrified of what might happen next.

Books nowadays have apparently nice titles. But my question is: do the titles of those books make sense to its story? Obsessed is a catching title and fortunately it really gives so much justice to the story. If obsession is what you’re looking for in this story, this book will give you what you’re looking for. I really liked how this book offers different kinds of obsession, how this book gives a connection between fear and hope and how this has been influenced by bible.

Dekker tells different story from different time. And the both stories are really interesting that I kept waiting when the story of either time will be continued. The main thing that got me interested between these stories is how the both stories will cross and make sense after all the turns and confusions it has given me.

This book offers a different kind of love story; a different meaning of destiny. I can’t really imagine how a man finds his destined-to-be out of his obsession. I really enjoyed Dekker’s concept of this book, purely matured but definitely suits to any kind of age. This book has a very impressive writing style—won’t let you bored (as for me). One thing to complete my list, for my whole life of reading, this is one of the books I’ve read that indeed stunned me with its unpredictable twist. I never really see the twist coming that it really amazed me to the point that I’d never almost finished my lunch just because I reached the point of the twist and that made me ponder how it’s gotten there under my nose.

I’m totally not obsessed of this book but I promise to look for Dekker’s other books.

Book Review: Full Tilt by Neal Shusterman

roll_zheick@yahoo.com.ph (Unknown) — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 15:02:00 +0000

Full Tilt by Neal Shusterman

Five-star Rating

REVIEW:

Unwind was supposed to be the book I’m reading first from Neal Shusterman, but when I saw this in our bookstore here in my place, I immediately grabbed this undoubtedly since I was told before by a reader that Shusterman is such an amazing author. So who do you think can resist of searching for his books after hearing such a word?

Blake fears something and he fears to admit that it’s the rides he fears to get in. Some are meant to be survivors, some are not. And some are meant to be a single survivor out of tens, twenties or thirties unfortunately die in an accident. Being the only one survivor of the bus accident when he was a child, it gives him creeps no matter how old he’s now.

Since before, Blake has been Quinn’s—his brother-- butt-savior. Quinn travels to places he sometimes doesn’t know why. One month to go, Blake is going off to college and it obviously mean that he’s leaving Quinn to live with their mom and her new boyfriend. One night Quinn’s gone, left their house but physically in coma, only to find out that his soul is in an amusement park. Would Blake continue to save his younger brother even if it means, riding seven rides before dawn in full tilt?

So far, this is better than the last book of the same author I’ve read. But amazingly these two books have originals concepts. However, this book has gotten my taste more than the other one. I’m very much lucky to notice this book in our bookstore.

I admit that I’m really impressed of this book. The book has what it takes to be a real YA fantasy nowadays. This book has a non-stop full tilt of adventure. Every chapter gives different kinds of excitement and thrills. As if in just reading this book, you have ridden the rides by yourself already. It was an unimaginable thrill of less than twenty-four hours of adventure.

The relationship of Blake and Quinn is normal as any other siblings do with each other—saving the butt of the younger ones, the arguments and even the teasing with each other. However, this book has, in one way or another, added more odd habits and spice to every character to have stronger personalities. The only problem I found out in this book is Shusterman gives no justice at the ending of this book. The story as if hangs in midair, as if halted instantly while in a rush speed of motion. This book needs an additional page or chapter. Nevertheless, this is really great book that I couldn’t put down.

Book Review: Speaker for the Dead by Orson Scott Card

roll_zheick@yahoo.com.ph (Unknown) — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 15:54:00 +0000

Speaker for the Dead by Orson Scott Card

5-star rating

REVIEW:

In an amazing movie or show, sometimes, it makes us silent and open mouthed in astonishment and explode all the praises until we have calmed and the hype have been subsided. In relation with this book, I would not have made a review of this book due to the same reason I mentioned above. Even if I have calmed, I didn’t think of reviewing this book because I rather think and dream the story instead. Thanks to my reading buddy Kwesi for asking me million of questions. Read his review.

Ender the Xenocide; Andrew Wiggin the speaker for the dead; same person—the one is history and the other is still known at present. 3000 years has passed since Ender killed all the buggers, except the Hive Queen. No one forgets what happened because even at the present, the evil Ender the Xenocide is still known. Through ansible, world to another world as weeks to decades, he travels to undo his past mistakes and continue the travel to spread the truth.

Many have called for the Speaker but they were all refused to be granted until one day he receives a call from a girl he immediately fall in love with. Andrew Wiggin decided to grant the call even if it means leaving his beloved sister, Valentine. He leaves Trondheim for Lusitania even though already know how Lusitanians’ loathed him and how it will be hard for him to adopt a new species of ramen—Piggies. Would he be accepted at Lusitania, by Piggies and Lusitanians, despite of his being Speaker for the Dead?

This book is absolutely a wow! My recommendation is so far effective as what I’ve noticed. I don’t know if those people who listened and followed my recommendations do have same taste of books as I have or they just hitching my like even deep inside they don’t actually. Well, even if Card has written on the cover or personally shout at you that this book is a stand alone, I still highly suggest you all to read the Ender’s Game, except for those who’ve read it already. But if you’ve read already the Ender’s Game and haven’t yet this book, don’t just sit there while heating your butt, read thisIMMEDIATELY.

Let me start it first with confusion: I don’t know at first who was Jane. Card put her in this book without being introduced first in the story. I tried to reread the Ender’s Game final chapter but I haven’t found even shadow of Jane in the book. Boohooo if you say she was in the introduction because I didn’t finish reading Card’s introduction. It was good that Card introduced the Piggies in the first, long chapter but it was really boring chapter that I even thought Ender wouldn’t show anymore. It could have been nice if they were introduced through Ender and Jane.

If you don’t like this book, there’s nothing I can do about it. Either you got the wrong book for you or the book got the wrong reader for itself. I found out the story to have just a simple mystery but I don’t know what Card has with him or what he did that this book really got boomed me; maybe because of my admiration to his characters and how they are all interesting to me.

This book has showed a different Ender but gives an exact reason of the transition from the Ender’s Game. I didn’t imagine that Ender would be what he is on this book—matured and still soft-hearted. I can’t also imagine a karate kid turns into a tamed professor.

The characters of this books shows different personalities, based from what I observed. List them down along with their personality and you’ll find out what I mean. Got it! I think what makes this book likable because of the different characters with the different personalities. At least in that way I was able to differentiate themselves from one another. Card made Ender still a hero in a very different way.

Well I don’t want to discuss it anymore. Just try to imagine how a man tamed a forest of wild lions.
The setting and the world is quite fantastically created. The time, forget about it because we’re just part of past on this book. The foundation of Card’s made-up theories are strong that makes you think a believable one. The new creature was built firmly inside and out that even the attitude, habits and language seem very convincing that you won’t think this is just a sci-fi novel. I was pretty amazed at his ansible theory and still am, fortunately.

If I were to compare this book to Ender’s Game, I think I liked this book more because of my, you know, Ender’s Shadow issue. But I’m sure Ender just need a little more push and he’ll match up Bean in my field of best characters. Goodbye to pitiful Ender and welcome the new and intelligent Andrew Wiggin. Stay put Xenocide (third book) for here comes your daddy.

Book Review: Mortal Engines by Philip Reeve

roll_zheick@yahoo.com.ph (Unknown) — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 13:45:00 +0000

Mortal Engines by Philip Reeve

Four-star Rating

REVIEW:

I’ve seen this book with a YA label on the cover and I thought it was silly for a book to be labeled a genre on it. Since I heard about the book before, I went home along with this. Yeepah!

Tom Natsworthy is a third-class Historian apprentice of New London, since his parents died and left him with small amount of money that could only support a third class of apprenticeship. Being a Londoner is a pride but being a third-class apprentice is mock. When he meets for the second time his hero, Timothy Valentine and has saved his life. Instead of honoring him, he has got himself out of the running island of London.

Hester Shaw is a girl who survived from a massacre. Her parent’s murdered but she remained alive and lives with a scar that reminds her of the reason she lives for. She must take revenge against a man who murdered her family. When she gets her chance to kill the murderer, a boy intervenes. Unexpectedly, the same boy travels with her to hunt down the murderer they both now loath.

This book is surprisingly good. I mean really good. Before my main review, I don’t know if this is a dystopia or a steampunk since the book has the two qualities to consider either of them. But I think this is a cross-genre of steampunk and dystopia, if my sources are right that steampunk isn’t just set during Victorian era but any era as long as engines are in it. But if you’re looking for some kind of steampunk of book, I highly recommend this.

Back to really good, this book has made my taste. I like the new world. This book shows different world unlike the previous dystopian novels I’ve read. The world sets in the future but bringing with it the Victorian era. If we’ll think of future, technology might be the first thing to come to our mind because it’s pretty obvious that as year passes by, the technology is becoming better and better. And to think of its downfall in the future is really unimaginable. But Reeve made it possible. The present technologies we have as if forgotten in this book that depicts how far the year they are from us. Among the dystopian novels I’ve read, this is the farthest to the possibility of the future. The idea of the book is really cool but where’s the science in a walking city?

This is one of the heartbreaking books I’ve read so far. I can’t imagine the loss in the story… it saddened me a lot. I was hoping for a bright future of the heroes here in the sequel of this series but it distressed me to know that it may not happen anymore. I don’t want to discuss it any further; I may have given the titanic spoiler.

Among the characters, I liked Grike. The people who have read this might think I’ve gone nuts. Yes, if it is what it takes for them to believe me. Why Grike? Behind his monstrous features, I admire his heart’s desire. After the squeezing of my brain, I still did not guess what his heart really desires. And now I’m sorry for him.

I wasn’t really paying attention in the story that I didn’t notice the biggest twist of the story at the near-end of the book. I didn’t see it coming, but there’s still in me that think that it could have been unnoticeable still. It was as if the turning point of the event—turning point of the character’s interest. Only one thing negative that must say, I wasn’t contented at how this book ended.

Book Review: The Eyes of the Dragon by Stephen King

roll_zheick@yahoo.com.ph (Unknown) — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 11:16:00 +0000

The Eyes of the Dragon by Stephen King

3-star rating

REVIEW:

King Roland is dying and he’s supposed to choose among his two sons who’ll take his crown next to him as a king. Would it be Prince Peter, who he admires the most for the excellence he’s achieving on his lessons; or his second and youngest son, Prince Thomas, whom he relates himself during the days he was the age of Thomas?

Everything is planned to whom will King Roland pass his throne and even the people of Dellain has approved on King’s choice. But in a trick of fate everything changes—from the life of king to the lives of his sons. Unknowingly that behind it is Flagg, the King’s adviser.

It’s been six years already, if my calculation is not betraying me, since Stephen King and I had our first meet. And at that time, he introduced me his The Shining. That book really impressed me a lot and because of that, I promised myself to read more King’s books. So when I saw this book in our used-books bookstore here in the Philippines, it got my interest. Stephen King is known for his pee-on-pants kind of books. So when I saw this, it kinda intrigued me.

Unlike the last time we met, this one hasn’t been memorable as the first one did. His story this time hasn’t been as convincing as before. This book isn’t convincing as The Shining. King made a space between reader and the story for him to fill-in.

This might sound absurd but I can’t get myself into a story once I know there’s a standing barrier between the interaction of myself, as a reader, and the book. And the author stands amidst between the story and that results the story to get more unconvincing. He did himself an involvement in this book as if to remind the reader that he’s the story teller of this book and I really dislike that kind of story narration when it comes to books.

However, I still like story if I were to judge just the story. It possesses different lessons to kind of people and situations. I liked how this book give point to what the faith really is. No matter what the majority says if you’re heart opposes it and still you believe to your heart that it is right, you have the “it” of faith then.

I liked also how King puts deeper a word “friendship” into this book. This book dignifies friendship, love, trust and forgiveness.

Book Review: Scar Night by Alan Campbell

roll_zheick@yahoo.com.ph (Unknown) — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 14:21:00 +0000

Scar Night by Alan Campbell

Three-star Rating

REVIEW:

After reading dystopian books, I never thought I would meet again steampunk books. I’ve seen this book actually in Goodreads and fortunately found a copy in one of our bookstore here. I was lucky then to have this book because some of my friends find this hard to catch one.

Dill is the last angel of his line. Being the last archon tails a heavy consequence. As the age of sixteen, he still doesn’t know how to fly, much less how to fight. So when the time comes he has to become a temple angel, he meets Rachel Hael—a Spine— assassin.

Carnaval knows how murderer she is as much as the people of Deepgate know. Upon her eagerness to cure herself from killing innocent people during Scar Night, she discovers that killings around the town haven’t just been through her, others are killed to complete a wine she deeply needed to cure the curse she has.

Some of the people I have discussed with this book said they weren’t able to make through all the way with this. As for my part, yes, I have almost given up this book. The first part of the book is metaphor-coated that tends people to become confused and disoriented. The formula also leads the book to boringness that makes the people depreciate it instead. As for the boringness, I did find this book dragging during the first part, at all. Well, since it is Campbell’s debut novel I could say that this book is quite good for a new but not good enough to boil the interest of a reader. Rephrase the first part, and then I could have given my five stars.

However, contrast to the first part, the second and third make up for the lousiness of the previous one. The second part as if makes sense in just a click that got my interest to continue reading the book till the end. This book has even evoked my emotion at the halfway through especially at what happened to Dill. The metaphor lessens that becomes understandable after all.

I was even shocked at how the twist developed at the latter of their journey. This book is pretty good for a steampunk lovers.

Book Review: Shadow of Hegemon by Orson Scott Card

roll_zheick@yahoo.com.ph (Unknown) — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 16:41:00 +0000

Shadow of Hegemon by Orson Scott Card

Five-star rating

REVIEW:

God! I‘d been having an Orson Scott Card’s books marathon these last few weeks. So far, since there is nothing left of his books in my hand that I haven’t read yet, I’ll have to take a pause reading his books and resume till I find his other books then—especially the sequels of this book.

After checking the rating details of this book on Goodreads, I found out that I belong to those people who are twenty-two percent addicted at this. Unfortunately, since before reading a book, I always refer the rating detail before I read a book, this turned out a not-so-good logic to me. For this mean I shouldn't have rely my preference of picking a book at the rating detail nor should I be persuaded by the negative reviews of other readers.

After the successful battle of defeating the buggers, Ender’s Jeesh has been brought back to earth—to be with their respective families—except for Ender Wiggin who never has had the chance to be with his own family because his been exiled by Locke, who’s Peter Wiggin, his brother, behind the curtain. Contrary to what his brother has done to Ender, Peter Wiggin has a greater reason for him to do that, for he has foreseen what is coming to the lives of heroes who killed the buggers and sent down to Earth to join their family. Now, the beginning of what he saw is coming. The Ender’s Jeesh has been kidnapped, and
soon be doomed.

Bean has been in a trip with his family. After hearing the kidnapped of Petra Arkanian, he knows that the rest of Ender’s Jeesh will join her. For he knows and has foreseen it also what has to come, one reason could because on the current situation the most influential people are the heroes of the Earth. Because of Bean’s advance thinking, he has escaped from the people who want to kill him instead of kidnapping him. Now, the question that floats over the situation are: what nation is behind the kidnapping: Could it be the nation that offers to arbitrate and thinks they should rule the world, or those aggressive nations that think they have grievance, and also thinks they’re undervalued—belligerent and snappish?

For Bean, there is only one clue that serves right to conclude who’s the person behind it. Why would someone kill him instead of kidnapping him, like others? Unless, the person behind it is the person who hunts Bean since then—Achilles.

Again, Card impressed me with this book. I thought I could have thrown this away like his other book, Empire, but I was stunned at how my suspicion of inconsistency subsided. His latest characterization is fully equipped and tough. The development of the characters has obviously shown in this book, likewise the evolvement of the circumstances and emotion.

Card is at his best when Bean is at his peak. I deeply admire how Card created Bean and his personality—unruly, straightforward, brave, certain, genius, honest and sometimes innocent. I’m sure this is why I’ve fallen myself on this series. Bean becomes matured here and yet, he’s still the unbeatbale genius with the innocent looks I admire. His analogy of circumstances is quite exceptional. His weakness may be his physical features but his attitude and intellect make up for it. Add the innocence of his feelings and you can have the summation of a perfect hero.

I liked how Card expanded the personality of Petra Arkanian through giving her more exposure in this book. Her character as if hadn’t been valued well enough in Ender’s Shadow and Ender’s Game. But her existence here suggests how she’ll play the rest of the books of Shadow Series.

This book is majorly rotating on politics issue. But dare me, this book is different from other political books I’ve read and hated. I did find this book very much interesting in any form—politics, heroism and brain. The core of this book is how the kids managed to rule the world instead of grown-ups. The heroes have faced a harder problem here where they have to battle a war in a different field. It’s still admirable how the nations heed the plan to defeat another nation from the children who haven’t gotten their teenage years yet, except for Peter who’s thirteen.

In other way, I believe that those who hated this book are just being cynical for having Bean as the main character of this book instead of Ender. However, there are things I considered doing before I read and while reading this book. I had to lessen my interest due to some negative reviews. I had to be patient in order to catch up what they were talking about, and rereading the previous page is part of it. I had to search for political terms for me to understand the situation, otherwise I’d be lost. Lastly, I had to get into the characters and situation for me to never get bored. Overall, I did get into the story.

This may not be as page-turner as the Ender’s Shadow, but this is as interesting as its best. The complexity of the story aspect is not hindrance for a reader to like this book, unless since from the beginning he/she didn’t like this book. And yeah, that reason will really make sense even if you look at the rating details (again sorry, I shouldn’t have suggested that but it’s the only fact that I hold to convince you.) only one percent of readers dislike this book and some them are reasoned out the difference of Bean and Ender. The complexity of the aspects thus expands the learning of a reader on tactics and strategy—like playing chess. This book is also worth page-turning if you want to learn the histories of war. Another thing that makes this not-a-boring book I’ve read this year because of the witty shots of the characters.

This book is another reason for me to read the rest books of Card. And yes, rationally, it deserves my twinkling five stars. Watch out Card, for here I am to hunt down the rest of your best books.

Interview: Amanda Von Hoffmann

roll_zheick@yahoo.com.ph (Unknown) — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 06:43:00 +0000

Born in San Bernardino, California.When she was eighteen, she brought her love for reading and writing to SUNY Potsdam where she majored in English. In 2004, she received my M.A. degree.Currently she work at a public library where she's happily surrounded by books and people that love books as much as she does. She's a mother, daydreamer, gamer geek and coffee addict.Behind Green Glass is her first published novel.

Rollie: Hello Amanda. I’m very thankful to have an opportunity to interview you. You’re working in a public library. Did your profession influence your writing?

Amanda: Yes. I work as a Patron Services Supervisor at a public library. I spend a lot of time listening to my patrons talk about books, giving and receiving recommendations. I love being part of a reading community. I certainly think of my patrons when I envision the audience that I am writing to. Also, my coworkers are very supportive of my writing. I have a wonderful job.

Rollie: You said in your blog that you’re happily surrounded by books. What are the books that influenced your writing, especially during the time you were doing your first novel?

Amanda:I read a lot of YA fantasy. Writers such as Holly Black, Libba Bray and Shannon Hale have influenced me to write YA fantasy. I have also been influenced by authors from the past such as L. M. Montgomery, C.S. Lewis and J.D. Salinger. During the time that I wrote the first draft of Behind Green Glass, I believe I was reading a few Juliet Marillier novels. She is an amazing Australian author who writes historical fantasy.

Rollie:How did you came up with the story? Was it from a dream like other authors?

Amanda:I came up with the idea for Behind Green Glass while I was daydreaming. I imagined a girl discovering fey in the woods. The fairies she met were different from the fairies that she had read about. These fairies were humble, imperfect and mysterious. The idea grew from there.

Rollie:How about the names? Were they taken from your relatives or friends?

Amanda:The last name “Richards” is my mother-in-law’s maiden name. I have a niece nicknamed “Maddy” like Matt’s littlest sister. Some of the names, like Lyric and Meredith, just came to me. Isolde’s last name, Rackham, is a tribute to the illustrator Arthur Rackham who was known for his fairy art.

Rollie:Speaking of names, who among the characters of your book do you relate yourself to the most?

Amanda:Isolde. Like Isolde I was homeschooled and grew up in a rural town. I’m also pretty shy. Instead of painting, however, I express myself through writing.

Rollie:A hypothetical question: if given a chance to time travel, do you have any plan on changing the story?

Amanda:I would make the ending a little longer. In retrospect, I believe I could have added more to the final chapters.

Rollie:There are people out there who are really fond of quotes from a certain book. Would you like to give us a quote from your book that we might never forget?

Amanda:“He was the color of absinthe, but then again, so was the rest of the world.”

Rollie:Do you plan to write a sequel to Behind the Green Glass?

Amanda:I have thought about writing a sequel, focusing on Laurelyn and Lyric. Some readers have suggested that I write a prequel about The Forgotten Ones before they were cast out of the fairy kingdom.

Rollie:How about planning on doing another YA book?

Amanda:I’m currently writing another YA novel. So far, this book is quite different from Behind Green Glass.

Rollie:Can you tell us something about your book and where can we buy it? Please also include where can we find you.

Amanda:In Behind Green Glass, sixteen-year-old Isolde believes she has the dullest life imaginable. She is homeschooled by her anti-social mother, she has just moved from the city to a house in the middle of nowhere, and she is too painfully shy to make any new friends in the rural town of Thornville. She escapes boredom through painting and daydreaming. Then, Isolde hears rumors that her house is haunted. She discovers a shard of green glass in an antique dresser, and through the glass she sees Lyric, the boy who is watching or haunting her. Lyric is one of The Forgotten Ones, a clan of ethereally beautiful creatures that live in the nearby woods. As the mystery of The Forgotten Ones unfolds, Isolde discovers adventure, love and her own inner strength.

Behind Green Glass is available at:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Behind-Green-Glass-Amanda-Hoffmann/dp/0982534515/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1297712663&sr=8-1

Barnes & Noble: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Behind-Green-Glass/Amanda-Von-Hoffman/e/9780982534519/?itm=1&USRI=behind+green+glass

Find me at:

My blog: http://amandavonhoffmann.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/fraujones

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/amandavonhofmann

Isolde is a shy and artistic sixteen-year-old who moves into a house rumored to be haunted. When she discovers a shard of green glass, a new world opens for her. Through the glass she sees Lyric, who mistakenly believes that he is a ghost, and other ethereally beautiful creatures. As their mystery unfolds, Isolde learns that they are not ghosts, but The Forgotten Ones, fairies cast out of their realm, labeled imperfect for their physical and mental differences. Isolde's friendship with Lyric and The Forgotten Ones teaches her that sometimes our "imperfections" can also be our greatest strengths.

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Book Review: Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card

roll_zheick@yahoo.com.ph (Unknown) — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 12:20:00 +0000

Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card

five-star rating

REVIEW:

God, please give a brother like Ender Wiggin. I promise myself not to be Peter.

I’d been hearing a lot about this book since before I read Ender’s Shadow. And after reading the parallel book of this book, I knew then that it was wise plan to read this book. I wouldn’t have read this book if it wasn’t for my friend who gave me a copy of this book along with durian candies. Hands to Kwesi.

All because that he’s the third child, intelligent and young, the world seemed turned against Ender Wiggin. When he entered Battle School, he became a magnet of enviousness. He topped among the students of Battle School and had impressed his teachers. But behind his excellence, some of them are angry at him. Can he resist not hurting them if they are the ones offering already to be hurt?

Card has made an excellent work with this book. I’m truly impressed at how he made the character of Ender Wiggin. I’m even amazed at how he managed to smear this sci-fi book with politics. Ender Wiggin depicts the real stand of human hero. His intelligence is undeniably extraordinary, but the origin of it isn’t questionable since it was open that his siblings are genius as him. But the mere fact of his existence being a third child is one reason he is meant to be separated from his family and be a commander. And because of his mature knowledge, he indisputably fitted being a leader; knowledge in a way that even grown-ups would be outsmarted. Just imagine yourself as one who’d been outsmarted when you won’t still be impressed at the person who did it.

Beyond his physical appearance, a strong lion is alive. He was absolutely small but I suggest that it’s a bad idea to misjudge him just because of how or what he looks like. It’s still incredible to think that his body could kill bigger and older people who want to bring him down. But in spite of these killings, he himself meant not to hurt them. I liked how Card handles this: a hero who wants not to kill enemies but accidently killed them through a trick, if not, enemies are offering themselves to be killed. But then again, in that case, he killed them not because he meant to but because he had to defend himself from their dark motives.

I believe that Card made Ender a total or a complete package hero: genius, a fighter, an innocent and a light-hearted. Imagine, behind Ender’s performance, there’s only one thing he wants the most. Love of his brother. I was touched at how Ender craves for it. He insisted not to be a killer like his brother, but deep inside he was longing for Peter’s care.

However, since I started reading first the Ender’s shadow which, of course, a parallel book of this series and apparently a point of view of another character in this book—Bean. Once again I’d like to bring up my statement that says: I loved the story of Bean so much. Let us say, it would be unfair to choose Bean as the better character since Ender has made it first to impress other people. But let’s save the fact of publishing date and the sudden rise of Ender’s Shadow. Let us even say that you have read first the Ender’s Shadow than Ender’s game. The definite vote would arise to Bean as the more interesting character over Ender. Although I’ve enjoyed the Shadow, when I finished this book, I was bothered by how inconsistent the story of Shadow has become. There was rough connection between the two series that obviously led to inconsistency. From the idea here that Ender Wiggin topped among the other students suggests how wrong Bean is with what he believed being the top ranked student in Shadow. And it really implies how sudden Card decided to have a parallel book and basically, I guess, because Bean somehow made an impression in this book.

The conversation of officers about the students is even strong evidence that Card hadn’t think about making Bean’s book while making Ender’s Game. In Shadow, they were dismay about Bean’s knowledge while they were impressed at Ender’s intelligence. But in this book, I haven’t even read the officers mentioned Bean’s name. Look, if Bean is really as great as Ender (in fact, in Shadow he was even better.) he might have had mentioned by the officers. But come on, I was disappointed at how this book lacks the existence of Bean. Somehow, Card puts Bean in a spot light in this book for the reader to know that there is still a student who is secretly genius. And one thing I’ll confess, I noticed these things because I was anticipating for Bean to show or even mentioned in this book.

Fans are torn between two characters of to whom they would raise they hands for. I’ve decided, yet they are both likable, to embrace the character of Bean over Ender. I highly recommend this book to people who are dying of sci-fi and looking for a truer form a hero. Whether you read first this or the Shadow, I can assure you that the two books won’t disappoint you. Love me or hate me, whether you swallow my preference or not, Card is on my top ten list of best YA authors. Salaam.

Book Review: Behind Green Glass by Amanda Von Hoffmann

roll_zheick@yahoo.com.ph (Unknown) — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 15:38:00 +0000

Behind Green Glass by Amanda Von Hoffmann

REVIEW:

Yay! I’m very much grateful for giving me a chance to read this book.
Isolde, usually called Izzy by her friends, is the newly resident of a rumored hunted house. When she found a green glass, weird things started to happen. She supposed that standing of her hairs on the back of her neck was as normal as living in her newly house. But when she saw a man behind the green glass, she concluded it wasn’t part of the normal stuff she forced to believe anymore.

Lyric was an amnesia ghost. He didn’t remember what life he was in before he died even the day when he died. When a new girl resided in the new house where his first love used to live, his world started to be revealed again. But part of the revelation of his existence was the imminent truth to be unfolded. Would it cause him a relief out of joy or rage for committing mistakes due to his false belief?

I expected this book to be more in romance, for the synopsis almost implied how romantic the story is. After reading this book, now, I would say that this is not totally a love story. If you stick with the synopsis of this book, I’m telling you: you’re lost. The relationship of Izzy and Lyric isn’t relatively romantic. At first, I admit, I thought the book was meant for the two main characters but it declined at the last quarter when I realized that the relationship of the two characters to evolve can’t already make it till the last page.

Isolde is a conservative girl and I love to know that even in books there are still people living like her. I admire his personality and, of course, her intelligence is with it. I even like how she balances the fairness situation between the people involved in a certain issue. Overall, she’s an interesting character of a book. However, I found surreal reactions of this character at the first quarter of the book. She fathoms ideas absurdly—too impossible to be done in real situation. But it wasn’t a big issue to me, then. And it didn't give me a big impact to dislike the character nor the book.

The concept has a brush of spiderweck. Using a glass of seeing otherworld beings is still a trend concept. It hasn’t been used too much in literary world as much as the vampire stuff does. The tone of the book is light and this book is an easy-read one. I don’t usually read fair folks novels but this book has changed my taste.

Book Review: Empire by Orson Scott Card

roll_zheick@yahoo.com.ph (Unknown) — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 11:10:00 +0000

Empire by Orson Scott Card

two-star rating

REVIEW:

I thought I could not finish reading this book. Not because I didn’t like it but because of my busy schedule. School work, feasibility study, exams and now we’re having a general cleaning. See, how can I sneak up just to read this? Fortunately, instead of resting, I read this book. Yay! Thanks to my reading buddy Juan este Kwesi Ian Jay who finished reading this book first. (his review in goodreads)

After reading Ender’s Shadow and loving it; after hearing a lot of praises about Ender’s Game; I thought it was a logical leap to assume that majority of books of Card is great, if not, at least good. Once I love a book of a certain author, it tends me to look for his/her other works but, unfortunately, I think it wasn’t a healthy assumption or a best idea since I realized that my notion is a perverse of how this book showed me.

The fall of Roman Empire is an image of what United States of America leading to after the 9/11 attack. Between republican and democratic, blue and red, who is behind of everything when in a Friday the 13th day, White House has been attacked? The worst of all, President and vice president are in it and get killed.

When Major Reuben Malich shared his plan, hypothetically being a terrorist, under the class of Averel Torrent, he became an interesting student of Torrent. Malich met Bartholomew Coleman as his buddy and at the same day, White House had been attacked. After defending the White House, they were proclaimed as heroes of United States of America. But would Malich consider himself as a hero if he knew deep inside that the plan used in attacking the White House was his own?

I’m not living in a political world and never had any interest in any political issues. And surely, it’s one of the reasons why I haven’t liked the book that much but nor would I say I disliked this book.

Card is one of the sci-fi gods in someone’s retrospect especially for those who have read his sci-fi books already. This Empire is partly sci-fi and post-apocalyptic book at the same time. And yes, to adhere what I said at the previous paragraph, this book is somewhat a combination of sci-fi and politics. In this book, he made knots of problems, unknowingly; the thread he used was tangled already. If it doesn’t make sense to you, I hope this one will: Card used a confusing instrument in making this book. In effect, I was just as if skimming reading this book even though I have even read every word of it. And it was annoying that Card brought up different edges of political issues whilst it got more confusing.

“The most painful betrayal is when the closest person of your life happened to do it”

Quite true, right? This is one of the most beautiful quotes I liked in this book. However, after reading it, it was an instant hint of what was really going on. From that quote, I knew then who is to be blamed and who are the person to set my eyes onto. This book has a semi-open mystery that gives the reader an idea of the main antagonist of the story. If you didn’t notice it, I guess you had just ignored it but it was given in the early chapter who’s the person planning a dirty trick and given wholly the name in the last chapter. Under this issue, I could have given this book a one-star rating but because of the good plot, I’ve added one--only one just to indicate as “just an okay book”. Not good but not bad either.

Speaking of characters, I didn’t like how the author developed the characters. They were weak enough to be likable. I didn’t even understand how Card gave the first few chapters to Rube when at the halfway through he’ll be gone. And yet the character who caught the spotlight of Rube already introduced in the second or third chapter and still gave him small part in the early chapters. How could he be likable in that case?

I believe that the author is best at his previous works and awesome in creating a hero. But unfortunately, the heroes of this book have a weak foundation unlike the heroes in Card’s other books. They were praised as heroes in this book but I doubt if readers would praise them the way they do when it’s pretty obvious that there’s almost nothing the characters did much good job in terms of heroism.

I wouldn’t dare recommend this to everybody but if you’ll ask me to whom I would recommend this, obviously, to political issues fanatics out there. Go grab it but never go if you’re just going to blame me.

A two-star rating or an okay impression is, I think, enough for my book shelf to find another author to fall onto, considering that somehow he has retained my admiration to his works. But I’m sure it’s not good to count his previous works, rather, his present works to look for.

January 2011 Summary Book Reviews

roll_zheick@yahoo.com.ph (Unknown) — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 08:12:00 +0000

I've been busy in January that I've only five books read during that month. However, despite of it, I've reached half of the books I challenge this year. Yes. So silly of me that I challenged myself to read ten books for this year. But I'm sure I've reason out it on my post early this year. Surely, I'll pass over what I intended to finish and I'm planning on adding the number of books on my challenge. I'd been lazy of doing reviews too with the books I've read. So here are the five books I've read for the month of January with their small review.

Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia and Maragaret Stohl

I made a review of this and you can view it here.

Linger by Maggie Stiefvater

I didn't like this book. I didn't like the concept or the story of the book. It seems weird for me the comparison of eyes of human and wolf--it didn't bought me. The obsession of Grace is also an act of inhuman-ness that I can't really understand. The story was plotless. Over-all, I didn't really like the book.

The Guardian by Nicholas Sparks

I choose this book hoping this would be good, but it turned out to be not. The mystery was really annoying that as though it laid there and me--as a reader--was just waiting for the story to end. The suspect was too given to be true and I reckon it's not a good a sign of a good book.

Ender's Shadow by Orson Scot Card

I made a review of this book and you can view it here.

Mystic River by Dennis Lehanes

If you'll ask what book to be recommended when it comes to mystery-drama? this is perfect. The book has given the clues, yet, I doubt you're going to guess the murderer. I like this book but not much as you think since it seems mystery-drama is not my cup of tea. However, this is a good book when exploring new genres.

Book Review: Ender's Shadow by Orson Scott Card

roll_zheick@yahoo.com.ph (Unknown) — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 15:08:00 +0000

Ender's Shadow by Orson Scott Card

5-star rating

With all honesty, I don’t know what to say right after I finished this book. The book never failed to impress me as it failed my first impression. Yes—my first impression. The fact that I didn’t read yet the Ender’s Game series made me hesitate in pursuing reading the Ender’s Shadow. Credit to Orson Scott for initializing the reason why should I read the book through his well written foreword. Another thing, I’m not deep into novels which set above the earth—or in other words, the outer space. Glad that the book stricken me--not the setting but the story line and the main the protagonist of the book.

Bean is a gifted child. Or is he even a human to be referred a child? When Bean crawled from danger when he was almost one year old, he knew then that he was no ordinary kid. He looks 2-year old kid but the real is he’s 4 years old, yet he thinks at least 10-year old bully. He gets himself a family but soon finds out it wasn’t a good idea because it tends him to escape from the murderer of the person who gave him life—Poke.

Through Sister Carlotta and through Bean’s intelligence, he made it to be a launchie in a Battle School where everyone is trained to be commander of the fleet. No matter how smart he is when all his teachers doubt his ability, he still has to prove something. And the worst of all despite the fact that everyone knows he’s the one who has the highest score in every field, yet it is as though inevitable to be a shadow of another excellent student named Ender.

Proven and tested. This book is a butt-stapler. Once you get hold of this book, you’ll never try to put it down. One reason of why the book a page-turner one is how interesting the main character is. Have you watched Baby’s Day Out movie? If yes, imagine that this book is a way how we’ll know the main protagonist’s—the baby--perspective. Bean himself is a strong catch up that bounds the reader not to miss even a single word of the book.

I admire the personality of Bean that it made me relate myself to him. If you think because I’m smart as him, then you’re stupid like meowing dog. Bean’s intelligence is exceptional that even the readers won’t even guess what had he planned, much less the other characters of the book. His mind is unpredictable, yet prompt. The personality that we shared is how not to snap back when the bullies are up for humiliation and fun. Thus, the only way to cease it is to gain respect and honor.

If I have the list of likable child characters, I now say that Bean is at the top of them as what his ratings did in this book. His way of defeating an enemy is not by killing him/her but by letting the authority to do it without dirt in his hands. His means of winning a battle is not by competing to others, instead sharing of knowledge for unity. Bean is not character of bravery but an image of tactics, intelligence and maturity. That’s the Kid. That’s Bean. That’s my favorite character.

I love the premise of the book. All along reading the book, as if I was with his journey, I realized that all he needed was love and appreciation. However it wasn’t dig deeply in this book, but as you get yourself into the character, you’ll notice the missing piece of his life that though he was scared to have, he was definitely in need of it. I also love how this book ended, even this book is meant for a series, the ending was justifiable break indeed.

I find the book perfect for my taste. From the very first page of the book up to the end is amazement to me. I once said that this book never failed to impress me and I will not hesitate to repeat it all over again. I didn’t pick the wrong book, though I never yet tried reading the Ender’s Game. And because of that, since this book has given also much credit for Ender Wiggin, it’s an exact timing of reading the more precise happened in the battle through reading Ender’s Game.

When 2011 started, I decided to have a basis in giving the books ratings. And apparently, this book passed far beyond my standards. So great that at least, for this month, I have read a much deserved book to have my five stars.

I haven’t suggested yet any books from my previous reviews. And now I dare break it by recommending this to everybody else especially to those who haven’t read yet the Ender’s Game and also to everyone who loves YA sci-fi books. Some of the sci-fi or dystopia books now are no good than a talking mud, but believe me; this book will hunt your obsession and will cause an impact on every cell of your brain.