Saga Series 10 - Chapter Ten by Brian K. Vaughan

Reunion!! Reunion reunion reunion!!! It all happens so quick. The planet that they were looking for Izabel was about to crack open by birth (when I mean by birth, it is BY BIRTH). I'm not joking! Read it and you'll understand.

Ahh... I've always love family hugs. I wanna have me some hugging now!!!

Yes, there was reunion and there were disagreements as well. I can't help it! They are like bonded for each other for life! Look at them... Aww...

After reading this issue, I never want to mess with any girls anymore. They are mean!!! They are out for revenge with 101% determination that you will die in their hands. And as always, the ending is what makes me wanna read on again. Let's go!

Ratings: 5 out of 5 stars.

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A Series of Unfortunate Events 07 - The Vile Village by Lemony Snicket

WHOA!!! This is madness! Of all the books I've read in the Unfortunate events, this is DA BOMB! It has something to do with runaway, dangerous plots to get out of the village, excellent disguise by Esmé and more. This book has the adrenaline going and I think it's one of my favourite among the other books. I'm not sure about the subsequent ones.

The Baudelaires once again was brought into this village full of old folks and rules, whoever breaks it, the ultimate punishment is to be burnt at the stake. Brutal eh? No question asked, you break it you get the burn to death capital punishment. The kids were being given to a guardian who's a coward by all this folks and elders named Hector. Bonding was great but he's a real coward. I can't stand him but he has a good heart. So I liked him. Haha!

Anyway, every book is not gonna be pleasant until the end and now the chase begins. I can't wait for the next book now. Woot!

Ratings: 5 out of 5 stars

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Book To Movie Review 05: The Fault In Our Stars by John Green (2014)

Oh gosh, where do I start? I was really afraid that the movie does not live up to my expectation. Having read the book with so much feelings and emotions, I don't know where to begin writing on the excuse of my long delay to watch this movie. Honestly, I don't even have a great excuse but all I can say is that I do have a wonderful time watching this movie. So good!

I love love love both Shailene Woodley & Ansel Elgort's performance by portraying the characters of Hazel & Gus so well that I just want to give them a big big hug for doing the show justice. Never once did I forget the crew behind the scenes,  they just did such a fantastic job in minimizing mistakes in the movie. I've always loved the crew behind the scenes because they are the coolest and I'm usually the kind of person who would love doing stuff behind. OK, IT'S DODGY!!! Back to the movie, this so-called independent movie brings out an A+ quality with minimal flaws especially on the Cinematography and Scenery shots. (Especially Amsterdam!)

What happened to awards? Hello???

I'm not going to dwell into the the summary or the plot of the movie. It will definitely give away so much for feels that I can't even described through out the whole movie. Just watch it! Even if you did not read the book, just watch it! Their acting is so raw, so good, so real! I can never stop raving about their performance.

Overall, it is a fantastic movie. Remember, prepare loads of tissues!

Ratings: 5 out of 5 stars

Book To Movie Review 04: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling (2002)

The second at it's charm. Closely adapted movie based from the book with just a minor twitch by minimizing some roles just for a few minutes of dialogue which was very clever. Some of the scenes were nicely done for movie purposes. All in all, I'm glad to be back to Hogwarts.

Dobby's CGI was clearly identifiable, however, the expression and voice acting was done right. Hence, the portrayal of Dobby was very well brought into the movie set. The only thing that was even more obvious was that, when Dobby was banging his head towards the wardrobe, you can clearly see Daniel is struggling to put on a I-CANT-GET-HIM-TO-STOP-BECAUSE-HE-IS-NOT-REAL-AT-ALL look.

Very much improved acting from all the cast but the dialogue for Draco Malfoy (portrayal by Tom Felton) always seems to be cringe worthy to me. I don't know whether it s the acting or the dialogue or the face. I fairly remember Tom Felton from "Anna and the King" and he was OK in it but as Draco, I find it cringe worthy. I hope to see more of him in the subsequent show as I think he might still be young to be a good villain role.

The Christmas scene at Hogwarts never fails to be part of the movie's scenic moments for all it's glory to their fans. The gathering of the great hall is much more toned down as to compared with the first. Sometimes just a few words from Dumbledore in The Great Hall would be nice. Can't blame as the book doesn't revolve around The Great Hall all that much either.

Many characters were introduced with great in depth acting. Tom Riddle, whom we all know was a past character in the school of Hogwarts. Seriously, who is he at the end of it all? Watch it as the plot of the movie really was a closely based on the book.

The end was great when Harry has made new friends and has discovered even more hidden mystery on his scars and origin of the existence of Voldermort unfold. I am anticipating for the next movie installment after I read the third book.

Ratings: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Book To Movie Review 03: The Bourne Identity by Robert Ludlum (2002)

I have took up the courage by watching the movie after reading the book. All I could say is that, the movie has little to do with the book. So much so that I didn't expect and wanted to give up watching. The plot of the movie is actually the backbone of the book. Some of the characters are being exposed in the movie and the book has not! Now, my initial thoughts would be whether I should have watch the movie instead?

Pacing was good and fast. It really drives up the adrenaline while watching the movie. Now, with such intensity, Matt Damon did put on a very good performance as Jason Bourne. His acting skills never seems to fail each time he is in any movie.

I was a little disappointed by the fact that the movie does not follow very closely with the book. Some given excuse might be book to movie conversion but it's not. There's a slight change in characters and plot. Certain characters were created for movie purposes and most of it were dropped from the book. I don't know whether it's for the best but I think the movie does delivers.

The end of the movie shows you who the real villain is and the book did not! I'm regretting my actions now by watching the movie before reading the 2nd and 3rd installment of the book. Shall I continue reading then? Hmm... Ponder ponder...

Ratings: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Paper Towns by John Green

Alright, it's been a year now that I last read a book from John Green. Well, it's somewhat the obvious which book I've read and it's none other than the famous "The Fault In Our Stars". Now this one has a different take in life. Was it darker? Yeah, I find this a bit darker in terms of past witness and experiences in life. 

Many would argued that this book is nothing great or fantastic, but I beg to defer because this book has a stronger message on how one person is handling shocked in their previous years and how are they managing or coping with such trauma in reality. First off, bravo to John Green for such an exquisite point in life that has been written boldly by fictionalizing these characters into reality.

I see 2 sides of the story. Yes, this book was written as a first person writing, however you can see that there were 2 examples of how a family groomed these kids into a teenager with different methods. What comes out of it? How did these kids react towards their parent's parenting? Life is complicated even when both are facing the same trauma. It all boils down to the essence of how one family's teaching could succumb to a result of today.

We are being introduced with Quentin, Margo, Ben and Radar. Character wise, they are very dear to our hearts and we are able to relate these characters in the actual reality. Elements of wittiness, teenage humor, mysteriously solving puzzles and cunningly smart which captures my attention through out my reading span. Events of their revenge and trip are the highlights of the book.

Was there a social concern message in this? I would say it has a hint of subtlety but it wasn't as obvious as I thought it should be. However, the turn of event was what every reader would be expecting. Clues after clues in this book to search for the untraceable was another drive and plus point of the book to see how far they would go. Will they go to the ends of the world for it?

The definition of Paper Towns is clearly stated and I love how it was being used as a reference of a real place as well as the metaphorical inevitable life experience that 2 person is facing in their lives. Moreover, I was on a road trip with all of them ya'll. It was one of those fun ride with 'danger' being encountered during their embarking of their wonderful road trip.

I like how this book ends and I think everyone should give this book a chance because it is really fun. Remember, never forget what the real message has to give in this book.

Few of my favorite quotes in the book:-

"I have this thing that makes me really uninterested in prom shoes. It's called a penis"

"The longer I do my job" he said, "the more I realize that humans lack good mirrors. It's so hard for anyone o show us how we look, and so hard for us to show anyone how we feel"

Ratings: 4.8 out of 5 stars

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Harry Potter Series 02 - Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling

What a great follow up! As I just finished the second book, nothing falls short in many areas ever since it ended so well from the first. One of the great things in reading a Middle Grade or Young Adult books is that there are snippets of gentle reminders on things that might have forgotten. The Dursleys bunch are still as annoying as anyone could expect, and because of that I never once knew Hogwarts would set a rule for not using magic in the 'muggle' world. Dang it!

The rescue mission from the Weasley brothers was really a fun ride. Although new characters came in already in the first few chapters, moreover, they are not difficult to remember who they are. Recurring characters were once more introduced with great anticipation of their involvements in the search of Voldermort's ultimate motive around the wizardry world.

Alright, the thing about Gilderoy Lockhart's character. Where should I began? His self-confidence level was too obnoxious to the point I feel like skipping most of his scene out while I'm reading it. He needs a big tight slap! It is without a doubt that I have my qualms about him from the very beginning until the end of the book. Annoyance aside on his mere fame in the wizardry world, he knows nuts about education at all. I really don't know whether he was employed based on his credentials or his fame. What were you thinking, Dumbledore?

A new character named Dobby, a house elf, which I reserved my judgements towards him from the very beginning. Many a times, I did have a slight curiosity on his motives towards Harry and I knew he was being bound by some commands from his master by doing things he's forced to obey. Love the ending of this book for Dobby.

Lucius Malfoy's (father of Draco) role in the second book is more prominent. Many political agendas were very pronounced with real harm done towards Hogwarts through him. Although he is not the main antagonist in this book but you know that he is behind it all in most of the scene for selfish gains in the dark world. Might I say more, I think he has a share in Voldermort's return. Let's wait and see.

Trying very hard not to give away spoilers (although most would already know by now), I love the fact that the book has brought us back 50 years to understand the life of many characters in Hogwarts. This part of the story sparks my interest even more because many of the mysteries of today were actually the cause of yesteryear.

Happy ending as always, I can't wait to get myself into "The Prisoner of Azkaban".

Ratings: 4 out of 5 stars

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Caught Running by Madeleine Urban and Abigail Roux

It started off with a great introduction with both Brandon and Jake. Moreover, it is without a hint of any homosexual innuendos at all from the first few chapters, and as readers, you will be able to relate by the mere hint of their busy daily routine lives. In many ways, I should say, it is like any other contemporary genre from the very beginning except it is from the perspective of 2 gay men.

I wouldn't call myself an expert in this genre and this book doesn't slurs much on gay stereotypes practices or verbal abuses through out the book. To some, the plot of the book might sound too good to be true but then again the way the message was imparted is rather okay.

As the story progresses, the agony between both Brandon and Jake wanting each other were so strong yet it was conveyed with nothing but pure lust. Everything seems too physical as the book progresses, especially when both of them hit it off.

I wasn't expecting anything because 70% of this book is just sex. I don't see why it's written to a point where it became like 2 hungry animals lusting for each other. I understand the beauty of love making where physical discovery is involved but this is way too much. It could be better by spacing out the sex with side characters or plot development because we all know what they will be DOING already.

Ratings: 2 out of 5 stars

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