Harry Potter Series 03 - Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling

 
Now this, the third book in the Harry Potter series. This would be my favorite of all, as of now. It literally is! I've never thought I would say this, but this series really works to a wide range of audience! Shamelessly, me!

It started with the Dursleys (the usual), and Aunt Marge (Uncle Vernon's sister) was being introduced and she is seriously quite a character. She is definitely ten times worst than the three living with Harry. I remember watching an English movie titled "Melody (1971)" and how ill-treated the adults treated the minors, this is totally a resemblance of the such character that Aunt Marge portrays. She just got on my nerves and to them, discipline is a must! Right now, with that kind of discipline, I'll consider it illegal... but let's not dwell into that.

An interesting take on how Harry was being brought to Diagon Alley with a mini adventure. Pieces of plots were told which sparks up your curiosity. What was even more interesting was during the train ride to Hogwarts. We are being introduced with the antagonist alongside withe the prison guards creatures called the Dementors. Yep, not telling anything more, many has read the series, let's not be long winded. It's a review!

We have a new Dark Arts teacher named Remus Lupin, and it was one heck of a class whilst one is reading it. The class has taken to a whole new level of academia in the school. Here now, Hermione was taking tons of class and no one seems to understand how she was able to cope with the crazy timetable. The emphasis on Scabbers & Crookshanks played a larger part in this series with underlying plot. Nope, not going into that either!

Quidditch. It has 3 games overall, which got me really excited. We are being introduced to Ravenclaw's seeker, Cho Chang. She was described as pretty and I can sense that Harry took a little interest in her which made sense since they are both in the same sports, something in common would make them spark a little more, I suppose.

There was a major plot twist towards the end of the book and it ended very very well. This book has taken the Harry Potter series to a whole new level of the reading experience. I must say, this is really one heck of a ride.

The characters are growing, plots are getting stronger, many truths unveiled and more to come for the next book. I think I would want to dive in to it soon.

Ratings: 4.5 stars out of 5 stars

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A Series of Unfortunate Events 13 - The End by Lemony Snicket

It's the very end of the series. Honestly, I felt a little let down when I know that was how the whole series ended. There were so many things left hanging which made me kinda bump out knowing that I have invested so much time reading the whole series. However, I did like the pacing of the book. The plot was much more interesting than the last few books. It wasn't as draggy and it didn't feel that you're approaching the very end of the series.

Many thinks, as a reader, were left unexplained. I kinda sense it from the how the way the author was approaching the end. True, in reality, many things happened were left unexplained but this is a middle grade book and the target audience are the kids. Shouldn't the story line brightens up a little hint on how all the unfortunate events happened for a reason?

Was I happy that I have finished the series?
Yes.

Was I happy with the writing style?
I'm okay except for the rambling.

Was I happy with the ending?
Nope.

Was I happy with the plot?
Honestly, it was really interesting.

Lastly, what shocks me was when Lemony Snicket recites a poem by Charles Baudelaire. Now, this is the kind of shocked factor I would like from reading a book. It doesn't make much sense but then it has some contributing element into the plot.

Overall, this is only my own opinion and no one else's. You might like it or you might love it or you might hate it.

Ratings: 3 out of 5 stars

Goodreads Review Link

A Series of Unfortunate Events 12 - The Penultimate Peril by Lemony Snicket

Now, I finally felt the series is heading some where. There's a twist with something that the Baudelaire did which I'm liking it. I guess the explanation of phrases and words are a little bit of a stretched towards the adult readers. 

Although, it is still a good platform for the younger ones to read with a ton of new jargon to learn from but then again, I have realized that there is a repetitive trend in certain chapters of the book. It really bump me out while I'm reading. In lieu with that, I've been skimming through the series practically from Book 8 or 9 on wards.

I really do not know whether I will get myself blown away by the end of the whole series. Seriously, the author himself has already preempt us from the very beginning. So, I would be expecting something not as solid as what it should turn out to be. The ending, I mean.

C'est La Vie!

Ratings: 3.5 out of 5 stars

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A Series of Unfortunate Events 11 -The Grim Grotto by Lemony Snicket

This would be my least favorite book of all in the series. It progresses with a lot of ramblings instead of focusing on the main plot. I know I did not enjoy this one as much as the others, however towards the end, there was a slight twist in which I kinda bump my ratings up just for that. Yes, my initial rating was suppose to be 2 stars. I did not hate this book per se but it kinda drags on for me.

No offense to many readers who enjoys this series, but I find this book has too much rambling going on, especially on the water cycle and others. I get that this book is aiming towards the middle graders or the younger ones but the metaphor description is just a tad bit too much for me, considering this is the 11th book in the series.

I sense that this series is the near the end, and I find that the author is taking his time to end the series with a slight struggle to drag on. I might be wrong but I think that's how I felt while I was reading it. Lastly, I think it is still a good book for kids who enjoys some good mysteries fun with new characters.

Ratings: 3 out of 5 stars

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The Mistborn Series 05 - Shadows Of Self by Brandon Sanderson

And... we're back into the world of Wax and Wayne. I'm just gonna dive into this without delay. So many characters building was laid out with care in this book. Took me quite awhile to finish this but then again this is what Brandon does best, a generous well-thought character and world building in an Epic Fantasy genre per se.

I was skeptical that the second installment of the Mistborn series would be as good as the first. Boy, I was wrong. Some of the honorable characters from the first trilogy came back as a living proof to the current skeptical minds of these generation of Steam Punked-ness Allomancy, Feruchemy and Hermalurgist! Some of these great characters during the time of the Final Empire pops up with great shocking moments.

What's even worse was how much Wax has to unveil the ugliest truth in this series, and it is so strong of him for not being able to crack (emotionally) when he is dealing something so supernatural that he might not be able to comprehend the magnitude of the real truth of what this "God" has in planned for them in this particular world.

Honestly, I'm restricted in so many ways to review this book because I'm trying so hard not to spoil anything from the original series and this one as well. So much has happened, and so much to love. And I can't wait for the upcoming release, "The Bands Of Mourning".

Ratings: 4 out of 5 Stars

Goodreads Review Link

The Book Thief by Markus Zusack

 
Yep, this book tore me apart. The fact that this book ended so well, I was beginning to think whether I'm able to do this book justice by reviewing my thoughts.

So, I would just put in my favourite quotes and further explained my thoughts from there, here goes:

Quote 1
"He was constantly whistling a tune called the Radetzky March, and all the kids in town would call out to him and duplicate that tune."

The life in Himmelstrasse Molching (Heaven Street), Germany was described with bursting colours, life goes even during times of oppression. Kids are seen here were mischievously rascal to many of the folks in this street. How beautifully it has been described as the story progresses...

Quote 2
"Papa looked up. “Mistakes? I’ve made many mistakes in my life, but not joining the Nazi Party isn’t one of them."

A very powerful statement from a fellow German himself. Many of the bad eggs has joined this so-called party in view of Hitler's vision. However, Hans Hubermann here proves to be a veteran in the army, whom he has served during World War I and never once agree that Jews are any different from the rest.

Quote 3
"The word communist + a large bonfire + a collection of dead letters + the suffering of her mother + the death of her brother = the Führer"

An equation was formed by Liesel Meminger during her Nazi Youth parade gathering. As the session further develops, the creation of this equation sums up her tragic life story in which she cannot control her hatred towards Hitler. This was where the truth sets on Liesel. I can't help but to feel the sorrow in her eyes with the crowd chanting endlessly.

Quote 4
"He was not well-educated or political, but if nothing else, he was a man who appreciated fairness. A Jew had once saved his life and he couldn’t forget that. He couldn’t join a party that antagonized people in such a way."

In reference to Quote 2, Papa Hans Hubermann was a good man. A very good man indeed that I have bonded with this character ever since Liesel Meminger stepped foot in his house. He is a character that carries that fatherly warmth and loving care and as a human being, his personality was written so beautifully.

Quote 5
A SMALL EXCERPT FROM THE WHISTLER (a made up book)
"She lay there, frightened, in a pool of blood, a strange tune singing in her ear. She recalled the knife, in and out, and a smile. As always, the whistler had smiled as he ran away, into a dark and murderous night."

There were so many good things happened through out the course of the book and while Liesel read this excerpt, this mental image of cold blooded murder just robbed away so many good things that has happened in her life. As in during this war period, many of the good things has been robbed away by just a WORD vision. Was Markus asking his readers to get ready for the ugly?

Quote 6
"What? Is there a monster down there?" Papa asked

Max, the Jew has been placed in their basement to seek refuge. Whilst Papa ask Liesel to stick back to her routine by reading the book, she was afraid and when Papa asked this question in which made me, as the reader, smile, everything was restored by the mere fact Quote 5 literally stomped me by a down hill surprised.

Quote 7
"The Jew stood before him, expecting another handful of derision, but he watched with everyone else as Hans Hubermann held his hand out and presented a piece of bread, like magic. When it changed hands, the Jew slid down. He fell to his knees and held Papa’s shins. He buried his face between them and thanked him."

From a reader's POV, a German who is also suffering from the events of World War II, this scene makes it even more gut wrenching-ly heartbreaking. I've teared. Simple act of kindness goes a long way regardless of race and religion. So beautiful!

Ratings: 5 out of 5 stars

Goodreads Review Link

Little Jakey 01 - Book 01 - Little Jakey's House by Richard Edgley (Illustrations: Kalpart)

**I was given this book with an honest review.**
 
It has been years that I've picked up a children's book to read. I do not remember myself reading any children's book for the past 10 years. I dare say this because I've volunteered in teaching English to the under privilege kids who doesn't have the opportunity by exposing themselves with the English language. Hence, I've read quite a bunch back then.

Alright, back to reviewing this book. This book is fun! It is easy to read, simple to understand, no hidden stories behind (unless it's in the second book). I like Little Jakey and his adventure in searching for his new house and home. There are some big words, which I think it's a good learning curve in which I assume the audience is maybe around the age of 7 to 8 which is during their first few years of elementary.

The art is vibrant and catches my attention on how adorable Little Jakey, the great panther can be. Many of the illustrations depicts the forest with great depths and how easy it is to distinguish trees and bushes. Might I say, the art on the river fall seems beautiful! This add to a great bed time story for the little ones too! 

About the Author:
Richard Edgley grew up in United Kingdom on the outskirts of Chester. He has lived all over the world, working and travelling. This is the first book of a series.

Book Details
Genre: Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Big Cats
Author: Richard Edgley
Format: Paperback, 28 pages
Publisher: Strategic Book Publishing & Rights Agency (SBPRA)
Pub date: August 2014

Ratings: 5 out of 5 stars

Goodreads Review Link