From Books to Movies Part 2

 Title: The Star Wars Trilogy
                                       
                                              Star Wars

                                              The Empire Strikes Back

                                              Return of the Jedi
                                    # of Pages: 471
                                    Author: George Lucas
                                    Previous Work: (Books Only)

                                    George Lucas: Interviews

                                    Author: Donald F. Glut
                                    Previous Work: (Fiction Only)

                                    Frankenstein Lives Again

                                    Frankenstein Meets Dracula

                                    Bones of Frankenstein

                                    Author: James Kahn
                                    Previous Work: 
                                        
                                    World Enough, and Time

                                    Time's Dark Laughter

                                     Poltergeist

                                     Summary: A long time ago in a galaxy far far away... Luke 
                                     Skywalker worked on his uncle's farm on a remote planet 
                                     called Tatooine, repairing secondhand machinery and stunt-
                                     flying his battered skyhopper... and he was bored beyond 
                                     belief. He dreamed of adventures out among the stars-
                                     adventures that would take him to distant, alien worlds. But 
                                     when Luke intercepted a cryptic message from a beautiful 
                                     captive, he got more than he bargained for- and that was how
                                     it all began...

                                     Rating: This is a 5.
                                     Awards: There are no awards for the books but the 
                                     movies received so many awards, I won't even bother trying
                                     to list them.

                                     Opinion: Full disclosure: I got the summary from the back
                                     of the book. I was really worried about giving too much away. 
                                     Okay, moving on. I really loved the books. The plot felt fuller 
                                     because the characters' feelings were revealed. And the large 
                                     vocabulary and detailed descriptions were definitely a plus 
                                     (not that the movies needed those)That being said, a lack of 
                                      continuity in the books drove me slowly insane. In the first 
                                      book Artoo was described as having thick clawed legs. Yet in
                                      the next two, he's described as looking exactly like the 
                                      movies. Also, Yoda's skin changes from blue to green. Little 
                                      issues like that bothered me, but they might not bother you.

                                       Better than the Movie?: It really depends on what you're 
                                       looking for. I personally had a hard time following the 
                                       action scenes in the book (especially fights between ships)
                                       without being able to see it. On the other hand, I really
                                       enjoyed the character development, vocabulary, and the 
                                       ability to stop it part way through. I think any true Star 
                                       Wars fan should read the book, just to see where it all 
                                       started.

                                        Movie Preview:



                               

From Books to Movies Part 1

 Title: The Princess Bride
                                  # of Pages: 464
                                 Author: William Goldman
                                 Previous Work ( Only the highlights, not including scripts):

                                 The Temple of Gold

                                  Soldier in the Rain

                                  No Way to Treat a Lady

                                  The Season: A Candid Look at Broadway


                                  Summary: William Golman has taken S. Morgenstern's
                                  classic tale of love and adventure and made it accessible to
                                  modern readers. The story is as follows.  When Buttercup's
                                  beloved Westley is killed by the Dread Pirate Roberts she vows
                                  never to love again. She becomes engaged to Prince
                                  Humperdink (whom she doesn't love) because it will be
                                  mutually beneficial. Unfortunately, before she can be married
                                  to him, she is kidnapped- not once but twice. Can Buttercup
                                  stay true to her heart or will she fall for the very man who killed
                                  her one true love?

                                  Rating: I'm honestly torn on my rating and I'll explain why in
                                  the opinion.
                                  Awards: There are no awards for the book, but the movie
                                  received The Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation

                                  Opinion: I'm going to save you a lot of trouble and tell you to
                                  take this book with a bucket of salt- not a  grain, a bucket.
                                  There is no S. Morgenstern, nor an extended version of the book
                                  you can find. Mr. Goldman does not have a son or a horribly
                                  selfish ex-wife. Lastly there is no reunion scene (although if
                                  you ask for it you get a hilarious email) and there isn't and
                                  never will be, a full version of Buttercup's Baby. You will
                                  understand all of what I just said if you read the book. The book
                                  had a really good, interesting plot, but in itself was just a satire
                                  of the author's views. It was funny but frustrating, and left me
                                  torn as to whether I should be awed by the genius of it or
                                  furious at its duplicity. (If you had issues with any of the vocab
                                  in this paragraph you may not want to read the book. It is filled
                                  with ten-dollar words.)

                                  Better than the Movie?: Absolutely not. The movie was
                                  hilarious and quotable and amazingly cheesy. The acting was
                                  great and you got sucked into the story. While the book
                                  certainly has its merits, there is a reason why the movie-and
                                  not the book- was an insta-classic.

                                 Movie Preview:

Save Yourself. Save the World.

 Title: Paradox
                                      # of Pages: 240
                                     Author: A.J. Paquette
                                     Previous Work:

                                    Nowhere Girl

                                    Rules for Ghosting
    
                                    Summary: Ana wakes up in a ship with no idea of who she is
                                    or why she is there. Her only clue is a set of instructions
                                    saying she has surgical retrograde amnesia, and her task is to
                                    observe and survive. Ana is confused as to the purpose of
                                    sending someone with amnesia into space, but she sets off
                                    with three other teens anyway. What she finds will shock her.

                                    Rating: This book is a 3. I loved the story, hated the ending.
                                    Awards:
                                    
                                    2013 Cybils YA Speculative Fiction Nominee

                                    Opinion: The story was good, but it was the arrangement
                                    that was interesting. The story was told in the third person,
                                    but you knew all of Ana's thoughts. She also receives
                                    snippets of memories that aren't hers. In addition to those
                                    quirks, the book included newspaper excerpts and three
                                    appendices. These aspects really moved the story along,
                                    giving background as to how Ana came to be on the planet.
                                    The plot was fast paced and amazing, but then it ended. The
                                    story didn't seem over, and there will be no sequel. It felt like a
                                    cop-out in what was an otherwise amazing book.

Magnificent Monsters

 Title: The Foundling's Tale/ Monster Blood Tattoo Series

                                                  Foundling

                                                  Lamplighter

                                                  Factotum

                                      Author/Illustrator: D.M. Cornish
                                      Previous Work: None

                                      Summary: Rossamünd is an orphan boy with a girl's name and 
                                      some unusual quirks. He lives in the Half Continent where 
                                      everymen and untermen (humans and monsters) live locked in 
                                      constant battle. The monsters kill humans and the humans, in 
                                      turn, kill the monsters and make a tattoo from their blood called a 
                                     cruorpuxnis. As Rossamünd goes on a journey to start his new life,
                                      he begins to suspect not all monsters are evil. But to think such a
                                      thing is a great crime, and could put Rossamünd's very life in
                                      danger.

                                     Rating: A 4.5 because the series feels unfinished.
                                    Awards:
                                    (For Foundling)
  
                                    2007 Aurealis Award Winner

                                    (For Lamplighter)

                                    2009 Aurealis Award Nominee

                                    2009 Locus Awards Top 15

                                    2009 Andre Norton Award Finalist

                                    (For Factotum)
                                    2011 Locus Awards Top 15

                                    Opinion: These books were interesting because I didn't feel like I 
                                    was reading about a made up world or fake people. The author has 
                                    a way of transporting people there, as if he lives there and wants to 
                                    tell you about it. I understood the struggles of the people, and 
                                    while it was a fantastical world, it didn't seem so perfect it couldn't
                                    be real. He even included a glossary and gorgeous illustrations (as
                                    shown below) to increase the reality of the land. However, the 
                                    author did one thing that really annoyed me. You would get 
                                    attached to characters and then they would just disappear. 
                                    Rossamünd would get a letter from them once in a while and 
                                    wonder about them constantly. My favorite character, Threnody, 
                                    was a victim of this method. She appeared in the second book then
                                    disappeared except for one letter in the third book. The author
                                    ended the series making a character disappear; the finale was                   
                                    very unsatisfying. Other than that issue, the books were great.

From Left to Right- Europe the Branden Rose, Rossamünd, and Threnody

Pandora's Box

 Title: Doomed
                                     # of Pages: 472
                                     Author: Tracy Deebs
                                     Previous Work: 
                                                    
                                                      Tempest Series

                                                      The International Kissing Club
                                                      (As Ivy Adams with Shellee Roberts and Emily
                                                      McKay)

                                     Summary: With a mom in Alaska and a dad who's been
                                     absent most of her life, Pandora is craving birthday wishes.
                                     So when she finds an attachment with pictures and birthday
                                     wishes from her dad, of course she opens it. This unleashes
                                     a computer virus on the world, which can only be solved by
                                     playing a virtual reality game made by Pandora's dad. Is he
                                     a genius or a maniac? Pandora needs to find out.

                                     Rating: This is a 3.
                                     Awards: 
                                     YALSA
                                     Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Readers Nominee, 2014

                                    Opinion: This book was nerve-racking, romantic, and
                                    really good.  I didn't like that Pandora
                                    didn't carry her own weight. She keeps telling Eli and Theo
                                    that she can take care of herself, but she really can't. I also
                                    disliked a heavy environmentalist message and way too
                                    many characters from Greek Mythology. The author really
                                    needs to get her own monsters. If it weren't for those facts,
                                    this would be an exceptional book.

Love and Loss Part 2

 Title: Legend Trilogy-
                                            Legend
                                            Prodigy
                                            Champion
                                   Author: Marie Lu
                                   Previous Work: She has not written any other books.

                                   Summary: The United States has been split into two countries,
                                   the Republic and the Colonies. June is born into privilege and
                                   Day is a legendary criminal. When they fall in love, can they
                                   work together to save each other- and the Republic?
                                 
                                   Rating: This is a 5.
                                   Awards: (For Legend)

                                   New York Times Best Seller

                                   (For Prodigy)
                               
                                   Goodreads Choice Award Top 20

                                   (For Entire Series)

                                    Best Books of 2013 Kirkus Reveiw

                                    Opinion: This series was amazing. It holds your interest
                                    the entire time and has a wonderful bittersweet ending.
                                    You need to read this series!

I Spy a Lie Part 1 (Part 2 Will be Released at a Much Later Date)

 Title: Gallagher Girls Series:                                            
                                           
                                             I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You

                                             Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy

                                             Don't Judge a Girl By Her Cover

                                             Only the Good Spy Young

                                             Out of Sight, Out of Time

                                             United We Spy

                                        Author: Ally Carter
                                        Previous Work: This was her first series, But she also writes
                                        the Heist Society books.

                                        Summary: 
                                       "When you're a spy your life isn't defined by the lies you tell,
                                        but by the truths. A lie wouldn't change anything."
                                        This story is all about Cammie Morgan's life at the Gallagher
                                        Academy.What really happened to her father? Will she ever
                                        fall   in love? What will she do with her life when she
                                        graduates high school? And most importantly- Why is it so
                                        hard for a girl called "The Chameleon" to be normal?      

                                     
                                        Rating: I'd give this series a 4.5
                                        Awards: 
                                       (For I'd Tell You I Love You But Then I'd Have to Kill You)

                                        Texas Lone Star Reading List

                                        Georgia Peach Book Award Runner-up

                                        Kansas Notable Book

                                        Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Book Award

                                        Amelia Bloomer Book Award

                                        Maud Hart Lovelace Book Award

                                      (For Don't Judge a Girl By Her Cover)

                                        Romance Writers of America Rita Award Finalist, 2010

                                        Opinion: This series is very good. It is full of spying and
                                        romance, but most of all, friendship. Throughout the series,
                                        no matter what is going on Cammie's friends have her back.
                                        This series is amazing, but I can't tell you too much, or I'll
                                        give too much away.
                                     
                                                               

                                           

Shakespeare Shake-Up Part 2

 Title: Still Star-Crossed
                                     # of Pages: 352
                                     Author: Melinda Taub
                                     Previous Work: None.

                                     Summary: Still Star-Crossed picks up where Romeo and
                                     Juliet leaves off. The Montagues and Capulets have sworn to
                                     uphold peace, but riots still ring out in the streets. Prince
                                     Escalus decides to marry Benvolio (Romeo's best friend) to
                                     Rosaline (Juliet's cousin) to try to keep the peace. The two set
                                     off on a quest to avoid marrying each other and along the way
                                     realize the murders seem almost... planned. Can they finally
                                     bring about peace in fair Verona?
                                     Rating: 5
                                     Awards: Kirkus Starred Review

                                     Opinion: This book is not told in poetry, although the
                                     characters' dialogue was told in a Shakespearean style (thee,
                                     thou, anon, etc.). This is a great book for those who enjoy
                                     Shakespearean plots, but not the flowery poetry. As for my
                                     personal opinion? This book was amazing. The characters were
                                     multi-layered, and you felt like you were solving the murders
                                     with the protagonists. Once I picked up this book up, I couldn't
                                     put it down.

Shakespeare Shake-Up Part 1

 Title: William Shakespeare's Star Wars® - Verily, a New
                                     Hope
                                     # of Pages: 174
                                     Author: Ian Doescher
                                     Previous Work: None, but there will be sequels.

                                     Summary: I believe the book trailer for this work best
                                     describes the book, showing both the prose and a glimpse of
                                     what Star Wars® is about.
                                       Rating: I give this a 4.5.
                                     Awards: None

                                     Opinion: This book is only for those that like Star Wars® 
                                     and love Shakespeare. It is told entirely in prose as shown in
                                     the trailer. I like the insight into the characters that the
                                     movies can't necessarily show. R2-D2, especially, talks to the
                                     audience about his plans. He, of course, still talks in blips and
                                     bloops around other characters. The one bad thing is that if
                                     you don't play close attention, the action scenes are
                                     confusing.

Anniversary

In celebration of my blog being up and running for a year, I will do a review on a book about new beginnings. Thank you to all my viewers who have stuck by me this past year. I really appreciate it. Just a reminder, you can suggest books for me to read and review at any time!

 Title: The Fire Horse Girl
                                      # of Pages: 336
                                      Author: Kay Honeyman
                                      Previous Work: This is her first novel.

                                      Summary: Thought to be cursed, Jade Moon faces a lifetime
                                      of  boredom in China. The only man who will marry her is
                                      the bricklayer- who only talks about bricks. Then Sterling
                                      Promise, an adopted cousin comes along and convinces
                                      Jade Moon's father to take them all to America. Excited, she 
                                      goes with them to Ellis Island- only to be betrayed.

                                      Rating: A 5! I wish I could keep this book... But I can't.
                                      Awards: 
   
                                                  Booklist Starred Review

                                                  Parent's Choice Gold Award

                                      Opinion: This book is so multi-layered! If I were to call it a
                                      romance I would be right- and wrong. The same goes for
                                      calling it a new twist on a classic story or a historical
                                      fiction. I guess  if I had to define this book as one thing,
                                      it would be becoming more than what people say you
                                      are or even what you should be. People treated Jade Moon
                                      differently because of when she was born and she became
                                      what they expected her to be.
                                         

Lightning Girl

Title: 1-800/ Vanished:

           When Lightning Strikes      OR   Vanished
                                                                  Volume 1
           Code Name Cassandra
                                                                  Vanished
           Safe House                                     Volume 2

           Sanctuary        

           Missing You                                                                                                  

                                        Author: Meg Cabot

      Previous Work: 
                                         
                                          All-American Girl Series

                                          Allie Finkle Series

                                          Avalon High Series

                                          Princess Diaries Series

                                          And many, many more!

                                          Summary: What would you do if you got struck by
                                          lightning and woke up the next day able to locate missing
                                          people just by seeing their picture? What if the FBI wanted
                                          to use you for your powers? And a totally cute guy broke
                                          you out of their facility? Welcome to Jessica Mastriani's life.
                                          How does she want to use her new abilities? Does she even
                                          have a choice?

                                          Rating: I'd give it a 4.5 because there was a little too much
                                          swearing for my taste.

                                          Awards: 
                                                 Basis for television show Missing

                                          Opinion: This book series is laugh out loud hilarious! The
                                          characters seem realistic, even if the effect the lightning had
                                          on Jess was not. I love the tension between Jess and Rob,
                                          the fact that the "bad guys" weren't who you'd think they'd
                                          be. The rivalry at the school was kind of like a warped
                                          Montague vs Capulet kind of situation. I loved this series
                                          sooo much- especially the ending. Yes that's right! A
                                          conclusion that actually makes sense. I'd recommend these
                                          books to almost anyone.

Peak Precision

 Title: Peak
                                     # of Pages: 246
                                     Author: Roland Smith
                                     Previous Work:
                                                            
                                                      Cryptid Hunters series

                                                      Elephant Run

                                                      I.Q. series
                                                      
                                                      Jack's Run

                                                      Storm Runners series

                                                      And many more books!
        
                                     Summary: Peak is a just normal 14 year old guy who lives in
                                     New York. Unless most boys don't get caught tagging
                                     skyscrapers. And if the "punishment" for most isn't climbing
                                     Mt. Everest. Maybe Peak isn't so ordinary, after all...

                                     Rating: This book is a 3 to me.
                                     Awards:
                                      
                                     2007 Booklist Editor's Choice

                                     2007 Miami Herald's Best Kids Books
                                      
                                     2008 New York Public Library Books for the Teen Age List
                 
                                     2008 ALA Selected Audiobooks for Young Adults

                                     2008 ALA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers

                                     2008/2009 Texas Lone Star Reading List

                                     2009 Nevada Young Reader's Award

                                     National Outdoor Book Award

                                     25 nominations

                                     Opinion: Peak is a very relatable character. He cares about
                                      his twin sisters. He also has his flaws. (Unlike Sun-jo who
                                      I thought was too perfect). I personally didn't like the
                                      Bhuddist influence in the story, but I realize it is a crucial
                                      part of the beliefs of Everest climbers, and needed to be in
                                      the story. Altogether it was an interesting read; different
                                      than what I'm used to reading.

Christmas Miracle

 Title: The Legend of Holly Claus
                                     # of Pages: 544
                                     Author: Brittney Ryan
                                     Illustrator: Laurel Long
                                     Previous Work: 
                                     The author has been involved in many theatrical works.
                                     The illustrator has illustrated 7 other books, most of them
                                     under 40 pages.

                                     Summary: This story begins with a little boy asking Santa
                                     what has never before been asked. "What do you wish
                                     for Christmas, Santa?" Then Holly Claus is born.
                                     Unfortunately she has the purest heart ever existing and an
                                     evil Warlock hatches a plan to steal it for his own personal
                                     gain. A magical life and adventure follows.
                                     Rating: Definitely a 5.
                                     Awards: 
                                     Part of  "The Julie Andrews Collection"
                                     Opinion: This book may sound cheesy, but it is very
                                     eloquently written. The plot is unpredictable, the characters
                                     endearing. Plus the illustrations are so gorgeous and detailed
                                     you could stare at them for a half an hour and still not be
                                     satisfied. However I must warn fans of "Quicky books" this
                                     story is 522 pages (Not including "The Characters and Places
                                     of Forever") long. It is totally worth it, though; I've read this
                                     book 3 times, only one of those times being at Christmas. And
                                     it is still amazing! (The picture shown below is on the back of
                                     the book, with the bottom cut off.)

The Land of Immortals

                                   

                                     
                                     

Contest Book

I wasn't sure about reading this book, but I entered the contest for a free advanced copy, anyway. I figured if it wasn't good I could sell it. (It didn't come and I ended up getting a signed copy instead, but that's another story!- Thanks ThisIsTeen!) However, I only review "good" books on my blog so you know it worked out!

 Title: Endangered
                                      # of Pages: 272

                                     Author: Eliot Schrefer 

                                     Previous Work: 

                                                          2 novels for adults

                                                          

                                                          The Deadly Sister

                                                          

                                                          The School for Dangerous Girls

                                     Summary: Sophie has never quite understood her mother's

                                     passion for the Bonobo apes. However when she finds one

                                     (whom she names Otto) she decides to care for him.

                                     But when the Bonobo sanctuary is attacked Sophie and Otto

                                     must survive in a war torn country. 

                                     Rating: 4.5, because this book sometimes contradicts my

                                     beliefs, claiming speculation as a fact.

                                     Awards: 

                                     2012 National Book Award Finalist 

                                     for Young People's Literature

                                     2012 Cybils Nomination

                                     Opinion: This book was amazing. My favorite part is the 

                                     question Sophie grapples with most of the book. Is it really

                                     okay to save an animal when so many people are suffering?

                                      I thought this book would be "run, run, save the monkey!" 

                                      (When really Bonobos aren't even monkeys!) But I was 

                                      pleasantly surprised at the depth of the story. It was really
                                      good Don't be like me and write it off before you start it.
                                      You'll be missing out on a great story!