Review: Liesl & Po by Lauren Oliver

Liesl & Po by Lauren Oliver
Publication date: October 4, 2011
Published by: HarperCollins
Pages: 313 pages (paperback)



Summary via Goodreads:

Liesl lives in a tiny attic bedroom, locked away by her cruel stepmother. Her only friends are the shadows and the mice,until one night a ghost appears from the darkness. It is Po, who comes from the Other Side. Both Liesl and Po are lonely, but together they are less alone.

That same night, an alchemist's apprentice, Will, bungles an important delivery. He accidentally switches a box containing the most powerful magic in the world with one containing something decidedly less remarkable.

Will's mistake has tremendous consequences for Liesl and Po, and it draws the three of them together on an extraordinary journey.

I fell for Lauren Oliver after reading her dystopia novel, Delirium. After reading that book, she instantly became one of my favorite authors of all time. And so when I discovered she’s writing a middle-grade fantasy novel, I was beyond thrilled!

First of all, I like reading (selective) middle-grade novels. I love to read such books simply because they make me feel young and magical, and that’s exactly how I felt when I was reading Liesl & Po.

I had an amazing time reading Liesl & Po. I found the characters absolutely charming and entertaining. I thought Liesl was very interesting, I think she personified every kid we know. She’s very curious, brave but at the same time her vulnerability showed that she's still a young, innocent girl. I also find Will’s loyalty towards Liesl very charming as well as his special feelings toward Liesl. That's so cute! And then, there’s Po, the ghost. To be honest, he’s not exactly like Casper the Friendly Ghost, but that’s not to say he’s mean toward Liesl. He’s basically just unsure on being around human beings such as Liesl. I really enjoyed seeing his hesitant character transitioned to someone more affable throughout the story. And I may shed a tiny bit tear towards the end.

As I cover lover, I'd like to take note of the book cover. I honestly loved it! Perhaps one of my favorite covers! It certainly fit the concept of the story, if anything, it’ll give the readers hints on what’s coming for them once they started the book. Plus, it’s very eye-catching! I think kids (and kids at heart, like me) will definitely take notice of this once they enter their favorite bookstores. The illustrations inside are also wonderful!

However, I couldn’t help but take note as well a certain aspect of the book where in I found myself creasing my brows from confusion. This is written on third person point of view, omniscient point of view to be specific. I have to admit that I wasn’t really used to that kind of writing and so every time the point of view skip from Liesl to Will, or from Po to Liesl—I get little episodes of disorientation. It took me some time to get used to the changing of point of views.

But the overall take of this story was completely astonishing. I think Lauren Oliver captured that whimsical feeling we’d have when we were kids and we were creating our own special, magical world inside our heads. Furthermore, the emotions which Lauren Oliver conveyed throughout the book was very solid and I couldn’t help but feel emotionally connected with the characters.

I’m giving Liesl & Po 4 out of 5 stars and I highly recommend this to everyone!

The Perks of Being A Wallflower Movie

Okay, I normally don't recommend movies, unless you ask me. But this time, I just have this strong feeling that I have to.

So, I was finally able to watch The Perks of Being A Wallflower which was based on Stephen Chbosky book of the same name. I love the book, it's phenomenal. One of my all-time favorites. I usually get agitated when my favorite books gets adapted into a movie, so I don't usually raise my expectations. I’m not going to mention any movie name but The Hunger Games was just… well, I didn’t like it as much as I thought I would.

Anyway, when The Perks of Being A Wallflower movie came out, there was so much hype! There’s so much hype I got anxious and then I put off my plans of watching it altogether. First thing you should know about me: I’m allergic to hype. We’re not compatible at all. Unless of course they deserve it.

But this movie adaptation surprised me to the core. The movie was not what I expected at all. Yeah, you're probably thinking, "What are you talking about? You've already read the book, you know what's going to happen."

That's true. But there was something that ticked and tugged at me when I watched it as if it was my first time getting to know the story. I found myself laughing out loud, crying, and falling in love and getting my heartbroken and depressed and having the time of my life. In short, I was on a wild roller coaster of emotion. The exact same feeling I had the first time I read the book. Personally, I think it’s the actors. The way they portray the characters were amazing. That's how I saw them in my head when I was reading the book (and I don't mean in physical appearance wise). They did an amazing job and it was breath taking.

Also, I realized what exactly I’m looking for when my favorite book gets adapted into a movie. I want to feel as though I’m home. Like, even if you changed the decorations or alter the design of the living room, it would still feel like I’m home. The adaptation of this book felt just like that and they added some really good furniture, too.

I'm not going to gush that this movie is THE best because it's not. But see, that’s thing. It's so raw, almost personal, honest and heartfelt. It's about life and so much more. It's about those things people choose to overlook and doesn't want to talk about, you know? I guess this is why I love this movie, it made me feel more like a human and a proud one at that.

Watch this movie, yeah? Better yet, read the book first before watching the movie. It’s worth it.


P.S. The soundtrack was just as incredible as the movie itself.

Review: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling
Series: Harry Potter, #3
Publication date: September 8, 1999
Published by: Scholastic Inc.
Pages: 435 (Hardcover)



Summary via book jacket:

For twelve long years, the dread fortress of Azkaban held an infamous prisoner named Sirius Black. Convicted of killing thirteen people with a single curse, he was said to be the heir apparent to the Dark Lord, Voldemort.

Now he has escaped, leaving only two clues as to where he might be headed: Harry Potter's defeat of You-Know-Who was Black's downfall as well. And the Azkban guards heard Black muttering in his sleep, "He's at Hogwarts...he's at Hogwarts."

Harry Potter isn't safe, not even within the walls of his magical school, surrounded by his friends. Because on top of it all, there may well be a traitor in their midst.

The first time I read this, few years ago, I was completely blown away and the effect was still the same, if anything I was much more amazed. This is definitely one of my all-time favorite Harry Potter books.

I guess the reason is because I got to know Harry in a (little) more personal level. As far as I could remember, I’ve always been intrigued by his parents’ history at Hogwarts. I secretly wished that (hopefully) JK Rowling would give us even just a short story or novella focusing on Lily and James’ as well as the Marauders’ time at Hogwarts because....duh, they’re simply amazing!

Anyway, moving on to the book, I was very happy to reminisce the part where Ron and Hermione were constantly arguing about their pets—Scabbers and Crookshanks, respectively. I had an amazing time laughing out loud on those parts! Apart from that, new characters were introduced into this installment such as Remus Lupin and Sirius Black, they’re like one of my all-time favorite literary characters and I could swear, after re-reading this book, I might’ve developed a crush on Sirius. Ha!

The history of Whomping Willow was absolutely incredible! This is why I genuinely worship JK Rowling, her books (all of her seven books which were written separately and in certain periods of time) are connected and she managed to explain certain and important parts of the novel astonishingly. Even when I think about it right now, it’d still give me goosebumps (in a very good way). Another thing I really, really, really love was the Time Turner. I suppose it shouldn’t surprise me that there’s a time-travelling concept in this story considering this is a fantasy novel. I guess it’s the way JK Rowling successfully and effectively blended the concept into her story. Amazing.

Overall, I’m absolutely inlove with this one, positively one of the best Harry Potter books. I’m giving this 5 out of 5 stars and I’d love to recommend this to those who loved the first two books and are craving for more and also to those people who still hasn’t read this epicsauce of a series.

End of the World Book Blast Giveaway: The Stone Guardian by Theresa McClinton

Hello, everyone! I've been busy the past couple of days, thus, the lack of updates and posts. But today, I'm back with a very exciting news: Today's the start of the End of the World Book Blast! All of my readers will get a chance to win two $50 Visa Gift Cards and en ebook of The Stone Guardian by Theresa McClinton. Check out the blurb (it sounds very promising), the trailer and don't forget to join the giveaway!

The Stone Guardian by Theresa McClinton

When myth becomes reality, reality becomes a nightmare.

Like any other teenager in America, Ashley just wants a normal life. But growing up in an orphanage for the insane is anything but normal. After endless therapy and increasing medication, her nightmares have only gotten worse.

Probably because they’re not nightmares.

When Ashley’s mysteriously abducted, she finds a reality even less normal than the orphanage. And she discovers something else—she’s no ordinary orphan. Faced with enemies thought to only exist in fairy tales, Ashley discovers she possesses a powerful Maya bloodline. She’s the daughter of an ancient Maya Guardian, whose duty is to protect the Stone of Muuk’ich, an enchanted relic blessed by the gods. But first she must get it back from Sarian, a power-hungry demigod who slaughtered the last guardian—Ashley’s mother. Without the stone, all will be lost.

When she meets Arwan, a hot Belizean time bender, his delicious olive skin and dark eyes make her feel a little less alone. But his gentle whispers and reassuring touch might not be all they seem. How can she balance love and duty when it’s up to her to prevent the rising of the underworld? Especially when the guy she loves might be its crown prince…

About the Author:

A long time enthusiast of things that go bump in the night, Theresa started her writing career as a journalism intern—possibly the least creative writing field out there. After her first semester at a local newspaper, she washed her hands of press releases and features articles to delve into the whimsical world of young adult paranormal romance.

Since then, Theresa has gotten married, had three terrific kids, moved to central Ohio, and was repeatedly guilt tripped into adopting a menagerie of animals that are now members of the family. But don’t be fooled by her domesticated appearance. Her greatest love is travel. Having stepped foot on the soil of over a dozen countries, traveled to sixteen U.S. states—including an extended seven-year stay in Kodiak, Alaska—she is anything but settled down. But wherever life brings her, she will continue to weave tales of adventure and love with the hope her stories will bring joy and inspiration to her readers.

CLICK HERE TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY

Good luck to everyone!

Ambril's Tale Blog Tour: Author Interview with Wendy Walter

Hello, everyone! I have the pleasure to be part of Wendy Walter's Blog Tour! Today, I have author Wendy Walter herself to talk about her debut novel, Ambril's Tale: Return of the Dulliath. Read on and stick around to win some awesome prizes!

Without further ado, here's my interview with Wendy!

Describe Ambril's Tale in five words.

A funny, adventurous, heartwarming, fantasy mystery!

Where did you get the inspiration in writing Ambril's Tale?

When I moved from bright, smiley California to the snowy hills of Utah at the age of ten, I didn’t fit in right away, and felt like an alien for the longest time. The move forced me to see how different and yet the same we all are. I’ve thought about it ever since. When it began to annoy me, a few years back, I decided to sit down and see if Ambril could help me with them.

What was the hardest part of writing your book?

When I discovered that writing a big-world story is not something they teach you in English. It’s something you must develop on your own. For the longest time I simply groped around, lost in the wilderness. Luckily I stumbled upon my writer’s voice before losing all hope. Then my characters came to life and began helping me with my scenes. And finally, I figured out how to lay a trail of breadcrumbs, and plotted my way to the end. Phew! 

What books have most influenced your life most? 

Emma, Jane Austen 

Dark Lord of Derkholm, Dianna Wynne Jones

A Wrinkle in Time, Madeleine L’Engle

The Prisoner of Azkaban, JK Rowling

Did you learn anything from writing Ambril's Tale and what was it?

I learned how tough it was to stare down your flaws at eight in the morning.

Every character and event in my book has bits and pieces of me in it, including my flaws. They are impossible to avoid when you are writing a scene. You have to get down in the muck with them and wrestle. Sometimes it’s very painful, but in the end, I believe, struggling with them has made me a better person. Though I have learned not to look them in the eye early in the morning!

Can you tell a little about yourself?

I love to make stuff up. I decided to study architecture in school because of this, but found that architecture was really about making stuff work in too little time, and with too little money. When the practicalities of interior architecture got me down, I went shopping for a new career. I tried on a lot of things, such as art teaching and web design. All the while, I wrote.

When nothing seemed to quite fit, I decided to take a run at writing a fantasy world, rather than designing and drawing in this one. I still love to draw and design, but the thing that defines me are my industrial strength day dreams. When I finally figured out how to craft Ambril’s world with them, I cheered. At long last, I had found something which lets me make stuff up, non-stop. I’m in heaven!

Giveaway Info

At each blog stop on her tour, Wendy is giving away a prize, a copy of one of her books (paperback or e-book). You can also enter her 12-12-12 Grand Prize Giveaway of a sterling silver pendant of the Tree of Life, and an End-of-Tour Grand Prize Giveaway of a hand-painted gnome, hand-painted by Wendy herself! There will also be some surprise giveaways along the way! Stay tuned!

1) To win a book: leave a comment on this blog post about what you like about fantasy mysteries to be entered to win a copy of Ambril's Tale: The Return of the Dullaith in paperback or e-book format. Be sure to leave your email address in the comments so we can contact you if you’re the lucky winner. This giveaway ends five days after the post goes live.

2) To win one of the Grand Prizes: Click the link to go to Wendy's website and enter the Rafflecopter at the bottom of the page. A winner will be selected on Dec. 12th for the 12-12-12 for the sterling silver pendant of the Tree of Life. Here's Wendy's site: http://wendydwalter.com/blog-tour/.

What are you guys waiting for? Enter the giveaway and don't forget to visit other stops of this awesome blog tour!

About The Author: Wendy D. Walter

Writing was an early passion for Wendy. As a kid, she wrote lots of stories, but being shy, they usually ended up under the mattress. When she finally set out to tell Ambril’s Tale, she decided not to write a story but a world, full with her own marvelous illustrations. She considers The Return of the Dullaith as just the curly tip of the fairy boot. Wendy lives near San Francisco with her husband, daughters, cat and border collie. More information about Wendy's book and art, check her site: http://wendydwalter.com.