I left a mini-review for the blog tour of The Mountains Bow Down on my other blog here! Check it out, and look forward to a full review soon!

The meaning of love and why I am a writer

WARNING: This is a very rant-filled journal. I will try and control my temper to the extent that I will refrain from cussing, but since I tend to cuss when I'm angry, I will make no promises.


The word "love" can take on two meanings. One is how I feel about my best friend, I love her very much. However, I'm not in love with her. That definition of the word love refers to caring for someone and considering them a friend while caring about their well being.

The other definition is if you are in love with someone, such as a boyfriend, fiance, husband, etc. I am not in love with anyone currently. I thought I was: twice. The first time the guy was a douche and didn't tell me he had been in jail before, still had feelings for a past girlfriend (who later got him thrown back in jail, I might add...), etc. I look back now and can tell I was most definitely NOT in love with him. I just thought I was. I still care about him, although I'm not sure I would go so far as calling it love. I don't even talk to him. I just comment on his FB statuses occasionally, if that even counts. The other time, well let's just say I still don't know if I was/am still in love with him. I'm not sure I ever was; I very easily get confused with emotions. That's what happens when you are an emotional person: you have so many emotions that multiple ones get  mixed up. Yes, I still care about him. That won't ever change. But I just don't know if I was ever in love with him.

Apparently telling people that you thought you were in love with them, after you've broken up is a bad idea. Excuse me if I thought being honest was worth it! I admit: I am the Queen of Drama. No one can freak out worse than I can. But seriously?? Guilt-tripping me the way you did? I'm pretty sure that crossed a line. When my best friend (who chooses to not take sides) admits that it was uncalled for, I think you ought to take a step back and realize how much that would have hurt you if the roles were reversed. I did not mean to hurt you.

Am I mad? Heck yes I'm mad!!! I try to be honest and fix things so there is no misunderstandings and I end up feeling even more guilty. I don't think that's fair to me anymore. I've had my share of the pain just as much as you have.

"I'm a writer; it's what I do."

This is what I mean. I cannot get through life without writing out my feelings. If you have a problem with that, then you're following the wrong blogger.

Review - Mockingjay

NOTE: If you have not read any of the trilogy, DO NOT CONTINUE. There will be spoilers!

This is the synopsis from Amazon:

Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has survived the Hunger Games twice. But now that she's made it out of the bloody arena alive, she's still not safe. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge. Who do they think should pay for the unrest? Katniss. And what's worse, President Snow has made it clear that no one else is safe either. Not Katniss's family, not her friends, not the people of District 12. Powerful and haunting, this thrilling final installment of Suzanne Collins's groundbreaking The Hunger Games trilogy promises to be one of the most talked about books of the year.

My review: 3.5 stars

Plot: With as much as I liked the first two books, I was very disappointed with this one. It was a very slow start, and made me wonder where on earth the book was going. The ending just stopped; there wasn't much closure.

Characters: Katniss is VERY annoying in this book. She is constantly whiny! Also, the way Collins developed Peeta's character made me MAD! I seriously considered not finishing the book. And she killed off to many characters throughout the ending, ones that should not have been killed.

Setting: I liked that Katniss finally got out and saw the war from other districts' eyes. It really made her cause more believable.

Overall: As I said before, I was very disappointed with the ending of the trilogy. I was hoping for more closure, rather than the passive ending there was.

The Hunger Games movie

 

Now that I have finished Mockingjay (review coming soon) I am going to weigh in on my casting choices for the movie. Yes, if you haven't heard (I don't know how you couldn't know...) there are plans to make a movie adaptation of the famous book series. While the book had a lot of hype, it is actually a pretty good series. I'm hopeful for the movie... but I really hope they choose good actors and really stick to the book, otherwise there are going to be a lot of unhappy book lovers. If you haven't read the books and plan to, don't continue reading! There will be some spoilers!

Many people have been giving their opinions for their casting choices, and I have decided to join in. Feel free to post your own choices, or disagree with mine. I don't think everyone is going to be completely happy with the final cast anyway :P

Katniss: My image of Katniss is a quiet but feisty girl. My first choice would be Alexandra Daddario. While she is a little older than I pictured, I feel she can play both sides of her personality well. My second choice is one a lot of people are considering: Emily Browning. She has the youngness of Katniss that I pictured. However, I'm not sure how strong her fighting style would be.

The other big issue with Katniss is the age of her vs. Peeta and Gale's ages. She kisses both of them, but Gale is two years older than her. The movie makers will have to make sure the age gaps aren't too awkward for the actors.

Next is Peeta. Honestly... I have no idea who I pictured for Peeta, but it was NOT Alex Pettyfer. I'm sorry to all of his fans, but he is way too old for Peeta's role. And too toned. (Not that his abs aren't nice...) After checking out some other websites and their choices... I've found two that could be okay: Hunter Parrish and Sterling Knight. I honestly don't know who Hunter Parrish is, but he looks like he could play the role wall. Sterling has played the sweet boy before and could easily play it again. My concerns: Hunter Parrish is not well-known. I just looked at his IMDB page and apparently he played in 17 Again and RV... but I don't recognize him. I'm not sure how many fans would appreciate that. For Sterling, I hope he can balance both Peeta's sweet side from the first two books, and his evil side in the third one.

And next of course, is Gale. I have only one choice for him, and no one will change my mind, plain and simple. Gale should be played by Ben Barnes! I mean seriously, he would be perfect. He can play the quiet, romantic and older boy PERFECTLY. And he has the looks to go along with it ;) *sigh* So handsome... Ahem. Where was I?


Next is Haymitch. I hadn't given much thought into his casting until I started viewing others' choices. I think a few options would be good for him. Hugh Laurie would be pretty great as him for starters. He already plays the annoying but lovable drunk on House, and he's fairly well known. My other choice is Johnny Depp. He would be good as well, but my concerns for him are that he is so closely associated with PoTC that no one would be able to see him as Haymitch.

As for Cinna, I also only have one choice. And that is simply because I hadn't given Cinna much thought until one lovely blog casted HUGH DANCY as their Cinna choice! And while I might be mildly biased... I do agree he would make a great Cinna. He could be funny, but creative and kind as well. Oh man, this movie is gonna have me swooning.... Anyway, back to reality. Heh...

I don't really have any other choices... Although I do agree with people that Elle Fanning would make a good Prim. I just hope that they keep Rue and the dark-skinned girl she's described as!

So there you have it. Thoughts? Ones you agree with? Disagree with? Please let me know your choices as well!

Review - Star Wars #4 (Savior)

This is the synopsis from Amazon:

Twenty-five years ago the survivors of the marooned Sith ship Omen bloodlessly conquered the native population of the remote planet Kesh, installing themselves as overlords and transforming the primitive Keshiri civilization into a new Sith society. Letting nothing stand in his way—including his own brother’s life—Omen commander-turned-Grand Lord Yaru Korsin has ruled unopposed ever since. But now his days, and those of the ruthless Sith order on Kesh, may be numbered.Revolt—and revenge—have been brewing in the hearts of the two women closest to Korsin. One is Adari Vaal, the once-outcast Keshiri who rescued the stranded Sith, aided their domination of Kesh, and now leads the secret resistance against them. The other is Seelah, wife of Korsin, widow of his murdered brother, and mastermind of the plot to assassinate the Grand Lord and seize power. But have the comforts of a king and his own arrogance blunted Korsin’s cunning Sith instincts? Or is he ready to deal swiftly and mercilessly with treachery from any quarter? Enemies themselves, Adari and Seelah are unaware of each other’s destiny-altering gambits. They only know that there can be no turning back—and no escaping the consequences if they fail.

My review: 4 stars

Plot: This is the only book so far where I felt like the story was getting good. Two people plot against the main character, and it's the two people he trusts most. The ending is well-written as well.

Characters: Two new characters are introduced, but they are only small roles and are mainly seen in the last part of the book.

Setting: No change from the last book.

Overall: This book finally starts to piece the series together and make it worthwhile reading.

 Yes, you are reading that right :) Click the image to check it out!

Review - Star Wars #3 (Paragon)

This is the synopsis from Amazon:

Don't miss Star Wars: Lost Tribe of The Sith: Paragon a FREE original e-book short story, the third in a series that reveals the untold story of the Fate of the Jedi's forgotten Sith castaways, their battle to survive, and their quest to re-conquer the galaxy! Paragon includes an exclusive excerpt from Star Wars: Fate of the Jedi: Backlash (Del Rey Hardcover, available March 9th) and offers a unique look into the backstory of events that have begun to unfold in the Fate of the Jedi series. Darkness VisibleThe ruthless cunning of the Sith Order has served the shipwrecked crew of the Omen well on the alien planet Kesh. Subjugating the superstitious Keshiri race by posing as its fabled overlords has ensured the Sith's survival—while they struggle in secret to return to the stars. But after fifteen years on their adopted world, some among the lost tribe have grown restless and fearful that assimilation will consume their Sith heritage. Now, as rival factions begin to appear, a shocking disaster throws into doubt the Sith's future on Kesh. In the distant city of Tetsubal, the entire native populace is suddenly wiped out by a grisly plague of unknown origin. With terrifying speed, more cities succumb to the mysterious contagion. Only the Sith remain unharmed—so far. And as Sith commander Yaru Korsin grapples with the looming loss of the paradise he rules and the race his people have come to depend upon, he must confront the dark possibility that the catastrophe may not be cruel fate but insidious sabotage.

My review: 3 stars

Plot: The plot in this one was much more intense. It kept me more interested than the past ones, but I still felt like it was too short.

Characters: The characters didn't change much from the past books.

Setting: The place they are at is the same, but they did move around a little and reconstructed their buildings.

Overall: I feel like this series is being hurriedly put together. I don't dislike it, and I do plan on finishing it, but I wish the stories from book to book flowed together better.

Review - Star Wars #2 (Skyborn)

This is the synopsis from Amazon:

Don't miss Star Wars: Lost Tribe of The Sith: Skyborn a FREE original e-book short story, the second in a series that tell the untold story of the Fate of the Jedi's forgotten Sith castaways, their battle to survive, and their quest to re-conquer the galaxy! Skyborn includes an exclusive excerpt from Star Wars: Fate of the Jedi: Abyss (Del Rey Hardcover, available August 18th) and offers a unique look into the backstory of events that have begun to unfold in the Fate of the Jedi series. DECEIVE AND CONQUERA Jedi ambush leaves the Sith ship Omen marooned on a remote alien world, its survivors at the mercy of their desolate surroundings and facing almost certain death. But Sith will no more bow before the whims of fate than they will yield to the weapons of their enemies. And Omen’s cunning commander Yaru Korsin, will let nothing keep him and his crew from returning to the stars and rejoining the Sith order’s conquest of the galaxy. Murdering his own brother has proven Korsin’s ruthless resolve—but now an entire race stands in his way.The primitive, superstitious Keshiri worship unseen gods called the Skyborn, shun science, and punish unbelievers with death. Branded a heretic the widowed young geologist Adari Vaal is running for her life. Among the mysterious Sith castaways she finds powerful sanctuary—and her saviors find the means of survival. With Adari as their willing pawn, the Skyborn as their Trojan horse, and the awesome power of the dark side of the Force at their command, the lost tribe of the Omen set out to subjugate a planet and its people—and lay the foundation for a merciless new Sith nation.

My review: 3 stars

Plot: This book really confused me at first. Being a sequel, I expected the original story to be continued right away. However the first half of the book is about a completely different person and her world. It wasn't until the stories merged that the ending of the first book made sense.

Characters: I like the main character in this one a lot better than the first one. Her character's point of view makes the story much better in this one than other other character's would.

Setting: The setting doesn't change much from the first one, so I don't have much more to say.

Overall: I like this one better than the first one. This one goes more into the mystery of the people and causes you to be more interested in their background. Definitely one to read!

Review - Stars Wars #1 (Precipice)

This is the synopsis from Amazon:

Don’t miss STAR WARS: LOST TRIBE OF THE SITH: PRECIPICE a FREE original e-book short story, the first in a series that tell the untold story of the FATE OF THE JEDI's forgotten Sith castaways, their battle to survive, and their quest to re-conquer the galaxy! PRECIPICE includes an exclusive excerpt from STAR WARS: FATE OF THE JEDI: OMEN (Del Rey Hardcover, available June 23rd) and offers a unique look into the backstory of events that will begin to unfold in OMEN. SURVIVAL—NOT SURRENDER For the ruthless Sith Order, failure is not an option. It is an offense punishable by death—and a fate to which Commander Yaru Korsin will not succumb. But on a crucial run to deliver troops and precious crystals to a combat hotspot in the Sith’s war against the Republic, Korsin and the crew of the mining ship Omen are ambushed by a Jedi starfighter. And when the Sith craft crash-lands, torn and crippled, on a desolate alien planet, the hard-bitten captain finds himself at odds with desperate survivors on the brink of mutiny—and his own vengeful half brother, who’s bent on seizing command. No matter the cost, Korsin vows that it will not be his blood and bones left behind on this unknown world. For the way of the Sith leaves little room for compromise—and none for mercy.

My review: 3 stars

Plot: This book was pretty confusing at first, honestly. I spent most of the time trying to figure out which brother was currently being talked about, and less on the story itself. It was pretty good though.

Characters: I liked how the author made it clear how heavy the anger was between some of the characters, rather than being pansy characters.

Setting: The story starts on the ship, but ends up on the new rock they had never been to. It creates suspense and intrigue.

Overall: This book is definitely not stand alone. The ending doesn't even get explained until about halfway through the next one. If you plan on reading this series, expect to read them all.

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