Mockingjay Part II | Movie Review & Reaction (*SPOILERS*)

Who decided it would be a good idea to turn Mockingjay into movies? Who decided to create these movies and then put them out into the world for innocent human beings to watch? Why? 

Mockingjay Part II. Was. Brilliant. Absolutely. Brilliant. This movie was perfect. (If you haven't watched it already I recommend a large supply of tissues and I wish you the best of luck). 

Let me start this review by saying that I did not like reading Mockingjay at all. I didn't appreciate the plot and the deaths and the ending. Even if you tell me that it's good because it's realistic...no, I disagree. However I absolutely loved this book to movie adaptation. It picked up where Part 1 left off and told the story so beautifully and accurately. Tears. Drowning in a waterfall of tears.

Can I take a second to mention Josh Hutcherson and Jennifer Lawrence's acting in this movie because they were absolutely perfect. In the whole series of movies in fact but specially this movie. This movie made me sympathize with Katniss on a different level and it made me realize how hurt Peeta was, how kind he was and how much they both actually needed each other. I felt Katniss' anger so much because of how people were just using her and neglecting how much she has been through and how hard it is for her to be around all this war.

Cover Reveal | Not Enough by Mia Hoddell

Not Enough by Mia Hoddell

Genre Upper YA/NA Contemporary Romance

Release Date: November 16th 2015

Links:

Amazon UK│Amazon US│Barnes & Noble│Kobo│iBooks│ Add to Goodreads

Summary from Goodreads:

Neve Colvin isn’t good enough. As an introvert, her life is a never-ending list of labels and criticism. Pressures to change come from everyone—including the one person she thought would love her unconditionally … her mother. All Neve wants is acceptance, but surrounded by extroverts it’s a wish that’s nearly impossible to fulfill.

Book Review | The Martian by Andy Weir

Released: 11th February 2014

Publisher: Crown

Pages: 369 pages

Genre: Science Fiction, Thriller

Six days ago, astronaut Mark Watney became one of the first people to walk on Mars. Now, he's sure he'll be the first person to die there. After a dust storm nearly kills him & forces his crew to evacuate while thinking him dead, Mark finds himself stranded & completely alone with no way to even signal Earth that he’s alive—& even if he could get word out, his supplies would be gone long before a rescue could arrive. Chances are, though, he won't have time to starve to death. The damaged machinery, unforgiving environment or plain-old "human error" are much more likely to kill him first. But Mark isn't ready to give up yet. Drawing on his ingenuity, his engineering skills—& a relentless, dogged refusal to quit—he steadfastly confronts one seemingly insurmountable obstacle after the next. Will his resourcefulness be enough to overcome the impossible odds against him?

The Martian is one of the funniest books I have read which is quite surprising considering it's an insanely intense story about an astronaut stranded and struggling to stay alive on Mars. This book is written in diary entries from the main character, Mark Watney, as well as some parts which are written in third person about the people at NASA and the Hermes' crew members in space. I loved the whole premise of this book and it was really interesting to read all about all the ways that Watney managed to survive on a planet all by himself. His sarcastic remarks and random jokes were also a highlight of the book for me.

“They say once you grow crops somewhere, you have officially ‘colonised’ it. So technically, I colonised Mars.In your face, Neil Armstrong!” 

Book Review | One by Sarah Crossan

Released: 27th August 2015

Publisher: Bloomsbury

Pages: 448 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Realistic Fiction, Contemporary

Grace and Tippi are twins – conjoined twins. 
And their lives are about to change.
No longer able to afford homeschooling, they must venture into the world – a world of stares, sneers and cruelty. Will they find more than that at school? Can they find real friends? And what about love?
But what neither Grace or Tippi realises is that a heart-wrenching decision lies ahead. A decision that could tear them apart. One that will change their lives even more than they ever imagined…
From Carnegie Medal shortlisted author Sarah Crossan, this moving and beautifully crafted novel about identity, sisterhood and love ultimately asks one question: what does it mean to want and have a soulmate?

To be perfectly honest I randomly picked this book up because of the super pretty cover while I was in the bookstore. After reading the blurb and the first few pages I was completely engrossed in the story and finished the whole thing in one sitting. Sarah Crossan has written One in free verse so it is technically quite a short book even with 400+ pages but it was an absolutely wonderful read from start to finish. I am nowhere near an expert in poetry/free verse or anything of the sort but really enjoyed this style of writing. The free verse helped to draw attention to certain dramatic moments and made the main character Grace's emotions that much more real and helped me to sympathize with her.

“I read all these books,

so many words,

but I don't own any.

I don't know what's happening

inside me.

I can't get it out.” 

Autumn YA Releases

It's September 23rd and that means autumn is finally here! Wizards and witches are boarding the

Hogwarts Express back to school while muggles are trying their hardest to create their own Butterbeer. I love autumn, the pretty leaves, pumpkin spiced everything but also the whole bunch of new books that get released so I thought I would make a list of the most interesting and most anticipated YA novels that come out in the next three months.

Y       The Sword of Summer (Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard #1) by Rick Riordan

Release date: 6th October

Magnus Chase has always been a troubled kid. Since his mother’s mysterious death, he’s lived alone on the streets of Boston, surviving by his wits, keeping one step ahead of the police and the truant officers. One day, he’s tracked down by a man he’s never met—a man his mother claimed was dangerous. The man tells him an impossible secret: Magnus is the son of a Norse god.

The Viking myths are true. The gods of Asgard are preparing for war. Trolls, giants and worse monsters are stirring for doomsday. To prevent Ragnarok, Magnus must search the Nine Worlds for a weapon that has been lost for thousands of years.

 

Y       Carry On by Rainbow Rowell

Release date: 6th October

Rainbow Rowell continues to break boundaries with Carry On, an epic fantasy following the triumphs and heartaches of Simon and Baz from her beloved bestseller Fangirl.

Carry On is a ghost story, a love story, a mystery and a melodrama. It has just as much kissing and talking as you’d expect from a Rainbow Rowell story — but far, far more monsters.