Movie Review: The Words

The poster for the movie

Okay, I know this is not a movie review site, but, I have been having a hard time posting on here and after my experience last night at the movie THE WORDS I really wanted to share it with my readers!

So back in the spring when they hold the annual Sundance Festival up here in Utah I was looking at pictures from the events.  I don't usually care much about the films because they are usually more racy or more artsy than I generally would watch.  But, I like me some fun celeb pictures and knowing who is here so close to home.

That's when I saw him!  My big celeb crush Ben Barnes (ie-- Prince Caspian).  Brittish cutie extraordinare!  And then I thought WHY DID I NOT DRIVE UP THERE TO STALK (I mean take pictures of or have a chance to see) HIM!?  Okay, I'm not that crazy -- I grew up in CA and saw celebrities fairly often and never freaked out over one.  I even served Jared Letto and Cameron Diaz ice cream once.

Ben at a red carpet for the Words, and a pic of him from the film.  Mmmm.

But the point was back then I had to see...why was he there?  Was he in a film?  And there it was on IMDB, THE WORDS.  Looked like a pretty good cast and it was getting great reviews at Sundance.  AND it was rated PG-13 so most likely I'd be okay with the content.  Cool!

I had to wait till now to actually see it. 

From the non-artsy community it is getting mixed reviews.  It is certainly not a blockbuster rom-com or even the standard commercial drama. Many people don't like the open ended ending, saying it's unfinished or felt that way.

Honestly, I think that was the point.

Those of us who are book lovers, and know anything about the publishing industry, I think will VERY much appreciate this film.  I connected to almost all 3 stories (yes, it is a story within a story within a story!).  And yet the one rooted deepest in fiction -- the Jeremy Irons as old man and Ben Barnes as young man -- was the one that I connected with the most.  I don't think that was a coincidence. 

It was an at times heart wrenching story of love, the love of words, and life.


Personally, I loved it. 

So there ya go.  A movie review to get me thinking that I need to neglect my book blog less now that my older daughter is back in school and baby girl is still napping.  

TRANSCENDENCE Giveaway Winner!

Thanks to all those who took the time to enter!  The winner of our ARC of TRANSCENDENCE by C.J. Omolulu is:

DIALMA!

 

Review and Giveaway: TRANSCENDENCE

TRANSCENDENCE
by C.J. Omololu
Hardcover, 336 pages
Published June 5th 2012 by Walker & Company

Placement in the Pile: Middle of the Stack

Summary: When a visit to the Tower of London triggers an overwhelmingly real vision of a beheading that occurred centuries before, Cole Ryan fears she is losing her mind. A mysterious boy, Griffon Hall, comes to her aid, but the intensity of their immediate connection seems to open the floodgate of memories even wider.

As their feelings grow, Griffon reveals their common bond as members of the Akhet—an elite group of people who can remember past lives and use their collected wisdom for the good of the world. But not all Akhet are altruistic, and a rogue is after Cole to avenge their shared past. Now in extreme danger, Cole must piece together clues from many lifetimes. What she finds could ruin her chance at a future with Griffon, but risking his love may be the only way to save them both. Full of danger, romance, and intrigue,

Transcendence breathes new life into a perpetually fascinating question: What would you do with another life to live?

Review: First of all I have to apologize that it took me so long to get this review up. Between family vacations, sick kids, Olympics and many other things It took me longer to read it than I wanted. Part of that was, although for me the book was enjoyable it didn't hold my attention and make me want to read without stopping.

The premise is very interesting and was a unique read for me. I've never read a book about reincarnation. Some aspects were interesting, others predictable. I liked Cole and Griffon. Laughed out loud at times. Disagreed with some of the "rules" of the reincarnation but understood why it was the way it was in the end.

In the end I enjoyed it and I now am actually more interested in the plot of book 2 than I am book one. So don't let my lower score trick you. I do want to read the next one!

And now because I was so lacking how about a giveaway to pick up the pace of the blog shall we? Plus, the beginning of this book tales place in London, perfect for Olympic fever!  Just comment on this review and fill out the information below to enter!

US and Canada mailing addresses only.  Contest will be open until 11:59 pm Wed Aug. 15th!  Good Luck!

Book Signing with Kiersten White

I was very excited to go to my first book signing in a long time.  I miss going, seeing the crowd, feeling the energy supporting the authors.  It has been far too long since I've been able to attend an event.

I love how much expression she uses.  I really do.  She's so fun to hear talk!

 And I am so happy that the event I was able to go to was for Kiersten White!  Book three in the Paranormalcy series, ENDLESSLY, came out on Tuesday and she did her signing here in Utah on Thursday night.  We are so lucky to have her come here to Utah!

She was saying something about 5...I don't remember what but it was the best shot I got of her whole face!

I missed  much of what she said because I was running late, but I did catch the Q&A.  It was pretty awesome.

Signing my book!

Here's what I learned:

Keirsten and Me!

1. Kiersten likes Pinky Pie because she weaponized her confetti cannon.
2. Natalie Whipple, critique partner and best friend (and author who's book is being published next year) of Kiersten kinda hated Kiersten in High School because Kiersten wrote a mean article about the prom decorations that Natalie had been in charge of.  Don't worry, they love each other now!
3. Movie rights have been sold for the Paranormalcy series, but Kiersten thinks (and come to think of it, I agree!) that it would make a better TV series.
4. Steve the vampire/poultergeist is named after a blog follower from England.
5. Fans of Kiersten's will not have to wait long for more from her!  She will be publishing two books a year from now on out for a while!  
6. (well this I already knew) Kiersten is adorable, so kind and just made of awesome.

Me: AKA The Worst Blogger Ever

Hi all!  I just wanted you to know that I did not fall off the edge of the world.  I am still here.  Life has just been crazy, we were finishing our basement, having end of the school year stuff with the kids, a family vacation and reunion, sick kids, etc. 

I just wanted you to all know I am still here, and I am still trying to get reading done so I can bring you great reviews and even giveaways! 

Thanks for being patient with me!

Review: TEMEPST UNLEASHED by Tracy Deebs

TEMPEST UNLEASHED 
by Tracy Deebs

Hardcover, 352 pages

Expected publication: June 5th 2012 by Walker Childrens

 

Placement in the Pile:  Reaching New Heights (Almost got Middle of the Stack...)

Summary:  
Tempest Maguire is happy with her decision to embrace her mermaid nature and live among her mother’s clan within the ocean’s depths. Even though training to one day ascend the throne for the aging mermaid queen is rigorous, she finds refuge in the arms of Kona, the selkie who first opened her up to her mermaid side. But when word comes that one of her brothers has been gravely injured on land, Tempest immediately rushes to his side—which also brings her back to her old flame, Mark. And in her absence, a deadly battle begins raging at the hands of Tempest’s old nemesis, the sea witch Tiamat. As the dangerous war erupts, Tempest’s two loves—Kona and Mark, sea and land—will collide for the first time, both to protect her and to force her to choose.

Review:

Okay, so there was so much that was done right about this book.  Seeing more of the underwater worlds and how Tempest struggled to fit in there, the action was always going on, there was tension among characters that really stepped them all up to the next level.  It was an entertaining read.

Why did I want to give it a "middle of the stack" rating?  Well simply because I think she chose the wrong guy.  And her reasons for choosing him were not shown through the book the way it should have been.  In fact when Tempest narrated her reason I went, "Huh.  Cause I thought you said the exact opposite about them earlier in the story." 

But, in light of not giving anything away I can't tell you who my fave guy is.  So you're going to have to figure that out.

So why did I give it a "Reaching New Heights" status?  Because despite the crappy love triangle, I think this next installment in Tempest's story was more compelling and action packed.  I loved the fights that Tempest had to go through and the raw emotions that came out of me reading her struggles -- real tears people!

I've admitted before that I've never read mermaid books before, so I can't say how it compares in uniqueness, but so far, I'm a fan of Tempest's stories.  And I hope there is going to be more -- and maybe a change of heart?  ;)

Review: ENDURE by Carrie Jones

ENDURE
by Carrie Jones

Hardcover, 262 pages

Published May 8th 2012 by Bloomsbury USA 

Placement in the Pile: Reaching New Heights

Summary:

Zara is at the center of an all-out war, and an impending apocalypse. True, she’s successfully rescued Nick from Valhalla, but it simply isn’t enough. Bedford is being ravaged by evil pixies and they need much more than one great warrior; they need an army. Zara isn’t sure what her role is anymore. She’s not just fighting for her friends, she’s also a pixie queen. And to align her team of pixies with the humans she loves will be one of her greatest battles yet. Especially since she can’t even reconcile her growing feelings for her pixie king…Unexpected turns, surprising revelations, and one utterly satisfying romantic finale make Endure a thrilling end to this series of bestsellers.

Review:
This is book 4 and the ending to the NEED series.  It is the culmination of Zara's struggles with evil pixies, and with being a pixie.

I don't want to say a lot about what made me love it because I don't want to give anything away.  But I think it was a great culmination to her story.  The characters in this book felt like they came full circle.  I even didn't hate Nick as much as I did in previous books.  There were moments I laughed, moments I cried.  This was a great end to the series.

If you're a fan of Zara's story you definitely need to remember to grab this last installment!  

Monday Musing...

I was thinking today. 

I've never read a Meg Cabbot novel.

Does that mean I can truly be a YA fan?  What are your thoughts?