Winter – Fall

December 22, 2016March 19, 2020 ~ Ellyn ~ Leave a comment

SPOILER REVIEW

I wrote each review separately after watching each 2 hour episode, there will be spoilers, you have been warned.

Winter

Okay, first things first, Rory and Logan.

I’ll say it now, I am, and have always been team Jess. However, I’ve always said that if Rory wasn’t going to be with Jess I’d rather she was with Logan. In this episode we learn that Rory and Logan are in an open relationship, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. I’m still not too chuffed about how they portrayed the new-found relationship between the two, I mean what about all of Logan’s character development in the original series? Didn’t Rory learn her lesson with the fiasco with Dean?

Speaking of Rory’s love life, what’s up with Paul? This poor guy seems to really like Rory, hell, he’s met the family, been out on the boat with Luke, had family dinners and advised Lorelai about her laptop software, of all things. This guy has done all of the right things, he’s nice and kind and everyone just forgets about him? I honestly just thought his part of the plot was pointless. What are the writers trying to get at? Is Rory just a terrible girlfriend? I mean, they’ve already made it clear that she’s a serial cheater. She kissed Jess while she was dating Dean, she slept with Dean while he married, for God’s sake. And now she’s sleeping with Logan while she’s in a two year long relationship with Logan, or Didi as Lorelai knows him.

The small things I enjoyed from the episode were the little things that really brought the old show to life were Kirk and his new project, Ooober and his insistence that it was an original idea. I know that a lot of people hate Kirk, which I totally understand but personally I really love him and think his little bits in the show are some of the best!

Another small (it felt major to my GG heart) thing that they did was bring back Paul Anka (the dog, not the man). He’s kept up with his fussy diet and is still as amazing as ever!

Spring

Emily and Lorelai are now going to therapy together. Oh, joy what a great idea! Te things is, it actually is a great idea but because if their complicated past and both of the girls’ stubbornness nothing is accomplished in these sessions. The poor, poor therapist.

Rory is a bit lost. She’s out of a job and doesn’t know quite what she’s going to do next. It will definitely be interesting to see if she thinks she’s below the internet job or not.

As for JavaJunkie (Luke and Lorelai), they are lying to each other again, Because that worked out so well last time. NOT! This is gong to hurt the relationship, and I am already exhausted just thinking about the fight that is inevitably going to happen.

I’m not 100% sure how I really feel about this yet. I’m half way through and so far I’m not overly impressed. Does it feel like Gilmore Girls? Yes. Do I enjoy the new episodes when I watch them? Yes.

You know that feeling when you have a show that you love soo much that as soon as an episode finishes you have to tell someone about what just happened? I’m just not getting that so far, the show feels like Gilmore Girls and that’s good but is it too reminiscent of the original seven seasons?

Luke and Lorelai are lying to each other again. Wasn’t that what split them up in the first place? Their lack of communication has always been a problem for them and is clearly going to be a big thing for them in the next two episodes.

Summer

Jess is back! Thank God.

There aare only a few main things that I’m really going to go intofor this episode because it’s getting pretty late and I’m tired.

01 The book. Jess came back (finally, where has he been??) and helped Rory out (as usual) telling her not what she wanted to hear but she needed to hear (as usual). Rory then told Lorelai that she wanted to write a novel about their lives together growing up. It really bugged me how against the idea Lorelai was – okay yes you don’t want the world to know you left your kid in a bucket at the shops, but oh well, that’s in the past you brought up Rory Gilmore and you did a pretty good damn job!

02 In this episode we get to see Lorelai and Rory Gilmore, two young girls who have influenced and have played a significant role for young girls everywhere. And what are they doing you may ask. They. are. Body. Shaming. Not cool, ASP, not cool. Also, there are children fanning them? Don’t even get me started on that!

03 Rory and Lorelai are fighting! Oh, joy of joys. Because that is definitely what I signed up for. They’re both fighting with eachother because of the book ad I am honestly just so done with this.

JavaJunkie are fighting about the secrets. Luke always follows Lorelai, is that really a good thing?
Is Logan endgame? She calls him whenever she needs to vent and he’s been in all of the episodes so far. They’ve “broken up”, will they have a rush get together in the next episode?
Lorelai is now going on a hike to find herself. Oh, please. She’s going to take one look at the outdoors and be like “lol no, going home now”.

Fall

This part is just going to be bullet points because I only have a short period of time to write this review.

Jess taking care of Luke. It’s good to see them hanging out.
Logan’s group came back! I love them, that whole scene was amazing, the outfits were so cool, the whole college gang was back together. It was amazing! I forgot how much I had really enjoyed the scenes involving Colin, Finn and Robert!
It was so sad when Rory and the boys had to say goodbye!
Lorelai called her mother! Oh my gosh soo many emotions! I started crying.
Luke’s speech to Lorelai, I love him! His speech was heartbreaking because she wasn’t even going to leave and he just needs her so much! But I did have some minor problems with it, he seems completely dependent of Lorelai these days, long gone are the days when Luke was able to live as a competent and self-reliable adult!
One scene with Dean. Thank god, I hated him in the original series. However, even from that one scene we did get to see that he has moved on with his life and is very much a non-cheating (unlike someone we know) family man.
Sookie is back! Like with Dean she only had a small appearance, understandable because the actress is soo popular these days but it was sad to see she wasn’t even there to see Luke and Lorelai elope, I mean come on Michel was there. It was weird to see the trio so incomplete. Although, speaking of Michel, I hadn’t fully realised how much I had missed the trio until Michel started yelling at Sookie. It was like a breathe of fresh air, Like coming home.

Elope

Jess! Oh my heart and soul, I am gone from his world. He still loves her, I am so far gone by this point. I am still in shock from the ending.

The ending seemed a little rushed, we didn’t hear the vows or see the dance mob.

Overall Thoughts:

Episodes one and four were the best.

Seasons seven left us with so many questions we didn’t know what to do with ourselves, we were all unsatisfied and confused. But with the revival we were meant to get closure, but did we? I think for some things we did, but will Rory ever find a true happy ending? Will she finish her book? Who will she end up with, Jess or Logan? Did Logan even go through with the wedding?

I think the revival and some time to think really did make me realise to things. One, that I never really liked Rory all that much. She’s a serial-cheater and she’s actually kind of annoying. I definitely like Lorelai more.

And, two, while I will always ship Literati (Rory and Jess) I really don’t think Rory deserves Jess, he has had so much character development (which, of course we didn’t really get to see). He is always there for her when she needs advice or even just a hug. He is her Luke, something I’m not entirely sure I’m happy about.

Also, just one more thing and then I’ll stop typing I promise. The last four words, you didn’t think I’d forgotten did you? That was how ASP had always pictured the show ending? When Rory was just about to head out into the real world, a promising career ahead of her and no romantic ties to hold her down?

Don’t get me wrong we got our revival and I am ever thankful for even getting that, but were we left with more questions than answers?

[Book review] The Rabbits

November 21, 2016March 19, 2020 ~ Ellyn ~ Leave a comment

The Rabbits by John Marsden (Author), Shaun Tan (Illustrator)

Rating: 5/5

I have seen many reviews on this children’s storybook and I really have to say, before I get into this review that I am unimpressed. People, do your research before you write a review. The Rabbits is an allegory, representing the arrival of the Europeans in Australia and how they took over the land and caused destruction left, right and centre.

The Rabbits is a masterpiece. Beautiful artwork to tell a terrible tale. The rabbits, being a well-known pest in Australia, represent the Europeans as they take over Australia.

The main controversy surrounding The Rabbits, is that it is a picture book, therefore it must be for children, right? Wrong, anyone can read a picture book. But, not everyone can understand it. Which is evident in a lot of the reviews on Goodreads. People read the book but don’t understand the message the story presents, you don’t understand the story of what really happened when the Rabbits arrived.

This story was written and illustrated for older readers. It depends on the person, if you’re too thick, you’re too thick. A young child may get a lot out of this story and a grown adult may be left wondering why you would read this to a child. The story parallels with the history of the colonisation in Australia.

Yes, this book is confronting. Yes, it might be hard to read. But, it tells the story of what really happened, and is a must read for everyone, thick or not.

[Book Review] Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

November 14, 2016March 19, 2020 ~ Ellyn ~ 1 Comment

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

Rating 4.75/5

“I solemnly swear that I am up to no good.”

This has always been my favourite novel of the series. I’ve never been able to pinpoint exactly why, though.

I love almost everything about this novel. The characters are still young and mischievous. Harry finds out he has family that doesn’t hate him, other than the Weasleys of course! We meet Buckbeak and Lupin, and we discover the origin of the beloved Whomping Willow.

It could definitely be argued that not much happens in this novel, as it was more of a set up novel. But if you really think about it, Rowling introduced soo many things that would have a greater effect in he later novels.

So many little things happened in this novel so I’m going to put them into list form.

The Weasley twins give Harry the Marauder’s map.
We finally meet Sirius Black.

“He was my mum and dad’s best friend. He’s a convicted murderer, but he’s broken out of wizard prison and he’s on the run. He likes to keep in touch with me, though…keep up with my news…check if I’m happy…”

This novel is, unfortunately, Oliver Wood’s last year at Hogwarts. Since Wood is my favourite character this saddens me a lot.

“Where is Wood?” said Harry, suddenly realizing he wasn’t there.
“Still in the showers,” said Fred. “We think he’s trying to drown himself.”

We are introduced to Professor Trelawny’s Divination lessons, WHAT A HOOT!

“I dreamed I was buying new shoes last night,” said Ron. “What d’ya think that’s gonna mean?”
“Probably that you’re going to be eaten by a giant marshmallow or something,” said Harry.”

We “meet” Peter Pettigrew
Hagrid got his job as Care of Magical Creatures teacher
Hermione slapped Malfoy!
Werewolf shaming – poor Lupin

“Ron made a valiant effort to get up again but fell back with a whimper of pain. Lupin made toward him, looking concerned, but Ron gasped, “Get away ftom me, werewolf!” Lupin stopped dead. Then, with an obvious effort, he turned to Hermione and said, “How long have you known?”

Foreshadowing

“Pettigrew owes his life to you. You have sent Voldemort a deputy who is in your debt…. When one wizard saves another wizard’s life, it creates a certain bond between them… and I’m much mistaken if Voldemort wants his servant in the debt of Harry Potter.”

I just want to talk about Hagrid for a minute. Besides Oliver Wood, Hagrid is one of my favourite characters. Hagrid is definitely part of Harry’s family. He writes Harry letters, takes an interest in his classes and is genuinely hurt if Harry forgets to go down to see him in his hut.

01
“C’mon!” Hagrid said angrily. “I’m takin’ yer all back up ter school, an’ don’ let me catch yeh walkin’ down ter see me after dark again. I’m not worth that!”

02
“Thought he’d jus’ heard the news o’ You-Know-Who’s attack an’ come ter see what he could do. White an’ shakin’, he was. An’ yeh know what I did? I COMFORTED THE MURDERIN’ TRAITOR!” Hagrid roared.

Wood quote:

“Told me I’d got my priorities wrong. Seemed to think I cared more about winning the Cup than I do about you staying alive. Just because I told her I didn’t care if it threw you off, as long as you caught the Snitch first.” Wood shook his head in disbelief. “Honestly, the way she was yelling at me… you’d think I’d said something terrible…”

“Mischief Managed.”

[Movie Review] Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children

November 7, 2016March 19, 2020 ~ Ellyn ~ 5 Comments

I’ve never written a movie review before so bear with me while I get used to this.

Miss Peregrine’s Home For Perculiar Children

Director: Tim Burton

Cast: Eva Green (Miss Peregrine), Asa Butterfield (Jake Portman),Samuel L. Jackson (Barron), Judi Dench (Miss Avocet), Rupert Everett (Ornithologist), Allison Janney (Dr. Golan), Chris O'Dowd (Franklin Portman),Terence Stamp (Abraham 'Abe' Portman), Ella Purnell (Emma Bloom), Finlay MacMillan (Enoch O'Conner)...

Summary: When Jake (Asa Butterfield) discovers clues to a mystery that spans alternate realities and times, he uncovers a secret refuge known as Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. As he learns about the residents and their unusual abilities, Jake realizes that safety is an illusion, and danger lurks in the form of powerful, hidden enemies. Jake must figure out who is real, who can be trusted, and who he really is. [20th Century Fox]

Rating: 8/10

The movie Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children is based on of a book with the same name by Ransom Riggs, a best-selling novelist. While, I was not a huge fan of the widely popular novel that the movie is based on I did love the adaption. I’ve seen maybe two Burton movies in my life so I didn’t really have any expectations for the film. But, let me tell you, Burton did a fantastic job of incorporating all of the creepiness I found missing from the book into the movie.

Changes

One major change made for the movie was why the Hollows hunt the Peculiars. I never would have seen this coming, because it’s just too strange. The Hollows are out for your eyes, guys!

The only other big change I can think of that they made was Oliver and Emma’s powers – instead of Oliver having the power over air and Emma having fire, it is now reversed. Personally, I think the power swap suited the characters and the story much better. As far as changes from the books go, this was definitely not a bad or pointless one.

Overall, I did really love the movie but I did have a few issues with it. Hence, the 8 star rating.

The casting. Why, oh why, did they cast stony faced – unfeeling – can’t tell a joke – Asa Butterfield as the lead role? I’m not terribly familiar with his previous projects, all I know is her was in Merlin when he was in younger and he played some kid in Ender’s Game, a movie I have no intention of watching. Right from the minute Butterfield said his first line, I knew I wasn’t going to be a fan of his acting. I grew to like him more as the movie went on (it was a long ass movie, but it’s worth it) but he had a really rocky start.

Speaking of the casting, I just have one more negative thing to say about it. Why Judi Dench? She was in the movie for maybe 5 minutes, what a complete waste of her time and skills.

On the positive side. A need a moment to gush about the perfect casting for Enoch. This guy was awesome, his acting was brilliant, his accent had me swooning and his character had me torn between disgusted and creeped out the whole time.

Overall, although I had some problems with the movie I did really enjoy it and would definitely go and see a sequel if they made one.

Side note: While this movie isn’t too violent, it is very creepy and graphic. I should definitely not recommend for children under 10. The movie is more suitable for children ages 12+

Side note 2.0: My favourite character was Enoch because that dude is wack. Also, I am totally on board with him and Olive. I have hopped on the train and don’t plan on getting off any time soon.

[Book Review] Replica

October 31, 2016March 19, 2020 ~ Ellyn ~ 2 Comments

Replica by Lauren Oliver

3/5

You can read this a total of three ways, but I really think that if you’re going to read this, you should start with Gemma’s pov.

SPOILER REVIEW

I received an arc copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley.

A YA Science fiction novel about clones. Bring it on.

The novel is a unique one, I’ll give Oliver that. Start the novel on one side and you’ll be reading from Lyra’s point of view, but start it on the other side and you’ll be reading from Gemma’s pov. You can read one pov and then the other or you can read a chapter of each until you reach the middle.

Personally, I started with Lyra’s pov and then, because my arc was only of Lyra’s side I listened to the rest of the novel via audiobook.

I really enjoyed Lyra’s pov and was thinking that the novel would be a solid 4 stars, then I got to Gemma’s pov and everything collapsed. Who is this whiny teenage girl? Gemma is an overprotected and soft teen. She has been shielded from everything in life by her parents which leads to the natural thing, her wanting to break out of her shell. Gemma and her best friend April have been planning a trip for ages and Gemma manages to convince her parents to let her go, which is great, you go girl! But the plan falls apart when her parents suddenly decide she can’t go.

Naturally, she runs away from home with the school’s ‘Purvey Pete’ with no plan other than she needs to go to Haven. Smart, right? Wrong. This girl is nuts.

And on the other hand we have Lyra. A replica, or so we thought.

Basically after reading Lyra’s pov it got pretty obvious. Lyra thought she was a replica, but wasn’t. Gemma thought she was “normal” but is really a replica. It got too obvious, too quickly.

I found Lyra’s storyline much more interesting. A facility called Haven, on a lone island. Breeding clones left right and centre sign me up. The kids laving in the facility were being experimented on and they didn’t even know it. Lyra had made friends with some of the medical experiment that she saw on a regular basis, like Squeeze Me. This really showed just how little she understood about her circumstances and how much trouble she was really in.

As for the layout of the novel, it sounded cool and is what initially intrigued me about the book. It made me want to pick up the novel, but the layout was lost on me. There was no need to have two different povs, it would have worked better with one.

[Book Review] My Lady Jane

October 28, 2016March 19, 2020 ~ Ellyn ~ 8 Comments

My Lady Jane – Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton & Jodi Meadows

5/5

Pros of My Lady jane:
– No insta love
– References
– It’s hilarious
– Well-developed characters
– Even though this book is a massive twist on history you do still learn about what really happened.

Cons:
– There are none, this book was amazing. Please read it.

“Dedication
For everyone who knows there was enough room for Leonardo DiCaprio on that door.
And for England. We’re really sorry for what we’re about to do to your history.”

Woah. Guys, this book was amazing.

If you’re looking for a funny and incredibly ridiculous twist on history, then this is the book for you.
In different parts of the book the authors would interject and tell us a bit more about what actually happened in history and then we would get right along to the bit where everyone is an animal and Jane is defending herself with a frying pan.

I cannot tell you how glad I am that I picked this book up when I saw it at the library. I knew that the book was quite popular because it was in an owlcrate box but I’d not heard any reviews so I figured it must be a pretty subpar history novel. Boy, was I wrong. This book is soo much more, there’s adventure, romance and references!

There are soo many references in this novel it’s almost ridiculous, there were Monty Python, Tangled and The Princess Bride references, as well as many others I’m sure I didn’t catch. On top of that at some points G was even coming up with lines from Shakespeare plays (because he’s a poet and he knows it).

The novel starts out pretty much as it did in history but as you get farther into the plot it starts to change. What hand, Ashton and Meadows did with this short, 9 day reign is nothing short of magnificent! They turned a queen’s reign of little over a week into a 500 page book that I not only loved but would actually consider picking up again sometime in the near future.

The characters in this novel are all complete individuals and all completely fantastic.

Jane is an almost too avid reader.
Edward is a young king who really just wants to kiss a girl.
Gifford (call him G) just wants to be set free from the confines of his family.

These are the main 3 characters of the novel but there are soo many other characters that we get to
know and love throughout this book. There’s:

Gracie – a fierce Scottish girl I really wouldn’t want to mess with.
Bess – a smart and loyal young girl, who just wants to save the kingdom (and her brother)
And then there’s Pet – a wonderful and extremely loyal friend.

All of these characters come together to create an amazing and witty story. I am incredibly glad I picked this up and I urge you to as well!

This book is completely ridiculous and I cannot wait for the authors to write the next two books based on Janes.

My Plain Jane | 2018

My Calamity Jane | 2020

I had such a great time reading and rereading all of the hilarious lines, these are some of my (many) favourites!

01
“No horse jokes,” he said.
“My lord, I apologize for the horse joke. If you put down the book—unharmed!—I will give you a carrot.”
He brandished the book at her. “Was that a horse joke?”
“Neigh.”
“Was that a horse joke?”

02
“I’m so hungry I could eat a horse. Oh. Sorry, G. Not you, of course.”

03
“On everyone’s lap rested a book. Any book. In case the wedding got boring.”

04
“Shall I compare thee to a barrel of apples?
Though art more hairy, but sweeter inside.
Rough winds couldn’t keep me from taking you to chapel,
Where finally a horse could take a bride…”

^This one absolutely killed me.

[Book Review] The Girl Who Drank The Moon

October 10, 2016March 19, 2020 ~ Ellyn ~ 2 Comments

The Girl Who Drank The Moon by Kelly Barnhill

Rating: 3/5

I received an arc copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley.

Immediate notes:

Meh. This book felt too long and too wordy. Maybe it’s just me but I felt like the author was trying too hard to have ‘magical’ writing, the kind that Maggie Stiefvater has.

Review:

“I hear there’s a witch in the wood. Did you know?”

The Girl Who Drank The Moon is about a young girl named Luna who, like others before her has been left just outside the Protectorate as a sacrifice to the witch in the woods. (A little backstory: Every year the most recent baby born is sacrificed to the witch who lives in a forest.) But, oh No! lot twist! (this is not s spoiler) these people do not actually need to sacrifice their children to the witch because the only reason she takes the babies is because she thinks you’re all sickos who leave your babies to die in the woods. Lol #awkward

The witch of the forest, her name is Xan by the way. lives with a poetic and wise Swamp Monster named Glerk and a very small dragon named Fyrian. Every year Xan saves a child from dying in the woods and then travels with this child across the wood to families in another town on the other side. In their travels to feed the baby she feeds them starlight.

However, when Xan starts her journey with baby Luna she is very tired and accidentally feeds Luna moonlight, giving Luna magic. Xan then decides that it is her duty to now care for the enmagicked child. nearing her thirteenth birthday Luna’s magic starts to appear and cause chaos and the story picks up from there…

“Infusing magic into a child is akin to putting a sword in the hand of a toddler – so much power and so little sense.”

Most of the reviews of this book are positive, generally 4 and 5 stars, with the occasional 3. Unfortunately, while I did really enjoy this novel I can only give it 3 stars.

The Girl Who Drank The Moon is a complex and magical middle-grade novel. I only really had one problem with this novel, and that’s the writing. The writing was too whimsical, for the story. In Maggie Stiefvater’s, The Raven Cycle the whimsical writing fits and makes sense whereas, for me the writing was too much. I felt like I was struggling to pick the novel up, partly because I never felt particularly engrossed in the story and because it felt like Barnhill was trying too hard to make her story seem magical.

“…the reckoning is coming. It’s coming. It’s coming. And it is nearly here.”

I didn’t hate this story, nor did I love it. for me, a 3 star rating is a story that is enjoyable but overall, meh. For me, this story was just that, meh. Don’t get me wrong, I did enjoy this but it is definitely a middle-grade novel. That being said, some of my favourite novels are part of this genre but, this books is certainly for younger children, compared to other, older children who might be reading Harry Potter or Percy Jackson on their own.

This is definitely a good and fun book. Many people my age and older have really enjoyed this book, so maybe it just wasn’t for me. To get to the point, I would definitely recommend this book to anyone but mostly to younger children.

[Book Review] Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

September 24, 2016March 19, 2020 ~ Ellyn ~ 1 Comment

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets – J.K. Rowling

Rating: 5/5

“Jiggery pokery!” said Harry in a fierce voice. “Hocus pocus — squiggly wiggly —”
“MUUUUUUM!” howled Dudley, “He’s doing you know what!”

This has always been my least favourite of the series until now. Now, this is probably one of my favourites. I don’t know what happened, maybe I just really needed a laugh but I have to say that I have not laughed soo hard in a very long time. I picked up on soo much more this time, I’ve said this before but I’ll say it again. J. K. Rowling is the master of foreshadowing.

Harry Potter is a world renown story; it is rare to find someone who hasn’t read the books or at least seen the movies. So naturally there are a countless number of reviews out here already, if you don’t mind I’d like to write one to.

“Celebrity is as celebrity does.”

If you haven’t read this series, I urge you to please give it a try! I understand the dread anyone who hasn’t read the books must feel, I mean this is probably the most popular book series in the world at the moment, Harry Potter will go on to become a classic series. There’s a lot of hype surrounding this series and most of the people who have read the books, read them as they were coming out, most of use grew up with Harry. So naturally, we are a bit attached to him and definitely very biased. If you haven’t read the books, that’s fine but, please think about picking it up.

The Characters

This is one of my favourite novels character wise, don’t get me wrong Rowling always writes amazing and unique characters but in this book we meet Dobby and the man of the hour, five-time winner of Witch Weekly’s Most Charming Smile Award, Gilderoy Lockhart!

Ron, Harry and Hermione

Ron has anger issues, someone please buy him a punching bag.

Hermione is still brilliant.

Harry is still alive so that’s a plus.

Ginny

We saw her briefly in the first novel but we finally see more of Ginny in this book. A lot of people really don’t like Ginny, especially in this book, But, I think we just need to remember that she is only 11, she’s away from her parents, at a brand new school and has a massive crush on her brother’s best friend. She doesn’t really have anyone to talk to and then suddenly, out of the blue she finds a diary, yes the diary can talk back and that’s a bit weird but Tom seems to understand her so she pours out her soul to him. She’s eleven, alone and parts of her memory are disappearing, guys she is scared. I actually feel quite sorry for her in this book and really love that she goes from being a scared little girl to being the brave young woman we see at the end of the series.

Dobby

“Offend Dobby!” choked the elf. “Dobby has never been asked to sit down by a wizard — like an equal —”

Dobby is a saint. He risked his life to go to Harry and try and stop him going to Hogwarts. Admittedly, he almost killed Harry a few times during Quidditch but he did it out of love. Dobby is a loveable character who would do anything for Harry – their friendship is one of the best in the series.

Lockhart

“Me, Gilderoy Lockhart, Order of Merlin, Third Class, Honorary Member of the Dark Force Defence League, and five-time winner of Witch Weekly’s Most-Charming-Smile Award — but I don’t talk about that. I didn’t get rid of the Bandon Banshee by smiling at her!”

Lockhart is not the most unique sort of character, let’s face it we’ve all met someone like him but honestly, he is hilarious to read about. That is possibly due to the fact that we didn’t have to actually deal with his antics, we just got to laugh about them.

Lockhart is one of my favourite characters in the series, not because he’s a nice guy and I would want to be friends with him but, because he is simple and a laugh. Whenever Lockhart was in a scene it was automatically lighter and more fun.

I think Lockhart is really interesting because he is soo incredibly pathetic. He can barely get a spell right and fails time and time again to prove that he has done the things he writes about in his books. Lockhart lives off of his fame and can’t get enough of the life he has scammed for himself. He doesn’t care about anyone but himself and yet with the way he exits the novel and the way we meet him in one of the later novels (Order of the Phoenix?) you can’t help but feel sorry for him.

I realise that this was more of a character discussion then a review but soo many people have reviewed these books that everything has already been said countless times already. All I can really say is: This is a seriously good series and I can’t wait to keep going with my HP reread!

[Graphic Novel Review] Scott Pilgrim’s Precious Little Life

August 27, 2016March 19, 2020 ~ Ellyn ~ 5 Comments

Scott Pilgrim’s Precious Little Life (Scott Pilgrim, #1) – Bryan Lee O’Malley

Rating: 4/5

I’ve known about this graphic novel series for years but have never even thought to pick it up before now. Oh boy, do I regret not picking it up earlier.

The artwork is awesome. I read the black and white version but there is a colour version (it’s more expensive though), the art is really simplistic so anyone can enjoy it. And while that’s the same for the text little kids really shouldn’t be reading these graphic novels There isn’t a sex scene in this volume but I believe there is one in a later volume. There might be some swearing, I don’t really remember.

Plot

The plot of this volume is absolutely ridiculous and I expect I will say the same thing about the other volumes.

Spoilery plot summary?

Boy meets girl – girl is high schooler – girl meets boys band – girl gets obsessed with band – boy meets new, way cooler girl – boy wants to dump high schooler but is a wuss and hates confrontation – new girl is still cool – battle of the bands – Wallace is amazing as per usual – new girl’s ex shows up and demands a fight.

Gotta fight the exes, 6 more to go!

All of the volumes are short so naturally we didn’t get too far in the first volume but volume 1 gave us a pretty good idea of everyone’s personalities

Scott

Scott is a 23-year-old male, he’s in-between jobs and he lives with his roommate Wallace. Wallace and Scott are very poor so they have to share bed. Scott is immature and a bit douchey but he cares about his friends and is pretty much a great guy.

Wallace

[One of the bands @ Wallace] “this song is for the guy who keeps yelling from the balcony, and it’s called ‘we hate you, please die.”

Wallace is amazing. He’s one of those characters that acts like he doesn’t care but when his best friend’s band is playing is in a competition he’s the guy shouting abuse at the other bands. Wallace is there to sort of keep tabs on Scott’s actions and to try and stop him from messing up his life too badly. Scott’s dating two people at once so Wallace tries to get him to see reason and to breakup with the high schooler.

Side note: I’ve not seen the movie and if I’m honest I didn’t even know there was a movie but I’ll definitely be watching it in the near future. Have you guys seen it?

[Book Review] Pride and Prejudice

August 18, 2016March 19, 2020 ~ Ellyn ~ 1 Comment

Pride and Prejudice – Jane Austen
Rating: 4/5
“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.”

This quote never fails to bring a smile to my face!

I read this last year and loved it so when I found out that Zoe (ReadbyZoe) was starting a book club for Austen’s novels I had to join! It was a great feeling to be back in the drama of the Bennet’s lives and I can’t wait to re-read it again in a year or two.
(Next month the book club is reading Persuasion but I read it in January so while I won’t be actually reading the novel I will still be participating in the discussions and will be watching the 2007 movie adaptation.)

Because I’ve read this before and I already know the story so well I decided to listen to this on audiobook (there are heaps of free versions on YouTube) and I really enjoyed it! I definitely read the book faster with the audiobook than I could have if I was reading it with just my eyes. The audiobook that I listened to was really good and in no way lessened my enjoyment of the novel.

Elizabeth, Jane and the rest of the Bennet family

Elizabeth is certainly an interesting character and I would love to know how people would have reacted to her back when this was first released. She is very headstrong and does what she likes but she also takes care of her sisters and her parents. Elizabeth is definitely one of my favourite heroines and she is part of what makes this book so humorous – her lines are just so funny!

Of course Lizzie’s lines are nothing compared to the ever gossiping Mrs Bennet! Mrs bennet is insane. All she seems to care about is marrying off her daughters, gossiping about the neighbours and the officers, oh, the officers! She is by far the funniest character in the novel but she is certainly also the most hypocritical character I have ever read about (probably). Mrs Bennet will be talking about how she hates Joe Blogs and his wife cooks the worst potatoes on the planet. Then on the next page she’ll say that she always liked Joe and that his wife is one of the nicest most agreeable women on the planet and she simply cooks the best potatoes in all of Britain!

The Bennet family is certainly an odd one.
Lizzie – headstrong
Jane – how can someone be that innocent?
Kitty – Never gets “enough” attention and is always in Lydia’s shadow. Very gullible.
Lydia – Oh my god! I cannot help but hate this girl!
Mary – detached
Mrs Bennet – hypocritical
Mr Bennet – tired of his wife’s shenanigans

Mr Darcy

“A person may be proud without being vain. Pride relates more to our opinion of ourselves, vanity to what we would have others think of us.”

In previous years when I’ve read this book I have loved Mr Darcy but this year something happened, I don’t know what it was but I didn’t like him as much as usual. I definitely still think he’s great and I love the way he dotes on his sister but something about him rubbed me the wrong way.

Do any of you guys not like Darcy? If I understood why some don’t like him that may help me to better understand what about his character was annoying me (I’ve tried to avoid negative reviews because nobody likes to read bad reviews for one of their favourite books).

I think the main thing I love about Austen’s novels (apart from the humour in her writing) is the period of tie the books go over. Her books are realistic in the way they don’t run over 3 days but over a year or two. The characters don’t fall in love during their first meetings (apart from Jane and Bingley but we love them anyway) like characters of ten do in modern literature.

Recommendation: If you’re having trouble getting into this novel or any other classic try listening to the audiobook because having someone actually say the lines can make it a lot easier to understand the meaning behind them! If you find that that isn’t helping them try watching one of the adaptions.