The Fault in Our Stars Book and Movie

                Hello everyone.  First I have to say my new job is amazing!  I love it and I have a good chunk of it that allows me to read depending on what is going on that day which is amazing.  I have plenty of time to read and sometimes lose track of time and forget to do the reviewing part ready to dive into the next book.  However, I read The Fault in Our Stars by John Green about a week and a half ago and just saw the movie so I think I could put them together for you wonderful readers.

                Normally I try to think of movies based off books as a separate thing so I don’t get too upset when things are changed or left out.  Though this one managed to stay pretty darn close to the book and I feel I can mix them.  The book was one I had heard many things about, more so as the movie got closer to release, but I was unsure knowing it was to be a tear jerker.  But the book club my friends and I are attempting to start picked this for the first book and I wanted to read it before the movie.  It’s the story of Hazel Grace, a 17 year old girl who is living with her terminal cancer diagnosis.  She is witty and pretty straight forward and not into the whole rainbows and unicorns aspect of it.  She pretty much lives for her parents who love her, and that is why she allows them to talk her into a support group.  At the group she meets a handsome Augustus Waters and her story as she pictured it changes.

                I won’t lie it’s a sad story.  I managed to make it through the book without crying.  A feat accomplished only because when it got sad I’d put it down for a few minutes and do something else and come back 10 minutes later and start fresh again.  The movie…not so much you watch that from start to finish no stops and no breaks to compose yourself.  I cried my eyeballs out.  With that said have tissues handy. 

On that note I also have to mention that I’ve heard a handful of people ask why people would see a movie that seems depressing.  Yes it’s sad.  A story about people with terminal diseases, but it’s not depressing.  It’s an uplifting story and something that is all too real in our world.  It has a beautiful story that has romance and the right level of adorableness in it to soften the punch to the face sad stuff.  With that the movie captured the books essence wonderfully.  Yes they left out a few little side things that were inconsequential like a somewhat friend from Hazel’s time in school and the specifics of the machines and such.  Yes the book goes more in depth, as they all do, as the motives behind the characters particular the narrators. 

Basically I really enjoyed the book and the movie and I highly recommend them.  It was a nice contemporary break in my sci-fi/fantasy world.  It was refreshing and full of great moments that make reading such a beautiful release.  I applaud John Green and the actors who brought these characters to life on the big screen so vividly that it made me really feel.  That to me is what makes a great book and movie.  I give this book 5 Unlit Cigarettes.

The Culling by J.C. Andrijeski

                Hello again!  It's a bit later than intended but I had a bit of a power issue before work due to the storm and no power means no internet.  Anyways I'm back today with a review for The Culling by J.C. Andrijeski thanks to NetGalley.  Now this book is not an ARC it is a re-release and the next two books in the series are already out. 

                This is about 19 year old Jet, a skag, a human living free on Earth.  Yes Earth was taken over by an invasion of creatures called Nirreth and they allow humans to live in their cities but they are slaves so to be free you are always on the lookout.  Being outside the cities of the Nirreth is dangerous, not just awaiting capture by the culler ships but the Earth is not the same and resources are hard to find and so many things are toxic.  Jet is out trying to barter supplies when the unthinkable happens, she is taken by the culler ship.  No one knows what happens when you are taken, just that no one ever returns. 

               

                This story was pretty short and was a quick read.  I finished it in one sitting.  It was an interesting concept and let's face it a bad ass looking chick on the cover with a samurai sword looked pretty cool.  I had a flash of Walking Dead for a minute.  Then add in aliens and the makings for a good invasion/fight back story and I'm all for it. 

                You dive right into the world and you see what it has become and honestly it’s a future that is pretty bleak but still you see it from Jet's perspective and despite everything she is free and that is all that matters.  She is a good mix of strong, stubborn, and witty but she also has her moments which may cause more trouble down the line.  She is forced to confront her ideas and really lack of knowledge of the Nirreth and their ways in this new life of hers.  Also it brings up some interesting ideas, if you could be drugged into being compliant/numb would that be better to blindly serve or would you rather be aware of the servitude that you found yourself in?

                 This is a quick sci-fi/dystopian read to lose yourself in for a little while.  I give it a solid 4 swords.  As I mentioned this is a re-release and the next two books in the series, The Royals and The New Order are already on sale and I look forward to reading them and figuring out what happens to Jet next.  How she adapts to being a slave.  As a note I see that the books have two different series titles "Slave Girl Chronicles" and "Alien Apocalypse" but they are all the same, I believe the series name was changing, but rest assured it's the same series. 

Contact by Laurisa White Reyes

                Hello All!  I am on my first day off from my brand new job and I love it.  The new schedule is not set yet as I'll be moving around with trainings and such but yeah the first week I think the pure excitement was too much for me.  I was wide awake at work but then at home between 6pm-7pm I was passed out on the couch trying to watch a show, read, type, whatever until the next morning.  Anyways I think I have managed to get a handle on that, mostly by avoiding the couch at that window lol.  And the week before was running around finishing paperwork and getting parking permits and IDs and letting my old job know and saying goodbye to people there, moving jobs is crazy busy .  But now I'm off and have some reviews to type.

               

                Now I was provided Contact by LaurisaWhite Reyes by NetGalley and Hallowed Ink Press to read and review.  This is an ARC and is set to come out June 23rd.  This is a story about a girl, Mira, who tries to kill herself.  We join her after her second failed attempt.  She isn't depressed and suicidal as you might initially think, no she has a deeper reason.  Every time she comes into contact with someone, skin to skin, for even just a second she can see everything about the person.  Their whole psyche loads into hers and it sucks.  Not only does it hurt physically but she also feels so alone.  And on top of all of that her father is ruining for political office and is being investigated for several deaths during testing for the miracle drug he helped pioneer. 

                 I clicked on this book first because the cover caught my eye.  A beautiful girl with an cracked glass background in cool colors and font clutching an old school record, I was curious to know more.This book was pretty interesting.  It was set in modern day and I'd even say not a fantasy or sci-fi really.  Sure the seeing peoples mind is a bit fantasy but its more a symptom and the rest of the story is about a mystery and a girls struggle to deal with her life and everything in it.  She has family issues including a father who seems somewhat aloof and distant but whom she with her 'stunts' is clearly bringing more bad press to him.  Oh and did I mention this drug also is mandated now because it cures, you guessed it, depression so when your daughter is still suicidal it raises questions. 

                Mira is a solid character for me that has a lot of things going on in her head and heart and doesn't know what she wants anymore.  That's pretty much something everyone can relate to.  Then we have David, a guy she meets in the most interesting way, who seems drawn to her and despite her rationalizations she is drawn to him.  When you can't touch another person being around a boy that makes you want to touch is a conundrum.  As her life starts to spiral David is there to help her search for answers and keep her sane while maybe even bring her through this. 

                The story itself as I mentioned is more of a mystery than a fantasy as Mira and David search for clues about what she is and just what really happened in those trials.  It’s a dangerous game filled with excitement and intrigue so enjoy the ride.  I give Contact 4 Stars.  I enjoyed it and read through it pretty quickly, less than a day really.  It has a little bit of everything in there for you and  keep you going  to the last page.  Now it is currently only listed as a single book with nothing to indicate, that I have found, a start to a series but the book.  It ends but and you are okay with the ending but there was the option to continue so if the story of Mira does continue I look forward to reading it.   So check out Contact when it comes out soon on June 23rd.

                So I'm aiming for Monday to have my review of The Culling by J.C. Andrijeski ready to post.  But in the mean time, I adore all of you who take the time to read my blog and my ramblings about everything but I would love to hear from you as well.  So I ask you all, would you like the ability to read others minds/see their past?  Would you think of it as a curse or a gift?  Share your thoughts below please and stay tuned!