September 2016 Music Videos

Come Up For Air - Skylar Grey (Sep 1)

  Naivety - A Day To Remember (Sep 1)

 Take Cover - All Time Low (Sep 1)

The Great Divide - Rebecca Black (Sep 3)

 Click My Fingers - The Tide (Sep 5)


The Greatest - Sia (Sep 5)

 Circles - Jana Kramer (Sep 6)

 Night People - You Me At Six (Sep 8)

Angela - The Lumineers Sep 8)

 Better - Meghan Trainor ft. Yo Gotti (Sep 15)

That's My Girl - Fifth Harmony (Sep  19)


Mercy - Shawn Mendes (Sep 21)

Starving - Hailee Steinfeld, Grey ft. Zedd (Sep 27)

Atlantis - Bridgit Mendler (Sep 27)

 Starboy - The Weeknd ft. Daft Punk (Sep 28)

 Meteorite - Years & Years (Sep 28)

Ain't My Fault - Zara Larsson (Sep 30)
  

On What You're On - Busted (Sep 30)

Book: P.S. I Like You by Kasie West

★★★¹⁄₂/★★★★★

 

“The world sees you one way

And they listen to all you say

You crave their attention

To feed your addiction

You have to sides

Two faces

You're trying to hide 

In two places.”

[Warning: This review contains spoilers!]

Kasie West sure knows how to write cute contemporaries. A bit cheesy, sometimes cliché but books like this are always a fun read. I've read three of her books—The Distance Between Us was a so-so, The Fill-In Boyfriend was so far my favorite and this book was entertaining. And with Lily exchanging letters with a mysterious guy and the scene where Sasha reads Lily's notebook in front of the whole school, it actually reminded me a lot of the movie A Cinderella Story which I really really loved!

But while I liked that this book was light and cute, I also think it was too cliché. It was too mainstream that Lily is your typical unpopular-weird-looking-self-conscious girl who lacks confidence and Cade is your typical popular-arrogant-athletic-hot guy who everybody either loves or fears. But, but! That isn't exactly a bad thing because despite that, Kasie West has a way of keeping you read until the end. She makes it okay with her cheesy lines and swoon-worthy guys.

“So you think I'm hot?” 
“Doesn't every girl?”
 It surprised me when his cheeks turned a light shade of pink. I wasn't sure why that embarrassed him in any way. I was positive he already knew it. He ran one hand through his hair. Then he said, almost too quiet for me to hear, “You're not every girl.”

The story focuses on Lily Abbott who always spaces out during her Chemistry class because it's so boring. To make it bearable, she pretends to write down class notes in her special notebook when in fact she's writing song lyrics or just her thoughts. One day she gets caught not paying attention to class so her teacher warns and tells her to keep the notebook away and now she's only allowed to bring a piece of paper to class, no notebook to be seen with her. She agrees but now she has no space to write her song lyrics on which sucks. But no problem since she has her whole desk to write on. She then begins writing her favorite lyrics on her desk and the next day she's surprised to see that someone has continued it for her. Next thing she knew, she's exchanging letters with this someone and soon it makes her look forward to attend her Chemistry class since it's only then that she gets to read and reply to the letter.

It's a really cute story and though the concept isn't new to me, it was still entertaining. Lily isn't the best character either but you can relate with her in many ways. She loves music but she's not confident enough to let anyone read or hear her lyrics. She's not popular at school and she had her fair share of having hard times in the hands of popular ones and her quirkiness doesn't really help. She has a huge crush on Lucas who she thinks will never notice her and she has the best friend in the world, Isabel (I like her!) who is her biggest supporter. She also has this big-not-so-normal family and I can very well relate with her on this part because I also have a big family and you can't really say we are the normal type too. And then she has this conflicted feelings toward this pen pal of hers who later on turns out to be someone she knew and is so different when writing his letters and in real life. Anyway, Lily is a likeable character and I liked that she's weird.

Now let's get to Cade. He's Lily's archenemy, Isabel's ex-boyfriend, the one Lily will always hate. But of course he's also hot and athletic and every girl falls for him. Well, maybe all except Lily. The moment Cade was mentioned I knew. But it didn't stop me from reading because like I said, West has a way of making you read until the end. At first I was so intrigued with Cade and I somehow hated him for how jerk he is towards Lily but towards the end his image changes and well, you know, I kinda fell for him. Haha. 

“P.S.” He brushed a piece of hair off of my cheek. “I like you. A lot.”

Lily's family might be my favorite in this book. Jonah and Wyatt are so adorable and Ashley, as a big sister, isn't that bad at all. Lily's parents are actually cool and let's not forget Bugs Rabbit! I wouldn't mind a weird family like theirs because really, mine is the same. Lily writing song lyrics is also one I really loved. I love writing poems and lyrics myself so I like that there's a touch of that in this book.

It might be predictable and cliché but this book managed to make me giggle and sometimes roll my eyes for how cheesy it is which I didn't mind. Overall, P.S. I Like You is really adorable and sweet, just the kind I needed after a heavy novel that is A Monster Calls. A light, fun read which will surely entertain you.

Book: Matilda by Roald Dahl

★★★★/★★★★★

“The books transported her into new worlds and introduced her to amazing people who lived exciting lives. She went on olden-day sailing ships with Joseph Conrad. She went to Africa with Ernest Hemingway and to India with Rudyard Kipling. She travelled all over the world while sitting in her little room in an English village.”

I've missed a lot of good books when I was younger and now I'm trying to catch up on everything! One is Matilda and I really enjoyed this one. What a brilliant and mischievous girl Matilda is!

 Blurb:

Matilda is a little girl who is far too good to be true. At age five-and-a-half she's knocking off double-digit multiplication problems and blitz-reading Dickens. Even more remarkably, her classmates love her even though she's a super-nerd and the teacher's pet. But everything is not perfect in Matilda's world. For starters she has two of the most idiotic, self-centered parents who ever lived. Then there's the large, busty nightmare of a school principal, Mrs. ("The") Trunchbull, a former hammer-throwing champion who flings children at will and is approximately as sympathetic as a bulldozer. Fortunately for Matilda, she has the inner resources to deal with such annoyances: astonishing intelligence, saintly patience, and an innate predilection for revenge.

She warms up with some practical jokes aimed at her hapless parents, but the true test comes when she rallies in defense of her teacher, the sweet Miss Honey, against the diabolical Trunchbull. There is never any doubt that Matilda will carry the day. Even so, this wonderful story is far from predictable. Roald Dahl, while keeping the plot moving imaginatively, also has an unerring ear for emotional truth. The reader cares about Matilda because in addition to all her other gifts, she has real feelings. 

What a fun read this book was and I loved Matilda! She's clever and despite having nasty parents, she grew up to be a wonderful child. She loves to read, she's smart and she doesn't tolerate injustices! At age five she's read a lot of books and she's got a beautiful heart. Though she can be vengeful at times. Haha.

Matilda said, "Never do anything by halves if you want to get away with it. Be outrageous. Go the whole hog. Make sure everything you do is so completely crazy it's unbelievable...”

Matilda's story is somewhat sad, having self-centered parents who don't encourage reading because why would you if you have the telly? Thankfully she's intelligent and patient and she has her books to keep her company. And of course she has Ms. Honey, her kind and sweet teacher. While I loved Matilda and Ms. Honey, I hated Matilda's parents and Ms. Trunchbull!! Grr. They are the spiteful grown-ups most children fear, the kind of adult who crushes children's dreams. They are evil but I liked that Matilda has ways of getting even with them. That said, it was a fun and great book! :)

Book: This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab

★★★★¹⁄₂/★★★★★

“That’s life, August,” she said. “You wanted to feel alive, right? It doesn’t matter if you’re monster or human. Living hurts.”

It's official. Victoria Schwab is my new favorite author! TSS is as brilliant as ADSoM and AGoS and now I'm in love with a monster! But of course, Kell is still my #1!

This book has gripped me from the first page until the very last that I didn't want to put it down when I had to but too bad I had to sleep! This world Schwab has created with monsters and human-who-act-like-monsters is so engaging and engrossing that it will keep you up all night thinking about the real monsters out there. There isn't much in the world-building but the characters and the writing style, oh my god the writing style, are both amazing!

The story basically revolves around Kate Harker and August Flynn who found themselves saving each other as the war between their families escalates. Kate is the daughter of Callum Harker, the horrendous leader who controls the north side of Verity and the monsters, and all Kate wanted is to be like him. She wants to be powerful, ruthless and feared not only by humans but also by monsters. She finds herself doing horrible things just to prove her father that she can also do what he can. August, on the other hand, wants to be human. He's a Sunai, a monster who feeds on the soul of the sinners, and Henry Flynn, leader of the south, took him in together with two other Sunai, Leo and Ilsa. Despite being a monster, August doesn't act like one unlike his brother Leo who embraces his nature.

In the north, Harker controls the monsters and people have to pay for his protection so that monsters won't harm them. In the south, Flynn protects the people by hunting down the monsters. The two have a peace agreement and as long as neither break the promise, a war won't happen. But the agreement could only last long for the monsters also want to own the city now. And what a perfect way to break the truce when Kate is presumed missing and August is the main suspect.

I really enjoyed this book but I have to admit that the monsters in this book scared me a bit. I was imagining Sloan and oh my god he is frightening! I didn't want to imagine the Corsai anymore but everytime I see a shadow they come to mind. And this is the reason I don't read horror!

"Corsai, Corsai, tooth and claw,
Shadow and bone will eat you raw.
Malchai, Malchai, sharp and sly,
Smile and bite and drink you dry.
Sunai, Sunai, eyes like coal,
Sing you a song and steal your soul."

The characters are well-rounded and though I kinda didn't like Kate's character at first, I came to understand where she's coming from later on. She wants to be like her father because she knew there's no place for weak people in their world. You must be powerful, ruthless and act just like a monster if you want the monsters to fear you and not the  other way other. And since her father has proven his ruthlessness long ago, Kate realized that it's her turn to prove that she's a real Harker just like her father. But while Kate wants to be a monster like her father, August wants the opposite. He doesn't want to steal souls, doesn't want to scare people. He just wants to be like them. To be normal.

"Kate," he said with a sob. "I can't keep going toward the edge―don't let me fall." His breath hitched. "I can't I can't do it again I can't go dark again I'm holding on to very little piece and if I let go I can't get them back I don't want to disappear―"

"Okay, August," she said, trying to keep her voice calm and even. "I won't let you fall."

I loved August's character right away and though he felt a bit cliche (a monster wanting to be human) he isn't hard to love. He genuinely wants to be different, to protect the innocents, to be able to do what's right. And the moment I found out that he's a monster who wants to be good, I was sold! Because I already knew what happens next.

He could be the monster, if that kept others human.

I know I would've loved it even more if there's romance between Kate and August (I know, I know, but  what can I do when I'm a sucker for romance?!) but somehow I wasn't disappointed that there isn't any in this book. Actually, I liked that they started off having negative/wrong ideas about each other and then eventually worked their way from there, trying to keep each other alive. And I have a feeling that there's a great chance we'll see a progress in Kate and August's relationship in the next book! Haha :P

Anyway, aside from the characters, Schwab's writing wowed me. It's like she writes and words just start to form beautifully! She has a way of threading characters and telling story and how I wish I could write like her. It's only my third book of hers but like I said, she's my new favorite author and I would love to read more of her works. And maybe I'll read Vicious next!

But while I loved the characters, plot and the writing style, I feel like it lacks something in the world-building. And that's the reason for a minus half-star. I guess I was waiting to see a more vivid Verity, the world where monsters are born whenever people commit a violent act. Aside from that, this book is amazing! It's action-packed, fast-paced and the monsters will keep you awake.

* * *

“Are you all right?” he asked.

His voice was still distant, but there was something in it. A sliver of concern. Kate let out a ragged breath. She looked down at herself, her torn sweater and bloodied hands. “I’m alive.”

A tired smile flickered across his face. “Well,” he said, “that’s a start.”

My 24th! :D

Happiest birthday to me and my Mom!

Today my mom and I celebrated our birthdays and I definitely had a blast! It was raining crazy but my friends still came and I love them for that!

Birthday Wishes:

1. More birthdays to come!
2. More blessings!
3. More happy moments!
4. More crazy adventures!
5. Moooooore booooks!

To everyone who greeted me here and in my other social sites, THANK YOU!!

And, and! I was able to finish This Savage Song today and it’s official! Victoria Schwab is my new favorite author! I still have few pages left with Safe Haven but I’m planning to finish it later. I’m also finishing A Monster Calls.

I just want to share how much I enjoyed my day that’s why I’m posting this. Anyway, to others who are also celebrating their birthday today, Cheers! 🎉🎉🎉

I don’t know about you but I’m feeling twenty four!

Pieces by Rob Thomas ♫♪

Run away, run away if you can't speak
Turn a page on a world that you don't need
Wide awake and you're scared that you won't come down now

Didn't I tell you you were gonna break down
Didn't I warn you, didn't I warn you
Better take it easy, try to find a way out
Better start believing in yourself

We build it up, we tear it down
We leave our pieces on the ground
We see no end, we don't know how
We are lost and we're falling
Hold onto me
You're all I have, all I have
Hold onto me
You're all I have, all I have

Now and then there's a light in the darkness
Feel around till you find where your heart went
There's a weight in the air but you can't see why, why

Didn't I tell you you were gonna break down
Didn't I want you, everybody wants you
Tell me what you're needing, give into your bleeding
Never any feeling for yourself

We build it up, we tear it down
We leave our pieces on the ground
We see no end, we don't know how
We are lost and we're falling
Hold onto me
You're all I have, all I have
Hold onto me
You're all I have, all I have

Didn't I tell you you were gonna break down
Didn't I warn you, didn't I warn you
Better take it easy, try to find a way out
Better start believing in yourself

We build it up, we tear it down
We leave our pieces on the ground
We see no end, we don't know how
We are lost and we're falling
Hold onto me
You're all I have, all I have
Hold onto me
You're all I have, all I have
Can you hold onto me
Can you hold onto me

Run away, run away if you can't speak

-azlyrics

TV Series: The Last Ship (2014) Season 3

Main Characters:

Eric Dane as Captain Tom Chandler

Adam Baldwin as Captain Mike Slattery 

Bridget Regan as Sasha Cooper

Travis Van Wrinkle as Lt. Danny Green

Marissa Neitling as Kara Green

Christina Elmore as Lt. Alisha Granderson

John Pyper-Ferguson as Tex Nolan

Jocko Sims as Lt. Carlton Burk

Charles Parnell as Master Chief Jeter 

As you all know, The Last Ship is one of my favorite series ever. The first season wowed me and the second just made me love it even more! But this season, well, I was mad when they killed off Rachel's character. Ugh! I mean, why would they do that? Rachel was like the center of it all but they killed her. I was so so so frustrated by the end of the second season and I was hoping they would revive Rachel's character but they didn't! But, now I get why they had to do it and actually it made the show better. (I can't believe I just said that!)

[Warning: This review contains some spoilers!]

After discovering the cure in the first season and fighting their way to distribute it in the second, the third season focuses on further healing the sick world. Tom Chandler is now the Chief of Naval Operations appointed by President Michener. Mike Slattery becomes the new Captain of Nathan James and the other crews stay aboard except Kara Foster, now Kara Green, who takes a job in St. Louis as Deputy Chief of Staff. She and Danny also have a son now, Frankie. We also have new characters like Sasha Cooper, a former Navy Intelligence Officer now operating under diplomatic cover in China for the newly reformed U.S. government and Takehaya, a former Japanese Navy officer and legendary pirate captain in post-plague Asia, who is affected by Peng's poison that neutralizes the effect of the cure. Peng is the new leader of China, the now enemy of Tom and his crew because he wants to gain control of all Asia. We also have Allison Shaw, the Chief of Staff of President Michener, and the other regional leaders who later plot the death of Michener because they want to gain control of the federal government.

This season was really action packed and the turn of events were unpredictable. Tom went back aboard Nathan James after someone tried to kill him in China and right that moment Mike and some of his crew were ambushed in some thank you party in Indonesia. It happened simultaneously so by the time Tom was back in Nathan James, Mike and the others were held hostage by some pirates. Later we found out that these pirates were led by Takehaya.

But all throughout the season we also lost some good characters, starting with Val who I grew to love in the first episode. Then there was Mason when Mike and the others were held hostage by Takehaya. By the end of the season we also lost Tex, oh my god Tex! I was happy when I found out he was back and seeing him in action again was exciting. But, but, but! In the end he was killed, trying to save Tom from Shaw. Huhu :"(

This season may not be my favorite but it surely was thrilling and action packed! I loved the new characters and the story kept on getting better. And as if finding the cure and distributing it to the world weren't enough, Tom and his crew must also save Asia and now America from the hands of greedy leaders.

I really thought Allison Shaw could be trusted, that she shared the same vision as President Michener but no, she was a one big fat liar and a scary beach! At first my sister and I thought that Alex Rivera was the traitor but it turned out that Shaw was the bad guy. Grr. And because of her Tex died!!!!

Anyway, it'll be a long wait until the fourth season (2017) and I can't wait to find out what happens next! Tom can't leave Nathan James for good because he just can't! First they killed Rachel and then Tex and now Tom is leaving. But I know they have something else up on their sleeves for the next season. 

Book: It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover

★★★★★/★★★★★

“Just because someone hurts you doesn’t mean you can simply stop loving them. It’s not a person’s actions that hurt the most. It’s the love. If there was no love attached to the action, the pain would be a little easier to bear.”

Naked truth:  This book is probably the best book I've read this year!

Colleen Hoover sure knows how to break hearts! Because this books just managed to break mine and my tears just won't stop pouring for the most part of the book. Like, seriously! It was like I was feeling Lily's pain and oh my god it hurt! :'( But that ending was perfect! ♥

SOMETIMES THE ONE WHO LOVES YOU IS THE ONE WHO HURTS YOU THE MOST

It Ends With Us is a powerful, emotional and beautiful story that gives us an outlook of life, family and relationships with some of their ugly sides. Colleen was able to write a story we can all relate with and what I loved most in this book was its honesty. It was very sad and painful but very honest. EVERYONE should read this book! The story doesn't only give us an inspiring story but it teaches us how to have the strength to make right choices especially in the hardest situations.

[Warning: This review contains some spoilers!]

Lily Bloom, just like some us, didn't have the perfect family. And really, who has ever had a perfect family? She grew up with her father occasionally hitting her mother and she hated her father for that. As a child she didn't understand why her mother stayed but as she became older she realized that sometimes the people we love are the ones who hurt us the most.

Now in her early twenties, Lily is living in Boston in hope of starting her own business. She moved out of her parents' house after graduating and somehow she just wants to see if everything is really better in Boston. On the night of her father's funeral, she meets Ryle Kincaid on some rooftop she Googled and right there and then they just start telling each other naked truths. Their meeting didn't end there and next thing they knew they are falling in love with each other. But as Lily and Ryle begin to get serious, someone from Lily's past just suddenly reappears. Someone who held, still holds, a piece of her heart. Atlas.

I have so many things I liked in this book and let me start with how much I loved the characters! Lily is such a brave and lovely and talented and amazing character. She's smart and she likes making bold decisions because she trusts herself to succeed. She's able to start up her own business; a flower shop with the help of her new bff, Allysa, Ryle's sister. Everything is going right for her and she can't believe how things are turning up. She has her own business, she's married Ryle and she's in good terms with her mother. Until things from her past start to hunt her. What she went through wasn't easy; seeing her mother getting abused by her father and now she's experiencing the same in the hands of her own husband. She told herself she's not going to be like her mother but soon she finds herself in the same situation, not being able to just walk away. And now she understands why her mother chose to stay: because it's not that easy especially when you truly love the person.

Ryle is the kind of character you easily fall in love with. He's straightforward and ambitious and maybe a bit arrogant but just like the rest of us he's got his issues. He may be successful and looks so perfect on the outside but he's just as broken. His childhood had done some serious damage on him and now it's threatening his relationship with Lily. I actually loved him because he's very sweet (and sometimes cliché) but I didn't care because he loves Lily! And he loves her so much to let her go! :'(

“I feel like everyone fakes who they really are, when deep down we’re all equal amounts of screwed up. Some of us are just better at hiding it than others.”

 Some of my favorite parts were of Ryle because he's just so in love with Lily it hurt. He might have told her that he prioritizes his career more than anything else but he's willing to put it second just for Lily.

“If you don’t want to be with me . . . please tell me right now, Lily. Because when I saw you with him . . . that hurt. I never want to feel that again. And if it hurts this much now, I’m terrified to think of what it could do to me a year from now.”

Now, now, let's get to Atlas Corrigan. While I loved Ryle, I really really loved Atlas! Atlas showed up in Lily's life when she was fifteen. He was homeless then, finding shelter in the abandoned house at the back of Lily's  house. When Lily found out about his situation, she began to worry and eventually decided to help him. As they spent time together, they got to know each other and feelings started to grow. But Atlas had to leave. He didn't have a choice and like it or not he had to leave Lily. Before leaving, he made a promise to find her when he knew he's already good enough for her and told her that if she ever though of finding him in the future then she knew where to look; in Boston where everything is better.

Atlas's story is as heartbreaking as Lily's and Ryle's. He ran away from home and his mother didn't care much. He was actually ready to end his life but when he saw Lily, it gave him hope. And I guess that's a really powerful scene.

“You saved my life, Lily,” he said to me. “And you weren’t even trying.”

During those times Lily was with Atlas, she was also writing to Ellen DeGeneres. She never sent them but it was her form of journal in which she wrote to Ellen and told her everything that's happened to her including Atlas. Especially Atlas. Later, Lily introduced The Ellen DeGeneres Show to Atlas and it somehow became a big part of their lives. So when Atlas left, Lily stopped watching it. She just can't watch Ellen without Atlas. She also stopped writing. Because what's the point if she can't tell Ellen about Atlas anymore. After some years, Atlas reappears in Lily's life and it's when her relationship with Ryle is threatened. Lily still remembers everything about Atlas and how could she forget him when he was her first love—her protector.

Lily,

Atlas says just keep swimming.

—Ellen DeGeneres

Now that Atlas and Lily have met again and Ryle found out about it, things between Lily and Ryle start to go south. Ryle starts to do things he doesn't mean to do and he ends up asking for Lily's forgiveness over and over again. The first time it happens, Lily lets it slip. The second time she tries to convince herself it won't happen again but the third time, it's too much. She has to walk away. And Atlas is there when she needs someone the most.

I knew what Ryle did to Lily would permanently damage their relationship but I was actually hoping for Lily to give him one last chance! But at the same time I wanted to punch Ryle and tell him to fudge off! And then some parts of me were rooting for Atlas to just grab Lily and take her away where no one can hurt her! I know it's a little fuck up but I just wanted everything to be fine with Lily! She didn't deserve that shit and someone just please hand me a tissue because I feel like crying! Again! :'(

 Naked truth: Atlas is just so perfect I want to marry him! 

“In the future . . . if by some miracle you ever find yourself in the position to fall in love again . . . fall in love with me.” He presses his lips against my forehead. “You’re still my favorite person, Lily. Always will be.”

 Other characters that I loved are Allysa and Marshall! They are just as endearing and they are a lovely and funny couple. I liked that Allysa became Lily's bestfriend and together their girl power is just too much! And let's not forget Lily's mother. I loved that she and Lily are in a good relationship and that they take care of each other.

 “Sometimes even grown women need their mother’s comfort so we can just take a break from having to be strong all the time.”

I can't imagine how hard and painful it must be for Lily's mother all those times. She's been a very strong mother, enduring her husband's beating just because she loved him. My heart broke for her. :'( And Lily must've not understood before but now she knows how brave and strong her mother has been. But unlike her mother, she chose to walk away because she knew it's for the best. Both for her and Emerson!

“It stops here. With me and you. It ends with us.”

 

Gahhh! I still can't get over this book. Maybe not for another week. Or month! It's just soooo good that I'm forcing my sister to read it. YOU SHOULD READ THIS!! Colleen managed to give us a very powerful story and I hope everyone gets the message she wanted to deliver. It's heavy and painful but let's learn from it. 

This book is really especial and I hope it reaches more readers! Good Job, Colleen for writing a book that will forever be in my heart. ♥

 

- - - - -

People say that teenagers don’t know how to love like an adult. Part of me believes that, but I’m not an adult and so I have nothing to compare it to. But I do believe it’s probably different. I’m sure there’s more substance in the love between two adults than there is between two teenagers. There’s probably more maturity, more respect, more responsibility. But no matter how different the substance of a love might be at different ages in a person’s life, I know that love still has to weigh the same. You feel that weight on your shoulders and in your stomach and on your heart no matter how old you are.

Lost at Twenty

She didn't know what else to do.

She didn't have a job, her family thought little of her and her friends were all doing great. At twenty she felt so lost and it might be cliché but she felt alone in a sea of people. She felt like drowning in her own tears. She felt useless. She felt embarrassed. She didn't know what else to do. What could've she done?

She fought.

She strived harder. She endured pain. She pushed herself to do better. From then she told herself she was the only one who can help herself. She needed to be strong. She needed to work harder. She needed to trust herself. So she fought.

And she's still fighting. 

Book: Fire Study (Study #3) by Maria V. Snyder

★★★¹⁄₂/★★★★★

 “There’s always another storm. It’s the way the world works. Snowstorms, rainstorms, wind-storms, sandstorms and firestorms. Some are fierce and others are small. You have to deal with each one separately, but you need to always keep an eye on what’s brewing for tomorrow.”

I was able to finish the last book in the Study Series some time weeks ago but only get to write a review now. I can't say I enjoyed it more than the first two books but I guess I was contented with the ending. Fire Study continued the story of Yelena as she became the Soulfinder everybody seemed to fear.

Picking up where the last book left off, Yelena's mission now was to find and recapture Ferde, the soul stealer,  for he has escaped with the help of Cahil. With the aid of Leif and some new friends, she began a journey to chase after Cahil and Ferde and along the way realized that they had much bigger problem than Ferde and Cahil. They now faced a group of magicians who wanted to take over Citadel by using the forbidden Blood Magic. Between trying to save everyone and herself from her fear of the Fire Warper, Yelena was able to finally understand her purpose as a true Souldfinder.

There was a lot going on in this book and sometimes I found myself just wanting it to end. One page I was so engrossed and the next I was bored. I felt like the story was dragged on and it felt like the longest rescue mission ever! Yelena and her friends just kept on being ambushed then captured then they'd be able to escape then repeat. It was kinda frustrating but I told myself to be patient and just wait because I knew something else, something big was going to happen soon. But, but! While at times it was boring, there were parts I really enjoyed! Like scenes with Janco and Ari and Opal. The second half of the book also brought back my interest when Yelena went back to Ixia. I guess that was when the real fight began.

We also got to see a lot more characters in this book like the other Zaltanas, the Vermins, Warpers and some others. And Fisk! He was one of my favorites in the Magic Study and I was glad to see him again in this book. He was a ten year-old beggar turned businessman thanks to Yelena's help. Now he was able to help Yelena in return and he was a really sweet boy.

“No. Things are bad and getting worse. If you’re killed, I have a horrible feeling life wouldn’t be worth living.”

Valek was MIA for most of the time until the latter part of the book as well as his now seconds-in-command, Ari and Janco. I guess I was hoping for their appearance early in the book since I LOVED them but too much for hoping. The duo were still entertaining and charming and I was glad they were still loyal to Yelena. I loved that they cared for her like older brothers, always teasing and teaching her to look after herself. Valek still showed up whenever Yelena needed help. He was the ghost who always watched her and we also got to see some brief romance between them a couple or more times in the book.

“You, me and a couple thousand ghosts? Sounds crowded,” he teased. “At least you already found one soul, love.”
“Moon Man’s?”
“Mine. And I trust you not to lose it.”

Another character I grew to love was Moon Man. He and Yelena became closer in this book and their relationship developed throughout. Yelena eventually came to trust her story weaver, understanding his wisdom and cryptic advice more and more as they spend time together. But it saddened me when Yelena distrusted Moon Man at some point.

“You were looking for an easy road. Which Gede provided. You could have reclaimed me as your Story Weaver at any time.”
“How?”
“You just needed to ask. Or rather begged for my return—much better for my ego.”

Overall, I give it three and a half stars. Yelena has grown so much on me but while I enjoyed the whole series, I don't think I'll be picking up the spin-off series or the new series about Yelena anytime soon.

The whole series has been fun and entertaining!

KDrama: W - Two Worlds 2016

Main Characters: 

Lee Jong suk as Kang Chul

Han Hyo joo as Oh Yeon joo

Jung Yoo jin as Yoon So hee  

Lee Tae hwan as Seo Do yoon

Kim Eiu sung as Oh Sung moo

 I know I've told you this a million times before but Lee Jong suk is the love of my life. I've loved him since I first watched School 2013 and now I just can't stop liking him more and more. And imagine my surprise when I found out that he was shooting a drama with Han Hyo joo who I also love. They make a perfect couple and how I wish we see more of them! 

W - Two Worlds revolves around Oh Yeon joo, a second year resident doctor at Myung Sei Hospital and daughter of Oh Sung moo, the famous artist who created the webtoon series W, and Kang Chul a gold medalist in Shooting and the lead character of the webtoon series W. Chul's family was murdered 10 years ago and now he's working to capture the killer. Yeon joo and Chul's lives get tangled together when Yeon joo is pulled inside the webtoon while looking for her father who mysteriously disappeared after drawing the last episode of W.

* * * * *
Inside her father's office, while Yeon joo is looking for a clue on where her father might disappear to, she sees how Sung moo is planning on ending W and feels sad about it because she and everyone else wants the lead character, Kang Chul to have a happy ending but instead, Sung moo is killing Kang Chul in the last episode. Then, while she's busy looking around, a bloody hand just suddenly reached out and dragged her inside her father's monitor. Next thing she knew, she's saving a dying man on some hotel's rooftop.

 At first, Yeon joo didn't know the man she just saved but when a man told another that the dying man is actually their president, Kang Chul, Yeon joo starts to get confused. Then she locked eyes with Kang Chul and before she can think of anything else, a "To be continued..." sign appears and she is back inside her father's office. To her surprise, everything that happened in the rooftop is now drawn in the new episode of W and what's crazier is that a new character named Yeon joo is also added in the series. And only she knows that what happened in the webtoon actually happened and the new character is actually her.

Inside the webtoon, Chul is still recovering in the hospital and he starts to ask questions about Yeon joo but since she doesn't live in the webtoon, they can't find anything about her. His secretary and friend, So hee, tells her that the police thinks Yeon joo is the main suspect since she just suddenly disappeared in the rooftop before they can get her statement. His personal bodyguard, Do yoon, also becomes curious as to why he's so eager on finding Yeon joo but all he tells them is that she's the key to his life.

 In the real world, Sung moo is back and Yeon joo tries to ask him what happened to him and why he suddenly changed his plan of ending W. Sung moo tells her that his plan hasn't changed that this time he's actually ending it because he's so sick of it. Yeon joo also senses something different in her father but doesn't say anything about it. After she leaves, Sung moo goes back to his work, asking Su bong, his assistant, to research about a poison that's easily found in a hospital. Back in Chul's world, he's fast asleep in the hospital when a nurse enters his room. The nurse is about to inject something in his IV when Yeon joo suddenly shows up. It turns out that Sung moo plans on killing Chul again by poisoning him. When Yeon joo explains that the nurse is trying to poison him , the nurse runs away making Chul's men chase after her. Naturally, Chul wonders how Yeon joo knew about it but she smoothly lies by telling him she was passing by when she saw the suspicious nurse. Then she tries to sneak away but Chul grabs onto her, saying "Oh Yeon joo-sshi, we finally meet." when he sees her name on her lab gown. Chul also has a lot of questions to her but Yeon joo tells him she'll answer them next time. So Chul lets her go but made her promise to answer his questions the next time they meet. He then gets her number and sends her on her way. 

Fast forward to when Chul finally gets out of the hospital, that's two months later but to Yeon joo, who is still inside the webtoon, it was only half an hour or so. And as agreed, Chul contacts her and demands they meet. Chul finds her outside the hospital where she sat just a while ago and wearing the same exact clothes two months ago. (That's really confusing, right? Haha. It's because the time inside the webtoon is much slower than the time in the read world.) Noticing that she's wearing the same clothes, Chul buys her new clothes and while they're at it, Yeon joo thinks of a way how to get back to the real world. She realizes that in webtoons, the hero should experience something significant or shocking for an episode to end. So she marches straight into Chul and slaps him, hard, thinking it should surprise Chul enough. But no, it didn't. Instead, it makes Chul voice out his thought that it's what he gets after buying her expensive clothes. Seeing that it didn't work out, Yeon joo tries the next thing than comes to mind. She kisses him and of course, it works.

Back to the real world, Yeon joo is gone for only half an hour and she's not so thrilled to see that what happened between her and Chul is drawn in the new episode of W again. And this time, she's sure that Chul is real and that his world is real too. She then calls her father to tell him about it, saying he must not kill Kang Chul because it's not right. But Sung moo is enraged to see what just happened inside the webtoon and firmly tells her that he's really ending W this time. Sung moo already disbanded his team and goes to a motel to work on the last episode on his own. 

Chul, now more curious where Yeon joo has disappeared to, is driving away from the clothing store when a truck drives directly towards him. He notices that the windows and license plate are all blacked out and seconds before the impact, everything around him freezes expect him. Sung moo, who is drawing everything in the real world seems satisfied with it but to his surprise, his drawing just suddenly begin to erase itself. He tries to draw again but nothing happens. Back to Kang Chul, everything is still frozen and realizing what's happening now, he swerves hard, avoiding the truck and phew he's saved. He then gets out of his car, looks up the sky and asks, "Who the hell are you?" surprising his creator, Sung moo.

The story continues as Yeon joo keeps on getting dragged back inside the webtoon, much longer this time, and soon things start to change. Kang Chul also desperately wants to find out where Yeon joo came from so he keeps her close to him. And eventually they start to get closer than intended, falling for each other. 

 *I really liked this scene because this is when Chul is away and he calls Yeon joo to check on her and Yeon joo realizes that by then even Chul's voice could make her heart flutter. Before hanging up Chul tells Yeon joo that she can go home whenever she feels like telling him the truth and attempting one more time, she tries surprising him again, thinking it would cause a change in emotion, and tells him, "I love you!" but of course, it doesn't work. Lol. What's more charming is that when they hang up, Yeon joo feels mortified but Chul is smiling, saying "If I hear it one more time, I might be shaken,"*

At some point, Yeon joo has no choice but to tell Kang Chul about where she really came from. Chul tells her it's okay, that he'll understand whatever she's trying to say so she tells him the truth and as expected, it shocked him to find out that he's just a character from some webtoon. Then next thing we see, Chul is coming out of the webtoon to the real world via screen monitor. 

 *The truth shocks Chul quite a lot so it makes the To be continued... sign appear, making Yeon joo disappear.

Once he's out in the real world, he finally understands what Yeon joo was telling him when he sees his face being advertise everywhere. He sees the posters of the famous W and wanting to confirm it, he buys a copy and read it himself.

 

 Everything changes again when Chul finally found out the truth about his world, that everyone is just made up and nothing is real. But of course for him it's very real and everything and everyone is important to him. It angers him so then he decided to confront his creator, Sung moo, and find out why Sung moo created him in the first place if he's just going to make his life miserable.They have quite a talk and Chul ends up shooting Sung moo.

After recovering from Chul's shot, Sung moo finally decided to end the webtoon the way it's supposed to, by letting Chul capture the man who killed his family. Chul also thinks of a way how to continue his life inside the webtoon without compromising his relationship with Yeon joo. He then comes up with a plan with the help of Sung moo and Yeon joo but at some point other variables keep on changing and just when they think it'll be okay then, they get themselves new villains.

People from the two worlds soon become aware of how real both worlds are and the villains from the webtoon eventually find out about Sung moo's tablet, which is the portal between the two worlds. Chul and Yeon joo also struggle with their relationship and it doesn't help that some turn of events leave them no choice but to do things they don't really want to do. It's heartbreaking at some point and this is why I love this drama!

* * * * *

I REALLY love this series because it's refreshing and very unpredictable! The casts are amazing and the story just keeps on getting better the more you watch. You can say I'm a little biased here but you can't deny the fact that Lee Jong suk and Han Hyo joo are great actors!

I want to tell you everything about this drama but it's better if you just watch it yourself! I promise you'll love it because there's really no reason not to! It's a great drama with a touch of suspense, fantasy and romance, oh my god the romance! It 's funny and heartbreaking and trilling and just beautiful!

♥

Poem: Me. You . Her.

I fall for you, you fall for her
I try to run away but couldn’t get anywhere
I give you my all, you give her your all
I try to look away but I still fall

My eyes on you, your eyes on her
Everyone knows your feelings but her
You ignore my heart then she ignores you
Everyone knows my feelings but you

And then she is gone, now you’re gone
I still ask myself what could have I done?
I gave you my love, you gave her your love
Why did I give you everything I have?

Now I feel lost coz you are gone
How could I believe you were the one?
Guess you and I weren’t meant for each other
Just your luck you and her weren’t either

Book: Haze by Brandon J. Barnard

★★★/★★★★★

I managed to finish this book weeks ago and I know it took me forever to write a review (sorry!) but here it is now.

Set in London year 2071 where air pollution was so high that people need to wear a gas mask when going outside, the novel followed the life of Jack Decker, an office assistant who didn't like his job. He was socially awkward without any friends that was until he met Haze who was too busy stuffing her mouth with doughnuts the first time they met. Jack grew fond of her and eventually started to fall for her. There were also flashbacks that gave us more of Jack's past.

What I liked most in this book was the mystery surrounding Jack as well as Haze. Though there were instances that I've predicted what would happen next, it was still good to be surprised at times. Another thing I really liked was Jack's DDing! (That's Digital Diving, by the way) It's some sort of VR that lets you dream anything you want and anything inside it would feel real, like you're really there! How cool is that? At some point we saw Jack sharing a DD experience with Haze which deepened his feelings for her. Here we also saw Haze giving us an idea of what-if-you're-dreaming-inside-a-dream kind of thing.

 "This aspect of Digital Diving brought along different emotions for everyone. Some felt secluded, others felt a lack of atmosphere, and Jack felt right."

 I didn't feel any strong connection with Haze but it didn't mean I didn't like her. She was a so-so and maybe it's because she wa predictable. Her character was underdeveloped and I think it would've been better if we saw more of her story. Jack, on the other hand, was relatable but his character was inconsistent and it was somehow confusing.

Now let's get to the things-I-didn't-like/get part. First, it was set in a post apocalyptic London which I think didn't really play a great part in the story. I mean, it could've been set in a modern day and it wouldn't matter. Or maybe I just didn't see the connection? And then the pacing was a bit off at times and I felt like the flashbacks were only inserted to make the story longer. There were also grammars errors and sometimes the dialogues felt unnatural. Or maybe it's just me. again. And then there was the issue about his mental health which I think was taken lightly.

That said, I think Haze has a great potential if the plot is developed even more and the writing is improved. It's a really interesting concept and I think it can still be polished into something better!

*I received a free copy from the author in exchange for an honest review*

Movie: Train to Busan 2016

★★★★/★★★★★

Main Characters:

Gong Yoo as Seok woo

Kim Su an as Su an

Jung Yu mi as Sung Kyeong

Ma Dong seok as Sang hwa

Ahn So hee as Jin hee

Choi Woo shik as Young guk

Kim Eui sung as Yong suk

Director: Yeon Sang ho

 Synopsis from Asianwiki:

Seok woo (Gong Yoo) is a fund manager in Seoul. He is separated from his wife and lives with his daughter Su an (Kim Su an). Seok woo doesn't spend much time with his daughter or show affection to her. On the night before Su An's birthday, Su an insists on seeing her mother for her birthday. Seok woo has no other choice, but to take her to Busan. Early the next morning, they board the KTX train for Busan at Seoul Station.

Before the KTX train leaves Seoul Station, a zombie like girl jumps onto the train. The girl is infected with a horrific virus that is spreading like wildfire. Seok woo, Su an and the other passengers on the KTX train must now fight for their lives. 

***

Like everyone else, I was excited when I found out that Train to Busan will be shown in theaters here in Philippines. I'm a big fan of zombie movies and watching one in a big screen always always excites me! So, in this movie we have zombies, an exciting-thrilling setting which is a train full of passengers and of course, our handsome lead actor Gong Yoo and the other characters. 

The movie starts off a little dramatic with Seok woo and Su an trying to work out their estranged father-daughter relationship. But as they travel to Busan aboard a train full of zombies with other passengers who are also tyring to survive, Seok woo and Su an become closer and they get to learn a thing or two from each other. While Seok woo's only priority is Su an, Su an cares for the well being of others. She tries to do good by simply offering a seat to an elderly or wanting to inform others that her father knows a safe way out when it is only arranged for the two of them. Seok woo, being so different from his daughter tells her, “At a time like this, only watch out for yourself.” But later on, Seok woo also learns to help and care for others while trying to keep their loved ones safe. 

We also have other characters like Sang hwa and his pregnant wife, Sung kyeong, a student with his baseball team Young guk, Jin hee, a girl who has a crush on Young guk and a couple of elderly sisters. It's supposed to be a normal train trip for them but when a strange girl boards the train unnoticed, the next thing they know is that people just start attacking and biting each other. In a matter of seconds, they have a train full of zombies.

This movie is thrilling enough to make you jump out of your seat and (unintentionally) punch the guy next to you. I watched this last night with my family and I remember grabbing my sister's arm not once, not twice but almost the entire movie! (Maybe we screamed once or twice, too.) Anyway, we really enjoyed it and aside from delivering us an entertaining zombie movie, this movie also teaches us things about a parent's love to his/her child, a person's true nature when faced in danger and most importantly, a man's courage of sacrificing himself for the good of others. I occasionally cried too especially at the ending!

If you want a good zombie movie, you must watch this one! :D