[Rant] Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

Book 1 of The Vampire Academy Series: Vampire Academy

Richelle Mead

Young Adult - Paranormal/Vampires

Rant:

My best friend has been going on and  on about how good this series is and how much she thinks I would like it. I can see why she thought I would. For one, there's vampires. That's usually a huge plus for me.There are also cute guys and kick-ass female leads. More pluses.

In the world of Vampire Academy, there are humans, mortal vampires called Moroi, their guardians, who are half human/half vampire, called Dhampir, and evil immortal vampires called Strigoi. We begin the story with Lissa, a Moroi princess and her guardian Rose in Portland hiding out on a college campus (they're high schoolers). But then they're found and returned back to the St. Vladimir Academy, a school for Moroi and Guardians, that they'd run from.

I finished this book in a day, but about half-way through I was contemplating abandoning it. Everything that was happening seemed so trivial. They kept hinting at bigger issues, but ignoring them. There were too many silly mini-conflicts that hid the larger one. While I believe this was Mead's point so that the climax, could be, well climatic, I was bored. I couldn't connect with the characters. In truth, both Lissa and Rose annoyed me. As did most of the secondary characters, especially that Mia girl (what was her deal? Even after I learned what is was about I didn't care). Lissa was just too wimpy and a little too much "oh woe is me" and Rose was just so full of herself and not a very good person. Yes, she obviously cares for Lissa and protects her, but there were just as many times where she was the one causing her pain. Also, Rose didn't seem to have much respect for herself (or for anyone else for that matter) in the novel. Either she was fully aware and didn't give a shit, or she knew perfectly well and still didn't give a shit. I think it was the latter and I didn't like how manipulative she was to everyone. Strangely enough, Christian and Dimitri I liked and I liked Lissa and Rose a little better when they were with their respective guys.

So, anyway, I pushed myself and finished the book. Overall, I feel kind of "MEH" about it. I didn't hate it, but I definitely didn't love it either. If you've been following my blog or know me even a little, you know that characters are almost the most important thing for me in a book. Give me good characterization or nothing at all. I can't forgive almost anything in a work if I love (or even like) the characters. Even though this book should be up my alley (there are vampires for godssake!), it's not because Rose sucks!.  Also, usually when I finish a (good) book that is part of a series, I'm almost frantic with the need to read the next one. However, everything was wrapped up a little too neatly at the end of the novel.

I didn't love or connect with the characters; the plot wasn't very exciting; and the ending wasn't as much of a cliff-hanger as one expects from the first book in a six-book series. In the end, I'm not too excited to read the rest of the series and I probably won't.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower REVIEW OF MOVIE ADAPTATION

 
Dear Friend,

Oh my God! This is actually one of those! a movie adaptation that is actually better than the original novel!

I cannot believe how good this movie was!

Firstly, all of the characters came alive in the movie. My complaints about the novel (i.e. conflicts between Charlie's personality and his voice in his letters and etc. Read prev. post for more) became nonexistent! THe Charlie I expected and felt was not properly portrayed through his letters came through in movie format. The story is obviously better suited to movie form than episolary form. The letters vastly narrowed the scope of Charlie's experience. His friends also became more interesting and beleivable. This is Sam and Patrick as they were meant to be!

In addition, the telling of his past traumas was much more powerful with the use of flashbacks in the movie. We also get a more believable and enjoyable hint of Charlie's sensitivity without the constant crying like in the novel. I was almost afraid that they would make Logan Lerman actually sob every 20 minutes!

The movie also gives viewers a clearer picture of Charlie's role as a wallflower and what exactly that means. Patrick says, "You see things. You keep quiet about them. And you understand." It's not until the very end, (of the movie) however that you realize that Charlie also takes in all of the pain he witnesses in others. THAT is what makes him special.

The ending was absolutely perfect! It was fascinating, powerful, and heart-warming. It's the epitome of the kind of friendship that makes life worth living, and makes its crap just a little bit less crappy. You are either thankful that you have friends like Sam and Nothing, I mean Patrick, or hoping that you find some clones of them someplace. It makes YOU feel infinite.

Final Verdict: An amazing movie that's better than the book. It Should be added to the list of movies to watch before you die. I'm sure such a list exists. Perfect movie to portray the trials of adolescence and the glory of true friendship. So go give it a watch...NOW! But read the book first...just because.

Oh. Did I mention that the soundtrack is absolutely freaking awesome? No? Well, it is! Only thing I like the book better for? It contains a list of songs on pages 61-62! EDIT: Found a playlist on youtube. Gotta love these youtubers for making things easy. Charlie's Xmas Mix Tape for Pattycakes

Love Always,
Charlie Fatuma
Book Rants

[Review] The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Young Adult

Published: February 1st, 1999 by MTV Books and Pocket Books 

Paperback, 213 pages

Original Cover

Movie Cover

Blurb: 

Charlie is a freshman. And while he's not the biggest geek in the school, he is by no means popular. Shy, introspective, intelligent beyond his years yet socially awkward, he is a wallflower, caught between trying to live his life and trying to run from it.

Charlie is attempting to navigate his way through uncharted territory: the world of first dates and mix-tapes, family dramas and new friends; the world of sex, drugs, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show, when all one requires is that perfect song on that perfect drive to feel infinite.

But Charlie can't stay on the sideline forever. Standing on the fringes of life offers a unique perspective. But there comes a time to see what it looks like from the dance floor.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a deeply affecting coming-of-age story that will spirit you back to those wild and poignant roller-coaster days known as growing up.

Click below for review:

[Current Read]The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

I'm currently rereading The Perks of Being a Wallflower for the first time since I first read it in my 10th grade English class.

Reading it is like meeting an exboyfriend after a few years and suddenly you forget all of the reasons why you fell out of love. Instead, you remember the good and find yourself falling once again. Charlie is that exboyfriend for me... I'm suddenly remembering all of the reasons why I loved this book and I'm cursing myself for not having read it again sooner. Six wasted years...

More ranting after I finish the novel.

However, I'll leave you with one of my favorite lines so far:
"'He's a wallflower.'... 'You see things. You keep quiet about them. And you understand'." (37)

Quietly yours,
Fatuma
Book Rants

Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

ISBN:9780525423287

 Publication: 2011

Novel: Young Adult, Fiction, Romance 

Blurb:

Budding designer Lola Nolan doesn’t believe in fashion...she believes in costume. The more expressive the outfit--more sparkly, more fun, more wild--the better. But even though Lola’s style is outrageous, she’s a devoted daughter and friend with some big plans for the future. And everything is pretty perfect (right down to her hot rocker boyfriend) until the dreaded Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket, return to the neighborhood.

When Cricket--a gifted inventor--steps out from his twin sister’s shadow and back into Lola’s life, she must finally reconcile a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door.

Click below for the book rant!