Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

Sunday, May 20, 2007 By 12 Comments

This book had many good reviews on it and after reading the book, I felt that it’s definitely worth a read, if not two. Truly, it’s easy to read and undoubtedly captivating with its story of a normal human girl falling hopelessly in love with a vampire who fortunately feeds only on animal blood.

Isabella Swan or Bella as she prefers to be called, decided to move to Forks, Washington to live with her father, Police Chief Charlie Swan. Her mother had remarried to another guy, Phil, and he was always traveling about. So, in the meantime, Bella made up her mind to stay with her father in rainy Forks.

On her first day of school, she heard from her new friend, Jessica, about the strange Cullen family, who always sat together and rarely socialized with the other students. One of them, Edward Cullen, happened to be in Bella’s Biology class, too. Since the only empty seat was next to Edward, Bella had to take it. However, his bizarre behaviour and hostile, deadly looks, which he gave her, really scared Bella out of her wits. She could not possibly imagine why he should hate her so much although they had not even spoken with each other!

But, one day, Edward saves Bella’s life unexpectedly. He managed to move her out of an uncontrollable van’s way so fast that she began to be suspicious of him. The driver of the van was another student, Tyler, and he kept following Bella, apologizing over and over again! On the other hand, Bella kept asking Edward all sorts of questions as she’s sure that he’s more than a regular human being.

Well, she did get answers to most of her questions and somehow realized that she’s very much in love with Edward. Edward also finds Bella very special because (a) he cannot read her mind like how he can read others’ (b) she has a very enticing scent, which attracts him extremely. But, he’s trying to control the urge to not harm her. He loves her too much, too!

Bella sounds like a brave girl because she does not always feel afraid when she’s with Edward. He claims that she’s a magnet for trouble and he always had to be around to save her from getting hurt. Really, she’s like a damsel in distress most of the time.

This is the first time I’ve read such an interesting story of humans having strong feelings towards vampires. At first, I thought it would just be another cheesy fantasy story but clearly, I was wrong. It’s much more than a fantasy story.

Twilight is followed by its sequel, New Moon. I would certainly read it to see how Bella and Edward’s relationship continues.

Other Bloggers’ Reviews: Marg, Lisa, Novelish, The Novel World, Melanie, Kris

Popularity: 57%

Filed Under: Authors M, Genre - YA Paranormal Romance, Titles T Tagged With:

Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones

Saturday, May 12, 2007 By 4 Comments

I’ve had many people telling me what a funny book this is but I’m afraid that I don’t find it that funny. Still, it was entertaining to read about the vain and dandy Wizard Howl who supposedly consumes the hearts of young girls!

Anyway, the story starts with Sophie Hatter. She has two younger sisters, Lettie and Martha. Her parents owned a ladies’ hat shop in Market Chipping. Her mother died when she was only two years old and her father married one of his shop assistants, Fanny, who then gave birth to Martha. So, Martha is considered Sophie and Lettie’s half sister. Well, the sisters do get along well with one another.

When Mr. Hatter died one day, the shop is left in Fanny’s hands. With not much money to spare for Lettie and Martha’s schooling, she sent Lettie to Cesari’s, the pastry cook, to be an apprentice and Martha to Annabel Fairfax, a witch, as an apprentice, too. Sophie is left to help out at the hat shop.

Sophie did not realize that she could talk things to life. Because of her, the hats in the hat shop have been selling like hot cakes. She gave character to the hats that she talked to while trimming them. One fine day, the evil Witch of the Waste paid a visit to the hat shop and without warning, turned Sophie into an old, old lady. It’s obvious that the witch does not approve of Sophie’s magic.

However, Sophie is calm and cool about it. She doesn’t mind being an old lady. Hence, she set off and somehow arrived at Wizard Howl’s castle. Since she’s an old lady now, she’s not worried that the wizard might eat her heart. She then became the wizard’s cleaning lady.

While she was there, she got to know Howl’s young apprentice, Michael and even made a deal with Calcifer, the fire demon. She promised to break Calcifer’s contract with Howl and in return, Calcifer would turn her back into a young girl again.

Diana Wynne Jones is a very descriptive writer and it’s clear in her books. Almost everything is described thoroughly and well and you get a clearer picture of things. She makes Howl a self-centred wizard but quite a kind-hearted one, too since he allows old Sophie to stay in his castle. I really like the ending, though! And yeah, don’t worry, there are indeed some funny parts that would make you chuckle.

Howl’s Moving Castle is now an animated movie from the director of Spirited Away. It would be nice to watch it to enjoy the story even more!

Popularity: 53%

Filed Under: Authors J, Genre - YA Fantasy, Titles H Tagged With:

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

Monday, May 7, 2007 By 15 Comments

Jane Eyre is indubitably one of my favourite books! I first read it about a couple of years ago and thought it’s one of the finest books ever written. This is the second time I’m reading this amazing book by Charlotte Bronte.

The name Jane Eyre may sound simple and modest but somehow, I think it’s a lovely name. After reading the book, I admired the name even more! Jane Eyre is surely one cool character.

Jane is an orphan as her parents died when she was only a baby. She was then left to the care of her mother’s brother, Mr. Reed. But he died, too and made his wife promise him that she would look after Jane Eyre. Unfortunately, Mrs. Reed utterly dislikes Jane and therefore, Jane’s life at Gateshead was a living hell. Her cousins relentlessly bullied her and Mrs. Reed was anything but sympathetic. Only Bessie, the nurse, was kind to Jane.

When Jane was 10 years old, she was sent to an orphanage, Lowood Orphan Asylum. She was so glad to finally get away from her pitiless aunt and cousins. Jane then spent 8 years at Lowood, 6 years as a pupil and 2 years as a teacher. When she arrived there, she made friends with a sickly girl, Helen Burns. They got along well but their friendship could not last long because Helen died some time after.

After living at Lowood for so many years, Jane wished to get a new job somewhere else. She advertised in the newspaper and finally became a governess for Mr. Rochester’s ward, Adele. Soon, Jane finds herself falling in love with Mr. Rochester but assumed that he only had eyes for the more beautiful Miss Ingram.

So, what do you think will happen in the end? Do you think Jane has a chance with her employer? And what’s with that ever-mysterious servant, Grace Poole, who Jane thought laughs mirthlessly, wanders around, and sets her master’s bed on fire in the middle of the night? There is certainly a good bunch of surprises in this well-loved story. If you’re willing to spend some time to sit down and really read this book, I’m sure you’ll enjoy it as much as I did!

Other Bloggers’ Reviews: Arukiyomi, Amanda

Buy Jane Eyre (Vintage Classics)

Popularity: 56%

Filed Under: Authors B, Genre - Classics, Titles J