Showing posts with label Beautiful Creatures. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Beautiful Creatures. Show all posts

Tuesday

Books I'd Like to see From Another POV

This is a post I really wanted to write since I'm on a night's break from Revision. I've been thinking a lot lately about what books I would love to see from another characters' perspective. I always seem to think, when a character makes a sudden reappearance, "Where have you been?" or "What happened?". Have you got any books you would like to see written from another point of view? I certainly do!

The Hunger Games Series by Suzanne Collins(Peeta & Gale's perspective) This is a tough one, as I would like to see all of the books from different perspectives but, I think the main one for me would be to see Peeta retelling the tale of the 74th Annual Games. I would love to see how he was able to escape Cato, how much he loves Katniss and how he was able to camouflage himself in the mud. He has such a gentleness to him, I'd like to see his point of view of being chosen for the games.
 

 
As for Mockingjay, I would devour a book from Gale's perspective. For people who have read the series, wouldn't you want to know what part he played in the heart-breaking run-up to the ending? I still want to know what thoughts went through his mind, and if anything was it all his fault.
 
Small Blue Thing by S.C Ransom(From Callum's perspective) Small Blue Thing is such a beautiful romance story, and Callum(who is a Dirge stuck in a half-life on misery) would be a brilliant character to get to read about. I would love to dig-deeper into the world of the Dirge's. I found the whole concept so interesting throughout the series, I think being able to find out more about the secrets of St Pauls Cathedral would be amazing. What about the moment he realises Alex has found the amulet, and he has a chance of freedom? I want to read this!
 
Divergent/Insurgent by Veronica Roth(Jeanine Mathews Novella) I wouldn't like to read a whole book from Jeanine's perspective but, I'd be first-in-line to purchase a novella. Getting inside her mind and seeing why exactly she decided to control the factions the way she does would be so interesting. Or maybe the novel from Caleb's or Tori's point of view, I think they are such complex characters, I mean, why did Caleb pick Erudite? The mysteries of novels! Who knows, maybe we'll find out in Allegiant!
 
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green(From Augustus Waters' perspective) It's hard to mention his name without feeling your eyes brim with tears but wouldn't a The Fault in Our Stars novella from his perspective be so touching. There is so much wisdom when it comes to Augustus and he can see the brighter side of everything. I'd love to read his words, they would be a masterpiece! And John Green I'm sure would be able to write this!
 
Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl (All with Ridley Duchannes) It would be difficult to have the whole plot told by her, but how evil(and I admit, fun) would it be to read from her POV. All the mischief and plans she makes. It would be a fast-paced, and slightly scary, but completely worth it read!
 
Geek Girl by Holly Smale(From Lion Boy's Perspective) Can you imagine how hilarious it would be to read Geek Girl from the boy Harriet meets under a table? His reaction when she started to try to explain herself would be priceless and have tears streaming down my face from the laughter and then the moment he finds her hyper-ventilating into a crisp packet. When you need a light-hearted and fun read this would be perfect. I completely fell in love with Harriet, Lion Boy and Toby of course and anymore I could grab from this cast would always be worth the read! Imagine if he felt as embarrassed as Harriet did!
 
What books would you like to read from anther POV?
 

Thursday

Film Review: Beautiful Creatures

Ethan Wate lives in a small country town called Gatlin. Waiting for the day he will finally get to leave and travel, he has been having strange dreams about a girl he wants to reach but can never recognise. When new-comer Lena Duchannes comes to town he knows it is her but as the niece of the town recluse Macon Ravenwood, everybody already has their opinions. Lena is a Caster, a witch who's powers will be Claimed by either the Light or the Dark on her sixteenth birthday. But, Ethan and Lena are already in love but a mortal and a Caster can never be together. With Lena's Claiming approaching things are only set to become more dangerous, putting their lives at risk. It all started with a Curse. (12A)
 
 Ethan Wate(Played by Alden Ehrenreich) was brought to life in this adaption along with the other characters that are loved from the books. Alden had the perfect portrayal of Ethan that was both moving and emotional but one that you could see the fight for Lena in. He fought for Lena throughout the film, and his love was clear throughout. Ethan also had some sayings that were so beautiful, and dug deep into the character. Lena Duchannes(Played by Alice Englert) was also a powerful gothic supernatural, with her struggle throughout the book, alive on screen but one that also brought a normal-teenage girl to life. The chemistry between Ethan and Lena was never forced, Alden and Alice completed embodied their characters and all they wanted to do was protect eachother. Macon Ravenwood and Link also brought humour to this adaption with Macon being wise yet exactly how he would be imagined when reading. The way both the Light and the Dark sides and Gatlin was brought to life was magical.
 
The plot built with excitement along with some gripping twists and turns that were unpredictable. It was also moving and tear-jerking that made a beautiful film. It was also funny and witty, parts that brought more to what could be seen as a serious film. Book to film adaptions also allow you to see things you don't get to see in the book. New parts were added that were perfect in the film and gave you an understanding of the plot beyond what the main character can see. My favourite scenes were one's from another character's perspective, which were all amazing to see. It also had gorgeous set designs and costumes. There were some CGI effects but all of them felt real. Seeing the Casters being brought to life along with their powers was great.
 
One thing I will point out is that you can't go into this adaptation expecting an exact replica of the book. There are changes to the plot, that change important parts in the story, with a twist ending that will leave you shocked but anticipating a sequel. The climax to the ending was fantastic, I preferred the ending to the film than the one of the books as it leaves you wanting to know what happens next. Although, there were things I missed about the book, some parts it was better without. The book was adapted here but despite the changes, It still delivered. It gave a supernatural romance with characters to root-for.
 
"Beautiful Creatures was an exciting, captivating adaption that took you into Gatlin and the world of the Dark and Light Casters. It brought to life a gothic romance with great chemistry between Lena and Ethan that was also moving and funny. Although it was not the exact book and had changes, it had a shocking twist-ending that left the door wide open to a very anticipated sequel. A film that you will love and want to see again and again"
****
 
Have you seen it yet? If so, what did you think?

Monday

Beautiful Creatures REVIEW

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl(Adaptation to be released on the 14th Feb 2013)
 
 Is falling in love the beginning...
or the end?'
 
'Sixteen moons, sixteen years
Sound of thunder in your ears
Sixteen miles before she nears
Sixteen seeks what sixteen fears'
 
Ethan Wate lives in a small town, Gatlin, in South Carolina. It's a type of town where everyone knows everything about you.With a map up on his wall, that he marks when he reads about a place he wants to visit: a town that Ethan is waiting to leave. But, then Lena Duchannes moves to town. Someone who Ethan instantly knows is the girl from strange dreams he has been having, in each she slips from his fingers and wakes dripping wet and covered in mud. Niece of the town shut-in Old Man Ravenwood everybody has their opinion: a spiral notebook, a number on her hand, a haunting song heard, a window shattered in class. One day in the rain will change everything. Lena is a Caster, not a mortal, and on her sixteenth birthday her powers will be Claimed for either the Light or the Dark. A curse put on her family means that she has no choice. The Claiming will decide her fate for ever. Once Claimed there is no going back. Dark, Light.  Ethan has fallen for Lena, something that will only put him in danger, but somehow he can protect her. Although, suddenly he's realising how much a small town can actually hide. Ethan never saw it coming.
 
Beautiful Creatures was an exhilarating super-natural read, that captures you from the first page. It was suspenseful, heart-racing and powerful - in a Southern world. This book captivated me into Ethan Wate's life and what I loved about this book was that it was told from a male's perspective. You got to follow Ethan's thoughts and feelings as he discovered the secrets and this girl-Lena Duchannes who has no choice on her fate. I loved Lena's character, who finds herself just wanting to have a choice. She was so fully brought to life: her charm necklace, her spiral notebook, green eyes, black hair all the details were there. I was willing her on.
 
 Full of mystery and dark secrets, it packed all different genres and points into one book: romance, supernatural, fantasy and fiction creating a fantastic read. Beautiful Creatures is perfectly crafted, creating a world that so effortlessly captures the reader. Full of beautifully written visions that kept you on your edge of your seat, a mysterious past was told. I couldn't put this book down! An unforgettable page-turner, with mysterious and dark secrets to uncover in fast-paced plot twists. This novel also combined historical elements and really brought Gatlin to life. It taught me about the Civil War: something that Gatlin is really built on and brings to life Lena and Ethan's history. Beautiful Creatures had so many interesting, unique and gothic characters, both Light and Dark. There were shocking twists and turns in every plot that are un-predictable, with emotional parts of the plot. A mesmerising novel that will keep you up late thinking about it.
 
Beautiful Creatures was a fantastic super-natural read, that was captivating, heart-racing and powerful. Packed with excitement, suspence, love and love. There are not enough words to describe such a perfectly created world and page-turning novel. A mesmerising book that is a must-read for anyone 12+.
*****
 
Some of my favourite quotes from this book:
 
"she made me realize how much I was just like the rest of them, even I wanted to pretend I wasn't"
"Funny thing was, the more she ran, the more determined I was to follow"
"The toe's of our ratty black sneakers touched"
"The monuments of wit survive the monuments of power"
"Question everything. Learn something. Answer nothing."
"If you reveal your secrets to the wind, you should not blame them for revealing them to the trees"
"Three can keep a secret if two of them are dead"