If you're familiar with iTunes, you probably know that movies tend to be released earlier in digital copy than on DVD. The Fault in Our Stars (based on the novel by John Green) is no different. It was released today, (August 26th, 2014). Both theatrical and extended editions were released, in HD only. I would recommend getting the extended edition, that way you can see all the deleted scenes (there aren't that many, but the ones that are there are important scenes) while watching the movie. I'm not sure how you access deleted scenes through digital, but nevertheless, I would recommend the extended edition, unless you don't want to pay a little bit extra for it.
Speaking of prices, here is the cost of the movie on the iTunes store:
The Fault in Our Stars (Extended Edition), $24.99
The Fault in Our Stars (Theatrical Edition), $19.99
The Fault in Our Stars (Soundtrack), $11.99
The Fault in Our Stars (Score) $13.99
Please note that the movies are only available in HD. If you want to wait and get the SD version instead, you have to wait until September 19th, which is also when the DVD is out. If you get the DVD + Digital Copy then you can just download it that way.
I've already watched the whole movie once, and now I'm listening to the soundtrack on Youtube. :)
Tuesday, 26 August 2014
Library Run: August 26 2014
I've gone to the library more times in the last few weeks than I care to count. It's just so much easier to go to the library and borrow books for free for a couple weeks than buy them, especially when I'm not totally sure I want to actually spend the money.
Last week, I picked up Elusion by Claudia Gabel and Cheryl Klam. You can find the review on my blog (too lazy to post the link at the moment). I also got Descendant by Lesley Livingston, the sequel to Starling.
This week (today, August 26th) I had a few holds that came in, so I got to pick up those as well as a few others, which were:
Echo by Alyson Noel (Soul Seekers, book 2)
Tidal by Amanda Hocking (Watersong, Book 3)
The Lovely and the Lost by Page Morgan (The Dispossessed, Book 2)
Deception's Princess by Esther Friesner
Fever by Lauren Destefano (The Chemical Garden, Book 2)
The Fall of Five by Pittacus Lore (Lorien Legacies, Book 4)
Low Red Moon by Ivy Devlin
I have plenty to read for the next couple weeks, as I don't have to return them until the 19th-- I usually return them early, if I can. Low Red Moon is actually for my Mom. (My parents use my library card because I'm the only one in the house who actually has one that works.)
Which of these books have you read? Are you planning to read any? How often do you visit your public library?
Last week, I picked up Elusion by Claudia Gabel and Cheryl Klam. You can find the review on my blog (too lazy to post the link at the moment). I also got Descendant by Lesley Livingston, the sequel to Starling.
This week (today, August 26th) I had a few holds that came in, so I got to pick up those as well as a few others, which were:
Echo by Alyson Noel (Soul Seekers, book 2)
Tidal by Amanda Hocking (Watersong, Book 3)
The Lovely and the Lost by Page Morgan (The Dispossessed, Book 2)
Deception's Princess by Esther Friesner
Fever by Lauren Destefano (The Chemical Garden, Book 2)
The Fall of Five by Pittacus Lore (Lorien Legacies, Book 4)
Low Red Moon by Ivy Devlin
I have plenty to read for the next couple weeks, as I don't have to return them until the 19th-- I usually return them early, if I can. Low Red Moon is actually for my Mom. (My parents use my library card because I'm the only one in the house who actually has one that works.)
Which of these books have you read? Are you planning to read any? How often do you visit your public library?
Monday, 18 August 2014
Book Review: Elusion by Claudia Gabel & Cheryl Klam
Summary:
Soon, Elusion® will change the world and life as we know it.
A new technology called Elusion is sweeping the country. An app, a visor, and a wristband will virtually transport you to an exotic destination where adventure can be pursued without the complications-- or consequences-- of real life.
Regan is an Elusion insider. Or at least she used to be. Her father invented the program, and her best friend, Patrick, heir to the tech giant Orexis, is about to release it nationwide. But ever since her father's unexpected death, Regan can't bear to Escape, especially since waking up from the dream means crashing back to her grim reality.
Still, when there are rumors of trouble in Elusion-- accusations that it's addictive and dangerous-- Regan is determined to defend it. But the critics of Elusion come from surprising sources, including Josh, the handsome skeptic with his own personal stakes. As Regan investigates the claims, she discovers a disturbing web of secrets. She will soon have to choose between love and loyalty... a decision that will affect the lives of millions.
Suspense, thrills, and romance fuel this near-future story about the seductive nature of a perfect virtual world and how far one girl will go to uncover the truth behind the illusions.
My Rating: 2.5 stars
Review:
I borrowed Elusion from my local library- Thank God. I am so glad that I didn't pay for this book, and I am going to return it as soon as possible. Why, why must the pretty covers lure me into these stories that promise so much and fail so terribly to deliver?
I really wanted to like Elusion. Really. But the world-building was awful. It was so unrealistic, and the lack of descriptions really didn't leave a lot to be imagined. I mean, I've got a pretty good imagination, but when there's no picture there to begin with I can't picture the world that the characters are living in. And in a futuristic novel such as Elusion, descriptions are extremely important. A good setting with a good description is a must, otherwise you can't get a feel of the world these characters are living in.
And speaking of characters, I didn't like any of them. Every single character who was introduced was only there to help the plot along. And of course they were all there to ensure that the odds were entirely in Regan's favor, which is so unrealistic and annoying. In real life, not everything happens to your advantage. Not everything will turn out exactly how you want.
Regan was annoying. I can't describe what was annoying about her- maybe the way she treated Patrick and the people around her. I don't understand why these two guys were in love with her. I get that it was a love triangle and it was supposed to add more "thrill" to the story, but seriously. Guys and girls can just be friends, and there was nothing special about Regan at all. Except that her Dad invented this Elusion program, and she should be popular and whatever but Regan's just ordinary. And she's the only one who doesn't use Elusion, so of course that separates her from everyone else.
She was so... bland. At least to me, anyway. I didn't like her. If you did, well that's fine for you. Maybe you saw something in her that I didn't see, but I didn't like her and nothing will change my opinion.
And let's talk about the main topic of the book: Elusion. So, it's an app, apparently, that transports you to an exotic destination, using a visor and a wristband. I don't know how it does this. It sounds kind of cool, right? Who wouldn't like to visit Disney World without ever actually leaving home? (Uh, me. Duh.) But Elusion, of course, is dangerous. It's addictive. And people end up dead from using it.
Regan is pretty determined in the beginning to prove that this isn't right, that the rumors that Elusion is dangerous are false. But Josh comes along. Josh is skeptic. Josh thinks Elusion has something to do with his sister Nora's disappearance (which it does). Regan defends Elusion at first, but then she second guesses it after her own Escape shuts down and ends up literally deteriorating. And she starts to suspect Patrick. He only makes it worse when he tries to take her tab to stop her from using Elusion, and looks pretty suspicious and won't admit that Elusion may have a problem. Of course he wouldn't. The kid's got a lot of money tucked under his belt thanks to this program and if he gets sued because something's wrong with Elusion, well... then he's screwed. He's in huge trouble, and he looses everything he's gained. Personally I actually don't blame the kid. Do you think any big company would admit that their program messed up? No way. They'd be tripping over themselves trying to cover it up.
Now, Patrick does kind of go about this the wrong way. He gets all jealous when Josh confronts him, and even goes so far as to say that Josh is only trying to sabotage him and that he's the one who's jealous and some nonsense. Of course, it was so pathetic to me I was barely paying attention.
I don't like Josh. I do not know why. He just seems... untrustworthy to me. Maybe I would've liked him if it wasn't for the whole "insta-love" thing. I just didn't like him. I didn't entirely like Patrick either. I almost, almost felt bad for him. I mean, Regan was his best friend for years, and then Josh comes along and within days he's got her wrapped around his finger. Josh gets Regan to betray Patrick, and I don't think that's fair. Obviously Regan wasn't really that good of a friend in the first place if it was so easy to betray Patrick like that.
I don't really know what else to say about this book. I didn't like it, and by the time I got to chapter 10 I was mostly reading it just to finish it, not really actually enjoying it at all. I do give credit to the authors. The idea was good. It could've been great even, if they'd done a bit more world-building and character developing. I probably won't pick up the sequel, and I will be returning this book to the library ASAP.
Soon, Elusion® will change the world and life as we know it.
A new technology called Elusion is sweeping the country. An app, a visor, and a wristband will virtually transport you to an exotic destination where adventure can be pursued without the complications-- or consequences-- of real life.
Regan is an Elusion insider. Or at least she used to be. Her father invented the program, and her best friend, Patrick, heir to the tech giant Orexis, is about to release it nationwide. But ever since her father's unexpected death, Regan can't bear to Escape, especially since waking up from the dream means crashing back to her grim reality.
Still, when there are rumors of trouble in Elusion-- accusations that it's addictive and dangerous-- Regan is determined to defend it. But the critics of Elusion come from surprising sources, including Josh, the handsome skeptic with his own personal stakes. As Regan investigates the claims, she discovers a disturbing web of secrets. She will soon have to choose between love and loyalty... a decision that will affect the lives of millions.
Suspense, thrills, and romance fuel this near-future story about the seductive nature of a perfect virtual world and how far one girl will go to uncover the truth behind the illusions.
My Rating: 2.5 stars
Review:
I borrowed Elusion from my local library- Thank God. I am so glad that I didn't pay for this book, and I am going to return it as soon as possible. Why, why must the pretty covers lure me into these stories that promise so much and fail so terribly to deliver?
I really wanted to like Elusion. Really. But the world-building was awful. It was so unrealistic, and the lack of descriptions really didn't leave a lot to be imagined. I mean, I've got a pretty good imagination, but when there's no picture there to begin with I can't picture the world that the characters are living in. And in a futuristic novel such as Elusion, descriptions are extremely important. A good setting with a good description is a must, otherwise you can't get a feel of the world these characters are living in.
And speaking of characters, I didn't like any of them. Every single character who was introduced was only there to help the plot along. And of course they were all there to ensure that the odds were entirely in Regan's favor, which is so unrealistic and annoying. In real life, not everything happens to your advantage. Not everything will turn out exactly how you want.
Regan was annoying. I can't describe what was annoying about her- maybe the way she treated Patrick and the people around her. I don't understand why these two guys were in love with her. I get that it was a love triangle and it was supposed to add more "thrill" to the story, but seriously. Guys and girls can just be friends, and there was nothing special about Regan at all. Except that her Dad invented this Elusion program, and she should be popular and whatever but Regan's just ordinary. And she's the only one who doesn't use Elusion, so of course that separates her from everyone else.
She was so... bland. At least to me, anyway. I didn't like her. If you did, well that's fine for you. Maybe you saw something in her that I didn't see, but I didn't like her and nothing will change my opinion.
And let's talk about the main topic of the book: Elusion. So, it's an app, apparently, that transports you to an exotic destination, using a visor and a wristband. I don't know how it does this. It sounds kind of cool, right? Who wouldn't like to visit Disney World without ever actually leaving home? (Uh, me. Duh.) But Elusion, of course, is dangerous. It's addictive. And people end up dead from using it.
Regan is pretty determined in the beginning to prove that this isn't right, that the rumors that Elusion is dangerous are false. But Josh comes along. Josh is skeptic. Josh thinks Elusion has something to do with his sister Nora's disappearance (which it does). Regan defends Elusion at first, but then she second guesses it after her own Escape shuts down and ends up literally deteriorating. And she starts to suspect Patrick. He only makes it worse when he tries to take her tab to stop her from using Elusion, and looks pretty suspicious and won't admit that Elusion may have a problem. Of course he wouldn't. The kid's got a lot of money tucked under his belt thanks to this program and if he gets sued because something's wrong with Elusion, well... then he's screwed. He's in huge trouble, and he looses everything he's gained. Personally I actually don't blame the kid. Do you think any big company would admit that their program messed up? No way. They'd be tripping over themselves trying to cover it up.
Now, Patrick does kind of go about this the wrong way. He gets all jealous when Josh confronts him, and even goes so far as to say that Josh is only trying to sabotage him and that he's the one who's jealous and some nonsense. Of course, it was so pathetic to me I was barely paying attention.
I don't like Josh. I do not know why. He just seems... untrustworthy to me. Maybe I would've liked him if it wasn't for the whole "insta-love" thing. I just didn't like him. I didn't entirely like Patrick either. I almost, almost felt bad for him. I mean, Regan was his best friend for years, and then Josh comes along and within days he's got her wrapped around his finger. Josh gets Regan to betray Patrick, and I don't think that's fair. Obviously Regan wasn't really that good of a friend in the first place if it was so easy to betray Patrick like that.
I don't really know what else to say about this book. I didn't like it, and by the time I got to chapter 10 I was mostly reading it just to finish it, not really actually enjoying it at all. I do give credit to the authors. The idea was good. It could've been great even, if they'd done a bit more world-building and character developing. I probably won't pick up the sequel, and I will be returning this book to the library ASAP.
Sunday, 10 August 2014
August Reads So Far
What I've Read So Far in August 2014
The Golden Lily (Bloodlines, 2) by Richelle Mead
The Indigo Spell (Bloodlines, 3) by Richelle Mead
Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass, 2) by Sarah J. Maas
The Rise of Nine (I Am Number Four, 3) by Pittacus Lore
Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices, 1) by Cassandra Clare
Currently Reading as of August 10:
Clockwork Prince (The Infernal Devices, 2) by Cassandra Clare, Page 65
*Note: Pretty much all of these are re-reads, except for "The Rise of Nine" by Pittacus Lore.
Thursday, 7 August 2014
#ThrowbackThursday Favorite Books As A Kid
My parents read books to me from the time I was born, so I'm a life-long reader. If my parents didn't read at least one book to me before bed, then I couldn't sleep. Some of my favorites were the Dr. Seuss books, the Franklin books, and many others. I loved them all.
But two of my favorites are two classics that you'll probably recognize.
Growing up, "Go Dog Go" was a book that was read pretty much every night, unless it was replaced by a Franklin book or a Seuss book. It was my older brother's favorite, my favorite, and my two younger siblings favorite. I read it so often by the time I was six that I could almost recite it from memory. Even my cousins loved it. My aunts all had it in their houses. In fact, my one Aunt has it put in a display box in her living room, along with a couple of other favorites, like "Are You My Mother?"
Dr. Seuss is always a classic, and Green Eggs and Ham was one that made my siblings and I laugh every time we read it, especially since my Dad is really great at doing the different voices. I still haven't had actual Green Eggs, but one day. Maybe when I have children of my own.
What was your favorite book when you were a kid?
But two of my favorites are two classics that you'll probably recognize.
 |
| Go Dog Go by P.D. Eastman |
 |
| Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss |
Growing up, "Go Dog Go" was a book that was read pretty much every night, unless it was replaced by a Franklin book or a Seuss book. It was my older brother's favorite, my favorite, and my two younger siblings favorite. I read it so often by the time I was six that I could almost recite it from memory. Even my cousins loved it. My aunts all had it in their houses. In fact, my one Aunt has it put in a display box in her living room, along with a couple of other favorites, like "Are You My Mother?"
Dr. Seuss is always a classic, and Green Eggs and Ham was one that made my siblings and I laugh every time we read it, especially since my Dad is really great at doing the different voices. I still haven't had actual Green Eggs, but one day. Maybe when I have children of my own.
What was your favorite book when you were a kid?
Tuesday, 29 July 2014
May Thru November YA Book Releases
MAY RELEASES:
The Falconer (Falconer, 1) by Elizabeth May, released on May 6th
The Lovely and the Lost (The Dispossessed, 2) by Page Morgan, released on May 13th
City of Heavenly Fire (The Mortal Instruments, 6) by Cassandra Clare, released on May 27th
The Dark World (Dark World, 1) by Cara Lynn Schultz, released on May 27th
JULY RELEASES:
Midnight Thief by Livia Blackburne, released on July 8th
Dissonance (Dissonance, 1) by Erica O'Rourke, released on July 22nd
Silver Shadows (Bloodlines, 5) by Richelle Mead, released on July 29th
AUGUST RELEASES:
Gates of Thread and Stone by Lori M. Lee, to be released on August 5th
The Islands at the End of the World by Austin Aslan, to be released on August 5h
SEPTEMBER RELEASES:
Heir of Fire (Throne of Glass, 3) by Sarah J. Maas, to be released on September 2nd
The Iron Trial (Magisterium, 1) by Cassandra Clare and Holly Black, to be released on September 9th
Winterspell by Claire Legrand, to be released on September 30th
Menagerie by Rachel Vincent, to be released on September 30th
OCTOBER RELEASES:
Prophecy of Oz (Prophecy of Oz, 1) by Megan Shan, to be released on October 5th
The Blood of Olympus (The Heroes of Olympus, 5) by Rick Riordan, to be released on October 7th
NOVEMBER RELEASES:
The Bane Chronicles by Cassandra Clare, to be released on November 11th
**
Please comment below if I got a date/title/author wrong. I was going off the book list I have on my computer, but I could be wrong. Note this does not include all books, or adult books, only Young Adult books that I have on my list.
Wednesday, 25 June 2014
Review for the "Birthmarked" trilogy by Caragh M O'Brien
Summary (Birthmarked, Book 1)
In the future, in a world baked dry by the harsh sun, there are those who live inside the walled Enclave and those, like sixteen-year-old Gaia Stone, who live outside. Following in her mother's footsteps Gaia has become a midwife, delivering babies in the world outside the wall and handing a quota over to be "advanced" into the privileged society of the Enclave. Gaia has always believed this is her duty, until the night her mother and father are arrested by the very people they so loyally serve.
Now Gaia is forced to question everything she's been taught, but her choice is simple: Enter the world of the Enclave, or die trying.
My Rating: 4 stars (Book 1)
Summary (Prized, Book 2)
Striking out into the wasteland with nothing but her baby sister, a handful of supplies, and a rumor to guide her, 16-year-old midwife Gaia Stone survives, only to be captured by the people of Sylum, a dystopian society where women rule the men who drastically outnumber them, and a kiss is a crime. In order to see her sister again, Gaia must submit to their strict social code and the oppressive rules of Matrarc Olivia. Meanwhile, two brothers claim her attention as they attempt to understand the environmental trap that keeps the people of Sylum captive, and suddenly Gaia must contend with the exciting, uncomfortable, and altogether new feeling of being desired.
My rating: 3 stars (Book 2)
Summary (Promised, Book 3)
After defying the ruthless Enclave, surviving the wastleland, and overthrowing Sylum, Gaia Stone now faces her greatest challenge yet-- to lead the people of Sylum back to the Enclave and persuade the Protectorat to grant them refuge. But in Gaia's absence, the Enclave has become even more ruthless, picking girls from outside the wall to serve in an experimental baby factory. Babies with the right genes are now a priceless commodity with the potential to reshape life inside the wall and redefine humanity. The key to it all comes back to one fearless, young midwife. When negotiations devolve into terrorist threats, Gaia finds herself at the crux of an insupportable decision.
My rating: 3 stars (Book 3)
My review:
While I was hesitant to read the sequels, I finally bought them. I sped through Prized, and Promised, in less than three days. They were both good books, and definitely unique. I was trying to explain to my mother some of the things that happened in Prized, and she was so confused, especially with the fact that kissing is a crime in Sylum.
I was actually horrified at the whole way Sylum was run and their laws. They were ridiculous, and several times I had to put the book down and re-read a scene because I didn't understand what was going on. There were several moments when I felt like I liked Gaia, but then there were moments where I wanted to shake her. I wonder why it always has to be a girl, a sixteen-year-old girl to be exact, that starts a rebellion, in dystopian novels. What is it with 16-year-old girls? When I read Birthmarked the first time, I thought she was at least eighteen, because she just sounds more mature. But no. Gaia's only sixteen. And of course, she's unique, she's strong, she's brave, she's stubborn.
Don't get me wrong. I liked Gaia. And I understand that a girl in her situation would be forced to mature a little quicker. But this isn't a review on Gaia Stone, although she's the main character, so I won't get into it right now.
All in all, I did like the Birthmarked trilogy. Caragh M. O'Brien does some great world-building, and the setting is pretty interesting. Speaking of settings, anyone notice that in dystopias the world tends to go backwards, like having minimal technology and no cars, etc., instead of advancing? With all the technology, I imagine we'll be quite advanced in the future, unless something drastic happens and we're actually forced to go backwards. But I guess it's just a book, right? As long as we're not all zombies, I'll be happy.
Birthmarked, Prized, and Promised, are good books. I liked them. I even loved them at some points. I'll probably read them again, since it's so hard to find any decent dystopias these days. I've pretty much given up on Dystopia, though.
Now, if you want an absolutely fantastic dystopia series that is totally different, try Angelfall by Susan Ee. It's an excellent read, and the sequel, World After, is amazing. Penryn is one of the most realistic characters in a dystopia that I've come across thus far, and the world is so unique. I love it. According to the Goodreads site, there's to be 5 books, so it will be a lot longer than most dystopias. I can't wait for the third book to be released.
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