Review: Inkheart by Cornelia Funke

Do you know the feeling when you read a MG book and wish you could have read it when you were younger? I mean, if I did, I could have appreciate this book as much as it deserves, because it's genius.

Inkheart is an original fantasy book. It is mysterious, funny and full of exciting adventures. In contrary to what's being expected, Inkheart's plot occurs in our present; I was a bit surprised to read about cars and cellphones since it seems Meggie and her father live in another reality. Meggie, as an avid reader, has to accept that magic isn't far away as it always seemed. 

In the book, we find some complicated characters. Evey one of them has an history and secrets. Some of them are purely evil and some of them are purely good, but there are some you can't decide what to really make of them; Is someone who acts by his dream is evil? Besides, many of them had to do some difficult choices during the book, what's brings me to my next point. 

Everything comes with a price. Rowling, Richelle Mead (Vampire Academy), Rachel Vincent (The Soul Screamers Series) and some other excellent authors thought us that. You can't do something without thinking of the consequences. Once in the book, I felt the characters were "getting away" without anything bad happening and I've soon proved wrong. The author makes her world real. 

The Ending was good; you can read the book as a stand-alone though I've heard there are two more books in the series. I'm interested to see how the story and some things are going to be (hopefully) solved hence I think I'm going to read the other books. 

And last and definitely not least, the writing. I can't even explain how Funke's writing was wonderful; I loved the idea of putting a quote in the start of every chapter. I felt the books' and the reading love everywhere, not only because Meggie loved it but because the author passed her message. I loved her words, her characters and her way to tell us the story. She did it amazingly. 

Go read this book. Let your children, siblings, or any kid you know to read the book. Read it as an adult or a kid. This is probably one of the best fantasy books I've ever read and I keep asking- where was this book when I was younger? It'd make me different, I'm sure of it.

Review: Battle Royale by Koushun Takami

When a friend can't stop recommending you a book, you don't ask too many questions, you just pick up the book and read it. Battle Royale has been one of those books for me.

Battle Royale is a Japanese book which is occurred in a reality when Japan has a dictator government. To assure its control on the population, it adopts some extreme measures; every year, a class is being raffled to take a part in the Program; a "game" where each classmate has to kill his friends in order to survive. The last member alive is the winner. Sounds familiar, doesn't it?

Well, I can point a lot of differences between The Hunger Games and Battle Royale, but in the end, I believe the main "advantage" of Battle Royale over The Hunger Games is its cruelty. I don't think The Hunger Games' reality is humane, but comparing it to the game in Battle Royale, it's a way kinder one. I mean it; in The Hunger Games, every competitor needs to kill strangers, here they're killing their friends.

This book is long- maybe too long- and sometimes I couldn't keep reading. The plot and the characters are intense, you're getting every detail of the story- every murder, every word and every life taken.

There are a lot of points of view in the book and you could understand every character's motives. Even though I knew I shouldn't make a connection to anyone because they'd be dead soon, I couldn't not to feel an empathy toward some. Every character represents a different reaction to the situation and it probably will make you think what would you do.

As I mention, the book is really long (576 pages); there are a lot of descriptions, memories and feelings. It's not boring, it's just heavy material for specific times. The writing, which is probably due to the translation, is not great and sometimes it bothered me.

However, it is a book I'd recommend. Reading Battle Royale is taking a break from your world and getting drown into a cruel one. It is experiencing other's fear and trying to understand others' personalities. It is a book which will definitely stay with you after you read it.

Review: Linger by Maggie Stiefvater

Finally, I found this book lying on a shelf in our local library. I picked it up and surprised to realize I enjoyed it more than the first book, Shiver.

Linger begins a few weeks after Shiver ends. It seems like Sam and Grace's relationship has survived the worst issues and now they have to deal with the last book' consequences. However, that's not correct.  The book brings new surprises, new events needed to be dealt.

While listening to Shiver's audiobook was a great experience, I couldn't notice the author's writing style. Now, that I actually read the book, I've felt how Maggie Stiefvater's writing is beautiful; I admired it, enjoyed it and wanted to write like her. The descriptions, the dialogues, everything was well written and I loved it.

In Linger, we meet again Isabel, who becomes main character, and get to know Cole, a new one, which brings a new aspect to the story. This book is no longer only about Sam and Grace's relationship but the wolves' world and future. And we keep wondering what might happen in the end.

I really enjoyed this book, but one thing which bothered me was Sam and Grace's relationship. I mean, they are teenagers and they act like they've been married for many years. Actually, sometimes I could agree with Grace's parent's opinion, (but not with their actions) that they are too young to commit that way. You may talk about love and staying together, you can believe like you're going to, but face the reality; you have to be teenager.  I couldn't relate to their relationship, as much as I loved them being a couple, I just didn't believed in it.

The book was great; I loved the writing, the story was developed and the ending left me shocked. I can't wait for the next and the last book in the series, Forever.

In My Mailbox (18)

Welcome to In My Mailbox! A weekly meme hosted by Kristi from The Story Siren. In these posts, bloggers can share which books they've received during the last week. 

I know it's almost Monday and I'm really behind in everything blog related. Of course I can come up with some excuses but in the end it'll not matter. Anyway, I have some exams this week, meaning I'm going to write some reviews only to avoid studying(;

A birthday present from my friend Noa (Check out her new blog here)

Shelter by Harlen Coben

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith 

And another book I got today:

The author, Sarah Kernochan, sent me this copy! It looks really good (;

Jane Was Here by Sarah Kernochan

Thank you, Sarah and Noa! (:

So, what's in your maibox this week?

In My Mailbox (17)

Welcome to In My Mailbox! A weekly meme hosted by Kristi from The Story Siren. In this post, bloggers can post which books they've received during the last week.

Library:

Linger by Maggie Stiefvater (Hebrew)

The Extraordinary Secrets of April, May & June by Robin Benway (Hebrew)

A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

What's in your mailbox? Please share! 

Rose

New in Hebrew (2)

An original feature in my blog, which I'll post sometimes with the mostly new translated books in Hebrew.

I guess this time I'll not have to post the books' names (; What do you say, how fast I'll be sure to get those two? 

In My Mailbox (16) : Birthday edition part 1

Bought: 

   

Halfway to the Grave (Night Huntress #1) by Jeaniene Frost 
Fixing Delilah by Sarah Ockler

For my birthday:

   

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer
The Mediator: Volume 1 - Shadowland & Ninth Key by Meg Cabot


What's in your mailbox? 
Rose