The Danish Girl (Hooper, 2015)

I've wanted to watch this film for so long so I managed to get away with my mum and friend Holly (the evening ended with a continued Harry Potter marathon at her place afterwards).

My theater friends and I debated about whether Lili should have been played by a transgender actress. Of course that would have given more transgender actress an opportunity in the spotlight which I very much support. I think that would have been amazing. Some thought it should have been done in respect to Lili as she was an actual person. Since the film is about transgender and supporting the idea of transgender it would've had a stronger impact if the actress therefore was transgender. However, the film would have been hard as Lili starts off as Einar Wegener and we have to see her as a man to be able to understand the situation and journey. Some scenes would have simply not worked if the actor had not been a man. I think you know what I mean if you watch it.

Eddy Redmayne was amazing as always. What I think is fascinating about him is that he dares to act unusual roles. Who else would have pulled off Stephen Hawking? Some critics said he was too masculine, but if anything I think he is very feminine, which worked perfectly. I love Alicia Wikander. She's beautiful and very very talented, and yes, she's Swedish. I completely got a feeling for how it must have felt for Gerda at the time. She seemed to have a full understanding for her character. I loved the chemistry between the two actors and they were phenomenal at portraying their relationship and it was truly believable.

Plot Summary:
A fictitious love story loosely inspired by the lives of Danish artists Lili Elbe and Gerda Wegener. Lili and Gerda's marriage and work evolve as they navigate Lili's groundbreaking journey as a transgender pioneer.

My Rating:
8/10
I'm not quite convinced that Lili had so many friends during this time. After all, having to be the first transgender at the time must have been extremely hard, but Lili seemed to have a lot of supporters and I found this hard to understand.

Book Purchase January 2016

Okay. So you all know that I'm a huge Potter fan. Or maybe that hasn't come across since I haven't had the opportunity to write the reviews yet. I felt like maybe I should reread them before I start writing so that I don't get a bit muddled up. Or maybe it's just an excuse to reread them, cause now I am. Rereading The Order of The Phoenix.

The following is probably going to be so hard to explain. So I own all the Harry Potter books in the Swedish edition. Because you know when you're nine you tend to read in you mother tongue and not the language you've studied for like two years. So I've got all of those. Happy and satisfied. I got the first three from my grandma and then I started collecting the other as I went. I actually like the covers quite a lot to be honest.

So when I moved to England I started buying the English versions because I wanted to reread them in the original language and because I could. So I bought the first four without difficulty. What I didn't realise was that they were of the signature collection and now they don't sell them anymore!! And some of you may know that I'm really picky about editions and covers. I need every book in the series to be the same edition and size. Why? Because being a fandom is not just about reading. For me reading is like collecting stamps. I know, stupid simile, but true. I have most of my books on display in my room so I get irritated when stuff don't look perfect. So, now I obviously want the whole series in English.

So my friend was like just buy them from charity shops. They always have them. You just have to pop in now and then. And they are usually in good shape. Then my mum (being present) said that she had seen the whole series in the original colourful striped hardcover. So I was like yes, lets go. But when we went they only had book four and five. So mum was like no point in buying them then and I got convinced. I know. WTH!

So then we went to this 2nd hand charity book shop (yes, just books, in amazing condition and super cheap) and they had book six in the same edition as the other charity shop had. I bought it and decided to go back to the other one and get the other two and when asking in the shop she said that they do come now and again and that you have to pop in regularly to check.

I didn't get the chance to go in at the end of the day and get them but my mum and younger sister popped in and she called me saying that the fourth one was missing pages so I was like: how did you notice that you know, but don't buy it cause what is the point? Turns out they were tricking me (I always fall for these things) and my sister wanted to surprise me. She's an angel.

So I decided that it would have to take a little time to get my complete series in the original covers. I don't really mind the books being read through and a little worn out around the edges. I like that because some of my books are really worn out. It shows they've been read and brought with you in your bag and appreciated you know.

So bought those three books this week. Just realised like every paragraph has started with 'so'. I'm not a very good story teller.

However, I then realised that I can't build up my complete series in second hand hard covers and then have four of the signature edition uncompleted. No, I will not have it. So I search around amazon, but they're all used (which is fine) but The Order of the Phoenix was £22! I mean give me break. And the others were like £13. So I started looking at e-bay but found this website called alibris that sell second hand books really cheap. So I got The Order of the Phoenix for £1.25, The Half-Blood Prince for £11.49 and The Deathly Hallows for £0.71 plus £6.77. I didn't mind the shipping since the price in total still ended up cheaper than £22. They were all in 'very good' condition on the website and now I have the complete series. They proved very hard to find though.

Mind you, this doesn't mean I'll stop searching for the hard covers. I'm still getting there. I don't mind if that results in me having three completed series of Harry Potter in different editions. The more the merrier!

Which covers to you have and does it matter a lot to you?

Shadowhunters Season 1 Episode 1: The Decent Into Hell Isn't Easy (Decter 2016)

They are doing okay so far.

Simon is good at what he's doing and the relationship between him and Isabelle is very similar to that in the book. The silent brothers looked like I imagined.

However, I do have some major problems:

• They do not visit the Silent brothers this early. Right? And they are supposed to lead her to Magnus Bane. They certainly didn't do that.
• Since when does Clary find out that Valetine is her father this quickly. I think this causes major problems for the plot as we know it. It might allow possibilities in the plot for their plot, but it's based on the book.
• When the heck did Simon just get captured by the vampires in his car. Common. We're not even going to give the party ago with the funny drinks and the rat moment. That's how it all happened, right?
• Who the heck is Dot. Okay. So I thought she was the fortune teller kind of lady living down stairs who turns out to be a demon and attacks Clary. Whats up with this whole turns out to be a demon in Episode 1 and Jace kills her but then she turns up in her human figure again and is all of a sudden a warlock. I either really misunderstood something in the books or I've just forgotten, but Dot is confusing me so much.
• Where is Magnus Bane going? Where is he escaping and all that. And the circle members killing warlocks. Don't remember that either.

So either I really need to refresh my memory from the books or the series are changing a whole lot of things. If you disagree with something please tell me. I'd love to hear from you.

2016: Reading - Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Ok gang. So I know I said I would read at least 10 books this year, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix being one of them. So I have taken a massive break in the middle of the book. Chapter 22 to be exact. And since I have an ongoing Harry Potter marathon with my friend and we massive Harry Potter discussions I decided to pick up the book again. Since I don't have the book in English I had to read in Swedish, which isn't too bad but the translation doesn't always match the English so sometimes the characters can come across a bit different. Maybe that's because I'm picky and I read in both languages.

So anyways, started reading again and realised I needed a massive catch up. Still enjoying it loads. I mean, who cannot enjoy Harry Potter (except that annoying guy on Goodreads who gave it 1/5 and people are upset and commanding aggressively on his review).

So have to buy it in English, but there you go. I get so captured by this that I find it really hard to focus on school work. I'll get there guys and then I'll write a review because I need to refresh my memory so can't do that yet. I'll probably end up reading The Half-Blood Prince and The Deathly Hallows just because I'm in the mood right now.

Shadowhunters Season 1 Episode 1: The Mortal Cup (Decter, 2016)

Sooooo....

What did you guys think? I've been quite critical towards this tv series, mainly because I though Clary look really scary on the poster. Otherwise, I was pretty excited. It was all over Instagram before Christmas and I was so confused until I finally realised... that they were making a tv series!! How cool is that?

I think there were pros and cons of the pilot. Clary was much better than the poster promised. Also, she's ginger. Guess what? She's ginger in the books! Well done! Jace I was pretty pleased with to be honest. I liked him in the film but he was really good here too. Isabelle and Alec I can't make my mind up about. They certain look like siblings so that's good. I don't think the "white" wig suits Isabelle, I'm going to be honest about that.

The institute confused me a bit. Have I missed out something in the books or is that high tech and that many people and so on? It was cool and impressive, but the film portrayed it closer to my interpretation.

The story about Clary's mum desperately trying to tell Clary about the shadowhunters bugged me a little. That was never in the books and it was slightly suspicious.

Although the TV series has added an odd character in: Simon's friend in his band I'll buy that for now. Although I swear he gets another friend later on the book series with a certain interest in the moon.

Overall, I'm quite pleased. It's hard to judge a series based on one episode. I think the action could be improved somewhat. Some scenes weren't quite as "actiony" as they could've been.

Also, what I find a little odd. Isabelle doesn't seem to be aware that Alec is gay and fancies Jace. She seems surprised when Alec is upset over the fact that Jace cares about Clary. This should not be the case. She knows.

We'll give it a try.

My rating:
6/10

For my review on the film The Mortal Instruments - City of Bones (Zwart, 2014) click here.

Me About Wattpad

I haven't always been a fan of wattpad. When I first found out about it I thought it was really cool and I really wanted to post my own stories and I read some as well. But after a while I got tired and wanted to read 'real' books. So I forgot about it for about two years.

Until I decided that I wanted to put up my own book on wattpad because I had something. So I thought that if I want to have my stuff read I might as well read other's work too. I have also recently read some pretty bad books on iBooks that have been free. So I thought if I want to read on my phone, then why not read on Wattpad. There are some really talented writers on there and you can find pretty epic stuff that hasn't been published. Just imagine, being one of the first people reading a book! And it also gives me a chance to put up my work. The more you read and comment the more people will find your work. So it's a two way street and it's a great community.

And you can get spotted. Fifty Shades of Grey was originally written on a similar website and is now a best selling book. My life with the Walter Boys was originally drafted on Wattpad and is now a book on the shelves. It's pretty amazing how you can get feedback and participate in competitions and so on.

And you can create your own book covers and so on. That's really important for your book and image and can be pretty hard too!

So I've started to read Wattpad stories whenever I'm on my phone because it's a good way of spending my time. I usually hate having eBooks because I prefer having the physical book. But these books don't even "exist" so I find it a good way to spend time!

Tell me what you think!

The Awakening by K. E. Ganshert (2015)

Title: The Awakening

Author: K.E. Ganshert

Series: The Gifting #2

Pages: 314 (Kindle)

Published: Jul 1st 2015

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

Okay, so I bought this book as soon as I'd finished the first one. This book is thought through so well. I was really hooked. The hub is amazing and the characters are so interesting. I love the development between Tess and Luka and how Tess keeps on looking for her grandma.

The background stuff about the gifting is so cool. The Shields, The Linkers, The Cloaks and the Keepers along with the Fighters is really clever. The dream space is such a good idea and how they startle to get out of dreams. I'm so happy that Tess is special in the way that she is a Linker and a Fighter and that Luka is her Keeper. Could it get anymore perfect?!

I'm so grateful I even found this book, and the first for free on iBooks! It is to the same quality as Divergent and The Hungergames. No, I'm serious. I think it could be a really cool film, for real. It's real film material.

I have this feeling about trilogies and please feel free to comment, because I think it is a very interest concept (whether it is intentional or nor not it is a continuous pattern). Trilogies always start nice which a disequilibrium that is disturbing. Tess thinks she's mad and tries to make it through high school as she goes to her therapist and meets Luka. Tris is divergent and goes to get trained as a dauntless. Katniss gets selected for the Hungergames and makes her way through. However in the second book things get out of control. Tess and Luke escape. Tris and Four are on the run. (All these four letter names!) Katniss' war with Snow starts with the 75th Hungergames. And then in the third book is kind of just the same as the second in a way that it continues on this war. This is were the trilogy has totally moved on from the first book. It is nothing like the first book. Tess will never go back to high school. Tris will never go back to abnegation. And Katniss has no District 12 to go back to. I get this feeling of loss for the first book. Kinda miss the "cozy" feeling of Tess at high school, Tris in Dauntless training and Katniss in the regular Hungergames. Do you get me? Of course this is all part of the trilogy and it has to go this way or we would get bored and things develop and so on. But I was reading the third book of the Gathering (the book after this) and I realised that some characters will never show up again. They've moved on. And it's this strange feeling of for boding because you can never go back and nowadays books end pretty badly (and realistically I guess). Anyone who agrees or disagrees? Please feel free to comment. I don't know why I brought it up here of all posts but there you go. Might repeat it again separately some other time.

Plot Summary:

Tess Eckhart isn’t crazy. She’s not suffering from psychosis. She and Luka Williams are part of The Gifting. Before they can find out what that means, the man with all the answers turns up dead. The only thing he left behind? A few patient files that lead to the nation’s most lawless city.

With authorities chasing them, Luka and Tess escape into the very heart of peril and against all odds, find an underground community of people just like them. They aren’t gathered together for the sole purpose of survival, either. They have a plan and a purpose—to awaken as many people with The Gifting as possible. It’s dangerous and deadly work. Tess wants to help. Luka is desperate to keep her safe—a task that proves increasingly difficult as Tess’s gifting comes to light.

Is Tess Eckhart the One they’ve been waiting for? The One who can save them all?

Favourite Quote:

"A person can choose not to believe it, but that doesn’t make their soul go away. It’s there, whether they want to acknowledge it or not. The supernatural realm is just as real as the physical one, only you can’t see it. It’s the realm of good and evil, light and dark. From everything we can gather, these two forces are at war, and in order to join the battle, passageways are required." - Link

"That last option should make me rejoice, but I am a selfish creature." - Tess

"It’s true when they say knowledge equals power. After what I learned in the cafeteria, I feel like I have a handful of it in my back pocket.

And I want more." - Tess

My Rating:
10/10.
I cannot stress enough how much I love these books.

Other Books In These Series:
The Gifting (The Gifting Book 1)
The Awakening (The Gifting Book 2)
The Gathering (The Gifting Book 3)

Star Wars: The Force Awakens - Episode VII (Abrams, 2015)

So this is the first Star Wars film I've seen from beginning to end. I guess I've never really given them a chance before. But since the show we are putting on (Loserville), makes loads of Star Wars references so I kind of had to go to see it for research if nothing else.

The props where amazing! I'm obsessed with props, because well, that's what I'm going off to study at uni!! People that went on the same course as I'm hopefully getting into have worked on past films, which I find quite cool.

I had a hard time in the beginning understanding who was who. Yes, call me stupid, but all I knew was that Darth Vader is Luke and Princess Leia's dad and the two of them are siblings. That's it. And I know why R2-D2 is. So guess how confusing I found it when Kylo Ren (who I thought was Darth Vader because come on they look the same) turns out to be Princess Leia's son when I thought she was Darth Vader's daughter. I didn't get it fully until I left the theatre and my dad told me.

I did enjoy it and I think I left with a development of a Star Wars fan inside.

Plot Summary:
Three decades after the defeat of the Galactic Empire, a new threat arises. The First Order attempts to rule the galaxy and only a ragtag group of heroes can stop them, along with the help of the resistance.

Favourite Quote:
Well can you unfix it? - Finn to Ray

My Rating:
8/10
Mainly because I was confused, but that's fault isn't it?

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer (2005)

Title: Twilight

Author: Stephenie Meyer

Series: The Twilight Saga #1

Pages: 498

Published: Oct 5th 2005 

Publisher: Little, Brown and Company

So when I was 10 Twilight came out as a film. I watched and decided to go straight to the book store to get it. Yes I know, I was probably fat too young to be reading about sexy, blood thirst vampires, but there you go. My mum decided to read them as well so we had our own little fandom together.

Nowadays I feel a little embarrassed to say that I was crazy about the books. Because people loved them and then they hated them and for some reason my class mates loved to hate them. I read them anyways. I did read the first books in Swedish because 1) I was 10 and 2) when I went tot buy it they only had the Swedish version in stock (which for some reason is translated to "If I Could Dream"). I do have the books in both languages as well however, and I've read the first one in English so please don't judge my 10-year-old me.

Although I hate to say that I was head over heals for the books, it's the truth. I look back remembering my poset covered room and all the things I bought that had any relationship with the books or films. The book's are that good I like to think. But then, they were. They were bloody amazing at the time, or I wouldn't have covered my room in posters and bought every magazine that featured gossip about it.

I guess I don't like to admit that I had a vampire period growing up. Yes, I read the Vampire Diaries as well and watched (have to catch up by the way).

Plot Summary:

About three things I was absolutely positive.

First, Edward was a vampire.

Second, there was a part of him - and I didn't know how dominant that part of him might be - that thirsted for my blood.

And third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him.

Favourite Quote:

It was such a long time ago that I don't remember one that stood out to be honest.

My Rating:

7/10

It has lost it spark and I'm not sure if I was sane or not at the time. It was definitely good at the time though. 

Other Books In These Series:
New Moon (The Twilight Saga #2)
Eclipse (The Twilight Saga #3)
Breaking Dawn (The Twilight Saga #4)

This review is also available on YouTube here.

xmas presents

I promised I would show you what I got for Christmas and here goes.

From my parents I got two Pop Vinyl Figures. Tyrion Lannister in battle armour and scar and Joffrey Baratheon! I swear my Mum asked me near a thousand times which one I preferred and there are like a hundred I want from like a hundred different films and TV series so that was a tricky one but it turned out with two favourites.  

Along with that I got the fourth season of Game of Thrones from my parents and the film Insurgent from my younger sister.

If anyone's ever read "Fangirl" by Rainbow Rowell, I'm so excited to read it. I got the edition with fan art on the inside and it's so good.

From my aunt I got me the book "Lean In For Graduates" by Sheryl Sandberg because I start uni next year and she has read her original book "Lean In" for women in the work place and how to succeed.

From my grandparents I got a book called "Running for Women" and a yoga block with a yoga strap, which is perfect because I love yoga and I'm trying to improve my running routines.

The Gifting by K. E. Ganshert (2015)

Title: The Gifting

Author: K.E. Ganshert

Series: The Gifting #1

Pages: 322

Published: Jun 1st 2015

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

OMG, I just read an amazing book. Like really cool. I'm dying. So I was looking for free books on iBooks and I found this one. For free! I was shocked because I\it looked pretty serious, like you know, not one of those free books on iBooks that are rubbish. Never judge a book by its prize!!! So well, it looked so intriguing. Again don't judge a book by its cover. But really this book looked like it met my standards. I know think I really would have wanted this book to have a place on my shelf in my bedroom, but when it's free and you don't have too much money to spend you have to convince yourself that in the end it's about the content.

So it was wicked. It almost scared me at places (I'm really easily scared), but more like creeped me out. Not like horror. Just creepy. Abnormal. Literally.

The book was very well written. Chapters ending at the right point. The characters had the right attitude. I really  felt attached to Tess. Like she was a really good friend and I was intrigued. Furthermore, Luka was perfect. What else can you wish for. Don't have anything else to say about that. I love the relationship between Leela and Tess. I think it's really cute and real. Leela is kind, caring and fun, she's human and I think that's vital. I think often in books, the friends are not paid enough attention to or rather they are not really given a personality. They are either really girly in order to make the protagonist not girly at all (because somehow that makes them more special) or just vague somewhere in the background in order for the protagonists to appear to have a high school life. But Leela is given a personality, whether it's girly or not, she is still human, and I really appreciate that.

Plot Summary:

In a world where no supernatural excises, Tess Eckhart is convinced she's going crazy. After her complete freakout at a high school party, her parents worry she might be right. So much that they pack their bags and move across the country, next to nationally-nenown facility for the mentally ill.

Tess is determined to fit into her new school, despite the whispers and stares. But when it comes to Luke Williams, a reluctantly popular boy in her class, she's unused to a stare that intense. Then the headaches starts, and the seemingly prophetic dreams that haunt her at night. As Tess tries harder to hide them, she becomes increasingly convinced that Luka knows something - that he might somehow be responsible.

But what if she's wrong? What if Luka Williams is the only thing separating her from a madness to terrifying to fathom?

Favourite Quote: 

"Just because a lot of people believe something doesn't make it true"

My Rating:

10/10
Guys, I was hooked. If anything, this reaches the standard of The Hungergames and Divergent. It might just take some time for people to realise.

Other Books In These Series:

The Gifting (The Gifting Series Book One)

The Awakening (The Gifting Series Book Two)

The Gathering (The Gifting Series Book Three)

The first book only came out in June 2015 so I'm surprised that all the books are already out, but that doesn't matter, cause that just means I can finish them all ASAP.

Get the first book on iBooks now for free while you can! The rest are just £3.99 which, tbh, isn't a lot at all cause that means you can get both books for the price of one at Waterstones.

Christmas wishes!!

Hey Guys!!

Just wanted to wish you all a Merry Christmas! I celebrate on Dec 24th so I don't have time to get on my laptop and make a proper post (I'm in my iPad) because I'm "socialising". 

I did get books from Father Christmas and I will show you, cause I'm so excited. And a sec ago finished a book, while socialising of course. So another review for you is coming up. And a film review and some fitness.

I've been into books so recently because I've finally had time to read that I have posted a single fitness post, or recipe, or travel (I'm not even in England at the moment so I suppose I should update you on my journey). 

So I have some fresh material for you, but now I need to find out which book to read. Start a new free book or buy the sequel to The Gifting. We'll see.

Merry Christmas to you all and a a Happy New Year!!

Airel: The Awakening by Aaron Patterson and Chris White (2012)

Title: Airel

Author: Aaron M. Patterson, Chris White

Series: The Awakening #1

Pages: 186

Published: Aug 31st 2011

Publisher: StoneHouse Ink

As you know from my previous post two days ago I downloaded loads of free books from iBooks to have something to read during Christmas without having to bring loads of heavy hard covers. Most of the free ones are the first book in a series where the following books cost money (obviously). Most of them are also paranormal. So I thought, why not. I haven't read paranormal in a while so lets give that a chance. Just because they're free on iBooks and I haven't seen it at Waterstones doesn't mean they are real books. Plus this one had gotten pretty good reviews on Goodreads, and people on Goodreads tend to read a lot so why not?

The book was well, not the best one I've read. Definiately. But I read it in two days and in that time I had time to study and go skiing from morning to afternoon so I've got to get myself some credit. Ok, the book wasn't very long, so I guess I don't deserve as much credit, but the book wasn't amazing. I've read far better books, but maybe that's because I'd never heard about the book and didn't take it as seriously.

The book was written by two authors, Aaron Patterson and Chris White, and I was pretty impressed by how well they'd written it. It can be hard to write a book together with someone else I can imagine. I believe (and if you know the correct facts please correct me) that Aarone Patterson wrote the chapters about Airel in present day and that Chris White wrote the chapters about the Gods in Arabia. Why? Because Patterson's name is written first on the cover in bigger letters and the first chapter is about Airel and there are far more chapters about her. I have the feeling that the book is more about her than the fallen angel Kreios in Arabia 1250 B.C.

So what did I think and why? It was vague. I felt like Airel's personality wasn't properly explored and I didn't get a chance to know her. She's the average girl. Fine. But there needs to be something that stands out. All I really know about her as a person is: she likes coconut latte, she drives a Civic and her best friend is called Kate. I felt like she wouldn't tell the reader about herself and almost like the author didn't quite know her but wanted to make her seem like a underestimated teenage girl that the reader should like. I didn't feel that way. As a matter of fact I didn't really feel anything towards her. The only thing that seemed special about her was that she felt that she was stupid for falling for a boy so quickly and for throwing up all the time. I just didn't buy it. She didn't seem real enough for me.

She met prince charming in the first chapter. The FIRST chapter. I felt like I didn't get an introduction, no chance to bond with her. And Michael and her. They didn't have a problem to fall for each other. In my opinion a good romance (and every book needs a little of it) needs to build up, and it needs chemistry. But this romance didn't have that. Michael practically announced to Airel that he liked her and Airel pretty much fell head over heels for him at first sight. It felt, fake, artificial. Well, not real.

However, I can't say that it wasn't fun to read their chapters. I mean, yes I enjoyed that they went to the mall together and had lunch and that they spoke in the car, but I found the killer even more interesting. That is what caught my attention (and I really like romances) so I was shocked to find that the whole she-is-changing-and-a-killer-knows-"what"-she-is much more thrilling than the rest of the book. Why she left the theatre to go the bathroom in the middle of the movie when she saw the killer I don't understand. Stick to your friends mate! Scream, call 911, I don't care, but don't go to the bathroom. Sometimes characters do decisions that are dangerous and I wouldn't have done, but this. This is just pure stupidness. But I guess that added to the thrill. I don't know.

Furthermore, what I don't get is why she didn't tell her parents. Maybe I'm the only one, but when I unexpectedly break a glass and cut myself to them miraculously heal in a sec I would freak out. Like actually freak out. I would rush into my parents room and tell them. Maybe I'm really attached to my mum and the rest of you agree with Airel or she's being stupid. However, I suppose part of reading is to get away from parents where characters make their own choices and are not influenced by them all the time, but well, I don't know.

So about the dual narrative. I liked it, and I hope it will make sense in the end. My conclusion is that the Kreios' infant daughter has something to do with Airel why else would she had gotten born. If the daughter wash't meaningful in some way we would have just followed Kreios on his journey. I felt it was harder to keep concentrated on these chapters because there wasn't much dialogue (which bored me a little) and it seemed so far off. Although I felt that Airel was vague I sill connected with her better than Kreios and I enjoy fantasy. I really do.

Plot Summary:

All Airel ever wanted was to be normal, to disappear into the crowd. But bloodlines can produce surprises, like an incredible ability to heal. Then there is Michael Alexander, the new guy in school, who is impossibly gorgeous... and captivated by her. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she can hear pages turning, and another, older story being written. It is the story of an ancient family, of great warriors, of the Sword of the Light, and the struggle against an evil so evil, so far-reaching, that it threatens everything. Airel knew that change would be an inevitable part of life. But can she hold on when murder and darkness begins to close in and take away everything she loves? Will she have what it takes when the truth is finally revealed?

Favourite Quote(s):

"How would I know? Thanks a lot. I'll tell you how. It's because I watch lots of movies. It's love at first sight. You and Michael are like Maria and Tony in West Side Story" - Kim

Her confidence is so enjoyable.

My Rating:

4/10

All books can't be great. If the crazy good ones deserve 10s then I'm afraid this one has a bit to go.

I don't know if I'll buy the rest of the books. There are six books and I can get the whole series for £5.99 (which is less than one hard copy book from the store). I don't know if it will be worth it and I'll be positively surprised or if I'll get disappointed. So I think I'll read the other books I've got downloaded and then choose the series which seem the most promising.

I've written loads. Sorry. I suppose it's easier to write when you have something to evaluate and explain your feelings about.

The White Rose by Amy Ewing (2015)

Title: The White Rose
Author: Amy Ewing
Series: The Lone City #2
Pages: 310
Published: Oct 1st 2015
Publisher: Walker Books


So when I finished The Jewel I without question bought The White Rose on iBooks. I was absolutely addicted. It's crazy good. I have the feeling that this will become one of the series to fit in with The Hunger Games, Divergent, The Mortal Instruments and the really famous book series that most fangirls (and boys hopefully) have read. You get addicted. Again I read this so quickly that I got surprised when I had reached the end. I'm usually not a very fast reader (but these iBooks allow me to read when I've got a minute to spare so I suppose it adds up pretty quickly) so I was almost shocked when I realised that this is it. No more to read.

It's not too often that I read a series before all the books have come out. It's only really happened with The Mortal Instruments, The Infernal Devices and Divergent. So now I'm in agony. I have to wait. And I have no idea when the third book comes out.

I really started to like Garnet in this book. I admit it. I thought Violet was going to end up with Garnet when we first met him during the dinner in The Jewel. Who didn't. At the moment he was the only book of her age in the palace. Until we met Ash. So nooooowww, I hope Raven ends up with him because they seem really nice together and every time I read about him I just feel like they should skip the teasing and get on with it. One book left for them to prove themselves worthy of my attention.

Plot Summary:

Violet, Ash and Raven have escaped the palace of the Duchess of the Lake, but Regimentals are hunting them across the city. Nowhere is safe, and they are dependant on Lucien and his secret society for survival. If they can reach the safety of the White Rose then Violet may be able to help Lucien in his plan to rescue more surrogates. For one surrogate, however, it is already to late. Violet's best friend, is pregnant. And in the Jewel, surrogates cannot survive giving birth.

- Waterstones

Favourite Quote: 

"You have the poer to connect with every blade of grass in this field, every drop of water, every branch on every tree. They will react to you. But, remember, you do not have power over this force. You are only ever its equal. You must be worthy of that. You give yourself to the element, as it gives itself to you" - Sil

"Right now, the united front seems to consist of three surrogates, one lady-in-waiting, a companion, and a royal son. It's a pretty ragtag bunch" - Violet

My Rating:

10/10

No regret.

Other Books in these Series:

The Jewel (The Lone City #1)

The White Rose (The Lone City #2)

The House of the Stone (A  Lone City Novella #1.5) - from Raven's point of view

Book Update December 2015

So I thought I wouldn't read to much this month because I had school books to read. I guess I was wrong. I started reading the iBooks I had when I was in the car or waiting at to get picked up in order to 1) I was getting bored of playing 1010! 2) I wanted to spend my time a little more wisely and 3) I don't get the time to read as much anymore.

So I got The Jewel for free because it was the book of the week and I loved it. I read it more than when just in the car. I read it before sleep although I don't really have time to read before sleep.

Then I just bought the second one without a second thought. Then, when I had finished it (on the train station waiting for Mum) I couldn't stop thinking about it. So without a second thought I bought 'House of Stone' which is a Lone City Novella. It was only £1.99 so I bought it even though I'm not a big fan of short stories.

When I finished that (which took like a day) I started downloading books. So a lot of book series on iBook offer the first book in the series for free and then charge normal price like £5.99 for the rest of the books. So I thought, whats the harm of downloading a few book #1s and then see which book I really fancy and then possibly buy the second book in that series. As long as all the books are eBooks and I don't end up with like one as a proper book and then one iBook and one Kindle book in the same series. That is suicide. Also, with all my study stuff, I found it hard to find room for books.

So I downloaded the following:

• The Gifting by K. E. Ganshert
• Airel by Aaron Patterson and Chris White
• Bound, An Arelia LaRue Novel by Kira Saito
• The Faerie Guardian by Rachel Morgan (although I really would like this series as hard copy because I've heard good things about it) 
• Forbidden, Book I of the Arotas Series by Amy Miles
• Alone, The Girl in the Box by Robert J. Crane

I started with Airel because well, I had to start with something. I know I won't finish them all, if any. I  have to study loads, but there is the journey that takes hours to the ski resort so lets hope I get some reading done.

Tell me if you've read any of these books and if so what you thought. Have I chosen absolutely terrible ones or should I give them a go.

So that's what I've been and am currently reading. Hopefully I'll have some books to review for you during and after Christmas!!

Harry Potter Illustrated Edition

This isn't really a review to be honest, it's more like news. Although most of you must already know. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone has come out as a an illustrated book. Now it probably came out about three months ago because I went to the Making of Harry Potter in October this year for the third time and found it there and guess how much it cost? £30!

My natural reaction would probably have been 'I'm buying it anyways, it's Harry Potter and what did you expect?', but somehow I was convinced that the book would be cheaper on Amazon and I'm quite careful when it comes to my money.

Was I right in saying it was expensive? Uh, yes. It was half the price on Amazon. Then I walked into WHSmith a wonderful day and it was £15 so I bought it. For my friend. She has talked about it since we saw at the studies (she was the one who went with me) and my English teacher talks only of it. So Holly keeps on saying 'it's at the tip of my Christmas wish list', 'I wan't it so badly', 'Mum better give me that one if anything this Christmas'. So I bought it, for her. Initially it was meant as a birthday present because her b-day is on New Years Eve, but then we were gonna do a group present (I'll tell you when we've given it) so I made this into the Christmas one.

When I got home I went through every page really carefully just to look because I knew that it would take some time before I got my own copy and I was dying. Literally DYING of curiosity. It was like a piece of treasure. I handled it really gently because it has that smooth paper cover alongside with the actual binding and I kept stroking it because the letters are gold. So I bought it about three weeks ago and I've never looked again in it since. After all, it wasn't my book.

Then, last Friday I got an offer from University of Hertfordshire (that's a whole different story) and my parents took me for lunch and guess what I got? HARRY POTTER AND THE PHILOSOPHER'S STONE ILLUSTRATED EDITION!!!!

I got my own copy. I GOT MY OWN COPY. This is major. Truly major. I was so happy. It's beautiful. I hope they come out with the rest. I hope millions around the world are so happy with it that they choose to make a second and third and fourth and fifth and sixth and seventh because I want them all and if they're just gonna be £15 each and I got the first as a gift I'll just spend... £90 on the whole series, because I can totally afford that. Not really. At the moment. But they wouldn't come out all at the same time anyways. *Desperately trying to reassure myself that I'll sometime in the future have all of them*.

Anyways, I'm crazy about it. I'm thinking that if I start reading from it to my sister maybe she'll start reading them. I started reading when I was 9. She's 9. My mum said once that if she bought it for her in Christmas she would started read it but I emphasized how much I wanted it that I think I won cause here I'm sitting with my own copy.