Teasers from Four: A Divergent Collection

What's Going On in Sarah World?

Well, I bet all of you are wondering WHY I am not posting a lot. The answer is this: I am never home, with a rare acess to wifi, which makes updating this blog extremely difficult. I post whenever I can, I promise.

Last week, my siblings had this huge sports tournament, and like the amazing, supportive sister that I am, I willingly sacrificed my wifi in order to come support.

This week, though, I AM BETTER PREPARED for this blog!!! I posted my review of The Testing yesterday, posted this today, and tomorrow I have ALREADY written a review of Austenland by Shannon Hale that will be up and ready tomorrow.

I thought, YES! Next week I finally have the free time to update this blog! And then I remembered that my birthday is on Thursday and Independence Day is on Friday. So, I will probably not post on those days. Sorry to disappoint.

But, one reason I am SUPER EXCITED is because I won a copy of On the Fence by Kasie West from an EpicReads contest!! I think we all know how much I adored The Distance Between Us, and On the Fence is supposed to be even cuter! *fangirl moment* So, as soon as I get that on my hands, the review will be up for it.

Speaking of my birthday, like the book nerd, or as I like to call it, passionate reader, I am, I asked for a whole bunch of books for my birthday, so be prepared for a book haul in a week or so. Super excited for that.

I also preordered my copy of "Four" by Veronica Roth. Super duper excited. If anyone would like a review featured on this blog, I am starting up Fantabulous Friday reviews again! Email me your review at enchantedbyabook@outlook.com.

So, coming up this week: July Newsletter tomorrow, Austenland review on Thursday, and possibly a Fantabulous Friday review on Friday. Thank you for your patience. I love that this blog is still getting views despite my lack of posts. Love you all!

Sarah

REVIEW: The Testing

The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau 

Loved the action-less love for the actual love

Although The Testing was almost an exact copy of the idea of The Hunger Games, the story itself was weaved expertly- with pulse pounding action, government secrets, and the clock ticking down until the final moment. It would have been your perfect story, if not for the romance.

I found the main character's love (Tomas and Cia) a little too unbelievable. Tomas has happened to be in love with her all all the years that they'd grown up, including stolen glances across the classroom, a dance or two, etc. Even though Tomas is apparently one of those easy on the eyes, perfect, sought after boys. And just miraculously, after their colony has not had a student chosen for The Testing for years, both of them were chosen, and also happened to be in the same group. 

Sounds a little too perfect to me. 

Also, I hated how little the government was explained. Why did they even have The Testing? If there were so many rebels against it, how were they still getting away with it? Why would so many parents willing hand their children over to do something they know nothing about? These questions, as well as about a million more, swirled around in my brain. 

I'm making this book sound horrible, and it's not. It was a pretty enjoyable read. I just thought I would get the negatives over with. 

This book is about a girl named Cia, who lives in a world that has been destroyed and is seeking to become how it used to be again {Again, very little explanations on what happened}. The government chooses students from each colony to come compete in The Testing, a series of mental and physical tests that determine the best candidates for future leaders. It is considered an honor to be chosen for The Testing, and Cia is thrilled when she is chosen. 

But a few spilled secrets from her father makes her rethink her feelings. The Testing might not be everything it is made out to be. Soon, Cia finds herself in great danger, from the world outside to her fellow candidates. She must use every skill and instinct she has in order to survive. 

Great for action lovers!!!

Reviews Coming Up!!!

 

REVIEW: The Giver By Lois Lowry

The Giver by Lois Lowry

Okay, so you guys know me. I'm always one to go with the hype. I'm majorly obsessed with The Fault in Our Stars and Divergent, and I'm a proud member of the Percy Jackson, Maze Runner, and The Infernal Devices fandoms. So, when I heard about The Giver being made into a movie, I decided it was time to check it out. I saw so many positive reviews and five stars on Goodreads, so I bought it on my Kindle and started reading.

I don't even know how to start describe my utter disappointment. This book was ABSOLUTELY awful. I hope I bring up some good points in this review. It is definitely going to be hard to explain what I think. 

A) I find it very disturbing that this is a popular children's book. The main character, Jonas, has a dream called a "Stirring" in which he tries to invite a girl to come get in a bathtub with him. Wait, what? How is this even remotely appropriate for the recommended age group (8 years old and up)? And then he describes how he likes to enjoy bathing the Old because he "likes their nakedness." Uh... that's really awkward. 

B) The character development and overall description of them was horrid. Even Jonas! I felt like I didn't know him at all, he was about as interesting as a piece of paper. And the rest of the characters acted like complete robots. I realize that it had something to do with their society's control or whatever, but he could have at least made Jonas and the Giver a little bit better. And Jonas's father was downright creepy. He was like one of those people who are maniacs and they act really nice but do evil things. (See C.)

C) That one scene where Jonas's father executes the baby. Um, did that send shivers down any one else's spine? That is downright awful and evil and creepy. Again, what is up with this young audience and WHY ARE WE LETTING THEM READ THESE THINGS? And then the Giver has known about it all along and he knows that it is a horrible thing to do and HE DOES NOTHING ABOUT IT. 

D) How much time did this book skip? Seriously? First Jonas is just starting to train to be the next Receiver and then BAM a few pages later, the Giver says, "I know we've been working on this for a year now," and I was just going back to try and see what I missed. Because an ENTIRE YEAR is gone from the story. 

E) The plot itself was terrible. The Giver gives Jonas memories, and for the first time, Jonas sees what it is like to have snow, and sunlight and love.

UM HELLO. News flash: LOVE IS A PART OF BEING HUMAN. YOU CAN'T JUST TAKE IT AWAY. And HOW DO YOU GET RID OF SNOW? I really don't understand. But the biggest thing that bugged me were the fact that THEY TOOK AWAY SUNLIGHT. You can't DO that or EVERYONE WILL DIE. YOU NEED THE SUN TO LIVE!!!!!

F) This deserves a letter of it's own, because I really just don't understand: the color. Once the Giver starts giving Jonas memories, he finally starts to "see color." Like, colors don't exist anymore. At all. Like, when an apple suddenly turns red, Jonas is really surprised. You can NOT take away color! You could make dyes cease to exist, but you can't make it so people's skin have no color, and you can't make an apple not red.

I don't care if your story is fictional, YOU CAN'T DO IT.

G) Finally, I hated the ending. What kind of stupid ending is that? Congrats, you win the Stupidest Ending of All Time Award. I know there is a sequel, (that came out nineteen years after the first) but I don't want to read it. 

Movie Review: The Fault in Our Stars

Movie Review: The Fault in Our Stars

    This could possibly be one of the best book-to film adaptations that I’ve ever seen. Sure, they left out some stuff {i.e. Hazel’s friend, Kaitlyn, Augustus's ex girlfriend} but really, they aren’t going to include EVERYTHING and make it absolutely perfect, so for the most part, they followed the book really well. The movie was enchanting, and seeing Augustus {Elgort} and Hazel {Woodley} on the big screen made me fall in love with the story all over again. They had some BEAUTIFUL speeches and quotes that were not in the book, and although it may have frustrated some fans, I was very glad that they changed the script a little bit.  

    Actors Who Played The Part Really Well:

    I have to say, the two people who played their part the very best were definitely Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort. First of all, I absolutely loved Shai as Tris. She is an amazing actress and the way she slips into her character like it’s just easy, like she is  that character never ceases to amaze me. She played Hazel so well. I think her acting was a big part in the emotional influence that this movie has on the audience. She knows how to cry without making it incredibly cheesy. I really felt what she was feeling. I was connected with her character.

    I have to say, I was a little nervous when I heard that Ansel Elgort was going to play Augustus. I mean, come on, girls, he is attractive. However, I did not like him as Caleb in Divergent. I thought he was a little stiff and not really in to the character. But as Augustus- it was like he was born just to play that character. I’m really glad that they chose him. My EMOTIONS GAH. He was so funny and attractive and lovable and everything we wanted Augustus to be. And, {Theo James fans, don’t hate me} he definitely played the whole romance thing with Shai a LOT better than Theo did. Theo may be hot and play the whole Four character really well, but I thought the whole romance part with him and Shai was really kind of cheesy. With Ansel, however, I really thought he was in love with Shai. It felt so real and amazing and I loved it.

    The Scene That I Love:

    Oh, so many to choose from. I did love Amsterdam and I loved how they did his fake funeral. I also loved the scene when Hazel talks to her mom about how she wants her to have a life after she’s gone. But my favorite scene was one that was not included in the book. Augustus and Hazel go on a picnic after he has to be in a wheelchair, and Hazel gives a very beautiful speech. It was all very romantic, heart breaking, and just…. cute.

WARNING: FEEL-O-METER: EXTREMELY HIGH

    I’m kind of known for not crying in movies. Sure, I’ve cried in a few number of books over character deaths, but never once had I ever cried during a movie until I saw the Amazing Spider Man 2 a few weeks ago. And even that was just a few tears. In this movie, I BAWLED MY EYES OUT IN FOUR DIFFERENT SCENES. I’m serious. I could not stop crying! UGH. My friend came prepared with tissues, and so after she could hear my heart breaking next to her, so she passed over the tissues without a word. I must have used at least ten. After a while, she needed them back because she was crying, but we won’t judge her for that.

    Do you know why I love going to movies so often and reading books? Fictional characters are like friends. I fall in love with them, I love others, and others I just want to be best friends with. We like reading because it makes us feel. And nothing is more important than feeling. Feeling love, jealousy, grief, happiness, and pain are the best parts of life. And when we feel something, when we read stories and experience them, it changes us. Yeah, they might be fictional, but I’ve learned that we can learn and grow from stories, no matter how fictional they may be.

In Conclusion

    This movie was beautiful. It really was. I loved it. I was transfixed the moment Hazel Grace came on the screen. Bring your tissues and get ready to cry and ready to feel. This love story is going to make you want, more than ever, a boy that will love you like Augustus Waters loved Hazel Grace.

Go see the movie. The world may not be a wish granting factory, but sometimes it does give us something beautiful.

Okay?

Okay.

Sign Up For My Summer Writing Class- FREE

Have you always wanted to be a good writer? Are you a good writer but you can never organize your ideas? Would you like to collaborate with other authors and write a book in just two months?


 If you have answered YES to any of these questions, you should sign up for my Summer Writing Class of 2014! We will be learning different writing techniques and how to polish ideas.


Also, starting on July 1st, we will be writing a book together, and each person will be emailed a finished copy at the end of the class. This class is ONLINE and free. The website for it will be launching on JUNE 20th, so PLEASE sign up before hand. Also, you many invite your friends.


To sign up or ask me any questions, please email me at enchantedbyabook@outlook.com or fill out the contact form on the top left hand side of this blog. THANK YOU. We will have a BLAST.

REVIEW: Wonder by R.J Palacio

Wonder by R.J. Palacio

 

This was one of the most inspiring books that I have ever read.

 

“I think there should be a rule that everyone in the world should get a standing ovation at least once in their lives.”

If you haven't read this book yet, I encourage you to pick it up as soon as possible. It will inspire you and encourage you to be a better person and more aware of other people's feelings.

August Pullman is a normal kid, smart, friendly, and funny, but the thing that sets him apart from other kids is what is on the outside.

He has many different genetic problems that make him look monstrous. Horrific. Not human. And everyone at school acts like he has the plague- they flinch if he touches them and can't even bear to make eye contact with him. Even though it is not his fault that he was born that way, he pays for it every day.

How often do we judge people from how they look? How often do we turn away our eyes because we can't bear to look, or how often do we make fun of others because of disabilities or deformities that they have?

 

“The best way to measure how much you've grown isn't by inches or the number of laps you can now run around the track, or even your grade point average-- though those things are important, to be sure. It's what you've done with your time, how you've chosen to spend your days, and whom you've touched this year. That, to me, is the greatest measure of success.”  

I have experienced these feelings firsthand in my life. I have cerebral palsy. Although it does not affect how smart I am or how I think or anything like that, but it does affect many physical aspects of my life.

Even though some people may not mean to stare or be rude, that doesn't mean that I am oblivious to the stares when I turn my back, or the whispers as I walk through the hall. Whenever I run, I always feel stares on me, or even just walking down the halls. {I don't walk like other people do, and the difference is pretty obvious.}

Now that I'm older, people have gotten kinder and more sympathetic, but back in elementary school, I got bullied a lot. In first and sixth grade, it was especially easy to bully me because I had surgeries that required me to be in a wheelchair. I'm not saying that everyone was mean- most people were really nice. However, there were a few people who thought it was funny to whisper mean things to me when the teacher was looking away.

I'm here to tell you that all the people I've met with physical disabilities have been the sweetest and friendliest people that I've ever met. Don't judge people because of what you see on the outside- they can't change it and it hurts their feelings when you bully them.
I'd rather be seen as a girl with cerebral palsy that everyone can count on to be a good friend than a bully with nothing wrong with her.

“Kinder than is necessary. Because it's not enough to be kind. One should be kinder than needed.”

 

Be kinder than is necessary. It will make you a better person.