Friday, August 6, 2010

Water For Elephants Review

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As a young man, Jacob Jankowski was tossed by fate onto a rickety train that was home to the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth. It was the early part of the great Depression, and for Jacob, now ninety, the circus world he remembers was both his salvation and a living hell. A veterinary student just shy of a degree, he was put in charge of caring for the circus menagerie. It was there that he met Marlena, the beautiful equestrian star married to August, the charismatic but twisted animal trainer. And he met Rosie, an untrainable elephant who was the great gray hope for this third-rate traveling show. The bond that grew among this unlikely trio was one of love and trust, and, ultimately, it was their only hope for survival. Barnes & Noble

It took me some time to read this because of my busy schedule. (Thank you to Trixie and Tess for the wonderful book!) But, alas, I have finished it and am here to give you guys my review.

When I first started reading this book, it started off in...old Jacob's visit, he was in a retirement home. Instantly, I could see he didn't belong there. And, that there were secrets he was hiding from not only the other residents but from the readers. The secrets start out in the book where we go back to Jacob as a college boy.

This book is something I haven't read in awhile. Suspenseful. There are so many twists and turns in this book that at one point I had trouble keeping up. Each character has secrets that are announced further into the book or not at all and your left wondering. I liked the constant surprises in this book and the slight romance that started to illuminate between two characters. However, I kind of did not agree with it for one reason, it's a very obvious one of course. But, anyways, the romance and suspense is what really triggered me to read even faster to see how the book turns out. After watching (or reading) everything unfold, to me, the ending was slightly predictable on what happens to the characters but the very, very ending made a smile play on my face.

Overall, this is a book I can see being turned into a classic years from now. (Like a circus version of Catcher in the Rye.) It has all the aspects of a great book and something in there for everyone. I'm not surprised this was a New York Bestseller (#1 at that) and how it is being turned into a movie. Also, I wouldn't be surprised if it will join the criteria for summer reading lists.

So, I give this book a widely deserved four out of four nail polishes for the great suspense, unraveling romance, and twist and turns that made this book a classic for me. I recommend everyone read this book. It has enough romance and enough suspense to keep guys and girls entertained.

You can get movie information here.

Peace and Fangs,
Alisha

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Wanted Wedensday: Vampire Kisses 8: Cryptic Cravings

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*UPDATE* 12/27/10: Check out the summary here!
It doesn't take a genius to know...I love vampire books. Including ones that have AH-lot of romance. This week for Wanted Wedensdays, I have chosen a book that won't be out until next year. *sniffle* I came upon this series about a year ago and loved it SO much, I bought the whole book series which I rarely ever do. Vampire Kisses is one vampire series, I keep up with and adore. Recently, like last week *cough*, I had read the seventh book in the series which came out in May of this year. After reading this book, I'm impatiently wriggling in my seat for 2011 to come for the eighth book: Cryptic Cravings. The seventh book leaves off with a cliff-hanger that made my jaw drop because Ellen Schreiber has never done that to me...and the rest of the fans. But, she has given us two things to keep us waiting for the eighth book: a release date and the cover.
Loooove it!

The book is set to release around May 2011! Sadly, the book doesn't have a synopsis yet but I will post it once I see it. If you have not heard of the Vampire Kisses series, please check it out here!

Along with Cryptic Cravings, I will say I'm looking forward to Ellen Schreiber's new series coming out, Once in a Full Moon. It is a werewolf romance series and the first book is due out on December 8th (my birthday!). You can check out the synopsis below:

"Beware of a kiss under the full moon. It will change your life forever.


Celeste Parker is used to hearing scary stories about werewolves—Legend’s Run is famous for them. But when, after an unnerving visit with a psychic, she encounters a pack of wolves and gorgeous, enigmatic Brandon, she must discover whether his transformation is more than legend or just a trick of the shadows in the moonlight. Brandon may be Celeste’s hero, or he may be the most dangerous creature she could encounter in the woods of Legend’s Run.

The bestselling Vampire Kisses author, Ellen Schreiber, weaves together psychic predictions, generations-old secrets, a town divided, and the possibility of falling in love with a hot and heroic werewolf—the perfect formula for what happens...once in a full moon." Source

Tell me what you think of Cryptic Cravings, the Vampire Kisses series, and Ellen Schreiber's new series, Once in a Full Moon.

Peace and Fangs,
Alisha

Monday, August 2, 2010

True Blood: Season 3, Episode 7--"Hitting the Ground"

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This week's episode....Blew. My. Mind. For weeks, I have been left with questions and I will admit...I was on the verge of stop watching. Stay with me! It gets better. This week has set me back in motion on why I watch this show. Suspense...and love (sort of). Let's get down to the episode!

So, last week, we were stuck with the scene of Sookie finding Bill in the shed where Lorena camped out to watch him die slowly. (Disgusting!) This week we are brought back to the shed where Lorena is drinking from Sookie. Bill builds up the strength to wrap a silver chain around Lorena's neck and make her fall to the fall with him on the bottom of her. He tells Sookie to stake Lorena, Sookie hesistates for a minute where Lorena proclaims her "love" for Bill. Sookie stakes her before Tara and Alcide make their way to the shed.

They tell Sookie they have to leave because the wolves would be coming soon. Tara and Sookie roll Bill up in a carpet vampire burrito before Alcide's ex, Debbie, walks in. They argue with one another and she pulls a gun on all three of them. Alcide takes the gun from her and once Coot, Debbie's current boyfriend, tries to pick a fight, Alcide shoots him dead. Tara and Sookie take Bill out of the shed and towards the truck Alcide was driving. Alcide locks Debbie inside the shed and goes to help Sookie and Tara. Sookie stays in the back with Bill while Tara and Alcide go to the front. While Tara and Alcide out run the werewolves, Sookie tries to help Bill wake up by giving her blood to him. He drinks some of her blood but becomes too excited and starts to bite and drink from her in her arms and on her neck.

Tara and Alcide check the back and see Sookie is passed out with multiple bites. Tara throws Bill out like a good friend and leave him in the sunlight to get to the hospital. While the hospital try to give Sookie a blood transfusion, her body rejects it. Tara calls Jason to tell him that Sookie is in the hospital. (Quick catch-up with Jason: He talks to Hoyt about being depressed about Crystal, Hoty suggests Jason go talk to the meth addict that's in lock up. Jason goes down and the meth addict happens to be Crytal's cousin. They both come to an agreement that the meth addict will tell Jason whatever he wants about Crystal if he gets him-surprise! surprise!-meth. Jason agrees and tries to get some from Lafayette who declines to give him some and who is with him when Tara calls.) Lafayette and Jason get to the hospital and they find out that Sookie doesn't have a blood type. The three of them sit around while Alcide tries to talk to the nurse and remember old times and give Sookie encouragment.

While Sookie is out, she dreams of a place that looks like heaven. (Sadly, the orange hue and everyone dressed in white almost blinded me.) She explores the place with a random chick and drink water that's the best thing she ever tasted. (I'm totally lost by this whole thing by the way, so if you're confused by reading this, it was worse trying to figure it out by watching it.) Some how Bill shows up at the hospital still intact and angers Tara. The three of them fall asleep though and leave Bill to watch it. Sookie's dream takes a negative turn when darkness roams over the heavenly world. All the people escape in the water and the weird chick tells Sookie to get in the water but Sookie refuses. When they are all awake, Bill tells Jason he can save Sookie if he gives her his blood. Even though Tara argues to not let him do it, Jsaon complies. Bill puts the IV directly into his vein. Sookie then wakes up to Bill where for a slight second it seems peaceful and then Sookie screams a bloodcurdling scream, which had me pretty scared myself, I wasn't expecting that.

During this, Sam goes to the dog fight his family is at and turns into a bull dog to get where the cages are. The men, obviously, take him into the cages. He turns back quickly and takes out one of the men. Tommy starts his fight with a pit bull but is quickly cut short when Sam tricks the alarm and lets the dogs run wild. He finds Joe Lee and Melinda over Tommy's side. Sam scares off the pit bull and goes to Tommy's side. He tells Joe Lee to give Tommy his clothes (Joe Lee seems to always end up in his underwear). Sam gives Tommy the choice to either stay with him to give him a normal and stable life or stay with Joe Lee and Melinda and continue the dog fights. Tommy goes with Sam and leaves their parents there.

Sophie, the Queen of Mississippi, is locked in a silver cage and is interrogated by Eric about why she's so interested in Sookie. She doesn't tell. Eric turns to one of her feeders who tells him (which they don't say out loud) and is turned by Eric. They go to Fangtasia along with Russell where Pam is being tortured. Eric tells him to stop. Russell ties the man up and tells him to marry him and Sophie (which confused me because I thought he had a lover back in Lousiana which he does and I'm still confused...). The man does but Russell is still not satisfied. He decaptates the man leaving the women shocked.

Tell me what you thought of this week's episode. What do you think about Sookie screaming at Bill? Do you think Tommy will stay with Sam or go back with his parents? Did Eric ever have any feelings for Sookie? What do you think Sophie's feeder told Eric?

P.S. Am I the only one that thought this week's Post-Mortem was a little bit disturbing?

Check out next week's episode, Night on the Sun:

Peace and Fangs,
Alisha

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Despicable Me: Movie Review

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Superbad. Superdad.

Starring: Steve Carell, Jason Segel, Miranda Cosgrove
Director(s): Pierre Coffin, Chris Renaud
Writer(s): Ken Daurio (screenplay), Sergio Pablos (story)
Rated: PG
Release Date: July 9, 2010

Summary: In a happy suburban neighborhood surrounded by white picket fences with flowering rose bushes, sits a black house with a dead lawn. Unbeknownst to the neighbors, hidden beneath this home is a vast secret hideout. Surrounded by a small army of minions, we discover Gru (voiced by Steve Carell), planning the biggest heist in the history of the world. He is going to steal the moon. (Yes, the moon!) Gru delights in all things wicked. Armed with his arsenal of shrink rays, freeze rays, and battle-ready vehicles for land and air, he vanquishes all who stand in his way. Until the day he encounters the immense will of three little orphaned girls who look at him and see something that no one else has ever seen: a potential Dad. The world's greatest villain has just met his greatest challenge: three little girls named Margo, Edith and Agnes. IMDb

Even though I watched this movie over a week ago, I still remember the movie fondly in my head. This is a cartoon movie and I was iffy about seeing it, but after I saw that Pixar was behind it, I was all for it. (Seeing a cute movie like Up and the Toy Story series, I have to go see all the Pixar movies. I went to go see it in 2D and I completely think you should go see it in 2D. I don't understand the concept of 3D and absolutely hate that every movie is now being made into 3D (even horror movies, sadly). But, this movie is awesome in 2D, if you aren't able to watch it in 3D. It's just appropriate enough for kids to go see it but also for teens and adults to get a few laughs (I know I was laughing out loud). The movie is also cute and has a good moral to the movie like all Pixar movies. It's a good family film and I encourage all adults and teens to go see it. I went with a friend and we both thought it was the cutest movie this summer (besides Toy Story 3). Steve Carell does an amazing job with Gru and the little girls are the cutest. I have to say that the minions do make the movie. The plot is fantastic and the ending is something that makes you go "Aww" and then make you laugh your butt off. Please give this movie a try, it was worth the six bucks I spent.

Peace and Fangs,
Alisha
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