The Hunger Games Movie Rants and Some Other Rants

Okay, I know this is supposed to be a book blog, but I have to talk about The Hunger Games!

I watched it last Saturday with my friends, and it was amazing, though unsatisfying in some minor parts. Jennifer Lawrence definitely makes a good Katniss, she's strong and all that, she even sorta matches the Katniss in my mind. As for Josh, he's a little too short for me and he just wears this mouth gaping expression for most of the movie. Liam, on the other hand, is good but barely has any scenes in the movie, and the dark brown hair looks odd on him. I love me blonde Liam. The other supporting actors and actresses are stellar, Rue and Haymitch are particularly memorable.

It's excellent for me with most of the plot sticking close to the book, though I still get a little angry with the changed arcs. Another complaint is that my friends who didn't read The Hunger Games, don't understand some parts such as the three finger salute, career tributes and the appearances of Capitol people. I just can't wait for the next installment with the flaws it now possess.

And ya know what, my blog nearly get deleted. I opened my blog site to sign in, but was informed that it was deleted. So I searched. So I ponder. After much deal of hassle and worry, I finally logged into my blog. Phew, that was a close call! I'm glad my blog wasn't deleted like some others blogs, but man am I pissed!

Winner of Emerald City Giveaway

The winner if Emerald City international eBook Giveaway is: Jess! My hotmail is not working now, so I'll try to send her a conformation email later. If you happen to know her, please tell her that she has two days to confirm the winning.

XOXO
Jez

Feature and Follow Friday: 30 March

Feature & Follow Friday is a blog hop that expands your blog following by a joint effort between bloggers. First you leave your name here, then you create a post on your own blog that links back here and then you visit as many blogs as you can and tell them hi in their comments (on the post that has the #FF image). You follow them, they follow you. Win. Win. Just make sure to follow back if someone follows you!

Now to make this #FF interesting we do a FEATURE blogger. The Feature bloggers are chosen randomly from participants in the Follow Friday or through twitter and blog introductions. If you are interested in becoming a Feature let me know! It is also required to follow the host blog (parajunkee.com) and the Feature blog to participate in the #FF.

 Today's feature: Justin's Book Blog

                                                                                 Alluring Reads

Q: Do you read one book at a time or do you switch back and forth between two or more?

Erm, one at school, one at home, one during dinner outs, one when I'm extremely bored, one re-read, one ebook on my laptop...


Don't forget to enter my int. giveaway of Emerald City!

Here are the links for the author interview and the giveaway, and also the review.

The New Death and Others Free on Amazon!

A while ago I hosted a giveaway and interview and guest post for the author of the ebook The New Death and Others, James Hutchings. Now, for a limited time, the New Death and Others is FREE on Amazon. Do not miss out on the link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005Q8Q8DY

Jez XOXO

Here are the links for the author interview of Alicia K. Leppert and the giveaway for Emerald City, and also the review.

Emerald City Giveaway and Other Links

So this is the fourth giveaway I have, and by far this is the book I most liked, yet no one seems to take notice of the international giveaway... There's links for the interview, review and giveaway on this post.

Here are the links for the author interview and the giveaway, and also the review.

a Rafflecopter giveaway 

Feature and Follow Friday: 23 March

Feature & Follow Friday is a blog hop that expands your blog following by a joint effort between bloggers. First you leave your name here, then you create a post on your own blog that links back here and then you visit as many blogs as you can and tell them hi in their comments (on the post that has the #FF image). You follow them, they follow you. Win. Win. Just make sure to follow back if someone follows you!

Now to make this #FF interesting we do a FEATURE blogger. The Feature bloggers are chosen randomly from participants in the Follow Friday or through twitter and blog introductions. If you are interested in becoming a Feature let me know! It is also required to follow the host blog (parajunkee.com) and the Feature blog to participate in the #FF.

 Today's feature: Short and Sweet

Sarahs Books & Life

Q: What is the longest book you’ve read? What are your favorite 600+ page reads?

Eragon by Paolini. It's a compilation of Eragon and Eldest, leading to more than 1000 pages. Brisigr is 1000 pages plus and I'm still reading it. Everyone should read the Inheritance series, it's one of the best. Any self respecting YA paranormal fanatic would say last book of Vampire Academy, Last Sacrifice(my review here), and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series is highly recommended.


Don't forget to enter my giveaway!

Here are the links for the author interview and the giveaway, and also the review.

Alicia's website
Alicia's Facebook
Alicia on Goodreads

Pre-order Emerald City on Amazon

Cedar Fort Blog
Cedar Fort Facebook
Cedar Fort Twitter
Cedar Fort on Goodreads

Review: EMERALD CITY by Alicia K. Leppert

Emerald City is a tale about a young girl going through tough times, but was saved by a stranger.

Olivia Tate is haunted by a past she couldn’t escape. Sad and despaired, she takes one pill too many and is saved by her neighbor, Jude. When she comes home, she decides to pick up her life, with some help from Jude, of course. Jude seems elusive at first but as time grows, they both find themselves opening to each other. Soon, the two falls deeply for each other and Olivia seems be healthier. However, Jude’s sudden disappearance and appearance leaves Oliver wondering about their relationship and who Jude really is.

Leppert’s new fantasy tale takes a spin on mythology and the romance between young people.

I absolutely love the characters! Oliver is so sad and bleak at the beginning of the novel, having dealt with (I suspect) depression. That is a feeling most of us can relate to, one way or another. She grows and matures more than the other female and male lead characters I’d came across. It’s amazing to watch her blossom and come out of her cocoon. In the end, she is the youngster she’s supposed to be, vibrating with life and hopeful, and most important, she’s finally able to take a chance on love. Jude on the other hand, is an enigmatic person, though he is secretive about his past and not very open about his true feelings. He too blossomed into a very fine young man. He is also fiercely protective of Olivia, and I was constantly surprised by the sensitive side of Jude. There wasn’t much extra character except for Hal, a beggar and a provider for Jude. Confusing, I know, but you’ll understand if you read the story. The other characters are relatively minor.

Emerald City is told in Olivia’s view but sometimes in an omnipresent view when Jude is doing stuff not known by Olivia. This is not something new as I read this before in The Pledge(my review here) but not as often in my reading range. Olivia’s voice leapt out of the page and Jude’s view really provides some (minimal) insight.

What’s interesting about Emerald City is its take on the usual mythology. I can’t say much without revealing the surprise, all I can say is you wouldn’t expect it at all. Leppert keep you guessing until the very end. Really! Just when I thought I know what was happening, she threw in another element to throw me off the scent. So it was an intriguing read right from the start.

However, there were some minor complaints. I think Jude is a little preachy sometimes, a few of his explanation too long at times. I would like to see the romance part tone down a little and the actual actions vamped up.

 If you want something fresh, don’t miss Emerald City. I have a feeling that this is going to be the first of a successful series.

Absolutely loved the cover! So simple and dark and atmospheric. Not many cover can rock the green!

Ratings: 4 stars

Here are the links for the author interview and the giveaway.

Alicia's website
Alicia's Facebook
Alicia on Goodreads

Pre-order Emerald City on Amazon

Cedar Fort Blog
Cedar Fort Facebook
Cedar Fort Twitter
Cedar Fort on Goodreads

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Feature & Follow Friday: 16 March

Feature & Follow Friday is a blog hop that expands your blog following by a joint effort between bloggers. First you leave your name here, then you create a post on your own blog that links back here and then you visit as many blogs as you can and tell them hi in their comments (on the post that has the #FF image). You follow them, they follow you. Win. Win. Just make sure to follow back if someone follows you!

Now to make this #FF interesting we do a FEATURE blogger. The Feature bloggers are chosen randomly from participants in the Follow Friday or through twitter and blog introductions. If you are interested in becoming a Feature let me know! It is also required to follow the host blog (parajunkee.com) and the Feature blog to participate in the #FF.

 Today's feature: Liza @ Reading with ABC

Q: What is the best book you’ve read in the last month? What is the worst book you’ve read in the last month?

Er... Best book read is Silence by Becca Fitzpatrick, worst is... none? Does a chemistry reference book counts?

* add on: best book is WANDERLOVE by Kirstin Hubbard(my review here). Can't believe I forgot that!

Here are the links for the author interview with Alicia K. Leppert and the giveaway of Emerald City.