Category Archives: Reviews

[Review] The Infinite Sea – Rick Yancey

Book Title:                    The Infinite Sea (The 5th Wave, #2)
Author:                            
Rick Yancey
Number of pages:    
320

Synopsis:

the infinite sea- rick yanceyHow do you rid the Earth of seven billion humans? Rid the humans of their humanity.

Surviving the first four waves was nearly impossible. Now Cassie Sullivan finds herself in a new world, a world in which the fundamental trust that binds us together is gone. As the 5th Wave rolls across the landscape, Cassie, Ben, and Ringer are forced to confront the Others’ ultimate goal: the extermination of the human race.

Cassie and her friends haven’t seen the depths to which the Others will sink, nor have the Others seen the heights to which humanity will rise, in the ultimate battle between life and death, hope and despair, love and hate.

(re: Goodreads @ The Infinite Sea by Rick Yancey)


Should this book be picked up? the tl;dr spoiler-less review:

– Honestly, this is like a giant novella—95% of the main storyline remains unchanged.
– Ringer’s perspective is the main plot driver and the layers to her character are explored and fleshed out better than other protagonists.
– Romance involving instalove/love triangles is introduced for dramatic flare. Really, that’s the only reason I can ascertain.
– The prose continues to be a strong asset to this story if fluffy, thought-provoking, metaphorical writing is what you enjoy. The action is fun and worthwhile to read into even though the bulk happens closer to the end.

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Initial Thoughts

You ate the cake. It was of the ice cream variety. You devoured it quickly and it was delicious. But now you feel pain. A pain which cannot be easily remedied unless its origin is known and where the means of a cure can be applied. Food poisoning? Lactose intolerance? Perhaps your best guess will be enough (or maybe not). So you sit still and wait for the answer to come to you because it should come. Eventually.

Incoming: a whole lot of rambling because I don’t know what to make of this sequel that was superficially delicious in writing but after I om nom nom’d it all…there is this feeling that something is off about this read.

Disclaimer: Potential spoilers inherent to this review from here onward.

Continue reading [Review] The Infinite Sea – Rick Yancey

[Review] Legion #1 – Brandon Sanderson

Book Title:                  Legion (Short Story, Legion, #1)
Author:                         Brandon Sanderson
Number of pages:
   88

Synopsis:

legion - brandon sanderson (cover)Stephen Leeds, AKA ‘Legion,’ is a man whose unique mental condition allows him to generate a multitude of personae: hallucinatory entities with a wide variety of personal characteristics and a vast array of highly specialized skills. As the story begins, Leeds and his ‘aspects’ are drawn into the search for the missing Balubal Razon, inventor of a camera whose astonishing properties could alter our understanding of human history and change the very structure of society.

(re: Goodreads @ Legion by Brandon Sanderson)

Should this book be picked up? the tl;dr spoiler-less review:

-The dynamic between Leeds and his hallucinatory phantasms is a blast to read into.
– Plot reads like a detective tale with undertones of science, religion, and faith.
– Revelations do feel a bit rushed and open-ended in concept (not to be mistaken for a ‘bad’ ending).

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Initial Thoughts

Following the idea that a short story equals a simpler review (because it only makes sense to not ramble too much about so little), this review is increasingly condensed—for your sake and mine (but mainly yours).

Disclaimer: There may be spoilers inherent to this review from this point onward.

Continue reading [Review] Legion #1 – Brandon Sanderson

[Alternatives] – Movies – The Babadook

Alternatives is the tagline to discuss entertainment outside of literature. It may encompass television, movies, games, and music.

Alternatives
Movies – The Babadook

Genre: Drama, Thriller, Horror
Duration: 95 Minutes

“If it’s in a word, or it’s in a look, you can’t rid of The Babadook.”


Afterthoughts:

the-babadook-posterI think the biggest realization I felt after watching The Babadook was its uncanny resemblance to how A Monster Calls (Patrick Ness) could have been under different circumstances. I’m not saying one is copying the other or vice versa. Both stories have a monster, yes. Both monsters are allegorical in nature when handling its core themes, yes. But the scope in narrative delivery is completely separated; through a different perspective if you will, and the joy in revelation is that the meaning is incredibly interpretative.

Continue reading [Alternatives] – Movies – The Babadook