The Passage by Justin Cronin

 

``The Andromeda Strain meets The Stand in this startling and stunning thriller that brings to life a unique vision of the apocalypse and plays brilliantly with vampire mythology, revealing what becomes of human society when a top-secret government experiment spins wildly out of control``

In The Passage by Justin Cronina U.S. army experiment has gone horribly wrong. Terror begins to take over the world in the form of mutated, vampire-like, humans. It was FBI agent Brad Wolgast`s job to bring convicts from death row to the research facility in Colorado for experimentation. These test subjects were infected with a virus that had the potential to cure all human illnesses and, thus, make a stronger human race. The last subject to be tested was a six-year old girl. But Wolgast could not ignore his impulse to do what he felt was right. He bravely kidnaps the girl, saving her from a gruesome future, and the two hide away in the mountains as destruction unravels below them.

Like The Strain, The Passage brings back the gruesome, apocalyptic spin on vampires. Twilight fans will not like this book (you can't cuddle up with these vampires). These ones are out for blood. They don't drive cars or wear clothes, they don't even have hair! They are the undead, bent on extinguishing the human race.

The Passage is broken into parts. I really enjoyed the first part of the story when Cronin was building up to the outbreak. But then the story jumps into the future and that is where it lost me. I tried really hard to like this book but I just didn't like the total turnaround of the plot. It was like the book I was reading was really good and then it ended abruptly and a new story began with all new characters and I just found I could not get into it. I didn't even finish the book! And I ALWAYS finish my books. It left me feeling very disappointed. The transition, for me, was a complete fail. I give this book a sad Thumbs Down.

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The Faces Behind The Stories

Ever wonder what the author of a book you're reading looks like?

Here are a few faces from the books I've reviewed on this site:

Lisa See

Taichi Yamada

Nicholas Sparks

Frank McCourt

Suzanne Collins

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Dreams of Joy by Lisa See

Dreams of Joy by Lisa See is the follow up to Shanghai Girls where sisters May and Pearl had fled from a war-torn China to find refuge in America. Together they raised a daughter, Joy. By the end of the novel Joy was a young university student. Here she learned about the communist movement beginning in China and the great changes it promised for its citizens. She became a political advocate and supporter of communism despite her parent's warnings. One day, Joy, over heard a conversation that exposed her family's dark secrets. Devastated by this revelation of lies about her own past she ran away to Shanghai to find her her biological father.

This is where Dreams of Joy begins. Pearl empties her life savings to chase after her daughter. Even though being back in Shanghai after so many years brings back painful memories, Pearl presses on to find her daughter. She is able to find Joy rather quickly, however, Joy has no desire to go back to America. She has visited the country side and fell in love with a young peasant. She wishes to live her life here, where she feels most comfortable; although it is a vastly different lifestyle than she is used to back home. She must work hard to aid in the communist movement she so deeply believes in.

After awhile, Joy realizes that Chairman Mao's promises for a prosperous future are impossible to achieve.  At first the citizens of Green Dragon Village are well fed and happy to put in long hours in the fields to participate in the Great Leap Forward. But the plans for China, to produce huge quantities of crops that will rival the USA's exports, demand that the peasant's work harder and harder with less and less food. One particular winter was the worst. Many people in Joy's village died of starvation. Meanwhile, Pearl is living in Shanghai and trying desperately to get a travel permit to see her daughter. Pearl and other city dwellers are having a rough time too but they are kept blind to the devastation in the countryside so as China will appear to be a successful country to other nations.

Dreams of Joy has a largely political focus while still continuing See's themes of familial bond, tragedy, and love. I found this story had a slow start but it was fascinating to learn about Mao's communist regime in China and the ridiculous promises he had made. Then, once the communist theories begin to break down in practice, the story becomes completely engrossing as Joy and her family fight for their lives. The love that a mother has for her child and the things she'll do to protect them are beautifully portrayed in See's characters. Fans of Lisa See's novels like Shanghai Girls, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, and Peony in Love, will not be disappointed with Dreams of Joy. I give this book a Thumbs Up. And I truly hope that See continues writing these enchanting, thought provoking, and tragic stories.

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Breaking Dawn The Movie

Fans of the Twilight Saga are excited about the first installment of the Breaking Dawn films. I know I am! The movie is set to hit theatres on November 18th. For now, here are some teaser photos:

 

 

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Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyer

Breaking Dawn is Stephanie Meyer's final book in the Twilight series. Bella must finally make the tough decisions about her future. Will she remain human or turn into the living dead? Will she choose the suave and charming vampire Edward? Or the down-to-earth and warm werewolf Jacob? Once she chooses, though, her problems do not come to an end. The Volturi visit the quiet town of Forks and puts everyone's (werewolves, vampires, and humans) lives in danger.

I was surprised and delighted by how much I enjoyed the conclusion to this series. The first book left me quite unimpressed. I thought it was mediocre and better left to teens (you can read that review/rant HERE).

Now, that attitude has changed. The plot was much more involved than the others, it was full of shocking twists, suspense, action, and I even liked the main characters better. I was glad the story continued after high school because it made things seem more significant (they were adults and not just hormonal teenagers).

I thought this book concluded the Twilight series perfectly and it answered all of my questions/curiousities that I hoped would be resolved.  I give Breaking Dawn a big, happy, Thumbs Up and I'm adding it to my Top 10!

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2012: The Hunger Games Movie

The Hunger Games Teaser Poster

The Hunger Games movie is in the making and fans are buzzing with excitement as the first posters for the film are released! The movie will star Jennifer Lawrence (she played the young Mystique in X-Men: First Class) as Katniss. The movie is set debut in March 2012!

Jennifer Lawrence will play Katniss Everdeen

Read more about the book . . .

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Peculiar Book Peaks Readers' Curiousity

"A mysterious island.

An abandoned orphanage.

A strange collection of very curious photographs."

A very odd new book is coming to stores tomorrow. It is called Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children and is written by author Ransom Riggs. This story is told with both pictures and words. The children in this book have special characteristics. Two sisters communicate with each other without making a sound, another girl walks without touching the ground, and a boy cannot be seen but for his clothing. All is evidenced with very old photos.

Let me know what you think about this book in the comments or on Twitter (@AmandaBookshelf). I know I cannot wait to read it . . .

"A spine-tingling fantasy illustrated with haunting vintage photography, Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children will delight adults, teens, and anyone who relishes an adventure in the shadows."

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Sail by James Patterson

In Sail, byJames Patterson, Katherine Dunne takes her three children on a boating trip as a desperate attempt to bring peace to her family. After her husband passed away, the family dynamic took a turn for the worst. The children were hit the hardest and are having a difficult time coping with the death of their father. Katherine is having an even harder time trying to make her children happy. Her daughter is threatening to commit suicide, her eldest son is experimenting with drugs, and her 10-year old boy is deeply depressed. The trip is destined to be horrible. But the Dunne family couldn't begin to imagine just how horrifying their vacation could be. In an unlikely turn of events Katherine and her children are forced into a dangerous path that both threatens their lives and brings them closer together after all.

 "With whiplash plot twists, speedboat pacing, and an eye for the evil that can lie behind even the most gorgeous setting, James Patterson delivers Sail–the wettest, most explosive ocean adventure since Jaws."

This is the first book I have read by James Patterson but I can already see that he ". . . knows how to sell thrills and suspense in clear, unwavering prose." His writing style appears effortless and paves the road for smooth reading. Patterson makes it impossible to put this book down. The chapters are very short so it feels as though you are flying through the book. Speed readers could finish this book in a night. It is a great book to take to the cottage or on vacation. Just make sure you bring more than one book with you because this one won't last long. I give this book a Thumbs Up!

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The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins is set in a time where a prosperous North America has vanished and left behind a poor and cruel nation known as Panem. Panem is separated by 12 districts surrounding the wealthy and powerful Capitol. Once a year the Capitol forces each district to sacrifice one boy and one girl between the ages of 12 and 18 to fight to the death. The entire grotesque event is broadcasted on live television as a spectator's sports. When Katniss Everdeen is sent to participate in the Hunger Games she is fearful for her family's survival without her. At first she thinks her life is over but she courageously decides to take her fate into her own hands and challenge the Gamemakers.

The main character is 16 year old Katniss. She appears to be cold and harsh. For example, she tried to drown a sick kitten because she saw it as just another mouth to feed. But then we immediately see that she has a tender side because she lets her sister, Primrose, keep the cat after all. Katniss is not cold-hearted. She cares so deeply for her mother and sister that she selflessly puts herself in danger to feed and protect them. I think Katniss' compassion, bravery, and self-sacrifice is what makes the character and book so loveable. These characteristics work perfectly with the plot to make an engaging and dynamic novel.

The Hunger Games is a teen novel but is also enjoyable for adults. It reads like a science fiction novel; reminiscent of classics like Lord of the Flies and The Chrysalids. It was an excellent read and I recommend it to anyone thinking about picking it up. I give this book a Thumbs Up!

People who like the The Hunger Games may also like the new Divergent trilogy by Veronica Roth. Click Here for more details.

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Unbearable Lightness Portia de Rossi

In Unbearable Lightness Portia de Rossi chronicles her struggles along her way to stardom. Born and raised in Australia as Amanda Rogers, she started her career as a child model. This is where her obsession with weight begins. Portia believes, from a young age, that the only way she can be famous is to be as thin as possible and therefore beautiful. She moves to America to become an actress and shortly after her dieting reaches a new extreme. Over the years she suffers from anorexia, bulimia, food binging, excessive exercise and the fatal effects they have on her body and health. Portia faces her body image challenges alone as she is far away from family and unable to be in a relationship. She is terrified that the media would discover she is gay and it would ruin her career and her hard work.

Unbearable Lightness reminds us that celebrities and actors, at the end of the day, are just like us (aside from the mansions, cool parties, and millions of dollars).  Portia shows us that acting is hard work. Maintaining a celebrity status in the media is no easy task and there is a lot of pressure especially about body image and weight. While body image is a main theme, she also reveals her struggles with health, divorce, family relationships and being gay. Unbearable Lightness is really about the insurmountable challenges of becoming a perfect celebrity with a perfect body and the fatal consequences it can have.

The narrative transitions nearly flawlessly between her childhood in Australia and her new found celebrity in the hit show Ally McBeal. Portia de Rossi is a first time writer and it is obvious in her writing style. There are many repetitive words and thoughts and even mistakes in editing such as a missing word and a duplicate sentence.  However, these issues are forgivable because the story is so enticing and interesting. I found Portia's story to be both fascinating and inspirational. It was difficult to put this book down. I give this book a Thumbs Up.

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Brida by Paulo Coelho

"But how will I know who my Soulmate is?"

"By taking risks," Wicca said to Brida. "By risking failure, disappointment, disillusion, but never ceasing in your search for Love. As long as you keep looking you will triumph in the end."

Brida by Paulo Coelho is a novel of a young girl's search for knowledge and love. Her journey leads her on a deep spiritual path and introduces her to fascinating people full of wisdom and whimsy. She learns about an entirely new world, new experiences, and new perspectives. Along her search Brida begins to fulfill her destiny of becoming a witch.

Paulo Coelho is the New York Times bestselling author of The Alchemist. Brida "incorporates themes that fans of Paulo Coelho will recognize and treasure - it is a tale of love, passion, mystery, and spirituality from the master storyteller".

I have never before read a book by Coelho and his books are not the genre I would typically read. But somehow this book intrigued me and I had to give it a chance. Unfortunately, you are taking a risk with every book you pick up. Will it be the most inspiring novel you've ever read? Or a horribly amateurish story that leaves you feeling as if you've wasted your time?  The appreciation of a book (or lack of) depends on the reader's personality, perspectives, interests, and background. I did not connect with this book on a level that you might expect when you hear words like "love", "wisdom", and "spirituality". I did not relate to the characters, themes, or even the plot. While it was nicely written, I have to give this book a Thumbs Down as it wasn't something I personally enjoyed.

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