Wonder

Wonder by R. J. Palacio was amazing and full of emotion.  The novel is about a boy named August Pullman who is going to public school for the first time.  Auggie has a facial deformity and when he was younger he underwent many surgeries so he was home-schooled.  Now Auggie is going into fifth grade and making his first foray into public school.  August isn't the only point of view in the book though; the book also follows his sister, Via, her boyfriend, Justin, and her friend, Miranda, as well as Auggie's friends Summer and Jack.  I like that every one in the novel has their own story and it's not completely focused on Auggie's struggles.

I really like August, he seems like a cool kid.  He doesn't see himself as a freak, or unordinary, he sees himself as normal.  I wish every one in the world had the same mindset as Auggie, why should someone's looks affect how they're treated or perceived?  When Auggie goes to school what most of his classmates don't understand or take the time to notice is that Auggie is a fun guy to be around.  Even his friend Summer admits that she was surprised at how much she enjoyed being around Auggie.

When I first started Via's point of view I found myself annoyed at her for being embarrassed about her brother.  But then I realized I was being unreasonable, people get embarrassed by their family all the time so why can't Via.  It made me realize how stupid and ignorant I was being.  After that I really liked Via, and especially enjoyed that she had her own life to worry about.  I could relate to her growing away from her friends and finding new ones after starting high school, and liked that she wasn't constantly focusing on Auggie.

I've have been trying to get my hands on this book for such a long time but rarely get to the bookstore.  When I saw it at my school library I pounced and checked it out immediately.  I could not have been more happy with this book.  I loved every bit of it and wouldn't have changed any of it (except maybe Julian).  Anywho, reading this story made me so happy and I couldn't keep the smile off my face when I turned the last page.

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

                                        -Wonder

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

THERE ARE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW!

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is the seventh and final book in the Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling. I adored this series, and really liked this ending (though I would’ve like to know what happened to George and some of the others). Even though this was the last book in the series it was not go go go. In fact there was a portion of the book where very little got done other than arguing. Once Harry, Ron, and Hermione find the Sword of Gryffindor the story picks up and they find the remaining Horcuxes soon after and the final battle commences. By the way there will probably be some spoilers in this review.

One thing I liked about the Horcruxes was that Harry wasn’t the only one to destroy them. Hermione destroys the cup, Ron destroys the locket, and Neville destroys Nagini. I was so happy that Neville killed the snake, because it showed how far he had come from the first-year that couldn’t do anything right.

In this book you learn more about Dumbledore’s past and how he wasn’t always the wise headmaster he was when he died. You also meet Dumbledore’s brother Aberforth who has held a grudge against Albus since their younger sister died. Despite this, Aberforth helps sneak kids into Hogwarts through the Hog’s Head to the Room of Requirement.

Another interesting part of this book was the introduction of the Deathly Hallows: a perfect Invisibility Cloak, the Resurrection Stone, and the unbeatable Elder Wand. The Invisibility Cloak was already in Harry’s possession as it had been passed down his family line from Ignotus Peverell, the original owner. Once Harry learns of the Hallows he wants to find them and use them to defeat Voldemort but realizes that Dumbledore set the tasks of destroying the Horcruxes for a reason, and temporarily abandons his search for the Hallows.

I loved that Harry is able to see his parents’s ghosts, as well as the ghosts of Sirius and Remus. He was able to speak to them briefly and gained the courage to face his destiny. Harry also is able to speak with Dumbledore again, where everything is finally revealed to him. Harry learns of the nature of the Hallows, Dumbledore’s friendship, the death of his sister and many other things.

With the death of Snape, his true loyalty is revealed to Harry. Harry learns why Snape hated him, why Snape changed sides at the beginning of the First Wizarding War, and why Snape killed Dumbledore. When I read this part it made me really happy because I wanted to trust Snape since Dumbledore trusted him so much, but I couldn’t forgive him for killing Dumbledore. Now I can. The only part of the ending that I was unsatisfied with was that you don’t find out what happens to the Weasleys besides Ron and Ginny. I wanted to know if George was okay, if Molly and Arthur were mad at Harry or blamed him for the death of (not telling). I can assume that everything worked out, but I would’ve liked it in writing.

“We're all human, aren't we? Every human life is worth the same, and worth saving.”

                    -Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Frostbite

THIS IS THE SECOND BOOK IN A SERIES THERE ARE SPOILERS.

Frostbite is the second novel in the Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead.  This book picks up where the first left off; with Lissa and Rose safe at the academy and with Lissa on medications to control her magic.  This quickly takes a turn for the worse when there is a Strigoi attack and the dhampir's worst nightmare becomes a reality: the humans are helping the Strigoi.  The students and their families are sent on a "school vacation" for Christmas break to a Moroi-run ski resort where they will hopefully be protected from Strigoi attacks.

This book had less action than the first with only one big fight scene at the end, but a few new characters were introduced.  In this book you meet Tasha, Christian's aunt that has learned how to use her magic as a weapon, and Janine, Rose's mother.  You can imagine that Rose would not be happy about this, Rose resents her mom a lot for being absent while she was growing up.  It was nice seeing their relationship change through the book as they got to know each other better.  Tasha... I didn't like Tasha that much - mainly because she was interested in Dimitri - but once I got past that she was a pretty cool lady.  She is one of the few Moroi that uses her magic as a weapon, and one of the few Moroi to have survived a Strigoi attack.  Of course, she didn't survive without any scars.

Another new character in this book is Adrian Ivashkov, who is a spirit user like Lissa.  Unlike Lissa, Adrian can see "auras" and can communicate with Rose in her dreams.  He is very mysterious and many people don't trust or like him, including Rose's mom.  Adrian is constantly drunk as a coping mechanism for the emotional side effects of using spirit.

This book adds to the romance drama for Rose.  From the beginning of the book Rose knows she needs to get over Dimitri but no matter what she does it doesn't seem to work.  Then she decides to give Mason a chance and they start dating.  In the end, Rose decides that she cannot lead Mason on and decides to break up with him.  Unfortunately, something happens to prevent this that changes her life forever.  At the end of the book Rose and Dimitri finally get together with the reasoning that they aren't Lissa's guardians yet.  I was very satisfied with this book and can't wait to read the next book in the series.

“You can't force love, I realized. It's there or it isn't. If it's not there, you've got to be able to admit it. If it is there, you've got to do whatever it takes to protect the ones you love.” 

                                                             -Frostbite

Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

Warning: This book is not for the faint of heart.  If blood, death, or the devil terrify or cause you nightmares maybe you shouldn't pick up this book.  Throughout the entire novel there is an unsettling feeling and you know something is going to go wrong.  You think the name is ominous?  The actual book is ten times more so.

I absolutely loved this book!  It was the perfect blend of creepiness and paranormal that was thoroughly enjoyable.  This book follows Luke and Violet White - mainly Violet - and the new renter of their guesthouse, River West.  From the moment meets River, she's drawn to him.  As time goes on she realizes that something isn't right with River and she should stay away from him, but she always ends up back in River's arms.  Don't mistake this for a romance novel, even though their romance is part of the plot it isn't the main plot line.

There isn't much more I can say without spoiling the book so I'm going to do a spoiler section.  If you've read this book already or don't plan on reading it feel free to continue otherwise come back once you've read the book!

SPOILERS! CONTINUE SCROLLING IF YOU READ THE BOOK! SPOILERS! CONTINUE SCROLLING IF YOU READ THE BOOK! SPOILERS! CONTINUE SCROLLING IF YOU READ THE BOOK! SPOILERS! CONTINUE SCROLLING IF YOU READ THE BOOK! SPOILERS! CONTINUE SCROLLING IF YOU READ THE BOOK! SPOILERS! CONTINUE SCROLLING IF YOU READ THE BOOK! SPOILERS! CONTINUE SCROLLING IF YOU READ THE BOOK! SPOILERS! CONTINUE SCROLLING IF YOU READ THE BOOK! SPOILERS! CONTINUE SCROLLING IF YOU READ THE BOOK! SPOILERS! CONTINUE SCROLLING IF YOU READ THE BOOK! SPOILERS! CONTINUE SCROLLING IF YOU READ THE BOOK! SPOILERS! CONTINUE SCROLLING IF YOU READ THE BOOK!

I really liked that Violet realizes that she shouldn't be with River, even though she keeps getting pulled back in.  She knows that River is bad, and when he leaves in the end she knows she is safer.  When River's brother was first introduced it seemed like there would be a love triangle, or that Violet would realize that Neely is the "safer/better" brother and leave with him.  No such thing.  There was a love triangle for all of one paragraph and then it ended without any discussion of it.  So it was pretty much nonexistent.

The creepiest or scariest part of this book was River's half-brother Brodie.  Brodie is plain evil.  There's no other word to describe him.  He would cut and even rape his girlfriend for his own pleasure, and now has set out to team up with River to torture and kill people.  One of the first things Brodie says when he introduces himself to River and Neely is that the people in his family are insane, so you know that Brodie is mentally unstable.  He constantly used his "gift" to cause pain - mostly death - and the only way he can use it is to make his victims bleed.  Talk about creepy.  

Even though Brodie absolutely terrified me, I was glad he existed because it meant that River wasn't as evil as you originally thought.  Yes, River did some pretty bad things, but some of the things Violet thought River did were actually done by Brodie.

I'm rooting for River because I think he honestly doesn't understand that some of the ways he used his glow were wrong.  Once Violet starts to say why it's bad and when Neely comes to town River realizes that he needs to control his glow so they don't get hurt.  Violet's feelings for River are real even though she's mad he used the glow on her.  Violet knows that River left to get better and control his glow but she still misses him.  And of course in your typical YA book the guy gets the girl or vice versa, so I'm hoping it turns out that way this time around.

"Lots of people have bad stories, and if they wail and sob and tell their story to anyone who’ll listen, it’s crap. Or half crap, at least.The stuff that really hurts people, the stuff that almost breaks them . . . that they won’t talk about. Ever. "

                     -Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

Island Cookbook - Hot Chocolate

Fall is here, and it's getting colder.  My favorite drink while curling up with a good book is without a doubt hot chocolate.  Hot Chocolate is one of those "seasonal drinks" that people usually drink in the winter; unless you are like me  and drink it all year round.  Due to my love of the drink I have found many, many versions of making it and I will share a few with you.

1. Simple Hot Cocoa

Directions: Buy Hot Chocolate mix from the store and and to hot water/milk.  Not my favorite, because I tend to enjoy hot chocolate with a higher chocolate concentration that Nestle or Swiss Miss has.

2. Stove-Top Cocoa

Directions: Get a hot chocolate mix (not a packet; my personal preference is Starbucks or Ghiradelli but any will do).  In a saucepan add desired amount of milk, and heat until small bubbles appear (can also microwave milk to heat it).  Stir in designated amount of cocoa mix and enjoy.  This tends to be richer, because you can add more or less powder depending on your preference and the flavor provided by the milk.

3. Rich Hot Chocolate

Warning: This drink is only for advanced Hot Chocolate Lovers otherwise you may explode from intense chocolatey-goodness.

Directions: Heat 2 cups milk in a saucepan.  Once the milk starts bubbling add 1/2 cup (4 ounces) of semisweet chocolate, and stir until combined.  I suggest adding some sugar if you like you're hot chocolate a little sweet, make sure you taste it and then adjust the sugar.  If you wish add vanilla extract or cinnamon, then top with whipped cream and chocolate shavings.   This one is my favorite because even though it takes more time to make I love the richness of its flavor.

An amazing chocolate quote from Linda Grayson, "There is nothing better than a friend, unless it is a friend with chocolate."  Couldn't have said it better myself, see ya Sunday.