Friday, November 29, 2013

"The Cuckoo's Calling" Literary Review

The Cuckoo's Calling (Cormoran Strike, #1)The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Well my friends and followers, here comes a review that you may not be so thrilled to read, but nevertheless, contains criticism over "The Cuckoo's Calling".

It took me forever to get through this book! Not only was it an extremely lengthy book, but it really didn't pick up until Part Three in the midst of Strike's investigation. It was a huge trial for me to get past all of the tedious investigative questions and various character interactions, but even more so to watch the protagonist, Comoran Strike's growth. He is a detective hired to investigate the Cuckoo's (a supermodel) death, yet he grapples with his own relationship issues and identity. He sleeps in his office, is tended to by a temp secretary, Robin--who I wish I had read more of in this book-- and happens to sneak his way into interviews and meetings to further his inquiries. I was too absorbed in my own impatience to enjoy this book... And the fact that this is Rowling's post-Potter work makes me frown all the much more... yes I know there wasn't going to be magic, but still, I wanted a magical reading experience with this book.

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"XMEN: First Class" Literary Review

X-Men: First Class, Volume 1: Tomorrow's BrightestX-Men: First Class, Volume 1: Tomorrow's Brightest by Jeff Parker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Quick graphic novel compilation of various adventures with the Xmen... What I really enjoyed was the connections to the rest of the Marvel universe, such as the Fantastic Four, the Incredible Hulk and even Spider-Man. Good text for readers to engage with plot sequencing. Biggest issue? Lots of plot gaps that need filled in by more graphic ovens. Oh the torture of buying more comic books!

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"Eleanor & Park" Literary Review

Eleanor & ParkEleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A best seller that has had rave reviews by the likes of John Green, Gayle Forman and students in Miss Foor's English 11... With free time on Thanksgiving, why not give it a shot?

Eleanor and Park are two misfits who happen to ride the same bus, but slowly develop an acquaintance through comic books and punk mixtapes, then later a romance. Both are infatuated with the other one's weirdness, but is the obsession with holding hands and tugging on wisps of hair enough for the romance through an 80's high school?

Particular things I liked:
1. The portrayal of an abusive household showed the true terror and fright that young children can face, furthermore shows possible outlets that they try to "escape" to.

2. The wittiness...Both characters have a sarcastic vat of comments that just oozes remarks that would make one smile with cleverness. This was what was most enjoyable to read.

3. It's quite easy to get into the characters heads with the distinguishable naming of sections within the book. Easy peasy.

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"The Fault in Our Stars" Literary Review

The Fault in Our StarsThe Fault in Our Stars by John Green
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

So many people hyped this book up for me, and much like other titles, such as The Cuckoo's Calling or Eleanor & Park with hype, yet "almost perfect, but not quite" stories, I finally found one that satisfied the reader within me.

What did I want to read exactly on a vacation away from grading term papers at work to the concerning emails from professors about my own graduate work?

1. I wanted a love story. No, not a Nicholas Sparks story, because that's a formula I could find on my Sparks shelf in my library. Yes there's a shelf. Get over it. But rather a love story with ups, downs, dismay, disarray and the unpredictability that comes with the general concept of love. Give me that and a fuzzy blanket to replicate the warm and fuzzy feelings, and this single gal will be satisfied. Hazel and Augustus are two characters who quickly fall in love with each other because they seem to have what the other one is missing... It's one of those relationships that you root for.

2. Secondly, I wanted a struggle... Not action movie struggle, but internal character struggle. Both protagonists (as well as every character) deals with cancer in some way, shape or form. Being screened for cancer myself, I could relate to these individuals. Nuff said on that topic. But what was particularly interesting was how Hazel and Gus balanced each other out through their dilemma of terminal illness, and how you forgot that they [almost] were sick in the first place.

3. GIVE ME SOME SARCASTIC WITTINESS! I saw John Green speak once at a writing seminar at Butler University, and boy oh boy did he have some witty charm. It's a signature trait that I remember distinctly from
An Abundance of Katherines, which was too trademark high school for me. I wanted a dark situation (cancer-ridden teens seems to be the one in this scenario), in which there was still room for personality. Green nailed it with every line that comes out of Hazel, Gus and Issac (a minor character).

4. Memorable scenes. I'll never be able to look at a swing set the same ever again. Don't understand why? Well then go read the book!

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