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Judul: Crazy Rich Asians (2018)
Rilis: 11 September 2018 (USA - 15 Aug 18)
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Distribusi oleh: Warner Bros. Pictures
Durasi: 121 menit
Bahasa: Inggris
Rating: PG-13
Berdasarkan: Crazy Rich Asians - Kevin Kwan
Sutradara: John. M Chu
Pemeran: Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Michelle Yeoh



(Beware of spoilers!!!!)


Info Film:

Siapa disini yang sudah nonton film Crazy Rich Asians? Ayo ngacung!!!

Film ini merupakan salah satu film adaptasi buku yang saya tunggu-tunggu di tahun 2018. Saya pecinta buku fantasi garis keras, namun ketika melihat trailer film ini, saya buru-buru membaca bukunya sebelum menyaksikan film yang rilis di bulan Agustus 2018. Namun apa daya, rupanya di Indonesia, film ini baru masuk di bulan September 2018.

Saat yang di nanti-nanti akhirnya tiba. Dua hari sesudah rilis di Indonesia, saya langsung bertekad untuk menonton sepulang kerja dengan ataupun tanpa suami saya (ehehe suami saya bukan pecinta film komedi romantis soalnya). Jadilah, film ini ditonton oleh saya dan suami di tanggal 13 September 2018.

Crazy Rich Asians karya Kevin Kwan ini menceritakan tentang kehidupan mewah dan glamour para konglomerat di Singapura. Dikisahkan sepasang kekasih Rachel Chu (Constance Wu) dan Nicholas Young (Henry Golding) yang tinggal di Amerika berkunjung ke Singapura untuk menghadiri pernikahan teman baik Nick (nama panggilan Nicholas Young). Nick menjadi bestman dari teman baiknya tersebut.

Tidak disangka-sangka oleh Rachel, bahwa pacarnya yang sangat humble tersebut adalah pewaris harta konglomerat paling terpandang di Singapura. Selama menjalin hubungan di Amerika, mereka menjalani hubungan romantis layaknya pasangan pada umumnya tanpa mengetahui bahwa Nick ternyata anak orang kaya! Semua konflik bermula ketika Rachel menginjakkan kakinya di Singapura.


(Rating berdasarkan penilaian pribadi saya, berdasarkan apa yang saya suka dan saya tidak suka)*

World Building: 1 [star rating="1" max="1"] star

Sama seperti bukunya, saya berikan world building dalam film ini 1 bintang. Kenapa?? Ya karena apa yang digambarkan jelas dibuku juga tergambarkan jelas di film tersebut. Warner Bros dengan sangat apik menyuguhkan betapa kontrasnya kehidupan di pasangan ini di Amerika dengan di kehidupan keluarga Young di Singapura. Mereka dengan baik mengeksekusi betapa orang kaya tersebut bukan “orang kaya biasa” melainkan “orang kaya turunan” atau disebut “old money”.

Banyak scene yang menggambarkan dengan gamblang betapa kayanya keluarga Young. Tanpa penjelasan yang terlalu panjang lebar, sudah sangat digambarkan bahwa keluarga besar Young memang konglomerat. Beberapa contohnya adalah scene didalam pesawat dimana Rachel menikmati indahnya suguhan first class dengan piyama yang bahkan lebih halus dari baju tidurnya sendiri. Ada juga pesta lajang Araminta yang dilakukan di pulau pribadinya!! Pesta lajang Colin yang dilakukan dengan menyewa kapal pesiar juga WOW!! Tidak percaya? Yuk, segera tonton :-D.


Plot: 1 [star rating="1" max="1"] star

Berbeda dari bukunya, saya memberikan satu bintang pada bagian plot. Mengapa? Karena sesungguhnya ada beberapa bagian yang berbeda yang dikisahkan dari bukunya tapi justru dieksekusi dengan sangat syantique. Salah satu perbedaan yang paling saya sukai adalah dibagian saat Peik Lin ikut bergabung di pesta tan hua di Tyersall Park. Karena scene ini, Peik Lin akhirnya mengenal Oliver dan justru mereka yang memilihkan gaun pesta untuk Rachel saat pernikahan Colin dan Araminta.

Walau begitu ada perbedaan yang tidak saya sukai yaitu dibagian ke-private-an keluarga Young. Pada buku dikisahkan betapa keluarga Young walaupun konglomerat tapi sangat private sehingga tidak banyak yang mengetahui siapa mereka. Pada filmnya, mereka sangat terpublish di dunia luar. Well, sebenarnya memang kelihatan lebih realistis di filmnya siyh. Nggak mungkin keluarga paling terpandang sampai ke London, sangat privat di Singapura. Tapi tetap saja, keprivatean keluarga Young itulah yang menjadi daya jual mereka bahwa mereka memang old money dan berpengaruh hingga bahkan dikelas “Negara”.

Walau ada perbedaan yang saya tidak sukai, tetap saya berikan plot 1 bintang. Untuk perbedaan-perbedaan lain yang saya tangkap terangkum dalam video yang saya buat dibawah ini.




Character: 0.5 [star rating="0.5" max="1"] star

Sama dengan buku, saya memberikan rating yang sama pada bagian karakter. Tapi alasannya berbeda. Banyak karakter yang dibuat berbeda dan ada karakter yang menurut saya cukup penting tapi hilang. Salah satunya hilangnya karakter Fransesca Shaw pada saat pesta lajang Araminta. Di buku justru ia yang sangat menjatuhkan Rachel namun di film ia tidak ada. Digantikan Amanda Ling yang merupakan mantan Nick yang sangat menjatuhkannya.

Padahal didalam bukunya dikisahkan Amanda Ling justru tidak begitu peduli. Perbedaan lainnya lihat video diatas ya. Yang membuat saya tetap memberikan setengah bintang adalah karakter Nick. Henry Golding sangat PAS memerankan seorang pria Asia kaya raya nan romantis namun down to earth. He is such a prince in disguise, lovable.


Scene: 1 [star rating="1" max="1"] star

Terkadang sebuah novel yang bergenre komedi romantis akan memiliki eksekusi scene yang biasa saja menurut saya. Tidak seperti film fantasy atau action yang memang banyak ornament menarik disana-sini. Tapi tidak dengan film yang satu ini. Film ini sangat ramai ornamen. Saya tidak membicarakan tas, perhiasan, ataupun barang mewah lainnya.

Namun penggambaran setiap scene tanpa barang-barang mewah itu sendiri pun sudah mewah. Yang paling saya ingat dan berkesan adalah scene pernikahan Colin dan Araminta yang kecil tapi WAHHHHHHH. Beberapa dari yang sudah nonton pasti setuju dengan saya. Mau lihat? Ya tonton saja filmnya. :D


Others: 0.5 [star rating="0.5" max="1"] star

Mengubah buku ratusan halaman dengan font kecil-kecil menjadi film hanya berdurasi dua jam sangatlah tidaklah mudah. Apalagi sudah tertulis bahwa ini cerita adaptasi pastilah memiliki perbedaan. Namun banyak perbedaan dalam film ini cukup membuat saya agak gimana gitu saat menonton filmnya.

Well, tapi tidak menyurutkan kecintaan saya akan film ini. Bagi yang tidak suka baca buku, film ini sangat entertaining dan wajib ditonton. Yang suka baca buku apalagi sudah baca buku ini, FILM CRAZY RICH ASIANS WAJIB DITONTON!!





"It was never my job to make you feel like a man. I can't make you something you're not."


"I'm so Chinese. I'm an econ professor that's lactose intolerant."


"I'm not leaving because I'm scared, or because I think I'm not enough - because maybe for the first time in my life, I know I am."




(Rotten Tomatoes: 93% Tomatometer - 83% Audience Score - per September 19th 2018)

Film ini pasti akan kutonton berulang-ulang apalagi ngeliat wajah Henry

Sangat menunggu sekuelnya!!!! (Eh baca bukunya dulu deng belum kelar :D)




 
Untuk merayakan kesenangan saya terhadap film ini (jiahh lebayyyy), saya membuat giveaway untuk semua netizen. Syarat dan ketentuan ada di postingan giveaway Instagram SanWa Library dan SanWa Journeys. Gampangnya klik saja gambar dibawah ini. Jangan lupa ikutan ya. Ada hadiah menarik menantimu lowh.Bagaimana menurutmu yang sudah nonton? Menarikkah film ini?



Regards,

Sandrine JB





Source of movie poster: IMDB
NB: *Kriteria rating: untuk setiap kategori yang saya suka akan saya berikan satu bintang. Jika tidak suka, tidak ada bintang. Jika setengah-setengah, akan memberikan setengah bintang. Total ratingnya adalah penjumlahan bintang dari masing-masing kategori tersebut.





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Title: Legendary (Caraval #2)
Author: Stephanie Garber 
Genre: YA Fantasy
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton 
Publication Date: May 29th 2018
Pages: 418 pages
ISBN: 1473629187 (ISBN13: 9781473629189)
Format: Hardback
Start Date: July 22th 2018
Finish Date: July 31st 2018



(Beware of spoilers!!!!)


Synopsis:

A heart to protect. A debt to repay. A game to win.

After being swept up in the magical world of Caraval, Donatella Dragna has finally escaped her father and saved her sister Scarlett from a disastrous arranged marriage. The girls should be celebrating, but Tella isn’t yet free. She made a desperate bargain with a mysterious criminal, and what Tella owes him no one has ever been able to deliver: Caraval Master Legend’s true name.

The only chance of uncovering Legend’s identity is to win Caraval, so Tella throws herself into the legendary competition once more—and into the path of the murderous heir to the throne, a doomed love story, and a web of secrets…including her sister's. Caraval has always demanded bravery, cunning, and sacrifice. But now the game is asking for more. If Tella can’t fulfill her bargain and deliver Legend’s name, she’ll lose everything she cares about—maybe even her life. But if she wins, Legend and Caraval will be destroyed forever.

Welcome, welcome to Caraval...the games have only just begun.


Legendary was the second book of Caravel series. Second book was more of the journey of Scarlet’s sister, Donatella Dragna. If in the first book was about Scarlet’s journey to search her sister in the game, in Legendary it was about Tella’s journey to release their mother by playing the game.

This time it was Tella who played Caraval which was a special Caraval that held closely with the first one. Because it was special, the journey tailing Tella was also special. She got to meet the Prince of Hearts who apparently the one that kidnapped her mother in a card. And in order to release her mother, she needed to present Legend, the master of Caraval himself to the Prince of Hearts. So then the Caraval once again begun.





(Ratings are my subjective opinions and they are based on what I like and what I don’t like)*

World Building: 1 [star rating="1" max="1"] star

As a Caraval lover, I was once again amazed with the new world that Stephanie Garber brought. Legendary pictured a whole different world in the same Caraval taste. If Caraval was full of colorful scene, Legendary was full with a more circus scene in a real world.

I loved how the Fate cage was portrait. I also loved the sky carriage that brought Tella here and there. I also loved the dark side of the Valenda city. Moreover, I loved how those scenes were related or connected (really I don’t know how describe this because I was love it to the maxxxxx!!!



Plot: 1 [star rating="1" max="1"] star

Somehow the story line was predictable. I could predict of who Legend was. But I got perception that the author wanted us to predict at the beginning same as Tella did but in the end felt heartbroken when we were finally shown the true Legend.

There was only a few unpredictable twist but the plot went up and down that made me hard to put the book down for a single moment. Another thing that I liked that this was darker than Caraval the first book and pack with emotional tension. I love Legendary more than Caraval.


Character: 1 [star rating="1" max="1"] star

Meet Tella and Dante. These two characters are my favorite especially Dante. I used to love Julian in Caraval but then when I know the true personality of Dante in Legendary, I changed to him because suddenly I remember Rhysand my ultimate book boyfriend (hahahahaha). Well I guess I am the typed who easily fell in love with a bad boy character.

Moreover, Tella was not as weak as her sister. Tella was strong which the character of female lead that I like in a book. I also met Jacks, the Prince of Hearts that was also charming. In the end I still didn’t get whether he was the antagonist one or not.

The end of the book gave me a book hangover really!!! Aside of them, I met another character (beside Scarlet and Julian of course) that felt magical. Well, they only got small part but it was hard to forget. You will know more if you read it.


Writing-style: 1 [star rating="1" max="1"] star

Stephanie Garber was a debuted author when she wrote Caraval. I fell in love with her writings since her first book because she had a unique flowing conversation style. Her writing style was easily to read in a young adult fantasy novel. It was good for them who was like me, a non-native English speaker. I can understand the conversation easily but unlike reading a middle grade book.

Others: 0.5 [star rating="0.5" max="1"] star

I loved the UK hardback version so much. I bought the UK also to match with the first book. In the second book I got the “Shattered Crown” hardcover design. But I don’t know the color quality of the second book seemed not as flawless as the first. The blue color was fade not strong as the black in Caraval book. Moreover, there were some mis-typed in the book and I felt like the printing of the content was a bit slanting. So I could not give this a full five stars.






"Every story has four parts - the beginning, the middle, the almost ending, and the true ending."


"Every good story needs a villain.
But the best villains are the ones you secretly like."


"If you can convince yourself it's true, you can convince anyone."





(Goodreads: [star rating="4.31" numeric="yes"] from 11,006 Ratings per August 10th 2018)

This is something that I am gonna reread in the future

I am not definitely gonna unhaul this one :-D.


Regards,

Sandrine JB


Source of book cover and synopsis: Goodreads

NB: *For each category summarized that I like, I will give one star. If I don’t like it, I will give no star. If I half like it, I will give half star. The total ratings will be a summed-up of the stars.
  • 1 Comments


 

Hello everybody. Miss me already? Hehehe. This day I want to do another kind of book blog posting. I am joining the WWW Wednesday that is initiated by Sam Ann Elizabeth. Just click the link to know more about this. If you want to join the fun also will be awesome. The more the merrier J.

The three Ws are:


  • First, What are your currently reading?

  • Second, What did you recently finish reading?

  • Third, What do you think you’ll read next?





CURRENTLY READING


legendary 

Legendary – by Stephanie Garber

I am not a multitasking reader. I can only read one book one time. So starting on Monday, I am reading Legendary, the second book of Caraval by Stephanie Garber. I am so excited to read this book. I was in love with Caraval. Despite so many mixed reviews, I loved Caraval so that I gave it 4 stars. It was its magic that attracted me the most. I felt like I was in a giant circus enjoying the game that Scarlett played. Now, in the second book, I am curious of how the journey of Donnatella (Scarlett’s sister) in playing Caraval itself. I can’t wait to meet the Legend itself (the character that is most talked in the book). Is anyone currently reading this same as me? Put your comment below on how you rate it so far.

 



RECENTLY FINISH READING


crown of midnight 

Crown of Midnight – by Sarah J Maas

I did a full review of this book two days ago. You can click this link. I read this series after I read the second series that Sarah J Maas wrote (ACOTAR series). I deeply fell in love with ACOTAR and their characters. Based on this, I decided to start Throne of Glass. After reading first and second book, I liked it. And I have this feeling that I will love Throne of Glass more than A Court of Thorns and Roses series.




NEXT READING


golden son 

Golden Son – by Pierce Brown

After reading Legendary, I am planning to read Golden Son the second book of Red Rising saga by Pierce Brown. I am going to read the Indonesian translated version. I’ve already read the first book months ago. But to bad I didn’t very much like it liked anybody did. But seeing the hype of this book, I am trying to open up to this book again. Moreover, there is this challenge by Howlers Indonesia to do a Morning Star reading challenge which is the third book of it. To enliven the challenge, I decided to join. So, do you want to join also and do buddy reading with me in the beginning of next month.






So, what is your currently reading?

 

Regards,
Sandrine JB


Source of book cover and synopsis: Goodreads

  • 1 Comments


 

Title: Crown of Midnight
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Genre: YA Fantasy
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Publication Date: August 27th 2013
Pages: 418 pages
ISBN: 1619630621 (ISBN13: 9781619630628)
Format: Hardback
Start Date: July 16th 2018
Finish Date: July 22th 2018

(Beware of spoilers!!!!)


Synopsis:

"A line that should never be crossed is about to be breached.

It puts this entire castle in jeopardy—and the life of your friend."

From the throne of glass rules a king with a fist of iron and a soul as black as pitch. Assassin Celaena Sardothien won a brutal contest to become his Champion. Yet Celaena is far from loyal to the crown. She hides her secret vigilantly; she knows that the man she serves is bent on evil.

Keeping up the deadly charade becomes increasingly difficult when Celaena realizes she is not the only one seeking justice. As she tries to untangle the mysteries buried deep within the glass castle, her closest relationships suffer. It seems no one is above questioning her allegiances—not the Crown Prince Dorian; not Chaol, the Captain of the Guard; not even her best friend, Nehemia, a foreign princess with a rebel heart.

Then one terrible night, the secrets they have all been keeping lead to an unspeakable tragedy. As Celaena's world shatters, she will be forced to give up the very thing most precious to her and decide once and for all where her true loyalties lie... and whom she is ultimately willing to fight for.


Crown of Midnight was the second book of Throne of Glass the series. In the second book, Celaena Sardothien continued her journey as the King’s Champion. She had the task to eliminate King’s enemies based on the order from the King himself. Initially she did all her job smooth without any particular obstacles. But then came new target which leads to a lot of situations even death.

In Celaena journey to Kill new target named Archer (who apparently was someone in Celaena’s past), she developed new affection with Chaol, the captain of the guards. But their love was tested in several circumstances. Not only that, she was also opened to the history of Adarlan and how the magic disappeared in the first place which made her doubt to kill her new target. With her new knowledge of magic and also friendship in the castle, she tried to conquer any riddles that were faced upon her.



(Ratings are my subjective opinions and they are based on what I like and what I don’t like)*

World Building: 0.5 [star rating="0.5" max="1"] star

My most favorite setting scene in a book is the Kings era such as in The Lord of the Rings movie. Crown of Midnight had the equal ambience with LoTR. So basically, this story can easily be in my preference. Moreover, there was Fae and magic in it. But something bothering me was that the world building was too much. It took almost 2/3 (two third) part of the book. I bit boring in the middle. However, I couldn’t say more beside I LOVE THIS BOOK.

Plot: 0.5 [star rating="0.5" max="1"] star

I read this series after I read the ACOTAR series. I could say that the plot was Sarah J Maas typical. However, Ms. Maas could package them differently. There were also twists everywhere which her marks also. Those twists were not a mere twist but led one event to another. Some might said it was a plot hole, but you would not know the answer until you read the next book. But parallel to the category above (World Building). I was a bit bored in the middle. There was too many psychological war (which was not my book type preference).

Character: 1 [star rating="1" max="1"] star

All the characters in Crown of Midnight were lovable in my point of view, especially Chaol. I loved him so much and very sad of the outcome of him. Chaol needed a proper hug and friends who cared for him 100% (e.g. MEEEEE!!!!! X-D). I loved Dorian in Throne of Glass. But the in Crown of Midnight I loved Chaol more. Some of my friends told me that Chaol’s attitude will change in the fourth book, but I will embrace it later. Let me fangirling with Chaol till then.

Then there was also Nehemia, the character who actually I loved the most then Celaena in Throne of Glass and Crown of Midnight. She was so brave. Although she was dead (yup, this is very spoiler – warning stated above), I still loved her because she was also one of the key for Celaena to change herself and fight for freedom of everybody.

Writing-style: 1 [star rating="1" max="1"] star

Sarah J Maas, was my second most favorite author. She knew how to write neatly but simple. As a non-native speaker of English, I found this book easily to read with its own flowing conversation. I couldn’t say more beside I love her works, her writing style, her developed characters, and her whole package of books. Although she liked to “change” OTP but I guess it was not incoincidence. I believe she did it with consideration as she already plotted it at the beginning of the series.

Others: 1 [star rating="1" max="1"] star

These series came with two editions. First Hardback US edition and second Paperback UK Edition. Although the cover picture is same, but I like the hardback cover version the most since it had dark color in it and the picture was detail than the paperback one. Especially Crown of Midnight had an orange-maroon color for the cover, lovely…


"Stronger Together.
Together Forever."

"Your past doesn't make calls on your future. It doesn't matter who you were. Only who you are."

"This is not the end of me.
This is just one more enemy."


Although the hardback version in pricey but I did not regret it.

 I am not definitely gonna unhaul this one :-D.

 

Regards,

Sandrine JB
 


Source of book cover and synopsis: Goodreads
NB: *For each category summarized that I like, I will give one star. If I don’t like it, I will give no star. If I half like it, I will give half star. The total ratings will be a summed-up of the stars.
  • 1 Comments

 


Although it is already Thursday here in Indonesia but It’s not too late for Top 5 Tuesday. You can click the link given of the people who initiated the theme. It will also be fun if you can join also. The theme for Top 5 Tuesday is Top 5 books I want to reread.

I was a person who did not like to reread because I have so many endless TBRs (same as other book worm classic reason I guess). But recently I had the urge to do some rereading once per month. I have started with Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (you can find my recent review of this book here). See here the list goes.



harry potter 

HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRET

I have planned on doing all Harry Potter books reading (including Fantastic Beasts). I started just with book number one. And next month I am going to reread the second book of this series. I was not young anymore, but it was so much fun to read a magical young adult book that full of adventure. It felt like I was back in school again. I can’t wait to read my Gryffindor Chamber of Secret edition (lovely red dust jacket, hardcover, and stripes edge).

  



warcross 

WARCROSS

Warcross was my most favorite book of last year and the its second series “Wildcard” is the book that I am most expected this year of 2018. Before reading Wildcard, I am planning to do a reread of Warcross. I want to remind myself of how Warcross go before Wildcard. Probably for reread, I will choose the Indonesian Translated version (as a way to compare with its English version), then I am ready for the second book :-*
 



a court of mist and fury 

A COURT OF MIST AND FURY

Over all the books in A Court of Thorns series that have been released, I loved A Court of Mist and Fury the most. The second book was portrait the true battle of the lead characters. The mixed feeling between Feyre, Rhysand, and other characters were epic (even compare to the war itself in A Court of Wings and Ruin). Definitely my most favorite part is chapter 33. But what I like from this book that the environment of all the scene was wonderfully described. Then, came the plot twist that was unpredictable at all. Ahhh I miss Feysand :-D




strange the dreamer 

STRANGE THE DREAMER

Actually I gave this book 3.5 stars last time. I didn’t know why but I felt boring while so many others loved this book so very much. But I am eager to read the next book. So, I plan to read this book once again before the second book. I want to prove that it is worth 3.5 stars from me or can get better. Maybe I didn’t concentrate enough the last time I read it.




gemina 

GEMINA

Jay Kristoff’s work in Illuminae series are always loveable time to time. This unique series bring a new journey in reading a book. Moreover, its second series, Gemina, attracted me the most the the other books. This Science Fiction book really has Science fact in it, that is very interesting to read. Once again, the plot twist was something that made me fall in love with this one. I have reviewed this one also months ago. Please click here if you want the detail review.
 




Those are all my version of top 5 books to reread. What are yours? Just leave your comment below.

 

Regards,

Sandrine JB


Source of the book covers: Goodreads
  • 1 Comments

 


It is time to do "Coffee" book tag. I find this tag in Fictionologyst blog. This tag is interesting. I don't like coffee but this is just fun. And I tag everybody who wants to do this tag :)



BLACK COFFEE


a darker shades of magicName a series that’s tough to get into but has hardcore fans.

A DARKER SHADES OF MAGIC

Hype books did not always hype in me. For example, this book. I didn’t hate it though but for me it was only a three-stars book (while others gave 4 or 5 stars). I like the main idea of this book, the male lead character, and the writing style (Schwab had a melodic yet dark style, I loved it), but somehow the whole plot appeared ordinary.

 

 

 

 



PEPPERMINT MOCHA


harry potterName a book that gets more popular during the winter or a festive time of year

HARRY POTTER SERIES

As you already know that Harry Potter and its world is like Mickey in Disney. They know how to attract people with their book promotion year by year. The anniversary of Harry Potter always attracted me to buy old-Harry-Potter things that seemed new. (psstt, I just bought one box full of Harry Potter merchandize, again!!)

  



HOT CHOCOLATE


philosopher's stoneWhat is your favourite children’s book?

HARRY POTTER AND THE PHILOSOPHER'S STONE

I choose Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, the very first book of Harry Potter. It described clearly how children in their first elementary ages really did, their plainness, innocence, attitudes, and carelessness. But they were all packed in one funny yet thrilling book for children in Potter’s age back then.

 
 



DOUBLE SHOT OF ESPRESSO


geminaName a book that kept you on the edge of your seat from start to finish

GEMINA

Technically all Jay’s Kristoff book that I’ve read so far categorized in this tag. But most of all in Gemina. Well I didn’t finish it in one sitting (although I could), but this one got my attention the most and could finish it in a shorter time than the first book. My adrenaline was rushing throughout the content and could not let it down unless forced.


 



STARBUCKS


red risingName a book you see everywhere

RED RISING

I kept seeing this book (and its series) in so many Instagram feed and update. I was not into this one in its first book. But seeing this everywhere, triggered me to continue my journey with it. So, hopefully at the beginning of July I will continue with its book two and three together with the Howlers in Indonesia. Anyone wants to join?

 



THAT HIPSTER COFFEE SHOP


crownds of croswaldGive a book by an indie author a shoutout

THE CROWNS OF CROSWALD

I have no experience reading indie author books. But I know this one book that wandering around in my Instagram feed. I am eager to read it though and hopefully someday I get the chance to receive the magical box. The box looked and sounded delightful. Hopefully you will have your chance too.

  



OOPS! I ACCIDENTALLY GOT DECAF


sky in the deepName a book you were expecting more of

SKY IN THE DEEP

This standalone book had something that moved me. Its plot and its writing-style drove me to give 4 stars last time. But unfortunately this was not enough for me. I need more of Eelyn and Fiske for another round of book. Their family relationship was the most attractive thing to me.

  



THE PERFECT BLEND


the nightingaleName a book or series that was both bitter and sweet, but ultimately satisfying

THE NIGHTINGALE

The Nightingale was the second historical fiction I read after a looooonnnnggggg time (If I was not mistaken, I had read my first historical fiction around 15 years ago, back in high school time). I read this as a part of a reading challenge. I was a bit pessimist at first because I didn’t really like to read a historical war book (except in fantasy) but it turned out very good. It was a very touchy and sad book at the same time. I cried in some parts.
 



GREEN TEA


strange the dreamerName a book or series that is quietly beautiful

STRANGE THE DREAMER

Laini Taylor was famous with her beautiful writing style. She wrote poetic fiction Young Adult stories including Strange the Dreamer. Not only style, the world building was described wonderfully and beautifully. For example, Moth. I hate Moth. But look the cover of this book, weren’t they beautiful? Laini Taylor also picture Moth in its beautiful ways. Then also came blue goddesses. It sounded freak but they appeared very wonderful.

 



CHAI TEA


acomafName a book or series that makes you dream of far off places

A COURT OF MIST AND FURY

Velaris was my most favorite fictional place in books that I wanted to visit. I could feel the breeze in a warm isolated city which the citizens lived in harmony and far away from traffic and other crowded civilization. It felt like Velaris knew no war (although later on, they needed to face the war). It would be quite fun living in Velaris before war with my little family.

 



EARL GREY


around the world in 80 daysEarl Grey: Name you favourite classic

AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS

This was my first classic read back in my Junior High School. I fell in love with reading after reading this book. I like to read English book due to this one. Although I learnt English a lot through Harry Potter, but this book marked the beginning of a book worm gene in me.

  




Feel free to join this tag. And if you do please link back to this post so that we can share the fun :-)

 

Regards,

Sandrine JB


Source of the book covers: Goodreads
  • 3 Comments

 


Title: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
Author: J.K. Rowling
Genre: YA Fantasy
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Publication Date: June 1st 2017 (first published June 26th 1997)
Pages: 368 pages
ISBN: 1408883805 (ISBN13: 9781408883808)
Format: Hardback - Hufflepuff Edition
Start Date: July 11th 2018
Finish Date: July 16th 2018


(Beware of spoilers!!!!)


Synopsis:

Celebrate 20 years of Harry Potter magic with four special editions of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.

Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw … Twenty years ago these magical words and many more flowed from a young writer's pen, an orphan called Harry Potter was freed from the cupboard under the stairs – and a global phenomenon started. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone has been read and loved by every new generation since. To mark the 20th anniversary of first publication, Bloomsbury is publishing four House Editions of J.K. Rowling's modern classic. These stunning editions will each feature the individual house crest on the jacket and sprayed edges in the house colours. Exciting new extra content will include fact files, profiles of favourite characters and line illustrations exclusive to that house. Available for a limited period only, these highly collectable editions will be a must-have for all Harry Potter fans in 2017.

Harry Potter stories had always been a Hit for every readers in a wide range of age. The magic of Hogwarts never failed its particular readers over years. 2017 marked the 20 years of the very first published Harry Potter series. In the past 20 years, there were so many re-publishing with various cover. When it hit its 20 years anniversary, Bloomsbury made a wonderful re-publishing by releasing the story in Hogwarts houses edition. It did not only contain with the original story, but also the background of each house.

Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley were the three main characters of this book. They have their kids journey throughout Hogwarts to fight evil and grow up into a strong and good witches and wizards. But they were not alone, (not literally) the whole school helped them to grow together. This story was not only about magic and fighting bad, but it was also about true friendship, love, loyalty.



(Ratings are my subjective opinions and they are based on what I like and what I don’t like)*

World Building: 1 [star rating="1" max="1"] star

Hogwarts vibe never failed me to feel amaze. J.K. Rowling surely had talent in bringing her own type of magic. Its first book was showing enough of how capable a group of friends in doing their own magic. Magic was not only about spell or charm, but also about hardworking, logic, and cooperation. This kind of world building really suited to kids in their elementary school. Did you remember the Mirror of Erised? I Believe you did. And I always awed in wonder how the author came up with that word, “Erised” was desire. Some parts that amazed me were the Forbidden Forest, the journey of Harry Potter and Hermione to the highest tower, and of course the riddles the three should conquer to win over the bad (the sleepy fluffy lullaby, the devil snare, the human sized chess, and the mirror itself).

Plot: 1 [star rating="1" max="1"] star

Its first book offered an easy plot for kids. It started on how Harry ended up in her bad aunt’s family until he reached enough age to learn magic in Hogwarts. There were no endless torments for Harry, but still it was painful for orphan like Harry to be treated bad. Then in its right time, Hagrid came to pick up Harry for his first time studying magic. After that, Harry’s world got 180 degrees turn when he met Ron, Hermione, Malfoy, Neville, and others. Harry with his innocence and new to anything about him at first always tried to meddling other people’s business and did not care of himself but others. Then finally he started to know who he really was when He with the two others try to capture the bad which later known as Voldemort.

Character: 1 [star rating="1" max="1"] star

What I like from this book that I could meet bunch of characters but not in one shot (so it would not confuse me). Aside from the characters that I had mentioned above, we could meet, my favorite, Professor Dumbledore, Prof. McGonagall, Prof. Snape, Prof. Quirell, Filch and Mrs. Norris, Oliver Wood, Crabbe and Goyle, Firenze and Bane the Centaurs, Madam Pomfrey, the dead Unicorn, and so on. Although they played only small parts, but their stories linked to one another and took important parts in it. Although this story basically talked about Harry Potter, but the other two had the same proportion of plot that made Harry Potter character strong.

Writing-style: 1 [star rating="1" max="1"] star

My first favorite Young Adult author was J.K. Rowling. She surely had ability to connect short phrases into light reading paragraph. For its first book, back in 2000’s I read the translated version. And now I re-read the original version. I admit that the translator was very talented to deliver J.K. Rowling writing style into Indonesian Language. So the taste of Rowling’s did not replaced. It has easy-to-understand conversation style. We could find so many new terminologies but she (and our Indonesian translator) could describe it well and easy.

Author: 1 [star rating="1" max="1"] star

J.K. Rowling is always on my favorite author list. Aside of that, I love this house edition. I bought Hufflepuff in Hardback which came with stripe black-yellow line and black cover. It was wonderful. I also collect its illustrated edition in English. For you Indonesian, all version of Harry Potter that had been sold in our local bookstore were wonderful. There was the illustrated version in Indonesian too. Do not forget the latest Indonesian paperback edition (or box set) with Indonesian illustrator cover that awarded as the best Harry Potter cover illustration. (Below is the picture of the latest Indonesian version).


"Fear of a name increases fear of the thing itself."


"To the well-organized mind, death is but the next great adventure."


"It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live."


This is always in my all-time favorite book to read when you are alive. 

If I have enough money, I am gonna buy all the house version in hardback format.

I am not definitely gonna unhaul this one :-D.



 

Regards,

Sandrine JB


Source of book cover and synopsis: Goodreads
NB: *For each category summarized that I like, I will give one star. If I don’t like it, I will give no star. If I half like it, I will give half star. The total ratings will be a summed-up of the stars.
  • 1 Comments

 


Heyho everyone. This is the first time I joined the Top 5 Wednesday #T5W that I saw in goodreads group (click the link and you will go directly to that group). In a way of reactivating my blog again, I want to start it with blogging about book more often including this top five. So without further ado, check this one out.

The measurement of classic for every person and every category is different. But in my point of view, classic can mean 50 or more years ago. Even hundreds. So here are my top five future classics in based on my favorite genre which is fantasy.





HARRY POTTER


Harry PotterI believe some of you will choose J.K Rowling masterpiece. I grew up with this book. The first book is already 21 years old and its first movie will be 17 years this year. I am pretty sure that this book will stand of all time. Those re-publishing with pretty covers are attracted audience especially for young readers who hasn’t been born in my era. Moreover, the characters in the movie will also be the main factor of this story attractiveness. So, for young readers, if this is the first time you know about Harry Potter, you should buy it right away because it is worth to read.


 




A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE


a song of ice and fireWho doesn’t know this series. We knew it with “Game of Thrones”. To be honest, I haven’t read any of this series neither watch the TV show (feel free to mock me :-D :-D :-D xD xD) but don’t get me wrong I collect three pin sized funko of the main characters. Looking at the hype of the stories and characters (even in figurines and any other crafts), this George R.R. Martin masterpiece can be well-known through decades ahead. So I still have years to read it without feeling old.

  




THE HUNGER GAMES


the hunger gamesKatniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark are two characters that people talked back then and still talking about in the present. There are many books in the same genre put this tagline “Perfect for The Hunger Games fan” in their cover. I am one of the lover of this Suzanne Collins’ trilogy. I have read it and watched the movie. Their gimmick in the books and movies are well-known throughout the millennial generation. Don’t forget to mention the fashion that is presented which is epic.

  

 




CITY OF BONES


city of bonesAnother book that I haven’t read. Well, I read though but only a few chapter years ago. By seeing how Cassandra Clare’s book has so many editions it means that people love it. Now it has already passed a decade. It can become like Harry Potter especially this series has its own TV show even up until now. Who haven’t read this one? I guess we should and still have time to dig it.

 
 




THRONE OF GLASS


throne of glassIt sounds lame, but I love this series and the author behind it. This one is the newest than the others above, but it has so many faithful readers (including me). Sarah J Maas has its unique writing-style that can hypnotized their readers even make them faithfully waiting for her next book related to this series. You should try to read this one though :-).


 




Those are all my version of 5 top future classics. What are yours? Just leave your comment below.


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Regards,

Sandrine JB


Source of the book covers: Goodreads
  • 2 Comments

  Title: Crazy Rich Asians

  Author: Kevin Kwan

  Genre: Chick Lit, Contemporary

  Publisher: Doubleday

  Publication Date: June 11th 2013

  Pages: 403 pages

  ISBN: 0385536976 (ISBN13: 9780385536974)

  Format: Hardback

  Start Date: July 1st 2018

  Finish Date: July 6th 2018

 



(Beware of spoilers!!!!)


Synopsis:

Crazy Rich Asians is the outrageously funny debut novel about three super-rich, pedigreed Chinese families and the gossip, backbiting, and scheming that occurs when the heir to one of the most massive fortunes in Asia brings home his ABC (American-born Chinese) girlfriend to the wedding of the season.
When Rachel Chu agrees to spend the summer in Singapore with her boyfriend, Nicholas Young, she envisions a humble family home, long drives to explore the island, and quality time with the man she might one day marry. What she doesn't know is that Nick's family home happens to look like a palace, that she'll ride in more private planes than cars, and that with one of Asia's most eligible bachelors on her arm, Rachel might as well have a target on her back.
Initiated into a world of dynastic splendor beyond imagination, Rachel meets Astrid, the It Girl of Singapore society; Eddie, whose family practically lives in the pages of the Hong Kong socialite magazines; and Eleanor, Nick's formidable mother, a woman who has very strong feelings about who her son should--and should not--marry. Uproarious, addictive, and filled with jaw-dropping opulence, Crazy Rich Asians is an insider's look at the Asian JetSet; a perfect depiction of the clash between old money and new money; between Overseas Chinese and Mainland Chinese; and a fabulous novel about what it means to be young, in love, and gloriously, crazily rich.


Crazy Rich Asians was the first book of Kevin Kwan’s bestseller series. It was a story about having a relationship with a conglomerate scion. Basically this book told a story of an Asian girl named Rachel Chu which had a relationship with a wealthy man named Nicholas Young. At first, Rachel who had a relationship Nick – nickname of Nicholas – for two years, didn’t know the family background of him. They met in America due to their job as lecturers which then fell in love and live together.

One day, Nick should attend his best friend wedding as a best man. So, he decided to take Rachel in hoping to have a wonderful vacation with her while attending his best friend’s wedding in Singapore. Unexpectedly, Rachel realized who Nick really was and she got a bit shocked with the family culture that surrounding Nick. So all of the conflict began after Rachel met the Young’s big families and friends. As a whole, this book was not told in Rachel and Nick point of view only. But there were other characters as well. There were Astrid and her husband point of view, Nick’s mother, and other crucial family members.

 






A post shared by Sandrine Tungka (@sanwajourneys) on Jul 6, 2018 at 8:42pm PDT







(Ratings are my subjective opinions and they are based on what I like and what I don’t like)*

World Building: 1 [star rating="1" max="1"] star

If you want to know how high class Singaporean lives, you should read this book. Kevin Kwan clearly described how all of those conglomerates relate to the others which were above or below them. I was amazed on how detail Mr. Kwan’s portrait Singaporean with their spotlight. I could easily see how money come and go in those wealthy families. I also realized that it was possible for them to travel from one country to another was just like in one or two hours driving by car. Even I know how designer’s brand was cheap to them. These conglomerates did not only live in money and lifestyle, but they lived in a power of a country.

Plot: 0.5 [star rating="0.5" max="1"] star

I was not a big fan of contemporary books anymore (I used to when I was in my senior high school), but this one was an exception. At first I thought the plot would be flat same as those similar theme books. After several pages, I kept saying “oooohhhh” and “aaahhh” until the end of story. There were some predictable parts which were realistic. But somehow a bit boring in the middle (this book has 500 pages long in its translated version with tiny font size!!!). I also felt like the climax had a forced ending. Aside of that, I still like this book because it was very funny. I could not stop laughing.

Character: 0.5 [star rating="0.5" max="1"] star

Crazy Rich Asians had it owned family hierarchy. It did not consist of one family pattern but more!!! I was bad with names even in reality so I found confusing with names in this book. Even until now I did not remember well their names only the main characters and the supporting roles which always showed up. As for the main characters itself, I LOVE THEM SOOOO MMUUCCCHH, especially Nick (I was weak with gentle man) :-*. Ahhh, the movie, please come faster :-D.

Writing-style: 1 [star rating="1" max="1"] star

The version of the book that I read was its translated one. But, I did a short reading of the original version in English. I should say that it had good style. The original one had flowing with conversations and the translated version did not fail to portrait the author’s taste and culture. I just love both of them. Specifically, I wanted to praise the translator for making it good. Yes, there was some parts that we should read it in original version since it has “Singlish” in it that could bring us going deeper to the book, but to me the translators did their job very well.

Author & Others: 1 [star rating="1" max="1"] star

Good praise for Kevin Kwan. This was his first International bestselling books that I read. So, well done. I can’t wait to read the next but I need to put aside until next month. My TBR is getting higher!!!!!!

By the way I want to give you another glimpse of the the book version. The cover shown above was the first edition in hardback. Nowadays, mass market paperback edition is sold especially in Indonesia. The cover of Mass Market Paperback is shown below.

crazy rich asians mass market

As for the translated Indonesian version (for you who lived in Indonesia), the cover and ISBN of the book is as below. I loved very much this translated version cover. Very bold and red!!



 


 

“Remember, every treasure comes with a price.”


"Doing nothing can sometimes be the most effective form of action."


"Just because some people actually work for their money doesn’t mean they are beneath you."



So funny!!! So funny!!! So funny!!! Even I could not believe that I could reach this 500 pages book in 6 days!!! What a progress, ekekekke. Need to watch the movie in the cinema (Ehh, bakal masuk bioskop Indonesia serempak ga ya?

Although I liked this one, but I was satisfied enough with the translated version. FYI, the cover for our Indonesian version was very simple yet gorgeous. I liked it very much than the original cover.

I will not gonna unhaul this one :-D.


 

Regards,
Sandrine JB



Source of the book cover and synopsis: Goodreads
NB: *For each category summarized that I like, I will give one star. If I don’t like it, I will give no star. If I half like it, I will give half star. The total ratings will be a summed-up of the stars.
  • 4 Comments


 

Title: Sky in The Deep

Author: Adrienne Young

Genre: YA Fantasy

Publisher: Wednesday Books

Publication Date: April 24th 2018

Pages: 340 pages

ISBN: 1250168457 (ISBN13: 9781250168450)

Format: Hardback

Start Date: June 16th 2018

Finish Date: June 30th 2018


[gallery type="columns" ids="5295,5294"]




(Beware of spoilers!!!!)





Synopsis:


OND ELDR. BREATHE FIRE.

Raised to be a warrior, seventeen-year-old Eelyn fights alongside her Aska clansmen in an ancient rivalry against the Riki clan. Her life is brutal but simple: fight and survive. Until the day she sees the impossible on the battlefield — her brother, fighting with the enemy — the brother she watched die five years ago.

Faced with her brother's betrayal, she must survive the winter in the mountains with the Riki, in a village where every neighbor is an enemy, every battle scar possibly one she delivered. But when the Riki village is raided by a ruthless clan thought to be a legend, Eelyn is even more desperate to get back to her beloved family.

She is given no choice but to trust Fiske, her brother’s friend, who sees her as a threat. They must do the impossible: unite the clans to fight together, or risk being slaughtered one by one. Driven by a love for her clan and her growing love for Fiske, Eelyn must confront her own definition of loyalty and family while daring to put her faith in the people she’s spent her life hating.


Sky in The Deep was about two clans which had two different gods that fight for each other. Each of the clan believed that their god showed them the way to fight because of the gods’ past. They fight one another to search victory generation by generation and proved the they are the right ones. Unfortunately, in their time of war, there was a man named Iri – an Aska – who switched from one clan to the other – named Riki.

All the family including the main character, Eelyn, thought that he was death in the time of annual epic war between clans. But then Eelyn found out that Iri was not death and stayed in Riki. This event brought Eelyn to be kidnapped to Riki and found out unavoidable truth that actually these two clans do not have to fight each other, because they have a greater enemy called Herja. But not only that, Eelyn also fell in love with a Riki. Somehow, the kidnapped of Eelyn brought greater good between two clans.

 






A post shared by Sandrine Tungka (@sanwajourneys) on Jul 4, 2018 at 4:54am PDT








(Ratings are my subjective opinions and they are based on what I like and what I don’t like)*

World Building: 1 [star rating="1" max="1"] star


When reading this book, I felt like I watched Xena: Warrior Princess again. I portrait the environment, the fjord and the mountain, similar to some scene in Xena series. I liked how the author portrait the scenes. Although similar but actually it was different. I could feel different atmospheres between one scene to another like the lead female character felt when she was kidnapped. At first it was portrait that Riki was not friendly. But after Eelyn stepped into Riki’s world, she found something different that the life in Riki was just as how human being lived, same as how she lived back then in Aska, full of family harmony and thrive.

Plot: 0.5 [star rating="0.5" max="1"] star


I was a sucker of any twists. Unfortunately, there was no twist that made me feel surprise. Mostly I could predict it here and there such as how Eelyn could fell in love with Riki. But I liked the plot relation among one scene to another. It was smoothly flowing and I rarely found plot hole in the story. I found few actually, but I easily forgot it. One I remember of the plot hole of the main character was when she met a bear together with Fiske (the lead male character) during their fishing time. In my opinion that this meeting-with-a-bear thing could be explore a bit more. In conclusion, this book is too short for me!!! :-D

Character: 1 [star rating="1" max="1"] star


Eelyn and Fiske were my next favorite OTP. Eelyn had a strong female character who had balance in independency to others. She was brave but not stubborn. While Fiske only showed his affection with action and had his kind of romantic ways. I like Fiske personality there who put family first before others. There were another supporting characters that were also loveable such as Iri itself, which was the key of Eelyn’s battle. There was Inge with a motherly attitude towards the people who lived in the same house with here. Eelyn’s father who was not arrogant enough because he had a father heart.

Writing-style: 0.5 [star rating="0.5" max="1"] star


I found that the writing-style was not unique enough. This kind of style could be found in among books from new author. But it didn’t mean that she imitated other authors. This kind of writing-style was her style, especially with the named development that weren’t unusual but simple. With her kind of style, I sensed that the romance she developed was not excessive and cheesy. I liked how the romance sparked between the female and male character that naturally happened. But not in cheesy romantic that could make my eyes rolling :-D.

Author: 1 [star rating="1" max="1"] star


I put Adrienne Young in my favorite author list. She was a new debuted author in fantasy book. She and her team packed the whole packaged of the book nicely. Look at the cover. It was a simple black dust jacket with a deep meaning of the whole story. This cover was one of my favorite. The other good point that I highlighted from her first book was how she brought a concept that involving “Family” in other way in times of crisis or war. She surely has the ability to lift family relation for each plot realistically in a fantasy genre.

 


“Vegr yfir fjor. Honor above life.”


"OND ELDR. BREATHE FIRE."


"I was the ice on the river. The snow clinging onto the mountainside."




This was a must have standalone book, in my version. I definitely kept this without hauling and will be buying this author’s next book :-). 

I heard that there will be a companion of this book. Looking forward to it to be good.


 

Regards,
Sandrine JB



Source of book cover and synopsis: Goodreads
NB: *For each category summarized that I like, I will give one star. If I don’t like it, I will give no star. If I half like it, I will give half star. The total ratings will be a summed-up of the stars.
  • 3 Comments

 

Title: LIFEL1K3

Author: Jay Kristoff

Genre: YA Science Fiction

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers

Publication Date: May 29th 2018

Pages: 398 pages

ISBN: 0525644598 (ISBN13: 9780525644590)

Format: Paperback

Start Date: June 6th 2018

Finish Date: June 16th 2018



(Beware of spoilers!!!!)



Synopsis:


From the coauthor of the New York Times bestselling Illuminae Files comes the first book in a new series that's part Romeo and Juliet, part Terminator, and all adrenaline.

On an island junkyard beneath a sky that glows with radiation, a deadly secret lies buried in the scrap. Seventeen-year-old Eve isn't looking for trouble--she's too busy looking over her shoulder. The robot gladiator she spent months building has been reduced to a smoking wreck, she's on the local gangster's wanted list, and the only thing keeping her grandpa alive is the money she just lost to the bookies. Worst of all, she's discovered she can somehow destroy machines with the power of her mind, and a bunch of puritanical fanatics are building a coffin her size because of it. If she's ever had a worse day, Eve can't remember it.

The problem is, Eve has had a worse day--one that lingers in her nightmares and the cybernetic implant where her memories used to be. Her discovery of a handsome android named Ezekiel--called a "Lifelike" because they resemble humans--will bring her world crashing down and make her question whether her entire life is a lie. With her best friend Lemon Fresh and her robotic sidekick Cricket in tow, Eve will trek across deserts of glass, battle unkillable bots, and infiltrate towering megacities to save the ones she loves...and learn the truth about the bloody secrets of her past.

LIFEL1K3 was about human-wanna-be which was an obsession of a doctor for (he thought) a better world. It was about how human beings can live side by side with the LIFEL1K3s but also can be the greatest enemy for them. It was also about how they were hard to be differentiate with human since they had the ability same as human even has compassion toward each other.

This book gave three parts to be read. First part was related to the flashback of the amnesia main girl character during her father was being kidnapped. Then came the second part was about this girl journey with her circles to get her kidnapped “grandfather”. And the third part was the climax, which was about how she fought with the LIFEL1K3s and found the truth of her life.






A post shared by Sandrine Tungka (@sanwajourneys) on Jun 22, 2018 at 8:00pm PDT







(Ratings are my subjective opinions and they are based on what I like and what I don’t like)*

World Building: 1 [star rating="1" max="1"] star

My favorite genres of book are Fantasy and Science Fiction book, especially when both of them are combined. The success of Sci-Fi and Fantasy book is in its world building which is different with the world we are living in. To me this book had the combination of Sci-Fi and Fantasy and it had a wonderful world building. This was new to me. The world building had something that I was really eager to see in a form of a spectacular movie. I imagined how those beautiful robots (LIFEL1K3s) could interact with human with human capability in a damaged world.

Plot: 0.5 [star rating="0.5" max="1"] star

The plot twist was something that I could not predict!!!!! Well, I read some reviews that they could, but me, I could not. But, in the other part he beginning plot was too slow. The climax was only at the part three of the book which almost 30% part at the end of it. Didn’t like previous Jay Kristoff’s book that I liked the most. Gemina was full of tense for me from the beginning of the book until the end. Actually, the beginning part of LIFEL1K3 was so tensed but then it got down and a bit smooth and slow for a long time, then it reached its climax and plot twist in part 3. Well, at least that plot twist was a mind-blowing TWIST!!!!! I hate you, but I like you!!

Character: 1 [star rating="1" max="1"] star

To be honest, I was not the fan of the main character – named Eve – at the very first pages of the book. To me she was so stubborn. I hate here character that easily angry over someone lying to her without thinking the reason why (don’t get me wrong, lying is always wrong). I was the fan of Lemon Fresh, the friend of Eve.

But lying was the main topic of this book. Those characters were too afraid to tell all their truth so they were all lied, then this catastrophe happened. But later on, I liked Eve strong character. I liked the romance of her with one of the LIFEL1K3 named Ezekiel. There were not much romance, so do not expect from them. Other characters were also great. They had their own strong part at the book and closely connected each other in the term of family.

Writing-style: 0.5 [star rating="0.5" max="1"] star

Jay’s writing style is always unique. It was Jay’s signature dialogues that I loved so much since reading Illuminae series. It was full of flowing anecdote and slank type of conversations without eliminate the true meaning of them. The used words were not too hard to read for them whose English was not their native language like me. But most of the conflict that was written was about mind conflict because it was full of flashback of the main character. I didn’t hate it though, but somehow it felt bored here and there for me who loved Fantasy books.

Author: 1 [star rating="1" max="1"] star


He was my favorite author. So nothing else I can say. I need to read another books of him.


"Stronger Together.
Together Forever."


"Your past doesn't make calls on your future. It doesn't matter who you were. Only who you are."


"This is not the end of me.
This is just one more enemy."




 I am definitely going to collect the hardback book version. I was reading this in paperback version because I found it in my local bookstore immediately after it released. So, I could not stand to buy and read that right away. And then after reading, I sold it out. Because I am going to replace with the hardback version later on :-D. 

I was very curious about the twist that happened in Coda. IT TORE MY HEART. I hope it will turn into something good not bad


 

Regards,
Sandrine JB



Source of book cover and synopsis: Goodreads
NB: *For each category summarized that I like, I will give one star. If I don’t like it, I will give no star. If I half like it, I will give half star. The total ratings will be a summed-up of the stars.
  • 1 Comments

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      • Film Crazy Rich Asians Kok Gitu? [Movie Review]
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      • [Book Review] Legendary - Stephanie Garber
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