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

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(Beware of spoilers!!!!)

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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.

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(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.

https://youtu.be/Pz_u5uSZLD4

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!!

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"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."

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[icon name="book" class="" unprefixed_class=""] [star rating="4" numeric="yes"] [icon name="book" class="" unprefixed_class=""]
(Rotten Tomatoes: 93% Tomatometer - 83% Audience Score - per September 19th 2018)

[icon name="book" class="" unprefixed_class=""] Film ini pasti akan kutonton berulang-ulang apalagi ngeliat wajah Henry [icon name="book" class="" unprefixed_class=""]

[icon name="book" class="" unprefixed_class=""] Sangat menunggu sekuelnya!!!! (Eh baca bukunya dulu deng belum kelar :D) [icon name="book" class="" unprefixed_class=""]

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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.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Sandrine Tungka (@sanwajourneys) on Sep 18, 2018 at 10:09pm PDT

Bagaimana menurutmu yang sudah nonton? Menarikkah film ini?

Regards,

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Previous post: Asuransikan Mobilmu

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

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• 

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(Beware of spoilers!!!!)

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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.

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(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.

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"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."

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[icon name="book" class="" unprefixed_class=""] [star rating="4.5" numeric="yes"] [icon name="book" class="" unprefixed_class=""]
(Goodreads: [star rating="4.31" numeric="yes"] from 11,006 Ratings per August 10th 2018)

[icon name="book" class="" unprefixed_class=""] This is something that I am gonna reread in the future. [icon name="book" class="" unprefixed_class=""]

[icon name="book" class="" unprefixed_class=""] I am not definitely gonna unhaul this one :-D. [icon name="book" class="" unprefixed_class=""]

Regards,

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Previous post: WWW Wednesday, July 25th 2018

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.

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?

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CURRENTLY READING

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.

 

 

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RECENTLY FINISH READING

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.

 

 

 

 

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NEXT READING

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.

 

 

 

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So, what is your currently reading?

 

Regards,

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Previous post: [BOOK REVIEW] Crown of Midnight - Sarah J. Maas

Source of book cover and synopsis: Goodreads

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

[gallery type="columns" ids="5295,5294,5296"]

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(Beware of spoilers!!!!)

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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.

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(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…

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"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."

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[icon name="book" class="" unprefixed_class=""] [star rating="4" numeric="yes"] [icon name="book" class="" unprefixed_class=""]
(Goodreads: [star rating="4.48" numeric="yes"] from 225,488 Ratings per July 23rd 2018)

[icon name="book" class="" unprefixed_class=""] Although the hardback version in pricey but I did not regret it. [icon name="book" class="" unprefixed_class=""]

[icon name="book" class="" unprefixed_class=""] I am not definitely gonna unhaul this one :-D. [icon name="book" class="" unprefixed_class=""]

 

Regards,





 

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Previous post: SanWa Top 5 Books to Reread

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.

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.

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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).

 

 

 

 

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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 :-*

 

 

 

 

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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

 

 

 

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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.

 

 

 

 

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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.

 

 

 

 

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

 

Regards,

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Previous post: Coffee Book Tag

Source of the book covers: Goodreads

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 :)

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BLACK COFFEE

Name 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.

 

 

 

 

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PEPPERMINT MOCHA

Name 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!!)

 

 

 

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HOT CHOCOLATE

What 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.

 

 

 

 

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DOUBLE SHOT OF ESPRESSO

Name 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.

 

 

 

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STARBUCKS

Name 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?

 

 

 

 

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THAT HIPSTER COFFEE SHOP

Give 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.

 

 

 

 

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OOPS! I ACCIDENTALLY GOT DECAF

Name 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.

 

 

 

 

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THE PERFECT BLEND

Name 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.

 

 

 

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GREEN TEA

Name 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.

 

 

 

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CHAI TEA

Name 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.

 

 

 

 

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EARL GREY

Earl 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.

 

 

 

 

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

 

Regards,

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Previous post: [BOOK REVIEW] Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone - J. K. Rowling

Source of the book covers: Goodreads

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

[gallery type="columns" ids="5295,5294,5296"]

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(Beware of spoilers!!!!)

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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.

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(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).

[caption id="attachment_5344" align="aligncenter" width="620"] Illustration by Nicholas F. Chandrawienata[/caption]

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"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."

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[icon name="book" class="" unprefixed_class=""] [star rating="5" numeric="yes"] [icon name="book" class="" unprefixed_class=""]
(Goodreads: [star rating="4.46" numeric="yes"] from 5,425,403 Ratings per July 17th 2018)

[icon name="book" class="" unprefixed_class=""] This is always in my all-time favorite book to read when you are alive. [icon name="book" class="" unprefixed_class=""]

[icon name="book" class="" unprefixed_class=""] If I have enough money, I am gonna buy all the house version in hardback format. [icon name="book" class="" unprefixed_class=""]

[icon name="book" class="" unprefixed_class=""] I am not definitely gonna unhaul this one :-D. [icon name="book" class="" unprefixed_class=""]

 

Regards,

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Previous post: SanWa Top 5 Future Classics

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.