Book Review: Fallen - Lauren Kate

First published in Great Britain by Doubleday,
an imprint of Random House Children's Book.
Doubleday edition published 2009

*** - 3 Stars

 Instant. Intense. Weirdly familiar...

The moment Luce looks at Daniel,

she knows she has never felt like this before.

Except she can't shake the feeling that

she has... and with him - a boy she doesn't

remember ever setting eyes on.

 

Will her attempt to find out why

enlighten her - or destroy her.

Fallen by Lauren Kate is a great casual read.
 I feel like I've been reading so many heavy books recently I needed something to read that wasn't going to require me thinking too hard about what I was reading. This was just the thing.

Although this is an easy read, that does not mean its a bad book. Its reasonably well written with likeable characters and it wasn't too much about teen angst.

I liked the book and look forward to reading the rest of the series but I gave it three stars because some parts where so generic it made me want to stop reading which brought it down from four stars.

Let me know what you though of the book.

 ***
Lots of love, Lara xx

 

Book Review: The Canterbury Tales - Geoffrey Chaucer

A Bantam Book
First published 1400
First Bantam Edition - May 1964

*** - 3 Stars

 Lively, absorbing, often outrageously funny, Chaucer's THE CANTERBURY TALES is a work of genius, an undisputed classic that has held special appeal for each generation of readers. The TALES gather twenty-nine of literatures most enduring (and endearing) characters in a vivid group portrait that captures the full spectrum of medieval society. From the exhalted Knight to the humble Plowman.

The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer is a selection of stories that show the in's and out's of medieval society.
I gave this book three stars because, unless you have some relatively good knowledge of European history - especially Roman history - you are going to struggle with this book. It is no easy read and you have to be rather committed to get through it. The other thing is, how it's written. One of the things that puts people off reading Classics is the language and sentence structure. Considering we speak no where near as formally and proper as they did say.... back in Austen's time, the way the books are written can make them appear intimidating.
However, this is a whole new level of intimidating. This book was written in medieval times so the language is so unlike modern English, it is laughable. Thank goodness for the modern English translation! (Although, this is still considerably difficult to follow.)
A good book; I enjoyed learning about medieval society. Their views on women's and men's roles within society were very interesting. It brought Emma Watson's feminism speech to the forefront of my mind!
If you've read this, let me know what you thought.

***
Lots of love, Lara xx

Film Review: Easy Virtue - Stephan Elliott

7th November 2008 (UK)
Director: Stephan Elliott
Screenplay: Sheridan Jobbins, Stephan Elliott

*** - 3 Stars

Easy Virtue directed by Stephan Elliott is a comedy set in the 1930's. When the son of a rich family elopes with an American race-car driver, the family do everything in their power to drive her away.

Its hard to know what to make of this film. It was funny in places and well acted but it was a bit... messy in terms of how it was put together. I wasn't quite sure what to think. I found all the characters ghastly and that ruined it for me a little.

Three stars for bewilderment and indecision.

Let me know your thoughts if you watched it.

 

***

Lots of love, Lara xx

Book Review: New World - Gillian Cross

 

PUFFIN BOOKS
Published by the Penguin Group
First published by Oxford University Press 1994
Copyright © Gillian Cross, 1994

*** - 3 Stars

'I'm helping to test a game - and it's brilliant. I'm even getting paid for doing it.'

When Miriam and Stuart are chosen to test a new virtual reality game, every move they make is monitored. But as the game takes hold of them they start to feel that something - or someone - is there with them, playing on their deepest secret fears. Is this part of the tests?
Or has someone broken into the game?

I do have to say, this book did not live up to my expectations. It has certainly taken me a long time to read this book. The beginning is very slow and tiresome and something you just don't want to read. It did, however get better and I did begin to enjoy it a little more as time went on. It is safe to say that the ending completely saved this book. The ending changed this from a 2 star review to a 3 star review. very disappointed with how this book turned out.

Book Review: The Chronicles of Narnia: The Silver Chair - C.S. Lewis | Lara Pass

The Chronicles Of Narnia:
The Silver Chair - C.S Lewis
Published by - Harper Collins Publishers Ltd 1953

 ***- 3 Stars
Everyone that knows me knows that I am a HUGE fan of the Chronicles of Narnia Series by C.S Lewis. However, this is probably my least favourite of the Chronicles. Although a reasonably good story in itself, when it comes to the whole series, I did not think this story delivered as well as the 5 novels preceding it.
This is something I really hate writing because I adore this book series and the whole story collectively but I do have to say; I feel it let the series down a little.
As I said, the story in itself is a good one. Well written, lots of action and adventure in it and lots of the wonderful world of Narnia. However, in relation to the story so far and the book that follows, I don't really think this one fits. It is a beautifully written book - as are all the others - but this story, I (personally) don't feel coincides with the others and I don't feel this is a relevant story to tell in relation to the story of Narnia.
I do however, understand that Lewis had to bring this new character into the story somehow as he is extremely relevant to the last book.  In some ways though, I wish he had just kept Prince Caspian around a little longer as he is a character I rather adore and feel should have stayed in the series longer than he did.

Clive Staples Lewis - Author

I have to say that I love how in every single book in this series, the story has a moral and is extremely heartfelt whilst also being action packed, exciting and magical. It is a great way for kids to learn what is right and wrong and (ideally) what they should and shouldn't do in regards to growing up and becoming more mature. The way Lewis does this means that you are learning all these valuable life lessons without even realising it. Its a subconscious thing and I think its very cleverly done.
I'm sorry C.S. Lewis for not loving this book as much as the others but I am completely head over heals in love with this books series. Its magical, wonderful, heart-breaking, funny and so many other things all at once and that is why it is still a firm favourite among children and adults alike, even after all this time!