Book Review: The Lost Symbol – Dan Brown | Lara Pass

**** - 4 Stars

This book is just ridiculous and I loved it. The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown is one of the most interesting books I have ever read. I loved the writing style, I loved the story, and I just loved the whole thing… Dan Brown is a very clever writer and – I presume – a very clever person full stop. I enjoyed this book so much. The references to Ancient Greek Mythology and different religions really made it interesting for me and I enjoyed trying to work out all the different clues etc., on the Masonic Pyramid. It was a very fun read.

As a classics student, reading a book like this makes classics all the more fun and enjoyable. It's nice to read a book that is so heavily influenced by Ancient Greece and their myths and beliefs and be able to enjoy it. (i.e. be analysing The Odyssey/The Iliad – Homer) The references to Masonic heritage etc., was really interesting to read too. I loved this book very much. My only problem is that it was a bit too long for me. Probably because I am always busy at the moment and couldn't find the time to read it properly.

The twist at the end was something I really didn't see coming and I thought of a hundred different possibilities. It was very simple and obvious but very effective as it was so simple and obvious, no-one would have guessed it. I look forward to reading more of Dan Brown's work in the future as I find his work very entertaining and enjoyable to read. Thank you Dan Brown for giving us such thought provoking, history filled books! I gave this book 4/5 stars.

Book Review: The Hunger Games – Suzanne Collins | Lara Pass

*** - 3 Stars

This week, I read The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. Although I was fairly late on the bandwagon with this one, I wasn't this late. I have read this book series more than once and I thought now would be a good time to review it. I always feel sceptical of reviewing books the first time you've read them. I think the books are sort of glorified in a way. Especially when there is so much hype around a particular book or series and I realised that I feel exactly the same about this book. I feel like the first time I read it, it was very glorified and it takes a few times reading it though to actually be able to review it properly. Instead of looking at it as an exciting new book that I get to read, I get to read this again taking the time to actually think about whether I like the writing style, what I think doesn't work in it etc., etc.

I do like this book. I'm not going to say it's a bad book because it's not. In actual fact I think it is a very good book and is well written. However, I gave this three stars because the story just doesn't appeal to me all that much. I think dystopias are never going to be my cup of tea. They're always going to be a bit to samey for me. I am a girl that loves classical literature and that time period and dystopias are the complete opposite but I do try and view a book objectively and I won't completely rule a book our just because it's not something I would usually read. I just feel that some points of this book were poorly executed. The other thing that really annoyed me is – as with every YA book now – it has a love triangle. Twilight (Stephanie Meyer) was the first big YA series that had a love triangle and that now seems to be the formulae for every book series now. Love triangles, defying the odds, a pretty heroine that doesn't know how beautiful she is and it is starting to drive me around the bend because I feel like I'm never reading anything new. Obviously, first impressions, I'll love the book if I read it all the way through. But then I'll read it again in a few months' time more objectively and realize that it's just like every other book that's been published. Nothing new and interesting is coming by anymore. People keep writing more of the same and it's tiring.

I do like your books and your writing style Suzanne Collins but originality is key and although the story itself is original, the love triangle, the girl who doesn't know how beautiful she is etc., just don't work. I gave this book 3 stars.

Book Review: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone – J.K. Rowling | Lara Pass

*** - 3 Stars

Well, I'm sorry but I had to do it. Every year or so, I reread the Harry Potter Series and this is the first year I have read it being a member of the 'BookTuber' community so I thought I would review it for you since I spend so much time raving about the books!

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's [Sorcerer's] Stone. This is the first book in – arguably – the best book series ever written and remains to be my favourite. The first book in itself is only average but I enjoyed reading it all the same. I love the characters, I love the humour, I love the whole world that Rowling created and put into this first book. While it is true that the books later on in the series are my favourites and are probably better written, I do love this book. When I say the writing in this is average, I mean for Rowling's standards. This is by far a better book than most writers could ever hope to write no matter how hard they tried but I have to look at it objectively in terms of Rowling's writing skills and this is some of her weaker pieces. If I was rating this as a stand-alone book, I wouldn't hesitate to give it 4/5 stars. It is a brilliant book that is easy to get through, has some depth and makes you feel something but also makes you laugh. I can't tell you how many times I laughed aloud reading this book. Rowling's wit is incredible and I love reading her work.

I will – obviously – be reading and reviewing the rest of this brilliant series over the coming months but as I am sure you will grow tired of me reviewing the whole Harry Potter series and nothing else, I have decided to read one of the books every month and keep trying to read new things which can be just as exciting so please don't be alarmed if you don't receive my review of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets for another few weeks. I promise you I have not neglected finishing off the series, I am just trying to keep a bit of diversity in my reading and reviews for you all should you not be a fan of Harry Potter or be tired of heard about it after 20+ years. My next review is coming soon. Keep on reading! And I will leave you with a funny quote from this first book, just to tide you over until my next review. I gave this book 3/5 stars! Thank you J.K. Rowling!

Before he could say or think anything else, the dormitory door was flung open and Fred and George Weasley bounded in. Harry stuffed the cloak quickly out of sight. He didn't feel like sharing it with anyone else yet. 'Merry Christmas!' 'Hey, look – Harry's got a Weasley jumper, too!' Fred and George were wearing blue jumpers, one with a large yellow F on it, the other with a large yellow G. 'Harry's is better than ours, though,' said Fred, holding up Harry's jumper. 'She obviously makes more of an effort if you're not family.' 'Why aren't you wearing yours, Ron?' George demanded. 'Come on, get it on, they're lovely and warm.' 'I hate maroon,' Ron moaned half-heartedly as he pulled it over his head. 'You haven't got a letter on yours,' George observed. 'I suppose she thinks you don't forget your name. But we're not stupid – we know we're called Gred and Forge.' 'What's all this noise?' Percy Weasley stuck his head through the door, looking disap- proving. He had clearly come half-way through unwrapping his presents, as he, too, carried a lumpy jumper over his arm, which Fred seized. 'P is for prefect! Get it on Percy, come on, we're all wearing ours, even Harry got one.' 'I – don't – want – ' said Percy thickly, as the twins forced the jumper over his head, knocking his glasses askew. 'And you're not sitting with the prefects today, either,' said George. 'Christmas is a time for family.' They frog-marched Percy out of the room, his arms pinned to his sides by his jumper. – J.K. Rowling

Book Review: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone – J.K. Rowling | Lara Pass

*** - 3 Stars

Well, I'm sorry but I had to do it. Every year or so, I reread the Harry Potter Series and this is the first year I have read it being a member of the 'BookTuber' community so I thought I would review it for you since I spend so much time raving about the books!

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's [Sorcerer's] Stone. This is the first book in – arguably – the best book series ever written and remains to be my favourite. The first book in itself is only average but I enjoyed reading it all the same. I love the characters, I love the humour, I love the whole world that Rowling created and put into this first book. While it is true that the books later on in the series are my favourites and are probably better written, I do love this book. When I say the writing in this is average, I mean for Rowling's standards. This is by far a better book than most writers could ever hope to write no matter how hard they tried but I have to look at it objectively in terms of Rowling's writing skills and this is some of her weaker pieces. If I was rating this as a stand-alone book, I wouldn't hesitate to give it 4/5 stars. It is a brilliant book that is easy to get through, has some depth and makes you feel something but also makes you laugh. I can't tell you how many times I laughed aloud reading this book. Rowling's wit is incredible and I love reading her work.

I will – obviously – be reading and reviewing the rest of this brilliant series over the coming months but as I am sure you will grow tired of me reviewing the whole Harry Potter series and nothing else, I have decided to read one of the books every month and keep trying to read new things which can be just as exciting so please don't be alarmed if you don't receive my review of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets for another few weeks. I promise you I have not neglected finishing off the series, I am just trying to keep a bit of diversity in my reading and reviews for you all should you not be a fan of Harry Potter or be tired of heard about it after 20+ years. My next review is coming soon. Keep on reading! And I will leave you with a funny quote from this first book, just to tide you over until my next review. I gave this book 3/5 stars! Thank you J.K. Rowling!

Before he could say or think anything else, the dormitory door was flung open and Fred and George Weasley bounded in. Harry stuffed the cloak quickly out of sight. He didn't feel like sharing it with anyone else yet. 'Merry Christmas!' 'Hey, look – Harry's got a Weasley jumper, too!' Fred and George were wearing blue jumpers, one with a large yellow F on it, the other with a large yellow G. 'Harry's is better than ours, though,' said Fred, holding up Harry's jumper. 'She obviously makes more of an effort if you're not family.' 'Why aren't you wearing yours, Ron?' George demanded. 'Come on, get it on, they're lovely and warm.' 'I hate maroon,' Ron moaned half-heartedly as he pulled it over his head. 'You haven't got a letter on yours,' George observed. 'I suppose she thinks you don't forget your name. But we're not stupid – we know we're called Gred and Forge.' 'What's all this noise?' Percy Weasley stuck his head through the door, looking disap- proving. He had clearly come half-way through unwrapping his presents, as he, too, carried a lumpy jumper over his arm, which Fred seized. 'P is for prefect! Get it on Percy, come on, we're all wearing ours, even Harry got one.' 'I – don't – want – ' said Percy thickly, as the twins forced the jumper over his head, knocking his glasses askew. 'And you're not sitting with the prefects today, either,' said George. 'Christmas is a time for family.' They frog-marched Percy out of the room, his arms pinned to his sides by his jumper. – J.K. Rowling

Book Review: The Mortal Instruments City of Ashes – Cassandra Clare | Lara Pass

**** - 4 Stars
The Mortal Instruments City of Ashes is the second book in the Mortal Instruments series and I was pleasantly surprised by it. Usually I get disappointed by book sequels because they're never as good as the first. However, this book did not let me down. I was anxious to know how the story of Jace and Clary was going to progress and it has been really interesting. I feel like I Clare had more confidence when writing this book and was more comfortable with the characters now. The relationships between both Jace and Clary and Clary and Simon, become a bit more complex. The brother-sister relationship between Alec and Isabelle also becomes more prominent in this book which I enjoyed.
Obviously, we get to meet new characters in this book. The rest of the Lightwood family come back from Alicante after the Accords and you get to see Jace's relationship with his adoptive family. What I loved about this book is, unlike the last book, this was not set from just Clary's point of view. You get to see how other characters view the situations and what their feelings are as well as Clary's and I enjoyed that aspect of the book. I constantly read books and get to a part thinking 'it would be great to know what this character is thinking right now, see their point of view' but I have never read a book like it until now. I love the idea and it makes for a more interesting read. Of course, a lot of books work better where it's just from one character's point of view, but this particular series works better when you get to know what multiple characters are feeling. I makes the story more complex and interesting and just makes it more enjoyable to read than the last book.
I gave this 4/5 stars for its originality but it is not quite good enough to get 5/5. Thank you again, Cassandra Clare, for writing a truly brilliant book.

Book Review: The Mortal Instruments City of Bones – Cassandra Clare | Lara Pass

**** - 4 Stars

The Mortal Instruments - City of Bones
Cassandra Clare
Publishers - Walker Books 

The City of Bones is the first book in the Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare. I'll be honest, I'm a late bloomer when it comes to this series. I didn't actually find out about it until the film came out last year and when it did, I knew I had to read the book first. It was only when I joined the 'BookTuber' community that I realised the hype around these books. I tend to stay away from YA series that get a lot of hype as they all seem to be knock off versions of Twilight (Stephanie Meyer) which – while successful – was not the best book series I have ever read either. As always, because this is a book series, I'm going to relate it to Harry Potter. (Sorry…) The reason I tend to stay away from big book series is because they all seem to be more of the same and it gets tiresome reading and reviewing books that are so much like everything else that is 'big' at the time. Twilight, The Hunger Games… they all just tend to bore me a little. The reason series have become such a big thing is
because of Harry Potter. J.K. Rowling wrote the most successful books in history and is one of the richest women in the world and because of the success of the book series, that's what all writers are doing now. Well, I say 'all writers', I mean writers of YA books specifically. I'm not saying that people can't write successful series anymore because of Harry Potter. What I am saying is, there is no point writing a book series if it is like so many other things that are being written and turned into films. I just don't see the point in it if I'm being honest.
This – while being another YA book series – is a little different. Since the release of Twilight all those many moons ago, everything that has followed after has come from Twilight. The next 'big thing' after Twilight was, of course, The Hunger Games (Suzanne Collins). Both these book series were original at the time but now everything seems to be a knock off version of it. Teen romance novels became a massive craze after Twilight (Which is when I became uninterested), and dystopian novels became a massive craze after The Hunger Games (which – again – is when I became uninterested). The City of Bones is something I can't make my mind up about yet. I don't see it becoming as big of a deal as is predecessors but that's what I kind of like about it. Of course, it is kind of another 'teen romance' but the characters seem to have a bit of complexity and depth to them – which I have yet to see in other teen series.
There are reasons why I love Harry Potter and why it is my favourite book series ever. It's not because of the film series (that I found pretty average). There is something in Rowling's writing which makes you feel something. You can envision every nook and cranny of Hogwarts because her writing is so rich. There is a depth to her characters which makes you not only sympathise, but empathise with them. These are all the qualities I look for in a book. These are the things which – in my opinion – make a book good. There is something in Clare's writing which reminds me of Rowling a little. I can envision where Clary and Jace are standing quite clearly. Their relationship isn't simple and black and white but there are so many complexities to it which makes for an interesting read. Although I can never truly compare any writer to Rowling, Clare's writing skills are something to be admired and I can't wait to read the rest of the series and find out all the twists and turns. Well done Cassandra Clare on a smashing book. I give you 4/5 stars for your hard work.

Book Review: Pride and Prejudice – Jane Austen | Lara Pass

***** - 5 stars 

Jane Austen - Author

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen is the story of Miss Elizabeth Bennet of Longbourne house and her four sisters. When Mr. Bingley comes to Netherfield with his two sisters and his friend of many years, Mr. Darcy, prospects of an advantageous marriage are welcomed to the five Bennet women in the hope that Mr. Bingley will choose one of them. This beautiful story by Austen – and arguably her best work – tells the story of a woman far ahead of her time and shows perfectly how both pride and prejudice can be the cause of clouded judgement etc. As the Author of this book is no longer alive, I can have no idea what her views were on the subject matter of this book and her thoughts on the issues of both pride and prejudice and whether she regarded them as faults or not. However, the way Austen has portrayed the characters in the book, I can imagine she thought of both these matters as faults in the human character. I personally loved this book. Austen's writing is superb and I loved every moment of reading this book. I was an absolute pleasure to read and I honestly can't believe I have never read this book before. I have always been a huge fan of the 2005 film version as it is filmed where I grew up and I even remember it being filmed but until recently, I've never been old enough to understand and appreciate the book. I also believe in 10 years' time when I go back and read it again, I will understand it better and appreciate it more than I do now.
Pride and Prejudice…

Pride and Prejudice Cover
Publishers - Penguin Classics

Throughout this book, the main themes are Elizabeth's pride and Mr. Darcy's prejudice which is referred to in the title of the novel. The title prepares us for the flaws in character of both Elizabeth and Darcy. The flaws of these two characters prevent them from realising their love for each other. These flaws were reasonably controlled throughout the story to allow the characters to change, overcome their flaws and recognise their love for one another. These flaws in their characters were also common characteristic flaws during the 18^th Century and considering the social class of both Elizabeth and Darcy, their pride and prejudice are to be expected in the characters. Elizabeth's pride results from being poor compared to people like Bingley and Darcy. Her pride is the only thing she feels gives her any credibility and respect from people of a higher rank. Darcy's prejudice comes from the fact that he is of a higher rank and although he was taught good morals, with being an only child for many years and being extremely wealthy, he thought people of lower rank, less important and respectable. Social statuses effected the relationship between Darcy and Elizabeth as it was expected that a man of wealth and fortune, would marry a woman of wealth and fortune to unite two noble families. However, for women of Elizabeth's social standing, it was hoped they would marry a man of wealth, but more likely they would not. "[Mrs. Bennet] was a woman of mean understanding, little information, and uncertain temper. When she was discontented she fancied herself nervous. The business of her life was to get her daughters married; its solace was visiting and news." (226)

 
Pride and Prejudice is the story of two headstrong people of different social standing who fall in love. However, Miss Elizabeth Bennet's pride and Mr. Darcy's prejudice prevents them from recognising their love for each other for a long time. This book shows beautifully all the flaws of human character and how our flaws can hinder us "I have faults enough but they are not, I hope, of understanding. My temper I dare not vouch for….I cannot forget the follies and vices of others as soon as I ought, nor their offences against myself. My feelings are not puffed about with every attempt to move them. My temper would perhaps be called resentful. My good opinion, once lost, is lost for ever."
Although Pride and Prejudice is an epic love story that makes you swoon, it is also so much more than that. It is such a beautifully told story that everyone can enjoy and is perfect for observing the character of a person and picking apart the personality. Austen's writing is so rich and the characters become so real and relatable. Observing the defects in the two main characters is such an enjoyable part of reading this book. "And your defect is a propensity to hate everybody…. And yours,…is willfully to misunderstand them."
There is nothing about this book that I don't love. It's beautifully written, the characters are complex and interesting and in comparison to more modern books, have more than one layer to them. They are more than just one thing. They think and feel more than one thing and they become deep and complex people. So much so, they feel real. The only "weakness" I can observe reading this book is that the language can be a little hard to understand but I can hardly acknowledge this as a weakness when it adds so much more to the book. I highly recommend this book. It is one of the best and most beautiful books I have ever read and I will treasure it forever.