The Power of Six Novel

Although it's been a long time since I've read the first book, I Am Number Four, I can honestly say that it is one of my all-time favorite reads. You'll soon figure out that I have A LOT of all-time favorite reads. The second book in the series certainly lives up to the high standards the first novel set. Although I usually find it confusing when authors switch between narrators, it actually kind of worked in this story, and I enjoyed the different points of view given. I just finished reading it yesterday, and I am dying to find out what happens. *Spoilers* What happened to Sam? Why did Sarah betray John? What happened to Sam's dad? Who will Six choose?  Why can't the next book come out sooner? I found out that the next book will come out sometime next year, but that's like eternity. All these questions from cliffhanger endings nag me everyday. I bet authors enjoy torturing us with the suspense until they release the next book. I also heard that there's supposed to be a total of six books. That's about another four years before we can finally know the whole story behind the beloved Lorien's!  But then, after we do find out, we'll be left wishing for more. While I want to read the next book as soon as possible, I never want series' to end. It's like saying goodbye to a good friend. I remember how sad I felt when A Series of Unfortunate Events ended, and how disappointed I was - and am - when I finished the Hunger Games Trilogy.

But thus is the never-ending cycle of reading, my friends. How it tortures us and entertains us at the same time.  :)

The End of the Privilege Series

If you haven't read this series by Kate Brian yet, shut off your computer and run to the nearest copy to get the first installment. Do not read any further, as it includes spoilers.

Let's face it - Ariana's a psychotic, scheming, conniving psychopath. But wasn't there a little part of you that was kind of rooting for her throughout the series? I mean, you have to kind of feel sorry for her....Wait, do I hear myself? Am I actually saying that I felt sorry for someone who murdered, I don't know, like nine people? Kate Brian must be an insanely good writer for causing the readers to sympathize with a cold-blooded killer.

However, I lost my sympathy towards Ariana with the Lexa incident. This is...was her best friend we're talking about, and Ariana killed her without any hesitation. None. I didn't sense an ounce of remorse during that scene. She didn't even think about it; she just acted. What kind of sane person does that to their friend. It was at this time when I realized that Ariana had no control over her actions, and would continue to kill in the future. She was willing to murder her friend and ruin the lives of her friends and their families in order to keep living her "perfect" life. How selfish is that?

With the sudden appearance of Reed from the Private series, Ariana becomes crazed about ending Reed's life. She keeps chanting in her head "She must die...She must die...She must die..."  These are not the thoughts of a sane person in society. She has this crazy idea that all the lives lost - Thomas', Brigit's, Lexa's, and all the others - will finally be avenged with the death of Reed. Reed unleashed Kaitlynn into the world, and Reed was the one that killed all those people. Ariana even envisions Lexa - the girl she cruelly murdered- smiling down at her, being proud of and even approving of Ariana's plan to kill Reed. During this book, I finally become aware of how sick and twisted Ariana is, and how she needs to remain locked up in a mental asylum. Forget prison. There is something obviously not right with that girl's head.

All the luck that Ariana had in the previous installments seemed to finally disappear in this novel. First Reed shows up, then Palmer starts becoming suspicious of her. Then Dr. Meloni appears. I used to dislike the guy, but now I feel sorry for him - yet another unfortunate enough to cross paths with Ariana Osgood. Finally, Ariana's whole world unravels in a shocking conclusion.

Throughout the series, I was curious as to how Kate Brian would end it all. At first, I actually kind of hoped Ariana would be able to pull it off. Within the first chapter of Cruel Love, I changed my mind. After everything she did, Ariana didn't deserve to live the life she was living. She needed to finally grow up and take responsibility for her actions. Although I'm glad that Ariana didn't get away with all her crimes, I thought it would have been really interesting if Kate Brian let her live, and included the trial in the epilogue. It would have been cool if we could hear what Ariana's former friends now thought of her, and hear their testimonies.

Overall, this is an excellent series. If you haven't read it, check it out. :)

The Hunger Games Movie

After a very much anticipated wait, the Hunger Games is finally being recreated as a motion picture.Yet we still have to wait until March until we can relive Suzanne Collins' best seller in the theaters. That's almost six months. I can't wait that long!I thought the wait for Mockingjay was bad, but this is torture! How much do they have to torment us with the suspense until they finally unveil the film?

Much as I am excited about the release of the movie of one of my all-time fave reads, I am also curious about some key decisions they made about the movie. The movie can't possibly achieve the hoped-for PG-13 rating if they base it mainly on the book. This rating is understandable, though, as the majority of Hunger Games fanatics - myself included - are part of the teenage crowd. Unfortunately, many R-Rated (but thrilling) scenes from the book will probably be cut. Hopefully the producers and directors pull something together to make the movie work. I'll be very disappointed if the movie doesn't live up to expectations, as will many other fans.

An iffy decision made, in my opinion, was with the casting. When I first read the cast list, I thought that for sure Josh Hutcherson would play Gale, and Liam Hemsworth would play Peeta. I don't know about everyone else, but they just "fit" those roles.(At least they do better than the actual cast) Imagine my surprise when I found out that it was the other way around. They just don't seem right for the characters, even ignoring the fact that their hair colors are off. I'm glad I read the book before the movie came out, since knowing who would play whom would have messed up how I visualized the characters.

All curiosities aside, I can hardly wait for the movie to come out. Mark on your calendars the day of March 23 - the day we can finally see one of the best stories written come to life!

Let the Games Begin!