The Host (2013 movie)

Choose your destiny.

I just realized I’ve never done a review for this movie.  I saw this movie a few years ago for the first time (probably within a couple years of it coming out), but lately it sounded good again.  I pretty much forgot what was in the movie, but the book is one of my favorites and I certainly didn’t forget the plot.

In case you don’t know the story, a parasitic race of aliens has taken over Earth.  They claim to bring peace to the planet, but the few remaining humans are fighting to retain their minds.  Melanie Stryder is part of the resistance until she’s captured and a soul (the name the aliens call themselves) named Wanderer bonds with her.  But Melanie won’t go without a fight and it isn’t long before Melanie and Wanderer realize they need each other to find the family Melanie can’t forget about and Wanderer wants.

That was a really crappy synopsis, but I truly do love the book so much that if I don’t stop myself there, I’m going to end up saying things I shouldn’t.

First of all, this movie just fanned the flame.  I desperately want to reread this book again now, which sucks because I don’t have time for that.  But I’ll get to it again eventually.  It hits me right in the feels each time and I’m so mad about how underappreciated this book actually is.  That’s another topic for another time.

As for the movie itself, it does a pretty decent job of staying true to the original story.  It actually pulls off the dialogue between Melanie and Wanderer really well.  (Melanie and Wanderer are basically the same person, so it’s a fine like to walk to make sure audiences are always aware of who is speaking.)  But the book is something like 600 pages long and this movie is about 2 hours, so obviously a lot is shortened or missing completely.

That does, unfortunately, make the movie feel less cohesive.  The bonds between the characters aren’t as obvious.  It sometimes doesn’t make sense that a character would risk so much to save another when they’ve barely spent five minutes on screen together.  Having read the book multiple times, I completely understand what’s going on and why.  But I don’t think non-readers would get it as well.

I remember thinking this the last time I watched this and I definitely thought it this time: the guys all look so ridiculously similar that I literally can’t tell them apart.  It was like the casting agent called for all hot guys with chiseled cheekbones and cast them all.  I kept confusing one character for another because they just looked so alike.  It’s kind of hilarious.  The only one I didn’t struggle with was Ian (played by Jake Abel) because A) I know him from Supernatural and B) he was skinny while all the other guys were bulky.

It’s not that the acting was bad either, but everyone was virtually the same in this.  And, ok, I will admit that the acting isn’t the best at times.  Sometimes it seems really awkwardly played.  However, there are moments where I could tell the actors totally got their characters.  Uncle Jeb (played by William Hurt) was one of those.  He walked that line between madness and wisdom like a champ, which is why I love Uncle Jeb.

I do love this story and I think, if you don’t have time to read the book, this is a good enough version.  But, once again, the book is way better.

 

The Host

First Lines: The Healer’s name was Fords Deep Waters.  Because he was a soul, by nature he was all things good: compassionate, patient, honest, virtuous and full of love.  Anxiety was an unusual emotion for Fords Deep Waters.  Irritation was even rarer.

You know, rereading this book (for something like the 4th or 5th time) was actually what got me back into blogging.  When I realized I’d never done a review on this, I kind of got the itch to come back.  Not exclusively for this book, but it was what got the ball rolling.

This book came out 10 years ago last month.  (Now doesn’t that make some of you feel a little older?)  I feel like now that we’re well past the Twilight years, we can actually start talking about Stephenie Meyer as a legitimate author rather than simply rolling our eyes against her/defending her with everything we have (depending on which side you’re on).

If you’ve never read this book, it’s the story of Wanderer, one of many parasitic souls that have taken over the bodies of humans and created a better world on Earth.  But Melanie Stryder, Wanderer’s host, refuses to fade away like she’s supposed to.  Wanderer can hear her, feel her inside their brain.  Melanie was part of a dwindling number of humans without these souls and it’s up to Wanderer to find out if Mel knew anything about others who also hadn’t been taken over.  But everything changes as Wanderer gets to see memories of the man Melanie loves and the little brother Melanie nearly died trying to protect.  This love becomes part of Wanderer and makes Melanie an ally.  And so begins their journey to find what was left of Melanie’s life before Wanderer.

I don’t totally feel like I did that summary justice, but I feel like there’s way too much I can spoil if I give you a legitimate summary of what happens.  And spoiling it is the last thing I want to do.

You can have your opinions on how well written/trashy the Twilight series is, but Meyer’s writing in this book is what keeps me coming back to it.  Even though it’s set on Earth, there’s a lot of world building that needs to be done because it’s a utopian/dystopian world.  Things are different.  And I feel like that world building is incredibly successful.

But what really keeps me invested in this book even after all this time is the emotion.  I picked this book back up shortly after my breakup.  Why this book, you ask?  Because I wanted a character who understood being alone.  Wanderer spends a good portion of this book either feeling alone or different from everyone else, but she’s brave enough to venture out a little at a time and make friends, try new things.  And when she’s not brave enough, there are a few people who help her.

The emotions she’s feeling are just so realistic.  Sometimes it’s because of the descriptions because Wanderer doesn’t always have words for the emotions she’s feeling and she improvises.  (Once, she refers to jealousy as something bitter, like a bad aftertaste.  I don’t remember the original wording except that ‘bitter’ was used.)  And because Wanderer doesn’t always have the right words, it means we get so much more of the descriptions through her actions.  Information about how she’s shaking or how she picks up on someone else’s tone of voice or how she feels a fluttering hope.  It’s just exquisitely well written.

I also keep coming back for the characters.  You guys know that I typically have a problem with love triangles, but this one is different.  (And I don’t think the movie does it any justice, but it’s been a while since I’ve seen the movie and I may be wrong.)  It’s kind of weird to have a triangle that’s actually not a triangle because technically 4 beings are involved, but 2 live in the same body.  It’s just fascinating to watch how that unfolds.

But I really do love it.  The writing is clever, much cleverer than people usually give it credit for.  They see it as simply this alien love story thing, but it’s so much more than that.  There are themes of prejudice and the harm it causes.  There are themes of forgiveness and survival.  Themes of sacrifice and loss.  There are so many layers to this story that I could spend a day breaking it down.

If you haven’t read this yet, I recommend you at least look into it.  The first 100 pages or so can be pretty slow, is what I tell everyone, but the payoff by the end is great.

The Countdown (The Taking, #3)

First Lines: Being an alien, or a Replaced made entirely from alien DNA…or whatever the heck I was supposed to be was giving me a serious complex.

I’ll be the first to tell you that I’m not usually a fan of alien stories, but I am a fan of Kimberly Derting.  I have read every one of her books (I checked this morning), so there really wasn’t any chance that I was going to turn this down, aliens or not.

*Potential Series Spoilers Ahead*

Kyra knows that she’s not the same now as she was the day aliens took her five years ago.  Now, she knows her DNA has been replaced with alien DNA, something that makes her heal faster, enhances her eyesight, and gives her telekinesis.  But when she gets kidnapped by an unexpected enemy, Kyra starts to wonder if her gifts aren’t actually a curse in disguise.  Because someone out there wants Kyra for her abilities.  If they’re to be believed, Kyra could somehow be helping the impending alien invasion.  Could that be right?  Is it inescapable or can she fight that?  But no matter what, Kyra is desperate to keep safe her love, Tyler, and her friends and family.  Even if that means giving everything she has.

This book was…eh.  In the beginning, I played a lot of “Let’s read a chapter and then clean something.”  I couldn’t stay focused on the book.  There wasn’t anything gripping me right from the beginning.  A contributing factor of that may be that I didn’t remember the previous book as well as I thought I did.  Kind of managed to forget a lot of the major characters, though not the main ones like Kyra, Tyler, and her dad.

But really, the action was never as exciting as it was supposed to be.  We’re talking about a possible apocalyptic alien invasion here and there was virtually no stress about that.  Everyone’s prancing about, doing their own things while the fate of Earth is in the balance.  Um, shouldn’t people be freaking out a little?

I still liked Kyra’s character, but I thought she (and others) could have used a little more depth.  Take for example a scene in which Kyra does something that no one–even herself–thought she could do.  A couple of characters get a little freaked out by it, but Kyra just rolls with it.  It didn’t seem to fit Kyra’s character, especially given her reservations before it all happened.  Suddenly she’s totally cool with doing something she didn’t want to do in the first place?  I don’t think so.

One reviewer on Goodreads mentioned that the ending didn’t make a whole lot of sense and I have to agree.  It’s far too convenient.  Like, if these things were able to happen now, why couldn’t they have been implemented previously to, I don’t know, stop an alien invasion before it happened?  The whole thing with the aliens just got weird.  A bit nonsensical.

But as much as I complain, I don’t want to say it was bad.  It wasn’t.  But I wanted so much more from this than I got.  I was disappointed.

Spotlight Friday (152)

Hello my lovelies!  It’s a new Friday and that means we are ONE WEEK CLOSER to school being out for the summer!  (I’m almost certain I want out of there more than my students do.)  Oh, and yeah, more new books!

Traitor Angels by Anne Blankman

Release Date: May 3, 2016

Summary (from Goodreads): Six years have passed since England’s King Charles II returned from exile to reclaim the throne, ushering in a new era of stability for his subjects.

Except for Elizabeth Milton. The daughter of notorious poet John Milton, Elizabeth has never known her place in this shifting world—except by her father’s side. By day she helps transcribe his latest masterpiece, the epic poem Paradise Lost, and by night she learns languages and sword fighting. Although she does not dare object, she suspects that he’s training her for a mission whose purpose she cannot fathom.

Until one night the reason becomes clear: the king’s man arrive at her family’s country home to arrest her father. Determined to save him, Elizabeth follows his one cryptic clue and journeys to Oxford, accompanied by her father’s mysterious young houseguest, Antonio Vivani, a darkly handsome Italian scientist who surprises her at every turn. Funny, brilliant, and passionate, Antonio seems just as determined to protect her father as she is—but can she trust him with her heart?

When the two discover that Milton has planted an explosive secret in the half-finished Paradise Lost—a secret the king and his aristocratic supporters are desperate to conceal—Elizabeth is faced with a devastating choice: cling to the shelter of her old life or risk cracking the code, unleashing a secret that could save her father…and tear apart the very fabric of society.

What’s To Like: I have this as an ARC (it’s next on my to-read list) so we’ll soon find out how good it is!  But I’m excited because this deals with a more obscure piece of history.  I love historical fictions like that.  But Blankman also knows how to write the most fascinating characters.  (Her debut series about Nazi Germany has the most haunting depiction of Hitler I’ve ever read: brilliant, charming, and yet just unstable enough to make you feel uneasy.  But definitely not the monster we’ve come to think of him as.)  I’m incredibly hopeful that this book will follow in the same vein, with the awesome characters, I mean.

The Countdown (The Taking, #3) by Kimberly Derting

Release Date: May 10, 2016

*Potential Series Spoilers Ahead*

Summary (from Goodreads): In the concluding book in the otherworldly Taking trilogy, Kyra struggles to understand who she is as she races to save the world from complete destruction.

Ever since Kyra was abducted by aliens and then returned to earth, she has known there was something different about her. Now she knows the truth: she is an alien too. Her alien captors replaced all her human DNA with their own—gifting her with supernatural powers like incredible healing, enhanced eyesight, and telekinesis. But when she’s captured by an unexpected enemy, Kyra begins to wonder if her abilities are also a curse. And is she, as her enemies believe, meant to play some key role in helping an impending alien invasion? Is it programmed into her, something inescapable? Or can she fight that destiny?

No matter what the truth is, Kyra is sure of one thing: She just rescued the love of her life, Tyler, and she is not going to stand by and let anyone hurt him or her friends. Whatever it takes, Kyra will do everything in her power to save the world…even if it means making the ultimate sacrifice.

What’s To Like: Normally, the subject of this book (aliens) would be the kiss of death for me wanting to read this.  The seller was that it was Derting’s book and I’ve yet to pass up on one of hers.  And truly, it’s really good.  Kyra and Tyler are adorable and the first book completely won me over.  I’m actually really excited to see how this book wraps everything up.

The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson

Release Date: May 3, 2016

Summary (from Goodreads): Andie had it all planned out.

When you are a politician’s daughter who’s pretty much raised yourself, you learn everything can be planned or spun, or both. Especially your future.

Important internship? Check.

Amazing friends? Check.

Guys? Check (as long as we’re talking no more than three weeks)

But that was before the scandal. Before having to be in the same house with her dad. Before walking an insane number of dogs. That was before Clark and those few months that might change her whole life.

Because here’s the thing – if everything’s planned out, you can never find the unexpected.

And where’s the fun in that?

What’s To Like: I’ve already read this, you guys, and I can assure you it’s cute.  I totally fell head over heels for Clark.  And it’s timely too, given all the politics on the news right now.

My review of The Unexpected Everything

Interview with Justine Erler, Author of Starcrush

Hey everyone!  I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Justine Erler, who has written a series called Starcrush.  You should absolutely keep reading to see why aliens could be cooler than vampires and werewolves.

Starcrush, A Novel by Justine Erler

 

Book blurb:

Close encounters of the crush-worthy kind. In the first novel of the Starcrush series, author Justine Erler introduces Genna Savoy, a psychically-gifted high school senior who finds herself torn between rival aliens who look … spectacularly human.

Excerpt:

I drifted into silence as my eyes fell over him, the way he leaned over the desk, chilled to the extreme. Yet there was something overpowering about him. That “easy does it, rule-the-world” attitude felt good to be around but just now I couldn’t decide whether this made him the most incredible guy I ever met — or the most obnoxious. 

I was relatively sure that the answer was not somewhere in between.

About Justine

Justine Erler is a consultant with a background in health care management. She lives in central New Jersey with her husband and daughter. Starcrush is her first novel of the series, combining Books I and II, and was written while in search of the perfect vampire-alternative story.

The Interview

Belle: I think almost every girl at one time had an idea of what a perfect boyfriend should look like and act like.  Did your idea of a perfect boyfriend make its way into one of the characters?

Justine: Yes — absolutely!  The book alternates between two extreme versions of the perfect boyfriend.  In the first half of the book, Byron is described as rock-god cool with a moody-perfection that lends enough resistance to make him completely irresistible.  In the second half of the book, Elon is bold and flirty … and yet laid-back and sensual, as if the kiss is never far from his mind.

My personal idea of the perfect boyfriend is caught somewhere between the two main characters.  Part of me wants the dark, romantic and slightly gothic version … while another part wants the super-relaxed, openly seductive “unafraid to dive head-first into fun” version.  Differences aside, my personal ideal is seen in both characters … overwhelmingly handsome with stylish chin stubble and edgy, hip clothes.

B: So … aliens.  In the YA world of vampires, angels and werewolves, what made you want to write about aliens?

J: I refused to be bound by “the rules” that exist with the usual cast of characters: vampires, angels and werewolves. They’re incredibly fun and won’t disappear anytime soon, yet writing about “an unknown” gave me the flexibility and license to do almost anything.

From the start, it was challenging to escape the expected biases against the alien subject. Typically, they’re associated with a super-horror extreme that can easily turn ridiculous if mishandled. The secret to making the idea work was to ground the story in a YA reality … real characters and places with a dialogue-driven plot that’s plausible, and to some degree, based on science. That being said, I didn’t want to go “off world” in the book, or show any of the stereotypical sci-fi scenes. I wanted readers to recognize their own lives in the book.

It’s also important to remember that Starcrush is first and foremost a love story, so I intentionally played down the sci-fi elements and made it relatable to a young, hip audience — set at the amazingly awesome Jersey Shore.

B: What part (or parts) of the story was most fun to write?

J: Of course, the love scenes were incredibly fun to write.  I prefer building sensual tension by pulling back at strategic moments, under the notion that anticipation is almost more intense than action. The book moments where the characters tease each other relentlessly were my favorite scenes to write. I also enjoy teasing the reader by being both subtle and direct at the same time … so the shock value is there, but immediately tempered by something less than obvious.

B: How did you come up with your title?

J: I was looking for an astronomical term that was easily recognized. “Star” seemed like an obvious choice. Since the book is about crushing on ETs, I naturally merged the two ideas into “Starcrush.”

B: What advice would you want to give anyone who wants to be a writer?

J: Read good books and watch good movies. Then read every review you can get your hands on, so you can get outside of your own perspective and learn how others view things. Do this enough, and you’ll be able to anticipate scenes, identify both weak and strong points and apply an “exaggerated awareness” to your own work.

Links

Starcrush Series Website:  http://StarcrushStory.com

Facebook:  Starcrush Story                        Twitter:  @StarcrushStory

Amazon Purchase Link:

Thanks Justine!  Happy reading, everyone!

Whispers in Autumn (The Last Year, #1)

First Lines: Before my eyelids open, I know I’ve traveled again.  The oppressive, terrifying certainty that I no longer exist is a dead giveaway.

I was contacted by the author about reading and reviewing this for her.  Certainly, the cover is very striking, but the summary had me a little nervous.  I’ll get to that more coming up.  (Obviously, though, I got past my nervousness and accepted the offer.)

Althea is different in a time when differences can get you killed.  Years ago, aliens invaded Earth and began controlling the populations through mind control.  Humans live contented, happy, zombie lives with these aliens in charge.  But Althea isn’t happy.  She knows there’s something wrong with her, something that makes her different when she desperately wants to be normal.  A note in her locket tells her she’s Something Else and to trust no one.  That autumn she meets Lucas, who also seems to be different…different like her.  For once, being different makes Althea feel special.  Neither of them are affected by the alien mind control, but why?  When Lucas and Althea discover the truth, it brings with it more danger than they could have expected.  Because the Others don’t take kindly to threats…they eliminate them.

I had more fun reading this than I thought I would.  I can count on both of my hands how many books I’ve read dealing with aliens, probably encompassing my whole life.  They just aren’t my thing.  I can’t even watch E.T.  But the whole “Why can’t Althea and Lucas be controlled?” part grabbed me.  I figured I could put up with a little alien juju.

It was quite entertaining.  You’re thrown right into the story without an explanation.  I struggled to understand what was happening in the first chapter, but it was better with the 2nd and 3rd when things were described more.  It’s a really convincing, intricate story.  It commits to this world, occasionally mentioning things that would snap me back to reality going, “Oh yeah, this world is different from ours.”  You know, in less subtle ways that aliens running the planet and such.  Like Althea doesn’t know the meaning of certain words that we learn as young kids.  Things like that.

The story line was really intricate.  There weren’t very many plot twists, per se, but lives are weaved artfully together into creating this story.  Some things, for me, were a bit predictable, but I won’t say it’s a bad thing.  I personally tend to turn stories over in my head, looking for puzzle pieces of information that will snap together.  I saw a couple of things that shared similarities and speculated from that to what would happen.  I was right quite often.  But it’s not a bad thing because if anything, it made me want to keep reading to see if I was right.  Because if I was right, what kind of can of worms did that open?  This was a book about consequences, through and through.

I had to warm up to Althea, but I think that was a side-effect of not understanding the early chapters.  By the end, I was pretty well on her side.  She is a little mousier than most heroines I read about, but she has a fire about her that drives her.  Lucas, on the other hand, I liked pretty quickly.  He wasn’t perfect, but he was perfect for Althea and I could see that.  I can respect that.

Overall, it’s a very interesting read.  There’s a real sense of danger surrounding these two and I’m worried about what might happen to them in future books.