The Hunger Games.

Never heard of the multi million selling trilogy by Susan Collins? You must be living under a rock.

The New York Times best-seller is set in a post apocalyptic world of Panem where twelve districts must randomly choose a boy and girl from a raffle between the age of twelve and eighteen. Then all twenty four tributes are put into an arena where they must fight to the death until one tribute is left standing and is named the victor. This event is called "The Hunger Games"
The story is brilliant. Each one is realistic and very addictive. I recommend to anyone and everyone. You'll fall in love with the characters such as ladies man Finnck, strong willed Katniss, and senstive bakers boy Peeta. The thing that I found refreshing in thes stories was that the element of romance wasn't the main plot or stoy, it was secondary and Katniss wasn't all lovestruck throughout all three. she cared more about survival and whatnot.
The first film was a massive blockbuster and catapulted leads Jennifer Lawrence (Katniss), Josh Hutcherson (Fellow tribute Peeta) and Liam Hemsworth (Gale, Katniss's best friend) into superstardom. It was critically acclaimed and well recieved from both critics and general public alike, especially praising Jennifer's performance. Many believe the film should recieve Oscar nominations. In case you missed the chance to see it in the cinema, you will be able to order it on DVD soon, but for now, here's a link to buy the books:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=the+hunger+games&x=23&y=23

Have a nice day!

True Blood

I bet you are wondering why I'm writng this post about a television. Surely it has nothing to do with books and whatnot? Think again!
True Blood is actually based on the new York times bestselling series, The Sookie Stackhouse Novels also known as "The Southern Vampire Mysteries". Surprise!
Since its debut, the show has been a bit hit on the HBO channel. It's an eighteen rated so I wouldn't recommend watching it with your children. Academy award winner Anna Paquin (From Xmen) stars as the southern waitress and Stephen Moyer as bill. Paquin and Moyer married in August 2010 After dating since filming the series pilot in 2007.
It premiered on September 7, 2008. The series has received critical acclaim and won several awards, including one Golden Globe and an Emmy. The show's second 12-episode season had its premiere on June 14, 2009 and the third season on June 13, 2010. On June 21, 2010, HBO renewed True Blood for a fourth season. On August 11, 2011, HBO announced that True Blood had been renewed for a fifth season of 12 episodes to air in summer 2012.
Since the show was such a success, the book were re-released as a tie in with the show, using the actors as the covers.
I think the show is very good and has stayed rather true to the novels, even having the same words as written in the books. People over eighteen should watch it but I don't recommend it for young children as it has nudity, violence, sexual content and some bad language.

Sookie Stackhouse: Dead Until Dark

I have been wanting to read them for a while so I decided, hoping I made the right choice, to buy the first book:
"Dead Until Dark"
It turned out, I really enjoyed the book.

Set in modern day Bon Temps, Dallas, where a not so ordinary waitress at Merlottes, crazy Sookie Stackhouse, finally meets a vampire. See the thing is, vampires decided to "Come Out Of the Coffin" two years ago and in small town Bon Temps, where summer likes to stay as long as possible, there aren't many undead visitors.
Sookie isn't a normal human, not really. You see, she has this "disability" where she can read other peoples thoughts. Over time, She has managed to put up invisible walls to block out the thoughts but she lets her guard down sometimes, And boy can it get loud. Having the so called "Disability", Sookie doesn't go out much, and when she had decided to go on dates, they all ended disastrously because she knew what the filthy things the guys were thinking.
Then enters Bill, a vampire. He's tall, handsome and more than a two hundred years old. Give or take. He's mysterious and what Sookie loves best about him: she hears nothing. Not a rant or a thought or even a little peep.
As their friendship progresses, Sookie feels like she might like him more than a friend, which is potentially dangerous. Her sex crazy brother Jason (who has bedded almost every female in Bon Temps) isn't very happy but her lovely grandmother approves greatly of her vampire friend.
Elsewhere is Bon temps, women are being murdered. One thing they had in common: they were all fangbangers or vampire groupies. So When Sookie finds someone she loves dearly dead in her house, she wonders is next.


Will Sookie admit her feelings for vampire Bill? And who's the person responsible for the most murders the town had ever seen?
I know, i'm not telling :)
You better Read and find out.

City Of Glass review

City Of glass is the third book from the bestselling series, The Mortal Instrument, written by the wonderful Cassandra Clare.


The sypnosis follows:

"To save her mother's life, Clary must travel to the City of Glass, the ancestral home of the Shadowhunters -- never mind that enter-ing the city without permission is against the Law, and breaking the Law could mean death. To make things worse, she learns that Jace does not want her there, and Simon has been thrown in prison by the Shadowhunters, who are deeply suspicious of a vampire who can withstand sunlight.
As Clary uncovers more about her family's past, she finds an ally in mysterious Shadow-hunter Sebastian. With Valentine mustering the full force of his power to destroy all Shadow-hunters forever, their only chance to defeat him is to fight alongside their eternal enemies. But can Downworlders and Shadowhunters put aside their hatred to work together? While Jace realizes exactly how much he's willing to risk for Clary, can she harness her newfound powers to help save the Glass City -- whatever the cost?
Love is a mortal sin and the secrets of the past prove deadly as Clary and Jace face down Valentine in the final installment of the New York Times bestselling trilogy The Mortal Instruments."

I was already in love with the series when I got this book and the last one, City Of Ashes, left a few questions I wanted answered. From the very first word, my eyes were glued to the page, it consumed my time and thoughts. It was just so well written I couldn't put it down. The plot never lacked excitement, the characters were charismatic (Yes, Magnus is still Fabulous) as ever and the story twists were unexpected.
The characters grew a lot as they managed their way through tough situations and their courage and loyalty was put to the test quite often in the book. In this book, you meet new characters (Sebastian, Aline etc) and finally get to see the wonderful homeland of Shadowhunters (demon slaying Nephilium) named Idris also known as the "Glass City" with all the glass buildings henceforth the name of the book.
At one point, I wanted to throw the book at the closest wall in frustration the book was that good. I do recommend this series as I know anyone would fall in love with it as easily as I did.


Ps: COG isn't the last book in the series. It was originally supposed to be but then Clare decided to write another trilogy (three more books totalling it to six) after the original one. I am glad she did this after not all loose end were tied at the end of the book.

The Mortal Instruments: City Of Ashes

Let's just say I was kinda obsessive when I started to read the second book of The Mortal Instruments named City Of Ashes. I finished in less than a day (yeah, that bad). From the first page, I was hooked and I decided that nothing could stop me until I finished the book. Then when I finished, I wanted to pull my hair put in anxiety because I didn't have the third book to start reading right away.
The tension excels for the character in this book, with Clary's mother still in a coma and her fragile relationships progress with Simon, her best friend that's in love with her, and Jace, well that's a whole complex story in itself.
With Clary still not accustomed to the shadow hunter way of life, she is sometimes a liability instead of an asset. No worries, we see some real cleverness come from her and a fair few fight sequences.
In this book, the main characters are developed more in depth and new characters are introduced. I couldn't choose who was my favourite character in this book..Clary was cool, Isabelle was kick ass(as always), Jace a badass, Luke was kindhearted man, Max was a little sweetheart, Magnus... Well, he is just Magnus, and then there's the always completely loyal Simon. They all are unique in different ways. I love them all. Cassie writes them beautifully.
We see the same fast paced and energetic action sequences in the book, the same sarcastic humour, and the same drama. But it wouldn't be the same without the drama!
The world Cassie created is still as interesting as when it was when we first met it back in the first book, though it's a bit less confusing now that we know the basics. I like that the shadowhunters use their own as well as mundane's technology like mobile phones. The sereph blades intrigue me in the sense that they light up at the name of an angel. And the runes was another unique idea: runes are drawn on the body of a shadowhunter to give them special powers and abilities like to see in the dark etc.
As I had hoped, Valentine was definitely more Evil in "City of Ashes". He didn't do something that was like "Oh, Shit! Where did that come from!" but he was badder, which was good.
Things are starting to hint that Jace's heritage is not quite right but then who is he? The new book brings more excitement and I enjoyed it equally as the first. This book draws us closer to the end and we will see how the first trilogy will turn out and if my wild assumptions were indeed correct.
Which I'm sure they were after I read this ;)
Will post the Review of "City of Glass" later tonight or tomorrow, but either way I'll make sure the review is posted!

Ridiculous Movie Names

This seems like a weird post, It is a bit to be honest.
I saw an advert for a film called something like "Man On A Ledge".
Seems quite silly name for a movie. It doesn't capture the audience. It's a stage direction. I wonder if the movie will be a flop.
And also a tongue twister:
"Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes"
I watched the film, starring popular actor James Franco. It wasn't that bad. A prequel to "The Planet Of The Apes" or whatever it's called. But the name is a bit too complicated.
This post is a bit pointless but I thought that I should tell you what's on my mind.

Television Update

I have seen a few things recently. A series that has stood out for me was the new BBC adaptation of "Great Expectations". Set in Victorian times, the plot hypnosis follows.

" 'Don’t come again. Even if she begs. Forget about this house and everyone in it...'

On a cold winter's day, orphan Pip has a terrifying encounter with an escaped convict. Pip's innocent act of kindness towards this man is to have far reaching consequences for them both. Meanwhile, Miss Havisham, the reclusive owner of the grand and dilapidated Satis House, has requested Pip's presence as a playmate to her beautiful but cold-hearted daughter, Estella. Then Pip's life is suddenly transformed by the generosity of a secret benefactor. Pip abandons his loving home on the marshes for the life of a London gentleman, hoping to win Estella's hand. But the encounters of his childhood are to haunt him and shape the man he becomes.

Sarah Phelps' gripping adaptation brings out the very best of Dickens' masterpiece - part thriller, part mystery, with a powerful love story at its heart."

And Info about The Series:
Great Expectations is a three-part BBC television drama adaptation by Sarah Phelps of the Charles Dickens novel Great Expectations. Starring Ray Winstone as Magwitch, Gillian Anderson as Miss Havisham, Douglas Booth as Pip, Vanessa Kirby as Estella and David Suchet as Jaggers. The adaptation was first broadcast on British television over the Christmas period in 2011.
The DVD is out now in the UK so go buy it now, I guarantee it won't be a waste of your money and time.