Artemis Fowl

First Line : HO Chi Minh City in the summer.

Artemis Fowl is the first book of Artemis Fowl series by Eoin Colfer. This is a die-hard fantasy(as said by its author).

The protagonist Artemis Fowl, 12 years old boy, after whom the novel is named is a geeky, cunning, self centred and criminally minded guy. He believes in the existence of fairies. After putting some hardwork he gets his first lead about fairies’ book. With the help of this book and latest technology he abducts a dwarf(LEPrecon). Artemis asks a tonne of gold for ransom. But the dwarfs would do anything to protect what is theirs. A normal child in this situation would have abandoned the mission but not Artemis.

Eoin Colfer had showed the rough nature of Artemis even in his first meeting with Nguyen. He is ‘stop-at-nothing’ guy. His attribute created a hatred in me. I had never hated a novel character like this before(not a hatred because of boring). Artemis way of decrypting the fairies’ book was really interesting. Yes, Artemis is a talented guy. But at the same time most of the fairies are equally talented like Artemis. So there is no need to tell about the clash between two equally poised opponents. Both the groups were devising their own plan to get the better of the other.

This work of Eoin is interesting with rich fantasy stuff backed by science. He has successfully characterized the personalities of each character. The strength of this novel is its suspense and thrill so this is not a stuff which we can read over and over.

On the whole this novel is worth a read. I’m sure that the fantasy lovers will have a great time with this novel. I give a little above three and a half but a little below four stars to this novel.

My First Award - 'The Versatile Blogger'

I just received my first blog award ‘The Versatile Blogger’. I should thank Zee of Wordly Obsessions for considering my blog as worth to receive this award.

Now that I’ve received this award, the rules are I have to pass it on to 15  other fabulous blogs that I have just discovered. I also have to link back to the person who gave me the award (as done above) and say 7 things about myself that you wouldn’t otherwise know… ok, so here goes!


7 truths about me
1)I just now received my joining order from my company. Coming Monday is the first day of my job. So I’m little nervous.
2)I like to mosey with my friends after 10PM to enjoy the serene and beautiful night. Nothing in this world is more pleasing than a night walk.
3)I’m a tea addict. I will do anything just for a cup of tasty tea.
4)I love to travel in bus for a whole night. I will sleep better in bus than in my bed.
5)I’m an insomniac. Normally I will be awake till 3AM.
6)I love to read Bible. The best book I have ever read.
7)Then about pets….I don’t love pets. That doesn’t mean I hate pets but I didn’t get a chance to spend time with them. I have no special affection towards them.

My 15 Bloggers:

                                                                                                                                                                  

Lovely Little Nisha

Edgy Inspirational Romance

Ravin Rants

Alisha’s World

My World…..in words and pages

The Perpetual Page Turner

Sam’s Book Blog

Stiletto Storytime

The Fiction Enthusiast

Writing is a Blessing

Read Sam, Read!

Tahleen’s Mixed Up Files

You’re Killing Me

The Tower of Stories

The Eager Readers

 

Thank God!

Yesterday evening I started from my home town to Chennai. Thirteen hours travel that too by train. I hate train travels but my mom  and dad are accompanying me so I had no other option but train. We were sound asleep. It was midnight. While sleeping I felt some movements and suddenly woke up. I was surprised to see a dark man standing in our cabin with his right hand in my bag.

I rubbed my eyes with my hands to make my vision clear and asked him ‘What are you doing?’.

‘I’m searching for seat twenty-five’, he lied.

 “Why are you searching for seat twenty five in the first cabin?’, I raised my voice.

Without replying he left the compartment in haste. The bag had my laptop, my U.G mark-sheets, my job offer letter, debit card, passport and some cash. Thank God! My bag was saved.

After Dark

First Line : Eyes mark the shape of the city

The idea of reading Murakami’s book came out in my mind after reading some reviews of his work in Zee’s Wordly Obsessions. ‘After Dark’ by Haruki Murakami depicts the events taking place in the course of night in a city.

After Dark just connects both the dream and real world. Mari, a nineteen years old girl, is sitting in a restaurant and reading a book. She is awake even at this wee hour but her sister Eri is asleep most of the times in her room. Murakami tells us how the life of Mari, her acquaintances, Eri and the software guy are interlaced.

The story is narrated by a third person, most likely an entity. The entity is something like a camera which can show the events taking place there but it has no power to intervene the events. Yes, a camera with some emotions. This gave me the feeling of watching a movie.

The narration switches between Eri, Mari and the software guy. Murakami ends a chapter with suspense and then he switches the narration to some other place. Thus my curiosity to break the suspense made me to read the next chapter with great speed and interest. Murakami also had given the choice to the readers to speculate the reason for Eri’s sleep.

This thin book just sucked me into the story by its suspense and excellent narration. Murakami had done a great work and surely I will look out for his books. I give four and a half stars to this book.

Book Blogger Hop!

Once again I welcome you all to the Book Blogger Hop organized by Crazy For Books. This hop is open from July 23-26. The Book Blogger Hop is a place just for Book Bloggers and readers to connect and find out new book related blogs. Please feel free to leave some comments and also your blog URL(if you have one).

This week's question:

Tell us about the book you are currently reading.

Now I'm reading 'Darkly Dreaming Dexter' by Jeff Lindsay. I had finished just 40 pages and the book is very interesting. This is about a monstrous guy Dexter who is obsessed with killing but also following Harry's Codes to channel this practice in a constructive way.

Friday 56

Rules:

• Grab the book nearest to you. Right now.
• Turn to page 56
• Find the fifth sentence
• Post that sentence (Plus one or two if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comment section of this blog.
• Post a link along with your post back to this blog, Starting Fresh and to Storytime with Tonya and Friends
• Don't dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.

Here is mine from 'Midnight's Children' by Salman Rushdie,

 He invited the leaders of the dozens of Muslim splinter groups to form a loosely federated alternative to the dogmatism and vested interests of the leaguers.

Waiting For You

First Line : The best thing about summer camp is the last day

After reading this book of Susane Colasanti, I had the gratification of reading a splendid Romance novel. Yes, I liked this one a lot. I had read few romance novels which I felt like ‘something is missing’ after finishing but not this one.

After the summer vacation, Marisa is waiting for a fresh start with new plans. The main objective of her plan is to get a boy friend. In real life hardly anything goes according to the plan. Her life becomes more and more screwed. Everything is against her and is forcing her into darkness. But the anonymous Dirk in the program ‘All Talk, No Action’ is the only one who understands the problem of Marisa. But she don’t know who he is?

‘Waiting for You’ depicts the life of a teen girl who is trying to overcome her depression. Heyyyyy…. stop… don’t think this is a sad story of some loser. Susane has presented this story in an interesting and hilarious manner. The feelings, dreams and expectations of the teens are portrayed as such. This novel is interesting because it shows the things which happens in our daily life and at times I felt that I had faced this situation in my life. Susane even made me feel that Marisa and XXXX(don’t like to reveal the name to you) are made for each other.

On the whole this is a wonderful novel and I’m sure that this may take some of you back to your high school days. I give four stars for this novel.

One For The Money

First Line : There are some men who enters a woman's life and screw it up forever.

‘One for the Money’ by Janet Evanovich is the first book of Stephanie Plum series. This is about Stephanie Plum, a bounty hunter, who solves the mysterious cases.

Stephanie Plum has lost her job and was searching for a new job. Her financial crisis is forcing her to take the bounty hunter job. She finds herself in deep shit before learning even the first step of her new profession. Now she has no other option than to face it with guts.

Stephanie Plum series is slowly becoming one of my favorites(I had read book 2 already). The story is completely enchanting from the beginning to the last. I like the characterization a lot. Generally, in a mystery novel the protagonist will be brave, intelligent or with kiss-ass attitude. But Evanovich has not portrayed Stephanie Plum as an audacious fellow with great skill. She has shown how Plum, who was initially an amateur turns into a professional. Moreover the humour content adds some extra points to this novel.

In this novel Plum didn’t find anything with her skill but she is lucky enough to bump into the persons she was looking for. Everyone in the novel praises Morelli as a man with great brilliance but he does nothing more than waiting outside Plum’s home or driving Plum into nuts. The story would be more interesting if few sleuthing stuffs were included. The more pathetic role was given to the cops. Morelli and the missing witness were just in the city but the cops are too incompetent to locate them.

Apart from these few flaws this is a well written novel. I didn’t feel like boring or wasting the time by taking this novel, not even a smidgeon. I give four stars to this book.

Book Blogger Hop!

Crazy for books is organizing this Blogger Hop. Through this hop I came to know about many new blogs, like you. I feel happy to thank you for visiting my blog. I would like to know what you think about my blog so please feel free to leave some comments along with your blog URL(if you have one).

This week's question - What book are you dying to get your hands on?

'Waiting for Columbus' - this book is in my wishlist from the day I read its review in a blog(don't remember the blog name). I searched for this book in local bookshops but I got the same reply 'NOT AVAILABLE'. Even now I didn't completely stop my hunt for this book and I hope I will get it soon.

Friday 56

Rules:

• Grab the book nearest to you. Right now.
• Turn to page 56
• Find the fifth sentence
• Post that sentence (Plus one or two if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comment section of this blog.
• Post a link along with your post back to this blog, Starting Fresh and to Storytime with Tonya and Friends
• Don't dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.

Here is mine from "Magic Seeds" by V.S.Naipaul,

The leader came to Willie one day and said, 'Headquarters is taking an interest in you'.

Full House

First Line : Nicholas Kaharchek surveyed his seven new polo students moving across the sandy practice field.

Billie Pearce leads a perfect and predictable life. But her life becomes unpredicted when she and Nick are attracted to each other. Under certain circumstance they are forced for the marriage. The doubt whether ‘Nick really loves her’ is disturbing Billie and at the same time Nick is facing perils from someone…

I have the habit of choosing a book without reading its blurb. This is how I chose ‘Full House’ by Janet Evanovich. I read her Stephanie Plum novel before few days and so I took this book without second thought.

I started to read this book and I found out that this is not a mystery novel like Plum but it’s a romance novel. The first few pages were interesting and witty but then this turned into kinda erotica. I love romance novels but I hate erotica. I don’t want the novel to be a written pornography.

After reading nearly half the book, the thought whether I should continue with this book crossed my mind. It is exactly at this moment the story just took a turn from its path. Then I was hooked in the story till the last. And the last fifty pages were so thrilling that it filled me with tension.

What can I tell about characters?….All the characters are different, unique and interesting. Billie, the perfect(before meeting Nick); Nick, the playboy; Max, the geek; Sheridan, the possessive; Frankie, the hunk; and Dee Dee, the model. 

I liked this novel but it also had some flaws. Nick was hanging out with Billie just because she was beautiful and hot. But suddenly at the end he was overwhelmed with his love for Billie. The reason for the transformation of his lust into love was not conveyed properly. Billie, the mother of two, a sixth grade teacher, who behaved with great dignity, steps into the shoes of Gloria. This is so stupid to believe.

I had a great confusion in rating this but finally I decided to give three stars to this novel.

Book Blogger Hop!

Crazy for Books is hosting Book Blogger Hop. It is open from July 9-12.
This week's question:
Tell us about some of your favorite authors and why they are your favorites!

Harlan Coben is my favorite author because he writes excellent mystery novels. He will just make me to think that I have untied the mysterious knot but in the next chapter I come to know that all my assumptions are wrong. Only in the end when he reveals the truth we can get the exact overall picture of the whole thing. His novels have unpredictable ending.

Friday 56

 

Rules:

• Grab the book nearest to you. Right now.
• Turn to page 56
• Find the fifth sentence
• Post that sentence (Plus one or two if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comment section of this blog.
• Post a link along with your post back to this blog, Starting Fresh and to Storytime with Tonya and Friends
• Don't dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.

Here is mine form "Full House" by Janet Evanovich,

Billie stared at her. "Nick?" She hadn't thought of using Nick as a way out.

In the Beginning

First Line : "Don't do it hard, you'll break my arm Walren" Yed cried out.

‘In the Beginning’ is the first book of ‘The Great Destruction Series’. This book mainly revolves around Yeducavich and the Warnos(his race).

Yeducavich, a women protector, is tricked by his King for a night stand with Ezra for the sake of his race (King claims so). Then Yed finds out that Ezra is none other than his childhood friend. He gets the permission from the King to be her protector under one condition - ‘At no cost the involvement of the Kingdom should be revealed’.

Protector Yed goes to Ezra’s home and the romantic feeling starts to bloom between the two which is illegal for someone in this profession. Moreover they were in fear of war and the extinction of their race.

How will Ezra react to the truth? Can Yed come out of this predicament? Can Warnos withstand the war?

I was thrilled when I came to know that this novel belonged to the genres -‘Romance and Fantasy’ as both are my favorite . So I had a great expectation for this novel. When I started the novel, this was the first question that raised in my mind - ‘How can I enjoy the romance between some creatures with tail?’. But to my astonishment the romance between Ezra and Yed was exquisite. With time I was sucked in the story and it made me to turn the pages with thrill. And towards the end it had a sentimental touch which made me sad.

The plus about this novel is the very good story, interesting romance, thrill and a very strong ending. Also Melanie Ray made me to care for her characters and this is a good thing for the novel.

But I also admit that all my expectations were not gratified by this novel. Melanie failed to add the contents to make it a good fantasy (just the tail and the pheromones are not enough). The Warnos were using more mundane things like laptops, mobile phones and cars. When I read fantasies, I look for new experiences in everything I come across but I found it missing. And finally its cover, they could have designed it a little more attractive.

On the whole I enjoyed the novel. I will surely read it more than once. The ending is a brilliant cliffhanger and is making me curious to know what will happen next. I give four stars for this novel.

Blue Dahlia

First Line : Birthing a bastard wasn't in the plans.

‘Blue Dahlia’ by Nora Roberts is the first book of ‘In the Garden Trilogy’. This shows the love and power of a mother.

Recently widowed Stella moves to Memphis with her two children and a dog. She gets the job in the Harper Nursery. It is the Harper house where the three women Roz, Stella and Hayley, who are sailing on the same boat meets. Then Stella meets Logan, a landscaper. Initially they both hate each other but with time the hatred slowly turns into love. Stella feels hesitant to enter into a long term relationship with Logan fearing what will happen to her two sons. She is also consistently disturbed by a dream featuring Blue Dahlia. More than this, she is unaware of the huge problem the future has kept in store for her to deal.

Nora Roberts portrayed all the three female lead characters as mentally strong women. Stella is a well organized women, she perfectly plans each and everything. In contrary, Logan is a complete mess. But all the characters are altruistic type which is hard to believe and a bit artificial.

Nora Roberts trademark is her description, which is the strength of her book. The description is so lively and the dialogues of the kids and their little kid fights are realistic. What can I tell about the story? It’s nothing but another over familiar, slow paced love story. The climax comes to the rescue of the story which gave me a little thrill.

The cover of this books shows the Blue Dahlia. It reveals nothing about the story but this attractive bright coloured cover made me to choose this book. I give two and a half stars to this book.

Friday 56

Rules:

• Grab the book nearest to you. Right now.
• Turn to page 56
• Find the fifth sentence
• Post that sentence (Plus one or two if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comment section of this blog.
• Post a link along with your post back to this blog, Starting Fresh and to Storytime with Tonya and Friends
• Don't dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.

Here is mine from 'Blue Dahlia' by Nora Roberts. Only today I started to read this book.

"She had to speak with Roz about the seasonal employees. Who, how many, individual and group responsibilities."

This is the blurb:

Three women meet at a crossroads in their lives, each searching for new ways to grow - and find in each other the courage to take chances and embrace the future.

Stella has a passion for planning that keeps her from taking too many risks. But when she opens her heart to a new love, she discovers that she will fight to the death to protect what's hers.

Fill in the Blank Friday

Fill in the Blank Friday is started by The Perpetual Page-Turner. It is nothing more than normal fill in the blank. We should complete the following sentence

I enjoy reading because _________________________

I enjoy reading because it takes me to some other world through my imagination which others cannot reach. The good book is like a best friend to me when I'm in solitude. Moreover it is the best and interesting way to spend my leisure time.

P.S. If you don't have a blog, please do it in the comment section.

Veronika Decides to Die

First line: On 11 November 1997, Veronika decided that the moment to kill herself had – at last - arrived

‘Veronika decides to die’ by Paulo Coelho tells about the 7 days of Veronika, which she lived in Villete while waiting for the hands of death to touch her.

Veronika, who appears to have perfect life decides to commit suicide by taking sleeping pills in excess. But her plan fails and when she wakes up, she finds herself in Villete, an asylum in Slovenia. Doctor tells her that she has only a week left to live her life because of the damage she had caused to her heart. During her stay in Villete she explores the different versions of Veronika who stayed within her without getting the opportunity to come out. Her stay also affects Mari and Eduard, making them to take the important decision of their life. Finally Veronika and Eduard falls in love with each other.

Paulo Coelho had tried to tell about the importance of living our life as we like and he had succeeded in it. He tells that most of the people live their life fearing what others will think? And how sometimes the love of one destroys the life of other?

From the first page to the last page Coelho had carried the story in an interesting way. This book changed my thoughts about mental asylum. Coelho’s explanation about mad people, scientific reasons behind it and the stories of Zedka, Mari and Eduard made me to thoroughly enjoy this book. Just after reading the first four pages I decided that I should somehow find and read all the books of Paulo Coelho. I give four and a half stars for this book.