Dark Places

Hello, hello, hello,

Today I welcome you to Dark Places.

Yeah, I'm just reviewing the book written by Gillian Flynn.

Libby Day was just seven years old when her evidence put her fifteen-year-old brother behind bars. Since then, she has been drifting. But when she is contacted by a group who are convinced of Ben's innocence, Libby starts to ask questions she never dared to before. Was the voice she heard her brother's? Ben was a misfit in their small town, but was he capable of murder? Are there secrets to uncover at the family farm or is Libby deluding herself because she wants her brother back? She begins to realise that everyone in her family had something to hide that day... especially Ben. Now, twenty-four years later, the truth is going to be even harder to find. Who did massacre the Day family?

This book was good. The writing was great and it totally carried the Flynn mark. Characters and plot were not as great. It was not a psychotic and thrilling as Gone Girl. If you've already read Gone Girl you might be a little eency teensy bit disappointed. I don't suggest reading this alone in the dark because it has a depressing factor that may take hold of you. This vile little book is still insane, specifically the ending (which is another unpredictable one). I love there is no romance at all in this book, there are rarely any books without romance. Flynn doesn't need that to get people into her books. She does it just with her fantastic writing. I don't want to know what's going on in Flynn's mind to create these but good for her. I gave it 4 out of 5 stars.

Keep reading!
Mackenzie

Demon Seed

Hey there!

This weeks review is on Demon Seed by Dean Koontz.

Susan Harris lived in self-imposed seclusion, in a mansion featuring numerous automated systems controlled by a state-of-the-art computer. Every comfort was provided, and in this often unsafe world of ours, her security was absolute. But now her security system has been breached, her sanctuary from the outside world violated by an insidious artificial intelligence, which has taken control of her house.In the privacy of her own home, and against her will, Susan will experience an inconceivable act of terror. She will become the object of the ultimate computer's consuming obsession: to learn everything there is to know about the flesh... 

So this was like a modern Frankenstein with more technology. It was pretty cool and a little frightening. This is definitely one of his darker books with a lot of physical domination that is sexually fueled. And it's all done through.... a computer. Now this was written in 1973 could Dean Koontz be onto something? This is all about a computer living, I have a feeling we're not so far behind Koontz's imagination now. The 1997 rewrite is not as good. He removes a lot of what makes the story frightening and on edge. The 1997 rewrite is cheesy and it is completely from the computer's viewpoint and closer to romance than thriller. The computer just says the same thing over and over, which could be because he's a computer and programmed a certain way but it's not because he breaks out of the lab he's in. It was definitely entertaining and a quick read. The end was definitely funny and probably the best part of the book and NOT BECAUSE IT ENDED. If you are going to pick up this book, pick up the 1973 version and not 1997's. I gave it 4 out of 5 stars.

Happy reading!
Mackenzie

The Duff

Hey there!

This week I'm reviewing The Duff  by Kody Keplinger.

Seventeen-year-old Bianca Piper may not be the prettiest girl in her high school, but she has a loyal group of friends, a biting wit, and a spot-on BS detector. She's also way too smart to fall for the charms of man-slut and slimy school hottie Wesley Rush. But things aren't so great at home and Bianca, desperate for a distraction, ends up kissing Wesley. Worse, she likes it. Eager for escape, Bianca throws herself into a closeted enemies-with-benefits relationship with him.Until it all goes horribly awry. It turns out Wesley isn't such a bad listener, and his life is pretty screwed up, too. Suddenly Bianca realizes with absolute horror that she's falling for the guy she thought she hated more than anyone. 

This was like the one book that I saw the movie before reading the book because I didn't know it was a book. This book was charming and funny, but I really hated the concept. The Designated Ugly Fat Friend. That's awful! Although at the end it gets turned into a good message blah blah blah. This book was obviously written by a teenager. She is a talented one though. It was extremely cliche. I am a sucker for YA so even though it was a obvious ending I was still pleased. But what was the main character thinking! I mean come on! If I was her I would totally make different choices because the situation was just ridiculous. But it was still funny and I did get kind of sucked in. I gave it 3 out of 4 stars.

Keep reading!
Mackenzie

Dead Until Dark

Hey everyone!

Today's review is for Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris which became the True Blood TV show.

Sookie Stackhouse is a small-time cocktail waitress in small-town Louisiana. She's quiet, keeps to herself, and doesn't get out much. Not because she's not pretty. She is. It's just that, well, Sookie has this sort of "disability." She can read minds. And that doesn't make her too dateable. And then along comes Bill. He's tall, dark, handsome - and Sookie can't 'hear' a word he's thinking. He's exactly the kind of guy she's been waiting for all her life. But Bill has a disability of his own: He's a vampire. Worse than that, hangs with a seriously creepy crowd, with a reputation for trouble - of the murderous kind. And when one of Sookie's colleagues is killed, she begins to fear she'll be next.

This unfortunately doesn't fit into the alphabet challenge. But it does cross off "A book based on or turned into a TV show" in my 2015 challenge.

So I pick up this series thinking great it will be a good mystery book, oh and cool vampires. I did not expect it to have so much sex. Overall though it was a decent book. It's a fairly quick, easy, somewhat sleazy read. This story was set up so that most of it was introducing characters and then the end and the problem all just kind of happened at the same time. It was kind of set up poorly. Unfortunately, Sookie is the perfect looking protagonist, the only difference is that she has her own kind of power. These books were silly and ridiculous with not that great writing but they are now a guilty pleasure of mine. I gave it 3 out of 5 stars.

Keep reading!
Mackenzie

The Scorch Trials and The Death Cure

Hello!

At the beginning of the week I reviewed The Maze Runner by James Dashner. Now naturally I have to review The Scorch Trials  and The Death Cure. I'll do as I have done before where I don't provide a summary and just give you a quick review.

The second installment in the series was definitely more action packed. This was probably my favorite book of the series. There is a lot more scenery in this book and the characters are better developed. Oh and the feels in this book! I had so many emotions I didn't know what to do with myself! There was a lot of sleeping and passing out on Thomas's part... a lot. Dashner again kept a lot from the reader for a good majority of the book and I found myself getting frustrated that I couldn't know, I gave this book a 5 out of 5 stars.

I lost faith. This book was like the typical third book in a series like this. It was good but it's been done. Also, so much was left without explanation. I guess that's what the prequel is for. I'm still so confused not a great way to end a series. This book was a lot of back and forth, who's good, who's bad, they're here, now they're back to point A. And why? I'm not sure. This book lost a lot. It could have been great and it kind of failed. There was a lot of action and twists and turns but the end just left me hanging. I gave it 3 out of 5 stars,

Happy reading!
Mackenzie

Disney After Dark

Hello!

Today's review is of Disney After Dark by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson.

In this fantastical thriller, five young teens tapped as models for theme park "guides" find themselves pitted against Disney villains and witches that threaten both the future of Walt Disney World and the stability of the world outside its walls. Using a cutting-edge technology called DHI—which stands for both Disney Host Interactive and Daylight Hologram Imaging—Finn Whitman, an Orlando teen, and four other kids are transformed into hologram projections that guide guests through the park. The new technology turns out, however, to have unexpected effects that are both thrilling and scary. Soon Finn finds himself transported in his DHI form into the Magic Kingdom at night. Is it real? Is he dreaming? Finn's confusion only increases when he encounters Wayne, an elderly Imagineer who tells him that the park is in grave danger. Led by the scheming witch Maleficent, a mysterious group of characters called the Overtakers is plotting to destroy Disney's beloved realm, and maybe more.

This was an interesting little book. It had a great idea behind it that any kid who loves Disney would obsess over. It wasn't a book for adults though, it seemed exclusively for children. I will say it was fun to see characters and rides come to life and I would love to live in that world. It wasfun to read behind the scenes  of the parks and go on a scavenger hunt with the characters. There was also a lot of technology in this book and the technology doesn't seem to far away. I gave it 3 out of 4 stars.

From this avid Disney Fan to you,

Keep reading!
Mackenzie

P.S. That picture was from five years ago and I'm one of those tiny ant people.

This Post Brought to You By the Letter D

Hello, hello, hello!

As I mentioned in Monday's post I finished the letter "D".

Here is what I read to finish it:

Defending Jacob
Divergent
Doctor Sleep

And as usual, I will end my post with a video:

Keep reading!

Mackenzie

Death of a Salesman

Hey there!

Next up is Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller.

The story revolves around the last days of Willy Loman, a failing salesman, who cannot understand how he failed to win success and happiness. Through a series of tragic soul-searching revelations of the life he has lived with his wife, his sons, and his business associates, we discover how his quest for the "American Dream" kept him blind to the people who truly loved him. 

Looks like I dropped the ball on another letter. I've finished the letter "D" as well. The finished letters are just piling up. Expect a "D" post on Friday.

This was another school read. I absolutely loved this book. For anyone who doesn't know, this book is a play. I don't think it could have worked as a prose piece. The stage directions really bring the story to life and it gives the reader more of the subtle messages Miller was trying to get across. Also, it made room for more symbolism by setting up the scene in advance. The characters were just so well developed and I loved the limited third person writing that goes along with play writing because you don't get that often. There were a few scenes that seemed misplaced and random but overall it was a nice read. I don't always enjoy doing school reading but this was one that I would say everyone should read at least once. I gave it 4 out of 5 stars.

Happy reading!
Mackenzie

Defending Jacob

Hey everyone!

Today's post is about Defending Jacob by William Landay.

Defending Jacob

Insurgent

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I loved this book! The characters were so well developed as was the plot. You think you know what's going to happen but you really don't. You will NEVER guess the ending although Landay foreshadows it. There was a lot of foreshadowing in this book because it was written almost as a journal recounting the story. This is a legal thriller and man was this thrilling. My mind changed almost every page. This is one book I did not see the ending coming and it's hard to make a book that isn't somewhat predictable. It was a little slow at first but it picked up and it was a quick read. I also love books that are written like journals. I recommend this book to people who want a really good legal thriller that is a somewhat quick read. I gave this a 4 out of 5 stars on Goodreads but I think that it deserves a 5 out of 5 now that I've discussed it.

Happy reading!

Mackenzie

Divergent

Well, hello there!

Alright, so this post is going to be about Divergent by Veronica Roth. I'm sure you can guess what the next two posts will be about, since it's no secret to anyone that this is a trilogy, unless you live under a rock and in that case I don't know why you're reading my blog because there's so much else to see! Although for those of you who do live under a rock, I'm honored you're reading my blog and I hope I can give you some helpful insight on literature. But anyway, back on track:

Yay! It fits!

Hobbit (The)

E

Divergent

G

E

Handmaid’s Tale (The)

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Alright, so this book was good. It welcomes you to yet another dystopian society made of factions. This book carries a lot of similarities to The Hunger Games trilogy including being a trilogy. This book was like a mix of Brave New World, Hunger Games, and The Uglies. The characters in this book were incredible and I felt an instant attachment to them. I felt every stab of pain the main character, Tris, felt. My shoulder actually hurt and I was in physical pain for a week while reading this and Insurgent. It was a very exciting read and it was very fast-paced. Roth blurs the lines of good and evil until your head is spinning and can't tell who's side you're actually on. Like I said, it's very, very similar to The Hunger Games although it's not quite up to par with the hit trilogy, but very close. I gave it 4 out of 5 stars because Roth really does an excellent job with almost everything in this book and I was constantly at the edge of my seat.

Happy reading!

Mackenzie

P.S. I want to know who drives the train!

Doctor Sleep

Hello there!

This is my one exception to the series rule for two reasons. 1) Most people have at least heard of The Shining, let alone have read or watched it. 2) It just needs to be talked about. So for all of you that don't know, Doctor Sleep is the sequel to The Shining both by Stephen King. There was a lot of anticipation with this book because The Shining is so good and so well known. But I will wait with my review until I get the main stuff out of the way.

Although, it's breaking my series rule, I'm including it in the challenge because I sat through it.

Angels and Demons

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Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland

Doctor Sleep

I Am Legend

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Now, for the moment you've all been waiting for my review. Everyone was so excited for it and it was such a let down. There was very little of the original story we loved carried over. It was almost random. I would have liked it better if it was just a stand alone book and not the second part of a book I really liked. I don't want to completely bash this book because there were parts of the story that were good. The characters were well developed and pieces of The Shining that were brought through made the book even better. I liked the concept but I'm not sure it was followed through correctly. I don't think I would suggest this to anyone who has read and loved The Shining. I personally was disappointed. If you are curious go ahead and read it but if you're expecting a book like The Shining you too will be disappointed. I'm not saying don't read it but don't have really high expectations and you'll probably enjoy it. I gave it 3 out of 5 stars because I did enjoy it a little.

Keep reading!

Mackenzie