Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

Title: Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

Author: Becky Albertalli

First Published: April 7th, 2015

Series: Stand Alone

Genre: YA Fiction, Contemporary

Available As: Hardcover, paperback, ebook

Pages: 320

My Copy: Physical copy 

My Overall Rating: 8/10

Goodreads Summary

Sixteen-year-old and not-so-openly gay Simon Spier prefers to save his drama for the school musical. But when an email falls into the wrong hands, his secret is at risk of being thrust into the spotlight. Now Simon is actually being blackmailed: if he doesn’t play wingman for class clown Martin, his sexual identity will become everyone’s business. Worse, the privacy of Blue, the pen name of the boy he’s been emailing, will be compromised. 

With some messy dynamics emerging in his once tight-knit group of friends, and his email correspondence with Blue growing more flirtatious every day, Simon’s junior year has suddenly gotten all kinds of complicated. Now, change-averse Simon has to find a way to step out of his comfort zone before he’s pushed out—without alienating his friends, compromising himself, or fumbling a shot at happiness with the most confusing, adorable guy he’s never met.

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Heartless

Title: Heartless

Author: Marissa Meyer

First Published: November 8th 2016

Series: Stand Alone

Genre: YA, Fantasy

Available As: Hardcover, paperback, ebook

Pages: 449

My Copy: Physical copy 

My Overall Rating: 9/10

Goodreads Summary

Catherine may be one of the most desired girls in Wonderland and a favorite of the unmarried King, but her interests lie elsewhere. A talented baker, she wants to open a shop and create delectable pastries. But for her mother, such a goal is unthinkable for a woman who could be a queen.

At a royal ball where Cath is expected to receive the King’s marriage proposal, she meets handsome and mysterious Jest. For the first time, she feels the pull of true attraction. At the risk of offending the King and infuriating her parents, she and Jest enter into a secret courtship.

Cath is determined to choose her own destiny. But in a land thriving with magic, madness, and monsters, fate has other plans.

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Movie Review: Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them

Today, I've finally watched Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them! I was so excited for it - it's been so long since we've seen anything to do with the Wizarding World on movie screen. I had no idea what the plot was (I refrained from reading spoilers) but I had quite high hopes for it.

I was not disappointed!

What I loved

• Eddie Redmayne as Newt was 5 stars. I love Eddie Redmayne as an actor anyway - he's really good! I loved how he played Newt as an awkward, sweet wizard who loves animals. 
• The plot was so intriguing! There is a new big bad - Grindelwald. Remember him? ;) Plus, he's played by Johnny Depp (which is kind of weird, but oh well)
• Tina and Queenie! Badass sisters!
• Queenie and Jacob :) I hope there's a future for the two of them.
• All the beasts! I thought the niffler was very cute and fluffy Occamy? YAS I want one. Plus, the Bowtruckles would be such great companions 
• Newt's mating dance was hilarious
• Tina and Newt's developing relationship
• Hedwig's theme at the beginning of the movie. Really brings back old memories of Harry Potter (*teary sniffle*)
• Basically? Everything

After the fiasco of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, J.K. Rowling comes back with this fantastic movie. It's supposed to be a five part movie, each set in a different place. First New York, next where? I can't wait for the next one (coming out in 2018 *cries*)

Before Voldemort, it was Grindelwald. I'd love to see his evil plans and how Newt and Tina plays into them. Plus, I hope Dumbledore will show up! I'm pretty sure he use to like Grindelwald, so we'll see what happens.

Have you watched Fantastic Beasts yet? Have you seen the cover of the screenplay? It's beautiful.

Room

Title: Room

Author: Emma Donoghue

First Published: September 13th 2010

Series: Stand Alone

Genre: Fiction

Available As: Hardcover, paperback, ebook

Pages: 321

My Copy: Physical copy

My Overall Rating: 8.5/10

Goodreads Summary

To five-year-old Jack, Room is the entire world. It is where he was born and grew up; it's where he lives with his Ma as they learn and read and eat and sleep and play. At night, his Ma shuts him safely in the wardrobe, where he is meant to be asleep when Old Nick visits.

Room is home to Jack, but to Ma, it is the prison where Old Nick has held her captive for seven years. Through determination, ingenuity, and fierce motherly love, Ma has created a life for Jack. But she knows it's not enough...not for her or for him. She devises a bold escape plan, one that relies on her young son's bravery and a lot of luck. What she does not realize is just how unprepared she is for the plan to actually work.

Told entirely in the language of the energetic, pragmatic five-year-old Jack, Room is a celebration of resilience and the limitless bond between parent and child, a brilliantly executed novel about what it means to journey from one world to another.

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Halloween - Books, TV Shows and Movies

It's Halloween everyone! It's also one of my favourite holidays in the year >:) So in honour of Halloween, I've decided to do another Halloween theme post - this time with books, TV shows and movies to enjoy during this Halloween. Are you ready?

BOOKS

1. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman. I remember reading this entire book in one sitting - it was that good! It's not that scary, just bordering on creepy/spooky. I loved it so much and now I just want to reread it! :)

2. Coraline by Neil Gaiman - both the movie and book. I adored the movie though it did freak me out a bit. (I was 8 when I watched it - bad idea, yeah I know) The concept is so creepy and yet so thrilling!

3. Slasher Girls & Monster Boys, which I haven't actually read yet but seems pretty good. It's an anthology of horror stories, including some of my favourite authors: Leigh Bardugo, Marie Lu and Jonathan Maberry! YES this is perfect :)

TV SHOWS

1. Supernatural, of course. Yes, there are 12 seasons and counting, but what a better than to start season 1 if you haven't already? There are so many monsters, demons, plot twists that can keep you entertained.

2. American Horror Story, if you are into more horror, gore and whatnot. Sure, there are scenes that make 99% of viewers uncomfortable, but what can you do? If you want more ghosty stuff, go for season 1 and season 6 ;)

3. Scream Queens, if you want something a little more light-hearted. It's a horror-comedy, and I thought the characters are pretty funny if not stupid at times. They are all sassy though, which makes up for it.

MOVIES

1. The Shining - both the book and movie works. There aren't many jump-scares or anything like that, but it's the atmosphere and tension that builds up, making the movie that much more effective. 

2. The Conjuring (the first movie) because it's way better than the second one. Also, the plot is more interesting than the other spinoffs (Annabelle I'm looking at you) , but that's just my opinion. 

3. The Exorcist - a all-time classic. I think it's pretty good, but same as in the Shining, there aren't many jump-scares since they also focus on the creepy atmosphere and rising fear.

So, here are my 3 suggestions in each category! Do you have some for me? I hope you all have a fun Halloween :)

The Midnight Star

Title: The Midnight Star

Author: Marie Lu

First Published: October 11th 2016

Series: The Young Elites #3

Genre: YA, Fantasy

Available As: Hardcover, paperback, ebook

Pages: 316

My Copy: Kindle Edition

My Overall Rating: 9/10

Goodreads Summary

The thrilling finale to the New York Times bestselling Young Elites series from “hit factory” Marie Lu.

There was once a time when darkness shrouded the world, and the darkness had a queen.

Adelina Amouteru is done suffering. She’s turned her back on those who have betrayed her and achieved the ultimate revenge: victory. Her reign as the White Wolf has been a triumphant one, but with each conquest her cruelty only grows. The darkness within her has begun to spiral out of control, threatening to destroy all that she’s achieved.

Adelina’s forced to revisit old wounds when a new danger appears, putting not only Adelina at risk, but every Elite and the very world they live in. In order to save herself and preserve her empire, Adelina and her Roses must join the Daggers on a perilous quest—though this uneasy alliance may prove to be the real danger.

Bestselling author Marie Lu concludes Adelina's story with this haunting and hypnotizing final installment to the Young Elites series.

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Movie Review: Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

So, I finally got round to watching Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children! The trailer looked really really good, and I was really excited to see it! I had some minor doubts, such as them changing Emma's ability in the movie, but in the end, I went.

Thoughts

• It stuck to the book (mostly) which I was glad about. Okay, I lied a tiny bit. The ending was not at all like the book, which threw me off a bit. I thought it was going to cut off when Jake was being dramatic with his "I've got a plan" line, but then it continued. 
• The creepy music and photos right in the beginning was perfect. It really set the scene and made my heart race a little :)
• TIM BURTON!
• Loved the jump-scares >:D
• I loved how Tim Burton could easily maintain the eerie and slightly creepy atmosphere of the book. Every moment was thrilling to me.
• Emma's ability switch from fire (books) to air (movie) wasn't that bad. It wasn't absolutely critical to the movie for Emma to have her air ability, but it was quite useful a number of times.
• Asa Butterfield as Jake? A+
• The ending was pretty nice and sweet, but everything seems to be solved so I don't know if there will be a sequel or not. I'd love one, but I don't know where it would be going...
• This film was a nice break from all the action-dystopia movies we get in the YA film adaptation category these days.

So, have you watched this movie yet? If so, did you like it? Hope to see your responses! :)