Review: Inheritance - Christopher Paolini

Wow. So, it's the end. I started Eragon when I was about 8 - well before even Eldest came out. And now, after waiting and waiting, the end has come. You can imagine the paradox I was trapped in; on one hand, I wanted to know what happened ASAP, on the other, I didn't want it to be over. As you can probably tell, my self control failed, and so, I'm done. It's done.
There isn't much I can tell you without revealing spoilers, but I'll do my best. For those of you who aren't familiar with the series (shame on you) it is an epic in the style of the Lord of the Rings. It is set in a mythical land, where dragons once roamed free. After much war between the race of Dragons and of Elves, a pact was made that bound them together, which men joined after. If a dragon egg hatched for a person, they became bonded in the most powerful of ways, connecting them mentally, and a Dragon Rider was created. For ages the Riders and their Dragons kept rule, until one among them rose against them, and slaughtered both the Riders, and the free dragons. This Rider claimed the throne, and has ruled since, as the lives of Riders can stretch on for centuries. He kept three eggs for himself though, and when one is stolen, and eventually ends up in the hands of a young farm boy by the name of Eragon, everything changes.
That is the pretense on which the first book starts, and I wont tell you anymore. I hope it has ignited something in you that yearns to read them, if not, do it anyway.
This last book, well I cant really think of how to describe it. Including the pronunciation guide and acknowledgments, it is 860 pages long. An unbelievable amount of events occur, and each one is satisfying. The battles, though numerous, each retain their individuality and are heart pounding. The emotional moments are just that - emotional. If I had been in a private place I would have been crying my eyes out.  Pretty much all the loose ends are tied up, even those from earlier books. It was a very satisfying read.
I have but a few faults with it. One, is the Paolini often reuses phrases in the series. I understand that it may be a character trait that must be described like that, or something similar, but it does get a bit annoying at times. Most notably, he uses the phase '...., even as..' often. Ok, thats not a phrase, but it's a word order. An example would be something like 'Eragon watched him, even as he had watched Arya." (That is made up, and has no real relevance to the story, I was just illustrating a point.)
The other fault was that the ending I had worked on trying to figure out was one entirely different to the actual one. (Yeah, I know I didn't write the series.... but still.. *disappointment*) I cannot say much, as even disproving my theory would tell you what would not happen, and that is almost, but not quite as bad as telling you what does happen. I had come up with an intricate theory, having deduced many things, and kept arriving at the same conclusion. I was so sure that one thing could not happen, but it did. My reason was that it would be too perfect. But, it seems to have righted itself, leaving a bittersweet ending, which I do enjoy. (I'm a horrible person yes, but who really wants a true 'happily ever after?)
Well, thats about all I can say, and so, it's over.

Music - Specials

Just to say, I recommend listening to Bright Lights by Ellie Goulding when reading Specials - or, in fact, any in the series. Especially songs like Human.... and, well the whole album!
Thats all! :)

Reading, reading, reading... Reading!!

So these past few days I've been in a really anti-social/hermitising mood. I suspect there are many reasons for this, but that's besides the point.
The point is, last month I was so busy that I didn't have time to read - which is funny, because it was summer. Now, though, I'm finding whole afternoons to read - which are facilitated by my sudden urge to become a hermit. I read an entire book yesterday, and found the time to almost finish another today - not to mention fit in the last episode of Sherlock, which was class.
I'll need to write up some reviews.
Sadly, though, despite this sudden mood, my pile of unread books is higher than ever, and it doesn't look like it's going to disappear anytime soon. I don't remember a time when I didn't have about 10 books waiting to be read.
Anyway, back to the books!

Whatcha Reading??

Right now I'm reading The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. I wasn't sold on it right away - it'a about a family during WWII, not really my thing. But get this, its narrated by Death. The moment I heard that, I had already taken out my money and bought it.
It's an interesting book, whereby the story is given out in little threads, and sometimes not in the correct order. Altogether though, I think it will end with a beautiful rug - or carpet - or whatever analogy you want to use.
When I've finished it I'll write up a review.

Review: Uglies - Scott Westerfeld

Uglies is set in a futuristic world, where when you turn 16 you also turn 'pretty'. Scott Westerfeld uses this book to each the lesson that beauty is most definitely in the eye of the beholder.

Tally Youngblood can't wait to have the operation and become pretty, and why would she? Being pretty means partying all day long and having fun. After her best friend becomes pretty, Tally is left alone on the Ugly side of town. Soon she makes a new friend, but Shay isn't so sure she wants the operation, and when she runs away to 'The Smoke' Tally is given an ultimatum: find Shay and turn her in, or never become pretty at all. Tally's choice will lead her on a dangerous journey, and change her world forever.

This book is fantastic. It is original and engrossing, and well and truly raises the question 'what price would you pay for beauty?' 

Review: The Forest of Hands and Teeth - Carrie Ryan

The Forest of Hands and Teeth is set in a post zombie-apocalypse world. The premise, though somewhat cliche and present in most horror movies to date, has originality and Carrie Ryan's style of writing is emotional to say the least.
Mary, the main character, lives in a village in the middle of a vast forest - The Forest of Hands and Teeth - which is constantly under threat from the Unconsecrated that push at the fences, forever hungry. After Mary's mother dies and returns, and her own brother shuns her, she is forced to join the Sisterhood, a religious order that controls the town and convinces all its occupants that they are the last of humanity, saved by God. Soon Mary learns that all is not what it seems, and some people will go to any length to protect what they know.
This book is an ultimate tear-jerker, tissues advised. Carrie Ryan is not afraid to go into gruesome details regarding the Unconsecrated, and at some moments your heart literally aches from the pain and loss she describes. Love, loss, adventure, zombies, it has it all! It is a story that truly makes you feel.