Fool me once.

I made a mistake.

I should never have fallen 

for a second time. 

Lb.

Currently Reading and Previously Read, Reviews: The Dream Thieves and Heaven's Net is Wide

 *This post may contain spoilers about these books or previous books in there respective series*

Previously Read: The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater.

This book is the second in The Raven Boys cycle and to be honest I was not expecting this series to be how they were. The Wolves of Mercy Falls books became part of my favourite books the moment I turned those first pages, I will review those too! But Steifvater set a certain tone that I thought would The Raven Boys would be similar too and I suppose in my head, I didn't want to ruin Shiver etc, by replacing it with a similar story. I follow Stiefvater on Tumblr and kept seeing posts about The Raven Boys and the research trips she took, the reviews, the feels etc for the book and decided to buy it. Expecting more or less of them same, as the tag line for The Raven Boys suggests, I was more the pleasantly surprised by what I read. This book was so much more than I could have anticipated. Once again giving us the different viewpoints (which I will forever love) about Blue, a non-psychic and the four Raven boys, Gansey, Adam, Noah and Ronan. This book centres on these characters but rather than a star crossed romance, we have adventure. Gansey, a wealthy boy, has spent his entire young adult life trying to find a lost welsh king and as such we are given an adventure which crosses the normal and psychic world. It was brilliant. I read it in about a day I think. 

                

I brought The Dream Thieves a day later and read it just as quickly. What I liked about the second instalment was the character developments that took place, in particular Ronan's character. What is fascinating about these books is that there is so much room for development and backstory for each character. The Dream Thieves focuses more on Ronan and his relationship with the leylines themselves and all that entails, whereas he is not so much in The Raven Boys. Instead of the romantic plot line being fufilled, Steifvater creates the element where it would 100% end badly if it did and as such, the reader is unsure of what will happen with Blue's future. The next book is to come out in October and I seriously cannot wait. 

Currently Reading: Heaven's Net is Wide by Lian Hearn

Like I said I am an absolute sucker for book series. I don't know what it is about them, even books with just one sequel. Anyways. Heaven's Net is Wide is a prequel set before the three Tales of the Otori books. Again, will try and review. 

Heaven's Net is set in fictional historical Japan during the period of the Three Countries, and we follow Shigeru Otori from his youth to becoming the man that we see in Across the Nightingale Floor. I'm only about 20 chapters in at the moment as I keep getting pre-occupied by other things. But so far I'm really enjoying it. The thing about prequels is that you get to read the story of more minor characters in the main series and I found Shigerus' character was something I always wanted to know more of. Hearn also introduces completely new aspects which were not touched on in the previous books. Hearns' style of writing, I find, is simply beautiful. His descriptions of places, characters, thoughts, everything, literally transport me in to another world, to the point where I feel disorientated when I finish reading. His attention to detail makes his world completely believable despite the fantasy elements that encompass his novels. I'm not sure if this book will link to the beginnings of Across the Nightingale Floor but regardless I'm sure Hearn will deliver an equalling compelling book.

Lb.

Hyrule Warriors; Initial Thoughts

Hello all. I know it's been a very long time. Excuses excuses. Anyways, I figured that I would do a very brief review on Hyrule Warriors for the WiiU as my pre-order came early. *Yay!*. I do plan on doing a more in depth review once I've fully completed the game but just wanted to let the world know.

The actual really small summary.

For those of you who are probably now aware, this is a mash up of the Dynasty Warriors and Zelda game. For those of you who haven't played Dynasty Warriors before, (you poor souls), it's a simple hack and slash game, (Dynasty Warriors is set in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms era, based on historical events etc.) but set out in levels, you have generals, bases and of course a mass army to fight. There is some tactics involved, i.e. Kill certain leaders, but mostly you just want to destroy them all. Combinations are easy and are levelled up through skill sets, very similar to DW and Hyrule Warriors makes it easy to understand this system for those who don't know what to do.

Within gameplay I quickly wanted to encompass the story and how it intertwines with the previous Legend of Zelda games. As an enormous fan, I was uncertain how they would fit it into the timelime etc. I don't want to ruin anything but I feel they nailed it, whilst also paving the way for future Zelda games, *cough* Zelda U *cough*

I really like the graphics for Hyrule Warriors, everything is so crisp and moves away from the slightly too colourful Skyward Sword feel. Cut-scene graphics are also on point. So far I've had no lags when doing massive combo hits or anything like that.

So far my favourite characters are Link and Shiek. I really liked what they have done with Shieks' move-set and her musou is an absolute killer. Unlocked characters so far are, Link, Impa, Shiek, Zelda, Ruto, Midna, Lana and Darunia. (Not in that order (: )

So that's really all for now. I plan on spending probably too many more hours on this despite my early rise in the morning. *Sigh*.

Toodles

Lb.

Insta update.

My recent lack of updates is due to the glorious fact that my laptop finally died. :( A trip to the Apple store many weeks later and Spunky (My laptop) is as good as new once again and all for free. Although some people complain that Apple is taking over the market blah blah, their customer service is literally unbeatable. This is the second time my Macbook, circa 2009, has been taken in and the first time the hardrive died they replaced it for free with one with twice the memory and also fixed the keyboard. Apple praise over here's some photos of my recent life without a laptop and yet more promises to actually update more.

Lb.

Inevitably

No matter how hot,

the fire burns it still longs for

the rain to douse it. 

Lb.

 

Opposites.

And still the stars shine.

Lustrously through the night but

none as bright as you.

Lb.

Question?

If I set myself 

ablaze, would you put me out?

Or just watch me burn?

Lb.

Addictions.

Living by coffee

and cigarettes, but I guess

there's worse ways to die.

Lb.

Wishes from an insomniac

It's easy to sleep
with rain on the window, your
heartbeat in my ear.

Lb.

Numbers.

Seven point one three

Six billion people and

All I want is you.

Lb.

Advice from the Wizard.

Better to possess
A brain and courage by far.
Than a broken heart.

Lb.

Book Review: A Game of Thrones. Book 1 of A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin

A Game of Thrones. Book 1 of A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin

*Warning this review may or may not contain unintentional spoilers relating to the book*

Overview

Set in fictional world of Westoros and the Free Cities. A Game of Thrones follows the different lives of aristocracy within it. Summers can last years and the wheels of change are beginning to turn for the Seven Kingdoms. Like most people I became familiar with the books thanks to the TV show and bought the book ages ago. I've finally got round to reading it after finishing studying. I like keeping my reviews short and sweet as after trying to write a more detailed review realised this just wasn't me.

Plot

One of the literary devices which I really like, in this book and others, is the multiple person points of views. Game of Thrones switched from different characters to capture a broader view of what is happening in the fictitious world. Mainly focusing on the Stark family who live in the North which includes, Ned, Catelyn, Sansa, Arya and Bran's points of view as well as other characters. The story begins with the death of Jon Arryn, Hand of the King to Robert Baratheon and the subsequent actions which take place after.

Character Development

Because of the different points of view our sympathies could lie with any of them. Obviously as they are given a voice we know them to be important characters and their own individual stories are explored. My personal favourites are Robb Stark, Daenerys Targaryen and Tyrion Lannister. Through these characters we are introduced to minor characters, which may or may not later have their own chapters, and as such the vastness and integration of all the characters provide a rich environment to read about.

Pros

Vast array of characters
Medieval-esque believable setting
Wolves.

Cons

To some, the 700 and odd pages might be off putting
...Erm.....

Overall

I really enjoyed this book, so much so that I went out and bought the second and have already begun reading it rather than all the other 12 on my reading list. I think if you're a fan of the TV show the book is so much more in depth. Regardless it is a brilliant fantasy novel combining politics, magic and medieval settings which combined to create a gripping read from start to finish.

Rating
4/5
Buy this book now. (:

Lb.

Always

It could be days

or months

or years.

And if you asked me to. I would still choose you.

Like the leaves and

the blossom forgive the sun

each spring for leaving

them in the harshest

of winters

I will still pick you.

Always.

And that's a wrap.

So my plan to successfully study, work and blog for the last academic year may not have been as easy as I anticipated. In fact there were times when I was barely even able to fit all my studying in. But I have finished, FINISHED my third year and I could not be more relieved about it all. I managed to complete my last 3000 word essay, read the two books that were associated with it and all the contextual reading about said books in one week and then at 5am, I gave myself a huge pat on the back and went to sleep. But to be honest I find that I don't know what to do with my time anymore and so here we are. Time to sort this blog out.

I occasionally write haikus still but I'm thinking that with all this free time I will have I'll be able to start that up. I have also begun reading again, for fun. So I plan on reviewing each book as I go. I know I have some older ones that I really wanted to do. Currently sat with hair dye in too. Oh the possibilities are endless...

Anyways. That's all for now. I'm planning on what books to write about, interesting things that have happened and taking photos of my hair. I also do have some poems which I will add one later.

Lb.

Oopss, 2014...

It would appear that I ave not updated for an exceedingly long amount of time and also my life is somewhat filled with work and studying (surprisingly) and not much else. I have however, managed to adhere to my daily haikus. Sooooo, I can always post those. In sad news, I can no longer update from my phone, as there isn't a blogger app for the windows phone, which seems ridiculous. My birthday came and went and I feel old at 22. Halfway through my third year now and I did have some hiccups around Christmas time, but more of that in another post, whenever that may be.

LB