Month: July 2014

Categories
Books

Review: Insurgent

Insurgent (Divergent, book 2) by Veronica Roth

I give this book a 5.

 

I thought there would be more action in this one and there was…Oh and I was right about those crazy factions and their downfall and all that. Now I can’t wait to see what’s outside, but I’m getting ahead of myself.

Tris is at it again, being all sweet and moody and kick-butt all at once. I like this kid, but she has some serious issues. Four on the other hand doesn’t seem as wise and mature as the author projects him to be in the eyes of all the other characters, but I still like him too (He’s only two years older than Tris, not exactly a father figure).

So in this book we’ve figured out that all the smart people are trying take out all the selfless people and somehow everyone is just now acknowledging the sixth faction, which I was just waiting for all along. There aren’t a lot of surprises in this plot, but I like the way it is executed. The author has put ingenuity to test with the way she’s twisted her plotlines. The few surprises there are in this book, are more than enough to carry the rest of the story if anyone is having a problem there.

The whole theme of control (and mind control) in the book screams anti authority in some ways, but I also think it’s a cautionary tale about the problems with too much control. Apparently someone tried to create a perfect world that’s slowly falling apart and people are willing to kill to keep this failed idea a secret. I admit I have questions about where this story is going, but I was too wrapped up in the mental and physical battle between Tris and the Erudite to spend too much time worry about them.

If the first book was about keeping secrets and finding yourself, then this one is about revealing secrets and testing yourself (finding out if you are who you think you really are). I could say more, but there’s no point. I like this book whether it makes sense or not, and I can’t wait to read the next one.

See my review for Divergent here.

This review has been posted to GoodReads. If you’d like to obtain a copy of this book, try this link.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords

Categories
Books EC: Giovanni's Angel

4 Star Eternal Curse Review

Fiona of Fiona’s Book Reviews, March 4, 2014 (visit and or rate this review here)

What a refreshing change to read this book. It was so different to the books I have been reading lately and a joy to read.

This story almost reads like it was written many years ago. The language, the way it is written, and the storyline, could very easily be from times gone by.

I was drawn into the story immediately. We have two people meeting online, deciding to see each other face to face. This is something which happens all the time. But in this case one of those people is a doctor, the other is a man with unusual problems he needs help diagnosing.

The way the story progresses drew me in very quickly. Mira’s struggle to decipher Giovanni’s symptoms and past is an interesting one. And I loved the fact that we didn’t find out more till a lot later in the story. It kept the mystery alive throughout.

The friendship between Giovanni and Abraham is lovely. The way these 2 men have supported each other over the years is so nice. It is what a true friendship should be. Mira fits in well with both men, she doesn’t get in the way of the friendship. Instead it is enhanced by her presence.

I loved getting to the end and getting a little hint as to who the narrator is, plus the fact there is another book planned. If the next book is anything like this one I cannot wait to read it.

****

A new edition of this book is now available. 

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords

 

Categories
Fun Hops Videos

Songs of Summer Bloghop!

Click to sign up.

Ah, summer.  Sunny mornings full of possibility, lazy poolside afternoons, and rockin’ nights lit by tiki torches.  What songs bring back the sunscreen and beach-sand to you?  What songs defined your one perfect summer, be it decades ago or just getting started with this year’s solstice?

Welcome to the Songs of Summer blog hop, hosted by the Armchair Squid, Cygnus, and Suze.  Today, Friday, July 11, 2014, please join us by posting 5 of your favorite summer songs and sharing some memories about them.  Maybe between us, we can build the perfect soundtrack to accompany us over the next few months.  If possible, include links so we can hear these gems.  And, if you’re in the southern hemisphere, join us to dance those winter blues away!

****

My 5 Songs of Summer are:

Summertime | In the Summer Time | Hot Hot Hot!

 Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World | Little Bitty Pretty One

****

Summertime by DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince. See lyrics here.  See video below.

I was born in the 80s and raised in the 90s, and I’m truly a product of both. Infused with jazz and hip-hop, this is definitely a song for my generation with some urban soul.

This song reminds me of a time when little girls could dance around in sundresses and bathing suits just for fun without trying to look older than they are. It seems like kids grow up way faster than they need to these days. It’s a fun song that praises the idea of laying back and not taking things too seriously or taking them to extremes. Great for a summer cook-out.

In the Summertime by Mungo Jerry. See lyrics here. See video below.

I can’t remember the first time I heard this song, but I know I was too young to understand the words. As I got older and understood them, I still liked the song. It’s not a bad or good message. It’s almost an “Hakuna matata” song with an adult theme. In any case, it’s always made me think of summer and hanging out at the beach…Oh and, not that I’m hating on Shaggy, but the original is much better.

Hot Hot Hot (Arrow song) by Buster Poindexter. See lyrics here. See video below.

The song speaks for itself even if the video doesn’t. Summertime is hot and so is this song. Every good summer party needs this song. It’s fun.

The video is no longer available.

Somewhere over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole. See lyric here. See video below.

What’s not to like about this song. It takes two sweetly motivational and uplifting songs and puts them together with ukulele music, making you feel like you’re enjoying yourself on a tropical island. Sweet!

The video is no longer available.

Little Bitty Pretty One by Thurston Harris. See lyrics here. See video below.

This song makes me want to dance all summer long. Other than that, I have no idea why this song makes me think of summer, but it does.

****

I hope you guys enjoyed my list.

Now go see what everyone else is sharing!
Sorry about the craziness on the page you’re about the visit. No JavaScript here 🙁

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords