Wednesday, 8. July 2009, 09:00:00
love, book
We seek him here, we seek him there,
Those Frenchies seek him everywhere.
Is he in heaven?—Is he in hell?
That demmed, elusive Pimpernel.
—Sir Percy Blakeney (ch.12)
It has been a long time since I posted another book review.
I'm not gonna tell much of the story since I'm bad at re-telling stories, so I'm just gonna say my reaction/views about it.
The Scarlet Pimpernel is written by Baroness Emmuska Orczy. Initially it was a play at the year 1903 but it became a novel during 1908. The start of the novel was really boring for me. It contained a lot of history and every now and then I had to check the dictionary for some terms I didn't understand. I was written in Old English (okay.. not reall OLD but you get the point) so I had a hard time reading it. When I got past 1/4 of the story, I got adapted to the narration style and I became more interested in the book that I couldn't put it down. The first chapters took me 4 days to read and it only contained a few pages 
.
Anyways, I really loved the book! ONE OF THE BEST I'VE READ EVER! It got sooo exciting in the middle with twists and shocking revalations. A battle of strategy and the romance! My Goodness! The romance between the characters was sooo sweet and inspiring.
I read the ending more than 5 times in one day! Another must read.. but be warned... it may seem boring at first but I was grateful to have continued on reading. Don't stop just because you are having a hard time cause the time will come when it will be worth the while. 
Here's the plot of the story which I grabbed from Wikipedia: (SPOILER WARNING)
In 1792, during the bloodthirsty, early stages of the French Revolution, Marguerite St. Just, a beautiful French ex-actress, is the wife of the wealthy English fop Sir Percy Blakeney, a baronet. Before their marriage, Marguerite had said unintended things in private that had resulted in sending French aristocrat the Marquis de St. Cyr and his sons to the guillotine. When Percy found out, he became estranged from his wife.
Meanwhile, a secret society of 20 English aristocrats, "one to command, and nineteen to obey" (ch.4), the "League of the Scarlet Pimpernel" is engaged in rescuing their French counterparts from the daily executions. Their leader, the mysterious Scarlet Pimpernel, takes his nickname from the drawing of a small red flower with which he signs his messages. Despite being the talk of London society, only his followers and possibly the Prince of Wales know the Pimpernel's true identity. Like many others, Marguerite is entranced by the Pimpernel's daring exploits.
At a ball attended by the Blakeneys, Percy's verse about the "elusive Pimpernel" makes the rounds and amuses the other guests. Meanwhile, Marguerite is blackmailed by the wily new French envoy to England, Citizen Chauvelin. Chauvelin's agents have stolen a letter incriminating her beloved brother Armand, proving that he is in league with the Pimpernel. Chauvelin offers to trade Armand's life for her help against the Pimpernel. Contemptuous of her seemingly witless and unloving husband, Marguerite does not go to him for help or advice. Instead, she passes along information which enables Chauvelin to learn the Pimpernel's true identity.
Later that night, Marguerite finally tells her husband of the terrible danger threatening her brother and pleads for his assistance. Percy promises to save him. After Percy unexpectedly leaves for France, Marguerite discovers to her horror that he is the Pimpernel—the very man she has endangered. He had hidden behind the persona of a dull, slow-witted fop in order to deceive the world. He had not even told Marguerite because of his worry that she might betray him, as she had done others in the past. Desperate to save her spouse, she pursues Percy to France to try to warn him.
Chauvelin is close to capturing Percy on several occasions, but the Englishman manages to outwit him each time. Percy rescues Armand and the Comte de Tourney, the father of a school friend of Marguerite's. Percy is finally reunited with his frantic wife when they are both taken prisoner by Chauvelin, though luckily Percy is so well disguised as a despised Jew that the Frenchman does not recognize him. The couple later manage to escape.
With Marguerite's love and courage amply proved, Percy's ardour is rekindled. Safely back on board their schooner, the Day Dream, the happily reconciled couple returns to England.
BTW, I almost forgot to mention that I found this book on sale for just ONE US DOLLAR! HARD BOUND with NICE LEAVES OF PAGES!!!! It must be destiny!
Wednesday, 18. February 2009, 10:32:23
book, story, mafia, fiction
...
o⋅mer⋅tà (noun): a Sicilian code of honor which forbids informing about crimes thought to be the affairs of the persons involved.
Last week, I finished another novel. Omertà, written by Mario Puzo, is a nice read but not really one of those 'to-die-for' books and you won't hear me begging you to read it. I might recommend it. The story is reality based and as always, I am reluctant to give a sypnosis of the book as it might ruin your interest to read it. Anyways, it's a story about the son of one of the greatest mafia leader in Sicily and once his father died, he was left in care with one his father's friends. He did not know that his father was a great and well respected mafia leader and he grew up trained and mafioso. He grew up to be a proper gentleman with interest in music with such innocent eyes and ways like he couldn;t do anything wrong in the world. Then when the whone who took care of him, fed him, trained him, and became his father while he was young murdered infront of his eyes and finally showed his true self. The mafia blood dominated in his veins and became New York's most feared mafia leader. Not that he became bad nonetheless the mask was off and he became (or already was but hiding the fact) a cold blooded killer with, of course, proper jurisdiction and did what is right.
Friday, 16. January 2009, 13:50:26
book, fiction
Sinful. Romantic. Sexy.
I can't believe I was grounded from using the internet for 2 days! I was sooo pissed off! I didn't do anything wrong other than stare atthe computer for more than 2 hours a day. *Sigh*
Well, rather than studying (which I was suppose to do since our midterm exams are coming up), I started reading a novel. A VAMPIRE NOVEL from the series 'The Black Dagger Brotherhood' by J.R. Ward. And it was awesome! Maybe a little unappropriate for young readers because it contains sexual scenes and stuff (MAJOR S&M stuff!!!) and it's not the ordinary children's novel. The narration style is a bit confusing, but nonetheless satisfying. Good thing I borrowed that book or else I would have lost my mind without internet access. Speaking of borrowed, I don't own the book. My classmate just happen to be reading it when I snatched it from her hands and I begged her to lend it to me. She said it was okay since she has read the book more than 3 times. Even before the first chapter ended, I made a mental note that I will purchase the book as soon as possible. The first book I read was the fifth book of the series, but you don't need to know the other books just to understand the story.
As always, I won't give a synopsis (I suck at it) but will just give you a link on where to find more info about the book.
Today, my classmate lent me the second book because she said it was the best among the whole stories and I can't wait to start reading it already.
I know I should be reading Biochemistry textbooks but nothing beats fiction!
Note: Just to be fair for the other book series I've read, I'll post the rest of the series here and will not make a new post for everybook.
Friday, 2. January 2009, 14:07:32
Artemis Fowl, book, blog, novel
I can not believe I have not posted this in my blog before. This is one of my favorite book series. Artemis Fowl is written by an Irish author named Eoin Colfer. I like the story, characters, plot, and almost everything about it that I have read the entire series (except for the last book, The Time Paradox, since I haven't purchased it yet and there is no stock of it in our nearest bookstores) more than 3 times within a year! Like I said in my previous posts, if I start telling what's it's all about then it will just ruin the story since I am not good in making a synopsis to attract other people to read it as well. So I am just going to post an excerpt of the book which caught my attention before I bought it.
PROLOGUE
How does one describe Artemis Fowl? Various psychiatrists have tried and failed. The main problem is Artemis's own intelligence. He bamboozles every test thrown at him. He has puzzled the greatest medical minds, and sent many of them gibbering to their own hospitals.
There is no doubt that Artemis is a child prodigy. But why does someone of such brillance dedicate himself to criminal activities? This is a question answerable by only one person. And he delights in not talking.
Perhaps the best way to create an accurate picture of Artemis is to tell by now famous account of his first villainous venture. I have put together this report from firsthand interviewers with the victims, and as the tale unfolds, you will realize that this was not easy.
The story began several years ago at the dawn of the twenty-first century. Artemis Fowl had devised a plan to restore his family's fortune. A plan that could topple civilizations and plunge the planet into a cross-species war.
He was twelve years old at that time...
I would love to narrate more of the story, but it seems if I start telling chapter 1, I won't stop or rather you'll pester me to continue typing the story. 
The novel is appropriate for people at ages 8 and above, but if you are a prodigy like Artemis, then you are ready to read this at the age of 4. It's a really interesting find and when I read it, I couldn't go to sleep. I can't ease myself and my mind is telling me to continue reading. I couldn't wait to know on what happens next. You can't help but be amazed at the main character.
You don't have to worry if you are bothered about the number of books this series have. Each book isn't that big probably the same size as a notebook and the thickness is around an inch or so. The line spacing of that paragraphs is 1.5 with a regular size 12 font. I bought the books at the Scholastic bookfair during my High School days. 'The Artemis Fowl Files' isn't really necessary. Just a guide for the netire series, but it includes two side stories and I think the second one was very touching. A must read for those who will become fans of this series. Oh! I almost forgot, the series is already finished. Unless the author decides to add another book (which would be great) after a few years. I haven't read the ending yet so I can't comment anything about that.
I highly recommend my friends and other bookworms to read this story.
Tuesday, 2. December 2008, 12:36:14
book, New Moon, fiction, Twilight
...
Okay.. So almost everybody I know is aware on how much of a fan of Twilight I am. But only 20% of these people know that I don't even have a copy of the whole series when I read it. I just read them online for Christ's sake! I know that is kind of illegal or something... but heck! If I haven't read it online I wouldn't have decided or actually forced myself into saving money so I can buy the whole set.
I would like to share this to everyone because I want my friends to read the Twilight Saga so they could know how awesome it is! In my country (Philippines), it is really hard to get a copy and it's really expensive. I have met a lot of people who wanted to read it but can not. I am not afraid of posting a download link because I know once you've read it, you'll be craving to have your own book copy.
Some people have already watched the movie, but let me tell you.. THE MOVIE ISN'T AS AWESOME AS THE BOOK! If you like the movie, you'll absolutely LOVE the book! The killer lines and romantic scenes! You won't help yourself but fall in love again. This book should even have a warning label! I've heard stories about girls dumping their boyfriends once they have read the book.
Anyways, I want you guys to appreciate what Stephenie Meyer (author) has written by actually reading it and purchasing the book once a copy of it is available at your local bookstores. Some people may have told you the story and you might think its CRAP.. but it's not. The story is just so hard to tell that I don't even want to tell them the story (I am a bad story teller). I just tell them "READ THE FREAKING BOOK! It's awesome I don't even know where to start!". Click read more to see Download links for the whole Twilight Series.
Just in case... EDWARD CULLEN IS MINE!!!!! hahahaha! KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF HIM!
Read more...
Sunday, 12. October 2008, 03:51:26
book, Twilight, love, story
Okay, a lot of my friends often talk about this book titled "Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer. They keep on talking on how awesome it was and how "Edward Cullen" has stolen their hearts that they will stay single until they find themseleves a vampire (yeah right! after a month she had a new boyfriend and I was pretty much sure that he wasn't a vampire). I got so intrigued that I decided to read the book as well. But the problem at first was, I didn't have much of a budget and I still have a long list of books to read excluding all the manga series that I feel will consume my whole lifetime to complete the 'mangas-to-read' list. As I said before, I am a bookworm. I like to read stories. I love stories period.
Sigh, the time finally came when my hands manage to get a copy of the first book in the Twlight series and I was so excited. The problem was... I bought it at a wrong time. How could I resist the temptation of reading a wonderful story when the counterpart of that is I have to study for my Chemistry finals. Argh! Like hell! I read the story and I promised myself that I will stop at the middle then study for my Chemistry exam after that. The moment I finished chapter 2, I know I will break the promise that meant me good.
Actually, the run of the story was very slow. It was too detailed that any other reader would get bored and probably skip some of the lines. There was too much description that necessary. But I am not any other reader. I am a bookworm who loves stories... especially stories with a handsome guy in it. I understood why Stephenie Meyer had written the story this way. So we could be absorbed and involved in the story more. It's like we were being sucked up in the story. It might fail in some people, but it didn't fail in my part. So, if I keep on telling that the story runs slow, with too much details that might bore you, what is the force that keeps the regular readers continue reading? Two words. And the name I am about to mention might cause chaos in the female word if he did exist. Edward Cullen.
I must admit, I as well had fallen for the fictional vampire in the story. I was so inlove with him that I actually felt a sharp pang in my chest knowing that he doesn't and will never exist in the real world that I live in. I am surprised by the emotions I felt. Anger, melancholy, love, hate, despair, and worst of all... pain.
It hurts. The feelings I have know would be incomprehensible to an outsider. I have fallen... fallen too deep that I could feel the darkness peircing through my heart. The pain is unbearable. The excruciating grief knowing he is not there and worse, the agony knowing he will never love me. I can't live in a world where he doesn't exist.
Those where words that circled my mind before I sleep.
I know I am not alone. Thousands of girls who have read the book had fallen as well. But I still beleive deep inside, trying to fight and prove that the feelings that I have for this fictional character is different. My love for him was stronger. I couldn't imagine someone to love him as much as I love this character. Even the feelings of the main character in the story, Bella Swan, couldn't compete to mine.
As nights passed with wet pillows and mornings with puffy eyes passed, I continued reading the entire series. I remember the time while I was reading the second book of Twlight, "New Moon". I cried when Edward Cullen decided to leave Bella. I cried for reasons that might as well seem stupid and some may think I have lost my mind. But I cried for Bella for I have felt the pain and agony she felt during that time. If I was in here place, I would have been in the same state as her or maybe in a worse state. I cried for Edward as he struggled to leave his beloved and even told her that she isn't good enough for him. If I was Bella, I would be speechless knowing it was true. I wouldn't even try to stop him after he said those words. If Edward doesn't want me, I wouldn't force myslef to him even though right then and there I would know the consequences I would face... just like what Bella did.
Then and there, I started to think that I was almost exactly like Bella. The way she thinks, the way she acts, her klutziness, almost everything! I know deep inside me that I would even have the same reaction if I knew Edward was a vampire. I would be more afraid of losing him. And the moment Edward left her, I would think the same way as her. I would think that Edward only wanted to kill himself because of guilt. I wouldn't want to hope again after that. I would put myself in any danger just to hear his voice. Do not misunderstand. I feel I am like Bella just because of the influence of the story, but because its the truth. If my mom has to re-marry, I would have done the same thing. I would think of my love ones happiness first before mine. I would have wanted to become a vampire just for the sake of being with him for an eternity. But there are also differences between us. In one point, I wouldn't have fallen for Jacob Black. And even if he was my friend, I am not that blind to see how Edward Cullen is hurt everytime I talk about Jacob or go out to meet him. Ugh! I remembered while I was reading the third book that I was sooooo annoyed at Bella. How could she?! How dare she?! Argh!!!! She is making Edward Cullen suffer!
I first felt resentment towards her. Because of envy and jealousy. And yet, I love Edward so much that if he is happy with Bella, I am willing to let go. Another deep pang in my chest.
'What's with Edward Cullen anyway?' Non-readers of twilight might wonder. Well, Edward's description is way beyond me and I know that my written words wouldn't do him justice. I think there isn't even a word in the dictionary made to tell you what Edward is. Maybe one word can sum it all, but I still feel it isn't enough to tell you. Edward Cullen is PERFECT.
As I finished the series, and wait for the upcoming movie, I cried. I cried myself to sleep.
Life sucks when the only thing you wanted doesn't exist and will never exist.
Edward was too good to be even conceived in this world. And the horror struck me. I suddenly felt that I didn't want him to exist. I didn't want him to exist if he was not going to exist for ME! How selfish of me!
I cried more and more, then another realization came up to me. My own subconscious knows that he will never exist. He will never come to life. Edward Cullen is a mere fictional character. A vampire. A loving vampire who will do anything for his beloved. Choose her happiness than for his. Give up everything. You have to read the book yourself to actually grasp how Edward Cullen loves. Now I came to a final conclusion as I will try my hardest to move on...
What I want is someone to love me the way Edward had loved Bella...Undying, true, and just plainly love...
Stephenie Meyer has written a good story indeed. Simple yet somehow there is this feeling I can't say. There is a certain essence I can't explain. I am here annoyed at myself for not having a wide vocabulary to fully express myself. Although, I did find some flaws in the story but nobody is perfect (except for Edward, but he is more the perfect... much much more).
~karen...
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