Weigh in Wednesday (#16)

*I do ask that if you would like to participate please site me and my blog somewhere in the post.*

Todays topic: reading a book vs. listening to an audio book

My Answer: I enjoy reading a book over listening to one.  I think it's because the only time you really cannot read but you can listen to a book is in the car... and if I'm driving I would 1. not be able to forus on the plot details because I would be to busy worrying about watching the road or 2. I would be listening to the book and understanding the plot details and then I end up crashing my car... not a great option either way! :P  Besides all of that I tend to be able to read faster than the audio recorded person can talk. 

What about YOU? Do you prefer reading or listening to a book?

Please email me with any topics you would like to see here on WiW at Epiloguereview@yahoo.com I would really appreciate any ideas you guys have!!

 If you would like to grab my picture to use here it is:

<center> <a href=" http://www.epiloguereview.blogspot.com/" ><img border="0" src="http://i1268.photobucket.com/albums/jj566/Epiloguereview/waight-1-1.jpg"/></a></center>

Review: The Vampire Underground

Title: The Vampire Underground

Author: Brian Rowe

Book Summary:

“16-year-old Brin Skar hates everything to do with the supernatural, so the obsessive film geek isn't happy when she discovers that her junior year Film class at Grisly High is devoted to the horror genre.  She's even more disconcerted when she learns that six groups in the class will be writing and directing their very own horror movies.

Brin and five classmates travel to Bodie Ghost Town in California to shoot their creepy film, but they soon find themselves fighting a real terrifying threat when a clan of mean, bloodthirsty vampires emerge from beneath the surface and start attacking the group.  The teens, headed by Brin and the egotistical director Anaya Frost, have no help from the outside and become outnumbered by the vampires a hundred to one.

But when Brin meets Paul, a helpful and smoldering vampire outcast who's had enough of his shameful life, she realizes he might be the only key to her survival.”

If I were told that my film class would be focusing exclusively on horror films, I would drop that class ASAP.  Brin isn’t thrilled about the subject matter either, but she decides to tough it out and maybe learn something new from the class.  When her teacher divides the class into groups to make short horror films, Brin decides to use the opportunity to try her hand at directing.  Too bad Anaya Frost wants to be the director, and the overconfident bully won’t take no for an answer.  The ensuing chaos lands the group in Bodie Ghost Town to shoot the film… and that’s when things start to get spooky.

Reading the premise, I am caught up in the idea Rowe weaves of a horror film shooting actually turning into a horror story.  It’s a fantastic idea, and it also brings with it the possibility of a new spin on the vampire story… you know, where they don’t all sparkle and look like Greek Gods.  The ideas portrayed in the summary are all very intriguing, and I really hope, when it all comes together, that it unfolds in a believable way.

The Vampire Underground truly works in a way I didn’t expect.  Rowe successfully meshed drama, vampires, a little bit of horror (not so much I had to put the book down), and romance in a tasteful way.  The story moved at a good pace, and I never got bored or felt like it was rushing.  I do think that the premise gives a little too much away because some of that information isn’t revealed until late in the book, but there are enough other surprises that kept my attention.

Brin is a very unique character.  Throughout The Vampire Underground I really see how she holds her ground and really pushes herself to become the best she can be.  It’s refreshing to see her tackle challenges and stand up for things she wants;.  She’s no shrinking violet, and I found that commendable.  Her relationship with her best friend, Ash, is totally platonic and very relatable.  We all have that one person whom we talk to everyday and would trust with our life.  For Brin, that person is Ash.  I won’t say too much, because I really want everyone to read the book for themselves, but Ash’s name has a back-story that should not be missed! 

One thing that I am not very happy with is the level of violence between the members of the film group.  Even before all the vampires are introduced, the students are constantly in each other’s faces and shouting.  I understand that they are high schoolers on a short leash, but COME ON, we aren’t that violent or volatile!  Everyone has people they don’t like, but this book takes it to a level that seems unrealistic and overdramatic. 

The horror aspect of this book is more gruesome than I expected, and it definitely has some OMGOSH moments.  Luckily, most of the book isn’t too scary or I wouldn’t have been able to finish it.  Overall, The Vampire Underground is entertaining and action packed, and some of the scenarios definitely set my heart racing!  Using the ghost town is a great way to include a creepy setting for the story and really adds to the realism of the plot.

            The Cover:
           

            Quite honestly, this cover does nothing for me.  The story is great and has a really serious feel to it that this cover just seems to mock.  I mean, it looks like a cartoon figure holding a banana.  Now, once I read the book and enlarged the image, I understand that it is indeed NOT a banana and the picture makes more sense.  But when I first see it, I think that this book is going to be a comedy or at least have comedic aspects.   It’s a cool cover, but one that I don’t feel is fitting to this book.

I give The Vampire Underground 4 out of 5 hearts: Great Book

Review:Onyx (A Lux nivel book 2)

THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS TO BOOK ONE, OBSIDIAN.  My review for Obsidian can be found here.

Title: Onyx (A Lux Novel: Book 2)

Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout

Book Summary:

“Being connected to Daemon Black sucks…

Thanks to his alien mojo, Daemon’s determined to prove what he feels for me is more than a product of our bizarro connection.  So I’ve sworn him off, even though he’s running more hot than cold these days.  But we’ve got bigger problems.

Something worse than the Arum has come to town…

The Department of Defense are here.  If they ever find out what Daemon can do and that we're linked, I’m a goner.  So is he.  And there's this new boy in school who’s got a secret of his own.  He knows what’s happened to me and he can help, but to do so, I have to lie to Daemon and stay away from him.  Like that's possible.  Against all common sense, I'm falling for Daemon.  Hard.

But then everything changes…” (this is only part of the official summary! I felt the rest gave away part of the book plot that wasn’t revealed until way later!!)

I will admit that it sounds nice to have a super-hot alien following me around and trying to convince me that he likes me.  I mean, really, who wouldn’t want to be pampered that way!?  Well, Katy doesn’t seem too thrilled to have her hot alien (Daemon) following her every move.  She’s convinced his sudden change in attitude has to do with the whole freaky alien bond they have between them.  As Daemon steps up his attempts to prove his affection, Katy meets a new boy in school… a boy who seems to know more than he should. 

When I read the premise for Onyx, I am grabbed, tugged, pulled headlong, propelled, and basically dropkicked towards it.  There is NO WAY that I am not going to pick it up after how awesome Obsidian was and the summary confirmed that the plot is interesting.  My biggest issue with the premise is the mention of this other boy.  I really like Katy and Daemon’s hate/attraction thing that’s going on, and I REALLY don’t want another guy thrown into the mix… it’s already tense enough!

 At the beginning of the book, it’s clear that Katy and Daemon still have that fiery chemistry that I loved so much from book one… but, now Katy refuses to admit it.  With her convinced that the alien mojo is effecting both of their emotions, it looks like the relationship is going to stay on the “off limits” level.  While I am definitely not a fan of Katy and Daemon apart, I really like how Katy sticks to her guns.  Most of the time, the main girl gets all gushy and becomes a ditz when the guy looks her way.  Katy isn’t like that and, though her reasoning might be irrational, she really tries to stand her ground.

I am really impressed with Daemon’s decision to go after Katy and their relationship.  It would be so much simpler for him if at the very beginning he said,

“Well, sorry you feel that way. Bye.”

But, he’s not like that.  He takes initiative and goes after what he wants.  It’s admirable and makes him that much more attractive!  I also really like how Daemon continues to be overprotective and puts everyone ahead of himself.  Yes, it puts him at risk, but that’s who he is.  It’s obvious that Dee is his world and that Katy has joined that world.  I just wish Katy would realize that his feelings for her are true and accept that resistance is futile!  Daemon also earns serious brownie points for being supportive of her blog.  As a blogger, that definitely makes him infinitely cooler and adds just the right amount of sweetness to his gruff personality!

            Going in, I knew it would be difficult for Onyx to equal the intensity and passion I found in book 1, Obsidian.  Don’t worry.  It doesn’t equal Obsidian -- it surpasses it.  The characters all have depth and, through situations and dialogue, I really get to see sides of all the secondary characters that I didn’t know existed.  After a while, I start to wonder how things could possibly still surprise me… but, they did.  Everything is kept interesting but also has an underlying note of tension that keeps me on edge and turning pages.

Overall, the story is simply phenomenal.  I really enjoy that Onyx flows smoothly from the beginning to the end; so many things happen that it’s almost impossible to believe!  From the smoking hot relationship, to the weird alien bond, to the psychopaths out to kill them all, Onyx is nonstop action.  This is definitely a story that I love and one I am sure will captivate and entice my fellow readers to enjoy again, and again.

The Cover:

I really like how the color of the background matches the cover model’s shirt.  It makes Daemon stand out all the more!  I do like the setup but, in comparison with Obsidian’s cover, I have to say that I like the first one better.  I liked having Daemon turned fully towards the camera and having a much closer shot!!  I do like this cover though…  I think it has symbolic meaning for them to be back to back.  It makes me think they’re at odds with each other… and for most of the book they are!

I igve Onyx 5 out of 5 hearts: I loved it!!

Weigh in Wednesday (#15)

*I do ask that if you would like to participate please site me and my blog somewhere in the post.*

Todays topic: Jacob vs. Edward (Yes I mean Twilight) 

My Answer: Personally I have problems with both of them (please don't attack me!!).  Though both characters disappointed me I would have to choose Edward as my favorite.  (SPOILERS AHEAD) Jacob lost the race when he imprinted on the baby, for me!! What about you guys do you prefer Edward or Jacob?

What about YOU? Do you prefer Jacob or Edward?

Please email me with any topics you would like to see here on WiW at Epiloguereview@yahoo.com I would really appreciate any ideas you guys have!!

 If you would like to grab my picture to use here it is:

<center><a href=" http://www.epiloguereview.blogspot.com/" ><img border="0" src="http://i1268.photobucket.com/albums/jj566/Epiloguereview/waight-1-1.jpg"/></a></center>