May Wrap Up (2018)

Hey guys, this is Abi here,

And even though I was going to wait until the first to post the wrap up, (I wanted to give myself as much time as possible to finish a book because I fell behind) I have finished said book, so here it is, alive and on schedule.

Enjoy the wrap up!

BOOKS

Although I only read three books, I am super proud of myself, because they were absolutely HUGE! Each one was over 600 pages (in fact two out of the three were over 700.) And those books were:

1.The Final Empire (Mistborn #1), by Brandon Sanderson

2. The Well of Ascension (Mistborn #2), by Brandon Sanderson

3. The Hero of Ages (Mistborn #3), by Brandon Sanderson

So, this month, I read the entire Mistborn trilogy! It was a hell of a whirlwind of a ride, and I thoroughly enjoyed every single one of them. If you haven't read them yet, then I recommend picking them up.

You may not want to marathon them like I did (I finished Hero of Ages yesterday and I am currently in a reading slump because I'm still mentally stuck in the world), or you might, but this is one series that I think, everybody should pick up.

I will be posting my reviews of The Well of Ascension and the Hero of Ages some time next month, (hopefully before I read a ton more and they start to tower again), so keep your eye out for those!

FILMS AND TV SHOWS

FILMS

1. Truth or Dare- I went to see this film in the cinema, and as a Horror, truthfully it wasn't actually that scary. The odd jump scare, the odd creepy moment, but works with this film is the things that the characters have to do in order to stay alive, because it's really this simple: Tell the truth or you die. Do the dare or you die. And the stakes keep getting higher.

And that's what works with this film.

2. Girls' Trip- I went to see this in the cinema a few months back, it's out on DVD, so of course I watched it again. It's one of my favourite films and I laugh for hours whenever I watch it.

3. The Help- I finally saw this film! It was an amazing film, and I'm so glad I got to see it. It was brilliantly done, and it's a film/book that everyone should read/watch.

Also, side note- the woman playing Skeeter's mother- she played Prudy in the Hairspray film! Like, she's in a tv show I'm currently watching, she's in The Help... I swear this woman is following me!

TV SHOWS

1. Thirteen Reasons Why Season 2- I'm on like Episode 4 for this, and I haven't finished it yet- purely for the reason that I do not have the time at the moment. It's halfterm for me now, but I am working every single day, I am finishing my course, and trialling for a job (fingers crossed for that.)

I need to get to the end of the season though, because so many YouTube videos for the second season keep cropping up on my YouTube feed!

2. Dance Academy- Yes, I am watching this again. For like the 10th time. I just wish Netflix would put the film on (that takes place a year and a half after the third season ends.)

WRITING

Yeah, I've started the third draft. Not the furthest into it, but there have been others things that have taken priority, unfortunately.

OTHER LIFE THINGS

HAIRSPRAY- I played Prudy (Penny's legendary mum) in the show this month! It was so fun to be able to play a quirky, funny character that makes people laugh- particularly with the things she says! (And is totally different to myself!)

I got to wear cool glasses too!

So that is my monthly wrap up! I hope you enjoyed it, and feel free to let me know what you lot have been up to this month! Anything you're excited about, let me know!

So that's me for the day, I will see you all on Friday with my June TBR!

Byeeee!

-Abi xxxxx

The Final Empire (Mistborn #1), by Brandon Sanderson

Hey guys, this is Abi here, 

And I have decided not to post a film review on Truth or Dare, but to skip it and write my review for the first book in the Mistborn trilogy!
Enjoy!

Title: The Final Empire

Author: Brandon Sanderson

Genre: High Fantasy 

Release date: 17th July 2006

Status: Book 1 in the Mistborn trilogy

Pages: 643

Blurb: "In a world where ash falls from the sky, and mist dominates the 

night, an evil cloaks the land and stifles all life. The future of 

the empire rests on the shoulder of a troublemaker and his 

young apprentice. Together, can they fill the world with colour 

once more?"

My Thoughts

I truly don't know how to start this review.

Okay.

I'm so glad I finally picked up this book.
There.
That's my review.

Not.

Thank the Lord Ruler that I finally decided to pick this up.


Because it was SO GOOD. I can't even with how amazing it was.

The characters. The world-building. The magic system.
It was all absolutely fantastic.

It was all so much better and SIMPLER writing than I thought it was going to be.

Let me explain. When a book is huge, you automatically assume that a book is going to have tones of complicated language and you're not going to understand much.
Or at least I assume that.
No, just me?

But The Final Empire wasn't like that at all. I was amazed at how easily I got pulled into the world, and the story.
It was all crafted so well together, like the way it was woven into the story, and I came to understand the world of the Skaa and the Nobleman and the Lord Ruler that I have come to cherish today.

And the characters are so cool and badass (Vin) and unpredictable, yet interesting (Kelsier) and amazing and quirky and unique (the rest).
They were all so interesting and easy to read their stories.

And it was so action packed! I loved it!

So overall, this review has been crazy. But they accurately portray my thoughts on The Final Empire.
This is truly, one of my favourite books so far this year, and I hope that continues (I'm on Hero of Ages at the moment and loving it.) But if I hadn't mentioned it enough, I thoroughly enjoyed this and I recommend this to fantasy lovers that love to emerge themselves in huge and epic fantasies (though I'm pretty sure most of the world has read this at present.)

(I bet the next review is going to be worse, urghhhh.)

But anyway, that was my review on The Final Empire, by Brandon Sanderson!
I hope you enjoyed it!

And that's going to be it for today (this review literally took a week.)
I hope you have a lovely day and I will see you all on Friday (hopefully.)
Byeeeee!

-Abi xxxxx

Musical Book Tag

Hey guys, this is Abi here, 

And because I feel like a break from the constant reviews is due, and because I will be playing Prudy in Hairspray in the next couple of weeks, I will be doing a tag on one of my favourite things: Musical Theatre!

Enjoy! 

1. Cats- Memory

Book that made you cry

I don't typically cry when I read books but one exception has to Me Before You, by JoJo Moyes! That one is a tear jerker!

2. The Phantom of the Opera- Masquerade

Book where the characters are not all what they seem 

I'm going with the Red Queen series with this- if there are double edged characters in a series it's for sure this one!

3. Mamma Mia- Gimme Gimme Gimme (A Man After Midnight)

Most Anticipated Book

At present, I'm going to go with Muse of Nightmares, by Laini Taylor, which is out 2nd October. But this answer changes by the day.

4. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang- Truly Scrumptious 

Book that you just go all fangirl over

I'm going to go with the Songs About A Girl trilogy for this one. The final book is out in a couple of months, and I cannot gush about this trilogy enough. It's cute, it has parents, a band, photography and an amazing storyline. It's so easy to fall into the story that it's one of my favourites to pick up when it comes to contemporary romance.

5. Matilda- When I Grow Up

Book you read and loved as a child 

Other than Matilda, the book that I loved to reread over and over had to be Heidi, by Johanna Spyri. It's such a loveable story full of wonderful characters that I couldn't help but pick it up when I was younger.

(I'm sorry, I thought this was funny.)

6. Lion King- Can You Feel The Love Tonight 

Book where love isn't the main focus 

I'm going to go with an obvious one: If I Stay, by Gayle Foreman. This was a recent re-read and even though there is some romance in this, it isn't the main focus, not by a long shot.

7. We Will Rock You- No-one But You (Only The Good Die Young)

Book where the ending had you shocked

Three Dark Crowns takes the category for this one. I was gobsmacked for a full 10 minutes after I read the ending of this one.

8. Grease- Those Magic Changes 

Book full of magic! 

Stealing Snow, by Danielle Paige. There are a whole lot of different powers contained in the pages of this book.

9. Hairspray- Welcome to the 60's!

Book set in the past 

The Infernal Devices trilogy. This trilogy is set in the 1800s, in London England (go England!). One of my top five trilogies for sure!

10. West Side Story- A Boy Like That/ I Have A Love

Book crush

There are so many! Maybe Peter from the To All the Boys I've Loved Before trilogy. He's such a sweetheart, and loyal all the way through.

11. Moulin Rouge- The Show Must Go On 

Series You're Anticipating the Next Book/ Finale on

Evolution, by Teri Terry. The third and final book in the Dark Matters trilogy. It comes out 9th August and I can't wait to see how this insanely addictive trilogy wraps up! Both books previously have exceeded my expectations and Teri Terry has been incredible at wrapping up trilogies so far!

12. Les Miserables- One Day More 

Standalone You'd Love More Of

I'm thinking I'd like more of "The One Memory of Flora Banks". I'd be intrigued as for what happens to Flora after the letter from her brother.

*Sigh* These two! (so tragic)

13. Rent- Seasons of Love 

A Book with lots of love 

I'm going with Noughts and Crosses, by Malorie Blackman. The two in these have so much love for each-other that it equals the hate that the rest of society has for one being white and the other black. And they're just as tragic as the two in the picture.

14. Wicked- Defying Gravity

Defied your expectations 

The two books that are currently out in the Frostblood trilogy. They were surprisingly easy to get into and they definitely exceeded my expectations.

So that is the Musical Book Tag!

I will not be tagging anyone, because I feel like anyone that wants to do this tag should be able to!

And that will be doing it for today's post! I will be continuing reviews on Friday because I (again) have a ton to do!
I hope you have a wonderful and I will see you soon!
Byeeeeee!

-Abi xxxxx

King's Cage (Red Queen #3), by Victoria Aveyard

Hey guys, this is Abi here, 

And today I am continuing on with my alternate review marathon! 

Up next is King's Cage, the third book in the Red Queen series, which will officially be wrapped up on Tuesday (because War Storm is out!- And I am so excited about that!) 

So let's get to it! 

Title: King's Cage

Author: Victoria Aveyard

Genre: High fantasy 

Release date: 7th February, 2017

Status: Book 3/4 in the Red Queen series

Pages: 507

Blurb: "Mare Barrow is a prisoner, powerless without her lightning, 

tormented by her lethal mistakes. She lives at the mercy of the boy

 she once loved, a boy made of lies and betrayal. Now a king, 

Maven Calore continues weaving his mother's dead web in an 

attempt to maintain control over his country- and his prisoner. 

As Mare bears the weight of Silent Stone in the palace, her once-

ragtag band of Newbloods and Reds continue organising, 

training and expanding. They prepare for war, no longer able to 

linger in the shadows. And Cal, the exiled prince with his own 

claim on Mare's heart, will stop at nothing to bring her back. 

When blood turns on blood, and ability on ability, there may be 

no one left to put out the fire- leaving Norta as Mare knows it 

to burn all the way down." 

My Thoughts

This has to have been my favourite Red Queen book to date. After a decent start to the series and then a shaky second, I was sort of nervous as to how this one was going to turn out.

I truly had nothing to worry about.

Although at some points there wasn't a lot that was going on, there wasn't a chapter that I wasn't intrigued about what was going on. (This was the first 100-200 pages, when this occurred, by the way.) Those chapters were interesting because we got to take a closer look at the relationship between Mare and Mavel, since the reveal of his betrayal and take over.

But the last 300 pages were INSANE. I read those chapters in maybe a day and a half, they were so good. At this point, I have no idea what to say other than the fact that I will be picking up War Storm as soon as I possibly can.

King's Cage takes place a while after Glass Sword, when Mare is trapped within Maven's keep, shackled; her powers trapped away. Battered and bruised, she has to watch Maven destroy everything she has worked for, whilst meanwhile the rebels plan and prepare outside the castle walls, with Cal by their side. Mare must wait, and wonder, will she escape to fight another day?

What I liked:

-All my favourite characters were there, and the weren't perfect. They had all been affected by the events of the first two books, and it was so nice to read about them again.

-How conflictive the relationship between Mare and Maven is, and Maven himself, as a character.

-The ending, OMG the ending was amazing.

-How clear how different the characters were from Red Queen to now.

Overall, King's Cage was a highly entertaining read and I am excited to find out how it's all going to wrap up in War Storm- the fourth and final book in the series!

So that's going to do it for this review- I hope you enjoyed it!

I hope you have a wonderful day and I will see you all on Wednesday!

Byeeeee!

-Abi xxxxx 

Ready Player One Film Review

Hey guys, this is Abi here, 

And I've decided that, because I have a butt ton of reviews (both film and book), I'm going to be alternating the film reviews and book reviews. 

(Until such time that I have finished either the book/film reviews, when I will continue to post the other until I have caught up.) 

So because I posted One Dark Throne on Monday, today is a film review day! 

And up next: Ready Player One! 

Enjoy!

First, the poster.
Even after having seen the film, I still don't know what that random head is in the top left. Like I kind of get it, having watched the film, but if I hadn't seen it, I wouldn't have got it.

I like all the technicolours, the scientific sort of background, but it doesn't give any clues as to what the film about, which is something that I like to guess at when I see a film poster, but that's just my personal opinion.

Now, on to the actual film.

When I heard that Steven Spielberg was directing this, this film turned from a film I was going to see, to a film I had to see. And it didn't disappoint.

First and foremost, the graphics and cinematography. They were up there with the beauty of Snow White and the Huntsman, when they were in the enchanted forest, and Maleficent.
It was a different type of film to those two, but the graphics looked both real and also super video-game-ish, which was exactly what the book to movie adaption called for.
What I liked about the world was how surreal (I guess you could say) it was. It was just really cool. That's really all I can say about it.

There weren't a whole lot of surprises regarding plot for me, as I've read the book, but even so, I was sitting on my edge of the scene the entire film.

Also, it all seems to move through the story pretty much seamlessly. I can't imagine how much work must have gone into making sure the filming and the moving through the story without a hitch.
It was all just so smooth!

Overall, I recommend this to all videogame players, all lovers of sci-fi, and anyone who thinks it just looks good! This was a whirlwind of colour, technology and a love of gaming, and that was clearly displayed within this film.

I hope you enjoyed my review and I will be seeing you on Friday with my King's Cage review: that's next on the list!
Byeeeeeeee!

-Abi xxxxxx

One Dark Throne (Three Dark Crowns #2), by Kendare Blake

Hey guys, this is Abi here,

And I was kind of hesitant as for whether I should write this review or not. One on hand, I don't have a lot to say about this book. On the other, there is nothing more satisfying than finishing a trilogy or a series, and having reviewed the whole lot!

So I'm writing this now, and all the thoughts are coming back!

Enjoy!

Title: One Dark Throne

Author: Kendare Blake

Genre: Fantasy

Release date: 19th September, 2017

Status: Book 2/4 in the Three Dark Crowns series

Pages: 450

Blurb: "THE TIDES ARE TURNING ONCE AGAIN... BUT

WHICH SISTER WILL BE THE LAST ONE STANDING?

MIRABELLA's victory seemed assured, but suddenly

she faces attacks like never before.

KATHARINE, once known as the weakest, is now

rumoured to be the most lethal.

ARSINOE is keeping a secret that could be both her

undoing and her best chance at victory...

Time is running out, and each sister will stop at

nothing to win the throne."

My Throne

Okay. Okay, okay, okay. From the time that I bought this book, I was eager to pick it up, but something was stopping me, which now I think was because of how much I enjoyed the first, I was worried about how much I was going to like this one. And I was sort of right. Because even though I enjoyed this one, and I wasn't able to predict how the story was going to go, the second certainly didn't live up to the love of Three Dark Crowns.

It was a decent book, there were all my favourite characters, like the three sisters, and  Jules and Joseph, but there didn't seem to be much going at the start. When the year starts where they're officially allowed to kill each-other, really wasn't clear, and I was kind of waiting for there to be some form of event where it's meant to start, or even an arena, like in the Hunger Games, for example.

But still, I reached maybe halfway, and it suddenly became amazing, just as good as the entirety of Three Dark Crowns. And I soared through the second half in like a day. And all the feelings that I'd developed in the first book... returned.

I'm not going to spoil the plot, but some of these scenes (from the halfway point) had me close to tears. And then it's all like what? What? WHAT? I had no idea what Blake was going to do to these characters.

Enough of that. I'm going to end up spoiling the story if I say any more.

What continued from the first book:

• Until a certain point, I had no clue who I was rooting for to win the crown.
• The magic was still really cool.

Overall, a decent book. Not as mind blowingly awesome as the first one, but after writing this review, some more of my interest has returned, and I will for sure pick up the next one when it comes out (later this year?????). I am so happy that there are two more books out for this because I will not accept the ending to this book. It's not the end.

It can't be.

So that is my review for One Dark Throne! I hope you enjoyed it and feel free to comment about literally anything (book related.)

I hope you have a wonderful evening and I will see you all on Wednesday!

Byeeeee!

-Abi xxxxx

Peter Rabbit Film Review

Hey guys, this is Abi here, 

And these film reviews- I think I'm going to post them in one huge- filmy clump! 

So braze yourself. 

Okay! The first one is Peter Rabbit, which I saw with family and friends because who doesn't love a childhood favourite adapted into a movie? 

*Raises hand* 

Okay, here's the review! I hope you enjoy it! 

So this is the film poster:

And I have to say, I like the film poster. It captures the feel of the film, having now seen it. I like that you kind of get to see the characters, without giving too much away. And I like the positions, the way the characters are positioned throughout the poster. 

Okay, now my thoughts on the actual film. 

Honestly, I enjoyed this way more than I thought I would. 

Like, going to see it, I thought I'd enjoy it, just not that much. In truth, I don't really go to see many PG films, at least I haven't recently. Which is why I was surprised by how quickly I got pulled into the story, the characters, in the space of about two minutes. 

(I'm not kidding, in the first part, when Peter was being chased, my heart was acting like I was the one running.)

I think a big reason of that is because the story literally starts with Peter sneaking into the garden, and suddenly he's being chased, which is where the story starts in the book. 

Also, even the parts of the film that aren't in the book, (the book is like the first 10 or so minutes of the film) was done really well. There was a clear confrontation between the rabbits and the McGregors, which was actually quite realistic (despite the animals weren't actually real, they did look quite real). There was a clear plot line, which I liked, and it was clear at all times. 

The humour is one thing that I have to make a point for. The humour was more mature than some other PG films than I've seen in the past, so I enjoyed it, but I doubt a four year- seven year old, which is the likely audience for this kind of film, would get all the humorous quirks within this film. 

Other than that, I have no critics about this film. It was fast paced, especially the scenes where the animals are creating mischief. There were scenes and moments that were really sweet, where you get to know the characters as more than just creating mischief, which is then coupled with something that will have you bawling with laughter! 

So overall, I had a huge amount of fun watching this film, and even though I don't think it's still out in cinemas (because this review is out so late), I recommend you go and see this film! 

So that is my review of Peter Rabbit! I hope you enjoyed it and comment down below what you thought! 

I hope you have a wonderful weekend and I will see you all on Monday!

Byeeee!

-Abi xxxxx

May TBR (2018)

Hey guys, this is Abi here,

And the start of another month (can you believe it's May already? And yet it's raining here) means another inevitable TBR! 

I currently have 7 books left, and a lot of them are fairly huge, which means that there's not going to be a huge TBR for this month. 

But there's still some incredible books on here (I hope. I mean, I don't know, I haven't read them yet.) 

Here are the books that I plan to read this month :) . 

1. The Final Empire (Mistborn #1), by Brandon Sanderson

2. The Well of Ascension (Mistborn #2), by Brandon Sanderson

3. The Hero of Ages (Mistborn #3), by Brandon Sanderson

That's right, I will be marathoning the entire Mistborn trilogy, by Brandon Sanderson. I have owned the entire trilogy since September, and I've finally picked it up. I'm currently 175 pages into The Final Empire and I already know that this trilogy will be going on my favourite series' list because it's all just so interesting! Whenever I read this, I kind of forget where I am, I'm so caught up in this book. I know there's still a whole lot for me to read regarding the world because let's face it, these books are huge, so there's no way Sanderson isn't going to explore more of this epic world! Can't wait to read the rest of it. 

I will be picking this book up in an 'if I have time' kind of scenario. The Mistborn trilogy is a huge trilogy and I am aware that I might not have the time to pick up something else once I finish the trilogy. 

But just in case I do, and because I feel like my TBR should not just be the Mistborn trilogy, I've included a FOURTH. 

4. The Night Circus, by Erin Morgenstern

Now, I am aware that there are some mixed reviews on this. But I know nothing about this book apart from what I read on the blurb, and I'm exciting to jump into this! Again, I'm not sure whether I am going to get to this, but I thought I'd just tack it on the end of the TBR, because it's been jumping out at me when I've been deciding what to read and I have yet to pick it up. So, it's on here! 

So that is my May TBR (2018)! I hope you enjoyed reading about what I'm going to be reading in May, and if you've read any of these and have any thoughts on any of the books- let me know in the comments! 

To be honest I hope I make my way through them all, though it's unlikely... wish me luck! 

So I will be back on Friday, with my Film review for the Peter Rabbit film I saw this month, because it's long overdue! 

I hope you have a wonderful day, and I will see you on Friday! 

Byeee!

-Abi xxxxx