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2008-08-01T13:12:00.000-07:00

THE TWILIGHT SAGA:

BUY OR BOYCOTT?

There were supposed to be three reviews in this set, but cheesecake did not contact me with her reivew. However, we do have both sides of the debate, so enjoy!

airbrushes :: boycott

I admit, I’m a Twilight fan, but I’m not hardcore and I recognize the series for what it is, and maybe more importantly… what is isn’t. The series itself has attracted an awful lot of fans through word of mouth, and definitely not through the synopsis or excerpts that reside on the back of the book covers. The cover itself isn’t that alluring. I’d probably pick up the Agatha Christie mystery novel that’s beside it if I didn’t know the sheer obsession that has consumed most teens this year.

However, even with the rise of the popularity of the series, the rise of the popularity of online “boycott” groups (such as livejournal’s boycotttwilight) have also been gaining members. And I don’t blame them – on some points, I agree with them wholeheartedly. However, I am not saying that I dislike or hate the series. I will be buying Breaking Dawn and I’ll probably end up with some squee-ing fit with my fellow Twilight-obsessed friends (if a couple of them haven’t torn me limb from limb for this post). I’m looking forward to it. But I think that this is definitely not literature of an extremely high level and there is better out there. Much better. In fact, Twilight is my guilty pleasure in a way. It’s my chick flick. Even though I don’t read chick flicks. Don’t tell anyone. –shhh–

The series is, as many will tell you if you ask around, focused on Isabella Swan’s relationship with vampire Edward Cullen and the rest of his family, often being chased and hunted down by “serial hunter” vampires. The Cullens’ are a vegetarian sect of the mythical creature, never drinking human blood and only wild animals such as bears fall prey to them.

Many will tell you that the characterization in these novels is impeccable. Don’t believe them – unless you like completely hypocritical and almost mentally abusive men (not to mention he’s perfect and can set an image of what you “should” have an a boyfriend and not what you’re going to get), whiney and selfish sixteen year old girls, obsessive friends who almost constantly force themselves on said sixteen year old girl and a whole clan of “perfection”.

Edward Cullen is, as people say, perfect. In fact, I’m starting to see him as the man that Meyer always wished she could have had: dangerous to the point where he wants to leave her for her own safety but needs her too much to actually go through with his threats, completely and utterly devoted, immortal, willing to give anything to her. But he’s not real, and there is never going to be a man like him. Oh, and he likes Bella because he thinks she smells delicious. I cannot believe that this becoming a “mother-daughter bonding book”. I definitely wouldn’t want to be told to be like Bella in a relationship. In a way, it’d be an insult, but I’d be the only one who would understand, so…

With the younger girls reading this – and the numerous icons that have popped up on respective sights proclaiming that if you cannot glitter then no dates – I start to wonder (and don’t mistake me for someone who wants to save the kid’s innocent eyes from all danger – they’ll see it eventually. The earlier the better, I think) whether setting these younger girls up for a complete disappointment when they get a boyfriend and realize that it’s not all the book makes it out to be. There is no effort in Bella and Edward’s relationship; there are trials (as the one that is the central plot of New Moon) but none that would happen in real life for most of the time.

And speaking of New Moon – I disliked Bella starting from this book. As soon as Edward left – “to protect her”, even though he eventually returns and they start sucking face, contrary to all “DANGER DANGER” alarms that he said happened anytime they did anything before… how hypocritical – she was depressed, neglected her friends, didn’t leave the house, led on a young werewolf who eventually falls in obsessive love with her, and has a danger fixation (she rides dangerously fast on a motorbike and goes cliffdiving alone just to hear Edward’s voice in her head). Bella just goes downhill from there.

I’ve never liked Jacob – he’s Bella’s friend and all she wants, then he starts forcing himself on her to accept him as a romantic companion and she rejects even though Edward had left her at that point. As soon as Edward returns, she falls in love with Jacob. In a way, it’s like she’s in love with Jacob and Edward is her heroin addiction. I can’t really describe why I don’t like Jacob, maybe it’s the fact that he is completely depressed without Bella declaring her love for him. Goodness gracious, just get over it already!

And not only this – from the leaked copies of Breaking Dawn, it is expected that there are two characters that will be completely out of character on a major plot point in the book. If the own author cannot keep her characters in-character, then who can? Actually, I think I know a couple of people who could…

All four books seem to follow the same pattern, to me (and several other people, I’m giving complete credit to the_lady_lin’s post in boycotttwilight for creating this step-by-step plot): First, Bella obsesses over Edward’s godliness. Second, Edward hyperventilates about his love (maybe more accurately, “bloodlust”) of Bella. Third, Bella uses men for information or uses the m for some other purpose while Edward is away. Fourth, evil vampires show up with evil intent. Fifth, they try and hunt and kill Bella (because everyone’s obsessed with her). Sixth, Edward and his family saves her – with minimal (no, make that NO injuries. Apart from that one virtually unmentioned werewolf who dies. But who cares?).

I like the series, though. Truly, I do! XD I just don’t think that it deserves the hype that’s surrounding it. What’s wrong with the hundreds of other books that are out there – Kate Mosse’s Labyrinth, Robert Grave’s I, Claudius, Markus Zusak’s The Book Theif, or Douglas Adams’ The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy? What about JKR’s Harry Potter? Have they all bitten the dust? I truly hope that they haven’t.

And it’s starting to look that Stephanie Meyer has ripped of several Harry Potter ideas, including two films for the “epic ending story”. Great. Just fantastic. FIVE FILMS? I will probably only see them if I get dragged to them. Like I got dragged to several other films (when I had planned to see the newest Sweeny Todd film, but that’s another story).

Oh, and by the way, you may not want to talk to me about Breaking Dawn if you’re going to buy it. I know how it ends (yay for Wal-Mart leakage!). So, if you’re not going to boycott this book, try and boycott me. XD

stormyskies :: buy

Even if I had been forced me to write a 'boycott' review, I would have refused. I just can't tell the world I would boycott the Twilight series because I love it so much, I just can't tell this lie. Anyway, thanks to Airbrushes I get to write about how I'm gonna buy it, and tell you why. So sit back as I take you into the complex world that has captured the hearts of so many.

Ahh.... Twilight is a wonder. I mean the book is so amazing. The relationship of a shy human, Bella Swan, and a majestic vampire, Edward Cullen, is a new way of love. So powerful. Stephanie Meyer's dream (that was the inspiration of Twilight) has changed the world. She has truly left her mark on the world, especially teenage girls.

Okay enough of the "it's so amazing", even though it is. Twilight has something special that captures the heart of many. I realized that for everyone there was a different reason. For me it's the fact that I can relate to the characters. I see some elements of Bella is me or I feel just like Bella is some circumstances. Most of us can relate to Bella because she, like most of us, is a teenage girl who is fitting in.

But there is another element that makes the whole thing special. The fact that there are god-like, blood sucking, limb tearing angels that are vampires. Their horrible yet amazing. You should be scared of them but you fall in love with them. Just like Bella. For most teenage girls, Edward should have been theirs from the very start. This is another element that makes it so special.

Something else is the love triangle in the book. People roam around asking "Team Edward or Team Jacob?". You can't love both, you have to choose a side and stick with it. I personally am a Edward lover. As Breaking Dawn is now only hours away, I want Edward to be chosen by Bella, not Jacob. This is something am waiting for. To prove the Jacob loving world that Edward is the one and only. All over the internet you are part of a team. You discuss it. You tell people why your person is more suitable for Bella. This itself is a whole world, yet to be explored.

Apart from the story that is so amazing, the writing is too. So far the story is from Bella's view and well Stephanie Meyer has done a good job of making you feel what Bella feels. For example as Bella pushes Edward to make her into a vampire, even though you know its risky and that she is not ready for it yet, you still want her to become one. You really do see things from the characters view. Another part is while Edward explains to Bella why he has to leave her. As you read you don't really care what logic he has, just like Bella, all you care about it how he should not leave, because that is what Bella wants. You really become Bella. She isn't really wrong, the others are. That is what you feel.

Besides the figures tell you that it's a book you wanna read. The Twilight Saga (first three books) have sold more then 3.5 million copies worldwide, where as all 7 Harry Potter books have only sold 3.7 million. Last year Eclipse knocked down Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows from New York times best seller. People are anxiously waiting for Breaking Dawn which is only hours away and more are waiting for the Twilight movie which is set to be out on the 12 of December 2008.

I don't know why someone would want to boycott the series. Twilight is the new Harry Potter. I think it's time to quickly pre-order Breaking Dawn, you still have some hours left, hopefully.

2008-07-31T05:26:00.000-07:00

FROM STORMYSKIES

Cry of the Icemark by Stuart Hill

If I was to recommend a good action packed fantasy to someone then out of the many good books I would choose Stuart Hill’s Cry of the Icemark. It is a fast story for readers who love to pick up a book and make sure they stayed glued to their seats till the very last page.

I want to try not to go much into the story but I have to “pull a Sparknotes”, because if I don’t you won’t understand it, especially those who have not read it. The setting and characters are something similar to The Chronicles of Narnia. Thirrin Freer Strong-in-the-hand Lindenshield, Wildcat of the North, Taker of the Hand of Bellorum is a fourteen year old heir to the throne of the Icemark.

After her father dies in Battle against the empire, Thirrin is named queen of Icemark and has to lead her country to safety for the winter. She knows that as spring approaches she must gather troops to fight off the empire and their commander Bellorum. Taking advantage of time, Thirrin and her royal adviser, Oskan witch’s son, set out to find allies in the North. Thirrin manages to make alliance with the deadly Vampiric Majesties but still not convinced she sets out to seek help from the snow leopards.

As she succeeds again Thirrin now has allies that surround the country. Vampires, Wolf-folk, Snow leopards are now ready to fight against the empire. As the bloody war takes place Thirrin and Oskan face many issues but the end is rewarding. Bellorum is defeated and Queen Thirrin Freer Strong-in-the-hand Lindenshield, Wildcat of the North, Taker of the Hand of Bellorum settles to rule her country with Oskan the Warlock at her side.

The plot may make you want to go and buy the book right this moment, but it is not only the five hundred ten page story that makes it such a good read but it is more of how you perceive everything as the story progresses. For example I felt afraid for the characters when Thirrin and Oskan visited the Vampiric Majesties; the setting was described in a way that made you eerily aware of everything in the scene and how you get glimpses of what the characters are thinking set a such a great mood that you for once feel as you are there, as if you are part of the story.

You also feel great emotions during the war. However, the war is a smaller part of the book, only amounting to around one hundred of the total pages… but every page makes you feel as if you are fighting yourself, alongside the characters you have come to know.

Another thing about the war is how it is described with detail, somewhat like Lord of the Rings. If I recall correctly, in The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, the war was not much of strong element, more like a backdrop for what was happening at that one moment. Cry of The Icemark does a superb job as on the war: as the solders march and chant “Blood, Blast and Fire!” you feel their speech. If an ordinary soldier dies you feel sorry for him and maybe even shed a tear or two.

As Thirrin fights mightily with her sword you can see her fight. You can feel her burden. You can understand how much she cares for her country. Understanding the characters in a book is very important in order to see the logic behind their actions. Cry of the Icemark has done a good job is showing how the characters feel so the reader can see things from their view.

Reading the above, the story may seem like it would make one of the best books written, but it has one thing that for impatient people like me have a problem dealing with: at times, as a reader, you begin to feel that the story has stopped or as if the main problem is being avoided.

For instance, as Thirrin and Oskan travel to form an alliance with the leopards their journey is, as it seems to me, unnecessarily long. During that time I wanted to find out whether the leopards would agree or not but the book was too busy telling me about the storm approaching and describing the setting.

The other details and plot points may have been important but I was impatiently waiting for what was to happen next. For at least twenty pages I waited until I had waited so long and lugged through so many pages that I just wanted to skip ahead but luckily I didn’t need to (my impatient patience paid off in the end).

Overlooking the element of length and speed of the plot, the book is well-written and a good read, but it also holds an element of repetition. The book is like déjà vu on paper, in a way: nearly all the elements can be found in other adventure and war epics. However, don’t hesitate from reading The Cry of the Icemark because of this, though. The book is great for a long summer day (the aspects of ice may make you feel better on a hot summer day, as well!) which you wish to make exciting at every page.

Get the book here.
Discussion coming soon.

2008-07-31T05:19:00.000-07:00

WELCOME TO LIBRI-RECENSEO!

Official Launch Date: Thursday, July 31st 2008

Please welcome our three contributors, airbrushes, cheesecake, and stormyskies.

This month's "themed review post" is "The Twilight Saga: Buy or Boycott?".

It will be posted on Friday (read: tommorow).