Nemesis

Nemesis


By: Agatha Christie
Reviewed by: Kayleigh, 16
Rating: It was alright...


Nemesis by Agatha Christie is part of the Miss Marple mystery series. This mystery begins with her receiving a letter from the late Mr. Rafiel giving her the opportunity to take part in this mystery or simply ignore it. But of course Miss Marple is intrigued and is willing to do what she can to discover the verity.

This is the last Miss Marple novel Christie wrote, so naturally you may need to have read a few previous books to understand the references, particularly A Caribbean Mystery and At Bertram’s Hotel. This, however, is not the last novel Christie published. Sleeping Murder was published five years after this one.

The beginning is a bit slow and not as engaging since you seem to be “in Miss Marple’s head” a lot, hearing her thoughts instead of focusing on the actual murder mystery. But this is likely due to the fact that this was the last novel Christie planned to be in the Marple series so she wanted to wrap up the series in a sense. Once you get into the murder, it is as entertaining as the other novels. Overall, not bad.


Recommended to: fans of the Miss Marple series who have read A Caribbean Mystery and At Bertram’s Hotel

Fever 1793

Fever 1793


By: Laurie Halse Anderson
Reviewed by: Kyle, 12
Rating: It was amazing!




Recommended to:

Breaking Dawn

Breaking Dawn


By: Stephenie Meyer
Reviewed by: awesomeVia, 15
Rating: It was alright...


Okay...it was this book that made me a Twilight fan. I started reading the books and I thought it was okay. Until I read this book, it all changed. But a few months after reading this book, this sudden obsession waned. I found this book kind of stupid but okay in a few. I find the whole series predictable, After I read Eclipse, I actually PREDICTED that whatever will happen to Bella, marriage, sudden unexpected pregnancy, troubles with the Volturi, etc would happen and it did. This book is actually what I predicted will happen.

*next two paragraphs or so are SPOILERS* This is good with just the right dose of sappy romance between Bella and Edward but it kind of goes too far. You'll see why. It's so intensely romantic but Stephenie Meyer put a little too much. I liked the little addition of Renesmee to the story, kind of cute but has a stupid name. Bella must me high off morphine. And scientifically wise, how did Bella's unexpected surprise happen?

I hated the part where Jacob imprints on little Renesmee. Weird and gross, like your uncle or your mom's ex-boyfriend/husband falling in love with you. He kissed her mom!

The book has what every girl reading the series is dying for, the two irrevocably-in-love, forbidden by nature, couple getting married, a perfect honeymoon, having kids, etc. What most girls dream of. Plus Stephenie Meyer kind of pushes feminism a few decades back (women dying from childbirth, dependence on their significant other, etc.) and where it doesn't (saving the whole coven)

Read it you really want a happy ending to this whole series.


Recommended to: Twilight die-hard fans, obsessed with the series, romance-seeking, girls, young women, scarily sappy romance book lovers, etc

Doubt

Doubt


Directed By: John Patrick Shanley
Reviewed by: awesomeVia, 15
Rating: It was alright...


This movie starring Meryl Streep (15 Oscar nominations!), Amy Adams, Patrick Seymour Hoffman, and Viola Davis is based on the Pulitzer prize winning play. The movie has 5 Oscar nominations including Best Actress for Meryl Streep, Best Supporting Actor for Patrick Seymour Hoffman, Best Supporting Actress for Amy Adams and Viola Davis and Best Adapted Screenplay. Unfortunately, it didn't win any of the nominations.

Sister Aloysius (Meryl Streep) is really stern, so stern that whenever she walks into a room, all the students sit up straight and stop what they are doing. Sister James (Amy Adams) is the total opposite of Sister Aloysius because she is much less stern, not as religious, and seems to be more relaxed. So is Father Flynn (Patrick Seymour Hoffman)with a slight sense of humor, especially to one student.

It is very outrageous that they *spoiler* obsess over one of the students drinking altar wine during a sermon and they blame Father Flynn, talk to the student and call his mother over to the office to discuss this situation. Sister Aloysius is kind of conservative while the two aren't.

So...this movie is okay, you may be able to see why it didn't get the nominations.


Recommended to: Movie Buffs, Anyone who's obsessed over Oscar-winning movies, Meyrl Streep fans, Amy Adams fans, Patrick Seymour Hoffman fans, anyone who just want to see a serious movie

500 Days of Summer

500 Days of Summer


Directed By: Marc Webb
Reviewed by: Matt, 13
Rating: It was amazing!


I had to say when I first heard about this movie, I was absolutely dying to see it. After seeing it, I'm dying to see it again. The movie progressed randomly, because it started after Tom (the main male character)had been dumped by Summer (the main female character) and went back to day one. This is not a love story, Tom fell in love with Summer and thought it was some cosmic thing and that they were soul mates. After going through an urban Odyssey of love and mental anguish, Summer ends up believing in cosmic "love" and Tom... Tom moves on, and sees that its coincidence when it comes to love. This film was, in my opinion, well written and acted, and should be seen. As well as this, the music was quite good.


Recommended to: anyone really, just watch out for content if you have any issues with that.

The Afterlife

The Afterlife


By: Gary Soto
Reviewed by: Janette, 15
Rating: Didn't like it


This story centers around a boy named Jésus, also known as Chuy, when he discovers the afterlife following some unfortunate events that eventually led to his murder. He discovers that becoming a soul isn’t so bad, and ventures to visit his loved ones, face the consequence of his actions, and stumbles upon a past love. A short book, amusing with its occasional humor and plentiful use of the Spanish language, Gary Soto did provide a novel that would probably make all of us think twice about what to do with our lives. “The Afterlife” starts immediately with some intense scenes of Chuy being brutally stabbed in the bathroom of a nightclub, just for complimenting on someone’s shoes. This was not a very intense book about discovering the afterlife. Instead, once the book got started, it slowed down with no warning once the main character was a soul. The following chapters are full of unnecessary scenes that don’t necessarily involve furthering the plot, just futile attempts to take revenge and to visit loved ones. Though it takes another long 5 chapters, the plot starts to hasten when Chuy discovers his mother’s ulterior motives on revenge, he finds a fellow ghost mate, and he discovers that he’s beginning to disappear. Once he discovers the true identity of his new friend, the plot slows again with more unnecessary scenes until the book comes to a close. The ending is quite sappy and unsatisfying leaving many important questions from the readers unanswered.


Recommended to: To people who want a short read

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows


By: J.K. Rowling
Reviewed by: Meena , 16
Rating: It was amazing!


From the very first page, i was captivated. It was as if some unknown force was keeping that book glued to my hands. Every page contains vital information that keeps the story twisting and turning. The three main characters Harry, Hermione, and Ron are some of the best characters i have ever gotten to know. Whenever i put the book down, it is as if i am coming back into reality, because this book takes me to another world of magic.

Even though this is the last book of a seven part series, i am still just as interested as i was when i was reading the first book. It is as if the author only gets better with time. This book is not just some silly magic book that talks about wands and broomsticks, it is actually a novel that takes its audience to another world that everyone only dreams of living in.


Recommended to: anyone who wants to read a good book

Isabel of the whales

Isabel of the whales


By: Hester Velmans
Reviewed by: smo, 13
Rating: It was amazing!


I have read it 38 times it's a sweet story with action, romance, and excitment. I couldn't put it down the BEST book i've ever read!!! I recommend it to every one who loves a sweet romance with some crying involved. Hester Velmans really knows how to bring the charecters to life she's really done it this time!!! Thank you Hester!!!!!


Recommended to: EVERYONE!!!!!!!!! (11and older)

The 4:50 From Paddington

The 4:50 From Paddington


By: Agatha Christie
Reviewed by: Kayleigh, 16
Rating: It was amazing!


Part of the Miss Marple series by Agatha Christie, The 4:50 From Paddington is an excellent novel for anyone looking for a fun read. The clever old lady known as Miss Marple receives the news from her trusted friend, Mrs. McGillicuddy, that a murder has occurred on a train. They report it to the police, but the police believe nothing like that has happened. So Miss Marple takes matters into her own hands and recruits a young lady named Lucy Eyelesbarrow to be her eyes and ears in this case.

This book has been published as What Mrs. McGillicuddy Saw!, its current title and Murder, She Said, but we know it as The 4:50 From Paddington. Christie’s unique writing style and use of old English makes this novel even more entertaining! This book is one of my favorites in the Miss Marple series. And you can read this particular book without having read any of the others in the series.


Recommended to: readers who like the good old-fashioned whodunits

Decemberunderground

Decemberunderground

By: AFI
Reviewed by: gothiclolitamaiden, 15
Rating: Really liked it


While I wait for Evanescence to finally release some new music, I have turned to other bands as a coping mechanism. A friend of mine highly recommended this band, so I gave it a listen.

The track listing is:
1. Prelude 12/21
2. Kill Caustic
3. Miss Murder
4. Summer Shudder
5. The Interview
6. Affliction
7. The Missing Frame
8. Kiss and Control
9. The Killing Lights
10. 37mm
11. Endlessly, She Said

AFI has a dark and unique sound that may be a bit of an acquired taste. They are not a mainstream band, but that really doesn’t matter (mainstream is very overrated). Anyone who likes alternative, emo, screamo, or metal-ish music might end up liking Decemberunderground. The lyrics are dark and at times slightly depressing, but they are reminiscent of poetry.

The lead vocalist (Davey Havok) is no Josh Groban, but he can sing and scream expressively, going from soft and sweet to anguished in a heart beat.
My favorite tracks on the album, were “Prelude 12/21,” “Miss Murder,” “Summer Shudder,” “Affliction,” “Kiss and Control,” and “The Killing Lights.” Yes, there exists a song named “The Killing Lights.”

I recommend this album to anyone who likes metal, alternative, emo, or screamo music. Anyone who enjoys dark, expressive music will enjoy this album.


Recommended to: Anyone who likes metal, alternative, emo, or screamo music. Teens, for morbid content.