The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown 5/5 stars

Hey, guys! Wow. The Da Vinci Code blew me away. I had heard of it, of course, with its controversy and everyone and their brother reading it. When I finally decided to start it, you would think I would have expected how much I loved it.

The Cover:

The Cover:
It shows the Mona Lisa peaking through a crack in the paper. It's a cool cover that is simple but gives a general impression of the book: art ridden with secrets/conspiracy. A+ cover

Official Description:
An ingenious code hidden in the works of Leonardo da Vinci. A desperate race through the cathedrals and castles of Europe. An astonishing truth concealed for centuries . . . unveiled at last.
While in Paris, Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon is awakened by a phone call in the dead of the night. The elderly curator of the Louvre has been murdered inside the museum, his body covered in baffling symbols. As Langdon and gifted French cryptologist Sophie Neveu sort through the bizarre riddles, they are stunned to discover a trail of clues hidden in the works of Leonardo da Vinci—clues visible for all to see and yet ingeniously disguised by the painter.
Even more startling, the late curator was involved in the Priory of Sion—a secret society whose members included Sir Isaac Newton, Victor Hugo, and Da Vinci—and he guarded a breathtaking historical secret. Unless Langdon and Neveu can decipher the labyrinthine puzzle—while avoiding the faceless adversary who shadows their every move—the explosive, ancient truth will be lost forever.

My Review:
The Da Vinci Code is a mystery novel full of conspiracy, police chases, and art history. It is an interesting combination that works wonderfully! 

It's a mystery novel that is actually mysterious. It gives you a glimpse of the danger without doing too much of a "villain's perspective", which I appreciate. When I see everything from the villain's POV, I undoubtedly end up thinking the main characters are stupid. It's frustrating (*cough* Silence of the Lambs and Mr. Mercedes *cough*). While there are a few chapters from an assassin's POV, it doesn't ruin any of the suspense. It actually adds a bit to the book.

The most interesting part of this book is the history and conspiracy. Dan Brown takes famous paintings and artists plus biblical stories to work together in a surprisingly believable conspiracy. It was really a fun thought-exercise at the very least to follow the logic of Brown's secret society. It really gets you thinking!

The characters were interesting. Nothing too exciting, but Robert Langdon is a likeable enough guy. He seems like the type to like barbecues, etc. He made me think a little bit about an adventure-seeking suburban dad, which worked well for his place in The Da Vinci Code. His leading lady, Sophie, was an intelligent, strong female character. She was a master codebreaker and seemed to fit in her role. Again, likeable enough but doesn't stand out a lot.

The action scenes, on the other hand, were very exciting. The whole book was very fast-paced with police chases, an assassin on the loose, and other unexpected dangers. The story moved fast, and it was hard to put this book down!

Overall, I would definitely recommend The Da Vinci Code. It was exciting, thought-provoking, and just a fun read. It's been one of the best books I've read so far this year! Try it out!

Phrase:
Find Robert Langdon

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The Dark Prophecy (Trials of Apollo #2) by Rick Riordan 4/5 stars

Hey, guys! I was really looking forward to the second Trials of Apollo book especially after my impression of book one. I was excited that it had more of the original Percy Jackson feel that had been absent in his more recent books. This book was fine, and that was it. 

The Cover:

The Cover:
It shows Apollo on top of a Griffin, with battle-ready Ostriches in the foreground. This cover is a bit too silly for my tastes. C cover.

Official Description:
After experiencing a series of dangerous—and frankly, humiliating—trials at Camp Half-Blood, Apollo must now leave the relative safety of the demigod training ground and embark on a hair-raising journey across North America. Fortunately, what he lacks in godly graces he's gaining in new friendships—with heroes who will be very familiar to fans of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians and Heroes of Olympus series. Come along for what promises to be a harrowing, hilarious, and haiku-filled ride. . . 

My Review:
The Dark Prophecy  was... fine. It was what you signed up for: a prophecy, a quest, some god-related banter and sass, some fight scenes, and some character drops from Riordan's earlier books. It was all of those things, and it did all of them well, but... It didn't blow me away. 

I felt that the story was a bit too "tried and true". It was a repeat of the style and format of all of the other books that Rick Riordan has written without adding anything new enough or exciting enough to make it stand out. All in all, it was a bit boring. 

It was still a good book! The characters were entertaining, the plotline and backstories interesting, and the action exciting. It was just too much of the same for me. The book dragged on until the end third. 

On the other hand, the villain in this book was one of the more interesting villains that I've read from Riordan. He had a complexity that was refreshing!

Overall, I was a little disappointed by The Dark Prophecy, but it was still decent. I think I will still read the next book in the series. 

Phrase:
Ostriches

If You Liked This Book, You May Also Like:
A World Without Heroes
The Sword of Summer
Five Kingdoms series

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The Battle of Hackham Heath (Ranger's Apprentice: The Early Years #2) by John Flanagan 4.5/5 stars

Hey, guys! Whether I should be reading this prequel series to Ranger's Apprentice is up for debate; however, I know I am definitely enjoying it. After reading The Tournament at Gorlan, I was ready for the next book in this series. 

The Cover:

The Cover:
It shows a monster reaching for the crown, as Morgarath pitches his attempt to claim the throne and the kingdom from King Duncan. B cover.

Official Description:
The peace in Araluen is under threat and newly crowned King Duncan must prepare for war. Morgarath is in hiding, recruiting an army of savage beasts known as Wargals for his next attack.
Halt prepares for a seemingly impossible task – to scale the Mountains of Rain and Night to spy on the enemy and uncover their plans.
He knows that one wrong move could be deadly, for at the Battle of Hackham Heath the fate of a kingdom will be decided.

My Review:
The Battle of Hackham Heath was an exciting book. Most of the book was spent on various battles that the Rangers and kingdom fight against Morgarath who is now equipped with some deadly allies, the Wargals. By controlling the Wargals with mind control, Morgarath can set these beasts on the kingdom as he seeks revenge and power. 

The plot is very fast-paced as the characters plan and then execute various battle strategies and tactics. It was most similar to Battle of Skandia in its story. 

The characters were as great as ever. Halt and Crowley were lovable as always, with dry senses of humor as well as a lack of regard for other's opinions of themselves. Their relationship is one of the highlights of this prequel series.

Overall, I really enjoyed reading The Battle of Hackham Heath. It wasn't the best Ranger's Apprentice book, but I enjoyed it all the same. I believe this prequel series is supposed to be a trilogy, but I'm not sure how that will work. The ending of this book felt like closure enough! Either way, I know that I will be reading it. 

Phrase:
Wargals

If You Liked This Book, You May Also Like:
The Brotherband Chronicles
Legend

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Wise Blood by Flannery O'Connor 3/5 stars

Hey, guys! Wise Blood was the last book I read in my English class this year. It was definitely different than anything else we've read!

The Cover:

The Cover:
It shows a blind man's face, not a movie-star which was my first impression. This blind man originally represents the blind preacher but grows in importance as the novel goes on. A+ cover.

Official Description:
Wise Blood, Flannery O’Connor’s first novel, is a classic of twentieth-century literature. It is a story of Hazel Motes, a twenty-two-year-old caught in an unending struggle against his innate, desperate faith. He falls under the spell of a "blind" street preacher named Asa Hawks and his degenerate fifteen-year-old daughter, Lily Sabbath. In an ironic, malicious gesture of his own non-faith, and to prove himself a greater cynic than Hawkes, Hazel Motes founds The Church of God Without Christ, but is still thwarted in his efforts to lose God. He meets Enoch Emery, a young man with "wise blood," who leads him to a mummified holy child, and whose crazy maneuvers are a manifestation of Hazel's existential struggles. This tale of redemption, retribution, false prophets, blindness, blindings, and wisdoms gives us one of the most riveting characters in twentieth-century American fiction.

My Review:
This book is a comedy of sorts that proves to be deeper than you would assume at first glance. It uses a form of absurdism to stake a claim about religion and free-will. It is a satire of religion, while still promoting religion.

To be clear, this book is about religion by being anti-religious. The point (as I saw it) is that you see that the ideas, at least, of religion cannot be escaped. There is no huge moment of conversion or anything like that. It isn't a blatant message of religion, but it is definitely there. 

The characters of this book were very one-dimensional. They were all one thing, which they characterized as strongly as possible. The flat characters were purposeful, but I know that the character's lack of interest can often be the kiss of death for a reader. It wasn't distracting from the story, but they didn't add anything to it either.

The plot, maybe due to the level of absurdity of Wise Blood, was all over the place. It followed about seven half-stories. A storyline would be developed and then left hanging. Other times a storyline that hadn't even been started would wrap-up, leaving me feeling as if I had just missed something. Characters knew things they shouldn't, did things without a reason, and reacted with unexpected emotions to...everything. Again, I believe this was purposeful. It definitely left a certain impression and feel to the scenes and the book as a whole. 

Overall, I would recommend this book if you have some working knowledge of religion. You don't need to be well versed on biblical topics, or even know anything about a certain religion. If you understand the sensation of religion (whatever one), Wise Blood can be very interesting. It was one of my favorite English class books of the year. However, for the students in my class who knew little about religion, they just didn't get this book. They couldn't. Wise Blood is strange but good in a way I've never seen before. 

Phrase:
Stones in his shoes

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King's Cage (Red Queen #3) by Victoria Aveyard 3.5/5 stars

Hey, guys! After reading Red Queen (review of book 1) and Glass Sword (review of book 2), I was incredibly excited to read King's Cage, especially with the ending of Glass Sword. I was a little let down, but the book was still great.

The Cover:

The Cover:
I like that it continues the theme of a crown dripping with blood. That image seems fitting for this series. However, using basically the same cover for every book in the series is a bit much. Without the titles, I don't know if I could pick this book out of a lineup. I appreciate the theme, but it goes a bit far. B- cover

Official Description:
Mare Barrow is a prisoner, powerless without her lightning, tormented by her lethal mistakes. She lives at the mercy of a boy she once loved, a boy made of lies and betrayal. Now a king, Maven Calore continues weaving his dead mother's 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 organizing, 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 Review:
This book felt very Mockingjay: Part 1. It lengthened the series (with a stunning 530 pages), but it was all build up that led nowhere. This series was intended to be a trilogy, but after its success, the writer and publisher decided to keep at it and get themselves more money.

The plot moved very slowly. For the first half to three-quarters of the book, Mare is just sitting quietly as Maven's prisoner waiting. Nothing at all happens in that plot line. It's just pages and pages of limbo.

Meanwhile, again in the first half to three-quarters of the book, Cameron (a second narrator) whines. Cameron is quite possibly one of the most irritating characters I've ever read about. Her chapters do not have any content except for her whining to various people. She complains that Cal doesn't pick a side/ betray his family and everyone he knew growing up, yet when the time comes for her to do any action, she refuses. She claims to be fully committed to the cause, even going so far as to accost Cal about not being committed, only to show her own lack of commitment. If she's going to yell about Cal not helping, then she should help! Cameron is such a hypocrite, but the way the narration is set-up, you are supposed to feel bad for her. It just backfires.

Victoria Aveyard also suddenly decides that her series is about politics in this book. She hardly goes a minute without launching very obvious connections between her made-up society and today's world. This disrupts the story because it's a bit out of character for many of the main characters, and she is just so heavy-handed with it! Instead of noticing the links on your own and it affecting you, Aveyard hits you in the head with a brick and expects you to be so impressed. It's like having a moral shoved down your throat.

The other characters are much the same as they had always been. Mare is a not-very-likable-but-still-okay type of character. Maven attempts to be deep and for me to relate to him, or at least pity him, and fails. Cal is the only real salvageable character and gets little scene time.

All that said, the writing style was still good. Victoria Aveyard obviously knows how to write. I'm disappointed in how much worse King's Cage was than the other books in this series. I was really looking forward to reading it. I even picked it up the day it came out, but I am just now able to finish it.

Overall, the characters and slow-moving plot ruined this series for me. I doubt I'll read the final money-grabbing book in this series.

Phrase:
"king's cage" (the phrase is mentioned at least 20 times during this book, which is about 19 times too many)

If You Liked This Book, You May Also Like:
The Young Elites / The Rose Society
The Selection

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We Should Hang Out Sometime by Josh Sundquist 4/5 stars

Hey, guys! I recently found Josh Sundquist's youtube channel and appreciated his sense of humor. From there, I heard that he wrote a book about his dating failures, We Should Hang Out Sometime. Of course, I had to read it.

The Cover:

The Cover:
It shows the title in the form of an infographic, which is surprisingly relevant to this book. Josh shares his story with the help of silly graphics (bar graphs, venn diagrams, etc.) in a way that's similar to the cover. It's simple and elegant, as well. A+ cover

Official Description:
A bright, poignant, and deeply funny autobiographical account of coming of age as an amputee cancer survivor, from Josh Sundquist: Paralympic ski racer, YouTube star, and motivational speaker.
Josh Sundquist only ever had one girlfriend.
For twenty-three hours.
In eighth grade.
Why was Josh still single? To find out, he tracked down the girls he had tried to date and asked them straight up: What went wrong?
The results of Josh's semiscientific, wholly hilarious investigation are captured here. From a disastrous Putt-Putt date involving a backward prosthetic foot, to his introduction to CFD (Close Fast Dancing), to a misguided "grand gesture" at a Miss America pageant, this story is about looking for love--or at least a girlfriend--in all the wrong places.

My Review:
We Should Hang Out Sometime is a very wholesome book. It tells of Josh's struggles with awkwardness as he grows up, especially as it relates to girls. The narration is funny and often sarcastic, with many diagrams of various situations he finds himself in. 

It is a nice, pleasant book that you could easily read in a day or so, or stretch it out over a longer period of time. The book is broken down into the various girls he tries (and fails) to have a relationship with. Each of these sections is about 50 pages, so you can read them back-to-back or just pick up with a new story, a new girl, later. 

One of the unique aspects of this book is that Josh tries to meet up with his old almost-girlfriends while writing this book and records their interactions. It definitely adds something to this memoir. However, oftentimes, his interviews are a bit lacking. He doesn't necessarily ask what he wants to hear and makes some assumptions. While this is still a fun part of the book, it would have been nice to have a more complete look into the girls' minds.

Overall, I really enjoyed We Should Hang Out Sometime. It was sweet, inspiring, and funny. Definitely a light book that will help you pass a lazy afternoon. It didn't knock my socks off, but it was pleasant. 

Phrase:
When are we going to hang out?

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The Moviegoer by Walker Percy 2.5/5 stars

Hey, guys! Here is another book I read in my AP Literature class. It was incredibly similar to Mrs. Dalloway and still largely connected to As I Lay Dying, both books I didn't particularly like. The Moviegoer was more comprehensible in terms of form and readability, but it was worse in terms of there being an evident plot. 

The Cover:

The Cover:

It shows a movie theater from a distance, which is underwhelming at best, much like this book! At least the cover fits the book. C+ cover

Official Description:

The Moviegoer is Binx Bolling, a young New Orleans stockbroker who surveys the world with the detached gaze of a Bourbon Street dandy even as he yearns for a spiritual redemption he cannot bring himself to believe in. On the eve of his thirtieth birthday, he occupies himself dallying with his secretaries and going to movies, which provide him with the "treasurable moments" absent from his real life. But one fateful Mardi Gras, Binx embarks on a hare-brained quest that outrages his family, endangers his fragile cousin Kate, and sends him reeling through the chaos of New Orleans' French Quarter. Wry and wrenching, rich in irony and romance, The Moviegoer is a genuine American classic.

My Review:

This book was, quite frankly, boring. Nothing really happened over the course of the book. I could sum up the entire story within two underwhelming sentences. I've always considered myself a plot-person. My favorite parts of books are generally plot related. That being said, I can, and do, enjoy books where not much happens plot-wise, but where the character development is central. 

The Moviegoer doesn't fit in either of these categories. Its plot is almost nonexistent and the characters do not even experience a transformation (eg. a "coming of age" novel). I tried to give the characters the benefit of the doubt. Only upon rereading the epilogue for the third time could I see the subtle change in Binx's attitude. It is so slight of a change that I would be surprised if Walker Percy knew that it existed. That only brings me to question: Why would the author write this book where nothing changes? The beginning and ending of this novel are almost identical. Nothing changes. And if nothing changes, what was the point in reading it?

(Side note: While discussing The Moviegoer, my English teacher asked our 25 member class what the turning point of this novel was, and not one person spoke up. No one thought a turning point even existed. A thought that was confirmed even more when my teacher, a person who has read this book at least ten times, admitted that he couldn't pinpoint a turning point either.)

While The Moviegoer was well-written, the lack of any substance made me dislike it. The book didn't change the way I think about anything (a trait I find common in the "classics"), nor did it entertain me in any way. 

I would not recommend reading The Moviegoer. If you want to read something like this book (which I don't recommend), read Mrs. Dalloway instead. It at least had a semblance of a plot. 

Phrase:

Elysium Fields

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Heir of Fire (Throne of Glass #3) by Sarah J Maas 3.5/5 stars

Hey, guys! Earlier this year, I read both Throne of Glass and Crown of Midnight, the previous books in this series. I enjoyed both but was warned that people rather loved or hated book 3, so I was a bit skeptical starting Heir of Fire. After reading it, I can definitely understand where both sides are coming from.

The Cover:

The Cover:
I hate the covers of this series. They don't really relate to the story at all (I don't remember any mention to a bow and arrow) and Celaena is blue... for some reason. I would rather have a completely black cover than something like this. D- cover.

Official Description:
Celaena has survived deadly contests and shattering heartbreak―but at an unspeakable cost. Now, she must travel to a new land to confront her darkest truth . . . a truth about her heritage that could change her life―and her future―forever. Meanwhile, brutal and monstrous forces are gathering on the horizon, intent on enslaving her world. Will Celaena find the strength to not only fight her inner demons, but to take on the evil that is about to be unleashed?

My Review:
Overall, I enjoyed Heir of Fire slightly less than prior books in the series. However, there were many highs and many lows that end up balancing out. This book definitely had more elements that I hated than the earlier books, but some things, like the development of the characters were much more engaging in this book. 

For example, in this book a group of witches are introduced. About a third to a fourth of the book was taken up by this storyline of the politics of this group of witches who are preparing to go to war. This might have been interesting by itself, but it didn't fit in this book. The witches's story never intersected the rest of the story. It stood alone and could have been cut out, making the whole story move faster. I felt like they were developing a plot point which could be interesting but never occurred. 

Making the book faster would have been especially nice because the middle section of this book dragged. The main characters were all split up, experiencing different plot lines, so the book jumped from one person to the next in a way that made it difficult to get invested in any one storyline. And even if you were interested, by the time that storyline was in focus again, you have lost interest. 

However, the ending of this book was very exciting. So exciting, in fact, that I think it makes up for the boring middle. However, if you give up before you get there, it can't help!

Something that bothers me about this book in particular is the main character's name. She has at least three separate names that are used interchangeably. Sometimes she's Celeana, sometimes Eilean, and that's not even to mention the fake names she gives out constantly. It gets hard to follow.

All of that being said, the plot was interesting, especially nearer to the end. The characters were still well-formed. This book even has new characters, Rowan and Aedion, who are interesting to read about. Will I read the next book? Most likely. The cliffhanger ending had me hooked, but I might only skim over some parts.

Overall, I'd recommend this book if you like the characters and are willing to power through the middle.

Phrase:
Rings

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Frankenstein by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley 4/5 stars

Hey, guys! Recently, I read Frankenstein for a project I was working on. I've always wanted to read it, so I seized on the chance. It is also surprisingly short, only about 200 pages in the edition I read. 

The Cover:

The Cover:
This is one of my favorite covers for Frankenstein. It shows rather the monster or Frankenstein journeying through the mountains near the coast of the North Pole, a scene near the beginning/end of the novel.
Official Description:
At once a Gothic thriller, a passionate romance, and a cautionary tale about the dangers of science, Frankenstein tells the story of committed science student Victor Frankenstein. Obsessed with discovering the cause of generation and life and bestowing animation upon lifeless matter, Frankenstein assembles a human being from stolen body parts but; upon bringing it to life, he recoils in horror at the creature's hideousness. Tormented by isolation and loneliness, the once-innocent creature turns to evil and unleashes a campaign of murderous revenge against his creator, Frankenstein.
Frankenstein, an instant bestseller and an important ancestor of both the horror and science fiction genres, not only tells a terrifying story, but also raises profound, disturbing questions about the very nature of life and the place of humankind within the cosmos: What does it mean to be human? What responsibilities do we have to each other? How far can we go in tampering with Nature? In our age, filled with news of organ donation genetic engineering, and bio-terrorism, these questions are more relevant than ever.

My Review:
I was surprised by how much I liked Frankenstein. It wasn't really what I expected, but I enjoyed it nevertheless. Instead of being a horror/thriller, it was more a social commentary. Instead of being afraid of Frankenstein, I felt pity for him. It was really interesting in that regard, but not what I was expecting. 

I was also afraid that, since this book was written in the 1800s, it may be difficult to understand. After reading Moby Dick, I have tried to avoid any writing that may be similar. However, Frankenstein was surprisingly easy to read. It wasn't "easy" but certainly better than Moby Dick. It uses some archaic words and phrases, but is fairly straightforward. It's not an easy read, but it is definitely doable.

The characters were interesting. We actually got to see both from Frankenstein (the creator)'s point of view as well as the monster's, which I really liked. The other characters in the story were a bit flat, however, which made me care less when/if they were killed. I just didn't have an emotional connection to them.

I had two main problems with Frankenstein. One was that it grew repetitive too often. There is only so many different ways for Frankenstein and his monster to call themselves the most "wretched" person alive. The other was that Frankenstein, the creator, was a complete wuss. He would be in a position to help his friend or save someone with little to no harm befalling him, and he would just cower in the corner. Also, near the end of the book, the monster gives him a clear warning, which Frankenstein misinterprets, again causing another person harm, which is just irritating. I was honestly rooting for the monster throughout the book, if only because Frankenstein is a pushover. 

Overall, I would recommend reading Frankenstein, if you are willing to read something that is a little difficult. It was really interesting, and I am definitely glad I read it. It will make you feel more cultured, plus it has a nice story. Give it a shot!

(Note: I've heard that Frankenstein is absolutely nothing like the movie version. If you have watched the movie, you haven't seen the real story of Frankenstein, so you should give the book a try, too!)

Phrase:
The scared cottagers

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The Picture of Dorian Gray

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Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead by Tom Stoppard 4/5 stars

Hey, guys! This is definitely a bit of an obscure book. It is a play that is a sort-of spin on Hamlet that I read in my AP Literature class. I really enjoyed it, even if I wasn't really sure what was going on, most of the time anyway. 

The Cover:

The Cover:
It shows Rosencrantz and Guildenstern lying flat on their backs, presumably dead. B+ cover

Official Description:
Hamlet told from the worm's-eye view of two minor characters, bewildered Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Echoes of Waiting for Godot resound, reality and illusion mix, and where fate leads heroes to a tragic but inevitable end.

My Review:
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead is this weird mix of absurd comedy and existentialism set in the world of Hamlet. I thought it was hilarious most of the time, one of my favorite books I've read for English class all year.

I would recommend reading Hamlet first, however. In order to understand the general context for the play, you have to have some base knowledge of the story of Hamlet. The actual storyline is original, but the setting and a bit of the plot depend on Shakespeare's work.

The characters of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern seem kind of like a buddy comedy team. One is the lovable goof, the other a no-nonsense kind of guy. They work well together and lead to a light and funny tone throughout.

I liked the play, but I can't say that I understood it at all below surface level. There was a bit of a theme on existence, but beyond that, I didn't pick up on it. I'm sure I would have rated it 5 stars if the meaning behind the story was a little bit clearer.

Overall, I'd recommend Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, if you have some knowledge of Hamlet. It's a quick, funny, and just generically quirky read. 

Phrase:
Heads

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The Importance of Being Earnest

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