Reading Reflection: Hollowmen (The Hollows #2)

Hollowmen (The Hollows #2)

by Amanda Hocking
Published November 10th 2011 

the sequel to Hollowland....
After six months in the quarantine, Remy finds out things are much worse than she feared. Her plans to escape come with a heavy cost, and she realizes that zombies aren't the worst of her problems.

Wait... it's over?  That was is it?  Did I miss a page?  Those were my thoughts as I finished this book and attempted to click the right and left navigation buttons on my Nook, trying to find what I'd missed.

Well, this book started right from the end of the previous, Hollowland, with Remy getting butchered for experimental purposes.  It was grotesque and I couldn't handle the descriptions, so I had to skip a few pages.  This wasn't a bad thing I just don't do horror, blood, and gore... can't handle it.  It's one thing when zombies are being dismembered and speared, another to read a description of a human being sliced open, gross.

Um.... well, no one but Remy is present in the sequel, which, I don't know if I like or not.  I didn't like her love interest in the previous book, so I wasn't overly upset, but I was still attached to her makeshift family.  It was a bit confusing, disheartening, and depressive... perfect when the world is being destroyed by zombies and everyone you love has fled or died.  I guess those would be your sentiments.

I could deal with everything else, but the story was boring.  They walked, zombies attacked, they fought, they walked.  Occasionally, horrible people would interfere, making it even more depressing.  Not even the human characters were decent during the apocalypse... everything was just downright sad.  There was a little hope for them in the end, but I didn't feel it offered a real conclusion.  I wasn't satisfied.  I think that was the point though.  The world has ended. everyone you loved is gone, you've had to kill repeatedly, you've faced death for months, and the only thing you can hope for are the little things in life: water, food, shelter, clothing, and a few good people for company.

Reading Reflection: Hollowlands (The Hollows #1)

Hollowland (The Hollows #1)
by Amanda Hocking
Published October 6th 2010

"This is the way the world ends - not with a bang or a whimper, but with zombies breaking down the back door."
Nineteen-year-old Remy King is on a mission to get across the wasteland left of America, and nothing will stand in her way - not violent marauders, a spoiled rock star, or an army of flesh-eating zombies. 
 
   

I started this book this morning and finished about two minutes ago, enjoying the book much more than I thought I would.  Like my feelings for aliens, zombies are a stretch for me, but I've been meaning to read this series for a while.
 
Firstly, I love Amanda Hocking.  This was the first book I didn't purchase immediately because of the topic -zombies- but I'm really mad I didn't.  Her writing in this story is wonderful.  I loved her Trylle Trilogy or My Blood Approves books, but felt the writing could be further refined.  She accomplished that with this book.  She packed action from the beginning to end, to the point that I didn't realize how far into the story I was.  Never once was I bored.
 
Okay, Remy, the heroine, is a kick-ass character.  I loved her.  That's that, there is nothing else I could say to describe her overall awesomeness.  Kick ass.  I was a little disappointed with her love interest, but can overlook that because I liked her so much.  There could have been no romance in this book and I'd still be happy, it wasn't central to the them... and I didn't care.  That wouldn't be a big deal, but I am a sucker for romances and look for them in the novels I read.  Not this one, I wanted to know about her, not who she thought was cute.
 
The ending wasn't what I was expected, but it served it's purpose.  I bought the sequel immediately.  I won't give away spoilers, but I'm battling with myself.  I want to start reading Hollowmen immediately because the Hollows did not leave me with the happy ending I needed for Remy and her makeshift family.
   
As long as the sequel has a happy ending, I'm willing to recommend this book to anyone.  If not, I would feel cheated.  The heroine has been through too much and fought too hard not to be happy in the end.
 
 
 
 

 
 
Favorite Quote:
The Hollows: 
 
An army of half-dead monsters trudged towards us, and we had to make a decision.
     "Run the f*****s over," Harlow said, and none of us disagreed with her.
 
I don't know why, but I absolutely loved this line. I thought it was hysterical that it came form Harlow and not any of the other characters. 

Reading Reflection: The Host

The Host (The Host #1)

by Stephenie Meyer
Published May 6th 2008 

Melanie Stryder refuses to fade away. Our world has been invaded by an unseen enemy. Humans become hosts for these invaders, their minds taken over while their bodies remain intact and continue their lives apparently unchanged. Most of humanity has succumbed.

When Melanie, one of the few remaining "wild" humans, is captured, she is certain it is her end. Wanderer, the invading "soul" who has been given Melanie's body, was warned about the challenges of living inside a human: the overwhelming emotions, the glut of senses, the too-vivid memories. But there was one difficulty Wanderer didn't expect: the former tenant of her body refusing to relinquish possession of her mind.

Wanderer probes Melanie's thoughts, hoping to discover the whereabouts of the remaining human resistance. Instead, Melanie fills Wanderer's mind with visions of the man Melanie loves - Jared, a human who still lives in hiding. Unable to separate herself from her body's desires, Wanderer begins to yearn for a man she has been tasked with exposing. When outside forces make Wanderer and Melanie unwilling allies, they set off on a dangerous and uncertain search for the man they both love.

Ah, what can I say about The Host.  I love this book.  It is one of my "go to" books on a lazy day, when I have nothing else to read.  I read somewhere that this story is science fiction for those who don't think they like science fiction - and I couldn't agree more.

I am not a fan of aliens in the slightest, but this book isn't just about aliens.  It's about love, compassion, and strength of different kinds.  Its a very sweet book.  Wanderer is an alien, a soul, and Melanie is her host body who refuses to fade away.  They work beautifully together and you genuinely empathize with both of them throughout the novel, which is hard to believe.

The only negative about the book is that you have to stick with it, the beginning seems to drag endlessly without any real action taking place.  Stick with it!!!  The story gets better and it has a great ending that satisfies the wants and needs of both Wanderer and Melanie.



  

Must Read Monday (#11)

Must Read Monday (#11)

This week's topic: Favorite book you were forced to read for school, classic or not!

Okay for this first week of my participation I chose Emma, by Jane Austin.  One, I really loved the book and reread it recently. Two, I'm baby-stepping into this acrostic thing as you'll notice by the itty bitty title.

 

Exceptionally beautiful and witty socialite, but spoiled to a fault. 

Match Maker extraordinaire... well, self proclaimed anyway.

Meddling in romantic affairs, misinterpreting connections in a precarious way.

Adoration disguised as a friend, a very sweet end to her match making days.



Reading Reflection: Beautiful Disaster

Beautiful Disaster

by Jamie McGuire

Published May 26th 2011

The new Abby Abernathy is a good girl. She doesn’t drink or swear, and she has the appropriate percentage of cardigans in her wardrobe. Abby believes she has enough distance between her and the darkness of her past, but when she arrives at college with her best friend America, her path to a new beginning is quickly challenged by Eastern University’s Walking One-Night Stand.

Travis Maddox, lean, cut, and covered in tattoos, is exactly what Abby needs—and wants—to avoid. He spends his nights winning money in a floating fight ring, and his days as the charming college co-ed. Intrigued by Abby’s resistance to his charms, Travis tricks her into his daily life with a simple bet. If he loses, he must remain abstinent for a month. If Abby loses, she must live in Travis’ apartment for the same amount of time. Either way, Travis has no idea that he has met his match.

The book reminded me of this quote...
“I'm selfish, impatient and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I am out of control and at times hard to handle. But if you can't handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don't deserve me at my best.”
― Marilyn Monroe

I absolutely loved this book.  For the past few years I submerged myself in these young adult/middle grade paranormal romances: vampires, werewolves, psychics, telepathics, angels, etc.  Though I like this genre, I needed a change and Beautiful Disaster satisfied that itch.

It seemed so much simpler, realistic.  Bad boy falls for good girl.  Good girl fights attraction for bad boy.  Good girl doesn't have such a good girl background.  The relationship between Abby and Travis was anything but normal.  They presented a clear case of codependency, playing games with each other at every turn.  But... you wanted them to work it out.  You fought against your logical sense that told them to run and seek counseling and rooted for them to find a way to be together.  I loved Abby's attitude toward Travis, she wasn't easily impressed with his charms like every other girl.  He had to win her over.  I liked Travis' vulnerability, he absotuley needed her to survive... well, to continue trying to be a better person.  She grounded him.

Their relationship turmoil seemed to drag on at certain points and I became bored occasionally, impatient for the next up or down in their relationship.  It was realistic to me, like a real dysfunctioal relationship and I wanted to know if they can over look each other's flaws.  I even liked the supporting characters, America might be one of my favorite of all times.  She wasn't overly annoying which is constantly found in other novels I read.  I loved their friendship and once you find out about Abby's past you appreciate the bond they have so much more.  It was a real group of friends and demostrates how their relationships affect one another.  Overall, it was a very good read and I recommend it to anyone.

  

Reading Reflection: I am Number Four

I am Number Four (Lorien Legacies #1)

by Pittacus Lore

Published August 3rd 2010

In the beginning they were a group of nine. Nine aliens who left their home planet of Lorien when it fell under attack by the evil Mogadorian. Nine aliens who scattered on Earth. Nine aliens who look like ordinary teenagers living ordinary lives, but who have extraordinary, paranormal skills. Nine aliens who might be sitting next to you now.

The Nine had to separate and go into hiding. The Mogadorian caught Number One in Malaysia, Number Two in England, and Number Three in Kenya. All of them were killed. John Smith, of Paradise, Ohio, is Number Four. He knows that he is next.

I Am Number Four is the thrilling launch of a series about an exceptional group of teens as they struggle to outrun their past, discover their future—and live a normal life on Earth.

I saw this movie before I read the book and that rarely happens.  I loved the movie and liked the book.  I'm not sure if I was influenced by the big screen or not, but I preferred the movie.

This book is written in 1st person present tense, which I'm not used to.  I feel this adjustment on my part affected my judgement in the novel.  It took several chapters for me to overcome this and become involved in the story.  The sentences are short and direct, lacking connection with the reader.  I like to get lost in the book, almost believe I'm there, this did not happen.  I am also not a big fan of aliens, outer space, world invasions, etc.  I'll give every genre a try, but these are typically not my style. 

Okay, now for the good parts.  I actually did like the story line.  It might be a bit predictable, but that suits me just fine.  I wanted to know what happened to the characters, especially John and Sam.  I wanted to find out about all the other Lorien aliens, if they would find everyone or not.  I was emotionally invested in atleast one, maybe two scenes (I don't want to give out any spoilers).  There was action, love, friendship, aliens, and super powers.  Though it might not be my favorite book of all time, I will be looking to see what happens with the rest of the series.

I recommend this as a quick read, but with the warning of not expecting too much.  It's  a story and that's all.  It doesn't evoke that great emotional connection that most readers pursue.

January Reading List

I think this challenge is going ot be the best thing for me.  It's forcing me to organize and take action against those piles of books accumulating dust in every corner of my house or using up memory space in my Nook.  I've taken a look around and found some candidates.

These our my choices for January

Title: Beautiful Disaster
Author: Jamie McGuire
Pub Date: May 26th 2011

Title: Hollowand (The Hollows #1)
Author: Amanda Hocking
PubYear: October 6th 2010