Book Review: Storm Front by Jim Butcher

Title: Storm Front | Author: Jim Butcher

Series: The Dresden Files #1

Genre: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal 

Format: Kindle e-Book 

Date Finished: May 5, 2013

CoffeeNCrackers Rating: 1 Cup of Coffee

Harry Dresden is the best at what he does. Well, technically he is the only at what he does. So, when the Chicago P.D. has a case that transcends mortal creativity or capability, they came to him for answers. for the "everyday" world is actually full of strange and magical things and most don't play well with humans. That's where harry comes in. Takes a wizard to catch a - well, whatever. There's just one problem. Business, to put mildly, stinks. So when the police bring him in to consult on a grisly double murder, committed with black magic, Harry's seeing dollar signs. But where there's black magic there's a black mage behind it. And now that mage knows Harry's name. And that's when things start getting interesting. - Goodreads

My Review

A wizard personal investigator. The idea, in my opinion, is very original and organic which is why at the very beginning of the book I really want to like this book. Storm Front is the first installment of the Dresden Files series and I was like, really excited, to read an Urban Fantasy (UF) novel. The story, which is told from the protagonist, Harry Dresden's point of view, starts with an unnatural double murder case which lead to a series of events where Harry involved in "fighting" the black magic and dealing with paranormal creatures i.e vampire, faeries etc.

As I mentioned earlier, the premise is very exciting however my problem with this book is the main character itself. I'm so surprised that I cannot bring myself to like Harry Dresden. He thinks he is a cool person. He thinks he is capable of doing anything and everything. He thinks he is the best wizard on earth. Oh, come on, what with this self proclaimed character? He is not a likable hero for me let alone to be a so called investigator. When this book is supposed to be an investigation book, throughout the story Harry did nothing investigative at all which is kind of stupid and spoiled the mood. All he did is jumping into conclusions, going here and there without any real purpose, and keep on telling readers that everything would be ok because I'm "Harry the All-mighty Dresden" is around. So I was kind of frustrated with this kind of attitude.

I could kill the Shadowman, now, before he knew I was here. I could call down fury and flame on the house and killeveryone in it, not leave one stone upon another. I could reach out and embrace the dark energy in this place, draw it in and use it for whatever I wanted, and the consequences be damned.

But of course...nothing of this happened actually. What really happened is this. This makes me laugh and I kind of agree with Victor.

"Shut up!" Victor snarled."Who is the real wizard here, huh? Who is the one with all the cards and who is the one bleeding on the kitchen floor? You're nothing, Dresden, nothing. You're a loser. And do you know why? Because you're an idiot. 

Reading this book makes me realized that not all popular books are good books. However, I still have faith in this series and would like to give another shot for Jim Butcher or more accurate a second chance for Harry Dresden. I like the premise and in my opinion the series would be much better if it is written from a third person's point of view instead of how it is written now. I don't want to recommend this book to anyone but if you want to try to read something urban fantasy you can grab this one. Who knows you might come with a different conclusion that me.

FOOTNOTE:  This review is linked back to the Saturday Situation, a fun weekly meme co-host by Candace at Candace's Book Blog and Lori at Pure Imagination. 

Book Discovery: I Haven't Read Much Lately!

"If one cannot enjoy reading a book over and over again, there is no use in reading at all" - Oscar Wilde

It is a cloudy Friday over here and I am taking some time to scrabble something here at my blog. When was the last time I post anything worth reading? Well, I don't even remember myself. I stopped reviewing books around last year as I have very limited time to do such a thing anymore. Furthermore, at the moment I am in the 6 months training course to become a Fire Superintendent. Well, maybe I tell more about it another time. 

I'm just to happy that I started reading again after a few months of reading hiatus. Currently I'm reading one of my favorite authors, Jodi Picoult's book called The Storyteller. So far, I think the story is good and developing so I can't give much of a comment about it yet. Maybe I'll post a review about the book when I finish it. And since I'm in a good spirit to read and write again, I would like to share some good titles (in my opinion) that I've stumbled upon this week. So lets check them out! 

Well, Khaled Hosseini is one of the author that managed to make me wept by reading his book The Kite Runner. It was a good read and I am sure that this new installment from the the author will be as good as the Kite Runner. Doctor Sleep is said to be the sequel of The Shining which I haven't read the book yet but watched the movie (it is a classic movie). Hope this would be good. "Allegiant". I like this title of Roth's final installment of Divergent Trilogy. The cover is stunning as well. I really enjoyed the previous books and I'll make sure to have this one as well to complete my collection. 

That is all for now, have to get back to my reading. Nazi, Holocaust, Hitler...well, Jodi Picoult is sure did a serious research about this one. Have a good day and until next time! 

WWW Wednesdays Jan. 2

A fun weekly meme hosted by MizB @ Should Be Reading. This meme gives opportunity to  readers to share our current reading, books we recently finished and books we're going to read next.

What are you currently reading?

I just started reading "Tiger's Curse" by Colleen Houck. Since this book is having lots of good highlights, I am expecting someting good from it. And recently, I joined Goodread's Oprah Book Club. The group is currently featuring a book by Ayana Mathis, "The Twelve Tribes of Hattie". I am half way through this e-book at the momment. 

What did you recently finished reading?

"Only Time Will Tell" by Jeffrey Archer. It has been quite a long period of time that I've read a book by this author. And I'm so glad that this one turns out as a good read. Read my full review HERE

What do you think you'll read next?

Since Beautiful Creature's movie adaptation is going to hit big screens soon, I am in the mood to read the fourt installment of the Caster Chronicles Series by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl, "Beautiful Redemption".

Book Review: Only Time Will Tell by Jeffrey Archer

Title: Only Time Will Tell | Author: Jeffrey Archer

Series: The Clifton Chronicles #1

Genre: Historical Fiction, Drama | 

Format: Paperback, 450 pages

Date Finished: January 1, 2013

CoffeeNCrackers Rating: 4 Cups of Coffee

A secret past. A hidden destiny. A battle for the truth. 

The epic tale of Harry Clifton's begins in 1919, in the backstreets of Bristol. His father was war hero, but it will be twenty-one tumultous years before Harry discovers the truth about hiow his father really died and if, in fact, he even was his father. "Only Time Will Tell" take a cast of memorable characters from the ravages of the Great War to the outbreak of the Second World war, when Harry must decide wether to take his place at Oxford, or join the fight agains Hitler's Germany. In Jeffrey Archer's masterful hands, you will be taken on a journey that you won't want to end, even after you turn the last page of thisunforgettable yarn, because you'll be faced with a dilemma that neither you, nor Harry clifton could ever have anticipated. -Back Cover  

My Review

When I first read a book from Jeffrey Archer, "Paths of Glory", I was so fascinated by the author's style of storytelling. It remains as one of my all time favourite by the author. A few other books I read after that, "The Prisoner of Birth" and "Shall We Tell the President?" were as powerful. So, "Only Time Will Tell" is another solid proof that the author is one of the best master storyteller of his kind. The book is not only a great story of preserverence of Harry and his mother Maisie Clifton, but it captures the life and times of United Kingdom  in that era beautifully.

Though I find out the whole idea and concept: fight between rich and poor, a mother whose willing to do everything for her son's future, family secrets that connected the characters together and worst break them apart, which make the core of the story is quite typical and outdated and have been used in many books, however it is the style of writing which differs the book from others. Each of every part of the story starts in a diary style which brings the reader to understand the feeling from each of the character's point of view. Each part of the book brings reader to understand the story from different perspectives without confusing the reader. At first, I thought that it's repetitive nature might make me loose my interest. However, as the story goes along the way, I really think that it is done brilliantly as the questions arise from the previous part are being answered in the next chapters.

Another strong aspect of this story is how well each of the characters is developed by the author. Besides Harry and his mother Maisie, other characters whose really fascinate me are Giles and Old Jack Tar. Their relationship with Harry clifton sometimes makes me a little bit emotional and brought lump in my troat. Giles for me is a very good friend which everybody wishes they have, and Old Jack Tar is a good father figure with bunch of advice and wisdom. Another strong character in this book is Hugo Barrington, whose willing to do anything to bring harm to each of every characters in this story. I have to admit that, he is one of my favorite villain.

In a nutshell, this is the story that will make you thinking how good is good and how bad is bad. Since this is the first book of the pentalogy, I'll be reading more of Harry Clifton's life in future. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys vivid characters and a coming of age story that highlights the best and worst in poeple.

FOOTNOTE: This review is linked back to the Saturday Situation, a fun weekly meme co-host by Candace at Candace's Book Blog and Lori at Pure Imagination. 

Movie Review: Rentaneko (Rent-a-Cat)

Title: Rentaneko (Rent a Cat) | Year: 2012

Director: Naoko Ogigami | Writer: Naoko Ogigami

Genre: Drama, Family | Duration: 1 hr 40 mins

Starring: Mikako Ichikawa, Reiko Kusamura, Ken Mitsuishi

Rating: 2 1/2 Cups of Coffee



"Let this cat fill a hole in your heart" 

Sayoko rents out cats to help lonely people fill up the emptiness in their heart. She walks along the banks of the river with a megaphone promoting her service and her animals in a hand cart. It turns out that Sayoko is lonely too, ever since the death of her grandmother. All she has left is her cats. However, one day a young man shows up from Sayoko's past. He follows her home and suddenly her life seems completely to fall apart.

My Review

My first opinion is this movie is adorable as it has lots of cute "neko"-cats and a beautiful lead actress, though her sense of fashion is a bit off. As its core, Rent-a-Cat is about loneliness and how to fill up the hole in one's heart. The main character of this movie, Sayoko, portrayed by Mikako Ichikawa, repeatedly wonders along the river banks - it's so beautiful, I wish I can walk along such a river bank as well! Pulling a cart full of her cute cats, she's offering cat rental to lonely people. 

I like Sayoko so much. Though she is an awkward looking girl with a dream of getting married soon and has her honeymoon in Hawaii, she is definitely an adorable person in character and has a definite good heart not only towards animals, but towards people around her as well. "Let this cat fill the hole in your heart", is the nicest suggestion to the each of the people renting her cat. And she is also protective of her cats until the extend of doing the thorough inspection of the cat-renters because she though "Some jerks like to abuse little animals". 

It's so fascinating that the director plays a lot with the beautiful color tones and picturesque settings. I feels like I wish I can be a part of the beautiful settings. Sayoko's house though it looks less spacey, it is so beautiful that I wish I have a house like that but with no cats of course. However, I think that this movie's weak point is the delivery of it's emotional aspect left a small impact on me. Definitely, it has some humors but it fails to make me laugh. Normally, for this kind of movie, with its deep message I'm expecting myself to cry a bucket or two, but it failed terribly. I don't even shed a tear. Moreover, the movie's repetitive nature on the whole makes the movie less fun and less emotional than expected. The ending is confusing. I was like "What? That's it?". I really hope that it would end differently i.e Sayoko getting married with the boy from the past and off the go to Hawaii for honeymoon. Well, that's my kind of ending which never happened in this movie. 

All in all, it's adorable and cute but it's boring. Highly recommended for those who love cats. You might love this movie too. 

The Biggest Book Sale in the World!

If you are wondering where in the world you can find the biggest book sale ever? It is not in Canada. Not in United States of America either. In United Kingdom? Nah..it is a wrong answer as well. The answer is in Malaysia!! It's the Big Bad Wolf  Sale!  I've been enjoying this event for three consecutive years already and it was such an amazing experience. 

This year BBW2012 is taking place at Mines International Exhibition & Convention Centre (MIECC) and is offering the readers 75-95% super discounts on 3 million books. It's super cheap and yes I'm telling you the truth. So, those who haven't get the opportunity to go there yet, make time and clear up you schedule for this monstrous event. During the first three days, they opened the book sale 63 hours non stop. I was there up until 2 in the morning, can you believe it? And they're opening for a straight 60 hours this coming weekend. Amazing!! 

These are some pictures I snapped during the visit to BBW2012. Sorry for the low resolution images. Blame the Blackberry's camera.

the entrance: this year citizens don't have to queue

can see this car right before entering the hall. it's cool!

sea of citizens howling for the books

citizens queuing to pay for the books. I was in the queue for almost an hour. pfft!!

If you're wondering what I got from the wolf's nest this year. I'll let you know in another post. I've got 22 books in total and it cost me not more than RM200. What a bargain!! 

WWW Wednesdays Dec. 5

A fun weekly meme hosted by MizB @ Should Be Reading. This meme gives opportunity to  readers to share our current reading, books we recently finished and books we're going to read next.

What are you currently reading?

I'm juggling between "The Time Keeper" by Mitch Albom which I'm reading on my new baby Kindle Touch (well it's cool to have one!) and a physical book "The Passage" by Justin Cronin. So far, I really enjoy this two books.  

What did you recently finished reading?

The latest book that I finished reading is a John Grisham's novel with the title "The Litigators". Well, I'm not so impressed with this book actually. Working out on the review at the momment. 

What do you think you'll read next?

For quiet so long, I've been wanting to read the "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" series. Now I've all six books on my Kindle. So, the first book of the series would be next on my reading list.  

Wishlist: December 2, 2012

Title: Quran and Cricket | Author: Farish A. Noor

Publisher: Silverfish Publications

Genre: Travelog, Culture, History

Format: Paperback, 290 Pages

First Published: 2009

This is the book that only Farish A. Noor will attempt and can write. -Publisher

Almost a decade after 9/11, the media is still wrapped up in the good Muslim-bad Muslim cliche, and we are no closer to winning the War against Terror. Dr Farish A. Noor: academic, political scientist, activist and traveller extraordinaire, lives, eats, sleeps, prays with and interviews students (and others), in the 'jihad factory' madrasahs from Patani to Pakistan, and comes away dazed and confused. With strains of Pink Floyd in his head, he penetrates the deepest sanctums of Islamic orthodoxy, walks with Islamic guerrillas of Patani after dark, sips tea with Kalasnikov-wielding drug lords of Pakistan, and interviews monsters to try to make sense of it all.

*******

Title: Body 2 Body: A Malaysian Queer Anthology 

Author: Jerome Kugan, Phang Khee Teik

Publisher: Matahari Books Publications

Genre: Anthology, Social | Format: Paperback, 240 Pages

First Published: August 1, 2009

The first of its kind. 

A compilation of original creative writings on the gays, lesbians, transsexuals, and transvestites of the country. Long denied voice in the mainstream, the queers of Malaysia are boldly and fabulously represented in 23 stories, fiction and non-fiction. From coming out to changing home, breaking up to breaking down, changing sex to changing heart, the stories are different from anything you may have read in or about Malaysia. Recognize your friend, family members, or even yourself in the stories. by turns poignant, lustful, tragic and hilarious, this book is a testament to the rainbow mosaic that makes up Malaysian society.