themasterofobsession

[themasterofobsession]

Because who wouldn’t want to hear such a voice while watching a Polar Bear documentary. 

[themasterofobsession]

I almost wrecked my car yesterday because I thought I saw a car that was a 1967 Chevrolet Impala...

[themasterofobsession]

Book Review - Sea of Shadows by Kelley Armstrong

In the Forest of the Dead, where the empire’s worst criminals are exiled, twin sisters Moria and Ashyn are charged with a dangerous task. For they are the Keeper and the Seeker, and each year they must quiet the enraged souls of the damned.

Only this year, the souls will not be quieted.

Ambushed and separated by an ancient evil, the sisters’ journey to find each other sends them far from the only home they’ve ever known. Accompanied by a stubborn imperial guard and a dashing condemned thief, the girls cross a once-empty wasteland, now filled with reawakened monsters of legend, as they travel to warn the emperor. But a terrible secret awaits them at court—one that will alter the balance of their world forever. (Summary from: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17236366-sea-of-shadows). 

   This book seemed so promising to me, even after reading the bad reviews, just because I enjoyed Armstrong’s other books such as The Awakening and The Gathering. Unfortunately, some of those bad reviews turned out to be right. I’m not saying Sea of Shadows was “a waste of my time” or anything like that, it was just a little disappointing. 

   There didn’t seem to be much of a prominent plot through out the book, until the end anyway, and it was a little confusing at times - mainly during the beginning, but that’s to be expected with most starter books in a series. Not only that, but Armstrong didn’t really have her own spin on the story to add a uniqueness to it, like with her characters. I mean come on, twins with completely different personalities? I know there’s not many other options, but really. Just seems kind of cliche. 

   Though I did appreciate Kelley’s change in writing style, not that the style before was bad, but in this new series that particular change was refreshing along with her change in topic. Especially since this new style allowed the reader to more clearly feel and vision what was going on in the assortment of scenes - especially the battle ones. 

   Overall, Kelley Armstrong’s Sea of Shadows was a mediocre story that could’ve had more twists, better character development, and creativity. Yet, it is still worth a read and thankfully with the ending she provided prompts one enough to want to read the next installment. 

   I would recommend this book to people who, of course, enjoyed other Kelley Armstrong books, Throne of Glass, Graceling, and Falling Kingdoms. 

[themasterofobsession]

Book Review - Fire & Flood by Victoria Scott

Tella Holloway is losing it. Her brother is sick, and when a dozen doctors can't determine what's wrong, her parents decide to move to Montana for the fresh air. She's lost her friends, her parents are driving her crazy, her brother is dying—and she's helpless to change anything.

Until she receives mysterious instructions on how to become a Contender in the Brimstone Bleed. It's an epic race across jungle, desert, ocean, and mountain that could win her the prize she desperately desires: the Cure for her brother's illness. But all the Contenders are after the Cure for people they love, and there's no guarantee that Tella (or any of them) will survive the race.

The jungle is terrifying, the clock is ticking, and Tella knows she can't trust the allies she makes. And one big question emerges: Why have so many fallen sick in the first place? (Summary from: www.goodreads.com)

   I have to admit at first I wasn’t sure about this book because of other reviews I’d seen for it; most being either really good or really bad. Thankfully though, I found this book an exciting roller coaster that never stopped! Victoria was able to write her characters to where one could easily connect with them and feel the pain, excitement, and sadness they felt. Not only that, but the plot itself was also written to where I was on the edge of my seat the whole time, and her writing simple enough to where it wasn’t over the top. I never wanted it to end with its infinete loops and sudden turns! 

   And while some may find the storyline unoriginal since it sort of resembled Hunger Games, it was still unique in its own way to where it wasn’t exactly like Suzanne Collin’s book. 

   Trust me, even with that comparison, if you read this book you’ll be dying for the second one, because I myself had to get it right away since I couldn’t stop thinking about it! You know that feeling where you want to read a certain book so bad it hurts? Yeah, that’s how I was feeling. Thankfully I got Salt & Stone before I exploded. 

   So overall, I definitely recommend this book to fans of Hunger Games, How to  Train Your Dragon, and Divergent. However, depending on your age/beliefs, you may want to look out for the language and some make-out scenes. 

[themasterofobsession]

So I’ve started watching Doctor Who and I’ve realized many things on my adventures with the Doctor thus far. He’s always helping others - obviously - no matter what the cost. I mean it blows my mind all that he’s done and what he will do in the episodes to come just thinking about it. And he truly goes through so much to do what he does, because I feel the pain he feels and I hate seeing him suffer like he does. Yet, at the same time, there’s so many good things he does, and I got slapped in the face with that side of him on one of the past episodes I just watched. The Vincent Van Gogh episode. The Doctor has been torn apart, beaten, the things he loves taken from him, and so much more; yet he still does what he does because of the moments like Amy and him had with Vincent. To see someone like Van Gogh with the life he had realize everything the did, did mean something - that they lasted - was amazing. I cried like a freaking baby and had goosebumps forever, but that’s why I love the  Doctor, and I hope there will always be moments like they had with Van Gogh.