Saturday, August 27, 2011

My TBR Pile



Right now my TBR (To Be Read) pile consists of many many books! Which include the following:
  • The House of Night novels by P.C and Kristen Cast. (I've only read the first one. Now I can't take out time to read the rest.)
  • The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks. (I'm a big Nicholas Sparks fan and I still haven't read his best work! So I'm gonna read it at last.)
  • Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. (I've heard a lot about this book. My mom says she read it when she was younger but she didn't like it. Now I'm gonna give it a try and decide myself if it's good or not.) 
  • The Vampire Academy series. (I'm a vampire fanatic and these books sound pretty cool. I'm really looking forward to reading them!)
  • The Harry Potter books. (Can you believe I haven't read the Harry Potter books yet?! I really really wanna read them but 'time' is the main problem for me. =/ I'll try to read them this year.)
So this is my TBR pile for now. Which books do you have piled up in your TBR pile? Tell me in the comments below!

Dearly Departed by Lia Habel


Book: Dearly Departed
Author: Lia Habel
Release: October, 2011
Summary:
Love conquers all, so they say. But can Cupid’s arrow pierce the hearts of the living and the dead—or rather, the undead? Can a proper young Victorian lady find true love in the arms of a dashing zombie?
The year is 2195. The place is New Victoria—a high-tech nation modeled on the manners, mores, and fashions of an antique era. A teenager in high society, Nora Dearly is far more interested in military history and her country’s political unrest than in tea parties and debutante balls. But after her beloved parents die, Nora is left at the mercy of her domineering aunt, a social-climbing spendthrift who has squandered the family fortune, and now plans to marry her niece off for money. For Nora, no fate could be more horrible—until she’s nearly kidnapped by an army of walking corpses.
But fate is just getting started with Nora. Catapulted from her world of drawing-room civility, she’s suddenly gunning down ravenous zombies alongside mysterious black-clad commandos and confronting “The Laz,” a fatal disease that raises the dead—and hell along with them. Hardly ideal circumstances. Then Nora meets Bram Griswold, a young soldier who is brave, handsome, noble . . . and dead. But as is the case with the rest of his special undead unit, luck and modern science have enabled Bram to hold on to his mind, his manners, and his body parts. And when his bond of trust with Nora turns to tenderness, there’s no turning back. Eventually, they know, the disease will win, separating the star-crossed lovers forever. But until then, beating or not, their hearts will have what they desire.
 
So I read the review of this book on my favorite book blog, Bloggers [heart] Books, and I just cannot wait to get my hands on it!! How cool does this book sound?!! I totally cannot wait to read it! If you wanna read the review click here. (http://bloggers-heart-books.blogspot.com/2011/08/dearly-departed-by-lia-habel.html)

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Hello World!!

Hey people! Hope you guys are doing well! I just wanted to say to you all that if you like what you read on my site, please share it with others! I really want others to know about my site so that I can get tons of different views about the stuff I write.

I write this stuff for fun. And I write it to share my point of views on different things with the world and to know what they think about those things. I write this stuff to connect with people who have the same interests as I do (because none of my friends do =/).

I know I'm not that good at writing reviews. But the thing is I just started doing it. So it's gonna take me some time to get good at it. Feel free to give me suggestions.

Also I'm looking for a co-web/co-blogger. If anybody is interested please mail me at smashing.hira@gmail.com.

Hope to hear from you guys soon! =)

Love Hira

P.S: School's starting in 10 days =( That means less reading time so less posting time. But I'm trying to set up a schedule so at least I'll be able to post every week.

TVD Bloopers!! Season 1 & 2

Season 1
 

Season 2 

Vampire Knight


 My brother says I'm a vampire addict. I think I'm a semi-vampire addict. I've seen people with a worse case of vampirephobia than I have. But one thing's straight that I do like vampire related stuff. I love Vampire Diaries (books & show). I love the House of Night novels (by P.C and Kristen Cast). I am going to read Vampire Academy Series (by Racheal Mead). But I'm not such a big fan of Twilight (I have no idea why =/).

Well anyway, this post is about Vampire Knight. (Yup! Another 'vampire' related thing!) Vampire Knight is the bestest manga I've ever read! Actually it' the only manga I've ever read so I don't think I can compare it with other mangas. But I like it just the same =)

Here's a little plot summary:

Yuki Cross's earliest memory is of being attacked by a vampire and saved by Kaname Kuran, also a vampire. Ten years later, Yuki and a vampire hunter, Zero Kiryu attend Cross Academy as school guardians protecting the "Day Class" and the "Night Class" from each other to keep vampires secret. The story follows Yuki's discovery that her childhood friend, Zero, has spent the last four years trying to fight his transformation into a vampire, and he has finally succumbed. Yuki struggles to help Zero fight his bloodlust and to recover her own lost memories, while suspecting that Kaname knows more than he is saying.
When his uncle, Rido Kuran, returns to kill Yuki, Kaname is forced to reveal her secret by biting Yuki and awakening her true nature as a vampire, returning her memories of being Yuki Kuran, his younger sister. Rido is killed by Zero and Yuki while Kaname faces and destroys Rido's allies, the Vampire Council, revealing himself to be one of the original vampires and the founder of the Kuran clan. Yuki and Zero part as enemies after Zero reveals he intends to end everything, by killing all purebloods, even her. Yuki leaves with Kaname and they return to the Kuran family home. The story restarts a year later with Yuki's dealing with vampire society and new enemies, such as Sara Shirabuki.

I have seen the anime and now I'm reading the manga. I'm on chapter 46 right and the manga has 74 chapters (still ongoing). I don't get much time to read (I have a life, you know!) but I try to read it whenever I can. Well actually I read it online and most of the time my internet's not working or it's too slow (it sucks! =/) so it's hard to read it. And also I'm busy with school (I'm in 10th grade now and it's pretty hard work!) and homework and such. Plus I have another blog (HM Disney Stars) which I have to update too from time to time. So you get my point.

Now back to VK. My favorite character is Zero! <3 He's so adorable!! And well Yuuki's ok I guess. Kaname's hot!! But a little weird. And from the side characters I like Ichijou. He's just so sweet!! And Hanabusa is so cute! I just adore his pretty blue eyes! <3 And Akatsuki is cute too =)

If anyone's interested in reading it (in English of course because I don't know Japanese at all) I read it on Manga Reader. Enjoy! =) And do tell me what you think of it! If you already have read it (and are a fan like me) then hit the comments section to brag about your love for it!

Here are a few VK pictures I edited:



Credit goes to me for the above two pictures!!

New Header!!

I made a new header for the blog! =) What do you think? I merged pictures of a couple of my favorite stuff and voila! I know it's not extraordinary or anything but I like it just the same! =)

Love Hira, XOXO

The Choice by Nicholas Sparks




Author: Nicholas Sparks
Summary: Travis Parker has everything a man could want: a good job, loyal friends, even a waterfront home in small-town North Carolina. In full pursuit of the good life -- boating, swimming, and regular barbecues with his good-natured buddies -- he holds the vague conviction that a serious relationship with a woman would only cramp his style. That is, until Gabby Holland moves in next door. Despite his attempts to be neighborly, the appealing redhead seems to have a chip on her shoulder about him...and the presence of her longtime boyfriend doesn't help. Despite himself, Travis can't stop trying to ingratiate himself with his new neighbor, and his persistent efforts lead them both to the doorstep of a journey that neither could have foreseen. Spanning the eventful years of young love, marriage and family, The Choice ultimately confronts us with the most heartwrenching question of all: how far would you go to keep the hope of love alive?

 Nicholas Sparks is one of my favorite writers. I love his books! I have been meaning to read The Choice for a long time now and I finally got the chance to do it. I love this book. I love the characters. I love how they are not perfect, how they are real and believable. I love the story. And I absolutely love the ending! I love happy endings! This book had me crying like a baby when Gabby was in the hospital in a coma and Travis came to visit her. I felt so sorry for Travis. I especially loved the suspense that Nicholas put in in the end that led the readers to believe that Gabby and Travis had had a fight and they were going to get divorced but in real the tough choice for Travis was to remove the life-support or not. Travis loved Gabby so much! It really made me feel that true love really exists. It was a really lovely story and I would definitely recommend it to people who like romantic stories.

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

The Vampire Diaries by L.J Smith



I recently read the TVD series by Lisa Jane Smith. You guys already know that I'm a big big fan of the show (I really can't wait for Season 3!!) and I heard that the books were a lot different from the show. There were a lot of comparisons between the books and the show so curiosity drove me to read the books. I read all the seven books and decided to write a review of then all. Below I have written the summary of each book with a few lines about what I think about the book.

The Awakening:
Summary:
Elena is cool, blond and slender - the girl every boy wants and every girl wants to be. Always in control, no boy has ever stirred her innermost feelings - until she meets Stefan. Drawn to him with a frightening intensity, overwhelmed by desire, Elena knows that she must make Stefan hers.

But Stefan is hiding a terrible secret. Centuries earlier, his love for another left him with a terrible legacy, the curse of living forever as a vampire. Aching to respond to Elena, he struggles to resist. For if he and Elena should come together, he fears that his passion would demand the ultimate gift of love…

Review:
When I started reading this book I found my self comparing the actors from the show to the characters from the book. Obviously the first difference I noticed was that the book Elena was totally different from the show Elena. Personally I like the show Elena a lot better! Book Elena was a little too perfect. She was like the "queen bee" and I hate the 'queen bee' type of girls! Over all the first book was kind of boring for me. I liked it to some extent. But it definitely wasn't one of my favorite books (which include The Mediator Series, A Walk To Remember &amp; Thirteen Reasons Why). Stefan was Stefan and there was too little of Damon which was a bummer for me because I'm totally in love with Damon! I liked the other characters too.

The Struggle:
Summary:
Centuries ago, two brothers - Stefan and Damon - fell victims to the power of love, their legacy being to live through the ages as the undead - vampires. And now the two brothers are in conflict - for Elena, ice-cool Elena, whose passion for Stefan has changed her life.

But Damon, prince of darkness, tempts Elena with his seductive promises of power and eternal life. As she struggles to choose between the two, Stefan knows only one way to gain the strength to save Elena from Damon. He must break his vow and taste human blood again…

Review:
I liked this book better than the first one. For one there was more of Damon in it. And for the other it was more interesting and mysterious. Especially when Elena wakes up in the end as a vampire and thinks she's in love with Damon.


The Fury:
Summary:
Centuries ago, two brothers - Stefan and Damon - fell victims to the power of love, their legacy being to live through the ages as the undead - vampires.

And now Elena, her lifeless body discovered in a river, walks the earth once more, sharing their fate - and causing brother to fight brother in an inhuman contest for her love. But when a terrible darkness rises from the past, a raging hatred that threatens to destroy all those she loves, Elena knows she must bring Stefan and Damon together again - whatever the cost to herself…

Review:
I think this book was ok. I liked Katherine but the book showed her only for a little while. I don't remember this book much so I can't really say a lot about it.

Dark Reunion:
Summary:
ELENA: Now she rises from the dead to recreate the powerful vampire trio.

STEFAN: Summoned by Elena, he keeps a promise to her and fights the most terrifying evil he’s ever faced.

DAMON: Joining the brother he once called enemy, Damon battles this new horror with strength, cunning, and deadly charm.

Review: 
I disliked this book the most out of all the books. It was boring. I expected Klaus to be a lot better. I guess my expectations were higher because of the show. But I didn't like this book much. It wasn't that interesting. I didn't like the ending when Elena came back and stuff. Why did Elena die when she was going to come back to life anyway?? I hate this "coming back to life" stuff!

The Return: Nightfall:
Summary:
When Elena sacrificed herself to save the two vampire brothers who love her—the handsome, brooding Stefan and the sleek and dangerous Damon—she was consigned to a fate beyond death. Until a powerful supernatural force pulled her back.
Now Elena is not just human. She has powers and gifts that were bestowed on her in the afterlife. What’s more, her blood pulses with an overwhelming and unique force that makes her irresistible to any vampire.
Stefan wants to find a way to keep Elena safe so that they can make a life together. Damon, however, is driven by an insatiable desire for power, and wants Elena to rule as his princess. When Stefan is lured away from Fell’s Church, Damon seizes his chance to convince her that he is the brother she is meant to be with…
But a darkness is infiltrating the town, and Damon, always the hunter, is now the hunted; he becomes the prey of a malevolent creature that can possess him at will, and who desires not just Elena’s blood but her death.

Review:
The Return series were a lot better than all the previous books. Mainly because there was much more of Damon in them all and they were more interesting and modern and more of the type of books I like. I liked how Stefan called Elena 'lovely love'! It was really sweet. Though I prefer Elena with Damon. The 'Elena kissing everyone' stuff was a little too weird for me. I loved seeing more of Damon, getting to know him better. I liked how Elena's and Damon's relationship progressed. At the same time I felt sorry for Stefan. I liked the Shinichi and Misao plot a lot. Over all I think this book was good.

The Return: Shadow Souls:
Summary:
A penitent Damon, along with Elena, and Matt follow Stefan into the darkest dimension in an attempt to set him free from the prison he has found instead of salvation. Bonnie and Meredith join Elena as all three are forced to enter as slaves, the chained and leashed property of a vampire--Damon.

Review:
According to me this was the second best book out of whole of the series. I loved watching Damon and Elena grow closer. I loved the story. I like that little Matt/Damon rivalry in the beginning. It was fun to read about. I really liked Sage and Lady Ulma and some other new characters that Lisa introduced in this book. I loved the ending when (*spoiler alert*) Damon got turned into human. Over all I would give the book 4 out of five stars.

The Return: Midnight:
Summary:
In Midnight, golden girl Elena Gilbert is back from the Dark Dimension, having successfully freed her vampire boyfriend Stefan Salvatore from imprisonment. Saving Stefan had an unlikely consequence: his vampire brother Damon Salvatore has become a mortal. While the trio reels from this latest twist, they must still deal with the demons that have taken over Elena’s hometown, Fell’s Church. As in every L.J. Smith novel, no matter how dark the night, there is always a happy ending. MIDNIGHT takes Elena, Stefan, and Damon to their darkest moments yet… Danger, romance, and paranormal mystery will keep readers fascinated with this captivating finale to the New York Times bestselling series.

Review: 
I loved this book!! This book made all the previous books worth reading. Honestly I loved the plot, the twist that (*spoiler alert*) Obaasan was really the one controlling Shinichi and Misao! Great twist! And I liked Damon's and Bonnie's relationship in the book. It was so sad when Damon died! I cried so much while reading that! (I'm kinda sensitive about these kind of things) The twist about Meredith being a (*spoiler alert*) hunter-slayer AND a half-vampire was awesome!! I really came to like Bonnie a lot. I also started liking Stefan in this book. Not that I didn't like him before. I just didn't take notice of him that much before. This book really left me wanting more and I really can't wait for the next book, The Hunters: Phantom, to see what happened to Damon (*spoiler alert*) because at the end of Midnight Lisa hinted that Damon came back to life. And to know about this Meredith mystery (*spoiler alert*) and about her unknown twin brother made vampire by Klaus. If you were wondering, the next book will be published in October 2011.

TVD Season 3 New Clips!!

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