The Time Machine by H.G. Wells

Date Finished: July 12, 2012

Genre: Science Fiction / Fantasy / Historical Fiction / Dystopian

A man invents a time machine and travels into the future to a world where humanity has lost its intellect and split into two groups: morlocks who live underground and eloi who live above ground.

Back Cover:

The Time Machine conveys the Time Traveller into the distant future and an extraordinary world. There, stranded on a slowly dying Earth, he discovers two bizarre races: the effete Eloi and the subterranean Morlocks—a haunting portrayal of Darwin’s evolutionary theory carried to a terrible conclusion.

Let me start by saying, I watched the movie of this first.  I know, I know, worst thing to do ever.  The movie, however, reminded me of my need to read the book that I’d already been wanting to read.  I found my copy at the bookstore, and it’s actually a split copy of The Time Machine and The Invisible Man.  With that being said, I must tell you that if you’ve seen the movie and haven’t read the book, but still want to read the book, you must know not to expect grave similarities. In fact, the only similarity between the book and the movie is that the Morlocks live under ground and eat the Eloi who live above ground.  Other than that there are no similarities, at all. The movie was almost and entirely a rewrite of the entire story.  This of course, isn’t to say that the book wasn’t a good read, nor is it to say that the movie sucked.  I enjoyed both for their own reasons. 

The book was kind of slow going at the beginning, and I didn’t really connect to any of the characters, but for its time this book was well written. Having previously read War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells, I wasn’t expecting much from this book; however, this book surprised me by being far better than War of the Worlds. It’s too short though, and I do wish I knew what happens in the end, since it’s kind of left open to your own fantasies of it.  This was one of the better books I’ve read this year.

 Shame on anyone who thinks evil of this.

Affinity by Sarah Waters

Genre: Crime / Historical Fiction / Lesbian / Romance / Spirituality

Miss Margaret Prior is a 29 year old woman seeking out something in her life to make it more worthwhile.  This all happens of course after her brother stole the love of her life.  She decides to visit ladies at the prison and meets a young woman named Selina Dawes who she assumes is a good soul. Quickly they become close and share spiritual means together, for Selina Dawes is a medium.

Goodreads Synopsis:  
An upper-class woman recovering from a suicide attempt, Margaret Prior has begun visiting the women’s ward of Millbank prison, Victorian London’s grimmest jail, as part of her rehabilitative charity work. Amongst Millbank’s murderers and common thieves, Margaret finds herself increasingly fascinated by on apparently innocent inmate, the enigmatic spiritualist Selina Dawes. Selina was imprisoned after a séance she was conducting went horribly awry, leaving an elderly matron dead and a young woman deeply disturbed. Although initially skeptical of Selina’s gifts, Margaret is soon drawn into a twilight world of ghosts and shadows, unruly spirits and unseemly passions, until she is at last driven to concoct a desperate plot to secure Selina’s freedom, and her own.

First, I'd like to say, this book was nothing of what I expected.  I was expecting a very spiritual and romantic novel.  Instead, I got a book about a woman who claims to see spirits in prison, and a woman whose so kind enough to visit her as well as the other ladies of the prison.  I sort of liked this book at times, but as a whole, it really left me disappointed.  I kept expecting something marvelous to happen, but nothing spectacular occurs.  This novel was nothing fantastic like Tipping the Velvet or Fingersmith.  If you liked those two novels you might find this one a disappointment.  I'd hate to give away the ending, but lets just say it's not spectacular in any sense, in fact, if you're anything like me it'll make you loathe the book.  I can't give this more than 2 stars. 2 stars is just a kindness to the fact that at times it had me intrigued, if only mildly.  Throughout the book it felt like it was missing something.  I think it just didn't have the tragedies or the difficulties that were contained in the other 2 books I read by this author to give it that certain something.  It felt quite stale.  That's not to say some parts of it weren't written well, they were of course.  It sounded very much like a Sarah Waters book, minus the dramatic occurrences that previous Sarah Water's books contained.  That's really all I can say about this book.  I don't recommend reading it if you enjoyed Tipping the Velvet or Fingersmith.

Shame on anyone who thinks evil of this.

The Sin Collector by Jessica Fortunato

Genre: Paranormal / Urban Fantasy / Supernatural

Liliana is a Sin-Eater meaning she collects people sins, but she hasn't done so in a long time.  She's over 100 years old, but Sin-Eaters can live forever. A man from her childhood comes back into her life and leads her into an unknown future. An older man from her past, who is much like a father figure to her, shows up at her hotel door to warn her that shes in grave danger. What kind of danger is she suppose to be afraid of when she's virtually invincible? She develops a very interesting, and possibly useful ability, but will she be safe?

Goodreads Synopsis:
"The Sin Collector" follows the life of Liliana, a born Sin Collector. She has spent over 100 years absorbing people's sins so they may rest in peace come death. However when she meets another Collector, one who insists everything she has been taught is a lie, Liliana must make her way from Sunny L.A. all the way to the streets of Madrid. Searching for answers to a question we all share. Why are we here? The friends and enemies she makes along the way only seem to blur the line between right and wrong. Can Liliana fight the Castus, an organization bent on killing off every Sin-Eater? Should she trust her head or her heart when the two most important men in her life are fighting alongside her? Then there is the worst question of all, who will be left when the dust settles.

I was lucky enough to get a copy of this book from Jessica herself, so that I may review it for her. (Thanks again Jess!)

There were some parts of this book that conflicted right at the beginning. It says Sin Eaters are never aging, but somehow they start out as children and must age to age 20. I guess when they get to age 20 they don't age anymore? Something weird like that.

The book felt very rushed at the beginning, and yet, the story started out so flat that it was incredibly SLOW. It does get better about halfway through the book though when things really pick up and get interesting. About that point things really start to flow better, but it's hard to get started and you must be really patient. Not much of a hook in the beginning, but if you're patient enough to get halfway through it really is worth it.

I felt like it could have used a little more background of Liliana's parents. I'd have liked to know more about how she came to be with Olexander as a kid.

I feel like the author could have done a little more research on certain things before taking misconceptions as truths, but this is a common mistake.

Some parts feel like they jumped around randomly, but it wasn't a common theme of the book, and didn't really hinder my pleasure later on.

At times it also felt like it was a misguided dream fantasy world. Details were left out that I would have liked to have been included to enhance my experience. This book requires a lot of imaginating at times. I like to be able to imagine things and see them as I'm reading, and at times this was difficult.

I felt like it was overly predictable at times. It didn't leave me questioning too much. I felt like I knew what was going on. It was a little of the back and forth of good guy or bad guy thing. In the end I am still unsure about how I should feel about one of the characters. Are they a bad guy or a good guy? I'll never know.

Regardless of the faults, after I got to the halfway point and things picked up, I really started to enjoy the story. I found myself captured in it, and found myself enjoying the characters(mostly).

I like some of the interesting elements the author put together. It's a story with originality, but also with some old elements I enjoy. For example, there's a little bit of kick butt action, and I can't disagree with the enjoyment of that. I didn't really find myself connecting with the main character as much as I would have liked, but there's still a possibility for that in later books I think. I can't really say too much about the things I liked without giving too much away, so lets just go ahead and say I enjoyed it and am interested in what the next book will bring!

Shame on anyone who thinks evil of this!

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Genre: Dystopian / Apocalyptic / Romance / Young Adult / Government / Survival

Before you read this review, if you haven't yet, go read my Hunger Games review.  Make sure to read the first book cus it's good.

The capitol is angry about Katniss defying them.  In retaliation they round up previous tribute winners for the 75th Annual Hunger Games. Unknown to Katniss and Peeta, a rebellion is about to break out.  Katniss is known as the Mockingjay...which is a sort of catalyst symbolism.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Sparks are igniting, flames are spreading and the Capitol wants revenge.

Against all odds, Katniss has won the Hunger Games. She and fellow District 12 tribute Peeta Mellark are miraculously still alive. Katniss should be relieved, happy even. After all, she has returned to her family and longtime friend, Gale. Yet nothing is the way Katniss wishes it to be. Gale holds her at an icy distance. Peeta has turned his back on her completely. And there are whispers of a rebellion against the Capitol-- a rebellion that Katniss and Peeta may have helped create.

Much to her shock, Katniss has fueled an unrest she's afraid she cannot stop. And what scares her even more is that she's not entirely convinced she should try. As time draws near for Katniss and Peeta to visit the districts on the Capitol's cruel Victory Tour, the stakes are higher than ever. If they can't prove, without a shadow of a doubt, that they are lost in their love for each other, the consequences will be horrifying.

In Catching Fire, the second novel of the Hunger Games trilogy, Suzanne Collins continues the story of Katniss Everdeen, testing her more than ever before... and surprising readers at every turn.

What did I think of this book?  I thought it started out pretty slow.  It only starts to get better around 66% of the way through.  After that it gets good enough to be worth reading.  The ending caught me off guard, even though I didn't have any expectations.  It definitely makes me want to read the third book.  I know that I will!  I can't wait to see the second movie too, even though it probably wont be as good as the book.  If you liked the first book I suggest giving this one a shot.  Like I said though, it starts out slow but gets better around 66% of the way through.  The beginning is just sort of a set up for what's to come.

Shame on anyone who thinks evil of this.

Mammoth Hunters by Jean M. Auel

Genre: Historical Fiction / Prehistoric / Romance / Adult / Fantasy

First, if you haven't yet, read my reviews of Clan of the Cave Bear and The Valley of Horses, which are the first 2 books in the Earth's Children series.  If you've already read those books and/or my reviews of them proceed.

This is the third book in the Earth's Children series by Jean M. Auel. In this book Ayla and Jondalar find themselves in a new group of people.  Ayla has found a baby wolf cub which she raises, she names him Wolf.  Jondalar is finding it hard to express is feelings, and Ayla is too.  They've become two people of the same world, yet so separate from each other, despite their desires that everyone sees but them.

BOOK COVER:
THE SWEEPING ODYSSEY CONTINUES
ONCE AGAIN, JEAN M. AUEL OPENS THE DOOR OF TIME TO REVEAL AN AGE OF WONDER AND TERROR AT THE DAWN OF HUMANITY. With all the consummate storytelling artistry and vivid authenticity she brought to The Clan of the Cave Bear and its sequel, The Valley of Horses, Jean M. Auel continues the breathtaking epic journey of the woman called Ayla. Now, with her devoted Jondalar, Ayla boldly sets forth into the land of the Mamutoi--the Mammoth Hunters, the Others she has been seeking. Though Ayla must learn their strange customs and language, it is because of her uncanny hunting and healing skills that she is adopted into the Mammoth Hearth. Here Ayla finds her first women friends, and painful memories of the Clan she left behind. Here, too, is Ranec, the dark-skinned, magnetic master carver of ivory tusks to whom Ayla is irresistibly drawn--setting Jondalar on fire with jealousy. Throughout the icy winter, Ayla is torn between her two men. But soon will come the great spring mammoth hunt, when Ayla must choose her mate and her destiny--to remain in the Hearth with Ranec, or to follow Jondalar into a far--off place and an unknown future.

I have to honestly say this book irritated me...I didn't dislike it really, so much as I just hated the whole idea of Ayla and Jondalar not knowing what the other was feeling, and being unable to express how they do feel for each other. The entire time I just kept thinking "God dammit just tell him/her how you feel." If people really struggle with this kind of crap in real life they need to seriously quit that shit.

I actually chose to read this for a project for my English 201: Critical Thinking Through Literature class. I don't know if having it be a project for class made it harder to read, or if it was just the content of the story that bothered me so. I think maybe it was a little of both.

I can't honestly give this more than a 3 out of 5. It had elements that I liked of course, like Mamut. I also liked the little wolf cub and Rydag. Most of the characters though, I couldn't really connect with. I did sort of like the relationship between Deegie and Ayla, but I wished there was more to it. Also, I seriously hated Ranec just about from the beginning. By the end, I practically loathed him.

If you've read the first 2 books, and aren't much for turmoil between two people who love each other, you might not enjoy this book. It's still worth reading to lead into the next book. If you've enjoyed the series so far, you should keep reading. If you enjoy Ayla's connection with animals, this will not disappoint in that aspect. She also learns a few new techniques, so if that was something you enjoyed in the past books, you will probably enjoy that in this one also.


Here are some quotes/lines I enjoyed:
She loved him, more than she could ever find words for, but this love he felt for her was not quite the same. It wasn't so much stronger, as more demanding, more insistent. As though he feared he would lose that which he had finally won.

“You weren't being punished. You were waiting for me.”

Ayla just didn't seem like a woman who was about to join and establish a new hearth with a man she loved. There was no joy, no excitement. Something was missing. Something called Jondalar.

Shame on anyone who thinks evil of this.

Book Haul #1

Went to the book store last Friday to drop off some books for store credit, and just today picked up 3, using only $5 of that $10 store credit. Looks like I have to make another stop by there sometime in March.

So what did I pick up?

The second book of Orson Scott Card's Ender's Saga, Speaker for the Dead.

I've been wanting to read this one for a while, and about 2 posts ago I posted that I would like to read it if the time was right...Obviously the time was right, because lucky for me the book store had a used copy, so I got it for half price due to having store credit. I can't WAIT to read this.

I'm sure Wednesday's at the college wont be so terrible if I have this to read!

A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter M. Miller, Jr. I've been wanting to read this for a while since people have been talking about it all over the internet.

The woman in the book store said it was one of her favorites and that I wouldn't be disappointed. I truly hope that I am not. Lucky for me, this book was also used, therefore I got it for half price because of my store credit! ;)

The Time Machine / The Invisible Man by H. G. Wells. I can't remember if I made a post about War of the Worlds or not, but I did read that sometime last year...Okay so I was kind of disappointed in that one...but I saw the movie for The Time Machine, and I've been wanting to read it for a while.

I haven't even heard of The Invisible Man...But what could I do with a 2 for the price of one deal? It's classic literature, and I'm sure I wont be to overly disappointed, at least I hope not.

This book, unfortunately, was brand new and therefore I had to pay full price...But that's alright with me. I never feel guilty about buying books. I do hope that I get the chance to buy some more come March.



For me reading is simple fun, and along with it, research. It's best to start with classics, but hey, I'll give anything a read, even if it's relatively new.

Errant Intern by Shawn Keenan

Genre: Dystopian/Medieval/Futuristic/Post-apocalyptic/Sci-Fi/Romance

This is a story about...well sometimes I'm unsure what it's about. Sometimes I felt like it was about being controlled, then fighting for freedom, but later I felt like it was all about love...

In this Dystopian, Medieval, Post-apocalyptic story Kip, a lowly intern goes on an adventure that makes him a champion. He helps lead a riot against the governments monsters: the Subjugators. Along the way he makes a few friends, falls in love and saves people, even those who seem completely unworthy of being saved. With his friends, can they defeat the Subjugators and become free in a world that wants them as slaves?

This books hard to get into. The themes really clash in this book, medieval, dystopian, futuristic, science fiction. I just felt like it didn't work. I was confused between Kip and Kian in the beginning, similar names. I also felt like some 'new' terms would have worked better if they would have been explained right from the git go, as an example: Generex. I tend to get bored if I'm not understanding words or terms. I find that it's best if they are right away defined. I'm not a fan of Kip, at all. Things that seem insignificant to the story get explained a lot more than things that seem important. I didn't realize what Generex even meant until almost near the end, it must have been subtly implied. The story is not very elaborate at times; there's a lot more that should be elaborated on, filler as it were, to make it feel more real; the story felt too rushed. Too many things didn't make sense to me as I read. The two main characters, Kip and Abbey constantly explode in each others faces; these are signs of an obvious emotionally abusive relationship. The ending felt inappropriate in my opinion.

So what did I actually like? The character Alabaster Siberius Winters talks a bit about the Generex history, he also has a really cool name so that doesn't hurt. I do like the card swipe idea, but it sounds like everyone can watch everything you're doing and control where you can go, so in a sense that would suck in reality. On the plus side, this book has some good quotes and I like the idea of the retractable weapons, though it felt a bit too much like lightsabers. The subjugators are interesting bad guys, but I'd like more details about them. Overall this book as potential, but I feel like it could be expanded on more thoroughly.

I leave you with some good quotes from the book, and at the bottom, my rating. This is the first book I've rated so low in a while. I was extremely harsh on this novel, but for what I saw as good reasons.

Quotes:
“If you’re looking to make a little money on the side like I do, you might want to apply somewhere else. You’d have to wax your legs to make this dress work on you." (Abbey to Kip)
- Shawn Keenan, Errant Intern

“It sounds like you aren't used to having something so powerful between your legs," Abbey said. "Maybe you should let me drive.” (Abbey to Kip)
- Shawn Keenan, Errant Intern

“You're going to be too busy being at my beck and call to worry about doing any driving.” (Kip to Abbey)
- Shawn Keenan, Errant Intern

“Don't mind her," Kip said to Nicki. "She's just crabby from the long ride." "Yeah, I've been riding with...I mean on...a horse's ass all day," Abbey quipped.
- Shawn Keenan, Errant Intern

Shame on anyone who thinks evil of this.