angelreads, Author at Angel Reads

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Welcome to Disability Diaries 2017

Jan 14, 2017

Welcome, welcome to Disability Diaries. A couple of months ago I announced that this week will be all about disabilities in books. Where I will be focusing on young adult books. Disability Diaries is not only promoting good representations but the need for both physical and mental illness.

This week from me you will be seeing reviews, recommendations posts and a very personal one. I cannot wait to share everything with you guys. Joining me as hosts this week is Ely @ Tea and Titles, Cee Arr @ Diary of a Reading Addict, Dina @ Dinasoaur, Jolien @ The Fictional Reader, and Lara @ Another Teen Reader.

The promotion for disabilities in Young Adult books is something that I am very passionate about. It’s something that I care about and want to see more of. I want to be able to pick up a YA novel and there be someone in there, that is like me. That doesn’t mean they have to have the same disability as me. However, they are also not this perfect person with nothing wrong with them. I want to be able to spread the awareness of disabilities and share more of it in YA. Create diversity in what we see and how it is portrayed.

If you would love to join in on the conversation then please fill in the google form below. You don’t have to sign up, to enjoy our posts. But if you’d like to contribute your own posts during the event, it means we can share your posts much easier.

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However, you don’t have to sign up to participate. You can find me on twitter at @angel_reads, Facebook, instagram, tumblr and Goodreads. You can also follow Angel Reads on Bloglovin and via email (in the sidebar)

TV Review: Shadowhunters 2×02 ‘A Door Into the Dark’

Jan 13, 2017

Shadowhunters: Season 2 Episode 2

Episode Name: A Door into Dark
Release date: 9th January 2017
Running Time: 42 minutes
Starring Katherine McNamara, Dominic Sherwood, Alberto Rosende, Matthew Daddario, Emeraude Toubia, Isaiah Mustafa, Harry Shum Jr.
Directed By: Andy Wolk
Watch: Freeform (US) – Netflix (Worldwide)
Episode Reviews: Season 1 | Season 2

The hunt is on for Jace Wayland, and Alec and Isabelle hope to reach him before the rest of the Shadowhunters do. With orders from the Clave of “shoot to kill,” the Lightwood siblings must act fast.
Also on his own search, Simon turns to Magnus for help when he finds himself at odds with both Raphael and Aldertree. Meanwhile, Clary struggles to find where she belongs since she doesn’t seem to fit into the Shadowhunter world, yet can’t go back to her mundane life

A Door into Dark:

Warning: This will contain spoilers from previous episodes

I watch this episode later than I usually do simply because I was away, and I am so sad that I had to. Overall, I really enjoyed A Door into the Dark. I feel that everything has up the ante this season and it grows bigger and better as the season goes on.

We are only on episode 2 and I can see such an improvement from season 1 and it’s getting me excited. The tension is growing, the stakes are becoming harder and I don’t know who to trust.

Like last week A Door into the Dark starts off where the last episode finished. I am really liking this so far. Not only does it leave suspense, but then we don’t miss anything in between.

Clary

In A Door into the Dark we get to see Clary (Katherine McNamara) shine. We are able to see the Clary that we know and love from the books, stand out. Most of this episode focuses on her trying to figure out where she belongs, where she fits it. She is not a mundane, but she also isn’t a shadowhunter. And they don’t let her forget that.

So far this season I see a growth in Katherine McNamara as Clary that I am totally happy with. In season 1, I felt that her emotions weren’t there, that she over-acted. But this episode, I could feel her emotions. I could feel her heartbreak, her loneliness.

Tension

Like last week the tension is high in A Door into the Dark. With Valentine (Alan Van Sprang) on the loose creating an army with Jace (Dominic Sherwood) by his side – and everyone is on edge.

With Aldertree (Nick Sagar) still in command and a ‘kill order’ still on Jace. The Lightwood siblings are taking it hard, especially Alec (Matthew Daddario.) Not only is Jace a brother to Alex, but he is his parabatai. Without him, Alec is lost and he will stop at nothing to find Jace. Because of this, we are able to see the tension that grows between Alec and Clary that we see in the book. All the emotions are brought to the surface and no one is biting their tongue.

The tension also continues between Clary and Jocelyn (Maxim Roy) this episode. It’s something that I am really enjoying this season – because it is staying true to the books. Jocelyn and her dislike for Valentine has been transferred to Jace and she wants him dead.

Simon and Magnus

One of the things that I loved about The Mortal Instruments series is the banter between characters, especially Simon (Alberto Rosende) and Magnus (Harry Shum Jr.) And that can totally be seen in this episode. The banter had me smiling throughout and I cannot wait to see what these two can bring. Magnus has taken Simon under his wing and doesn’t want him to fade away into the dark. He doesn’t want Simon to be alone.

We also find more about Magnus and his life in this episode and I cannot wait to know more and see where they take it.

Dialogue

Like last week the dialogue was a little rough – but it’s getting so much better. At the start of the series, everything was chopping and clunky. And now things are starting to click, the dialogue is becoming smoothing. Hence the acting is becoming more realistic.

I also feel that the younger actors are better than the older ones. I don’t know what it is, but they feel more real. It’s like the older actors aren’t attached to their characters, they don’t feel it.

Visual Effects

The filming and visual effects of season 2, is 10 times better than the first season. It’s like it’s a totally new series. I don’t feel like things are animated or you can tell its CGI. The way the blades look and move, the fights, the magic. It’s all coming together and I am really enjoying it.

Something that I am not sold on at the moment, is the portals. They are still a bit iffy for me, but they are so much better than the movie one.

Where are they going?

As much as I am enjoying watching this series. I also know that they are veering from the books and sometimes it doesn’t sit right with me. I completely understand that they can’t do everything from the book. But, then they start adding things or changing things around. They take away from the book and turn it into something else.

I wasn’t set on the ‘seeing’ rune. Where you can show someone the past. It was totally weird and didn’t sit right with me.

Overall

I enjoy this episode, however, I don’t know what to expect yet and that is worrying me. Nevertheless, I can see an improvement in the acting, dialogue, and the visual effects. I love that these characters are starting to feel real as though they have jumped from inside the book.

Have you watched Episode 2 yet? Did you enjoyed it as much as me? What are you looking forward to most from season 2? Lets’s Chat!

Book Review: Caraval by Stephanie Garber

Jan 12, 2017

Caraval by Stephanie Garber

Pages:
Publish date: January 21st, 2017
Publisher: Hachette Australia
ISBN: 9781473629158
Purchase: Book Depository – Amazon UK – Amazon US – Amazon AU – Dymocks

Welcome to Caraval, where nothing is quite what it seems.

Scarlett has never left the tiny isle of Trisda, pining from afar for the wonder of Caraval, a once-a-year week-long performance where the audience participates in the show.

Caraval is Magic. Mystery. Adventure. And for Scarlett and her beloved sister Tella it represents freedom and an escape from their ruthless, abusive father.

When the sisters’ long-awaited invitations to Caraval finally arrive, it seems their dreams have come true. But no sooner have they arrived than Tella vanishes, kidnapped by the show’s mastermind organiser, Legend.

Scarlett has been told that everything that happens during Caraval is only an elaborate performance. But nonetheless, she quickly becomes enmeshed in a dangerous game of love, magic and heartbreak. And real or not, she must find Tella before the game is over, and her sister disappears forever.

Caraval:

I received an ARC of Caraval from Hachette Australia in exchange for an honest review. This has in no way influenced my thoughts and feelings about the book.

I was very excited to get Caraval in my hands, where it’s all about magic and fighting for what you love. However, it wasn’t what I expected, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t like it.

Caraval follows protagonist Scarlett Dragna and her sister Tella as they are invited to enter the magical game of Caraval. But, when they arrive Tella vanishes and Scarlett must do everything in her power to find her. However, everything is not what it seems. And you don’t know what’s real or not, you have to trust in yourself. And try not to be caught up in the game.

Scarlett was the type of protagonist that I clicked with. She cared so much for sister that she would do anything for even, anything. She has this presence about her that I really enjoyed reading. And as the book went on she grew stronger. One of the things I loved about Scarlett was her weakness – she love and compassion for her sister, was also her downfall.

Tella, on the other hand, was so frustrating at times. She reminded me a lot of one of my sisters when she was younger – and I just couldn’t take it. I don’t know if it’s the big sister in me or what. Although, we didn’t get to see much of her in the book.

One of the things I loved most about Caraval was the notion of family. It was great seeing both sides of the same rock. The readers are able to see the loving relationships between Scarlett and Tella. Where Scarlett will do anything for her sister and vise versa. Then on the other side, it’s the horrible relationship they have with their father. It’s rare that we get to see the good side of families in YA, especially in fantasy.

I don’t know how I feel about the romance in Caraval. It’s very hard to talk about it without giving anything away. But, it’s not your usual YA romance, also there are so hurdles along the way – that she didn’t sit right.

Be warned – Don’t believe anything in Caraval. It’s one of those books where you don’t know what is real and what isn’t until the last page. You are second guessing yourself the whole book, along with the characters. You don’t know what or who to believe. It’s like you are on a scale, tipping slowing. And however frustrating it is, it works in Caraval.

The world of Caraval was fascinating. They have this game that is never in the same place. Where you don’t know what is going to happen next and when you win – you get 1 wish. I was swept up into this magical world with beautiful writing that seemed also fairytale-like.

The ending was intense. The whole of Caraval lead up to this point. And everything clicked or was washed away. It was like layer upon layer finally clicking.

Overall, I enjoyed Caraval. It can be confusing and angry you to the bone, but it works. It explores the notion of family, friendships and doing what you think is right. It’s about finding believing in others and finding yourself. I cannot wait to read the second book in this two book series.