Now For Something Different: The Host

Media Review

-Because sometimes it's good to have variety

Movie

Title: The Host

Release Date: 29th March 2013

Where Seen: On DVD
Genres: Sci-Fi, Dystopian, YA, Adventure, Romance

Amazon Price: £4.26 (as of when posted)

Movie Poster:
 

IMDB Description:
 A race of aliens who are non corporeal go from planet to planet looking for hosts. They come to Earth and basically take over human bodies. Now it's believed that once they take over a body all memories of the previous inhabitant are gone. And there are some humans who have remain hidden from them and are basically a resistance movement. So an alien charged with locating them known as the Seeker captures one of them a girl named Melanie and puts one of them who is known as Wanderer in her body, in hopes of finding out where the humans are. But Melanie for some reason is still there and she convinces Wanderer not to say anything to Seeker. Wanderer feels empathy for the humans. When Seeker is disappointed at her lack of progress, she informs Wanderer that she'll be removed and placed in a new host and she will be placed in Melanie. Melanie knowing she can't convince her the way she convinced Wanderer convinces Wsnderer to run away and they can meet with the humans. Eventually they find them but only want to kill her but Jeb, Melanie's uncle for some reason doesn't want to. Jared, Melanie's boyfriend wants her dead too. But Ian someone Jeb tasked with keeping her safe finds himself attracted to her but Melanie won't allow it because she wants to go back to Jared. But how do they get Wanderer out of her. And Seeker is trying to find her.

Starring:

- Saoirse Ronan (Melanie/Wanda)
- Diane Kruger (Seeker)

- Max Irons (Jared)
- Jake Abel (Ian)
- Chandler Canterbury (Jamie)
Director:
Andrew Niccol
Based On:
The Novel By Stephenie Meyer

Review:
This film is amazing, full of aventure, action and romance and the plot is brilliant. it is set in such a descriptive world and the idea of the secret remaining rebels and a race of overly trusting goody-goody aliens is just genius. I loved this film and was a strong fan of Wanda, even though she was an alien. Melanie was another striking character with a will that was so strong. i did dislike Jared though and favored Ian massively!

Rating of the Comparison To Book: 
***** 

Quotes:

 "Her name is Wanda. Not it."

"We find her, we find the resistance."

"Wanda, My sister"

 "We could be taken at anytime. Any day, any minute. All we have is now."

"Kiss me like you want to be slapped"

Rating:
***** 

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-The Reading Rose

Review: The Maze Runner Trilogy

Title: The Maze Runner Series (The Maze Runner, The Scorch Trails, The Death Cure)
Author: James Dashner
Publisher:  Delacorte Press
Genres: Dystopian, Action, Apocalypse, YA.
Where Acquired: My Friend Kieran

Buy at Amazon Here (Box set)
- Best Box Set Price: £10.79 (as of when posted) 

UK Covers: 


Covers From Elsewhere (USA):
 

Goodreads Description: 
The Maze Runner
When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his first name. His memory is blank. But he’s not alone. When the lift’s doors open, Thomas finds himself surrounded by kids who welcome him to the Glade—a large, open expanse surrounded by stone walls.

Just like Thomas, the Gladers don’t know why or how they got to the Glade. All they know is that every morning the stone doors to the maze that surrounds them have opened. Every night they’ve closed tight. And every thirty days a new boy has been delivered in the lift.

Thomas was expected. But the next day, a girl is sent up—the first girl to ever arrive in the Glade. And more surprising yet is the message she delivers.

Thomas might be more important than he could ever guess. If only he could unlock the dark secrets buried within his mind.

The Scorch Trails
Solving the Maze was supposed to be the end. No more puzzles. No more variables. And no more running. Thomas was sure that escape meant he and the Gladers would get their lives back. But no one really knew what sort of life they were going back to.

In the Maze, life was easy. They had food, and shelter, and safety . . . until Teresa triggered the end. In the world outside the Maze, however, the end was triggered long ago.

Burned by sun flares and baked by a new, brutal climate, the earth is a wasteland. Government has disintegrated—and with it, order—and now Cranks, people covered in festering wounds and driven to murderous insanity by the infectious disease known as the Flare, roam the crumbling cities hunting for their next victim . . . and meal.

The Gladers are far from finished with running. Instead of freedom, they find themselves faced with another trial. They must cross the Scorch, the most burned-out section of the world, and arrive at a safe haven in two weeks. And WICKED has made sure to adjust the variables and stack the odds against them.

Thomas can only wonder—does he hold the secret of freedom somewhere in his mind? Or will he forever be at the mercy of WICKED? 

The Death Cure
Thomas knows that Wicked can't be trusted, but they say the time for lies is over, that they've collected all they can from the Trials and now must rely on the Gladers, with full memories restored, to help them with their ultimate mission. It's up to the Gladers to complete the blueprint for the cure to the Flare with a final voluntary test.

What Wicked doesn't know is that something's happened that no Trial or Variable could have foreseen. Thomas has remembered far more than they think. And he knows that he can't believe a word of what Wicked says.

The time for lies is over. But the truth is more dangerous than Thomas could ever imagine.
Will anyone survive the Death Cure?

My Review: 
The Maze Runner:
I really enjoyed this book, it is new and original, i haven't read anything like this before. I loved the protagonist and the side characters were awesome as well. The scene is really well set out with lots of emotion and description. Minho, Thomas and Newt are my favorites in this as their personality and strong will is so charming the way they grow as characters as the book goes on is also another reason to why i love them. the whole idea and mystery surrounding the maze was thrilling and exciting and i loved the scene when Thomas gets trapped outside the maze with Minho and Alby, i liked this scene even more than the escape. I liked Teresa for a little while but by the end there seemed to be something a little... off, about her. all in all though, a very good book.
The Scorch Trails:
This book, although a bit slower and not as good as the first book was also very interesting and enjoyable. It was good to get the twist of the variables still continuing after we were given a glimpse of safety. It was also good to get the twist of group B and the idea of Teresa as the betrayer. The scorch was a vivid and amazing apocalyptic landscape and the addition of the zombi like flare victims; The Cranks was pure brilliance. The trek across the Scorch was described so well it feels like you are there battling the elements along with the Gladers. The twists and revelations in this book are what makes it good. Character wise, this book just made me love Thomas, Minho and Newt even more but i ended up hating Teresa along with Thomas, and began rooting for new characters Brenda and Jorge in my list of favorites. The only reason i marked this down was because of the snail pace beginning.
The Death Cure:
Ah, another amazing books! This one was just as good as the first, i loved reading about the dystopian society and how everyone is trying to survive in this desolate world. The idea of Munies was brilliant and the revelations in this book are superb. It was so sad to have to give up Newt due to the flare, he was such a brilliant character, and that is another reason this book is so emotional! This last book was my favorite of the lot, it had the most emotion, most action and the climax of everything that has happened or been hinted at in the past books. I really enjoyed this series and this book was a great way to end this series. In this book i ended up just loving Thomas, Minho, Brenda and Jorge even more.

Quotes: 

 “If you ain’t scared… you ain’t human.” (The Maze Runner)

 “I promised him!" he screamed, realizing even as he did so that his voice was laced with something wrong. Almost insanity. "I promised I'd save him, take him home! I promised him!” (The Maze Runner)

“He didn't care about the others anymore. The chaos around him seemed to siphon away his humanity, turn him into an animal. All he wanted was to survive, make it to that building, get inside. Live. Gain another day.”  (The Scorch Trails)

“Shuck it,” Minho responded. “I’m tougher than nails. I could still kick your pony-lovin’ butt with twice this pain.”
Thomas shrugged. “I do love ponies. Wish I could eat one right now.”  (The Scorch Trails)

 “Minho looked at Thomas, a serious expression on his face. "If I don't see you on the other side," he said in a sappy voice, "remember that I love you.”(The Death Cure)

“KILL ME!" And then Newt's eyes cleared, as if he'd gained one last trembling gasp of sanity, and his voice softened. "Please, Tommy. Please."
With his heart falling into a black abyss, Thomas pulled the trigger.”  (The Death Cure)

Rating:
The Maze Runner:
*****
The Scorch Trails:
****
The Death Cure:
*****

Have You Read This Book?
How Did You Find It?
Why Don't You Leave Me A Comment, Or a Link To Your Own Blog?
I Would Love To Hear Your Views!
-The Reading Rose

Soon to be a major motion picture starring Dylan O'Brien and Kaya Scodelario in 2014

Review: Queen Of Teen

Title: Queen Of Teen ( fabulous stories from top teen authors)
Authors: Cathy Cassidy, Jacqueline Wilson, Louise Rennison, Cathy Hopkins, Meg Cabot, Karen McCombie, Lisa Clark, Joanna Nadin and Sarra Manning.
Publisher: Piccadilly
Genres: Teen, Girls, Tween, Romance, Paranormal, Humour, Drama.
Where Acquired: It has been sitting on my shelf for ages so i can not remember where i got it from.
Buy at Amazon Here 
        - Best Book Price: £2.81 (in aid of kids company) Kindle Price: Not Available  
(as of when posted) 

UK Cover: 


A Cover From Elsewhere: 

  (Portuguese)

Goodreads Description: 
Short stories from the fabulous finalists of the Queen of Teen award, selected by you - their readers and their fans. An irresistible chance to read something new by your all-time favourite author - or to discover an amazing writer you've been missing up to now!
There are nine short stories in this amazing, shiny pink book; in order they are Cathy Cassidy, Jacqueline Wilson, Louise Rennison, Cathy Hopkins, Meg Cabot, Karen McCombie, Lisa Clark, Joanna Nadin and Sarra Manning.

My Review: 
Sink or Swim:
This is a heart warming tale of an underdog who goes out into the world an achieves her dream of being a fashion photographer, whilst spiting a stuck up popular 'mean girl' on the way.I enjoyed this one as i like a good underdog tale, and reading about the inner workings of a fashion magazine was interesting too.
Big Red Bottomosity:
You have to love Georgia Nicolson books, i know i do! They are creative and funny and this short story was no exception! The only downside was that it was too short compared to some of the other stories.
Mum Never Did Learn To Knock: 
This story was very sad, but i enjoyed it as it contained  a hint of the paranormal. It was a good length but a little too sad for my likings.
Digger Number 5: 
I really enjoyed this one as i already have a love of Egyptian myths. the added hint of romance and the heroine were very interesting as well. this one was easily my favourite of the lot.
B.L.D:
I wasn't a big fan of this story, it was a bit too sad for my liking and the parent of the protagonist seemed to me to be a bit irresponsible letting their grieving daughter sneak around all over the place! this story seemed to me to be a little unrealistic.
How to be a Star: 
I didn't really like this one either as it was a little too young for me and a little too immature.
A Life Less Ordinary:
I didn't like this one either as i have never been a fan of Rachel Riley, i tried reading on of the books once and found it too boring.
Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others: 
This book i really enjoyed, luckily as it was the longest one of the lot! It was funny and quirky and more suited to older teenagers. The plot of a popular boy crazed girl finding a boyfriend for her shy co-worker was great, and i was a big fan of the dramatic party scene towards the end.

Rating:
Sink or Swim: * * *
Big Red Bottomosity: * * * *
Mum Never Did Learn To Knock: * * *
Digger Number 5: * * * *
B.L.D: *
How to be a Star: *
A Life Less Ordinary: *
Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others: * * *

Have You Read This Book?
How Did You Find It?
Why Don't You Leave Me A Comment, Or a Link To Your Own Blog?
I Would Love To Hear Your Views!
-The Reading Rose