7.20.2011

Vampires and a Lock & Key

With summer, I've had more time to catch up on all the books I've been meaning to read (or usually just the books I've promised people I would read... :P)but anyhow, that means...book review time! I haven't done this in a while (actually, just kidding, I haven't reviewed a book on my blog ever, with the exception of Harry Potter) but hopefully my style of reviewing is enjoyable. Oh, and ---wait-- one more thing...what could be better than a book review? hm? what about a...double book review? ahaha anyways, here goes (:

"I didn’t even believe in vampires before I was one." ~ Bree Tanner

So, first up, I finally got myself to finish the Second Short Life of Bree Tanner by Stephanie Meyer and was...mildly surprised. Okay, actually I'm lying, I was very surprised. I picked up
the book expecting another romance novella with a small but cliche element of danger and... just that. To be honest, I really didn't expect very much, thinking that Meyer had just written another nice little addition to the series, something that she could have to nicely stack with her other books on her desk. The Second Short Life, however went beyond that and specifically made me understand the mindset of newborn vampires- which is briefly touched on in Breaking Dawn-but other than that, isn't really thoroughly explained in the other Twilight books. To those of you who are wondering what in the world I'm talking about (or more specifically, those of you who refuse to give Twilight a chance...oh trust me, I know who you are ;)), this short novel is told from the perspective of a newborn vampire named Bree Tanner who is briefly introduced in Breaking Dawn. She fights on the side with Victoria & Riley and the rest of the newborn vampires that opposes the Cullens (with Bella and Edward). What was captivating about this novel (and striking in comparison into the rest of the books) is that the novel goes into detail on how it really felt to be preparing for battle against the Cullens as well as the overarching experience of how it was to be a newborn vampire, period. Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn are forever told in the black and white perspective of Bella and therefore, you never really get to see things from another's point of view (except for those chapters in the final book that are told from Jacob's perspective). It was just refreshing and very interesting to see things from Bree's point of view...not only because it was, well...just different, but because she was on the "evil side" as well. For those of you who have read Breaking Dawn, you know that Bree's fate ends up not being the best (yes, I'm going to spoil it for you...she dies), but do you know what exactly was going through her head those final minutes of her life? I'm not going to spoil that for you because I highly encourage you to read the book...It just puts a whole new perspective on things. Normally, when we think of the Twilight Saga we think of Edward & Bella romance lalalala but after reading this, I felt more strongly about the element of danger that is always present in Meyer's books...I actually really liked it. (:

Alright so that's that, but another book that I finished this summer (and decided would be perfect for reviewing) was Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen.

"It’s never something huge that changes everything, but instead the tiniest of details, irrevocably tweaking the balance of the universe while you’re busy focusing on the big picture." ~ Ruby

Go ahead, make all the assumptions you want that all Sarah Dessen books are about cliche romances, and that's fine with me, but I still encourage you to give it a chance...I'll just let you know that if I were to summarize Lock and Key in a few words, that would most definitely not be one of the first things that comes to mind. The novel is more about finding yourself in this big world and creating an identity (I know, I know...nostalgia of an entire seventh grade unit in LA about 'Creating an Identity') and throughout the novel, the main character Ruby changes phenomenally in her attitude towards life, in the way that she approaches the world, and just her entire character as a person. The book starts out with a girl by the name of Ruby who is 18--no scratch that--17 and a few months from turning 18. Those few months make all the difference
in her life, though. After her mom abandoned her and she was forced to make her way living in the old yellow house by herself for months, the Social Services finally figured out about her living situation and sent her to live with her sister Cora. Ruby hasn't had contact with her sister in years, ever since Cora moved out of the house, determined to get an education and start her own life. Ruby struggles and is frustrated by the world around, unable to figure out who she is and what she is doing in Cora's prestigious, prim world. The only thing that keeps her in touch with her old life is the key to her old yellow house that she wears as a necklace around her neck. After a few incidents, however she begins to feel herself change, and develops a unique bond with the boy next door, Nate. She grows closer to people around her and actually cares about them-something new for her. Things keep on coming back from her "old life" and it's hard to let go...but Lock and Key beautifully illustrates how growing up, finding your place in the world, and having a fresh start are things that can be done...I will be completely honest...I enjoyed this book very much. (:

2 comments:

  1. This book is like any other from Sarah Dessen, absolutely amazing. Maybe I am just bias since I love all of her other books, but this book just has it all, all in perfect balance.deception, hate, sadness, love, scandal, friendship and a wonderful story. Not to mention an ending that doesn't get me worked up.

    ReplyDelete