I do not read to think. I do not read to learn. I do not read to search for truth. I know the truth, and the truth is hardly what I need. I read to dream!

Thursday 28 July 2011

Book Review; Ultraviolet - RJ Anderson

Once upon a time there was a girl who was special.
This is not her story.
Unless you count the part where I killed her.

Sixteen-year-old Alison has been sectioned in a mental institute for teens, having murdered the most perfect and popular girl at school. But the case is a mystery: no body has been found, and Alison's condition is proving difficult to diagnose. Alison herself can't explain what happened: one minute she was fighting with Tori - the next she disintegrated. Into nothing. But that's impossible. Right?



(sorry for looking so terrible, I just got in from an 8 hour shift that had me up at 3.30am)

This was yet another book I was reluctant to buy, mainly because it was stacked along side all the new clique teenage romance/horror novels. But it was actually rather good! ALOT of plot twists...things that shouldn't be combined together, but somehow it worked and flowed seamlessly. The further into the book I got, the more my eyes grew wide in shock...a few times I exclaimed, 'No! Did they just? What the...?' I don't want to say anymore about the plot twists, as it would spoil half the fun, so I'll stick to the main story, and just say this books genre would be a hard one to pin point.
Which involves a girl (Alison) being locked away in a modern day mental asylum for an event she can't remember involving a girls dissapearance. The book was rather wonderful and dreamy, because the author had cleverly given the main character Synesthesia - a problem in the brain function which makes people taste words, hear colours, see the letters of the alphabets as different colours and see they have personalities. This made for an even more interesting read. Being set in a mental institute you met alot of interesting people, all with different illnesses and mental diseases. Along side these characters, that helped break up Alisons' time in the asylum, there were also her parents, who for me created alot of controversy...one minute I hated them, and the next they weren't so bad. Her mother particularly was a wonderfully fickle character. The author created some really interesting characters which kept us amused and entertained along the way. This poor girl had to deal with alot, and whilst her reactions to all things real were spot on realistic, her reactions to the unexplained and supernatural were perhaps not too well thought out, as she seemed to just take it all into her stride.
Sebastians character was interesting. He was so hard to figure out, I was consistantly trying to make my mind up about him. I liked that he was much more than just a love interest (despite the beauty of Alisons description of him) he was the missing link, and a key concept to the story. It truley felt like reality, with the relationship developing throughout, rather than the author having just thrown in a bit of love for the hell of it.
I would give this book a 7/10. It was wonderful and beautifully written. Held my intrest, so I had finished it in a few hours. But I felt some of it, despite the content, seemed aimed at young teenagers, and did not reach it's true potential, which is why this is rated at a 7 not an 8.

Wednesday 27 July 2011

Book Review; The Host - Stephanie Meyer

Melanie Stryder refuses to fade away.

Our world has been invaded by an unseen enemy. Humans become hosts for these invaders, their minds taken over while their bodies remain intact and continue their lives apparently unchanged. Most of humanity has succumbed.

When Melanie, one of the few remaining "wild" humans is captured, she is certain it is her end. Wanderer, the invading "soul" who has been given Melanie's body, was warned about the challenges of living inside a human: the overwhelming emotions, the glut of senses, the too vivid memories. But there was one difficulty Wanderer didn't expect: the former tenant of her body refusing to relinquish possession of her mind.

Wanderer probes Melanie's thoughts, hoping to discover the whereabouts of the remaining human resistance. Instead, Melanie fills Wanderer's mind with visions of the man Melanie loves—Jared, a human who still lives in hiding. Unable to separate herself from her body's desires, Wanderer begins to yearn for a man she has been tasked with exposing. When outside forces make Wanderer and Melanie unwilling allies, they set off on a dangerous and uncertain search for the man they both love.




So...don't dismiss it straight away because it's by the author of twilight. Which I did for a very long time, and I really wish I hadn't. After reading 'Host' it's astounding that the 'Twilight' Series was written by the same woman.
Host is posed at a much older generation, and actually deserves the term a literary novel (as opposed to a holiday paperback) We are thrown instantly into our world...but a changed version, inhabited by alien hosts who have taken over the human worlds bodies. This book is probably classified into the Sci-Fi genre, although it is not like any other alien book I've read...there's not that feel to it. The characters in this are far from flat...they are full to the brim of depth and emotion. Even though we are seeing the world from the view of one of these 'alien hosts'. Through her eyes we not only see the trails and emotions of the human race, but also of her own conflicted views. The emotions and problems these lot face are all very realistic, and oddly relatable. It's very easy to get sucked into this alternate reality. There is an undertone of human rights and world views here to, but these are hidden within an excellent plot that will confuse the reader, and make you wonder who you really want to win this battle. Something which can create alot of thought, considering that you may end up fighting on the side against your own people. It's strange how compelling this book is because of it's possibility for the future. Meyer uses description really well in this book, there is not too much, leaving alot to your imagination, but enough to give you guidelines. In 'Host' we are allowed to feel however we want about the characters, because Meyer hasn't forced her own opinions down our throat. There actions are simply placed on the table for us to make a decision about.
Overall a really good book, I give it an 8/10! (for creativity, plot development, and pure engrossing qualitys.)

Sunday 24 July 2011

Mermaid jewellrey and other shennanogans


So I thought I'd share some of the things I'm currently working on, art wise...


My candles are going really well, and the other day I made two giant seashell candles (pictured below) which have already sold. And I've been experimenting alot with different scents and herbs.




I've also taken to making 'Mermaid' Jewellry.
The first piece is a necklace, that my fiance designed.



I started writing again...I may post some up here once I'm happy enough with it...but it's going alright so far...it's been probably almost a year since I put pen to paper!

Next weekend is looking to be a good one. Longleat on Saturday!!! <3 and then a visit to my favourite witchy great auntys amazing house. Matt's never seen it, and as I've vowed that one day that house will be mine...I feel it's important ;) I'll post pics of both these events once they happen.



CURRENT READING LIST;


Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows (re-read)
Affinity by Sarah Waters

The poems of Emily Dickinson.








Friday 15 July 2011

Odd bits of info

So I had a job interview this morning...and I start on Monday!! This should be interesting haha.

I'm surrounded by all my pets, with incense smoke swirling around the room. And the whole upper level of the house reeking pleasantly of sage. I've just finished making some of my new incense blends which should be up for sale on my etsy within the next few days.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/RattyDreams

Oh oh and also...my lettuce pot is officially sprouting green little seedlings!!! Yay!!!! So happy with that.

I tip I've learnt works well today - if you find yourself tierd at work and/or in the morning, carry with you some peppermint or rosemary oil. Rub it into your temples for an instant pick me up!

Sunday 10 July 2011

Also ETSY

My etsy store is now online...I don't have too much on it at the moment... but I'm in the progress of making lavender bags, incense blends, sage sticks, and many more different candles.


Check it out;







Inspirational photos

So, So..
It's been a while, so I thought I'd just drop in and leave an inspirational photo for you all.




Oh hell, here have one more...




Have a magical week everyone...