Back from a very long hiatus

I am back and ready to get down to business. There's a great deal of books to write reviews about and  recommend to you. As always, feel free to, share your thoughts and recommendations. It's been an exciting year for sequels, so far, and between that and last year's exciting array of releases I will be quite busy. Thanks for sticking with us and happy reading!   

Dust and Decay

Can a sequel be just as good as the original book? I look forward to it..I check the release date..I eagerly anticipate it. Dust and Decay the sequel to Rot and Ruin by Jonathon Maberry did not disappoint! The characters became even richer and fuller. The book is character driven as opposed to just focusing on the virus driven world they live in.

Nix and Benny are driven to find a better more free way of life and a plan emerges to seek out a Jet they spotted flying eastward. Nothing like that has ever been seen by the younger generation that survived or were born after First Night. But the journey proves to be full of unexpected obstacles that will keep the reader glued to page. I seriously got absolutely nothing done until I read that last page.

Rise of the Planet of the Apes

I hate hate hate spoilers so I am not going to do that to you. As I am not an official movie reviewer, I am just going to give you my Joe Schmo opinion and insights. I was really looking forward to this movie because I am a big fan of the Planet of the Apes original and sequels. I am aware that at times they have a certain "cheese" factor...but who doesn't love the Charlton Heston's line, "Get off me! You damn dirty Ape!"

Rise takes us to the beginning. Set in modern day San Francisco, Will a scientist (James Franco) experiments with genetic engineering using Apes as his subjects. The result leads to heightened intelligence in Apes. When things go awry he ends up taking a baby Ape he names Cesar home to raise. The relationship between Cesar and Will is interesting to watch and Will's father played by John Lithgow adds another dimension to the story.

There are times in the beginning of the movie I thought were a little slow and I found myself waiting for the action to start. But when it does, it doesn't stop! What I really loved is seeing the different personalities of the Apes and one Orangutan in particular. Overall I thought this was a well done orgin movie and at the end I smelled sequel. One word of caution I took my 8 year old and he loved it but there were a few times he grabbed my hand and said, "this is a little scary."

Should you see the movie? Sure. Could you wait for the DVD? You could. This isn't an academy award winner by any means but if your a fan of the series I definitely think it's worth seeing.- Jen
http://youtu.be/LaK6khs8aMw

In Time - Official Trailer of the Dystopian Film starring Justin Timberlake

Liam Hemsworth and Josh Hutcherson Transformation

First Entertainment weekly helped boost the support for Jennifer Lawrence being cast as Katniss. For most, of us, any doubt that Miss Lawrence could transform into our beloved Katniss, were put to rest as soon as we saw her on the cover. Now, both Hutcherson and Hemsworth are looking to accomplish the same support. The only thing I had a problem with and  mind you it's small no punt intended, it's that Hemsworth is almost 10 inches taller than Hutcherson.  I guess that's what Photoshop is all about! Other than that I'm digging the looks. Tell us what you think.   

Rot and Ruin by Jonathan Mayberry

The story of Rot and Ruin takes place 14 years after "First Night". A mysterious virus had caused the dead to reanimate. The survivors have protected themselves by living in small colonies within the Rot and Ruin. For our young protagonist fifteen year old Benny, he has reached the age where he must get a work assignment or face his rations being cut.

Since their parents death and reanimation as "Zoms", Benny has been raised by his half brother Tom, a sword wielding, half-Japanese, Zombie Bounty hunter. When Benny soon sees that getting a job is not as easy as he thought it would be, he has only one option left. Become an apprentice to his half brother. There is nothing cool about Tom in Benny's opinion. He wishes Tom could be more like Charlie Pink-Eye and Motor City Hammer, two Zom Killers who have plenty of cool and harrowing stories to tell each time they return from the Rot and Ruin.

As the story develops Benny comes to see the importance and meaningful thing that Tom has done all these years. The story really is about these two brothers and the evolution of that relationship. The background characters are rich as well. I have to admit I love a good book. Rot and Ruin was especially a good one. I couldn't put it down.

Here's some great news...the sequel Dust and Decay is being released August 30, 2011. This reader cannot wait!!

Official First Poster for The Hunger Games Movie

Lionsgate has officially released one of what should be many posters for the movie currently being filmed with its release date set for March 2012. This is very exciting news for the fans. We want your opinion on the first poster. Do you think the poster will do the movie justice? Let us know.

Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi

This novel takes place in a not so distant post-apocalyptic future set on the American Gulf Coast. Our protagonist Nailer works light crew; he has the dangerous and dirty job to crawl deep into the wrecks of the ancient oil tankers that line the beach, scavenging copper wire and turning it over to his crew boss. One night a brutal hurricane passes over and a luxurious clipper ship crashes bringing valuable goods that could make them rich. Amid the wreckage, Nailer finds a girl who barely clings to life and will rock his world upside down. He makes tough choices along the way. If he helps her, it could mean his life. This a gritty story with amazing character development. They are complex yet relatable. This is a fast paced read and you'll be taken on quite an adventure. I highly recommend this book as a great summer read.