Tag: carti adolescenti

Posted in William Golding

Imparatul mustelor – William Golding

Posted on by roxtao

Disponibil la: Libris

Colectia: Literatura universala

Traducerea: Constantin Popescu

Numar pagini:  228

 

Sinopsis:

Un grup de copii scapa cu viata din catastrofa prabusirii unui avion si incearca sa supravietuiasca pe o insula pustie din mijlocul Pacificului. Insa ceea ce ar putea fi aventura vietii lor, o noua robinsoniada departe de adulti si de regulile acestora, se transforma intr-un cosmar ucigator de vise: ura ia locul inocentei si crima se instapaneste peste o lume care-si rataceste busola. O parabola de o forta incredibila care ne ofera un raspuns deopotriva crud si realist la intrbarea: este libertatea absoluta calea spre paradis?
“Alaturi de romanul De veghe in lanul de secara, Imparatul mustelor e cartea de capatai a tinerilor de pretutindeni.” (New York Times Review of Books)
“Un roman exceptional care surprinde intreg universul uman in aventura unor copii pe o insula de corali.” (E.M. Forster)
“O poveste atemporala asemenea unui mit.” (Malcolm Bradbury)
“O oglinda lucida, obiectiva si in spaimantatoare a societatii moderne.” (Times Literary Suplement)

Parerea mea:

De cateva zile, imi face cu ochiul din biblioteca romanul Disparuti, al lui Michael Grant. Totusi, pentru ca ideea de baza de la care porneste acesta mi se parea ca seamana intr-o oarecare masura cu cea a romanului Imparatul Mustelor , m-am gandt ca ar fi mai bine sa le citesc in ordinea cronologica. Asa ca am citit mai intai Imparatul Mustelor, aparuta in 1954, iar Disparuti ramane pe lista de „to read” deocamdata.

Ce-as putea spune despre Imparatul Mustelor…Mi s-a parut ca iti lasa mai mult senzatia de nuvela decat de roman. Cititorul este introdus in actiune fara nici un preambul, majoritatea personajelor sunt doar vag schitate, iar trecutul lor sau orice altceva ce nu are legatura directa cu actiunea lipseste cu desavarsire. Cu toate acestea, spre sfarsitul lecturii iti dai seama ca ai reusit sa te atasezi de cateva personaje. Cel mai probabil, toti cititorii vor empatiza cu cei cativa baieti care au reusit sa isi pastreze umanitatea. Abia spre final intelegi ca lipsa creionarii mai detaliate a celorlalte personaje este de fapt intentionata. La un moment dat, majoritatea copiilor actioneaza ca si grup, nemaifiind personaje individuale ci doar o turma ce si-a pierdut orice urma de umanitate si ratiune si oglindesc fiecare actiune a celui mai puternic si mai malefic dintre ei. Nu mai sunt condusi de constiinta proprie ci se lasa prada tentatiei de a actiona intr-un grup, de a fi parte a unui intreg ce le ofera putere si in acelasi timp ii absolva de vina si de responsabilitate.

Firul narativ nu este neaparat unul previzibil. Pana la un punct, lucrurile se desfasoara exact in modul in care ti-ai imagina ca ar putea evolua povestea unor copii naufragiati pe o insula pustie, fara nici un adult prin preajma: actiuni simple, precum culesul fructelor, inotul, incercarea de a vana, de a construi un adapost sau de a stabili cateva reguli care sa ii ajute sa supravietuiasca. Dar apoi intervin aceleasi conflicte ce ar putea fi valabile si in cazul unor adulti: razvratirea impotriva sefului ales, tendinta de a-i umili pe cei mai slabi, lupta pentru putere si prioritatile total diferite. Nu cred ca autorul a exagerat prin prezentarea unor copii intr-o lumina atat de infioratoare. Sunt convinsa ca intr-adevar, daca la un moment dat s-ar petrece o astfel de intamplare in realitate, lucrurile ar avea toate sansele sa evolueze exact in directia descrisa in acest roman. Tendinta catre salbaticire, amintirea tot mai vaga a regulilor civilizatiei, frica inevitabila ce se alimenteaza singura trecand de la un individ la altul, lipsa vizibila a consecintelor unei actiuni gresite si adaptarea la o lume fara reguli, combinate cu animozitatile crescande dintre personajele nu pot duce decat intr-o directie dezastruoasa. In plus, daca in cazul unor adulti constiinta ar fi fost principalul factor ce ar fi putut pastra un ritm decent si ar fi impiedicat distrugerea umanitatii din fiecare personaj, in cazul unor copii aceasta este abia in formare, fara a fi avut timp sa se inradacineze si fiind deci supusa unui risc crescut de ruinare. Daca in cazul unor adulti bunul simt ar fi impiedicat mare parte din actiunile salbatice, in cazul copiilor, acesta a fost inlocuit de iluzia puterii, de instinctele animalice mai accentuate, de forta grupului si de vina impartita. Iar actiunile personajelor evolueaza din ele insele. Prima greseala ce nu e urmata de o pedeapsa creaza un precedent, iar de aici pana la o salbaticire totala nu mai e decat un pas. Ultima parte a cartii este o desfasurare a nebuniei, o sete de sange primitiva ce se extinde de la un individ la altul, o disparitie aproape totala a oricarei urme de ratiune, a oricarei actiuni decente, o pierdere a umanitatii si o scufundare in macabru, intr-un comportament dominat de instincte si intuneric.

Am inteles ca opera lui William Golding este in programa scolara in mai multe tari si nu pot decat sa regret ca nu este lectura obligatorie si la noi. Banuiesc ca intr-adevar, ca si in cazul oricarei alte carti, povestea este vazuta in moduri diferite in functie de varsta cititorului. Dar sunt sigura ca la un moment dat, orice copil viseaza la o lume fara adulti, fara reguli, fara pedepse. Iar Imparatul Mustelor ofera exact o imagine posibila a unei astfel de lumi si ar tempera putin eventualele tendinte de razvratire impotriva unor lucruri pe care la un moment dat in copilarie sau adolescenta le respecti doar din nevoie, fara a le intelege sau fara a fi de acord cu ele.

Bile albe:

– Fiind adepta finalurilor fericite, am rasuflat usurata atunci cand am vazut ca romanul are parte de un sfarsit satisfacator, care pastreaza o urma de speranta si impiedica savarsirea unui ultim act ingrozitor. Totusi, ramai cu gustul amar si cu constiinta faptului ca doar un factor extern poate stopa regresia caracterului uman odata ce aceasta a inceput si ca nimic altceva din interiorul individului nu mai actioneaza in modul civilizat, empatic si uman.

– Povestea este dominata in special de dialog, asa ca se citeste rapid si are mari sanse sa captiveze cititorul de la primele pagini. In plus, dialogurile sunt foarte realiste, au nota puerila necesara unei carti ce are ca personaje niste copii, personalitatile baietilor se disting clar iar tonul este usurel, astfel incat in minte ti se desfasoara scenariul exact ca si cum ai urmari un film.

Bile negre:

– Romanul este destul de scurt, iar cateva aspecte ar fi putut fi descrise intr-un mod mai detaliat. Dintre acestea, as putea mentiona in primul rand numele adevarat al unuia dintre personajele principale. Acesta are unul dintre cele mai importante roluri, fiind, alaturi de alti doi baieti intruchiparea ratiunii dar in acelasi timp si tipul individului brutalizat de cei din jur datorita aspectului fizic si a unor slabiciuni evidente. Faptul ca de-a lungul romanului nu ii aflam numele ci il cunoastem doar sub masca unei porecle umilitoare este unul dintre aspectele pe care le-am considerat de-a dreptul nedrepte.

– In primele pagini, rolul personajelor nu este foarte clar. Personajele pozitive au parti mai putin placute sau actioneaza intr-un mod incorect, iar cele negative au cateva idei sclipitoare, iar portretul lor ofera si o parte placuta a personalitatilor acestora. Abia mai tarziu rolul fiecarui personaj incepe sa se evidentieze si devine foarte vizibila semnificatia fiecaruia in cadrul povestii. Nu am putut scapa insa de senzatia ca greselile de la inceput ale personajelor pozitive, desi minore, au influentat intrucatva modul in care a inceput intreaga nebunie.

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Posted in Jamie McGuire

Fericirea incepe azi (seria Beautiful, volumul 1) – Jamie McGuire

Posted on by roxtao

Fericirea incepe azi - Jamie McGuireDisponibil la: Editura Trei

Colectia: Fiction Connection

Traducerea: Shauki Al-Gareeb

Numar pagini: 440

 

Sinopsis:

Iubirea adevarata scoate la iveala tot ce este mai bun in tine…

Abby Abernathy s-a hotarat să devina altcineva. Acum e o fata buna, nu bea si nu vorbeste urat, are haine cuminti in sifonier. Crede ca s-a distantat suficient de lucrurile intunecate din trecutul ei, dar cand ajunge la colegiu impreuna cu prietena sa cea mai buna, dorinta de un nou inceput este supusa provocarilor.
Travis Maddox, siret, istet si acoperit cu tatuaje, reprezinta tot ceea ce Abby vrea – si trebuie – sa evite. Travis isi petrece noptile castigand bani din lupte, iar ziua e seducatorul numarul unu al campusului. Intrigat de rezistenta lui Abby la farmecele sale, Travis o face sa intre in viata lui printr-un pariu.

„Povestea relatiei dintre Abby Abernathy si Travis Maddox constituie o excelenta radiografie a adolescentei, cu toate framantarile, visurile si frumusetea ei.” – Reading, Eating & Dreaming

„Va garantez ca veti fi atat de captivati de aceasta carte, incat veti lasa orice alta activitate deoparte!” –BookWhisperer Reviews

„Am făcut o adevărată pasiune pentru personajele acestui roman.” – The Daily Quirk

„ …Noul meu romance preferat, cu o doza subtila de erotism rafinat.” – Nightly Reading Review

Parerea mea:

Multumesc editurii Simon & Schuster, Inc si autoarei, Jamie McGuire pentru aceasta carte oferita pentru recenzie.

Nu am mai avut demult sentimente atat de confuze referitoare la o carte. Unele parti le-am adorat pur si simplu, in timp ce altele mi s-au parut de-a dreptul revoltatoare.

Primele ganduri cand am inceput cartea au fost ca ar iesi o comedie romantica destul de reusita daca ar fi ecranizata. Scenariul este destul de clasic: ea – fata (relativ) cuminte, el – baiatul rau, devin prieteni, isi neaga sentimentele care apar intre ei, pentru ca in final relatia dintre ei sa evolueze catre o poveste de dragoste exploziva.  Nimic deosebit, nu-i asa? Totusi, dupa primele pagini eram total cucerita. Povestea este foarte bine scrisa, din punctul de vedere al protagonistei, o tanara de 19 ani, care a fugit de trecutul sau, refugiindu-se impreuna cu cea mai buna prietena intr-un campus universitar din celalalt colt al tarii. Mi-a placut faptul ca autoarea a reusit sa redea exact sentimentele varstei, momentele de ezitare amestecate cu deciziile impulsive, teama si emotiile unei iubiri..dezastruoase, fuga de trecut si sperantele pentru viitor, atractia irezistibila si efortul de a rezista unei relatii din care ies scantei la fiecare pas. Totusi, de la un anumit punct ezitarile ei si incapatanarea de a nu vedea ceea ce este evident, devin oarecum enervante. Nu vorbesc doar de modul in care isi neaga propriile sentimentele, ci de faptul ca refuza sa le vada pe cele ale lui Travis, jongland intre asa zisa relatie de prietenie cu el si flirtul cu un alt coleg, indiferenta fiind la modul in care ii raneste pe amandoi. Pana la urma este doar o amanare excesiva a lucrurilor care oricum se vor intampla. Deci partea aceasta mi s-a parut atat de lungita incat ajunge sa te exaspereze.

Incepand de la jumatatea cartii, povestea se schimba. Abby si Travis formeaza in sfarsit un cuplu si chiar eram curioasa in ce mod a umplut autoarea cealalta jumatate a romanului. Am impresia ca am citit doua carti intr-una singura. Povestea trece intr-o alta categorie, cu mai multa actiune, mai mult suspans si un stil mai alert. Abby si Travis se confrunta acum cu trecutul ei, iar intamplarile prin care trec ajung sa le puna in pericol vietile si viitorul. Partea proasta este ca personajele sunt atat de schimbate incat ai impresia ca nu mai sunt aceleasi. Daca in prima parte a volumului ma gandeam ca orice fata ar trebui sa aiba la un moment dat un Travis al ei – inteligent, puternic, amuzant, protector si independent in acelasi timp, in urmatoarea parte am fost total dezgustata de modul in care a evoluat povestea dintre protagonisti. Travis devine genul de iubit obsedat, violent cu oricine indrazneste sa arunce o privire catre Abby, gelos, posesiv si disperat. Dupa fiecare nou scandal urmeaza o repriza de scuze penibile, declaratii siropoase si replici atat de dulci incat devin jenante. Si bineinteles, dupa fiecare cearta, Abby il iarta si se iubesc din nou in liniste si pace pentru cateva zile. Sau cateva ore. Spre final avem parte de si mai multe dulcegarii: tatuaje cu numele partenerului, casatorie neplanificata in Vegas, mentiuni referitoare la un viitor copil. La 19 ani! In primul an de facultate!.. A doua parte a romanului este, din punctul meu de vedere, total gresita. Inteleg ca inca ne plac povestile care se termina cu „si au trait fericiti pana la adanci batraneti”, inteleg ca relatia lor trebuia sa fie in contrast cu prietenia relativ temperata din prima jumatate, inteleg ca totul trebuia sa devina mai intens, mai romantic si mai dulce. Dar nu asa! Nu prin promovarea unui gen de iubire bolnava, a unei relatii obsesive, a unei atitudini umile sau chiar admirative in fata violentei fata de cei din jur, a unui control aproape total a celeilalte persoane si a unei libertati trunchiate.

Bile albe:

– Spre deosebire de alte romane, in Fericirea începe azi nu ai impresia ca totul se intampla pe fast forward. Romanul ofera o viziune foarte realista asupra vietii personajelor. Desi accentul este pus bineinteles pe relatiile dintre ele, nu sunt neglijate aspectele legate de cursul obisnuit al vietii. Sunt prezentate frecvent actiuni obisnuite precum orele de curs, iesirile in baruri, obiceiurile zilnice incepand de la micul dejun pana la cina,etc.

Bile negre:

– Evolutia personajelor in partea a doua a romanului. Am scris deja mai sus despre aceasta, asa ca nu mai este nevoie sa insist. Mi se pare trist faptul ca romanul apare pe majoritatea site-urilor incadrat in categoria Young Adult (desi am inteles ca autoarea neaga incadrarea in acest gen, considerand ca apartine de fapt genului romance sau asa ceva). Ceea e inseamna ca va fi citit probabil de o multime de adolescente. Dintre care, destule ar putea fi usor influentabile, mai ales ca portretul lui Travis este pana la un anumit punct, unul ideal. Si care adolescente ar putea incepe sa vada lucrurile in modul gresit in care este sunt prezentate in carte. Ar putea sa li se para flatant ca baiatul pe care il plac sau cu care sunt intr-o relatie la un moment dat sa se comporte precum Travis. Sa le smulga dintr-o conversatie inocenta cu un alt baiat, sa distruga totul in jur in momentul in care se enerveaza, sa se imbete cand sufera, sa se bazeze pe santajul sentimental in momentele in care apar discutii in contradictoriu, sa nu accepte o despartire, sa le urmareasca, iar apoi sa le jure iubire vesnica si sa se scuze ca tot ceea ce fac fac din dragoste.

English version:

Sinopsis:

The new Abby Abernathy is a good girl. She doesn’t drink or swear, and she has the appropriate percentage of cardigans in her wardrobe. Abby believes she has enough distance between her and the darkness of her past, but when she arrives at college with her best friend, her path to a new beginning is quickly challenged by Eastern University’s Walking One-Night Stand.

Travis Maddox, lean, cut, and covered in tattoos, is exactly what Abby needs—and wants—to avoid. He spends his nights winning money in a floating fight ring, and his days as the ultimate college campus charmer. Intrigued by Abby’s resistance to his appeal, Travis tricks her into his daily life with a simple bet. If he loses, he must remain abstinent for a month. If Abby loses, she must live in Travis’s apartment for the same amount of time. Either way, Travis has no idea that he has met his match.

My opinion:

I received Beautiful Disaster by courtesy of Simon & Schuster, Inc publisher and Jamie McGuire, the author of the book. Because English is not my native language, please accept my excuses for the possible mistakes.

For a long while, I didn’t have such mixed feelings about a book. I simply loved some parts of the story, while I found other parts totally sickening.

The first thoughts I had when I started the book were that it would be a pretty good scenario for a romantic comedy. The plot is kind of classic: she – a (pretty) good girl, he – the bad boy, they become friends, they deny their feelings and in the end their relationship develops into an explosive love story. Nothing special, right? Still, after the first pages I was totally subdued.  The story is very well written, from the point of view of the protagonist, a 19 years old woman which runs from her past, retreating with her best friend in a college campus in another corner of the country. I liked the fact that the author managed to display perfectly the specific feelings of that age, the hesitation moments mixed with the impulsive decisions, the fear and the emotions of a.. disastrous love, the runaway from the past and the hopes for the future, the irresistible attraction and the effort to resist to a relation that makes the sparks fly at every step. Unfortunately, at a certain point, the heroine’s hesitations and her stubbornness to ignore what’s obvious become someway annoying. I’m not talking only about the way she denies her own feelings,  but about the fact that she refuses to see Travis’s, juggling between the so-called friendship with him and the flirty relation with another colleague, indifferent to the way she hurts both of them. Altogether, that’s just an excessive dalliance of the things that will eventually happen. I think this part was extended so much that it becomes nerve-racking.

Starting with the second half of the book, the story begins to change. Abby and Travis are finally a couple and I was really curious about the way the author filled the other part of the novel. I actually have the sensation that I read two books in one. The story moves in a new category, with more action, more suspense and a racing style. Abby and Travis are now confronting her past and the adventures they live are beginning to put their lives and futures in danger. The bad thing is that the characters are so different that you have the feeling that they’re other persons. If in the first half of the novel I was thinking that all girls should have their own Travis – smart, strong, funny, protective and independent in the same time, in the next part of the book I was totally disgusted by the way the love story developed. Travis becomes the sick kind of lover: obsessed, violent to anybody that dares to look at Abby, jealous, possessive and desperate. After every new scene comes a round of embarrassing excuses, gooey declarations and such excessively sweet remarks that you feel sick. And of course, after every fight, Abby forgives Travis and they love each other again peacefully for a few days. Or a few hours. Towards the ending,  we get more and more slipslops: tattoos with the name of the partner, an unplanned wedding in Vegas, and remarks about a future child. At 19 years! In the first year of college!.. From my point of view, the second part of the book is totally wrong. I understand that we still like the stories ending in “they lived happily ever after” , I understand that their love had to be different by their friendship, I understand that everything had to be more intense, more romantic and sweeter. But not like this! Not by promoting a sick kind of love, an obsessive relation, a humble or even an admiring attitude in front of the violence for everybody else, an almost complete control of the other person and a broken freedom.

Pros:

– Unlike other novels, in Beautiful Disaster you don’t get the feeling that everything happens on fast forward. The book offers a very realistic vision of the characters’ life. Although the main story is represented by the relations between them, the casual aspects of life are not forgotten. There are a lot of fragments that show the usual actions like classes, studying, clubbing or daily habits starting from breakfast to dinner, etc.

Cons:

– The characters evolution in the second part of the book. I already written about it, so I don’t need to insist. I think it’s sad that on most of the sites, the novel appears under the Young Adult genre (although I heard that the author denies this, saying that I’s actually romance or something like that). Anyway, this means that it will be read by a lot of teenagers. From which, at least a part of them are pretty easy influenced. Especially considering that Travis’ portrait is perfect until a certain moment. So some of those teenagers might begin seeing some things in the wrong way they were shown in the novel. They might think it’s flattering that the boy they like or have a relation with at some point acts like Travis. To grab them out of an innocent conversation with another boy, to shatter everything around in the moments when he’s annoyed, to get drunk when he suffers, to use emotional blackmail when an argument appears, to refuse a break-up, to stalk them and then to swear immortal love and to excuse himself saying that everything he does is because of love.

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Posted in Charlaine Harris

Deadlocked (seria Vampirii Sudului, volumul 12) – Charlaine Harris

Posted on by roxtao

Deadlocked

Seria Vampirii Sudului, volumul 12

Charlaine Harris

Numar pagini: 327

 

Sinopsis:

With Felipe de Castro, the Vampire King of Louisiana (and Arkansas and Nevada), in town, it’s the worst possible time for a body to show up in Eric Northman’s front yard—especially the body of a woman whose blood he just drank.

Now, it’s up to Sookie and Bill, the official Area Five investigator, to solve the murder. Sookie thinks that, at least this time, the dead girl’s fate has nothing to do with her. But she is wrong. She has an enemy, one far more devious than she would ever suspect, who’s out to make Sookie’s world come crashing down.

Off-topic:

Inainte sa incep recenzia, as vrea sa transmit cateva scuze pt absenta indelungata. Am fost in concediu (finally!) si se pare ca am avut mult mai putin timp pt blog fata de cat ma asteptam. Cel putin stiu ca data viitoare ar fi mai bine sa anunt dinainte 😀 So…scuzati va rog absenta nemotivata, promit ca o sa incerc sa nu se mai repete ^_^

Parerea mea:

Am ajuns sa ma atasasez de seria Vampirii Sudului atat de mult incat de fiecare data cand citesc un nou volum ma simt de parca as vizita niste prieteni vechi. Si chiar daca volumul respectiv poate nu este cel mai reusit, tot imi face placere sa il citesc si nu ma simt dezamagita de el. Il vad doar ca pe o noua ocazie de a ma rataci iar in lumea creata de Charlaine Harris, chiar daca uneori suspansul creat nu se ridica la nivelul cu care eram obisnuiti. Volumul 12 al seriei, Deadlocked, nu este spectaculos. Dar cred ca toti fanii seriei il vor citi cu placere, mai ales ca este penultima carte din Vampirii Sudului.

Desi intriga este reprezentata de crima care a avut loc pe proprietatea lui Eric, povestea se axeaza de fapt pe relatia tot mai rece dintre Sookie si Eric si pe misterul unei „mosteniri” pe care o gaseste eroina in casa sa, mostenire legata direct de descendenta sa din neamul zanelor. Povestea dintre Sookie si Eric are parte de un obstacol ce le pune la incercare iubirea. Si de data aceasta, obstacolul pare indeajuns de mare pentru ca cei doi sa nu il poata trece. Finalul nu aduce o lamurire sau o rezolvare, ci dimpotriva, sugereaza o posibila separare in viitorul apropiat. Ambii protagonisti au asteptari pe care celalalt nu le indeplineste, iar faptul ca in aceasta perioada dificila comunicarea dintre ei este extrem de redusa nu ii ajuta deloc.

Pe de alta parte, Sookie se trezeste in posesia unui obiect magic, ramas de la bunica ei, obiect ce pare sa nu ii aduca decat ghinioane si probleme. In momentul in care cateva persoane afla de existenta acelui obiect, viata eroinei este din nou in primejdie. Iar singura persoana care are mai multe informatii si ar putea-o ajuta este si ea in primejdie.

Toate firele se leaga in final, atunci cand descoperi cat de strans erau de fapt impletite intre ele inca de la inceput. Ca de obicei, si finalul acestui volum rezolva o parte dintre intrigile aparute pe parcursul sau, insa lasa deschise exact problemele mai spinoase, cele care ii intereseaza cel mai mult pe cititori.

Bile albe:

– Autoarea a reusit sa creeze un mix perfect intre supranatural si normal. Pe langa aspectele legate de vampiri, varcolaci si zane, Sookie are in continuare o viata simpla si foarte obisnuita: probleme legate de job, prieteni si familie care ii solicita prezenta in perioadele importante pentru ei, diverse lucruri ce tin de casa, etc. Am adorat in special relatia care se dezvolta intre Sookie si stra-unchiul ei zana, Dermot. Acesta are o personalitate atat de inocenta si de dragalasa incat toate momentele in care apare in carte te lasa cu un zambet larg pe fata.

Bile negre:

– Volumul nu mi-a creat deloc acea stare de visare in care intram de obicei atunci cand citeam cartile autoarei. Nu stiu daca asta are vreo legatura cu racirea relatiei dintre Sookie si Eric, cu reaparitia lui Bill in peisaj sau cu faptul ca o parte dintre personajele secundare care mi-au placut dispar probabil pentru totdeauna. Se intampla deci prea multe lucuri pe care speram sa nu le citesc vreodata in aceasta serie. Nu am idee daca alti cititori vor avea aceeasi impresie, dar mie mi s-a parut ca romanului Deadlocked i-a lipsit ceva. Nu are acelasi farmec si nu captiveaza la fel ca celelalte carti din serie. Cred ca deosebirea principala este aceea ca de data aceasta partile negative ale povestii nu sunt compensate de aspectele pozitive. Si in final in loc sa zambesti satisfacut si sa astepti cu nerabdare ultimul volum, simti doar un gust amar si te ingrijorezi ca povestea ar putea avea de fapt un final nu tocmai placut.

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Moarte in familie (seria Vampirii Sudului, volumul 10) – Charlaine Harris
Posted in R.L. Naquin

Monster in My Closet (seria A Monster Haven Story, volumul 1) – R.L. Naquin

Posted on by roxtao

Monster in My Closet  (seria A Monster Haven Story, volumul 1) – R.L. Naquin

Editura: Carina Press

Data publicare: 30 iulie 2012

Numar pagini: 224

 

Sinopsis:

Am incetat sa mai cred in monstrii de multa vreme. Dar stiam ca nu imi imaginez lucruri atunci cand am descoperit unul in bucataria mea, pregatind briose. Il mai vazusem si inainte: pandind din dulapul meu, speriindu-ma de moarte pe cand aveam 5 ani. Se pare ca totul fusese de fapt o neintelegere, iar acum Maurice are nevoie de un loc unde sa locuiasca. Cum as putea sa ii spun nu?

Pana la urma, am fost intotdeauna ca un magnet pentru cei cu probleme emotionale, iar asta nu numai in contextul jobului meu de organizatoare de nunti. Fiind capabila sa simt toate sentimentele celor din jur poate fi o adevarata problema. Nu ma intelegeti gresit, imi place sa ajut oamenii – si… ne-oamenii. Insa aceasta abilitate m-a transformat intr-un festin pentru un incub, un demon ce se hraneste cu energia emotionala. Acum, miresele mor pe capete prin tot orasul iar casa mea a devenit un adapost sigur pentru supranatural. Trebuie sa invat sa imi concentrez talentul si sa inving demonul inainte ca acesta sa mai apuce sa isi mai ia drept gustare vreo femeie nevinovata si apoi sa vina si dupa felul principal…

Parerea mea:

Multumesc editurii Carina Press si autoarei, R.L. Naquin, pentru sansa de a citi aceasta carte. Recunosc ca m-am indragostit de la primele randuri de ea. De fapt..nu, mint! Cred ca din momentul in care am citit titlul am devenit innebunita sa aflu despre ce este vorba in carte. Am prostul obicei de a-mi forma anumite asteptari de la o carte in functie de titlul si coperta acesteia, asa ca bineinteles, si in acest caz, odata ce am vazut aceste doua elemente am banuit/sperat ca si povestea va fi la fel de originala. Si din fericire, nu m-am inselat. Am adorat romanul lui R.L. Naquin de la prima pana la ultima pagina!

Am descoperit o poveste total neasteptata, incarcata de magie, de creaturi supranaturale adorabile, de personaje amuzante, pasaje nostime, replici acide sau dimpotriva, atat de dulci incat le-am citit iar si iar, nevenindu-mi sa cred ca poate exista un roman atat de dragalas. Pentru ca per ansamblu, cred ca acesta este cuvantul care defineste cel mai bine Monster in My Closet. Da, povestea are si o parte dramatica, care reprezinta de fapt si intriga volumului, dar eu am fost atat de fascinata de cateva dintre personajele ne-umane, incat orice altceva a fost pus in umbra de ele. Am senzatia ca orice as spune despre aceasta carte nu ar putea exprima cat de mult mi-a placut. Cred ca daca lista de carti necitite pe care le am in biblioteca nu ar fi atat de lunga, as reincepe romanul chiar acum. De fapt, de-a lungul lecturii, m-am intors de cateva ori la unele pagini de la inceput pentru a le citi din nou. Nu pentru ca as fi uitat sau nu as fi inteles ceva, ci pur si simplu pentru ca mi-au placut prea mult.

Povestea incepe in dimineata in care Zoey, eroina romanului, o tanara de 28 de ani, organizatoare de nunti, cu o casnicie ratata la activ si total ancorata in realitate, fara absolut nici o legatura cu orice lucru paranormal, isi da seama ca in casa ei se afla un intrus. O privire aruncata inspre acesta o transporta in amintiri, mai exact in noaptea in care avea 5 ani si a vazut un monstru iesind din dulapul ei.  Iar in prezent, in fata ei se afla exact acelasi monstru pe care il daduse uitarii, presupunand ca fusese pur si simplu o spaima copilareasca. Iar exuberantul monstru, numit Maurice, o intampina cu cafea, un mic dejun delicios si rugamintea de a-i oferi un adapost pentru o perioada. De aici pana la o viata care o ia razna total nu mai e decat un pas. Zoey afla ca propria ei capacitate de a empatiza total cu cei din jur, de a le simti toate emotiile si toate sentimentele nu este un lucru normal, iar asta o transforma intr-o tinta pentru un demon, un incubus, pentru care ea reprezinta o masa delicioasa. Si in acelasi timp, toate femeile cu care Zoey a interactionat in ultima vreme au devenit si ele tinte. Iar cateva dintre acestea si-au pierdut deja viata.  Zoey trebuie sa invete sa traiasca cu toate fiintele supranaturale care au dat navala in viata ei, sa descopere in ce mod poate evolua relatia pe care tocmai a inceput-o cu un reaper, un slujitor al mortii ce colecteaza suflete si mai presus de orice, sa scape pentru totdeauna de demonul ce ii ameninta viata si ei si tuturor femeilor din jur, fie ele umane sau nu.

Povestea este bine inchegata, nu am detectat nici macar un aspect care sa para fortat sau nelalocul lui. Personajele sunt de departe cel mai savuros aspect al cartii. Cred ca Maurice a devenit unul dintre personajele mele preferate din toate cartile pe care le-am citit vreodata, Zoey este extrem de credibila, in ciuda faptului ca tot ce i se intampla este incredibil, si absolut toate celelalte personaje secundare ofera un plus de farmec romanului, completand cu succes scenariul acestuia. Mi-a placut faptul ca personajele nu respecta nici o schema clasica. Desi reuseste sa lupte singura impotriva lui Sebastian, demonul ce ii ameninta viata, Zoey are momente de slabiciune cand trebuie sa fie salvata.  Riley, reaper-ul de care se indragosteste ii e alaturi doar de la un punct, la inceput el incercand sa nu se amestece in razboiul ei, in ciuda faptului ca ar putea fi de un real ajutor. Andrew, unul dintre putinii oameni care cunosc directia in care a luat-o viata protagonistei ii sta alaturi ca sfatuitor, profesor si prieten in acelasi timp, dar el ramane vulnerabil in fata pericolului. Iar Maurice, adorabilul monstru din dulap, in ciuda puterilor magice pe care pare sa le aiba, nu are posibilitatea sa si le puna in lupta impotriva incubusului pentru a o ajuta pe Zoey.

Romanul este disponibil de ieri in magazinele din afara in format e-book, nu stiu daca va aparea si in editie printata si daca va ajunge vreodata sa fie tradus si in Romania. Totusi, daca obisnuiti sa cititi carti in format electronic, va recomand din suflet sa nu stati pe ganduri  daca vreti o lectura amuzanta, care va va binedispune nu doar cand o veti citi, ci si de fiecare data cand va veti aminti de ea. Daca aveti indoieli, mai jos sunt primele replici pe care i le adreseaza monstrul din dulap eroinei:

<< “You’re up!” he said. “Sit-sit-sit! I made you orange-strawberry muffins. They’ll be ready in a few minutes.” He jerked to his feet and waved me to a chair. “I’ll get you some coffee.” He paused for a long moment, and his smile grew larger as he gazed at me. “Gosh, you grew up pretty, Zoey. Sit-sit-sit.”

…..

 “Zoey, Zoey, my friend, Zoey!”

…..

“So can I stay? Wait, don’t answer that yet. Taste a muffin first. I’m a good cook! I can clean the pool, too. Honest, I won’t get in the way.”

I blinked again. „What?”

“You’re still mad at me, aren’t you. I’m really sorry about that. I didn’t mean to scare you the last time I was here.”

…..

“…and that’s why I came here when she kicked me out. It’s the only place I’ve ever felt safe.”

“What?” I knew I’d missed something crucial. I glanced down at the table in an automatic search for the DVR remote. I needed to rewind and replay that last part.

“You’re not awake yet.” He patted my arm again. “Drink your coffee. We’ll try again when you’re fed.”

…..

“I was only eight, myself, back then,” he said. “I had nowhere to go, and your mom took me in. Oh, Zoey, she was so mad at me that night. I was supposed to stay in the hall closet, but yours had all those great toys. Even then I loved to cook, and your Easy-Bake Oven was perfect for trying out your mom’s recipes in small batches. The lightbulb inside it gave such a warm, even toast to my shortbread.” He reached toward me as if to touch me again, then pulled away, looking down at his hands. “I wasn’t trying to scare you. I thought we were playing a game. Didn’t you see me smiling?”

I nodded, the memory of that grin still giving me chills. “I thought you were going to eat me.”

Maurice wrinkled his fat nose. “That’s disgusting, Zoey. >>

Bile albe:

– Nici nu stiu ce altceva as mai putea scrie aici, intrucat tot romanul a fost o „bila alba”. Nu am nimic de reprosat, mi s-a parut o lectura perfecta si as recomanda cartea oricui. M-a amuzat teribil si chiar daca intre timp m-am apucat deja de o noua carte, inca imi mai vin in minte anumite replici ale personajelor si mi se par la fel de savuroase ca si atunci cand le-am citit prima data.

Bile negre:

– Romanul este incadrat in genul urban fantasy, dar fiind publicat de Carina Press, editura cunoscuta pentru romanele sale cu tenta erotica, banuiesc ca unii cititori ar putea astepta un numar mai mare de scene hot. Acestea nu lipsesc in totalitate, dar nu sunt nici atat de frecvente incat sa transforme romanul intr-unul bine incadrat in literatura romance. Personal, nu am fost absolut deloc deranjata de acest lucru, dar cred ca trebuia mentionat acest aspect, astfel incat sa nu se astepte nimeni la un roman gen Sandra Brown in varianta fantasy.

Update:

OMG! Recenzia mea a ajuns la autoarea cartii Monster in my Closet, R.L. Naquin si se pare ca i-a placut destul de mult incat sa scrie despre aceasta pe blogul ei! Sunt extrem de entuziasmata, acesta a fost unul dintre cele mai grozave momente de care am avut parte de cand am blogul! Gasiti AICI postarea de pe site-ul autoarei.

English version:

I received Monster in my Closet by courtesy of Carina Press publisher and R.L. Naquin, the author of the book. Because English is not my native language, please accept my excuses for the possible mistakes.

I admit I fell in love with the book from the first words. In fact..no, I’m lying! I think that since the moment I saw the book’s title I became desperate to find out the story.  I have a bad habit of creating different expectations around a novel, depending of it’s title and cover and of course, in this case also, once I saw those elements I suspected/hoped that the story would be as original as it seemed to be. And fortunately, I wasn’t wrong. I loved the novel written by R.L. Naquin from the first page till the last one!

I discovered a totally surprising story, full of magic, supernatural and adorable creatures, funny characters, entertaining fragments, sarcastic dialogues or on the contrary, dialogues that were so sweet that I read them over and over again, almost not believing that such a lovely story actually exists. Because, overall, I think a word like “cuddly”, “lovely” or “sweet” would best define Monster in my Closet. Indeed, the story also has a dramatic part, which is actually the novel’s story line, but I was so fascinated by some of the un-human characters that everything else was cast into the shade by them. I have the feeling that no matter what I’d say about the book couldn’t express how much I actually liked it. I think that if my list of unread books wouldn’t be so big, I would start again the novel right away. In fact, during the time I was reading Monster in my Closet I got back at the beginning of the book and read again and again some fragments.  Not because I didn’t understand something or because I forgot something, but because I loved them too much.

The story begins with the morning when Zoey, the protagonist, a 28 years old woman, wedding planner and totally anchored in reality, with no affinity with anything paranormal, realizes that there’s an intruder in her house.  One look at him sends her in her memories, at the moment when she was 5 years old and she’d seen a monster coming out of her closet. And now, in front of her is the exact same monster that she’d forgotten about, thinking that it was only a childish fear.  And the exuberant monster, called Maurice, greets her with coffee, a delicious breakfast and the prayer to be sheltered in her house for a while. From that to a complete crazy life there’s just a tiny step.  Zoey finds out that her gift to empathize completely with the others, to feel all their emotions and feelings is not such a normal thing as she thought and this makes her the perfect target for a demon, an incubus that sees her as a delicious meal. And in the same time, all the women that interacted with Zoey in the recent time are also a target for the demon. And some of them already lost their lives. Zoey must learn how to live among all the supernatural beings that burst into her life, to discover a way to develop her relation with a reaper – a death’s soldier that collects souls and, most important, to get rid of the demon that threatens her life and the lives of all the women around, human or not.

The story was perfectly built, I haven’t noticed a single aspect to seem forced or not in it’s place. The characters are certainly the best part of the book. I think that Maurice became one of my favorites characters from all the books I have ever read. Zoey is extremely credible, although everything that happens to her is incredible. And all the other minor characters raise the book’s enchantment.  I loved the fact that the characters are not created based on a common draft. Although she manages to fight alone with Sebastian, the demon that threatens her life, Zoey has moments full of weakness, when she needs to be saved by others. Riley, the reaper that she falls in love with, stays beside her only later, because at the beginning he tries not to interfere with her fight, even if he would be a huge help. Andrew,  one of the few humans that know the way her life goes now stays with her as a friend, a teacher and an advisor in the same time, but he remains vulnerable in front of the danger.  And Maurice, the lovely closet monster, doesn’t have the possibility to use his magical powers in the fight against the demon, in order to help Zoey.

The novel is available for shopping since yesterday in the most important shops, as an e-book. I don’t know if it’s going to appear in a printed version or if it will ever be translated in Romanian. Still, if you’re usually reading e-books, I totally recommend you this novel. Not only that you’ll have fun reading it, but every time you’ll remember something about it, you’ll have a smile on your face. If you’re still not convinced, please read bellow the first conversation between Zoey and the closet monster:

<< “You’re up!” he said. “Sit-sit-sit! I made you orange-strawberry muffins. They’ll be ready in a few minutes.” He jerked to his feet and waved me to a chair. “I’ll get you some coffee.” He paused for a long moment, and his smile grew larger as he gazed at me. “Gosh, you grew up pretty, Zoey. Sit-sit-sit.”

…..

 “Zoey, Zoey, my friend, Zoey!”

…..

“So can I stay? Wait, don’t answer that yet. Taste a muffin first. I’m a good cook! I can clean the pool, too. Honest, I won’t get in the way.”

I blinked again. „What?”

“You’re still mad at me, aren’t you. I’m really sorry about that. I didn’t mean to scare you the last time I was here.”

…..

“…and that’s why I came here when she kicked me out. It’s the only place I’ve ever felt safe.”

“What?” I knew I’d missed something crucial. I glanced down at the table in an automatic search for the DVR remote. I needed to rewind and replay that last part.

“You’re not awake yet.” He patted my arm again. “Drink your coffee. We’ll try again when you’re fed.”

…..

“I was only eight, myself, back then,” he said. “I had nowhere to go, and your mom took me in. Oh, Zoey, she was so mad at me that night. I was supposed to stay in the hall closet, but yours had all those great toys. Even then I loved to cook, and your Easy-Bake Oven was perfect for trying out your mom’s recipes in small batches. The lightbulb inside it gave such a warm, even toast to my shortbread.” He reached toward me as if to touch me again, then pulled away, looking down at his hands. “I wasn’t trying to scare you. I thought we were playing a game. Didn’t you see me smiling?”

I nodded, the memory of that grin still giving me chills. “I thought you were going to eat me.”

Maurice wrinkled his fat nose. “That’s disgusting, Zoey. >>

Pros:

– I don’t have idea what else I could write here, because the whole novel was a “pro”. I don’t have any complains, I really thought that Monster in the Closet was a perfect reading and I would recommend the book to anybody. I had a lot of fun reading it and even if I already started a new book, I still have moments when I remember some dialogues from Monster in the Closet and I still find them as delicious as they were the first time I read them.

Cons:

– The novel is considered an urban fantasy volume, but because it was published by Carina Press, a publisher known especially for it’s erotic novels, I suppose that some readers might expect a bigger number of hot moments. Which are not totally missing, but are not enough frequent in order to make this novel a romance or erotic one. I was not a bit disturbed by this aspect, but I think I needed to mention this, so that nobody expects some kind of fantasy Sandra Brown book.

Update:

OMG! My review came to the hand of the author of the novel Monster in my Closet, Mrs. R.L. Naquin and it seems that she liked enough to write about it on her own blog! I’m extremely excited, this was one of the best moments I lived since I have this blog! You can read HERE the post on Mrs. Naquin’s site.

Alte recenzii care te-ar putea interesa:

Rogue’s Pawn (seria Covenant of Thorns, volumul 1) – Jeffe Kennedy

Nici moarta, nici maritata (seria Betsy, Regina Vampirilor, volumul 1) – Maryjanice Davidson
Posted in Carol M. Tanzman

Circle of Silence – Carol M. Tanzman

Posted on by roxtao

Circle of Silence – Carol M. Tanzman

Editura: Harlequin Teen

Data publicare: 24 iulie 2012

Numar pagini: 304

 

Sinopsis:

The biggest story of my life could be how it ends. It’s my turn to run a “Campus News” crew, and I’ve put together a team that can break stories wide open. And Washington Irving High has a truly great one to cover, if only we can find a lead.
A secret society has formed in our school. It announced its presence with pranks: underwear on the flagpole, a toilet in the hallway, cryptic notes. A circle of silence keeps the society a mystery. No one knows its members, agenda or initiation secrets-until a student lands in the hospital under “strange” circumstances.
I “will” blow this story wide open and stop others from being hurt..or worse. And while my ex, Jagger, might want to help, I don’t trust him yet. (And, no, not because of our past together. That is “not” important to this story.)
But whether you find me, Valerie Gaines, reporting in front of the camera, or a victim in the top story of the newscast…be sure to watch “Campus News” at 9:00 a.m. this Friday.

Parerea mea:

Multumesc editurii Harlequin Teen si autoarei, Carol M. Tanzman pentru ca mi-au oferit aceasta carte pentru recenzie.

Circle of silence imbina trasaturile romanului politist cu cel young adult. Valerie Gaines este redactor sef al uneia dintre echipele de stiri ai liceului in care invata. In momentul in care o societate secreta isi anunta prezenta prin cateva farse, Valerie este automat intrigata de poveste si incearca sa afle cine sunt membrii gastii. Dar lucrurile avanseaza rapid, iar de la farsele inocente pana la initierile aproape mortale, nu mai este decat un pas. Iar viata catorva dintre apropiatii lui Valerie atarna de un fir.

Sincer, pana pe la jumatatea cartii povestea se lungeste atat de mult incat devine plictisitoare. Intr-adevar, misterul exista, insa intriga nu este parca indeajuns de bine dezvoltata. Ma asteptam la niste situatii mai tensionate, de genul celor intalnite in Micutele Mincinoase, la suspans si secrete care sa te tina cu sufletul la gura. Din pacate, farsele prezentate sunt plictisitoare, modul in care echipa de ziaristi aspiranti urmareste povestea este destul de superficial, iar la un moment dat esti convins ca romanul nu are cum sa aduca ceva cu adevarat interesant. Totul se schimba insa in momentul in care unul dintre personajele principale este la un pas sa isi piarda viata. Iar o alta persoana foarte apropiata de Valerie se dovedeste a fi membru al societatii secrete. Abia de pe la jumatate, cartea incepe sa te tina in suspans. Mai ales ca pana la momentul respectiv, ai ajuns sa fii aproape sigur ca nu vei avea parte decat de o lectura acceptabila, iar surpriza este deci si mai mare. Finalul insa, ofera doar pe jumatate ceea ce asteapta cititorul. Pe de-o parte, avem dezvaluirea legata de unul dintre membrii societatii, dar pe de alta parte, restul membrilor sunt necunoscuti, nu au o poveste in spate, nu sunt legati de personajele principale, deci aflarea identitatii acestora nu ofera un moment captivant.

Latura romance a romanului este ok, dar nu impresioneaza. Valerie este prinsa intre fosta relatie si posibilitatea unui nou iubit, dar lucrurile nu avanseaza foarte mult in nici una dintre directii. Tatonarile cu colegul ce o curteaza raman la stadiul de inceput, cei doi neavand parte nici macar de o prima intalnire. Iar relatia cu fostul iubit este reinnodata abia dupa finalul aventurii, atunci cand eroina ofera un fel de concluzie a intregii povesti.

Bile albe:

– Autoarea a reusit cateva momente perfecte, in care ti se taie respiratia, iar ceea ce citesti este in totalitate neasteptat. Din pacate, aceste pasaje nu sunt foarte dese si nu reusesc sa compenseze lipsa de elemente captivante din restul cartii.

Bile negre:

– Povestea se desfasoara in principal pe un singur plan, cel al cercetarii povestii de catre Valerie si echipa ei. Restul aspectelor sunt tratate prea superficial, iar povestea pare dezechilibrata si  incompleta.

English version:

I received Circle of silence by courtesy of Harlequin Teen publisher and Mrs. Carol M. Tanzman, the author of the book. Thank you for offering me the book for review! Because English is not my native language, please accept my excuses for the possible mistakes.

Circle of silence is mixing the characteristics of the detective fiction with the ones of the young adult literature. Valerie Gaines is a news reporter in her high-school. When a secret society begins to signal their presence by some tricks, Valerie is intrigued by the story and tries to find out who are the clan’s members. But everything happens to quickly, and from the innocent tricks to some fatal initiations, there’s just a tiny step. And the lives of some close friends of Valerie are in danger.

Honestly, until the half of the novel the story is so outstretched, that it becomes boring. Indeed, we have some mystery, but the intrigue is not very well built. I was expecting some thrilling moments, something like Pretty Little Liars, lots of suspense or some secrets that blow your mind. Unfortunately, the secret society’s tricks are boring and the way the news team follows the story is superficial. At some point, you really lose the hope that the book could bring something interesting. But everything changes when one of the main characters almost loses his life. And when you find out that another character, one that’s really close to Val, is actually a member of the secret society. Only from the half, the book begins to captivate you. Especially because at that point, you’re almost sure that the book is only..acceptable, so the surprise is even bigger. The ending is only partially offering what the reader would expect. We do get the revelation of one of the society’s members, but the other ones are unknown, they don’t have a story, they’re not linked in any way with the main characters, so their identities revelation is not offering an interesting moment.

The romance side of the story is ok, but not impressive. Valerie is caught between her ex and the possibility of a new relation, but the stories don’t grow to much. The flirting with the new colleague remains at an incipient level, the two characters never getting a first date. And the relation with her ex is resumed only after the whole adventure, when the protagonist is offering kind of a conclusion for the story.

Pros:

– The author created some perfect moments, when you’re totally surprised, because you couldn’t expect any of those things to happen. Unfortunately, these fragments are not very frequent and they don’t cancel all the lack of interesting aspects from the rest of the story.

Cons:

– The story comes off on a single plan – the news team attempts to figure out who are the secret society’s members. The other aspects are presented in a superficial way, so the story looks unbalanced and incomplete.

Alte recenzii care te-ar putea interesa:

Micutele mincinoase (seria Micutele Mincinoase, volumul 1) – Sara Shepard

Nefertiti. Cartea mortilor – Nick Drake