Carole's Book to Movie Review: Stardust (2007)

Length: 2 hours & 7 mins
Released: 2007
Genre: Fantasy, Action/Adventure, Sci-Fi, & Drama
Rating: PG-13
Where I Got It: Netflix

SUMMARY:
The sleepy English village of Wall is so named for the cobblestone wall that has, for eons, kept the villagers safely apart form the supernatural parallel universe that lies just on the other side. It is here that young Tristan Thorne makes a wild-eyed promise to the prettiest girl in the village, whose heart he hopes to win: that he will bring her back a fallen star. Now, in order to make good on his promise, Tristan will have to cross the forbidden wall, and enter a mysterious kingdom lit by unending magic and unfolding legends. In this fantastical realm known as Stormhold, Tristan discovers that the fallen star is not at all what he expected but a spirited young woman injured by her cosmic tumble. Now, she is in terrible danger--sought after by colossal powers including the King's scheming sons for whom only she can secure the throne; and a chillingly powerful witch desperate to use the star to achieve eternal youth and beauty. As Tristan sets out to protect the star and bring her back to his beloved on the other side of the wall, he encounters with a pirate captain and a shady trader, among other surprises. But if he can survive, Tristan will also uncover the secret key to his own identity and a fate beyond his wildest dreams.

TRAILER: 

REVIEW:

I was a good kid...I read the book first, even tho I was super tempted to watch the movie. I am a bad kid and I do like watching the movie first once in a while. 0.o

Anyways...

Before I discuss anything else...I must complain about what they did with Clair Danes eyebrows. WHERE ARE THEY!? DO STARS NOT HAVE EYEBROWS? WHAT? WHY? HOW? Dumb. Ugh. Throughout the whole movie, I was totally distracted by the lack of eyebrows. Along with Clair Danes eyebrows, her voice and acting really annoyed me. Normally, I think she's an okay actress, but in this? She left me wanting more (and not in the good way). Was she trying to act nonhuman? IDK...but meh.

Besides for the missing eyebrows, this was funny. Way funnier then the book. The whole humor of the ghost of the dead brothers following around the live brothers was hilarious. In the book, it didn't work as well as in the movie. Their faces and judging ways were hilarious. They didn't have to say anything to make me laugh. Just an eyeroll. Along with the brothers being funny, the witch sisters had me laughing too. haha. They cast the perfect actress for the eldest sister. This movie was just making me laugh the entire time! It did have its "awe" moments because there is a romance going on.

It was upsetting that they cut out a few of the characters, but I totally get why sometimes too many characters in a movie can get confusing. Plus, they wanted to give Tristan's dad some more spotlight and more of a hand in Tristan's adventure. 

I AM SO MAD THEY LEFT OUT THE LION VS THE UNICORN SCENE! UGGGGGGGH! THAT WAS MY FAVORITE FABLE REFERENCE!!!!! MEH!

However...they made it up to me in the ending. I like how they edited it a bit and added a little glimmer and more "awe" to it. :3 I can't say what, but I liked it a lot.

Book or movie? Ummm, I liked both, but honestly.........they were the same. There were some things I didn't like about the book and then some things I didn't like about the movie. I rate them about even. In the end, I stamp this with 3 stars as well. It would've been 4, but they cut out my favorite scene. >_____>

Favorite Character(s): Tristan (even tho he was a silly boy), the ghost brothers, the unicorn, and Tristan's mom

Not-so Favorite Character(s): Victoria (*sighs*) 

Re-watch?: Yeah. I want to make Boyfriend watch it 

Carole Reviews: Splintered by AG Howard

Author: AG Howard
Title: Splintered
Genre: Fantasy, YA, Retelling, Adventure, & Fiction
Pages: ebook
First Published: Janurary 2013
Where I Got It: My shelf (Borrowed from friend)

Alyssa Gardner hears the whispers of bugs and flowers—precisely the affliction that landed her mother in a mental hospital years before. This family curse stretches back to her ancestor Alice Liddell, the real-life inspiration for Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Alyssa might be crazy, but she manages to keep it together. For now.


When her mother’s mental health takes a turn for the worse, Alyssa learns that what she thought was fiction is based in terrifying reality. The real Wonderland is a place far darker and more twisted than Lewis Carroll ever let on. There, Alyssa must pass a series of tests, including draining an ocean of Alice’s tears, waking the slumbering tea party, and subduing a vicious bandersnatch, to fix Alice’s mistakes and save her family. She must also decide whom to trust: Jeb, her gorgeous best friend and secret crush, or the sexy but suspicious Morpheus, her guide through Wonderland, who may have dark motives of his own.

*Sorry I could not make it to the meeting. :/*

Soooo addicting! From page one, I could not put the book down! In one sitting, I fly through 80% of the book. Luckily, I had the day off in order to not feel guilty. haha. I love the original tale, but this was a nice "sequel"/remake of it! I loved how things in Wonderland are little different then what an innocent 8 year old recounts; its a wee bit darker, but her innocence would be blind to that. LOVE it!

Now...the last 20% of the book did slow me down. It was still fast-paced and lots going on, but it never seemed to end. It is hard to explain, but the last little chunk just was not as good as the rest of the book. I was NOT happy with what happened. I cannot say, but I was not pleased with what happened to Jeb and how Alyssa used her tear wish. That should've never happened, because I felt like the last 80% was for naught. *SPOILER ALERT* She wished that he never even came on the adventure at all, so time was reversed and he did not step through with her. So he is all safe and at home, so everything they went through was for nothing! UGH! Frustrating *SPOILER ENDED (I had to use black instead of white bc you can totally see the white with the new look of the blog - haha) 

ANYWAYS...

I was not a huge fan of Jeb OR Morpheus as suitors for Alyssa's love. If I was her, I would say no to both of them. I can see why she was attracted to both of them and why they liked her. However, Jeb is a control freak to her, even when he is dating Taelor! They are "best friends", but he tries to control her and it made me shake my head. I get that Alyssa loves him, but I would not stand up for controlling ways and I would be blunt with him, "You are not my father or my boyfriend - you have no say what I do. You can give me your opinion, but DO NOT go to my dad and try and control my life with him." Then slap his hand, "BAD FRIEND, BAD!" Bleurgh. 

And then there is Morpheus...selfish, selfish man. Hot? Yes, but not someone to trust. Jeb can see through his string of lies, but Alyssa is as naive as her great-great etc grandmother. At first I didn't mind him too much (I get it...everyone has their own motives and they want what they want), but then there was a reveal and nope...bad guy. A good bad guy? Yes and I applaud how bad he was. However, I hate how many characters he represents. Can't he just represent the Wise Caterpillar? It was annoying. 

Overall, this was such a fun ride! The writing style was amazing (even with the last 20% and a certain event that made me shake my head - too easy of a fix), the characters were SO 3D and intriguing, the twists were awesome, and I was in love with Alyssa and her adventure. I totally recommend this to those that like a little dark in their YA and retellings of Alice in Wonderland. So fun. Out of five stars, I stamp this with 4. 

Favorite Character(s): Alyssa, Alyson (her mom), Morpheus (a complex baddie...I like it), and Queen Ivory
Not-so Favorite Character(s): Taelor (snot), Red Queen, Morpheus (meh) & Jeb 

12th Meetup - February 2015

We have officially been a book club for one year!  I am so excited and happy that I started this little group.  We may struggle to get everyone involved every month but we have such a great time no matter how big or small the turnout is.  Here are some pictures from our 12th Meet-up where we discussed the book "Splintered"; an Alice in Wonderland adaptation (thus our costumes).

Our "Singing Flower"

Our "Mad Hatter"

Our "Cheshire Cat"

Our "Red Queen"

Sam Reviews: "Splintered" by A.G. Howard - February 2015 Book Choice

Sam's Notes Taken Along the Way

I love that they use the name Jebediah in a modern story.

Can you actually keep eels as pets?  Where would you buy one?

No matter how well the descriptions were I’m bummed there weren't pictures.  Alice in Wonderland isn't a book that can go without some visuals.

It’s kind of disappointing that Morphious represents so many of the characters.  He’s her guide into Wonderland, he’s the caterpillar, and he’s the hatter (more or less – always calling for hats to suit the occasion).

I wish they would've hidden Morphious’ “bad guy” character til the end.  It would have been a great twist if you couldn't tell his motives were impure until Alyssa landed in the palace.

--||--

Quotes Worth Mentioning

"From a distance, we look like we’re riding fireflies across the northern lights, sweeping in and out of one another’s glowing jet streams."

“They could be twins with their huge mustaches and walrus-shaped bodies stuffed in brown coveralls.”

-I thought this was a clever allusion to Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum & the Walrus characters from the original story.

"Hundreds of sketches, and I still can’t get enough of your face."

"My insides tickle with an unfamiliar power, knowing that he’s flustered.  Knowing that I caused it."

"I prepare to push him off before he can taste my lips … but instead, Morpheus kisses my forehead, warm, chaste, and gentle. Then he lets me go."

"I smile, then give him a kiss he’ll never forget, to replace all the ones he’ll never remember."

Carole Reviews: Stardust by Neil Gaiman

Author: Neil Gaiman
Title: Stardust 
Genre: Fantasy, Fiction, & YA
Pages: ebook
First Published: 1998
Where I Got It: My shelf (Borrowed from library)

In the sleepy English countryside of decades past, there is a town that has stood on a jut of granite for six hundred years. And immediately to the east stands a high stone wall, for which the village is named. Here in the town of Wall, Tristran Thorn has lost his heart to the hauntingly beautiful Victoria Forester. One crisp October night, as they watch, a star falls from the sky, and Victoria promises to marry Tristran if he'll retrieve that star and bring it back for her. It is this promise that sends Tristran through the only gap in the wall, across the meadow, and into the most unforgettable adventure of his life.

I've honestly never heard of this book until it was picked for the Book Club. I was a little weary about reading this, but it certainly was an adventure and I nice add to our book list for the book club. I can't wait to discuss it. 

Ooooooooooooooooo! Victoria you dumb, dumb, witch. Poor Tristran...instead of being honest saying she didn't "love" him like he did her, she sends him out on a simple little errand to go to the magic land and get the falling star and then MAYBE she'll kiss him and if he is lucky she might consider marriage. >________< Gah. 

So yes, the beginning was rough for me for that reason and that is was slow and there were a lot of character introductions. There are a lot of people who want that damn star! Things got better when Tristran did manage to find the star - which made the book much more interesting. It was a twist and I liked it. I can't say what happens when he finds the star, but it was good. 

I loved the including of fairytales and fables! It was a nice! Especially the lion vs the unicorn for the crown. That was my favorite little bit - the unicorn was my favorite!

The only thing I did not like at all in this book was the random parts with lots of violence and/or non YA words/scenes. I'm mostly referring to the death of a character (that I liked - of course) that was brutally murdered. Okay...I think what bugged me was that it was an animal. I felt that these scenes took away the "fantastical" feel of the book. It just stuck out like a red thumb and it wasn't needed.

Overall, this was a fun adventure. I honestly would have never picked up this book on my own, so I am grateful for the book club introducing this to me. There were a few scenes I didn't like because 1) it took away the "fantastical" feel of the book and 2) it bugged me. The beginning was slow, but it got a lot better. I would highly recommend this to those that like fantasy-type books. Out of five stars, I stamp this with 3 stars (it was going to be 3.5 - so a rounded 4 - but the animal murder took away a .5).  

Favorite Character(s): Tristran (even tho he was blinded by the love he had for Victoria), the star (sassy!), and Trsitran's mom
Not-so Favorite Character(s): Victoria and the witch (>_____>)