Misfit Talks: I'm Sad AF

I got to see Inside Out around 2 weeks ago and really got into the idea of the whole film... until I realized I wasn't getting into the really sad stuff, like the nitty gritty, Bing Bong's gonna *tooot* that sort of thing. I did shed a tear. Just one, for Bing Bong. But on the general note about Sadness being the main reason for the film's turn and that it is okay to be sad... It is okay. The point of the film is to let Sadness' "ability" as a sort of alert for people to know that Riley or in any case, any other person that he or she is sad. 

I have my Sadness, but it doesn't seem to be working properly. I am sad. Many times. Lately, I have been very sad, for reasons unknown mostly, at times frustrations, fear mixed into a concoction of loneliness and tears in the night, but never did I cry in front of my parents letting them know my problem.

{BLOG TOUR} Review + Giveaway: This Monstrous Thing by Mackenzi Lee

Title: This Monstrous Thing                                

Author: Mackenzi Lee

Publication: September 22nd 2015, Katherine Tegen Books

Format: e-ARC, 384 pages              

Source: From author through Fantastic Flying Book Club       
Buy it on: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | The Book Depository | Kobo | National Bookstore / Fully Booked (PH)

Synopsis:                                      

In 1818 Geneva, men built with clockwork parts live hidden away from society, cared for only by illegal mechanics called Shadow Boys. Two years ago, Shadow Boy Alasdair Finch’s life shattered to bits.

His brother, Oliver—dead.

His sweetheart, Mary—gone.

His chance to break free of Geneva—lost.

Heart-broken and desperate, Alasdair does the unthinkable: He brings Oliver back from the dead.

But putting back together a broken life is more difficult than mending bones and adding clockwork pieces. Oliver returns more monster than man, and Alasdair’s horror further damages the already troubled relationship.

Then comes the publication of Frankenstein and the city intensifies its search for Shadow Boys, aiming to discover the real life doctor and his monster. Alasdair finds refuge with his idol, the brilliant Dr. Geisler, who may offer him a way to escape the dangerous present and his guilt-ridden past, but at a horrible price only Oliver can pay…

Misfit Review:

Take the essence of Frankenstein and mix it all up with elements of steampunk, then you've got yourself one interesting rendition of a classic novel.

Alasdair loses his brother and decides to bring him back to life. And with a life that you take, consequences are bound to come for you. I love how edgy and gritty this novel is. It does present a very dark ages of sorts, set in old European bound culture, yet adding the element of clockwork. 

Writers Central: Ahead (A Short Story)

Ahead

It’s hard to stare in the mirror without thinking that today is the day that I would have to say goodbye.  My eyes still have the remnants of last night’s tears. I leave out a sigh and plastered on some makeup. Today, I would have to say goodbye to people who’ve mattered and maybe even spare a glance to that one bully I had in 3^rd grade... That is if I see him.

I head down the stairs, putting on my joker’s mask, greeting everyone a sweet good morning. It would seem like my parents were wearing the same mask as I did. Mom was fixing up a batch of potato hash, Dad kept staring at the same page of the newspaper, while I sipped at the sweet, creamy coffee. This will be my last cup.

Review + Giveaway (US + INTL): The One Thing by Marci Lyn Curtis

Title: The One Thing                               

Author: Marci Lyn Curtis

Publication: September 8th 2015, Disney-Hyperion

Format: ARC              

Source: Won from giveaway! (Thank you so much Erin Dealey on Twitter and Marci Lyn Curtis!)   

Buy it on: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | iBooks | The Book Depository | Kobo | National Bookstore / Fully Booked (PH)

Synopsis:                                      

Maggie Sanders might be blind, but she won't invite anyone to her pity party. Ever since losing her sight six months ago, Maggie's rebellious streak has taken on a life of its own, culminating with an elaborate school prank. Maggie called it genius. The judge called it illegal.

Now Maggie has a probation officer. But she isn't interested in rehabilitation, not when she's still mourning the loss of her professional-soccer dreams, and furious at her so-called friends, who lost interest in her as soon as she could no longer lead the team to victory.

Then Maggie's whole world is turned upside down. Somehow, incredibly, she can see again. But only one person: Ben, a precocious ten-year-old unlike anyone she's ever met.Ben's life isn't easy, but he doesn't see limits, only possibilities. After awhile, Maggie starts to realize that losing her sight doesn't have to mean losing everything she dreamed of. Even if what she's currently dreaming of is Mason Milton, the infuriatingly attractive lead singer of Maggie's new favorite band, who just happens to be Ben's brother.

But when she learns the real reason she can see Ben, Maggie must find the courage to face a once-unimaginable future... before she loses everything she has grown to love.

Misfit Review:

We take a lot of things for granted, that's for sure. And if we lose a thing that means a lot to us, then we'd feel like nothing else matters anymore, that we're incomplete and we cannot function anymore. The One Thing serves as an eye-opener, that even in times of pain and obstacles, there is hope and you are not alone.

DNF: Cleo by Lucy Coats

Title: Cleo                               

Author: Lucy Coats

Publication: May 7th 2015, Orchard Books

Format: e-ARC, 320 pages            

Source: Netgalley (Thanks to the publisher!)         

Buy it on: Amazon | iBooks | The Book Depository |  National Bookstore / Fully Booked (PH)

Synopsis:                                      

Her precious mother is dead - and it isn't an accident! The young Cleopatra - Pharaoh's illegitimate daughter - must flee the royal palace at Alexandria or die too. As her evil half-sisters usurp the throne, Cleo finds sanctuary at the sacred temple of Isis, where years later she becomes initiated into the secret Sisters of the Living Knot. But now Isis's power is failing, Egypt is in danger, and Cleo must prove her loyalty to her goddess by returning to the Alexandria she hates. She must seek out the hidden map which is the key to returning Isis's power - on pain of death. But will she be able to evade her horrible sisters? And will she find dreamy Khai, the über-hot Librarian boy she met as she fled Alexandria years before? Cleo's powerful destiny is about to unfold...

Gorgeous and evocative, this captivating new YA novel imagines the life of the teenage Cleopatra before she became the icon we think we know.

Misfit Review:

7%

I have no issues with stories that are based off of real people, those who existed and made an impact in society, good or bad, as long as the story is interesting, consistent, not boring and not written in a way I expected it will be.

This reimagining of Cleopatra, in her teenage years, and how she claims her right to the throne is written way too modern for my taste, like reading a usual YA contemporary novel. Maybe if this written with a high fantasy flair, I could've taken it seriously. I also found the rivalry between the sisters quite childish and didn't made me curious enough. And please, Cleo, you just lost your Mom, and you're going goo-goo for Khai, the sexy librarian with the beautiful eyes already? Please. When you think about it, it feels a little like Mean Girls... I mean, just a bit.

{BLOG TOUR} Excerpt + Giveaway: Hello, Goodbye And Everything In Between by Jennifer E. Smith

Title: Hello, Goodbye And Everything In Between                               

Author: Jennifer E. Smith

Publication: September 1st 2015, Poppy

Buy it on: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | iBooks | The Book Depository | Kobo | National Bookstore / Fully Booked (PH)

Follow the book tour through Pinoy Book Tours

Synopsis:                                      

On the night before they leave for college, Clare and Aidan only have one thing left to do: figure out whether they should stay together or break up. Over the course of twelve hours, they'll retrace the steps of their relationship, trying to find something in their past that might help them decide what their future should be. The night will lead them to friends and family, familiar landmarks and unexpected places, hard truths and surprising revelations. But as the clock winds down and morning approaches, so does their inevitable goodbye. The question is, will it be goodbye for now or goodbye forever?

EXCERPT

"I know," he says, but he won't look at her. His eyes are fixed on the closed door of the garage. "That's my point. Let's skip it all."

"College?" she says with a smile, letting her hand drop.