(REVIEW) Vampire Diaries: Stefan's Diary Volume 1: Origins

The Vampire Diares: Stefan's Diary Volume 1: Origins
Based on the novels by L.J. Smith
Publication Date: November 2, 2010
Publisher: Harper Collins

ISBN-10: 0062003933

Format: Softbound
Language: English
Genre: Fiction, Romance, Vampires
Book Description:

Set during the Civil War, against a backdrop of grand estates, unimaginable riches, and deadly secrets, three teenagers in Mystic Falls, Virginia enter a torrid love triangle that will span eternity.

Brothers Stefan and Damon Salvatore are inseparable until they meet Katherine, a stunning, mysterious woman who turns their world upside down. Siblings turned rivals, the Salvatores compete for Katherine's affection, only to discover that her sumptuous silk dresses and glittering gems hide a terrible secret: Katherine is a vampire. And she is intent on turning them into vampires so they can live together-forever.

Based on the popular CW TV show inspired by the bestselling novels, Stefan's Diaries reveals the truth about what really happened between Stefan, Damon, and Katherine—and how the Vampire Diaries love triangle began. (Amazon)

RATINGS

3.5

Aside from the plot of this novel, what I liked most is how the writer wrote and depict his/her characters in way that makes you "feel and smell them". One example is the writers description of Katherine and how s/he let Katherine move in the environment the author prepared for her. She's so captivating, so real.

In the other hand I have a bias for not appreciating novels with vampires in it. I just don't like vampires to be portrayed as a creature capable of human feelings. I love to read about vampires who tore people's body, who breaks the neck of his/her prey and who torments people along their way. That's how I wanted vampires to be in the literary world. But still I understand how every people have different perspective/understanding of a vampire and let's see in its succeeding books if it can make me like vampire-based novels.

Over-all, this book is good and I'm looking forward to read the other 5 books as well.

Stefan's Diaries: Origins is the first book in the trilogy Stefan's Diaries. It is a prequel to The Vampire Diaries, and it is written by a ghostwriter. The book was released on November 2, 2010. The next in the trilogy is Stefan's Diaries: Bloodlust. (Vampire Diaries Wiki)

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Book Review: Point Deception by Jim Gilliam

Point Deception
by Jim Gilliam
Publication Date: Dec. 21, 2010 
Publisher: BookLocker

ISBN: 978-1-60910-620-1

Format: Paperback
Language: English
Genre: Fiction, Autobiography, Military
Book Description:

Surviving the mean streets of New Orleans in 1956, young Tim Kelly begins a young Indiana Jones style adventure by lying about his age to join the Coast Guard at fourteen.
Almost a decade later, Kelly transfers to San Francisco where he immediately runs afoul of his new executive officer. In lieu of a court martial Kelly volunteers for combat duty in Vietnam where three of his friends are killed in a friendly fire incident. Deeply mourning the loss of his friends, he releases his rage in an Air Force officer's club and is punished with a less than honorable discharge.
Back in the U. S. Kelly embarks on a new career as an undercover narcotics agent, entering the shadow world of drug and human trafficking sponsored by his old friend and mentor Rodolfo Guzman, a kingpin in the powerful Campeche drug cartel. His failure to check in with his handler alerts a team of Texas lawmen who embark on an illegal, clandestine, armed incursion into the sovereign territory of Mexico to either rescue Tim or recover his body. It is a bold and dangerous plan. Not even the most elite units of the Mexican federal police dared attack Rodolfo Guzman's hacienda--a renegade state within a state that did not answer to the Mexican government.
Will the rescue team arrive in time?
Jim Gilliam's novel moves like a freight train through a tight, spellbinding storyline. An engaging and fast-paced suspense thriller, Point Deception is a riveting page-turner, based on true events.

-Book Locker

RATING

REVIEW

Point Deception is a debut novel of Jim Gilliam. Like Tim, the author ran away from their home and joined the USCG (US Coast Guard) at the age of 14.

The novel wanted to show to its readers, especially to non-US citizens, that in spite of US over-whelming power in the world, US can't still end the illegal Mexican trades happening within US-Mexico border. This novel also shows mother-son relationship at times when a father is out or lost within the sight of the family. Independence is the value that is being highlighted and I love the way how the author portrayed this value. Another value that I like most is the heaviness of fighting for justice and for the betterment of many despite of the fact that Tim treated Rodolfo like his own father but still agrees to be an undercover narcotics agent against Rodolfo.

Though the author should have paid much attention to the military part (because this is I how see the book at first), but maybe, aside from the adventures and military actions, the author wanted to put importance on HOW the protagonist strives for independence to do the things that he really wanted to do in his life.

According in this book, the author also will be publishing a sequel to this. I am still looking forward to read his incoming book.

Good job.

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Book Review: Catching Fire by Suzzane Collins

Catching Fire
by Suzanne Collins
Publication Date: September 1, 2009
Publisher: Scholastic

ISBN: 978-0-439-02349-8

Format: audio book
Language: English
Genre: Fiction, Dystopian, Romance

Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has won the annual Hunger Games with fellow district tribute Peeta Mellark. But it was a victory won by defiance of the Capitol and their harsh rules. Katniss and Peeta should be happy. After all, they have just won for themselves and their families a life of safety and plenty. But there are rumors of rebellion among the subjects, and Katniss and Peeta, to their horror, are the faces of that rebellion. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge.

RATING

Four for the effortt

REVIEW

Well. What do we have here? A bloody skirmish among existing victors, and Peeta and Katniss is back again to compete and to survive to Quarter Quell. The arena was intellectually designed to arouse excitement for the people in the Capitol. This book really highlights the theme of independence, rebellion, and government.

Way to go!

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Book Review: Desert Harvest by Wando Wande

Desert Harvest
by Wando Wande
Publication Date: December 31, 2011

ASIN: B006OEVPB4

Format: eBook
Language: English
Genre: Fiction

When her mother walks out of the family, Mille struggles to raise her siblings at a ranch in the Sonoran desert. Of course, her father is no help. Everyone in town calls her mother a whore. How long can she cope before insanity swallows her whole?

Read here the bounty of the Desert Harvest. A short story.

RATING

Four for the effortt

REVIEW

Not the usual but reflects more or less about life.

I haven't laid my eyes on such work like Desert Harvest of Wando Wande. Though there are minor lapses but still a good story to read. I wonder what happen next? ^^

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Book Review: The Bridge of Deaths by M.C.V Egan

Thank you M.C.V Egan for the dedication you wrote on the copy of your book. Hope to read more of your works in the future. 

The Bridge of Deaths
by M.C.V Egan
Publisher: Author House
Publication Date: 2011

ISBN: 978-1-4634-1041-4

Format: Paperback
Language: English
Genre: Fiction, Historical, Mystery

Follow Bill and Maggie in London 2010 as they explore the events of August 15th 1939. When at the brink of World War II, an English plane crashed and sunk in Danish waters. Five deaths were reported: two Standard Oil of New Jersey employees, a German Corporate Lawyer, an English member of Parliament, and a crew member for the airline. Bill and Maggie find a conceivable version of the events.

RATING

4-star for the effort and time spent in making for this book! Kudos!

REVIEW

Well documented!

M.C.V Egan is the most hardworking author I've ever known. From the little piece of paper and photos to telegrams in year 1939, she compiled it with ease and smoothness. She has a very good research skill. Bravo! The story? Ms. Egan never compromised the plot of her novel though she embedded archive documents in it. Kudos!

Looking forward to read more of Ms. Egan's novels.

Available at:

Paperback                 Kindle 

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My Girl, Veronikka (eBook)

A story about TIME, LOVE and DEATH!

Time. A couple will together realize how time is essential for them. How time will serve as a their wealth. But it is too late.

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Poem, Tula, Berso and Other Poetry (eBook)

Another poetry collection!

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Needing back in the verge of time

Morning changed the way I think about
When love was still love and not lust
How I eye the tree of wisdom before
And that tree is not a tree at all.

Blame me, oh time, for committing one to two
And further for three and four
I guess enough for five
But still it grew to six and more.

Neither I regret on what I sow
Come what may, that's they say.
Yet what I feared only of
Was gravity grinning to fall and fall.

I should walk aback and start in new
I wanted to set the time to few
And attain done to all I committed with
So I may rest in week long May.

Oh, God! Help me in thy mercy and thy name.
To my cries I beg before thee.
And line be then drawn from rush to still.
And line be then drawn from rush to still.

©Angelito G. Nambatac Jr.

Needing back in the verge of time by Hail Gil is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
Based on a work at hailgil.blogspot.com.

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