BOOK REVIEW: THE LAST SONG BY NICHOLAS SPARKS

I just finished reading The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks a few minutes ago. And again, it did not fail to make me teary eyed at some point. I've been dying to read this novel since I finished watching it's film adaptation. And somehow, the book turned out into something unexpected. The story is told in alternating perspectives. From Ronnie (Miley Cyrus) to Will (Liam Hemsworth) to Steve (Greg Kinnear) and Marcus (Honestly, I could care less about this character).

I honestly loved this book as much as I loved the movie. I think the actors did a great job at portraying the characters in the book. It made me appreciate Miley Cyrus as a dramatic actress. Anyway, the character of Ronnie is a complex one. She can be nice, mean, good, bad blah blah. As I've said she's complicated. There were times when I simply wanted to smack her for being the way she is. But as I continued to move towards the end I ended up appreciating her even more. All the rebellious teen with all the angst disappeared and she grew up to be a fine young woman. I honestly loved her more in the book. Coming from a broken family myself I think this book made me appreciate my parents even more. Especially my dad since we're not exactly the best of friends in real life. We don't fight a lot or anything we simply just don't care enough to talk to each other like Steve and Ronnie. Honestly, I envy her relationship with her dad.

Then there's Will. I really liked Will in the novel more. I think he was under appreciated in the movie since the movie focused more on Ronnie. Don't get me wrong though, I honestly think Liam Hemsworth did a great job at portraying Will. I just think he should have been given more spotlight in the movie. In the novel he was not just portrayed as the boyfriend of the main character. He was given more page time and by doing so I was able to get to know the complexity of Will's character. His inner struggles were also given light in the novel and I think that's what made me love him even more. Plus, the fact that I see him as Liam Hemsworth! haha.

And of course, there's Steve, Ronnie's dad. I seriously love him from page one. Probably because I've seen the movie first. I don't know. I just admire his strength and his love for his children. I loved the fact that he tried reaching out to his children after leaving them and all. His death seriously broke my heart. I just love him and I cried as I read his letters to Ronnie.

And lastly, there's Marcus. I could care less about this character. I hated him in the movie and I hated him more in the book. He's a manipulative psycho and he has no conscience. I wanted this character to die a very painful death. Honestly, I don't even have anything nice to say about this character.

Overall, I think all of the characters were written very well. I think their growth and progress as individuals were written wonderfully. I loved the ending in the book as much as I loved it in the movie. I think this is one of those instances when I can't choose between the movie and book adaptation. I loved both equally. Differences and all. I think this book has a lot of morals in it since it's about the different forms of love and forgiveness. I think the world would be a better place if everyone simply learned how to love and to forgive. Anyway, I'd give this a 4/5 star rating.

CLOCKWORK ANGEL BY CASSANDRA CLARE

These past two months I’ve been reading Cassandra Clare’s novels, The Mortal Instruments and The Infernal Devices. I’ve finished the four novels from The Mortal Instruments series, book five (City Of Lost Souls) will be released on May 8. Anyway, I finished Clockwork Angel from The Infernal Devices last Christmas so I think I should write a review now. haha. 

The Infernal Devices is a prequel to The Mortal Instruments. It is set during the Victorian era in England. The story centers around the lives of downworlder and shadowhunters Tessa Gray, Will Herondale and James Carstairs. Yes, some familiar names from the The Mortal Instruments will be mentioned in this series. 

Anyway, I can honestly say that I like this series more than I like The Mortal Instruments. First of all, I love the characters. Will is sarcastic, arrogant and everything your fathers warned you about in boys, almost like Jace from The Mortal Instruments and yes, I have a penchant for bad boys but he has his reasons for being the way he is. He’s my favorite character in the series. I love the way Ms. Clare wrote his story.

Then there’s Tessa, she didn’t annoy me as much as I expected that she would.  I really should work on being biased when it comes to female characters. Tsk.  Anyway, I love the development of her character. I think she’s one of those strong female characters since she’s not that indecisive not like some female heroines from other books. I mean, yeah, she was at first but when she decides whatever it is that she wants then that’s that. We’ll see in the next books though. Plus, she’s not that whiny and I love it.

And of course, there’s James “Jem” Carstairs, Will’s parabatai. I don’t really know why I like him that much. Normally I’m not really into the “nice guys” but somehow Jem had me . haha. And I love the way he’s also Will’s “conscience” in the entire series. They have this bromance thing going on since they’re parabatai and I love it. 

I think Ms. Clare did a great job in writing this novel. I love the development of the characters like the reasons why they act the way they do. I also like the supporting characters like Charlotte, Sophie and Henry. I didn’t like Jessamine though, I think she’s annoying and too bitchy. Ms. Clare is really good when it comes to leaving her readers with cliffhangers that makes you want to publish the next book yourself.Yes, she’s mean like that. haha. Anyway, I love it and I could not wait to read Clockwork Prince which is even better. Yes, I know it’s so much better since I’ve already finished it by the time I decided to write this review. haha. Bottom line is I can’t wait for Clockwork Princess. :)

I’m giving this a 5/5 star rating since I enjoyed reading this a lot.
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CITY OF ASHES BY CASSANDRA CLARE

Moving on to the City Of Ashes since again I was too lazy to write a decent review even though I enjoyed reading this series a lot. I have to give this novel its due credit and it does not deserve a crappy review like the bulk review that I posted a few days ago. So here it goes.

The story starts with Valentine in action in Metropole, Manhattan. And when I say action it means he’s doing something evil again. haha. And you’ll have to read the novel to actually know why he did whatever it is that he’s been doing in the last couple of days. Anyway, moving on to the other characters, I didn’t like Jace as much as I liked him in the first novel. He became self-destructive in this second installment because of “Valentine’s revelation” regarding his family background. No, I will not write “Valentine’s revelation” here since it will spoil the story. You have to read it if you want to know what it is. haha. *evil laugh* At least the sarcasm is still a part of his personality which is what I like about him.

Anyway, moving on to Clary, I did not like her here. I didn’t like the way she treated Simon and Jace. Yeah, Jace was a little bit mean and a little more self-absorbed than he usually is but she didn’t have to treat him the way she did. I think Clary could’ve handled things better. And as for Simon, he deserves better. He should never be a substitute. Bottom line is I didn’t like Clary here but not to the point of hatred though. haha. Plus, there was a part in the novel wherein I wanted to hit Clary or something for being so stupid. I still like Izzy/ Isabelle more than I like her. haha.

And as for Alec, Alec will be Alec and I can’t help but liking him more here. He was given more screen/ page time in this second installment which I actually like. I like the way he takes care of his little sister Izzy. Plus the fact that he is the most level- headed among the trio.

As always, Cassandra Clare did not fail to make me like this novel. She made Clary lovable for me even though I did not exactly like her. There were also times when I just wanted to give Jace a hug or something. Plus, the way she describes their world in pen and paper is simply amazing. Anyway, I’m giving this a 4/5 star rating again. :)

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CITY OF BONES BY CASSANDRA CLARE

Sooooo, I was a little bit lazy when I decided to review The Mortal Instruments trilogy so, I wrote my review in bulk. haha. And right now, I feel like making a decent review for each book. Let’s start of with the City Of Bones. The story revolves around the lives of three Shadowhunters and two Mundanes whose lives are suddenly intertwined because of old secrets unknown to them.

I have to be honest here the first part of the book was a little too bland for my taste but as the story progressed I found myself immersed in it completely. Especially the part where the Shadowhunters entered the picture. I like the dynamics and the interaction that went on between the characters. I actually liked Clary, though I still prefer Isabelle over her, in this first installment. She didn’t annoy me as much as she did in the last two books.And I love Jace, he is probably the hottest Shadowhunter out there. haha. Simon wasn’t given that much screen time or should I say page time in this novel. I love him and will always have a soft spot for him. I still liked his appearances in the book though.


It might have been bland or boring during the first few pages or chapters but as the story progressed I found myself wanting to know more and more about the story behind each of the people involved. Cassandra Clare certainly knows how to pique my interest. The last three or four chapters of the book actually made me get out of bed and buy the next one. And I did. haha.

I’d give this book a 4 out 5 stars.

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