Book Review | 'A Million Suns' [EDITED]

A Million Suns
Beth Revis
400 pg., ARC
Razorbill/Penguin
3/5 Stars



A Million Suns is the sequel to Across the Universe. The book was a major let-down compared to its predecessor. I was immensely excited when I opened a package from Penguin and found the paperback ARC, but I wasn't really drawn in from the get-go. I was worried.
The book explores a darker side to Elder and Amy, something I usually worship in a book, but it didn't seem to really fit in to this story. The chapter's were too short to permit the proper ebb and flow of exposition and information.
The pros of the book include its conflict and partially its resolution, but I truly was let down.
A more positive review should be released in the New Year; I do not want to spoil those who have not read it.

EDIT: Okay, so it's been about a year since I wrote this review, and I'm just now getting around to acknowledging how positively shitty it is (mind my language), how this book deserves more, and how utterly cranky I must have been while writing this review. The third book, Shades of Earth, is about to hit the hands of some lucky reviewers, so I thought I'd redo this whole situation, because it's quite a mess.
Let me start out with rewording the review in a phrase: I didn't dislike A Million Suns. Sure, I stick by what I said about it being a let down from Across the Universe, but that doesn't mean it's a bad book. I gave it a 3 out of 5 stars, which is (using my review criteria) a C+, which is definitely not a bad grade.
That being said, in retrospect, I think what I disliked most about the book was its focus and reliance on other characters, after the first book was so centered around Amy and Elder. I was looking forward to more independence and strength from these two characters, and I didn't get it, and I thought the plot wasn't as well executed as it could have been. It had so much potential, but I think what really, truly, fo-sho turned me off was..."frexing." Seriously, that needs to go.

Music Video Review | 'The One That Got Away'

TO WATCH 'THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY' MUSIC VIDEO, CLICK HERE.

The One That Got Away
Katy Perry
Teenage Dream, 2010
2011

In Perry's latest music video, she plays the role of a heartbroken girl who sacrifices love for a finer life, as explained by Perry during an interview with Ellen DeGeneres. To get the little things about this video I didn't like out of the way, I'll start off by saying that Perry didn't make a believable elderly woman. The makeup and special effects were not up to par on this part of the video. I understand it is extremely difficult to create this look, but perhaps Perry could have aged at a much less intense pace. The other thing I didn't like is such a small knit-pick: I wish they would have used slow-motion. I know, I know, it's stupid, but I think the video could have gone for some gorgeous shots of the gorgeous Katy Perry in slow-motion, adding more drama and emotion to the video!
What I did like is practically everything else. The video was an emotionally powerful, victorious presentation from Perry, and I must say that it stands out above all the rest of her videos.

Book Review | 'Supernaturally'

Supernaturally
Kiersten White
336 pg., U.S. Hardcover
HarperTeen
4/5 Stars



Buckle down for a novel almost identical to its predecessor, Paranormalcy, apart from the fact that it is a bit more serious than the first one, something that I like. What I mean when I say that it's a parallel to the first one is that the same plot arc occurs. What I mean by this is that the book starts out with some sort of event spotlighting Evie, the protagonist, and then we are introduced to another 'cute' boy. In the case of this book, it's Jack. We later learn that *spoiler* Jack isn't as good as he seems to be, something that is parallel to Reth in the first book. There is a climactic, creepy final scene that leads to a sappy falling action and resolution.
The book was a tremendously quick read; I read it in two days, averaging about 160 pages a day. The book isn't a book you really need to pay attention to, mainly because it is so fast-paced and that Evie mentions earlier events that happened within the novel.
Overall, the book was a fast-paced, intriguing, engrossing tale that I definitely recommend for those who finished Paranormalcy. The series is not one to miss; a film adaptation of Paranormalcy is in development!
The third and final novel in the series, Endlessly, is expected to be released next year!

Eight 'The Hunger Games' Character Posters Released From Lionsgate

Lionsgate, in cooperation with several entertainment sites such as Yahoo! Movies, Entertainment Weekly, and IGN, released eight character posters from the upcoming The Hunger Games film! The posters depict Katniss, Peeta, Gale, Haymitch, Effie, Cinna, Rue, and Cato. Take a look:

Where Have We Been? | A news collection from the past week

In the past week or so, a heap of information regarding specific films, books, et al has been released.

-Percy Jackson & the Olympians: Sea of Monsters will be released March 26th...2013 (subject to change). This means that the second film in the five-film franchise will be released a whopping three years after the first film, which collected nearly 226.5 million dollars worldwide at the box office. Production on the film, based on this release date, should begin in the summer of 2012. The Potter People will update you on any more updates.
-New York Times released its set report from Perks of Being a Wallflower, starring Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, and Paul Rudd. The set report can be read here, and includes pictures of Emma and Logan in character as Charlie and Sam at their school. You can read my review of the book in our 'Book Reviews' section.
-Warner Bros. has announced that they will be pulling the HP films off of retail shelves at the end of December. The films will be re-released in different formats, including ones to be released next year that are described as 'comprehensive'. What, we ask, is so non-comprehensive about these DVDs already?
-I received an ARC of A Million Suns, the sequel to Across the Universe. You can expect my review as the book's release date draws closer.
-The Potter films won big at the Scream Awards. It received:

The Ultimate SCREAM - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2

Best SCREAM-Play - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2

Best Fantasy Actor -Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter

Best Villain - Ralph Fiennes as Lord Voldemort

Holy Sh!t Scene of the Year - The Room of Requirement Fiendfyre in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2

Best F/X - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2

If there is any news that we missed, let us know! We'll probably find more as it comes up! What are your thoughts on this news roundup?

Potter Continuity Editor Cheryl Klein Gives New Interview

Cheryl Klein, Senior Editor at Scholastic and continuity editor for Half-Blood Prince and Deathly Hallows, has given a new interview to The Rusty Key. In the interview, she discusses her experiences as editor to the penultimate and ultimate books in the beloved series as well as what she thinks her Patronus is and even her House, as Sorted by Pottermore.

TRK: What would your Patronus be and why?CK: My Patronus is a swan (same as Cho Chang’s). I know this because I’m pretty sure my Patronus would be the same as my daemon, from Philip Pullman’s Golden Compass world; and Philip Pullman once said that if people wanted to know their daemons, they should ask two of their friends to get together and choose for them. And my friends chose a swan for me—I guess because I’m fierce in defending those I love; graceful in certain contexts and extremely ungainly in others; and rather long-necked.

To read the full interview, click here.

Source : Hypable

Exciting Changes

The Potter People blog will be undergoing some exciting physical changes. We will soon have a brand-new look and logo, created by our own Isaac Knopf, news correspondent. The podcast, for those who have been wondering, will also be back soon with discussions on all the new canon revealed by J.K. Rowling on Pottermore. We hope to have episodes out every two weeks, so stay tuned and subscribe on iTunes!