From the category: books

09 April 2022

pride and prejudice review

Vanity and pride are different things, though the words are often used synonymously. A person may be proud without being vain. Pride relates more to our opinion of ourselves, vanity to what we would have others think of us. — Jane Austen

I am intrigued to read a classic book since I never read any of them. And for the very obvious reason why I pick this Pride and Prejudice, my mind told me it's gonna be a romantic novel so yeah why not give it a try since everyone is talking about it. Even the movie is quite hype. There you go then!

Pride and Prejudice is a masterpiece by Jane Austen and was written in 1813 as a novel of manners. She is an English novelist known primarily for her six major novels, which interpret, critique, and comment upon the British landed gentry at the end of the 18th century. Her novels have inspired many films, such as Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, and Love & Friendship.


Synopsis

Since its immediate success in 1813, Pride and Prejudice have remained one of the most popular novels in the English language. Jane Austen called this brilliant work "her own darling child" and its vivacious heroine, Elizabeth Bennet, "as delightful a creature as ever appeared in print." The romantic clash between the opinionated Elizabeth and her proud beau, Mr. Darcy, is a splendid performance of civilized sparring. And Jane Austen's radiant wit sparkles as her characters dance a delicate quadrille of flirtation and intrigue, making this book the most superb comedy of manners of Regency England.

Published Date: October 10th, 2000 (first published January 28th 1813) | Publisher: Modern Library


Pride and Prejudice Review

Intrigued by this classic is the reason why I take the chance to read it. I have a little worry about not understanding the figure of speech used in this book and to be honest it's a challenging book to read since English ain’t my first language. But I finally did it anyway with the help of a dictionary and Mr. Google yeay.

This book revolves around love, social status, reputation, and as well as the dangers of false perception. It taught me about something I shouldn't do to someone, like having a bad perception of someone who I don't even know yet. I had a wrong prediction about how the story goes. The rich are portrayed as someone who always thinks highly of themselves. A typical how rich people behave up until nowadays. Something that can never be fixed no matter how many lessons existed out there. While the other character (Elizabeth) always has an advanced judgment against someone which only causes a great misunderstanding. I love how the story unfolds the tension between each other that they acknowledge their mistakes and try to fix them in a good manner. And despite the habit rich must marry rich for the sake of reputation and protect their wealth, this book proves that love conquers all. It's a good read but somehow I think classic is just not my forte. 

My favorite you-go-girl scene in the book is when Elizabeth is being annoyingly persistent in defending her relationship with Mr. Darcy against Lady Catherine who forbids her from marrying him. She pissed her off despite her high social rank because Elizabeth don't give a damn about it. Definitely love this.

Rating: ★★★★

06 April 2022

a heart so fierce and broken review

Choices are never easy. There are good and bad options, but the most dangerous is to not make any choice at all. – Iisak
Go take all my money! This little happiness is worth buying and reading. It's absolutely membuatkan hati kamek makan sik kenyang, tidur sik lena, mandi sik basah. Even the first book is magical enough and has some genjutsu that makes me fall head over heels with the characters. I'm not really a fan of Beauty and The Beast but this gothic, dark, adventurous version of that famous Disney movie is definitely a chef kiss. No kidding. I truly love this book and the story and the characters and everything. 

A Heart So Fierce and Broken is written by Brigid Kemmerer, an American author of young-adult fiction books. She has written more than a dozen dark and alluring YA novels like Defy the Night and Letters to the Lost. Her novel A Curse So Dark and Lonely which is the first #Cursebreaker series was a New York Times bestseller and has received a starred review from Publishers Weekly.


Synopsis

Find the heir, win the crown.

The curse is finally broken, but Prince Rhen of Emberfall faces darker troubles still. Rumors circulate that he is not the true heir and that forbidden magic has been unleashed in Emberfall. Although Rhen has Harper by his side, his guardsman Grey is missing, leaving more questions than answers.

Win the crown, save the kingdom.

Rumored to be the heir, Grey has been on the run since he destroyed Lilith. He has no desire to challenge Rhen--until Karis Luran once again threatens to take Emberfall by force. Her own daughter Lia Mara sees the flaws in her mother’s violent plan, but can she convince Grey to stand against Rhen, even for the good of Emberfall?

The heart-pounding, compulsively readable saga continues as loyalties are tested and new love blooms in a kingdom on the brink of war.

Published Date: January 7th, 2020 | Publisher: Bloomsbury YA


A Heart So Fierce and Broken Review

Oh Grey! What kind of damage have you done to my precious heart? How dare you leave it miserable, craving and wanting for more of you? This sequel truly belongs to him alone! And of Lia Mara, the bravest unchosen heir of Syl Shallow. And of course, Prince Rhen and Princess Harper. I don’t want to mention other than them because they are my least favorite. Nah, truthfully, none at all.

A Heart So Fierce and Broken is one of my most anticipated books released in 2020! The first sequel left me with a broken heart and a complete cliffhanger because I have to wait for a few months just to read the next chapter. I should have read this as soon as it arrived but I didn’t and it takes me one week to finish the book.

So now let’s hear me. First of all, I LOVE GREY. Ain’t nobody can resist such a strong and gentle guy! His character, and his actions are everything. Despite going through so many things just to protect himself and Emberfall, he is still the loveliest yet brutal in every way. Don’t get me wrong. I don’t romanticize the way he fights his enemies, but more of how he tried to protect his friends and Lia Mara.

Just so you know, this book has focused more on Grey and Lia Mara which Prince Rhen and Harper felt so distant in my opinion. It’s more like a standalone but you still get the vibes from the first book. There are more battles and bloodshed in this book, more strategies to protect and hunt each other and yes, I am super glad for the lovey-dovey moments between Grey and Lia Mara. Not too much but enough to make your heart flutter like a silly goose.

And again, just like how I mentioned in my A Curse So Dark and Lonely review, the plot is too dragging. But even though the story has been stretched to the point you might feel boring about it, there’s something for you to see between the pages. That’s what I love about Brigid Kemmerer! She wanted you to know how precious is every single moment that happens between the people around you. What kind of story do you share with them, what kind of help, what kind of feelings, and all that. It may look just like a small thing but it matters a lot!

There are so many things I love about the book. One of it is when Grey said something about Harper. “She became a princess by her words and actions, if not by blood.” How lovely is that? He really appreciates Harper even though Harper is not a real princess! And Harper, being my favorite protagonist, has proven herself to be someone very strong and brave by her words and actions! You know what, even though you are not of royal blood, you can still proclaim yourself as a princess if you do good and keep up with good manners.

A Heart So Fierce and Broken is not merely a fantasy book. But I’ve learned a lot about personality and the worth of relationships from the characters. You can really know what kind of person is the author through her writing, no? I bet she is as well a lovable and brave person in real life!

Rating: ★★★★★

20 June 2021

a curse so dark and lonely review

My father once said we are all dealt a hand at birth. A good hand can ultimately lose - just as a poor hand can win - but we must all play the cards fate deals. The choices we face may not be the choices we want, but they are choices nonetheless. ― Brigid Kemmerer
Have you ever read a book and instantly got hooked by it like crazy? This book did that to me and instead of going mad about it, I feel glad that I just find a sanctuary for my fantasy obsession. This Beauty & The Beast retelling is beautifully written but with a much darker and more venturous theme than the original; gory scenes, horses, weapons, wars which excite me. It's not all serious but there’s a humorous part combined altogether.

A Curse So Dark and Lonely is written by Brigid Kemmerer, an American author of young-adult fiction books. She has written more than a dozen dark and alluring YA novels like Defy the Night and Letters to the Lost. This novel which is the first #Cursebreaker series was a New York Times bestseller and has received a starred review from Publishers Weekly.

Synopsis

Fall in love, break the curse.

Cursed by a powerful enchantress to repeat the autumn of his eighteenth year, Prince Rhen, the heir of Emberfall, thought he could be saved easily if a girl fell for him. But that was before he turned into a vicious beast hell-bent on destruction. Before he destroyed his castle, his family, and every last shred of hope.

Nothing has ever been easy for Harper. With her father long gone, her mother dying, and her brother constantly underestimating her because of her cerebral palsy, Harper learned to be tough enough to survive. When she tries to save a stranger on the streets of Washington, DC, she's pulled into a magical world.

Break the curse, save the kingdom.

Harper doesn't know where she is or what to believe. A prince? A curse? A monster? As she spends time with Rhen in this enchanted land, she begins to understand what's at stake. And as Rhen realizes Harper is not just another girl to charm, his hope comes flooding back. But powerful forces are standing against Emberfall . . . and it will take more than a broken curse to save Harper, Rhen, and his people from utter ruin.

Published Date: January 29th, 2019 | Publisher: Bloomsbury YA

A Curse So Dark And Lonely Review

Daring, enchanting, and addicting! This book is a whole lot different than Disney Beauty and The Beast. A Curse So Dark And Lonely is a retelling written in a beautiful way but with a much darker and more venturous theme than the original; gory scenes, horses, weapons, wars which excites me. I used to imagine myself riding a horse while yielding a knightly weapon like a princess in rescue. Well, this book actually gives me a better vision of my imagination. Something like a dream comes true except that it is still not happening in reality.

The world-building is amazing and I really love this Emberfall I create in my mind based on the description in the book. It's beautiful with the autumn in the background! The plot is exciting to read even though somehow I think it's too dragging. The adventurous moment happens only at the end of the book, a few pages before you put back the book on the shelves. But it is still enjoyable.

The dragging part is not something I'm gonna hate. In my own perception, the author tries to squeeze more about her characters' personality and their relationship with each other. Like putting things in depth just so you will feel more closely with these fictional people.

Harper, Prince Rhen, and Grey's moments are just too priceless! They have their own story with each other which leads to trust and lovey-dovey between, huh, you gotta read and figure it out yourself. Brace yourself because it's melancholic yet sweet at the same time.

As for the character, I admire Harper very much. She made an amazing female protagonist; brave, fierce, and persistent despite her disability, and she’s a bit reckless though. Prince Rhen is somehow a pain in the ass. While Grey is just nice and gentle. I really can't wait to read the sequel and see how the characters will evolve over time.

Rating: ★★★★★

16 June 2021

si anak cahaya review
Buku-buku yang kita baca, orang-orang yang kita dengarkan, perkumpulan yang kita ikuti, akan membentuk perangai kita hingga tega melakukan apa pun. – Bapak
I present you with the first Indonesian literature that I ever purchased. But this one ain’t my first read cause I ever read other books by Hamka and I immediately fall in love with their writing language. I mean, it is a bit different than Malay novel and I enjoy reading and acah-acah pronounce the words in their accent. In my opinion, the depth of the words, and the way it sounds, are very soulful and give you a goosebump. I like it, I like how poetic it is.

Si Anak Cahaya is written by Tere Liye or Darwis (his real name), an Indonesian author from Lahat, South Sumatera. Some of his masterpice includes Hafalan Shalat Delisa, Bidadari-Bidadari Surga, Moga Bunda Disayang Allah dan Rembulan Tenggelam Di Wajahmu. Hafalan Shalat Delisa has been adapted as movie and there are more of his writings.


Synopsis

“Nama kau Nurmas, itu nama yang indah sekali. Nur itu cahaya, mas atau emas itu logam mulia yang berharga. Aku harap, suatu saat cahaya dan kemuliaan kau akan menyatu, berkilauan.”

Buku ini tentang Nurmas, si anak cahaya yang memiliki petualangan masa kecil yang penuh keceriaan dan menakjubkan. Apa yang sebenarnya dilakukan oleh Nurmas hingga penduduk seluruh kampung selalu mengingat kejadian yang membuatnya resmi dipanggil si anak cahaya?

Dari puluhan buku Tere Liye, serial buku ini adalah mahkotanya.

Published Date: December, 2018 | Publisher: Republika


Si Anak Cahaya Review

First of all, I have no regret buying this book. The cover got my attention the most so basically this book was chosen based on its skin. It is my first piece of literature from Tere Liye and I gotta admit that his writing is beautiful. Nothing drives me mad except trying to understand certain words that I don’t familiar with. But that ain’t really a big deal since I can google up the meaning of the words or simply ask my Indonesian squads. Everything else is just fine.

I finish the book with a content heart! The story truly reminds me of my childhood and my best friends. Except that I am not heroic like Nurmas and my best friends and I never go to farms together. Their friendship is what I would say to-die-for cause they stick together like glue and are always there for each other through thick and thin. My favorite scenes in the book are definitely when the four of them do things together because I can imagine the exciting moments they had especially when they are all silly and funny. Their traits are way so similar to my best friends and I can relate to each one of them!

I love that the content of the book is loaded with moral values and it all starts with Nurmas. From honesty to loyalty to braveness to being grateful for little things and more. It’s what I currently need in my life right now. Not saying I lack those traits but I am in need of something to knock me off so I can appreciate life better. Not everyone sees the little things as something to be cherished and some only focus only the huge and grand things thus this book will make you realize that living a moderate life is also a blessing.

Impressive enough how the author tries to connect the wise point to each scene which automatically makes Nurmas the best girl in town. Yeah, it seems overrated but it has to be her since the book is about her journey. Everyone admires her and it’s hilarious when her best friends’ parents keep on saying “apa pun yang dilakukan anak gadisnya Yahid, ikuti. biar kalian bisa belajar” every single time when they want to follow whatever Nurmas is doing. They even willingly accompany Nurmas in everything.

When it comes to a family issue, I gotta say there are a few parts that literally makes me shed tears. Her family bonding is strong enough that it could break a stone. The moment when her parents said she will always be the special daughter in the house despite the newborn of her little brother really touched me. Well, we all know parents who only love 4 out of their 5 children. I really don't understand when someone has to be a black sheep in a family. Why cant they love their children equally?

Reading this book feels like reading 5 books at the same time. The plot is still moving on the same track but you get to experience a myriad journey with Nurmas which finally builds her character up until she is deserved and is entitled to be called Si Anak Cahaya. Hilarious, meaningful, and such a page-turner. When I say hilarious, I really mean it. Tere Liye really knows how to joke around and tickle his reader!

Rating: ★★★★★
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