Monthly Archives:: February 2013

Thursday, February 28, 2013

Book Girls Don’t Cry: Annoying Characters are Annoying

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Inspired by Book Buzzers, Book Girls Don’t Cry is a weekly feature where we each discuss/vent/advise on the chosen weekly bookish topic. Don’t miss Jenni on Mondays, and Amy on Saturdays:

I CURSE THE DAY YOU WERE BORN!



What is a story without a villain? A love without heartbreak? Light without dark? Every story needs balance, every book needs characters, or situations, that will bring about negative feelings, sympathy, or even hate. This is great in many ways: it brings our emotions to the surface, as well as leading to character growth from this villain they have to defeat. May it be the government, paranormal “monsters”, zombies (can’t leave them out can we? ;), grief, or even the protagonists’ own broken selves; the basis of every story usually commences with a villain of some sort. But what happens when this villain crosses the line from one you love to hate, to one you simply want to kick in the face? Or what if the one you want to maim is not even meant to be the villain at all? Well for me it goes from being an enjoyable read to wanting to use the book as kindling, *sigh* but… I eventually settle on knocking off some stars. Take That!! (And because I cannot be trusted near fire.)

Taken from an anonymous suggestion (Oooh!), our topic this week revolves around annoying characters, and this is where I will list the most irritating SOBs that I have had the pleasure to “meet”.
              Mrs. Umbridge            
Oh my word how many times did I daydream about this woman being hit by a bus, trampled by elephants, or at the very least get a mean paper cut–because those hurt like a mother…
Clearly, I’m not alone when it comes to my overwhelming dislike for this character. I tend to become vindictive when it comes to fictional villains (well, I guess real life ones too >.<), and let me tell you, reading the 5th Harry Potter book caused me deep emotional harm that will never be healed! While I did still give it a full rating–hello it's Harry Potter!–it was my least favorite book of the series solely because of her. What's even worse, what truly gutted me and pissed me the feck off, is after being such a raving bitch in that book, we didn't even get to enjoy her getting what she deserved! GAH! *sobs* Oh the injustice!!
          ___   Molly Bartolucci  ___          
 
Ugh! Did you read this book? I almost DNFed it because of this character. I’m sorry but, she toopud!! This is her answer to everything: (actual quote)
“not knowing what else to do, I reached down and poked it”
*giggles uncontrollably*
 ________Jade… something______     

I did enjoy this book a lot, but this new character, Jade, that’s introduced in this book to put a wedge in the romance really got on my nerves. It was like at every turn she was THERE, like a freaking pest you could not get a break from. Usually I love to hate characters like these, but for some reason this one was a little too annoying for me. I wanted her to go away so I could read in peace! Geez!
____________Parents_____________

 

I’ve noticed some of the time it’s the parents that really get on my nerves–like in these books. Sometimes it’s because of their seemingly uncaring, cold-hearted, parenting, other times it’s the way they refuse to listen or come to ridiculous conclusions that lead to even more ridiculous decisions on their part. My patience wears thin for these types of characters.

Now in this next example, they do it right! Bravo!

__________Nils Bjurman__________

Nils is a rapist and a corrupt lawyer, and one of the greatest villains I’ve read. He’s unforgivably crooked; twisted. I hated his disgusting guts with everything I had in me. And you know what? Sweet sweet freaking revenge! Hells yeah! Oh my god it was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever read when Lisbeth made him pay. It was… it was magical! *sniff* Lisbeth became one of my most respected and favorite protagonists at that very moment.


My list of annoying characters isn’t very long. I tend to actually enjoy hating villains for the most part. I even had a bit of difficulty finding characters for this post–except for Umbridge–but when they cross that line or we don’t get our well deserved revenge, they must die!! *bull snort*

How about you? I’m sure you’ve daydreamed a character death or two.

Anyone you wish you could bitch slap?

Also, don’t forget to leave suggestions for future topics you’d like to see! 🙂
You know you love me!
Xoxo, Book Girl!

Waiting on Wednesday (75)

Posted by on 02/27/2013 • 40 Comments

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine  and spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.  My pick this week: 3:59Gretchen McNeil Genre: YA ParanormalPublication date: September 17th 2013by Balzer & Bray

Josie Byrne’s life is spiraling out of control. Her parents are divorcing, her boyfriend Nick has grown distant, and her physics teacher has it in for her. When she’s betrayed by the two people she trusts most, Josie thinks things can’t get worse.

Until she starts having dreams about a girl named Jo. Every night at the same time—3:59 a.m.

Jo’s life is everything Josie wants: she’s popular, her parents are happily married, and Nick adores her. It all seems real, but they’re just dreams, right? Josie thinks so,…

Things I Can’t Forget Tour: Review + Giveaway

Posted by on 02/26/2013 • 151 Comments

Today I’m kicking off the Things I Can’t Forget blog tour that will run from Feb 26th to March 19th! You will find my review below, and then a pretty fab giveaway that you cannot miss!

Things I Can’t Forget Miranda Kenneally Series: Hundred Oaks, #3Genre:YA ContemporaryPublication date: March 1st 2013by Sourcebooks Fire

Companion to Catching Jordan and Stealing Parker.

Kate has always been the good girl. Too good, according to some people at school—although they have no idea the guilty secret she carries. But this summer, everything is different…

This summer she’s a counselor at Cumberland Creek summer camp, and she wants to put the past behind her. This summer Matt is back as a counselor too. He’s the first guy she ever kissed, and he’s…

Review: White Crow by Marcus Sedgwick

Posted by on 02/25/2013 • 31 Comments

White CrowMarcus Sedgwick Genre: YA HorrorPublication date: September 18th 2012by Square Fish (Macmillan)

You or your Alt? Only one will survive.

Some secrets are better left buried; some secrets are so frightening they might make angels weep and the devil crow.

Thought provoking as well as intensely scary, White Crow unfolds in three voices. There’s Rebecca, who has come to a small seaside village to spend the summer, and there’s Ferelith, who offers to show Rebecca the secrets of the town . . . but at a price. Finally, there’s a priest whose descent into darkness illuminates the girls’ frightening story. White Crow is as beautifully written as it is horrifically gripping.

-A copy was provided by Macmillan for review-

With its creepy cover and synopsis, I…

Review: Unremembered by Jessica Brody

Posted by on 02/25/2013 • 0 Comments

UnrememberedJessica BrodySeries: Unremembered #1Publication date: March 5th 2013by Farrar, Straus, & Giroux (BYR)

 

The only thing worse than forgetting her past… is remembering it.

When Freedom Airlines flight 121 went down over the Pacific Ocean, no one ever expected to find survivors. Which is why the sixteen-year-old girl discovered floating among the wreckage—alive—is making headlines across the globe.

Even more strange is that her body is miraculously unharmed and she has no memories of boarding the plane. She has no memories of her life before the crash. She has no memories period. No one knows how she survived. No one knows why she wasn’t on the passenger manifest. And no one can explain why her DNA and fingerprints can’t be found in a single database in the…

Xpresso Weekly: Stacking the Shelves (44)

Posted by on 02/24/2013 • 47 Comments

Xpresso Weekly is my edition of Stacking the Shelves hosted by Tynga’s Reviews featuring the books I got this week, and I also mention blog news/happenings of the past week. This week at Xpresso Reads

Is anyone else buried in the snow? Gah it won’t stop! This is the Ice age! *mean face* Ok so this week I will be going on a short leave for a few days (nothing serious no worries!) but just so you know I won’t be online much in case you think I’m ignoring you if I don’t reply to tweets etc. I have posts scheduled so the blog will still have content. I also have trained Jenni to be me for the week so when you see tweets from me it’s actually her being…

Fresh Batch (February 24th – March 2nd)

Posted by on 02/23/2013 • 17 Comments

Exclusively titled for Xpresso Reads, Fresh Batch features the hottest releases of this upcoming week. Flavor of the week: Things I Can’t Forget Miranda Kenneally Series: Hundred Oaks #3 Genre:YA ContemporaryPublication date: March 1st 2013by Sourcebooks Fire

Companion to Catching Jordan and Stealing Parker.

Kate has always been the good girl. Too good, according to some people at school—although they have no idea the guilty secret she carries. But this summer, everything is different…

This summer she’s a counselor at Cumberland Creek summer camp, and she wants to put the past behind her. This summer Matt is back as a counselor too. He’s the first guy she ever kissed, and he’s gone from a geeky songwriter who loved The Hardy Boys to a buff lifeguard who loves to…

Review: Dualed by Elsie Chapman

Posted by on 02/22/2013 • 30 Comments

DualedElsie Chapman Genre: YA DystopianPublication date: February 26th 2013by Random House BFYR

You or your Alt? Only one will survive.

The city of Kersh is a safe haven, but the price of safety is high. Everyone has a genetic Alternate—a twin raised by another family—and citizens must prove their worth by eliminating their Alts before their twentieth birthday. Survival means advanced schooling, a good job, marriage—life.

Fifteen-year-old West Grayer has trained as a fighter, preparing for the day when her assignment arrives and she will have one month to hunt down and kill her Alt. But then a tragic misstep shakes West’s confidence. Stricken with grief and guilt, she’s no longer certain that she’s the best version of herself, the version worthy of a future. If she is…