Book Review: The Wide-Awake Princess; By E. D. Baker

So it turned out, Sleeping Beauty has a little sister and she has been bestowed the gift of “Anti-Magic”. Now that a killer plot. We know they love baby sister Annie that’s why they let the fairy bestow her that magical gift, but in the same time, everybody is treating her like she’s unwanted, because when she’s near them, their magical gifts weakened and show them their real self.

Pst.. in this version Sleeping Beauty not really that beautiful at all when Annie comes close.

I am so happy Liam is there for her. (ohh spoilers tsk tsk)

And to my friends and fellow bloggers who has read this, don’t you just wish there’s a Disney tv series/movie about this? Cause man this would be so darn cute to past!

I must admit, it took me  a while to finish reading this book. It’s not that it’s boring or anything, that I could only blame my hectic work schedule. (Yes, you heard that right, a librarian has a hectic schedule.) 

Forewarn, the characters in this book includes characters we all know and not that quite familiar with, so I suggest, you have a back up knowledge on your fairy tales before you pick this book up. or maybe this is the reason why you want to know the background stories of the characters involved.

By the way… “Princess and the Pea” reference is such a cute fit in that particular scene!

Quote. More than anything, Annie wanted to feel as if she belonged. But instead she felt as if she were a remote and not-too-fondly regarded cousin who was allowed to live in the castle.

The Wide-Awake Princess (Wide-Awake Princess #1)
by E. D. Baker

In this new stand-alone fairy tale, Princess Annie is the younger sister to Gwen, the princess destined to be Sleeping Beauty. When Gwennie pricks her finger and the whole castle falls asleep, only Annie is awake, and only Annie, blessed (or cursed?) with being impervious to magic, can venture out beyond the rose-covered hedge for help. She must find Gwen's true love to kiss her awake.
But who is her true love? The irritating Digby? The happy-go-lucky Prince Andreas, who is holding a contest to find his bride? The conniving Clarence, whose sinister motives couldn't possibly spell true love? Joined by one of her father's guards, Liam, who happened to be out of the castle when the sleeping spell struck, Annie travels through a fairy tale land populated with characters both familiar and new as she tries to fix her sister and her family . . . and perhaps even find a true love of her own.

Finished Reading: 28th February 2013
Acquire: 07th February 2013
Rate } ♠♠♠♠♠
Genre } Fiction | Fairy Tales | Children | Teens | Fantasy
Release Day }  15th March 2011
Publisher } Bloomsbury USA Children
Format } eBook
ISBN } B004PGMHUQ
Pages } 270 pages
Source } Bought
Age Group } PG 12 yo +
Interests } Fairy Tale Retellings 
Awards }
Support my reading by getting your copy }

 

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Book Review: Princess of the Midnight Ball (Princess 01); By Jessica Day George

Wow… I took a year or so after buying this book, to actually reading it. What was I thinking? I usually jump, dive and read books like this as soon as I get it. I was wrong. I should have read it one as soon as I get my hands on it. I’m glad I’m trying to finish my fairy-tales retellings challenge, or I wouldn’t have pick it up.

Cover-wise. So pretty! I suspect that’s Rose on the cover, so beautiful as it has been stated between the pages. I don’t know why I didn’t stack it on top of my TBR pile.

Reading this book is like love in first sight. It got me at the first sentence. The 12 Dancing Princesses has always been one of my favorite tales growing up, and reading this retelling is really wonderful. Honestly said, what I remembered much about the tale was the princesses beautiful dresses and their worn out shoes. Galen is a wonderful “Prince Charming”. He’s different. An ex military turn gardener, fancying one of the princesses, who are trapped in a curse set by the King Under the Stone. The curse is a great spin to an age old tale.

Frankly of what’s lacking, I did expect the princesses to be more active in the novel itself, since it is about them, but we are left mostly of Galen’s experiences. While I was reading, all I could thought of was where’s the princesses? They pop here and there, but I was expecting their “experiences” their thoughts, their tales… I can’t say about emotions, since their emotions are there. Totally present with their anger, and crying here and there. I do wish they pop around saying if one of them fancy this suitor or that, or present their wishes, thoughts.

But other wise, it’s all good.

Would I recommend this? EXTREMELY! If you love reading retellings, this book is for you.

First Words. Because he had once been human, King Under Stone sometimes found himself plagued by human emotions.

Quote. “No need, no, need. Life is already too short to find it.”

Princess of the Midnight Ball (Princess #1)
By Jessica Day George
As the crown princess, Rose is never without a dance partner. She and her eleven sisters are treated to beautiful gowns, slippers, and dances at party after party in their father's palace. But their evenings do not end when the guests return home. Instead, Rose and her sisters must travel deep into the earth to the wicked King Under Stone's palace. There, the girls are cursed to dance each night, even when they grow exhausted or ill.
Many princes have tried-and failed-to break the spell. But then Rose meets Galen, a young soldier-turned-gardener with an eye for adventure. Together they begin to unravel the mystery. To banish the curse, they'll need an invisibility cloak, enchanted silver knitting needles, and, of course, true love.

Finished Reading: 29th September 2012
Acquire: 16th September 2011
Rate } ♠♠♠♠♠
Genre } fiction | young adult | teens | fairy tales retellings | fantasy | romance |
Release Day }  April 2010
Publisher } Bloomsbury USA Children
Format } Paperback 
ISBN } 9781599904559
Pages } 304 pages
Source } bought
Age Group } 12+
Interests } reluctant readers | middle graders | fairy tales retelling  
Awards } ALA Best Books For Young Adults (2010)
Support my reading by getting your copy } Amazon.com | Kindle

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Book Review: Once Upon A Crime (The Sisters Grimm 4) By Michael Buckley

Puck is wounded. NO!!! Thank the stars,  Granny has a plan. He needs healing and they have to go to Faerie. And we are off to New York! What? New York. Yes New York.

This is what I call a nostalgic moment of the series. We get to learn Puck’s family life, while he’s recovering by going through this cocoon stage which smells like… well.. . yuck.. really bad. I actually made a face every time it was portray how Puck’s cocoon smells like. I mean geez… I was snacking while reading that time. *makes a face*. Anyway, Sabrina is having “enough is enough” attitude, and Daphne is adjusting nicely in this book to her big sister’s decision. In the same time, Sabrina is also being a “brat” or some sort. I don’t really like it. The absence of Mirror was also frustrating! I miss Mirror and Puck’s antics. Another nostalgic side of this book, the sisters discovered a side of their mother that they didn’t know, which left Sabrina second guessing herself. Ahh.. now that was a few emotional, heart tugging moments.

And then there is Moth. A very, very  jealous Moth. Now that’s an expected surprise. I wanted to smack that little piece of… *censored*

Otherwise, it is another great book in the series. It is just WOW. This time it features Wizard of Oz meets A Midsummer Night’s dream. Yes, I actually sang when Daphne said, “We’re off to see the wizard.” The author did a great job merging the characters from the two classics and guest staring them in this book. I could not say it enough! Pick this series up! Read it! If you are into fairytales, you should really pick this one up. It’s such an addictive series.

First Words. The explosion shook Sabrina Grimm so hard she swore she felt her brain do a somersault inside her skull.

Quote. “When did you suddenly become Mister Maturity?”

Once Upon A Crime (The Sisters Grimm #4)
By Michael Buckley
The Grimms take Manhattan in the fourth book in the "New York Times" bestselling series.
When fairy-tale detectives Sabrina and Daphne Grimm venture back to the big city to help a friend, they land in the middle of a big mystery. Puck's father, King Oberon, has been murdered, and the Grimms suspect one of the many famous (and infamous) fairy-tale folk who call the city home. Can they find the culprit while coming to terms with their mother's secret life? And will Sabrina ever accept her family's destiny?
Funny and fast-paced, this series puts a fresh spin on girl-detective stories and has won an ever expanding number of fans.

Finished Reading: 10th September 2012
Rate } ♠♠♠♠♠
Genre } fiction | children | fairy tales retellings | fantasy | juvenile | adventure
Release Day }  April 2008
Publisher } Amulet
Format } Paperback 
ISBN } 9780810995499
Pages } 304 pages
Source } bought
Age Group } 10+
Interests } reluctant readers | middle graders | fairy tales retelling  
Awards } -
Support my reading by getting your copy } Amazon.com | Kindle

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Book Review: The Problem Child (The Sisters Grimm #3) By Michael Buckley

Third book revealed a new Grimm. Sabrina and Daphne has an estrangedfamily member who happens to be their father’s never heard of brother. This uncle just reminded me of Jim Butcher’s Harry Dresden. He got style, he got magic, ok, scratched that. He reminded me of younger trouble Harry Dresden. Ohh.. fandom is such a curse! *chuckles*

Regressing…. We have a crazy, lunatic, coo coo Red Riding Hood who is terrorizing the Grimms with a Jabberwocky. With the history of Jabberwocky from Alice in Wonderland, I’m actually amazed she’s able to control that monster. Mr Canis… Oh Mr Canis. He is still awesome. Sabrina is too snappish. Daphne is as cool as ever. Have you meet Mirror Yet? I wish I have Mirror. ♥

Truth to be told, the series is really growing into me. The progress gets better and better. Emotionally, it tugged the right responses. ever play a video game where you actually jumped when press the jump button and you lean right and left when you press the buttons, etc. Well, that’s exactly how you be when you’re read this series. That is rare right? It’s like reading Harry Potter series, but with fairy tales. I yelled, I gasp, I cried, and more.

Man, I LOVE this series

Puck and Sabrina…. ♥

First Words. Sabrina opened her eyes and saw a monster hunched over her.

Quote. The only bad ideas are the ones never tried.

The Problem Child
(The Sisters Grimm #3)
By Michael Buckley

The sisters Grimm, intrepid detectives of fairy-tale crime, come face-to-face with their parents' kidnappers, the mysterious organization of Everafters who call themselves The Scarlet Hand. Will the sisters Grimm save the day?




Finished Reading: 26th August 2012
Rate } ♠♠♠♠♠
Genre } fiction | children | fairy tales retellings | fantasy | juvenile | adventure
Release Day }  September 2007
Publisher } Amulet
Format } Paperback 
ISBN } 9780810993594
Pages } 320 pages
Source } bought
Age Group } 10+
Interests } reluctant readers | middle graders | fairy tales retelling  
Awards } -
Support my reading by getting your copy } Amazon.com | Kindle

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Book Review: The Unusual Suspects By Michael Buckley

This second installment of of the series is absolutely fab. It has launch my reading marathon of this series. I just can’t stop picking this book up as soon as I have time for it. I actually have both Kindle and paperback version of it, so I actually able to bring it around (the best thing about having a smartphone).

Honestly said, I like to smack the sense out of Sabrina. She is becoming a brat. I don’t really like that, but I guess that actually add the spice in the plots. I mean, who wouldn’t. Her parents has been kidnapped and she’s desperately in need to find them. I also find it’s cute to read Daphne getting all fan crazy because she meeting her favorite fairy tales characters all around her. Mr Canis. Oh dear, My favorite character of this book is having the trouble of keeping his Wolf in.  

Now let me say here, Rumpelstiltskin made his appearance. Here his character isn't like Mr. Gold (Once Upon a Time), but.. oh well you read it. Nevertheless, I had a “Oh My God SHUT UP!” moments. again and again and again. I didn’t see that coming. Really, I didn’t! Michael Buckley really did surprise me in that plot. I love it! What I don’t like was that cliffhanger.  I like to scream when I finished reading it.

Why? how? WHAT?!!!  Cliffhanger! *dies!*

Before I forget. The cover. It’s Puck carrying the girls flying away from a swarm of rabbit.s I must say. That is a brilliant plot. *grins* You really think I’m goign to tell you what’s that all about? No way! Go read this!

First Words: Let's get this party started, already!" Sabrina complained under her breath as she rubbed the charley horse in her leg.

Quote: Please, don't hate me because I am beautiful.

The Unusual Suspects
(The Sisters Grimm #2)
By Michael Buckley
The Sisters Grimm start school at Ferryport Landing Elementary. Daphne's lucky enough to get Snow White for a teacher, but poor Sabrina is stuck with Mr. Grumpner and a class of mildly psychotic sixth graders. When Mr. Grumpner is found hanging in a spider's web, it is up to the Grimms to find the Everafter who did it.



finished reading : 22th August 2012
rate } ♠♠♠♠♠
genre } fiction | children | fairy tales retellings | fantasy | juvenile | adventure
release day }  April 2007
publisher } Amulet
format } Paperback
isbn } 9780810993235
pages } 290 pages
source } bought
age group } 10+
interests } reluctant readers | middle graders | fairy tales retelling  
awards } -
Get Your Copy } Amazon.com | Kindle

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Book Review: The Frog Princess By E. D. Baker

finished reading : 10 June 2012
rate } ♠♠♠♠♠
genre } fiction | fairy tales | fantasy | teens 
release day }  October 2004
acquired } 16th December 2011
publisher } Bloomsbury USA Children 
format } paperback
isbn } 9781582349237
pages } 224 pages
source } bought
age group } 12+
interests } fairy tales retellings  
awards } -
Get Your Copy } Kindle | Amazon.com

The Frog Princess
By E. D. Baker

Via Goodreads
Princess Emeralda a.ka. Emma isn't exactly an ideal princess. Her laugh is more like a donkey's bray than tinkling bells, she trips over her own feet and she does not like Prince Jorge, whom her mother hopes she will marry. But if Emma ever thought to escape her troubles, she never expected it to happen by turning into a frog! When convinced to kiss a frog so he might return to being a prince, somehow the spell is reversed and Emma turns into a frog herself! Thus begins their adventure--a quest to return to human form.

Fascinating and hilarious characters ranging from a self-conscious but friendly bat to a surprisingly loyal snake and a wise green witch confirm that readers won't soon forget this madcap story. A fantastic debut from the talented E.D. Baker.

My 2 Cents
I must admit, nobody told me about this series.As far as I know, none (maybe a couple or so) book bloggers knew about this series at all. True to my addictive genre, (fairy tales retellings, if you haven’t by now), I take a plunge. I was expecting, the usual snotty princess playing golden ball, ball fall into pond, frog rescue ball, frog wants kiss, frog eats and sleeps with princess, frog turn prince.

Boy, I was wrong. It caught me at the beginning! (well not really. It was slow for me to catch up cause I was in the middle of a busy week when I was reading this one)

First Sentence: Even as a little girl, I had thought that the swamp was a magical place where new lives began and the old ones ended, where enemies and heroes weren’t always what one expected, and where anything could happen, even to a clumsy princess. Although I’d believed this for most of my life, I had no proof until Prince Jorge came to visit and I met the frog of my dreams.

Quote: “I’ve been told that kissing a frog is good for the complexion,” he said, sidling toward me.

This book is funny and enjoyable to read offering a nice spin to the well famous fairy tale. In fact, it adds that particular spice to the story. It does reminded me a bit of that Frog princess movie where the princess turned into a frog after she kissed the frog. Princess Emeralda is a normal girl, unlike her typical snotty character suppose to be. The frog prince is hilarious enough that I actually blurt out laughing in public while reading this book. Ended up with people giving me that look.

This would be an awesome addition for a school library, particularly middle school libraries. Check it out! .

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Reviews: Books About Mythology; Fairy tales and Folklores

Here’s a certain favorite genre that I like to read. Everything under the genre of Mythology, Fairy Tales and Folklores are listed here.

Aimee Carter;
   The Goddess Test
      The Goddess Test
      The Goddess Hunt
      Goddess Interrupted
      The Goddess Legacy
Alex Flinn;
   Beastly
Anna Banks;
   Of Poseidon
      Of Poseidon
E. D. Baker;
   Tales of the Frog Princess
      The Frog Princess
Hans Christian Andersen;
   The Little Match Girl
Jessica Day George;
   Princess of the Midnight Ball
Joan Holub;
   Goddess Girls
      Medusa The Mean
Michael Burford;
   The Sisters Grimm
      The Fairy-Tale Detectives
      The Unusual Suspects
      The Problem Child
      Once Upon a Crime
Rick Riordan;
   Kane Chronicles
      The Serpent’s Shadow

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Book Review: Beastly by Alex Flinn

Beastly; by Alex Flinn

genre } young adult | fantasy | fairy tales
rating } pg 13+
date released } October 1st, 2007
edition } HarperTeen (304 Pages)
ISBN } 0060874163 | 9780060874162
acquisition } bought
purchase @ } Book Depository | Beastly

Summary:
From Goodreads

Now a major motion picture starring Vanessa Hudgens and Alex Pettyfer

I am a beast.
A beast!
Not quite wolf or bear, gorilla or dog but a horrible new creature who walks upright. I am a monster.
You think I'm talking fairy tales? No way. The place is New York City. The time is now. It's no deformity, no disease. And I'll, stay this way forever ruined unless I can break the spell.
Yes, the spell, the one the witch in my English class cast on me. Why did she turn me into a beast who hides by day and prowls by night? I'll tell you. I'll tell you how I used to be Kyle Kingsbury, the guy you wished you were, with money, perfect looks, and the perfect life. And then, I'll tell you how I became perfectly...beastly.

My 2 cents
Like many other books, the cover turned me off several times. A white rose. Thorny font. I actually didn’t pick it up, but actually assumed this is erotica o.0 What’s the deal anyway, since I actually read erotica you say, right? Still say the cover turned me off. The new cover however, has the movie poster slap on it.

You know the fairytale, man steal rose, man meet beast, beast wants to kill man, man cower and pleads, beast makes a bargain, man brings daughter to live with beast.

Forget it. This is NOT that book. This is a book about the Beast, who was a teenager in New York, who’s has been a very superficial teenager (who isn’t?), meet a weird girl and got turn into Beast. This is the story of him. His story, and nobody else but him.

Let me put it upfront that, I don’t like movie Kyle! He looked more like a tattooed emo punk rather than the Beast portray in the book itself. A fellow book blogger friend was telling me about this book, and I rush to get a copy. Make note. This is BEFORE the movie was up and around. So yes, nobody else actually know about Beastly but a few of us (in my circle of people that is)

I love the journey of watching Kyle transforming like a butterfly from a horrible brat to a thoughtful, lovable, young man. I pity him when his father abandoned him with help in the middle of nowhere because he is “Beastly”. But it bothers me the author didn’t tie the loose end regarding this matter.

It’s a fast read, but I actually went through it in my own time. If you’re an emo-reader like me, you would trash talk with this book’s characters while you read it. My favorite is the witch and his private tutor hired by his father (regardless shunning him, he actually left him with an unlimited credit card and a tutor. In my personal opinion, probably a bit of guilt.)  other than the maid.

This book also apply the “Random Act of Kindness” leads a long way attitude.  You see why when you read this book. The thing, this version actually make sense. If you think about it. Plus it’s way better than the usual cheesy kiddy version we get these days.

SO GET A COPY!

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TT: Beastly; Alex Flinn

Hosted by Should Be Reading

♣ Grab your current read
♣ Open to a random page
♣ Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
♣ BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
♣ Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

 I finished and glanced up. Lindy wasn’t looking at me, though. I followed her eyes and saw that she was staring out the French doors, at the roses. My roses. Did the beauty of my roses make up for the ugliness of me? ~ Beastly; Alex Flinn

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Movie Review: Magika (KRU – Malaysia)

Magika (Musical)
Rating: ♠♠♠♠♠
Based on Mythology & Malay Legend
Directed by Edry Abdul Halim (KRU)
Starring: Mawi AF5, Diana Danielle, Fimie, Saiful Apek & Senario original, Ziana Zain, Maya Karin, M. Nasir, Raja Azura, Ning Baizura, Sharifah Amani, Sharifah Aleya, Norman Hakim, KRU, Nabil, Adbah Noor, Aznil Nawawi

From KRU Studios

Ayu and Malik, two sibblings is going through their darkest moments of life when their beloved mother just passed away. Malik feels so depressed believing he was the main cause of his mother’s death. During one of the evenings after a fight with his sister, Malik left to take a stroll in the forest. On and on he went until he realised he was lost and the next very moment, he appeared in another dimension called Magika.

Not only had he gotten himself lost, he was captured by a Nenek Kebayan and her follower, Awang Kenit. He is now subjected to be used as an experiment by the Nenek Kebayan to produce Essence of Youth made of human child’s tears. Upon hearing Malik’s cries for help, Ayu rushed to help her brother and she too is sucked in the Magika mystical land.

Ayu had to endure various types of challenges and obstacles in finding and to save her brother in her journey in the Magika world. And so begins the encounters of both the siblings with famous Malay heroes and myths like Badang, Dragon of Tasik Chini, Nenek Kebayan, Puteri Bunian, Pak Pandir, Hang Tuah and the Warriors of Melaka, Puteri Gunung Ledang, Bawang Putih and a lot more characters. The irony of it, all these characters actually sing in their conversation with each other!

Will Ayu be able to rescue Malik and leave the mystical land of Magika? What happens to Badang, Nenek Kebayan and other characters in Magika? Will Malik be able to overcome his dilemma over his mother’s death? Come and watch Magika the movie which is destined to be a phenomenal in the local filming industry while already setting a record to be the first local musical movie and it will be reaching our cinemas in 2010.

I have hold off from watching this movie for a bit while because I do not wish to get dragged in all the hype it is causing. Of course, I got rather curious after hearing it was getting awards after awards even before it reached the mass audience.  Yes.. It is kind of taking example from the movie “The 10th Kingdom”, but hey, I don’t really care about that, at least they are trying to revive and keep the old legends and mythology alive throughout the years. I actually know people who picked up books regarding characters within this movie, just to know their origins. Edry has done quite a masterpiece to this movie. awesome soundtrack and a completely great script in interweaving the literature together into this movie.



Storywise: This movie actually begins with the taboo of playing during sunset,… or you might be kidnapped by “ghosts”.. not exactly ghosts, probably suited if I called them some sort of fairies and some other Paranormal beings. It started fast but what actually keep me watching is to answer the mysteries of “Who is the mother?” and “Why is Malik a brat?” other than it is a great watch.

I’m pretty much emo when I was watching this. I was cursing the hell out of Malik, for being a jackass unappreciative little brat, regardless being a tearful kid.  That’s my summed up for that Malik character. He however made it up later in the movie.

I like to share a few memorable scenes with you guys and these actually popped up to me:

There’s this moment in the movie with Ayu encounter with the Orang Minyak:
Orang Minyak: Kecik ni? *points somewhere in the groin area*
Ayu: uh huh kecik tu. Nampak?
Orang Minyak: Dulu Kecik, sekarang dah Besar
Ayu: Besar? *with this cute innocent clueless look*

I’m not criticizing, but only people who knows the story would understand what exactly is the interaction about. Suppose to be very um.. dirty *laughs*

Does this one makes you want to look for a book regarding it?
Badang (Mawi AF5): Menurut cerita, Naga Seri Gumum ni…tak apalah

I love the cgi with Maya Karin (there are 10ths of her) and the Dragon transforming M. Nasir. That was actually one of the smoothest transformation I have ever watched. That itself is a bravo!



Beautiful colors, beautiful scenery, catchy songs that hooked you from the start. I actually know them by heart after just one watch *tongue in cheek*.

I also like to dub this as the “superstars movie”. All the big names in the entertainment industry are in this movie and it kinda tickles me, they actually hired M. Nasir as the Keeper of Lake Chini. To all of my out of South East Asia friends and readers. N. Nasir is one of the top most big respectable names in the entertainment industry in this part of the world.

Then, there’s Ziana Zain. Her part in this movie will overshadow her past movie parts. *lol* I mean it! That Nenek Kebayan character overshadows everythign else she had done prior to that. :P 

Ning Baizura did an awesome number as an old Puteri Gunung Ledang. 

By casting the Sharifah sisters, Edry has shown the daughters of Cikgu Fatimah could actually sing and not just being her daughters other than just actors..



There’s no big parts in this movie, just small parts that are efficiently done. I don’t fancy much musicals but this has manage to be one of my favorite movie. Not bad, for Edry’s  movie debut. I’m actually looking forward in watching his next movie.

Some of the Mythology & Legendary characters included:
• Pak Pandir & Mak Andeh
• Puteri Bunian
• Nenek Kebayan
• Mahsuri (I’m sorry I can’t get rid of that Ping Pong from my head lol, as well as her flopping in the back drop)
• Hang Tuah & Friends
• Badang
• Puteri Gunung Ledang
•  Orang Minyak
• Bawang Putih, Bawang Merah
• Pak Belalang
• Dragon of Lake Chini

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Review: The Little Match Girl; Hans Christian Andersen

The Little Match Girl
by; Hans Christian Andersen

genre } children | fairy tales
rating } all ages
acquisition } owned

A classic story from Hans Christian Andersen of a little match girl, who is supposed to sell matches on Christmas.

Quote
The little girl had already stretched out her feet to warm them too; but—the small flame went out, the stove vanished: she had only the remains of the burnt-out match in her hand.

Why Did I Pick it Up?
It’s Christmas… I thought I should pick one Christmas book up. I needed refreshing on how this one go.

My 2 ¢ ♠♠♠♠♠

As I read and read again these fairy tale books, and honestly... most of them are pretty grim. But I never get tired of it, since these are pretty much time less to begin with. A lot of us are familiar of this story, but have any one actually sit down and read it from a book? I like to say I have, and I like to share you my 2 cents. Over the years, I have read this one story from many different books and watch it in many television renditions, and regardless the tiny changes, the tale is loud, clear, grim and it is always a smile in a tragedy. How awkward of me to say that, isn’t it? 

Hans Christian Andersen had managed to capture the essence of “selfishness” of some members the community, where a single penny probably would have change the way this story might go. Instead of begging, she rather try and sell matches.. which didn’t go well. To try braving the winter night, she uses her matches and every flick, brings her hopes and dreams… and each time after it extinguishes, she is snapped back to her cold reality. Then, frustrated, she uses the last bunch where she meets her grandmother where she never be cold nor hungry again…

And…

The community find her lifeless body in the alley…

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“Beastly” Movie Trailer

If you like Beauty and the Beast, and you would like to see a modern interpretation of it. You would probably love this. I know I am impress and I can’t wait to watch it.

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Rapunzel by Ray Harryhausen {video}

“Rapunzel, Rapunzel.. let down your hair…”

This is  famous quote from the book itself. I was looking around and I found this cute video (children version) of the story itself.

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Book Review: Princess Academy (Princess Academy #1); by Shannon Hale

The first I've herad of this book is when it is featured as a must read for the month book in every magazines I've read at that one particular month. Months went by and the book never left my mind, so I've decided to pick it up and read it. And what a surprise I get! It's a bit slow for me in the beginning but the pace races up to my kind of speed shortly after.
Gotta love this book. It’s so addictive too. I can’t get my hands off it until I’ve finished it.

Princess Academy (Princess Academy #1)
by Shannon Hale

Miri lives on a mountain where, for generations, her ancestors have quarried stone and lived a simple life. Then word comes that the king's priests have divined her small village the home of the future princess. In a year's time, the prince himself will come and choose his bride from among the girls of the village. The king's ministers set up an academy on the mountain, and every teenage girl must attend and learn how to become a princess.
Miri soon finds herself confronted with a harsh academy mistress, bitter competition among the girls, and her own conflicting desires to be chosen and win the heart of her childhood best friend. But when bandits seek out the academy to kidnap the future princess, Miri must rally the girls together and use a power unique to the mountain dwellers to save herself and her classmates.

Finished Reading: 16th April 2006 (library copy)
Acquire: 07th July 2010
Rate } ♠♠♠♠♠
Genre } Fiction | Teens | Fairy Tales Retellings
Release Day }  April 2007
Publisher } Bloomsbury USA Children’s
Format } paperback  
ISBN } 9781599900735
Pages } 144 pages
Source } borrowed / bought
Age Group } 12+
Interests } Teens, Fairy Tales Retelling Junkies.    
Awards } Newbery Honor
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Book Review: Ella Enchanted; by Gail Carson Levine

This is one of the great fairy tales alternative stories available out there, and this ones is based on the famous Cinderella tale with a twist. This is written in a post modern style of writing, making it easier to actually connect to the characters and much more enjoyable for the young adults to above ages to actually enjoy for what used to be just a children's fairy tale. The first time I'd picked this book up, I can't seem to put it down. It's humorous and a page turner.

The main character is Ella of Frell, who had been given the 'gift' of obedience (more of a curse) by a fairy named Lucinda, giving her no choice but to obey anybody who orders her around ever since she was a baby. The only ones other than her mother who knows about it is Mandy, their cook who is also Ella's fairy godmother, who has this thing against doing any Big magic, which irked Ella most of the time due to her 'gift'.

When her mother died, her father remarried to Dame Olga who has two selfish idiotic daughters, Hattie and Olive, who sort of figure out they could take advantage of Ella's little flaw, though very clueless why she's easily to be made as their own personal slave. Then, there's Prince Char, the heir of the kingdom. Both Ella and Char enjoyed each other's company many times they are together and apart. But of course the 'gift' had come to its worse moments in this book for Ella in the sense of relationship with others. She tried whatever it takes to track Lucinda to take 'gift' back.

Throughout the book, I felt sorry for Ella, I mean who wouldn’t, but what can I do. But in the same time, I am really proud of her for being able to use that curse as a motivation to strengthened her other qualities.

Oh, if you're expecting it to be just like the movie (featuring Anne Hathaway and Hugh Dancy), forget it. You be surprised of how different they are from each other in plot wise. But nevertheless, I've enjoyed both version.

Ella Enchanted
by Gail Carson Levine

At birth, Ella is inadvertently cursed by an imprudent young fairy named Lucinda, who bestows on her the "gift" of obedience. Anything anyone tells her to do, Ella must obey. Another girl might have been cowed by this affliction, but not feisty Ella: "Instead of making me docile, Lucinda's curse made a rebel of me. Or perhaps I was that way naturally." When her beloved mother dies, leaving her in the care of a mostly absent and avaricious father, and later, a loathsome stepmother and two treacherous stepsisters, Ella's life and well-being seem to be in grave peril. But her intelligence and saucy nature keep her in good stead as she sets out on a quest for freedom and self-discovery as she tries to track down Lucinda to undo the curse, fending off ogres, befriending elves, and falling in love with a prince along the way. Yes, there is a pumpkin coach, a glass slipper, and a happily ever after, but this is the most remarkable, delightful, and profound version of Cinderella you'll ever read.

Quote to Remember

- ”I wished she’d never stop squeezing me. I wished I could spend the rest of my life as a child, being slightly crushed by someone who loved me.”
- It is helpful to know the proper way to behave, so one can decide whether or not to be proper.

Finished Reading: 01st February 2006 (Borrowed)
Acquire: 22nd December 2012 (Bought)
Rate } ♠♠♠♠
Genre } Fiction | Fantasy | Fairy Tales | Young Adult | Teens
Release Day }  01st January 1997
Publisher } Scholastic Books.
Format } Paperback
ISBN } 9780590920681
Pages } 240 pages
Source } BookSwap
Age Group } pg 15 yo +
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