Book Review: The Haunted Library; by Dori Hillestad Butler

   I was looking for a new series to indulge for the kids at work, and I’ve bumped up onto this. Cute, it’s about a library and it happens to be haunted. Sorry, can’t get the job pun off my system in this one. It’s like reading Casper meets Ghost Whisperer, except Kaz (the ghost) is wee afraid to learn most of the ghostly abilities, like going through a wall, which is kind of ridiculous. See? If I am emotional about that part, the kids might actually enjoy this book.
   Plot is easy to follow and pretty much attached to any reader who picked it up. Characters are real enough that it pulled you into the story. The illustrations. What can I say about them. I love it! It’s a wonderful start for this series, and I would love to follow through this series. Can’t wait for the next one!
The Haunted Library
(Haunted Library #1)
By Dori Hillestad Butler

When ghost boy Kaz’s haunt is torn down and he is separated from his ghost family, he meets a real girl named Claire, who lives above the town library with her parents and her grandmother. Claire has a special ability to see ghosts when other humans cannot and she and Kaz quickly form a friendship. The two join forces to solve the mystery of the ghost that’s haunting the library. Could it be one of Kaz’s lost family members?

Finished Reading: 23rd December 2014
Acquire: 16th August 2014
Rate } ♠♠♠♠♠
Genre } Fiction | Children | Mystery | Supernatural
Release Day }  14th August 2014
Publisher } Grosset & Dunlap
Format } Paperback
ISBN } 9780448462424
Pages } 128 pages
Source } Bought for BND $8.00
Age Group } Middle Schooler
Get your own copy } Paperback | Kindle

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Book Review: Beautiful Chaos (Caster Chronicles 03); by Kami Garcia, Margaret Stohl

I didn’t expect that ending. Maybe I did. But that ending came down hard. The authors did sort of put hints, and yet I fall for the red herring.

I am still trying to sink this in after reading it for the whole night till morning. That was my mistake. Reading this at night. This book has the tendency, where when you’ve reached a point where you are supposed to put it down, you can’t. It was horrible (good kind of horrible). It happened all suddenly the realization… the sacrifice.

Though James Breed hiding in Ravenwood was kind off expected, though I didn’t expect that little twist with Ridley. I feel so much sadness for Amma and Aunt Prud. I cried when Ethan cried in his mother’s ghostly arms. That’s just so sad. I found myself feeling sorry for Sarafine. My heart poured out to that dark hearted woman. And then there’s Aunt Mirian. *sigh*

It is crazy how good this series is. Still sinking in… Come back later maybe …

Quote. I’ll love you until the day after forever.

Beautiful Chaos (Caster Chronicles #3)
By Kami Garcia, Margaret Stohl

Ethan Wate thought he was getting used to the strange, impossible events happening in Gatlin, his small Southern town. But now that Ethan and Lena have returned home, strange and impossible have taken on new meanings. Swarms of locusts, record-breaking heat, and devastating storms ravage Gatlin as Ethan and Lena struggle to understand the impact of Lena's Claiming. Even Lena's family of powerful Supernaturals is affected - and their abilities begin to dangerously misfire. As time passes, one question becomes clear: What — or who — will need to be sacrificed to save Gatlin?

For Ethan, the chaos is a frightening but welcome distraction. He's being haunted in his dreams again, but this time it isn't by Lena - and whatever is haunting him is following him out of his dreams and into his everyday life. Even worse, Ethan is gradually losing pieces of himself — forgetting names, phone numbers, even memories. He doesn't know why, and most days he's too afraid to ask.

Sometimes there isn't just one answer or one choice. Sometimes there's no going back. And this time there won't be a happy ending.

Finished Reading: 1st January 2013
Acquire: 02nd November 2012
Rate } ♠♠♠♠♠
Genre } Fiction | Young Adult | Paranormal Romance | Supernatural | Urban Fantasy
Release Day }  18th October 2011
Publisher } Little, Brown and Company
Format } Hardcover
ISBN } 9780316123525
Pages } 518 pages
Source } Bought
Age Group } PG 15 yo +
Interests } Paranormal
Awards }
Support my reading by getting your copy }

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eBook Review: Dream Dark (Caster Chronicles 2.5) by Kami Garcia, Margaret Stohl

As a new acclaimed fan to this series, it was obligatory to get and read this e-book. before I go on to the next book. Here, we get to know about Link (or should we call him Linkabus now *tongue in cheek*), after his um.. incident, and his transition turning into an incubus. It’s funny when his mother thought he was on steroids and demand a urine test. Made me actually wonder how the result come out as. I love the Link & Ridley scenes in this. What annoyed me was, when things just get going, only to turn and read the author’s biography on the next page.  Yes That was annoying! 

It’s pretty much a short read, but if I have had read the next book without reading this one, I probably be lost in plot. Yup, it was that essential. Get this ebook!    
 
Dream Dark (Caster Chronicles #2.5)
by Kami Garcia, Margaret Stohl

When Link joined his best friend, Ethan Wate, on a quest through a mysterious network of underground passageways endlessly crisscrossing the South, he knew the journey would be dangerous. But returning home to Gatlin, South Carolina was just the beginning...

Wounded during a climactic battle, Link discovers that tending his injuries won't be as simple as visiting a doctor and that healing his arm should be the least of his worries. For being bitten by a Supernatural does more than break the skin -- it changes a person, inside and out, turning Link into someone more and more like the dark creature who injured him.

In this never-before-seen short story by New York Times bestselling authors Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl, listeners witness Link's heart-racing transformation. Dream Dark is set before the much-anticipated third Beautiful Creatures novel, Beautiful Chaos, and as a special bonus includes an exclusive sneak peek at the first five chapters.

Finished Reading: 28rd December 2012
Acquire: 27th December 2012
Rate } ♠♠♠♠♠
Genre } Fiction | Young Adult | Paranormal Romance | Supernatural | Urban Fantasy
Release Day }  02nd August 2011
Publisher } Little, Brown and Company
Format } ebook
ISBN } 9780316077057
Pages } 75 pages
Source } Bought
Age Group } PG 15 yo +
Interests } Paranormal 
Awards }
Support my reading by getting your copy }

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Book Review: Beautiful Darkness (Caster Chronicles 02) by Kami Garcia, Margaret Stohl

Wow… that was an unexpected turn of events to this book. I actually was up till morning reading this book. It’s that sort of a page turner. The book itself, is beautiful in writing, setting, characters and plot. So much drama that I was stuck reading it. It bound me at page one. That’s something different from the first book. Well, that actually explained why they chose the dark lit stairs on the cover. That was brilliant. though it was quite a turn off for me from reading this book for quite a while, but it was brilliant.

This time, the authors didn’t just focus the first person narration with Ethan, but through the visions he has, we finally get the glimpse of what’s going on on the other side of the story. You know, the side where the story is about what’s going on with Lena, and other characters like Abraham Ravenwood (oh yes, he has appeared) and Macon Ravenwood.

This book finally shed a bit of light on Ravenwood’s history, relationships and on both Lena and Ethan’s side of family and friends. The sisters are not as ignorant as they were first depicted in the beginning of the series.

And then there’s Lucille Bell… The cat. The cat!


They finally tell us what exactly Ethan’s role in to the Casters lives. He is a Wayward! I can’t believe Lena actually….






****Spoilers!****

…ran away with Ridley and that hunky James guy and left Ethan on his own. I think she gave up!. Yup it was an emotional read for me. I was pissed at Lena Duchannes, especially after the stunt she pulled at the fair. Poor Ethan, m heart just poured out for him.. especially when he finally knew why. Oh dear. Not just that, Macon… oh my God… with Ethan’s mom?! That wasn’t something I was expecting. I was entirely emotional when Lila was summoned as a ghost to meet up with Ethan. How sad was that?  

I absolutely love this book! Why are you picking up this series yet?

First Quote. I used to think our town, buried in the South Carolina backwood, stuck in the muddy bottom of the muddy bottom of the Santee River Valley, was the middle of nowhere

Quote. Liv. I couldn’t look at her. I’d been jealous and hurt, and I had dragged Liv into the middle of my own broken mess of a life. All because I thought Lena didn’t love me anymore.

Beautiful Darkness (Caster Chronicles #02)
By Kami Garcia, Margaret Stohl

Ethan Wate used to think of Gatlin, the small Southern town he had always called home, as a place where nothing ever changed. Then he met mysterious newcomer Lena Duchannes, who revealed a secret world that had been hidden in plain sight all along. A Gatlin that harbored ancient secrets beneath its moss-covered oaks and cracked sidewalks. A Gatlin where a curse has marked Lena's family of powerful Supernaturals for generations. A Gatlin where impossible, magical, life-altering events happen.
Sometimes life-ending.

Together they can face anything Gatlin throws at them, but after suffering a tragic loss, Lena starts to pull away, keeping secrets that test their relationship. And now that Ethan's eyes have been opened to the darker side of Gatlin, there's no going back. Haunted by strange visions only he can see, Ethan is pulled deeper into his town's tangled history and finds himself caught up in the dangerous network of underground passageways endlessly crisscrossing the South, where nothing is as it seems.

Finished Reading: 28rd December 2012
Acquire: 17st October 2010
Rate } ♠♠♠♠♠
Genre } Fiction | Young Adult | Paranormal Romance | Supernatural | Urban Fantasy
Release Day }  12th October 2010
Publisher } Little, Brown and Company
Format } Hardcover
ISBN } 9780316077057
Pages } 503 pages
Source } Bought
Age Group } PG 15 yo +
Interests } Paranormal  
Awards } Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Young Adult Fiction (2010)
Support my reading by getting your copy } Amazon | Kindle

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Book Review: Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia, Margaret Stohl

Well, typical me. Hears a movie adaption of a novel is coming out soon, then rush to read it before the movie came out. I can’t say it enough, how long this has been in my “To Be Read” pile, and I just picked it up due to a movie! 2009. Wow, that was a big bump up!

It’s a typical boy dreamt of girl, boy meets girl, boy fall hard for girl kind of book… with the cliche paranormal romance in the air. *sighs dreamingly*

*refrains from bashing the  other novel*

I avoided reading this book because of those mixed reviews my fellow book bloggers has been giving through out the years. When I finally pick it up, it really did live up its hype. It’s true. It is quite slow pace at the first 100’s pages. Hence why I gave it  four spades rating. As slow as it was, it kept me grip on. It sunk its teeth into me and I just can’t put it down. The characters are strong and the settings are extremely memorable.

People are afraid of what’s different. That’s my take into how they have treated Lena Duchannes. the new kid in town, just because her uncle doesn’t really care much into mixing with the crowd of stereotype towners. Especially teens. Teens can be cruel. That popped out clearly as a concept in this book, and it be fine when you have people you love by your side along the way.

Let me forewarn you, this book is 99% entirely in the first person view of Ethan (who for some unknown reason I picture and sounded like Drake Bell in my head), the main character of this novel. You won’t be reading through the eyes of another character for quite a while until… um.. much much later. I must say, this part is much too annoying at times while reading through cause I be asking alot of what’s going on with the other characters? What are they thinking? What are they plotting? What they think about this and that?

If you are like me and still haven’t pick up this book and read yet, why? Pick it up dammit! You’re missing alot! Well not alot, but you know what I mean. That is how much you’re missing out. If you’re into Harry Potter (nah… not quite the  example…). If you love reading Twilight, this book will blow your mind.



****SPOILERS! (Kind of) ****

Holy crap. I can’t believe Larkin is… *argh!* I mean I suspected with his powers he was, but I think I was I in denial or something. I must say when Ridley “help” Lena during the dance was some sort of sweet. Personally, those girls deserved it after what they did to Lena. Hell yeah on “Stephen King’s Carrie” prom scene! I do think Ridley still care about Lena at that point. All together now… Aww…..

First Words. There were only two kinds of people in our town.

Quotes.
“The right thing and the easy thing are never the same.”

”Even lost in the darkness, my heart will find you.”

”In one moment I was feeling everything and I was feeling nothing.”

”What is the opposite of two? A lonely me and a lonely you.”

”I never loved you any more than I do, right this second. And I’ll never love you any less than I do, right this second.”

Beautiful Creatures (Caster Chronicles #1)
By Kami Garcia, Margaret Stohl

There were no surprises in Gatlin County.
We were pretty much the epicenter of the middle of nowhere.
At least, that's what I thought.
Turns out, I couldn't have been more wrong.
There was a curse.
There was a girl.
And in the end, there was a grave.

Lena Duchannes is unlike anyone the small Southern town of Gatlin has ever seen, and she's struggling to conceal her power and a curse that has haunted her family for generations. But even within the overgrown gardens, murky swamps and crumbling graveyards of the forgotten South, a secret cannot stay hidden forever.

Ethan Wate, who has been counting the months until he can escape from Gatlin, is haunted by dreams of a beautiful girl he has never met. When Lena moves into the town's oldest and most infamous plantation, Ethan is inexplicably drawn to her and determined to uncover the connection between them.

In a town with no surprises, one secret could change everything.

Finished Reading: 23rd December 2012
Acquire: 01st December 2009
Rate } ♠♠♠♠
Genre } Fiction | Young Adult | Paranormal Romance | Supernatural | Urban Fantasy
Release Day }  1st December 2009
Publisher } Little, Brown and Company
Format } Hardcover
ISBN } 9780316042673
Pages } 563 pages
Source } Bought
Age Group } PG 15 yo +
Interests } Paranormal   
Awards } ALA Teens Top Ten (2010) | Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Young Adult Fiction (2009)
Support my reading by getting your copy } Amazon | Kindle

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Book Review The Serpent’s Shadow (Kane Chronicles #3) By Rick Riordan

rate } ♠♠♠♠♠ ♥
genre } young adult | fantasy | mythology | supernatural
release day }  1st May 2012
acquired } 1st March 2012
publisher } Hyperion Books for Children
format } hardcover
isbn } 9781423140573
pages } 416 pages
source } bought @ Fenix Indie Online Bookstore, Brunei
age group } 12+
interest } Folks who love mythology
awards } -

The Serpent’s Shadow
(Kane Chronicles #3)
By Rick Riordan

He's b-a-a-ack! Despite their best efforts, Carter and Sade Kane can’t seem to keep Apophis, the chaos snake, down. Now Apophis is threatening to plunge the world into eternal darkness, and the Kanes are faced with the impossible task of having to destroy him once and for all. Unfortunately, the magicians of the House of Life are on the brink of civil war, the gods are divided, and the young initiates of Brooklyn House stand almost alone against the forces of chaos.
To find the answer they need, the Kanes must rely on the murderous ghost of a powerful magician who might be able to lead them to the serpent’s shadow... or might lead them to their deaths in the depths of the underworld...

My 2 cents
It’s over… IT’s OVER?!!!! Trilogy?? THAT’S IT?! WHYYY?!!!

That was my reaction when I finished reading this book.  I can’t accept it just ended like that. I can’t believe it but I actually be missing the annoying sudden popping of sibling squabbling (the parts where they keep saying they are taping the whole ordeal). I have been looking forward to reading this book ever since I’d finished reading the 2nd book to the series. Yes! It’s that long! and when it’s over it’s just so sad it’s over… *hopes for a new set of this series like Riordan did with Percy Jackson.”

There.. Now I got that out of the way….

I have a confession. It’s not enough. The ending left me feeling like, “Oh my that’s all??? i need more!” But I was disappointed. Do you want to know how good this book is?

It was riveting. Even the cover looks amazing. The shadow of the serpent’s soul and the all mighty obelisk. Oh please read it so you know exactly what that was about. That part of my favorite. Carter and Sadie really grew up in this one. It tugged my heart when Sadie had that emotional conflict about Walt being dying and she also loves Anubis. That awkward thing where Ra and Carter.. well… *ahem* kiss. 

God! It’s hard to actually do a review on this book without telling the whole story!!! If I say anything else, it be the spoilers for the whole trilogy! *grunts!* GAH! Read it!

Oh by the way.. I think the Kanes will be  meeting Percy in their next series. Sadie did said she knows people from Aphrodite's cabin and Carter saw the flying horse over Manhattan *Hint: read Percy Jackson!* If that’s true. I am so looking forward to the series! ♥♥♥

Oh well, that means now I will have to find another book to satisfy my reading needs until The Mark of Athena popped out. The AGONYYYY!!

Oh! Before I leave you off, I think this would be a fitting soundtrack to this book.

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Book Review: Heck: Where the Bad Kids Go; by Dale E. Basye

rate } ♠♠♠♠♠♥
genre } fiction | fantasy | middle grade | supernatural
release day }  April 2009
acquired } 20th March 2012
publisher } Yearling
format } paperback
isbn } 9780375840760
pages } 304 pages
source } bought
age group } 12+
interest } Anybody who has read The Series of the Unfortunate Events (Lemony Snicket)
awards } -

Heck: Where the Bad Kids Go
(The Nine Circles of Heck #1)
by Dale E. Basye

When Milton and Marlo Fauster die in a marshmallow-bear explosion, they get sent straight to Heck, an otherworldly reform school. Milton can understand why his kleptomaniac sister is here, but Milton is—or was—a model citizen. Has a mistake been made? Not according to Bea “Elsa” Bubb, the Principal of Darkness. She doesn’t make mistakes. She personally sees to it that Heck—whether it be home ec class with Lizzie Borden, ethics with Richard Nixon, or gym with Blackbeard the pirate—is especially, well, heckish for the Fausters. Will Milton and Marlo find a way to escape? Or are they stuck here for all eternity, or until they turn eighteen, whichever comes first?

My 2 Cents
I found this book in the list of “If you’ve enjoyed Lemony Snicket…” list and the blurb kind of perk my interest.

The book turned out to be cute, and it does have the hint of Lemony Snicket sort of storyline, just as good. I really feel sorry for Milton to end up in Heck, being stuck to his sister… in the weirdest way to die ever. But something has to give to lead through a good story. The characters are truly believable and if you’re the kind to sink into a good book, you be lost in it cause it just has a good plot.

I am in love with this book and intend of getting on the next book on the list. I suspect the students at work would really enjoy this series as well. With all the monsters and icky stuff it has within.

P/S My confession. I finished reading this weeks ago. I just don’t have the time lately to post up reviews because of a sudden surge of busy season at work. Internet has been a PITA as well. So I guess Bear with me please…

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Review: Hex Hall; Rachel Hawkins

Hex Hall (Book 1)
by; Rachel Hawkins


genre } young adult | witches | supernatural
rating } 15+ PG | Read it! Read It! Read It!
date released } March 2, 2010
edition } Hyperion Book (336 Pages) 
ISBN } 1423121309 | 978-1423121305
acquisition } Borrowed
purchase @ } Book Depository | Amazon.com

Three years ago, Sophie Mercer discovered that she was a witch. It's gotten her into a few scrapes. Her non-gifted mother has been as supportive as possible, consulting Sophie's estranged father--an elusive European warlock--only when necessary. But when Sophie attracts too much human attention for a prom-night spell gone horribly wrong, it's her dad who decides her punishment: exile to Hex Hall, an isolated reform school for wayward Prodigium, a.k.a. witches, faeries, and shapeshifters.

By the end of her first day among fellow freak-teens, Sophie has quite a scorecard: three powerful enemies who look like supermodels, a futile crush on a gorgeous warlock, a creepy tagalong ghost, and a new roommate who happens to be the most hated person and only vampire on campus. Worse, Sophie soon learns that a mysterious predator has been attacking students, and her only friend is the number-one suspect.

As a series of blood-curdling mysteries starts to converge, Sophie prepares for the biggest threat of all: an ancient secret society determined to destroy all Prodigium, especially her.

2 ¢ ♠♠♠♠♠

Coverwise, regardless how good this cover is, personally, it could only get me to buy it off the shelves, but to attract me to actually read it... that was another matter. Regardlss being just about 2-3 weeks of dormant in my scary Mount TBR, I really don't get that "read me" attraction much. Forgive me Rachel Hawkins for this confession. I do you so much wrong for that! *kisses toes* The only reason why I actually pick this up would be, it is everywhere. *blink* about every one of ten of my fellow bookbloggers for the past weeks has been featuring it in Teaser Tuesdays or doing reviews on it, so I ended up getting peer pressure. *purse lips*

Sophia 'Sophie' Mercer is witch, well...part witch, and she goof up on a love spell she did because she was feeling sorry for the girl at school. Yeah, love spells.. that always put young witches in trouble. Remember Sabrina, the teenage witch? Well, yeah this book is like that, come of age, come of power. More upbeat kinda Harry Potter, female version. Sophie ended up getting send off to Hecate ("juvie for monsters" a direct quote from Sophie herself!), which has witches, shapeshifters, werefolks, fae, ghosts and a couple of vampires. Sounds familiar much? No worries. No Sorting Hat in this one. Just 3 dark beautiful supermodels witches, namely Elodie, Chaston and Anna, who approached Sophie and wants her in their coven since she happened to be a dark witch. These three girls are typical snobby, snotty extremely female version Draco. Yes, I am comparing! >.< So anyhoo, Sophie has fitting in complex (which we can related at some point of our life) since everybody else grew up with their Prodigium families, whilst she grew up in a normal human life, regardless playing with magic here and there. Hence, she's the joke of the year, for knowing absolutely nothing and being a n00b! The plot here is, student died one by one, and it looks more like the culprit is Jenna, Sophie's vampire roomate. The worse is, Jenna doesn't have an alibi whenever somebody died! That was the page turner. Of course, there is also.. Archer Cross.. resident bad boy *waggle* yes I had a crush on him too... Don't laugh! You would be too! *tongue in cheek* Oh, he is unavailable too, since he's dating Elodie, yes.. my eyes rolled too. Just typical. And of course Sophia is being stalked by a ghost too. Yeah.. that was creepy but that was up really umm. yeah. can't give that out. You have to read that yourself. I actually follow her pain when she learnt about her father and family tree from somebody else other than her own mother. Plus that explains when she's being outcast. Yup. I feel sorry for her, but I love knowing she's keeping strong through all of what she has to go through. Gotta love her sarcasm the best!

Bottomline... I can't wait for Demonglass to come out! Please be quick! Oh if you really do want to read this book, make sure, you are all comfy and ready to read the whole book. Why? Cause you would like to finish it in one sitting, since it is a really good page turner and fast pace to read. Rachel didn't leave you waiting for the actions and fill it with twists you love to read. I'm left with all that wonderful fuzzy feelings after reading a good book. Ah... yes... *sinks*

Librarian Muse

As a librarian, I'd consider this as a good addition to any library (public) which caters Young Adult (Muda-Mudi, Belia). The big question people keep asking me this week is, why wouldn't I add this book in my school library. There's a "3rd base leading to home run but didn't cross the line" scene somewhere and according to school regulations, I rather not risk book banning, hence I can't add this book in our collection. But honestly, this is one of those good books that you have to read. It would be a good attraction for anybody that's looking for a book to read post Harry Potter and Percy Jackson series.

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Review: 100 Keajaiban di Dunia; Muhammad Miqdad

100 Keajaiban di Dunia
by; Muhammad Miqdad

genre } non-fiction | Islam | paranormal | supernatural
date released } 2008
edition } Penerbitan Seribu Dinar Sdn Bhd (246 Pages)
ISBN } 978-9833247936
acquisition } bought
purchase @ } 1st Choice Books @ International Book Fair, Brunei
language } malay

Semakin tuanya dunia ini, semakin banyak kisah aneh dan ajaib telah berlaku yang tidak akan dijangkakan oleh pemikiran manusia. Buku yang menghimpunkkan sebahagian daripada kejadian aneh dan ajaib ini menunjukkan kekuasaan Maha Pencipta ke atas seluruh kehidupan di alam dunia ini.

Rakaman dan catatan yang dimuatkan sebagai bukti kepada keajaiban yang berlaku bukan ada campur tangan dari usaha manusia malah ia benar-benar berlaku kehendak Allah SWT.

Maka bukti ini sudah pasti memperlihatkan kebenaran yang selama ini banyak di kalangan manusia tercari-cari atau menafikan apa yang berlaku ke atas kehidupan di atas dunia ini.

Kebenaran itu hanya datang dari Allah SWT dan kepalsuan itu adalah dari manusia yang lemah dan daif.

- Penerbit

Quote

Bulan september 2006, di sebuah kampung di kepala Batas, Seberang Perai Utara telah dikejutkan dengan kemunculan kejadian aneh, iatu pokok pinang berwajah manusia menggerunkan.

Why exactly I picked out this book?

I was in book heaven (it was a book fair & I feel like a kid in a candy store), I found this book by chance and I got curious when I saw there's a picture of a humanoid face on a tree in the cover.

My 2 ¢ ♠♠♠

Book Cover. Great appealing cover. I got suck in by the face thing, a picture of the back of the hand coincide with the Jawi words of Allah and of course, something looks like there's smoke coming out of somewhere.

Aiyaya yaya.. what have I bought! Oh man.. seriously. Let me translate the title for you: 100 Wonders in the World. I was actually expecting something else! This book is full of mostly pictures of strange paranormal & supernatural things. And some of them have been proven to be hoaxes. I just wish the author of this book did his homework about some of the things he had included in here because, it is embarrassing to actually read the chapters of what has been proven to be hoaxes.

The first part of the book, is called "Bukti-bukti Kebenaran untuk Mereka yang berfikir". (Proof of the truth for the ones who can think). Second part is called "Bukti-bukti Kebenaran untuk Mereka yang Mempunyai Hati" (Proof for whoever has a heart). This is where you see pictures of clouds, the tsunami, stones, body parts, nature, resembling the word Allah. the miracle of unaffected mosques during devastating natural disasters. The one that attracts my curiosity is the floating rock (where exactly is that from?)

Third chapter is "Tanda-tanda Kebenaran yang Menambah Iman dan Takwa." (True points to increase faith). This chapter is actually interesting since Islam & the science collide. They compliment each other in this chapter from the human chromosomes to the universe, Noah's ark, fire demons, origins of the Hajar al-Aswad, etc there's even a sub chapter regarding the Quran wavelength.

Chapter four is "Makhluk Ghaib dan Misteri Selain Manusia Wujud di Mana-mana" (Supernatural creatures and mysteries, other than human exists everywhere). Yup... ghost, demons, and whatever in between. Scary.. but yeah.. this chapter I won't be able to read in the middle of the night =X

Bottomline, this book is full of interesting pictures and articles. Some are disappointing, some are awing and teh pictures are just colorful eye treats.

Librarian Muse

Umm.. Well...honestly.. I won't add this into any of the school library due to some of what I've said about it above. This would interest any leisure readers out there.

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TV Series: Ghost Writer

Title: Ghost Writer
Starring: Steven Ma, Linda Chung, Fala Chen
Genre: Imperial China Era / Supernatural / Folklore.
Production: TVB
Watch @ Astro in Demand

Anybody who knows me, this sort of genre is my thing. This series is based on one of the folklore written by Po Chung-Ling (Steven Ma, who of course, happened to be the main character in this series)

In this series, we follow the life of Po Chung-Ling, who goes through several mystery adventures that's mostly accompanied by political corruptions. he is the heir of Jinan New Year Print Company, which has been in their family for generations. through the series, Chung-Ling goes through a lot of trials and tribulation which cost him family relations and friendship, not to forget his love interest Ling Wu Siu-Tsui (Fala Chen) who is also a Fox Deity. Both of them know each other since forever, whilst unknown by Chung-Ling.

Then, he met Lau Sum-Yu (Linda Chung). The love triangle began. After their encounter with a Nine tail Fox, the much too careful of a woman, found out Siu Tsui is a fox and decided to out her. but kept failing (demon & deity are two different things in chinese mythology) which cause herself alot of trouble.

What I think about it?

Well... It is one heck of an addictive series! I love it. Though when I saw Linda got turned into a fox demon, all I could think of it... IT SERVE HER RIGHT! hahahaha picking on poor Foxy Fala! The costumes are awesome as always. Fala is adorable with her white foxy ears that I can't get enough of it. But her character is so.... naive, I can just pity her. Linda, is quite the opposite, strong, tempered, eager.. but indecisive, it just too annoying at times o.0 Steven is well.. Steven just being Steven o.0 And Sunny Chan... god.. I can't get enough of his acting. =D

Overall? I call it a 5/5 (will edit after the end of the series)

Ling Wu Siu-Tsui (Fala Chen)

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Book Review: Twilight (Twilight 1); By Stephenie Meyer

I was actually turned off from reading this because I heard it is written so amateurish and I might not like it. But then again a friend a work and a few others, started pressuring me to read the saga, so I caved in. I found out the storyline and some of the conversations are much too familiar to and very much some what mirrors my relationship in real life, that I almost wonder if she might have eavesdropped. Hence the reason why it pulled me into reading this book.

Due to lack of action within this book itself, it kind of dull the reason to read this book in the first place. But I guess, due to the simple storyline itself, it would make it as an easy reading material to read for advanced readers like myself.

Characters are divided into 2, humans and monsters. the humans are too.. um naive. and the vampires are mellow. Action only comes in the 1/4 last part of the book and too much high school stuff is going on in the 3/4 of book. Call me old fashion, I don’t really like sparkly glittery vampires.

As a librarian, I recommend this book to the high school students (seniors). Juniors and Sophomores may read if their parents think their teenagers are up to it.

First Words. I’d Never given much thought to how I die-though I’d had reason enough in the last few months – but even if I had, I would not have imagined it like this.

Quote. I like the night. Without the dark, wed never see the stars.

Twilight (Twilight #1)
By Stephenie Meyer

Isabella Swan's move to Forks, a small, perpetually rainy town in Washington, could have been the most boring move she ever made. But once she meets the mysterious and alluring Edward Cullen, Isabella's life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn. Up until now, Edward has managed to keep his vampire identity a secret in the small community he lives in, but now nobody is safe, especially Isabella, the person Edward holds most dear. The lovers find themselves balanced precariously on the point of a knife-between desire and danger.Deeply romantic and extraordinarily suspenseful, Twilight captures the struggle between defying our instincts and satisfying our desires. This is a love story with bite.

Finished Reading: 22nd April 2009
Acquire: 08th August 2007
Rate } ♠♠♠
Genre } Fiction | Young Adult | Paranormal Romance | Supernatural | Urban Fantasy
Release Day }  05th October 2005
Publisher } Little, Brown and Company
Format } Paperback
ISBN } 9780316015844
Pages } 498 pages
Source } Bought
Age Group } PG 15 yo +
Awards }
- An ALA/YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers (2006)
- New York Times Bestsellers (Children Chapter, 2005)
- Publisher’s Weekly Best Book (2005)

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Book Review: Wait Till Helen Comes; By Mary Downing Hahn

Oh man… Mary Downing Hahn is awesome. If you want to do a classic scare for kids, this would be one of those. This reminds me alot of Christopher Pike and RL. Stine, but much more given nostalgic feel to it. If you would like to introduce young readers to the horror genre, this would be another excellent book to offer them.

Wait Till Helen Comes: A Ghost Story
By Mary Downing Hahn

Beware of Helen...

Heather is such a whiny little brat. Always getting Michael and me into trouble. But since our mother married her father, we're stuck with her...our "poor stepsister" who lost her real mother in a mysterious fire.

But now something terrible has happened. Heather has found a new friend, out in the graveyard behind our home -- a girl named Helen who died with her family in a mysterious fire over a hundred years ago. Now her ghost returns to lure children into the pond...to drown! I don't want to believe in ghosts, but I've followed Heather into the graveyard and watch her talk to Helen. And I'm terrified. Not for myself, but for Heather...

Finished Reading: 23th July 2009 (library copy)
Acquire: 10th October 2011
Rate } ♠♠♠♠♠
Genre } Fiction | Children | Mystery | Paranormal | Ghosts
Release Day }  November 1987
Publisher } Harpercollins
Format } paperback  
ISBN } 9780380704422
Pages } 192 pages
Source } borrowed 
Age Group } 12+
Interests } teens   
Awards }
Support my reading by getting your copy } Kindle | Amazon

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Book Review: The Field Guide (The Spiderwick Chronicles 1); By Holly Black, Tony DiTerlizzi

Honestly, I was fighting off stares when I bought this (because it was a children book.) Then again, it open the door to me reading children’s books again. I love this series. It’s simple but it would be a wonderful introduction for children to read urban fantasy and eerie books.

First Words. If someone had asked Jared Grace what jobs his brother and sister would have when they grew up, he would have had no trouble replying.

Quote. The room had a low ceiling, and the walls were covered in bookshelves. Looking around, he realized there was no door.

The Field Guide (The Spiderwick Chronicles #1)
By Holly Black, Tony DiTerlizzi

When the three Grace children -- Mallory, Jared, and Simon -- and their mom move into Aunt Lucinda's old house, readers know there's magic afoot. The kids uncover a nest of assembled junk, and on a visit to the secret library via the dumbwaiter, Jared finds a note describing "my secret to all mankind." After a few mysterious pranks that get blamed on Jared, the boy finally digs up the real prize: Arthur Spiderwick's Field Guide to the Fantastical World Around You. Fortunately enough, the kids meet one of the critters listed in the guide -- a brownie named Thimbletack -- who makes it all "real" and helps provide the book's suspenseful conclusion: "'Throw the book away, toss it in a fire. If you do not heed, you will draw their ire.'"

Finished Reading: 16th May 2007
Acquire: 01st May 2007
Rate } ♠♠♠♠♠
Genre } Fiction | Children | Supernatural | Urban Fantasy
Release Day }  01st May 2003
Publisher } Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers
Format } Hardcover
ISBN } 9780689859366
Pages } 128 pages
Source } Bought
Age Group } 9 yo +
Awards }
- 1001 Children’s Book You Must Read Before you Grow Up
- Flicker tales Children’s Book Award (2005)

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Book Review: Guilty Pleasures By Laurell K. Hamilton

If you like Buffy The Vampire Slayer, you love reading this book. Anita is a strong character though she’s not Buffy, she’s her own character. Guilty Pleasures is the first installment of Anita Blake's Series and I recommend you to start with this book if you wish to to get into the series itself. Please be warn, if you decide to start reading this series, you won't be able to stop and you're hook for more.

Guilty Pleasures (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter #1)
By Laurell K. Hamilton

Anita Blake may be small and young, but vampires call her the Executioner. Anita is a necromancer and vampire hunter in a time when vampires are protected by law—as long as they don't get too nasty. Now someone's killing innocent vampires and Anita agrees—with a bit of vampiric arm-twisting—to help figure out who and why.
Trust is a luxury Anita can't afford when her allies aren't human. The city's most powerful vampire, Nikolaos, is 1,000 years old and looks like a 10-year-old girl. The second most powerful vampire, Jean-Claude, is interested in more than just Anita's professional talents, but the feisty necromancer isn't playing along—yet. This popular series has a wild energy and humor, and some very appealing characters—both dead and alive.

Finished Reading: 10th October 2003
Acquire: 17th March 2009
Rate } ♠♠♠♠♠
Genre } Fiction | Urban Fantasy | Paranormal | Vampires | Horror
Release Day }  September 2002
Publisher } Jove
Format } paperback  
ISBN } 9780515134490
Pages } 266 pages
Source } bought
Age Group } 18+
Interests } 18+ sx   
Awards } -
Support my reading by getting your copy } Amazon | Kindle

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