Synopsis: Simon Spier keeps a huge secret from his family, his friends, and all of his classmates: he’s gay. When that secret is threatened, Simon must face everyone and come to terms with his identity.
I am absolutely delighted by this movie adaptation! The book didn’t do much for me but this one just made me appreciate it more in a way. Nick Robinson was very charming and funny as the closeted High School teenager blackmailed by a fellow student!
I also love Duhamel. It thought he’d be awkward as the ‘awkward’ dad but he’s incredibly charming here. Jennifer Garner was her usual amazing self and she and Nick had the best scene in the movie methinks. Their heart to heart talk is so beautiful it made me tear-up right then and there.
I loved that Berlanti did not demonized Martin’s (the creepy blackmailer) character here but I was maybe hoping that one of the most intense scenes would be Simon confronting Martin about HIM taking away his right to come out in his own terms.
Super sulit! I wished more people would watch it. Too bad, it’ll be affected by the Infinity War but if you’re looking for an alternative watch, then you should really check this out.
Director: Greg Berlanti Cast: Nick Robinson, Josh Duhamel, Jennifer Garner, Katherine Langford, Alexandra Shipp, Jorge Lendeborg Jr., Keiyan Lonsdale, Miles Heizer, Logan Miller, Talitha Bateman, Tony Hale, Natasha Rothwell, Drew Starkey, Clarke Moore, Joey Pollari, Mackenzie Lintz
Love, Simon was based on the novel Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli. (Read my review HERE)
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Love, Simon opens in Philippine cinemas on May 9, 2018 courtesy of 20th Century Fox.
Published September 17th 2013 by Scholastic Press
Format: Novel
Genre And Themes: Romance, Fantasy, Young Adult, Supernatural
Length: 439 pages, hardcover
Ebook ISBN/ASIN: 0545424941 (ISBN13: 9780545424943)
Characters: Blue Sargent, Richard “Dick” Campbell Gansey III, Adam Parrish, Ronan Lynch, Noah, Mr. Gray, Maura Sargent
Blurb: Now that the ley lines around Cabeswater have been woken, nothing for Ronan, Gansey, Blue, and Adam will be the same. Ronan, for one, is falling more and more deeply into his dreams, and his dreams are intruding more and more into waking life. Meanwhile, some very sinister people are looking for some of the same pieces of the Cabeswater puzzle that Gansey is after…
Just a bit of a disclaimer here – I wrote this review after finishing the rest of the books in the series and I’ve to say that this second installment (there are four!) is definitely my favorite in The Raven Cycle. Ronan isn’t exactly my favorite character (It’s Gansey!) but I really do loved his characterization from the very start. I knew there’s something about him that’s oh-so-different even without his bad boy image.
See, Ronan’s a literal dreamer who can manifest practically everything (people included?) from the dreamland into reality. Pretty neat, yeah? The story went even deeper here in the group’s quest of finding the Welsh King. We also learned here that Ronan isn’t the only dream thief in the sleepy town of Henrietta. Very interesting right?
I guess, what I loved most about this installment is the development of each character. They are all fully realized and you’d really get a feel of everyone since the book offers multiple POVs. This one is obviously heavy on Ronan but somehow, the author was able to flesh out each important character especially the introduction of Mr. Gray. I loved Mr. Gray and I think you will too!
Now, this is just my second book from the author and I am absolutely delighted to have found her stories even if this series have been released for quite sometime now. Her understanding of the genre is totally on a relatable level. Her characters so engaging and I cannot wait to read more from her.
This second installment like the rest of the series is very highly recommended by yours truly.
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
About The Author New York Times bestselling author of The Shiver Trilogy, The Raven Cycle, and The Scorpio Races. Artist. Driver of things with wheels. Avid reader.
All of Maggie Stiefvater’s life decisions have been based around her inability to be gainfully employed. Talking to yourself, staring into space, and coming to work in your pajamas are frowned upon when you’re a waitress, calligraphy instructor, or technical editor (all of which she’s tried), but are highly prized traits in novelists and artists. She’s made her living as one or the other since she was 22. She now lives an eccentric life in the middle of nowhere, Virginia with her charmingly straight-laced husband, two kids, two neurotic dogs, and a 1973 Camaro named Loki.
Published September 18th 2012 by Scholastic Press
Format: Novel
Genre And Themes: Romance, Fantasy, Young Adult, Supernatural
Length: 409 pages, hardcover
Ebook ISBN/ASIN: 545424925 (ISBN13: 9780545424929)
Characters: Blue Sargent, Richard “Dick” Campbell Gansey III, Adam Parrish, Ronan Lynch, Noah
Blurb: “There are only two reasons a non-seer would see a spirit on St. Mark’s Eve,” Neeve said. “Either you’re his true love . . . or you killed him.”
It is freezing in the churchyard, even before the dead arrive.
Every year, Blue Sargent stands next to her clairvoyant mother as the soon-to-be dead walk past. Blue herself never sees them—not until this year, when a boy emerges from the dark and speaks directly to her.
His name is Gansey, and Blue soon discovers that he is a rich student at Aglionby, the local private school. Blue has a policy of staying away from Aglionby boys. Known as Raven Boys, they can only mean trouble.
But Blue is drawn to Gansey, in a way she can’t entirely explain. He has it all—family money, good looks, devoted friends—but he’s looking for much more than that. He is on a quest that has encompassed three other Raven Boys: Adam, the scholarship student who resents all the privilege around him; Ronan, the fierce soul who ranges from anger to despair; and Noah, the taciturn watcher of the four, who notices many things but says very little.
For as long as she can remember, Blue has beenwarned that she will cause her true love to die. She never thought this would be a problem. But now, as her life becomes caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys, she’s not so sure anymore.
I absolutely adore this book! The characters, the plot and everything about it is perfection for me. At first, I thought it was kind of slow but I realized that it’s part of the beauty of the story. The pacing goes with the whole vibe of the setting – the quiet and mysterious town of Henrietta. And the characters – their just so vibrant especially Gansey and Ronan.
Okay, I think I pretty much summed up my review already but let me just add in my own words what the book is basically about – a group of teenagers searching for a magical dead / undead (nope, he’s not a vampire) Welsh king that was supposed to grant them a favor or whoever wakes him, that is.
The story is a fascinating one and I loved the tidbits of history incorporated along with the supernatural.
As for the characters – each boy (Gansey, Adam, Ronan and Noah) have its own individuality. As I’ve said, I particularly loved Adam and Ronan, then Noah. I don’t know why I didn’t like Adam that much. If you decide to give it a go, help me analyze why. LOL
As I’m writing this review, I’m already halfway thru the second book! I am loving it so far as much as this first book in the series! I cannot believe that it took me forever to read this!!! I highly recommend this amazing, amazing book!
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
About The Author New York Times bestselling author of The Shiver Trilogy, The Raven Cycle, and The Scorpio Races. Artist. Driver of things with wheels. Avid reader.
All of Maggie Stiefvater’s life decisions have been based around her inability to be gainfully employed. Talking to yourself, staring into space, and coming to work in your pajamas are frowned upon when you’re a waitress, calligraphy instructor, or technical editor (all of which she’s tried), but are highly prized traits in novelists and artists. She’s made her living as one or the other since she was 22. She now lives an eccentric life in the middle of nowhere, Virginia with her charmingly straight-laced husband, two kids, two neurotic dogs, and a 1973 Camaro named Loki.
Published February 9th 2016 by HarperTeen
Format: Novel
Genre And Themes: Romance, Fantasy, Young Adult, Heroes, Slavery, Rebellion, Superpowers
Length: 464 pages, paperback
Ebook ISBN/ASIN: 1409159353 (ISBN13: 9781409159353)
Characters: Tiberias Calore “Cal” VII, Mare Molly Barrow, Maven Calore
Blurb: If there’s one thing Mare Barrow knows, it’s that she’s different.
Mare’s blood is red – the colour of common folk – but her Silver ability, the power to control lightning, has turned her into a weapon that the royal court tries to control.
The crown calls her an impossibility, a fake, but as she makes her escape from the prince and friend who betrayed her, Mare uncovers something startling: she is not the only one of her kind.
Pursued by the Silver king, Mare sets out to find and recruit other Red and Silver fighters to join in the struggle against her oppressors.
But Mare finds herself on a deadly path, at risk of becoming exactly the kind of monster she is trying to defeat. Will she shatter under the weight of the lives that are the cost of rebellion? Or have treachery and betrayal hardened her forever?
After the shocking conclusion of the first book where Mare and Cal found themselves betrayed, outcasted and almost dying from the manipulation of the evil Queen Elara and the newly crowned Silver king Maven, the quest to find the “newbloods” became the number one motivation for Mare to become the face of the Scarlet Guard in order to topple the Silver royals and their allies.
I did enjoy the previous book’s intro about the Silvers, Red bloods and the Red bloods with Silver abilities. Here, we get to see more of the newbloods – a number of characters with said enhanced Silver powers. The book focuses mostly on finding these ‘newbloods’ with Mare convincing them to join their cause with the help of the very reluctant Calore.
Although I loved the whole exhibition of each ability from these newbloods, I find the whole narrative of the book a bit repetitive and rather uneventful save for its latter part . We didn’t get any juicy new sub-plots. It’s like more of a set-up for the upcoming events in the series that unfortunately didn’t unfold in this book.
It is still kind of interesting and fascinating discovering the abilities of the new bloods but there was detachment from the main characters.
What saved the whole book from being horrible is the fact that it build up a premise that may or may not break the series in the coming installments.
I don’t mind reading more from this world and these characters. One thing’s for sure, Ms. Aveyard is a very pretty inventive writer. Bravo!
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
I’ve actually finished the second and third book upon writing this review. For the record, I’m not a fan of the brothers. I am 100% #TeamKilorn.
About The Author Victoria Aveyard graduated from USC, where she majored in screenwriting. RED QUEEN is her first novel. She splits her time between Massachusetts and Los Angeles. You can visit her online at www.victoriaaveyard.com.
Published May 9th 2017 by St. Martin’s Griffin (first published October 6th 2015)
Format: Novel
Genre And Themes: LGBTQ, Romance, Young Adult, Highschool, Magic
Length: 522 pages, paperback
Ebook ISBN/ASIN: 1250135028 (ISBN13: 9781250135025)
Characters: Simon Snow, Tyrannus Basilton “Baz” Grimm-Pitch, Penelope Bunce, Agatha Wellbelove
Blurb: Simon Snow is the worst Chosen One who’s ever been chosen.
That’s what his roommate, Baz, says. And Baz might be evil and a vampire and a complete git, but he’s probably right.
Half the time, Simon can’t even make his wand work, and the other half, he starts something on fire. His mentor’s avoiding him, his girlfriend broke up with him, and there’s a magic-eating monster running around, wearing Simon’s face. Baz would be having a field day with all this, if he were here — it’s their last year at the Watford School of Magicks, and Simon’s infuriating nemesis didn’t even bother to show up.
From the number of reviews that I’ve read, Harry Potter seems to be the common denominator. Suffice to say that this was almost patterned to Rowling’s wizard boy’s adventure. Almost being the operative word since it’s so similar to Harry Potter but different at the same time.
I’m also aware that Simon Snow’s adventure was heavily featured from the author’s previous book, Fangirl and I guess the clamor was high enough to prompt the author to write a full length book about it. And I’m so glad that she did!
In all honesty, this may just be the cutest full length novel I’ve read in like, forever! I absolutely loved how the author was able to compressed everything in the story – from magic, family, to love and coming-of-age in general.
Simon’s character is freaking adorable and so as his love interest – his nemesis – Baz. I loved their history as mortal enemies from the time they’ve met until one of them figured what they’re feeling towards the other. It was sweet and downright hilarious at the same time.
Then there’s the secondary characters – all so fleshed out and all so very interesting. I especially loved Penelope. What a riot for a BFF! I loved that she’s super game all the time. I was hoping that by the end of the story, there’ll be some sort of big reveal about Simon’s past so I was a bit miffed that it didn’t happen but it doesn’t lessen my enjoyment at all. I’m even hoping for a sequel!
I easily dismissed this as a mere Harry Potter rip off of some sort but truth be told, it was not. The story was very absorbing, characters so enticing and the whole ensemble of characters is a testament on what a great storyteller Rainbow Rowell is.
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
About the Author Rainbow Rowell writes books. Sometimes she writes about adults (ATTACHMENTS and LANDLINE). Sometimes she writes about teenagers (ELEANOR & PARK and FANGIRL). But she always writes about people who talk a lot. And people who feel like they’re screwing up. And people who fall in love.
When she’s not writing, Rainbow is reading comic books, planning Disney World trips and arguing about things that don’t really matter in the big scheme of things.
She lives in Nebraska with her husband and two sons.
Yay! It’s finally here! After his breakthrough performances via Call Me By Your Name and Lady Bird last year, Timmy’s upcoming movies are very much anticipated by fans and critics alike (including moi). One of them is Hot Summer Nightsthat premiered earlier last year at the South by Southwest (SXSW) and will be the first film by Timothée to come out this year. The coming of age film was directed by Elijah Bynum and also stars Maika Munroe (The Guest), Alex Roe (The 5th Wave) and Thomas Jane.
It will have it commercial release in the US on July 27, 2018!
To cap off this very disappointing season, 20-year-old Kyla Coleman edged out returning contestant Jeana Turner and fan favorite Khrystyana Kazakova to win the title of America’s Next Top Model.
Robbed big time.
Never did I expect that Khrystyana will take the third spot. I mean, Kyla’s body of work in the show is mediocre at best compared with Khrystyana who has FOUR First Call outs and FIVE Second Best Photos that she’s literally on top of everyone else.
I am not taking this away from Kyla but Khrystyana’s third place finish is just beyond deplorable!
Jeana settled for a runner-up finish.
I am totally over of this show…at least for this year… *rolls eyes*
Published February 10th 2015 by HarperTeen
Format: Hardcover, 383 pages
Characters: Kilorn Warren, Gisa Barrow, Tiberias Calore “Cal” VII, Mare Molly Barrow, Maven Calore, Evangeline Samos, Diana Farley, Tiberias Calore VI, Elara Merandus, Julian Jacos, Lucas Samos
Blurb: This is a world divided by blood – red or silver. The Reds are commoners, ruled by a Silver elite in possession of god-like superpowers. And to Mare Barrow, a seventeen-year-old Red girl from the poverty-stricken Stilts, it seems like nothing will ever change. That is, until she finds herself working in the Silver Palace. Here, surrounded by the people she hates the most, Mare discovers that, despite her red blood, she possesses a deadly power of her own. One that threatens to destroy the balance of power.Fearful of Mare’s potential, the Silvers hide her in plain view, declaring her a long-lost Silver princess, now engaged to a Silver prince. Despite knowing that one misstep would mean her death, Mare works silently to help the Red Guard, a militant resistance group, and bring down the Silver regime.But this is a world of betrayal and lies, and Mare has entered a dangerous dance – Reds against Silvers, prince against prince, and Mare against her own heart
I know I’m late at the party but since my schedule wasn’t full last week, I was able to finally get my hands on this mega-hit young adult series. ‘even got me paper back copy of it.
I’m actually not disappointed. I somehow had this preconceived ideas about it because of all the hype and most of my “reader” friends were raving about so I figured that this would be worth my time and I was fairly surprised that I find myself getting its second and third installments on ebooks after reading this first one.
Red Queen is more like the Divergent series meets The Hunger Games although what separate it from the two is the high element of fantasy the author cleverly incorporated with the story. Plot-wise, it isn’t as original but I loved the development of each characters in it.
The pacing of the story was also something to laud about the book. I loved that Victoria Aveyard didn’t drag any part of the story. She was able to really focus on what’s important in each sub-plot.
The only reason I am not giving this a five-star rating is its predictability. It was actually good-predictable but I was maybe hoping for something more original because from the get-go, I’ve already figured who will turn against our protagonist.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
I’ve actually finished the second and third book upon writing this review. For the record, I’m not a fan of the brothers. I am 100% #TeamKilorn.
About The Author Victoria Aveyard graduated from USC, where she majored in screenwriting. RED QUEEN is her first novel. She splits her time between Massachusetts and Los Angeles. You can visit her online at www.victoriaaveyard.com.
I’ve been binge-watching film trailers on YouTube the whole day and thought of sharing with you guys my top favorites so far – the interesting ones that got me all excited to go watch them on the big screen! It’s just a shame that most of this films won’t probably be getting any local releases but I’m keeping my fingers crossed right now. Check these trailers out!
1. Krystal
Director: William H. Macy
Cast: Nick Robinson, Grant Gustin, Rosario Dawson, William H. Macy, William Fichtner, Kathy Bates, Felicity Huffman, Rick Fox, Jacob Latimore, T.I., Amy Parrish
Plot: A young man living a sheltered life develops a crush on a stripper and joins her Alcoholics Anonymous group just so he can be in the same room with her. (IMDb)
This kinda reminds me of Catherine Zeta-Jones and Justin Bartha’s The Rebound where the young guy fell for the older girl, they got together but at the end they’d realize their priorities in life. Hah! This looks cute and funny though! Nick Robinson looks absolutely adorable here!
US Release Date: April 13, 2018 (The film had its premier back in November 2017 at the Virgina Film Festival)
2. On Chesil Beach
Director: Dominic Cooke
Cast: Saoirse Ronan, Billy Howle, Emily Watson, Anne-Marie Duff, Samuel West, Adrian Scarborough
Based on Ian McEwan’s novel. In 1962 England, a young couple find their idyllic romance colliding with issues of sexual freedom and societal pressure, leading to an awkward and fateful wedding night. (IMDb)
Now, this looks absolutely fantastic! This is looking to be another Ronan’s possible entries to next year’s Oscars. I haven’t personally read the book but I’ve read a summary of it before and it’s really interesting and uhm, sad.
US Release Date: May 18, 2018 (The film had its premier back in September 2017 at the Toronto International Film Festival)
3. The Seagull
Director: Michael Mayer
Cast: Saoirse Ronan, Annette Bening, Corey Stoll, Billy Howle, Elisabeth Moss, Jon Tenney, Brian Dennehy, Mare Winningham, Glenn Fleshler, Michael Zegen
An aging actress named Irina Arkadina pays summer visits to her brother Pjotr Nikolayevich Sorin and her son Konstantin on a country estate. On one occasion, she brings Boris Trigorin, a successful novelist and her lover. Nina, a free and innocent girl on a neighboring estate who is in a relationship with Konstantin, falls in love with Boris. (IMDb)
Now, this one has Oscars written all over it! Based on Anton Chekhov’s play of the same name, the film doesn’t lack in its star-power with former Academy Award nominees Benning and Winningham providing support for Ronan. Moss looks absolutely brilliant here as well! I hope they’d show this one locally!!!!
US Release Date: May 11, 2018 (The film will premiere on April 21, 2018 at the 2018 Tribeca Film Festival)
4. Adrift
Director: Baltasar Kormakur
Cast: Shailene Woodley, Sam Claflin
Based on the true story of survival, a young couple’s chance encounter leads them first to love, and then on the adventure of a lifetime as they face one of the most catastrophic hurricanes in recorded history. (IMDb)
I loved Shailene! Even the horrendous Divergent film series was made bearable by her. She’s also fantastic in Big Little Lies! Now, I am hoping that this one will pick up steam and get her the attention leading up to next year’s Awards season. On to the film, I did a bit of a research and it tells me that the guy in the trailer (played by Claflin) was not really discovered along with his wife. Uhm, so there ya go…
***
And of course, I am just waiting for Avengers: Infinity War three weeks from now and Love, Simon (whose books I’ve read but didn’t like) which is getting a late release here but I’m really excited to watch it because it’s gotten tremendous support and good praises from the film community!
Not only is Jeana coming back to serve more tea for the other girls, we’re also blessed by Cycle 3 winner Eva Marcille (Gaaahh remember the epic face-off between Yaya and Eva, and Anne almost toppling her in the end?) and also one of the former longest judges of the show, Nigel Barker. They recreated one of the shoots in Cycle 3 that made Eva the one to beat in the competition during her time.
Erin and Khrystyana
Jeana and Rio
Liberty and Kyla
Shanice and Christin
Call Out Order
Kyla
Khrystyana
Shanice
Rio – Eliminated
Comback – Jeana
Paddylast Inc. claims no credit for images featured on this site unless otherwise noted. All pictures and media belong to their rightful owners. There is no copyright infringement intended. If you are a copyright holder and wish for credits on your images, please let me know, and I will be glad to add them. If you feel that I have materials on this site infringing your copyright material, don’t hesitate to get in touch with me, and I will remove it immediately.
Please note that this blog is reader-supported. When you buy through links on my site, I may earn an affiliate commission via Amazon Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
I also earn a commission, at no additional cost to you if you purchase a product through one of the affiliate links or ads displayed on the website
I contribute content to BeautyPOVPHand help write some of its features. Your support means a lot—please consider liking, commenting, or subscribing to our YouTube channel. It helps us continue bringing you the latest updates in the world of pageantry and beyond.
Synopsis: Simon Spier keeps a huge secret from his family, his friends, and all of his classmates: he’s gay. When that secret is threatened, Simon must face everyone and come to terms with his identity.
PADDYLAST INC. 