Book Review: The Lord of Opium – Nancy Farmer

Posted on January 30, 2018 | Leave a comment

Published: September 3, 2013
Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Format: Novel
Genre And Themes: Young Adult, Dystopia, Romance, Drugs, Death
Length: 411 pages, Hardcover
Ebook ISBN/ASIN: 1442482540 (ISBN13: 9781442482548)
Characters: Matteo Alacran, El Patron, Tam Lin, Maria Mendoza, Chacho, Fidelito, Ton-Ton, Celia, Mirasol

Now, The Lord of Opium may not have the same literary awards received by its predecessor – The House of the Scorpion but it’s still as strong, story-wise.

This book started a good few hours during the funeral of El Patron and from thereon, Matt’s young life is about to really change because he is technically The Lord of Opium (still no spoiler) thus becoming the most powerful man in the world (by default).

This one is as riveting as the first book. I loved the characters of the “Lost Boys” especially little Fidelito. He is my favorite character here aside from Matt. I really connected to his character because he kinda reminded me of my 6 year old nephew.

Then there’s Mirasol. The author really knows where to give us the feels. The ‘relationship’ between her and Matt was just heartbreaking. I dare you not to feel anything for her. You’d lose.

There are tons of things here that maybe a bit too much for some I think. I mean, I loved every single details of it although some readers may find it too crowded. Nevertheless, it’s good to imagine such things and wish for a possible third book.

The relationship of Matt and Maria was finally rekindled here and I loved that Matt was finding his own identity separate from El Patron. It’s odd that he is basically the same person but different at the same time.

I just want to dissect everything about this book, including the zombie-like eejits, the drug lords, the countries surrounding Opium and more importantly – how Mattero will run it as a totally grown man! Man’ I’d kill for a third book!

Again, my friends – I cannot recommend this high enough!

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

About The Author
Nancy was born in 1941 in Phoenix and grew up in a hotel on the Arizona-Mexico border where she worked the switchboard at the age of nine. She also found time to hang out in the old state prison and the hobo jungle along the banks of the Colorado River. She attended Reed College in Portland, Oregon, earning her BA in 1963. Instead of taking a regular job, she joined the Peace Corps and was sent to India (1963-1965). When she returned, she moved into a commune in Berkeley, sold newspapers on the street for a while, then got a job in the Entomology department at UC Berkeley and also took courses in Chemistry there. Restless, again, she decided to visit Africa. She and a friend tried to hitchhike by boat but the ship they’d selected turned out to be stolen and was boarded by the Coast Guard just outside the Golden Gate Bridge. Nancy eventually got to Africa on a legal ship. She spent more than a year on Lake Cabora Bassa in Mozambique, monitoring water weeds. Next she was hired to help control tsetse fly in the dense bush on the banks of the Zambezi in Zimbabwe. Part of the time she spent in the capital, Harare, and was introduced to her soon-to-be husband by his soon-to-be ex-girlfriend. He proposed a week later. Harold and Nancy now live in the Chiricahua Mountains of Arizona on a major drug route for the Sinaloa Cartel. This is the setting for The Lord of Opium. They have a son, Daniel, who is in the U.S. navy.
Nancy’s honors include the National Book Award for The House of the Scorpion and Newbery Honors for The Ear, the Eye and The Arm, A Girl Named Disaster and The House of the Scorpion. She is the author of nine novels, three picture books and a number of short stories. Her books have been translated into 26 languages.

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Book Review: The House of the Scorpion – Nancy Farmer

Posted on January 30, 2018 | 1 comment

Published: September 1, 2002
Publisher: Atheneum/Richard Jackson Books
Format: Novel
Genre And Themes: Young Adult, Dystopia, Romance, Drugs, Death
Length: 380 pages, paperback
Ebook ISBN/ASIN: 0689852231 (ISBN13: 9780689852237)
Characters: Matteo Alacran, El Patron, Tam Lin, Maria Mendoza, Chacho, Fidelito, Ton-Ton, Celia

I’ve read this and its sequel over a week ago and it was a bit difficult for me to write reviews for both books since they’re so epic, I’m almost at a loss where to start. Let me try my best though, to say what I thought about this incredible masterpiece. Yeah – very telling I know, but this one’s really a masterpiece.

First the characters –

I loved Matt’s character. I was with him the whole time reading the book – was rooting for this kid who’s been cloned from the most powerful man in this dystopian words where drugs serves as its currency.

His resilience is beyond admirable. For a young age, he’s been through a lot. He may have gone ‘Lord of the Flies’ on us readers but the way he came out of it was so bad-ass, it got me bawling my eyes out. This character should be in a movie, pronto.

El Patron. I find him creepy but he’s such a dynamic character I’d love to see him come to life in a film. I loved that as evil as he is, there’s still a part of him that remembers the good ol’ days when he was not the ‘El Patron’ everyone has come to know when he isn’t consume by his self-made power.

Celia – as Matt’s caregiver -she’s probably the one character in the book that is consistently with Matt all throughout. I’m just wondering exactly how old she is but nevertheless – what a great character to juxtaposed the evil surrounding Matt.

Maria who is Matt’s love interest is a bit complicated to explain. She’s got good intentions but what she’s saying sometimes contradicts her actions.

Tam Lin is an amazing father figure for Matt. Kind of reminds me of Mister Miyagi in Karate Kid.

Steven and Tom – it is odd that they weren’t given that much part in the story but their actions throughout the book effectively made me despise them.

The story arc from the get-go is nothing short of exhilarating. What a dreadful possibility this could be, what with the climate change, the advancement of technology and the ‘powerful folks’ claiming lives like it was their gift to do so. It’s terrible but effective in the story.

The world-building is almost sensory overload. I mean, reading it makes you envision them on the spot because of the author’s powerful words.

The pacing was set faster than I expected which I absolutely loved. No unnecessary scenes. Every scene in this book is pivotal to the development of the characters and the story.

I know that I’m gushing all over but it’s just that good. This is super spoiler free but I’m telling you – it is so worth reading it!

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

About The Author
Nancy was born in 1941 in Phoenix and grew up in a hotel on the Arizona-Mexico border where she worked the switchboard at the age of nine. She also found time to hang out in the old state prison and the hobo jungle along the banks of the Colorado River. She attended Reed College in Portland, Oregon, earning her BA in 1963. Instead of taking a regular job, she joined the Peace Corps and was sent to India (1963-1965). When she returned, she moved into a commune in Berkeley, sold newspapers on the street for a while, then got a job in the Entomology department at UC Berkeley and also took courses in Chemistry there. Restless, again, she decided to visit Africa. She and a friend tried to hitchhike by boat but the ship they’d selected turned out to be stolen and was boarded by the Coast Guard just outside the Golden Gate Bridge. Nancy eventually got to Africa on a legal ship. She spent more than a year on Lake Cabora Bassa in Mozambique, monitoring water weeds. Next she was hired to help control tsetse fly in the dense bush on the banks of the Zambezi in Zimbabwe. Part of the time she spent in the capital, Harare, and was introduced to her soon-to-be husband by his soon-to-be ex-girlfriend. He proposed a week later. Harold and Nancy now live in the Chiricahua Mountains of Arizona on a major drug route for the Sinaloa Cartel. This is the setting for The Lord of Opium. They have a son, Daniel, who is in the U.S. navy.
Nancy’s honors include the National Book Award for The House of the Scorpion and Newbery Honors for The Ear, the Eye and The Arm, A Girl Named Disaster and The House of the Scorpion. She is the author of nine novels, three picture books and a number of short stories. Her books have been translated into 26 languages.

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Will Katarina Rodriguez Become The First Miss Intercontinental From The Philippines?

Posted on January 24, 2018 | 1 comment

Katarina Rodriguez is the last of the Binibining Pilipinas 2017 queens to compete internationally and the pressure is on for her to clinch the country’s first Miss Intercontinental title.

As we followed her social media updates, it looks like Katarina is having the time of her life in Egypt socializing with her competitors who are now obviously her friends! Rodriguez, a former Asia’s Next Top Model third placer was touted to be one of the frontrunners for the title and in a few hours, we’ll find out if she’s really destined to win the elusive Miss Intercontinental crown!

from Katarina’s Instagram

The pageant will start tomorrow January 25, 1AM Philippine Time. You can watch via
Miss Intercontinental Official Website http://www.missintercontinental.com/ or  Their Official Facebook  Miss Intercontinental 

 

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Book Review: I’ll Give You The Sun – Jandy Nelson

Posted on January 24, 2018 | 1 comment

Published: October 27, 2015
Publisher: Speak (first published September 16th 2014 by Dial Books)
Format: Novel
Genre And Themes: LGBTQ, Romance, Young Adult, Highschool
Length: 400 pages, paperback
Ebook ISBN/ASIN: 0142425761 (ISBN13: 9780142425763)
Characters: Jude Sweetwine, Noah Sweetwine, Dianna Sweetwine, Benjamin Sweetwine, Grandma Sweetwine, Guillermo Garcia, Brian Connelly, Oscar Ralph

This is Jandy Nelson’s second novel which garnered tons of literary awards including the 2015 Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature.

With that being said, let it be known that I am in the minority here when I say that this book just didn’t resonate with me. In fact, this is my least favorite read so far this year.

I just find the whole plot too convoluted for my liking. I mean, I get that there are pivotal moments in our lives that makes us see the ‘light’ or make us choose the ‘dark side’ but the whole thing between Noah and Jude, with all their secrets and their uber-competitiveness was just too much that it almost felt evil.

Jude and Noah are super competitive fraternal twins. Once inseparable, they have grown to like different things and found themselves in in the midst of family tragedy that set them apart with secrets that may or may not heal the wounds in their hearts.

I also have a bit of a tough time swallowing the fact that they’re only 13 when their story started and it concluded at 16. It felt like the author took too much of a liberty that’s too fantastical to believe. I cannot find the sense of realism in it. And I’m not even referring to their dead loved ones appearing all throughout the book. I know that the author can write it whichever way she wanted to but I guess it just didn’t work, what with all her play on the personalities of the twins.

I won’t delve deeper into the other characters because it’ll just make me think of how much older Jude’s love interest than her, then the issues about their parents and the fact that the last part made me feel like Jude was somehow venerated into sainthood. I swear, I was rolling my eyes the whole time.

This book just reads like it’s more of the story of Jude and her hang ups. It’s a shame because I really liked Noah’s character and thought that it’s much more dynamic than his twin sister

My apology for this rant-view, but I just want to get this out there. Again, this must be the cliche case of “it’s not the book, it’s me…” Oh, well…

Rating: 1 out of 5 stars

About The Author
Jandy Nelson, like her characters in I’ll Give You the Sun and The Sky is Everywhere, comes from a superstitious lot. She was tutored from a young age in the art of the four-leaf clover hunt; she knocks wood, throws salt, and carries charms in her pockets. Her critically-acclaimed, New York Times bestselling second novel, I’ll Give You the Sun, received the prestigious Printz Award, Bank Street’s Josette Frank Award, and is a Stonewall Book Award honor. Both Sun and her debut, The Sky Is Everywhere, have been YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults picks (Sun, a Top Ten on Both YALSA and Rainbow Lists) and on multiple best of the year lists including the New York Times, Time Magazine, NPR, have earned many starred reviews, and continue to enjoy great international success, collectively published in over 47 countries. I’ll Give You the Sun has been sold to Warner Brothers and screenwriter Natalie Krinsky is currently writing the adaptation. Jandy, a literary agent for many years, received a BA from Cornell University and MFAs in Poetry and Children’s Writing from Brown University and Vermont College of Fine Arts. Currently a full-time writer, she lives and writes in San Francisco, California—not far from the settings of her novels. Visit Jandy at http://www.jandynelson.com. Follow her on twitter: @jandynelson or Facebook: Facebook.com/jandy.nelson. Author photo credit: Sonya Sones.

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Watch Out: Metro Manila Pride March and Festival – June 30, 2018!

Posted on January 21, 2018 | Leave a comment

Save The Date!

Yup, be sure to pencil this in on your calendars this year! I will be posting more updates regarding this as we go along! See you there!

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America’s Next Top Model Cycle 24 Episode 2 Photoshoot: Bohemia Pregnancy

Posted on January 21, 2018 | Leave a comment

The challenge this episode was a runway challenge at the Venice Beach skate park – remember, Cycle 15? Anyhoo, the girls modeled designs from Baja East with the winner getting a chance to walk the the designer’s show at the New York fashion week. Khrystyana won the challenge and deservingly so.

As for the shoot this week, they were to have a bohemian pregnancy shoot with featured photogs Charlotte Rutherford. I honestly didn’t like this shoot very much. It’s almost a beauty shoot in a way and I wished they’d do more of that in the future shoots.

Brendi K

Christina

Coura – I’m not exactly in agreement with Mama Ty when she picked this as the best shot this week. Oh, well.

Erin

Ivana

Jeana

Khrystyana

Kyla

Liberty – I honestly just want her to get the boot.

Liz

Rhiyan

Rio

Sandra

Shanice

Maggie – bye girl!

Call Out Order
First Call Out – Coura
2. Rio
3. Erin
4. Jeana
5. Khrystyana
6. Christina
7. Liz
8. Kyla
9. Ivana
10. Rhiyan
11. Liberty
12. Shanice
13. Sandra
14. Brendi K
Eliminated: Maggie

Photos courtesy of Pottle Productions, Inc. and ANTM Facebok Page

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Binibining Pilipinas 2018 Specials: The Repeaters

Posted on January 18, 2018 | Leave a comment

There are only three candidates this year who are out to prove themselves worthy of a Binibining Pilipinas crown after failing their first and even second and third try at the nationals. They may not have the hype of MJ Lastimosa (2011, 2012, 2014 – Miss Universe Philippines), Maria Angelica de Leon (2013, 2017 – Bb. Pilipinas International), and Pia Wurtzbach (2013, 2014, 2015 – Miss Universe Philippines, Miss Universe) but they will surely be stepping up their game this time around.

Juliana Kapeundl just landed in the Top 15 last year – her first attempt. I personally predicted her as my first runner-up because truth be told, the girl is too gorgeous in person.

Here’s what I wrote about her last year: Juliana is a living barbie doll in person and I just want her to train more and come back next year because this girl just screams “Miss International!” but not this year though.

This is Jezha Huelar’s third attempt to win a crown after her being 2nd Runner-up  in 2016 and a Top 15 finish last year, Jezha is more than ready for her final hurrah in the country’s biggest pageant stage!

What I thought about her return last year: Jezha Huelar’s second runner-up finish last year helped her gain confidence and the training she went through along with the 2016 queens was the result of her fierce return into the compeition. I was never a fan before but she’s slowly growing on me. Those legs are to die for! Not sure how many brownie points she had acquired from Madame Stella over the course of her runner-up reign but for now, I am willing to bet that she’d get one of the crowns – the ‘Globe’ one presumably.

Finally, we have 2012 semifinalist Karen Gallman. IMO, she’s the strongest amongst the three returnees this year. Her face to die for and I’ve a feeling that gaining life experiences overseas will work in her favors although I am a bit worried about her height. Pero sabi nga ng Tita Beks ko, at the end of the day BEAUTY pageant parin ang Binbinin (At the end of the day, Binibini is still a BEAUTY pageant).

Who do you think has the best chances to clinch a crown this time around?

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Binibining Pilipinas 2018 Specials: The Frontrunners

Posted on January 17, 2018 | 2 comments

Whilst Katarina Rodriguez is currently competing in Egypt to bag the elusive Miss Intercontinental crown for the Philippines, the pageant season in the country has officially started with the announcement of this year’s Binibining Pilipinas official candidates.

As per our tradition, we catapult girls to the all-so-important and perhaps the most difficult position to be in – the frontrunners pedestal where there is intense pressure from every pageant fans and pundits.

This year, we’ve a few frontrunners who are mostly crossovers and returnees, although there are also some newbies amongst them. Rest assured though, that these girls have the experience, the hype and the power to lord it over the other girls. The only question is – will they be able to maintain said status until the pageant night?

These are the seven considered frontunners based on the hype, connections, experiences or whatever you wanna call it. They have it.

We’ve been hearing Aya Abesami’s name since 2014 as a possible contender for the nationals but it’s only now that she decided to try out under the tutelage of Aces & Queens allegedly leaving behind a very stable job from the Big Apple.

For all of you unaware of her beauty queen pedigree, Aya is the daughter of Miss Universe 1984 3rd Runner-Up Desiree Verdadero and the niece of Miss World 2003 finalist Mafae Verdadero Yunon. Pretty formidable connections yeah?

She is now being touted by many as the flag bearer of her beauty camp but does she have what it takes to win the top plum? Her beauty is a polarizing one but we have to remember that Aya before her beauty pageant quest is a model first and foremost. Will she be able to carry on her legacy this year?

Former DLSU Lady Spiker and Pinoy Big Brother housemate Michelle Gumabao is also gunning for one of the national titles this year as the lone sportswoman who applied and made it through the Top 40. Daughter of veteran Filipino actor Dennis Roldan, Gumabao is one of the tallest from this batch and is all ready to power it up under the Aces & Queens banner.

This is Jehza Huelar’s third attempt to win a crown after her 2nd Runner-Up title in 2016 and disheartening Top 15 finish last year. This Davaoena beauty is still as fresh as ever and she’s now hoping that she’d be able to do a Maricar-MJ-Pia comeback! Mind you, all three of these ladies went eventually won the Miss Universe Philippines title.

Karen Gallman made the semis back in 2012 and won the Miss Photogenic award. After a long hiatus in the pageant world, this beauty from Brisbane is all set to snatch one of the crowns at stake. Her height maybe her most disadvantageous quality at this point but we’ll see if the she’d be able to do a David against her Goliath competitors.

Vickie Rushton is a budding actress and a former Mutya ng Pilipinas 2011 grand winner where Miss International 2013 Bea Rose Santiago was also a co-winner. In 2011, she was unable to represent the country in Miss Intercontinental because of scheduling conflict between the local and the international pageant. Now, she’s back stronger than ever in the pageant stage hoping the represent the country in the international arena!

Like Vickie, Eva Patalinjug was also a Mutya ng Pilipinas grand winner back in 2014 and was supposed to represent the country for the comeback staging of Miss Asia Pacific Quest. Unfortunately for her, the organizers of the pageant were unable to stage it on time until last year so Eva was left without a pageant assignment but retained the title anyhow. Now older and more beautiful, this Cebuana queen is consider to be the flag bearer of the Kagandahang Flores camp, the same camp of reigning Miss Universe Philippines Rachel Peters.

Without question, Catriona Gray became the one to beat the moment she declared her intention to try out for the nationals. Now, as part of the official 40 candidates, this Miss World 2016 Top 5 finisher is more than ready to conquer the universe. Will the stars align in her favor come March 18?

Who for you are the frontrunner/s this year?

 

 

photos courtesy of Official Binibining Pilipinas Facebook Page. 

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ICYDK: ‘Call Me By Your Name’ Will Open on January 31, 2018 Nationwide!

Posted on January 16, 2018 | Leave a comment

If you’ve missed the local limited screening of the most buzzed movie of 2017 and one of this year’s Oscars’ frontrunners during the Cinema One Original Film Festival last November, don’t fret because you will get your chance to see Timothee Chalamet and Armie Hammer heat it up with their summer romance flick, Call Me By Your Name directed by Luca Gaudagnino. It is based in the book of the same name by Andre Aciman.

by Sony Pictures Classics

The film will have its nationwide release on January 31, 2018 Wednesday at select Ayala Cinema Malls!

by Sony Pictures Classics

I will be updating this once the final participating cinema schedules comes out!

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Book Review: Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda – Becky Albertalli

Posted on January 16, 2018 | 1 comment

Published: April 7, 2015
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Format: Novel
Genre And Themes: LGBTQ, Romance, Young Adult, Highschool
Length: 325 pages, ebook
Ebook ISBN/ASIN: B00LSRXJKC
Characters: Simon Spier, Martin Addison, Abby Suso, Nick Eisner, Leah Burke

When Simon Spier’s emails to his secret pen pal, Blue, fall into the wrong hands, he is forced to play wingman to his blackmailer

In a usual high school setting where everything is supposed to be a big ol’ cliche, the author tried her best to make this a “not another high school”story but it is a “high school story” so inevitably, it totally reads like one. Only the focus of this one involves the forced “coming out” from the closet of our main protagonist Simon and the not so big reveal of his penpal, Blue.

I liked this one mainly because it’s an easy read. It’s predictable, but good predictable. I loved Simon’s character. He’s got a very fun family and friends who are surprisingly all so supportive of him.

Althought I didn’t find anything out of the box about the whole thing, I do loved its consistency. This could end up all wrong what with the whole blackmailing thing and the whole e-mail thingy between Simon and Blue merely keeping the story afloat but the author was able to maintain the excitement until the end. I mean, I actually guessed Blue’s identity midway through the book but I enjoyed the whole works of the author trying to deviate its readers from its obvious clues. I loved the dynamics between his friends but they’re just too ideal for me. I mean, I loved that it doesn’t have this despicable evil person for a villain and that’s what maybe I was looking for. Something to stir shit up but not to the level, the “villain” of the story did it. I mean, like REALLY stir shit up.

I also want to address the issue of coming out on our own terms. I think everyone should be able to do it the way they want to – No questions asked.

This is an okay read for me, overall. It’s cute, it’s fun and I reckon, very intune with its target audience.

Now, I am really curious to see Love, Simon.

Rating:  3 out of 5 stars

About The Author
Becky Albertalli is the author of the acclaimed novels Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda (film: Love, Simon), The Upside of Unrequited, and Leah on the Offbeat. She is also the co-author of What If It’s Us with Adam Silvera. A former clinical psychologist who specialized in working with children and teens, Becky lives with her family in Atlanta. You can visit her online at www.beckyalbertalli.com.

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