Vivian's Book Pavilion

Mockingjay Part 1 Director: Francis Lawrence Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Lian Hemsworth   Are you, are you, coming to the tree   There strung up a man who said who murder three   Strange thing could happen here no stranger would it be   If we met at midnight in the hanging tree…

Mockingjay By Suzanne Collins My name is Katniss Everdeen. Why am I not dead? I should be dead.   BOOM! A revolution is about to begin! After the 75 th Hunger Game, Katniss now face the trouble she brings: the revolution. She must choose to become one of them, to be the Mockingjay, or she can be the one she used to be, the girl who protects herself and her family, and hides from all the problems in the world. Well…that’s a bit not fair, but in this book, we can see the new Katniss Everdeen, the Girl on Fire. Ready to join the rebellion? Join the Mockingjay? Look down below for the summary and embrace the final battle of Katniss: the 76 th Hunger Game!

Catching Fire Director: Francis Lawrence   Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth     Drum rolls please…the 75 th Hunger Game!!! Remember how The Girl on Fire impresses us by her amazing mineral clothes and her awesome fire dress? Now, with the coming of 75 th Hunger Game and victory tour, more Cinna’s amazing dresses are here!!! But I suppose…that isn’t a good thing? At least, not for Katniss. But to be honest, her dress in Hunger Game is only half amazing compared to Catching Fire. Why? Remember that in the book, her dress, the red gown was “look like on fire when she turns” not actually on fire…although we all need a bit of special effect in movie, but the clothes isn’t like what I’ve imagine. Yet…whatever… We get something better this time!!!

Catching Fire By Suzanne Collins Sparks are igniting. Flames are spreading. And the Capitol wants revenge.   What should happen when the star-cross lovers win the champion and get home? Happily ever after? Of course not! How will that be interesting if all those trouble was over? They are the main characters!!! If nothing happens to them…then who will? And what’s more, as we all know the ending of Hunger Game, Katniss became the favorite of capital…but at the same time, due to her rebel action, she became the rebellion of the President Snow. Although some believe that her act was to prove her love toward Peeta…it seems that some others don’t. They view the act as a revolution, and waiting for the right time to fight.

Hunger Games Director : Gary Ross   Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson     This movie was one of the reasons that I love the entire series!!! The actors are great and the plot follows the book. So after The Lord of the Ring, Harry Potter, Twilight, Hunger Game was the movie that captured all the audiences’ hearts. What’s the most terrible thing that might happen when a book is going to adapt into a movie? Different plots!!! That will be awful!!! Imagine you’re so anticipate watching the story that plays in your mind so many times…and now after all the time waiting for movie…and BOOM!     The director changes the plots, even the ending…how terrible. Fortunately, no one have to worry about this kind of situation when watching Huger Game. The movie follows the book perfectly, only little change was made. How wonderful!!!

Hunger Games By Suzanne Collins Winning will make you famous. Losing means certain death.   Well…a long time ago, I post the Mockingjay’s movie review. But I don’t have the time for other books and movies in the series…so now, it’s time for them!!! Yeah!!! The first time I read The Hunger Games was actually when the movie came out. I thought that since the book can be adapted to movie, then the book shouldn’t be bad. (Few years ago there aren’t so many novels adapted from books…so…) Never mind…I read the book…and of course, I fell in love with it…and there is no turning back now.

Maleficent Directed by: Robert Stromberg Starring: Angelina Jolie,Sharlto Copley   So…just before Cinderella, the first live-action movie is Maleficent!!! But unlike most of the Disney movies, this one focuses on the villain. As you can see from the title, Maleficent, not Sleeping Beauty. And I believe that from the recent movie of Disney, no matter live-action, animate or original movies are all started to changer their perspective. The main point of the plots don’t just emphasize on romance, instead, we get to see more. True love kiss may not be given by the prince, and the action of love might not be true love kiss. I think this is great! Since we no longer believe that women or girls should stay at home, waiting for her mate to come. Now we mostly agree that women are as capable as men, we can do everything men can do. So, why can’t we change the perspective of movie? Everyone both get goodness and darkness, is what we choose that matters. (Is that from Sirius B...

Cinderella 2015 Directed by: Kenneth Branagh Starring: Cate Blanchett,Lily James   As you might notice, I've post some new fairytale retelling series. So I want to do one of my favorite movies in 2015 as well! The live-action movie of Cinderella!!! Yeah!!! I've waited for so long for this movie to release. As soon as the news was out, I follow everything on Facebook. And now, it was almost a year since the movie came out!!! Let's celebrate the anniversary!!! Yeah!!! (Just an horrible excuse to write a review for something that was so long ago.)

Ranger’s Apprentice: The Early Years Book 1: The Tournament At Gorlan By John Flanagan   “A wise man once told me, don’t believe anything you hear until you’ve seen it with your own eyes.”    Now, guess who was the wise man? Guess what guess what? Halt it is!!!! Yeah!!! The prequel of Ranger’s Apprentice: The Early Years first book!!! So great!!! Unlike some of the series…which often tend to be overboarded…Ranger’s Apprentice connects every book wonderfully. When you was about to be bored with the plot…then, SMASH! The story will go to a complete different time, which makes you out of surprise! And now, we are about to witness one of the greatest battle in Araluen’s history, along with the most legendary heroes!!!

Once again By Liz Braswell & Cameron Dokey With a hint of magic and a spell of romance, the tales of Snow White and Sleeping Beauty come alive...   If you had read my Once review…you’ll know how much I love it…and now…behold, the most “UNIQUE” fairytale retelling of all time. Really, among all the stories I’ve read, magic, darkness, trouble, romance has involved in the plots. But two of these stories…are completely out of surprise. Remember I told you about the Rapunzel retelling? That isn’t the most surprising of all. Snow and Beauty Sleep are…definitely unexpected. When I finish the story, I was like…WOW! My mouth dropped.

The Ranger’s Apprentice: The Royal Ranger By John Flanagan   Sobbing. Sobbing. Sobbing. Sobbing. Sobbing. Sobbing. Sobbing. Sobbing. Sobbing. That’s what happen when I first read the book. Sobbing. Sobbing. Sobbing. How come Will cannot have a happy ending after he had suffered so much from his life? Did he deserve happiness in his life? All sweet things suddenly came to an end…and when he was so young, so many possibilities for them. No!!! I hate this book. I. Hate. The Royal Ranger. I hope that it had never be written. Sobbing. Sobbing. Sobbing.   After a senseless tragedy destroys his life, Will is obsessed with punishing those responsible - even if it means leaving the Ranger Corps. His worried friends must find a way to stop him taking such a dark path.    It is Halt who suggests the solution: Will must take an apprentice. The candidate Halt has in mind surprises everyone - and it's a request Will cannot refuse.    Training a rebellious,...

The Ranger’s Apprentice: The Lost Stories By John Flanagan   Before anything else is told…I must say…the cover is gourious!!! Beautiful cover!!! And…well…I don’t really like what happen in The Lost Stories…and why is that? Because that means the series is going to be over!!! No!!! I need this series! According to the author, the series will be 12 books, and now, the 11th book contains all short stories…I have no idea what will happen to the 12th book. I can only have my best hope that everything will turn out right…and perhaps we’ll have a happily ever after. (Although I keep complaining that most books have a happy ending…I find myself couldn’t resist a happily ever after.) 

Once By Cameron Dokey   Behold, another fairytale retelling!!! The first time I’ve heard about this book was when a website was voting for the fairest dress among the book cover. (Of course…those which were popular get more vote, I remember the top five books includes all of The Selection series. And of course, I voted for Entwined.) and then recently when I visit bookstore, I found this book on sale, so…it turns out that Once become one of my book collection. But it is worth reading, from the moment I started this book, I hadn’t found a bit of emotion called “regret.” This book is almost like fairy tales! Not just merely retelling! Now, let’s enjoy the three stories form this book: Before Midnight, Golden, and Wild Orchid.

February Book Haul   Happy Chinese New Year!!! No matter you celebrate it or not, I think it’s great for a new start, isn’t it? So…what’s the best way to spend your entire red envelop? (Of course, besides saving them…) Buy lots of lots of books!!! (Although in order to buy the complete series of All Soul Trilogy, I’m already in debt…) And now…I’m going to reveal all the books I’ve bought for February!!! (Drum roll please.)

The Ranger’s Apprentice: The Emperor of Nihon By John Flanagan   What will happen since the last time Wil, Halt and Horace finished their mission? Are you ready for the new adventure? I’m sure I’m. This time, not only Halt and Will would set off their journey, but also many of the other characters we know, especially both Evanlyn and Alyss are going too! What will happen to them when they sailed to the new kingdom? (Yes, sail! So that means…) And what will happen to Alyss and Will and Horace and Evanlyn? I’m so excited!!! Let’s wait no longer to join their journey!   When Horace travels to the exotic land of Nihon- Ja, it isn't long before he finds himself pulled into a battle that is not his - but one he knows in his heart he must wage. A kingdom teeters on the edge of chaos when the Nihon-Ja emperor, a defender of the common man, is forcibly overthrown, and only Horace, Will, and his Araluen companions can restore the emperor to the throne. Victory lies in the hands...

The Ranger’s Apprentice : Halt’s Peril By John Flanagan   No!!! How can all of this happen? That was awful!!! (Screaming~) awesome characters shouldn't happen such problem!!! Ahh!!! I need Halt to be fine!!! (Well...that doesn't count as a spoiler...since the title already told you what will happen!) But although all of this isn't good for Halt...I think the author describe all of the scenes well. Dangerous, touching, anxious, none of them were missed. Which make the book even better.   The renegade outlaw group known as the Outsiders has journeyed from kingdom to kingdom, conning the innocent out of their few valuables. Will and Halt, his mentor, are ambushed by the cult's deadly assassins when Halt is pierced by a poisoned arrow. Now Will must travel day and night in search of the one person with the power to cure Halt: Malkallam the Sorcerer.

The Ranger’s Apprentice: The King of Clonmel By John Flanagan   Are you ready for the new mission? The annual Ranger meeting is about to begin! Where will Will be? Will he change his fief, or will he stay at Seacliff? This seems to be too boring for such a talented, skilled ranger. We are about to reveal the next step of Will, and of course, this involves Halt…and Horace!!! And…Alyss as well…but I’m going to tell you why, let’s make it a surprise for you.   When a cult springs up in neighboring Clonmel, promising to quell the recent attacks by lawless marauders, people flock from all over to offer gold in exchange for protection. But Halt is all too familiar with this particular group, and he knows they have a less than charitable agenda. Secrets will be unveiled and battles fought to the death as Will and Horace help Halt in ridding the land of a dangerous enemy.

An Ember in the Ashes By Sabaa Tahir   Laia is a slave.   Elias is a soldier.   Neither is free.   Originally, I’m going to tell you that this book is awesome, wonderful, and blablabla…but then I figure that I started with those world in every review I’ve written. So…what am I going to do with An Ember in the Ashes? Well…how about start with a praise from Brandon Sanderson, the most talented epic author I’ve read in so many years? “With An Ember in the Ashes, Sabaa Tahir shows us light in darkness, hope in a world of despair, and the human spirit reaching for greatness in difficult times.” Now…even the best epic author told us that how good this book is…do I have to mention again? Of course not! When I started with this book, I’ve given myself two day to complete…and guess what? I did it!!! Yeah!!! The book just keeps me turning over pages and pages…although I kept telling myself “this will be the last page…” and as every book nerd knows…this is a lie....

The Ranger’s Apprentice : Erak’s Ransom By John Flanagan   This, is going to trace back to the last few month before Will graduate as an apprentice. Apparently, readers aren’t satisfied when the fifth book suddenly skips so many years. So, the author decided to write an adventure just right before he graduated! And there are also some dilemma inside Will and his worry. What’s best, all the friends are going to unite again and more—Halt was getting marry!!! Can you believe it? Halt, the old, stubborn ranger was going to have a wedding!!! And his wife was extremely beautiful!!! No way!!! I don’t believe it!!!   In the wake of Araluen's uneasy truce with the raiding Skandians comes word that the Skandian leader has been captured by a dangerous desert tribe. The Rangers - and Will - are sent to free him. But the desert is like nothing these warriors have seen before. Strangers in a strange land, they are brutalized by sandstorms, beaten by the unrelenting heat, tricked ...

Illusionarium By Heather Dixon   What if the world holds more dangerous—and more wonders—than we have ever known?   What if there were more than one world?   It is an absolutely great story!!! Although you might be hold back by those negative review…but believe me…the book is awesome!!! It isn’t like Entwined, which is a fairytale retelling, full of romance, beautiful scenes, and all those enchanting stuff. Instead, Illusionarium is rather a dark story, full of darkness and adventures. But still, it draws you inside the magical world where several dimensions exist.

The Ranger’s Apprentice: The Siege of Macindow By John Flanagan   Remember when I told you about the connection between books few review ago? Now here comes another! Book five and six are in pair! They are both about Will’s first mission when he became a true ranger. From what we learned from the last of the fifth book, Will escaped from the castle and determined to save Alyss from prison. Now, two of the most legendary heroes are about to team up and save their friend!!! Are you excited? I’m sure you are!    The kingdom is in danger. Renegade knight Sir Keren has succeeded in overtaking Castle Macindaw and is now conspiring with the Scotti. The fate of Araluen rests in the hands of two young adventurers: the Ranger Will and his warrior friend, Horace. Yet for Will, the stakes are even higher. For inside the castle, someone he loves is being held hostage. And now the time has come for this onetime apprentice to grow up.

Problems of going to a bookstore/visiting an online bookstore   Well...I believe these are some huge problems when all book lovers visit a great book store!!! Ahh!!! As you might know...or not, I just finished my exam recently, so in order to relax myself, I visit a bookstore, E.V.E.R.Y.D.A.Y. But yesterday, something terrible just happened!!! Ahh!!! 

The Ranger’s Apprentice: The Sorcerer of the North By John Flanagan   Well...this skips a lot since the last time we saw Will and Halt!!! Will was now a full-time ranger!!! He completed the training!!! Yeah!!! (Of course he would! He was the best ranger of all time...umm...as good as Halt!) now we're starting the fifth book! Ready for his first mission and his first fief? Look down below!   Time has passed since the apprentice and his master, Will and Halt, led the Araluens to victory against invaders, and Will is now a full-fledged Ranger with his own fief to look after. The fief seems sleepy -- boring, even -- until the Skandians show up and Will has to deal with the threat. Shortly thereafter, Will goes on a secret mission. Joined by his friend Alyss, Will is thrown headfirst into an extraordinary adventure propelled by fears of sorcery, and must determine who is trustworthy to the king and who is trying to take his throne.  Will and Alyss must battle growing ...

The Ranger’s Apprentice: The Battle for Skandia By John Flanagan   Poor Will…and Evanlyn, of course. But at least we know they are escaped!!! Back to topic, here is the forth book!!! Well…as you have probably notice, the first book was mainly about Will’s training. Then the second book, the third book and the forth book have connection. They are all in the same story line, started with Morgarath’s invasion, then the captive, then now…the following story line in Skandia. All and as you might guess, the later books will also connect like this, not too long but with few books together. I’ll tell you the other connections when the time comes…and now…The Battle for Skandia.   Still far from their homeland after escaping slavery in the icebound land of Skandia, Will and Evanlyn's plans to return to Araluen are spoiled when Evanlyn is taken captive by a Temujai warrior. Though still weakened by the warmweed's toxic effects, Will employs his Ranger training to locate his fr...

The Ranger’s Apprentice: The Icebound Land By John Flanagan   The third book is here! Oh My God it's getting more and more exciting!!! Yeah!!! Go Will and Evanlyn!!! The plots...please don't let anything happen to them!!! It seems that Will was meant to attract trouble...   Kidnapped after the fierce battle with Lord Morgarath, Will and Evanlyn are bound for Skandia as captives aboard a fearsome wolfship. Halt has sworn to rescue Will, and he will do anything to keep his promise–even defy his King. Expelled from the Rangers he has served so loyally, Halt is joined by Will's friend Horace as he travels toward Skandia. On their way, they are challenged constantly by freelance knights–but Horace knows a thing or two about combat. Soon he begins to attract the attention of knights and warlords for miles around with his uncanny skill. Even so, will they be in time to rescue Will from a horrific life of slavery?