Saturday, November 21, 2020
Thursday, September 3, 2020
Saturday, August 29, 2020
So I didn't like how the second half turned out...
This is the second (Sort-of) blog with the second half, the Monarchy half of the first season.
This is more or less an explanation of why the Hiatus took place. And another will be coming soon because I still hate how I procrastinated on the last three chapters. My notes are in place but with a new job and the biting feeling this will turn out like shit, I stopped writing for a while and worked on a few more projects.
This is more or less an explanation of why the Hiatus took place. And another will be coming soon because I still hate how I procrastinated on the last three chapters. My notes are in place but with a new job and the biting feeling this will turn out like shit, I stopped writing for a while and worked on a few more projects.
Monday, April 13, 2020
Book Review: After by Anna Todd (DNF)
Disclaimer #1: I don’t hate Anna Todd. I just hate this book.
Disclaimer #2: I went into this distrusting the black and white reviews I've seen everywhere. So, I checked it out going in with my own thoughts. These are my own thoughts and opinions. I do NOT, I repeat, DO NOT aim to influence your opinions and thoughts. I recommend you go into this on your own.
Disclaimer #3: I have nothing against Wattpad as a concept. I've read some good stuff from Wattpad before I deleted my account (And restored it, I had friends on there). I know of another novel from Wattpad I'll do a review for that. Someday...
Disclaimer #4: I went into this expecting a long review of doing a play by play of chapters and eventually I started cramming things. most of the older chapters I wrote first and in more detail but eventually, I DNFed it.
The Review (FINALLY)
Chapter 1
We start off with the basic waking up trope. Now, I'll admit, I started a book with this once and the main reason for that was that the character had a prophetic dream, like Prim from the Hunger Games and it became important to the plot.
Tropes aren’t bad, but this, in particular, is used with no real reason. It can establish character (or powers in my case), but here, it's irrelevant to the storyline. You could start this book off with going to the school, and saying goodbye to her mother and nothing would change.
I'm willing to bet some defense for these scenes is, "It's her anxiety talking, will she make friends?" Considering it's a Wattpad story, I'm pretty sure she will. Basically, she takes a shower and eats breakfast, but nothing really contributes to the plot. It acts more like a prologue if anything.
Chapter 2
So we meet Hardin in this chapter, and it’s kinda hard for me to like these people as, in Page 8, Tessa silently calls Noah out on staring at Steph’s chest all while she ends up leering at Hardin. Cue me looking into the camera as if I'm in the office.
“I’m vaguely aware of Noah’s eyes on me as I finally look away and pretend I was staring out of shock. Because, that’s what it is, right?” (Pg. 10)
Chapter 3
“My mom used to tease me growing up, claiming that a man grows an inch with every lie he tells. My Father was a tall man, so I won’t argue with her logic, there.” (Pg 11) And since Hardin is described as tall and lean, I guess that’s some kind of joke at him???
Let’s put it simply that I have questions as I went on:
1) How early in the morning is this to be considered a good time to have a party? I dunno, I’ve never been to a big formal college, so take this with a grain of salt but don’t Universities usually do background checks and such?
2) How did he get into the room? I have a sneaking suspicion that Steph may have given him a key if they were friends, but that would mean she has three copies at least. One for Steph, one for Nate, and one for Hardin? I don’t know, but wouldn't University security keep a watch on keys?
UGH, maybe I should go to this college, and get my answers like that…
We start off with the basic waking up trope. Now, I'll admit, I started a book with this once and the main reason for that was that the character had a prophetic dream, like Prim from the Hunger Games and it became important to the plot.
Tropes aren’t bad, but this, in particular, is used with no real reason. It can establish character (or powers in my case), but here, it's irrelevant to the storyline. You could start this book off with going to the school, and saying goodbye to her mother and nothing would change.
I'm willing to bet some defense for these scenes is, "It's her anxiety talking, will she make friends?" Considering it's a Wattpad story, I'm pretty sure she will. Basically, she takes a shower and eats breakfast, but nothing really contributes to the plot. It acts more like a prologue if anything.
Chapter 2
So we meet Hardin in this chapter, and it’s kinda hard for me to like these people as, in Page 8, Tessa silently calls Noah out on staring at Steph’s chest all while she ends up leering at Hardin. Cue me looking into the camera as if I'm in the office.
“I’m vaguely aware of Noah’s eyes on me as I finally look away and pretend I was staring out of shock. Because, that’s what it is, right?” (Pg. 10)
Chapter 3
“My mom used to tease me growing up, claiming that a man grows an inch with every lie he tells. My Father was a tall man, so I won’t argue with her logic, there.” (Pg 11) And since Hardin is described as tall and lean, I guess that’s some kind of joke at him???
Let’s put it simply that I have questions as I went on:
1) How early in the morning is this to be considered a good time to have a party? I dunno, I’ve never been to a big formal college, so take this with a grain of salt but don’t Universities usually do background checks and such?
2) How did he get into the room? I have a sneaking suspicion that Steph may have given him a key if they were friends, but that would mean she has three copies at least. One for Steph, one for Nate, and one for Hardin? I don’t know, but wouldn't University security keep a watch on keys?
UGH, maybe I should go to this college, and get my answers like that…
Chapter 4
I had a few nitpicks, that honestly aren’t as important as they feel to me, but yeah… back to the mainline.
EXAMPLE: “Sorry Tess, I forgot to tell you Hardin would be coming by.” (Pg. 16) You know, exchanging phone numbers would have solved that dilemma…
Steph reveals Hardin isn’t her boyfriend, finally revealing his name.
Steph and Tessa go on about the party dilemma, and Tessa says she can’t be because she promised Noah they would talk to each other over Skype, and she needs to do something about her desk.
So, the choices here were going to the party, or ride with Hardin to a store. Both of which end up with Hardin, but the idea of staying in to read and chat with her boyfriend was such a forgettable option, of course. I’m more on the introverted side, so if I’d been in that situation, this book wouldn’t have happened at all.
Chapter 5
“Why is he so rude? If anything, he should be grateful that I’m not judging him for the way he has destroyed his body with holes and tattoos.” (Pg. 19)
The only saving grace I see in this paragraph is that she admits she’s judging him but, “not to his face” and that “[She’s] at least polite about their differences.” (Pg. 19)
“The dresses she picks out are so inappropriate that I keep looking around for a hidden camera and someone to jump out and tell me this is all a joke. I cringe at each one and she laughs, obviously finding my distaste humorous.”
I really hope I’m not the only one getting annoyed with Tessa at this point. I don’t know what she expected about a college frat party and about the way they dress. Granted she expected this University to be a prestigious school.
I can’t help but be slightly annoyed at Steph, too, because I feel she shouldn’t pressure others into dressing like them, so to speak. Tessa can wear her clothes, and Steph can wear what she wears, clean and simple. Though, if I’m honest, my annoyance with Steph is significantly lower than with Tessa.
Chapter 6
Yep, this chapter solidified the fact it was indeed a YA Wattpad book.
"'Your eyes are so unique- want to trade?' She jokes"
"But Steph has beautiful eyes, why would she joke about trading with me?" (Pg. 22)
Chapter 7
There isn’t much significant going in this chapter, aside from that we meet Molly for the First time. I’m going to be honest here, I’m imagining Molly to be portrayed by Bella Thorne.
Chapter 8
OK… apparently, taking Nate’s car and driving away isn’t an option and letting them find their own ride is difficult? Nate offers her his car, he doesn’t say anything else about passengers, that was only Tessa’s concern. She could just leave???
“Wait,” I start to panic, “Who’s going to drive us back to the dorm?”
“I don’t know… you can drive my car if you want…. No, no, it’s not a far drive You should just take my car.” (Pg. 28)
Chapter 9
This chapter served to irritate me as if this chemistry is meant to be healthy between strangers…
Chapter 10
UGGGGHHHHH
Chapter 11
This one supposed to change our minds that Hardin is a decent person. Congrats, Hardin you did the bare minimum of helping a pair of roommates and not taking advantage of the drunk one!
I need a drink...
CONCLUSION
I expected this to be really long so I trimmed down most of my original review.
In the end, I DNFed it and sold the book without a second thought. I don't consider it READ on my Goodreads list. I expected this review to be way longer, maybe longer than it should have but this is long enough, eh? Gods, I feel so nit-picky but I just... This book gives me the feeling I wouldn't enjoy it in the long run so I better put it down now. Pass it on to someone that might enjoy it.
I don't consider this review finished, but I have no intention to go back, buy another copy, and finish it. I don't have enough confirmation in my mind that I can vouch for the relationship, but the characters are annoying and I don't care for it, I'm sorry.
This chapter served to irritate me as if this chemistry is meant to be healthy between strangers…
Chapter 10
UGGGGHHHHH
Chapter 11
This one supposed to change our minds that Hardin is a decent person. Congrats, Hardin you did the bare minimum of helping a pair of roommates and not taking advantage of the drunk one!
I need a drink...
CONCLUSION
I expected this to be really long so I trimmed down most of my original review.
In the end, I DNFed it and sold the book without a second thought. I don't consider it READ on my Goodreads list. I expected this review to be way longer, maybe longer than it should have but this is long enough, eh? Gods, I feel so nit-picky but I just... This book gives me the feeling I wouldn't enjoy it in the long run so I better put it down now. Pass it on to someone that might enjoy it.
I don't consider this review finished, but I have no intention to go back, buy another copy, and finish it. I don't have enough confirmation in my mind that I can vouch for the relationship, but the characters are annoying and I don't care for it, I'm sorry.
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