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The 5th wave (2016)
The 5th wave (2016)
2016 | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Contains spoilers, click to show
Story: The 5th Wave starts as Cassie (Moretz) shows just how deadly she has become before flashing back before everything has changed when alien ships turned up above towns. The first wave of the attack was taking out all the electricity in the world. The second wave was flooding the Earth. The third wave was a deadlier version of the bird flu crippling the surviving number. The 4th wave is the ‘Others’ becoming humans taking out any other survivors and this is where Cassie gets separated from everyone.

With Cassie along we see how Sergeant Reznik (Bello) building a new defence against the Others which is most child soldiers from the remaining survivors. This brings us to the 5th Wave and that is saved for a twist in the film but it this the beginning of the next franchise of young adult stories.

The 5th Wave is the latest in what feels like an endless run of them which luckily is dying out now. This one stands out slightly more because it jumps straight into the battle between the humans and alien invaders instead of wasting too much time building up to this in a later film. I do think this would be a good addition to the genre if we hadn’t had too much rubbish before it.

Chloe is good in the leading role but the character isn’t written as strong as she could have been, while the known adult actors are clearly having the story arc to make them the villainous roles. the rest of the teens are or children are very basic never really getting time to make the impact with the Robinson struggling to make the true impact in his role. This would be an interesting addition to the world of teen young adult films but came too late into the flood of them.

 

Overall: I do feel this would have been a good addition to the young adult genre but I feel we won’t see the whole story now.

https://moviesreview101.com/2017/11/28/the-5th-wave-2016/
  
Janna of Castle Ambrose
Janna of Castle Ambrose
Jordan Elizabeth Mierek | 2019 | Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Inappropriate mix of Young Adult and sexual content (0 more)
Janna of Castle Ambrose is the first book in The Serpent Riders series by the versatile Jordan Elizabeth. Set in the fictional land of Hamlin, Janna, who lives in Castle Ambrose, loses her father, brother and sister when an usurper invades the kingdom and slaughters hundreds of people. From then on, Janna has vows that the new king will be destroyed, however, it is not until she is 18 and discovers two of her friends are alive and imprisoned in the capital city that Janna finds the will-power to escape her tattered home and put the world to rights.

With the aid of a secret ability to freeze people and being the only person in the country to know of the existence of sea serpents, Janna sets off to the capital where she worms her way into the castle by becoming the apothecary's apprentice. To save her friends and defeat the usurper, Janna must round up rebels across Hamlin. Yet, as she adjusts to her life in the city, Janna realises there are two sides to every story and she may not be on the right side after all. With the rebels rallying troops from across the sea, she may be too late to prevent another civil war.

The story ends with one side becoming the victors and Janna's sea serpents earning their right to come out of hiding and being accepted by human society. The narrative is fast-paced with days, weeks and months speeding past within each chapter. There is an eclectic mix of characters whose personalities pull the story in different directions.

Janna of Castle Ambrose contains some adult scenes that may be unsuitable for younger readers. Although no sex scenes occur per se, they are eluded to in heavy detail. This is a new aspect to Jordan Elizabeth's writing, however, the young adult writing style clashes with the adult material.

Being the first book in a series, it is clear the story is going to continue, however, as the main issue has been resolved, the plot of the next book is unguessable. We shall just have to wait and see.
  
TD
The Devouring (The Devouring, #1)
Simon Holt | 2008
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
For a book classified as young adult horror, THE DEVOURING defies the usual so-called teen horror and actually does feel horrific. I wouldn't say it's in the same league as some of the best adult horror books out there, but it holds its own and the author does a terrific job creating a tense and creepy atmosphere. I've never been one who has ever scared easily, but if I had read this at a younger age I just might have become a little paranoid. The narrative is swift, engaging and simply told (I simply 'devoured' it. Oh har har har. Okay I'll shut-up now. ;P). Reggie is relatable and strong, while Vour Henry if effectively disturbing, and Eben is enigmatic. The other characters are fine for their purpose, although I do wonder at the twins, and I have a feeling they might feature more in the sequel, which I look forward to reading. A warning for the queasy: disturbing and violent imagery is used quite a bit, so some people might want to pass on this book.
  
High Heat (Jack Reacher, #17.5)
High Heat (Jack Reacher, #17.5)
Lee Child | 2013 | Fiction & Poetry, Thriller
5
7.0 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
Short story that's short on believably
Ok when I go into a Jack Reacher book, or in this case short story (about 2hrs in audiobook form,) I know I’m going to have to suspend some belief but this one went just a bit too far for me.

Somehow in the course of one day 16 year old Reacher manages to tick off a big player mob boss type, decide to take him on, cross paths with the Son of Sam, and hitch up with a girl. Oh and all this just happens to be the day when the huge 1977 New York blackout occurred (at a very convenient time for Reacher.)

He’s 16 but seems to have the exact same street / military smarts the adult Reacher has, it just doesn't work for me. Some far fetched deductions, the type that are a stretch to believe in the adult Reacher, here just come across as almost comical.

As something to listen to while doing housework it was OK but really wouldn’t of wanted to dedicate more attention to it.
  
Everealm (Everealm, #1)
Everealm (Everealm, #1)
J.D. Wright | 2014 | Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
6
8.0 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

I was a little confused going into this novel because I wasn’t sure what to expect. From what I have researched, this is supposedly young adult. While the writing style makes it seem YA, there themes not appropriate for that age range. I guess new adult would be more appropriate?

Regardless, the cover is absolutely gorgeous and reflect the feel of the novel. As a fan of fantasy and fairytale retellings, Everealm was a novel I didn’t even know I was looking for. The world and creatures she paints with her words are nostalgic of old childhood fairytales. While it still has many [cliché] themes that seem to be found in all YA novels (love triangle, etc.), the author added her own touch. It is a guilty pleasure feel good novel, free of heavy complexities that makes a novel more work than pleasure.

Overall, I enjoyed the novel and the feel that accompanied reading it. It is nothing groundbreaking, but the author has a lovely style that could be great.
  
Daring swordfights, a hidden secret, bandits, treasure, true love...Oh yes, Jody Hedlund has delivered another winner of a medieval young adult story.

Lady Sabine has a harrowing journey of self-acceptance ahead of her. Sir Bennet has always strived to remain honorable...Will he be able to follow his heart and love?

I adore that one of my favorite authors has branched out and started a Young Adult series! My only complaint is that the story was too short. I would have loved to have a little more time with Sabine and Bennet...I love the world that Jody has created and the heroes, the knights, are so very swoony! I am excited to read the next book in the series, A Loyal Heart.

I received a complimentary copy of For Love and Honor from the publisher. I also borrowed the audio version from my library and purchased my own print copy. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
  
The Fox and the Hound (1981)
The Fox and the Hound (1981)
1981 | Animation, Family
8
8.4 (32 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Fox and Hound
The Fox and the Hound- I remember watching movie as a kid. Had the VHS tape, as a kid and remember watching it. Now watching it as adult, its so different. You watch it as a adult, its different than watching it as a kid. Cause you understand more about whats happening, you understand more about the plot and whats going on during the story than as a kid.

The plot: After his mother is killed, Tod the fox (Mickey Rooney) is taken in by the kindly Widow Tweed (Jeanette Nolan). He soon befriends the neighbor's new hound dog, Copper (Kurt Russell). The two are inseparable, but their friendship is hampered by their masters and by the fact that they are, by nature, enemies. They grow apart as they grow older; Copper has become a strong hunting dog and Tod a wild fox. The pair must overcome their inherent differences in order to salvage their friendship.

Its a story about friendship, betrayal, overcoming nature and getting older.

Its a great movie and classic.
  
40x40

MelanieTheresa (997 KP) Mar 10, 2020

One of my favorites from childhood! ❤