A Bowl For the Soul

THE BOYS OF THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS

   “There is no pretending," Jace said with absolute clarity. "I love you, and I will love you until I die, and if there is life after that, I'll love you then.”― Cassandra Clare, City of Glass

Familiar with Will herondale? Jace Lightwood? Magnus Bane? I could name a few more boys in the Shadow World, which no doubt so fascinating and enticing characters that pulled us deeper into the complex stories. In each installments, there are at least one or two boys who had captured the hearts of both readers and the female characters. 

The many versions of Jace

         Jace Lightwood are definitely the TMI (The Mortal Instruments) heartthrob. With his tawny, golden looks what's not to like about Jace. Described as leonine, smouldering hot, and eyes that look gold in the sunlight with long eyelashes, he's cocky, arrogant, and but that is part of his charm that drew Clary *cough- and most female characters and readers alike- cough* in the first place. Jace has an untameable nature and he never told a lie (except for the few occasions when he's protecting his family). So never ask Jace's opinion about anything unless you're ready for the truth. 

Then there is Alec Lightwood. If you prefer the black hair paired with striking blue eyes boys, then Alec will surely fit into your type. Shy yet the most level-headed of the bunch. He's sensible and will protect his loved ones without a doubt. Moving on, we have the party-loving, fun High Warlock of Brooklyn: Magnus Bane. If you're into guys with exotic cat eyes (literally) and wears rainbow coloured pants, then Magnus might be the guy for you. He's not picky about his choice of partners (he's dated both men and women, nephilim and downworlders, even a djinn or two). 

Film Delicacy

THE GREAT GATSBY

   “Let us learn to show our friendship for a man when he is alive and not after he is dead.” - F.Scott Fitzgerald; The Great Gatsby

Theatrical Poster

Good day fellow Bookworms! This is where I will post a brief movie review, mostly adapted from books. It will be short and serving only as a time lapse before my next post.

I've recently watched the The Great Gatsby and I had my doubts about the movie adaptation since the book was the epitome of untainted, hopeful writing that seems so flawless and heart-wrenching. I was afraid the movie might ruin the whole message about decadence and ideality conveyed by F. Scott Fitzgerald. The next thing I knew, I was a changed person. I was instantly converted into Dicaprio's fandom when he first appeared in the movie.  

When Leonardo DiCaprio made his first appearance as Jay Gatsby

"He smiled understandingly—much more than understandingly. It was one of those rare smiles with a quality of eternal reassurance in it, that you may come across four or five times in life. It faced--or seemed to face--the whole external world for an instant, and then concentrated on you with an irresistible prejudice in your favor. It understood you just as far as you wanted to be understood, believed in you as you would like to believe in yourself, and assured you that it had precisely the impression of you that, at your best, you hoped to convey." The Great Gatsby

Leonardo DiCaprio nailed it from the foremost, and crucial introduction of Jay Gatsby. He was able to potray the archetype of a self- made American man. The connection with the other characters, nerve-wrecking moments with Daisy, and when Gatsby lose his temper; Dicaprio had successfully laid it out for the audience. Hence, DiCaprio's performance was the pivotal hold in the whole movie as the titular (Great) Gatsby. 

Jay Gatsby (DiCaprio) with Daisy Buchanan (Mulligan)

A Bowl For the Soul

THE INFERNAL DEVICES

   “Let me give you a piece of advice. The handsome young fellow who's trying to rescue you from a hideous fate is never wrong. Not even if he says the sky is purple and made of hedgehogs.” - Will Herondale;  The Clockwork Angel.

Anyone who recognised the term Shadowhunters, are no doubt familiar with Cassandra Clare's world of The Mortal Instruments. It is by far one of her best-selling book series after all. With sensational, wonderfully written characters that seem to come alive with every pages from City of Bones to the recent City of Lost Souls, Clare has created a paradox of astounding universe with the likes of fantasy creatures such as vampires, werewolves, warlocks, and faeries (mind you- Clare's faeries are perhaps one of the most devious, and cunning kind among the other mentioned species). But, alas, today is not the day The Mortal Instruments receive the spotlight. In fact, it is the prequel installment of the Mortal Instruments: The Infernal Devices.

Set in grey subdued London, during the Victorian era, the series focuses mainly on the pivotal London Institute (a safe house for Shadowhunters), centering around the Tessa Gray, Will Herondale and Jem Carstairs. This is the time where the peace treaty between the Shadowhunters (a secretive race of human with angelic blood- sometimes referred as Nephilims) and Downworlders (hybrid creatures of part human, part demon such as vampires, werewolves, warlocks, and faeries) had not existed yet in oppose to the modern day setting of The Mortal Instruments. Therefore, Shadowhunters have no qualms in killing Downworlders as they consider themselves higher in regard and superior of the latter species. 

To sum up the trilogy, I will do my best to cover the basic outline of the story (Warning: spoilers ahead). Theresa "Tessa" Gray arrived in London from America, when she received a letter from her brother to come and find him. Unfortunately, she was captured by the Dark Sisters - a pair of female warlocks- only to be exploited for her shapeshifting power which was unbeknown to her until then. She was rescued by a Shadowhunter, Will Herondale and brought to the London Institute led by a woman (controversial subject that takes place in the story as many had disagree with a woman as the head of well, practically anything - remember this is the victorian era where it is unconventional for a woman to be placed as a leader), Charlotte Bramwell. From there, Tessa met the many residence of the Institute including Jem Carstairs that will held a special role in the future. The main complication faced by the protagonists was going against the deadly clockwork army of Axel Mortmain, who wishes to rid of all Shadowhunters due to an old vengeance. Thus Mortmain's desire to snare Tessa in order to obtain her power, was to raise a legion of demonic clockwork that has its own mind and body, and also hard to be destroyed unlike the previous normal clockwork. The emotional apex was the love triangle between the three main characters as Will had spurned Tessa's love as he believe he was cursed by a demon that involves anyone he cares to die, Tessa torn between her two love, and Jem succumbing to his illness due to Yin Fen addiction caused by a greater demon feeding him demon poison when he was a child. It also involves Tessa finding her identity and well, to be exact what category of species she fits into since the readers will learn early in the series that she is definitely not a human.

Greetings to all Bookworms!

     “You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.” ―C.S. Lewis

         One of the world's fascinating gift to mankind, for me, is personally stories. Passed through generations such as urban legends, myths, fables and fairytales alike as well as masterpieces woven intricately to pages with fresh, new idea and plots. I had decided to dedicate this blog to post my innermost thoughts and insights to books I read and came across. Preferences in my reading list are romance (clichè-but everyone need love in their life), fantasy, science fiction, thriller mystery, and young adult. Ingenious writers such as Agatha Christie, J.K Rowling, Sidney Sheldon, C.S Lewis, Jodi Picoult, Mark Twain, Charles Dickens, and Leo Tolstoy are my- and many avid readers'- inspiration. Their works had captivated many hearts and stayed in our soul with their outstanding, intense pieces.

          I would like to point out the purpose of this blog is to mainly deliver opinions, recommendations, and reviews of books by an eager fan of amazing, beautiful stories written around the world. Everyone is welcome to share their thoughts through comments and give references of other remarkable stories. It is a place for all bookworms to gather and exchange their reading lists.

          To start off, my most recent reads include the Infernal Devices, which I devoured the last installment: The Clockwork Princess in less than a day. It was, to say the least, one of the best YA piece I had ever come across. A standing ovation for Cassandra Clare (who pens the Mortal Instruments series), for yet another breathtaking, touching story woven into readers' hearts. I'll be posting a brief summary and heartfelt review of the trilogy soon.

Signing off, bookwormsoul.