| BOOK HAUL - JULY 2018! |

| BOOK - The Oracle Queen by Kendare Blake |

THE ORACLE QUEEN

SYNOPSIS: A story about the last Oracle Queen.
RATING: 4.3/5

REVIEW: This was such a greatly written short story. It made me feel all sorts of emotion such as happiness, sadness, and anger. I'm glad that I got to find out the story about why the last Oracle Queen had a very bad reputation. There was a lot of betrayal in this short story and it was written amazingly (because it made me really angry). 

SHOULD YOU READ IT: Yes! Especially if you're curious about the last Oracle Queen.

• I hate Francesca, William, Gilbert and Sonia so much. Francesca was such an evil person. William was an asshole. Gilbert was a freakin' idiot. Sonia was such a bitch. I hate that they won. They were able to take the crown from Elsabet and kill all her friends. 
• I really like Jonathan. He was able to comfort Elsabet and I wanted them together. I really hated that he became a casualty of Francesca greediness but he was partially to blame for taunting Francesca.
• I really like Elsabet, Bess, and Rosamund's friendship. Beth and Rosamund were always there to support Elsabet even though she was unreasonable at some point. 
• I hate that Bess was killed. She was such a lovely person. I'm glad that they mourned her death hard.
• I felt really bad for Rosamund. She's such a badass character and tried to fight Sonia but there were just too much. I felt bad for her especially since she knows that her family was killed as a casualty.
• I wonder how they were able to continue the line of the Queen from Elsabet. She probably just lost all hope.
• It broke my heart that they found out about Francesca plan late. They figured things out but it didn't help them. It just made things worse.
• SHORT SUMMARY:
1. Elsabet, the Oracle Queen, won the throne. Many of her council members do not like her because she's headstrong and does what she wants. Francesca plotted against her. 
2. Her consort flirted with every woman in the kingdom and she kept losing her patience with him in public. Her maid, Bess, and her friend Rosamund tried to help her relax. She met a painter during a festival and they become close. She already lost interest in her consort and is now entertaining Jonathan Denton.
3. It was revealed that Francesca is the king consort's lover. He was purposely flirting with other women so that Elsabet would not know about his affair with Francesca. It was also revealed that Elsabet has been drinking poison that kept sealed her powers off. It was created by Francesca. Jonathan figured it out and told Bess and Rosamund about it.
4. Bess tried to talk to him one morning. She left immediately and Jonathan followed her. Bess died because Francesca and Sonia thought that it was Jonathan who was coming out. They turned the story and told everyone that Elsabet ordered the killing. They made it look as though Bess and Jonathan were having an affair and Elsabet got jealous.
5. Sonia and Rosamund fought. Rosamund fought hard but Sonia had many guards. She lost. Elsabet lost everyone and was locked up in the tower until she gave birth to her triplets. Francesca won.

FAVORITE QUOTES:

"You should not have told me about my house, Sonia."
"Why not?"
"Because now there is no one for me to protect by surrendering."

| BOOK - Learn About Loss by Cassandra Clare

LEARN ABOUT LOSS

'But perhaps the illusion of a thing that we can't have is better than nothing at all.'

SYNOPSIS: A story about Brother Zachariah and Sister Emilia retrieving adamas.

RATING: 4.25/5

REVIEW: Nothing much happens in this story. They found out about one maybe important point but it's not really discussed much. The thing that redeemed this short story is Sister Emilia. She was such a fun character and I hope we get to see her again. Also, we get to see a touching moment between Jem and Will! It was so beautiful.

SHOULD YOU READ IT: Yes, it was a quick read.

• It was interesting to meet Sister Emilia. She's such a fun and badass character. I love that she threatened Belial into giving Jem an illusion with Will. I wonder whether we'll see her again?
• I really loved seeing Will and Jem together again. It was so touching and fun especially since we get to see Will's reaction again to ducks.
• I'm curious to see what happened to the Lost Herondale line for them to run away like that. 
• I'm curious as to why Belial owed Jem. Will we get to see that? We'll see in the future.
• It was heartbreaking to see Jem decide between Will and Tessa (Lost Herondale or getting cured). He's just so selfless that he chose repaying what he owes to the Herondales over his love for Tessa.
• SUMMARY OF WHAT HAPPENED:
• A shadow market under the mask of a carnival was set up in a mundane portion of Tennessee. Some mundane are experiencing magical things because of the booths in the carnival.
• The Silent Brothers and the Iron Sisters found out that adamas were located in Tennessee. Brother Zachariah and Sister Emilia were tasked to retrieve the adamas.
• They realized that the carnival was no ordinary carnival. They found Belial inside one of the booths. They confronted him and since he owed Jem, he decided to give the adamas back freely. He took it because it made him feel powerful and angelic. In order to pay the debt he has towards Jem, he asked Jem to make a choice. Get information about a cure for Yin Fen addiction or find out about a lost line of Herondales. Jem decided to go for the Herondales.  Belial told him that they were in danger.
• Jem realized that the people in one of the booths they passed by earlier was owned by the lost Herondales but Jem was too late. He didn't reach them in time.
• After Jem fled, Emilia made a deal with Belial. Belial must put Jem and Will under an illusion where they get to spend a day with each other without any problems (no age or silent brother problem). In exchange, Emilia will not make a weapon specifically designed to kill Belial.
• The Shadow Market closed down. Emilia and Jem decided to rest. Belial put Jem under the illusion. He and Will got to enjoy their time in Jem's homeland, Shanghai.

FAVORITE QUOTES:

Human beings did terrible things to each other, and the traces of those terrible things were everywhere if you looked.

The world was its own sort of crucible, and in it all dreams were tempered and tested. Many crumbled away entirely, and then you went on without them.

You build and you struggle and you fight but the darkness and the abyss will come one day in a great tide and sweep away everything that you love.

"And duck! You really ought to try pressed duck! It's a great delicacy."
Jem looked at Will, suppressing a smile. His friend glared back, but at last neither of them could hold back their laughter. Will said, "There is nothing so sweet as feasting upon the bones of my enemies. Especially with you at my side."

The face of the one you love is the best mirror of all. It shows you your own happiness and your own pain and it helps you to bear both, because to bear either alone is to be overwhelmed by the flood.

| MOVIES I'VE WATCHED SO FAR |

ANIMATION

1. Coco (10/10)
2. Megamind (8.8/10)
3. The Hunchback of Notre Dame (8.8/10)
4. The Emoji Movie (6.3/10)
5. Persona 5 The Day Breakers (7.8/10)
6. The Book of Life (7.8/10)
7. Hotarubi no Morie e (7.3/10)

ASIAN

1. No Breathing (9/10)
2. V.I.P. (7.5/10)
3. Fullmetal Alchemist Live Action (6/10)
4. Ang Dalawang Mrs Reyes (6/10)
5. Cheese in the Trap Movie (3/10)

WESTERN

1. Taking Lives (10/10)
2. Ever After (10/10)
3. A Quiet Place (9.5/10)
4. Rocketman (9.5/10)
5. The Greatest Showman (9/10)
6. Deadpool 2 (9/10)
7. Avengers: Infinity War (9/10)
8. Happy Death Day (8.3/10)
9. Mr. Right (8.25/10)
10. A Bad Moms Christmas (8/10)
11. When We First Met (8/10)
12. Shape of Water (8/10)
13. Rampage (7.9/10)
14. This is Where I Leave You (7.8/10)
15. Goodbye Christopher Robin (7.8/10)
16. The Vanishing of Sidney Hall (7.6/10)
17. The Limehouse Golem (7.5/10)
18. Home Again (7.5/10)
19. The Wildling (7/10)
20. Blockers (7/10)
21. The Edge of Seventeen (6.8/10)
22. American Pie (6.8/10)
23. Girls Trip (6.8/10)
24. The Foreigner (6/10)
25. Almost Friends (5.8/10)
26. I Kill Giants (5/10)
27. November Criminals (3/10)
28. Just Getting Started (3/10)
29. Annihilation (3/10)

I've already made 23/41 reviews for the movies part. That's great progress for me!

| BOOK - Every Exquisite Thing by Cassandra Clare and Maureen Johnson |

EVERY EXQUISITE THING

'Women should value other women, even if society often did not.'

SYNOPSIS: A story about Anna Lightwood, Cecily and Gabriel's daughter.
RATING: 5/5

REVIEW: Anna Lightwood's introduction story was really lovely to read. I love her. She is amazing. I felt bad for her because of what happened with her love life but I love the fact that her family is awesome. Cecily and Gabriel are awesome parents and I hope other parents are like that. Also, Cassandra Clare was able to include an important point in Jem's part in this story. I really liked knowing that but I want more. I need a name!

SHOULD YOU READ IT: Absolutely. Anna Lightwood is an amazing character.

• It was funny to find out how oblivious Christopher is towards Anna taking his clothes. Also, it was funny to find out that his clothes suffered because of his experiments. It's so like him. 
• It was funny to remember Benedict Lightwood as a worm.
• It was interesting to meet another warlock (Leopolda Stain) even if she was evil. 
• I'm really curious as to who Tessa's father is (which Greater Demon). Argh! I want to know.
• It was nice to see the children of the lead character of the Infernal Device series interact with each other.
• It was really heartbreaking to find out that Ariadne is engaged to Charles. I felt really bad for Anna (even though things kind of happened fast with their flirting) because she fell for Ariadne hard and Ariadne reciprocated her feelings but doesn't want act on it.
• I'm really happy that Cecily and Gabriel accepted Anna for who she is even before she told them. I'm proud of them as her parents.
• SHORT SUMMARY:
• Anna Lightwood was rummaging through her brother's things in search of a decent outfit to wear. She was more relaxed wearing suits rather than dresses. Her fun was interrupted when Cecily told her to come down.
• They went to the Inquisitor's house where Anna met Ariadne, the Inquisitor's adoptive daughter. Anna fell for her. 
• The Herondales, Fairchild, and Lightwoods met up (cousins and children of family friends) but Anna was distracted with the thought of Ariadne. She also noticed that something's been wrong with Matthew ever since Charlotte's miscarriage.
• Anna and Matthew sneaked out and went to a gathering with downworlders. They met Leopolda Stain. 
• Anna and Ariadne spent some time together and flirted. Anna decided to bring Ariadne to the place where Matthew took her. 
• They interrupted a ritual performed by Leopolda and fought the demons she summoned. Jem arrived and helped them. He interrogated Leopolda and told her that he knew she was a friend of Mortmain. She told him about Tessa's father. How he was the greatest Eidolon demon and a prince of hell. Leopolda was killed by Woolsey's werewolves.
• Anna took Ariadne home and helped her with her wounds. They spent the night together and even kissed. Anna went home in the morning. When she returned, she went to Ariadne's and found out that she was engaged to Charles Fairchild. Anna confessed her love for Ariadne but Ariadne told her that she'll still marry Charles.
• Anna went home. Heartbroken. Cecily comforted her and told her that she knows what happened. Her mother decided to give her a suit. The outfit she always wanted. She cut her hair afterwards. 
• She went down to her parents and they complimented her new look.

FAVORITE QUOTES:

"Have you cause any explosions?" she asked Anna.
"Not yet," Anna replied. "But the evening is young."

"I understand your family has a very interesting history," Ariadne said.
"My grandfather was a worm, if that's what you mean," Anna said.
Ariadne laughed aloud. "You didn't like him?"
"I didn't know him," Anna said. "He was, quite literally, a worm."

"I have always known you, my love," Cecily said. "Youare the gem of my heart. My firstborn. My Anna."

| BOOK - Son of the Dawn by Cassandra Clare and Sarah Rees Brennan

SON OF THE DAWN

'Consider that by trying to cut yourself off from the possibility of being hurt, you shut the door on love and live in darkness.'

SYNOPSIS: A story about Jace's first arrival to the Lightwood family.
RATING: 4.25/5

REVIEW: This was an interesting start to a new anthology by Cassandra Clare. It's nice to see Jem/Brother Zachariah, Raphael, Lily, and the Lightwoods again. The story wasn't really that relevant to the current events in the ongoing series by Cassandra Clare but it was interesting to see Jace when he first arrived in the New York Institute.

SHOULD YOU READ IT: Sure. It was a quick read.

• I absolutely loved seeing Raphael again (even though it broke my heart). We get to see him mad at the thought of shadowhunters hurting Magnus Bane (which touched my heart so much). It was funny to see him deny his bond with the warlocks (i.e. Ragnor Fell).
• Lily's random nickname for Zachariah was both funny and cringe-worthy HAHA.
• It's heartbreaking to find out that Lily had a thing for Raphael and he was so indifferent towards her feelings.
• Young Max is so adorable to read about especially since he quickly clings to Jace.
• "My father used to tell a joke about having another Jonathan" - Oh Jace you sweet summer child.
• It's funny that Maryse keeps making Jebediah the most common name rather than John.
• It was heartbreaking to see Jace trying to adjust and be a good boy towards the Lightwoods. He was even willing to change his name for them to like him. Oh Valentine, you evil bastard.
• SHORT SUMMARY: 
• Raphael approached Brother Zachariah in the Shadow Market to inform him that a large shipment of Yin Fen will be arriving in New York. 
• Zachariah told him to inform the New York Institute to get help in preventing the cargo from touching New York. Raphael doesn't want to ask help from the New York Institute because they know what the Lightwoods have done.
• Zachariah was able to convince Raphael, Lily, himself, and the Lightwoods to team up. 
• They sneaked into the boat and defeat the werewolves. All of them fought including the young Jace who was aboard the ship.
• They prevented the Yin Fen from arriving and was able to fetch Jace and take him to the New York Institute.
• The residents of the New York Institute was intrigued by their new member, Jace. Maryse takes him into her wing.

FAVORITE QUOTES:

"The Whitelaws died defending Downworlders from the people who now occupy their institute."

Zachariah felt he had become acquainted with another reason, besides Magnus's evil vampire ex, why Magnus always seemed to develop a migraine when people mentioned the vampire clan of New York in his presence.

'I'm glad to have met you both, Zachariah added."
"I can't imagine why," said Raphael. "Those names Lily came up with were very bad."

"If you pretend to feel nothing, the pretense may become true, said Jem. That would be a pity."

All these people were struggling not to feel, trying to freeze their hearts inside their chests until the cold fractured and broke them. While Jem would have given every cold tomorrow he had for one more day with a warm heart, to love them as he once had.

If life is a wheel, it will bring you back to me. All I must do is keep faith.

| MOVIE - Coco |

COCO

SYNOPSIS: A boy tries to pursue his passion for music even if it's against his family's wishes.

RATING: 10/10
REVIEW: I loved this movie. The animation was so beautiful. The story was fun and heartbreaking. I really loved the way everything unfolded. There was justice for the characters that suffered a lot and karma to the one who caused their suffering. I loved that Miguel pursued his passion even if there are many people against it. I loved the family aspect of this. Also, I loved the songs - the fun ones and the heartbreaking ones. 

SHOULD YOU WATCH IT: Absolutely! Especially if you want to watch something very beautiful.
WOULD I WATCH IT AGAIN: Yes (Already watched this 3x).

• Imelda's spirit animal was so amazing. It was such a magnificent creature and it doesn't make sense that she wasn't able to catch up with Miguel immediately.
• I love Miguel and Hector's relationship. Even before they discovered that they were related. 
• I love that Coco recovered after hearing Hector's song. It was such a heartbreaking scene especially since Hector was beginning to disappear in the Land of the Dead.
• I love that Imelda and Hector got back together. They truly loved each other and I hate that Ernesto ruined their love.
• I hate Ernesto so much. He's such a vain and evil character. I'm grateful that the world discovered what he did and he got what he deserved.
• I love the bond between Miguel and his family. You can really see why they had an issue with his passion in the beginning but you can see that they accepted him after the issue had been resolved.