Showing posts with label outlander. Show all posts
Showing posts with label outlander. Show all posts

Monday, 28 March 2016

Happy Easter, And Some Of My Favourite TV Shows!

Hi all!

Whether you celebrate it or not, I hope you've had a wonderful Easter weekend!

I've come home from college for my midsemester break, which is one week long, and it's so nice and relaxing to be home! I'm so excited to be able to just cuddle up with my dogs (I have two adorable toy poodles!) and read my book or watch TV shows with my mum.

I know this is primarily a book blog, but being in the holiday mood I've been thinking about some of my favourite TV shows, and thought I'd share them with you!!

So, in no particular order, here they are:

Reign
As most of my favourite shows are, Reign is a perfect one for historical fiction lovers! It's based loosely on the story of Mary, Queen of Scots while she is in France, engaged to and eventually married to King Francis II. It's super dramatic, with a sort of Gossip Girl like vibe, which I actually adore! Who doesn't love a bit of historical fiction mixed with drama, right!! The acting in this is great, and while it's totally historically inaccurate, the storyline is super fun and exciting and I absolutely adore it.

Shadowhunters
I've written a full discussion on my thoughts on Shadowhunters, and while I do have quite a few issues with it, I'm still really enjoying it. Because I am such a loyal fan of the books, I will be watching however many seasons they release. Sure, the acting and script writing isn't great but it's still super fun!! Also, Matthew Daddario. Need I say more.

Outlander
I'm sure I don't need to explain this one, if you've read my blog before you'll know that I'm absolutely obsessed with Outlander. I also have a discussion of the show and book if you're interested on more detailed thoughts. Outlander is based on a woman named Clare, who is on a second honeymoon with her husband in the Scottish highlands after WWII, when she is transported back in time to the 1700s! So incredible, if you haven't read the book, please please do and check out the show, they are both absolutely amazing!!

Downton Abbey
I've adore Downton Abbey since it first came out. Again, being a history nerd and lover of anything UK, I find it so relaxing and heartwarming sitting down to watch Downton Abbey. If you haven't seen it before, it follows an upper class family in England from around WWI as the country begins to become modernized, and the whole idea of aristocracy is dying out. Again, super dramatic, with amazing characters and acting and I just love it.

Escape to the Country/Continent
Finally, Escape to the Country is mine and my mum's favourite thing to watch together when I come home for holidays. There is nothing better than lying on my couch with mum and the dogs, a cup of tea in hand and checking out all the houses!

Let me know in the comments if you did anything exciting on the long weekend. Also, tell me if you like any of these shows, or what your all-time favourite shows are!

Love always,

Ari

Saturday, 27 February 2016

Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon - review (SPOILERS)

Hi there!

So my obsession with Outlander is well known, and I have now completed book two in the series! It was in no way a disappointment, still furthering my love for Scotland and Diana Gabaldon's magical writing style.
This review will be a spoiler review, obviously as Dragonfly in Amber is the second novel in the Outlander series.

When I began the novel, I was super super confused when Jamie and Claire's daughter Brianna appeared straight away! I had a total freak out that we weren't going to see what happened to Claire and Jamie in between that time, but of course Diana would never do that to us! While I am obsessed with the Scottish highlands thanks to Outlander, I adored the change of scenery we got for a while in this novel. The characters in Paris were just as rich and fascinating as those back in Scotland. I was slightly concerned when it seemed that Claire was going to have problems with being called a witch again, but that was luckily avoided. Also, how agonising was it when Claire wasn't speaking to Jamie after the incident with Black Jack? I wasn't sure how everything was going to go down with them, but I was fairly certain that Black Jack could not be killed, as then Frank would never exist. My theory is that they cannot change anything in history as what has happened has happened, right?

I also adore the characters introduced in the future setting, including Brianna. She's just as incredibly stubborn and beautiful as you'd expect of Jamie and Claire's daughter, along with her own little quirks and flaws. Her relationship with Roger is heartwarming and I found it a lovely addition to that aspect of the story. Their relationship is so different to Jamie and Claire's, so it is, in a way, a refreshing change for a little while.

Some people have said that the ending was an unexpected turn, but I did see it coming from the very beginning. I mean, Jamie couldn't just disappear from the series, could he?! That didn't bother me though, the story was still full of Diana's classic twists and turns. Her storylines are so intricate yet easy to follow, and I am so so excited to continue with the series soon.

Rating: 5/5

Let me know your thoughts on the Outlander sequel. Did you like it as much as it's predecessor? I'd probably still say Outlander was my favourite, but Dragonfly in Amber comes super close!

Love always,

Ari

Sunday, 14 February 2016

Book Boyfriend Tag!

In celebration of Valentine's Day (or if you don't celebrate this day, it can just be to celebrate beautiful fictional boys!), I thought I'd do the Book Boyfriend Tag, originally created by Rachel Reads on YouTube. Check that video out here. Let's get into it...

1. Most romantic boy
I have two fictional boys for this, and they are Jem from The Infernal Devices series by Cassandra Clare, and Augustus Waters from The Fault in our Stars by John Green. Jem is just such a loving and caring person, and of course his violin skills are also swoon-worthy! Augustus is so wonderful to Hazel, and whilst he is into grand gestures, he also knows that the little things in relationships can be just as romantic.

2. Dark and moody bad boy with a good side
Jamie from Doon, by Cary Corp and Lorie Langdon. When Veronica first meets Jamie, he's very dark and moody, but later shows his lovely true colours!

3. Paranormal boy
Sam from Shiver by Maggie Steifvater. It's been a while since I've read this series but I always loved Sam's love for music and books, and of course being able to shift into a wolf is pretty paranormal!

4. Boy you want to tame
Falco from Venom by Fiona Paul.

5. Boy you friend zoned
Simon from The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare. I'm sorry Simon, but like Clary I would have to friend zone you! Simon is hilarious and kind, and would definitely be someone I'd love to be friends with.

6. Your soul mate
Dorian from Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas. He loves books. He is funny. He is flirty. He is kind. Hence why Dorian is my soul mate, for sure.

7. Boy you want to elope with
Jamie Fraser from Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. Jamie is such an interesting character who knows so much about the world. He treats Claire incredibly and always forgives her when she makes mistakes. Who wouldn't want to elope with him?!

8. Boy you'd venture anywhere with
Gansey from The Raven Boys by Maggie Steifvater. I feel like Gansey is the perfect answer to this questions, firstly just because I adore his character. And secondly, he is so interested in learning things about the world, particularly supernatural things. So it would be super cool to travel to different places with him!

9. Boy you'd want to be stranded on a desert island with
Ron Weasley from Harry Potter by (queen) J. K. Rowling. I absolutely adore Ron, and may even venture to say that he is my favourite character in Harry Potter... He would always keep me laughing on a desert island and when we decide we'd like to leave he could apparate us away!

10. Most badass boy
Jace Wayland from The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare. What could get more badass than fighting demons? Also, Jace is hilarious and super cute.

Let me know in the comments who your favourite book boy, or girl is. Also if you've done the book boyfriend, or girlfriend tag link it below, I'd love to check it out! Whether you're celebrating Valentine's Day or not, have a wonderful February 14!

Love always,

Ari

P.S. This post is scheduled, as I won't have time to write posts over the next two weeks due to college things, so I will read and reply to any comments after then! xx

Wednesday, 3 February 2016

January Wrap Up!

Hey hey!

I am very happy to say that I read a total of 8 books in January, most of which I extremely enjoyed.

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon - 5/5
I've posted a review of both the book and TV show of Outlander, which you can check out here if you're interested. But in short, this book is incredible and you need to go read it now. And after you've read it, you need to go watch the TV show which is also incredible!

Matched by Allie Condie - 4.5/5
I've heard mixed things about this series, but I saw it for a couple of dollars in a charity shop and thought I'd give it a go! I really appreciated the premise of this novel, and as a lover of dystopian novels found it very thought-provoking. Some of the characters I struggled to connect with and wished we could have learnt more of their backstories but all in all a very enjoyable read! Not sure that I will be continuing this series though, as I've hear terrible things about the second novel... Let me know what you think if you've read it.

The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons - 5/5
This book. So many feels. An incredible historical fiction with one of the most beautiful romances I have ever read. Highly highly recommend, and I am definitely continuing on with this series.

Doon by Carey Corp and Lorie Langdon - 5/5
As a new obsesser of everything Scotland thanks to Outlander, I had to give Doon a go! Based on the play Brigadoon, this is the perfect adventure/romance in which two best friends stumble across another world. I found this a really heartwarming read.

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas - 5/5
So obviously I am seriously behind the times with this series, as it seems to be one of the most talked about YA novels in the book blogging/vlogging world. And now I finally understand why. I was a little unsure when I heard this was about an assassin, but holy cow it is addictive and I've now gone and purchased the rest of the series!

Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout - 3.5/5
I had heard some amazing things about this series, but I have to say that I was a little disappointed. To be fair, I'm not a huge lover of sci-fi, but I also found it very hard to connect with the characters. I found them all very angsty, and also found some of the writing a bit awkward. However, it was quite a gripping story so would recommend for lovers of aliens and romance!

Graceling by Kristin Cashore - 5/5
Another amazing fantasy adventure with a beautiful romance as a bonus! I especially loved the main character, Katsa. She was a strong female in various different aspects, however she had evident character development and we got to see her soft side as well.

The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken - 5/5
My last post was a review of this fantastic novel, which you can check out here if you'd like. This book was absolutely insanely wonderful and completely tore my heart into pieces. In a good way. Kind of. What I'm trying to say is read it!!

As you can see, I've given out a heckload of 5 stars this month. This is partly due to me being the kind of reader who generally enjoys everything I read. However it is MOSTLY due to the fact that I chose loads of amazing books this month! Highly recommend you check them out if you haven't already.

Let me know in the comments if you've read any of these, and what you rated them. Also let me know what you read in the month of January!

Love always,

Ari

Monday, 25 January 2016

Outlander Book/TV Show Review!

Hey all,

Today I want to talk about a recent obsession of mine, inspired by the wonderful Sasha from abookutopia. OUTLANDER!!

NON-SPOILER REVIEW:

Words cannot express how much I loved this book, and the first season of the tv show came pretty close. For those of you who are yet to experience the wonders that is Outlander, this novel (previously called Cross Stitch) by Diana Gabaldon, follows the adventures of Claire Randall. Claire is a nurse during WWII, during which time she was unable to see her husband Frank very often. After the war, Frank and Claire take a trip to the Scottish Highlands to reconnect. Whilst exploring some ancient standing stones near Inverness, Claire is transported back in time to 1743. This is where the real excitement starts, and she comes across Jamie Fraser (sigh!). Diana Gabaldon's writing truly fleshes out both the characters and their surroundings, creating such a vivid story.
In short, if you have not read Outlander yet, READ IT!

Similarly, season one of Outlander was incredible. It stuck extremely close to the book for the most part, and further enhanced my new-found love of the Scottish Highlands. I would recommend reading the book first, of course, as I found this really enriched my viewing experience. However, if you find that massive novel a tad daunting, the show is a great way to start!

Book rating: 5/5
TV series rating: 4.75/5

Now for the SPOILERY SECTION:

Jesus H. Roosevelt Christ, what a read! Despite the amount of action bundled up in this book, due to it's size, Gabaldon managed to ensure that it never felt rushed, or as though too much was happening at once. I absolutely adored every single character in this book. And, I mean, Jamie. What more can I say. The only time I was concerned about the nature of Jamie's character was when he whipped Claire in punishment. At first I was like nooooo Jamie what are you doing you terrible man. However, as I considered it, I reminded myself that we were in 1743, and despite Jamie's actions still being awful, he was extremely kind for that time period.
The story really ended in an unexpected way. I cannot even comprehend what happened to Jamie, and was in absolute agony reading the ordeal of their arrival in France. But now I am super duper excited for a little baby Jamie-Claire in the next book!!!

In regards to the book-tv show comparison, I was extremely impressed. I found it very accurate in the significant aspects of the plot, and nearly every character was as I imagined them when reading (especially Jamie ;)).
The only minor criticism I would give the show was some of the portrayal of Claire. I was watching the series with my parents, neither of whom had read the book before. Whilst I didn't have the need to explain much to them as the story went, they did say that they found Claire a very annoying character. Initially I didn't understand this, mostly due to my bias for the book. But as I considered their points I did begin to notice that Claire was more annoying in the show that in the book. At no point whilst reading Outlander did I find myself frustrated at Claire, however in the show she seemed slightly over-dramatised. This is evidently due to the nature of tv series - they need drama for people to engage entirely. So this small fault I can easily forgive.

Let me know in the comments your thoughts on the Outlander book and tv series! Also feel free to suggest any reviews you'd like me to write, or any book recommendations you may have.

Love always,

Ari



Sunday, 24 January 2016

Book Blogger TMI Tag!

Hi there!
As my first post on pages of worlds, I thought it would be fun to do a little tag for you to get to know me a bit. First and foremost, my name is Ari and I'm from Australia. Obviously I haven't been tagged by anyone for this, but I first saw the tag on 'The little engine that couldn't''s blog.
 Anyhoo, let's get started!

How old are you?
I've recently (in December) turned 18. Woo, adult life!

What book are you reading?
I am currently reading the second book in the Outlander series, Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon. And holy dooley it is amazing.

What are you wearing?
A purple dress!

OTP
I find it impossible to choose only one, so I've narrowed down my faves:
Ron and Hermione
Dorian and Celaena
Tessa and Jem (I used to be Will and Tessa but lately have been leaning towards Jessa!)

Blogger or Wordpress?
Blogger at the moment.

Going outside being active or staying in and reading a book?
Reading a book, every time!!

What is the last book you read?
Graceling, by Kristin Cashore. Absolutely loved it, 5/5!

What is the book you're going to read next?
It depends on when my Book Depository order arrives, but possibly These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner.

Ebooks - yes or no?
Personally, no. Just because I've worked in an independent bookshop and seen the effect that they are having on the book industry. However, I do appreciate the appeal and don't have a problem with people using them.

Where do you prefer to read?
If I'm at college, in bed. If I'm at home, on the lounge in my office/library room.

Who is the last person you tweeted?
I'm relatively new to twitter so am not very active on there, but Diana Gabaldon #queen.

Whose blog did you last look at?
The little engine that couldn't, where I saw this tag!

Who is your favourite blogger?
Sasha Alsberg, from abookutopia!

Who is your favourite book-tuber?
Same as the last question, however I also love Andreya, from Little Yellow Bookshop.

What do you do when someone tells you reading is boring?
Stare at them uncomprehendingly.

Who is the last author you spoke to?
David Burton, the author of How to be Happy. I participated in a theatre course where he was running a scriptwriting workshop!

Who is the last person you texted?
One of my best friends who I went to high school with.

Who is your all-time favourite book character?
Aaaah how can I choose one?!? I'd ultimately have to go with Hermione from Harry Potter, because she really helped to shape me into the person I am today. As with so many other HP fans, she let me know that it's okay to love learning and reading, and for that I will forever be grateful to QUEEN Jo Rowling.

UKYA or USYA?
I really don't have a preference, and I think I probably read a balance of the two.

What is your preferred drink while reading?
Tea, tea and more tea!

If you hated reading, what would you be doing instead?
Probably painting or knitting. But seriously, it hurts me to think of a world where I hated reading.

How many bookshelves do you have?
Three, but they are crazy overflowing and it won't be long before I'll have to invest in another I reckon!

If you had the choice to meet all your favourite book bloggers, or all your favourite authors who would you pick?
My favourite authors, because that would mean meeting J K Rowling, and need I say more??

Insta-love: yes or no?
As a bit of a hopeless romantic, it doesn't really bother me as much as it seems to most other readers. However, it does need to be done well in order to not sound completely cheesy.

Favourite author?
Forever and always,  J K Rowling.

What is the number one book on your wishlist?
Cinder by Marissa Meyer! I've heard SO much about the Lunar Chronicles series on booktube and book blogs and I need to get my hands on them!!!

Do you prefer books with female or male protagonists?
Female, because I find them easier to relate to.

Which is your favourite book-to-film adaptation?
Apart from the entire HP series, which I feel like I am answering with for too many questions in this post, I would have to say Divergent, or The Fault in Our Stars. Also special mention to The Hunger Games series! (How freaking incredible was Mockingjay Part 1!!)

What is the last song you listened to?
Youth, by Troye Sivan. Absolutely love him.

Which do you enjoy reading more - positive or negative reviews?
While I do find negative reviews interesting, I prefer positive reviews, particularly of books I've read and loved so that I can fangirl with bloggers about them!

Who are you going to tag?
All of you!

Have a wonderful day, let me know in the comments if you've done this tag, or what your OTP is!

Love always,
Ari

 P.S. If you use bloglovin, you can follow my blog here. :)