Here’s an excerpt:

600 people reached the top of Mt. Everest in 2012. This blog got about 4,300 views in 2012. If every person who reached the top of Mt. Everest viewed this blog, it would have taken 7 years to get that many views.

Click here to see the complete report.

Resident Evil: Nemesis / SD Perry

Ah, the Nemesis.  To me, he is the “Pyramid Head” of the Resident Evil series.  Everybody knows who he is and he is one of the scariest opponents in the entire franchise.  He also made an appearance on the movie adaptation, just like his Silent Hill counterpart.  But if you must know, the Nemesis is a creature from Umbrella Labs programmed to hunt and kill S.T.A.R.S. members.  He appears in the third Resident Evil game and the fifth book adaptation.

Jill Valentine was part of the S.T.A.R.S. team that survived the Spencer Mansion incident in the first book/game.  Several weeks after the events of the third book, City of the Dead, we find Jill, now a vigilante, going solo in not only taking down Umbrella but helping survivors.  Raccoon City is in ruins, overrun by the undead and unnatural.  She finds herself roaming the streets of Raccoon, ending up at the RPD precinct, and being chased by the Nemesis.

Once again, SD Perry did a great job at translating the game into a book.  The plot is very faithful, if not, better than the game plot.  The game is played solely in Jill’s POV but in the book, the author included a separate plot line from the point of view of Carlos Oliveira.  Carlos is a playable character that helps Jill throughout the game, even saves her life.  I love that the author gave him a voice in the book and it made the story so much better.  We get to see his journey through the story and not just his parts in the game where we meet or get to play as him.  At first I thought I wasn’t going to like the non-Jill POV but I ended up liking that more.  Jill’s parts are pretty much exactly the same as in the game.  If you’re familiar with the game, then this won’t give you anything new Jill-wise.  It’s the Carlos parts that make this book my favorite from the series so far.

The portrayal of the Nemesis was good although I feel that you have to see what he actually looks like in order for you to really get him.  I never liked playing against the Nemesis because he’s big, scary, and tough to kill.  But he’s less scary when I’m reading about him.  The whole “STARSSSS….” thing is creepy in the book also.

So far, the book series had held up its own.  I’ve only read those with game equivalents and I liked them.  They give insight to the lesser characters from the game and in the process, gives the reader/gamer more stuff to think about.  I’ve often wondered how the other characters felt during their individual journeys so I appreciate how SD Perry makes it a point to include those in her book adaptations.

Rating: 4/5.

Recommendation: Not a good place to start the series.  But if you’ve read the previous books and/or played the games, it’s a nice companion piece.

City of the Dead / SD Perry

When I hear “city of the dead”, I either think about the Green Day song Jesus of Suburbia or Resident Evil‘s Raccoon City, arguably the most famous zombie-infested city in pop culture.  This time, it’s the city I’m talking about.

Notice that this is the 3rd book in the RE novelization series.  I skipped the second one, Caliban Cove, because I just cannot wait to read about my favorite game in the franchise, Resident Evil 2.  I’ll eventually get to that second one but now it’s all about Leon and Claire, my favorite video game couple.

It closely follows what looks like the “Scenario 1 as Leon / Scenario 2 as Claire” configuration.  When I played it, I did it the other way around.  Although I’m not quite sure.  I recently finished watching a Let’s Play of RE2 and Leon didn’t get to meet Marvin when he was Scenario 2 so I figured… eh, anyway.  Leon S. Kennedy’s first day as a rookie cop for RPD turns out to be a start to a nightmare.  Claire Redfield, hasn’t heard from her brother, Chris (from the first book/game), in a while so she decided to go to Raccoon City to look for him.  What she encounters there is anything but a happy reunion.  The city was overrun by the undead.

I love how the author was able to do justice to the game.  It followed each turn as closely as possible.  As a huge fan of the game, I appreciated that she didn’t skip anything important.  Actually, I don’t think she skipped anything.  The item pick-ups maybe, but all the cut scenes were there.  I loved Sherry’s portrayal.  Whenever it’s her POV, the writing shifts into somewhat a kid voice.  The author added insight to Sherry that was missing in the games.  I loved those parts where she thought about her parents, about hiding alone, about Claire.  The romantic potential between Ada and Leon was downplayed a bit in favor of the action.  Again, it’s no walkthrough but it’s pretty faithful to the original game.

As with the previous one, there are very interesting ways to acquire extra ammo.  How I wish they showed the usage of herbs and the ink ribbon.  The journey through the RPD station was easy to follow and very exciting.

Fans of the game and franchise will be surprised that even though you – we – are familiar with the games, there are still things in this book that will surprise.  I personally like the inner conversations the characters have with themselves as well as the author’s overall interpretation.  And even if you’re not familiar with the game, you can still come along for the ride.  It’s thrilling and scary and very exciting.

Rating: 4/5.

Recommendation: An easy read for survival horror fans.  Not to mention, Leon S. Kennedy fangirls.

1-Your favorite Book: Jane Eyre forever.  For non-fiction, it’s Generation Kill.  I will read both of these books at least once every year.  This year, I’ve already read AND audio’d both of these books.
2-Least Favorite Book: I’m assuming that I have to pick from my Favorites pile, right?  I don’t have much in that shelf.  Just because I devour a book, doesn’t mean it’ll be a favorite.  I think it’ll have to be Anne of Green Gables by LM Montgomery.  It is my favorite children’s book but I’m not falling over myself to read it again.
3-A Book that completely surprised you: (bad/good) A book that surprised me because it is so GOOD: A Song of Ice and Fire series by George RR Martin.  I admit, the thickness of each book is a bit discouraging but once you start reading, I dare you to stop!  A book that surprised me because it is so BAD: Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins.  She didn’t even try.  Shame to end a great book series like that.  A book that surprised me because I liked it: Glow by Amy Kathleen Ryan.  I am not the biggest fan of young adult literature, as many of you know. But I loved this book.
4. – A Book that made you laugh out loud: There are some parts of A Clash of Kings by George RR Martin that made me howl in laughter.
5- A Non-fiction book that you actually enjoyed: Generation Kill by Evan Wright and One Bullet Away by Nathaniel Fick.  I have immeasurable love for both of these books.
6- A Book that makes you cry: Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom

7- A Book that’s hard to read: I had a bit of trouble going through Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett.  Not because it was thick but there were so many characters to remember and it skips POV so often.  Plus during that time, I had other stuff to do so I had little to no time to read.
8- A Book you want to read, but never have: My answer to this would’ve been The Road by Cormac McCarthy had you asked me four years ago.  But now, I don’t know.  If I want to read something from an author, I just go for it.
9- A Book you’ve read more than once: A LOT.
10- The first novel you remember reading: Nancy Drew Mysteries #9, The Sign of the Twisted Candles
11- The Book that made you fall in love with reading: The Nancy Drew Mystery stories
12- A book so emotionally draining you couldn’t complete it or had to set aside for a bit: Haha, I usually experience this when reading fan fiction.  And I usually take a break or set aside books because either it’s too boring or awful.  Boring: The Bourne Legacy by Eric van Lustbader — this book literally made me doze off a couple of times.  Awful: A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick — the classic example of never judging a book by its cover.
13- Favorite childhood Book: I remember having so many fairytale books and sets around the house.  My parents bought me books instead of Barbies so I am really thankful for that.
14- Book that should be on hs/college required reading list: I didn’t study in the USA so I don’t really know how the required reading works.  I would imagine that I wouldn’t mind anything they throw on me.  But I know not all HS/college students are avid readers.  But I think both Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen are perfect case topics for Women’s Studies.  LOL… I’ll stop here. 
15- Favorite book dealing with foreign culture: Lisa See’s books.  I’ve seen a movie adaptation of one and read another one, Dreams of Joy.  It’s pretty powerful and I would love read more about Asian culture.  Being Asian myself, I am interested in topics from that part of the world.
16- Favorite book turned movie: The Lord of the Rings.  I don’t have to explain.
17- Book turned movie and completely desecrated: I am tempted to say Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban but that is my Quidditch-loving side talking.  I mean, why… WHY would you remove Quidditch from the 3rd movie when it is the main subplot of the 3rd book?!
18- A Book You can’t find on shelves anymore that you love: Well… anything you can’t find on the shelf, you can probably find digitally, right? 
19- A Book that changed your mind about a particular subject: Just when I thought that a book would finally turn me towards young adult literature, the next book I read from that genre makes me turn away from it again.
20-A Book you would recommend to an ignorant/racist/closed minded person: Honestly, the Harry Potter books.  I once argued with my teacher, who coincidentally is a nun, about the merits of reading Harry Potter.  She said it clouds the mind with witchcraft but apparently, she’s never even picked one up.  “I wouldn’t even try.”  Wow.  Whatever.  I still got the best marks in her class.
21-A guilty pleasure book: Aren’t all erotica reads a guilty pleasure?  If so, then it’s Belinda by Anne Rampling and Fifty Shades Darker by EL James.  The latter has awful writing but if you consider it a fan fiction, it’s HAWT.
22-Favorite Series: Currently, A Song of Ice and Fire.  I still love you, LOTR, but right now… Jon Snow is owning it!
23- Favorite Romance Novel: I’m not big on romance novels although I would love to try a really good one.
24 – A Book you later found out the Author lied about: A Million Little Pieces by James Frey.
25-Favorite Autobiographical/Biographical Book: I’ve read more memoirs than straight up biographies.  Actually, the one autobiography that I’ve read is about Jenna Jameson, the pornstar.  A biography about Roger Federer also.
26-A Book you wish would be written: Is there a topic out there that has not been written about?  You tell me.
27- A Book you would write if you had all the resources: I think I’d make a good parody writer.  I don’t know, I love writing AU fan fiction and I’ve gotten good feedback from it.
28- A Book you wish you never read: I wish I could say Mockingjay but it’s a part of a series so I kind of had to read it.  A Reliable Wife, however, is a complete waste of time.
29- An Author that you completely avoid/hate won’t read: Stephenie Meyer.
30 – An Author that you will read whatever they put out:JK Rowling.  Yeah, I’ve surrendered myself to that.  I’m still not feeling Casual Vacancy but I’ll eventually get to it.  Also, Dan Brown.

The Umbrella Conspiracy / SD Perry

It’s Halloween month and the zombies are out to get you!

Zombie fiction at least.  This horror subgenre has experienced a surge in popularity in the recent years.  From the countless zombie movies and the hit show The Walking Dead, it became so popular that it has its own shelf at Barnes & Noble, just like vampire fiction.

But zombie fiction is far from being a “new” genre.  From Mary Shelley (Frankenstein, you know, raising the dead), to HP Lovecraft, to the modern zombie portrayals by George A. Romero, zombies have been scaring people for a very long time.  Even the thought of a decaying undead being out to eat your brains is scary enough.  The survival horror genre in video games exemplifies that terror.

The Resident Evil franchise has a huge following.  In fact, if you ask me what is the first thing that enters my mind when I hear the word “zombie”, it’s this game.  (Not movie. Please, the live action movie is a joke. Stick with the animated films, Degeneration and Damnation.)  Although I prefer Silent Hill more, RE is not far behind.  I remember my dad and I playing these games, he was on the controls and I help him solve the puzzles.  Through the years, I followed the adventures of Jill Valentine, Chris and Claire Redfield, Leon S. Kennedy, Ada Wong, Barry Burton, Albert Wesker, etc.

The Umbrella Conspiracy is the first in a series of video game novelizations.  It follows the first game with the STARS team at the Spencer Mansion.  In the game, the POVs are split between the Jill scenario and Chris scenario.  In the book, the POV switches amongst the characters but it still follows the general storyline of the game.  It is very interesting how they managed to get more handgun ammo as they explored the mansion.  I also liked how the reading of the random journals and files were portrayed.  The story steadily moves forward through the eyes of the characters and it was very easy to follow.  I love that the key puzzles were featured although not explained in length.  Hey, this is not a walkthough, you know.

After reading this, I never thought that the story itself was a bit short.  Playing it seems longer with all the puzzles and zombie dodging and shooting, and all that scary stuff.  The book was not as scary as the game but it’s nice to read what the characters were thinking of while in that situation.  Where was Wesker when Jill and Chris were off solving puzzles?  What’s up with Rebecca?  But the author started some possible subplots early in the book only to abandon those storylines in the end in favor of game canon.

You don’t have to have played the game to appreciate this book.  However, it adds to the enjoyment if you are familiar with it.  There are little gems included in the book that an RE gamer would like.  A “Jill sandwich”, anyone?

Rating: 3/5.

Recommendation: It’s an easy train read.  If you’re familiar with the games, you might like it. If you’re a fan of the games, you’ll love that they included that one line from Barry that made the game awesome.

A Storm of Swords / George RR Martin

Where do I even begin?  “Wow” doesn’t even describe this book well enough.

In the words of LOTR’s King Theoden (in the films), so much death.  It’s tough to get attached to a character in this series.  You’ll never know if and when Mr. Martin will kill him/her next.  Just when you start to think, “Oh, s/he’s an important character as this story goes on. I’m sure s/he’s gonna stick around for a couple more books.”  Wrong.  And in this book, there are so many things you will not see coming.

There are so many events going on at the same time.  I’ve held off posting a full review on this book because it is so complex.  Originally a trilogy stretched on to be a 7-book series because it is impossible to close all ties in three books.  It’s deceit, backstabbing, family feuds, warmongering, romance, the supernatural, politics, ambition, life, death… everything in 1000+ pages!

I don’t think I can do a detailed review without spoiling any part of the book.  The events don’t really overlap with each other.  A Storm of Swords is definitely heartbreaking in some parts.  Like the times when the Starks are almost reunited with each other.  It frustrated me but at the same time, it broke my heart.  Poor Sansa, forever a political pawn.  She dreams of fairytales and gets everything but that.  Arya’s off to her own adventure with equally cool people.  Jon making his mark in the North.  So basically, Ned Stark’s children are the Chosen Ones in this ‘verse.  Daenerys… I wasn’t a fan of her chapters in this book.  I felt that it didn’t contribute to the bigger picture.  I admire her ambition but right now, her efforts are rather laughable.  As for Catelyn, whatever I said about her chapters in the past, I take it all back.  What happens to her in this book is something that I am excited for in the next one.  I loved Bran’s chapters because of his conversations with Meera and Jojen.  And Hodor.  HODOR!!!

Once again, the POV chapters proved very helpful as a plot device.  Especially Jamie’s.  I liked him so much in this.  To me, he went through the most change from the first book.  And I really felt sorry for the guy as the story progressed.

I seriously cannot wait to see all this translated into film.  HBO, you better bring it!

Rating: 5/5.

Recommendation: Just read it.  Just read it.

Beautiful Disaster / Jamie McGuire

They call it “Fifty Shades for young adults”.

Walking One-Night Stand, Travis Maddox meets his match in Abby Abernathy.  Travis is the one of the best underground fighters.  Abby shows up in one of his fights dressed in a cardigan which he later sprays with blood.  Travis is cousin to Shepley who is in a relationship with America, Abby’s best friend.  Abby and America are new to Eastern University, getting away from Abby’s dark past.

I admit that I enjoyed Fifty Shades for what it’s worth.  Reading it with a fanfiction mindset also helped.  With that said, I did enjoy reading this book.  I read it inside of 2-3 days and there were parts where I could not put it down.  The writing is okay and easy to read.  It was fast-paced and the… themes… are pretty interesting to young adults and adults alike.  But there were bits in the book that, in the words of one of the characters, “has just become one convoluted clusterfuck”.  I think the author tried to fit so much about the characters that it became a bit confusing.  Abby’s backstory came out of nowhere but it was poorly handled that I didn’t know what to make of it.  I think it’s supposed to be a driving force for the second part of the novel but it didn’t have quite as much impact as what I think the author is going for that it almost became an afterthought.

This book’s strength is in its characters.  Especially the supporting roles, America and Shepley.  Abby and Travis were a little too ideal – straight A student bad boy and a “simple” girl who cleans up real nice?  Yeah, of course.  Travis came across as over-the-top scary many times.  America acts like the voice of reason and at the same time, Abby’s best protector.  I love the way she goes all out in everything she does.  I also love the Maddox family. What a rowdy group of men!

What I did not like was the ending.  It kind of turned me off from the whole thing.  I felt that the ending was the biggest cliche of them all.  It was very predictable.  As soon as I realized what will happen, I went, “Please, no.  Not that direction…”  But oh well, got to have at least one painfully obvious cliche in every YA novel, right?  And considering this ended up like it did, the story stretched on too long.

I had a bit of trouble digesting that this is classified as a young adult novel.  In the several bookstores that I visited, I’ve seen this shelved either under YA or contemporary adult fiction.  It does have a YA feel but at the same time, it’s a bit dark to be truly YA.  Maybe for older young adults?  If that makes sense.  There are a few themes that I don’t think will send the right message to the teen crowd.  Also, I could totally see this as a TV show on the CW Network.  This is definitely right up their alley.

Rating: 3/5.

Recommendation: If you liked Christian Grey and how he treats his woman then you might also like Travis Maddox.  And this book.

I’m sorry that I completely disappeared during the month of September.  I needed some time off of books and reading and book blogging.  Also, I’m sorry for not telling you guys about this impromptu sabbatical of sorts.  I still read a couple of books during that month and I will have those reviews up eventually.  It just all became too much on top of work stress, real life, and my other interests mixed in together.

September, as you may know, is my birth month.  I turned 24.  Also, September proved to be very exciting for me and my other interest as of the moment, namely KPOP.  Especially the Korean boy band BIGBANG.  Sales for their North American tour opened – and sold out – on September 22 and from the moment they announced it, it was the source of irrational stress for me.  LOL.  Now that it’s over and done and it’s finally sunk in, I can attend again to my reading.

If you want to keep track of my life, please feel free to check out my personal blog at http://catey-cakes.blogspot.com.

Here is a list of books that I still need to review:

• A Storm of Swords by George RR Martin
• Beautiful Disaster by Julie McGuire
• The Borgia Bride by Jeanne Kalogridis
• Fifty Shades Darker by EL James
• … and I’m thinking whether to review my favorites, Generation Kill and Jane Eyre.  I read them at least once every year anyway.

Thank you and happy October!

A Clash of Kings // George R. R. Martin

Just like what I did with Thrones, I also read this half-and-half with the audio book.  And let me tell you, if you have to audio book an ASOIAF book, make it this one.  Notice I used the HBO tie-in cover instead of the yellow cover.  I planned to stick to the non-tie-in covers but Wal*Mart had these copies at $2 off.  Oh well.

A Clash of Kings introduces new characters to root for.  I say that instead of “to follow” because I honestly related to these new characters as easily as I did in the first book.  Also, minor characters in A Game of Thrones were given bigger parts and this is were I appreciated GRRM a bit more.  He gave each and every character their own life and back story so if ever he decides to expand their roles in following books, the reader would be familiar to him/her already.

This book is called “A Clash of Kings” because after the death of King Robert Baratheon and execution of Ned Stark, Westeros entered a civil war.  Leaders of the different regions declared themselves king as well as all those who claimed they were the rightful successor to the Iron Throne.  Robb Stark is hailed King of the North whom at a very young age won every battle he led.  Robert’s brothers, Stannis and Renly, proclaimed themselves king, not only of their respective lands but the whole kingdom.  In the Free Cities, Daenerys Targaryen became the Mother of Dragons and was set to reclaim her brother’s usurped throne as the rightful monarch of Westeros.

Eddard “Ned” Stark’s death also meant that his children were put in danger from the Lannisters.  Robb, Sansa, Arya, Bran, Rickon, and Jon Snow were separated from each other and everyone they hold dear.  Robb took on the responsibility of being king, Sansa was trapped with the Lannisters as a promised wife to now-king Joffrey, Arya was disguised as a boy to travel with a band of misfits en route to The Wall, Bran and Rickon were left at Winterfell, while Jon Snow ventured Beyond the Wall for his own adventure.

This book, to me, was easier to read and follow than the first one.  Maybe it is because the introductions were done and the real adventures were about to begin.  We get to see more interesting characters and knowing their stories through different POVs.  It set a steady pace.  But there really wasn’t much happening in this book.  If you’re waiting for something big to happen, it’s not coming.  It’s mostly expositions as to where this and that character will go in his/her own story.

But this had my favorite moment to date, whether it be from the book, audio narration, or TV show:

I first encountered that scene in the audio book and I almost howled in laughter.  It was the middle of the work day and I was bored out of my mind.  And then this part.  I scrambled for my book to mark this exchange between Arya and my new favorite character, Gendry.  Arya’s chapters are always a highlight of the series.  Theon was given POV chapters in this book as well.  I don’t really like him as much but it is nice to expand his character after being an afterthought in the first book.

Overall, the high points of Clash are the build up to each character’s upcoming adventures and the new POV characters.  It still has the intrigue and scandal we all loved in Thrones and more.  The world of Westeros and the Free Cities is big and now that the characters are off doing their own thing, we get to see more of that.

Rating: 4/5.

Recommendation: A great follow up to the adventures in book one.  I dare you to not pick this up after finishing Thrones.

I am so very sorry for the severe lack of posts this month.  August is on its last legs and would you believe is this my first post for August?  Whoa.  I admit the reason for this is partly because of laziness and somewhat a lack of drive to write up full reviews for every book I finish.  Lately, I’ve been working my way through the A Song of Ice and Fire series.  As you know, they are monsters, really long and thick volumes; by the end of each book, I feel exhausted.  Usually, I would take breaks in between books to review them or reflect on them but I got so sucked into GRRM’s world that I start the next book as soon as I flip the last page of the previous one.  I know there is no excuse for laziness but I think we all have lapses in interest, even though we are passionate about that one thing.

Also, other interests.  I love books and reading to death but the world out there is big and there are so much to love.  For the past month, I’ve been so into KPOP.  Actually, I just experienced my first KPOP concert last night (2NE1, I will write up on that on my other blog very soon).  I’ve been listening non-stop to the likes of Big Bang, 2NE1, and f(x).  They’ve pretty much taken over my life.  Hee!

But… I will try to post more starting next month.  I’ve partied a portion of KPOP out of my system, finished another ASOIAF book with the next one waiting for me.  I’m ready to get back in the game.  I hope you’re still right here with me.

Thank you!