Goodreads Review: The God of the Woods

 

The God of the Woods by Liz Moore

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In 1975, amid the beauty of the Adirondacks, a summer camp created for the children of the elite promises fun and safety. When the owner's daughter goes missing one morning, multiple people in and around the camp and the surrounding areas are viewed as possible suspects. While looking for the young girl, the mystery of her older brother who disappeared 14 years earlier is reopened and unearths the secrets and lies of one ruling family and the people who served them faithfully.

Upon seeing the sheer width of this book, I was nervous that I wouldn't finish. Once I got through the first section I couldn't put it down! Never has a book held my attention like The God of the Woods. Cold cases are some of my favorite mystery's and when I saw that is going to be a generation jump story (plots that go back and forth between decades), my interest was definitely piqued. Having a little decade key at the beginning of each chapter was very helpful too.

The story is told from multiple POV and that really helped to get a better understanding of the characters and how they are so deeply impacted by these disappearances. Unlike most mysteries there is no real villain which really surprised me. A lot of people who made terrible mistakes, but the fact that there is no actual villain pulling the strings made the story so much more real and believable. There are characters that are extremely likable and really despicable characters, and it's really left up to the readers as to how one wants to view each person that is caught up in this madness.

Ishmael (Lamplighter Books)

     If anyone has been to a homeschool convention (or been homeschooled in general) then you have possibly come across Lamplighter Books. They are rare books written between the 1600’s and the late 1800’s that all contain Christian themes (not to different from the “Elsie Dinsmore Series”). One of its most popular and most loved books is Ishmael.

     I had heard about the book at a Lamplighter Books booth at a homeschooling convention and picked it up. I started reading it…three years ago…and then stopped right in the middle. It was good, but I think I got focused on something else and just kept it in the “to read pile.” One of my New Year’s resolutions is to finish all the books that I’ve started and starting with “Ishmael.” I picked the book back up one afternoon and finished it that night! It was that good! I can’t believe that it took me so long to finish.

     Ishmael is based on the true story of a boy growing up in Maryland in the mid 19th century; and his journey from the lowest rung of society to becoming a renowned lawyer and respectable gentleman. Born unwanted and unloved in abject poverty, Ishmael’s mother died giving birth to him and he never knew his father. He had no one except his spinster aunt who hated him at birth but overtime grew to love him. Ishmael knew from a young age that he wanted to make something of himself and had enough will-power to do so; he does live in America after all.

Left: Steven R. McQueen as brave and noble Ishmael Worth
Middle: Jessica Brown Findlay as selfish and vain Claudia Merlin
Right: Lily James as sweet and generous Beatrice "Bee"Middleton

     At the age of seven he started to work and educated himself. While Ishmael had nothing, he did have the Bible and faith from an early age that was forever his moral compass. No trial was so difficult that he didn’t believe that God’s hand was somehow in it; forever guiding him and leading him onward and upward to a better life. By the time Ishmael is a teenager he has made a name for himself as a deeply moral person who will not stand by and let injustice prevail.

    While Ishmael may seem too good to be true at times, his imperfect human nature is most definitely brought out in the obligatory love story between himself and Claudia Merlin who he is madly in love with, but she is incapable of loving him back. Meanwhile, Ishmael is completely oblivious to the secret affections of sweet Beatrice Middleton, who loves him dearly, but does not make herself a martyr for Ishmael’s unrequited feelings.

     Ishmael believes that his pursuit in life is a career in jurisprudence or becoming a lawyer. And he sets out to do just that. He eventually makes history as the first lawyer to defend a woman’s rights in court. A young mother is fighting to keep her children from her estranged husband who has financially ruined her three times. When she refuses to return to him, her husband threatens to take her children away as a means of coercion. Ishmael is asked to defend the husband; however, the young lawyer (use to seeing suffering and pain from the low of society) defends the lonely mother during a time where women had no rights at all.

~ ~ ~

     I don’t want to give anything away (love story or trial), but I will say that Ishmael is a wonderful and profound story of an all-American boy who epitomizes the term ‘rags to riches.’ Yet, not with the stereotyped ideals of ‘follow your dreams’ or believe in yourself,’ but rather in the traditional faith he was raised in and following a God that was there for him when no one else was. And just to clarify, the story is neither overloaded with Christianity nor too preachy in any way at all. There is a good balance of everything that makes a good story and a worthwhile read.

The Maze Runner: Book vs. Movie Characters

 

     Due to the fact that every copy of "The Maze Runner" was checked out at my library and I really, really want to read this series, I finally just went to Wal-Mart and bought the whole series (all four books) in one set. I read the first book in two days and it was very good! I've already started the second one and that just throws you into a ring of fire from the first chapter.

     Like with most books-to-movies that I've read and watched, I had normally watched the movie prior to, which then leads me to read the books. Having now read the first the book, the movie plot was generally the same and although many things were changed around, they kept to the major storyline. What was different though, was many of the characters personalities, most especially the Gladers. The movie was definitely cleaner than the books; in the movie the Gladers were nice, generous, hardworking boys; bookverse...they are pretty much a bunch of crude, sardonic, pithy morons (I would use another word, but I never know who is reading). Other characters were spot on in spite of physical differences. 

      I'll rate the characters book-to-movie transitions on a scale of 1-10; 1 being least accurate and 10 to being spot-on.

~ ~ ~

     Movie-Thomas, pretty much stuck to the original book character. In both book and movie, he's insatiably curious, but also kind and very sacrificial. The book is told primarily from Thomas' POV, so the reader was able to gauge a better understanding of Thomas, whereas in the movie, it was left up to Dylan's acting (which he did a great job!).  In the book, Thomas is much more vulnerable and emotional; several times he breaks down and cries, regardless of who he's around. In the movie, Thomas is portrayed as having more control of his emotions. That being said, the movie did very well at bringing Thomas to life.

Thomas: 8.5

~ ~ ~

     Teresa is introduced in the second chapter of the book, but spends most of her time in a coma. The book allowed much more in depth characterization of Teresa, because she and Thomas have the ability to speak telepathically (something that was not shown in the movie). Obviously, due to time constraints and proper movie flow, on-screen Teresa had a limited amount of screen time, but the film made the most of it. In both book and movie, Teresa is strong-willed, compassionate and has a deep maternal instinct. She's not an alpha-bitch in any sort of way, but she will stand up to people whom she believes are being unjust and cruel. The only major difference is that the book describes Teresa as stunning beautiful, like a modern day Snow White. Kaya is pretty, but she's not stunning beautiful, but that worked in favor of the film, because they focused more on Teresa as a character to watch and not just a character to look at.

Teresa: 10

~ ~ ~

 

     He was exactly executed to perfection from book to movie. I mean I don't even need to go into any detail. He was perfect!

Chuck: 10.5

 ~ ~ ~ 

 

 

     Pretty much everyone's favorite character and for good reasons. In the book, Newt is the type pf guy you want on your side, no matter the situation. Like a typical Glader, he's sarcastic and flippant, but not nearly as crude as the others and does tend to be (what Thomas describes) a loose cannon; there are times when you can't be sure what he could be up to. The movie brought all those characteristics of Newt to life, but Thomas Brodie-Sansgter, seem to bring a little bit of his own charming of personality to the character. Movie-Newt was similar (maybe a little more practical), but the one major tearaway from the book was his physical appearance. In the book, Newt was described as looking like this while Thomas Brodie-Sangster is so skinny, you could snap him in half. Also, in the book, Newt has a limp, but that was hardly seen and never talked about in the movie.

Newt: 7

 ~ ~ ~

     This character was as far away from book-verse as a character could get! In the movie, Alby is portrayed as being strong and noble; he immediately befriends Thomas and gives him a tour of The Glades, he even throws a party for him. The book, however, Alby is cold and almost hateful toward everyone. He could really care less about Thomas, doesn't believe in partying and sure as hell wouldn't celebrate the arrival of a greenie. I mean I was absolutely shocked beyond belief at how much they had changed him in the movie. When I read the book, I couldn't believe that this was the same character that I saw as so kind and generous to everyone. Why they changed him, I don't know, but I definitely prefer the movie character over the book. Alby...was just not a good character in the book. He had his moments, like when Teresa arrives and the boys are fighting over who's going to be the first on top of her, Alby makes it clear that no one touches her or they face immediate banishment. And he did sacrifice himself at the end, but he had already gone crazy.

Alby: 1 

 ~ ~ ~

 

     Gally was kind of so-so in book/movie comparisons. In the book, he is described as a bully who will get what he wants, no matter what it takes. He is incredible cruel and a complete narcissist who has it out for Thomas the moment he arrives. There is a pure, undiluted evil to Gally, which made him a great villian in the story. They definitely kept a lot of Gally's brutish behavior in the movie, but made him more likable in the beginning and then watch his descent into utter madness. His storyline was changed dramatically, though. He never tried to take over the Glades in the books; he actually ran away and met up with the others at the former WICKED department. So either way, Gally was Gally. You can take him or leave him as he is.

Gally: 6.5

 ~ ~ ~

 

     Minho is quickly becoming one of my favorite characters in the series. He's intelligent, but speaks sarcasm like a second language. That was pretty much Minho's trademark attribute, his never-ending stream of sarcastic remarks. Book-verse Minho is a typical Glader that has the same belligerent attitude toward life, but is all business when it comes to the Maze. Similar to the movie-verse, only Minho (like Newt) is more serious and practical. I really would have liked them to add in more of Minho's sarcastic attitude to the movie, but I enjoyed him as a character in both book and movie.

Minho: 8

~ ~ ~

     So, the only real shocker was Alby. While the other Gladers kept their primary personalities intact, there were liberties that were taken with adjusting them and having them portrayed as more mature then they were in the books and to be honest, I liked them better in the movie. They were definitely less annoying and maybe unrealistic, but the major ones like Minho and Newt were well represented and that was good enough for me. Teresa and Thomas, I was glad they didn't change, I just don't know why they didn't add the fact that they were telepathic, because that is a huge discovery in the books and gave great insight into their forgotten pasts.

     Certain events were changed as well, such as Teresa throwing the rocks at the boys and the Glader's party for Thomas were made up for the movie and character storylines like Alby and Gally were practically rewritten. Like I've said with my movie reviewing, don't watch a book-based movie, expecting it to be word for word verbatim. Things are going to be changed, whether due to story flow or time; as long as the whole basis of the book (in this case being the Maze and eventually finding out about WICKED) is strongly intact and has remained the backbone of the story, then you can just watch it as a book inspired movie.

The Hunger Games ~ Book Review

The Hunger Games

L-R: Cato (District 2 Tribute), Cinna (Capitol Designer), Effie Trinket (District 12 Rep.)

Rue (District 11 Tribute), The Mockingjay, Haymitch Abernathy (Former District 12 Victor)

Katnis Everdeen (District 12 Tribute), Peeta Mellark (District 12 Tribute), Gale Hawthorne (District 12 Resident)

~ ~ ~

     Normally I don't do book reviews, but I am compelled to review The Hunger Games (like so many people on Blogger have). I'm not going to lie, The Hunger Games is very controversial, but if you look back, history is filled with societies such as the Capitol and their ruthless ideas of entertainment, mainly the Gladiators of Rome. Blood, death, and glory call all be called ideals of entertainment as long as one is watching, not participating. 

    In one review I read that the reader had a problem because "God was never mentioned" or "Katniss never called on God for help." Well, even I knew the issue behind that before I picked up the book. Panem is a dystopian society or a society that is dehumanized, government run with no free choice or freedom of speech and above all, lived in absolute fear.

     In dystopian society all culture and religion is band and all allegiance is given to the run of the government, who have outlawed the higher power and have turned the people to a life of complete despair. When the world steps away from God, then it steps closer to evil. When the world walks away from the light, it is most assuredly walking into darkness.

     Similar to other stories such as Lois Lowry's novels "The Giver" and "Gathering Blue," where children are given responsibilities based on natural talent to be used for the governments own gain. 

     Ray Bradbury's, "Fahrenheit 451" about government's complete control and the disbandment of reading. 

     Also, the film "Equilibrium" starring Christian Bale, where everyone in society is "equal" and any sign of feeling or emotion, whether found in music, books, or even human love, is illegal.

    If you haven't read or seen any of the above, you need to. You will get a better understanding of dystopian society and the corruption of government, that either lead to the breaking of man or the rebellious resurrection of mankind.

     As matter of fact, while we're on the brief lines of Christian Bale, "Batman" can also be considered a dystopian society, because of government's corruption.

~ ~ ~

The Capitol and the 12 surrounding districts (click to see higher resolution)

Peeta Melark, Katniss Everdeen, Gale Hawthorne

Panem & District 12

    The society of Panem (former North America) is made of up 12 districts. All districts are judged and based by what they provide to The Capitol (the government). There is a hierarchy in Panem regarding the districts. District 1 in providing luxury, making it the wealthiest, to District 12 that provides coal, therefore making it the poorest. 

     As punishment for rebellion in the what was once District 13, the Capitol holds The Hunger Games every year. Once a year every boy and girl between the ages of 12 and 18 are gathered in the town square on Reaping day. One boy and one girl from each district is selected to compete in The Hunger Games. In truth, it's a blood bath to see who is still standing at the end, but instead the Capitol glamorize it and make it appear as survivor reality show that is mandatory watch for everyone in Panem. Their success as Victor can mean wealth for themselves as well as temporary prosperity for their districts.

     The punishment is for the parents who must watch in horror as their selected child is thrown out to the wolves and are mercilessly terrorized on world wide television. What was suppose to be the next generation of hope, is destroyed in front of them. The Capitol will not be mocked and it will not be usurped.

     The Capitol is materialistic and worldly, their attitude is "What's best for me" or "Whatever makes me happy." Most people are, but there are others that believe that real wealth can be found in generous deeds and acts of kindness and that true honor is found in sacrifice. In District 12, though, people may come across as cold or even ruthless, but there are moments of love and generosity. 

     Katniss Everdeen has lost her father in the coal mines when she was 12 and her mother has become silent and withdrawn from her daughters. Katniss must provide for her family by hunting and selling, gathering berries and herbs, and making deals in The Hob (the district marketplace). 

     Because of the lost of her parents, Katniss is cut off from the world; she seems incapable of loving and can't even fathom the thought of having someone else lover her. The only affection she gives is to her younger sister Primrose and to her best friend and hunting partner, Gale Hawthorne. Katniss' love from Primrose is so strong that is doesn't even phase her when she volunteers as tribute in her younger sister's place for The Hunger Games.

 "Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices in the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."

~ I Corinthians 13:6-7

     Now, I have read in books reviews that although Katniss sacrificed herself for her sister, the readers found that her participation in The Hunger Games was eventually selfish and self serving. That her will to survive was only for her own gain. That even though she knew what was wrong, she played the games anyway and that was eventual selfishness.

     How so? Katniss needed to survive to get home to her mother and her sister. She made a promise to her sister that she would come home.When other people are out on the hunt for your life, you don't just stand there and let them have you. You have to fight to defend yourself. There is a big difference between murder and self-defense.

     Others have said that if Katniss didn't want to be part of the games, why didn't she just take her tracker out?

     How on earth was she suppose to do that? I mean really??

     This all goes back to the lack of God in dystopian society. Katniss does not know God, but she does know love. Just because God is not physically mentioned in the book, doesn't mean that he is not present in the spirit of Katniss' heart.

"All truth is is from God; and consequently, if wicked men have said anything that is true and just, we ought not to reject it; for it has come from God."

~ John Calvin

 
      What is truth to Katniss?

      That murder is wrong.

      To stand up for those who cannot stand for themselves.

      To honor those that have fallen.

      To give love and to accept it.

      That maybe you are not in control of your life.

      To forgive even when it may seem unthinkable.
    
     I don't read a book so I can try to find God, but God normally finds me during the reading when I don't even realize it. Now of course, this was pretty obvious. The author, Suzanne Collins, saw Katniss as the Christlike figure who gave her life for her sister. Katniss tried to push love away, but there was a love so strong in her, because of her sister's own love, that she did the unthinkable and volunteered to lay down her life.

~ ~ ~

Katniss & Peeta

 &

The Hunger Games

The Tributes

The Hunters

The Victors

"He who saves one life, saves the world entire."

~The Torah

      Katniss' adversary whom she must fight in The Hunger Games is the baker's youngest son, Peeta Mellark. Their interesting relationship starts back shortly after Mr. Everdeen dies and Katniss and her mother and sister are starving. Unable to find any food, Katniss is behind the bakery, defeated and about to breathe her last breath, when Peeta throws her a couple loaves of burnt bread.

     Those few loaves of burnt bread gave Katniss her strength back, but more than anything, it gave her hope. There was still goodness, there was still a trust in humanity. She was able to discover how to use use roots and plants to eat and put into soups, she learned to become a better hunter, and even her mother would come out of her daze to help. Peeta's actions were illegal and he could have suffered severely for it, but his sacrifice did more than feed Katniss, it saved her soul.

    When faced with 23 other tributes, most of them out for one each others blood, Katniss and Peeta realize that maybe being killed would be more preferable than killing. Alliances are formed and Katniss and Peeta find themselves on oppoite sides most of the time. Katniss teams up with Rue, a charming 12 years old from District 11 and Peeta gives the appearance that he is with the dominate alliance, but you can never be sure whose game he is really playing.

      Peeta's genuine strength of character and moral attitude is a constant beacon throughout the story. He will by no stretch of the imagination kill, he will not lose himself in The Capitol's brutal ideal of courage and honor. Katniss herself, believes this and also resigns not to kill, unless it is in self defense. In the end they are victors, because their moral conscience won over the political law.

    Like the Jewish students of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abendego who would rather face the fiery furnace than bow before the king's idol and were spared from the flames*, Peeta and Katniss were spared because if their honor and humanity.

   Unbeknownst to the both of them...they change the world. 

    Peeta's act of mercy saved Katniss, leading to Katniss' sacrifice and honor that was seen throughout all of Panem. Both of them would not surrender their moral beliefs in The Hunger Games. Katniss gives honor to Rue when she is killed and leaves her body in gathered flowers. Her act of nobility, leads to Rue's district to cause an uprising against the Capitol. The Capitol is shocked by what they witness and eventually are engulfed in a losing battle between themselves and the districts of Panem.

  And it all began with a boy's courage to save a life...

~ ~ ~ 

      For Such a Time As This

Peeta and Katniss during the Victory Tour in "Catching Fire"

"And who knows but that you have come to a royal position for such a time as this?

~Esther 4:14

     Since The Hunger Games trilogy has been out for awhile, most people know that Katniss will no longer be made to give into The Capitol's tyrannical rule and leads a rebellion. So, one must wonder? 

      Was Katniss' part in The Hunger Games, just by odds or mere coincidence? 

    Or maybe it was something more. She took part in The Hunger Games and returned victorious. Her title as Victor gave her chance to challenge the powerful and overcome the impossible.

     Perhaps her decision to volunteer as Tribute was meant for something more, something greater than gaining the title of Victor, but rather bring victory to all Panem and restore goodness and humanity.

~ ~ ~

      Is the book series controversial? Yes.

      Does it make question my belief in mankind and humanity? Yes.

     This probably isn't what one would call a 'book review,' but I wanted to talk about the elements that really jumped out at me the most and that was Katniss and Peeta and how the story revolves around them. A good story is based on the content of the protagonist characters, all the other is just background work.

     If you look hard enough and not focus on the general public view of The Hunger Games storyline, you can find that this story and it's characters hold an intensely moral viewpoint.

     Katniss: Self sacrifice and love

     Peeta: Courage and loyalty

     Gale: Friendship and nobility

     Rue: Kindness and genorosity

Primrose: Hope and joy

   

  Haymitch: Intelligence and leadership

Seneca Crane: Civil disobedience against a corrupt government, 
which eventually led to his death.

     No book is going to be accepted by every audience and not every book is going to directly mention God and his works. Like I said, I don't read books just so I can find God in them, I read books to enjoy the story. I leave it to God to make an appearance in his own good time.


* Daniel 3

The Hobbit: Chapters. II & III

Chapter II. Roast Mutton

      The next morning Bilbo sleeps in and to his relief he finds a very messy kitchen....and no dwarves at all. So needless to say, he thinks he's gotten out of the adventure. Then Gandalf shows up and hands him a note written by Thorin (in his typical sarcastic manner) that says that Bilbo should meet them at The Green Dragon at precisely 11:00. It's 10:45. So Bilbo books it as fast as he can to The Green Dragon to find the whole company of dwarves waiting for him.

     If I was Bilbo, I would have just torn the note up and told Gandalf to leave, but I'm not Bilbo and if he did do what I had suggested, well we would have no story, would we?

     After they leave, it rains and it rains and it rains. By the next couple of days the food has run out, the dwarves are testy because of the weather, and Oin and Gloin are about to kill one another. Then there's a light. Not sure what kind of light it is, but it's a damn light, so it must mean something!!! Thorin tells Bilbo to go check it out.

     The light is coming from a fire and around it are three stupid ugly trolls. Burt, William, and Tom. What original names for a fantasy story. Anyway, to make a long story short the trolls take all the dwarves captive and plan the best ways to eat them, but just when all is lost...Gandalf appears, the sun is up, the trolls are turned to stone, and there's food food for everyone!!!

     While they're scrounging around for food and other valuable items, Thorin and Gandalf come across two swords and Bilbo finds a small sword of his own all with foreign writing on the blades. Completely clueless to what the writing is on each of the swords they set off to find rest and refuge in the House of Elrond.

(Roast Mutton is what the trolls were planning on turning the dwarves into)

Chapter III. A Short Rest

     This was a cool chapter. They finally get to Rivendell! It was humorous reading about the dwarves crossing the bridge and how the elves on the other side were teasing them about it (elves of all peoples). The best part about this chapter was the incredible description of Elrond that was given,

"He was as noble and as fair in face as an elf-lord, as strong as a warrior, as wise as a wizard, as venerable as a king of dwarves (must have been talking about Thorin) and as kind as summer...

His house was perfect whether you liked food, or sleep, or work, or storytelling, or singing, or just sitting and thinking best, or a pleasant mixture of them all. Evil things did not come into that valley."

      Despite the dwarves testy relationship with the elves, Thorin and his companions trust Elrond enough to let himer translate the ancient writing on the map that Thorin is using for their adventure. Afterwards, Elrond tells Thorin and Gandalf about their swords. Gandalf's is Glamdring and Thorin's is Orcrist, the goblin-cleaver.

     When they first got there, Thorin said they were only going to stay the night. They ended up staying for fourteen days. Then they leave for the Misty Mountains.

The Hobbit: Chapter. I

My best friend and I (in honor of the upcoming movie "The Hobbit") have decided to read The Hobbit together. We're going to read three chapters a week and then I said I would review each chapter here. Sounds like fun : )

The Hobbit

Chapter I. An Unexpected Party

     From the very beginning, we get incredible descriptions of Hobbiton, Bag-End, Bilbo Baggins and his family. Bilbo's mother, Belladonna Took, and her family were considered odd from the rest of the hobbits because they liked adventures.

"It was often said (in other families) that long ago one of the Took ancestors must have taken a fairy wife. That was, of course, absurd, but certainly there was still something not entirely hobbitlike about them. and once in a while members of the Took-clan would go and have adventures. They disappeared discreetly, and the family hushed it up; but the fact remained that the Tooks were not as respectable as the Bagginses, though they were undoubtedly richer.*

     The Bagginses come in when Belladonna married Bilbo's father, Bungo, and Belladonna settled down to raise her son. Bilbo has always had a little Took in him, but has never really known it. He's takes more after Baggin's side of the family and prefers to stay in his beautiful hobbit-hole home and stay as far away from adventure as possible.

      Then one day the great wizard Gandalf shows up at Bag End and says,

"I am looking for someone to share in an adventure that I am arranging, and it's very difficult to find anyone."

      So Gandalf voluntells Bilbo to go on this grand adventure and Bilbo says,

     "Sorry, I don't want any adventures, thank you."

      The next day Bilbo gets the shock of his life when Gandalf and thirteen dwarves arrive on his doorstep. The dwarves as they were introduced in the book.

Dwalin, Balin, Kili, Fili, Dori, Nori, Ori, Oin, Gloin, Bifur, Bofur, Bombur and Thorin

     This is when the story gets funny. The dwarves are loud, a little rude, and seem to have no clue what they put poor Bilbo through when he has to unexpectedly feed all fourteen guests. Afterwards Thorin (the leader of the company) explains why they are going on this adventure. To reclaim a lost treasure that was stolen from them by Smaug the dragon. Bilbo's role in this is the burglar, who is small, discreet, and able to get by without being seen.

     After some hefty persuasion (and some rather rude comments slung out by Thorin), Bilbo agrees to go.