Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - J.K. Rowling

Synopsis: "It is Harry Potter's sixth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardy. As Voldemort's sinister forces amass and a spirit of gloom and fear sweeps the land, it becomes more and more clear to Harry that he will soon have to confront his destiny. But is he up to the challenges ahead of him?"

Although Rowling's writing in the previous books of the series is skilful in telling the story of Harry Potter, it is within Half-Blood Prince that she begins to unravel the complex web she has created. The story as a whole becomes far more darker to read as it steps on the line between children and adult literature, yet continuing to make it just as enjoyable, suitable and magical to read for all ages.

The start of the novel has a much fresher start than those before it as it doesn't begin with Harry broadcasting his teenage angst over having to stay with the Dursley's over the summer. Instead Rowling uses the start of the book to branch out to other parts of the wizarding and muggle world, enlightening the reader of terrible events and frightening truths that do not relate to Harry. The first chapter is followed by an explosive second as we learn where Snape truly resides within the war on Voldemort and why Dumbledore had always turned him down for the sought after Defence Against the Dark Arts post. Together this highlights to the reader that there is more to the world of Harry Potter than just Harry himself.

Yet again Rowling manages to bring a great deal of character development to the story as we learn a lot about Salazar Slytherin's family tree, which ultimately branches out to Voldemort and his closest relatives in particular. The knowledge of who Voldemort's parents were, where he spent his childhood and how there was always an essence of darkness in him is very insightful and important to the story and it's fantastic to finally, after all this time, learn more about him.

Furthermore, there is finally knowledge of how Voldemort had survived all those years after being defeated by love, the one thing more powerful than any spell, hex or curse. This adds a lot of suspense to the story, as does the secret mission of which Draco Malfoy has been set by Voldemort, creating a gripping read despite the lack of action that occurs for the most part. There are clues and plot twists trailed throughout the story that creates a truly chilling read.

Ultimately the story becomes even more of a gripping and fast paced read at the explosive and emotional climax of the story, which is far more powerful than that of Goblet of Fire. Truths are revealed, disaster strikes and the wizarding world unites as one as they finally realise what they are up against once again.

Overall this novel is an exciting, dark and gripping story that begins to give answers to the questions we've all been dying to hear and creates a fantastic lead into the final book of the series.

I give J.K. Rowling and Harry Potter and the Half Blood-Prince ★★★★★

Divergent - Veronica Roth

She turns to face the future in a world that's falling apart. For sixteen-year-old Tris, the world changes in a heartbeat when she is forced to make a terrible choice. Turning her back on her family, Tris ventures out, alone, determined to find out where she truly belongs. Shocked by the brutality of her new life, Tris can trust no one. And yet she is drawn to a boy who seems to both threaten and protect her. The hardest choices may yet lie ahead..

Divergent is set in a futuristic Chicago where society is split into five factions, each of which uphold a particular virtue of humanity: Abnegation (the selfless), Amity (the peaceful), Candor (the honest), Dauntless (the brave) and Erudite (the intelligent). At sixteen years old, Tris Prior is faced with a choice that will either transform her or lead her to feel trapped in a part of society she believe she doesn't belong. However Tris soon finds out that discovering where she belongs is the least of her problems. She's Divergent, which means she doesn't fit into one particular faction and is therefore considered dangerous. So Tris, along with the mysterious and gorgeous Tobias (Four) Eaton, must do all she can to hide her true self in a world that doesn't celebrate difference.

Overall, the pacing of this novel is brilliant, the suspense and action is never tedious, the chapters are of a great and enjoyable length and you find yourself sucked in from the get go as Veronica Roth's portrayal of this world is so realistic and thought provoking.

On a large scale, Divergent is very much a reflection of how difficult it is for any person to feel like they belong and fit in. The protagonist, Tris Prior, feels as if she doesn't quite live up to anyone's expectations, least of all her selfless family. She's a very conflicted character who struggles to decipher where she belongs when she doesn't even fit into an area of society that she has remained in for the last sixteen years. As a result of this she's a very likeable character, particularly to teenagers, as it's easy to connect with and understand her struggles and the expectations she faces. Saying that however, she is also a very focused and relentless character who will fight for everything she believes in when challenged to do so, making her yet another excellent YA heroin.

The story is an enormous eye opener to the world we live in and how easily capitalism can take anything and everything away from us in the blink of an eye. The political struggle present in this story is easy to read and understand and presents the idea that a uniform mass can be controlled if they aren't allowed the freedom to think outside the box in which they have been contained, theoretically and literally as Chicago has been separated from the rest of the world for an unknown reason, creating a lot of suspense throughout the story.

Unsurprisingly to this dystopian, there is a romance. However the story is not once defined by said romance, nor is it in any way whatsoever part of a love triangle, which is what makes it so enjoyable to read alongside the other and much darker themes present in the story. Tris and Four's relationship is based on equality, mutual admiration and respect for the other's strengths and weaknesses, which are so admirably heightened when in the presence of each other.

The only aspect of this story that I found a little bit disappointing was the last chapter of the book. Although the build up to the climax is exceptionally tense and action packed, I felt as if the last chapter was too 'lived happily ever after as they rode into the sunset' for my liking. Of course, it isn't at all like that and leaves a fantastic lead into the next book, Insurgent, it's just how I felt when reading it because of what was happening in the chapters before; the story seemed to halt so suddenly.

Ultimately, this is a debut novel that leaves you breathless and begging for more from a world so different from any before it.

I give Veronica Roth and Divergent ★★★★★

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - J.K. Rowling

Synopsis: "Harry's furious that he has been abandoned at the Dursley's house for the summer, for he suspects that Voldemort is gathering an army, that he himself could be attacked, and that his so-called friends are keeping him in the dark. Finally rescued by the wizard bodyguards, he discovers that Dumbledore is regrouping the Order of the Phoenix - a secret society first formed years ago to fight Voldemort. But the Ministry of Magic is against the Order, lies are being spread by the wizards' tabloid the Daily Prophet, and Harry feels that he may have to take on this epic battle against evil alone."

It's fair to say that within the first three quarters of this book nothing all that exciting happens, other than the arrival of the Dementors at the start of the novel which at that point suggests the first sign of Voldemort's return to power. The general pace of the story is rather slow with the odd bit of humour here and there, unsurprisingly provided by the Weasley twins, and an insight into what Voldemort is planning and what he's after, which Harry sees through his dreams when his brain is most relaxed and unprotected.

So once again the story of Harry Potter kicks off during yet another lonely and depressing stay with the Dursley's for the summer holidays. Following the return of Lord Voldemort at the end of Goblet of Fire, Harry becomes more wary of his surroundings and agitated by the fact that he has heard nothing from anyone within the wizarding world, including his two best friends Hermoine and Ron. As a result of this I found myself become rather agitated myself by Harry as all he seems to do at first is whine and complain and not consider the possibility that maybe people are trying their best to protect him by keeping him in the dark until the right moment.

As a matter of fact Harry becomes rather unlikeable through the entire course of the story. He develops into an arrogant character full of so much teenage angst because of the things he's achieved since entering the wizarding world. He doesn't shy away from reminding himself, and more surprisingly others, of what he's achieved and how he should be rewarded by simple things such as becoming prefect and knowing more than he should about the Order and their educated guesses at what Voldemort's planning. Saying that however, when others remind him of what he's achieved, as Hermoine and Ron do when persuading him to set up a secretive Defence Against the Dark Arts club, he finds himself being brought back down to reality as he states the things he's achieved were mainly down to sheer dumb luck or assistance from others. As a reader you can sympathise with his frustration through all of this but at the same time grow tired of him acting so hard done by.

It's clear however that the strongest part of this novel is Rowling's continuation of using a blend of dark and light themes to create a story that continues to portray the beauty of the wizarding world but also the dangers of it. Furthermore, she concentrates a lot on developing characters that have remained prominent throughout the series so far but haven't had much in the way of their own story. Professor McGonagall for example becomes one of my all time favourite literary characters in this book because she becomes so enjoyable to read. You get a real sense of her protective and loving side for Potter but also a hilarious and incredibly sassy side when dealing with Dolores Umbridge.

And, finally, there's the matter of the conclusion of the story. There's no denying that the lead up to the appearance of Voldemort in the Ministry of Magic is fast paced and action packed, but when Voldemort actually made an appearance I found myself rather let down. I just felt as if that part of the conclusion was rather anti-climatic and too short. A lot of the story focuses on people believing that Voldemort has returned and then when they finally realise he has nothing much happens. Saying that however it was thrilling to read about the prophecy of Voldemort and Harry and finally learning why he tried to kill him as a baby.

There's no denying that this is my least favourite book of the series, but overall the story is just as magical and thought provoking as the latter with a strong storyline that, unfortunately, doesn't have a lot going on with just a few little surprises here and there.

I give J.K. Rowling and Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix ★★★

Reading an unfamiliar genre

In the post today I received my prize from youngwriters.co.uk after I won July's book review competition, having submitted a review of Undone by Cat Clarke. I wasn't aware of what book or even what genre I would be receiving so I was really looking forward to seeing what arrived. Upon opening the parcel I discovered a copy of The Cabinet of Curiosities by Paul Doswell, a novel that, up until that moment, I had not heard of.

According to the blurb, the novel follows the story of of a boy called Lukas who has been summoned to Prague (in the year 1598) and apprenticed to work for the reclusive Emperor Rudolph II. The emperor collects wonders from around the world which he keeps in four incredible rooms, his Cabinet of Curiosities. But not everyone appreciates his eccentricity, and when a group of diplomats arrive, sent by the King of Spain, Lukas senses danger. If he is to protect the great Bohemian city from tyranny, Lukas must quickly learn the true meaning of trust, honour and friendship.

So in case you hadn't guessed, the novel is of historical fiction - a genre I am very unfamiliar with as I am yet to recall ever picking up a book of the sort. This is due to the fact that the genre in no way interests me. I wish I could give you a valid reason for that but I can't, it's just not my cup of tea. However when I found this book in my parcel I was rather excited by the prospect of reading something that 1) I had never heard of and 2) was of a genre I had very much avoided.

I mean it's something different isn't it and the point I'm trying to make is that I think it's important for us to try something different now and again to shake things up a bit. Yes, okay, reading a book of a different genre is nothing exciting to most but if I find myself liking this novel then it could open up a whole new genre for me to enjoy and fall all too in love with. And if I dislike it then at least I can say I've tried something different.

There's just so many books of the same nature around nowadays that I think branching out of a reading genre that you're comfortable with such as fantasy, crime or even something like YA literature as a whole, is important. There's no point in avoiding something because you assume you won't like it without having even tried it. It's like my mother always says, don't knock it until you've tried it.

The Host - Stephenie Meyer

Synopsis: "The Earth has been invaded by a species that takes over the minds of their human hosts while leaving their bodies intact, and most of humanity has succumbed. Wanderer, the invading 'Soul' who has been given Melanie's body, knew about the challenges of living inside a human: the overwhelming emotions, the too-vivid memories. But there was one difficulty Wanderer didn't expect: the former tenant of her body refusing to relinquish possession of her mind. Melanie fills Wanderer's thoughts with visions of the man Melanie loves - Jared, a human who still lives in hiding. Unable to separate herself from her body's desires, Wanderer yearns for a man she's never met. As outside forces make Wanderer and Melanie unwilling allies, they set off to search for the man they both love."

The Host follows the story of Wanderer as she tries to adapt to and survive in a world far different than the worlds she's previously inhabited as a Soul. With the initial expectant to spend more time on this world than her previous ones, Wanderer's hopes are soon dashed as she discovers she's been placed into a Host, Melanie, who is reluctant to let go. Scared of how things will turn out Wanderer tries to find a way to relinquish Melanie but soon finds herself being emotionally blackmailed by Melanie's memories which feel all too real to Wanderer. With her memories in tow and her ambition to fight against Wanderer, Melanie soon finds herself having to work with and befriend Wanderer to get what they both truly want - freedom and love.

I found the start of this novel very confusing to read and difficult to understand as the story jumps straight to the moment in which 'Wanderer' in her Soul form is inserted in to Melanie's body. As a result of this I was completely unfamiliar to the words and processes used, again adding to the level of confusion, which lead me to having to reread the first two chapters twice over. As the novel dives straight into the story, the events leading up to Melanie's capture and the implantation of Wanderer are told through flashbacks that Melanie shows her.

Due to the confusing and somewhat uneventful first few chapters, I feel as if the story should have been told in chronological order. It is the flashbacks which Melanie forces Wanderer to see throughout the story, which might I add are a nice way to build on Melanie's character development and create a greater understanding of what the world was like as the Soul invasion began, that are why I felt as if the lead-up to her capture should have been told in chronological order.

Overall the events of the story are enjoyable to read but there is an up and down movement of action packed scenes to a bleak few chapters inbetween. Saying that however, what I particularly enjoy about this novel is the uniqueness of it. It's very much something someone hasn't done before and that makes it all that more appealing. Not to the mention that the second half of the novel is far more fast paced and eventful than the latter.

As another romance novel from Meyer it's inevitable for it to draw comparisons with that of the Twilight Saga. Fortunately for this story the romance is far more bearable to read despite being a love square between Melanie, her boyfriend Jared, Wanderer's love for Jared and her romantic interest in another man named Ian. There's no love at first sight or the incapability to survive without their loves, thus making the female characters of this story far stronger than that of Bella. There's plenty more going on that doesn't involve passionate kissing, the urge to have sex every five minutes and sparkly vampires.

Overall this novel is an up and down journey of enjoyment and displeasure for the reader with a love story that redeems Meyer as a writer and provides a satisfying ending that gives way to a much needed sequel.

I give Stephenie Meyer and The Host ★★★

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - J.K. Rowling

Synopsis: "When the Quidditch World Cup is disrupted by Voldemort's rampaging supporters and the resurrection of the terrifying Dark Mark, it is obvious to Harry that, far from weakening, Voldemort is getting stronger. The ultimate signal to the magic world of the Dark Lord's return would be the defeat of his one and only survivor, Harry Potter. So when Harry is entered for the prestigious yet dangerous Triwizard Tournament he knows that rather than win it, he must get through the tasks alive."

There isn't a single dull page from Harry, Ron and Hermoine's fourth year at Hogwarts, with a captivating and action packed start and explosive and heart-stopping climax, this book has a truly frazzling plot with a pace more impressive than ever.

The Goblet of Fire really showcases Rowling at the height of her writing talent and her ability to captivate even the most abstruse of minds. It is in this book that Rowling takes a firm grip of her voice as she delves into a story far darker than the previous three books in the series, but in a way that can still be enjoyed by even her youngest of readers and that is why it is my favourite book of the series.

The darker themes present in this story such as death and hatred become representative of the darker times ahead for Harry and the remainder of the wizarding world, giving the reader a feel of what the final three books of the series will endow. Rowling's idea of creating the Triwizard Tournament to add something new to the already magical and wonderful world she has created is something I truly relished. It gave a broader aspect of the wizarding world, particularly of wizards and other supernatural beings outside of Britain and something refreshing to read as the events that unfold aren't primarily focused within or around Hogwarts.

Unsurprisingly the friendship of the golden trio continues to flourish in this story but without a few bumps along the way. Up until this point Harry, Ron and Hermoine's friendship has been almost unbreakable but Rowling shows in The Goblet of Fire that even the strongest of bonds can sometimes be broken even if it is for a little while and that is what brings such a strong sense of realism to the book.

Finally, it goes without saying that the attention to detail in this story is fantastic. It is obvious that Rowling really concentrated on adding a lot of background information to new characters and the plot in general, leaving next to nothing unanswered. Even the littlest of details that are considered insignificant at the start of the book become vital to the story thus bringing everything in the focus.

Conclusively this novel is far more darker, exciting and thought provoking than the previous three books and stands as a good lead to the final three in the series.

I give J.K. Rowling and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire ★★★★★

The Perks of Being a Wallflower - Stephen Chbosky

Synopsis: "Shy, introspective, intelligent beyond his years, caught between trying to live his life and trying to run from it, Charlie is attempting to navigate through the uncharted territory of high school. The world of first dates and mixed tapes, family dramas and new friends. The world of sex, drugs, and music - when all one requires to feel infinite is that perfect song on that perfect drive. Standing on the fringes of life Charlie has a unique perspective of the world around him, but there comes a time to stop being a wallflower and see what it looks like from the dance floor."

The Perks of Being a Wallflower follows the story of a timid, reclusive yet intelligent 15-year-old boy called Charlie who is about to start his freshman year at high school. Following the suicide of his best friend, Charlie goes into his freshman year friendless and alone, that is until he finds an unexpected friendship with his English teacher, Mr Anderson, and two seniors, Sam and Patrick. His connection with Sam and Patrick in particular leads to a roller coaster ride of friendship, drugs, sexual experimentation and the Rocky Horror Picture Show. Despite this however Charlie has a dark past that he repressed following the death of his aunt and soon finds the memories catching up with him.

It's great to find a story that breaks the boundaries of teenagers today, particularly of the female population, who are often stereotypically perceived to face issues such as mental instability, sexual harassment and the desire to inflict harm upon one's self, whereas males aren't. However the protagonist of this novel is a teenage boy named Charlie who faces those exact problems and it's simply refreshing to come across an author who understands the importance of scrutinising stigmas and educating people on the 'less common' obstacles that anyone can face.

The novel is written in the style of a series of letters from Charlie to an anonymous receiver and works well with the story as it brings a great sense emotion and intimacy, allowing the reader to feel as if Charlie is personally addressing them throughout the story. Charlie's letters range from deeply affectionate to hilarious to saddening and as a result the novel becomes a unique and alternative read that flows through a manner of emotions.

Despite being written in first person there is a fantastic development of both important and minor characters thus allowing the reader to build a connection with all of them and the story as a whole. Each character faces their own obstacles, displaying a different aspect of growing up, making this a modern classic that appeals to readers of all ages despite being a coming-of-age story.

Chbosky's portrayal of Charlie, Sam and Patrick's friendship in particular is so heartwarming to read. All three characters are perceived as misfits by their school peers yet they don't allow the views of others to effect their friendship, what they enjoy and most importantly themselves. The three teens become an inseparable trio who stick by and support each other in times of bullying, arguments, indecisive futures and emotional and mental breakdowns.

Furthermore, the way in which Chbosky deals with the themes present in this story is rather fascinating and awe-inspiring as a mixture of dark and light themes such as drugs, alcohol, love, passivity, friendship and abuse are used throughout, but in a manner that is mature yet easily understood and appreciated by younger readers; Chbosky doesn't glorify any of the themes used, he simply gives an accurate portrayal of them all and that is very rare to find in a story.

Overall this is an incredibly eye opening, fun, wistful, hilarious and joyous read that addresses a realistic coming-of-age story.

I give Stephen Chbosky and The Perks of Being a Wallflower ★★★★★

Weekend Reads #6

By now you will have all noticed that I'm very much into my Harry Potter reread. When I first started I expected to get through a book a week seeing as I've reread the series so many times, but surprisingly enough I've found myself whizzing through it and loving it as much as the first time I read it. So my original plan to take a little reread break and read something different has changed because I'm enjoying myself so much.

So to kick-start the weekend I'm going to be finishing off my read of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. It's my favourite of the series and I'm already half way through, so I should have it completed by Saturday night (he says optimistically).

Then once I've finished with that I'll be moving onto Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix. Unfortunately this is my least favourite of the series so it'll probably take me a good few days to get through it but I'm determined to get it done.

Be sure to let me know in the comments section what you'll be reading this weekend!

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban - J.K. Rowling

Synopsis: "Harry Potter is lucky to reach the age of thirteen, since he has already survived the murderous attacks of the feared Dark Lord on more than one occasion. But his hopes for a quiet term concentrating on Quidditch are dashed when a maniacal mass-murderer escapes from Azkaban, pursued by the soul-sucking Dementors who guard the prison. It's assumed that Hogwarts is the safest place for Harry to be. But is it a coincidence that he can feel eyes watching him in the dark, and should he be taking Professor Trelawney's ghoulish predictions seriously?"

It's very rare for an author to spawn books in a series that continue to outshine the latter books, but in a positive light. Rowling however manages to accomplish that successfully and is therefore understandable why The Prisoner of Azkaban is considered by many the favourite book of the series.

Overall the story is so well and cleverly constructed constructed on Rowling's behalf. The events that unfold are incredibly thought provoking, allowing this story to be far more advanced than that of The Philosopher's Stone and The Chamber of Secrets. Despite this however, Rowling's writing style doesn't alter and is therefore just as descriptive, hilarious and momentous to read.

What particularly stands out about this novel is the pacing. Everything from the Quidditch matches, to sightings of Sirius Black, to Harry and Hermoine's race to save innocent lives, are all so gripping that you become rather anxious when reading. You're constantly left on the edge of your seat with the need to keep turning the pages and not put the book down until you've completed it, leaving you with a massive sense of accomplishment once you have done so.

It's clear that this novel is also the most touching read of the series so far. Although at times incredibly emotional and therefore difficult to read, I found Rowling's addition of Harry hearing his parents' final moments before their death, when coming in to contact with Dementors, vital to the development of his character. As Harry has gone so long without his parents it's easy for him to almost forget where he came from and the sacrifice his parents made, so reminding him of their final moments gives him the strength he needs to soldier on and be the best that he can possibly be in all that he does - this is beautifully expressed by Rowling's increased use of emotive language throughout the novel.

Fortunately Rowling also brings a greater sense of realism to the story that is apparent in the latter two books but not as strong as it is in this one. This is particularly highlighted via Harry, Ron and Hermione as they step into their teenage years and come face to face with real teenage problems such as time management, stress, crushes, test of friendship and loyalty. This allows young readers in particular to grow a greater connection with the characters as they understand first hand what they are going through.

And, finally, Rowling does another fantastic job in regards to character development, particularly of Professor Snape, James Potter, Peter Pettigrew, Sirius Black and Remus Lupin. As Lupin and Black are particularly important to the story it's great that Rowling found the opportunity to enlighten the reader of their past and find answers to questions that linger throughout the novel without having to wait until the next installment(s) to find the answers.

Ultimately, this novel is incredibly gripping and thought provoking and is a fresh and more advanced addition to the world of Harry Potter, and presents a much darker side to the world of magic we all know and love.

I give J.K. Rowling and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban ★★★★★

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - J.K. Rowling

Synopsis: "Harry Potter is a wizard. He is in his second year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Little does he know that this year will be just as eventful as the last, even getting there is an adventure in itself! The three firm friends, Harry, Ron and Hermoine, are soon immersed in the daily round of Potions, Herbology, Charms, Defence Against the Dark Arts and Quidditch. But then horrible and mysterious things begin to happen. Harry keeps hearing strange voices, sinister and dark messages appear on the wall, and then Ron's sister Ginny disappears.."

I love The Chamber of Secrets as much as The Philosopher's Stone, if not more. It's common for an author to write an astonishing first book in a series and then start to slip as the series progresses - that however isn't the case with Rowling as her writing and her stories continue to become far more enjoyable and magical.

Regardless of how much you love a story, if there is a massive wait between the book you just put down and it's sequel it is easy to forget parts of the story and therefore the sequel can at times become difficult to understand. Rowling however successfully manages to retell the events of The Philosopher's Stone in a manner that is just as exciting to read as the first time round at key points throughout this novel, in order to refresh your memory and remind you of important occurrences to assist you in understanding the world of Harry Potter on a much larger scale.

Thankfully Rowling continues to tell the story of Harry Potter, his friends and Hogwarts in a manner that continues to be humorous, imaginative and momentous. She carries out great development of the protagonist, Harry, and his friends Ron and Hermoine as well as new characters to the story, such as Gilderoy Lockhart, in a way that makes you either fall irrevocably in love or unctrollably loathsome of a character. What I particularly loved about this was the development of Harry, Ron and Hermoine's friendship. At the conclusion of their first year they had been through so much together that a tightly knit bond was created between the three of them that was so heart warming to read - they would all either stand together or not at all, and that wasn't absent in this novel.

I also found the story in this book far more thought provoking than The Philosopher's Stone. There was so much more happening in The Chamber of Secrets that you were always left on the edge of your seat wondering what on earth could possibly happen next and each time you're taken aback by Rowling's creativity and originality. Yet again the conclusion of this book comes down to Voldemort, but as a 16-year-old memory, and that's quite possibly my favourite part of the book. Rowling could have easily taken a more predictable route, yet she opted for a plot twist that I did not see coming the first time I read it.

The only negatives I have about this story is not the lack of action but the lack of duration. Although the action sequences leave you wanting more and are fast paced, I feel as if they are over and done with far too quickly. Rowling has a wonderful descriptive technique which I feel she could have taken advantage of, which is why I prefer the action sequences in the film far more than the book.

Nevertheless, this novel is just as magical, courageous, mysterious and wonderful as the latter.

I give J.K. Rowling and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets ★★★★★

The Great Gatsby - F. Scott Fitzgerald

Synopsis: "The Great Gatsby lives in a luxurious Long Island mansion, playing lavish host to hundreds of people, and yet no-one seems to know him or how he became so rich. He is rumoured to be everything from a German spy to a war hero. Jay Gatsby doesn't need them. He cares for one person alone - Daisy Buchanan, the woman he was waited for all his life. Little does he know how his infatuation will end.."

I think it's safe to say that The Great Gatbsy was a classic that was doomed from the start for me as I was forced to read it as part of my AS English Literature course. Although I'm an avid reader, I'm genuinely not fond of being forced to read. I much prefer to read a book of my own choice, and in my own time as opposed to having one thrust upon me with the expectancy to read it as quickly as possible without much thought or thoroughness.

What particularly bugged me about this novel is the fact that it was narrated by Nick Carraway, who is Daisy's cousin. While it was at times interesting to get an outsider's perspective on life in the 1920s, I found it annoying when trying to connect with the other characters because I felt as if Fitzgerald concentrated on developing Nick over the others, suggesting he is the protagonist of the story when in reality it's actually Gatsby.

Although I understand that it is a short book and therefore there isn't necessarily enough room for detail, I thought so many aspects of this story lacked depth and emotion, such as the relationship between Gatsby and Daisy. There was so much opportunity for Fitzgerald to do something wonderful and loving with it but instead I found myself reading a relationship that appeared nothing more than a page-filler.

Furthermore, I just found the characters of the novel as a whole tiresome and pathetic to read. Never have I loathed a character more than Daisy Buchanan. I found her shallow, dim witted and down right oblivious to the world around her. Daisy initially left Gatsby because he didn't have any money whereas her fiance, Tom Buchanan, did. Then when Gatsby returned with his lavish parties, stunning manor house and expensive clothes she went running back to him, only to then return to Tom again once she lost Gatsby for the final time. I despised her for that and wanted nothing more than for her character to meet a painful ending, that however didn't happen. Also, in some aspects, Gatsby bothered as I perceived him as a somewhat childish character. In the lead up to reuniting with Daisy and trying to get her attention I felt as if I was reading a romance between two 7-year-old's in a school playground where they had to get their friends running back and forth between the two to see how they felt about each other.

Conclusively, I found the overall story lacked empathy and thought and found myself struggling to connect with it. I did however enjoy Fitzgerald's descriptive techniques and ability to make you imagine a scene as clear as a picture.

I give F. Scott Fitzgerald and The Great Gatsby ★★