Book review: Hades by Alexandra Adornetto

Halo Series- Hades (#2)

Author: Alexandra Adornetto

Genre:  Romance

Published:  Feiwel and Friends 2011

Pages: 424

Rating: 4/5
Read: February 2016

Blurb:

What will happen to an angel in Hell?  Jake Thorn and his demons have been banished and Xavier and Bethany settle down to resume a normal life.  But on the night of Halloween, a childish prank goes terribly wrong and Jake is summoned back to the sleepy town of Venus Cove.  Bethany is deceived and like the mythical Persephone she finds herself dragged into the nightmarish underworld of Hades.  While the angels call on higher powers to help rescue Bethany, Jake decides to play dirty and goes after the one thing she loves more than anything.  But to spare Xavier's life, Bethany must make the ultimate sacrifice.  Will she make a deal with the Devil?  And what will happen to an angel in Hell?

SPOILERS*

The second novel of the Halo Series was finally released and published eight years after the first novel.  And I enjoyed this novel probably even more than the first one, though it left my mind reeling with unanswered questions.  Beth had spunk, she got sassier and she was determined... not the way God intended though... I don't think...

The same amount of detail Adornetto used to describe Bethany's surroundings in the first novel, Halo, was used throughout this novel to describe the nightmarish underworld of Hades.

Firstly, Hades is a Greek God, not a place in my understanding but please correct me if I'm wrong.  It's hard for anyone to get across their ideas when it comes to Religion, and Adornetto is no different.  Everyone will have a different idea of what the supernatural look like... everyone will have a different idea of what Heaven and Hell would really be like.  I agree with Adornetto's depiction of Hell, mainly with the idea of the Pit.  This "hell" is exactly what I imagine it would be like.  Living everyday as a soul who is tortured, only to be fixed while the soul sleeps, to awaken and start all over again.  A nightmare!

Now I did absolutely love this book, I thought there were some things that should have changed.  My main issue is that Jake Thorn is a DEMON!  He is almost as low as the Devil himself, yet Bethany thinks in order to save her man she must sleep with him.  Sorry but if I was Beth, I would pray!  I mean she's an Angel!  God would listen to her plea, He has the ability to do anything - that's what the Father is!  Someone to love you unconditionally and for us to turn to not just in everyday life but especially in our time of need.  Angels are flawless, they are designed to be full of faith and to protect human life, according to the book...  Though Bethany did achieve this by giving away her body (maybe) I felt let down by the way the heroine would bend over and allow someone so low to manipulate and change her.  The story needed Beth to be stronger.  I didn't like how Jake Thorns character got me to like him, when he's meant to be scum...  He only wants Beth to love him and even though she can't because it's forbidden... He defied the Devil himself to keep her...  I find it sort of hard to swallow when her love for Xavier is also forbidden...

She did however, definitely grow less susceptible to the Devil's power, but at the same time she changed so much she forgot about her duty to Heaven and to her Father.

For these things I'm giving the book a four out of five, only because it was my favourite, by the use of descriptive words and Beth doing anything to get back to the one's she loves.  The message was to never give up - however it could have been clearer, and should have reflected Beth's purpose as an Angel...  I don't really understand the lack of substance Beth was sometimes given...  Adornetto likely could have given Beth  more substance just by writing in some prayers, or things that Beth as an Angel would do...

I didn't highlight my favourite line from this novel, but overall it was a pleasant read.  Once I sat down to think about it though, some holes unfortunately appeared.

Book Review: Halo by Alexandra Adornetto

Halo Series- Halo (#1)

Author: Alexandra Adornetto

Genre:  Romance

Published:  Hachette Books 2003

Pages: 470 

Rating: 5/5
Read: February 2016

Blurb:

Nothing much happens in the sleepy town of Venus Cove.  But everything changes when three angels, Ivy, Bethany and Gabriel are sent from heaven to protect the town against the gathering forces of darkness.  They work hard to conceal their true identity and - most of all - their wings.  But the mission is threatened when the youngest angel, Bethany, is sent to high school and falls for the handsome school captain, Xavier Woods.  Will she defy the laws of Heaven by loving him?  Things come to a head when the angels realise they are not the only supernatural power in Venus Cove.  There's a new kid in town and he's charming, seductive and deadly.  Worst of all, he's after Beth.  The agents and Xavier must work together to overcome the dark forces - but will Beth survive the battle?

SPOILERS*

Firstly I'd like to point out that I have previously read this series in 2012, and I enjoyed it probably more the second time around as I could understand more of what was going on.

I loved this novel!  I adored the opening chapter, the senses that Beth could feel and notice were very prominent here.  It was interesting to read in a way that made you think about what the air around you might feel like.  I enjoyed how this opened my mind to different senses in my own life - it made me want to look around my own environment in wonder.

I had one issue with Beth's character in this novel...  When the going got tough and Xavier turned away from her she decided to become recluse and hide instead of being the fighter we know her as in the final books.  I believe though that this shows development of her character.

Overall I thought the book was fantastic which is why I want to give it a 5 out of 5 review! I enjoyed it immensely and think most things were addressed and thought through in this first novel of the Halo Series.  I would definitely read this novel again.

My Favourite Line:

"I'm not ready to take you home yet." (Ch. 10)

January Favourites 2016 & We're Engaged? | xoLaashi

We're Engaged! (02/01/2016)

Oh My Goodness!

Ladies (and gentlemen), I want to announce to you all that on the 2nd of January 2016, Scott proposed to me and we are officially engaged to be married!  I honestly don't think I've ever been more excited in my whole life - realising that I am only 20 years old and my life hasn't been going for that long, however there has been plenty of moments (and years) where I have known I was and am with the person God created especially for me.

I know Scott and I are meant to be together (corny - but I don't care right now) because when we first met finding my potential partner was not on my agenda.  I believe that I met Scott because I wasn't looking for the relationship.  I introduced myself to Scott because I was trying to be friendly... did my flirtatious side come out randomly over the next hour at work? Yes, but not because I was necessarily interested in the idea of a relationship but because I was drawn to Scott as a person.

We all meet those people in our lives who we just click with.  It might be your best girl friend or the crush you're trying to "lock down" or the person you're seeing... Scott is that person for me.

And I'm absolutely thrilled that my "not" looking for a man, meant that I would find the right one at the right time.  Nothing forced.  I can't wait to start planning the wedding and sharing it with you here on my blog!

I'll be sharing loads more such as our engagement story, planning our engagement party and wedding bits and pieces under my new tab: The One! Enjoy!

I hope that wherever you are in life, that you're happy!  And if you're not happy as of yet, I hope you will be ♡

Laura xo

How I met The One

This morning I was going through some planners which are sold online, and I hence came across a blog titled: 'Kayla's Blogs'.  From reading her blog post: 'Are You The One? | How I met the One' I have been inspired to try my luck at my own lovely, sentimental version.

To start, I want to remind any of you who may not have read my 'Date Day - Moana Beach' blog post, please do - it includes one of Scott and my dates and a bit of a recount for a four year anniversary earlier in 2015.

Also - I've decided to start a Blog Series called 'The One' with different topics every post, I have this one and another lined up so keep an eye out for those!

How did we meet?

Scott and I - July 2011

Scott and I met in January 2011.  We were working together at McDonalds at the time, both of us being only fifteen years old.  I saw Scott first, and I thought he was a new employee.  I had worked at this McDonalds for two years by this time and had become a crew trainer.  Anyway, I thought he was a new employee so I did what any crew trainer would do.  I walked right up and introduced myself and our conversation went a little like this:

Me: "Hi, I'm Laura - I haven't seen you here before... Are you new?"

Scott: "Scott, and no I've worked here for seven months."

Seven months? I remember feeling so embarrassed.  I tried hard to be smooth, and just said "Oh, okay, nice to meet you anyway" and waddled away awkwardly.

This wasn't the thing that got us together, but it does make us laugh a lot nowadays.  What brought the two of us together was actually due to a late pick up from work on Scott's behalf, and a half an hour early finish for me.  So there was half an hour in which we were stuck together waiting to be picked up from work in the crew room.

I'm going to be entirely honest here, I've never been much of a flirt, but for some reason when I was talking to Scott... I was shocking!  He was a good looking guy, and I don't think he'd ever been hit on so bad!

After flirting shamelessly for 25 minutes, I actually did something I never ever thought I would do.
I asked for his phone number.  I asked in such a silly way though:

Me: "So do you have a phone?"
Scott: "Yes"
Me: "Oh good, well can I have your number?"

I know I was the classic guy off the youtube video: Can I have your number?!
And the worst part was Scott jokingly said no... afterwards he laughed but I tell you what, I nearly died of shame, especially after my vicious flirting attempt!  But it paid off, because after Scott laughed he gave me his number and two weeks later asked me on a date and then to be his girlfriend!

Ladies, don't let anyone ever tell you not to go after the one you want (unless he's taken - be moral please) but you're within your rights to hit on, flirt and shamelessly for that matter ask a man for his number.  He doesn't have to do all the work and being entirely honest (at least with what I've read on other blogs and things) men find confidence in women very attractive.  Go get em' tiger!

What's your love story? I would love to know!  And what is your opinion on the girl asking the boy rather than the traditional boy ask girl?  Let me know in the comments below!

Laura xo

In My Element | Stirling

Today, my sister, cousins and I travelled to the small town of Stirling in the Adelaide Hills, which has a population of less than three-thousand.  The area is covered in bright flowers, beautiful buildings, native wildlife and has incredible markets every month.  Stirling is an amazing place to walk through and enjoy - the scenery in itself is absolutely breathtaking.

I decided I wanted to take some shots with all this beauty surrounding me.  It was kind of relaxing in a way - to just be still, and focus on flowers and listening to birds around me.  I think it's so important to always take a moment to ourselves.  We should embrace our surroundings and simply be.

My cousin is a fabulous photographer, so each of the images below was taken by her with my Canon EOS 600d, and it's a whole bunch of pictures of me in my element.  You should try having someone close to you take you to your favourite place for some photos, it was so much fun - especially after my tonsillectomy operation which occurred a little while ago, this was my first time properly outside and made up (face and hair done) since then!

I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoyed posing!  This is one of my most favourite places in the whole world!  Today there were Koalas and Rabbits which unfortunately had moved on before we had a chance to take their picture.  Those legs moved them faster than I thought possible!

If you're curious, my dress is from JayJays and it was about $34.95, and my Jacket was from Valley Girl for $60 a couple of years ago - I've got such amazing wear out of it!  Shoes are also from Valley Girl (their flats are so cheap, around $12.95!)

It's one month into spring and already the flowers are starting to wilt, I sort of wish I'd been able to travel to Stirling earlier in the month, but I know for future visits - the most beautiful time of the year in Stirling must be the very beginning of Spring... or very late winter.  (I'm glad to learn this now because I really want to get married one day in Stirling - future plans are happening hehe!)

Anyway, I'll leave you to your own devices, I hope you enjoy the photos and let me know if you like them?  Also please tell me where your favourite place is and why?

                                         How cool is this tree?

 

  

- Thanks for viewing -

Laura xo

Book Review: P.S. I Love You by Cecelia Ahern

P.S I Love You

Author: Cecelia Ahern

Genre:  Romance

Published:  Hachette Books 2003

Pages: 470 

Rating: 4/5

P.S. I Love You by Cecelia Ahern

The Blurb reads:

“Some people wait their whole lives to find their soul mates

But not Holly and Gerry.  Childhood sweethearts, they could finish each other’s sentences.  No one could imagine them without each other.

When Gerry dies, Holly is devastated.  But Gerry has left her a bundle of notes, one for each month of the year, each signed PS, I love you.

As the notes are opened, the man who knows Holly better than anyone teaches her that life goes on.  With some help from friends and family, Holly laughs, cries and finds that life is for living – but it helps if there’s an angel watching over you."

*

So far this book has been incredible, I started it on the 17^th of September, and had read one-hundred and sixty-six pages in that time (I had to squeeze study in as well).

At this point of the story I felt emotionally invested, within the first page I was hooked!  I didn’t even know the characters properly and I already felt such pain for the main character as to what horrible things she was going through with the loss of her husband.

I was worried as I have heard of the story through people who have seen the film version of this novel.  But I decided to read the book first which is one of my favourite ways to experience movies, I enjoy knowing what the author was thinking before a director added their ten cents to the story.

I will add here that I have since watched the movie version, and I hated it... It had hardly ten minutes of footage which was the same as the novel.  I believe though, if I had watched the movie first, I might have enjoyed it and thought differently about it!

Ahern wrote in a way which encouraged the reader to feel the characters emotions.  I love stories which demonstrate the emotions, and the reason I could read the story so quickly was partly due to this.  I wanted to get to something happy, I wanted to know if Holly would ever move on from her deceased man, Gerry… but I mostly wanted to know what the next letter would say!

As I continued through the story, especially with the final quarter I found I would cry for the characters, and smile for them, laugh with them and all in all feel as though I was a part of the story!

I finished the book in four days, finishing it on the 21^st of September 12:30pm.  I read a quarter of the book each day.  I loved every moment I was reading 'P.S. I love you'!  By far one of the most tear jolting stories I’ve ever read, and I found it refreshing.  The novel reminded me of some of my own emotions, and how it’s okay to grieve in times of loss… but it’s important to move on and live with happy memories in our hearts as well!

I would give this novel a 4 out of 5!  I loved the way it was written, and even though there were moments which made me incredibly sad - it had it's good moments too!

If you've read this book - what are your thoughts?

Any book requests?

Laura

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