Friday 15 August 2014

A Person Not A Possession ~ Some Boys by Patty Blount Review

Some Boys
By Patty Blount

Rating: 4.9



'The cops wanted to know if I was Zac's girlfriend, if I was drinking, doing drugs, if I ever worked as a stripper, if I ever kissed Zac before that night.

What the hell does any of that have to do with what happened?

Do the laws against sexual assault not apply to strippers? To girlfriends? I don't get that. (...) He thinks because I went to the woods, drank alcohol, and dressed the way I dress, I should have expected this to happen. That I actually wanted this to happen.

(...) What the hell, just what the hell was wrong with how I looked...why does he care if I wear eye-black like the football team? It's my face. It's my body. I can dress it up or down however I want. Why is that such a hard concept for guys to accept? All that crap Jax said about dressing to be noticed - being noticed is fine. But being noticed isn't the same as being ridiculed, insulted, ostracised, shamed.

Being noticed isn't an open invitation to guys to do whatever they want to me.
'



This book carries an important message. This book made me cry. 

I know rape is a complex issue to discuss. I also know that although this book concentrates on a female victim, that there are also male victims of rape out there. 

But what really got me was the shaming. And not the shaming from the guys - I understood the whole 'buddy' system, with the rapist's friends sticking up for him and shunning the girl who dared to speak up. But the shaming by the girls was the most painful to read about. 

We girls, as a species, can be cruel.

Gossip is like a type of currency. Some girls can be more two-faced than Professor Quirrell from Harry Potter! 

But we should never, ever, ostracise another person purely based on idle gossip. And especially when they may have suffered major trauma. You never know what trials a person faces in their daily lives, hidden behind the smiling mask they wear day to day. Don't judge by appearances. Stick up for one another.

The right way isn't always the easy way.

This was another valuable lesson from this book. Peer pressure VS human decency. Speaking up VS importance of friendships. 

But although all these things came into conflict with one another, it was not being able to face one's self that finally brought Ian to the 'good' side. Not that Ian had actuallydone the deed. But he kept choosing to remain ignorant, despite knowing deep down that what was happening was wrong.

True, he ends up growing a spine for Grace. And to fix all the wrongs. But he mainly does it because he cannot stand the person he sees himself becoming. He knows he can't live with himself if he stands back and allows things to continue as they are.

So here's a challenge for us all.

Let's take a good look at ourselves. Maybe glance in the mirror, or sit alone in quiet contemplation.

And let's think: do I like the person I am? Do I like the way things are?

More importantly, it's not a matter of whether you like this or that - but do you knowthe person you are? Do you truly know the way things are, or are you blinded by false loyalties and excuses?

Let's open our eyes and our mouths.

Let's see what's really there - past the lies, rumours and labels. Let's speak the truth. 

Let's make this world a safer, better place :)

What is right sometimes isn't easy. But it's worth it.

Sunday 3 August 2014

A Day To Fight For ~ Skyla Madi's Oblivion


Oblivion (Guardian Angel #4)
By Skyla Madi

Rating: 4.7 


"I've been stuck in a school in the middle of nowhere with people that don't even like me. I've been fighting vampires that want my blood and I've been in love with a guardian angel, which (...) is illegal in my world. 

I've done horrible things - I've killed vampires and people have died because of me...life was - is - hectic, but at the end of the day, when I'm alone and the craziness dies down...I always think of you.

Every day I live is a day that I had to fight for."


My thoughts on the book:

The final instalment is here.

And if you thought the previous books were great, be prepared for the best book yet! Oblivion will keep you on the edge of your seat. 

And it'll have you madly swooning over Eli.

Especially that bit in Chapter 7 when he thinks he may lose Ruby to Hunter. I think I teared up a bit there (plus Eli's super cute when he gets all vengeful!). Poor Eli has to deal with a lot of issues in Oblivion, especially when it comes to his and Ruby's relationship. 

As for the epilogue...major. Fangirling. Mode.

I super-duper recommend this book - and this series for that matter - to everyone! With amazing concepts & a unique twist on angel mythology & legends, the Guardian Angel series is not one to be missed :)



__________


'Ruby and Eli have risked it all to keep their love hidden… but no great feat goes unnoticed.
The council has called on the secret lovers to attend obligatory hearings. After the dramatic events that took place with Lucian, the council wants answers.

They know the small group of friends that exist within the walls of Sage Sanctum are withholding important information from them and in order to protect their society from exposure, they need to contain it and fast.

Ruby and Eli are sick and tired of concealing their feelings…

They want equality and they want it now. They’re ready to take on the world in order to be together…and they just might.

Unfortunately, their epic love takes the back seat as new problems arise and their friend’s needs come first, which beckons the question;
If not for love, then what else?(Blurb via Goodreads)

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...