Wordless Wednesday (14)

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<3CR

Book Review: The Dragon and the Pearl

Author:  Jeannie Lin
Title: The Dragon and the Pearl
Genre: Historical Romance,  Intrigue, Drama 
Pages: 288
First Published: September 20th, 2011
Where I Got It: Borrowed from Library


"THE MOST BEAUTIFUL COURTESAN OF THEM ALL...

Former Emperor’s consort Ling Suyin is renowned for her beauty; the ultimate seductress. Now she lives quietly alone—until the most ruthless warlord in the region comes and steals her away....

Li Tao lives life by the sword, and is trapped in the treacherous, lethal world of politics. The alluring Ling Suyin is at the center of the web. He must uncover her mystery without falling under her spell—yet her innocence calls out to him. How cruel if she, of all women, can entrance the man behind the legend..."


This is the first Jeannie Lin book I've read. I can pretty much guarentee that it won't be the last.


The Dragon and the Pearl was what I was hoping it be! The two "lovers" are so different, but so similar. He's a hardened warrior and assassian. She's a lovely flower, but an innocent 'she-demon' (so many characters called her this and it fits all too well). Both characters have gone through so much pain, loneliness, heart-ache, struggle, and dark times, but their love/lust is a pecan in the night for them.


I'm sorry to have gone all poetical, but hey, I really adored this couple and this story. The story had me sitting on the edge of my seat the entire time. Even though I'm really good at figuring out what will happen next, I couldn't find my way to the ending result. I must give credit where credit is due...congrats Jeannie Lin, you made a real mystery out of this love story. I also applaud her for making the characters slowly, but surely fall out of the lust stage to the love stage. It was realistic for the characters, because both Tao and Suyin are hard and non-trusting people. When both finally declared their love for each other, I nearly cried, "finally!"


Not only did Jeannie Lin do a wonderful job with the story and the characters, but a wonderful job bringing Ancient China to life. I felt like I was really there. I could imagine the sea of Bamboo and Lio Tao's study. The balance between story-telling and describing the setting was very balanced. I would simply love t if they made this a movie! 


The only things I can nick-pick at is the POV balance. I felt most of the story was in Suyin's POV. Yes, Tao did get to have his spotlight, but...not as much as Suyin. I loved Suyin too, but sometimes I would get bored because she was just sitting around waiting, while Tao was having the adventures and preparing for the war that was coming. Tao had about 35% and Suyin 65% of the book. That is my only complaint.


Overall, I really loved this book. I also really loved the author and her writing style. Tao and Suyin were fantastic characters! As many may or may not know, I love my characters complex and original; both characters fit the built. I do wish that Tao had more chances to give his POV, but oh well. Out of five stars I grant this one 5 stars. Woot! Woot!


Favorite Character(s): Li Tao, Suyin, and Auntie
Not-so Favorite Character(s): Gao and Emperor Shen (they are both pains in the rumps)

Music Monday

Happy Monday everyone! How was your weekend? I had to work, so mine was boring and just ugh. Anyways...shall we begin with the music?

The first one is a new song stuck in my head. I can't get enough of it! Plus the music video is bittersweet. The song is 'The One That Got Away' by the amazing Katy Perry:

I'm a die-heart Killers fan. I've The Killers for as long as I can remember their music. This video is one of my favorite that no one I know has heard. This is 'Romeo and Juliet' by The Killers:

I must apologize...I'm not listing the winners from the Golden Globes. I know. I know. I was planning on it, but I have so much homework left to do for my classes that I don't have the time. Here's a linkie of the winners, if you want to check them out. =( Buuut, I'm going to be sharing my favorite moment of the night. This is a little song that Felicity Huffman and William H. Macy blessed us with (and I feel its very true). I can't stop giggling at it. Hehe Enjoy:

Well that's that. I hope you all have a wonderful week! 

PS - I've been playing around with different backgrounds for the blog. Sooooo, if I stumble across one I really like, don't be surprised if things look a little different. ^.^

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<3CaroleRae

Cast That Book: The Red Queen

~'Cast That Book' is a weekly meme created by moi. This is just something I came up with, to share everyone who I would cast if a certain book became a movie. I got the idea from storycasting.com, so check them out! My secret dream is to be a casting director and this allows me to live it for just an hour or two. Anyone can join! You don't have to pick thebook I picked. Any book, any genre! However, I would LOVE to check out who you casted, so share the linkie to your post down below.~

Happy Saturday everybody.

This week I decided to share my "cast" for The Red Queen. I was a little unsure about sharing this one, but what the heck? For this "casting" I feel like showing the pictures of the real people next to the actor/actress. ^.^ Click THIS to check out the review I typed up for this book. Here we go! 

CAST:

Margaret Beaufort (The *coughs* Bitch *coughs*) - Keegan Connor Tracy

Edmund Tudor - Kevin McKidd (he's a little older than the original, but his face kept popping in my head)

Jasper Tudor - David Wenham (yummah)

~Original Jasper Tudor N/A~
























Henry Tudor - John Driscoll

Young Henry Tudor - Tommy Bastow

Elizabeth of York - Blake Lively

Sir Henry Stafford - Viggo Mortensen

Thomas Stanley - Richard Armitage

Edward IV - Gary Oldman

Richard III - Christian Bale

Margaret of Anjou - Marion Cotillard

King Henry VI - Ewan McGregor

I know I'm missing some major players in the game of War of the Roses, but I think I got the main ones of The Red Queen. Who would you cast?

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<3CaroleRae