BOOK REVIEW: Fairest by Marissa Meyer

Title: Fairest

Author: Marissa Meyer

Rating: 3/5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis:

Mirror, mirror on the wall,

Who is the fairest of them all?

Fans of the Lunar Chronicles know Queen Levana as a ruler who uses her “glamour” to gain power. But long before she crossed paths with Cinder, Scarlet, and Cress, Levana lived a very different story – a story that has never been told . . . until now. 

Review: 

I liked this book more than I thought I would. In saying that, I didn't think I'd like it at all. I originally didn't want to read it (I only did so on a whim in anticipation for Winter) because I thought Levana was a good antagonist figure by being just a really bad person and I was convinced that this novel would be something that would try to persuade me that she was actually just "misunderstood". Don't get me wrong, those types of villians are interesting as well but I also think in some cases - such as Levana's - it isn't necessary and doesn't add to the story to make her like that. Thankfully, I was really wrong in my presumptions.

The book was more an exploration of Levana's character rather than a justification. Sure enough, there are points that we get to see events in her life that possibly explain why she is the way she is, but in the end, it boils down to her own decisions than anything else that have made her so cold-hearted. You do sympathise with here in certain scenes but the book doesn't shy away from showing how messed up she is as well. In short, you're always aware that she's still a bad person but there are moments when you can at least pity her.

My main issue with Fairest is that it felt both too long and too short at the same time. It is quite long for a novella but it's too short to be its own standalone novel. At some points, the story felt like it was being dragged along and at others, I just wanted it to be stretched out a bit more and given some more depth. 

But overall, I think this book was good. I would still rank my least favourite within the entirety of the Lunar Chronicles but if you're a fan, you should definitely check it out. If you're worried - like I was - that it's going to try and make the villian a good character, don't worry, it doesn't. It's worth the read either way!

Let me know down below what you thought of this book! Also, hopefully I should have a review up for Winter soon!

Until next time!

- Jess, xxx

MOVIE REVIEW: Mockingjay Part 2 (no spoilers!)

RATING: 6/10

Hey guys! Last night I went to the Mockingjay Part 2 midnight screening and really wanted to share my thoughts with you all about it! I've never done a movie review so bare with me. Also I'll keep this non-spoiler-y since I know a lot of people won't have seen it yet!

Firstly, I want to say that it doesn't quite feel real yet that the movie series is over. I've gone to every midnight screening for these movies and it's become a sort of tradition for November. So I'm quite saddened that it's all come to an end but all things need to eventually. I also thought it was a nice ending; I really enjoyed it. I wasn't the biggest fan of part 1 (it was slow moving and while I can appreciate its purpose, I also was just very bored for a lot of it), nor was I much of a fan of the book. But I do think this instalment was still good, but wasn't perfect.

This movie had a lot of quiet moments interspersed between the fighting and war scenes but I think it really allowed for some of the actors to really shine. The performances were truly outstanding in this film. Jennifer Lawrence has always left me in awe with how well she's taken on the role of Katniss in these films and this still remains the case for this film. Josh Hutcherson also left me really impressed with how he portrayed Peeta following the traumatic events of Mockingjay Part 1. 

The complexity of the war was also done really nicely. This is probably something which is most present in both parts 1 and 2 and really comes to a head in the finale, which it obviously had to seeing as it was the concluding chapter. It's also a major underlying theme within the books (and one of my favourite ones) that I think was done even better in the movies, in some instances. Particularly for these final movies, it was a key factor to both and viewer enjoyment kind of hinges on whether they're interested in that or not.

I think my biggest issue with Mockingjay Part 2 is that it suffers similar issues that I had reading the book. This film series has been - I would say - quite faithful to its source material - and that made for an incredible Catching Fire film -, but I wish they hadn't been so with this one. The pacing was really off, similar to the book. The first part was slow and then it just spurts up at random points and feels very jumpy and not in a good way. A lot of the action at the end happens too quickly (which, again, was something I found in the book and really disliked). The climax built very quickly and everything happened in a very swift succession and then just dropped suddenly. It's confusing to the viewer and I wasn't a fan at all. There are also spoiler-y plot points that I was just as mad at in the movie as I was in the book but that's something I knew was coming.

All in all, I think it was a good conclusion to the film series. It's a high quality film and all of its faults, in my opinion, are faults that have been carried over from the book. If you liked the book, you will definitely enjoy the film. If you were a bit on the fence about the book, there is still things to enjoy but do be warned that some of the same issues in the book make an appearance in the film.

So, for those of you who might have already seen it, what'd you think? What was your favourite scene? And if you haven't seen it yet, what scene from the book are you most excited for/hope they include? I want to hear all your thoughts down below!

Until next time!
- Jess, xxx