Review: Ready Player One

Lucy ルーシー

“In the year 2045, reality is an ugly place. The only time teenage Wade Watts really feels alive is when he’s jacked into the virtual utopia known as the OASIS. Wade’s devoted his life to studying the puzzles hidden within this world’s digital confines—puzzles that are based on their creator’s obsession with the pop culture of decades past and that promise massive power and fortune to whoever can unlock them. 

But when Wade stumbles upon the first clue, he finds himself beset by players willing to kill to take this ultimate prize. The race is on, and if Wade’s going to survive, he’ll have to win—and confront the real world he’s always been so desperate to escape.” – taken from Amazon

Author: Ernest Cline

Print Length: 386 pages

5/5 stars

In the year 2045 society is hung up on searching for James Halliday’s egg in the Oasis, an online virtual reality world created by Halliday, in order to inherit the massive amount of money he left after his death. The interest in Halliday and his treasure hunt have spurred a huge interest in 1980’s culture to the point where a large portion of society is obsessed with all things 80’s. The main character, Wade is a huge Halliday fan and has been searching for the egg for the past five years. One day he has an epiphany and figures out the first clue to the series of events that lead to the discovery of the egg at the end. Wade is a likable character. He is courageous, ethical, funny, intelligent, and just seems like a downright good person. I found his love interest refreshing in that he doesn’t fall for the “cookie cutter” type of girl. His critical thinking skills are second only to Art3mis, who happens to be the lovely lady he falls for. I liked her character as well but she did get on my nerves a bit when she got bitchy about Wade finding her name out and what she looked like, especially when he didn’t single her out in that process and only did it for her own safety and so the egg wouldn’t be found by the bad guys (the Sixers). Her defensive reactions towards him in regards to her physical appearance seemed a bit over the top. I enjoyed the twist towards the end when Wade and Aech meet as well. I didn’t want the story to end and enjoyed every minute I read. This one is definitely going on my Faves shelf.

You Do You

Lucy ルーシー

Times are crazy right now. I’m sure the majority of us are all experiencing crazy stress and life changing alterations to our day to day activities. There’s seriously not a better time to practice self-care than the present. If you don’t take care of yourself, how will you be able to take care of the people/pets/plants/inanimate objects around you? Below is a list I’ve compiled of some of the best ideas for self-care during these unexpected and scary times.

Emotional

  • Exercise kindness (within reason) towards those around you
  • Try to focus on the positive whenever possible
  • Call/text/message friends or family so as not to become lonely
  • Spend more time with pets to help reduce stress
  • Spend time outdoors if possible. (keep social distancing in mind)
  • Focus on hobbies and interests you may otherwise have little time to work on
  • Start a new hobby or interest
  • Limit time watching/reading the news (this sometimes perpetuates fear and paranoia if done excessively)

Physical

  • Rest so as not to compromise your immune system
  • Eat healthy
  • Meditate, stretch, exercise, or do yoga
  • Make sure to go outdoors when possible to get your daily dose of Vitamin D
  • Give yourself a home manicure/pedicure
  • Take a long bubble bath to relax your tense muscles during these stressful times
  • Catch up on yard work/gardening or any projects around the house

And even though this post was about self-care we shouldn’t just focus on ourselves all of the time. I’m talking about the hoarders out there and the people who are going out and ignoring the social distancing or lockdown orders. You all are the problem. In critical times like these we need to act within reason, with empathy, and logic. To act impulsively with your own best interests in mind does no good. There are so many people out there that are vulnerable and we need to take the proper precautions to ensure their health and safety as well during all of this. If you have any elderly neighbors or family members, please check on them. You can always help them out by ordering necessities and groceries for them through apps like Instacart. A lot of older people are unfamiliar with these services which are extremely helpful during this time. Stay safe and be kind, everyone! ❤

Review: Pale Queen Rising

Lucy ルーシー

“As the royal assassin, Claire is used to moving between the mortal world and the Winter Kingdom. When the queen commands her to kill, Claire does the job and doesn’t ask questions. Her deadly skills and loyalty are soon tested when Claire is sent to the Immortal Circus, one of the many places where “Dream” is harvested from the imaginings of mortals. There she must find the culprit who is causing Dream to mysteriously disappear before the Winter Kingdom’s supply is depleted enough to threaten its very survival. But when she meets Roxie, a beautiful mortal singer with a strange link to the Dream thieves, Claire quickly recognizes an odd and unexplained connection that may cloud her judgment. As each new clue unveils another secret, Claire finds herself confronting the riddle of her own buried past—and a dangerous illusion that, as part of the Immortal Circus, is just another act in the show.” – taken from Amazon

Author: A.R. Kahler

Print Length: 256 pages

2/5 stars

I found the story-line rather slow in the beginning. It felt as though I had read this story before but I couldn’t exactly recall from what author. I did not find the main character likable or relatable. I understand she is supposed to be an assassin for the Winter Queen but she seems to be lacking some major common sense and seems to be oblivious for someone whose primary purpose is to hunt people and other worldly creatures down and take them out. Just seems a bit odd to me. She’s super cliche and it gets tiresome hearing about how “bad ass” she thinks she is when she is in fact. quite the contrary. Also the fact that she doesn’t care about how she was kidnapped as a child, by the Winter Queen, seems bizarre to me. I know I certainly wouldn’t be okay with being kidnapped and forced to kill people. I forced myself to finish the book even though it didn’t really hold my attention. Unfortunately, I don’t think I’ll be reading any of the other books from this series. It wasn’t terrible but it definitely wasn’t something I want to put myself through again.

Panic

Lucy ルーシー

All the hysteria behind this pandemic is spiking my anxiety through the roof. I’ve already been agoraphobic many times in my life and prefer to stay at home like a hermit but this is really exacerbating my paranoia. I try not to watch the news because my anxiety is easily triggered. Well, I’ve been watching way too much news lately. I feel like I’m living in the beginning of the collapse of civilization as we know it and I’m well aware of how crazy that sounds but my mind is telling me it’s completely rational for me to think this way even if I know the core of me is probably overreacting. I don’t trust my fellow humans. Their tendencies to become violent at the drop of a hat terrify me. I don’t like forcing myself out into public to have a panic or anxiety attack just to get the basic necessities of life. I’ve tried ordering my groceries through apps and online and everyone is out of everything. It’s truly making me uneasy. The schools are all closed and people in my county have the virus and some have died. I’ve been trying to focus on gardening, finishing up some projects around the house, reading and video games in order not to dwell on the impact this is having on our society because I don’t like to worry over things out of my control. I’m one of those individuals who doesn’t like being in situations they have no control over, like surgeries, dental visits..etc.

The photo included in this entry is actually of my backyard at night. My backyard has been kind of a sanctuary for my family and myself lately. With the limited ability to go out the backyard has been our only refuge. I find solace in watching the bees working, lizards sun bathing, hummingbirds drinking nectar from the blossoms, and just talking to my plants to help them grow. Our trees and plants typically do exceptionally well especially considering some of them we purchased on clearance because they were nearly dead. We grow a lot of our own produce and that gives me some slight comfort in times like these. We have almonds, peaches, plums, apples, pears, lemons, oranges, blueberries, raspberries, tomatoes, red grapes, green grapes, and lettuce. I’m hoping to build a raised garden bed and start growing vegetables as well and I’m also considering getting a couple of backyard hens. I don’t like feeling completely helpless and if I can remedy that feeling even just a bit, I will feel slightly better. My family’s goal is to be as self sufficient as possible within reason. We live in a suburban setting with a modest property so we are doing what we can with what little money we have available. Hopefully we can get solar panels, a composter, and a water retention barrel too. I’m also going to learn to bake my own bread. Despite this pandemic making such a negative impact on the majority of people’s lives right now, I am trying to use this as a lesson. I am also trying to see things from a more positive light so I don’t freak myself out. If I can make sure my family is comfortable, happy, and safe I will be content and will have achieved my goal. Stay safe and healthy everyone and please stay home.

Review: A Trick of Light: Stan Lee’s Alliances

Lucy ルーシー

“Nia, a gifted but desperately lonely hacker, is living in isolation with her strict single dad. As a social-media maven, she is wildly popular and has more than a million friends. But they are all strangers who love her posts but know nothing about her that is real.

Cameron is on a quest for YouTube fame as a vlogger focusing on exploring the mysteries of Lake Erie. While recording his latest video, he is knocked out by lightning in a freak storm that appears to defy the laws of physics. When Cameron awakens, he discovers an astonishing cyberkinetic talent: the ability to manipulate computers and electronics with his mind.

After a chance meeting online, the two teenagers—one born with extraordinary gifts, one unwillingly transformed—join together to right wrongs in the world. As Nia and Cameron develop their powers and deal out reckonings, they draw the attention of dangerous forces, putting the future of the planet at risk.

Set in Stan Lee’s Alliances Universe, co-created by Lee, Luke Lieberman, and Ryan Silbert, and written with Edgar Award–nominated author Kat Rosenfield, Stan Lee delivers a novel packed with the pulse-pounding, breakneck adventure and the sheer exuberant invention that have defined his career as the creative mastermind behind the spectacular Marvel universe.” – taken from Amazon

4/5 stars

I enjoyed the character development thoroughly. Both Cameron and Nia were relatable in my eyes. Not so typical teenagers on the fringe of society. Both quirky, intelligent, and amusing. Nia’s naivety is refreshing and realistic to her character. I found myself rooting for Cameron to win the girl despite the strange twist towards the end. I found the premise of the story very intriguing and unique. Something not too implausible in the distant or near future, what with everyone’s fascination of technology and it’s rapid development. The story starts off at a decent pace and picks up quickly. The plot kept me engaged the whole way through and I didn’t want the story to end.