Heist Society: A Review

I finished Ally Carter's newest book, Heist Society, today and I have to say that I really, really liked it.

It was fast-paced, easy to follow, but not mind-numbingly simple. It was a very good choice, putting it in third-person. I liked the characters, and I felt like they were real. Their heist was brilliant! Thinking back on it, it does remind me a bit of that Audrey Hepburn movie, 'How To Steal A Million.' I enjoyed the ending.

I was told that I'd "fall in love with Hale." I merely liked and enjoyed his characters until the last, say, 50 pages, when I fell in love with him.

(SPOILER ALERT)
Something that people don't seem to have thought of or discussed much yet is the new boy war. In the Gallagher Girls series, it was between Josh and Zach. Well, now we have Hale vs. Nick. And Nick vs. Zach. And Hale vs. Zach, for that matter. But let's focus on Hale vs. Nick. They both have their ups and downs, such as:

Nick is kind of cooler. And mysterious. And he's a "good" person, just like Kat wants to be. Just like Kat kind of is. On the downside, everyone Kat values is a thief, and Nick is with Interpol, so that would be awkward. Also, he lied...but perhaps with just cause.

Kat and Hale have known each other for a very long time, and they're pretty much from the same world. Hale is also mysterious. Not only that, but he really cares about Kat. However, Kat wants to get out of said world and feels no pull towards it, while Hale loves it.

In the end, I pick Hale. He likes and cares for Kat way more, methinks.

However, if Zach were to make a crossover and there was no Cammie to speak of, then Zach should definitely be with Kat. No competition. Sorry, Hale, but I think they're a better match.

If you've read the book, share your opinions.
(SPOILER OVER)

All in all, I really loved reading this book, and the series sounds very promising.

8.9 Stars out of a Possible 10. Congrats!

Your Reviewer-Type Chick,
Nadia

Valentine's Day Is...

I've compiled a slightly cynical, pessimistic--if not completely truthful--list of definitions that describe Valentine's Day. So without further ado, I will tell you that Valentine's Day is...

-a day for emotionally unstable people to express their emotional instability without too much criticism. Like when I get excited over new Harry Potter movies because it's makes my obsession more socially acceptable--yeah, just like that.

-a day for girls to make each other feel inferior and assert themselves over one another based on how many carnations one gets.

-a good day to let family members and friends know that you value them.

-a time for people to prove they have some semblance of a soul so that they can go on being their insensitive, soulless selves the rest of the year.

-a day for couples to prove to others--and perhaps themselves--that they like each other.

-always a disappointment.

-barbaric.

-a legitimate reason to skip school.

Now, maybe you think I'm just bitter, but I'm really just surprised that a civilized society still celebrates and encourages such a holiday. Also, I'm not too psyched for this Valentine's Day--I think a certain nice someone is going to send me something, and if this someone does, I'll have to turn him down, and although I may come off as a very severe and frank person who thinks everyone else just needs to toughen up, I'd really rather not hurt his feelings.

Hoping V-Day Meets Its Z-Day,
Nadia

P.S. Let me know if you think up of additional definitions.

How Dating Stunts Your Growth

I have a theory about the negative effects of dating on the still-developing mind.

Between 6th and 10th grade, everyone is still finding out exactly who they are. They're creating their personalities, forming opinions, etc...

When people who are effectively children date each other, it can have some deleterious repercussions.

Here's the scenario:
One person who has yet to fully form his/her mind starts dating--therefore spending a lot of time with and being heavily influenced by--someone who has also yet to fully form his/her mind. These people will spend there time changing for one another rather than being whoever they would like to be. Also, how could these people know if the other is the kind of person that they'd be interested in when the person doesn't know what kind of person they are in the first place?

While they could have been realizing who they are, they're stuck in a sort of suspended animation where they're not doing anything--progress has stopped (much of the time for fear that the boyfriend or girlfriend will no longer have any interest for him/her if he/she changes; sometimes simply because they have no more time to sit around and mold their own minds).

As I hardly need to tell you, the stunting of maturation and mental growth is a serious problem. Most of our classmates are immature enough as it is, and imagine them being kept that way for even longer than they would have been! A nightmare. *Shiver*

Also, we all know that "middle school relationships" are ridiculous as well as growth-stunting.

In conclusion, I think 'A Song About Love' by Charlie McDonnell from the YouTube channel, charlieissocoollike, sums it up quite nicely in its chorus.

I've never really been in love and that if fine by me
I'll sit at home and refine the person I want to be
'Cause I'm still young and not prepared to waste my time
On chasing girls who have yet to fully form their minds.

Your Blogger,
Nadia

P.S. That made sense...right?