The Hunger Games By Any Other Cover...

I was bored today, so I started looking up different covers for The Hunger Games, just cause I'm so excited for the movie. And let me say, there are some pretty interesting ones out there. Check out these ones!

In German:

I like this one, especially how the girl's eyes and the leaves match. Very striking.

In Italian: 



















Whoa, this one is creepy! In a good way though. Again, love the eyes-- it looks like there's an explosion going on in them!

In Dutch:               

Hmmm. Not a huge fan of this one-- it doesn't really have the intenseness that the other ones do, but still pretty. 

In Swedish:

This one, well, kinda looks like a cover for a video game, though the coloring is cool. And the girl's expression is weird, sorta like she's feeling sick. Which makes sense I guess, but still...

In Russian:




















This cover looks like it focuses mainly on the romance aspect of the book. That'd be great, if it were just a plain old romantic novel, but I feel personally it should show more than that. The book has so much more to offer than a love triangle!

In Chinese:

Oooh, I like this one. It still has the same focus of the mockingjay, but also includes Katniss and Peeta running in the forest. Very awesome. 

In Japanese:

Of course I had to add the Japanese one. Go cartoon characters!

In Serbian:

This one reminds me of the Chinese cover. Again, love how they kept the mockingjay pin, and also how they have the shadows of the tributes underneath it. Very appropriate.

In Romanian:




















Super bright and flashy cover. I don't think it goes along with the book very well, but who knows? It's probably really popular in Romania.

Similar Versions: these ones are basically the same as the cover we know and love, just a tad different.

Spanish:













Turkish:                     

    










Finnish:        

Well, there you go. A totally random post, but I think it's cool to see other countries' view of this beloved book. What one is your favorite?


                     

Juliet Immortal by Stacy Jay

"These violent delights have violent ends And in their triumph die, like fire and powder,
Which as they kiss consume."

—Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

The most tragic love story in history . . .

Juliet Capulet didn't take her own life. She was murdered by the person she trusted most, her new husband, Romeo Montague, a sacrifice made to ensure his own immortality. But what Romeo didn't anticipate was that Juliet would be granted eternity, as well, and would become an agent for the Ambassadors of Light. For 700 years, she's fought Romeo for the souls of true lovers, struggling to preserve romantic love and the lives of the innocent. Until the day she meets someone she's forbidden to love, and Romeo, oh Romeo, will do everything in his power to destroy that love.

 I've been dying to read this book since I first heard about it. It's such an original idea to twist the classic story around like that, plus the cover is so gorgeous and romantic! And it really is a beautiful story Stacey Jay has created. Juliet is such a determined, intriguing, even broken character. Although it's her mission to help people find their true soul mate, she doesn't really believe in love herself. That's why I really admired her for trying so hard to make Ariel's (the name of the girl who's body she possesses) life better, even while desperately trying to stay away from Ben, the boy she's forbidden to have feelings for. Who doesn't love a good forbidden romance? It was a kind of 'love at first sight' thing, but the way the author describes it in the book makes it much easier to understand and believe. And Romeo, O Romeo. I was expecting him to be this evil, deplorable character that dies a horrible and painful death in the end, but there was really more depth to him than I would've thought. Even when he was being a total jerk, I couldn't help but see that shred of humanity left in him. The poor guy was weak, the complete opposite of Juliet. Both of their endings surprised me-- in a good way.

 The writing style was lovely, perfect for showcasing all the character's different emotions. This is one of those books where I can really feel what the character is going through, sometimes even needing to shut my eyes or wince at certain parts like it was a movie. I also liked the way the author used Romeo and Juliet's situation to explain how their 'false' story came to be. Everything just fits so perfectly in this novel. Go Stacey Jay for shaking it up a little! 

 Warning: If you are completely in love with the original story of Romeo and Juliet, you probably shouldn't read this book-- it will just make you mad at the author for trying to change it. I was never really fond of Shakespeare's tragedy, which is why I loved this version so much. Just a little cautionary advice:)

Paranormalcy is Going to The Big Screen!

Ray Kay (I know, right? Awesome name) announced yesterday he will make his debut directorial on Paranormalcy! Yes, our Paranormalcy by Kiersten White! Gil Alder Production and Reverie Entertainment Partners optioned the book to become a movie a while ago and now it finally has a director. So excited! It should be interesting to see how this all plays out, and they better not mess it up! What does everyone else think? Who would be a good actress for Evie?

Small Town Sinners by Melissa Walker

Lacey Anne Byer is a perennial good girl and lifelong member of the House of Enlightenment, the Evangelical church in her small town. With her driver's license in hand and the chance to try out for a lead role in Hell House, her church's annual haunted house of sin, Lacey's junior year is looking promising. But when a cute new stranger comes to town, something begins to stir inside her. Ty Davis doesn't know the sweet, shy Lacey Anne Byer everyone else does. With Ty, Lacey could reinvent herself. As her feelings for Ty make Lacey test her boundaries, events surrounding Hell House make her question her religion.

Melissa Walker has crafted the perfect balance of engrossing, thought-provoking topics and relatable, likable characters. Set against the backdrop of extreme religion, Small Town Sinners is foremost a universal story of first love and finding yourself, and it will stay with readers long after the last page.

I have to admit, I was a little wary of this book after reading all the mixed reviews on it (due to the religious theme). But I'm pleased to say I thoroughly enjoyed it. I personally think it's interesting to hear about different religions (has anyone ever read Ally Condie's Being Sixteen? Yes, that Ally Condie). The way the author described Hell House really got under my skin, as it did Lacy's-- she wanted to believe it, but always there was this little nagging doubt in the back of her mind. Her doubts and confusion are easy to relate with-- what teen doesn't question their beliefs and values every once in a while? The simple, strong writing style conveyed the character emotions perfectly, and the romance was sweet and believable. Although it's not action-packed, this novel will have you tense and wondering at the next chapter.