#anthony h

[quidcrusheu]

@Anthony Hogan Do you feel like moving to Europe? #ODSC2018 #badass #damn #yourbeaterskillsmakemeweak

[bplteens451]

The Brilliant Death by Amy Rose Capetta

Review by Anthony H, grade 10, 2018 Teen Book Reviewer

Genre: Fantasy

The DiSangro family exists as one of the five robust families that run Vinalia. Teodora DiSangro is the daughter of a Nicolo DiSangro, the head of the DiSangro family. Although her contemporaries see her as an odd girl, family is destiny for her. Teodora’s decisions fall on the reputation and strength of the family. Throughout her childhood, she has concealed that she is able to change fellow enemies of her family into miniscule trinkets. This has remained confidential to herself since the Order of Prai and the priests of the church believe such magicians or stregas are heretics. However, an event that is devastating occurs within Teodora’s life. The new leader of the land, the Capo, sends five mysterious letters to each of the leaders of the five families, which leaves all of the heads of the families except Nicolo dead. The letter states that the male heir of the family should come to the capital to await orders. Forced to flee, she has to travel to the capital. The three-day journey to the capital is treacherous and dangerous. On the journey, she meets a powerful strega named Cielo who has the aptitude to switch between genders in the blink of an eye. In order to represent the DiSangros, Teodora must play the role of a male since only a male heir would earn the respect of the Order and the Capo. Playing a male role is quite troublesome for Teodora; however, by the sense of duty to her family, she persists on her journey and finally reaches the capital after the third day. There, she meets the remaining male heirs of the five families. However, within the palace, she discovers ominous secrets that cause utter shock; especially how the Capo has been wielding their power. She also discovers the significant issue of betrayal and being stabbed in the back. However, one universal theme remains, her goal of saving her ailing father and saving Vinalia from the hands of the Capo.

The novel was very suspenseful and was quite adventurous which led me to give it a 4 out of 5. The plot was quite complex and there existed some unexpected events that occurred in the novel. However, some parts of the novel could’ve gone a bit more in-depth in relation to the plot and there were some parts that were difficult to perceive of. For example, the scene with the dream of Cielo’s mother and her relationship to the Capo and the Order of Prai, the message was fairly unclear and it was quite difficult to absorb material from it. There could be an increased amount of details near the ending as I felt the ending was quite unsatisfying and questioning. Although the plot was destabilizing to the novel, the characters in the novel were quite illuminating. The use of the first person allowed the reader to be captivated by the occurring events. Furthermore, the use of a shapeshifter like character who could transform between genders was quite interesting. The persistent question of self-identity remained as Teodora and Cielo transformed between genders and the boundaries of the word gender. The suspense within the novel mostly revolves around the journey to the capital and the difficulties facing Teodora in her ability to transform and her magic. The author also utilized figurative and metaphorical language which was quite well-formed and contributed to the novel. The development of language was especially crucial to parts which included the use of magic. Overall, the novel was well written and was adventurous which drew the reader’s attention.

[bplteens451]

Neanderthal Opens the Door to the Universe by Preston Norton

Review by Anthony H, grade 10, 2018 Teen Book Reviewer

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Cliff Hubbard is seen as an outcast by his fellow classmates. He detests going to Happy Valley High School and being called Neanderthal. Cliff has no friends, he has no one. He has to live in a trailer park with an abusive father and a mother who has seemed to have lost her loving touch. However, Cliff’s life was turned upside down by one key event, the death of his closest friend and brother, Shane. He is constantly bullied by the popular kids at school. Cliff is especially annoyed at Aaron, the quarterback of the football team, and gets into a fight with him. However, in the next few days, Aaron has seemingly disappeared. Cliff dreams of beating up Aaron every day. However, after Aaron returns to school, his personality has changed completely. Aaron attempts being kinder to Cliff and treats him with much empathy. He stated that God told him that he should work with Cliff on a list of things to change Happy Valley High School. After being annoyed by Aaron constantly asking Cliff to join him on his journey to fix Happy Valley High School, surprisingly, Cliff states he’s in. The list includes making their English teacher rediscover his passion for teaching. Also, the list deals with stopping a computer hacker, named Hal, who is associated with havoc over the school. Furthermore, they attempt to persuade the drug dealers to stop dealing drugs as well as stopping the JT’s who are very un-accepting. Finally, their last goal is to stop the bully at Happy Valley High School named Niko. Throughout the journey, Aaron and Cliff face many challenges that test their relationship; however, through many experiences, it reveals the importance of their friendship and what brings them together. One significant issue remains with this list that involves his brother Shane.

Initially, looking at the novel, the novel seemed very interesting. However, after reading deeper into the book, I was quite disappointed by the ending and the main middle section of the novel. The novel was not very suspenseful as most events were expected and it gave mostly a conclusion that was guessable since it was similar to a “Disney ending.” The novel could’ve included significantly more detail and some parts that were difficult to understand comprehensively. Mainly, I feel that the plot is quite destabilizing to the novel and there could be quite more addition of suspense and increased detail. Some praise I include is certain events allowed the reader to be captivated. One main question that remained is self-identity within the novel and how different individuals within the novel pursue a certain type of relationship. The suspense, however, is quite lacking. Although the author made an attempt to make Hal, a master computer hacker, a more hidden character, I felt like Hal slightly drove off the main point of the story which included the importance of diversity. The development of language was well written. Overall, the novel was moderate in my opinion as some sections could use some improvement.

[bplteens451]

When Light Left Us by Leah Thomas

Review by Anthony H, grade 10, 2018 Teen Book Reviewer

Genre: Science Fiction

When Light Left Us depicts the journey of a family that revolves around challenges. Set in Nameless Canyon, New Mexico, the novel depicts the path of children that had just lost their father. Devastation surrounds the children in their thinking. Moreover, they have to deal with the trouble they have to adapt in school. However, through contact with the outside world, Thomas uses our credence of aliens to develop a character from the unknown world, Luz. In the children’s mind, Luz became their father. In the children’s minds, Luz became the most important person in their life. However, he was just taking control of them like a parasite. He entered the hands of Hank, the eyes of Ana, and the ears of Milo. Throughout the summer, he acted like the fatherly role that the children had just bitterly lost. However, at the end of the summer, Luz left. Hank, Ana, and Milo couldn’t stand that they had to lose someone so close to them: their father and this extraterrestrial creature. Shock surrounds them by an incident, which leads her to find Dr. Ruby who gives her advice on her children. How can the children react to the fact that they experienced something either magical or tragic that no one else has ever experienced before? Furthermore, the children have their own troubles to deal with at school. Hank missing tryouts, Ana losing her best friend, and Milo having to flood out his experience. However, the real problem is Luz never left.

This literary work received a 4 out of 5 since the plot was suspenseful and the tone was well developed; however, some parts of the dialogue seemed a bit unrealistic. The novel was set at the beginning of the school year. The novel also explains how Hank, Ana, and Milo had their summer completely turned around. Dividing the novel like this provided an interesting structure that had differing movements in time. Thomas also uses a metaphorical tone that exists throughout the novel that complements a science fiction novel. The author’s use of literary elements increased the suspense within the novel. The suspense was the most crucial part of the novel. Initially, readers would perceive that Luz was acting as a beneficial character in the children’s lives, taking the place of their father. However, it was shocking that he would be so manipulative and destructive to them. A problem that existed within the novel is that the dialogue and communication between some characters seemed a bit unrealistic. For example, during Luz’s section of the dialogue in which Luz was communicating with Milo in Milo’s own body seemed a bit bizarre.

Try this book if you liked Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card.

[bplteens451]

Dream Country by Shannon Gibney

Review by Anthony H, grade 10, 2018 Teen Book Reviewer

Genre: Historical Fiction

Dream Country depicts the journey of the descendants of a hardworking African American family, the difficulties and hardships they’ve to endure. This reveals the bitter consequences of prejudice and racism. This novel illustrates the importance of egalitarianism and fairness. Voyaging between the oceans, the author tells the differences in traditional customs of Africans over the course of centuries and the consequences of the initial slave trade. From Liberia to America, the characters have experiences that change their lives forever. Kollie, who entered America as a refugee, undergoes many difficulties within his school and the community. This eventually leads him to behavioral issues which forces him to travel back to Liberia. Drawing a few centuries back is Togar who with his wife and children is forced to flee his home as neighboring Congo soldiers attempt to enslave him to work on plantations. A story is told from a different perspective by the Wright Family who attempt to escape enslavement within America and they establish the colony known as Liberia. Now, instead of being the outcasts, they begin to discriminate against others. Furthermore, this leads us to the story of Ujay and Evelyn who witness the horror of the assassination of the Liberian President. They are bound together by the love they harness. Finally, the author tells the story of Angel, Kollie’s brother and what occurred to her family and to Kollie after he was sent back to Liberia.

This literary work received 5 out of 5 since it developed an important message that the readers can relate and appreciate. The development of the novel was quite intriguing as it was split up into five chapters; each offers a unique perspective in a different period of time. The author utilized characterization to show how the character thought and acted within the novel. She also gave characters a certain type of personality that either led the reader to enjoy or detest the character. The development of a complex plot existed and there were internal conflicts that revolved around each chapter. For example, there was the development of Parents vs. Kids in Kollie’s journey through high school and his difficulty to adapt. This increased the suspense of the novel and allowed the reader to keep turning the page. There is also the persistent question of self-identity in the novel and who the character strives to be and problems encountered. The story established was very realistic and resembled real events. A certain degree of caution to the brutality and the language exhibited within the novel as this novel is more intended for adults. It converses about civil war and problems with human rights that existed in Africa.

Try this book if you liked The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead.

[thetoychronicle-blog]

The Battlefield of Darkness Vol 2 - Da Rocking Priest - Anthony H By Devil Toys

Devil Toys have shown their cards with their latest 1/6 scale high-end action figure, Da Rocking Priest – Anthony. H from the The Battlefield of Darkness Vol 2 line. Anthony.H looks like he’s stepped out of hit Chinese movie “Young and Dangerous” with more style obviously. The facial sculpt is what caught our attention at TTC HQ and one…

The Battlefield of Darkness Vol 2 – Da Rocking Priest – Anthony H By Devil Toys was originally published on The Toy Chronicle

[rockingthemadtparty]

Last week of the Mad T Party at Disney's California Adventure by Anthony H. Via Flickr: November 30th was the unceremonious farewell to a two-year trip down the rabbit hole. The psychedelic, funkadelic, triply-dippy dance party known as the Mad T Party enjoyed its last performance last night. This dance party overlay to Hollywood Land became a popular night time hangout for locals over its run. As early as 3pm, a small crowd had already formed around the stage to catch what would ostensibly be the last performance of the band. This section is some of the photos I took of the show a week before (11/22/14) Enjoy!

[diet-choke]

I love you more than you love me Anthony.