Drama Review: Road No. 1 (一号国道)
Melody


This is one of the older K-dramas (2010) I watched a while back. Road No. 1 is a war story which was based on real events between Seoul and Pyongyang. 

Since a boy, Lee Jang Woo (starring So Ji Sub) and his father worked as servants in a family. Jang Woo and Soo Yeon (starring Kim Ha Neul), the eldest daughter of the family, are childhood sweethearts. Soo Yeon's ambition is to be a doctor, but life becomes tough for them and Jang Woo decides to join the army in order to earn money to pay for her tuition. 

During the time when Jang Woo is out fighting, Soo Yeon spends her time studying and in the end fulfills her wish of becoming a doctor and treats injured soldiers. She is still awaiting for Jang Woo's return, until one day she receives news that he had died in combat. 

Soo Yeon eventually moves on with her life and knew an army officer, Shin Tae Ho (starring Yoon Kye Sang) through her work. Tae Ho falls in love with her on first sight, but deep down Soo Yeon still couldn't forget Jang Woo and is still hoping that he'd be back safe and sound. 

Tae Ho wants to marry Soo Yeon, and at that point Soo Yeon realises that Jang Woo wouldn't be back and she agrees to his proposal. Alas, on the eve of their wedding, Jang Woo returns home. He claimed that the news of his death had been a mistake. Soo Yeon is now torn between two men. 

However, her worries are nothing as compared to the war that befalls their country. The following morning, North Korea invades South Korea, marking the beginning of the Korean War. Both men, Jang Woo and Tae Ho are sent to the battlefield, without getting an answer from Soo Yeon whom she'd choose. 

Jang Woo and Tae Ho become rivalries, but both of them knew that if they bring their personal feelings to the battlefields, they'd get themselves killed. Gradually under those tough circumstances, they'd learned to work as a team and watch out for one another. But as we all know, war changes everything and fate does play a part when one's life is concerned. 

Road No. 1 is one unforgettable war dramas to me, alongside with movies Saving Private Ryan, Pearl Harbor and Atonement. I don't specially seek out books and movies on wars, but their stories are usually knowledgeable and inspiring in some ways. Movies, on the other end, have made the images more vivid and thus most often stayed in one's mind long after a book is closed. 

Like many war stories, Road No. 1 is emotional and pull on your heartstrings. Wars are cruel, for sure, and they make it even harder to watch especially when one has to leave for battle while others scramble for their lives. In this case, Jang Woo and Tae Ho have to fight against their enemies, while deep down they are also fighting against each other over a woman they love. When one finally admits defeat, it is war that claims the winner. Not wanting to disclose spoilers, I just want to say the ending had me in tears. 

Actors So Ji Sub and Yoon Kye Sang have both brought their roles to life through their excellent acting skills. I've to say So Ji Sub left a deep impression on me due to his manly physique and not to mention the role he portrayed. He is never conceited and always spare a thought for his peers in the role he portrayed; he is most often calm under critical situations and most of all, he has a kind heart. I've to say I rooted for him all the way through the drama; and although my heart goes out to Soo Yeon too, it was always Jang Woo who caught my attention and had me hoping that he would win all the battles.

If you are a fan of historical and a good romance story, this drama is for you. 

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Covet by Tracey Garvis Graves
Melody

ISBN-13: 9780142181126
Publisher: Penguin Group (USA)
Publication Date: April 2014
Format: Paperback, 336 pgs
Source: Personal Library


Can men and women be friends? Is it possible to love more than one person at the same time? 

Covet is a story which questions you on the above issues and at its core a story about marriage and friendship.

Claire Canton, a woman in her thirties, is a stay-at-home mom with two kids. She works as a freelance graphic designer and she should be a very happy woman as she seems to have the best of both worlds. 

However, she isn't as her husband Chris was troubled by unemployment. The previous job he worked in a software company laid off some staff and he was one of them. Finding a job becomes a challenge due to the economy and not to mention that many companies are trying to cut down on costs, even if it means asking a staff to do two persons' jobs. Chris becomes depressed as the days go by without him with a job; he becomes a loving father and husband to a lone ranger who locks himself in his room and getting bitter not only to himself and to the world. 

Claire is no doubt worried and concerned over Chris and their financial state they are in, but she couldn't seem to get her words through Chris, as he has shut everything out of him. Finally, he found a job but it requires lots of travelling. Both Chris and Claire know this would take away many of their family time but they also know they have to adjust to it no matter they like it or not. 

Chris works hard in his new job, taking little notice of his family. The travelling has made it worse and it takes not much time before Claire feels their marriage is on red alert. She feels alone and with no one to turn to, until one day she is pulled over by police officer, Daniel Rush, over her faulty taillight. One thing leads to another and before she knows it she finds herself seeing more of Daniel. 

Daniel knew she is married but yet he couldn't let his mind off of Claire. One reason being that she reminds him of his ex-wife; but the most of all is he feels happy with her and he knows she feels the same way too. Claire, on the other hand, knows they shouldn't be spending too much time together despite they don't have any physical connection. It doesn't feel right, to be emotionally close to a man who isn't your husband but yet she is hoping she could remain in that state if possible. 

Alongside Claire's issues is her friendship with her neighbours and how they have their own family woes too. All in all, I find Covet to be a satisfying read; one which covers a common issue what a couple might face under circumstances when one party neglects the other. And, is it even possible for a man and woman to be platonic friends? I think this book has covered these subjects well and offer some insights about keeping a relationship. Narrated by three different perspectives (Claire, Chris and Daniel), this also allows readers to get to know their thoughts on a more personal level. 
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Drama Review: You Who Came from the Stars (来自星星的你)
Melody

For those readers who'd watched this drama, please pardon me for posting this at this time. This most watched K-drama was aired last December and had many viewers addicted to it that fans around the world would sweep every products off the shelves that are endorsed by the two leading characters. I watched this drama two months back but didn't get around to reviewing it until now. I know it'd be an outdated review, but I thought I'd offer some of my perspective especially to readers who have yet to watch it.
Basically, this is a romantic comedy between an alien and a human being. I have to admit I'm not a sci-fi fan, not as a reader or a viewer, but I'd heard and read so many reviews about this drama that it had me curious. 
Anyway, this fantasy romance revolves around an alien, Do Min-joon (starring Kim Soo Hyun), who has landed on Earth 400 years ago during the Joseon Dynasty. During his days on Earth, he helped a young girl from plunging to her death. As he continued to help the girl escape from her in-laws, he missed his chance of returning to his planet. Thus, he is stranded on Earth for the next four centuries and he has to wait for the time to arrive before he could return back to his planet. 
During this period, he has had many identities, after all his appearance never change and neither does he age like an ordinary human. Fortunately, he has a friend in an elderly lawyer, whom he had saved many years ago. He is the only human who had known about his true identity. As of present, Min-joon is a college professor and lives in a luxurious apartment, thanks to his savings all the years when he is on Earth. 
Life is peaceful, and Do Min-joo is waiting for the day to return to his planet when he meets the nation superstar, Cheon Song-yi (starring Jun Ji Hyun). She is his new neighbour but Min-joon didn't know of her identity. Song-yi, on the other end, thinks he is her biggest fan after they had stepped off from the lift together and thinks he is stalking her. They had several comical exchanges initially, and slowly that path leads to a hot romance thereafter. 
My thoughts? I find it highly entertaining and amusing. I've to confess I was quite irritated by Song-yi initially, who seems to be whining most of the times. However, her characteristic changes as the show progresses and her role has became more sympathetic. 
Min-joon, on the other hand, is a quiet and charismatic man (ahem, alien). I've to say most of my attention was focused on him; after all he is young and good-looking, and he has special powers to boot (though not my type in reality). 
Anyways, it is not all about romance (which would be boring). It has a tinge of a thriller though it is not the kind that would make you bite your nails or hold your breath (maybe a little), but at least it brings a little depth to the story and convince the viewers why it is crucial for Min-joon to act as protector to Song-yi. 
I didn't let myself think too much while watching this drama, simply because the characters are eye candies to boot, and it is a fantasy after all. Did I enjoy it? Yes. Most importantly, what did I find about the ending? Not perfect but it works. And to me, that fits me well. 
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Breakwater Bay by Shelley Noble
Melody


  • ISBN-13: 9780062319142
  • Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
  • Publication date: July 2014
  • Format: Trade Paperback, 384 pgs
  • Source: Publisher



Thirty years ago in Newport, young Alden Corrigan took his father’s dinghy out to fish. In a sudden storm, he saw a girl stranded on the breakwater. He managed to save her and had her placed under the care of his neighbor, the Hollis family, under the urgent circumstances and also knowing that his father would throw a fit should he know he had the dinghy out under the bad weather. 

It turned out that the girl was pregnant and she seemed to be running away from her family. The Hollis family helped delivered her baby with the help of the local midwife, but the girl disappeared the following day, leaving behind her newborn baby.

Thirty years after, preservationist Meri Hollis learned about the abandoned baby and was determined to find out the truth, even if it means it'd change the life of everyone around her. 

Breakwater Bay is an engaging story about secrets, unconditional love and belief. Set in Newport with glorious old mansions and the Rhode Island shore, this is a family story about secrets and how one's decision would ruin the others. 

I've to admit I was intrigued by the premise upon reading the blurb; I had high expectations of this book that it'd filled me in with lots of drama or surprise. As much as this was an emotional read, I was disappointed to note that the plot isn't what I had expected. I knew there might be some readers who'd enjoy it and find it satisfactory, but to me it just lacks a little punch. I think another reason is I want to learn more about Alden and Meri, who seemed to have an interest in each other, but I didn't see much development between them, until a hint towards the end. That said, it was an emotional read and I was glad the story left me with much love and optimism. After all I felt this is the true message behind this story and this is what most matters. 

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Drama Review: Emergency Couple (急诊男女)
Melody

It's been a while since I'd watched a romantic comedy. What I like about rom com is they are sweet, entertaining and they allow my mind to wander away from realism, even if it is only for a short while.

Emergency Couple is a story about a young couple who fell in love and married early, despite the opposition of the groom's family, in particularly the groom's mother. 

Oh Chang-min (starring Choi Jin-hyuk) is a medical school student, and he comes from a family of wealthy, successful doctors. Oh Jin-hee (starring Song Ji-hyo), on the other end, is a dietitian. After they married, Chang-min's family cut him off without a cent. Without financial support, he has to quit medical school and becomes a pharmaceutical salesman. Jin-hee gets depressed as life began to be a toil for her, and Chang-min doesn't seem to be understanding as he too is miserable in his job. They realised they've been fighting too frequently and thought it'd be better if they get a divorce. 

Six years later, Chang-min completed his studies at the medical school. Jin-hee has also put herself through med school. Coincidentally their path cross again when they end up as interns at the same hospital; and both of them are to work together with three other interns in the emergency ward. 

Just when they thought they'd be miserable and argue with each other all over again, the challenges in working as a team in the emergency ward make them realise that a perfect life doesn't exist, and that unexpected accidents happen and irreversible mistakes are made. It is through life's experiences they see each day that make them discover the confidence to change; allow them to grow and challenge themselves whenever a situation calls for it. 

Secondary characters Chun-soo (starring Lee Pil-mo), the attending physician of Emergency Medicine and Ji-hye, assistant professor of surgery (starring Choi Yeo-jin) also play an important role in the drama and not to mention they are mentors to the couple. Chun-soo and Ji-hye had had a past but the latter still harbours feelings for the other all these years. Chun-soo thought his feelings for love was dead, until working with Jin-hee made him open up his heart again. 

What can I say? Emergency Couple is another sweet rom com about rekindle love and hope. Do I find it cliché or cheesy? A little of both. Expected ending? No surprise there. But, what I liked about this drama is not only the leading characters (they looked cute together) but the journey they've been through together, no matter it is happiness or sadness, and how the things they'd gone through have made them mature and look at things in a different angle. 

Divorce has become a common issue in today's society, and though it is rare that a divorced couple to fall in love and be together again, this drama has shown us that this is not impossible, and that a couple should respect and accept each other. After all, the person you married must have some good points that makes you fall in love with him/her, isn't it? Overall, I enjoyed this drama and I'd love to see the leading characters together in another drama again. If possible, I hope there is a sequel to Emergency Couple. 
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After Her by Joyce Maynard
Melody


  • ISBN-13: 9780062257406
  • Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
  • Publication Date: April 2014
  • Format: Trade Paperback, 336 pgs
  • Source: Publisher



Part thriller and part love story, After Her touched me in so many ways. Written in first person from Rachel Torricelli's POV, this story is basically about her relationship with her younger sister, Patty, and their detective father who is put in charge of finding the "Sunset Strangler", who had murdered so many young women on the mountain behind their home. Detective Anthony Torricelli, their handsome, charismatic father is known to have a way with dealing with criminals and getting them to confess, but this case leaves him wondering if he is way behind his prime. 

Rachel and Patty adore their father, despite he had left home when Rachel is eight, leaving their mother depressed and in a state of financial deprivation. Their father still stay in touch with them occasionally, but with the Sunset Strangler case still remains unsolved, the chance of seeing their father is getting lesser and lesser. 

Rachel and Patty are both smart children, but they don't have many friends in school. Thus, this makes them even closer and they will confide in each other, even if it is a small thing. One would think that they have a lot in common, but in fact Rachel is a girl who has lots of creative imaginations while Patty is the more active and daring one. She is not afraid of speaking her mind and she also has a soft spot for dogs. Now with their father leading the murder case and has appeared on television for countless times, Rachel suddenly finds herself popular in school. Slowly, she finds herself drifting away from Patty and while Patty feels the difference in her older sister, she didn't blame her though she misses her company. It is at this time that Patty focuses her attention on basketball and she has became so good with it that she began to play for their school. 

While Rachel enjoys the popularity in school, she is troubled to find her father getting skinnier and skinnier as the case drags on and more young women are murdered. With her imagination and her "vision" which enables her to foresee stuff (though most of them are not always clear and straightforward), she decides on a plan which involving setting herself up as a bait for the killer. In the end, her act has labelled her as being untrustworthiness in other people's eyes and worst of all, it jeopardised her father's career. 

Thirty years later, Rachel reflects on that past which still gnaws at her conscience, as that case remains unsolved. With a wrong man behind bars and the killer still at large, Rachel begins to construct a plan to lure the Sunset Strangler and vindicate her father. But this time around, her status is different considering she is now a famous author and she believes her new book would bring the killer to her, since what she has written is so close to what happened so many years ago.  

After Her is what I'd say a wonderful family reminiscence and a detective story. Split into two parts - the first part in the eyes of thirteen-year-old Rachel and the second of an adult Rachel, After Her is more of an emotional driven and coming-of-age story than a mystery. That said, I didn't mean that the mystery part isn't covered. It does (which I was glad), though the author focus more on the sisters' bonding and their relationship with their father. I was extremely touched reading about the relationship between the two sisters, in particular with Patty because of her fierce loyalty towards Rachel, despite anything. I also find it sweet reading the relationship between father and daughters; what they did together always brought a smile to my face (for one, he likes making spiders out of their hairs), well except the part about what Rachel did to lure the killer which I think was foolish and not to mention dangerous. 

I think the ending was quite nicely done, though it left me with a bittersweet feeling, but a good ending nonetheless. 
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Drama Review: God's Gift - 14 Days (神的礼物 - 14天)
Melody


If you are given a chance to turn back the time, what would you do? In God's Gift - 14 Days, it is a harrowing experience for mother Kim Soo-hyun (starring Lee Bo-young) as well as a former cop turned private investigator, Ki Dong-chan (starring Jo Seung-woo), as both of them have to race against time in the allotted 14 days to unveil a mystery involving their loved ones.

Kim Soo-hyun's young daughter Han Saet-byul was kidnapped and murdered, and Soo-hyun is determined to expose the killer and save her daughter before she dies all over again. As for Ki Dong-chan, he has to prove the innocence of his mentally challenged older brother who is falsely accused of murdering Dong-chan's ex-girlfriend. Now Soo-hyun and Dong-chan do not know each other, but fate throws into their ways and they have to trust each other and work together to solve the mystery before they have to face the cruel fate of losing their loved ones once again. 

If you ask me, I love the combination of a time travel and a mystery theme. I would love to see the victims are given another chance to unveil the truth and even stop the crime from happening, and that the murderers are caught and punished should they attempted and succeeded in escaping the law in the first place. 

I liked the plot of God's Gift - 14 Days. It especially touched my heart because of the plot involving a young child, and to see the mother has gone through various hardships to search and save her daughter. I also find it heart-wrenching to see two brothers for taking the blame wrongfully all these years (especially for Dong-chan because he has assumed his older brother had committed a murder and was even testified as a witness, thus leading to the hanging of his older brother). 

Although I find the plot intense and riveting, and full of twists and turns, however I wasn't satisfied with the ending. You see, it was left with an open ending and you have to use your imagination to judge the fate of Dong-chan. I liked the characterisation of Dong-chan; he is righteous and full of charge - he is not a person who would be intimidated by death. However, the ending is totally anticlimactic. It lacks clarity and instead leave the viewers with more questions instead of answers. Despite this flaw, I have to say the performance by Lee Bo-young and Jo Seung-woo is marvellous. As an individual or as a duo, the characterisations they have portrayed have convinced the viewers about the hardship and dilemma a mother and a frustrating, desperate man have to face under certain circumstances. 

Before ending this post, I would like to ask you this question: Do you believe in fate? I do. But can we change fate? I don't know, but I think our fate wouldn't be that bad if we harbour good thoughts and live truthfully. 
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Wolf (Jack Caffery series 7) by Mo Hayder
Melody


ISBN-13: 9780593068182
Publisher: Bantam Press
Publication Date: April 2014
Format: Hardcover, 416 pgs
Source: Personal Library




I always find myself in a dilemma while reading a Mo Hayder book. Why? Because they are all so good and intense that I want to devour them all and get to the bottom of it quickly; on the other hand while I still want to devour them all, I want to do it on my regular reading pace, and try to think of the missing puzzles and how they would fit towards the end. So in the end, I just find myself lost in Mo Hayder's world and let her words push me whichever ways they want me to. 


Wolf, let me tell you, is not an easy read. Gruesome, violence, cruelty . . . you name it, they are all here. There were times I had to tear myself away from the book and let my mind wander about other than the story. Yes, I think I could say this is not a book for the faint hearted but what can I say . . . the plot is simply stunning! 

Fifteen years ago, two teenage lovers were brutally murdered in a patch of remote woodland (I won't go into details on how they died but all I could say is it is terribly horrifying and violent). The prime suspect confessed to the crime and was kept behind bars. The story should have ended there but it didn't. 

A five-year-old girl found a dog while picking flowers near that woodland. Attached to its collar was a teeny-weeny piece of paper are two legible words - Help us (the rest are a filthy smudge). Her parents are unaware of the little note, but someone who called himself The Walking Man does know about the note. In fact, he had struck a deal with the little girl that he would help the dog to find its owner. 

DI Jack Caffery, on the other end, is still looking for answers on his older brother's disappearance all these years (this issue was brought up in previous installments but there isn't any clue or answer until this installment). Ewan Caffery was nine when he walked out of the family's back garden and never came back. There was an ageing paedophile called Ivan Penderecki who lived hundred and fifty yards from their family. Jack is sure he played a part in Ewan's disappearance but there is simply no evidence, and Ewan's body is never found. 

Now the Walking Man and Jack Caffery knew each other. They have something in common (loss of their dear ones) and that's why they somewhat feel they are on the same path regardless of their class. The Walking Man told Jack that he would help find answers to Ewan's disappearance but in return Jack is to help him look into the doggy's case and find out the story behind its note. 

What came off from these two cases had totally shocked me; and no I'm not going to elaborate any further. It spoils the fun, as you my dear readers know it. All I can say is, I am in awed of Ms Hayder's brilliance for creating such a terrifying yet a perfect thriller that still sends shiver down my spine as of writing this post. I simply have no words for her Jack Caffery series and I just hope that she will write quickly so that we will have a new Jack Caffery thriller to devour, I mean, read. 
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Dead Scared: Lacey Flint Series (Book 2) by Sharon Bolton
Melody

ISBN-13: 978-0552159838
Publisher: Corgi 
Publication Date: January 2013
Format: Paperback, 464 pgs
Source: Personal Library 



I started this book without knowing that this is part of a series, but that is fine since the story could be read as a standalone. In fact, I am going to read the first book (and the rest of the series) anyway because Dead Scared is simply awesome!

It all started with a spate of suicides at Cambridge University. Several female students had dramatically attempted suicide over the years and the gruesome thing is, they had all ended their life in extraordinary (and cruel) ways, i.e. jumping from high buildings, self-immolation, self-stabbing and self-decapitation, etc. 

DI Mark Joesury and his team realize that things are more than meet the eye, thus he sends young policewoman, DC Lacey Flint, to the university as undercover. Lacey would pose as a vulnerable and depression-prone student and they would see how things would churn out from there. Dr Evi Oliver, a psychiatrist who counsels the students there, is the only person who knows the true identity of Lacey. Initially, the two women thought the students who attempted suicides are delusional or simply a cry for attention, but what they didn't understand is why they had chosen a terrible way to end their lives. They speculated that there might be a destructive subculture that is manifest largely on the internet; a virtual world that legitimised and even glamorised the act of suicide.  

As they dig deeper, they realised that things aren't what they seemed or they had expected. Someone (or a few very sick people) seems to have orchestrated the death of the students and they had made it look like the students had ended their own lives. Lacey reported what she had speculated to DI Mark Joesury but they have no valid evidence to proof that. By that moment, someone has tried to scare Dr Evi Oliver, knowing that she is semi-crippled from her skiing accident years ago and that she has a past that still haunts her; they had cleverly use these knowledge to remind her of her phobias so that her credentials would be questioned. And that is not all, Lacey, who has a fragile past herself, soon have the killers' attention or did she just walk into their deadly game on her own? 

Dead Scared is one of the most intense and clever crime thrillers I read for a while. Not only it is gripping but the story is multi-layered and it leads you to more speculations as you flip those pages. It had me hooked from page one till the end as there is never a bored moment. What I also liked about this book is the characterisations, no doubt. DC Lacey Flint is a very brave woman, I would say, considering she had had a very tough mission (from the first book, which is briefly mentioned and she nearly couldn't make it) and it didn't take her long to consider taking up this case, as a vulnerable student and one that couldn't allow her to use her authority. Her relationship between DI Mark Joesury is ambiguous, as it seems they do have feelings for each other, but neither of them shows or admits it, but then I find that's the beauty of it as there is always something sweet about reading a relationship develops (even if it is subtle).  

I wish I am eloquent in describing Dead Scared, but after fidgeted for what more to say I could only think of "Wow!" and nothing more. In my dictionary, that is suffice to cover the overview of this book. Go-read-it! 



* Sharon Bolton is also known as S.J. Bolton under other publication. 
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Drama Review: 3 Days
Melody


There have been a lot of hype surrounding 3 Days way before it was filmed and aired. After all, the screen writer is none other than Kim Eun-Hee (the female screen writer who wrote Phantom and Sign and were received with good reviews). The other reason is Park Yoo-chun, a singer turned actor (who's still with pop group JYJ) whose success is witnessed by many since his debut drama Sungkyunkwan Scandal to his latest drama, 3 Days. Many fans/viewers were captivated by his role in Rooftop Prince, in which he played a Crown Prince from Joseon era and was transported to the modern day to solve a mystery involving his past and his future. His next drama, I Miss You aka Missing You, is another hit which he played a detective who believed his high school sweetheart is still alive after a kidnapping case 14 years ago involving his family.

Onto 3 Days, the plot is about the disappearance of the South Korean President during his vacation at a villa after three gunshots are heard. A team of the Presidential guards are alerted and given the task to find the President and to escort him safely back to the Blue House within three days. However, it was a complicated task as it involves political issue as well. On top of that, there are staff who would betray the President under the influence of money and power and one couldn't know who to trust anymore.

I liked the characterisations of Han Tae-Kyung (Park Yoo-chun), the President's elite bodyguard and Yoon Bo-Won (Park Ha-Sun), a female police officer who fought their way to save the President. They crossed each other's path by chance, and it is their righteous attitude that binds them together. Through their encouragement for each other, they find the courage and strength to overcome all obstacles which are thrown towards their way, even if it means their lives are at stake. 

Like many viewers, I waited with anticipation for the airing of this drama and I was glad it delivered and that Yoo-chun's acting skill is getting better and better. Aside from his action performance (I was wowed by the fighting scene in a train and falling off from a storey against a glass window to fight the bad guy, etc), he also did well through his facial expression (oh, his eyes sure can 'talk'!) as he was given the challenge to act both as a loyal, protective bodyguard as well as a grieving son who had lost his father. In other words, he oozes charisma and once again he has captivated the viewers and proved to us all that he could really act, and he is not just any other pop idol turned actor who impressed with his looks. Another issue which makes me admire him more is his professionalism in his work as he injured his shoulder while filming this drama but he gritted his teeth and continued filming despite the pain it had caused him. 

 I still have a lot to say about the plot and the charming Han Tae-Kyung but it would be spoilers and also to avoid this post as a fan raving post, I think I had said enough and I shall leave it to you to judge for yourself if you haven't watched 3 Days. 
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Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins
Melody


ISBN-13: 9780142422014
Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group
Publication Date: July 2013
Format: Paperback, 368 pgs
Source: Jennifer (Thanks, Sis!) 

First love is usually unforgettable; after all it brings up emotions that one may never have felt before. Some people are lucky to find their true love and continue to stay in love till they grow old and die, while others are not that lucky. For some other people, they find second chances in their first love, and this story is about that. 

Seventeen-year-old Lola Nolan lives with her two fathers. Well to be precise, Lola doesn't know who her biological father is. Lola's mother's brother, Nathan, agrees to take care of Lola. Andy, who is Nathan's boyfriend, naturally treats Lola as his daughter as they all live under the same roof. 

Across their house is the Bell family. Their houses are built so near to each other that Lola could practically have conversations with them through her bedroom window. She has a fondness for Cricket Bell like forever, but he broke her heart two years ago. It does help her a bit after the Bell family move away due to Cricket's twin sister busy schedule for her figure skating practice, and Lola has find romance with Max, a rock band member who is five years her senior. 

Lola thinks her life is happy and perfect, until the Bell family move back to their house next door. Seeing Cricket once again sent ripples through Lola's heart, yet she isn't sure how she feels towards Cricket as she feels they are more than just friends, though their past left them equally awkward. Despite the awkwardness, they remain friendly towards each other even though Cricket's twin sister and Max are jealous of their reacquainted friendship. 

Perhaps it is fate, or perhaps they are just meant for each other, Lola and Cricket find themselves do have feelings for each other despite what happened two years ago. However, both of them are afraid of showing their true feelings towards each other. But of course nature has its own arrangement and Lola will learn that besides from casting her insecurities aside, she should listen to her heart and gives life a second chance, be it her relationship with Cricket or her estranged mother. 

I loved Stephanie Perkins' first novel, Anna and the French Kiss, but I find this second novel even better. The author has perfectly captured Lola's voice and the best of all is, through Lola's various encounters she gives readers the inspirations about finding courage and giving things a second chance, no matter how hard or impossible they may sound. 

I also enjoyed reading the secondary characters, e.g. Lola's best friend, Lindsey, and Cricket's twin sister. I find their characterizations to be well developed and I felt myself caring for them even though this story is about Lola and Cricket. In a nutshell, this is a coming-of-age story and a sweet story about rekindled love. I trust many readers will love Lola and Cricket (especially Cricket because he was such a talented and nice young man) because I do! 

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Providence Rag by Bruce DeSilva
Melody


ISBN-13: 9780765374295
Publisher: Tom Doherty Associates, LLC
Publication Date: March 2014
Format: Hardcover, 352 pgs
Source: Publisher

Most of the crime thrillers are written either from the victims' or from the detectives' perspective, but very rare from a reporter's point of view. In this third installment featuring Liam Mulligan for a newspaper in Providence, Rhode Island, readers will follow his journey in reporting (or to be exact, helps unveiling the truth on his own) the gruesome crimes committed by a teenaged boy, who finds bliss and release in his killing spree. He is not like other boys his age, who would find themselves getting excited over pretty girls or even pornography. No, Kwame Diggs harbors more devilish thoughts; from dismembering his sister's Barbie dolls to killing his neighbours. 

Liam Mulligan is initially a sports reporter. A news editor seeks his help to cover a gory double murder and although Liam has no intention of doing so in the first place, he finally agrees to it given the extra pay. 

Liam quickly gathers some information from the police due to his persistence and from some connections. He learnt that the killer must have known and scrutinized his victims before killing them. The same happened to three more victims two years later before Kwame Diggs is put behind bars. 

But the climax didn't just end there, the highlight of the story is Liam, together with a coworker Mason, finds themselves on opposite sides when they are thrown with a moral dilemma. What is a journalist to do between exposing the truth and protecting people? Both of them know that the faking charges to continue keeping Kwame Diggs locked up is wrong, but then is it absolutely right to set free of a dangerous man who might murder again? 

Inspired by the true story of Craig Price (America's youngest serial killer), author Bruce DeSilva cleverly crafted a thriller with a debating issue and journalism as a setting surrounding it. I was quite fascinated by the character of Liam Mulligan although this is the first book I read about him (and this author as well). Liam's persistence and his spirit of pursuing the truth is truly an inspiration. I couldn't comment more on Mason though as I felt Liam's characteristic has more or less over shined his coworker. That said, Mason is still an interesting character, given his position as the heir to the newspaper they work for. 

Kwame Diggs, on the other end, gives me the shivers. I couldn't imagine why a grown man committed those gruesome crimes, let alone a teenager. Providence Rag definitely leaves the readers a lot to think about, aside from the intriguing crime story. 
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Drama Review: Who Are You? (你是谁?)
Melody


I don't know about you, but I love watching crime mysteries with a tinge of horror. The latter does not have to be scary ghosts that haunt people but specifically more towards spirits which would help the living people to solve cases and release them from sorrow and give them the rightful justice if they were the victims. Who Are You? is such a drama and I enjoyed it very much, given that there is even a romance theme in it.

Detective Yang Shi-ohn (starring So Yi-hyun) has somewhat lost some of her memories after awakening from a six-year coma. She has no idea what happened to her and this upsets her; but what really troubled her is she discovers that she has gained the ability to see ghosts connected to the objects left behind there. Assigned to the lost and found department after her accident, she and rookie cop Cha Gun-woo (starring Ok Taecyeon) are partners to solve cases which involved the dead. No one knows Shi-ohn's ability to see ghosts, not even Gun-woo who always believes what he can see but after matching the information from what Shi-ohn has told him, he couldn't help but to believe her. 

They cracked several cases through Shi-ohn's supernatural ability but there is a case which both puzzles and troubles her. It involves a passing coworker who died from a gunshot while he was on duty. She also noticed a ghost who seems to be following her on and off, and it takes her some time to remember that the ghost was none other than her ex-boyfriend, Lee Hyung-joon (starring Kim Jae-wook). It appears that Hyung-joon's death had something to do with a crime syndicate and someone had shot him to silent him. Shi-ohn was there on that fateful night but she failed to see the killer. The next thing she knew was her awakening from a coma which was caused by a head injury. 

Determined to unravel the truth, she goes around digging for information with some help from Hyung-joon. On the other end, Gun-woo finds himself falling for Shi-ohn but he has no confidence in winning her heart, after all how could you compete with an ex-lover who was dead? 

Who Are You? reminds me a little of Master's Sun, another South Korea drama which the heroine also has the ability to see ghosts and help them to solve cases before they rest their souls. However, the difference between the two dramas is the former focus more on police procedural while the latter is more on the heroine's attempts to help the ghosts despite she is scared of them. It is also through these acts that she allows herself to fall in love with a rich yet arrogant businessman and how she had slowly changed him the more they are together. 

Aside from the police procedural, what I enjoyed watching Who Are You? is the chemistry between Shi-ohn and Gun-woo. Gun-woo is a quick-tempered cop who always act first before anything else, while Shi-ohn is the coolheaded one. She always act on rational thoughts and no matter how dangerous the case may lead her, she always allows her instincts to guide her. 

I have to say I was quite thrown off by the ending though, but still it was a satisfying ending. After all, I could think of no other ending which would suit better than that.

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Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
Melody


ISBN-13: 9781447263227
Publisher: Macmillan Publishers Ltd 
Publication Date: January 2014
Format: Paperback, 480 pgs
Source: Personal Library 



I read Rainbow Rowell's Eleanor & Park and Attachments and I loved them all. I find her characters especially interesting and engaging and how their stories made me glowed warm in the heart and made me cared for them as if they are flesh and blood human beings instead of fictional characters. Yes, Ms Rowell has this capability of making her characters come alive and in Fangirl it is no exceptional. 

Cath and her twin sister, Wren are both huge fans of Simon Snow series (think of Harry Potter series and you will understand why). Cath and Wren are not only close in blood but they even co-write fanfiction of Simon Snow; this not only shows their passion for the series but it is also another way for them to cope with their life after their mother left them when they were in elementary school. 

As they grow up and enter college, Cath and Wren slowly began to drift apart. Wren is interested in parties and making new friends, while Cath is still absorbed in her world of fanfiction and refuse to explore her new life in college. In other words, she is simply happy being alone with her books and Internet. 

But of course life has its own way around, and Cath slowly find herself getting acquainted with her roommate, Reagan and her ex-boyfriend, Levi. As the days go, Cath finds herself being attracted by Levi but she is clueless when it comes to boy-girl relationship. On the other end, Wren seems to be on a drinking binge and Cath feels she doesn't know her twin sister anymore. To make things worse, Wren seems to be accepting their mother again and this made Cath very upset considering she and Wren had decided to let her go out of their life years ago. Their father has a problem of his own and it gets worse when he is working too hard on his advertising projects. 

Cath knows it is up to her to start living her own life, but it is finding that courage that makes her pause and she is not sure if she can give up writing fanfiction for writing her own stories, even if they are meant for her grades. 

Fangirl is absolutely a story of fanfiction, family and finding love the first time but it is also very much of a coming-of-age story of Cath and her dilemmas between writing fanfiction and writing fiction. What makes this story shine is the love and support Levi gives to Cath and I often find myself rooting for him even though Cath is still thinking twice about their relationship. Levi is simply a like-able character, and many times what he did for Cath (by being there for her and supporting her) just made my heart melt. 

I also enjoyed reading bits of Simon Snow's excerpts and Cath's fanfiction in between the story of Fangirl. They made Fangirl so much more interesting to read and I even wished Rainbow Rowell would write a real story of Simon Snow and not just part of Cath's fantasy. 

As you can tell, I enjoyed reading Fangirl. And yes, you can say I'm a fangirl of Rainbow Rowell (look out for her next release, Landline, to be released in July).
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