The Sun and the Star: A Review

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Written by Rick Riordan and Mark Oshiro, the Sun and the Star dives into countless topics and genres– just as the main characters, Nico di Angelo and Will Solace, dive into Tartarus. One of the overarching themes is “fixing what’s broken,” and the process of doing so.

A quick plot summary: In a previous book, Bob the Titan sacrificed himself to let Annabeth and Percy escape from Tartarus. However, they neglected to think about or visit him afterward. In “The Sun and the Star,” Rachel Dare comes bearing a prophecy for Nico and Will, saying they need to save Bob. To do so, they must journey through the underworld and go to the heart, otherwise known as Tartarus. Though Nico, being a son of Hades and a previous Tartarus visitor, is an obvious choice, it’s different for Will, son of Apollo. However, he insists on coming with his boyfriend and facing the danger. Through their adventures, they find an overbearing plot and overturn it (and the primordial goddess leading it…).

One “broken” part they try to mend is Nico’s state of mind as he comes to terms with his PTSD. It’s a part of him, experiences he’s had, but it doesn’t mean he should be bound by his nature or past. In addition, he starts to understand feelings and PTSD are not weaknesses. They may be extremely difficult, but working with them is better than hiding them. Also, Will supports Nico during this time. To talk to your demons is scary, however, it’s better when you do it with someone you care about. In page 367, we see “[Will] wanted to understand Nico, even the parts that seemed difficult or sad. All Nico needed was to be seen and heard by someone he cared for, and Will was making the effort.” This also introduces the concept that relationships are a two-way street. No matter how different or similar the two may be, the most important part is accepting and working to understand one another.

Meanwhile, Bob, who also stars in the book, must work with his newly returning memories of his former self, Iapetus. Since he was dipped in the River Lethe, he became a better person (or Titan,) but he suffers from an identity crisis since remembering his dark past. Near the end of the book, he demonstrates his realization that he can never stop being a Titan, but it’s also completely possible for him to have changed.

Nico and Will are often respectively compared to darkness and light in the book. A key moral of the book, they realize they’re not just one or the other: “”There cannot be light without darkness, nor darkness without light. You must have the contrast for both to exist.”” (Riordan & Oshiro 244) Not everything is broken, even if it looks like it. Fix what’s actually broken, but treasure what isn’t.

The Sun and the Star by Rick Riordan and Mark Oshiro is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It can also be downloaded for free from Libby.

SIngle Review and Analysis: Neutron Star Collision [Love is forever]

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Throughout the winter season, a song that caught my attention is Neutron Star Collision [Love is Forever] by Muse. This Single was released on May 17th, 2010, and was not immediately popular when it was first announced, and later released. However, it did gain a resurgence of popularity in 2013.

This song stands out to me due to its piano usage at the beginning of the song in the first verse. The piano is accompanied by the vocalist, Matt Bellamy. Bellamy’s usually strong, bold, dramatic vocals begin with a more gentle, slower, approach than usual. Bellamy then picks up speed and adds more projection in his voice during the pre-chorus, then slows back down in the last line, “With no trace of fear that.”

Picking up from the last line in the pre-chorus, the Chorus continues with, “Our love would be forever. And if we die, we die together.” The vocals become increasingly stronger and more emotional, further portraying the anguish Bellamy possibly felt while reflecting on his recent breakup of the time. Finally, at the end of the Chorus, the instrumentals are completed with an added electric guitar which is essentially motif of the band during this era.

This section of the song focuses on the build-up of tension and the expression of intense feelings. Emphasis is added to phrases and words to get the message across to the listeners. My favorite component of the song is the guitar usage that conveys and maintains emotion alongside the vocals. The fluctuations in speed also make the song all the more appealing.

In the 2nd verse, the tempo is increased from the Chorus preceding it, holding a steady yet quick pace. This adds contrast and variety to the verses. Following, the pre-chorus brings back build-up by dragging out words and slowing back down again in the last line, similar to the previous pre-chorus.

This section ends with the Chorus being extremely similar to the last, nevertheless, there are small yet impactful differences in phrasing. The first Chorus refers to “Our love would be forever. And if we die, we die together. Lie, I said never. ‘Cause our love would be forever.” However, in the second chorus, Bellamy changes to “Love is forever. And we’ll die, we’ll die together. Lie, I said never. ‘Cause our love could be forever.” This single has been incredibly interesting to analyze since there are so many shifts in both mood and details. These changes stand out to me significantly, especially when looking at the lyrics carefully.

Ending the song is a guitar solo followed by the pre-chorus, chorus, and outro. The solo mimics the second verse. The sound of the guitar is high-pitch with echos and a very electric sound. Muse’s music is very appealing to me because of this aspect. My favorite part of their songs are always their guitar solos because of how they find ways to vary the sounds while still fitting the mood of the song.

After the solo is the final pre-chorus. This final pre-chorus references the first, copying it almost exactly but has now changed the message. The singer goes from using diction that details a desperate feeling, saying “I had nothing left to lose.” to “Now I’ve got nothing left to lose.” which further represents the changes that have undergone in the relationship. It also does a great job at subtly showing passage of time, going from past tense to present. We can also conclude that there is a new sense of independence and confidence when comparing lines from the first pre-chorus “Then we told each other. With no trace of fear that…” to the last pre-chorus “I can tell you now. Without a trace of fear…”

Last, the chorus is very similar to the previous choruses, making some slight changes to represent the passage of time and changed feelings. These small changes make a very large impact on the deeper meaning and truly show how people gradually move apart and fall out of love. The subtle changes may also represent how changes in a partner may not be noticeable due to being used to being around them so often, making differences in feelings and character difficult to pick up on.

Closing, The outro of the song shares characteristics with the beginning of the song. This can be seen even in the music video, where in the intro Bellamy is seen playing alone on a piano with slow, gentle vocals. The intro and outro being similar in style ties together the song even with all the variety within it. Overall, this song is one of my favorites and I never get tired of hearing it come up on my playlist.

Best Art Inspiration Sites

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Recently, I was painting with my friends and I searched up simple things to paint. In short, nothing was simple. So I decided to see if I could find a few websites to get inspiration of what to paint. To help others I decided to make a list of a few blogs/sites with the pros and cons of each one.

  1. Shihori Obata: This is one of my new favorite blogs because everything that the artist draws is really simple. There’s also step-by-step picture tutorials of drawings that are a bit more complicated. One of the only cons is that the site lags a little because of the advertisements. Overall I would rate is a 9/10.
  2. Hobbies Fun: Although I thought the title was a little silly there are tons of cute drawing ideas. My favorite things about this site are that it’s only drawings, there’s tutorials, and it’s really easy to navigate the site. Overall I would rate this site a 9.5/10.
  3. Pinterest: While this may seem obvious Pinterest is really a great app/site to find art inspiration. There’s video tutorials and also simple images to copy. Overall I would rate this site a 9/10

THE BOY IN THE STRIPED PAJAMAS (SPOILER) BY JOHN BOYNE

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Imagine moving to a new home where everything feels strange, and no one will tell you why. That’s what happens to Bruno, a curious nine-year-old boy, in The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne. One day, while exploring, he meets a boy named Shmuel sitting on the other side of a barbed-wire fence. Even though they come from different worlds, they become friends—but Bruno doesn’t realize the terrible truth about where Shmuel lives. This is a powerful and emotional story about friendship, innocence, and the horrors of the Holocaust.

One of my favorite parts of the book was Bruno’s friendship with Shmuel. Even though they live very different lives, they understand each other in a way no one else does. Bruno is curious and doesn’t see why the fence should keep them apart, while Shmuel knows more than he can say. Their friendship feels real and makes you care about both of them.

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by Boyne, John (2006) Hardcover

Bruno’s family also plays an important role in the story. His father is a strict Nazi officer in charge of the camp, his mother starts to realize something is wrong, and his older sister, Gretel, slowly changes as she begins believing in the ideas of the adults around her. Then there’s Lieutenant Kotler, a young soldier who is always at Bruno’s house. He is cruel and harsh, especially to the people on the other side of the fence, showing just how unfair and dangerous the world around Bruno really is.

As the story unfolds, we learn that Shmuel is a prisoner in a concentration camp during the Holocaust, a time when millions of Jewish people were taken from their homes and sent to camps where they were treated terribly. Bruno, who doesn’t understand what’s happening, thinks the people in striped pajamas are just living another kind of life. The fence between him and Shmuel is a symbol of the way the world separates them.

One of the most intense parts of the book is the ending, which is both shocking and heartbreaking. It makes you think about how unfair and cruel the Holocaust was, especially for innocent people like Shmuel. The story stays with you long after you finish reading.

What I liked most about The Boy in the Striped Pajamas was how it showed the world through a child’s eyes. Bruno doesn’t see enemies or differences—he just sees a friend. This makes the story even sadder, but also more powerful. If you like books that make you think and feel deeply, I highly recommend The Boy in the Striped Pajamas.

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne is available for checkout from the Mission Viejo Library. It can also be downloaded from Libby. 

How to Bake an Apple Crisp – for ONE

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Apple Crisps were a staple of my childhood, and this recipe was an adaptation of my grandmother’s recipe. This recipe creates a combination of sweet and tart, and if you love cinnamon-y desserts, then this recipe is for you.

Yields: 1 serving

Ingredients:

Filling:

  • 1 Granny Smith apple (or another baking apple)
  • 1 Tablespoon of Sugar
  • Pinch of Cinnamon (measure with your heart)

Topping:

  • 2 Tablespoons of Oats
  • 2 Tablespoons of Brown Sugar
  • 2 Tablespoons of Flour
  • 1/4 Teaspoon Cinnamon
  • 1 1/2 Tablespoon of Butter melted or very soft

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Farenheit
  2. Peel and slice apples into slices, just under 1/4″ thick and roughly 1″ in length. In a bowl, sprinkle sugar and cinnamon over the apple slices, and toss until well coated. Set aside.
  3. Combine the dry ingredients (flour, oats, brown sugar, & cinnamon)
  4. Add melted/very soft butter
  5. Mix until well combined.
  6. Place the sliced apples in a thick paper baking cup or a small oven safe bowl or ramekin.
  7. Spoon the topping “crisp” over the apples.
  8. Bake for 25 minutes or until the apples are soft (you can check with a fork) and the topping is golden and crisp.
  9. Cool as needed, but I think it tastes best while warm.

Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, and enjoy! Personally, I think this apple crisp recipe is pretty hard to beat. Try it for yourself!

-Jenna G.

Earwig and the Witch by Diana Wynne Jones

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Earwig and the Witch is a short novel by Diana Wynne Jones. This was actually the last novel written by the author, who is well-known for her books of fantasy and science fiction. This book is about a young orphan girl named Earwig who lives at St. Morwald’s Home for Children. Earwig is content living at the orphanage, so she is surprised when a peculiar couple visits one day and decides to adopt her. When she arrives at her new home, Earwig realizes that the couple is not even really human. Earwig is now living with a witch named Bella Yaga and a nine-foot-tall demon called the Mandrake. Bella Yaga immediately makes Earwig her slave, forcing her to do most of the work around the house. However, Earwig fearlessly accepts the challenge and adapts to her new surroundings in unexpected ways.

This book is quite entertaining and filled with many amusing surprises. I enjoyed the cleverness of Earwig and her ability to handle difficult circumstances with courage and resourcefulness. This book also has good illustrations by Paul O. Zelinsky. However, I was disappointed that this book did not live up to my expectations. I greatly enjoy most of the books of Diana Wynne Jones, but this one seems unfinished and lacking in details. The ending is quite abrupt. Also, I found the characters to be unlikeable overall, even though I was entertained by the Mandrake’s antics. To be fair, this book was published posthumously, so the author may not have been able to fully complete it. Despite its negative aspects, I find this to be an enjoyable book that just falls a bit short of its potential.

Earwig and the Witch by Diana Wynne Jones is available for checkout from the Mission Viejo Library.

Poached: Inside the Dark World of Wildlife Trafficking

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Recently, I read a book called Poached: Inside the Dark World of Wildlife Trafficking. It was written by Rachel Love Nuwer, and it explores the illegal wildlife trade. Wildlife trafficking is  a crime that involves the illegal trading of animals, plants, and their products. I found this book both interesting and informative. 

In Poached, the author explores a variety of aspects of the illegal wildlife trade—literally! She travels to foreign countries such as Vietnam and China and interviews poachers, sellers, and buyers; exploring the issue of wildlife trafficking from all angles. This is a book that really emphasizes the human side of the issue. Nuwer focuses on individual people and their role in wildlife trafficking. Zooming in allowed me to get a deeper, more personal look at one of the world’s most profitable crimes. 

One thing I loved about this book is that Nuwer avoids oversimplifying the issue. While some may have taken a black-and-white approach, she treats the issue delicately and acknowledges the variety of factors that contribute to trade. Different financial and cultural aspects contribute heavily to wildlife trafficking. The fact that someone may participate in the illegal wildlife trade does not necessarily correlate with their individual character. For example, Nuwer speaks to a poacher in a rural part of Vietnam suffering from acidic water and soil, frequent fires, and low spirits. People in this area often make less than $1,000 a year. This particular poacher chose the profession due to the relatively high monetary potential in order to support his family. However, he does not enjoy his job. He often suffers from bouts of malaria and wishes he could do something else, “Eleven to thirteen dollars per trip [as a forest guide], and I’d quit hunting” (p. 21).

Overall, I would recommend this read to anyone who loves wildlife, is interested in conservation, or is just looking for an informative read.

Poached: Inside the Dark World of Wildlife Trafficking by Rachel Love Nuwer is available for checkout from the Mission Viejo Library.

The Black Pearl by Scott O’Dell

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The Black Pearl is a novel by Scott O’Dell. The story takes place in a small coastal town in Baja California during the early 1800s. Ramón Salazar is sixteen years old, and he wants to become a pearl diver like his father. He learns about a mysterious black pearl that is believed to be the “Pearl of Heaven.” Ramón is obsessed with the idea of finding this pearl so that he can impress his father. After days of diving, Ramón finds a giant black pearl believed to be the legendary Pearl of Heaven. The pearl is extremely valuable, but it is also believed to be cursed because it belongs to an evil manta ray known as Manta Diablo. Ramón’s life is forever changed after finding the black pearl, and he must decide whether to keep it for himself or return it to the lagoon where he found it.

This book is filled with adventure and suspense. This is a coming-of-age story for the main character as he faces the challenges of his newfound wealth and the dangers it brings. This book warns about the destructive consequences of seeking riches and of being consumed by ambition. However, this book also teaches about the values of perseverance and courage. The characters are well developed and realistic, making the story vivid and engaging. I found the pacing to be somewhat slow, but this book is thought-provoking and rewarding. This may not be my favorite Newbery Honor book, but it is worth reading and could be inspirational for readers of all ages.

The Black Pearl by Scott O’Dell is available to checkout from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

Jurassic Park 3 Review

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I believe that this is an excellent movie for many reasons. I think the main reason why is because of the fact that we get to explore an entirely new island named Isla Sorna. In this movie, we see new dinosaurs like the Spinosaurus and the Stegosaurus.

I really like the plot since Dr. Alan Grant is tricked into flying in an airplane to Isla Sorna. While there, they hear a roar in the distance and board back onto the plane and fly away. During takeoff, the Spinosaurus comes running across the road and chips its back. This was an insane moment to see a large dinosaur right at the beginning of the movie. The group falls into a crash landing and land in a tree. The Spinosaurus comes and pulls the plane out of the trees and tries to eat the survivors. Luckily, they manage to escape.

While running away, they come across a T. Rex eating its food. I knew that from the moment the Rex came on screen, the Rex and Spino would fight. The Spinosaurus is my favorite because it absolutely DESTROYED the T. Rex. If the Spino could beat the Rex, what else could it do?

We later find out that the reason Alan Grant got called to fly the “tourists” in was to help them find their lost son. I like this part since it really adds to the suspense and drama.

The group travels the forests of Sorna and come across a bunch of eggs, Velociraptor eggs. In my opinion, the velociraptors are the most iconic dinosaur in the franchise since they make an appearance in almost all of the movies. Sneakily one of Alan’s friends steals a couple of eggs to help fund the digsite operations. The group has no clue he did this.

While on the search for the “tourist’s” son, Alan gets cornered by a couple of velociraptors. Then, out of nowhere, a green gas comes and a boy wearing a ghillie suit comes and saves Alan. It was the “tourist’s” son: Erik Kirby. I really liked his entrance into the movie. After a lot more dinosaur encounters, the group manages to save the “tourist’s” son and escape the Island.

All in all, I give this amazing movie a 5/5.

Jurassic Park III is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library.

Leap Years: Syncing Time With The Earth

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Imagine you ask someone how old they are, and they say they are 8 years old—yet their appearance says otherwise. This person looks like an adult somewhere in their 30s, especially with the presence of tattoos and the lines on their faces that reflect the harsh struggles of life. Believe it or not, this is real and applies to people who are born in Leap Years. A leap year is a year every 4 years when there is an extra day in February, in which rather than having 28 days in February, we have 29 days.

So, why do we even have a leap year? To dive deeper into this, we have to get a little scientific. Mostly everyone in the world knows that the planet Earth takes about 365 days to orbit around the sun. However, this is incorrect. The actual orbit is beyond 365 days—it takes 365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes, and 56 seconds to orbit. This results in a leap year because every year, the calendar humans often use—the Gregorian Calendar—will start to sync out of place and slowly drift. This is why we have leap years. This extra day during the leap year, which is on February 29, actually helps sync our calendar back with our orbit so that we don’t experience winter earlier than usual, like in mid-October rather than December.

In conclusion, leap day is not only an essential part of our calendar system but it’s also extremely fascinating. It keeps our way of keeping time aligned with our Earth’s orbit so that it can be accurate and in sync, preventing significant changes in the world’s seasonal experiences. So the next time someone tells you they are 8 years old but look like they are in their 30s, you can easily assume they were born in a leap year.