Winx Season 4 review

Reading has been on an all time low this week as I haven't been well. However, I have been watching dvds, so I figured I can review them too! 

Today I'm having a brief look at Winx, season 4. Oh, it does contain spoilers (sorry), so if you haven't watched it all you might want to not read the review. 

(not entirely sure why it only has 3 of the girls on the front, and Roxy (the last Earth fairy) on the back....but it's still cute!)

I have the French version (I prefer it in French too). I love season 4 because although the world is in serious danger in the later part of the series, it is a lot lighter (apart from Naboo's death). Season 3 is really cool because of Enchantix, but there's a lot of tough challenges for each of the girls and sometimes I find it a bit too heavy. 

Season 4 sees the girls living in Gardinia as they try to find the last Earth Fairy, and free the other trapped Earth Fairies in a magical realm. There are the Fairy Hunters, who are super strong, and only Layla and Bloom's attacks affect them...that is until the girls get the power of Believix! 

(top row from left to right: Musa, Flora, Techna, bottom row from left to right: Stella, Layla, Bloom) 

I love all the transformations. Believix is really cool because watching all the Winx transform, they look so  happy. Considering that Believix is people's faith in them, and that as graduated fairies with immense power within them and being guardians of the world, no wonder they look utterly content! I love the hearts on Bloom's outfit, Flora's outfit screams 'nature girl', I love the colours of Stella's clothes, Techna looks more girly (which I like - wasn't all that fond of her outfit in season 1), Layla is Layla, Musa...I'm not overly fond of her outfit. And there's the plait which just looks a bit weird sometimes. (I realise I haven't gone into the different powers of Believix, or Lovix or Sophix, that will have to be for another time) 

It's fun watching the girls as they try to get people to believe in them, because they learn that although their powers can help people, people need to be dealt with carefully in order to believe in magic. Once they do start to believe in the girls, then chaos descends as the plot heats up. 

Okay, two final things before I go (I've no doubt I'll be back discussing more details another time). One huge, wonderful thing which I simple A.D.O.R.E in season for is the pet shop for the magical pets. It's really cool how the girls all run different parts: Bloom is on reception, Stella is on clothes and hair, Musa teaches the pets music, Flora looks after their health and Layla helps the pets keep fit. The magical pets are super cute, and pretty funny with their own personalities. Their owners also have personalities which make the show funny. The way the girls have to run the store, as well as fight their enemies is more realistic than if they didn't have a job. The store provides many light moments, as well as a few heavy ones. 

(These are the outfits the girls wear at the pet shop, along with their own magical pets) 

The final thing is the musical theme of this season. All the songs in all the seasons are fun. This season is more enjoyable because Musa starts to get her music career on Earth, but...wait for it...all the girls become a band! The songs are funky, and often rooted in meaning with what's going on in the story. Layla's on drums, Musa and Bloom sing, Stella's on guitar, I honestly can't quite remember what Flora's doing, I think she's on guitar too, and I think  Techna's on keyboard (but don't quote me). The music is an important part of the plot, and it's another creative outlet for the girls. 

(CD cover for one of the albums...yes I have the season 4 album, and the Winx in Concert dvd (English versions which are mostly easy listening))

Right, this is it for now. I love Winx each and every time I watch it. (& I've watched it a lot). I just notice more details in each episode, I understand the characters better, I love the girls and it's almost the only show I can say which cheers me up 100% (even when Naboo dies, the strength of friendship between the girls is a positive message to take away). 

Playground by 50 Cent

3rd November 2011, Quercus

320 Pages,Paperback

Review Copy

Swearing -Frequent use of sh*t, Violence but not graphically portrayed

Summary from Quercus Books

'I wonder what she would've said if I'd told her all the parts the report left out, like how I'd woken up that morning and pulled that sock out of my draw and filled it, one after the other, with the D batteries I'd bought the last time I visited my dad in the city. But there was no way. There was just no way I'd ever tell anyone what really went down that day...'

Thirteen-year-old Butterball doesn't have that much going for him. He's teased about his weight. He hates the suburb his mum moved them to so she could go to nursing school and start her life over. He wishes he still lived with his dad in New York City - where there's always something happening, even if his dad doesn't have much time for him.

Still that's not why he beat up Maurice in the playground.

Now his school is forcing him to talk to some out-of-touch lady therapist, as though she could ever fix him - as though she could ever figure out the truth. No, Butterball's lips are sealed about what happened that day. But some tales can't help being told. And this is one of them.  

The Mole's Thoughts
Something I am not sure about though is the reading age.... Normally a book about a 13/14 year old boy is aimed at 11+ but this book has language (not profanity although 'sh*t' is thrown in liberally through out the book) and concepts that just don't seem right for a young teenager - things that might be learned and understood retrospectively in later life.
Having made those minor comments, it doesn't detract from the fact that this book is 'mostly true' and a heart warming story for it. Clearly the book is not a transcript of the sessions and it is easy to say that as a work of fiction this just would not have happened. It did - and it's important to bear that in mind.

So it's target audience? Well 50 Cent says it's an anti bullying book and this it most certainly is but are bullies likely to read it? Unfortunately I doubt it. But I wonder how many copies will be bought as presents, because of the name on the cover, for fans and go unread?

It is well worth a read and is easily readable.

The Vampire Stalker by Allison Van Diepen (Young Adult, Paranormal)

3rd November 2011, Scholastic

252 pages, Paperback

Review copy 

Young Adult, Paranormal 

Themes: vampires, different dimensions, teen crush, evil killer, highly supportive friends, a nice lot of action, some violence/romance, and some humour. 

Summary from Scholastic

What if Edward Cullen was real? What if the characters in a vampire novel left their world - and came into yours? Amy is in love with an imaginary boy: Alexander Banks, the dashing hero in a popular series of vampire novels. Then one night, Amy meets a boy who bears an eerie resemblance to Alexander. In fact, he is Alexander, who has escaped from the pages of the book and is in hot pursuit of a wicked vampire named Vigo! Together, Amy and her literary crush set out to track Vigo, hoping also to find out how and why Alexander crossed over. But when she and Alexander begin to fall for each other, how can Amy ever bear to let him return to the world of fiction? 

Nayuleska's thoughts 

Being aware of the depths of some people's obsession with vampires, I opened the book and started reading. (OK, that sounds really obvious, but what I mean to say is that I picked it up to read from my reading pile, at a time when I'm mostly looking for lighter reads (avoiding some paranormal books)). I was nearly late to work because I finished it when I woke up in the morning. I actually prefer Amy's friend Katie as a character. She provides the extra stability Amy needs, she's pretty ferocious when it comes to stopping villains and Katie uses an awesome weapon which made me laugh. This 9/10 isn't too heavy a read. 

You can find out more about Allison Van Diepen and her books on her website. 

Suggested reading

For a much creepier read, try the paranormal romance Be Mine by Kelly Daniels

What are you reading? #90

What are you reading on Monday? is a weekly meme hosted by Rachel at Home Girl's Book Blog where you post books completed last week and plans for upcoming books. Jump over to her blog and see who else is participating.


Books I've read this week

Heart of Stone by Melanie Welsh

Children's

(This has more thrills and excitement than book one, Mistress of the Storm...check out that review, right here.)

10/10

Wonder by R J Palacio

Children's

(A truly touching read about a boy with a disfigured face as he experiences going to school.)

10/10

Don't Call Me Ishmael by Michael Gerard Bauer

Children's

(A fun book about a boy's life at school...)

8/10

Tenth Grade Bleeds by Heather Brewer

Young Adult

(Vlad the vampire is back, with more personal issues to struggle with...my review.)

8/10

Zeus Sorts It Out by John Dougherty

Children's

(A hilarious tale of Zeus taking up temple in the boys toilet and 'helping' punish a bully.  My review...)

10/10

Sword of Light by Katherine Roberts

Children's

(Supremely awesome story about King Arthur having a daughter who Merlin takes back to lead her kingdom...)

10/10

 

The Vampire Stalker by Allison Van Diepen

Young Adult

(Watching a vampire book obsessed teen meet her idol in real life was pretty funny!)

9/10

 

 

 

 

Secrets at St Judes: Party Girl by Carmen Reid

Children's

(This is the first book in the series where I've adored all of it and not thought 'sigh' over the girls' actions - great school fun...)

10/10

 

 

Secrets at St Judes: Party Girl by Carmen Reid (Young Adult)

August 2011, Corgi

272 pages, Paperback & ebook

Review copy 

Young Adult

Themes: boarding school, exams and everything they entail, health concerns, family issues, changes, the power of friendship, hard working students, running, making mistakes, moderate teen romance, heaps of humour. 

Summary from Random House Children's Books

The pressure's on this term for the Upper Fifths...There are new boyfriends and new parents on the scene, as well as the dreaded summer exams. But will the girls still find time for fun, and for each other? You can bet on it! 

Nayuleska's thoughts

This is the first book in the series that I have unreservedly adore. This is possibly due to the reduced boy obsession. I love each of the girls' character in Party Girl, I was near tears when life got hard for each of them. With such different personalities I was able to see a bit of myself in all of them which makes it easier to relate to the girls. It also made me thankful for my own amazingly kind and supportive friends. Definitely a 10/10 read! 

You can find out more about Carmen and her books on her website. 

Suggested read

Check out some of the other books in the series, which include Jealous Girl

Tenth Grade Bites by Heather Brewer (children's, 11 years +)

April 2011, Razorbill, 

298 pages, Paperback

Review copy 

Children's, 11 years + 

Themes: high school life for a unique boy, vampires, blood, teenage angst and challenges, difficult decisions, fear, moderate amount of gore and a little fighting, lying, teen romance, some humour

Summary from Penguin

It's another dark year at Bathory High for Vladimir Tod...

The evil vampre D'Ablo is hunting for the ritual that could steal Vlad's powers. His best friend doesn't want to be his drudge anymore and it's getting harder for Vlad to resist feeding on those around him. But when D'Ablo shows up demanding his father's journal, Vlad realises that having a normal high school year is the least of his concerns. 

Vlad needs to act fast, and even his status as the Pravus won't save him this time...

Nayuleska's thoughts

Vlad sturggles with issues that readers can relate to. He isn't perfect, and does end up regretting his action. Additionally he finally admits he needs help. This vulnerability helps make it easier to relate to him. There isn't so much of Meredith in this book, so it gets 8/10 from me. 

You can find out more about Heather and her books on her website. 

Suggested reading

Definitely check out the other books in the series, including Ninth Grade Slays

Zeus Sorts it Out by John Dougherty (Children's, 5 years +)

August 2011, Young Corgi

104 pages, Paperback & ebook

Review copy

Children's, 5 years + 

Themes: school life, bullying, boys, friendship, an enthusiastic deity, school loos, Greek myth, lots of humour 

Summary from Random House Children's Books

Eric, the school bully, is causing trouble for Alex's best friend Charlie. He's been stealing his crisps and flushing his head down the loo. Alex isn't sure that Zeus, the Greek god, is the best person to ask for help but before he can stop him, Charlie has built a temple (from a piece of crumpled paper) to summon Zeus. 

The problem is, the hot-headed god has now taken over the boys' loos and wants smite Eric with a thunderbolt. But that's against the school rules, so how exactly will Zeus teach the bully a lesson? 

Don't worry....Zeus will sort it out! 

Nayuleska's thoughts

I love ancient history, and feel this interpretation of Zeus's power and might matches up with my conceived idea of him. If only all bullies could get taken down several pegs. The illustrations were the icing on the cake, especially with the speech bubbles for each person. My favourites were on page 39 and 49. 

As a fantastic read, it gets 10/10

You can find out more about John and his books on  his website.

Suggested reading

For more hilarious historical fun, check out history from the point of view of a cat, I am Spartapuss by Robin Price