Event: European Divergent Premiere

[This post a little unfinished but I wanted to get it out there before the film release!! More pictures and text to come soooon!]

In all odds, I won tickets to walk the Divergent European Premiere red carpet in London as well as to watch the film itself. For the whole weekend the Leicester Square garden was transformed into the dystopian world of Divergent, with Erudite's directing our aptitude tests and the Dauntless cheering us with a mini capture the flag game.

My friends Beth, Jack, the 'cool' Erudite and me :)

As we queued for the fan experience, we had Erudite's entertain us as they pick out Divergent's to burn by Steven (a very awkward role play if I say so myself *cringe*). As the time came closer to the gates opening for us, they soon multiplied and we were then picked on. Luckily we got an easy escape as I asked for a photo with them where they later commented how I was a "smart one." ;-) 

Collecting our wristbands, we were in! We tried everything we could - No trampoline or rock climbing for us gals though, since we were in dresses...and heels! But we had to take the aptitude test, play capture the flag and replace Four and Tris in the Divergent poster! The whole fan experience feel was so much fun and the Dauntless actors were amusing to talk to. 

THIS guy especially...he was perfect....

The charming Dauntless, Beth and me.
He is so unamused!

Daunltess: How do you know I'm nice?

Me: Because you're talking to us!

Daunltess: So what? Hitler spoke and he wasn't nice.

I definitely have a good stack of photos both with the actors and just of the surroundings.

Just a bit before we headed out, I got a chance to stop and say hi to Alison, the only Amity in sight! It was great to meet her, having spoken to her on Twitter several a times!

Other than that I didn't get a chance to talk to anyone else. I did spot Amber but then she walked off before I got a chance to go up to her - but definitely next time!!

Heading out we grabbed a quick lunch, and sooner than ever, it was time to queue to walk the carpet!! ....AND WATCH THE FILM!!!

Before we were allowed to step onto the carpet, we had to queue and choose faction wristbands from five choosing bowls. The wristbands decided where you'd sit in the cinema. Unfortunately, when we got to the bowls there were only two options left. In a panic with where to sit and what bands were left, we grabbed the Candor ones. 

As we entered, on our seats there were t-shirts as well as a free drink awaiting us. The screen was playing the footage that was being shown outside, which was really nice because I didn't feel like I missed out on anything. In my fangirling state, as I walked into the screen room, Miles Teller and Jai Courtney were on screen...dear god, I had a massive fit...Jai Courtney...!! But anyway...

RED CARPET TIME!

All the stars, Shailene Woodley (who plays Tris), Theo James (Four), Kate Winslet (Jeanine), Ben Lloyd-Hughes (Will), director Neil Burger and author Veronica Roth came on stage to introduce the film....

*Lights die down and all goes quiet*

*Whispers swears to oneself, scared, nervous and in shock that I was about to watch the film*

The film was AMAZING. I was in complete shock at the end of it. I went in with high expectations but open minded with knowing that scenes would me missed and details missed. The cinematography in the film is beautiful with the CGI not being overdone. 

Cast-wise it was perfect. I didn't have any issue with it anyway so really, I was all up for the full film impact. Shailene played a much sassier Tris and Theo held his power and vulnerability as Four. Kate Winslet showed that she can make a great villain, from the very start there was always something unsettling that was always there, kind and firm but unsettling. I know people were annoyed about the way Eric looked, but I think Jai was a great Eric. Even if he wasn't what the Eric was like in the books, he still held the power and he stood as someone you'd never mess with. 

If I had to criticize it, I was disappointed in the relationship and character build in the movie. I felt that not all the characters got the full spot light they deserved (i.e Eric and also Peter). Due to the lack of relationship build the loses weren't as emotional as they could of been and some were just not dwelled on at all! 

It was all really cleverly shot with the highs and the lows as well as the odd humorous comments that were just perfect. Being so overwhelmed by the film, I ended up crying! Oh why do you mention something so pointless as that? So, basically, I'm a rock. As soon as I felt a tear drop...OH MY GOD - THE FIRST FILM THAT'S MADE ME CRY!!! So naturally, now this film has a sentimental value to me..

(I've now watched this film for the second time and have put more thought on it. Yes, I loved it but there are some small yet meaningful scenes that were missed out. I think the scenes that are put into the film are focusing on 'what could look beautiful on screen?' more than 'let's tell a story which delves into the characters and relationships.' But then again, it's from book to screen and it's impossible to put everything that's on the page!

The annoying thing with me being me, I know that they've filmed it and there are photos and clips in the trailer that proves they've shot it, so I am hoping for at least a three hour reel of deleted scene! - If not I will be very disappointed...)

I just wish the day was longer! I had an amazing time...and I did return home with a freebie or two...(which I have no room for in my room).

It may have to do with something with these boards
...and a bit of begging...
Ok,  A LOT of begging, but so worth it!

Because I was searching for these boards, I didn't get a chance to see Ben Lloyd-Hughes leave the cinema, as my friends told me after. It made it all that much worse when they then went on to tell me that not many people went up to him! Gah, I so would of been flailing around him, I love the whole cast so much!!

Confessions of a Book Addict #3: Multiple Book Copies

I saw Lucy's post a whole while ago but it really got me thinking about my own collection of books. 

This is an example of my double copy collecting.
It has gone a bit crazy...

 
We read books and once we're done with them we put them on a shelf, display them like you're telling someone: 'yeah, I've read that book, take that!' Occasionally, if a book reaches my 'favourites' shelf, I will reread it. But does that really make me need to have two copies of a book? 

Half the time I never even read the story in the second copy of the book. But yet, I go and buy myself a second copy, just...because. 

I think my first books that I got which were doubles was a boxset of Sarah Dessen books. I already had the UK covers and then for one of my 13th (maybe? Or 14th...15th? Somewhere between there) birthday my sister got me a US boxset of Dessen's books. Those book covers have now been republished but back in the days, I really adored the American covers. I do still really do love the UK covers (before they got republished and they now match the new republished covers in the US). But anyway, those were my first double copies.

I like to think that's where it all started but I'm not 100% sure where it originated from. Some occasions, I have got some of my multiple copies for free (all by chance!) but others and the majority of the time, I do end up buying them. But I always think that maybe it's not so pointless if they are different covers, or if they are US editions of books (which are floppy and oh-so-exciting!!)

I will give you a rough outline of my collection...
(Now having done this and looking back it's almost like a name and shame on what I've spent....! I need to stop...)

Sarah Dessen

Keeping the Moon is actually called Last Chance here in the UK...and I mean, different titles, different cover, how can I not buy another copy of it? 

I am still saving to buy the Sarah Dessen DELUXE boxset. And and, it comes with a key necklace! (Pointless since I don't wear jewellery but yeah...) 

Divergent Series By Veronica Roth

Collection almost complete - but yes, I bought all of these...shipping to the UK from the US is bloody expensive...! The Chinese edition one I bought from Hong Kong.

Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Most recent purchase ....I love the American hardback!

The Maze Runner by James Dashner

One UK edition and the other a Chinese edition that I bought in Hong Kong!

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Again, a UK edition alongside a Chinese edition...that I also bought in Hong Kong.

Noble Conflict by Malorie Blackman
Won the pre-signed copy and the other was handed out at the Movellas event that I went to via Spinebreakers!

Angelfall by Susan Ee 
One copy I bought *before* it was published by Hodder and then the other two were hand-outs at the Catching Fire Premiere!!

But the question is, do I really need them? Am I gaining anything? Should I be spending my money on other books I haven't read rather than those that I have? 

And the truth is I don't know. I think that in my mind, I know that it's a huge waste of my money. I mean, an option of a new book or an already read book is not hard to choose from. But some specific books mean more to me than others so I feel the need of wanting them in their different editions and versions! 

So here's my question to you: Do you have multiple copies of certain books? What's your reasoning for getting them? If not, what's your reason for not getting them?

Book Review: Divergent by Veronica Roth (Without the spoiler)

Title: Divergent
Author: Veronica Roth
Published: 3rd May 2011

Summary:
In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves… or it might destroy her. [GoodReads]

My Thoughts:
I devoured this book in under a day! I was so truly gripped to the action that surrounded Tris (aka Beatrice). Not being cliché, but she is character with so much bravery and confidence in everything she does even though her narration makes it seem far from it.

I wasn't so keen on the fractions and the whole idea of fitting in as it reminded me of other books about the slitting of people, The Uglies Trilogy by Scott Westerfeild and obviously Harry Potter with the houses and so on, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins...however I was surprised how much this book separated itself from the other books I've read. The fractions are much more serious and dangerous under the surface, even though on the top you may think there is no harm what so ever.

My favourite parts of the book were the over coming fear processes and also reading the relationship between Tris and her family and just how they interact with one another, especially in the hardess of times, which really brought the story down to earth.


The only thing I was disappointed about was the romance. No, it was a cute romance and all, however I did find it predictable on who it was going to be as soon as I started reading the book. Tris is a little blinded in actions this person does during the training part of the book. I would read her narration about how she thinks he thinks she is weak and nothing, but I knew it was the complete opposite. She is utterly blind in how people act around her and what it means.It drove me M-A-D!! (However, adding to this, I become a critic in the romantic subject as my book build up in mostly romance.)

Recommend or Not? Yes, also because the romance has already been laid out the next book, I hope, won't focus so much on the romance but will be largely built up of AC-TION! - I hope...