A Complex of "Emotions"

So of course after I tell Katie I'm having a hard time getting into The Murder Complex, the pace of the book finally picks up! I ended up flying through the rest of it to find out more.Also, I have spoilers so if you haven't finished the book, don't read them.

I found Meadow hard to connect with. In fact, I just didn't. Zephyr was a bit better, but at least his emotional struggle felt a bit more real to me. I ended up comparing Meadow to Katniss from Hunger Games. Katniss was almost as emotionless given her life as well, but the thing I really enjoyed with her was that we saw her struggle with emotions she didn't normally deal with. Meadow was so cold that when she started having emotions that were foreign to her it felt like she was like, "ok" and just moved on. It was hard to believe a lot of her emotions regarding Zephyr. I could totally believe her desperation to save her family, and shame that she was responsible for their "demise" when Zephyr called her out on everything after Meadow blew up the boat. The love story between Meadow and Zephyr was more difficult to accept.

Now, like Katie, I was unsurprised by the fact that Lark was alive. I had a few doubts the more we found out about the "Murder Complex" but by the time she was found, I was leaning towards her being the Commander and using someone else for the face. I wasn't necessarily expecting the mad scientist attitude she displayed. I almost pictured Albert Einstein style hair for her with the way she talked (not that he was a mad scientist, but his hair was definitely wild, lol). Lark's attitude was definitely eye opening for Meadow. At first I was surprised how easily Meadow shut down her emotions regarding Lark, but when she said her mother is already dead, I could get it. Her memories of Lark were different from the woman presented to her.

I'm curious about Lark's sister. I'd like to know more about her, and how Lark was able to hide who she really was from her children. It's up in the air if I'll pick up the 2nd book if there is one. I'm guessing there is because Goodreads has The Murder Complex listed as book 1. I might give it a shot to see if a) Meadow survives the fight at the end of the book b) to see if Meadow grows and it's believable and c) have other questions answered.

Welcome to the Murder Complex

I found the concept of The Murder Complex very original.  I really liked Zephyr's character and that he is able to fight the Murder Complex.  While I like Meadow, I find it hard to relate to her and how easily she can murder others.  Also, her home life sucked and her dad wasn't definitely not an ideal father.  Every time they have a conversation it ends with him attacking her so that she will be strong. I wasn't very fond of her brother either.  I could only relate to Meadow's relationship with her sister because it was the most normal relationship in the whole novel.

My complaint with the book was the pacing especially in the first half of the book.  The chapters were very short with a lot of cliff hangers.  I believe the author was trying to keep a fast pace but there were times I wish some of the chapters were expanded or combined. I think that may have helped me connect with the characters more.

I was really drawn into the last half of the book where more answers about the Murder Complex were revealed.  I wasn't surprised that Meadow's mom was alive especially after learning she found the cure for the plague. I couldn't see The Initiative letting her die.  I would be interested in reading the rest of the series to see if Meadow finds another way to shut down the Murder Complex rather than end her life and I'm sure the author has more to reveal about The Initiative and the Murder Complex.  

Off to Neverland!

I'll be honest, I didn't really like Peter Pan. It may be because of watching Disney's Peter Pan (though I haven't seen it in forever), Jake and the Neverland Pirates, and Hook.  Peter Pan is not the hero I remember.  He is forgetful of those around him and he is selfish at the core.  Of course, he has a ton of mommy issues.

I also had issues with Wendy and her role as the mother.  The problem is Wendy is not a mother!  She is just a little girl pretending to be a mother.  She thinks its okay for Peter and the Lost Boys to kill pirates.  The biggest issue I had was at the end when the boys are battling the pirates, she just cowers in the background.  A real mom would be out there fighting to keep her boys safe.  Wendy is just put into this fragile, submissive role that is not representative of a mother at all.

I am glad I read Peter Pan so I know the real story behind all the movies its based on. It was darker than I anticipated and I was disappointed in Peter.  The one thing I did like was the ending and that Wendy and her descendants will always be able to go to Neverland.  On Friday, we're going to a family movie event and we will be watching Disney's Peter Pan. So I am excited to compare the book and the movie.

The boy who won't grow up

“Second star to the right and straight on 'til morning. ”

While rereading this classic there were two things I noticed: 

1. If I didn't reference the footnotes, I was lost.

2. This is so not a children's story.

OMG! The footnotes are extensive. It's times like this that I am glad I own a Nook. One click and I can easily view the footnote so I am not totally lost in the story. I am assuming that a children reading this book when it came out would maybe have a better understanding of the references and language used. But children growing up today ... no way. It would take too much effort. Luckily, thanks to The Pirates of the Caribbean movies, I didn't have to look everything up. Three cheers for Hollywood!

Thanks to happy go lucky renditions of this story, I never realized how dark it really is. Everyone is killing someone or some group throughout the story. That's right, children are killing people. As soon as these kids go to Neverland morality goes right out the window. At one point the narrator states that Wendy never knew to believe Peter's stories of fights until she went outside the tree house and saw whether there was a body. Because apparently, Peter brought his conquests home and left them on the porch--like a cat offering a gift. Can you image getting up in the morning and doing a daily outside body check? Considering she was supposed to be the mother figure, I would think she would have some reproach. But to Wendy it appears the boys actions were natural and expected--and worthy of motherly praise.

Speaking of mothers, that is probably the best part of the book. The emphasis of needing a mother figure and how deep and unwavering a mother's love is. I love how Mrs. Darling keeps the window to the nursery open after the children left. She had no idea whether they would return or not. But she had hope and kept everything together when her husband fell apart. I admire that strength and devotion.

I might look in to the other Peter Pan stories. If only to see if his laissez-faire attitude changes and his memory improves. I personally would not enjoy spending time with an individual that forgets me every time I am out of the room. But that must be a side effect of not growing up. Who has time to form relationships and bonds when there are pirates to battle and mermaids to play with? Imagination is a beautiful thing and no child should ever have to give it up. But growing up doesn't mean you stop visiting Neverland. You just make sure the bills are paid before taking the trip.