Messed up Review #003 - Sunan - Nanggroe Sang Kembara by Ramlee Awang Murshid

Bismillahirrahmaanirrahim wbt & Assalamualaikum friends and readers.

Hi guys, I'm back with another book review! Today I'll be talking about this one Malay book called 'Sunan - Nanggroe Sang kembara'.

Introduction

The book is written by a Sabahan-born Malaysian author named Ramlee Awang Murshid (RAM), dubbed the No. 1 thriller novelist in Malaysia. The story brings us into the wonders and fantasy of Saifudin, as a traveling young boy who met with a lot of challenges and hardships throughout his journey that eventually would lead him to the title of 'Laksamana Sunan' or 'Sunan the warrior' (or something like that. It sounds more poetic in Malay. Haha)

The book is a part of a long-running series of novels revolving the 'Laksamana Sunan' character. Even though this is the seventh book, chronologically its the first one as the story takes us into the origin and how Saifudin was awarded the title.

The book

The book was very fulfilling for me to read. I have enjoyed a lot of RAM's book so far and this one was no difference. The amount of mystery, thriller, love, friendship was balanced properly to bake a very good story and fit them into the 509-paged novel very nicely. Though I'd say that I prefer the more grown-up version of Saifudin but after finishing the book, it gave me a new perspective towards the whole teenage-as-a-main-character aspect of the book.

What I like about the book specifically is that even though the main character is presented as a teenager, the story is dark enough to know that this book was intended for a more grown up demographic. A young adult perhaps. But even then, RAM's books were widely appreciated and I've seen even teenagers read them back when I was in high school.

The characters are dark and mysterious in the book. Some of them are new, some of them have appeared in the previous titles. Ratna the princess (Ratna Sang Ratu), Engku Aminah (a mysterious princess from Pagar Ruyong), Gimbaran (a dark shapeshifter), Luna (a winged humanoid woman), Tikurai the cook (A Hindu who helped Saifudin on the ship), Orang Kenit (forest goblins), Djailuh and Sadik also made an appearance in this story, and many more.

Another good part about the book was that it presented a lot of Islamic facts, talks about the oneness of Allah, the Prophet (pbuh), his sunnahs (actions and hadiths - look it up), and directly he doesn't only sends the message to the reader, but he also shows an application and hikmah (reasons) behind certain Islamic teachings. One topic I could give as an example is the 'patience' part. As Saifudin is a very humble person. Sometimes he'll be angry but his teacher/ foster father / caretaker 'Wali Sufi' would always remind him back into being patience.

A good sum of knowledge will be gained any time I read the works of RAM. He stated that he feels deep connection with the character that it feels like he's talking to Saifudin every day. Just like the author have said, I also feel deep connections with his characters. I can relate to whatever he was reminded in the books and at one point it will really hit me hard. For that I'd like to thank the author.

Conclusion

For those who are looking for a light reader, I don't suggest this book. But if you're looking for a ride into the mysterious realm of the old Nusantara, adventure, advices with a hint of romance, you've come to the right place. I enjoyed this book and the language this time. RAM could be very formal sometimes but in this piece of art, I haven't felt it even a single bit.

I got stuck with the book everytime I have some free time. I bring the book to dinner, over when I'm staying at my friend's house, and managed to finish it within three weeks after I purchase it even with my tight, tight schedule. I maybe a bookworm but if you want to read something good in 2014 and you're in Malaysia and you can understand Malay, this book is definitely a must-get.

Thanks for reading. Hope you guys enjoyed today's entry. Have a great time guys!

Always messy,
Matsuo.

Messed up Review #002 - Pokémon X & Pokémon Y: The Official Kalos Region Guidebook!

I just received my copy today! I pre-ordered the book a few weeks before the game was released and it was released a few days ago.

The Review:

The cover sleeve is partly glossy, partly matte, overall metallic featuring the Kalos region map inside it. Its hard cover, 416 pages of pure no-sleep-whole-night reading pleasure. Theres a screen wiper and a kalos map region poster included with type comparison behind the poster. Though no pokedex (released later in december) but there are lots more info inside like npcs and hidden items (require dowsing machine). They also released maps like previous guidebook, it smells like a library book (lol) and overall fits nicely in your hand (sized like an iPad). Do consider getting it if you have extra cash lying around. Hehe.

The Content:

The book contains guides through battling gym leaders, Pokémon distribution throughout the routes of Kalos, Elite Four, terrain maps, hidden items, and many more. The book also distinguish which Pokémon is available in a certain area so you will be prepared to battle and encounter rare Pokémons and won't miss the chance to capture it!

The Conclusion:

For a die-hard PokéFan like me, I'd highly recommend anyone who's planning to play the game to its maximum potential to buy the guidebook. The game itself are already entertaining as much without the guidebook but with it you can bet it's gonna be much more fun!

Owned a copy of the book yourself? Share with me your opinion down below!

*Matsuo Amon has signed off*

Messed Up Review #001 - Bukan Dari Jibril oleh Fikri Harun

Baru-baru ini aku telah mendapat satu peluang untuk membaca senaskhah buku hasil koleksi catatan seorang penulis yang bertajuk “Bukan Dari Jibril” oleh Fikri Harun hasil terbitan Buku Hitam Press. Hasil daripada pembacaan aku, aku dapat selami dan alami minda dan pemikiran penulis ini sendiri. Daripada apa yang aku dapat sarankan, bukalah minda kamu seluas-luasnya sebelum membaca koleksi catatan penulis buku ini. Aku tidak memaksa, tapi jika hati dan minda kita terbuka, tidak mustahil untuk kita meraih permata dari dasar lautan yang tercemar.

Buku “Bukan Dari Jibril” ini banyak menyentuh isu-isu sosial, politik, agama dan seks. Mungkin banyak pembaca-pembaca ‘mainstream’ yang mungkin tidak akan dapat menerima gaya pembacaan sebegini yang berbeza daripada buku-buku yang mudah didapati di pasaran. Yalah, selalu kita akan lebih tertarik dengan buku-buku yang berlandaskan fiksyen bercorak cinta, fantasi, thriller, horror dan sebagainya. Bezanya buku ini, kita seakan dibawa merentasi lautan minda si penulis daripada penulisannya yang unik, provokatif, sensitif dan mungkin sedikit ‘kasar’. Tidak ada cerita, tapi yang pasti ada moralnya.

Catatan-catatan yang terilhamkan dari tandas mungkin pada mulanya akan menarik kita untuk menyimpulkan buku ini sebagai sesuatu yang kotor, tidak menyelerakan, ataupun secara ringkasnya tidak menarik. Aku juga begitu pada mulanya. Tetapi kerana pegangan diri aku sendiri mengingatkan aku bahawa tak semua yang cantik itu baik, dan tak semua yang buruk itu jahat, aku gagahkan diri aku untuk terus membaca buku yang ibarat lautan tercemar ini dengan niat untuk memperoleh permata yang indah. Ternyata di akhir pembacaan aku, aku dapat rasakan cetusan kebenaran yang terlintas di minda aku hasil pembacaan tulisan si penulis.

Ada kemungkinan sesiapa yang membaca buku ini mampu menerima idea penulis, dan besar kemungkinan orang biasa yang terikat dengan genre-genre ‘mainstream’ dan penulisan terkawal tidak akan dapat menerima idea yang cuba dibentangkan oleh penulis. Bagi aku semua orang boleh peroleh sesuatu dari buku ini, tapi suka aku ingatkan di sini, minda kamu semua mestilah terbuka dan bebas dari prejudis, bebas dari pemikiran judgmental dan bebas dari kekolotan. Kalau masih tidak dapat terima walaupun sedikit, aku tidak paksa untuk kamu teruskan bacaan kamu.

Naskhah yang unik ini aku sarankan untuk pembaca yang gemar mencari sesuatu yang baru. Ataupun pembaca yang sudah bosan dengan siri bacaan ‘mainstream’ yang mudah diperoleh di luar. Selepas kamu habis membaca buku ini, tanyalah diri kamu sendiri soalan ini: Adakah yang kelihatan buruk zahirnya itu buruk juga batinnya?

Oh, sebelum aku terlupa. Buku ini hanya sesuai untuk pembaca matang.

Salam,
Matsuo