Review: The Secrets of the Vanmars by Elisabeth Wheatley

Goodreads

 The Secrets of the Vanmars is a novel I wished I read earlier when I first received the book. I was very hesitant to read it because I am not that big of a fan of fantasy novels. I didn't have much of a standard when I started reading the novel, but it blew my mind with the characters and expansive world Janir lives in. 

Elisabeth Wheatley is the youngest author that I have ever read and she could go for thirty if I didn't know ahead of time. Her writing wasn't a novice and she used her words carefully, unlike most seventeen year olds. I love the world she created and the special weapons of the Argetallams. The world and characters were well developed and I wished I had read the first book before. 

I absolutely loved the characters in this novel, besides the MC with daddy issues, Janir I couldn't stop laughing with and at Karile. He's more of the jester than the enchantress, but he means well though his actions might make you think other wise. The love interest, Saoven is the charming, and handsome elf, and I can see him with Janir, unlike other novels that decide to have two people fall in love after an hour. I really love to read more about the elves and their ways in future novels in the series. 

What I loved most about this novel is the fast paced keep moving mentality. There wasn't a moment where I felt the novel was dull or could be better. There was always something pressing and it made me read the novel less than a day. When I started reading the novel, I couldn't stop until I had to. 

As for how the novel ended, it made me feel content, but at the same time I want to get my hands on the third novel. I'm afraid where the next novel will go for Janir because you(me) never wants the MC to go crazy or have someone else completely change who they are. Besides that I am all for reading all seven novels in the series. I do recommend to read the first novel before this one. It seems like I've been reading some really awesome books lately, so The Secrets of the Vanmars gets a head nods, thumbs up, and smiling like there's no tomorrow. (5 out of 5)

In My Mailbox (#4)

When one human stands before an army of impossible obstacles, the likelihood of overcoming them in this coming-of-age modern fairytale may result in war between light and darkness.

Abandoned as an infant in Prague, naive and strong-willed Charlotte Ruzikova was raised by one of the last Vampires left alive. As a human, she knows no other home than the one nestled deep in the woods of Eastern Europe, where Witches drew spells of enchantment, Phasers threw tea parties, and Elves are the closest in kin. Charlotte has lived her life in the dark with her Guardian, content to having him to herself and reveling in his attention, until she's realizes she wants more...
Resident medical doctor and Vampire, Valek Ruzik fears the day his ward would come of age and blossom into a fine woman, and he is forced to confront his own motives as time is of the essence once his past catches up to him, and their lives become endangered... As genocide and war threatens their secret society, the dictator in power is ready to wipe out Valek's race, but Charlotte will not allow that to happen. Fighting for the only one she's ever loved and truly believed in, she will do whatever it takes to save their love...before the sun comes up and light takes over.

from goodreads 

Review: The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson

Author: Website Twitter Goodreads
Book: Amazon Website Goodreads B&N

Earlier this year, I read half of The Name of the Star, and didn't really enjoy it so I put it down. Months now later, I picked it up at the height of the novel, and really want to kick myself in the shin for not continuing to read at least the next few pages. The Name of the Star is an unexpected modern "Ripper" novel with a paranormal twist, which I absolutely love and adore. 

I remember kind of trashing MJ the first round I read the novel, and I want to take that down right now, but I'm not because it shows how opinions can change and drastically at that. I started following MJ on twitter a few months ago on a whim, because I knew she was one of the most tweeting author there is. Also she makes me laugh at really long twitter stories. Through her writing the novel I found that twitter writing in her very different and the same, and I guess that is because she is constantly changing as an author, and this novel did come out last year. I loved how she incorporated small stories at the end of a section of the novel, to open a whole new world, and people to the next. I appreciate how much British things she added to the novel, and how much I learned from this novel alone. From a levels, to the layout of East London it was all very well informed and carefully written to not overwhelm the mind, and screaming at it " This is SO MUCH BRITISH!!!!". Fyi not trying to say being British or their culture is bad or anything like that, it's only because it's new stuff to Americans and anyone else.

Don't Quote Me (#6)

Review: The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

I had to finish this book yesterday night for it to be finished, and ready for school. My previous knowledge of Lord of the Rings series was only from the movies that I have little remembrance of, so The Hobbit was per se new territory. I've thought long and hard about this novel, but I don't know my exact feelings about this book and if I'd recommend it.                              

J.R.R. Tolkien of course is one of the greatest authors ever lived, and I can agree with that, and also get annoyed at his writing at the same time. The world he creates amazes me, and I love how detailed he is, even though some might hate it. I also hated when he'd mention something, and then not speak of it ever again in the novel. It was strange at first reading his writing because it was very grand-father like, if you understand. The dialogue he wrote got on my nerves at times when characters were repeatedly talking to themselves in third-person. Also his lack of excitement or emotion when characters spoke. I've read "said" so many times in the book, and I've been used to more than one word to show someone is speaking. 

Bilbo Baggins, or Mr. Baggins was my favorite character, and perhaps the only character that didn't get on my nerves. I was very intrigued if you can say that about the whole burglar and the Baggins and Took side of himself. I however was dreadfully annoyed by the whining dwarves and Gandalf. I don't like people who keep things from you when they can obviously see that trouble is coming, and even though it isn't dangerous. I don't like when people stand on the side lines and just watch everything play out. It irks me incredibly.

The poems and songs were very cheerful, and dreadful all the same, I loved them. Some people might skip over them, but I love singing them in my head. It was a way of language for the people of Middle Earth. I also admire the scene where Bilbo is stuck in a riddle battle with Gollum.

Webshows?

So this is a completely different thing then I'd post on this site, but let's be honest this blog isn't very straight forward books, or writing. It's pretty much the random cool things I find and some weekly stuff that I keep in it.

Recently, I've been tired of the same old television shows, and feels completely fake to me now. When ever I turn it on I know it's a fake reality, and that makes me sad because I used to love television because it was a bunch of different shows and movies that showcased different stories from make believed characters. In the past-in my opinion- it was more life like and you could relate to things. Now it makes me want to slap people. About the past half year I've moved away from all of that and really loved watching webshows/series and youtube shows and people. They area the funniest, incredibly awesome shows/people. And I think I want to share them with you, because I think it's nice to have different places to entertain yourself, and if you agree with my television fiasco, then let's be buddies and run around in circles. Okay? okay.

So this is a list of different youtubers that I think you should check out. Watch a video, watch several videos, don't watch them, whatever.

SacconeJolys - This webshow is the closest thing to reality there is. It's is an actual show about a couple that lives in Ireland and you get to see there day to day lives as they get puppies, get married, and are awaiting their newest member in the family nearing the end of this month,. They upload new episodes literary everyday at 6 GMT. The episodes are whatever they did the previous day.

Squaresville - This is an actual show that doesn't upload everyday, but they do post videos every few weeks as of my knowledge. The show is about these two best friends and their lives in "Squaresville" and it's very hilarious and quirky. The show is very nerdy and captures teenagers now in days, and I love their cast and writer.

CrashCourse - An educational channel about science and history. The history episodes are taught to you by the wonderful John Green, and the science episodes are from Hank Green. Personally though I like Scishow better, and it's still taught to you by Hank Green, so whateves. Both channels keeps me on my feet when school is out, and I'm nerdy so... you can never have a finite of things to learn.

LizzieBennet - A modern adaptation of Pride and Prejudice and are vlogs from Elizabeth (Lizzie) Bennet's pov. I've never had an interest in PaP, so this is the only way I know about the story, but from the episodes I love it. Lidya Bennet has to be my favorite character, but the show as a whole is amazing.

So this is it, and if I find anymore that I like I'll share it with you. Please go check them out because they are my favs. If you watch any of them already or any other webshows that I should be aware of please leave them in the comments below. And... I've got to watch the newest episode of LizzieBennet. <3 p="p">

In My Mailbox (# 3)

The Apocalypse does not end. The Changed will grow in numbers. The Spared may not survive. Even before the EMPs brought down the world, Alex was on the run from the demons of her past and the monster living in her head. After the world was gone, she believed Rule could be a sanctuary for her and those she’d come to love.But she was wrong. Now Alex is in the fight of her life against the adults, who would use her, the survivors, who don’t trust her, and the Changed, who would eat her alive. Welcome to Shadows, the second book in the haunting apocalyptic Ashes Trilogy: where no one is safe and humans may be the worst of the monsters. 

from goodreads 

Don't Quote Me (#5)

Review: Solid by Shelley Workinger

Book: Goodreads Website

Author: Goodreads Twitter

I started reading Solid on August 5th and thought it was alright. The story intrigued me, but I didn't have many expectations for it or anything that I was hoping will have in it. Then I set it down for a week and just picked it up the past few days. I can't say that this review will be readable by the end because my thoughts are everywhere and nowhere at the same time.

Shelley Workinger's writing was refreshing when I really got into the novel. I love the quick step pace, and how she made the characters her's. I think that she nailed the dialogue perfectly. It had a bunch of pop culture references, and you kind of have to know your stuff to get the humor. The endless witty remarks and quips kept the characters alive in my opinion. I feel like how the problems and resolution played out what I thought it was. There wasn't much mystery, and it was very easy to spot the "bad guy" and the new person that comes to everyone's rescue. I didn't feel the anticipation that I hoped when I really got into the story. Though I love how everything was told and the history behind why Clio is where she is.

Clio, my favorite sarcastic character that I have extreme amount of respect for a character that's "not real" tells the story, or should I say her story. I hoped that the main protagonist won't be a Debby Downer or a mediocre gal because we all know that authors have a tendency to not know who there female protagonist is and makes them dully mediocre. Clio and her background made her different from the all ready "special" people around her. She didn't get on my nerves and ask the most obvious questions and I have to give props for that. My most favorite character other than Clio has to be Garrett with all of his brotherly aspects and the humor similar to Clio's. He's just an all around good guy that you'd want to have on your side.

Something that made me kind of mad and frustrated by was the fact that the main love interest Jack and Clio fell deeply in love all of a sudden after two actual conversations. It didn't seem real, but if there is some other explanation to this than I'd accept their loving ways. I just dislike when authors find that two people can fall in love so suddenly and so soon. Maybe it's because I've never truly fallen in love or believe in love at first sight, but I feel like their relationship was rushed and didn't have much substance. Sadly though, I still want them to be a couple.

I don't have anymore to say, except that the small excerpt of the second novel made me want to read more than anything else in the entire novel before. I still love the story and would recommend it to someone that I'd know loves this kind of conspiracy theory. Without much to say, but "yeah and go read it" I give Solid by Shelley Workinger a head nods, thumbs up. (4 out of 5) 

Thoughts on ereading, ebooks, and ereaders

Lately I've been seeing around youtube book vloggers and sometimes on bloggers talk about the new day and age of reading, ereaders. We all have Kindle, Nook , iPad , and ect. many places. Or at least if you live in a large community or city. The lightweight device that can hold you entire library and more is a fairly new development and has gotten a humongous hate and love.

So I'm going to back track and tell you about the beginning of ereaders for me. This might take a while,and if you don't really care there are many book reviews of great novels on this blog, go check those out. Now, I was very skeptical like most book lovers about what eink and a kindle would be like for the future of books. I worried that in a decade or less that there will no longer be bookstores and libraries. I worry that there will be a time wear they relate books as a machine and not a paper story with a cover,  freshly printed smell, and smooth pages. That is still very worrying now, and I can totally see where you are coming from if you don't like ereaders.

Stereotypes

So I recently, more like just now found this online and I wanted to share this list of steretypes that I wish everyone will just give up, but I know some people might agree with some of the things on the list. I for one don't.


I'm SKINNY, so I MUST be anorexic.
I'm EMO, so I MUST cut my wrists.
I'm a GAY RIGHTS SUPPORTER, so I WILL go to hell.
I'm IRISH, so I MUST have a bad drinking problem.
I'm INDIAN, so I MUST own a convenient store.
I'm NATIVE AMERICAN, so I MUST dance around a fire screaming like a savage.
I'm ASIAN, so I MUST be sexy.
I'm a PUNK, so I MUST do drugs.
I WEAR BLACK, so I MUST be a goth or emo.
I'm a WHITE GIRL, so I MUST be a nagging, steal-your-money kind of girlfriend.
I'm a TEENAGE MOM, so I MUST be an irresponsible slut.
I'm PRETTY, so I MUST not be a virgin.
I HAVE STRAIGHT A'S, so I MUST have no social life.
I DYE MY HAIR CRAZY COLORS, so I MUST be looking for attention.
I WEAR WHAT I WANT, so I MUST be a poser.
I hang out with GAYS, so I MUST be gay too.
I'm BRAZILIAN, so I MUST have a BIG BUTT.
I'm PUERTO RICAN, so I MUST look good and be conceited.
I'm a FEMALE GAMER, so I MUST be ugly.. or crazy.
I'm a GIRL who actually EATS LUNCH, so I MUST be fat.
I'm SINGLE so I MUST be ugly.
I'm a SKATER so I MUST do weed and steal stuff
I'm a PUNK so I MUST only wear black and date only other punks
I'm CHRISTIAN so I MUST hate homosexuals.
I'm GOTH so I MUST worship the devil.
I'm NOT LIKE EVERYONE ELSE, so I MUST be a loser.
I'm YOUNG, so I MUST be naive.
I have a lot of FRIENDS, so I MUST love to drink and party.
I support GAY RIGHTS, so I MUST fit in with everyone.
I hang out with teenage drinkers and smokers, so I MUST smoke and drink too.
I have ARTISTIC TALENT, so I MUST think little of those who don't.
I don't like to be in a BIG GROUP, so I MUST be anti-social.
I have a DIFFERENT sense of HUMOR, so I MUST be crazy.
I tell people OFF, so I MUST be an over controlling bitch.
I’m a GOTH, so I MUST be a Satanist.
I'm INTELLIGENT so I MUST be weak.
I am AMERICAN so I MUST be obese, loud-mouthed and arrogant.
I’m a YOUNG WRITER, so I MUST be emo.
I'm a TEENAGER, so I MUST have a STEREOTYPE.
I’m WHITE, so I MUST be responsible for everything going wrong on the planet: past, present, and future.
I’m not the most POPULAR person in school, so I MUST be a loser.
I care about the ENVIRONMENT...I MUST be a tree hugging hippie.
I like CARTOONS, so I MUST be IRRESPONSIBLE.
I like READING, so I MUST be a LONER.
I am WICCAN, so I MUST be a SATANIST.
I am a WITCH, so I MUST be and OLD HAG and fly on a broomstick.
I'm a PERSON, so I MUST be LABELED.
I like GAMES, ANIME and COMICS, so I MUST be childish.
I'm GOTHIC, so I MUST be mean.
I don’t want a BOYFRIEND so I MUST be lesbian.
I an friends with a CUTTER, so I MUST be a CUTTER too.
I DON'T LIKE to talk about my personal life so I MUST be having problems.

Don't Quote Me (#4)

I think we can all agree on this one. 

Have I ever said how much I love Theodore Roosevelt?

Hey Theodore Roosevelt, remember that time someone tried to assassinate you, but you just laughed and proceeded to give a 90-minute long speech with the bullet lodged in your lung, where it remained for the rest of your life? Or when you tore up 

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (#3)

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is started by bookjourney. 

What I Read:

I thoroughly enjoyed Hotblood and can't wait 'till the second installment comes out!! Here's the link to my review.

What I'm Currently Reading:

I didn't read much more of Solid this last week, but it is my goal to finish it for a review this week. 

What I hope to read in the future:

I started this novel months ago, and put it down, but I have a craving for something a little bit dark right now. 

In My Mailbox (#2)

So this week in my "mailbox" I got one book

After her adventures with the Key of Amatahns, sixteen-year-old Janir Caersynn Argetallam returns home to find Brevia on the brink of war with a neighboring country, Stlaven. Her foster-father and even Saoven—a brave young elf warrior—think it will be safe at the castle where Janir grew up. However, while trying to unravel a looming mystery, Karile—self-taught wizard and Janir’s self-appointed best friend—becomes certain that there is danger in the mountains surrounding Janir’s childhood home and that it has something to do with Stlaven’s most powerful family, the Vanmars…

from  goodreads 

Playlist: Hotblood by Juliann Whicker

I absolutely adore Hotblood by Juliann Whicker and I wanted to do a playlist, which I haven't done in forever. If you want to read my review here is the link. I have five songs here for you, each for the stars I gave for Hotblood. 

Here is the link to the playlist:

Dream by Cara Salimando
For dreams of Lewis
http://soundcloud.com/cara-salimando/dream

Guillotine by The Wombats
For the denials and suicidal
(the song gets better when you get to the chorus)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEu29exIuCM

In The Blood by Better than Ezra
"How can you throw everything you live for?"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MNKr4h9qrU

Grade 8 by Ed Sheeran
The sweetest and perfect song for Dari and Lewis
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beR08rLfcwA

Sweet As Whole by Sara Bareilles (explicit)
For the fury
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IcqRbPk_bk

Review: Hotblood by Juliann Whicker

Hotblood by Juliann Whicker lingers in my mind and I hope I don't forget the wonderful and magical characters. All 298 pages have made me felt pain, sorrow, hope, and giddy in all then less than 24 hours. I can tell you I spent the night reading through morning, and I don't regret it. When I found out about this novel, I thought that it was just another paranormal romance, cheesy, not really well thought out, and a fairy tale sort of charm to it. Boy was I wrong! This novel was nothing that I expected, and something more, I dare say.               

Juliann Whicker's writing made me really happy reading whatever she wrote. The way she wrote the novel just flowed smoothly and realistically on the screen in my mind. I read that I should be open minded about this novel, and I didn't have to because it opened my mind for me without me noticing. Weird, right? I loved and hated the different point of views from the two main characters. I love how the author created this whole different paranormal aspect of what we expect from today's young adult novels. I honestly loved the dark, and deathly frighting scenes and couldn't get enough. 

 Dari, or Dariana was a very interesting main protagonist from the get-go. She didn't bore me, or maybe because of the wide span of lovable characters made it seem so. I can't say this to every novel, maybe The Fault in Our Stars by John Green, but Hotblood in particular I had no problems with any characters. I love all of them "good" and "bad". They all contributed something, and had a soul of there own. I of course love Lewis with all of his faults and mystery that shrouds the outcome of the novel. I don't think there could be a more enjoyable love interest for Dari.

Don't Quote Me (#3)

I can just imagine an army of toddlers at the playground. :)

I love this woman! Also because she's wearing a Victorian era dress.

 ;)

 I have done this so many times while writing reviews and essays. Sometimes auto-correct is totally off.

I love how the girl is smiling so innocently, and I have to agree with her.










Anyone else that wants to join Don't Quote Me, it's every Wednesday and you can just leave you link in the comment section. Go ahead and leave your comments, I look forward to them everyday! :)