Cinder by Marissa Meyers

Marissa Meyer's website
Marissa Meyer's livejournal

Book 1 of the Lunar Chronicles

Enter another world where androids walk among us, though they are not always noticeable. The entire world has united to stand against the Lunars, a people who live on the moon and desire to take over the Earth as their own. In New Beijing, we are introduced to Cinder, an android girl who lives with her adoptive mother and two sisters, trying to keep them afloat with her skills as a mechanic, while hoping to dodge the draft of androids in the fight to save lives against a mysterious plague.

When one of her sisters falls prey to the plague, her adoptive mother volunteers her for the draft, and Cinder is thrust into a world she does not wish to be in, and gets even closer to Prince Kai than she ever thought possible. Based on the title (referring to Cinderella), we know that she will play some important part in the on-coming war between the Earth and the Lunars, but towards the middle and end of the book, our suspicions are justified by some major revelations. (Trying so hard not to give spoilers!)

Overall I greatly enjoyed the book. While it was a quick read, it was fascinating to see a classic fairytale re-written in a futuristic setting, yet still maintain some of it's charm. The world that the book describes is a little over the top and unbelievable, but hey, it's a teen fantasy novel! If you're looking for a good read that has a sequel out already (Scarlet), and is expecting two more novels to the series, then look no further!!! It's a great story, though a bit obvious about some of the mysterious parts that we aren't supposed to know until later on in the book.


Final Report:
Cinder by Marissa Meyers
448 pages
Age range: 12 - 17 years
$9.99 (Trade paperback and Nook)
9/10

Available at your local Barnes and Noble or at Barnes and Noble online

The Unsuspecting Mage by Brian S. Pratt

Barnes and Noble Author Page

I forget how I originally found The Unsuspecting Mage, but it was when I was searching for books on my Kindle (Yes I have a Kindle and a Nook... let's move on!). I quickly fell in love with the story, and purchased the other 6 books in the 7 book series.

James is a high school senior living with his grandparents after the demise of his parents. His grandfather is pushing him to find a job, while his grandmother nurtures his love to fantasy/science fiction novels, as well as role-playing games such as Dungeons and Dragons. One day, his grandfather slips a job ad into his lunch sack that seems right up his alley. It calls for someone who would like to learn real magic, who loves adventure/role-playing games, and who will be able to travel if necessary. When he decides to answer the ad, he is transported to another world, into the middle of the forest. There he is met by a greenish, imp-like creature named Igor who tells him that in this world, magic is real, he cannot go home yet, and that he needs to travel to the nearest village, that of Trendle.

Thus begins James' series of adventures in this world, as well as his trial and error take on magic (after losing the book that is supposed to tell him how magic works), and his desire to find out more about the God, Morcyth, whose amulet he now possess. He makes many friends along the way, from the young, roguish Miko, to the deadly Jiron, as well as many enemies, some who he defeats, and others he does not (at least yet). He must follow his heart and intuition to find out more about WHY he's been summoned to this world, and how he can help those around him.

It's amusing to see how lost someone from our world would be in another world, or even back in time. Common phrases and pop culture references would be lost on others, while probably making us laugh (as they do James). While many reviewers dislike the book series, comparing it too much to a D&D campaign, I find it to be thrilling. While I read the series in its entirety at least a year ago, I have recently picked it up again, and have read all the way to the 7th book, where I am now. I would disagree with some reviewers who say that the characters are static and do not change much. While it's true that many do stay the same in certain areas of their personalities, in other ways they do change. James has a hard time with killing, unless he absolutely has to, which many of the other characters do not have issues with. Throughout the series, he still hates it, but does come to realize that it may be a necessary evil in order to save himself from fighting the people again, later on down the line.

While many characters do make stupid mistakes (like seeing someone tied up in a hotel room being surprised with a blow to the head when he enters the room), to me it makes them more believable as characters. I'm in my mid-20s, and I still make stupid mistakes, often the same ones over and over again. So it's nice to see characters who don't automatically become amazingly astute and perfect over the course of the series.

I will admit that the writing does seem to be a little juvenile (granted the series does seem to be written for a younger audience), it was the author's choice to write it the way it is. I find the pace to be well set most of the time, and for the action to be enough to keep my interest. There are many puns and pop culture references throughout the series (meeting a Captain Kurk), which just added to my enjoyment of the series. (I love horrible puns and word play)

If you want an enjoyable read that wont take 7 years to get through, this is the book for you!

Final Report:
The Unsuspecting Mage by Brian S. Pratt
316 pages
$13.95 (Paperback)
$9.99 (Free)
7/10

Available at your local Barnes and Noble or at Barnes and Noble Online

The Love Song of Johnny Valentine by Teddy Wayne

Teddy Wayne's website

I picked up this A.R.C. honestly because the cover was VERY shiny, and when I read the teaser that came with the book, it sounded interesting. A little weird, but interesting. This book chronicles part of the journey of eleven year old Jonny Valentino, stage name Jonny Valentine, as he's one tour of the United States. He's a young singer who got his start because of his talent, but also because of his manager/mother, Jane Valentino,  and her drive to leave poverty. When she realizes that he has talent, she helps push him to the top.

Overall, the book deals with his budding sexuality, confusion about it, his overbearing mother, desire to see his father again, etc. He is thrust into the spotlight at such an early age, it's hard for him to deal with it, and his mother does not handle it well either. She has issues with drinking and drugs, and Jonny has a problem with sleeping, so often takes one of his mother's sleeping pills.

We get an inside look at how hard the music business can be on someone so young. The music label keeps trying to change his image in order to draw people in and sell more records. They even make a fake relationship between him and another girl, trying to spur her career, which annoys him, but seems to almost parallel some real events in our society.

I think this book is a decent read, though sometimes it gets a little weird and the pace does slow down at times. But it's an amusing and sobering look at how stars can be made today, as well as how the lives of the famous young people can be overly dominated by well-meaning parents.

Final Report:
The Love Song of Johnny Valentine by Teddy Wayne
285 pages
$24.99 (Hardcover)
5/10

Available for purchase at your local Barnes and Noble or at Barnes and Noble online

Royal Street by Suzanne Johnson

Suzanne Johnson's website
Author's blog

I originally picked this book up at work when we got it as an advance reader copy. (Publishers send us books so that we'll read them and possibly promote them). I didn't actually pick it up and read it until late January, since I have a tendency to hoard books and forget that I have them. Wow, I was so taken by the book that I finished it in a little over two days.

The book takes place in New Orleans, Louisiana (only about an hour away from where I live), and it starts a few days before Hurricane Katrina hits. We are introduced to Drusilla Jaco, aka DJ, who is a Green Congress junior sentinel for NOLA, and find out that she grew up with her mentor, the Red Congress senior sentinel for Nola, Gerald St. Simon.

Green congress wizards are more earthen based. They use plants and other items to make potions and poultices, and their magic is less flashy. Red Congress wizards are the powerhouse wizards that are all flash, bang, and showy.

When the book starts, we are given enough information to understand what is going on, without it being annoying or boring, which is what I love in a book. I hate where I'm confused as to where the book is going or where I'm inundated with so many facts that I'm bored!

Anywho! Basically DJ evacuates so that at least one of the team is safe, while Gerald stays behind to monitor the barrier between our world and that of the supernatural world. After Katrina hits, Gerald goes missing, so DJ is challenged with heading back to New Orleans, finding Gerald, and containing the spirits who have crossed over to cause mischief.

The descriptions of the devastation are very accurate (seeing as Ms. Johnson is a NOLA native), and even though I've only been there a few times, I can still see the places in my mind. The struggle within DJ to do all that she is tasked to do is very palpable, especially her bemoaning of her status as a Groueen Congress wizard. (I'm sure we've all had those days where we wish we had a different skill set than that with which we were born or have cultivated)

Overall, I found this book to have the perfect balance of information dump, characterization, and action. It's almost like a summoning of Captain Planet in my eyes. Too much of those three, or too little, and you'll get something along the lines of Captain Pollution (or just a crappy book! lol)

Anywho, so far this is the first book in a series of 3, where the second book is out on shelves now (River Road), and the third book is due out sometime in August 2013. They are great reads, with plenty of supernatural creatures, magic, and even a little romance in the mix. There are enough surprises to keep the reader guessing what will happen next, and even a minor appearance of Elves! (Yes, Elves, not Elvis...)

Go read it!



Final Report:
Royal Street by Suzanne Johnson
336 pages
$14.99
Score: 9/10

Available at your local Barnes and Noble for purchase or at Barnes and Noble online

Film Friday - Anne of Green Gables

Anne of Green Gables

Oh, how do I even start my review of Anne of Green Gables? I remember watching this with my parents and my sisters when I was just a tyke, and I loved it. Maybe it's because of the period drama-ness of it all, the beautiful scenery, or the amazing actors, but it's always been a near and dear movie to me. I was fortunate to buy it earlier last month in a combo pack with its two sequels, and have watched it for the first time in years. It's still as good as I can remember, maybe even more.

Anne of Green Gables is the story of a young orphan girl, Miss Anne (with an e!) Shirley. In the beginning of the film, she is living with a large family, taking care of the children when the father dies, so the mother sends her back to the orphanage. (This opening differs from the novel) She is sent to live with Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert, an elderly sister and brother combination who live at the majestic Green Gables estate on Prince Edward Island. She seems to grow on the quiet Matthew, but Marilla is determined to send her back until she has a change of heart, deciding to give Anne (with an e!) a trial.

Anne quickly bonds with Diana Berry, becoming bosom friends with her, and also gains the attention of the handsome Gilbert Blythe, though he shows it in typical teenage fashion, by teasing her about her hair, which is one of her buttons, so she smashes her school slate over his head and vows to never speak to him again. Over the course of the movie, Anne (with an e!) goes through many trials and tribulations, most of which are brought about by her overly dramatic nature, as well as her quick temper. She shows herself to be a loyal friend, a smart, dedicated student, and a loving member of the Cuthbert family. She makes mistakes in cooking, trying to dye her hair black (though it becomes GREEN!), and in accidentally giving Diana access to raspberry wine, instead of raspberry cordial (non-alcoholic!) She has to battle against the small town mindset that orphans are no-good thieves and troublemakers, but eventually worms her way into the heart of most of the population around Green Gables.

Though there is a tragedy near the end of the movie, we see the possibility for romance between Gilbert and Anne (with an e!), as well as her devotion to Marilla and Green Gables.

If you like period dramas like Downton Abbey and Upstairs, Downstairs, you will enjoy Anne of Green Gables very much! The sequel, Anne of Avonlea/Anne of Green Gables: The Sequel is just as entertaining and enjoyable as the first movie, and not one to be missed!



Final Report:
Anne of Green Gables
199 minutes
$25.33 - $27.99 (DVD)
$51.41 (3 movie collection)
10/10

Available at your local Barnes and Noble or at Barnes and Noble Online
Anne of Green Gables 3 movie collection

The Rowan by Anne McCaffrey

Anne McCaffrey Website
Anne McCaffrey wiki

I was first introduced to The Rowan in High School, I believe sophomore year. I've always been more into fantasy than Science-Fiction, but I decided to give it a go, being that it was so highly recommended. Boy was I in for a treat!!! The Prologue was short and sweet, giving enough background for things to make sense without bogging the reader down (that being my fear at the time).

In this book, we are introduced into a future in which people with telekinetic, telepathic, and other such abilities have been "outed" to the world, and have even become a staple for the growth and economy of the human population. Because of their ability to connect with generators, the Primes (highest level telepaths and teleporters/telekinetics) have been able to move spaceships through space and the human race has colonized many planets in the universe (Altair, Betelgeuse, Procyon, Capella, and Callisto just to name a few). While Primes exist in many different fields (medical, genetics, therapeutics, precognitions), Tower Primes, or those who can connect to generators and move items/people through space are few and far between.

The beginning of The Rowan introduces us to a small child, who through a devastating chain of events has been orphaned, no longer remembers her name, and with her incredible mind powers cries out for help to everyone on the planet who can hear. When the government officials finally find her, she is placed in the care of Siglen, the Prime of Altair, who then thrusts her on Lusena, a T-8 therapist, to raise until she is of an age where she can study with Siglen and learn how to be a Tower Prime. The child takes the name, The Rowan, which causes some to scoff, but it's what she likes, and because of the trauma does not regain her memories of before the accident.

Her tale of growing up is interesting without bogging us down with useless drivel, and then her tales as a woman in her early to mid-20s provides even more entertainment. She experiences heartache and trials, along with successes and fun times. We see her grow as a human being, and how her desire for companionship is partly driven by the empty space left by her being orphaned, as well as her status as a Prime keeping her from forming a lasting relationship until the right one comes along.

Overall, this novel is one that I have read numerous times (at least 6, most likely more), and one that I can read again and again. Each time, another facet of the book comes to mind, and I fall in love with it again. If you like this book, continue on with the rest of the series and also foray into Ms. McCaffrey's other novels (she's written so many!!!!)

Do yourself a solid favor and READ IT!




Final Report:
The Rowan by Anne McCaffrey
328 pages
Age range: 18 years
$7.99 (paperback)
10/10


Available at Barnes and Noble and at Barnes and Noble online

Webcomic Wednesday - Dominic Deegan: Oracle for Hire

Hey y'all, here's another new feature I will try to do at least once a month, and that's Webcomic Wednesday! What a better way to start off than with my absolute favorite fantasy webcomic, and that is Dominic Deegan: Oracle for Hire, by the amazingly talented Mookie!

I forget exactly how I tripped upon Dominic Deegan, but it was ages ago, around the time that I started sophomore year of High school (back in 2002). I was intrigued to begin reading about an oracle, seeing as how they aren't usually the heroes of stories, but rather a side character or whatnot.

The story begins, introducing us to Dominic Deegan, a seer/oracle for hire, and his talking cat "pet", Spark. We see some of the irritation that comes from being a seer, as well as how people mis-interpret things he says, or ask him to do unsavory things. Time and time again he has to step up and save the day, rescue the damsel, or just stop creepy zombies (which cause him to shriek like a little girl and jump into the arms of someone nearby).

I can't really go too much into details because the comic has been around since May 2002, and is still going strong, though Mookie did say that he would be finishing up the comic soon (to my sadness, and screams of despair!!!) What I can say is that Dominic is from a family where his father, Donovan, is a Bard of note, as well as an accomplished swordsman, and his mother, Miranda, is a noted sorceress/Arch-Magi. He is the middle child, where his older brother, Jacob, has delved into Necromancy, and his younger brother, Gregory, has a great talent for White Magic. Mix into this meetings with many magical creatures and beasts, as well as a necromantic golem named Quilt, a bumbling pair of thieves, Stunt and Bumper, and Spark, who loves alliteration, and you get amazing story after story, where not everyone lives at the end of the day, and where if you ask to be put in the comic, you will most likely be killed off!

If you love tales of magic, sorcery, and mystery, then join the fan club of Dominic Deegan: Oracle for Hire and you will not be disappointed at all!!!!!!

Probably my favorite joke ever!

GO READ IT! Dominic-Deegan: Oracle for Hire

Final Report:
Dominic Deegan: Oracle for Hire by Mookie
$15.00/book (usually)
100/100

You can purchase the hard copy books here at The Seer's Catalogue

Convergence (Book One of the Blending) by Sharon Green

Sharon Green's website

Wikipedia page

Enter a world where EVERYONE has control over one of the five elements: Earth, Fire, Air, Water, and Spirit. There are three levels of power; High, Middle, and Low, and no matter of training can bring you past your natural barrier. Decades ago, when the evil Four ruled, a talent group of Five blended together and defeated the Four, freeing the land and bringing a peace. Ever since then, there has been foretold of a time when the Four will return and conquer the land, once again ruling with an iron fist.

Ever since the Blending of Five defeated the Four, there has always been a group of Five who rules the country. Every twenty-five years, there are competitions between the High level Blendings as to who will be the next Five to rule the country. Every talented individual who has a ranking of Middle to a High must be tested in order to determine if they are just a Middle, or if they are a High level, for if they are they must train their talent to their utmost, and then be put into a Blending group to battle the other groups for the right to rule. But not all who compete do so fairly.

The five main characters are: Lorand,  a country hayseed type of fellow who is an Earth practitioner, and splits with his father because of his summons to the capital to test for High; Tamrissa, a merchant-class lady who was forced into an abusive marriage by her parents, but now that her husband has died, she sees a chance to start over, after the annoying tests for High, with the Fire inside her just beginning to burn true; Jovvi, the ex-courtesan Spirit practitioner who desires a new life, a safer life that is happy, after the tests for High; Vallant, a sailor with a love for the sea, helped by his Water talent, who does not wish to test for High, but to remain on the seas; and Lord Clarion, an Airy, spoiled Noble who's shrew of a mother has made him think that he's above having friends, and is confused as to why he's in a house with commoners and merchants.

These five have to test to see if they are High levels (spoilers... they are!), and then work on gaining control over their powers to see if they will be able to participate in a Blending, and then compete for the chance to rule the land.

While the book is a little hard to get into, once you do it is very interesting and exciting. All of the main characters are ones that you can grow attached to, and even understand their plights and misfortunes. Convergence is book 1 of a 5 book series, and overall one of my favorite book series' that I've ever read. At times the pacing does falter, but when it does it's usually to impart information that is necessary for the reader, and that will help the pacing of the series in the long run.

The cheapest way to purchase the books is through Thrift books, because you can find all 5 there for cheap (especially if you get them from the same distributer, there is a discount!), and there is NO SHIPPING in the United States! After that, I'd suggest buying them as ebooks through Amazon (sadly Barnes and Noble does not have them as ebooks!) Buying the physical books on Amazon or Barnes and Noble is possible, and they are really cheap, but the shipping is KILLER!

If you're looking for a great series that you can read and re-read, this is it! 

Final Report:

Convergence by Sharon Green

448 pages

$3.99 - ?? (paperback)

10/10

Sadly unavailable at your local Barnes and Noble, but can be found on the online store at: BarnesandNoble.com - Convergence or at Amazon.com - Convergence
or at Thrift Books

Music Monday - Of Monsters and Men

Of Monsters and Men
OMAM wiki

I first discovered this cd when we received it as an in-store play a few months ago, and to be honest I was not really intrigued by it at all. It just seemed to me to be another folk band, and lord knows there are tons on the market today. I honestly didn't even give them an honest try until someone else put them into the cd player, and I was forced to listen... and boy was I glad that I did. This band has done something different with their music, but I can't quite put my finger on what. It may be because they hail from Iceland (honestly the best thing to come out of Iceland in my opinion), but whatever gives them that something extra, it works!

They have a female and male singer, and both of their voices are light and gorgeous, though they can break out the power when they need to. Many of their songs are very soothing, like Sloom. Others are haunting, like my favorite song Little Talks. I never really understood what the song was about, but a friend of mine told me their interpretation (supposedly from the band's mouth) is that the song speaks of an older couple, and the female is suffering from dementia. But on the wiki page Nanna, the female singer, is said to have described it as one of the couple has died. I like both versions. The music video doesn't really make sense to me, but what can yah do? 

I love Dirty Paws, which is a cute song that doesn't really make sense to me, but I still love it and the whimsical feel to the song. I also love Your Bones, which shows off the vocals of Ragnar/Raggi, who has a beautiful voice, as well as smile! He's just a cutie pie! (sorry... tangent....)

Overall, I greatly recommend this cd, especially if you're into Mumford and Sons, or if you just love trying out new music. I know that some people feel they are getting overplayed on the radio, I never have that problem because I don't listen to the radio! whoo!

(Yes, I know this post is mostly pics and videos, but I don't really know how to put my love for this group into words... I just hope one day to see them in person!)

Track List:
1. Dirty Paws
2. King and Lionheart
3. Mountain Sound
4. Slow and Steady
5. From Finner
6. Little Talks
7. Six Weeks
8. Love Love Love
9. Yours Bones
10. Sloon
11. Lakehouse
12. Yellow Light

Final Report:
My Head is an Animal - Of Monsters and Men
60 minutes
$10.99 (B&N.com)
9/10

Available at your local Barnes and Noble or at Barnes and Noble online



GO BUY IT AND LISTEN!! YOU WON'T REGRET IT!

Hard Magic by Larry Correia

Larry Correia's website

Book 1 of the Grimnoir Chronicles Series

Imagine if around the early 1900s, history began to veer off from the course ours took... What if the Titanic never sank because of the efforts of one man? Or if airships became a preferred way to travel for most countries? Or if people were the cause of the Dust Bowl? What if all of this was because an emergence of people with special powers?

The story begins with us meeting Jake Sullivan, former war hero, convict... and a Heavy, meaning that he can manipulate gravitational forces. He's recently been released from prison early, but the catch is that he has to help the FBI catch Actives who're breaking the law. But on his most recent assignment, he'll find more than he bargained for... and that perhaps the government has been lying to him.

When I originally saw the cover of this book at work, I was immediately drawn in by the interesting cover art, and who wouldn't be? It's a very noir/gothic design, and the description on the back describes a steampunk/magical version of our world, where things have kinda gone to hell, just in a different way than things have in our world. I ended up buying it in Mass market paperback because I needed something new and interesting to read, and boy was I surprised (in a good way!)

The beginning is a little slow, having to give some backstory to establish the world and certain characters. Each chapter gives the reader an account of magic usage, or of something going on in the times to best help set up the scene. Once I got to the real first chapter, I was brought in immediately by the action and pace of the book. It went right into a fight/chase scene like everyone likes to read, without spoon feeding you too much information, but handing it to you in skillful ways so that you know what you need to to understand.

Personally, I wanted MORE information about the magic powers and all, and I was pleasantly surprised to see that there is a dictionary at the end of the book (before the preview of one of the author's new books), and it describes different powers, the differences between Active and Passive (which is kind of explanatory, but offers more information to clarify).

The main character is Jake Sullivan, but many other characters weasel their ways into your heartstrings, especially that of Faye. She's a bubbly girl who you want to succeed, and who you get to see blossom throughout the book. While there are deaths throughout the book, most of them are nameless characters, or characters that there isn't too much rapport with.

Overall, I would say read this book and you won't be sorry. It's a thrilling book, and let me tell you the ending was not expected at all, unlike some great books out there.

GO READ IT!

Final Report:
Hard Magic by Larry Correia
593 pages
$7.99 (In Store)
$6.52 (Online)
9/10

Available at your local Barnes and Noble or at Barnes and Noble Online

Music Monday - Soundtrack for the Wheel of Time by Robert Berry

Robert Berry's website

I first discovered the Wheel of Time in Middle School, believe it or not. I had a friend that I met at school and on the bus who was into the books, so he lent them to me and I devoured the first 5 or 6 books, then I think I even bought the 7th.

In high school, a friend of mine who was also in love with the books told me about this cd and how awesome it was, and burned me a copy. At first I didn't really know what to think. Instrumental music wasn't really my forte at the time, but I did give it a listen. Right away I fell in love with track 8, the Winespring Reel, and to me it sounded like something that would be played in a bar/inn at the time, with people dancing and drinking. Slowly, one by one, I started to fall in love with the other songs. They really do embody the feel that Robert Jordan gives in his book, so kudos to Mr. Berry.

There are a few tracks with singing, Including the first track, A Theme for the Wheel of Time, as well as Ladies of the Tower, and the Aiel Approach. While I do like tracks 1 and 11, the Aiel Approach has grown on me in many ways. As a music major, I've had to study gregorian chant, and that's what this reminds me of. To me, I see the Aiel as having an oral tradition background, possibly because of their migratory patterns and moving everything on their backs so paper and books would be hard to bring with them. (But that's just my opinion)

I think my absolute favorite pieces are: Song for Moraine, The Winespring Reel, the Game of Houses, and Voyage of the Sea Folk. There's just something about these pieces that really gets me going, or at least my imagination going. I literally see a regal Queen walking into her throne room in the Game of Houses, with courtiers looking at her, judging her, looking for weakness. I'm weird, I know, but it's what I see.

Track List:

1. A Theme for the Wheel of Time
2. Return to Emonds Fields
3. Song for Moiraine
4. Traveling the Ways
5. Spears and Buckler
6. Dream Walker
7. The Knowledge of the Wise Ones
8. The Winespring Reel
9. The Halls of Tar Valon
10. Search for the Black Ajah
11. Ladies of the Tower
12. The Game of House
13. Voyage of the Sea Folk
14. Heart of the Wolf
15. Journey Through the Waste
16. Lan the Warder
17. March of the Trollocs
18. Rand's Theme (Fanfare for the Dragon Reborn)
19. The Aiel Approach (Dahl of a Chant)

Final Report:
Soundtrack for the Wheel of Time by Robert Berry
54 minutes
$16.99

Available at Barnes and Noble online

Splintered by A.G. Howard

A.G. Howard's Website

I picked this book up in the break room when it arrived as an A.R.C., and honestly while the book teaser intrigued me, the cover also captured my attention. They say don't judge a book by it's cover, but who could pass up something this pretty?

It started off fairly slowly, laying down the backstory of the main character, Alyssa, who is a many-times descendent of Alice Liddell, the inspiration for Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland. There is a family curse that has passed through the female line where the women can hear bugs and flowers talking to them. Alyssa is taken care of by her father since her mother is in a mental hospital because of she can talk to flowers and bugs, and because (as we find out), she attacked Alyssa when she was younger. The reader can feel the very real fear that Alyssa has that she too is going crazy, and when she finds out that the doctors want to give her mother experimental treatment to try and cure her, she takes charge and tries to find out more about why the females in her line are cursed...

Her desire to fix her mother and herself lead her to find a way into Wonderland, where she finds out that the original Alice created much destruction when she was there, from creating an ocean with her tears, etc. The Wonderland that we see now is much different from the whimsical version of Carroll's book, or of any of the movies. It's lead for us to believe that a small child would not see the horrors of what Wonderland really looks like, so her account to Carroll was seen through the eyes of a naive child. (This is slightly conflicted later, but you'll see). Before she leaves for Wonderland, she finds several items that had been passed down through the female line, and that her mother left for her to find. When she takes them with her, they end up being crucial to her finding out the terrible truth behind her family curse, and about herself.

I don't want to spoil any of the surprises (of which there are MANY!!!), so I won't go into too much detail, but the ending of the book is fantastic, and one that I didn't see coming at all. Alyssa is forced to make several hard decisions, as well as harder her resolve (like all good protagonists) in order to succeed in her quest.

While at time the book did get a little confusing for me, so that I had to read over certain passages a few times, I did like it overall and was saddened when it ended. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good fantasy novel with a bit of mystery added into the mix. It's a great book for teens and adults, and not too quick of a read, which is always important for me.


Final Report:
Splintered by A.G. Howard
377 pages
$17.95 (Hardcover)
$10.98 (online Hardcover)
$9.99 (Nook)
7/10

Available at your local Barnes and Noble and Barnes and Noble online  for purchase

Music Mondays - Zz Ward

Hey friends, how are y'all doing this Monday? I thought of another way to spice things up here on my blog, and that's by recommending/reviewing new music for y'all. To kick it off, I'd like to start off with the artist Zz Ward.

Zz Ward's website

I first discovered Zz Ward when I saw her cd at my store when I was walking through the department. I was intrigued to hear what she sounded like because a lot of the artists on our Discover endcap are not well known, but are really good artists/groups. I looked her up on iTunes, and quickly fell in love with her music and her lyrics.

The first song I fell for is the first song on the album, as well as what the album is named after, Til the Casket Drops. It has a great rhythm, and as soon as she begins singing, we are treated to a melodious, smokey voice. This is actually a love song, where she's telling her love that she will be by his side until one of them dies. (Doesn't sound romantic, but it is). After hearing this song, I immediately purchased the entire cd, and prepared my ears for what I assumed would be an amazing experience, and I was not left down!

My next favorite song takes things down a notch tempo wise, and it is Last Love Song. Instead of a love song or hate song, instead it's a song reminiscing on all of the things and plans that will never happen, now that the couple is no longer together. I personally resonate with this song a lot, being recently single, and find that it says all of the things that I had trouble putting into words. The song is not too difficult to play on the guitar, if one is so inclined to learn it. Last Love Song guitar chords

Song after song we are treated to hit after hit. Honestly, there's not one song on the cd that I don't like. I do have preferences of which ones I listen to the most, but literally every song is a hit. The last song that I actually listened to, weeks after I got the cd, is the last song on the album, 365 Days. It's a great breakup song about a girl who is not going to put up with her partner's crap anymore, so she kicks him to the curb. Literally throwing his stuff out of the window onto the street  below (and I know I'm not the only who's ever fantasized about doing this to someone, even if it's not a lover/partner/etc.)

I recommended her to someone once, but they said she was too country for their tastes. I personally do not feel like she is country. I find her more of a mix between Pop Rock/Blues/Soul, but that's just my interpretation. She's listed as Pop Rock at the store, but that's neither here nor there.

I would recommend everyone to look her up and listen to her music, even if they don't like all of her music, there must be one song they like! Another think that I like is that she is VERY good in person, as well as in studio recordings.

Track Listing:

1. Til the Casket Drops
2. Put the Gun Down
3. Blue Eyes Blind
4. Home
5. Crying Wolf (featuring Kendrick Lamar)
6. Save My Life
7. Last Love Song
8. Lil Darlin (featuring The O'Mys)
9. Move Like U Stole It
10. Criminal (featuring Freddie Gibbs)
11. If I Could Be Hear
12. Charlie Ain't Home
13. 365 Days

Final Report:
Til The Casket Drops - Zz Ward
45 mins
$10.99 in store
9/10

Available at your local Barnes and Noble, or online at Barnes and Noble.com - Zz Ward

Film Fridays! - Wreck it Ralph

Welcome to a break from your regularly scheduled book review! Now introducing FILM FRIDAYS, where I review a movie that i've recently seen, or just one that I really like. To start us off, I'm going to begin with Wreck it Ralph.

I had the misfortune to miss seeing this movie in theaters, which is a little sad since I live a mile away from a movie theater, which is literally within walking distance from my work. But since I prefer to go see the first showing (because it's cheaper), I usually choose to sleep in on the days that I can go to the movies.

Overall, I did enjoy this movie quite a bit. I found it charming and entertaining, even for adults. The story was new, and a breath of fresh air in my opinion. The writers took a villain and turned him into a hero, showing us that not everything is as it seems. It's a good lesson for children on how to not judge a book by it's cover.

It was fun to see the throwback graphics at the beginning, as well as seeing the different characters from older video games. I liked the way that the older characters moved like they would in a video game of the time, whereas the newer characters had better range of movement. I did feel as if the add of the space character, Sergeant Calhoun, was random, at least until later in the game. My favorite character is probably Vanellope because no matter what, she wants to be herself. Even when the other characters in her game give her mess about being a "glitch".

There were quite a few twists and turns throughout the movie, probably the greatest being the backstory to King Candy. That was something that I was NOT expecting in the least. There were quite a few hilarious moments for me in the movie. I think the support group was very funny, especially Satan asking to be called "Satine". And when Ralph interrogates Sour Bill by licking him, I lol'd for real.

There were also quite a few moments that tugged on my heartstrings, which I did not expect at all. I think the best one is near the end, when Ralph decides to save the day at the risk of everything for him. Though when the characters of the games talked about being unplugged, that really got me, which was one of those odd moments where you sympathize with a fictional character, or characters, and then feel very silly. It did make me reminisce about the older video games that I used to play, and how hard it is to find them these days for cheap. It's almost like they are more expensive than they originally were. (random tangent, sorry)

Once again Disney has made another good movie, but who expected anything else? It's Disney for pete's sake!

Final Report:
Wreck it Ralph
101 minutes
$19.99 - $26.00 (DVD)
$29.99 - $39.99 (Blu-Ray)
8/10

Available on DVD or Blu-ray at your local Barnes and Noble or Barnes and Noble online

Clean by Alex Hughes

Yesterday I finished the science fiction/fantasy book Clean by Alex Hughes. It is labeled to be the first in a series called "Mindspace Investigations"

Alex Hughes website

On the author's website, it calls this a dystopian thriller, which I agree with. Essentially the story opens around 40 - 60 years after what is called the "Tech Wars" where either technology went amok (similar to terminator), or people hacked into technology and went crazy. Many people in North America died because of all our technology, while other countries with less technology weren't hit as bad. Extraordinary people with gifts of telepathy, telekinesis, etc. stepped up to save the world and shut down the awol technology, because somehow the telepaths/et. al have a "Mindspace" that does not function well with technology, and vice versa. Anyway, the reader finds out that the telepaths/et. al formed a Guild to police their own, train them, and find them jobs.

The book opens with the main character, a telepath, about to conduct an interview on a murder suspect. We find out that he is a high level telepath, and that he was kicked out of the Guild because of his drug habit (that he still struggles with daily). He works with a female detective, Isabella Cherabino, to help her solve crimes with his skills as a telepath. While investigating a string of murders, he finds out that they were committed by at least one member of the Guild, a telepath/teleporter, but possibly two. He and Cherabino have to find out who is committing the murders, and fast, because the next person to die is going to be the main character.

Overall I found the book pretty easy to read. It gives you enough information in the beginning to understand the differences in the world (cars that can fly, people who can read minds, etc.) and also the lack of major technology (the internet). The main character, who remains unnamed throughout most of the book, is relatable because of the trials that he does through with his drug addiction. It is an interesting, psychological view into those who struggle with drug addiction. It talks about how he deals with his addiction, meeting with his sponsor, and even how by falling off the wagon, he has lost the trust and respect of people that he works with.

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy with a hint of science fiction in it. It was an easy read and made me want to continue on in the series and see how the characters develop.

Final Report:
Clean by Alex Hughes
340 pages
$7.99
Score: 8/10

Available at your local Barnes and Noble for purchase

Lit Blind Date - Matched by Ally Condie

I am FINALLY getting around to my Literary Blind Date thing set up by The Literary Glutton http://litglutton.tumblr.com in February. Mainly because I’ve been a little too lazy to actually write my review, but also because I’ve been a little lazy too. But I just finished a huge research paper, so I’m riding the energy drink high!!!

My book blind date was submitted by Sarah of http://thepilotthepoetthephysic.tumblr.com and she’s Canadian, which is AWESOME! (sorry love Canadians), and it’s Matched by Ally Condie. 

The funny part about all of this is that I had just read the book about a week prior to receiving my blind date, and was wanting to review it for a book review blog that I want to start, but just haven’t gotten around to it yet (i procrastinate… too many funny cat photos online!) Okay so on to the review:

From the get go, the book started off in an intriguing way. It enticed me to keep reading, though one you figure out they are going to a ceremony where their ideal mate is being found for them, I had an inkling that her neighbor and her were gonna be chosen. (I’m cynical like that). I found the descriptions very informative without getting too bogged down with details, which is good in a teen book. There was enough information for me to really enjoy the book without getting in the way of the plot. 

Basically it’s another post apocalyptic world where people are encouraged to do what they need to do for society, whether it’s learn how to sort people or how to care for crops. Disobeying the government has harsh consequences (which we find out later in the book), and they have ways of controlling the population with a set of three pills: a blue (helps you sleep), green (calms nerves), and red (unknown!) pills. 

Frivolity is frowned upon, even to go so far as to wearing dull, similar clothes, and eating food that only meets your nutritional needs. Special occasions allow for fancy food and dress, but that is it. Kids go to school until they are chosen for a job around age 17/18. At age 17, you go to a banquet and find out who your life partner will be. This is to ensure the best breeding. You find out later that they train kids in school to work on sorting patterns, and the best people go to the center where they pick out the male/female matches. People live to the age of 80, then decline rapidly and die the night of their 80th birthday. In the society, there are only 100 poems, the best ones chosen to not be destroyed. There are only  a few songs still around, and free time is limited to allowed activities.  Physical activity is monitored severely, but allowed.  

Anyway, cut to after the ceremony, and the main female, Cassia, has been told she is to marry her neighbor, Xander. Yet when she is examining her match chip (to just find out more about him), she is shown another’s photo, a guy in her town named Ky. 

Cut to an official coming to her, telling her that it was a mistake and that she is still partnered to Xander. Cassia is suspicious, but trusts the official. It turns out that when she picks hiking for her free time, Ky is in her group and they form a bond. He starts teaching her the alphabet, and how to write. Eventually they start to fall for each other, but Cassia finds out that the officials know and test her. 

In the end, Ky is taken away and Cassia annoys the government, so they ship her family off to another area. She is determined to find Ky, even if it means standing up to the government and getting in trouble. We find out that the red pill is not a death pill (like is hinted and what i thought), but in fact wipes peoples memories back a few hours if not a day. (I can’t remember). We also find out that there are people who it does not effect, one being Xander, and that he is quick to not mention it so that he’s not taken away. 

Overall I found it a good read. Was a little slow at times, and sometimes I found that passage of time too vague. But it was interesting and made me want to finish the series, even if it’s not RIGHT away, like many other books I love. I’d give it a 7 out of 10 for me. It was pretty original in some aspects, though I am getting a little tired of the mass wave of post-apocalyptic books that is flooding the teen sections right now.

Final Report:
Matched by Ally Condie
366 pages
$9.99
7/10

Available at your local Barnes and Noble for purchase