Friday, December 31, 2010

Friday Finds #7

What great books did you find this week? Share with us at Friday Finds.
Friday Finds, it's a meme hosted by Should Be Reading and it's about all the new book discoveries you found about each week. In addition as a movie blog, sometimes there will be new trailers from upcoming movies.

I wanna thanks Nina for sharing some new trailers this week. Yay for helping me with this! And do you see how cool we are? Even at holidays we post everyday!:D Actually 3/4 of my family is ill, so i'm home all time with nothing to do.

Click on the book covers to read their summaries.




Movies:


Re-Create Cover Contest ( Lisa Shearin )

Vamps, Weres and Cassay Blog has a re-create cover contest. I really liked the concept so i thought to try this one. The winner will get all the books from Raine Barnes series! You can find more info and sign up right here.
The winner will be by public voting, so when the poll is open get your ass there visit the blog and vote for the one you like (i hope it's mine XD). I will also let you know when it's that!

Original:


My re-creation:

Thursday, December 30, 2010

The Last Airbender, Review

The story follows the adventures of Aang, a young successor to a long line of Avatars, who must put his childhood ways aside and stop the Fire Nation from enslaving the Water, Earth and Air nations.

REVIEW:
Ok, it's been a long time since I saw a great movie like this. And when I say great, I mean full of special effects and martial arts and magical powers, all combined together.

The story is about a boy who's frozen in the middle of a lake. When two siblings find him and unfrozen him, he believes that nothing changed, despite the fact that it's been many years since he fell in the lake. The thing is that he is the only one who has the power to control all the elements, something unique which happens only in one person in the entire world. Along with the two siblings, he has to find a way to bring back peace to all the civilizations and meanwhile train to the element control, because the Fire Nation rules with cruel measures.

I enjoyed the movie a lot. I really liked it and it was fun to watch. I loved the special effects and the choroghaphies. The music wasn't a big of a deal, but it suits it fine and for telling the truth, I didn't pay much attention on it. The actors were great too. Interesting choice, I have to admit, I didn't know none of them, except three maybe four of them. The plot was great too. It's been a long time since I've seen element control which was so different than other movies and books. What I liked in the script was that they made it promising for a sequel, without knowing if it's going to be a hit or a flop.

Bottom on, if you are that type of movie fan as much as I am, you have to try this one and you are not going to be disappointed.

100 Books In A Year Reading Challenge 2011!

And my biggest challenge so far...100 books in a year. Since it's crossover of other challenges, i really hope to fill 100 books XD This one hosted by Book Chick City. EDIT: Nina will take part too! Yay! EDIT2: Athanasia too!

Yiota
1. Legacy by Cayla Kluver
2. Virals by Kathy Reichs
3. Almost to Die For by Taje Hallaway
4. Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick
5. The Tomb of Hercules by Andy McDermott
6. The Secret of Excalibur by Andy McDermott
7. The Covenant of Genesis by Andy McDermott
8. Strange Angels by Lili St.Crow
9. Betrayals by Lili St.Crow
10.Encrypted by Lindsay Buroker
11.Angelfire by Courtney Allyson Moulton
12. Darkness Becomes Her by Kelley Keaton
13. Jane Austen: A Life Revealed by Catherine Reef
14. The Demon King by Cinda Williams Chima
15. Cinderella: Ninja Warrior by Maureen McGowan
16. Sleeping Beauty: Vampire Slayer by Maureen McGowan
17. Silver Phoenix by Cindy Pon
18. Danann Frost Falls From Grace by Joanne Valiukas
19. King of the Foxes by Raymond Feist
20. Right Hand Magic by Nancy Collins
21. The Demon's Trapper Daughter by Jana Oliver
22. Ranger's Apprentice 5 by John Flanagan
23. Jealously by Lili St.Crow
24. Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston
25. Soul Stalker by Laura Kreitzer
26. A World Without Heroes by Brandon Mull
27. The Cult of Osiris by Andy McDermott
28. The Emperor's Edge by Lindsay Buroker
29. Wayward Soul by Kim Bowman
30. The False Princess by Eilis O'Neal
31. The Stepsister Scheme by Jim Hines
32. A Spy In The House by Y.S Lee
33. Beloved of the Fallen by Savanah Kline
34. Steel by Carrie Vaughn
35. The Hunter's Moon by O.R. Melling
36. City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare
37. Ember and Ash by Pamela Freeman
38. Waterfall by Lisa T. Bergren
39. The Dust of 100 Dogs by A.S. King
40. The Blood Moon of Winter by Courtney Conant
41.Camera Obscura by Lavie Tidhar
42. Dreamwalk by SaraMcManus
43.Haven by Kristi Cook
44. A Tale of Two Castles by Gail Garson Levine
45. Eona by Alysson Goodman
46. Wayward by Ashley Girardi
47. Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins
48. Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins
49. Abithica by Susan Goldsmith
50. Rosie by Mariaam Marouf
51. The Book Of Lost Souls by Michelle Muto
52. Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead
53. Defiance by Lili St.Crow
54. Redheart by Jackie Gamber
56. The Warrior Heir by Cinda Williams Chima
57. The Wizard Heir by Cinda Williams Chima
58. The Dragon Heir by Cinda Williams Chima 
59. Thrall by Steven Shrewsbury
60. Avatar: The Lost Adventures
61. The Art of Alice: Madness Returns
62.Cinder and Ella by Melissa Lemon
63.Falling Skies by Paul Tobin
64. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
65. The Survivors by Amanda Havard
66. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
67. The Extraordinary Secrets of April, May and June
68. The Paris Secret by Angela Henry
69. Witch and Wizard by James Patterson
70. Firespell by Chloe Neill
71. Ranger's Apprentice #6 by John Flanagan
72. Vampirates #6 by Justin Somper
73. The Summoner by Layton Green
74. The Emerald Atlas by John Stephens
75. Geist by Philippa Ballantine
76. Spectyr by Philippa Ballantine
77. Bloodlines by Richelle Mead
78. Seers by Heather Frost
79. The Egyptian by Layton Green
80. Mistwoods by Leah Cypess
81. Austenland by Shannon Hale
82. Curse of the Bane by Joseph Belaney

Nina
1. Chosen by P.C Cast
2. Club Dead by Charlainne Harris
3.Nightfall by L.J.Smith
4. Dead as a Dornail by Charlainne Harris
5.Untamed by P.C Cast
6. Hunted vy P.C Cast
7.Definetelly Dead by Charlainne Harris
8. All Together Dead by Charlainne Harris
9. From Dead To Worse by Charlainne Harris


Athanasia
1. Balkan Blues by Petros Markaris
2. Dracula by Bram Stoker
3. You Killed Wesley Payne by Sean Beaudoin
4. Crusade by N.Holder
5. Skulldugery Pleasant
6. The Valkyries by Paulo Coehlo
7.The Scophenhauer Cure by Irvin Yalom
8.Every Shallow Cut by Tom Pricilli
9.When Nietzche Wept by Irvin Yalom
10. Μια ζωή, δυο ζωές
11, Ουρανός από χώμα, γη και σύννεφα

2011 E-Book Reading Challenge

Since i got a reader i'm in for one more challenge (actually the next post will be a challenge too..heh). Anyway...this one hosted by The Ladybug Reads!

My level will be Obsessed - Read 20 e-books. I will create my list during the challenge.
1. Virals by Kathy Reichs
2. Almost to Die For by Taje Hallaway
3. Encrypted by Lindsay Buroker
4. Darkness Becomes Her by Kelley Keaton
5.Jane Austen: A Life Revealed by Catherine Reef
6.Cinderella: Ninja Warrior by Maureen McGowan
7.Sleeping Beauty: Vampire Slayer by Maureen McGowan
8.Silver Phoenix by Cindy Pon
9.Danann Frost Falls From Grace by Joanne Valiukas
10.The Demon's Trapper Daughter by Jana Oliver
11.Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston
12. Soul Stalker by Laura Kreitzer
13. A World Without Heroes by Brandon Mull
14. The Emperor's Edge by Lindsay Buroker
15. Wayward Soul by Kim Bowman
16. The False Princess by Eilis O'Neal
17. Beloved of the Fallen by Savanah Kline
18. Steel by Carrie Vaughn
19. City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare
20. Ember and Ash by Pamela Freeman

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Movies VS Books: Emma

I really needed a break from Harry Potter VS, so i'm going with a classic today. They have been two versions of that book that i've know of, so i would put them both in.

Story Summary: 'I never have been in love; it is not my way, or my nature; and I do not think I ever shall'

Beautiful, clever, rich - and single - Emma Woodhouse is perfectly content with her life and sees no need for either love or marriage. Nothing, however, delights her more than interfering in the romantic lives of others. But when she ignores the warnings of her good friend Mr. Knightley and attempts to arrange a suitable match for her protégée Harriet Smith, her carefully laid plans soon unravel and have consequences that she never expected. With its imperfect but charming heroine and its witty and subtle exploration of relationships, Emma is often seen as Jane Austen's most flawless work. 


 Where the books wins:
Okay, it's a Jane Austen classic. Her writing style is exceptional, and even if Pride and Prejudice is my favourite one, Emma is different. More easy to read it, more fun, more interesting. And all of that cause of Austen's writing. Austen lived in that world, so i don't believe a movie can really catch up to the feeling of the book.
Where the 1996 movie wins:
Not sure that wins somewhere. I think it lost most of the feeling of the book. It was too...free. Looked closer in our ages. Like it lost its prestige a little.
Where the 2007 movie wins:
Well, that's a BBC version and they are really good with the classics. The movie was more than 2 hours longs and for that only means it was better adaption. It was closer in the book than the other as well and gave us a pretty good image of the world at the time. I did enjoy it a bit more, from the book since there are not written details and it's easier to watch than read something like that. But that's all.




Final Winner: The book even ft was a bit more tiresome to read all the details and even if English is not my language and i had a difficulty with it as well.

Temple Grandin Review

Biopic of Temple Grandin, an autistic woman who overcame the limitations imposed on her by her condition to become an expert in the field of animal husbandry. She developed an interest in cattle early in life while spending time at her Aunt and Uncle's ranch. She did not speak until age four and had difficulty right through high school, mostly in dealing with people. Her mother was very supportive as were some of her teachers. She is noted for creating her 'hug box', widely recognized today as a way of relieving stress and her humane design for the treatment of cattle in processing plants, even winning an award from PETA. Today, she is a professor at Colorado State University.



REVIEW:
I don't know how many of you watch movies about famous people or events, but once in a while i try them. The fact that they are a lot like documentaries make them sometimes a bit boring for me. I remember while i was watching Aviator i fall asleep. Anyway, Temple Grandin is another movie like that as you have already see from the storyline above.

The thing with this one is that i really liked it. It got me interested. The way everyone was treating her cause she was an autistic and how she was thinking, how her mother stand next to her no matter what and helped her through her problems was admirable. Imagine that she didn't let her mother touch her for 20 years, maybe more. Is a good biography movie with plenty messages for everyone except Temple's interesting life and achievements.
In many cases is slow, but later you see why every scene exists and how it's important if you want to understand her.


As for the actors, i have to say they did a pretty good job with it. The fact i have connected Claire Danes with her role as Yvainne in Stardust, but still i totally forgot about that connection while watching the movie, can make you understand how careful and well done was made. The directors,actors and the writers managed to get you into Temple's mind.

Other cast members: Julia Ormond ( The Curious Case of Benjamin Button ), David Strathairn ( The Uninvited, Structure), Catherine O'Hara ( Home Alone I-II, Nightmare Before Christmas)

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

We Listen: Greatest Hits by P!nk

I don't know how many of you like P!nk but she is one of my favourites. I found her voice unique and she is one of those singers that didn't change their music sound for the money. And that's worth a lot! I remember the first time i heard one of her songs, it was while i was playing a game at PS2 - Let's Get The Part Started.
Her new album is a mic of her singles with 2-3 new songs only. Not much of a problem though, since all her songs are good.

Let's do the usual 1st though ;)

  1. Get The Party Started - Is there any better way to start the album? That's a classic!
  2. There You Go - So Pop! Didn't even recognize her!
  3. You Make Me Sick - Again a really pop one!
  4. Don't Let Me Get Me - Such a lovely sound
  5. Just Like A Pill - one of my favs
  6. Family Portrait - Yiota doesn't like:p
  7. Trouble - That's so funny! Have you seen the video? XD
  8. Stupid Girls - Clever! I get her!
  9. Who Knew - I might cried a little at the video
  10. U +Ur Hand - Girl Power!
  11. Dear Mr President - Have you seen the lyrics?:o My new fav of her!
  12. So What - I'm still rockstar! Woot!
  13. Sober - I like its melody so much, that i never pay attention to its lyrics
  14. Please Don't Leave Me - That's ok
  15. Bad Influence - Catchy sound
  16. Funhouse - This used to be a funhouse, but now is full evil clowns..LOL
  17. Raise Your Glass - Her best song ever! ;)
  18. Fucking Perfect - Her new ballad <3
  19. HeartBreak Down - Cool
Some videos for you!^^





And one which is not from the cd but love it!

Monday, December 27, 2010

Series We Loved: Tru Calling

In the show stars Tru Davies, a woman who intended to go to medical school after graduating from college, but ends up taking a job at the city morgue. It is while working at the morgue that dead bodies start asking for help and Tru re-lives the day, trying to keep a death from happening.

REVIEW:
I loved the show. I used to believe that is a horror show or something terryfing, but I started watching it and I stuck. Every episode is something different and has an individual plot. And every time I was anxious to learn what will happen at the end. All of the characters were great. I've seen Eliza Dushku in other roles, but she was better in the show. It was the first time I saw Zach Galifianakis and his role wasn't comedian at all. When I was reading reviews about the show, everyone was talking about Jason Priestley and about his character. Well, he was great. I've seen him in Beverly Hills, 90210 and his role was fine as a young actor, but in this show he was really good. After that I started searching for other movies and shows he stared in. My favourite character in the show was the one played by Shawn Reaves. He was the only one who was thinking of Tru's gift as a cool thing to do and an easy way to earn money, but that doesn't mean that he didn't help Tru to whatever she was asking, especially at the end of the first season. He was the only note of comedy in the show.

The show is supernatural drama and science fiction. It lasted for two seasons and then it was cancelled. The first one has 20 episodes and the second only 6. The last episode leaves you with lots of questions about the characters and some secrets that are revealing at the end are making it even harder to digest that this was the end and that there is no more.

Anyway, if you have time and you like those kind of shows, I totally recommend it to you.

Unstoppable Review

A massive unmanned locomotive, nicknamed The Beast and loaded with toxic cargo, roars through the countryside, vaporizing anything put in front of it. A veteran engineer and a young conductor, aboard another train in the runaway's path, devise an incredible plan to try and stop it -- and prevent certain disaster in a heavily populated area.

REVIEW:
I don't remember ever watching a film with Denzel Washington which wasn't good. And same with Unstoppable. The acting of both actors, Chris Pine and Denzel Washington, is outstanding! They got you so much into the movie, that you forget where you are.

As for the rest movie?! A-m-a-z-i-n-g! A really good action finally after a long time. It makes you so nervous like you are in there! I was like "holy shit...oh my god oh my god! no no no no" almost all the time! It has so many events that change how the story will go, and the whole things seems so real. I'm so out of words, that i can't described it. That's my worst movie review ever.

You know something...just watch it XD


Sunday, December 26, 2010

The Hole Review

The Hole, filmed in 3-D, centers on Susan (Polo), a mother who moves with her teen sons to a rural house where the three are forced to face their fears after discovering a bottomless hole in the basement.

REVIEW:
When i found out about the film, i thought it will be something like Coraline but with actors. Well, i was mistaken. I should have checked the poster before. It's a thriller for kids. Of course that doesn't mean i wasn't scared. There were moments that i might freaked out a little. I hate dead kids or evil toys. I tried to convince my friends to stop the movie, but well...they just wanted to watch it.

The plot is cute. There is a hole where darkness live, and it supposed that wants to kill everyone and you can't get away with it. Later though, it turns out that you just need to win your fears and everything will be okay. It has dark scenes and unexpected moments.
The acting is pretty much okay. The whole thing is average and a bit low budget but it's also okay to spent the night with it.

If you have kids, they might have problem with it, since the actors are kids too and so all the fears that you see are what kids usually have.


First Impressions ( December 2010 ) - Part II

And we are on First Impressions - Part II with books for teens or older. Click here to read Part I.

Click on the links for their summaries at Goodreads.


Famous by Simone Bryant
Actually i got this one from NetGaley and i stopped after the 3rd chapter. Famous is something like Gossip Girl, but cheaper and not that interesting. The girls are all around 16 and from famous families, and they already are the power of the school. I found their personalities annoying and with too much money on their head. Like they only live for money nad nothing more. I guess that someone younger than me might like it better.





Legacy by Cayla Kluver
Fantasy book! I'm so getting this one! It starts with a really mysterious tale about the kingdom of the girl that we follow, and now i'm all curious to see why this happened! Can't wait to buy it. And Cayla wrote the book when she only 14! WOW!







Stolen by Lucy Christopher
I'm not really sure about this. It seems interesting and with a good mystery, but something is off, confusing. Maybe it's the characters or maybe the writing. The book is written like the girl talking to her stalker. I don't have a clear opinion in mind right now.






Beautiful Malice by Rebcca James
The books is good but not as good as you might think before you start reading. Maybe it's a good thriller for younger people. For sure, at the end chapter the author knew how to make you wanna read more about of it. I'm thinking about it.







The Last Airbender Prequel Graphic Novel by Dave Romman
This one is much better than the Last Airbender novel. Thanks god, Zuko looks like the Nickelodeon one and not the movie one. Though, they do use his "movie" uncle. The little of the story i've read, it's same as the cartoon series. Hope it's the same at the next pages too.

In My Mailbox (12)

In My Mailbox #11 - Weekly meme from The Story Siren
The idea is to post the books you got this week, whether you bought them, got them as a gift, from the library, or received them to review.

Nina:
Bought - House of Night 3: Chosen by Cast
Bought - House of Night 4: Untamed by Cast
Bought - House of Night 7: Burned by Cast

Yiota:
Bought - Bookeen E-Reader (yay yay yay!) + 400 books in the reader as gift (well i have only 57 now, i deleted the rest. And they are all classics.)
For Free - Two official posters from HP7

Btw, are you guys interested about movie posters giveaways? Cause i think, i will be able to do that once in a while!  :D

What did you get this week?

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Check Them Out! Our fav Blogs!

It's Christmas and i wanna share some love. Since we already have a giveaway, a post about New Year is already scheduled, the reviews are coming almost in dozens every week, i had to find something else. So it's time for bloggers love! In this post, i will share with you my favorite blogs! I don't feel it's nice to say "we" in this one, since i don't know what the rest guys like. You will tell me, why don't you ask the others too, but i'm the one who checking out ALL the blogs we follow and right now it's difficult to communicate fast with them as well. Now, don't get sad if you don't see yourself in them. No matter, who the favs are, we are supportive with everyone and commenting to as most blogs as we can.
Merry Christmas to everyone! :)

There is no specific order for the blogs.



The Ranting Dragon - @RantingDragon
You know how much i love fantasy and Ranting Dragon is by far my favourite fantasy blog. It's not only the variety of the fantasy reviews and or the almost daily new on new fantasy releases that get me into it. It's also the way they write their reviews, without too much but not small and empty too. Plus, the blog is perfectly organized and really easy to find anything i want in it. I love them, from their front image to their core. Plus, their name has the word "dragon" in. Dahhh!!




My Love Affair With Books - @Misha_1989
Our lovely affiliate!:D You want to read honest reviews and from various specific genres? Then that's your blog! Fantasy, YA, Historical Romance, Literary Fiction, Mystery, Thriller and many others! Misha and her sister blog about all of them, with famous or more infamous books. She also has some great features each week and make me add new books at my TBR all the time!




Reading Lassie - @ReadingLassie
Now Reading Lasie is a new blogger like us but she has already proved herself. Reviews and features in many books and most important about it..their honest. She posts what she believes about them, and not what some people will like to hear. PLus. she is a really amazing person and really supportive too!


Small Review
I believe that's the latest blog i added for follow. While the blog, is more about YA books what i find unique is, that you there you will find reviews about many infamous books too. So you need a place to read reviews about something different? Visit Small Review!




Bewitched Bookworms - @BwitchedBkworms
Last but not least, is Bewitched Bookworms! I'm sure all many of you might already know about it since it's pretty famous. What make it so interesting? Firstly, while they are new they still keep their quality ;) The fact that it also had 5 authors make their variety big, but also getting many different opinions on one book. Their post are always fun to read too. And not forget their amazing layout! One of the most beautiful blogs i have seen!


Now, i hope i didn't make anyone sad with no putting their blog in the list. If i did, sorry. Everyone has different taste. I don't say their blogs are the best, just that they are the ones I like more. I'm sure everyone has their usual visitors and fans :)


Enchanted No More Review

“I’ll do the mission,” Jenni told Tage. “you win.”
As one of the last surviving Mistweavers, half-blood Jenni knows what it’s like to be caught between two worlds: the faery and the human. But the time has come to choose. The Lightfolk require her unique talent for balancing the elements to fend off a dangerous enemy—and rescue her missing brother.

Only for Rothly will Jenni deal with those who destroyed her life. Only for him will she agree to work with her ex-lover, Tage, and revisit the darkest corners of her soul. For a reckoning is at hand, and she alone has the power to hold back the forces of dark.... 


REVIEW:
The story is written in our world but all its magic is not public known. Jenni is an elemental balancer and the leaders of the magic world need her. Even though, she doesn't want to help them cause of their past history with her family, she finally agrees when she learns that her brother is in trouble. Now Jenni, have not only to save her brother but also help them. While she do that, she learns new things about them, herself and looks like fate is there and giving her a chance to correct her mistakes.

What i loved most from this book was the world and the idea behind the story. It uses elemental magic and has in it all the creatures you can imagine (elves, djins, dwarves, etc). All of them live together and actually take care of our world. The idea of the story, is some bubbles that come out from there which have in them new magic for the world. The Eight ( two leaders for each element), need help to control them and the only alive who can do it Jenni. Jenni is a balancer. She can make all the elements in a place live together in balance. All of the characters have previous background and great history too, and it's something that i find pretty interesting. Usually we get the very first adventure of our main character.

Now, while all that sound good and interesting, the book had some problems.
First, it was Jenni. All the rest characters are pretty much acceptable except her. At the first half of the book you have her being sad and mad with herself cause of her past. She repeats herself so much that she is getting an emo. Like she loves to be sad. Annoying. Then suddenly is normal and all well, and at the end we get again a bit of her old self.
Then, it's the details. Oh my god...they are so many! Most of the time i was getting either bored or confused. Details,details..again and again. They were necessary but not well introduced to us.Like "here get some details and then we go on". I did a month to finish the book cause of that.
And last annoying part was the end. For 20 pages or so, you read about the preparations of the final battle. And when finally the times comes, you get about 4 pages battle. That's it, you have to read all the details about it, just to enjoy just 4 pages of it. And not only that, but while the book is "girly" written without too much violence,blood,etc the author decides to throw some sentences with guts,etc in. Not only didn't fit, but it felt unreal with the whole environment of the story.

I like the idea behind it, it was clever and something new but you will lose it while you read it.

Thanks Harlequin for providing an ARC for the book.
Release Date: January 1st, 2011

Friday, December 24, 2010

Vampire Diaries: The Fury & The Reunion

The Fury: Faced with an ancient evil, Stefan and Damon must stop their feuding and join forces with Elena to confirm it. But in so doing, they are unwittingly sealing her fate.
The Reunion: Elena summons the vampire trio once more to unite and challenge their fate. Together they will be called to face the most terrifying evil Fell's Church has ever known.

REVIEW:
This is the second book of Vampire Diaries I've read. Actually it's the third and the forth book Smith wrote. Let me explain: Smith wrote the first trilogy and in the same year (1991) she wrote another book, just because the readers asked her to. After more that ten years (2007), she decides to write another trilogy and after that (2010), she signs for a third one. So, now you can find seven books of the Vampire Diaries novels and you can expect three more.

The third book starts form where the second one left you. Elena is changed, she has amnesia and she has to learn a whole new lifestyle. After that she has to find out the power that is over Fell Church and try to stop it, with the help of her friends and the two vampires in her life, Stefan and Damon.
The forth book starts a little bit later from the other's end. Here, Bonnie is having dreams about Elena, in which she asks Bonnie's help. She believes that something bad in going on, so she summons Stefan and, accidentally, Damon to figure it out and help Elena.

Well, I have to admit that I liked the way the first trilogy ended and that the forth book was making things more complicated. The writting part was in the same level, as the previous. Written by a woman, the book was full of emotion, even in parts where you are anxious to see what is happening next.

Despite the bad things, I have to say that I enjoyed it and that I recommend it to you for the same reasons I recommended the previous one.

P.S. Yiota, Athanasia and Johnny there are so many things I want to talk to you about, little details in the book that I couldn't write in here, because I could easily spoil the story. In other words, WE NEED TO MEET.

Friday Finds #6

What great books did you find this week? Share with us at Friday Finds.
Friday Finds, it's a meme hosted by Should Be Reading and it's about all the new book discoveries you found about each week. In addition as a movie blog, sometimes there will be new trailers from upcoming movies.

Click on the book covers to read their summaries.



Movies:

First Impressions ( December 2010 ) - Part I

I recently got the first chapters of some books, from our local bookstore so i thought it would be good idea to write some first impressions about them.
The books at Part I are more about kids.
Part II will have: Legacy by Kayla Cluver, Stolen by Lucy Christopher, Beautiful Malice by Rebecca James, The Last Airbender Movie Prequel by Dave Romman. All of them will come tomorrow.

Click on the links for their summaries at Goodreads.

Monster High by Lisi Harrison
The book looks fun and enjoyable but for young girls mostly. And i'm not in a mood for something that simple right now. I'm sure if i will continue, it will be an easy and cute read but nothing more. I have to admit though the idea of a school with all the monsters in sounds cool. As i saw, from the first chapters our main heroes are actually heroines, a Frakenstain and a witch girl.





The Last Airbender Graphic Novel by Dave Roman
From the cover and only you can see that the characters don't look as designed at the Nickelodeon cartoon. So i was sure, i will not like the inside too. Of course, as expected, it was the movie version of the story which actually destroyed the original one. I didn't bother to read all the pages.






Alex Rider: Stormbreaker The Graphic Novel by Anthony Horowitz
Alex Rider...never read the books before but i have seen the movie. The illustrations in this were pretty good and i liked how it was done and written. The dialogues are a lot same as the movie, as far as i remember, so i guess it might be good adaption of the book too.






Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang by Emma Thompson
Fantastic! If you have a kid and you are bored of the usual stories, get this one. If you just want a fun and good read get it as well. It's funny and most amazing of all it's the way its written. Imagine like you have the person who say story opposite you, and listening. It even has comments that we do as we speak! Loved it! Of course, if you have time get the movies too! They are amazing!

Tron Legacy Review

In 1989 (seven years after the first film), Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges), an innovative software engineer and the CEO of ENCOM International, tells his seven-year-old son Sam (Owen Best) about a new "digital frontier" he has created called The Grid, a virtual domain existing inside his own private servers (hidden in a lab at his arcade). Kevin tells Sam of the two programs helping him, Tron and Clu; Tron keeps The Grid secure, while Clu is tasked with creating the perfect system. One night, Kevin departs for his office to continue working on the development of his creation, when he mysteriously vanishes.

Twenty years later, Sam (Garrett Hedlund) is haunted by Kevin's disappearance. After sabotaging ENCOM's operations in order to protect his father's legacy, Sam is visited by his father's friend and ENCOM executive Alan Bradley (Bruce Boxleitner). Bradley had received a page originating from a supposedly disconnected phone line at Flynn's long-shuttered arcade, and he urges Sam to investigate it, convinced that doing so may lead to information regarding Kevin's whereabouts. While exploring the arcade, Sam discovers a concealed door leading to a computer laboratory in the basement. Attempting to discover what his father was doing by calling up the command logs and reissuing the last command entered, Sam unintentionally activates a digitizing laser which transports him to The Grid.



Review:


Personally i found this movie to be pretty awesome. It was indeed the last movie I saw with Yiota this year (literally :P) and it was 3d to that matter. The story itself if quite interesting and keeps your interest throughout the movie. There is no scene where you are saying to yourself, "bah this is boring lets get to the action already" The movie itself has a decent amount of action yet not too much. Amazing graphics, a very good 3d (on my opinion) when it existed and it was a good movie all around. Another fascinating fact that got me almost jumping of joy, was that the creators of the soundtrack of Tron and one of the best (if not THE best) of electronic music, Daft Punk were actually playing the dj's in the movie. They were awesome, especially at the (spoiler) scene in the bar where they begin beating the shit out of each other and they instantly change to a more fighting music. Well lets face it, we all would do the same. Now at the downside, I found it that it had some eye poking cliches. I mean some of em were just there, for all to see. Take those minor drawbacks and I find it a very good movie. A real must of this year which was not a very good year for movies. Especially if you love sci fi as much as I do you will definatelly love this movie


Bye Bye Johnny!

This is probably a useless post for those who care only about reviews but anyway...Our beloved author Johnny (and my best friend) is leaving in two days. He is not leaving the blog of course, he wouldn't dare. He is going to Boston for about 6 months for a surgery.
So my message to you..my beloved wolf boy:

Wish you all the best with whatever you do there ( i always have problem to remember things i don't understand but i hope everything to be perfect). I hope your mother is right and it's less than 6 months:o It's half a year man and i know that had happened before, but well yeah..we weren't so close then and i didn't felt the difference that much (though i remember you calling at midnight when i was sleepy!!Mean person!). Also, find a way to get internet where you stay. I don't care how you will find it but do it. First, i will die of loneliness without someone at msn. Second, we need to finish the awesome story we write right now ( i need to have a good love story in this one and if we stop it we will have problem later!). Third, telephone is expensive so please....Fourth, you need to write at the blog. Don't use your situation as an excuse! I'm not accepting that! Fifth...there is no fifth for the internet situation. What else...i promise i will see a lot of movies without you and make you jealous about it later! Be back soon though, cause we really need to see Pirates of the Caribbean 4 together! I really suck cause i can't see you again til then but well...we had our little goodbye party by watching Tron Legacy, so we are good! I write useless things, but i know you will love it. I will be a good kid when you are away, so i'm expecting you the same (don't get on the nerves of the doctors). 
And if you come back totally healed and perfect and of course more awesome than you are..we will go together for the tattoo! ( I will do a little dragon of course!). 

Well, talk ya tomorrow stupid XD 
Merru Christmas, Happy New Year, Happy Easter, Happy Birthday - no that's wrong..you will be here then...ermm..Happy Johnny Day, Happy whatever else :)
I will miss you! <3 ( that's sisterly love..don't get ur hopes up)

-xoxo,Yiota

Thursday, December 23, 2010

You Again Review

No matter how old you are, you never get over high school. Successful PR pro Marni (Kristin Bell) heads home for her older brother’s (Jimmy Wolk) wedding and discovers that he’s marrying her high school arch nemesis (ODETTE YUSTMAN), who’s conveniently forgotten all the rotten things she did so many years ago. Then the bride’s jet-setting aunt (SIGOURNEY WEAVER) bursts in and Marni’s not-sojet-setting mom (JAMIE LEE CURTIS) comes face to face with her own high school rival. The claws come out and old wounds are opened in this crazy comedy about what happens when you’re reunited with the one person you’d like to forget.

REVIEW:
Yeah more movies for you. I promised not to read anything til i finish the uni work. So..movies time!

You Again is a new comedy staring one of my favourite actresses Kristen Bell. The girl is a genius. She was made for that kinda of movies.

The story is: Marni gets back home for her bro's wedding and find outs that he will married her worst nightmare from High School, who of course has turned out to the best girl ever. So tries to tell everyone the truth...not so well though. Everything is going wrong in a very comical way. Along with that, the bride's aunt comes for the wedding and turn out she was the thorn of Marni's mother high school life. And here we go again with them too....to let you know, at the end of the movie, grandma's nemesis comes too. Hahaha..I'm laughing from the plot and only.

The acting is really good. Of course you couldn't expect something less from actors like them: Kristen Bell (Veronica Mars, When In Rome, Heroes), Jamie Lee Curtis (Freaky Friday), Sigourney Weaver( Alien I-III, Avatar), Betty White ( The Proposal), Victor Garber (Titanic), etc.

I promise you, that you will laugh. It's one of the usual comedies that are coming out once in a while. Not much to tell. The average good movie for a night with your friends or family :D


Lost Girl TV Series Review (Season 1)

Lost Girl follows supernatural seductress Bo, a Succubus who feeds on the sexual energy of humans. Growing up with human parents, Bo had no reason to believe she was anything other than the girl next door — until she drained her boyfriend to death in their first sexual encounter. Now she has hit the road alone and afraid. She discovers she is one of the Fae, creatures of legend and folklore, who pass as humans while feeding off them secretly and in different ways, as they have for millennia. Relieved yet horrified to find out that she is not alone, Bo decides to take the middle path between the humans and the Fae while embarking on a personal mission to unlock the secrets of her origin.
With the help of her human sidekick, Kenzi, and Dyson, a sexy police detective, Bo takes on a challenge every week helping a Fae or human client who comes to her to solve a mystery, or to right a wrong.

REVIEW(bit spoilery):
I found out about Lost Girl literally by mistake at Youtube and i was like why not? I was already missing series for Sunday. At first i had my doubts about it, since i can't stand too much sex with no reason and here we have the mistress of it. I think it's annoying. Anyway, so i start and here we are. I fall in love with it.
Lost Girl is something like Supernatural but almost with no humans at all. It has action and it's clever. Kenzi is so amazingly funny. I totally love her. Who would believe, that I-a fantasy lover-will have as my favourite charactera human eh? I know! XD Also, Dyson is wow! Probably the best TV-werewolf i have seen! He even have small growls in his human side. The actor fits the role so perfectly. Of course there is Bo, our succubus who is not that succubus. Since she never really knew what she was, she care about her victims more than the other succubus around. She even helps and them and finally goes by their side. As for the sexual content, you barely see it. Heh...
There many other interesting characters and creatures in every episode. Some of them have bigger parts and some will be seen for only once.

The special effects, the plotline, the music are all so well done. It's no surprise than many have already be fans of it. If it has one wrong about me it's something in the story. Bo dates two persons, and seriously the one doesn't make sense at all. She doesn't fit with Bo (yes she is a girl and no, i don't have problem with it.I wouldn't have problem if it was Kenzi and Bo..)...it just seems wrong. Looks fake. And every time there are scenes with them, i'm annoyed.

I think if you like that kind of things, you might like it. The first season has only 13 episodes and the 2nd season will be out next fall. So you surely have time to catch up if you want ;)

I believe the promo looks a bit cheap and crappy against what you will watch but anyway:

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

350 Page Books Challenge

I found another challenge! I found another challenge! Yay Yay! I think this one is an easy. I don't really read smaller books. Wish me luck guys!
350 Pages Challenge is hosted by What's Your Story?

I don't have to make a list. I will add the books here as soon as i read them.
I'm going with 10 for start, since 75% needs to be YA. That's my main problem.

1. Legacy by Cayla Kluver
2. Virals by Kathy Reichs
3. Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick
4. Tomb of Hercules by Andy McDermott
5. Secret of Excalibur by Andy McDermott
6. Covenant of Genesis by Andy McDermott
7. Angelfire by Courtney Allyson Moulton
8.The Demon King by Cinda Williams Chima
9. Danann Frost Falls From Grace by Joanne Valiukas
10. King of the Foxes by Raymond Feist
11.The Demon's Trapper Daughter by Jana Oliver

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

The Smoke Thief Review

For centuries they’ve lived in secret among northern England’s green and misted hills. Creatures of extraordinary beauty, power, and sensuality, they possess the ability to shape-shift from human to dragon and back again. Now their secret–and their survival–is threatened by a temptation that will break every boundary....

Dubbed the Smoke Thief, a daring jewel thief is confounding the London police. His wealthy victims claim the master burglar can walk through walls and vanish into thin air. But Christoff, the charismatic Marquess of Langford, knows the truth: the thief is no ordinary human but a “runner” who’s fled Darkfrith without permission. As Alpha leader of the dra´kon, it’s Kit’s duty to capture the fugitive before the secrets of the tribe are revealed to mortals. But not even Kit suspects that the Smoke Thief could be a woman.

Clarissa Rue Hawthorne knew her dangerous exploits would attract the attention of the dra´kon. But she didn’t expect Christoff himself to come to London, dangling the tribe’s most valuable jewel–the Langford Diamond–as bait. For as long as she could remember, Rue had lived the life of a halfling–half dra´kon, half mortal–and an outcast in both worlds. She’d always loved the handsome and willful Kit from the only place it was safe: from afar. But now she was no longer the shy, timid girl she’d once been. She was the first woman capable of making the Turn in four generations. So why did she still feel the same dizzying sense of vulnerability whenever he was near?

From the moment he saw her, Kit knew that the alluring and powerful beauty was every bit his Alpha equal and destined to be his bride. And by the harsh laws of the dra´kon, Rue knew that she was the property of the marquess. But they will risk banishment and worse for a chance at something greater. For now Rue is his prisoner, the diamond has disappeared, and she’s made the kind of dangerous proposition a man like Kit cannot resist....In this bewitching novel, Shana Abé transports us into a world of exhilarating romance and magic.


REVIEW:
Seriously do you expect me to add more to the book summary? LOL. If i had to describe the book in one sentence i would say "love, pride, passion, freedom and....dragons". Yeahh..dragons in the London of 1750. And i believe i loved it. 

The story was clever and unique without cliches and an a well balanced love story with action. The book is full of passion, ideas and fight for the things you want. The writing is captivating and the story rolls fast with no unnecessary details. It has the historical romance feeling but at the same time i could feel the fantasy i so much love. And the mystery of the story, is so well presented. Until the half of the book (and over) i couldn't really guess how it will go on. And then again at the end the characters surprised me in some ways.

Our main characters are so different from each other. Rue is a woman who doesn't afraid to ask of what she want and fight for it. Or sacrifice herself for the people who care. At the other hand, Kit is the power. You see him and you know that if he wants something he will get it. He doesn't afraid to lie,kill or hurt someone to get what he wants but at the same time he will do everything for Rue. He loves her so much but in such a weird way. His dragon feelings are mixed with human ones and they create a pretty interesting person for us. In one page you love him and in the next one you wanna kill him.

There was only one part in the book that didn't really make sense for me. The author wanted the characters to have sex. I understand that and it's something you will get at the very start of the book. But in some point they finally do it, and for about 4 pages or something they do it again and again in different places, when there are more serious things that going on or they wounded bad enough. I see the sex once, after some action but this thing felt out and for a while i lost the whole feeling of the story. 

Everything else was really good for me and i enjoyed it. From the first pages, you see what an interesting story exists behinds the love story and you can't stop reading to learn more and more. I'm planning to buy the rest books soon enough!^^
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