RELEASE: Blood Jewel

Blood Jewel
Georgia Cates
Release Date: May 31st, 2012
Series: The Vampire Agape Series #2
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Georgia Cates

With the mystery of Chansey Leclaire and Curry Brennan’s connection solved, they are free to explore their newfound love for one another. Or so they thought...
When Marsala uses a witch and black magic to discover Curry’s whereabouts, he and Chansey are left with no choice. The newly engaged couple is forced to relocate away from their families at the new compound in Savannah, which causes some major changes in the plans for their upcoming wedding.
Relocating to Savannah might have saved Curry and Chansey from being discovered by Marsala, but it doesn’t stop her attempts to reach Curry or her efforts to harm Chansey through the use of black magic. As Marsala closes in, Curry faces the decision he never wanted to make. Will he keep Chansey human or condemn her to eternity as the thing he hates most?
As Curry waits for his hand to be forced, a newly turned vampire arrives at the Savannah compound in need of help. Not only is she a fledgeling in transition, she brings reports of escaping from a vampire cult still in possession of her sister, a human. Any attempt to save the captive human from a cult of vampires puts everyone in jeopardy. Can they risk entering a large cult to save one human being? And is so, how could they possibly do it successfully?
Love will grow. New mysteries will arise. A battle will ensue. A Blood Jewel will be found

EXCERPT

Many exciting changes had occurred over the past couple of days. Although Chansey accepted my marriage proposal, she still didn’t know a lot about the world of vampires and there was much she needed to learn. “Do you think you would feel comfortable joining the others for dinner tonight? If you are going to live in a house of vampires you will need to become accustomed to the sight of blood drinking.”
She swallowed hard. “Where do they get the blood?”
“There is a community of humans called Black Swans that know about us and support our cause. Some of the Black Swans choose to become Blood Swans, which means they freely give of their blood supply for our sustenance.”
She looked thoughtful and asked, “Do you bite the Blood Swans?”
“I’m sure there are Blood Swans that would like to be bitten, but we do not drink directly from them. There are humans that allow themselves to be bitten, but we discourage it because it is too easy to lose control. There are groups of humans called Seekers that desire the company of vampires and wish to be turned. Seekers willingly allow vampires to bite them as a way of being introduced into the community. Then, there are also Blood Dolls. They enjoy and are addicted to the act of being bitten because of the umm...ecstasy they receive from it. They refer to the pleasure of the bite as The Kiss.”
“Have you ever bitten a Blood Doll?”
My answer was not going to please her. “We have all had a Blood Doll at some point in our existence, but it was a very long time ago.”
The angry versus jealous expression on her face told me she didn’t appreciate my honest answer. “How many have you had?”
I looked to the ground for help, but found none. “Only one.”
“What was her name?”she asked, jealously.
“Her name was Luciana and our relationship meant nothing. It can’t really even be considered a relationship. I drank from her. There was nothing romantic between us because it isn’t like that for vampires. The only thing we feel romantic about is the blood we crave. And our Agápes,” I explained.
Her hands went to her hips. Uh oh. Not a great sign for me. “Did your relationship with her last a long time?”
I was probably about to shoot myself in the foot or cause her to shoot me. “Depends on what you consider a long time.”
She was becoming aggravated with my vague answers and slightly raised her voice as she interrogated further. “Please, answer the question that you are avoiding. How long was Luciana your Blood Doll?”
“A little more than two years,” I admitted. Although two years was nothing for a vampire, it was rather significant in the life of a human and I knew by the look on her face that my answer didn’t sit well with her.
She became silenced by my unintentional hurtful admission. Now, she looked at the ground in search of the right words. The silence surrounding us emphasized the beat of her rapid heart before she finally continued, “What ended your relationship with Luciana?”
“She thought she loved me. I failed to convince her that it was the result of The Kiss she loved, so I ended all contact with her.”
Chansey took a deep breath. “What happened to her?” she asked.
“She found another vampire to feed on her and he eventually turned her.”
This hole I was digging was getting deeper with each question I answered. Chansey took the stance I had unfortunately become quite familiar with when she shifted her weight over to one leg. “Incredible! There’s a second vampire out there somewhere that’s convinced she’s in love with you? You are quite the lady’s man, aren’t you?”
“Luciana is a vampire, but she is not in love with me. She’s a vampire in love with the blood she drinks,” I clarified.
“Vampires have romantic relationships with other vampires, so how do you know she isn’t still in love with you?”
“She just isn’t,” I argued.
I reached for her arm and she stepped out of my reach. “But, how do you know, Curry?” she insisted.
“I’ve seen her since she was turned and she isn’t interested. Nor am I. I was never interested in her for any reason other than using her for blood when she was human.”
I cheated and used my vampire speed to catch her before she could pull away from me again. I wrapped my arms around her and kissed the top of her head as I pleaded, “You are the only one I have ever loved in my human life or in my years as a vampire. The only one. Ever.”
She finally returned my embrace and said, “I’m sorry. I know I must look like a jealous fool.”
I certainly couldn't fault her for feelings she couldn’t control. “I understand because I have experienced some jealousy issues when it comes to your admirers.”
“I don’t have admirers,” she argued.
“It certainly looks like it to me, but why don’t we just call all of it water under the bridge?” I suggested.
“I think I can agree to that and my answer is ‘yes’ to your earlier question. I would love to join you and your family for dinner tonight. Make mine AB negative,” she laughed.
“My, Miss Leclaire. You have a choosy palate. AB negative is the sweetest and most difficult to come by.”
“It’s good to know I’m sweet and in high demand,” she said as she walked her fingers up my chest.
“Your blood type is AB negative?”
“All day and all night long,” she laughed.
I wouldn’t have guessed that from when I tasted her, but I only had a few drops. Maybe it was the Agápe bond throwing it off or maybe I just didn’t have enough to be able to tell. “Chansey, don’t tell anyone that. Always keep that to yourself.”

Book Review: Afterlife #1, Beyond

Have you ever wondered where you go when you die?

Meghan is 16 when it happens to her. She wakes up on a flying steamboat on her way to a school run by Angels in a white marble castle. It is a school everybody has to go to before they are let into Heaven. On the boat she meets Mick who has been dead for more than a hundren years but still looks like a teenager. He helps her past the difficult beginning at the new school in a new world. One day some of Meghan's roommates find a mirror in a cellar of the school and they persuade her to go through it with them - well knowing it is strictly against the rulesof the school. Meghan ends up back on earth where she meets Jason. But Jason is in danger and Meghan knows something important. Something that it is a matter of life and death. Soon she is forced to choose between the two worlds. The one she belongs to now and the one she left.

Beyond is the first novel in T.P.Boje's Afterlife series and is great for children and teenagers ages 9 and up.

Beyond
Publication Date: 2011
Pages: 153(ebook)
Part of Series: Afterlife #1
Purchased: For Review by the author
Rating: 4/5 stars
Buy: Book Depository || Amazon (US) || Amazon (UK)

REVIEW:
This book was a request by the author to be read and reviewed. It was the first book I've ever read which had to do with Spirits and the Spiritual world, so don't judge me badly for it.

Good things: I liked the writing, which was simple. You all know by now that english is not my native language, so easy and simple writing is always welcome. Also, I liked how quick it was. The author don't stay long into descriptions and events. Everything is passing really fast and the scenery changes, so that was something different and also welcome. Lastly, I liked the characters. There was not much freaking out over the whole I'm-a-spirit-now thing, they all embraced it and continued with their lives.

Bad things: The whole scenery was somehow weird and familiar at the same time. Firstly, there is the school where all the characters leave and learn how to be spirits. It's almost like Hogwarts. I mean, there were stairs that were moving around and you didn't know where you're going to end up. One stair that lead Meghan into a room that she shouldn't be and there was a Thinking Chair, that was some sort of an alive chair that could lead you wherever you wanted in the castle and was acting like a dog that, well, it reminded of the Talking Hat without the talking part. Then there is the story where it almost, and I say almost, would end up as a love triangle, but there wasn't, which was good. But the love story is just so cliche. A spirit falls in love with a human. There is love when there must not be love.

Bottom line, the author creates a world which is great. I mean, that if these things really exist, I'd be happy and not scared for the afterlife and what happens next. Also, the book leaves you with many questions and for that reason I so want to read the next ones too. As I said, the book is easy and appropriate for younger readers too. No matter what's your religion, even though the author talks about God and Jesus, I think it's really sweet for you to read it.

Still On My Mind #3

Hosted by YA-Aholic

Jarrod Thornton is mesmerizing,
but Kate Warren doesn't know why.
The moment the new guy walks into the room, Kate senses something strange and intense about him. Something supernatural. Her instincts are proven correct a few minutes later when, bullied by his classmates, Jarrod unknowingly conjures up a freak thunderstorm "inside" their classroom.
Jarrod doesn't believe in the paranormal. When Kate tries to convince him that he has extraordinary powers that need to be harnessed, he only puts up with her "hocus pocus" notions because he finds her captivating. However, the dangerous, uncontrolled strengthening of his gift finally convinces Jarrod that he must take Kate's theories seriously. Together, they embark on a remarkable journey -- one which will unravel the mystery that has haunted Jarrod's family for generations and pit the teens against immense forces in a battle to undo the past and reshape the future.

Goodreads

This week i'm going with a YA book i really love! Old Magic is the first YA book i've ever read. Until then i was reading books like Harry Potter and Artemis Fowl, where the romance is not in the spotlight. But since i was in high school, i wanted something more. I had my doubts about picking it up because the Greek cover simply sucks. But i did buy it and i loved it. I have read it dozens of time, gave it to friends to read too. And i know anytime that i will pick it up even now, i will enjoy it and like it more than most of the YA books now. Because it's one of the first ones, you know...It came out like in 2002! 10 years ago! It feels so old and yet it's so totally amazing!


What's on your mind? Tell me at the comments or leave your links to your posts :D

Web Series Review: The Guild

The show revolves around the lives of online guild, The Knights of Good, who play countless hours of an unnamed MMORPG video game. The story focuses on Codex, the guild's Priestess, who attempts to lead a normal life after one of her guild-mates, Warlock Zaboo, shows up on her doorstep

The Guild
Released: 2007-present
Runtime: 5-9 mins each episode (12 episodes each season)
Rating: 5/5 stars
Buy:Free at Youtube

REVIEW:
HELLO EVERYONE! You missed me didn't you? *chirping sound*. Anyone? *chirping stops*. AW SCREW YOU GUYS! I will go on with the review ANYWAY! So where was I?...The Guild yes! on to the review!

This show appealed to me in so many different ways. It is a more down to earth approach on gamers. You dont see the "we are cool but we are gamers" sort of people. Instead you see more of the average gamer. As a gamer I can relate to a great many deal with some of the characters, and there are many times when I though to myself "hey that is familiar!". Off course as a comedy show those little kinks and oddities are blown WAY out of proportion but they all blend in well with the show making every character uniquely awesome in his own way.



Who can you really pick as your favorite when you have Bladezz having an overconfident attitude that unfortunately is not exactly backed up by his overall clumsy behavior. Vork the nerd king of everything that is geek and nerdy, antisocial, math geek and highly odd with almost everything. Then you have Clara the gaming mom with her kids having probably WAY too much freedom. (who teaches a 3 year old to use the microwave to cook by itself?). Tinkerballa? the badass girl who is a bit of a bitch at some parts but she has her pleasant surprises every now and then. Anyway you get the picture.

The show is a webseries so the first seasons reflect to that, not the best quality of vids, short to the point episodes oriented mostly around a few rooms of Codex's house. But as we progress through the vids things start to change. Better quality, more scenes, more vids, they even have a few music videos of funny-game themed songs!! The episodes themselves are a blast, they are so fun to watch, ESPECIALLY if you are a gamer and have gotten into mmo's. Every character deserves credit and has his one unique little kink that separates them from the rest.

To end with this shenanigans, I recommend this show as a must for you gamers out there, and to any other person that has an inner nerd. To finish my epic comeback here is one of my favorite songs from them. Ladies and gents, i give you GAME ON!

Movie Review: Act of Valor

Act Of Valor - A movie based on the call of duty, the code of honor and valor that every soldier and especially Navy Seals are breed by and show it each and every day they step downrange. And when a call emerges to rescue a CIA agent from the hands of terrorists who wants to harm her and her country, they will be there to answer it.

Act Of Valor
Released: 2012
Runtime: 110 mins
Rating: 4/5 stars
Buy: Amazon (UK) || Amazon (US)

REVIEW:
I've waited 2 months to finally see this movie, since Greek theaters thought not best to show real military drama in favor of fake sci fi effects and such. So i am very excited that it has finally been released in blu-ray!! Nearly 2 hours of real black ops missions with a eh...well catchy scenario of some terrorist who wants to blow up America for the hundredth time.... ehh whatever we cant have everything perfect!!!

So the best part of the movie was who else but the Navy Seals themselves!! It depicts real life enlisted navy seals commandos of the seal team seven along with their families, but dialogues besides those in combat situations have problems due to their lack of professionalism in films, but in the other hand the moving moments are many and very touching if you have experienced them yourself somehow. Special effects was again not just very real.. But indeed real!!!live ammo were used throughout the film, explosions not by well placed triggering studio mechanisms, but with real propelled grenades and so many authentic stuff like the tactics that were used by the seals during the filming production. As I have read somewhere the director used these options in order to depict the reality of what these men take on every day in their deployment, and if you ask me...this was one of the best choices I ever had the chance to see in a movie and should be done more often!! Also the last worth mentioning thing was the excellent camera! Even when it was from normal film camera or plane spy camera or the awesome first person perspective of a game it was excellent nevertheless the whole duration of the film!!

Again, very good combat situations, a catchy but much spoken story, live fire ammo and real tactics. And a finale that surely moved me and made me to believe that you don’t have to fear death but embrace it like real heroes do when they go down range for us...

To anyone out there who wants a new kind of American war films it’s a must see!! As for me... I’m going to watch it for the fifth time, ooor prepare for the Sunday airsoft event dressed up as my favorite navy seals! HOORAAAAH!!!!

Diablo III Launch Event

Well if you are into a games, even just a little and you don't know about the release of Diablo III, you probably live under a rock. I mean how long the people waited for the game? 10+ years? And now it's out so it's mess. Blizzard had over 2 millions pre-orders for the game and they even had to buy new servers for the game and still have downtimes! So i guess that's says something...

And it seems Greece didn't stay out of the loop either! Launch events for the game were scheduled with special contests and stuff at 3 big stores in Greece. Do we do that for other games too? I have no idea! It's the first time i hear about and event like this and i'm so happy i did! It was awesome and i want more!!! XD I know you probably don't care about it, but i had a really good time and i'm going to post about it anyway :P


The event i was present was at Public Sintagma, which i knew from the start that is a really small place for an event like it. I'm pretty sure the organizers noticed it too. Not that it was bad! Everything was surprisingly good and worked perfectly!

The event started with trivia questions and gifts for those who answered right...and by gifts..wow..just wow! CDMedia is so freaking awesome! I didn't get anything but hell...a friend of mine got a mouse of 140euros and this was just one of the things they were giving away! (i'm pretty sure those gifts cost more than 1000 euros!)

You probably see the shirts eh? Damn Silvestro got a shirt before me! Even though we were actually in the front (i had to take photos dah!), we were at the side of the stage which obviously mister from CowboyTV forgot all about us and gave only like 1-2 shirts away in our general way. Quite unfortunate but i will forgive him. He was such a good entertainer that i can't be mad at him now, can i? :P Of course as i said a friend of mine won things because he knew things about the game so he took part at the later contests. Like the "do a character from Diablo" or the "zombie dance".

Lucky guy! Of course the event didn't end there..8 mins before the release the Cosplay Corp was up with some amazing costumes from the game.

Awesome right? When that ended we can say the games were disappeared in minutes. Me and Filios were waiting in line for an hour to pay :p Not that we bought Diablo III - no money here! But we did buy a Demon Hunter mouse-pad which is simple amazing!

Soooo that's pretty much it. Is it bad that i want another one to happen?  It was terrific ^..^

As always here my swag:

More photos from the event at our Facebook Page

Book Review: Beckoning Light

As Charlotte steps through the gate, she has a strong feeling that nothing will ever be the same again.

Moving back to South Carolina after three years away, Charlotte knows she's going to have to face people from her past and adjust to a new high school, but she's completely unprepared for what else waits for her in Charleston.

Drawn through an old garden gate, Charlotte discovers a hidden world where she meets Calvin, a boy to whom she is inexplicably attracted. As Charlotte is pulled deeper into this hidden world, it's up to her older brother Kevin to rescue her. No matter how hard Kevin tries, the rescue depends upon Charlotte fighting her intense feelings for Calvin while mastering a set of abilities that she has only just discovered she possesses.

Beckoning Light
Publication Date: 2011
Pages: 280 (ebook)
Part of Series: The Afterglow Trilogy #1
Purchased: For Review for tour
Rating: 3/5 stars
Buy: Amazon (US)

REVIEW:
So you have a door, getting in and you go into an entire different world? Who doesn't like that? 


I find the strongest part of the story, this new world i mentioned. It's so well created, with its own lore, people, ideas, magic and so well explained it's just feel so real. My favorite parts were when Charlotte was over there. And for the sake for it, the book deserves a read. No it's not the only good thing about it, but it's just so good.


Of course except Charlotte who is our main heroine there are others too. Okay wait..let's talk about Charlotte first. She is one of the strong girls, i didn't really connect with her and there were times she annoyed me with how easily she believed and followed Calvin but she is okay. My favorite character was her brother Kevin. He is older, and who doesn't love an older brother who is overprotective about his little sis and does everything about him? Maybe it's because i have a soft spot for that kind of things but i definitely liked his presence in the book.


In the end you have a book, with another world. Something we've seen before but still feels new and is quite enjoyable in here.

Still On My Mind #2

Hosted by YA-Aholic

Read Alison Goodman's blogs and other content on the Penguin Community. Eon--the award-winning crossover fantasy that soars! Sixteen-year-old Eon has a dream, and a mission. For years, he's been studying sword-work and magic, toward one end. He and his master hope that he will be chosen as a Dragoneye-an apprentice to one of the twelve energy dragons of good fortune. But Eon has a dangerous secret. He is actually Eona, a sixteen-year-old girl who has been masquerading as a twelve-year-old boy. Females are forbidden to use Dragon Magic; if anyone discovers she has been hiding in plain sight, her death is assured. When Eon's secret threatens to come to light, she and her allies are plunged into grave danger and a deadly struggle for the Imperial throne. Eon must find the strength and inner power to battle those who want to take her magic...and her life.

Goodreads

In case you missed this (which will be surprising if you think how many times i've mention it :P) i love dragons. I'm a little obsessed. Others like unicorns or dogs, i like dragons. First book i've read with dragons was Eragon (Hobbit doesn't count) and then Eon. Eon became easily my favorite book with dragons (i've read others after it too). It's simply amazing, not just because it has dragons but also with really strong characters, an original story and i liked how author finished it and said stop. That's it. No more. I liked the book so much, that i also gifted it to a friend (who he hasn't read it yet grrrr!) and it's always at the top of my recommendations!

What book are you thinking about this week? Leave your links at the comments ^^

Movie Review: Ghostrider - Spirit of Vengeance

In the successor to the worldwide hit Ghost Rider, Johnny still struggling with his curse as the devil's bounty hunter is hiding out in a remote part of Eastern Europe when he is recruited by a secret sect of the church to save a young boy from the devil. At first, Johnny is reluctant to embrace the power of the Ghost Rider, but it is the only way to protect the boy and possibly rid himself of the curse forever.

Ghostrider: Spirit of Vengeance
Released: 2012
Runtime: 95 mins
Rating: 1/5 stars
Buy: Not Available Yet

REVIEW:
A mistake. That's what you will do by going to watch this movie. It's probably the first time that i could hear a whole  room at the cinema, discussing negatively a movie and laughing and don't even care to pay attention after some point. And that says something.

Despite the fact they fixed how Ghostrider looked they destroyed pretty much everything else. There were times the story didn't make sense. There were times the way the backstory was presented was annoying and it was like ads in between the movie. The acting was a big failure. It can't has more than 5 mins decent acting by Nicolas Cage. I will not talk about the rest actors. It was so freaking fake!! Eh!! The fights were fast, and boring. The awesome power of Ghostrider eating souls was destroyed and frankly i didn't even understand when it was happening. The movie was going from bad to worst by the time.

It gets one star for it's special effects and that's it. Pass. I'm still sad about my money. We should had stick to the game we were playing before instead of going there. I really can't describe what a complete disappointment was.

Movie Review: Chronicle

Three high school friends gain superpowers after making an incredible discovery. Soon, though, they find their lives spinning out of control and their bond tested as they embrace their darker sides.

Chronicle
Released: 2012
Runtime: 84 mins
Rating: 4/5 stars
Buy: Not Available Yet

REVIEW:
Yesterday, I went and saw this one. I know, it doesn't look attractive and all, but I really needed a break. Plus, there many good ratings that made the movie an instant box office success, that, you know, I couldn't really resist.

The story is interesting. Andrew is a loner guy, who strangles into high school and he decides one day to tape everything in his new video camera. His only friend is his cousin Matt. One night, they are in this party, when Matt and his running-for-high-school-president friend, Steve find a hole in the ground. They decide to explore the hole and film what's in it. What they find is a weird looking-like-alien device that seems alive. The next morning, they all have new powers. Soon enough they found themselves doing amazing things. But the power comes with a price. Andrew's life is changing rapidly and he has other plans with what to do with them.

I have to admit, that first it was weird. The whole movie is been shoot by a way which is called found footage, which basically means that it's like filming in your video camera always. Here, since Andrew has a video camera of his own, we see only what his camera is recording, as well as other video cameras around. But after a point you get used to it and you are becoming glad that Andrew has his video camera always with him and always on. The effects, looked really good. It's not something really special, but what they are doing, like balls stopping in the air and flying, seemed so real and natural.

The end was really nice too. You don't expect half of the things that are happening. As for the characters, they are all teenage boys. You may see their characters in other movies or series or even your own friends. Just think that those ones have super powers too. Now, as for the powers they can do many things. They reminded me of Superman and Magneto in one. An interesting combination, I may say.

Bottom line, I think it was a very nice one. It's one of those movies that give courage to other visionaries in this world. It is one of those that you least expected to become a box office. It has nice plot, really nice effets, pretty cute guys, all in one. It is different from what I've seen so far, but it was a nice different. So, I recommend it to you, and expect your comments too.

Game Review: Avacyn Restored - Fiery Dawn

The "Fiery Dawn" deck focuses on the power of Humans working together. Since this is an aggressive deck, your primary focus will be to cast creatures and start attacking with them as early as possible.
Many of your cards provide bonuses whenever another creature shows up on your side. Some bonuses, such as those provided by Kessig Malcontents and Vigilante Justice, deal damage to take out potential blockers so you can attack with ease or shorten the game by taking a chunk out of your opponent's life total. Kruin Striker temporarily makes itself bigger, while Goldnight Commander temporarily makes your entire army bigger. Cathars' Crusade is an enchantment that goes one step beyond that: it makes your entire army bigger permanently!
Perhaps the most dynamic card in the deck is Thatcher Revolt. Since it puts three Human tokens onto the battlefield, it can cause your other cards' abilities to trigger three times at once! Of course, it also provides a small army of creatures raring to charge at your opponent. Add in Zealous Conscripts, which recruits one of your opponent's creatures to fight on your side for a turn, and a few damage-dealing spells like Incinerate and Pillar of Flame, and justice will come swiftly indeed.
If you'd like to jack up the damage-dealing potential of this deck, Burn at the Stake and Bonfire of the Damned are both ferocious ways to end the game in a torrent of fire. If, instead, you'd like to increase the number of powerful Humans in the deck, the Innistrad card Champion of the Parish is one of the fiercest fighters you could add.

Fiery Dawn Intro Pack
Release Date: 2012
Cards: 60 Card deck + 15card booster
Part of Series: Avacyn Restored (Magic The Gathering)

REVIEW:
 Red/White deck with pissed off humans raising their banners high and flipping off any demon or undead they see? Yeah, count me in guys ,let me get my shotgun...no shotguns? alright bow then. This is supposed to be a fast paced aggressive deck with humans that the general idea is to kick your enemies ass early, or be lucky enough to have some good enchantments on early on so if and when you reach the late game your little human palls are buffed up and psyched for combat (meaning they have many +1/+1 counters on them). Another mechanic used by this deck is a modified version of the battle cry mechanic (all your creatures get +1/+0 when a unit with a battle cry attacks). With this modified version you have the same effect but applying only on humans instead of all your units. Well, considering how this deck is so high on humans its pretty much the same deal. I was pleased to see that as far as other intro packs I have seen this one was pretty well balanced. You had many low cost units with abilities that would enable them to survive and keep you safe for quite some time utilizing mechanics such as Vigilance (the unit doesnt tap when attacking) first strike (the unit deals damage first meaning that it could deal lethal damage without taking any in return) and in the case of Prokopis Vigilantis (Somberwald Vigilante...yes we name our cards now) it deals one damage to each of the blocking creatures meaning that it has the potential of killing of the defenders and dealing damage in the same round. The deck also has some defenses against artifacts and after some additions it has defenses against enchantments too, meaning you can keep the blades high against those annoying mages.


Well, this deck needs either some work or some luck. I have mixed feelings about it, when i had good luck with the cards against Yiota's dragons, the humans were buffed up and ready to go. I do not remember if I won or lost, but I do remember giving Yiota a hell of a time with my little humans attacking with their banners held high. On the other hand after playing it up with some of my own decks ( i get bored sometimes) I have seen that it lacks late game strength meaning I either have to rush in and end the game super fast, or I have to improve the late game ability of my humans. However this deck is a very nice aggressive deck combining some burn elements utilizing a sort of battle cry mechanic that gives you a +1/+0 to all your humans. This deck is worthwile and the very theme of it is just spot on in my opinion. I have high hopes on this deck

VS Filios's Mirran Rebels (Mirrodin deck): Slaughter. Nuff said.... Ok seriously howeve. Me and Filios got together on the library near his university and decided to try out his new deck. His deck is another aggressive deck so pitting it against this deck seemed like it would be a good idea. The games turned to massacres extremely fast. Though I was unlucky most of the time with mana and cards I still managed to kill off plenty of Filio's units before he rammed through my defenses. However at the 2 matches that we both got equally lucky with cards the games turned to full scale battles. Our graveyards were teeming with the dead as we both attacked whenever we had an opportunity. In my victory game however despite Filio's valiant efforts to hold my humans back the sheer force of numbers as well as the +1/+0 they took from their modified battle cry mechanics turned the favor for me despite Filio's actual battle cry mechanics were taking toll.. What can I say, probably the best games in terms of combat

Graphic Novel Review: The Avalon Chronicles Vol.1

When Aeslin Finn was a little girl, her parents read to her from a magical book called The Avalon Chronicles. But that was a long time ago. Now a teenager, Aeslin is about to discover just how magical she and that book really are. Transported to the world of Avalon, she discovers a kingdom in need of a Dragon Knight - and the last dragon, Blue Moon, is waiting for her

Once In A Blue Moon
Publication Date: 2012
Pages: 152 (ebook)
Part of Series: The Avalon Chronicles #1
Purchased: For Review - netgalley
Rating: 5/5 stars
Buy: Book Depository || Amazon (US) || Amazon (UK)

REVIEW:
This is easily one of the most enjoyable graphic novels i've ever read (not that i have read that many but still...).

A combination of magic, dragons, realm traveling, adventure, romance,humor, fights, prophecies and really good sketches make the novel unique.  If i'm right, Once in a Blue Moon has been published before as a graphic novel but little differently. As far as i've seen, i like way more Emma Vieceli's art. Even though the galley was all black and white (i have no idea if the printed version is like it), the novel felt simply full of everything. It was actually like reading in color. Like when you read books, and the images in your head are better than any movie out there. It's exactly like that with Avalon Chronicles.

On the story now...love the idea of traveling back and forth in the Avalon and in our world. Loved each one of the characters. The knights, the commander, the writer, the magician, Aeslin and her friend. They all feel so special and different. Like each one has a special part in this story, big or small.

The story can be at the same time serious and funny. I giggled a lot through it, that's for sure. And even though at times can be silly and too girly, i think that even the boys will like it. At the same time is original and something we've seen before and worked out good.

P.S: Awesome dragon is awesome!

Mini Book Reviews: Singing the Dogstar Blues & The Book of Dead Days

Seventeen-year-old Joss is a rebel, and a student of time travel at the prestigious Centre for Neo-Historical Studies. This year, for the first time, the Centre has an alien student— Mavkel, from the planet Choria. And Mavkel has chosen Joss, of all people, as his roommate and study partner. Then Mavkel gets sick. Joss quickly realizes that his will to live is draining away. The only way she can help Mavkel is by breaking the Centre's strictest rules . . . and that means going back in time to change history.

Singing The Dogstar Blues
Publication Date: 2009
Pages: 288 (paperback)
Part of Series: -
Purchased: Bought
Rating: 2.5/5 stars
Buy: Book Depository || Amazon (US) || Amazon (UK)

REVIEW: After reading Eon and Eona, i just wanted to read every book by Goodman. So i got Singing the Dogstar Blues even though sci-fi is not my favorite genre to read about. Surprisingly i liked it. The writing was simple and the plot was fast, excited with mystery and action. The idea of minds connecting and the characters were likeable. I only had problem to imagine the aliens. They had 2 of everything which was pretty weird to create the image in my mind, but mostly the fact that they weren't speaking but singing. Everything they were saying had notes, etc etc. Those two aspects really created a problem to connecting with the book. I can't say i didn't enjoy, just that i not completely enjoyed it. I didn't get the story to its full.

THE DAYS BETWEEN Christmas and New Year’s Eve are dead days, when spirits roam and magic shifts restlessly just beneath the surface of our lives. A magician called Valerian must save his own life within those few days or pay the price for the pact he made with evil so many years ago. But alchemy and sorcery are no match against the demonic power pursuing him. Helping him is his servant, Boy, a child with no name and no past. The quick-witted orphan girl, Willow, is with them as they dig in death fields at midnight, and as they are swept into the sprawling blackness of a subterranean city on a journey from which there is no escape.

The Book of the Dead Days
Publication Date: 2004
Pages: 288 (paperback)
Part of Series: Book of Dead Days #1
Purchased: Bought
Rating: 2.5/5 stars
Buy: Book Depository || Amazon (US) || Amazon (UK)

REVIEW: I bought this book for its cover and title. I was like how this book can be bad, right ?:p Well it wasn't bad, but it was different. At start it was a little confusing cause i couldn't exactly grab the story or the fact that the main character was called "the boy" (no he doesn't get a name at all). Then magic and some steampunk comes in which actually make it quite interesting and dark. And by dark i mean dark. Black magic, demons, cemeteries, hunting, little violence and weird experiments. It's not a bad book, i just found it a little weird and difficult to understand it. It took half the book to really get into it.

Game Review: Avacyn Restored - Bound By Strength

If you like teamwork (and overwhelming your opponent), you'll love the "Bound by Strength" deck. The soulbond ability lets pairs of creatures share their powers—but soulbond creatures get the benefit of their abilities only if they're paired with another creature, so it's important to put plenty of them out!
In some cases, pairing two soulbond creatures together is the best play. Sometimes different choices can pay off. If you pair Tandem Lookout and Latch Seeker, Latch Seeker becomes an unblockable creature that lets you draw a card whenever it deals damage to an opponent! And pairing anything to Flowering Lumberknot is a good idea, since this four-mana 5/5 can attack or block only while paired.
Naturally, the deck also has a few tricks in store. Joint Assault gives +2/+2 to any creature, whether it's paired or not—and if it is, the other creature gets the bonus too! Wolfir Avenger's flash ability lets you create a pair when your opponent's not expecting it. Both Nephalia Smuggler and Deadeye Navigator let you exile a creature and immediately return it to the battlefield, which can let it dodge a removal spell or set up a new soulbond pair. And if all else fails, a timely Overrun can quickly end the game in your favor.
If you'd like to personalize the deck, the first move is probably to add in more Wolfir Silverhearts. Other good options include Soul of the Harvest, a 6/6 creature, which lets you draw a card each time you put a creature onto the battlefield, and Descendants' Path, which could net you a free creature each turn.

Bound By Strength Intro Pack
Release Date: 2012
Cards: 60 Card deck + 15card booster
Part of Series: Avacyn Restored (Magic The Gathering)

REVIEW:
Here it is guys...the deck you have all been waiting to hear from me. A green/blue deck that has werewolves and wolves in it, and is generally teaming up with green and foresty stuff that will rip you to shreds. The idea of this deck is to combine your forces using a new mechanic called soulbond that gives an ability to both creatures as long as the one with the soulbond is paired with another. The idea is to have 2 soulbonds together to make your soldiers super amazing, but other things work too. This deck offers great customization depending on your enemy. You have to think very carefully when and how to soulbond your creatures since you have to make the best of their abilities depending on your enemy.

Now THIS is my type of deck. Wolves, teamwork, creatures to overrun my opponent with? WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?! This deck is just amazing and relatively easy to learn but hard to master. You will find it that you will have to make VERY careful decisions on your bonds that will be your salvation or doom. Pairing a crucial attacker with a hex-proof soulbond might enable you to mercilessly maim your enemies that are heavy on spells, while on other times you would be best to hexproof a solid defender or an unblockable creature. I had a BLAST playing with this deck and it is by far my favorite among my 5 decks.I mean what is there not to love? bears and wolves combined with cool looking rangerlike dudes and druidesses? Spells that make your soulbonded creatures even more badass? Or maybe the fact that it has the spell Overrun which practically can finish a game at once? It is a well balanced deck that can hold its own against various situations. It has room for improvements but I am looking forward unleashing my wolves to tear down Yiota's dragons, Silvestro's undead, Filios's artifacts etc etc.

Against Yiota's dragons: I will be honest on this one. I was a bit lucky. I was able to throw down good pairs of soulbonds while Yiota was not so lucky with her dragons. It was an interesting match with creatures dying here and there, but in the end my overrun tore down her defenses with swarming creatures over and taught Yiota who is the TRUE overlord and who is the minion

Against Filio's Mirrodin Deck: The university wars have just begun. I went along with Filios to the library near his university because he wanted to try out his new deck. Poor fellow. I have to admit it wasnt my best dueling days since luck was clearly at Filio's side, but after a few losses when lady luck smiled at me and I had at least some mana to get my monsters down there, it was only a matter of time. And indeed it was decided in time. Despite filio's early victories and my life points falling down close to 10 and bellow, my trusted creatures came through. With the forcemage, both wolfir and a few other wolves and scouts down, FIlios started to lose his footing. As my spells came and I started blockig his creatures I started my counterattack finishing the game with an epic use of Overrun (well with a name and abilities as this card all uses of it are epic). The resulting +3/+3 and trample made sure that Filio's forces were nothing more than bodies scattered across the battlefield (trample means that if my damage is greater then the defenders toughness the remaining points are dealt as damage to the opponent,,,yeah...its that awesome)

Game Review: Avacyn Restored - Slaughterhouse

The key to playing the "Slaughterhouse" deck is to kill creatures early and often. The twisted part is that you'll want to kill not only your opponent's creatures but your own, too! Many of the creatures in this deck don't stay dead, so offing them isn't really a disadvantage. The first time they die, creatures with the undying ability return to the battlefield even bigger than before!
You've also got plenty of creatures that give you a bonus when they die: Goblin Arsonist and Gang of Devils deal damage, Maalfeld Twins replaces itself with a couple of Zombies, Driver of the Dead raises a creature from the dead.... As if that weren't enough, cards like Harvester of Souls, Blood Artist, and Havengul Vampire provide bonuses when any creature dies, no matter whose it was.
Ultimately, you'll have such complete mastery over death that sacrificing your own creatures will be a benefit in disguise. Barter in Blood, Bone Splinters, and Fling are all cards that allow you to kill your opponent's creatures at the cost of killing your own. This may seem fair, but while your opponent's creature stays dead, your Butcher Ghoul comes back from the grave and Harvester of Souls nets you multiple cards. Now that's truly evil.
To make this deck even more diabolical, consider bolstering it with Killing Wave, a black sorcery with the potential to kill all creatures or shred your opponent's life total. Hound of Griselbrand is another nasty choice, as it has both undying and double strike. Finally, Vexing Devil gives your opponent the choice of facing down a 4-power creature or taking 4 damage—all for just one mana!

Slaughterhouse Intro Pack
Release Date: 2012
Cards: 60 Card deck + 15card booster
Part of Series: Avacyn Restored (Magic The Gathering)

REVIEW:
This is my first black oriented deck. (Black/red to be precise). Slaughterhouse's mentality is to kill EVERYTHING to make you stronger. It has spells that sacrifice, spells that destroy other creatures while letting you sacrifice others, it has demons, vampires undead and all the good christian stuff. What makes this deck nasty is that your creatures actually benefit from dying, since most of them have the "undying" ability which means that if they die without any counters (counters make creatures stronger) they return with a counter on them (meaning they get +1/+1 on their power and toughness), while others make your opponent lose life (blood artist makes your enemy lose 1 life for every creature dying while you gain 1 life. awesome little vampire dude) Mike the vampire gets +1/+1 whenever a creature does and/or if he deals damage to an opponent and generally this deck is a rather aggressive, MEAN deck.

By now you are most likely like "This sounds so nasty and awesome" or "What about wolves dude? aren't you a wolf guy?" or "This is so anti-christian you should go get baptized to EXPELL THE EVIL DEMONS OF YOUR SOUL". But probably one of the 2 first ones. Well, my honest opinion is that this deck needs work. By both myself and additions to the deck. I just cant seem to know exactly how to work with this deck, who to sacrifice, how to sacrifice and most importantly when to sacrifice and when to attack. It takes time and effort but I think this is a well made deck that with some additions to it can turn quite devastating to your enemy.

Against Angelic Might: Well I was not that lucky with mana and cards as Yiota, but this deck managed to stand its ground extremely effectively. However after the 5th round when I only had small monsters and she had her flying angels with heavy hitting it was only a matter of time. However I did manage to deal to her a significant amount of damage before the end.

Against Filios's artifacts: Here I saw the true ugly face of this deck. Blood artist was down and I was relentlessly throwing my soldiers to him even if I knew they had no chance in surviving. THe outcome? I managed to reach well above 20 in life points while slowly sapping away his own. In the end despite him taking out a very strong artifact and taking out my blood artist (no respect for art), i managed to get enough mana to get a couple of demons down and drag his ass to the grave.

Still on my Mind #1

by YA-Aholic

From the first time YA-Aholic announce this meme at her facebook page, i was like "i want to do this". I don't really take part at memes (we don't even do our own anymore) but this one,is giving me the chance to show some old books that deserve the spotlight. It's a little sad that only new books are featured at 99% of the blogs out there. I hope you enjoy it, and maybe find something you like too :)

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
It is summer holidays and soon Harry Potter will be starting his fourth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Harry is counting the days: there are new spells to be learnt, more Quidditch to be played, and Hogwarts castle to continue exploring. But Harry needs to be careful - there are unexpected dangers lurking ...

J.K. Rowling continues to surprise and delight with the power of her rich, demanding and action-packed storytelling.

Is there a better way to start the meme, that the book made love books? It's not just the story, it's really special for me. And yes, there is a reason i put up the 4th HP and not the 1st. I was like 7 years old when i got this book? I just wanted to start reading (never really read a book before in my life), and a store (not a bookstore) had it there...and i was passing by every day telling my mum how great it looks and how amazing the dragon is (yes i had a thing for dragons from back then). I had no idea what Harry Potter is. So at my birthday my mum bought it for me (some days later the store was completely closed - fate?). I did about 2 days to read it. My first Harry Potter book, my first book, the book that made me love reading.  So that is why, Goblet of Fire will always be on my mind. I've read it dozens of times i tell you that. (In case you are wondering i've read HP like that: 4 - 2 - 3 -1. I had no idea what a series of books are).


Here are some photos of my edition! Yellowish and little destroyed from the times i've read it :p

Have you read Goblet of Fire or not yet? If you did the meme too, feel free to post your link at the comment to check it out :D

Game Review: Avacyn Restored - Angelic Might

The "Angelic Might" deck features, as you'd expect, gigantic flying creatures with awesome abilities. You just need to make sure the game lasts long enough for them to come out! Hold off your opponent's creatures with Angelic Wall and Gideon's Lawkeeper, neuter those creatures with Defang, and take them off the battlefield entirely with Righteous Blow and Oblivion Ring. Don't be afraid to trade your creatures in combat for your opponent's attackers—anything that slows down your enemies is good for you.
Meanwhile, develop your mana base with Rampant Growth and Borderland Ranger, and prolong the game by gaining life. Cathedral Sanctifier can help with that as early as turn 1. Seraph of Dawn's lifelink ability lets you gain life each time it deals damage. Add in the lifegain potential of Scroll of Avacyn, Seraph's Sanctuary, and Goldnight Redeemer, and you can counteract a lot of damage you may have taken.
Once the Angels arrive, the battle plan becomes simple: attack! Serra Angel and Archangel play both offense and defense thanks to the vigilance ability. Voice of the Provinces comes with a friend that can block a counterattack. And Angel of Glory's Rise can resurrect all the Humans that gave their lives for the cause earlier in the game.
Once you've played the deck, you may wish to diversify your collection of Angels. Luckily, the Avacyn Restored set has plenty of amazing choices! Angel of Jubilation; Restoration Angel; and Sigarda, Host of Herons are all stunning. But nothing holds a candle to Avacyn, Angel of Hope, an indestructible 8/8 Angel that makes all your other permanents indestructible too!

Angelic Might Intro Pack
Release Date: 2012
Cards: 60 Card deck + 15card booster
Part of Series: Avacyn Restored (Magic The Gathering)

REVIEW:
I'm not entirely sure why i proposed to review Magic The Gathering. I guess i've become too obsessed lately with Magic in general sooo....Johnny will be reviewing another two Packs from Avacyn Restored.

I am a fan of red/white decks with white/red spells and red creatures. So when Johnny show my the Intro Packs of Avacyn Restored i can't say i found something that i really liked. Even the red/white one didn't impress me. We went to the store anyway, and i was planning to buy a booster only. Needless to say i didn't manage to hold back. I was like "what the hell? let's try something new"...so here i am with Angelic Might.

As the description says Angelic Might has really strong creatures with cost over 4 mana, and 2-3 smaller ones. I have played two games so far with the certain deck one against Slaughterhouse and one against a custom made deck. I've won at both games. I think the best is to manage to put down at least 2 Borderland Rangers, which give you land cards and the Cathedral Santctifier which gives you life. By doing so you will have the 4 mana needed really fast and more life than 20 if you are lucky. After if you combine the angels right, you turn your game to work as you want.

Against Slaughterhouse: I was lucky enough and had 2 Borderland Rangers, 2 Cathedral Santctifiers before my 5th turn plus Goldnight Redeemer. I went over 30 life and with 2-3 more creatures down i won even though i was dealt over 10 damage really fast.

Against the custom deck (with artifacts): I didn't have the luck of the previous game, but at my 4th round i had one strong angel down and in the next one another. The other player, had problem with his mana so it's wasn't that difficult to win even if i could only attack with only 1 of my 3 creatures down.

So far, i'm quite happy that i bought it (thanks Johnny!). And i'm not even planning to change cards in it. I just want to try it, with maybe something stronger like my Dragon themed deck, the Soulbond and Graveyard decks of Johnny, and Silvestro's both white and black themed decks.

P.S: I'm quite the new player. I've been playing the game only 2 months now so i hope i didn't say anything too stupid :P

Book Review: Ugly To Start With

Jason Stevens is growing in picturesque, historic Harpers Ferry, West Virginia in the 1970s. Back when the roads are smaller, the cars slower, the people more colorful, and Washington, D.C. is way across the mountains-a winding sixty-five miles away.

Jason dreams of going to art school in the city, but he must first survive his teenage years. He witnesses a street artist from Italy charm his mother from the backseat of his family car. He stands up to an abusive husband-and them feels sorry for the jerk. He puts up with his father's hard-skulled backwoods ways, his grandfather's showy younger wife, and the first-throwing schoolmates and eccentric mountain characters that make up Harpers Ferry-all topped off by the basement art project with a girl from the poor side of town.

Ugly to Start With punctuates the exuberant highs, bewildering midpoints, and painful lows of growing up, and affirms that adolescent dreams and desires are often fulfilled in surprising ways.

Ugly To Start With
Publication Date: 2008
Pages: 168 (ebook)
Part of Series: -
Purchased: For Review by the author
Rating: 3/5 stars
Buy: Amazon (US)

REVIEW:
I remember when Yiota send me the e-mail in which the synopsis of the book was included, I told her that the book sounded really, really good, and that she should totally send me a copy. Unfortunately, the book was not what I was expecting.

Firstly, we have a perplex story. In each chapter we read different facts from Jason's life, in which the only common link is Jason himself. We cannot be sure if what we are reading is in a straight chronological line. You understand it only by some facts, Jason may think during something else is happening to him. But still you cannot be sure, about the distance from the previous facts.

Secondly, the writing part was weird. It was nothing like the styles I've been used to. You don't really understand why someone is reacting the way he does. The characters' character is changing in an instant and there are many thoughts unspoken which cause those reactions. Sometimes I was lost. It may happen that in one point everything is peaceful and the next all hell break loose.

Lastly, every single story in this book is true. There are thirteen different stories from thirteen different people, written on their own journals. The author just took those stories and combined them together under a main character. The good thing in it is that you appreciate the book more. The bad thing is that you learn in in the end, in the acknowledgement part. The other bad thing is that even though you learn that the book is almost true, it still feels like you read a journal of facts and not a novel which describe feelings and details.

Bottom line, it's different. For me different is good. I cannot say it was the best book I've ever read and I cannot say it was the worst. It's small, but it took me some time to finish it, due to my college reading. It's not a book of relaxation after a day's work. It's just different and the author leaves you with many questions during the end for what happens next into Jason's life. So, basically, it's up to you, to read it or not.

P.S.: Sorry for not being clearer, guys and gals. If you decide to read it, please tell me your opinion too.

Book Review: Streamline

Seems like Leo Scott has it all: looks, brains, and athletic talent. He's captain of his high-school swim team with bright future in college and beyond. But Leo has secrets. His mother's cripping car accident has devastated hie family and left Leo to deal with his father's abuse, battered and alone.

Leo's girlfriend Audrey Rose is poised for her own share of success. As one of Florida's top high school swimmers, Audrey dreams of college swimming stardom. But there's an obstacle to her glorious rise to the top. Her number one supporter - her father - is in prison for murder.

Part murder mystery, part tale of young love in a military family, this gripping story takes readers on a journey from Pensacola to Annapolis. Leo and Audrey must band together to rise above the adversity they encounter and find thier true selves in the process. When everything's on the line....streamline.

Streamline
Publication Date: 2012
Pages: 460
Part of Series: -
Purchased: For Review for tour
Rating: 5/5 stars
Buy: Book Depository || Amazon (US)

REVIEW:
This book was a request by the author to be read and reviewed. Needless to say that until the book reached my hands, or my inbox since it was in electronic form, I had totally forgotten what I've read on the synopsis. At first, I thought it was a teenage book from those that talk about proms and first kisses. But I was so happy when I proved wrong.

First thing I noticed were the chapters. I mean they are not like those you see mostly where they are just numbered. These chapters had titles. Titles that had a meaning, other times they were ironic, other there were just phrases from the chapter. But always they were giving you a hint and they were intriguing you to read further.

 Secondly, I would like to mention how misleading is the cover of the book. I really like it, but there is a major problem. Leo is black. Well, his father is black and his mother is white, and he's supposed to be half black, I don't remember how the author describes it and I don't want to attempt and describe it myself. But the boy in the cover is white and I was so stuck into the idea of a white Leo, that after that I couldn't imagine him as black. And that sucked a little.

Thirdly, there are the characters. They are all so great. Yes, they are all troubled and each of them have their own problems. Yes, sometimes their reactions are not the ones you expect and there might be some times when you are going to hate them for their decisions, but you cannot but sympathize them all during the end. Or almost all.

The book itself is awesome. I was not expecting half of the things that happened. The author has the ability to keep your attention all the time. There were descriptions that I was not believing in my eyes as I was reading. She makes you travel in a cascade of feelings that make your experience of reading unique. For instance, when Leo was happy, I was happy. When he was sad, I was sad. And when he was in the Academy, I could feel in the air around me the authority and the strictness. The end was awesome, I was not expecting it. Well, I had the first part figured out, but there was more to it. I don't know if by being a psychologist helped the author write as it is, or the things she heard or read, but the whole story seemed somehow real and familiar.

Bottom line, I loved it. I totally recommend it. I think it was unique and lovely. I don't know if it appeals to all of you, but it was totally different from what I've read so far and far more adult-like. So, basically, what I'm trying to say is that if you want to read it then you should be sure you want to, because it's not some novel you can read lightly.

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