Newbies - September 2012

For the month of September 2012

We are changing banner to something smaller and more fun, and along we change the way we present the post. Now you get our comments to the books too :D

Nina's

For Review - Caught in a Moment by Martin Dukes (thanks to the author)

1. Ein perfekter Kellner (A Perfect Waiter) by Alain Claude Sulzer
It seems different from anything I've read so far. Plus, it's normal, no supernatural events happening in this book. It would be a great escape, if I find the time.

2. Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion
It's going to be turned into a movie, and the only copy I found in the bookstore was the translated one. I'm curious to read it before watching the film, which I guess is going to be nice, if I judge correctly according to the cast.

3. Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe

4. Robin Des Bois (Robin Hood) by Alexandre Dumas

5. Ben Hur by Lewis Wallace

6. Le Prince et Le Pauvre (The Prince and The Poor) by Mark Twain

I bought from 3-6 for two main reasons: a) Because they are classic and translated in greek and b) because they cost me 3 euros each. They are brand new, not used, and very cheap. And since I had the money, I just couldn't let them go like that.

Yiota's

Bought - A Kingdom Besieged by Raymond Feist
I decided to try and finish the whole series before the last book comes out. I think i'm only 4-5 books behind so i can do it before March 2013! I have to read the last book! It's a 20 year old series we are talking about :D And that must be the book #26 or #27 :p I'm actually waiting another Feist book from BD at the moment. He IS my favorite author after all!

Bought - The Whim of The Dragon by Pamela Dean
Another old series. It's epic fantasy for kids more or less. I've been trying to find those books for over a year. Finally got the last one and i have already finish the whole thing. At some point i need to review it.

Won (@ Loving Books) - Daughter of the Flames by Zoe Marriott
I have no idea really what's the book about. I liked the cover so much, that i just picked this one from the list of the available books. And i'm not referring to that cover, which is really bad but this one!

For Review - Shakespeare v Lovecraft by D.R. O'Brien (thanks to the author!)
Can i really say no? I was way too curious! I found this at Goodreads contests, and the author contact me so it was an easy yes.

For Review - Self-Made Scoundrel by Tristan Tarwater (thanks to the author!)
This is a second book of the series about an elf girl who is a thief. It's quite an interesting story and a really well made book for self published.

What did you get this week? Leave your links at the comments :)

Game Review: The Book of Unwritten Tales

In a world torn by war, the aged gremlin archaeologist Mortimer McGuffin harbours the dark secret of a powerful artifact. Whoever calls this artifact its own, will determine the fate of the world. While the Army of Shadows sends out its best and most devious agents to discover the secret, the Alliance's three heroes find themselves involuntarily drawn into the crisis...

The Book of Unwritten Tales
Released: 2011
Console: PC
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Genre/Mode: Adventure/Single Player
Buy: Amazon (US) || Amazon (UK) || Steam

REVIEW:
This is my first game review, so try not to be so mean with me. Finally i'm free from uni and i found time to start playing again and what a better way to start than an adventure game (i always had a thing for them). Unfortunately, the companies don't make adventure games anymore. "The Adventure Company" is pretty much dead and acquired by the Nordic Games and they only have one new title..."The Book of Unwritten Tales".

BoUT is a 3rd person game, where you have to solve puzzles and riddles. This is the 1st adventure game based on a fantasy world i've ever encountered. You get to play through the story with Wilbur (the gnome), Ivo (an elf princess), Nate (a human treasure hunter) and that pink weird animal called Cricket or something. You either play with only one of them, or you can change between them and have to combine what they are doing to solve the puzzles. There are things, Ivo can do but Wilbur can't because he is small,etc. So you have to think in each situation what to do and with who.

The negative thing here (at least for me) is the everything is extremely easy. When you are used to riddles of Syberia and Still Life, those here are so easy. You just have to listen to all the discussions and be careful to find all the things around. Even when you have to search in 4 different places to find something, if you were really careful the 1st time you will either already have it or remember it because someone mentioned something. Plus, the fact when you completely search a place the microscope dissappears from the screen so you know there is nothing else there make it faster for you. At least the game is long enough.

The inventory is the simplest inventory i've seen in my whole life. You just pass the mouse over the bottom of your screen and there it is. And you just take whatever you want, you pass it over another thing, click and combined. There is no limit as to how many things you can carry either.

What really makes the game stand out, is it's graphics, the fantasy world and the lines. They are cartoon-ish but they are really beautiful. I've already talk about being in a fantasy world, which is a really interesting change ( you have to cheat every single contest or achievement, instead fighting to win like at RPGs). And lastly is the script. Some may find it silly, but if you are geeky enough and know your stuff through movies,books,games you will find it funny. The are references to Indiana Jones, LOTR, Harry Potter, WoW, Mission Impossible and many other things. I was grinning half the time.

In general is a good and enjoyable game. It's been said that is the adventure game with the highest score the last 10 years, but i don't know how fair that is. I mean, it's not like we get any new games except Sherlock Holmes and some other old ones who don't say to stop releasing sequels. "The Adventure Company" is dead. "Microids" is dead. Yeah...Anyway, still worth your time.

Movie Review: Woman In Black

Arthur Kipps, a widowed lawyer whose grief has put his career in jeopardy, is sent to a remote village to sort out the affairs of a recently deceased eccentric. But upon his arrival, it soon becomes clear that everyone in the town is keeping a deadly secret. Although the townspeople try to keep Kipps from learning their tragic history, he soon discovers that the house belonging to his client is haunted by the ghost of a woman who is determined to find someone and something she lost...and no one, not even the children, are safe from her vengeance.

The Woman in Black
Released: 2012
Runtime: 95 mins
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Buy: Amazon (UK) || Amazon (US)

REVIEW:
So my friends convinced me to watch this one. It had nothing to do with the fact Radcliffe is in, but mostly because it seemed creepy enough.

I will tell you the truth i was creeped out from the first scene. I have problem with that kind of movies since i can be scared quite easily. Anyway, the movie is indeed good.

The story is pretty much what the summary says, and the rest of it you don't know is really predictable (okay the very end wasn't). What really keeps you at the edge of your sit is how creepy the movie is. It has a lot of "jump" scenes and the atmosphere is dark and cold, and so well created that they managed to make scary even a small cat toy. I mean i would have played with that toy, but the directing was so good that made to want to stay away from it. And every other single toy in that movie for the matter.

Daniel Radclife is pretty decent in his role. He does seem a little weird as a father and someone old-ish who has a job as a lawyer and stuff but the rest fitted nicely with him.
There is only 2-3 people at the rest cast who act, since the whole movie is around Dan in that stupid gothic mansion he was staying (i HATE that mansion! i just wanted him to go away! freaky mansion!).

In general is a good movie but to truly enjoy it you need to concentrate on it (that means don't eat or talk while watching like us), have the sound high and close the lights. I didn't let them to do any of that. I wanted to sleep later.

Book Review: Demons (+Giveaway)

Kate’s life is far from normal. She can see auras, her boyfriend is immortal, and her powers make her a target. But now that the Demon Lord is hunting her, things are about to go from dangerous to truly deadly. Packed with action, mind-blowing plot twists, and characters you can’t get enough of, this is a fast-paced, heart-pounding read from cover to cover.

 

Demons
Publication Date: 2012
Pages: 432 (ebook)
Part of Series: The Seers #2 (Book #1 Review)
Purchased: Review for tour
Rating: 5/5 stars
Buy: Book Depository || Amazon (US) || Amazon (UK)

REVIEW:
Okay...breaths...wow..i mean wow...this is easily one of the best books i've read this year. I loved the previous book but this one..just wow.

The writing is simple and easy to get you in but it's so strong. The story is so strong and filled with emotions. Really i can't remember when it was the last time, that i was actually feeling with the characters and i'm still so freaking sad after those last chapters. I feel as heartbroken as the characters and for some reason it feels so right. Don't get me wrong, who wants bad things to happen but everything that happened made so much sense. It managed to feel so real, that it really got to me. It was simply amazing. I was living the story.

Of course the characters are as awesome as ever. It's not that they are just ordinary but they are characters that you connect so easily with them. Kate is one of my favorite females characters at the moment. She is strong, compassionate..she is willing to do so much. Never give up. Never forget the others. She is clever and understands what she is doing and take precautions for her "not so wise" actions. And she loves her family so much. I said it before, family and friends are so important in that book. It isn't just a beautiful love story or well action packed book. It's stronger. I really love when the mains hero's environment is fully created. When the author doesn't forget there are friends and family in the picture, that actually everything the hero does affect them.

Should i talk about Lee? Kate and Lee are probably one of the best examples of strong friendship. Real sisters. And you can see how they support each other, how understand each other. It's truly amazing to read their scenes. She is not just there, so we can see the heroine has a best friend.

I could talk and talk about all the characters Toni, Patrick, Sean, Aaron, the twins..they are all so unique but strangely familiar to you when you read. Both good and bad, have something like a perfect connection. It's like the best possible casting in a movie.

One thing..wow...just go read it.

Rules:
- US Only || 1 printed copy
- No following required but it's always appreciated
- Deadline: End of September

CONTEST CLOSED

Book Review: Click-An Online Love Story

Fast approaching her 30th birthday and finding herself not married, not dating and without even a prospect or a house full of cats, Renee Greene, the heroine of Click: An Online Love Story, reluctantly joins her best guy pal on a journey to find love online in Los Angeles. The story unfolds through a series of e-mails between Renee and her best friends (the anal-compulsive Mark, the overly-judgemental Ashley and the over-sexed Shelley) as well as the gentlemen suitors she meets online. From the guy who starts every story with "My buddies and I were out drinking one night", to the egotistical "B" celebrity looking for someone to stroke hie ego, Renee endures her share of hilarious and heinous cyber dates. Fraught with BCC's, FWD's and in advertent Reply to All's, readers will root for Renee to "click" with the right man.

Click: An Online Love Story
Publication Date: 2008
Pages: 247 (ebook)
Part of Series: -
Purchased: Review for the author
Rating: 5/5 stars
Buy: Book Depository || Amazon (US) || Amazon (UK)

REVIEW:

This book was asked to be read and reviewed by the author. Normally, I wouldn't pick it, considering that it had to do with 30-year-old characters, but it seemed interesting and, between you and me, I can't really say no to authors or tours.

First of all, the writing style was super. We read the e-mails the characters exchange, so there are many events unknown to us, which makes it enigmatic and more interesting. It also makes it easier to read. I didn't know that people exchange so many e-mails in a daily basis not just for work, but for their personal issues too.

Secondly, it was very smart, funny and fast.
Smart, because you can really learn a lot about the others writing style. There weren't some teens exchanging e-mails, but grown-up adults, which meant that we were reading full lenght sentences and not acronyms, which, by the way, I totally hate (no offence). And in case you are wondering, the language was very easy and comprehensible.
Funny, because the conversations were happening among friends, with occasional exceptions of the guys e-mailing Renee, so basically, since the characters knew each other for ages and so well, there were some inner jokes and their full opinion about the events.
And fast, because it was fast. You just read e-mails and nothing else. The first day, I read 100 pages and I believe that hasn't happened to me in a long time.

As for the characters:
Renee is a simple woman, she doesn't want anything important in her life, but she wishes to meet a guy and, if everything goes well, to marry and have a family of her own.
Shelley reminded me of Samantha from Sex & the City, only in L.A. She enjoys life to fullest (life = sex, in this case), she doesn't have the same aspirances as Renee's. She is encouraging and have a solution for every problem/crisis.
Ashley is Renee's oldest friend and she's slightly stupid and judgemental.
And, finally, Mark, who over analyzes everything and anything and takes for forever to choose a profile picture.
There are not descriptions of the characters, so you may create them however you want, or, maybe, identify your friends or yourself in them.

Bottom line, I liked it. It was different and simple. You may lose important events that were happening over a night-out, but by making the characters discussing it, the author success into creating something new and light, which leaves many things to the imagination. Anyway, if you feel you need a break from all the other books, this one is what you need to boost you up.

Book Review: Dancing With Death (+Giveaway)

Murders have plagued the woods in the past, making them a place of fear. Eighteen year old Wendy and her frieds become worried when a new string of murders come to their high school. After a horrible car accident, Wendy returns to school, going from wallflower to popular overnight. As the murderer edges closer to Wendy, she realizes things are changing. She is afflicted with nightmares that are all too real and she herself is undergoing unnaatural changes. Learning the truth about her past, could be the key to saving her future.

Dancing With Death
Publication Date: 2012
Pages: 410 (ebook)
Part of Series: A Dancing Book #1
Purchased: Review for tour
Rating: 5/5 stars
Buy: Amazon (US) || Amazon (UK)

REVIEW:
I chose to read this book, because of its interesting summary. A book about murders and 18-year-old characters, instead of 16-year-old, felt better and worth reading.

So, if I had to choose one word to describe the book, that word would be: Horny.

Wendy is this simple girl with no other friends than her two best ones and absent parents. She lives normal for a kid in her age and that made me relate to her, because she seems more mature than her age and her lifestyle.
Her friend Halle, is  a little crazy and she loves gossip. And her other friend Jackson is the reasonable one in the group. I liked all those main characters, especially because they are such loyal friends, who really love Wendy and stand by her, no matter what.

Then Wendy has the accident and suddently, there are two guys wanting her. I'm not saying there is something wrong in here, but she was really into both guys. Reading only Wendy's point of view meant that we had to read all the making out scenes, which were a lot and very hot, mostly in the first half of the book. Hence, the horny description. Also, the author tends to describe the clothes Wendy is wearing, the make-up she uses and the accessorize she prefers.

At the second part, things are getting better, because Wendy chooses between the two guys. Her nightmares are getting more intense and she learns the truth about her past. I was really anxious about learning Wendy's past, mostly because in the entire book there is no clue of what may happen. In my opinion, it was really good to learn all these things at the end, because it makes the whole book worth it and make sense. Some might find it boring, especially those who aren't fans of girly stuff and making out scenes.

If there is a bad thing about the book that would be that there is no action, despite the nightmares being very scary. It was easy to find out who the killer was. And most of the things in Wendy's life were coming somehow easily. Her friends and boytfriend didn't freak out at the truth. And I have to admit that her relationship with her boyfriend became very true, very fast. Also, Wendy kept interrupting the explanations of her mother, because the things she learnt were so extraordinary. Selfishly, I would say that, even though her reactions were normal, I really hated them, because I was eager to find out the whole story.

Bottom line, it was a nice book. Very girly and sensual. I think I gained one or two fashion tips, although I'm nothing like Wendy. And it leaves you not with questions, but anxious at what will happen to Wendy. I liked it and I hope you like it too.

P.S.: There is a character named Nina too. But we don't see her much and she's totally not like me. Anyway, I was just a little surprised when I saw it and thought to mention it.

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Book Review: Dreamwalker

"My eyes fluttered open and I saw something magical. I was lying on the ground next to Jared, my legs folded up, boots resting flat on the ground. I turned my hand to the side, looked into his eyes and he smiled.
All around us, the tall green grass was mixed with red tulips tinged with silver and the field was whispering in the wind. A large white moon hung in the deep purple sky. I turned to peer into those smoky eyes that had me at hello.
"What is this place? It's truly amazing. I have never seen anything like it." he smiled and just answered with a simple reply "our wonderland".
Then I gasped as Kared entwined his hand with mine and a shooting star came into view. The star seemed so close it appeared three-dimentional and was emitting a shawer of stardust in its wake. Shimmering embers and sparkling bits surround us as I stared in awe"

Noel Kennedy lost her boyfriend, her job and her dignity all in one week. Then something happened and she began to dream of this stranger she had never met. She couldn't resist the man of her dreams named Jared especially when she met him in real life.
Entranced, she slowly unraveled a world she was meant to stay out of. Her life was not what she thought it was once a sexy Boone stepped into the mix and shook things up.
Can she escape a life of servitude or immortality for a chance at love?

Dreamwalker
Publication Date: 2012
Pages: 434 (ebook)
Part of Series: Persephone's League of Immortals #1
Purchased: Review for tour
Rating: 5/5 stars
Buy: Book Depository || Amazon (US) || Amazon (UK)

REVIEW:
The book is part of a tour. Main reason I accepted it was the cover. To tell you the truth, until I actually read it, I have totally forgotten what it was about. So it was a surprise.

The book doesn't start well. It was little boring actually, but not because of the writing style. It was because of the story. Noel gets damped by her boyfriend - a break up that included many cliche things - and then she gets in some sort of a depression, where she wears filthy clothes and watches romance movies all day long. As a result she loses her job. I mean, I understand her enough, but I don't understand how she allowed herself to roll onto self-pettiness. My thoughts were that I'll have to deal with a female character, with no self-esteem and no power in her. Hence, the boring part.
Then the story becomes interesting, as Noel starts to see those very vivid and sexy dreams with Jared and then she meets him in real life.
After that, her dreams start to become so weird, that, simply, I couldn't understand neither their purpose, nor their meaning.
And, slowly, the story - the real story - reveals to us and alongside Noel, we start to understand more and more what is going on.

This is the first time I see (or remember at this very point) a book so balanced. Due to Noel's powers, we are able to see moments of other characters' lives and every moment is a piece of a puzzle, which comes together to form an entire image. And because of Noel's powers the small stories are being told in a much lively way, than just being narrated to her by others. Again, there are strong sex scenes, with many descriptions, sentimental moments, because most of the characters are female and not so much action. As I said before the author manages to balance the story, you don't feel suffocated by the emotions.

Three things I didn't liked.
Firstly, the story is backstage story is chaotic. The League's believes were actually true, which leaves open so many possibilities and scenarios.
Secondly, things to the characters were coming easily, and we are not able to see much action, because we are following Noel's point of view.
Lastly, there are not many twists. Yes, at the end someone is missing, but we have no clue of what happened to him/her. I'd love from the author to write a small independent paragraph at the end, where we learn where he/she is and under which circumstances.
Oh! In case you haven't noticed, there is a love triangle!

Bottom line, I liked it. As I said it was balanced between hot/emotional scenes and explanations. The story was very interesting and I'm looking forward to read the next, even though this one could stand alone. It was different from what I'm used to read, but it was a nice experience.

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Spotlight List: Cheater Movies

 Spotlight List: Cheater Movies

By Cheater movies, i don't mean with people cheating on each other(relationship based) but people who steal from other people. They are clever enough to cheat casino systems, other clever people, tests and become the winners of the story! ( I'm spending way to much time at Youtube lately watching trailers :p)

Easily one of my favorite movies. 21 is a poker movie based on a true story, where some MIT students along with their professor and decide to crush casinos. Of course there are clever enough but as always problems appear. The best thing of the movie though, is the how clever and "omg how they do that" are the way they count (or at least how they look doing it). Obviously i can't do it sooo...
Movies like this are dozens out there, but the cast of 21 has such a good the connection and the whole directing thing was done so carefully, that the movie stands out even though it's nothing entirely new.

So i haven't watch the old one, but i totally loved the new one. Maybe Ocean's Twelve was bad (a little boring actually), and Ocean's Thirteen was just a bit better than Twelve, but still Ocean's Eleven is one of my favorites which i can watch again and again. I loved the teamwork and how everyone skills combined can do achieve something so amazing, how they have thought of all the small details and of course a great cast which works so good together.

I'm going away from money here with a movie about cheating on tests. In The Perfect Score a group of kids team, and decide to find a way to cheat on their SAT tests for their own reasons (good marks,scholarhips,etc) . The movie is actually not that great or wow. The cast was new at the time and it's definitely not one of the best acting jobs out there. Still, there is something in this that even though i watched about 8 years ago it's still on my mind. What can i say....And well, it's always nice to earliest works of Johansson and Evans.








A small list i know..but still i'm not done yet. Other movies worth mentioning are: 
> I have one more poker movie with cheating at cards. Kaleidoscope takes us back to the '60s (because it's oldish you know..) where a man decides to put markings on the cards. Call about ambition here..and if you are wondering, yes it works. At least at first.

>Next one is The Italian Job with more thieves and closer to Ocean's Eleven. By creating a huge traffic and some awesome drivers, the robbers are trying to take away gold from a former ally. ha!

>A movie Johnny proposed was The Sting. In 1930s Chicago, a young con man seeking revenge for his murdered partner teams up with a master of the big con to win a fortune from a criminal banker.

> A movie Filios love is The Bank Job(with the awesome Jason Statham on the lead). Martine offers Terry a lead on a foolproof bank hit on London's Baker Street. She targets a roomful of safe deposit boxes worth millions in cash and jewelry. But Terry and his crew don't realize the boxes also contain a treasure trove of dirty secrets - secrets that will thrust them into a deadly web of corruption and illicit scandal.

> And something that you probably won't see in lists like that is Fast Five. A really funny, more car driven robbery with Vin Diesel and Paul Walker where they try to steal some millions along with the old gang from the previous movies. Surprisingly i really liked it :p

Have you watched any of those movies? Anything else to recommend?

Book Review: Flight (+Giveaways)

Sometimes you just have to take flight.

A summer in New Orleans is exactlywhat Allie needs before starting college. Accepting her dad's invitation to work at his hotel offers an escape from her ex-boyfriend and the chance to spend the summer with her best friend. Meeting a guy is the last thing on her mind - untill she sees Levi.

Unable to resist the infuriating yet alluring Levi, Allie finds herself at the center of a supernatural society and forced to decide between the path she has always trusted or saving a city that might just seve her.

Flight
Publication Date: 2012
Pages: 255 (ebook)
Part of Series: The Crescent Chronicles #1
Purchased: Review for tour
Rating: 5/5 stars
Buy: Amazon (US) || Amazon (UK)

REVIEW:

The book is part of a tour too. It sounded interesting and the cover is so sexy, that I knew from the start that I had to read it. And, boy, how much I enjoyed it!!

The whole story takes place in New Orleans. I searched the city online, since I was going to spend the entire book in it, and Oh My God!! The city looks amazing, so beautiful and different. I mean French-Creole architecture and birthplace of jazz, there is nothing else I need. Luckily, the author transfers you in it. There are not many descriptions, because we are more focused on the characters, but there are vivid and smart dialogues that move very fast and they give you a sense of reality while reading.

The characters are very nice. Despite following Allie's point of view, she manages to give us a complete image of all the rest.

Allie is not a bad person herself. Thankfully, she's not idiot or nerve breaking.

Her best friend, Jess, on the other hand is a little too happy and easy going. I didn't like her that much, but something happens in the book and we don't see her much after a point.

Then there is Levi, the guy on the cover. I don't think there would be a girl who hates him. He's the best guy you can find. Caring with a hint of a bad-boy attitude. And super hot, according to Allie.

Minor characters include Levi's friends, Owen and Jared, completely different from each other, it's too bad we don't see them much or learn more about them.

And Hailey, Owen's sister. I really liked her, because she's not very down-to-earth and she always seem to light the mood when she's around, but she can be serious whenever it's required.

During the end something happens, that determines your opinion about everyone. I'm sorry, I can't say more, because I'll spoil the whole story, but some events might lead you to change your opinion about both main characters, Allie and Levi.

Bottom line, I loved it. I loved how fast it was. It's too bad we don't see much action, though. And the length of it was small too, 255 in e-book pages. I really hope to learn more about the characters and the supernatural society in the next one. I can't wait.

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Movie Review: Mirror Mirror

One of the most beloved stories of all time is coming to life in the motion picture event for the whole family. A fresh and funny retelling of the Snow White legend, Mirror Mirror features breakout star, Lilly Collins (The Blind Side) as Snow White, a princess in exile, and Oscar-winner Julia Roberts, as the evil Queen who ruthlessly rules her captured kingdom. Seven courageous rebel dwarfs join forces with Snow White as she fights to reclaim her birthright and win her Prince in this magical comedy filled with jealousy, romance, and betrayal that will capture the hearts and imaginations of audiences the world over. In the film also stars Armie Hammer (The Social Network) as the Prince, and Nathan Lane (The Birdcage) as the hapless and bungling servant to the Queen.

Mirror Mirror
Released: 2012
Runtime: 106 mins
Rating: 5/5 stars
Buy: Amazon (UK) || Amazon (US) || Play.com || Fishpond

REVIEW:

This was one of the movies that I, badly, wanted to see. The rest of the crew, unfortunately, didn't want to join me (because they thought Snow White and the Huntsman was more worthy), but I managed to find some friends who were as enthousiastic as I was.

What is there in this movie not to love??
I loved the costumes, they were huge and extravagant and possibly, uncomfortable to those wearing them, but the also were so beautiful and rich.
The story is not so based on the fairytale, but it was a fresh point of view that was very funny. The graphics were awesome. Every single scene was created in a studio, so they were able to create something spectacular and beautiful.
As for the acting, many people say that Julia Roberts was awful, but I loved her. She matched the mood of the film as the evil Queen, who, generally speaking, wasn't that bad.
Same thing applies for Lilly Collins as the Snow White. She brings to life a whole new Snow White, far from a princess-like girl, who's not afraid of fight for the kingdom and her love.
The guys in this film suffer. The Prince has to deal with multiple hummiliation and the Brighton has to deal with the selfish and needing Queen all the time.
Lastly, the dwarfs. Those guys were teachers and philosophers and one of the funniest aspects in this movie.

Bottom line, if you haven't figured it out yet, I loved it. It was colorful and light and  I enjoyed every minute of it. Thankfully, I had my friend near me, telling me to stay put, or otherwise I would totally missed the song at the end. So, go and see it, if you haven't yet, and if you have a different opinion, please let me now.

Promotional Post: Arise

Now available!

Buy paperback  here from Amazon.

 Buy Kindle version here.

 Buy Nook version here.

 Click here for other digital versions.

With power comes the responsibility to accept its consequences.

After the betrayal of those closest to her, Eviana Dumahl struggles to cope with her new reality.  Kidnapped, broken, and confused, she is forced to engage in a war that will alter merfolk politics forever.  With her estranged father leading the charge, Eviana has no choice but to stand by his side.  Her continued existence hinges on the acceptance of the power growing inside her, even when that means embracing the family’s dark lineage.

Kain Matthew will sacrifice the world for Eviana.  And he is not alone.  As time runs out, her friends fight to save her life and theirs.  An unlikely alliance gives them the edge they need to take a stand, although it keeps Eviana’s heart trapped in the past.  A new discovery explains some of her previous mistakes, but it may not be enough to stop her father’s plans.  Merfolk, selkies, and water sprites work together to save their kind, only in this final battle, not everyone will survive.

In the striking series conclusion, Eviana will learn the true meaning of power, sacrifice, and love.

Read the first chapter of Arise here.

 

also Check out these cool team banners for Brendan, Kain and Graham from Sarah Elizabeth's bookshelf.
 
About the author:Amber Garr spends her days conducting scientific experiments and wondering if her next door neighbor is secretly a vampire.  Born in Pennsylvania, she lives in Florida with her husband and their furry kids.  Her childhood imaginary friend was a witch, Halloween is sacred, and she is certain that she has a supernatural sense of smell.  She writes both adult and young adult urban fantasies and when not obsessing over the unknown, she can be found dancing, reading, or enjoying a good movie.

 

TV Series Review: Nikita (Season 2)

When she was a deeply troubled teenager, Nikita was rescued from death row by a secret U.S. agency known only as Division, who faked her execution and told her she was being given a second chance to start a new life and serve her country. What they didn't tell her was that she was being trained as a spy and assassin. Ultimately, Nikita was betrayed and her dreams shattered by the only people she thought she could trust.

Now, after three years in hiding, Nikita is seeking retribution and making it clear to her former bosses that she will stop at nothing to expose and destroy their covert operation.

Nikita (Season 2)
Released: 2011-now
Runtime: 22 episodes/40 mins
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Buy: Amazon (UK) || Amazon (US)

REVIEW:
Second season continues, after Alex has gotten out of Division and Percy is down. Now Nikita, is still on the run to bring entirely down Division along with Michael and Birkoff.

My biggest problem with season 1 was that while the show was called Nikita, most of the story was actually around Alex. Now finally, we get some Nikita and Alex goes to her original sidekick position. Micheal and Birkoff (along with other old characters) now side with Nikita to take the rest of Division down and the show from good went to awesome. It was less drama, full of action and lots of kick assing.  The story is also more informative on both Nikita's and Michael's background and way more exciting.

We finally get to see Michael on real fights, Birkoff being the awesome hacker he was supposed to be and the true potential of Alex. It's like everyone finally have their place and you can see them in their full characters. Now that we are past the introduction of season 1, we just get what the show promised.

I'm totally excited and can't wait for next season to come since the finale was surprising and i have no idea what they are planning to do. I have actually come to like Alex too, so the episodes are more fun. Definitely one of the good shows out there. 

Book Review: Dissolve (+Giveaway)

Everything seemed to be going right for Cora. She had a wonderful fiance, a great best friend and a fulfilling life. One day, a tragic event caused that life to cruble around her. She turned to her best friend in her time of need. They embarked on a search for answers, delving deeper into a web of magic and destruction. The closer they got to the truth, the more questions they had. To Cora, amgic was the stuff of fairy tales. Immerged into a very diffirent kind of magic, the real storm was just beginning to tale hold.

"It felt like I was nowhere yet everywhere all at once. I was invisible and completely panicked. The millions of pieces I had dissolved to drift on the breeze and away from my nightmares. It was kind of like floating weightless in a pool, perfectly relaxing. The warm breeze from the window embraced and soothed me. I let the air current carry me as far as it could through the summer city".

"Defeated, I closed my eyes and took a few calming breaths trying to relax myself. I pictured the dandelion in the park today and took a deep breath as to blow the fluffy seeds in all directions. I pretended I was light and fluffy and started to feel a tingling in my body. I began to feel as light as the dandelion seeds and soon I felt like mist floating. This time, I tried to keep myself in the room, swirling in a humid block".

Dissolve
Publication Date: 2012
Pages: 2424 (ebook)
Part of Series: -
Purchased: Review for tour
Rating: 4/5 stars
Buy: Amazon (US) || Amazon (UK)

REVIEW:
This book is part of a tour. The story seemed really interesting and the cover was really good so I decided to accept it. Unfortunately, it wasn't what I was expecting.

Before we start, I'll have to say that before reading this one, I was reading a book also written by Andrea Heltsley, and even thought usually it doesn't bother me reading two books in a row written by the same author when the plot is different, this one did bothered me.

Firstly, the book was slightly boring. Yes, part of it was the whole two-books-in-the-row-by-the-same-author, which means that the writing style was the same. But then, it was the story itself. Don't get me wrong, the beginning was great. It was fast and capturing. You learn the two female characters and in an instant you get into the action. Cora gets her power and soon Nessa follows. And things start getting too anxious to soon. But then it gets boring. The girls start to run and they meet other people with the same problems too, which was interesting. And at some point the whole running thing started feeling like a light and fun road trip among friends. There is a stability after the anxiety you get and everyone seems to care more about their personal problems and less about getting answers.

Then the book becomes interesting again. After meeting Mia, the story takes a whole new different turn. It starts reminding you those apocalyptic movies, which was interesting, because it was the first time I was reading something like this. And then it gets calm again, until something anxious happens. In general, the story has ups and downs or waves as I call it (anxious scenes-calm scenes-anxious scenes-calm scenes-etc). Plus, you don't realize when you reach the end.

A bad thing was that we don't learn much about the characters. During the end Cora remembers some moments she shared with Tom and Nessa in the past, but in general there are not many information about the others' lives before. Also, none of them seems to use their powers often, even though they learn to master them easily and quickly. And they all have such cool powers that I will not reveal. And then the end comes and things get so complicated.

Bottom line, I liked it, although it was little boring. It leaves you with so many questions that I can't wait to read the next one. Needless to say, that the book has nothing to do with magic whatsoever. I really wish to learn more about the characters and for them to finally get answers and use their powers.

P.S.: At the end of the book, the author presents you a playlist, which supposed to be the songs the characters were listening throughout their road trip. I'm not sure if they are appropriate for a road trip, but I found the songs and listened to them and, I have to admit, they are really good.

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Newbies - August 2012

Books we received for the month of August

Yiota's

Bought - Throne of Glass by Sarah Mass
Bought - Jewel and Thorn by Richard Poole (2nd hand)
For Review - The Forsaken by Lisa M. Stasse (thanks to the author!)
Gift - Artemis Fowl: The Last Guardian by Eoin Colfer
Gift - Skulduggery Pleasant: Playing with Fire by Derek Landy

Bought - Storm Glass by Maria V. Snyder (2nd hand)
Bought - Sea Glass by Maria V. Snyder (2nd hand)
For Review - The Key of Amatahns by Elizabeth Wheatley (thanks to the author!)
For Review - The Secret of the Vanmars by Elizabeth Wheatley (thanks to the author!)
Gift - A Study in Scarlet and The Sign of the Four (Sherlock Holmes)
Gift - The Hound of Baskerville and The Valley of Fear (Sherlock Holmes)

What did you get this week? Leave your links at the comments so we can visit back!

Movie Review: What To Expect When You Are Expecting

Based on the 16 million copy best-selling book, What to Expect When You're Expecting is an ensemble romantic-comedy is in the vein of Love Actually and Valentine's Day. The film is a modern look at love through the eyes of four interconnected couples experiencing the thrills and surprises of having a baby, and ultimately coming to understand the universal truth that no matter what you plan for, life doesn't always deliver what's expected.

What To Expect When You Are Expecting
Released: 2012
Runtime: 110 mins
Rating: 2/5 stars
Buy: Not Available Yet

REVIEW:
This movie is a cheater. It has all the good scenes in the trailer and when you watch the movie, you struggle to finish it.

The story doesn't convince you at all. Only like 2 of the "pregnacy" stories seemed real enough, and all had a touch where you were saying "too much". It barely kept me in.
The best thing of the whole movie is actually the "dudes club" with the fathers hanging out every morning. Thank god it was there, or i would have fallen asleep in the first half hour.

I'm more disappointment in the female cast, which i have seen in many movies before but except Lopen and Kendrick their acting was too average. Instead again, the male cast was way more connected and convincing in almost everything.

A really average movie from me. I was simply expecting more.

Starring: Cameron Diaz (Charlier's Angels), Jenifer Lopez, Elizabeth Banks (Hunger Games), Chase Crawford (Gossip Girl), Anna Kendrick (Up In The Air), Matthew Morrison (Glee), Denis Quaid (DragonHeart), Chris Rock (Grown Ups), Brooklyn Decker (Battleship), Ben Falcone (Bridesmaids), Rodrigo Santoro (300), Joe Manganiello (True Blood), Rob Huebel (Despicable Me), Amir Talai (The Pursuit of Happiness), Thomas Lennon (Night At The Museum), Rebel Wilson (Bridesmaids)