Splash Of Our Worlds

Author Interview: Resa Nelson (+Giveaway)

2012-02-03T07:00:00.000+02:00

Resa has been selling fiction professionally since 1988. She is a longtime member of SFWA (Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America) and is a graduate of the Clarion SF Workshop.

Resa was also the TV/Movie Columnist for Realms of Fantasy magazine for 13 years and was a contributor to SCI FI magazine. She has sold over 200 articles to magazines in the United States and the United Kingdom.

Her first novel, The Dragonslayer’s Sword, was Recommended for the Nebula Award, the highest honor in science fiction and fantasy. It was also a Finalist for the EPPIE Award. This medieval fantasy novel is based on a short story first published in the premiere issue of Science Fiction Age magazine and ranked 2nd in that magazine's first Readers Top Ten Poll. The Dragonslayer's Sword is Book 1 in a 4-book series. Book 2, The Iron Maiden, is scheduled for publication on December 13, 2011. Book 3 is scheduled for publication in 2012.

Resa's standalone novel, Our Lady of the Absolute, is about a modern-day society based on ancient Egypt. Midwest Book Review gave this book a 5-star reivew.

INTERVIEW

-Try to describe your book in one sentence.

The Dragonslayer’s Sword is about a female blacksmith who lives in a world of ghosts, shapeshifters, and dragons and who makes swords for dragonslayers.

-Your genre in The Dragonslayer Series is Fantasy right?. You did that on purpose, or you just start writing?

Yes, I’d say it’s epic fantasy with a female hero. I’ve been selling short stories for many years, and The Dragonslayer’s Sword started out as a short story that was published in Science Fiction Age magazine. The reader response to the short story was so strong that I decided to turn it into a novel. (My short story ranked 2nd in the magazine’s Top Ten Readers Poll, coming ahead of stories by Ben Bova, Lawrence Watt-Evans, and Tom Disch. Also, the magazine editor got a letter from a bookstore manager saying that people kept asking to buy the novel – and I’d only written the short story!) Once I started writing the novel, I realized there was so much going on that I couldn’t fit it all in one book, so it turned into a series. I ended up writing a second Dragonslayer short story (also published in Science Fiction Age magazine), and I’ve put together a free “mini” ebook containing the two short stories that inspired my book series. Anyone who would like to read these short stories can download a PDF file called “Dragonslayer Stories” from my website at http://www.resanelson.com/files. (There’s no cost or obligation, and I don’t collect email addresses or any other type of information. I like giving away free samples so readers can decide for themselves whether they like my work or not.)

-What inspired you to write, you took any ideas from other books, movies etc?

My ideas come from my life experience and how I see the world. For example, I wrote the short story version of The Dragonslayer’s Sword after I had a bad experience when I was working at a company where a high-ranking executive (a married man with young children) propositioned me. This hurt my feelings deeply because I thought we were good colleagues. I work really hard to be as original as possible. In fact, I read outside my genre because I don’t want to be influenced by other fantasy books. However, I do watch reality TV for inspiration about the different ways people make assumptions and jump to conclusions, especially with regard to how they perceive other people.

-Did you do any research before start or during of the writing of the books?

Yes! I’m a huge fan of research. For example, for my Dragonslayer series, I started out doing lots of library research. But because my main character is a woman who becomes a blacksmith, I decided to take a course in blacksmithing. I was the only woman in the course, and all my classmates were twice my size so everything was much easier for them. I had to learn how to keep up with the men, and that went a long way toward influencing the development of my main character. Also, because my female blacksmith makes weapons for dragonslayers, I wanted to learn how to use medieval weapons. I discovered that a museum not too far from where I live gives courses in historically accurate ways to use medieval and Renaissance weapons. I took several courses and learned how to use the German long sword, Italian rapier and dagger, and some techniques for using daggers, halberd, and sword and buckler. I’ve also had a little exposure to using Viking sword and shield. I joined the museum’s sword guild, and I became a weapons demonstrator at the museum for several years! All of this experience has had a huge impact on my Dragonslayer series.

-Which scenes were the hardest to write?

Probably the scenes where I tap into difficult or painful memories. As a writer, I feel it’s my responsibility to give my absolute best to readers at all times, and sometimes that means making myself very vulnerable. Taking that kind of risk is the hardest thing.

-How long has it taken you to write a book ?

I spend lots of time (often several years) thinking before I start writing. I tell people it’s as if I’ve gone on vacation and when I start writing it’s like I’m telling friends what happened when I went on vacation. For some peculiar reason, once I start writing it typically takes about 9 months to write a novel!

-What’s the best part of writing for you?

I love writing the first draft. It’s like going on an amazing adventure. It feels like sitting in a dark movie theater and watching a movie and sinking into that world, except I’m creating everything.

-Are you reading or writing something else at the moment?

I’m reading a little bit. I’m writing the final section of the last novel in the Dragonslayer series, which I’m both happy and sad about. Sad because I’ve spent a lot of years with these characters and I hate to say goodby to them. Happy because I’m really looking forward to starting something new. I’m in the thinking stage for my next series and am working to figure out how it’s going to work.

-Did you have support at the beginning and/or during your writing?

I’ve been lucky to always have at least one friend who believes in me. I’m very fortunate that I’m at a point in my career where I’m in an excellent critique group and get a lot of support from my fellow writers, who are brilliant and extremely talented.

-Did you always had in mind to be a writer or it just happened?

I knew I wanted to be a writer by the time I was 8 years old. I tried giving up writing many times because I knew it would be a challenging life, but my writing is like a best friend who refuses to give up on me. So I’ve learned not to give up on my writing.

-How important you find the communication between you and your readers? Do you reply to their messages or read their reviews?

Communication with my readers is critically important. My readers have solved huge problems for me. They give me invaluable feedback and information. They tell me things that spark ideas. The name of Book 2 came about because a friend who reads my books said, “Hey, you should call your next book The Iron Maiden,” and I loved the title even though I had no idea what it would mean. I’ve created characters inspired by readers I’ve met. When I meet people with interesting names that I especially like, I ask if I can name a character after them. I’ve created scenes based on feedback readers have given to me. I absolutely read all reviews, and to the best of my knowledge I’ve replied to all email from my readers.

-Are you working on any other projects except writing, right now?

I really enjoy creating my own book trailers and putting them on YouTube. I’ve also done author readings (reading the first chapter of a book), which are on YouTube. In the past, I’ve worked with actors to create character interviews, but I recently created my first traditional book trailer, which I really enjoyed.

-Something special you want to share with us?

My favorite TV series of all time is Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I have the series on DVD and will probably remain obsessed with it for the rest of my life.

Now some simple questions and more fun^^

-Your favourite books and author?

Right now my favorite authors are Harlan Coben and Dennis Lahane, and I love the Millennium books by Steig Larrson. When I was a child, my favorite authors were Ray Bradbury, Isaac Asimov, Agatha Christie, Charles Dickens, Jules Verne, and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. I still read their work from time to time.

-Your favourite band/singer?

I miss Amy Winehouse.

-Twitter or Facebook?

Both, although I’m beginning to lean more toward Twitter.

-Favourite place in the world?

What a difficult question! I love Cairo and the pyramids of Giza – Egypt feels like home. For sheer beauty and a feeling of other-worldliness, Machu Picchu in Peru. I’d love to live in Copenhagen, London, or Barcelona. Or anywhere in Hawaii. I’ve never been to Hawaii, but after watching Lost (which was shot in Hawaii) I’m convinced I need to live there.

-Last movie you watched at the cinemas?

We Bought A Zoo – loved it.

-The last book you’ve read?

I’m currently reading A Celtic Darkness: Supernatural Tales of Ireland by Eoghain Hamilton. It’s a collection of literary ghost stories set in Ireland.

-Have you ever googled yourself?

I have Google set up to notify me automatically whenever it finds my name or the title of any of my novels. It’s a great way to find out when someone reviews my books.

-Writing, reading or hanging out with friends?

I’m split pretty evenly among all three options.

-If you wouldn’t be a writer, what you would be?

Maybe an editor at a publishing house. Or a travel agent. Or someone who raises abandoned baby polar bears.

-And last one....printed or ebooks?

Currently, printed. Although I do have Kindle for PC and love that I now have a way to buy and read books that are available only in ebook format.

Thanks so much for answering our questions! :D

For Astrid, a blacksmith who makes swords for dragonslayers, the emergence of a strange gemstone from her body sets in motion a chain of events that threaten to destroy her life. Her happiness is shattered when her lover-the dragonslayer-disappears without a trace, and the life that she knows and loves implodes without warning. Astrid lives in a world of shapeshifters whose thoughts have the power to change not only themselves but others. Everything Astrid knows to be true is called into question when she learns the truth about her past and the mysterious family from which she was separated as a child. Reality turns inside out as Astrid gradually learns the truth about the people she loves as well as those she disdains. With the fate of dragons, ghosts, and slaves in foreign lands resting on her shoulders, Astrid faces the challenge of deciding who she is and how she will stand up inside her own skin. Will she withdraw and hide from the world that has disappointed her so much...or will she rise to lead others to freedom and peace?

Official Site || Twitter || Amazon || Goodreads

GIVEAWAY

A mini e-book for everyone with short stories from The Dragonslayers Series! I don't know about you but i'm totally downloading XD

Download here

Book Review: The Iron Maiden

2012-02-02T20:25:00.000+02:00

Astrid is reluctant to travel the winter route beyond the Northlands, even though it's her duty. She'd rather stay home in her village, surrounded by friends and neighbors. Ignoring the bonds of tradition, she decides to spend the cold winter months in the warmth of her blacksmithing shop. Why should she leave the comfort of her cottage to serve and protect foreigners who might raid and harm her native Northlands?

Everything changes when a traveling merchant steals Starlight, the first dragonslayer's sword Astrid forged and her last link to her sweetheart DiStephan. Having no time to alert her friends, Astrid races in pursuit of the merchant, determined to reclaim Starlight as her own and return home in time for dinner. Instead, her quest leads her to new lands, unexpected friendships with foreigners, and a harrowing encounter with the damage done by the followers of a new god that considers women as nothing more than servants to men. All the while, she must be ready to face any dragon traveling the winter route.

In Book 2 of the Dragonslayer series, Astrid must learn that deciding who she is isn't a decision she can make just once. Instead, it's a decision she must make every day.

The Iron Maiden
Publication Date: 2012
Pages: 225 (ebook)
Part of Series: The Dragonslayer Series #2
Purchased: For Review by the author
Rating: 4/5 stars
Buy: Book Depository || Amazon (US) || Amazon (UK)

REVIEW:
Only yesterday, i review the first book of the series in case you missed so i will try to review this one with as less spoilers as i can. ~~*Just finished writing the review, and there are not spoilers in it! Yay!*~~

At the second book much have changed not only for Astrid but for the book too. For starters and the author's thoughts seem more in order and better presented. It's a less confusing but still follows the same way as the previous, with you knowing only what Astrid knows too. It's also less around the the blacksmiths and more around Astrid. Also has different POVs as well. Which was a nice change, since we saw how other people thought too.

The reasons why i liked more this one than the previous were: 1) i was already used to the world and it was easier to adapt to it even if big part of the story it's in new places than before, 2)the whole traveling and adventuring around with new people is something i find more interesting, 3)we get to also follow two dragons and see how they think, 4)it had more woman power *yay!*, 5)and lastly the descriptions of the new places were wow! There is a certain scene regarding some frozen ghosts and a forest, which is still in mind. It was so beautiful and sad! I wish i was good at drawing so i could draw it! Simply beautiful!

Of course there were things i missed like some of the oldest characters like Randim, Donel and DiStephan. Randim and DiStephan had such big parts at the first book, that i felt like there was a hole around Astrid just for them. Still, Astrid is awesome as ever. I like how she grows up after each event, how she makes mistakes and how she learns. It's great to see that a characters are not the same after major events in their lives.Even the not so important ones.

The Iron Maiden was lighter and easier to read. It didn't lose Dragonslayer's Sword magic but it made me get into the world even more, in a more calm way. If you had any difficulty or doubts after reading the first book, forget everything and get this one. You will most certainly enjoy it. If you haven't read the 1st....well....you should think about buying it. It's good ;)

Book Review: The Dragonslayer's Sword

2012-02-02T00:24:00.000+02:00

The Dragonslayer's Sword
Publication Date: 2008
Pages: 288 (ebook)
Part of Series: The Dragonslayer Series #1
Purchased: For Review by the author
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Buy: Book Depository || Amazon (US) || Amazon (UK)

REVIEW:
Seriously what where the chance to say no to the book related to dragons...yeah...like zero...so here we are with the Dragonslayer's Sword by Resa Nelson.

What can i say? I really didn't expect to like it that much (i was thinking to go for 4 starts but you will see later why i didn't). The world is amazing and different. A mix of many different people and beliefs. And while it starts from a small town, you get to know more and other things too. The story? Captivating from the very first chapter. You see the world from our heroines eyes, and you get to know and understand everything along with her. You know what she knows. And that made the whole story new and surprising. Don't remember when was the last time, i didn't know what will happen until the last page. You are literally one with the character and you grow with her. Secondary characters? Complex, with full personalities and ideas like Astrid. Even characters who are not as important to the story, they have a story and are connected beautifully with the world and help you understand it better.

Another big...really big actually, part of the book is the blacksmiths. Never read a book before, where the blacksmiths are that important or so front in the story. You get to see their world, in amazing detail and honestly? I fell in love with them, that much that i just created a new blacksmith characters for my imagination stories :P I could kept reading just for them...who cares about dragons? How they worked, lived, and thought was way more interesting than anything else in the book.

Then of course we have Astrid who is one of my favorite characters ever! She is strong, clever, kind hearted and no matter how many bad things happened to her she is not the usual cry-baby girl. She fights and she found a way to survive. You read about her and you are proud of what she's done. She has some negative things of course, but who hasn't? We are not perfect, and she is not. She is just a character who you can connect with and appreciate her part.

Now, as i said i was going 4 stars but i gave it 3.5. That's only because there is a really strange idea about the shapeshifting of the world. Even at the end of the book, you are still might missing things. And at first i was very confused on how it worked. It took me half the book to actually understand in a decent level the whole thing so here is the minus -0.5. Maybe it didn't work out for me, or it could have been explained differently since it's also important for the story. Of course now, i have no questions about it so we are okay.

So here is, the first i believe, fantasy book i recommend for 2012! Different, original, complex but easy to read, with lots of action and a really great world to spent some days in!

TV Series Review: Chuck (Season 5)

2012-01-31T20:52:00.001+02:00

Continuing from the eponymous cliffhanger ending of the fourth season finale, "Chuck Versus the Cliffhanger", the fifth season will feature the series returning to its roots. With their new-found wealth, Chuck (Zachary Levi) and Sarah Bartowski (Yvonne Strahovski) own the fictional big-box store Buy More, as well as their new freelance spy organization, Carmichael Industries, which includes John Casey (Adam Baldwin) and Morgan Grimes (Joshua Gomez). Meanwhile, Morgan acts as the human possessor of the government database known as the Intersect, and Chuck is forced to act as Morgan's protector in the same way that Sarah and Casey were to Chuck in past seasons.

Chuck ( Season 5 )
Released: 2011-12
Runtime: 13 episodes/40 mins
Rating: 5/5 stars
Buy: Not Available Yet

REVIEW:
When i heard Season 5 will be the last of Chuck i was both happy and unhappy. Unfortunatelly, they didn't really tell us it would only be 13 episodes. That was a surprise that i didn't like.

Even though Season 5 starts, as the summary above describes it has many changes and more than one plot in. As always Interesect is the main part of the story and this time it's not Chuck the one who has it.

For me, season 5 was a lot better than Season 4. It was closer to the oldest season with the missions and everything than follow a big plotline. To also see how the characters have now changed is pretty awesome too. Especially when someone like Morgan has the intersect. There were many good episodes with Ellie and Awesome playing spies too, and even the duo Jeffster has more screentime than before.

The best part was easily the last 4 episodes, where something really unexpected happens and it turns that series into an entire different plot. You may have already see around, how sad was everyone with the ending and that wasn't just because the series ended. The ending was not the ideal perfect ending but mostly something that matched and gave you sweet-sad feeling at the end. Personally i didn't expect to be so sad about it. I thought i would be able to live without the series but it really made me want to have more but i can't say it didn't put a smile on my face too. The flashbacks was the most difficult part and they did an amazing job putting them at the right time that i'm pretty sure they made many people cry.

Chuck was one of my favorites series i ever watched. It was funny, geeky, with lots of action and every episode was entertaining. I'm really happy i followed the series and the actors around for the last 3 years ( i didn't start it when it first came out) and i'm already missing it. I highly doubt there will be ever a series to fit its place since it had an originality which yet, i haven't seen around.

Author Interview: Elizabeth Marx (+Giveaway)

2012-01-30T06:00:00.000+02:00

Windy city writer, Elizabeth Marx, brings cosmopolitan life alive in her fiction—a blend of romance, fast-paced Chicago living, and a sprinkle of magical realism. Elizabeth resides with her husband, girls, and two cats who’ve spelled everyone into believing they’re really dogs. She grew up in the city, has traveled extensively, and still says there’s no town like Chi town.

INTERVIEW

Describe your book in one sentence.
If Locke and Keleigh can’t locate a potent artifact, the battle brewing between ancient knowledge and modern communication will destroy everything—even their love.

What inspired you to write All’s Fair in Vanities War? Did you take ideas from other books and movies?
My daughter wanted me to write a YA novel. I always wanted to write about hereditary witches and I was toying with the location of Salem, the largest group of settlers in that area, were the English and the Irish in the Boston area. The English and Irish decent led me on the path to the druids and Celtic mythology. While researching that, I came across the concept of a Seer. She died a fiery death, grew gianormous wings and wouldn’t leave me alone; she kept poking me and telling me what to do. Finally, I gave up and let her run the show and once you’ve read the book you know she has a lot to say.

You can like The Seer on Facebook at http://facebook.com/TheSeers7DeadlyFairyTales

Did you do any research before you started or during the writing of the book?
I did a lot of research on witchcraft, Celtic mythology, magical creatures, symbols and magic, druids, paganism before I started writing. Then as I went along if I got stumped I would do research to help me along. When I was done with the first draft I traveled to Salem and visited all the locations in the book, especially American’s Stonehenge which is in Salem, New Hampshire (about 45 minutes from Salem, MA), as well as the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston. I love history and mythology so it was a lot of fun to tie so many things together with the sinister history of Salem and the Witches Museum.

Which scenes were the hardest to write?
Death never come easy, while The Seer came to my imagination already dead, sprouting the scrolled up wings, I thought I had to show her death. I felt I owed her that much, since she sacrificed so much to tell the tale.

How long has it taken you to write a book?
I worked on All’s Fair in Vanities War for more than a year, but it wasn’t my sole project. If I had to estimate, I could probably write, self-edit, professionally edit, format, and do cover design in about six months. That’s if The Seer decides to cooperate, I might add.

What’s the best part of writing for you?
The best part of writing is the ability to explore new worlds, to create them, like magic from nothing but crumpled pieces of paper, to nourish them with words and then to harvest them for other people to enjoy.

Are you working on anything other projects except writing, right now?
On the home front, I moved over the summer to a larger home, and I’m an interior designer, so next up on the list is all the light fixtures have to be replaced and then custom window treatments for the formal living room and dining room.
I’ve been spending most of the last three months on marketing my books, which is all new to me because I didn’t blog. Once my website, which is under construction, goes live, I will add blogging to my daily routine.

Anything special you want to share with us?
I’d like to share some of the artwork that inspired me while writing All’s Fair in Vanities War. I’m a very visual person so whenever I get stuck I look for a image to help me along. Enjoy!

Thanks a lot for the interview!! And i have to say that i love visual interviews! They are always more special!

Salem’s always held sinister secrets. No one understands this better than a sixteen-year-old girl who dies on Halloween night and is reborn a Seer.

The Seer can’t imagine anything worse than being an invisible teenager with enormous black wings. Until she finds out she’s been sacrificed to watch over Locke’s new flame.

Locke Cavanaugh is a Druid, and part of the Order, a clandestine organization entrusted with keeping its members cloaked in the Ordinary world. Physically scarred from the accident that took his girlfriends life, Locke is searching for the OtherWorldly magic that damaged him, because only those without blemish can rule the Order. And once at the helm of the Order he has every intention of finding those responsible for her death.

On the West Coast, Keleigh Flaherty witnesses her parents’ murder by beasts that should only exist in nightmares. She is whisked off to the safety of Salem, where she learns how potent and dangerous her concealed Vate talents are. Keleigh wants to be Ordinary, but when her mother reaches out from the OtherWorld, and implores her to find a forgotten relic she’ll have to use all her ExtraOrdinary powers to locate it.

As Locke and Keleigh join forces, they unravel the Order’s involvement in the witch hysteria and murmurs of a Celtic prophecy. While Locke’s affection for Keleigh blooms, The Seer is torn between her duty to protect Keleigh, and her desire to stop Locke from making the ultimate sacrifice in order to earn Keleigh’s love . . .

But if they don’t find the witches bottle before the
ShiningOnes do, someone stalking Keleigh from the shadows will take her instead and plunge all worlds into chaos.

Official Site || Facebook || Goodreads || Amazon

ENTER FOR THE 50$ GRAND PRIZE OF THE TOUR

You must "LIKE" The Seer's Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/TheSeers7DeadlyFairyTales), then post one of her best lines from All's Fair in Vanities War on the wall. Yes, this means you have to read the book in order to participate.

Book Review: Don't Fear The Reaper

2012-01-28T14:45:00.001+02:00

Grief-stricken by the murder of her twin, Keely Morrison is convinced suicide is her ticket to eternal peace and a chance to reunite with her sister. When Keely succeeds in taking her own life, she discovers death isn’t at all what she expected. Instead, she’s trapped in a netherworld on Earth and her only hope for reconnecting with her sister and navigating the afterlife is a bounty-hunting reaper and a sardonic, possibly unscrupulous, demon. But when the demon offers Keely her greatest temptation—revenge on her sister’s murderer—she must uncover his motives and determine who she can trust. Because, as Keely soon learns, both reaper and demon are keeping secrets and she fears the worst is true—that her every decision will change how, and with whom, she spends eternity.

Don't Fear The Reaper
Publication Date: September 23rd 2011
Pages: 264 (ebook)
Part of Series: Netherworld #1
Purchased: For Review by the author
Rating: 5/5 stars
Buy: Amazon (US) - Paperback
Amazon (UK) - Kindle
Amazon (US) - Kindle

REVIEW:
After reading The Book Of Lost Souls, Michelle Muto became one of my favorite authors. Her books are funny and original, so i couldn't really say no to Don't Fear The Reaper.

Don't Fear The Reaper is a lot darker than Book of Lost Souls but it keeps a light feeling when you read. We follow Keely's after death time, while she tries to find her sister and avoid going to hell accompanied by a reaper and a demon. I think the strongest aspect of the book are the characters. Don't get me wrong, the story is amazing. It has surprises, action, sad moments, funny moments..it's captivating and for me was impossible to not read all at once. In less than a day was done. But the characters....oh my...

All three main characters are complex. And by that i don't mean difficult to understand. I mean they have full back-stories, depth and for every action they take and every opinion they have there is a reason. You see that their back-story, good or bad, is what made them take the decisions they do.
Keely is a little strange. At first i couldn't really connect with her, because on how different POV of my life i have. But due time, when things explained i could understand her. And the fact, that she learns and grow as a person means a lot. It's a progress that makes sense. She is also a really strong girl, which kick ass when she wants and that makes her more awesome. She might took her life, but she is learning and standing up at her feet again..even if it's afterlife.
Then we have our reaper and demon. Both of them are awesome! They are the most weird duo ever! Banning (the reaper) is a real badass! And who said a reaper is a bad guy? He is protective, clever, reasonable sympathetic but when its needed can be harsh too. It's impossible to not like him.
And lastly it's Daniel. A demon with heart and honor? I don't say he doesn't do tricky or bad things. It's his nature, but he is also a good guy who doesn't afraid to sacrifice things for what he thinks it's right.He truly is the guy who will do bad for good. + I do have a soft spot for the name "Daniel".

What else can i say? I know i just fell in love with one more book by Michelle Muto and i can't wait to read the rest of the series. I recommend the series to everyone who like YA.

ALSO REVIEWED:

The Book Of Lost Souls

Young Adult Giveaway Hop

2012-01-27T00:30:00.000+02:00

Hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer & Down The Rabbit Hole

More than 200 GIVEAWAYS!

1 WINNER (PRINTED COPY) - INTERNATIONAL
Bleeding Hearts by Alyxandra Harvey
The Drakes and friends will be tested when an infestation of deadly vampires threatens Violet Hill.

Lucy's cousin Christabel has come to live in Violet Hill, and adjusting to the difference between life in a small mountain town and her home in the city is difficult enough. The strict curfew that Lucy's parents enforce is the worst part. Something really dangerous couldn't possibly happen in this tiny town.
But Christabel has noticed some mysterious happenings, and it seems like Lucy, her boyfriend Nicholas and his brother Connor are all in on a secret that Christabel doesn't understand—one that seems deadly serious. Although she won't admit it, Christabel would love to be in on any secret with Connor Drake. But when she is kidnapped by the ruthless Hel-Blar vampires, Christabel must cause more and more trouble in Violet Hill, Lucy and Connor finally fill Christabel in on all the undead drama. Together, they must find a way to stamp out the Hel-Blar for good.

RULES:
-You MUST be a follower of one of those to enter: GFC || RSS || NEWSLETTER
-Extra entries available

*All the social network buttons are at the header except the newsletter & GFC which are located at the sidebar

CONTEST CLOSED

Open Door, 2012

2012-01-25T20:48:00.000+02:00

For everyone with a book waiting to be published...agent or no agent - from Strange Chemistry:

Angry Robot – our adorable but rather cross parent company – ran an Open Door month last year, which proved to be rather successful with, at last count, three debut authors signed off the back of it. We thought to ourselves that we’d rather like a piece of this action too, considering the wealth of talent that must be out there in the YA field. So, we are jumping on their (thankfully roomy) bandwagon and inviting submissions from YA authors. These submissions can be any and all flavours of SF/F!
If you have completed a novel, and are unagented, between April 16th and 30th this year, we’ll happily read it for possible publication. If you are agented, this isn’t for you.
Still here? Good.
This page is full of things you Need To Know. You’ve spent months – or possibly years – perfecting your novel; make sure you take twenty minutes or so to read the guidelines on this page. And by guidelines, we of course mean: instructions carved in stone. Last year we rejected far too many submissions simply because the author did not follow the submission guidelines.
What we’re not looking for:
• Anything other than SF/F. If you’ve written a brilliant contemporary YA novel, that’s great, but not what we’re after. We don’t publish contemporary YA. It HAS to be SF/F.
• Book 2 or later in an existing series.
• Books that have already been published elsewhere (including podcast, self-published as eBooks or print-on-demand).
• Books that have not yet been completed.
• Children’s or Middle Grade books – YA only.
• Anything shorter than novel length (approx 60,000 to 90,000 words, but there is some flexibility in this).
So, you have until the end of April to polish your manuscript, and to get it in the right format for us.

READ ALL THE GUIDELINES AT STRANGE CHEMISTRY'S SITE.

For everyone who will sent in their manuscript! Good luck!!

Blogger Problems + Changes

2012-01-24T14:59:00.000+02:00

From the title i feel, that most of you by now think we are moving into Wordpress. We do NOT. We are going to stay here. Blogger works great for us. There are just some things i want to mention.

#1 - The Blogger Problems
I mentioned at the post title the word problems. I have seen many blogs going on and on about problems at blogger but i never had one that annoyed me. For a free service it's pretty much awesome! BUT there is something that i wanted speak about.

The biggest problem for me, is that when you code a template (not based on the simple templates of blogger) because you want to make something more of your blog, problems start. Many widgets don't work which mean additional coding. Many updates at the blogger platform don't pass to your blog which means additional coding. And other things around...
On the current template we have now, i have 3 big problems that really making my life difficult. I have solutions for all of them but i have already spent A LOT of time on it and i can't do it for any new thing that appears.
>You see that awesome slider on the top? I can change it only through coding (it's not a widget) and while for me is easy, the new blogger interface doesn't seem to like the slider. Everytime i'm trying to save, it's crushing and again for everything from the start. Until i understand that was actually New Blogger's interface problem, i lost a lot of data and time.
>Widgets. While you don't see it, many widgets needed additional coding to work out (like the sharing buttons).
>And lastly, the Reply at comments. For those who doesn't know, the Blogger staff created a Reply button as many asked for the comments. Which is quite of amazing. Guess what, not only doesn't work right for most self-made templates but it also messed up how our comments look. After spending hours yesterday trying to fix, i found out there is no solution so far. There is a choice to reset your blog, but I am afraid to do that and don't wanna try it. And all that because, the template is not blogger based.

So as you see, i'm spending more time fixing things when i could actually posting reviews. And i'm afraid i will lose many of the updates, Blogger has to offer. There are 2 options for us.
1.To stay at this template and work myself off through each problem and don't really care.
2.To change into a simpler Blogger template (which i already have ready) and everything be okay. I promise that i will not create a new one for at least the next 6 months. PROMISE!

#2 - Newsletter
Never actually here said anything about the removal of GFC but here we are. Just wanted to let you know, that we don't mind how you follow. Personally i love RSS feeds at my Google Reader. Everything is so easy and fast.

As additional way of following i added a Newsletter. (IMPORTANT!) I code the newsletter myself (yes more coding for me) and i only sent it out ONCE every week. It includes all the posts of the week that passed and you do NOT get emails for each single post on the blog.

#3 - More info at our reviews
We have now added additional info at all our reviews. An important one is the affiliate links on Amazon and BookDep. As you many noticed, we haven't done a giveaway for some months now. I do not have the money to host giveaway every month and especially International as i did last year. So any money from the link goes into helping us, do more awesome giveaways for you. It would be easier if i can at least save half the money (not all), and add only the other half on my own.
It's your choice of course, but i just wanted to say it in case you are interested.

Thanks for the understanding :)
-Yiota ^^

Stop SOPA and PIPA. Free internet for us all

2012-01-19T22:18:00.002+02:00

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stop_Online_Piracy_Act

The above link will take you to read in detail about the SOPA act from wikipedia.

Hello all. I am Johnny and you might have heard of seen some of my reviews. I know that this has nothing to do with the purpose of our blog however I would like to take a few moments of your time to address my personal opinion as Johnny and not as the people and owner of SplashOfOurWorlds.

We as a generation have enjoyed a completely free internet and have turned it into an irreplaceable tool that we use for entertainment, knowledge and socializing. Since I remember using the internet I remember that there was always piracy within the internet.

However I find SOPA as an act to be the most serious threat free internet has faced as far as I have known.

SOPA basically allows the major corporations to immediately shut down and sue sites and even people that they ASSUME, MIGHT, promote piracy. In short that would place millions of sites and blogs, including SplashOfOurWorlds in risk of being shut down or even sued because some major corporation thinks that we promote piracy or have copyright violating material.

The reason of this post is to draw your notice to the issue and perhaps give you a friendly nudge towards showing your disagreement towards an act that might cause serious filtering of the internet.

Television, radio and newspapers are media that have fallen under the influence of corporations and now their gaze has turned towards the internet. As far as we are concerned, let us not allow it.

Thank you for your time

Johnny B.

Book Review: Thieves At Heart

2012-01-19T11:41:00.000+02:00

Tavera has grown up an outsider. A half-elf in a land of humans, she finds herself dragged through various jobs for other people's benefit and used for the gain of others. When a thief named Derk plucks her from her latest job she expects more of the same from the cunning streetsman, but instead finds direction, guidance and protection for the first time in her life. Her pa belongs to a group called The Cup of Cream, a group of elite thieves, scoundrels and other sorts who seek not only personal gain but to keep balance in the Valley.To join their ranks would please her father and give Tavera the acceptance she's been seeking all her life. When the unthinkable happens, she is forced to wonder if the Cup sees her as just another tool up their sleeve, or if they understand she is an individual with her own desires, whose heart beats faster with every take. When she needs them most, will they be there for her? She's about to find out.

Thieves At Heart
Publication Date: September 28th 2011
Pages: 249 (paperback)
Part of Series: The Valley of Ten Crescents #1
Purchased: For Review by the author
Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Buy: Amazon (US) - Paperback
Amazon (UK) - Kindle
Amazon (US) - Kindle

REVIEW:
Can you believe a book with such a well done cover is from an indie author? And wait to have it at your hands! It's definitely one of the best books in a matter of a creation i had in hands. It's so well done and i just had to mention it. I know we should not judge a book by its cover, but for first impression i was just so extremely excited to read it because i felt like the inside will be the same as good.

And to talk about the inside, yes it was as good. Simple and light writing which keep you in with the right amount of details a story need so you can have a good image in your head. My favorite part were the description of the characters, which made them really real. On the story side, it's captivating. It's interesting and gets you in from the first moment. Instead of following a high class person or a prophecy girl, you get to follow an outcast in a fantasy world. And not only outcast because Tavera is a thief but also because she is also half-elf, a race which you don't really call a favorite in this world. The story contains action, relationship matters, mystery, mission, killing and it keeps you interested at the whole part.

Laslty, we have Tavera and Derk. Tavera is our main character. A half-elf thief and Derk is her mentor and an elite thief. Now, Tavera is an unique girl. For her age (because she is young) is quite clever. Later she becomes a very nice thief too. I could sympathize with her most of the time. The only negative i have to say about (and in general for the book) is how sometimes she was thinking so much about boys, kissing and at some point sex that she was becoming annoying. It's not weird to thing about those things, not only because she starts to becomes a woman but also because of her back story...but sometimes it was so concentrated on that matter and i just wanted to go on with the story, that it got impatient in a bad way. But except that, i can't say something else bothered me.
And Derk....well he is my favorite character. Mentor, mysterious, nice guy,protective etc...you can't really say no to him :P He was by far the most interesting person of all and i loved each one of his scenes no matter how small they were! I want a mentor like him too!

Thieves at Heart was a great start of a series! It was fast and different and i totally enjoyed it. Tavera might annoyed me at some points, but heck! The concept is original and i liked it! It was a good break from the romance of YA.

Book Review: The Steampunk Chronicles - The Girl In The Steel Corset

2012-01-18T11:23:00.001+02:00

In 1897 England, 16-year-old Finley Jayne has no one expect the "thing" inside her.

When a young lord tries to take advantage of Finley, she fights back. And wins. But no normal Victorian girl has a darker side that makes her capable of knocking out a full-grown man with one punch....

Only Griffin King sees the magical darkness inside her and says she's special, says she's one of them. The orphaned duke takes her in from the gaslit streets against the wishes of his band of misfits.

Griffin's investigating a criminal called The Machinist, the mastermind behind several recent crimes by automatons. Finley thinks she can help-and finally be a part of something.

But The machinist wants to tear Griff's little company of stray's appart, and it isn't long before trust is tested on all sides. At least Finley knows whose side she's on, even if it seems no one believes her.

The Girl With The Steel Corset
Publication Date: May 24th 2011
Pages: 304 (ebook)
Part of Series: Book #1
Purchased: Bought
Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Buy: Amazon (UK) || Amazon (US) || BookDepository

REVIEW:

What I first noticed on the book was the title, it caught my attention, and then the cover which is identical to the title and so beautiful, that I didn't need more persuation into reading the book. Last time I saw my Boss, aka Yiota, she asked my opinion about the book, but her question was out of the blue and I didn't have the time to prepare myself and answer her correctly. So here's my answer. I'd like, also to say that this was the first Steampunk novel I've ever read.

There are many things that I liked. Firstly, I liked the whole world, it wasn't something entirely different. It felt like I was watching a movie about old London, with the difference than there are some automatons or robots, and that there are some technological achievements that are newer in years.

Secondly, I liked the story and the characters. The story was a simple mystery that mixes both historical -real- figures, with the fictional characters. It also has some magic in, but nothing too fancy. The characters were different. They were acting different, they were thinking different. And that was good, because you had the opportunity to see many reactions in the same situation.

And lastly, I liked the writing. It was simple and understanding. We are able to see both lives in high society and the simpler one. The author doesn't write in point of views, which was good, because we are able to see all of the characters in equal parts and learn about their stories. Also, she doesn't stay too long in scenes, as a result the book is balanced, she cares about the romance as she cares about the action scenes, not more, not less.

Among the things I liked was the way the story flows, and how she manages to make all of her characters interesting. Sure there were some moments that I wanted to hit Sam for being so foulish, the fact that I knew who was The Machinist long before the characters find out and the cliche love triangle, that made it little boring, but other than that, it wasn't tiring at all.

Bottom line, the book was really good, I liked it and enjoyed it a lot, so I guess it's 4.5/5, it just misses the half point for the boring and already seen stuff.

P.S.: This is my first review for the new year. I don't think it counts for you, but it matters to me. So in case I forgot to already said it, Happy 2012 with many books, movies, games, etc to fill your life!!

Movie Review : Bridge to Terabithia

2012-01-15T14:18:00.005+02:00

Jess Aarons is an outsider at school and even in his own family. Jess has trained all summer to become the fastest kid in his middle school class but his goal is unexpectedly thwarted by the new girl in school. She is by nature limitless and through a very interesting and fun process manages to unlock all the potential of Jess'es limitless imagination.

Bridge To Terabithia
Released:February 16 2007
Duration: 96 min
Rating: 3/5 stars

Buy: Amazon (UK) || Amazon (US)

Review:

The movie starts showing us the life of Jess, a young boy with three sisters. He is the only son of a farmer and he likes to draw, a lot. The first problem that the movie shows about him are some financial problems that made him wear a pair of old pink shoes in the big race. The movie didn't really took the trouble of solving that problem but instead it just threw some scenes at us regarding them.
In spite of his vast imagination and his talend for drawing he is a very close minded, realistic person. All that changes when a new girl arrives at school. She is a rebel, both the way she looks and the way she acts screams that this girl is not playing by other people's rules. The first thing she did to the school was beat the boys in a "boys-only" running race.

The story after that shows us the progress of unlocking all the hidden potential in the imagination that Jess posseses. The result is a whole new world of fantasy, where everything is possible. Untill an event that changes everything.

For the spoiler funs I will write it: The girl dies tottaly out of the blue while passing the river to get into Terabithia, their world. After so much effort into making her the most loved character in the movie she just dies... WTF !? And after that Jess just replaces her with one of his sisters. What is the point of this, that everyone can be replaced ? that sucks as an ending.

For the non-spoiler fans I will just say that the ending let me down, greatly.

So to sum up I would say that the movie would be a great introduction to a trilogy but I did not see any more movies so I guess this ending really ruins the movie. But the duration of the movie was cool, with nice animations and a lot of imagination so I will give it an above average rating for that.

Book Review: Time Gangsters

2012-01-15T13:37:00.000+02:00

When Billy discovers a hidden cache of ancient coins, it isn't long before a gang of thugs swipes them right from under Billy. Plotting to use the magical properties of the coins to seize power in the past, these power-hungry gangsters will do anything to reach their goal. Their future threatened, Billy and Danny must race through time to steal back the coins---before history is changed forever!

Time Gangsters
Publication Date: February 8th 2012
Pages: 296
Purchased: For Review(from publisher)
Rating: 3/5 stars

Buy: Amazon (UK) || Amazon ( US )

REVIEW:
I requested Time Gangsters from NetGalley because it seemed a really adventurous book. And that was exactly what it was.

Time Gangsters even for the few pages it has, it's a long story but not tiring. It's fun, with action and time travel,treasures,hunting and quite enjoyable. With twists and everything. I don't see how a young kid won't like the book. It's like those movies were friends were going into crazy adventures and we were all "i so wish to be in their place". And the writing is light and it makes the story to be closer to the teens(under 15).

But the best thing about it is the characters. Not only you connect with them, but they are also so fun to read. They totally take away the "dark" vibe of the book and turn it into something else. Their comments and their behavior (because Billy and Danny are not really fond of each other) and how later they change, is really the strongest part of the story.

As you may see though, i gave the book 3 stars. Not because it was bad or something. But the story could be a little better. Friends, siblings, etc different from each other is something we see in many books so i wanted the story to stand out for me little more. It was good though!

Now, the book is middle grade but i can't see why someone older won't like it. It's quite a nice read and a good break of the "oldest" stuff we are usually reading.

TV Series Review: Terra Nova (Season 1)

2012-01-12T21:26:00.000+02:00

Terra Nova, an epic family adventure 85 million years in the making, is the new event drama slated for midseason from executive producers Steven Spielberg (“Jurassic Park,” “The Pacific”), Peter Chernin, Brannon Braga (24, “Star Trek: Enterprise”) and David Fury (24, “Lost”). The action-adventure series follows an ordinary family on an extraordinary journey back in time to prehistoric Earth as a part of a massive expedition to save the human race.

Terra Nova
Released: 2011
Runtime: 40 mins/ 12 episodes
Rating: 3/5 stars

Buy: Terra Nova - Season 1 [DVD] (Am.co.uk)

Terra Nova [DVD] (Am.com)

Terra Nova Digital Episodes

REVIEW:
Terra Nova was one of the most anticipated TV Series for 2011. It was delayed about 2 times because they wanted to spent time on the special effects before it finally comes out on September 2011.

I think that most of us when they hear dinosaurs, we have in mind Jurrasic Park. Or at least action. The story of the series on the other hand is more of a drama. You barely see 1-2 dinosaurs at each episode (sometimes not at all). There is based most on the family relationship and the whole thing seems like it moves slowly. There are action scenes but not many. And even though, there is a good mystery and background storyline, the whole family thing or various events that have nothing to do with the storyline hide it. Don't get me wrong. I liked it. But there were episodes, that almost wanted to click forward and skip scenes.

For the acting it is really average for most of the cast. The only decent and interesting character was commander Nathaniel. He totally saved the show. As for the main family, i couldn't see the connection between them. They didn't fit well.

The special effects of course are more than amazing. And maybe that's why we didn't get many dinosaurs. Because the series need time. Beautiful setting too.

The show it's better than the average show we get nowdays. But from producers of Jurassic Park, Star Trek, 24 and Lost i was just expecting more. The last 3-4 episodes were the best and most interesting, and the series were finished with a cliffhanger for a story way better and more interesting than the one we got so far. Unfortunately, a 2nd season hasn't been announced yet.

Movie Review: The Double

2012-01-11T12:19:00.003+02:00

The mysterious murder of a US senator bearing the distinctive trademark of the legendary Soviet assassin Cassius, forces Paul Shepherdson (Richard Gere), a retired CIA operative, to team with rookie FBI agent, Ben Geary (Topher Grace), to solve the crime.

Having spent his career chasing Cassius, Shepherdson is convinced his nemesis is long dead, but is pushed to take on the case by his former supervisor, Tom Highland (Martin Sheen). Meanwhile, Agent Geary, who wrote his Master's thesis on Shepherdson's pursuit of the Soviet killer, is certain that Cassius has resurfaced. As Shepherdson and Geary work their way through crimes both past and present, they discover that Cassius may not be the person they always thought him to be, forcing both to re-examine everything and everyone around them.

The Double
Released: 2011
Runtime: 99 mins
Rating: 4/5 stars
Buy: Not Available Yet

Review:
Well Wednesday night and i am going to cinema after quite a long time to watch a movie!I didn't had any particular movie i wanted to watch, i just wanted to hang out for some time.Bad luck though... there wasn't any movie to pick my interest.But i wanted to watch a movie, so finally i choosed The Double, starring Richard Gere and the new spiderman guy Topher Grace.

I must admit that i haven't seen a movie with agents,detectives,CIA,FBI,serial killers etc. for a long long time and i was quite reluctant about that movie!but i was wrong!The movie as you can see in the summary is about a retired CIA Agent Paul Shepherdson (Richard Gere) who cooperates with a FBI rookie Ben Geary(Topher Grace) because a serial killer has decided to start the murders again!

First i have to say, and it realy mades me happy to tell it, that this is one of the few movies that the producer has thought of a script for the movie and didn't just took a book or a fairy tale and rewrite it!Yeah maybe it has a cliche story,a serial killer who was long time vanished,starts the murders again and blah blah, but it is good.So that is one good fact for the movie,for me at least.The movie now is realy good, with some good action especially after the first half.Richard Gere does his role realy good as we expect but the real surprise here is Topher Grace.He was so good in his role!I am eager to see how he will play at spiderman in which is the main star.About the cast,except Grace and Gere there isn't any famous actor/actress, but it is good and has done a good job without something fantastic to expect.There is one special element about the movie,though, which i didn't expect and in my opinion it was good!You will learn the truth about the story early in the movie and then you will see the movie from that perspective,which is actually good.You know the truth but the characters don't, and that is so interesting!And another thing,the end is fantastic,you can never guess it!!

The music was good and it was fitting the movie really well,dark and mysterious, but it wasn't something you will want to hear again at your ipod or mp3, or something you will remember after.

To summarize The Double was a really good movie, with good cast and music, and i would say that everyone who loves movies of that kind should give it a try and watch it!And that from a guy who doesn't like those movies too much.

Cast:Richard Gere,Topher Grace,
Odette Annable,Martin Sheen,Nicole Forester,Stephen Moyer,
Chris Marquette,Jimmy Ortega,Stana Katic,Tamer Hassan.

Results for "Additional Info in Reviews"

2012-01-11T12:11:00.000+02:00

I did a survey about a week ago, wanting to learn what readers prefer to have as additional info in the reviews. I promised since this is something that many may wonder about, to show everyone the results.

So here they are...hope they are useful to you as they are for me and some decisions i want to make.
Since most of our readers are book bloggers, i will post only the results regarding the Book Reviews. In case you want to know about the TV Series/Movies & Games too feel free to e-mail me at splashooworlds@hotmail.com

The amount of people from those who answered (about 50 people) what each one want:

Book Cover: 97%

Publication Date: 56%

Pages: 37%

Edition: 11%

How we got the book (for review,bought): 47%

Summary: 70%

Link to Amazon or BookDep: 28%

Rating System: 74 %

The survey is still open for anyone who want to answer. I'm checking the results almost daily :)

Thanks everyone for answering!
-xox,Yiota ^^

Book Review: Allegiance

2012-01-06T19:38:00.001+02:00

Only I saw Narian for who he truly was: a young man with courage and an independent mind, and made to pay for what was outside his control. He couldn't help his past any more than he could help the way those intense, deep-blue eyes pierced me and held me captive.

An eighteen-year-old queen in love with the enemy as their countries pass the point of no return...

Bound to a man she cannot love, Queen Alera of Hytanica must forget Narian, the young man who holds her heart. For Narian is destined to conquer Hytanica at the behest of his master, the powerful magic-user known as the Overlord. Alera doesn't truly believe Narian will fight against Hytanica-until Cokyrian troops attack with Narian commanding the charge.

Faced with the greatest betrayal a heart can know, Alera must set aside personal feelings and lead her kingdom through its darkest time. And when all hope, will and courage seem lost, she must find strength and remember that even the blackest night must have a dawn....

Allegiance ( Legacy #2 ) by Cayla Kluver
Paperback, 523 pages (Greek edition)
Published at October 2011

REVIEW:
Hmmmm....i'm really trying to calm myself to write this review. *deep breaths*

Kluver is young. We all know that. But she is older than the previous book. And i can't say the writing style changed much from then. It was more well written, that's true but i could still see a young person behind and sometimes i felt like the wrong words were picked to describe. I think that if Kluver had picked a more normal YA, with not so much epic fantasy in it her writing would match better the story. It's not bad...it's just...not that good for me either.

Then we have how the story progressed. I have to say the whole idea, and finally the war, and some things happened at the war was just really good. Wonderful way to continue the story and make it interesting. It was the reason that made me read it until the end. I wanted to know what will happen so i did not stop, though believe me i wanted from the first 100 pages.

Now...Alera....our main character. To say it simple. I hated her and i still hate her. She is just so annoying. I can't connect with her, and while she has some moments of clarity she once again becomes her annoying self. She is selfish to the bone. Yes, she had the bad luck to marry someone who didn't want. But for god shake's, she is a queen now! There is a war! Her sister was kidnapped! And the only thing she has in mind is if Narian still loves her, how to get Steldor mad and go horseriding? She acts childish all the time. Does she even care about her people? Except 1-2 times you see her worried about her female friends, the rest book is her worrying over small things. She is not even strong enough, to stand the pressure of a queen. And poor Steldor, doing so much for her, the kingdom. She does not deserve him at all! I mean...your are going for negotiations for both your sister and your kingdom and you actually are so calm to think "how good Narian look, and if he loves her" while there is a big chance you die when you don't even know how to fight? I'm a big fan of romance in books, but sometimes it just doesn't work all the time.

So yeah...the whole thing just didn't work out for me. I really don't like Alera and how she acts. And the end of the book was even more disappointing.The only people who made me finish the book was Steldor, London and Kanan.

The fact is i'm going to buy the next one. Just because i want to know how the story ends. I don't know how i will manage to keep up with Alera when she is the main character so i just hope there are many scenes with the rest characters to help me. Allegiance was a really good sequel idea for the story, but i just wish it was from another person's POV.

P.S: There might be some spelling mistakes with the character's name because i have read the book in Greek so i'm not entirely sure i translated them right.

P.S.2: The cover above while it's beautiful, it doesn't match the feeling of the story at all. My favorite ones are the Greek ones, with art of the characters. Here my copy to see how it looks:

Reviews Survey

2012-01-04T18:00:00.000+02:00

Hey ya everybody!!! How long has it been from a survey eh? Too long :p

So here we are...only 3 questions with checkboxes, and you don't even have to answer all 3, regarding what do you like to see as additional info at reviews.

If you want to leave a comment, do so here, at twitter, facebook, email or wherever you want. I'm checking everything!

Thanks a lot to anyone who answers :)

&lt;p&gt;Loading...&lt;/p&gt;

Book Review: The Eye Of The World (Wheel Of Time Book 1)

2012-01-04T05:29:00.004+02:00

The Wheel Of Time turns and Ages come and go, leaving memories that become legend.Legend fades to myth and even myth is long forgotten when the Age that gave it birth returns again.

In the Third Age, an Age of Prophecy, the World and Time themselves hang in the balance.

But one truth yet remains, and what mortal men forget, the Aes Sedai do not...

What was, what will be, and what is, may yet fall under the Shadow.

Eye Of The World ( Wheel of Time #1) by Robert Jordan
UK:Published by Orbit, new edition ( 12 Dec 1991), 814 pages
US:Published by Tor Fantasy, 1 edition (15 Nov 1990), 832 pages
Also there is a limited hardback edition published by Orbit ( 3 Nov 2011),688 pages

Hello to all of you who read our blog and Happy New Year!This is my first post after a long long time.My name is George (probably you know me as Filios, that's how all here call me) and i will try through my posts to share things with you and give you new ideas about books, movies and blah blah blah blah... ok enough with that.On to the review.

Review:
Well this is it.The first book of the Wheel Of Time series or simple WOT.To be honest until last year i didn't know about the series.Until one of my favorite bands Blind Guardian released their album At The Edge Of Time in which there was a song called Wheel Of Time and guess what... the song was inspired by the book series.It is an EPIC, fast song, with good lyrics and some great Eastern melodies.Well i was motivated by the song to buy the first book and start the series!And here i am currently reading the book 7, The Crown Of Swords.Now lets talk about the book.

The book starts with a prologue called Dragonmount.In my opinion is one of the best prologues i have ever read, but there is a detail, not negative though.You can't understand it.It's purpose is to introduce you to the events that started everything you are about to read.By book 3 or even book 2 you will understand it perfectly (and then you will understand how brilliant this prologue is) and it plays a key role in the next books.It is the best beginning of a great book and a stunning and brutal scene which also introduce us to a great talent that Jordan has for which i will talk later.

So first chapter and the book transfers us to a little and peaceful village called Emond's Field and we meet with it's inhabitants.Particularly we will meet our 3 young heroes Rand al'Thor, Perrin Aybara and Matrim Cauthon.The village is about to be attacked by some huge and savage monsters called Trollocs and the adventure begins!

The book is fast paced almost breathtaking i can say and it hooks you from the beginning!Jordan is a great and talented writter and you can see it from many things!The world he is building is as real as our world with many details and a great history which is building slowly in all of his books and you will get to learn a lot of things about it in this book.Also he gives detailed descriptions about the clothing of the characters,how the eat how they behave,about the places they visit, you get so many details that you can form the pictures exactly in your mind which is something great!Many maybe would find this annoying but personally i like it.Of course we have a lot of character growth.We get to see how the characters thinking,how they change through the book and how that is affecting them and their adventures.You gonna like some and hate others,and empathize with them.The best thing about them is that they are so real, their emotions,their thoughts,everything about them.Last but not least is the foreshadowing that Jordan does!It's impossible to figure out what is gonna happen in the next chapters or at the end of the book

One of the talents which Jordan has and mentioned it earlier is that in the book you start knowing nothing, and you are hearing about places,events,characters,races of people, or stories that you know nothing about them in the beginning and slowly as the book progresses learn about them.In my opinion this is a great thing for a writer to do.It totally hooks you, making you want to go to the next page,to read more.

Of course maybe the best thing about the book is it's ending!Slowly the book through it's events is building to a great climax which leaves you wanting more,answering some questions you had but also leaves you with new questions, more than before.

To summarize The Eye Of The World is a brilliant start to a great fantasy series which introduce you to a battle between Evil and Good,between the Shadow and the Light.I didn't want to give you details about it because i don't want to spoil it for you and it is not the meaning of this review to tell you the story of the series or of the book!It is a MUST read for everyone who loves the fantasy genre.

Pickies 2011 - Part II

2012-01-03T15:13:00.002+02:00

PART I - BOOKS/GRAPHIC NOVELS/MANGA

*Since we reviewed too many movies/series/games to start posting posters one by one, i will just put links of our favorites. The list is also missing everything we reviewed the last 2 months because they are not at the indexes yet.*

MOVIES

To view ALL the Movie Reviews: here

Arthur (2011)

Bad Teacher (2011)

Black Swan (2011)

Burlesque (2010)
Becoming Jane (2007)

Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)

Charlie St.Cloud (2011)

Diary of a Wimpy Kid (2010)

Easy A (2010)

Gulliver's Travels (2010)

Fast Five (2011)
Friends With Benefits (2011)

Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part II (2011)

I Am Number Four (2011)

Johnny English Reborn (2011)
Just Go With It (2011)

Kung Fu Panda 2 (2011)

Karate Kid (2010)

My Babysitter's A Vampire (2011)
Megamind (2010)
My Sister's Keeper (2009)
Marley & Me (2008)

Paul (2011)

Pride & Prejudice (2005)

Ramona & Beezus (2010)

The Three Musketeers (2011)
The Diary of A Wimpy Kid: Roderick Rules (2011)

The King's Speech (2011)

Thor (2011)

Tangled (2010)

The Pagemaster (1994)
The Princess Bride (1987)

X-Men: First Class (2011)

TV SERIES - All reviews

Warehouse 13 (Season 3)

Modern Family (Season 1)

Downton Abbey (Season 1)

Fringe (Season 3)

Supernatural (Season 6)

Haven (Season 1)
Alphas (Season 1)

Firefly (Finished)

Relic Hunter (Finished)

Goosebumps (Finished)

GAMES - All Reviews

Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (PC)

The Witchers II (PC)

From Dust (PC)

Alice: Madness Returns (PC)

The Cursed Crusade (PC)

Dark Messiah: Heroes Of Might And Magic (PC)

Guilds Wars: Prophecies Campaign (PC)

Guilds Wars: Nightfall (PC)

Spellforce 2 (PC)

Pickies 2011 - Part I

2012-01-02T14:26:00.001+02:00

Welcome to Pickies 2011 with the favorites of 2011!!

BOOKS - MANGA - GRAPHIC NOVELS

*5/4 stars rating of books already reviewed*

You can view ALL(+lower than 4 stars) of our 2011 reads here

title	author	avg rating
BLEACH Vol. 52	TITE, KUBO	4.75
Bleach Volume 51	Kubo, Tite	4.37
BLEACH―ブリーチ― 50	Kubo, Tite	4.35
BLEACH―ブリーチ― 49	Kubo, Tite	4.31
Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to You, Vol. 12	Shiina, Karuho	4.27
Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to You, Vol. 13	Shiina, Karuho	4.33
Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to You, Vol. 11	Shiina, Karuho	4.26
Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to You, Volume 9	Shiina, Karuho	4.32
Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to You, Vol. 10	Shiina, Karuho	4.32
Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to You, Volume 7	Shiina, Karuho	4.37
Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to You, Volume 4	Shiina, Karuho	4.34
Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to You, Volume 8	Shiina, Karuho	4.33
Kimi ni Todoke, Volume 6	Shiina, Karuho	4.31
Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to You, Volume 5	Shiina, Karuho	4.31
Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to You, Volume 3	Shiina, Karuho	4.30
Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to You, Volume 2	Shiina, Karuho	4.31
Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to You, Volume 1	Shiina, Karuho	4.18
Anna Dressed in Blood (Anna, #1)	Blake, Kendare *	4.13
Εισαγωγή στην επικοινωνία ανθρώπου-υπολογιστή	Νικόλαος, Αβούρης	5.00
The Egyptian (Dominic Grey, #2)	Green, Layton	4.25
The Extraordinary Secrets of April, May, & June	Benway, Robin	3.78
The Survivors	Havard, Amanda *	3.83
Geist (Book of the Order, #1)	Ballantine, Philippa *	3.81
The Art of Alice: Madness Returns	Berg, R.J.	4.37
Avatar The Last Airbender: The Lost Adventures	Konietzko, Bryan	4.14
Demonglass (Hex Hall, #2)	Hawkins, Rachel *	4.29
The Emerald Atlas (The Books of Beginning #1)	Stephens, John	3.84
The Wizard Heir (The Heir Chronicles, #2)	Chima, Cinda Williams *	4.16
The Name of the Wind (The Kingkiller Chronicle, #1)	Rothfuss, Patrick *	4.53
Defiance (Strange Angels, #4)	Crow, Lili St.	4.27
The Demon King (Seven Realms, #1)	Chima, Cinda Williams *	4.30
Sleeping Beauty: Vampire Slayer (Twisted Tales, #2)	McGowan, Maureen *	3.64
Betrayals (Strange Angels, #2)	Crow, Lili St.	4.13
Strange Angels (Strange Angels, #1)	Crow, Lili St.	3.87
Hex Hall (Hex Hall, #1)	Hawkins, Rachel *	4.06
Curse of the Bane (The Last Apprentice / Wardstone Chronicles, #2)	Delaney, Joseph	4.10
Immortal War (Vampirates, #6)	Somper, Justin	4.44
Bloodlines	Mead, Richelle *	4.26
Last Sacrifice (Vampire Academy #6)	Mead, Richelle *	4.52
Eona: The Last Dragoneye (Eon, #2)	Goodman, Alison *	4.17
Farsighted (Farsighted, #1)	Chand, Emlyn *	4.18
Battle for Cascadia (Gaia Wars, #2)	Bennett, Kenneth G. *	4.73
The Gaia Wars (Gaia Wars, #1)	Bennett, Kenneth G. *	4.44
The Deliverer (The Marenon Chronicles)	Morrow, Jason D.	4.67
The Realmsic Conquest	Jackson, A. Demethius	3.57
Two Moons of Sera (No. 1)	Tyler, Pavarti K *	4.27
Spectyr (Book of the Order, #2)	Ballantine, Philippa *	4.03
Seers	Frost, Heather *	3.82
The Summoner (Dominic Grey, #1)	Green, Layton	4.02
Blood of Elves (The Witcher, #1)	Sapkowski, Andrzej	4.19
Μια ζωή δυο ζωές	Themelis, Nikos	2.89
Wayward (The Witch Wars Saga #1)	Girardi, Ashley *	3.51
The Book of Lost Souls (Ivy MacTavish #1)	Muto, Michelle *	3.98
Inheritance (Inheritance, #4)	Paolini, Christopher	4.10
A Tale of Two Castles	Levine, Gail Carson	3.51
The Dragon Heir (The Heir Chronicles, #3)	Chima, Cinda Williams *	4.11
A Spy in the House (The Agency, #1)	Lee, Y.S.	3.84
The Blood Moon of Winter	Conant, Courtney *	4.03
The Stepsister Scheme (Princess, #1)	Hines, Jim C. *	3.73
The Siege of Macindaw (Ranger's Apprentice, #6)	Flanagan, John	4.26
The Schopenhauer Cure: A Novel	Yalom, Irvin D.	3.90
Ember and Ash	Freeman, Pamela	3.43
Soul Stalker (Timeless #2)	Kreitzer, Laura *	4.32
The Warrior Heir (The Heir Chronicles, #1)	Chima, Cinda Williams *	4.01
Beloved of the Fallen	Kline, Savannah	3.56
Waterfall (River of Time, #1)	Bergren, Lisa Tawn *	4.23
Jane Austen: A Life Revealed	Reef, Catherine	3.32
Encrypted	Buroker, Lindsay *	4.17
The Emperor's Edge (Emperor's Edge #1)	Buroker, Lindsay *	4.11
The Sorcerer in the North (Ranger's Apprentice, #5)	Flanagan, John	4.19
Cinderella: Ninja Warrior (Twisted Tales, #1)	McGowan, Maureen *	3.65
Virals (Virals #1)	Reichs, Kathy	3.86
Out for Blood (Drake Chronicles, #3)	Harvey, Alyxandra *	4.30
Skulduggery Pleasant (Skulduggery Pleasant, #1)	Landy, Derek	4.18
Magician: Apprentice, Volume 1	Feist, Raymond E.	4.34
Jealousy (Strange Angels, #3)	Crow, Lili St.	4.24
Stardust	Gaiman, Neil *	3.96
Legacy (Legacy, #1)	Kluver, Cayla *	3.72
Steel	Vaughn, Carrie *	3.36
Angelfire (Angelfire, #1)	Moulton, Courtney Allison *	3.97
Late-night News (Kostas Jaritos, #1) (Kostas Jaritos, #1)	Markaris, Petros	3.44

Did you favorite books made our list? ^^

Stay tuned for the Pickies Movies, Games & TV Series!

Blogies 2011

2012-01-01T16:02:00.000+02:00

So here they are the Bloggies 2011 (which is actually all the blogs, people and other)..and Pickies will be posted later this week, with the best books,movies,series,games of the year.
The list and idea came out in a really short notice (i thought about it yesterday cause i was too busy), so i didn't have the time to create something bigger and awesomer. So it's mostly a quick list i did :)

And well i just wanted to say THANK YOU, to all of those great people, for making the blog year more special :)

My favorite blogs of the year each one for a different reason. Visit and enjoy! *the order is not on based which i prefer more*

Small Review >> For probably the best book reviews on the blogshpere
Books For Company >> For the awesome memes
Liesewies >> For bringing something different on my dashboard with the variety of movies,fashion and Harry Potter.
Loving Books && Read Me, Bookmark Me,Love Me >> For all the new books that introduced to me with their reviews
Ranting Dragon && Drying Ink >> For their great fantasy book reviews
Once Upon A Time >> For the best discussions posts (along with Drying Ink)
Blackplume >> For writing honest and detailed without spoiling and be a fun person.

Favorite Authors not only or for their great books, but also the attention who give to people and make us feel special. *This does not mean i did not enjoy many other authors and their books, but those at the list really made me remember them for 2011*

Michelle Muto >> For the best YA Books i've read this year and how great is talking with her
Sasha Soren >> For her amazing ideas and constant communication with the bloggers
Emlyn Chand >> For the great tours, book and character
Amanda Havard >> For how much she works on her books and some of the best books promotion ideas ever ( music videos? concert series? apps? )
Alison Goodman >> For the best book with dragons i've read this year
Kathy Reichs >> For bringing new "Enyd Blayton"-like stories in my life
Justin Somper >> For providing a great ending at his Vampirates series
Pavarti K. Tyler, Kendare Blake, Y.S.Lee, Jason Morrow, Philippa Balantine >> For suprising me pleasantly with their stories when i did not expect it

And lastly, some amazing book covers that really made my want to read the books *in the list are included only covers from books i've read*

Stay tuned for Pickies 2011!
-xoxo, Yiota

Happy New Year!!!

2012-01-01T00:00:00.000+02:00

art by damaciel @ Deviantart

Happy New Year everyone!!! Weeee!!! Anyone else exciting? 2011 was good i believe ( even though we are from Greece which many bad things happen) and was fun too!

Just wanted to say that i hope everyone has a wonderful year for 2012! For us, the book-movie-game lovers there are many exciting things coming out this year, to make us forget the bad so I am like "yay!".

I do hope you had a good and enjoyable year, here at the blog and enjoyed it as much as i did. There we so many things happened and need to mention so i will make a post full them in the week instead of writing some in hurry now :)

I don't know where everyone is right now to ask if they want to say something and i totally forgot because i was working but here some extra words from Johnny who i talk with, right now:

Happy new year with plenty of good times and more books to take us to distant lands. And may my wardrobe be a gate to Narnia or something similar.

I really hope your new dog, find the portal man...i really do!

Have fun everyone!!! See ya all soon! ^^
-xoxo, Yiota

P.S: How awesome is that i found a pic with a dragon? :D

gif (Bleach anime) by roymustangs

Movie Review: Mary Poppins

2011-12-31T19:59:00.000+02:00

A magic nanny comes to work for a cold banker's unhappy family.

REVIEW:
Since it's Christmas time, our TV is airing many old movies. One of those was Mary Poppins, and since I haven't seen it before, I decided to watch it now.

The movie was great for many reasons. The acting was amazing, the songs lovely, in a way that the songs are stucking into your head and they have something to say, and the costumes were beautiful.

I liked the idea of having both animation and real-life actors in one scene, it was unique and very funny, in a way that it's not boring and more appealing to the kids. Mary Poppins was a marvellous woman, she could make the kids listen to her without shouting or yelling, but with singing to them and making them understand in a good way and she could make the others do as she said without them noticing. Bert was gret too. He had many talents and really liked Mary Poppins. As for the parents, I think they were just busy in what they were doing and the kids were not naughty, they just wanted their parents to pay a little attention to them.

I'm not the only one thinking that the movie was great. It was nominated for 13 Oscars, and it won 5 of them, including Best Special Effects, though in your eyes and mine would look little fake, but it's 1964, Best Actress for Julie Andrews and Best Song for "Chim Chim Cher-ee", my personal favourite.

It's the last day of this year, I'm not going to able to write anything else today, so I wish you all A Very Happy New Year and since I have nothing else to say, I salute you with the world's biggest word: Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.

Author Interview: Steven Shrewsbury

2011-12-31T14:38:00.000+02:00

Steven L. Shrewsbury is a fantasy and horror author who has well over 300 tales published online or in print. He is the creator of creator of Dack Shannon and the Majestic Universe, as well as the novels Tormentor (Lachesis Publishing), Hawg (Graveside Tales) and Stronger Than Death (Snuff Books).

He has appeared in many anthologies, most recently Harlan County Horrors from Apex Publications. Other anthologies include Deathgrip: Legacy of Terror from Hellbound books; Blackest Death-Vol I from BDB; the high fantasy epic Grimoire De Solace from iUniverse, the hardback Cemetery Poets, Scary, Atrocitas Aqua from DDP.

For more information on Steven L. Shrewsbury, please visit his website at www.stevenshrewsbury.com

-----------------

SOOW: Try to describe your book in one sentence.-

SS: THRALL is an epic adventure that shows courage sometimes arrives in a dented package.

SOOW: Your genre in "Thrall" is "Sword and Sorcery"? Did you choose that genre on purpose, or did you just start writing?

SS: I write many horror or fantasy tales. THRALL just happened to be seen as S&S. Frankly, it's a horror story set back in the days of things long forgotten so S&S works I guess.

SOOW: What inspired you to write, you took any ideas from other books, movies etc?

SS: Ever since I've been a child, I've been telling stories. They just arrive in my head. I used to re-arragne Biblical battles in my sand box until I discovered this was likely to get me sent to hell. I read books by

Robert E. Howard and Edgar Rice Burroughs to start with, then it was off to the races. I never cared for Tolkien really as a youth, but read more horror as I grew up, King, Bloch, Lovecraft, Ellison along with many great sci fi like Heinlein, Bradbury and then Martin and Gemmell.

SOOW: Did you do any research before start or during of the writing of the books?-

SS: I read a great deal on many topics. I'm a real history goof so at times I'll do honest research, but many things in a fiction novel pop in there from years of reading on varied topics. The background in THRALL is set before the flood in a misty era not many know much about. I had some fun with that.

SOOW: Which scenes were the hardest to write?-

SS: The climax was sort of emotionally draining.

SOOW: How long has it taken you to write a book ?-

SS: Some pop out fast. I cna do a first draft in a month, but redrafts and other dressing up for it takes much longer. Each book is a beast unto itself.

SOOW: What's the best part of writing for you?-

SS: The escapism and just letting it out. I can tell a story, enjoy it and share it.

SOOW: Are you reading or writing something else at the moment?-

SS: Reading some old Tim Zahn STAR WARS books at the moment, but yes, I just finished a horror novel and am ready for edits on another.

SOOW: Did you have support at the beginning and/or during your writing?-

SS: No. However, some friends give me that inspiration now.

SOOW: Did you always had in mind to be a writer or it just happened?-

SS: I've been writing down stories since I was 12 I think. Always knew it.

SOOW: How important you find the communication between you and your readers? Do you reply to their messages or read their reviews? -

SS: I love to hear from readers either via the internet or at Cons. If one
writes me on FB or email, I'll answer. I don't answer comments on reviews,
though. Folks are entitled to their opinions.

SOOW: Are you working on any other projects except writing, right now?-

SS" Trying to get stuff in line for Christmas as well as writing.

SOOW: Something special you want to share with us?

SS: In the next week or so Seventh Star Press well start releasing short
tales in eBook format. Two of my tales (featuring Gorias La Gaul from
THRALL) will be in this release. INSURMOUNTABLE and AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF
OUR FLESH. Next year we'll see the release of my horror novel HELL BILLY and
a prequel to THRALL called OVERKILL, um, but dunno if I was supposed to say
the latter yet :)

SOOW: Now some simple questions and more fun:

SOOW: Your favourite books and author?

SS: HOUR OF THE DRAGON by Robert E. Howard; MOTHER NIGHT by Kurt Vonnegut;
BLOODSTONE by Karl Edward Wagner
Those three fellas are my favorite authors, too.

SOOW: Your favourite band/singer?

SS: BLACK SABBATH
Johnny Cash

SOOW: Twitter or Facebook?
SS: Facebook. My fingers are too big for twittering.

SOOW: Favourite place in the world?

SS: My farm

SOOW: Last movie you watched at the cinemas?

FRIGHT NIGHT. Bloody terrible save for David Tennant parts.

SOOW: The last book you've read?

SS: BIGFOOT WAR by Eric S. Brown

SOOW: Have you ever googled yourself?

SS: Sure. More than once, in fact.

SOOW: Writing, reading or hanging out with friends?

SS: Lately, more of the former.

SOOW: If you wouldn't be a writer, what you would be?-

SS: A LUMBER JACK! No, I dunno...a famer. I've lived on a farm my entire life
yet don't farm.

SOOW: And last one....printed or ebooks?

Printed.

Thanks!

Game Review: Heroes Of Might And Magic VI

2011-12-30T19:06:00.002+02:00

Overview:

The adventure in Heroes VI, starting 400 years before events in Heroes V, catapults a family of heroes into a fast-paced epic story where Angels plot to end -- once and for all -- an unfinished war with their ancient rivals, the Faceless.

A legendary Archangel General is resurrected, but with his powers crippled. Plagued by horrible memories of the Elder Wars, he plots to recover his powers and take control of Ashan while destroying both Faceless and Demons in a series of carefully orchestrated attacks and betrayals. He underestimates, however, the power of the all-too-human Griffin dynasty.

The destiny of these Griffin heroes will be determined by our players.

Review:

The latest game in the Heroes Of Might And Magic series which as you all know or SHOULD know that it is my favorite game series, Heroes Of Might And Magic VI leaves a mixed feeling.

Well to begin with lets start with the poster. I mean...OMG right?! HOW AWESOME IS IT?! Now this poster, the soundtrack and the artwork were TOTALLY worth the money for the Deluxe edition.

As for the game now, well it had some very nice parts and some parts that disappoint greatly. Lets begin. The story of the game is interesting, it shows the journey of 5 siblings and its amazing how different their story was, and how much they each affected the main plot in their own way. The story is shown through cutscenes and dialogues as it was in Heroes V, which is something I enjoyed there as well. The story unfolds in a more cinematic kind of way and keeps an interest to the player.

Then we have the obvious change on the graphics. The graphics are now smoother, the animations and effects are much better and they add a very nice touch to the overall scene of the game. The battles are smoother since the analogy of the size of the units is way better than in Heroes V (you dont have dwarves or wolves that are in the same size as a grown man, if not bigger), and the magic and the way it is cast and shown is much better worked.

Then we have music, which as always is very nice and blends in with the world perfectly. They managed to embody the factions with their music very nicely and they even made a tribute to the older games by adding a few soundtracks similar to the older games such as Heroes II. The sound effects are much better than before, and they vary according to distance and point of view. The voice acting was better as well.

Finally there were a few things in terms of gameplay that were improved as well. For instance i liked the fact that every nation had its own unique set of spells and powers as well as looks (both male and female, mage and fighter, which was a thing that was lacking from heroes V). They also had their own catapult when you assaulted forts and cities, which was a great touch. They also worked very nicely on the rpg element of the game. The fact that every hero gained a skill point that he could then spend on various abilities or spells was to me a great improvement. Though many would argue that the cities no longer had the mage's guild that had spells and you had to learn the necessary skill to learn them, i find it an improvement since many times you wanted to train your hero to lets say "fire magic" and the mage's guild you had only had water spells on higher levels so you were stuck with an awesome fire mage that had crappy spells. This way you have full control of what your hero knows and doesnt.

However there are also a few things that disappointed me greatly with this game. First of all the fact that you have to be online to unlock content and experience the game in its full is a major minus for me because I dont want all of my games to require internet to play properly. I mean, what if I am stuck somewhere with no internet? that means I cant play anything? That is a big minus Ubisoft.

Another thing that disappointed me was the lack of choices when it comes to races. I miss having the old plethora of choices, from Lizardmen, to humans, to elves, to dwarves, to undead, to barbarians, to orcs etc etc. Yes I know that after Heroes III (the best heroes game imo) there was never much variety, i found it annoying that they did not have some key races in Heroes as I have come to think of them. For instance this game did not have Mages and Elves, which is stupid. I mean, the game is practically called might and magic, and you dont have the Mage people? or elves? Elves always played a great role in Heroes universe. I know that they were not part of the plot, but they could and should add them. Perhaps in future expansions?

Last the MOST disappointing element of the game was the city view. Dont get me wrong they did major improvements on the way the city looks in the world map when you upgrade things. Meaning that a city with a capitol, castle and all the bonus buildings build was WAY more different than a city that had no castle, or different bonus buildings. However the in town view is just dreadful. I mean really Ubisoft? they had in town camera awesome and replaced it with a boring 2d moving picture. How could the improve so many things from heroes V and the only key thing that Heroes V ROCKED the waves with was left out? Bad move. VERY bad move.

To end with I think that it is a worthwhile game, a fine addition to any might and magic fan out there. Sure it has a few things that keep it from the level of perfection we all want, but it is not to shabby. It has a solid ground to begin with, and I hope it will only improve.

P.S Those b....bad people kept some of the music tracks off the soundtrack!!!! the best ones were out!

Movie Review: All Good Things & The American

2011-12-30T10:56:00.000+02:00

About: In 1970s New York City, David Marks (Gosling), the son of a powerful real estate tycoon, marries a beautiful working-class student, Katie McCarthy (Dunst). Together they flee the city for country life in Vermont — only to be lured back by David's father. Upon their return, Katie goes back to medical school while trying to understand David's mood swings and unwillingness to have children. As she becomes increasingly independent, David mysteriously turns more violent and controlling. Family secrets are slowly revealed as Katie disappears without a trace. Years later, when David's best friend turns up dead, the 20-year-old case is re-opened, with David as the main suspect, and the Marks family’s dark secrets pave the way to a disturbing truth.

Review: I saw this movie because of Ryan Gosling. I have seen him in other movies and I was impressed by his performances, but in this one he portrays a whole different kind of character. This movie impressed me because it started and ended in a very different way. The plot was very interesting, it captured the viewer in so many levels. I couldn't stop thinking about it even days after. Kirsten Dunst as Katie Marks was very good at her role too. To sum up, I suggest this movie to those of you, who like romantic dramas, but I have to warn you that it is a very emotionally brutal movie. For me it is a 8/10.

About: An assassin hides out in Italy for one last assignment. The American of the title is Jack (Clooney), a hitman who is living a seemingly idyllic life in Sweden which is quickly shattered when men come to kill him (for reasons never explained). Jack makes it out alive and hides out in a small, beautiful Italian village awaiting instructions from his contact on how to proceed. He’s given a job that requires him to build a specialized rifle for an assassination. However, his life remains in danger and Jack’s (justified) paranoia becomes more intense throughout the film.

Review: The main reason I decided to watch this movie was George Clooney. However, I am not glad I did. The movie was very slow, even though it had action scenes and also it seemed very unrealistic. The classic hit-man “superhero”. I found it very boring, I was looking at my watch, the whole time. My review is very small because this movie had actually no plot. In my opinion it is not a worth watching movie even though George Clooney is the lead actor.

Movie Review: Ides of March

2011-12-29T21:35:00.002+02:00

About: Stephen Meyers (Ryan Gosling) is the Junior Campaign Manager for Mike Morris (George Clooney), Governor of Pennsylvania and a Democratic presidential candidate, competing against Arkansas Senator Ted Pullman (Michael Mantell). The candidates are campaigning in Ohio. A win for Morris would all but guarantee him the nomination; a win for Pullman would give him vital momentum. Both campaigns are also attempting to enlist the endorsement of North Carolina Democratic Senator Franklin Thompson (Jeffrey Wright) who can give either one 356 pledged Democratic convention delegates and, ultimately, the nomination.

Review: George Clooney as President of the United States? And Ryan Gosling as his press secretary? How could I not watch this movie? The Ides of March is a movie with an impressive cast. Clooney directs, and has co-written the screenplay with Grant Heslov and Beau Willimon. Some of the actors are Marissa Tomei, playing a sassy New York Times reporter, Paul Giamatti as Tom Duffy, a rival campaign manager and Evan Rachel Wood as Molly Stearns, an intern for Morris' campaign were some of the actors that impressed me the most.

Mike Morris, the governor of Pennsylvania in “The Ides of March” is an image of the liberal heart’s desire, and not only because he is played by George Clooney. Morris, who keeps his cool while inflaming the passions of Democratic primary voters, is a committed environmentalist and a forthright secularist who sidesteps questions about his faith by professing that his religion is the United States Constitution. He is against war and in favor of jobs, though the economy figures much less in his fictitious campaign than it will in the real one just around the corner (New York Times).

The movie is slow and dark in a way that captures the viewer. It shows a young idealist at a turning point in his career and his life. Ryan Gosling as Stephen Meyers was amazing at his role. I was touched by his performance. The Ides of March shows the rivalry between the republicans and the democrats and reveals the power games and conspiracies in politics.

To sum up, personally I believe that this is a movie worth watching. It will leave you with many productive thoughts and you will enjoy a movie very well made, with amazing performances from amazing actors. A political drama that's real and intelligent, The Ides Of March is a thrilling watch.

The film is an adaptation of Willimon's 2008 play Farragut North

Book Review: Farsighted

2011-12-26T13:58:00.001+02:00

Alex Kosmitoras’s life has never been easy. The only other student who will talk to him is the school bully, his parents are dead-broke and insanely overprotective, and to complicate matters even more, he's blind. Just when he thinks he'll never have a shot at a normal life, a new girl from India moves into town. Simmi is smart, nice, and actually wants to be friends with Alex. Plus she smells like an Almond Joy bar. Yes, sophomore year might not be so bad after all.

Unfortunately, Alex is in store for another new arrival—an unexpected and often embarrassing ability to “see” the future. Try as he may, Alex is unable to ignore his visions, especially when they begin to suggest that Simmi is in danger. With the help of the mysterious psychic next door and new friends who come bearing gifts of their own, Alex must embark on a journey to change his future.

Farsighted ( Farsighted #1 ) by Emlyn Chand
E-book for review, 228 pages
Published November 24th 2011 by Blue Crown Press

REVIEW:
There are just so many things i liked about this book! I can't even believe i had doubts on reviewing it. At the end was a really pleasant surprise.

So i was at my bed, warm and all (and ill) and i was like "ok let's start this book. i would read about 50 pages for start and i'm done". So i started. At some point i noticed i was past the 50 pages, and i decided to go until 100 because i like those round numbers. Needless to say i got past 100 without even noticing and finished the book like that. I just couldn't stop. At the end of every chapter i was "i can't stop here! just one more chapter". Yeah...so enough with my monologue...

The writing is simple and light. Still it engages you and connect you with the story easily. I mean i did have a headache when i started the book, and it was actually a really calm and easy read and didn't tire me at all. There is action, there is romance, there is mystery. Even though the book is small, the author manage to blend everything so good in the right amount and the story turned out just really good.

At the start of every chapter, there is also a really small paragraph -3 lines most- which i decided to call "little prophecies" because they were mystically telling you what will happen, without spoilers or names and really in general. I was trying to guess what the author meant by that. Sometimes i did, sometimes i didn't. Anyway, i really liked those "little prophecies" because firstly i connected them with the voice and the character of the book, Miss Teak, who kinda tells the future so i decided she was the one talking. And secondly, because i liked how i could see and understand what the author wanted to show us by writing a certain chapter and how she thought in general with proceeding the story.

On the other side we have the characters! Oh how much i loved all of them. They seemed so normal with their weak and strong characteristics. Alex is just one of the greatest guys i have seen. Yes the book is written by his POV and the fact he is blind made a nice change on caring how everyone looked like. He can see thought the characters personalities and appearance doesn't matter at all in this book. Which actually made me connect more with all the characters, even the secondary ones.
Then we have the whole family thing. I really love when in YA books, the family of the kiddohs (he is 16 but i just i like the word too much), are also big part of the story instead of forgetting them in a corner and just appear to cook or something.

So yes, the book might be a little cliche at some points but still has an originally and sweetness in it. I really really liked it and once again it was proved to not judge a book by its publisher or how famous is it. For me: read it!

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Announcing the Farsighted Social Media Whirlwind Tour!

As part of this special promotional extravaganza sponsored by Novel Publicity, the price of the Farsighted eBook edition is just 99 cents this week.

What’s more, by purchasing this fantastic book at an incredibly low price, you can enter to win many awesome prizes, including lots of Amazon gift cards (up to $100 in amount) and 5 autographed copies of the book. Be sure to enter before the end of the day on Friday, December 30th, so you don’t miss out.

To Win the Prizes

Purchase your copy of Farsighted for just 99 cents on Amazon or Barnes & Noble
Fill-out the form on Novel Publicity to enter for the prizes
Visit today’s featured event; you may win an autographed copy of the book or a $50 gift card!
BONUS: If you leave a comment on this blog post, you have another chance at $100!
DOUBLE BONUS: If I receive more comments than any other blogger, *I* win $100.

...And I can win too!

Over 100 bloggers are participating in this gigantic event, and there are plenty of prizes for us too. The blogger who receives the most votes in the traffic-breaker poll will win a $100 gift card as well. So when you visit Novel Publicity’s site to fill-out the contest entry form, don’t forget to say that I referred you, so I can get a point in the poll.

The Featured Events include:

Monday, a guest blog on Novel Publicity! Emlyn kicks off the tour on the Novel Publicity Free Advice blog by discussing her brightly burning passion for books in a guest post entitled “My journey through the pages and toward a life-long love of reading.” One commenter will win an autographed copy of Farsighted. Don’t forget to enter for the other contest prizes while you’re over there!

Tuesday, Twitter sharing contest! A tweet is tiny, only 140 characters. But on Tuesday, it could win you $50. Send the following tweet across the twittersphere, and you just may win a $50 Amazon gift card. An autographed copy of Farsighted is also up for grabs. The winners will be announced Wednesday morning. Here’s the tweet: Looking for a fun read to round out your holiday break? The paranormal YA hit Farsighted is just 99 cents! http://ow.ly/81Dt1 #whirlwind

Wednesday, Google+ sharing contest! Yup, there’s yet another awesome opportunity to win a $50 Amazon gift card, and this time it just takes a single click! Visit Google+ and share Emlyn Chand’s most recent post (you’ll see the Stay Farsighted book cover included with it). On Thursday morning, one lucky sharer will be $50 richer. An autographed copy of Farsighted is also up for grabs. Two chances to win with just one click! How about that?

Thursday, Facebook sharing contest! Stop by Novel Publicity’s Facebook page and share their latest post (you’ll see the Farsighted book cover included with it). It’s ridiculously easy to win! On Friday morning, one lucky sharer will be $50 richer. An autographed copy of Farsighted is also up for grabs.

Friday, special contest on the author’s site! Are you ready for some more fun? Take a picture of yourself with your copy of Farsighted either in paperback or on an eReading device, then post it to Emlyn Chand’s Facebook page or email a copy to author@emlynchand.com. You just way win one of three Amazon gift cards! A $100 prize will go to the photo with the most interesting setting (so put your holiday travel time to work for you). Another $50 will go the funniest photo, and one more prize of $50 will go the scariest photo—this is a paranormal YA book after all. An autographed copy of Farsighted will go to one randomly selected entrant. For more details about this contest, please visit www.emlynchand.com.

Remember, it’s all about the books!

About Farsighted: Alex Kosmitoras may be blind, but he can still “see” things others can’t. When his unwanted visions of the future begin to suggest that the girl he likes could be in danger, he has no choice but to take on destiny and demand it reconsider. Farsighted is the winner of the 2011 Dragonfly eBook Awards. Get it on Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

About the Author: Emlyn Chand has always loved to hear and tell stories, having emerged from the womb with a fountain pen grasped firmly in her left hand (true story). When she’s not writing, she runs a large book club in Ann Arbor and is the president of author PR firm, Novel Publicity. Emlyn loves to connect with readers and is available throughout the social media interweb. Visit her on her website, Twitter, Facebook, or GoodReads.

Movie Review: The Help

2011-12-25T11:00:00.000+02:00

Based on one of the most talked about books in years and a #1 New York Times best-selling phenomenon, “The Help” stars Emma Stone (“Easy A”) as Skeeter, Academy Award®–nominated Viola Davis (“Doubt”) as Aibileen and Octavia Spencer as Minny—three very different, extraordinary women in Mississippi during the 1960s, who build an unlikely friendship around a secret writing project that breaks societal rules and puts them all at risk. From their improbable alliance a remarkable sisterhood emerges, instilling all of them with the courage to transcend the lines that define them, and the realization that sometimes those lines are made to be crossed—even if it means bringing everyone in town face-to-face with the changing times.

Deeply moving, filled with poignancy, humor and hope, “The Help” is a timeless and universal story about the ability to create change.

REVIEW:
Easily one of the best movies i've seen this year.....The Help is a movie with not only strong story but also really strong performances.

Every actor is one with their roles in an unbelievable way. I still remember how i could see Aibileen's pain from the way she was talking or her expressions. She easily had the best performance in the whole movie. It's been really long since i've seen such a good acting in a movie. When you see an actor put all the heart in their role.
This is also the first time i see Emma Stone in something serious. I knew she was good in comedies but i have to admit she did great in here as well. Voicing and showing us, how difficult and how people judged a person who was different than them or had a more open mind. And even then ones close to you, they were so afraid of the society that could easily let you be alone for their sake.

It seems so weird to me, to see or learn stories like that. Where the people were so judgmental and they were treated badly because of their color. And even when they raised their kids and doing everything for them, still they weren't treated at least with some respect.

I don't think the movie is for everyone, just because many will find it boring and they won't see its true message. But if you decide to give it a chance, try to full enjoy it and pay attention. It's brilliant!

Book Review: Fractured Light

2011-12-24T17:00:00.000+02:00

I’m dying, I thought. This was unexpected and not at all how I envisioned my death. I was supposed to die gardening in a flowerbed as a hundred-year-old woman, not as a seventeen-year-old trapped in a lake beneath inches of ice.

Llona Reese is used to living on the run. After the Vykens killed her parents, she knew they would eventually come for her too. She can’t take any chances. But when she starts to make friends for the first time in her life, she gets careless and lets her guard down. Big mistake.

As an Aura, Llona can manipulate light and harness its energy. But if she wants to survive, Llona will have to defy the Auran Council and learn to use her power as a weapon against the Vyken whose sole desire is to take her light. Now she’s caught in something even bigger than she can understand, with a power she can’t wield, and no one she can trust, except, just maybe, a mysterious stranger.

In this breathtaking and romantic adventure, Rachel McClellan delivers a truly mesmerizing story that will keep you guessing to the very end

Fractured Light by Rachel McClellan
Galley, 312 pages
Expected publication: February 8th 2012
Buy @ Amazon

REVIEW:
How original and cool the concept of the books seem eh? It really makes you want to read it! That's why i picked it up anyway.

So here we are with what seems like something new. Is it though? Yes and no. I mean there are some cliche things and it reminded me other YA books from the point of a more generic theme but still it had the element of difference. The mysteries in the book, really make you to want read and read to see what happens. Plus, Llona is a really great character and quite enjoyable to read about her. She does have some weird moments, but don't we all? I like when a character it's not too perfect.
I can't say the romance was too much of wow after everything i have read but it was nice and the scenes were quite entertaining even though it was the usual forbidden love story, we all see nowdays in books.

If i have something negative to say, it would be on the writing part. There were points it seems so poor done and others that it seemed really professional from someone who has write before. It wasn't bad, but it make me wonder if some parts of the book were written a lot earlier than the others.

In general i would say, it's a good read. I could maybe read one more time. Do not expect the super duper novel, but it worth its time.

GIVEAWAYS OF THE BOOK:

ARC @ Goodreads

1 Hardcopy & 1 ebook FROM US

Spotlight List: Christmas Movies

2011-12-24T06:30:00.000+02:00

Spotlight List: Christmas Movies

Enjoy a special Spotlight List, with some Christmas movies for the holidays to watch with your family...or if you are just bored, including old ones and new ones :)

Do you have any good movies for Christmas too? Tell us at the comments!

Movie Review: That's What I Am

2011-12-23T11:30:00.000+02:00

Set against the backdrop of the mid-sixties, That's What I Am is a coming-of-age story which follows 12-year-old Andy Nichol (Chase Ellison), a bright student whose English teacher, Mr. Simon (Ed Harris), pairs him on a project with the school's biggest outcast and social pariah, Stanley (aka Big Red). When Andy watches Stanley fearlessly confront a school bully, a series of events is unleashed, which changes the lives of both young men – and their teacher – forever.

Molly Parker portrays Andy's mother, Sherri. Daniel Roebuck plays Andy's father, Jim. WWE Superstar Randy Orton portrays Ed Freel, the father of the bully reprimanded by Simon. When Freel's son spreads a lie about Simon, Ed repeats the accusation and begins a campaign to get Simon fired. Mia Rose Frampton has been cast as Mary Bell, the prettiest girl in the school, who is also known as the preeminent make-out artist of the eighth grade. Amy Madigan plays Principal Kelner, whose decision to suspend a school bully has devastating and unforeseen consequences.

REVIEW:
I can only say wow. It really doesn't surprise me anymore that many of the most unknown movies are just really really good! And That's What I Am is exactly .

Telling the story of a boy who has to partner with the kid everyone laughs and how he works it out. We see how much he changes, and understands better what the other is going through only if we are in their position. And at the same time, we see how a kid who thought he suspension from school was unfair by a simple lie his destroys a persons life. How that affects everyone and in the end how important are really what the other is in our jobs or simply in our every day life.

The acting is great from kids to adults, the script and everything being said has meaning. And while the movie is a bit heavy for kids, it's still is a good way to see the POV of many people around them. It doesn't matter if it was set in the '60s, you can still see everything that happens in our days. Even when most of us have more open minds, it's amazing how some things never change. Bullying and rumors are two things in everyone's life, and the movie shows exactly their power.

Contest for Aspiring YA Writers‏

2011-12-22T19:40:00.000+02:00

Win a literary agent or acclaimed author's feedback on your unpublished manuscript for young adult or middle grade readers. This rare opportunity is being offered to the six winners of an essay contest recently announced by the literacy charity Book Wish Foundation. See http://bookwish.org/contest for full details.

You could win a manuscript critique from:

Laura Langlie, literary agent for Meg Cabot
Nancy Gallt, literary agent for Jeanne DuPrau
Brenda Bowen, literary agent and editor of Karen Hesse's Newbery Medal winner Out of the Dust
Ann M. Martin, winner of the Newbery Honor for A Corner of the Universe
Francisco X. Stork, winner of the Amelia Elizabeth Walden Award for The Last Summer of the Death Warriors
Cynthia Voigt, winner of the Newbery Medal for Dicey's Song and the Newbery Honor for A Solitary Blue

All that separates you from this prize is a 500-word essay about a short story in Book Wish Foundation's new anthology, What You Wish For. Essays are due Feb. 1, 2012 and winners will be announced around Mar. 1, 2012. If you win, you will have six months to submit the first 50 pages of your manuscript for critique (which means you can enter the contest even if you haven't finished, or started, your manuscript). You can even enter multiple times, with essays about more than one of the contest stories, for a chance to win up to six critiques.

If you dream of being a published author, this is an opportunity you should not miss. To enter, follow the instructions at http://bookwish.org/contest.

Good luck and best wishes,

Logan Kleinwaks
President, Book Wish Foundation

What You Wish For (ISBN 9780399254543, Putnam Juvenile, Sep. 15, 2011) is a collection of short stories and poems about wishes from 18 all-star writers: Meg Cabot, Jeanne DuPrau, Cornelia Funke, Nikki Giovanni, John Green, Karen Hesse, Ann M. Martin, Alexander McCall Smith, Marilyn Nelson, Naomi Shihab Nye, Joyce Carol Oates, Nate Powell, Sofia Quintero, Gary Soto, R.L. Stine, Francisco X. Stork, Cynthia Voigt, Jane Yolen. With a Foreword by Mia Farrow. Book Wish Foundation is donating 100% of its proceeds from the book to the UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR, to fund the development of libraries in Darfuri refugee camps in eastern Chad.

Movie Review: The Zookeeper

2011-12-22T11:30:00.000+02:00

In Zookeeper, the animals at the Franklin Park Zoo love their kindhearted caretaker, Griffin Keyes (Kevin James). Finding himself more comfortable with a lion than a lady, Griffin decides the only way to get a girl in his life is to leave the zoo and find a more glamorous job. The animals, in a panic, decide to break their time-honored code of silence and reveal their biggest secret: they can talk! To keep Griffin from leaving, they decide to teach him the rules of courtship - animal style. The film also stars Rosario Dawson and Leslie Bibb and features the voices of Cher, Nick Nolte, Adam Sandler, and Sylvester Stallone.

REVIEW:
I remember watching animal movies which were actually really fun. Zookeeper is mostly a cheap way for a funny movie with animals which reminds a lot of Night At The Museum.

I do not say, it was not fun but it was predictable in a way that make me feel like i've watched it before. The animals decide to talk the zookeeper and help him get a girlfriend in their own way. The fact that he actually listens and does what animals do to mate, was really "nahhh....". It's a movie that can't surprise you if you grow up watching comedies, animals movies.

As for the acting it was really average. Kevin James was trying too hard to be funny and in conclusion he was just silly. I don't believe he is such a great actor but in Grown Ups he was really good. As for the voices of the animals, while some of them were matched other fell out of place and not real.

While the movie could have been way better, it seemed to me that they didn't really put much effort in. It's simple okay...though i do believe kids will like it way more.

Movies Review: St.Trinian's

2011-12-21T12:00:00.000+02:00

Rupert Everett and Colin Firth star in this raucous comedy about the latest brood of devilish girls at St. Trinian's. When bankruptcy and an abysmal reputation threaten to close the school, the girls plan a heist worthy of detention. With an equally rowdy headmistress (Everett, in a gender-bending role), an inept faculty and a zealous education minister (Firth), the misdeeds are fast, furious and riotously outrageous. Lena Headey also stars.

REVIEW:
This movies is pure awesomeness!! While you expect something like an American teen movie with weird jokes,etc you get something entirely different (the movie is British).

You start with an introduction of a....school...if you can it's a school and the characters and then turns out into a well made robbery film. All of that with an amazing cast and really really funny! Even the trailer doesn't prepare you for this. I can say that non of my friends expected to like but they turned out to be "that was goodddd".

It's full of girls but it's neither girly or boyish. It has a school but it's not for kids or teens only. It's a movie everyone can watch and the characters you may see on in may surprise you. It's amazing how each actor fitted the role so well, that you couldn't say "hmm..some else would have done it better". Many say it's not as good as the original and that's cheap. I know i like it and when i was done i had to watch the second one immediately!

Cast: Talulah Riley (Pride & Prejudice), Rupert Everett (Shrek), Jodie Whittaker (One Day), Gemma Arterton ( Prince of Persia, Clash of the Titans), Kathryn Drysdale (Vanity Fair), Juno Temple ( Year One, The Three Musketeers), Tasmin Egerton (Camelot, Eragon), Lily Cole (The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus), Rusell Brand (Arthur, Get Him To The Greek), Lena Heady ( Game of Thrones, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles), Toby Jones (Harry Potter, Captain America), Caterina Murino (Casino Royale), Colin Firth (The King's Speech),Lucy Punch (Bad Teacher), Mischa Barton ( The O.C), Nathaniel Parker (Stardust)

St. Trinian's 2: The Legend of Fritton's Gold sees the girls return for a new term at the eponymous academy, with all the usual hi-jinks and mayhem which that entails. This being a school where anything seems to happen and usually does, on a regular basis, the students soon find themselves thrown into an action-packed treasure hunt that will see them fighting off fierce competition for the coveted Fritton's Gold from establishment rivals and the mischievous Pomfrey (David Tennant; TV's Doctor Who) and his assortment of woman-hating sidekicks.

REVIEW:
As i said above there is a second one! This time the girls go into treasure hunting and trying to find clues! The movies turns out to be girls VS boys and is a little more kick-assing with action out of school. More boys, battles, sword fighting, flash mobs and many other things. So where it lacked the first one comes the second, and where it lacks the second comes the first one.

Many girls are now of the school and we get to see new ones, and many others are back. And while you are "ohh..why they changed her", except one or two they actually found actors who matched better the attitude of the clique they belonged.

Again i had much fun watching it. Maybe a little less but i laughed. And the story was a little more exciting than before. Two movies that i believe you should watch back to back (they are 1 hr and half each one), so you can stay in the atmosphere.

Cast: Talulah Riley (Pride & Prejudice), Rupert Everett (Shrek), Jodie Whittaker (One Day), Gemma Arterton ( Prince of Persia, Clash of the Titans), Juno Temple ( Year One, The Three Musketeers), Tasmin Egerton (Camelot, Eragon), Toby Jones (Harry Potter, Captain America), Colin Firth (The King's Speech), David Tennant ( Doctor Who, Harry Potter), Gabriella Wilde (The Three Musketeers), Tom Riley (Lost In Austen), Georgia King ( Wild Child), Freddie Fox ( The Three Musketeers)

Movies' Mini Reviews: Geek Charming & A Cinderella Story III

2011-12-20T11:00:00.000+02:00

Based on the popular young adult novel of the same name, Geek Charming follows a snobby high school girl who has her perspective challenged when she becomes the subject of a self-proclaimed film geek's documentary. In the movie, spoiled Dylan Shoenfield (Hyland), Woodlands Academy's most popular junior, accidentally drops her designer handbag into the mall fountain and the school's film geek, Josh Rosen (Prokop) jumps in to retrieve it. Although Dylan would not usually interact with Josh, to return the favor, she agrees to be the subject of his documentary for the school film contest - with the hope that the film will help her win the coveted Blossom Queen crown. While Josh sets out to make a hard-hitting film about Dylan and her social hierarchy, once the cameras start rolling he sees there's more to her than meets the eye.

REVIEW:
TV Movies are always low budget but that doesn't mean they can't be fun. Especially the Disney ones ^^ . Geek Charming except an obvious romance between a geek and the popular girl, it goes deeper and show us how the life of a popular girl is, her secrets,her feelings and everything which was an interesting take for a teen movie. Apart from that i can the acting was okay. Average or below but i didn't expect much anyway. Most of the actors are new or have done small jobs before except of course Hyland who stars at Modern Family. She was actually the main reason i watched the movie because i wanted to see her in something different. There is no much to say really, in general is a really average movie but it has some really good moments and it's good for a watch when you are out of movies (if that can ever happen).

A Cinderella Story: Once Upon A Song (previously known as A Cinderella Story 3 ) is a 2011 romantic comedy directed by Damon Santostefano and starring Lucy Hale and Freddie Stroma . The film will be released direct-to-DVD by Warner Premiere somewhere in fall 2011.

REVIEW:
Really there is not much difference in the movie than A Cinderella #2 except the fact that instead of dancing we now have singing. I found it really poor done, in comparison both the previous movies and no reason for it to exist. It had some good moments now and there, but was way predictable and something boring. There wasn't much singing either and the songs weren't that nice too. Also it's really small so it goes before you even notice it. Lucy Hale is a good actress but you can't stay she stands out for her work in this one. Only interesting change, was how the stepsister wasn't than mean as the previous movies and instead of a 2nd stepsister, you have an 8 year old genius step brother. My opinion: skip it.