Scavenger Hunt: Cadet of Tildor

Welcome to this stop on THE CADET OF TILDOR online scavenger hunt. If this is your first stop in the scavenger hunt, please go here  to learn how to collect all of the online clues that will lead to fun, prizes, and more! Don't forget, you have until midnight (eastern standard time) on Mon. Nov. 12, 2012 to enter the grand prize drawing. Good luck!

Annotation #1:

Lady Renee de Winter turned her back to the parlor, where her father’s clerk counted gold crowns into the visitor’s waiting palm. The coins’ melodic ring turned her stomach.

“Please thank my lord Tamath de Winter for his donation,” the visitor said, bowing. “His generosity keeps the roads well guarded.”

Renee wondered how long the man practiced that sincere voice, or how her father’s clerk tolerated the farce. For that matter, whose benefit was the show for at all? Calling extortion “charity” fooled no one.

She knelt on the carpeted floor and opened her travel trunk. With luck, the visiting thief would see her Academy of Tildor uniform packed inside. Once she graduated, these Family thugs would think twice about making their demands on the de Winter estate. Or on any other estate.

“Your pardon, my lady.” The approaching maid wrung her hands and waited until Renee shut the wooden lid. “Your father wishes for you to address the tenants tomorrow.”

Renee closed her eyes. He knew she was leaving for the Academy today, just as she had done at the end of every summer since turning ten. Renee wanted to protect Tildor, to serve its people and the Crown. Her father wanted her to stay home and count goats. In gods’ names, they had discussed it—again!—over breakfast that very morning.

Blood boiled beneath her cheeks as she stalked down the wide hallway to her father’s study and slammed the door hard enough to topple accounts books from their shelf. “The Family’s demands will only grow if you keep indulging them, my lord.”

Lord Tamath dipped his pen into the inkwell and continued writing. The dark wood of his furniture matched his strict woolen tunic. “With a mere boy now holding the throne, the danger to us doubles.” His pen scratched over parchment. “It costs less to give coin than to lose wagons. A fact of which you, of all people, should be well aware.” He didn’t look up, didn’t even acknowledge the sting of his words.

Ten years ago, a Family-rigged accident crushed a wagon carrying Renee’s mother and older brother to a market. It would have carried Renee instead of Riley, had she not fallen off a horse that morning. The scar on her palm pressed her to honor their memory; Lord Tamath honored it by feeding their killers.

Notes: This scene is the reader’s first introduction to Renee. It was absent in the original draft, but came into the story to offer a taste of both Renee’s background and Tildor’s problems right off the bat. Here we have a sixteen year old Academy student who is defying her father’s wishes because she wants to be part of the solution. A group called “The Family” is extorting the de Winters (as well as others) and Renee disagrees with her father’s submission to the demands. The situation is not black and white. While everyone will agree that extortion is bad, most would also sympathize with a victim’s fear of consequence in refusing a demanded tribute. With a new, inexperienced ruler of the throne, it is difficult to predict what the future will hold. (The ambiguity of whether the government or a crime group is a more reliable “business” partner is of course common in history with political change.) This concept of situations being multi-sided was very important to me in writing CADET. The moral, legal and ethical dilemmas are fun for me.

Although I did not include it here, the scene at this point zooms away from the large scale problems of the country, to Renee’s immediate issues. She wants to go the Academy, her father does not want her to go. Worse, he has some ammunition to support his point - the Academy may not want Renee either. THE CADET OF TILDOR is, at its core, about the characters. They are the reason I started writing the book and it is my hope that they will stay with you long after you finish reading it.

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Scavenger Hunt Schedule:

M 11/5 - Marieke @ www.mariekenijkamp.com - Girl Power post

M 11/5 - Jessica @ http://ireadtorelax.blogspot.com - Trailer post w/reaction

T 11/6 - Yiota @ http://splashofourworlds.blogspot.com - Annotation

T 11/6 - Ashley @ http://firestarbooks.blogspot.com - Trailer post w/reaction

W 11/7 - Candace @ www.loveydoveybooks.blogspot.com - Annotation

W 11/7 - Lena @ http://ilovebooksclub101.blogspot.com/ - Interview w/Trailer Actors

Th 11/8 - Frankie @ http://frankieblooding.wordpress.com - Girl Power post

Th 11/8 - Ntzee @ http://maybethisbook.blogspot.com - Interview w/Trailer Actors *giveaway*

F 11/9 - Frankie @ http://frankieblooding.wordpress.com/ - Review

S 11/10 - Jessica @ http://ireadtorelax.blogspot.com/ - Guest review/interview *giveaway*

Su 11/11 - Ashley @ http://firestarbooks.blogspot.com/ - *giveaway* 

M 11/12 - JoAnne @ www.thefairytalenerd.com - Girl Power post 

M 11/12 RAFFLECOPTER CLOSES

Book Review: Change of Season

 "Ten months. Two hundred and ninety-nime days. Seven thousand, one hundred ans seventy-six hours. Four hundred and tirty thousand, five hundred and sixty minutes. Perhaps not as melodic as Larson's rock musical anthem, but it is how I will measure a year at Casteel....I will measure in time, because it is my only constant between the old Autumn and the now Autumn. I will measure by changes of season".

Sixteen-year-old Autumn Brody has enrolled at Casteel Prepatory Academy, a prestigious boarding school with a focus on the arts, for her grade eleven year but the movie isn't recreational. Her choice was made in a desperate bid for the survival of herself and her family, who remain oblivious to the looming threat against them. In her self-imposed exile, Autumn must remain invisible - "a Chbosky wallflower"- or more blood will cling to her hands.

Forced into a behavioural reform program at the Academy by her frantic parents, Autumn refuses to whisper of the ghosts haunting her. But the troubled young woman soon finds that there are more reasons to fear the night that ever dared imagine. A student cries out an anguish through the walls, rousing her from restless slumber. Mysterious messages seem to land near her feet - messages from a supposedly dead girl that Autumn sees darting into darknened service corridors. And yet, the reclusive film student she literally rund into might just be the gravest danger of all.

As past bleeds into present, Autumn uncovers truths long buried behind the door of room 308. Secrets that someone will kill to keep silent - someone who stalks Autumn's every move, patiently waiting to strike....

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

REVIEW:
This book is part of a tour. The reason I choose it is simple. The plot sounds really interesting and the cover is so beautiful. Simple, but beautiful.

The story surrounds around Autumn and her life, past and present. You know that there is something in her past that affects her future, but you do not get it untill long after. You only get pieces and little by little you are able to create the entire picture. But there are not only problems in the past, there are problems in her present too. The two stories are somewhat different, and they may sound complicated and too much, but they are very interesting. Though, I wouldn't like to be in Autumn's place. But for everything she's been through, she doesn't lose her sense of humor. Plus, she knows so many things about music, movies and so much more. I wasn't able to relate with Autumn or any of the other characters, because they all had a secret past, they had beed through different situations, that only make them more lovable to the people.

The writing was simple. There were descriptions of the places that were able to make you feel like you were there without really trying. Most of the story happens in the boarding school, so it was easy to start imagining the place around. There were also many metaphors related to movies or music and this only made it more realistic. The story is sad and scary at the same time, and you have many feelings passing through you the whole time reading.

If there was one problem, that would be the way the author writes. Even though she prefered the third person, the story was so focused on Autumn, that sometimes it made me feel that if the author wanted she could write only from Autumn's point of view and there would not be a difference. But by that the author made the entire story very interesting and intrigued, especially when it came to explanations and answers.

Bottom line, I loved it. I enjoyed it so very much. The book ends with a scene from New Year's Eve 2012 in Toronto, which is funny, because I was actually near Toronto (Woodstock, more specifically, for those that know), at the same time. I know it doesn't mean anything to you, but I was smiling when I saw the date and place of the chapter, it made me feel closer to the story. So, if you like something down-to-earth paranormal and stand alone (as far as I know) novel, then I suggest you Change of Season.

Game Review: Dishonored

Dishonored is an immersing first-person action game that casts you as a supernatural assassin driven by revenge. With Dishonored's flexible combat system, creatively eliminate your targets as you combine the supernatural abilities, weapons and unusual gadgets at your disposal. Pursue your enemies under the cover of darkness or ruthlessly attack them head on with weapons drawn. The outcome of each mission plays out based on the choices you make.

Features: 

Improvise and Innovate
Approach each assassination with your own style of play. Use shadow and sound to your advantage to make your way silently through levels unseen by foes, or attack enemies head-on as they respond to your aggression. The flexible combat system allows you to creatively combine your abilities, supernatural powers and gadgets as you make your way through the levels and dispatch your targets. Improvise and innovate to define your play style.

Action with Meaning
The world of Dishonored reacts to how you play. Move like a ghost and resist corruption, or show no mercy and leave a path of destruction in your wake. Decide your approach for each mission, and the outcomes will change as a result.

Supernatural Abilities
Teleport for stealth approaches, possess any living creature, or stop time itself to orchestrate unearthly executions! Combining your suite of supernatural abilities and weapons opens up even more ways to overcome obstacles and eliminate targets. The games upgrade system allows for the mastery of deadly new abilities and devious gadgets.

A City Unlike Any Other
Enter an original world envisioned by Half-Life 2 art director Viktor Antonov. Arkane and Bethesda bring you a steampunk city where industry and the supernatural collide, creating an atmosphere thick with intrigue. The world is yours to discover.

Dishonored
Release Date:October 12, 2012
Platforms: PC || XBOX360 || PS3
Rating: 5/5 stars
Buy: Amazon (UK) || Amazon (US)

Review:

I don't know if you have heard the rumors about me being the Shadow but if you have it is pretty much true... I like two things, stealth and money, and maybe gadgets, some gadgets are always cool.

Storyline:
So in this game we take the role of Corvo, the royal protector, I know it sounds a bit like a condom brand but whatever, no title that has royal in it is shameful ! Royal protector means mainly that we are the royal families head bodyguard which is all fun and play until the queen is killed and her daughter is kidnapped by the assassins. What makes things even worse is that the queen's general and master spy are in on the assassination and blame Corvo for the queen's death. Luckily for us an underground resistance, a bunch of creepy old dudes and angry ladies if you ask me, has been formed that frees Corvo from his jail right before his execution. And then a valiant quest for revenge and the princess's salvation is starting. Well it may have some not so shiny points of black magic and blood but still pretty much valiant...

Gameplay: 
The gameplay reminded me of another all time favorite game of mine, Thief : Deadly Shadows. We take the role of a former bodyguard that became an assassin and playing the game we really feel like him. The really amazing thing here is that we can approach this quest from many different angles, we can kill every last one of the enemies, or the innocent bystanders too if we like ^^, we can just put everyone to sleep or we can avoid them completely and pass undetected. To top that our choices are saved and the city is affected, the more murderous and "dark" Corvo is the more corrupted and chaotic the city gets. The final thing I have to mention is how easy the controls are ! I could use three different spells and shoot with my crossbow a sniper targeting me within four seconds. 

Graphics:
The graphics are amazing. Even playing it on medium configuration the graphics were awesome. The liquid motions, especially the blood, felt so lifelike that enhanced the whole "feeling like Corvo" experience. I really had guilty conscience after killing an innocent bystander by accident... I noticed one or two glitches though, nothing game breaking but I had to use my dash ability to escape it and continue the game.

Characters:

This not a chapter I usually deploy in my reviews but it is a must in this game. So the main character is Corvo as we already know, the dishonored royal protector but enough about him, lets see the other characters. 

The Queen:  Even though her role is pretty limited in the game, only in the introduction I regarded her as a very wise person despite her young age. She managed to hold a city ravaged by a plague in full functioning order and that is a great achievement for a monarch, believe me, I have kill a few of them...

The Princess: I think she is actually the most lovable character in the game. She is always trying to entertain Corvo, whom I think she has a crush on, even at the times she is the one in need of cheering up. She is also admirably willpowered. Her mother was murdered and she was kidnapped and she still is smiling and studying so she can be a beacon of hope and courage to anyone around her. All that character development makes the player really want to protect her from any harm.

Piero: He is the rebel scientist, the garden variety creepy old dude when fused with a semi-mad scientist with unlimited resources. I was just happy to be his ally. His function in the game is building all the awesome gadgets Corvo uses. He can built grenades, mines, crossbows, guns, blades and my favorite gadget, Corvo's mask. The Mask has a built in magnifying glass that can zoom in three levels making every long ranged you are holding accurate like a sniper rifle, especially the crossbow.

The Outsider: This one is a bit of the mystery. He is the source of all magic. He appears to certain chosen people and gifts them with his mark enabling them to use a portion of his powers. The Outsider is believed to be immortal and always watching the world of humans for a different dimension in which time and space has no existence. He is worshiped by many as a god and he is feared by all as a demon. His powers are believed to be unlimited but noone has ever seen him using any powers. His black void eyes makes him a being that inspires both fear and respect. Every time he appeared I was looking right into his eyes, so focused that sometimes I missed what he was saying...

Those are the five more important characters according to my opinion but there are many more characters in the game that have pretty strong background stories. Almost every main character, including the assassination targets, have a personal story that makes the player connect to a degree with them.

Overall I would say that this game is legendary. It is in my top 10 games for PC ever released list right bellow Thief: Deadly Shadows. So what are you waiting for people, go buy the game, the princess is being tortured in there !

Book Review: Reaping Me Softly (+Giveaway)

Ever since a near-death-experience on the operating table, seventeen-year-old Arianne Wilson can see dead people. Just as she’s learned to accept her new-found talents, she discovers that the boy she’s had a crush on since freshman year, Niko Clark, is a Reaper.

At last they have something in common, but that doesn’t mean life is getting any easier. All while facing merciless bullying from the most powerful girl in school, Arianne’s world is turned upside down after Niko accidentally reaps the soul of someone she loves. This sends them both into a spiral that threatens to end Arianne’s life. But will Niko break his own Reaper’s code to save her? And what would the consequences be if he did?

Reaping Me Softly
Publication Date: 2012
Pages: 220 (ebook)
Part of Series: -
Purchased: Review for tour
Rating: 4/5 stars
Buy:  Amazon (US) || Amazon (UK)

REVIEW:
So far all the books i've read regarding death have been really good, so i couldn't say no to that either.

Reaping Me Softly was a book that kept you easily in the story. I found the writing quite poetic. There were so many beautiful words used but at the same time it felt close to you and connected you with the story as any other book. 

Arianne is an average person that reminds you of people around you. It's easy to get her and both understand and like her. Her environment (family,friends,etc) is really important to the story and i loved how well was constructed, explained and how you had a chance to meet everyone and create your opinion for them.
Niko is a complicated character but quite likable and sometimes really funny too. Even though, he is a Reaper we learn that's not a bad thing. He is more like us than we think and as any teen he has his problems and falls in love for first time.

My favorite parts though, were the scenes with Death. He(i'll talk for him as he) was easily my favorite character in the book. He was so unlike what i had imagined for Death, but at the same time so right. Except the last part that he was really scary, i would totally love to meet him.

Need to be mentioned here, that this one is such a sad story in general. The end really broke my heart and made me sad. I was thinking about it a lot, because i found it quite unfair. But i guess, when you have a book regarding death you can't have fair in it, can you? 

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