Raw manuscripts

Got a chance to finally see the vetting - slash - manuscript evaluation process in a publishing house. Harsh work, that.

I got to read the poems we had at the time, two of them to everyone's one story.

I'm really grateful to have had a chance  to be the one giving the critical eye but still trying my best to fight for them.

This - upon a shitload of stuff - happened in my first week.

Bio

WHAT ARE MY EXPERIENCES...

MOE Certified Instructor 2016 (current)
Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) - Industrial attachment

Intern journalist, photographer, videographer 2015

Internship stint in both the Big Desk (News) and Entertainment under The New Paper. Over 40 articles published in the paper and

online & estimate 9 front page stories. Original photos have appeared in the paper for my articles and others';

also shot and co-edited a video for a Korean celebrity.

http://www.tnp.sg/author/jade-teo

Ethos Books [internship]

Publisher, copy editor, video editor, publicity management                    2016


Editor and Proofread manuscript for 2017 books: The Man With A Mission - over 150 pages (Ron Chandran biography), Capstone - over 400 pages (commercial project for SMU), Textuaries - including a glossary of terms for readers (A-Level Poetry Anthology)
Handled publicity side (event banners, video, press release) for 2016 book launch: Children of Las Vegas

Conducted training for a Literature Pilot Reading Programme on local books @ Shuqun Secondary; Sengkang Secondary; Ahmad Ibrahim Secondary; St Patrick's School

- literature students from sec 2 and 3 (pure lit)

 

Divine Mercy Communications team [Church volunteer]

Writer, editor                                                                                                     2010 – present

We handle the bulletin, etc.
I’ve written stories, conducted interviews; and as temp editor I handled the layout of the bulletin, specific story to fill in the “Buzz” for the week.

Hashmeta

Freelance Writer                                                                                                2016

I’m helping them with content production on lifestyle/household topics

Nanyang Polytechnic Mass Media Management

CATCH magazine (in-house)                                                                              2015

For the Final Year Project we are required to create two magazines within 10 weeks. I was the main sub-editor for our "humanitarian" issue (http://bit.ly/1LfDbxP) and the editor-in-chief for our "Singapore streets" (http://bit.ly/1KDgIj8) issue

Nanyang Polytechnic Mass Media Management

Production (editor, videographer)                                                                      2013-2015

For three years I’ve produced short films and videos for the diploma, including NYP Open House 2016 and NYP’s Hospitality & Tourism Industry Conference with Minister Tan Chuan-Jin

JENESYS 2.0                                                                                                  2015

The JENESYS Programme (Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths) is a project advanced by the Japanese government. This particular project was aimed at media students from polytechnics and universities. I was one of the few selected to attend the first ever trip planned for the media field

WERZ Photography [Work]

Photoshop                                                                                                        September 2014

Layer templates, background and subjects to create their graduation

photos for the University of RMIT

Emergency First Aid & Rescue [Volunteer]

Photographer, videographer                                                                              2010-2013

Handled Singapore's team's footage for the Professional Rescue Competition - also went overseas to Bangkok, Malaysia

Nanyang Polytechnic Mass Media Management

Photographer, main and only editor                                                                  2015

I was the main editor for all the photos taken for Mass Media Management publicity and the 2016 Open House brochure

[Supplied photos to a local busker]

Photographer                                                                                                    2015

After having written an article on Mr Mohammad Said, I supplied raw photos for him to use as publicity shots

Learning Journey Education Centre

Tutor for Primary 1-6 and Secondary 1,3,4 & IP1 students; teacher for 1-3 year olds                 2016 (current)

Focus is English, Creative Writing; I also help with the lesson plan and assist & conduct the playgroup

Programmes I'm teaching: Super Writers! Creative Writing & English Tuition, Parents Accompanied Playgroup

Testimonial: P5 CHIJ student, Chantel score 40/40 for her composition and jumped 10 marks in her Paper 2; P5 Maris Stella student, Darius scored band 30-34/40 for composition and 80/95 for Paper 2; P5 student, Hong Kai scored 87/95 for Paper 2; new P5 Meridian Primary student, Valencia scored 29/40 for composition after failing to or just passing

MyTuitionClub

Tutor/relief teacher for primary school students and kindergarteners 2016

Took over for their regular. Followed lesson plan and covered more than asked; Went through vocabulary, punctuation, synthesis and transformation, grammar cloze, comprehension and oral

PUBLICATIONS AND PAPERS

“SIMBANG GABI – a Christmas Novena” 2013
Article was published in Church's first newsletter

CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES (CCA) in NANYANG POLYTECHNIC

The Write Stuff

Writer (articles on Discover NYP blog)

My Experience as an Intern Journalist at SPH (http://discover-nyp.blogspot.sg/2015/12/my-experience-as-intern-journalist-at.html?m=1)

"They Changed My Life, So I'll Change Theirs" (http://discover-nyp.blogspot.sg/2015/10/they-changed-my-life-so-ill-change.html?m=1)

Our Canteen Heroes 
(http://discover-nyp.blogspot.sg/2014/08/our-canteen-heroes.html)

A Roaring Success at SIDM’s Alumni Movie Night 
(http://discover-nyp.blogspot.sg/2014/07/a-roaring-success-at-sidms-alumni-movie.html)

NYP’s Twin Singing Sensations Still Going Strong 
(http://discover-nyp.blogspot.sg/2014/05/nyps-twin-singing-sensations-still.html)

Viva La Vie! 
(http://discover-nyp.blogspot.sg/2014/02/viva-la-vie.html)

What’s in Your Bag, Joan? 
(test article, http://discover-nyp.blogspot.sg/2014/01/whats-in-your-bag-joan.html)

Sociable (photographer, NYP's social media handler)

Pictures and captions have been posted on Nanyang Polytechnic's official Instagram and Facebook

NYP Entrepreneurship Club

Marketing & Publicity department (solo) - Posters for internal events; advertising in school for external parties; in-charge of club's email and Facebook

AWARDS (for outstanding performance in english and literature In Secondary school)

Examples:

Literature graded assignments and tests, have had high scores such as 20s / 25

&

Academic Awards in subjects like Literature (above) and English for at least 2 years
EDUCATION

St. Anthony’s Canossian Primary School

PSLE 2002-2007

English: A
St. Anthony’s Canossian Secondary School

O Levels 2008-2012

English Language Total 15 points

Elementary Mathematics

Combined Science – Chemistry & Physics

Chinese

Combined Humanities – Literature & Social Studies

Additional Mathematics

Principle of Accounts
Nanyang Polytechnic

Diploma in Mass Media Management 2013-2016

- Assistant Class Representative and Module Rep.

Writing for Mass Media: B+

Journalistic Writing: B

Software Application for Mass Media (includes use of Adobe Photoshop, InDeisgn, Dreamweaver): A

Public Relations & Communications Management: B+

Business Law : A
Transcript of Extra-curricular activities (Nanyang polytechnic)

SBM - Class Roles 2013, 2014
Photographer:

So You Think You Can Speak

Verbal Minds - SBM Pitching Competition
Ambassador:

Typhoon Haiyan Concert & Donation Drive

NYP Open House 2014, 2015

GEO - Esy Greenie Eco-Carnival

Participant:

SBM Writing Challenge

Leadership Camp Nexus

NYP Primers (CCA) - Boys' Bridge Share A Gift Distribution Day

NYP Primers (CCA) - Boys' Brigade SG Collection Drive

STUDENT UNION (CCA) - Mural Painting at Teck Ghee Resident Area

LANGUAGES

English – native language; speak fluently, read/write with high proficiency

Mandarin – speak, read and write with basic competence

French – speak, read and write with basic competence

VOLUNTEER WORK
[Volunteer, Cerebral Palsy Alliance Singapore (CPAS)] 2016 (current)
[Front of house, The Necessary Stage] 2014
[Flag day, KDF & MCYC] 2011 & 2014
[Ambassador, WWF Earth Hour] 2010 & 2012
[Helping out residents, entertainment by singing, St Joseph's Home] 2010


Testimonial



Magician Shin Lim


Dr Subadhra Rai


Mads Mikkelsen

Gregor the Overlander - Suzanne Collins

 

I think I have a serious thing for books with prophecies in them. They're the most interesting to read about even when it's telling you what's going to happen. Yet, not in the way you'd ever expect. 
So because I read book 3 first I knew what was coming. But let's break it down for everyone anyway. 

The series by Suzanne Collins is quite popular, I have a hard time finding it in the library. 
Gregor the Overlander is the first of the Underlander Chronicles. 

Gregor is just 11 and home alone in the New York City apartment when he and his baby sister Boots fall through an old air duct grate in the building's basement. The two fall miles below into the Underland: a subterranean world home to humans with near-translucent skin; giant sentient bats, rodents, and insects; and an escalating conflict between the human city of Regalia and the rats' King Gorger. (I find Gorger a very suitable name heh)

They meet several "Underlanders", among them the Regalians: Vikus, princess Luxa, her cousin Henry, and the bats who are "bonded" to them Aurora and Ares (bats' names, you realise, are Grecian which is wonderful). 

Gregor learns the real reason for the rats' hatred of Overlanders: a mysterious prophecy written by the human colony's founder Bartholomew of Sandwich which hints that an Overland "warrior" will stop an attempt by the rats to take over the underground realm - once and for all. The Regalian council believes Gregor to be this warrior, and tries to convince him to undertake the quest mentioned in the "Prophecy of Gray". 

Beware, Underlanders, time hangs by a thread.

The hunters are hunted, white water runs red.

The gnawers will strike to extinguish the rest.

The hope of the hopeless resides in a quest.

An Overland warrior, a son of the sun,

May bring us back light, he may bring us back none.

But gather your neighbors and follow his call

Or rats will most surely devour us all.

Two over, two under, of royal descent,

Two flyers, two crawlers, two spinners assent.

One gnawer beside and one lost up ahead.

And eight will be left when we count up the dead.

The last who will die must decide where he stands.

The fate of the eight is contained in his hands.

So bid him take care, bid him look where he leaps,

As life may be death and death life again reaps.

Though he sympathizes, Gregor is reluctant to help until he learns a surprising fact: his father, who disappeared unexpectedly for over two years, had actually fallen down into Regalia just like Gregor and Boots and been taken prisoner by the rats. Gregor, his sister, and a group of Regalians go on a journey to rescue Gregor's father and recruit allies for a war against the rats. 

Flyers = bats, crawlers = roaches, spinners = spiders, gnawer = rat

Adapted and tweaked from Wikipedia 

It's immensely hard to write a prophecy  that's so excellently cryptic and rhyme-y. I was really muddled in the last few lines, though I had guessed that *spoiler* there will likely be a betrayal under "The last who will die must decide where he stands." As prophecies go however I favour Rick Riordan's. Perhaps it's unexpected when dealing with all human characters that makes it challenging and more interesting to decipher. 

In the beginning of the book you explore with Gregor after he Falls. He encounters roaches, and they like the spiders, tend to speak backwards. So it's "ride you" or "Hates us princess, hates us". I love how the Roaches can be, loyal and protective, and I love Temp - and Tick has to be mentioned - so I'm using a line when he's at his sulkiest. Considering how bad my phobia of bugs is it's a credit to make me throw away my preconception and have me like the roaches. 

Now the Underlanders are a curious bunch. Even with Luxa being so haughty I enjoy how Suzanne makes her act more human, rather than stay a royal. She learns of sandwiches and even words like "ick". She does have an open and honest personality too. 

I think it stems from Vikus, who turns out to be her grandfather. He's by far one of my favourite characters. The typical peacemaker and wise grandfather-y-type. Being super amiable makes him likeable. So when there came one of the plot twists, though not that shocking to me, it floored Gregor and gang. It was a touching moment for Gregor to show his maturity then; and I believe he did his best throughout the book. Remember he's only 11. 

The bats are not heard from much. They're as the "bonded" describe it, a reassuring presence. You can't get a whole lot from them till the end. Skipping ahead one of the  top scenes for me was the bonding ceremony. For a human to bond with the bat they need to hold each other's 'hands' and recite:

___ the ___, I bond to you.
Our life and death are one, we two.
In dark, in flame, in war, in strife,
I save you as I save my life.

Total aww, fist-pumping-in-air moment. 

Now the rats are portrayed as rats, the enemy, cunning, conniving and all-around creatures you don't wanna be around. I mean, besides how much I don't care for the spiders in the story, there's gotta be an enemy right? Gregor meets several that basically try to kill him, among other things, and we get a glimpse of foreshadowing in later books. His warrior gene, as I put it. 

Of course not every rat is a rat. 

We come to Ripred. Okay with his personality Ripred is quite ratty. He has the qualities up till the enemy part, he becomes the guide and aid of the questers; and obviously has his own depth as a main character. As Gregor puts it, looking into Ripred's eyes there's pain and intelligence there. 

Bring on the cynicism, it was needed. As a cynical person (who ironically teaches kids) it was a relief after 20-30% in the story was Boots being Boots. I'm sorry to those who like her. I concede she is integral in some parts like giving hints to the story without giving the scene away yet (it's good in book 3 though I haven't seen 2 yet) but, ugh the prattling made it annoying. Kudos to Temp and Tick for putting up with it. 

And then  there's  the beauty in the Underland while it's shown in war - nice contrast. There's gorgeous description of how the city looks like; and with such a vivid scene you can easily imagine it. A clean, bright NYC I suppose. It makes a difference if you're able to show your world to a reader,( it's something I even strive to do). 

The pacing of the story is alright  and it really makes you want to keep reading especially near the end. Being the climax, there's  greater impact and the characters start to get livelier. 

Again, since there's a prophecy (I've tried to come up with some myself) you're able to wheedle out who's gonna die. I didn't like that one bit. 3 out of 4 of the deaths was upsetting in different ways. I have not much love for the last death but there was enough disbelief from the remaining characters - it was really severe. 

So one of the deaths being absolutely gruesome while another ...deserves mention. A quick death but sudden and leaves you reeling. Though the character doesn't show themselves you get a sense through their actions. I found comfort when Gregor could cry for them. 

Obviously a must-read, it's compelling because there's Yet another pXXXXXXX 

if anything skip through the Boots parts. Heh.

Literature Legend

A legend has found his way to the stars. He was an amazing author, I studied his great work in Literature.
Thank you Chinua Achebe. He's made a difference in the world with his brilliance and story-telling. I wish he autographed my Things Fall Apart.
He'll be missed.

Curse of the Warmbloods - Suzanne Collins

Suzanne Collins being Suzanne Collins obviously has to write thrilling, totally unique adventures; and she's come up with a fascinating story with this series. Apparently the books have had lots of cover art done up but I like this the best, by far. 

Unfortunately I could only find book 3 at time so I had to be clued in, but other than not getting in on the action of the last two books, we still get a clear depiction of what happened. 

This is the third installment of the Underland Chronicles, in which Gregor must stop a plague from spreading through the Underland. With two prophecies fulfilled, Gregor is now focused on the Prophecy of Blood, which calls for Gregor and Boots to return to the Underland to help ward off a plague. But this time, his mother refuses to let him go . . . unless she is allowed to travel with them.

When they arrive in the subterranean city, the plague is spreading -- and it claims one of Gregor's closest companions. Only then does Gregor start to understand how the illness plays with the fate of all warm-blooded creatures. But how can he help combat it?

The series is definitely for a younger audience, so it's nowhere near as gruesome as The Hunger Games.

The focus was heavy on Gregor "the Overlander" and new characters Hamnet and his son Hazard, whom I absolutely adore!

Because I'm not absolutely sure of the previous books I'm not sure if there's a significant character development for Gregor but you can tell how strong-willed he is. Mad love for him. And of course you can a sense of how great Temp (the story is seriously good for me to actually like a roach) and Ripred, which (which?) incidentally is meant to be Suzanne's favourite character. 

The journey to find the cure also revolves around Gregor's mum, Ash - a large. head-strong bat - and a number of other Underlanders. Obviously they've been hit by the dilapidating disease. 

Reading on there's no continuous action scenes since there's no way to always be attacking something, even if the plants surround you. 

That being said, the fights are epic. Not so much for what happens during but the before and after effect. 

The safest example would be Boots stumbling upon "fogs" - poisonous frogs - while playing with H and Frill. 

Collins really knows how to build the suspense at the right times. You can imagine the situation before you and only great writers can give you the idea. 

So when the frogs were just sailing through the air and landing wherever I had moments where it was tunnel vision - didn't realise a thing that was going on around me except for that moment. 

I was so sucked in to the events that I had to re-read certain...things to see what I missed. 

I honestly had the best ah-ha moment figuring out the riddle.

Turn and turn and turn again.
You see the what but not the when.
Remedy and wrong entwine,
And so they form a single vine.

Warmblood now a bloodborne death,
Will rob your body of its breath,
Mark your skin, and seal your fate.
The Underland becomes a plate.

Bring the warrior from above
If yet his heart is swayed by love.
Bring the princess or despair,
No crawlers care without her there.

Those whose blood runs red and hot
Must join to seek the healing spot.
In the cradle find the cure
For that which makes the blood impure.

Gnawer, human, set aside
The hatreds that reside inside.
If the flames of war are fanned,
All Warmbloods lose the Underland.

I just knew what would end up being the... end of the story.
Those gut calls make it a lot more fun to read a mystery. The plot and writing help otherwise the riddle is slightly confusing, turning round and round, after all.
SUCH a major twist, it was hard to guess in the beginning. There's always a perilous journey, though. And you always wish they wouldn't have to really go for one. 

What I didn't expect was the sudden deaths. They were Really unexpected and absolutely heartbreaking. I had started falling in love with the characters - even within the short time I got to know them from the book. 

(No reveal cause if I do...it's too cruel)

Though everything has its purpose, who wants to see a good guy die? I can't imagine writing it so I always wonder what the author thinks at that moment. 

It's definitely a recommended read. 

If I spoil this book I'll never forgive myself. So please let me know what you think when you've read it

*prepares virtual tissues*

Magic Strikes ..and maybe rips, trips and giggles

Yep, I went back to it. I missed Derek, and this was a turning point for him. It's not the best memory to associate of course.

I'll go somewhat chronologically.
I think Magic Bites was one of the more harsh yet had-to-be-offset-by-excellently-played-out humour books in Ilona Andrews' series. The plot was centred around the Magic Games. Personally I waited for a gladiator type story to ease its way in. Though I did not conceive how brutal it, more specifically the absolute cruelest Reapers, could be when it came to non-humans.
So the idea was that the Games was a very, very Bad - capital B - place that brought in people who enjoyed horrific, "pretty" deaths of shapeshifters. And obviously when you send spies in *takes moment to glare at Jim* you get the worst imagery imaginable. I was distressed at how cruel and painful the deaths were written out. (Takes moment to sob for Derek) I was so hoping to be a character in the book to whip the #!@+!! into oblivion.
It gives you great motivation to get the home team to join though. So the team had to get in to stop the Games.
Despite being plagued with deaths, and boat loads of blood absorbed by the Pit, the best was having some of the Pack and Kate compete. I love the bouts that took place and it showed different kinds of creatures, from Japanese to ancient myths.
It was amusing honestly how less of a challenge the other teams were. There you are, thinking how fearsome an above-8-feet-Large monstrosity could be, but *he* just looked at it and thought "meh"..
Now I've nicely segwayed to him, His Furriness, raging psychopath and heartthrob Curran.
I enjoyed the parts of the story that were moments away from the fighting. When Kate came back to discover her last slice of apple pie was "missing" - thought to have been eaten by her - was so cute. There's not a soul who wouldn't know who took it.
Back when you know he has such a god complex and exudes absolute sexiness, charm and wit. Mm. Hahaha. You know he's being him, super enraging cat, who's stalk- we, courting Kate. So you can't help but love him.
And truly, IT WAS ABOUT TIME!!! When you all reach the bathtub scene and epilogue, let me know so we can wave our pom-poms.
Also with the characters you get a real glimpse into the key ones. Especially Jim. Cause let's face it, it's mainly him and his need to protect. I love that Curran gave so much leeway, I lost track of how many days Jim got to safe his furry behind.
With Saiman. Honestly his dancing Adonis act still left me impressed for certain reasons. I was so glad he showed his bravery - yeah bravery.. - in this book. Had respect claw its way out of me when the scene came. I mean, who wouldn't think he's got guts? Which later left his opponent just in a mess of guts. No pun intended. You'll know what I mean.
Lastly, bring in Hugh, of all people to come crashing into Kate's life. I swear I nearly forgot when he came in but there he is. He got more suave later on in the series. As of now, had to take him seriously as a dangerous messenger-lap dog of Roland's.  "My lady" my butt.

The best line that I always remembered was how the phone rang. i know it sounds a bit strange. I'd thought of my phone does this too. I was really tickled by it.
"Ring-ring.
Ring-ring-ring.
Ring?"


It's one of my favourites. Obviously. Please read.

CONGRATULATIONS STONE SOUP - Jan Eliot

CONGRATULATIONS to Stone Soup
 I missed the comic's 20th anniversary just last November! I can't believe it's as old as I am. It'll be 21 this year! HOORAY still live and well!

Stone Soup #8: We'll Be REally Careful!

Stone Soup was one of the comics I grew up on, I'd always read it first in the Sunday papers. So to find the eighth edition of the syndicated cartoon was extremely nostalgic. I hadn't seen a lot of these comic strips before so it was lovely, especially when it continued on like an actual book - and I didn't have to wait for the next week to know what was going on.

Jan Eliot has been a fave storyteller. I think it's somewhat harder to get illustrations out for a story. And with comics you gotta make your brand known early on so people follow. Tough, it's always tough. 

The lines and plot in Stone Soup are always fresh and super witty. I will continue to love their entire family, they're such personalities!
I tried to put off reading the entire book but I just couldn't help myself. Finished in less than 3 hours.

Obviously I've found where the other books in the series are located. I just got to pick them up tomorrow :)
And I'll buy them when I find them, of course 

A Midsummer Night's Scream - R. L. Stine - BIG NO

In sites like Shelfari they can ask "do you recommend this for anyone"? People, I don't hate you enough.
It's a no. Just No. I don't swear but this time F*** NO. Heed my warning.
I had to put down my food - I was having a very nice cake which I lost all appetite for - before I gagged on it and just stare at this in utter disbelief.
I don't usually - or ever often - read horror but now I know why. I can never trust one again.
He ruined one of my fave plays and I absolutely CANNOT forgive Stine for that.
Cause if you're gonna ride on the back of an amazing, well-thought-out, moving, memorable Shakespearean piece like Midsummer Night's Dream to do a horror novel - which, might I add, don't get me started on how put-off I was at how left-field it was from a Literature(!!!) Great...at least put some back into making it a worthwhile plot.
Talk about shallow and vapid. Yeah the deaths were horrible and gruesome because it's so twisted and visual but where's the depth?! I'm back to remembering those awfully cheesy slasher flicks where there's the killer in a hockey mask with his axe and the track is going "shing-shing-shing". Why? That's the limit of the imagination of the author. Zero. Zilch.
And the potions which were so immensely important in the plot that Claire kept gettin wrong, but insisted on using till the very freaking end?! I wanted to throw one at her, showering her with flakes of the she-thinks-it's-the-love-but-actually-not potion.
The biggest issue I have though are the damn CHARACTERS. My mind went further to create personalities for them since - oh I don't know, they had none! I rarely ever read about characters - ALL - who are That one-dimensional. That's the only word for it! 1-D. And instead of leaving it to just the four main - ugh - you add the bimbo, cause there must always be a bimbo in every guy-written book? Doesn't it hurt you, Stine, to write something like this? Let alone putting it out there for your readers. And your publishers, I'm sorry, but what were you thinking? I'm embarrassed for you - for the story!!
Apparently Stine is a great horror writer...so he rode on his own name to produce this? Even when I was 5 I gave my characters - who I consider my FRIENDS - some thought! And it ruined Puck for me, completely! A freaky bearded psychopath. Really?
Don't waste your time or brain cells on something so trivial. Not even if you were tortured.
Now not going to touch the book again except to dump it back to the library and hope it gets buried somewhere deep and dark. Where it belongs. And it's so not a compliment.

Magic Rises - Ilona Andrews - HOLY SHIT

The book that makes you read it again. Heck read the whole series from the start!

That is seriously what I'm doing right now, though I know it's usually reserved for the finales - I personally don't believe and think there should never be a final book.

Ilona is one of those authors who you can't get enough of.

When I saw the book I was in utter disbelief, and I was too exhilarated to sink my claws into it. 

I felt like how a cute, chubby kid had sniffed out the cookie jar. 

(Maybe it's not a good idea to put claws and chubby kid in the same thought...)
Needless to say it's been a long while since I read the series but I found it so easy to get back into the flow of things because of how well the story was told. The plot was centred around the Pack needing a rare medicine to prevent the shapeshifter children from dying if they went Loup. Worthwhile cause to go headfirst into another crazy adventure - though I truly think this takes the Panacea. The problem had been a long time coming since there were instances in previous books - like with Julie, so that was a refreshing new tale to tell and it added more characters from other packs as well as a mystery to be weaved into it. The plot didn't take much of a backseat thankfully, it keeps you going; even with the characters taking up your brain capacity, with the addition of the oogly-boogly freaky shifter (no not the weredolphins - which pretty much ruined dolphins for me, unfortunately) that jumped in out of nowhere, you're not bored I can tell you that much. Especially at the very end, GIMME THE NEXT BOOK. Heehee.
Now to continue with what's important. Truly. Them Characters.
I love Kate, I truly do. But when you read through you'll suddenly be shocked at how  emotionally charged-up she is. And you know she doesn't act like this since her emotional wall is built so high. Her thoughts and feelings were more how someone my age reacts to someone they love. Absolutely emotional turmoil going on here for her AND you - I can assure you of that. There will be moments, especially if you're female, where you don't think and just have a string of "no no no no no" playing across your mind. Then you cry. Then you get frustrated. Then you hate things. Then - for me - you feel for Kate and H*** (who turned out to be an interesting -yeah we'll leave it at that- villain, but still a sexy *ahem* guy who should be scorned, though thankfully was finally brought up in the flesh)
Personally on a deeper level I believe Kate acted that way - not only to keep the story moving - to show how much she truly loves Curran - who you would agree through 60% of the book was supposedly a total a** (I'm adding all the weight I can muster behind this word; and I won't be ranting on this because it'll never end. I don't even know what to think of him anymore!!).
You will absolutely feel what she feels, even when it's absolutely not rational, and when you finally find out the "plan", if you can really call it that ...it's a "guffaw"-impossible-I-didn't-catch-it-before-now moment. Though I still don't like what he did!
In other words, Ilona still writes where you can FEEL - laugh/ache/cry (really!) - for the characters you love. I do wish for more on Derek, who now has a looming, dark cloud hovering over him. I've often wondered what will happen to him and even when the book ended I still didn't get a sense of what Ilona has planned for his future.
SPOILSIES then there's Doolittle. Gosh I love the good doctor but once you get to that specific time when he just Looks at Kate...let's just say my opinion somewhat changed. Way to be grateful.
I won't add a name here because I would be as cruel as the worst villain in literary history if I did. But I do have to say I was heartbroken when I was reading the end of the book. You don't expect this rollercoaster of emotion to happen throughout this wonderful story as well as when IT happens. The death..was uncalled for. The impact really hits you and it's worse if you love the character - I find them heroic like any good m****** are.

Everything in Magic Rises just gets you going and doesn't want to let you go.

Tell the Story to Its End - Simon P Clark - did NOT finish

Image from Google

It was my mum that picked up this book for me, quote unquote The Title Was Interesting.
Reviewing it from the outside is easy. I would say to immediately pick it up, whether you're adverse to seemingly-hauntingly creepy stories. You can imagine so many amazing things that could come from the cover graphics and title.
Just look at this liner and any bibliophile would be intrigued. Your heartstrings are pulled with that quote alone.

Image from The Social Potato

The book certainly had a unique idea that went into it - for a winged creature Eren to feed off of stories told by Oli, or possibly anyone else it can find. Now that is the selling point. That's what readers are here for.
Instead of us witnessing the struggles of a "hero" and his fight to remain in control. It's Basically the devious and powerful entity being all devious and powerful, whilst weakening a defenceless little boy who just wants to feel strong - ouch.
It's my working theory that if you have the tolerance of a saint...try it *sense my cracking voice with pained fake enthusiasm*
But honestly, I wanted to fling the book right back to the library Returns right after borrowing it.
I'm left in a super confused state. I read from the front, and thinking the title was creative I read from the back, groaning in agony, read in clumps of pages, random quotes, attempting to follow the story along, re-reading a part again, brows furrowing, slamming the book in frustration five times, looking at the scenery, looking at the book cover, looking for other reviews, questioning where the minutes went...
That was my process for this book.
I. Didn't. Get. It. And I tried to. I really, truly tried to. The writing doesn't do the idea justice, if the idea was totally substantial at all. If the protagonist was meant to be unmemorable and plain so he can get easily sucked in to Eren's temptations, then it was done perfectly. Zero character development; I didn't even feel the need for a "gang" to be with Oli, even though he made friends who eventually didn't help him At All. The characters were added just for the sake of it.
The plot took forever to get to what happened to the dad - which was the "point" of moving to the relative's place - so much so you can form dozens of your own opinions and still not have it clearly explained, so you're left hanging. It's not a movie. Hanging on till the last moment with snippets of "don't mention your dad to me now" outbursts, Because that may be the way to keep a "gentle" reminder that Oli and his dad were "suffering"...not helping.
The idea was to also give the readers views and sequences between fantasy and reality - showed by the different fonts used - but honestly the "fantasy" bit Till the end - where there was finally something happening with Oli, but won't spoil - was drivel! You don't have to always explain everything in dialogue form that makes it more painful. Where's the art of showing your readers what's in your head/going on in the characters' world? Please, I used the "show, not tell" line my English teacher pounded into our heads for essay writing. Don't make me do that.

As a writer, please, tell me the story you want to tell me till the end...just not like this.