Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins (a great welcome-back book)

 

 I don't even know how long it's been since I've been able to pick up a book to read, just too long. I can't believe I held out. For months it has been endless project work and the final two exams are finally all over. Congrats me new media student. I'm actually really proud to be in this industry. I'm loving what I do.

  Anyway, back to business. I immediately headed out to the library as soon as my exam was over. This Hex Hall was one of the books I've been meaning to read for a long time and I thankfully saw it nicely sitting on the shelf, snugly wedged in-between hordes of other books (it's exam preparation for most students so hardly anyone was in the library, all the better for me since no one can borrow my books away *victory fist*). 

I was pleased beyond belief the first book I chose to 'come back' with was such a good read. I had read other reviews about how perhaps the story was too much like "Harry Potter for girls". To be honest I never really enjoyed Rowling's writing (prepares herself for being struck by literary lightning), but I absolutely adored this book! I read it twice even.

And yes there was a comment about how the character of Archer Cross (yay for heartthrobs!) was just a mysterious, cool, easy-on-the-eyes, good-looking heartthrob, and how they wanted more information I felt it was enough to keep readers guessing about his past well into the rest of her series, which I can't wait to find. 

So yes I said it, Archer (I'm sure you guessed it) is one of the bad-boy yet pretty-boy types, so said by Sophie as well as me. A wonderful addition.
And gratefully he isn't blonde. I  don't know what's with me, but I can't take another one.

One more obvious fact, he's playing with sooooo many heartstrings in this book. Past Holly, present Elodie (yes E-lo-dy) and hopefully :D future Sophie (however much she denies it)

Actually the addition of different characters was definitely interesting. Part of the rule book, every story has to have a witchy enemy (ahem), outcasts and so on. So it was really nice meeting them.

The first few bits after the introduction, aka reason why Sophie had to join Hex Hall, was a bit of a blur. Tiny bit less interesting before she made it to the actual venue. Also there was the other huge chunk of information leading up to the introduction of the (pronouncing it as I type) L'Occhio di Dio. Bigger blur. If I had been a first-year student there my eyes would have surely glazed over, though the idea of having it shown like a projection is so cool. Damn I wish this magic was real. 

However it got extremely interesting for 95% of the book, so no regrets about this plot. It is a fun read, as most would categorise it. Rachel is excellent and there's obviously wit or I wouldn't love it so much. Banter between the ad-odds 'couple' is great to read. Awesome comebacks. And I'm totally hungry for more info, especially on Sophie's future, though as a writer several scenes already are playing in my head

Next I'll be reading "Fairy Bad Day" by Amanda Ashby. I borrowed that along with "Stealing Phoenix" and "The Raven Boys". I seem to have a theme going

Ascension of the Lord

CDM Parish Bulletin_Vol2013.18

If you had looked at your diary last Thursday – that’d be 40 days after Jesus Christ rose from the dead on Easter – you might’ve seen a heading “Ascension Day”, or you might not have it at all because this day is one of the neglected feast days of the Christian calendar. Forgetting the commemoration is already a sad fact but in overlooking this day, the opportunity is lost for reflecting on the message of the Ascension of the Lord. If we gloss over its truth we deprive ourselves of a most essential testament, for without this, the sacrifices and effort of Christ would be incomplete. On this day, it celebrates His redemption – His rise into Heaven by His own power, and with showing us where He has gone, we hope to someday follow. Since it is always on a weekday, it is also a constant reminder that practicing the faith fully isn’t something only for Sundays, it is an experience for every day. The Feast day marks the beginning of the first Novena.

Baptism of the Lord

CDM Parish Bulletin_Vol2013_02

I think I re-wrote it three times till it finally came out like that ^

it was an important event so I had to get it right...

On the 13^th of January, as the Christmas season ends, the church celebrates another significant event: the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, to repent for the remission of sins. On this day, Jesus chose to surrender Himself graciously in the River Jordan and be baptised by John the Baptist. As Catholics we see Christening as an important rite, whether one is an infant or adult, to cleanse our being and soul from the Original Sin. Jesus also sought to purify Himself even though He had no need, which shows how much more thankful we should be to receive this sacrament, freeing us from sin and incorporating ourselves in the Trinity. John has “prepared the way”, simply meaning to create a favourable environment making it easy for Christ to enter into our lives once again.

 

On the 13^th, as the Christmas season ends, the church celebrates another significant event: the feast of the Baptism of the Lord. As Catholics we see baptism as an important rite, whether one is an infant or fully grown, to cleanse our being and soul from the Original Sin. Why then does one as pure as Christ need to be baptised? He did it for us. Jesus was baptised by John the Baptist whilst surrendering Himself graciously in the River Jordan, sanctifying it. The entire Trinity intervenes as the event is Our Lord’s second appearance. In doing so has shown how necessary and thankful we should be for receiving such a sacrament. At Christ’s baptism, He was proclaimed our Father’s “Beloved Son” and the heavens opened. At ours’, we became the adopted children of God with the heavens opened to us.

 

On 13^th January, as the Christmas season ends, the church celebrates another significant event: the feast of the Baptism of the Lord. As Catholics we see baptism as an important rite, whether one is an infant or adult, to cleanse our being and soul from the Original Sin; and so at our Christening, we became the adopted children of God. On this day, Jesus was baptised by John the Baptist whilst surrendering Himself graciously in the River Jordan. At His baptism, He was proclaimed our Father’s “Beloved Son” and opened the gates of Heaven. In doing so, Jesus has shown how necessary and thankful we should be for receiving such a sacrament. Why then does one as pure as Christ need to be baptised? He simply did it for us.

 

On the 13^th of January, as the Christmas season ends, the church celebrates another significant event: the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, to repent for the remission of sins. On this day, Jesus chose to surrender Himself graciously in the River Jordan and be baptised by John the Baptist. As Catholics we see Christening as an important rite, whether one is an infant or adult, to cleanse our being and soul from the Original Sin. Jesus also sought to purify Himself even though He had no need, which shows how much more thankful we should be to receive this sacrament, freeing us from sin and incorporating ourselves in the Trinity. John has “prepared the way”, simply meaning to create a favourable environment making it easy for Christ to enter into our lives once again.

He was proclaimed our Father’s “Beloved Son” and opened the gates of Heaven.

 

 

I Know What You Did Last Wednesday by Anthony Horowitz

Well the first thing that came to mind was how the sword on the cover was sticking out in all the most.... wrong place - ever.

It was honestly seemingly unsuspecting, unexpected as the beginning continued. Tim was being Tim, i.e. Simple. (Snicker. How was I to know that his real name fit so perfectly?)

And then it simply spiralled down from there. It's not my first time with the idea of going to an island for a gruesome tale, I'm just shocked because it's the first and only children's book I know that had this awful scene! First I read was Agatha Christie's "And Then There Were None" {Yes, she was obviously mentioned in the book} And even though it seemed like a copy it was harder to read this because the deaths seemed to happen so quick I had to re-read the horrific happenings because I by-passed it so fast the first time! My gosh!

I started to question things and my brain worked as fast to read the book to see Nick's train of thought, more or less on par with mine.

Even if there were slight misses I didn't catch, like floating... ugh or leaves being in a certain area, I still caught the killer (no spoiling since it Is a children's book; there must be someone put to justice) at the same time Nick did.
Just minus the questions of why no one looked for a surveillance room for their security cameras. Beats me but it brought more excitement and unfortunately could have resulted in lesser deaths.

Icky as much as Agatha Christie's but with a clear motive this time so it's easier but, like I said, more troubling to read.

Let's say I'll never EVER try this book at the dead of night EVER again. Well............. Third time's the charm. *shudder*

 

The Greek who Stole Christmas by Anthony Horowitz

The Greek Who Stole Christmas is a short Diamond brothers story by Anthony Horowitz. The brothers are broke and are more than a little hilarious. This is the first time I've read the series but it's been said they're always on the verge, or have gone off the edge, of penny pinching.

I absolutely love Nick, and not only because he's the smarter and wittier one, and the actual detective of the two. He probably knows how to tie his own shoes better than his older brother, Tim, the one with the Name of detective but a brain needing to be detected, still. (Just a little joke)
I thought perhaps it would be like the Hardy boys but it's nothing like them. Well, consider how only one thinks and the same one is only 14. Big feats for a little guy.

I enjoyed the story through Nick's view. But I have to say I really can't stand Tim, and neither could the other characters in the novel, from the touchy police to the "big star" Minerva. And of course this woman had to be blonde. Second Minerva I've come across that has a heart nothing like her beauty (this one is painfully obvious but I could be bias for the other series Artemis Fowl).

Back to Tim, I figure most kids will find his antics ridiculous and therefore funny, but my brain works of a slightly different level (perhaps 2-3 years older than a 10 year old reading this. *snicker* ~ I'm not that young either).

The story was not as complicated, since it really was a kids story. But it was still affective.
And I'm sure my love for Nick will grow as I read the second book I have of them. And perhaps, go against my nature and actually find the first book of the series.

Stickman Odyssey: an epic doodle BOOK ONE by Christopher Ford

I know Greek stories aren't meant to be funny but I believe the story was told that way to appeal to those who wouldn't even look once at a Greek anything but will look twice at a stick doodle. I do both, so I absolutely had to swipe this book. And I really can't wait for the next one!

Some lines were pretty good! I even posted pictures. It was the usual journey and Christopher had some facts from the actual epic odyssey in his epic doodle, for example the crew stuffing their ears with wax, although in an entirely different context.

It was definitely appealing. The hero suffered hubris (Greek for "pride [like it comes before the fall]") obviously. And he had to ask for help so overcame his blatant stubbornness that he could do it all on his own. Of course, in doodle form it doesn't seem so extreme but it still is, in its own way.

I applaud the author trying to work his way around making a story that would grab anyone's attention - drawing 4 lines and a circle isn't all that easy especially with what 'lacked' had to be made up for by wit.

Basically, it was a lot of fun. Like I said, bring on book two! :)

Scream Street #12 Secret of the Changeling

So here's book 12!

The story has them travelling to the fairy realm this time. But I'm ahead of myself.

The beginning was filled with more than one shock to the heroes, from a shrieking banshee to a shape-shifting baby named Ditto (coincidentally - and please forgive me here - it is exactly the Pokemon show reference here - with an exact definition).

There's action everywhere you look and even more so in the desolate, puffy, sparkly, woodland creature laden forest of the fairy realm which I started the post off with in the first place.

Yes, I said desolate. The place is completely empty thanks to the deranged but beautiful (isn't it always like this?) Crimson Queen *no hint intended*. Characters that are almost out of the Grimm's evil stepparents's fairy tale books run the joint, from Skinderella to Snow Fright and her Seven Ninja Dwarves, and yes there is obviously Ghouldilocks with her three Scares.

It was actually more fun to see the characters being like the evil beings themselves than being rescued and reduced to damsels, Although Red Riding Blood did- oops. Retract that! ;)

She does deserve mention, the Crimson Queen, being able to wile her way into the kind heart of a certain vampire.

Anyways, if you're looking for something out of the ordinary, come and follow the gang on their adventure to this fluffy fluffy urban area where you're guaranteed a mystical time, and Bring Your Own Mirrors! :)

Scream Street #11 Hunger of the Yeti

Let's dive into the world of the strange and unknown.... more specifically, Resus's cape! Muahahaha sigh~

The three protagonists Luke, Resus and Cleo are on their way to the nice snowy mountain tops - where the air is always stifling and the view is immaculately, albeit If you can see past your face covered by snowballs - to return the tongue (yes, a tongue. And he Does try to talk, not that I have any clue what it was) of a zombie soothsayer to diminish the portal.

This is their third last and with a raving success but of course there's nothing to celebrate.

Soon they are met with more challenges that I found more than hilarious. I nearly forgot how much I love Resus. He's a totally fun character that's literally shrouded in, or rather with a cape, of mystery.

Tommy was able to plant small things in the beginning of the story that linked in very nicely throughout the book as it continued.

*spoiler alert* It was fun to see how some characters , the adults, were like in their early years. If you catch my drift.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book and I couldn't put it down. Thankfully I had #12 right next to me!

A Rotten Apple Book - Mean Ghouls by Stacia Deutsch

Never in my life have I picked up a zom-b story and I was surprised this one peeked my interest enough.

Believe me, my thoughts on them haven't changed. They're icky to the core but I suppose a more junior book will make the yuck factor turn more humorous. I even took to the character Sam, who's digits would fall off on more than one occasion.

I don't know if I would say the storyline was obvious. Of course the main character who discovered she has "zombitus" wouldn't want it AT ALL, mind you, and that's when my somewhat surprise comes in. She was completely resistant to change and she just wanted to return home. And I totally get that.

But there were times when are implacable yet understandable behaviour would hurt her friends and i found the attitude stinking (no pun intended). Then again, she is like twelve; plus it was brilliantly conveyed and if I got irritated, bravo to Miss Deutsch (I even remember how to spell it after seeing it only once. No zombitus here!)

Characters - there must be conflict and the personality types are what's to be expected if you make them clash.

all in all, I was thoroughly amused by this book and Megan's attempt at Nancy Drew-ing. I just wish the ending wasn't as predictable as it usually plays out. It's neither new nor old. At least the author made the mood way lighter, a discerning contrast from the moodiness and stubbornness of... Well, you'll just have to read it.

Interesting book for Halloween, which is when I had intended to read it, but I was pulled away by the oogly-boogly arms of the exams. Which are now over *insert thousand watt smile here*

TIMELESS by Michelle Madow (cover revealed)

TIMELESS cover revealed!

I decided to write in purple in lieu with the cover's undertones. 

 

Unfortunately although I did truly love the look of the first two books, considering how mysterious they were, this cover is a bit of a letdown. Maybe it's the lighting in the book or in my room but I don't feel like the dress flatters her. The mask idea is brilliant, and now revealing a face, isn't all that bad. Although I wish they had her face still in the shadows, possibly a distinct feature peaking out a little (since there always seems to be one, be it an odd-coloured eye or a set of pearly-whites). The moon is beautiful and resplendent. But... she doesn't look all that shocked. Or should she be? A bite of the lip would have been more interesting.

Having had an almost ambivalent war with myself, all in all, it's what is inside the book that counts. (And I do apologise, since the author designed the cover herself, it took effort) However, I'm definitely going to pick it up! 

[Now let me attempt to do this] 

If you haven't read the book like me, you could always purchase the e-books from any of the usual stores :) 

Although let's all try to do the paperback way (I don't want it to die out)

Anyhow, at Michelle Madow's blog

http://blog.michellemadow.com/2012/08/timeless-cover-reveal-and-giveaway.html 

She will be giving away an awesome prize pack: 

" A signed copy of Remembrance, a signed copy of Vengeance, a signed copy of Timeless (to be sent after Timeless releases), three signed Remembrance bookmarks, a mask that looks like the one on the cover of Remembrance, and a mention in the acknowledgments section of Timeless. The giveaway is INTERNATIONAL!"

(focus on that word! Haha.)

  I personally hope to win ;P