When your ideas are used for syllabus without consent

https://writeelements.blogspot.com/2016/11/when-your-ideas-are-used-for-syllabus.html

The Vindico by Wesley King

This is the first book in the Vindico series.

Instant pang of regret: I should have borrowed the second while I had it in my grasps. ENORMOUS sigh.

Doesn't that open up on how awesome the book was? (I thought that was pretty good an opening haha * all innocent *)

In all honesty - even though technically the definition of awesome is extremely impressive or daunting; inspiring awe.  - I think the English faculties will forgive me for this one.

I really loved it. Really really! (Look at how profound my English is when I'm reduced to fan-girling)

And yes I realise I'm easily persuaded by fantasy novels, But I mean, it's about super villains and powers for pete's sake!

It really provided a fresh take on the usual Marvel we're used to. A chance to show that not all heroes are perfect and sparkly good. The story centralised on five teens being abducted from their homes by the villains of the League, the Vindico (meaning "vengeance") and are now given the opportunity to be granted powers - or learn from their innate, natural gifts

Usually it's the heroes that find these kids and train them, but that wouldn't have been as fun - by far.

I read it in one sitting since I just couldn't let it go. Even when it got dark I just used my flashlight and read, like a kid reading his/her comics.

Wesley isn't the type of author that drags or imposes too much bland writing ; he's got wit, just like his character Hayden.

In fact in the first chapters you get to see the personalities of each teen vividly, which is a nice insight. Though it isn't a new way to do it , to write from a character's perspectives interchangeably - that's where Wesley makes it different

After the final kidnapping he begins the story as a completely third party; not coming from one person's POV gives readers more elbow grease to form our opinions on the people, environment and such

Though the teens do get to have personal trainings; the writing is kept light and it's well-written so you won't get bored or carried away

And as superhero / villain stories go, LOTS of action in place. There was even a very intriguing twist near the end - like all our English teachers try to tell us to put in.

Wesley's was subtle but definitely there and done tastefully

Mm. Maybe I kinda saw it coming, all things considered. ( But that's me being me. If I don't learn to think ahead, I can't write my own book, can I )

Anyway, major props. Should totally pick it up! Brings about a lot of emotion and development

An adventure begins... with The Lost Hero

Heroes of Olympus 

#1 the lost hero

Rick Riordan

Images from Google

I know I'm long overdue for this book. I've been That busy. (Although it's a month after some Seaweed Brain's birthday haha)

The whole Camp Half-Blood series is still going strong! thank the gods 

(little joke, I do have my own God *fears getting struck by lightning all the same*) 

I didn't have a chance to look at the synopsis before I formerly read the book but I love the idea and mystery of bringing in Roman myths. 

I always had this urge to study Latin *eyes sparkling* 

The characters are really intriguing because they manage to stir up new things at the camp. 

I love Percy, obviously, but the change of pace was nice with Leo, Jason and Piper. 

~ loving Leo, he's just so much fun! 

It's a whole new chapter and it gives the old series a harder edge, with new enemies and - what they assume would be - strange allies. 

As always I love the quests because of the riddles the Oracle gives. I mean, 7 heroes now!! 

Though I wish it would be so that all the gods had a child that either brought eternal bliss or the end, in this series. Favouritism for Apollo shining through very brightly here 

However I was so excited on what the future technically brings that I was tempted to skip ahead a few chapters. 

I know, I know, bad me.... 

Mind you, this was quite a heavy book but I brought it everywhere - it was really captivating. Of course I'm in love with Greek mythology and the more reading like this makes it easy to learn about the Roman culture. 

Rick also brought in a lot more of the history which, like I said, is an excellent way to learn as it has the heroes interacting with them instead of simply reading from textbooks. 

I was thrilled. 

And it's just as action-packed as before, even more so now. The adventure may last a few days but it'll leave you wanting more right after - I guarantee it. 

Currently hunting for the second book myself. 

Artemis Fowl takes his last bow: Artemis Fowl and the Last Guardian

Artemis Fowl and the Last Guardian
Eoin Colfer

Images from Google

Seemingly nothing in this world daunts the young criminal mastermind Artemis Fowl. In the fairy world, however, there is a small thing that has gotten under his skin on more than one occasion: Opal Koboi. In The Last Guardian, the evil pixie is wreaking havoc yet again. This time his arch rival has reanimated dead fairy warriors who were buried in the grounds of Fowl Manor. Their spirits have possessed Artemis's little brothers, making his siblings even more annoying than usual. The warriors don't seem to realize that the battle they were fighting when they died is long over. Artemis has until sunrise to get the spirits to vacate his brothers and go back into the earth where they belong. Can he count on a certain LEPrecon fairy to join him in what could well be his last stand?

New York Times best-selling author and comic genius Eoin Colfer will leave Artemis Fowl fans gasping up to the very end of this thrilling finale to the blockbuster series.

Ages 10+

(Summary from Bookbrowse)

That was a Long hiatus. Exams, yadda yadda...

 If you're a real bibliophile you'll know what I mean when it felt so good to touch a book again.

I decided to kick things off again by sadly ending one of my favourite series, Artemis Fowl. Yeah I couldn't believe it was the last too...

To a friend of mine who saw my book, he claimed how he didn't feel it was as good as before; it couldn't grip him.

I, however, am totally the opposite. I couldn't put it down!

 I even went against my life-long policy of bringing books I bought outside to read - with good reason I might add (there were...incidents with the book, like we had been through a real Artemis adventure)

But it had been a really long time since I read the last story so it took me a bit to get the context straight.

I would recommend to try reading the books in succession, in a comfy room and cosy bed. Not to be disturbed.

So yes obviously the story is super fast-paced and you'll won't even be able to stop for a cup of cocoa.

In stories there's no part that's usually completely insignificant. So as I read on and thought of the how perhaps it would turn out I was greeted by nice surprises.

(I want to say so much here but I'll spoil it!!!)

I always had a fondness for Artemis - he never had a particularly bad motive for doing what he did. (Maybe I'm losing my sense here haha)
But if you compare him to Opal, who of course had to make a comeback, well, she's just psychotic.

And I mean stark raving mad this time. As the series progressed you know she wouldn't stay down, and to some of the lengths she went through. Yikes.
I would not have liked to get on her bad side.

And personally I don't like drawn out things, but they're usually forgiven if there's big action that followed, which it did. For this book it didn't have anything that was *too* much.

The surprising impact of a part of her plan on all of civilization - when I read through it I didn't think it really happened. I felt so detached at that point.
However it shows the writer's capability to just make you think if something of that magnitude were to happen - I'm glad for this instance it was in a book.

Colfer kept going for one surprise after another, making sure his readers are always anticipating and wanting more.

It was great to watch the characters progress after all this time and with 8 strong titles under his belt, it's definite there's depth people can emphasize with.

It really was such a sad thing to close the book, which had a pretty nice way of ending (phew)

Colfer's got a new book out though:  WARP, if I'm not mistaken
Which will fall more into the YA context on the library shelves.

Not that I minded going down to the lower elements (of the children section)
My other friends are the same age and we continued to carry the legacy of Artemis Fowl no matter how old we got


If anyone's read any of his series maybe you can tell me what you think

The Juvie Three by *drumroll* Gordon Korman

Image from Google

It's about the same wavelength as shipwreck, but the teens have gone to a halfway house courtesy of Healy, who's at this point sort of like their den mother. 

The rehabilitation they go through is definitely stifling, like having your head shrunk, but it has to happen of course - not just for the book, though I guessed right about their personalities.

But seriously it did get me thinking. Everyone ought to know the system, of Any country, isn't near perfect. In fact it may have as many holes as a Swiss though we see it we can't act on it. Where sometimes the good get into a bind and the bad somehow get off scot free (Enough about that, before I get into trouble.) 

Then comes characters like the cases Healy's decided to take on. According to him it was because they reminded him of himself.

However having them there (excuse the pun that's coming), couldn't have been worse for his memory. *whistles innocently*

 If you see the synopsis that's at the back of the paperback, Healy has lost his memories and now the three "delinquents", as everyone around them seems to see them, are actually free to do what they want. 

When I said I guessed right about how they are supposed to be as people, I was certainly spot on. I figured all the bravado and trying to be butch wasn't all that was to them. There was even a show for love interests for more than just one guy. 

Honestly the bit about Gecko's girl's uncle's job was so not a surprise. It actually brought more laughs than it intended. Duh moment has come *guffaw heh*

I realise a story then could only be taken so far and the way it unfolded till the jailbreak (just Had to use the word) was I suppose a build on suspense. Since technically what else can you do. Everyone will get suspicious eventually. Human nature *shrug* 

Ah yes, I have to say the way Healy lost his memories was ..something. But the way Gordon rounded back to the same moment was awesome. I think you can guess what happened there for the poor guy. 

Not too bad, especially for this kind of storyline. Emphasis: There was effort to really get an understanding in the characters', well, character. 

starting the ISLAND trilogy by Gordon Korman - #1 shipwreck

I'm not sure if I've said this before but I'll say it again. Gordon Korman has got to be one of my favourite authors. I love the ideas he can come up with, and his writing is right up there too. 

I haven't had the time for awhile but now I'm reverting to my fan-with-foam-thumb-waving state of reading his trilogies; and yes I do know once again the age range Is rated "kid" but as I've said once before, boo them. 

In fact, I have visited the YA section and even without looking at the author's name I found a book called "The Juvie Three" and obviously it'd be one of his. Don't you just love it when that happens.

Today I'm posting about the first book, Shipwreck, quite briefly because I don't want to spoil anything. 

There's something about mystery and suspense of being stranded on Islands that appeals to me. Happens for shows - cartoons if you will - too. And I'm sure I'm not the only one to feel this! 

As for this, meeting the dysfunctional (emphasis on that) siblings, a walking Encyclopedia, an athlete (female), richie rich (sadly no pun, his name is J.J.) and a tooooootally regular guy.

I have to admit it isn't my best way of describing them but do any of them really sound like felons? That's my point.

 

So the story begins with the teens being corralled onto a ship, which later is left being "battle scarred" "SS Nix" (lucky sounding, ain't it?), because of the criminal things they have done. Yes of course without a proper verdict, as all good systems do.

So the whole time for weeks they're meant to learn the ropes of what it's like to be at sea. To understand the meaning of discipline, cooperation and respect for the law. (Guess where that came from *rolls eyes*) 

Gordon always writes with such an impact though that you can actually experience it, without actually experiencing it. Obviously most readers won't know what it feels like to cross the ocean that often - minus cruise ships - much less being adrift. 

( Have I said too much? )

It's just so vivid being....afloat? (Is that okay?) *beep* the unending thirst and hope for rain only to have it trickle a few feet away from you. Wow. 

Oh. Never drink salt water, someone learnt that the hard way. I could almost empathise, and it even had me reaching for a whole jug of water. After I read that long portion. Decided to suffer a little for their cause. 

Needless to say, I was hooked completely and right now I have the second book in my hand begging to be read.

And in the background right now is, in fact, "the magic of the big blue" - Nat Geo's programme. The latter's name of which will be mentioned more than frequently in the books. 

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*