Blood Lamp...Creeeeeepy

This doesn't really fit into any of the perils, but the creepy factor just screamed (no pun intended) R.I.P

R.I.P. Is a yearly event hosted by Carl over at Stainless Steel Droppings...go check it out :D

       

Ghost Story by Jim Butcher

Peril The First

Read four books, any length, that you feel fit (my very broad definitions) of R.I.P. literature. It could be Stephen King or Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Ian Fleming or Edgar Allan Poe…or anyone in between.

Written By: Jim Butcher

Copyright: 2011

Publisher:  ROC

Paperback Pages:  477

Book one in Peril the first :D

"Life is hard. Dying's easy." That's how Harrys story begins this time around. You see he's dead...or is he? As with all good Dresden Files, things are not always what they appear to be. After waking up in a semifamiliar Chicago Harry soon realizes that he is not in the world of the living. After some debate, he is tasked with going back to the mortal world to track down his own "murderer". The only thing is, he doesn't have his wizarding abilities, aaand no one can see or hear him. Good stuff right?...I know ;)

The way I see it: Classic Dresden, and then some. All of my beloved characters...save one, were included in this newest installment, and Butcher was kind enough to give me an acceptable explanation as to why one of my faves wasn't in attendance....kinda necessary to the story unfortunately. Fans of the series will not be disappointed. I can't tell you the glory I felt when it all clicked into place, although I must say...Jim Butcher makes you work for it. I was a bloodhound hot on a scent, and every time I thought I had found the source....bam! a river washed it away, leaving me to start searching in yet another direction. 

The bad, the bad, and the ugly: Ummm, I tried to drag it out as long as I could, but as always It wasn't long enough for me ;)

Love it or Leave it: Loooove it!!! I've read so many of these I probably wouldn't need a map to find my way around Chicago, but it's simply not a series I ever tire of. They're stories that kinda sneak up on you. They seem simplistic but are actually the complete opposite. 

I've always said these books are easy reads, so I thought it only proper to define what I mean by that. This is it in a nutshell... have you ever had to try to get yourself involved in a story or try to find ways to connect with a character.... Well I don't have to try at all with this series. It's effortless, It just flows and once I start, I'm immersed without even realizing it.  

Oh, one more thing about Ghost Story in particular, I believe I laughed out loud more often then with any of the series so far. The Star Wars and Star Trek references get me every time...read it, you'll understand ;)

Her...An Indonesian Short Story Review

      This will be my first time participating in Indonesian Short Story Month. It's hosted by Novia at Polychrome Interest and you can review your own short story through the month of August.

"Once you have finished reading any short stories by Indonesian writers, please kindly share what you think about the story either in the comment form or in your blog (leave the link in the comment form or pingback this post)."


Her, Is a story of woman whose husband decides he's not happy at home and remedy's this by marrying an additional woman ...simplistic right...wrong. The complexity of the emotions this "Perfect wife" goes through are so realistic, to be quite honest I wanted to give her husband a good wallop. 

Her own anger, the anger and embarrassment of their children, the realization, and then finally acceptance that no matter how exceptional a wife she is, her husband will never truly love or be devoted only to her, and the turmoil she feels in regard to "Her". These are things that anyone could relate to, regardless of culture.


This story had me putting myself in the main characters position time and time again, and wondering how I would react if it were me. Would I be as self sacrificing? I'm not sure I could. I've seen women...and men in my own country staying with their spouse for similar reasons. In the beginning of the story I thought I might not be able to respect the first wife, but I found that by the end I did. She was much stronger than I had anticipated and I was thankful for that. I myself would not be able to make the same choices, but I found that I was happy she had some closure and understanding at the end of this story.

I've added some snippits and a link to the intire story as well as author info

               Her...By Titis Basino 

"Just like that I let him leave. I listened to the steadily fading sound of his car as he drove away. The motor grew fainter and fainter until it was finally drowned out by the children’s voices. At moments like that I felt that he accepted the freedom I had given him with too obvious relief."

".On the nights when my husband was with me and talked about 

"her," I listened to him with an odd mixture of patience and dejection. Deep down I begged that he would become tired of "her," but he never did".

" I appreciated her where I had once feared her. Had I met her earlier I would have been impressed with her cunning at capturing a husband; now I was impressed with the graceful manner in which she protected her rival’s feelings."

Sending a big thank you to Novia. I really enjoyed this story and am grateful to have participated :D

Current Mosaic Progress

               

It's slow going, but I'm really enjoying it :D My mother swears once my daughter leaves for college on the 24th I'll have the entire house mosaic-ed...lol 

Avengers 2012

More please ;)

From: View Buzz
The Avengers is upcoming mega budget Hollywood movie which will be released in 2012. The Avenger Release date is 4 May 2012. This is an action/Sci-Fi movie directed by Joss Whedon who is experience person in film industry. The Avengers estimated budget is $150,000,000 and Robert Downey Jr. is playing leading role of Iron Man in this movie.Complete star cast of The Avengers includes Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Chris Evans, Jermy Renner, Samuel Jackson, Cobie Smulders, Mark Ruffalo, Tom Hiddleston, Lou Ferrigno and Clark Gregg. Chris Evans is playing role of Capitan America in this movie. This movie is sequel of Captain America: The First Avenger.
Presence of Robert Downey Jr, Scarlett Johansson and Chris Evans shows that this upcoming Hollywood movie has lot to offer and it will be one of the big movies of year 2012.

OMG!! I have died and gone to heaven. Lou Ferrigno voices the Hulk and there will be a cameo by Stan Lee!!

Movie Posters

MGoW - Artist Spotlight -Sarah Valsheim

This idea came from Chelle over at Persephone Reads. She does a feature aptly named I ♥ This Art which I thoroughly enjoy.

As a result I thought I would periodically spotlight a piece that calls to me...moves me...stirs my emotions in some way. A work that I believe needs to be shared :D

Todays Artist Spotlight Is...

Solitude

by~Sarah Valsheim

Ahhh, the bone structure...the cut of the jacket..the silvery grey hair...the hair, did I mention the hair! What can I say, I'm a sucker for grey haired men ;)

 I was actually torn between two pieces who turned out to be the same character, Gen. So I added "Away" below. It's full of detail, the poles and the wires..I especially love the area around Gens' feet :D

When I asked Ms. Valsheim If she'd like to add anything about herself in this post she replied, "Well.. what can i say? :D I'm a self taught artist, currently i live in Hungary with my fiancé until he finishes his studies. I plan to publish an ArtBook in the near future :) I think that's all >.< omg i can't write much about myself xD
Thank you very much for the feature <3"

So she's modest and gracious as well as being incredibly talented :D

Thank you Sarah, and I wish you all the luck in the world.

facebook: Sarah Valsheim

Twitter: @SarahValsheim
Deviant Art: http://sarah-valsheim.deviantart.com/
Portfolio: http://sarahvalsheim.daportfolio.com/

SINBAD: THE FIFTH VOYAGE 2011 ???

Now before you watch this and give me the Really? I must tell you that it's supposed to be a tribute to  Ray Harryhausen’s Dynamation. You remember Dynamation. It was used in movies like  Mighty Joe Young ,  Jason and the Argonauts, and The 7th Voyage of Sinbad. Well, maybe some of you are too young to remember them, but I do, and if you ever get the chance to see them, I highly recommend it ;) 

Directed by David Winning

Starring Patrick Stewart, Lorna Raver, Isaac C.

 Singleton Jr., Said Faraj, Shahin Sean Solimon

Release Date: July 18, 2011

Screenwriter: Ev Gabai, Sean Solimon

Giant Flick Films LLC

What's that you say? That voice sounds familiar....well of course it does. Who could mistake the delicious Sir Patrick Stewart :o He plays the aged Sinbad, (his voice anyway). Apparently Sinbad is recounting his tales of adventure. This particular tale involves the saving of Princess Parisa from an evil sorcerer.  It also includes the Pièce de résistance...da da da daaaaa...the cyclops :D

I've been trying to find this film, and honestly It's been a bit puzzling. I thought I'd gotten it narrowed down to a release date of October 2010, but then I see July 18, 2011. I'm thinking maybe it was a direct to DVD release, but I'm still not sure. If it's not abundantly obviously to you by now...I'm perplexed :o any help would be appreciated :D

Death Note and Death Note Two

Title: Death Note....Death Note Two (The Last Name)

Release 2008

Directed by Shūsuke Kaneko

Produced by: Toyoharu Fukuda

Takahiro Kohashi

Takahiro Satō

Seiji Okuda (The Last Name) 

Music by: Kenji Kawai

Studio: NTV, Warner Bros

Cast:

Tatsuya Fujiwara as Light Yagami

Kenichi Matsuyama as L

Erika Toda as Misa Amane

Asaka Seto as Naomi Misora

Shidou Nakamura as Ryuk (voice)

Shinnosuke Ikehata as Rem (Voice in Death Note: The Last Name)

Shigeki Hosokawa as Raye Iwamatsu

Shunji Fujimura as Watari

Takeshi Kaga as Soichiro Yagami

Yuu Kashii as Shiori Akino

Hikari Mitsushima as Sayu Yagami

Shin Shimizu as Kanzo Mogi

When I spotted these movies in Coconuts I was so elated I got a bit teary...yes, I was really that excited. The anime version was one of my very most favorites and to be able to own the live action films was a dream come true.


This movie is about a college student, (genius really) named Light Yagami. He discovers a mysterious notebook, called the "Death Note", lying on the ground. Once he touches it, he's able to see a shinigami, (death spirit) named Ryuk, who reveals some of the books secrets, but by no means all. The notebook states that if you write someones name in it while picturing their face, the person will die. Although skeptical, after some experimentation....Light discovers that is indeed authentic. 

Ryuk

Having grown up with a police officer as a father, he realizes that justice isn't always swift, and that sometimes the guilty do not get the punishment they deserve. As a result, Light decides to take matters into his own hands and starts executing criminals.....a lot of criminals, under the persona known as Kira. All the while Lights' father Soichiro Yagami along with the mysterious L, has been leading the investigation to hunt down Kira. 

The Last Name:

The eccentric and childlike L is determined to uncover Kira, and being a genius himself, they are equally matched. Light always manages to stay a step ahead of him but L closes in little by little, despite the fact that Light has taken on an accomplice named Misa, who also has a Death Note. For certain reasons Misa sees Kira as her God...her hero. With her shinigami Rem, she is able to Look at someone and kill them....but will she be able to see L's face? In the end will light be willing to sacrifice his own father to achieve his goals...to be the god of his new world.

Rem

The way I see it: If I expressed to you all of the twists, turns and manipulation that actually existed in these movies this review would be full of spoilers...not something I would do ;) The deranged labyrinth that is lights mind was like a fun-house to me...such a good time :D The movies stayed, (for the most part) true to story. L, (who is my absolute favorite character) was flawless. Kenichi Matsuyama literally was L, he completely immersed himself in this role. Truly incredible. 

The bad, the bad, and the ugly: They changed the ending. In my opinion... Americanized it. It was still good, but I am a fan of the...somewhat brutal at times, Asian style of anime and movies. Also in the anime series Light was always obsessed with power, and vocalized it often. They really didn't emphasize this in the films.

Love it or Leave it: OMG loved it!!! It was sooo much fun and Light was sooo messed up...quite the sick puppy ;) The fact that it did stay basically true to the story was big for me. The shinigami looked great, (it was eerie in fact...lol) and came across with a lot of personality. Erika Toda as Misa, also did a phenomenal job with her role. 

Note: You probably would only be fond of these movies if you enjoy anime, or Japanese style films. I, being a fan of both....was in my glory :D

The Name Of The Wind

Written By: Patrick Rothfuss

Copyright: 2007

Publisher:  DAW

Paperback Pages:  661 

I have to preface this review by saying that I have agonized over the writing of it. I find myself at a loss for words to properly describe what in essence to me, Is an incredible work of art. 

Chapter one begins at the Waystone inn. A small group of men are enjoying some libations while Old Cob fills their heads with wonder-tales, as was his favorite role. The unobtrusive innkeeper busies himself cleaning floors, wiping bottles and seeing to his patrons...the things that innkeepers do ;) Shortly there after, a local who has been attacked enters the inn carrying something in his arms. What that something is...and the events that take place as a result of it, I'll not tell you.....you have to find that out for yourself ;)

I will give you a little snippit though. It takes place a very short while later, when the innkeeper comes home, having only left a note as to his whereabouts for Bast...his very worried student/E'lir.

"A note? You sneak out and leave me a note?" He hissed angrily. "What am I, some dockside whore?"...and then...."It wasn't even a good note. 'If you are reading this I am probably dead.' What sort of note is that?" 

I literally laughed out loud :D

We are then introduced to Chronicler who, as the name imply's, is a historian of sorts. His arrival at the Waystone is the catalyst for all of the story that follows. He has been searching for a man named Kvothe, "pronounced nearly the same as quothe." according to our central figure. Chronicler desperately wants to write a true accounting of Kvothes' life, for he is a figure spoken of in lore and fantasy, and only his true story will satisfy the young historiographer.

After some deliberating, they reach an agreement and the tale commences. 

Kvothes young life begins in the wagon of a traveling performance group known as the Ruh.  With loving parents and supportive friends, he learns.....he thrives....and he is happy. Weather it be music, languages, or woodlore, Kvothe is the type of boy with a thirst for knowledge, and the ability to master skills the first time around. Once a poor tinker named Abenthy, (who is actually an arcanist) joins their group, Kvothe finds that he is gifted with talents few posses. That is when...excuse the pun...the real magic in this story starts to happen.

His road then takes a terrible turn. Finding himself alone and having to survive on nothing but his wits, Kvothe develops into a very resourceful young man. Over the next few years, he has little in the way of refuge, and a scant few people to depend on. Although arduous, the lessons he learns here in the city of Tarbean help to mold him into the man he will one day become.

Moving forward once again....Kvothe is a student at the University. Having a quick wit and an abundance of natural talent, he rapidly moves up in ranks, much to the dismay of Master Hemme, (a teacher) and Ambrose, a fellow student who turns out to be exceedingly more of a problem than Kvothe anticipates. 

The end of the story brings us back to the Waystone Inn. As it closes we gain some insight as to who has actually been the catalyst to the telling of this tale...but You'll have to find that out for yourself as well :D

The way I see it: For all of it's 661 pages this book went very quickly for me....too quickly. Kvothe was a character that drew me in, and quite honestly I didn't want to leave. As he tells his miraculous story to Chronicler you become Chronicler. He speaks of his adventures in such fascinatingly descriptive detail that you experience the events with him. 

Although it didn't feel like it initially, the supporting characters had a strong presence. It's almost as if I didn't notice them at first, and then they were there, and important. A subtle feeling...and as I looked back I realized that they were ever-present and had always made their voices heard. A new experience for me.

The bad, the bad, and the ugly: For this I can only tell you something I thought, would bother me. Going back and forth in time....I've had experience with time-travel, (for lack of better wording) before, and I can honestly say that in some books it made me feel disconnected from the story to the point of distraction. In The Name of the Wind however, this was not the case. It was written so well that the transition from past to present, although not seamless as it's not intended to be, beckoned you to go from one to the other. Rothfuss is a conductor, a manipulator of the highest degree. He brings you almost to the point of bliss, only to guide you back down to start the process again, but never letting you loose the excitement entirely. (Seriously...talking about the book here...lol)

Love it or Leave it: Honestly, I could go on all day about how much I loved this book. I could gush and gush about all of it's amazing attributes. I could tell you how it stirred my emotions, how I laughed many times, how I cried a few, and how at times I wanted to kick some butts for little Kvothe...lol It was a book that, once I'd finished it, I went skimming through to find the parts I especially enjoyed....and read them again. When I closed the cover I had a smile on my face that lasted for quite some time, and as I think about it now..... it comes back to me once again :D  

On My Wishlist-His Majesty's Dragon

On My Wishlist is a fun weekly event hosted by Book Chick City and runs every Saturday. It's where I list all the books I desperately want but haven't actually bought yet. They can be old, new or forthcoming. 

I'm not as diligent as BCC, but I do try to post these as often as I can :D

His Majesty's Dragon

Author: Naomi Novik

Publisher: Ballantine Books

 Pages: 384

Copyright: 2006

From goodreads:

Aerial combat brings a thrilling new dimension to the Napoleonic Wars as valiant warriors rise to Britain’s defense by taking to the skies . . . not aboard aircraft but atop the mighty backs of fighting dragons.

When HMS Reliant captures a French frigate and seizes its precious cargo, an unhatched dragon egg, fate sweeps Capt. Will Laurence from his seafaring life into an uncertain future–and an unexpected kinship with a most extraordinary creature. Thrust into the rarified world of the Aerial Corps as master of the dragon Temeraire, he will face a crash course in the daring tactics of airborne battle. For as France’s own dragon-borne forces rally to breach British soil in Bonaparte’s boldest gambit, Laurence and Temeraire must soar into their own baptism of fire.

I'm itching for a good dragon story. I find I can only go so long without one...lol   Since I've been picking out more and more of them lately, I know its time. Reading the summary on this book has me intrigued, and finding out that Peter Jackson has purchased the film rights to the series......I know I just have to make it mine :D

Added bonus: That's right, I said added bonus!  I also found out Novik has published a graphic novel as well, Will Supervillains Be On the Final?

Will Super Villains Be On The Final?

Author: Naomi Novik

Illustrator: Yishan Li

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Del Rey April 26, 2011

Product Description from Amazon:

HEROISM 101

  
As universities go, Liberty Vocational is the private college of choice for budding superheroes learning to master their extraordinary powers for the good of humankind. But for sixteen-year-old Leah Taymore, just making her way through classes without incident is shaping up to be a superhuman task. Star struck by legendary ex-hero turned student advisor Calvin Washington, petrified by ultrastrict dean Dr. Santos, and tongue-tied over her supercool (and handsome) classmate Paul Lyman, timid Leah fears that even her ability to manipulate atoms won’t be enough to survive the rigors of L.V.—and become a full-fledged defender of all that is right. But the real test of her mettle is yet to come, in the form of infamous supervillain Bane, who has infiltrated Liberty with a sinister plan to bring down the best and brightest heroes of tomorrow before they even take flight.

I believe this one will have to come home with me as well...I know, no self control ;)

On My Wishlist-Shadow Raiders

On My Wishlist is a fun weekly event hosted by Book Chick City and runs every Saturday. It's where I list all the books I desperately want but haven't actually bought yet. They can be old, new or forthcoming. 

I'm not as diligent as BCC, but I do try to post these as often as I can :D

Shadow Raiders

Author: Margaret Weis & Robert Krammes

Publisher: DAW Hardcover (May 3, 2011)

Hardcover: 544 pages

All information gleaned from: M.W. Website
Shadow Raiders is the first volume in a new epic military fantasy series-by New York Times bestselling author Margaret Weis and Robert Krammes

Book One of the Dragon Brigade Series...

Lord Captain Stephano de Guichen, formerly of the Dragon Brigade, and his disparate group of friends who call themselves the Cadre of the Lost, are hired by the powerful Countess de Marjolaine, to find a Royal Armory journeyman who has mysteriously vanished, along with an invention that could revolutionize warfare. The Countess fears the invention may fall into the hands of their enemies. Always in need of money, Stephano and his friends undertake what they think is an easy job, only to discover they are being dogged by spies and targeted by assassins.

Meanwhile, Father Jacob Northrop, a priest of the feared Arcanum, and his Knight Protector, Sir Ander Martel, are dispatched to investigate the massacre of a hundred nuns at the Abbey of Saint Agnes. A lone survivor claims the nuns were attacked by demons from Hell.

Stephano and his friends take to the skies in their airship, the Cloud Hopper, still on the trail of the journeyman. Their route takes them near the Abbey of Saint Agnes. As they draw near, the Cloud Hopper comes under attack by what appear to be demons riding giant bats. Stephano teams with Father Jacob and Sir Ander and a dragon from his old brigade to fight the hellish forces.

After the battle, one question is on everyone's mind: Are these truly demons sent by the Evil One? Is this the Apocalypse?

As Father Jacob searches the Abbey to find the answer, he uncovers a startling secret that nearly gets him and Sir Ander killed. Stephano's search for the journeyman almost ends in disaster, as he and his friends encounter the deadly Freyan assassin, Sir Henry Wallace.

Schemes and tricks, lies and intrigues culminate in an exciting chase through the skies that comes to a shocking end, when friends and foes alike are caught up in the unexpected and terrifying conclusion.

"And don't worry - a swashbuckling RPG is in development in time for a Gen Con Release!"

OMG!!! SWASHBUCKLING!!! You had me at hello. I'm soooo looking forward to reading this one and the RPG. I love Margaret Weis <3 On her site she also talks about the mistake on the cover and how there will be a reprinting. I'm hoping the get one of the flawed ones...I'm weird like that. I'm of the mindset that imperfections give things character :D I've taken the liberty of highlighting, (what  I felt) were the particularly all consuming, make me absolutely have to get this book and RPG parts. 

Pottermore!!!!

 Rowling launched the site via YouTube. She'll be selling all seven HP novels as e-books and audiobooks....(That's right Pat, Audiobooks...lol) She's also going to divulge some secret background details on characters and settings.  Details, Rowling says she's been “hoarding for years.”...She's been hoarding!!!

Wow!!! I have to say, I am soooo excited about this. I can't wait until October. Here is the link to the registration page. You can leave your e-mail and they notify you when everything is up and running. http://www.pottermore.com/ 

It also says Come back on July 31st (Harry's birthday) to find out how you can get the chance to enter Pottermore early. Apparently, a chosen few (let it be me, let it be me...lol) will have the opportunity to experience the incredible world of Pottermore before all others.

And look, you can follow on twitter as well...@pottermore

IMO....Great Idea. As long as the attention to detail is there, I believe it will be a huge hit. Who knows, maybe someone will create a site like this for other beloved series as well :D

MGoW - Artist Spotlight

This idea came from Chelle over at Persephone Reads. She does a feature aptly named I ♥ This Art which I thoroughly enjoy.
As a result I thought I would periodically spotlight a piece that calls to me...moves me...stirs my emotions in some way. A work that I believe needs to be shared :D

Todays Artist Spotlight Is...

Her Little Helpers

by ~IllusiveBlue

Her Blog can be found here....IllusiveBlue

E. M. Lawrence is a self-taught, published illustrator. She resides in a story-book style haunted house with her partner, and far too many pets .

Sister of the Dead-Book Three of the Noble Dead series

Written By: Barb & J.C. Hendee

Copyright: 2005

Publisher:  Penguin, ROC

Pages 416

This is the third book in the Noble Dead series. My first two reviews can be found here, and here.

This story is a continuation of Thief of Lives. No time has elapsed since the ending of our last story. 

Magiere, Leesil and Chap are still looking for answers, both to Magieres true origins, and to the fate of Leesils mother. 

Magiere is a Dhampir, created of a noble dead father and human mother. Her one and only purpose in life, (or so she's been told) is to hunt and kill vampires. 

What little information she has about her history and purpose, has come from Welstiel Massing, a man who seems to know too much about her, and whom she has discovered is actually a noble dead himself. 

Leesil, a halfblood elf, is on a quest of his as well. He desperately seeks to  discover the fate of his mother, who he believed had been killed as a result of his own actions. A guilt he has lived with for years.

Chap, a fey, self confined to the body of a large wolf-like dog, wants nothing more then to stop Magiere from finding out the horrifyingly brutal details of her past. 

They are joined on this journey by Wynn, an apprentice sage who is able to understand Chap, and who's knowledge of histories and languages may hold the key to revealing the answers they seek.

After some debate, our uncomon crew decide to travel to Chemestúk as it is on their path North to the Elvin lands. This is the place of Magieres upbringing, the place where she was hated and shunned. Yet, here we meet the one person who loved and accepted her, Aunt Bieja. 

The clues found in Chemestúk drive them even further from their Elvin destination, much to Chaps dismay. As they journey onward, they happen upon a dying town in desperate need of the hunters help. The choice to aid this town and it's people, brings our crew face to face with an undead vampire the likes of which they have never seen. One who is able to draw the life-force, not only from humans, but from the very world around it.

Believing the creature destroyed, they finally travel to the place of Magieres creation. As the atrocities committed to bring her into existance are revealed, she is confronted by her true enemy. 

Will she follow this entity and fully become the monster within...?

The way I see it: The bond between Magiere and Leesil is cemented in this sequel, and the vital importance of that relationship is revealed. Chaps role as puppet-master and his conflict with his fellow fey are brought to light with much more detail this time around, (something I enjoyed) All of the gory components involved in the making of Magiere are laid out before us as well. Wynns true role and that of Leesils mother are yet to be uncovered.

The bad, the bad, and the ugly: Trying to put this into words...Oh, I know...this was the longest 416 pages of my life. It seemed to me that there were parts of this book that were completely out of place, almost as if they were just thrown in to up the page count. It detracted from the story to such an extent, that there were times I actually dreaded picking the book up. As a matter of fact, If I wasn't so enamored with the main characters, I wouldn't have.

Love it or Leave it: I can't say I loved it :( I can say this, If about a hundred pages of randomness were edited out, It would have been fabulous, and of the same standard as the first two books. 

Will I purchase the next in the series? Not right away, but I believe I will eventually. I enjoyed the first two very much and I did love the parts of this book that focused on...well, the storyline.

My First OUaT Challenge Completed :D

The Once Upon a Time challenge is hosted by Carl over at Stainless Steel Droppings.
I participated in: The Journey, (By signing up for The Journey you are agreeing toread at least one book within one of the four categories during March 21st to June 20th period. Just one book.)

Quest The First, (Read at least 5 books that fit somewhere within the Once Upon a Time criteria. They might all be fantasy, or folklore, or fairy tales, or mythology…or your five books might be a combination from the four genres.)

And Finally, Quest on Screen,  (To participate in this quest simply let us know about the films and/or television shows that you feel fit into the definitions of fantasy, fairy tales, folklore or mythology that you are enjoying during the challenge.)

For The Journey I read The Cloud Roads by Martha Wells

I then continued on to Quest The First which included:
Dhampir by Barb & J.C. Hendee

The Dark Griffin by K.J. Taylor

The Outstretched Shadow by Mercedes Lackey and James Mallory

Thief of Lives by Barb & J.C. Hendee

of Blood and Honey by Stina Leicht

For Quest on Screen I reviewed:

Seirei no Moribito

Blassreiter

I had oh so much fun participating in this challenge. Thank you Carl for being such a lovely host.