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Friday, October 21, 2011

Z.E.O. A Zombie's Guide to Getting A(Head) in Business

R.I.P VI Challenge  (R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril VI Challenge) Is hosted by Carl over at Stainless Steel Droppings
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: Scott Kenemore

Copyright: 2009
Publisher: Fall River Press
Hard Cover Pages: 254
Illustrated By: Adam Bozarth

Z.E.O. is a personal guide to getting a(head) in business...Zombie style ;) Upon seeing the cover at my favorite bookseller, I instantly thought it would R.I.P appropriate. The price was right, the time was right, so I picked it up. 

It's divided into two sections...Business Tactics of Zombies, and Your Quarterly Guide to Becoming a Z.E.O. in One Year, along with an introduction and the authors final thoughts. 

Chapters range in topic from Zombie Time Management, to Crisis Control, to Self Motivation and I must say...everything in between. Comprehensive, would be the word I'm looking for...and It's loaded with kick a$$ Zombie illustrations!!! ;)
Believe it or not, this book is also loaded with sound business advise. If you've ever read a "Getting Ahead in Business" book before, you'll certainly get a familiar vibe from Z.E.O., but presenting those ideas in a way that compares business tactics to a Zombie's technique for acquiring brains puts a whole new twist on it, don't you think?


The way I see it: Z.E.O. is a quintessential spoof on so many duuuuull, boooooring business books. It offers a feast for the brain (valuable information) aaaaand a feast for the eyes (lots of bloody zombie illustrations), who could ask for more?

The bad, the bad, and the ugly: Unfortunately, (if you posses a sense of humor like mine) this is NOT a book to read in public places. My laughing out loud caused many a stare in the waiting room at the doctors office...be warned :o

Favorite Bits: 
"A zombie is a successful leader because it never looses sight of it's ultimate goal, and it never compromises (like by eating just part of a brain, or a monkeys brain if no humans are handy)"
Number 35 of the 48 "Laws of Power" Master the Art of Timing- "Knowing when to strike is key to being powerful and getting ahead. Zombies provide copious examples of exactly when and where to strike. You can sneak up and eat the brain of the dedicated cop anytime during his beat, but if it's on the night he just proposed to his girlfriend and found out he got into law school, then trust me, his brain is going to taste even sweeter." 
Sun Tzu's The Art of War, "Attack him where he is unprepared--appear where you are not expected." "Zombies are masters of popping up where people don't expect them and (more importantly) aren't equipped to deal with them. Zombies climb through holes in masonry and shuffle into houses where defenseless humans are waiting. They walk underwater (occasionally fighting sharks), and decimate weaponless tourists on tropical islands. Zombies take "business" to people, even if people aren't expecting it."

Love it or Leave it: I may not be quite right in the head, but I Looooved this book. It was delightful and incredibly funny. Be aware that I am partial to off color humor, but I have to say, I highly recommend this book :)



Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Ga-Rei -Zero- Anime Series Review

R.I.P VI Challenge  (R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril VI Challenge) Is hosted by Carl over at Stainless Steel Droppings
Peril on the Screen:
This Peril was added last year and proved to be popular, and so it returns. This is for those of us that like to watch suitably scary, eerie, mysterious gothic fare during this time of year. It may be something on the small screen or large. It might be a television show, like Dark Shadows, or your favorite film. If you are so inclined, please post links to any R.I.P.-related viewing you do on to the book review site as well.


Will you kill someone you love, because of love?
Ga-Rei-Zero
Studio: Funimation Prod Inc
Creator: Hajime Segawa


This anime series serves as a Prequel to the manga, Ga-Rei by Hajime Segawa. It depicts the life of Yomi before....well lets just say, before she had been attacked....and her strong sisterly bond to Kagura.

After the death of Kagura Tsuchimiyas' mother, she's sent to live, and train with Yomi and her adopted father. Kagura is destined to be a guardian protector, and will be part of an organization that  exists to protect Japan from the demons that wish to terrorize, posses, and destroy it's people. She most grow strong enough to inherit and control the most powerful of spirit beasts. 
Yomi Isayama, also a guardian, is a bit of a prodigy. Her adopted father has decided that she will one day be head of the family, and has prearranged an advantageous marriage for her, as well as bequeathed to her his most valued spirit beast. 

As they train, she and Kagura become like sisters who would do anything for one another.....that is.....until things go terribly wrong. 



The way I see it: This series gives me the same vibe as The Black Chalice (previous review). It has that very dark, twisted feel about it. Having not previously read Ga Rei, I was totally taken off guard by how the events unfurled.



The bad, the bad, and the ugly: Just a tiny bit of cheesiness...but certainly not enough to have a negative effect on the series.

Love it or Leave it: Oh so loved it. The characters were full of inner turmoil, It was visually feast worthy, and there's action to spare :) Ya just can't go wrong with that.

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Malory's Knights of Albion-The Black Challice

R.I.P VI Challenge  (R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril VI Challenge) Is hosted by Carl over at Stainless Steel Droppings
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: Steven Savile
Copyright: 2011
Publisher:  Abaddon Books
Paperback Pages:  293


Malory’s Knights of Albion appears to be a series of stories found in an old church as it had been cleared for renovation. It is claimed to be the Second Book of King Arthur and His Noble Knights, with a different author translating each separate story. It comes complete with appendixes illustrating the story of how the second book was found, and also more about the adult life of the main character. It's very believable, and intended to honor Sir Thomas Malory.

This is the story of Alymere, a young boy on his way to Camelot to become a knight, and pledge his loyalty to King Arthur. Alymere is a beautiful innocent boy, but he is also very hurt...and very angry with his uncle whom he believes has usurped his fathers title and taken all that should have belonged to him. Alymere becomes a pawn in a game much greater than he comprehends, and the players are the very dark and scary kind. In the end he must decide between great evil, or ultimately... redemption.

The way I see it: This story revolves around choices, and the aftermath of those choices. When my daughter recommended it, I pictured cookie-cutter King Arthur and the Knights of the round table. I couldn't have been more mistaken. It's dark and manipulative, yet keeps you clinging to the chance there may still be hope....just a little bit of light still lingering. 

The bad, the bad, and the ugly: If I told you my idea of the BBU (bad bad ugly) It would be a terrible spoiler...so alas...I will not. Let's just say that the ending was not what I wanted to happen, but it' what had to happen.

Love it or Leave it: Despite myself I loved this story. I loved Alymere and all of his flaws. He was tragically beautiful. As far as the book goes, I have to say this is a very fast read...even for one so literarily challenged as I...lol Plus, the chapters are on the short side and many of them end in mini cliffhangers! But keep in mind...Alymere's story is very RIP appropriate ;) 

Oh, and I also learned a new term...pastiche, An artistic work in a style that imitates that of another work, artist, or period.
Love it when that happens :D





Monday, September 12, 2011

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

       her0in chic

Friday, September 9, 2011

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 ;)


Thursday, August 18, 2011

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

Sunday, August 14, 2011

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 

Friday, July 29, 2011

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








Monday, July 25, 2011

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/



Thursday, July 21, 2011

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 Argonautsand 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

Sunday, July 17, 2011

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



Wednesday, July 13, 2011

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  





Monday, July 11, 2011

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 ;)