Ok, I just love this song way too much to hide it!!!!

Everyone!  Enjoy this song!  Am I the only one who thinks he has one of the hottest voices...really pretty much ever?



Till I Hear You Sing, from Andrew Lloyd Webber's new musical, Love Never Dies.

Journey Through Fire

You can probably guess the way this review is going to go.  Look at the last three posts.  Actually, I think this one was a little bit better.  Kimi is a little bit too wild in this one, though.  I get that she's changed on the run and everything, but she's a little too con-rules this time.  Hana was a little too patient for the fantastic swords woman she supposedly is.  I'd of liked to see her "chomping at the bit" a little like Kimi was doing.  However, the very very last part was fantastic!  Not the part about the ninja--guessed that the end of the last book--but the other ninja and the last scene.  So, I'll definitely read the next one, but I'll hope it's a little trickier to figure out.  I did like Kimi's new "friend", the monk.  He was pretty cool.  It's not that this book wasn't good, but no where near as good as the first.  Not at the edge of my seat anymore. ***

10 Things I Hate About Me

I found this while I was working in the library this morning.  It seemed interesting, so I checked it out.  I actually liked this quite a bit more than I thought I would.  Jamie lives a double life, a regular Aussie at school and a Muslim at home.  But now her world's starting to fall apart.
It's pretty good, and I could definitely see why she was the way she was.  My problem?  I didn't like that she spent the whole time obeying her dad (unhappily, but she still did) but the one time she didn't, she didn't get punished.  I dunno if that makes sense, but if she really became that desperate to have her dad trust her, I don't know why she didn't confess to him.  It seemed like it was going to, and then she didn't.  I just think her growth would have been better shown with her willing to admit her mistakes and ask for forgiveness.
The second problem was that "John" was way too easy to guess.  I pretty much figured it out once he started writing her.  That keeps happening lately!  I just need The Awakening to come out soon, so I can have some surprises!  I'm sure she'll have some waiting!!!!!  Like who Chloe will end up with!  Although I'm pretty sure it's Derek, maybe not!  ***

Down the Rabbit Hole

I really did like this story, but I had two main bones to pick with it.

• First of all, I'm starting to get sick of the whole "don't let anyone know that you were at the scene of the crime" angle.  Super annoying.  I dunno, I just don't think if you left your shoes at the scene of the crime you'd sneak them back and not tell anyone until the end.  Especially when people you know are innocent could go to jail and it would be your fault for not speaking up.
• Secondly, it was way too easy to figure out.  I knew the bad guy almost as soon as they showed up, and was only mildly surprised to find out something else about them.  I hate guessing the person.

So, *** book because while it was good, I wouldn't reread it.

The Secret Order of the Gumm Street Girls

Super cute book!  I really did like reading it, though it wasn't as tight as I wished it was.  But maybe that's because I'm not a kid reading a kid's book.  I found it just a little too easy to figure out. *** Good, but not fantastic.

Breakthrough!!!!

Finally, after almost eight months, a break though.  That muse of mine...sheesh.  Definitely has its own ideas of what I'm supposed to be writing.  At the start of last semester, I was flying on a story about these warriors.  I came to realize--through getting stuck--that something just wasn't working.  So I stopped writing.  I had no ideas of what to do.  

Then I started writing with my accomplice on a different story.  Because we had a deadline (April 17th) the story flew along and we finished.  My muse helped me through it all, but when we were done I didn't know quite what to do.  I could (and probably will) start the next book, but what to do when I'm out of college for the semester and she's not?  

Then--inspiration!  I had a much better way to format the warrior story now, so I started working on it last night.  14 pages in and a little research and I feel much more confident about this new draft.  I went from first person to third limited, and from chronological to in medias res.  All that's left is to write a storyline out and then I can go!

FINISHED!!!!!

Yes everyone, that's right!  Draft one and revision one are both done!  452 pages doubled spaced.  Finished!!!!!!

Almost done!

I'm so excited!  The whole first draft of the first book is almost done!  I'm so excited! After my co-captain finishes her letter today, I'll get to send mine and then we'll each only need two more letters and it'll be done!  
So, to celebrate here's one of my favorite songs to listen to to get pumped up!

I'd better get writing

Before my co-author kills me.  haha, just kidding.  but today I feel like this:

Yup.  Very distracted.

The Magic Thief

Sooo cute!  I really liked this book!  I found Conn to be a clever, cute little thief, I loved his complete honesty (made for a laugh-out-loud part) and just loved it in general!  The only real bone I have to pick is Conn knows just a little too much about the nature of magic for a 12-14 year old (he doesn't know how old he is) who just found out about magic.  He's just too right all the time.  Other than that, I truly did enjoy reading this.  I'll probably read it to my little brother when I get home from college.  One little warning if you're planning on reading this to young kids: there is a character who's master beats him.  It's only a few sentences throughout the book, made to make the master look worse, but it's there.  Well, not the actual act, but Conn guesses it and it's later confirmed.  (See what I mean about Conn ALWAYS being right?)  Not a big thing, easy to skip (I'm planning on skipping it, even though I'm sure he's read worse.  But he's only 9.) just something to know before you read it to any kids.  Oh, and make sure you decode the runes at the bottom of some of the journal entries.  Did I mention how much I love Conn? ****
Sorry for the layout of the cover changing throughout the whole thing, haven't quite figured out how to make it go the way I want!

Silver Phoenix

This one's hard to review.  Fantastic story, to start out with.  Very interesting, and I'm kinda a sucker for the whole reincarnation thing, even though I don't believe in that myself.  Great characters, especially Ai Ling (our heroine) and Chen Yong (hero and love interest).  Love their relationship.  I liked Chen Yong's brother, Li Rong, at least most of the time.  I loved the magic, and the whole premise.

What I didn't like:  I really didn't like all the innuendo and sexual references.  The act itself never happens, but some parts weren't real comfy to read, if you know what I mean.  There's an attempted rape, and a sorta seduction scene (it is but it isn't.  It's a little complicated.  They are married, but it didn't really sit well, but the act itself isn't done, but...that kind of thing.)  Which takes down the number of stars.  I have a hard time saying this is a three star book when the writing and story and everything was sooooo good, but I'm going to have to because although I'm glad I read it, I would not reread it because there were just too many "parts".  I'll probably read the next one, it seems like there will be a sequel by the way this is set up, if only to see them get together.  But that makes me a little nervous too, so there better not be any dirty scenes in that one, do you hear me Cindy Pon?  But hey, I won't lie, cover is GORGEOUS!!!!! So, read at your own peril, but if you do read it, you'll like the storyline and characters at the very least.

Live and Let Shop (Spy Goddess #1)

No, I was not expecting this to be intellectual.  No, it wasn't.  I mean, it wasn't dirty, and there really wasn't anything objectionable to it, it just didn't do anything for me.  Nothing.  If you like a more translucent storyline, to feel smart by guessing the bad guys, and a mildly annoying main character, then you'd probably like this.  That said, I'll probably read the next one.  But only because I can't figure out who she ends up with, Brent or Alex.  I'm rooting for Brent, just fyi.  He's super quiet, but he's the one with breaking-into-people's-homes-tools, which puts him miles ahead of Mr-I'm-sorta-stuck-up-talk-too-much-Alex.  **

Page Count!

184 PAGES FOR CASSANDRA AND SHAY!!!! (We don't have a title yet)

My Fair Godmother

This was cute.  I enjoyed reading, and liked that both main characters (Tristan and Savannah) grew a lot through the book.  While is liked the charcters, I wasn't a huge fan of the plot.  I found it pretty simplistic and could see what was going to happen next pretty easily.  So, good, but not amazing by any means.  ***

The Blind Side

I know I said I'd only review books, but I lied.  Haha!

Anyway, probably everyone's already seen this, but I just saw it tonight.  Wow.  So good.  I was very glad I was only sitting with girls, because that made me cry like, three times.  So good.
I didn't realize it's based on a true story, so that made it even better.  The movie made me want to raise money to get kids out of poverty.  So good.  (Kinda like how every time I read Life as we Knew It I want to go buy food storage. :)
Very good, pretty clean, only some language and a make-out scene with the husband and wife.  Oh, and a brief drug scene, but you didn't see them do much with that. **** + a tissue.  Will probably buy it, will definitely see it again.

The Adoration of Jenna Fox

Wow. That was very good. It's not really a reread book, at least not so much for me, and not so much escapist faire. (That's usually what I reread, with the exception of The Book Thief)  The whole time Jenna's trying to decide what it really means to be human. She lost her memory, so does her lack of knowing who she is make her someone else? and stuff like that.  The title actually refers to her parents, and the way they treat her.  In one part, Jenna's looking at the homemade DVDs of her through the years and says that she must have been used to the "adoration of Jenna Fox".  I really did love all the choices throughout this book, like sacrifice or survival, and safe but lonely or to have friends--but risk.
Very well-written, the characters were very real, and I especially loved Ethan.
A couple swear words, but other than that it's clean. **** not so much because I'll reread it, but more because of how thought provoking it is.
And that cover's actually the old one, but I like it better than the new one.

The Darkest Powers series

Oh yes.  Much better.  I know it looks like I just sit around reading all day, but that's only because for the last two days I've just been sitting around reading.  I need to stop looking at the Juvies section while I'm shelving.
This starts with The Summoning.  She freaks out when a "melted" janitor starts following her around at her school, but no one else seems to be able to see him.  Diagnosed with schizophrenia, Chloe is sent to a home for troubled teens.  There she meets the talkative Liz, (who has temper tantrums and throws things, and later denies it) Rae (who has a thing for fire), Tori (who's a real witch with her whiplash-inducing mood swings), Derek (anti-social and the victim of a "puberty smack down"), and Simon (who no one can really figure out what he's in there for).  Chloe is determined to get out quickly and get on with her life, so she gives all the right answers to the psychologists...until one day her roommate Liz throws stuff around the room--without touching anything.  Chloe is freaked out, but that's nothing to compare with the shock she gets when she sees Liz floating around in her bedroom--after she's been taken away to the hospital
So good, so exciting and actually pretty clean.  No sexual scenes, mild language.  It is dark though, so stay away if you don't like that stuff. **** for both books, and a brown paper bag (for my hyperventilating at the cliffhanger at the end of the second.)

Moon Without Magic

It's the sequel to the book, Wishing Moon.  I liked this book, and I liked the characters, as always.  I'm glad I read it, but I won't be rereading it.  What spoiled this for me?  Well, Aminah still hasn't learned her boyfriend is boring and she needs to be with Idris.  ***

The Last Apprentice: Revenge of the Witch

Ok, I'm cheating a little.  I've already read this, but I read another book in the series last night.  So I thought I'd just review the series (so far.  It's not finished yet, thank goodness.)
First of all, yes, this series is creepy, so if you don't like evil witches that drink blood to get power, this probably isn't so much for you.  BUT, if you do like creepy stuff (like me), then you'll probably like it.
Tom is the main character, the seventh son of a seventh son, so he can see things that other people can't.  Stuff like ghosts...and more dangerous stuff like boggarts.  He's apprenticed to the local Spook, who's job is to get rid of creatures of the dark.
Life's going fine for Tom until he meets a girl named Alice--a girl who wears pointy shoes.  A witch.  After doing a favor for her, he now has a very powerful malevoent witch after him--or more specifically--his blood.
Very good, creepy and fun to read.  I would recommend this.  Ages 9-12 according to amazon, but I would say closer to 12 if someone doesn't like scary books.  12+

No excuses!

Yup, you have time to write.  Or read.  Or whatever you want to do if you want it bad enough.  Recently, a friend said she wished she had time to write.  I told her give up 30 minutes of sleeping.  In a book I really like, Journey to the River Sea, by Eva Ibbotson, Maia's governess tells her that if she wants something bad enough, she'll get it.  But she adds that she has to take what comes with it.  (Sorry, don't remember the exact quote.)
So, it comes down to whether or not you're willing to give up a TV show, sleep or something else to write (or read, or anything really.)
Really good book, by the way.  Plus, the guy's name is Finn.  I LOVE that name!

Feedback

I've learned feedback is pretty much the best thing for any writer.  Last night I talked on the phone with my Uncle (who's also trying to get published) about different problems that I've been having with my stories.  Like how I have to start over with Kayza.  I'm a little nervous to start that again, because I don't want to end up rewriting again.  So talking with someone who's currently rewriting as well helps me a lot.  What do you guys think?  Do you like your work critiqued before you finish it?
By the way, here's  a song that I've been listening to lately.  Completely unrelated and a little sad, but I love it!

New Feature!!!!!

I'm just not updating enough to make this blog just about me writing. And no one wants to read a blog that never updates. So, I'll be reviewing books I read on this too. And probably some random things as well.

Random fact: Did you know that if you eat a polar bear's spleen, it contains so much vitamin A that it'll poison you?

It's true. This cute little guy could KILL YOU!!!

I found that little gem while I was looking for poisons for a story I was writing. I hope no one ever goes through my history, or else they'll think I was planning a murder. In a way, I was, just not of anyone physically breathing.

I thought I was the only one who did this...

It's a pretty interesting post on a blog I read. The weird thing is whenever I feel like something terrible is happening, there's a little voice in the back of my head going "bottle this up, this would make a beyond good story". It definitely helps you stay sane!