*Note: Thought it might be fun to recall some of my more interesting dates, quasi-dates, meetings, whatever you want to call them. Soon, I will talk about my theory on the whole Accidental Enchantment vs. Seriously Screwed Up Curse. The following may be evidence of a curse.
Sadly, I'm not talking about Ron Weasley's howler in Harry Potter, although it would be pretty cool to get one, despite the whole, you know, scolding-yelling-angry-mom thing.
And, no, I'm not referring to some sexy werewolf-man a la True Blood.
No, instead I'm talking about the questionably normal, human guy who, out of nowhere, stops to howl at the moon. *pause for the WTF comment*
After said howl (which was a pretty impressive impression of Alcide), wolf-wannabe-guy says, "That's what I like to do during sex. It's hot."
Wondering about his mental state, I asked, "Do you believe yourself to be a werewolf?"
Laughing, wolf-wannabe-guy says, "No, of course not."
Ah, good to know. Excellent.
"But I was one in my past life."
Crap. I'm on a date with a past-life werewolf. Terrific.
True Blood Tuesday
Well, it's the second to last episode...and we don't get one next week because of Labor Day Weekend, which means we have to wait two weeks for the season finale. How rough is that going to be, especially considering the very clever cliffhanger ending.
Lafayette & Jesus: After their strange V voyage a la Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, Jesus want to go again and begs Lafayette to go again with him, to which Lafayette responds, "Just LIKE a virgin!" (Had to laugh at that one). Contemplating taking another V trip with him, Lafayette quickly changes his mind when he sees an image (hallucination?) of a demon head/evil sorcerer/monster head on Jesus' body. When he clears his eyes, Jesus is unnerved by Lafayette's sudden freak-out. Lafayette puts it off to residual effects of the V and (nicely) kicks Jesus out for the night. Later that evening, Lafayette is summoned to the living room by the little voodoo-like dolls he keeps around, one of which had red eyes and sounded very, very devil-like.
Hoyt & Jessica: Things seem to be going well here. Hoyt feels wonderful after drinking Jessica's blood and is feeling very, um, sexy. Jessica stops him, saying he needs to know that she drained a trucker after they broke up. She explained how it was just an accident, and she didn't know then how to control herself. Jess also informed him that she can't live on True Blood and will continue to drink human blood. Hoyt then unbuttoned his shirt, offering her his blood. Let the sexiness commence: Jessica teased him a little before digging in.
Hoyt's mother & Summer: Turns out, annoying little Summer has been working with Hoyt's mama. Summer goes crying to his mama, saying she tried, but failed. Summer went on to say that she "...offered him her virginity." ***NOTE: Okay, Summer is annoying, a little goody-goody, whiny, and just plain dull.....THIS DOES NOT HOLD TRUE FOR ALL VIRGINS. Just sayin'. Anyway, mama reassures her that things are far from over. Looks like Jess and Hoyt may be in for a battle to be together.
Sam & Tara: Sam is spiraling out of control. Drunk and angry, he basically ticks off everyone in town, kicks them out of Merlotte's, and even lays into Terry, Arlene, and Holly. Tommy, who picks the wrong time to give attitude, finds himself on Sam's drunken bad side; Sam fires him, telling him he doesn't care where he goes or what happens to him. Tommy tried to grovel (it was actually pretty sad), saying Sam is his brother, but this falls flat with Sam, who refuses to leave his drunken angry state. Tara, who is grieving over learning the truth about Eggs, confronts Andy, who tearfully tells her of Eggs' wish to die. She looked shocked, but perhaps a bit more enlightened; maybe she knows it was truly all a dreadful misunderstanding. Sam tries to kick her out of the bar along with everyone else, but she refuses. Tara and Sam go get busy at his place, while Tommy breaks into the safe at Merlotte's. Will Sam notice the alarm light on his nightstand? Stay tuned....
Holly, Arlene, & Terry: Arlene, desperate to be rid of Rene's baby, follows Holly into the woods, where she performed a sort-of wiccan abortion, which involved creating a safe-circle, some specially brewed tea, and a small blood sacrifice (small prick to Arlene's finger). Holly instructs her on how often to brew the tea, and warns her that if a spirit is meant to be born, it will be born. Cut to a few scenes later and we see Arlene covered in blood. Terry is horrified, thinking Arlene is dying, but Arlene calmly says the baby is gone. Terry cries, and takes her to the ER. While Terry is visibly upset, Arlene is calm, happy...until the doctor informs them that the baby is perfectly healthy and quite tough. Hmmm--devil child, perhaps?
Crystal & Jason: After explaining to Jason that she is a were-panther, Jason decides now would be a good time to go look for Sookie, which doesn't sit too well with Crystal. After coming up empty, Jason heads to his old high school football field where he sees the cocky young new QB out practicing. It becomes obvious pretty quickly that the cocky young QB is on V as his stamina is vastly better than his buddies, his powerful passes send his buddies flying backwards, and he can throw way beyond the field. Jason confronts him, but the kid arrogantly says that the coach is the one giving him the V, his parents are paying for it, and the principal is well aware of the deal, since he using it to boost his sex life; he goes on to tell Jason that a scout from LSU is coming to watch him break all of Stackhouse's records. Jason said his records will always stand because they were real and he didn't need V to be great. Jason then returns home, embraces Crystal, and seemingly agrees to help her stop the raid on Hot Shot.
Russell: Still carrying Talbot's guts in a jar, Russell meets Eric at the museum, fully prepared to kill him. Eric, however, has very different plans, telling Russell that he has the secret to walking in the sun. This intrigues Russell, since it goes to his whole plan-to-rule-the-world thing. See Eric below for how this unfolds.
Bill & Sookie: Storms through the front door of Fangtasia, looking for Sookie. He is greeted by Pam, who is armed with liquid silver and she's not afraid to use it. Bill attacks Pam and they have a short-lived battle before Pam sprays him in the face multiple times. Sookie, still chained like a dog in the basement/dungeon, is rescued by an unlikely source: Eric's foreign stripper sex-toy bunny, Yvetta. Grabbing a chain, Sookie rushes upstairs and wraps it around Pam's neck. Yvetta makes sure Pam is under control, while Sookie and Bill leave. Bill loses his eyesight temporarily, but eventually regains it. While driving along, Bill and Sookie imagine what it would be like to live a normal, married life--that was kinda cute. But their sweet daydreams were interrupted when Eric and Russell quite literally stop the car, turning it on its nose.
Russell dragged Sookie into Fangtasia, while Eric asked Bill to hit him; Bill and Eric started fighting in a clear attempt to get some alone time. When Russell and Sookie went inside, they instantly stopped fighting and Eric told Bill, "I have a plan."
Inside Fangtasia, Bill played his role well, much to Sookie's dismay. Bill confirmed that Sookie's blood will allow Russell to walk in the sun, but also warned that she is the last of her kind, explaining that if he drains her, he will no longer have the power to walk in the sun. Sookie is understandably distraught, screaming that she hates Bill, Eric, everyone.
Eric: Russell insists that Eric prove her blood works by being the first to walk in the sun. Eric, now poised to drink Sookie's blood, gently strokes her cheek, looking quite, well, human with her. Impatient, Russell grabs Sookie's arm and goes to town. Eric, looking a little uncomfortable, sinks his teeth into her neck. Poor Sookie cried, staring at Bill, whom Pam had chained to a chair directly opposite Sookie.
The next morning, Eric heads into the sun, while Pam and Russell watch him from the security cameras. After a few moments, Eric gestures for Russell to join him. Eric turns from the cameras, speaks in a foreign tongue and says, "Please don't let them see." Eric is beginning to burn. Russell, crying, says he has waited so many years for this ability. Pam encourages him to go outside and live the dream. Meanwhile, Pam, who is tearfully watching her maker die, ignore Bill's plea to unchain him so he can feed Sookie. Bill hopelessly watches Sookie dying on the table.
Russell joyously joins Eric in the sun, but Eric turns to show him his burning face. Before Russell could run, Eric slaps a pair of handcuffs on him, saying they will die together. The parting scene is of Eric and Russell, handcuffed together, falling to their knees in the sun, as Russell lets out an earsplitting scream.
Season Finale On Deck...how will it all end.
Lafayette & Jesus: After their strange V voyage a la Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, Jesus want to go again and begs Lafayette to go again with him, to which Lafayette responds, "Just LIKE a virgin!" (Had to laugh at that one). Contemplating taking another V trip with him, Lafayette quickly changes his mind when he sees an image (hallucination?) of a demon head/evil sorcerer/monster head on Jesus' body. When he clears his eyes, Jesus is unnerved by Lafayette's sudden freak-out. Lafayette puts it off to residual effects of the V and (nicely) kicks Jesus out for the night. Later that evening, Lafayette is summoned to the living room by the little voodoo-like dolls he keeps around, one of which had red eyes and sounded very, very devil-like.
Hoyt & Jessica: Things seem to be going well here. Hoyt feels wonderful after drinking Jessica's blood and is feeling very, um, sexy. Jessica stops him, saying he needs to know that she drained a trucker after they broke up. She explained how it was just an accident, and she didn't know then how to control herself. Jess also informed him that she can't live on True Blood and will continue to drink human blood. Hoyt then unbuttoned his shirt, offering her his blood. Let the sexiness commence: Jessica teased him a little before digging in.
Hoyt's mother & Summer: Turns out, annoying little Summer has been working with Hoyt's mama. Summer goes crying to his mama, saying she tried, but failed. Summer went on to say that she "...offered him her virginity." ***NOTE: Okay, Summer is annoying, a little goody-goody, whiny, and just plain dull.....THIS DOES NOT HOLD TRUE FOR ALL VIRGINS. Just sayin'. Anyway, mama reassures her that things are far from over. Looks like Jess and Hoyt may be in for a battle to be together.
Sam & Tara: Sam is spiraling out of control. Drunk and angry, he basically ticks off everyone in town, kicks them out of Merlotte's, and even lays into Terry, Arlene, and Holly. Tommy, who picks the wrong time to give attitude, finds himself on Sam's drunken bad side; Sam fires him, telling him he doesn't care where he goes or what happens to him. Tommy tried to grovel (it was actually pretty sad), saying Sam is his brother, but this falls flat with Sam, who refuses to leave his drunken angry state. Tara, who is grieving over learning the truth about Eggs, confronts Andy, who tearfully tells her of Eggs' wish to die. She looked shocked, but perhaps a bit more enlightened; maybe she knows it was truly all a dreadful misunderstanding. Sam tries to kick her out of the bar along with everyone else, but she refuses. Tara and Sam go get busy at his place, while Tommy breaks into the safe at Merlotte's. Will Sam notice the alarm light on his nightstand? Stay tuned....
Holly, Arlene, & Terry: Arlene, desperate to be rid of Rene's baby, follows Holly into the woods, where she performed a sort-of wiccan abortion, which involved creating a safe-circle, some specially brewed tea, and a small blood sacrifice (small prick to Arlene's finger). Holly instructs her on how often to brew the tea, and warns her that if a spirit is meant to be born, it will be born. Cut to a few scenes later and we see Arlene covered in blood. Terry is horrified, thinking Arlene is dying, but Arlene calmly says the baby is gone. Terry cries, and takes her to the ER. While Terry is visibly upset, Arlene is calm, happy...until the doctor informs them that the baby is perfectly healthy and quite tough. Hmmm--devil child, perhaps?
Crystal & Jason: After explaining to Jason that she is a were-panther, Jason decides now would be a good time to go look for Sookie, which doesn't sit too well with Crystal. After coming up empty, Jason heads to his old high school football field where he sees the cocky young new QB out practicing. It becomes obvious pretty quickly that the cocky young QB is on V as his stamina is vastly better than his buddies, his powerful passes send his buddies flying backwards, and he can throw way beyond the field. Jason confronts him, but the kid arrogantly says that the coach is the one giving him the V, his parents are paying for it, and the principal is well aware of the deal, since he using it to boost his sex life; he goes on to tell Jason that a scout from LSU is coming to watch him break all of Stackhouse's records. Jason said his records will always stand because they were real and he didn't need V to be great. Jason then returns home, embraces Crystal, and seemingly agrees to help her stop the raid on Hot Shot.
Russell: Still carrying Talbot's guts in a jar, Russell meets Eric at the museum, fully prepared to kill him. Eric, however, has very different plans, telling Russell that he has the secret to walking in the sun. This intrigues Russell, since it goes to his whole plan-to-rule-the-world thing. See Eric below for how this unfolds.
Bill & Sookie: Storms through the front door of Fangtasia, looking for Sookie. He is greeted by Pam, who is armed with liquid silver and she's not afraid to use it. Bill attacks Pam and they have a short-lived battle before Pam sprays him in the face multiple times. Sookie, still chained like a dog in the basement/dungeon, is rescued by an unlikely source: Eric's foreign stripper sex-toy bunny, Yvetta. Grabbing a chain, Sookie rushes upstairs and wraps it around Pam's neck. Yvetta makes sure Pam is under control, while Sookie and Bill leave. Bill loses his eyesight temporarily, but eventually regains it. While driving along, Bill and Sookie imagine what it would be like to live a normal, married life--that was kinda cute. But their sweet daydreams were interrupted when Eric and Russell quite literally stop the car, turning it on its nose.
Russell dragged Sookie into Fangtasia, while Eric asked Bill to hit him; Bill and Eric started fighting in a clear attempt to get some alone time. When Russell and Sookie went inside, they instantly stopped fighting and Eric told Bill, "I have a plan."
Inside Fangtasia, Bill played his role well, much to Sookie's dismay. Bill confirmed that Sookie's blood will allow Russell to walk in the sun, but also warned that she is the last of her kind, explaining that if he drains her, he will no longer have the power to walk in the sun. Sookie is understandably distraught, screaming that she hates Bill, Eric, everyone.
Eric: Russell insists that Eric prove her blood works by being the first to walk in the sun. Eric, now poised to drink Sookie's blood, gently strokes her cheek, looking quite, well, human with her. Impatient, Russell grabs Sookie's arm and goes to town. Eric, looking a little uncomfortable, sinks his teeth into her neck. Poor Sookie cried, staring at Bill, whom Pam had chained to a chair directly opposite Sookie.
The next morning, Eric heads into the sun, while Pam and Russell watch him from the security cameras. After a few moments, Eric gestures for Russell to join him. Eric turns from the cameras, speaks in a foreign tongue and says, "Please don't let them see." Eric is beginning to burn. Russell, crying, says he has waited so many years for this ability. Pam encourages him to go outside and live the dream. Meanwhile, Pam, who is tearfully watching her maker die, ignore Bill's plea to unchain him so he can feed Sookie. Bill hopelessly watches Sookie dying on the table.
Russell joyously joins Eric in the sun, but Eric turns to show him his burning face. Before Russell could run, Eric slaps a pair of handcuffs on him, saying they will die together. The parting scene is of Eric and Russell, handcuffed together, falling to their knees in the sun, as Russell lets out an earsplitting scream.
Season Finale On Deck...how will it all end.
Blogger Confidential: Author Love
Have you ever been faced with an issue while reading or blogging and thought: I wonder what other bloggers think about this? No matter what genre or audience you blog for, we all face the same problems. Are you a publisher or author wondering what goes on in a blogger's (and by extension a reader's) head?
Blogger confidential is a series of 12 questions asked to 11 bloggers about the nitty gritty details of blogging. Everything from what prompts a blogger to pick up a book, to what happens when a book doesn't live up to its hype. This series was inspired by Wastepaper Prose's Author Insight series.
If you feel inspired by any of these questions, leave your answer in the comments, or create your own post!
This week's question:
Does love of an author always translate into love of their book? How do you handle situations where it doesn't?
Again, it’s all about maturity, a real love of reading, and an appreciation for the great variety of books and readers out there. There are only a very few authors whose entire bibliography I have read and who I could say I literally love every book they’ve written. In most of those cases, I don’t know the author personally and, if I did have the chance to meet her, I would no doubt make a fool of my gushing self or be so tongue-tied that she would eventually edge quietly away from the crazy person." Angie from Angieville
"I do think that I'm a bit more forgiving of books from authors that I love but sure, there are moments where I may be disappointed. This is particular apparent when as a reader turned blogger, I'm now communicating with these authors and am now able to call them my friends. How do I handle situations like this? I remember to talk about the book itself with professionalism rather than attack the author. I've never had any problems." Natasha from Maw Books
Birth of a Killer [Review]
Written by: Darren Shan.
Published by: Harper Collins Children's Books.
Format: Hardback.
Released: 30th September 2010.
Rating: 4.5/5.
Official synopsis: "Following the massive success of the Demonata series, Darren Shan is back where it all started – telling the life story of the vampire Larten Crepsley. Spanning centuries and continents, taking in sea voyages, murder, war and love, this is the epic, bloodsoaked tale of a vampire who started out a nobody… and ended up changing the world forever. When Larten escapes the terrible workhouse in which he toils, he doesn’t know that he is running from an early death… into another kind of transformation. After meeting the mysterious vampire Seba Nile while sheltering for the night in a crypt, Larten finds himself drawn into the shadowy world of the vampire Clan. As he travels and learns, Larten finds himself enjoying the adventure he has always dreamed of, seeing a world beyond any he suspected in his poverty-stricken youth. But Larten begins to discover something else, too. Much like death, becoming a vampire is something you can’t come back from…"
Darren Shan is back with a brand new series. After completing the amazing Demonata series last year, and releasing the one off story, The Thin Executioner, he is gearing up for the release of this beaut. Birth of a Killer, the first book in The Saga of Larten Crepsley - those of you who have read The Saga of Darren Shan may be already acquainted to Mr. Crepsley, but if like me, you haven't read them yet, this may just be the perfect place for you to start, for The Saga of Larten Crepsley is a prequel series to The Saga of Darren Shan!
This book is very different to what I've read of Shan previous (I still haven't read The Thin Executioner - what is wrong with me?!). It's written in third person, with a rich narrative that is smooth, entertaining and gripping. Shan has said that series spans over 200 years, and this book itself spans some years - don't ask me how many, I am terrible at maths!
I love Darren's portrayal of vampires. They're realistic - as realistic as vampires can be... - and a lot more interesting, and thought out, than your usual vamps.
From working every day of the week in a factory, to meeting the creepy Seba Nile, his time with the Cirque Du Freak, to the depths of being a vampire, the book is fast paced and hugely entertaining. It is a great series opener and has left me dying to find out what happens in the next book of the saga, Ocean of Blood out May 2011.
My thanks to Jessica at Harper Collins for my copy!
Makeup Magic Monday: O.P.I. Nail Strengthener
I love a good topcoat, particularly one that strengthens nails. What I love even more, is a strengthener I can wear by itself and have it make my nails look naturally pretty.
O.P.I. Nail Strengthener is just the ticket. $9 at Sephora.
O.P.I. Nail Strengthener is just the ticket. $9 at Sephora.
Raven's Gate: The Graphic Novel [Review]
Written by: Novel: Anthony Horowitz. Adapted by: Tony Lee.
Illustrated by: Lee O'Connor and Dom Reardon.
Illustrated by: Lee O'Connor and Dom Reardon.
Published by: Walker Books.
Format: Paperback.
Released: 2nd August 2010.
Rating: 5/5.
Official synopsis: "Sent to Yorkshire on a rehabilitation programme, Matt finds himself in the midst of a conspiracy of witchcraft and murder. The Old Ones – monstrous godlike beings once banished from our world – are trying to return. Matt is about to discover that he alone stands between the forces of evil and the annihilation of humanity... Featuring striking, high-contrast black-and-white art, this distinctive graphic novel captures the brooding atmosphere of the bestselling book."
This is perhaps the first ever graphic adaptation of a novel I have read. As a kid, I devoured comic books but never graphic novels, and as I got older, written word took over. I am a massive fan of Horowitz. His Alex Rider series, and my particular favourite, The Power of Five series. I remember reading Raven’s Gate when it came out and being utterly chilled to the bone. Some of the scenes that Mr. Horowitz works in to his books are brilliant at actually making you feel the terror the characters are feeling, something that I feel makes his Power of Five series so powerful.
So when I heard that Raven’s Gate was being adapted as a graphic novel, I just knew I had to see it for myself. And it didn’t disappoint! The artwork is fantastic. Some of the images capture exactly how I felt reading the book and convey just as well what Anthony said in work. Dom Reardon and Lee O’Connor have done a fantastic job on the interior of the book, and Tony Lee has done an equally amazing job taking a 250 page book, condensing it all down and still keeping the chilling feeling that runs all the way through.
Something that I also like about this, is that it stays in line with the entire Power of Five series. The design. The logo. Everything. It is instantly recognisable as part of the Power of Five family.
As I said earlier, I’ve never really been much of a fan of graphic novels, but this adaptation just shows that what we may not always like can sometimes surprise us. A fantastic adaptation that fans of Anthony Horowitz will devour with joy, and horror!
My thanks to Sean at Walker Books for my copy!
My thanks to Sean at Walker Books for my copy!
A Rubeus by Any Other Name...
Would NOT smell as, well, ah...sweet!
In JK Rowling's deft hands, character names are more than just a reflection of the personality of its owner. While many writers like to pick apart JKR's prose for overuse of adverbs or other small infractions, one technique she is almost universally admired for is her ability to craft unique, meaningful, and enchanting names. I mean, siriusly, can you imagine Rubeus Hagrid as a Robert Harris? Or Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore as Albert Davis?
But JKR's talent was not just in giving her characters a whimsical, though accessible, name which made them seem fully a part of their magical world. It was most importantly her ability to craft a name which carried hints of the mystery surrounding that character.
For example, many fans (myself included) are still convinced that when the Harry Potter Encyclopedia comes out, Dumbledore's animagus form will be revealed as a bumblebee. After all, Dumbledore is an old English word for bumblebee, and he always seemed to be humming about the place. And can you imagine that a former Transfiguration professor and a wizard as skilled as Dumbledore never learned to transform himself?
Years ago, when the HP books were new and fans were first beginning to share their enthusiasm over the Internet, the main clues being discussed were the meanings behind names. Readers quickly caught on that many came from myths; others from places; some were named after flowers or stars; and then there are JKR’s own creations, combinations of words with new meanings (such as Umbridge, a portmanteau from umbrage and bridge, as she provided a connection from the school to the ministry). All types of names were strikingly relevant to the character or object they represented, and most held some sort of clue regarding that character's role in the series.
For example:
Now look at these three names:
Sirius Black
Albus (white in Latin) Dumbledore
Rubeus (red in Latin) Hagrid
First Sirius died, then Dumbledore, then finally, after a symbolic death from his motorbike, Hagrid was left to carry the body of Harry out of the Dark Forest of his enlightenment for his final confrontation, his golden moment in the rising sun.
Think of ways you can give extra meaning to your character names without creating something that looks like D'Oro'dindul'gum. JKR's names, while different, were still accessible. Also, be careful in choosing names with meaning that it also fits the character, story, and time period in which the story takes place.
Have you created a character name lately you're especially proud of?
This article is part of the Sleight of Hand series with tags of Mystery Plotting and Clues.
Photo credit
In JK Rowling's deft hands, character names are more than just a reflection of the personality of its owner. While many writers like to pick apart JKR's prose for overuse of adverbs or other small infractions, one technique she is almost universally admired for is her ability to craft unique, meaningful, and enchanting names. I mean, siriusly, can you imagine Rubeus Hagrid as a Robert Harris? Or Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore as Albert Davis?
But JKR's talent was not just in giving her characters a whimsical, though accessible, name which made them seem fully a part of their magical world. It was most importantly her ability to craft a name which carried hints of the mystery surrounding that character.
For example, many fans (myself included) are still convinced that when the Harry Potter Encyclopedia comes out, Dumbledore's animagus form will be revealed as a bumblebee. After all, Dumbledore is an old English word for bumblebee, and he always seemed to be humming about the place. And can you imagine that a former Transfiguration professor and a wizard as skilled as Dumbledore never learned to transform himself?
Years ago, when the HP books were new and fans were first beginning to share their enthusiasm over the Internet, the main clues being discussed were the meanings behind names. Readers quickly caught on that many came from myths; others from places; some were named after flowers or stars; and then there are JKR’s own creations, combinations of words with new meanings (such as Umbridge, a portmanteau from umbrage and bridge, as she provided a connection from the school to the ministry). All types of names were strikingly relevant to the character or object they represented, and most held some sort of clue regarding that character's role in the series.
For example:
- Argus Filch = Argus Panoptes from Greek mythology. Argus of the 100 Eyes made a great watchman, just like nasty old Filch.
- Petunia = flower name meaning anger and resentment, sounds like petulant
- Lily = flower associated with death and resurrection
- Bellatrix = the third brightest star in Orion, means female hunter
- Draco = Draco constellation, draco means dragon, a reminder of his serpentine Slytherin family.
- Grimmauld Place = definitely a grim old place, but it might also be a play on the Brother’s Grimm and a nod to their fairy tales.
- Minerva McGonagall = named after the Roman goddess of wisdom and war. She resembles a distant, austere goddess (with a warm side she reveals upon occasion), but a very apt second in command, as shown in Deathly Hallows.
Now look at these three names:
Sirius Black
Albus (white in Latin) Dumbledore
Rubeus (red in Latin) Hagrid
First Sirius died, then Dumbledore, then finally, after a symbolic death from his motorbike, Hagrid was left to carry the body of Harry out of the Dark Forest of his enlightenment for his final confrontation, his golden moment in the rising sun.
Think of ways you can give extra meaning to your character names without creating something that looks like D'Oro'dindul'gum. JKR's names, while different, were still accessible. Also, be careful in choosing names with meaning that it also fits the character, story, and time period in which the story takes place.
Have you created a character name lately you're especially proud of?
This article is part of the Sleight of Hand series with tags of Mystery Plotting and Clues.
Photo credit
In My Postbox #17
In My Mailbox idea from Kristi @ The Story Siren, and all links take you to Amazon UK.
Hey everyone! This week has been a very good week for me. One word explains this all. MOCKINGJAY! Need I say more? No! Here are the lovely books that I was sent this week!
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins.
"Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has survived the Hunger Games twice. But now that she's made it out of the bloody arena alive, she's still not safe. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge... The thrilling final instalment of this ground-breaking trilogy promises to be one of the most talked-about books of the year."
I absolutely loved this. You can read my spoiler free review here. I was so excited when this came and would not put it down until I finished. My thanks to Scholastic for my copy!
The Moon of Gomrath by Alan Garner.
"Enthralling sequel to The Weirdstone of Brisingamen. It is the Eve of Gomrath – the night of the year when the Old Magic is aroused. Had Colin and Susan known this, they would never have lighted a fire on the Beacon, thereby releasing the uncontrollable ferocity of the Wild Hunt. Soon they are inextricably caught up in the struggle between their friend, the Wizard Cadellin, and the evil Morrigan. The strength of their courage will determine whether or not they survive the awaiting ordeal…"
I have to admit I've never heard of this, but it does sound very good, so looking forward to reading this one! Thank you to Harper Collins for my copy!
The Thief-Taker's Apprentice by Stephen Deas.
Signed.
"Berren has lived in the city all his life. He has made his way as a thief, paying a little of what he earns to the Fagin like master of their band. But there is a twist to this tale of a thief. One day Berren goes to watch an execution of three thieves. He watches as the thief-taker takes his reward and decides to try and steal the prize. He fails. The young thief is taken. But the thief-taker spots something in Berren. And the boy reminds him of someone as well. Berren becomes his apprentice. And is introduced to a world of shadows, deceit and corruption behind the streets he thought he knew. Full of richly observed life in a teeming fantasy city, a hectic progression of fights, flights and fancies and charting the fall of a boy into the dark world of political plotting and murder this marks the beginning of a new fantasy series for all lovers of fantasy - from fans of Kristin Cashore to Brent Weeks."
This sounds absolutely brilliant, and I am loving the cover art! My thanks to Stephen himself for my copy! And an added thanks for signing it! :D
Losing It edited by Keith Gray.
"Melvin Burgess, Keith Gray, Patrick Ness, Sophie McKenzie, Bali Rai, Jenny Valentine and Mary Hooper. Some of today's leading writers for teens are gathered here in a wonderful collection of original stories: some funny, some moving, some haunting but all revolving around the same subject - having sex for the first time! You never forget your first time and you'll never forget this book!"
Look at the names involved in this... Wow! I'm actually reading this right now and it is very good. Expect to see my review this coming week! I also love the cover art. The authors names have this kind of gloss over them and when you move it at different angles, they appear to be written in 3D! Very cool! My thanks to Clare at Anderson Press for my copy!
So there you go! That's what I got this week! Hope everyone has a good week!
Friday's Celebrity Frisky Virgin: Dakota Fanning
At the tender age of 16, virginity should be a given, but if you watch t.v. and read the news, it's clearly anything but a given these days.
Dakota Fanning, 16, has stated that though she does not intend to wait until marriage, she has promised her mother she will stay away from sex until she is at least 18. Hopefully she will be patient and find a young man who is worthy of her heart.
Dakota Fanning, 16, has stated that though she does not intend to wait until marriage, she has promised her mother she will stay away from sex until she is at least 18. Hopefully she will be patient and find a young man who is worthy of her heart.
Mockingjay [Spoiler Free Review]
Written by: Suzanne Collins.
Published by: Scholastic.
Format: Paperback.
Released: 25th August 2010.
Rating: 5/5.
Official synopsis: "Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has survived the Hunger Games twice. But now that she's made it out of the bloody arena alive, she's still not safe. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge... The thrilling final instalment of this ground-breaking trilogy promises to be one of the most talked-about books of the year."
I have just finished what has to be one of the most emotional roller coasters of a reading experience I have ever had.
Quite literally, I am speechless. I am blown away by what Suzanne Collins achieves in this book. From the very first page, you get the feeling that this is a very different book to the previous two, The Hunger Games and Catching Fire. In essence, it is a departure from the other two. The first two feature heavily on the Hunger Games themselves, whereas Mockingjay is a pure war story. There is really a sense that everyone is up for grabs. That no matter how big a character they may be, they are at risk. This book, more than any I've read before, really highlights the atrocities of war - I have to admit that I wasn't expecting most of the stuff that happened in this book, and some are quite sickening and chilling.
The plot in this one is absolutely huge! There were times when you could feel something bubbling up, and on a few occasions I thought to myself "Oh god, is this going to live up to what she's trying to do? Is it going to live up to my expectations." I'll admit I went into the book extremely excited, but with a little reluctance. There have been many occasions where a final book doesn't live up to the readers expectations (an example for me being Breaking Dawn.) and leaves the reader feeling disappointed. But with me, Mockingjay was anything but a disappointment. From start to finis, it's fast paces, high octane and just as entertaining and addictive as the first two.
It's VERY dark. As the subject matter would suggest. Those who tend to cry easily, I warn you you may get through a few tissues when reading this book! One part near the end made me tear up, it is very sad! The book is actually quite physically draining. In places, I'd even say depressing. It really does take a lot out of you for various reasons, but don't let that put you off! The amazing plot more than makes up for it.
The cover art, I feel suits this book perfectly. The contents. Everything. It's bold, and quite literally, on fire. Katniss Everdeen is, afterall, the spark! I like that the US cover art gives a sense of hope, while the UK cover art gives the sense of death and darkness. Evil. The tagline for the book, which you'll find on the back of the UK cover is chilling, bold and simply put, brilliant. "If we burn, you burn with us." A very powerful line, I'm sure you'll agree!
The characters are just as brilliant as ever, with a few twists that I certainly didn't expect. In fact, there were twists all the way through the book that took me completely by surprise. I can't say much more about the characters without spoiling it, so you'll just have to see for yourself what twists relate to the characters.
Since finishing, I've seen one or two people complain about the ending. Saying that it doesn't live up to what they thought it would. That it ended too quickly. But for, I cannot see any other way of the series ending. When you read it. You'll understand what I mean. That said, the closing chapters may have been a bit abrupt. It all happened fairly fast. The Epilogue however is fantastic. That final line. *SIGH OF AMAZEMENT*. Now that is a line to end a trilogy. Wow.
I guess looking back I'm not that speechless at all, but on reflection this will probably seem like a jumbled mess. But these are my intial - albeit spoiler free - thoughts on the book. A book that I love, and will read again, and again, and again. It actually is phenomenal. One of the best books I have EVER had the fortune to read. Suzanne Collins, I salute you!
If you haven't yet read this trilogy... do it now. You have the luxury of reading them back to back! I only had to wait a few weeks for Mockingjay and that was bad enough. I can't imagine the poor people who've had to wait an entire year!
My thanks to Scholastic for my copy, and to Steven at Scholastic for introducing me to The Hunger Games in the first place. I cannot thank you enough!
May the odds, ever be in your favour.
NEWS: I Am Number Four Official Site!
The official website for the phenomenal new book, I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore has gone live! The book was released over here in the UK yesterday, and to coincide, Penguin launched this amazing site!
It is very snazzy, brilliantly designed. Theres all the latest news, information about the book, and you can even take a test that determines what Lorien Legacy you possess! So what are you waiting for? You can find it here: IAmNumberFour.co.uk
What to read after: Mockingjay
You're hungry for more end of the world awesomeness.
What do you read next?
Dystopian:
- Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
- The Giver by Lois Lowry
- Anthem by Ayn Rand
- Unwind by Neil Shusterman
- The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson
- The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
- Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
- Inside Out by Maria V. Snyder
- Little Brother by Cory Doctorow
- The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer
- Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix
- Life as We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer
- City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau
- Maze Runner by James Dashner
- Forest of Hands and Teeth
- The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness
- The Alliance by Gerald N. Lund
- Gone by Michael Grant
Gone [Review]
Written by: Michael Grant.
Published by: Egmont.
Format: Paperback.
Released: 3rd September 2009.
Rating: 3.5/5.
Official synopsis: "Suddenly there are no adults, no answers. What would you do? In the blink of an eye, the world changes. The adults vanish without a trace, and those left must do all they can to survive. But everyone's idea of survival is different. Some look after themselves, some look after others, and some will do anything for power...Even kill. For Sam and Astrid, it is a race against time as they try to solve the questions that now dominate their lives...What is the mysterious wall that has encircled the town of Perdido Beach and trapped everyone within? Why have some kids developed strange powers? And can they defeat Caine and his gang of bullies before they turn fifteen and disappear too? It isn't until the world collapses around you that you find out what kind of person you really are. This book offers a chilling portrayal of a world with no rules. When life as you know it ends at 15, everything changes."
It's not very often that I'm disappointed with books, but something within in me just found Gone a little bit of an anti-climax. There's been a lot of hype surrounding this series, and I have to admit, it sounds amazing, and the second of the book absolutely is. But for me, the first half of this book kind of let it down.
I found it quite slow, and really hard to get into. It wasn't really until around about the 250 page mark that I became really gripped. That isn't to say that I didn't enjoy the book, because over all, I did. The second half is fantastic.
I really liked the characters. I particularly liked the main 4 characters - Sam, Quinn, Astrid and Edilio. They are a good bunch and I think they complement each other brillianty.
The writing is top notch. There is plenty of suspense, one of the main reasons I kept reading. Please don't be put off by my opinion on the first half. I've had people tell me that they prefered the first half of the book, and some have told me that they loved each and every second of it. I have to say though, it doesn't half pick up brilliantly! I am now chomping at the bit to read Hunger, the second book in the series. It's currently looking up at me from my reading pile so I shall be making a start of that very soon! A few people have told me that this series just gets better so I can't wait to see what's in store!
My thanks to the amazing Jenny at Egmont for my copy!
Five Ways To Ruin A Date
1. The Spit Up: Your date takes a bite of a delicious-looking pork dish, makes a retching sound, then proceeds to cough it up on the table. Wishing to gag at the half-chewed piece of pork sitting lifeless on the table, you stare at your date...Dear God...he has his hand in the air, waving at the waiter. Are we in school?
"I have a tricky palette," he says, as if spitting his food on the table is perfectly acceptable.
2. Finger Snaps: I hate when people disrespect waiters and waitresses. It's just rude. Snapping fingers is a no-no. To start snapping your fingers to get your date's attention? Bad. Very bad.
Snap! Snap! "Your food isn't going anywhere. Are you hearing me? I like to know your paying attention."
Yeah, because a woman is incapable of doing two things at once. Rude.
3. Drink Robber: It's quite a shock when your date reaches over, grabs your drink, and starts guzzling it.
"That sauce was way too hot, and I don't like water."
4. Bad Tipper: Kind-of goes with the snapping thing...tipping your waiter a quarter is unacceptable. Your waiter had to deal with chewed up pork, a waving hand, snapping, serious complaining, and you want to leave him a quarter?
"Poor attitude, poor tip," he says, plopping it down.
Let's just say you would never leave your table without making sure your waiter is well-tipped. No exceptions. Tip rectified on the sly.
5. "Between My Teeth": Time for the goodnight kiss...and you're not really into it. He smiles, and has a massive bit of something green in between his two front teeth.
"Um, you have something between your teeth," you say gently. After everything, you feel the need to point it out.
"Yeah, you," he says arrogantly.
"Beg your pardon?" Uh, what?
"I've got you between my teeth."
"Oh-uh, um, well that's sweet...and kinda creepy...a little cannibalistic, but..."
"No, no," he laughs, "you don't get it, isn't that cute!" Tapping your date's head as if it's empty is also a big no-no. "I'm referring to that song...I've got you between my teeth."
"I'm pretty sure it's 'I've got you under my skin.'"
The inability to carry a tune isn't a date-killer...getting the lyrics wrong to an absolute classic is surprising, but still not a date-killer. Sarcastically tapping your date's head and pinching your date's cheeks, while singing the wrong lyrics in the wrong key with a giant green thing in between your teeth, after spitting up your food, snapping at your waiter and your date, and expecting your waiter to clean up your chewy-spit-up-meat, yet not leave a proper tip, is kind-of a date killer.
Result: No kiss, no second date.
"I have a tricky palette," he says, as if spitting his food on the table is perfectly acceptable.
2. Finger Snaps: I hate when people disrespect waiters and waitresses. It's just rude. Snapping fingers is a no-no. To start snapping your fingers to get your date's attention? Bad. Very bad.
Snap! Snap! "Your food isn't going anywhere. Are you hearing me? I like to know your paying attention."
Yeah, because a woman is incapable of doing two things at once. Rude.
3. Drink Robber: It's quite a shock when your date reaches over, grabs your drink, and starts guzzling it.
"That sauce was way too hot, and I don't like water."
4. Bad Tipper: Kind-of goes with the snapping thing...tipping your waiter a quarter is unacceptable. Your waiter had to deal with chewed up pork, a waving hand, snapping, serious complaining, and you want to leave him a quarter?
"Poor attitude, poor tip," he says, plopping it down.
Let's just say you would never leave your table without making sure your waiter is well-tipped. No exceptions. Tip rectified on the sly.
5. "Between My Teeth": Time for the goodnight kiss...and you're not really into it. He smiles, and has a massive bit of something green in between his two front teeth.
"Um, you have something between your teeth," you say gently. After everything, you feel the need to point it out.
"Yeah, you," he says arrogantly.
"Beg your pardon?" Uh, what?
"I've got you between my teeth."
"Oh-uh, um, well that's sweet...and kinda creepy...a little cannibalistic, but..."
"No, no," he laughs, "you don't get it, isn't that cute!" Tapping your date's head as if it's empty is also a big no-no. "I'm referring to that song...I've got you between my teeth."
"I'm pretty sure it's 'I've got you under my skin.'"
The inability to carry a tune isn't a date-killer...getting the lyrics wrong to an absolute classic is surprising, but still not a date-killer. Sarcastically tapping your date's head and pinching your date's cheeks, while singing the wrong lyrics in the wrong key with a giant green thing in between your teeth, after spitting up your food, snapping at your waiter and your date, and expecting your waiter to clean up your chewy-spit-up-meat, yet not leave a proper tip, is kind-of a date killer.
Result: No kiss, no second date.
When is a Horcrux not a Horcrux?
When it is an ancient Cross of Horus.
Many of you have probably heard of an ancient Egyptian amulet called the ankh, which is still popular in jewelry today. And you may even know that it was a symbol representing eternal life.
But did you also know that it was sometimes called the Crux Ansata by Coptic Christians and early Egyptologists or also the Cross of Horus?
Why Horus? Well, the god Horus was the son of Osiris who represented the deceased Pharoah. Horus, however, represented the Pharoah who lived. He was commonly pictured as a falcon, lord of the skies. In paintings on tomb walls of the Egyptian judgment scene, the weighing of the heart, you would frequently see Horus with his falcon head, carrying the ankh, the Cross of Horus, to impart the breath of eternal life to the lips of the deceased. He could also withhold the ankh and thus deny eternal life to those whose hearts were weighted down by misdeeds. (Note: Many Egyptian gods and goddesses were shown holding the ankh, not just Horus, but in the Weighing of the Hearts scene, it was usually Horus who carried this key to life when presenting the deceased to Osiris for final judgment).
So, what does any of this have to do with Harry Potter? Well, my other obsession with Harry Potter, besides helping writers learn to improve their own craft, has been in tracing the Egyptian mythological references which run through JK Rowling's stories. I think there are many, and I think the Horcrux is one of them.
Hor + Crux = Cross of Horus.
For Voldemort, his Horcruxes gave him eternal life. But when Harry, who represents Horus, got involved, they led to his final death. Harry urged Voldemort to account for his murderous misdeeds. When Voldemort refused to acknowledge any wrongdoing, it was Harry/Horus, who denied him eternal life.
Most fans are familiar with the Greek, Nordic, and even Druid references which JKR wove into her subtext. But not as many picked up on the Egyptian. I think the Egyptian may have even been primary. In fact, I think that the whole reason for JKR to place Bill as a curse-breaker in Egypt, was to point the way there. But when I first presented the Horcrux = Cross of Horus theory back in 2005 at the Witching Hour conference in Salem MA, very few people were onto JKR's use of Egyptian subtext. Now, lots of fans have caught on.
Over the years, I've analyzed many of these Egyptian references through the series and will share them, with time, here. Follow the Egyptian Mythology label to read them all.
And why point these out? Because in seeing how JKR used ancient myths and symbols as subtext for her stories, we can do the same. This layer of subtext is what gave her series such a rich depth and hooked her readers into searching out all the clues within.
Fans delighted in finding these Easter Eggs of clues, buried within her text. They scoured the Internet, searching out the meaning, and then plastered their theories of what was to come in the series based on their interpretation.
As writers, especially if your story has mystery or fantasy elements, weaving in this layer of subtext will delight and engage your reader. Studying how it has been done by a successful author will help you improve your own craft.
Have you used any ancient symbols or myths to add subtext to your story?
Many of you have probably heard of an ancient Egyptian amulet called the ankh, which is still popular in jewelry today. And you may even know that it was a symbol representing eternal life.
But did you also know that it was sometimes called the Crux Ansata by Coptic Christians and early Egyptologists or also the Cross of Horus?
Why Horus? Well, the god Horus was the son of Osiris who represented the deceased Pharoah. Horus, however, represented the Pharoah who lived. He was commonly pictured as a falcon, lord of the skies. In paintings on tomb walls of the Egyptian judgment scene, the weighing of the heart, you would frequently see Horus with his falcon head, carrying the ankh, the Cross of Horus, to impart the breath of eternal life to the lips of the deceased. He could also withhold the ankh and thus deny eternal life to those whose hearts were weighted down by misdeeds. (Note: Many Egyptian gods and goddesses were shown holding the ankh, not just Horus, but in the Weighing of the Hearts scene, it was usually Horus who carried this key to life when presenting the deceased to Osiris for final judgment).
So, what does any of this have to do with Harry Potter? Well, my other obsession with Harry Potter, besides helping writers learn to improve their own craft, has been in tracing the Egyptian mythological references which run through JK Rowling's stories. I think there are many, and I think the Horcrux is one of them.
Hor + Crux = Cross of Horus.
For Voldemort, his Horcruxes gave him eternal life. But when Harry, who represents Horus, got involved, they led to his final death. Harry urged Voldemort to account for his murderous misdeeds. When Voldemort refused to acknowledge any wrongdoing, it was Harry/Horus, who denied him eternal life.
Most fans are familiar with the Greek, Nordic, and even Druid references which JKR wove into her subtext. But not as many picked up on the Egyptian. I think the Egyptian may have even been primary. In fact, I think that the whole reason for JKR to place Bill as a curse-breaker in Egypt, was to point the way there. But when I first presented the Horcrux = Cross of Horus theory back in 2005 at the Witching Hour conference in Salem MA, very few people were onto JKR's use of Egyptian subtext. Now, lots of fans have caught on.
Over the years, I've analyzed many of these Egyptian references through the series and will share them, with time, here. Follow the Egyptian Mythology label to read them all.
And why point these out? Because in seeing how JKR used ancient myths and symbols as subtext for her stories, we can do the same. This layer of subtext is what gave her series such a rich depth and hooked her readers into searching out all the clues within.
Fans delighted in finding these Easter Eggs of clues, buried within her text. They scoured the Internet, searching out the meaning, and then plastered their theories of what was to come in the series based on their interpretation.
As writers, especially if your story has mystery or fantasy elements, weaving in this layer of subtext will delight and engage your reader. Studying how it has been done by a successful author will help you improve your own craft.
Have you used any ancient symbols or myths to add subtext to your story?
Rose Sees Red by Cecil Castellucci: Review
By: Cecil Castellucci
Copy received from publisher for review
Synopsis (From Goodreads): Rose has given up. She's given up on friendship, on happiness, on life being anything other than black, black, black. Yrena wants out. She's a dancer who doesn't want to dance, a prisoner in her own home, a resident of New York who never gets to see the city. To Rose, Yrena has always been the Russian girl who lives next door, seen through the window but never spoken to. At least not until Yrena crashes into Rose's room-and Rose's life-and sets in motion a night in New York City that none of them will ever forget.
From YA superstar Cecil Castellucci, this is the story of cold hearts and cold wars warmed by simple human connection and the liberty of being young and free in the early hours of a new day.
My Review: Here are some facts about my reading experience with Rose Sees Red:
- It took me almost two weeks to finish
- When asked by Angie what the book was about, I was unsure. (I was 3/4 of the way finished)
- I am still not entirely sure how I feel about it.
I think the book was about all those things. And I liked it. I really loved Rose's journey to come to know herself. By making spur-of-the-moment decisions and putting herself out there, she had some wonderful experiences. Castellucci is a master at her craft. I cannot complain at all about the quality of writing, it was impeccable.
I think my hang-up over this book was my own personal preference. And since this blog reflects my opinions, I feel comfortable sharing it. The ending was entirely too political and naive for my taste. I have come to the realization that because my career is in politics/government, I am not interested in reading about political/government things. Particularly when they preach such a strong platform.
Not that this is a bad thing in and of itself. I think many will like the development of Rose's political feelings, and will really be able to identify with them. I was not able to. The conclusions that she came to were really foreign to me. Again, it's not that I don't appreciate opposing views or don't ever listen to them. I do. Every single day. I just find it exhausting when it worms its way into my fiction.
I'm not really sure I know who to recommend this book to. I think it's more appropriate for an older, more mature YA reader. Not because of possibly inappropriate content, but more because the themes are a little older, and I probably would not have appreciated it until I was at least 18.
Getting beyond my own personal tastes, I do believe this book serves a purpose. This book read more to me like a book that a teacher would use as assigned reading in a classroom than something I would pick up off the shelf and say, "Huh, that looks good. I guess I'll read it."
My Rating:
Profanity: Moderate
Sexuality: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol: Quite a bit of drug use
Violence: None
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