Thursday, September 29, 2016

Harry Potter Moment of the Week (144)

Harry Potter Moment of the Week is a meme hosted by Uncorked Thoughts and Lunar Rainbows Reviews. The aim of this meme is to share with fellow bloggers a character, spell, chapter, object or quote from the books/films/J. K. Rowling herself or anything Potter related! A list of upcoming topics can be found here.

This week's topic is:
If You Could Change One Thing from Book 4, What Would It Be?

Well, there is the whole Voldemort regaining his body thing, but if that didn't happen, the series would have probably been quite a bit shorter, lol. So I'll go with Harry and Ron not speaking to each other after Harry's name popped out of the Goblet of Fire. Up to that point, their friendship had been a given, and watching them fight caused me much pain. :(

Sunday, September 25, 2016

Fandom Mashups (72)

Fandom Mashups is a feature hosted by Lunar Rainbows Reviews. There's a different scenario each week, and you choose a "dream team" of five characters from five different fandoms whom you think are best suited for the situation.

This week's topic is:
You've discovered the Sword in the Stone! Who do you want to help you free it?

  1. Harry Potter: He wielded Godric Gryffindor's sword like a pro, so I feel pretty confident that he might be able to help out here, especially since he can always try using magic!
  2. Aelin (Throne of Glass): Aelin wouldn't let something like a stone keep her from access to a weapon.
  3. Sabriel (The Old Kingdom): If this lady isn't deemed worthy to free the sword, I don't know who is!
  4. Gansey (The Raven Cycle): Gansey's search for the Welsh king Glendower always reminded me of an Arthurian quest, so I think that his input would be very valuable.
  5. King Arthur: The go-to guy for this task if everyone else fails. XD

Thursday, September 22, 2016

Harry Potter Moment of the Week (143)

Harry Potter Moment of the Week is a meme hosted by Uncorked Thoughts and Lunar Rainbows Reviews. The aim of this meme is to share with fellow bloggers a character, spell, chapter, object or quote from the books/films/J. K. Rowling herself or anything Potter related! A list of upcoming topics can be found here.

This week's topic is:
Favorite Classroom Memory?

I have to go with a lesson from my favorite book, Prisoner of Azkaban, with my favorite professor—Lupin, of course! The boggart lesson quickly established the fact that Hogwarts had a legit Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher that year. Lupin was also very kind to Neville after Snape was mean to Neville, and who could ever forget boggart Snape wearing Neville's grandmother's dress? XD

Monday, September 19, 2016

Review: Imprudence by Gail Carriger

Imprudence by Gail Carriger
Imprudence (The Custard Protocol #2)
By Gail Carriger
Publisher:
Orbit
Format: Hardcover
Source: Purchased

To Sum It Up: Lady Prudence Alessandra Maccon Akeldama and her beloved airship The Spotted Custard have returned home to England, but it’s not a happy welcome that awaits them. Rue faces a most displeased Queen Victoria and is promptly divested of her legal protections under the Crown. Life with Rue’s preternatural/werewolf/vampire family has never been tranquil, but when the situation takes a very serious turn, Rue and the crew of The Spotted Custard undertake an urgent mission that is extremely dear to Rue’s heart.

Review: After having some pacing issues with the previous novel, Prudence, and just not feeling that the latter was on the same level as its parent series, The Parasol Protectorate, I wasn’t exactly in a hurry to read Imprudence. I changed my mind, though, after absolutely adoring Gail Carriger’s recent novella, Poison or Protect, which is also set in the same wonderful supernatural/steampunk Victorian world. I’d also seen a few reviewers on Goodreads with quibbles similar to mine regarding Prudence say that Imprudence was a much more satisfying read. Feeling optimistic, I picked up this book, and I’m so, so, so happy that I did.

Whereas the plot of Prudence never really seemed to gel, the sequel sports a well-developed story line that both brings closure for some Parasol Protectorate characters but leaves room for plenty of future adventures for Rue and company. This would probably be an opportune moment to mention that The Custard Protocol is truly a spin-off series, and you really do need to have read The Parasol Protectorate to follow what happens in Prudence and especially Imprudence.

I’m practically giddy writing about how much I loved the humor in this book. Imprudence just sparkles with wit throughout its pages, even in the midst of battle. Yes, battle! Rue’s poor ship finds itself besieged on multiple occasions, and the fighting is quite intense. Rue really steps up to her leadership role as lady captain of The Spotted Custard in this book, and it’s equally lovely to see the camaraderie that has developed among her plucky crew.

While all of the characters feel more fleshed out in Imprudence, Rue’s growth is perhaps the most striking. She actually turns twenty-one in the novel and is officially an independent woman, no longer under the protection of her parents and, thanks to the fallout from The Spotted Custard’s recent escapade, no longer afforded protection by Queen Victoria. Attaining her majority isn’t the only life change Rue faces in the book, either. A family crisis rocks the world she’s grown up in and alters it forever. Although certain events in Imprudence had been foreshadowed even back in The Parasol Protectorate, I still found myself getting quite emotional, and my heart broke for Rue. She gathers her courage, though, and leads her crew through not one but two missions. I really loved this lady by the end of the book and her quirky but endearing companions, too.

Overall, Imprudence was a heap of rollicking good fun that often made me laugh out loud, a very common occurrence when reading Gail Carriger’s works. Imprudence was also deeply poignant at times, and a frenzy of action at others. It appears that The Spotted Custard won’t be lifting off again for some time while its ingenious creator concentrates on some more novellas, so I’ll just savor these adventures in the meantime.

All in All: Everything just clicked into place in Imprudence—it was sweet, it was thrilling, and most of all, it was HILARIOUS!

Sunday, September 18, 2016

Fandom Mashups (71)

Fandom Mashups is a feature hosted by Lunar Rainbows Reviews. There's a different scenario each week, and you choose a "dream team" of five characters from five different fandoms whom you think are best suited for the situation.

This week's topic is:
Brainy is the new sexy! Pick your five favorite nerds to geek out with 8-)

  1. The Tenth Doctor: He NEEDS to wear the glasses for this!
  2. Hermione Granger: We can talk about books, books, and more books!
  3. Lisa Simpson: I feel like once we started chatting, we'd never run out of things to fangirl over.
  4. Daria Morgendorffer: I freaking LOVED watching Daria on MTV back in the day. We could watch a Sick, Sad World marathon and provide our own snarky commentary.
  5. Gansey (The Raven Cycle): Brainy, you say? Look no further than this guy! Just thinking about his brilliant mind makes me swoon. ♥

Thursday, September 15, 2016

Harry Potter Moment of the Week (142)

Harry Potter Moment of the Week is a meme hosted by Uncorked Thoughts and Lunar Rainbows Reviews. The aim of this meme is to share with fellow bloggers a character, spell, chapter, object or quote from the books/films/J. K. Rowling herself or anything Potter related! A list of upcoming topics can be found here.

This week's topic is:
Favorite Quidditch Moment? From the Matches, Practices or Even the Quidditch Cup

The Quidditch moment that always pops into my mind first is from Sorcerer's Stone, when Harry catches the Snitch in his mouth. What a first ever Quidditch match for our hero—it nearly ends in disaster thanks to a jinxed broom! Harry winds up winning the match for Gryffindor, though, and I love how that moment is revisited in Deathly Hallows.

Monday, September 12, 2016

ARC Review: Brightwood by Tania Unsworth

Brightwood by Tania Unsworth
Brightwood
By Tania Unsworth
Publisher:
Algonquin Young Readers
Format: Print ARC
Source: Publisher
Publication Date: September 27, 2016

To Sum It Up: Daisy Fitzjohn has never ventured outside the grounds of her family’s once stately home, Brightwood Hall. The only other person Daisy has ever known is her mother, who’s still haunted by a family tragedy from her childhood. One day, Daisy’s mother fails to return home from a shopping trip, and Daisy’s fear only heightens when a stranger turns up at Brightwood, with intentions that quickly reveal themselves to be sinister. As Brightwood becomes less and less of the haven it’s always been for Daisy and her mother, Daisy must face the very real possibility of escaping into the unknown world that waits beyond Brightwood’s gates.

Review: I’ve always been fascinated by grand houses, even way before ever watching a single episode of Downton Abbey. They’re even more intriguing when they’re shrouded in mystery, as is the case with the titular Brightwood Hall. Once majestic, Brightwood has fallen into disrepair over the years and now houses only two members of the Fitzjohn family: our protagonist, Daisy, and her mother, Caroline. In the book’s prologue, we learn that Caroline lost her parents and older brother in a tragic accident when she was very young, and when the story resumes in the present, it quickly becomes apparent that adult Caroline has never recovered from the loss.

Despite being a middle grade novel, Brightwood is quite dark in tone. Caroline has never allowed Daisy to set foot outside the gates of Brightwood, and Daisy has never met another human being besides her mother. Caroline has essentially turned Brightwood Hall into an enormous safe house, only leaving for regular supply runs. There’s more than routine behind them, though; Daisy observes that the basement is loaded with more provisions than two people will ever need, and yet her mother continues to buy in bulk. Caroline also has a daily ritual of collecting random objects as mementos of each day and storing them in boxes, and she’s filled the house with years and years’ worth of these Day Boxes.

We already have a heartbreaking story established when it takes an even darker turn. Caroline fails to return home after a trip to the supply store, and suddenly there’s a stranger on Brightwood’s grounds—past the gates. I don’t want to give away too much about this unwelcome individual’s backstory, but he is certainly not a friend. Although this antagonist’s motives and intentions are always transparent, you don’t know what’s going to happen to Daisy, who’s never been left alone for this long and has never experienced the world outside of her home. The suspense is rather intense and gripping, and it’s maintained until almost the end of the novel.

In the meantime, Daisy is without any human help and without any means to contact anyone, Caroline having previously disposed of both their phone and TV. I say “human help” because Brightwood also has fantasy elements to it. Daisy’s friends include a talking rat and a talking horse topiary. The book blurs the line between fantasy and reality very skillfully here; just as you’re kept guessing as to the story’s ultimate resolution, you’re also constantly wondering what’s real and what might be imaginary.

My school aged self definitely would have enjoyed Brightwood as much as my adult self did. The book explores some quite serious themes but without becoming too weighty for younger readers. The suspense build-up was very well done, and Brightwood Hall was a richly drawn setting for this tale.

All in All: Brightwood is simultaneously a thrilling and poignant middle grade novel, with plenty here to appeal to adult readers, too.

Sunday, September 11, 2016

Fandom Mashups (70)

Fandom Mashups is a feature hosted by Lunar Rainbows Reviews. There's a different scenario each week, and you choose a "dream team" of five characters from five different fandoms whom you think are best suited for the situation.

This week's topic is:
You've gained the ability to communicate with animals. Yay! Which magical (or non-magical) animals are you hoping to chat with?

I love animals, and I absolutely LOVE this week's scenario! I often wonder what these two are thinking, and what they would say if they could talk:

Besides Tyler and Daisy, I'd love to be able to converse with:

  1. Buckbeak (Harry Potter): What goes through a hippogriff's mind? Now I can find out! XD
  2. Appa (Avatar: The Last Airbender): I love Appa! He was always such a good buddy to Aang, and I'm sure this sky bison would be just as sweet to talk to.
  3. Ghost (A Song of Ice and Fire/Game of Thrones): Ghost is my favorite direwolf, and I'd love to hear all about the world of ASoIaF from his perspective.
  4. Santa's Little Helper (The Simpsons): I'm sure the Simpsons' family dog would have the best stories to tell, especially about Homer!
  5. Church (Shadowhunters): What I really, really, really want to ask this sassy feline is how he's managed to turn up in three different Shadowhunters series . . . and counting!

Thursday, September 8, 2016

Harry Potter Moment of the Week (141)

Harry Potter Moment of the Week is a meme hosted by Uncorked Thoughts and Lunar Rainbows Reviews. The aim of this meme is to share with fellow bloggers a character, spell, chapter, object or quote from the books/films/J. K. Rowling herself or anything Potter related! A list of upcoming topics can be found here.

This week's topic is:
Who Would You Want as House Dormmates at Hogwarts?

I wasn't sure if we could only choose dormmates from our own house, in which case I'd be rooming with Luna, of course! If I could choose from any house, I'd still love to have Luna as a dormmate, along with Hermione and Ginny. Now, where is my Hogwarts letter?! XD

Wednesday, September 7, 2016

Book Loot (27)

THE FIRE-BREATHING BITCH QUEEN IS BACK!!!! Um, yes, I'm just a tad excited about Empire of Storms releasing this week! Just a tad. That's all. Does anyone else feel like Queen of Shadows just came out? I know I do. Where did a whole year go?!

For Review:

Brightwood by Tania Unsworth
Transcendent by Katelyn Detweiler
Thanks to Algonquin Young Readers and Penguin Random House!

Bought:

Imprudence by Gail Carriger
Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas
Lirael by Garth Nix
The Throne of Glass Coloring Book by Sarah J. Maas

I also caved at last and bought some of Happy Hello Co's adorable bookmarks! I'd been coveting the Raven Cycle ones for quite some time, but when I saw the Infernal Devices set with Will, Jem, and Tessa, my fingers couldn't hammer my keyboard fast enough to purchase both, LOL!

Monday, September 5, 2016

Review: Avatar: The Last Airbender: The Rift

Avatar: The Last Airbender: The Rift
Avatar: The Last Airbender: The Rift
By Gene Luen Yang (Script), Gurihiru (Art)
Publisher:
Dark Horse Books
Format: Hardcover
Source: Purchased

To Sum It Up: Aang, Katara, and Sokka are reunited with Toph, who heads up her own successful metalbending school. The friends are all set to celebrate a festival founded by Avatar Yangchen, the last airbender before Aang to bear the title of Avatar. Instead of finding the peaceful meadow where the festival was traditionally held, however, Aang and his companions discover an industrial town now standing in its place. Aang also begins seeing the spirit of Yangchen, and she seems to be trying to convey a warning about this place to him. Meanwhile, Toph’s past unexpectedly catches up with her, and the time may finally have arrived for her to face it.

Review: Talk about timing—according to Goodreads, I finished reading The Promise, the first Avatar: The Last Airbender graphic novel, on the exact same day in 2015 that I finished reading The Rift in 2016. This was completely unplanned, but I think it’s really interesting how that worked out, like maybe the dates were destined to coincide? Or maybe I’m just overanalyzing this like I do everything else in life.

The Rift is my third Avatar graphic novel read, and I have to say, it had a tough standard to measure up to: the stellar second graphic novel, The Search. The latter resolved what was arguably the AtLA TV show’s biggest cliffhanger AND featured lots and lots of my dear Zuko. He sits this one out while Toph, who last appeared in The Promise, returns. I was a mite wary of the total lack of Zuko in this one, but that quickly proved not to be a hindrance to loving The Rift (although I still missed Zuko, just on principle).

Yet again, writer Gene Luen Yang and artists Gurihiru team up to tell a deep, visually stunning story. The fluid continuity between the show and these graphic novels continues to impress me. It’s like the gAang never left TV at all.

The characters look a little more grown up here, and we also see the world of The Legend of Korra start to fall into place, especially when Aang, Katara, Sokka, and Toph come across an industrial town. When I first started watching Korra, I had a bit of difficulty reconciling the world of AtLA with the more modern Republic City of Korra, and it looks like we may get to see that development filled in with the graphic novels.

You can always count on AtLA for thought-provoking story lines, and The Rift focuses on Aang’s attempt to revive the past and Toph’s attempt to continue leaving hers behind. The two plotlines tie into each other seamlessly, as both Aang and Toph learn to find a place for the past in the present. Like its predecessors, The Rift achieves the perfect balance in tone; I loved the depth of the main story and the impeccably timed comedic moments, usually courtesy of Sokka. I was also happy to see Toph’s lily livers, er, metalbending students, from The Promise again.

With each graphic novel, The Rift included, AtLA continues to demonstrate just how successful its jump from one format to another has been. I savored every page of The Rift and every second I got to spend with the gAang again.

All in All: Despite Zuko’s absence, The Rift totally rocked, and I really liked the bridge building between where the end of the Avatar: The Last Airbender TV series left off and where The Legend of Korra picked up.

Sunday, September 4, 2016

Fandom Mashups (69)

Fandom Mashups is a feature hosted by Lunar Rainbows Reviews. There's a different scenario each week, and you choose a "dream team" of five characters from five different fandoms whom you think are best suited for the situation.

This week's topic is:
After the events of last week, you find yourself a hostage on the Hogwarts Express! Who do you hope will swoop in and save the day?

  1. Minerva McGonagall: Can you imagine how TICKED OFF McGonagall would be about baddies taking over the Hogwarts Express and messing with her students? I'm sure she could handle this rescue single-handedly.
  2. Aang (Avatar: The Last Airbender): The villains who dared to attempt this don't stand a chance against the Avatar! And they're even more done for if he shows up with the whole gAang!
  3. Obi-Wan Kenobi: Help us, Obi-Wan Kenobi! You're (one of) our only hope(s)!
  4. Aelin (Throne of Glass): Aelin makes my team almost every week because she's just so damn good at everything, including saving the day.
  5. Rhysand (A Court of Mist and Fury): Yep, went with two Sarah J. Maas characters this week. I love the idea of Aelin and Rhys working together, plus I'm requesting to be personally rescued by Rhys himself. XD

Thursday, September 1, 2016

Harry Potter Moment of the Week (140)

Harry Potter Moment of the Week is a meme hosted by Uncorked Thoughts and Lunar Rainbows Reviews. The aim of this meme is to share with fellow bloggers a character, spell, chapter, object or quote from the books/films/J. K. Rowling herself or anything Potter related! A list of upcoming topics can be found here.

This week's topic is:
Would You Rather Be Friends with Hermione or Ginny?

I love both of these fierce ladies lots, but I have to go with my bookish twin, Hermione. Books and the library are our air, and yeah, I probably would've been more concerned about getting expelled from Hogwarts than being devoured by an enormous three-headed dog. XD