#Dreamworks ~ Dragons: Riders of Berk ~ Comes to Cartoon Network this September~!!

Dreamworks ~ Dragons:  Riders of Berk, based on the hit movie, "How To Train Your Dragon", will be coming to regular television viewing this September 4th on the Cartoon Network.  

This new weekly animated television series will continue the adventures with Hiccup (voice of Jay Baruchel), his dragon Toothless, his Viking friends, Astrid (voice of America Ferrera), Fishlegs (voice of Christopher Mintz~Plasse) and Alvin the Treacherous (voice of Mark Hamill).  Each of the friends now have Dragons of their own and through their training, they develop special bonds with their dragons.  Each of the children learn their Dragons unique and special abilities while discovering new species and battling against evil as they explore new worlds none of them even dreamed existed.

Co~Executive Producers include Sandra Rabins with Art Brown and Douglas Sloan as show runners.

"How To Train Your Dragon" debuted in 2010 and went on to gross $500 million US, picked up a couple of Academy Award nominations and currently planning to release the sequel in June, 2014.

BOOK REVIEW: Prophecy of the Flame by Lynn Hardy

Prophecy of the Flame:  Book One by Lynn Hardy

• Paperback: 399 pages
• Publisher: Brigham Distributing; 2nd edition (March 1, 2008)
• Language: English

Synopsis:

In a blinding flash of light, five nondescript strangers are yanked from this world and thrust into a land of sorcery as they are granted the looks and abilities of the people they were playing. This band of wannabe heroes soon discovers that having the powers they have always dreamed of, does not make life a dream come true. The Crusaders of the Light struggle to form a cohesive band as they blend twentieth century technology with the supernatural powers of this new world, fighting to liberate the kingdom of Cuthburan from the evil horde threatening humanity.

Battle is also waged within Reba, an ordinary housewife who has become the most powerful mage on the planet, as she struggles to remain true to her wedding vows. Drawn against her will to the arms of Prince Alexandros, Reba must choose between a marriage to a handsome prince in a magical world or returning to the husband she left behind.

My Thoughts:

I thought the premise behind the story was a groovy one; being an avid Dungeons & Dragons player, it would be every gamer's dream to be transported to another world where their characters come to life.  I was intrigued with the story as it commenced but became somewhat disappointed as the story unfolded.

I enjoyed the character building and found each of the main characters to be represented by their own personalities.  I thought that each character wasn't believable in their new found powers however, there should have been more errors in their deductions and more fear and worry about their new surroundings, their adaption to the new world should have had more upsets than not.  

I also felt we could've seen more from the opponents in the story, there wasn't enough intrigue in the reason's as to why the group was summoned, everyone is just accepting and everything appears to work out for the group every time they abuse their powers.

I found Rebecca aka Archmage Reba to be kind of annoying in her acceptance of her magical powers and her rhymes didn't make any sense for the most part nor do I know how any of the magic worked in her favour.  Magic isn't an easy ability to wield and she came into her powers far to easily and uses it for the silliest of reasons not even worrying about the consequences of her actions.  I am hoping the retribution of the magics she is throwing around comes back to haunt her in the next book of this series.

I would give Prophecy of the Flame a three and half out of five stars.  For a first time author, Lynn Hardy has the ability to draw you in, even though I found many aspects unfavourable, the book is a great read and I am quite sure many of you will find it enjoyable.  I would continue to read the series as I can only see this getting better whence all the demons are brought into play~!!

Buy a copy of Prophecy of the Flame Today~!!

Visit Lynn Hardy~!!

  **  Reviewed by me...as I see it~!!  I received no monetary compensation for my review, other than a book in which to read~!!  **

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Explode Into Action~!!

The new CG~animated Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series is set to premiere in October and Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products have secured over 30 UK licensees as well as, launching a new website for the upcoming show.

In what is being considered the largest number of licensing deals for any Nickelodeon property in the UK before a series has even debuted, Nick has acquired many companies to help promote the new TMNT series.

Action figures are set to be shipped for December by Flair on behalf of Playmate Toys, bedroom and outdoor play ranges from Worlds Apart, wheeled goods and arts & crafts from Sambro, outerwear from TV Mania, nightwear by Cooneen Misirli, accessories and gifts being marketed by VMC, William Lamb and Zeon, food licensing by Lightbody and Copywrite Designs, Hallmark, moonpig.com and Amscan will be distributing the stationery and back to school merchandise.  Also included as part of the deal are Charcter World and Vogue who have signed on for homewares, Egmont for annuals books and Parragon for publishing, making this an extra~ordinary promotional launch.

To further promote TMNT brands, Nick will also be launching "an immersive website", turtles.nick.co.uk and will be shared across 13 regions and 10 languages.  The new site will feature sneak previews of the series, games, quizzes and more and is set to launch on July 19th~!!

Sales will begin in the United States and will eventually trickle out to International sales by Fall.

BOOK REVIEW: The Sigh by Marjane Satrapi

The Sigh by Marjane Satrapi

Hardcover:  56 pages
Publisher:  Archaia Entertainment (December 13, 2011)
Language:  English
Reading Level:  8 and up

SYNOPSIS:

Rose is one of three daughters of a rich merchant who always brings gifts for his girls from the market. One day Rose asks for the seed of a blue bean, but he fails to find one for her. She lets out a sigh in resignation, and her sigh attracts the Sigh, a mysterious being that brings the seed she desired to the merchant. But every debt has to be paid, and every gift has a price, and the Sigh returns a year later to take the merchant’s daughter to a secret and distant palace.

My Thoughts: 

The Sigh is about a merchant and his three daughters and before each journey he asks them for whatever their hearts desires.  Only this time  he is unable to satisfy Rose, his youngest daughter's wish and she attracts "Ah, the Sigh".  He tells her father that he will give him the seed of a blue bean and one day he will return to ask for a favour.  The father agrees and everyone is happy until exactly one year later...

The father must now accept the terms of agreement and with deep regrets he allows Rose to leave with Ah and step into whatever fate decrees for them all.

Along the journey Rose encounters many lessons in life and from each she learns something new and takes it with her to her next moment.  

I loved the richness of the book, the illustrations were done in a cartoony~ish way that will delight young readers and the cover is just gorgeous.  The book is quite charming to read and the morals and tenets that the reader peruses as you follow Rose on her journey into humanity are lessons that many people should incorporate into their lives.

I was impressed with the direction that the story took and was pleased with the outcome and I feel that young readers would truly enjoy reading the story of Rose and her sigh.

I would give The Sigh a three and half stars out of five.

  **  Reviewed by me...as I see it~!!  I received absolutely no compensation for this review other than a book in which to read~!!  **

BOOK REVIEW: The Shadows of Arthur's Kingdom by Donald D. Kennedy III and Alice C. Kennedy

The Shadows of Arthur's Kingdom by Donald D. Kennedy III & Alice C. Kennedy

Paperback:  208 pages
Publisher:  CreateSpace (September 28, 2011)
Language:  English

Synopsis:

This is an epic fantasy novel about a wanna~be Royal Knight of King Arthur's famed Round Table, fire~breathing dragons, a dangerous quest, battles, castles, and a self~willed, curious Princess.

The plot is captivating and compelling.  Readers young and old can enjoy this read~!!  This epic King Arthur fantasy novel is sure to bring out the kid in all of us~!!  Originally conceived for ages 9~13, readers young and old are enjoying this epic tale of adventure and bravery.

My thoughts:

I thought this was an interesting book in the fact that it was originally written by a twelve year old and polished up by his mother.  I enjoyed the idea of a mother/son combination team working together to accomplish such a feat.

I found the characters were likeable however, I found they lacked any real depth to their definition.  I found the story's plot flowed rather quickly leaving out details that would've enhanced the flavour of the novel in a much more grandeur way.

Sardius is the main character, along with his lion consort and weapons trainer, Judah.  Sardius has always dreamed of becoming a Knight of the Round Table, but no one from his village lacked any definite bravado and most lived their lives simply.  

When Delugio, an evil mage and his feared dragon, Feng Ferion arrive, the people of the kingdom are frightened and prepare for their defense.  However, Princess Gabriella was a curious girl and wished to see a dragon up close and becomes kidnapped.  Now all in the land go off in search of the lost Princess until one by one, they all fail.

The book is in a large~print style so that even readers who are beginning their journey into imagination can enjoy.

I thought the plot was enjoyable but lacked depth and description and I would've liked to have been able to get inside the heads of the characters a little more in order to feel for their quest.  However, I am speaking from an adult's point of view and I am quite certain many young readers are going to thoroughly enjoy this read.

I would give The Shadows of Arthur's Kingdom a three out of five stars.

BOOK SPOTLIGHT: Evertaster by Adam Glendon Sidwell

A legendary taste.  Sought after for centuries.  Shrouded in secrecy.  

When eleven~year~old Guster Johnsonville rejects his mother's casserole for the umpteenth time, she takes him into the city of New Orleans to find him something to eat.

There, in a dark, abandoned corner of the city, they meet a dying pastry maker.  In his last breath he entrusts them with a secret:  an ancient recipe that makes the most delicious taste the world will ever know ~ a taste that will change the fate of humanity forever.

Forced to flee by a cult of murderous chefs, the Johnsonvilles embark on a perilous journey to ancient ruins, faraway jungles and forgotten caves.  

Guster is an Evertaster ~ a kid so picky that nothing but the legendary taste itself will save him from starvation.  With the sinister chefs hot on Guster's heels and the chef's reign of terror spreading, Guster and his family must find the legendary taste before it's too late.

Adam Glendon Sidwell uses the power of computers to make monsters, robots and zombies come to life for blockbuster movies such as "Pirates of the Carribean", "King Kong", "Transformers", and "Tron".  

After spending countless hours in front of a keyboard meticulously adjusting tentacles, calibrating hydraulics and brushing monkey fur, he is delighted at the prospect of modifying his creations with the flick of a few deftly placed adjectives. 

He's been eating food since age 7, so feels very qualified to write this book.  He once showed a famous movie star where the bathroom was.  

Adam currently lives in Los Angeles, where he can't wait to fall into the sea.

Buy Evertaster on Amazon~!!

Got Kindle?? FREE ~ The Silence of Lir eBook by Mary Twomey

The Silence of Lir:  Saga of Sphere Series ~ Book One

File Size ~ 449 kb
Simultaneous Device Usage ~ Unlimited
Publisher ~ Mary Twomey; May 30,2012
Sold by ~ Amazon Digital Services
Language ~ English

Behind the scenes of our spinning Earth, are keepers of the elements who make sure that tornados don't destroy cities, fires don't ravage forests, earthquakers don't decimate towns and floods don't take out humanity.  They wrestle with the natural elements to ensure that the world keeps spinning smoothly on its axis.

Since the beginning of time, the Sun has been fading, and the light that shines on the Earth is dimming, causing the elements to be more volatile and impossible for the keepers to control.

Now they must enlist the help of one man, Finn, to help them bring the light back to the Sun.  The keepers war, the North Star steals light from the Sun, and the Moon is in disrepute.  The end of existence is coming, and all the while the kind, the Moon, Lir, remains silent.

Grab a FREE Kindle Edition ~ this offer only lasts 24 hrs...so don't hesitate...act now~!!

Offer ends June 5th, 2012 ~ midnight~!!

BOOK REVIEW: Keridan's Journey by Michelle Peterson

Keridan's Journey

Author:  Michelle Peterson
Paperback:  266 pages
Publisher:  Wbd Books (February 2011)
Language:  English

Project manager by day and artist by night, Keridan Patrick's simple world ended with the death of her mother.  

The father she never knew showed up after twenty~five years and introduced her to a heritage cloaked in myth and secrecy.

While fighting to keep some semblance of normalcy to her suddenly unpredictable world, she chanced to meet the mysterious Sahaj.

Sahaj ran for hundreds of years from the one soul he was destined to be with but was grounded by the one he could not live without.

Would old flames and new enemies stand in the way of love?

First time author, Michelle Peterson, has done a fairly decent job combining sirens and shape~shifters together.  I thought the premise of the story to be believable and was certainly intrigued with the plot and the characters themselves.

I enjoyed reading about the author's myths and legends surrounding sirens and shape~shifters but I felt that the revelation to Keridan was extremely rushed for the character and for the reader.  The story unfolds in a fast paced rush that often leaves the reader wishing the author had slowed her tempo down somewhat and gave the viewer a bigger understanding of the situations and surroundings.

The whole book is left without any flesh added to the bones and you are often left unfulfilled with the outcome.  I would've loved to have seen more of a relationship with her mother, whom I felt nothing for in her passing, the father who just magically reappears in her life, the Aunts whom we learn next to nothing about, the world of the Sirens, which leaves huge holes in the story and Sahaj.  His introduction to the story could've been shared in a much more believable way than how it did occur.

There were many editorial issues with this fantasy novel and the author may wish to make note of this, it can be very frustrating for people who read a lot.  We notice everything~!!  Having many typos can seriously interrupt the story's flow.

I felt that the scenes could have been shared in a more imaginative way, especially for the folks who have never been to India, one of the locales mentioned in the book.  If I hadn't read about the characters boarding a private jet, I would've never realized they changed scenes.

I enjoyed Sahaj's abilities and how he is able to contact anything that he wishes to have that will benefit him, I would love to have a superpower such as that.  

I would give Keridan's Journey a three out of five stars, with a little editing and a bit more filler this could be a really enjoyable book to peruse.  I am definitely going to keep my eyes open for more by Ms. Peterson, she definitely has talent to work with.

**  Reviewed by me...as I see it~!!  **

BOOK REVIEW: Alienation by Jon S. Lewis

Alienation ~ Book Two ~ A C.H.A.O.S. Novel

Author:  Jon S. Lewis
Softcover:  249 pages
Publisher:  Thomas Nelson (January 3, 2012)
Language:  English

Earth's last line of defense against the coming alien invasion is a 16~year~old surfer.  But before Colt McAlister can save the world, he has to survive the day.

All Colt wants to do is return to his old life~where aliens don't exist, where mankind hasn't been targeted for destruction, and where his parents are still alive.  Unfortunately life doesn't work that way.

The United States government believes Colt holds the key to the world's survival, so he is being sent to the C.H.A.O.S. Military Academy along with his best friends Oz and Danielle.  There they'll be trained to defend Earth against a swarm of alien shapeshifters known as the Thule.  But someone is trying to eliminate Colt before he can lead that charge.  Shocked to learn about key events in his past and unsure who he can trust, Colt is alienated and on the run.

In a world of high~tech gear, shape~shifting aliens, simulated reality, and hoverboards, Colt must step into his true destiny before the world falls in chaos.

Alienation takes place after Jon S. Lewis' book, Invasion, and continues with Colt and the alien invasion upon Earth.  Colt is just a regular teenager until the aliens appear and his life is turned upside~down.  After his parents were killed Colt learns that the adults in his life have been habouring secrets about his genetic makeup.  Colt is the only child to ever incorporate the alien DNA into his own genetics and the powers that be hold much store in his future.  Some want him dead and some want to see him become the saviour they are expecting him to be.

When Colt realizes he is being stalked by a Thule shape~shifter named Victor Krone, Colt must learn all that he can on Project Nemesis and how Colt managed to get his name on a hit list.  Who would want to kill Colt and for what reasons?  Turning to the only person he can trust, Danielle, the two try to unconver the plot behind the assassination attempts on Colt.

I loved how the characters interacted with one another and found them to be believable in their attempts at keeping the reader intrigued with their lives.  I loved reading about the technological gadgets that the kids get to play around with and the simulations they experience would be a groovy thing to attempt.  

I also enjoyed the questions that arose that were not answered, leaving the reader wanting to continue with the C.H.A.O.S. saga.  There are many aspects of this mystery that have yet to be unraveled, encouraging readers to wonder about the outcome, which involves one's imagination about the possibilities that could occur.  

I would give Alienation a four out of five stars.  I felt there could have been more wit and humour within the pages, there was certainly many opportunities that arose where it would've given the book a completeness.  I definitely will continue with the series, the aliens are wonderfully depicted and the added conspiracy theory about comic books telling real tales was a wonderful addition to a great storyline.

The CHAOS Novels

**  Reviewed by me...as I see it~!!  **

BOOK REVIEW: Kendra Kandlestar and the Box of Whispers by Lee Edward Födi

Kendra Kandlestar and the Box of Whispers ~ BOOK One ~ Chronicles of Kendra Kandlestar

Author:  Lee Edward Födi
Hardcover:  255 pages
Publisher:  Brown Books; First Edition edition (October 10, 2005)
Language:  English
Reading Level:  Ages 8 and up

For over a thousand years, the Box of Whispers has guarded the most precious treasure in the Land of Een.  

But when the Box is suddenly stolen, young Kendra Kandlestar finds herself swept away on a magical adventure where doors speak in riddles, plants spit poisonous venom, and strange creatures lurk in every shadow. 

With only a handful of enchanted carrot seeds to help her, will Kendra be able to face these dangers and find the fabled chest?

There's only one way to find out:  peer inside The Box of Whipsers, and enter a world of magic, monsters and mystery...Kendra Kandlestar and the Box of Whispers is a perfect book for lovers of fantasy, aged 8 and up.  

The book features over 100 black and white illustrations by the author.

I have to admit that Kendra Kandlestar and the Box of Whispers took me a while to get into; the author's writing style is a quick paced, in your face kind of approach and while I found it delightful to read, it took me a bit to catch on to the dance.

Author Lee Edward Födi has created some truly magical and interesting characters.  I loved the tenacity and bravery of the grasshopper, Jinx.  Her courage and determination to protect her friends was very commendable, if not oftentimes following a tad on the stupidity side of things.  Professor Bumblebean with all of his scholarly ways and his horde of books and Kendra's Uncle Griffenskitch with his magical staff and his gruff ways all make for a remarkable read you will enjoy.

Kendra has a secret and will do anything to keep it hidden.  She broke the number one rule of Een and that is to never ever help their enemies, the Unger's, who prey on Kendra and her folks.  Kendra happens upon a young Unger who is in a very dangerous situation and if Kendra did not help, then he would have surely died.  However, this secret is causing Kendra to have nightmares and her courage is failing.

When the Box of Whispers is stolen, Kendra and her group set off to Castle of Krodos to reclaim what is rightfully theirs.  However, along the journey, each person finds out what they are made of and how secrets can destroy your inner self.  

I would give Kendra Kandlestar and the Box of Whispers a three and half stars out of five.  I loved the adventure but often there was just way to much dialogue going on and found it somewhat confusing which caused me to backtrack to find who was who.   I cannot wait to read the continuing adventures of Kendra and her motley group of friends however, after I got into the story, I couldn't put it down!

The Chronicles of Kendra Kandlestar

**  Reviewed by me...as I see it~!!  **

BOOK REVIEW: Chrystallia and The Source of Light by P.M. Glaser

Chrystallia and the Source of Light

Author:  P.M. Glaser
Hardcover:  296 pages
Publisher:  Greenleaf Book Press (October 1, 2011)
Language:  English

In this beautifully illustrated children's fantasy story, two siblings struggle against sharp-edged, bedazzling foes to arrive at a place of knowing, to which they and everything belong. 

It's Christmas, but thirteen-year-old Maggie and her ten-year-old brother Jesse are anything but joyful. Their mother is dying, the bank is about to foreclose on their home, and very soon, everything about their lives will change. 

In an adventure that takes them below the earth's surface to a realm inhabited by crystalline life forms - some of which seem to have been spawned from the children themselves - the sister and brother discover the strength of their bond, the breadth of their courage, and the awesome power of love. 
Amid dazzling displays of colours and shapes, Maggie and Jesse must move through crystal planes and canyons as they do battle with King Bloo, the princes Red and Orange, and Holy Clear. Jesse learns from Princess Amethyst that the thing that scares him the most can waken him to his greatest strength. Sharing his secret with Maggie ultimately leads the two to a place of forgiveness, called home. 

Chrystallia was a very good read and it captivated me from beginning to end.  I finished this book in under two hours which shows you how great it was.

I loved the imaginative world of Chrystallia and all the different characters involved.  It was very interesting to see that all the people of Chrystallia were made out of gems, minerals and rocks and each had the personality that corresponded to their type.  

I also enjoyed all the information shared about each of the crystals, gems and rocks.  The author very cleverly included the descriptions and new age properties of each.  Tourmaline or Torri, she was a rainbow of colours who had a southern accent and was almost hippy in her free love, friendship and happiness.  Pyrope, a red crystal garnet, who brought faith and light to the group or Scheelite, a rare yellow crystal from China, who shared her insight and balance.

Each of the characters has their own accent and character and they all worked together to bring a really memorable read.  

Jesse is a believer, he believes in everything and knows they will find their way out of the underground.  He is hoping to find a cure for his mother's health and believes the crystals hold the answer.  Maggie has become disillusioned and doesn't believe in anything she cannot see, she hates her brother and wishes her mother wasn't dying.

Together the two must come to terms with their lives, who there are and where they are meant to be.  Chrystallia is filled with many deep and meaningful insights and the meta~physical aspect of the book is truly a groovy experience.

I would give Chrystallia and the Source of Light a four and a half stars out of five, I felt there could have been a load more humour strewn throughout the pages.  There were brief excerpts from certain characters like Gneiss and Torri and I felt that with a bit more of wit from some of the characters would have made the book fantastic.  Oh and if you cry, the ending is VERY touching~!!  

Chrystallia and the Source of Light

**  Reviewed by me...as I see it~!!  **

PRODUCT REVIEW: Marvel the Avengers ~ Hero Masks

Every great super hero needs an awesome mask~!!

Kids can pretend to be Earth's Mightiest Heroes with these masks based on the upcoming film..."THE AVENGERS".

Choose from Iron Man, Hulk, Thor and Captain America.

Each sold separately.

Approximate Retail Price:  $10.99

Ages:  5 & Up

Available:  NOW~!!

Okay...sooo...like, aren't these the GROOVIEST masks for young people??  I love the quality, they are made from a very durable plastic, harder than normal mask material making it less likely to get crushed when in game play.

I think the price of them is GREAT also...that Hulk mask is the BOMB...I mean...GRRRRR...who wouldn't want to get all Hulked up and run around the house like a mini mad person...hehe  I also dig the Thor mask...the wings are really kewl~!!  

My son loves the Captain America mask and I couldn't get him to take it off when it first arrived. He was thrilled to see all the neat Avenger toys (which I will be sharing with you over the next week) that arrived for review.  He wanted to put everything on and be the ultimate Super Hero!!

I love that the Hero Masks generate imagination and game play within children, drawing them away from those gosh awful video games and having them move around and use their noodles in a creative manner.  I am very impressed with these masks and if your children are into the Super Hero phenom...then I would suggest shelling out the money and making them super hero happy~!!

**  Reviewed by me...as I see it~!!  **

BOOK REVIEW: The Incredibly Awesome Adventures Of Puggie Liddell by Karen Mueller Bryson

The Incredibly Awesome Adventures of Puggie Liddell:  Tesla Time

Paperback:  90 pages
Publisher:  Zeta Comics (June 21, 2011)
Language:  English

When the wise-cracking whiz kid, Puggie Liddell's modified Gameboy activates a time travel portal, he lands in the 1890s with his sibling rival, annoyingly prissy teen sister, Gigi, who thinks history is like-totally-gross. 

The kids must learn to work together to find a time travel portal back to the present before the eccentric scientist, Nikola Telsa, or his arch nemesis, inventor Thomas Edison, can steal the Gameboy and use it to complete a death ray machine, an invention powerful enough to disturb the very fabric of space-time and create an instantaneous world disaster.

When Puggie and his sister, Gigi, fall into a muddy pool, it opens up a portal to another dimension allowing them to travel back into the past.  They find themselves transported to Thomas Edison's pool in 1890, and seek to find him to garner his assistance in sending them back to their own time.

Along the way to the World's Fair in Chicago, the two siblings meet many interesting characters who help aid them in their journey.  After meeting Edison they are unsure if he will help when the two meet Nicola Tesla, who immediately agrees to help the two children home.

Both Edison and Tesla may have other reasons for wanting to help the children and they must decide who they can trust or be forever trapped in 1890.

I love stories on time travel and found this a great young readers with loads of historical information about many different historical figures in life, not only Edison and Tesla, but the reader is introduced to Oscar Wilde, a successful Irish writer and poet of his time.

I enjoyed the antics that Puggie and Gigi found themselves on and how they problem solved their situation.  I thought the dialogue and prose was an easy and enjoyable read and believe many young readers will love the world of Puggie.

I would give The Incredibly Awesome Adventures of Puggie Liddell a four out of five stars.  I felt that some of the historical information was shared in a "cut and dry" approach without much blending into the story.  I would've liked to have seen the characters themselves tell their story instead of reading it like a side note in the book.  However, the book is a great read, the history involved is great and your young reader will enjoy their time travel ride.

Puggie Liddell

**  Reviewed by me...as I see it~!!  **

COMIC REVIEW: The Amory Wars by Claudio Sanchez

The Armory Wars In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth:  3 #8

Written by Claudio Sanchez, Peter David
Drawn by Chris Burnham
SC, 24pgs, FC, SRP: $3.99

A Prise warrior demands that Claudio starts looking ahead of himself, to his destiny. But maybe he should look over his shoulder too…because Al the Killer is lurking right behind him! 

At the same time a greater evil will arise, one that will play a major role in Claudio’s future. Another not-to-be-missed issue from Coheed and Cambria frontman Claudio Sanchez and comics legend Peter David!

Al the Killer is on the hunt for Claudio when he realizes his special powers.  The dynamics of the plot make for an interesting story.  The artwork is a wonderful addition to the story being shared.  I was quite fascinated with the details found within each page of creation.

I haven't had the opportunity to read this series but I was impressed with the amount of emotion found within.  The cliffhanger was a delightful surprise that I wasn't expecting from a comic, my overall fondness for this book makes me wish I had read the series from its conception.

The lives of the people in the comic are believable in their depictions and some of them have truly decent characters while others blend well with their evil schemes.  Overall this makes for a great read and definitely one you'll want to begin from the start, I would give The Armory Wars a five out of five stars.

The Armory Wars

**  Reviewed by me...as I see it~!!  **

COMIC REVIEW: Elric: The Balance Lost Vol. 1 (Michael Moorcock) by Chris Roberson

Elric:  The Balance Lost Vol. 1 ~ Michael Moorcock by Chris Roberson and Illustrated by  Francesco Biaginia.  Afterword by Neil Gaiman.

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: BOOM! Studios; Original edition (February 7, 2012)
• Language: English

Signs appear throughout the Multiverse that the Cosmic Balance is in peril, and the Eternal Champion is caught in the crosshairs! 

Across worlds, Elric, Hawkmoon and Corum begin to face the force that threatens to overpower them all, while Eric Beck, a modern-day video game designer, must acknowledge that his reoccurring dreams of a Pale Prince aren’t all in his head... 

Join New York Times bestseller Chris Roberson (SUPERMAN, iZOMBIE, STAN LEE'S STARBORN) as he teams up with legendary fantasy author Michael Moorcock to bring Elric back to comic books in an original ongoing series! 

See why Neil Gaiman called Moorcock “my model for what a writer was” while Warren Ellis said he is one of the “eight core sites in my creative genome.”

The cosmic balance is in disorder across the galaxy and three avatars or incarnations of the Eternal Champion are being tapped to fight whatever is causing the turmoil and struggle.

Eric Beck, a games designer, in our time, constantly dreams of events that occur in other dimensions.  He is slowly coming to realize that his dreams and the three avatars may be connected.

The story is a build up for the world that is being created, which I am sure, will feed a long and successful comic book series.

My son was most impressed with this comic, as was I.  The graphics are beautifully illustrated and the story is shared in a very engaging way.  The hero's are worthy of reading and likeable and you cannot help but want to know of Elric's fate, but, it will take time for his story to unfold as you follow this new comic book series, featuring Elric and the fate of mankind.

I would give Elric:  The Balance Lost a four out of five stars.  I did find Eric was a little cartoony in his overall creation but was very impressed with the battle scenes and the depictions of Elric as the Pale Prince and Hawkmoon was exactly how I had pictured him.

**  Reviewed by me...as I see it~!!  **

The Eleventh Sense by K. R. Johnson

The Eleventh Sense

• Perfect Paperback: 344 pages
• Publisher: Living Creativity LLC; first edition (November 2, 2009)
• Language: English

Simon gets the shock of his life when his mother dies tragically in a hit-and-run accident, leaving behind a secret that Simon is desperate to discover. But, how can Simon decipher the mystery of the eleventh sense when the worst bully in school history pounds on him every day, his stepfather won't even look at him, and the killer is still on the loose? 

Just when Simon thinks things can't get any worse, he accidentally discovers his mother's mind-blowing secret in a way that changes his life forever. 

Will Simon succeed in his quest? He just might, with the help of the most unexpected bunch of friends anyone could ever want.

It's only been a few months since Simon's mother has died, his best friend Quinn and his little sister, Kira, keep him sane while his step-father, True, treats him like a pariah.  Simon is confused by his step-fathers actions and wishes his mother had never been killed as his life was perfect before then.

One day, school bully, Jax, is picking on Simon when a bee talks to him.  Not knowing what to do, he orders the bee to sting Jax, leaving Jax crying and whimpering from the attack.  Simon is bewildered and soon comes to realize that he has the ability to talk to insects.  

This is a book of coming to know oneself and how everything is connected.  The reader is drawn into Simon's world; where wondrous things unfold, as well as, mysteries solved.  You share with Simon his struggles to utilize his powers of persuasion, his heartache over his relationship with his step-father and his love for his little sister.

The twists and turns through-out the pages are more than enough to keep any young reader interested in learning the final outcome of Simon, the mystery surrounding his mother's death and how with enough courage, we can overcome anything.

I would give The Eleventh Sense a five out of five stars.  As a young reader, you will find many things to keep your interest and fall in love with Simon and his world.  I mean, talking to insects would be a really groovy ability, wouldn't it~??!!

Visit Living Creativity~!!

**  Reviewed by me...as I see it~!!  **

Vamplayers by Rusty Fischer

Vamplayers is a YA Paranormal Fantasy.

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Medallion Press; Original edition (December 13, 2011)
• Language: English

When Lily Fielding is turned, she has no idea what is happening or why, all she knows is that Rick Springfield's "Jesses Girl" is playing in the background as her and her mother are overcome by Vampires.  As she watches her mother try to devour her, Lily prepares for her death but is saved by the Saviours and becomes a Sister at the Afterlife Academy of Exceptionally Dark Arts.

There are two paths one can follow at the school, either become a Saviour or a Sister.  Everyone wants to be a Saviour, a select group of people who hunt and destroy vampires.  However, Lily is just a Sister of The Sisterhood of Dangerous Girlfriends and to add to the insult, she's third sister to Cara and Alice and truly has no say in any of the adventures the girls find themselves upon.

When the girls are given their next mission, going undercover in a secluded, posh high school, the girls believe the job will be an easy one as they plan their identities.  However, before the first day of school is over, Lily is on her own as her sisters get wrapped up in Bianca, the socialite who has it all while Lily follows Tristan, the Vamplayer looking to turn the whole school into a bloodfest.

Lily is unsure who to trust and she cannot figure out why her sisters are acting weird, almost like they have forgotten their mission and who they are.  Lily believes Tristan may have something to do with this and continues to bait him, however, along the way, Lily's own feelings come into play and she must come to realize that what she has come to believe all along, may not be what it seems.

When Lily finds herself fighting a Royale vampire of the oldest blood, she must use all of her skills and wits, for her sisters are not there to help her and there is no way to contact The Saviours to come and bail them all out. 

I quite enjoyed this read and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a YA Vampire love story.  The outcome was great and the author doesn't leave the reader hanging with impossible and unanswered  questions, everything is tied up nicely and leaves the reader wishing for more.

I enjoyed the writing style of author, Rusty Fischer, it was fresh and comedic in places.  I found the dialogue enjoyable as well as the characters.  I read this book in just a few hours, it has enough to keep the reader glued to the pages if you are reader of paranormal YA and I hope to read more from the Sisters. 

Though I figured out who the vampires were, it was still a great unfolding of events, the predictability didn't offend me as much as it usually does, for the writing style/technique more than makes up for anything that could be lacking to the reader.

I would give this a 4.5 out of five stars, I thought that it would have been more beneficial to have had more background information on Lily, Alice and  Cara, I just didn't feel for Alice and Cara as I felt I should have and I believe it was because I didn't know much about why they were there or what makes them tick.  I'm reading Rusty Fischer's "Zombies Don't Cry" and I must say he is a new YA paranormal favourite author of mine.  Keep up the groovy work Rusty~!! 

SYNOPSIS:
At the Afterlife Academy of Exceptionally Dark Arts, Lily Fielding is a measly trainee who dreams of one day becoming a Savior—those who visit vampire-infested high schools and put down the undead with their deadly crossbows. When Lily and her classmates Alice and Cara begin their latest assignment, it seems like just another run-of-the-mill gig: they’re to simply spot the Vamplayer—part vampire, part player—identify the popular girl he’s set his sights on, and befriend her before the Vamplayer can turn her to do his bidding. Before long, however, the Vamplayer sets his sights on Lily's friends, and she is left to face the threat alone while protecting her friends from the dark forces she has sworn to resist.


** Reviewed by me...as I see it~!! **

SPOTLIGHT: Shevi Arnold author of Toren the Teller's Tale

About the Book...

Toren The Teller’s Tale
By Shevi Arnold

Have you ever been swept away by a story? If you have, you know the magic of the storyteller--and you know that magic is real. That is seventeen-year-old Toren's magic . . . but is she brave enough to accept the power that lies within her?

When Toren returns home, her little sister, Noa, is full of questions. Noa demands to know why Toren wakes only at night; what causes her almost constant pain; and above all, why, after completing her apprenticeship, she has decided not to become a wizard.  To answer, Toren weaves a tale about a journey that leads her to discover the greatest source of magic in her world--herself.  It is a revelation that comes  at a high price.  Through her darkest years, Toren finds solace and strength in the stories she tells.  But her greatest tale is not yet finished.  Together with Noa, she sets out on a new adventure. And in the end, she must choose: will she continue to cling to her dream of an ordinary life, or will she dare to let her own magic shine?

TOREN: THE TELLER’S TALE is more than an inspirational fantasy. It is a philosophical tale about the enchantment of literature, because in Toren's parallel world there is no greater power than the magic of storytelling.

TOREN: THE TELLER’S TALE is intended to be the first book in the Toren the Teller series.

About the Author...

Shevi Arnold started telling stories when she was just a kid looking for a way to pass the time on the long, boring ride to school. Not long after that, she started telling herself her own stories--letting them play through her mind, like favorite TV shows--as she was about to fall asleep or whenever she was bored. One night when she was seventeen, she encountered Toren for the very first time. The magical storyteller left quite an impression. But Shevi didn't have the time to write Toren's story down. She had degrees to earn in college, and when she was through with that, she had her work in newspapers and magazines, her marriage, and her family to keep her busy. Then in 2001 Shevi returned to the USA in search of a better education for her autistic son, and she had to leave her job and  her old life behind. She had only ever worked as a writer and an illustrator, and she couldn't work full-time for newspapers or magazines anymore. What was she going to? She sat down and began to write Toren the Teller's Tale. Since then Shevi has written six other novels for kids and young adults, but after thirty years simmering in her mind and countless edits, she considers this novel her greatest masterpiece.

Links:

Website: http://www.shevistories.com

Blog: http://shevi.blogspot.com

Blog: http://shevisworld.blogspot.com

Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/pages/Shevi-Arnold/280260788675096

Google+:https://plus.google.com/111110645305858254999/posts

Twitter:http://twitter.com/#!/@SheviStories

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Shevi-Arnold/e/B004UHP7EI/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1320179018&sr=8-1

Read the Excerpt...

Toren closed her eyes. “So, you want to know who I am,” she said. “It seems a simple question: ‘Who are you?’ And we always give it such simple answers. ‘Who am I?
I’m Toren. I’m Noa. I’m the eldest daughter of Omri the vintner. I’m the youngest. . . .’

Of course, these answers aren’t true. They are simple, quick and easy, while the truth is none of those things. Even a mouse has a story as grand as the sky.

“You want to know why I’m not a wizard. The simple answer is I do not wish to be. But you want the truth: you want to hear my tale. Where should I begin?"

In Shevi's Own Words...

Writing the Rainbow

Since I've decided to e-publish my own work, I've been reading many books on successful self-publishing, like Smart Self-Publishing: Becoming an Indie Author, and marketing, like ProBlogger:Secrets for Blogging Your Way to a Six-Figure Income and Author101: Bestselling Secrets from Top Agents. Nowadays it's all about platforms and branding, which are basically nice, tidy little boxes readers can put writers in, so they know what to expect when they buy one of that writer's books or check out her blog.

That's all very well and good for someone who just writes picture books, romantic ghost stories for teens, illustrated books for middle graders, epic fantasy for girls, or funny, geeky ironic-vampire Science-Fiction novels. But what do you do if you write all of that and more?

Ask me what my favorite color is, and I'll tell you it's rainbow. It's not that I'm indecisive and can't choose a favorite color. I honestly like a variety of colors at the same time. Blue is nice. Red is nice. Pink is nice. Yellow is nice. Green is nice. Purple is nice. But I wouldn't buy a painting that was all one color, and I wouldn't want to paint something that was all one color. That's a wall, not a work of art.

So how does a writer create a brand when her favorite color is rainbow? How can I help you stick me in a nice, tidy box so you can know what to expect when you visit my blog or buy one of my books? I've been puzzling over this question for the last few weeks, and it wasn't until this morning that I came up with the answer: the rainbow is my brand.

And in that rainbow you'll find a variety of colors like none you've ever seen before. Colors to entertain and inspire. Colors to make you laugh, think, dream, fall in love, and embrace your inner magic or your inner geek.

I hope that somewhere in my many mixed-up worlds, you’ll find a color that you like.

**  Thank you Shevi for your wise words...my youngest daughter told me the other day that rainbow was her favourite colour...LOL...I think this post is most fitting~!!  I wish you the best in all that you do and may 2012 be most grand and groovy for you~!!  **