Happy Hauntings!

Happy Halloween my friends!!

Stay safe, score big, and don't get a candy hangover!

Top Ten Tuesday

Hosted by The Broke and The Bookish

Top Ten Scariest Looking Book Covers

I only took covers from books I've read or books on my to-read shelf.
 
 
 
 
 

The Rising

From Goodreads:    Things are getting desperate for Maya and her friends. Hunted by the powerful St. Clouds and now a rival Cabal as well, they're quickly running out of places to hide. And with the whole world thinking they died in a helicopter crash, it's not like they can just go to the authorities for help.

All they have is the name and number of someone who might be able to give them a few answers. Answers to why they're so valuable, and why their supernatural powers are getting more and more out of control.

But Maya is unprepared for the truths that await her. And now, like it or not, she'll have to face down some demons from her past if she ever hopes to move on with her life. Because Maya can't keep running forever.

Old secrets are revealed and unexpected characters make a surprising return in this stunning conclusion to Kelley Armstrong's New York Timesbestselling Darkness Rising trilogy.

My Thoughts:

-    I felt like most things got wrapped up, but I was a bit disappointed.

-    I really didn't need all the recap at the beginning. It was a bit annoying, and slowed down the beginning.

-    A lot of the book was telling instead of showing, and I wanted more showing. 

-    I knew there was a love triangle!! Urgh! I really hoped that Daniel was more of a brother figure, but no! I didn't like how the love interests were settled. 

-    There were a lot of characters introduced, and it was a bit confusing. 

-    I wasn't expecting things to go down so smoothly.

-    I liked Ash. He was a fun addition to the gang. 

-    Overall, I just feel like not a lot changed. There wasn't really any progress. The characters end up in almost the exact same situation they started with. 

Fan Art Friday

Since Allegiant just came out, I decided to do Divergent fan art today!! 

Are you excited? I am!

Which one is your favorite?

I love the one with Tris jumping off the train. I also like the zip line sketch a lot.

In case you missed them, here is a link to previous Fan Art Fridays:

The Book Thief

The Chronicles of Prydain

The Castle of Llyr

Goodreads Synopsis:    Princess Eilonwy has accompanied Taran, Assistant Pig-Keeper, on all his adventures. But a princess needs special skills that can only be learned in a royal household, so she travels to the island of Mona to begin her proper education. As it turns out, court life isn't as boring as it seems to the unwilling princess --- friends and enemies appear in many guises, and danger hides in every corner. When Eilonwy disappears and disturbing rumors about the evil enchantress Achren surface, Taran and his companions undertake an exciting and terrifying mission to rescue their princess. But will Taran battle to save Eilonwy's life only to lose her in the end?





My Thoughts:

-    This used to be my favorite book in the series back in the day, but I'm thinking it might not be anymore. They are all so good!

-    I really loved how this one focused a lot on Eilonwy, but she wasn't prominent in the book.

-    Everything Gurgi says is golden! I just love his dialogue!

-    Prince Rhun started out as a complete dweeb, and you just want to strangle him, but his character grows and develops along the way, and by the end, his character is bit more endearing, and someday he'll make a decent king. 

-    I feel like Taran became more aware of who he is and how he feels. It was a different kind of character development. 

-    Llyan was awesome! I want one!

-    I can't remember if Glew makes an appearance in the next 2 books, but I hope so. I feel like his tale isn't over. 

-    I love how the characters learned how to use Eilonwy's bauble, and I love how the bauble is activated. Who knew Eilonwy was so selfless?

-    Since this is the middle book of the 5 in the series, can I safely call this the "hump book" of the series?

-    Bottom line: I loved it! Great adventure! Great characters! Love this series! 

Previous books in The Chronicle of Prydain Series

(Click on the cover to see my thoughts)

 

Anime Banzai 2013

I'm a geek, and I love it!

I went to Anime Banzai this past weekend, and it was a lot of fun! I enjoyed myself!

The first panel we attended was What is Furry?.

Here is me and one of the Furrys.

We learned what the Furry Fandom was, and I realized that I'm a Furry, and I never knew it!

I wan a fursuit so bad!

Here is the Furry group

Zoe was in love with the green furry! She could not stop talking about him, and we had to hunt him down a couple times. He was super nice and really cute with her.

I took gnome with me on Friday.

She had a lot of fun, and I'm glad I took her. It was so cute how she knew a lot of the cosplay outfits. I was very proud when she shouted things like "There's Raven!", "There's Twilight Sparkle!". I love my little geeky gnome!

Since gnome was with me, we got a discount on a Totoro backpack! All the bags at the vendors were $40!! The guy said he would let us have Totoro for $21!! Score!!

Gnome also got a free Hi-Chew from a nice lady at the food stand.

I didn't get as many pictures of all the cosplayers as I would have liked, but I got a couple. I was nervous and shy, and I didn't want to ask for everyone's picture. I hope to get over that for next year.

My favorite was Porco! He looks spot on perfect!!

I would just like to say that on Friday, my brother and I went into the gaming room, and played some Smash Brothers Brawl! I won 3 out of 4 matches!!! The guys I beat were not too happy, but I was stoked! Take that boys! You got beat by a girl!! I almost won the fourth match, but they gained up on me. It came down to me and one other guy, and he finally beat me in the end. Grr!

On Saturday, we left around 6:30, so we could make it in line for the make and take kitty ears.

Mine turned out more wolfy, but I love them!! I want to wear them all the time.

Here are couple more cosplayers. 

This guy did an amazing job as Auron from Final Fantasy X!!

There were a lot of Links running around, but this one was my favorite.

He had the Zora outfit complete with boots, claw, and shield! It was awesome!

For lunch we got sushi! I figured since we were at an Anime convention, we should indulge in sushi right? 

This is the Starburst roll. I've never had fruit in a sushi roll before. It was strange, but good.

The last panel we attended was Voice Acting with Kyle Hebert aka the voice of Ryu from Street Fighter!

It was a  pretty hilarious and fun panel! He even gave us a couple shoryuken shouts! It was 

awesome!

It was a spectacular weekend, and I can't wait til next year!! I'm thinking of cosplaying next year, we'll see.

Enna from Squeaky Books was there, and her Midna cosplay was awesome!! I didn't get a picture, but I hope she posts one somewhere cause she looked great! 

Top Ten Tuesday

Hosted by The Broke and The Bookish

Top Ten Character Names I Love 
or 
Top Ten Unusual Character Names

I love unique names, so I'll combine these two.

Gwydion - From The Chronicles of Prydain by Lloyd Alexander

Eilonwy - Also from Prydain

Valek - From the Study Series by Maria V. Snyder

Yelena - Also from the Study Series

Aargorn - From...well, you know.

Bilbo Baggins - THE Hobbit

Deuce - From the Razorland series by Ann Aguirre

Katsa - From the Graceling Realm books by Kristin Cashore

Scout - From To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Katniss - From...you should know this!

The Calling

From Goodreads:    Maya Delaney's paw-print birthmark is the mark of what she truly is -a skin-walker. She can run faster, climb higher, and see better than nearly everyone else. Experiencing intense connections with the animals that roam the woods outside her home, Maya knows it's only a matter of time before she's able to Shift and become one of them. And she believes there may be others in her small town with surprising talents.

Now Maya and her friends have been forced to flee from their homes during a forest fire they suspect was deliberately set. Then they're kidnapped, and after a chilling helicopter crash, they find themselves in the Vancouver Island wilderness with nothing but their extraordinary abilities to help them get back home.

In THE CALLING, the sizzling second book in the Darkness Rising trilogy, New York Times bestselling author Kelley Armstrong pumps up the romance, danger, and suspense that left readers of THE GATHERING clamoring for more.

My Thoughts:

-    I enjoyed this one a little more than the first book. There were still some slow parts, but overall, it was more entertaining.

-    I got a couple answers to some questions, but not a lot. I want more info! The third book better deliver or I'm going to be frustrated!

-    I think Maya is growing as a character. Traveling through the forest with her friends has taught her a few things, and I hope her character continues to grow and develop.

-    I love how much Maya's dog is involved in the story and with Maya's safety! I wish more books would incorporate an animal. I love Maya's relationship with her dog. I'm so jealous!

-    Daniel is a natural leader. He knows how to keep everyone together and how to lead. I really like that about him. He seems too perfect though, and I feel like he is keeping something from Maya.

-    Is there a love triangle? I'm still unsure, but I think there is. I hope it doesn't develop into one, but I pretty sure it is going to happen. Ugh!

-    RAFE!!!! 

-    Another killer cliffhanger!! Dang! I'm so glad I have the next book! I hate awful cliffhangers! 

-    To be honest, not a lot happened to move the story along. The characters traveled through the forest for most of it, and the story did progress, but I don't feel like it progressed enough. I hope the last book can give all the answers and tie everything up. 

First book in the Darkness Rising trilogy

(cover is linked)

Concert Tomorrow

I have a concert tomorrow, and you should come!!

We will be featuring the following:

William Tell

Bullets and Bayonets

Rise of the Firebird

Albanian Dance

Shenandoah

and more!

Pricing:

Student:    $3

Individual:    $5

Family:    $15

Alpine Students are Free

Toddlers and Babies are Free as well

Monday, October 21

7:30 PM

American Fork High School

If you come, I will be infinitely grateful!

Fan Art Friday

I've been re-reading a childhood favorite of mine, The Chronicles of Prydain by Lloyd Alexander. Alexander is probably my most favorite author. I love his characters and consider them life long friends of mine. I used to read this series every year, but after I went to college, my reading became almost none existent. I haven't read my favorite series since High School! What is wrong with me? I decided it was time to revisit my old friends, and I am loving it!

Without further delay:

Fan Art Friday 

showcasing 

The Chronicles of Prydain

Which on is your favorite?

I really like the Lord Gwydion one, and the one with Gurgi tackling Taran. Oh! I also really like the sketch of Fflewddur with Llyan.

In case you missed them, here is a link to last week's Fan Art Friday:

The Book Thief