Top Ten Tuesday: Favorite Couples

Hosted by The Broke and The Bookish

All About Romance Tropes/Types

I just wanted to list some of my favorite book couples, so here ya go!

Anne and Gilbert


Anne and Captain Wentworth


Emma and Mr. Knightley


Yelena and Valek


June and Pete


June and Day


Cinder and Prince Kai


Liesel and Rudy


Kat and Hale


Katsa and Po

Rebel Angels

Goodreads Synopsis:    Ah, Christmas! Gemma Doyle is looking forward to a holiday from Spence Academy, spending time with her friends in the city, attending ritzy balls, and on a somber note, tending to her ailing father. As she prepares to ring in the New Year, 1896, a handsome young man, Lord Denby, has set his sights on Gemma, or so it seems. Yet amidst the distractions of London, Gemma's visions intensify. Visions of three girls dressed in white, to whom something horrific has happened, something only the realms can explain. . . . 
The lure is strong, and before long, Gemma, Felicity, and Ann are turning flowers into butterflies in the enchanted world of the realms that Gemma alone can bring them to. To the girl's great joy, their beloved Pippa is there as well, eager to complete their circle of friendship. 
But all is not well in the realms or out. The mysterious Kartik has reappeared, telling Gemma she must find the Temple and bind the magic, else great disaster will befall her. Gemma is willing to do his intrusive bidding, despite the dangers it brings, for it means she will meet up with her mother's greatest friend and now her foe, Circe. Until Circe is destroyed, Gemma cannot live out her destiny. But finding Circe proves a most perilous task.

My Thoughts:

-    This is a rare occurrence where I enjoyed the second book more than the first. I liked the first book a lot, but this one was a step up. 

-    This story is the perfect mash up of Victorian young ladies worried about their social standings and dangerous magical realms. It is so cleverly put together. I love it!

-    I was able to figure out certain plot points, but I was still intrigued and surprised. The story telling is really well done.

-    I love how vivid and visual this book is. It was so easy to get lost in Gemma's world.

-    The characters are all complex, and enjoy reading about each one. Felicity is such a brat and very annoying at times, but she has redeemable qualities, and Gemma really needs a go getter like her. I like quiet and uncertain Ann, but I wish her character could develop a bit more confidence.

-    This series is so underrated. It deserves more attention and love. I wish I hadn't waited so long to read these. 

Previous Gemma Doyle book

(cover is linked)

Fan Art Friday: Coraline

I tried to find artwork that wasn't inspired by the movie. There was a lot of pictures to sift through, but I found a great collection.

My favorite is the last one. I love how the other mother is lurking behind Coraline as she is looking through the stone. I also love that the cat in is the picture.

Which is your favorite?

All the pictures are linked!

Air Keep

Goodreads Synopsis:    It’s been six months since Marcus and Kyja obtained the help of the land and water elementals, but before they can secure the help from the mysterious air elementals, the two friends must first be reunited. A task easier said than done.

Master Therapass is worried that trying to pull Marcus to Farworld would put him in danger of the shadow realm, but if Marcus stays on Earth, he’ll be sent back to the Philo T. Justice School for Boys instead of being able to stay on the protected grounds of the monastery. 

While attempting to return to Farworld, Marcus finds himself in the Abyss of Time, facing four doors: the Is, the Was, the Will Be, and the Never Was. What he learns in that dangerous place has the potential to change his life—and Kyja’s. But does he have the courage to tell her what he learned?

And in Farworld, a drought, floods, and blizzards have seized the land, hinting that perhaps there is a traitor in the elementals’ midst. The Dark Circle is growing in power, and as Marcus and Kyja desperately search for the air elementals, they must first answer the question “Is there anyone we can trust?”

My Thoughts:

-    I finally read this!! Hooray! It has been sitting in my own-but-haven't-read pile on my nightstand for a long time! 

-    The story was a bit slow for a lot of parts, and I thought this was going to be my least favorite book of the series for sure, but the ending all came together, and I really enjoyed the book as a whole.

-    Marcus was a little annoying at times. I'm still waiting for him to grow and develop into the big hero that Farworld needs.

-    I like Mr. Z a lot. He is a very fun character. 

-    The ending was very captivating. I didn't want to quit reading. That hasn't happened to me for a while, so I'm excited that I found a book that kept me riveted. 

-    I wish the elementals played larger role in the story. I think that will happen in the next book. At least I'm hoping to see all the elementals get together and do something amazing.

Previous Farworld Books

(click on the covers to see my thoughts)

 

Fan Art Friday: Mary Tyler Moore

Another one of the greats has passed on. Mary Tyler Moore was so lovely, and she will be missed. I loved her in the Dick Van Dyke show and Thoroughly Modern Millie. I haven't watched the Mary Tyler Moore show, but I want to. I'm hoping it comes to Netflix sometime.

 

My favorite picture is the last one. I love the joy of seeing Laura Petrie dance in her living room.

Which is your favorite?

All the artwork is linked to the source, so go ahead and check out more by these talented artists.

Coraline

Goodreads Synopsis:    Coraline lives with her preoccupied parents in part of a huge old house--a house so huge that other people live in it, too... round, old former actresses Miss Spink and Miss Forcible and their aging Highland terriers ("We trod the boards, luvvy") and the mustachioed old man under the roof ("'The reason you cannot see the mouse circus,' said the man upstairs, 'is that the mice are not yet ready and rehearsed.'") Coraline contents herself for weeks with exploring the vast garden and grounds. But with a little rain she becomes bored--so bored that she begins to count everything blue (153), the windows (21), and the doors (14). And it is the 14th door that--sometimes blocked with a wall of bricks--opens up for Coraline into an entirely alternate universe. Now, if you're thinking fondly of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe or Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, you're on the wrong track. Neil Gaiman's Coraline is far darker, far stranger, playing on our deepest fears. And, like Roald Dahl's work, it is delicious.

My Thoughts:

-    I read this a long time ago, and I don't remember how much I liked it, but I loved it this time through!

-    The story and characters are awesome. I love Coraline's journey and how she grows throughout the book. The side characters are all great. The other mother is perfectly creepy. I also love the cat.

-    The illustrations were so creeptastic. I loved them!

-    Neil Gaiman is SO imaginative. I would love to see him and Tim Burton create an original movie together. The story and style would be mind boggling.

-    Very fun quick read!