Colleen Houck's Blog, page 39

Colleen Houck Book Club

BOOK FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER- UNDER THE NEVER SKY TRILOGY

If you didn’t get a chance to read last month’s pick, Defiance Series by C.J. Redwine it’s not too late to check it out. For those of you who participated in the live chat on Goodreads with authors C.J. and Colleen Houck, thanks! It was so much fun! For November’s book selection, Colleen has selected…

 

UNDER THE NEVER SKY TRILOGY

by her friend Veronica Rossi

Here’s a little teaser of book #1,

“Exiled from her home, the enclosed city of Reverie, Aria knows her chances of surviving in the outer wasteland—known as The Death Shop—are slim. Then Aria meets an Outsider named Perry. He’s wild—a savage—and her only hope of staying alive. A hunter for his tribe in a merciless landscape, Perry views Aria as sheltered and fragile—everything he would expect from a Dweller. But he needs Aria’s help too; she alone holds the key to his redemption.”

The SECOND is THROUGH THE EVER NIGHT,

 Here’s a little teaser of book #2,

“It’s been months since Aria last saw Perry. Months since Perry was named Blood Lord of the Tides, and Aria was charged with an impossible mission. Now, finally, they are about to be reunited. But their reunion is far from perfect. The Tides don’t take kindly to Aria, a former Dweller. And with the worsening Aether storms threatening the tribe’s precarious existence, Aria begins to fear that leaving Perry behind might be the only way to save them both.

Threatened by false friends and powerful temptations, Aria and Perry wonder, Can their love survive through the ever night?”

and the THIRD is INTO THE STILL BLUE,

Here’s what’s been said of book #3,

“The race for survival comes to a thrilling close in the earth-shattering conclusion to Veronica Rossi’s New York Times bestselling Under the Never Sky trilogy.

Their love and their leadership have been tested. Now it’s time for Perry and Aria to unite the Dwellers and the Outsiders in one last desperate attempt to find the fabled Still Blue and bring balance to their world.

Perfect for fans of the Hunger Games and Divergent series, Veronica Rossi’s trilogy has been called “inspired, offbeat, and mesmerizing” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) and “incredibly original” (Seventeen.com). Brimming with romance and danger and building to a climax that will leave you breathless, Into the Still Blue brings this “masterpiece” trilogy to an unforgettable close (Examiner.com).”

Introducing Veronica Rossi

Colleen first met Veronica at the Romantic Times Booklovers Convention in Kanas City back in 2013. They bonded over a Young Adult dinner party and have been friends ever since. In spring of 2014, they co-hosted the YA brunch at the RT Booklovers Convention.

Here’s a little about Veronica,

“Veronica Rossi is the author of post-apocalyptic fiction for young adults. Her debut novel, UNDER THE NEVER SKY, is the first in a trilogy. Released in January 2012, it was deemed one of the Best Books of Year by School Library Journal. The second book in the trilogy, THROUGH THE EVER NIGHT, debuted in January on the NY Times and USA Today Best Seller Lists. The final book in the series, INTO THE STILL BLUE, debuted #6 on the NY Times Best Seller series list in January 2014.



Foreign rights to the UNDER THE NEVER SKY trilogy have sold in over twenty-five territories to date and film rights have been optioned by Warner Bros.



She completed undergraduate studies at UCLA and then went on to study fine art at the California College of the Arts in San Francisco. She lives in Northern California with her husband and two sons. When not writing, she enjoys reading, painting, and counting down the minutes until she can get back to making up stories about imaginary people.”

Check her out on her website at veronicarossi.com.

I’m very excited to check out her series and I look forward to discussing it at the end of the month with all of you on Goodreads for the live chat. 

So everybody who wants to join us, go get your hands on this book and if you’ve already read it then awesome! You can start leaving your questions right away (but don’t share spoilers just yet).

 Join Colleen Houck and Veronica Rossi for a live chat on November 24th from 6-7pm (pacific time) on Goodreads!

For fun there will be a GIVEAWAY during the live chat! Colleen will be choosing one lucky participant on the live chat to win at least one (but up to all three) of Veronica’s UNDER THE NEVER SKY trilogy!! You won’t want to miss this one!

Stay tuned for the 9th edition of THE MODERN INK SOCIETY featuring guest blogger- Veronica Rossi!

Happy reading everyone!

~Till next time,

Linda Louise Lotti

Attention All Prize Winners

All 2014 prize winners listen up for a chance to be the…

Bonus Prize Winner. 

 

We have a brand new contest, and it is to celebrate you, the fans.  It’s a contest for all the 2014 Contest Winners.  It’s pretty simple to win.  All you have to do is send a picture to Colleen’s Twitter account with you and your prize.  We will then choose one person to win out of all 2014 winners. 

 

Rules:

1. You had to win a Colleen Houck prize in 2014. Mention what you won and when you won it.  (This also includes school visits, contests, and events if you received a copy of one of Colleen’s books.)

2. You have to submit a picture of you and your prize in the photo

3. You have to submit that photo to @ColleenHouck on Twitter using the hash tag #HouckContestWinner

You have to submit the photo by 12/31/14

The prize is worth over $150

It is so much that I couldn’t fit it all in one picture so see below.

 

We will post all 2014 winners on ColleenHouck.com in a big blog celebrating all of you who have won in 2014. 

 

Remember if you are under 18 get parental permission first.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Here is what you can win.

Tiger’s Promise by Colleen Houck

Life After Theft by Aprilynne Pike

Innocent Darkness by Suzanne Lazear

An autographed copy of Sweet Venom in Hardbound by Tera Lynn Childs

 

 

Tresemme Keratin Smooth Full Shampoo, Conditioner, and serum.

Bath and Body Works Shower Gel and mini Lotion.

 

3 perfume samples…great for travel

 

Loreal Paris Make-up Removing Towelettes

Philosophy lip gloss in Sparkling Cranberry

Maybelline The Colossal Volume Express Waterproof in Glam Black #240

Loreal Parries True Match Super Blendable Powder Light Ivory W2

Lancôme Eyeshadow Quad (Latte-Mat, Guest List-Shimmer, 25 Karat-Metalic, Impress-Metalic)

Cover Girl Bombshell Shineshadow in Copper Fling # 325

4 Jenna Hip Nail Polish Colors (super cute)

Ulta Large Hair Appliance Caddy (it has 4 outer pockets, and 4 inner pockets for your hair products or various curling irons or flat irons)  Perfect for organizing and with a study handle it’s ready to transport if needed.

 

Good luck!

Shara

 

 

Thanksgiving Writing Contest & October Contest Winner!

Just days ago, the whole town was alive with music and laughter. Parades, carnivals, and parties; dancing, eating, and singing. Yes, it was Halloween. The adults danced and danced in costumes both scary and silly while the trick-or-treaters paraded the streets, feasting on skittles, sour pops and all sorts of sweets. The air was filled with excitement and magic that night but now, the streets and sidewalks have gone quiet. Costumes and candy wrappers litter the floor of the children’s rooms and the jack-o-lantern’s light has long since gone out.

 

For those of you who participated in October’s Contest of the Month, a huge thanks! We received some awesome costume entries and thought I’d share a couple with you!

Here’s Tawney as the Big Bad Wolf from the Red Riding Hood story by Brothers Grimm

 

 

Here is Darcy as a dwarf from the book by J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit

Here’s me and my husband as Bert and Mary Poppins from the book Mary Poppins by P.L. Travers

 

Just for fun, here’s a pic of Colleen Houck and husband Brad at the pumpkin patch (taken a few years back)

 

Finally, here’s the winner of October’s Costume Contest of the Month. . .

Allana Lopez as the Mad Hatter from Alice in Wonderland by Charles Lutwidge Dodgson under the pseudonym Lewis Carroll

 

The winner of October’s contest will receive a

1st Edition Tiger’s Curse Collectors Book

Tiger T-Shirt

Tiger Bracelet

Treat (candy)

 Congrats Allana!

 

 

Well it seems another Halloween has come and gone, ushering in the new season. I watch the leaves spin in circles carried by the chill autumn wind. I see the store windows overwhelming every passerby with Christmas displays and advertisements for the “hottest toys” of the year. “Where has November gone?” I ask.  “What about Thanksgiving?”

 

 

 

I think perhaps we get so carried away in the hustle and bustle of the whole holiday season that we sometimes forget to stop and ponder over the blessings we have. After all, isn’t that what November and Thanksgiving is all about?

So I’ve decided to make this an annual Thanksgiving writing contest.

Writing Contest

Thanksgiving Day is just a few weeks away and despite all the turmoil in the world, a government divided, bad economic times, disease and sickness in homes, and family hardships, there are still so many things to be thankful for. We have someone to love, someone who loves us, friends to laugh with and at times cry with, a beautiful earth that gives us light and food for both body and spirit, we have freedom, and we have life! With life and all its inadequacies, we can still find its beauty and joy.

As the saying goes, “He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.” ` Epictetus

I was reading a magazine (can’t recall which) and I came across an article that stated when a person wrote a thank you letter, researchers found that their happiness soared an impressive 20%. Writing just one letter was said to have a very positive effect.

 

So, in honor of Thanksgiving, I decided to create a writing contest with your happiness in mind. One lucky writer and reader of Colleen Houck’s Tiger’s Curse Blog will win a special YA book package (includes: An audio book of Tiger’s Curse) and two runners-up will win a small personalized gift from Colleen PLUS an officially signed copy of Tiger’s Promise w/ Exclusive Content for a friend new to the Tiger’s Curse Series! This is all provided you meet the entrance requirements in our Thankful Contest. These prizes are a special gift from Colleen Houck to you!

 

Here’s how the contest will work,

Step 1:

 Take a moment to step back and reflect on what you are truly thankful for. For some this may take more time than others. Let’s be honest, some of us at times tend to focus on the thorns of a rose bush instead of being amazed to find beautiful roses among the thorns. Organize your thoughts and then write them down. Take two to three paragraphs (that’s right, minimize to just two or three) to share your story of what your thankful for this year and then type them with  your name and the date.

Step 2:

 In the spirit of the season, identify one person whom you are especially grateful for this year. Perhaps it’s your mom or dad or a brother or sister, or maybe your good friend. Also consider a teacher or some other person who may have influenced you for good or meant something special to you. Catalog your thoughts and write that person a thank you letter.

Letter writing is a lost art and oftentimes, if a letter is personally handwritten, it is more meaningful to the person receiving it. If you need help on how to write a thank you letter, click here. Choose nice stationary and pen. Take your time and choose your words in a way that shows your gratitude in a more eloquent and heartfelt way.

Step 3:

Make a copy of your letter (one to be given to the person you addressed it to, and the copy to be submitted for the contest). You may change the name or leave it blank if you wish it to be anonymous. Place your letter in an addressed envelope and mail it (or hand-deliver it if that is preferred).

Step 4:

Perform one random act of kindness. This can be lots of fun and since I have no way of ensuring this step is done, please use the honor code. This can be as simple as doing the dishes or some chore for another or visiting someone who’s sick or bringing cookies to someone down or in need, or buying a stranger’s meal or the movie ticket for the person behind you in line. The sky’s the limit with this step so really have fun with it!

Step 5:

Submit all 5 items to lindalouiselotti@colleenhouck.com. Remember, if you don’t supply me with ALL the required information your entry will not count, so don’t forget!!!

1) your 2-3 paragraph of things you are thankful for along with a

2) copy of your thank you letter to someone you care about.

3) Include your full name and

4) your mailing address.*Include mailing address for a friend who might like the Tiger’s Series (this is vital if you are a runner up winner)

5) Also make mention of the random act of kindness you performed as that will be listed also.

 

This contest will run up through December 1st. The winner will be announced shortly after. Good luck!

And always remember, “Blessed are those that can give without remembering and receive without forgetting.” ~ Author unknown

~Till next time,

Linda Louise Lotti

 

Tiger’s Curse Movie Director Announced!

Hello Tiger Fans!
BIG NEWS!

There is some exciting breaking news about the TIGER’S CURSE movie that I’ve got to share. A director has been selected! I’m so excited about this! The news was sent out yesterday when an announcement was made at the AFM (the American Film Market) conference that’s been going on this week in Santa Monica, California.

One of my film producers, Raphael Kryszek, with Ineffable Pictures, who’s been working on the film with me since 2010, shared the news with me a while back but now that it’s finally been made public, I can tell all of you.

The director of the TIGER’S CURSE film is Shekhar Kapur, an Internationally acclaimed producer and filmmaker and Golden Globe winning director who has not only worked on a number of Indian films but also headed the film project, ELIZABETH. He also won a special award issued by the International Indian Film Academy in 2000 for Outstanding Indian Achievement in World Cinema.

It’s a very big step forward getting a director and this one in particular. For me the most important aspect of a movie is balancing thrilling action scenes with character development and allowing time for the building of relationships. I also want TIGER’S CURSE to be a visually beautiful film and showcase the culture I tried to incorporate in the books. This is a man who gets costume, color, gorgeous settings, and, above all else, India. We are very fortunate to have Mr. Kapur on board.

Here’s what Shekhar Kapur said about being chosen for the TIGER’S CURSE movie.

 

“Colleen Houck has created a brilliant story of a young girl’s journey through amazing adventures in the discovery of herself. Of who she really is. Yes there are tigers, amazing backdrops, heart stopping action and of course love. But at its center, is an enthralling exploration of a young American teenager’s heart. Her desires. Her fears. Her mission and how she wins. I am super excited to direct this film.”

And, bonus, he looks like Mr. Kadam!

In addition to this, it was announced that Shakhar Kapur will also be producing the movie along with Raphael Kryszek and Jesse Israel. And that Lotus Entertainment’s Bill Johnson and Jim Seibel and Lotus’ D.J. Gugenheim and Ara Keshishian are going to be executive producing the film.

 

 

Ineffable Pictures’ Raphael Kryszek said regarding the choice of director, “We are thrilled to pair Kapur’s creative talent with Houck’s epic adventure. This is the first film in a franchise certain to capture the hearts and minds of audiences around the world. Lotus shares in our vision and passion for TIGER’S CURSE and we are excited to make them part of the TIGER’S CURSE family.”

And Bill Johnson from Lotus Entertainment said: “We think TIGER’S CURSE has the ability to really capture the imagination of a large, worldwide audience with its combination of fantasy, adventure and romance. We are excited to be a part of launching something special into the marketplace.”

 

 

You can follow my movie producers and the director to get breaking news and updates at @ineffablepics, @shekharkapur, @LotusEntLA, Lotus Entertainment, Ineffable Pictures, Shekhar Kapur, & Ineffable Pictures Facebook. And, of course,  you can always follow me on Twitter and Facebook, and sign up for my newsletter.

If you’d like to read up on all the social media articles about the director, here are links to the sites I’ve found. If there are more I haven’t seen, let me know and I’ll add them here.

WE ARE MOVIE GEEKS
VARIETY
SCREEN DAILY
THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER
COMINGSOON.NET
DEADLINE
DARK HORIZONS
THE WRAP
ENEWSPAPER OF INDIA
EMPIRE

Thanks everyone! Leave a comment to let me know what you all think! The next step is casting which is very exciting to think about. Who do you think would be the best actors and actresses for the characters in TIGER’S CURSE?

Time to celebrate now. Love to you all,

 

Colleen

“Bubble Bubble Toil and Trouble”, A Closer Look at Witches

 

“Eye of newt, and toe of frog, Wool of bat, and tongue of dog, Adder’s fork, and blind-worms sting, Lizard’s leg, and owlet’s wing, For a charm of powerful trouble, Like a hell-broth boil and bubble.”                            

   – William Shakespeare

 

The witch, the sorceress, the devil’s consort, the enchantress flying across the moonlight, what do we know of their mysterious origins? Who is the woman behind the myth of the witch with extraordinary supernatural powers? Why were they tortured and burned at stakes and how did the belief start that witches could fly? Let us discover the forbidden secrets, the enduring power, the myths and the magic of the Witch

A witch is a powerful being of fairy tale and myth who has haunted the human consciousness for thousands of years. She has been seen as the dark side of herself, the shadow who’s become a monster.

 

Beginnings

There are many different beliefs as to the origins of the witch. It is believed by some that they came from early Goddess colts. These were the women who served the Goddess. These Goddess figures, some dating back 20,000 years, were revered for their magical ability to increase fertility and nourish the land. For thousands of years, the Creation Goddess was worshipped. She goes by many names; in ancient Mesopotamia she was called Inanna, the “queen of heaven”, in Egypt, she was called Isis, in the land of Canaan, she was Asherah. All of them held power over the forces of life and death. There were those women who would worship these Goddesses and dedicated their time to serving those in need. They were holy priestesses and over time, they were known as the Wise Women. They made house calls to care for the sick, removed impurities, took off sorcery, cured babies, helped with infertility, to name a few. From earlier spiritual ceremonies stemmed the beginnings of witchcraft. During these times, the Wise Women were looked to for help and council. They were seen in a positive light in their communities. Later came the rise of Christianity and the use of “magical healers” was no longer necessary. Religious persons became tremendously suspicious of their methods and were soon seen as heretics, minions of Satan. According to these religious fanatics, these Wise Women did not rely on God and practiced “black magic”. They labeled them as witches.

 

Inanna, Goddess of ancient Mesopotamia

 

Isis, Goddess of Egypt

 

Asherah, Goddess of Canaan

Witch Hunts

 

The familiar witch we know of today in popular folklore and superstition is a combination of numerous influences. The characterization of the witch as an evil magic user developed over time. Witch hunts appeared in southern France and Switzerland during the 14th and 15th centuries and spread in the 15th century to parts of Germany. During this time, the supernatural was a part of everyday life. Witchcraft was used by peasants, who invoked particular charms for farming and agriculture. Over time, the idea of “white magic” changed to “dark magic” and became associated with evil spirits and the Devil.

Men and women believed that all the misfortunes were attributed to the work of the Devil so when things like crop failures, infant death, contention between neighbors, etc. occurred, it was the supernatural to be blamed.

In the early 1600’s, Springfield, Massachusetts experienced America’s first accusations of witchcraft. The first recorded witch trial was when a husband and wife, Hugh and Mary Parsons, accused each other of witchcraft. He was found innocent and she was sentenced to be hanged for the death of her child. She died in prison before the hanging. Then there were the Salem Witch trials in the year 1692 and 1693.  In Salem, Massachusetts (and surrounding towns) there was a series of hearings before local magistrates followed by court trials prosecuting persons accused of witchcraft. Over 150 people were arrested and imprisoned (not including those who were not formally pursued by authorities) and 55 were convicted of witchcraft. Many were hanged to death while others died while in prison. It was recorded that one of the men convicted refused to enter a plea and was crushed to death under heavy stones in an attempt to force him to do so.

Other accusations of witchcraft and wizardry led to another prosecution in Tennessee as recently as 1833.

Flying on Broomsticks

 

There seems to be different theories on this one so I’ll give you the two that seemed most credible to me.

Theory A:

The first known reference to witches using broomsticks to fly dates back to 1453. A witch named Guillaume Edelin confessed to using a “flying ointment” that was used for flight on the broomstick. Shortly after this time period, witches began to be associated with their broomsticks in recorded history around 1456.

So, what is this “flying ointment” you ask? First of all, it is important to note that many supernatural beliefs and stories throughout history were fueled by the use of drugs. And, what better way to make you think you can fly than to be high on some hallucinogenic? Drug use among these witches was part of their rituals and was indeed quite common. Many hallucinogenic compounds were made from a number of plants and were also used during the middle ages to make “brews”, “ointments”, or “witches salves”.

Theory B:

The origin of witches riding brooms comes from a Pagan ritual known as the Harvest Fertility Rite. The Pagans would “ride” brooms through the fields and jump as high as they could, signifying how high they wanted the crops to grow. As the Christian religions came into the picture, this ritual was somehow later connected with witches and exaggerated to say that witches could really fly.

Green skin, warts, pointy chins and long noses, ugly old widows

Throughout history, witches were depicted as regular looking women although typically plain, older, and widowed. It seems as though the iconic witch with green skin, a long nose and pointy chin is the imaginings of the wicked witch of the west from the film The Wizard of Oz in 1939. Prior to that film, the Wicked Witch of the West was described by the author as short, squat, one-eyed had a big bulbous nose, and an extremely long pointy cap.

The changing image of the witch over time

An old woman with warts and a long pointy nose

 

The Wicked Witch of the West from the film Wizard of Oz

 

 

The cauldron

The use of cauldrons in association with witches was popularized by Shakespeare’s play Macbeth. There is a Celtic legend that tells of the cauldron being used to bring dead warriors back to life, although speechless and soulless. Cauldrons symbolize the Creation Goddess and represent the womb (due to the fact that it holds something). If it is being used on an altar, it represents earth. If you were to go shopping for a cauldron sold in “metaphysical” stores they may have various symbols of power inscribed on them.

Shhhh, did you hear that? I think I hear voices. They are chanting, no, they are singing…

Double, double toil and trouble;

Fire burn and caldron bubble.

Fillet of a fenny snake,

In the caldron boil and bake;

Eye of newt and toe of frog,

Wool of bat and tongue of dog,

Adder’s fork and bling-worms sting,

Lizard’s leg and howlet’s wing,

For a charm of powerful trouble,

Like a hell-broth boil and bubble.

Double, double toil and trouble;

Fire burn and caldron bubble.

Cool it with a baboon’s blood,

Then the charm is firm and good.

I believe I heard the Song of the Witches by Macbeth. Did you hear it too?

The black cat

The black cat is a strong stereo-type associated with witches but in most modern witch stories and films, there is seldom a black cat. Throughout history, a real witches’ familiar can be any kind and color of animal. In Asian witchcraft, there are two types of witches associated with either the fox or the snake. It is believed these witches would make a bond by agreeing to care for the animal in exchange for the animal’s loyalty and magical powers. There are many cultures with superstitions about black cats, often ascribing good or bad luck to them. Folk magic tells us that the color black color is a strong antecedent for magical properties. Black cats have played a major role in folklore and mythology. In the middle ages they were believed to be the witches’ incarnate. They were believed to be supernatural servants of witches, or even witches themselves. When witches were burned at the stake, it was common for their familiars to be killed along with them. Still today, there are many people who maintain these superstitions about the black cat.

So now we see just how these ancient beginnings molded and shaped the spooky image of the witch we know today. The potions, the sorcery, the cauldron, the broomstick, the black cat, the creepy features and the pointy hat,

all associated with the Halloween image of the Witch.

Let’s look at some of the witches over history,

The three witches from the film Clash of the Titans (old) **These witches CREEPED me out when I first watched the film.

One of the three witches from the newer film remake of Clash of the Titans (I haven’t seen t his one yet but this witch is definitely creepy!)

 

There are stories of both the bad witch and the good witch, as found in Wizard of Oz

 

 

Disney’s Snow White Witch

 

The modern goth witch

 

And let’s not forget how society puts a “pretty” spin on the image of the witch

 

Well, we all know what time it is, that’s right, it’s HALLOWEEN! I want to wish you all the happiest, safest Halloween! I’ll post costume pictures soon! My little girl will be a character from a classic fairy tale! Feel free to share what you are going to be for Halloween this year by leaving a comment (and dont forget to enter the Halloween costume contest)!!

Happy Halloween!

It’s late and we are sleepy,

The air is cold and still.

Our jack-o-lantern grins at us

Upon the window sill.

We’re stuffed with cake and candy

And we’ve had a lot of fun,

But now it’s time to go to bed

And dream of all we’ve done.

We’ll dream of ghosts and goblins

And of witches that we’ve seen,

And we’ll dream of trick-or-treating

On this happy Halloween.

-author unknown

~ Till next time, 

Linda Louise Lotti

 

“Brains”, a Closer Look at Zombies

ZOMBIES

Have you ever wondered why zombies? Who came up with that idea? Today and Thursday I will be featuring gruesome Halloween creatures and sharing their dark history with you! So, grab some popcorn and red vines, sit back and just try to relax while I take you on a little stroll down zombie lane.

Let’s take a closer look at Zombies

 

What is a zombie?

A zombie is raised by a disease and it has a single biological imperative, which is to spread the virus by biting human beings. The Zombie is spread just like a plague. History has shown us the apocalyptic effects of plagues before. In the fourteenth century, there was a bacterium which spread from Asia to Europe killing almost a third of its population. They called it the Black Death, known later as the Bubonic Plague.

The human flea responsible for the plague (infected from the rat flea). Did you just get the heebie-jeebies?

Without a scientific explanation, these people had no understanding of why so many were dying. If you want to look at what a zombie apocalypse would look like, a great starting point would be to look at the Black Plague. One of the most disturbing elements to this plague was not only that this virus would kill you but that it unhinged everything human about you. Later, in 1918 an even more devastating event occurred, the Spanish Flu, killing nearly fifteen million people. This was the first time the H1N1 virus was the recorded on this magnitude. It was the number one source of death for the soldiers during World War 1, more so than the fighting itself. This virus devastated the populations as it attacked many young children as well. They were frightened at the thought of extinction.

 

Where did the idea of zombies come from?

The origin of zombies stems from Haitian Voodoo practices. The word “zombi” in Haitian means “spirit of the dead”. In Voodoo folklore, the Voodoo priests were said to practice the arts of black magic. It was believed these priests possessed the power to resurrect the dead by administering a powder orally called coup padre-coup padre. The main ingredient in this powder was tetrodoxin, a deadly substance found in the poisonous “porcupine fish”. According to legend, an individual who no longer wished another person to live would hire a Bokur, or Voodoo priest, to turn the desired person into a “zombi”.

The coup padre-coup padre powder would then be given to the individual, producing dead like symptoms as it would slow their heart rate to a near stop, change their breathing pattern and their body temperature would drop. The living would believe the person to be dead and would be buried, essentially alive. The Bokur would later exhume the body, still alive, with their memories erased and would be transformed into mindless drones. The Bokur would use them as his personal slave.

Haitian “Zombi”

Bokur, Voodoo Priest

 

 

Who was the first zombie we know of?

In the year 1816, Mary Chelly wrote her own cautionary tale about the destructive potential of technology. She created the most famous zombie in history, the monster of Dr. Frankenstein. A story about what happens when humans try to play God.

 

What fears helped create the zombie?

At the time Mary wrote her story, there were a lot of scientific discoveries. She felt that these scientific studies would do more harm than good. In 1968, the movie The Night of the Living Dead fed on these same fears that terrible things could happen when humans tamper with nature.

Today, biological weapons have become our Frankenstein. In 2001, there was the Anthrax scare where this deadly biological weapon was delivered to targeted Americans. There has been a lot of discussion whether it’s possible to have a real zombie apocalypse. The answer is, in some ways, yes. There are a lot of different pathogens and parasites that can infect the humans with a zombie like plague, minus the desire for eating brains of course (at least for now that is).

There are some existing neurotropic viruses that are the stuff nightmares are made of. For example, the rabies virus. This virus is typically transferred through biting from an animal. This virus travels straight to the brain and literally makes you go crazy to the point of biting other people. According to National Geographic there are about 55,000 deaths from the rabies virus each year, mostly in Africa and Asia.

Rabies patient

Then there’s the Ebola virus which causes high fever, intense migraines, nausea, organ damage, and widespread hemorrhaging.

Here’s a diagram of what happens on the cellular level. Every time I see this image the hairs on my scalp stand on end!! For sake of nastiness, I have omitted any real pictures of individuals with this disease. And yes, you’re welcome.

If these two viruses were to combine and form a hybrid virus, we could be looking at a zombie type disease (though they are not the living dead of course). There is a book, later turned movie that played with these ideas. Inspired by the 2006 novel titled World War Z, the new World War Z movie starring Brad Pitt explored the very notion of a zombie apocalypse transmitted by a virus.

Of course, another way this could happen would be if a virus were to mutate. Let’s hope that never happens right!

But, don’t panic because most viruses aren’t interested in humans. They attack single celled microbes. Another reason not to panic is that many viruses actually help us but I won’t go into that right now.

What are we doing about these fears?

Did you know that the CDC (Center for Disease Control) has a section of their emergency preparedness site dedicated to preparing for a zombie like disaster and lists several suggestions for how to prepare for such an apocalypse? Now, we will probably never see the day when the dead rise from their graves only to feast on flesh, but it doesn’t hurt to take precautions right? The CDC urges each home to keep an emergency kit with a map and evacuation plan. Really it’s meant for any viral outbreak but if the shoe fits right?

How did we create the modern day zombie?

The modern zombie we know today stems from the ideas of William Seabrook in his novel, ‘The Magic Island’. The book details Seabrook’s visit to Haiti, studying the native culture’s voodoo traditions. This led to the discovery of the resurrecting of the dead, a term he coined as “zombie”. This novel then gave inspiration for the film “White Zombie” that came out in 1932.

Since that time, several novels and films have come and gone with scarier faces and better special effects. We’ve seen zombies that talk (“Brains”), zombies that rise from the grave (Michael Jackson’s Thriller), zombies that can think, some that can’t, zombies that are slow, some that are fast (what?), some that can be cured, others not, and even some that fall in love (I’ve even just learned of some New Adult books that feature love interests with zombies. Um….can I say vomit!!!!)

I’m a sucker for the Walking Dead and the film Warm Bodies (hilarious right?). What are some of your favorite zombie books or shows? What would your zombie be like if you could create your own version? Leave a comment and share your thoughts! We’d love to hear!

Till next time~

Linda

 

A Day in the Life of a Literary Agent

Out there lies talent, it just has to be found!

 “The artist is nothing without the gift, but the gift is nothing without work.”

- Émile Zola

Hi Everyone,

I’d talked with Alex a few months ago about writing a blog post for my website and he not only agreed but wrote an outstanding and informative piece. I hope you enjoy! (Can you see the Tiger’s Curse books on his shelf?)

Colleen

 

Introducing. . .

Alex Glass

 

 A Day in the Life of a Literary Agent

“Most literary agents—most people who work in book publishing, for that matter—got into the profession because they love books. Maybe they wanted to be writers and found they were better suited to helping other writers achieve their dreams.

Maybe they were English majors or science fiction fanatics who didn’t want their lives of reading disrupted just because they graduated from college and it was time to find full-time jobs.

The one thing that every successful agent has to learn, sooner or later, is how to balance that love of books with the needs of a commercial marketplace that serves a huge population of readers all over the world.

When I think about how I spend my day, I think about that balance and the things I do on a daily basis to negotiate it. When I was in my early twenties, I wanted to be a writer. I studied creative writing and wrote short stories, even a novel. But I discovered after a little while that I wasn’t cut out for it. For one, I couldn’t take criticism at all. One day a professor would tell me I was the second coming of F. Scott Fitzhemingway and I’d be over the moon.

The next day another professor would tell me not to quit my day job and I wouldn’t get out of bed for a week. I would have been a nightmare client for an agent! Even more importantly, my fiction was mostly autobiographical and self-indulgent. I’m not going to say I didn’t have a scrap of talent; I’d like to think I could put a pretty good sentence together. But I was more concerned with my own life than I was in telling a great story. The writing was good, but it didn’t take you anywhere. But along the way I discovered that I had a knack for critiquing other students’ manuscripts.

After a few early jobs in publishing and the literary world, I figured out that being an agent was the right place for me. Then the key was figuring out if I could translate editorial skills and a love of books into a career finding and nurturing writing that would reach a big readership.

Which brings me back to my day-to-day. Every day is split up between a variety of activities. As an agent, I am a jack-of-all-trades in the careers of my clients. I find them (or if they find me, I choose them), I help them prepare their work to submit to publishers, I get them their book deals and negotiate their contracts, and then I hold their hands through the publishing process and make sure the publisher is doing everything it can to market and promote their books. All the while I am thinking about their overall careers and making sure they are doing all the right things to reach the most readers and sell the most books for the long term.

Finding new authors is a part of my daily work, but it is only one of many parts, and sometimes, depending on what else is going on, it is a very small part. My priority always has to be my already existing clients. While I try to read new work that has been sent to me for consideration every day, it doesn’t always happen.

Here’s how it usually breaks down:

First thing in the morning (7-9am): Respond to urgent emails I did not get to the previous day or that came in overnight. Continue/finish reading the manuscript or proposal from the night before.

Arriving at the office through lunch (9:30am-12:30pm): Read and respond to emails from the day and week before. Look through query letters.

Lunch (12:30-2pm): Usually a business lunch with an editor from a publishing house where we get to know each other and discuss projects I’m working on and the kinds of books he or she is looking to acquire. This can be more fun or less fun depending on how well I know the person already or how well we hit it off!

Afternoon (2-6:30pm): This is when I am most likely to work on projects, which can be anything from: preparing a submission (writing a pitch letter, putting together a list of editors to send a manuscript to); actually making a submission to publishers; talking on the phone to clients about a variety of things; bugging editors for a variety of things (there is a lot of bugging in the life of a literary agent, on all sides); preparing an auction after a submission has gone out; working on a marketing plan; working on the film and foreign and audiobook rights to a book; or reviewing a  contract or collaboration agreement. And I am probably forgetting a whole bunch of stuff in there, too.

Evening (6:30-sleep): There might be a reading or author event or a drinks date with an editor or a colleague. Then hopefully a little down time with my wife followed by reading a manuscript or proposal. Sometimes it’s a manuscript or proposal written by a client, and sometimes written by an author who is looking for representation. Maybe at the very end of the night some purely pleasure reading.

I’m lucky enough to represent some incredibly talented authors, so a lot of my client reading is pleasure reading, which is one of the best things about my job. But it’s always fun to pick up a novel or a nonfiction narrative that I don’t represent and lose myself in it like I did before it was a job.

Throughout the day I am balancing the two big elements: do I love it, and how can I sell it. From reading new work to suggesting editorial comments to an author to working on a marketing plan—even working on the contract—I am constantly asking myself: how can I balance out what the author wants, what I think is working, and what I think will help this author reach his or her readers? It’s hard, because there are things I might love about a book that could run counter to the tastes of mainstream audiences. There are things I know my writers really believe in, either editorially or from a marketing and sales perspective, which I think may hurt their chances of being successful authors. And of course, there are things that a mainstream audience may want that are definitely not right for a particular author. It’s the dance we do on a daily basis to try to fit a piece of art into a business marketplace.

Connecting readers with writers has got to be one of the most fun jobs in the world. Calling unpublished authors and telling them about their fancy new book deals is about as fulfilling and exciting as it gets. As busy as I am, as much as I have to nudge and get nudged all day long, as hard as it is to balance a marketplace with a creative product, I am grateful for my job every day. I do get to work with art, and those incredible moments when a piece of writing connects with an audience make it all worthwhile.”

Alex Glass recently left Trident Media Group after thirteen years to set up his own agency, Glass Literary Management. His diverse client list includes bestselling authors writing adult and children’s fiction, and nonfiction in a variety of categories.

To learn more about him or reach him, his website is glassliterary.com.



You can also reach him by email at alex@glassliterary.com.





Till next time,

Linda Louise Lotti

September Contest Winner

Now that it’s almost November, I’m finally announcing the winner to the September contest! (‘Bout time, lady, amIright?) I had so much fun reading all the pick-up lines! There was a really good mix and I loved how many of you had some perfect ones for Ren or Kishan.

Bethany D. is our winner. She won one of Colleen Houck’s books or audio books of her choice. Please email me at contests@colleenhouck.com to claim your prize!

For when Ren and Kelsey get older. (Life Alert) “Help! I’ve fallen for you and I can’t get up!”

If you haven’t done it yet, head over to the original blog post and read the comments for more pick-up lines!

MODERN INK SOCIETY

 FEATURING GUEST CJ Redwine

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Being Published

Welcome to the eighth session of

THE MODERN INK SOCIETY!

 

Introducing CJ Redwine!

A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO BEING PUBLISHED.

“I failed.

You heard me. I failed. Multiple times. I failed so often on the road to publication that I started cringing when people asked me lovely things like “What have you sold?” or “When is your book coming out?” or “Do you really think you can make a living writing stories?”

Side note: If you know an aspiring writer, stop asking them things like that. Instead, give them cookies and encourage them to binge watch Supernatural on Netflix.

So, how did I fail? Let me count the ways:

1. I wrote my first book, a romantic suspense that had every cliché in the book. (Haha … book. See what I did there? Right. Moving on.) Heroine with amnesia for convenient plot reasons? Check. Insta-love with no basis in any kind of real connection? Check. Villain any idiot could see coming 9387234 miles away? Check. Stray cat who attacked the crotch of the hero’s pants? Okay, that was actually kind of cool. That might be the one salvageable scene from that entire 140k monstrosity. Oh, I didn’t mention that it was 140k instead of the 90k the industry demands? Yeah. That.

2. I wrote another book, this time an adult urban fantasy, and pitched it at a conference long before it was finished. The agent requested it. I’m sure you see the problem. I had no idea how to quickly finish a book. Also I had no plan. None. I was flying by the seat of my pants as I wrote. In fact, the seat of my pants was wearing super thin at that point. I wrote myself into corners and threw things out. Gave the agent excuses for why the manuscript wasn’t ready. Wrote some more. Finished in what can only be described as a Hail Mary of epic desperation and sent the manuscript WITHOUT RE-READING IT OR REVISING IT AT ALL. Unsurprisingly, the agent passed.

3. Once I did sign with an agent, the first book we sent out on submission was rejected by everyone in publishing who had a pulse. And possibly a few who didn’t. Meanwhile, what had I been writing? The sequel to that doomed book because I didn’t know any better. Flash forward to a year or so after the book first went on sub, and the truth hit that it wasn’t going to sell.

4. I wrote another book, another adult urban fantasy, but this time one that was kind of a comic romp with some grit thrown in for fun. I loved it. We sent it out on submission, and this time it was rejected by everyone in publishing with a pulse AND their cats. Dogs. Roommates. That weird guy who always sits in the same corner booth of the local coffee shop. Basically, everyone who had any power to publish it said no.

5. I can’t tell you how often I sat in front of my computer after I realized the latest book wasn’t going to sell and stared at the screen wondering what to write next. Every idea I had seemed prone to failure. I seemed prone to failure. In the two years I’d been with my agent, she’d signed new clients and sold books for them—sometimes multiple deals!—while I sat there unable to sell a single thing. Some days, it felt like all I had going for me was my abiding belief that I was meant to tell stories and my stubbornness that wouldn’t let me quit even though all I seemed to do was fall flat on my face.

I didn’t quit. I decided to switch genres once again and try something completely different. I sat down and wrote a YA post-apocalyptic fantasy, turned it in to my agent, braced myself for the inevitable slew of rejections, and started the next idea. My agent called a week later to tell me the book was going to auction with four houses bidding on it. I just sat at my desk and cried.

You see, the truth is that I never actually failed. Long before I sold the Defiance trilogy at auction, I’d succeeded. I succeeded in finishing my first book, 140k cliché-ridden monstrosity though it may be. I’d learned how to write fast by making the foolish mistake of pitching an unfinished manuscript, even though the end product was a mess. I still write fast, and the end product isn’t a disaster anymore. I’d figured out that I needed more of a plan, and more world building, by writing myself into corners. I’d uncovered my voice while typing in the unpublished trenches. I’d honed my belief in myself and become satisfied with myself as a writer regardless of whether anyone in publishing ever bought one of my books. I’d gained valuable perspective on my projects—I’d learned to let go of them emotionally once they were out of my hands and to let rejection roll off of my back without leaving a mark. Those are essential skills to have as a published author.

It takes a lot of “failure” to succeed. The trick is to learn whatever lesson there is to learn, pick yourself up, and write the next story.”

If you’re reading this blog and you have the desire to write, I encourage you to take time to expand your knowledge, enlighten your soul and develop your talents. Teachers always say that if you want to be a writer, you must read! Creative writing is not one I have the fortune of spending much time on, but I love reading the works of others. Whether its reading Shakespeare, Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables, J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series, Dr. Suess children’s books, a novel by a novice author, or the National Geographic magazine, I am partaking in someone’s art. Whether I decide that art to be beautiful, amateur, sloppy, or insightful to me is my opinion but it is also an exciting experience that can teach me something or even change the way I see the world.

The art of the written word has the ability to illuminate the heart, mind and soul of the composer. When words are carefully chosen, the effect it can have on the reader is limitless. That is why stories and poetry have the power to change a single soul or even entire nations. The written language is a magical tool we can use to communicate our thoughts. It is limited only by our ability to masterfully orchestrate and manipulate the words.

So, once you’ve accepted and acted on my first challenge, I then encourage you to take some time out of your day to create something from your heart. It can be keeping a journal, writing a poem or story, drawing a picture, molding clay, composing a song, anything really. There are so many ways to express ourselves and everyone of us has a story to tell. CJ Redwine didn’t give up, along with so many others. Imagine the world if J.K. Rowling had given up after being turned down!

Stay tuned for CJ Redwine and Colleen Houck’s LIVE CHAT!

Join Colleen Houck and C.J. Redwine for a live chat on October 27th, from 5-6pm (pacific time) on Goodreads! 

For fun there will be a GIVEAWAY during the live chat! Colleen will be choosing one luck participant on the live chat to win a complete set of the Defiance trilogy!! You won’t want to miss this one!

~Till next time,

Linda Louise Lotti

Double Feature Movie Review: The Maze Runner & Dracula Untold

The Maze Runner

I always give spoilers so consider yourself warned. =)

Colleen’s Movie Review

Romance: There wasn’t really much of a romance going on in this movie. The characters felt more like friends than anything else.

Special Effects: Loved the maze, the grievers, and the layout of everything. My favorite shot was when they were in a helicopter flying over the maze.

What I Liked: The actors. They all seemed to fit the parts really well. The cool things they added to the maze. The grievers.

What I’d Change: Some things didn’t make sense with the movie. In the book they disappeared over a cliff where in the movie they went through a secret griever tunnel. Seems like they might’ve figured this out without Thomas. They said they tried to climb to the top of the maze to look out over the terrain and saw nothing which doesn’t really fit with what they saw in the helicopter.

The Tagline:

Get Ready to Run

It’s okay.

Hunky Hero: Dylan O’Brien as Thomas is pretty hunky. He’s a little bit older than I pictured Thomas but he makes a good action hero.

 

The Villain: In the book the villain is more the grievers and WICKED but in the movie they gave the villain a face in actress Patricia Clarkson. She does a really good job being creepy and the added bits in the movie that weren’t in the book helped answer some burning questions.

 

Best Line:

Thomas: “We get out now or we die trying.”

Minho: “You don’t get it. We’re already dead.”

Best Scene: The first time you get to see a griever.

Recommended for YA Fans: Yes! Read the book first though.

Compared to the Book: I thought the movie did a decent job keeping true to the book. It had the same action and overall feeling. I thought the casting was great. Liked almost everything they did at the end especially the helicopter scene and the entrance into The Scorch Trials.

Trailer:

 

Grandma’s Review:

Grandma’s Bio: My name is Kathleen and I’m Colleen’s mom. I’m a mother of seven and grandmother of eighteen. They’re all great. None of my kids are duds-you know, like the popcorn kernels that don’t pop. My father taught me to love science fiction and mysteries. I’m a dreamer whose secret wish was to be an actress and sing and dance on stage. I have lots of things I still want to do. A few of my favorite things include-discovering new restaurants, going to movies, traveling, seeing plays, children, my dogs, Elvis, reading books, The Beach Boys, and Rhett Butler because he doesn’t give a damn AND he can carry Scarlett up the stairs.

Definition of Kicky-providing a kick or thrill, exciting

Review: Grandma did not see this film.

 

A Guy’s Perspective

Bio: I’m Colleen’s husband, Brad. I’m the youngest of four kids. I’ve been Deaf since I was five so I watch every movie with caption glasses. I love sports and reading (I’ll admit I’ve read Twilight but prefer thrillers like Jack Reacher). My favorite ice cream is mint chocolate chip. I’ll never turn down a taco. I write poetry. My man credentials include: a high school career in wrestling, watching sports every time my wife is too busy to notice, a receding hairline, two repaired ACL’s, and a stockpile of Axe body wash.

Review: 

The Maze Runner was one of those rare movies when the film is better than the book. The action scenes are intense and pretty well done, despite the up-close shots that made the fighting blurred and confusing. Since I already read the novel, I expected a few of the numerous plot questions would be answered, but naturally, it follows the book almost to a T, and many elements didn’t really make sense.

Warning: Spoilers–If the boys have mapped out the maze, then why do they need runners? But wait, the maze changes daily, so how could it be mapped? Apparently, the gang has tried everything to escape the maze, but they don’t have ladders although they have already been to the top? What kind of a name is “Griever” for a maze monster that terrifies the boys? Apparently, the maze is one grand experiment by the Maze creators, but their subjects are all teenage boys and just one girl? Yet the creators have no problem allowing some boys to be killed, which were not really controlled at all but acts of random killings. See where I’m going with this…? Everything just felt…off.

I can tell you the entire series is shrouded in mystery and questions with very few satisfying answers. Readers/viewers are strung along with the hope that there will be answers forthcoming, but more questions emerge instead, and every plot twist throws in a million more questions. Still, I don’t regret seeing the film which was somewhat entertaining because the premise is interesting and the acting was adequate. I give this 5.5 Hulk Smash Fists.

 

 

Brad

 

 

Dracula Untold

Romance: Well I really, really liked Dracula. His wife, if you disregarded her age seemed to love him well enough. Personally, I couldn’t get past the age difference and preferred ignoring her and pretending Vlad was talking to me. Like how he didn’t even hesitate to jump off the balcony after her.

 

Special Effects: Lots of fun effects in this film. Especially enjoyed the changing into a flock of bats. Thought the fist of bats battling an army was silly. You’d pretty much just kill the bats and whoever got in their way. The original vampire was creepy. Good makeup. Liked how a vampire sees the world in heartbeats.

What I Liked: The original vampire. Great acting on his part. Much more interesting than anyone else on screen. Staring at Vlad was fun. I liked that Dracula was the good guy. Excited about the possibility of monster super heroes.

What I’d Change: I didn’t understand why Vlad had perfect control over his vampiric tendencies where his created children had no control whatsoever. The different vampires were inconsistent in demeanor. Also why could he survive the sun and the rest couldn’t? What gave him super vampire powers? Were theirs watered down? Who does the original vamp want revenge against? Did he get it? I thought the showdown between the Sultan and Dracula was silly. Oh no! Silver coins! The fight should have been very one sided. Maybe give the bad guy a cross instead or make him battle during the day or something. The son was way to old to have a mother that young. The age of the heroine bothered me so badly I couldn’t look at her. I think the movie would have had more impact at least for me if there was an unfulfilled romance going on instead of trying to save his son or his people.

The Tagline:

The Legend Is Born

Every Bloodline Has a Beginning

Hmm I like the use of Bloodline so I guess I prefer the second.

Hunky Hero:

Woah there. Even vamped out this guy is a hunky hero. My eyes were glued to him the entire time. There’s something compelling about him.

 

The Villain: The villain was supposed to be the Sultan, Dracula’s boyhood friend/conqueror. But honestly, he wasn’t much of a villain. Much more interesting was the original vampire who make Dracula. He was one hundred times creepier than the Sultan. Would love to see a movie with that character and actor again, which, they teased was a possibility at the end of the film.

 

Best Line:

Ingeras: My father was a great man, a hero, so they say. But sometimes the world doesn’t need another hero, sometimes what it needs is a monster.

Best Scene: When the master vampire shares his story with Vlad. 

Recommended for YA Fans: Yes. A little dark for YA but I love the character of Dracula.

Compared to the Book: This story wasn’t even close to the story of the original Dracula by Bram Stoker but it wasn’t meant to be.

Trailer:

 

Grandma’s Review:

Grandma’s Bio: My name is Kathleen and I’m Colleen’s mom. I’m a mother of seven and grandmother of eighteen. They’re all great. None of my kids are duds-you know, like the popcorn kernels that don’t pop. My father taught me to love science fiction and mysteries. I’m a dreamer whose secret wish was to be an actress and sing and dance on stage. I have lots of things I still want to do. A few of my favorite things include-discovering new restaurants, going to movies, traveling, seeing plays, children, my dogs, Elvis, reading books, The Beach Boys, and Rhett Butler because he doesn’t give a damn AND he can carry Scarlett up the stairs.

Definition of Kicky-providing a kick or thrill, exciting

Review: Grandma did not see this movie.

 

 

A Guy’s Perspective

Bio: I’m Colleen’s husband, Brad. I’m the youngest of four kids. I’ve been Deaf since I was five so I watch every movie with caption glasses. I love sports and reading (I’ll admit I’ve read Twilight but prefer thrillers like Jack Reacher). My favorite ice cream is mint chocolate chip. I’ll never turn down a taco. I write poetry. My man credentials include: a high school career in wrestling, watching sports every time my wife is too busy to notice, a receding hairline, two repaired ACL’s, and a stockpile of Axe body wash.

Review: 

“Dracula Untold” is a retelling of how Dracula, perhaps the greatest and most well-known supernatural creature, came into existence. I think this was an untimely release of the film, particularly since the TV series Dracula on NBC endured a quick death after the first season. Perhaps the filmmakers thought that a cinematic, larger-than-life Dracula experience would draw out fans out of their caskets. I’m afraid, however, that Dracula fans will be disappointed with this retelling.

In only 85 minutes of a retelling, I felt the film was a bit rushed and so much was left undeveloped. The premise was intriguing but the characters surrounding Vlad (Luke Evans), were depicted shallowly. For instance, Sultan Mehmet II of the Ottoman Empire and Vlad apparently had a close brotherhood, but we never see this relationship. Mehmet eventually becomes the antagonist, but his screen time is too brief and fails to impress. As we know, every great story needs a great villain, but this opportunity was lost.

Despite the film’s flaws, Luke Evans, carried the film admirably. He is a confident actor with an aura such that is easy to believe his transformation to Dracula. However, we don’t really get a sense of the monster he had to become in order to save his family and kingdom. This was a premise the film did not bother to explore, and they didn’t give Evans much to work with.

The best scene is when Vlad calls forth an intimidating colony of bats to defeat an army of 10,000 Turks. Though it was awesome to see, like the rest of the film it was still too short to leave an impression. It was as though the filmmakers didn’t care if they made an unforgettable film, which is a shame. I would give this film 5 Hulk Smash Fists.

Brad