Christopher C. Payne's Blog, page 23

Just Go With It

Title: Just Go With It

Director: Dennis Dugan

Genre: Comedy, Romance

Format: DVD released June 2011

Rating: PG-13

Starring: Adam Sandler, Jennifer Aniston, Nicole Kidman and Brooklyn Decker

In this movie Adam Sandler plays a plastic surgeon who wears a wedding ring to pick up women. He has his craft – playing the stilted husband – finely honed. While at a party he meets a girl that he likes – he likes her enough that he takes the ring off and slips it in his pocket.

Too bad she finds it….in the morning. After a night of hanky-panky.

Obviously she is very upset because he is married. And she tells him that she isn't a cheating trollop and off she goes. Adam Sandler makes it his mission to get her back. So he does what any guy would do. He lies. And she believes him.

But his tale begins to spin out of control, and before you know it, he's in the middle of a divorce, has two kids and is jetting off to Hawaii – with his assistant posing as his soon to be ex-wife and her kids calling him daddy. Did I mention that the new girlfriend, and his best friend (posing as the ex-wife's boy toy) are coming too?

I've always wanted to go to Hawaii…but this sounds like a vacation from hell.

Disclosure: No reviewers were harmed in the making of this review. If you own a sheep you may want to shield your eyes…

I rented. I watched. I laughed. You will probably laugh too if you like Adam Sandler movies. I think most of us are already familiar with this type of movie. It's the kind of movie I would call "stupid funny". Why? Because it was ridiculous, and I sat there saying "Who would do that?" but I still laughed.

I think this was one of Adam Sandler's best movies. I have to say I tend to like him along side Drew Barrymore (You know you do too). But I liked him with Jennifer Aniston. Adam Sandler is no doubt a funny guy but there is also a sincerity in him that sometimes slips out. It gives him more depth than some of the other comedic actors out there.

So what were the funniest points of the movie? Hmmmm…this bears thought…..actually it doesn't. Here's the list:

        There is a sheep. A sheep that chokes on a squeaky toy and is given the heimlich maneuver.

        In the beginning of the movie Adam Sandler sports a nose that could rival a giant cucumber. (Thankfully he fixes himself! The sight was disturbing! And so was his frizzy hair. Yikes!)

        There was a victim of bad plastic surgery…her eyebrows…they weren't pretty people. In fact, if I was her, I would hide in a closet.

         A man picks up a coconut. With his butt cheeks. (Now that's talent!)

I could go on but I don't want to. If you want to know what else happens – watch the movie!

Jennifer Aniston looks gorgeous. Her skin is flawless and so is her body (not even with two hours a day on a treadmill and a gallon of self tanner would I look like that) but her looks weren't the only thing that I liked about her. She was funny. And real. And you know, I don't think I have liked her this much in a role since Friends. She plays a single mother of two with very bright and strong willed children. I happened to think that the accent her on-screen daughter insisted on talking in was hilarious. She did a good job portraying a harried mom who didn't have time to do her hair or care about clothes very well.

Brooklyn Decker was a natural on camera. I have read that this was her first acting role and I think she did great. She seemed comfortable and at ease, and she had her funny moments too. Of course she looks hot in a bikini, so I am sure guys everywhere will drool. Women make note: bring a drool rag for your hubby/date to wipe his face with. Or…you can use said rag to smack him with.

The entire cast was funny. There wasn't one person who didn't make me laugh while watching the movie. The setting was awesome (Hello Hawaii!) and there was even some romance. I think this would be a great date movie. Girls, most guys would be thrilled if you suggested an Adam Sandler movie instead of The Notebook, heck they might even stay awake and watch it! (Oh… is my hubby the only one who sleeps through every movie? – I hope it isn't me.) And guys, most girls will probably be pleased because you can tell them it's a romance. Warning: I am in no way responsible to any harm that may come from smacking of the face with suggested drool rag.

So there you have it. My opinion. Enjoy.

This review is written by Cambria Hebert

Bloodspell

BloodSpell by Amalie Howard

Langdon Street Press 2011

ISBN: 9781936782116

Available in paperback and e-book

 

Blood that can kill a vampire and give it wielder the power over all paranormals.  Put me down for two, please!

Tori was once a loner, the whole, "I'm wearing black and stay away from me because I'm moody" kind of loner.  She was teased by the popular kids, and she got along better when left to her own devices.  One day the popular kids pushed her a bit too far.  What happens next shocks Tori and almost leaves her dead.

Days later she wakes up in the hospital, learning that she almost died, and that she may possibly have some sort of blood disease.  The good news: she is alive.  The doctors can't explain it and do not seem to be overly concerned about her previous condition because it miraculously disappeared.  With the accident on the lips of all of the students in her school, the best remedy for Tori is to relocate.  She was a social outcast before – this would turn her into a social leper.

Her new school not only provides her with a new outlook on life, but a small group of new friends, and one incredibly hot band geek.  This particular band geek doesn't go to her school, but makes guest appearances at the school playing with their band.  He's hot, he's hunky, he's mysterious, he's artistic, and he's a vamp.  All teenage girls pull out your napkins…..now. Mr. Hunky, Christian, is instantly smitten with Tori, he knows what she is, and knows that any "smitten-ness" is strictly forbidden.

But of course, the story could not possibly end there; we all know we will have some action, adventure, blood sucking, snogging, and important lessons to learn. This book has them all and pulls them off elegantly.

This book grabbed my attention from the first chapter.  There was something happening right from the starting line, and I was one happy reader.  I love when the author feels that there is no set up necessary for the book, but can jump right in tell you the story, and fill you in on the important details as you go.  This is my kind of story.  I took a few days to read this story, not because I wanted to put it down, but because I had to.  (work calls at time to time, and I must do what I gotta do…)

I will say that the characters grew on me through the book, and by the time we reached the end of the book, I felt I reached the ending with them, not just simply reading about it.  The connections about the characters were fantastic.  There are only 2 regrets that I have with this book, one – I wish some of the hints that were thrown in in regards to the story line had been left out.  I had one part of the plot line figured out WAY in advance, and I wish there had been a bit more time to Tori to have learned about her abilities.  It seemed she became way too comfortable too quickly, especially for the amount of change that occurred.

Well – I lied, I do have one more regret, that I am not sure if this is a stand alone novel, or if we will hear more from Tori.  I did love the organization of the book, the structure, the cover, the scenery, the adventure and the romance.  I was sad when I turned the last page.

Gnomeo and Juliet

Gnomeo and Juliet

Directed by Kelly Asbury

Released Feb 2011

Now available on DVD and Blu Ray

 

"Let's kick some grass!"

As you may expect from the title, Gnomeo and Juliet are two little garden gnomes who have a very big problem.  Their yards are at war and the Blues and the Reds cannot "just get along".  Juliet, always overly protected by her father, wants to live her life and stay off her pedestal.  Gnomeo is the leader of the Blues retaliation squad.  As the son of the Blues leader, he has a reputation to uphold, and his garden to protect.  The Blues are counting on him.

One night as a Juliet was out proving her worth to herself by finding a rare flower, Gnomeo takes a detour on his way back to his yard.  A mysterious, sexy gnome in a ninja suit strikes his fancy, and he must take a closer look.  A flirtatious battle ensues over the flower, and the two almost kiss after their first meeting…moving a bit fast there Gnomeo!!

What should have been another romp in the garden turns into a dunk in a pond, and all disguises are gone.  Juliet was a Red, Gnomeo – a Blue!!  The horror and the shame of it all!!  Still, the lure of forbidden love is too good to pass up.  Juliet confides her secret crush to her best friend, who happens to be a frog waterspout, and is told that this was the best kind of love.  The action and adventure starts right from the start, and leaves you chuckling through the ending credits.

Anything Elton John has a part of always seems to turn out golden, and this movie leaves you in no doubt of his genius.  I literally laughed from the time the movie started and I was afraid to even leave to go to the bathroom because every few minutes something caught my attention and left me clutching my sides.  You have to pay attention to not only the characters, but the scenery as well, or you will miss out!  There is hilarity tucked in every nook and cranny, and you must be on your toes to get it.  I'm sure I will find even more the next time I watch it, and watch it again I shall.

This movie is not only appropriate for people of all ages, I encourage everyone to give it a try, the soundtrack is super fun, the animation is spectacular, the humor non-stop and the talent unbeatable.  Where else can you get Ozzy Osbourne, Hulk Hogan, Dolly Parton, Patrick Stewart, James McAvoy and Emily Blunt all in one place?  This movie left me with a smile on my face.  I couldn't ask for more!

 

 

Intertwined

Title: Intertwined

Author: Gena Showalter

ISBN: 0373210027

Publisher: Harlequin 2009

Format: Hardcover, Paperback, E-book

     Aden Stone has spent his entire life being shuffled between juvie and mental institutions. Everyone he meets thinks he's trouble. They think he's nuts. They don't realize how good he is at actually holding himself together. Because Aden isn't alone in his body, in his mind and every single moment of his life he deals with voices.

       Voices that come from the four human souls trapped inside his body.

       One can time travel.

       One can raise the dead.

       One can possess another human.

       One can tell the future.

       And because the souls can do these things, Aden can too. He's one supercharged teenage boy. Too bad the voices nearly drive him insane and everyone thinks he's so weird he can't make any friends.

        One day, Aden is out walking, and he wanders into a cemetery. Zombies begin ripping from their graves, and they are hungry, and Aden looks like an appetizing meal. He begins fighting…but then something happens. Something Aden never experienced before. A gust of wind blows through the cemetery, and then the voices in his head stop. It is so blissfully quiet that for one moment Aden is stunned. Then he realizes that the zombies have dropped dead – for a second time in their life.

         The cause of such an occurrence? A girl. He is drawn to her like a magnet, like a flower is to the sun. So he follows her all the while marveling in the heavenly silence.

         But meeting this mysterious girl is only the beginning of the things in store for Aden. He has been dreaming – of another girl. A dark haired beauty. A girl who will either save him or destroy him.

         When the lives of these people collide Aden is thrust into a world of secrets and danger…and Aden has to find a way to keep himself and his new found friends alive.

        Knock, Knock….

        Who's there?

        Only the best book ever!

        That's right, I said it. And I'd say it again. This book, for me, is the beginning of my favorite YA series ever. I will say, however, that the beginning of this book started off kind of rough for me. I wasn't so sure about the zombies and the four souls…but I kept reading. I think something inside me told me to keep at it. I must be psychic. Because I was right. (And, yes, that is a regular occurrence)

       I would say about fifty pages in (maybe a little less) I was hooked. I couldn't put the book down. First off, I loved the dynamic between Mary Ann and Aden. They had a relationship that I never could quite put my finger on. It wasn't the same old boy see's girl – she silences the four souls in his head – and he falls madly in love with her. I mean really, how over done is that? Hehehe. He doesn't fall madly in love with Mary Ann but you sure wonder if he might…and if he doesn't, why are they so drawn to each other?

        Then, things start happening at school. Weird things. Like snakes appearing and disappearing in the middle of class. What is that all about? I sure wanted to know.

        But I have to say that the real page turner for me was the werewolf.

        That's right people. A werewolf.

        I see the scene so clearly in my mind. Mary Ann was leaving for school, and she walked out her front door only to find a giant, black wolf laying beneath the tree in her front yard. And he was watching her. I think I about peed my pants. Of course, Mary Ann was frightened (I have no clue why) of the giant thing that seemed to be able to read her mind as it followed her the entire way to school. And then it followed her home. It followed her everywhere she went.

        So you see why I had to keep reading…

        Then the werewolf transformed into the biggest hottie of the book: Riley.

         Riley was strong and protective, and he clearly has a thing for Mary Ann. I will admit that half the time I wanted to read only about Riley and Mary Ann. But Aden had a really good story line going too. The girl of his dreams (literally) walks into his life and bring with her feelings that he didn't think he could have. Feelings he wanted…but this girl had secrets. Secrets that thrust Aden into a world of paranormal upheaval. And let me tell you, Aden takes some knocks. He never whined even when I actually thought he should. Sometimes I thought "gheesh, how much can one guy take?" But he always seemed to come out on top. Now… can  he keep it up through the entire series….that is the question!

       I have got to hand it to Gena Showlater. This series is so good. She combines so many supernatural characters into one book that sometimes as I was reading I would ask myself how in the world she was going to tie it all together in the end. But she did. And she did it so well. Her writing style was clear, and she gave away enough to keep me reading but not enough for me to figure it out. Every character in this book was memorable. It's been quite a few months since I read it, and I still think about the characters. It takes quite skill and ability to pull off such a complex world and make it look so effortless. So, I tip my hat to you, Ms. Showalter (Really, I'm wearing one right now).

        Allow me to wrap up this review by reminding you, the reader of this fine piece of written work that you will want to go ahead and buy the second book, Unraveled, when you buy this one. Why? Because if you don't you will be cursing yourself. I am merely trying to save you heartache, people. Buy Intertwined and buy Unraveled too. Riley only gets better. And so does every other character. And just for your FYI….Twisted, the third book in the series comes out in September. I can guarantee you that I will be at Barnes and Noble buying it that day. It's that good.

         I know that you are going to love this series, just like I do. How do I know? I'm psychic… remember? Trust me. Go buy this book and read it. What are you waiting for?

 This review is written by Cambria Hebert

Bite Club

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bite Club

Rachel Caine

NEW AMERICAN LIBRARY, year 2011

ISBN: 978-0-451-23318-9

Available format: Hardcover & ebook

After learning that vampires populate Morganville- and surviving a number of adventures with her new night-dwelling friends- college student Claire Danvers has come to realize that for the most part, the undead just want to live their lives.

But someone else wants them to get ready to rumble.

There's a new extreme sport being broadcast over the internet: bare-knuckle fights pitting captured vampires against one another- or worse, against humans. Tracking the out-of-town signal leads Claire- accompanied by a loyal group of friends and frenemies- to discover that what began as an online brawl will soon threaten everyone in Morganville.

And if they want to survive, they'll have to do a lot more than fight…

When I saw this book my mouth dropped. I couldn't believe that it was out already, after finishing Ghost Town a few months before I was prepared to wait a lot longer than I did for Bite Club to come out. But there it was, looking unread and beautiful, and I just had to buy it. I finished it, and I couldn't believe what transpired throughout the book. There were times I was completely taken by surprised and times I wanted to scream and shout and just throw the book across the room, but it got better, and I found myself smiling as I read the last page. And here I sit writing this review and anxious to get my hands on the next book in the Morganville Vampires series, Last Breath!

Plot – ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ The plot didn't differ from the earlier books and I was so happy that it was as the books before it! You never want to see a book series that you've love from the beginning to change right at the end, never! And like I said before I'm super glad that Rachel Caine didn't change a thing!

Writing – ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ The writing hasn't really changed at all and I'm glad that it hasn't. I like Rachel Caine's writing style, it's very addicting and you never, ever want to put the book(s) down!

Characters – ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Claire is back along with Shane, Eve, and Michael for an all new and deadly, if your not careful, adventure! Things have grow back to normal, but now a new gym has been started up and Claire doesn't know if this is good, or bad. Is it good, or bad? Well you'll just have to read the book and decide that for yourself.

Claire Danvers – Claire is a 17 year old college student living in a town that is infested with vampires. Now all vampires aren't all bad, but Claire has been known to trust the wrong kind of vampires, hell even some humans can't be trusted in Morganville. It's all about survival in this town and you can't throw trust around like it's free money. Claire has learned this the hard way, and she finds herself taking her time in figuring out who she can trust and who she has to keep an eye on because you never know you might end up beginning someone's meal!

Shane Collins – Shane has a hatred for vampires that would shock a lot of people. Things happened many years ago that he would love to forget, but can't. His family was torn apart by the thing he despises most in the world: vampires. A gym has opened up and its for learning to defend yourself against vampires, and Shane can't wait to join. After joining this gym and take secret 'special' classes Shane begins to act different, like he was before: distant and cold. Claire isn't to keen on letting Shane out of her sights after he begins to at strange and not like himself. Claire doesn't know whats up with Shane and his mood swings, but she sets out to find out just what is wrong with him and turn him back in the Shane that everyone loves!

Eve Rosser – Eve is gothic, and she loves it! She doesn't take anyone's crap, not even Shane's. Eve is ready for life to settle down so that she and her boyfriend, Michael Glass, can focus on their relationship, but as you well know there will be none of that in Morganville. Trouble starts up again and the whole Glass House gang sets out to find the trouble and end it, permanently. New and old enemies show up and Eve isn't sure that Morganville is going to last this time around!

Michael Glass – Undead rocker and all around American boy. He is a Morganville native, born and raised. So he knows when things go bump in the night and that's not on account with the bat like ears and sharpened eyes of a vampire. He, like Shane and Eve, have lived in Morganville for far to long to not know what's going on and who's doing what, even if it's something they shouldn't be doing. When trouble starts up yet again and Shane is acting weirder then usual, Michael knows that somethings about to go down and that it might be more then he, Claire, and even Eve and handle.

Myrnin – He is Claire's undead boss and the mad scientist behind how things run in Morganville. He is brilliant, and also completely bonkers! Claire always fears that one day he won't be Myrnin, the boss that she has come some what use to beginning around, because one day he might have gone and lost his mind and sees no reason to have her around any longer, and we all know that when a vampire things that it never comes out as a peaceful, or neat conclusion! Now that things are starting to heat up again in Morganville Claire and rest of her friends find themselves in need of help from the local mad scientist, even though Claire really would love to keep him out of it, just in case things get a little hairy and Myrnin goes and blabs to Amelie and gets them all some in serious trouble.

Overall I give this book ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ – no more and no less!

Review by Lura

The Ruins

The flowers are coming to get you...

The Ruins by Scott Smith

ISBN: 978-0307390271

Published by Vintage

Available in hardback, paperback, mass-market paperback, audio book, and e-book formats

Four stars

*

Basic premise: four American college students, their German friend Matthias, and a bored Greek guy looking for action are on vacation in Mexico when Matthias's brother goes missing. Their search for him leads them to a beautiful hill in the middle of nowhere covered in vines and flowers…that turn out to not be vines and flowers, but a sort of intelligent, carnivorous life form. It's not physically strong enough to just wrestle them to death so it can eat them. But it can play with them until they want to kill themselves.

The Ruins is a little uneven. How the plant survives devouring people all the time makes no sense (we see a nearby village of Mayans has salted the earth to keep it from spreading, and there's a scene where we learn the plant is vulnerable to fire, so why didn't the village burn it down and salt the hill?), and a few of the more detailed scenes of our protagonists trying to figure out what to do get a bit slow.

However, overall, The Ruins is very entertaining. The point isn't to make the plant's existence make sense, it's to see what the kids do once they're stuck on a hill with it. Not surprisingly, they act like kids, and I was impressed by how Smith drew horror out of having them act stupid, without having them act stupid in the typical horror-story, don't-open-that-door way. Rather, they do dumb kid things like get drunk, even though they know this will dehydrate them and dull their reflexes, because terror and boredom have so shaken them that they'll go mad without liquid courage. Anyone who was ever a teenager, and can remember doing something shockingly stupid like throwing rocks at a moving car or driving drunk, will wince at these very relatable and familiar scenes of self-destruction. Some of us will start wondering just how the hell we lived through college!

There are scenes of gore tucked in amongst chapters of psychological horror, so if that's your thing, you will not leave The Ruins disappointed either. I would only suggest avoiding this book if you hate characters who are too flawed; I loved how realistic they were, and Smith has said in interviews he was most fascinated watching his characters unravel in a high-pressure situation, so put "heroes" alongside "logic" as something you won't find in this book. But for thrills and choking horror, The Ruins is worth a read.

*

Review by Elizabeth Reuter

Vampires Rule

Title: Vampires Rule

Author: K.C. Blake

ISBN: 9181458059

Published by: K.C. Blake April 2011

Format: E-book

     They don't call him Jackpot for nothing…

     To me, Jack is like a cat. He has got way more than one life. As a teenager he is attacked by a blood thirsty werewolf and is saved by a vampire. Fast forward ten years and he has finally come to accept his fate as a vamp (although he isn't truly happy), and he has made friends who have become family.

     But then one night everything changes.

     He is attacked by another werewolf. Except something strange happens…he doesn't die…even though he probably should have. Instead he's turned mortal once more.

      Enthralled by his new chance at life, Jack wants nothing but to be normal. To have the life he wished for as a vampire. But with Jackpot normal isn't in the cards. He meets Silver, a hunter who is as strong as she is beautiful, and she tells him that he has a destiny to fulfill. If that wasn't enough for one guy to hear she also tells him that everything paranormal wants him dead.

      So what's a used-to-be vampire, now a fragile human, supposed to do to protect himself? Hide behind the girl he loves? Nope. (That would just be wimpy) He gets new powers. That's right and they are pretty surprising.

       So, now, Jack not only has to figure out how to live in a body that isn't exactly familiar, but he has to do it while figuring out his destiny and staying alive.

     K.C. Blake has a good thing going here. The characters in this book were all likable and the plot is very interesting. I really liked the mix of characters all thrown together in one plot. And all those characters made sense; they had a place in the story. There were werewolves (yes, my personal fave), vampires, hunters, wraiths, and even some mention of a faerie named Lovely.

     I think the character that I enjoyed most in this book was Jack. I thought that his character was a clever twist on the same old vampire story. This is the first book that I have read that a vampire turns mortal once again. He was vulnerable, yet strong and young but very old. My favorite parts of the book were when Jack described the world the way he saw it through his own eyes. I mean, really, when else does a person get to hear what life is like as a vampire and then as a mortal? Then he begins to develop powers…powers that when combined together have the makings for one bad boy.

      I also really like Jersey (yup, you guessed it…the werewolf). I liked the juxtaposition in this character. He was ruthless, yet he was a gentleman. He would rip off your head, but quote Robert Frost while doing it. And he liked to wear red sneakers. He had a magnetic personality that drew a person in and invited them to stay. Just scratching the surface of Jersey, I could tell that there was a lot of emotion and depth to be had.

     Silver was the hunter (with a pretty awesome name!), and a very strong character. She could be dying inside but she would never show that to the world. In some ways, that made her more vulnerable than the rest to me. This was a girl who had been groomed her entire life to fulfill a destiny, she was taught that she had a responsibility and a duty to those around her. At the same time her parents tried to protect her – which only made it harder to do what she was destined to do. She didn't have time to be a girl and have feelings of her own. But she did. Quietly, internally…and when she met Jack her feeling became too strong to contain.

     I must say that the one thing that this book lacked was time. The book is 216 pages and to me it could have been longer. I would have loved the time to really get to know the characters – and for the plot to have developed even further. If I was able to pick up all of the above from the story then imagine how much more the reader could have connected to the story with even further characterization. I would loved to have seen more development between Jack and his brother and more development of Jack himself. I was so interested in his transitions and how he must feel in his body and I think that getting into that more would make him an even better character. I felt the same about Jersey, who was centuries old and seen so much throughout his life. It would have been fabulous backstory on him to know how he got to be the way he is today.

     K.C. Blake is a very good writer who weaves a story well. I would recommend picking up a copy of this book for a quick, entertaining summer read. Keep in mind that Werewolves Rule, the second book in this series, will be along soon. Which means there is more to the story and that makes this reviewer one happy girl.

Review is written by Cambria Hebert

The Broken Sword (Halcyon 2)

The Broken Sword (Halcyon 2)

By:  Joseph Robert Lewis

ISBN:  2940012461346

Published May 4, 2011 by Joseph Robert Lewis

Available Format:  ebook

My Rating: ★★★☆☆

Opening Lines:

This is a work of historical fantasy. Some of this world may be familiar to you.

But in this world, Europe never emerged from the last Ice Age and only the southern areas are habitable. North Africa is cool, wet, and fertile. Ancient nations such as the Persian Empire have persisted, though others, such as the Romans, never rose to power. Some of the countries in this world reflect the cultures and attitudes of the Renaissance while others reflect the Industrial Age. Historical figures appear, though they too may be different from the ones you have known.

Don't expect this world to conform to the history that you know. The people and places are different. The climate and wildlife are different.

Even death is different here.

Set in The Other Earth where machines sail the seas and the skies, massive prehistoric creatures still roam the earth, and the dead walk among the living, The Broken Sword continues where The Burning Sky left off.  After they attempted to conquer The New World, the Espani were left broken materially, physically, and spiritually.  Don Lorenzo Quesada still holds out hope that an ancient holy relic, which he learned of through the spirit of a nun, will bring his country back to fortune and honor.

After the crash of Taziri's Halcyon, Don Lorenzo is warned that the military is on the move.  He fears that his relic will be stolen and used as a weapon, so he sets out with his fiery Incan wife, her sabre-toothed cat, and an assortment of other characters to retrieve the powerful artifact.  It is up to Lorenzo to stop a war that could destroy all the Middle Sea nations, even if it costs him his life.

I was a lucky winner of this book in a LibraryThing giveaway.

Firstly, Joseph Robert Lewis is certainly a talented writer!  This piece is incredibly imaginative and fascinating.  I particularly love the way the historical and factual is interwoven with the fantastical and fictional—a favorite mixture of mine.  There was just enough of the real world—marital issues, wars, intricate machines—combined with the supernatural—ghosts, demons, magical relics.

Each character is wonderfully developed and complex.  There are so many side-stories that could be developed into other books!  Taziri is one of my favorite characters (the main character of the first book of the series).  As the pilot of the Halcyon, she is an intelligent, strong, confident woman who leaves her husband and child at home in order to carry out her duties.  Lorenzo and the others are required to place a lot of trust in her in order to succeed.

My only complaint with the book is that there were times that it moved somewhat slowly.  Since I usually read late at night before bed, I would find myself easily putting it aside and going to sleep—something that doesn't happen very often.  It isn't that the story wasn't stimulating, just that there were times that I wasn't so involved that I absolutely couldn't put it down.  I think partially it could be attributed to the sheer density of the storyline.  As I mentioned before, there was a lot of substance behind the characters and a few different subplots going on at once.  While this was all magnificently written and interesting, I found I needed a break every now and then.

I actually rate this book at 3.5 stars, only because of the slightly slow pace.  I did enjoy it and was intrigued enough to purchase the first of the series, The Burning Sky (Halcyon 1)!  If you enjoy stories like The Three Musketeers and Treasure Island, this is right up your alley.  I urge you to give this series a try!

Review by Cassie McCown

 

X-Men: First Class

Erik, Charles, and friends.

Directed by Matthew Vaughn

Superhero action

2011

Rated PG-13

Four stars

*

With a trilogy plus one spin-off starring Hugh Jackman as Wolverine, the X-Men, a small band of mutant superheroes who fight to protect a world that hates and fears them from other hostile mutants, have taken off in mainstream consciousness. Led by the telepathic Charles Xavier, aka Professor X, the X-Men often face off against the Brotherhood, a group of mutant supremacists following Erik Magnus Lehnsherr, aka Magneto. I'm sure you can guess his superpowers.

With several dozen characters introduced over the first three movies, and a long history of friendship suggested between Charles and Erik through dialogue, it made sense to do a prequel film exploring  where the two men came from, and how they began their respective superteams.

A peaceful game before preparations for war.

X-Men: First Class managed that quite well. Viewers see Erik (Michael Fassbender) grow up in appallingly traumatic conditions in a Nazi concentration camp; as an adult in the 1960s, he travels the world hungry for revenge. At the same time, Charles (James McAvoy) spends his youth a rich and happy PhD student in New York, researching evolution and dreaming of meeting others who are "special" like himself. When the two meet, they agree on nothing, but fascinate each other with contrasting ideas on the future of mutantkind. Joining together with CIA agent Moira MacTaggert (Rose Byrne) to fight a small band of mutants led by Sebastian Shaw (Kevin Bacon), the two friends go in search of other young mutants–an army in Erik's mind, and an example to the world of peaceful human-mutant coexistence in Charles's–to prepare for the inevitable face-off.

That's where X-Men: First Class faltered. While giving viewers plenty of action, the story did a great job developing Erik, Charles, Moira and Sebastian as characters and introducing the

Erik, Sean Cassidy/Banshee, Charles, Moira, Raven/Mystique, Alex Summers/Havok

fear humans had for mutants. If the story had stopped there, the movie would have succeeded in every way, with cool action, great characters, and a genuinely interesting plot. However, the side characters Erik and Charles train did nothing for the plot, remained underdeveloped and dull, and took away from the much more interesting movie already playing. Mostly the trainee X-Men were there to be insecure as mutants so the adults could spout exposition at them on how they needed to believe in themselves. Gag.

Thankfully, despite that sad distraction, X-Men: First Class wound up a solid superhero flick. It wasn't as great as it could have been, but everyone except January Jones/Emma Frost could act; the action was awesome; and the story was tense, exciting, and pulled me in emotionally with Erik and Charles. Recommended for fans of action, sci-fi/fantasy (especially epic), and revenge drama.

*

Charles, Raven, Erik, Hank McCoy/Beast

Review by Elizabeth Reuter

In a Heartbeat

 
 
 
In a heartbeat
By Loretta Ellsworth
ISBN:0802722342
Published Date: February 15, 2011
Publisher: Walker & Company
Available Format: Paperback, Ebook,
Hardcover
Amelia lived because Eagan died, but Eagan isn't gone

completely…



When a small mistake costs Eagan her life, she leaves many things behind – including her heart, which now lives in Amelia's body. From Eagan's vantage point in her pwn version of heaven, she

relives vivd memories through her still-beating heart and is distressed by her

troubled relationship with her mother. Unable to move on without resolving her

past, Eagan is trapped…


Despite her mixed emotions of joy and guilt about her new chance at life, Amelia feels lucky to be alive. But when she begins to take on strange new characteristics, Amelia wonders if her heart donor

is trying to tell her something. Is it too late for Amelia to help the girl who saved her life?

In a heartbeat is a must read! (okay, just have to shout it out)

I couldn't possibly explain why this book has affected me

so much, both emotionally and mentally but I do want to mention one thing, it

has changed me inside out. I am constantly searching for books that could make

me weep, and reflect on myself, books that could talk sense into me or give me

an insightful trip to destination life. In a heartbeat achieved

that.

Now, I would say the writing was unsatsifying because there are

few parts which I hope the author would elaborate more, however, it's the story

plot that matters, and the characters, both in which I am very satisfied with.

In a heartbeat potrayed two protagonist, Amelia and Eagan. Eagan was a ice

skater who died in an accident and she donated her heart to Amelia, who needed a

heart transplant. But here's where the story started, Amelia began to develop

several characteristics that Eagan possessed and she felt connected to Eagan in

a unique way, as if she knew her before. Amelia wanted to find Eagan's family

(with the help of Ari) so that she could find answers as well as helping Eagan

to pass on.

Even though the story plot was not as romantic as Twilight,

or as heart wrenching as other books, still it made my heart clenched. It was

written in Amelia's and Eagan's POV so I was able to understand both of their

thoughts and emotions, and made the reading experience more intensed!

From Eagan's POV

I read about the flashbacks

she had when she's in the in-between state…Her relationship with her mum was

not on the best terms, still she loved her. Her dad was loving and her grandpa

was a strong man. In high school, she amazingly attracted the hottest guy,

Scott. Things were going well, until she died. From her POV, I read about her

regrets, her longing, her frustration, and how she was finally able to accept

her death.

From Amelia's POV

I read about the

transition of Amelia from feeling vulnerable to strong and vibrant. However,

there was a guilt in her heart, guilty because someone has to die in order to

let her live. She was constantly battling that regret, that her family was

rejoicing while the other family was mourning (that was pretty insightful for a

14 year old). With the help of Ari, brother to Tomas who had a heart transplant

too, she sought Eagan's family out and approached them.

A gripping

short tale that remained in my heart after I closed the book, I felt as if I was

reborn (dramatically speaking) and became more matured. Praises to In a

heartbeat!

Reviewed by

Natasha