Eyes Like Stars

Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev 5 of 5 stars. (I would give it more if I could. =))

All her world's a stage.

Beatric Shakespeare Smith is not an actress, yet she lives in a theater.

She's not an orphan, but she has no parents.

She knows every part, but she has no lives of her own.

Until now:

Enter Stage Right
Nate: Dashing pirate. Will do anything to protect Bertie.

Cobweb, Moth, Mustardseed, and Peaseblossom: Four tiny and incredibly annoying fairies. Bertie's sidekicks.

Ariel: Seductive air spirit and Bertie's weakness. The symbol of impending doom.

Bertie: Our heroine.

Welcome to the Theatre Illuminata, where the characters of every play ever written can be found behind the curtain. They were born to play their parts, and are bound to the Theatre by The Book--an ancient and magical tome of scripts. Bertie is not one of them, but they are her family... and she is about to lose them all and the only home she has ever known.

This was an absolutely delightful book! The characters are classic, so many different personalities all in one place makes for a hilarious tale. This is a book that will have your side aching from laughing so hard. Something in it runs deeper, though and it does have its moments of seriousness. I wouldn't suggest starting it until you can read it all the way through, its terribly hard to put down. The only complaint I have is that the ending is a bit of a cliff-hanger. I can't wait to read the next one!! I would suggest this book to anyone, no matter what genre you enjoy, you will surely love it.

Facebook!

Okay, so, my mom finally talked me into making a facebook for the blog. -_- Honestly, I'm not a fan of it, but thought it would be kinda neat. So,click here to add me! Also, my grandmother was able to snag me a copy of Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev while she was vacationing in N. Ga.! So, I'm reading that now. She also picked me up a copy of A Great and Terrible Beauty by Liba Bray so I will finally get to sink my teeth into that one. =)

Much love!

Arya

Waiting on Wednesday

I'm sure most of you know that Waiting on Wednesday is where I will tell you a couple of the upcoming books I am excited about. So here it goes:



As the youngest and only female member of the Knights Templar, Bilquis SanGreal grew up knowing she wasn't normal. Instead of hanging out at the mall or going on dates, she spends her time training as a soldier in her order's ancient battle against the Unholy.

Billi's cloistered life is blasted apart when her childhood friend, Kay, returns from Jerusalem, gorgeous and with a dangerous chip on his shoulder. He's ready to reclaim his place in Billi's life, but she's met someone new: amber-eyed Michael, who seems to understand her like no one else, effortlessly claiming a stake in her heart.

But the Templars are called to duty before Billi can enjoy the pleasant new twist to her life. One of the order's ancient enemies has resurfaced, searching for a treasure that the Templars have protected for hundreds of years -- a cursed mirror powerful enough to kill all of London's firstborn. To save her city from catastrophe, Billi will have to put her heart aside and make sacrifices greater than any of the Templars could have imagined.((Amazon summary))

Why I want it: Well, for one the cover is absolutely AWESOME! Girl with a sword, mysterious man in the background... All makes for an amazing story. Cursed mirror? All the better.

Nefertiti may be the dutiful daughter of a commoner, but her inquisitive mind often gets her into situations that are far from ordinary, like receiving secret lessons from a scribe. And she’s the kind of girl who acts first, and apologizes later whenever she witnesses injustice or cruelty. But she is also extraordinarily beautiful. And news of her striking beauty and impulsive behavior attracts the attention of her aunt, the manipulative Queen Tiye, who sees Nefertiti as an ideal pawn in her desire for power. Even though Nefertiti is taken from her beloved family and forced into a life filled with courtly intrigue and danger, her spirit and mind will not rest. She continues to challenge herself and the boundaries of ancient Egyptian society.

Why I want it: Esther Friesner has to be one of the best historical fiction writers of all time! She wrote two of my favorite books, Nobody's Princess and Nobody's Prize, about Helen of Sparta before she became Helen of Troy. This book has the same promise. The cover is even similar, though of course the dress is not. It promises to be a wonderful and action pack story about a strong young woman destined for greatness.


Much love!
Arya

Teaser Tuesday!(Week 2)

Okay, wanna play? This is how...
Open the book you are currently reading to page 36. Pick out the 9th and 12th sentence on that page and post them here. Or if you choose, you can just pick out the two best sentences on that page. Don't forget to let us know the name of the book! Post all of this in the comments.

I'm am waiting on a book order, so all I'm reading right now is Romeo & Juliet and I don't think this would be very fun with them, so I'm getting out an old favorite.

The Two Princesses of Bamarre by Gail Carson Levine <3
"Fiery breath,
Snapping teeth, volcanic spittle;
Soft underbelly
Ringed by living spikes,
Poison tipped..."

"No scales, no whipping tail,
Only a shining face,
Beacon in battle;
Only a man, the laugher,
Tall among men,
The warrior Drault."

Wings by Aprilynne Pike--Movie

Okay, so I was just nosing around HarperTeen.com the other day and read an excerpt of this book. I was like "Wow! That sounds good. I'm so going to have to read it!" Yes, well then I hear that Disney is going to be making it into a movie. Honestly, it doesn't sound like a Disney sort of movie to me. I mean where would you stick the Jonas Brothers? Haha. Well, anyway, now I hear that it is going to star Miley Cyrus AKA Hannah Montana.

I don't know about you, but I can't stand her! And anyway, from what I read I thought Laurel was supposed to be blond headed?? I guess Miley Cyrus thinks she is going to be the next Kristen Stewart. As much as I want to read this book I don't think I'll want to see it if Miss Montana is starring. Disney just wants their piece of the supernatural pie. Hmph!

Let me know what you think.

Arya

The Cry of the Icemark

The Cry of the Icemark by Stuart Hill 4 of 5 stars.
Thirrin Freer Strong-in-the-Arm Lindenshield: Fearless and flame-haired, the thirteen-year-old princess more than lives up to her impressive name. But when her father is killed and her kingdom, the Icemark, is threatened with invasion, Thirrin must become a true warrior, no matter the cost. Will fragile new alliances between Snow Leopards, Vampires, and Wolf-folk see her to victory? And can her budding friendship with Oskan, an intense young wizard, survive a war?((From back of book))

It is true that this story is filled with a variety of mystical creatures; Snow Leopards, Werewolves, and Vampires, but if you start this book expecting a fuzzy tale like Twilight you'll be in for a surprise.
I love this book! It is a wonderful fantasy with warfare and mythical creatures. The main character Thirrin is a strong young woman that will lead her small country into war against the greatest army her world has every known. Though it is a bit long it is still an enjoyable and well-written book. The world is crafted with utmost precision and attention to detail. I would suggest this book to ANY fantasy lover.


For fans of: Inheritance Cycle, The Two Princesses of Bamarre

Check out these awesome icons from Neveen at Princess Neve Reviews

Teaser Tuesday!

Okay, so I figured since everyone else has a Teaser Tuesday I should too. =) Okay, what I want you to do is grab the book you are reading and open up to page 21 and pick out the 7th sentence and the 14th sentence ((or the two most interesting sentences on that page)) and write them in the comments along with the book's title.
Sound fun?
Probably not.
Let me know what you think! =)

I'm reading The Cry of the Icemark by Stuart Hill.

The werewolf turned to look at her, its huge face beginning to lose it's ferocious frown as if scenting some distant hope but not daring to believe it.

"I don't want it killed..."



Arya

Q&A With Christopher Paolini

Check out shurtugal.com's question and answer with Christopher Paolini, author of the Inheritance Cycle (Eragon, Eldest, Brisingr...).

I thought the Q&A was pretty good, but he does get on my nerves sometimes with all the 'No, I can't tell you that...'.
Oh, well. I guess we will just have to wait until Book 4 comes out to get the answers to our most important questions.








Sé onr sverdar sitja hvass!

Arya

Guinevere's Gamble

Guinevere’s Gable by Nancy McKenzie 5 of 5 stars.

Guinevere is a young girl with a large prophecy resting on her narrow shoulders. The night she was born a “hillwitch” had come to here father’s palace and told of the child’s great destiny. She was to marry the High King and her name was to be remembered past a thousand years. Guinevere has lived her life accepting and half-ignoring this prophecy. She is guarded by Llyr an Old One, who knows of her prophecy, but has fallen in love with her all the same. When she and her cousin Elaine, who fancies herself in love with Arthur, are called to go with a party to meet the High King’s sister Morgan, things begin to change. Guinevere finds her fate coming closer and rebels against it. But how can she rebel against in when the lady Morgan and Merlin the Enchanter have taken interest in her because of it. When someone in the camp tries to frame Llyr for stealing a precious dagger Guinevere must make a mighty gamble and risk everything she’s ever know to save her friend.

Guinevere’s Gamble is the second book in Nancy McKenzie’s Chrysalis Queen Quartet. It is an amazingly well plotted book and follows, if not lengthens the traditional legends of King Arthur. The only thing I regret about reading this book is not having read the first in the quartet. McKenzie’s wonderfully unique way of using POV to tell the story was simply enchanting. I would recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of Arthurian legend or just a wonderful fantasy.

Global Green

Everyone is going green nowadays! Which is absolutely wonderful. We need to pay more attention to our environment and the damage we do to it. I would love to just ramble on and on about all of the great things we could do for Mother Earth, but honestly the information I would come up with would be vastly outdated. We are moving that fast.
So, being I am at a loss I thought I would share with you all one of my all-time favorite videos. I am sure the majority of you will recognize the man in the video as a well known elf. Enjoy!



Arya

My Sisters Keeper

Sara and Brian Fitzgerald's life with their young son and their two-year-old daughter, Kate, is forever altered when they learn that Kate has leukemia. The parents' only hope is to conceive another child, specifically intended to save Kate's life. For some, such genetic engineering would raise both moral and ethical questions; for the Fitzgeralds, Sara in particular, there is no choice but to do whatever it takes to keep Kate alive. And what it takes is Anna.

Kate (Sofia Vassilieva) and Anna (Abigail Breslin) share a bond closer than most sisters: though Kate is older, she relies on her little sister--in fact, her life depends on Anna.

Throughout their young lives, the sisters endure various medical procedures and hospital stays--just another part of their close-knit family's otherwise normal life. Sara (Cameron Diaz), a loving wife and mother who left her career as an attorney to care for her daughter, is sometimes lost inside the single-minded caregiver she has become in her efforts to save Kate. Her strong, supportive husband, Brian (Jason Patric), is often rendered powerless and passive by his wife's strength and determination. And their only son, Jesse (Evan Ellingson), drifts, at times all but forgotten as Kate and Anna take center stage.

Until Anna, now 11, says 'no.' Seeking medical emancipation, she hires her own court case that divides the family and that could leave Kate's rapidly failing body in the hands of fate.

Based on the bestselling book from Jodi Picoult, 'My Sister's Keeper' reveals surprising truths that challenge one's perceptions of family love and loyalty and give new meaning to the definition of healing. ((Movie Synopsis))

I absolutely love this movie! It is a very heartfelt story. The plotline is confusing at times but I think that is what makes in interesting. I have to admit I couldn't help but not like the mother, but I can see where she comes from. I think it gives a different view to what people with cancer go through. And the little girl, Anna, is what they call a "designer baby". Her mother's eggs and her father's sperm were altered so that she would be a perfect genetic match to her sister. She was brought into the world to keep her sister alive. Just think what kind of burden that must be to bear... Well, all-in-all I give this movie a 5 of 5 stars! I laughed and I sniffled but I enjoyed it all the way through.

Slowly, slowly, slowly

Hi peoples! I know it probably seems like it is taking me forever to read anything. -_- But you have to understand, I'm homeschooled and still trudging through the work, not to mention all the birthdays and events in July. I'm almost halfway through with Cry of the Icemark. It is wonderful so far, I just wish I had a few hours to sit down and simply read it without worrying about other stuff. Well, anyways, I thought I would at least share a cute little quote with you all.

We cannot Name or be Named without language. If our vocabulary dwindles to a few shopworn words, we are setting ourselves up for takeover by a dictator. When language becomes exhausted, our freedom dwindles - we cannot think; we do not recognize danger; injustice strikes us as no more than "the way things are."
- Madeleine L'Engle

Princess of the Midnight Ball

Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George 4 of 5 stars.
Princess Rose is the eldest of twelve sisters condemned to dance each night for the wicked King Under Stone in his palace deep within the earth. It is a curse that has haunted the girls since their birth--and only death will set them free.
Then Rose meets Galen, a young soldier-turned-gardener with an eye for adventure and a resolve that matches her own, and freedom suddenly begins to see a little less impossible. To defeat the king and his dark court, they will need one invisibility cloak, a black wool chain knit with enchanted silver needles, and that most critical ingredient of all--true love. (Summary from book)

Princess of the Midnight Ball was a wonderful read! The characters were believable, fun, and classic. This is the first Jessica Day George book I've read and I think I'm hooked. Her writing is fluid and has a great fairy-tale feel to it.

For fans of: Fairy-tales, The Brothers Grimm, Gail Carson Levine

I'm HOME!

Ello, darlings! Haha! I am back from the beach and soooo glad to be. I don't think I could have stood another day. Seriously... The only good thing was I got caught up on my writing, even if I didn't have time to read much. I finished Princess of the Midnight Ball and will post the review a little later on. I promise I will be posting more regularly now.

Love ya~
Arya