Eclipse Movie Review

Last night at midnight, Eclipse the Movie premiered and I was first in line to see it! My friends and I waited (outside) for 3 hours, then another 2 hours waiting inside the theater and it was ALL worth it!

The movie was great! It feels so good to finally see my favorite book in the saga on the big screen. Overall, the movie itself was rushed. Things kept happening so quickly...boom boom boom. One minute we're telling Jacob that graduation (in one month) is the deadline, the next minute, it was graduation. Even though they skipped to things really quickly, none of the important parts of the book were missing. Yes, there were events that happened out of order, they kind of just threw things in wherever they could fit them. Yet, it wasn't sloppy and it wasn't disappointing.

Robert Pattinson was a much better Edward in this movie than he was in the first two. I believe he was more in tune with his character this time around. Maybe it was better direction from David Slade or maybe it was just Pattinson getting to know his character better. Taylor Lautner is shirtless a lot and that was a major plus! An even bigger plus would have been to see Edward half-naked sometimes too! There was a lot more humor in this one, just like there should have been. I have to say, even Kristen Stuart's acting was better in this one! All the characters seemed to be so much more natural. Even though I'm Team Edward, it was really hard to watch Jacob being so in love with Bella and not wish that there was a way for them to be together too! I know Jacob will be happy in the end, but there's still a small part of me that wants it to work out for them. 

The fight scene was really awesome...but the tent scene...now that was highlight of the evening! There is no better part in the entire Twilight Saga than the tent scene! Seeing it played out almost exactly like I saw it in my head when I read it, made waiting a whole to see it, worth it.

Having read The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner before seeing the movie made it easy to fill in the background story of the newborn army that you don't get in Eclipse the movie or the book. I liked knowing what happened between Riley and Victoria and with Bree.

So do I recommend you see this movie? Absolutely! Even if it didn't live up to my expectations (which it did, and a little more), I'd still say you should go see it! Now the heartbreaking part - Breaking Dawn isn't released until next year November! :( *sniff*

By the way, there was a lot of making out in this movie! Yay for us big girls...but maybe not so much if you have a young daughter who wants to see it too.

Tonight's the Night, tonight's the night, tonight's the night...

Got your ticket? I hope so, because TONIGHT IS THE NIGHT!!!  I've got my ticket!

Eclipse the movie of the Twilight Saga premieres tonight at midnight!  Bestie and I will be waiting on line for hours, waiting and waiting...

It will be so worth it though! Eclipse is my favorite book of them all! The tent scenes, the tension between Edward and Jacob, the fight! Oh, to see it all come to life on the big screen...it still doesn't seem real!

Well, if you're not on your way to see it tonight, check in with me either tomorrow or later this week for my review!

Sharing is Caring!

So I was browsing around Goodreads.com and found a couple of books that sounded pretty interesting and I thought I'd share them with you!

First I found Nightshade by Andrea Cremer, to-be-released October 19, 2010. Now I know that this isn't a new find for a lot of you. I've come across this book a few times but never really gave it a close look. The cover is really pretty. I love the shades of blue and purple and calla lilies are my favorite flower and the blood drops on them send promises of butt-kicking action! Calla Tor is destined to be a great warrior for her kind once she reaches her 18th bday. BUT...she meets a boy who changes everything. Sounds a wee bit predictable but sometimes I like a story that goes exactly where I want it to...and sometimes I like to be surprised!

My second find is The Vampiric Housewife by Kristin Marquette, to-be-released October 22, 2010. This is about a town of vampires living day to day lives as any one of us would, except they live in the 1950's. Until one day a vampiric housewife, discovers a secret that forces them to run from the comforts of their home, to the unknown world outside. I could kind of see this story as a tv show so I thought it might be a fun, quick read.

I Should Have Known!

After I read Dead in the Family by Charlaine Harris, I was happy, yet...not happy. You can find my review here. I was afraid that there wasn't another one to follow. I really thought that Dead in the Family was the last in the series, so how happy was I when I found out that #11 in the series is going to be released May 26, 2011! I know, I know...How could they make us wait so long??!!?? It's so unfair! The book doesn't have a title or a cover yet, but I can't wait to find out what they are!

Vacay!

Hey guys! This weekend my mother and I are taking my 2 year old daughter to Connecticut on a mini-vacation. Tomorrow we take her to the Mystic Aquarium for the first time! I think we're more excited about it than she is!

I wish I could say that I haven't been reading because of this vacation, but the truth is, I've just been too busy to pick up my next read (Fairy Tale by Cyn Balog). Between this blog, the YA Blogosphere and just my day to day life...craziness!

Goodnite!

One More For The Bookcase!

So I was in Wal-Mart today and found Glimmerglass amongst their modest collection of books. I haven't been able to find it during my last couple of trips to Borders, so I just had to take it home with me!

This cover is so pretty. I love the touch of sparkly polka dots, the girl looking back at herself with a wispy smoke; kind of like it represents a her that isn't her, or just a second her. I guess I won't really know until I read it.

Great News!

If you are a follower of the YA Blogosphere, you may have seen the post looking for a new owner of the website. After some pleading, and several emails, I - yes, me - am the new owner of the YA Blogosphere!

I'm so super excited about this! I can't wait to get started. I just got the news today so I haven't officially logged in or anything. If there is an entry you would like to submit, please first check the requirements here on the actual YA Blogosphere site, then email your entry to me at bloggerful_1@yahoo.com!

Thanks and Happy Reading!

Later Procrastinator!

A makeover and a new blog button (my first button), all in one night! I finally found the easiest instructions at A Heart For Home! Thanks for that, Allyson!

A Fresh Start

So, I've decided to give my blog a makeover. I'm sort of at a turning point in my life and I needed something a little more uplifting when I looked at my blog. I love this blog and I want it to look that way.

I hope you like the way it looks!

Another Shopping Trip - Yay!

I went to Borders today...again...and bought Early to Death, Early to Rise (Madison Avery, #2) by Kim Harrison (released May 11, 2010) and Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott (re-released September 2, 2008).

I'm so happy I finally have them on my bookcase!!  Both of these covers are beautiful. The first; the model is gorgeous. I love her short hair cut, her facial expression is fierce and I even love her nails! The blue tint is really cool. The second; speaks volumes in its simplicity. Nothing left behind but a little girls bow. Sad.

Two amazing books I can't wait to read!

Blood Lite Review

BLOOD LITE
Written by: Charlaine Harris, Jim Butcher, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Kelley Armstrong...and many more stand-out horror stars!
Publication date: September 29, 2009
Released in Paperback

4 stars

Synopsis: Blood Lite...a collection of entertaining tales that put the fun back into dark fiction, with ironic twists and tongue-in-cheek wit temper the jagged edge.

Charlaine Harris reveals the dark side of going green, when a quartet of die-hard environmentalists host a fund-raiser with a gory twist in "An Evening with Al Gore"...In an all-new Dresden Files story from Jim Butcher, when it comes to tracking deadly paranormal doings, there's no such thing as a "Day Off" for the Chicago P.D.'s wizard detective, Harry Dresden...Sherrilyn Kenyon turns a cubicle-dwelling MBA with no life into a demon-fighting seraph with one hell of an afterlife in "Where Angels Fear to Tread"...Celebrity necromancer Jaime Vegas is headlining a sold-out seance tour, but behind the scenes, a disgruntled ghost has a bone to pick in Kelley Armstrong's "The Ungrateful Dead."

How I Came to Read This: I think I saw this in the store, and when I recognized some of the authors, I decided to give it a try.

My Review: This book was so funny! I actually read this sometime last year. There were so many stories that had me laughing out loud. If there's one story, one reason why you must read this book, it's Mr. Bear by Joe R. Lansdale. This one story had me in tears, laughing at it's wit, and dry sense of humor!

I love short story compilations like this because if there's a story you're not enjoying or you just can't get in to, you could always skip it. It's not like a one-story book where you'd have to just give up on the whole thing. But fortunately for us, there aren't any stories in Blood Lite that you'd want to skip over - they're all great!

Who Should Read This: You get a variety of unique paranormal stories by your favorite authors. If this is your genre, this is your book.

Dead in the Family Review

DEAD IN THE FAMILY
Written by: Charlaine Harris
Publication date: May 4, 2010
Released in Hardcover

4 stars

Synopsis: A Fae War has left the supernatural community of Bon Temps, Louisiana, in chaos - and waitress Sookie Stackhouse mentally and physically drained. And still, the peace and quiet she so desperately craves is hard to come by....

Even with the blood of two vampires in her system, Sookie is having trouble healing from the terrible torture she endured at the hands of her great-grandfather's enemies during the brief but deadly Fae War. Worse are the emotional wounds - especially over the loss of her own personal fairy godmother and the near death of her first love.

Sookie is hurt and she's mad. Just about the only bright spot in her life - besides the fact that she is, after all, still alive - is the love she thinks she feels for vampire Eric Northman, who is under scrutiny by the new vampire king because of their relationship.

As the political implications of the shifters' coming-out are beginning to be felt, Sookie's connection to one particular Were draws her into the dangerous debate. And, unknown to her, though the doors to Faery have been closed, there are still some fae on the human side - and one of them is very angry at Sookie. Very, very angry.

My Review: It was so nice being in Bon Temps again, catching up with old friends. Over the last year, I had completely forgotten that Sookie and Eric were "married"!!

My favorite thing about this series is that, if you've been reading them from the start, you can never get lost. How long have we waited for this book? Right, a long time and Charlaine Harris in each one, always recaps for us. A character's name is mentioned and Sookie explains exactly who they - with a little history, too.

I do love Sookie's narrating. I love the way she interprets things, and getting to know what she hears in other people's heads. And I LOVE her relationship with Eric. He's so in love with her, he's gone completely soft!

Dead in the Family wasn't as action packed as most of the others were. A lot of passing time. Something would happen and then it would take a while before it was resolved; or a while before it was mentioned again. I guess, looking through Sookie's eyes, we only see what happens when she's around.

I would think vampires and Weres would be able to come up with better terms for themselves and humans other than "oneys" and "twoeys". I don't quite remember those terms being used in any of the earlier books, but it has been a while. I just felt like the terms were a little immature. It was very hard trying to picture some of the characters - like bad-ass Alcide or Eric - saying these words!

Overall, the book was kind of slow paced yet I had no problem keeping my interest up. I was hoping for the book to end with a bang - but it didn't. Not really. There were still a lot of loose ends, such as: what happens with the whole Eric and Victor thing? Do Bill and Judith stay together? What happened in the Long Tooth Pack regarding Annabelle, Patricia and Ham? Are the Weres going to have to register and if not, are the Vampires going to rebel? And most importantly, do Eric and Sookie stay together? She was pretty indecisive about how she really felt about him?

Does Dead in the Family being released in hardcover mean that this is the end? Is this really how the series finishes? I REALLY hope not. I think one more book could answer all our questions - then I'd be happy! Believe you me, I will be checking for a next one!

Who Should Read This: If you've read all the others, I believe you should follow through to the end.

The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner: An Eclipse Novella

The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner: An Eclipse Novella

Written by: Stephenie Meyer

Publication date: June 5, 2010

Released in Hardcover

4 stars

Synopsis: Bree Tanner can barely remember life before she had uncannily powerful senses, superhuman reflexes, and unstoppable physical strength. Life before she had a relentless thirst for blood...life before she became a vampire.

All Bree knows is that living with her fellow newborns has few certainties and even fewer rules: watch your back, don't draw attention to yourself, and above all, make it home by sunrise or die. What she doesn't know: her time as an immortal is quickly running out.

Then Bree finds an unexpected friend in Diego, a newborn just as curious as Bree about their mysterious creator, whom they know only as her. As they come to realize that the newborns are pawns in a game larger than anything they could have imagined, Bree and Diego must choose sides and decide whom to trust. But when everything you know about vampires is based on a lie, how do you find the truth?

How I Came to Read This: C'mon. As if there was a chance I wasn't going to read this!

My Review: I really enjoyed the concept that for Bree, the last three months are as long as she's lived. Her human life is a blur - when she does allow herself to think about it. Being surrounded by twenty-something unruly (to say the least) vampires, Bree constantly has her guard up. She doesn't fit in with the rest. The others fight with each other and rip their limbs off. Bree stays in the corner, always watching, always cautious.

In this group, she finds Diego who is a lot like her. He doesn't fall into that typical newborn-vampire behavior either. They discover truths about vampire life and in finding those truths, they discover the lies they've been told. The countdown to D-Day, so to speak, has begun, and Bree must figure out how to get out of this crazy situation. But Diego is missing and she won't leave without him. When the day arrives, she searches for him but the only thing she finds is chaos. She barely has enough time to notice a yellow-eyed blond-haired vampire has spotted her! Well, we all know what happens after that, don't we?

Who Should Read This: It was a little heart-wrenching to like Bree telling her own story when you know exactly where it's going. Still, it was a good read and everyone into the Twilight Saga should read it.

FINAL COVER

Earlier this week, Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl posted on their blog the final cover for Beautiful Darkness of the Caster Chronicles series! Here, take a look:

Pretty cool, huh? All dark and mysterious. Makes you wonder if those creepy stairs lead to something more sinister! I can't wait to see the world through Ethan Wate's eyes once again. OCTOBER 12, 2010. Put it on your calendar, grab the countdown widget, or stick a post-it on your forehead! I don't care what your memorizing methods are just don't miss this highly anticipated sequel!

OCTOBER 12, 2010

Shopping Trip

I went to Borders today and (finally) picked up The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner: An Eclipse Novella by Stephenie Meyer, released June 5, 2010. I can't wait to sit down and crack it open! Over the weekend, I was on a beautiful vacation with my mother and our friends in Aruba. When we landed back in the States and got off the plane, the first thing I saw was a woman reading this book and it reminded me of what I've been missing.

So you don't have to miss out, click here to order your own copy from Borders.com.

I'll be posting my review by early next week, stay tuned!

LIAR by Justine Larbalestier

LIAR

Written by: Justine Larbalestier

Publication date: September 29, 2009

Released in Hardcover

4 stars

Synopsis: Micah will freely admit that she's a compulsive liar, but that may be the one honest thing she'll ever tell you. Over the years she's fooled everyone: her classmates, her teachers, even her parents. And she's always managed to stay one step ahead of her lies. That is, until her boyfriend dies under brutal circumstances and her dishonesty begins to catch up with her. But is it possible to tell the truth when lying comes as easily as breathing?

How I Came to Read This: It sounded unique. What else can I say?

My Review: This book is like nothing else I've ever read. The title embodies the entire concept of the book, the way the story is told. I have no idea if what I've read is really what happened, if that was the actual story. Fictionally speaking, of course.

The main character and narrator, Micah, is a liar. A good one, too. She lies about everything, even about things there really isn't a reason to lie about. She's pretty much lied to everyone about everything to the point where she's out-casted herself and nobody believes a single word she says - even when it is the truth.

Micah has a boyfriend. When he is brutally murdered, nobody knows why, how or who would've killed the most liked and most popular boy in school. After a strange turn of events, it becomes Micah's job to find what happened and who is responsible.

It's a lot of back and forth, between past and present; truth and lies. Or maybe it's all a lie - I have no idea!! Once you start this book, there is no turning back. It's so all-over-the-place, in a surprisingly organized way, that you just have to find out where it ends. Speaking of ending, I think I would have preferred a different one, a stronger one. It didn't go where I thought it would, and I was slightly disappointed after all that. However, kudos to Justine Larbalestier for writing such a clever book!

My favorite parts of this book are when Micah tells the reader she has been telling the truth, and then she confesses to a lie she already swore was the truth! Then she says she won't do it again. I love it!

Who Should Read This: If you enjoy a tale with lots of twists and turns and you're able to keep up, this was a really fun read!

Spirit Bound by Richelle Mead

SPIRIT BOUND (Vampire Academy, #5)
Written by: Richelle Mead
Publication date: May 18, 2010
Released in Hardcover

5 stars

Synopsis: Dimitri gave Rose the ultimate choice. But she chose wrong...

After a long and heartbreaking journey to Dimitri's birthplace in Siberia, Rose Hathaway has finally returned to St. Vladimir's - and to her best friend, Lissa. It is nearly graduation and the girls can't wait for their real lives beyond the Academy's iron gates to begin. But Rose's heart still aches for Dimitri, and he's out there, somewhere.

She failed to kill him when she had the chance. And now her worst fears are about to come true. Dimitri has tasted her blood and she knows in her heart that he is hunting her. And if Rose won't join her, he won't rest until he silences her...forever.

My Review: Rosemarie Hathaway. Reckless, daring and combative. Caring, brave and self-sacrificing. Those are only a few characteristics that make Rose one of my favorite narrators. She doesn't even know how amazing a guardian she is.

In this installment of the Vampire Academy series, Rose has serious things to take care of which could have some pretty serious consequences. Like life or death. Yet she's brave enough and determined enough to do what she needs to. Even if it means involving her friends and risking their futures as well. But she's risked enough for them that they'd do just about anything for her. Rose believes there's a way to bring Dimitri back from Strigoi and she'll do anything to find a way. But after she finds Dimitri, er, rather Dimitri finds her, all hell breaks loose and things don't exactly turn out the way Rose expected.

Meanwhile, while Dimitri was gone Rose and Adrian have been dating. Adrian is good to her and he loves her despite knowing she still pines for Dimitri. I love the dynamic of Adrian and Rose's relationship. Trouble happens and it's Rose going off to war, kissing her man good-bye, him watching her drive away down a dusty road. The roles are reversed and it's so funny.

What I love most about this series is that I absolutely cannot put it down! Richelle Mead's writing just keeps me hooked, wanting more, needing more. She has a way of keeping you on edge, never knowing what is going to happen. Things were always creeping up on you. Everything is business as usual and then WHAM - Strigoi!

How can anyone say this book was anything less than amazing?!? It was a constant jaw-dropper. By far, one of the top vampire series out there. The next and final installment titled "Last Sacrifice" is scheduled to be released December 7, 2010!!!

Here's a peek at the cover...

DO NOT MISS IT!!!

My Wicked Vampire

My Wicked Vampire (Castle of Dark Dreams, #4)

Written by: Nina Bangs

Publication date: October 1, 2009 (first published September 1, 2009)

Released in Paperback

5 stars

Synopsis: The Castle of Dark Dreams is just part of an adult theme park, right? The most decadent attraction in a place where people go to play out their wildest erotic fantasies. Holgarth isn't really a wacky wizard, and Sparkle Stardust doesn't actually create cosmic chaos by hooking up completely mismatched couples. And that naked guy chained up in the dungeon? No way he's a vampire.

Wrong...dead wrong, as botanist Cinn Airmid is about to find out. It's up to her to save the night feeder's sanity, but to do that she'll have to get closer to the most dangerously sexy male she's ever encountered. And one look in Dacian's haunted black eyes tells her close will take on a whole new meaning with someone who's had 600 years to practice his technique. Even a girl with a name that conjures up images of forbidden pleasures has a few tricks to learn from...

My Wicked Vampire

How I Came to Read This: I might have read about this online before I saw it in the store. Either way, the title immediately caught my attention.

My Review: I loved this book! As soon as I read the prologue, I knew I was hooked! The story is a mystery/thriller with a lot of humor. The action starts right away, no wasting time with formalities or fluff. There are wizards and demons and vampires and beings that I've never read about and they all have great personalities. They are a family of sorts, that band together when trouble comes to the castle.

The connection between Dacian and Cinn is one of my favorites. Cinn is sarcastic and outspoken. She encounters these people of supernatural powers for the first time and the way she handles their nature is classic. Initially, she thinks they all take their jobs way too seriously until she realizes that they might not be so crazy after all.

Dacian is smooth. I wouldn't exactly say he's a people-friendly kind of vampire. But he's got swag about him that makes him cool and collected. But deep down (like most fairytale vamps) he's a big softy! He totally falls for Cinn and he doesn't know what to do with himself!

There were so many great characters, and they all made this book a very fun read! 

Who Should Read This: Everyone! Well, okay, not everyone. This is for mature audiences only, it contains sexual content and some language. And I absolutely loved this book! It had the total package: suspense, humor, romance and lots of paranormal activity!!