tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21363898938288503672024-02-19T14:26:22.807-05:00Shire ReviewsBook and Movie Reviews From the ShireRebekah Hunekehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17893493837427569491noreply@blogger.comBlogger217125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2136389893828850367.post-34612271366965214642018-09-17T05:00:00.000-04:002018-09-17T05:00:00.320-04:00Carrie Mouse and the Giant Garage Cover Reveal<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
</h2>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Hello everyone! Today is the cover reveal for our first picture book! </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">About the Book</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Martha Squirrel made
her journey down the big hill seem like a grand adventure. But what happens
when Carrie Mouse disobeys her mama and explores the giant garage?</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Inspired by a true story, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Carrie Mouse and the Giant Garage</i> tells the story of a young mouse
who gets trapped in the garage of the human house at the bottom of the hill.
Beautifully illustrated with clay sculptures, this is a book you won’t want to
miss!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.morganhuneke.com/carrie-mouse-and-the-giant-garage.html">Coming
October 22!</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Giveaway</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s scavenger hunt time! The <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Carrie Mouse</i> cover has been cut into nine pieces and scattered
across nine different blogs. Visit <a href="https://morganhuneke.blogspot.com/2018/09/carrie-mouse-cover-reveal-scavenger-hunt.html">this
post</a> to find links to all the cover pieces. Assemble them and email the
completed cover to hunekeauthor(at)gmail(dot)com to be entered in an extra
special giveaway: A book signed by both the author and the illustrator and a handmade
Carrie Mouse doll to be shipped upon publication of the book. If you need a
collage creation software, you can use <a href="https://www.pizap.com/pizap-app.php?initialstate=collage">PiZap.com</a>,
a free online photo editor. All entries must be submitted by midnight EDT on
Thursday, September 20. The winner will be announced Friday, September 21 at <a href="http://www.morganhuneke.blogspot.com/">www.morganhuneke.blogspot.com</a>. Happy
hunting!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Giveaway open to U.S. residents only.</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYqMhaGzxC2LOcFWqILAm20YoCbIj-KNAzdnQsDBm_E8pyaHtmfI6mog8Q0kSRoaFoJfC10dwi7Le-Q-kKEP8l1dNnvTsEG2LDMrTvDut1UKtbj6CXyEry6pjS-45xTwPiZxSV3oNEtvU/s1600/Cover+Piece+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1096" data-original-width="846" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYqMhaGzxC2LOcFWqILAm20YoCbIj-KNAzdnQsDBm_E8pyaHtmfI6mog8Q0kSRoaFoJfC10dwi7Le-Q-kKEP8l1dNnvTsEG2LDMrTvDut1UKtbj6CXyEry6pjS-45xTwPiZxSV3oNEtvU/s320/Cover+Piece+9.jpg" width="246" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">About the Author</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF51hTgOzEk0OzsH3eQeM4xwbqX4mgAGl-HYMwm6GDHyR5CSOAUKKSKgyDvXPPnosHhpMuIzLKJyxJSmVrTxKtaEFw0V5FCgD20HueNBFJtWBOcy1D9uTZY3WyAJW1rnneoNyJTaf2SGo/s1600/Morgan+head+shot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF51hTgOzEk0OzsH3eQeM4xwbqX4mgAGl-HYMwm6GDHyR5CSOAUKKSKgyDvXPPnosHhpMuIzLKJyxJSmVrTxKtaEFw0V5FCgD20HueNBFJtWBOcy1D9uTZY3WyAJW1rnneoNyJTaf2SGo/s200/Morgan+head+shot.jpg" width="133" /></a>Morgan Elizabeth Huneke is a homeschool graduate who lives
in Georgia. She has enjoyed creating characters and writing stories since early
childhood. Books have always been a big part of her life, never more so than
when working at the local library. She is the author of several middle grade
novels including the <i>Time Captives </i>fantasy trilogy and one YA fairy tale
retelling novella entitled <i>Twisted Dreams. Carrie Mouse and the Giant Garage</i>
is her first picture book.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
To learn more about
Morgan and her work, visit: <br />
<a href="http://www.morganhuneke.com/">www.morganhuneke.com</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
or</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.morganhuneke.blogspot.com/">www.morganhuneke.blogspot.com</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">About the Illustrator</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWiRetmjHnK_LslapgUv1h5EOkjDqyunjAs7CcmBH2m7lWFBq86fi8OtAC74cyuSrlUlb-g-PhI4Bjn5mwWMBXcULbQOy17je7RMx1-V0T5zEHm7H20LLmcGxm0d-kMIHm4zd0b1sCq5s/s1600/Bekah+head+shot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWiRetmjHnK_LslapgUv1h5EOkjDqyunjAs7CcmBH2m7lWFBq86fi8OtAC74cyuSrlUlb-g-PhI4Bjn5mwWMBXcULbQOy17je7RMx1-V0T5zEHm7H20LLmcGxm0d-kMIHm4zd0b1sCq5s/s200/Bekah+head+shot.jpg" width="133" /></a>Rebekah Huneke is a homeschool graduate who lives in Georgia
with her parents, sisters, and yellow Labrador named Sophie. She has been
working with Sculpey since age nine, and sells her creations in the Klay
Kottage Etsy shop. She also creates and sells stuffed animals and knitted
goods. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, and playing cello and piano. <i>Carrie
Mouse and the Giant Garage </i>is her first book.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
To learn more about
Rebekah and her work, visit:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/klaykottage">www.etsy.com/shop/klaykottage</a> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
or<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
follow @klaykottage
on Instagram</div>
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Rebekah Hunekehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17893493837427569491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2136389893828850367.post-38229033883968377932017-08-08T02:00:00.000-04:002017-08-08T02:00:09.249-04:00Rosette Thornbriar Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6CgO1j_CqVZcfeNvw0Xsq7gbLBdbqZ3heru5N98T1hU6PSK3w-83MZgypkJegy-uGsczA56VBWikz_l7n-j9jQIj8cI3oZsW77vcmBnixHrQQDGsW2uizhxTUviieTv_7Bzs8WzYx9iqb/s1600/FINALROSE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="693" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6CgO1j_CqVZcfeNvw0Xsq7gbLBdbqZ3heru5N98T1hU6PSK3w-83MZgypkJegy-uGsczA56VBWikz_l7n-j9jQIj8cI3oZsW77vcmBnixHrQQDGsW2uizhxTUviieTv_7Bzs8WzYx9iqb/s320/FINALROSE.jpg" width="221" /></a></div>
<h4>
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072SF4GXZ" target="_blank">Rosette Thornbriar</a> by Rachel Roden</h4>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I'm participating in the Three Sleeping Beauties Blog Tour. Apparently, I start out all of my blog tour posts with that sentence. Oh, well, can't break the tradition now. I was given the chance to review this lovely book, and I present that review to you now.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Once upon a time, way
out west...<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Back when they were young'uns, Fleur Guardstone proposed to
Rosette Thornbriar with a cigar band ring. However, not long after, she
disappeared back into the forest and hadn't been heard from since. However,
when Fleur hears reports of smoke coming from that woods, he's determined to
find out if it is, indeed, his dear Rosette. If he can get past all of the
briars.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This was a very cute little book. It is surprisingly short, and only took me a couple minutes to read. Sleeping Beauty has never been my favorite fairy tale, but I was able to enjoy this retelling very much. There is something about this author's writing style, something I can't put my finger on, that is very charming. Whatever it was, I liked it a lot. This author shows a lot of promise.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My review, like the book itself, is very short. Nevertheless, it is not too short to urge you to check out this book and the other two wonderful ones in this blog tour, and read them as soon as humanly possible.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJPKODf6s8k__FI4USX1ReJQUKCQ5zISQdL7nA7kb2gS9ZxS-hwtzhVfvXC0C99y4UcKpjPucBy6Dmnr9ffqqFLJ_hoAACQXNLxc7jxwPHv7J7jQnQ8L4c-fKpt1GzpCde8qBnsiyTuO-W/s1600/Rachel+Roden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="372" data-original-width="298" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJPKODf6s8k__FI4USX1ReJQUKCQ5zISQdL7nA7kb2gS9ZxS-hwtzhVfvXC0C99y4UcKpjPucBy6Dmnr9ffqqFLJ_hoAACQXNLxc7jxwPHv7J7jQnQ8L4c-fKpt1GzpCde8qBnsiyTuO-W/s200/Rachel+Roden.jpg" width="160" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoSubtitle">
<b><u>About the Author</u></b></div>
<div class="MsoSubtitle">
<b><u><br /></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rachel Roden is a natural story teller, capable of weaving
the most hilarious of fairy tales. She fell in love with the Lone Ranger in her
teens, but ended up with a basketball referee instead. Together, she and the
Ref homeschool their four children in the Piney Woods of East Texas, as well as
any other odd kid who ends up in their house. She might also be the sole human
who still uses math after college.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You can connect with Rachel on her <a href="http://eaglenestmom.blogspot.com/">blog</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/MountainLamb">twitter</a>, and <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/mountainlamb/">Pinterest</a>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You can order <i>Rosette Thornbriar</i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072SF4GXZ" target="_blank"> on Amazon</a> or <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35391254-rosette-thornbriar" target="_blank">add it to your Goodreads</a>!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Check out the rest of the blog tour<a href="http://knittedbygodsplan.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_20.html" target="_blank"> here</a>!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Bkk-rus_6JTPC1qnRrlbOb0G6VuVLlxu3Bv3TJLhAwwFtzNu1iPBemcz9A30O9ZIxIY7xhdRCe0vrot1BCh5gJvB13PVEs4qHsWkOnMd4SvEkjAxE1l0Rx-kku33H4UPev6tBITuKIeu/s1600/ThreeSpindles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="931" data-original-width="1600" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Bkk-rus_6JTPC1qnRrlbOb0G6VuVLlxu3Bv3TJLhAwwFtzNu1iPBemcz9A30O9ZIxIY7xhdRCe0vrot1BCh5gJvB13PVEs4qHsWkOnMd4SvEkjAxE1l0Rx-kku33H4UPev6tBITuKIeu/s320/ThreeSpindles.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Don't forget to join the giveaway!<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="c6edb15b4" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/c6edb15b4/" id="rcwidget_if537668" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script></div>
Addyson M. Hunekehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05002463188810886280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2136389893828850367.post-83115261780050218572017-07-25T01:00:00.000-04:002017-07-25T01:00:28.555-04:00Spider-Man: Homecoming Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Anyone that knows me can tell you that I'm a huge fan of Spider-Man. I loved the original movies and I loved Spidey's appearance in <i>Captain America: Civil War</i>. (I wasn't a fan of the <i>Amazing Spider-Man </i>movies, but that's neither here nor there.) So needless to say, I was super excited when <i>Spider-Man: Homecoming</i> was released. I managed to convince my dad to take me to go see it not long after it came out, but due to Camp NaNo and other stuff, I haven't gotten around to doing such things as writing reviews for a while. So, without further ado, here is my (rather fangirly) review of the latest Spider-Man movie.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/91h3O6Z6IbL._SL1500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="533" height="320" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/91h3O6Z6IbL._SL1500_.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
First of all, this movie starts out <i>hilariously</i>. I loved how the original Spider-Man theme was incorporated into the intro music. The rest of the music was beautiful as well. Michael Giacchinno, while he couldn't measure up to John Williams with his <i>Rogue One </i>soundtrack, still did an amazing job with this movie.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The technical aspects of this movie were very well done. Filming, lighting, acting, CGI, even the costumes were spectacularly done. Something so subtle and easily overlooked as costume design can really complement a story's plot and characters well, and this time they did so. Just something as simple as Peter's clothing choices says volumes about his character. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I mean, this t-shirt screams nerd:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/70/02/50/700250ffbe6481ca418217bbe63af167.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="329" data-original-width="564" height="232" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/70/02/50/700250ffbe6481ca418217bbe63af167.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Via <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/762163936911057059/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Also, Peter's two different Spidey suits designed by Stark were beautiful. Just sayin'.<br />
The plot was <i>amazing</i>. It wasn't ridiculously predictable, way too complex, shallow and meaningless, or centered around a girl. It wasn't even in the vein of a typical superhero movie. It was very well-written. The plot points were all spot-on and powerful. The plot twist near the end was very unexpected, and the climax was masterful.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The characters. Wow, the characters. They are some of the best parts of the movie. My favorite, naturally, was Peter Parker himself. He was a nerd, a dork, and a hero. And what's more, Marvel didn't feel the need to tell this to their audience. They just let it show. As a fellow super-dorky nerd, I really appreciated it. Peter was by no means perfect, but he had a good heart, and it showed. His character arc was amazing, and the center of the whole movie. His flaws were shown as clearly as his virtues, which takes bravery. He changed so beautifully. Alright, I'm done fangirling.<br />
The other characters were marvelous and deep. Tony has very obviously adopted Peter as his son, and is trying to do a better job fathering him than Howard Stark did with Tony. He states several times that he wants Peter to be a better person than he is. He makes some tough decisions and says some hard things to Peter that really help him overcome his flaws and struggles. Ned was a wonderful, loyal friend to Peter, and a great "guy in the chair." :) Peter's crush, Liz, was sweet, kind, and very understanding. And MJ was a star. She was hysterical, and I can't wait for more interaction between her and Peter in the future.<br />
The theme. Hardly separable from the character arc. It was so powerful and wonderful. Unfortunately, I'll have to see it more times before I'll be able to articulate further. Guess I'll just have to buy the DVD or something.<br />
All in all, this was a wonderful movie. I wouldn't recommend it to younger children, especially not without their parents viewing it first, mainly because of the language. You can read a good overview of the content concerns <a href="http://www.pluggedin.com/movie-reviews/spider-man-homecoming" target="_blank">here.</a> Despite all that, I would recommend it to teens and up, and for any Marvel fans or Spider-Man fans.<br />
Now, I just hope I get this movie for Christmas so I can rewatch it a ton.</div>
Addyson M. Hunekehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05002463188810886280noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2136389893828850367.post-32361198627100558592017-06-27T06:00:00.000-04:002017-06-27T06:00:12.775-04:00Book Review: Give Me Liberty<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1348128625l/590017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="257" height="320" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1348128625l/590017.jpg" width="205" /></a></div>
Rating: PG<br />
<br />
Recommended for: Ages 10 and up<br />
<br />
<i>For
thirteen–year–old Nathaniel, an indentured servant in colonial
Virginia, life is hard. Though things improve with the help of a kind
master named Basil–who shares music, books, and philosophies on
equality–around him the climate is heating up. It's 1775 and colonists
are enraged by England's taxation. Patrick Henry's words "give me
liberty, or give me death" become the sounding call and the American
Revolution is about to errupt. Nathaniel and Basil must make a choice
about joining the fight and face a larger conundrum about the true
meaning of liberty. <br /><br /> L. M. Elliott crafts a stirring narrative
for middle grade readers–conveying the hopes and dilemmas of this
crucial era in American history.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="readable reviewText"><span id="freeTextreview2012901058">A
few weeks ago, this book was returned to the book drop at the library
where I work. It intrigued me, as I love American history and the cover
gave off strong <i>Johnny Tremain</i> vibes. It's difficult to find a
historical fiction book that doesn't distort history these days, so I
skimmed the author's note, found little known but awesome history facts
there (which indicated a perspective I agree with), and decided to try
it. <br /><br />Now the book. Unfortunately, I can't completely rave about
how awesome it is because of a few literary flaws. First, I feel like it
could have used another editing pass to refine the use of old fashioned
language. That aspect was good, but not great. Especially considering
the fact that she once referred to Nathaniel's unusually pale blue eyes
as "weird-colored" even though according to Webster's 1828 dictionary,
"weird" meant "skilled in witchcraft." <br /><br />My primary complaint is
that she shoved in too much historical and cultural information via
exposition in the dialogue. Too many characters went on for paragraphs
in an "as you know, Bob" manner. Now, as a lover of American history and
particularly the American Revolution, I didn't really mind the history,
but at the same time, it's a sign to me that she did a lot of research
and wanted people to know everything she found out at the cost of the
story. I kept comparing it to Johnny Tremain as I read, and <i>Johnny
Tremain</i> is just a better written book. <br /><br />But lest you think I
hated this book, I actually really enjoyed it. Yes, there are literary
flaws, and no, it doesn't measure up to <i>Johnny Tremain</i> (one of my three
favorite historical fictions), but it still managed to be a pretty good
book. Not spectacular, but pretty good and I don't regret the read. I
liked Nathaniel and obviously I liked the historical period, and the
details felt very authentic (minus the use of "weird"). It's very
obvious the author spent a lot of time in colonial Williamsburg.
Speaking of which, there were some moments of internal squealing at
mentions of places in Williamsburg where I've been and lesser known
historical figures I learned about on my trip there. (Which was 8 years
ago this fall. Wow. I really need to go back.)<br /><br />So would I
recommend it? It depends. If you love the American Revolution, are
looking for a book with an accurate perspective, and are willing to
overlook some literary flaws, then absolutely. Because seriously, my
only complaints are the literary ones already listed. The American
Revolution is a fantastic period of history and I love it. And this book
reminded me of that fact. Though now I have an urge to go reread <i>Johnny
Tremain</i>. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="readable reviewText"><span id="freeTextreview2012901058"><i>Originally posted on <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2012901058" target="_blank">Goodreads</a>. </i></span></span></div>
Morgan Hunekehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11090224903186681429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2136389893828850367.post-22230141314514053362016-10-21T00:00:00.000-04:002016-10-21T00:00:17.027-04:00Book Review: Lady Dragon, Tela Du<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji8ggsR3-_RzcvPyRgU-ga9FoDZupaHCWWcn5H9UeWxXKyHf4Q3wDOh0Hf6Xr6Q0gnwc9AQ57Ik3i-kqz-IwgNOsQ9nUJHPhDgl4RfMBotnFrEtg3DRv6NIzCLshUYHFYFrjRziSwLiMj0/s1600/Recently+Updated.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji8ggsR3-_RzcvPyRgU-ga9FoDZupaHCWWcn5H9UeWxXKyHf4Q3wDOh0Hf6Xr6Q0gnwc9AQ57Ik3i-kqz-IwgNOsQ9nUJHPhDgl4RfMBotnFrEtg3DRv6NIzCLshUYHFYFrjRziSwLiMj0/s320/Recently+Updated.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I'm participating in the blog tour for <i>Lady Dragon, Tela Du</i>, the second book in the Rizkaland Legends series. I'm reviewing the book. I'm really tired right now, so I don't know what else I need to say about this, other than here's a cool picture!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDboaRW8RYfj2EElsv1f4nlsYBryCh1mGsZwETq87p6bFVRbIQqwjvGKyNZu_eIXSmqYaXAA0WOzAYJj4RlCVdKk-Px7lBL3BPca5uSbuBpjr2bF9wgVADylv0UC7mEgocw5qzVtaPRajH/s1600/Lady+Dragon%252C+Tela+Du+Final-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDboaRW8RYfj2EElsv1f4nlsYBryCh1mGsZwETq87p6bFVRbIQqwjvGKyNZu_eIXSmqYaXAA0WOzAYJj4RlCVdKk-Px7lBL3BPca5uSbuBpjr2bF9wgVADylv0UC7mEgocw5qzVtaPRajH/s320/Lady+Dragon%252C+Tela+Du+Final-001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
And an author bio: Kendra E. Ardnek is a home-school graduate who picked up a pen at an early age and never put it down. The eldest of four, she makes her home in the Piney Woods of East Texas with her parents, younger siblings, giant herd of giraffes, and honor guard of nutcrackers.</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
And the author herself: </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHO-LcMbBeBeKEbumoxQqvOqlyundcmD3xUYG0HiecCbjkIEfc3u6sgvbjdqSc48U8iwKBDa4r4X7thuARiUlE0CA_6k_ceUsNHCm3n4Iv6BjZ11GSI8iyI9G_R0nNqubnALa6nWIcLTNM/s1600/47-IMG_5944.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHO-LcMbBeBeKEbumoxQqvOqlyundcmD3xUYG0HiecCbjkIEfc3u6sgvbjdqSc48U8iwKBDa4r4X7thuARiUlE0CA_6k_ceUsNHCm3n4Iv6BjZ11GSI8iyI9G_R0nNqubnALa6nWIcLTNM/s320/47-IMG_5944.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
And the book cover. Because why not?<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTggQk3H-RKvRxMPEz7cIsmRR7Wp7q-PtgP7yKvBDjPgGa1GwRrVpzBGiEnCo3JdzMsGw3vOtcHlYGZcYH0v5pQCwNqMcmIbtQeP4N5zdROeGRsAVVrG-tGlkC6Da_y_QsSAWV0XZVtwSY/s1600/Lady+Dragon%252C+Tela+Du+Final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTggQk3H-RKvRxMPEz7cIsmRR7Wp7q-PtgP7yKvBDjPgGa1GwRrVpzBGiEnCo3JdzMsGw3vOtcHlYGZcYH0v5pQCwNqMcmIbtQeP4N5zdROeGRsAVVrG-tGlkC6Da_y_QsSAWV0XZVtwSY/s320/Lady+Dragon%252C+Tela+Du+Final.jpg" width="213" /></a>Recommended for: Ages 12-Adult <br />
<br />
Kendra's content advisory:<br />
"Romance: Pretty strong since I'm dealing with a married couple, but
doesn't go past minimally-described kissing and sharing a bed.<br />
Violence: Mild fantasy sort. I can't write gore to save my life.<br />
Magic: Fairly strong. <a href="http://knittedbygodsplan.blogspot.com/2015/07/the-magic-of-rizkaland.html">You can read a full description of how I use magic in this series here</a>."<br />
<br />
<i>Two girls with one face</i><br />
<i>Two girls with twisted fate</i><br />
<i>One in purple, one in red</i><br />
<i>One shall speak the other’s death</i><br />
<i>Who shall win their final war?</i><br />
<i>Lady Dragon or Tela Du?</i><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Amber, the Lady Dragon, has been promised a fifty-year reign over Rizkaland and nothing can stop her from claiming it. But when you've lived six thousand years, fifty is such a pitiful number. Only one person can keep her from making this reign permanent - the Tela Du, a girl who shall share Amber's face.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>The last thing Petra wants is a magical world interrupting her plans for a normal life, let alone an ultimate battle against the Lady Dragon with only one prophesied survivor. She has her childhood best friend, Reuben, at her side, but she's not sure if he's more of a help or a hindrance right now. Though she'd much prefer to just return home and forget about this whole crazy affair, things change when she discovers that the world has surprising connections to her own family - including her sister who disappeared without a trace two years before. Still, Rizkaland can't possibly expect her to risk her very life, can it?</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I totally called most of the plot twists. The book still kept me up, though, way past when I should have gone to bed. But I had to finish it so I could focus on <a href="http://shirereviews.blogspot.com/2016/10/book-review-firmament-reversal-zone.html" target="_blank">my review</a> of <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LZV1ILB" target="_blank">Reversal Zone</a></i>. (At least, that's what I told myself.) At any rate, Kendra has entered my roster of evil authors.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
Writing: 4.75/5<br />
Kendra's writing style is very fitting for her personality. Really fun, yet somehow serious, too. It was really well-written. The only drawback was the many typos. Some of them were fixed, but I didn't mark all of them, so not all of them got fixed. Oh, well. Most of the time I could figure out what she meant, so it wasn't really that much of a drawback.<br />
<br />
Setting: 5/5<br />
Of course, a lot of the world had already been set up in the first book, so there wasn't as much ground for Kendra to cover, but the world-building she did was very well-done. The settings were interesting, fun, yet serious, and the descriptions were well-done.<br />
<br />
Plot: 5/5<br />
So twisty and turny. Oh, my goodness, I'm not even sure I even understand everything that went on. It was very intriguing and kept me up reading, as I said, really late. It's just so...I don't know how to describe it, especially without giving something away. You just have to read the book.<br />
<br />
Character Development: 5/5<br />
Okay, so you know the author's doing a good job when you heartily wish for the bad guy's reformation even though there seems to be absolutely no way she will survive. Just all of the characters...but this category is even more spoilery than the last one. So I'll just talk about Reuben and Petra. They're both awesome and cool and I love their relationship. It's so close. I like Ashley, too. Amber and Granite...it's complicated. Really complicated. I won't even try to talk about anyone else.<br />
<br />
This is such a good book. You totally have to read it. Although you have to read <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Water-Princess-Prince-Rizkaland-Legends-ebook/dp/B00YTQBTDI/" target="_blank">Water Princess, Fire Prince</a></i> first. Which, by the way, is free from the 19th to the 23rd. That includes today, so go get it and start reading, if you haven't read it already. And go here to buy <i>Lady Dragon, Tela Du</i> on<a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01JFUF3XE" target="_blank"> kindle</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01JFUF3XE" target="_blank">paperback</a>.<br />
<br />
<b>Other links:</b><br />
Add it to Goodreads: <span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25873539-lady-dragon-tela-du" target="_blank">https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25873539-lady-dragon-tela-du</a></span><br />
Go to Kendra's blog: <span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;"><a href="http://knittedbygodsplan.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">knittedbygodsplan.blogspot.com</a></span><br />
Kendra's website: <a href="http://kendraeardnek.weebly.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;">kendraeardnek.weebly.com</span></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Addyson M. Hunekehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05002463188810886280noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2136389893828850367.post-47951793633197909222016-10-18T07:00:00.000-04:002016-10-18T07:00:01.497-04:00Book Review: Silas Marner<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1347323528l/54539.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1347323528l/54539.jpg" width="196" /></a></div>
<h4 style="text-align: justify;">
Silas Marner by George Eliot</h4>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Rating: PG</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Recommended for: Ages 15 and up (interest level)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span id="freeText2498723837017881238">Embittered by a false
accusation, disappointed in friendship and love, the weaver Silas Marner
retreats into a long twilight life alone with his loom. . . and his
gold. Silas hoards a treasure that kills his spirit until fate steals it
from him and replaces it with a golden-haired founding child. Where she
came from, who her parents were, and who really stole the gold are the
secrets that permeate this moving tale of guilt and innocence. A moral
allegory of the redemptive power of love, it is also a finely drawn
picture of early nineteenth-century England in the days when spinning
wheels hummed busily in the farmhouses, and of a simple way of life that
was soon to disappear.</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span id="freeText2498723837017881238">When I read this book for school I didn't really know what it was about or what to expect. The descriptions don't really tell what the story is about, so I waited for more than half the book for the child to come into the story. I really liked it and there were some times where I wanted to keep reading.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span id="freeText2498723837017881238">Technical: 4/5</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span id="freeText2498723837017881238">It did not have as much wordiness as many classics do and it was easy to find the story within the book. There was one chapter that was boring for a good portion of it, but it was the only chapter like that. They were not the easiest characters to connect to, but you could still feel for them<i>. </i>It<i> </i></span><span id="freeText2498723837017881238"> did jump to some backstory and then several years later, but the timeline was easy to keep track of.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span id="freeText2498723837017881238"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span id="freeText2498723837017881238">Setting: 4/5</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span id="freeText2498723837017881238"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span id="freeText2498723837017881238">The story is set in the town of Raveloe, where the people do not really like strangers. Silas is from a city but I don't remember it ever being named. There was nothing that seemed to be out of place in the setting and the setting worked well for the story.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span id="freeText2498723837017881238"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span id="freeText2498723837017881238">Plot: 4.5/ 5</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span id="freeText2498723837017881238"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span id="freeText2498723837017881238">It does not have the most unique plot, but it is done in an interesting way. A good portion of the story follows Godfrey, who is the son of the Squire. Godfrey is being threatened by his brother with blackmail. Godfrey causes himself trouble by trying to live two lives and to keep others from knowing about a secret marriage. From the reader's point of view, there is not much mystery as to where the child came from.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span id="freeText2498723837017881238"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span id="freeText2498723837017881238">Characters: 5/5</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span id="freeText2498723837017881238"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span id="freeText2498723837017881238">The characters are flawed. Silas becomes obsessed with his money after he has lost everything else. Godfrey tries to avoid dishonor and focuses on what he wants then and not thinking of how he might regret it later. There are other characters too, one in particular having a lot of problems. The characters grow in the story and they are different at the end than how they were at the beginning of the story. There was one thing that I'm a little confused on how it came about, since one character involved was opposed to the matter and then it skips and the thing has then happened.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span id="freeText2498723837017881238"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span id="freeText2498723837017881238">This book has a mostly happy ending, though some things are left unanswered in the characters' lives but it was mostly concluded. I would recommend this book especially if you like classics.</span></div>
Rebekah Hunekehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17893493837427569491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2136389893828850367.post-119769352827715452016-10-08T02:00:00.000-04:002016-10-09T11:24:33.465-04:00Book Review: Firmament: Reversal Zone<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: justify;">I'm participating in the blog tour for J. Grace Pennington's new book </span><i style="text-align: justify;">Reversal Zone</i><span style="text-align: justify;">, part of her </span><i style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://firmamentseries.com/" target="_blank">Firmament </a></i><span style="text-align: justify;">series. Obviously, I'm reviewing the book. But first, read more about the book below.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhahAASyiZZ8B5HgpGlxEi749hXkcA9TI4FMRDQyJcsCUTrYJEnXsg9yc6hsEPTG0oEeWA3y_0wYLCbLJBg0FbGKy_-NmnLVFCCdRe9HMQcXHkM_o9EW9wrzk2BW90aZ_8rXzM4zkIAwEId/s1600/Reversal+Zone+Banner.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="119" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhahAASyiZZ8B5HgpGlxEi749hXkcA9TI4FMRDQyJcsCUTrYJEnXsg9yc6hsEPTG0oEeWA3y_0wYLCbLJBg0FbGKy_-NmnLVFCCdRe9HMQcXHkM_o9EW9wrzk2BW90aZ_8rXzM4zkIAwEId/s320/Reversal+Zone+Banner.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
J. Grace Pennington has published four science fiction novels. They each
have a unique bent to them, but this one is very different. Each book
is a standalone, but as with any series, you get more of the story if
you read them all in order. In <i>Reversal Zone</i>, the main character, Andi Lloyd, becomes the only one who can save the ship and crew. Can she do it in time?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<h2 class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
About the Book</h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjouGJBzihH5lfHVFkTPQZNEHuab1GweLlc6vIF7NHQtz_DGE2XN2adb-IMhafpVmgwObbtTiR9LJEGS-YxU743-WHx22ThML1HXX-TzXxQhWNYZrov6cOsYUxMClm2HGt3ITqOXgHqMpI/s1600/Reversal_Zone_front_cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjouGJBzihH5lfHVFkTPQZNEHuab1GweLlc6vIF7NHQtz_DGE2XN2adb-IMhafpVmgwObbtTiR9LJEGS-YxU743-WHx22ThML1HXX-TzXxQhWNYZrov6cOsYUxMClm2HGt3ITqOXgHqMpI/s320/Reversal_Zone_front_cover.jpg" width="213" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Nothing is as it should be.</i></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>After weeks of boredom, Andi is excited when the </i>Surveyor<i> is called upon to rescue a freighter that mysteriously vanished in uncharted space.</i><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><i>Excitement quickly turns to unease when the ship encounters an unknown phenomenon—a cloud that appears not to exist.</i><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><i>But with the freighter's crew in danger, the </i>Surveyor<i> has no choice but to venture into unknown territory.</i></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>As soon as they enter the cloud, its unstable effects wreak havoc on the ship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They're flying blind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every piece of equipment is malfunctioning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And every member of the crew is unable to think straight or act like themselves—except Andi.</i></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Now she's expected to guide them through the predicament with no previous command experience and no one to turn to for support.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And with each passing hour, it becomes clear that if they don't escape the cloud soon—they won't escape it at all</i>.</div>
<br />
Recommended For: Ages 13 to Adult (interest level)<br />
<br />
Rating: PG<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
If you like sleep, then this book isn't for you. However, if you are perfectly willing to stay up all hours of the night to finish this book, then you must read this book. Because it is amazing.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Rightly is Grace called "The Sleep-Stealer." I stayed up way later than I should have reading this book. But being incredibly tired the next day was totally worth it.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Writing: 5/5</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I read another really good book for a different blog tour before writing this review (perhaps not the most brilliant plan?) so I might forget something, but I don't remember any flaws in the writing. The story was clear and concise, the wording well-put, and I don't remember any typos. It moved the story along brilliantly and kept the focus where it should have (Crash! Why did he have to-but spoilers). </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Setting: 5/5</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This story is set entirely on the <i>Surveyor. </i>Same good old ship we know from the previous books. Well-described, perfect setting for the story.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Plot: 5/5</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
*Incoherent screaming* <span style="color: red;">SPOILERS </span>Andi's going to die. The radialloy isn't working any more because she's so brave and saved them all and now she's going to die and it's awful. And CRASH HOW COULD HE DO SUCH A HORRIBLE THING? I get why, but EVERYBODY ALMOST DIED! Is being a responsible and reliable human being really worth that? And August was so mean to Andi, how could he? The captain was really that lazy? HOW COULD AUGUST BE SO DARN SNAPPISH TO ANDI? <span style="color: red;">END SPOILERS </span>Okay, I'm good now. Man, what a plot. I did see both of the major plot twists coming, but the second one was still really heartbreaking. The plot was all twisty and turny and exciting and kept me up reading too late.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Character Development: 5/5</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Oh my goodness. Oh my goodness. The amount of work it took to invert the personalities of all the characters and make it seem natural...wow. Andi, of course, was great. The Doctor was pretty good when he was himself, August, too (when he was himself), and Crash...well, you're just going to have to read the book. The other characters were good, too, down to Spock-ish Guilders, but I much prefer when they're being their normal selves. Granted, I think the book would have been much improved by Elasson, but I think I'm going to have to wait a few more books before he comes back in. (How could Grace be so cruel and make us wait so long?) In short? Characters: Brilliant. But I need more Elasson.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This book is amazing. You have to go buy it right now <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LZV1ILB" target="_blank">HERE!</a> and read it as soon as possible. If you haven't entered the Firmament series yet, you must do so. You can buy the first book <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Firmament-Radialloy-J-Grace-Pennington-ebook/dp/B0085MJKYC/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=" target="_blank">HERE!</a> or enter the giveaway below for a chance to win them for free. And the series needs more Elasson. Just saying.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Another link to buy <i>Firmament: Reversal Zone</i>:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LZV1ILB</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h2 class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
About the Author</h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:RelyOnVML/>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirxqXqoNqJStt4OZKZy8QV2Z6X0SKlYtmQJl2XRTu9VhdtzKt0c0eMkXwtcMKQvrfGCjVdvEuZeFQTeArZJbbyMaWO35dU7UR4PRWC97pWogFU3u5byNQr_d3kxAL2-kwP4ByKpBLMtDk/s1600/Author+photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirxqXqoNqJStt4OZKZy8QV2Z6X0SKlYtmQJl2XRTu9VhdtzKt0c0eMkXwtcMKQvrfGCjVdvEuZeFQTeArZJbbyMaWO35dU7UR4PRWC97pWogFU3u5byNQr_d3kxAL2-kwP4ByKpBLMtDk/s320/Author+photo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
J. Grace Pennington has been telling stories since she could
talk, and writing them down since age five.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Now she lives in the great state of Texas, where she writes as much as
adult life permits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When she’s not
writing, she enjoys reading good books, playing movie soundtracks on the piano,
and looking up at the stars.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You can find out more about her writing at <a href="http://www.jgracepennington.com/">www.jgracepennington.com</a>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h2 class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Giveaway</h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:RelyOnVML/>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitLzEEy9MVfZpjxw1HKvgDzn39XTYjFnn2-e8wPT99T-CBLly3Z3k4L6UvGdG2CK2Qx3pTUFQCz8Y8r1HyZwTE1z66oNbNTGR4NcjmEarzi0kpXKlG6WtMhGO9r4rpiyzXj1c8rgbEqN0/s1600/Machiavellian+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitLzEEy9MVfZpjxw1HKvgDzn39XTYjFnn2-e8wPT99T-CBLly3Z3k4L6UvGdG2CK2Qx3pTUFQCz8Y8r1HyZwTE1z66oNbNTGR4NcjmEarzi0kpXKlG6WtMhGO9r4rpiyzXj1c8rgbEqN0/s200/Machiavellian+cover.jpg" width="131" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvPpu6KkyGuXXxQFoj1rhWMudUtnQjjOUU3YlkT9yE-w9QCBr9H3t0g3sIpJGVgIKF1qv0EdU0gTwv947ovMug_qZIIzCCYbH9ZtLGDrbjnIW_humHG9KibFKprkKJ3jT6ZWnWxNlw5uo/s1600/Radialloy+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvPpu6KkyGuXXxQFoj1rhWMudUtnQjjOUU3YlkT9yE-w9QCBr9H3t0g3sIpJGVgIKF1qv0EdU0gTwv947ovMug_qZIIzCCYbH9ZtLGDrbjnIW_humHG9KibFKprkKJ3jT6ZWnWxNlw5uo/s200/Radialloy+cover.jpg" width="133" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLFonYxYIl20MgY4u01Rdzi8x8WtdW1bDqU4Fn4MkGAx_rN7Y77agKpblaml-cDKGtIig8Fma7I4Pudy3bBZGo-aKr3IRJfHqEn0AVnFuKozNIN4t4AgmumftT8hkH3c3Hk3NG5qTHwhM/s1600/In+His+Image+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLFonYxYIl20MgY4u01Rdzi8x8WtdW1bDqU4Fn4MkGAx_rN7Y77agKpblaml-cDKGtIig8Fma7I4Pudy3bBZGo-aKr3IRJfHqEn0AVnFuKozNIN4t4AgmumftT8hkH3c3Hk3NG5qTHwhM/s200/In+His+Image+cover.jpg" width="131" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";}
</style>
<![endif]-->
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Grace is generously offering three prizes. A signed copy of
each of her three previous novels in the series. They are each standalone
stories, but they are also connected. If you would like to read more about
them, you can read about them here: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0085MJKYC/">Radialloy</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FX06H7C/">In His Image</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OLE692O/">Machiavellian</a>. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To enter the giveaway, please fill out <a href="https://goo.gl/forms/M9spHKJcHoZXgT4h1">this form</a>.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
You can find the rest of the blog tour below. Go check it all out!</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:RelyOnVML/>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";}
</style>
<![endif]-->
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Friday, October 7</u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://bookishorchestrations.blogspot.com/">Bookish
Orchestrations</a>-Tour Introduction</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9835617.Keith_Guernsey/blog">Fathers
and Sons-Sports and Life</a>-Guest Post</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.thedestinyofone.com/">The Destiny of One</a>-Guest
Post</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://perpetualgardener.blogspot.com/">Perpetual
Gardener, Writer, and Mormon</a>-Excerpt</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://rebekahlynbooks.com/">Rebekah Lyn Books</a>-Author
Interview</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Saturday, October
8</u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://theclwells.com/ramblings">Shout outs</a>-Guest
Post</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://frankybrown.com/">Author Franky A Brown</a>-Excerpt</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://shirereviews.blogspot.com/">Shire Reviews</a>-Book
Review</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Sunday, October 9</u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.anniedouglasslima.blogspot.com/">Letters
from Annie Douglass Lima</a>-Excerpt</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://zerinablossom.blogspot.com/">Zerina
Blossom's Books</a>-Excerpt</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Monday, October 10</u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.rachelrossano.com/">Rachel Rossano's
Words</a>-Excerpt and Guest Post</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.inthebookcase.blogspot.com/">In the
Bookcase</a>-Excerpt and Book Review</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://faithblum.wordpress.com/">Writings,
Ramblings, and Reflections</a>-Book Review</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Tuesday, October
11</u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.abrahamicadventures.blogspot.com/">The
Abrahamic Adventures</a>-Book Review</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://clairembanschbach.wordpress.com/">The
Overactive Imagination</a>-Excerpt and Guest Post</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://morganhuneke.blogspot.com/">Morgan Elizabeth
Huneke</a>-Book Review</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.lisaswinton.blogspot.com/">Lisa Swinton
Queen of Random</a>-Excerpt</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Wednesday, October
12</u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://bookishorchestrations.blogspot.com/">Bookish
Orchestrations</a>-Giveaway Winner </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
Addyson M. Hunekehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05002463188810886280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2136389893828850367.post-92178397689426331152016-10-06T02:00:00.000-04:002016-10-06T02:00:21.486-04:00Movie Review: The Emperor's New Groove<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhamCbzYtJwqqhn5bz-ot4BFjXtWUXDzK6k3z8OpZXvkl9fuOHu9yPBU1p7pDCEmzWiAgRQf3iwy9NR9lOWka_86Jo88uoaJ3By7QkOkdXrgdxRNKMNsGgxOHDW0Wst675JDOFA1sHiUmGX/s1600/The+Emperor%2527s+New+Groove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhamCbzYtJwqqhn5bz-ot4BFjXtWUXDzK6k3z8OpZXvkl9fuOHu9yPBU1p7pDCEmzWiAgRQf3iwy9NR9lOWka_86Jo88uoaJ3By7QkOkdXrgdxRNKMNsGgxOHDW0Wst675JDOFA1sHiUmGX/s320/The+Emperor%2527s+New+Groove.jpg" width="227" /></a></div>
<h4>
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Emperors-New-Groove/dp/B000AAF1U4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1473341418&sr=8-1&keywords=the+emperor%27s+new+groove" target="_blank">The Emperor's New Groove</a></h4>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Recommended For: All Ages</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Rating: G</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>In this animated comedy from the folks at Disney, the vain and cocky Emperor Kuzco is a very busy man. Besides maintaining his "groove", and firing his suspicious administrator, Yzma; he's also planning to build a new water park just for himself for his birthday. However, this means destroying one of the villages in his kingdom. Meanwhile, Yzma is hatching a plan to get revenge and usurp the throne. But, in a botched assassination courtesy of Yzma's right-hand man, Kronk, Kuzco is magically transformed into a llama. Now, Kuzco finds himself the property of Pacha, a lowly llama herder whose home is ground zero for the water park. Upon discovering the llama's true self, Pacha offers to help resolve the Emperor's problem and regain his throne, only if he promises to move his water park.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Last Thursday I got a bad cold, so I spent two days mostly sleeping and watching TV. This movie was going off of Netflix, which we have now gotten rid of, so I decided to watch it. It was so cute and funny! It didn't quite have the feel of most Disney movies, but it was hilarious and awesome!<br />
<br />
Technical: 5/5<br />
Do you really need to wonder? It's Disney; they always do a good job. They have great animation and actors and everything else! The dialogue is hilarious. It's quite a funny movie, filled with entertainment, fun, and a little bit of satire.<br />
<br />
Setting: 5/5<br />
Just a normal fantasy country... Seriously, though. Jungles, hills, large palaces, llamas, restaurants that serve bugs, squirrels and panthers... I'm not sure if it's supposed to be in a specific place, but it is a very vibrant setting that is the perfect backdrop for the story.<br />
<br />
Plot: 5/5<br />
Fun, imaginative, and completely hilarious. If you can't tell, this movie had me in stitches! Kuzco's narration of the entire plot is fabulous. A bit conceited and self-obsessed, but that's just Kuzco! I don't know what else to say about the plot without giving stuff away, so I'll leave it at that.<br />
<br />
Character Development: 5/5<br />
Wow. Just... The characters in here? Wow. Kuzco was hilarious and sarcastic and conceited and his character arc was just amazing. Kronk is...Kronk. I like Kronk, even though he is stupid. Yzma...I just love how the entire plot was borne because she was lazy and wanted to save on postage. And Pacha. He was amazing, and made even more amazing by the fact that he was voiced by John Goodman, better known as James P. Sullivan.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNhyaiTD4sLqFY0bzzaAhYVLLFz_h9JvfX7eaoydgjH4rJTJGgnBke-Ct760afaDi2DEcaUvMmrpFGGQksOAs9Ar7XqHgrZe4vp8z7NO_wWYho9n8UWW9-KZD9V7nEQ7-rB-SRNMSU78e5/s1600/james_p__sullivan_smashified_by_lolnagisa-d97ilsd.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNhyaiTD4sLqFY0bzzaAhYVLLFz_h9JvfX7eaoydgjH4rJTJGgnBke-Ct760afaDi2DEcaUvMmrpFGGQksOAs9Ar7XqHgrZe4vp8z7NO_wWYho9n8UWW9-KZD9V7nEQ7-rB-SRNMSU78e5/s320/james_p__sullivan_smashified_by_lolnagisa-d97ilsd.png" width="299" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I love Sully, so that made it even better.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Basically, this is a hilarious, fun movie that everyone should see at least once.</div>
</div>
Addyson M. Hunekehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05002463188810886280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2136389893828850367.post-48962523639498057832016-09-29T07:00:00.000-04:002016-09-29T07:00:20.500-04:00Movie Review: Big Hero 6<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVQVhpPNNtb8bP6CHRV-eZwhjzf5Bhk7IttAID5ICZ300OwW7X_KJ8rxzCNIFsvqlUone_cfWcw8ULy11M6Mfmf2t5L5QF2KvmbHK2bOrnrKvM0KrE2bxGbmyDOQs82Ivv8XtOutEMTeE/s1600/Big+Hero+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVQVhpPNNtb8bP6CHRV-eZwhjzf5Bhk7IttAID5ICZ300OwW7X_KJ8rxzCNIFsvqlUone_cfWcw8ULy11M6Mfmf2t5L5QF2KvmbHK2bOrnrKvM0KrE2bxGbmyDOQs82Ivv8XtOutEMTeE/s1600/Big+Hero+6.jpg" /></a></div>
<h4 style="text-align: justify;">
Big Hero 6</h4>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Rating: PG (violence)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Recommended for: Ages 7 and up</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>A boy and his robot join with a band of nerds to save the world.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I had been wanting to see this movie, especially since I had drawn one of the characters at Disney World, and when it was shown in the park, we got to go see it.<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i> </i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Technical: 4/5</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i></i><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
As an animated movie, the characters weren't completely realistic looking, but it was better than some of the animation that Disney has done. The plot was easy to follow and didn't drag, it was also sad and funny and entertaining.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Setting: 3.5/5</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This movie takes place in the city of San Fran-Tokyo, which ended up being a mixture of the two cities. I mostly noticed the San Francisco elements, mostly from watching a lot of <i>Monk.</i> Since at the beginning of the movie I got the impression that they were in San Francisco, and I got a little confused about it. While no such city actually exists, it was an interesting blend of the two cities.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Plot: 4/5</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The plot was a little bit cliche and somehow I didn't guess the plot twist because I thought something else was going on. It had a sad beginning and because it is a Disney movie, it had a happy ending. It is a super hero movie but instead of having super powers, the characters are nerds and create all of their equipment. It was a little complex for a kid's movie, but still easy to follow.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Characters: 4/5</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The main character was pretty well developed but there wasn't a lot of time to spend developing the secondary characters, and I can only remember one of their names. Baymax is funny and and even though he doesn't have many emotions as a robot, he is still an interesting character. The main character is not perfect and he grows throughout the story.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
While not the best movie in the world, it is a good movie and worth watching, especially if you like Disney movies.</div>
Rebekah Hunekehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17893493837427569491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2136389893828850367.post-68265061558576547702016-09-22T07:30:00.000-04:002016-09-22T07:30:00.228-04:00Movie Review:Ben-Hur<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81cHckbDT4L._SX425_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81cHckbDT4L._SX425_.jpg" width="249" /></a></div>
<h4 style="text-align: justify;">
Ben-Hur (1959)</h4>
<h4 style="text-align: justify;">
</h4>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Rating: PG (violence and injuries)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Recommended for: Ages 14 and up</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>A member of the Jewish nobility living in Jerusalem, Judah Ben-Hur
(Charlton Heston) lives a religious life and peacefully opposes the
tyrannical occupation of Judea by Rome.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
After months of waiting to watch this movie (we recorded it the week of Christmas) I finally got to see it. It wasn't nearly as good as the book, but it was still good.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Technical: 4/5</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This is an old movie, so the acting was a little stiff and awkward at times. There was some good acting too. The film score would get dramatic at strange times and was also a little weird. The chariot race was pretty realistic (and a little horrifying) and left us wondering how they would have done it. The pacing was good and I wasn't confused about things, even when they changed things.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Setting: 4.5/5</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The setting was true to the book, from what I can remember. Things didn't seem to be historically out of place. I don't know a ton about the area, but nothing was obviously out of place.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Plot: 3.5/4</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
There was a lot that was changed from the book and in my opinion, it was not for the better. They cut a major character, killed a major character that didn't die, and changed a very major event. The basic plot line is still the same and they keep some of the most major things. Some of the things they cut probably would have taken the focus away from Ben-Hur.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Characters: 4.5/5</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
For the most part, the characters are the same as they were in the book. They also let you see two characters' good friendship before it went bad. Ben-Hur wants to protect his family and to get revenge. The actor was a little too old for Ben-Hur and didn't exactly look the part but since he is on the cover of the book I read, I think of him as Ben-Hur.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This movie is semi-faithful to the book. It is an old movie but it is still good. I would recommend it. and if you like the book, it is still worth watching (just be prepared for major changes) and it is a good movie despite its differences from the book.</div>
Rebekah Hunekehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17893493837427569491noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2136389893828850367.post-81009728501663693432016-09-20T07:30:00.000-04:002016-09-20T07:30:10.252-04:00Book Review: Journey to the Center of the Earth<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1328753178l/1086176.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1328753178l/1086176.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>
<h4 style="text-align: justify;">
Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne</h4>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Rating: PG</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Recommended for: Ages 13 and up (interest level)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span id="freeText17145623745567771242"><i> Jules Verne's perennially popular Journey to the Center of the Earth
begins when irascible but dedicated mineralogy professor Otto
Lidenbrock finds a centuries-old parchment inside an even older book.
His nephew Axel decodes it, and discovers instructions on how to get to
the center of the Earth: "Go down into the crater of Snaefells Yocul,"
an extinct Icelandic volcano. As they descend, the explorers also travel
backwards to the past, through layers of human history and geologic
time, encountering prehistoric plants and animals and ultimately coming
to understand the origins of humanity itself.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span id="freeText17145623745567771242"><br /></span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span id="freeText17145623745567771242">I have been wanting to read this book for several years, since I liked <i>Around the World in 80 Days</i>, and about a year after finding it at a library book sale, I finally read it.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span id="freeText17145623745567771242"><br /></span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span id="freeText17145623745567771242">Technical: 4/5</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span id="freeText17145623745567771242"><br /></span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span id="freeText17145623745567771242">The book is mostly from Axel's point of view as if he is telling the story afterwards, except for the random part where it switches to the author's narrative without any break. The story was easy to follow but it dragged a little when they talked about scientific things and some of their journeying. Overall, it was an interesting read. This is a translation, so different editions will have some differences. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span id="freeText17145623745567771242"><br /></span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span id="freeText17145623745567771242">Plot: 5/5</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span id="freeText17145623745567771242"><br /></span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span id="freeText17145623745567771242">The plot was pretty simple, all they did was go on a journey to the center of the earth, there was no villain. It was just an adventure story, and that was about it. It was very simple, so there were no plot holes. The reason they decided to go on the adventure, while not the best reason, was due to a character's personality while another character thought he was crazy but was still dragged along.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span id="freeText17145623745567771242"><br /></span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span id="freeText17145623745567771242">Setting: 3/5</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span id="freeText17145623745567771242"><br /></span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span id="freeText17145623745567771242">While the setting makes for an interesting story, it is not very realistic. It doesn't get incredibly hot as they go down towards the center of the earth and there probably is not an ocean, or extinct animals living in the earth. There were also mentions of evolution in the story and in the notes. The notes would also mention when Jules Verne got geographical or other facts wrong or confused. The characters are from Hamburg, Germany, and they also travel to Iceland while above ground.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span id="freeText17145623745567771242"><br /></span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span id="freeText17145623745567771242">Characters: 4/5</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span id="freeText17145623745567771242">There are three main characters: Hans, Professor Lidenbrock, and Axel. Hans is an Icelandic guide who is hired to take them to the crater of Snaefells and to help them along the way. Hans does whatever the Professor tells him to do. He is resourceful but is mostly there. Professor Lidenbrock is eccentric and impatient and is determined to go on the journey, He can sometimes be nice but gets very worked up over things. Axel is the one who tells the story. He has his moments of despair and of enthusiasm. He is realistic and since he narrates the story, you get into his head.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span id="freeText17145623745567771242"><br /></span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span id="freeText17145623745567771242">While this book is not perfect, it was still an interesting read and a good classic and I would recommend it.</span>
</div>
Rebekah Hunekehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17893493837427569491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2136389893828850367.post-17216606114259561162016-08-30T07:30:00.000-04:002016-08-30T07:30:15.241-04:00Book Review: The Children of the New Forest<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1414346278l/341865.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1414346278l/341865.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<h4 style="text-align: justify;">
The Children of the New Forest by Frederick Marryat</h4>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Rating: PG</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Recommended for: Ages 10 and up (interest level)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span id="freeTextContainer2639190440581732131"> In <i>The Children of the New Forest</i>,
Marryat describes the trials and triumphs of the four Beverley
children, orphaned during the English Civil War and forced to take
refuge with a poor woodsman in the New Forest. This is the first
annotated edition of a great children's classic, which has retained its
popularity since 1847.</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span id="freeTextContainer2639190440581732131">This book probably sounds boring, but it was very interesting. Although it is very different, the premise about learning to survive on their own reminded me of Robinson Crusoe learning to use the resources available to him.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span id="freeTextContainer2639190440581732131">Writing: 4/5</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span id="freeTextContainer2639190440581732131">The book starts out explaining the history of the time, which I didn't find very interesting, but it quickly went to the start of the story. It was good about putting the history of what was going on during the story in a natural and more interesting way than some books. Other than at the beginning, there were no long rambly<i> </i>passages about it. The author made things that could have been easily been really boring into an interesting story. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span id="freeTextContainer2639190440581732131">Setting: 5/5</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span id="freeTextContainer2639190440581732131">The story is set in England at the time when Cromwell was able to take over England. There was nothing in the setting that seemed out of place and that it shouldn't belong. They mostly spend time in the forest. I don't remember all of the events from this period but I have read about some of them in a different fiction book, so it was interesting reading about these events from a different perspective.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span id="freeTextContainer2639190440581732131">Plot: 5/5</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span id="freeTextContainer2639190440581732131"> </span><span id="freeTextContainer2639190440581732131"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span id="freeTextContainer2639190440581732131">The king is on the run from his enemies and soldiers are looking for him. The Beverleys are on the king's side and are forced to take refuge in the forest, where they are taught how to take care of themselves. Edward wants to fight for the king and it is a goal he seeks to meet. They also run into trouble throughout the story, which does not get intense but is still interesting.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span id="freeTextContainer2639190440581732131">Characters: 3.5/5</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span id="freeTextContainer2639190440581732131"> </span><span id="freeTextContainer2639190440581732131">There are four Beverley children but it only focuses on two of them. I think that Alice and Edith should've been developed more than they were. Edward was the most developed of them all and became the main character (the book starts out with a different main character who is pretty well developed). While the characters had different characteristics, I think that they could've been better developed. For an older book, they were well developed. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span id="freeTextContainer2639190440581732131"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span id="freeTextContainer2639190440581732131">It is a good book with a satisfying ending that I would recommend, especially if you like English history.</span></div>
Rebekah Hunekehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17893493837427569491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2136389893828850367.post-3893732967047895432016-08-25T01:30:00.000-04:002016-08-25T08:25:33.531-04:00Movie Review: Nanny McPhee<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhud8yoWUVL8SbjdL-yAC5atk2juKKexFg33pGiZSbvIz0aHvza0F_3eGjER46pgRNR1lSjcq1RkYiYf1o_XiRHNXmhv6LdjLVkZOYX6mDkYP3F2lmIpvWNpM7DRRy9y5q8MHy2fMS_SxVP/s1600/Nanny+McPhee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhud8yoWUVL8SbjdL-yAC5atk2juKKexFg33pGiZSbvIz0aHvza0F_3eGjER46pgRNR1lSjcq1RkYiYf1o_XiRHNXmhv6LdjLVkZOYX6mDkYP3F2lmIpvWNpM7DRRy9y5q8MHy2fMS_SxVP/s320/Nanny+McPhee.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>
<h4>
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Nanny-McPhee-Widescreen-Emma-Thompson/dp/B000F1IQNM/ref=sr_1_2?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1472073944&sr=1-2&keywords=nanny+mcphee&refinements=p_n_format_browse-bin%3A2650304011" target="_blank">Nanny McPhee</a></h4>
<br />
Recommended For: All Ages<br />
<br />
Rating: PG<br />
<br />
<i>Mr. Cedric Brown has just lost his wife and is now left with his seven children who misbehave so much that all the nannies have run away. A magical, but fearfully ugly Nanny McPhee shows up and claims she can tame the rowdy children.</i><br />
<br />
This movie was so cute! The other day we watched this because we hadn't been using our Netflix in a while, and oh my gosh, it was adorable! I certainly did not expect Colin Firth to be in it. So weird. But he did a really good job.<br />
<br />
Technical: 5/5<br />
This movie was done really well. The CG, the acting, the costumes, all done well and aesthetically pleasing.<br />
<br />
Settings: 4/5<br />
The settings were...interesting. I couldn't tell what the time frame was supposed to be, though. The house was painted such weird colors! Probably as a result of the kids somehow.<br />
<br />
Plot: 5/5<br />
The plot was very...just wow. It was so magical. And it had a happy ending! (Of course it had a happy ending, it's a kids' movie. Still, though, I was wondering for a bit.)<br />
<br />
Character Development: 5/5<br />
The characters were so amazing. Nanny McPhee is very interesting. I really liked the kid that Thomas Brodie-Sangster played. I can't believe he was fifteen when that movie was made! That kid looks so young!<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH4DKROkl8kRogyEZ7yIKPngrQTrUeBmpxFpBzL-NN-M6EjqMxlB5lkzZ1eYPQfv24EWht95FWTbYJBP9Pfs2nAA-nkwdDSdAPmKeRg2kNCaB5qPeQMqIPCF1xgrACMThEFaqQ5rJ8kBvN/s1600/Lattimer+fifteen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH4DKROkl8kRogyEZ7yIKPngrQTrUeBmpxFpBzL-NN-M6EjqMxlB5lkzZ1eYPQfv24EWht95FWTbYJBP9Pfs2nAA-nkwdDSdAPmKeRg2kNCaB5qPeQMqIPCF1xgrACMThEFaqQ5rJ8kBvN/s320/Lattimer+fifteen.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Does he look fifteen in that picture? No? Well, he was! That kid just amazes me. I just can't fathom how much younger he looks than he actually is.<br />
</div>
<div>
The other characters were really good, too. I really liked Mr. Brown, and felt so sorry for him! Yes, he almost married a nasty woman, but he was doing it to keep his kids out of the workhouse. Poor guy. I liked the kids, too, though they were bratty, and Aunt Adelaide...well, I just can't believe she was Angela Lansbury!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
This was a very good movie that I would recommend to everyone, especially naughty children. :)Addyson M. Hunekehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05002463188810886280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2136389893828850367.post-41848884068967102492016-08-23T06:00:00.000-04:002016-08-23T06:00:06.598-04:00Book Review: This Quiet Sky<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1424411484l/23547388.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1424411484l/23547388.jpg" width="204" /></a></div>
<h4 style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/This-Quiet-Sky-Joanne-Bischof-ebook/dp/B00NPKKSLI/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=" target="_blank">This Quiet Sky</a> by <a href="http://www.joannebischof.com/" target="_blank">Joanne Bischof</a></h4>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Recommended for: Ages 15 to Adult</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Rating: PG (for romance)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span id="freeText15442430156481175023">There is nothing
extraordinary about Tucker O’Shay’s dreams. Go to college. Become
president. Fall in love. And pretend like he has enough time to get it
all done.<br /><br />Sixteen-year-old Sarah Miller doesn’t expect anything
out of the ordinary when she begins her first day at the one-room-school
house in her new hometown of Rocky Knob. But when she meets
seventeen-year-old Tucker O’Shay—the boy with the fatal illness who
volunteers to tutor her in algebra—she finds herself swept up in a
friendship that changes the way she sees the world and a love that
changes her life.</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span id="freeText15442430156481175023"> </span>I cried. Just a little, the only book that made me bawl is <i>Bridge to
Terebithia</i>, but I, the one who almost never cries over books, cried. <br /><br />The
setting didn't feel quite as authentic to me as <i>Little House </i>(yes, I
compared as I read for awhile), but it still felt pretty historically
accurate. And once I got into the story, I didn't notice little things
that felt slightly modern anymore.<br /><br />Oh my word, the pain. I'm not
quite sure what it was I connected to so much, but this story, short
though it is, crushed my heart. I was there. I felt the pain and the
sorrow. I feel like crying whenever I think of it. <br /><br />Tucker.
Sarah. Always meant to be. Never meant to be. But it doesn't really
matter how much time you have in this world. What matters is what you do
with it. Even if you never become President. Even if you never marry
the one you love. As long as you do the most you can, you will have done
enough.<br /><br />Now excuse me while I go cry again.</div>
Morgan Hunekehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11090224903186681429noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2136389893828850367.post-62338161282233722932016-07-19T10:51:00.001-04:002016-07-19T10:51:47.350-04:00Book Review: Storming<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZlSF46UELOUc-yAhoRKVi4sKn9FARX8W8XrUPSwLuZmLpkFmFuL1ak4lWEJifs9kBx99SauC_wvssd8WInxH73L6QTRZZXQhkmnm9kfPTnsiGblGBAbuKStpK0RyJfpItPhYyMV40dN3R/s1600/Storming.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZlSF46UELOUc-yAhoRKVi4sKn9FARX8W8XrUPSwLuZmLpkFmFuL1ak4lWEJifs9kBx99SauC_wvssd8WInxH73L6QTRZZXQhkmnm9kfPTnsiGblGBAbuKStpK0RyJfpItPhYyMV40dN3R/s320/Storming.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>
<h4>
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Storming-Dieselpunk-Adventure-K-M-Weiland/dp/0985780479/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1468865575&sr=1-1&keywords=storming" target="_blank">Storming</a> by K. M. Weiland</h4>
<br />
Recommended For: Ages 13 to Adult<br />
<br />
Rating: PG-13 (violence)<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>In the high-flying, heady world of 1920s aviation, brash pilot Robert “Hitch” Hitchcock’s life does a barrel roll when a young woman in an old-fashioned ball gown falls from the clouds smack in front of his biplane. As fearless as she is peculiar, Jael immediately proves she’s game for just about anything, including wing-walking in his struggling airshow. In return for her help, she demands a ride back home . . . to the sky. Hitch thinks she’s nuts—until he steers his plane into the midst of a bizarre storm and nearly crashes into a strange airship like none he’s ever run afoul of, an airship with the power to control the weather. Caught between a corrupt sheriff and dangerous new enemies from above, Hitch must take his last chance to gain forgiveness from his estranged family, deliver Jael safely home before she flies off with his freewheeling heart, and save his Nebraska hometown from storm-wielding sky pirates. Cocky, funny, and full of heart, Storming is a jaunty historical adventure / dieselpunk mash-up that combines rip-roaring steampunk adventure and small-town charm with the thrill of futuristic possibilities.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I've followed K.M. Weiland's writing help blog for a really long time, so when my sister bought this book, I jumped at the chance to read it. I had so many other books to read I didn't get past the beginning for a while, but when I made myself sit down and read it, I loved it and finished it in a day. I moved down to our basement halfway through the book because it was thundering so loud the windows were shaking. This isn't my normal genre at all, but I enjoyed it just the same.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Writing: 5/5</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
K.M. Weiland certainly practices what she talks about on her writing blog. This book had deep and engaging POVs, a backstory that is told to the reader just as the story demands it... I could go on for a lot longer, but I shouldn't. I did guess the big plot twist very early on, but I've read so many stories, it's incredibly hard to fool me in plot twists. I can remember it happening recently once, and I've read I don't know how many books with plot twists I've read.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Setting: 5/5</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I've never been to Nebraska, and certainly never in the 1920s, but since Nebraska is the author's home, I would assume she got it pretty accurate. Despite the obvious advanced technology in the airship, everything seemed historically accurate. The descriptions were really good, too.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Plot: 5/5</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Exciting and well-structured! The plot points are right where they should be and they're big and epic as they should be. It's an intriguing concept that has an intriguing plot that never falls flat.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Character Development: 5/5</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Even the best story rules-wise can fall completely flat without great characters and a heart. This book has both. Not only are the characters true to life, they're likable characters a reader can easily connect with and root for. Hitch, Walter, and Jael were my favorites, although I really liked the two feuding brothers and Walter's aunt. It broke my heart when <span style="color: red;">SPOILER </span>Hitch's brother refused to forgive him even after repeated attempts on Hitch's part to apologize. <span style="color: red;">END SPOILER </span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
This is one book you don't want to miss. It has heart, charm, and characters with a ready wit. If you like action, adventure, historical fiction, steampunk, dieselpunk, or Jules Verne novels, you will love this book. Go buy it and read it now!</div>
Addyson M. Hunekehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05002463188810886280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2136389893828850367.post-40085590463946399652016-07-15T07:00:00.000-04:002016-07-15T07:00:20.202-04:00Movie Review: Harvey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/816bYlte58L._SL1500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/816bYlte58L._SL1500_.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/816bYlte58L._SL1500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<h4 style="text-align: justify;">
Harvey</h4>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Rating: G</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Recommended for: Ages 10 and up (interest level)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Elwood P. Dowd is friends with a giant rabbit which no one but he can see. His sister struggles with what to do with him and finally decides to have him committed, which causes many mix-ups.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This movie follows a man who everyone thinks is crazy, since he has a friend who is a six foot tall invisible rabbit. It is a funny movie and is not too long, which can be nice sometimes.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i> </i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i> </i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Technical: 4/5</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This is an older movie, and the version we saw was in black and white. The acting was good and seemed mostly natural. It was definitely not as stiff as some old movies. The story line is pretty simple and easy to follow even as things get more messed up.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Setting: 5/5</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
There are not a ton of different places and I don't remember them saying where they lived. There is a mental hospital which they go to and a couple of places in town. The settings seem very much like the settings in other old movies.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Plot: 5/5</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The story is mostly about Dowd's sister trying to get rid of Harvey so that people won't think that they are crazy. Dowd is oblivious to everything and is nice to everyone. He also brings people together, though I don't know why the nurse liked the doctor since he was always rude to her.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Characters: 5/5</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Elwood P. Dowd is friendly to everyone and believes the best about people. He invites people he has hardly met to dinner and tries to introduce everyone to Harvey. His sister is very upset about Harvey, especially since she has occasionally seen him and he looks just as her brother described him. There are other characters too, which play a part in the story, especially when they learn that Dowd is the one everyone thinks is crazy.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It is hinted at that Harvey is actually real, but you only see him in a picture. It has a good ending and I would recommend it.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2136389893828850367.post-25805637126919268062016-07-05T06:00:00.000-04:002016-07-05T06:00:20.352-04:00Book Review: Princess Academy Series<h4 style="text-align: justify;">
Princess Academy by <a href="http://www.squeetus.com/" target="_blank">Shannon Hale</a></h4>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Recommended for: Ages 10 to Adult</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Rating: PG</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1420944888l/22529360.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1420944888l/22529360.jpg" width="130" /></a><i><span id="freeText1405605000979199946">Miri lives on a mountain
where, for generations, her ancestors have lived a simple life. Then
word comes that the king's priests have divined her village the home of
the future princess. In a year's time, the prince will choose his bride
from among the village girls.<br /><br />The king's ministers set up an
academy on the mountain, and every teenage girl must attend and learn
how to become a princess. Soon Miri finds herself confronted with a
harsh academy mistress, bitter competition among the girls, and her own
conflicting desires. Winning the contest could give her everything she
ever wanted-but it would mean leaving her home and family behind.</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span id="freeText1405605000979199946"></span><span class="readable reviewText"><span id="freeTextContainerreview1373164426">It wasn't exactly what I
was expecting, but it was very, very good. I'd been reading it on my
Saturday lunch break for several weeks, but I had to bring it home to finish it. So good. So much about what education can really do, deep relationships, real characters, and the quarry speak is pretty cool.</span></span><i><span id="freeText11148772525515240010"> </span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1420944734l/20613647.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1420944734l/20613647.jpg" width="130" /></a><i><span id="freeText11148772525515240010">Coming down from the
mountain to a new life in the city is a thrill to Miri. She and her
princess academy friends have come to Asland to help the future princess
Britta prepare for her wedding. There, Miri also has a chance to attend
school – at the prestigious Queen's Castle. <br /><br />But as Miri
befriends sophisticated and exciting students, she also learns that they
have some frightening plans for a revolution. Torn between loyalty to
the princess and her new friends' ideas, between an old love and a new
crush, and between her small mountain home and the bustling city, Miri
looks to find her own way in this new place.</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span id="freeText11148772525515240010"> </span><span class="readable reviewText"><span id="freeTextreview1662251032">Oh
my goodness, words cannot express how much I loved this book. The
Princess Academy books are never what I expect, they are so much better.
I intended to leave this as a lunch break book, but I just had to bring
it home and finish it. This book. It's just so deep. I love deep. All
the Ethics questions Miri ponders, the politics, the French
Revolution-type conflict, the uncertainty of her relationship with
Peder...there's just so much I love, that I can relate to, that made me
think. So, so good.</span> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1418629528l/22529349.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1418629528l/22529349.jpg" width="129" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="readable reviewText"> </span><i><span id="freeText14095236232550737372">After a year at the
king's palace, Miri has learned all about being a proper princess. But
the tables turn when the student must become the teacher!<br /><br />Instead
of returning to her beloved Mount Eskel, Miri is ordered to journey to a
distant swamp and start a princess academy for three sisters, cousins
of the royal family. Unfortunately, Astrid, Felissa, and Sus are more
interested in hunting and fishing than becoming princesses.<br /><br />As
Miri spends more time with the sisters, she realizes the king and
queen's interest in them hides a long-buried secret. She must rely on
her own strength and intelligence to unravel the mystery, protect the
girls, complete her assignment, and finally make her way home.</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span id="freeText14095236232550737372"> </span><span class="readable reviewText"><span id="freeTextreview1675912566">The second book is still
my favorite, but I loved this one nevertheless. In a way, it brings the
series full circle as Miri the Princess Academy student becomes the
teacher of a mini Princess Academy. But it is so much more than that.
Political unrest is not yet over, and relations between Danland and
Stora are, well, not pretty. I do caution you not to peek at the end. I
did before I even read <i>Palace of Stone</i>--solely to see if Miri and Peder
got together--and accidentally got a spoiler that ruined a lot of the
suspense. But it still managed to surprise me a bit even so. Miri and
Peder are still fantastic, the sisters are great, things are concluded
well, and I love it to pieces. I must have my own copy.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="readable reviewText"><span id="freeTextreview1675912566">This series is highly recommended. Clean and kid appropriate, yet so deep. Wonderful stories. </span></span></div>
Morgan Hunekehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11090224903186681429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2136389893828850367.post-61012212279178962422016-06-21T07:00:00.000-04:002016-06-21T10:11:31.514-04:00Book Review: Brothers in Arms<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjVEqWsvoa_i2odiKdv4wgLF-qNysxg_VY7m5GHuWBnTawtjHlem7e75E9dr-qs_BFLby8VjIKHSu9RDdv9HQJPbhhWE2QrdaSDOcEkRkWC4ze5wriIYLAEvOce5YHz7AuU-J2NsZHT8s/s1600/Brothers+in+Arms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjVEqWsvoa_i2odiKdv4wgLF-qNysxg_VY7m5GHuWBnTawtjHlem7e75E9dr-qs_BFLby8VjIKHSu9RDdv9HQJPbhhWE2QrdaSDOcEkRkWC4ze5wriIYLAEvOce5YHz7AuU-J2NsZHT8s/s320/Brothers+in+Arms.jpg" width="246" /></a></div>
<h4 style="text-align: justify;">
Brothers in Arms by Jack Lewis Baillot</h4>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Rating: PG-13 (violence)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Recommended for: Ages 15 and up</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i> <span id="freeText2117443454022517043">Franz Kappel and Japhet
Buchanan never expected their friendship to be tested by the Third
Reich. Friends from early childhood, the boys form an inseparable,
brotherly bond. Growing up in a little German village, they escape most
of the struggles of war until the day Japhet is banished from school for
being a Jew, and later has a rib broken when other village boys beat
him up. Franz learns he is putting himself in danger for spending so
much time with Japhet but continues to stand up for his Jewish friend
even at the risk to himself. Then one day their lives are shattered
when they see first-hand that the price of being a Jew is dangerously
high. </span></i><br />
<i><span id="freeText2117443454022517043"><br /> With the war now on their doorsteps, Franz and Japhet come up
with a desperate plan to save their families and get them out of Germany
alive. Leaving behind the lives they've always known, they move into
Berlin with nothing to protect them but forged papers and each other.
Convinced their friendship can keep them going, the boys try and make a
new life for themselves while trying to keep their true identities and
Japhet's heritage a secret. Taking his best friend's safety upon
himself, Franz joins the Nazis in an attempt to get valuable
information. At the same time, Japhet joins the Jewish Resistance,
neither friend telling the other of their new occupations.</span></i><br />
<i><span id="freeText2117443454022517043"><br /> With
everyone in their world telling them a Nazi and a Jew can't be friends,
it is only a matter of time before they believe all the lies themselves,
until neither is certain if they are fighting against a race of people
or fighting for their homeland. Somehow they have to survive the
horrors of World War II, even when all of Germany seems to be against
them.</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span id="freeText2117443454022517043">This is a great but sad book about friendship in Germany during WWII. This book was one I actually felt like reading and wanted to read over doing other activities, which doesn't happen very often. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span id="freeText2117443454022517043">Writing: 4/5</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span id="freeText2117443454022517043">The writing was easy to stay focused on and it was easy to follow the story. She also clearly presented the gospel in a natural way in the story. There were a lot of typos and some wrong tenses. I also wished that some of the changes of point of views were more defined. There was a lot of back story that was the foundation to the story. The ending was satisfying, but I wish that it had a little more before it ended and went to the Afterword. I was also able to get attached to the characters.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span id="freeText2117443454022517043">Plot: 5/5</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span id="freeText2117443454022517043">The story is about two boys' friendship during WWII and them trying to survive the war. It is a very character focused story, which is something that I really like. It is a very sad book and many people die. While it doesn't have a lot of detail of what happened in the Holocaust, there is some violence mostly when characters are interrogated.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span id="freeText2117443454022517043">Setting: 4/5</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span id="freeText2117443454022517043"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span id="freeText2117443454022517043">I haven't done a lot of research on Germany during this period, but there are some more minor things that didn't seem quite historically accurate but that don't really affect the story (except the one that was addressed in the historical note at the back of the book). For example, when the children start becoming indoctrinated there is no mention of Hitler Youth for awhile and no mention of the Kappels not attending Hitler Youth and what repercussions might occur from them not going. The setting seemed real and the way a character was pushed to do things was done in a realistic way. The feel of the story definitely fit with the story. It did seem well researched and not every thing will be completely accurate.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span id="freeText2117443454022517043"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span id="freeText2117443454022517043">Characters: 5/5</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span id="freeText2117443454022517043"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span id="freeText2117443454022517043">This is a character book (with a good story too) and these characters go through a lot. They make mistakes and sometimes act rashly. They have their good and their bad, which make them more human, and are still likeable. The things the characters go through impact and change them. They changed slowly and not all at once. Things also aren't always clear to them, like in real life, and they then make mistakes which don't just magically go away, and they have to deal with the consequences of their mistakes. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span id="freeText2117443454022517043">This is a book that is well worth reading. It is sad but still good. I really enjoyed reading it and would recommend it to people who like character stories.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2136389893828850367.post-57334345594030689732016-06-14T01:00:00.001-04:002016-06-14T01:00:15.552-04:00Book Review: By Darkness Hid (Blood of Kings, Book One)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsfxSAsi7b6Cwy-3f_IY1-MSBvtscK06ZPdCVvrKDwJjMwiqCduNCkb_UkfgbUV4Uc0V27UUyfQFOd4Txib_etKFkSxjVWziFrutwKu6GD933tTodmW7Q5-EWTJoRnz1rcVb_0IGtLDn9P/s1600/By+Darkness+Hid+%2528Blood+of+Kings%252C+Book+One%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsfxSAsi7b6Cwy-3f_IY1-MSBvtscK06ZPdCVvrKDwJjMwiqCduNCkb_UkfgbUV4Uc0V27UUyfQFOd4Txib_etKFkSxjVWziFrutwKu6GD933tTodmW7Q5-EWTJoRnz1rcVb_0IGtLDn9P/s320/By+Darkness+Hid+%2528Blood+of+Kings%252C+Book+One%2529.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>
<h4>
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00266Q078/ref=series_rw_dp_sw" target="_blank">By Darkness Hid (Blood of Kings, Book One)</a> by <a href="http://jillwilliamson.com/" target="_blank">Jill Williamson</a></h4>
<br />
Recommended For: Ages 13 to Adult<br />
<br />
Rating: PG-13 (violence, mature themes)<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Half of the kingdom is shrouded in Darkness. On the side that still sees the sun, two young adults struggle to understand the magical abilities thrust upon them. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>It's called bloodvoicing. Some say it's a gift. One of the newly "gifted" wish it had never come. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Jill Williamson’s award-winning epic fantasy series, Blood of Kings, tells the story of Achan, an orphan who’s been a stray all his life. When an enigmatic knight offers to train Achan for the Kingsguard, he readily accepts. But his new skills with the sword do not prepare him for the battle raging between the voices in his head. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Vrell Sparrow is not who she seems. She masquerades as a boy to avoid marriage to a powerful prince who seeks to exploit her. But Vrell feels called to help a young squire who recently discovered his bloodvoicing gift, even if doing so puts her in the path of her enemy. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>While Achan learns to use his new ability, Vrell struggles to shut hers down. All the voices strive to learn Achan and Vrell's true identities—and a different kind of voice is calling them both to adventure, romance and a truth that just might push back Darkness for good.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So, I started this in a book slump because the cover was cool. For some reason, no Kindle books were good enough. All I wanted was a physical book. So I got through a little bit of the beginning, gave up on Kindle books, and read Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson instead. (Good book, by the way. Definitely worth a read.) Then I picked this book up again Thursday morning after getting out of the book slump and...I was finished with it by that evening. Man, it was a good book! I admit, during Vrell's POV, I was very impatient to get back to Achan, but still. Very good book. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It's been long enough (AKA, I've read a book or two in between) that I don't think I can remember enough to review it analytically. But I know I loved the characters. Achan and Vrell, man, they were amazing! I did like Achan better than Vrell, but I still really liked Vrell. And yes, I have a ship between those two even though Vrell's engaged to someone else and Achan's attracted to her cousin and doesn't even know Vrell's a girl. But still. They'd be perfect for each other!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I also really liked the bloodvoicing and the way Christianity was portrayed. A little hard to explain, but it was fresh and new while staying true to the essentials. Certainly not the typical Christian fantasy allegory that sticks to dry facts while missing virtually everything that's most important. Quite a relief!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I absolutely loved how she took very overdone story idea and took such a new angle on it, I didn't see it coming until it was revealed. <span style="color: red;">SPOILER </span>I suspected he was somehow a big part of the royal family since bloodvoicing is a gift that is passed down through anyone descended from the Er'Rets royal family and Sir Gavin was dragging Achan to the prince's confirmation when it was way dangerous, but I did not expect him to be the prince! For all the times "unsuspecting hero turns out to be long-lost prince." I think the main reason Jill Williamson pulled it off so well was because she didn't flaunt in the readers' faces that the identity of the prince was questionable. She didn't really need more foreshadowing since the plot has been done so many times. Kudos to Jill Williamson for keeping readers blind! It was so refreshing to see a really good but clichéd plot done well. <span style="color: red;">END SPOILER</span><br />
<br />
I would definitely recommend this book, and since you can get it free for Kindle on Amazon, head over there now and buy it!</div>
Addyson M. Hunekehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05002463188810886280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2136389893828850367.post-10013616653083447212016-06-09T06:00:00.000-04:002016-06-09T06:00:33.867-04:00Movie Review: Wreck it Ralph<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvnEPh8tYdGeCcNOqQCxaxzbtuv4DsqrT4f1gudtXjlii9tVApaozx7NiIGjOTnF3WZu2fife0DlIAGu42-zoIsksamKOwvLfjL6AWRkdaGjEuUipeAKi8AvjQdIe0Oymi3DLMfDrhOMA/s1600/Wreck+it+Ralph.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvnEPh8tYdGeCcNOqQCxaxzbtuv4DsqrT4f1gudtXjlii9tVApaozx7NiIGjOTnF3WZu2fife0DlIAGu42-zoIsksamKOwvLfjL6AWRkdaGjEuUipeAKi8AvjQdIe0Oymi3DLMfDrhOMA/s320/Wreck+it+Ralph.jpg" width="226" /></a></div>
<h4 style="text-align: justify;">
Wreck it Ralph</h4>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
PG (rude humor and mild action/violence)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Recommended for: All ages</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /><i>Wreck-It Ralph longs to be as beloved as his game's perfect Good Guy, Fix-It Felix. Problem is, nobody loves a Bad Guy. But they do love heroes... so when a modern, first-person shooter game arrives featuring tough-as-nails Sergeant Calhoun, Ralph sees it as his ticket to heroism and happiness. He sneaks into the game with a simple plan -- win a medal -- but soon wrecks everything, and accidentally unleashes a deadly enemy that threatens every game in the arcade. Ralph's only hope? Vanellope von Schweetz, a young troublemaking "glitch" from a candy-coated cart racing game who might just be the one to teach Ralph what it means to be a Good Guy. But will he realize he is good enough to become a hero before it's "Game Over" for the entire arcade?</i><br /><br />I thought, before I saw this movie, that it seemed like an interesting concept. I was also told by a little girl that it was the sweetest movie because of the candy.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Technical: 5/5</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The animation of the characters was good and since they are video game characters, they're not supposed to look realistic. The story was more complicated than normal for a kid's movie but not confusing. It was also cool to see the foreshadowing of the finale.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Setting: 4/5</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It was interesting to see how they made the video game world a place where the characters lived. They travel through the wires to get to a place where you can go to different games. The different games were all very unique and the characters reflected where they came from, but one of them was given the saddest backstory. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Plot: 5/5</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The plot follows Ralph who does something rash while trying to get acceptance from others and thinking that a medal will give him that. Other characters are trying to save their games because Ralph's rash actions could destroy everything. There are two main plots: Ralph trying to be a good guy and trying to save their worlds from destruction. Their actions do have consequences. There is also Vanellope's story. She glitches and so is treated badly. Ralph also makes a tough decision about her, doing what he believes to be right even though it hurts him and Vanellope.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Characters: 5/5</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Disney characters are always well developed, and this movie is no exception. Each character has their motive which drives their actions throughout the movie. They do grow, realizing when they made mistakes, except for the bad guy. The characters also have their different hurts and prejudices which shape the way they act towards each other.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This is a fun movie with a sweet setting (Vanellope's world) and even if you are not into video games, like me, it is still a good movie and I would recommend it.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2136389893828850367.post-78195640039256086422016-05-31T02:30:00.000-04:002016-05-31T02:30:00.147-04:00Book Review: Defy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh859Zf6j6-o7yfzG0myXIJht8mwlrGgRKgYxJIGCCBQxnNdqWeWjJpLVnf16_VgtAmzY8jpIMaDfmWi7uyr4sMn_vTHNZq3PX44nLnP8UzG0bxSx-km_pWDFnBNdyXjU3lOD6GKF-JyaWc/s1600/Defy+Blades+of+Acktar+Book+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh859Zf6j6-o7yfzG0myXIJht8mwlrGgRKgYxJIGCCBQxnNdqWeWjJpLVnf16_VgtAmzY8jpIMaDfmWi7uyr4sMn_vTHNZq3PX44nLnP8UzG0bxSx-km_pWDFnBNdyXjU3lOD6GKF-JyaWc/s320/Defy+Blades+of+Acktar+Book+Cover.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<h4>
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Defy-Blades-Acktar-Book-3-ebook/dp/B01FBI0M9O?ie=UTF8&keywords=defy&qid=1464278364&ref_=sr_1_4&s=books&sr=1-4" target="_blank">The Blades of Acktar: Defy</a> by <a href="https://triciamingerink.com/" target="_blank">Tricia Mingerink</a></h4>
<br />
Recommended for: Ages 13 to Adult<br />
<br />
Rating: PG-13 (for violence, intense torture scenes, and intense epic battle sequences)<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><strong>The war for Acktar has begun.</strong> </em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><br />With his betrayal revealed, former Blade Leith Torren flees into the Sheered Rock Hills, pursued by King Respen’s vengeful Blades. </em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><br />Left behind at Nalgar Castle, Renna Faythe tries to find her purpose, yet that purpose isn’t what she expected. </em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><br />Brandi Faythe has been torn from her sister, and that isn’t all right. If Leith can’t rescue Renna, Brandi will take matters into her own hands. </em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><br />War demands sacrifice. Courage falters. Who will find the strength to defy King Respen? </em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><br />Acktar rests on one hope: </em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><br /><strong>The Leader is ready.</strong> </em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times;">*Incoherent screaming* Okay, okay, I'm calm, I'm calm. (Not really, but who cares?) Oh my goodness, wow, that was an AMAZING book. I was literally shaking during some intense scenes of the book. And I, who have only ever been brought to tears by one piece of fiction in my life (<em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Star-Wars-Awakens-Blu-ray-Digital/dp/B018FK66TU?ie=UTF8&keywords=the%20force%20awakens&qid=1464279274&ref_=sr_1_3&s=movies-tv&sr=1-3" target="_blank">Star Wars Episode VII: the Force Awakens</a></em>), had a tear in my eye because of this book. Somehow, without me realizing it, this book series became my second favorite ever, only topped by the ever amazing <em><a href="http://www.ilyonchronicles.com/" target="_blank">Ilyon Chronicles</a></em> (because while Leith Torren is one of the most amazing fictional characters I have ever read about, he has not and can never pass up <a href="http://ilyonchronicles.blogspot.com/2014/06/character-spotlight-jace.html" target="_blank">Jace</a>). This book was simply amazing. After I finished it, I had to scream into my pillow because I couldn't hold it in and didn't want to scream in front of my sister. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times;">I received this book free as a result of winning the Name That Character contest, and was simply ecstatic when the email with the book arrived on my kindle on May 25 (when I was struggling to hold my eyes open because of exhaustion from the election the night before plus Benadryl). Due to some problems with my email, I wasn't able to send it to my kindle and actually read it until that night, when I was halfway through Brothers-In-Arms, which I preordered on kindle. I finished Brothers-In-Arms late last night, and early this morning, when I couldn't sleep because my stomach was in knots because of pollen allergies, I picked up the book and barely put it down until I finished it. Just...wow. Please excuse all the fangirling bound to end up in this post, but IT WAS JUST SO GOOD!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times;">Writing: 5/5</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times;">I think I noticed a couple typos or something...I'm not sure...if there were some, they weren't enough to detract from the story. The three main POVs were perfect, and Tricia included just the right number of scenes, with no extraneous ones and no essential ones left out. Poor Leith can never fully recover from what he went through... What happened to him ripped my heart out, but also satisfied me as an author's promise to her readers finally fulfilled. (So many authors break the promises they make to the readers. So glad Tricia isn't one of them.)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times;">Setting: 5/5</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times;">Great. I loved Eagle Heights. It was so interesting. And I liked seeing more of Nalgar Castle. Mostly, it was good enough to let the characters move around in and add to the plot without getting undue attention.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times;">Plot: 5/5</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times;">Oh my goodness. This is how authors get inducted into the evil author society. <span style="color: red;">SPOILER </span>Tricia can't pretend for one minute she didn't enjoy torturing Leith.<span style="color: red;"> END SPOILER</span> All the things they went through, it's amazing more people aren't dead. The plot was well-paced and exciting and gripping and...oh, for Pete's sake, just go read the book! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times;">Character Development: 5/5</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times;">Why are you still standing here? Oh, right, I have to finish the review. Leith was amazing, and so strong in his faith, the dear boy! Renna has grown so much, she's so strong and full of courage and kindness! She was only made stronger by what she went through. And Brandi, poor, dear, innocent, light-hearted Brandi had to grow up completely. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPrijgDm_Ug9DnAZtiDz8Qiyp-z-TIrvHTLPc4RA9J-j2StP-PT_YpY_6_DU98lSlO0z6SsCOWO6qbmtDUKPBZ94s2DMBYFjR6zj5EnIK6iizbU1KZ89BH9qnZbTbndbNsWbzgHqFV_chx/s1600/Mushu+meme+Mulan+baby+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPrijgDm_Ug9DnAZtiDz8Qiyp-z-TIrvHTLPc4RA9J-j2StP-PT_YpY_6_DU98lSlO0z6SsCOWO6qbmtDUKPBZ94s2DMBYFjR6zj5EnIK6iizbU1KZ89BH9qnZbTbndbNsWbzgHqFV_chx/s320/Mushu+meme+Mulan+baby+2.png" width="232" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Sorry, I couldn't help myself. I feel just like Mushu watching Brandi, though. The other characters were great, too, and OH MY GOODNESS I just remembered, I was not expecting that plot twist in the middle when that certain character showed up and was alive and started hating on Leith (how dare he!)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9jjUC7bqx-qOo_PY5OXEmAqqmcvPDpMEKGau0jl8GFzHXWGunMqqK_ckuiDCjII40ToExJB3b8onT5QU0HQ3f1HHfFPci9qQ1kTBRDirBjn7mBi4hN-h5TXmqLstw6ndN_pXByRzux-8Y/s1600/Mushu+meme+dishonor.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9jjUC7bqx-qOo_PY5OXEmAqqmcvPDpMEKGau0jl8GFzHXWGunMqqK_ckuiDCjII40ToExJB3b8onT5QU0HQ3f1HHfFPci9qQ1kTBRDirBjn7mBi4hN-h5TXmqLstw6ndN_pXByRzux-8Y/s320/Mushu+meme+dishonor.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Don't nobody go hatin' on my babies. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
But I guess he's okay now, since he's finally started to forgive Leith. <span style="color: red;">SPOILER </span><span style="color: black;">So sad that Respen never converted before he died! But Martyn is starting to see the light, as well as the other Blade, so I guess that makes up for it. </span><span style="color: red;">END SPOILER </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
So anyway, now that I have that off my chest, I can go do something productive! Au revoir!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Oh, and by the way, check out <em>Defy's</em> <a href="https://triciamingerink.com/2016/05/26/defy-blog-tour-begins/" target="_blank">BLOG TOUR!!!!</a></div>
</span>Addyson M. Hunekehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05002463188810886280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2136389893828850367.post-82899817492878899412016-05-26T02:30:00.000-04:002016-05-26T02:30:40.105-04:00Movie Review: Walt Before Mickey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiumvDxBUP1q_zkvuPnnoLT8O6s3W4Utp5qlx5KcpoBRCWaCukGeWv3vgavxFl8G0TL8u-DGte-cM8JxAXvuXbf059ONmBqfOaHAe-Twt-Qfle3yXcUO_tuOnTqGCIdn3uu5Ng9aw4_hG_Z/s1600/Walt+Before+Mickey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiumvDxBUP1q_zkvuPnnoLT8O6s3W4Utp5qlx5KcpoBRCWaCukGeWv3vgavxFl8G0TL8u-DGte-cM8JxAXvuXbf059ONmBqfOaHAe-Twt-Qfle3yXcUO_tuOnTqGCIdn3uu5Ng9aw4_hG_Z/s320/Walt+Before+Mickey.jpg" width="233" /></a></div>
<h4>
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Walt-Before-Mickey-Thomas-Nicholas/dp/B013TFJ4SQ/ref=sr_1_2?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1464036784&sr=1-2&keywords=walt+before+mickey" target="_blank">Walt Before Mickey</a></h4>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Recommended For: Ages 10 to Adult</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Rating: PG for period smoking throughout, mild thematic elements, and language</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times";">(From the Amazon description of the book)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<em>For ten years before the creation of Mickey Mouse, Walt Disney struggled with, failed at, and eventually mastered the art and business of animation. Most biographies of his career begin in 1928, when Steamboat Willie was released. That first Disney Studio cartoon with synchronized sound made its main character―Mickey Mouse―an icon for generations.</em><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<em></em><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<em>But Steamboat Willie was neither Disney’s first cartoon nor Mickey Mouse’s first appearance. Prior to this groundbreaking achievement, Walt Disney worked in a variety of venues and studios, refining what would become known as the Disney style. In Walt before Mickey: Disney’s Early Years, 1919–1928, Timothy Susanin creates a portrait of the artist from age seventeen to the cusp of his international renown.</em><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<em></em><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<em>After serving in the Red Cross in France after World War I, Walt Disney worked for advertising and commercial art in Kansas City. Walt used these experiences to create four studios―Kaycee Studios, Laugh-O-gram Films, Disney Brothers Studio, and Walt Disney Studio. Using company documents, private correspondence between Walt and his brother Roy, contemporary newspaper accounts, and new interviews with Disney’s associates, Susanin traces Disney’s path. The author shows Disney to be a complicated, resourceful man, especially during his early career. Walt before Mickey, a critical biography of a man at a crucial juncture, provides the “missing decade” that started Walt Disney’s career and gave him the skills to become a name known worldwide.</em></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span>As life-long Disney lovers, of course our family jumped at the chance of watching this when it was on Netflix. While it wasn't made very well, it accurately portrayed the struggles Walt Disney went through to get to writing Mickey and was a very enjoyable movie.<br />
<br />
Technical: 3/5<br />
The actors...couldn't act. At least most of them couldn't. the most blatant bad actor was Roy Disney. Thankfully, the others weren't half as bad as Roy and I got used to them. Roy, however...ouch.The dialogue also could have been better written, and the beginning was slow, and there was a little too much showing rather than telling. But other than that, it seemed well made.<br />
<br />
Setting: 5/5<br />
From what I know, it seemed very accurate to the times. The settings are well fleshed out and vibrant, but not more prominent than the characters and plot. <br />
<br />
Plot: 4/5<br />
It was mainly from Walt's years trying to jumpstart a studio right to his first Mickey cartoon. The plot was well-spaced and well thought out, although again, told a little too much rather than shown. All in all, a good plot that could have been better executed.<br />
<br />
Character Development: 4.5/5<br />
Since I never knew any of the people in this movie, I can't know for sure if the movie makers got their characters right, but I think they were well-done, all except Walt himself. He didn't have quite the fun and imagination shining through him that I've seen in the videos of the older Walt. Maybe that was just the actor not quite being able to pull Walt off completely. I don't know. I just wasn't completely satisfied with the seriousness of Walt.<br />
<br />
This was a good movie despite technical problems that I would recommend for any Disney lover.</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Addyson M. Hunekehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05002463188810886280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2136389893828850367.post-12664379664617657992016-05-24T07:00:00.000-04:002016-05-24T07:00:10.314-04:00Book Review: The Last of the Mohicans<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4TOGKdTmSDzJYdQIbWCWLRYvpHNjrULAxjDafnhADspCGEyW7UO1JVvi18QLzid96Wxr8XCzrQFibY1UhlYq91bQuusJsVsvg9cD9IuMgN6V1l4clSqq1fPyqyP49onXzjIPaosaL-bI/s1600/the+last+of+the+Mohicans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4TOGKdTmSDzJYdQIbWCWLRYvpHNjrULAxjDafnhADspCGEyW7UO1JVvi18QLzid96Wxr8XCzrQFibY1UhlYq91bQuusJsVsvg9cD9IuMgN6V1l4clSqq1fPyqyP49onXzjIPaosaL-bI/s320/the+last+of+the+Mohicans.jpg" width="192" /></a></div>
<h4 style="text-align: justify;">
The Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper</h4>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />Rating: PG-13 (violence)<br /><br />Recommended for: Ages 13 and up <br /><i><br /> The wild rush of action in this classic frontier adventure story has made The Last of the Mohicans the most popular of James Fenimore Cooper’s Leatherstocking Tales. Deep in the forests of upper New York State, the brave woodsman Hawkeye (Natty Bumppo) and his loyal Mohican friends Chingachgook and Uncas become embroiled in the bloody battles of the French and Indian War. The abduction of the beautiful Munro sisters by hostile savages, the treachery of the renegade brave Magua, the ambush of innocent settlers, and the thrilling events that lead to the final tragic confrontation between rival war parties create an unforgettable, spine-tingling picture of life on the frontier. And as the idyllic wilderness gives way to the forces of civilization, the novel presents a moving portrayal of a vanishing race and the end of its way of life in the great American forests.</i><br /><br />I was told that this book was really good and really terrible because people died. It is not my favorite book that I have read for school this year, but there are some good things.<br /><br /> Writing: 3/5<br /><br />The style is the same as most classics. So, it was wordy and difficult to focus on. There would be some action and it would be interesting and then it would get boring again. There were a lot of notes at the back of the book in the edition that I read. I didn't read all of them but the ones that I did read were helpful. They would explain about the different names of the Indian tribes, which could get confusing.<br /><br />Setting: 4/5<br /><br />The story takes place in New England during the French and Indian war. There was a lot of description about the landscape and the Indian villages and about some historical things. From what I learned in history, one character was wrong about the behavior of the American soldiers in battles, saying they didn't fight in a way that they did. I learned that the British made fun of them for fighting in that way.<br /><br />Plot: 3.5/5<br /><br /> Throughout the entire story, they were mostly just escaping, being kidnapped, rescuing each other, and fleeing. I think I mostly followed the plot, but there were a couple times where I was a little confused. The plot itself wasn't that complicated, as long as you remembered where everyone was. If you are able to get into this story, it would be pretty intense and exciting, but the writing style kept me from getting into it.<br /><br />Characters: 4/5<br /><br /> There was one character that sometimes went by his first name and sometimes by his last name. I had to ask if they were the same person. The characters are mostly unique from each other, but I don't remember there being a huge difference between Cora and Alice. I do think that they all could have been developed more. The main bad guy is vindictive and tries to hurt the father of Cora and Alice because he is mad about having been punished. Hawkeye picks on David for singing Psalms instead of using a weapon, and, although David isn't a fighter, he is willing to put his life on the line for others. There is also some romance.<br /><br /> While this wasn't my favorite classic, it is still good and clean (unlike <i>The Hunchback of Notre Dame</i>), and there is Christianity in it, though one character has kind of left it. If you like classics and like this period of history, you will probably like this book.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2136389893828850367.post-73878473371916217982016-05-17T06:00:00.000-04:002016-05-17T06:00:19.862-04:00Book Review: Samara's Peril<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinbs9Cbt_wSavCdY0lAHNwrtlTCsC-8r_bPnz8bieU_-yZ79VhF4HWTSY7UDmZCxWNQfmkGDJAmaQM6JdR71lQhn8RaV_8HVSz0v0r59kD7jFbt9rHJ5RniTEfK78isp47ffTtl7YoLAQk/s1600/SPCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinbs9Cbt_wSavCdY0lAHNwrtlTCsC-8r_bPnz8bieU_-yZ79VhF4HWTSY7UDmZCxWNQfmkGDJAmaQM6JdR71lQhn8RaV_8HVSz0v0r59kD7jFbt9rHJ5RniTEfK78isp47ffTtl7YoLAQk/s320/SPCover.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<h4 style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.jayelknight.com/samaras-peril.html" target="_blank">Samara's Peril</a> by <a href="http://www.jayelknight.com/" target="_blank">Jaye L. Knight</a></h4>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Recommended for: Ages 14 to Adult</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Rating: PG-13 (for violence and references to rape; one woman was attacked by a ryrik in the past and a young man tries to drag off a young woman. He is prevented from doing anything, but later accuses another of the same act. All very well handled.)<br />
<br />
<i>When news arrives that Emperor Daican has been in contact with his chief war strategist, it signals potential doom for the country of Samara. Determined to intervene, the resistance in Landale, headed by Lady Anne, embark on a covert mission in hopes of unearthing further information. However, a shocking discovery leads to complications no one could have foreseen. <br /><br /> Armed with their newfound knowledge, they set out for Samara to warn the king. War is inevitable, and they must face two desperate battles—one on the walls of Samara’s great stronghold, and the other on the battlefield of Jace’s heart, where victory might only be achievable through great sacrifice.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
Available now on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Samaras-Peril-Ilyon-Chronicles-Book-ebook/dp/B01CIIFBK0/">Amazon</a>, <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/samaras-peril-jaye-l-knight/1123485931">Barnes & Noble</a>, and <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1089836271">iBooks</a>! </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29416663-samara-s-peril" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29416663-samara-s-peril" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicsUmzNwpvuHooI0gYZacgUA5a4iTsF4L_YhEH5cXGBWnp9VsrLiHsKeKo6wAWGmFHaRxbV0zAl7KEmCiXUDVz1AY3ZzHoBhoFB35Cd_vhrvn9qqUOJE_BR5Xi5nyJkHriKP2D72IaQOPE/s1600/7999012_orig.png" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<i>Samara's Peril</i>. Book three of the amazing <i>Ilyon Chronicles</i>. Each book in Ilyon just gets better. I loved this book, every bit of it. It's intense and heartbreaking, but has such happy moments as well. There were parts where my whole body was tense, and there were parts where I'm pretty sure I was probably grinning like a silly idiot. Parts that I've reread many times, parts that make me very happy, parts that make me sad, parts that fill me with hope. I'm just going to go ahead and say that I highly recommend it.<br />
<br />
Writing: 5/5<br />
<br />
Yep, the writing is just as good as in previous installments. I really felt the intensity and sorrow, the happiness and hope. Jaye really gets into her characters' heads. I felt all of Jace's struggles, experienced his trials and successes, resonated with Kyrin's emotions. I look at the way Jaye does things to figure out how to write deep character point of view.<br />
<br />
Setting: 5/5<br />
<br />
And the new stuff. Because the old settings are consistent with previous books. We visit Ashwood, the home of Sir Rothas. It's kind of like a clean version of Downton Abbey, but it fits perfectly within the Arcacian worldbuilding. We also visit the country of Samara in this book. It's got a different feel from Arcacia, but it works very well. And the Biblical parallels. One after another stood out to me as I was reading. I don't want to give too much away, but the allegorical side of the story is very powerful, in my opinion. I thought it was very well done.<br />
<br />
Plot: 5/5<br />
<br />
The storyline includes finding out Jace's backstory as well as significant progress in Jace and Kyrin's relationship. Of course it's amazing. :) Jace finds out his backstory and it has both positive and negative effects. That part of the story is definitely packed with conflict, and is kind of stressful, but never dull. Then they go to Samara as Jace is on a downward spiral. Battles ensue, both on a spiritual level and on a physical level. I thought the plot was well constructed, flowed well, and made sense. There was a perfect balance of external conflict, internal turmoil, and sweet squeal-worthy moments. Loved it all.<br />
<br />
Character Development: 5/5<br />
<br />
Jace and Kyrin. <3 I love those two. Their relationship does take some stress in this book, but they come out better than they were before. I just love how three dimensional the characters are. I met my most hated Ilyon villain in this book. I cannot stand Rothas. I want him to die. Please, Jaye? ;) But Elanor is so sweet, Charles is awesome, and so is Rachel, James needs a good mentor, Balen is a great king...all the new characters add so much to the story. We get plenty of Kyrin's family, we see Rayad, some of Trask...oh, and Anne was fantastic in this book. Definitely some "Go, Anne!" moments. Leetra is softening ever so slightly, Timothy and Aaron have some roles. And there's Elon. I wasn't exactly expecting it in this book, but I can't see it happening any other way. He was exactly what Jace needed, and it was powerful.<br />
<br />
So good. Because of some Ashwood details, I'd recommend it for mid teens and up, but definitely recommended.<br />
<br />
<i>I received a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. I was under
no obligation to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my
own.</i><br />
<br />
<u><b>About the Author </b></u><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhggMtsRFMvqTUAh9PQGbhMtoVj87SvluCT-vwFLtWCJN3AEi1IxoXuUlWvqEuNt0OJGy3W5NaCZD9OtHAHUV3sdxyI8PXRTUGsSm93-OXoZhEZAPlfA9vLpiYsddVqSNu0qGOb6rqPJnAT/s1600/JayeAuthor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhggMtsRFMvqTUAh9PQGbhMtoVj87SvluCT-vwFLtWCJN3AEi1IxoXuUlWvqEuNt0OJGy3W5NaCZD9OtHAHUV3sdxyI8PXRTUGsSm93-OXoZhEZAPlfA9vLpiYsddVqSNu0qGOb6rqPJnAT/s200/JayeAuthor.jpg" width="168" /></a>Jaye
L. Knight is an award-winning author, homeschool graduate, and
shameless tea addict with a passion for Christian fantasy. Armed with an
active imagination and love for adventure, Jaye weaves stories of
truth, faith, and courage with the message that even in the deepest
darkness, God’s love shines as a light to offer hope. She has been
penning stories since the age of eight and resides in the Northwoods of
Wisconsin. <br />
<br />
You can connect with Jaye on her <a href="http://www.jayelknight.com/">website</a>, <a href="http://jayelknight.blogspot.com/">blog</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/jayelknight">Facebook</a>, <a href="http://google.com/+JayeLKnight">Google+</a>, <a href="http://www.twitter.com/jayelknight">Twitter</a>, and <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/JayeLKnight">Etsy</a>.<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://img1.etsystatic.com/126/0/10014368/il_570xN.874420851_5oqq.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://img1.etsystatic.com/126/0/10014368/il_570xN.874420851_5oqq.jpg" width="150" /></a>Shameless backward plug: </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
To all you fellow Ilyon fans, my sister and I made Tyra plushies that we have for sale on <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/257525093/black-wolf-stuffed-animal" target="_blank">Etsy</a>. :) Go check them out.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-iifpnL9BEWEzSwBmVBt1S4mngcT8QNOjxPHYp7tfY3q5ky6b067m3m3vdMpPtsRUFveEvzI_WyNoZMX66ExqdzQcF02Z2lQ_BKrw45ndsVCgtk3n2J5vS5ZZjbZRaqkC8uevKe0heQ1S/s1600/SPGiveawayBanner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-iifpnL9BEWEzSwBmVBt1S4mngcT8QNOjxPHYp7tfY3q5ky6b067m3m3vdMpPtsRUFveEvzI_WyNoZMX66ExqdzQcF02Z2lQ_BKrw45ndsVCgtk3n2J5vS5ZZjbZRaqkC8uevKe0heQ1S/s400/SPGiveawayBanner.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<u><b>Giveaway </b></u><br />
Share
in the excitement of the release and enter to win a themed giveaway
pack! Prizes include an autographed copy of Samara’s Peril, a John 3:16
necklace by <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/FaithWearDesigns">FaithWearDesigns</a>, and a green wire dragon bookmark by <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/Wirelings">Wirelings</a>! (Giveaway is open to US residents only. Cannot be shipped internationally.)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="1f7330c118" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/1f7330c118/" id="rcwidget_p9lfklvw" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><br />
<script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://jayelknight.blogspot.com/p/samaras-peril-blog-tour.html" target="_blank">Find the rest of the blog tour here! </a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
</div>
Morgan Hunekehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11090224903186681429noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2136389893828850367.post-6834958050469452902016-05-10T06:00:00.000-04:002016-05-10T06:00:22.766-04:00Book Review: Percy Jackson and the Olympians<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1400602609l/28187.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1400602609l/28187.jpg" height="200" width="128" /></a></div>
<h4 style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.rickriordan.com/books/percy-jacksons-world/percy-jackson-and-the-olympians" target="_blank">Percy Jackson and the Olympians</a></h4>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Rating: PG (violence)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Recommended for: Ages 12 to Adult</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span id="freeText8609308710424611184"><i>Percy Jackson is a good
kid, but he can't seem to focus on his schoolwork or control his temper.
And lately, being away at boarding school is only getting worse—Percy
could have sworn his pre-algebra teacher turned into a monster and tried
to kill him. When Percy's mom finds out, she knows it's time that he
knew the truth about where he came from, and that he go to the one place
he'll be safe. She sends Percy to Camp Half Blood, a summer camp for
demigods (on Long Island), where he learns that the father he never knew
is Poseidon, God of the Sea. Soon a mystery unfolds and together with
his friends—one a satyr and the other the demigod daughter of
Athena—Percy sets out on a quest across the United States to reach the
gates of the Underworld (located in a recording studio in Hollywood) and
prevent a catastrophic war between the gods</i>.</span><span id="freeText8609308710424611184"> </span><br />
<br />
<span id="freeText8609308710424611184">This is going to be more of my thoughts on the series than a regular review. Because as far as a literary analysis goes, this series gets 4-5 points all the way, and I don't want to keep saying the same things over and over again. Addy, don't get onto me for not following the system.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span id="freeText8609308710424611184">"I like it except..."</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span id="freeText8609308710424611184">A few weeks ago, a friend and I had a conversation about <i>Mulan</i> and Disney movies, and how for pretty much all of them it's "I like it except..." For instance, I like <i>Mulan</i> except the whole ancestor worship thing. But I realized the same is true for most fiction.</span> For <i>Percy Jackson</i>, I like it except the fact that the assumption that Greek gods are real denies the existence of the One true God.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1400602661l/28186.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1400602661l/28186.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a><span id="freeText8609308710424611184">That's a pretty big except, the same one that caused me to hate Disney's <i>Hercules</i>. It's not one that can be reconciled. Indeed, if I didn't have Christian friends who like the series, I never would have read the books, let alone bought them. It's a tough call. I don't have any more problem with the <i>Percy Jackson</i> series than I do with learning about the actual myths. In fact, I'm sure with my own children it'll be "Now, we're done with our study on Greek myths. HERE'S <i>PERCY JACKSON</i>, GO READ IT. AND NO, WE ARE<i> NOT</i> WATCHING THE MOVIES." But is it truly okay? I don't know. Because I still don't like Greek myths, I'm still not okay with pretending they are real, and (though this is utterly impossible) I'd like it better if it didn't make Greek mythology "real." But I do like <i>Percy Jackson and the Olympians</i>.</span><br />
<br />
<span id="freeText8609308710424611184"> <b>The C</b></span><b><span id="freeText8609308710424611184">haracters</span></b><br />
<br />
<span id="freeText8609308710424611184">The main reason I like these books is because of the characters. They're all very well developed and each one adds to the story.</span><br />
<br />
<span id="freeText8609308710424611184"><i>Percy Jackson</i></span><br />
Percy is the protagonist, son of Poseidon, and the narrator of the series. In a lot of ways he's a fairly normal preteen/teen, but in a lot of ways, he's so much better. He's ADHD and dyslexic, common signs of being a halfblood, a demigod, and he's got a crazy sense of humor. So often I laughed or just had to read something out loud because the wording or the metaphor used was just so unusual and funny. And he's very loyal to his friends. He'd do anything to save them. He really would. He'll even fall into Tartarus with Annabeth, though that doesn't happen until the second series. Percy isn't perfect. He makes lots of mistakes, and his fatal flaw is that he's willing to go too far in protecting his friends, or at least so he's told by Athena. But Percy is strong and a great fighter, and he doesn't know it. He doesn't realize how awesome he is, and that just makes it better.<br />
<br />
<span id="freeText8609308710424611184"><i>Annabeth Chase</i></span><br />
Annabeth is the<span id="freeText8609308710424611184"> daughter of Athena. She's smart, she loves architecture, she has a deathly fear of spiders, and she wants so badly to build something permanent. She's had a rough life, but Camp Half-Blood is her home, and Percy becomes her best friend. Eventually. I love watching their relationship grow throughout the series. She always calls Percy Seaweed Brain, but when she uses it, it's more of a term of endearment than an insult. He's Seaweed Brain, and it's sweet. Just believe me.</span><br />
<span id="freeText8609308710424611184"><br /></span>
<i><span id="freeText8609308710424611184">Grover</span></i><br />
<span id="freeText8609308710424611184">Grover is a satyr, Percy's best friend at the beginning of <i>The Lightning Thief</i>. He's funny too. But he's also devoted to his cause. He's pretty great.</span><br />
<span id="freeText8609308710424611184"><br /></span>
<a href="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1361038385l/561456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1361038385l/561456.jpg" height="200" width="132" /></a><i><span id="freeText8609308710424611184">Tyson</span></i><br />
<span id="freeText8609308710424611184">Tyson's such a sweetie. He's a cyclops, he loves peanut butter, and he looks up to his "big" brother Percy so much. (All cyclopes are apparently children of Poseidon.) He's willing to fight for what's right, he loves "ponies" (centaurs), and did I mention he's sweet? "Though 'peanut butter' is a strange battle cry."</span><br />
<span id="freeText8609308710424611184"><br /></span>
<i><span id="freeText8609308710424611184">Thalia Grace</span></i><br />
<span id="freeText8609308710424611184">Daughter of Zeus, reminds Annabeth a lot of Percy. They are similar, though I don't think Thalia quite shares Percy's sense of humor. She's had a rough life. I like her.</span><br />
<span id="freeText8609308710424611184"><br /></span>
<span id="freeText8609308710424611184">Chiron, Mr. D (Dionysus), Charles Beckendorf, Silena Beauregard, Nico di Angelo, Rachel Elizabeth Dare, Luke Castellan, Sally Jackson, Mrs. O'Leary (the hellhound), Apollo...they all spring off the page, they all add something to the book, they (the heroes) all will fight to the death to defend their friends and family, to defend their home, to defend the earth. That's why I like them.</span><br />
<b><span id="freeText8609308710424611184"><br /></span></b>
<b><span id="freeText8609308710424611184">Persassy</span></b><br />
<span id="freeText8609308710424611184">My friend tells me that's the fan term for Percy's character voice. It's very unique, and a good reason to like these books. </span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<br /> Ever had a flying burrito hit you? Well, it's a deadly projectile, right up there with cannonballs and grenades.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
At the Hoover Dam--“Let us find the dam snack bar," Zoe said. "We should eat while we can."<br /> Grover cracked a smile. "The dam snack bar?"<br /> Zoe blinked. "Yes. What is funny?"<br /> "Nothing," Grover said, trying to keep a straight face. "I could use some dam french fries."<br /> Even Thalia smiled at that. "And I need to use the dam restroom."<br /> ...I started cracking up, and Thalia and Grover joined in, while Zoe just looked at us. "I do not understand."<br /> "I want to use the dam water fountain," Grover said.<br /> "And..." Thalia tried to catch her breath. "I want to buy a dam t-shirt.”
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1443142158l/2120932.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1443142158l/2120932.jpg" width="133" /></a> She'd also called me brave...unless she was talking to the catfish.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
We only came close to dying six or seven times, which I thought was
pretty good. Once, I lost my grip and found myself dangling by one hand
from a ledge fifty feet above the rocky surf. But I found another
handhold and kept climbing. A minute later Annabeth hit a slippery patch
of moss and her foot slipped. Fortunately, she found something else to
put it against. Unfortunately, that something was my face. <br /> "Sorry," she murmured. <br /> "S'okay," I grunted, though I'd never really wanted to know what Annabeth's sneaker tasted like.
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
I don't recommend shadow travel if you're scared of:<br />a) The dark<br />b) Cold shivers up your spine<br />c) Strange noises<br />d) Going so fast you feel like your face is peeling off<br /> In other words, I thought it was awesome.
</blockquote>
You probably get the point. Persassy alone was enough to keep me reading.<br />
<br />
<b>Morals</b><br />
Despite the fact that the Greek gods are supposedly real, right is right and wrong is wrong, and there's no confusion between the two. The one time Percy sneaks away from camp, they're under a really horrible camp director who shouldn't be in charge, gets replaced at the end, and wasn't following procedures correctly. And they were helped by Hermes.<br />
<br />
<b>Content</b><br />
It does get a little violent. They do end up at war with the Titans. Percy gets put into a gladiator arena in the Labyrinth. I didn't find it too gruesome, though. As far as romantic content goes, it's really clean. Sure, there is some romance, but it's pretty slow. There are a couple kisses, but it doesn't go any further in the description than to say that they kissed. I found it extremely refreshing. Spiritual content is the trouble, but there's not really anything you wouldn't expect from Greek myths. So if you're okay with reading Greek myths, you should be okay with Percy Jackson. And there was one bit of conversation. I hate that it was applied to a Greek god, but I still think it made a powerful point.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"Dad," I said, "when I was in the maze, I met Antaeus. He said...well, he said he was your favorite son. He decorated his arena with skulls and--"<br />
"He dedicated them to me," Poseidon supplied. "And you are wondering how someone could do something so horrible in my name."<br />
I nodded uncomfortably.<br />
“Percy, lesser beings do many horrible things in the name of the gods.
That does not mean we gods approve. The way our sons and daughters act
in our names... well, it usually says more about <i>them</i> than it does about
us."</blockquote>
<a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1412104473l/4556058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1412104473l/4556058.jpg" width="130" /></a><b>Conclusion</b><br />
<i>Percy Jackson and the Olympians</i> is a difficult topic. There are many pros, but there are also serious cons. I personally like the series a lot, but I'm glad I waited to read it until I was a more mature reader. For younger kids, since they are clean and well written, I would recommend them as a follow up to a school study on Greek mythology. As such a supplement, they are fantastic. Be careful to treat it wholly as fiction, and enjoy!</div>
Morgan Hunekehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11090224903186681429noreply@blogger.com2