Follow Friday (#6) House of Night by P. C. Cast

For those of you who don't know what Follow Friday is, it is a weekly meme hosted by Alison at Alison Can Read and Rachel from Parajunkie. This week's topic:

Q. It's that pesky magic book fairy again! She has another wish: What imaginary book world would you like to make a reality?

Of course the first place I have to say is the Harry Potter universe. Who doesn't want to go to Hogwarts? Broomsticks and wands, cauldrons and potions, cats and owls. It was made for me.

But since Hogwarts is an obvious answer, I'll mention another story world that is absolutely fascinating:  the world of the House of Night series by P. C. and Kristin Cast. These vampires (spelled vampyres) in the book are teenagers when they are Marked with sapphire crescent-shaped tattoos on their foreheads, dubbing them as "fledglings." The change to an adult vampyre takes a few years, if a fledgling's body doesn't reject the change, which results in horrible death. As an adult vampyre, the crescent mark is filled and more intricate, sapphire tattoos sprout, masking the eyes and forehead.




The vampyres in this world are different than most--instead of being bitten or exchanging blood these vampyres are about genetics; "junk DNA" is triggered by adolescent hormones. Once they are Marked they are sent to the House of Night boarding schools--these books are set in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Also unlike in other books, these vampyres don't burn up in the sun, but since it can be very painful to them, their classes take place at night. "Vampyre Sociology 101," fencing, and equestrian classes are only a few of the classes offered at the House of Night. It's an exotic, refreshing twist from reading about normal high school. Not to mention there are many swoon worthy vampyres. (Loren Blake, for example. Yowza!)




House of Night badges by year

The House of Night website can be found here.
Also on the website, there is a place to download your picture and mark yourself. Here is a shortcut.
The author, P. C. Cast's, blog.

What story world would you love to live in? Have you read the House of Night? What do you think of it?

Follow Friday (#5) "Breaking Dawn"

For those of you who don't know what Follow Friday is, it is a weekly blog hop created by Rachel @ Parajunkee and Alison @ Alison Can Read. This week's question:

Q. If you could change the ending of any book (or series), which book would you choose? Why and to what?

Just a warning, I'm going to be very predictable here.

There are very few books that I don't like the ending. Come to think of it, there is only one in my mind at the moment. Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer. Now don't get me wrong, I did like the book, but there were certain aspects that disappointed me. I forewarn, if you haven't read the book do not read past this paragraph. There are going to be a lot of spoilers, and I don't want to ruin the book for anyone.

This is your last warning. THERE WILL BE SPOILERS. Thank you :)

First off, I have to say some of my favorite aspects of the book are the wedding and the honeymoon. I even liked Bella's pregnancy. I thought it was interesting how she had to have blood and was so attached to the child even though everyone was concerned it was going to kill her. I knew she wasn't going to die. Edward and Jacob would never let that happen. Most of my dislikes occur after Bella opens her eyes as a vampire.

First and foremost, I wanted Bella to act like a newborn. I wanted her to let her thirst control her for a while. I wanted to see how Stephenie described newborns through their red eyes. I understood why Bella was different, how she prepared herself for the thirst, but it still disappointed me. Maybe she could have been uncontrollable for a day?

I also read The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner by Stephenie Meyer and finally saw what it was like to be a newborn vampire, but it was still too controlled for my taste.

Another thing I wasn't too fond of was the fight scene. There was no fight scene. With the Volturi after them, the Cullens calling every vampire they know to fight, and Bella learning to control her special ability I expected a grand fight.

It ended as a confrontation. Not even a heated confrontation. But on the bright side, no one died.

I can't wait for the movie. I hope it's not disappointing!

 Are you a fan of Breaking Dawn's ending? Are there any book endings you dislike?

Follow Friday (#4)

First off, WOW I can't believe it's Friday already!

For those of you who don't know what Follow Friday is, it is a weekly blog hop created by Rachel @ Parajunkee and Alison @ Alison Can Read. This week's question:

Q. In books like the Sookie Stackhouse (True Blood) series the paranormal creature in question "comes out of the closet" and makes itself known to the world. Which mythical creature do you wish would come out of the closet, for real?

Hmm...do I have to pick only one? I've always been interested in vampires, ever sense I was about seven or eight and I became obsessed with Buffy the Vampire Slayer. So vampires for one, as long as they are all like Angel, Spike, or the Cullens. I don't want to be attacked in a dark alley from a vampire.

Not that I spend most of my time walking down dark alleys...

Found here

 

Another creature I would like to be real are witches. I love witches--and worlocks. From Harry Potter to Willow from Buffy to Magnus Bane from The Mortal Instruments. I've always dreamed of having magical powers, and love reading and writing stories about witches.

OH how I would love for Adam Lambert to play Magnus Bane in the movie! Magnus is one of my favorite characters of all time. This photo found here

Lol! I thought this was amusing. Photo found here

Also, I think the Phoenix would be a lovely creature to exist. A lovely creature with a beautiful song.



Fawkes the phoenix from Harry Potter

What mythological creatures do you wish were real?

Follow Friday (#3)

First off, I would like to say thank you for all the follows from last week and I'm sorry I haven't gotten the chance to follow back or comment on your comments. I've had a hectic week and will get to it, I promise :) Thank you guys so much for the follows and comments! They are very much appreciated <3

For those of you who don't know what Follow Friday is, it is a weekly blog hop created by Rachel @ Parajunkee and Alison @ Alison Can Read. This week's question:

Q. If you could write yourself a part in a book, what book would it be and what role would you play in that book?

Oh, wow! Great question.

There are so many choices. Harry Potter--I would want a role like Hermione, smart and great with magic. Divergent--Tris, because she is ruthless and brave. Twilight--Bella, because, let's face it, who doesn't want their Edward? The Mortal Instruments--Clary, because I'm head-over-heels for Jace. The Infernal Devices--Tessa or Camille--I love Will and Jem, but Magnus Bane is the most amazing character EVER!

But all those books aside, there is a character that always ceases to amaze me:  Damon Salvatore from The Vampire Diaries--I've only read The Awakening and The Struggle from the series. I'm a huge fan of the TV show, and as always poor Damon has trouble with love. I would love to create a role for myself in the book--or TV show--in which I would be a love interest of Damon's, of course ;) Also, I always picture saving him to start the romance. *Swoon!*

Maybe I should start a fanfiction. Hmm...

The problem with being a love interest of Damon Salvatore? In the end, I would die.


 

Also, I would like to be a villain in a book. Not a killing villain like Lord Voldemort, but an antagonist, nonetheless. A villain is everything I'm not--at least I hope I'm not, anyway--so  I believe it would be fun, a challenge. Also, it's make-believe so no one would really be harmed in the process. I could be some backstabbing person in Gossip Girl or something along those lines. I've never read Gossip Girl yet or watched the TV shows, but it sounds amusing :)

What about you? What character would you like to be in a book?

Follow Friday (#1)

It's not Friday, but I just discovered this follow friday with an amazing question this week.

Q. Talk about the book that most changed or influenced your life (was it a book that turned you from an average to avid reader, did it help you deal with a particularly difficult situation, does it bring you comfort every time you read it?).

I have two subjects:

1.) I want to introduce the books that sparked my reading interest. First was "The Boxcar Children" by Gertrude Chandler Warner. There are 127 books in the series--sadly I haven't nearly read them all. The story is about four orphans, Henry, Violet, Jesse, and Benny Alden, and their many adventures. Their very first adventure is after the death of their parents, they escape from their home before their grandfather can find them. Though they have never met him, they believe he is a horrible man. Eventually they find their way to an old red boxcar in which they end up living in, thus "The Boxcar Children". Here is a spoiler, but they don't live in the boxcar forever, of course. They find their grandfather who is a very caring man and is happy to take in the children. "Surprise Island," "The Pizza Mystery," "The Haunted Cabin Mystery," and "The Midnight Mystery" are only a few of  the titles in the series. I highly recommend it for your children.

Other books that influenced me when I was a child was Goosebumps by R. L. Stein, a series of children's horror fiction novels. There are 62 books in the original Goosebumps with many spin-off series such as "Goosebumps Series 2000," "Goosebumps Gold," "Give Yourself Goosebumps," and "Goosebumps Horrorland". The first book is "Welcome to Dead House."

2) I was in fourth grade, ten years old, when I first discovered I loved to write. The books and author that influenced me and keeps me going is, of course, the classic, majestic Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling.

The first Harry Potter book I ever read was "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban". Since I had already saw the first two movies, I thought I would skip ahead in books. Something that year in fourth grade clicked. Our teacher announced a short story contest and my insides lurched. I entered the contest with a story about a mermaid and dolphin who were best friends. I didn't win and I don't know what happened to that story, but I've been writing ever since. I realized I wanted to write stories like Ms. Rowling; I wanted to be able to weave a plot, develop characters, and create beautiful settings. I  respect and admire Jo and her imagination. And I always will.

Some of my favorite books to read in the spring and summer are Harry Potter. It's almost a tradition. (Another random fact,  I re-read Twilight in the fall to early winter.) I love all the Harry Potter books, but my favorite would probably be "The Goblet of Fire."

What books got you reading or writing? I would sure love to know.