Fun fiction: Ink by Amanda Sun

first of all, that cover is gorgeous. that is what drew me to the book in the first place. (so guilty of judging books by their covers)

Now. I liked this book. I had every expectation of a manga-like story and I was not disappointed. Now yes this book is plenty filled with those cliches (some of which I hate but feel they kinda need to be there for a romantic YA with powers cause if you're going for reality the story can get weird and stalkerish)
So the Main Characters mother dies and she is sent to live with her aunt in Japan since her grandfather is fighting cancer(?) (i get diseases confused sometimes) and she has to learn Japanese while aching to get back to the good ol' north america.
Luckily she has made a few friends by the time we join in her story. Which is nice and seems more normal and likable than "I'm an outcast and weird I'll brood and watch from afar"
while learning all the faux pas' she can make she stumbles on bad boy tomo breaking up with his girlfriend over getting another pregnant.
DRAMA BOMB. Oh man this is getting juicy

then more rumors???
well after all these nasty things and weird encounters (like panty flashing) she still ends up all over the guy and he has DUN DUN Magical paper powers.
and she is some sorta weird conduit. So yes. They are magically drawn to each other. All the while his good buddy wants him for the yakuza and she keeps bumping into some other hot dude in places. It all comes to the dragon. When you read it you'll see.
So Yakuza Stuff happens and it all comes down to a choice for her.
DO I STAY OR DO I GO. NU NU NU NU NUNUNU 
anyway I will be continuing this series to see where it leads but I got what i expected out of it. I feel some people just had their hopes up a little too high.

Fun Fiction: Demonic Dora

Okay, so I enjoyed this book...mostly. It is not a great book, nothing spectacularly new or an ingenious idea but I found it pretty funny and a VERY easy read. 
I really enjoyed it until halfway through and then the magic was gone. Her personality started to wear on me and I found the writing style a little unclear. It seemed as if it was from the current chapters main characters perspective, but then it seemed as if they knew more than they should have at the time. I also couldn't tell when this was supposed to take place. Since they tried to burn her(which I assume was Kierons parents doing really but I am unsure.)but she seemed so modern with ebay and the like I got confused part of the time but I am not very worldly in a manner of small religious towns as such she was trying to portray. 
So Dora is the daughter of a religious zealot on tv and summons a demon. It prompts her parents for an exorcism and then a witch burn when it fails. The demon takes her to the Highway to Hell and their journey in love, friendship..oh wait. I mean darkness and evil begins. Through this whole endeavor, there are all these "I underestimated her evil abilities" and"shes better than I thought" moments which I got tired of. Felt like Mary-Sue slipped in a few times which is my PERSONAL pet peeve so that may or may not be a strike against it for others. 

Overall I will read the next book but probably not as quickly as I did this. 
still I give it an A for effort. B for writing and C for characters. 
Ba dun tiss. 

Dark Knight Trilogy Screenplays

I had the pleasure of reading through this book from Netgalley recently. 

It's just what it says, the complete script plus some storyboard art.

I must admit I wanted more storyboard art than was given, but that is my favorite part. 

If you love the movies this is a great addition to your book collection and makes a great coffee table book!

5 out 5 stars!

fun fiction: Princess Academy by Shannon Hale

This book really reminded me of books I read when I was younger, princess books are usually a great treat and this was no exception! 

Miri is a cute girl just a smidge smaller than her fellow village children and believes that is why she can't work the quarry with her sister Marda. Soon a kings messenger from the lowlands comes bearing a message that it has been prophesied that a girl from her town will be chosen as a princess.  The girls are whisked away under protest down the mountain to a stone home made of linder (their primary trade) to learn the ways of being a lady for his Highness Prince Steffan. The tutor Olana is a mean, witchy teacher with strict rules and even stricter punishments. Miri tries to stand up for her fellow classmates and ultimately ends up alienating herself (as much as the stranger lowlander Britta! Who had come after being orphaned) Miri tries her best to make good of the situation and finds solace in books. She becomes fascinated by the books that eventually help her town in trading! Eager to share what she has learned with her home she does her best in studies and even helps others to go when they fail tutor Olana's horribly hard tests. 

After she tells her home of what she learned she hopes for some nod of approval from her father but he is as stoic and solemn. She employs her teaching with her crush Peder, but somehow manages to say the wrong things after a conversation that was perfect. In trying to return to the academy she employs the rules of diplomacy with the help from her rival Katar. The negotiations with Tutor Olana go well and all is better in the academy. Miri, fascinated with learning quarry speak tries to reach out to Britta with it and even though she does not understand it, they form a bond.  As Miri continues her studies and helps her village with trading, she begins teaching her sister Marda to read on the rest weeks. Finally, she is crowned academy princess! She gets to meet Prince Steffan and is conflicted in her feeling for home, Peder and family but wanting to wander and explore her homeland. After a long night of constricted talk and dancing she gets alone time with the Prince to whom she speaks candidly and endearing. Britta has fallen ill this night as well. The next day the prince leaves and bandits appear after Miri has a small quibble with Peder. She tries many times to help her classmates escape and ends up bound and gagged. She lays on the linder floor and tries desperately to quarry speak to the village for help. After a day she tries Peder with a memory and falls asleep. She awakens and knows her village is outside to help and quickly gets a plan to get the girls out a window while the bandits sleep. most escape but nine are caught by the bandits before they can reach their families, including Miri by the bandit leader Dan. She uses quarry speak when she is able to tell them to strike but the message is only received by Peder.  She takes the linder hawk Peder had carved for her and stabs Dan's hand. they both tumble to the edge and the bandit grabs Miris leg trying to climb up. The next thing she knew Dan was flailing through the air to his death and her father above her, his mallet gone.

After her recovery she finds out Britta is a noble and knows the prince! She couldn't face him, though she loved him and Miri convinces her she needs to face him. Miri decided she didn't want to be a princess and Britta was perfect for it. The prince sees Britta finally and instantly recognizes her. Now they girls are all invited to the wedding in the capital city and Britta wants Miri to be the delegate. She declines and says to choose Katar, she wants to leave so badly. Finally she gets to be with Peder and they have a small cute confession to each other. Miri also hopes to open an academy of learning for her town. 

This book was lovely. I read it very quickly but I couldn't put it down once they got to the academy. I found myself reading faster to try to get when they met the prince but I wanted to know!

I was very happy with the ending and excited to know that there is a sequel! The only issue I had was that it was from Miri's perspective and she was supposed to be kinda illiterate but she used some big words in the beginning. I feel that should have progressed and been more apparent as she read her books and studied more. 

Other than that it was great! 4 stars!

Fun Fiction: Entangled by Nikki Jefford

4.5 stars
I loved this book, not to say its the best book ever but I personally really enjoyed it!
That cover too is gorgeous and that is generally how I get interested in a book. (Such a terrible weakness after that old saying but hey so many other people do it too!)
I started reading the book not knowing the plot involved her dying until right before it happened and looked it up on goodreads and was shocked!
So I kept reading now to see how she would die. 

By the way the story was going I was not surprised it was her sister. Actually I had been watching a new show called">"Monstresses" and was instantly reminded of her sister Charlene. Although Graylee's was an accident she didn't seem to have much remorse in the end (being a bitch can override mushy feelings I guess).
So what I loved about this book;An Easy read of teen life, I'm a sucker for those high school settings and this one was no exception. There is also the different narratives between her and teen bad boy Raj McKenna, I was hoping we got a narrative from her sister too, all kinds of crazy and I wanted inside that head!I know it was essential to the mystery of her death in the beginning but a short narrative at the end would have been great!
Graylee was a teeny annoying in the fact that she was so oblivious to one character liking her and not expecting some sort of betrayal after her make out session and being stood up, but I suppose its also apart of her charm. I loved that she was the down-to-earth twin, which made her easy to relate to and to want to cheer on. I mean I really had hoped there was some sort of stasis spell her mom put on her body but I guess it was a little much for her to come back to life in her own body.
Raj had all charm and a bit of a tortured past with his loyalty to Gray was inspiring and touching, making the teen heart melt a bit. I love his name too! Its like saying "rawr" or "rawh".
The thing I found a bit strange was her best friend Thea, being written out almost immediately after her death. I expected more of a longing to tell her best friend she was alive in her sisters body than swooning over boys she supposedly had no interest in at first, but I know being dead and living every other day can take its toll on your emotions.
The ending was pretty satisfying with her sister losing her powers permanently and getting justice for her sisters coma victim Stacy Lee Morehouse, who did not deserve that crash nor did her father deserve the hell he went through for her. It made me want more to happen to her sister but I guess losing her powers is pretty torturous. 

Overall, the characters are fun and interesting while the witchery takes it to another level (paranormal can be so fun when done right!)I'm definitely starting the next book soon and will review it!

Craftin' Time: Knit Your Socks on Straight!

or

Get Your Socks on Straight: Wow! Knit Socks on Two Straight Needles; Includes 20 Unique Patterns

                                                                                        

I was excited when I was approved for an ARC of this book. I love to knit and have had an aversion to knitting socks, although not because of circular or double pointed needles, but they seem a bit tedious (no matter how gorgeous the pattern was) and I can't imagine wearing something I painstakingly knit on my feet, with like shoes. This book has slightly changed that view. 

Upon opening the book, I immediately look at the table of contents, the patterns have such cute names (jelly bean, wrapped in hugs and Coffee Break) and were colorful. 

The beginning of the book has a nice explanation of why she wrote the patterns and then the book (novice knitter afraid of double pointed needles).  In devising these patterns she devised her own seaming technique so the socks look nice and natural. 

The socks are knit from top to bottom and she places the seem often on the side of the foot and leg. 

She clearly advises swatching. It needs to be washed and dried as if it was your own sock to measure shrinkage and the like. I suggest before and after pictures with a ruler. 

I really loved that her suggested Cast On Method was the Continental/Long Tail Cast On. Its a personal favorite of mine. To keep your edge nice and loose she also suggests casting onto two needles at once as you want the top of sock loose enough to stretch out a bit. 

The explanation in the beginning of how the heel is knit is a great help for people who haven't knit socks before or wonder how would this be accomplished on straight needles. It was reassuring that she has thought of all the questions readers would have.

Throughout the book advice is given on how to fix mistakes you have made which is a great help and reassurance. 

Instructions are clear and easy to understand, techniques laid out in the beginning for guidance, with the usual glossary in the back. 

The first few patterns are a little boring for those more experienced in knitting but they better and more intricate as you go along. Some seem a little silly, but most are so fun and stylish!

Favorite patterns to look for:

Moccasocks- I find these ridiculous but they look like so much fun, especially as gifts or to wear all around the house.  They are made to fit above skinny jeans so they are definitely with the times. 

Coffee break- 

I just love the colors of these socks and the frilly edge is delightful

Slainte -

These are gorgeous socks and with the cute buttons on top I can't wait to try this pattern!

Winter Delights : Gingerbread men and snowmen - 

definitely something I'd knit in winter, the colors are so cute and cozy, the top edges are frilly and stylish.

Carnegie Hall -

They did indeed save the best for last. These are adorable, it looks so perfect and incorporates crochet edges for frills. The Bow is wonderful and adds that perfect little touch on a black tie affair for your feet!

Overall! 5 out of 5! I can't wait to try some of these patterns!

instructions are clear and helpful.

20 patterns is a great amount and I definitely want to try Knitting My Socks on Straight!

Edit:

One thing I would have liked to see would be a tutorial on how to alter her patterns to fit feet not her specified sizes. 

Comics Corner: Avatar The Last Airbender: The Promise

I was graciously granted ARC: The quality was ok. I hope to get the real book soon to see the artwork in its full glory and those great side panels with creator info. 

While staying true to the art style of the series, Avatar TLA: The Promise was a great way to show audiences how peace came to be despite stubbornness of fire and earth kingdoms. 

This edition is all 3 comics in one ending on a juicy cliffhanger that the legend of Korra has dangled in our faces as well. 

the story is told quite like an episode or a small arc of the series and is understandable (indeed good for youngins) but it has a bit more romance than before so older kids may appreciate it more. 

I feel it is something avatar fans should read and hope they come out with another story to that ending!!!

Overall: I love it and will buy it when I can. 

5 out 5 stars!

Also not really a spoiler but SOOOOO CUTE. Uncle was one of my favorites.