Thursday, June 30, 2011

1st Blogversary Pre-Party Giveaway

We are exactly 1 month and 15 days away from our 1st blogversary. I also finished uni today. So i have an incredible mood right now, so i will do an additional giveaway!
This giveaway is extra special for many reasons:
-It will be our first giveaway with 2 winners
-It's smaller and less epic than the giveaway i have planned for our blogversary in August
-Since, in the official blogversary giveaway you will not have multiple entries, i decided to let you gain entries in this one from various little things.
-The fact that the reasons above are not so special make it special.

And here what i want to happen in the next 1 month + 15 days:
-Take two more new blog authors in our team for manga reviews ( the matter is almost closed actually)
-I do hope to support the new bloggers. LOL
-Manage to have 500 posts.
-Manage to have 100.000 pageviews
-And see many many many comments which everyone here at the blog loves! We love to talk and talk and talk!

I guess you are bored already so let's get to the giveaway. Read the rules...okay? XD The prizes are at the end.

1st Blogversary Pre-Party Giveaway
Rules
-You must be a GFC Follower (click at the Follow and become awesome by following us!)
-Opens until August 15th, 2011
-Extra entries available by following with any other way.
-Extra entries by filling the: Memes Form and Next Giveaway Form
-Extra entries for sharing
-Extra entries if you take part in our July Comments Giveaway
-Extra entry if you tell me which is my fav mythical creature! (Don't see anyone spoil at the comments:P)

1st Winner - Open where Book Depository delivers

or

2nd Winner - International


I'm not gonna hunt down people by their GFC Name but i will appreciate if you don't lie ^^


CONTEST CLOSED

Comments Giveaway: July 2011

Whaaaa...ready for next month giveaway? I just counted previous months comments and found our winner who i will e-mail in the next 5 mins. Now, let's start the next. Btw, you actually have to comment you know...don't just fill the form. As more comments you have through the month the better! ^^

So ready for some comments love?^^

 Here's how you play (there are faster guidelines at the form too):
-You need to be a public GFC follower
-The person with the most comments at the end of the month wins (be careful, if i see "spam" comments with nothing more than "nice review" all the time you will be disqualified)
-You have to fill out the form each month, so i know you are in and start counting
-You need to fill out the monthly form just once, i will compute your extra entries
-You can take part any day in July. And comment on any post of the blog (even the old ones).


July's Prize: Red Riding Hood
Open where Book Depository delivers.


Leave your questions in the comments and good luck!

Source Code, Movie Review

When decorated soldier Captain Colter Stevens (Jake Gyllenhaal) wakes up in the body of an unknown man, he discovers he’s part of a mission to find the bomber of a Chicago commuter train. In an assignment unlike any he’s ever known, he learns he’s part of a government experiment called the “Source Code,” a program that enables him to cross over into another man's identity in the last 8 minutes of his life. With a second, much larger target threatening to kill millions in downtown Chicago, Colter re-lives the incident over and over again, gathering clues each time, until he can solve the mystery of who is behind the bombs and prevent the next attack.

REVIEW:
I have to say i was afraid about the movie. I mean when you spent your whole year writing codes for university to watch a movie with that name is like uni following you everywhere.

But it was good movie anyway. Full of excitement, action and anxiety. It actually follows 2 storylines. One where Colter tries to find the bomber in the train and one where tries to understand what really goes on with this mission out of the simulation. And both of them have kept my interest up until the end. You are getting small hints each time and you try to find what's up.
Unfortunately, i found the bomber at the first 3 mins of the movie but still i was nervous like hell. Especially about the other storyline.

The special effects are non existent so your attention is at the acting and story. I think everyone did a really great job, especially when they had to play the same scene over 10 times and each time to be different than the previous. Especially, Jake Gyllenhaal did good with changing his emotions in every scene and how lost felt out of the experiment. The only actor who made feel like he was just saying some lines was the head scientist. And even if Michelle Monaghan is supposed to be the hottie of the film, Vera Farmiga was simply perfect!

Source Code is a nice one time watch sci fi thriller which doesn't tires you with unnecessary info but gets from the first moment into the main plot and keeps you there til the end.


Transformers 3: Dark Of The Moon, Movie Review


The Autobots Bumblebee, Ratchet, Ironhide and Sideswipe led by Optimus Prime, are back in action, taking on the evil Decepticons, who are determined to avenge their defeat in 2009's Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. In this new movie, the Autobots and Decepticons become involved in a perilous space race between the U.S. and Russia, and once again human Sam Witwicky has to come to the aid of his robot friends. There's new characters too, including a new villain in the form of Shockwave, a longtime Transformers character who rules Cybertron while the Autobots and Decepticons battle it out on Earth. 

Review:

I wont even bother posting an overview. Alright, seriously, i dont say this about many action movies, and I am very cautious with sequels and general trilogies. But seriously...wow! I dont even know where to begin! Effects? Action scenes? More Actions scenes? did I mention the action scenes? I HAVE to mention the action scenes. Alright first things first.

The movie trailer SUCKS. I know what you will all say like "but it was so awesome and blah blah blah", well yeah, but it shames the movie. The trailer is actually too bad for the movie. Alright I need to take a few deep breaths. For starters lets begin. When someone mentions the transformers movies all I think about is action, cool cars and hot chick(s). Those of you that know me well enough know that I never watch a movie for either cool cars or hot chicks but this particular one is a definite must. First of all what I like is that there are no "touchy-feely" love-sex or whatever scenes. (If I want to see sex scenes I will go watch other types of movies, so please switch back to the action? thank you). Off course it had the romance, because I get it, the hero needs motivation and the ladies want their love story alright. But in this particular movie it had EVERYTHING. It had the romance that (at least to me) was more intense but on top of that it had the action scenes of all the previous movies COMBINED! Yeah, that much.

Another thing that was amazing is that I did not expect the way it was heading. And that does not happen to me often with movies such as these. There I was expecting the final battle when it was actually not even close. The effects were spectacular and the acting was good. Not like masterpiece but it was good.

To end with, the new lady of the movies. I dont know which was hotter, her legs, her face, the way she dressed or her accent. Personally I liked her a lot more than Jessica Alba or whatever the previous girl was (I am terrible with names, Yiota back me up). I found her hotter mainly because she didnt have to show so much skin in order to be sexy. She was sexy in a more..high class sort of way. Still I was there for the action and I got what I wanted.



P.S Dont even bother commenting, get up and go watch the movie.. go go go!








GO!

Yiota's Edit: Jessica Alba? Where the hell do you live? She was Megan Fox!!!!


Wednesday, June 29, 2011

What's New Wednesday #22

What's New Wednesday is hosted by us from now on! (Previously hosted by My Love Affair With Books ). We keep the idea Misha had at the start :) It's a round up for any interesting news we found the week that passed. Anyone who wants to participate, feel free and leave your links at the comments to check it out too. (if many people take part i will put up a linky).

In front of every little paragraph will be a tag ( Music,Movie, Book,etc) so in case you are not interested in something you can just skip it. At the end, are our week's finds.







[Books] New covers (credit Ya-Aholic, Mystifying Paranormal Reviews, Bookish, Bewitched Bookworms):

[Blog] Want to learn how to make a sidebar header? Small Review has once again your solution :)

[Book/Movie] First Hobbit photos!!! Woo!!!


[Book/Movie] How many of you have you read the Spook Series? Because they cast Ben Barnes at the apprentice and as far as i remember he was at the most 15 years old!

[Movie] Edgar Allan Poe fans? What do you think of John Cusack as him at the Raven movie?

[Movie] Fast and Furious 6 scheduled for 2013.

[Movie/Actor] R.I.P to the grandpa of the Princess Bride who passed away at the age of 83.

[Music] Music Videos: I Wanna Go by Britney, Love You Like A Love Song by Selena Gomez, You Make Me Feel by Cobra Starship

New in TBR (click for summaries):




Movies:




The Heir Chronicles Trilogy Review

Before he knew about the Roses, 16-year-old Jack lived an unremarkable life in the small Ohio town of Trinity. Only the medicine he has to take daily and the thick scar above his heart set him apart from the other high-schoolers. Then one day Jack skips his medicine. Suddenly, he is stronger, fiercer, and more confident than ever before. And it feels great until he loses control of his own strength and nearly kills another player during soccer team tryouts. Soon, Jack learns the startling truth about himself: He is Weirlind; part of an underground society of magical people who live among us. At the head of this magical society sit the feuding houses of the Red Rose and the White Rose, whose power is determined by playing The Game. A magical tournament in which each house sponsors a warrior to fight to the death, The winning house ruling the Weir. As if his bizarre magical heritage isn't enough, Jack finds out that he s not just another member of Weirlind, he's one of the last of the warriors at a time when both houses are scouting for a player. Jack's performance on the soccer field has alerted the entire magical community to the fact that he's in Trinity. And until one of the houses is declared Jack's official sponsor, they'll stop at nothing to get Jack to fight for them

The Warrior Heir by Cinda Williams Chima
Paperback, 426 pages
Published April 2007 by Hyperion


REVIEW: Wow...that's a huge summary from goodreads. Haha..i guess i don't need to explain the story now :P. 


I've read only one book by the same author and i loved it so much that next day i bought the whole boxset for the Heir Chronicles. There was no doubt i would like it too. And i was right. Ms. Chima is one of my favorite writers. She takes me into the book and losing myself. With the right amount of descriptions, action, romance, fun scenes, surprising turns, great characters and every time and original story in a world not like any other out there. You might need to wait some time for her books to come time, but i don't mind at all. Totally worth it.


In the first book you follow Jack's POV (finally some boy pointviews!) who is such a great guy. He is a good person. Honorable and cares for the people around him. It's no surprise he is one of the most popular guys at Trinity. And not because he is cute but for his character. I like how he takes his time to get used to what's happening to him and actually searching a way out of the problems instead of be "yeah i'm the chosen one let's do it". 
The rest of the characters are geeks, an athlete, dark magicians, evil guys. But all of them has a strong history behind which explains what they are and how they act.  


Easily one of my favorite books and highly recommended it by me. And if you don't like it, it's written in a way of a stand alone novel so no reason to go on because of a cliffhanger or anything.




Sixteen-year-old Seph McCauley has spent the past three years getting kicked out of one exclusive private school after another. Unfortunately it’s not his attitude that’s the problem. It’s the trail of magical accidents—lately, disasters—that follow in his wake. Seph is a wizard, orphaned and untrained—and now that the only person who could protect him has died, his powers are escalating out of control.
After causing a tragic fire at an after-hours party, Seph is sent to the Havens, a secluded boys’ school on the coast of Maine. At first, it seems like the answer to his prayers. Gregory Leicester, the headmaster, promises to train Seph in magic and initiate him into his mysterious order of wizards. But Seph's enthusiasm dampens quickly when he learns that training comes at a steep cost, and that Leicester plans to use his students' powers to serve his own mysterious agenda.
In this companion novel to the exciting fantasy The Warrior Heir, everyone's got a secret to keep: Jason Haley, a fellow student who’s been warned to keep away from Seph; the enchanter Linda Downey, who knew his parents; the rogue wizard Leander Hastings, and the warriors Jack Swift and Ellen Stephenson. This wizard war is one that Seph may not have the strength to survive.

The Wizard Heir by Cinda Williams Chima
Paperback, 458 pages
Published June 2008 by Hyperion

REVIEW: Second book of the series and my personal favorite.

The author makes the story more exciting and more serious. And this time you need to read the next book as well. Her style stays the same with the right amount of what a story needs. And this time we are going deeper into her world and getting to know more of the wizards' history and community.

The book is written by the POV of a new character, away from the evens of the previous book. Seph, is really different than Jack. He didn't have his good life, family or even friends. His was always on the move and while he knew about his powers is unable to control them. He is probably the strongest character (not only in ability or strength but mentally too). His has his bad moments and we learn more about him, through his struggle to find his way.
Characters of the previous book come along at some point. Surprisingly you get to know the whole story behind of the two of the mysterious persons of Jack's environment. Something that made me extremely happy since they were my favorites too.

I highly doubt the story could have had a better sequel than that.



The covenant that was meant to keep the wizard wars at bay has been stolen, and Trinity must prepare for attack. Everyone is doing their part -- Seph is monitoring the Weirwalls; Jack and Ellen are training their ghostly army; even Anaweir Will and Fitch are setting booby traps around the town's perimeter. But to Jason Haley, it seems like everyone wants to keep him out of the action. He may not be the most powerful wizard in Trinity, but he's prepared to fight for his friends. When Jason finds a powerful talisman --a huge opal called the Dragonheart--buried in a cave, his role takes on new importance. The stone seems to sing to Jason's very soul -- showing him that he is meant for more than anyone guessed. Trinity's guardians take the stone away after they realize that it may be a weapon powerful enough to save them all. Without any significant power of his own, and now without the stone, what can Jason possibly do to help the people he cares about -- and to prove his mettle?Madison Moss can feel the beating heart of the opal, too. The desire for it surges through her, drawing her to it. But Maddie has other things besides the Dragonheart on her mind. She has a secret. Ever since absorbing the magical blow that was meant to kill Seph, she's been leaking dark powers. Although Maddie herself is immune to magic, what would her friends think if they knew what kind of evil lay within her? Trinity's enemies are as enthusiastic about her powers as she is frightened. They think they can use her to get to the Dragonheart -- and they'll use anyone Maddie cares about to make her steal the stone for them.
Moral compasses spin out of control as a final battle storms through what was once a sanctuary for the gifted. With so much to lose, what will Jason and Maddie be willing to fight for -- and what will they sacrifice? Every man is for himself in this thrilling conclusion to the Heir trilogy.


The Dragon Heir by Cinda Williams Chima
Paperback, 528 pages
Published 2008 by Hyperion


REVIEW: And again wow at the summary. At least it's nothing more than the first two chapters. LOL.


Last book of the series and most different than the rest. For starters, instead of one character we see through 4-5 different ones. All seen in the previous books. Even that way, there are two main characters we follow mostly. Jason and Madisson, both previously seen at Wizard's Heir.
Both are my least favorite characters. Especially Maddison. She is a bit annoying and i can't connect with her that much. I kinda liked that i didn't like her. It means that not all the heroes are necessarily lovable.
Jason is just not that interesting. He mostly messes with everyone plans because he doesn't feel important.


Even though the book is my least favorite, it's still more serious than the rest. The teens now have to became adults and take hard decisions. Nothing stable and everywhere there is danger. The really don't know who to trust. Some of them push themselves to much and have problems. You finally get answers to every question you have. And i can say that many characters die. You don't get the best happy ending but mostly a more normal ending fitting the situation.

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Game Of Thrones (Season 1), TV Series Review

Seven noble families fight for control of the mythical land of Westeros. Political and sexual intrigue abound. The primary families are the Stark, Lannister, and Baratheon families. Robert Baratheon, King of Westeros, asks his old friend Eddard Stark to serve as his chief advisor. Eddard, suspecting that his predecessor had been murdered, accepts so that he can investigate further. It turns out more than one family is plotting to take the throne. The Queen's family, the Lannisters, may be hatching an incestuous plot to take control. Across the sea, the last surviving members of the previously deposed ruling family, the Targaryens, are also plotting a return to power. The conflict between these families and others, including the Greyjoys, the Tullys, the Arryns, and the Tyrells, leads to war. Meanwhile, in the north, an ancient evil awakens. Amidst war and the political confusion, a brotherhood of misfits, The Night's Watch, is all that stands between the realms of men and the horrors beyond. 

REVIEW:
Most of you already watch the series or at least you have seen them around. It's actually impossible to miss them. They are everywhere. Anyway, i haven't read the books (neither i'm planning to) so the review it has no comparison with them.

Every episode it's like watching a movie. They are over 50 mins sometimes reaching 1+ hours. Special effects, music, acting, places...are all magnificent. You barely say that those are tv series and not a high budget movie. Well, don't imagine LOTR but you can see how much effort has been put in.

They say the series are for everyone. I say they are not. Not because it's fantasy. This has nothing to do with it actually. It's more of what it is as a story. If expect action, there is no much. Everything is political with backstabbing and lies and things like that. It barely has battle scenes of any kind. So people who are used to those things, might get bored after 5-6 episodes. The story is intriguing with mystery and such.

If you are bad names, you will also have problem. I'm good with names and i barely remember half the characters. They are way TOO many. I was annoyed by that. Why they have to be so many anyway?
Another big one is the sexual content. True Blood is nothing compare to it. Too much info people! They need to cut some! I forwarded all the sex scenes and they were many. Some didn't even make sense. Why when there is a character's monologue you need at the background two girls having sex? And he was talking and talking...i skipped the whole thing and i don't even know what the guy was telling and if it was important.
There is violence. Towards animals, people and whatever exist. There are some really bloody scenes.
Some of the relationships between the characters are disturbing (no i can't accept sister and brother having sex or later with her cousin or whatever the guy was).

Seems like it's full of negatives. It's not. It's a nice world, with nice ideas (it also has dragons) about people and their traditions but at some points it was overdone (either cause of the story or cause of the producers).
The cast is nicely picked. With Sean Bean one of my favorites.
The show has such big audience that signed for 2nd season after the 1st or 2nd episode.

Worth mentioning: The opening. It's one of the most beautiful openings i've ever seen.

Cast: Sean Bean (Lord Of The Rings), Lena Headey (Terminator: Sarah Connor Chronicles), Michelle Fairley (Harry Potter 7), Iain Glen (Tomb Raider, Resident Evil 2-3), Alfie Allen (Atonement), Peter Dinklage (The Chronicles of Narnia 2), Ron Donachie (Titanic) , Jason Mamoa (Stargate Atlantis), Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Kingdom Of Heavens), Julian Glover (Harry Potter 2, Star Wars), Mark Addy (A Knight's Tale), Ian McElhinney (City of Ember), Harry Lloyd (David Coperfield), James Cosmo (Braveheart, Chronicles of Narnia 1), Charles Dance (Alien 3), Owen Teale (The Last Legion), Natalia Tena (Harry Potter 5,6,7), Peter Vaughan (Straw Dogs), David Bradley ( Harry Potter Series)
Rest cast (yes there are many more!) is unknown.


Monday, June 27, 2011

Falling Skies, Graphic Novel Review

In the heart of Boston, following the devastating events of an alien invasion, history professor Tom Mason and his sons Hal, Matt, and Ben are just trying to survive. After an extreme firefight with the aliens, Ben gets kidnapped. Determined to get his son back, Tom joins forces with the 2nd Mass, a militia group that is taking the fight against the aliens. But with the group's munitions supplies running low, Tom must locate an old friend to equip him and his team in order to ensure the survival of the human race!

Falling Skies by Paul Tobin
ebook, 104 pages
Expected publication (paperback) at August 9th 2011 by Dark Horse Comics

REVIEW:
I don't know how many of you are familiar with the series which started the previous Sunday under the same name but this story is the prequel of the tv story. For those who have watch the first 2 episodes, you may noticed that there isn't info on Ben's kidnapping, the fighting teams or more about the alien invasion. All those are explained in this book. 


The artists tried to copy the faces of the actors to the novel. At some points they look exactly like them but at other you can't even recognize the characters between them. There were times i was re-reading parts so i can understand who is the person who said a certain bubble. 


Now, while the story is really interesting with mystery and action everything is described as written in a diary. Most of the time there are no bubbles between people, just the picture and description about it. Because of that it became tiresome and i believe it lost much of its life. It felt dead. You were seeing only Tom's POV and you didn't get to know the rest of the characters and create your own opinion about them.


Apart from the things above it was a nice read. Didn't impress me much, but i can't say it didn't have an appeal. The TV series seem better so far.


Thanks Netgalley and Dark Horse Comics for providing a digital copy.



Sunday, June 26, 2011

American Mc'Gees Alice, Game Review


American McGee's Alice is a third-person action game released for PC on October 6, 2000. The game, developed by Rogue Entertainment and published by Electronic Arts, is set in an alternative universe of Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. Alice was designed by American McGee and features music composed by Chris Vrenna.[1]
The game is based on the id Tech 3 engine first used in Quake III Arena. A PlayStation 2 port was in development but was canceled. A sequel, Alice: Madness Returns, was released June 14, 2011. Downloadable ports of the game for PS3 and Xbox 360 were also made to coincide with the sequel's release as a free download with brand new copies.
Set years after Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass, the game features an older, more cynical and macabre incarnation of Alice.


Review:
Yes I decided to do a post. Why? because after blasting my way through apocalyptic explosions I want to write something down. And what is better to describe the whole paranoia of the flashes explosions and that illusion drug they have given me than Alice?

Well the game starts interestingly enough with Alice from Alice in wonderland several years after the end of her adventures in the books. As she sleeps the house catches on fire and her parents died in the flames. Later we find her locked up in an asylum probably demented and paranoid from the experience. And then the story begins. Alice must journey through a twisted Wonderland that is now full of paranoid monsters and monsters to save both wonderland and her sanity.

Well first of all I loved the idea that wonderland is a portrait of Alice's psychology and mental health. That as a girl it was all beautiful and fun and now that she is grown and insane wonderland reflects that. Second of all the music and the graphics blended in perfectly and the game was no doubt a masterpiece for when it came out a few years ago.
However, despite the outdated graphics and music pieces the game was very pleasant to play. I have missed those good old adventure games that you had to whack anything in your way, solve a few puzzles, and unfold the storyline. I did not complete it though I wont lie, but I played enough to know that there are some cases you actually need to see a walkthrough unless you want to spend a few minutes hours days or so trying to figure out the right way to go.

Overall its an old game that is true, but if you are fan of adventure games, alice in wonderland and a fan of something twisted, then I definitively suggest trying Alice in wonderland

P.S Yiota mistaked this one with its sequel Madness Returns
Yiota's EDIT: I believe he is talking about this post:  The Art Of Alice: Madness Returns, Graphic Novel Review

4th Jemma Mega Blowout ( Day 1 )

Well...there are no books or anything for our In My Mailbox so we will skip it this week as well. Instead, me and Silvestro (and some other friends) went to the 4th Jemma Mega Blowout. It was a Comics & Books & Manga Bazaar held by and at Jemma Press.

It was our first time and we went at the store which was close to our university. It lasts 2 days (yesterday and today) at their 2 stores. Except offers and contest there were also signings. We didn't met anyone at the time we went. I don't know if you see a pattern here. First, how unorganized we were at ComicDom and now no signings.  Anyway, it was still cool. Oh and by cool, i mean literally and metaphorical. It was HOT outside so when we went in it was like paradise.

We searched the store which had magazines, books, manga, dvds, figures...you can imagine. Now, i'm thinking about it i should have take my camera. Sigh...so..right...you may don't know that i'm a lover of posters. My whole room is full of posters (big ones) so there was no way not to buy at least one. I didn't have much money at the time but now i know how close they are, i will certainly go back and buy all the Bleach posters they have :P And maybe some Dark Horse Graphic Novels ^^. Maybe Alice: Madness Returns ??

Silvestro also bought a poster with a dragon which i haven't noticed. The traitor didn't tell me and bought it for himself!!! He is the worst minion ever! I still love my posters though...and i got a Bleach one which was a dream of mine.

Let's take a look at what we bought.

I got those two posters. Aren't they cute?!! I will put them on my walls in a while. The big one is about half the size of my bed.

Also i got bookmarks. Silvestro said that i got ALL of their bookmarks and i didn't left any but i can say those are LIES! They had many more!! And they told me to take as many as i want xD. As always, many of them will be in for a giveaway here!!! I'm always thinking about you!


And this is Silvestro's poster. It's a close shot but imagine that is at the same size as the big one at my photo.


So..it was a nice day (if you keep out how unorganized Athens was cause of the Special Olympics and a road of 30 mins took me 2 hours!). And I have already start saving money so i can get back at the store and buy more things!

Extra: 
1. At the photo with my bookmarks you see two small books. There are first chapters from recently published books in Greek. I will putting a post up soon, with my thoughts on them.
2. Silvestro also got his 2nd pack of GetGlue stickers (love the Pirates stickers!)

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Fable 3 Review

It's a Revolution Fable III is the next blockbuster installment in the highly praised Fable franchise. Five decades have passed since Fable II, and Albion has matured into an industrial revolution. However, the fate of the kingdom is at peril. Lead a revolution to take control of Albion, fight alongside your people, and experience love and loss while defending the kingdom against a looming threat. Your choices as ruler will lead to consequences felt across the entire land. Who will you become? A rebel without a cause, the tyrant you rebelled against, or the greatest ruler to ever live?

Features

Exciting PC features: Built from the ground up for the PC gamer.

Experience the "hardcore mode" option for greater difficulty, enjoy additional in-game content, and even play Fable 3 in stunning 3D, thanks to NVIDIA technology

Be the hero and forge your own destiny: Storytelling comes to life as "Fable III" uts you and your hero in the center of an epic journey that traces your rise from revolutionary to ruler.

Where blockbuster action meets adventure: Your journey spans from the streets of a thriving and industrialized Albion to the surrounding battlefields.

Choice and consequence: A core tenet of the Fable franchise, players are presented with infinite choices and consequences that impact the world.

Review

I hate long term deep cover missions... I was away for a long time possing as a Craionian commander on some obscure deep space station in the ship's path to make sure they are not a threat to the group. And I hate possing as a commander in Craionian bases cause they are always so good and caring and benevolent, they even pay from their own money to support the national army, which is tottaly useless I might say but whatever.

Fable 3 is a game all about choices, each step in the game offers you the choice to be evil or good, to be loved or feared and the best part is that they are both balanced, for example if you are good you will be poor but with many allies, if you are evil you will be rich and badass but with many enemies. It is a good game and the best about it is that they now realised that this game is a great action-adventure game but it is a crappy RPG and they removed most of the RPG elements they had in the other fable games, in spite the fact that most shops call it an action-rpg I say that they don't get what rpg means.

Gameplay: Very easy and standard controls for action medieval style games. The battles are intresting and the spells are cool. I was really excited about the guns though :D I was the fastest draw in the kingdom ;) Also there are some nice minigames such as a smack-a-skeleton minigame. Finally if you are low on money you can always work as a blacksmith, a pie-maker or a musician to make some quick cash. And of course you can buy whole cities and rend them out to collect the cash monthly.

Story: Great story with some twists and choices. The fact that you keep playing even after you become a king is really good and it's something that I haven't seen in many games. Also I like the fact that the story and the champion are connected to the ones of the previous games. I must mention the awesome intro video the game has.

Graphics: Nice animations and not-so-bad design. The truth is that I expected much more from microsoft designers especially after seeing the graphics of the other two games but it is obvious now that they care only about XBOX and Kinnect... It is playable though and some years back I would call them cool but now they seem old.



Buy Fable 3 @ Amazon.co.uk

Author Interview: Amanda Havard

New interview with Amanda Havard, author of The Survivors. Thanks  Amanda and the publishers for taking some of their time to answer our question. Especially since Amanda put so much effort in her answers :)
And yay for another author who saw X-Men: First Class! Songwriter for a next choice of occupation? Next time i will ask for a poem miss Amanda ^^
Oh! And stay tuned for a review of Survivors, in the next week!




-Try to describe your book in one sentence.

If your parents were Puritanical supernatural beings who survived accusations of witchcraft in the Salem Witch Trials, only to hide you and your 150 family members in a walled city in Montana for 300 years, you’d want to get out, see the world, find more creatures like you, live like a human, and try to become a mortal too.


-Your genre in The Survivors is YA Fantasy right?. You did that on purpose, or you just start writing?

I definitely did it on purpose, but if I had just started writing it would have happened that way anyway. Interestingly, I wanted to sort of push the issue on what counts as YA. To me, it’s a voice. It’s a set of experiences. It’s the figuring of one’s self, life, family, place, and circumstance. My characters are mostly over 100 years old, but they’re still having these very formative experiences that are the kinds we experience and see in YA lit. That’s the part I wanted to include, technical age aside. I wanted their story to be about the figuring out.

-What inspired you to write, you took any ideas from other books, movies etc?
I think we get out inspiration from everything we see, hear, and touch. I get my inspiration from all those things, at least. Every book I’ve ever read, every song I’ve heard, movie I’ve watched, conversation I’ve had, song I’ve written, practically meal I’ve eaten… you get the idea. They all matter. Our experiences become a part of us, and those experiences are where I find my inspiration, and I sense it’s where many others do too.

-Did you do any research before start or during of the writing of the books?
Definitely. There was a lot of research that went into THE SURVIVORS and even more that was required for the subsequent books in the series. I like accurate detail on a sort of obsessive level. Every hotel room Sadie stays in, road she drives on, place she visits, piece of clothing she wears, music she listens to… it’s all real. What’s more is that the same goes for history and mythology. All the supernatural creatures in the books—save for Survivors themselves—are from actual mythology and lore from cultures all over the world, throughout history. And any historical event referenced is a real one that has a lot of unanswered questions so that my story fits into the question marks. It leaves this little bit of a sense that it could be true because we don’t know that it’s not.

-Which scenes were the hardest to write?
Having Sadie as a protagonist makes a specific challenge in many scenes. She can sense things off people around her, and she has this analytical inhuman brain that makes her observe things you and I wouldn’t necessarily—and then she tells you about those things. Add that to the typical things you expect like action, dialogue, basic description, then there always seems to be a lot happening, and so sometimes the challenge is to make sure Sadie and reader both understand and can process all of those elements. But sometimes Sadie can’t process everything—so if you ever feel frantic reading parts of it, then that’s just because she does to, and you’re getting that from her.

-How long has it taken you to write a book ?
I wrote The Survivors in 27 days. Conversely, it took me years to write my first book that I never even pursued publication for. So far I don’t really have a pattern.

-What’s the best part of writing for you?
Creativity is pretty much my favorite thing because of the process and product. Though I love the book at the end, the process is this sort of frenetic but joyful experience that I’m addicted to. Creating characters, worlds, and storylines is sort of what I live for. I love that I get to do this.

-Are you reading or writing something else at the moment?
I’m one of those crazy people who is always reading three or four different books at once—unless one just grabs ahold of me and then I must read it straight through. But as for writing, we’re wrapping up book 2 in THE SURVIVORS Series, which is set to come out next year. Then I’m ready to write book 3!

-Did you have support at the beginning and/or during your writing?
I had support in a lot of different ways. I had an editor who mentored me on that aforementioned book that took years to write and rewrite and rewrite and rewrite. She has been most instrumental in my development as a writer. She’s taught me how to craft a story into a book. I also had friends who were just amazing during the process. My good friend, Meghan, really conspired with me to create this giant world of The Survivors. She was practically inside my head the whole time, and I have no idea what I would have done without her. My friend, Danielle, also read each chapter as I wrote it and came back to me with meaningful feedback—plus she cheered me along the whole way. It certainly made it easier.

-Did you always have it in mind to be a writer or did it just happen?
A little bit of both? Though I definitely said all along that I wanted to be a writer, I’ve been telling stories my entire life, and so I’m not really sure which came first. Eventually I started writing those stories down. If I weren’t a writer by profession, I’d still be writing. Characters come to me, storylines come to me, random things inspire me to think of a whole world I’ve never thought of. That’s how it works. I can’t really turn it off.

-How important you find the communication between you and your readers? Do you reply to their messages or read their reviews? 
I think that communication between reader and writer is hugely important, and I have made myself available in a number of ways to try to facilitate this relationship. To me, it’s one of the unique advantages of writing in this era of social media. On my website, I have a fan forum so that you can create a login and talk to me and to other readers. I’ve put my email up there so if anyone needs me they can find me. And I’m on Twitternot replied to a message or @ reply sent to me there. Come and find me. I love talking. constantly, and I’ve never

-Are you working on any other projects except writing, right now?
Yeah I’ve got a lot going on. The Survivors really has a transmedia campaign where we’ve written original songs, created Twitter accounts for my characters, and so on. I’m constantly working on these things too—like we just recorded a song I wrote for the series called “Breaking” that will be coming out this summer. It will join the already-released single “Pretty Girl” that’s out now. Between writing songs, writing the books, traveling to promote, recording songs, shooting music videos, working on upcoming elements… I’m a busy girl.

-Something special you want to share with us? 
When I think of The Survivors and of my favorite fictional bookworlds, I think interacting with them is really the best part. I’ve set up a number of ways for people to be able to immerse themselves in the world of Survivors, and you can expect a number of those to come in the future from me and from my publisher, Chafie Press. To start you can listen to, watch the video for, or download “Pretty Girl” as it really communicates a lot about the story and can be very emotional for some readers. Plus, you can hang around my website where my blog can give you insight into the characters, their style (they almost all love fashion), the music that inspires the series, the world maps of character travels, and, of course, the Twitter feeds for the characters’ accounts. Connecting to these things will really make the experience whole—I hope you take advantage of it.

Now some simple questions and more fun

-Your favourite books and author? Five-way tie between Janet Fitch, Curtis Sittenfeld, Sandra Cisneros, Sylvia Plath, and J.K. Rowling for authors. Books? So many, but a few include… Harry Potter, Paint It Black by Janet Fitch, A Farewell to Arms by William Faulkner, The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros, American Wife by Curtis Sittenfeld, Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn, The Unbecomming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

-Your favourite band/singer? I could never pick just one! But some I LOVE are Coldplay, The Killers, The Black Keys, Manchester Orchestra, Muse, The Bravery, Augustana, Old Crow Medicine Show, Sara Bareilles, Adele, Regina Spektor, Franz Ferdinand, Ingrid Michaelson, and so so so many more.

-Twitter or Facebook? The Survivors and I can both easily be found on both Twitter and Facebook, but I’m more of a Twitter girl.

-Favourite place in the world? Bigfork, Montana (the Monterey peninsula in California and Portland, Oregon are tied as close seconds)

-Last movie you watched at the cinemas? X-men First Class

-The last book you’ve read? I’m always reading several, but the last book I finished was an ARC of The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

-Have you ever googled yourself? Oh yes.

-Writing, reading or hanging out with friends? Writing. Always. (Much to my friends’ dismay.)

-If you wouldn’t be a writer, what you would be? A songwriter, screenwriter, or... Oh wait, those are all still “writers.” Hmm. Perhaps a professor of education and human development. I guess I do have two degrees in those for a reason.

-And last one....printed or ebooks?  
I’m torn. Love the ease of eBooks but I can’t live without real ones!





 In 1692, when witch trials gripped the community of Salem, Massachusetts, twenty-six children were accused as witches, exiled, and left for dead. Fourteen of them survived.The Survivors is the first installment of the tantalizing tales of the fourteen ill-fated Survivors and their descendants, who have been content in hiding for over three centuries. Isolated on a Montana mountainside, only Sadie, the rogue daughter, dares to abandon the family's sacred hiding place. But no matter how far Sadie runs, something always pulls her back.
On a muggy summer night in Tennessee, she witnesses a shocking scene that will change her life forever. It is the first in a sequence of events that will drag her from the human world she's sought to belong to for over a century and send her back to her Puritanical family and into an uncertain future filled with cunning witches, mysterious nosferatu shape-shifters, dangerous eretica and vieczy vampires, millennia-old mythology, and the search for her own mortality. After all...
HOW DO YOU KILL A SURVIVOR? 


Friday, June 24, 2011

Ember And Ash, Book Review

The old ones will have their revenge.
Two peoples have been fighting over the same land for a thousand years. Invaders crushed the original inhabitants, and ancient powers have reluctantly given way to newer magics. But Ember was to change all this with a wedding to bind these warring people together - until her future goes up in flames.
Ember's husband-to-be is murdered by a vengeful elemental god, who sees peace as a breach of faith. Set on retribution, she enlists the help of Ash, son of a seer. Together they will pit themselves against elementals of fire and ice in a last attempt to end the conflicts that have scarred their past. They must look to the present, as old furies are waking to violence and are eager to reclaim their people.

Ember And Ash by Pamela Freeman
ebook, 528 pages
Published at May 2011 by Orbit
REVIEW:

Ember and Ash is a big book. Like really big. I can't say i was tired with it though. I read so many YAs and this one is pure fantasy. The more adult-like. It felt good reading it.

The multiple POVs in the book give the story a different way to enjoy it. You don't just follow the protagonists but people less important and from different tribes, ideas, etc. Result of that is to get a better idea of how the world thinks and acts without being confusing. It's so full of adventure and less battles and stuff, that you travel through the whole world actually.
I also liked how the gods was actually the nature elements (Water, Fire, Air, Earth, Ice,etc), how they communicated with people and how they had their own part in the book too. Neither everything was god's fault neither human's.

As for Ember and Ash. Wow! They relationship is so tense. They are like brothers but with time they start feeling different for each other. But they always care, and don't afraid to do sacrifices for each other even if it hurts them or it's for the greater good. They are also so different and strong characters. You feel the power in them. They leave their mark to their world and the story and their chapters were definetelly my favorite.

Another cool thing i noticed was how the chapter's were named after the place the person we follow is and not in numbers or titles. It was cool, and with the map you could see anytime where you were.

Ember and Ash is something new in fantasy. I enjoyed every part of it, and its characters with their little secrets. And the world, had some interesting stories and history that i would love for more books in it with the same or new characters.

Thanks the publishers and Netgalley for a digital copy of the book.

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Pottermore Revealed

Oh well...it wasn't such an excited thing at all. According to the video (which is pretty much awesome) it's an online community where we will be at Hogwarts. Interaction, some back stories (more than 18.000 new words by Rowling), some notes by Rowling and the books in digital format. We even get to a house by a quiz. Ehmmm...we already have those in various forums and sites :/
Anyway, the additional info might be cool and you never know what else! The thing is we still have to wait til October and you can't submit your e-mail either XD

UPDATE: New info
For this groundbreaking collaborative project, J.K. Rowling has written extensive new material about the characters, places and objects in the much-loved stories, which will inform, inspire and entertain readers as they journey through the storylines of the books. Pottermore will later incorporate an online shop where people can purchase exclusively the long-awaited Harry Potter eBooks, in partnership with J.K. Rowling’s publishers worldwide, and is ultimately intended to become an online reading experience, extending the relevance of Harry Potter to new generations of readers, while still appealing to existing fans. As the Pottermore Shop develops, it is intended that it should include further products designed specifically for Harry Potter fans, offering a potential outlet for Sony products and services related to Pottermore. In keeping with Harry Potter’s international appeal, the site will launch in English, French, Italian, German and Spanish, with more languages to follow.
In the new website, the storyline will be brought to life with sumptuous newly-commissioned illustrations and interactive ‘Moments’ through which you can navigate, starting with the first book, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s (Sorcerer’s) Stone. On entering, you choose a magic username and begin your experience. As you move through the chapters, you can read and share exclusive writing from J.K. Rowling, and, just as Harry joins Hogwarts, so can you. You visit Diagon Alley, get sorted into a house, cast spells and mix potions to help your house compete for the House Cup.

Credit: http://assets.pottermore.com/emcp/downloads/pottermore_pressrelease_230611.pdf

UPDATE #2: Photos of Pottermore here: http://www.pottermore.com/en/presS

UPDATE #3:
The Leaky Cauldron
JKR said if you're not sorted into you get even more exclusive content about your house.
 

Visit the website: Pottermore and watch the seriously AMAZING video by Rowling.



What do you think?

The Greatest, Movie Review

A drama that is centered around a troubled teenage girl and a family that is trying to get over the loss of their son.

REVIEW:
I found this movie by accident, while I was searching the filmology of the actors. The trailer triggered my interest and I knew that I had to watch this one.

The movie tells the story of a family that lost its teenage son in a car accident. Their life is difficult because of this lost and it gets more difficult when a teenage girl knocks their door and announces that she's pregnant by their dead son. The problems in the family are many. The mother due to her grieve has forgotten to take care of her family and has focused on the last person who had spoken to her son before he died. The father is trying to be strong for everyone and to balance his work and his family. And their second child don't really know what to feel and what to do to deal with everything that's going on in his house.

The movie itself is really good. Every character is realising by its own that the other member of the family is gone and in different time periods during the movie, which made it really interesting. Something else also interesting about the directing part is the way the story flows. I though that the movie would be presented from the beggining to the end, from the way the kids are meeting to the car accident to the life of the family. But there are two stories presented. The grieve of the family after the accident and the story of the teens' relationship. The unique thing is that even though the story of the family is following a straight line, the story of the teens is presented from the end to the beggining at flashes of the girls thoughts. It may sound a little weird, but I really liked it and it suited the movie.

All in all, I believe that it's a great movie and I do recommend it to you all. It was a little sad and I caught myself to weep at some point. I really wish to not have the opportunity to face this type of tragedy in my life.

Monthly Giveaways

found here
Hey ya again! The Giveaway series coming to an end and i thought about a new monthly giveaway which is the Comments Giveaway, where you fill the form once with your details and then the person with the most comments on the blog each month wins the book. I've started with Defiance by LiLi St.Crow.

Now, i know we don't do as much giveaways as other blogs, or they are not as big but i pay for all of them(except the e-books) so you see why that happens. Hey! At least 99% of them are International! ^^

Anyway, i want your opinion now. Just tell me which book would you like to see in an upcoming giveaway. That's all. I want to create a better image of what you want. Please include the author as well.
Fill the huge FORM of 2-questions only.

Oh and since you are here:
-Bye bye!!

The Cult Of Osiris, Book Review

In Andy McDermott's brilliant new novel, Nina Wilde and Eddie Chase are on the hunt for the lost pyramid of Osiris...

The incredible secret of the Great Sphinx of Egypt is about to be revealed. An archaeological dig is preparing to open the Hall of Records, a repository of ancient knowledge hidden beneath the enigmatic statue. But on the night of the unveiling student Macy Sharif makes a shocking discovery: a religious cult already raiding the Hall of Records to find the location of the mythical Pyramid of Osiris. Framed by corrupt officials, she goes on the run, trying to reach the only people who can save her before she is silenced -- permanently. Discredited, jobless and broke, archaeologist Nina Wilde and ex-SAS soldier Eddie Chase have problems of their own -- until Macy's plea for help sends them on a deadly quest across the globe as they try to reach the mysterious pyramid before Khalid Osir, the charismatic leader of the OsirianTemple. But is the cult's motive purely greed... or something more sinister?


The Cult Of Osiris (Nina Wilde/Eddie Chase #5) by  Andy McDermott
Paperback, 533 pages
Published at 2009




REVIEW:
Back with my guilty pleasure books. This time it's book #5 but i did stop buying this one, so i'm accepting congrats.


Andy's McDermott style doesn't really change. He keeps his Hollywood production book to create an adventure, once again with explosions, treachery, evil guys and well..everything that was in the previous books too. As i've said before, it's the usual Nina finds something, bad guys they hunt, they try to save the world, bad guys catch Nina, Nina helps them, Eddie saves her, there is a big explosion-revealing moment, they catch the bad guys, world saved. 


Unfortunately this one was the worst books of the series so far (maybe that's why i didn't buy the next one). The story wasn't presented well and made you interested or curious. The bad guys lacked style. Eddie's ex-girlfriend appears again. And Nina from a strong and lovable character has become one of the worst characters i know. She get jealous and pissed all the time. She in bad state. And instead to try and fix her problems, she sits in a corner and drinks. Don't get how Eddie is still with her. Of course they had a fight again! Dah!


In compare with the rest of the books, it was a disappointment. Maybe when i want to get into that kind of style again i will buy the next one but i don't know if i will manage not to kill Nina.. If you follow the series, you better stop either at the 2nd or 3rd book though. Until then it's worth its money.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Author Interview: Philippa Ballantine

Many of you may already know Philippa Ballantine (i've seen her books around a lot and they are at my TBR as well) so here is your chance to learn more about her. I want to say BIG THANKS for taking the time and answer the questions since was really busy the last days. It's always nice to have an author around and tell us something about themselves.

Btw, we are +1 author who has as an answer for "latest movie at the cinemas", X-Men First Class. We are up to 3 now!! Hahaha!!

-Try to describe your book in one sentence.

A fun romp through Victorian England with explosions, knife fights and plenty of banter.(for Phoenix Rising)

-Your genre in  is Urban Fantasy/Paranormal right?. You did that on purpose, or you just start writing?

I do all kind of speculative fiction. Geist is more traditional fantasy. Chasing the Bard was historical fantasy. Phoenix Rising is steampunk. And my book coming from Pyr Books next year, is dark fantasy. I really do just set out to write, and explore characters and worlds that interest me, and I tend not to think about what subgenre marketing folks might put it into.

-What inspired you to write, you took any ideas from other books, movies etc?

My urge to write came from my love of reading which my father fostered. So most of my influences came from those books; CJ Cherryh, David Gemmell, Elizabeth Moon. I love to watch movies, but I think if I am influenced by anything it is documentaries. I love to see different sides of humanity I might not otherwise encounter and put them into my books.

-Did you do any research before start or during of the writing of the books?

I used to a corporate librarian, so I love research. In fact the hardest part can be knowing when to stop. For Geist and Spectyr I did a lot of reading on the supernatural, as well as various world histories. For the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences novels we spent a long time reading about Victorian society, and people's daily lives. I try and understand the world my characters will inhabit, because it has a huge effect on their reactions and personality.

-Which scenes were the hardest to write?

Usually I can get through any kind of scene eventually, but I find action scenes the hardest to work on. I usually end up in the editing process reading them aloud and waving my hands about a lot to see if the actions fit.

-How long has it taken you to write a book ?

It can take from three months to a year depending on what else I have going on. In April last year I was able to go full-time writing, so I've been able to get quite a bit more done since then. It's a luxury I really appreciate, as many writers don't get that chance.

-What’s the best part of writing for you?

I love it when I hit a groove. The words flow and it feels like you're connected to something bigger than you. I guess that is where the idea of the Muses came from.

-Are you reading or writing something else at the moment?

Right now I am under deadline for Wrayth, the third book in the Books of the Order series. So writing has occupied my attention. I try not to read anyone else's work so it doesn't bleed into my own.

-Did you have support at the beginning and/or during your writing?

I tend to keep my writing to myself in the first draft all to myself, as it feels new and raw. However when it gets along a bit I let my writing partner Tee Morris read it. He's great for spotting those pesky plot holes.

-Did you always had in mind to be a writer or it just happened?

I have always wanted to be a writer, from a very early age. When I was a teenager that was my dream- I just never guessed it would actually happen, and be such a circuitous route.

-How important you find the communication between you and your readers? Do you reply to their messages or read their reviews? 

I adore social media, and so I am very much into hearing from my readers and listeners. I reply to messages- even it is just a thank you. I do read reviews, but I do not respond to them. I think that is a little unprofessional. Everyone has their own opinion and they are well within their right to express it. However if someone asks a question in a review, I have replied to that. Not sure if it scares reviewers or not!

-Are you working on any other projects except writing, right now?

I wish! No, marketing one book, editing another, and then writing a third pretty much has me tethered to the house right now.

-Something special you want to share with us? 

I am working on Wrayth, the third book in the Books of the Order. Then onto my series for Pyr books, called a Shifted World novel. Both feature kicking heroines, and magic, but the tone of them is quite different. 



Now some simple questions and more fun^^

-Your favourite books and author?

I loved Tolkien from an early age. But I love David Gemmell and his book Knights of Dark Renown



-Your favourite band/singer?


I do still love and follow New Zealand band Shihad.

-Twitter or Facebook?

I've come to enjoy Facebook, but I adore Twitter

-Favourite place in the world?

Wellington, New Zealand

-Last movie you watched at the cinemas?

X-men: First Class (loved it!)

-The last book you’ve read?

The Native Star

-Have you ever googled yourself?

As a writer it behooves you to keep an eye on what people are saying about you. So I in fact have a google alert for myself.

-Writing, reading or hanging out with friends?

Hanging out with friends

-If you wouldn’t be a writer, what you would be?

I would probably go back to being a librarian.

-And last one....printed or ebooks?

Since I am a nostalgia buff, printed.


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