Prepping for the End

This book, these books, built me, structured me, into who I am today.

I saw people writing their story, so I thought it was about time wrote mine to remember who I have become and to honor the books that opened me to a new world.

I had just finished Harry Potter, and it was the summer between fourth and fifth grade. I don't remember exactly how I first learned about them, but I do remember borrowing the first book, The Lightning Thief, all tattered and ripped from my neighbor, and then I read all of them. In two weeks, I was absolutely changed and obsessed. Those five books became my world and my mantra.

The new school year started off, a bit roughly, but I excitedly awaited The Lost Hero. I remember dragging my mom to a huge school, where Rick himself would be appearing, signing up for my library card, getting a free umbrella, and waiting in line for six hours to meet the man himself.

This is a bit of sidenote, but I didn't know anyone there, and I don't remember being that social, but there was one person there that I would, two years later, become best friends with and travel to far off lands to go to Comic Con together.

So I met him, stunned into silence, and only getting the courage to choke out my name when he asked.

He signed my book and I was the happiest girl in the world.

The school year continued on and I went through some darker points and showed that it was time to change schools.

The new school year came and so did Son of Neptune. Then the next year, and by that time, I was obsessed with the young adult genre. I wrote fanfiction and I blogged and I fangirled about it.

I was bloody unstoppable.

I stayed up until midnight to read the reuniting seen of my favorite couple. I read it throughout the day and tried to wipe away obvious tears when I read it under the desk in the middle of class.

I was Annabeth for Halloween. I was proud.

I did the exact same for House of Hades and my friends said I was crazy (even though they totally understood).

Percy Jackson got me through dark times. Times when I thought I would be consumed by work and school. Times when I questioned who I was, what I wanted to become, how I would let the world affect me.

So, I guess here's the point where I go through the seven individually.

• Percy Jackson: Be you, because no matter how dorky, scared, or confused you are, being you will keep you grounded. Be your own hero, and make sure you protect the people you care about the most before anyone else. Stand up for those who can't stand up for themselves because you know what it's like to not be able to stand up for yourself.
• Annabeth Chase: Intelligence is beautiful and strong. You don't need to be skinny or stupid to fit in when you can rule the whole world by being bold and smart. I idolize Annabeth Chase, and I will continue to idolize her. 
• Thalia Grace:  Be punk rock cause nothing is better than punk rock. 
• Grover Underwood: Your idols can let you down, so become your own and change the world. 
• Jason Grace: Be brave and be a leader, but know when to be a follower. 
• Piper McClean: Be beautiful, bold, and witty. Love love, but don't encompass yourself around it. This was a good thing for my young (and current) self to know. 
• Hazel Llevesque: Live a bit in the past, but not too much. You have to develop who you become, you aren't immediately great. 
• Frank Zhang: Awkwardness is key. It keeps you who you are and humble. 
• Nico di Angelo: Stop hiding, holding grudges, and closing yourself off. Fight your demons. And maybe, every once and a while, trust someone. 
• Bianca di Angelo and Zoe Nightshade: Be brave and don't fear the unknown. 
• The Mentors (Chiron, Hedge, etc.): Listen to your teachers, cause sometimes, they might have something useful to say.

This is my family. I will love and defend these characters with my final breath. I am so thankful to have these books. I never thought I'd be here, five years later. But the real question is, 

Do I really have to grow up just because its over?

Reading Slumps

So, all of your have to be back in school about now, wherever you live.

I just started my first year of high school, and am incredibly tired and angry all the time. That's what I was warned about.

I also was told I wouldn't have time to read. And I didn't believe that; until it happened.

The first month and a half of school has been painful and continues to be painful, both physically and mentally.

And they were all right. I didn't have time to read. I didn't have time to do anything I love to do (playing music, writing songs, writing stories, reading books). And that made me fall deeper into myself and deeper into the black whole that is school.

Sure education is important, but is it really that important when you are tearing yourself apart to even scratch the surface of succeeding or if you can't do what you love to do.

And I think that is where (American) educations has fallen out.

But luckily, I have found time to read. I am trying to read at least a hundred pages a school night, and two hundred throughout the whole weekend.

It means that I don't get very much sleep at night, because I study till nine o'clock and read for about an hour and half afterwards, but that doesn't really matter to me anymore.

I will live off of six or seven hours of sleep if reading and studying can coincide in my life.

But that's how I'm feeling right now. I will try to get more posts out, but it is harder nowadays. I love this blog, but, as I said above, time is precious and little to none.

If any of you are having the same problem, I feel for you and would love to talk to you. But for now, have a good day or night and good luck in life.

~Monty

Asylum by Madeline Roux

Asylum

Author: Madeleine Roux

Genre: Horror, Thriller

Goodreads Blurb: Asylum is a thrilling and creepy photo-novel perfect for fans of the New York Times bestseller Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children.

For sixteen-year-old Dan Crawford, New Hampshire College Prep is more than a summer program—it's a lifeline. An outcast at his high school, Dan is excited to finally make some friends in his last summer before college. But when he arrives at the program, Dan learns that his dorm for the summer used to be a sanatorium, more commonly known as an asylum. And not just any asylum—a last resort for the criminally insane.

As Dan and his new friends, Abby and Jordan, explore the hidden recesses of their creepy summer home, they soon discover it's no coincidence that the three of them ended up here. Because the asylum holds the key to a terrifying past. And there are some secrets that refuse to stay buried.

Featuring found photos of unsettling history and real abandoned asylums and filled with chilling mystery and page-turning suspense, Madeleine Roux's teen debut, Asylum, is a horror story that treads the line between genius and insanity

Published/ing: August 20th, 2013 Harper Teen

Rating: 3.5/5

Review: 

This was a really interesting book. If you have read Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, then you already understand how this book is written.

If not, then be ready to stop reading at night.

Madeleine Roux takes her sci-fi zombie apocalypse writing to the haunted halls of Brookline Dormitory/Asylum.

The book's writing is a bit boring at some points, and less personable, but coupled with the ghoulish pictures, it creates a horror film in your mind.

Dan, the main character, is also less a character, more a detail of the plot. He doesn't have many specific interests and is more the one that opens doors and gets in trouble so that the plot can keep moving.

There were many points in the book that were a bit blurry as well. The plot was well thought out and was left open at the end so that the second book can come in, but some of the details weren't as clearly written.

The setting was interesting too; a college dormitory in a small town in Connecticut. It didn't really affect the plot, but it was an interesting choice of setting.

I don't think this book was great, like other horror books I've read or Madeleine's other books, but it was worth reading.

Future News:

The second and final book in this duology was published on August 26th. 

Where She Went by Gayle Forman

Where She Went

Author: Gayle Forman

Genre: Contemporary, Angst, Music

Goodreads Blurb: It's been three years since Mia walked out of Adam's life.

And three years he's spent wondering why.

When their paths cross again in New York City, Adam and Mia are brought back together for one life-changing night.

Adam finally has the opportunity to ask Mia the questions that have been haunting him. But will a few hours in this magical city be enough to lay their past to rest, for good - or can you really have a second chance at first love?

Published/ing: April 5, 2011 Dutton Juvenile

Spoiler Alert: You want to have read the book. 
Rating: 4/5

Review:

This book was a lot different than its counterpart. While If I Stay was a tragedy, but still light-hearted, this book was pure angst from the side character in If I Stay, Adam.

We start out the same way we did in If I Stay, in the present. But throughout the book Adam flashes back to after the coma. Mia's adjustments and how she persevered and played cello despite the piggy backing that she could've taken. She eventually goes to Julliard and becomes a huge cellist.

Adam, on the other hand, blew up in fame with his band Shooting Star. They traveled and did tours and produced platinum albums and lived the rock star life.

This book did not show the over-glamorized rock star life though, and that was probably one of my favorite aspects of the book.

Adam went through some serious internal conflict, dealing with depression, addiction, and suicidal thoughts. He didn't know what to do and didn't really want anything to do with life anymore. He didn't want to remember Mia or talk about Mia.

That is, until the night he watches her in Carnegie Hall.

That, in my opinion, was the climax of the book. He finds her, she finds him. She takes him on a journey, they fight, and then they find each other all over again.

And that what makes this duology an amazing story. The fact that they are two separate characters, totally separate people dealing with loss and depression and tragedy, who find each other and help each other through it.

They aren't perfect or happy all the time. They don't break up to break up. They go through their own shit and further help each other through their opposing shit.

Now that I've fully voiced my feelings on that, I'd like to completely spin off that topic and talk about the setting, New York. The spot for great, fantasy adventures and for aliens to destroy the earth and for cheesy briefcase love stories.

What I really enjoyed about this novel was the fact that it looked at New York under the microscope. They ran through the streets and took cabs and stood on a ferry. She minimized the great picture of New York to apply to the feelings of the book. I believe it added to the theme that things can seem so far apart, but still be very close together.

In summary, this book was very cool. It was realistic, without being boring. It continued with the last plot line, while creating a new one. I would definitely not suggest forgetting about this book after you read If I Stay.

Future News:

If I Stay, the first book in the duology, has been recently turned into a major motion picture.

If I Stay by Gayle Forman

If I Stay

Author: Gayle Forman

Genre: Contemporary, Tragedy, Romance, Music

Goodreads Blurb: Just listen, Adam says with a voice that sounds like shrapnel.

I open my eyes wide now.
I sit up as much as I can.
And I listen.

Stay, he says.

Choices. Seventeen-year-old Mia is faced with some tough ones: Stay true to her first love—music—even if it means losing her boyfriend and leaving her family and friends behind?

Then one February morning Mia goes for a drive with her family, and in an instant, everything changes. Suddenly, all the choices are gone, except one. And it's the only one that matters.

If I Stay is a heartachingly beautiful book about the power of love, the true meaning of family, and the choices we all make.

Published/ing: April 2, 2009 Dutton Juvenile

Rating: 5/5

Spoiler Alert: This review does have mild spoils in it. If you've seen the movie trailer, then there are no spoilers. 
Review:

Something rare has occurred. I picked up this book, because the movie trailer looked cool.

Usually I wouldn't do something like that. I'd read reviews, talk to my friends, and then maybe pick up the book.

But no. I took one look at the trailer, almost cried, and bought the ebook.

This book grabbed my attention from the beginning, with the fast moving plot, beautiful writing, and heartbreaking story.

Mia, the main character, is very relate able to young girls. She has a passion, is slightly scared of intimate situations, and has a best friend. I loved that throughout the book, you see this coming-of-age kind of theme going on.

Along with that, the flashbacks show her growth from a young girl, slightly scared of stepping out of her comfort zone and not exactly ready to travel far away from her boyfriend and parents.

After death, she realizes that she has to grow up fast and make a large decision, will she stay or will she go?

Besides the heartbreaking tragedy that is the main plot in this book, overall it is very light-hearted. In the flashbacks, we see happiness and family and friendship.

To use something to compare it to, The Fault in Our Stars was mostly heartbreaking because we knew it was coming and the concept of death was overlying, while in this book, death was instant.

The idea of the after life in this book was also very intriguing. I have read many books with many different perceptions of the after life, but I liked how this one was plain and simple. She had the choice. There was no "ghost-physics" or "alternate-dimensions," just a simple, 'she is here and she has to choose if she'll stay.'

In summary, it is an extremely heart warming and breaking book with music, love, and tragedy. I would recommend it to anyone and everyone for its plain and simple young adult theme and John Green like plot line. I am very excited to see if the movie lives up to my love for this book. 

Future News:

If I Stay was just recently turned into a major motion picture. 

Summer Reading Books are the Reason

Kids, adults, humanity, generally dislikes reading.

And that is incredibly depressing to people adore books.

I honest to god, as a newly high school student, hate most summer reading books. I had to read one about a woman who conformed to the sexist ideals of Troy and another that wasn't half bad, but the utter half was crap.

Each year, we read about the same things over and over again; racism and great quests. Now, let me say now, that I know racism is a prominent problem in today's society, but after reading about it year after year in school and only getting to know that one societal problem gets annoying.

When it comes to human rights and world problems, I tend to be the strongest protester in sexism, ageism, and mistreatment of the LGBTQA community.

It's kind of sad that schools A. Don't have kids learn more about prominent world problems B. interesting engaging books C. and the occasional fiction book.

I'm not saying that all schools are terrible at picking school books, but I wish reading was incorporated more in the American education system.

I want my younger sisters and my friends and my fellow teens to be more into reading. I want them to learn about the communist and Hitler-like ruling of Kim Jung Un in North Korea. I want them to be educated on the sexism in the American government and sixteenth century-like treatment of women in other countries. In my opinion, the generation that is currently ruling America is lacking education. Not education from the side that won or is more prominent, but the losers and minorities.

I hope that my generation is the one that steps up and says 'I know how to solve this problem,' or 'this is not fair or just.'

And if not mine, the one after that.

I hope to one day work towards worldly education one day, but for now I'll do it in simpler ways.

Ways so simple that even you could do it sitting at your computer.

Educate your friends, family, teachers, etc. on topics that you think could change. Voice your ideas ever if you think they are ridiculous or wouldn't work. Talk to people in authority about improving certain situations.

It's the small things that count.

~Monty

My Comic Con Series: Introduction

CHICAGO COMIC CON 2014

Hello readers,

      Now obviously if you haven't heard of Comic Con, specifically San Diego Comic Con International, then you either live under a rock or don't care about fictional universes. Either or, you probably wouldn't read my blog. 

      So assuming you know of the con ways, I can skip over explaining what a panel is and why John Barrowman is too gay to function. 

      Over the past few years, Wizard Con, what runs San Diego Con, has expanded its venues and grown in proportions. To see if that expansion has come to your area, you can look on their website. 

Wizard World

       I myself will be blogging from Chicago Comic Con, where I will be cosplaying, meeting actors, and attending panels. 

This series of posts will be dedicated to my planning, cosplays, and advice I have afterwards. I hope you find it interesting and informative!

To read about my con experience more in person follow my tumblr, myconexperience.

Till later, Monty

The Testing Trilogy by Joelle Charbonneau

The Testing Trilogy

Author: Joelle Charbonneau

Publication: 2013-2014 HMH Books for Young Readers

Overall Rating: 4.5/5

Reviews: 

The Testing

My review for this book can be found here. 

Independent Study

My review for this book can be found here. 

Graduation Day

My review for this book can be found here.

Overall

I was amazed at how fast this series was written. I mean, you have to assume that Joelle completely outlined out all three books before she started writing because of the balanced of writing time and detail. 

These books were an excellent example for what a dystopian book should be; detailed, deep, and well though out. 

The setting of these books were set up so well, that you believed that this happened/could happen. 

Future News

This is the end to the trilogy and so far there is no news on whether or not the author will be continuing with the story.

An Interview with the Author

• Did you plan out the series extensively before writing it? 

I wish!  I never know where a story is going before I start.  I only know who the main character is, what they are hoping to have happen and what the first big event is that will occur in the plot.  After that, I tend to improve my way through the story.  It's a scary way to write--and especially to write a trilogy where I knew the themes of each book, but not the plot-- but I find that I never lack for motivation to sit down and work each day because I am dying to find out what happens next. 

• What was you inspiration or original idea for the story?

I teach private voice lessons and a large number of my students are singers who are interested in pursuing musical theater or voice in college.  The college admittance process is incredibly stressful for any major, but even more so for theater and music major who have to audition for the program in addition to applying to the school.  The stress of taking the college admittance tests and going through the auditions gets more intense every year and I suddenly found myself wonderful what kind of process could be created that would be even worse for college bound students.  And The Testing was born.

• If you were put in Cia's position, do you think you could survive The Testing?

I doubt it, but I think I would give it a really good shot.  I might be able to make it through the first three rounds.  The fourth round would be a crap shoot and depend on how the other candidates around me approached that final tests.  I tend to look for the best in people.  That could totally get me in trouble if I had to go through The Testing.

• What was your favorite part to write?

THE END of each book:)  Actually, that isn't a lie.  I loved writing various characters, but really, for each book I adored writing the end because I was uncertain until the final moments as to what was going to happen and I was so excited to find out what turn the story was going to take.

• If you went to the University, what class would you be in?

Hmmm…I think I would probably end up in Education or Government.  Trust me when I say that no one wants me in biological or mechanical engineering since I tend to break things and my thumb isn't exactly green.

• Would you add anything to the books if you could? A specific scene? A character?

I always feel like I should say yes to this kind of question since there are always parts of the story that are never seen.  And yet, I don't think I will ever wake up one day sad that something is missing because the story is no longer mine to tell.  The story now belongs to the readers.

• Do you have a favorite book/series/author?

I have LOTS of them.  However, if you really pressed me to narrow it down I will say that my favorite series is The Belgariad series by David Eddings and the follow-up series the Mallorean.  If you want me to name the author that I grew up admiring and I still admire to this day I would have to say it's a tie between Stephen King and Lois Lowry.

• Do you plan on continuing Cia's journey in the future?

I can't say that I have plans to continue Cia's journey.  However, if I think of an idea for a new conflict in Cia's life, I would love an excuse to revisit the world of The United Commonwealth.

• Bonus Question: What Hogwarts house do you think Cia would be sorted into?

Cia would be Gryffindor all the way.  Loyalty is her finest trait and her biggest downfall. 

Thank you so much Joelle, and I cannot wait to see what you have for your fans in the future!

~Monty

Comic Con and Life

Hey friends, 

Long time, no see. I've been away at camp for three weeks. I let a few posts get posted while I was gone just so I could get them posted instead of attacking you with posts now. Considerate, yes?

Anyway, I have a good deal to talk about. 

First off, school's about to start. I am stressed out beyond belief. I don't know how this year is going ot go and how much I'll get to read. From what I've heard, high school can be a real bitch, so yeah. 

I don't know what this year will be like in relation to blogging. 

On a nicer note, I will be at Chicago Comic Con and I plan on making posts about my experience since I could not find very good guides and advice for going to smaller, but still big, comic cons. I will have posts here, but you can follow the whole adventure here.

Look for an Introduction post on that subject soon.

I also need to post my interview with Joelle Charbonneau, the absolutely fabulous and friendly author of The Testing Trilogy. She is such a super cool person and hope The Testing blows up in the reading community, especially now that all the books are out.

I also want to talk more on the subject of summer reading books and David Levithan. Two things that I have a lot to talk about.

Otherwise, stay happy and stay healthy and expect to hear more from me soon.

~Monty

Mark Your Calendar: The Blood of Olympus by Rick Riordan

The Blood of Olympus by Rick Riordan

October 8th 2014

Though the Greek and Roman crewmembers of the Argo II have made progress in their many quests, they still seem no closer to defeating the earth mother, Gaea. Her giants have risen—all of them—and they're stronger than ever. They must be stopped before the Feast of Spes, when Gaea plans to have two demigods sacrificed in Athens. She needs their blood—the blood of Olympus—in order to wake.

The demigods are having more frequent visions of a terrible battle at Camp Half-Blood. The Roman legion from Camp Jupiter, led by Octavian, is almost within striking distance. Though it is tempting to take the Athena Parthenos to Athens to use as a secret weapon, the friends know that the huge statue belongs back on Long Island, where it "might" be able to stop a war between the two camps.

The Athena Parthenos will go west; the Argo II will go east. The gods, still suffering from multiple personality disorder, are useless. How can a handful of young demigods hope to persevere against Gaea's army of powerful giants? As dangerous as it is to head to Athens, they have no other option. They have sacrificed too much already. And if Gaea wakes, it is game over.

There are no words for how excited I am for this book. But at the same time, I dread it. It marks an end to a life changing chapter of my life and also, kind of, marks the end of my middle school days. There will be a lot of tears and happiness and farewells, but knowing Tio Rick, this is not the last time we see these characters.

Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan

Dash and Lily's Book of Dares

Author: Rachel Cohn and David Levithan

Genre: Contemporary, Christmas, Adventure, Romance 

Goodreads Blurb:“I’ve left some clues for you.
If you want them, turn the page.
If you don’t, put the book back on the shelf, please.”

So begins the latest whirlwind romance from the bestselling authors ofNick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist. Lily has left a red notebook full of challenges on a favorite bookstore shelf, waiting for just the right guy to come along and accept its dares. But is Dash that right guy? Or are Dash and Lily only destined to trade dares, dreams, and desires in the notebook they pass back and forth at locations across New York? Could their in-person selves possibly connect as well as their notebook versions? Or will they be a comic mismatch of disastrous proportions?

Rachel Cohn and David Levithan have written a love story that will have readers perusing bookstore shelves, looking and longing for a love (and a red notebook) of their own.

Published/ing: October 26th 2010 Knopf Books for Young Readers

Rating: 4/5

Review:

Okay, I know it's summer. Or at least where I am. 

I bought this book back at Christamas because my friend, Spun With Words, was thoroughly obsessed with it. But strangely enough I didn't get around to reading the two hundred or so page book. 

Seeing it on my shelf while trying to pick out books for summer it made me sad sitting there. So I said, what the hey, and read it. 

The first thing I'd like to point out is the setting of the book; New York at Christmas. The writing of the book was so balanced between having the actual story going on, but at the same time having you picture this beautiful snowy background. It was one of those situations where the setting itself played a character in the story. 

Speaking of characters, let's talk about Dash and Lily. I have not read many books where two people are writing the same story from two POVs (Will Grayson, Will Grayson by David Levithan and John Green would be one). This is probably my favorite dual POV story so far because of how connected the POVs were. The chapters were chronological and included both characters, but they didn't awkwardly crossover through dialogue or the other character's inner thoughts. They were well thought out and flowed very well together. 

I thought Dash and Lily were such cute characters because of how dorky and teenage-like they were. It wasn't fake or too perfect to be true. 

Okay, wait, it was a bit too perfect to be true. Although the notebook idea was awesome and cute and really quirky, I thought it was all a bit improbable. They left the notebook in places that didn't seem that 'secure' or in places that somebody (janitor, little kid, nosy human being) could've easily picked up. 

That was my only low point in the book. Otherwise it is a very light-hearted, easy read. It is cute and fluffy, with a bit of mystery to it. I would suggest reading this any time of the year. 

Future News:
David Levithan is currently working on the second book for the Every Day series. Rachel Cohn is currently writing the rest of the books in her Annex series. 

Mark Your Calendar: Series 8 of Doctor Who

August 23, 2014 9pm CT

I know for a fact that I am excited to see Capaldi take the stage as the twelfth doctor, but are you? There are many rumors about the new season, some of which might come true. But for now, fans can't sit still in anticipation for the globally adored Doctor Who.

for more upcoming fandom related events refer to the calendar tab

Graduation Day by Joelle Charbonneau

Graduation Day
Author: Joelle Charbonneau
Genre: Dystopian, Romance
Goodreads Blurb: In book three of the Testing series, the United Commonwealth wants to eliminate the rebel alliance fighting to destroy The Testing for good. Cia is ready to lead the charge, but will her lethal classmates follow her into battle?

She wants to put an end to the Testing
In a scarred and brutal future, The United Commonwealth teeters on the brink of all-out civil war. The rebel resistance plots against a government that rules with cruelty and cunning. Gifted student and Testing survivor, Cia Vale, vows to fight.

But she can't do it alone.
This is the chance to lead that Cia has trained for - but who will follow? Plunging through layers of danger and deception, Cia must risk the lives of those she loves--and gamble on the loyalty of her lethal classmates.

Who can Cia trust?
The stakes are higher than ever-lives of promise cut short or fulfilled; a future ruled by fear or hope--in the electrifying conclusion to Joelle Charbonneau's epic Testing trilogy. Ready or not…it's Graduation Day.

The Final Test is the Deadliest!
Publishing: June 17th, 2014 HMH Books for Young Readers
Rating: 4/5
Review:

These books have flown by. 

It must've been just yesterday when I received the first one for my birthday, and then dove straight in. 

To see it come to end so quickly is a bit startling. 

To start off my review, let me just say the amount of internal conflict from Cia in this book was enormous. It seemed that everywhere we turned Cia was having a new problem. Whether it was trust or the difference between right and wrong, Cia was having to deal with it. I think that aspect of the book pulled the reader in a bit more, because you yourself are questioning the trustworthiness of these people and whether or not Cia should have to take on her mission. 

This creates a bit of mystery also, because you have no idea who to trust or who will end up stabbing Cia in the back. 

Through Cia's investigation of the characters, we also get a deeper view of the many side characters than we did in the other books. We saw redemption, and never-ending trust, and other characteristics that made these character more realistic and round. 

The ending to this book was absolutely exceptional in my eyes. (Warning, Spoilers) There's that last minute decision that Cia has to make. Dr. Barnes spilled all the stuff he knew about the president right there, and Cia had to decide whether or not to kill him. 

I think that just completely built up the ending and let it slide to the calming end, where Dr. Barnes is gone, Cia gets to go back to her colony, and the Testing has ended. 

My only low point for this book was the slow beginning, but other than that it was amazing. 

One very small thing that I'd like to point out is Cia's overall independence. She doesn't let others influence her decisions; not the president, not her lover, and not her parents. And I thought that was downright awesome. At the end when she told Thomas that she had to go back to University and keep an eye on the president and he accepted it and told her goodbye I was so happy cause yes. That's how it should happened. 

I really want to see more from Cia and Joelle's dystopian writing. This series was one of the best dystopian trilogies I've read.  

Future News: 
There is no news to whether or not the author will continue the trilogy in any way. 

Get Happy by Mary Amato

Get Happy

Author: Mary Amato

Genre:Contemporary, Romance, Music, Coming-of-Age

Goodreads Blurb:In this poignant, realistic, contemporary YA by a state master list star, perfect for fans of Sarah Dessen and Gayle Forman, a young songwriter builds a substitute family with her friends in place of the broken family she grew up with.

A hip high school girl who loves music, writes songs, and is desperate for a ukelele, learns to her shock that her father did not abandon her years ago and has been trying to keep in touch. She begins to investigate him, only to discover that he has a new life with a new family, including the perfect stepdaughter, a girl who Minerva despises.

Publisher/ing: October 28, 2014 EgmontUSA

Rating: 5/5

Review: 

This book filled me with a certain indescribable euphoria that I can't honestly describe in English words.

The main character, Minerva, captured my heart from the beginning with her quirky personality and her desire for her own ukulele. 

I mean, instead of waiting to learn the ukulele on a real uku, she built her own. 

I love her devotion to her friend and her passion for music and life. 

This book had a lot of different themes to it, that makes it the perfect coming-of-age novel. Minerva has a passion for music, that forms her goal to buy the uku, but at the same time, she has issues with jealousy, self esteem, the search for her father and the conflict surrounding that. 

I thought all aspects of this book were very precious and carefully written. The end of this book especially was so heart-breaking, but at the same time happy. The way she stood in front of her father and called him out for abandoning her family. How she called her mother out on lying and being hypocritical. I believe the ability to stand up to your parents if what they are doing/saying is wrong is an important trait that teenagers must have. 

The quirky characters, excellent representation of teenagers, and the thick plot and multiple conflicts morphed this book into an excellent coming-of-age novel about a girl with a love for music. 

Future News:
This book will come out late fall, and after that, I do not know what she has planned after that. 

Dangerous Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Dangerous Creatures

Author: Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance, Action and Adventure

Goodreads Blurb: A new series returns to the world of Beautiful Creatures. Some loves are cursed...others are dangerous.

Ridley Duchannes will be the first to tell you that she's a bad girl. She's Dark. She's a Siren. You can never trust her, or even yourself when she's around. Lucky for her, Wesley "Link" Lincoln can never seem to remember that; quarter Incubus or not, his heart is Mortal when it comes to Ridley. When Link heads to New York City to start a music career, Ridley goes along for the ride-and she has her own reasons. As if leaving small-town Gatlin for the big city, trying to form a band, and surviving life with a partially reformed Siren isn't hard enough already, Link soon learns he has a price on his head that no Caster or Mortal can ever pay.

Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl, the #1 New York Times bestselling coauthors of Beautiful Creatures, are back and casting another magical spell. Their signature mixture of mystery, suspense, and romance, along with a dash of fun and danger, will pull fans in and leave them begging for more.

Published/ing: May 20th, 2014 Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Rating: 4/5

Review:

My favorite part of this whole book was connecting with old characters. I adored the Beautiful Creatures series, and you definitely need to read those before you read this. Seeing my second favorite character, Ridley, come back in crimson lipstick and heels was thrilling. 

I believe one of the big points in this book was the development of Ridley's character. In the other series, we only graced the edge of Ridley's character, but in these books we see character development through emotional trials and life or death situations.

With Ridley's development, I would also really like to see Link develop more as well.

Another thing I really enjoyed, was right off the bat I recognized the writing. It was as if I recognized a voice of a long lost friend. It was so familiar and unique, the mythology and descriptions.

That was probably what really kept me going through this book.

Of course, as I got further into the book, this became less of a problem, but I did not like the overwhelming amount of characters that were thrown right at me. I got them mixed up and confused. Their personalities seemed a bit blurry and too similar.

There were also a lot of large plot points mixed together in the beginning, and that made it very chaotic to keep up with.

This is the first book and it is a whole new story, so I get the need to put all the new characters and conflicts out in the open, but I just thought it was a bit inefficient and busy. 

Future News:

The release date and name for the next book in this trilogy is yet to be released. 

My Author Event

So, a few weeks ago I was graced with the presence of Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl at my local library. 

Yes, that is Ridley Pearson, author of the beloved Kingdom Keepers series, wearing the pink hair strip like Ridley herself. 

And that is how my night started. I scored a seat in the front of the room next to a girl who was casually scrolling through tumblr and an empty seat. So, checking the time on my cellular device, I cracked open City of Heavenly Fire and went about reading. Around 7:45, an older looking man sits down in the seat beside me. He begins to ask me what I'm reading and how I like it and my interests. 

Now I recognized this mystery man. I couldn't but my finger on it until he cracked open Dangerous Creatures, pointed at Ridley's name, and said "I rather like that name."

After that I asked if he was Ridley Pearson, and he replied that he was. He went on telling me about writing skills and books. One of the really intriguing things he told me about writing, is have a beginning, middle, and end before you start.

He said once you had that, you knew the destiny of your characters, and that was very important when writing, especially in fantasy. 

Then the event started. 

Kami and Margaret were hilarious and not afraid to answer all questions. 

They talked about the movie, and how little authors get to participate in the making. They talked about their journeys writing separate books, and how they decided that the fans and characters were calling them back to where they originally started. 

Overall, it was an exciting night and I was glad to get a chance to meet them. 

Mark Your Calendar: Landlines by Rainbow Rowell

Landline by Rainbow Rowell

July 8th 2014

Georgie McCool knows her marriage is in trouble. That it’s been in trouble for a long time. She still loves her husband, Neal, and Neal still loves her, deeply — but that almost seems besides the point now.

Maybe that was always besides the point.

Two days before they’re supposed to visit Neal’s family in Omaha for Christmas, Georgie tells Neal that she can’t go. She’s a TV writer, and something’s come up on her show; she has to stay in Los Angeles. She knows that Neal will be upset with her — Neal is always a little upset with Georgie — but she doesn’t expect to him to pack up the kids and go home without her.

When her husband and the kids leave for the airport, Georgie wonders if she’s finally done it. If she’s ruined everything.

That night, Georgie discovers a way to communicate with Neal in the past. It’s not time travel, not exactly, but she feels like she’s been given an opportunity to fix her marriage before it starts . . .

Is that what she’s supposed to do?

Or would Georgie and Neal be better off if their marriage never happened?

This will be my first adult novel from Rainbow Rowell, and I hope it's as good as her teenage books. I am thoroughly excited for another summer read, though. For those who got ARCs of this much anticipated book, I'd love to hear from you and your opinions on the book. Have a nice summer. 

~ Monty

My Hunter and His Little Angel

Now, I love one of my top OTPs like no other. And in a burst of adoring love for my interspecies couple, I have decided to create a masterpost of my favorite songs and such associated and about my hunter and his little angel. All songs are linked to either SoundCloud or YouTube. 

Hey There, Castiel

Hey There, Dean

I Can't Help Falling in Love With You

Carry On My Wayward Son {Lullaby}

Painfully Heterosexual

No Hope {Destiel Fanlyrics}

Angel With A Shotgun

Bluebird

Destiel Song

Plead the Fifth {Hallelujah}{Supernatural Remix}

And then some of my favorite 8tracks mixes:

Sleepy Fandoms

A collection of original, soft songs about Destiel.

Twist and Shout

Based on the popular Destiel fanfiction, Twist and Shout. 

Destiel

More upbeat songs about Destiel. 

The Best Fanfictions:

Twist and Shout {Ao3}

What begins as a transforming love between Dean Winchester and Castiel Novak in the summer of 1965 quickly derails into something far more tumultuous when Dean is drafted in the Vietnam War. Though the two both voice their relationship is one where saying goodbye is never a real truth, their story becomes fraught with the tragedy of circumstance. In an era where homosexuality was especially vulnerable, Twist and Shout is the story of the love transcending time, returning over and over in its many forms, as faithful as the sea.

The Story of You and Me {Ao3}

Dean wakes up in bed next to a very human Castiel, and a journal in his own handwriting that tells him it’s two years in the future. The house looks a lot like Bobby’s, and Sam lives there too… He just can’t remember how they got from angels falling in the sky – to comfortable domesticity.

While there is much in the journal Dean doesn’t remember, there is much of their story he’s always known. And as he settles into the routine of his new life and relationship with Castiel, it quickly becomes something he doesn’t know how to live without.

Not All That {FF}

High School AU - There's one rule at Kripke High - don't talk to the Novaks! Dean Winchester broke that rule day one. - Longer summary and warnings inside. Dean/Castiel. Rating change - From T to M for explicit content of a sexual nature.

The Prophet Must Die {Ao3}

"What about Castiel? He seems helpful... and dreamy."

Something about the comment just isn't sitting right, and Dean's jaw twitches. He stares at the wall in the dark, and at a quarter past four in the morning, it hits him.

"Asshole," Dean hisses under his breath, sitting up straight, "that sonofabitch kept publishing."

only if for a night {Ao3}

Castiel is captured by a djinn. Dean goes slightly crazy, and Cas discovers a thing or two about himself.

And finally, just because, fanart: