Totally diggin the song Radioactive by Imagine Dragons.....

The Runes Series (Runes- Book 1, Immortals- Book 2) by Ednah Walters

   Once upon a time there was a girl named Raine.  She was a normal, not real popular, high school student.  Until she met Torin St. James.  Torin was the dark and dangerous guy who moved in next door, not to mention the hottest guy that Raine had ever seen.  It doesn't take long for Raine to fall into some crazy lust after him, but some weird things start to happen.  Like how Torin talks about being able to do things because of magic.  Well Raine doesn't even believe in magic until she starts seeing the results from what could only have been magic.  Then her world takes a very dramatic turn.
   Eirik and Cora are Raine's best friends.  They are brutally frank and Eirik ad Raine have had a crush on each other for a while now.  Although Raine has feelings for a certain someone else, she begins dating Eirik.  At the same time she is also dealing with the possible loss of her father.  He was in a plane crash months before, but his body had not been found.  Raine's mother is convinced he is still alive, but Raine isn't so sure anymore.
   And then bad things start happening.  She finds out the truth about her new neighbor.  He and some of the other new teenagers in town are all Valkyries.  They shepherd souls to the next life and use runes for things like super speed and healing.  It's almost impossible to kill them.  But then again, why would she want to when she was falling all over one of them?  It seemed like all of the Valkyries had the other teens her age all over them.  They were beautiful and magnetic.  But she and Torin share a closer bond than normal.
   And then there's Maliina.  She has a serious dislike for Raine after her man, Andris, decided to flirt a little with her.  Bad idea.  It turns Maliina crazy.  And a crazy Valkyrie is a dangerous one.  Now she must try to stay alive, which is turning out to be pretty hard to do.  Torin is the only one who can and will save her.


  Book two has many all new types of threats and a very confused Torin.  The awful Norns that Raine had to contend with in the last book completely wiped part of his memory.  The part with her in it.  So it feels like he has just moved in again next door and has no idea who she is.  She is totally devastated.  But Raine isn't so easily daunted and intends on making him remember no matter what she has to do.
   Eirik is not who anyone thought.  He is a very important person (who I will not identify in this review).  But he has a dark side that is threatening everything and everyone around him.  The Norns (which are the ones that guide the destinies of people) warn Raine about him.  But he is her best friend and she is willing to go through whatever she must to save him while trying to do the same with Torin.
   As if this isn't enough, Raine isn't who she seems either.  Her true nature comes out at the end and it is not what you will be expecting!  I never saw it coming!



   Secrets, lies, love and lust, hate, runic magic, a little Norse mythology, and death (lots of death).  Yes these two books have it all.  You've got the hormonal teenager side to contend with but it doesn't get too hot and heavy in the books.  Raine's family is just full of secrets, some of which were painful to her.  And things with her friends are ever changing.  They will always be her best friends, but it seems like she is always off trying to save someone, including them.
   And all the while, Torin is in the background watching.  His rule of never getting involved with a mortal is completely shot to pieces when Raine comes into the picture.  She is what he has been missing for so long and even after his memory has been messed with, he still feels it.  I hate how much they torture each other before they finally decide to just go with it and be together.  But that is part of what makes it good.  Torin goes through great lengths to keep her from becoming like him.  But as you see by half way through the second book, that was useless.  Raine is going to get her way.  So she's a little pushy.  The girl just knows what she wants.




*images via Ednah Walters

Secret Doors: The Challenge by Brian D. Meeks

   Abby is an orphan.  She was adopted by the Drapers two years ago after a horrible fire took away all of the family that she had.  The Drapers had swooped in and given her a new home immediately, but she never felt like it was her home.  Shunned by Mrs. Draper because of her red hair, and picked on by Trent and Trevor (the Draper twins), she now spends her days as a "guest" in their home.  And it is made painfully obvious to her that she is not really wanted.
   Stevie is also an orphan.  He and Abby meet and become best friends.  Stevie lives in an orphanage.  They are both drawn together because of their similar situations.
   Both Abby and Stevie embark on a journey into the world of secret doors and challenges.  A world where Alphie, a friend in this new realm, is an owl and a man.  They are grouped together with a few other kids around their age and begin a challenge that neither of them really seem to understand.  But seeing that this is better than going back to their homes, they decide to go through with it.  What they find is more friendship, leadership, and becoming more of who they were meant to be.  But first, they must make it out of the challenge alive.  Because someone is sabotaging it.

   A great little novel that I would be comfortable letting younger kids read!  It is a very clean book, but still has the excitement of adventure.  It will definitely appeal to the younger readers!  Secret Doors is more than just an adventure, it's about the process of growing up as well, of getting the courage to go through all types of perils.  Great read!

If the zombie apocalypse happened....

   My main question, which might sound pretty strange, is if the zombie apocalypse actually happened, would it really be survival of the fittest?  If you think about it, it's kind of a curious question to ask because there could possibly be so many variables in the mix.  I have seen Zombieland and as hilarious as it really is, it could also have some very good pointers in this whole rule thing it has going on.
   If the zombie apocalypse happened in a very quick time frame, as in hours, most people who lived in large cities and were in crowded areas would just be out of luck.  I don't care how good of an athlete you are because unless you have some serious spider man skills, you're done for.  With that many zombies crowding you, lurking around every corner, and dead end alleys, it's just not good.  The body count is going to sky rocket (as well as the number of zombies).
   One of those weird unknown variables would be, how does one turn into a zombie?  If it's contagious even by getting bit like a lot of the stories say, then most of the world is going to turn zombie in no time.  If it's not like that, then there is a chance that we could stamp it out before it became a huge epidemic.
   Those who are living in the less crowded areas, the suburbs and rural areas are going to have a better chance at fortifying their homes or just plain running before it hits their area.  Chances are, the further away you are, the better chance you have of hearing about it beforehand.  This is a real advantage.
   Then there are those paranoid crazies out there who, believe it or not, will be the ones who are most prepared for something like this.  They will be the ones to have the food supplies, medicine, and safe area to stay in until this blows over or something.  Not to mention the possibility of weapons to defend yourself.
   As for those of us with any real medical issues, we are in for a world of trouble because once most of the world turns into one of those things, there will be no one to make medicine and no one to make sure we have heating and air or electricity.  It will be like we are essentially back in the stone age.  Most survivors will die from exposure to the elements or of infection from even the smallest of wounds.
   In some ways, it would be survival of the fittest.  The physically and mentally strong will have an upper hand, as will those with a strong immune system.  But it will also be those who are prepared that will have a better chance as well.  But never underestimate the power of sheer luck and determination.  And most of man kind has the ability to have one or the other of the two.

On a lighter note, I would much rather it be something like a vampire invasion. So many more perks lol.

       The Rules:

*image via www.zombielandrules.com

   

Light and Darkness (War of the Fae: Book 3) by Elle Casey

"The difference is in the way we believe humans should be treated and the role we should play in their society.  The Light Fae believe our best chance for survival and to have access to the resources provided by the humans is to stay hidden...to continue to operate in their shadows and dreams, not their realities.  However, the Dark Fae do not agree.  They want to be out in front of the humans, living in the open, no longer hiding who they are and what they do.  They want to exert their power over the humans and assert their fae dominance."

A great little tidbit of a book I recently finished reading.  Great stuff!!

*quote via Elle Casey
*picture via Elle Casey

The City of Bones -Movie

Today I got to go see The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones.  Now, there is just no comparing the movie and the book.  All of those who have read the book will notice quite a few differences between the two.  If you think this will really be a problem, then don't go see the movie.  As a whole separate deal, the movie was good.  It had plenty of action, it was funny, scary, and a little cheesy.  I could have done without that little bit of cheesiness that they added, but overall a pretty darn good movie.  But please don't take your little kids to go see this movie.  Those demons in it were scary.  Period.  They looked like something that mutated out of a Resident Evil movie.  Talk about nasty and creepy.  And yes, Clary seems just as helpless in the movie as she does in the book.  One little thing though.  Jonathan Rhys Meyers has a serious hair problem.  It may seem like a little minor thing, but his hair is just wow.  And not in a good way.  Picture a cross between Joe Dirt and Johnny Depp in Pirates of the Caribbean and you've got it.  Yes Jonathan Rhys Meyers your hair is causing you a 5 point loss in cool points.  It was downright distracting.  There is some redemption for him though.  He did act just as crazy as Valentine seemed, maybe even a little more so.  Jamie Campbell Bower was a very good choice for Jace.  As we have seen before, he can play the part for someone who is a dark character.  And even though he is one of the good guys, you can also see a little bit of dark and dangerous still and it really works.   The only character I was truly disappointed in was the one of Magnus Bane.  I was hoping for a more flamboyant and out there persona.  That is not what I really got.  Yes you get to see him in his underwear (don't worry his little "outfit" is really hilarious), but he isn't all the glitter and glam and outgoing warlock we see in the book.  And if you have never read the book, then you might be more than a little horrified about Jace and Clary's relationship at the end of it when they find out some rather alarming news about themselves.  But, on the upside, the fight scenes are amazing and the nasty, scary demons really give the movie an edge.  Overall, it was worth going to see in theaters.

Sneak Peak at Phoenix Rising (Book 5 of The Kindred Series) by Erica Stevens

"As it was meant to be, so has she risen."

Yes, Cassie died and has come back from the dead as a vampire, a whole new type of creature.  She has powers like no one could even fathom.  And she is out for revenge.  The Elders who have been such a thorn in her side for so long, making life hell for her, are in her cross hairs.  With the truly amazing power that she wields,  Cassie must be careful to not lose herself within it.  It would be too easy to get swallowed up in all of that power and just burn down the world, destroying everything including her self and  her friends, and Devon.  It will be up to them to try to keep her in check and try to help teach her how to control her powers.  Keeping everyone safe will prove to be a real challenge.  Keeping them safe from Cassie will be even harder.  Should they just accept her as she is now?  Can Devon accept that she could become a monster?  Would they be able to stop her if she went too far?

I've read the last book and have to say it is pretty awesome!  The ending is very satisfying.  So much action!  And don't forget the love story.  Cassie and Devon's relationship takes a new turn with this new revelation. Phoenix rising is due to come out on Amazon on August 27th!!

*image via Erica Stevens
*quote via Erica Steven