tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71210826808037410482024-02-19T23:28:12.089-08:00Blythes & Books: Battling BoredomThis is where I can combine & share my passion of reading & writing with everyone who may care. My favourite book genres/subjects are: Young Adult, Fantasy, Dark Romance, Steampunk, Paranormal Romance, Angels, Vampires, Historical as well as Non-Fiction. I'd be happy to give an honest, extended review on your book too!Mandy: Less is Bore!http://www.blogger.com/profile/17950434180437066803noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7121082680803741048.post-49652330107951351532012-05-18T01:29:00.000-07:002012-05-18T01:29:00.076-07:00Review: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPRKeGoM3E8QgyWI3idWqZSIZYqhqQQc9yDogPZ3I9FBewbTiPkUz91wpgpwf617nnXAcIBDeflb3p5mejDQlYvLqkJoTfN51dhv_AL7ks2NarbBVYM8HFgbNmEjZ7P_SBR9cwURi5GRwx/s1600/catching_fire_book_cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPRKeGoM3E8QgyWI3idWqZSIZYqhqQQc9yDogPZ3I9FBewbTiPkUz91wpgpwf617nnXAcIBDeflb3p5mejDQlYvLqkJoTfN51dhv_AL7ks2NarbBVYM8HFgbNmEjZ7P_SBR9cwURi5GRwx/s320/catching_fire_book_cover.jpg" width="239" /></a><b><span lang="EN-GB">Catching Fire, </span></b><span lang="EN-GB">by Suzanne Collins</span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB">Series:</span></b><span lang="EN-GB"> The Hunger Games #2<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB">Genre:</span></b><span lang="EN-GB"> YA, Fantasy, Dystopia, Sci-Fi<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB">Published: </span></b><span lang="EN-GB">September 2009<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB">Pages: </span></b><span lang="EN-GB">472<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB">My rating:</span></b><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgrYLwoTzmLzZf137BYNhYRqfTIOjzCs5xJ8QWoMq7CB1TkXy49beeUV8SeyRLiwmlFPcv-zJ11qZB_i_18It8pXGNYSbY7TzQYYC8SN_mR-j2yfnzDpDbUN3J6-BuAZkSFCOVkl-Bblol/s1600/klein+4+cupcakes.jpg" /><b><br /></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><b><span lang="EN-GB">The Blurb</span></b><span lang="EN-GB">: <i>Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark won the annual competition described in Hunger Games, but the aftermath leaves these victors with no sense of triumph. Instead, they have become the poster boys for a rebellion that they never planned to lead. The Capitol is very, very angry ... and wants revenge.</i></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">So… after dying to find out what
would happen next to Katniss, Peeta, Gale and the others I threw myself into
‘Catching Fire’, practically starved. In some ways the book satisfied me, in
other ways not even remotely. In retrospective, it was somewhat disappointing
even. Which is why I kept postponing this review.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">The structure of this book is almost
similar to the one of the first book, where the first part is merely an
introduction of sorts. At first, things develop slowly. Very slowly. Nothing
seems to have changed, even when everything has. Katniss and Peeta still live
their lives separately and despite Katniss’ riches, she still hunts whenever
she can. Not to provide for her own family though, but for Gale’s family, since
he won’t accept her money.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">The strongly written characters are
interesting enough. Even the new side-characters are interesting and developed
sufficiently to be more than just background noise. Katniss definitely grew
further in this instalment but surprised me by still being insecure (maybe even dimwitted) about so
many things. Like her feelings regarding Peeta and Gale. It’s refreshing to
read a bo</span>ok not entirely focused on romance, but on real emotions and doubts.
Not the standard formula.</div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">I love Katniss’ (self-)wits and her
interactions with Peeta, for example. The humour is a welcome change in the
(mostly) heavy story.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">The consequences of Katniss’ actions
during The Hunger Games -and the sign she gave off with those actions- dawn on
Katniss. At first she’s convinced she will have to keep up the charade of the
romance she and Peeta have, up until the point of marriage even. Soon she
realises it’s not about her own future or happiness, it’s about the lives of
everyone she loves. It’s about the entire country even. It takes a LOT of time
until she realises her true worth though. </span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span lang="EN-GB"><i>‘I am the
Mockingjay. The one that survived despite the Capitol’s plans. The symbol of
rebellion.’</i></span></blockquote>
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I like the artistic way Peeta deals
with the events that happened, the way he tries to right his wrongs, not aware
that his good deeds will backfire. I love how Katniss starts developing
feelings for him once again because of his kindness. How he’s the one person
whose presence helps her sleep when every single night she is haunted by
nightmares. But Gale feels so right for her, according to her own thoughts and
feelings. She and Gale trust each other with their lives, and I know this
sounds weird: in a totally different way than Katniss and Peeta do. Born from
something entirely different, not forced in any way, naturally.</div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Everyday life gets more gruesome in
‘<b>Catching Fire</b>’. Punishments had been lacking until now, starvation was the
District 12 inhabitant’s greatest enemy, instead of whippings when one was
caught hunting. How heart wrenching it was to read this cr</span>uel scene. But the
realisation Katniss has then, is kind of worth it. Sadly this incident is only
the beginning of a totally reinforced District 12 where nothing illegal is
tolerated anymore, making life so much harder for everyone. Which only makes
the people eager to revolt more.</div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Of course the question that must be
playing on many people’s minds is whether or not District 13, once brutally
destroyed by the government to stop its rebellion, still exists or not.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">I was as shocked as Katniss herself
was at the turn the story took at the announcement of the third Quarter Quell
rules. Shocked at the cruel, too coincidental, concocted crime conveniently
cooked up by the Capitol. I had not seen this coming at all and kept thinking
maybe it wouldn’t happen. But it did. Obviously, since there is still another
sequel, it was clear Katniss would survive once more, but whose lives would
have to end this time? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Actually, after finding out this
twist, the disappointment part kicked in. It felt less creative and original,
because I had been there already. No matter how different the surroundings were
this time. It felt like a break in the actual story, the actual plot. I wanted
to get ON with the rest of the story and not be stuck in this part again! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Which is why this book appealed less
to me than its predecessor. Also, I assume it is why I haven’t yearned to read
‘<b>Mockingjay</b>’ yet. I will though, soon. Don’t get me wrong. This was still a very
good read, yet not quite what I had expected. I guess it’s hard to be the
middle book in a trilogy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">The pace of this book is something
Suzanne Collins seems to struggle with. There are pages full of information
only covering hours, then months are skimmed over just as easily within mere
paragraphs. Overall it was written very well again though, very vivid. I will
leave you with some of my favourite quotes, powerful words in my opinion,
expressing feelings with heavy mental imagery. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><i>‘I breath in the
smell of snow-dampened leather and smoke and apples, the smell of all those
wintry days we shared before the Games.’ </i></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span lang="EN-GB"><i> </i></span><i>‘And I’m left
staring out of the window, watching District 12 disappear, with all my goodbyes
still hanging on my lips.’ </i></blockquote>
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<b><br /></b></div>Mandy: Less is Bore!http://www.blogger.com/profile/17950434180437066803noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7121082680803741048.post-88851900559313025362012-05-05T03:29:00.000-07:002012-05-05T05:10:35.389-07:00Review: The Hunger Games<br />
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<b><span lang="EN-GB">The Hunger Games</span></b><span lang="EN-GB">, by Suzanne Collins<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB">Series:</span></b><span lang="EN-GB"> The
Hunger Games #1<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB">Genre:</span></b><span lang="EN-GB"> YA,
Fantasy, Dystopia, Sci-Fi <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB">Published: </span></b><span lang="EN-GB">January 2008<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB">Pages: </span></b><span lang="EN-GB">454<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB">My rating: </span></b><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAv_-lQJtP_7G0ykbUzxBBrBUPFS98NXfH1sHEGZE75ir7Q0yJrxuzDQFpNcTMkpfAlilg1L-dUf73jwKlCtynbCtH_G9TF3_9kKH0GH8j1MUDqhElon9PYu-1ionNV8sVThxoHewunEbR/s1600/klein+5+cupcakes.jpg" /><b><br /></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBDEUK6hKgAKypTD9NTonBaAn3Wdf15ye1lIos_66WfAl2gcNSraAyCfNZveXqMzodQckFjzab40cS7U0OE8sr8NBKQXZQkd-2QQVOh6z9wwtbbFz7uU01LH0DJ60TnnPEsLMVwjACjXZW/s1600/200px-Hunger_games.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBDEUK6hKgAKypTD9NTonBaAn3Wdf15ye1lIos_66WfAl2gcNSraAyCfNZveXqMzodQckFjzab40cS7U0OE8sr8NBKQXZQkd-2QQVOh6z9wwtbbFz7uU01LH0DJ60TnnPEsLMVwjACjXZW/s1600/200px-Hunger_games.jpg" /></a><span lang="EN-GB"><b>The</b> <b>Blurb</b>: <i>Sometime in the future
after the destruction of North America in a nation known as Panem, the 74th
Hunger Games begins. </i></span><i><span lang="EN-GB">As punishment for a previous rebellion against the Capitol, every year,
one boy and one girl between the ages of 12 and 18 from each district are
selected by lottery and forced to participate in the Hunger Games, a televised
event in which the participants, or "tributes," must fight to the
death in a dangerous, outdoor arena, controlled by the Capitol, until only one
remains. The difference this year is District 12 has had its first volunteer
probably in the whole history of the District... Katniss Everdeen, who
volunteered to take the place of her younger sister, Prim; and she's already
making an impression.</span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Yes, I’m late. Very late even. How
late? I’m so late the first movie’s already showing in cinemas! Which,
ironically, is what made me decide to read this book after all. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Yes, I loved the movie. Very much.
Which isn’t helping when it comes to writing a review for the book, because
there’s no denying the similarities, as there is no escaping the omitted -as
well as <i>added</i>- flavour.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Despite my reading the occasional
dystopian book – I do not dislike dystopian books at all- the theme of ‘The
Hunger Games’ did not appeal to me. Ever. No matter how many raving reviews it
got. I simply felt it wasn’t my cup of tea, reading about so much grim
violence. However, I <i>was</i> up to seeing
the movie. And the movie did a good job convincing me to finally read the
series: the weirdly dressed/groomed citizens of the Capitol, the surreal beauty
of that same Capitol, the contradictions between everyday life in some
districts and the Hunger Games, the harshness of the society, but most
importantly Katniss Everdeen. Katniss really got under my skin and I wanted to
explore her more, wanted to know what she was really about, what her true
feelings regarding Peeta and Gale were and… how things would continue for her
and her family from now on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">From the first sentence of the book,
I was drawn in. Which means quite a lot considering it’s written not only in <i>present tense</i> but also in the<i> first person</i>. For the life of me I
cannot figure out why so many writers use present tense nowadays. As of late
stories written in the first person are slowly but steadily creeping up my
skin-crawling-list as well. However, the beautiful prose and images planted
immediately in my head (I am about to contradict myself on this subject a
little further down, but I hope you understand my explanation) made me forget
all about my list. Or should I say <i>Katniss</i>
made me forget about my minor irritations? The unconditional love she feels for
her little sister Prim (and those projected feelings onto Rue), the
responsibility she takes for keeping her mother, sister and herself alive since
the day her dad got killed, her vulnerabilities, her strengths, her doubts, her
fears, her <i>physical</i> pain even. The way she is so very <i>human</i>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">So you see, there’s definitely nothing wrong with the characters. They’re
not cut-outs, they’re real. Actually Katniss’ point of view adds more depth and
interest to them. You get to know people from her perspective, rather than know
everything there is to know at once. You get to feel her confusion of what’s
real and not. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Some people call the romance awkward
and I agree. But only because it has been <i>written</i>
to be awkward. Imagine being in Katniss’ shoes, trapped with almost no future
prospects, and finding safety with someone. The world turns to a very weird
place, as does your mind. Imagine having to play out a romance between you and
the guy who could end up having to kill you, or the other way around. Imagine
his presence as the only one you can rely on – and <i>not</i> rely on at the same time. Imagine the confusion when you feel
you want to be near him because you actually desire it and not because you’re
expected to. I am all for reading about romance but the ‘lack’ thereof in this
book came very natural. It’s been done <i>just</i>
right, not too much focus on romantic feelings when survival is the main issue.
No clear feelings when the world isn’t clear.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">After seeing the movie it’s hard not
be biased. But if I had to judge the book without having seen the movie, I’d
say it lacks some description. The movie put better images in my head than the
book ever could have. (Don’t get me wrong, everything came across the way it
was supposed to be. The writing was vivid enough and even poetic at times.
Quote-worthy lines throughout the book.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">I don’t think the moviemakers were
too liberal regarding the images, I think they had the possibility to <i>be</i> that liberal because the book left
many things <i>open</i>. The world building
could have been better, I guess. As well as the descriptions of people. Yet it
seems that lately many books I have read are written that way, a bit ‘open’. Maybe it’s just my
personal opinion though, wishing things to be thoroughly described. Maybe, had
I read the book <i>before</i> watching the
movie, I would not have agreed with the images I saw. Maybe I would have though.
No telling now…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">As far as plots go, this one is an
original. Yes, I am old enough to know ‘The Running Man’ movie. Yes, I have
read other peoples’ reviews comparing the plot to that of ‘Battle Royale’. Since
I haven’t read that book I can’t state my opinion on the similarities. I do
propose this: point me to a book with an original plot, something NEVER before
written about and I’ll be convinced it is possible to truly write the
unwritten. Everything has been done before. Before ‘Twilight’ was even thought
of, ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ had fallen
hard for a vampire already. And before Buffy there have been others as
well. I’m just saying.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">The idea of ‘The Hunger Games’ seems
somewhat preposterous, what government would allow such things to happen? Although…
more gruesome truths have existed throughout history, and still do. And in the
light of the story it works. Suzanne Collins made me believe in the possibility
of this reality. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">The story has slower passages
intermitted with action-packed blood-spattering scenes, not for the
faint-hearted. But it is constantly the story itself (the emotions) that
prevails. There’s not a single uninteresting moment, no matter how small the
events may seem. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">The almost-ending was nothing short
of heart-wrenching. I don’t understand why they changed it so much in the
movie. Did they run out of time? The book-ending was more fitting and
especially more satisfying. From the chaos back to the sterile environment,
Katniss unaware in all areas: Peeta, her feelings, the future. The weirdness
that is Panem to its full extent.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Thankfully, that weirdness is not
finished. Katniss is not finished. Her life, her feelings, her future:
everything needs sorting out. And you bet your @ss I’m sorting them out in the
sequences ‘Catching Fire’ and ‘Mockingjay’! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Maybe I was late in joining the
craziness that is ‘The Hunger Games’, but I’m here now and I won’t go away
until I’m satisfied! If you haven’t joined the bandwagon I suggest you do so,
you won’t be disappointed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>Mandy: Less is Bore!http://www.blogger.com/profile/17950434180437066803noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7121082680803741048.post-10432523958396282542012-04-30T02:48:00.001-07:002012-04-30T02:48:52.616-07:00'In My Mailbox' becomes 'Stacking the Shelves'<div style="text-align: left;">
Hey everyone! </div>
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Well, I feel like I'm the last one to know about all the recent drama surrounding Kristy @ 'The Story Siren'!</div>
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Through a fellow-blogger I heard she was accused of plagiarism and after scrolling through my blog roll, I saw the evidence myself. Like anyone else, <b>I don't condone plagiarism</b>. </div>
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However, this post is not me attacking anyone, taking sides or stating my opinion on the matter. This post is simply me announcing I'm switching to a different meme for showcasing my book loot :) Because I don't want to join in a meme where nobody else participates anymore. Or where my participation will send off the wrong vibe. </div>
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Because even though I want to remain neutral (the plagiarism did not concern me and I wasn't there so it's not fair for me to judge) I do not like what's going on. Especially since lately there has already been too much drama concerning bloggers/reviewers/authors. </div>
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It's like we've lost track of what really matters: <b>enjoying a good book</b>. And being entitled to our <i>own</i> opinion about it. No matter how harsh that may be sometimes. As long as things don't get personal and we act like civilized human beings there's nothing wrong with voicing an opinion. As longs as it's substantiated and about the book's content, not about the writer's background. But especially, as long as it's our OWN opinion, not someone else's because they happen to voice the way you feel better than you ever could. Deal with it. There'll always be people out there who are better at something than you are. It's called <i>life</i> ;)</div>
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Anyways, since I like showing off my book loot and enjoy watching other bloggers loot as well, I'm gonna be participating with '<b><a href="http://www.tyngasreviews.com/2012/04/stacking-shelves.html">Stacking the Shelves</a></b>' over at <a href="http://www.tyngasreviews.com/"><b>Tynga's Reviews</b></a> from now on. I hope you'll follow along!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBd_KhlNinKtDTVwE6KY4TrhbTzTznD50ySC7qZayXdeUctBz1Ywqt_bk_LHIQAw5jiLTEFYaaWbgnavL6_4oaA77mWS5C4JIVpFPfDK7X6TmXGgu2hrGtYf6VXV14RkomjtL5phrHcDbP/s1600/STSmall%5B4%5D.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="113" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBd_KhlNinKtDTVwE6KY4TrhbTzTznD50ySC7qZayXdeUctBz1Ywqt_bk_LHIQAw5jiLTEFYaaWbgnavL6_4oaA77mWS5C4JIVpFPfDK7X6TmXGgu2hrGtYf6VXV14RkomjtL5phrHcDbP/s200/STSmall%5B4%5D.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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Oh and... Happy Reading! :)</h3>
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<i>Because that's what matters ;)</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>Mandy: Less is Bore!http://www.blogger.com/profile/17950434180437066803noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7121082680803741048.post-45702827197963423312012-04-29T03:28:00.000-07:002012-04-30T02:57:19.796-07:00In My Mailbox (14)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF7i9BX0gIIxT7HOdXwVzndDuAFYCWLkbbTdiq4pTTiMRJKC3ONTK-i9ZWEvQoTPH_LDxI4EbeK8qqgmmIl3nE8zZOPu8OLQRn76o7yQJL4y5BFqPRw4qc0Mn4yZ28Am_KuOSou_DtBgsT/s1600/IMM3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF7i9BX0gIIxT7HOdXwVzndDuAFYCWLkbbTdiq4pTTiMRJKC3ONTK-i9ZWEvQoTPH_LDxI4EbeK8qqgmmIl3nE8zZOPu8OLQRn76o7yQJL4y5BFqPRw4qc0Mn4yZ28Am_KuOSou_DtBgsT/s320/IMM3.jpg" width="213" /></a><br />
<br />
<b><i><span style="color: #741b47;"><a href="http://www.thestorysiren.com/in-my-mailbox" target="_blank">'In My Mailbox'</a> </span></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>is a weekly recurring meme hosted by </i><i><a href="http://www.thestorysiren.com/in-my-mailbox" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #4c1130;">The Story Siren</span></a>. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Every Sunday, Kristi shares her mailbox contents </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>and gives us bloggers the opportunity to leave a link </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>sharing our own mail!</i><br />
<i>~</i></div>
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Hey everyone!</div>
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Last weekend hubby and I went to see 'The Hunger Games' movie in the cinema. </div>
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Guess what? Even though the theme of this trilogy never appealed to me -despite its many lyrical reviews and despite my liking the occasional dystopian novel- I was <b><i>hooked </i></b>instantly! Ask me and I'll go see the movie again, it's that bad! There were so many details I would love to explore further. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNsunNmsvKkVAWgtc0DqBdbdDTG7N6HX5NBVLgQZCmm0BA5KxsKY4lUAqfGajhq_5fC9WnqFLMkTdwQbO1mLnT22uvBS9joRrMMRETFkZkIbarKwnwRYWvNNjZqv7VsNBCs0socD-agC-A/s1600/7123919561_dea34e5081_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNsunNmsvKkVAWgtc0DqBdbdDTG7N6HX5NBVLgQZCmm0BA5KxsKY4lUAqfGajhq_5fC9WnqFLMkTdwQbO1mLnT22uvBS9joRrMMRETFkZkIbarKwnwRYWvNNjZqv7VsNBCs0socD-agC-A/s400/7123919561_dea34e5081_o.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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And Katniss... she <i>really</i> got under my skin. Jennifer Lawrence is a damn fine actress in my opinion. She convincingly made me believe Katniss was human, not a flat character. She's such a strong and wise girl, with a good heart. Righteous, standing up for her beliefs, self-sacrificial, but still filled with insecurity. I need to get to know her better, find out what her true feelings towards Peeta and Gale are. I need to know she'll be okay. </div>
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Which is why I ordered the <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7938275-the-hunger-games-trilogy-boxset">'The Hunger Games' Trilogy</a>. And yesterday the mailman delivered it. I was hooked after reading the first few sentences already! Which is a compliment because I normally strongly dislike books written in the present tense (and lately the first person gets on my nerves as well). However, the prose was so beautiful I hardly noticed. </div>
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So, did the mailman spoil you too this week? Do share with a comment, and I'll come and stop by your mailbox as well!</div>
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Happy reading! :)</h3>
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<br /></div>Mandy: Less is Bore!http://www.blogger.com/profile/17950434180437066803noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7121082680803741048.post-52506461673937417302012-04-15T06:34:00.000-07:002012-04-30T02:57:19.805-07:00In My Mailbox (13)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF7i9BX0gIIxT7HOdXwVzndDuAFYCWLkbbTdiq4pTTiMRJKC3ONTK-i9ZWEvQoTPH_LDxI4EbeK8qqgmmIl3nE8zZOPu8OLQRn76o7yQJL4y5BFqPRw4qc0Mn4yZ28Am_KuOSou_DtBgsT/s1600/IMM3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF7i9BX0gIIxT7HOdXwVzndDuAFYCWLkbbTdiq4pTTiMRJKC3ONTK-i9ZWEvQoTPH_LDxI4EbeK8qqgmmIl3nE8zZOPu8OLQRn76o7yQJL4y5BFqPRw4qc0Mn4yZ28Am_KuOSou_DtBgsT/s1600/IMM3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF7i9BX0gIIxT7HOdXwVzndDuAFYCWLkbbTdiq4pTTiMRJKC3ONTK-i9ZWEvQoTPH_LDxI4EbeK8qqgmmIl3nE8zZOPu8OLQRn76o7yQJL4y5BFqPRw4qc0Mn4yZ28Am_KuOSou_DtBgsT/s320/IMM3.jpg" width="213" /></a><br />
<br />
<b><i><span style="color: #741b47;"><a href="http://www.thestorysiren.com/in-my-mailbox" target="_blank"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />'In My Mailbox'</a> </span></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>is a weekly recurring meme hosted by </i><i><a href="http://www.thestorysiren.com/in-my-mailbox" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #4c1130;">The Story Siren</span></a>. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Every Sunday, Kristi shares her mailbox contents </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>and gives us bloggers the opportunity to leave a link </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>sharing our own mail!</i><br />
<i>~</i><br />
<i><br /></i><br />
<i><br /></i><br />
<i><br /></i><br />
Hey everyone!</div>
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Once more I've been a bad blogger, and reader! I am sorry for not stopping by your blogs as well, can you ever forgive me?<br />
I didn't order many new books lately, since I'm having trouble reading the ones I have already. Occasionally a pre-order makes it to my doorstep, though. And a book with an interesting premise slips through the cracks of my I'm-not-buying-any-more-books-for-a-while intentions...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZGvh0OPkiNo-v822zsh3TQ6Bb4jDzDdobrPi23miuv7MohekwWEx-JZzChF-rHbt9ybQjXcsOl4IYZXfQ7JoIGxW9eHWbMcl_KKczXbWgKikTKt5tx5b3eRqbEq9l2lNuB0ynp6ypYeNz/s1600/temptation+angels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZGvh0OPkiNo-v822zsh3TQ6Bb4jDzDdobrPi23miuv7MohekwWEx-JZzChF-rHbt9ybQjXcsOl4IYZXfQ7JoIGxW9eHWbMcl_KKczXbWgKikTKt5tx5b3eRqbEq9l2lNuB0ynp6ypYeNz/s320/temptation+angels.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10808965-a-temptation-of-angels" target="_blank"><b>'A Temptation of Angels'</b></a> by <i>Michelle Zink</i><br />
has been on my wish-list for a while, ever since I found out about it. The blurb sounds amazing! And the cover is even more gorgeous in real life!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUKMOmTQR5G38XRatnDf56bGvHp8JDl3I4-bM00z_JH5YYECIUXWJwm-zDlQxkC-VuHyvwdyBNguDN8Ak9MMsJvHqNecPKqLAe2R8A5W8UIkjhNQFK_0hrV3vFlGo24TcUKBO9tUVvg_83/s1600/vampire+stalker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUKMOmTQR5G38XRatnDf56bGvHp8JDl3I4-bM00z_JH5YYECIUXWJwm-zDlQxkC-VuHyvwdyBNguDN8Ak9MMsJvHqNecPKqLAe2R8A5W8UIkjhNQFK_0hrV3vFlGo24TcUKBO9tUVvg_83/s320/vampire+stalker.jpg" width="208" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9642279-the-vampire-stalker" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">'The Vampire Stalker'</a><b> </b>by <i>Allison van Diepen</i><br />
popped up somewhere on Goodreads recently and the premise sounded intriguing.
<span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></i></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">What if the characters in a vampire novel left their world--and came into yours?</span></i></span><br />
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So I caved in and ordered it. I actually finished it already, in one short sitting! You can find my review <b><a href="http://blythesandbooks.blogspot.com/2012/04/review-vampire-stalker.html">here</a>.</b><br />
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So, was the mailman nice to you as well? Leave a comment and I solemnly promise I'll repay you with a visit. Pinky swear! ;)<br />
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Happy reading! :)</h3>
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<br /></div>Mandy: Less is Bore!http://www.blogger.com/profile/17950434180437066803noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7121082680803741048.post-51986967136182109512012-04-15T06:32:00.000-07:002012-04-15T06:32:30.274-07:00Review: The Vampire Stalker<br />
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<span lang="EN-GB"><b>The Vampire Stalker</b>, by
Allison van Diepen<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB">Series: </span></b><span lang="EN-GB">None<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUKMOmTQR5G38XRatnDf56bGvHp8JDl3I4-bM00z_JH5YYECIUXWJwm-zDlQxkC-VuHyvwdyBNguDN8Ak9MMsJvHqNecPKqLAe2R8A5W8UIkjhNQFK_0hrV3vFlGo24TcUKBO9tUVvg_83/s1600/vampire+stalker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUKMOmTQR5G38XRatnDf56bGvHp8JDl3I4-bM00z_JH5YYECIUXWJwm-zDlQxkC-VuHyvwdyBNguDN8Ak9MMsJvHqNecPKqLAe2R8A5W8UIkjhNQFK_0hrV3vFlGo24TcUKBO9tUVvg_83/s400/vampire+stalker.jpg" width="260" /></a><b><span lang="FR-BE">Genre: </span></b><span lang="FR-BE">YA,
Fantasy, Paranormal, Supernatural, Romance, Sci-Fi <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB">Published: </span></b><span lang="EN-GB">July 2011<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB">Pages: </span></b><span lang="EN-GB">250<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB">My rating:</span></b><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFSyXfvl7UYsHuzoeLAQ3qazHVS-tLhHr_Zu8iaHMnHOSel60LlOwX5l6HuSQRE_Nk33fG4QBL9AchDRDjeMWeWcMo3Qw8Jzw7pDc0P6sWvO4bsl7fc3AFoKtjUv_XiB_3eJ4dMuoK3Vze/s1600/klein+3+cupcakes.jpg" /><b><br /></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">The Blurb:</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span lang="EN-GB"><i>What if the characters in a vampire
novel left their world--and came into yours?</i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><i>
Amy is in love with someone who doesn't exist: Alexander Banks, the dashing
hero in a popular series of vampire novels. Then one night, Amy meets a boy who
bears an eerie resemblance to Alexander. In fact, he IS Alexander, who has
escaped from the pages of the book and is in hot pursuit of a wicked vampire
named Vigo. Together, Amy and Alexander set out to track Vigo and learn how and
why Alexander crossed over. But when she and Alexander begin to fall for each
other, Amy wonders if she even wants him to ever return to the realm of
fiction.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Despite some of the less positive
reviews I wanted to read this book for myself anyway. I certainly don’t regret
reading it. It wasn’t a waste of time, because it didn’t take up that much of
my time, fortunately. The 250 pages can easily be read in a few measly hours.
And a few hours later you will have forgotten all about the book already. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Why? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">No matter how promising the premise
of this book is - a fictional character suddenly comes into our world- the
execution of the story seriously lacks. Which is a shame, because the idea of ‘Literary
Physics’ (writers who unknowingly tap into other dimensions while they are
writing) is very original. It could have been epic, if written the right way. It
deserves to be explored more, further, deeper. ‘Otherworld’ (the parallel
Chicago from this book) deserves more world building. It is a very interesting
place in my opinion. Imagine all sorts of technical and medical developments never
happened because of a vampire-dominated society. Imagine an evening curfew
because of those dangerous creatures out there. Imagine the shortened life
expectancy because of the dangers and lacking means to aid people. Imagine
people fleeing, immigrants never showing… I imagined those things, because
besides the mere mention of these points, we never got to know the real ‘Otherworld’.
A shame.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">The story seems to be told simply
because the writer wanted to tell it. It feels like reading the fan fiction often
referred to in this book. Contemporary,
simple, fluently, shallow, a bit juvenile even, but never poetic. I love it when
a book grabs me with beautiful prose, which was never the case here. Another
shame.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">I seriously missed some elaborate
world and character building. I hardly knew what the characters looked like! Besides
their appearances not much detail was provided about their inner selves either.
We were told Amy had it bad for Alexander, but the feelings weren’t conveyed. I
couldn’t feel her crush, nor did I understand it. Alexander was a flat character,
a cardboard cut-out. There was no spark of life in him, or any sparks between
him and Amy for that matter. He didn’t make sense either: thinking it’s not
normal Amy isn’t engaged to be married yet, at age 16, but still kissing her,
thus possibly ruining her reputation. Yet, another shame.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">And what about Amy’s gullible mom?
If I showed up with an attractive guy she’d never seen, or even heard about,
she sure as h*ll wouldn’t let him stay over at the house, for indefinite time! Without
making any fuss or asking too much questions. Seriously?!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">That is one example of how ‘easy’
(fluently if you will) the story was written. Everything happened neatly the way
it was supposed to go, the plot ‘twists’ were predictable, the villain came
from a Disney movie, the plot was rather simple and the ending? Yup, saw it
coming from the start. Quadruple shame.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">But still this was a pleasant story
to read. Seriously. Despite its many flaws I didn’t hate it. Why? It’s a quick,
fun, romantic ride. Which, in my opinion, could do with some more fan fiction.
To spice things up a bit. To finally tell the<i> untold</i> story that deserves to
be told...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>Mandy: Less is Bore!http://www.blogger.com/profile/17950434180437066803noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7121082680803741048.post-78330207661022881312012-03-11T12:37:00.001-07:002012-04-30T02:57:19.850-07:00In My Mailbox (12)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF7i9BX0gIIxT7HOdXwVzndDuAFYCWLkbbTdiq4pTTiMRJKC3ONTK-i9ZWEvQoTPH_LDxI4EbeK8qqgmmIl3nE8zZOPu8OLQRn76o7yQJL4y5BFqPRw4qc0Mn4yZ28Am_KuOSou_DtBgsT/s1600/IMM3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF7i9BX0gIIxT7HOdXwVzndDuAFYCWLkbbTdiq4pTTiMRJKC3ONTK-i9ZWEvQoTPH_LDxI4EbeK8qqgmmIl3nE8zZOPu8OLQRn76o7yQJL4y5BFqPRw4qc0Mn4yZ28Am_KuOSou_DtBgsT/s320/IMM3.jpg" width="213" /></a><b><i><span style="color: #741b47;"><a href="http://www.thestorysiren.com/in-my-mailbox" target="_blank"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />'In My Mailbox'</a> </span></i></b></div>
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<i>is a weekly recurring meme hosted by </i><i><a href="http://www.thestorysiren.com/in-my-mailbox" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #4c1130;">The Story Siren</span></a>. </i></div>
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<i>Every Sunday, Kristi shares her mailbox contents </i></div>
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<i>and gives us bloggers the opportunity to leave a link </i></div>
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<i>sharing our own mail!</i><br />
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Hey everyone!</div>
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I'm aware it's been a while since I've blogged... </div>
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Honestly, LIFE got in the way! Since a week or 7 I'm trying (and succeeding) to become more healthy (read: skinny), which takes up enormous amounts of time! I'm walking and exercising and blending smoothies with veggies. If I'm not out or busy or at a birthday (it's those times again...) I'm too tired to even read. </div>
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Thankfully, the mailman doesn't care and still brings me the pre-ordered goodies, most of which I cannot wait to read! </div>
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11387447-the-nightmare-garden" target="_blank"><b>'The Nightmare Garden'</b></a> (<b><a href="http://blythesandbooks.blogspot.com/2011/11/iron-thorn-iron-codex-1.html" target="_blank">'The Iron Thorn'</a></b> #2) by Caitlin Kittredge</div>
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<b><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9593911-pandemonium" target="_blank">'Pandemonium'</a> </b>(<b><a href="http://blythesandbooks.blogspot.com/2011/11/review-delirium.html" target="_blank">'Delirium'</a> #2</b> )by Lauren Oliver</div>
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11324166-timeless" target="_blank"><b>'Timeless'</b></a> (<b>'The Parasol Protectorate'</b> #5) by Gail Carriger</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg244cNhZxzfy0s5MyG_vwuh7iiEQ8pMpeWBd1qVMUgrCeUP7SCjUkD8zGhwj_H-9wWc51AV3LHPWRw1L0uV79OOK1Gq_DThoFr0aLtDEStVoPO_fy3v9yowZG88nNaIyCOUdptTQsNbjxh/s1600/IMM-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg244cNhZxzfy0s5MyG_vwuh7iiEQ8pMpeWBd1qVMUgrCeUP7SCjUkD8zGhwj_H-9wWc51AV3LHPWRw1L0uV79OOK1Gq_DThoFr0aLtDEStVoPO_fy3v9yowZG88nNaIyCOUdptTQsNbjxh/s320/IMM-12.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Did you receive any good books this week? Do share with a link and I'll visit!</div>
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Happy reading! :)</div>
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<br /></div>Mandy: Less is Bore!http://www.blogger.com/profile/17950434180437066803noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7121082680803741048.post-78452266018827486722012-02-19T06:04:00.000-08:002012-04-30T02:57:19.858-07:00In My Mailbox (11)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF7i9BX0gIIxT7HOdXwVzndDuAFYCWLkbbTdiq4pTTiMRJKC3ONTK-i9ZWEvQoTPH_LDxI4EbeK8qqgmmIl3nE8zZOPu8OLQRn76o7yQJL4y5BFqPRw4qc0Mn4yZ28Am_KuOSou_DtBgsT/s1600/IMM3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF7i9BX0gIIxT7HOdXwVzndDuAFYCWLkbbTdiq4pTTiMRJKC3ONTK-i9ZWEvQoTPH_LDxI4EbeK8qqgmmIl3nE8zZOPu8OLQRn76o7yQJL4y5BFqPRw4qc0Mn4yZ28Am_KuOSou_DtBgsT/s320/IMM3.jpg" width="213" /></a><b><i><span style="color: #741b47;"><a href="http://www.thestorysiren.com/in-my-mailbox" target="_blank"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />'In My Mailbox'</a> </span></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>is a weekly recurring meme hosted by </i><i><a href="http://www.thestorysiren.com/in-my-mailbox" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #4c1130;">The Story Siren</span></a>. </i></div>
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<i>Every Sunday, Kristi shares her mailbox contents </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>and gives us bloggers the opportunity to leave a link </i></div>
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<i>sharing our own mail!</i><br />
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Hey everbody!</div>
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This week I finally received my '<b>Blythe Collection Guide Book</b>'! </div>
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It has many beautiful pictures of every Blythe doll manufactured, starting 2001. There were even some Blythe dolls I didn't recognize. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic_N0oW7ha01O9AfOMNbHvZXurZ0x8pyzRuN1DaJFHKxxZCzejWPYxQLkwoBn8tiO3zR9fYOCCOdYLJ9eddiWGo_ggm76CxFYsg6whaK4gjZQVeE8E1c6QIhCPT2GVqZ5OLAjR4RZ1AHgt/s1600/Blythe_Collection_Guide_Book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic_N0oW7ha01O9AfOMNbHvZXurZ0x8pyzRuN1DaJFHKxxZCzejWPYxQLkwoBn8tiO3zR9fYOCCOdYLJ9eddiWGo_ggm76CxFYsg6whaK4gjZQVeE8E1c6QIhCPT2GVqZ5OLAjR4RZ1AHgt/s320/Blythe_Collection_Guide_Book.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The only downside is the Japanese... I don't understand why they use English titles but simply write the rest in Japanese... Does anyone know of a simple way to translate this? Like with some smartphone-app?</div>
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Also, the book would have been better if there had been something in it about the original '<b>Kenner</b>' Blythes. Then again, had they written that in Japanese as well, it wouldn't have made any difference to me...</div>
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I'm hopelessly behind on my recurring blog-posts ever since I started to become more active again. I'm so tired after my quick-walks my brain stops functioning, LOL. I wanna read because I'm behind with that as well, but again, the brain-mush doesn't co-operate... Ah well, health is more important, and if I want to change my appearance again it's gonna take some effort! Alas... ;)<br />
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Did you get anything in your mailbox this week? Share with a link and I'll stop by!<br />
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Happy reading! :) </div>
<i><br /></i></div>Mandy: Less is Bore!http://www.blogger.com/profile/17950434180437066803noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7121082680803741048.post-75010303945398167552012-02-11T06:28:00.000-08:002012-04-30T02:57:19.841-07:00In My Mailbox (10)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF7i9BX0gIIxT7HOdXwVzndDuAFYCWLkbbTdiq4pTTiMRJKC3ONTK-i9ZWEvQoTPH_LDxI4EbeK8qqgmmIl3nE8zZOPu8OLQRn76o7yQJL4y5BFqPRw4qc0Mn4yZ28Am_KuOSou_DtBgsT/s1600/IMM3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF7i9BX0gIIxT7HOdXwVzndDuAFYCWLkbbTdiq4pTTiMRJKC3ONTK-i9ZWEvQoTPH_LDxI4EbeK8qqgmmIl3nE8zZOPu8OLQRn76o7yQJL4y5BFqPRw4qc0Mn4yZ28Am_KuOSou_DtBgsT/s320/IMM3.jpg" width="213" /></a><b><i><span style="color: #741b47;"><a href="http://www.thestorysiren.com/in-my-mailbox" target="_blank"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></a></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #741b47;"><a href="http://www.thestorysiren.com/in-my-mailbox" target="_blank">'In My Mailbox'</a> </span></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>is a weekly recurring meme hosted by </i><i><a href="http://www.thestorysiren.com/in-my-mailbox" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #4c1130;">The Story Siren</span></a>. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Every Sunday, Kristi shares her mailbox contents </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>and gives us bloggers the opportunity to leave a link </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>sharing our own mail!</i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-size: large;">~</span></b></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsJd1xiH4o8lgtdbgb9Prw_KD3XEalzsOGfP_bCgZOLTomXm-RT185joirxBK57vKV8ImnhjDwxIjYzSDcKrFirLrX2IQ4oyQtihOAcA6ys_qPBFosm4N4NxPp3wegq6g5rwsLJCkNd_V3/s1600/Scarlet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsJd1xiH4o8lgtdbgb9Prw_KD3XEalzsOGfP_bCgZOLTomXm-RT185joirxBK57vKV8ImnhjDwxIjYzSDcKrFirLrX2IQ4oyQtihOAcA6ys_qPBFosm4N4NxPp3wegq6g5rwsLJCkNd_V3/s1600/Scarlet.jpg" /></a></div>
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Hey all,</div>
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In the nick of time the postman brought me the book I already blogged about in my first <b><a href="http://blythesandbooks.blogspot.com/2012/02/waiting-on-wednesday-2-scarlet.html" target="_blank">WoW</a> </b>(Waiting on Wednesday) post: </div>
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11983940-scarlet" target="_blank">'<b>Scarlet</b>' </a>by A.C. Gaughen... Yay! </div>
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I was extra happy I got book mail this week, because I finally took some pictures to go with IMM! </div>
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Winter has finally kicked in here in The Netherlands with temperatures of -20 degrees Celsius at night and -6 degrees Celsius during the day. So I decided to go out to a nature area near our house, tagging along my (pink!) camera, Blythe doll and mini mailbox. </div>
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First, some teens were frolicking about on the ice on the spot I wanted to take my pictures. So, I walked a little further and took some pics of the frozen lake when a huge, white swan walked over to me. Maybe he thought I had food, maybe he was gonna end op chewing off my (expensive!) doll's head, so again, I walked a little further.</div>
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I got my thingies from the bag and tried to jam the stick of the mailbox into the ground. That was like trying to jam it into solid rock.... DUH! </div>
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I couldn't seem to balance the letterbox and my doll together, plus my doll's arms were coming loose too. </div>
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I gave up. I walked home through the blistering cold and changed into my warm house-suit.</div>
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Today, I took some INDOOR shots of my Blythe doll and her mailbox with packages, as you can see up top. It looks like she's in heaven instead of snow :P</div>
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Anyways, did you receive any books in the mail, or paid the library a visit? Leave me a link and I'll come visit!</div>
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Happy, warm, indoors reading! :)</div>Mandy: Less is Bore!http://www.blogger.com/profile/17950434180437066803noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7121082680803741048.post-27465334555894112912012-02-10T04:49:00.000-08:002012-02-10T04:53:48.681-08:00Feature & Follow Friday (3)<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqmxOssn29O20yc6P52j336KOtHsdtr7rWXoTsebb9X243nI2zhtvxY8aAtwoTLMQkI0RYWv3h9OHF4N0Mwmqn1BDYmA0lA21bA38OvkFaoeaN0fcUMvd_5APrGp1FHvEc6Gbn_7ts-0x9/s1600/FF_2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqmxOssn29O20yc6P52j336KOtHsdtr7rWXoTsebb9X243nI2zhtvxY8aAtwoTLMQkI0RYWv3h9OHF4N0Mwmqn1BDYmA0lA21bA38OvkFaoeaN0fcUMvd_5APrGp1FHvEc6Gbn_7ts-0x9/s200/FF_2012.jpg" width="164" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;">The Feature & Follow is hosted by TWO hosts, Parajunkee of </span><a href="http://parajunkee.com/" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;" target="_blank"><b>Parajunkee's View</b> </a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;">and Alison of </span><a href="http://www.alisoncanread.com/" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;" target="_blank"><b>Alison Can Read</b></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;">. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;">Every week there's a new feature bloggers can respond too!</span><br />
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This week's feauture: <a href="http://goldiloxandthethreeweres.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Goldilox and the Tree Weres</a></div>
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<i>What would you prefer: reading your favorite book over and over again until you got sick of it OR reading 100s of mediocre books? And why?</i></div>
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Tough choice! If all I had left in the world would be my ONE fav book, then yes, I would read that one over and over again. BUT I think I would have to get creative and write another book myself!<br />
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However, since that's not an option I am going to stick with reading many mediocre books instead. Because no matter how much I like my fav books, I want to read new things, in different genres. Who wants to eat the same meal every day, no matter how jummy the dish is? No one I'd guess. The flavor would be lost after a while until it becomes just as mediocre as every other meal you've ever had.<br />
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You know, if things got really bad... We could always swap books!<br />
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But hopefully I'll never have to choose ;)<br />
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Leave me a link with your FFF post, let me know if you're a new follower and I'll return the favor! Happy reading! :)Mandy: Less is Bore!http://www.blogger.com/profile/17950434180437066803noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7121082680803741048.post-7450909584093059122012-02-09T13:58:00.000-08:002012-02-10T04:14:10.434-08:00Review: Hallowed<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP7lDVSlR3Wf9qeoH_E7zZWr8LzZQGilopa1ij50qzzJt-SzXXZzU_CN-K3Ni3nMR3LwQCwlWJjrtAdHH2dbIogJPveC4sQ4026durbIZOP3g3siW4UiP6wBJL8Nuz9F-yBqi51sdZGpCa/s1600/Hallowed+UK.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP7lDVSlR3Wf9qeoH_E7zZWr8LzZQGilopa1ij50qzzJt-SzXXZzU_CN-K3Ni3nMR3LwQCwlWJjrtAdHH2dbIogJPveC4sQ4026durbIZOP3g3siW4UiP6wBJL8Nuz9F-yBqi51sdZGpCa/s320/Hallowed+UK.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>
<b>'Hallowed' </b>by Cynthia Hand<br />
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<b><span lang="EN-GB">Series: </span></b><span lang="EN-GB">‘Unearthly’ #2<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB">Genre: </span></b><span lang="EN-GB">YA, Fantasy, Paranormal, Supernatural, Romance<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB">Published: </span></b><span lang="EN-GB">January 2012<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB">Pages: </span></b><span lang="EN-GB">403<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB">My rating: </span></b><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEv7VGq2w7H_cGRNZpAUNj763i_PsrFiLG-ju26v5lwiiPS9kMnFYgoA9csNh4vjTvuP3JuG7_gbsngjKTPzYwM-ZhyL3IbcLbV3SCC_R80cFCncs5To_zivpzi6IXn8nJ9MYDVowUI3Nu/s1600/klein+4.5+cupcakes.jpg" /><b><span lang="EN-GB"> </span></b></div>
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The Blurb: <i>For months
part-angel Clara Gardner trained to face the raging forest fire from her
visions and rescue the alluring and mysterious Christian Prescott from the
blaze. But nothing could prepare her for the fateful decisions she would be
forced to make that day, or the startling revelation that her purpose—the task
she was put on earth to accomplish—is not as straightforward as she thought.</i></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><i>Now, torn between her increasingly
complicated feelings for Christian and her love for her boyfriend, Tucker,
Clara struggles to make sense of what she was supposed to do the day of the
fire. And, as she is drawn further into the world of part angels and the
growing conflict between White Wings and Black Wings, Clara learns of the
terrifying new reality that she must face: Someone close to her will die in a
matter of months. With her future uncertain, the only thing Clara knows for
sure is that the fire was just the beginning. </i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">So, I just finished reading this, the
tears are still on my cheeks, but I don’t want it to end. I want to read it
again, now. Always. Somehow, Cynthia Hand was able to look straight into my
heart. How is it possible she used the (almost) exact same words in her book, as
my (now dearly departed) mother told me…?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span lang="EN-GB"><i>'You and
I have a connection that nothing, not on heaven or earth, or even hell, could
ever break. If you want to talk to me, talk to me. I’ll hear you…'</i></span></blockquote>
</div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Yes, this book touched me in a personal
way because I have been through some of the things Clara Gardner went through.
Which wouldn’t have been possible if Clara wasn’t such a strongly written
character.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">And characters are indeed one of the
many strong aspects of this book (and its predecessor). More specifically:
Clara Gardner. She’s a <b>real</b> teenage girl who makes mistakes,
even if she is part angel. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">She thinks for herself, tries to
find the answers her mother won’t / can’t give her and she’s strong-willed (or
stubborn, depending on which way you look at it…), for she’s willing to go
against her purpose because of the love she feels for Tucker. Which may come
across as selfish –you know, going against the Grand Design and all- but the
way Cynthia Hand has written Clara, makes that choice totally understandable. </span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB">The feelings she has for Tucker are so realistic, so pure, so natural you can
actually feel them yourself. It's hard not to love a guy like Tucker, who is the perfect boyfriend, without being too good to be true. Still, Clara doubts herself, knowing it’s not
right. Knowing Tucker should have died in that forest fire. When the moment
comes that Clara realises her new vision is about the death of someone close to
her, I myself could almost feel the slap she got in her face. Later on, when
she finds out (through the ever curious Angela Zerbino) that she was wrong and
someone else’s life is at stake, it broke my heart even more. The way she felt
was painfully lifelike, the zombie-state she went in, because I have been in
that place myself, alas. (Here, the staccato-writing style works marvellous.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">‘<i>The absence of certainty</i>’ could be the motto of Clara’s life, she thinks, when she hears Christian say those
words. But amidst the craziness that is her life, Clara still manages to
maintain her wits:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><i>‘I’m
having an argument with myself. And I’m losing. So not a good sign.’</i></span></blockquote>
</div>
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Slowly, the mystery surrounding
Christian Prescott, (the part-angel boy who apparently shared Clara’s initial
vision) gets resolved. Again, naturally paced, because of Clara’s aversion of
being in his presence at first, and the awkward conversations they have.
Finally a sensible (okay, that fact is open for discussion when it comes to
many other things, but in this case…) girl who admits memorizing the facts and
physique of some boy doesn’t mean you know him.</div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span lang="EN-GB"><i>‘Every
time I see him I’m struck by the fact that I don’t know actually know him. In
spite of all the conversations we’ve had, the time we’ve spent in Angel Club
together, the way I memorized practically every detail about him last year like
some obsessed little Mary Sue, he’s still a mystery to me. He’s still that
stranger who I only get glimpses of.’</i> </span></blockquote>
</div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">As time goes by, Clara and Christian
do become closer, forced by circumstances, based on friendship, the chemistry
(still) existing between them and their joined purposes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">And finally Jeffrey, Clara’s younger
brother, gets a bigger part. You can feel his change throughout the book, it
makes you wonder what’s going with him and why. (Besides the obvious.) He’s been
written incredibly life-like, the way he
copes with life: his anger and his denial, the way he takes off; they’re all
things I recognize from my own brother. Once his purpose is revealed, it all
starts to make more sense. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Another surprise is the truth
concerning Clara’s dad… Which, I won’t spoil of course. But the feelings
surrounding him…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">I want to mention a passage/ ‘event’
which surprised me enormously and filled me with joy, awe and warmth, it made
me feel a bit overwhelmed even, like the time when Harry Potter visited the
International Quidditch Finals. An original idea, totally fitting the story,
adding more atmosphere to it. ‘Glorious’. The angelic details are certainly present, but not overwhelming. There's room for a real story, but still room for the supernatural background. Cynthia Hand found a way to create a perfect balance between all the elements in this book: plot/story, paranormal elements, romance, humor, character depth and growth: every ingredient is mixed together in this perfect </span>'<b>Hallowed</b>' <span lang="EN-GB">blend</span>. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">There are some fun references to
popular things happening nowadays, which will no doubt make this now-contemporary
read, a fun retro book to read many years from now. For example, there’s an
amusing comparison to Edward’s midnight gawk/stalk sleeping Bella sessions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Also there’s a comparison of which I
kinda assume it’s an ‘ode’ to one of the best TV-shows ever, where Clara
borrows the <i>epic</i> words Angela Chase in ‘<b>My
So-called Life</b>’ once uttered as the words she would want to hear when
having sex for the first time: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span lang="EN-GB"><i>‘He’s
beautiful, so crazy beautiful it almost hurts to look at him--’</i></span></blockquote>
</div>
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The initial pace of the book is
slow-(ish). Yes, there are many things happening, but they are all easy to
follow. The writing style is mostly fluent, though sometimes a bit too staccato
to my liking. A bit childish perhaps. Not very poetic. Sometimes I’m annoyed by
the lack in sentence variation, other times I’m pleasantly surprised by lengthy
sentences.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">That is, however, the only negative
thing I have to say about ‘<b>Hallowed</b>’. It was better and more intense than ‘<a href="http://blythesandbooks.blogspot.com/2011/11/unearthly.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #4c1130;">Unearthly</span></b></a>’.
It started out sweetly and slowly, but got so much deeper in an emotional way. The
story swallows and envelopes you, in a bitter sweet embrace. Much like the
moment you know you’re sharing your last painful kiss with a lover you don’t
want to leave, but have to anyway. Crushing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Heart-breaking. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">I want more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB">(Somehow, 'Happy Reading' doesn't fit now...)</span></div>
</div>Mandy: Less is Bore!http://www.blogger.com/profile/17950434180437066803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7121082680803741048.post-16052551618729201492012-02-08T00:00:00.000-08:002012-02-11T06:14:28.181-08:00Waiting on Wednesday (2): Scarlet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>'Waiting on Wednesday' is a weekly meme,</i></div>
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<i> hosted by Jill over at '<b><a href="http://breakingthespine.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Breaking the Spine</a></b>'.</i> </div>
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<i><br /></i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq6IViWUFxwLSu1Pa99aUbuN0iX41f3jpzhopcxi6rkBuGDyzuHm-7K_Lb4nKSei8AIbzORXkoZeOcrtSxlwPprW6gK3f7eRK5_Z7eL94Hgahyphenhyphen4mH5n8QU0WloNmOXt8_7OIKJpoZcLpd4/s1600/waw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq6IViWUFxwLSu1Pa99aUbuN0iX41f3jpzhopcxi6rkBuGDyzuHm-7K_Lb4nKSei8AIbzORXkoZeOcrtSxlwPprW6gK3f7eRK5_Z7eL94Hgahyphenhyphen4mH5n8QU0WloNmOXt8_7OIKJpoZcLpd4/s320/waw.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Hey there!</div>
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<br /></div>
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When I saw the book '<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11983940-scarlet" target="_blank"><b>Scarlet</b></a>' by A.C. Gaughen pop up somewhere on Goodreads and read about its interesting premise, I pre-ordered mine almost instantly! Admittedly, the gorgeous cover was the proverbial last drop! (It's shown towards the end of the video. I enjoyed listening to the beautiful prose also.)<br />
<br />
'<b>Scarlet</b>' was supposed to be published later, but I received an email this week already, confirming its early release and consequently, its journey towards me...<br />
<br />
Are you excitedly waiting for a book as well? Let me know, leave me a link and I'll hop on over to your blog!<br />
Happy reading! :)<br />
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ZlI4BQmx4ME?fs=1" width="480"></iframe><br />
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<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>'Scarlet's Blurb:</b><i> </i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: default; font-size: medium;"><i>Posing as one of Robin Hood’s thieves to avoid the wrath of the evil Thief Taker Lord Gisbourne, Scarlet has kept her identity secret from all of Nottinghamshire. Only the Hood and his band know the truth: the agile thief posing as a whip of a boy is actually a fearless young woman with a secret past. Helping the people of Nottingham outwit the corrupt Sheriff of Nottingham could cost Scarlet her life as Gisbourne closes in. It’s only her fierce loyalty to Robin—whose quick smiles and sharp temper have the rare power to unsettle her—that keeps Scarlet going and makes this fight worth dying for.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: default; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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</div>Mandy: Less is Bore!http://www.blogger.com/profile/17950434180437066803noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7121082680803741048.post-51511991551740433222012-02-03T10:57:00.000-08:002012-02-10T04:43:28.794-08:00Feature & Follow Friday (2)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqmxOssn29O20yc6P52j336KOtHsdtr7rWXoTsebb9X243nI2zhtvxY8aAtwoTLMQkI0RYWv3h9OHF4N0Mwmqn1BDYmA0lA21bA38OvkFaoeaN0fcUMvd_5APrGp1FHvEc6Gbn_7ts-0x9/s1600/FF_2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqmxOssn29O20yc6P52j336KOtHsdtr7rWXoTsebb9X243nI2zhtvxY8aAtwoTLMQkI0RYWv3h9OHF4N0Mwmqn1BDYmA0lA21bA38OvkFaoeaN0fcUMvd_5APrGp1FHvEc6Gbn_7ts-0x9/s200/FF_2012.jpg" width="164" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;">The Feature & Follow is hosted by TWO hosts, Parajunkee of <a href="http://parajunkee.com/" target="_blank"><b>Parajunkee's View</b> </a>and Alison of <a href="http://www.alisoncanread.com/" target="_blank"><b>Alison Can Read</b></a>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;">Every week there's a new feature bloggers can respond too!</span><br />
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This week's feature: <a href="http://omnom-books.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Omnom Books</a><br />
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<i>Define what characterisitcs your favorite books share. Do they all have a kickass heroine or is the hot love interest the Alpha Male?</i></div>
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As usual there's no simple answer to the featured question, as I'm sure is the case with almost every reader out there! </div>
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I'm inclined to say I prefer my female characters <i>feminine, </i>but with a witty/edgy side. (Sarcasm) I don't like my heroines to be 'over-the-top' kick-ass, but still strong, with brains and self-sufficient.</div>
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Normal, besides their special ability. Realisticly written, as far as that's possible in my favorite genre, fantasy. </div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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Examples:</div>
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*<i>Lena Holoway</i> from '<b>Delirium</b>' (Lauren Oliver)</div>
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*<i>Clara Gardner</i> from '<b>Unearthly</b>' (Cynthia Hand)</div>
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*<i>Taya</i> '<i>the Icarus</i>' from '<b>Clockwork Heart</b>' (Dru Pagliassotti)</div>
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*<i>Aoife Grayson</i> from '<b>The Iron Codex</b>' (Caitlin Kittredge)</div>
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*<i>Finley Jayne</i> from '<b>The Steampunk Chronicles</b>' (Kady Cross)</div>
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When it comes to my men, I'm such a cliché... I'm a real sucker for the bad guys... The wounded puppies, the men with alterior motives when it comes to their bad attitude. I like my (book-)men to act <i>manly, </i>(and<i> </i>a bit<i>)</i> dominant even. Humor is a must also, more specifically sarcasm... </div>
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Examples:</div>
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*<i>Will Herondale </i>from '<b>The Infernal Devices</b>' (Cassandra Clare)</div>
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*<i>Alex Sheathes</i> from '<b>Delirium</b>' (Lauren Oliver)</div>
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*<i>Dean</i> <i>Harrison </i>from '<b>The Iron Codex</b>' (Caitlin Kittredge)</div>
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*<i>Cameron Briel</i> from '<b>Fallen</b>' (Lauren Kate)</div>
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<br /></div>
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My one exception is <i>Tucker Avery</i> from the '<b>Unearthly</b>' series (by Cynthia Hand): he's not a bad boy, he's for real though. Manly, with a hint of romance.</div>
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What about you, are there certain characteristics your book share?</div>
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Share with me!</div>
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Happy reading! :)</div>
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<br /></div>Mandy: Less is Bore!http://www.blogger.com/profile/17950434180437066803noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7121082680803741048.post-84025153645776943512012-02-02T11:13:00.000-08:002012-02-02T11:13:39.942-08:00Review: Fallen in Love<br />
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<span lang="EN-GB"><b>'Fallen in Love' </b>by Lauren
Kate <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB">Series: </span></b><span lang="EN-GB">Fallen
(#3.5)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB">Genre: </span></b><span lang="EN-GB">YA,
Fantasy, Paranormal, Supernatural, Romance, Fantasy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB">Published: </span></b><span lang="EN-GB">January 2012<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB">Pages: </span></b><span lang="EN-GB">201<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip0HqZpFw0FGaEYvXOOGBSydMj0_ET9cYzLpYnBPL62zCWPrOZoTbh-PdA5g2tiebPI0jbQhZK-MloYGuNhAH3PdFOBbTprBwdIEwSkGZw7r3_MpgbfQb793_xMH5XH0-wHTeq-0YkJahB/s1600/Fallen+in+Love.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip0HqZpFw0FGaEYvXOOGBSydMj0_ET9cYzLpYnBPL62zCWPrOZoTbh-PdA5g2tiebPI0jbQhZK-MloYGuNhAH3PdFOBbTprBwdIEwSkGZw7r3_MpgbfQb793_xMH5XH0-wHTeq-0YkJahB/s320/Fallen+in+Love.jpg" width="211" /></a><b><span lang="EN-GB">My rating: </span></b><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbMSn4hydY4pW5LFEEqKWoHSaUV70TQXodvOkXpsNJKM31wwxrzHdzFzMFyaykMDav-U2HTyXBl8Toow1DBjU_UBNRooup2tn8Lem36y74SsPi4iYFoym51KM1k3TqX_CQ5w5ez6xmB7bf/s1600/klein+3+cupcakes.jpg" /><b><br /></b></div>
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The Blurb: <i>Unexpected.
Unrequited. Forbidden. Eternal. Everyone has their own love story.</i></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><i>And in a twist of fate, four
extraordinary love stories intersect over the course of a romantic Valentine’s
Day in medieval England. Miles and Shelby find love where they least expect it.
Roland learns a painful lesson about finding and losing love. Arriane pays the
price for a love so fierce it burns. And for the first-and last-time, Daniel
and Luce spend a night together like none other.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><i>Lauren Kate’s ‘<b>Fallen in
Love</b>’ is filled with stories… the ones everyone has been waiting for.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Despite the dissension surrounding
the ‘<span style="color: #4c1130;"><b><a href="http://blythesandbooks.blogspot.com/2011/11/review-fallen.html" target="_blank">Fallen</a></b>’</span> series by Lauren Kate, I’ll gladly admit I
enjoy the series. I’ll also gladly admit I had some trouble finishing the first
book. However, the concept of 2 lovers who are destined to meet, fall in love, yet never survive
their love (until now!) is heart breaking.
Yes, haters, it <i>is</i>. Even though Daniel Grigori is a
drag, I <i>get</i> why Lucinda Price loves and chooses him every
single lifetime, despite the collision course she’s headed on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB"><u>*Love where you least expect it.</u></span></b><span lang="EN-GB"><u> </u><i><u>The Valentine
of Shelby and Miles.</u><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I <i>loved</i> ‘Passion’
with all its peeks into Luce’s former lives, because I love reading about the
past. There are many eras that still could be explored in Luce and Daniel’s
history, and hopefully will be. Which is
why the tale of Shelby and Miles was –besides being a good point to start-
right up my alley. However short and sweet it was, it developed very natural,
credible and slow-paced. Maybe the magical setting of the Valentine’s Faire in medieval
England contributed to Shelby and Miles’ change in perception of one another
and the shifting of their feelings, who knows. Despite the harshness, or maybe
because of the simplicity in those days, I felt the happiness Shelby must have
felt just being around Miles. I guess you could conclude that Shelby and Miles
found love <i>when</i> they least expected it, not <i>where</i>. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
At first Shelby feared for a
dreadful outcome though: </div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
‘<i>Thrilling. Twenty-four
hours of feeling especially single and pathetic…medieval-style.’</i></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Especially when she was reminded
several times that her lack of knowledge of the past was eclipsed greatly by
Miles’ scholarly mode. </div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
‘<i>Traveling with him was like
carrying around an encyclopaedia.</i>’</blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<u><b><span lang="EN-GB">*Love Lessons.</span></b><span lang="EN-GB">
<i>The Valentine of Roland.</i></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Once Roland’s story began I was pleasantly
surprised Lauren Kate wove these 4 stories together the way she did: each one
is sort of a follow-up of the next, set in the same time and place, only seen
through someone else’s eyes, dealing with someone else’s love life. <i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-GB">A quote that best describes the way
Roland felt about his former love Rosaline is this one: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span lang="EN-GB"><i>‘He might
have been experienced at war, at rebellion against the divine, but when it came
to romance, Roland’s heart had been the heart of a
child.’</i></span></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Next, add the advice of someone who
didn’t have any luck with his own relationship (Cam) and you’ll understand what
happened to Roland. Or rather, what Roland made happen to Rosaline. That it
took him several <i>centuries</i> to finally come to peace with his
past, was –despite my lack of affection for / interest in the guy-nothing short
of heart breaking. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB"><u>*Burning Love</u></span></b><span lang="EN-GB"><u>.
</u><i><u>The Valentine of Arriane.</u><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Arriane’s story has two sides, like
good and evil, day and night, darkness and light. I should have expected a
lover like Tess I guess, but I still found myself pleasantly surprised. The sugariness
was too much sometimes, but the daring proposition and consequences of the
offer Arriane’s lover did, made up for that big time! This story had all the
ingredients that lacked in the other stories. More spunk, more action, more
epic-ness. And a devastating ending…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p>'</o:p></span>As far
as possible, Arriane realized, each soul had to be content alone before
plunging into love, because one never knew when the other would move out of
that love. It was the greatest paradox: Souls need each other, but they also
need to not need each other.’</i></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<u><b><span lang="EN-GB">*Endless Love</span></b><span lang="EN-GB">.
<i>The Valentine of Daniel and Lucinda.</i></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
This story actually takes place
during ‘<b><a href="http://blythesandbooks.blogspot.com/2011/11/passion-by-lauren-kate-best-book-so-far.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #4c1130;">Passion</span></a></b>’ (‘<b>Fallen’</b> #3) which is a fun bonus in its own way. The
soul-clefting with Luce’s own old selves stays amazing. Of course, the readers
already know about Bill’s intentions by now, which makes it feel like an inside
joke.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Other than the fact this Valentine
has been the only one Lucinda and Daniel ever shared (and Cam’s cameo), nothing
interesting happens. No new realizations for Luce, simply more Luce and Daniel
in their own sappy way…</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span>Yes, our medieval Luce was a broken-hearted but wise girl. </div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>‘The idea that a stroke of chance could decide my heart’s destiny does not appeal to me.’</i></blockquote>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>*<i>My overall impression of ‘Fallen
In Love’.</i>*</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Sugary sweet ‘n easy: as in easy to
read, but also easily written. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Honestly? Most side characters never
interested me that much. Besides Cam, obviously. Who happens to be left out of
this novel, much to my regret. Then again, given the high doses of sweetness
presented in this novel (yes, I’m aware it’s about Valentine, but still…) Cam’s
absence is probably a good thing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-GB">At times it feels like Lauren Kate
knows her characters <i>too </i>well and they’re not exciting to
her anymore. (Enter the ‘easy’ part!) Which is why my favourite, most
surprising and most epic story from this novel, has to be Arriane’s story. Because
despite the fact this Valentine was the only Valentine <i>ever</i> Luce and Daniel got to share, the story wasn’t refreshing and shared no new
insights. Same old Luce and Daniel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Even though I enjoyed the setting (the
medieval Valentine’s Faire in England), it felt easy too. Some parts were
described vividly, but the entire setting felt shallow and functioned like a <i>backdrop</i> rather than a well-described, detailed society.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Also, it struck me that some sentences
that could have been beautiful, life-altering and epic, failed to deliver their
message because it was like Lauren Kate couldn’t find the right words to
express her feelings. She simply told the stories she felt the need to tell,
but neglected to use the prose it should have been accompanied with.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-GB">Enjoyable but slightly disappointing,
fluently but shallowly written, a nice bonus but abundant in some ways, extremely
sweet… but average. I'm giving it 3 stars because I like the series as a whole and this book adds some background.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-GB">To my regret… I haven’t ‘<i>Fallen
in Love</i>’ with this book. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>Mandy: Less is Bore!http://www.blogger.com/profile/17950434180437066803noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7121082680803741048.post-20058992221169361172012-01-29T02:59:00.000-08:002012-04-30T02:57:19.760-07:00In My Mailbox (9)<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF7i9BX0gIIxT7HOdXwVzndDuAFYCWLkbbTdiq4pTTiMRJKC3ONTK-i9ZWEvQoTPH_LDxI4EbeK8qqgmmIl3nE8zZOPu8OLQRn76o7yQJL4y5BFqPRw4qc0Mn4yZ28Am_KuOSou_DtBgsT/s1600/IMM3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF7i9BX0gIIxT7HOdXwVzndDuAFYCWLkbbTdiq4pTTiMRJKC3ONTK-i9ZWEvQoTPH_LDxI4EbeK8qqgmmIl3nE8zZOPu8OLQRn76o7yQJL4y5BFqPRw4qc0Mn4yZ28Am_KuOSou_DtBgsT/s320/IMM3.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<b><i><span style="color: #741b47;"><a href="http://www.thestorysiren.com/in-my-mailbox" target="_blank">'In My Mailbox'</a> </span></i></b><br />
<i>is a weekly recurring meme hosted by </i><i><a href="http://www.thestorysiren.com/in-my-mailbox" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #4c1130;">The Story Siren</span></a>. </i><br />
<i>Every Sunday, Kristi shares her mailbox contents </i><br />
<i>and gives us bloggers the opportunity to leave a link </i><br />
<i>sharing our own mail!</i><br />
<i><b><span style="font-size: large;">~</span></b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Hey there!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So, it's that time again, to share the contents of my mailbox! It's very modest this time and didn't even come through the mail... Technically this should be known as '<b>In My Saddlebag</b>'. (In Holland it's very normal to own a bicycle and have bags hanging over the rear luggage rack from it. Whereas the trouble I'm having now in finding the right translation for the words 'fietstas' and 'bagagedrager' leads me to believe it's not as common elsewhere!)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Anyway, here's my loot for the week (and now first on my TBR list!):<br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12588363-fallen-in-love" target="_blank">Fallen in Love</a> </b>('<b>Fallen'</b> #3.5) by Lauren Kate</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip0HqZpFw0FGaEYvXOOGBSydMj0_ET9cYzLpYnBPL62zCWPrOZoTbh-PdA5g2tiebPI0jbQhZK-MloYGuNhAH3PdFOBbTprBwdIEwSkGZw7r3_MpgbfQb793_xMH5XH0-wHTeq-0YkJahB/s1600/Fallen+in+Love.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip0HqZpFw0FGaEYvXOOGBSydMj0_ET9cYzLpYnBPL62zCWPrOZoTbh-PdA5g2tiebPI0jbQhZK-MloYGuNhAH3PdFOBbTprBwdIEwSkGZw7r3_MpgbfQb793_xMH5XH0-wHTeq-0YkJahB/s320/Fallen+in+Love.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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What did you get in your mailbox this week? Care to share with me?</div>
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Have a nice day! :)</div>
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<br />Mandy: Less is Bore!http://www.blogger.com/profile/17950434180437066803noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7121082680803741048.post-42824824919171467852012-01-27T02:27:00.000-08:002012-02-05T02:17:01.946-08:00Feature & Follow Friday (1)<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqmxOssn29O20yc6P52j336KOtHsdtr7rWXoTsebb9X243nI2zhtvxY8aAtwoTLMQkI0RYWv3h9OHF4N0Mwmqn1BDYmA0lA21bA38OvkFaoeaN0fcUMvd_5APrGp1FHvEc6Gbn_7ts-0x9/s1600/FF_2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqmxOssn29O20yc6P52j336KOtHsdtr7rWXoTsebb9X243nI2zhtvxY8aAtwoTLMQkI0RYWv3h9OHF4N0Mwmqn1BDYmA0lA21bA38OvkFaoeaN0fcUMvd_5APrGp1FHvEc6Gbn_7ts-0x9/s200/FF_2012.jpg" width="164" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;">The Feature & Follow is hosted by TWO hosts, Parajunkee of <a href="http://parajunkee.com/" target="_blank"><b>Parajunkee's View</b> </a>and Alison of <a href="http://www.alisoncanread.com/" target="_blank"><b>Alison Can Read</b></a>. Every week there's a new feature bloggers can respond too!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
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This week's Feature: <a href="http://fictionfervor.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Fiction Fervor</a></div>
<h3 style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.25em; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>Which book genre do you avoid at all costs and why?</i></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">'Avoiding at all costs' is an overstatement when it comes to my reading. Because I may not be inclined to a certain genre at first, my outlook may change after having read a good book in said genre. For example, I didn't expect to like <i>dystopian</i> novels as much as I do!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">But I do tend stay away from </span><i>chick flicks</i><span style="font-family: inherit;">. I'm not interested in reading those perky, superficial books. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">On the other hand, I stay clear from books which are too </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">heavy and intense </i><span style="font-family: inherit;">as well. Real <i>thrillers </i>are not my thing either.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Books about <i>war, biographies</i>: I have read some in the past of course, but right now I choose not to. I do think everyone should read some of those books, though. It's important to know history.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">However, I read to escape, which is why I prefer fantasy. With some romance. When it comes to sci-fi I prefer mine to be steampunk; <i>other galaxies</i> don't really fancy me. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Also I am </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">not </i><span style="font-family: inherit;">attracted to reading about <i>zombies </i>or <i>mermaids </i>at the moment. Then again, that might change...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">~</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Have you participated in this weeks 'Feature & Follow </span>Friday'<span style="font-family: inherit;"> as well? Leave me a comment and a link, Follow me, and I'll Follow you!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Have a nice day! :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>Mandy: Less is Bore!http://www.blogger.com/profile/17950434180437066803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7121082680803741048.post-7877149085680721062012-01-22T04:18:00.000-08:002012-04-30T02:57:19.866-07:00In My Mailbox (8)<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF7i9BX0gIIxT7HOdXwVzndDuAFYCWLkbbTdiq4pTTiMRJKC3ONTK-i9ZWEvQoTPH_LDxI4EbeK8qqgmmIl3nE8zZOPu8OLQRn76o7yQJL4y5BFqPRw4qc0Mn4yZ28Am_KuOSou_DtBgsT/s1600/IMM3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF7i9BX0gIIxT7HOdXwVzndDuAFYCWLkbbTdiq4pTTiMRJKC3ONTK-i9ZWEvQoTPH_LDxI4EbeK8qqgmmIl3nE8zZOPu8OLQRn76o7yQJL4y5BFqPRw4qc0Mn4yZ28Am_KuOSou_DtBgsT/s320/IMM3.jpg" width="213" /></a><br />
<br />
<b><i><span style="color: #741b47;"><a href="http://www.thestorysiren.com/in-my-mailbox" target="_blank">'In My Mailbox'</a> </span></i></b><br />
<i>is a weekly recurring meme hosted by </i><i><a href="http://www.thestorysiren.com/in-my-mailbox" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #4c1130;">The Story Siren</span></a>. </i><br />
<i>Every Sunday, Kristi shares her mailbox contents </i><br />
<i>and gives us bloggers the opportunity to leave a link </i><br />
<i>sharing our own mail!</i><br />
<i><b><span style="font-size: large;">~</span></b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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Hey there!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This week I got '<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8838886-camille" target="_blank"><b>Camille</b></a>' by Tess Oliver. It's about a 16-year old girl and her guardian who hunt werewolves. I kinda got the 'Van Helsing' vibe off the book, which is what attracted me about it!</div>
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Also, I received '<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9659607-the-iron-knight" target="_blank"><b>The Iron Knight</b></a>' by Julie Kagawa, which is the 4th (and final?) installment in the '<b>The</b> <b>Iron Fey</b>' series. No, I have not read the first 3 books yet, but I just<i> know</i> they're gonna be good!</div>
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So, did you get anything good in your mailbox this week? Do share!</div>
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Have a nice day! :)</div>
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<br />Mandy: Less is Bore!http://www.blogger.com/profile/17950434180437066803noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7121082680803741048.post-10409829550287129302012-01-18T11:19:00.000-08:002012-02-05T10:16:49.164-08:00Waiting on Wednesday (1): Blythe Collection Guide Book<div style="text-align: center;">
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<i>'Waiting on Wednesday' is a weekly meme,</i></div>
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<i> hosted by Jill over at '<b><a href="http://breakingthespine.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Breaking the Spine</a></b>'.</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq6IViWUFxwLSu1Pa99aUbuN0iX41f3jpzhopcxi6rkBuGDyzuHm-7K_Lb4nKSei8AIbzORXkoZeOcrtSxlwPprW6gK3f7eRK5_Z7eL94Hgahyphenhyphen4mH5n8QU0WloNmOXt8_7OIKJpoZcLpd4/s1600/waw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq6IViWUFxwLSu1Pa99aUbuN0iX41f3jpzhopcxi6rkBuGDyzuHm-7K_Lb4nKSei8AIbzORXkoZeOcrtSxlwPprW6gK3f7eRK5_Z7eL94Hgahyphenhyphen4mH5n8QU0WloNmOXt8_7OIKJpoZcLpd4/s320/waw.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Hey and YAY!</div>
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Of course you all must have been aware I <b>HEART</b> Blythe dolls... You know, considering the name of this blog and all...;) </div>
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(In case you missed it, <a href="http://blythesandbooks.blogspot.com/p/about-me.html" target="_blank">here's</a> a little info on me. Also, here's the link to <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ladyguinevere77/" target="_blank">my Flickr photostream</a>, starring my 9 Blythes, amongst other things.) </div>
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Anyway, it must come as no surprise to you then, that I ordered the '<b>Blythe Collection Guide Book</b>'! </div>
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In my opinion it is waaaay overdue! It's supposed to feature every Neo, Midi and Mini Blythe doll, and accessories manufactured from 2001 until 2011. I hope there will be some info on the original Kenner's as well. </div>
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Also, I hope not everything will be in <i>Japanese</i>... In that case: does anyone know of a smartphone App that takes pictures of Japanese text and translates them into English???</div>
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I'm <i>really</i> excited for this book! I hope it makes its way from Japan to me very quickly!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Have a nice day! :)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic_N0oW7ha01O9AfOMNbHvZXurZ0x8pyzRuN1DaJFHKxxZCzejWPYxQLkwoBn8tiO3zR9fYOCCOdYLJ9eddiWGo_ggm76CxFYsg6whaK4gjZQVeE8E1c6QIhCPT2GVqZ5OLAjR4RZ1AHgt/s1600/Blythe_Collection_Guide_Book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic_N0oW7ha01O9AfOMNbHvZXurZ0x8pyzRuN1DaJFHKxxZCzejWPYxQLkwoBn8tiO3zR9fYOCCOdYLJ9eddiWGo_ggm76CxFYsg6whaK4gjZQVeE8E1c6QIhCPT2GVqZ5OLAjR4RZ1AHgt/s1600/Blythe_Collection_Guide_Book.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />Mandy: Less is Bore!http://www.blogger.com/profile/17950434180437066803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7121082680803741048.post-53519987201266106532012-01-15T05:23:00.000-08:002012-04-30T02:57:19.813-07:00In My Mailbox (7)<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF7i9BX0gIIxT7HOdXwVzndDuAFYCWLkbbTdiq4pTTiMRJKC3ONTK-i9ZWEvQoTPH_LDxI4EbeK8qqgmmIl3nE8zZOPu8OLQRn76o7yQJL4y5BFqPRw4qc0Mn4yZ28Am_KuOSou_DtBgsT/s1600/IMM3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF7i9BX0gIIxT7HOdXwVzndDuAFYCWLkbbTdiq4pTTiMRJKC3ONTK-i9ZWEvQoTPH_LDxI4EbeK8qqgmmIl3nE8zZOPu8OLQRn76o7yQJL4y5BFqPRw4qc0Mn4yZ28Am_KuOSou_DtBgsT/s320/IMM3.jpg" width="213" /></a><br />
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<b><i><span style="color: #741b47;"><a href="http://www.thestorysiren.com/in-my-mailbox" target="_blank">'In My Mailbox'</a> </span></i></b><br />
<i>is a weekly recurring meme hosted by </i><i><a href="http://www.thestorysiren.com/in-my-mailbox" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #4c1130;">The Story Siren</span></a>. </i><br />
<i>Every Sunday, Kristi shares her mailbox contents </i><br />
<i>and gives us bloggers the opportunity to leave a link </i><br />
<i>sharing our own mail!</i><br />
<i><b><span style="font-size: large;">~</span></b></i></div>
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Hey there!</div>
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Like it's the most normal thing in the world,<br />
the mailman brought me some goodies again this week. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirRnRSvGANEBQw9zAIg1BlIVtRS5HhRhANMR5TyueliUpD-A2JECgeHfQOx25ExSp5qCo5LROPLbFlqCgeVJyChDKYLtC_3GcW7bgoxzyRQxLChKpApRf3JkjcGj13SWbaZZTsV3GflPah/s1600/Picnik+collage+IMM7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirRnRSvGANEBQw9zAIg1BlIVtRS5HhRhANMR5TyueliUpD-A2JECgeHfQOx25ExSp5qCo5LROPLbFlqCgeVJyChDKYLtC_3GcW7bgoxzyRQxLChKpApRf3JkjcGj13SWbaZZTsV3GflPah/s400/Picnik+collage+IMM7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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* <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10429033-deadly-cool" target="_blank"><b>Deadly Cool</b> </a>by Gemma Halliday</div>
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* <b><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31122.I_Capture_the_Castle" target="_blank">I Capture the Castle</a></b> by Dodie Smith</div>
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* <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8581936-supernaturally" target="_blank"><b>Supernaturally</b> </a>(<b><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7719245-paranormalcy" target="_blank">Paranormalcy</a> </b>#2) by Kiersten White</div>
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I read a positive review (from one of my most-trusted reviewers) about '<b>Deadly Cool</b>', about its wittiness.<br />
I knew I wanted to read it and ordered it right away.</div>
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I'm not sure how I came across '<b>I Capture the Castle</b>' anymore, but it really appealed to me. I like historical settings and the contents just spoke to me. I ordered the DVD as well, which I viewed already. It was okay, but I think the quirky nature of some of the characters will come more to live in the book. (As always.) Also, did you know Dodie Smith wrote the '<b>101 Dalmatians</b>' books? I didn't until I read her bio on Goodreads... <i>Shame on me...!</i></div>
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As for '<b>Supernaturally</b>'... I didn't have a chance to read '<b>Paranormalcy</b>' yet but I just know this is gonna be a good series!</div>
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Did you receive any books in the mail this week? Do share!</div>
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Have a nice day! :)</div>Mandy: Less is Bore!http://www.blogger.com/profile/17950434180437066803noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7121082680803741048.post-10682014584141146042012-01-11T10:41:00.000-08:002012-01-11T10:41:11.795-08:00Review: Clockwork Prince<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicTKj9xzQgEbR0L_iOZ3Pp9IworNutexSH0F4M9pMdPgjyrXbR5HH3n5g1IVad8_scL1ImvKMhx4JNLEkii6uaS1QZjCInNHnNcMl3FB6k1MX86h1mqHbdhVZXMkgHGmV-TTOiBlNm8DLk/s1600/Clockwork+Prince.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicTKj9xzQgEbR0L_iOZ3Pp9IworNutexSH0F4M9pMdPgjyrXbR5HH3n5g1IVad8_scL1ImvKMhx4JNLEkii6uaS1QZjCInNHnNcMl3FB6k1MX86h1mqHbdhVZXMkgHGmV-TTOiBlNm8DLk/s320/Clockwork+Prince.jpg" width="210" /></a><span lang="EN-GB"><b>Clockwork Prince, by
Cassandra Clare</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB">Series: </span></b><span lang="EN-GB">The
Infernal Devices<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB">Genre: </span></b><span lang="EN-GB">YA,
Fantasy, Sci-Fi (Steampunk), Paranormal, Romance<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB">Published: </span></b><span lang="EN-GB">December<b> </b>2011<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB">Pages: </span></b><span lang="EN-GB">496<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB">My rating: </span></b><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtclfB7PZzblFQiYoM8-fSdD06qttVUlxkw8a6SxSJte4mYfFEcCpKcLrG1ddM_C8lDs22DLxT322s9tjDJ2ejOUNX-hHd8sokk22ZbAk-wFDCIgFppwjDolZY3liYEyov5dskDwqrEyQi/s1600/klein+5+cupcakes.jpg" /><b><br /></b></div>
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The Blurb: <i>The situation at
the London Institute has never been more precarious. With Mortmain and his
clockwork army still threatening, the Council wants to strip Charlotte of her
power and hand the running of the Enclave over to the unscrupulous and
power-hungry Benedict Lightwood. </i></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><i>
In the hope of saving Charlotte and the Institute, Will, Jem, and Tessa set out
to unravel the secrets of Mortmain’s past—and discover unsettling Shadowhunter
connections that hold the key not only to the enemy’s motivations, but also to
the secret of Tessa’s identity. Tessa, already caught between the affections of
Will and Jem, finds herself with another choice to make when she learns how the
Shadowhunters helped make her a “monster.” Will she turn from them to her
brother, Nate, who has been begging her to join him at Mortmain’s side? Where
will her loyalties—and love—lie? Tessa alone can choose to save the
Shadowhunters of London…or end them forever.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Ever since finishing the last page
from ‘<span style="color: #4c1130;"><a href="http://blythesandbooks.blogspot.com/2011/11/clockwork-angel.html" target="_blank">Clockwork Angel</a>’</span>, I have been <i>yearning</i> for ‘<b>Clockwork Prince</b>’ to be
published! The Victorian world, the realistic characters, the elaborate story-telling,
the witty dialogues, the thickly woven plot, the subtle romance… they wouldn’t
let me go! A few weeks after the book was delivered, I finally had the time to
get reacquainted with my old friend(s) again. Oh… how I <i>love</i> the Institute,
Tessa’s quest to find herself, Wills sarcasm, Jem’s gentleness, Henry’s
absentmindedness, Charlottes stubborn care, even Jessie’s shallowness. There
were a couple of times I had forgotten what happened to whom and why in the previous
book, but those questions were answered quickly and it was like I never left.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">My only small point of critique, or
rather a fact I noticed (maybe because it’s been pointed out in several other
reviews already) is the abundance of book referrals. Yes, Tessa loves to read.
Yes, Cassandra Clare knows her classics. Big deal. Perhaps it’s plastered on a
little <i>too</i> thickly. Yes, I recognize some of these books/passages, but not
all. Mind you, I’m not English. I’m Dutch. Still there are times I wonder whether
I should be<i> ashamed</i> for not knowing these books, not having reads the
classics, not comprehending the referrals. Should I?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Like these well-placed literary
interludes, every single word in this book is in the right place. Everything
happens for a reason, is part of the grand scheme which unfolds while eagerly
turning page after page. Wheels are clicking into place, sometimes unravelling
surprising information, making room for heart breaking scenes at other times.
Every detail about the Victorian Steampunk-pimped era adds to the feel and
atmosphere of the book, whereas every detail of the world of Shadowhunters
seems to be based on real facts and truly existing ‘cultures’, not a poorly
thought-through imaginative world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Though Tessa’s quest for finding out
who or what she is, is sort of the central theme of the book, the reader gets
more: a grand tour of the world of Shadowhunters, and all its participants. The
switching narratives give the reader a great insight in all characters,
remaining true to each and everyone’s voice the entire time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Finally we learn WHY Will treats
Tessa (and the rest of the world) the way he does… Oh my… Poor Will… Which, in
turn, makes the natural way the friendship between Tessa and Jem develops into
something more meaningful -no matter how sweet, realistic and understandable- even
more bitter. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Even more so than the previous book,
this book contains the perfect mix of action, character depth and surprising
character growth/ change, unexpected plot twists, mysterious developments, very
sensual and subtle romance, a gorgeous and realistic setting, laughter and
tears. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">CC’s writing style never seizes to
amaze or bore me, it’s all done extremely well, elaborate and in a style
suiting the setting. Even the dialogues are written accordingly to the era. The
awkwardness of discussing matters of one’s own heart are handled correctly,
distant and in an appropriate manner. A bit like the politics of nowadays,
where big sentences tell an enormous story, hardly expressing an opinion or
stealthily avoiding the subject at hand. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">The eye-candy that is the gorgeous
cover of this book, continues on the inside as well. There’s no judging this
book wrongly due to its cover. No shallow inside. For example, many beautiful
poetic prose lines keep grabbing the reader’s attention, such as:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">‘“No,” Tessa said. “I haven’t broken his heart at all.” Just torn my own
in two.’</span></i></blockquote>
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<span lang="EN-GB">And: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">‘Pulling away from her had been like pulling his own skin off.’</span></i></blockquote>
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It is very hard for me to express
the ‘why’ of the deep love I harbour for ‘<b>The Infernal Devices</b>’ world and its characters.
It’s just there. Most characters have earned a place in my heart, thanks to all
the little details about them that bring them to life, as well as their big
issues. Though I understand that certain choices had to be made the way they
were made, I am curious how CC is gonna mend my shredded heart in ‘<b>Clockwork
Princess</b>’. Let alone Tessa's torn heart... A huge sacrifice has to be made
either way...</div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">I cannot believe I’ll have to wait
an entire year before finding out what will happen to these characters I have
come to love so dearly. I do not wish to leave my friends behind, yet. I am not
ready for such a long goodbye. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">This series has swiftly become one
of my favourite series ever. If you haven’t read any of these books yet, I’ll
forgive you for not knowing, but strongly suggest you pick it up as soon as
possible. You have no reason to postpone this any longer. Do yourself that
favour… <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Parting is such sweet sorrow…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span lang="EN-GB">P.S. I apologize sincerely that various
efforts on my behalf to keep the repulsive, obsessive fan-girl inside me caged and
silent did not pay off entirely. Ever since the Masked Ball scene she has been
going at it without any sort of dignity. I can hear her screams bouncing off
the walls of my head, pulsating in my brain… Her fists pounding at my insides,
her hands grabbing hold of my intestines, rattling my entire being, begging to
be set free… I fear for my sanity if I do not admit her to speak freely, even if
only for one time... After which we shall forget all about this outburst and I
shall gladly stow her away into eternal oblivion once more, where a proper lady
is supposed to reside... Let’s have it out then, shall we, fangirl?</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span><b style="font-size: xx-large;">“TEAM WILL!”</b></blockquote>
Mandy: Less is Bore!http://www.blogger.com/profile/17950434180437066803noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7121082680803741048.post-42321069988504721292012-01-09T06:28:00.000-08:002012-04-30T02:57:19.788-07:00In My Mailbox (6)<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF7i9BX0gIIxT7HOdXwVzndDuAFYCWLkbbTdiq4pTTiMRJKC3ONTK-i9ZWEvQoTPH_LDxI4EbeK8qqgmmIl3nE8zZOPu8OLQRn76o7yQJL4y5BFqPRw4qc0Mn4yZ28Am_KuOSou_DtBgsT/s1600/IMM3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF7i9BX0gIIxT7HOdXwVzndDuAFYCWLkbbTdiq4pTTiMRJKC3ONTK-i9ZWEvQoTPH_LDxI4EbeK8qqgmmIl3nE8zZOPu8OLQRn76o7yQJL4y5BFqPRw4qc0Mn4yZ28Am_KuOSou_DtBgsT/s320/IMM3.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #741b47;"><a href="http://www.thestorysiren.com/in-my-mailbox" target="_blank">'In My Mailbox'</a> </span></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>is a weekly recurring meme hosted by </i><i><a href="http://www.thestorysiren.com/in-my-mailbox" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #4c1130;">The Story Siren</span></a>. </i></div>
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<i>Every Sunday, Kristi shares her mailbox contents </i></div>
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<i>and gives us bloggers the opportunity to leave a link </i></div>
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<i>sharing our own mail!</i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">Hey there,</span><br />
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So, it's time to show you last week's contents of my mailbox again! Honestly, I <i>bought</i> 2 books, and received 1 through mail. I'm not entirely certain whether the 2 Dutch books are available in English as well, I <i>think</i> they're originally Dutch. It's the '<b>Devil's Diary' </b>and '<b>Count Dracula's Diary'</b>. Both are witty, sarcastic, full of historical facts, puzzles, etc. I think the '<b>Devil's Diary</b>' is not meant for very religious people... Because Satan calls God a show-off and such. Kinda disrespectful, but in its own way I think it brings across a lot of biblical and historical knowledge.</div>
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'<b><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/80678.Horseradish" target="_blank">Horseradish</a></b>' by Lemony Snicket became part of my 'want' list when I read some delightful dark quotes from the booklet. I have seen the movie 'Lemony Snicket & A Series of Unfortunate Events' and I love the strangeness, depressing-ness and the dry sarcastic humor. Someday I may read the entire series, until then this book will have to do. Once I've read it, I'll be sure to share some of my fav quotes!</div>
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Did you receive any books this week? Do share!</div>
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Have a nice day! :)</div>
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<br /></div>Mandy: Less is Bore!http://www.blogger.com/profile/17950434180437066803noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7121082680803741048.post-30603948616255982722012-01-08T08:11:00.001-08:002012-01-08T09:28:11.255-08:00Review: Cat O' Nine Tails<br />
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<span lang="EN-GB"><b>Cat O’ Nine Tails by
Patricia Leever</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB">Series: </span></b><span lang="EN-GB">None<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB">Genre: </span></b><span lang="EN-GB">Fantasy,
Romance, Historical, Adventure (Pirates), Erotic<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB">Published: </span></b><span lang="EN-GB">August 2011<b> <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2xy8L6rIpyzdN-TLwQNXeoF_qkthOuQ1Nz2o1EOWGwKaG9uhlmLqQsxMB2-Dutwpi6hwigPHannjJKvSxwSNR21ypkaCnELNPs9zH1hqwdSK-FXOsDd8TLMvsuj8N1JF5lP7EfhlLKJ9O/s1600/Cat+O%2527+Nine+Tails.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2xy8L6rIpyzdN-TLwQNXeoF_qkthOuQ1Nz2o1EOWGwKaG9uhlmLqQsxMB2-Dutwpi6hwigPHannjJKvSxwSNR21ypkaCnELNPs9zH1hqwdSK-FXOsDd8TLMvsuj8N1JF5lP7EfhlLKJ9O/s320/Cat+O%2527+Nine+Tails.jpg" width="206" /></a><b><span lang="EN-GB">Pages: </span></b><span lang="EN-GB">206<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB">My rating: </span></b><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7_iGu8sfxxczY8QpTB2ysCVKZb_gHWjcRFxuxOhjE6BSBjdbF6UCp1OsrG1_QVj4LSNnAJxkdI79aL3uX5MoLAvE2Mdh8p5WdzVh3m27mMHIjE7j18dYmulsQmpD_4uGIhI7pYxf0scAW/s1600/klein+3+cupcakes.jpg" /><b><br /></b></div>
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The Blurb: <i>When Orrin and
his brother Kale are hired by Queen Winifred to hunt down Aeron and her band of
miscreants, Orrin never dreamed he’d fall in love with the beautiful she
pirate, or the kind, accepting people of her island hideaway. As they grow
closer, Aeron reveals her jaded past with Queen Winifred to Orrin; he doesn’t
hesitate to offer his help to bring Winifred’s evil reign to an end. Aeron and
Orrin soon discover that the strongest weapon in their combined arsenal is the
love they have for each other.</i><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB">After shamelessly offering a review
in exchange for a paperback copy of ‘<b>Cat O’ Nine Tails</b>’ -to the woman who
happened to marry a man with the same last name as my own husband, Patti was
kind enough to send me not only a (signed) copy of her book, she added a
bookmark and some trading cards as well! So thanx once more, Patti!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Thus began my journey through the <i>hungry</i> eyes of Aeron and Orrin. (Yup, I’ll gladly admit I had some trouble
separating them at first, because of their names…) Now, I’m all for sexual
tension, don’t get me wrong, but Aeron and Orrin weren’t the only ones who felt
relieved once that tension was eased. Because besides some <i>minor</i> world
building (serving more as a drop-dead gorgeous background for the sexy
fantasies lived out in this novel) the first 50 pages were oozing with cravings
from Aeron for Orrin, and the other way around. Old-fashioned ‘Candlelight’ romance
novels is probably what ‘Cat O’ Nine Tails’ compares to best. LOTS of lovin’,
little plot. A feel-good book of which you already know the ending, then still end
up with a big smile on your face because of said ending.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Once Aerons secret connection to
Queen Winifred was revealed I had a hard time believing all of it. However,
when Aeron was faced with the Queen, the way she froze and went completely catatonic
was understandable and heart wrenching. So yes, Patricia Leever knows how to
write, how to convey feelings. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Perspectives in this novel change from
Aeron to Orrin, to William, to Kale, to Maura even. It’s written in a pleasant,
fluent prose, suiting the era. The island, castle, ships and fight scenes are
very well envisioned, despite the lack of descriptiveness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Aeron is a pretty believable
character, as far as female Pirate Captains are believable. She’s kick-ass, but
too flawless at times and OOC in NOT taking the upper-hand when it comes to
love-making, no matter how feministic she is supposed to be. It took me some time, but then Aeron really grew on me, especially when she showed her vulnerable side. I sympathized with her a lot.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">I had some trouble with Orrins feelings/thoughts
sometimes, he came off just a teensy bit <i>too</i> perfect. He seems a bit too much
like the men one usually only encounters in fantasies and books, never in the
real world. Yes, he’s dreamy, but he could never be existent. He’s written the
way a woman thinks a fantasy guy should be, not the way a real man is.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Honestly, the romantic moments were<i> too</i> sweet (and frequent) for my taste, but if that’s your sort of thing you
cannot go wrong with this book! Don’t expect too much action (except between
the sheets) and anticipate a slowly paced plot. This book is about romance and
location, about lovers finding each other. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">You will be left with the exact
feeling the blurb promises you: An escape to a place where love is the
strongest bond people can share against a mutual enemy. Easy peasy if you ask
me, when they’re both gorgeous and inhabit a dreamy fantasy island… ;)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Have a nice day! :)</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>Mandy: Less is Bore!http://www.blogger.com/profile/17950434180437066803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7121082680803741048.post-75818945517042687742012-01-04T09:42:00.000-08:002012-01-22T04:31:12.077-08:00Cover Reveal (3): City of Lost Souls<div style="text-align: center;">
Hiya,</div>
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So, how's Post-Holiday-Life treating you so far? I've only worked 2 days but it feels like I never did otherwise... Except for the getting-up early in the morning part, it's (too) easy to get adjusted again. I do think I'll take Friday off though, you know, to make the transition a little smoother... ;)</div>
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So, I happened to stumble upon another cover reveal today! Having read only '<b><a href="http://blythesandbooks.blogspot.com/2011/11/city-of-bones.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #4c1130;">City of Bones</span></a></b>' until now (the 1st installment in '<b>The Mortal Instruments</b>' series by Cassandra Clare) I obviously <i>can</i> wait for the 5th book to come out, but I will read the whole series someday! <b>May 2012</b> this beauty will hit the shelves!</div>
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Personally I prefer the setting and characters from '<b>The Infernal Devices</b>' series, also by Cassandra Clare. I loved '<a href="http://blythesandbooks.blogspot.com/2011/11/clockwork-angel.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #4c1130;">Clockwork Ange</span>l</b></a>' and am pleased that my '<b>Clockwork Prince</b>' has been patiently waiting me for a couple o' weeks already, so why can't I find/take time to READ, dammit!?</div>
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So...Without further ado I present you the (gorgeous!) cover of '<b><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8755776-city-of-lost-souls" target="_blank">City of Lost Souls</a></b>'!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCrhMm2JYZHedcLFySK5E4eanPXG3z-TykgajpU7kVL3ix22qpJD8bcxnssvBAOQxAirkG0BTwGH-Z1lxuvI5PK62ZNnp74gX97_N03bdQ8D2z5FZ46r8pLBnD6TOCUY11awtYU_KRLGWt/s1600/city+of+lost+souls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCrhMm2JYZHedcLFySK5E4eanPXG3z-TykgajpU7kVL3ix22qpJD8bcxnssvBAOQxAirkG0BTwGH-Z1lxuvI5PK62ZNnp74gX97_N03bdQ8D2z5FZ46r8pLBnD6TOCUY11awtYU_KRLGWt/s320/city+of+lost+souls.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
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Which series do <i>you</i> prefer, and have you read every installment there is already? What are your thoughts on the cover then? You're welcome to discuss things with me, drop me a line! (If you solemnly promise to keep it spoiler free of course...)<br />
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<i><b>Have a nice day! :)</b></i></div>
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<i><b><br /></b></i></div>Mandy: Less is Bore!http://www.blogger.com/profile/17950434180437066803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7121082680803741048.post-24458112224719370632012-01-01T00:00:00.000-08:002012-01-22T05:00:08.087-08:002012 Book Releases I'm looking forward to!Hey there,<br />
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Let me start with: <b>Best Wishes and a Happy, Healthy New Year to you, with plenty of reading time!</b><br />
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What better way to start off the year by sharing a list of the upcoming reads I'm excited about?! Some debuts reads are on my list, as well as some sequels I cannot wait to embrace and devour! I've pre-ordered all of these beauties already!<br />
(Initially 'Hallowed' by <i>Cynthia Hand</i> was on this list as well, but since that was released early ( December 2011) it's already waiting for me at home. Yay!)<br />
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<b style="text-align: left;">January: </b><br />
<ul>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb4iqvmFzbEzeFedR9QzPK7aAWi2c0tz62K4VgSCQ0XRel8hqjBTxsbOuzyKF5lkHVmiITVwvvLwiVOzMmCEQsr5HC0qZ1jGzZoQd3d0B68RcQWVnkXOgnKM-aSwtC43YWmGyNX5XFdajc/s1600/2012+books.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb4iqvmFzbEzeFedR9QzPK7aAWi2c0tz62K4VgSCQ0XRel8hqjBTxsbOuzyKF5lkHVmiITVwvvLwiVOzMmCEQsr5HC0qZ1jGzZoQd3d0B68RcQWVnkXOgnKM-aSwtC43YWmGyNX5XFdajc/s400/2012+books.jpg" width="278" /></a>
<li style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12588363-fallen-in-love" target="_blank">Fallen in Love</a> (Fallen #3.5) <i>by Lauren Kate</i></li>
</ul>
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<b>February:</b> </div>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11983940-scarlet" target="_blank">Scarlet </a><i>by A.C. Gaughen</i></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11387447-the-nightmare-garden" target="_blank">The Nightmare Garden</a> (Iron Codex #2) <i>by Caitlin Kittredge</i></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9593911-pandemonium" target="_blank">Pandemonium</a> (Delirium #2) <i>by Lauren Oliver</i></li>
</ul>
<b style="text-align: left;">March:</b><br />
<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11324166-timeless" target="_blank">Timeless</a> (Parasol Protectorate #5) <i>by Gail Carriger</i></span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10808965-a-temptation-of-angels" target="_blank">A Temptation of Angels</a> <i>by Michelle Zink </i></li>
</ul>
<b style="text-align: left;">June: </b><i style="text-align: left;"> </i><br />
<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12716010-rapture" target="_blank">Rapture</a> (Fallen #4) <i>by Lauren Kate</i></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13060608-the-girl-in-the-clockwork-collar" target="_blank">The Girl in the Clockwork Collar </a>(The Steampunk Chronicles #2) <i>by Kady Cross</i></li>
</ul>
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What releases are you looking forward to? Drop me a line and share your thoughts with me!</div>
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~Have a good first day of 2012 :)</div>
</div>Mandy: Less is Bore!http://www.blogger.com/profile/17950434180437066803noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7121082680803741048.post-37085028396996027992011-12-31T07:26:00.000-08:002012-04-30T02:57:19.770-07:00In My Mailbox (5)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF7i9BX0gIIxT7HOdXwVzndDuAFYCWLkbbTdiq4pTTiMRJKC3ONTK-i9ZWEvQoTPH_LDxI4EbeK8qqgmmIl3nE8zZOPu8OLQRn76o7yQJL4y5BFqPRw4qc0Mn4yZ28Am_KuOSou_DtBgsT/s1600/IMM3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF7i9BX0gIIxT7HOdXwVzndDuAFYCWLkbbTdiq4pTTiMRJKC3ONTK-i9ZWEvQoTPH_LDxI4EbeK8qqgmmIl3nE8zZOPu8OLQRn76o7yQJL4y5BFqPRw4qc0Mn4yZ28Am_KuOSou_DtBgsT/s320/IMM3.jpg" width="213" /></a><br />
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<b><i><span style="color: #741b47;"><a href="http://www.thestorysiren.com/in-my-mailbox" target="_blank">'In My Mailbox'</a> </span></i></b></div>
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<i>is a weekly recurring meme hosted by </i><i><a href="http://www.thestorysiren.com/in-my-mailbox" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #4c1130;">The Story Siren</span></a>. </i></div>
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<i>Every Sunday, Kristi shares her mailbox contents </i></div>
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<i>and gives us bloggers the opportunity to leave a link </i></div>
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<i>sharing our own mail!</i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-size: large;">~</span></b></i></div>
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Hey there,<br />
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During these last few hours of 2011 the mailman rung my doorbell with a gift, AND I scored a hardcover version of '<b><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7937462-the-short-second-life-of-bree-tanner" target="_blank">The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner</a></b>' (a '<b><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41865.Twilight" target="_blank">Twilight</a></b>' novel) (in Dutch) in a budget-store near us for only €0.99!!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOg0hc8jqxqXlxLE4WDVIVyxZvu43vrf8QpZZeJGnG8qqdpYSEmNATYmsoq2ZO-ud7i3NHPgmoiYCTmEpm7iPW4a2UR0UJPHIcjnFZOv6LSZiwHyARk6eS_fKm56pBqiNg-yzu3Z_n-BTU/s1600/paradox+bree+tanner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOg0hc8jqxqXlxLE4WDVIVyxZvu43vrf8QpZZeJGnG8qqdpYSEmNATYmsoq2ZO-ud7i3NHPgmoiYCTmEpm7iPW4a2UR0UJPHIcjnFZOv6LSZiwHyARk6eS_fKm56pBqiNg-yzu3Z_n-BTU/s320/paradox+bree+tanner.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhliBnTV162gVCmLlNQWfRzJ_lE59C5Eo6fGom9gM2sJSnrQh1SqaI8cXotz8u-s0LnR-evWdv5GfxU6_IcPyfNGbd9sca49Jh5ozZ6O1D0pwf3kRt99OzaeIGC391SIJOURRlb2nztwtmI/s1600/paradox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhliBnTV162gVCmLlNQWfRzJ_lE59C5Eo6fGom9gM2sJSnrQh1SqaI8cXotz8u-s0LnR-evWdv5GfxU6_IcPyfNGbd9sca49Jh5ozZ6O1D0pwf3kRt99OzaeIGC391SIJOURRlb2nztwtmI/s400/paradox.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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When she read about my offer to review YA novels, Patti Roberts asked me to review her book '<b><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13130459-paradox-special-edition" target="_blank">Paradox</a></b>' -in exchange for a free paperback version (of her first <i>and </i>second book!).<br />
Which means '<b><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10701114-paradox" target="_blank">The Angels Are Here</a></b>' & <b>'<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13094453-paradox" target="_blank">Progeny of Innocence</a>' </b>are on my To-Be-Read-Soon list, right along with the other books I would've hoped to have tackled during my Holidays, but will now be the first ones I read in 2011.<br />
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What books are you planning to read in 2012? Drop me a line, leave me a comment!<br />
Have yourself a wonderful and safe New Year's Eve & see you around Next Year!<br />
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<br />Mandy: Less is Bore!http://www.blogger.com/profile/17950434180437066803noreply@blogger.com0