Review: Eve of Destruction by SJ Day

Published: June 2009 by Tor

Number of Pages: 414

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Stand Alone/Series: Marked Book 2
Book 1: Eve of Darkness

Why This Book: I read book one and it left off with a cliffhanger so I had to read book 2.

From the Author Site: When you're learning to hunt demons, homework can be hell...

Class is in, but Evangeline Hollis is far from being the star pupil. She's struggling to get through the required training to be a full-fledged Mark -- one of thousands of sinners forced to hunt demons for God. When her class goes on a week-long field trip to an abandoned military base, passing the course suddenly isn't just a matter of pride... it's a matter of life and death. There's a demon hidden among them, killing off Eve's classmates one by one.

As the body count rises, a ragtag team of ghost hunters from a cable TV program unwittingly stumbles into the carnage. Now keeping the Mark system secret competes with the need to keep the "paranormal researchers" alive. With Cain on assignment and Abel investigating a new, terrifying class of demon, Eve must fly solo on her hunt to stop a killer before he strikes again. Excerpt here.

Heroine: Evangeline Hollis was "recruited" to be one of God's bounty hunters aka Marks and now has to attend her required training courses. Although she is a new Mark she has already has been on a hunt and has done some demon-ass kicking due to her having Cain as a mentor. Since Cain is God's number 1 Mark, all the other newbies are very jealous of her. Not to mention that her handler is Abel which also does not get her points with her classmates. Also going against her is being Archangel Raguel's teacher's pet (not her choice) and getting to keep her family ties. Therefore she's in the spotlight for many reasons and to many people which is mostly not good.

Other Notables:
Alex Cain aka Cain of Infamy: Eve's mentor and current boyfriend. Cain has the ambition of wanting to head his own firm of Marks and is pretty much willing to do anything to attain this goal except give up Eve. In addition to being Eve's mentor he is still "on-call" for the special hunts assigned to him by God himself.

Reed Abel: Eve's handler and want-to-be boyfriend. Abel also want to head his own firm and is also willing to anything to attain this goal even perhaps giving up Eve. Since he doesn't actually have her yet makes giving her up less painful. But as he spends time with her, the more he wants her. First he has to figure out how to get Cain out of the picture.

Review: The story picks up right where book 1 end. That being with a very toasty Eve. And Eve is still a tasty treat to be fought over in the oldest case of sibling rivalry, Cain vs. Abel. Cain has moved in to the empty condo next door but is spending most of his time at Eve's. Meanwhile, Abel is checking in on Eve at a regular basis. Both are leaving laundry and dirty dishes in her condo (isn't it just like a guy).

Eve's training as a Mark has begun in earnest with Archangel Raguel teaching the class just as Raguel intended. Eve is the most despised person in her class. Not only does she have Cain as a mentor (most think she has slept her way into this situation, which she did but not in the way her classmates think), she has Abel as her handler when all the other have not yet been assigned to a handler and on top of all that Raguel has made her his star pupil. Talk about a rough start.

The story is both fast paced and full of action and keeps you flipping those pages just so you can see what happens next. About half-way through the book there is a great plot twist which changes the Eve-Cain-Abel triangle in so many different ways that adds an extra layer depth and complication to their relationship. Ms. Day has certainly spiced up the age old tale of Cain and Abel to make it red hot and has added many more spices to keeps us all drooling and begging for more.

What I liked best: Eve's nicknames for her fellow classmates. But my absolute favorite is the demon Giselle's reaction to a certain incident with Cain. Since I am trying very hard not to give a spoiler, I'll end with that.

What I least liked: There isn't one thing in specific that I didn't like but the general feeling that God is stacking the deck against Eve in many different ways. As it is mentioned several times that there are no coincidences so it really does seem like someone wants to give Eve very hard time and its not all coming from the dark side.

Keeper?: Yes

Recommendation: This is book 2 in a the series and they should be read in order. Book 1 describes how Eve got into her current situation. Book 2 picks up exactly where Book 1 left off. They really could have been one really long book.

Grade: A-
Series Grade to Date: A-

Fourth of July

Everyone in the US was so happy to have me come to the country they celebrate it every year with fireworks, parades and special picnics (never mind that whole independence day thing). Golly! *blush*

You know as a thank you I think everyone should take a day off work with pay (thankfully I have a lot of support from businesses)!!! *g*

Happy Fourth everyone! Go forth and gorge on all that lovely barbeque, watermelon and ice cream! Then sit back and watch those lovely fireworks.



Eeerrrr.... Note to self. Really must start Broken Wing *looks around nervously* Have less than 26 days to finish.

Book & Movie Review: The Princess Bride

Author: William Goldman

Published: 1973

Number of Pages: 283

Genre: Fairytale

Movie Rating: PG

Movie Released: 1987

Stand Alone/Series: Stand Alone

Why This Book/Movie: It's a classic! It says so on the book cover! ^_^ "Hot Fairy-Tale Classic" to be exact.

Book Blurb: What happens when the most beautiful girl in the world marries the handsomest prince in the world and he turns out to be a son of a bitch? (How can you NOT read a book with a blurb like that!?)

Hero: Westley. He's dashing, heroic and great at everything. What more do we want in a hero?

Heroine: Buttercup. As a heroine she really is too stupid to live and really there's not much to say about her other than she's the most beautiful girl in the world at the time our story opens. But its a fairytale and we have to have the beautiful princess in for this story to work. She's basically the window dressing to the for the story.

Review: A great read. The book is written as if it were an adaptation or abridgment of a much older (and more boring) fairy-tale/history written by one Simon Morgenstern. It has many funny asides by the author/editor of the story about the boring parts that are left out as well as some parts that his publisher thought were not relevant or thing that could cause trouble with the historians of the original book. I love his reminiscences of when his father read him this book.

Its a story of true love and revenge. On the true love side we have Buttercup and Westley as lovers torn apart by fate and now find a way to be together. On the revenge side we have Inigo Montoya's search of the six fingered man who killed his father so that he can have his vengeance. It has kidnappings, pirates, death duels, and miracles. Everything you could possibly want in a fairytale.

What I liked best: There are so many good parts it's really quite hard to choose. But I think I would have to go with Fezzik, the kind-hearted giant and his love of rhyming. He's strong enough to kill a man with a single blow bare handed but he would much rather spend his life in peace making rhymes. And really Prince Humperdinck! What a name!

What I least liked: The part where the man in black slaps Buttercup. Thankfully that didn't make it into the movie.

Keeper?: Yes

Movie Trailer: Here

Review: The movie a perfect adaptation of the book. But that is to be expected as William Goldman is also a screen writer. Much of the dialog is verbatim and even the breaks in the book where the author reminiscences about when his father read the book to him made it into the movie.

The movie is perfectly cast. Mandy Patinkin as Inigo Montoya and Andre the Giant as Fezzik are great. But Cary Elwes as Westley is perfect. His dry wit and wonderful comedic timing is great fun. And he's resemblance to the dashing Errol Flynn doesn't hurt either.

The movie is fast pace and keeps you entertained right up to the end. Its wonderfully funny and heart warming. Its the perfect pick-me-up whenever you are down for whatever the reason.

What I liked best: All whole chase between the kidnappers (Inigo, Fezzik and Vizzini) and the Man in Black. Though in particular I love the sword fight at the top of the Cliffs of Insanity (that name alone has me in giggles) and Inigo's impatience to get the fight started. And the Wedding is too funny to miss!

What I least liked: Oh there is nothing about the movie I don't like. The casting and the chemistry of the cast is perfect.

Recommendation: Everyone should see the movie! The book is great but movie is absolutely perfect!

Book Rating: A
Movie Rating: A+++++ It's the best movie ever!

Kate and Curran Dinner?

I was just pointed to a new excerpt from Ilona Andrews!

******************** KATE DANIELS SPOILER ********************

It's the promised "naked" dinner Kate has to cook for Curran! Enjoy here!

Where Was I????

I've been a very bad blogger. *sigh*

Been spending my time looking for work and trying to keep calm about the finances so I've been doing a lot of reading (the best escape there is!) and trying very hard not to be depressed about the whole jobless and no money thing. I figure it can only go up from here.

Anyone have any great ideas about finding work? At this point I need to get some influx of cash so am pretty much willing to do anything (well... probably not asking "doing you want fries with that?")

Still on non-voluntary vacation and now going on to month number 6! Ugh! But on the bright side, I have two phone interviews tomorrow. So let's keep those fingers crossed (and eyes and toes and whatevers). I'm hoping to then be able to move on to the next step... the face-to-face interview and have employment by the end of July! Wish me tons of luck.

Anyone have any ideas on how to increase luck? I've fung shei'ed my home, and my friend gave me a good luck candle to burn and some lucky money to place in my wealth corner. I think the more the merrier (and likely to work better)!

Movie Review: Up

Movie: Up

Genre: Animated Fantasy

Rating: PG

Movie Blurb: Carl Fredricksen, a 78 year-old curmudgeonly balloon salesman, in not your average hero. When he ties thousands of balloons to his house and flies away to the wilds of South America, he finally fulfills his life long dream of adventure. But after discovering an 8-year-old stowaway named Russell, this unlikely duo soon find themselves on a hilarious journey in a lost world filled with danger and surprises. See trailer here.

Why This Movie: I love Pixar movies. They are just so much fun. Really brings out my inner child.

Review: I don't know how those Pixar folks do it but this is definitely another outstanding movie. And the storyline is once again very unique. It tells the story and adventure of one Carl Fredricksen. From childhood Carl has wanted to go to Paradise Falls in South America to follow the dream of his beloved Ellie and in the footsteps of their childhood hero, the famed explorer Charles Muntz. As he starts his adenture Carl finds a stowaway, Russell, a young Wilderness Explorer trying to earn his "Assisting the Elderly" badge, the only one he needs in order to become a Senior Explorer.

This is also a movie about growth and moving forward in life. Carl has lost his beloved Ellie and he sets out to fulfill their lifelong dream as a final tribute to her. And this had become his goal in life. But as he spends time with Russell, he finds others reasons to live and how to make new advertures in his golden years. As for Russell, he wants to become a Senior Explorer so that his dad will spend time with him. We see his sadness and determination to make this happen. But in the end he finds a new friend and father figure in Carl.

The story is lively with lots of laughs as Carl and Russell, and later Dug, struggle to fulfill their dreams. The action is fast paced and the animation was perfect. The wonderfully drawn characters to the extraordinary adventure, it has everything that we have come to expect from Pixar. And as always we get to see a bit of local Bay Area color that Pixar loves to but in their films. In this case it is Fenton's, a local ice cream palor which serves the best sundaes in the area. Come visit and we'll go to Fenton's for a sundae! *g*

What I liked best: Dug the dog. LOL! Those Pixar folks definitely had a dog's personality down pat. The enthusiasm, the fascination with rodents, the thrill of the chase, and the loyalty and love of one's master. Dug was perfect and very, very funny.

What I least liked: There wasn't anything I didn't like about the film. It was lots of wonderful fun from the beginning to the end.

Rating: A

Book & Movie Review: Stardust

Title: Stardust

Author: Neil Gaiman

Book Published: 1999

Number of Pages: 333

Genre: Fantasy

Stand Alone/Series: Stand Alone

Movie Rating: PG-13

Movie Released: August 2007

Why This Book/Movie: I went and saw the movie and really enjoyed it. Later discovered it was also a book so naturally I had to read it.

From the Author Site: In the tranquil fields and meadows of long-ago England, there is a small hamlet that has stood on a jut of granite for 600 years. Just to the east stands a high stone wall, for which the village is named. Here, in the hamlet of Wall, young Tristran Thorn has lost his heart to the hauntingly beautiful Victoria Forester. And here, one crisp October eve, Tristran makes his love a promise -- an impetuous vow that will send him through the only breach in the wall, across the pasture... and into the most exhilarating adventure of his life.

Hero: Tristran Thorn grew up in the village of Wall in England thinking he was a ordinary resident of Wall but that was not true. Once every nine years a festival and market is held on the other side of the wall and it is the only time people from our side of the wall are on the other side of the wall. During one such festival, Tristran's father met and spent time with a woman and Tristran was delivered to his father nine months later. Tristran never knew he was different until he crossed the wall to bring back a fallen star to win the hand of fair Victoria, the village's reigning beauty. During his journey, he discover sides to himself that he never knew he had and also of his other heritage, that which came from his birth mother.

Review: I enjoyed this fanciful tale of young love, adventure and self discovery. Tristran starts out as a fairly average village boy, loving the fair Victoria and wanting to make her his own. He doesn't really know her very well but since she's the "best" girl in town, he naturally sees her as a bit of a status symbol. One that would proclaim that he was truly a man. But during his travels to fetch the fallen star, he learns to be a man and finds that maybe settling down with a "good" woman wasn't everything in life.

His journey is one of self discovery as well as a physical journey. Tristran begins his quest as a naive young man who sees a quick way to obtain his desires and disregarding the feelings and desires of others. He only sees the what he wants and needs and not what others may want and need. But as he journeys with Yvaine, the fallen star, he begins to see that not everything is about him and his needs.

The secondary plot revolves around Yvaine and the jewel that knocked her from the sky. The jewel is important since it will determine the next king of Stormhold. All the remaining princes of Stormhold are after this prize as well as plotting the death of all his brothers and the competition. Yvaine, herself, is pursued and her life is in danger since the heart of a star will grant youth. This is well woven into the first storyline and adds some great characters as well as nice depth to a wonder crafted tale.

This fairytale-style story was fast paced with a delightfully whimsical air. Full of fantastical creatures: witches, unicorns, giants, flying ships and princes on a quest. It has many elements that make for a great fairytale. The hero has a unknown and mysterious background and goes on a quest to win the hand of a fair maiden. He must over come many obstacles, a perilous journey, overcome his evil foes and triumphantly return with his prize. And there is also the story of a throne to be won and an evil witch to be defeated.

All the elements of a great fairytale are there but it seemed to fall a little short. The happily ever after wasn't what I was hoping for. Maybe it was because I saw the movie first, which had a lovely happily ever after where everyone has a happy ending, so I was hoping for a wonderful big fairytale ending only to be disappointed by a rather different ending. And there were storylines introduced that didn't seem to go anywhere like that of the fellowship of the castle in which the captain of the flying ship and the strange little man are members.

What I liked best: The names of the princes of Stormhold. They are just a hoot. Primus, Secundus, Tertius, Quartus, Quintus, Sextus and Septimus. Its so much more fun and interesting than naming all one's children alphabetically or beginning their names with the same letter. Loved the whole naming by birth order, it's simple and elegant as well as amusing.

What I least liked: The strange little man. I am not quite sure what he is supposed to be and how he figures into the story other than as a prop to help Tristan in his journey. He's a mostly uninteresting character but keeps popping up throughout the story. A bit of a nuisance in my very humble opinion.

Keeper?: Yes

Movie Trailer: Here

Review: The book translated well into a movie. Naturally some changes were made but overall I would say that it was a wonderful adeptation. The changes that were made, made for a better movie with a more dramatic ending with a big confrontation between all the characters involved in the story. All the main characters were there, minus the annoying little man (a good thing in my opinion), and very well cast. Robert De Niro made a wonderful captain of the flying ship that rescues Tristran and Yvaine from sky. Michelle Pfeiffer as Lamia was delightfully wicked and fun to hate. Claire Danes as Yvaine, the fallen star, was perfect. Her distain for Tristran and his quest was on the spot.

The basic story of Tristran and his reason to crossing the wall are the same as well as that of the princes of Stormhold and the pursuit of Yvaine by the witches. Tristran's change and growth are highlited more visually, as expected. His physical transformation, helped by the wonderful Captain Shakespeare, highlites his more internal transformation and growth from awkward little shop boy to hero extraordinaire.

What I liked best: Captain Shakespeare played by Robert De Niro. He was a wonderful character, more lively and entertaining than his counter part in the book, Captain Alberic. In the book, he is simply a captain of a flying merchant ship. In the movie, he is a lightening trader with a fearsome reputation that he doesn't quite live up to in person. Only his stalwart crew, led by Dexter Fletcher, keeps his reputation in place.

What I least liked: There wasn't much that I didn't like about the movie. It was entertaining and light-hearted fun where all the characters were well cast and delightfully portrayed.

Recommendation: It is rare that I would pick a movie over a book but in this case the movie was so wonderfully fun and characters were portrayed so well that the movie out shines the book. Maybe it was because I saw the movie before I read the book or that I like the completely happily ever after. But whatever the reason, I truly enjoyed the movie more than the book. Hard to believe but there you have it.

Book Grade: B
Movie Rating: A