Waiting on Wednesday (17)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine. The purpose of the event is to spotlight the upcoming releases that readers are most looking forward to.
This week, I've chosen...

Epic Fail by Claire LaZebnik
 
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: August 2nd, 2011 (Paperback)
 

Will Elise’s love life be an epic win or an epic fail?

At Coral Tree Prep in Los Angeles, who your parents are can make or break you. Case in point:


As the son of Hollywood royalty, Derek Edwards is pretty much prince of the school—not that he deigns to acknowledge many of his loyal subjects.


As the daughter of the new principal, Elise Benton isn’t exactly on everyone’s must-sit-next-to-at-lunch list.


When Elise’s beautiful sister catches the eye of the prince’s best friend, Elise gets to spend a lot of time with Derek, making her the envy of every girl on campus. Except she refuses to fall for any of his rare smiles and instead warms up to his enemy, the surprisingly charming social outcast Webster Grant. But in this hilarious tale of fitting in and flirting, not all snubs are undeserved, not all celebrity brats are bratty, and pride and prejudice can get in the way of true love for only so long.

This sounds awesome! I could definitely use a good summer romance right now (or you know, anytime of the year). The early reviews I'm looking at on Goodreads right now are incredibly positive as a whole (except for this one person who gave it 1 star because it "sounds bad." Why do people do that?). Um, anyways. Sounds good!

Supernaturally by Kiersten White

Supernaturally by Kiersten White

Source: Won through author's blog
Publisher: HarperTeen
Format: ARC
Pages: No clue on the ARC - 352 on HC

Evie finally has the normal life she’s always longed for. But she’s shocked to discover that being ordinary can be . . . kind of boring. Just when Evie starts to long for her days at the International Paranormal Containment Agency, she’s given a chance to work for them again. Desperate for a break from all the normalcy, she agrees.

But as one disastrous mission leads to another, Evie starts to wonder if she made the right choice. And when Evie’s faerie ex-boyfriend Reth appears with devastating revelations about her past, she discovers that there’s a battle brewing between the faerie courts that could throw the whole supernatural world into chaos. The prize in question? Evie herself.

So much for normal.

You might remember that I reviewed Paranormalcy a few months ago and thought it was an amazingly cute and entertaining read. Luckily, I enjoyed Supernaturally just as much despite the fact that the two novels are different in lots of ways.

If Paranormalcy is about Evie questioning everything she has come to know and learning to deal with some new problems that arise, Supernaturally focuses a lot more on Evie growing as a character and discovering who/what she is.

Right from page one, Kiersten White had me laughing out loud. Evie remains a funny and realistic teenager (with a slight flair for overdramatics) even as she does some things that made me think "UH-OH, girl." Although she is no longer a full-time employee at IPCA, she has agreed to do some contractual work that she has to balance along with her personal life (can't forget that lovely boyfriend of hers) and school, which Evie quickly realizes is a little less glamorous than it seems on TV (although the lockers are still awesome). There are nasty paranormal creatures that I'd never even heard about before but there is also gym class and college applications. Do you know how happy it makes me that Evie still has to worry about stuff like homework?! SO HAPPY.

Another thing that I enjoyed about this novel was learning more about some other characters. For example, I really did like Lend in the first novel, and the way he and Evie came together was adorable, but I felt a lot closer to him in this book. He was just what Evie needed: sweet, supportive and comforting. I also really liked Reth in this book which is reasonably bizarre to me but also kind of satisfying because I was right and I did see more to his character. There's also this new guy, Jack - think endearing ball of crazy and you'll get the right idea.

Kiersten White writes these great characters into a fantastically set-up world with unexpected plot points, twists and arcs. A bleeping awesome sequel!

(Also: Even if you have really, really bad taste and you don't want to read this book, do it for the acknowledgements section. Seriously.)

Cover Comments: Absolutely gorgeous. The colours are stunning and so is Evie - that is exactly how I pictured her eyes to be! Also, I want that dress in my closet. Preferrably now.

13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson

13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson

Source: Library
Publisher: HarperTeen
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 336

When Ginny receives thirteen little blue envelopes and instructions to buy a plane ticket to London, she knows something exciting is going to happen. What Ginny doesn't know is that she will have the adventure of her life and it will change her in more ways than one. Life and love are waiting for her across the Atlantic, and the thirteen little blue envelopes are the key to finding them in this funny, romantic, heartbreaking novel.

Reading this novel was a little like embarking on an epic journey across the world. It was fun, it was exciting, and it definitely won't be the last book (although it was the first) that I read by Maureen Johnson.
Ginny's character is someone that I think most people will be able to relate to. She's brave, even if she doesn't seem to think so (who hops on a plane at the whim of a dead person? Not me) but also has a more vulnerable, insecure side. There were times while I was reading where I wished that she would have let out her more adventurous side but for the most part, Maureen Johnson kept me entertained enough with the situations she put Ginny in.
Each envelope that Ginny opens (along the way, I might add) gives her a new task and generally involves her moving to a new place. Each destination of hers is so exotic and the things she experiences in each place are unforgettable. My family actually travels a lot but in no way did that take away the enjoyment of seeing Ginny roam the streets of a new country for the first time.

There was a little romance in this book, but the overall feeling I got was more one of self-discovery and adventure. That being said, 'the guy' of this story was awesome. I don't know how many people here know this but I'm a drama kid - inside and outside of class. How could I not love a guy who wrote and starred in a play called Starbucks: The Musical? Like I said though, the romantic aspect of the novel is definitely done on a smaller scale - no insta-love here, just budding attraction.

The ending of this novel was very fitting for me and I'm not really sure how I feel about a sequel existing. I thought this one left off on a good place and I have to admit that I'm not crazy about uncovering some of the mystery left behind in this one. Nonetheless though, I'll give it a shot and see where the story takes me. Great read!

Cover Comments: Find a bigger shirt, Ginny.

Reminder: Voting Open!

Hey, everyone! This is just a post to remind you that voting has opened for YA Bachelor month. You can head over to Amber's blog, Down the Rabbit Hole, here to vote in a number of different categories.

Oh, and if um, you wanted to vote for Ky from Matched (I hosted him) you are totally welcome to do so ;) You will have my undying gratitude! Of course, I'm happy if you vote for anyone :) Clearly though, I'm not above begging for you to vote for Ky.

KY! KY! KY! KY! KY! KY! KY! KY! KY! KY! Ahem. Okay, done now. 

In My Mailbox (4)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi over at The Story Siren which gives bloggers a chance to share the books, swag, etc. that they've received each week.

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And once again, my IMM is covering a few weeks' worth of books. It is LONG so I'll completely understand if you just look at the pretty pictures.

First up we have the library books:

Not pictured: What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen (read it, loved it)
The Mockingbirds by Daisy Whitney (excited to start!)
Chasing Brooklyn by Lisa Schroeder (recommended by Brodie so I'm hopeful that it will be good!)

I've already read The Demon's Surrender and The Lonely Hearts Club from this bunch and I really liked both. My reviews should be up... soon? Maybe.

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Next up are the newest additions to my library (and one to my closet):

Wow, that is a bad quality picture. Sorry for all the cut-off books.

The only one from this bunch that I have not yet read is Everlasting. I have definitely started this series and I'm pretty sure I read the third (Shadowland) and the books that come before it. I might just start the series over again since it has been a while.. I don't know. Undecided right now. Thanks so much to Tristan from Reads With Wreckless Abandon for this!

Of course, I've already read Anna but Ashley from Book Labyrinth was kind enough to send it to me as a RAK. Thank you, Ashley!!

I bought Red Glove (which I've already read) from Costco yesterday for just over $10. I was going to wait for the paperback so that it would match my copy of White Cat but I only prefer that one because you can see Cassel's face LOL.

Spirit Bound is actually the only book I didn't own from the Vampire Academy series (don't ask - longlonglong story) but amazingly, I won it from Erika at Moonlight Book Reviews so now I have the complete collection!

Do you see Supernaturally there? YES. YOU DO. I won it a fairly long time ago from Kiersten White's blog (which is amazing and brings up my happiness levels frequently) and it finally got to me! I read it as soon as I opened the package, of course, and I loved it. It's different from Paranormalcy but I don't like it any less. Kiersten also signed and personalized the book... which kind of made my week.

FINALLY WE HAVE COME TO THE MOST IMPORANT THING: my t-shirt. Haha, I thought it was cool. I am totally going to wear that when I see Breaking Dawn (if I see BD) (I probably will).

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There's no picture for this section (OH NO) but it's for the eBooks I've received.

A Beautiful Dark by Jocelyn Davies - Thank you, Harper and Net Galley! I can't wait to dive into this book. The cover is gorgeous and this review from Starry Sky Books is kind of awesome.

The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa - HARLEQUIN TEEN/NET GALLEY, I LOVE YOU. MARRY ME? My poor sister's ears may never recover from the squealing I did when I was accepted for this galley. I read it and I loved it - my review will be up closer to the release date :)

The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson - Thanks again to Harper and Net Galley! This book looks fantastic. I tend to really like fantasty and this one is blurbed by Tamora Pierce - WIN.

Drink, Slay, Love by Sarah Beth Durst - This one is courtesy of S&S Galley Grab. Hahahaha. Just reading the summary makes me laugh. Ha. Hahaha. (It's um, early morning? Closer to noon, actually but... whatever).

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FINALLY. FINALLY we have the biggest amount of swag in the universe (okay, slight exaggeration).

Why yes, I did spend ten minutes arranging bookmarks and the like for this picture. Thank you for noticing!

Confession: I LOVE SWAG. I'm a greedy swag monster. Hide your bookmarks (and your buttons ohmygosh I love buttons).

Most of this lovely swag is from a giveaway I won over at the blog of Emily who runs Red House Books. THANK YOU!

Also, big thanks go to Victoria Schwab, Daisy Whitney, Imaginary Reads and Beth Revis.

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That's it. I'm done. Leave a comment if you want me to see your IMM or just stop by your blog at all :)

Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton

Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton
Source: Library
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books (HarperCollins)
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 453

This debut, the first novel in a trilogy, is achingly romantic, terrifying, and filled with blistering action.

When seventeen-year-old Ellie starts seeing reapers - monstrous creatures who devour humans and send their souls to Hell - she finds herself on the front lines of a supernatural war between archangels and the Fallen and faced with the possible destruction of her soul.
A mysterious boy named Will reveals she is the reincarnation of an ancient warrior, the only one capable of wielding swords of angelfire to fight the reapers, and he is an immortal sworn to protect her in battle. Now that Ellie's powers have been awakened, a powerful reaper called Bastian has come forward to challenge her. He has employed a fierce assassin to eliminate her - an assassin who has already killed her once.
While balancing her dwindling social life and reaper-hunting duties, she and Will discover Bastian is searching for a dormant creature believed to be a true soul reaper. Bastian plans to use this weapon to ignite the End of Days and to destroy Ellie's soul, ending her rebirth cycle forever. Now, she must face an army of Bastian's most frightening reapers, prevent the soul reaper from consuming her soul, and uncover the secrets of her past lives - including truths that may be too frightening to remember.

Slight SPOILERS in this review. Nothing major, but now at least you have some warning.

I had very high expectations going into Angelfire but unfortunately, the book didn't match most of those.

The main thing about Angelfire that didn't work for me was the main character, Ellie. I just couldn't connect with her at all. I mean, I can appreciate that her life has been thrown upside down and that she is clinging to the threads of normalcy that she has left - I get that. What I don't understand, and maybe it's just me, is that after multiple near-death experiences, Ellie doesn't really seem bothered by the situation enough to want to learn how to protect herself from the creatures out to kill her. Instead, she's perfectly content to just hang out with her friends as if it's no big deal when it is a big deal.

Also, the relationship between Ellie and Will kind of fell flat for me. It was sweet at first how commited to Ellie's safety Will is and it's well described in the book why that is. After a while though, it got a little redundant when I started to feel that all Will had to contribute was repeatedly stating that he would protect Ellie. I wanted more depth to his character, and supporting characters as well, for that matter.

That being said, there were some aspects of the novel that I did enjoy. There were a lot of great fight scenes with amazing details that were very exciting and the mythology was new and interesting. I loved the concept of the reapers and seeing them in action was probably my favourite part of the novel.

All in all, I was disappointed by Angelfire despite some more redeeming qualities. I'll give the sequel a chance and hopefully that will do more to impress me.

Cover Comments: Okay, don't think I'm crazy... but does that model not look like Taylor Swift with red hair from where you're sitting? IS IT JUST ME?? I really like the cover though. It looks eerie and mysterious and I love the contrast with the pink title.

Summer's Crossing by Julie Kagawa

Summer's Crossing by Julie Kagawa

Source: eBook download (free)
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Format: eBook
Pages: 72

A Midsummer's Nightmare? Robin Goodfellow. Puck. Summer Court prankster, King Oberon's right hand, bane of many a faery queen's existence—and secret friend to Prince Ash of the Winter Court. Until one girl's death came between them, and another girl stole both their hearts.

Now Ash has granted one favor too many and someone's come to collect, forcing the prince to a place he cannot go without Puck's help—into the heart of the Summer Court. And Puck faces the ultimate choice—betray Ash and possibly win the girl they both love, or help his former friend turned bitter enemy pull off a deception that no true faery prankster could possibly resist.

An ebook exclusive novella from Julie Kagawa's Iron Fey series.

Summer's Crossing is an excellent edition to the Iron Fey series with a return of some well-loved characters and the humour and adventure that made the novels what they are.

I thought it was wonderful getting inside Puck's head - we get a closer look at that playful, mischievous faery we (or at least I) all know and love but also start to see that there is more than originally meets the eye. I don't want to include any spoilers, so all I'm going to say is that I like Puck even more after reading Summer's Crossing and continue to think of him as an amazing friend.

While the novella is obviously focused more on Puck than Ash, the well-loved Winter prince is still present and lovely as always.

The adventure (a mini quest-esque adventure) was fun and exciting. It's a little less serious than some of the other journeys in the Iron Fey series but I think that's only to be expected when considering who is narrating the events. I will say that there were some surprises along the way for me and that my slight doubts were happily dismissed in the end.

Speaking as someone who recently finished reading The Iron Knight (!!!) I think that this novella does a nice job of setting up future events. A wonderful add-on to a marvellous series. 

Cover Comments: As with all others in the Iron Fey series, I love this cover. The green is perfect for Puck - a member of the Summer Court and all the detailing is just gorgeous. I wish I could see it irl!

Waiting on Wednesday (16)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine. The purpose of the event is to spotlight the upcoming releases that readers are most looking forward to.

This week, I've chosen...

Ripple by Mandy Hubbard

Publisher: Razorbill (Penguin)
Release Date: July 21, 2011

Lexi is cursed with a dark secret. Each day she goes to school like a normal teenager, and each night she must swim, or the pain will be unbearable. She is a siren - a deadly mermaid destined to lure men to their watery deaths. After a terrible tragedy, Lexi shut herself off from the world, vowing to protect the ones she loves. But she soon finds herself caught between a new boy at school who may have the power to melt her icy exterior, and a handsome water spirit who says he can break Lexi's curse if she gives up everything else. Lexi is faced with the hardest decision she's ever had to make: the life she's always longed for - or the love she can't live without?

This sounds so amazing. I love water creatures and as much as some annoy me, I always enjoy a good love triangle too. Lexi will probably go either way for me - I'll see some strength and resilience I like or she'll be more on the whiny, indecisive side. She seems like she's had a tough time though, so I'll probably be more sympathetic. ANYWAYS. Yes. Sounds good. Excited to read.

The Vespertine by Saundra Mitchell

The Vespertine by Saundra Mitchell

Source: Library
Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 293

It’s the summer of 1889, and Amelia van den Broek is new to Baltimore and eager to take in all the pleasures the city has to offer. But her gaiety is interrupted by disturbing, dreamlike visions she has only at sunset—visions that offer glimpses of the future. Soon, friends and strangers alike call on Amelia to hear her prophecies. However, a forbidden romance with Nathaniel, an artist, threatens the new life Amelia is building in Baltimore. This enigmatic young man is keeping secrets of his own—still, Amelia finds herself irrepressibly drawn to him.

When one of her darkest visions comes to pass, Amelia’s world is thrown into chaos. And those around her begin to wonder if she’s not the seer of dark portents, but the cause.

I really should read more historical fiction. I rarely pick it up but I find that when I do, I enjoy it. The Vespertine was no exception.

The Vespertine drew me in from the first page with its beautiful prose and the lyrical dialogue that comes with a novel set in older times. The descriptions are lush and I felt like I had been transported back in time as I continued reading.

Saundra Mitchell blended paranormal elements in with more classic historical sections with ease. The prologue especially gave the novel an air of mystery and I was on tenterhooks trying to pinpoint the moment it would all start to go downhill.

The characters held my interest as well and really rang true to the time period. I liked the tight-knit relationship between Amelia and Zora who seemed more like sisters than cousins and the male love interests were pretty swoon-worthy themselves. We have Nathaniel, the more rebellious artist that Amelia enters a forbidden romance with and Thomas, the classic gentleman that Zora snags. I liked the build-up of both relationships and where we could see emotions start to shift and deepen.

Overall, The Vespertine was a gorgeous novel with a perfect surprise ending.     

Cover Comments: Okay, so I know that everyone loved this cover. Personally, I think it's okay but a little predictable. You know - sad girl, pretty dress, earth tones. I like the gold lettering though. Also, isn't there another book coming out in 2012 with the same girl/dress in red? 

Harry Potter Week Wrap-up

Aaaand that's the end of Harry Potter Week. I hope you guys had as much as fun as I did! Thank you so much to everyone that's been reading, commenting and sharing their own stories throughout the week.

Most of all, thanks to my amazingly talented co-hosts. THESE GIRLS! I had no idea when I signed up for Harry Potter week (thank you, by the way, for inviting me!) that I would be part of crazy Twitter conversations that I'm sure everyone else was completely confused with (love making in canoes - say what?) and just pure hilarity in the form of posts, comments and e-mails. I wanted to individually do a bit on each of these amazing girls, because I really have had the best time with them.

Brodie: Brodie is the person I've known for the shortest amount of time out of this fabulous group of bloggers. I already knew that she wrote amazing, insightful posts (her reviews... LOVE) before I actually started talking to her but I wasn't aware that she was such an amazing person! From the first e-mail she sent me, Brodie has been helpful, funny and considerate even if she is also completely delusional (sorry, Brodie, Cricket is mine). Brodie has been available whenever I've needed her and her advice is always well thought-out and creative. I would kill for a slice of that brain and that Aussie accent because, really, how can you not love Aussie accents?! I'm positive that I will continue reading Brodie's reviews no matter what because of how detailed and engaging they are. If Brodie loved a book and writes a gushing review for it, I get so excited - it's crazy. I'll automatically put it on hold at the library, too, because I trust her taste in books.

 

 

Honey: Honey and I have the same last name. We're both from the same area. We're both astoundingly cool (oh wait.. that's just her). Honey is my favourite Canadian blogger <3 She's amazingly sweet, hilarious and smart. Plus, her reviews have a no-nonsense format that are so helpful for when I want to know what to read next. Honey can always make me smile and acts more like superwoman than a highschooler. Seriously, I'll be struggling to get posts done while I have nothing but blogging to do and Honey will be posting while working all night. WHEN DOES SHE SLEEP?! (Answer: She doesn't.) If you couldn't already tell from her blog title - Sniff Books, Not Drugs - Honey is also fun and creative. I think I smiled for like ten minutes after discovering what her blog was called. Honey, I love talking about ANNA, LOLA and fictional boys with you. Harry Potter Week wouldn't have been the same without you (ANY of you!).

 

 

Liz: I'm actually kind of surprised that Liz still talks to me. I mean, I was sure that I would have completely creeped her out by now because when I first discovered her blog, I went a little crazy. Seriously, I think I commented on like 15 posts and then obsessively stalked her blog every day after that. Her blog tagline is the coolest thing ever - "Planet Print: Where Books Grow on Trees." Um, can I live on Planet Print with you, Liz?! Liz is possibly the most friendly blogger I've ever met. I think she's found a way to clone herself or something. Every single time I go to comment on someone's post, she's already been there. Liz, how can I be more like you? *stares expectantly* (Do you see what I meant by that stalker thing? LOL). Liz is yet another person that is seemingly always available when I need her. We had so many fantastic conversations on Twitter (along with Brodie and Honey, of course) and I'm so glad that I stumbled on her blog when I did.

You guys are the best! I can't think of better people to host this week with. If you ever want to borrow Cricket for a day or something, let me know. I'm sure we can set something up. (Except Brodie - stay away from my man, you vixen.)

 

 

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Here is a master list of all the giveaways from this week:

 

 

Custom Wands - Brodie, Liz, Sonia (INT)

Hogwarts Acceptance Letter - Honey (INT)

Assorted Items Package - Sonia (US only)

Personalized Character Letter - Liz (US only)

 Harry Potter Should Have Died Book - Brodie (INT)

The Ultimate Harry Potter and Philosophy: Hogwarts for Muggles - Liz (INT) 

Harry Potter Pop-up Book - Sonia (INT)

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Sticker Book - Honey (INT)

Lego Keychains - Brodie (Harry), Liz (Dobby), Honey (Hagrid) (AUS only)

Hand-stamped Quote Cuff Bracelet - Sonia (INT)

 

 

Good luck to everyone! (Although, realistically speaking, doesn't me wishing everyone good luck kind of make it a moot point? Or maybe more giveaway prizes will materialize so that my good luck isn't void. Guess we'll just have to wait and see.)

 

 

Long live Harry Potter: The Boy Who Lived! 

HP Giveaway #4

Let's finish this how we started...

TOGETHER!! *bodies fly off roof* With a giveaway! *bodies remain in place*

The last thing that I have to offer up in this amazing week is a Harry Potter pop-up book. Here is a video that will give you a better understanding of what exactly it is:



Doesn't that sound awesome?! They sure did pick some amazing scenes to showcase. Thanks so much to Insight Editions for sponsoring this giveaway!

Guidelines:

• You must be at least 13 years old or have a parent's permission to enter.
• Giveaway is open internationally.
• The deadline to enter is Wednesday, July 20, 2011.
• Winner will be chosen via Random.org and notified by e-mail.
• If I do not receive a response within 1 week, I will draw another winner, and so on.
• Following/sharing are not required, nor will they earn you extra entries, but they are always appreciated! :)

To enter, just fill out this form.

Harry Potter Reflection/Memories

So, ah, the girls and I accidentally let a certain group of centaurs loose on Umbridge. They've taken her deep into the forest and we thought it would be... er, safest... if we left her there. The bright side is... NO MORE OF THAT WRETCHED TOAD-FACED MONSTER! We're done with Moldy Voldy too since you know, that MOVIE OF EPIC PROPORTIONS killed him off. Tadaaaa! Today I'm going to be sharing some more personal experiences regarding the Harry Potter series, so here goes.

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On Saturday when the final scene of Harry Potter had been acted out and the curtain had drawn (figuratively speaking, of course) I was hit with an understanding that was it. It was so final, so absolute and I was devastated because I wasn’t ready to let go of this world yet. There weren’t going to be any more adventures with Harry, Ron and Hermione. The villain had finally been defeated but instead of a sense of relief, all I felt was loss. Harry Potter has been such a huge part of my life for years and, to be honest, I doubt that it will ever leave. It has a special place reserved in my heart and even if the final movie has played, I will continue to read the books, cherish the characters and feel the magic until the very end.

When I first came across Harry Potter, I was already a reader. Granted, my brand of literature at the time consisted mainly of the Mary-Kate and Ashley books, but I still enjoyed reading. One day in class, we had a free reading period and I wandered over to the bookshelves. Sitting there on the shelf was a copy of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. I picked it up because it was the most pristine novel on the shelf appearance-wise (which isn’t saying much) and there appeared to be a flying car – cool!

I read it. I loved it. A few weeks later, I had flown to England and was staying with relatives. We went to the bookstore and I immediately grabbed copies of the first and third books to read while I was travelling with my grandparents in Switzerland. Since we were taking a tour bus from England to Switzerland, I had plenty of time to read my new books. So I did – again and again and again. I can’t even remember how many times I read those two little books but I did and each time was as good as the last.

I remember when the seventh book was due to come out. It was the first time I had preordered a book and on the day it released, I woke up early and stalked the entryway of my house, just waiting for someone to show up at the door with that package. I waited and I waited but nothing came. By that point, I was getting desperate even though in reality, I’d only been waiting minutes. My mom told me that when she had gone shopping that morning, she’d seen the book and considered getting it anyway just because she knew I wouldn’t want to wait (I guess she ended up thinking I could do with some patience? LOL). The book finally came when I was eating lunch which I promptly abandoned to read. It just so happens that on that day, my mom was leaving for a five-week trip in India. I was outraged because my dad told me to leave the book at home while we dropped my mom off at the airport. I don’t even think I gave her a proper good-bye because I was so preoccupied with thoughts of the novel waiting for me at home. (Since then, I’ve discovered I do in fact love my mom more than Harry Potter – just saying.)

There have been so many special moments related to Harry Potter in my life. In grade three, we played Quidditch on scooter boards, class versus class (we were Gryffindor) and it was so much fun even though I sucked. We totally would have won, too – our seeker had SKILLS – except this jerk decided to tell the teacher he wanted to play seeker for our final match (against Slytherin – no one had wanted to be Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff had dropped out) and we ended up losing the cup.

I’ve had dreams about the series and tried to convince everyone I know to read it. I’ve dragged my family off to every movie (even though my dad has fallen asleep in every single freaking one) and even got my mom and sister to read the series (they loved it – it’s wonderful to be right).

So, no – I won’t be forgetting about this series for a long time (read: ever). It will always be important to me and represent my childhood and that feeling of wonder, amazement and magic. I’ll dream of being sorted by a talking hat (into Hufflepuff) and wait for my acceptance letter to Hogwarts to be delivered by owl. I’ll read the books again and talk about them even if everything has already been said.

Goodbye, Harry Potter. Except… it’s not the end.

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Don't forget to check out the blogs of my amazing co-hosts:

Brodie at Eleusinian Mysteries

Honey at Sniff Books, Not Drugs

Liz at Planet Print

HP Giveaway #3

It's time for...

Another giveaway!

Up for grabs today is a fine wand fashioned by the incredibly talented people over at:

Wizard Wood Wands - makers of fine wands since 962 B.C.

Thanks to the wonderful generosity of the people over at Wizard Wood Wands, one of you will be walking away with your very own, customized wand. You can pick the wood, style, core and more. Just keep in mind - the wand chooses the wizard.

Here is a preview of what your wand could look like:


NOTE: Your wand may vary from the pictures above.



To enter, please read the following guidelines and then click on the form and fill it out completely. Thanks!

Guidelines:

• You must be at least 13 years old or have a parent's permission to enter.
• Giveaway is open internationally.
• The deadline to enter is Wednesday, July 20, 2011.
• Winner will be chosen via Random.org and notified by e-mail.
• If I do not receive a response within 1 week, I will draw another winner, and so on.
• Following/sharing are not required, nor will they earn you extra entries, but they are always appreciated! :)

Fill out this form to enter.

Muggles: Neither we, nor Wizard Wood Wands, will be held liable if your wand does not perform real magic. Besides, it's illegal for muggles to own a wand anyway!

Be sure to check out Brodie at Eleusinian Mysteries and Liz at Planet Print who are also hosting giveaways for wands.

You should also check out Honey at Sniff Books, Not Drugs because she's awesome ;)

Magic is Might: The True Nature of Muggles

The Dangers Muggles Pose to Society

By Albert Runcorn

It is no secret in the Wizarding World that Muggles threaten our very existence by doing nothing more than being their vicious, disgusting selves. First, though, let us discuss what a 'Muggle' is.

A Muggle is a creature with no magical abilities whatsoever. They are dirty, ugly and stupid like animals and should thus be treated as such. Wizards and witches are their superiors in every way and it is our responsibility to teach them that they are worthless, useless creatures.

What is the function of a Muggle? The truth of the matter is that there isn't one. Without magical talents, they cannot control, torture or kill quickly and effectively like we can. Instead, they are forced to viciously slash at each other with swords and daggers or fire at each other with "guns" (dark instruments in which Muggles put "bullets" that embed themselves in human flesh, killing the victim). Unlike the safe and non-messy Cruciatus curse, Muggles torture each other by spilling blood and internal organs. How primitive! They also have no foolproof method of forcing others to do their bidding. Instead they must use persuasion and violence which a true wizard would never fall for.

However, even though it is clear that Muggles are dumb and dull, we should never forget that they are indeed dangerous to us. There have been many examples of this, coming in the form of Mudbloods - Muggles who have stolen magic, which is to say, taken it by force, and now masquerade as though they are natural wizards. These abominations must be stopped at any cost!

The Ministry has deviced a plan for true wizards and witches to keep our society pure. All those looking to weed out the evil in their lives can now sign up for numerous activities such as Mudblood Round-Ups, Muggle Hunting and can even purchase their very own Muggles who work as excellent substitues for house elves.

If you or anyone you know has been in contact with a Muggle of Mudblood recently, you may now report to the Ministry for a free vaccination that will protect you from the deadly consequences of prolonged exposure to stupidity. Please contact the Ministry of Magic if you have any further questions on how you can live a peaceful, Muggle-free life.

Bella and the Snake

Bellatrix: Ah, this painting will be perfect for the Dark Lord. He will hang it in His room and I shall be forever his most loyal and devoted servant!

Voldemort: Bellatrix! What are you doing with that Muggle instrument in your hands when Harry Potter remains uncaptured?! We have work to do! I do not have time for your silly games.

Bellatrix: My lord, you have returned! I am painting a portrait of your sheer magnificence for you to hang in your quarters!

Voldemort: Really? No one has ever painted me before.

Bellatrix: Surely it is because no one has ever been as close to you as me! Only I know you intimately enough to be able to copy your image on parchment.

Voldemort: Bellatrix, we have been over this. I am too busy destroying Harry Potter to deal with your pathetic attempts to seduce me. Perhaps when Harry Potter has been vanquished, I will give our love a chance.

Bellatrix: But my lord! That could take ages! You are no closer to destroying Harry Potter, we might as well begin our relationship now! 

Voldemort: Silence! Rest assured that I will kill Harry Potter very, very soon. There are no more people for him to behind and anyone that tries to shield him from his fate will be cut down by my wand.

Bellatrix: Of course, my lord, of course. It was foolish of me to suggest that you would not kill Harry Potter the moment he stepped in your line of vision. You are the most powerful wizard in the world and he is a scrawny teenager with no real intelligence.

Voldemort: Thank you, Bellatrix. It is good to see that you have regained your common sense. I was worried that you were an Order of the Phoenix member using the Polyjuice potion but obviously I was mistaken.

Bellatrix: I assure you that I am the true Bellatrix! To prove my identity, I will reveal the secret only I know. My lord, it is true that you have an interest in tap dancing and that you even -  

Voldemort: That is quite enough, Bellatrix! I said that I believe you to be a true death eater and I stand by that. There is no need to bring up my past... interests.

Bellatrix: Forgive me, my lord. If you will excuse me now, I must get back to my painting if I hope to have it ready for you by the time you kill Harry Potter.  

Voldemort: Yes, of course. I thank you for the level of devotion you are putting into this piece of artwork. If only my other death eaters put this much work in their search for Harry Potter and his supporters.

Bellatrix: (tears form in eyes) Thank you, my lord! My only desire in life is to serve you!

Voldemort: Yes, yes. Oh, Bella... may I see this painting?

Bellatrix: My lord, of course! It is for you! Everything I do is for you!

*Voldemort looks at painting and gasps in outrage*

Voldemort: WHAT DID YOU DO WITH MY NOSE?!

-

Yes, that was completely ridiculous. It was kind of a spur-of-the-moment thing and I just had to write it, haha.

Don't forget to stop by the blogs of my co-hosts to see what they have in store for you!

Brodie at Eleusinian Mysteries

Honey at Sniff Books, Not Drugs

Liz at Planet Print

An Official Ministry Announcement

The Ministry of Magic gives thanks to the wonderfully talented artist Guenhwyvar for making our letters look magical. Visit her at The-Dark-Arts in Diagon Alley for all your wizardry artist needs.

In Memoriam

A lot of people lose their lives in the Harry Potter series in the fight against evil. I thought now would be the perfect time to honour those that died because they will never be forgotten. Grab your tissues, folks - this is a pretty hefty list.

Sirius Black: The Most Handsome Marauder (I'm Sirius).

I might have cried the most for this death.

It was awful for Sirius to die (to be freaking taken down by Bellatrix, no less) because Harry needed him to be there. It seems like every time Harry finally has someone there for him, something tangible to fill the gaping hole his parents have left, they vanish and leave him all alone.

You could argue that Sirius was a lot of negative things but isn't the only important thing at the end of the day that he cared about Harry so much? This man risked everything for his best friend's son. He escaped wizarding prison and lived off rats for crying out loud! He was the first one to buy Harry a broom, and a mixture of father and brother to Harry, as Dumbledore correctly stated.

Sirius, in your honour: I solemnly swear that I am up to no good.

***

Colin Creevey: That Stalker Kid

Let's admit it: we all wanted to strangle Colin in Book 2. The way he relentlessly followed Harry around with a camera and never-ending stream of questions was endearing at first, sweet even, but quickly became maddening. Colin had no filter and certainly didn't make his obsession with Harry a secret.

Let's also admit it: we all hated hated hated it when Colin died because, yeah, sometimes he was annoying but he was also brave, kind, helpful and too young to die. He shouldn't have even been there, he was too young to fight. Colin stayed back and lost his life fighting the war against Voldemort.

Rest in peace, Colin Creevey: a true Gryffindor.

***

Cedric Diggory: The Real Deal Hufflepuff

Everyone loved Cedric, and for good reason, too. He was handsome, smart, daring, and kind. He did the right thing even when he didn't have to and played a hell of a game of Quidditch (I even almost forgive him for beating Harry).

Your death was the worst kind of death, the kind that can be avoided and that doesn't need to happen. Cedric was just there. He got in Voldemort's way who saw no other solution but to murder him.

Cedric, thank you for being an example of just how amazing a Hufflepuff can be.

***


Dobby: A Free Elf

This was the death that affected me the most. I regret every single second that I thought Dobby was a crazy, up-to-no-good house elf out to ruin Harry's life. I came to love Dobby more than almost anyone in the series because of his quirky, unique self. Dobby was brave and loyal, protective and helpful.

The thing that made Dobby's death so much worse was that in the second book, Harry told him to never save his life again.

But he did, oh of course he did. Harry was Dobby's world and he would have done anything for him. Dobby died saving Harry's life and he will always, always be remembered as a free elf and a true friend.

Good-bye, Dobby.

***

Albus Dumbledore: Even the Slytherins admit - he's got style.

Albus Dumbledore was many things to the wizarding world: a powerful wizard, a brilliant headmaster, an exceptional person, slightly mad, and so much more. Dumbledore was always available to help those in need and was particularly important as a symbol of love and compassion, instrumental in the fight against evil and namely, Voldemort.

From day one, Dumbledore made it a personal mission to help Harry in any way he could. He acted as a friend, mentor and father-figure and sacrificed a lot in his own life for the betterment of the world.

I'll miss you, Dumbledore. Your death was a shock and I know I can't be the only one that had considered you invincible. Even after your death, I enthusiastically supported the theories that said you weren't really dead even though I knew that you most likely were. While you had your faults, the good you did overshadows any of that.

Nitwit, blubber, oddment, tweak.

***

Hedwig: Best Owl to Fly the Skies

Hedwig was the ideal pet: she was beautiful, wickedly intelligent and always there for Harry. A constant companion to Harry in some of the darkest, most desolate parts of his life, Hedwig provided comfort and familiarity. She was a link to the magical world and often reassured Harry with a soft hoot and peck on the shoulder.

Hedwig, wherever you are now, I hope there are some mighty fine mice for you to chew on. Thank you for being such a wonderful companion and friend.

***

Remus and Nymphadora (née Tonks) Lupin

I just had to do these two together.

 

 

Right off the bat, Lupin was a favourite of mine (not only because of his chocolate obsession... well... maybe a little). I am convinced he wasn't sleeping on that train but else could you expect from a Marauder? Lupin had good reason to grow up to be cynical and bitter but instead moved on with his life as best as he could. He was the most reasonable Marauder but also knew how to have fun. Lupin was my favourite werewolf and maybe even my favourite professor.

Tonks was just so much fun. She was as clumsy as I am but friendly and hilarious. I wish we could have seen more from her but I know that I really loved the bits we did get to see. I love that Tonks listened to her heart and didn't buy the ridiculous "I'm too old, poor and dangerous" spiel from Lupin.

I hate that Tonks and Lupin had to die with their son so young. At least we know that Teddy is in good hands.

***

 

Alastor 'Mad-Eye' Moody (The Real One)

 

 

I have to admit, I didn't see this death coming at all. Moody was always there, always present. He was a tough war veteran, hardened and grizzled but always fighting for what was right. He didn't take chances when it came to safety and he was slow to trust. When you were in his good graces though, he would do whatever it took to secure your safety.

I was sorry to see Mad-Eye go but I can't say that I wasn't happy with the way he went out. Going out fighting Voldemort was the perfect way for Jo to end Mad-Eye's life.

To Mad-Eye Moody - "CONSTANT VIGILANCE!"

***

Severus Snape: The Bravest Man He Ever Knew

I don't know how I feel about Snape.

He obviously did a lot for Harry and his hugely responsible for him surviving at all but I can't forget the years of unnecessary cruelty Harry (or any non-Slytherin student, for that matter) experienced in his classroom. No matter what you think of him though, you can't deny that Snape was cunning and courageous. No matter what I think of him as a person, I can't deny that his story was terrible and that the amount of love and devotion he had towards Lily Evans was beautiful. 

He didn't deserve to die the way he did either - no one deserves that. It was slow, painful and horrible but if nothing else, it gave Harry the chance to receive Snape's memories and Snape the chance to die looking into Lily Evans' eyes.

For Severus Snape, another man that died fighting against Voldemort.

***

Fred Weasley: Brother, Prankster, Missed

J.K. Rowling, HOW COULD YOU?

 

 

Fred's death hit me like a ton of bricks. It couldn't be real. Fred couldn't be dead... could he? He was always there - the more reckless twin that stood up for what he believed in and didn't let anything keep him down. He was more than comedic relief throughout the series - he filled people with a sense of hope when nothing seemed to be going right.

 

 

I can't bring myself to feel the most sorry for Fred, though. I feel sorry for George who is now forced to live out the rest of his days without his other half. I can't imagine how he felt - like a part of his soul was ripped from his body? How do you recover from something like that? I'm confident he will though. Fred and George are made from tough stuff.

 

 

I'll miss you, Fred. Thank you for always making me smile.

 

 

-

*Sniff* I'm not crying. I'm not. OH, WHO AM I KIDDING? (Answer: No one.) I loved all of these characters so much and everytime one of them died was like a shard of ice to my heart.

Goodbye, we'll miss you.

I'd love if any of you would like to share who you think deserves to be remembered the most or whose death affected you the most. I'm having a great time reading which character's death made you cry the most (or the most sad) from the giveaway yesterday.

 

 

Don't forget to stop by the blogs of my fabulous co-hosts:

 

 

Brodie at Eleusinian Mysteries

Honey at Sniff Books, Not Drugs

Liz at Planet Print

HP Giveaway #2

I have another giveaway for you guys today! This one is for a beautiful hand-stamped quote cuff bracelet, generously donated by BaWStampedDesigns on Etsy. I have some examples of what your bracelet could like below but you may choose whichever quote or phrase from the series you would like, as long as it fits on the bracelet.

Guidelines:

• You must be at least 13 years old or have a parent's permission to enter.
• Giveaway is open internationally.
• The deadline to enter is Wednesday, July 20th, 2011.
• Winner will be chosen by Random.org and notified via e-mail.
• If I do not receive a response within 1 week, I will draw a new winner, and so on.
• Following/sharing are not required, nor will they earn you extra entries, but they're always appreciated! :)

Fill out the form to enter.

Fan Letters

Harry doubled back, crouching down behind Dumbledore's desk to get a good look at the rather large burlap sack hidden underneath it. As he reached curiously for the bag, Fawkes let out a low, musical cry from behind him. Harry jumped, nearly banging his head on the desk in the process.

A strong sense of guilt filled him and a voice that sounded remarkably like Hermione warned him to leave before he did something he would regret later on.

Harry pulled his arm back but stopped suddenly when he read the bright red label stamped across the bag. 'Harry Potter - Letters.' Before he knew it, his trepidation had been overshadowed by his intense desire to know what was contained in the bag.

***

Dear Harry Potter,

You are my hero! I know that you must have a lot of people fighting for your attention but there's no need for any of that because we are meant to be together. We have so much in common! We both are like, good, and we both don't like bad guys. You killed You-Know-Who and I killed this big spider that was going to attack my family! Isn't that a crazy coincidence?!

Eagerly awaiting your letter with information on when we can finally be together,
Alborada Merchant

***

Dear Harry Potter,

Roses are red,
Violets are blue.
You may have a scar,
But I still love you!

Seriously, though, could you do something about that scar? My mum thinks it's creepy for me to have a poster of a bloke with a scar on my wall.

Love,
Josephine Bledel

***

Dear Harry Potter,

I LOVE YOU SO MUCH THAT SOMETIMES IT HURTS. My parents and friends don't understand why sometimes I don't want to do anything but sit in my room at the shrine I've constructed in your honour. They think it's strange of me because my walls are covered in 1147 pictures of you that I kiss individually before going to sleep at night. You don't think it's weird though, do you? I'm thinking of legally changing my name to Mrs. Potter but my mum won't let me. No one in my family understands me. It's okay though because I've started a club about you so I can meet people that get the real me. We're called the Birth Barfers - do you get it, Harry? It's the opposite of the Death Eaters! We meet every single day and do ritual chants over the fire. Now that you see that I am indeed perfect for you, please reply to me so we can set a date to meet. You are the most handsome man I have ever laid eyes on.

Your Beloved,
Marina Gurentockel

***

Dear Mr. Potter,

My mum says that I should be more like you. I don't even mean in the 'save the wizarding world from evil' kind of way. No. She says that I should 'clean my room like Harry Potter.' I think she's just making that bit up so that I'll do it. My brothers say she's full of it, but not when she can hear (she's a little scary). Just in case she wasn't lying though, I cleaned my room.

You're my hero, Mr. Potter. You defeated You-Know-Who and you're nice and smart and athletic (I think). One day I'm going to grow up to be just like you. I bet tons of girls like you!

***

Harry smiled, pleased that there had been at least one sane letter in the bunch. It was rather sweet, actually. Who was it from anyway?

His eyes darted to the bottom of the page and he read aloud, "Sincerely, Ron Weasley."

***

Will Harry ever recover? Will he need to spend years in therapy to get the redness from his face? WHAT WOULD HE DO IF MALFOY GOT A HOLD OF THESE LETTERS? Let me know what you think!

Don't forget to visit the blogs of my co-hosts and stay tuned for a giveaway coming up verrrry soon.

Brodie at Eleusinian Mysteries

Honey at Sniff Books, Not Drugs

Liz at Planet Print

OWL Comments

Minerva McGonagall, Severus Snape, Sybill Trelawney and Dolores Umbridge walked out of Dumbledore's office with varying levels of annoyance. This new procedure that had been instated by the Minister of Magic would take a lot of time and effort which none of them were too happy about.

Professor McGonagall

'What shall I say about Potter? One of the bravest, most selfless students I have ever had. One of the most idiotic, foolish students I have ever had. Both would probably work... Poor boy. He's too busy escaping Death Eaters and overpowering dementors to give full attention to his studies.' She allowed herself a smile. 'At least he took more modesty from Lily than he did arrogance from James. Unfortunately, he is also as stubborn as she had been,' she thought, mentally calculating the preposterous number of detentions he had been through this year alone. 'I suppose it was a fair trade in the end - Harry has inherited his father's Quidditch skills.'

What was actually written...

Potter has received high results in Transfiguration. He works dilligently in class most of the time and is only sometimes a distraction for his peers. He has shown a good attitude and has therefore exceeded the expectations set out by the Ministry of Magic. Potter is encouraged to take a more active role in his work to ensure he maintains his high marks.

Professor Snape

'Potter is an insolent, egotistic, idiotic, rule-breaking brat thrilled by his undeserved fame. He is a mirror image of his father: arrogant and impertinent. His ego is larger than Dumbledore's beard. It's a wonder he got the marks he did - Potter exceeding expectations? I can only imagine the special treatment the examiners must have given him to get him to that level. It is no matter, anyway. I will not have to let him into my class next year and his dreams of being and Auror will vanish into a pathetic black hole.

What was actually written...

Potter shows a continuous lack of intelligence and respect for his professors in the classroom. He rarely follows instructions and cannot be trusted to interact with his peers in a positive manner. His knowledge of potion ingredients and formulas lacks confidence and execution and his assignments tend to fall short of the given criteria. Potter is encouraged to pay more attention to his schoolwork.

Professor Trelawney

'Harry Potter... So much good material to work off of. Having him in my class was a blessing - he made a magnificent Object. For a moment, I thought he had connected with the Inner Eye - his dream diary entries were refreshingly honest - but alas, he does not possess the gift that I have.

What was actually written...

Harry Potter's life should be treasured and cherished, for the spirits have forewarned me that he will not be among us in the near future. In addition to the omen of death that stalks him at every turn, there have been many assurances from the spirits I converse with that his life is doomed to an eternity of misery and despair. Fate has prompted me and I have spoken!

Professor Umbridge

'Harry Potter - what a despicable boy. He is always challenging my authority by spreading those nasty lies he prefers over the truth that the Ministry and I know what is best for the Wizarding World. It's a pity that there is no legal way (at the moment) for me to dispose of him so that he will not continue to taint the innocent minds of his fellow classmates. I will simply have to put faith in Cornelius that this entire Potter situation will be resolved soon.'

What was actually written...

Harry Potter exhibits behaviour unsuitable for a Hogwarts student. He has achieved poor results on all classwork and is constantly disobeying the rules set out to ensure he remains safe while in school. Potter is often a disruption in class and even encourages his classmates to aid him in a never-ending tirade of attention-seeking lies.

***

Whew, those teachers. We have every side of the spectrum up there in terms of what Harry actually should have written on his report card. Make sure to leave a comment telling me which professor (doesn't need to be up there) is your personal favourite. It could be someone who was genuinely nice to Harry, like Lupin, or you could be a sadistic reader and choose someone like... I don't know, Lockhart. I'm interested to see what you guys say!

Also, don't forget to check out the blogs of my co-hosts who are infinitely more talented and amazing than I am.

Brodie at Eleusinian Mysteries

Honey at Sniff Books, Not Drugs

Liz at Planet Print