Kane Chronicles #2 The Throne of Fire

Took me a little time to start this but I actually finished it in record and its actually getting very interesting. Ladies and Gents, my views of Kane Chronicles #2 The Throne of Fire by Rick Riordan.

Here is the summary of the book:

Ever since the gods of Ancient Egypt were unleashed in the modern world, Carter Kane and his sister Sadie have been in trouble. As descendants of the House of Life, the Kanes have some powers at their command, but the devious gods haven't given them much time to master their skills at Brooklyn House, which has become a training ground for young magicians. And now their most threatening enemy yet - the chaos snake Apophis - is rising. If they don't prevent him from breaking free in a few days' time, the world will come to an end. In other words, it's a typical week for the Kane family. To have any chance of battling the Forces of Chaos, the Kanes must revive the sun god Ra. But that would be a feat more powerful than any magician has ever accomplished. First they have to search the world for the three sections of the Book of Ra, then they have to learn how to chant its spells. Oh, and did we mention that no one knows where Ra is exactly? Narrated in two different wisecracking voices, featuring a large cast of new and unforgettable characters, and with adventures spanning the globe, this second installment in the Kane Chronicles is nothing short of a thrill ride.

So now that the Egyptian Gods of Old have been released into the world trouble seems to be everywhere for our protagonist Carter and Sadie but as descendants of the House of Life, the Kanes have some powers at their command, but treachery and devious gods added to the mix and they haven't had enough time to master their skills at Brooklyn House, which has become a training ground for young magicians now. The other branches of the House of Life are hunting the Kanes down once they left the safety of their branch...why because according to the customs of the House of Life it is an act of treason to host a God in their body (since the Gods need a physical body to be able to live out of the Du'at), the Brooklyn House. 

And now their most threatening enemy yet—the chaos snake Apophis—is rising. If they do not prevent him from breaking free in a few days' time, the world will come to an end. Pretty apocalyptic would so is life for the Kane siblings. As they must go through persuasive Gods, treacherous magicians and battling devious beasts to save the day but most importantly stay alive and figure out a way to prevent the civilization from being destroyed.

The book starts out slow and gains momentum bit by bit. And as the first book this one is also narrated in two point of views, precisely it is a recording transcript that we see here, with the story moving with Carter and Sadie's POVs. Both have their moments of geniuses and moments of idiocy(not going to elaborate that will spoil the fun). Their sense of humor and that ever present sibling rivalry actually adds flavor to the story. As all of you remember in  the first book they were able to defeat Set and saw the real worker of the evil - the serpent of Chaos, Apophis who was breaking free from his cell in the du'at. Well he a few days from escaping that prison and it is upto the Kane siblings to prevent the chaos. On their journey to find the balance between chaos and order(tacky I know but i'm trying the post to be spoiler free), they meet new friends and allies, Bes, Walt, and many more who may have their own secrets but ultimately help save the day.

The one thing that I liked about the way the plot was written was that Mr. Riordan although did not dump the info on us (good on him) but popping them here and there.....which definitely keeps us on the edges.

So what if they won the battle but the war is yet to come and as things get heated up, I am definitely excited for the upcoming and the final book of the Kane Chronicles, the book is unamed yet, but it will contain the final battle against chaos and I am definitely excited for it.

"An adrenaline induced race to maintain the balance between order and chaos"

Genre :      Young Adult, Fantasy


Publisher: Hyperion Books for Children


Rate:              5/5 (It was Awesome)

Waiting on Wednesday #1

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selections are:

A Million Suns (Across the Universe #2)

by BETH REVIS

Publication Date: - 10th January, 2012

Godspeed was fueled by lies. Now it is ruled by chaos.

It's been three months since Amy was unplugged. The life she always knew is over. And everywhere she looks, she sees the walls of the spaceship Godspeed. But there may just be hope: Elder has assumed leadership of the ship. He's finally free to enact his vision - no more Phydus, no more lies.

But when Elder discovers shocking news about the ship, he and Amy race to discover the truth behind life on Godspeed. They must work together to unlock a puzzle that was set in motion hundreds of years earlier, unable to fight the romance that's growing between them and the chaos that threatens to tear them apart.

In book two of the Across the Universe trilogy, New York Times bestselling author Beth Revis mesmerizes us again with a brilliantly crafted mystery filled with action, suspense, romance, and deep philosophical questions. And this time it all builds to one mind-bending conclusion: They have to get off this ship.

Allegiance (Legacy #2)

by CAYLA KLUVER
Publication Date:- 28th February, 2012

Only I saw Narian for who he truly was: a young man with courage and an independent mind, and made to pay for what was outside his control. He couldn't help his past any more than he could help the way those intense, deep-blue eyes pierced me and held me captive.

An eighteen-year-old queen in love with the enemy as their countries pass the point of no return...

Bound to a man she cannot love, Queen Alera of Hytanica must forget Narian, the young man who holds her heart. For Narian is destined to conquer Hytanica at the behest of his master, the powerful magic-user known as the Overlord. Alera doesn't truly believe Narian will fight against Hytanica-until Cokyrian troops attack with Narian commanding the charge.

Faced with the greatest betrayal a heart can know, Alera must set aside personal feelings and lead her kingdom through its darkest time. And when all hope, will and courage seem lost, she must find strength and remember that even the blackest night must have a dawn....

The Golden Lily (Bloodlines #2)

by RICHELLE MEAD

Publication Date:- June 19th, 2012

The second thrilling installment in Richelle Mead’s Vampire Academy spinoff series.

Tough, brainy alchemist Sydney Sage and doe-eyed Moroi princess Jill Dragomir are in hiding at a human boarding school in the sunny, glamorous world of Palm Springs, California. The students—children of the wealthy and powerful—carry on with their lives in blissful ignorance, while Sydney, Jill, Eddie and Adrian must do everything in their power to keep their secret safe. But with forbidden romances, unexpected spirit bonds, and the threat of Strigoi moving ever closer, hiding the truth is harder than anyone thought.

Populated with new faces as well as familiar ones, Richelle Mead’s breathtaking Bloodlines series explores all the friendship, romance, battles and betrayals that made the #1 New York Times bestselling Vampire Academy series so addictive. In this second book, the drama is hotter, the romances are steamier, and the stakes are even higher.

Rapture (Fallen #4)

by LAUREN KATE

Publication Date:- 12th June, 2012

The sky is dark with wings. . . .

In RAPTURE, the highly anticipated fourth and final novel in the FALLEN series, Luce and Daniel are together . . . but for how long? Can history be rewritten? Or are some punishments eternal?

From the Hardcover edition.










SO, WHAT DO YOU ALL THING, Hit the comment section and don't forget to mention your post links ....would love to know what you all are waiting for.

Harry Potter Page to Screen: The Complete Filmmaking Journey

As I have said before I don't honestly review production design books but making an exception when Harry Potter falls into that category. Presenting my views over Harry Potter Page to Screen: The Complete Filmmaking Journey by Bob McCabe.

Here is the summary of the book:

Harry Potter: Page to Screen opens the doors to Hogwarts castle and the wizarding world of Harry Potter to reveal the complete behind-the-scenes secrets, techniques, and over-the-top artistry that brought J.K. Rowling’s acclaimed novels to cinematic life. Developed in collaboration with the creative team behind the celebrated movie series, this deluxe, 500-plus page compendium features exclusive stories from the cast and crew, hundreds of never-before-seen photographs and concept illustrations sourced from the closed film sets, and rare memorabilia. As the definitive look at the magic that made cinematic history, Page to Screen is the ultimate collectible, perfect for Muggles everywhere.

Nothing much to say about the contents of the book, it should be fairly visible from the title itself. Page to Screen is a complete rundown of the conceiving till end of the decade long phenomenon Harry Potter. How David Heyman first got the idea to bring the Harry Potter stories to the big screen. How all the characters Harry, Ron, Hermione, Dumbledore, and the others were signed up. How the ig creative creature came together to bring gargantuan Hogwarts, Diagon Alley and the mysticality of the magical world be brought to life and seen to the end.

Its all done in three parts. All the eight films are discussed greatly in terms of production, casting, special effects employing, the challenges each film presented and a lot of comments from the actors, creative team and the directors and the producers. We are introduced methodically to every movie and the side note to how some of the big effects were created and made believable also adds points to the whole write-up. After this first half, the next half of the book is more where the encyclopaedia designation comes in. Giant chunks of the book are dedicated to costumes (really, characters), sets, props, and creatures and what went into the design / how they came to life / concept art.

Regarding this book took me ages to finish, it'll be safe to say that every inch and every line of the book shows us the hard work that went into creating these 8 movies. Gives a serious appreciation FOR the amount of work that went into creating them, and it astonished me how often the techniques I assumed were CGI were actually grounded quite heavily in old-fashioned tricks like miniatures and robots. It's a lot to kind of slog through and absorb all at once. Page to screen also helps us see the way every Potter director worked and helped the world grow with their vision. But a major plus to this whole book is the artwork and the pictures. While the first half presented pictures shot during the movies, the second half was abound in concept art and details about how every nook and cranny of the magical world comes to life on the silver screen, every creature, every prop, costumes and sets are presented for the public to see.

That being said i'm sure you'll all remember that another book just like this was released before the final 2 Potter movies realeased...Yes I'm talking about Harry Potter Film Wizardry(Click to see the review), while yes a lot of things presented in this book are also found there and some of you all may find getting Film Wizardry as it is cheaper but Page To Screen makes one hell of a companion to the Potter Saga. It is definitely something I will go back to again in the future.

"A gigantic edition to the Potter Phenomenon"

Genre :      Movie Tie-in, Production design


Publisher: Harper Design


Rate:              5/5 (It was Awesome)


              (a necessary commodity every Potter fan should own)

In My Mailbox #1 (DECEMBER)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme run by The Story Siren which explores the books that have been delivered to our mailbox. Let us know what looks good to you and leave us a link so we can check out what you got over the week.

This will be my first IMM post and it will be for the month of December. Click the name of the books to access their goodreads descriptions.

For Review

Simon & Schuester Galley Grab and Pulse It reading circle

Unresolving Isobel - Eileen Cook (Galley Grab)

Still Waters -  Emma Carlson Berne (Pulse It)

Librarything

From The Depths of Death in the Midst of Chaos - Edmund Alexander Sims

The Demon of Renaissance Drive - Elizabeth Reuter

Lords of Rainbow - Nazarian, Vera

The 5th Division, Jason's Story (A Novelette) - Najib, Rami

Whither Thou Goest, I Will Go - Naomi Dathan

Skye Object 3270a - Linda Nagata
Tempest (Destroyer #1) - Holly Hook
Chameleon (Ripple #1) - Cidney Swanson

From Authors

Scary School - Derek The Ghost, Scott M. Fisher(illustrator)

Feyland: The Dark Realm - Anthea Sharp

The Egyptian - Layton Green

Ugly to Start With - John Michael Cummings

Netgalley

Allegiance (Legacy #2) - Cayla Kluver

The Book of Lost Fragrance - M.J. Rose

Touch of Power (The Power Series #1) - Maria V. Snyder

Time Gangsters - Berin Stephens

Firelight (Darkest London #1) - Kristen Callihan

Bought 

Inheritance (Inheritance#4) - Christopher Paolini

Clockwork Prince (The Infernal Devices #2) - Cassandra Clare

The Name of the Star (Shades of London #1) - Maureen Johnson

The Fearie Ring (The Fearie Ring #1) - Kiki Hamilton

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer (Mara Dyer #1) - Michelle Hodkin

The Night Circus - Erin Morgenstern

Between the Sea and Sky - Jacelyn Dolamore

Carrier of the Mark (Carrier Trilogy #1) - Leigh Fallon

The Amulet of Samarkand (Bartimaeus #1)- Jonathan Stroud

The Immortals of Meluha (Shiva Trilogy #1) - Amish Tripathi

The Ripper (The Vampire Diaries: The Stefan's Diaries #4) - Kevin Williamson, Julie Plec, L.J. Smith

The Girl of Fire and Thorn (Fire and Thorn #1) - Rae Carson

Giveaway Won

Love's Unmasking - Bonnie Blythe (Won it from Clean Romance Reviews' Giveaway)

Follow Friday #12

"Follow Friday" is a weekly meme hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read. Thanks for stopping by and checking out my blog. Don’t forget to comment and leave your link so I can return your follows.

Q: If you had to spend eternity inside the pages of a book which book would you choose and why?


ANS: No questions asked I want to spent the eternity in the pages of the HARRY POTTER books preferably as a student....simply because I love that magical world and all of its enchantments....and using a magical wand and those big-big tomes of magical knowledge.....oh I definitely want to be a student in Hogwarts and explore that marvelous......and visit the room of requirements and hogmeade.....I can continue on and on and never finish....so yes if I find myself stuck in a book for eternity, i'd hope it will be the HARRY POTTER books.

But PERCY JACKSON or the world of THE IRON FEY could also do. Going on quests as demigods and wandering around the nevernever could also be a great way to spend eternity.

Follow Friday #11

"Follow Friday" is a weekly meme hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read. Thanks for stopping by and checking out my blog. Don’t forget to comment and leave your link so I can return your follows.

Q: When you’ve read a book, what do you do with it? (Keep it, give it away, donate it, sell it, swap it..?)


ANS: I usually don't like to part with my book.....so when i have read it....its back on the shelf(print book) or back in my external hard-drive (e-book). So yes the term i'm looking for is a....BOOK HOARDER.....I usually only giveaway my ebook and still waiting for the perfect time to giveaway my print books. Also If it is a library book and I loved it so I give it back and get a copy of my own.

Still Waters

Book covers do wonders to a book....and what do you know its a thriller as well. Well read on to find my review of Still Waters by Emma Carlson Berne.

Here is the summary of the book:

Hannah can't wait to sneak off for a romantic weekend with her boyfriend, Colin. He’s leaving for college soon, and Hannah wants their trip to the lake house to be one they’ll never forget. But once Hannah and Colin get there, things start to seem a bit...off. They can't find the town on any map. The house they are staying in looks as if someone's been living there, even though it's been deserted for years. And Colin doesn’t seem quite himself. As he grows more unstable, Hannah worries about Colin’s dark side, and her own safety. Nothing is as perfect as it seems, and what lies beneath may haunt her forever.


A creepy house, a teenage girl who can't seem to say those words (imagine it all), and a boyfriend who has a dark side...sounds promising don't you think? Well read on...read on....

Both Colin and Hannah have been together for a year and so now Colin expects Hannah to say those three words, but somehow she can't pronounce them and is still waiting for the perfect moment. Collin will be leaving for college soon, so Hannah plans a trip to the lake house Colin went to as a child without telling him. Colin would rather not ever go back to that lake house, although he isn't sure what it is that he doesn't like about it. Some things were a little off once this trip started. The roads to this lake house weren't even on a map. The house appears as if someone has been living there, but nobody has been there since Colin was last there. So something is off about the whole situation. As Collin grows more unstable, Hannah worries about Colin’s dark side, and her own safety. Something is definitely wrong here.

As far as the characters are considered they all seems pretty bland as well as the pacing of the story. Hannah is a sweet girl, who is a goody two shoes and seems very responsible. She doesn’t lie, she doesn’t steal, and does everything she can to take care of her little brother and help to support her family. But her boyfriend's leaving town so she breaks all the rules, she steals, lies and leaves her homes for a romantic getaway with her boyfriend in the middle of no where. But she still can't say the "L" word and much of the book is based on this.

Colin is a another one who isn't very well fleshed out. The book indicated that his family is rich and they definitely did not have fond memories of that "Pine House" but even that background is on looked into as well.

The plot also left disconnected, the climax happens towards the end and even that is not don't great. The pacing was very slow, the buildup for the climax is also pretty late. And the first half of the chapters are pretty slow and mundane. Regarding the concept of the story...well that was the only thing I liked about it all and the cover....which i'd say is GORGEOUS. But yes this short book could have used a bit more work regarding the plot, and the characterization to make it work.

"A creepy house in the middle of nowhere...definitely not a romantic getaway"

Genre :      Young Adult, Paranormal


My Copy:      Courtesy of Simon and Schuester PULSE IT reading group


Publisher: Simon Pulse


Rate:              3/5 (Liked It)

TOURZ DE CODEX: IMPORTANT NOTICE - 11 hosts/bloggers needed

LINK FOR THE FULL POST - http://tourzdecodex.blogspot.com/2011/12/six-weeks-to-yehidah-by-melissa.html

TOUR SIGN - UP - https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dEszSHlWN01KNkx4VXFWYmlpVmFiVXc6MQ

GENRE OF BOOK – MIDDLE GRADE FICTION

PUBLICATION – ALL THINGS THAT MATTER PRESS

About Melissa Studdard:-

Melissa Studdard is the author of the bestselling novel Six Weeks to Yehidah, which also won the 2011 Forward National Literature Award for Middle Grade Chapter Books. She is also a professor, a book reviewer at-large for The National Poetry Review, a contributing editor for both Tiferet Journal and The Criterion, and the host of the radio interview program Tiferet Talk. As well, she is a member of many literary organizations, including the National Book Critics Circle and the Society of Childrens Book Writers and Illustrators.


She loves anything related to writing and reading, whether it's sitting alone with a book and a cup of hot tea, or attending a large poetry reading or literary festival. She also loves travelling, meditating, going for walks, bicycling, practicing yoga, and spending time with family.


She currently resides in Texas with her wonderful daughter and their four sweet but mischievous cats.


About Six Weeks to Yehidah:-

Move over, C.S. Lewis; Melissa Studdard is here! Annalise of the Verdant Hills is one of the most delightful protagonists to skip through the pages of literature since Dorothy landed in Oz. Join Annalise and her two walking, talking wondersheep as they travel to ever more outlandish places and meet outrageous and enlightening folk on their journey to discover interconnectedness in a seemingly disconnected world. Discover with them how just one person can be the start of the change we all strive for. A book for all ages, for all time: wonderful, wacky, and bursting with truth!

About My Yehidah:-

Bursting at the seams with joy and truth, My Yehidah leads you through one of the most important adventures you can take--the journey to the center of your very own self.


Filled with writing and drawing prompts and beautiful illustrations to color, this book is the perfect jump start for meaningful, creative exploration for people of all ages.


My Yehidah can be done alone or along the novel Six Weeks to Yehidah.

TOUR SCHEDULE

 22nd Dec, 2011 – Sue @Books books the magical fruit

23rd Dec, 2011 – Courtney @Courtney's Book Nook

24th Dec, 2011 -

26th Dec, 2011 -

27th Dec, 2011 -

28th Dec, 2011 -

29th Dec, 2011 -

30th Dec, 2011 - D. S. White @Bookzone

31st Dec, 2011 -

2nd Jan, 2012 -

3rd Jan, 2012 -

4th Jan, 2012 -

5th Jan, 2012 -

6th Jan, 2012 -

7th Jan, 2012 - Latoya @Little Library Mouse

8th Jan, 2012 – Nancy @Simple Clockwork

10th Jan, 2012 – Melissa Lemon

11th Jan, 2012 – Aparajita @Le’ Grande Codex

12th Jan, 2012 – Frishawn @WTF are you reading?

13th Jan, 2012 – Aparajita @The ‘A’ - Jurnale

Follow Friday #10

"Follow Friday" is a weekly meme hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read. Thanks for stopping by and checking out my blog. Don’t forget to comment and leave your link so I can return your follows.

Q: Keeping with the Spirit of Giving this season, what book do you think EVERYONE should read and if you could, you would buy it for all of your family and friends?

ANS: Hmm....lets make the book into plural.....books...

HARRY POTTER BY J K ROWLING (who can forget Harry... we actually owe our childhood and growing up to the whole series)

PERCY JACKSON & THE OLYMPIANS BY RICK RIORDAN (and never forget the ever witty and our favourite demigod)

MARIAN'S CHRISTMAS WISH BY CARLA  KELLY (check review here)

LEGACY BY CAYLA KLUVER (check review here)

THE IRON FEY BY JULIE KAGAWA (check the reviews here)

AND ETC.........


ALSO SINCE YOU ALL ARE HERE ALREADY, SO DON'T FORGET TO ENTER THE "Christmas/New Year: With A Great Load of Gifts Giveaway"(<<click here to enter>>)

Book Sake: Huge 1100 Follower Giveaway!!

Book Sake: Huge 1100 Follower Giveaway!!: It's time for our big follower giveaway. Thanks to all of you we've hit 1100 followers. To show our undying appreciation for you we are gi...

FicBookReviews: 700 Followers Giveaway! $50 Amazon Gift Card

FicBookReviews: 700 Followers Giveaway! $50 Amazon Gift Card: Wow cant believe I have reached 700 after celebrating my 500 followers last month! Congrats to Felipa Munez and Stacey of Sassybooklovers....

Follow Friday #9

"Follow Friday" is a weekly meme hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read. Thanks for stopping by and checking out my blog. Don’t forget to comment and leave your link so I can return your follows.

Q: What is your biggest pet peeve when it comes to books? Maybe you don’t like love triangles or thin plots? Tell us about it!


ANS: My pet peeves is definitely thin plots and those huge series where till the penultimate book the story goes one way revealing absolutely next to nothing and then all of a sudden a huge intel is dumped on us in the final books making the story go in a completely different direction all together. 


Next would be poorly written love triangles - okay i'm not actually the best supporter when it comes to love triangles but they help to add a little twist but I definitely get annoyed when it gets totally chauvinistic.