REVIEW: To Tame a Highland Warrior by Karen Marie Moning

Series: Highlander #2
Release Date: December 1, 1999
Publisher: Dell
Format: paperback
My Copy: Self-Purchased
Purchase: Amazon | B & N | Book Depository

He was born to a clan of warriors of supernatural strength, but Gavrael McIllioch abandoned his name and his Highland castle, determined to escape the dark fate of his ancestors. Hiding his identity from the relentless rival clan that hunted him, he called himself Grimm to protect the people he cared for, vowing never to acknowledge his love for ravishing Jillian St. Clair. Yet even from afar he watched over her, and when her father sent an urgent summons, "Come for Jillian," he raced to her side—into a competition to win her hand in marriage.

Why had he run from her so many years before? And why return now to see her offered as a prize in her father's manipulative game? Furious, Jillian vowed never to wed. But Grimm was the man she loved, the one who urged her to marry another. He tried to pretend indifference as she tempted him, but he could not deny the fierce desires that compelled him to abduct her from the altar. She was the only woman who could tame the beast that raged within him—even as deadly enemies plotted to destroy them both.

To Tame a Highland Warrior is not a sequel to Beyond the Highland Mist but a continuation of a character we were introduced to in the first book of the series. This story follows Hawk Douglas' best friend, Grimm Roderick. Grimm intrigued me in the first book with his devotion and loyalty to his best friend and his adoration for Hawk's wife, Adrienne. Honestly, whose heart wouldn't melt for a man who wishes upon a shooting star?

Grimm is called away from Dalkeith Upon the Sea to Caithness by Laird Gibraltar St. Clair. Gibraltar had sent an urgent summons to Grimm which only stated that he "Come for Jillian." Without any hesitation, Grimm races to Jillian's side at Caithness. Unbeknownst to him, Grimm had been called upon a competition to win Gribraltar's daughter, Jillian, hand in marriage. Although he had vowed to withhold himself from having any feelings for Jillian, his oath to protect her was not something he could turn his back on. 

Under Grimm's rough and tough exterior is a man who has worked meticulously to hide his past and true identity. Gavreal Roderick Icarus McIllioch, the only son of the Laird of Maldebann,  was born into a legendary line of warriors, Berserkers, known for their supernatural strength and brute. The Berserkers had once been the most fearless and feared warriors ever to walk Scotland. They had been Odin's (major God in Norse mythology a.k.a Thor's dad) elite Viking army. 

After witnessing his family and people savagely attacked by the MacKane clan (a clan whose main purpose was to rid the world of Berserkers), Gavreal calls upon the Gods to make him a Berseker. Ashamed of  what he believed he had become and of his brutal warrior ways, Gavreal flees his home and takes the name Grimm Roderick to protect himself from becoming the monster his own father had become and to elude the MacKane clan from killing him. After wandering for a few years, Grimm is discovered by Jillian, the only daughter of Laird Gibraltar St. Clair of Caithness.  

After years of growing up next to each other Jillian begins to regard Grimm as a hero and eventually falls in love with him. Afraid of the dangers of what he may become or bring to his new home, Grimm decides to leave Caithness in order to protect the people and Jillian from the MacKane. Knowing that although he may not be able to be beside her, Grimm makes an oath to protect Jillian no matter what and only love her from afar. 

Jillian St Clair had decided that she would never marry unless it was with her first love, Grimm Roderick. This stance eventually brings us back to why her father had had summoned Grimm and two other suitors, Quinn de Moncrieffe and Ramsay Logan, to win her hand in marriage. Jillian takes this opportunity that her father has presented her with and decides that it was time Grimm notice the woman that she had become and not the teen he had abandoned five years before. Soon after he arrives in Caithness, Grimm desperately tries to conceal his true feelings for Jillian and reverts back to treating Jillian teasingly. It's the classic kindergarten way of masking ones feeling, which is frustrating as an adult but adorable at the same time. 

The chemistry our hero and heroine share is undeniable and their devotion to each other is admirable. Honestly, these two stayed true to their love and devotion for each other after sharing one passionate and devastating kiss years ago. What I love about Moning's novels is that she not only presents us with these beautiful and legendary hero's but men who have their own haunting pasts that make you FEEL for them. As a reader, I really felt the characters emotions and conflicts. Grimm's yearning to love this woman but also keep her protected from what he believed he was, was heart wrenching. His journey to self discovery and unearthing his family secrets was one I was glad to have followed. And I found Jillian admirable for her constant berating of Grimm to admit and demonstrate his love for her; which she had always felt was there but was so unwilling to show. Now matter how many times Grimm had tried to brush her off, her tenacious pride and determination always kept her on her feet and continue fighting for what she believed was right. I mean, you can't knock a girl down for wanting to win her man!

After introducing me to Jericho Barrons and Hawk Douglas, I'd thought my love for Karen Marie Moning wouldn't be able to grow any bigger. Well, I was wrong!  I didn't want to divulge too much information but this book lived up to my expectations after the first book. Aside from the steamy loves scenes (which KMM gives us enough of), I also love how each of these books has given me the happy ending that I always yearn for in romance novels. You'll have to read the books to find out what I mean.

Damsels in Distress & Happily Ever After

Growing up we've been put to bed by our parents by either reading us a good story or letting us watch a good G-Rated cartoon/movie. Every birthday cake is inspired by Disney characters and we'd always play with the fairies, adorable talking animals, and pretend we could fly. We would swing on trees, wield our swords against witches and sorcerers and go home to Mommy or Daddy boasting how we saved the day. Fairy tales were and probably still is a big part of our lives. I've seen, heard and read hundreds of tales on how we want to ride into the sunset and live happily ever after with our Prince Charming.

Lately there seems to be another Hollywood trend wherein some of our most beloved fairy tales are given a make over to appeal more to the older generation. In fact there are two Snow White versions being produced as of the moment. So in light of this, lets turn the wheels of time and revisit some of fairy-themed movies.

The Brothers Grimm with Matt Damon and Heath Ledger. Two hunky guys who are the genius behind a lot of our favorite bedtime stories. As seen on the movie, the original Grimm stories are dark and violent, hardly a feel good story that will help put a restless child to sleep, a very stark contrast to their Disney counterpart. An action/adventure movie through and through plus having two hunky men onscreen never hurt.

Before Whitney went to the deep end and Brandy got involved in that unfortunate event, there was Cinderella. It's not your typical Cinderella story because it's a musical and the cast are members of different ethnicity but a couple of songs into the movie and you won't even notice that. They managed to keep the storybook feel in terms of the effects, costumes and backdrop and the story wasn't tweaked that much either aside from making it funnier than the usual melodrama associated with this tale. The songs are catchy and Whitney Houston rocked as the fairy god mother.

I love Drew Barrymore as Cinderella in Ever More. She's not the typical doormat damsel, she's feisty and goes after what she wants albeit on the sly. The fairy dust is absent on this film so we won't see magic and pumpkins turning into carriages and all that. It's tweaked to appeal to the grown ups who still fancies the idea of Prince Charming and happily ever after. A chick flick through and through and unless you're on the first stages of dating or your guy is into Drew Barrymore then I suggest that you see this film with your girlfriends.

Not your typical cartoon, the Shrek franchise appeals to almost everyone. A movie adaptation based on a picture book of the same title, here we have a power house voice cast combined with parodies of classic Brothers Grimm stories and pop culture. These four movies will surely evoke a couple of laughs. It's so amazing that DreamWorks was able to maintain the voice actors all throughout the franchise which lends consistency to all four films. My favorite is Eddi Murphy and his storyline with the Dragon and their little Dronkies.

A classic turned Supernatural and in my opinion, I think this is what the Brothers Grimm really meant when they printed Little Red Riding Hood ages ago. Red Riding Hood is dark and and a grown up fantasy film. Amanda Seyfried was perfect to play Valerie with those amazing blond locks and big, blue, innocent eyes. The movie will keep you in suspense til the end and will definitely keep you guessing who the Werewolf is.

Disney's Enchanted is what made Amy Adams a household name. In an attempt at self-parody to the Disney Princess archetype, this movie is funny and touching at the same time plus it's a musical which adds to its charm (my favorite is the Central Park Parade). We got a clueless Princess who can beckon animals to do her bidding with a song, a Pantaloon wearing, sword wielding Prince out to save her from the evils of NYC and McDreamy as her savior, we got everything we need for a hilarious, feel-good movie.


Hallmark Channel's Snow White: The Fairest of them All didn't deviate much from the classic story but this version made some of the elements darker and scarier. Miranda Richardson is a scene stealer as Queen Elspeth, the wicked stepmother and Kristen Kreuk pulled off the role as Snow White pretty well. For a TV movie made in the 90's this film is one of the best Snow White retelling so far.



Another Walt Disney production, Hook is based on the very precocious Peter Pan and his band of mischievous children out to annoy Captain Hook. Although Robin Williams is not very appealing as Peter Pan the movie made up for it in terms of visual effects and Dustin Hoffman as Captain Hook was just amazing! In true Disney fashion, the story is very wholesome.

I still have to catch Beastly starring Vanessa Hudgens and Alex Pettyfer. I just read the book and Flinn just modernized the story, making it more appealing to this generation but the key elements are still present. The Witch putting a curse on a Prince for having a rotten core turning him into a ghastly, hairy beast, banished from society. The only thing that can save him is a kiss from his one true love who will love him for who he is and not what he looks like. The story is still relevant today in terms of what it wants to convey especially now that we are so influenced and pressured to be like what we see on TV, movies and magazines. Although most critics said that this movie was not so good, I'm still curious enough to catch this on DVD.



There are still dozens of movies based on various folk lore about damsels, princes and knights and I'm sure that we'll see more of this in the future. Fairy tales were and will always be part of our lives and the generations to come. They not only inspire us to dream but also to persevere and not to lose hope.

REVIEW: Beyond the Highland Mist by Karen Marie Moning

Series: Highlander
Format: Paperback
Release Date: March 1999
Publisher: Dell
My Copy: Self-Purchased
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

He would sell his warrior soul to possess her. . . .

An alluring laird...

He was known throughout the kingdom as Hawk, legendary predator of the battlefield and the boudoir. No woman could refuse his touch, but no woman ever stirred his heart—until a vengeful fairy tumbled Adrienne de Simone out of modern-day Seattle and into medieval Scotland. Captive in a century not her own, entirely too bold, too outspoken, she was an irresistible challenge to the sixteenth-century rogue. Coerced into a marriage with Hawk, Adrienne vowed to keep him at arm's length—but his sweet seduction played havoc with her resolve.

A prisoner in time...

She had a perfect "no" on her perfect lips for the notorious laird, but Hawk swore she would whisper his name with desire, begging for the passion he longed to ignite within her. Not even the barriers of time and space would keep him from winning her love. Despite her uncertainty about following the promptings of her own passionate heart, Adrienne's reservations were no match for Hawk's determination to keep her by his side. . . .

After spending a week down in the Dirrrty South, I'm back and ready to talk about Karen Marie Moning's delectable Highlander series. After finishing the Fever Series, I was curious as to what her other novels had to offer. Once again, KMM did not disappoint! The novel heavily relies on time travel and fantasy elements to drive the story.

We start the story off in the Fae Island of Morar, where Fairie Queen, Aoibheal, speaks praises about a mortal man named Hawk to her King and Court Fool. Hawk is known throughout his kingdom as a legendary warrior and lover to hundreds (maybe thousands?) of women. She tells of stories about his manhood that at half-mast would make a stallion envious and at full-mast steals a woman's mind from her body (yup…already got me gulping). Feeling sick to his stomach with the thought of his Queen lusting after a mere mortal, the Faerie King, in a fit of jealousy, orders the Court Fool, Adam Black, to find a way to punish Hawk.

Adam muses that the best punishment for Hawk was to bring to upon him a woman who not only would resist his perfect countenance  but also his sexual prowess. Enter Adrienne de Simone, a twentieth-century woman scorned by an ex-fiance, who has vowed never to be made a fool of my beautiful men. On one eerie night she is literally plucked from her Seattle home and dropped onto the lap of a sixteenth-century Scottish Laird, Red Comyn. Thinking that Adrienne has been some sort of miracle dropped from the sky, Red Comyn coerces Adrienne to pose as his recently dead daughter, Janet, and marry Sidheach "Hawk" James Lyon Douglas, Laird of Dalkeith Upon-the-Sea, in order to fill an order by King James.

Neither party is keen to the arranged marriage and Hawk even sends his best friend, Grimm, as a proxy to his wedding (I nearly fell out of my seat laughing at the ridiculousness of sending another man to stand in place of the groom). Of course Hawk and Adrienne are instantly attracted to each other (once they finally meet each other) beyond their wills and ideas but neither is eager or willing to admit it at the beginning. Immediately after her wedding, someone continually tries to take Adrienne's life. To make matters worse, Adam Black has decided to place himself in the equation and tries to lure Adrienne from Hawk. The sudden love-triangle elevates Hawks bit of jealousy and we are succumbed to Adam and Hawks pissing contest throughout the duration of the book.

Beyond the Highland Mist is a good blend of magic, otherworldly things and time travel all wrapped inside a Medieval romance. The Faerie world that Moning has created  leaves the reader thinking that they are a genuine race who's magic and allure exceeds every ones expectations. The protagonists are truly multi-dimensional. Hawk is an example of a true alpha-male, who is handsome, strong, masculine in every way but has a past that makes him vulnerable. Of course his ways of wooing our heroine was egotistical and barbaric but then I had to remind myself that, that's just how things were during the medieval times. Adrienne is beautiful, strong and independent. A woman scorned during her present life, she found it difficult to let her guards down while living in the past. There were times where I found her a little shrewd and too blind of her own feelings but as a woman I could understand her predicament.

Overall, Beyond the Highland Mist has all the elements of a good romance novel without all the cheesy and greasy aspects of other romance series. It had a great mix of enchantment, sexual tension and good ol' romance PLUS an endearing and lovely mother-in-law. So if you're into beautiful men clad kilts, romance and sexual tension then I suggest you pick this book up. I promise you will not regret it!

Karen Marie Moning's Highlander Series

Currently engrossed in Karen Marie Moning's Highlander series. During the past week and a half I've been able to make my way through the first three books and have loved each one. Of course each is not perfect but each has filled my expectations of a good romance novel. Working on writing up a review for each book but here's the low down on this series.

Although each book (so far) would be able to stand on its own, here is the Highlander Series order of books:

1. Beyond the Highland Mist
2. To Tame a Highland Warrior
3. The Highlander Touch
4. Kiss of the Highlander
5. The Dark Highlander
6. The Immortal Highlander
7. Spell of the Highlander
8. Into the Dreaming (part of Tapestry anthology)

According to KMM's website, here's the connection to each book:

Beyond the Highland Mist is the story of Hawk Douglas and Adrienne de Simone. Hawk's best friend is Grimm (a.k. Gavereal Roderick Icarus McIIlioch) Adam Black makes his debut in this novel. (You might recognize his name as he's mentioned in Moning's Fever series)

To Tame a Highland Warrior is the story of Hawk's best friend, Grimm and Jillian St. Clair. Although Adam Black is not overtly present here, he is responsible for the Berserkers.

The Highlander's Touch is the story of Circenn Brodie and Lisa Stone. Adam Black has a significant role in this novel. ( I was hoping she would have elaborate with Quinn de Moncrieffe from to Tame a Highland Warrior story)

Kiss of the Highlander is the story of Drustan MacKelta and Gwen Cassidy. Though Adam Black is not overtly present, the Tuatha De' Denaan's role in things becomes clearer.

The Dark Highlander is the story of Dageus MacKelta (Drustan's twin brother) and Chloe Zanders. It's Adam Black's interference in this story that causes the Queen of the Tuatha De' Danaan to punish Adam in the Immortal Highlander.

The Immortal Highlander is the story of Adam Black and Gabrielle O'Callaghan.

The Spell of the Highlander is the story of Cian MacKeltar (Drustan and Dageus' ancestor) and Jessie St. James

Although not a full novel, Into the Dreaming is a short story found in the Tapestry anthology. It tells the story of a contemporary writer who lands in 15th century Scotland and falls in love with a Scotsman.

So, if you are into medieval times, hot men clad in Kilts plus romance & sex to satiate your fantasy novel needs; then I suggest you give this series a try. You won't regret it!

Blood Bound by Patricia Briggs

Click here for the sample chapter

Series: Mercedes Thompson 2
Format: Hardback
Release Date: January 30, 2007
Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Under the rule of science, there are no witch burnings allowed, no water trials or public lynchings. In return, the average law-abiding, solid citizen has little to worry about from the things that go bump in the night. Sometimes I wish I was an average citizen...

Mechanic Mercy Thompson has friends in low places-and in dark ones. And now she owes one of them a favor. Since she can shapeshift at will, she agrees to act as some extra muscle when her vampire friend Stefan goes to deliver a message to another of his kind.

But this new vampire is hardly ordinary-and neither is the demon inside of him.

Our reluctant heroine who is at times a coyote continues her adventures on Blood Bound. There's a new demon-vampire in town and only Mercedes Thompson can stop him. Since Mercy is impervious to some magic, her Vampire buddy Stefan asked for her assistance to welcome Cory Littleton, newly made Vampire, demon-rider and Sorcerer extraordinaire. Meeting Cory was more than Mercy has bargained for. To say that she was astounded by his blood lust is an understatement.

Soon there were multiple cases of violence and death in the Tri-State area that has got even the Police concerned. And with the Fae and the Werewolves' recent coming out in the public eye, all is looking bleak in the world of Supernatural creatures. As a damage-control maneuver, Stefan teamed up with another Vamp Daniel, who'd also fallen prey to Cory's spells, and the Weres Warren and his fellow pack mate Ben, and together they hunt down Cory and stop his killing spree.

Mercy is pulled further into this bad situation, her friends turned up missing, Warren was on the verge of death, more innocent people are killed and she herself is being hunted by Cory. And of course to spice things up, she is getting even more involved with pretty boy Alpha Were Adam and her relationship with her once boyfriend/mentor turned roommate, Samuel, gets even more complicated.

Unbelievable.

I slept at 3am because I cannot shut down my brain not until I've finished reading the book. Need I say more on how much this series is growing on me? I mean the last series that I felt this involved with is probably The Fever Series by Karen Marie Moning.

I like Brigg's mythology. Her version of preternatural beings are so raw, so dangerous and so seductive. The Werewolves are not tame, they'll eat you and tear you to pieces if you're at the wrong place at the wrong time. They're savage which reminds us why Vampires are wary of Werewolves, they are as predatory as their dead rivals. They're hot too and I'm not just talking about body temperatures here, Patricia Brigg's Weres are HOTT, oozing with animal magnetism and untempered sensuality.

Briggs chose to retain the lore behind the Vampire myth, they are lethal, true predators, unapologetic and unscrupulous, their conscience and their sense of humanity long gone. The Fae are not just magical beings but dangerous creatures as well. It's a little reminder why these Supernatural creatures are the inspiration behind countless horror movies and Halloween costumes.

And of course, there is the building super typhoon love entanglement between Mercy, Adam, Samuel and I think Stefan will be joining the menagerie soon. So I think you'd understand why I'm swept by the series so far. And just like any tease, there's no major steamy love scenes just yet. No siree. I think Briggs wants to make sure that you're hot and heavy for her men before she gives us any.

I'm hopeless! I'm on my way to the library now to pick up the next one, Iron Kissed. Here's to hoping that I'll sleep early tonight.

REVIEW: Moon Called by Patricia Briggs

Series: Mercy Thompson #1
Format: Hardback
Publisher: Ace
Release Date: January 2006
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Mercy Thompson's life is not exactly normal. Her next-door neighbor is a werewolf. Her former boss is a gremlin. And she's fixing a VW bus for a vampire. But then, Mercy isn't exactly normal herself.

First of all I'd like to thank my partner Cimmaron for recommending this book. I love it! I finished Moon Called in 24 hours because I'm just glued to it. I just took a break when True Blood came in.

Anyway we got a Walker (or Shifter in some myths), a couple of hot Werewolves, a seethe of Vampires and the Fae is not far behind. This has everything that this blog lives for! Perfect read on a rainy Sunday.

So our heroine is Mercedes "Mercy" Thompson, a Walker, who owns a garage in the Tri-State area. She was raised by Werewolves, she's got a degree in History, she owns a garage, a mechanic by trade, and she turns into a Coyote when the need rises. Her neighbor is this hot, ex-military, Alpha Were named Adam who has a daughter named Jesse.

Their business got intertwined when a new Were, Mac, came to Mercy for a job and they found out that some funky business is going on in Chicago, a pack is selling new Weres as subjects for some experiment. The next thing we know, Mac is lying dead in Mercy's front door, Adam is seriously injured and Jesse got kidnapped. With nowhere to go, Mercy went off to Montana with Adam to seek help from the Marrok (the ultimate Alpha) whose son happens to be Mercy's ex.

What happens next is action packed. The rescue operation, a witch helping out the perps and a betrayal that led to death. We discover that the motive behind the whole shenanigan is preventing the Marrok from making a public announcement that Werewolves exists coupled with personal issues.

I like Patricia Briggs style of writing. I like the way she inserts the back stories of the characters, she follows the normal thinking process so we won't be reading chapters of flashbacks. She doesn't linger on giving out too much details, she leaves enough room to the imagination. However we are not shortchanged with her descriptions, it's rich and direct without too much analogies so we stay engrossed to the story.

I was so absorbed with this because I always love strong female characters that are not just pretty but can kick some serious ass (unlike the very popular Bella Swan, ugh!). Mercy reminds me of Sookie Stackhouse in such a way that their moral compass are so intact, they lean towards doing what's right regardless if their safety will be put on the line. They're both independent and are fiercely loyal to those around them.

And the Weres, OMG the Weres! I've always been partial to these creatures with their hot temperature, lean and muscular bodies, amazing speed and agility and the fact that they're related to dogs just appeals to me. They are both cuddly and lethal at the same time so I'm so glad that I'm finally reading a series where the Weres take center stage.

So if you like Jacob Black and/or Alcide Herveaux, then this is the series for you! Team Were all the way!

She's Not There

So I guess majority of us have seen the season 4 premier of True Blood. All I can say is this is my most anticipated season because like Cimmaron, my fave is book 4 of the series, Dead to the World, where the whole Sookie-my-lover thing begins.


First of all, what's up with the faery world?! Like how come those faeries suddenly looked like that guy from Leprechaun the movie? I'm guessing that Alan Ball doesn't really like that part of the story so he just decided to be done with it early on (maybe) since he brought them waaayyy too soon in the story.


And Bill is the King of Louisiana now?! Well that's ok since I really don't like Evan Rachel Wood as Sophie Ann, she was overdoing it (I like her but NOT as Sophie Ann Leclerq). But it's so sad seeing Bill still pining for Sookie. I mean it's so heartbreaking to read it in the book but it definitely takes it to another level to actually see him so brokenhearted over her.


Cimmaron was correct in her speculation that Tara will go play for the other team because she did. She also looks leaner and prettier this season. Go Rutina Wesley!


Although Lafayette should have been long gone, I'm glad they kept him. He adds additional color to the cast what with his bedazzled tanks, studded belts and his fashion statement, his headbands! Plus the forever virgin Jessica is so adorable and her relationship with Hoyt is just so cute.


Then I went ahead and saw episode 2 because I just need more! It was so exciting and the episode holds a lot of promise with the witches and Necromancy. It ends with Sookie finding Eric on the side of the street, shirtless and wandering with a blank look on his face. So I'm guessing HBO will turn up the heat big time!


But I do recommend that y'all get HBO and the HBO Go app. It's so ridiculous how the Facebook "likes" suddenly jumped from 3M yesterday afternoon to 8M after the first episode premiered. They have this double premier tonight so some of us can watch next week's episode. After watching it I think I made a bad call because not I don't think I can wait 2 weeks for episode 3! LOL

Back to Basics

This is where it all started…

Who could ever forget Interview with the Vampire? It ushered a completely different genre of Vampires, a complete three-sixty from Bram Stokers Dracula.

It was in 1994 when this movie came out. At that time, when someone says Vampire, to me it means night crawling blood hounds out to suck you dry. Some kids are afraid of the Boogey Man, my monster were Vampires.

So who would've thought that they could be so angelic, sexy and undeniably seductive? Brad Pitt did the trick for me. He cured my night terrors and instead of dreading my bedtime, I started looking forward to it, fantasizing that Louis would seek me out, turn me immortal, and ask me to be his consort til the sun finally caught up with us.

If only...

The Kane Chronicles by Rick Riordan

The Kane Chronicles

Format: Hardback

Release Dates: May 4, 2012; May 3, 2011

Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

From the same guy that brought us the Percy Jackson series now brings us The Kane Chronicles. It's another brother-sister tandem who cannot be more different than night and day. When their mother mysteriously died, the siblings Carter and Sadie were separated. Carter went globe-trotting with their Egyptologist Dad while Sadie stayed in London with her maternal grandparents. They only got to see each other once a year and in one of this reunions they discovered that they are descendants of Egyptian Pharaohs and they are powerful magicians.

In their first misadventure, their Dad awakened the Egyptian god Set and banished him to a Duat (another dimension) acting as the god Osiris (the Egyptian equivalent of Hades). The siblings were thrust in the company of magical creatures, other magicians, countless Duats and slowly discovers the magic and mystery of their mother's death and their Egyptian ancestry.  Now they're mission is to stop Set and his devious plan of conquering the world... which they eventually did but not before releasing Apophis (a giant snake similar to the Leviathan associated with Chaos).

End Red Pyramid.

After a break from the crazy, we rendezvous again with the Kane siblings in another adventure. Now they have more company, other descendants of Egyptian Pharaoh's (House of Life) have joined them and their quest for vanquishing Apophis, or the Chaos Snake. Here they try to waken Ra, the Sun God, for he is the only one who can vanquish Apophis. However Ra is this geezer, nursing home patient that doesn't seem competent to battle anyone much less the creature who's supposed to destroy the earth.


The Kanes find themselves striking deals with suspicious characters, finding allegiance in the most unexpected places and meeting more Egyptian Gods and Goddesses along the way.


Ok, this has Disney written all over it. Not a surprise since they published the series but I mean it has that "happy" quality to it. It's written in alternating POV's in the form of an audio recording. But it's written wonderfully that it feels like I can hear them and the inserted side comments didn't hurt either.


The stories are fast paced and action packed and it will definitely appeal to the 10+ readers. So if you're a parent or a concerned adult and would like to screen what the young ones are reading, this passes the test. It doesn't have that emo quality that seems to be very popular these days, the characters themselves each provide comedic relief which really gives off this positive and adventurous vibe albeit the fact that the heroes are preventing the end of the world.


I love young adult fiction even if I'm years overqualified for that section. But like what I said, this book is more for the pre-puberty peeps. If you're into the slightly "heavier" reads then I think you'd find this boring. However if you liked the Percy Jackson series and The Immortal Secrets of Nicolas Flamel then this is the book for you.


I'd just advise you to take a book break, like read something else, in between this series and the Nicolas Flamel one because there are Egyptian characters in the Flamel books and it might get jumbled up in your head. Overall, I love this series and I won't be surprised if Disney turns this into a movie. It has all the right ingredients to it anyway.


Happy weekend everyone!

Simply follow the Owl

Pottermore



The mystery is finally unveiled. Too bad it's not a new series but this sounds very exciting! Login to their site and who knows, you might be one of the chosen few who can help shape this part of the Harry Potter Experience.

The Lives of the Mayfair Witches by Anne Rice

An ancient spirit. A family of witches. Incest & intrigue. Anne Rice & New Orleans.

The saga starts with Suzanne Mayfair, the first in the long line of witches, summoning an ancient spirit, Lasher in Donnelaith, Scotland before being burned at the stake. Lasher promised to watch over her line in exchange for them helping him eventually turn to flesh again. Lasher believed that the Mayfairs are strong enough to do this with the hopes of eventually bringing his offspring into the world.

We follow the female line of Suzanne Mayfair and how they eventually became one of the most prominent and wealthy family in New Orleans. But their bloodline is spiced with murder, deception, seduction, rape & incest, and intrigue done with Lasher's ministration and manipulation. The Witching Hour provides the very exciting history of this indomitable family, they are not your usual type of witches armed with wands and spells. Their "witchcraft" is in the form of telekinesis, telepathy, clairvoyance, supreme cunning and intelligence to name a few. 

In Lasher, the spirit finally became flesh after centuries of waiting with the help of Rowan Mayfair. Anne Rice weaves a story about an ancient line of people called the Taltos that lived in Donnelaith, Scotland. They would breed, give birth and grow to full adulthood in a matter of hours. When the Romans came, they ravaged their village, copulate with them but failed, causing their females to die or give birth to dwarves. Lasher believed that he is the spirit of St. Ashlar, the last King of the Taltos who converted to Christianity and had everyone who did not turn to the true faith get burned at the stake including his wife.

The series closes with Taltos. We meet the real Ashlar, now a toy mogul who lives in New York. He hears that there have been sightings of other Taltos until he met with Rowan Mayfair who also gave birth to another Taltos by Lasher. If you're familiar with her other series, The Vampire Chronicles, you'll read about the Talamasca, David Talbot and Mona Mayfair pre-vampirism. The story concludes with Ashlar running off with another Taltos from the Mayfair line to Scotland where they presumably lived happily ever after.

This is old school Anne Rice. The series has some very straightforward steamy scenes that can sometimes make your head spin leaving you saying "Say what now?" classic Anne indeed. Rice is such an amazing writer, I often feel like I'm being taken on a tour in the streets of New Orleans from the Garden District down to the French Quarter. She's able to capture the eras that she writes about, I almost feel like I'm watching the scene instead of reading it. These books are very good reminders why she's one of the most beloved postmodern writer in the paranormal, goth and erotic genre.

I believe that one of the reasons why her writing is so provocative pre- return to Catholicism is because she takes on issues that are considered taboo. Like for example, in Mayfair Witches, incest and murder are some of the subtexts that color the series. At times one would feel like it was written without a hint of conscience, the deviousness were considered "necessary evils" as a means to a desired end. Justified. Matter-of-fact. She writes about these things in a very direct way, challenging our fragile moral gauge, but still we tread on, we read until the story ends leaving us wanting for more.

Ms. Rice, I understand that you went back to the Catholic faith and there's nothing wrong with that. We all need to believe in a power greater than us. However, I hope that you can dig up your alter-ego from the grave and write more stories like this. The world is in need of hardcore paranormal stuff. We need a trend-setter that sets the bar higher. A piece that not just entertains but provokes our fickle tastes and dexterous minds. Something that will prompt us to DEMAND something great and not settle for ordinary books that are just riding the wave.

The Witch and The Wizard by James Patterson

Series: The Witch & Wizard 1 & 2
Format: Hardback
Release Date: December 14, 2009; December 31, 2010
Purchase Links: Amazon

Another brother-sister team who are on the verge of discovering that they are special and that they have special powers. The story is narrated in alternating POV's by the siblings Whitford and Wisteria Allgood in a form of a testimonial.

The first book tells us how they were arrested in the middle of the night at their house accused of witchcraft by the totalitarian government called New Order. There were other teenagers who were arrested in an effort to suppress them, their freedom, their way of life. They managed to escape and save other prisoners but they have yet to look for their parents.

In The Gift, they were once again betrayed and captured, The One needs Wisty for she is "The One Who Has the Gift".  They are slowly coming to terms with their powers as they move forward with the rebellion, the more intense the situation and emotion, the more that their powers come out.

Patterson collaborated with Gabrielle Charbonnet (Witch and Wizard) and Ned Ruse (The Gift) and the saying two heads are better than one is totally not true in this case. Is this series a joke?! I mean seriously, I've heard of James Patterson and I know he's a best-selling author but these books are like first drafts. I don't understand what possessed the editor to give the go signal to get these published. It's like his friends came over and they have this dream of becoming a writer and Patterson decided that he'll help them out. Bad decision.

Let me defend my review, the narration is confusing and very slow paced. Witches and Wizards was just about their jailbreak, going back to jail and another jailbreak. Of course there were other events in between but those were the highlights. In The Gift, they were captured again, broke free and still we have no clue as to who they are, what their history is and why they are so special. I'm all in for suspense and mystery but this is just not straightforward enough for my taste. I have to go back and re-read chapters because they seem to be  morphing from one location to the next without warning. Even the spells were badly written, it doesn't have a sense of authenticity to it. It feels like the book is dancing on different tunes at the same time. The only redeeming part is New Order Propaganda who releases a list of banned artists using parody to present them: Harry Potter is Gary Blotter; Justin Bieber is Dustin Beeper; Taylor Swift is Swifty Tailor; and Miley Cyrus as Smiley Pyrus to name a few.

You don't have to take my word for it but you're better off reading something else.

Vampire Princess

The Smithsonian Channel made this documentary about a Bohemian Princess named Eleanore Elisabeth Amalia Magdalena von Schwarzenberg (1682-1741). I know it's a mouthful but their intro was enough to get me to set my DVR to record. This is the first time that I've heard of this princess and her connection to the Vampire myth so my curiosity was really piqued at this point.

Princess Eleanore is a passionate huntress as seen in her life size portrait. However amongst all the beasts, the wolf is special. You see, like any family born in aristocracy in those days, having an heir and a male one at that is a must. Eleanore would have her servants milk the wolves she's captured and she would drink them everyday for it is believed that it increases fertility and the ability to bear a male heir.

It was not in vain for she gave birth to a son at age 41, considered to be a medical miracle in her time. Some would credit it to sorcery. 

When Eleanore became ill, her health declined very fast. She would experience consistent pain in her abdomen and lower extremities. Due to this illness, she became very ill, emaciated and her orders in the apothecary was very eccentric. When she died, an autopsy was conducted and some speculates that this is probably an intervention to hide her condition or preventive measures in case she was indeed infected with vampirism.

Overall, the documentary failed to present any considerable proof to at least put Eleanore in the same category as Vlad the Impaler or even Elizabeth Bathory. Eleanore didn't murder anybody, no records of any psychotic behavior or even abuse. She would dabble in the occult in secret, keeping charms and the like to protect her from the evil eye but it was not to the point of witchcraft. 

Of course this is just my opinion. Below is a teaser of the documentary, you may view the entire episode on http://youtu.be/wqTOTIrfMrM

The Bloody Lady

With all this hype going on about Vampires fueled by HBO's True Blood season 4 premier and the upcoming release of the Twilight Saga, Breaking Dawn, I thought I'd give a little factoid.

Meet the Blood Countess aka Countess Elizabeth Bathory de Ecsed of Hungary(1560-1614). Considered to be the serial killer in the history of serial killers. With the help of four of her servants, they allegedly murdered 600 women and girls in the span of 15 years.
 Witnesses say that she dabbled in the occult and would drink and even bathe in virgin blood in order to retain her youth. Obviously the Countess has some serious psychological problems and according to reports, she would lure her victims then torture them afterwards. Decapitation, mutilation, burning her victims' faces, genitals and other body parts. She would subject them to sexual abuse, surgical experiments and extreme starvation which would result in their deaths.

Although tried for murder, Elizabeth escaped persecution but was put under house arrest in Csejte Castle. She was found dead on August 21, 1614 although the exact date and cause of her death remain unknown.

Consequently, Bathory hailed from an old and wealthy line of Transylvania ancestry. This resulted to comparisons with Vlad the Impaler or Count Dracaula, earning her the title Countess Dracula. A movie titled Bathory based on her life was released in 2008.

Blood Destiny by Tessa Dawn

This book has received some pretty good reviews on different sites. Adding this to my reading list. 

Hot Vampire? I'm in!

Synopsis from Amazon.com:

He was a lethal vampire bound by an ancient curse. She was an agent of homeland security, investigating a dangerous cult. Theirs was a Blood Destiny about to unfold...

Descended from the progeny of Celestial Gods and humans, Nathaniel Silivasi is handsome, seductive, and powerful beyond measure: a lethal vampire. Belonging to an ancient civilization that sacrificed its females to the verge of extinction, he is also cursed. Like all the sons of Jadon, he is incapable of producing female offspring and is required to sacrifice a first born son as atonement for the sins of his forefathers. While he belongs to a modern civilization, he is bound by primeval law.

When Jocelyn Levi stumbles upon Nathaniel's pristine mountain valley, she is not prepared for the collision of worlds she is about to encounter. As an agent of the homeland security department, ICE, the beautiful, defiant female has an agenda of her own: to stop the ritualistic slaughter of innocent young women by a human trafficking ring. Little does she know that the evil she seeks is unlike anything she has ever witnessed. She has entered a world of warriors, code, and mystery, where the predators are divided only by degrees of light and shadow, and the dark, handsome stranger who has come to her aid is the most dangerous of all.

If anyone has read this, please leave your comments below. I'll post a review when I'm done with it.

Jacob Black is Abducted

This actually doesn't look half bad. Could Taylor be a budding action star? 

Synopsis: (Via Wikipedia)  For as long as he can remember, Nathan Price (Nathan Price) has had the uneasiest feeling that he’s living someone else's life. When he stumbles upon an image of himself as a little boy on a missing persons website, all of Nathan's darkest fears come true: he realizes his parents are not his own and his life is a lie, carefully fabricated to hide something more mysterious and dangerous than he could have ever imagined.


Just as he begins to piece together his true identity, Nathan is targeted by a team of trained killers, forcing him on the run with the only person he can trust, his neighbor, Karen (Lily Collins, who can also be seen in the upcoming Mortal Instruments movie). Every second counts as Nathan and Karen race to evade an army of assassins and federal operatives. But as his opponents close in, Nathan realizes that the only way he’ll survive and solve the mystery of his elusive biological father is to stop running and take matters into his own hands.

Starring: Taylor Lautner, Lily Collins (who will also be staring in the Mortal Instruments movie as Clary Fray), Alfred Molina, Sigourney Weaver, Michael Nyqvist & Maria Bello

Directed By: John Singleton


Abduction will be in theaters starting September 13, 2011

Swing Batta Batta Swing

Word on the street is that a major character from True Blood will be involved in a same sex relationship in the upcoming fourth season.

Some might guess it'll be Eric Northman (remember this scene from season 3?) but I'm betting my money that it'll be Tara. Girlfriend has had so many man problems that it makes sense she head towards another direction.

Come one Trubies, who do you think it'll be?

Mortal Instruments the Movie

It's official!

According to IMDB and Cassandra Clare's website, Lily Collins and Jamie Campbell Bower will be playing the lead roles in the upcoming movie set to be released in 2012.

Like any movie adaptation, expect that it won't be 100% based on the series, certain creative liberties will be taken. However on an interview, Clare said that Clary and Jace's forbidden love will stay and Alec will remain gay.

I don't want to set my expectations too high because Hollywood has disappointed me a lot insofar as movie adaptations are concerned, Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Queen of the Damned and Eragon to name a few. So let's hope that this movie will be decent enough and Collins and Bower will give justice to the role.


We'll see.

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

Series: Infernal Devices
Format: Hardback
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Release Date: August 2010
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Magic is dangerous—but love is more dangerous still.

When sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray crosses the ocean to find her brother, her destination is England, the time is the reign of Queen Victoria, and something terrifying is waiting for her in London's Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit streets. Only the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons, keep order amidst the chaos.

Kidnapped by the mysterious Dark Sisters, members of a secret organization called The Pandemonium Club, Tessa soon learns that she herself is a Downworlder with a rare ability: the power to transform, at will, into another person. What’s more, the Magister, the shadowy figure who runs the Club, will stop at nothing to claim Tessa's power for his own.

Friendless and hunted, Tessa takes refuge with the Shadowhunters of the London Institute, who swear to find her brother if she will use her power to help them. She soon finds herself fascinated by—and torn between—two best friends: James, whose fragile beauty hides a deadly secret, and blue-eyed Will, whose caustic wit and volatile moods keep everyone in his life at arm's length . . . everyone, that is, but Tessa. As their search draws them deep into the heart of an arcane plot that threatens to destroy the Shadowhunters, Tessa realizes that she may need to choose between saving her brother and helping her new friends save the world. . . . and that love may be the most dangerous magic of all.

Infernal Devices is the prequel to Mortal Instruments but the team is more or less the same: two guys and a girl Nephilim make the team plus a random damsel in distress set to join the crew after being saved by them.

We meet Will Herondale, (who is very reminiscent of Jace Wayland) quick witted and very dashing, the mysterious James Carstairs and the reluctant Jessamine Lovelace. Then there's Tessa Gray, a shapeshifter, who is on a mission to look for and save her brother. Here she discovers the world of Downworlders, Vampires and other supernatural beings roaming the streets of London during the Victorian era.

What's good about this series is that although it's a prequel, you don't have to read this before moving on to the "modern" set. The story is not directly related to City of Bones and the rest of the books and in fact, you can read both series at the same time as Cassandra Clare is releasing volumes of Mortal Instruments and Infernal Devices simultaneously. If you like period novels over a 21st century setting, then this is for you as you. You get to keep your fascination for the supernatural sort with 19th century London in the background, complete with petticoats, carriages, morning coats, hats and the like (gotta love historical fiction)!

It's more or less an echo of the Mortal Instruments series as far as Clockwork Angel goes (or probably because I read both series in succession it got blurred in my head), probably because the characters of both series are related somehow and there are similarities in their traits. Aside from having a different plot, the dialogue is pretty much similar (Will is as sarcastic and guarded as Jace) and then of course there's the ever present forbidden-love angle. I wasn't trumped by Clockwork Angel but I was very much entertained by the setting, the gadgets and Magnus Bane. 

However this didn't deter me from wanting to read Clockwork Prince because based on the Cassandra's tweets, it sounds like it's much more exciting than this one. The plot thickens *rubbing hands together*. I also want to know where Tessa's destiny will take her, if she can fit the Nephilim world being a Downworlder. Will Jessamine betray them since she hates being a Nephilim? And Magnus Bane, oh Magnus Bane, you are my favorite, thank you Ms. Clare for including him in this series as well.

Book two of the Infernal Devices is scheduled to be released December 6, 2011. So if you know someone who's following the series, you know what to get them for Christmas. Cassandra tweeted a samples of this book http://mortalinstruments.net/?cat=31

Book Three titled Clockwork Princess doesn't have a release date yet.

REVIEW: City of Fallen Angels by Cassandar Clare

The series is about Nephilims, descendants of fallen angels who procreated with humans creating a race superior to us. Their powers are divine in origin but since they're part human, they're susceptible to certain temptations and errors in judgment. The Shadowhunters, help keep the Supernatural world in line, hunting demons, policing Vampires, Weres, Witches and Warlocks, and other preternatural beings from being exposed to the human race.

The story unfolds with Clary Fray and how she discovered the hidden-world of Shadowhunters and Supes living amongst us in the heart of The Big Apple. Then her mom was abducted by demons and how she herself was being hunted down by these vile creatures. This made the Shadowhunters curious and why can she see them when they've been living in obscurity and glamour for so long, they're only visible to members of their world. "Who is Clary Fray?" is the question that burns their minds.

Thrown in the thick of things without warning, Clary needs to save her mother, battle her father, channel her powers for the good, save the world from damnation, saving her friendship with her bestfriend turned vamp Simon Lewis and figuring out her feelings for her long lost brother, the magnetic and infuriating Jace Wayland.

So I've read the entire series so far and I liked the dialogue and the plot is promising. I was just creeped out by the forbidden love angle but I'm glad that Cassandra Clare straightened that out. Inbreeding and incest is no longer cool, so Medieval! I thought that this will just be a trilogy and frankly I hope that she kept it that way.

City of Fallen Angels is more Simon-centric, it tells the story of his transition from human to vampire and from a night crawler to a day walker. Everyone wants a piece of Simon, even the ladies too! It's his story more or less but we still get to read about Clary and Jace, their love story and the Downworlder/Shadowhunter scene post the events in City of Glass.

Since the big bang showdown already happened in the third book, the 4th volume is a little bit of a let down. I might be getting ahead of myself here as she is set to release two more books, City of Lost Souls and City of Heavenly Fire told in varying POV's from the characters in the series. So we'll get a glimpse of what thoughts are running in Clary's mind, sometimes Jace, Simon and even Alec.

I hope she's plotting something even more stupendous than the Angel summoning business. I wasn't really kept in constant excitement with City of Fallen Angels, on the other hand, maybe we're being taken on a monster roller-coaster ride. After a steep fall, she's just letting the excitement die down a bit only to be hurled in a loop-the-loop.