Welcome to the Creative Corner!

Hi! Welcome to the Creative Corner! This is going to be a site devoted to book-lovers like me who are always looking for a good read. I am going to do book reviews, recommendations, list off short stories and post some of my own. If you are looking for a good, reliable source for all things book, you've found it. So, again, welcome! Hope you visit my site again soon!

Friday, December 25, 2015

MERRY CHRISTMAS 2015!

Merry Christmas everyone! Happy Holidays for 2015! I wish you all a great rest of the day and a Happy New Year. Cheers! See you all sometime next year!

Thursday, December 24, 2015

Countdown to Christmas 2015: Day 14

For day 14, I am posting the link to Google's Santa Tracker. Filled with fun games, humorous clips, and a huge map of where Santa's been and will go, the Santa Tracker has something for people of all ages and stages.

CLICK HERE to go to the Google Santa Tracker.

Happy Holidays! Have a very Merry Christmas and a great New Year! I'll post again tomorrow!

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Countdown to Christmas 2015: Day 13

For day 13 of my countdown, I am posting some of my favorite Percy Jackson headcanons from the web. If you didn't know, Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan is my all-time favorite book series (And that will NEVER change. EVER!). I can read it over 100 times (and I probably have) and still never get tired of it. It's a 'dam' same that there aren't more books like them (and only a true PJO fan would get that reference). So, without any further ado, the Christmas Headcanons:













And, lastly . . .



Merry X-mas, everyone, and stick around for tomorrow's post!


Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Countdown to Christmas 2015: Day 12

For day 12, I wanted to share with all my readers a video that has been buzzing around social media about Starbucks being anti-Christmas. In it, Ellen complains about their plain red cups and lack of holiday spirit. Enjoy (and avoid the 'Satin-Sippers')!


Monday, December 21, 2015

Countdown to Christmas 2015: Day 11

For day 11, I am posting a short video about Jim Gaffigan's tips on present giving. If you didn't know, Jim Gaffigan is an amazingly funny comedian and actor. I LOVE his work. Enjoy this humorous video! 


Sunday, December 20, 2015

Countdown to Christmas 2015: Day 10

For day ten, I am posting a link to the Food Network's Christmas food page.

CLICK HERE to go to the Food Network page.

Have fun and Merry Christmas!

Image result for food network christmas foods

Saturday, December 19, 2015

Countdown to Christmas 2015: Day 9

For day nine of the countdown I am doing an all-minecraft themed post. Today I will be posting the link to my friend's minecraft google plus page, showing a video on how to make minecraft Christmas creeper cookies, and showing some minecraft memes and extras. Enjoy!

Minecraft Creeper Christmas Cookies:


To go to my friend's minecraft page, CLICK HERE.

Memes:









Anyways, see you all tomorrow for another post!



Friday, December 18, 2015

Countdown to Christmas 2015: Day 8

For the eight day of the countdown, since I am going to the new Star Wars movie, I am posting 5 Darth Vader Christmas memes. May the force be with you!

1. When Vader's on the naughty list . . .


2. The present feeler (come on, though, we all have those people in our family who just can't wait!)


3. Starbucks, really . . .


4. Wow. Just wow.


5. Nobody rocks that kitten sweater like Vader!



Again, Happy Holidays and Season's Greetings. Until next time!

Thursday, December 17, 2015

Countdown to Christmas 2015: Day 7

Today, I am posting a video by Eugenie Kitchen (which I really enjoy watching) on how to make a holiday yule log cake. Have fun viewing this creative and interesting video!


Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Countdown to Christmas 2015: Day 6

For the sixth day of this 2015 Christmas countdown, I am posting 10 facts you may not have known about that are all related to Santa Claus.

1. Before 'The Night Before Christmas', Santa Claus was never described as a pipe smoker.
2. Santa Claus has over 1,000 different names.
3. In London, people host a 'Santa Run' on December the 6th (and everyone running must be dressed like Santa).
4. In Russia, Santa is known as 'Grandfather Frost', who travels by white horses with his granddaughter to give children gifts and to set up New Year's Eve parties.
5. In the movie 'The Polar Express', some people believe that everyone in the film represents someone/something from the bible. For example, Santa is supposedly God, the homeless ghost on the top of the train is the Holy Spirit, and the conductor is (a rather cross and strict) Jesus.
6. Santa was supposedly born in 270 AD.
7. The American version of Santa Claus (or Saint Nicholas) originally came from the Dutch version, which was called Sint Nikolaas or Sinterklaas.
8. 'Santa' means 'holy' or 'saint' in Spanish.
9. The animated film 'Santa Claus is Coming to Town' came out on December 14, 1970, in which Santa was played by Mickey Rooney.
10. Santa Claus delivers presents to well over 22 million children on average each year.

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Countdown to Christmas 2015: Day 5

For day five of the countdown, since there was a giant snowstorm outside my house that lasted the whole day, I am posting a rendition of 'Baby It's Cold Outside' starring Lady Gaga and Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Have fun!


Countdown to Christmas 2015: Day 4

Sorry that this is a day late! I was very busy yesterday and throughout today, but I am posting this now. Here is a video on how to make pumpkin pie. Bonn Appetite!

Sunday, December 13, 2015

Countdown to Christmas 2015: Day 3

Since there re now only 12 days left until Christmas, I just had to post this video by Straight No Chaser. In case you didn't know, they are a very talented group of singers. They are an all-male preforming group. I hope you guys enjoy this video!


Saturday, December 12, 2015

Countdown to Christmas 2015: Day 2

For the second day of my countdown, I am posting the link to a Christmas logic puzzle site and some Christmas memes. Have fun!

CLICK HERE to go the logic puzzle site.

















I will be posting another countdown note tomorrow! Happy Holidays to you and yours!

Friday, December 11, 2015

Countdown to Christmas 2015: Day 1

For my first day of the countdown, I am doing a music showcase of one of my favorite preforming groups: Pentatonix. In case you didn't know, Pentatonix is an acapella band that preforms on lots of tours around the world and has become famous on YouTube for both their songs and their humorous interviews. Again, they are one of my all-time favorite groups - I am always fascinated at the way their voices mesh together so well! Here are the songs:

Joy to the World


That's Christmas to Me


White Winter Hymnal


Carol of the Bells


Winter Wonderland/ Don't Worry Be Happy (Mix)


Enjoy and Happy Holidays! Until tomorrow!
The Christmas of Miracles

* * * * */ Five Stars

Genre: Mystery, Magic, Intellect, Suspense, Fantasy, Family

In this book by Michelle Bailey Webster (whom I have met several times before), you are introduced to Skylar and her family. Her father has died, and that death has taken a toll on her family, but she and the rest of them are still shooting for another perfect Christmas. Little do they know, however, how many lives intertwine with theirs. When her mother meets another woman whose son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter have all died in a plane crash, a three-of-a-kind carved angel is bought, and a stranger is invited to their celebration, questions are popped up about the way fate truly works. What is the significance of the angels? Is Skylar's father still watching out for her? And is there such a thing as destiny?
I really enjoyed this heartwarming novel. It is a relatively short book, but it has a great storyline filled with many twists and turns that I wasn't expecting. Touching and moving while showing us what the holidays are meant for, 'The Christmas of Miracles' is an inspirational read that will soon become a classic.



2015 Countdown to Christmas

This year, I am doing a 15 day countdown until Christmas, starting tonight. Each day, I will post something about or relating to Christmas, like a video, recipe, poem, etc. Be on the lookout!

Thursday, November 26, 2015

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! In celebration of this holiday, I am posting this Charlie Brown video:


Also, CLICK HERE to go to the Food Network webpage for Thanksgiving and CLICK HERE to go a website about Thanksgiving crafts. 

Lastly, I found this (insanely hard) Thanksgiving dinner logic puzzle. It is much more difficult than it seems! CLICK HERE to go there now. 

Anyways, Happy Holidays and enjoy your break from school/work! I'm wishing all my readers the best this Thanksgiving! Have a good one! 

Friday, November 13, 2015

Slated

* * * */ Four Stars

Genre: Action, Adventure, Mystery, Suspense, Intrigue, (a little) Romance, Futuristic, and Fiction

In this book by Teri Terry, Kyla has been slated. In other words, her mind has been wiped by the government. The government, in order to avoid killing young terrorists and criminals, clears their minds of their memories and reforms them with a special bracelet called a levo. It monitors your happiness, anger, and sadness levels. If they drop below a 3, you get shocked. Below a 2, and you get knocked out. If you try to remove it, you die from the stress and pain it inflicts on your body. If you still find a way to get around the levo or question the slating system, government agents called Lorders come into play and 'take care of you'. Kyla doesn't remember who she is and what she did, but right away she notices some things that are different in herself that sets her aside every other slated she encounters at her new school and with her foster family. She is more in control of her thoughts and susceptibility, she feels more comfortable writing with her weaker hand than with her dominant one, she has been having strange dreams, and her levo seems to be . . . wrong. With the help of her new friend (or maybe more than that), Ben, Kyla tries to uncover who she is, what is happening in her dreams, and what is wrong with both the government and her levo. But Kyla's past holds many secrets, some she may not want to find out. Will she succeed, or will the weight of her past memories and the threat of the Lorders prove too much for her to handle?
I really enjoyed this interesting read. Full of adventure and mystery, this novel is sure to please!

Tuesday, November 3, 2015

Happy (kinda-late) Halloween!

Hello again! Sorry I wasn't able to post anything on Halloween day, but I was busy the whole weekend. I meant to post this video beforehand, but you can see it now. Happy (late) Halloween! Enjoy!


Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Top 25 Must-Read Book Series

Here are my top 25 favorite book series to read ever. I have posted the first book in the series with the link to a website with a synopsis (typically the author's official website) embedded in it with each listing out of the 20. I LOVE LOVE LOVE these books and really hope that the people who see this and then go out and read them later will enjoy them, too.

1. Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
2. The Books of Beginning Book 1: The Emerald Atlas by John Stephens
3. The Finishing School Series Book 1: Etiquette and Espionage by Gail Carriger
4. Warriors by Erin Hunter
5. Ruby Red: The Ruby Red Trilogy by Kerstin Gier
6. The Ever Afters Book 1: Of Giants and Ice by Shelby Bach
7. A Wrinkle in Time: the Time Quintet Book 1 by Madeline L'Engle
8. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis
9. The Harry Potter Series Book 1: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J. K. Rowling
10. Tales of the Frog Princess Book 1: The Frog Princess by E.D. Baker
11. The Kane Chronicles Book 1: The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan
12. Inkheart: Inkworld Trilogy Book 1 by Cornelia Funke
13. Artemis Fowl: The Artemis Fowl Series Book 1 by Eion Colfer
14. The School for Good and Evil Trilogy Book 1: The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani
15. The 13th Reality Book 1: The Journal of Curious Letters by James Dashner
16. City of Ember: The Ember Series Book 1 by Jeanne DuPrau
17. Kingdom Keepers Book 1: Disney After Dark by Ridley Pearson
18. The Unwanteds Series Book 1: The Unwanteds by Lisa McMann
19. The Magic Thief by Sarah Phineas
20. The Secret Series Book 1: The Name of this Book is Secret by Pseudonymous Bosch
21. The Selection Series Book 1: The Selection by Kiera Cass
22. Incarnate: The Incarnate Novels by Jodi Meadows
23. Young Wizards Book 1: So You Want to be a Wizard by Diane Duane
24. Five Kingdoms Book 1: Sky Raiders by Brandon Mull
25. Fablehaven: the Fablehaven Series by Brandon Mull

Friday, September 18, 2015

The Last Ride

I've found a really interesting short story told from the point of view of a New York City taxi driver. It's about an old woman that he gives a ride to. While he is driving her around, she takes him all over downtown, showing him things like her old house and a dance studio she liked to go to. This story really made me wonder about the life I would like to lead, and how the smallest acts of compassion can affect other people's lives. The story is called The Last Ride, and you can find it on the webpage Stories to Make You Think.

I arrived at the address and honked the horn. After waiting a few minutes, I honked again. Since this was going to be my last ride of my shift, I thought about just driving away, but instead I put the car in park and walked up to the door and knocked.
"Just a minute!" answered a frail, elderly voice. I could hear something being dragged across the floor. After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 90s stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940s movie. By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets. There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware.
"Would you carry my bag out to the car?" she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman. She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb. She kept thanking me for my kindness. "It's nothing", I told her. "I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother to be treated." "Oh, you're such a good boy," she said.
When we got in the cab, she gave me an address and then asked, "Could you drive through downtown?" Downtown was a long drive, I thought to myself. "It's not the shortest way." I answered quickly. "Oh, I don't mind," she said. "I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a hospice." I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening. "I don't have any family left", she continued in a soft voice. "The doctor says I don't have very long." I quietly reached over and shut off the meter."What route would you like me to take?" I asked. 
For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator. We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds. She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl. Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.
As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, "I'm tired. Let's go now." We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico. Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move. They must have been expecting her.
I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair. "How much do I owe you?" She asked, reaching into her purse. "Nothing", I said in reply. "You have to make a living", she protested. "There are other passengers", I responded. Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held onto me tightly. "You gave an old woman a little moment of joy", she said. "Thank you." I squeezed her hand, and then walked into the dim morning light.
Behind me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life. I didn't pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly lost in thought. For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk. What if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift? What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away? On a quick review, I don't think that I have done anything more important in my life. We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments. But great moments often catch us unaware - beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.
Winterling

* * * * */ Five Stars

Genre: Action, Adventure, Fiction, Fantasy, (some light) Humor, Suspense, Mystery, Danger

In this enchanting book by Sarah Prineas, you meet Fer, a teenage girl who lives with her grandmother. Fer tries to live a normal life, but getting too close to town, riding the bus away from the edge of the wood where she lives, twists her stomach into knots. She always feels more at home wandering outside in the forest than she does inside with her peers. When she meets Rook, everything changes. Rook is a puck, a human with the natural ability to shape shift using small mementos called 'shiftier-bones', and he came through a Way, a portal to another place filled with magic, after being run out of his home by the Mor. Following him back through, Fer meets the Mor, the leader of the kingdom that they stand in, the Summerlands. As Fer begins to embrace this strange new land, she will uncover many dark secrets about the land itself, the mysterious Mor, and even her own late parents. Will she be able to save the Summerlands and stop the wicked Mor, or will she suffer the fate her mother did if she fails?
I really loved the way Prineas crafts her novels in general, and I have already written about another series of hers, The Magic Thief, but this book series was truly outstanding by my standards. Rich and detailed while still being shorter than 400 pages per book in this series, Winterling is a modern take on the old views of magic and of leadership that will someday become a classic. I recommend it to anyone looking for an old-fashioned adventure with some new twists and turns.  

Saturday, September 12, 2015

Twinmaker

* * * */ Four Stars

Genre: Action, Adventure, Futuristic, Fiction, Intellect, Danger, Mystery, Suspense, Humor, Romance (but very little)

Welcome to the future! Everything has changed from the 21st century Earth that we know; fabbers create endless supplies of food, people all over the globe communicate via 'the air', and almost everyone teleports around the world using the d-mat system. Clair is a normal girl living with her parents. She goes to a good school and has an amazing best friend called Libby. Everything changes in a heartbeat, however, when her friend Libby trys Improvement (using a special code when you teleport to change any physical imperfection). Libby is now being brainwashed. Her code is changing. And her body will soon be dying. Clair looks for answers with the help of an Abstainer, a person who doesn't use d-mat or fabbers to live, who goes to her school named Jesse. After choosing to collaborate with her, instantly things go wrong. His dad gets killed, the house blows up, and viscous dupes will stop at nothing to make sure that she and Jesse don't share what they know with the world. Now Clair and her new friends are on a race to save Libby and stop the dupes before time runs out in a crazy sprint across the globe. Can they escape the technology that hunts them in a world filled with d-mat?
I really enjoyed the imagination and technological elements in this novel that mesh together to create a groundbreaking piece. I think that Sean Williams went above and beyond to ensure that this book and its characters would seem as real and as thrilling as possible. I recommend this book to anyone with a love of sci-fi and who wants a taste of adventure in what they read.

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Restart!

Just to let you know, if you haven't already seen it, my last fanfiction was a bust. I mean, really, it was more just me saying what happen to the many characters in The Heros of Olympus series than a constructed, in-depth story continuation. Anyways, I've decided to try again with Leo and Calypso, since there is a huge margin for a story there from Calypso's point of view, especially since she spent eons on Ogygia waiting for him. What did she even do all that time, abandoned and alone? Anyways, here we go:


   Calypso was getting tired of Leo. He had only been there 5 days, and already she hated his presence. Yesterday he walked in the entrance of her cave, and she threw a pot at his head. She couldn't help but feel a twinge of satisfaction at seeing him run away. He was bent on trying to escape, although she had already explained to him that it wouldn't ever work. The island's magic was probably closed for good anyways.
   And then she had to give him food. Calypso was sick of making food deliveries. She didn't think he could die here, and although that change would probably be welcome, he was still a person, and she didn't want to see him suffer. Lately she had just left it out away from her home and he would collect it later, but still, it was bothersome. He was bothersome.
  And let's not forget his clothes. The past 2 days he had burned through his clothes, and she didn't expect those habits to change anytime soon. She would have to weave him new ones each day. It wasn't exactly hard, but it was annoying. Why couldn't he have been another, more likable, more handsome hero?
   As she went to bed that night, she sighed. Her luck was completely rotten.

   Calypso woke up to the sound of the birds outside and to her fountain. She got up, got dressed, and went out to her garden to tend to the plants. Then Calypso saw the fountain. One satyr statue on the fountain was tilted sideways and the water was spewing over the fountain at random moments. She tried everything she knew how to do to fix it, but still couldn't manage to twist it and get the water pressure on again. Reluctantly, after 3 hours of work, she knew that she couldn't do it alone. She never had tried to fix anything like this, and she had no experience that could help her with this specifically. She had to ask Leo for help. She shuddered, but walked down to his makeshift camp and brought him up to fix the fountain.
   Leo solved the problem in under 5 minutes. he called it an 'easy fix'. Go figure. She thanked him, half surprised he wasn't rubbing it back in her face, but he seemed genuine about the whole situation. Odd.
   As she fell asleep, the last thoughts she had about him were ' . . . maybe he isn't so bad after all'.

   Over the next couple days, Leo had made a small forge and was working on a new project. Calypso had come down once to check on him, but the first thing she noticed was that all of the birds and other animals (which she had relied on for company during her long periods of loneliness) were running and flying away from that side of the island due to Leo's hammering and smoke. She voiced her complaints, but he just mockingly replied, "Oh, no, not the birds!" He still believed that there would be a way off her island, and continued working on. Angrily, she told him that she had brought down more food for him, since he hadn't eaten in 2 days. He looked surprised that she had noticed at all, as she had stopped picking up and carrying the food to their meeting spot (and had started sending her invisible servants to do it instead) and generally tried to ignore him unless she wanted to ask him a favor. He promised to hammer quieter, to which she said "Huh" in a dull, unimpressed voice. Just because he did her some favors lately did not make him any less annoying and imposing, and it certainly didn't make her like him any more. Calypso was determined not to like him at all.
   However, she was sick of making him new clothes each day, and so she decided to make him ones that were fireproof. she would have made them plain white, but then decided to look into the past and create them based on clothes he had already worn. If she was already weaving them with magic anyways, what difference did it make? It would be a surprise, and a thank you gift for the fact that he fixed the fountain and did a handful of other small fixes.
   When she went to drop the clothes off, she came up behind Leo and started talking. He dropped his wires and jumped. After a few seconds of staring at her mindlessly with wide eyes, he shook his head and took the clothes, then sarcastically said something about her really warming up to him. Calypso blushed deeply and angrily stated that she only had an interest in not making him new clothes all the time and explained that it was a thanks for all the other things he had fixed for her. He laughed when she started naming them off, but then his excuses began coming out slightly slower, and he looked just a little bit flustered. "You're really warming up to me," she repeated, though not to be mean. Right then, she was really having fun. As he showed her the Archimedes sphere he had been working so hard on, then promptly lit his shirt on fire, she tried not to laugh. It didn't work as he had hoped, but then Calypso suggested singing to clear his mind so he could think straighter. She sang a few lines, then stopped and opened her eyes. Leo was staring at her so hard it was slightly unnerving, as if she was the only thing there. She shifted slightly and changed the subject. "Any luck?" she asked. His eyes tore away from her with a struggle and he went back to the sphere, which he made work with ease this time.
   Scenes played out from the outside world. The last one was of a beautiful Roman roughly his age, flying across the ocean on a severely wounded and tired Pegasus. They were flying into a huge storm. Leo screamed, "No, not now. Show me what happens!" Calypso couldn't help but feel a tiny twinge of jealousy as she asked him if the girl they just saw was his girlfriend. He stared at her as if she was crazy, and then proclaimed that he didn't have one but still needed to see more. Gaea appeared and tried to strike up a deal with her. In exchange for Leo, she could have any number of things, including Percy Jackson, who would be hers to "punish or love" as she so chose. But if her evil grandmother wanted Leo, that meant that he was vital to his team aboard his ship, and could tip the balance of the war. No. Gaea couldn't have him. Calypso wouldn't be swayed by the evil lineage of her family again like she was in the first titan war just because they were family. Leo was her friend, and she would have to help him get back to his ship to save the world.

   In the nest week, Calypso had completed all the tasks Leo had given her to help out with, such as gathering supplies, weaving rope, and making rigging and sails and had started pitching in with some of his. They were going to make a boat that he could ride out of Ogygia on. The unofficial rules that said he couldn't eat with her seemed to be abolished, and they were eating dinner that night when he started talking about the machine shop that he would open, and how he could hire her. He added on, "We could even provide entertainment. You could sing and I could, like, randomly burst into flames." Calypso laughed, and inside, her heart did a little flip. He remarked on how funny he was, and she tried to kill her smile. "You are not funny," she replied. She was trying, actually making an effort not to like Leo, who she had despised when he first arrived. He would leave anyways. She wouldn't fall for him like she had every other hero and have her heart broken. And yet . . . the ideas he shared with her, however, about him coming back for her, and them starting up a shop were really sweet. Her heart just wasn't entirely with the program.
   She asked when he was going to be able to leave, sure that Leo would be just as antsy to get off her island as he was when he arrived, but he answered 'about another week' with a completely calm voice, as if staying a little longer wouldn't bother him anymore. She wondered why that had changed now.
   Leo, as dinner was ending, surprised her again by bringing up how he wanted to fix his metal dragon and then come back to rescue her. She explained once more how it wouldn't work and how she couldn't leave, but he sounded so sure of his plan it was hard to believe what she was telling herself anymore. He went back to his plans for the boat when a small raft appeared on the beach.
   Calypso hurriedly crammed Leo's supplies onto the boat and told him to hurry, since she didn't know how long it would stay for. The raft only appeared for those she fell in love with though, which meant . . . another hero would break her heart again. Leo, seconds later, shared that thought, although he voiced it aloud. She replied by telling him not to push his luck, and not to make her any empty promises about coming back. no man found Ogygia twice.
   When Leo began to argue with her, she kissed him, and then shoved him onto the raft. His voice was unusually high. As the magical raft floated away, tears streamed down her face. She wiped her face furiously as she stormed up the beach, retreating to her cave.

   Calypso, within the next month, had packed everything she would need to take to the outside world in 2 light suitcases. She always kept them on the beach, so if, by some miracle, someone came back for her, she would be ready.
   Years and years and years past on Ogygia, and still nothing. She stopped going to that part of the beach. Calypso told herself that nobody would come. Her slim hopes were dashed.
   One day, she woke up exceptionally early. She felt strange, and somehow wanted to go down to that stretch of beach again. She called her invisible servants to go with her in case she needed them. Something would happen today; she could feel it. Calypso waited until sunset on the beach when she saw a shining glint of metal in the sky, followed by loud whoops of joy. She smiled slowly.


 
 . . . And that's the end. Sorry it was so long, but I tried hard not to make it overly sappy and stuff yet still fit it in with Leo's account of what happened in The House Of Hades. Hope you enjoyed this!

Just to let you know . . .

I have just updated the Creative Corner by adding a Google Search Bar to my blog. This will allow anyone on the blog to search for their favorite posts and such. I am still deciding whether or not to keep it indefinitely, but for now, it's going to be here as a tool at your disposal. Just search the words in the box, and every post related to those words will appear. Thanks!

Friday, July 17, 2015

The Missing, Book 8

The Missing, Book 8: Redeemed by Margaret Peterson Haddix is finally coming out. YAYYY! It will be the conclusion to this riveting series and will elaborate more on the prospect of Jonah having a new twin brother (yeah, I wasn't really expecting that in the last book . . .). Here is the new cover:



Here is the link to Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Redeemed-The-Missing-Book-8-ebook/dp/B00BSAOFCA  
And here is a link to Haddix's site: http://www.haddixbooks.com/home.html 

Also, Redeemed comes out on 09/08/2015, so look for it in the fall! 

Thursday, July 16, 2015

Pennyroyal Academy

* * * * */ Five Stars ( it just made it to five, since it had lots of twists I personally wasn't expecting!)

Genre: Action, Adventure, (some slight) Humor, Fantasy, Loss, Mystery, Suspense, (and a tiny sprinkling of) Romance

In this enchanting and magical book by M. A. Larson, a girl is lost in the woods for the fourth night in a row. She doesn't know who she is or what she's doing there, but she has a sneaking suspicion that if she doesn't get out soon, she'll be dead one way or another from any number of separate causes. She is walking around with only spiderwebs to cover her and is caked in mud when a witch captures her. She escapes with the help of another boy who is trapped, whose name is Remington, and who tells her that he is heading to the famous Pennyroyal Academy to train as a knight. Advised by him to go there as well to become a princess, she and him travel there together, where she signs up to train. She soon makes new friends, who help her come up with the name Evie, she begins her training and learns how to fight witches with compassion, the proper way to jump out of towers, how to make dresses, unarming and defeating boys in battle, and much more. But will Evie ever find out who she really is and save all her friends from terrible fates, or will she be kicked out of school and doomed to never belong anywhere?
I really enjoyed this inventive novel. It kind-of reminds me of the book, 'The School for Good and Evil' that I wrote about a while back. I recommend this book to anyone who loves a thrilling adventure mixed with a dazzling, whimsical setting and a riveting mystery. It is sure to be a widespread crowd-pleaser!

Sunday, July 5, 2015

Happy 4th of July!!!

Happy (late) 4th of July, viewers! Enjoy this video of the Macy's 2015 fireworks display in the spirit of the holiday! 


Fablehaven

* * * */ Four Stars

Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Humor

In this awesome book by Brandon Mull, you meet Kendra and her cheeky brother Seth, who are dreading spending time with their grandparents, since they haven't ever reached out or know much of anything about their grandkids. They are only taking the kids in because they have to, since their parents are going on a family cruise. Which, apparently, didn't include the children. As they settle in on their grandfather's estate, which is apparently missing their grand-mother, they begin to notice strange happenings, such as the fact that there is a creepy old lady struggling with a rope in the woods, and that all of the butterflies and such are attracted to mirrors. Soon they learn the truth about the strange estate they are on; it is actually a secret magical preserve called Fablehaven that shelters the creatures inside of it; both good and evil. During the equinox, Seth opens the window, allowing demons and other such creatures of darkness into the house, where they steal away their grandfather and terrorize the rest of the staff. It's up to Kendra and Seth to right their wrongs, save their friends and family, and prevent all of Fablehaven from falling. But can they even make it out alive?
I am a fan of Mull, and I really like his work and this series, but I wish that there was more elaboration on this first book, which is why it got downgraded a star. Anyways, I recommend this novel to anyone with a taste for excitement and a yearning for an amazing adventure.  

Kingdom Keepers: Disney After Dark

* * * * */ Five Stars 

Genre: Action, Adventure, (some slight) Humor, Fantasy, Fiction, Futuristic 

Meet Finn Whitman. He and four other teenagers were selected by the Disney company to be models for their new programs, DHIs; Disney Interactive Hosts, or designated holograms that will show visitors around the parks. The money they received and the lifetime passes to Disney seemed too good to be true, and they accepted these gifts along with other freebies openly in exchange for having their faces plastered all over the major Disney outlets. What they didn't realize was that the holograms aren't just to show visitors around; each night, the band of fives' consciousnesses are transported into their hologram, and they explore the parks while they are suspended in sleep. But the dangers are very real. Whatever injuries and traumas happen while you are a hologram are there on your physical body in the morning, and that isn't all they need to worry about. You could be captured and rendered unable to return back to your human self, trapped as a hologram. You could die. Finn Whitman and the others are discovering the dark side of Disney; one where the villains (who call themselves Overtakers) want to overthrow the heroes and take over the parks once and for all. It is up to the Kingdom Keepers to stop them. Can they succeed in defeating the forces of evil, or will they fail, and the Disney magic be lost forever?  
I adored this creative book by Ridley Pearson. It was beautifully written and I loved this amazing blend of mystical magics and real-life situations. It is sure to be a real success and an instant hit with anyone who reads it!

SQUEEEEEE!!!

If you haven't already heard, Rick Riordan fans, a new book is being released! YAYYY! Rick is releasing a new book series on the Norse gods called Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard Book 1: The Sword of Summer! It is coming out on 10/6/15. Here is a sneak peak of the new cover:



Be sure to look for it this fall!

Sunday, June 7, 2015

New Arrivals

As you know, everyone has been buzzing about the new release of the spin-off of The Selection, which is called The Heir. I have linked the book name to Kiera Cass' website, where you can look at this new book and all of her old ones concerning The Selection series. In addition to just talking about this specific book, I am also showing you the release dates of some new books from a bunch of my other personal favorite series. Not all of them I have written about, but here they are . . .

The 13th Reality Book 4: The Void of Mist and Thunder
- comes out on 7/3/2015 (on eBook; it will come out in other formats soon after)



The Waterfire Saga Book 3: Dark Tide
- comes out on 10/13/2015



The Ever Afters Book 4: Of Enemies and Endings
- comes out on 6/30/2015




The School For Good and Evil Book 3: The Last Ever After
- comes out 7/21/2015



The Finishing School Series Book 4: Manners and Mutiny
- comes out 11/3/2015



So be on the lookout!

Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Graceling

* * * * */ Five Stars

Genre: Action, Adventure, Mystery, (mild) Humor, Suspense, Intrigue, Fantasy, (some slight) Romance

In this whimsical novel by Kristin Cashore, there are many realms and some 'extra special' (but highly discriminated against) people with eyes that are differently colored. They are called 'the graced'. The Gracelings can develop their talents at any age or stage in their life, and when they do, it is quite obvious what they are graced at. For example, if the first time you ever dance you may do so as if you were a professional, you are graced with dancing. The same is true for cooking, cleaning, sword-fighting, and anything else you can possibly imagine. When young Katsa punches her cousin in the face as a little girl to such effect that it breaks his nose, everyone, including herself, assumes her grace is fighting. Her uncle (the king), instead of sending her away, appoints her to be his own personal thug. Sent on missions to torture, collect info, fight in battles, and so much more, Katsa barely has much of any say in her destiny and is beginning to wonder what she wants. Then, one fateful day, she meets Prince Po, another royal from another realm that claims that he too shares this gift. As they become friends, her suspicious rise, and the flames fan around her kingdom. What will happen to her? And what secrets are yet to be uncovered?
I adored this 'colorful' and imaginative book. However, this book is probably more for a mature and developed audience. Anyways, I recommend it to any member of an older mental crowd that loves mystical worlds, pirates, magical beasts, and a taste for the extraordinary!




Monday, May 11, 2015

The Selection

* * * */ Four Stars (almost five)

Genre: Action, Adventure, Romance, Humor, Futuristic, Suspense

America Singer and her family are fives; aristocrats, all of them working in 'the arts'. They are 3 caste levels up from the worst caste, an eight. In a world where the USA has long since crumbled and a new kingdom has risen from the ashes, China is a superpower, and World Wars 3 and 4 have already been fought, the 'one' caste remains; the royal family. Whenever a prince born of the royal family comes of age, 35 eligible girls from any caste are selected to compete for his hand and for the crown. America doesn't want to enter the Selection, since she is happy with her boyfriend back at home. But, at his urging, her mother's pleas, and the chance to earn money for her poor family and friends, America enters. Unexpectedly, she is chosen, and her world gets flipped upside down. Now immersed in a world of luxury and lies, America Singer must fight out the Selection while confused about who and what she wants. Will she continue on and choose to be with the prince? Or will she be eliminated and go back home?
I really liked this incredible book by Kiera Cass. The distopian world and America's fiery courage throughout the book had me hanging on to the last words! I recommend this book to anyone wanting a 'modern Cinderella' story and an interesting romance.

Image result for the selection goodreads

(Above are all 3 main books in the trilogy)

Saturday, May 9, 2015

Etiquette and Espionage

* * * * */ Five Stars

Genre: Action, Adventure, Humor, Mystery, Suspense, Intrigue, Fantasy

In this amazing book by Gail Carriger, you meet the lovable and humorous Sophronia, a girl living in the 1800s. She isn't like her many older sisters; she enjoys climbing elevator shafts, playing in the mud with her brothers, and annoying her mother. When her family is recommended by their neighbor to Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing School, Sophronia's mother jumps at the opportunity to send her there. At first, Sophronia is dreading the experience, thinking it to be a boring school that will teach her manners and curtsies all day, but she is in for quite the surprise; at this school, all the girls learn to finish . . . everything. From eyelash fluttering to knife throwing, Sophronia soon realizes that this school has it all. Is she ready to be thrown into this wacky world of tea parties AND assassinations, or will her adventures there prove that she can't handle the weight of this extraordinary profession?
I love the crazy steam-punk universe that the author has created. This book is crafted with humor, adventure, the supernatural and so much more, which will make it an instant hit with anyone who reads it!




Sunday, April 26, 2015

Fever, 1793

* * * * */ Five Stars

Genre: Action, Adventure, Historical Fiction, Humor, Suspense, (and the slightest bit of) Romance

In this intriguing book by Laurie Halse Anderson, you meet Mattie (Matilda, in full) Cook and her lovable family. A teenager with a want for more in a world after the terrible war, a mother with a will as hard as nails and a spirit strong, and a grandfather both amusing and completely serious about the protection of his family. The small group live together at a coffee house that they run in Philadelphia, the capital. They have a nice life, running their business, gossiping about the town, and interacting with friends and relations. Then disaster strikes the city. The dreaded yellow fever epidemic of 1793 hits hard, first taking the life of Mattie's dearest friend, Polly, then grasping her mother, and finally getting nearly everyone in town sick. As the sickness closes in and her mother continues to get worse, the biggest question of all arises; in a world filled with fever, will Mattie and her family make it out alive?
I really enjoyed this enchanting novel. I recommend it to anyone wanting a good book that hosts some truth. It will defiantly become an addition to my bookshelf!

Image result for fever 1793

Also, sorry for taking so long to post anything. The same for Imagine Works and History Mystery. I promise - and so do the owners of the other blogs I collaborate with - to pick up my blogging. I feel bad for not posting anything for a while. I will try to be better about that.