Ramblings of an iDogrocker

Leviathan

2010-12-23T13:01:00.000-08:00

Breakdown:
Cover: 7/10
Potential: 8/10
Writing: 6/10
Characters: 5/10
Plot: 5/10

Quick Take: It could have been so good, but alas, Leviathan was a sorry excuse for a Westerfeld novel. In the past, I've been able to trust Mr. Westerfeld in all that he writes. I loved the Midnighters and the Uglies and the Peeps, but this steampunk novel was a total and utter flop.

Perfect Chemistry

2010-12-22T13:01:00.000-08:00

Breakdown:
Cover: 5/10
Potential: 5/10
Writing: 5/10
Characters: 5/10
Plot: 5/10

Quick Take: Mediocre in every way, shape, and form. Waste of time? I think yes. The characters were bland, the plot simple, and the writing juvenile. Note: I am the antithesis of the closet romantic. This is a book centered on romance. Coincidence? Eh...maybe not.

The Last Song

2010-12-21T13:01:00.000-08:00

Breakdown:
Cover: 5/10
Potential: 5/10
Writing: 5/10
Characters: 4/10
Plot: 4/10

Quick Take: Sparks' novel is cliché in every way, shape, and form, despite superficial attempts to seem to the contrary. The ending was supposed to be raw with emotion and, after a quick cry, have that feel-good taste. I turned the last page feeling bitter and disappointed. Not even worth a trip to the library.

Wake

2010-12-20T13:00:00.001-08:00

Breakdown:
Cover: 7/10
Potential: 8/10
Writing: 8/10
Characters: 7/10
Plot: 8.5/10

Quick Take: I've heard so many mixed reviews about this book, but overall, I enjoyed it. I think it's short enough to NOT qualify as any sort of waste of time. I'll recommend it. Borrowing is best.

Marked

2010-09-20T12:05:00.001-07:00

Breakdown:
Cover: 6/10
Potential: 7/10
Writing: 6/10
Characters: 5/10
Plot: n/a

Quick Take: The WHOLE book felt like a prologue. I waited and waited and WAITED for a story to start, but nothing happened. Not really. This really is just another vampire book. Not even worth a library visit. Stay away!!

The Monster Variations

2010-09-13T12:00:00.000-07:00

Breakdown:
Cover: 6.5/10
Potential: 8/10
Writing: 9/10
Characters: 8/10
Plot: 10/10

Quick Take: I got an ARC copy of this book and put off reading it for quite some time. When I finally got around to reading it, I was shocked by it's sheer amazingness. This is a poignant, nail biting, even tear jerking? read. And it, ladies and gentlemen, is a MUST. For sure worth buying, if you want it to any sort of degree.

Highway to Hell

2010-09-10T12:00:00.000-07:00

Breakdown:
Cover: 7/10
Potential: 9/10
Writing: 7.5/10
Characters: 8.5/10
Plot: 7/10

Quick Take: Highway to Hell got the same scores as Hell Week, and was about the same quality...except for one redeeming factor; the end. The ending was super awesome. Lots of action and thrills. Even though the past two books haven't been as good as Prom Dates from Hell, I'm hanging on. I know that Clement-Moore has more to offer, and I can't wait to see it. Library the book, and watch for the next one which is sure to follow.

The Awakening

2010-09-08T12:00:00.000-07:00

Breakdown:
Cover: 9/10
Potential: 8/10
Writing: 7.5/10
Characters: 7/10
Plot: 7/10

Quick Take: Awakening wasn't quite as satisfying as Summoning, and definitely more stereotypical. However, I'm not ready to give up on Chloe...yet. I love the covers of these books. They're so alluring and mysterious. And when you find out the books have to do with a necromancer main character, well it's really just an invitation, isn't it? Anyway, I have a question before I wrap this up, readers: Team Simon? Or Team Derek? This is a borrowing sort of book, unless you already have #1 and you're OCD like me and have to get the whole trilogy. Do your best to find it at a used bookstore for less than $6.

The Amulet of Samarkand

2010-09-06T12:00:00.000-07:00

Breakdown:
Cover: 7/10
Potential: 7/10
Writing: 9/10
Characters: 9/10
Plot: 8/10

Quick Take: Amulet was actually a really charming read. It's the least little bit hard to get in to, but once you do, you won't regret it. The characters are amusing, the bad guys are great, and the writing's deliciously British. You don't have to buy it, but if you're gonna take the plunge, buy an omnibus or a box set of the trilogy. Stroud doesn't fail to entertain.

Acceleration

2010-09-03T12:00:00.000-07:00

Breakdown:
Cover: 7/10
Potential: 8/10
Writing: 7/10
Characters: 6/10
Plot: 7/10

Quick Take: Acceleration was...mediocre. I mean, I liked it, but after reading Bonechiller, which was an amazing novel, this just kind of...flopped. It was a like instead of a love, a good book, not a great book, and otherwise average. I guess it was an okay read, but there are other, more important things that should be on your reading list.

Maze Runner

2010-09-01T12:00:00.000-07:00

Breakdown:
Cover: 8/10
Potential: 10/10
Writing: 11/10
Characters: 9/10
Plot: 12/10

Quick Take: Uhm, Maze Runner was pretty much awesomesauce. Like, it was legit. Dashner did an amazing, incredible, commendable job with this idea. The writing was so much fun and so compelling and...gah. Can you tell how much I loved it?? Bottom line? Buy it. If you must, borrow it. It is worth it to have sitting on your shelf. And if you can get someone to buy it for you, it's just that much better.

Need

2010-08-30T12:00:00.000-07:00

Breakdown:
Cover: 9/10
Potential: 10/10
Writing: 6*/10
Characters: 5*/10
Plot: 6.5/10

Quick Take: Have you ever had to listen to someone speak monotone for a long time? And you actually had to pay attention because (supposedly) it was really, really, REALLY important? And afterwards, when you found out it was all for nothing, you felt like beating not only *your* brains out, but the brains of Mr. Monotone, and the brains of anyone within a 1 mile radius? That was like the first 3/4 of this book. The saving grace was the ending. I mean, Jones did SUCH a good job with the end, that I must now read the sequel. Translation: borrow it from the library, skimming the first 3/4, and reading the last quarter.

Hell Week

2010-08-28T12:00:00.000-07:00

Breakdown:
Cover: 7/10
Potential: 9/10
Writing: 7.5/10
Characters: 8.5/10
Plot: 7/10

Quick Take: So, the first one was better, but Hell Week was still a fun read. And in addition to being fun, it's funny. I'm very big on funny. If a book doesn't make me laugh out loud, there's a good chance it wouldn't make it above a 3/5 stars. Anyway, this is a funny book, so I give it 4. I love the characters, Maggie's cool, and I have a friend just like D&D Lisa, which makes her that much better. So, read it. Don't buy it if you can avoid it, but if you've got the first and third one, say, it's worth it to have all three in one place.

Summer

2010-08-26T00:07:00.000-07:00

Right, well, this is the post where I explain how I've been busy and preoccupied for the past couple of months, and it's also where I explain the sudden flood of posts, but I don't want to make any excuses. For awhile, I wasn't into reading. I go through cycles where I'll be super obsessed with reading as much as I can for as long as I can, and then I won't want to touch a book for days/weeks/months, depending on the cycle. I guess I'm just weird like that. Anyway, I just got off a dry spell earlier this summer, but I wasn't very devoted to blogging about my reading habits...clearly. I'm going to try to be better about that by using the scheduling option for my posts. I want to share about what I read, but I also want to move on. What really kicked me into gear was a request email from one of you readers. It was important for me to hear that my opinion was valued, and, as long as you all are still interested in what I have to say about the books I read, I'll keep posting about them, however sporadically. Anyway, bear with me, sorry for the sudden flood and its preceding absence, and look for reviews of Maze Runner, Mockingjay, and Iron King, coming soon to this blog!

Exodus

2010-08-25T12:00:00.000-07:00

Breakdown:
Cover: 7/10
Potential: 9/10
Writing: 6/10
Characters: 5/10
Plot: 5/10

Quick Take: I had fairly high hopes for this book. Very early on, I realized those hopes would, at best, be met with a mediocre, "meh." I'd looked at the spine and considered the title hundreds of times before I pulled it off the library shelf, and I felt obligated to give it a shot, once and for all. The pages were too big, the print too small, the characters not compelling enough, and the plot too twisted. Just not worth it, I'm afraid to say. There are better things out there.

Twisted

2010-08-24T12:00:00.000-07:00

Breakdown:
Cover: 7.5/10
Potential: 6/10
Writing: 8/10
Characters: 8.5/10
Plot: 9/10

Quick Take: This being the third Laurie Halse Anderson book I'd read, I didn't have high expectations. I didn't have low expectations. I had no expectations. I figured that would be the best way to go after having hated Speak and Catalyst so badly. Come to find out, I was to be pleasantly surprised! You all know that I'm a big cover judger, and I gotta say this one was not one of my favorites. Really not one to catch my eye. And the pencil? I mean, I guess it kind of had stuff to do with the story, but, eh. And from reading the back, I didn't think the book itself was going to have much potential. Ready for the good news? The story was AMAZING and I LOVED the characters. And I say love, even though there are a couple in here that I hate. What I like, I guess, is that, even if I didn't like the character, I LOVED to hate them!! In conclusion: you need to read it. If you have a fat wallet (I, sadly, do not), head to Borders. If you're like me, find a friend (who has a fat wallet and bought this book) who loves you, or head to the library.

Taken

2010-08-23T12:00:00.000-07:00

Breakdown:
Cover: 8/10
Potential: 10/10
Writing: 7/10
Characters: 6.5*/10
Plot: 6/10

Quick Take: Yeah, I'm super guilty of judging books by their covers, and I'm obsessed with chess, so this was a given. Also, the premise?! What could be more freaking exciting! Over the course of the first, oh, 100 pages? Watching clouds drift by would have been more interesting. I nearly lost all heart, but, thankfully, it got better. The characters I didn't particularly like at first. They were boring, detached, whiny, *and they got better. I promise it all goes uphill by the end of the book. Go to the library, not Borders.

Catalyst

2010-08-22T12:00:00.000-07:00

Breakdown:
Cover: 6/10
Potential: 7/10
Writing: 4/10
Characters: 2/10
Plot: 2/10

Quick Take: I didn't like Speak, mostly because I had to read it for school, but this was even worse. It was bad writing made worse by horrifying characters and a crap plot. I have only one word: typical. There is nothing remarkable about this book. Even though it's supposed to be about atypical, excellent students and extraordinary circumstances. Not worth the pain.

Head Case

2010-08-21T12:00:00.000-07:00

Breakdown:
Cover: 7/10
Potential: 6/10
Writing: 6/10
Characters: 5/10
Plot: 6/10

Quick Take: Ever get that itchy feeling while you're reading a book that just won't go fast enough? This is one of those books, I'm sorry to say. By no means was it BAD, it just wasn't incredibly interesting. I wanted the main character to get over himself, and it took me nearly the whole book to realize that, as I was shifting around with impatience, Frank was unable to do any fidgeting. I didn't understand until then. Not a must read, but a cool book, in the end. It's also short (quite obviously, I was on a kick at the beginning of my summer).

Go Ask Alice

2010-08-20T12:00:00.000-07:00

Breakdown:
Cover: 6/10
Potential: 7/10
Writing: 9/10
Characters: 9/10
Plot: 10/10

Quick Take: Go Ask Alice is one of those books that will (or at least ought to) be loved by any teen who pulls it down from a shelf, but would be hated if assigned by a teacher. If I were dictator of the world, I'd make it required reading. It's non-fiction, technically, but you really wouldn't know that if you weren't told. It's beautifully crafted and poignant while still being a fast read. It gives a lot of insight into the deep, dark world of substance abuse. It's scary. It's sad. It's amazing. Do not underestimate the power behind the words. Go to your library. It'll be the book you've scanned over a million times and never taken the time to look, actually LOOK, at.

Hate You

2010-08-19T22:35:00.000-07:00

Breakdown:
Cover: 3/10
Potential: 6/10
Writing: 4.5/10
Characters: 5/10
Plot: 5.25/10

Quick Take: Okay, so it's not horrible. Yeah, I gave it bad scores. But, it just wasn't long/satisfying enough to be a great read! It was only, I want to say, 120 pages. It just wasn't...enough. I love McNamee, but this was too, "Once upon a time, something happened. The end." Meh. Certainly not a priority, but it wasn't long enough to be a regret.

New Contest!!

2010-07-18T16:30:00.000-07:00

Boy am I ever committed to blogging? Anyway, in the past couple months, I've discovered an awesome new book blog called The Smarty Owl (I have a HUGE thing with owls, so that's part of the draw for me. I mean, the page design?? C-U-T-E!!). Enter Rica Eat World and Okapi; two bloggers who actually maintain their blog!! Besides me, these two have gained lots of supporters, and, as such, they are holding a contest to give away an ARC of Firelight, so head there now to enter for the book! Good luck and happy reading!

Going Bovine

2010-05-17T17:28:00.000-07:00

Breakdown:
Cover: 7/10
Potential: 10/10
Writing: 5.5/10
Characters: 6/10
Plot: n/a

Quick Take: Going Bovine sucked. I spent most of the novel waiting for something to happen. I waited for characters to develop, an antagonist to appear, a plot to develop...but none of the things I waited for ever came to be. Aside from this, I didn't see a clear plot. Like, there was NOTHING!! It was very infuriating. If you can avoid it, don't read it. If you absolutely MUST, borrow it. Do. Not. Buy. It.

2010-05-17T17:26:00.001-07:00

Hey guys! I know I've been absolutely horrible about keeping up my blog. For awhile, it got to be a chore instead of something I REALLY wanted to do. So, I've decided to switch up my review format. These will be a lot more brief, but I think it'll tell you more of what you want to know. Thanks for hanging with me!

In My Mailbox

2010-03-17T14:11:00.000-07:00

I feel a little bad because I'm super late in posting this, but two weeks ago, I got Going Bovine by Libba Bray in my mailbox. I'm super excited about this book because a) I got it in the mail, b) it's by Libba Bray, and c) it looks hilarious. I just started reading it a couple days ago, and I love it so far, though it's rated R at least, and I should have a review of it up in the next couple weeks.

The Monstrumologist

2010-03-17T14:05:00.000-07:00

These are the secrets I have kept. This is the trust I never betrayed. But he is dead now and has been for nearly ninety years, the one who gave me his trust, the one for whom I kept these secrets. The one who saved me . . . and the one who cursed me.

So starts the diary of Will Henry, orphan and assistant to a doctor with a most unusual specialty: monster hunting. In the short time he has lived with the doctor, Will has grown accustomed to his late night callers and dangerous business. But when one visitor comes with the body of a young girl and the monster that was eating her, Will's world is about to change forever. The doctor has discovered a baby Anthropophagus--a headless monster that feeds through a mouth in its chest--and it signals a growing number of Anthropophagi. Now, Will and the doctor must face the horror threatening to overtake and consume our world before it is too late.

* From book cover*

Plot: 10/10
Writing: 10/10
Characters: 9/10
Creativity: 10/10
Creepy Factor: 5/5
Grand Total: 97%
Grade: A

My thoughts: Scariest book I have ever read. Did I love it despite the horror described within its pages? Yes. Rick Yancey weaves a tale unlike any I have ever come across. The convoluted twists and turns kept me guessing till the very end, and the overall story was thoroughly enhanced by the sub-plots. Will Henry, the main character of the story, gave a heart-wrenching narrative. I felt so sorry for the poor boy, and was impressed by his courage. The Doctor was vague and mysterious and compelling, and, at times, inhuman in his feelings. However, by the end, the reader did witness his humanity and his connection to young Will. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: this book is unlike anything I’ve ever had the pleasure to read before. Creative? Yes. Incredibly so. Three words: coolest monsters ever. I envy Yancey’s ability to create such a dark and detailed image, but I do not envy him his mind. If ever there was a man with a high probability of really scary nightmares, it’s Rick Yancey. So that takes care of the creativity/creepy factor. So, if you like sorta kinda historical fiction, science fiction, horror, or a combination of those three, you should hit the bookstore. Now. However, I will say that I’m 15 and seen my share of scary movies, and this book scared me. Not bad, but it’s not a book to read in the dark…unless you’re a masochist. Seriously. Happy reading!

Tentacles

2010-01-23T09:52:00.000-08:00

Cryptids--they appear in myths, but could creatures like krakens and the Loch Ness Monster really exist? That is Travis Wolfe's obsession, and he'll travel to the ends of the earth in search of proof. For cousins Marty and Grace, who have lived with the intense scientist ever since Marty's parents mysteriously disappeared, this means adventure. And danger! Wolfe's latest quest: to be the first to capture a giant squid alive. Before long, the trio sets sail, South Pacific-bound--and with a couple of dinosaur eggs incubating below deck. But their huge freighter may be haunted, and someone on board seems determined to sabotage the mission. If Grace and Marty follow the clues, will they be able to get to the bottom of all this fishy business--or end up at the bottom of the sea?

*summary from book cover*

Plot: 8.75
Writing: 7/10
Characters: 8/10
Creativity: 8.5/10
Grand Total: 81%
Grade: B

My biggest struggle with this book was that it is directed at a younger audience and so the writing bordered on childish. However, I loved Cryptid Hunters and Roland Smith is native to my home state...so I tried not to let it bother me too much. I think the plot of Tentacles was a little slow at the beginning, but got increasingly better towards the end. The subject matter is original and captures not only the reader's attention, but her imagination as well. Like I said before, this book is geared towards a younger audience, giving it a lower score in the writing category. I will say it was entertaining and the prose made me laugh. All I have to say about the creativity is the book's about a super tall, awesome biologist searching for creatures thought not to exist. For me, that's nuff said. So now all that's left is the characters; they're awesome. Grace is smart, Marty & Luther are hilarious, Bertha's totally ninja, Wolfe is cool, and Noah & Butch are evil...and twisted. You can't not love a cast like this. Overall, Tentacles is a fantastic read, so go catch it in your local library today. Happy reading!

Graceling

2010-01-11T19:09:00.001-08:00

His eyes. Katsa had never seen such eyes. ONe was silver, and the other, gold. They glowed in his sun-darkened face, uneven, and strange. She was surprised that they hadn't shone in the darkness of their first meeting. They didn't seem human... Then he raised his eyebrows a hair, and his mouth shifted into the hint of a smirk. He nodded at her, just barely, and it released her from her spell. Cocky, she thought. Cocky and arrogant, this one, and that was all there was to make of him. Whatever game he was playing, if he expected her to join him, he would be disappointed.
In a world where people born with an extreme skill--called a Grace--are feared and exploited, Katsa carries the burden of a skill even she despises: the Grace of killing. She lives under the command of her uncle Randa, King of the Middluns, and is expected to execute hid dirty work, punishing and torturing anyone who displeases him. When she first meets Prince Po, who is Graced with combat skills, Katsa has no hint of how her life is about to change. She never expects to learn a new truth about her own Grace--or about a terrible secret that lies hidden far away...a secret that could destroy all seven Kingdoms with words alone.
*summary from book cover*

Plot: 7/10
Writing: 8/10
Characters: 8.5/10
Creativity: 8/10
Grand Total: 79%
Grade: C+

Graceling was a good book. Good, not great. The plot lost points for a scene near the middle of the book that was incredibly unnecessary. The story was also soured by the abrupt, anticlimactic solution. Sadly, it felt like it had fantastic potential, but the author got sloppier as the book went on. The writing was descriptive and interesting, but bordered on ordinary. The thing I liked best were the characters. Strong, sullen Katsa and kind, outgoing Po captured my imagination, as did Raffin, Randa, Bitterblue, and Leck. They were all fantastic, but as with the plot, the characters became stereotypical and predictable. The story was entrancing, but there was little creativity or originality in the last third of the book. Though I was disappointed by the ending, Graceling is still a book worth reading, in my opinion. My advice would be to borrow, not buy. Happy reading!

Beautiful Creatures

2010-01-11T18:54:00.000-08:00

There were no surprises in Gatlin County. At least, that's what I thought. Turns out, I couldn't have been more wrong. There was a curse. There was a girl. And in the end, there was a grave.
Lena Duchannes is unlike anyone the small Southern town of Gatlin has ever seen, and she's struggling to conceal her power and a curse that has haunted her family for generations. But even within the overgrown gardens, murky swamps, and crumbling graveyards of the forgotten South, a secret cannot stay hidden forever.
Ethan Wate, who has been counding the months until he can escape from Gatlin, is haunted by dreams of a beautiful girl he has never met. When Lena moves into the town's oldest and most infamous plantation, Ethan is inexplicably drawn to her and determined to uncover the connection between them.
In a town with no surprises, one secret could change everything.
*summary from jacket cover*

Plot: 9/10
Writing: 8/10
Characters: 10/10
Creativity: 10/10
Grand Total: 92.5%
Grade: A-

This book was given to me to read by a good friend of mine, and I've decided she needs to tell me what to read more often!! I thoroughly enjoyed Beautiful Creatures. It took me a while longer to read than it usually does for a book of its size (a little over 500 pages), however that didn't subtract from my enjoyment. The plot was fairly original aside from the boy meets girl, boy and girl fall in love, boy and girl turn out to be starcrossed lovers, boy and girl find a way to be together element. I liked the writing and that the authors put a Southern accent into it. I LOVED the characters. That's always a big thing for me. If the characters aren't likable, it doesn't matter how good the writing is. The story was fiction, yes and it had magic in it. It was still a creative story and it kept me guessing! Somehow, the story ended after good held off evil in an epic struggle with only one casuality and my favorite character...again. In any case, I'd suggest this book to anybody, although I wouldn't pay 17+ dollars for it. I recommend borrowing it from a friend or your local library. Happy reading!

Behind

2010-01-11T18:46:00.001-08:00

Oh boy am I behind. With finals week coming up next week and my lack to keep up with my reviews, I'm not sure what I'm going to do. Yikes. Actually, I take that back. I do know what to do. Since I last posted a review, I've read things I can't quite remember, seen Sherlock Holmes thrice (yes people, I just said thrice), Avatar twice, rewatched the Dark Knight and the LOTR movies (for those of you who don't know what that is, you should. Go Google it), and started Graceling. I'm not going to review what I've done during my long hiatus. Sad, I know. I wish I had the time to go back and do that, but I don't. All I'm gonna say is see/read everything mentioned above!! *Hopefully* I will have a review of Beautiful Creatures, which I just finished today, up. In the meantime, I hope everybody is enjoying their New Year and getting lots of reading, writing, movie watching, and music listening done!

State of Play

2009-12-04T07:32:00.001-08:00

U.S. congressman Stephen Collins (Ben Affleck) is handsome, unflappable, and ascending the ladder of power with unprecedented speed. He's the future of his political party, and as the chairman of a committee assigned to oversee defense spending, he's got all the right connections. As the presidential race draws near, Washington insiders begin to speculate that Collins will earn his party's nomination for the country's top job. The prospect of Collins becoming president seems less and less likely, however, when his research assistant/mistress is viciously murdered, and some unsavory truths begin to surface. Collins was once a close friend to Cal McAffrey (Russell Crowe), now a top reporter in the nation's capitol. Assigned the task of investigating Collins by his ruthless editor, Cameron (Oscar-winner Helen Mirren), McAffrey recruits fellow reporter Della (Rachel McAdams) in order to track down the truth and identify the killer. But McAffrey has just walked into a cover-up of unprecedented proportions, and in a game where billions of dollars are at stake, life, love, and integrity are luxuries that simply cannot be afforded.
*summary courtesy of fandango.com*

Plot: 8.5/10
Characters: 9/10
Dialogue: 8.5/10
Audience Appeal: 9/10
Overall: 87.5%
Audience Range: 16-55
Rating: PG-13

I first saw this movie when it came out with a good friend of mine. Now, the both of us are big movie goers, but we prefer fantasy stuff. Eragon, Lord of the Rings, all those good movies (granted, Eragon was not exactly good). However, we both thoroughly enjoyed this movie. The plot was engaging and incredibly interesting. I'm not super interested in journalism. I respect it, I don't want to be part of it. But, the movie made the trade look alluring and mysterious and thrilling and for a couple hours, I was kind of envious of that. On top of that, I really enjoyed the characters. Cal and Della had a dynamic that was fun to watch. Oh, and Ben Affleck is H-O-T hot!! So I enjoyed his character as well, ;D Like I mentioned in the beginning, even to viewers who prefer other genres, it was a fantastic film. Therefore, a nine out of ten audience appeal rating fits that perfectly. The movie had a lot of intense scenes. Like, I was literally biting my nails and hiding in my popcorn. So that's why I'm beginning the audience range at 16. Technically, a thirteen-year-old could see this movie, but most likely, wouldn't enjoy it. State of Play is a great movie with an awesome cast and I suggest you give it a try! Happy watching.

The Lost Symbol

2009-12-04T07:31:00.000-08:00

When Langdon's beloved mentor, Peter Solomon--a prominent Mason and philanthropist--is brutally kidnapped, Langdon realizes his only hope of saving Peter is to accept this mystical invitation and follow wherever it leads him. Langdon is instantly plunged into a clandestine world of Masonic secrets, hidden history, and never-before-seen locations--all of which seem to be dragging him toward a single, inconceivable truth.

Plot: 9/10
Writing: 10/10
Characters: 11/10
Creativity: 10/10
Grand Total: 100%
Grade: A+

Let me just say that Dan Brown is a genius. I envy his patience. I can't fathom how long it took for Mr. Brown to collect all the tidbits he puts into his books. I love all the information though. It's so much fun! Boy, listen to me. I'm such a history nerd. But you knew that...or maybe you didn't. Moving on, I obviously loved this book! The plot was twisted and detailed and something I would only have expected from Dan Brown. It kept me guessing, as usual, and I'm not exaggerating when I say that I laughed out loud often and gasped in shock more than once. The writing is spot on in this book. The language is great and it's a model I strive for, for sure. The description in the book, as well as the simplicity, are a marvel and the 500 page book is moved right along like a 300 pager. I am simply over the moon for Dan Brown's characters. There's nothing more to it!! He crafts wonderful characters with the best personalities. And his vilians!! Dan Brown has some of the best villians. It's chilling and creepy and totally thrilling. And now we've come to the creativity. Uh, yeah, W. O. W. And that's about all I have to say on the subject. It was a very cool book. I was totally enthralled, and I recommend picking this up at your local library if you can stand not having your own copy to devour and keep for ever!

PS: On a side note, you should know that this is an adult novel. It's not even close to YA, which means there's some serious stuff in here. However, Dan Brown writes very tasteful books and as long as you think you are a mature reader, you'll be fine! Happy reading.

December

2009-12-01T07:08:00.001-08:00

Wow. Is it really only 25 days till Christmas? 2009 has gone by incredibly fast for me, and not in the best of ways. Last month was kind of an in between month because of NaNo and my failure to stick with it for the whole thirty days, but, as I've said before, I will be trying again next year. To all of you who won NaNoWriMo, congrats! To all of you who participated, congrats to you also. You took a chance and even if you didn't win, you had fun (I hope)! December is going to be filled with a lot more reviews and good music and movies, I promise. Remember that if you have any requests or suggestions for me, leave me a comment or shoot me an email! For those of you who've read Westerfeld's Midnighter books, I'm pretty much online 25-7 ;)

Song of the Week

2009-11-15T21:45:00.000-08:00

I apologize for my lack of posting. I'm quickly discovering that NaNo will do that to a person. Anyway, this week's song of the week is Live Like We're Dying by Kris Allen in anticipation for the release of his album on Tuesday! Woot woot!! Happy listening!

Halloween

2009-11-01T18:22:00.000-08:00

Most epic holiday ever. And that's all I have to say about that :D Hope everyone had a fun and safe time last night (I know I did). Today marks the start of National Novel Writer's Month, which I will be participating in. If I'm slow on the reviews in the next thirty days, I apologize in advance. Good luck to all you other participants out there!!

The Haunting of Alaizabel Cray

2009-10-29T19:25:00.000-07:00

Thaniel, just seventeen, is a wych-hunter. Together, he and Cathaline--his friend and mentor--track down the fearful creatures that lurk in the Old Quarter of London. It is on one of these hunts that he first encounters Alaizabel Cray. Alaizabel is half-crazed, lovely, and possessed.Whatever dreadful entity has entered her soul has turned her into a strange and unearthly magnet--attracting evil and drawing horrors from every dark corner. Cathaline and Thaniel must discover its cause--and defend humanity at all costs.
*summary courtesy of borders.com*

Plot: 9/10
Writing: 9/10
Characters: 9/10
Creativity: 9/10
Grand Total: 90%
Grade: A-

This was a really great book. It took me awhile to read, but once I hit my stride, it was a book that was hard to put down. This is definitely a Halloween book. The story showed a side of London that you knew existed, but that you didn't know was so...weird. The writing was compelling and creepy and made even more fantastical by the older style of writing. I loved it. It was something that made the book unique. The characters were great. Thaniel took himself seriously, but was overall a main character. Alaizabel was really cool. She was a strong main character with a dark past. Very mysterious and alluring. The creativity of the story was definitely a strong point, but then again, I can't really think of a weak point. Monsters in the old quarter of London who appeared because of-*takes breath*. Well, you'll just have to read it. There are lots of great twists and turns and creepy events in the awesome, chilling novel. So find it today and spend Halloween eating candy while reading this book.

Glass Houses

2009-10-18T17:57:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Morganville, Texas.

Just don't stay out after dark.

College freshman Claire Danvers has had enough of her nightmarish dorm situation, where the popular girls never let her forget just where she ranks in the school's social scene: somewhere less than zero.

When Claire heads off-campus, the imposing old house where she finds a room may not be much better. Her new roommates don't show many signs of life. But they'll have Claire's back when the town's deepest secrets come crawling out, hungry for fresh blood.

*summary courtesy of fantasticfiction.co.uk*

Plot: 7/10
Writing: 8/10
Characters: 8/10
Creativity: 7/10
Grand Total: 75%
Grade: C

...Eh. Which pretty much sums up this book. I got it for like three dollars at a used bookstore near me and read it while in between books of epic proportions. The plot was average. It was fun and easy to read, but not incredibly interesting. The writing was alright. There isn't much that's good to say. A little dull. Could use with more imagery and better diction to spice it up, I think. The characters I liked a lot. They weren't super 3D, but they were overall good characters. Claire was cute, a little naive, and sweet, Shane was your typical macho man with a mysterious past, Michael was an intense, quiet, lover boy with a mysterious past, and Eve was fun, quirky, and Goth. On the evil side, I loved a particular character whose name I will not share, as it's quite the fun, interesting little twist. There isn't much originality about this book when it comes to creativity. It's a vampire story (which I probably should be sick of, but I'm not)in an isolated town that you forget about as soon as you get a certain distance outside the city. Because what fun would it be if the rest of the world found out there was a town full of vamps in Texas? Anyway, it's an okay read with okay characters and okay writing. Feeling in an okay mood? This is the book for you ;)

Update 10/16/09

2009-10-16T00:07:00.000-07:00

Hello people. I've just realized that I have not written anything in three weeks. Wow. I feel kind of bad about that. So here's an update! I've finished the Harry Potter books. Finally. I was thinking about doing mini reviews on all the books/movies, but then I thought to myself "overdone." There are better ways for me to spend my time. All I'm going to say is read 'em. They're great books, no matter how old you are. Whether you know a kid in the second grade who needs a little more magic in their lives, or if you're forty and need something, anything, to distract you, read the Harry Potter books. They speak to the child in all of us that secretly (or maybe even not so secretly) is still waiting for their letter from Hogwarts. In other news, I plan on releasing some scary movie reviews in the spirit of Halloween (of which I am a GIANT supporter), a review of the first Morganville Vampires books, Fablehaven, and The Last Olympian. Oh, and also in the spirit of Halloween, I plan on squeezing in The Haunting of Alaizabel Cray...somewhere... As always, happy reading/writing/living.

Disturbia

2009-10-05T22:23:00.001-07:00

After his father is killed in a car accident, things unravel for Kale Brecht and he is placed under house-arrest for punching his Spanish teacher. Having nothing better to do, Kale occupies himself by spying on his neighbors. But one night, he witnesses what appears to be a murder going on in Mr. Turner's house. Kale becomes obsessed with uncovering the truth behind these murders but, after a few unsettling run-ins with Mr. Turner, it becomes a matter of life and death. And the ominous question: Who is watching who?
*summary courtesy of imdb.com*

Plot: 8/10
Characters: 8.5/10
Dialogue: 8/10
Audience Appeal: 9/10
Overall: 84%
Audience Range: 13-50
Rating: PG-13

What a ride!! I loved Disturbia (and not just because Shia was in it). It was a scary movie that wasn't too much for a person who isn't the bravest creepy movie watcher. The plot was a common one, but it wasn't one that bored me in any way, shape, or form. It was a little predictable, but again, I was engrossed throughout the movie. The characters were lovable. They were funny, serious, and really entertaining. I loved this cast completely. The dialogue was a little above average with funny/creepy parts in the right places, and the audience appeal was this movie's real big thing. It's a movie that I could see would entertain a large range of teens/adults and it had something for anybody watching. Overall, it didn't get a high percentage, but that doesn't mean it was a bad movie. On the contrary, it's one of my favorites! The rating is PG-13, but that was only to be expected from this genre and plot line. In the end, if you're looking for a fun Halloween movie that you can watch with ALL of your friends, this is a good one.

I Love You Man

2009-10-05T22:12:00.000-07:00

Peter Klaven's world revolves around his real estate work and Zooey, his soon-to-be fiancée. After he pops the question, she calls her best friends and they go into wedding planning mode. Peter has no male friends and that poses problems: will he turn out to be a clingy guy, and who will be his best man? Zooey, her friends, and Peter's brother Robbie offer help that results in awkward moments. Then, at an open house Peter's hosting, he meets Sydney, an amiable, low-key guy. They trade business cards, and Peter calls him to meet for drinks. A friendship develops that's great at first but then threatens Peter's engagement and career. Can guys be friends and couples be in love?
*summary courtesy of imdb.com*

Plot: 7/10
Characters: 7/10
Dialogue: 6/10
Audience Appeal: 6/10
Overall: 65%
Audience Range: 16-45
Rating: R

Again with the R rated movies!! I'm sorry guys. I will definitely make sure to have some more middle of the road ratings from now on. For some reason, I went on a total R rated spree... Anyway, back to the important stuff, only watch this movie if you are well within the audience range, or if you are with a bunch of adults you trust while you are camping. Otherwise, it's not a super enjoyable movie. The plot was average, guy likes girl, guy and girl get engaged, guy needs best man, guy finds best man, guy loses best man (and nearly girl), all is resolved in the end. The characters were, again, average. The dialogue, though funny at times, and mind numbingly vulgar at others, is slightly below average. Not super talented writers on this script. The audience appeal, again, not much that attracts you to the movie. Not super well known names, a movie poster that fades into the background, the only thing that pulled me in was the allure of a laugh while in very cold, rainy camping weather. In the end, not really my type of movie. Feel free to disagree with a comment. Thank you!

Song of the Week

2009-09-22T17:54:00.000-07:00

I somehow keep forgetting to do this. Anyway, this week's song is Be Like That. It's a song by my favorite band, 3 Doors Down. I love the chorus and it's just an all around good song. So go check out Be Like That and if you like it (or even hate it), let me know with a comment!! Happy listening.

Sunshine Cleaning

2009-09-19T23:37:00.000-07:00

In order to raise the tuition to send her young son to private school, a mom starts an unusual business -- a biohazard removal/crime scene clean-up service -- with her unreliable sister. *summary courtesy of imdb.com*

Plot:7/10
Characters: 7.5/10
Dialogue: 7/10
Audience Appeal: 6/10
Overall: 68.7%
Audience Range (IMO): 15-50
Rating: R

This movie was...okay. I watched it with family friends while on a camping trip, and though eating snacks and laughing together was fun, the movie was a little less so. The plot of this movie was average with not much creativity. Single mom raises behaviorally challenged son relying on crazy younger sister and senile father with crazy ideas to get cash for babysitters/support. Meanwhile, single mom is having affair with old boyfriend from high school (who's, of course, married with children) and has to deal with her fallen reputation since the good ol' days. Amy Adams is not my favorite actress to begin with, so with her playing an insecure single mom, I could care less. Alan Arkin and Emily Blunt I highly enjoyed, both being amazing actors and, in this case, having more depth than our main character. The audience appeal is all about this crazy business Blunt and Adams get into, though aside from that there isn't much to keep watchers interested. This is why I give this movie an overall D. It's enough to pass, but it's not a grade that'll get you far. Due to language and subject matters, I'd suggest mature viewers only. Oh, and borrow it from your library if you can. There's no better price than free for a sub par movie.

Catching Fire

2009-09-12T15:20:00.001-07:00

I'm so excited that this book is finally out!! Suzanne Collins is an amazing writer and I can't wait to get my hands on this highly anticipated sequel. To read some reviews on this book, head over to 3evilcousins.blogspot.com or bambookreviews.blogspot.com. Also, if you have not yet read the first book (The Hunger Games) I suggest heading down to your local bookstore/library and picking it up. It's a thrilling and exciting read, not to mention the author (who also wrote Gregor the Overlander) is flipping amazing ;)

Update 9/9/09

2009-09-09T07:47:00.000-07:00

Hi people! I know I haven't been posting lately, which is a little frustrating to me. Since school started, homework has started, and we all know about the bane of creativity teachers these days are so happy to give ;). Anyway, upcoming posts include mini-reviews on the Harry Potter series (including mentions on their movies), a movie review of I Love You Man, Sunshine Cleaning, lots of music I like at the moment and some upcoming events that have me excited!! Have a good rest of the week!! Happy reading/writing/movie watching.

Song of the Week

2009-08-28T11:00:00.001-07:00

I just realized I haven't done this for like...ever!! I totally and completely forgot about it (which is just like me). Anyway, the song of the week this week is Never Say Never by The Fray. I've been listening to it a lot lately (in addition to a TON of Kris Allen, who is amazing BTW) and I really like it. It's a little slow, but I like the music and the flow and the lyrics are pretty good. So! Go listen to it on YouTube or iTunes and enjoy!

Award!

2009-08-26T12:23:00.000-07:00

Okay, so a few months ago, I had someone comment on my review of UP (I think...) and say that they had given me an award. I was totally excited and felt really proud...and then discovered I didn't know my commenter's blog! Disheartened by this, I gave up looking and went back to just reviewing, until now. While looking back through GirlwiththeBraids' "blogs to check out" section, I rediscovered A Sea of Pages: a blog created by none other than Arya, my commenter!! I then sifted through numerous posts of hers until I found it! So voila!

http://seaofpages.blogspot.com/2009/06/award.html is the link. I would put it in this post, if I knew how... But anyway, thank you Arya!

My Nominees:
3 Evil Cousins
Bethafauna's 64th Shelf
Book Crumbs
In BetweeN the Pages
Paradoxical
The Book Owl
The Not So Closet Geeks
The Page Flipper

Thanks for being such great bloggers you guys!!

Inglorious Basterds

2009-08-24T12:58:00.000-07:00

“Inglourious Basterds” begins in German-occupied France, where Shosanna Dreyfus witnesses the execution of her family at the hand of Nazi Colonel Hans Landa. Shosanna narrowly escapes and flees to Paris, where she forges a new identity as the owner and operator of a cinema. Elsewhere in Europe, Lieutenant Aldo Raine organizes a group of Jewish soldiers to engage in targeted acts of retribution. Known to their enemy as “The Basterds,” Raine’s squad joins German actress and undercover agent Bridget Von Hammersmark on a mission to take down the leaders of The Third Reich.
*summary courtesy of fandango.com*

Plot: 10/10
Characters: 11/10
Dialogue: 10/10
Audience Appeal: 10/10
Overall: 102%
Audience Range (IMO): 16-45
Rating: R

Inglorious Basterds is my favorite movie of 2009...so far, and it very well could be the best. I gave UP the same praise earlier this year, but these two amazingly fantastic movies are in leagues all their own. UP is the best family movie of the year, Basterds, I have to say, is the best movie of the year. The plot, though not historically correct, was awesome. Divided up into chapters, Basterds follows the story of Shosanna Dreyfus who has always remembered the way the Nazis executed her family and has promised revenge upon them, and the story of Lieutenant Aldo Raine, also known in the movie as "Aldo the Apache", and his eight man crew of Jewish soldiers as they go about exterminating Germans. Any scene involving the Basterds is sure to bring laughs, whether of disbelief or the sadistic comedy of their complete disregard of the lives of any and all Nazi soldiers, while any scene involving Shosanna is sure to show the hardships of everyday life for Jewish people hiding in plain sight and the emotional strains of the war. And now we come to my favorite part: the characters. Oh. My. God. I the characters in this movie, and yes, you saw right: I loved them so much, I gave the character rating eleven out of ten. From Aldo the Apache to the Bear Jew to the fantastically evil portrayal of Colonel Hans Landa and finally to Shosanna Dreyfus, the characters kept me entertained and raptly interested the whole movie. As for the rest, this movie has some of the best writing I've ever seen. EVER! And let me clue you in, I watch a lot of movies. The dialogue was fun and the fact that it took place in not one, not two, but three languages had me really impressed. Audience appeal? Doesn't the picture I provided say it all? "Brad Pitt is a Basterd". Audience appealed. Mission accomplished. Now, keep in mind that although I give this movie a lot of praise, this movie is not for everyone. Anyone under the age of seventeen must have a parent or other adult accompany them, as I did, and even then, you have to be leery that this film is nearly three hours long, and very, very, violent. My reccomendation is under no circumstances should any child under the age of 14 be taken to see Basterds. Other than that, what are you doing still reading this lengthy review?! GO SEE IT!

End of Summer

2009-08-21T10:46:00.001-07:00

Well folks, it's finally coming to a close. Mornings are getting colder, days are getting shorter, schedule's are coming in the mail to announce classes, and September first nears. Anticipate it or fear it, we have hit the end of summer *bum bum bum!!* and the beginning of school nears. What this means is that reading time is lost in the struggle to keep up with homework and friendships. I'll of course post as much as I can. I don't know if it'll be the same amount of posts as I've been putting out, or more or less! I'll be in a new school this year, so I don't know what to expect yet, but I recommend reading as much as you can before the freedom and time to do so slips through your fingers. Happy reading!

Farewells

2009-08-10T13:45:00.000-07:00

And this is what it comes to... EmilyRuth has just announced that AyeCaptain Reviews will no longer be an active blog. Due to personal reasons that she shared, EmilyRuth will no longer be posting anything on her blog. It's a bittersweet thing. I'll miss the inspiration that her reviews provided for me and it's always a hardship losing a source of book reccomendations. I suggest that, if you haven't already, you check out ayecaptain.blogspot.com and say farewell to a great blogger.

Thirteen Reasons Why

2009-08-03T15:28:00.000-07:00

Clay Jenkins returns home from school to find a mysterious box with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers 13 cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker--his classmate and crush--who committed suicide two weeks earlier.

On tape, Hannah explains that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he'll find out how he made the list.

*summary courtesy of fantasticfiction.co.uk*

Plot: 8/10

Writing: 8/10

Characters: 8/10

Creativity: 8/10

Grand Total: 80%

Grade: B-

I was drawn to Thirteen Reasons Why for several reasons. 1) It was everywhere. I practically saw it on every blog, website, and bookstore I visited. 2) It dealt with a taboo subject: suicide. 3) It was a debut novel. I have a thing for gutsy people and Mr. Asher qualified. Finally, 4) It was a new addition to my small, hick town's new library. I had to have it!! Shiny cover, unblemished pages, and that new book smell, which, in case you didn't know, gets me every time. So I read it. I found that it was an average read. I can't say much that's good about it, but I can't say much that's bad either. The plot was predictable, but I knew the ending going in, so it's not like I can assign any blame. The writing was, again, average. It sounded like somthing one of my peers could write for an English essay. Nothing really stood out, except for Hannah. Hannah's voice was haunting and real and beautiful. Her character was amazing. Clay, I can't say much for. He was a vessel for Hannah, which suited me fine. Clay wasn't special. He was the boy who could have saved his first real crush, but was too normal a person to do so. Clay was a sheep, a stereotype, and he didn't stand out. The creativity of this book falls, once more, at an average level. However, the light in which it puts suicide is important. It carries an important message. It doesn't take much to start a snowball effect. One push is all.

I enjoyed this book, but I'm only recommending it to very mature readers. I also want to say that if you or someone you know is considering suicide, please let someone know. No matter how bad things are, or even how bad you think they are, there is someone who can help you. Call 1-800-SUICIDE if you find yourself in need of it. Thank you.

Bliss

2009-08-03T14:01:00.000-07:00

"Bones, says a voice in my head, tombs. I stop dead in my tracks, because it's not my voice that whispered these thoughts. And whoever's voice it is, it's not a nice voice."

With its stately, ivy-covered buildings, Crestview Academy seems impossibly grand to newcomer Bliss, but full of promise too. It's here she hopes to make the sort of friends she never could growing up as the lone kid on a commune. With her crisp new uniform and manners gleaned from the wholesome TV shows her grandmother permits her to watch, Bliss feels ready for her new life at Crestview. Until she hears the voice.

Crestview holds secrets in its stones, ghostly hints of a long-ago death. Sensitive Bliss hears a voice that speaks of terrible things... and blood. Always blood. Her fellow students, with their sunny smiles and talk of makeup and dances, seem untouched by this darkness. Yet, as Bliss will learn, they too have secrets. When the simmering tensions of the present mingle with the dark secrets of the past, it is kindly Bliss who becomes the focus of a deadly struggle for power.

*Summary from inside flap of book*

Plot: 9/10
Writing: 9/10
Characters: 7/10
Creativity: 9.5
Grand Total: 86%
Grade: B+
Bliss was a great read. The perfect summer thriller. And, as a pluss, for 444 pages it sure read like 280. Lauren Myracle came up with a great plot for this book. I thought it was a really good storyline. The creepiness and the need to turn pages faster than I could read was definitely there. I liked the writing. Lots of hooks and surprises along the way. What I didn't like so much was that it took place in the South in the 1960's ish, neither of which I particularly like reading (no offense to those of you in the South. Really. I'm just more of a Pacific NW girl), so all the "Groovy's" and "Segregation's just better for everyone" that was in there, though historically correct, annoyed me. The characters were...okay. Sarah Lynn was better the second half of the book. The first half, she just seemed unreal and typical. Sandy was creepy as all get out. Now, I'm not exactly a dainty flower myself, but Sandy gives a bad name to all those who wish they could be more like Sarah Lynn in physique. And the *spoiler* infected eye thing made me want to throw up!! I could barely deal with her evil cat and obsession with Liliana, including the "relic" piece of her skull *end spoiler* Bliss was great. Hippie-ish, quirky, cute, and sensitive to "otherworldly" things. Also, who couldn't love a character whose full name was Bliss Inthemorningdew? And the creativity was definitely above average. It wasn't exactly original (long dead evil person takes over weak minded minion in search of power is a little overdone frankly), but the power that Myracle put into it, the detail and the voice and the darkness, was fantastic. Not to mention the fantastic ending! I was completely impressed. It wasn't a happy ending and left room for the reader to wonder while at the same time answering the reader's questions. Definitely a good book. Make sure that you're a mature reader before picking this up, and if you are easily creeped out, don't read it after dark.

Jellicoe Road

2009-08-03T11:04:00.000-07:00

Abandoned by her mother on Jellicoe Road when she was eleven, Taylor Markham, now seventeen, is finally being confronted with her past. But as the reluctant leader of her boarding school dorm, there isn't a lot of time for introspection. And while Hannah, the closest adult Taylor has to family, has disappeared, Jonah Griggs is back in town, moody stares and all. In this absorbing story by Melina Marchetta, nothing is as it seems and every clue leads to more questions as Taylor tries to work out the connection between her mother dumping her, Hannah finding her then and her sudden departure now, a mysterious stranger who once whispered something in her ear, a boy in her dreams, five kids who lived on Jellicoe Road eighteen years ago, and the maddening and magnetic Jonah Griggs, who knows her better than she thinks he does. If Taylor can put together the pieces of her past, she might just be able to change her future.
*summary courtesy of fantasticfiction.co.uk*

Plot: 7/10

Writing: 8/10

Characters: 8/10

Creativity: 7.5/10

Grand Total: 76%

Grade: C+

Jellicoe Road was an interesting read. It's definitely outside my genre, but it wasn't all that bad. I thought that Marchetta came up with a unique plot dealing with a lot of subjects teens (and adults) struggle with every day. Things like abandonment, death, and the burden of leadership. Something that was unique was the way Marchetta came up with two sets of characters. Not only were there Taylor, Ben, Jessa Mckenzie, Hannah, Santangelo, and Griggs, but there was also Narnie, Fitz, Webb, Tate, and Jude; the people in Hannah's story who may be more real than you think. I felt that the plot was supported with great writing. It was descriptive, fluid, and got bonus points from me because of the Australian accents. The characters from Jellicoe Road were funny, mischevous, at times needy, almost always at eachothers throats, and definitely realistic. The interactions between characters were well developed and easy to read. Finally, I found the creativity of the book to be average, but pulled off well. I reccommend pulling it off your library shelf and checking it out. A little rough at times, funny at others, and a little something to tug at your heartstrings at the end, overall a good read.

Composer of the Week

2009-07-19T21:51:00.000-07:00

Okay guys, this week, instead of just one song, I'd like to suggest listening to a composer. In this case, Hans Zimmer. The guy's a genius when it comes to music. Go track down a few soundtracks (listening to a few instrumental tracks on your iPod will not kill you. It will make you appreciate the background themes to your favorite movies. And, as soon as it's done, I promise you can listen to Kanye and Taylor Swift *yuck yuck yuck* as much as you like) he's done and enjoy!

Harry Potter 6

2009-07-19T21:31:00.000-07:00

In the sixth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft, and in both wizard and muggle worlds Lord Volemort and his henchmen are increasingly active. With vacancies to fill at Hogwarts, Professor Dumbledor persuades Horace Slughorn, back from retirement to become the potions teacher, while Professor Snape receives long awaited news. Harry Potter, together with Dumbledore, must face treacherous tasks to defeat his evil nemesis.

*Summary courtesy of imdb.com*

Plot: 9/10
Characters: 9/10
Dialogue: 10/10
Audience Appeal: 10/10
Overall: 95%
Audience Range (IMO): 13-45
Rating: PG

First, allow me a moment to gush. Omigodomigodomigodomigodomigod!! Okay. Teen moment over...or is it *bum bum bum*?! Just kidding. Second, this movie was very good. I'm talking about the movie alone. I know that all you HP fans are probably dissatisfied with the book/movie relationship. Personally, I'm okay with the way it went. Of course, I can't remember the book worth crap. It's a problem that I'm trying to fix, but with nineteen library books from two different counties and another...three?...from friends and nag happy teachers from all over my wonderful home state, I didn't have much time left over with which to reread the wonderful nove. ANYWHO, the plot was interesting, the cinematography was fantastic, and who can say no to those gorgeous, sexy British accents? I certainly can't. The characters of course were flawless. Radcliffe does a good portrayal, and, he's getting better at pretending to cry. Let's hope that he gets it down by the time 7.1 comes out! Emma's great, Rupert's great, and I just gotta give ol' Alby props for doing so well with the role he was left by Richard Harris. Lupin is undoubtedly the best. That of course goes without saying. I don't suppose many of you would know about my huge fan status with the guy... Also, the "wow" factor for the audience is just 110% there. As an attendee of the midnight showing, I would know. Lastly, the age range. Unless you really, really got a beef with your little bro/sis, don't take 'em. Children under 7 are soooo not a good idea. Please be courteous, nobody wants to listen to the kids crying and screaming at all the death, despair, and darkness. If you take a twelve-year-old...eh. Could go either way. Still not super recommended though. That's all for now!! Good movie. See it. Love it. Done.

Code Orange

2009-07-11T17:10:00.000-07:00

Walking around New York City was what Mitty Blake did best. He loved the city, and even after 9/11, he always felt safe. Mitty was a carefree guy-he didn't worry about terrorists or blackouts or grades or anything, which is why he was late getting started on his Advanced Bio report.Mitty does feel a little pressure to hand something in-if he doesn't, he'll be switched out of Advanced Bio, which would be unfortunate since Olivia's in Advanced Bio. So he considers it good luck when he finds some old medical books in his family's weekend house that focus on something he could write about. But when he discovers an old envelope with two scabs in one of the books, the report is no longer about the grade-it's about life and death. His own.

*Summary courtesy of fantasticfiction.co.uk*

Plot: 6/10

Writing: 6/10

Characters: 4/10

Creativity: 7/10

Grand Total: 57.5%

Code Orange was unremarkable, unenjoyable, and, frankly, unrealistic. Seriously, I struggled to finish it. It was recommended to me by a friend, which was about the only reason that I got through it. The plot was messy and disconnected. In the first half of the book, it's about epdemics and disease, which would be cool, but then, somewhere in the middle (I'm not exactly sure where), it turned into a terrorism thing which seemed to come completely out of left field! I don't think that terrorism was mentioned once in the first half of the story. There was one point where Cooney said something about having mentioned terror levels, but she hadn't. I was thoroughly confused and had to work altogether too hard to keep up with the nonsensical twists and turns of the plot. The writing was okay. That's it. I haven't read much of her work, but Cooney is supposed to be a great writer. I didn't see that in this book. It was ordinary and uninteresting, and that's if I'm nice about it. And the characters! Don't even get me started!! Mitty was a self-absorbed, unintelligent, superficial main character who doesn't value education, a trait for which I have no respect. Mitty was this spoiled NYC kid through the first 5/6 of the book, and then somehow turned into this self-sacrificing hero. Um, hello? Where does that come from? Olivia would have been a character I liked, but she fell for Mitty and became too self-pitying when he *spoiler alert* disappeared. The creativity of the story was the best part, I have to say. It's a pity that the other elements didn't match up. In conclusion, skip the book. It's not worth your time. If you're super interested, read the plot summary on wikipedia or something.

Song of the Week

2009-07-10T21:17:00.001-07:00

This week's song of the week is No Boundaries by Kris Allen. There's really no special reason this week, I just like the song....and Kris!!!

The Dead and the Gone

2009-07-10T20:52:00.000-07:00

Companion novel to Life As We Knew It, The Dead and the Gone follows the same catastrophic event through the eyes of Alex Morales, a 17-year-old Puerto Rican living in New York City. When Alex's parents go missing, Alex must take care of his two younger sisters as best he can, but with dwindling food and the dying chances of his parent's return, Alex and his sisters are in for the long haul.

*(bad) Summary by yours truly*

Plot: 9/10

Writing: 10/10

Characters: 7/10

Creativity: 10/10

Grand Total: 90%

Grade: A-

The Dead and the Gone was amazing. I thought it was really good for a companion book. I think to understand all of it, it's probably a good idea to read Life As We Knew It first. The plot followed the same style as Life, but was fairly unique at the same time. There wasn't a lot that was special about it, but I gave it the score it got because there wasn't anything bad about it. The writing was superb. It was articulate, haunting, and compelling. It was genuine and, at times, made me laugh and cry. The creativity was definitely up there. I was, and am, amazed at the way authors can come up with such events as Pfeffer has with the moon catastrophe and am completely in love with the idea. The characters I...liked. There was really nothing special about them, but they suited the story. Alex was definitely a three-dimensional character who was easy to relate to, especially as I'm an older sibling too. Bri was a little harder to grasp for me. She seemed to live in her own world and her piety and faith distanced her from some of the other characters. I think that my favorite character was Julie. A vicious, annoying character in the beginning, Julie Morales showed that she was really a strong character and the growth throughout the book was refreshing and satisfying. There were some other noteworthy characters in the book, but I'll leave it to you readers to discover them and their personalities. Overall, a very enjoyable read that'll haunt you long after you've finished the last page.

Song of the Week

2009-07-01T16:49:00.000-07:00

I know I haven't been keeping this up like I planned (moving and no internet in the place one is moving to doesn't help much). Usually, I'd be posting Thursdays, but since I am only in a place with internet today, I'll post one today. So without further ado, this week's Song of the Week is New Divide by Linkin Park (can you tell I like them?)! I saw Transformers 2 the other day with my friend and absolutely loved their new song. Head over to YouTube to listen to it or go to iTunes to download it to your iPod.

Harry Potter and the Marvelous Giveaway

2009-07-01T16:14:00.001-07:00

Okay, who's totally and completely psyched for Harry Potter 6 to come out later this month? Woah, did you just say "not me"? CHUMP!! Just kidding (sort of). Anyway, back on topic, GirlwiththeBraids is holding a contest giving away paperback editions of book 7. Also, winners will get a HP pin included in their winnings. It's an awesome looking thing. SO; head on over to readingtomyself.blogspot.com to enter...TODAY!! This contest ends July 17th. Happy Canada day!

Looking for Alaska

2009-06-18T22:14:00.000-07:00

Everybody has a talent. Miles Halter’s is knowing the last words of a lot of different people—people like the author Rabelais, whose enigmatic last words “I go to seek a Great Perhaps” inspire the sixteen year-old to leave his family home in Florida and enroll in Culver Creek, a co-ed boarding school in Alabama. There he makes a new circle of friends: his roommate Chip, a scholarship student whom everyone calls “The Colonel;” Takumi, a slyly funny Japanese-American rapper; and sweet-spirited, Romanian-born Lara, who has trouble pronouncing the letter “i.” But most importantly he meets Alaska, a beautiful girl who “had eyes that predisposed you to supporting her every endeavor.” Miles quickly falls in love with this reckless, quirky, endlessly intriguing girl. An omnivorous reader, Alaska introduces him to a new set of last words — those of South American liberator Simón Bolivar — that pose an intriguing question, “How will I ever get out of this labyrinth?” It’s a question that takes on a deeper, more poignant resonance when an unthinkable tragedy invites Miles to examine the meanings of life . . . and death.

*summary courtesy of Penguingroup*

Plot: 7/10

Writing: 9/10

Characters: 7.5/10

Creativity: 6/10

Grand Total: 73%

Grade: C

Looking for Alaska was a good read for being $2.99 at Borders. I snagged it because it had been a YRCA book at some point (last year?)... It was an okay book with a message that doesn't come fully across. I thought that it was a good book to keep away the boredom of long, friendless summer hours, but not much more than that. It passes in my book with a C with a fair plot, good writing, and tolerable characters. Stereotypes were a main theme in this book, which bugged me. I prefer authors with a little more creativity. And the plot? Nobody from nowhere boy goes on self-discovery journey at bording school, meets hell-bent girl, rebel friends, and discovers life means little and is too short so enjoy what you can before you kick the bucket. I've had sandwiches more interesting than that. Of course, it wasn't exactly boring, but nor was it exciting. Beyond that, it was alright. Pick it up at the library. Don't buy it for full price. Read, enjoy, move on to bigger and better books.

Song of the Week

2009-06-18T22:03:00.000-07:00

Sorry it's so late, people. I was out of the house most of the day and just got back from my second viewing of Star Trek. Anyway, this weeks Song of the Week is Move Along, by the All-American Rejects. I chose Move Along this week because I find that every once in awhile, it's important for us to remember to move on from the things that have been troubling us. Whether it's a bad test grade or a fight with a parent/friend, we have to remember to keep going as best we can. Leave a comment to tell me what you think!!

UP

2009-06-13T21:32:00.000-07:00

Bum ba-da dum! Okay, I just got back from seeing UP, Disney/Pixar's newest movie, and I've decided to review it. So here goes!!

Summary: By tying thousands of balloon to his home, 78-year-old Carl Fredricksen sets out to fulfill his lifelong dream to see the wilds of South America. Right after lifting off, however, he learns he isn't alone on his journey, since Russell, a wilderness explorer 70 years his junior, has inadvertently become a stowaway on the trip.

Graded:

Plot: 8/10

Characters: 10/10

Dialogue: 8/10

Audience Appeal: 9/10

Overall: 87.5%

Ungraded:

Audience Range (IMO): 4-99

Rating: PG

UP begins with an eight-year-old Carl Fredricksen watching a documentary on his hero, famed explorer Charles Muntz. A few minutes later, we meet Ellie. An enthusiastic Muntz fan pretending to commandeer the Spirit of Adventure, Muntz's blimp, in an old, broken down house, Ellie befriends the shy, quiet Carl and makes him swear to help her on her quest to explore South America and move the clubhouse to Paradise Falls, the very place Muntz is famous for discovering. As the movie progresses, we watch Carl and Ellie marry, officially buy Ellie's clubhouse, and grow old. The audience is moved to tears as we see Carl and Ellie try and fail to have children, save money only to have to spend it on unforseen financial situations, and, just as Carl buys plane tickets to South America, we watch as Ellie is admitted to the hospital and dies of old age. Captivated yet? I was. UP was incredibly enjoyable, especially due to the fact that I was able to see it in 3-D. There were sad moments, tense scenes, and places that made you laugh. The only problems I had with it were about fifteen, twenty minutes into the movie, Carl has a tussle with a construction worker after the worker accidentally breaks the mailbox Carl painted with Ellie. Carl accidentally hits the worker on the head with his cane and draws blood. This image was a little too graphic for small children and easily could have been left out. Then, later, near the end of the movie, there are some scenes where one of the characters (I won't reveal who) uses a shotgun to try and stop Carl and Russell. Also, the millions of dogs in the movie was a little overdone. Five dogs total would have sufficed. But, overall, I really enjoyed UP and I think that it is probably one of, if not the, best movie of 2009.

Song of the Week

2009-06-11T18:09:00.000-07:00

Alright guys, to make up for my month-long absence, I've decided to add Song of the Week posts to make sure I update my blog, but also to share some of my favorite music with everybody.

So, this week's song is Hands Held High* by Linkin Park. Hands Held High deals with a lot of the political issues going on in the United States, and really in the world, today, the main issue of the song being the war in Iraq. Go listen to it on YouTube or iTunes and leave me a comment to let me know what you thought!

*Warning: Hands Held High does have some explicit language. Make sure you're mature enough to listen to the overall meaning of the song without paying too much attention to above mentioned language.

I Am the Messenger

2009-06-11T17:05:00.000-07:00

Meet Ed Kennedy—underage cabdriver, pathetic cardplayer, and useless at romance. He lives in a shack with his coffee-addicted dog, the Doorman, and he's hopelessly in love with his best friend, Audrey. His life is one of peaceful routine and incompetence, until he inadvertently stops a bank robbery. That's when the first Ace arrives. That's when Ed becomes the messenger. . . .Chosen to care, he makes his way through town helping and hurting (when necessary), until only one question remains: Who's behind Ed's mission?

*summary courtesy of fantasticfiction.co.uk*

Plot: 10/10

Writing: 15/10

Characters: 10/10

Creativity: 10/10

Grand Total: 112%

Grade: A+

Markus Zusak is quite possibly the best author of our time. This is no self-indulgent fad or passing comment. I seriously believe that Markus Zusak is the best of the best. This book was loaned to my by a close friend with a promise that it would be one of the best books I had ever read, and she was right. I Am the Messenger seems ordinary, and, in all truth, it is, but that is exactly the point. The plot was magnificently crafted. I had shivers long after I'd read the last word. The book starts with a bank robbery and a simple, young man named Ed Kennedy and ends with a beginning. Even my vocabulary, which I've been told is extraordinarily large for my age, does not include words with which I can describe the utter eloquence with which this book was written. The writing was flawless, the characters were as real as you or I, and the creativity of the concept was beyond belief. What amazed me the most was that, Zusak kept me in the dark, plotwise, without me questioning the direction. His characters were deep and original, and yet they were simple, plain, and fell into stereotypes. The writing was ordinary and easy, and yet, the words were meaningful and wonderful and... magical. I don't ever think I'll completely understand it, but I Am the Messenger was a powerful message and a wonderful, if a little slow, book.

The Hunger Games

2009-05-09T11:45:00.000-07:00

Katniss is a 16-year-old girl living with her mother and younger sister in the poorest district of Panem, the remains of what used be the United States. Long ago the districts waged war on the Capitol and were defeated. As part of the surrender terms, each district agreed to send one boy and one girl to appear in an annual televised event called, "The Hunger Games." The terrain, rules, and level of audience participation may change but one thing is constant: kill or be killed. When Kat's sister is chosen by lottery, Kat steps up to go in her place.

*summary courtesy of fantasticfiction.co.uk*

Plot: 9/10

Writing: 9/10

Characters: 9/10

Creativity: 10/10

Grand Total: 93%

Grade: A

Spectacular. I know I'm probably the last one on the bandwagon for this book, but better late than never. I thought this book was incredible and I don't reccomend starting it until you can sit and read the whole thing in one setting. It was a book that I carried with me everywhere, even if I knew I couldn't read it. Suzanne Collins did, as she always does, an amazing job of making you think you know what's going on, before completely switching things around. I liked the writing because you get the feel of different accents and slang and the contrast between different districts. The characters, too, were perfect for this story. Katniss, Peeta, Haymitch, Primrose, Rue, and Gale seemed like three-dimensional characters, which I find very important in books. Lastly, the overall creativity of this story goes above and beyond. The idea of sacrifice and what could be are tantalizing ideas to me and both were touched on in the book. So, good plot, great characters, amazing creativity, what are you waiting for? Go hit the library, and, if you've read it, get ready for the apperance of it's sequel: Catching Fire.

Booked

2009-05-03T19:35:00.000-07:00

Hey people! Sorry I haven't been posting. I've been trying to get through the mountain (not even exaggerating here) of books I have on my table. Not suprisingly, it's a losing battle. In addition to having a mountain on my desk, I have a sea of homework I'm drowning in, a Random Buzzers addiction, texting craze, three munchkin siblings to deal with, writer's block, and family dilemmas which I won't even go into. You know, I think that school districts across the country oughtta hire all of their students butlers to carry all the multitude of books, papers, and assignments they are handed out. Can you imagine? "Jeeves!! Carry my two-hundred pound backpack upstairs to room 213 for me, will you?" On the other hand, my friend thinks we should be liscenced golf carts *stares off into space, daydreaming*. Anyway, that's all for now!!

In My Mailbox

2009-04-23T18:09:00.000-07:00

(This idea is from somewhere, but the fact that I'm drawing a complete and total blank is not helping me remember that well so believe me when I say I'm giving credit to whomever...even though I am incredibly long winded and hopelessly forgetful D:)

Okay, today I was super excited to find that...I GOT MAIL!! Today I got my copy of Highway to Hell by Rosemary Clement-Moore (seen right, duh) from Random Buzz. I don't know if you guys can tell, but I love getting mail *sighs and stares dreamily off into the distance*, chee-z as it is ;D.

I also got The Alchemyst by Michael Scott, who(m?) I absolutely adore. I've read it before, but it's one of those books that you just have to have. Speaking of which, I can't wait for his third book, The Sorceress, to come out!! Head over to bnbookblog.blogspot.com to find out more about it or stay tuned for my gleeful victory post when it is finally in my posession!!

Found

2009-04-21T17:56:00.000-07:00

Thirteen-year-old Jonah has always known that he was adopted, and he's never thought it was any big deal. Then he and a new friend, Chip, who's also adoped, begin receiving mysterious letters. The first one says, "You are one of the missing." The second one says, "Beware! They're coming back to get you."

Jonah, Chip, and Jonah's sister, Katherine, are plunged into a mystery that involves the FBI, a vast smuggling operation, an airplane that appeared out of nowhere -- and people who seem to appear and disappear at will. The kids discover they are caught in a battle between two opposing forces that want very different things for Jonah and Chip's lives.

Do Jonah and Chip have any choice in the matter? And what should they choose when both alternatives are horrifying?
*Summary from www.fantasticfiction.co.uk*

Rating:

Plot: 8.95/10
Writing: 9/10
Characters: 7/10
Creativity: 10/10
Grand Total: 87%
Grade: B+

First of all, woah. Second of all...woah. This book was super cool, interesting, and easy to read. It's 314 pages long, but seems more like 250. I was done with it really fast and I loved it! Not to say there weren't any flaws, because there were. I personally liked the plot, but my inner critic has pointed out a few things. The plot was good, kept you guessing, etc. etc. However, it wasn't fantastic. There were a few parts where it was like "what relevence does this have?" where Haddix rushed the story a little. The writing was really good. Haddix varied the language, as always, and didn't disappoint with her storytelling genius. The characters is where the book kind of rubbed on me. Jonah, the main character, was nice, quiet, charming, thoughtful, and...average. He was just a little too boring for my taste and, since Haddix plans on seven books, I sincerely hope it gets better. Chip, Jonah's friend, was stereotypical. There was a whole "I'm going to hell in a handbasket and nobody's going to get in my way" attitude. Chip was boasty and pig-headed at times, especially after finding out he was adopted. Katherine was...okay...sorta. Of course, it may just be that I don't see as eye to eye anymore because all of the characters are younger than I am, but even taking that into account, I just think that Margaret could have done much better. The overall creativity was great. You should read it, but pick this one up at the library. I'm glad I bought it, but there's no sales tax where I live. Save yourself a buck and stick with la bibliotheque!!

T.G.I.F

2009-04-17T19:52:00.001-07:00

Hello people. Let me just say that I love Fridays. I adore them. I don't know what I would do without them. Especially with RandomBuzzers doing their mystery giveaways lately! I hope everybody had a good day today and I wanted to share the wholely good feeling that I have 48 hours of sheer relaxation ahead of me. Whoo hoo!!

Forest of Hands and Teeth

2009-04-12T16:12:00.001-07:00

In Mary's world there are simple truths. The Sisterhood always knows best. The Guardians will protect and serve. The Unconsecrated will never relent. And you must always mind the fence that surrounds the village; the fence that protects the village from the Forest of Hands and Teeth. But, slowly, Mary's truths are failing her. She's learning things she never wanted to know about the Sisterhood and its secrets, and the Guardians and their power, and about the Unconsecrated and their relentlessness. When the fence is breached and her world is thrown into chaos, she must choose between her village and her future - between the one she loves and the one who loves her. And she must face the truth about the Forest of Hands and Teeth. Could there be life outside a world surrounded in so much death?

*Summary from http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/*

Rating:

Plot - 9/10

Writing -10/10

Characters - 8/10

Creativity - 10/10

Grand Total - 92.5%

Grade - A

The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan was an amazing book. I absolutely loved it. I won it from Random Buzz and was so excited to get it. The plot was predictable in a way, but the predictability was very subtle and comes with the book being a post-apocalyptic fiction story filled with zombies. Ms. Ryan made it incredibly interesting to read and though you knew in the back of your mind how it was going to end, she somehow kept you guessing. The writing was phenomenal. The vocabulary was varied and fitting, the dialogue spot on, and character interactions made for great reading. The characters were good, not fantastic, but good. Mary was a little clingy, Harry a little noble, Travis was perfect, Cass was...uh, I'm not even gonna go there, and I liked Jed in the end. The creativity of this novel was sensational. For being a zombie book, Carrie Ryan made it into an enjoyable page turner. All in all, I give this book an A. Do I recommend it? Absolutely.

2009-04-11T14:41:00.000-07:00

Spending time partying on the moon and riding around in his "upcar," Titus is an average teen of the future, complete with a computer chip implant -- the "Feed" -- that lets corporate marketers and government agencies broadcast directly into his brain. Then Titus meets Violet, and an anti-Feed hacker shuts down their Feeds for a short time; but when Violet's Feed is seriously damaged, she begins spouting some radical ideas.

*Summary courtesy of fantasticfiction.co.uk*

Rating:

Plot - 9/10
Writing -7/10
Characters - 5/10
Creativity - 9/10
Grand Total - 75%
Grade - C

I really did enjoy this book. The plot was interesting. It kept the reader, in this case, me, guessing and the idea of the story was incredibly thoughtful and creative. However, some of the writing was hard to understand due to the futuristic lingo that is so much different from our own (Ex: Unit) and most of the characters, with the exception of Violet, were so shallow!! It was hard to relate in any way to Titus or any of his friends because they only cared for looks. It was during these times that I struggled to continue turning pages and it brought down what I thought of the book for sure. All in all, I give this book a C, solely for making me think (and also keeping me from having to do homework).

Yikes

2009-04-11T14:40:00.000-07:00

Well I feel a little dumb. A month has gone by without my notice. I don't remember saying time was allowed to pass this quickly... Oh well. One Feed review coming up!

Busy Bee

2009-03-04T18:21:00.000-08:00

Hey people. I know it's been like...a month since last I posted. You would not believe how incredibly busy I have been. As usual, I have been on Randombuzzers 25-7, checked my email too many times a day, read, and, occasionally, done homework. Not much has changed. I've been on a popcorn (the single most heavenly substance on earth) spree and have made the black list at both my public library and my orthodontist office. I just got through reading the book Feed by M.T Anderson and I swear I'll post a review the second I get around to it. Anyway, until then, thanks for reading about the Ramblings of an iDogrocker!!

2009-02-19T20:17:00.000-08:00

Hola! Bienvenue! Welcome! You are here (here being my blog). I am going to try and get on as much as I can to post about books I've read, movies I've seen, and projects I'm working on, but as a full time iDogrocker (and book nerd), that's not so much of a promise as it is a goal.

In case you were wondering, I am a 14-year-old freshman from the planet known as Earth, or so I'm told, but who really knows... Just kidding. I was totally just messing with your minds here. Anyway, my friends tell me that I have entertaining tendencies, am a good writer, and that, though I talk like Edward, I walk like Bella. That last description involves several long, tedious, and thoroughly embarassing stories so I'm really thinking of you when I say "don't ask." I enjoy history, algebra, and biology (yeah, I know, it confuses me too). I am an avid, bordering on voracious reader, and I write for fun (shocker), and I overuse commas. I enjoy the Twilight Saga, but make no mistake: it's not an obsession. The Inheritance Series is cool, I've only recently discovered Amelia Atwater-Rhodes, think Evil Genius is a hilarious book, know the drinking song in Lord of the Rings: the Two Towers by heart, can quote any and every notable quote from the above mentioned LOTR, and still have to see a doctor after every viewing of POTC because of shooting pains in my sides from laughing. If I've missed anything, it's the fact that I'm incredibly long winded. Or maybe the fact that I use to many "big" words... In any case, I'm sure you're all smart enough to figure out what I've missed... maybe.