I’m back from the hiatus I took this month, and it was good to take a break from blogging and social media, though I didn’t expect to totally abandon the latter. I need to reduce the frequency of my posting because I have less time to blog. For at least April, I would like to… Continue reading New Posting Schedule + A Deathly Spring Cleaning
Twelve-year-old Conor O’Malley must come to terms with his mother having terminal cancer and what that means for him. He’s an independent boy who has had to take a lot responsibility during his mother’s illness and after his father left them. He also has to deal with a strict grandmother and bullies at school. What sets all of this in motion is an old tree that hunts him down and forces him to face the truth through storytelling. The movie adaptation of A Monster Calls, by Patrick Ness, convinced me to read the novel, and both are beautiful.
About a year ago, my mom discovered The Last Leaves Falling, by Fox Benwell*, on the Internet and was inspired by an interview with the author that she read to go find this book. She also found an interview, which I think was this one, where she was surprised to find out that there were different plot threads between the U.K. and U.S. editions, so she purchased both editions. She has been encouraging me to read it, so I finally did—the U.K. edition.
This book is about a Japanese boy who has….
Happy (early) Death Day to Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington, James Potter, and Lily Potter née Evans! We should also remember Sirius Black, Severus Snape, Albus Dumbledore, Hedwig, Dobby, Fred Weasley, Nymphadora Tonks, Cedric Diggory, and Remus Lupin. Instead of throwing a Death Day party, I’m doing the Harry Potter Honoring the Dead Book Tag. Jessica from a… Continue reading Harry Potter Honoring the Dead Book Tag
A pale boy who had lost his memory was going to be sacrificed to the Aztec God of Death until said god stayed the High Priest’s hand and marked the boy as his servant. Like the High Priest, this boy can see and interact with the gods. It doesn’t help that the interests two of… Continue reading Metztlitototl is plagued by the Gods of Death and Night
Vera Nazarian’s Cobweb Bride, set in a fantastical land, is about Death ceasing his function until his Cobweb Bride is found. Synopsis from Goodreads: Many are called… She alone can save the world and become Death’s bride. Cobweb Bride is a history-flavored fantasy novel with romantic elements of the Persephone myth, about Death’s ultimatum to… Continue reading Cobweb Bride by Vera Nazarian
Gore Vidal was 86 years old when he died on July 31, 2012, in Los Angeles. The cause of death, according to his nephew, was complications from pneumonia. He was a well-known author, playwright, politician, and commentator. His vast and sharpened range of written works and public remarks were stamped by his immodest wit and… Continue reading Gore Vidal, R.I.P.
“My death is not some appointment penciled in on a calendar.” ~ Richelle Mead, Last Sacrifice (pg. 20)
“My dearest Rose,
One of the few downsides to being awakened is that we no longer require sleep; therefore we also no longer dream. It’s a shame, because if I could dream, I know I’d dream about you. I’d dream about the way you smell and how your dark hair feels like silk between my fingers. I’d dream about the smoothness of your skin and the fierceness of your lips when we kiss.
Without dreams, I have to be content with my own imagination – which is almost as good. I can picture all of those things perfectly, as well as how it’ll be when I take your life from this world. It’s something I regret having to do, but you’ve made my choice inevitable. Your refusal to join me in eternal life and love leaves no other course of action, and I can’t allow someone as dangerous as you to live. Besides, even if I forced your awakening, you now have so many enemies among the Strigoi that one of them would kill you. If you must die, it’ll be by my hand. No one else’s.
Nonetheless, I wish you well today as you take your trials – not that you need any luck. If they’re actually making you take them, it’s a waste of everyone’s time. You’re the best in that group, and by this evening you’ll wear your promise mark. Of course, that means you’ll be all that much more of a challenge when we meet again – which I’ll definitely enjoy.
And we will be meeting again. With graduation, you’ll be turned out of the Academy, and once you’re outside the wards, I’ll find you. There is no place in this world you can hid from me. I’m watching.
Love,
Dimitri”
~ Richelle Mead, Spirit Bound (pg. 11-12)
As you know, I just finished reading Blood Promise by Richelle Mead. I’ve been thinking about certain events in this novel, particularly Dimitri’s nonstop attempts to convince Rose to be awakened. This made me think: what would I (or you) do if the love of my life or soul mate offered to make me immortal… Continue reading Awakening the Strigoi: Is it worth it?
Cat on the Bookshelf 