Catch Me - Characters & Quotes

So this is basically a post about my two characters for Catch Me : Rayven and Derek. To read my sister's post about If I Fall (which is basically part of the same story, just different p.o.v.s, which I explained on the My Books page), go here.

Derek Hastings

Rayven Orcalli

Here are some snippets, you can thank me later.

Rayven's P.O.V.

So far, he's blocking every hit of mine, and I'm blocking all of his. This is getting tiresome. And uninteresting. 

I suddenly launch myself into the air, landing a solid kick to his side before landing softly on the mat. In a real fight, I'd have packed much more power. He'd have a broken rib, at least. I prepare myself to go again.

Derek's P.O.V.

She gathers herself and swings a punch towards my jaw. I quickly block it and move to the side, grabbing one arm and pinning it behind her back so that she's pressed against me, breathing hard.

I tip my head down so that it's millimeters from touching her ear. "Broken arm." I say.

She stomps on my foot, brings her elbow down on my stomach, and flips me over her shoulder. I land with a thud in front of her. Ow.

Rayven's P.O.V.

"Where are you going?" he asks.

"Away from your putrid presence." I snap.

He doesn't reply, and when I look over my shoulder, he's hiding a grin. When he sees me looking, he scowls. "Do you have it?"

Derek's P.O.V.

"A beautiful princess and a prince that's devishly handsome." I say. "But only because he wished for it. He's really just an idiot."

She's smiling, I can tell.

"Which is why he talks about himself in third person." I add. "And there's some horrible drama thing going on. And it's rising action and stuff. And there isn't some obvious villain, just that feeling you get when you're sad and you lose hope."

"So poetic." She teases.

"Thank you. He tries, he really does." I say.

I might post more in a little while, but this is it for now.

Later beautifuls!!

Tansie G.

Reviewing: The Mortal Instruments - City of Bones *Movie

Okay, the reason I'm doing a review of The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones so late after the movie's been released is because I know some people weren't able to see it right away, and I didn't want to slam spoilers in their face. I'll still try to make this post spoiler-free, but if there's something dropped in here, my sincere apologies.

Let me start off by saying this: In my opinion, the book is way better than the movie.

I had really high expectations for every character, every plot twist, every tiny detail. I kind of wanted it to be like Catching Fire is. 

But no. Here's a list on my opinions -- because I love lists. Seriously, I love them.

1. Lily Collins did an okay job in my opinion. I know a lot of people hated her, but I didn't mind her.
2. Jamie Campbell Bower did an okay job, too. He wasn't exactly what I expected for Jace, but then I haven't seen an actor who is. Jace is just Jace. 
3. Alec was not what I expected either. Kevin Zegers is a good actor, but I didn't really enjoy his representation of Alec.
4. Magnus Bane was awesome. How could he not be? I loved his character. Not as much as I did in the books, but a lot all the same.
5. Simon was good. He was a lot closer than most of the other characters to looking like the character he portrayed. 
6. Isabel. Was. Awesomesauce. I loved her. She was so kick-butt and awesome with her whip that was, like, this golden snake, and her sword and-- she was just awesome. 
7. Hodge. I liked Hodge too. He was okay, but mainly because I didn't spend much time thinking about what he looked like.
8. On the humor, I did not like it. Well, a couple times they were funny. But most of the times I just arched an eyebrow and was like "that was way funnier in the book". Plus, humor in the wrong places, people. It was like "no! Those two people did not have that social interaction!"
9. Vampire bikes. There were none. I was very disappointed. 
10. Luke and Jocelyn were both good -- I forgot to mention them in the above flow of character judgment, but here they are. 
11. All in all, the movie was very mediocre for me. I didn't really enjoy it, it was just sort of there. I had high expectations and they weren't met.

Well, that's all for this post.

Later lovelies,

Tansie G.

Another Round at McKays

OH MY WORD I AM A TERRIBLE PERSON. It's been a week since I posted, and I am so, so, so sorry. I've basically been busy doing absolutely nothing on my winter break-- well, nothing except for writing and laughing and watching movies and eating a lot of chocolate and ice cream.

Today I went to McKays (if I could live there I would) with my wonderful family, and I got six books for $5.55. I am very pleased.

So, book one: Enchanted Forest Chronicles - Book 3 - Calling on Dragons - Patricia C. Wrede

Calling on Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede

This series does have mediocre covers, but the dry humor and unique characters make up for it.

Those wicked wizards are back--and they've become very smart. (Sort of.) They intend to take over the Enchanted Forest once and for all . . . unless Cimorene finds a way to stop them. And some people think being queen is easy.

Well, let me finish by saying this: The books are aimed at a younger audience. But I don't care because I'm young at heart.

Book two: The Pit Dragon Chronicles - Book 1 -  Dragon's Blood by Jane Yolen

Dragon's Blood by Jane Yolen

Dragons are trained to fight to the death, and two determined teens help free them in this spellbinding saga.

Training a dragon to be a fighting champion is the only way to freedom for fifteen-year-old Jakkin.


Obviously, the blurb does not do a good job of telling what the book is really all about. I haven't read it yet, but the words on the back of my copy of the book do a waaay better job.

Book three: Magic Can Be Murder by Vivian Vande Velde

Magic Can be Murder by Vivian V. Velde

Nola isn't much of a witch. She can work only a few useless spells, like the one that lets her spy on people by enchanting a bucket of water. But there's no spell for keeping her mother-who hears voices and is a magnet for witch-hunters-out of trouble. The two of them evade the authorities by traveling from town to town, taking odd jobs and moving on-until the day Nola magically witnesses a murder. . . 

You guys know how obsessed with Vande Velde I am. You know how I swore to buy all of her books and all that. Well, I obviously am not keeping that sweary thing because there were, like, four more of her books at McKays this time around. The reason I did not buy them mostly revolves around three things:

1. They were really creepy.
2. They were kids books.
3. I already had a copy.

That being said, I shall move on.

Book four: Dragonlance Chronicles- Part 1 - A Rumor of Dragons by Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman

A Rumor of Dragons

I couldn't find any pictures of this book online, so I snapped one of my one. Here's the synopsis.

Fear and dread have fallen on the land of Ansalon as life-long friends reunite at the Inn of the Last Home. They are as different as friends can be -- an outcast in love with a princess, a would-be warrior, his brother a wizard-in-training, a stern knight, a grizzled old dwarf, and a childlike kender -- but they have come together again in hopes of saving all they hold precious.

But their beloved homeland has fallen farther into darkness than they could imagine. What began as a gathering of friends soon turns into a struggle for survival and a quest to stop the dreaded Dark Queen from enslaving the world. Enemies lurk in every shadow, and on the winds of autumn comes the whisper of creatures thought long gone -- a rumor of dragons.

Book five: Chasing Yesterday - Book 1 - Awakening by Robin Wasserman

Awakening

Some things are too painful to remember--and too deadly to forget.

Found: One girl, age 13. Unconscious. Unharmed. Unclaimed. Unidentified.

Lost: Everything.

J.D. may not know the truth about her past, but she knows she's in danger, and she can't shake the dark visions haunting her dreams. She won't be safe until she figures out who she is and where she came from. She can trust no one, not even herself--especially not herself. Because it turns out there's one thing even more terrible than forgetting her past: remembering.

Book six: Chasing Yesterday - Book 2 - Betrayal by Robin Wasserman

Betrayal

Some things are too painful to remember--and too deadly to forget.

Found: One girl, age 13. Unconscious. Unharmed. Unclaimed. Unidentified.

Lost: Everything.

J.D. and Daniel are on the run, searching for answers about her past...and about the dangerous powers she can't seem to control. She knows she can't trust the memories implanted in her mind by the mysterious Dr. Styron, but they still feel real--and they won't stop haunting her. J.D. must race to uncover the truth and unlock the dark secrets in her brain...before it's too late.


Later,

Tansie G.

My People Stay Indoors

My sister was supposed to guest-post today, but she's a forgetful turd so she's forgiven. For now. I will attempt revenge when I'm not in my ultimate relaxing mode.

So winter break came round December 21 for me, and I was so, so happy because I'd been tense and freaked out with semester assessments.

The main reason I haven't updated in a while is because of school and writing. It fills my schedule to the brim. Oh, and my sister and I watched a few movies. Shh.

And I've been forced to go outside recently. It's a scary, scary world, dearies. All cold and dark and ew.

This is basically me whenever someone tells me I need to go outside:

Also I watched Paranoia last night. It was starring Liam Hemsworth. It was a pretty good movie, I would suggest it if you were into action and didn't mind some cussing.

This post is super-duper short, but I really have to go.

*HUGS*

LATERRR,

Tansie G.

Books On My To-Read List

This, dear peoples, is the list of books I'm most looking forward to reading. I hunted them down based on their synopsis, cover, and theme.

1. This one was mostly because of the cover.

Firelight by Sophie Jordan

A hidden truth.
Mortal enemies.
Doomed love.

Marked as special at an early age, Jacinda knows her every move is watched. But she longs for freedom to make her own choices. When she breaks the most sacred tenet among her kind, she nearly pays with her life. Until a beautiful stranger saves her. A stranger who was sent to hunt those like her. For Jacinda is a draki, a descendant of dragons whose greatest defense is her secret ability to shift into human form.

Forced to flee into the mortal world with her family, Jacinda struggles to adapt to her new surroundings. The only bright light is Will. Gorgeous, elusive Will who stirs her inner draki to life. Although she is irresistibly drawn to him, Jacinda knows Will's dark secret: He and his family are hunters. She should avoid him at all costs. But her inner draki is slowly slipping away;if it dies she will be left as a human forever. She'll do anything to prevent that. Even if it means getting closer to her most dangerous enemy.

Mythical powers and breathtaking romance ignite in this story of a girl who defies all expectations and whose love crosses an ancient divide.

Okay, so, the main reason I want to read this is because of the draki. They sound totally awesome. The thing that makes me kinda back off is the "forbidden/doomed love". It's been used so many times, and usually makes me sick when I read about how a girl throws everything on the line for a boy she just met. But the cover and the fact that dragons are involved sucked me in. It has potential.

2.

Mind Games by Kiersten White

Fia was born with flawless instincts. Her first impulse, her gut feeling, is always exactly right. Her sister, Annie, is blind to the world around her—except when her mind is gripped by strange visions of the future. 

Trapped in a school that uses girls with extraordinary powers as tools for corporate espionage, Annie and Fia are forced to choose over and over between using their abilities in twisted, unthinkable ways…or risking each other’s lives by refusing to obey.

In a stunning departure from her New York Times bestselling Paranormalcy trilogy, Kiersten White delivers a slick, edgy, heartstoppingly intense psychological thriller about two sisters determined to protect each other—no matter the cost

Aheheheh. This book is the one I expect great things from. It has an amazing cover, a great blurby thingy, and there are sisters as the main focus. Two sisters who are extremely close and protective of each other. With powers. Awesome powers.

3. 

Not a Drop to Drink by Mindy McGinnis

Regret was for people with nothing to defend, people who had no water. 

Lynn knows every threat to her pond: drought, a snowless winter, coyotes, and, most importantly, people looking for a drink. She makes sure anyone who comes near the pond leaves thirsty, or doesn't leave at all.

Confident in her own abilities, Lynn has no use for the world beyond the nearby fields and forest. Having a life means dedicating it to survival, and the constant work of gathering wood and water. Having a pond requires the fortitude to protect it, something Mother taught her well during their quiet hours on the rooftop, rifles in hand.

But wisps of smoke on the horizon mean one thing: strangers. The mysterious footprints by the pond, nighttime threats, and gunshots make it all too clear Lynn has exactly what they want, and they won’t stop until they get it….

With evocative, spare language and incredible drama, danger, and romance, debut author Mindy McGinnis depicts one girl’s journey in a barren world not so different than our own.

4.

Reboot by Amy Tintera

Five years ago, Wren Connolly was shot three times in the chest. After 178 minutes she came back as a Reboot: stronger, faster, able to heal, and less emotional. The longer Reboots are dead, the less human they are when they return. Wren 178 is the deadliest Reboot in the Republic of Texas. Now seventeen years old, she serves as a soldier for HARC (Human Advancement and Repopulation Corporation).

Wren’s favorite part of the job is training new Reboots, but her latest newbie is the worst she’s ever seen. As a 22, Callum Reyes is practically human. His reflexes are too slow, he’s always asking questions, and his ever-present smile is freaking her out. Yet there’s something about him she can’t ignore. When Callum refuses to follow an order, Wren is given one last chance to get him in line—or she’ll have to eliminate him. Wren has never disobeyed before and knows if she does, she’ll be eliminated, too. But she has also never felt as alive as she does around Callum.

The perfect soldier is done taking orders.

Just read that last line:

The perfect soldier is done taking orders.

How awesome does that sound? 

Also, I know I'm a bit behind when it comes to reading this book. In fact, my sister borrowed it on Kindle and I still hadn't even opened it. She returned it already, and I've been so busy I haven't had a chance to burrow under my blankets, grab a bowl of ice cream, and get started.

So, yeah. There are loads more books on my list, but these are the ones near the top. Not in order, mind you. Just ones I most looking forward to reading and hogging.

Also, I have a list of books coming out in 2014 that I can't wait for.

Rebel (Reboot #2) by Amy Tintera

City of Heavenly Fire (The Mortal Instruments #6) by Cassandra Clare

Also, I forgot to put these books on my to-read list:

United We Spy (Gallagher Girls #6) by Ally Carter (Queen of Spy Books)

Emerald Green (Ruby Red #3) by Kerstin Gier

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Later,

Tansie G.

Reviewing: Captivate by Carrie Jones

Captivate by Carrie Jones

Okay, let me start out with this: AWESOME MAIN CHARACTER HERE PEOPLE. Zara is awesomesauce. I wish I knew her in real life.

He smiles. It's a wicked smile. Kind but not kind. Handsome but dangerous. Feral almost. I can see why Nick nearly killed him, Nick...
I ask again, "Why were you in the road?"
"I was waiting for you."


Zara and her friends thought they'd solved the pixie problem. And they did - sort of. The pixie's are all locked away, deep in the woods. But the king's needs grow stronger each day that he is in captivity, while his control over his people weakens. And it's enough to draw a new king into town. Astley claims he is different. He claims there are pixies who can live peacefully with humans, that it doesn't have to be all violence and nastiness all the time. Zara wants to believe him...until Astley also claims that she is fated to be his queen.

There is no way Zara would ever turn pixie. And she's got good friends who will make sure of that. Besides, she and Nick are so in love they're practically inseparable. But when they very thing Zara wants to protect most is exactly what's at risk, she is forced to make choices she never imagined...

After I read the blurby thingy I decided I wouldn't like the book. Why, you ask? My answer: Because there's some jerk-butt trying to convince her that she's his queen and they'll probably fall in love and forget all about Nick, who I know nothing about and could very well also be a jerk-butt.

(Also Astley is a kinda weird name. Ehehe.)

I read it and was pleasantly surprised. I was, of course, very calm and level-headed. There was no uncontrollable giggling or victorious "HA!"s yelled or eyes welled up with dramatic tears or angry snarling involved.

And Astley turned out okay. Ish.

I have never been in complete and utter love with someone, so don't expect me understand why Zara did the unspeakable for Nick. (Can't say because spoilers.)

It wasn't so odd that I thought she was a brainless idiot, but I did kinda feel like she just woke up and went:

The puppy was not supposed to be there but it's a cute puppy so whatever.

Let me elaborate. I was either like this at Zara:

"Oh, you strong, strong soul. You'll make it. Awww, you poor thing."

Or this:

(Note: She also ran away like the girl in the gif.)

Or this:

(Complete with z-snap. Guuuurl.)

And towards her best friend, I was often seen like this:

To which she would reply:

It would be so awkward for her LAWL. Y'know, since she has no idea who I am.

These are all the stages of my thoughts about all of the boys of the book:

Stage 1 (Otherwise known as first few chapters):

Stage 2:

Stage 3:

Stage 4 (Otherwise known as sharing knowledge with other people):

Anyways, I have to go now.

BYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE GORGEOUSES!!!!!!!!!! :D :D (yes I'm hyper thank you for asking ehehe)

Later,

Tansie G.

Reviewing: Deadly Pink by Vivian Vande Velde

Grace Pizzelli is the average one, nothing like her brilliant older sister, Emily, who works for Rasmussem, creators of the world’s best virtual reality games. The games aren’t real, though—or at least they weren’t. Now Emily has hidden herself inside a pink and sparkly game meant for little girls. No one knows why, or how to convince her to come back out, and the technology can’t keep her safe for much longer. Grace may consider herself average, but she’s the only one who can save Emily. So Grace enters the game, hoping to talk her sister out of virtual suicide before time runs out. Otherwise Emily will die—for real.

Let me start off by saying it's not for people who enjoy tons of action and many secondary characters with loads of humor. This book has action, yeah, but after all the crazy books I've read recently, it didn't have me on the edge of my seat. There wasn't much humor. Maybe a couple sarcastic jabs, but that's it.

I also read it in 1.5 hours tops.

When you read it and you hit the part including Emily, let me just tell you: be prepared to be very angry at her. I was furious. I felt that deep burning anger inside my heart (not really but I was pretty mad.). I can't tell you why because of spoilers, but be prepared. As time goes along, you might grow to like her, but even though rough stuff had happened to her, I couldn't help but feel that Emily just wasn't even trying. She didn't seem to care, even after apologies were made. Emily just really annoyed me throughout the book.

Grace is a different story. She suffers with the "I'm not as good as her" problem that, as a fellow younger sister, I completely understand. Grace sets off to save Emily, nevermind the fact that it's dangerous (no matter what those Rasmussem people say). She risks everything for her sister.

I wanted to do this to Grace throughout the majority of the book:

I'd probably be all like "Oh, you poor, poor baby, let me hug you," and start crying. She'd probably think I was insane.

I wanted to do this to Emily throughout the majority of the book:

It got better after a while but I'm still perturbed.

Later,

Tansie G. *blows kisses*

Negativity About: Greek Plays

I can't stress enough how much I hate it when I have to read morbid Greek plays for school. This time, it was Antigone. You know, the one about the girl who wanted to please the gods, so she buried her brother, but King Creon had made a law where no one could bury him, but, of course, the animals could devour him. How humane. (Note the sarcasm.)

So the girl gets taken before the king for him to thunder in rage at. Turns out she's engaged to his son so it should put him in a hard place, right? Nope. He has no trouble sending her to starve to death in a cave.

Everything's rainbows and sparkles so far, right? No one is too upset about how kind this world is? Okay, let's go on.

So his son finds out that Antigone hanged herself, and, in his desperation and blind fury, tries to kill his father. He ends up killing himself.

When King Creon's wife, Eurydice, hears about her son Haimon's death, she is devastated. She kills herself and curses Creon with her dying breath.

Before hand, everyone in the play warned Creon not to let his pride and desire for power go crazy. (Not in those exact words, but you get the idea.) Obviously he's hard of hearing.

He ends up crying about how he lost his family because of one selfish act. He says he is sorry and wishes he could go back to before everyone killed themselves.

What's the oh-so-wonderful lesson learned according to my beautiful schoolbook?

No man can be happy or wise without obeying the gods.

Excuse you.

Excuse you.

Antigone died heartbroken and alone and she was the only one in the whole darn play who listened to the gods.

Oh my word. This play is depressing and morbid. It's everything horrible and sad tossed into one.

I didn't cry while reading it, no. But I did gasp pretty loud a couple times.

Having three people kill themselves is not okay. And the Greeks watched these plays for entertainment. It entertained them to see a tyrant commit an act against the gods, thus creating a chain reaction which ended in three people committing suicide.

And they were all nice people.

Haimon especially. He was the nicest one there, even if he did try to kill his dad.

And what Creon does at the very end of the play?

He kills himself.

Sorry about the rant, you guys. (Or girls. Or both.) Just had to vent about the unfairness of it all. Hopefully my next post won't be so anger-orientated.

What's my next post gonna be about? you ask.

Oh, well, that's easy.

I came up with it ages ago. (As in, last night at midnight while I was pondering over what the heck the universe is and what's all in it. And why does gravity exist? Why do we exist?)

I'm going to review Deadly Pink by Vivian Vande Velde.

Later,

Tansie G.

Four Points of Views

I love my big sister when she listens to what I order her to do. Which isn't often. But it happens occasionally, and today was one of those days. (insert victory cheer)

I convinced her to write a short story with me. Well, it started out as a one-shot, and became a short story, so now I'm actually not sure what I convinced her to write with me. We're basically writing four P.O.V.s of the same story-- which might sound boring and weird to you until I explain it better. (And it still might after I show you my glittery descriptions, who knows.)

Here we go. 

I've got a dude and girl that I'm writing for. These two people do not end up together. My sister is also writing for a boy and girl. My girl ends up with her guy and vice versa. We've written quite a bit and so far it's going well. I tell the story switching between the point of views and she rewrites it in her characters. It's awesomesauce.

Mine is Catch Me and hers is If I Fall.So put together... You get the idea.

Today's entry is short (as always) and I apologize, but I've been extremely busy today, writing and creating awesome covers.

I've written for all three of my current works-in-progress and I must say I'm a bit tired.

Bye, Lovelies!!

Tansie G.

Reviewing: What's Left of Me by Kat Zhang

So recently I've been on goodreads.com and I'm very proud of the fact that I was able to add a load of books to my read list.

My heart swelled.

Also, this is one book I read just a couple days ago that I loved. It was awesomesauce.

What's Left of Me by Kat Zhang

Eva and Addie started out the same way as everyone else—two souls woven together in one body, taking turns controlling their movements as they learned how to walk, how to sing, how to dance. But as they grew, so did the worried whispers. Why aren’t they settling? Why isn’t one of them fading? The doctors ran tests, the neighbors shied away, and their parents begged for more time. Finally Addie was pronounced healthy and Eva was declared gone. Except, she wasn’t . . .

For the past three years, Eva has clung to the remnants of her life. Only Addie knows she’s still there, trapped inside their body. Then one day, they discover there may be a way for Eva to move again. The risks are unimaginable-hybrids are considered a threat to society, so if they are caught, Addie and Eva will be locked away with the others. And yet . . . for a chance to smile, to twirl, to speak, Eva will do anything.


So I loved the idea, which is very original in my opinion, and the main character was easy to relate to. Eva is a lot like my older sister.

She's calm, level-headed, supportive, and is always calming me down. (hehe)

The plot and characters sucked me in right away. In my opinion, the characters are what the book depends on. And What's Left of Me did not let me down. For this book, the plot was equally fantastic.

Of course, I have to have some negative in-put, so here goes.

I didn't get the reason why the hybrids were such a threat. I just don't. Sorry.

Were two souls in one body so terrible? If they're not constantly battling each other then why is it a threat?

AND THEY'RE PARENTS WERE JERKS. JUST GAH. I DUN LIKE THEM.

This is a quick, confusing review which was forced by my lack of time.

Overall, I rate it 4.5.

Later,

Tansie G.