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madelinetodd

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May 16, 2018

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Book Review Tuesday, Uncategorized

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18)-Defy the Stars

Hey everyone, and welcome to this week’s Book Review Tuesday!

Before I begin, I apologize for posting nothing but BRTs for weeks. I’ve got some fan arts that I’ll probably post this weekend. I also saw Avengers: Infinity War over the weekend, and honestly? I have no tears left to cry. I thought of reviewing it, but I probably wouldn’t get through it without spoiling, like, everything. I know how horrible it feels to have things like that spoiled for me, so I’ll save you the pain. All I’ll say is that I emerged from the theater sobbing.

Now, for the weather.

I’m surprised that I didn’t post a review of this book earlier. I got it at the library a few months ago, and I LOOOOOOOOOOOOOVED IT. And the sequel (Defy the Worlds) is just as good, if not better, and I’ll probably review it some time after this. Enjoy your review!

Defy the Stars

Since the human race has colonized other planets, tensions have been growing higher and higher. Years ago, Earth would have been the home planet of Noemi Vidal. But now, she is a soldier fighting against Earth, for the planet Genesis. When a mission goes terribly wrong, Noemi becomes trapped on an abandoned enemy ship, the Daedalus. There, she discovers Abel, the most advanced mech ever created, who has been on this ship alone for over thirty years. Despite their previous allegiances, Noemi and Abel know that in order to save their homes, they must join forces. As they venture through the known universe, they discover things that make them question what they previously believed, and uncover secrets that could be fatal in the wrong hands…

AAAAAH!

I’m naturally a sucker for fast-paced, sci-fi adventures in space, but this exceeded all expectations. Not only was the world building and plot spectacular, but I LOOOVED the characters. Abel, especially. In this series so far, he’s probably the closest thing I have to a fictional crush. Not quite hot or anything, but he’s just kind of overall lovable, and every scene with him is heartwarming.

Also, I won’t spoil who, but there’s a character that reminds me of Professor Bruttenholm from Hellboy. Just sayin’.

Well, I hope you enjoyed my review, and have a great rest of your day!

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Book Review Tuesday (5/7/18)-Exo

Hi, everyone, and welcome to this week’s Book Review Tuesday!

This book was another that I had obtained from the OH SO SACRED LIBRARY (I eternally bow down to thee). My expectations were average (about a six-ish out of ten on my scale). The first quarter or so met my expectations, but then it really picked up, and my rating shot up to about an 8. I’d highly recommend it for anyone who loves sci-fi dystopia…and ALIENS!

Enjoy the review!

Exo

One hundred years ago, we discovered that we weren’t alone. The zhree, a peaceful alien race, chose Earth as an off-world colony, and have helped mankind make many technological advances since their arrival. Though most of the human race is tolerant of the aliens, a terrorist group called the Sapience is still intent of removing their mark from the face of the planet.

Donovan Reyes is the son of the Prime Liaison for the zhree, and he works for the government. But after a mission gets sorely out of hand, he lands in the hands of the Sapience, who see him as a vital pawn against the Prime Liaison. Donovan knows that there’s no chance that his father will ever listen to the terrorists, so he must try to escape…and gather as much information as possible about them before they resort to drastic measures…

As I mentioned before, I found Exo to be a joy to read! Clever and believable world-building, very realistic characters (to the point that I imagined one of them exactly like Laura Dern*), and a plot that successfully kept me on my toes for much of the book.

Also, on the subject of the zhree, I kind of imagined them a little bit like the Arsians in The Search for WondLa series. Albeit Arsians with more eyes (except for in Loroc’s case), and more advanced technology. *stifles a sob*

I hope you have a wonderful rest of your day, and stay cool! (Or warm…depending on the weather. I happened to have made the mistake of wearing a dark blue shirt in 70 degree weather…oof.)

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May 1, 2018

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Book Review Tuesday

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Book Review Tuesday (5/1/18)-Caraval

Hello there, fellow bibliophiles, and welcome to the first Book Review Tuesday of May 2018! Also, happy May Day, Labor Day, or whatever festivities are occuring where you are!

This book was another library borrow that I got a thrill out of. Fast-paced, clever, elaborate, and filled with love and magic! Also, according to Goodreads, you might like it if you’ve read Daughter of the Pirate King (see 4/10/18), Defy the Stars, (loved, but haven’t reviewed thusfar), Bound by Blood and Sand (bought on my Kindle, fairly decent), and a bunch of other books that have landed on my current to-read list. So I guess this was meant to be.

Enjoy my review!

Caraval

Scarlett and Donatella Dragna have lived their whole lives on a tiny island, in the shadow of their domineering father. Their only escape was the tales of the legendary Caraval, a magical show where the audience can take part, told to them by their grandmother. For years, Scarlett has been writing letters to Legend, the master of Caraval, and has not received a single response.

Until now.

Scarlett is now seventeen, and facing an arranged marriage to a boy she hasn’t even met. But she suddenly receives an invitation and tickets to Caraval, and with the help of a mysterious sailor, reaches Caraval’s location. But now, the stakes are even higher. This year’s show is like a game…and the object? Find Tella, who has been kidnapped by Legend. Can Scarlett save her younger sister before Caraval ends?

The main reason I enjoyed Caraval so much was probably the intricacy of it all. Each twist and turn was filled with another creative, and surprising twice. I could imagine the setting and characters as though I was looking at them through a movie screen. All in all, spectacular book!

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the rest of your day!

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madelinetodd

Posted on

May 1, 2018

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Art, Books, Geeky Stuff, Movies, Music

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HARRY POTTER! Did you put your name in the Goblet of Fan Arts?!?!?

Yep, that’s right-I’ve got lots more fan arts!

Most of these are HP related, as I did them soon after my Pottermore sorting. I also got some new, more skin-tone color pens on Wednesday, so I’ve been testing those out a bit. Enjoy!

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Elisa Esposito (The Shape of Water)

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Lindsey Jordan, a.k.a. Snail Mail

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Hufflepuff, based off of a European badger (Harry Potter)

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Ravenclaw, based off of Golden eagle (Harry Potter)

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Gryffindor, based off of African lion (Harry Potter)

Screen Shot 2018-04-30 at 6.02.35 PM.png

Slytherin, based off of Black Rat snake (a bit too derpy and cute, perhaps?) (Harry Potter)

Screen Shot 2018-04-30 at 6.02.47 PM.png

Princess Nuala (Hellboy II)

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The Amphibian Man (The Shape of Water)

Screen Shot 2018-04-30 at 6.03.05 PM.png

Luna Lovegood (Harry Potter)

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Rey (The Force Awakens)

Screen Shot 2018-04-30 at 6.03.23 PM.png

Abe Sapien (Hellboy)

I hope you liked my fan arts! I’ll be back tomorrow with the first Book Review Tuesday of May 2018! See you later, and have a great rest of your day!

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April 25, 2018

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Book Review Tuesday

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Book Review Tuesday (4/24/18)-Daughter of the Siren Queen

Hi there, everyone, and welcome to the last BRT of April 2018!

This book review will be on the spectacular sequel to Daughter of the Pirate King (see 4/10/18). If Daughter of the Pirate King was amazing, this book was downright spectacular-all of the wit, action, and fun, but with the volume turned up. Kind of a similar situation to the one I had with the Arc of a Scythe series so far, except that Daughter of the Siren Queen didn’t leave me speechless (or slightly dead inside), and it didn’t quite merit a five-star rating. But I’d say it came pretty close.

Enjoy the review!

Daughter of the Siren Queen (Daughter of the Pirate King, #2)

Alosa has now recovered all of the pieces to the ancient treasure map, reclaimed her status as the captain of her own ship, the Ava-lee, and gotten her revenge on her kidnappers.But after one of her old foes reveals a well-kept secret about her father, the Pirate King Kalligan, she is now back in danger. Now locked a deadly race against her father, Alosa and her faithful crew must recover the famed treasure…before it’s too late.

(NOTE: If I could only find a gif or YouTube clip, I would most definitely insert the “Huzzah, I’m the pirate king!” thing from MST3K right here. Sigh…)

In short, what an oustanding book! Not only was Alosa just as witty as always, but I loved getting to know her crew even more. I’m so sad that this is the end, for now…Tricia Levenseller announced on Goodreads that this series is, in fact, a duology.

*single tear trickles down cheek*

Well anyway, have a great rest of your day, everyone!

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Posted on

April 17, 2018

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Book Review Tuesday (4/17/18)-Arclight

Hey, everyone, and welcome to today’s Book Review Tuesday!

I just recently returned this book to the library (*sniffle*). My expectations were a little low (I forget why), but this book surprised me with its intricate plot, compelling characters, and plentiful twists and turns! I hope you like Arclight as much as I did. Enjoy the review!

Arclight

In a dystopian, future Earth, the world is divided into three sections. First is the Arclight, mankind’s only defense from a dangerous outside world. Then there is the Gray, the uninhabitable wasteland, and beyond that, the Dark, where dangerous monsters, called the Fade, dwell. No one goes beyond the Arclight, and nobody comes back from the Dark alive…

…all except for Marina.

Marina has no idea of who she is, what her previous life was like, or how she is still alive. And now, the Fade want her back in their realm. Will she be the savior of mankind, or instigate a new era?

Incredibly fast-paced, gripping, and powerful, Arclight exceeded all of my expectations. Such an exciting read! I won’t spoil anything, but I’ll just tell you that your mind will probably be blown by the twist at the end. In short, I enjoyed this book immensely.

Have a great rest of your day, and stay warm…or cool…whatever the weather. You never know, at this point. (For me, it was nice and warm in the morning, but it just started snowing…)

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madelinetodd

Posted on

April 15, 2018

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Random

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HOW DID I NOT REALIZE THIS?

Okay, so I was looking back at my Hufflepuff post (See ’PUFF PRIIIIIIDE) and I saw that I mentioned that “Tonks probably had teal hair at least once in her life”. Most of you were probably thinking, “where the heck did that come from?”

And then I realized that I forgot to mention something important that happened at the end of January.

MY HAIR’S TEAL!

This was about a day after I got it dyed. It was SO FUN! A long two hours, but it was all worth it. (Also, the teal dye smelled strangely of sweet tarts…don’t ask me why)

This was when it was starting to fade a bit. Here (and right now), it’s starting to fade, and more green than teal.

And now, it’s a lot lighter, but I still love it. My roots are showing now, too.

Having teal hair has been super fun. It’s been worth all of the black towels and ruined pillowcases. Once it fades completely, I might have my natural color for a while longer, but I might dye it a different color at some point. I LOOOOOVE IT!