The Essay that I'm about to write is on a recent article that I've read. With that I've decided to write about the Trayvon Martin Shooting.
I read the article about the death of Trayvon Martin,and it shows an important problem in america. There is still injustice in america just upon the way we look.In the article, George Zimmerman claims that Trayvon looked suspicious as he was walking alone on a rainy day,claiming that the boy was "high and up to no good". In truth Trayvon was walking to the store to pick up snacks,scared because he was being followed by a stranger.In the end Trayvon was shot,a single shot to the chest ending the youths life,while Zimmerman gets away with this injustice by pleading this act was done in self-defense.
After reading this article I was both saddened and angry because of what happened. It may as well be said if someone looks strange we have a right to kill them,if so most of america would be gone in a night.Is it really okay to have a law that says it''s okay to shot somebody in self defense?This "Stand Your Ground" law protects you when shooting minors? If so we might as well shot everybody if they so much as touch us. Where would we be if this law was passed all over america,then this would happen: "I shot him out of self defense,so I'm free to go right?"
In all honesty, if Trayvon was white, this would probably never have happened. As much as people try to deny it, racism still very well exists today. A teenage African American walking alone in the rain with a hood on in a neighborhood with multiple break in, of course the boy would be targeted. It still doesn't give them the right to shot him for looking the way he did. It leads me to wonder if things were different in the past,would things turned out differently for Trayvon?
All in all,we can't change the past. But we can try to prevent something like this from happening again,as many people have been doing in the Trayvon Martin "Million Hoodie March" where people show their support. It just goes t show what can happen to you based on how you look.
Monday, April 9, 2012
Never Plagiarize
I have just finished reading my ELA teacher's blog post on plagiarizing work,about what a crime it is and why It's wrong.After reading a students work who had been caught,I saw the mistakes the kid made,and I want to point out how this kid could have not gotten into trouble.
This student,instead of copying word for word,could have just cited their source and used it as an example by paraphrasing or adding quotes.
Here are some examples on how the student could have done this:
"I remember the description Bran had given of the wildlings in George R.R Martin's book,A Game of Thrones in his recollection from Old Nan's Tales: "The wildlings were cruel men,she said,slavers and slayers and thieves"(13)
or("Game of Thrones" 13)
Then at the end the student could have constructed a list of all sources they had cited.
Three ways to avoid plagiarizing are:
This student,instead of copying word for word,could have just cited their source and used it as an example by paraphrasing or adding quotes.
Here are some examples on how the student could have done this:
"I remember the description Bran had given of the wildlings in George R.R Martin's book,A Game of Thrones in his recollection from Old Nan's Tales: "The wildlings were cruel men,she said,slavers and slayers and thieves"(13)
or("Game of Thrones" 13)
Then at the end the student could have constructed a list of all sources they had cited.
Three ways to avoid plagiarizing are:
- Be original with your work
- Cite your sources correctly
- Just don't steal another persons work
Old Blogs,New Ideas
For this assignment,I was told to read two blog posts from my fellow students.The two posts that I decided to read were by Jake L. and Alexandria N. I enjoyed reading both student blogs because each on had given me new ideas on what to work with in my blog posts to come.I am to list two elements that I favored from each blog and why I enjoyed.
In Jake's blog post he spoke of the connections between characters and the details that he found important to the story.I liked this because I mainly focus on the characters and why they are unique and interesting,and how you may relate to them. Like Jake I notice the details and relationships they have but Jake exploits then in his post. Alexandria's blog post is much more on the plains of being deep and meaningful. She takes a lesson or quote from the story and thoughtfully explains them while trying to make a connection to the reader's life while doing so,while I do nothing of the sort in my posts.
From reading these two blog post I can see new ways to make my blog post better and find new things to work with from my reading.Next time that I write a blog post I may try to show of some details that I noticed in the story like Jake,which I hadn't done before because I didn't want to give bits of the story away to potential readers.Or I can connect a lesson or quote I read to real life like Alli. After reading these two blogs I learned some good new ways to improve.
In Jake's blog post he spoke of the connections between characters and the details that he found important to the story.I liked this because I mainly focus on the characters and why they are unique and interesting,and how you may relate to them. Like Jake I notice the details and relationships they have but Jake exploits then in his post. Alexandria's blog post is much more on the plains of being deep and meaningful. She takes a lesson or quote from the story and thoughtfully explains them while trying to make a connection to the reader's life while doing so,while I do nothing of the sort in my posts.
From reading these two blog post I can see new ways to make my blog post better and find new things to work with from my reading.Next time that I write a blog post I may try to show of some details that I noticed in the story like Jake,which I hadn't done before because I didn't want to give bits of the story away to potential readers.Or I can connect a lesson or quote I read to real life like Alli. After reading these two blogs I learned some good new ways to improve.
Monday, March 19, 2012
Much Ado About Nothing:Play Review
Last week I had gone to go see my first Shakespeare play: Much Ado About Nothing, a love story crafted by the legendary bard and acted out with a slightly more modern twist. Until I saw this play I had thought that Shakespeare only wrote sonnets along with love and tragedy plays. The play had involved much love but the whole story in my opinion was crafted through one character's lies and deception. The plot of this play had caught my attention and how each event in the story crashed into one another had grabbed me entirely.
The plot revolves around two pairs of lovers: Claudio and Hero and the warring couple of Benedick and Beatrice. The love between Claudio and Hero was simple enough, each had liked one another and wished to be married to each other but the villain Don John had spread terrible rumors and played tricks on the couple to make Claudio believe Hero was unfaithful. All the while the is the "loving hate" couple of Benedick and Beatrice, both claiming to hate each other and than easily tricked into revealing their love for each other. Throughout this play there are plots and schemes from both sides that bring these couples together.
The plot revolves around two pairs of lovers: Claudio and Hero and the warring couple of Benedick and Beatrice. The love between Claudio and Hero was simple enough, each had liked one another and wished to be married to each other but the villain Don John had spread terrible rumors and played tricks on the couple to make Claudio believe Hero was unfaithful. All the while the is the "loving hate" couple of Benedick and Beatrice, both claiming to hate each other and than easily tricked into revealing their love for each other. Throughout this play there are plots and schemes from both sides that bring these couples together.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Reading Response: A Game of Thrones
I've just begun the one series that may keep me from reading the whole thing in the course of a week. I begun the first book of A Song of Ice and Fire series with the epic story of A Game of Thrones George R.R Martin, and have to say I don't think a book has every grabbed my attention so quickly. This tale of fantasy tale if held in a place where winter's and summers can last decades, and in this medieval time period also sets up a story of glory and deception in a way that I've never seen before.Not only is the plot and world interesting but each character has a path that makes me feel like I'm reading individual stories with each chapter.
My favorite character by far is Jon Snow, the bastard son of Eddard Stark, ruler of Winterfell (when a bastard is born, they aren't allowed to take the last name of their father and must take the name "Snow"). Jon is a strong-willed character that has a rough life not because he was born a king's son, but because he was born at all. His father had him while being married to his wife for a year and is looked upon by the world as the boy who disgraced his family and as someone who shouldn't be. This makes me drawn to this character because he is the outsider accepted by a few people, which is who I am most of the time. In the story, Jon decides that if he must be the outsider, he will take the road to where even a bastard can be looked upon in greatness, as a part of the Night Watch, the warrior's who guard the outer wall's of the land. I wish to see more of Jon in the story but as the character's keep alternating it keep's my attention away as I look at their lives as well.
In this book there are definitely some things that throw me off. An example would be who are the conflict's fall between, because there seem to be quite a bit of hate to one group but other hates rise out under it from the past as well. I would also want to know what type of fantasy am I dealing with in the story, in terms of magic and creature among other things. The main things that I wish to know more about are the outer wall, the Night's Watch, the Dothraki and the Targaryen's. And these are just my main concerns, not even mentioning my other haunt's of this book.
My favorite character by far is Jon Snow, the bastard son of Eddard Stark, ruler of Winterfell (when a bastard is born, they aren't allowed to take the last name of their father and must take the name "Snow"). Jon is a strong-willed character that has a rough life not because he was born a king's son, but because he was born at all. His father had him while being married to his wife for a year and is looked upon by the world as the boy who disgraced his family and as someone who shouldn't be. This makes me drawn to this character because he is the outsider accepted by a few people, which is who I am most of the time. In the story, Jon decides that if he must be the outsider, he will take the road to where even a bastard can be looked upon in greatness, as a part of the Night Watch, the warrior's who guard the outer wall's of the land. I wish to see more of Jon in the story but as the character's keep alternating it keep's my attention away as I look at their lives as well.
In this book there are definitely some things that throw me off. An example would be who are the conflict's fall between, because there seem to be quite a bit of hate to one group but other hates rise out under it from the past as well. I would also want to know what type of fantasy am I dealing with in the story, in terms of magic and creature among other things. The main things that I wish to know more about are the outer wall, the Night's Watch, the Dothraki and the Targaryen's. And these are just my main concerns, not even mentioning my other haunt's of this book.
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Reading Response: Romeo & Juliet
This week I've been reading the legendary Romeo & Juliet by William Shakespeare, and I have mixed feelings about the book so far. One part of me likes where the book is going but another part of me says that I should drop the book( even though I can't). So I'll highlight the good and bad parts of the book for me in this response.
In the book, I sort of enjoy looking at the hidden messages of the story, like how one thing means something else entirely. But another part of me just wants to scream from the mental anguish their manner of speaking has caused me, wanting to think that it means the way they say things but it just doesn't want me to do this apparently. Another thing is the characters. New characters rapidly appear throughout the story and the each seems significant in their own way, but since it's in the format of a play I don't get to truly know the characters like I would be able to in other book and it bugs me to no end. I'm I reader who likes to understand most of what he's reading, and this book isn't really helping.
In all I would say that I have to read more of this book before I develop a real opinion of the story I think I would have to read more of it before I start crashing down on books the way I normally would. If my opinion leans to one side, that's most likely the opinion I'll stick with for the rest of the book.
In the book, I sort of enjoy looking at the hidden messages of the story, like how one thing means something else entirely. But another part of me just wants to scream from the mental anguish their manner of speaking has caused me, wanting to think that it means the way they say things but it just doesn't want me to do this apparently. Another thing is the characters. New characters rapidly appear throughout the story and the each seems significant in their own way, but since it's in the format of a play I don't get to truly know the characters like I would be able to in other book and it bugs me to no end. I'm I reader who likes to understand most of what he's reading, and this book isn't really helping.
In all I would say that I have to read more of this book before I develop a real opinion of the story I think I would have to read more of it before I start crashing down on books the way I normally would. If my opinion leans to one side, that's most likely the opinion I'll stick with for the rest of the book.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Letter to a friend;Understanding Shakespeare
Dear God Brother,
It's been a while since we've spoken to each other and I was thinking that we may be able to reconnect, talking about what's new and what has changed. In my ELA class we have begun to read Romeo & Juliet by the legendary bard, William Shakespeare. I have just finished the first scene of act one, as this tragic love story has been written in the form of a play and through reading this I have found the story slightly hard to understand but nevertheless interesting. I am sending this letter to you in hope that you may get a better understanding of the story crafted by Shakespeare and I hope that after you have read this, you will somewhat understand Shakespeare and perhaps gather a better understand of the bard's work than I have.
To me, the story begins as two characters planning to take action against the apposing side, until the opposite side see's them insulting them openly and a fight breaks out in public, swords drawn. In my opinion, this was a foolish thing to do in the first place, declaring hate openly when you are outnumbered. But reading this has also taught me that as words are spoken, they can mean something else entirely from what you would think it had meant. Truth be told, I had to look at their definitions for words at least several times to learn what they meant because at first it seemed like a bunch of words strung together to make meaningless sentences. But after learning what their words meant, I was thrown of quite a bit because they had boasted about doing some rather disturbing things to others.
I hope this may be of help to you if you decide to take up reading Romeo & Juliet, knowing that you have to look out for hidden meanings while reading. I would recommend this to you but than again this type of reading isn't really for everyone, but since I don't really know about your tastes in reading I can't be sure.
My best wish's go out to you brother, and I hope that you can keep in touch.
-Your Brother Through God, Tyler
It's been a while since we've spoken to each other and I was thinking that we may be able to reconnect, talking about what's new and what has changed. In my ELA class we have begun to read Romeo & Juliet by the legendary bard, William Shakespeare. I have just finished the first scene of act one, as this tragic love story has been written in the form of a play and through reading this I have found the story slightly hard to understand but nevertheless interesting. I am sending this letter to you in hope that you may get a better understanding of the story crafted by Shakespeare and I hope that after you have read this, you will somewhat understand Shakespeare and perhaps gather a better understand of the bard's work than I have.
To me, the story begins as two characters planning to take action against the apposing side, until the opposite side see's them insulting them openly and a fight breaks out in public, swords drawn. In my opinion, this was a foolish thing to do in the first place, declaring hate openly when you are outnumbered. But reading this has also taught me that as words are spoken, they can mean something else entirely from what you would think it had meant. Truth be told, I had to look at their definitions for words at least several times to learn what they meant because at first it seemed like a bunch of words strung together to make meaningless sentences. But after learning what their words meant, I was thrown of quite a bit because they had boasted about doing some rather disturbing things to others.
I hope this may be of help to you if you decide to take up reading Romeo & Juliet, knowing that you have to look out for hidden meanings while reading. I would recommend this to you but than again this type of reading isn't really for everyone, but since I don't really know about your tastes in reading I can't be sure.
My best wish's go out to you brother, and I hope that you can keep in touch.
-Your Brother Through God, Tyler
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Shakespearean Sonnet Response:Sonnet 27
Weary with toil, I haste me to my bed,
The dear repose for limbs with travel tired;
But then begins a journey in my head
To work my mind, when body's work's expired:
For then my thoughts--from far where I abide--
Intend a zealous pilgrimage to thee,
And keep my drooping eyelids open wide,
Looking on darkness which the blind do see:
Save that my soul's imaginary sight
Presents thy shadow to my sightless view,
Which, like a jewel hung in ghastly night,
Makes black night beauteous, and her old face new.
Lo! thus, by day my limbs, by night my mind,
For thee, and for myself, no quiet find.
This sonnet was very interesting to me in terms of meaning after I had annotated it. This sonnet, like many others, were directed to a specific person. Basically, to me it means that he was always a tired many, physically by day, and mentally by night. He had personified night as a women, saying as the sun went down the face of night became beautiful and young once again. But as he waited for night to fall he also had a very tiring day, both waiting and working. With the stress of both these things on his body and mind, he couldn't find any peace and just relax.
I thought at first this sonnet was about a woman, describing her as beautiful as night in his sleep, but later on I realized that this was only his imagination at work. For me it is strange to think of why someone would waste so much thought on this person when she doesn't exist. It was as if he was trying to bring this person to life through his dreams, the amount of thought he was using in the process has left him depleted for his apparently draining lifestyle.
I would think that this is still a beautiful poem, changing the focus of his writing to something else for a change. It was in truth somewhat difficult to depict his meanings but in the end it is just a dedication to his dreams, which I can somewhat understand. Reading this sonnet gave me a better understanding of Shakespearean sonnets and helped me find a focus for my own sonnet.
The dear repose for limbs with travel tired;
But then begins a journey in my head
To work my mind, when body's work's expired:
For then my thoughts--from far where I abide--
Intend a zealous pilgrimage to thee,
And keep my drooping eyelids open wide,
Looking on darkness which the blind do see:
Save that my soul's imaginary sight
Presents thy shadow to my sightless view,
Which, like a jewel hung in ghastly night,
Makes black night beauteous, and her old face new.
Lo! thus, by day my limbs, by night my mind,
For thee, and for myself, no quiet find.
This sonnet was very interesting to me in terms of meaning after I had annotated it. This sonnet, like many others, were directed to a specific person. Basically, to me it means that he was always a tired many, physically by day, and mentally by night. He had personified night as a women, saying as the sun went down the face of night became beautiful and young once again. But as he waited for night to fall he also had a very tiring day, both waiting and working. With the stress of both these things on his body and mind, he couldn't find any peace and just relax.
I thought at first this sonnet was about a woman, describing her as beautiful as night in his sleep, but later on I realized that this was only his imagination at work. For me it is strange to think of why someone would waste so much thought on this person when she doesn't exist. It was as if he was trying to bring this person to life through his dreams, the amount of thought he was using in the process has left him depleted for his apparently draining lifestyle.
I would think that this is still a beautiful poem, changing the focus of his writing to something else for a change. It was in truth somewhat difficult to depict his meanings but in the end it is just a dedication to his dreams, which I can somewhat understand. Reading this sonnet gave me a better understanding of Shakespearean sonnets and helped me find a focus for my own sonnet.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Shakespearean Sonnet:Waiting For..
Sonnet 1
Title: Waiting For.
Title: Waiting For.
I continue to sleep, trying to dream
I think that my head is about to steam.
I only wish that I could remember
What my dreams were like before December.
Were they like fire, warm and yet so bold?
Or like winter snow, soft but just so cold.
I only wish that I could find the truth,
It feels like it’s hidden within my youth.
But then again I am only a kid,
Just hiding the feelings I must be rid.
I guess that I am just thinking too much,
About all these meaningless thoughts and such.
But this feeling, I couldn’t shake it before
So what is it that I am waiting for?
I had changed the rhyme scheme because I figured since this is poetry, we shouldn't be bound to rules of the things that we can and can do, so never the less, I hope it was still enjoyable for those who may end up reading it.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Poetry Unit:First 3 Poems
What is Night
Night is the time when the city is in the full moons grasp,
a place where we now come out to play.
Where a city ignites with a light that will make you gasp,
a time where you no longer know what to say.
Night is a time where we can truly be free,
night is a time where I now wish to be.
What happens to the promises that were made
Were the promises that we made kept,
or had they just disappeared as we've gone up and slept?
Were these words just for show,
so that they lay in our minds for us to never know?
So I ask you,
What happens to the promises that were made,
are they gone now?
I suppose it's too bad,I wish they had stayed.
The Disputa
As the mortals cry and pray up to the heavens above,
the ones who have passed try to look down at us with love.
With heaven looking down from the clouds as if on display,
we mortals still finds more and more to say.
With both worlds caught in this tragic dispute,
I find that these words have been wasted
for both the ears of heaven and earth are both mute.
Night is the time when the city is in the full moons grasp,
a place where we now come out to play.
Where a city ignites with a light that will make you gasp,
a time where you no longer know what to say.
Night is a time where we can truly be free,
night is a time where I now wish to be.
What happens to the promises that were made
Were the promises that we made kept,
or had they just disappeared as we've gone up and slept?
Were these words just for show,
so that they lay in our minds for us to never know?
So I ask you,
What happens to the promises that were made,
are they gone now?
I suppose it's too bad,I wish they had stayed.
The Disputa
As the mortals cry and pray up to the heavens above,
the ones who have passed try to look down at us with love.
With heaven looking down from the clouds as if on display,
we mortals still finds more and more to say.
With both worlds caught in this tragic dispute,
I find that these words have been wasted
for both the ears of heaven and earth are both mute.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Artist Response:Raphael Sanzio
"The Disputa"
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The artist that I chose to look up for this project was Raphael Sanzio. Raphael was born in the town of Urbino,Italy on either March 28th or April 6 1483 (It seems that the day of his birth has been found but not the year).Although he died at the young age of 37, his artwork lived on,showing his different styles and works of beauty.Raphael was born during during the period of The Renaissance, working alongside Leonardo Di Vinci as well as his rival Michelangelo. Raphael has painted in not just one, but three different European styles of painting, from his own style to the traditional way of Florence to last years of life in Rome, where he meet his untimely death on April 6th,1520.
Raphael's works of art were highly celebrated and upon their incredible grace and soothing perfection.Many of his paintings were found and kept safe,from his paints and drawings to his large scale paintings inside the Vatican(The Pope's Palace). Of all the works of art that I've come across from Raphael, I was struck by his first masterpiece that he had worked on for the Pope in Rome,The Disputa.
The Disputa or Dispute is a scene that was painted on the walls of the Vatican by Raphael between 1509 and 1510.To me this picture show a argument between heaven and the people of earth,though it isn't really clear on what the dispute is about.I was able to recognize some figures from the Bible in this picture such as Jesus Christ,The Virgin Mary and John the Baptist,watching calmly from above.
What I like about the picture aside from the vivid colors and detail of the image is whats actually happening inside the picture.From what I understand it seems like us humans are praying and begging with heaven while Jesus,Mary and John attempt to keep to peace while the other people in heaven discuss the matter at hand. This picture captures the tension and emotion in the scene while giving it a strange sense of beauty as well,which is perplexing since this has to do with an dispute between the dead and the living.
The artist that I chose to look up for this project was Raphael Sanzio. Raphael was born in the town of Urbino,Italy on either March 28th or April 6 1483 (It seems that the day of his birth has been found but not the year).Although he died at the young age of 37, his artwork lived on,showing his different styles and works of beauty.Raphael was born during during the period of The Renaissance, working alongside Leonardo Di Vinci as well as his rival Michelangelo. Raphael has painted in not just one, but three different European styles of painting, from his own style to the traditional way of Florence to last years of life in Rome, where he meet his untimely death on April 6th,1520.
Raphael's works of art were highly celebrated and upon their incredible grace and soothing perfection.Many of his paintings were found and kept safe,from his paints and drawings to his large scale paintings inside the Vatican(The Pope's Palace). Of all the works of art that I've come across from Raphael, I was struck by his first masterpiece that he had worked on for the Pope in Rome,The Disputa.
The Disputa or Dispute is a scene that was painted on the walls of the Vatican by Raphael between 1509 and 1510.To me this picture show a argument between heaven and the people of earth,though it isn't really clear on what the dispute is about.I was able to recognize some figures from the Bible in this picture such as Jesus Christ,The Virgin Mary and John the Baptist,watching calmly from above.
What I like about the picture aside from the vivid colors and detail of the image is whats actually happening inside the picture.From what I understand it seems like us humans are praying and begging with heaven while Jesus,Mary and John attempt to keep to peace while the other people in heaven discuss the matter at hand. This picture captures the tension and emotion in the scene while giving it a strange sense of beauty as well,which is perplexing since this has to do with an dispute between the dead and the living.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Makeup Reading Response:The Vladimir Tod Series
I finished this series last year so I chose to respond to it.The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod By Heather Brewer.This series is about Vlad's life throughout High School,year by year from 8th Grade Bites,9th Grade Slays,10th Grade Bleeds,11th Grade Burns and 12th Grade Kills. Each book revealed more and more about Vlad's Past and who he really is.But not without blood being spilled first,as slayers,humans and other vampire come in at all angles,stakes held high.As the Pravus legend unfolds,Vlad must learn if he's a regular human High School student,or if he's a powerful bloodsucking creature of the night.
Vlad grew up with his aunt for the better part of his life,if there was one.Vlad was curious,quiet and hellbent to find out who he is and what happened to his mother and father the day they died.For Vlad,his life never got easy,his best friends cousin is a vampire slayer,one of the most powerful vampires in the world want his blood and his dad was actually evil.This may cause trouble for a someone his age,and these problems are just the supernatural problems to deal with.Vlad must also deal with managing friends,grades and worst of all,girls.
So moreover,Vlad's life was something very interesting to read about although it was pretty messed up. I enjoyed reading the book but chases are I won't come back to it because it's kinda below my reading level and I don't want to read about just vampires all the time.I would recommend this book to fans of these bloodsucking demons,but it may go by too quickly.
Vlad grew up with his aunt for the better part of his life,if there was one.Vlad was curious,quiet and hellbent to find out who he is and what happened to his mother and father the day they died.For Vlad,his life never got easy,his best friends cousin is a vampire slayer,one of the most powerful vampires in the world want his blood and his dad was actually evil.This may cause trouble for a someone his age,and these problems are just the supernatural problems to deal with.Vlad must also deal with managing friends,grades and worst of all,girls.
So moreover,Vlad's life was something very interesting to read about although it was pretty messed up. I enjoyed reading the book but chases are I won't come back to it because it's kinda below my reading level and I don't want to read about just vampires all the time.I would recommend this book to fans of these bloodsucking demons,but it may go by too quickly.
Makeup reading Response: Michael Scott Short Story
This time I read a short story by one of my favorite others,Michael Scott.But this time I read something a little different,this was a short story that i got on my kindle a few weeks ago since it's a Ebook exclusive.The book is called Billy the Kid and the Vampyres of Vegas. Although it's snot as long I would prefer a book to be it did tell me some things about some of the characters in the series.It focused on the characters that remain in the shadows of the story but they are the ones you wonder most about,since they have the most interesting stories.This focused on an event that passed between the characters Billy the Kid and Scatach the Shadow.
Billy the Kid was introduced in the fourth book,The Necromancer. To me he was impulsive,feisty,willful,and either mad or just overly alert.But there wasn't much about him revealed in the series other than that he became immortal at a young age and is full of surprises.But inside the short story I got to learned some things about his past and his relationship with the "enemy",and I was shocked at what I learned.It turns out that he has a relationship with Scatach,who was probably the most dangerous fighter in the world(s).I don't know if what happened in the short story will affect choices inside the story but I do hope so.
Scatach the Shadow,The worlds first female warrior in the world and the most dangerous warrior in the universe.Turns out she had a few adventures with the infamous Billy the Kid,and what transpired between them must remain secret.Scatach,normally like the greek god Artemis and never taking a single man was contacted by an old flame that she believed long dead.Scatach is someone who goes solo into danger,to me she is overconfident in her abilities because of her solitude.She surprised me when she let Billy accompany her on her mission and even more that she hadn't killed him.
"Keep your friends close,and your enemies closer"
A famous quote commenly used,but what if your friend is actually you enemy then what do you do then.
This short story showed me some of the secrets of the immortal human and the next generation,which has helped me understand some things in the story more than I had before.I can't really recommend getting the book because it's rather hard to get.I also learned the usefulness to read these short stories because of what they can tell you.
Billy the Kid was introduced in the fourth book,The Necromancer. To me he was impulsive,feisty,willful,and either mad or just overly alert.But there wasn't much about him revealed in the series other than that he became immortal at a young age and is full of surprises.But inside the short story I got to learned some things about his past and his relationship with the "enemy",and I was shocked at what I learned.It turns out that he has a relationship with Scatach,who was probably the most dangerous fighter in the world(s).I don't know if what happened in the short story will affect choices inside the story but I do hope so.
Scatach the Shadow,The worlds first female warrior in the world and the most dangerous warrior in the universe.Turns out she had a few adventures with the infamous Billy the Kid,and what transpired between them must remain secret.Scatach,normally like the greek god Artemis and never taking a single man was contacted by an old flame that she believed long dead.Scatach is someone who goes solo into danger,to me she is overconfident in her abilities because of her solitude.She surprised me when she let Billy accompany her on her mission and even more that she hadn't killed him.
"Keep your friends close,and your enemies closer"
A famous quote commenly used,but what if your friend is actually you enemy then what do you do then.
This short story showed me some of the secrets of the immortal human and the next generation,which has helped me understand some things in the story more than I had before.I can't really recommend getting the book because it's rather hard to get.I also learned the usefulness to read these short stories because of what they can tell you.
Reading Response: The Secret Circle
I have just finished reading the book The Secret Circle:The Initiation and The Captive pt.1 by L.J. Smith. This book is by a author that I don't really read from so it was a change from the writing styles that I'm used to,but a good change.This book is about 16 year of Cassie Blake,a ordinary girl that moves to New Salem with here mother to help out her Grandmother that she has never met before.Little does she new about the secrets that this place holds about Cassie and her family.Cassie is a Witch,but not only is she a witch but she belongs to an entire secret coven of witches that have lived their lives in Salem. When I read the book I was surprised by how magic worked and how it was used inside the book,and the tension between characters.These differences helped build the story in it's own unique way,but I couldn't help comparing it to other texts that I have read.
In the book City of Bones by Cassandra Clare,magic is called upon by sorcerer's,some(stupid and reckless) humans,and Warlocks.Magic was focused through the elements and the dark arts gained through demons and spirits.So basically,magic was something that was evil and forbidden,not something you would want to mess around with.
In the series The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel,The books The Alchmyst&The Warlock they explain magic two different ways.Magic was invoked through the power of your own aura,an electrical field that surrounds your body that is unique to you,with most people could use if the were trained.There were many rules that apply to each form of magic and entirely different uses,but each could easily but your live at critical risk if your weren't careful.But according to another character in the series there was no such thing as magic,it was just using using your will and imagination to physical change the molecular structure of things(Which to me,it just sounds like transmutation alchemy).This wasn't really evil like in City of Bones but it was still incredibly dangerous.
Now,inside The Secret Circle,magic was passed down through your family,not something that you could really teach someone like in the other books.Magic was focused through the elements like in City of Bones, but also seemed to use some things you would find in astronomy. The magic of the characters was strongest when they had a complete circle, a coven of twelve,six boys and six girls,each person from a different magical family.Also magic seemed to have a connection to,strangely enough,poetry.Incantations were spoken like the stanzas in a poem.For example:
Strength of stone
Be in my bone
Power of light
Sustain my fight
Although I find this very strange,I think it's rather entertaining and original compared to how other books just have people mumbling words in some other language.
After comparing and contrasting this book to other texts that I have read,I found that it was slightly similar to other books that I've read.But otherwise it was pretty original and the world that Smith has created is one that I would return to.This book also ties in some other things like teen issues to add to the drama of the story so this is also very entertaining to look at.I'd like to recommend this book because it sets itself apart from other worlds of magic of other books I've read.
In the book City of Bones by Cassandra Clare,magic is called upon by sorcerer's,some(stupid and reckless) humans,and Warlocks.Magic was focused through the elements and the dark arts gained through demons and spirits.So basically,magic was something that was evil and forbidden,not something you would want to mess around with.
In the series The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel,The books The Alchmyst&The Warlock they explain magic two different ways.Magic was invoked through the power of your own aura,an electrical field that surrounds your body that is unique to you,with most people could use if the were trained.There were many rules that apply to each form of magic and entirely different uses,but each could easily but your live at critical risk if your weren't careful.But according to another character in the series there was no such thing as magic,it was just using using your will and imagination to physical change the molecular structure of things(Which to me,it just sounds like transmutation alchemy).This wasn't really evil like in City of Bones but it was still incredibly dangerous.
Now,inside The Secret Circle,magic was passed down through your family,not something that you could really teach someone like in the other books.Magic was focused through the elements like in City of Bones, but also seemed to use some things you would find in astronomy. The magic of the characters was strongest when they had a complete circle, a coven of twelve,six boys and six girls,each person from a different magical family.Also magic seemed to have a connection to,strangely enough,poetry.Incantations were spoken like the stanzas in a poem.For example:
Strength of stone
Be in my bone
Power of light
Sustain my fight
Although I find this very strange,I think it's rather entertaining and original compared to how other books just have people mumbling words in some other language.
After comparing and contrasting this book to other texts that I have read,I found that it was slightly similar to other books that I've read.But otherwise it was pretty original and the world that Smith has created is one that I would return to.This book also ties in some other things like teen issues to add to the drama of the story so this is also very entertaining to look at.I'd like to recommend this book because it sets itself apart from other worlds of magic of other books I've read.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Reading Response: Clockwork Prince
The book that I have finished this week is the sequel to the book Clockwork Angel that I responded to a few days ago.The book is called Clockwork Prince By Cassandra Clare.This book was a continuation of Clare's first book of this prequel series and it doesn't disappoint at all.With the Magister after them(Magister means Master in Latin for those who don't know),and the Clave beginning to no longer trust them,Tessa and friends must find out who there enemy is or risk being thrown out of there homes and left to fend for themselves. As enemies close in,feeling rise and deepen,there is only so much I can take.
The Maiden of Gray created by the hidden master of shadows,
from a birth what should be impossible,
her love of the of two men now seems unstoppable.
The knight of silver and the soldier wrapped in darkness,
both held in death's cruel caress.
Family and friends now turned in deep turmoil,
for the ones that you trust,
may just aim for you to be put beneath the soil.
With the knight of silver now beginning to rise from his cruel isolation thinking all is well,
little does he know that the soldier of darkness has risen out of hell
As The Maiden of Gray has now grown,
this evil is more than one has ever know.
The master of shadows has now closing in,
with what he has created is a unearthly sin.
I made this poem as a way for the reader to catch a glimpse of how this story has played out. It's many twists and turn cannot be explained with simple words so the poem on gives hints of the story while still holding an air of mystery.I got the idea to right poetry because in this book there are many quotes of pieces of famous poems from some incredible poets.Like the first book I would recommend this book to those who enjoy angels,demons,suspense,mystery,drama,romance and have a tolerance for poetry and a little bit f history.
The Maiden of Gray created by the hidden master of shadows,
from a birth what should be impossible,
her love of the of two men now seems unstoppable.
The knight of silver and the soldier wrapped in darkness,
both held in death's cruel caress.
Family and friends now turned in deep turmoil,
for the ones that you trust,
may just aim for you to be put beneath the soil.
With the knight of silver now beginning to rise from his cruel isolation thinking all is well,
little does he know that the soldier of darkness has risen out of hell
As The Maiden of Gray has now grown,
this evil is more than one has ever know.
The master of shadows has now closing in,
with what he has created is a unearthly sin.
I made this poem as a way for the reader to catch a glimpse of how this story has played out. It's many twists and turn cannot be explained with simple words so the poem on gives hints of the story while still holding an air of mystery.I got the idea to right poetry because in this book there are many quotes of pieces of famous poems from some incredible poets.Like the first book I would recommend this book to those who enjoy angels,demons,suspense,mystery,drama,romance and have a tolerance for poetry and a little bit f history.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Makeup reading Response:The Necromancer
A book I had read a few months ago sparked my interest again lately, since the latest book in the series came out and I wanted to re-read this book so I could remember the story line.This is The Necromancer By Michael Scott,the forth book in the Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel series.The story takes place in multiple locations around the world with a wide cast of characters in Scott's unique spin on fantasy.
"The two that are one, the one that is all.One to destroy the world,and one to save it"
This is the prophecy of the Twins of Legend,Josh and Sophie Newman,the gold and the silver,the sun and the moon.But which shall save the world from Dr. John Dee and the Dark Elders from crossing into our world and destroying everything.There were two characters that I wanted to focus on in the book,though the they aren't the twins.These men are immortal humans that serve the evil Dark Elders:Dr.John Dee and Niccolo Machiavelli,the English and the Italian.
Dr.John Dee is was the first villain to be introduced in the series,and probably the most evil one throughout the series.He was once on the side of good hundreds of years ago until he betrayed his friends to the Dark Elders.To me,the English Magician is a tool.A powerful,smart,dangerous,cunning tool,but he is also slightly insane.Dee has traveled around the world for centuries hunting down the Flamel's,as well as the infamous Codex,the most powerful book known to human and inhuman alike.He has gotten his hands on the book but is missing the spell needed to bring the Elder's into the world.One thing that I noticed about Dee is that he doesn't seem very human,like he has forgotten what he truly is.The other thing that I have noticed about Dee is that he seems to be fighting for something more,more than the elders,more than anything.He fights for himself,to continue living on in the world an take it for him own.And he will stop at nothing to achieve this goal.
Niccolo Machiavelli was introduced in the second book of the series of the book The Magician.He is slightly older than Dee,works for the same Elders as Dee.He also hates Dee as Dee hates him as well,though they are also very similar. Like Dee,Niccolo is powerful,smart and cunning.But he seems to be more of his own person than Dee and as Niccolo himself stated"Dee and I are very different.Dee is dangerous and insane.I am only dangerous".Dee has been sent to assist Dee through the story to capture the twins but without any luck,where I find the it has always been Dee's fault.Niccolo has failed alongside Dee but has constantly brought himself back on top because to me he has the one thing that Dee has lost:His humanity.The English magician may be a machine programmed for the dark elders,but the Italian is a man who won't forget what he really is,human.
This book was a thrilling tale the first and second time around.With the complex story,the unique characters and dangerous and mystical world,I don't see who you won't get sucked in.I would recommend this book to anybody enjoys fantasy and can stay with a series for a long amount of time because there are six books in the series(Well,only five are available for purchase).This book also has some people your recognize from history and possible other stories and legends such as Scatach,Nicholas Flamel,William Shakespeare,Billy the Kid and more.
Makeup reading Response:Hold Me Closer,Necromancer
This was a book that I had read a while back called Hold Me Closer,Necromancer By Lish McBride.This book isn't like many other fantasy novels I have read in the past but it is nevertheless an intriguing one. This book is about Sam LaCroix, a college dropout that always felt out of place in the world who learns something about himself that most people seem to know about him,except for him of course.Sam is a necromancer,a secret that was hidden within him until he meet's one of the world's most powerful and crazed necromancer ever known; Douglas Montgomery. In this unexpected dark and hilarious tale,Sam must see if he can learn to awaken his dormant power and save himself before he falls under Douglas's hand.
In this story,Sam had been one interesting character to deal with.Sam started off in the story as a college dropout,working a low paying job at a fast food place,living in a crummy apartment with his friend Ramon.He never struck me as someone important to the book,although he was the main character.As I read on I learned that he felt disconnected to the world,no real goal or passion(Somewhat like me,I have a passion,but not much of a goal besides what people already expect of me:High School,College,Job, all that stuff).Until he broke the taillight of a customers car while playing a game.He than met Douglas Montgomery,and his life was forever altered. As I read on I saw how Sam had changed.He became stronger,more confident,and found a piece of him that was missing inside,although what he had to do to achieve this was rather unpleasant.
The second most interesting character in this book was Douglas Montgomery. Douglas was the villain in the story,and quite an old character to deal with.He learned both his abilities as a necromancer at a young age and taught by a family member how also had this dark gift.But as he learned he was never satisfied by his own power and began steal the power of others.Over time he managed to weasel his way into a spot on the council and is now most likely the most powerful man in Seattle.Douglas is cold,cunning,ruthless and quite,quite mad:Not the best combination in the world.He was indeed a man who radiated power and wouldn't be taken down easily,but he met his doom because of a simple mistake:he underestimated Sam.
Lish had written a very interesting tale that isn't what you normally see in fantasy and horror books these days,so it was nice to see something different for once.I found the book a good way to pass the time and may be a story that i return to again,if I have the time.I would recommend this book to anybody who wanted to read fantasy,but try something a little different along with it.
In this story,Sam had been one interesting character to deal with.Sam started off in the story as a college dropout,working a low paying job at a fast food place,living in a crummy apartment with his friend Ramon.He never struck me as someone important to the book,although he was the main character.As I read on I learned that he felt disconnected to the world,no real goal or passion(Somewhat like me,I have a passion,but not much of a goal besides what people already expect of me:High School,College,Job, all that stuff).Until he broke the taillight of a customers car while playing a game.He than met Douglas Montgomery,and his life was forever altered. As I read on I saw how Sam had changed.He became stronger,more confident,and found a piece of him that was missing inside,although what he had to do to achieve this was rather unpleasant.
The second most interesting character in this book was Douglas Montgomery. Douglas was the villain in the story,and quite an old character to deal with.He learned both his abilities as a necromancer at a young age and taught by a family member how also had this dark gift.But as he learned he was never satisfied by his own power and began steal the power of others.Over time he managed to weasel his way into a spot on the council and is now most likely the most powerful man in Seattle.Douglas is cold,cunning,ruthless and quite,quite mad:Not the best combination in the world.He was indeed a man who radiated power and wouldn't be taken down easily,but he met his doom because of a simple mistake:he underestimated Sam.
Lish had written a very interesting tale that isn't what you normally see in fantasy and horror books these days,so it was nice to see something different for once.I found the book a good way to pass the time and may be a story that i return to again,if I have the time.I would recommend this book to anybody who wanted to read fantasy,but try something a little different along with it.
Friday, January 6, 2012
Reading Response: Clockwork Angel
The book that I have just finished reading is called Clockwork Angel by Cassandre Clare.This book is the first of Clare's second series,The Infernal Devices,prequel to the Mortal Instruments series.Though the concept is the same,things are much different in this series.Instead of being held in modern times like the Mortal Instruments,this story is being held in the time of Queen Victoria,so around the 1830's.There are many fresh faces in the story but some familiar faces in it as well.But the there is entirely new,horrific,and absolutely brilliant.One thing that I noticed in this story is that since they are in the more cultured times,people have more morals and care than we do know,which adds to affect the emotions of the characters as well as their decisions.
One character who expresses this is Will Herondale,a Shadowhunter and main character in the story.Will is,as all seventeen year old's are,complicated.He is rash,reckless,cold,careless,yet deep down, he is quite vulnerable.Will seems to hate just about everybody around him,showing little care of how people thought of him(With the exception of Will's brother in arms,Jem),and is completely reckless.He tries his best to book everyone out,to make himself be hated and tells lies that make him look like worse of a person.He had no real trouble in doing this until he meets Tessa Gray.He tries to block her from her life as best he can,but it only seems to draw here more to him,put deep down he wants her to know the real him.The reason behind Will's actions are unknown at the time(I later learned the reason behind his actions in the second book,Clockwork Prince.),but there seems to be something driving him,something that he is hiding.And Tessa won't stop until she finds out what it is.
The next character that I wished to focus on is James Carstairs,though more commonly referred to as Jem.Jem is Will Herondale's parabatai,or brother in arms.They were linked together at a young age that ment that on the battlefield,they would be each others first priority.Jem is a kind soul,sweet,caring,careful,yet dangerous.He is in contrast to Will and balances him,tries to keep Will safe and out of trouble,and like Will,he is hiding a secret.Jem is dying.When he was young he was tortured by a demon that would poison he everyday that it held him captive.He was drugged so often by the creature that when he escaped,his body became addicted to the drug,and his body had to rely on the drug so he can live.Even as the drug kills him,it keeps him going a little longer and without the drug,he dies quicker.James is kind to those around him and makes up for Will's bad attitude,knowing that he will soon die.This drug has taking his life,but not before he has held on to at least live while he can.
These two characters balance each other out.They have different personality types,different morals,different secrets,but are attracted to the same girl.Though the two of them may be blood brothers,this can easily cause conflict between the two boys and maybe even drive them apart.But they still have the same goal,which is to protect humans from demons and the mysterious Magister.In this life things are different,but the addictive story is just the same and better than ever.
In conclusion,I thought that this book was a highly entertaining read,and a good way to restart my reading life in the new year.The plot was fresh,the action exciting and the threats just as deadly and I would recommend this to people who enjoys angels and demons,monsters,suspense,mystery,drama,romance and even quite a bit of poetry.
One character who expresses this is Will Herondale,a Shadowhunter and main character in the story.Will is,as all seventeen year old's are,complicated.He is rash,reckless,cold,careless,yet deep down, he is quite vulnerable.Will seems to hate just about everybody around him,showing little care of how people thought of him(With the exception of Will's brother in arms,Jem),and is completely reckless.He tries his best to book everyone out,to make himself be hated and tells lies that make him look like worse of a person.He had no real trouble in doing this until he meets Tessa Gray.He tries to block her from her life as best he can,but it only seems to draw here more to him,put deep down he wants her to know the real him.The reason behind Will's actions are unknown at the time(I later learned the reason behind his actions in the second book,Clockwork Prince.),but there seems to be something driving him,something that he is hiding.And Tessa won't stop until she finds out what it is.
The next character that I wished to focus on is James Carstairs,though more commonly referred to as Jem.Jem is Will Herondale's parabatai,or brother in arms.They were linked together at a young age that ment that on the battlefield,they would be each others first priority.Jem is a kind soul,sweet,caring,careful,yet dangerous.He is in contrast to Will and balances him,tries to keep Will safe and out of trouble,and like Will,he is hiding a secret.Jem is dying.When he was young he was tortured by a demon that would poison he everyday that it held him captive.He was drugged so often by the creature that when he escaped,his body became addicted to the drug,and his body had to rely on the drug so he can live.Even as the drug kills him,it keeps him going a little longer and without the drug,he dies quicker.James is kind to those around him and makes up for Will's bad attitude,knowing that he will soon die.This drug has taking his life,but not before he has held on to at least live while he can.
These two characters balance each other out.They have different personality types,different morals,different secrets,but are attracted to the same girl.Though the two of them may be blood brothers,this can easily cause conflict between the two boys and maybe even drive them apart.But they still have the same goal,which is to protect humans from demons and the mysterious Magister.In this life things are different,but the addictive story is just the same and better than ever.
In conclusion,I thought that this book was a highly entertaining read,and a good way to restart my reading life in the new year.The plot was fresh,the action exciting and the threats just as deadly and I would recommend this to people who enjoys angels and demons,monsters,suspense,mystery,drama,romance and even quite a bit of poetry.
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