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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.