Music Monday: Accouncement

This is just to let you know that for the next few weeks, Music Mondays will be on and off. This is because of a combination of uni and NaNo.

Sorry, guys!

Music Monday: 17th October 2011

Firstly, an accouncement. I am stuck on Underdogs, so I'm going to do NaNoWriMo with a project called The Final Stroke, which I will talk about later in the week hopefully.

This week's song is You and Me by Lifehouse.



It is Matthew's love theme. 'Nuff said.

Music Monday: 10th October 2011

This week's song is Issues by Escape The Fate.



I picked it because it's yet another one of Carla's theme tune.

Music Monday: 3rd October 2011

This week's song is Color by The Maine.



I picked it because the album it's from - Black and White - was my most recent writing music, and this is one of two songs from that album that's on the Underdogs musical outline.

Music Monday: 26th September 2011

This week's song is Across The Universe by The Beatles as sung by Jim Sturgess in the film of the same name.



I picked it as it is currently the 'opening credits' song on the Underdogs series.

Music Monday: 19th September 2011

This week's song is All Along by Elliot Minor.



I picked it because it's another one of Carla's theme tunes.

Music Monday: 12th September 2011

This week's song is Welcome To My Life by Simple Plan.



I picked it because it's Matthew's theme tune.

Music Monday: 5th September 2011

Firstly, sorry about the lack of Music Monday last week! I completely forgot!

Secondly, due to being stuck and sending it out to people, Suns and Stars has been put on hold, and I'm working on Underdogs, an urban fantasy. I'm currently building some of the musical outline, which is a playlist that 'chronicles' the story in song form. So expect lots of songs for it in the next few weeks!

This week's song is A Place In This World by Taylor Swift.



I picked it because it's Carla's theme tune.

Music Monday: 22nd August 2011

This week's song is Girls Just Wanna Have Fun by Cyndi Lauper, as sung by Miley Cyrus.



I picked it because it's Carrie's theme song; this version because it fits with the whole bubbly teenage girl thing.

Music Monday: 15th August 2011

This week's song is the Glee version of My Life Would Suck Without You by Kelly Clarkson, sung by the members of New Directions.



I picked it because the volume it's on, Volume Two, was my recent writing music, and this is one of my songs on it.

Music Monday: 1st August 2011

Just to let you know I'm going on a week long holiday on Thursday, so the next Music Monday should be on the 15th.

This week's song is Push by Matchbox Twenty.



I picked it because it's Cassius' theme song. 'Nuff said.

Music Monday: 25th July 2011

Okay, just to let you know, I have started outling my next project Underdogs. It is currently a side project, something I am currently working on during my breaks. Once it becomes my main project, I will post more information, including what inspired it.

Now onto the Music Monday part of the post.

This week's song is The Hero, Part 2 by Ministry of Magic.



I picked it because the album it's on, Magic is Might, was my recent writing music and this is one of my favourite songs on it.

Music Monday: 18th July 2011

This week's song is I Don't Really Like You by Skye Sweetnam.



I picked it because it describes how Dulcie feels about Cassius perfectly. The lyrics will tell you the rest.

Music Monday: 11th July 2011

This week's song is Fireflies by Owl City.



I picked it because it fits the plot at the moment from Tristan's point of view very well. *SPOILERS* He starts seeing Dulcie doing magic (though he doesn't know what she is doing) and to me this song fits the magical feel (I hope!) of those scenes and the future scene where he finds out she's a faerie.

Book Competition by Kody Keplinger!!!

Okay, so a long while ago, I reviewed The Duff by Kody Keplinger. She is currently hosting a 20 in 20 book competition, and the current prizes, yes, two prizes, are an ARC of her next book, Shut Out and a Duff prize pack, which includes a signed paperback, a poster and bookmarks. Access it over here: http://kodymekellkeplinger.blogspot.com/2011/07/20-in-20-week-11-winner.html!

Music Monday: 4th July 2011

This week's song is Dirty Little Secret by The All-American Rejects.



I picked it because it fits Dulcie perfectly at the moment. *SPOILERS* She's got three Dirty Little Secrets - her relationship with Cassius - Tristan doesn't know about this; her relationship with Tristan - only Carrie, her best fried, knows about this; and the fact that she's a faerie - Tristan doesn't know about this either.

Music Monday: 27th June 2011

This week's song is Sharada by Skye Sweetnam.



I picked it because it is Dulcie's theme tune. 'Nuff said.

REVIEW: THE INFERNAL DEVICES: CLOCKWORK ANGEL by CASSANDRA CLARE

Blurb:

Magic is dangerous - but love is more dangerous still.

When sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray arrives in England during the reign of Queen Victoria, something terrifying is waiting for her in London's Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit streets. Friendless and hunted, Tessa seeks refuge with the Shadowhunters , a band of warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons. Drawn even deeper into their world, she finds herself fascinated by - and torn between - two best friends and quickly realises that love may be the most dangerous magic of all.

Clockwork Angel is the first book in the Infernal Devices series, a prequel series to The Mortal Instruments. Set in Victorian times, it is an action-packed story of love, identity and friendship.

It focuses on sixteen year old Theresa "Tessa" Gray, who on her way to join her brother, Nate, is captured by "The Dark Sisters" who subject her to lessons on her mysterious ability. She is rescued by two Shadowhunters - Will and Jem - and then the real adventure begins.

Just like the characters in The Mortal Instruments, the characters are sexy, firey and just amazing. Tessa is vunerable and innocent, but at the same time, she's strong and, dare I say it, just a little independant for the Victorian times. And I love it, really love it. The two love interests, Will and Jem are completely different, but they're both so perfect for Tessa in their own ways. Will is the perfect bad boy in my blue-eyes-and-dark-hair loving head, while Jem is sweet and nice and the 'ideal' husband for any Shadowhunter girl in the Victorian age. The supporting characters, Charlotte, Jessie, Henry, Agatha, Sophie and Thomas add another layer to the story - that of how important family is - even if they aren't of blood and add to the complications of being in love in the Victorian times, and Magnus Bane, the eccentric warlock from The Mortal Instruments makes various appearances. I think I prefer him in the 21st century, not the 19th. The main villian, the Magistar, and his associates, are clever, creepy and keep the plot moving forwards all the time, even in bits that other people might find boring.

The writing of course, is very similar to The Mortal Instruments but it is obvious by the dialogue that Clare has spent time researching how Victorian people think and, most importantly, speak.

Rating: 10/10

Music Monday: 20th June 2011

This week's song is To Be Loved by Papa Roach.



I picked it because I feel that it's Tristan's overall theme. *SPOILERS* He just wants to be and feel loved, especially by the people that should make him feel loved, like his dad - he doesn't feel loved and appreciated since his mum died.

Music Monday: 13th June 2011

This week's song is Shine A Light by McFly feat. Taio Cruz.



I picked it because it fits Tristan's life from a romance point of view perfectly at the moment. That is all I am saying - the lyrics will tell you the rest.

FIREWORK Announcement

This is an announcement that my YA Paranormal Firework has just got a new title. Invincible. I'd like to think it fits better, especially as I do have a few ideas for a rewrite that means that title is better. Actually, Firework never really fit, so I'm glad that I came up with a new title.

Music Monday: 6th June 2011

This week's song is Say (All I Need) by OneRepublic.



I picked it because it is currently the 'opening credits' song on my soundtrack of Suns and Stars, and to me, it fits Tristan at the beginning perfectly.

Review: HALO by ALEXANDRA ADORNETTO

Blurb:

Three angels are sent down to bring good to the world: Gabriel the warrior; Ivy the healer; and Bethany, a teenage girl who is the least experienced of the trio. But she is the most human, and when she is romantically drawn to a mortal boy, the angels fear she will not be strong enough to save anyone - especially herself...

Halo is an enchanting novel that will draw you in and keep you hooked, but there will be times when your addiction may be broken.

The plot centres on three angels: Bethany, Gabriel and Ivy, and their mission to save the human race from the dark forces that are trying to take over their mindsets. This means that they have to become human as well, hiding their true forms away. This is what first got my attention and made want to keep reading - I wanted to know if they achieved their goal, but then it changed when Bethany and Gaberial enrol at the local school. She meets Xavier and at first their relationship is a well-written subplot, but after a while, it just makes the novel turn into an angel version of Twilight (which I hate), taking over the plot with Bethany's ceasless thinking about Xavier - instead of the mission, which as far as I was aware, was meant to be the main plot - and neediness. Even when something major happens, which is kind of spoiler-ish, so I won't say what - she's being needy and, to be perfectly honest, quite annoying.

The lead character, Bethany, is quite sassy and cool to start off with, but like I already said, as the novel goes on, she becomes needy, desperate and annoying. She is definitely not on my list of awesome female lead characters. The supporting characters, Gabriel, Ivy and Molly, one of Bethany's new friends, are a whole lot cooler. Xavier, the love interest is gorgeous and totally amazing, and I can understand why Bethany swoons over him, but there's a time and place, you know!

The novel is told is told in first person from Bethany's point of view, which is really good because you get to see the strangeness and excitment from being on Earth and human experiences 'first-hand'. But, yes, I'm bringing this up again, she gets really annoying when all she talks about is Xavier, Xavier and Xavier

Rating: 7/10

Music Monday: 30th May 2011

This week's song is the Glee version of Teenage Dream by Katy Perry, sung by Darren Criss.



I picked it because it has been helping me loads since I downloaded it some time last week, so much so that it already has 100 plays on my iTunes. And no, I am not a Gleek, I am a recent convert. :)

Review: JUNK by MELVIN BURGESS

Blurb:

Junk = heroin = bliss = despair = a love story you’ll never forget.

Gemma wants to fly. But no one can fly forever. One day, somehow, finally, you have to come down.

When it first came out in November 1996, Junk attracted a lot of controversy for its drug, sex and prostitution filled plot, but I consider it to be a gritty, well-written novel that adults are just scared of.

The plot centres on two teenagers, David, more commonly known and Tar, and Gemma. They run away to Bristol, and the novel follows them as they take drugs, live in squats, become a prostitute and everything in between. At first, it is really engaging, but towards the end, my attention was starting to waver.

There are many characters, but the four major players – Gemma, Tar, Lily and Rob – are an interesting bunch. They are honest, brutal and real, which makes me think that this is the sort of novel that a lot of teenagers will be able to relate to, one way or another.

The novel is told in first person from the point of view of several characters, except for Chapter One, which is written in third person. This makes the novel slightly jarring, and at the end, where there were two points of view that hadn’t come at all before, I honestly thought it was kind of stupid.

Rating: 7/10

Music Monday: 23rd May 2011

This week's song is The Only Exception by Paramore.



I picked it because as well as last week's song, this is another one of Dulcie's love themes.

Music Monday: 16th May 2011

Yay, Music Mondays are back! :D

This week's song is Hero/Heroine by Boys Like Girls.



I picked it because the album it's on, the band's self-titled debut, is my current writing music, and not only I love this song, but it fits Dulcie wonderfully towards the end.

Announcement

This is to announce that I have handed in all of my coursework in, so I can write to my heart's content until October! Yay! Instead of Time Catchers, though, I'm going to work on version four - yes, version four of Suns and Stars.

Music Monday: 18th April 2011

Just to let you know, because I am preparing to write Time Catchers, you shouldn't expect any Music Monday posts for a while. Hopefully there will be some during the outlining and playlist creating processes, but we'll see.

This week's song is Firework by Pass It On, a cover of the Katy Perry song.




I picked it because the lyrics fit Will PERFECTLY at the end of Firework (yes, this is where I got the title from), but this version fits him better because it's a feel-good pop punk version.

Writing News

Okay, so I'm suffering from a lack of motivation when it comes to Firework so I'm starting a new project: Time Catchers. I don't have a plot yet, but once I do, I'll post the blurb on here.

Music Monday: 11th April 2011

This week's song is Down on My Head by Yellowcard.



I picked it because the album it's on - Lights and Sounds - was my recent writing music, and this is my favourite song on it.

Review: THE DUFF by KODY KEPLINGER

Blurb:

Seventeen-year old Bianca Piper is cynical and loyal, and she doesn’t think she’s the prettiest of her friends by a long shot. She’s also way too smart to fall for the charms of man-slut and slimy school hottie Wesley Rush. In fact, Bianca hates him. And when he nicknames him “the Duff”, she throws her Coke in his face.

But things aren’t so great at home right now, and Bianca is desperate for a distraction. She ends up kissing Wesley. Worse, she likes it. Eager for escape, Bianca throws herself into a closeted enemies-with-benefits relationship with him.

Until it all goes horribly awry. It turns out Wesley isn’t such a bad listener, and his life is pretty screwed up, too. Suddenly Bianca realizes with absolute horror that she’s falling for the guy she thought she hated more than anyone.

The DUFF is a sexy, honest story that kept me reading and that is a fine example that the best young adult novels are the ones that deal with real-life in a frank manner. The plot focuses on Bianca, who, after kissing him, starts a sexual relationship with her enemy Wesley Rush to escape the problems at home and with exes. But by the end, she realises that things aren’t as simple as she thought they would be at first. It is a witty, red-hot plot filled with so much tension that the first time I read it, I just had to keep on reading, just so I could find out what happened next, and at the end, my heart cheered!

Bianca is a sassy, cool main character that I really connected to. She is real and honest and amazing. Wesley, her love/hate interest, is a total asshole, but a sexy one at that, and I can’t help but root for him and Bianca. I just think they’re kind of perfect together, even though they’re both completely fucked up and crazy. Jessica and Casey, Bianca’s two best friends, are the sort of friends I wished I had when I was younger. They’re cool, funny, crazy and loyal. Toby Tucker, excuse the awful alliteration, is Bianca’s adorable, dorky love interest. And when I say he’s adorable, I mean he’s really adorable. Like, little lost puppy adorable. Bianca’s mum and dad are as equally as fucked up as the kids and add the edginess that makes this novel so honest and real.

The novel is written in first person from Bianca’s point of view, and I love her voice. It’s sassy, honest and even funny at times. The language used fits Bianca’s snarky, pessimistic view on life perfectly. And it helped me connect with Bianca, because I think I talk like that a lot of the time! And I’m sure there’s a lot of female readers who would feel exactly the same way!

To be honest, this is one of the few books that I couldn’t find any major flaws in. And just confirm, I can definitely see this becoming a future young adult fiction classic.

Rating: 10/10

Music Monday: 4th April 2011

This week's song is Pretty Handsome Awkward by The Used.



I picked it because I think it fits Will's feelings towards the bullies in the part that I'm writing at the moment. That is all I am saying. ;)

Announcement

Okay, so I know I said that I wouldn't be doing anymore writing until I finished all of my coursework, but I was suffering from withdrawal symptoms, so I decided to have a flexible plan, where most of the day, I will do coursework, and I will write from 9PM until bed, whenever that is each night. Of course, that means that Music Mondays are back on, starting this Monday coming up! Yay!

Review: THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS: CITY OF GLASS by CASSANDRA CLARE

Blurb:

Amid the chaos of war, the Shadowhunters must decide to fight with the vampires, werewolves and other Downworlders – or against them. Meanwhile, Jace and Clary have their own decision to make: should they pursue the love they know is forbidden?

City of Glass is the third book in the Mortal Instruments series, and is in the same sexy, dramatic and addictive vein as the previous two – City of Bones and City of Ashes.

The plot begins a few weeks after the events of City of Ashes. There is the continuation of the romantic subplot that has been going on since City of Bones, but the focus of the main plot, which is set in Idris, the home of the Shadowhunters, is on whether or not the Shadowhunters should fight with the Downworlders (vampires, warlocks, faeries and werewolves) against Valentine, who is trying to change the world of Shadowhunters to something that he thinks is a better world, or against them completely. By the end of the book, it is revealed what the Clave, the Shadowhunter government, decide to do, and whether or not they follow through with the plans they have made.

The characters are still as sexy, fierce and amazing as they were in City of Bones and City of Ashes. Especially Jace, of course. Can you tell I’m in love with him yet? Clary and Simon are still one of the perfect examples of friendship for me, and Alec and Isabelle are still ultra-fantastic supporting characters, as are Luke, Magnus and Jocelyn. There is another villain added to the mix – teenager Sebastian. He is equally as clever, manipulative and vinvidictive as Valentine, and makes the perfect sidekick.

I am going to be completely honest here. I couldn’t find anything wrong with City of Bones at all. Not even the beginning or the end!

Rating: 10/10

Announcement

This is an announcement that there will be no more Music Mondays or any other posts related to writing for a while. This because I have had to have a writing hiatus until I finish and hand in all of my uni coursework. There will still be reviews though, so I'm not abandoning you completely, don't worry! :)

Review: THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS: CITY OF ASHES by CASSANDRA CLARE

Blurb

Haunted by her past, Clary is dragged deeper into New York City's terrifying underworld of demons and Shadowhunters - but can she control her feelings for a boy who can never be hers?

City of Ashes is the second book in The Mortal Instruments series, and is just as sexy and enthralling as City of Bones.

The plot continues pretty soon after the events of City of Bones, and this time the focus is on the relationships between Clary and Valentine and, what seems to be prominent, between Jace and Valentine. This is set against the backdrop of Valentine trying to turn another of the Mortal Instruments - the Soul Sword - so that he can use it for his own means. Whether or not he succeeds is revealed by the end.

Clary is still as down to Earth and sassy as she was in City of Bones, but there seems to be another layer of her personality revealed by the end - the determined, 'fighting' layer. Jace is still unbelievably sexy and charming, and I must confess that I think I am falling in love with him. Alec and Isabelle are still adding another layer to the romantic subplots that were introduced in City of Bones, and the adults, who now include Maryse and Robert Lightwood, Alec's and Isabelle's parents, add a touch of 'real life' that this series' teen audience can relate to - something that confirms this series' ability to become a future fantasy classic.

Just like City of Bones, there was only one thing that annoyed me about City of Ashes. But it wasn't the end this time, it was the beginning. There is a prologue that irritated the hell out of me because I thought that the events in it could've been revealed slowly in the rest of the book.

Rating: 9/10

Music Monday: 14th March 2011

This week's song is Umbrella by Vanilla Sky.





I picked it because I think it fits Carlo perfectly. :)

Review: THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS: CITY OF BONES by CASSANDRA CLARE

Blurb:

Clary Fray is seeing things: vampires in Brooklyn and werewolves in Manhattan. Irresistibly drawn towards a group of sexy demon hunters, Clary encounters the dark side of New York City – and the dangers of forbidden love.

Firstly, I must confess that at first I thought that this would be a paranormal romance novel. How wrong I was. City of Bones turned out to be a sexy tale of identity, war and fantasy. Though I don’t know if that’s the best order to put them in. The romance is only a subplot and not the stereotypical sort of forbidden love either, which made me very happy, though it is kind of twisted. But then again, I love it when creative people show the signs of having twisted imaginations.

The story actually focuses on Clary (short for Clarissa) Fray who, when on a night out with her best friend, Simon, she sees two armed boys following another, who has gone into a store room with a girl. These three teenagers turn out to be Jace, Alec and Isabelle. And from that moment onwards, everything changes for her, and we join her on her journey of identity and magic…

The characters are equally as sexy as the plot, especially Jace, who becomes Clary’s love interest. The other teenage characters, Simon, Isabelle and Alec, add a layer of complexity to the romance subplot that makes for enjoyable reading that seems to be hard to find in a lot of urban fantasy/paranormal YA romance novels lately, and the adult characters, Jocelyn, Luke and Hodge, add another layer of complexity to the overall plot. But the complexity works because it is written in such a way that by the end of it, it’s as clear as a new mirror. The antagonist, Valentine, is sinister and clever – a ‘perfect’ villain for such a sexy, sassy novel.

The novel is written in third person, mostly from Clary’s point of view, occasionally from others. It is sassy and clever, just the sort of voice I love in YA when the MC is a girl, but it still has a touch of magic about it that keeps me reading – if it wasn’t a fantasy, I might not have liked it unless it fitted the character – especially when it came to descriptions. The way Clare describes places especially creates vivid images in my mind that seem so darkly magical and fantastic. This is definitely a strong point of hers.

There was just one problem I had: the end. I’m not going to spoil it for anybody, but let’s just say, if it was me, I’d have got rid of the last chapter.

Rating: 9/10

Music Monday: 7th March 2011

This week's song is Unbreakable by Fireflight.




I picked it because it fits Will perfectly at the moment. And that is all I am saying. ;)

Music Monday: 28th February 2011

Sorry for not posting last week! I completely forgot!

This week's song is Light Up The Sky by Yellowcard.



I picked it because their album Paper Walls is my current writing music, and this is my favourite song on it.

Music Monday: 14th February 2011

This week's song is Just The Girl by The Click Five.



I picked it because it is one of my favourite tracks from their album Greetings from Imrie House, which is my current writing music.

Music Monday: 7th February 2011

Firstly, sorry for the lack of updates. I haven't written a lot lately, so I didn't see the point. Anyway...

This week's song is Time After Time by Elliot Minor



I picked it because it fits Will at the start of Firework perfectly, so I decided that it should be the 'opening credits' song. :)

Music Monday: 17th January 2011

This week's song is What Does It Take by Dave Days.




I picked it simply because I feel that it's Will's love theme.

Music Monday: 10th January 2011

This week's song is Rooftops by Lostprophets.



I picked it because it's Will's theme tune. The lyrics should tell you the rest.

Music Monday: 3rd January 2011

This week's song is Story of Our Lives by Twenty Twenty



I chose it because it's Firework's theme song. To me, it's about telling people about your life and fighting for what's right, and it just seems to fits Firework perfectly.

2011 Goals

So, it's 2011! This means that it is time to talk about my goals for the next twelve months. But first, I apologise for the fact that I didn't do a Music Monday post this week. My grandma died of a heart attack on Boxing Day, and I just wasn't in the mood to do anything.

Right, my goals. Here they are:

1. Finish the first draft of Firework
2. Write the second draft of Suns and Stars
3. Start my third novel

I am hoping to finish Firework some time in June (it would be really awesome if I finished it on the fifth, which is my birthday), going by the fact that it took nearly six months to write Suns and Stars, and I'm hoping to finish the second draft of Suns and Stars by October, which is when I start my second year of uni, and then of course, by this time next year, hopefully I shall be writing my third novel. Also, earlier this week, I found out that as much as I love contemporary YA, I seem to prefer writing YA with fantasy or paranormal elements. So expect a lot more weird wonderfulness this year! :P

Happy new year and I hope it's a good one for all of you! <3