Sunday, February 14, 2016

Sorry for the AWOL

     I am so sorry for being absent for this long. A lot happened between then and now that I couldn't begin to write about. I am pregnant now though. So I will be on and off but I am going to try and start writing again. I am playing around with writing about this book series, Beautiful Creatures. I really loved that series. It was a very well written series and very creative. But I swear  I am going to start trying to write a little bit more. Being pregnant and chilling at home has it's perks. I also lost a previous engagement that I had going on so I have a little bit more of free time. I also wanted to throw around the idea of putting up one of my own stories that I wanted to write. Just being toying with the idea of it. Let me know what you think! I am gonna get off of here and start reading Beautiful Creatures and post my opinion.

-Fantastic Fiction  

Sunday, November 15, 2015

Divergent - Veronica Roth

This book is exceptional every time I read it. 

   Divergent is written by Veronica Roth. This book is young adult, romance, and science fiction. Always fiction. 
   Let's get to know the author, Veronica. 
   When asked which faction would she choose, Veronica said Abnegation. 
   She began her undergraduate career at Carlton College and later transferred to Northwestern University. While a student in Northwestern's creative writing program, she began writing her first novel which is known as Divergent. 
   All the factions names are in the dictionary, and just to prove it to you. I am going to put them below. 


  • Abnegation - denying oneself some right, or conveniences
  • Erudite - characterized by great knowledge; learned or scholarly 
  • Amity - friendship; peacefully harmony
  • Dauntless - not to be daunted or intimidated; fearless; intrepid; bold
  • Candor - the state or quality of being frank, open, and sincere in speech or expression

   I LOVED no love triangles. It wasn't all about romance and what boy Tris wants to be with. No none of that. It was good and evil and Tris. Sure Tobias came into play which I liked. But it was so refreshing that there is only one boy she has eyes for and she doesn't need another book to figure who she wants to be with. Because she loves him and that's the end of it. At least in this book. I am glad that she focuses on what is right and wrong. That's the only triangle there is. It's perfect that way. 
{""What makes you think you have the right to shoot someone?" my father says as he follows me up the path. We pass the tattoo place. Where is Tori now? And Christina?
   "Now isn't the time for debates about ethics," I say.
   "Now is the perfect time," he says, "because you will soon get the opportunity to shoot someone again, and if you don't realize-"
   "Realize what?" I say without turning around. "That every second I waste means another Abnegation dead and another Dauntless made into a murderer? I've realized that. Now it's your turn."
   "There is a right way to do things."
   "What makes you so sure that you know what it is?" I say"}
   I am in awe in how much Veronica made Tris grow. It is truly amazing to read about someone growing up so much. In the beginning she was a sixteen year old abnegation girl that had never been kissed and never given any chance at making her own decisions. In the end, she is divergent, brave, selfless, and makes decisions all the time whether they are right or wrong. She is learning. Tris gains and loses in this book. It's not all fairy-tales and happy endings. I can't wait to read Insurgent and watch her grow more. 
{""People tend to overestimate my character," I say quietly. "They think that because I'm small, or a girl, or a Stiff, I can't possibly be cruel. But they're wrong." I shift the gun three inches to the left and fire at his arm. 
   His screams fill the hallway. Blood spurts from the wound, and he screams again, pressing his forehead to the ground. I shift the gun back to his head, ignoring the pang of guilt in my chest. 
   "Now that you realize your mistake," I say, "I will give you another chance to tell me what I need to know before I shoot you somewhere worse.""}
   Tobias. Sigh.. Oh Tobias. We all loved him right. As soon as Tris hit the net we couldn't wait to see more of him and his beautiful blue eyes. And when he shut up Christina or even Peter with the gun in his face, we knew then that he was fierce and not someone to mess around with. But when we saw him stand up to Eric a few times we also say the caring side of him. When he saved Tris from being thrown over the edge of the chasm we saw a protective side. Even so he doesn't stay the same the entire book. He grows as well. He told Tris he doesn't tell anyone his secrets not even his friends and you see that he is starting to trust her. Which is a big deal for Tobias given his background with his father. I am excited to see how he grows too. 
{""We've all started to put down the virtues of the other factions in the process of bolstering our own. I don't want to do that. I want to be brave, and selfless, and smart, and kind, and honest." He clears his throat. "I continually struggle with kindness."

   I can honestly say that there wasn't much I didn't like about this book. I can give a few small stuff I didn't like. But not as much as I liked. I am going to post a few things that fellow readers had problems with. 
   The government. A lot of readers had a problem with the way it was set up in the book because Abnegation was in control of the government because they were selfless but if they are selfless then how did they get control? If they appointed themselves then that isn't very selfless of them so their whole faction is a sham. But if they other factions appointed them then the Erudite have no reason to be upset because the Abnegation is in charge. Veronica's main audience was young adults and teenagers don't normally question things like the government. 
   I have already said how much I love the character Tris, but other readers have a problem with the way she was set up. How she had the perfect life with loving parents, a roof, food, and education. So why did she leave? Why is she so cold and cruel? The readers say that she has no reason to be messed up like Tobias is. But I come from a life that you can be messed up just because so I understand the character. But that's not my opinion. 
   Again other readers have a problem with Tris and Tobias. How they were just thrown together and nothing was leading up to it, and it was awkward and weird and why would someone be with someone like her if she isn't pretty. She is cruel, cold, and heartless so why like her? I disagree. I see the small things like how when Four touched her stomach and she couldn't breath for a second, or how he left the fight because he didn't want to see her get beaten, or him covering for her divergence. 


_Fantastic Fiction_




   



Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Interview with Lindsey E. Lippincott

This is an interview with Lindsey E. Lippincott. You can find her on Wattpad. 

1. How old are you? - 22 

2. How long have you been writing? - Just a little over a year and a half. 

3. What are your ambitions for your writing career? - Publishing is my final goal. I would love to see one of my books on a shelf in a store. 

4. White writers inspire you? - There are too many. I write mainly YA, so there are various YA writers who have inspired me. Richelle Mead is one, but there are so many. 

5. What are you working on at the moment? - I'm currently working on the sequel to The Huntress. Then I'll be focusing on my new story, Bridge of Souls. 

6. Why do you write? - I write because it's fun. I have all these ideas in my hear, and it's good to get it out. Sharing with others using Wattpad is just a perk, but if I didn't write the ideas, then I'd probably go crazy. 

7. Where do your ideas come from? - My ideas come from everything. I'll read something and get inspiration, I'll watch a movie and get inspiration. I'll watch the way people interact and pull something out of it. Basically every aspect of life I use as inspiration for my ideas.

8. Do you work to an outline or plot or do you prefer just to see where an idea takes you? - I generally have my main idea before I start writing. I'll think of some of the major points, an example being the reveal between Electra and Jared was something I thought out before writing. However, I usually let my writing find its own way to connect the dots. 

9. What is the hardest thing about writing? - Organizing thoughts into something coherent and linear. Starting and ending is also incredibly hard, not the story itself and sometimes chapters. 

10. What's the easiest thing about writing? - To me, creating a character is easy. Naming them is more difficult, but I can come up with a character's personality quite easily. 

11. Do you proofread/edit all your own books or do you get someone to do that for you? - I do a quick run over myself, and then when I complete a book. or the series if there is a sequel, then I go over it all more thoroughly. Everything I do is on my own. 

12. What do you do to get book reviews? - I don't usually seek book reviews. Since my stories are currently only found on Wattpad, my reach is pretty limited. If people approach me about writing in their blogs, or about making a section in their review books, I'm more than happy to let them review. There's no such thing as bad publicity after all. 

13. What's your view on social media or marketing? - Social media is a powerful tool. Because of it, something you share can be seen by people you may never meet. You could post something about a book of yours, or another product, and if your friends share it, then their friends will see it. It's a snowball effect that can really work in the original poster's favor. Just know that the way you present yourself at all times on social media will follow you. 

14. What do you think of "trailers" for books? - If they're done well, then they can be a great tool. I find they are hard to execute well. 

15. Do you have a trailer or do you intend to create one for your own book/s? (*please provide a link to trailer below if you have one) - I do not have a book trailer for any of my books, and as far as I know, I have no intentions of creating one. 

16. What advice would you give to your younger self? - Start writing sooner. It's something I've always wanted to do, but only started recently. If I'd started sooner, who knows where I'd be now. 

17. What advice would you give to aspiring writers? - Write what you want to write. The story you want to tell is the one that needs to be told. If you're thinking about posting your writing online somewhere, but are afraid of what others might say, don't be. There is no way you can please everyone. Not everyone will like you're story, but as long as you like what you write, know that there is at least one other person out there who will like it too. You never know what your writing could do for someone. 

17. How can readers discover more about you and your work? - I can be found on Wattpad using either @Brink1314 or @Linna1029 and my author page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lelippincott/?fref=ts


_Fantastic Fiction_

Sunday, November 8, 2015

34 Pieces of You - Carmen Rodrigues

Absolutely adored this book. 

   34 Pieces of You is written by Carmen Rodrigues. This book's genres are young adult, contemporary, realistic fiction, and death. 
   Some facts about the author, Carmen. 
   She has a new book coming out in 2017 called The Universal Law of Sally & Marco. Sounds interesting! 
   She went to Florida State University but earned her MFA in creative writing from the University of North Carolina Wilmington.
   And honestly that is all I can find about her. She lived in Ohio for a short time and then moved to Miami.
   Her favorite places to be are on the beach or in her bed which I can totally relate. 

  {" There was something about Ellie... something dangerous. Charismatic. Broken. Jake looked out for her. Sarah followed her lead. And Jess kept her distance, and kept watch. 
   Now Ellie's dead, and Jake, Sarah, and Jess are left to pick up the pieces. All they have are thirty-four clues she left behind. Thirty-four strips of paper hidden in a box beneath her bed. Thirty-four secrets of a brief and painful life. 
   Jake, Sarah, and Jess all feel responsible for what happened to Ellie, and all three have secrets of their own. As they confront the past, they will discover not only the darkest truths about themselves, but also what Ellie herself had been hiding all along..."}

   I don't know where to begin. I loved so much about this book. I couldn't read it in one sitting even though I wanted to. I had to take breaks because this book really tugged at my heart strings. I cried so much during this book. I loved that I could relate to everyone one of the characters in even a small way. I myself have been suicidal in my life. I have cut my arms and legs. I am like Ellie very broken. I could really get into this book. This was an amazing book by far. It was dark and devastating.
{" It was as simple as telling you how it's done. Press harder. It'll hurt at first, but doesn't everything hurt at first? And didn't you say you wanted a tattoo one day? That will hurt too. Remember when I taught you to smoke? You coughed and you said your lungs ached. This will ache like that, only more. But you know what I didn't tell you? The thing that hurts the most is that my mom will never ask me why my arms are bandaged, why my forearms are covered in all this scarred flesh. And the other that hurts is that I know I'll never be able to press the whole way down. That I'll always be stuck wanting to push through but too afraid to try"}
   I was happy that we got to see the thirty-four pieces of paper that she left in the box under her bed. There are thirty-four chapters and on each of the chapter is a little note. Until the end of the book I didn't know that those were the pieces of paper that she left. I was so excited that I reread all of them. They showed parts of Ellie that she hid from everyone else. 
{" In the bathroom, with my hair still dripping wet, I'd devise a plan. First, towel-dry quickly. Second, put on underwear and declare that place safe. Next, tank top, sock, then pj's. Declare those places safe too. And then tiptoe to the bedroom, lock the door behind me, declare my room safe. 
   In the morning, try not to remember why."}
  The fact the every other chapter was someone new and set somewhere new in a new time was interesting. I was excited to read what someone else said and what secrets they held. Jess was a really interesting character. Even though she was younger than the others she saw Ellie in a different way than everyone else did. She though that Ellie was capable of saving even though Ellie didn't. It broke my heart when Jess finds out that Ellie slept with Tommy and Jess and Ellie broke up because of it. Jess was young and innocent and I think that Ellie needed a little bit of innocence in her life. 
  {""I like you, Ellie." The words stayed stiffly between us, and I realized that this was there it ended. She only wanted me to admit it, so she could turn on me the way she turned on Lola. 
   But then she looked at me, her face softer than before, her voice nearly gentle, and said, "You're crying."
   I swiped clumsily at my cheeks. embarrassed by my tears. "I'm sorry."
   "Don't." She knelt in front of me, pulled my arms down to my sides. "Don't." She traced the tears downward until her fingers rested on my lips. "I'm such a bitch, and you're not. You're so incredibly kind.""}

  Not much to dislike about this book. I did wish that I knew if Ellie meant to kill herself or if it was just an accident. Was she planning on ending it that night with her best friend by her side or was it just the pain overwhelming and she took more than she meant to? We have no idea and maybe that is what the author want. She wants us to conclude for ourselves whether we think did it on purpose or not. I think she did. She wore what Jess got her so she could have a piece of her when she died I think. She already had Sarah with her and she called Jake earlier. But I hate that I don't have a real answer on whether or not it was on purpose. It's gonna drive me crazy. 
   {" And so she began to talk about that night, how Ellie didn't seem like herself, how she seemed incredibly sad but also determined to pretend she was happy. "If I'd known everything, I'd have never let her near those pills. But I didn't know, you know? I just..." Her voice faded. She was crying, but she continued on, and near the end she told me about the hot-pink fishnet stockings Ellie had worn that night. 
   The stocking were my only gift to Ellie, and I remembered how surprised she'd been when I'd handed her the small box with its purple ribbon, and how she'd put them on immediately and in a mater of minutes picked them apart, exposing both her knees."}
  Although I loved hearing from all three characters I would have loved to have Ellie perspective. Understanding things from the way she was feelings instead of what other people though she was feeling. It would have been depressing but revealing to know what Ellie was thinking when she took the pills. 
   Once again I like knowing what the others were thinking but when it jumped timelines like 5 years before when they just met and then the next chapter what months after Ellie killed herself. It was very confusing and hard to catch up with sometimes. I wish there was sort of timeline to go by instead of just "After. March" or "Before. June.". Super confusing but still loved the book!

If you or anyone you know is struggling with depression please do not hesitate to email or get help from various other places. I am going to post them below. 

http://www.teencentral.net/ is a place online where you can go and post there anonymously and talk to others about what is bothering you. 
By calling 1-800-273-TALK (8255) you will be connected to a skilled, trained counselor at a crisis center in your area, anytime 24/7.

_Fantastic Fiction_

Friday, November 6, 2015

The Huntress - Brink 1314 aka Lindsey E. Lippincott on Wattpad

This was a good book. 

   The Huntress was written by Brink 1314 aka Lindsey E. Lippincott on Wattpad. The genres that this book qualifies for is supernatural, young adult, werewolf, and of course fiction. 
   I am going to post an interview with the author after I post this review. If you have any questions you want to ask, leave a comment please. 

  100 Word Pitch from the author, Lindsey E. Lippincott 
   {" 17 year-old Electra Jaeger has taken up the mantle on the family business--hunting supernatural. She never questions what she does, believing fully in what her father and superiors. They are saving unsuspecting humans from paranormal killers, just like the ones who murdered her mother. It all goes according to plan until the new guys shows up. 
   Jared Rolten has eyes only for Electra, but there's one problem: he's a werewolf. When the huntress realizes she's destined to be with a creature of the night, she's forced to reevaluate everything she knows and believes. But choosing to follow her heart could lead Jared and Electra to their deaths."}

   I loved the fact that her last name Jaeger means hunter in German. It was ingenious of the author. Books always require creativity to be one step ahead of the other books out there. I hope that Lindsey develops more creativity in her adventure as an author. I am super excited to read more stories from her. 
   This book was longer than most books in young adult. This book is over 130,000 words. That is about one and half times bigger than Divergent by Veronica Roth. Most people dread long book but I love them. I hate when a book is over before I really get to enjoy it. I really enjoyed this book and was pleased that it didn't end so quick. I am interested in reading the sequel as soon as it is finished and maybe even write a review when I finish. 
   I love that this book did Jared's point of view. It was revealing. I like knowing both sides of the story. I only wish we could see more of his thoughts about running away and leaving his sister behind. I was actually surprised when he decided that leaving his sister in the hands of another hunter was alright. I love that the book surprised me. I can usually predict what is going to happen and I liked that I couldn't. 
   {"However, how would I explain my situation? Oh I found my mate, she's human, a hunter actually, and I just have a hard time controlling myself around her. Anytime we get close and intimate in any way I just lose control and I'd rather she not kill me because my claws came out.
  That probably wouldn't go over well. Werewolves knew what mates were to each other, most had on themselves. Mates with humans even happened occasionally. Hell, mates between two humans happen as well, it's just harder for them to notice each other or what they really are. However, to be mated with a human who spends their time killing people like me and other supernatural creatures, even the most understanding Alpha would most likely have a problem with that."}


   I do think this book had a lot of vision, but it need more ingenuity. I feel like I was reading a book all over again. A certain series actually. I haven't got a chance to read the sequel to The Huntress yet, but I hope I won't be reading the same stuff over again. I am afraid that since the writer is so young that it might be a repeat of the Evernight series by Claudia Gray. The Evernight series is based on a vampire and hunter but the same concept.  
   I do think this book could use someone else to do a grammar check on it. It's always better to have someone else to check your work. Sometimes it is hard reading what you wrote and finding something wrong with it. I do it all the time honestly but I am always too uncomfortable for someone else to read my work. It's a work in progresses. Anyone who reads it is always welcome to criticize my grammar. I am a bit of a grammar Nazi myself. 
   I said that I liked the fact that the story had a few chapters in Jared's point of view, but in my opinion I think that it should be every other chapter not irregular. 
   {" With his words my mind immediately turned over to Electra and me in her kitchen. I hadn't actively switched my thought process, but his words had done it for me. I felt the fire burning through me as I touched her, the feel of her lips and her skin beneath my mouth. 
   My wolf was flaring up again just as it had that day and the pain came stronger this time as I felt everything breaking through the thin layer of control over my body.
   After a moment I felt a hand on my shoulder and my wolf immediately fell down, hiding as if it didn't even exist. And in that moment, I wished it didn't. I wished I were just a regular human who didn't have to worry about anything supernatural."}

I think that this book has great potential. I think that any book always can improve. This author is young and talented and I believe Lindsey can overcome all the obstacles that comes with being an author. Good luck to you, Lindsey. 

_Fantastic Fiction_

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Interviews

 I am looking to interview writer. These are the questions I am going to be asking. Stay tuned. Sorry that I haven't posted a review in a few days. Trying to get these interviews lined up. Just waiting for a few responses. Can't wait!


  1. How old are you?
  2. How long have you been writing?
  3. What are your ambitions for your writing career?
  4. Which writers inspire you?
  5. What are you working on at the moment?
  6. Why do you write?
  7. Where do your ideas come from?
  8. Do you work to an outline or plot or do you prefer just to see where an idea takes you?
  9. What is the hardest thing about writing?
  10. What is the easiest thing about writing?
  11. Do you proofread/edit all your own books or do you get someone to do that for you?
  12. What do you do to get book reviews?
  13. What's your view on social media for marketing?
  14. What do you think of "trailers" for books?
  15. Do you have a trailer or do you intend to create one for your own book/s? (*please provide a link to trailer below if you have one)
  16. What is your favorite motivational phrase?
  17. What is your favorite book and why?
  18. What is your favorite quote?
  19. Where can you see yourself in 5 years time?
  20. What advice would you give to your younger self?
  21. What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
  22. How can readers discover more about you and your work?
  23. Is there anything else you would like to add that I haven't included?
Website:
Blog:
Facebook:
Twitter:
Amazon Author Page:
Book Links:
Goodreads:
Wattpad:


_Fantastic Fiction_

Sunday, November 1, 2015

99 Days - Katie Cotugno

Loved it! This book was amazing. 


   99 Days is written by Katie Cotugno. The genres that this book falls under include young adult, contemporary, realistic fiction, and romance. 
    Few facts about about the author, Katie Cotugno. 
   She wrote the first draft of 99 days in 99 days. 
   99 days is an homage to her two favorite summer movies - Dirty Dancing and Mystic Pizza - which is why Molly works at a resort and the Donnellys own a pizza place.
   How to Love was Katie's first novel. 

   The main character Molly just returned home for the summer before going to college in Boston. She left for her senior to go to an all girl private school because of something she did her junior year. You don't really get what she did only that it was to her at the time boyfriend, Patrick. You find out a long the way pieces of the story. I loved it. I liked not knowing exactly what happened at taking guesses at what she did. 
   This was either a hate or love book. Cheating is always a touchy subject. No one in this book was innocent. No one ever really is, and this book really showed that, and it really impressed me. 
   {"Gabe shrugs. "You could have told me," he says, and, God, he sounds so disappointed. "All summer, we've been-you could have-I said I loved you, Molly." He huffs out a frustrated laugh. "And, like, I'm not a lunatic, I know how fast that was, but-" 
   "Did you, though?" I interrupt suddenly. "I mean, did you actually love me? Or did you just need to beat Patrick at this, too?"
   "Molly." Gabe touches his tongue to the split place on his mouth, looks at something over my shoulder. "Maybe it started that way."}
   I absolutely adore the fact that she doesn't end up with either of the boys. I think the fact that she chooses herself in the end is prodigious. I believe that women shouldn't need a guy to move on in their lives. No need to be tied down when Molly is going to college either. She needs to grow and learn from her mistakes. 

   I hated that her mother also betrayed her and now she doesn't even trust her own mother. It's very heartbreaking that when everything else is going wrong that she doesn't even have family to fall back on. 
   {""I'm a writer, Molly," she interrupts me, like it's a religion or her freaking culture or something, like some kind of messed-up moral relativism will explain this away."I take real-life events and I fictionalize them-that's what I do, that's what I've always done. Of course there are going to be-"
   "You're my mom!" I counter, my voice cracking in a way that betrays all the nasty coldness I've spent the last year and a half cultivating, an ugly break in the shell. I shake my head, slam the coffeepot down on the counter hard enough I'm afraid it might shatter. "Or, like-you were supposed to be. You chose me, remember? That's what you always said. But really you just wanted to sell me for parts.""}
   Even though I love the fact that it shows that everyone has a bad side. I absolutely hate that everyone is crap to everyone. I mean everyone loves a good guy and a hero, but it's under the genre 'realistic fiction'. 
   The double standards. She had sex with a guy, but only she is the slut. I think that Gabe should have had consequences as well. I mean Patrick hated him, but they never got along in the first place. 
   {""It feels unfair, though, right?" Gabe says, "I mean, if you're a dirty slut, then I'm a dirty slut.""}

_Fantastic Fiction_