Everneath

Everneath by Brodi Ashton 2 out of 5 stars

I was surprised actually that I didn't like this one.  The Persephone myth is another one of those classic tales that I find fascinating and this was a modern take.

At least told me that it was.  That was at least partially true, but I thought that some of its mythological roots were lost in translation.  I just know at I didn't really like it.  Perhaps it was because it tries to combine too many underworld myths.  Perhaps it was because Nikki's character annoyed me to no end.  Perhaps it was because pretty much every person had believed that Nikki's character had disappeared to rehab for six months, even though prior to that she had absolutely no history of alcohol or drugs.  Perhaps it was because the live triangle (in many ways it is more of a square) was too forced for me to believe.  I just never could get into the story.  I always felt detached as the reader, which is frankly something I'm not used to experiencing.

I won't be recommending this one and I don't plan on reading its upcoming sequels.

If I Should Die

If I Should Die by Jennie Hanson 2.5 out of 5 stars

A lot of how I felt about this book can be explained by a single experience.  As I was going through the list of books I've read, I saw this one and thought, "If I Should Die, If I Should Die, what book was that?"

I couldn't remember what it was until I did a search for it!

Kallene's friend and running partner Linda disappears the day after Linda confided to Kallene that she wantd to divorce her husband.  The story follows the case of Linda's disappearance and Kallene's dual romance with as policeman investigating Linda's disappearance and Linda's own brother.

I had limited the main villain to two characters fairly quickly (both with the same motive) and it was one of those suspects who was indeed the villain (really the only difference between my two suspects was whether or not which one was deranged enough haha).  The romance honestly left me a bit unsatisfied, just because it seemed like some of the details of the developing relationships were left out.  Since there was a dual romance, only one man could win out in the end, but it was never made clear why Kallene cared for him more in the end.  Maybe I saw chemistry when there wasn't any?

It's a very clean novel, which was a major plus!  (LDS fiction)

In the end though, I thought it was rather average.  Not fully satisfying, but not a complete waste of time.

Scarlet

Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen 5 out of 5 stars

Follows the story of Will Scarlet, the thief and skilled knifesman of Robin Hood's gang.  The thing is Will Scarlet is in fact just Scarlet, a young woman is a complicated past.  Held in Robin Hood's debt she remains a member of his group, though she can't say that she minds that much when she has the chance to help those suffering in Nottingham Shire.  With only Robin's gang knowing that she's in fact a she, Scarlet does her best to help those under the sheriff's regime while keeping her past with the knew thief hunter under locked.

Robin Hood and his merry "men" has always been something that fascinated me.  Scarlet is a narrator that I could understand and relate to, even if our lives our as different as night and day.  I loved her interactions with the other "merry men" and enjoyed the ride if the novel.  It was another one that I figured out the big plot twist less that a third of the way through the story, but honestly I thought it made reading the narrative all the more enjoyable.  Lots of action, a little bit of romance, and a compelling story made this an excellent read!

False Prince

False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen 5 out of 5 stars

Sage is just one of the orphan boys dragged into a treasonous plot devised by lesser nobleman Conner.   Conner had decided it was time for the land's long lost heir to return, but first he needs to find a boy that could play the part.  Sage is just one of these candidates.

Sage has an agenda of his own, as do all of the four orphans chosen for this contest of sorts.  Sage must do everything to win, or death will be the price to pay.

I really enjoyed this one!  Even though I had guessed the ending fairly early one, it was a very enjoyable read.  I was hard-pressed to put down this book once I started.

The multi-dimensional characters were a joy to get to know and Sage makes a rather entertaining narrator.  Nielsen had found the perfect balance for giving the just right amount  of detail for the first person narrator (we learned as Sage learned, and yet we were seamlessly kept in the dark about the right things until we were ready).

It provides a definitive ending and yet clearly builds for the latter two books in the ending.  It will leave readers satisfied and yet wanting more!  My favorite combination!

Just Me and My Dragon

I vaguely noticed the laughter turn into screams of terror, when suddenly my captor dropped me and I feel to my knees. The mob churned around me, running in fear. I fell against the mast as the deck suddenly cleared around me; a great wind knocked the men about. I looked up to see a blazing dragon hovering over me. I screamed breathlessly when the dragon gently grasped me in his claws and pulled me into the air.

The burning ship was a clear beacon in the dark night. The men’s screams and shouts echoed across the water, chilling me to the bone. I was shivering and the dragon noticed. His grip tightened as we began to quickly lose altitude. We crashed into the sea; the salt water slapped painfully against us. My head became increasingly cloudy as I was dragged through the surf, the dragon pulling me in his wake.

Suddenly, I felt rocks scraping against my legs and I collapsed on the beach. The dragon blew out a flame, briefly lighting the area and revealing some driftwood. He quickly started a fire which gave off a strange blue-green light. The dragon helped me up, tugging gently with his talons. As the air swirled around me, a rushing sensation filled my head. The world tilted and turned dark.

I woke enveloped in warmth. A bright amber wall greeted me. It took me a few seconds to realize that I was surrounded by scales. They were surprising soft to the touch. When he felt me stir, the dragon lifted his wing, letting sunlight shine through. He must have curled around me to keep me warm and protected last night. I carefully stood up, shaky from the ordeal of the last few days.

“Agon?”

The question hung in the air for a moment before the dragon gracefully nodded his head. I stumbled backwards. Agon kept me from falling with his tail.

“I never knew that you would like this,” I broke off. I was entranced by him. His scales glowed magnificently in the sun-light, shining an orange-gold. He was much larger than I had imagined, easily double his human height.

He dropped his head to my outstretched hand, letting me touch him. I could see now why the people of the Dragon Isles could confuse the dragons for deities. In the Dragonrealms, I never saw them for what they truly were, pieces of glorious art created by nature to serve as guardians to protect the weak.

“You’re beautiful,” I said softly.

He blinked his eyes, so like his human ones. He pulled me against him as he began to glow. He transformed back to his human form and as soon as he could he wrapped his arms around me and held me tight.

“Thank you for saving me,” I said.

“I had to,” he said, his breath moving my hair. “I certainly couldn’t leave you.”

I rested my head against his chest and for the first time in a long while, I felt safe. The world collapsed to this one moment, just me in his arms. Just me and my dragon.

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I just realized that I never posted the finished version of that sketch from before.

Rei and Agon are two of my main characters from my novel Fugitive.

Last Chance

[Optional: Personalized message to include with your delivery.  5000 character limit.]

They told me that I only had five thousand characters to tell you everything.  How could I possibly say everything that needs to be said in that short of a length?

Our lives have always been defined by hellos and goodbyes.  When we were young, I thought that I knew what life was all about.  I had everything planned.  We were best friends and together we would take on the world.  But then you told me that I was wrong.  You didn’t want to leave and I wanted to go to that university across the country.   You were supposed to come with me, but I had to go alone. 

I drew a line where you were no longer allowed to cross.  But in that instant, I felt the most alone in my entire life.  It was then that I realized that we were meant to be together, but I had given you up.  I would remember that one night:

It was past midnight and it was all too easy to sneak out of my house with my father passed out drunk on the living room couch.  I had tapped on the glass of your window and you had slipped out of your window.  You had quietly followed me out to the old tree house, while I was just going on and on about how we could finally leave that town.

Finally you just looked at me and said, “I can’t.  My mother can’t be by herself.  Someone has to take care of her and I’m the only one she has.”

“But we always wanted—”

You shook your head.  “No, you always wanted.  I always had a reason not to.”

Your bedroom light illuminated your face as you told me these words.  Classical music floated along the breeze from your computer: Con Te Partiro by Francesco Sartori.  I had never thought that that song could be so sad until then. 

We were perfect for each other and I just threw you away.  I didn’t listen as you laid out all of your thoughts and emotions.  I knew what I wanted and it seemed like you were no longer part of the picture.

We kept little contact for the longest time.  And then I received your wedding invitation in the mail.  I didn’t recognize the name of your fiancée.  I barely even glanced at your fiancée’s picture; I was so entranced with seeing you again.  I knew that despite my best interests, I needed to be there for your wedding date.

I flew the thousand miles to an unfamiliar city to find the church packed with people I never met.  It was from a stranger that I had learned that your mother had died and that you had met your fiancée at an outreach meeting for a local company.  With the church bells ringing, I waved to you from across the room and you gave me the warmest smile. 

We had the briefest moment to talk.  All I remembered from that conversation was “I will you will and this doesn’t have to be farewell.”

But it was.  It was farewell to everything that we were and everything that we could be.  Even then I wouldn’t give up.

I attended your university graduation.  Neither one of us had thought that you would have been able to achieve that goal, but I was so proud of you.  You looked radiant, but there was a sad aura gathered around you.  It was then that you told me that your spouse had died in a tragic car accident.  I just couldn’t help but note that you still took my breath away.  You blinded me.

I had been blessed with another chance and yet I still didn’t take it.  I was a fool then; still quite the fool in fact.  But a fool can learn eventually.  I didn’t understand the true depth of my feelings then.

 

I have missed you for so long. 

I followed you last night for that reason.  You were easy to follow with your tracks in the snow.  You finally noticed me in the park.  You broke down and began to cry and I just held you close.  I don’t think I had ever seen you so emotional since high school and you were ranting about the situation with your mother.  I knew it was the first time I really saw you cry.

Even with snowflakes swirling around us, the moon had the courage to break through the clouds.  A light shined down on us and for the moment I felt us leave the world behind.  The tilting notes of a violin trailed on a faint breeze, reminding me of that night ten years before when you told me you wouldn’t go with me.  Everything seemed so easier back then, but life was still just as difficult.  Neither one of us was willing to admit the truth.

I am not the best with words.  I never was the writer like you were.  Even though I’m flying back tonight, I needed to lay it all out for you.  I need to know what you would have me do. 

I know our lives have gone in different directions for such a long time.  This doesn’t mean that we would always have to be separated.  Please just tell me what you want to do.

I’m willing to respect your wishes in whatsoever direction they take you.  I’ve seen how much you changed over time, but I’m not sure if you ever realized how much I had changed.  I know that you’ve had changed for the better and I’m not so sure what direction I headed; I just hope that you can see something in me.

I just have one thing to ask.  Just don’t tell me . . . please don’t tell me that it’s too late for me to love you.

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Songs that played a role in this piece:
Con Te Partiro as sung by Andrea Boceli
Higher Window by Josh Groban
Liz on Top of the World from the Pride and Prejudice soundtrack
The Moment I knew by Taylor Swift

Fella's Intergalactic House of Pancakes

"Fella's Intergalactic House of Pancakes, deliver anywhere in the city within forty minutes.  How may we serve you?"

"No sir, we do not actually sell Pancakes, not since the Breakfast Ban of 2867.  If you want pancakes you will have to try—"

I sighed.  Trudy's eye rolled at me as she finished her sentence, "—the Fella's Intergalactic House in Sector Gamma.  Yes sir, they still serve breakfast there."

She grumbled as she hung up the call.  "It's the only Sector in the city that has the permits to sell breakfast you <bleep>."

I laughed.  "I see that Double H still has you on the language blocker."

"Laugh all you want you <bleep>ing idiot, at least I have more color to offer with my choice of vocabulary.  Life's more exciting when you live in the moment."  She threw her arms out wide as if the whole word was at her fingertips.

I shrugged. "Who cares?  And your eye patch is slipping."

"Do have to rub it in every <bleep> time?"

Even grumbling, she still fixed the patch so that it completely covered her scars.  If you ever want to hear a regaling tale just ask about the day she received them.  It was one of the finest days for delivery persons everywhere and no one can be the true story involving a civil war, a rubber ducky, and a monster spewing out gallons of toothpaste.  Even though losing body parts was one of the hazards of being a Pancaken, I haven't found a job anywhere more enjoyable.  Or adrenaline pumping.

A deep voice sounded over the intercom, "Did I hear bleeping?"

I snickered as Trudy rolled her eye for my benefit.  "You're language blocker is still working Double H."

"Good, because as we all know the Intergalactic House of Pancakes is a family business and the law requires—"

"—all G rated restaurants to have clean language," Trudy and I finished with him.

Double H grunted before he turned off the intercom with a screech of feedback.

"You think he would realize that he says the exact same thing at least three times a week," I commented dryly.

"Yeah, well, that's food biz."

"Why thank you Gertrude for those wonderful words of wisdom."

"If you call me Gertrude one more time Winfred I, I will—"

"Finish a sentence? And who you calling Winfred?  That is so not even close."

"Fine Win!  You wi—"

She stopped mid-pun barely realizing her mistake.

"Ha!  I win!  I always win!"

"Fine, you get to go on the next delivery."  She typed on her wrist computer for a second.  "Chef says that he has a comm take out order ready.  Chinese food: the full works.  You ready to go?"

I strapped on the orbiting helmet.  "Shoot me out."

I stepped on the glowing pad as the food parcel shot up through the opening in the floor.  I strapped it to my back just in time for Trudy to tap the glass button on the wall beside her.  Before I knew it I was freefalling into space.

Stars whirled by in streams of light.  It was gloriously beautiful until I landed into a body of water with a painful slap.

"What the heck Trudy?  You were supposed to send me to a teleport pad."

She just laughed at me.  "Good thing the food parcel is waterproof."

I wiped saltwater out of my eyes as I treaded for a moment.  "Just where am I, Miss Smart One?"

"Just outside Lover's Park and about fifteen minutes away from your destination."

"Cutting it close aren't you?  I only have twenty minutes left of the forty minute deadline!"

"I would start swimming if I were you."  She disconnected me before I could make a good comeback.

I grumbled to myself about smart alecks when I noticed a big shadow underneath me.  She didn't place me in a shark tank did she?

The shadow nudged me, pushing me back ten feet.  It had to be a friendly shark.  Correction: whale.  The creature released a stream of water into the air.  The whale surfaced, watching me with its enormous eye.  It batted me again with its tail.

"That's not a good idea," I said swimming towards the side of the small tank.

Its eye widened further and large tears started gushing out.  Whales could cry?  And why did I have to land in the only tank with an emotional whale?  What was its problem anyway?

I raised my hands in the air.  "I'm not going to hurt you, I just need to make my delivery."

The whale released a series of clicks and whistles.

"Yeah, sure, whatever you say.  How about I come visit you once I'm done?"

The whale suddenly whacked me again, sending me flying into the air and out of the tank.  I had enough presence of mind to activate my jacket's landing gear so I didn't completely crash.

The whale looked dolefully down at me.  I dripped water everywhere as I waved to the whale, which woefully waved back.  "We can talk about your emotions and everything later—thanks for the lift!"

Before the whale could do something else like try to force feed me dead fish, I ran out of there.

I checked my timing with my watch to see that I only had fifteen minutes left.  My GPS showed that if I wanted to make my delivery on time, I had no way away around it; I had to cut through Lover's Park.  I guess it was time to say hello to Cupid (or rather avoid him completely).

Speeding up to a sprint, I vaulted the nearest fence—I certainly didn't want to deal with the Single's Entrance.  It was bad enough to visit the park as a couple on a date; you had to go through all of these check points proving your love to each other.  Now the Single's Entrance was awful.  They actually set you up with someone and make you fall in love for the night.  The next day you realize that you did all these stupid things with a girl you barely even know including frolicking through a field of flowers (and I mean frolic, it says so on the memento brochure they give you at the end), rowing in a rowboat down a stream and posing for pictures in these ridiculous pink and red outfits.  And you can find that you actually tell a girl your full name and have Cupid forever blackmailing you with it.    And it's not even like the park has anything cool like ninja llamas.

I shuddered at just the thought of repeating that experience again.  I still have nightmares about it.  I would be fine if I didn't run into a certain balding man with wings that still insisted on wearing a diaper.  I wasn't even sure if the man was toilet-trained and yet he was supposed to decide my love life?  I don't think so.

"Well, why isn't it Erwin Winthrop Winfried Winnover Balwin V?"

Ugh, see why I just go by Win?  I skidded to a stop as a series of hedges sprung up around me.

"I really don't have the time Cupid," I said as I spun around trying to find the man.  I was surrounded by statues (all draped with elegantly grown ivy and roses I might add), but I knew one of them had to be him.

"You always have time for love!"

"Not when I only have about ten minutes to make a delivery deadline."

There!  I saw the flash of the arrow just before it hit me, having barely enough time to dive out of the way.  I clicked a button on my watch which made it turn into a shield that I used to deflect the second volley of arrows.

Cupid cursed.

"Oh, like that's romantic," I said.

He sneered at me, his weak chin quivering under his six hair beard.  I simply deflected the next arrow, causing it to rebound back at him.  He squealed as the arrow pricked his flabby arm.

"Why I ought to—" he broke off as the magic came into effect.

"Why don't you find a nice reflection to admire, while I just make my way out of here," I said pointing cupid to a series of pools and mirror in the center of the park.

"I do have a pretty reflection, don't I?" he said dreamily.

I rolled my eyes.  "Yes, yes, now go!"

Once Cupid was occupied ogling his face in a mirror, I hurried out of the exit and headed around the corner of the street of my destination.  I jumped almost a foot into the air when I heard a loud pop.  My landing caused a near explosion of sound.  Was this bubble wrap?  Some people have the strangest taste in decoration.  I walked down the street with an audio avalanche as I found 1627 Bubble Street.

I took the steps two at a time and rang the doorbell.  I kept my eyes on my watch. 60 seconds, 55.  Steps approached the door. 50, 45.  The door opened and I shouted, "Fella's  Intergalactic House of Pancakes, Chinese delivery and with," I paused to glance at my watch, "thirty seconds to spare!"

The man blinked at me.  "Why aren't you exuberant?"

"Just glad I made it on time sir," I said with a small salute.  "Now here's your food.  I see that we have already received your payment through the Bankernet, so thank you for your patronage sir!"

I happily relinquished my package and pulled out a pair of sunglasses from my pocket.

"Uh, thank you."

He stopped me from going.  "For curiosity sake, what happens when you don't reach the forty minute mark?  Do I get a free meal?"

I shook my head, grinning at the predictable question.  "Nope, sadly not sir.  I just explode."

His mouth dropped in surprise.  "Y-you can't be serious."

"Do I look like I'm joking?"

His mouth moved without making a sound as he just stared at me.  I laughed quietly as I flipped on my shades and headed down the street; I had a date with a depressed whale.

Princess Academy: Palace of Stone by Shannon Hale

 5 out of 5 stars

Palace of Stone is the sequel to a book that didn’t need a sequel, but the world of Miri would not be complete with it.  (This review does contain spoilers for Princess Academy, but not for Palace of Stone).

Palace of Stone takes the reader through a series of emotions and thoughts.  With Miri we have to decide for ourselves what is right and wrong, both as an individual and as a society. 

Revolution.

This book centers around the concept of revolution.  Things in Danland are not what they seemed.  There is more unrest than previously expected.  Miri from her life on Mount Eskel has had little exposure to the lowlands and thus with her we slowly uncover the tangled weave of Danland’s politics and people.  Miri was a revolutionary at Mount Eskel and now she can see what this meant to all of Danland.

This book questions things that I took for granted from the first, but in an excellent way.  It made me wonder why I took those things for granted in the first place, because now I am of the opinion that I shouldn’t have.  A brief example: my thoughts on Britta.  At first I assumed that everyone would feel like I did towards her (and like Miri did within the first book), but in my joy of seeing her happiness with her engagement to Steffan, I had forgotten to consider the entire picture.  Palace of Stone shows me that.

Miri grows significantly within the book to marvelous results.  She is exposed to true and innocent romance, the true meaning of loyalty and friendship and the possibility of a brighter future.

This book was an excellent and incredibly sweet read.  Thought-provoking and memorable.  Fans of the Princess Academy will not be disappointed.

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith

4 out of 5 stars

This book delves into the possibility in falling in love over a 24 hour period.  What I liked about this was that the book showed how two people can  have that instant connection.  That is certainly possible, I know, I’ve experienced it.  But…

The following discussion is SPOILERISH (Jump to the end to avoid spoilers) for those worried:

This book takes the honest route that this doesn’t mean they would have follow Disney’s Enchanted’s example. 

I’m referring to this sequence of dialogue in particular (And I’m going by memory so it may not be perfect):

Giselle: Oh, it’s you.

Edward: Yes, it’s me.  And you are?

Giselle: Giselle.

Edward: Oh Giselle!  We shall be married in the morning!

The book ended on the possibility of a relationship, that they were going to give it a shot.  And I really liked that. 

What docked points for me was that Oliver’s main plot twist wasn’t even the least bit a surprise. 

END OF SPOILERS

I liked how Hadley and Oliver had different things to offer to the table.  Their interaction is entertaining, fun, and sweet and made for a quick, breezy read that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Mixed Magics by Diana Wynne Jones

4 out of 5 stars

This is a collection of short stories written within the Chrestomanci world(s).

Though I didn't find it quite as fulfilling as the main six books, I really liked seeing Cat's and Tonino's interaction in the STEALER OF SOULS. I also enjoyed the snark (of Chrestomanci, who else?) in the HUNDREDTH DREAM as well as the concept behind Carol Oneir's magic within dreams. WARLOCK was my least favorite of the bunch, simply because I didn't care about his character back in Charmed Life and I couldn't find a reason to care for him now. The SAGE OF THEARE had an interesting backstory that I felt could have been even more developed. It can be a little confusing at first look, but it was still entirely interesting.

As a collection of short stories, it provides a wonderful opportunity to revisit the Chrestomanci world, which was what I was looking for when I initially picked up the book.

Not her best work, but worth it.

Illuminate by Aimee Agresti

3.5 rating (rounded up for the stars)

I was surprised how much I liked this book. Thinking back, not that much actually happened in the story, but I was drawn in into the world created.

First, props to Aimee Agresti to having a plot twist that I didn't figure out until she revealed it. This was a "minor" plot twist in the grand scheme of things (I'm trying to keep this review spoiler free, but I will admit that it had to do with relationships), but I didn't catch it.

It left plenty open for a sequel, which I actually enjoyed in this case, because I wanted to keep reading.

The themes of angels, demons, and magic is not anything new, but I liked how it was applied here.

Some will consider the ending to be rather abrupt, but I found it fitting. You have enough closure to keep you sated for the next book and I didn't feel wanting at the end.

Some readers will be put off with the way the story is told. It is very detailed oriented and the rich in gentle story telling. I don't mind this method, but some will find proceeding through the book drudging as a result.

As for me, I look forward to the sequel.

Rei and Agon - Sketch

A sketch that I definitely plan on finishing.  Any advice is greatly appreciated!

Dreamcatcher

What could we take from here? As I wandered through the underwater room, I found it a bit unnerving to have shells floating above my head.  Schools of fish swam by the sun streaks, incandescent rays of light in tropical blue.   At least I didn't need a mask for this one.  Too bad breathing underwater without any equipment couldn't be useful, there would just be another several thousand people drowning tomorrow if we sent that out.  The glowing fish could possibly make good toys.  The shells were a definite no.

I called out ahead, "Are you having any luck Laine?"

His silver head ducked out from behind a giant squid, "Not really."

"Let's call it quits then!"

He came back to me, sighing.   "I was hoping this would be it."

I smiled as I reached for the dreamcatcher at my belt, "I guess not."

He rolled his eyes as he gripped the rim with me and closed his eyes.  Concentrating on the web, I brought us back to Central.  Laine blinked opened his purple eyes in the bright light.  A familiar voice sounded throughout the small room, "How did it go?"

I secured the dreamcatcher to the wall before I reported, "Nothing special.  It was just a class-one.  We could maybe use the glowing fish for toys or something."

"Alright honey, we've been having a shortage on toys anyways."

I sighed.  "Mom, I told you not to refer to me as honey while I'm on duty."

Mom's voice came back over the intercom, giggling, "I know honey, which is why I do it.  Tell Laine hi for me dear."

"He can hear you Mom."

Laine smirked at my expression.

"Oh, can he?  Come over for dinner later Laine.  I'm making your favorite."

Laine smiled.  "Sure thing Mrs. Dray."

"You can call me Mom dear, since you two are practically married."

I moaned.  "Mom, not now!"

"Oops, sorry dear."  Her voice cut off with an audible click.  Laine took one look at me before he started laughing.

"You should be expecting that by now Kana, it happens at least once a week."  He nudged me playfully as we walked into the break room.

"I know, but it's still hard for me to believe that she always is on duty during my hours," I complained as I saw that we were thankfully alone.

"She wants to work with you.  It's as simple as that, and well since we are such short-staffed nowadays we are limited in our options."

"True," I admitted as I turned to the assignment board.   "It looks like we are in room two next."

"North America, huh?  Do we know which sector?" he asked.

I brought up the detail sheet.  "Hmm, someone from California."

"Alright then, should be interesting.  Going to take the lead again?"

"Sure like always, Laine."

"Well you do know how I like a girl in charge."

"Shut it," I snapped as we entered the room.  I imprinted the dreamcatcher to my DNA and waited for Laine to finally grace the relic with his touch.  We warped into an overly brightly colored city.  Laine saw my look and shrugged.  "You never know which dream will hold the solution to our problems."

"But who dreams in such ghastly Technicolor?" I mumbled.

"The person with the solution of course," replied Laine brightly.

The corners of my lips twitched involuntarily before I gave into a laugh, "Fine!  Be so optimistic!  How is it that we are going to get married in two weeks when we are so different?"

"It's because of my irresistible charm and suave ways of course!"

I rolled my eyes for his benefit, before turning away to grin.  Laine was one of the few individuals that could truly make me laugh.  Ever since Laine befriended me back in training five years ago, we've been close and I think I was the only that was surprised when he proposed.   I shook my head, bringing my thoughts back to the present as I looked over the rainbow colored buildings.  What was the point to this dream?  As if in answer to my question a large hum started, causing the buildings to vibrate.

Turning our eyes upwards we saw that one of the glass walls was sliding down to reveal a pair of hover-car helicopters powering up.  Laine and I exchanged a glance, he whispered, "What do you think?"

I hesitated, "I don't think those would work in reality; they look too fragile."

Before he could respond, a small figure promptly ran into him.  The little boy looked frightened and confused when he registered us, he fearfully asked, "Are they after you too?"

Going with the dream-child, I nodded.  His eyes widened, "Adults have abilities too?"

I reassured him, "We sure do kid."

"We have to run then, before the hovercopters see you!" the kid yelled pulling on my arm.

The boy began to sprint at a pace that was impossibly fast; Laine and I struggled to keep up.  If kids had abilities, this boy's must have one of speed.  So this dream was about a government force hunting down kids with abilities?  Sounds like a decent book or movie idea.

Before long the boy led us into a hole in the side of one of the buildings, which dropped down into a chute.  We landed in a brightly lit area full of little kids.  I asked the boy, "Do you all have abilities?"

He nodded, "That's why we hide!  Don't you have to hide when you're adults?"

"It's a little different for us," answered Laine.

The little boy looked at us more closely.  "You're not like the rest of us, but I like you!"

He stepped away to join a group of children by a door.  I whispered to Laine, "Do you think we've seen enough?"

"I think so.  We don't need to stay while these children are hunted down."

My heart clinched at the thought of leaving these children here alone; I had to keep reminding myself that they weren't real, just the figment of some Californian's imagination.  This was the one aspect I disliked about being a Guardian, I got to attached to the dream people, and it was hard for me to leave them behind.  I reluctantly pulled out the Dreamcatcher and warped Laine and I back to Central.

I tried to push the kids out of my mind as Mom's voice came over the intercom, "Status Report?"

Seeing my face, Laine reported, "A class three, with a couple of hovercopters that can be used for an invention and a storyline about a world where only kids had special abilities that could be used for an entertainment idea."

"Thanks Laine dear, you two only have one more dream left before your shift is over."

I hooked the dreamcatcher to the wall, as Laine answered, "We'll get on it Mrs. Dray, and then we can have dinner at your place."

Mom giggled as Laine pulled me out of the room.  He sat me on the break room's couch, "You have to try to forget them Kana!  You can't do anything for them!"

I brushed tears angrily away from my eyes, "I know, but I can't help it!"

He sat next to me and lifted my chin I had to look into his eyes, "It's hard, but you have to remember that you can't help those dream children no matter what you do."

Taking in my silence, he sighed and dropped his hand.  He turned away, "I know you're stubborn Kana, but this is one thing you cannot change.  You just can't change the course of a dream; I've tried."

"You tried?  You actually tried to break the first rule?"

"I did, because of you.  You may not remember the dream, but it was about a kid getting run over about a car.  We knew it was going to happen and you turned away unable to watch.  I held the kid and he went through my hands.  It was like I wasn't even there, my hands actually passed through his skin.  It's not that you shouldn't change the course of the dream; it's impossible," his voice trailed off.

I quickly looked up to see that he had tears trickling down his face as well.  I reached up and wrapped my arms around him, pulling him into a tight embrace.  We shared a kiss before holding each other for a few minutes.  Eventually I pulled away, "We have to finish one more dream."

Laine smiled, "That we do."

He looked up our assignment on the screen, "Alright we have another one from North America.  Ready to go?"

"Not yet, I have one more thing I need to do first," I said as I stepped towards him.  I gave him another kiss before announcing, "Now I'm ready."

"Can't say that I don't like that needed preparation," he replied as he shot me a grin.

He held the door open for me as we stepped inside.  I took the dreamcatcher down from the wall as the room prepared for us to enter the dream.  I just needed to make it through one more and then I'll be done with this long shift, only one more.  With a nod, Laine grabbed hold of the rim and I transported us into the dream.

Plunged into complete, utter darkness I was unable to discern anything from our surroundings.  The back of my neck prickled, this wasn't just a dream.  My voice cracked, "Laine I think—"

"We're in a nightmare."  He swallowed loudly.

I felt for the dreamcatcher at my belt, but as expected it wasn't there.  I tried to squelch my panic at the thought that we could be stranded here and instead groped blindly for Laine's hand.  I hope that this was just a class four and that it wouldn't take it too long to run its course.  After a few minutes Laine said, "I think there's a light up ahead if you want to follow it."

"It's better than waiting here for something to attack us."

Laine tugged my arm forward and I willingly followed him, trying to keep my hearing sharp.  It was a blessing and a curse to have elfish pointed ears, because you can hear things creeping up on you, but then sometimes ignorance is best.  It wasn't long before I could hear something slithering up behind us.  Laine tensed and simultaneously we began to run.  Our footsteps thundered in the hallway, but the tumult was unable to cover slithering which seemed to echo with an intensity matching our dread.  Finally we were able to reach the source of light: an open door.  We ran through it, slamming the door behind us.  Surveying the area quickly I saw that there was nothing we could use to block the door, just an empty field with the door leading into the black abyss.

Exchanging glances with Laine, we both surged forward looking for cover while keeping an eye on the opening.  It wasn't long before something ran into the door with a gigantic crash.  Glancing over my shoulder, I saw the door was just barely hanging on its hinges but it did impede the monster.  As I watched a gigantic worm-like thing burst through.  The fiend opened a gaping mouth full of hundreds of razor sharp teeth releasing a cry that caused us to freeze in our tracts, unable to control our own bodies.  Something about that cry paralyzed our muscles into a painful stop.

The monster moved its head around in confusion until a breeze brushed past our paralyzed forms, cause the fiend to instantly lock unto our scent.  At that moment we regained control of our movements, allowing us to sprint away as the worm slinked after us.  The thing was over a hundred feet long and was incredibly fast.  Terrified I saw that we were now running on a neighborhood street.  Thinking of no better option I pulled Laine towards one of the houses, a brown suburban model.  As we neared it, someone yanked open the door and yelled for us to hurry.  Not needing the advice we sped up and barreled through the opening to be plunged into darkness once again.

Someone shouted in my ear, "Whatever you do, hold your breath!"

I instantly complied and found that this supposedly simple task was difficult to perform after a hard sprint, but somehow I was able to hold on as the monster flew past the house in search of its prey.  Eventually a light blared into being overhead as someone announced that it was safe.  The group let out a collective sigh of relief before they started murmering among themselves.

Laine's voice broke out over the din.  "Why did we need to hold our breath?"

Someone explained, "It can taste the fear on your breath, it's one of its best tracking methods."

I turned to the person who had spoken up: a teenaged girl with a long scar trailing down one cheek.

"They taste our fear?" I asked her.

She nodded.  "But we should be safe here now that they're gone."

I nodded somewhat distractedly as I looked over the room.  There was a single tunnel that led into an impenetrable darkness.  I pointed at it.  "Where does that lead?"

"We're not quite sure, but any person who dares go down that tunnel is never seen again."

I managed not to roll my eyes at the cliché.  Laine caught my eye and I knew he understood what we needed to do.  Without a word I grabbed his hand and headed down the tunnel.

"No don't go down there!"

I ignored the girl; the only way we could end this nightmare was to confront the heart of it directly, traveling where no one dared to go.  It was only there that we could end this nightmare and recover our dreamcatcher.   There was a chance that we wouldn't make it and be forever stranded here.  There was even the chance that we would die.  It wasn't an easy life, but it was certainly worth it.  It kept the world safe from its own dark imaginings.  It allowed humanity to dream.

My Comments

Ever wonder what happens to your dreams? Did they just disappear or are they out there somewhere lurking to reappear at a later time?

Remember dreamcatchers? I had one as a child, a gift from my grandfather. He told me that they would keep my nightmares at bay, by "catching" them.

What if all dreams end up in one catcher or another? What if it was someone responsibility to go through those dreams?

Consider this: dreams influence the past, present, and future. You’re probably thinking that of course they do, they impact those that actually had the dream that came from their subconscious. Maybe dreams are some subconscious telling, but that doesn’t have to be all. Once a dream is in a dreamcatcher, it sits in wait for someone to release it. Once released the dream goes back to the wakeful minds of the world in the form of inspiration; all ideas, all inventions, all forms of entertainment come from those dreams.

What about the nightmares? You don’t want just anything to influence the world’s creative minds.

That thought process inspired this piece.

I recently found this in my old files so I finished and polished it up a bit. The bulk of it was written in 2010.

Please tell me what you think! The Good, the bad, the ugly... and what are your thoughts on the importance of dreams?

Cinderella!

Here's a sketch of my version of Cinderella (as referenced in this previous blog entry Speak Now. 

  

I have this idea for a novel really where Cinderella didn't want to marry the prince. She was at the ball for vastly different reasons and got caught up in the whole marriage escapade.

Now it's her wedding day, the day that is supposed to be her "happily ever after" and she feels trapped. It's the moment right before she needs to walk down the aisle and she can't help but be struck with how beautiful it is outside. She steps towards the glass and reaches out her hand, wishing she could be a bird and take flight. A tear escapes, but she knows that she really doesn't have a choice in the matter. Now she is determined to see things through, even if her heart is torn to pieces.

All-American Girl

All American Girl 3.5 out of 5 stars
All-American Girl is the story of Sam Madison, a teenaged artist that has a bit of the rebel side.  The book details how her life is turned upside down when she saves the President from an assassination attempt.  She deals with her new-found identity, that cute boy in her art class, David, who just so happens to be the President's son, and her responsibilities as teen ambassador to the U.N.  I thought that this was a cute, fun read and I really enjoyed it when it first came out and liked it quite a bit when I reread it this time around.

Ready or Not 1 out of 5 Stars

Its "sequel" Ready or Not on the other hand, I cannot recommend.  This book reminded me of the importance of reading what a book is about before I purchase it.  I had just bought it because I remembered "oooh, there's a sequel right?  I'll buy it while I buy All-American Girl on my Nook".  But if I had just taken the time to read the little synopsis on the website, I would have saved myself the time and money.  The main plot of Ready or Not is sex and whether or not Sam thinks she is ready to have it at "almost seventeen".  This was an entire personality shift from the first book and I was extremely disappointed.  The next statement contains spoilers.   For me, sex is a very serious thing that needs to be considered before it's done.  The worst part of this book is that after all of this debate, Sam decides to not go through with it, after making "plans" with David.  While she's waiting to bear the bad news to David, she grows upset and confronts David, only to realize that the "plans" they had made were really a misunderstanding.  For a moment she felt relieved, but then she noticed that David looked "hot" so she decided to sleep with him anyway.  That honestly felt a little wishy-washy.  It made the entire debate of the book be decided on a whim.  Once I "finished" (I pretty much skimmed the last half of the book), I couldn't help but wonder "What was the point of this?"

The Invention of Hugo Cabret

4 out of 5 stars

This book provides a rather unique experience.  It's a rather quick read I'll admit, I finished the 533 page book in less than an hour.  This book is kind of hard to describe, but I'll take a stab at it.

I will quote the author for his most adequate description:  "So what is, "The Invention of Hugo Cabret" anyway? "... this is not exactly a novel, and it's not quite a picture book, and it's not really a graphic novel, or a flip book, or a movie, but a combination of all these things."

This book is an experience rather than I read.  It truly immerses you in the world of Hugo Cabret.  It opens your imagination and helps you delve into the world of the first films.  The one drawback is because of its style, characterization and plot somewhat lacks.  Overall, I would say that the experience is rather magical.

I've recently watched the movie based on this book and I would strongly recommend both.  They are not something that I would go back and read/watch multiple times through, but the enriching experience of that first through?  Definitely worth it!