Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets: A Review (Harry Potter #2)

Goodreads (Description):

All Harry Potter wants is to get away from the Dursleys and go back to Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. But just as he's packing his bags, Harry receives a warning from a strange, impish creature named Dobby - who says that if Harry Potter returns to Hogwarts, disaster will strike.

And strike it does. For in Harry's second year at Hogwarts, fresh torments and horrors arise, including an outrageously stuck-up new professor, Gilderoy Lockheart, a spirit named Moaning Myrtle who haunts the girls' bathroom, and the unwanted attentions of Ron Weasley's younger sister, Ginny.

But each of these seem minor annoyances when the real trouble begins, and someone--or something--starts turning Hogwarts students to stone. Could it be Draco Malfoy, a more poisonous rival than ever? Could it possibly be Hagrid, whose mysterious past is finally told? Or could it be the one everyone at Hogwarts most suspects... Harry Potter himself.

My Review:

When it comes to the movies, this one is my favorite. Honestly, I can't really tell you why, but it is. You see Harry after his first year at Hogwarts, his first year as a wizard and his willingness to come and tackle it head on once more.

As before, I loved this book. How can I not? I grew up with it, indulged in the incredible world of wizardry. During my return of this novel however, I really focused on Ginny Weasly.

Ginny. I had honestly forgot about her infatuation with Harry. At this point I questioned, did you have any idea you were going to end up with him?

Curious.

Also, Hagrid. I love that half-giant. This book and movie always amused me as Harry, Hermione, and Ron all got their answers from Hagrid. He's such an innocent being. I'm glad those three wizard musketeers always have him behind their backs.

Dobby is also a very intriguing character to me. I have always wondered what his motivation was. I forgot the explanation he gave in the book. Harry's very existence--the fact he sent the Dark Lord away--had improved the lives of many, especially house elves. Interesting, huh?

Truly, this is one great series. Diving into the Chamber of Secrets was so much fun. I have forgotten about the intricacies the books portray that we don't see in the movies. Peeves for one, that poltergeist is one huge cause for trouble with Harry. I wonder why they didn't include him, or even some of the interactions between Harry and Malfoy.

If you love magic, this is a must read. Not because it's one of the best selling series, but because it is truly an adventure and quite worth reading!

5 out of 5!

Life and Death: A Review

Goodreads (Description):

Celebrate the tenth anniversary of Twilight! This special double-feature book includes the classic novel, Twilight, and a bold and surprising reimagining, Life and Death, by Stephenie Meyer.

Packaged as an oversize, jacketed hardcover “flip book,” this edition features nearly 400 pages of new content as well as exquisite new back cover art. Readers will relish experiencing the deeply romantic and extraordinarily suspenseful love story of Bella and Edward through fresh eyes.

Twilight has enraptured millions of readers since its first publication in 2005 and has become a modern classic, redefining genres within young adult literature and inspiring a phenomenon that has had readers yearning for more. The novel was a #1 New York Times bestseller, a #1 USA Today bestseller, aTime magazine Best Young Adult Book of All Time, an NPR Best-Ever Teen Novel, and a New York Times Editor’s Choice. The Twilight Saga, which also includes New Moon, Eclipse, Breaking Dawn, The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner: An Eclipse Novella, andThe Twilight Saga: The Official Illustrated Guide, has sold nearly 155 million copies worldwide.

My Reivew:

I was genuinely surprised at how much I liked this book.

Stephanie Meyer has certainly made me love Bella as Beau and Edward as Edythe more than the original characters. Don't get me wrong, I loved the original story, but these characters were developed so much more and were far more interesting. They had more backing, more bone, and more substance.

Well, you know the story of Twilight (well, I'm assuming you do, but then again one should never assume). It was a great love story and made for some great laughs with the whole gender bending. I highly recommend reading this if you are a fan of the Twilight series or vampires in general.

This book is a stand alone. Meyer isn't going to complete the series, so you will find the ending to this book different than the original, but QUITE interesting.

I rather enjoyed it.

5 out of 5!

Endure: A Review (Defy #3)

Goodreads (Description):

At last, Alexa and King Damian are engaged to be married. But their lives are far from safe. The kingdom of Antion is under siege, and Rylan is a prisoner of the enemy. Even worse, Alexa remains at the mercy of the evil Dansiian Rafe, who controls her mind and can force Alexa to kill or harm Damian at any moment. Despite this, Alexa is determined to rescue Rylan, which soon leads her far from Damian and deep into enemy territory.

When she arrives, what awaits her is deadlier than anything she could have ever imagined: an army of black sorcerers and a horrifying plot to destroy the world as Alexa knows it. Will she be able to gather the strength to free herself, protect the love of her life, and save the land? Will there ever be true peace?

Acclaimed author Sara B. Larson has woven a stunning, romantic, and evocative finale to the Defy trilogy that is sure to leave readers breathless until the very last page.

My Review:

Tears. Tears were shed as I said goodbye to this series.

Sara B. Larson knows how to write characters I will fall in love with.

Alexa Hollen is strong, beautiful, and courageous. She has survived despite all odds. Her heart, though broken over many times, is strong. I love her determination and loyalty to ALL those she loves. She opens her heart easily and has a wonderful instinct when it comes to finding those who will help her along her journey. She has traversed through the darkest of trials and yet is still able to see the sunrise. Honestly, she one of the stronger female leads I've read about. Alexa doesn't wear her heart on her sleeve, but she also isn't afraid of showing her emotions. I love that about her. Too often, characters refuse to show what they really feel. This adventure with Alexa has been fun and one I doubt I'll forget.

Damian. I LOVE HIM! Not only is he a strong leader, kind, and brave, but he cares deeply for his subjects and is willing to do anything to ensure their survival and safety. He isn't a cowardly king who has his subjects do his work. Rather he stands beside his men and fights. I love how much he has grown, because he too has become willing to show how much he cares for those around him. Gone is the mask from the first book. Here is the man Damian has grown to be. And he is a wonderful king.

Again, there are more characters in this series, but I can't write more without spoiling this book. What I can say, is Alexa has to face more in this book than ever before. She faced evil King Armando and his horrible army of black sorcerers. Although she nearly died several times, she managed to fight back. She has stayed strong despite everyone around her falling. The things Alexa accomplished in this book, a majority of it on her own, was incredible and heartbreaking.

This book had many twists and turns and many heartbreaks, but I loved it.

This series, full of magic, betrayal, love, trust, bravery, compassion, and determination has taken hold of my heart. It's wonderful. (And may I just say the covers have been beautiful?)

5 out of 5!

GRAND FINALE: Trix and the Faerie Queen

On Tour with Prism Book Tours.

Review & Excerpt Tour Grand Finale for

Trix and the Faerie Queen

By Alethea Kontis

We hope you enjoyed hearing about Trix Woodcutter, who finally has his own adventure! If you missed any of the stops, go back and check them out now and read the first chapter of the book...

Launch - Welcome to Faerie

Trix Woodcutter and I invite you all to join us on this newest adventure. Trix and the Faerie Queen is filled with more talking animals than I ever thought I would write and a journey to a place from my dreams: Under the Hill, to the high seat of the Faerie Queen. There are so many characters in this story (Alastair is going to hurt me when he starts making notes for the audio)--I won’t tell you which one is my favorite. That is a choice you must make yourself.

Prism Book Tours - Excerpt: Chapter 1, Part 1

Most people with common sense would have remembered that gold did not float. Trix Woodcutter rarely qualified as “most people.”

“Trixie, you are a prize idiot,” he said to himself, because neither Peter nor Saturday were there to say it for him. He took a deep breath and dove hard.

Wishful Endings - Excerpt: Chapter 1, Part 2

“Perhaps our next attempt at swimming should be in a shallower pond,” she said when she caught her breath.

“Perhaps indeed. Thank you, friends!” Trix patted the heads of the turtles and bid them farewell before turning back to Lizinia. “I’m sorry. I did not think about the gold.”

Brooke Blogs - Excerpt: Chapter 1, Part 3

“What? Trix, you’re staring at me.”



“And here I thought the stars were amazing.”



“It’s not amazing. It’s just how I am.”



“Trust me,” said Trix. “To the rest of the world, you’re pretty amazing.”

Zerina Blossom's Books - Review

"Trix and the Faerie Queen, by Alethea Kontis, is just as awesome as the previous book, Trixter. I love these two of all the Books of Arriland most of all because they are so full of light and laughter, as opposed to the creepy dark magic in a few of the others. I also love how all the books tie together so perfectly."

deal sharing aunt - Excerpt: Chapter 1, Part 4

Trix held fast to Lizinia’s hand, but he did not move. The noise had happened, but he felt no vibrations beneath his feet. Not so much as a breath of wind stirred the leaves in the trees of the forest around them. He closed his eyes and searched inside himself for the Fear that Needa the spider had taught him about. There was a sort of…tingle…at the back of his neck and in his belly. This might have been the animal magic inside him telling him flee, but his instincts were still not strong enough to know where.

Goddess Librarian - Review

"Readers will enjoy the blossoming fairy tale friendship between Trix and his golden girl Lizinia. Their budding relationship is totally fairy tale--Lizinia is the perfect companion and Trix is completely appreciative of her talents. Fans of Arilland will be happy to see a couple of Trix's sisters and hear about more. Readers will be left clamoring for more at the end of the novel and eagerly await the next installment."

Becky on Books - Excerpt: Chapter 1, Part 5

“Have a care, Trix Woodcutter. It would not do to to have you falling to your death right when I need you most.”



Power. The woman’s voice that filled his ears was powerful. It reminded him of someone—a member of his family?—but he could not place it.

Colorimetry - Excerpt: Chapter 1, Part 6

The moment Trix put all the pieces together, he was too shocked to reply. What in the world did the Faerie Queen want with him? If this even was the world…on this grassy mound, surrounded by a ring of mushrooms. Even the mushrooms bowed, bonnets to the queen.

Mel's Shelves - Excerpt: Chapter 1, Part 7

“You are the Boy Who Talks to Animals,” she said. “And with the fey magic bound, anyone under the Hill with animal magic has been turned into a beast. They cannot talk to us, nor can they talk to each other. Soon there will be nothing but chaos, and such an imbalance can tear this world apart.” The Faerie Queen clasped her hands together as she made her plea. “I want to make you my Emissary, Trix Woodcutter. You must speak for the animals. Save Faerie. And save the world.”

A Backwards Story - Review of Trixter

"I'm really glad there's more than one book about Trix and his journey because the first book, TRIXTER, is novella-length and we don't spend nearly enough time with Trix or his new, gold-dipped friend Lizinia. . . . I love the way Trix is also at the center of an epic prophecy, as are many of the Woodcutters."

Amanda K Thompson - Review

Though not a long story, Trix & the Faerie Queen packs a powerful punch. It doesn't slow its pace for a moment as our lovable scamp Trix and his golden companion Lizinia fall into one scrape after another. We get the chance to reunite with some familiar faces, and to put faces with a few of the names we've heard about. And we finally get to go to Faerie. *squee!* . . . With the ending I am left with here, waiting even until fall for Alethea's next book seems far too long a wait.

Whatever - Special Author Interview

“TEHETHJO” is one heck of an acronym, but Alethea Kontis knows what it means, why it’s important, and how it relates to her new novel Trix and the Faerie Queen.

Thanks for visiting the fantasy world of Arriland! Don't forget to enter the giveaway below...

Trix and the Faerie Queen

(Books of Arriland #6)

by Alethea Kontis

YA Fantasy

Paperback & ebook, 210 Pages

March 28th 2016

Join Trix Woodcutter on an epic new animal-filled adventure!



Fey magic and animal magic: that troublemaking imp Trix Woodcutter has both, if not the ability to use them to their full potential. While traveling with his companion—the golden girl Lizinia—to see the King of Eagles, Trix is sent a vision of the Faerie Queen, who is in desperate need of his help. An evil sorceress has stormed Faerie and trapped all the fey magic under the Hill, leaving the Faerie Queen powerless! Trix’s talent for communicating with animals is desperately needed…but before he braves the wild world of Faerie he must arm himself, with nothing less than the bow and arrows of a god.



With the help of his gilded companion, her ghost-cat godfather, a blind brownie and a sister or two, the Boy Who Talks to Animals must befriend a mischievous leprechaun, best a wolf, and journey into the depths of Faerie to restore order and free the fey magic before the imbalance destroys the world.



Trix and the Faerie Queen is second in The Trix Adventures and sixth in the Books of Arilland.



Fans of the Woodcutter Sisters: Desperate to know what happened to Saturday and Peregrine after they found Trix at the end of HERO? Here’s your chance!

Goodreads│Amazon│Barnes & Noble

Other Books in the Series

Alethea Kontis is a princess, author, fairy godmother, and geek. Her bestselling Books of Arilland fairytale series won two Gelett Burgess Children’s Book Awards (Enchanted and Tales of Arilland), and was twice nominated for the Andre Norton Award. Alethea also penned the AlphaOops picture books, The Wonderland Alphabet, Diary of a Mad Scientist Garden Gnome, Beauty & Dynamite, The Dark-Hunter Companion (w/Sherrilyn Kenyon), and a myriad of poems, essays, and short stories. Princess Alethea lives and writes on the Space Coast of Florida with her teddy bear, Charlie. You can find her on her YouTube channel, all the social media, and at www.aletheakontis.com.

Website│Goodreads│Facebook│Twitter│YouTube

Tour Giveaway



3 copies of Trixter and Trix and the Faerie Queen (signed copies if US, ebooks if INT)

Ends April 15th



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Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone: A Review (Harry Potter #1)

Goodreads (Description):

Harry Potter thinks he is an ordinary boy. He lives with his Uncle Vernon, Aunt Petunia and cousin Dudley, who are mean to him and make him sleep in a cupboard under the stairs. (Dudley, however, has two bedrooms, one to sleep in and one for all his toys and games.) Then Harry starts receiving mysterious letters and his life is changed forever. He is whisked away by a beetle-eyed giant of a man and enrolled at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The reason: Harry Potter is a wizard! The first book in the "Harry Potter" series makes the perfect introduction to the world of Hogwarts.
My Review:

Now, now. Let me tell you. I have read and listened to this series many a time before. But, I decided it was time to listen to them once more.

Jim Dale, man. He's the BEST audio book reader I have ever listened to before. He makes voices for each of the characters, and gets so into their emotions too. I love it! I will never get tired of listening to his voice. Honestly, I would listen to any audio book done by him because he articulates so well.

Harry Potter. I know this is supposed to be a review, but honestly. This is one of my ultimate favorite series and has been since the minute I read the first book. My mother used to listen to Harry Potter in the car on road trips before I actually read the series for myself. I've grown up with Harry Potter and when the last book and movie came out I didn't know what to do with myself.

J.K. Rowling is an incredible author. This world of magic she has created still affects me today. I love her character development.

Harry faced Hogwarts head on, ready to learn about this secret world he's never known. It was nerve racking, but he still went for it. He stood bravely before Professor Quill and Voldemort. He is the epitome of bravery.

Hermione is awesome. She is incredibly smart naturally and because she works so hard at it. Funny thing is, up at school, my classmates have nicknamed me Hermione because they know how hard I study and work for my good grades. I consider it an honor. Growing up I always looked up to Hermione. Without her, Harry and Ron would have probably died.

Ron. Gotta love him. He gets riled up real easy, but he's fantastic and has a great heart. He may act like a wimp at times, but he too has a heart of bravery. I love his loyalty.

Neville. Considering how I know the series end and how all the characters grow up, I was quite interested in Neville this book. In all honesty, I believe he has done the most character growth. Harry, Ron, and Hermione expand in the characteristics they already have, but Neville gains more throughout the series. Seeing him in the beginning was a sure sign of just how much growth he has done.

It was fun to see Dumbledore too. I forget how odd and fun he is. The movies don't do it justice. I love it though, to see the fun side of him before it all gets so serious.

I just...I love this series and it makes me beyond happy to revisit it.

I got the illustrated version of this book for Christmas. And I hope to collect them all.

5 out of 5!