School, WoW, and Writing

I'm supposed to be doing my History Writing assignment but I find myself procrastinating and distracting myself a LOT. ^^;; I'll get to it eventually. I've come to find that no one really reads this place other than maybe Jaunae and Dafne. Based on his reaction to Eagle Eye it seemed pretty clear that Yancy may have never read my review on here. Oh well. It was discouraging at first but I've decided that even if I am the only one reading this thing I'll still keep up with it. If anything it's a way to help me flex my creative writing muscles. I mean, sure, it would be great if I had a fraction of Yancy's traffic and feedback so that I could improve but that's alright. I'll just have to keep at it and self teach myself... or something.

Most of my procrastination was thanks to World of Warcraft. I've leveled up my Blood Elf, Faellynn, up to level 37-almost-38 with her pet Mayne following suit. And I'm happy to say that I think I'll be ready to write her first Quest Log in here very soon. ^_^ I've decided to title it Faellynn's Quest Log appropriately and then number it depending on her

 level. So the very first log I'll write will be numbered like this: Faellynn's Quest Log 37.1 where the first number is her level and the number after the decimal point will be the number of the entry. What I haven't decided on yet is that as she levels should I keep the second number increasing [[37.1, 37.2, 38.3]] or if I should start over [[37.1, 37.2, 38.1]]. So if anyone reads this just give me a heads up as to what will be less confusing and easier to follow. Keep in mind that I will always, of course, attach the appropriate labels to each post listing the game and character name.

I hope to get those WoW Logs up and running soon and on a semi-regular basis. Another thing I hope to be writing soon is the re-write for Mina; I'm starting to have doubts about whether she should discover her powers through a traumatic experience. Discovering powers will be hard enough but to have her deal with something that would scar anyone for life may be too much. Plus, since it might turn out to be my fist story, I don't want to bite off more than I can chew. So her discovery-story may be changing. I haven't decided yet. I'm also in the works of creating a new character to that series. I'm most excited to find a discovery-story for her because, so far, her power is my favorite. ^___^ Her name shall be Seraiah. But sadly, I have to get back to my school work. Classes end early December, so I can't slack off now. 

Full Moon (O Sagashite) Vol. 1

Title: Full Moon (O Sagashite)

Story & Art by: Arina Tanemura

Company: Shojo Beat Manga

Rating: T for Teen [Due to Themes of Death]

Manga Synopsis: A bitter-sweet tale of puppy love, tragedy, and aspirations of pop star fame. A spark of hope ignites to a blaze in twelve-year-old Mitsuki Koyama when a comical pair of magical beings appear to prove to her that dreams really do come true. 

Volume One Plot: Young Mitsuki loves singing and dreams of becoming a pop star. Unfortunately, a malignant tumor in her throat prevents her from pursuing her passion. However, her life turns around when two surprisingly fun-loving harbingers of death appear to grant Mitsuki a temporary reprieve from her illness and give her singing career a magical push start.

Now I know the main plots sound a little stale, but I have read many other bad synopsis that turned out to be interesting mangas. So I figured I'd give Full Moon a fair chance; Death, tumors, magical beings? Sounds good to me.

Yea. Not so much.

The story tells of Mitsuki's dream of singing. Her tumor causes pain for her whenever she speaks--let alone sings--too loudly. She then meets two Shikigami (same idea as Grim Reapers only they are crossed with animals **like they get wings or cat ears etc** for some reason) who inform her that she only has a year to live. Upon hearing this, Mitsuki feels more determined than ever to accomplish her dream before her time is done. Her new "friends" enchant her to have the appearance--and health--of a sixteen-year-old so that she can go out into a singing competition to be the next up and coming pop star.

For a story that centers around the fact that the main character is going to DIE in a year.... it's pretty goofy O_o.
There's really no real drama or seriousness in the story. I'm all for humor but you have GOT to have a balance. ESPECIALLY if the main character is facing death. 

The characters are almost always laughing about something (again, odd due to the theme) and our so-called Harbingers of Death are not the least bit intimidating. I realize it's a manga, so the cross over of human with animal ears/tails is common, but Tanemura didn't give them any depth, any essense.

Ironic of me to say, I know.

The story had all the makings for some potential but Tanemura didn't take it seriously at all.

I'm pretty sure Full Moon Vol. 1 will be the first and last volume I'll pick up.

Full Moon (O Sagashite) 0 out of 5 stars.

Incantation

Title: Incantation

Author: Alice Hoffman

Genre: Teen/Historical Fiction

Synopsis: Estrella de Madrigal thought she knew herself: daughter, granddaughter, dearest friend. But truth is rare in this cruel and unforgiving century in Spain, when Jews who refused conversion to Christianity risked everything--love, life, family, faith.
Then: a startling discovery shakes Estrella's world to the core. Emerging from a cocoon of secrets, new love burns brightly, but betrayal unleashes a monstrous evil upon her. Estrella must find the strength--despite grave consequences--to become the person she is destined to be. Remember the story she is about to tell you.

This book was Fan-Tastic. It was really unique from anything else I've read. A pure example of the phrase "short but sweet".

The story is told from Estrella's point of view, a teenage girl in Old Spain facing a horror that isn't actually well-known. I think this is the first historical fiction I've ever read, and I have to tell you, I'm deeply considering picking up more by this author.

The author, Alice Hoffman, wrote exquisitely. She was descriptive, questioning, emotional, secretive, and honest. She brought all her characters, especially Estrella, to life. I never wanted to put the book down. 

Estrella

Poor Estrella. I fell in love with this character. I just think she was written beautifully... Her thoughts were always honest and graceful in a way. You really come to care for her and her family's safety as you read the story.

Catalina

Catalina is Estrella's best friend since childhood, but all that comes to change as Estrella sees more and more into Catalina's true nature.

I believe everyone knows someone like Catalina. A great friend at first but then her true values and questionable motivations are revealed. 

Her character is really impressive. A revived example that villains don't have to have powers to do great damage. 

Incantation was an extremely enjoyable read. Recommended (and rated) for anyone and everyone.

Incantation, 4 out of 5 stars.

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Next Reading Choice: This is All: The Pillow Book of Cordelia Kenn

Comings...

I finished up reading Incantation and will be reviewing it soon as I can. Not this weekend though because my man's birthday is tomorrow and I'm taking him somewhere awesome to celebrate ^_^ ((Yes I'M taking HIM, although it took FOREVER to convince him)). Then Sunday is our Ninth Month Anniversary ^_____________^ 

So, yes, busy weekend for me -^^-

Before I pick up my next novel choice, which I haven't picked yet, I'm catching up on my Chibi Vampire mangas. I had picked up Volumes 9 & 10 months ago and never got a chance to read them and by now have forgotten where I left off.

So I read Vol. 1 today and started Vol. 2.

I'll catch up soon enough, they're quick reads ^_^ I had a thought to review each volume on here but then realized that since I breeze through mangas so quickly I would have to post like every two hours or so.

However I picked up the first volume to a manga I never read before but sells well where I work, Full Moon.

Maybe I'll review that one.

Also, I'm starting to create a new character in the "Powers" Series. I still have to rewrite Mina but I can't help but think up of new ideas ^_^

I HOPE to be writing a Quest Log for my World of Warcraft character Faellynn soon.

It sucks.

My writer's block is finally ending and I have no time to enjoy it. ^^;;