Savvy Thinker » Paranormal http://savvythinker.com thinking about life, playing with makeup Sun, 12 Feb 2012 10:15:26 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Harry Potter spoilers here in comment section, not in main post http://savvythinker.com/harry-potter-spoilers-here-in-comment-section-not-in-main-post/ http://savvythinker.com/harry-potter-spoilers-here-in-comment-section-not-in-main-post/#comments Tue, 13 Dec 2011 10:58:27 +0000 Karin http://savvythinker.com/2007/07/25/harry-potter-spoilers-here-in-comment-section-not-in-main-post/

For those of us who would like to discuss the book without spoiling it for those who haven't read it, use the comment section to this post. It can only be read by clicking on the comments, so if you haven't read the book, come back to this section later!

What parts of the book did you find interesting? believable? scary? did you like what happens to the characters, the one(s) who die/don't die? how about the epilogue?

Karin

Originally posted 2007-07-25 17:25:17.

Online Stores ]]> http://savvythinker.com/harry-potter-spoilers-here-in-comment-section-not-in-main-post/feed/ 11 Review: Sparkle Aromaleigh Twilight Supernatural powder http://savvythinker.com/review-sparkle-aromaleigh-twilight-supernatural-powder/ http://savvythinker.com/review-sparkle-aromaleigh-twilight-supernatural-powder/#comments Mon, 24 Oct 2011 04:22:16 +0000 Karin http://savvythinker.com/?p=2125

Are you going to New Moon when it premieres?
Are you going to sparkle?

The story behind the story
A few weeks ago on Aromaleigh's forum, for theme week, it was my turn to suggest the week's theme. I was telling Book Girl, and she suggested having a Vampire Week, based on the movie Twilight, and the book series.

So that's what I suggested. I suggested doing a vampire look based on Twilight, using any colors, so long as their skin sparkled in sunlight, which is easy to do with Aromaleigh.

Many entered into the spirit of it, even if they hadn't heard of the book(s) or movie. That particular theme week had 1582 views and 74 responses, to date. Even Kristin, the founder of Aromaleigh, contributed a look.

And then Kristin developed three powders based on Twilight.

The Twilight DVD came out at midnight Friday night, and we were there -- in two cities! Book Girl was out of town.

Twilight Sparkle supernatural powder
This is the first one I've tried in this set of three. The glitter is very fine and shows up on my hand. On my face, it is a very sheer, sheeny look, not a glimmer look. My own mix is more sparkly, though there is more sparkle in the AL. I applied it with a FO brush.

Twilight Sparkle contains distinct shimmering iridescent glimmers. In the sunlight or under bright light, it shimmers like radiant tiny diamonds. Apply over skin that you have applied lotion to (preferably with a high SPF, of course!), the effect is even more pronounced, and the product will stay longer on your skin. Twilight Sparkle may slightly lighten your skin, but it is formulated to be suitable for many skintones, in a transparent base.

FOTD
I chose to wear it in my FOTD today in honor of the DVD debut.
Photobucket

Tomorrow I will show a second powder which you can find here.

Karin

Originally published March 22, 2009

Originally posted 2009-11-17 15:42:41.

Online Stores ]]> http://savvythinker.com/review-sparkle-aromaleigh-twilight-supernatural-powder/feed/ 5 Review Ghost Story by Jim Butcher http://savvythinker.com/review-ghost-story-by-jim-butcher/ http://savvythinker.com/review-ghost-story-by-jim-butcher/#comments Thu, 06 Oct 2011 10:46:23 +0000 Karin http://savvythinker.com/?p=7896

If you're like me, you've been waiting for the latest episode of the Dresden Files, and this does not disappoint. Butcher has knocked it out of the park again, along with assorted baddies of every ilk.

The story
At the end of the last book, Dresden was shot and dying by drowning.

In this book Dresden is a shade in the spirit world. He is given the task of going back, still a shade, to find out who killed him. And you can be sure there are a few surprises.

And to make it even more interesting, he has no magic powers and no staff. Unless he can figure out how to access magic, he is pretty well toast.

Butcher's imagination is in high gear, with situations and critters running amok.

The characters

All your favorite characters are here -- Murphy, Morty, Bob, Molly, Thomas, Kincaid... and each has an important part. And no one is quite sure that Harry is really Harry, and perhaps he isn't -- he is a shade of himself, which is not quite the same, evidently, as being a ghost. Additionally there are characters that aren't so well liked, such as Mab.

And there is a walking, talking statue, thousands of other shades who join the battles ... and... Butcher's imagination, as I said, is in high gear.

Along the way there are interesting metaphysical concepts and a whole gamut of other ideas.

Have you read it? or any of his books in this series or in his other series?
Now where is the next book! I got this from the library.

I give this 4 stars out of 4.

Karin
www.savvythinker.com




Kindle 3 Kindle 3 Paypal US $75.00 6d 20h 55m
Online Stores ]]> http://savvythinker.com/review-ghost-story-by-jim-butcher/feed/ 0 New Moon (The Twilight Saga, Book 2) http://savvythinker.com/new-moon-the-twilight-saga-book-2/ http://savvythinker.com/new-moon-the-twilight-saga-book-2/#comments Thu, 21 Jul 2011 20:13:00 +0000 Karin http://savvythinker.com/2008/06/02/new-moon-the-twilight-saga-book-2/

Twilight is the second book in Stephanie Meyer's saga about Edward, Bella and Jacob. One thing I like about finding this series when the last book is about to be published, is that I get to read the story quicker. And anyone who knows me, knows I like to read the ending first -- though I wouldn't read the last book first to read the ending -- I just read the ending of each book first. I'm so bad! Still, I like that I don't have to wait very long to read book 4, which is coming out soon.

Meyer states in a video interview on Amazon that book 4 will close the story, but she doesn't eliminate the idea that she might write more of this type. Her next book after this is sci fi.

If Twilight is about finding true love, and New Moon is about losing true love, then Eclipse is about choosing true love. Stephanie Meyer

In this book Bella's father encourages her to date Jacob, since Edward has taken off for parts unknown, and Bella is a wreck because of it. Jacob has his own problems, known to Bella, but unknown to her father. Edward, who still loves Bella, has the idea that he must protect her from himself and from the life she would lead (or not lead) as a vampire.

Along the way the reports of her death are greatly exaggerated; we learn more of Alice's power and its limitation; Edward decides to offer himself up as a vampire sacrifice to the vamps in Italy (who are not animal vamps) since he can't imagine living without Bella; Bella has to go to his rescue; we learn more of the back stories of the other vamps; and...and...and...

We know it will turn out good, since there is still book 3 (and book 4).

I found the book a little contrived. The story was interesting. Let's just get on with it! I give it a 2.5.

What do you give it? On to book 3...

Karin

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Originally posted 2008-06-02 12:44:58.

Online Stores ]]> http://savvythinker.com/new-moon-the-twilight-saga-book-2/feed/ 0 Review Syren by Angie Sage (Septimus Heap) http://savvythinker.com/review-syren-by-angie-sage-septimus-heap/ http://savvythinker.com/review-syren-by-angie-sage-septimus-heap/#comments Sat, 28 May 2011 13:31:07 +0000 Karin http://savvythinker.com/?p=7791

Syren is the 5th book is the Septimus Heap series. The author has created an interesting set of characters with an interesting world (and various time frames.)

My only complaint
My only complaint is also what I like about the books: they are complex. You can't really read the ending too early, because it won't make a lot of sense until you get there. And you can't do a whole lot of skimming as you will miss something that will matter down the road.

The story line doesn't really flow from A to B, because sometimes the time frames don't either.

And new characters with new milieus show up to confuse the issue.

You almost need a chart to keep the peripheral characters in line -- and sometimes they become more major.

The characters
This book has the usual well-loved characters: Marcia, the ExtraOrdinary Wizard; Sep (of course!); Jenna, the princess; Beetle, their friend; the dragon; Snorri; Nicko; a lighthouse keeper who is part cat; a few ghosts; an army of non-thinking jini; various baddies of different degrees, living, dead, and magyical.

The storyline
The storyline is freely adapted from the idea of the Siren who lures sailors to their deaths.

The confusion begins when Sep refuses to take a living SafeCharm from a young boy who was given it by Sep's aunt, the Keeper. Of course, Sep doesn't know it was really from someone he would trust, because the last time he took something, it turned out to be a Queste marker. So Sep is off and flying minus what might have helped him.

And the safe charm has been programmed to belong only to Sep. Remember the young man who thought he was Sep but is not? He, of course, claims to be Sep when he releases the charm. And let the confusion begin anew!

Have you read this? or any of the series?
I got my copy from the library. I give it 3*** out of 5***** as I just had a hard time getting into it, but I like Septimus, for sure. It wasn't my favorite of all the books, but I couldn't really tell you why. I'm looking forward to the next book.

It is available for Kindle:

Karin
www.savvythinker.com

Kindle 3 Kindle 3 Paypal US $75.00 6d 20h 55m


Online Stores ]]> http://savvythinker.com/review-syren-by-angie-sage-septimus-heap/feed/ 0 Review: The Ghost and the Goth by Stacey Kade http://savvythinker.com/review-the-ghost-and-the-goth-by-stacey-kade/ http://savvythinker.com/review-the-ghost-and-the-goth-by-stacey-kade/#comments Sat, 14 May 2011 01:45:15 +0000 Karin http://savvythinker.com/?p=7767

First, I really enjoyed The Ghost and the Goth. [I got it from the library.] It was very clever and very funny, with a lot of heart, even if the subject matter could have been macabre. I give it 4**** out of 5*****. In some ways this reminds me of Ghost with Whoopi Goldberg, because there are definitely comedic aspects to it.

For sheer volume of subjects discussed in an engaging, non-didactic manner, it is a winner.
And this is just the tip of the iceberg (the list reads like a soap opera):
Death of a high school student
Another student in a coma
Vindictive high school principal
Friendship of high school students
High school guy who is a player
High school cliques
Alcoholism in an adult
Divorce
Possible mental illness
Malpractice by a mental health provider
Fundamentalist minister father (not much written about him)
Lesbianism
Suicide of a father
Ability to hear the dead and in some cases see them
Life after death from a secular, not religious, angle
Ouija board that definitely backfires

The story
Alona Dare, girl extraordinaire, is definitely not having her best day. She leaves school and as she is on the phone, gets hit by a school bus full of band geeks. And just that quick, she is dead. But not gone.

Enter Will Killian, another student at the school, who has the gift of sight, as had his father, and possibly his grandmother. He has to keep it under control or every ghost within his radius tries to contact him in a cacophony of sound to do something for them. He has an IEP [Individualized Educational Program] [A written statement for each individual with a disability that is developed, reviewed, and revised in accordance with Title 42 USC Section 1414(d).] [The principal should not have been allowed to do what he did. Not everyone knows to fight for this.] which allows him to have an iPod to drown out the voices. But the principal takes it away from him and delights in putting him in detention. But that's not the least of it. If Will can't keep some semblance of control over the voices he hears, his unscrupulous shrink wants him in a locked down residential facility for schizophrenics because no one can hear ghosts, can they. Will is not a Goth, but he is seen that way.

Alona has a lot of questions (in common with most of the ghosts): why is she still hanging around? what must she do to go forward? how does she find the light? why does she keep disappearing? Will is the one to help her find the answers -- and she helps him keep the other ghosts at bay.

She says he is hers -- and when she claims him, she becomes his spirit guide. (I thought this was one thing that was really clever.) All the ghosts have to go through her to get to him, as far as asking him to do something for them in order to move them forward and complete the work they thought they left unfinished.

Will has figured some of it out: the more negative a ghost is, the more the ghost disappears. If a ghost totally disappears, they don't reappear, but who knows where they went. To stay intact as a ghost, the ghost must speak something positive that he or she really means.

And then there is Joonie who helps Will as much as she can. And both are concerned about their friend Lily who is in a coma. That story heats up too and is intertwined in the rest of the story.

So how can the book be so much fun?
Good question, but it is. It is written in alternating chapters of Will and Alona. There is definitely humor, a lot of it. I genuinely liked the characters.

There are some very funny scenes where Will confronts the principal with info from the principal's deceased grandfather who Will can hear. And of course, once the grandfather knows he is heard, that opens the door to other ghosts wanting to be heard.

There are funny and touching scenes where Will is talking to a ghost that no one else can see and has to make the convo have some sort of sense to those who are overhearing it.

And there are a lot of truisms thrown in

See, here's the bullshit about high school, and believe me, I've had plenty of time to think about this. Teachers, parents, guidance counselors...all of them are always pushing this crap about how it's okay to be different, just be yourself. Don't give in to peer pressure, blah, blah, blah. The truth is, it's really only okay to be yourself if that self is within an accepted range of 'normal.' p 23 (Will, thinking while confronted by the principal)

What I liked
The strong friendship that develops between Will and Alona; the idea of forgiveness; the humor; the suspense that you know will turn out OK; that one continues to live after death; the clever asides in the internal voices; the good spirited nature of most of it; the high school milieu, including certain lunch room seating that indicates what tier of popularity you are in; the growth in the characters, even those on the other side, as they learn; finding a way out of the impasse both in the spirit world and the earthly world; a lot of the ideas which make sense and are clever; that the mothers (finally) come through for their children, even if after death, when they seemed weak.

What I didn't like
I didn't see that there had to be a lesbian in the story for it to work. And then I didn't like some of the negative aspects surrounding how the girl (and the lesbianism) was handled, including how her family treats her (which might not be too far off from truth, for some.) I don't want to give away any of the story. This is a young adult book and there is no sex in it. But there are a couple of hetero kisses and one kiss that is mentioned.

It is available for Kindle:

There is a second book, which I will read.

Have you read this book or its sequel?
I give the author a lot of credit for being able to discuss the subjects with some semblance of objectivity with an interesting story that didn't seem to have an agenda. I disliked the books my kids had to read in early years that dealt with tough subjects, which at their age were better discussed by a parent, if the parent would, IMO, that were so didactic, the story got lost. And if a young child were dealing with that issue IRL, I didn't think they would want to read about it. They would want to read something to help them escape from it.

Karin
www.savvythinker.com

Kindle 3 Kindle 3 Paypal US $75.00 6d 20h 55m



Online Stores ]]> http://savvythinker.com/review-the-ghost-and-the-goth-by-stacey-kade/feed/ 1 Review: MetaGame by Sam Landstrom (Kindle Edition) http://savvythinker.com/review-metagame-by-sam-landstrom-kindle-edition/ http://savvythinker.com/review-metagame-by-sam-landstrom-kindle-edition/#comments Mon, 09 May 2011 04:20:43 +0000 Karin http://savvythinker.com/?p=5643

I decided to order MetaGame (Kindle Edition) by Sam Landstrom because at the time I was looking for free Kindle books (it is now $1.69) and it sounded interesting. I am normally not a sci-fi or fantasy fan, so that's my caveat.

To date 41 readers at Amazon rate this book 4 1/2 stars out of 5, so I figured what did I have to lose? Landstrom says he reads all the comments at Amazon.

If you could imagine 1984 ramped up to 3012 or whatever year this is supposed to take place, you might get a feel for the book. It is very imaginative and clever in the way it skewers so many things we see today. But much of the story, for me, is distasteful, even though the story is well presented.

Several people said they couldn't put it down. I had a hard time finishing it, but wanted to stay with it for the cleverness.

Life is a game, literally. Winners earn immortality, while losers are condemned to aging and death. D_Light, a gifted player, knows this all too well and he's willing to do anything to win-even kill. It is no wonder then that when given the chance to enter a MetaGame-an exclusive, high-stakes, anything goes contest-he-s quick to jump at the opportunity. The MetaGame starts out well enough for D_Light, the first quest being to hunt down a dangerous fugitive, but through his own ambition, the tables turn and D_Light finds himself the renegade. Now, D_Light pits himself against his world to find the truth behind -The Game- and must decide between winning it and saving what-s left of his humanity.

This 122,000 word (~400 page) novel blends emerging political and cultural trends, such as gaming culture, globalization, and the ever-increasing hegemony of corporations, with technological trends, such as genetic engineering, artificial intelligence, and virtual reality. Emerging from this stew is an original world for you to explore through the point of view of its many "players". Amazon

Life is literally a game with players of different levels who are adulated by their fans as their fan base gets bigger.

Clever word play is a way of getting us into the world. Grinders ... perving (sex) of which one can perv anyone since procreation isn't tied into perving (D Light finds he no longer appreciates that aspect of perving anyone) -- and of course, terms 'mother' and 'father' are used loosely as one is not raised in a family situation... Words that are used in similar but different ways: angels that go after demons, neither of which quite fit today's definitions of the words. An Oversoul ... and people who exclaim, Oh, Soul (for our Oh, God) or Soul!

Within a very few pages, we have jumped into an alternate world, but one we can easily imagine when we think of the 1984 culture which we see prevalent in many forms today. Landstrom has managed to critique today's society in the way that 1984 did.

Some players have familiars (again used in a different way) that take animal forms, but are essentially a product similar to a walking computer with the ability to travel faster, see farther and report back to the player. Additionally the familiar is able to monitor the player's state of mind and offer immediately various mind altering substances that are controlled by the familiar.

Add in the mix the ability to do brain links as well as communicate telepathically due to all the enhancement engineering, and systems within systems, and you get the idea...

D_Light's familiar manages to warn him of poison seconds ahead of an attack, and we are off and running. So is D_Light, who finds himself recruited by his 'Mother' who was the one who sent the attacker, who happened to be her favorite, in the first place. He is recruited because he is expected to be expendable, but he is more clever than they expected. Or is he?

Meantime there are twists and turns in a game that has 4 quests. Along the way we ponder: what is human? can a product become human? is a human the highest form of humanity? and how does one become immortal?

Along the way: what is loyalty? is there any loyalty? do loyalties change and for what reason?

And how does one find out that one's entire view of the world is a mental construct, perhaps not in one's best interests? then, what does one do with that information?

My take
It was very hard for me to get through. If I were reading this in a paper book, I would have done my usual of skipping ahead to see where it was going, instead of slogging through the pages. But because it was so clever, I kept on.

I can't say I liked it. But I didn't like 1984 either, and this is a better story. I would have preferred a different ending, but the actual ending is a twist in itself. The pre-ending was less than satisfying for me, but it set up the ending, which is clever.

4* for cleverness
2* because I didn't like it...which is sort of unfair as this isn't my genre.

I suspect it will become a classic.

Do you like sci-fi?
Then likely you would like this book.

Have you read it?

Karin
www.savvythinker.com

Originally posted 2009-11-14 10:29:01.

Online Stores ]]> http://savvythinker.com/review-metagame-by-sam-landstrom-kindle-edition/feed/ 0 Review How to Flirt with a Naked Werewolf by Molly Harper http://savvythinker.com/review-how-to-flirt-with-a-naked-werewolf-by-molly-harper/ http://savvythinker.com/review-how-to-flirt-with-a-naked-werewolf-by-molly-harper/#comments Wed, 30 Mar 2011 19:16:46 +0000 Karin http://savvythinker.com/?p=7671

Please welcome guest reviewer Lara:

How to Flirt with a Naked Werewolf is a fun book, especially if you like the genre of werewolves. For the most part, it is not a genre that I read, but it is good to branch out once in a while. It was loaned to me by a friend.

There was a lot I liked in this book
Set in Alaska, Molly Harper does a good job of setting up the locale and the reason for her heroine Mo's move to the far north. She needs to get away from her overbearing parents' influence. The saloon/cafe where Mo finds work has a cast of peripheral characters that are well developed and likable.

The werewolves
Quite a few werewolves are introduced. They each have a personality and an agenda, some are more overt than others.

The book falls into the ubiquitous genre of werewolves/vamps/and etc. but carves out a niche a little bit different.

What I didn't like as much
I thought from the title and the book jacket that the book would be funnier than it was. it actually is quite serious in many respects, and includes finding the errant werewolf(ves) who are murdering (gruesomely but off page) seemingly without reason, leaving no clues.

Cooper, the hero of the story and a werewolf, has a backstory that isn't introduced until later in the book. I expected it to be detailed earlier. His motivations, fears, and purpose are explored in some detail, but it left me puzzling through parts of the story, wondering just what his motivation was. He is afraid that he is the one doing the murdering. He is certainly capable of it. He saves Mo more than once.

The jacket says that Mo finds a naked guy with a bear trap clamped to his ankle on her porch -- and I expected that in the first few pages. Instead it came up much later in the story.

I got tired of the various clever entendres on werewolfisms -- babies are pups; etc. OTOH, some of the entendres were so clever I actually had to laugh.

I didn't appreciate the (somewhat and sometimes) rough sex between Mo and Cooper, though this book is not erotica. It fell into imagining what it might be like if you were a woman in relations with a man who is also a werewolf. Personally, it is not something I want to contemplate!

So how do I rate the book?
I give it 2* out of 4* because of my dislikes, but I give it 4* for characterization. If this is a genre you like to read, you'd give it at least 3.5*. So there you have it: try it, it might be just your thing!

It is also available for Kindle

Lara
www.savvythinker.com

Kindle 3 Kindle 3 Paypal US $75.00 6d 20h 55m


Online Stores ]]> http://savvythinker.com/review-how-to-flirt-with-a-naked-werewolf-by-molly-harper/feed/ 0 Review: Wicked Appetite by Janet Evanovich http://savvythinker.com/review-wicked-appetite-by-janet-evanovich/ http://savvythinker.com/review-wicked-appetite-by-janet-evanovich/#comments Tue, 22 Feb 2011 13:43:43 +0000 Karin http://savvythinker.com/?p=7599

Wicked Appetite has many good things going for it. I liked the magic elements and the relationship between Diesel and Elizabeth Tucker. I liked the various clever use of the ideas attached to this book. (I got it from the library, since I generally like her books.)

But ditch the monkey!

The premise
There are seven stones representing the seven deadly sins: pride, greed, lust, envy, wrath, sloth, and gluttony. As you can imagine, this one deals with gluttony -- and has many funny and clever aspects to it.

The stones have been hidden because of their corrupting influence. When they are all together, they give great power.

So Gerwulf (Wulf) Grimoire is on the hunt. He is able to de-materialize in a puff of smoke. And he can leave burn marks with his fingers, as well as cause spontaneous combustion. On his tail, or perhaps in front of him, is his cousin Diesel, the good guy, sent to get the stone first and protect Elizabeth, since she is one of the ones with power to recognize the stone(s.) Only she is unaware of her abilities, until he shows up.

Lots of good points
After all, this is Janet Evanovich.

Ditch the monkey
I didn't enjoy reading about the monkey, his antics, or etc. They took up way too much band width for no discernible reason, even if Diesel did make the comment that he had known him in another life.

To me, it was an excuse not to write more of the story.

Seriously, if it were not Janet Evanovich, would this story have been published without removing the monkey?

One eyed Ninja Cat
I'd like to know more about this Cat. Perhaps I missed something in other books that I have not read. A little more explanation would have made the Cat more of a character.

My take
Because of the monkey, I give the book 2** out of 5.

Have you read the book?
I really enjoyed the parts I liked. And I look forward to the other books in the series.

Did you like the monkey? I stand corrected, if you did.

Buy: Wicked Appetite

Buy: Wicked Appetite (Kindle version)

Karin
www.savvythinker.com




Online Stores ]]> http://savvythinker.com/review-wicked-appetite-by-janet-evanovich/feed/ 0 Review: Of Two Minds, young adult book http://savvythinker.com/review-of-two-minds-young-adult-book/ http://savvythinker.com/review-of-two-minds-young-adult-book/#comments Tue, 11 Jan 2011 08:55:52 +0000 Karin http://savvythinker.com/?p=3629

Book Girl told me I'd like this book. She was right. It really is quite cute for a young adult book. It's a collaboration between two writers Carol Matas and Perry Nodelman. Both have written other books.

Lenora is a young, headstrong girl, about to marry Coren. They are both from royal families.

Lenora has a gift of being able to turn her imagination into reality. Everyone in her community has this gift, but they have all agreed not to use it, except, of course, for Lenora.

Coren's gift, and that of his entire community, is the ability to read minds -- to enter a mind to talk there, without using his voice.

The story is how they find each other. Coren follows Lenora into her adventure, rescues and is rescued. She learns the damage her gift can do and learns to temper it.

I found the first part of the book more interesting, with lively convos and asides. The latter dragged a bit for me.

Still, it is a fun book to read. There are assorted trolls, fairies, little people -- and those who are made invisible (and caused to become visible again by Lenora and Coren) by the evil dictator Hevek.

Enjoy!

Karin

Originally posted 2009-05-31 16:15:29.

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