*BLOG TOUR RELEASE BLITZ* The Artful by: Wilbert Stanton + Giveaway

Synopsis

New York City, 2025: Everything is changed. The city that never sleeps is now a land of death and decay. A rampant virus has taken over and the survivors have become carriers, quarantined from the rest of the world.

Twist and Dodger grew up in the streets, the sewers and underground tunnels – their playground. They aren’t heroes. They just like attention; and stealing meds from the rich and giving them to the poor is their golden ticket.

On their latest raid, they unknowingly steal a cure that puts them square between the ailing Emperor of Manhattan and the war hungry Governor of Brooklyn and forces them on a quest into the darkest shadows of their putrefying world.

Book Trailer

book info & buy links

Title: The Artful (Shadows of the City, #1)

Author: Wilbert Stanton

Genre: YA, Post-Apocalyptic, Dystopian, Sci-Fi

Publisher: Curiosity Quills Press

Release Date: 27th May 2014

 Buy Links

Amazon (US) | Amazon (UK) | B&N | Kobo

About the Author

Wilbert Stanton was born and raised in New York City. From an early age, Wilbert decided he would either write books or take over the world; everything else was just a precursor to his end game. Along the way, he has studied Psychology, English, and Computer Science. He's held jobs in a wide range of fields and met people from all walks of life. Wilbert is constantly learning and growing as a person, in order to solidify his dreams. In the end world domination was a bit tedious, so he decided to focus on writing books.

Connect with Wilbert

Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Giveaway

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good luck,mia

Movie Recommendation: The Hunger Games!

Title: THE HUNGER GAMES
Director: Gary Ross
Actors: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Lenny Kravitz, Woody Harrelson
Runtime: 2 hours, 20 minutes
Release Date: IN THEATERS NOW!

Synopsis: Every year in the ruins of what was once North America, the evil Capitol of the nation of Panem forces each of its twelve districts to send a teenage boy and girl to compete in the Hunger Games. A twisted punishment for a past uprising and an ongoing government intimidation tactic, The Hunger Games are a nationally televised event in which "Tributes" must fight with one another until one survivor remains. Pitted against highly-trained Tributes who have prepared for these Games their entire lives, Katniss is forced to rely upon her sharp instincts as well as the mentorship of drunken former victor Haymitch Abernathy. If she's ever to return home to District 12, Katniss must make impossible choices in the arena that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

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MY RECOMMENDATION

Hello, my lovely Muses! I was planning on posting a review for an entirely different movie today, but after viewing The Hunger Games late Thursday night, I just had to share my thoughts with everyone! Whether you already have your tickets or are waiting a bit, hesitant to invest your time and money in this new movie franchise, let me put your mind at ease and reassure you right now: The Hunger Games is worth every penny!

Clocking in at 2 hours and 20 minutes, the film version of this bestselling YA novel by Suzanne Collins is probably one of the better movie-to-book adaptions out there. For all you hardcore Hunger Game fans that are worried how it measures up, here are a few key points that will help ease your mind.

"THE REAPING"

The Reaping is one of the first major things that happens in the novel, so its portrayal on screen would set the tone of the movie. They nailed it.

GIRL ON FIRE

One of the most memorable parts of the book is actually when Cinna creates fire costumes for Katniss and Peeta. It left such a shocking impression in the Capitol that Katniss became known as "Girl on Fire." I have to admit, I was practically biting my nails in anxiety, wondering how they were going to pull this off in the movie. All I am going to say is, they got it right!

THE ARENA

I know many fans are worried that the PG-13 rating might hinder the movie's controversial subject matter-- that of kids killing kids. But let me reassure everyone that there is blood and death, moments that felt raw and shocking, even going into it knowing what happens in the book.

ACTING & ACTOR CHOICES

The acting was top notch. I know that people complained that Jennifer Lawrence--even with the dyed hair and contacts-- did not look like the Katniss described in the novel. But NO one can deny that she is a strong actress. I was a Jennifer Lawrence fan back when she was nominated for an academy award for her outstanding performance in Winter's Bone. When I heard the news that she was cast as Katniss, I remember sighing in relief, even if she didn't quite look the part.

My two favorite characters are Cinna and Haymitch, so to have Lenny Kravitz and Woody Harrelson play those parts was like a dream. They were definitely put in capable hands.

One critic complained that Lenny Kravitz was " an absolute miscast as Cinna and....the movie fails to capture the very important relationship between he and Katniss." I couldn't disagree more. There is a stereotype that male stylists are gay, flamboyant, etc. The book does not portray Cinna in that way at all. I was worried that they would pick someone that either looked effeminate or play the character in that way. Thankfully, the part went to Lenny Kravitz who brings a perfect blend of masculinity and androgyny. His calm, quiet intensity brings the Cinna on pages to life and I must say, the scene where he helps Katniss into a jacket he has made for her right before she enters the arena, had me in tears.

SPECIAL EFFECTS


They were very well done! Like I said above, I was probably more worried about how they were going to show the fire of Cinna's costume creations for Katniss & Peeta, (especially her dress of fire) then anything else as far as specials effects. The mutant dogs unleashed by Crane in the games looked realistic-- is it sad to say that they looked more real than the cgi wolves in the Twilight movies?

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MY ONLY COMPLAINTS

KATNISS' FATHER

It would have been nice to see a few flashbacks of her father showing her how to hunt, track, use a bow, etc. It is never explained in the movie how she developed these skills, how she knows exactly what part of the high voltage fence to get past in order to enter the woods. But I can remember in the book how important Katniss' father was to her, especially what he teaches her in order to help support her sister and mother.

KATNISS & GALE

A couple more minutes developing Katniss & Gale's relationship would have been beneficial. It felt a bit rushed, but hey, I get the time constraints.

HAYMITCH

I absolutely loved Woody Harrelson as Haymitch, however, I think he "sobered up" a bit to quickly in the movie. Other then the drunken scene on the train ride to the Capitol, the alcoholic we come to know in the book does not translate the same in the movie. BUT, that is not Woody Harrelson's fault, as I read an article where he asked the director how far he wanted him to go with the drinking issue and I guess what we see in the movie is the result.

HAND HELD CAMERA

During the districts & arena scenes, a hand held camera was used which was very effective: it made me feel like I was actually there. However, I'm not sure if it was because I ate before going to the movie or what, the jerky movements of the camera made me a bit nauseous at times.

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THOSE WHO HAVEN'T READ THE BOOK

FOR THE GUYS

I know you guys out there have been patiently waiting for a movie franchise that you can go with your girlfriend and not feel like someone is torturing you. The Hunger Games is action packed, focusing more on survival then sappy romance. It is definitely more guy friendly then say the Twilight Saga, so give it a shot!

FOR THE GIRLS

Ladies, this is a great date movie that has a little something for you and him. If you like strong female characters that kick butt, romance, a story that pulls on the heartstrings, and action, then you are in for a treat!

FOR THE PARENTS

As a teacher, I have found that the biggest way to connect with my students and keep up with the current trends is by reading what they read or try to beat them to it so that I can make recommendations. Parents, this is a great way to bond with your kids. If you have a teenage son or daughter, go pick up a copy of The Hunger Games and read it together, then check out the movie. Or vice versa. Either way, it's a nice way to stay connected and spend time with your children.

May the odds be ever in your favor!

TV Series News: The Tribe Finally Gets a US DVD Release Date!

"If we're gonna survive, the dream must stay alive." -- lyric from The Tribe theme song

That's right, Tribe fans in North America! The dream we've all been waiting for is finally coming true. Well, sort of. I've just learned that The Tribe, Season One will be released in the US on March 13th! Check out the dvd cover art to the left! (I love it, although is it just me or does Bray's face look a little...funny?)

But here's the catch: it's only Season 1, VOLUME 1, the first 26 episodes on 4 discs! *bangs head on desk* I know, I know, beggars can't be choosers, so I guess we just have to be happy with what we can get! Plus, from the sources I've been checking out, there is a good chance that all 5 seasons of the cult, post-apocalyptic young adult series will be eventually put on dvd in the US! The studio behind the dvd boxset production is Shout! Factory, which is also responsible for releasing such cult favorites as My So-Called Life: Complete Series and Jem and the Holograms: The Truly Outrageous Complete Series.

So...umm, what is The Tribe?

If you've been living under a rock and have never heard of the hit show from New Zealand, here is a quick little synopsis. A virus hits earth. Mysteriously killing all adults over the age of 18, children and teens are left to fend for themselves in a world left in shambles. With hardly any technology, electricity, and food sources, children start forming "tribes" in order to survive. Some tribes are good, like the "Mallrats" while others grow strength by feeding on the weak, such as the "Locos" and "Demon Dogs".

The Tribe ran for 5 glorious seasons, each season running for a massive 52 episodes. The controversial series surprisingly aired on the Disney channel several years ago, which is how the show grew such a large fan base in North America. It touched on many subjects, such as teen pregnancy, eating disorders, physical handicaps, etc. I think it was one of my greatest childhood memories...well, okay, I guess I was more of a *clears throat* teenager just out of high school that used to watch the show, but don't judge! My best friend Adria at Neverend can verify The Tribe's very addictive storylines! It was like our guilty pleasure....a soap opera for kids. With lots of hot, dreamy guys. Like Bray (although that picture above doesn't do him justice!) and Lex and Pride... *drools* I used to love tuning in every day to see if their outfits had changed....ya know, when you are in a tribe, you get to wear face paint and...well, watch it for yourself! You'll see!

March 13th seems like such a long time to wait for season 1, volume 1...and then we have to wait some more for volume 2...But it can be done! We will persevere! I promise to give everyone an update/review of the dvd boxset once it is in my hands. I have no idea if there will be any kind of special features included. I know the region 2 boxsets were filled with interviews and behind-the scenes-footage. I got a feeling that won't be the case for the US edition. You can pre-order your copy at Shout! Factory or Amazon.com! For those of you who want more info on the show like episode guides, photos, trailer videos, go to The Tribe's official site at Tribeworld!

Keeping the Dream Alive,

~~Mia~~

Book Review/Recommendation: Aftertime

Title: Aftertime
Author: Sophie Littlefield
ISBN: 0373803362
Reading Level: Adult
Genre: sci-fi/thriller
Theme: Zombie/post-apocalyptic
Binding: paperback
Length: 384 pgs
Published: 15 February 2011
Buy: amazon.com, bn.com
My Rating:


Synopsis: The world is Gone. Worse, so is her daughter.

Awakening in a bleak landscape as scarred as her body, Cass Dollar vaguely recalls surviving something terrible. Having no idea how many weeks have passed, she slowly realizes the horrifying truth: Ruthie has vanished.

And with her, nearly all of civilization. Where once-lush hills carried cars and commerce, the roads today see only cannibalistic Beaters-- people turned hungry for human flesh by a government experiment gone wrong.

In a broken, barren California, Cass will undergo a harrowing quest to get Ruthie back. Few people trust an outsider, let alone a woman who became a zombie and somehow turned back, but she finds help from an enigmatic outlaw, Smoke. Smoke is her savior and her safety.

For the Beaters are out there. And the humans grip at survival with their trigger fingers. Especially when they learn that she and Ruthie have become the most feared and desired of weapons in a brave new world...


**The following review may contain SPOILERS**


My Review: I'm not sure what is going on with me recently, but it's apparent that I have become obsessed with apocalyptic/post-apocalyptic novels as of late. From Ann Aguirre's Enclave to Daniel H. Wilson's Robopocalypse, I have a pretty vivid picture of what it would be like if vampires or robots took over the world. Now I can add zombies to the list!

So here are a few things I loved about Aftertime. Cass, our protagonist, is more of a relatable character than a likeable one. She is a recovering alcoholic who allowed men to use and abuse her body because of her low self-esteem and lack of self worth. Cass has never really been good at anything except for 2 things-- loving her daughter and surviving. We've all heard stories on the news or read about people getting second chances after experiencing some kind of tragedy. Cass easily falls into this category. It's as if she's been asleep for a really long time and suddenly snaps awake.

Speaking of waking up abruptly, that leads me to another thing I liked about the book. The story doesn't start before the apocalypse or way after. It starts with Cass walking after waking up without any recollection as to where she is or how she got there. But there is one thing she can't deny-- the fact that the "Beaters" (aka zombies) had somehow gotten to her and she survived. The proof was the torn, half eaten skin on her back...and the new growth of skin quickly regenerating. Creepy right? I give Sophie Littlefield a lot of credit for taking a different approach in hooking the attention of her readers.

I also admire the author's zombie mythology. While it may not be wholely unique, there are still a few things that set it apart from zombies in other stories. The zombies or "Beaters" as they are called in Aftertime, only like eating skin. They don't get off on eating body parts or tearing out your internal organs to have a feast. Nope, these guys love skin, hence the reason why Cass's back is torn to shreds when we are first introduced to her. Also, these zombies are not stupid, mindless creatures. Some of them have retained knowledge from their pasts, which is why 1 may try talking while another might try pushing a wheel barrel down the street, etc. While they may try biting you on the spot, they much rather take you back to their "nest" so they can feast on your flesh without being interrupted. Yuck!

Even though this story is about Cass and her grim determination to find her daughter and come to terms with her past, Littlefield brilliantly shows us the deterioration of human society through Cass's journey and the people she meets along the way. From those who rather live in isolation and fend for themselves to the Rebuilders who feed off people's fear in order to rebuild society in the way they see fit, to the junkie camps-- a place for people to trade things in order to get their next fix and rather drown themselves in alcohol and drugs then face reality. And lastly, the religious fanatics.

Let me not forget to mention Smoke. Sexy, mysterious Smoke, the man who helps Cass continue her search for her daughter and stirs something deep within her heart...

Okay so now for my dislikes. I can honestly say that my issues with this book has nothing to do with the author, but whoever was her editor. The editor did a shitty job for several reasons. One is the ungodly long run-on sentences here and there, the major one being on page 102. The sentence goes on for 12 lines and is marked as if it is one big paragraph. Sometimes run-on sentences work, but not in this case.

There are also parts in the book where the author contradicts herself. For example, on page 123, Cass takes her shirt off, looks at her back in the mirror, and comes to the conclusion that the wounds weren't as bad as she expected and that they are healing fast. Then on page 140, Cass acts like she never had looked at herself in the mirror 30 pages before and is completely horrified by what she sees. Another contradition is when Cass and Smoke reach the library where there are other survivors. Smoke is only patted down to make sure he is not carrying any weapons. Cass, on the other hand, is taken into a bathroom by a woman who used to be her friend. There, Cass has to completely strip out of her clothes. Now, I get the trip to the bathroom was so that her friend could have a moment of privacy to tell her important information about Cass's missing daughter. I even get that the author needed a way for Cass's friend to see the scars on her back for a specific plot purpose. However, it makes no sense for Smoke only to be patted down while Cass has to get completely naked in order to prove she has no weapons on her.

While you might think the run-on senstences and contradictions may be the author's fault, I put the blame more on the editor since they are the ones who are supposed to read the book for the sole purpose of correcting errors such as these.

Overall, this was a solid first book in what I believe is going to be a trilogy. The second in the series-- Rebirth-- is already out. So if you are having trouble weeding through the hundreds of zombie themed books in search for something different, Aftertime is definitely worth it.

~Mia~

Book Recommendation: Robopocalypse

They are in your house. They are in your car. They are in the skies…Now they’re coming for you.

In the near future, at a moment no one will notice, all the dazzling technology that runs our world will unite and turn against us. Taking on the persona of a shy human boy, a childlike but massively powerful artificial intelligence known as Archos comes online and assumes control over the global network of machines that regulate everything from transportation to utilities, defense and communication. In the months leading up to this, sporadic glitches are noticed by a handful of unconnected humans – a single mother disconcerted by her daughter’s menacing “smart” toys, a lonely Japanese bachelor who is victimized by his domestic robot companion, an isolated U.S. soldier who witnesses a ‘pacification unit’ go haywire – but most are unaware of the growing rebellion until it is too late.

When the Robot War ignites -- at a moment known later as Zero Hour -- humankind will be both decimated and, possibly, for the first time in history, united. Robopocalypse is a brilliantly conceived action-filled epic, a terrifying story with heart-stopping implications for the real technology all around us…and an entertaining and engaging thriller unlike anything else written in years.

Why I Recommend It:

I'll try to keep this short and sweet. Robopocalypse blew me away. The book does not bore you with drawn out chapters or rigid chronological storytelling. Wilson draws us in by not only splitting up the book into 5 parts but the actual story is like an oral history, told with interviews, 1st and 2nd hand narration, and even what is seen in camera footage. This creates a very fast-paced page turner and will appeal to more than 1 kind of reader.

Is Robopocalypse 100% original? No. Does it pretend it is? No. I see some of the "Terminator" references such as the "Freeborn" robots, and there was even a part that reminded me a little of "Transformers" when some of the bigger robots helped defend Mr. Nomura's "fortress". But what makes this book unique is its storytelling and Daniel H. Wilson is a master at that. In the span of the novel, Wilson introduces us to a wide variety of characters from all walks of life and how each one is effected before and after Zero Hour. From the 17 year old mean spirited kid called "Lurker" in England, to the construction worker and his wife Dawn in NYC, to the soldier Specialist Paul Blanton in Afghanistan, to Lonnie Wayne and the Gray Horse Army in Oklahoma, and so on and so forth--Wilson takes us on an emotional journey, one that is not always comfortable. While the robots we created have taken over the world and is bent on destroying us, once you find out why, you can't help but question the choices mankind has made in the name of science and power-- and the severe consequences of those choices...

Robopocalypse is a MUST read, so pick it up at amazon.com, your local B&N, your local library, or buy & download it to your ebook reader. Oh, and just an FYI, Steven Spielberg has already confirmed that Robopocalypse is one of his next projects to direct and has a tentative release date sometime in 2013.

~~Mia~~