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Topic: Weekend Movie Marathon: Mystery Marathon
Author Topic: Weekend Movie Marathon: Mystery Marathon (Read 14996 times)
Najemikon
Re: Weekend Movie Marathon: Mystery Marathon
I'm calling foul on your reveal! Mainly because it crossed my mind, but I dismissed it...
Well done for finding them, but blimey, some are thin! You're including cameos!
addicted2dvd
Forum Inventory
For the most part I only had DVD profiler to go by... and they don't identify Cameos. Basically went to TV Series... clicked the names of the main stars and went from there.
Rogmeister
Well, I guess I was wrong though I never posted my own guess which would've been...
Movies Pete Hates Because They All Have Music In Them
And why would I want to torture myself that way?
Title: 10.5
Director: John Lafia
Length: 163 Min.
Video: Full Frame 1.33:1
Audio: English: Dolby Digital 5.1, English: Dolby Digital Stereo, Commentary: Dolby Digital Mono
Kim Delaney as Dr. Samantha Hill
Fred Ward as Roy Nolan
Ivan Sergei as Dr. Zack Nolan
John Schneider as Clark Williams
Kaley Cuoco as Amanda Williams
Seattle, Washington: dawn. An earthquake trembles with a 7.9 magnitude. It's the biggest natural disaster to hit the West Coast in over a century. The aftershock hits Northern California, reaching 8.4, splitting the earth and swallowing a train as it cruises along the landscape. The chance of an aftershock being greater than the quake is virtually unprecedented. Dr. Samantha Hill (Kim Delaney), an expert on hidden fault lines, and the President of the United States (Beau Bridges) must race against time to save the lives of millions.
Highlighted by state-of-the-art special effects, it's Armageddon 700 kilometers below the earth's surface as the fear factor is raised to terrifying proportions. 10.5 is an epic spectacle of human drama and ultimate disaster.
Scene Access
Audio Commentary
This is actually a TV Miniseries.. but I often watch these as movies during my weekend (or in this case slightly more then a weekend) marathons. I picked this one for a few different TV stars that I recognized. First there is John Schnider who played in the TV Shows The Dukes of Hazzard (Bo Duke) and Smallville (Johnathon Kent). Then there is Kaley Cuoco who I know from the series Charmed (Billie) and The Big Bang Theory (Penny). And then finally David Cubitt who I know from Medium (Det. Lee Scanlon).
This is one I have watched a few times since I bought it. The first time I didn't even know who Kaley Cuoco was. I know of many people that didn't care for this movie because of it not being realistic. Like for example the earthquake following the train track down till it swallowed the train it was chasing. And I do understand and agree it is not very realistic. But I always seen movies and TV Series as not having to be realistic... just entertaining. In my eyes... it is not realistic here in the real world. But it is in the fantasy world I am watching. And because of this attitude I was able to enjoy this one quite a bit.
Out of a Possible 5
addicted2comics(:P)
Normally I would come up with a smart-alleck comment, but I gotta hand it to you dad, you stumped us all!
Dragonfire
Mega Heavy Poster
Well you know...technically I was right since you own them all. And so was Jimmy since the titles are in English.
Movie Enthusiast Corner
Well I did say a couple times that what was guessed may be true but not what the theme of the marathon is!
Title: The Fog: Widescreen Unrated Version
Director: Rupert Wainwright
Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 2.35:1
Audio: English: Dolby Digital: 5.1, French: Dolby Digital: 5.1, Commentary: Dolby Digital: Dolby Surround
Subtitles: English, French
Kenneth Welsh
From producer John Carpenter comes the all-new retelling of his terror classic, THE FOG. Tom Welling (TV's "Smallville"), Maggie Grace (TV's "Lost") and Selma Blair (Hellboy) star in this sense-shattering tale of demonic retribution, directed by Rupert Wainwright (Stigmata) with screenplay by Cooper Layne.
Trapped within an eerie mist, the residents of Antonio Bay have become the unwitting victims of a horrifying vengeance. One hundred years ago, a ship carrying lepers was purposely lured onto the rocky coastline and sunk, drowning all aboard. Now they're back, long-dead mariners who've waited a century for their revenge. Seeking out the decedents of those responsible for their deaths, they lurk enshrouded within a supernatural fog of terror. Beware, any and all who stand in their way.
I chose the remake of The Fog for this marathon because of Tom Welling who is Clark Kent on Smallville and for Lost's Maggie Grace. This is one remake that kinda disappointed me. It is nowhere near as good as the original. And it seemed so strange to see Tom Welling in a part other then Clark Kent. Speaking of Tom Welling... he just didn't pull this role off. He seemed so stiff... so wooden in the role. They really didn't pull off the characters that well... as most of them I just couldn't get myself to care about. I thought the effects of the fog rolling in at the beginning of the movie could have been done better as well. But with that said there was some good parts... some pretty cool kill scenes and such... especially towards the end of the movie. While it is not a movie I can see watching often. There will be times I can see watching it. For different themed marathons and such.
Title: Boogeyman: Special Edition
Director: Stephen Kay
Length: 89 Min.
Audio: English: Dolby Digital 5.1, French: Dolby Digital 5.1
Subtitles: Chinese, English, French
Barry Watson as Tim
Emily Deschanel as Kate
Skye McCole Bartusiak as Franny
Tory Mussett as Jessica
Andrew Glover as Boogeyman
Every culture has one – the horrible monster fueling young children's nightmares. But for Tim, the Boogeyman still lives in his memories as a creature that devoured his father 16 years earlier. Is the Boogeyman real? Or did Tim make him up to explain why his father abandoned his family? The answer lies hidden behind every dark corner and half-opened closet of his childhood home – a place he must return to and face the chilling unanswered question...does the Boogeyman really exist?
This one I picked because Emily Deschanel is in it... who plays Dr. Brennen on Bones. We also get to see Lucy Lawless who is Xena: The Warrior Princess... though hers wasn't that big of a role... just see her in flashback scenes here and there throughout the story. She plays the main character's mother. I did enjoy the movie. But it could have been better. It was a little on the weird side so you need to pay attention to what you are watching or you could easily get confused.
Title: Bay Cove
(AKA: Bay Coven, Eye of the Demon, Strangers in Town, The Devil of Bay Cove)
Director: Carl Schenkel
Audio: English: Dolby Digital Stereo
Tim Matheson as Jerry LeBon
Pamela Sue Martin as Linda LeBon
Barbara Billingsley as Beatrice Gower
Jeff Conaway as Josh
Woody Harrelson as Slater
When Linda and Jerry LeBon move to the quiet and peaceful community of Bay Cove, they welcome the town's centuries old charm, virtually untouched by the conventions of modern life.
But something is different about the small village; something dark is lurking in the shadows. As Linda begins to explore, she discovers that all the townspeople are members of a deadly witch's coven - and as they await the reincarnation of their leader at the next full moon, they are searching for their next human sacrifice...
As with most TV Movies this has it's share of familiar faces from TV Series. In this one we have Pamela Sue Martin (The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries), Barbara Billingsley (Leave it to Beaver), Woody Harrelson (Cheers), Jeff Conway (Taxi), Nigel Bennett (Forever Knight) and James B. Sikking (Doogie Howser, M.D.). This is one of my favorite TV movies in my entire collection. I have now watched it 6 times in the last 4 years since I bought it. I found the story to be interesting. It is not as scary as I would like... but there is a few eerie scenes. Unfortunately the DVD itself leaves a lot to be desired. No extras what so ever... not even any trailers. The Audio and video quality is fine but nothing to get excited about. But I guess that is to be expected from a low budget DVD release.
« Last Edit: January 31, 2010, 12:40:45 AM by addicted2dvd »
OK Jimmy... I am leaving it up to you again! There is 2 other reviews from me for Bay Cove... But this one is much more detailed. So you can either add it to the list, change one of the links or change a link and delete the other. Your choice!
Title: 13 Going on 30: Fun & Flirty Edition
Director: Gary Winick
Audio: English: Dolby Digital 5.1, French: Dolby Digital 5.1, Portuguese: Dolby Digital 5.1
Subtitles: Chinese, English, French, Portuguese, Spanish
Jennifer Garner as Jenna Rink
Mark Ruffalo as Matt Flamhaff
Judy Greer as Lucy Wyman
Andy Serkis as Richard Kneeland
Kathy Baker as Bev Rink
Jennifer Garner (Daredevil, TV's "Alias") and Mark Ruffalo (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind) star in this hilarious flash-forward romance about a pre-teen girl who goes from geek to glamorous. With the help of some magic wishing dust, 13 year-old Jenna Rink (Garner) becomes 30 and gorgeous overnight, with everything she ever wanted, except for her best friend Matt (Ruffalo). Now, this grown woman must create some magic of her own to help the little girl inside find the true love she left behind.
Outtakes/Bloopers
Watching this one today for Jennifer Garner of Alias fame and Kathy Baker who played Jill Brock (the mother) in Picket Fences. This is a fun movie. Like in the movie Big we have a character that makes a wish to be grown up. Jennifer Garner does a great job playing a teen girl trapped in a grown woman's body. some of the expressions on her face... especially in the beginning where she don't know what is going on... is completely hilarious.
NOTE TO JIMMY: There is already a review up for this movie... but this one is more detailed so you may want to replace it with this one.
Title: The Hollow
Director: Kyle Newman
Video: Widescreen 1.78:1
Audio: English: Dolby Digital Stereo, Spanish: Dolby Digital Stereo
Kevin Zegers as Ian
Kaley Cuoco as Karen
Nick Carter as Brody
Ben Scott as The Headless Horseman
Stacey Keach as Claus Von Ripper
Restless spirits stir this Hollow's Eve, beckoning Ian Cranston (Kevin Zegers, Dawn of the Dead), the last blood relative of Ichabod Crane, back to Sleepy Hollow. Thundering hooves unleash a wave of bone-chilling screams as the ghost of the Headless Horseman rides again! Ian must try to save the town and his girlfriend, Karen (Karley Cuoco, "8 Simple Rules") and determine wheather the sword-wielding stalker is their clownish classmate, Brody (Nick Carter, Backstreet Boys) in costume, or the dark rider himself. If it's truly the Headless Horseman...how do you kill what's already dead?
I am watching this one for Kaley Cuoco who I know from the series Charmed (Billie) and The Big Bang Theory (Penny). I originally bought this movie (about 2 yrs. ago) because of her being in it. That and because I always like the story of Sleepy Hollow. Nick Carter played a real jerk in the movie... and he did a better then I expected job. Not a great actor... but not terrible either. I think Kaley Cuoco did a fine job as well. I have mixed feelings about the pumpkin head on the Headless Horseman... it was some pretty cool graphics for sure... but there just seemed to be something slightly off about it. The movie itself is no more then a fun... leave your brain at the door.. popcorn movie. One that I really like a lot. Probably a little more then I should. This is now the 3rd time I watched this movie since I bought it.
OK Jimmy... I am leaving it up to you again! There is 2 other reviews from me for The Hollow... But this one is much more detailed. So you can either add it to the list, change one of the links or change a link and delete the other. Your choice!


Mark Wilson Jones will give a lecture on the origins of the architectural orders, tomorrow, Thursday, November 9, 2017, at 6.30 p.m., in the Averof Building (amphitheater 002, School of Architecture, National Technical University of Athens (Patission str. 42, Athens).
The Greek temple and its Doric and Ionic orders set the tone for the architectural culture of the western world. Much thought has been invested into trying to understand how and why these archetypes came into existence; between the mid 18th and early 20th centuries the topic preoccupied virtually every major architectural thinker, and it still remains the focus of archaeological inquiry.
Past theories of explanation have revolved around four main lines of interpretations: construction (often analyzed in terms of evolution), influences from earlier or foreign styles, visual effect, and symbolism. It is important not to overemphasize any single one of these factors, for in reality each contributed to the formation of the orders. Architecture is by definition a multifaceted enterprise.
Understanding the temple and its orders may further be progressed by investigating themes that have so far not received the attention they deserve. It is of fundamental conceptual importance that temples were more than houses for the gods, they were also offerings to them. Their votive nature helps explain the great investment given to temples, and the sudden leap in size and quality of materials that occurred in the Archaic period, not forgetting other characteristics. Temples were cut from the same cloth as other art-offerings that also inhabited Greek sacred sanctuaries. Similar forms danced back and fore between architecture, sculpture, furniture, ceramics, ivories and metalwork. The interaction between these differing arts helped propel a rapid phase of invention that resulted in stone Doric and Ionic temples. In the sanctuary context all such material constituted gifts to the gods, and so, dressed with kindred vocabularies, temples radiated a subliminal message of beauty in the service of devotion.
Mark Wilson Jones's book Origins of Classical Architecture (Yale UP 2014) casts fresh light on such questions, with related material that goes beyond the scope of this talk.
A short presentation of the work of Mark Wilson Jones by Manolis Korres will preced the lecture.


AFNIX is a multi-threaded functional programming language with dynamic symbol bindings that support the object oriented paradigm. The language features a state of the art runtime engine. The distribution is available with several clients and a rich set of modules that are designed to be platform independent.


This company began in 1981, when 3 engineers with a big passion for technology founded the first SPIN company in Barcelona. Since then, hundreds of customers have trusted SPIN with their automation and testing requirements.
Through the years, SPIN have grown to become a human size multinational, the SPIN Group, capable of far bigger projects based on the latest technology, with the same spirit of service.


I just wanted to tell you how very much we appreciate this wonderful doggie!! He is just a big INTELLIGENT, AFFECTIONATE baby! We still have some minor things that need work but overall, what a terrific doggie. Patrick and MIKEY rough house with him. (Otis always wins). We all throw balls or toys for him to retrieve and he runs his heart out.
MIKEY brought his cat who is nonplussed with Otis and Hector still hisses and smacks Otis daily:-) Otis is fascinated with the cats!! Cannot figure that one out! Here is the most recent scenario regarding Otis and Mikey's cat. Otis and I walked into house. Otis went right for Mikey's cat on couch. Otis stared and cat did not move. Otis just put his paw on cat and started licking his head!!!! Cat simply laid there like rubber kitty!! Is he entertaining or what?!?
Everyone takes him out for walks. He loves running the filbert orchard and he likes playing with Shorty (the Beagle). At night (when we are out for the orchard walk) I cannot see him but he stays close to me in the dark so off with the leash. Otis only has this amazing freedom because we sit in an orchard and back up to farmland and trees with fencing.
Otis and the Crate, etc.
He likes his crate and it is a good place for him out of the traffic pattern. Funny thing is: when he wants out , he makes a noise so out we go. I figure we must spend several hours a day out exploring. He hasn't caught one yet but he really enjoys chasing squirrels. Sure helps keeping them away from the chickens and free food.
Posted on November 18, 2013, in Cats and your Weim, Previous Pup Update, The Weimaraner, Torrie X Zee and tagged Blue in Oregon, Blue Male Weimaraner, Breeder's Obligation, Good news from Oregon, Otis, Protecting the Weimaraner, rehomed Weimaraner. Bookmark the permalink.	4 Comments.
For Jorja because we walk at 5:45 each work morning I bought a reflector belt the military members use for PT and had a friend sew a piece across her lower back of her 2 hoodies and winter coat- it had reflectors trimming but with the dark here we added more and then with the left over she made a collar that velcos around her neck so I can see her much better when she's up in the trees. Not perfect, but it helps when the occasional car comes past on her off leash areas.


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Tag: Vampires and Werewolves
Fantasy, New Adult Romance, Paranormal
My Review: The Reckoning (Zodiac Academy #3): by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti
August 26, 2021 November 25, 2022 nicholasjgoodsell
**Kindle Edition**
Publish Date: October 4th, 2019
Number of Pages: 612 Pages
Publisher: Kindle
Genre(s): New Adult Romance, Fantasy, Paranormal
***Warning! This review contains spoilers from this book and previous books in the series, so continue reading at your own risk! You've officially been warned!***
To see my review of book #1 – The Awakening – Click HERE
To see my review of book #2 – Ruthless Fae – Click HERE
To see my Fancast/Dreamcast for the series so far – Click HERE
Total Star Rating: 4.25 Stars
She wasn't just a girl though. Not to me. She was the one girl I shouldn't want, the one I couldn't have, the one I didn't need. And yet I did. And everything in my life could be damaged so badly by that need that I#d fought it tooth and claw up until this point."
– Caroline Peckham & Susanne Valenti, "Zodiac Academy: The Reckoning"
What It's About:
The official blurb:
The answer to your question will be revealed on the Lunar Eclipse.But when finding the truth, don't let the shadows take you.
The week of The Reckoning has begun. And senior students have been tasked with making the freshmen's lives pure hell as they prepare to take their fateful assessment.
With the Lunar Eclipse on the horizon, Tory and Darcy have more to worry about than just passing their exams. A dark plot is unfolding and the shadows are drawing closer…
Okay, by this point when I was reading these books, my entire life outside of work and sleeping and bathing revolved around having my eyes glued to the screen of my kindle reading these books. The romance is really starting to heat up and there's more danger and excitement and I was just so completely sucked in….
Once again I will say it's not the heaviest material or really even the greatest written story, although I feel like now that I'm more familiar with all the characters it does feel like the writing has gotten better, but what really keeps me going are all the characters and their relationships amongst each other and the absolutely delicious way the co-authors have weaved them all together: the twins, the heirs, the twins with the heirs, Tory and Darius, Tory and Caleb, Darius and Xavier, Darius and Xavier, Seth and Darcy, Darcy and Orion, Darius and Orion. I'm telling you, the characters and these intertwining relationships are what will absorb all your attention and make you obsessed. At least that's how it's been for me!
You start this book immediately after the crazy events of how book #2 ended with that battle in the Pitball stadium with the Nymph's. Tragedy and violence strikes, but everyone is expected to just quickly move past it and all the trauma associated because they are Fae and they can't show weakness. It's easier for some rather than others, but everyone also gets caught up in the major event called The Reckoning. It's like a big exam/competition to weed out students who aren't strong enough to stay at Zodiac Academy, and there's a dangerous task for each element that the students must pass at depending what they are (of course, that means the twins have to do four tasks since they have all four elemental abilities). AND they have to deal with the horrendous week leading up these tasks from the upperclassmen bullying all the freshmen (it's literally called "Hell Week").
Like I said, the relationships are really the big highlight of these books for me by this point, and of course I go into more detail further down in my review!
The Sexual Tension Between Darius and Tory! These two have got to have the slowest burn of a romance that I've ever freakin' read because were three books in and these two haven't even had a first kiss yet, but oh man, has it gotten scorching between these two! There's still plenty of banter—both playful and sexy—but there are softer moments between these two that truly prove that they are endgame in this series. Their feelings are so mixed and complex with their obvious mutual attraction but sprinkled with hatred because they're enemies, and of course the web gets even more intricate with how Caleb and Tory are still FWB's on the side too…which I'm starting to get over. I like Caleb a lot, but he's just a big hill to climb over at this point, and I need more romance with Darius and Tory. I loved the race scene, the scene where Tory goes back with Darius to see Xavier, and them on the beach before everything goes to hell!
You Find Out The Twins' Orders! Obviously I won't spoil it, but it's nice to have at least one mystery solved with all the questions that raised about the past and everything surrounding the twins.
Darcy and Orion's Romance! While Darius and Tory are edging each other on, Orion and Darcy's romance is in full swing and I love it. I really am a sucker for the assholes who secretly get soft for the one they have feelings for, and I get that in Orion, because he is still such an asshole in public, but flips it off when it's just him and Darcy. And that smut that I've been told I need to wait for?…Let's just say things are finally getting pretty spicy!
The Bromance Between Darius and Orion! Another interesting relationship that really has nothing to do with Romance, but more platonic male friendship! You honestly don't see it a whole lot in books nowadays, at least with what I've read, and I like their bond a lot. It's a strange guardian bond that Darius's father cursed them with, but I love how they make the best of it and even tease each other about when the bond has them embrace or spoon in bed together….yes, these are two straight fae men, one vampire and another dragon-shifter, but they at least can make the best of a bad situation!
'Hungover, Miss Vega?' he growled and she sighed, realising her mistake.
'Yes, sir. If you fancy sending any of your healing magic this way, that would be swell.'
Orion gave her one of his darkest smiles that said he definitely wasn't her friend right then. 'Oh I won't be doing that. If you turn up to my class hungover you can deal with the consequences.' He shot to her side at a fierce speed and bellowed, 'CAN'T YOU?!' in her ear. It even made me flinch, but Tory winced with pure pain."
Orion's Jealous Moment…While I do love their romance and what they've gone through, there's the one scene with Orion at the circus that really had me shaking my head like "WTF?!" I can't explain it for spoilers really, but it seemed really over dramatic and maybe a little manipulative, but then again, it is the fae with these books, and it does match some of the extremities that these characters face at this magical school, much like how the teachers and faculty turn the other way with all the bullying and power-play constantly occurring.
Still Not A Fan of Seth…By now, some people like him, but I still am not a fan of how back and forth he is. With his pack and the other heirs, he's the sweetest and kindest of them all and just wants everyone to be friends and get along. He's like a literal human golden retriever, which of course makes sense considering he's a werewolf. But it just completely flips whenever he's involved with the twins and suddenly he's so cruel and calculating and just mean, and this constant 180 with him really rubs me the wrong way…
Overall, book #3 has to be my favorite by this point with how the relationships have developed by this point in and how the romance has really kicked it up a notch by this point. Both twins have their forbidden romances developing at different speeds, and I'm loving both of them for different reasons, but both make this series so intoxicating and binge-worthy. I know I probably said that in the previous review, but it's seriously so true!
I'm starting to notice how the co-authors really love to have these books end on really juicy cliffhangers, which I both love and hate at the same time, but either way that means you know I immediately go into the next book after I finished this, with hardly even a bathroom break in between.
Tagged Caleb Altair, Caroline Peckham, Darcy Vega, Darius Acrux, Dragon Shifters, fae, fantasy romance, fantasy series, Forbidden Romance, Geraldine Grus, Lance Orion, magical school, Max Rigel, mythical creatures, New Adult Romance, paranormal romance, Seth Capella, sirens, Supernatural Beasts and Bullies, Susanne Valenti, Tori and Darcy Vega, Tory and Darcy, Tory and Darcy Vega, Tory Vega, Vampires and Werewolves, Zodiac Academy, Zodiac Academy: The ReckoningLeave a comment
Fantasy, New Adult, New Adult Romance, Paranormal
My Review: Ruthless Fae (Zodiac Academy #2): by Caroline Packham and Susanne Valenti
*Kindle Edition*
Publish Date: August 30th, 2019
Publisher: N/A
Genre(s): Fantasy, Paranormal, New Adult Romance
***Warning! This review contains spoilers from this book and the previous in the series, so continue reading at your own risk! You've officially been warned!***
To see my Fancast/Dreamcast of the series so far – Click HERE
They tried to break us.
They almost did.
But we're not going anywhere.
The Celestial Heirs think the stars are on their side. But they don't know what's coming. Fighting them one on one isn't an option so we have to be stealthy. Remaining under the radar won't be easy, but if we pull it off, they'll never suspect our involvement when their lives start falling apart.
Besides, they've already taken us to the brink of hell, what more can they really do?
**THIS IS NOT REVERSE HAREM**
This is a paranormal academy bully romance and forbidden teacher romance. Suitable for Upper YA/NA readers who are fans of Shunned, Cruel Magic and Supernatural Academy.
Here I am again to gush about how addicted to this series I am! I have seriously been losing sleep over how much I've been reading this last week and a half because if I'm not working or sleeping or bathing, my eyes are glued to my kindle devouring this story. It's really been a great way to get out of a self-diagnosed reading slump I've been in for a few months.
I've even been slacking on drawing for my new artist Instagram account (@njg.artistry if anyone's interested, go give it a follow! There's my shameless self promotion to slip into my review), but seriously, that's how addicted I am to these books! the bookworm inside my soul has been given life once again after what has been a dry and hot as hell summer as I type this.
This is the second book in the series, and it starts up immediately after what happened at the end of the previous book, and Darcy and Tori have a tough choice to make: do they stay down and return to the mortal realm with their tails between their legs, or do they let what the Heirs did to each of them and let it light a fire under their butts? Darcy remembers her unplanned meeting with Professor Orion and questions if she wants to be defeated and maybe it's more worth it to stay and fight.
The worldbuilding was more or less the same with the mentioning of the Nymphs, those monsters from the shadow realm and enemy to the Fae; they're still lingering in the dark corners and getting stronger so we know they'll come into play later on in the story, they're not going anywhere! One new thing we did learn is about the different star bonds that can happen between two fae who are destined to be together in different ways: Nebula Allies, Elysian Mates, or Astral Adversaries. They're pretty self explanatory by the names alone, but read the book for yourself, they'll go into it more of course.
Of course the major highlight again for me was all the different relationships and dynamics between all the characters. Tory and Darcy of course showing the importance of sisterhood and friendship, and the twins vs. the Heirs and the rivalry there that is FAR from over! They don't take what the four guys did to them lying down and get some major revenge on them which was actually so satisfying to see happen. I would've rolled my eyes if they didn't go through with all they did because they take the high road and "don't stoop to their level"….nah fuck that, some people like bullies deserve to have what they've done happen to them too, an eye for an eye and all that. I also loved how strategic they get with all of it too since they know that for now they can't match them with brute strength, but they really quickly learn to hit the guys where it hurts, so way to go ladies!
Darcy and Professor Orion have a VERY interesting relationship after he saved her from Seth and his pack. He's still a total asshole to just about everyone who talks to him, but it's so cute to see him secretly have a soft spot for Darcy. He sneakily does little things with his magic to help her, It gets even juicier when it seems like there might be some unrequited and forbidden feelings flowing between them too, but he's her professor and she's the student and there are strict rules and repercussions against it, but that only makes it that much hotter! But besides Tory, he may be the funniest character in the whole book because he too has a sharp tongue and can quickly verbally lay out anyone who dares speak up against him. I had my doubts about him in the first book, but the things he does and says in this book really made him grow on me and he seems legit to me now.
'Stop looking at me like that,' he snarled.
'Like what?'
'You know what,' he snapped. 'I'm your teacher.'
'I know,' I balked, horrified at what he was suggesting.
'Do you?' he steed forward. I nodded firmly, though I wasn't sure my body was getting the message because I had the urge to wrap myself around him and kiss him goodbye. 'Then stop looking at me like that.'
'Then stop looking back, Lance.'"
– Caroline Peckham & Susanne Valenti, "Zodiac Academy: Ruthless Fae"
Tory has her own romantic situation that's quickly getting pretty steamy too! She's kind of possibly got two Heirs interested in her with a possible little love triangle forming with vampire Caleb and dragon-shifter Darius. Things are still pretty tense between her and Darius, like really tense with a few sexually-heated moments, but Caleb is being much more friendly and open to seeing what might happen. There's definitely a mutual attraction there with Tory and Caleb, and if a hot as hell vampire with blond, wild curls and abs starts hitting on you, what would you do? Her relationship with both males definitely heats up, and there's also definitely going to be a lot of dramatic moments and angst that goes along with it that is actually so much fun to read!
Speaking of the Heirs, this book you actually get into their heads and they actually have chapters from their perspectives which is a big change from just the twins in the first book. It certainly helps you see into their minds and (maybe) feel a little more for them as characters. Caleb at least seems to be the easiest to like amongst them as he actually is revealed to have remorse over their pranks that went too far, but you see what a shitshow of a family and house that Darius comes from too…It's not surprising he turned out the way he did if THAT's how his father is like!
Lots of things are moving forward, tensions and sexual appetites are rising like flames, danger is lurking behind the curtain waiting to strike at the opportune moment, and the books are getting longer! It's all very exciting and bingeable and more is yet to come!
The Vega Twins Enact Their Revenge! I LOVE that the twins don't take the high road and do all that they can to get even with the four Heirs and what they did to them! Tory was a freakin' badass at the beginning with what she did to Darius to get back at him, and I love that even the goody-two shoes twin Darcy is showing some fire in her spirit as well!
There's Way More Romance! Oh man does the romance heat up in this second book! There might still not be as much smut as some of you readers are looking for, but rest assured, all in due time! Let the story progress and trust me, it'll get plenty spicier. Part of the thrill is the slowburn too! I like both circumstances with each twin starting to form, but I'm not gonna lie, I was totally going in thinking this was going to be a reverse harem situation. Then I was like thinking the twins are just gonna share them all? It'd be hot, but I was curious as to how we'd get to that part and have it actually make sense. Part of me was disappointed that's not the case in these books, but it's not like there isn't other hot RH material out there to read instead if that's just what I'm after!
We See From The Heir's POV! I liked getting into the heads of the Heirs and even Professor Orion. It adds so much more depth to the story and the complex web of relationships that for advancing in different degrees in this story. Plus, it also makes it easier to distinguish between them more and makes them just feel like more fleshed out characters. I like Caleb and Orion because of this, I'm torn on Darius but literally nothing about that boy is easy, and I'm definitely not that fond of Seth and Max. Max still is the character we've gotten the least amount of time with, But Seth can be a real prick sometimes! For someone who's so extraverted and outgoing and like a human dog, he can be especially cruel out of the four guys…
That Exciting Ending! We learn more about Pitball, which to be honest I still don't have the biggest understanding of it, but pretty much treat it like this world's version of Quidditch. BUT, the ending is actually pretty high octane and incredibly exciting and badass, so I was impressed with how much happened all at the stadium!
Geraldine Grus! She was kind of the weird stage five clinger to the twins in the first book, but after she was attacked by a Nymph, the girls felt bad and decided to be friends with her, and she is a hoot! She has all these crazy and expressive sayings and quotes that don't even make sense half the time, but are still funny nonetheless. They're like an exaggerated version of Sandy Cheeks in Spongebob when she says something like "that's crazier than a jackrabbit stuck in a corn barrell" or something weird like that!
How The Heirs Switch Up Behaviors…I don't like how they're somewhat nice to the twins when it's one-on-one, but once it's all four of them and they're in front of the student body is when they return to their douchebag ways, and it's probably what I like least about them, even Caleb and Darius. Like how two faced and scummy to put on a show like that to show off to their classmates….seemed like way too many guys I actually went to high school with….
Lionel Acrux…What a scumbag…if the authors' goals was to make us instantly detest a guy, they definitely succeeded there! Poor Darius with having a maniacal father like that, but you also meet Xavier and learn that Darius isn't all bad actually, which is a huge relief at least!
Overall, I continue to obsess over this series! It's not as heavy or grand as some of the other fantasy romance titles I've read, but that doesn't mean I don't enjoy it any less too. I just love the characters a whole lot; their dynamics amongst each other and all their morally grey personalities make it a fun and fast read with you aching to see what happens next and who might end up together.
The plot can feel a little slow, what with the slow burn romance and the twins still figuring out their abilities, but with the forbidden romance and the threat of danger about to pop up anywhere, there's certainly a higher charge to get those faster paced scenes much more often as the story develops. Either way, I can say I've still devoured these books and am already halfway through book 5 as I type this review, so let that speak to how much I am enjoying these books!
Tagged Caleb Altair, Caroline Peckham, Darcy Vega, Darius Acrux, Dragon Shifters, fantasy novel, fantasy romance, fantasy series, Fantasy-Genre, Forbidden Romance, Geraldine Grus, Max Rigel, New Adult Romance, Seth Capella, Supernatural Beasts and Bullies, Susanne Valenti, Tori and Darcy Vega, Tory and Darcy, Tory Vega, Vampires and Werewolves, Zodiac Academy, Zodiac Academy: Ruthless FaeLeave a comment
My Review: The Awakening (Zodiac Academy #1): by Caroline Peckham And Susanne Valenti
August 7, 2021 November 25, 2022 nicholasjgoodsell
Publish Date: July 13th, 2019
Genre(s): Fantasy, New Adult Romance
Tears never did anyone any favours, but sometimes they just needed to fall."
– Caroline Peckham & Susan Valenti, "Zodiac Academy: The Awakening"
You have been selected to attend Zodiac Academy, where your star sign defines your destiny.
If you're one of the Fae, elemental magic is in your blood. And apparently it's in ours. As twins born in the month of Gemini, we're a rare breed even in this academy of supernatural a-holes.
Changelings were outlawed hundreds of years ago but I guess our birth parents didn't get the memo. Which means we're totally unprepared for the ruthless world of Fae.
Air. Fire. Water. Earth.
No one has ever harnessed all four of them, until we arrived. And it hasn't made us any friends so far.
As the rarest Elementals ever known, we're already a threat to the four celestial heirs; the popular, vindictive bullies who happen to be some of the hottest guys we've ever seen. It doesn't help that they're the most dangerous beasts in the Academy. And probably on earth too.
Our fates are intertwined, but they want us gone. They've only got until the lunar eclipse to force us out and they'll stop at nothing to succeed.
We never knew we had a birthright to live up to but now that we do, we intend to claim our throne.
We can't expect any help from the faculty when it comes to defending ourselves. So if the dragon shifters want some target practice, the werewolves want someone to hunt or the vampires fancy a snack then we have to be ready. But we've been looking after each other for a long time and fighting back is in our blood.
Today's horoscope: totally screwed.
This is a full-length medium burn novel that is the first in a university-age academy series. Expect forbidden love and bully romance with mature content suitable for upper YA readers and onwards.
Okay, but wow….this series is one of those times where I tell myself: "Why didn't I start these sooner?!" I mean, before I knew it, I've blasted through the first three books of this series because it is seriously ADDICTING! These books have been tossed around as highly recommended within the facebook groups I'm a part of for Sarah J. Maas and the From Blood and Ash series by Jennifer Armentrout, and I can say that oh yeah… they're an utter delight!
I will say maybe it's not the best writing in terms of craft, but man oh man, that doesn't matter because the story has just drawn me in, and I'm forcing myself to back up away from them for a second to organize my thoughts and be sure to get it all down on here and in the form of reviews so I can still keep what all happens in each books organized too.
If I had to compare this to other popular fandoms, I'd say this series is reminding me of Harry Potter + Avatar the Last Airbender + Vampire Diaries + Zodiac Signs & Astrology + The Covenant. That I hardly expect a whole lot of people to know, is a movie from 2006 starring Steven Strait and is about a group of four warlocks who're the last living descendents of the lines of witches from the times of Salem Witch Trials. It's not the greatest movie, but is decent enough, and let me tell ya….there is plenty of male eye candy in Steven Strait, Taylor Kitsch, Chace Crawford, and even a baby Sebastian Stan! Give it a whirl and see what you think!
This story revolves around twin sisters, Tory and Darcy Vega. Tori is the brash, outspoken chick with a sharp tongue behind her bright red-lipsticked mouth. Darcy is the quieter and more demure of the two, but they're orphans who share a crummy studio apartment just trying to get by. They're thieves and have to do whatever it takes to survive, but one night a beautiful stranger pays them a visit and reveals to them that not only are they actually Fae, but they are also the long lost heirs of the former King and Queen of their world! Not wanting to rule when they had no idea this land even existed a day prior, the twins only agree to go with the guy because he says they can claim their birthright and inheritance so long as they graduate from the school and master their magical abilities. Greed wins out, and they're off!
When they arrive to the school, they're instantly met with a very torn reaction from their classmates and faculty. They quickly learn how harsh and ruthless the Fae can be, and learn that while they'd been away and their parents no longer alive and/or sitting on the throne, four royal families have stepped up and taken over, and their four heirs are there to also eventually rule. Things of course don't go well as the four heirs instantly detest the twins at popping in so unexpectedly and taking away what they've been told is their birthright to rule one day, and so they all clash and see who'll be left standing at the end of it all. Tensions rise, pranks go too far, and heinous words and actions are performed all in order to break down their enemies and do whatever it takes to come out victorious.
What really makes things interesting though is the sexual attraction that also builds like a strong current as things escalate! Both sisters deal with their own forbidden romances to really spice things up and pique your interest, but that's not all! There's also the threat of bigger and darker things to come as you learn about an enemy race of beings named Nymphs that come from a shadow realm adjacent to their world, and that they are getting stronger and attacks are happening more and more consistently.
Certainly a lot is going on in this series….
I will say the main draw for me is definitely the characters and their dynamics: the sisters, the four heirs, and even the relationships and their undertones the sisters have with the heirs as a group and even individually. Like the blurb says, there's some forbidden lust that really tugs you along, and it's even better when it's paired with animosity and even hatred alongside it. It's fun!
I suppose I should also give a little introduction to the four heirs too:
Darius Acrux: Dark shorter hair and dark eyes, totally sexy asshole vibes, intense gaze, fire abilities, and the unspoken leader of the four heirs
Seth Capella: Long hair, easily the most extraverted of the four, air abilities, smiles and likes to have physical contact with a lot of people always
Caleb Altair: Wavy blonde hair, cocky, dark blue eyes like an ocean during a storm, abs, dimpled smirk, great kisser, earth abilities, biggest flirt of the four
Max Rigel: Dark Skinned, big muscles, short mohawk, the most charming of the four, water abilities, and has a loud booming voice that commands attention
I have a fancast posted of them too, I definitely say go check it (and them) out!
All four are the biggest and hottest guys on the campus, and things get all nice and twisted as Darcy and Tori deal with everything the guys throw at them, and while I was disappointed there wasn't as much romance as I'd hoped, at least for this first book, there's definitely the promise of more to come! I can say that while you know there is more to come, the interactions of bullying mixed with forbidden and sexual tension makes you ask yourself: Okay, but HOW are we going to get to that point?! Yes, unfortunately this first book is pretty tame in terms of smut, BUT again….good things come to those who wait, or stick it out until the later books!
I also want to point out the hot teacher in the book, Orion. Definitely keep your eyes on him, he's a very interesting character in all this too!
Why are the hot ones always jerks?"
All The Morally Grey Characters! Honestly, part of why I'm really drawn to the characters is that no one is completely likeable. There's maybe an exception of Sofia, a girl whom the twins befriend at the school, but the fact that a lot of these characters have their a**hole moments makes it all the more fun. The Fae are harsh, backstabbing creatures who crave power and influence, and while the four heirs are enemies to Darcy and Tori, I can say they have moments where they're somewhat likeable too, but don't stick to that feeling for too long. WIth the guys, you'll find yourself going back and forth A LOT on whether you like them or not, and some are already more likeable than others….
The Banter! Tori by far has the best lines in the book, I love her sass and brash demeanor to say things that I wish I had the courage to say out loud to someone who's being rude to me or is straight up pissing me off. The Banter is also not even about the sexual undertones, but I especially love it between Darius and Tory: so much fire!
All The Mythical Creatures! The magic system is pretty basic where the Fae can have special abilities to the four elements: water, air, earth, and fire. Some stronger fae can have abilities to two of them, but no one really goes further than that except for—of course—the twins. It's not a huge spoiler to be honest, but of course they somehow have abilities with all four. BUT, what I'm also getting at is that there is a hierarchy of mythical creatures that the Fae can transform into like a smashing Hulk. Dragons and Vampires are of course the highest, but then there's also Gryphons, Sphinx's, Medusa's (it really should just be Gorgons), Sirens, Werewolves, Unicorns, and pretty much ALL the major mythical creatures you can think of make appearances, and one mystery is what will the twins be when they're other form finally manifests itself!
The Lack of Romance…Like I said, there's not a whole lot of romance and smut, so if you're looking for that here, I can say it'll happen, but it needs time to develop and build. It's a bully/forbidden romance, so for the sake of the quality of the story, it wouldn't make a whole lot of sense or be nearly as effective. It's a 6 book (Soon to be 7) series, and you gotta let the anticipation build and so it's that much more satisfying when it does finally happen! Who doesn't like a good slow burn?
There Are A Lot of Characters to Learn…So besides the twins and the heirs, there are a lot of side characters introduced and it's a little jarring to try and memorize all of them. I'm the type of reader who likes to put a face to the name ASAP, and there's just a whole lot of characters who I don't know how important they are or what they even look like and my mind goes into overdrive over it!
How Cryptic All The Males Are…Okay to be clear, I love it and hate it at the same time! The males in this book are all so vague in their answers and are all keeping secrets to different degrees and it's exciting and frustrating all at once! WHo's the bad guy? Who's trustworthy? Who's secretly an allie? Who's a potential love interest? What are their intentions? I had a similar situation in the Fever series by Karen Marie Moning and it really drives the story forward and keeps you reading, but you want to smack these supernatural males upside the head and tell them to give it to you straight already!
The start of a new series, and I can honestly say I am HOOKED! There's so much promise of more to come, the anticipation of how we're going to get to those points and what else could possibly happen is the main driving force of how you'll maybe fly through this series like I currently am!
I'm actually torn on keeping on task and writing out my next review, but lately all I want to do in my free time is keep reading because I have to find out what happens next!
Tagged Astrology, Avatar The Last Airbender, Bully Romance, Caleb Altair, Darcy Vega, Darius Acrux, fantasy romance, fantasy series, Forbidden Romance, Harry Potter, magical school, Max Rigel, Seth Capella, Supernatural, Supernatural Beasts and Bullies, Susanne Valenti, Tori and Darcy Vega, Vampires and Werewolves, Zodiac, Zodiac Academy, Zodiac Academy: The AwakeningLeave a comment
My Fancast/Dreamcast: The Zodiac Academy Series by Caroline Peckman and Susanne Valenti
Image courtesy of Instagram account: @kaythebooklover
Welcome back, and can I say it's always such a great feeling when you discover your next literary obsession while waiting for your other book obsessions to release the next book, and this series has been one on my radar for quite some time now. It's been recommended over the last couple months in a couple Facebook groups I'm in, and even my Bookstagram friend (@Kaythebooklover, the photo above!) has started these and loves them too, so that was the final straw and I had to join the bandwagon myself!
The story revolves around twins Tori and Darcy Vega, orphans and struggling to make rent for their single bedroom apartment, but a mysterious man chases them and informs them that they're the lost heirs to the Fae throne of his homeland and must come with them to learn how to use their magical abilities to (possibly) earn their place on the throne and prove any naysayers wrong.
Of course, things don't go easy and they both have to face the four current heirs and their obvious disdain for having the twins swoop in and take what they believe is rightfully theirs, which leads to the main draw of this story: a bully romance.
Tension rises with all the drama and cryptic threats and sexual attraction that goes hand in hand with the hatred these characters develop as pranks take them to their limit and their will is tested, BUT there's not even just that! There's some dark shadow swooping over the campus, and the enemy of the Fae is back and causing a potential war down the road, and they're getting bigger and stronger faster than we all hope to see!
I've only just started this book series, but it really drew me in with the dynamics of the characters and their interactions and banter and sexual tension. The first book is pretty tame, but as I read on, I can tell things are going to get spicy!
To see my review of book #3 – The Reckoning – Click HERE
Here's my official Fancast/Dreamcast of the Zodiac Academy series:
Tori & Darcy Vega: Sara Sampaio
Sara is a Victoria's Secret model who I thought matched the physical description of the twins in these books. I'm honestly not sure what her acting chops actually look like, but I can certainly say she looks the part. It's fun to imagine her tearing those boys to shreds with the epic lines that Tory gets throughout!
Caleb Altair: Michael Dean Johnson
Caleb is one of the characters I'm really drawn to, he's showing more depth than most of the characters, and I'm very curious to see what he does later on! Michael Dean is a model and fitness influencer on Instagram and I think he was even on an MTV dating show at some point, which is no surprise, I mean….look at him!
Seth Capella: Elias Black
Seth is a very back and forth character for me….he's outwardly the most friendly of the four heirs, but he's also the biggest d-bag of them, at least in my opinion! He's especially cruel to Darcy and has a weird way of showing his affection to others…but read it for yourself to see what you think. Elias is a model on Instagram and was also a contestant on a season of popular dating show, Love Island.
Darius Acrux: Alex Badia
Darius is probably my favorite of the four heirs, he's such an asshole, but man is he hot! He's got a temper, and he's Mr. cool guy, big man on campus and I am such a sucker for it all, ugh……….Alex is yet again another model on Instagram, and just who I thought of when I got the physical description of this fire starter.
Max Rigel: Brandon Bell
Max is the one of the four I've seen the least of, but he's part of the Sirens order, who all leech off people's emotions and manipulate them to feeling those strong emotions in order to exploit it and use it for their own power, it all sounds like those toxic people in your life that you just need to cut off already….Brandon is quite a handsome actor whom I first discovered as Troy Fairbanks on the social satire Netflix show, Dear White People.
Professor Lance Orion: Luke Bracey
I'm not sure how I feel about Orion yet…it's obvious he's got a soft spot for Darcy, but he's such a jerk to literally everyone else, it's hard to like him a lot of the time, and he gets away with a lot of abuse despite being a teacher…Luke Bracey was in the Nicholas Sparks movie, The Best of Me, and more recently the Holidays Rom Com, Holidate.
Kylie Major: Saxon Sharbino
Saxon's looks just scream gorgeous blonde mean girl, which pretty much sums up the character anyways, so it's kind of perfect then! She was in an episode of Lucifer, one of the favorite shows, but she also was in the more recent release of Poltergeist too!
Sofia Cygnus: Dre Davis
Image courtesy of hollywoodreporter.com
Sofia is kind of the Hermione Granger of this series; she's a total brainiac except Sofia totally undervalues herself and prefers to be a wallflower type, at least for now! Dre was in one of the later seasons of Pretty Little Liars, and someone who I think looks the part to play the BFF of the twins!
Diego Polaris: Christian Lee Navarro
Image courtesy of weheartit.com
Diego is a kind soul who's like the one male friend in the friend group of most sitcoms. He doesn't do much for me for now, but hopefully he does more as the series goes on! Christian is probably best known for being a part of the Netflix show, 13 Reasons Why.
Geraldine Grus: Meg Stalter, or Miranda May
Meg Stalter, image courtesy of forbes.com
Miranda May, image courtesy of dellaterrawellness.com
I don't know how well this matching actually fits, I get the impression sometimes that Geraldine is actually really tall and buff, but I follow Meg Stalter on Instagram and she's hilarious–I recommend following her too–and I feel like she'd nail the strange exclamations that this character says whenever she's super happy, excited, or shocked (which is most of the time anyway). Miranda May is an actress who I recently discovered who I think may physically match Geraldine's description better!
Marguerite Helebor: Abigail Cowen
Abigail is just becoming a go-to casting choice for fiery redhead characters, because yes I totally admit I've casted her before on other series, but whatever, it works for me! Based off her character in "The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina" on Netflix, I know she's capable of playing the "mean girl" role, so that's my justification!
Principal Nova: Glenn Close
Image courtesy of emmys.com
I'm not sure how accurate this choice for me is, and for the life of me I don't even remember if there's anything really said about Nova's physical description, but I could totally see Glenn Close being in the Head Mistress role for a fantasy setting like Solaria!
Milton Hubert: Will Poulter
Anyone remember that awkward kid in "We're the Millers?" Well, I totally see him being this minor character who enjoyed tormenting the twins when they first got to Zodiac Academy. Sure, he doesn't have an actual unibrow…but that doesn't mean he couldn't have a fake one put on in the makeup chair if this was to be turned into an actual show or movie series.
Professor Washer: Timothy Olyphant
Image courtesy of wideopencountry.com
Before I typed out my little explanations for my choices, a "lovely" person by the name of Bri gave me a rude response as to how bad of a choice this person thought this was…yeah, I'm being petty and I'm calling her out…but I've watched the "Scream" movies quite a lot over the years as I'm a fan of that horror franchise, and as I've watched "Scream 2" to be exact, and without giving too much away, that's partially why I think he'd be a good choice for Professor Washer! He's described as being an attractive guy despite how creepy he is, so thats the reasoning behind this, NOT THAT I NEED TO DEFEND MYSELF ON MY OWN BLOG…
Professor Astrum: Conrad Ricamora
Image courtesy of broadway.com
Again, I don't know how accurate this choice is, as I don't remember exactly how Professor Astrum is described, but Conrad is 42 years old, he's on "How to Get Away With Murder," and he's kind of just who I pictured playing this character!
Francesca: Emily VanCamp
Image courtesy of eonline.com
Francesca is a badass female who's in Solaria's version of the FBI, and is able to really kick major butt when she needs to! After seeing Emily in the "Captain America" movies, I could definitely see her being a good choice in playing this character if this series was made into a show/movie, and thats what a fancast is supposed to be!
Lionel Acrux: Patrick Wilson
Image courtesy of wegotthiscovered.com
Patrick Wilson is an attractive dude, he could get it and is actually closer to "daddy goals" than a good of the men who get that recognition in my opinion! In "Aquaman" starring Jason Mamoa, he had his hair dyed blonde and wore this darker armor throughout, and for some reason that just made me think of him as Lionel when the author's told us that Darius's father was handsome and had blonde hair!
Gabriel Nox: Tyler Hoechlin
Image courtesy of zoomboola.com
Obviously Tyler Hoechlin would need a wig for this role, so yeah…I do know Gabriel is described as having longer hair, I didn't forget that…but lets remember Orlando Bloom and how he was Legolas in "Lord of the Rings" ….I'm pretty sure his hair wasn't naturally that blonde or that long, so there you have it! The power of Hollywood makeup, and Tyler is a pretty decent actor to top it off, so there's my justification for this choice.
Xavier Acrux: Matthew Daddario, or Jacob Elordi
Matthew Daddario, credit to owner
Jacob Elordi, image courtesy of wonderlandmagazine.com
I personally see Matthew Daddario more as Xavier, but I could see Jacob Elordi also playing the character too! I can't remember if Xavier is described as being tall like Jacob is, but I feel like age-wise he fits the bill and not taking his height into consideration, he kind of matches the physical description….I think?
Clara Orion: Violett Beane
Image courtesy of wikimedia.org
I'll be honest, I was having a hard time picturing anyone for this character, and I saw someone suggest this actress somewhere either on the mycast website or Tumblr, but I think she looks the part! I totally agree with this choice and am adding it to mine.
Mildred Canopus: Billie Lourd
Image courtesy of today.com
Now since "Bri" also called me out on this one, I'm going to continue to be petty and explain this one. I am by no means calling Billie Lourd ugly for fancasting her as Mildred. I'm pretty sure no actor/actress/model/etc. actually looks like how Mildred is described in the books, but lets go back to that Hollywood makeup idea and how these physical qualities can be added on in the makeup chair before shooting! Ralph Fiennes doesn't look like Voldemort in real life, right? Did Jason Isaacs really have long blonde hair as Lucious Malfoy, again NO! Seeing Billie's characters in "Scream Queens" and the Cult season of "American Horror Story" are what made me think she'd be a good choice to be this character!
Rosalie Oscura: Tristin Mays
Image courtesy of cbs.com
I made a choice for this character because while I haven't read them yet, I do know this character makes appearances in other books that take place in Solaria. Tristin Mays has been seen in "The Vampire Diaries" for a short while, and is even in the "McGyver" reboot that's come out in recent years too!
Professor Highspell: Constance Wu
Image Courtesy of womenshealthmag.com
She's the star of "Crazy, Rich Asians," but I've heard Constance has been known to have a big head and be a total diva on sets, so that made this a quick choice for me when Professor Highspell shows up later in the book series!
Tyler: Chris Wood
Image courtesy of upi.com
I honestly couldn't remember what exactly Tyler's physical features are, like he could have blonde hair for all I know, but that doesn't mean Chris couldn't get highlights if that true anyways…I actually loved him as Kai in "The Vampire Diaries," so thats where I got the idea for this fancasting choice!
Hamisch Grus: John C. Reilly
Image courtesy of onthisday.com
John C. Reilly totally has that big guy who's a total goofball style of humor–I mean, have you watched "Step Brothers" or "Talladega Nights?"–but I could totally see him playing the role of Geraldine's father!
That's all for now! As I read on in the series, I plan to add more characters and my fancasts for them as I meet them in the books and get a sense of who they could be. Be sure to come back to this page as time moves forward and I finish more of the books! I'm currently up to finishing book 6, and haven't finished book 7 quite yet! If anything, I'll probably wait until Book 8 to update all at once to see if any more characters really need to be added.
Tagged Alex Badia, Bully Romance, Caleb Altair, Caroline Peckman, Christian Lee Navarro, Darius Acrux, Diego Polaris, dragons, Dre Davis, Elias Black, Emeraude Toubia, enemies to lovers, fancast, fantasy romance, fantasy series, Geraldine Grus, Kaythebooklover, Kylie Major, Lance Orion, Luke Bracey, Max Rigel, Michael Dean Johnson, New Adult, New Adult Romance, New Adult Series, reverse harem, romance novel, Saxon Sharbino, Seth Capella, Sofia Cygmus, Susanne Valenti, Tori and Darcy Vega, Vampires and Werewolves, Zodiac Academy4 Comments
Fantasy, New Adult, New Adult Romance
My Review: The Crown of Gilded Bones (Blood and Ash #3): by Jennifer L. Armentrout
May 11, 2021 May 12, 2021 nicholasjgoodsell
Publish Date: April 20th, 2021
Publisher: Blue Box Press
***Warning!! This review contains spoilers for this book plus others in the series, so continue reading at your own risk! You've officially been warned!***
To see my review of book #1 – From Blood And Ash – Click HERE
To see my review of book #2 – A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire – Click HERE
'You need to understand that I will do anything and everything for my wife.' Casteel's gaze latched on to his father's. 'No risk is too great, nor is anything too sacred. Because she is my everything. There is nothing greater than her, and I do mean nothing.'"
– Jennifer L. Armentrout, "The Crown of Gilded Bones"
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout comes book three in her Blood and Ash series…
She's been the victim and the survivor…
Poppy never dreamed she would find the love she's found with Prince Casteel. She wants to revel in her happiness but first they must free his brother and find hers. It's a dangerous mission and one with far-reaching consequences neither dreamed of. Because Poppy is the Chosen, the Blessed. The true ruler of Atlantia. She carries the blood of the King of Gods within her. By right the crown and the kingdom are hers.
The enemy and the warrior…
Poppy has only ever wanted to control her own life, not the lives of others, but now she must choose to either forsake her birthright or seize the gilded crown and become the Queen of Flesh and Fire. But as the kingdoms' dark sins and blood-drenched secrets finally unravel, a long-forgotten power rises to pose a genuine threat. And they will stop at nothing to ensure that the crown never sits upon Poppy's head.
A lover and heartmate…
But the greatest threat to them and to Atlantia is what awaits in the far west, where the Queen of Blood and Ash has her own plans, ones she has waited hundreds of years to carry out. Poppy and Casteel must consider the impossible—travel to the Lands of the Gods and wake the King himself. And as shocking secrets and the harshest betrayals come to light, and enemies emerge to threaten everything Poppy and Casteel have fought for, they will discover just how far they are willing to go for their people—and each other.
Wow wow wow wow wow was what I kept repeating to myself as I finished this book a couple days ago as I'm typing this review up. The third book in Jennifer L. Armentrout's Blood and Ash was an absolute tornado that hit me right in the chest more than any other book in quite some time, and it took me a couple days to allow myself to soak it all in and collect my thoughts as I make sense of the pure craziness that happens in the last chunk of this book. I mean, the Admin of the Facebook group for these books said this one was going to absolutely wreck us as a fandom, and while I wasn't on the floor weeping my eyes out or throwing my book across the room in a fit of heartbroken rage, I can say that yeah…that sequence really left an impression on me as a reader. I am filled with wonder, with shock, and most of all I get chills running down my arms because I have to say to the author: BRAVO!
The world and the story that this author has created somehow just continues to get bigger and bigger with every book, and JLA reached heights that I honestly didn't even know it'd get to with all the information I now know surrounding Poppy, The Ascended, Queen Ileana, Queen Eloana, and even the gods that are now starting to wake back up on the brink of war! I remember thinking back when the first book came out and how maybe it was going to be a really good knight/princess centric romance, but OHHHHHHHH am I wrong and so happy to be so! It's reached Sarah J. Maas level of amazingness with all the worldbuilding, the shocking twists, the bitter betrayals, the many different kinds of magical beings, and of course the steamy and heartwarming romance.
Whenever I get these books in my hands, and I do the more expensive hardcover versions from Barnes & Noble because I try to purchase anything off Amazon as a last resort after working there, I really take my time and slowly read so that I can savor all of it. Too many times in the past have I completely binge-read a book in two days and then I stare blankly at the wall as I realize I have to wait a whole other year until the next one releases. I guess it helps a little, but in reality I also already finished it and it still feels like it will be forever until I find out what happens next in this series. The next book will be a prequel, which is going to be released later in fall 2021.
There's also so much growth that happens in this book in multiple ways: both Poppy and Cas as individuals and as husband and wife. Poppy continues to change even this far into the series, and she gains more and more confidence in her abilities, both normal and magical. As she discovers more and more about her past, she she also learns whose in her corner and who will betray her all the same. She becomes so much stronger and badass too; that ending gave me some series Daenerys Targaryen Khaleesi vibes that felt so powerful considering she started off as the pure and demure maiden at the very beginning. Casteel slowly learns to open up and let himself be vulnerable in front of her too, he admits/confesses things that he's told no one else, and shows pure emotion when Poppy hears it all yet continues to stay by his side. His past is so dark and tragic, and you can tell it means more to him than he says when Poppy reassures him and reveals her true feelings to him as well. The softer moments when these two are alone and continue to just talk and get to know each other as a normal couple are some very low-key amazing moments that helps elevate their status as one of the best couples in Fantasy literature. While becoming more intimate in more ways than one (both smutty and intellectually), they also quickly learn to take on the hard task of learning to rule a kingdom while everything is going on with the Ascended and the possibility of war on the horizon. They have to become ruthless and make a lot of hard decisions in order to help keep their land and their people safe, and it was fun to see them as they held their own against players of the game of thrones who've been around for centuries when compared to themselves.
'You will bow before your Queen.' Casteel eyed the Atlantian coolly. 'Or you will bleed before her. It is your choice.'"
Poppy Continues to Grow/Develop As A Character! Like I said, her growth is seriously so amazing to read in this whole series. She becomes more confident in herself and her love for Casteel, and even grows quite a backbone when dealing with royals, nobility, and even celestial beings from another realm!
SO MANY NEW CHARACTERS! But actually though…it's crazy all the new faces we see in this third book, some are names we've been hearing about for quite some time now, while others are names you never thought you'd actually meet up with. First, there's Casteel's parents, King Valyn and Queen Eloana. Second, there's Ian and Malec, both are brothers of our two main characters. There's the infamous Miss Willa Colyns, who was such a total delight to finally meet! There's a little reveal about her that I cheered with glee for that was absolutely hilarious! There's Nyktos, the king of the Gods, who was also kind of an obvious addition considering the next book will be a prequel starring him. Then there's Queen Ileana, the Blood Queen whose in charge of all the vamprys of the Ascended. She's a real piece of work, that's for sure!
The Revenants! This was a very interesting concept that was introduced in this book, and while I guess it includes new characters, I wanted this to have its own part on the list. Let's just say for now that the Blood Queen has a lot tricks and twists up her sleeves.
Poppy's Mysterious Backstory Finally Explained! This part was the big climax, and wow oh wow was it done in spectacular dramatics! There was so many twisting reveals, it's no surprise that no one correctly guessed it on the FB group in the months leading up to this book's arrival! I mean, with how complicated it all gets, who could've possibly gotten even close to how complex this whole family tree gets?!
Casteel Continues To Be Book Husband GOALS! Rhysand who? But seriously, Casteel Da'Neer continues to raise the bar for ALL men who love that special someone in their lives. Like I mentioned before, he grows a lot too in this book and allows himself to show vulnerability and raw emotions when it comes to Poppy, and even better how he doesn't get his masculinity called into question when Poppy becomes so much more powerful than him. He actually gets turned on by it, which for him is totally normal.
Dragons! Yessssssssss Dragons…well Drakens to be more specific, but basically the same thing! Going to the lands of the gods, Poppy learns that Nyktos had his own group of warriors who could transform into Drakens at will and protect their land. You don't see as much of them as you'd probably like if I'm being honest, but the set up with them for sure gets you excited for the later books down the road.
There's Set Up For The Prequel Coming Out Later! For those not in this FB group (The Blood and Ash Spoiler Group), it's obvious that the next book out will not be the next book in this series, but actually will be a prequel that starts a new side series, and stars the King of the Gods, Nyktos. A Shadow In the Ember will come out October 19th, 2021 according to Goodreads, and there is a ton of set up for it for when it comes out. This just all adds to how much bigger and grander this whole story has become thanks to Jennifer L. Armentrout's brilliant creative writing skills, like it makes me want to get back into my writing even more!
The Smut! Oh yeah, those of us in the fandom are always looking for the steamy scenes that Poppy and Cas have in these books, and they didn't disappoint in any way! Their passion continues to heat up the pages, and even get to try some new things out *wink*wink*
A Slower Midpoint In This Book…The beginning started off on such a strong note, but once it got itself all sorted out and things slowed down for a bit of the middle of the book, I found myself a little bored in all honesty. Sure, we got to see moments where Cas and Poppy get closer than ever, but my boredom was also beginning to make me worry; Was I losing interest in this book? Was I losing interest in this series? What's going on with the Ascended? Are we just going to be forgetting about them for awhile? Luckily, my faith was restored later on in the book when the tornado hit when we finally meet the Queen. I'll try to remember to keep my faith in JLA as an author after that!
No Joining Scene…Yep, I'm on that side of the fandom. It's been so funny to see how torn all of us fans are when it comes to all this, which is a threeway by the way. I'm all for supporting polyamorous relationships, and while maybe I can agree that maybe for this particular story it's not as important of needing to happen, I wouldn't mind if we got at least one scene where this goes down. So I was disappointed that it didn't happen, BUT there was a scene with some interesting voyeurism going on that continues my hope that maybe it'll happen! There are plenty of more books set to come out for this series, so that also means plenty of more opportunities to make it happen!
The Repetitive Worldbuilding Formula…There were some major info-dumps in this book, and the way it's all told to us as an audience has just gotten a little old for me. Basically with how Poppy has so many questions—much to Keiran's dismay—and then either Kieran or Jasper are the human encyclopedias who have all the information she needs. It's a formula that's been used several times now, and maybe it didn't matter as much to other readers, but I personally am getting a little bored with it by this point because it's happened so many times already. I don't know, maybe there just needs to be new ways JLA can give us this information if there still is by this point in the series.
The Too Close To Matching Names of Big Characters…Malik and Malec, Eloana and Ileana…I know in a lot of Fantasy novels/series that sometimes people just have similar names, but it was getting a little annoying how close these names were, sometimes I got them mixed up. Is it Mal-Lick and Mal-leek? Il-ianna and El-oh-ana? that's how I've been pronouncing them so far up to this point!
The dimple in his right cheek appeared, and he dipped his head, kissing just above my brow and then lower, over the scar. 'Princess?'
My lips curved up. What had started as a nickname had become a reality. 'Yes?'
His mouth moved over mine. 'I love you.'
The smile on my face grew as my heart did a little skip in my chest. 'I love you.'"
What a wild ride filled with just about everything you need to have an epic fantasy adventure: danger, drama, suspense, romance, humor, friendship, history, so many amazing characters, and shocking twists that take your breath away! This Blood and Ash series is literally EVERYTHING and was so enjoyable of a book for me. It would have been absolutely perfect if not for the slow midpoint for me, but with all that happens in the last chunk of it, it almost makes up for any boredom or concern I had at that point in my time reading this book.
I've never been a big fan of prequels, I always feel like they're so limited in how far they can go as a story because they're literally just set up for something you've already seen or read. In a way, you already know whats going to end up happening in the end, and the predictability factor of that isn't all that interesting to me, so while I'm still looking forward to A Shadow in the Embers coming out this October that will shed some light on Nyktos and the Gods and all the rich history there, I'm not nearly as excited as I would be if book #4 of Blood and Ash was being released instead. Still, I trust JLA as an author by this point, so I'll keep my inner reservation and reluctance and negativity to a minimum and I give this prequel a chance.
Blood and Ash book #4 is set to release March 2022 with the title and exact date to come at a later time than as I'm typing this review, but I'm sure those who've also finished this book can agree with me when I say that March feels like such a long ass time away!
Tagged A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire, Blood and Ash series, Blood Queen, Books with war, Casteel Da'Neer, fantasy novel, fantasy romance, fantasy series, From Blood and Ash, Gods and Goddesses, Hawke Flynn, Jennifer L. Armentrout, Kieran Contou, King Valyn Da'Neer, kingdoms at war, Kings and Queens, New Adult Romance, Nyktos, Poppy and Casteel, Poppy Balfour, Queen Eloana Da'Neer, Queen Ileana, Revenant, smutty romance, The Crown of Gilded Bones, The Crown of Gilded Bones Jennifer L. Armentrout, THe Crown of Gilded Bones review, Vampire Queen, Vampires and WerewolvesLeave a comment

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LE 4dr Front-wheel Drive Passenger Van
The Toyota Sienna remains one of the smartest transportation choices an active family can make. Minivans offer more interior room relative to exterior length than any other type of vehicle, and the Sienna is arguably the best of the breed.
Inside, the Sienna is big and roomy, but it doesn't drive bulky, and it's not hard to park. It's smooth, responsive and quiet, and it's more fuel-efficient than an SUV with comparable space for people and things. In just minutes, the Sienna switches from eight-passenger bus to cavernous cargo hauler, with room for full sheets of plywood, 10-foot ladders, or significantly more of anything else than you can put in most full-size sport utilities. With a standard 3500-pound towing capacity, the Sienna will pull a camper or small watercraft. All-wheel drive is available and it's the best choice for wintry weather, though we've found the front-drive models work just fine for suburbia in the Snow Belt.
The Toyota Sienna is available in a wide range of trim levels, making it accessible to a wide range of buyers. The base CE starts below $25,000 and is still well equipped, with a full complement of power accessories, air conditioning with separate controls front and rear, and a six-speaker CD stereo with a jack for MP3 players. The line-topping Limited approaches $40,000, but comes with leather memory seats, high-intensity headlights, and active cruise control; and offers touch-screen navigation and rear-seat DVD entertainment. All models come with a class-leading V6 and a five-speed automatic transmission.
The Sienna offers flexible seating as well, with a choice of second-row captain's chairs that can be repositioned side-to-side for a more bench-like arrangement; or a three-way split-folding bench featuring a center section that can be moved nearly 13 inches closer to the front seats, for easy access to an infant or toddler. All Siennas are equipped with a standard 60/40 split third row seat that folds flat into the floor.
The Sienna also offers all the important safety equipment, and then some. Front passenger side-impact airbags, full-cabin head protection airbags, and a sophisticated anti-lock brake system are standard. Electronic stability control (called Vehicle Stability Control) is now also standard on all models. An optional rear-view camera helps the driver spot objects or children behind the vehicle when backing up, augmenting an audible park-assist system.
Other Sienna strengths are more subtle and less tangible. Among them: hooks in just the right places and seats that fold with one hand. Almost everything works as you'd expect, without struggle or confusion. In so many ways, Sienna reduces the stress of family transport. We've found its power doors are easier to operate and are more convenient than those on the Honda Odyssey.
For 2008, Toyota has made Vehicle Stability Control, traction control, and four-wheel-disc brakes standard on all models. For 2007, Toyota boosted Sienna's performance with a larger and more powerful V6 engine. We love its impressive acceleration, and the way the new engine adds driving excitement. That's right, driving a minivan …
Choose a Trim 4dr Front-wheel Drive Passenger Van (CE) 4dr Front-wheel Drive Passenger Van (LE) 4dr All-wheel Drive Passenger Van (LE) 4dr Front-wheel Drive Passenger Van (XLE) 4dr All-wheel Drive Passenger Van (XLE) 4dr Front-wheel Drive Passenger Van (Limited) 4dr All-wheel Drive Passenger Van (Limited)
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Lusaka man gets 1 year for hitting colleague with pool stick in tavern
By Zondiwe Mbewe,
A 47-year-old man of Lusaka's John Howard Compound has been sentenced to one year imprisonment with hard labour for assaulting another man in a tavern using a pool stick.
The victim sustained a fracture on his right hand side.
In this matter, Davy Sansalimba was charged with one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, contrary to section 248 of the Penal Code Chapter 87 of the laws of Zambia.
Particulars of the offence were that on September 16, 2018, in Lusaka, Sansalimba assaulted Jevas Phiri, thereby, occasioning him actual bodily harm.
The accused had pleaded guilty and the matter came up before Magistrate Thandose Chabala, Tuesday, for facts and sentencing.
Facts in this matter were that last year on September 16, around 10:00 hours, the accused was drinking beer at Timwenge Tavern commonly known as 'Delta', in John Howard.
But as the complainant, Jevas, was chatting with his friends, the accused followed him and hit him on his face.
When Jevas fell down, the accused, Sansalimba, got a pool stick and hit him on the right hand side where he sustained a fracture.
The people who were around rescued the complainant and apprehended Sansalimba and took him to Chawama Police Station.
Asked whether the facts were true and correct, the accused responded in the affirmative.
In mitigation, Sansalimba asked for forgiveness from the complainant.
He added that he had a big family, which he was looking after.
Sansalimba said he was also taking care of his school-going children.
But passing her sentence, Magistrate Chabala said she had taken into account the mitigation by Sansalimba as well as the injuries sustained by the complainant.
She eventually sentenced him to 12 months' imprisonment with hard labour with effect from the date he was arrested.
Zondiwe has interest in writing political and current affairs on issues which affect every Zambian.Email: zondiwe [at] diggers [dot] news
» All articles by Zondiwe Mbewe
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Lusaka man gets 8 months for hitting wife with pot


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Ran, 1985
Hidetora Ichimonji (Tatsuya Nakadai) has lived a long and prosperous life of a feudal warlord, his reign marked by devastating territorial battles, humiliation of the vanquished, and brutal punishment of those who flout his authority. One day, in the presence of neighboring feudal lords and attendants, he announces his decision to step down from power and cede the authority of daily government (while retaining the ostensible title of Great Lord) to his eldest son Taro (Akira Terao) in the hopes that after fifty years of strife, he can live out his remaining years in peace. He transfers ownership of the two regional castles to his younger sons, Jiro (Jinpachi Nezu) and Saburo (Daisuke Ryu), and demands their support and respect for Taro. He illustrates the strength of solidarity by handing each son an arrow, which individually, can easily broken in two. However, when banded together, the arrows will not bend so easily. The youngest son, Saburo, criticizes the folly of Hidetora's plan, exposing the false allegiance of his older brothers towards a unified Ichimonji empire, and warns Hidetora that his actions will result in chaos and civil war. Hidetora is insulted by Saburo's unflattering candor, and in a fit of anger, impulsively disowns Saburo and sends him into exile. However, as Hidetora attempts to settle into the tranquility of retirement, he realizes that he cannot relinquish power and influence so easily. In repeatedly overstepping the authority of Taro, Hidetora becomes unwelcome at the castle. Hidetora then decides to take up residence with Jiro, only to find that Taro has dispatched a message to his brother, who, in turn, has decided to shut out Hidetora's entourage behind the castle gates. Unwelcomed at either house and estranged from Saburo, he settles into the third castle, only to find the palace under siege by both Taro and Hidetora's armies, as the brothers engage in a bloody civil war for control of the empire.
Adapted from the William Shakespeare play King Lear and Japanese folklore, Ran is an epic story of ambition, hubris, and aging. In contrast to the muted battle scenes of Seven Samurai, Ran is a graphic, sensoral depiction of the violence innate in the human soul. Through the use of suffusive colors to delineate opposing armies, Akira Kurosawa figuratively taints the serene landscape with the artificial, surreal hues of human tragedy and senseless destruction. As the conflict intensifies, the sweeping images fuse into a mesmerizing, heartbreaking chronicle of Hidetora's personal revelation and fall from grace. In the end, cast away by his family and humiliated by the consequences of his misguided actions, Hidetora returns to a state of nascent innocence and wanders the land – away from the madness of violence – and in the process, finds his own fleeting inner peace.
Directors, National CinemaAkira Kurosawa, Japanese Cinema
Dersu Uzala, 1974
Cure, 1997


Almost everyone who visits Ireland wants to experience the 'Irish Factor'. Top of the list of 'Things to do and see' are Irish Pubs and Irish Music so we asked our past guests, what would their favourite irish drinks be at Christmas based on their experience of an Irish Pub while on one of our Irish Music Tours. We'll count them down from 5……….
Brewed by the Donegal Brewing Company in Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal (Ireland's oldest town), Donegal Blonde has became an instant hit with both locals and visitors alike since the company was established in 2011. The company set up production facilities in the beer garden of the family run pub 'Dicey Reilly's' and are still there to this day. Our guests tell us that it's flavour, colour and name evoke fond memories of their trip to Ireland with Irish Music Tours and it's the ideal gift to give someone at Christmas.
This gin is brewed by the Dingle Whiskey Distillery on the outskirts of Dingle Town. As it's title suggests, the brewery started out in 2012 brewing whiskey and gin soon followed. Our guests comment on it's refreshing taste and it reminds them of Dingle, County Kerry, the great people, stunning scenery and wonderful music.
This may surprise some people. As the youngest of our irish drinks, Silkie Whiskey has came out on top of all the whiskeys, which may raise a few eyebrows. Based in Carrick, Co. Donegal, at the foot of the majestic Sliabh League Cliffs, the distillery is the first in the county for over 175 years. Guests often tell us how Silkie Whiskey reminds them of Donegal, the rugged coastline, amazing scenery and friendly people and great music.
No real surprises here then. Known throughout the world as a symbol of Ireland and of all things Irish, a pint of Guinness came out on top as the favourite tipple to be had at Christmas. It encompasses all things Irish, and regardless of where in the world you come from, when you have a pint of Guinness in your hand in an Irish pub, you know you are really home!!!
IrishMusicTours.ie is Ireland's leading Traditional Irish Music tour operator, providing a range of tour packages that suit both non-musicians and musicians alike. Below are 10 reasons why you should book an Irish Music Tour today.
1. Instrument Makers. Irish Music Tours are the only Irish based tour operator to incorporate all aspects of Traditional Irish music in our tours. A major focus of our tours are instrument makers. Throughout the island of Ireland are fiddle makers, flute makers, harp makers, banjo makers, pipe makers etc. and these craftsmen are the unsung heroes of traditional Irish music, providing the instruments that are so widely played week in, week out. The tours visit the workshops to get a better understanding of the process involved in producing these wonderful instruments.
2. Nightly Sessions. At the core of all or tours is the Traditional Irish Music Session. Each night on our tours we have a session wherever we stop off and we meet up with some of the local musicians from that area. Our sessions are recorded, mastered and transferred to CD for you as a gift to remind you of your time with us.
3. Traditional Music Venues. Our years of experience playing music around Ireland enables us to visit the authentic traditional music venues so often overlooked by the major tour operators. We pride ourselves in giving our guests the authentic Irish music experience.
4. Straw Craft Ireland. As part of our Great Northern Traditional Music Tour, we pay a visit to Straw Craft Ireland who have been carrying on the old tradition of weaving and sculpting with the medium of straw as was done hundreds of years ago. There is a demonstration and a workshop giving the guest an opportunity to make an item with straw using old techniques which they can keep as a memento of their visit.
5. Musicians Travel on the Tour. Irish Music Tours have a pool of more than 30 of the finest traditional musicians and some of these musicians travel with the guests on each tour to guarantee nightly sessions and craic along the way. This is a great opportunity to get to know the musicians and understand the importance of Irish music on everyday Irish life.
6. Arranmore Island. The jewel in the crown is our visit too Arranmore Island off the coast of Co. Donegal. We spend a night on the Island getting to know it's often tragic history, meeting the King of Arranmore and taking in it's breathtaking beauty and scenery. And of course we'll have a session.
7. Traditional Irish Music Festivals. New to our tour schedule for 2015 is the introduction of tour packages covering some of the major Traditional Music Festivals that take place throughout the year in all parts of Ireland. A chance to experience the sights and sounds whenever musicians come together.
8. The Wild Atlantic Way. Covering 2500kms of Ireland's western seaboard, The Wild Atlantic Way is the longest coastal drive in the world. Our Wild Atlantic Way Traditional Music Tour takes you on a journey exploring all Ireland's coastline has to offer while enjoying Ireland's hidden musical gems in the company of the finest musicians.
9. Eddie Doherty Hand Weaving. Based in the picturesque heritage village of Ardara, Co. Donegal, we visit the workshop of world famous weaver Eddie Doherty and learn more about the history of hand weaving while Eddie gives a demonstration on his hand weaving loom.
10. The Authentic Irish Experience. Irish Music Tours prides itself on providing an authentic Irish experience, enabling the guests to get true insight to Irish life, customs, and traditions while having at it's core, genuine Traditional Irish Music. See the Sights, Meet the People, Enjoy the Music.
At Irish Music Tours.ie we pride ourselves in bringing our guests to experience, not only Traditional Irish Music, but also the Culture and Heritage of Irish life. As time moves on and technology and innovation take over, alot of the old skills and crafts are often lost. There are a few who dedicate themselves to preserving these old traditions, either because it is an old family tradition or they believe it is important to keep these skills as a reminder of the old ways that generations before us lived.
One such person is Co. Armagh native Paul Carville who runs Straw Craft Ireland. Paul is continuing on the tradition of using straw to weave and sculpt anything from household items to items of clothing using only the medium of straw. Paul is carrying on a tradition he learned from his grandfather, himself a master craftsman. Nobel laureate Seamus Heaney's poem, 'A Harvest Bow', was penned about his own father who was also a master craftsman working with straw. The poem is Heaney's recollection of his father and his experience of watching this master craftsman at work. You can listen to the poem here, read by Seamus Heaney himself, and you can picture the scene in your mind as Heaney draws the image through his words as only he can.
Paul's work is widely used and recently he was commissioned to provide some of the props that are seen in the latest blockbuster movie, 'Dracula Untold'.
As part of our Great Northern Traditional Music Tour, we are delighted to have Paul conduct a workshop with our guests when we visit the Lough Neagh Discovery Centre on the outskirts of Lurgan, Co. Armagh. Our guests will get the opportunity to see this master craftsman at work while at the same time get to make their own item in straw that they can keep as a reminder of their visit.
Our Great Northern Traditional Music Tours depart from Dublin, visiting Dundalk, Armagh, Belfast, The Causeway Coast and Donegal. Click here for Great Northern Traditional Music Tour departure dates.
Gift Certificates/Vouchers are now available to purchase through our website here. These are an ideal gift for anyone thinking of taking Ireland vacations in 2015. They are available in €100, €200, €300, €400 and €500 and are redeemable against any of our 2015 tour packages. Purchase a gift certificate/voucher between now and Christmas and you'll receive a free IrishMusicTours.ie 2015 calender. Contact us for more details.


Dominique Hughes is a director and co-founder of one of your favourite brands - Jem + Bea. A couple of months ago I saw a moving post on Dominique's personal Instagram account where she talked about her mum and the drive that her mum gave her. Today being Mother's Day, it seemed the perfect opportunity to ask Dom about her mum, herself and her thoughts on gender equality.
"Being a strong woman does not mean that we need to hide who we are on the inside, to confirm to traditional stereotypes of what strength looks and feels like, it's about being comfortable in our skin, confident in our skin and embracing our feminine characteristics."
When you ask a person to describe a "strong woman", they might tell you a story about a person they know who climbed to the top of her career ladder or a woman who stands up for what she believes in. They might describe a woman who selflessly puts the needs of others before her own in either her professional or personal life. But, to me, there are other, equally inspiring examples of strength.