Readers International

Since you all seemed to enjoy Cliché, here's a little treat for all Hunger Games fans.

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That One Owl Movie

Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'hoole
Rated PG for some sequences of scary action.

The animation and wicked-sweet battle sequences were all that saved this movie. Oh, and Owl City's catchy "To the Sky" song.
But that was it.
Sorry to burst any one's bubble, but it was predictable and emotionless. Soren was very heroic, but a teense typical. The Pure Ones' cult was a little odd, and did the heroes really need to haul that stupid snake everywhere? Granted, there were a few humorous parts, but when Twilight struck a song it came off as more awkward than funny.
They over-did the slow-motion effect, though it did add to the final battle. Whenever Soren "trusted his gizzard", this song would come on that sounded like an Enya/Loreena Mckennitt mix. Again, it only worked effectively in the final battle. The plot was rather shabby until they reached the Tree of Ga'hoole and once the Owl City number kicked in.
PARENTS TAKE HEED: For a "cute little owl movie", it was rather violent. And when the owlets got hypnotized it was pretty creepy.

Still, it was a really good movie and the action was phenomenal.

Verdict: Wait until the DVD comes out.

Grey Travel Rating: 3/5 Stars
Animation: 5/5 Stars
Plot: 1/5 Stars
Characters: 1/5 Stars

Doomwyte Quotes II

Picture by Dawnfinder
"Ye painted little coward, just wait'll I get loose!"

"We may be thieves, but we're good, 'onest thieves."

He was forced to reply, "You...you...fleabag, you thief!"
Nokko laughed lightly. "Thief? That's a compliment where I comes from."

Glisam did something quite out of character for the Father Abbot of Redwall. He winked roguishly at the astonished sister, mimicking a rough otter voice. "Haharr, there's a lot ye don't know about me, matey, ain't that right, Skip?" Skipper Rorgus returned the wink. "Aye, right as rain, me ole shipmate!"

Friar Skurpul merely chuckled. "Sumtoimes ee can be a roight ole mizrubble beast, zurr. Still, Oi supposen it keeps you'm 'appy."

"Goodness me, whatever is that supposed to mean? 'Tis all gobbledygook to me, my dears."
Samolus helped himself to a pasty. "Well, o' course it is, marm, that's how puzzles are supposed t'be, right, Dwink?"

"Now run that river down the flow,/where we'll anchor I don't know./Sing hey hi ho my matey oh,/that's the Guosim way to go!"

Nokko fitted a shaft onto his bowstring. "Right, mate, an' if one snotty snout pokes outta there, we'll show 'em the meanin' of slaughter!"

The Gonfelin maid had a resolute gleam in her eye. "I want t'see wot yore up to. Don't worry, I promise I'll stay out o' yore way, an' I won't get trapped under any big rocks. I'll behave myself."

Homecomings can be coloured by many emotions. Abbot Glisam tried to touch on them all, as he addressed everybeast.

A noontide nap can be a tranquil pleasure. Nothing to do, nowhere special to go, happily captured in the enchantment of a high summer day.

"Yore about to say somethin', ain't ye, Father?"
Glisam placed the seedcake on his plate, returning Corksnout's gaze. "Aye, and I hope you'll all take it sensibly."

Just a Bit of Silliness...

I had this idea last night about Hiccup and Aisling falling in love...

I mean, vikings are key elements in both How to Train Your Dragon and The Secret of Kells. So I figured they'd go well together.
This took me two hours to make, courtesy of Picnik and Blibs.com.
Enjoy.

Honor For a Reason

I'm (finally) done with my Newberry Honor binge.

Here are my top ten. These ones that, surprisingly, didn't make me yawn and actually ended up as some of my favorite books:

Shen of the Sea by Arthur Bowie Chrisman

A beautiful collection Chinese folktales, as rich, splendid and dashing as The Arabian Nights.

Carry On, Mr. Bowditch by Jean Lee Latham

It was a fantastic adventure on the high-seas filled with so much heart; like "Captain and Commander" for a younger audience.

The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare

I never expected it book to be so exciting. It sure surprised me with romance, prejudice, and a heavy dose of heroism.

The Gammage Cup by Carol Kendall

An absolutely enchanting, splendid book that felt like a friend the minute I read the first line. All about being your own person. Wonderful story and delightful characters.

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L'Engle

I've been avoiding this book for years. Now I wonder why. A great adventure with a moral that had me actually rooting for the characters.

The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi

Such a swash-buckling tale about overcoming doubt and fear. I couldn't put it down, it was so addicting. Also, I cried.

The Giver by Lois Lowry

I honestly believe that everyone who can read should read this. Emotional, thought-provoking, and potent, I think this will be a classic. If it isn't already.

The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo
Charming story of a mouse that saves a princess in a kingdom of outlawed soup.

Princess Academy by Shannon Hale

Like I once said, this is an extraordinary book with likable characters and a plot-line that surpasses its title. Gosh, I love it so much.

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin
Another one of those addicting books. This was such a magical ride that left me loving every second of it. A cleverly-woven tapestry of a book, I highly recommend it. (No, seriously. As in, go read it now.)

New Harry Potter Stills...

New stills came out for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
And if the pictures have me on the edge of my seat, what's the movie gonna be like?

So excited.

Harry with his wand...

No idea where they are.

Harry gazing into the shard of glass, just like in the book. I'm so very glad that they decided to put that scene in.

Rufus Scrimgeour (the new Minister of Magic) handing them, well, something.

WHAT THE HECK?! Why is Lupin threatening Harry?!

Doomwyte Quotes Part 1

Picture by Sean Rubin
Samolus tweaked the young mouse's ear. "Excuse me, who's telling this tale, me or you?" Smilingly, the Abbot corrected him. "Lady Columbine, I think, friend. You're only the reader."

The otter confided in a low, urgent tone, "I gotta ship up there, ready to set sail right away. I'm goin' on a trip until this rain stops an' I finds a rainbow. But I need a crew-anybeast knows where a pore skipper can find strong, trusty beasts?" There was an immediate clamour of volunteers. A moment later, Rorgus was labouring up the stairs, laden down by his clinging crew. Abbot Glisam, who had overheard everything, smiled as he watched them go. "I think our Skipper should keep them amused. You know, I'm not sure who enjoys that otter's games more, him or the Dibbuns."

"It's a message, cleverly designed by Gonff. We've got to be just as clever to solve it."

He waggled his long ears at Brother Torilis. "An' you, mah friend, practice smilin', but watch yore face doesnae crack an' fall off!"

Silent as a breeze wending amidst grave-stones, they drifted inside.

It was not a jig for the faint-hearted.

A Painted One ventured out onto the ledge, loading a dart into a hollow blowpipe. He leered wickedly at Bosie. "Yikahee, getcher now, rabbet, Gadik never misses!" A chunk of limestone struck him on the neck. He gave a choking gurgle, and plunged headlong into the pit. Samolus's voice called out cheerily, "I never miss, either, scum. Step up, who's next?"

Skipper grasped Bosie's free paw. "Here's me heart an' here's me word, mate, we're with ye!"

Dubble laughed nervously. "If'n ye see any twinklin' lights tryin' to lead us someplace, ignore 'em mate, they're trouble." Bisky gripped his friend's paw firmly. "They're worse than trouble, mate, they're Wytes."

"I'm Tugga Bruster, Log a Log of the Northstream Guosim, an' I'm here to ask ye a question!" Skipper immediately decided that he did not like either the tone or the manner of Tugga Bruster. He hurried forward, placing himself in front of Glisam. "Ahoy, bully, ye can ask wot questions ye like, but there won't be any answers until yore manners improve!" Tugga Bruster held his club forward threateningly. "Out o' me way, riverdog, I ain't talkin' to you!" Skipper whirled like lightning; his thick rudder struck the shrew's paws, knocking the iron club from his grasp. It rang out, like a hammer striking an anvil, as it hit the floor. Skipper clenched his paws. "Well, I'm Rorgus Skipper o' the Mossflower Otters, an' I'm talkin' to you, watermouse!"

Umfry was curious about the Guosim way of life, which Marul tried to give him a flavour of.

"Nothin' wrong wid stealin', long as yer don't get caught."

"Lissen, mouth almighty, Painty Ones are our mortal foes, so anybeast who's an enemy o' them is a friend o' mine, see!"