5 Days Until Christmas!

There's no such thing as a typical
Aussie Christmas!

Can you stand the excitement? I know I can't. Since the start of November I've been internally singing every Christmas song I know, thinking about Christmas lunch, trying to work out what I should get people. It's my favourite time of year! So I thought I thought I'd share my favourite things about Christmas with you all (how many times can you say Christmas before it becomes redundant?)!

Gorgeous Tree!

5) You get to decorate the house! I absolutely love decorating, not necessarily Christmas-themed, just in general. Redecorating the house is something I desperately want to do, but my parents probably wouldn't want me in charge - Christmas is my outlet! I get to put little Santa ornaments everywhere, decorate the tree, it's the best thing ever. I usually do this with my mum, and although I'd never tell her this, it's a special tradition that I hold close to my heart. Wow, that god deep. Is everyone wearing goggles?

We've never had lights on out house before, but I still
love looking at other peoples' houses!

4) The food, duh! I love to eat, that's just a fact. I probably wouldn't be so "curvy" if I wouldn't eat so much. However, when it's Christmas, I can eat whatever the hell I want. For some reason, food tastes especially good when it's Christmas. Can anyone tell me why this is? Or is it just because everything is Christmas themed? Either way, the turkey, the ham, the roast vegetables, the prawns, BBQ, pavlova! Good ol' Aussie Chrissie food. :D

Yummy!

3) Books, books, books! Books are maybe my favourite things ever, how you get lost in a story and become the characters, how you can escape this world into another. So, for Christmas the only thing I ask for is books. I know it's pretty materialistic of me to list getting books as one of my favourite things about Christmas, but it's true. And actually, it's not that materialistic. Yes they are presents, and giving is always better than receiving - but that doesn't mean I'll pass up an opportunity to get a few new books. 

Don't these books look perfect to you? Or is it just me?
Just me? Okay… 

2) Giving presents and charity work are probably the most rewarding things you can do during the festive season. Both just make you feel so happy and full of warmth. Because I'm quite young, I rarely get the chance to do any charity work unless it's for school, so giving presents is kind of like my outlet or alternative. I'll give presents to my closest friends, and also write letters and give small gifts to people that I feel really deserve them. It's not necessarily as good as charity work, but it does put a smile on someone's face!

The power of giving even a little gift.

1) The mood. Everyone get's super nostalgic and happy at Christmastime, or is it just me? Decorating the house, giving to people in need, watching Carols in the Domain on Christmas Eve; all these things put people in such a good and appreciative mood. It's the one time of the year when everyone is just like "fuck it, let's be happy", and we all get along. I love it! <3

I live three hours away from the beach, so this isn't the
average Christmas that we all see - but it kinda represents
Australian Christmas. WHY? IT'S SO HOT?
I love you Christmas <3

Well, that's my list of things I love about Christmas, what's yours? I'd love to know!

Book Review: Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout

*This review may contain spoilers*

Starting over sucks.

When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I'd pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring… until I spotted my hot neighbour, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up.

And then he opened his mouth.

Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At All. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something…unexpected happens.

The hot alien living next door marks me.

You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon's touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I'm getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo faces.

If I don't kill him first, that is.

I can guarantee that if a book has a kick-ass heroine, sarcastic humour, amazing fight scenes, a little bit of romance, and a lot of paranormal activity - I will love it. Last week I was looking for books that fall under this very category and came across the Lux series by Jennifer Armentrout. I found the book on Goodreads, read the summary, reviews, all that jazz, and decided to put it on my list-of-books-I-desperately-need. That was a bit presumptuous of me, because now that I've read it online for free, I'm glad that I didn't buy it outright. 

I'm not saying Obsidian is a waste of money, because it's probably my favourite book in the series, but it just lacks something. The writing isn't very good, the plot can get a little thin at times, and it's pretty damn predictable. While reading it, and I really hate to say this, I kept comparing it to Twilight and Evernight. You know, those really predictable stories about a girl being thrust into a world she never understood, fighting for her life, finding a guy, all that jazz. 

I feel like Simon Cowell right now, because I'm being really mean to this book. I actually enjoyed the book, I think it's the next books in the series I have trouble with and I've got a lot of lingering resentment over the characters. 

The protagonist, Kat, is a lovely girl at the start of the book, as is her new friend Dee. I found the way Kat and Dee became friends very forced and sudden, but I they're a perfect team so it's all good. The Kat and Daemon storyline is a bit…

…weird. 

I have no words for it, not really. I absolutely adore the love/hate relationship between the two. In this first book, Armentrout wrote Daemon perfectly. He's a troubled guy who lost a brother, on a foreign planet, trying to look after his twin sister. So of course he's going to be an asshole, and Kat is going to be a bitch right back. Kat can't quite match Daemon's attitude, but they are pretty evenly matched and she really isn't what Daemon had expected her to be. She's his equal, not a lowlife human.

That is something that we should all take away from reading this book; we're equals, there's no one that was put on this Earth to be better than you. Although the message is communicated in a lame way (love triangles, wow, never saw that coming), it's very true. 

I did love the angst between Kat and Daemon, Kat's friendship with Dee and Daemon's ex who's kind of evil. But my love for the book stops there, in other aspects it's just average. I think the major issue I have with this book is the world building and the fact that most important things in the book don't go further then a brief explanation. I would have loved to see a broader world, you know what I mean? There was no depth to this magical, alien-filled universe that Armentrout created. 

Most aspects of the book are just so one-sided, and I feel like the reader really misses out on things that could have been amazing but only ended up as average. The question is, do these things outweigh the great character development and the fact that a smoking hot alien is just chillin' right next door? I honestly don't know, I really did enjoy this book. It was an easy book to read, fun, and I got along well with Kat. Probably the best in the Lux series, but on the grand scheme of things it just didn't do it for me. On a scale form 1-10, I'd give Obsidian a 6.25. Unfortunately, I just didn't enjoy it as much as I'd hoped to. I would definitely recommend this book to people that love a lot of romance in their cocktail!

The Drake Chronicles by Alyxandra Harvey

I'm sorry that this isn't a review (although it might kind of turn into one), but I did read these books literally when they first came out. As in I'd preorder them and practically yank it out of the delivery guy's hand to instantly start reading. Anyway, the reason I'm writing this is that I just need someone to vent to. I consider the internet a group of someones, my little group of insane little people. Yay, can we make Tshirts?

By far, out of all the paranormal books I have ever read, I think The Drake Chronicles is my favourite series. Now, I'm not saying that it's absolutely perfect with no flaws at all. The writing may not be to everyone's taste, and some of the names drive me mental because I still don't know how to pronounce them.

Let me give you all the rundown on The Drake Chronicles, book by book.

My Love Lies Bleeding/Hearts at Stake - Solange, the only female vampire born to a vampire family in about 800 years, is almost sixteen. On your sixteenth birthday, if you're part of the few very important families in vampire society, you go through the change and become a vampire. Lucy, her best friend, is doing everything she can to make sure Solange doesn't die during the change or go crazy due to her seven older and overbearing brothers. Montmartre, the bad guy in this book, wants to kidnap Solange so she can make evil vampire babies with him, just as almost every other vampire that can smell her pheromones wants to as well. There's also an evil vampire Queen, a matriarch, some romance, and a corset involved. I promise it's not as confusing as I make it sound. I will just let you all know that I ship Lucy and Nicholas (Sol's youngest older brother) so damn hard. 

Blood Feud - The majority of this book is focused on The Hounds, a magical type of vampire with two sets of fangs. A VIP Hound, Isabeau, is asked to take care of some treaties with the Drakes (Sol's family) and meets Logan. Another dashingly handsome, perfect Drake brother with a really weird fashion sense. He helps Isabeau deal with the pain of her past, as well as saves his family from an imminent doom. 

Out For Blood - The Helios Ra are vampire hunters. Quinn Drake is a vampire. So, of course, he'd fall in love with Hunter Wild - the poster girl for the perfect hunter. Quinn helps Hunter save the Helios Ra Academy from an insane teacher, and saves her from dying a bunch of times. During this book, Lucy gets locked in a closet, too. Just thought I'd put that out there.

Bleeding Hearts - This is probably my favourite book because you get to meet Christabel Llewellyn, Lucy's cousin. I've always seen myself as a bit of both the cousins, and I get choked up just writing about this book. Christabel almost dies because a bunch of weird vampires thought she was Lucy, Conner (Quinn's twin) falls in love with Christabel, it's just so perfect holy shit.

Blood Moon - This is kind of like a big family reunion. All the different types of vampires get together (Hel Blar, the Raktapa council, some hunters, the Drakes, Hounds, Host) and shit hits the fan. The last book, Blood Prophecy, also runs along this vein. Solange is also possessed by the spirit of the last girl to have ever been born to the Drake Family. Viola is a horror, honestly…

I do realise that I probably made no sense throughout this entire thing, but there is one thing that will make everything okay: The Drake Chronicles being turned into a movie. We all know what it's like to read a series, fall in love with it, and want it to be turned into a motion picture. Morganville Vampires will be a web series, Vampire Academy is a movie, but I need The Drake Chronicles to be movies or a TV series. SO badly. 

Why should The Drake Chronicles be made into movies/TV series?

Personally, I'd like six movies because I just feel like it will be so much more perfect. The fans would all freaking love to see these books come to life, or at least a Lucy spinoff series? These books are absolutely nothing like Twilight, or The Hunger Games, or basically any other paranormal book-turned-movie out there. Plus there will be seven drool worthy guys with abs to watch, kick ass females, and crazy fight scenes. The Drake Chronicles should definitely be made into movies. If it isn't, that would be to seriously deprive the world of all Violet Hill has to offer.

I think I'll start a monthly or bimonthly thing when I just talk about The Drake Chronicles, or a series that I've fallen in love with and think should be made into a movie. Pros, cons, the whys, the hows, all that jazz. Someone please tell me I'm not alone when it comes to all this craziness? 

Vampire Academy: Blood Sisters

"I should probably point out that my best friend, Lissa Dragomir, is a royal member of an ancient race. And yeah, like most creatures with fangs, they live off blood. My name is Rose Hathaway, and I've been sworn to protect the royal bloodline with my life."

Just to prove to us that yes, it is indeed nighttime and they aren't
messing with us. No, I'm kidding. It's an excellent way to kick off the
trailer (maybe the movie too..)

"There's a bigger threat still out there!" 

On camera, it's way less awkward to bite someone there, rather than
on their actual neck. Ha.

Gee, that's attractive, ladies!

"The female, especially one who lives off of blood and magic, is going to
have her mood swings." 

"Bon Apetit"

Since when is there a cave full of Strigoi in the first book?
Looks insanely cool, though.

Ooh! The infamous charm necklace scene! Nice back, Danila.

Gorgeous set! Albeit not what I was expecting.

Can someone please explain to me what's going on here?

Yum. Dimitri. Danila. Whatever, yum to both.

Booooom! 

You go, girl.

The little clip from this scene in the trailer is outstanding. The fear in
Christian's eyes, the coolness of the freaking fire coming out of his
hands.

"It's good to see you!"

That's it, Rose, protect Lissa. Wearing a leather jacket that I bet doesn't
exist in the books.

"Insubordinate" *melts*

I kind of can't wait to see this in the movie, I'm not sure why. 

Olga did an amazing job as Kirova!

Ah, another little extra that was added into the movie. Jesse Likes :D

This is perfect holy shit.

"Look alive!" 

Nice fangs, honey. Now put them away.

Welcome to Montana.

"Are you nuts, what are you thinking? Trust me you do not wanna have to
get a nose job in Montana!"

"Oh my god."

"Rose Hathaway is wild, dangerous…" 

PSI Hound!

"Right here, folks, right here."

Rose finding church fascinating, or not so fascinating. I don't know.

The Royal Court.

"Everyone saw that I tried to take the high road… Sort of…"

ROSE HAS A SILVER STAKE. WHAT? WHY?

I don't know if I love this or if I hate it. No, I love it. 

"Lissa is a possible successor to the thrown." 

"Um, thanks?"

"I don't know what's gonna happen tonight. At this point I can't remember
who loves us and who hates us. Let's make tonight our bitch."

Training! 

"I heard you were pretty good at takin' on two guys at once"

Holy shit, it's a helicopter. 

"How's that under-the-radar thing working out, Highness?"
"Not so much…"

"You should know by now, with us weird doesn't begin to cover it."

Oh, aren't I fancy? Walkin' like a model. 

I'm dying.

I can't handle this.

Oh my god. 

I am so done right now.

So, about a month ago (because I'm just so damn uninformed), I found out about a little book being made into a little movie and got a little excited. I wanted to make a blogpost when I first found out but I just couldn't process anything, plus I've been swamped with school. However, now that I've had a nice amount of time to criticise the hell out of the Vampire Academy Teaser Trailer, I thought I'd do a little review of it as well as the Theatrical.

Needless to say, the Teaser Trailer left something to be desired. I think I speak for most fans of the book when I say that my excitement level for the movie plummeted when I saw it. For lack of better terms, it was just really really sucky. So, when the full length trailer popped up in my Subscriptions area of Youtube I kind of lost it. I saw it and was jumping up and down, squealing, grinning from ear to ear; all that fangirl stuff. I decided that I'd finish all my assignments (five, in case you were wondering) that weekend so I could watch it once I'd finished. I finished all of them bar one on Saturday, and gave in; watching the full length trailer anyway. I set the Youtube setting thingo to 1080p and enjoyed the greatness that is, Vampire Academy: Blood Sisters. 

This trailer is in every way superior to the Teaser, and I really love it. Except for the whole Oscar-coming-to-the-academy thing. Wait, at the dance - isn't Rose's dress more black and a little bit poofy? I think the costume designers changed the dresses for the dance a lot, which I'm fine with. It just bugs me. Not to mention that, during the time of the dance, Lissa is extremely mad at Rose. That bugs me. 

Blood Sisters captures the comedy, friendship, romance and darkness of the first book really well. A ton of fans have been freaking out because these trailers don't seem dark enough, but we should remember that book one isn't as dark as the others. It's not like it contains someone (cough Tasha cough) murdering a Queen, or an attack on the school. 

Things I Don't Like About The Movie

1) Mia's appearance. The actress portraying Mia, Sami Gayle, is perfect for the role because she's a splendid actress - but couldn't the makeup department give her a wig? I know it's a trivial thing to be annoyed about, but I'm not the only one! I wig, that's all I ask for. However, it won't detract from Sami's performance!

2) Zoey Deutch. I've watched a trillion interviews and although she does have Rose's personality and will do a great job with the character, there are a few things that let down Rose Hathaway. Her physical appearance is very different, and she's just so… pretty. I don't mean that as a bad thing, but will she be able to pull off the badass/darker Rose later in the series? 

3) The movie (although it was done to an exceptional level) has too much of a Mean Girls theme to it, and I'm scared the humour/sarcasm will override the darkness that's featured in the later books. For example, Rose punching Mia is nothing like how it happens in the movie (well, trailer). 

4) And, finally. In the first scene of the trailer we see Rose & Lissa in the kitchen. Let me just ask this: why is it so clean? Why? Their housemate is a guy. Three young adults living together? As if it would stay that tidy! Also, Lissa bites Rose in the bedroom (ha, dirty). I know this is dumb to complain about - but I can't help it. 

Things I Adore About The Movie

1) Two words: Dominic. Sherwood. Christian was cast perfectly, in my opinion. In the trailer, you can see that Dominic just pulls off that dark element that Christian has, but can also do a 180 and suddenly be kind and adoring of Lissa. Oh, he's hot too. And he can sing. It's just. OMG. I can't. No. Too much.

2) Lucy Fry! For one, she's Australian and I'm Australian. Therefore, I already loved her. Secondly, she's the perfect Lissa. I wasn't sure about Lissa being English, but Lucy makes it all worth it. I'm so proud of her, and extremely glad that she was chosen to portray the spirit wielding Moroi.

3) Chemistry. Whether this chemistry be shared with Rose and Dimitri, Lissa and Christian, Rose and Mason, or Lissa and Rose. As I said, I've watched every behind the scenes video and interview for VA, and it's so clear how perfect these couplings are. The actors and actresses connected on a level that wasn't just on-camera, and I think that's going to be what makes VA so… right. 

4) Set Design! The Academy looks fantabulistically (it's a word…) gorgeous, well the parts we saw in the trailer at least. Nevertheless, I just love it so damn much. When I found out they were filming in England, I was scared that they'd completely overdo it - but my fears were unnecessary because everything looks so cool. Even the little chapel (at first I didn't like the set) grew on me.

5) Someone actually decided to make a movie out of Vampire Academy. If someone were to make movies out of The Drake Chronicles, my life would be complete (my ultimate favourite books). I'm just thrilled that a bunch of people actually took the time and money to write a script, cast, film, edit and all that jazz. It means the world to a lot of people worldwide that an amazing series has come to life onscreen - well, it will anyway. Really really soon!

Vampire Academy: Blood Sisters Trailer

OVAM Facebook Page

"And this is Vampire Academy"
"Please don't say Vampire Academy, you know how I feel about the
V word."