Monthly Summary: April 2019

April was a whirlwind of a month, but I had so many unforgettable experiences! 

Interview with Benedikt and Aska (Silver Hood)!

Me: 

Hey! Thanks, everyone, for the great questions! Something went wonky with Aska's questions and they didn't show up in anyone's feed so she didn't get many questions, so we're doing a dual interview with both Benedikt and Aska! So this interview won't get too long and I know Aska won't answer many of your questions some of them will be only directed to Benedikt. *turns in Tonight Show desk to face Benedikt and Aska who are sitting next to each other on a couch* Hey, you two.

Benedikt:
*smiles* Hello.

Aska:
*nods in greeting*

Me: 
Ready to get started?

Benedikt:
Yes, this seems like an interesting experience. *has ankle rested on his knee, dressed in nice clothing*

Aska:
I suppose. *shrugs, has her arms crossed, wearing buckskin*

A Book Review of Germ by Robert Liparulo

Buy from Amazon!

If you breathe . . . It will find you.

The list of 10,000 names was created for maximum devastation. Business leaders, housewives, politicians, celebrities, janitors, children. None of them is aware of what is about to happen--but all will be part of the most frightening brand of warfare the world has ever known.

The germ--an advanced form of the Ebola virus--has been genetically engineered to infect only those people whose DNA matches the codes embedded within it. Those whose DNA is not a match simply catch a cold. But those who are a match experience a far worse fate. Within days, their internal organs liquify.

Death is the only escape.

The release of the virus will usher in a new era of power where countries are left without defense. Where a single person--or millions--could be killed with perfect accuracy and zero collateral damage. Where your own DNA works against you.

The time isn't coming. It is now. Pray the assassins get you first.

Genre: Adult Thriller
Publisher: Thomas Nelson (August 5, 2007)
Page Count: 577 pages

I won this book in a little contest during Robert Liparulo's class at Realm Makers two years ago and now I finally got around to reading it. XD I've been wanting to read one of his thrillers for a while especially since I had a morbid fascination with the Ebola virus when that whole fiasco broke out a few years ago, so I was happy to delve in!

How to Get the Most Out of Your Writing Research Trip

The internet often falls short of the best research you can get. You have to really check for reliable sources and you don't get a lot of the details that your own experience can glean. That's why if it's possible, go on a writing research trip! I count Iceland as my first official writing research trip. Canada has been a huge part of my inspiration and research, but unlike in Canada, I didn't have a friend whom I could ask random questions about her country any time I pleased. This time I had to give a little bit more effort to gaining information that was pertinent to my stories.

Questions for Benedikt (Silver Hood)!

I've got another character I need to flesh out! I'm fleshing out all the characters since I'm concentrating on my Red Hood series. XD This Benedikt who comes into play in Silver Hood. Here's a bit about him!

Benedikt is a sixteen-year-old halfura, half Isamaour half human, who is another one of Lord Nzelt's wards. Though Benedikt has the ability to shift the matter of almost anything he pleases, he fears his powers because of their deadly cost. He rather not use his abilities, but he feels like he owes it to Nzelt since the man did save him from freezing in the winter after his parents gave him up to an orphanage for being a fifth child--and because his mother had an affair with a human. In the Isriki culture, four is a divine number and a fifth child is said to be very susceptible to demonic possession, so fifth children are either abandoned "for the Divine Siblings to take back" or given to orphanages.

During lessons, he's always the first one to shoot up his hand with the answer to questions and in his free time he's always researching and studying. His ideal day is a trip to the fjords in the summer where he can read books and drink all the birch and moss tea he likes while enjoying the breeze. And his favorite food is fikisupa or fish soup.

Benedikt has a love for science and frequently works with Lord Nzelt on his inventions. Instead of being tasked with errands for Nzelt, he repays him with his scientific prowess. Benedikt particularly loves chemistry and is determined to help Nzelt find a cure for the Isriki condition. 

Leave your questions in the comments or in the form if you'd wish to remain anonymous or if you're having trouble with the comments. Benedikt will answer them next Friday! Thank you! 

Iceland Report 2019/Now I'm 26 ...

I’m back from Iceland, guys! Man, was it an amazing trip! My main reason for doing this trip was to be inspired and I’m so utterly inspired for Red Hood.

Voted Most Likely Tag!

Brie Donning opened this tag to anyone and I thought it was super fun so I stole it haha. I get to talk about so many of my characters!

Writing Lessons from Anime: Erased: A Town Without Me

Erased: A Town Without Me is in my top five favorite animes. It has a dynamic plot, a fun subtle bit of fantasy, precious themes about friendship, sacrifice, and loyalty, and lovable unforgettable characters. It's a fun mix of genres, merging mystery with a hint of fantasy. It's only twelve episodes and it's just perfect. And you can also hurry and go watch it before reading this review! You can do it in four hours.

You done?

Great!

For those (most of you) who didn't watch it, this anime is about a twenty-nine-year-old man named Satoru who is a washed up manga artists (mangaka) who is carrying around the deep regret of not saving a young girl named Kayo from a serial killer when he was nine. Satoru has the mysterious ability that he calls "revival" which will spontaneously take him back in time just a few minutes which allows him to save other people from harm. When his mom is murdered, Revival takes him all the way back in time to his nine-year-old self so he can save his mom and all of the victims of the serial killer. But can he do it or will he just repeat history?

Warning: Very minor spoilers. I don't spoil the killer though because I'd just be a jerk if I did that.

A Book Review of Tower of Dawn by Sarah J. Maas

Buy from Amazon!

Chaol Westfall has always defined himself by his unwavering loyalty, his strength, and his position as the Captain of the Guard. But all of that has changed since the glass castle shattered, since his men were slaughtered, since the King of Adarlan spared him from a killing blow, but left his body broken.

His only shot at recovery lies with the legendary healers of the Torre Cesme in Antica--the stronghold of the southern continent's mighty empire. And with war looming over Dorian and Aelin back home, their survival might lie with Chaol and Nesryn convincing its rulers to ally with them.

But what they discover in Antica will change them both--and be more vital to saving Erilea than they could have imagined.

Series: Throne of Glass (Book 6)
Genre: YA Fantasy
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens (September 5, 2017)
Page Count: 672 pages

After reading Empire of Storms I was a little wary continuing with this series because of this excessive content in that volume of this series, but I just had to know what happens in this epic saga. I'm happy to say this book definitely redeemed the series for me.