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About Me
- Rachel
- I have two Bachelor of Arts' degrees from Southeast Missouri State University, an English degree with an option in Writing and a Mass Communication degree with an emphasis in Journalism. I also have a minor in Spanish. I am proficient in Spanish, AP Style, Microsoft Office Suite, Pages Office Suite, Adobe InDesign, and Adobe Photoshop.
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'The Crucible' performed at Southeast last week
“The Crucible” was quite engaging. The black walls of the Wendy Kurka Rust Flexible theater made the scenes even more intense. With creepy music playing in the beginning, I knew this was no light-hearted Hans Christian Anderson fairy tale.
Dalton Riddle, who played John Proctor, was brilliant as the angry, guilt-stricken adulterer determined to save his wife. He shone forth as the best. We find out quickly that Abigail Williams, played by Sami Gross, is in love with John Proctor, and for some reason, in her twisted rationale, she believes if she gets the other girls to help her accuse Elizabeth Proctor, portrayed by Hannah Lundy, of being a witch and has her hanged, John will marry her. I knew that was absolutely ridiculous, especially once we find out that Abigail is lying about seeing others with the Devil.
She even admits her scheme several times when she declares her love for John. Abigail becomes not only an adulteress, but she’s also a scheming murderer when John rejects her to remain with his wife. This play’s tagline should be: A Woman Scorned.
The play was absolutely gorgeous, and truthfully the acting, especially the actors who played Elizabeth, John, and Abigail, was heart-wrenching. The only part I found unrealistic was that the actress who played Tituba, who is from Barbados, was Asian. I would never have imagined Tituba, a slave, being Asian. The deputy governor was also African-American. These are not historically accurate because, unfortunately, only white men were in charge of the government in the 1600s. Slaves in North America that era were of African descent.
Reverend Parris was an overbearing, crabby, greedy man who was never satisfied in life. His daughter was Betty, who was ill in the beginning before she began to accuse people with her cousin Abigail Williams. His part as the accusing, hypocritical reverend was portrayed well.
Danforth had a moment where he couldn’t rise from his seat because his coat was caught in the chair. The coats were long and black - easy to see how they’d be annoying. The costumes, understandably, were all very clean. I was distracted by wondering if they’d really be that clean if they had been around in 1692.
There were two exceptionally well-performed scenes. The midnight scene between John Proctor and his former mistress, Abigail Williams, in which she reveals all her reasons for the accusations, and John tells her to give it up, that they will never be together. He also tells her he will reveal their affair, ruining both of their names, if she does not stop accusing Elizabeth. I could literally feel Abigail’s insane passion and John’s forceful and angry determination to save his wife, especially when he threw Abigail on the ground to make his point.
The scene near the end between John Proctor and his wife made me want to cry, it was so emotional. Elizabeth Proctor struggles to forgive her husband throughout the play for his adultery. The children who accuse her and John of witchcraft want her to get John to confess. When they stare into each other’s eyes I wanted to cry. Love seemed to pour off of them. She tells him to do what he wants, standing there with a straight back as he at first confesses it, then denies it, then is hanged. At the end, Elizabeth, who is saved from being hanged because she is pregnant, says, “He has his goodness. How can I take that away from him?” She stands there straight as a board, sounding as if she’s decided to forgive John. Such the heroine Elizabeth is, and John the tragic hero!
There were also red lights between each of the scenes. I may be reading into it, but they are probably symbols from the Red Scare of the 1950s, in which many people were accused of being communists by Joseph McCarthy. In fact, when the girls were calling out the names of the accused, Arthur Miller’s name was mentioned as well, a tribute to the play’s author Arthur Miller, who himself was accused.
Misplaced love, a manipulative teenager, an affair, murder, hanging, accusations, betrayal and religious hypocrites against the backdrop of the historical Salem Witch Trials made for a play like something from a Lifetime movie, only better.
Dalton Riddle, who played John Proctor, was brilliant as the angry, guilt-stricken adulterer determined to save his wife. He shone forth as the best. We find out quickly that Abigail Williams, played by Sami Gross, is in love with John Proctor, and for some reason, in her twisted rationale, she believes if she gets the other girls to help her accuse Elizabeth Proctor, portrayed by Hannah Lundy, of being a witch and has her hanged, John will marry her. I knew that was absolutely ridiculous, especially once we find out that Abigail is lying about seeing others with the Devil.
She even admits her scheme several times when she declares her love for John. Abigail becomes not only an adulteress, but she’s also a scheming murderer when John rejects her to remain with his wife. This play’s tagline should be: A Woman Scorned.
The play was absolutely gorgeous, and truthfully the acting, especially the actors who played Elizabeth, John, and Abigail, was heart-wrenching. The only part I found unrealistic was that the actress who played Tituba, who is from Barbados, was Asian. I would never have imagined Tituba, a slave, being Asian. The deputy governor was also African-American. These are not historically accurate because, unfortunately, only white men were in charge of the government in the 1600s. Slaves in North America that era were of African descent.
Reverend Parris was an overbearing, crabby, greedy man who was never satisfied in life. His daughter was Betty, who was ill in the beginning before she began to accuse people with her cousin Abigail Williams. His part as the accusing, hypocritical reverend was portrayed well.
Danforth had a moment where he couldn’t rise from his seat because his coat was caught in the chair. The coats were long and black - easy to see how they’d be annoying. The costumes, understandably, were all very clean. I was distracted by wondering if they’d really be that clean if they had been around in 1692.
There were two exceptionally well-performed scenes. The midnight scene between John Proctor and his former mistress, Abigail Williams, in which she reveals all her reasons for the accusations, and John tells her to give it up, that they will never be together. He also tells her he will reveal their affair, ruining both of their names, if she does not stop accusing Elizabeth. I could literally feel Abigail’s insane passion and John’s forceful and angry determination to save his wife, especially when he threw Abigail on the ground to make his point.
The scene near the end between John Proctor and his wife made me want to cry, it was so emotional. Elizabeth Proctor struggles to forgive her husband throughout the play for his adultery. The children who accuse her and John of witchcraft want her to get John to confess. When they stare into each other’s eyes I wanted to cry. Love seemed to pour off of them. She tells him to do what he wants, standing there with a straight back as he at first confesses it, then denies it, then is hanged. At the end, Elizabeth, who is saved from being hanged because she is pregnant, says, “He has his goodness. How can I take that away from him?” She stands there straight as a board, sounding as if she’s decided to forgive John. Such the heroine Elizabeth is, and John the tragic hero!
There were also red lights between each of the scenes. I may be reading into it, but they are probably symbols from the Red Scare of the 1950s, in which many people were accused of being communists by Joseph McCarthy. In fact, when the girls were calling out the names of the accused, Arthur Miller’s name was mentioned as well, a tribute to the play’s author Arthur Miller, who himself was accused.
Misplaced love, a manipulative teenager, an affair, murder, hanging, accusations, betrayal and religious hypocrites against the backdrop of the historical Salem Witch Trials made for a play like something from a Lifetime movie, only better.
Revolution Update
OK, so I feel I haven't really posted about Revolution in my excitement over Once Upon A Time, which is just so twisted even I don't know quite how I feel about it sometimes.
I adore Revolution. My roommate and I watch it together - or we have been watching it together, other than the past couple of weeks, when I've been watching it in Grauel Building at my school, unfortunately. Watching that show in a room of computers is much different than watching it with my roommate in our room.
Revolution is pretty clear cut, with hints about the blackout and getting the power back on, and spending half the season on them trying to get Danny back, which is the actually the only motivation of four people.
For some reason, being around Charlie and trying to find Danny is making Miles and Nora better people. I guess because it's more than just personal survival, it's about helping someone else now. I've noticed in the opening credits they say they've been waiting for someone to light the way? I'm thinking Charlie is that light. The people who've been hanging around Charlie seem much more charitable and giving.
I adore Revolution. My roommate and I watch it together - or we have been watching it together, other than the past couple of weeks, when I've been watching it in Grauel Building at my school, unfortunately. Watching that show in a room of computers is much different than watching it with my roommate in our room.
Revolution is pretty clear cut, with hints about the blackout and getting the power back on, and spending half the season on them trying to get Danny back, which is the actually the only motivation of four people.
For some reason, being around Charlie and trying to find Danny is making Miles and Nora better people. I guess because it's more than just personal survival, it's about helping someone else now. I've noticed in the opening credits they say they've been waiting for someone to light the way? I'm thinking Charlie is that light. The people who've been hanging around Charlie seem much more charitable and giving.
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Once Upon A Time: More from tonight's episode
So far it seems like the ones associated with the Dark One do not have their memories erased in our world, with Dr. Whale being the exception. Jefferson did stuff with the Dark One, and his memory wasn't erased. It also seems like Jefferson might be a compass, a guide between worlds, because he jumped with Dr. Whale when Dr. Whale was going back to his world, and later from the notorious Captain Hook we figured out people can't navigate their way around portals without a compass. And now we know Regina may have figured out the association with Dr. Whale and how he tricked her so he could steal one of her hearts, leading her wanting to punish him by bringing him to our world.
It's all about the family ties in this show, huh?
Dr. Whale tricked Regina in Fairy Tale land, but he tried to give her Daniel in this one. Remember, he said the experiment was science, not magic. Science exists in our world, so he could find it in our world. Where was his world at? It looked like a dead, cold, grey world. I wouldn't want to live in his world. Again, how does the curse work? It took Dr. Whale from his world, it took Jefferson from Wonderland, it took Captain Hook's men but not Captain Hook. Regina said she took the people she wanted to take, which apparently included Rumple, who gave her the curse to fulfill his purpose of finding his son, Snow, Charming, the dwarves, the fairies (probably more thanks to Rumple), Captain Hook's men but not Captain Hook, Hansel and Gretel, Geppatto, the Huntsman, her father's dead body, Daniel, Jiminy Cricket, Cinderella, King George, etc. But not Lancelot, her mother, Captain Hook, the giant, Mulan, Prince Philip, Aurora, and the others left behind. Perhaps because Cora was in that land, and apparently escaped the mirror somehow, she stopped the curse from taking those in her realm.
She took Daniel's dead body. And it was revived.
When Daniel was going crazy, Regina stopped him with true love.
Regina said, "I love you."
And the heart began to beat, and it caused him pain. He told her to end it, and she wouldn't, but then she did. Regina finally let him die. She finally accepted that no matter how long she preserved him, he was still going to be dead, or in severe, unending pain in our world.
Now we know what changed Regina into the true Evil Queen - she was searching for a heart strong enough to revive Daniel. She wanted the power to resurrect Daniel, which no one could actually do. Dr. Whale had limited to no success with his schemes, as we saw.
There is a really good chance that Mr. Mysterious from the first episode is Bae. Only Emma, Pinocchio, who was already revealed as August W. Booth, and Henry can apparently cross from Storybrooke to the rest of the world. Anyone who was brought from Fairy Tale Land via the curse, or the surrounding worlds seen in the Mad Hatter episode, was fair game to losing their memories of Fairy Tale land forever if they crossed the border, even Rumple. Mr. Mysterious recognized the curse - he knew what the word Broken meant, and the clocktower, and Storybrooke. He wasn't happy about it, either. He remembered Fairy Tale Land, or knew about the curse. That meant he didn't come to our world WITH the curse. He was outside the curse, which means he has a good chance he's Bae.
Guess what I'm sensing Emma's favor for Rumple is going to be? Yup. Finding Bae in our world. She and Henry and Pinocchio are the only ones who can leave Storybrooke and remember Fairy Tale land. And if it isn't that, I'll be sorely upset.
And the plot thickens.
It's all about the family ties in this show, huh?
Dr. Whale tricked Regina in Fairy Tale land, but he tried to give her Daniel in this one. Remember, he said the experiment was science, not magic. Science exists in our world, so he could find it in our world. Where was his world at? It looked like a dead, cold, grey world. I wouldn't want to live in his world. Again, how does the curse work? It took Dr. Whale from his world, it took Jefferson from Wonderland, it took Captain Hook's men but not Captain Hook. Regina said she took the people she wanted to take, which apparently included Rumple, who gave her the curse to fulfill his purpose of finding his son, Snow, Charming, the dwarves, the fairies (probably more thanks to Rumple), Captain Hook's men but not Captain Hook, Hansel and Gretel, Geppatto, the Huntsman, her father's dead body, Daniel, Jiminy Cricket, Cinderella, King George, etc. But not Lancelot, her mother, Captain Hook, the giant, Mulan, Prince Philip, Aurora, and the others left behind. Perhaps because Cora was in that land, and apparently escaped the mirror somehow, she stopped the curse from taking those in her realm.
She took Daniel's dead body. And it was revived.
When Daniel was going crazy, Regina stopped him with true love.
Regina said, "I love you."
And the heart began to beat, and it caused him pain. He told her to end it, and she wouldn't, but then she did. Regina finally let him die. She finally accepted that no matter how long she preserved him, he was still going to be dead, or in severe, unending pain in our world.
Now we know what changed Regina into the true Evil Queen - she was searching for a heart strong enough to revive Daniel. She wanted the power to resurrect Daniel, which no one could actually do. Dr. Whale had limited to no success with his schemes, as we saw.
There is a really good chance that Mr. Mysterious from the first episode is Bae. Only Emma, Pinocchio, who was already revealed as August W. Booth, and Henry can apparently cross from Storybrooke to the rest of the world. Anyone who was brought from Fairy Tale Land via the curse, or the surrounding worlds seen in the Mad Hatter episode, was fair game to losing their memories of Fairy Tale land forever if they crossed the border, even Rumple. Mr. Mysterious recognized the curse - he knew what the word Broken meant, and the clocktower, and Storybrooke. He wasn't happy about it, either. He remembered Fairy Tale Land, or knew about the curse. That meant he didn't come to our world WITH the curse. He was outside the curse, which means he has a good chance he's Bae.
Guess what I'm sensing Emma's favor for Rumple is going to be? Yup. Finding Bae in our world. She and Henry and Pinocchio are the only ones who can leave Storybrooke and remember Fairy Tale land. And if it isn't that, I'll be sorely upset.
And the plot thickens.
The Imagination Station: Peril in the Palace
Peril in the Palace is the third book in the time-traveling adventure series The Imagination Station, part of the continuing saga of Adventures in Odyssey.
Beth and Patrick travel through time to meet Kublai Khan while seeking
yet another treasure to help save Mr. Whittaker's ancestor Albert from
the mysterious Lord Blackthorn who has imprisoned him. They also meet
Marco Polo, who saves their lives from vicious Mongol warriors.
The book is engaging, but has simplistic language. The history aspect is interesting, introducing various historical figures and facts but placed against the backdrop of modern children learning it. Beth and Patrick are very honest and courageous, and are not afraid to stand up for what they believe in.
The book is probably the least well-written, but children would still be hanging on the edge of it. With a good message and good principles, it's also a great learning tool for children!
The book is engaging, but has simplistic language. The history aspect is interesting, introducing various historical figures and facts but placed against the backdrop of modern children learning it. Beth and Patrick are very honest and courageous, and are not afraid to stand up for what they believe in.
The book is probably the least well-written, but children would still be hanging on the edge of it. With a good message and good principles, it's also a great learning tool for children!
Darien's Rise
In a new and exciting series called "Passages" by Paul McCusker, Kyle
and Anna, a brother and sister travel to Marus, a fantasy land, and
experience unusual adventures. Belief in God in this world takes the
believer on amazing trips and expeditions. History repeats itself - with
the siblings in it! They also find that they have mysterious new
powers.
The theme of the story is God's call on your life, and parallels that of David and Saul.
The stories were great and faith-grounded, and there was nothing too dark in them. They help show that the Bible is the living, breathing Word of God, and that the stories of real Biblical people are never too out of date. And the Bible CAN relate to our lives, if we allow it to.
A beautiful story that is also engaging!
The theme of the story is God's call on your life, and parallels that of David and Saul.
The stories were great and faith-grounded, and there was nothing too dark in them. They help show that the Bible is the living, breathing Word of God, and that the stories of real Biblical people are never too out of date. And the Bible CAN relate to our lives, if we allow it to.
A beautiful story that is also engaging!
One must die so others may live
The Last Sacrifice by Hank Hanegraaff and Sigmund Brouwer is the second novel in the "Last Disciple" trilogy. "The Last Disciple" trilogy is a different look at Revelation, from the perspective that most of it happened in the first century during the reign of Nero and the fall of Jerusalem to the Romans.
The story follows a multitude of characters (sometimes it's hard to keep track of all of them!) but the main character is Vitas, a prominent Roman who used to be part of Nero's inner circle until his fall from grace due to the scheming of two of Nero's other members of the inner circle, the ruthless Helius and the savage Tigellinus, resulted in his being a fugitive. He escaped the arena when another man posed as him and died in his place, echoing the tagline of the book, One must die so others may live. (This can also be echoed by Christ's sacrifice on the cross, Christ died so we could live.) In this novel, Vitas is on his way to Alexandria with none other than John, Jesus' beloved disciple. Nero is up to no good torturing his people and proclaiming himself a god and persecuting Christians, with Helius leading the slaughter and encouraging Nero's insanity.
Meanwhile, Maglorius, a former gladiator and Christian, is in Jerusalem, hunting down his charges, Valeria and Quintus. Valeria is posing as a Greek boy and Quintus is living with an old blind woman in order to hide from the people who want to kill them, who killed and betrayed their father (although they believe it's Maglorius who killed him).
As the fall of Jerusalem approaches, we become more and more interested - who will escape Jerusalem, who will reach Alexandria, who will overthrow Nero (my bet is on Sporus) and the most touching question - will Vitas ever become a Christian and reunite with Sophia?
Imagination Station: Voyage with the Vikings
In the first of the Imagination Station series by Focus on the
Family, we meet cousins Beth and Patrick, who end up traveling back in
time to the age of the Vikings on a mysterious quest to save one of Mr.
Whittaker's ancestors. The quest involves gathering different things
from different time periods. They meet Erik the Red.
I'm a history buss, and I think it's interesting. The Viking time period is not a period that seems to get much attention, and I'm glad they decided to place Beth and Patrick there.
The books are simple, but seem realistic (other than the fact that time travel is impossible). Beth and Patrick wear costumes so they fit in semi-well, and they never seem to be able to change the past. They always find what they're looking for. The books also emphasize God more, although it seems to be everyone except the two children who refer to Him.
The characters are not always fleshed out, but given that it is for younger readers, that could be overlooked.
The content is interesting and gives information about a historical event often overlooked by writers and researchers.
I would say an 8 on a 10 point scale.
I'm a history buss, and I think it's interesting. The Viking time period is not a period that seems to get much attention, and I'm glad they decided to place Beth and Patrick there.
The books are simple, but seem realistic (other than the fact that time travel is impossible). Beth and Patrick wear costumes so they fit in semi-well, and they never seem to be able to change the past. They always find what they're looking for. The books also emphasize God more, although it seems to be everyone except the two children who refer to Him.
The characters are not always fleshed out, but given that it is for younger readers, that could be overlooked.
The content is interesting and gives information about a historical event often overlooked by writers and researchers.
I would say an 8 on a 10 point scale.
Attack at the Arena
They landed in the very last gladitorial game seeking a silver cup that will somehow help Albert (we are not told how). Beth is hauled off by a soldier, believed to be a bird slave to the young Emperor Honorius because of the bird seeds in her bag. We learn that his people believe that the young emperor cares more for his birds than his people. He seems to tolerate the games, although he doesn't necessarily believe in them.
Patrick is taken in by a kind monk, Telemachus. They help a "barbarian" to run away although he is recaptured. They end up in Rome and Patrick is taken away to the arena. Beth is trying to find the Emperor's humanity - he's become extremely distant and cold from his people - while learning she now hates birds. Telemachus confronts the Emperor about the dreadful gladiator games, willing to sacrifice himself to make the Emperor understand the horror of the games.
Meanwhile the cousins seek the silver cup...
The book is easy to read with simple sentences and grammer and an interesting plot, just right for younger children. I really liked it (I like anything about ancient Rome, though). It talked about ancient Rome that was closer to the end of it. I definitely want more of the books about Beth and Patrick!
Definitely a 10 on a 10 point scale.
Point of No Return
"Point of No Return" by Paul McCusker follows ten-year-old Jimmy Barclay, whose friend Tony gets him to do bad things all the time - including smoking a cigar and lighting a fire in the garage, while never managing to do anything himself. His parents are angry about it. Jimmy finally decides to act better, but around that time he faces the decision of his life, when doing the right thing could cost him everything.
"Point of No Return" is in the Adventures in Odyssey series of books, which presents the beginnings of later episodes, including the Imagination Station. The book has moral plots and lessons and children and their behavior, and is good for the younger age group.
This was definitely one of my favorite Adventures in Odyssey.
"Point of No Return" is in the Adventures in Odyssey series of books, which presents the beginnings of later episodes, including the Imagination Station. The book has moral plots and lessons and children and their behavior, and is good for the younger age group.
This was definitely one of my favorite Adventures in Odyssey.
Danger Lies Ahead
Part of the Adventures in Odyssey series that, instead of following Mark Prescott, revolves around Jack Davis, a friend he knows.
Jack's friend Lucy tells him a convict could be coming to their town, at the same time that he discovers the school bully is repeating sixth grade - his grade.
There the title of the book, Danger Lies Ahead, comes into play. If the school bully repeats sixth grade, Jack has no chance. If the convict comes, then he brings violence and danger along with him.
A book dealing with fear, abandonment, guilt, friends, criminals, and family, children will get a lot of reading this invigorating novel. The entire series is a must-read.
Jack's friend Lucy tells him a convict could be coming to their town, at the same time that he discovers the school bully is repeating sixth grade - his grade.
There the title of the book, Danger Lies Ahead, comes into play. If the school bully repeats sixth grade, Jack has no chance. If the convict comes, then he brings violence and danger along with him.
A book dealing with fear, abandonment, guilt, friends, criminals, and family, children will get a lot of reading this invigorating novel. The entire series is a must-read.
Strange Journey Back
The first book in the Adventures in Odyssey by Paul McCusker, Strange Journey Back follows Mark, who just moved to town with his mom. His only friend is a girl named Patti, which bothers him. He's also dealing with the guilt and the aftermath of his father walking out on him, thinking it was his fault.
Patti introduces him to Whit's End and the Imagination Station, which he wants to use to go back in time to understand exactly why his father left them.
A book that touches on guilt, family, fathers, mothers, the imagination, and friendship in a manner appropriate for younger readers, these are a must-read for younger readers and a new series for this generation to enjoy while learning valuable lessons.
Patti introduces him to Whit's End and the Imagination Station, which he wants to use to go back in time to understand exactly why his father left them.
A book that touches on guilt, family, fathers, mothers, the imagination, and friendship in a manner appropriate for younger readers, these are a must-read for younger readers and a new series for this generation to enjoy while learning valuable lessons.
The Great Mogul Diamond: Who's the Thief?
The third book in the Doppleganger Chronicles is the best. The infamous British twins are traveling to France
with Muzz Elliot, a bestselling writer. Erik is learning to be a
detective, thanks to American Dorcas Potts, who's uncle was being robbed in the second book.
There's a murder on the train the twins are traveling on, and there's a mysterious man following the twins and Muzz, who goes to France on what the twins suspect is blackmail.
And the Great Mogul Diamond disappears. The Diamond is extraordinarily valuable. In addition, the book is playing out like one of Muzz Elliot's novels, making her look more suspicious than ever.
And of course they want to find their mother. They know she used to be an actress, and they hope being in France will lead them to her. As for me, I hope they won't find their mother. After all, she abandoned them, and if they find her, she'll probably still not want them, and she'll just hurt them again.
This series is fascinating, although the details can be vague. The three main characters have various adventures that somehow always relate one to the other. Their lives are changing for the better and it's a great novel. Sometimes the time period of the book is difficult to grasp, but mostly, a creative book that has a good moral backbone and that teenagers can read.
I really enjoyed reading this book.
It deserves a 10.
There's a murder on the train the twins are traveling on, and there's a mysterious man following the twins and Muzz, who goes to France on what the twins suspect is blackmail.
And the Great Mogul Diamond disappears. The Diamond is extraordinarily valuable. In addition, the book is playing out like one of Muzz Elliot's novels, making her look more suspicious than ever.
And of course they want to find their mother. They know she used to be an actress, and they hope being in France will lead them to her. As for me, I hope they won't find their mother. After all, she abandoned them, and if they find her, she'll probably still not want them, and she'll just hurt them again.
This series is fascinating, although the details can be vague. The three main characters have various adventures that somehow always relate one to the other. Their lives are changing for the better and it's a great novel. Sometimes the time period of the book is difficult to grasp, but mostly, a creative book that has a good moral backbone and that teenagers can read.
I really enjoyed reading this book.
It deserves a 10.
The Secret of Indigo Moon
The second book in the fantastic Dopple-Ganger Chronicles re-meets
the clever Dopple twins, Sadie and Saskia. Muzz Elliott decided to send the
twins back to Isambard Dunstan's School for Wayward Children. The twins and
Erik stumble into a mystery. The antagonist is that awful magician from the first
novel stealing treasures from a neighbor through a series of underground
tunnels. And we also learn that the beloved Miss Olivia was - or should
I say is as she is still alive - no angel...
Dorcas Potts also comes into the picture as a detective whose uncle is being robbed. He is the neighbor next to Isambard's.
The graphics aspect part of the novel is fascinating. I wasn't a fan of graphic novels until I read this one, which is cleverly pieced together and tells the story of the Dopples and Erik well.
The book and the experiences the sisters and Erik make the reader think. Muzz seems to want to be a part-time mother, which is hard on children but something that a lot of mothers seem to want to be lately in society. It also brings up personal responsibility and decision-making.
Taylor raises important issues, such as abandonment, guilt, revenge, the moral ethics of certain experiments, loneliness and adoption. It also brings in family issues and themes.
All in all, a must read.
Dorcas Potts also comes into the picture as a detective whose uncle is being robbed. He is the neighbor next to Isambard's.
The graphics aspect part of the novel is fascinating. I wasn't a fan of graphic novels until I read this one, which is cleverly pieced together and tells the story of the Dopples and Erik well.
The book and the experiences the sisters and Erik make the reader think. Muzz seems to want to be a part-time mother, which is hard on children but something that a lot of mothers seem to want to be lately in society. It also brings up personal responsibility and decision-making.
Taylor raises important issues, such as abandonment, guilt, revenge, the moral ethics of certain experiments, loneliness and adoption. It also brings in family issues and themes.
All in all, a must read.
Is the Jesus We Think We Know the Real Jesus or our "Imaginary Jesus"?
Who is the real Jesus? Matt Mikalatos answers that very question in his novel My Imaginary Jesus.
Matt, the main character, has coffee with a man claiming to be Jesus but suddenly the Apostle Peter shows up and tells him he's wrong, and a lot of people pretend to be Jesus.
Matt and Peter decide to go on a chase for the real Jesus, the powerful Son of God as revealed in the Word. Matt realizes that the Jesus he's been picturing and following are not the real Jesus, but the Jesus he wants. As he searches for the real Jesus, he finally understands.
This book was hilarious. I couldn't stop laughing. It was clever, well-written and amazing. The truth in it made me think, Is this how I view Jesus sometimes? This definitely isn't the right way to view Jesus. I know that readers will find something amazing in this book and definitely get something out of it. Even if you think you won't like it, trust me, you will.
Matt, the main character, has coffee with a man claiming to be Jesus but suddenly the Apostle Peter shows up and tells him he's wrong, and a lot of people pretend to be Jesus.
Matt and Peter decide to go on a chase for the real Jesus, the powerful Son of God as revealed in the Word. Matt realizes that the Jesus he's been picturing and following are not the real Jesus, but the Jesus he wants. As he searches for the real Jesus, he finally understands.
This book was hilarious. I couldn't stop laughing. It was clever, well-written and amazing. The truth in it made me think, Is this how I view Jesus sometimes? This definitely isn't the right way to view Jesus. I know that readers will find something amazing in this book and definitely get something out of it. Even if you think you won't like it, trust me, you will.
Promise Me This
I got this book for free as a promo for my Mac's Kindle, since I don't have an e-reader yet. I read it online and actually I liked it.
This is a story about Annie and Michael. Then fourteen-year-old Annie's brother Owen leaves his aunt's estate in England to travel to America against his aunt's wishes. He meets fifteen-year-old Michael Dunnigan, an abused and mistreated Irish boy who sneaks on board the ill-fated ship Titanic to escape his cruel uncle, who sold him to an equally cruel man in exchange for the uncle's ticket on the ship. On the voyage, Owen dies but Michael lives, and he promises to take care of Annie and Owen's other relatives. The two exchange letters until WWI, when Annie's letters stop and Michael, to keep his promise, decides to find her.
A sweet and touching book, packed with truths. It deals with orphans, the war, guilt, promises, and keeping those promises. A book released right around the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic, a disaster that made history and led to important changes and increased safety, and also a book that touches on the Great War and those affected by it.
This is a story about Annie and Michael. Then fourteen-year-old Annie's brother Owen leaves his aunt's estate in England to travel to America against his aunt's wishes. He meets fifteen-year-old Michael Dunnigan, an abused and mistreated Irish boy who sneaks on board the ill-fated ship Titanic to escape his cruel uncle, who sold him to an equally cruel man in exchange for the uncle's ticket on the ship. On the voyage, Owen dies but Michael lives, and he promises to take care of Annie and Owen's other relatives. The two exchange letters until WWI, when Annie's letters stop and Michael, to keep his promise, decides to find her.
A sweet and touching book, packed with truths. It deals with orphans, the war, guilt, promises, and keeping those promises. A book released right around the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic, a disaster that made history and led to important changes and increased safety, and also a book that touches on the Great War and those affected by it.
The First Escape in The Doppleganger Chronicles by G.P. Taylor
At first I was annoyed by the
alternating text and graphics of the novel, but then I liked it. I
realized I actually liked it and could see how it was a different and fun way of reading.
Saskia and Sadie are identical in every way, except for their eyes, one
has a blue left eye and a right yellow eye, and the other has a blue
right eye and a left yellow eye. They were left by their mother, an
actress, at Isambard Dunstan's School for Wayward Children, which has
Erik and girls.
The School is terrible, but the twins are in charge. When a wealthy
reclusive writer wants to adopt Saskia, Sadie and
Saskia are separated. Saskia finds a mystery living with her adopted
mother. Sadie knows that Saskia's in danger and enlists Erik's help to
find her. Saskia also meets a woman who gives her advice and teaches her
to eat peas with a fork, who
she believes is an angel and who tries to guide her to the Companion.
She also finds out that her adoptive mother also met the angel once and
that the angel helped Mudd Elliot as well.
It deals with abandonment by their mother, and their belief that she would return for them. It deals with Erik, abandoned by his father and his belief that he's much better off without his father, because he doesn't have to steal anymore and feel guilty all the time. It also deals with adoption and the effects on children of being separated from their siblings. The girls are definitely unique themselves. This book definitely seems creative and imaginative and would be good for children, teenagers, and older people who feel young!
Forsaking All Others
Would you want to share your husband with another woman - especially one who becomes his wife as well?
Forsaking All Others by Allison Pittman follows the theme of the topic of the faiths of other religions, such as the Mormons and the Amish. This book focuses on Mormonism, which has gained considerable attention following the TV show Sister Wives, and centers on Camilla Fox, who disagrees with her family's faith and leaves them. On her journey, she has a terrible accident and loses her memory. She meets Colonel Charles Brandon. She regains her memory slowly, remembering the children she left behind to flee the faith. Tragedy strikes, and she returns to her family to confront them and reconcile with her family.
This deals with maternal abandonment, including the question - what about when the mother does something for herself to save the family that leads to the abandonment - betrayal, love, true love, beliefs, the clash of different beliefs, and reconciliation.
A fascinating book by Pittman and a terrific plot, and another look at the Mormon faith through the women who find themselves married to a man who marries multiple wives, and he is no longer their own, but community property.
Praying you have Faith, Love, and Hope,
Rachel
Forsaking All Others by Allison Pittman follows the theme of the topic of the faiths of other religions, such as the Mormons and the Amish. This book focuses on Mormonism, which has gained considerable attention following the TV show Sister Wives, and centers on Camilla Fox, who disagrees with her family's faith and leaves them. On her journey, she has a terrible accident and loses her memory. She meets Colonel Charles Brandon. She regains her memory slowly, remembering the children she left behind to flee the faith. Tragedy strikes, and she returns to her family to confront them and reconcile with her family.
This deals with maternal abandonment, including the question - what about when the mother does something for herself to save the family that leads to the abandonment - betrayal, love, true love, beliefs, the clash of different beliefs, and reconciliation.
A fascinating book by Pittman and a terrific plot, and another look at the Mormon faith through the women who find themselves married to a man who marries multiple wives, and he is no longer their own, but community property.
Praying you have Faith, Love, and Hope,
Rachel
New blog system?
Is there a new blog system? I am thoroughly confused. I am just trying to post on my blog!