Mundie Moms

Thursday, August 2, 2012

VOTE FOR WILL!


Hi guys! Katie with Mundie Moms and Alyssa with TMI Source back again to talk to you about our love for Will. Previously we shared a list of things we loved about him here, and had a little help from Jace and a few TMI fans share in the love of Will here, and both times you guys rallied around Will with us to in order to help him advance to the next round! Today we need to do that again, and this time we're going to keep this short and sweet. I mean, who doesn't love Will?! He's a shadowhunter with a wicked sense of humor, he's intelligent, can sing, is romantic, loyal, he reads and he's hot. Not that looks should matter, but when this Shadowhunter is holding a book it is down right sexy! Yes, Will READS! 

The thing Alyssa and I love most about Will is the fact he's literate. He loves books as much as Tessa and the rest of us do. I mean, if you didn't love reading you wouldn't be here reading this post now. Not only can Will send a few demon's back to where they came from, bite a vampire, and practically handle any other creature that comes his way, he's also well read. He can quote literature, understands the need to go and get lost in a good book. Here's what Will has to say about books:

It was books that made me feel that perhaps I was not completely alone. They could be honest with me, and I with them.” 


*sigh* Who can argue with that. He reads for the same reason many of us do! Let me take it one step further...... IMAGINE if you will, Will reading to you....

It's a cold dreary night in Victorian London. You're lounging in front on the fire (I'm sure Shadowhunter's lounged, and yes pretend for a moment you're a shadowhunter), you might have a shawl or hand made blanket to keep you warm, as well a fire going in the fireplace. You're quietly reading your book, Church is laying near your feet when you are startled by the presence of Will, looking dashing as ever as he sits down beside you. He's of course being a gentleman, but he knows how to push the line of being a gentleman and of course a guy perfectly well. You'll find he might "accidentally" brush along your hand a little too purposefully as he gently pulls the book out of your hand that you've been reading. He'll most likely scoot a little closer to you on the couch since it's just the two of you, as he begins to read A Tale of Two Cities. 

You of course will get lost in those piercing blue eyes, and listen to the sound of his soft voice (after all he does have a reading voice that pulls you in and holds you captive), while trying not to be too obvious you're checking him out. Admit it, even women of stature back then checked out guys. And because it's just the two of you, the fire will gradually start to go fade, and the room grow a little cooler. You'll naturally scoot closer to Will and before you know it you've rested your head on his shoulder and fallen asleep to the sound of Will reading you a book. He'll try to hide that smile as he realizes that the love he has for you can be nothing more than what it is at now. He is after all loyal to Jem and wouldn't want to do anything that would hurt him or you, but he won't deny himself that gentle kiss he plants on your check as he pulls the blanket up over you more. Afraid of moving and waking you up, he happily enjoys the moment of your head on his shoulder, and he whispers, "My Tessa", before continuing to read the book quietly to himself.

"One must always be careful of books, and what is inside them, for words have the power to change us...."


If you're a fan of Shadowhunters who can be romantics and love to read, VOTE FOR WILL

Book Review: Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

Published by: Bloomsbury
To Be Released on: August 7th, 2012
Source: Book from publisher to review
5 stars: I LOVED IT! Really this is a 10 star book!
Pre-Order from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound


When magic has gone from the world, and a vicious king rules from his throne of glass, an assassin comes to the castle. She does not come to kill, but to win her freedom. If she can defeat twenty-three killers, thieves, and warriors in a competition to find the greatest assassin in the land, she will become the King’s Champion and be released from prison. 

Her name is Celaena Sardothien.

The Crown Prince will provoke her. The Captain of the Guard will protect her.

And a princess from a foreign land will become the one thing Celaena never thought she’d have again: a friend.

But something evil dwells in the castle–and it’s there to kill. When her competitors start dying, horribly, one by one, Celaena’s fight for freedom becomes a fight for survival–and a desperate quest to root out the source of evil before it destroys her world.



An unforgettable high fantasy that introduces readers to some incredible characters, takes them into a world full of secrets, danger and adventure, and will leave them wanting more. Sarah J. Maas has written an epic debut! I loved everything about this book. From the exciting story line that flowed beautifully, to the intriguing and vivid setting, to characters I wanted to spend more time with, everything in this book was awesome! There's something about a timeless storyline that I love. It feels historical, it's exciting, and it always leaves me yearning for more. Not to mention there's this strong willed, kick butt heroine who had me cheering on through out the entire story.

I love nothing more than to read a story about underdog who has the strength and power to over come all odds and prove her worth. In a time when women are squeezed into corsets, aren't allowed to do "guy things", and kingdoms are rules by Kings, however good or bad they maybe, Celaena Sardothien, an orphan who was raised to be an assassin is brought to a kingdom to prove herself. Hailed as the greatest assign in her kingdom, her rags to riches story is one that captured my attention, and had me wishing there was more to this story after I finished it reading. Having beautiful looks, a lot of brains and the ability to take out the toughest guard in the kingdom, I was impressed with Celaena, and all that she's had to endure during her young life. She's someone I truly admire and loved reading about. The fact that this tough girl had a vulnerable side made her that much more relatable. I LOVED the way Sarah created her character and allowed me to get to know her. 

Oh the romance! Okay, let me back that up and say oh my knight and shinning armor! The boys in this book are awesome! My favorite from the get go is Choal, the Captain of the Guard also known as a hot boy with sword. What I loved about his character is how he pushes Celaena. He's not afraid to be frank with her, and like Celaena, I loved how I was able to get to know more about him. Despite my not wanting to, I ending up falling in love with Prince Dorian. It was kind of hard not to once I got to know him. The thing about his royal highness is he's not your average drop dead gorgeous Prince who gets whatever he wants. Yes, he's got the looks, but he also has the brains to match, and I loved that despite the era he is growing up in, he has this romanticize notion about what love and marriage should be. He's also the total opposite of his cruel father, and the chemistry he has with Celaena is AWESOME! I will admit, I don't think I could choose between these two guys. They're both fabulous in their own ways, and they're also trusted friends.

Wow, what a plot line! This story is laced with action, suspense, and given a fabulous fantasy element that played into the mystery and danger of the story perfectly. Aside from the sword fights, a ball, late night readings, stolen moments, and well created plot twits, is the element of magic. It's this magic, which hints of Fae lore, that gave the story it's surprising twist. I loved the way this twist was introduced to the story. Aside from everything else that's going on, it's this magic that is the cause for the sinister events that are happening at the Castle, and the hint of more things to come. I liked that Sarah didn't reveal too much about this hidden world. She left enough secrets about it and it's ties to Celaena open ended leaving me to guess we'll get a lot more answers in the next book.

Throne of Glass is an incredibly told story! Sarah J. Maas has given me a beautiful, gripping story that has left it's mark me and has me eagerly awaiting the next book in this series release. Everything about this story came to life for me, and I didn't want this book to end. I wanted to crawl inside it and stay here just a little bit longer. I highly recommend picking up this incredibly thrilling read up when it's out next week! It's one YA readers and adults alike will enjoy as there's a little bit of something for everyone it.


Don't miss my guest post with author Sarah J. Maas sharing her playlist for Throne of Glass!

Throne of Glass Blog Tour: Guest Post / Throne of Glass Playlist


I'm so excited to be the next stop on the Throne of Glass blog tour, hosted by Bloomsbury Teens. This is such an amazing book and one I highly recommend picking up. Today I get to share with you guys Sarah's Throne of Glass PLAYLIST!! 

My (much-shorted/abridged) playlist for THRONE OF GLASS:

1. “The Great Migration”: James Horner: The Land Before Time (Soundtrack from the Motion Picture): http://youtu.be/Rd2r_QyheXU

  If THRONE OF GLASS is ever a movie, I like to imagine that something similar to this track would play. Whenever I’d work on ToG, before diving into the first chapter, I’d actually listen to a few of these “opening title” type pieces. So, just imagine that when the music swells at the 1:50 mark, the title of the book glimmers/sprawls across a giant, dark screen.


2. "You Don't Dream In Cryo. ....": James Horner : Avatar (Music from the Motion Picture): http://youtu.be/JyC1Ffp6Ahc

 This was my go-to track when writing the Endovier scenes at the beginning of the novel. The tone definitely sums up not only the atmosphere of Endovier, but also Celaena’s mood/mental state when Dorian and Chaol pull her out of the mines.


3. “Medley: The Hologram / Binary Sunset” and “Medley: Tales of a Jedi Knight / Learn About the Force” by John Williams : Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqOBU34aVrc and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzczg3MreZg

I listened to these two tracks a LOT while writing the scenes in the throne room in Endovier, when Celaena first meets Dorian and Chaol (and then learns about the competition).


4. “Septimus” : Andy Brown, Ilan Eshkeri & London Metropolitan Orchestra: Stardust (Music from the Motion Picture). http://youtu.be/RMcc8TZvxXQ

This was my “traveling to Rifthold” go-to track. Whenever I hear it, I usually imagine an epic montage (and several scenes of Celaena being particularly miserable in rough weather).


5. “This Land” : Hans Zimmer : The Lion King (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_U4in8WeS0

One of my favorite parts in the novel is actually these two short scenes with Celaena and Dorian at the end of Chapter 6, when they’re camped in the foothills above Rifthold. Both scenes were inspired by this track, but particularly this line from the end of Dorian’s section: “Still, the image haunted his dreams throughout the night: a lovely girl gazing at the stars, and the stars who gazed back."


6. "Your Highness - What A Surprise!" and “The Girls, the Prince, and the Painting”: Ever After (Soundtrack from the Motion Picture): http://youtu.be/MS3-kAuE4DY and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5-e8ODRmLk

I used both of these for the two introductory scenes with Kaltain—the first, when Celaena overhears Kaltain talking under her balcony (…and there’s an “accident” with a flower pot), and the second, when Celaena, Chaol, and Dorian run into Kaltain in the castle halls.


7. “Watch the World Burn” : Hans Zimmer & James Newton Howard : The Dark Knight (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRYKyhof6b4

I used this track when writing the scene with Celaena and the other champions meeting the king in his throne room.


8. “Night Fight”: Tan Dun: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sgr2wQiqBpw

 The music that inspired the initial sparring session between Celaena and Chaol in the training hall. Fits the scene perfectly.


9. “Tryouts” : Jerry Goldsmith: Rudy (Soundtrack from the Motion Picture): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXNwTczi2ks

This track in general just inspired a lot of the training scenes (in particular, that initial run through the game park).


10. “Success Montage” : Danny Elfman: Wanted (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhDhvlkf4uc

Another track that I used while writing the training scenes, but especially for the scene when Chaol walks into Celaena’s rooms one morning and finds her doing chin-ups in her doorway. I hear this and imagine them running through the game park, or Chaol sitting on Celaena’s feet, keeping count as she does sit-ups. ;) I also used this during the scene when Celaena is sparring (AKA working out her frustration) with the wooden dummy, and Dorian & Chaol observe her from the mezzanine.


11. “The Goodbye”: Patrick Doyle: A Little Princess (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZ_43AEuBYI

The inspiration behind Nehemia and Celaena’s first meeting (and music that I often turn to when writing scenes with them).


12. “Myotis”: Batman Begins (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack): http://youtu.be/YPL9szloyX4

This inspired the Test when they climb the side of the castle (and Celaena does the crazy-ass leap to save Nox from falling to his death).


13. “Concerto No. 2 In C Minor Op. 18: II : Adagio Sostenuto:” Rachmaninoff: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyStVGVW5a4

This is the piece that I imagine Celaena playing when Dorian comes to visit her rooms that first time.


14. “Chevaliers de Sangreal” ; “Beneath Alrischa” and “503”: Hans Zimmer : The Da Vinci Code (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5FyRZbqfeM ; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptn1RdgohNU ;

The entire Da Vinci Code (and Angels and Demons) soundtrack actually inspired a lot of the scenes in the secret passages & Elena’s forgotten tomb.


15. “Atlantean Sword”: Basil Poledouris : Conan the Barbarian (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1on_N1R9vc

I imagine this playing when Celaena first enters the tomb and meets Elena.


16. “Won't Back Down”: Eminem : Recovery (Deluxe Edition): http://youtu.be/s8ymuoSly_Q

This song actually inspired the scene when Celaena gives Verin a smack-down during one of their tests.


17. “Thought I'd Never Call?”: James Newton Howard : Blood Diamond (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2JMgFXVAGQ

This inspired the scene between Celaena and Nehemia when they learn about the Eyllwe rebels’ massacre (and the scenes that follow with Celaena, Dorian, and Chaol).


18. “Valse - Intrada (Tempo Di Valse)”: Efrem Kurtz & Philharmonia Orchestra : Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OI4V07OXQvY

Dorian and Celaena’s waltz at the Yulemas ball.


19. “Balcony Scene - Romeo's Variation - Love Dance”:  Cleveland Orchestra & Lorin Maazel: Prokofiev: Romeo & Juliet.: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a04IcHI1fFQ

I listened to this again and again when writing about Dorian and Celaena’s first kiss (and Chaol’s scene after the ball).


20. “Optimus Vs. Megatron” and “Scorponok”: Steve Jablonsky: Transformers: The Score; “Royce Vs. Predator” : John Debney: Predators (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack):

Listened to these 3 tracks on repeat while writing the Celaena vs. the Ridderak scene.


21. “Night of Terror”: Clint Mansell: Black Swan (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKPz9qt1orM

Listened to this A LOT while writing all the scenes from Kaltain’s POV.


22. “Farewell” : Danny Elfman: Terminator Salvation (Original Soundtrack): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTAj_jnT81c

Inspired the moment when Nehemia gives Celaena her staff. And when Celaena thanks Chaol before her duel.


23. “Duelist”: Revolutionary Girl Utena: (Soundtrack from the Motion Picture): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8OdV2rzq5Y

Totally inspired Celaena’s duel with Grave.


24. “Shura!”: Revolutionary Girl Utena (Soundtrack from the Motion Picture): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mc6iDIGVJyU

 Celaena’s duel with Cain. (For the FP fans, this was also the inspiration behind the original dueling sequence in the FP version of the book)


25. “Boarding Up The House”: James Newton Howard : Signs (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1AGwvGYgGE

This piece inspired the moment during the duel with Cain when Chaol kneels down on the other side of the white line and tells Celaena to get up. (mostly the stuff that starts at the 1:15 and onward mark)


26. “Decepticons”: Steve Jablonsky: Transformers: The Score: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAYV8X-RX64

 Totally inspired the moment during the duel when Cain says: “You were brought here—all of you were. All the players in the unfinished game.”


26. “The Great Eatlon”: James Newton Howard : Lady In the Water: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iiNjQDPrws

Wrote the entire climax of the duel (no spoilers!) to this. :)


27. “World Collapsing”: Danny Cocke: From The Blue: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OefiCdd19Q

The King and Perrington’s final scene together (also thinks this sets the tone/stage for Book 2 perfectly).


28. “I Wanted You to Know”: John Ottman : Superman Returns (Music from the Motion Picture): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynIm9dbBjWU

Celaena and Chaol in her rooms after the duel (when the music swells, I think it’s pretty obvious what part it’s referring to).


29.  “Princess Leia's Theme”: John Williams: Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KBygZLzsbs

Celaena and Dorian, when he tells her about her appointment as Champion.


30. “Dolphins & Ric”: J. Ralph: The Cove (Original Motion Picture Score): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37DhJtPLAg8

The final scene with Celaena and Elena in the tomb.


31. “Can You See Jane?”:  Patrick Doyle: Thor (Soundtrack from the Motion Picture): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-K3PuyHT46Q

The final scene in the book (with Celaena and Chaol), when she says “Tell me tomorrow.”

******

Thank you Sarah for stopping by Mundie Moms today! Thank you to Bloomsbury for having me on the tour! 



When magic has gone from the world, and a vicious king rules from his throne of glass, an assassin comes to the castle. She does not come to kill, but to win her freedom. If she can defeat twenty-three killers, thieves, and warriors in a competition to find the greatest assassin in the land, she will become the King’s Champion and be released from prison. 

Her name is Celaena Sardothien.

The Crown Prince will provoke her. The Captain of the Guard will protect her.

And a princess from a foreign land will become the one thing Celaena never thought she’d have again: a friend.

But something evil dwells in the castle–and it’s there to kill. When her competitors start dying, horribly, one by one, Celaena’s fight for freedom becomes a fight for survival–and a desperate quest to root out the source of evil before it destroys her world.

Pre-Order from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound

Visit Sarah on her:  Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads


Sarah's debut will be out NEXT Tuesday, August 7th. Be sure to go pick it up! Read my glowing 5 star review here. 

August YA & MG Releases

WOW! Check out this month's fabulous MG and YA releases.....

Week of August 1st:
Week of August 6th:
Week of August 14th:
Week of August 28th:
If I've left any books of the list, please feel free to add them in the comments!

*colored links are for books/arcs I have that I've either already featured on MM's or will be featuring on MM's

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