The other day, I was thinking of Draco Malfoy. Not only was I thinking of Draco Malfoy, but I was also thinking of the Elder Wand. I was thinking of the 'Spinner's End' scene, in which Narcissa Malfoy confronts Severus Snape about the 'deed the Dark Lord has ordered Draco to perform'. Then, as I re-watched Deathly Hallows--Part II, Draco came back into my head right before Harry and Voldemort spontaneously decide to go cliff-diving. Voldemort, as in the book, kills Snape because he believes that, in doing so, he will gain possession of the Elder Wand because he thinks Snape was in possession of it at the time of the Battle of Hogwarts. As we as readers know, Voldemort is wrong. Draco Malfoy--at the time of Dumbledore's death--is the rightful owner of the Elder Wand because he Disarmed Dumbledore before Snape could kill him. Now, if Snape's killing of Dumbledore would have been unplanned between the pair of them, then he would have been the master of the Elder Wand and when Voldemort killed him, the Dark Lord would have become the rightful owner. So, knowing what we know, Voldemort planned to kill the previous owner of the Elder Wand. Now, the question I have pondered lately revolves around Draco Malfoy. What if Dumbledore and Snape never planned his death? What if Snape and Dumbledore did plan his death, but Snape didn't get their on time, and something came over Draco and he killed Dumbledore? The answer to this is simple: Voldemort would have killed Draco Malfoy. Did Voldemort know from the moment he assigned Draco this task that he would eventually murder him? I believe that, in the back of Tom Riddle's mind, he knew that Draco Malfoy would die, whether or not he became the owner of the Elder Wand or not. It is not a secret that Narcissa was pained at the idea of Draco being drafted into the Death Eaters and such a young age and being sentenced to carry out such a complex murder, so it can be inferred that Voldemort intended to emotionally destroy Lucius, Narcissa, and Draco. If Draco had succeeded in killing Dumbledore, or if Voldemort's arrogance had cleared, the Dark Lord could have killed Draco.
Your thoughts?
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Book Review | 'The Future of Us'
The Future of Us
Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler
Penguin/Razorbill
356 pg., U.S. Hardcover

Wanna know how good this book was? Let's see...I started it at approximately 8:30 on Friday, December 24th. I read 100 pages, so I took a break. I picked it up the next day and finished in a sitting. Yeah. Jay Asher has done it again, folks. I, personally, have never read a Carolyn Mackler novel, but this has definitely inclined my interest in her books.
The book is basically about two kids named Emma and Josh in the 90s. One day, Emma boots up her computer with her brand-new AOL CD-ROM and finds herself on Facebook. But the thing is that the Facebook page is set in 2011, fifteen years in the future.
This book definitely had such a wonderful plot that I definitely found myself raveled into. The authors made the scientifically-debatable topic into one that could be plausible. The characters were also very vulnerable and curious, as any 1990s teenager would be if they stumbled across their future.
I'm sorry this review is so short, there's just not much to say! The book was fantastic and it took my breath away. I definitely recommend it!
Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler
Penguin/Razorbill
356 pg., U.S. Hardcover
Wanna know how good this book was? Let's see...I started it at approximately 8:30 on Friday, December 24th. I read 100 pages, so I took a break. I picked it up the next day and finished in a sitting. Yeah. Jay Asher has done it again, folks. I, personally, have never read a Carolyn Mackler novel, but this has definitely inclined my interest in her books.
The book is basically about two kids named Emma and Josh in the 90s. One day, Emma boots up her computer with her brand-new AOL CD-ROM and finds herself on Facebook. But the thing is that the Facebook page is set in 2011, fifteen years in the future.
This book definitely had such a wonderful plot that I definitely found myself raveled into. The authors made the scientifically-debatable topic into one that could be plausible. The characters were also very vulnerable and curious, as any 1990s teenager would be if they stumbled across their future.
I'm sorry this review is so short, there's just not much to say! The book was fantastic and it took my breath away. I definitely recommend it!
Monday, December 19, 2011
Book Review | 'Beautiful Chaos'
Beautiful Chaos
Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
Little, Brown
515 pg., U.S. Hardcover


Beautiful Chaos continues the story of Ethan Wate and his girlfriend Lena Duchannes. In the town of Gatlin, things are rather strange. Heat is off the charts, locusts swarm in amount they've never before, and Ethan is beginning to lose his memory. Using the assistance of prophecies and the shady John Breed, Ethan and Lena must uncover a fate most troublesome.
I've got to say, first off, that I was worried going into this book. Worried because I loved the first two so much that I didn't want to be disappointed by this book. This one, though, was definitely the best in the series! The characters are becoming more deep; more relatable, if you will. Ethan expresses anger in this book, as well as the usual easy-going Ethan. That's what I love most about this book: that you can see every side of every character. I used to hate the character Liv, but this book made me love her. I used to hate Link, but this book made me love him. This book made me hate the villains, something I'm not really used to. Many books these days make you want to hug the villain, but Abraham Ravenwood and Sarafine are malicious and disgusting, and I just wanna kick them into a vat of toxic waste.
As far as the plot goes, I thought that it was the cherry on top. I thought that Stohl and Garcia definitely highlighted the darkness of Ethan's and Lena's lives. The highs and lows of the plot were very realistic and revelative, so many of them made me do a little dance. I hardly ever do little dances.
Beautiful Chaos is the third book in The Caster Chronicles. Beautiful Creatures is being adapted for the big screen. The fourth and final book has not yet been released.
Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
Little, Brown
515 pg., U.S. Hardcover


Beautiful Chaos continues the story of Ethan Wate and his girlfriend Lena Duchannes. In the town of Gatlin, things are rather strange. Heat is off the charts, locusts swarm in amount they've never before, and Ethan is beginning to lose his memory. Using the assistance of prophecies and the shady John Breed, Ethan and Lena must uncover a fate most troublesome.
I've got to say, first off, that I was worried going into this book. Worried because I loved the first two so much that I didn't want to be disappointed by this book. This one, though, was definitely the best in the series! The characters are becoming more deep; more relatable, if you will. Ethan expresses anger in this book, as well as the usual easy-going Ethan. That's what I love most about this book: that you can see every side of every character. I used to hate the character Liv, but this book made me love her. I used to hate Link, but this book made me love him. This book made me hate the villains, something I'm not really used to. Many books these days make you want to hug the villain, but Abraham Ravenwood and Sarafine are malicious and disgusting, and I just wanna kick them into a vat of toxic waste.
As far as the plot goes, I thought that it was the cherry on top. I thought that Stohl and Garcia definitely highlighted the darkness of Ethan's and Lena's lives. The highs and lows of the plot were very realistic and revelative, so many of them made me do a little dance. I hardly ever do little dances.
Beautiful Chaos is the third book in The Caster Chronicles. Beautiful Creatures is being adapted for the big screen. The fourth and final book has not yet been released.
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Book Review | 'The Eternal Ones'
The Eternal Ones
Kirsten Miller
410 pg., U.S. Hardcover
Razorbill/Penguin


Haven is a riveting, believable character that I loved from the get-go. She's rebellious but sweet, dangerous but loving, and fierce but tender. I admire Haven for her intellect and her cunning ways of figuring out the shrouded history of the Ouroboros Society.
I don't, however, like Iain. I rather like Beau, Haven's friend who assists with the designing of dresses. Iain is, at first, the stereotypical love interest, and even though more things are found out about him, he still just irked me. Although Beau is gay, I would have rather had Haven fall in love with him.
The plot was fast-paced and the book was one of those where you could put it down, but once you picked it back up again you didn't want to stop. I loved learning so much about the people that Haven, Iain, and others were reincarnated from and the characters that existed in the time of the story. I loved and hated Padma Singh, wanted to strangle Dr. Tidmore and Adam Rosier, and wanted to cry for Marta Vega. These are all the things that should happen when reading a book. I should care for the characters, and I did. The plot and the characters had that intimate relationship that is necessary in a book like this, and I'm glad I read it.
The Eternal Ones has a sequel, All You Desire, and it is in stores now.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Book Review | 'A Million Suns' [EDITED]
A Million Suns
Beth Revis
400 pg., ARC
Razorbill/Penguin
3/5 Stars

A Million Suns is the sequel to Across the Universe. The book was a major let-down compared to its predecessor. I was immensely excited when I opened a package from Penguin and found the paperback ARC, but I wasn't really drawn in from the get-go. I was worried.
The book explores a darker side to Elder and Amy, something I usually worship in a book, but it didn't seem to really fit in to this story. The chapter's were too short to permit the proper ebb and flow of exposition and information.
The pros of the book include its conflict and partially its resolution, but I truly was let down.
A more positive review should be released in the New Year; I do not want to spoil those who have not read it.
EDIT: Okay, so it's been about a year since I wrote this review, and I'm just now getting around to acknowledging how positively shitty it is (mind my language), how this book deserves more, and how utterly cranky I must have been while writing this review. The third book, Shades of Earth, is about to hit the hands of some lucky reviewers, so I thought I'd redo this whole situation, because it's quite a mess.
Let me start out with rewording the review in a phrase: I didn't dislike A Million Suns. Sure, I stick by what I said about it being a let down from Across the Universe, but that doesn't mean it's a bad book. I gave it a 3 out of 5 stars, which is (using my review criteria) a C+, which is definitely not a bad grade.
That being said, in retrospect, I think what I disliked most about the book was its focus and reliance on other characters, after the first book was so centered around Amy and Elder. I was looking forward to more independence and strength from these two characters, and I didn't get it, and I thought the plot wasn't as well executed as it could have been. It had so much potential, but I think what really, truly, fo-sho turned me off was..."frexing." Seriously, that needs to go.
Beth Revis
400 pg., ARC
Razorbill/Penguin
3/5 Stars

A Million Suns is the sequel to Across the Universe. The book was a major let-down compared to its predecessor. I was immensely excited when I opened a package from Penguin and found the paperback ARC, but I wasn't really drawn in from the get-go. I was worried.
The book explores a darker side to Elder and Amy, something I usually worship in a book, but it didn't seem to really fit in to this story. The chapter's were too short to permit the proper ebb and flow of exposition and information.
The pros of the book include its conflict and partially its resolution, but I truly was let down.
A more positive review should be released in the New Year; I do not want to spoil those who have not read it.
EDIT: Okay, so it's been about a year since I wrote this review, and I'm just now getting around to acknowledging how positively shitty it is (mind my language), how this book deserves more, and how utterly cranky I must have been while writing this review. The third book, Shades of Earth, is about to hit the hands of some lucky reviewers, so I thought I'd redo this whole situation, because it's quite a mess.
Let me start out with rewording the review in a phrase: I didn't dislike A Million Suns. Sure, I stick by what I said about it being a let down from Across the Universe, but that doesn't mean it's a bad book. I gave it a 3 out of 5 stars, which is (using my review criteria) a C+, which is definitely not a bad grade.
That being said, in retrospect, I think what I disliked most about the book was its focus and reliance on other characters, after the first book was so centered around Amy and Elder. I was looking forward to more independence and strength from these two characters, and I didn't get it, and I thought the plot wasn't as well executed as it could have been. It had so much potential, but I think what really, truly, fo-sho turned me off was..."frexing." Seriously, that needs to go.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Music Video Review | 'The One That Got Away'
TO WATCH 'THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY' MUSIC VIDEO, CLICK HERE.
The One That Got Away
Katy Perry
Teenage Dream, 2010
2011
In Perry's latest music video, she plays the role of a heartbroken girl who sacrifices love for a finer life, as explained by Perry during an interview with Ellen DeGeneres. To get the little things about this video I didn't like out of the way, I'll start off by saying that Perry didn't make a believable elderly woman. The makeup and special effects were not up to par on this part of the video. I understand it is extremely difficult to create this look, but perhaps Perry could have aged at a much less intense pace. The other thing I didn't like is such a small knit-pick: I wish they would have used slow-motion. I know, I know, it's stupid, but I think the video could have gone for some gorgeous shots of the gorgeous Katy Perry in slow-motion, adding more drama and emotion to the video!
What I did like is practically everything else. The video was an emotionally powerful, victorious presentation from Perry, and I must say that it stands out above all the rest of her videos.
The One That Got Away
Katy Perry
Teenage Dream, 2010
2011
In Perry's latest music video, she plays the role of a heartbroken girl who sacrifices love for a finer life, as explained by Perry during an interview with Ellen DeGeneres. To get the little things about this video I didn't like out of the way, I'll start off by saying that Perry didn't make a believable elderly woman. The makeup and special effects were not up to par on this part of the video. I understand it is extremely difficult to create this look, but perhaps Perry could have aged at a much less intense pace. The other thing I didn't like is such a small knit-pick: I wish they would have used slow-motion. I know, I know, it's stupid, but I think the video could have gone for some gorgeous shots of the gorgeous Katy Perry in slow-motion, adding more drama and emotion to the video!
What I did like is practically everything else. The video was an emotionally powerful, victorious presentation from Perry, and I must say that it stands out above all the rest of her videos.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Book Review | 'Supernaturally'
Supernaturally
Kiersten White
336 pg., U.S. Hardcover
HarperTeen
4/5 Stars

Buckle down for a novel almost identical to its predecessor, Paranormalcy, apart from the fact that it is a bit more serious than the first one, something that I like. What I mean when I say that it's a parallel to the first one is that the same plot arc occurs. What I mean by this is that the book starts out with some sort of event spotlighting Evie, the protagonist, and then we are introduced to another 'cute' boy. In the case of this book, it's Jack. We later learn that *spoiler* Jack isn't as good as he seems to be, something that is parallel to Reth in the first book. There is a climactic, creepy final scene that leads to a sappy falling action and resolution.
The book was a tremendously quick read; I read it in two days, averaging about 160 pages a day. The book isn't a book you really need to pay attention to, mainly because it is so fast-paced and that Evie mentions earlier events that happened within the novel.
Overall, the book was a fast-paced, intriguing, engrossing tale that I definitely recommend for those who finished Paranormalcy. The series is not one to miss; a film adaptation of Paranormalcy is in development!
The third and final novel in the series, Endlessly, is expected to be released next year!
Kiersten White
336 pg., U.S. Hardcover
HarperTeen
4/5 Stars

Buckle down for a novel almost identical to its predecessor, Paranormalcy, apart from the fact that it is a bit more serious than the first one, something that I like. What I mean when I say that it's a parallel to the first one is that the same plot arc occurs. What I mean by this is that the book starts out with some sort of event spotlighting Evie, the protagonist, and then we are introduced to another 'cute' boy. In the case of this book, it's Jack. We later learn that *spoiler* Jack isn't as good as he seems to be, something that is parallel to Reth in the first book. There is a climactic, creepy final scene that leads to a sappy falling action and resolution.
The book was a tremendously quick read; I read it in two days, averaging about 160 pages a day. The book isn't a book you really need to pay attention to, mainly because it is so fast-paced and that Evie mentions earlier events that happened within the novel.
Overall, the book was a fast-paced, intriguing, engrossing tale that I definitely recommend for those who finished Paranormalcy. The series is not one to miss; a film adaptation of Paranormalcy is in development!
The third and final novel in the series, Endlessly, is expected to be released next year!
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Eight 'The Hunger Games' Character Posters Released From Lionsgate
Lionsgate, in cooperation with several entertainment sites such as Yahoo! Movies, Entertainment Weekly, and IGN, released eight character posters from the upcoming The Hunger Games film! The posters depict Katniss, Peeta, Gale, Haymitch, Effie, Cinna, Rue, and Cato. Take a look:


Labels:
cato,
cinna,
effie,
gale,
haymitch,
katniss,
lionsgate,
peeta,
posters,
rue,
the hunger games
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Where Have We Been? | A news collection from the past week
In the past week or so, a heap of information regarding specific films, books, et al has been released.
-Percy Jackson & the Olympians: Sea of Monsters will be released March 26th...2013 (subject to change). This means that the second film in the five-film franchise will be released a whopping three years after the first film, which collected nearly 226.5 million dollars worldwide at the box office. Production on the film, based on this release date, should begin in the summer of 2012. The Potter People will update you on any more updates.
-New York Times released its set report from Perks of Being a Wallflower, starring Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, and Paul Rudd. The set report can be read here, and includes pictures of Emma and Logan in character as Charlie and Sam at their school. You can read my review of the book in our 'Book Reviews' section.
-Warner Bros. has announced that they will be pulling the HP films off of retail shelves at the end of December. The films will be re-released in different formats, including ones to be released next year that are described as 'comprehensive'. What, we ask, is so non-comprehensive about these DVDs already?
-I received an ARC of A Million Suns, the sequel to Across the Universe. You can expect my review as the book's release date draws closer.
-The Potter films won big at the Scream Awards. It received:
-Percy Jackson & the Olympians: Sea of Monsters will be released March 26th...2013 (subject to change). This means that the second film in the five-film franchise will be released a whopping three years after the first film, which collected nearly 226.5 million dollars worldwide at the box office. Production on the film, based on this release date, should begin in the summer of 2012. The Potter People will update you on any more updates.
-New York Times released its set report from Perks of Being a Wallflower, starring Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, and Paul Rudd. The set report can be read here, and includes pictures of Emma and Logan in character as Charlie and Sam at their school. You can read my review of the book in our 'Book Reviews' section.
-Warner Bros. has announced that they will be pulling the HP films off of retail shelves at the end of December. The films will be re-released in different formats, including ones to be released next year that are described as 'comprehensive'. What, we ask, is so non-comprehensive about these DVDs already?
-I received an ARC of A Million Suns, the sequel to Across the Universe. You can expect my review as the book's release date draws closer.
-The Potter films won big at the Scream Awards. It received:
The Ultimate SCREAM - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
Best SCREAM-Play - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
Best Fantasy Actor -Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter
Best Villain - Ralph Fiennes as Lord Voldemort
Holy Sh!t Scene of the Year - The Room of Requirement Fiendfyre in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2
Best F/X - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2If there is any news that we missed, let us know! We'll probably find more as it comes up! What are your thoughts on this news roundup?
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Potter Continuity Editor Cheryl Klein Gives New Interview
Cheryl Klein, Senior Editor at Scholastic and continuity editor for Half-Blood Prince and Deathly Hallows, has given a new interview to The Rusty Key. In the interview, she discusses her experiences as editor to the penultimate and ultimate books in the beloved series as well as what she thinks her Patronus is and even her House, as Sorted by Pottermore.
To read the full interview, click here.
Source : Hypable
TRK: What would your Patronus be and why?CK: My Patronus is a swan (same as Cho Chang’s). I know this because I’m pretty sure my Patronus would be the same as my daemon, from Philip Pullman’s Golden Compass world; and Philip Pullman once said that if people wanted to know their daemons, they should ask two of their friends to get together and choose for them. And my friends chose a swan for me—I guess because I’m fierce in defending those I love; graceful in certain contexts and extremely ungainly in others; and rather long-necked.
To read the full interview, click here.
Source : Hypable
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Exciting Changes

Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Potter People Papers | Books Released 10/4
Today is a Tuesday. What's so special about a Tuesday? Books come out on Tuesday. Below are some books released today that we, the Potter People, are looking forward to, as well as books that have had quite the buzz!







What books are you looking forward to reading from this week?







What books are you looking forward to reading from this week?
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Pottermore Proposal | The Creation of Portraits
POTTERMORE PROPOSAL
Q. How is a portrait created?
Throughout the seven Harry Potter novels, there are many interesting magical artifacts. Some of the plethora of magical items are portraits. We see portraits primarily in the halls of Hogwarts, and most notably in Dumbledore's office. Dumbledore himself has a portrait that hangs in the headmaster's office almost immediately following his death. The portraits in the novels are able to communicate with living beings. For example, in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Severus Snape communicates with the portrait of Phineas Nigellus Black who travels between his portrait at Hogwarts and his portrait stowed away in Hermione Granger's beaded bag. The portrait relays multiple pieces of information to Snape, and probably the most important one led Snape to the Forest of Dean where he placed the Sword of Godric Gryffindor in a pool for Harry Potter to find in the Silver Doe chapter. Portraits also seem to have their own sense of emotion. At the end of the final book, Harry visits the headmaster's office one last time to find the portraits of all the previous headmasters cheering, and even to see Albus Dumbledore shedding a tear in his. Other famous portraits in the series include those of the Fat Lady, Sir Cadogan, Ariana Dumbledore, Armando Dippet, and Dilys Derwent. A question commonly proposed amongst the Harry Potter fandom is regarding how a magical portrait is created. One of the Potter People news reporters, Isaac Knopf, states, "I think it would have to be a spell. I don't know what exactly it would do, but I'm sure it's some spell." Alejandra Shelton, host of Potter People Podcast, also thinks that the portraits would be created with a spell. The spell could possibly be a charm placed on the headmaster once he becomes the school's leader and would create itself once he or she passes away or steps down from office. But the Potter People cannot decide, for they are not Joanne Kathleen Rowling. Whether readers find out in Pottermore's installment of Chamber of Secrets or in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, how is a portrait created?
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Book Review | 'Thirteen Reasons Why'
Thirteen Reasons Why
Jay Asher
288 pg., U.S. Paperback
Penguin
5/5 Stars

Hannah Baker seems like she would be one of those girls who has it all, and maybe that was the true. From the outside. On the inside, Hannah Baker was torn apart by lies, love, and loneliness. She kills herself, but makes thirteen recorded cassette tapes to explain why she did it beforehand. She mails the tapes out, and Clay Jensen receives them. He listens to each tape, reliving Hannah's worst memories and discovering why she took her life.
Thirteen Reasons Why is not for the faint of heart. It is heart-wrenching, saddening, and also injects anger into the reader's heart and soul. I read this book not only because it was my school's book club book of the month, but because I've been wanting to read it for months, but just hadn't got my hands on it. Now that I have, this book is inching its way up my favorites. It has that same characterization as My Sister's Keeper, but it's not as tear-inducing as that one. Each tape is sort of inter-connected with others, and many different events need to stay in your mind in order to fully understand Hannah's meaning behind committing suicide.
The one thing I didn't like about the book is how unlikeable many of the characters are. I know that that's the way it is in real life with kids at Hannah's age, but there was just something about the way that Hannah described them that I didn't like. There was that moment of realization where you peer through Hannah's curtain to see her reasoning, but I won't spoil that for you.
Thirteen Reasons Why is a standalone novel. Jay Asher has teamed up with Carolyn Mackler to write The Future of Us, a story of 90s teens who discover Facebook. That one is released November 21st of this year.
Jay Asher
288 pg., U.S. Paperback
Penguin
5/5 Stars
Hannah Baker seems like she would be one of those girls who has it all, and maybe that was the true. From the outside. On the inside, Hannah Baker was torn apart by lies, love, and loneliness. She kills herself, but makes thirteen recorded cassette tapes to explain why she did it beforehand. She mails the tapes out, and Clay Jensen receives them. He listens to each tape, reliving Hannah's worst memories and discovering why she took her life.
Thirteen Reasons Why is not for the faint of heart. It is heart-wrenching, saddening, and also injects anger into the reader's heart and soul. I read this book not only because it was my school's book club book of the month, but because I've been wanting to read it for months, but just hadn't got my hands on it. Now that I have, this book is inching its way up my favorites. It has that same characterization as My Sister's Keeper, but it's not as tear-inducing as that one. Each tape is sort of inter-connected with others, and many different events need to stay in your mind in order to fully understand Hannah's meaning behind committing suicide.
The one thing I didn't like about the book is how unlikeable many of the characters are. I know that that's the way it is in real life with kids at Hannah's age, but there was just something about the way that Hannah described them that I didn't like. There was that moment of realization where you peer through Hannah's curtain to see her reasoning, but I won't spoil that for you.
Thirteen Reasons Why is a standalone novel. Jay Asher has teamed up with Carolyn Mackler to write The Future of Us, a story of 90s teens who discover Facebook. That one is released November 21st of this year.
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