THOSE BUSY WORKING BEES
Eleanor (@prongsandthedoe)
Rae (@mishasbooty)
Emilie (@Holy_Hippogriff)
Head of Magazine/Executive Editor
Head of Online/Managing Editor
Interviewer
Juve (@PerseaJackson)
Beth (@InsanelyMagical)
Saffy (@potterandevans)
Quiz Master
Fashionista
Book Reviewer
Imi (@saltysummerday)
Em (@voldemoriarty)
Ellie (@jamesandlilys)
Music Updater
Book/Film Updater
Book Reviewer
With help from Emily (@TwerkingKlaine) as our grammarian, Charlie (@Pottercrux) as our film reviewer. This edition also includes works from Ellen (@blazingwright) who modelled and created the nails for the nail art feature, Kirsty (@dumbled0res) who wrote the fandom wars feature, Lisa (@LisaHafey) who wrote the feature about Jo’s new book and Sarah (@HGrangerSays) who wrote the twitter rules feature.
Get in touch with us @fandomsmagazine
Fandomsassemblemagazine.tumblr.com Fandomsassemblemag123@gmail.com 2
Facebook.com/FandomsAssemble
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July has been hot month down here in England (something we’re not used to), but how many of you got a tan? Thought not. Oh well, who needs a tan when you have the internet, am I right? Last month you may have got tumblr; this month it is twitter’s turn! But don’t worry, pg 13 is filled with all the rules you need to know. And with everyone spending so much more time on twitter, a lot more ’fandom wars’ have sprung up. ’Fandom wars? What are fandom wars?’ I hear you cry. But do not fret! Pg 14 and 15 is dedicated to fandom wars: the ups, the downs, and the inbetweens. Or, you might have spent your summer so far reading and maybe found a book/ series you couldn’t get through. Well, you are not alone, as on pg 36 we have all your tweets and opinions of books you couldn’t get through. Plus, if you are looking for a new book, we have a pg 37 all about Jo’s new book! If you’re looking for new fandom ways to decorate your nails for the rest of the summer, head over to pg 10 for a step-by-step guide on how to create each look. Have fun and don’t forget to take part in the survey and message us your opinions!
Editor
This month has again been a hectic one. Luckily, school is over now for 6 weeks and we can finally get back to fangirl/ boying. Our tumblr has had a brand new theme, thanks to our amazing worker - Imi, and I have to say it looks great! We have also put in a navigation page, so when you click on a Fandom on the right hand side, you have the option of selecting updates, fanfiction, fanart, graphics or even other sites for that fandom. If you have any questions to ask us, then click on our ask box, but make sure you check out the FAQ. We love hearing from you; what you think about us, any recommendations for us, or just to discuss Fandoms. We have also put up the option for you to submit things onto our tumblr. Since we can't stay online 24/7, we sometimes miss updates, so if you submit any for us you feel need sharing, then we will post it. As well as that, you can submit things for the 3magazine; we are always looking for fanart, confessions, or just general ideas. Finally, we are making an official website, which should hopefully be completed soon.
A NOTE FROM THE
HEADS
Our star worker for July’s edition is Juve (@PerseaJackson) for always sending her work on time and to a high standard.
Head of online
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CONTENTS 22
6. Most Reblogged 7. Recommended Blogs
8. Interview— @DanosaurArmy
KATE AND WILLS
12. Quiz
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16. Confessions 20. Fandom Humour
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24. Fashion COMIC CON
26. How To Celebrate 28. Fandom Updates
JO’S NEW BOOK 4
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29. Music Updates 30. Upcoming Films
31. Upcoming Books 32. Music Review
VS
33. Film Review 34. Book Review 35. To Read Next
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FANDOM WARS
36. Books We’ve Abandoned
40. Celebrity
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Birthdays
41. Tweets of the Month
NAILED IT
44. One Shot 46. Gifts
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48.
CORY MONTEITH
TWITTER RULES
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Interview: @DanosaurArmy
DanosaurArmy is a twitter Twitter account to the Phandom? account run by Roisin Shaw I didn’t actually know you could dedicated to the popular have a proper “fan” account of a YouTuber on Twitter like there YouTubers D a n could be for singers and bands (danisnotonfire) and Phil and things until November last year when I saw a Belieber (AmazingPhil). In it’s 7 month account who was also a halfexistence the account has Phandom account. I’d been gained over 13,000 followers and with the growing popularity of the Phandom there is little doubt that the account’s success will continue.
YouTubers? A LOT of YouTubers. A. LOT.
Do you have a favourite Twitter account dedicated to the Phandom or a particular YouTuber? @Gucciharryfeels,
When did you first hear about Dan and Phil and begin to watch their watching Dan and Phil for just @ c h r 1 s k e n d a l l , videos? over a year at this point and I @ C h l o e E m e r s o n 2 , @ @ @ @ @ Are you a fan of many other @ @ Why did you decide to dedicate a I first started watching Dan and adored them so, yeah, I made Phil 2 years ago. The first video some weird account with a I watched was “Psycho French banana for an icon as you do. Teacher”, then “Amazing Dan”.
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luvmeinfinately D a n s P h i l l i o n H e y I t s P o p p l a c e n t a j u i c e m a d d i _ f a c e e k i c k t h e n i c k i d a n s l l a m a s
, , , , , , ,
you prefer a more intimate feel to at some point in my life, even Assemble; are you a member of though I would end up crying any other Fandoms? the fandom?
on them both. There are a lot of views on this I am a member of a lot of question. I am very glad that fandoms. You just sort of get Dan and Phil are so successful Summer in the City is later this sucked into them against your and that they have many month, have you been or do you own will and there’s no supportive fans, but the online escaping from them, it’s life plan on going? Have you been to fanbase can be a bit destroying. Non-internet people any other YouTube gatherings? overwhelming at times and lots of people I know have actually left because they received hate or they just couldn't Favourite member of the Phandom or Foursome? deal with all the Favourite members of the Foursome are arguments going Amazing Phil, danisnotonfire, crabstickz and on every other d o n ’ t kickthepj… oh wait. day. understand the
Do you watch/listen Favourite video? to Phil and Dan’s All their videos are equally brilliant. Dan and Phil’s most recent Tumblr tag videos were absolutely hilarious radio show?
sheer pain of being in a fandom, it’s not a laughing though. Every week, unless matter. I don't there is a serious Favourite YouTuber outside the Phandom? tend to go reason for why I through all the There’s quite a lot. I’m subscribed to around 300+ people, can’t, for example, fandom-names; as you can guess I don’t have a social life. the world ending I’d rather sum it up with bands of my head Favourite collaboration video? exploding or and YouTube. If Every single video that Dan and Phil are you start a something. both in are my favourite videos. I love c o n v e r s a t i o n “How To Speak Internet”, “The Pushover”, with me on the Have you ever topic of “Spin The Bottle”. YouTubers, had any MCR, BMTH, PTV or OM&M interaction No, none. I live on an island then we are most likely to with Dan or called Jersey, between England become friends. Phil, whether on Twitter or face to and France, so I would have to face? pay for plane tickets and hotel Phil tweeted me twice (one was rooms etc. to go to a YouTube Any fandom related events you're in London or looking forward to? a direct tweet with a photo), gathering Dan’s tweeted me once, I’ve wherever they’re being held. I am unbelievably excited for received a personal video from But I am determined to got to “Day In The Life Of Phil And them both, Phil’s talked about SitC 2014. Dan: London Edition”, “Phil Is me on YouNow last year, I’m Not On Fire 5” and SitC, even getting a birthday card from though I’m not going myself. them and I hope to meet them This magazine is called Fandoms 9
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NAILED IT Fandoms at your fingertips—literally! ED SHEERAN
1) Add a layer of white nail polish. 2) This can be hard, but be patient! 3) You would have to use a smaller pencil for this and it can also be really hard so do be patient.
MERLIN
POTTER
1) Add a layer of white nail polish, then let it dry. 2) I choose to use a smaller pencil to paint the black scar with; it’s easier.
ONE DIRECTION
1) Add a layer of blue nail polish, then let it dry.
1) Add a layer of red nail polish.
2) Add the red triangle (which is his scarf) with red nail polish, and here I also used a smaller pencil because it’s easier, but you can of course use the normal one.
2) This can be hard to paint, but if you’re careful it will be good. I used a smaller pencil for this but a toothpick can also work, however, the result will not be as good as it would be if you use a smaller pencil.
3) Then add the brown lines on both sides of the nail, which is his jacket. 10
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GAME OF THRONES
1) Add a layer of black nail polish and let it dry. 2) I used a sponge but you can also use a makeup sponge. This can be a little bit tricky but in the end it always looks good! 3) You may have to use a smaller pencil here; the pencil from the nail polish being too big. If you don’t have a smaller pencil you can try to use a normal one. 4) Add some black lines, the mouth and eyes. Let it dry and add a top coat.
IRON MAN
1) Add a layer of gold nail polish. 2) I used a normal nail polish pencil for this. 3) Add his eyes, mouth and the black stripe around the red with a smaller pencil. 4) To do his white eyes, I used a toothpick. Add a top coat, then you’re done.
DISNEY
1) Add a layer of nail polish. 2) To make the Mickey Mouse heads you will have to use something that can make big dots. I used a pen for this. 3) The first head is always the hardest. 4) Then, add Mickey Mouse heads wherever you feel like it. Add a top, then you’re 11
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JAN: I went to war with…
1: Dan and Phil
FEB: I married….
2: Lord Voldemort
MARCH: I rode in the TARDIS with…. APRIL: I performed on stage with…
3: Simon Lewis 4: Annabeth Chase 5: Sherlock Holmes
MAY: I became besties with…
6: Jack Frost
JUNE: I started a band with…
7: Ed Sheeran
JULY: I was asked out by….
8: Hayley Williams
AUG: I saved the world with…
9: Thor
SEPT: I ran around butt naked with… OCT: I ventured off into the unknown with…
10: Katniss Everdeen 11: The Doctor 12: Elena Gilbert
NOV: I reigned as King/Queen of Narnia with…
13: Taylor Swift
DEC: I kidnapped...
15: Imagine Dragons
14: Tris Prior
16: Arthur Pendragon 17: Frodo Baggins 18: Sheldon Cooper
RED: To protect fictional characters from authors.
19: Alec Lightwood
ORANGE: Because I can, so I did.
21: Ian O’Shea
YELLOW: Because I wanted the world to be a better place.
22: Jacob Black
GREEN: And held them hostage.
24: Percy Jackson
BLUE: And people started shipping us. PURPLE: Because my sass is endearing.
20: *the person you last followed*
23: Amelia Pond
25: Santa Claus 26: Emma Swan 27: Dean Winchester
WHITE: And we had 3 children.
28: Sansa Stark
BLACK: Before being killed by the feels.
29: Augustus Waters
OTHER: And we defeated the odds.
30: Captain Kirk
NO SHIRT: Because I am so asdfghjkl;
31: Harry Potter
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DO’S AND DON’TS OF The fandom side of Twitter can be a bit intimidating at first, so here’s a guide on navigating the social side of things. DO: Start conversations with as many people as possible. Be respectful of others’ opinions. Try not to ignore replies. Take note of the unique language (ex. using “sobbing” to mean laughing) and try using it. DON’T: Repeatedly ask for a follow-back. Purposely insult or offend someone. Copy other people’s tweets. Subtweet (tweeting about a specific person/people without mentioning them by name). 13
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I think Klaus and Caroline should be together.
I don’t see what’s wrong with shipping actors.
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I ship Trevor and Neville.
Everyone loves Supernatural but I find it overrated.
I’m worried I’m not a ‘true’ potterhead.
I will always love the Doctor and Rose but I cannot see him marrying anyone other than River. They are perfect for each other.
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GONE, BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN
On Saturday the 13th, fans of beloved glee star Cory Monteith heard the news of Cory's passing. Almost immediately, on social networking sites came the flood of posts and tweets about Cory, what he had done for fans, how proud they were, and most of all RIPs. It was amazing to see how many people Cory had touched with his goofy, bubbly personality, and the support other fandoms had for Gleeks during that hard day, with the trend of '#AllFandomsHereToSupportGleeks' which stood strong on the worldwide trends for hours. Hundreds of fan pages were made on facebook dedicated to him. Mark Salling (Noah Puckerman) was seen to have tweeted 'no' in response to the news, but later deleted it and replaced it with an emotional message of, "going through a million memories and emotions today. ill love you always Brother Cory." Lea Michele, Cory’s on and off set girlfriend was ‘inconsolable’ but ‘deeply grateful for all the love and support she’s received from family, friends, and fans’. From the hearts of everyone working for Fandoms Assemble we send prayers and love to every fan of Cory, to the cast of glee, to Lea and Cory's family, and we hope they get through this tough time. We can only imagine how they feel. The tall, awkard, Canadian, actor, drummer, person will always stay in our hearts. “Earth lost a person, Gleeks lost a legend, Lea lost her world, but heaven gained an angel.“ 18
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We at Fandoms Assemble mourned his loss greatly. 19 us were Gleeks. Although Cory is gone he Many of will never, ever be forgotten. RIP Cory Monteith.
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Kate and William’s Royal Romance To celebrate the birth of Prince George Alexander Louis, we have put together a timeline of his parents’ life together. “He’s a big boy, quite heavy, We’re still working on a name. Well he has a good pair of lungs on him, that’s for sure. I will remind him of his tardiness when he is older. He’s got her looks thankfully.” —Prince William when the trio left the hospital.
In September of 2001 William and Kate meet at St. A n d r e w s University in Scotland where they are both studying art history.
At Christmas the pair reportedly became a couple after sharing a house together with two friends. In March they are pictured together on a skiing holiday in Switzerland.
On November 16th William and K a t e ’ s engagement is announced. The prince proposed to Kate while on a private holiday the Kenya the previous month.
2001 2003 2010 22
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2011 2012 20132013 On April 29th the pair wed in a lavish ceremony at London’s We s t m i ns t e r Abby. William is made the Duke of Cambridge by his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, and Kate becomes the Duchess of Cambridge.
The palace announces that Kate is pregnant and being treated in the hospital for acute morning sickness on December 3rd. Kate is discharged from the hospital after three nights, telling reporters she is feeling “much better”. The palace later announces that the baby is due in July.
It is confirmed on June 19th that Kate is confirmed to give birth at the private Lindo Wing of St. Mary’s Hospital in Paddington in central London, where Princess Diana gave birth to William and Prince Harry. It is reported Kate is hoping for a natural birth.
On the 22nd of July Kate gives birth to a baby boy, weighing 8 pounds, 6 ounces, with William by her side. The next day the couple take their baby home to Kensington Palace.
Royal officials say on the 24th of July the new baby has been named George Alexander Louis.
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WAYS TO CELEBRATE FOR… The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones Calling all The Mortal Instruments fans. We want you to have the best time possible when preparing for the City of Bones movie so this is for you. If you aren’t a fan and haven’t read these books, READ THEM. It is worth it. Okay, you want to get the most out of this movie as possible , so there’s a lot out there for you to do. If you have Shadowhunter friends, go with them to a premiere r midnight screening. And don’t forget to dress like a Shadowhunter. Wear black and rune up. If you have no Shadowhunter friend, never fear! Just drag some friends along and if you aren’t up for cosplaying alone many TMI t-shirts are available at hottopic.com. But if you STILL can’t wait until the time comes for you to indulge yourself with Lily Collins and Jamie Campbell Bower on the big screen, make sure to pick up the official merch! An official quote booklet and Photo Postcard booklet are now available! Not forgetting the Page to Screen books. Until the time comes for the glamour to be released, have fun in the mundane world! Don’t forget to practice those runes!
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Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters Grab your ballpoint pens, get your friends and let's go on a quest! The event we have all been waiting for has arrived. Finally getting the movie they deserved, demigods arund the world are celebrating the release of Percy Jackson: sea of monsters! So get your blue cakes in the oven, put on your orange camp half-blood shirts and head to the nearest cinema on August 7th! In the sea of monsters, there lies the long-awaited adventure, we can do this demigods!
One Direction: This Is Us The time has come: the release of One Direction’s new movie is nearly upon us. Listen to their music on repeat—X-Factor, Up All Night and Take Me Home. Or if you want to see the boys’ faces watch old videos like their X-Factor diaries, their commercials or behind the scenes videos. Maybe get together with a few of your Directioner friends, and blast out your favourite songs whilst singing and dancing around. You could do impressions, or act out their music videos. You could also sit on tumblr all night long and reblog photos, GIFs, videos etc. of them. Or get creative, and make flyers and go ask people if they know who One Direction are, and if people plan on watching the film. Make new friends! Or new enemies! Have fun. 27 FANDOMS ASSEMBLE 27
FANDOM UPDATES What is happening in the fandom world right now DOCTOR WHO Moffat has presented the script of the scenes that they used for the 12th Doctor auditions. Scene 1 takes place in the TARDIS. The new Doctor is checking out the new body. Clara is watching. It’s been a few minutes; they’re both still adjusting.
SUPERNATURAL Supernatural stars Jared Padalecki and his wife Genevieve are expecting their second baby. They had their first son, Thomas, back in March last year.
Scene 2 takes place on a space ship bridge. The Doctor is facing down the Cyberleader, who stares balefully down from the screen. The bridge around the Doctor is burning, ruined. Scene 3 features the Doctor and a little boy. They’re sitting in the little boy’s bedroom. The boy tells the Doctor when the lights out his room changes, when he touches the wall, they’re all wet like a mouth. Moffat has clearly stated that none of these scenes will specifically be used.
HARRY POTTER
THE HUNGER GAMES After the Catching Fire trailer, a still of Finnick offering one of his beloved sugar cubes was released. 28
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Rupert Grint is going to be showing his acting skills on stage, as it has been confirmed he will be in a production named Mojo. Mojo is described as a dark comedy that takes place at a Soho nightclub during the late 1950’s. Grint will play Sweets, a pill-popping associate of a murdered nightclub owner. The play will be directed by Ian Rickson, who tells us the reason b e h i n d R u p e r t ‘ s c a s t i n g : I’d seen the Potter films with my daughter and always thought Rupert was truthful as Ron Weasley. There’s something ordinary and centred about him, and in this world of Mojo you want that grittiness.
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The World’s En
d The final ad dition to the Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz trilogy!
23/08/13
Sea of Monst er
s Percy and hi s friends embark on another quest, to sa ve their home. Base d on the book. 7/08/1 3
Kick-Ass 2
After Kick-A ss’ spurs on the natio n, a new gang of hero es team up and fig ht evil.
14/08/13
Movies Of Augu
st
ibal Hann n 1 o –Seas 9 £19.9 /13 02/09
City of Bones
Clary falls into a strange wor ld whilst visiting a club and her life changes. Based on the book. 21 /08/13
ire Vamp s Diarie 4 n Seaso 9 £19.9 /13 26/08 reat The G y, Gatsb 9 £11.9 / 27/08
Th
is Is Us (1D) An all-access pass to the British pop sensation One Direction live in concert. 29/0 8/13
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Books in August Ellegy (Watersong Series #4) By Amanda Hocking August 6th An ancient curse robbed Gemma Fisher of everything that matters most—her friends, her family and the guy she loves. In a frightful world of dark magic and savage beauty, two sisters are about to discover that love is the most powerful weapon of all. Don’t miss the mesmerising final chapter of the amazing Watersong series!
Origin (Lux #4) By Jennifer L. Armentrout August 27th Katy is gone. Taken. Everything becomes about finding her. Taking out anyone who stands in his way? Done. Burning down the whole world to save her? Gladly. Exposing his alien race to the world? With pleasure. But the most dangerous foe has been there all along, and when the truths are exposed and the lies come crumbling down, nothing is safe.
In This Moment
The White Princess (The Cousins’ War #5)
By Autumn Doughton August 12th
By Philippa Gregory August 1st
In This Moment is about 2 teenagers, Aimee Spencer and Cole Everly, who find an unlikely comfort within eachother. In this honest and absorbing story, Aimee and Cole struggle to sort out the thin spaces between loss and love. Ultimately, they will need to learn how to navigate through the pieces of the past if they want to hold on to the future and each other.
A princess from birth, Elizabeth fell in love with Richard III, though her mother made an arranged betrothal for her with the pretender to the throne: Henry Tudor. When Henry defeats Richard against all odds, Elizabeth has to marry the man who murdered her lover in battle, and create a new royal family with him and his ambitious mother. Now a major TV show on BBC 1.
Deception (Defiance #2)
Untold (The Lynburn Legacy #2)
By CJ. Redwine August 27th
By Sarah Rees Brennan August 29th
Set in a post-apocalyptic world, this novel can be described from dystopian to fantasy to romance! In this daring sequel to DEFIANCE, with the world they once loved forever destroyed, Rachel and Logan must decide between a life on the run and standing their ground to fight against everything they know.
On the surface, Sorry-in-the-Vale is a sleepy English town. But Kami Glass knows the truth. Sorry-in-theVale is full of magic. In the old days, the Lynburn family ruled with fear, terrifying the people into submission in order to kill. Now the Lynburns are back, and Rob is gathering sorcerers so that the town can return to the old ways.
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The Hunger Games is the film adaption of the 2008 book of the same name written by Suzanne Collins. It stars Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen, Josh Hutcherson as Peeta Mellark and Liam Hemsworth as Gale Hawthorne. Jennifer Lawrence and Liam Hemsworth both acted well in the film, despite Hemsworth not having that many scenes. However, Josh Hutcherson’s performance was lacking, and was easily eclipsed by other actors with smaller roles. Joining the three, are veteran actors Stanley Tucci and Woody Harrelson, as well as a small role for Lenny Kravitz, (who played my favourite character). Before reaching the arena where the Hunger Games takes place, there is a lot of sitting around and listening to conversations as the audience are fed information about what’s happening, and what the process to prepare for the Games is like. However, once Katniss steps on her pad to be raised into the arena, the film picks up, and becomes more interesting. This isn’t that surprising, and this is what saves the film for me. I was disappointed that, as I mention earlier, the need to accommodate board classification guidelines meant that a main theme in The Hunger Games—death—was so pacified. Lionsgate were forced to cut out blood splashes and other ‘gore’ to achieve a rating the film needed. This was one of the things that made the film less immersive. Another was the CGI. The Mutts looked absolutely horrendous, and were a joke when you consider that the budget for this film was an estimated $78 million. Surely they could have put a bit more time into the models, as they’re involved with one of the closing scenes, and frankly made all of the suspense evaporate. One more gripe is the direction from Gary Ross, which was good albeit nothing special, until he decided that the one thing this film needed was shaky cam. Back to the good parts though, and there is a well-told story that makes you feel for the characters, some more than others, but at least you do feel for the few, instead of none of them. There are several points in the film were it does feel suspenseful and you realise that Katniss is in danger, and you don’t know how she’ll get out of it (unless you read the books). Unfortunately, the film doesn’t delve as deep into the books in terms of subplots, and more complex themes—but that’s what happens when a book is adapted to the big screen.
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In summary, The Hunger Games will be more enjoyable for you if you’re a big fan of the books, and less so if you have read them casually. If you’ve not read them, then this film will be a fun watch, although you may forget about it afterwards.
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Masque of the Red Death
By
this easily contracted death is palpable. It gave me shivers and made me cringe.
Griffin clearly did not falter in her world building. Its u nwaver i ng s o mbre ambiance constantly propels us in a dying world so different from our own, yet frighteningly, not inconceivable. Bethany Griffin's chilling debut novel, Masque of the Red Death, is a book that I was lucky to read. I was obviously first attracted to it by its cover, followed by its premise that talks of a gothic setting, a plague apocalypse, and a Debauchery club‌ need I say more? As far as steampunk novels go, this is easily a favourite. I absolutely loved the atmosphere throughout the story. Bethany Griffin is able to portray a very lavish, dark, extravagant feeling in her gothic adaptation. The ruined city, the dangers in the streets, the masks, the disease; it's dark and it's dreary, with intricate details that had me truly envisioning this world in disrepair, full of mortality. The ever-present danger of 34
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Seventeen-year-old Araby Worth lives in a world devastated by plague, where the rich wear airfiltering masks and the poor are left to battle with the deadly Weeping Sickness which silently storms the streets. Haunted by the death of her twin brother Finn, she and her friend April spend their nights attending opulent club parties, trying to lose themselves in pleasure so they can forget the what's going on around them. In this atmosphere of dissipation and discontent, she meets the reckless Elliott, the nephew of the mad Prince Prospero who controls the city, and Will, a boy who works at the Debauchery Club who is desperately trying to take care of his little brother and
Bethany Griffin
sister. Through her association with them, she is shaken out of her numb acceptance of the world she lives in, and learns that she just might hold the key to saving countless lives.
I would not consider this a very fast paced book. Nevertheless, the literary style kept me completely mesmerized by the vastly detailed world and likeable characters. The writing is noticeably elegant; the beautiful flow creates an experience where a fast pace is not necessary to enjoy its execution. But I still wouldn't have minded digging a little deeper inside the fundamental plot line instead of only getting twists (albeit fascinating) that lead to a big foreshadowing of what's to come. Also, the book did not delve deep enough into Araby's thoughts and feelings throughout and, especially with a love triangle; this definitely reduced its credibility.
OVERALL RATING:
SO YOU’VE READ ‘MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH’ BY BETHANY GRIFFIN AND ENJOYED IT? WHAT NEXT? Something Strange and H e m l o c k — K a t h l e e n Chosen Ones — Tiffany Deadly—Susan Dennard. Peacock. Truitt. The year is 1876, and there’s something strange and deadly loose in Philadelphia… Eleanor Fitt has a lot to worry about. Her brother has gone missing, her family has fallen on hard times, and her mother is determined to marry her off to any rich young man who walks by. But this is nothing compared to what she’s just read in t h e n e w s p a p e r . The Dead are rising in Philadelphia. And then, in a frightening attack, a zombie delivers a letter to Eleanor…from her brother.
Mackenzie Dobson's life has been turned upside down since she vowed to hunt her best friend Amy's killer: a white werewolf. Lupine syndrome—also known as the werewolf virus—is on the rise across the country, and bloodlust is not easy to control. But it soon becomes clear that dangerous secrets are lurking in the shadows of Hemlock, Mac's hometown—and she is thrown into a maelstrom of violence and betrayal that puts her in grave danger.
Life is bleak but uncomplicated for sixteen-year-old Tess, living in a nottoo-distant future where the government, faced with humanity's extinction, created the Chosen Ones, artificial beings who are extraordi nari ly beautiful, unbelievably strong, and unabashedly deadly. When Tess begins work at Templeton, a Chosen Ones training facility, she meets James, and the attraction is immediate in its intensity, overwhelming in its danger. But there is more to Templeton than Tess ever knew.
Darkness Before Dawn— For Darkness Shows the Silver—Talia Vance Stars—Diana Peterfreund Brianna has always felt invisible. J.A. London We built the wall to keep them out, to keep us safe. But it also makes us prisoners, trapped in what's left of our ravaged city, fearing nightfall. After the death of my parents, it's up to me—as the newest delegate for humanity—to bargain with our vampire overlord. I thought I was ready. I thought I knew everything there was to know about the monsters. Then again, nothing could have prepared me for Lord Valentine . . . or his son. Maybe not all vampires are killers. Maybe it's safe to let one in.
Elliot North has always known her place in this world. Four years ago she refused to run away with her childhood sweetheart, the servant Kai, choosing duty to her family's estate over love. Since then the world has changed: a new class of PostReductionists is jumpstarting the wheel of progress, and Elliot's estate is foundering, forcing her to rent land to the mysterious Cloud Fleet, a group of shipbuilders that includes an almost unrecognizable Kai. And while she wonders if this could be their second chance, Kai seems determined to show her exactly what she gave up when she let him go.
People stare right past her, including the one boy she can't resist, Blake Williams. But everything changes at a house party where her charm bracelet slips off and time stands still. In that one moment, Blake not only sees her, he recognizes something deep inside her she's been hiding even from herself. Discovering she is descended from Danu, the legendary Bandia of Celtic myth, Brianna finds herself questioning who she is. And when she accidentally binds her soul to Blake, their mutual attraction becomes undeniable.
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BOOKS WE HAVE ABANDONED Almost all of us have experienced the feeling of simply not being able to go on with a book and have to give in and slip it back onto the shelf and try to ignore the weird guilty feeling you get... like the book was a puppy you abandoned on the streets. This has only happened to me a few times, although I normally end up returning to them again and loving them (this happened with The Host and boy, do I love that book now). Sometimes it's because I don't like the writing itself or I find myself just reading but not becoming invested in the characters, and just do not care what happens to them. So I stop. To help my guilt of abandoning a series (Matched was one) or book (The Casual Vacancy) I took to twitter and asked some of you what books you left unfinished and why.
@Hedwigsbro: "Lord of the Rings, the story took too much time to develop."
@LunaPottergood: "It [Twilight] was very cheesy and I couldn't really love the characters at all. Bella was so indecisive and may I say weak. :)" @DNLL_: "Twilight. I couldn't get past the uninspiring lead female and the unhealthy obsession between her and the lead male."
@Itssoufflegirl: "I couldn't get through the first [Uglies] book at all."
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The Cuckoo’s Calling JK Rowling has written a new book—not under her name, but using a pseudonym! “The Cuckoo’s Calling”, by Robert Galbraith, was released in April this year. It received some really great reviews, but didn't sell very well. The story follows the story of Cormoran Strike, a former soldier working as a private investigator, although he is not doing terribly well as one. His relationship has broken up, and he’s living in his office. Strike is hired by the brother of a supermodel to investigate her supposed suicide from falling to her death a few months previously.
the writer’s motive Rowling wanted to test to see if an unkown author could get a book published. She said she would have liked her identity to have stayed secret for a while longer, and said, “Being Robert Galbraith has been such a liberating experience… It has been wonderful to publish without hype and expectation and pure pleasure to get feedback under a different name.” She sent the manuscript out anonymously, and was declined by at least one publishing house. In the end it was picked up by Sphere Books, part of Little, Brown and Company, who had published her adult novel, “The Casual Vacancy”.
what went wrong The secret, sadly, wasn’t to remain that way for long. Law firm, Russells, with whom she
had entrusted her true identity as the author, leaked the news and soon it was everywhere. First editions of the book, which had sold originally for £16.99, are now selling for over £600. Rowling was reportedly very angry about the leak. One of the partners of Russells, Chris Gossage, told his wife’s best friend, Judith Callegari, that Robert Galbraith was really the Harry Potter author. Ms Callegari tweeted her identity to a Sunday Times journalist on 9th July. JK Rowling responded with the following statement: “I feel very angry that my trust turned out to be misplaced. To say that I am disappointed is an understatement. “A tiny number of people knew my pseudonym and it has not been pleasant to wonder for days how a woman whom I had never heard of prior to Sunday night could have found out something that many of my oldest friends did not know.” Russell’s solicitors unreservedly.
have
apologised
a happy ending? There’s some good news about all this. JK had signed a few copies as Robert Galbraith, and has since signed one of those under her real name as well. This is being auctioned for charity on eBay. First editions signed by Galbraith are selling upwards of £1000, so this doubly-signed book should therefore do quite well!
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Love Me? You Love Me? A Merthur one shot
By Anon
The sun was gently setting over Camelot; however, inside the castle activity was not so gentle. Last minute preparations were becoming hastier and hastier as the servants realised how close the wedding really was: the next day. The king's manservant dodged between decorations, food and other nimble servants as he carried his master’s dinner to his chamber. When he entered, he found Arthur deep in thought. "Are you alright, sire?" Merlin asked. The atmosphere in the room worried Merlin; it was eerily silent compared to the bustling hallways outside, similar to the eye of a storm: the worst was yet to come. "Yes, yes," the king dismissed the other man's concerns with a wave of his hand. "I was simply thinking about Guinevere and our future together." At that sentence, Merlin's heart skipped a beat, but not in a good way. How could he have been so stupid? Of course, of course Arthur would not have changed his mind. Not so close to the wedding. Gwen loved Arthur, and evidently vice versa. Merlin did not have a chance, not one in a million. So then why was it slowly corroding away at him and his will to live until there was nothing left? It was selfish and there was no chance; Merlin would only become heartbroken and‌Countless other reasons against the notion crossed Merlin's mind. There was one for the notion, however, just the one: Arthur might feel the same way. It was that one thought, that one simple thought that spurred on the hope inside Merlin. He had to at least try, he reasoned with himself. Otherwise he would never forgive himself. "Is this what you want, Arthur? Are you really happy?" Merlin's attempt at disrupting the sombre silence with what he thought were nonchalant questions was ignored by the other man in the room. That was until Arthur responded in a confused manner. "What else would I want, Merlin?" Silence began to fall like dust once more, but the king refused to let it hit the ground. "Why do you even care?" Arthur penetrated the silence that caressed the ground gently, ignoring Merlin and becoming even more agitated, shifting from foot to foot. "Why, Merlin?" Arthur questioned once more. At this point, he had stood up and was staring Merlin directly in the eye. "Because I love you."
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Merlin's mouth was no longer his when he muttered those words partially unwillingly. Only partially because, well, Merlin had always wanted to admit that his feelings for Arthur were stronger than friendship, he just never had the courage to. Now was the moment of truth. "Love me? You love me?" "Yes! I do!" "Why then, Merlin, have you been so stupid and never mentioned it before? And why did you choose the night before my wedding to tell me?" Merlin did not reply, could not reply, as all of his worst fears had come true: Arthur did not feel the same way and he hated him. Tears stung in the corners of Merlin's eyes, but he refused to let them fall. A drop splashed onto Merlin's cheek. His weakness poured out of him in the form of tears for his whole world to see; stupid, stupid tears. Tears that were not meant to fall; tears that did anyway. Those seemingly innocent droplets of water made sure Merlin looked the part of being weak by giving him red, puffy eyes and a running nose. Their numbers greatened but not yet so they blinded Merlin. No, that was to come later. "Merlin," Arthur's voice was quiet and sombre, similar to the room when Merlin first entered it, "how am I meant to tell the kingdom that I cannot go through with the wedding because I love another? See what you've done now!" "W-What?" Merlin raised his head from where it was resting towards the floor and stared up at Arthur. Arthur grabbed his arms and pulled them closer together until their foreheads were touching and they getting lost in each other’s eyes. "I love you," Arthur spoke, trying and failing to wipe away the tears that were now freely falling down Merlin's face, but being distracted by his own. "Why? Why?" Arthur muttered over and over again, his voice shaking with the tears. Yet still both men cried; their silent sobbing [was] being interrupted by Arthur's constant whys. That is when Merlin decided to tell him the truth. He opened his mouth to speak, but this time no words came out. Where could he begin? Instead he decided to show Arthur. If you were listening carefully through the hurricane of whys emitting from Arthur, you would have heard a gentle "I'm sorry." So quiet it could have been passed off as the wind, but nevertheless it was there. If you were watching carefully through the waterfall of tears, you would have seen the raven-haired boy's eyes turn from their usual colour to a glistening gold. That was the moment everything changed in Camelot.
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FANDOM GIFTS
Annabeth’s Camp Half-Blood beaded necklace woodspriteanon. £23.83
Bronze Pegasus earrings. HeroicHeartsDesigns. £13.62
Camp Half-Blood T-Shirt. Thingsofyourfancy. £11.57
Trident cookie stamp. Totalum. £8.14 Sea of Monsters pillow case. Sleepcase. £11.91
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Hermes’ Shoes necklace. otterlydesign. £15.97 Iphone 5 case. TheElliottsCloset. £6.80
Camp Jupiter shirt. Thingsofyourfancy. £8.17
Charm bracelet. Murals4U. £8.84
Hand stamped cuff. alwaysgreener. £13.62
Luke’s winged shoes. ShoeShinezToo. £8.17 45 35
Charm bracelet. Tess Richardson. £11.56
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FANART
Wayne (@dumbledorcrux)
Celine (@5secsofceline)
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Samantha (@merwholock456)
FANART
Megan (@ihatemcr)
Beth(@BAMansfield)
Rachel (@worldmeetsgirl)
Celine (@5secsofceline)
Emma (@emmajradford)
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