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Dreamland, Shelly Darrington
Dreamland, Shelly Darrington
Children's Book and Media Review
Odea Donahue has always been different. She and her mother are dreamwalkers--individuals who are able to visit the dreams of normal people. While on the surface this seems like an exciting superpower, Dea has to dreamwalk just to survive. The more time that passes between walks, the weaker and sicker Dea becomes, so visiting dreams became a necessity. Dea never questioned her mother’s strict rules of never interfering, never being seen, and never visiting the same person’s dream more than once, but things change when a boy named Connor moves to town. Dea finds herself drawn to him and his …
Torn, Lisi Hong
Torn, Lisi Hong
Children's Book and Media Review
Hours after arriving in Afghanistan on her first tour as a British medic, Elinor—or Ellie for short—saves a soldier’s life, upsets her superiors, and survives her first firefight. It would have been an ordinary day on the front line, if it weren’t for the fact that the sniper’s on the hill were not ordinary Taliban fighters—they were children. Resolved to bring justice to the Young Martyrs, the group fighting to avenge the deaths of their parents after their village was bombed by an American drone, Ellie, her unit, and some visiting American soldiers travel to the village to find the …
Sword And Verse, Abigail Packard
Sword And Verse, Abigail Packard
Children's Book and Media Review
Raisa is Arnathian, and in a the country of Qilara that means she’s a slave. After watching her parents’ and brother’s brutal murder during a raid, Raisa escapes the same death by pretending that she is not the daughter of a Learned One (an Arthanian who can read and write; a blasphemy in a world where only Scholars of Qilara are allowed this ability). Instead, she is enslaved by the people of Qilara. After the treason and execution of the current tutor in training, Raisa is selected to be the next future tutor, an honor only allotted to two Arnathians …
Crimson Bound, Whitney Troxel
Crimson Bound, Whitney Troxel
Children's Book and Media Review
The Devourer once ruled over Rachelle’s world with endless night. The Devourer and his Forest Born servants terrorized and killed all in their path, until Zisa and Tyr defeated him. But that was a long time ago and few people believe in the Devourer anymore. Even fewer believe that he’s coming back. Rachelle knows the stories are real, and fears what will happen if the Devourer is not destroyed once and for all. The problem is Rachelle is a bloodbound. She was marked by a Forest Born three years ago and will eventually turn into one. Even though she’s sworn …
Blackhearts, Tessa Mcmillan
Blackhearts, Tessa Mcmillan
Children's Book and Media Review
For five months Anne has been surviving servitude to the rich shipping merchant, Master Drummond. However, Anne secretly plans to escape to the West Indies—the location where Anne’s English father and her West Indian mother fell in love. Anne’s goal is sidetracked when she meets Master Drummond’s son, Edward “Teach”. Teach, freshly returned from a year at sea, is immediately drawn to Anne because of her strength, intelligence, and beauty. Teach offers her friendship, but she hesitates because he is engaged. As time goes by, the pair cannot deny they have met their match in one another. Teach decides to …
My Lady Jane, Aylea Stephens
My Lady Jane, Aylea Stephens
Children's Book and Media Review
Lady Jane Grey didn’t have a happy ending in real life, but the narrators in this book are determined to give her a better story. Her cousin, King Edward, has decreed that she should marry a stranger so that her child can be their heir to the throne instead of his sister Mary who is bloodthirsty towards the group of people who have the ability to turn into animals. Shortly after Jane marries Lord Gifford (or G, as he prefers to be called) and discovers that her husband spends most of his time as a horse, she finds out that …
Bone Gap, Cynthia Frazier
Bone Gap, Cynthia Frazier
Children's Book and Media Review
Finn and Sean live in Bone Gap, a small town where everyone knows everything about everyone else. Of course the town knows that their mother left them after their father died and ran away with an orthodontist, and that Sean put aside his dream of becoming a doctor to take care of Finn until he graduated from High School. The town knows all about Priscilla (Petey) the beekeeper’s daughter, but they don’t really know who she is inside. The town thinks they know about Roza, a beautiful woman who mysteriously appeared, became beloved by all who met her, and then …
Assassin's Heart, Rachel Wadham
Assassin's Heart, Rachel Wadham
Children's Book and Media Review
Lea is a clipper, one of nine families who are sanctioned by the city to murder for hire. Dating the son of the Da Vias, a rival family, is just a fun game until her family is brutally murdered. Enacting her revenge on the Da Vias is the only way Lea knows to find peace but she can’t do it alone. Seeking out a lost Uncle, Lea finds it's his untrained apprentice who is the most likely to serve her needs. But training him while escaping those hunting her is much more difficult than Lea anticipates making it necessary to …
The Forbidden Wish, Rachel Wadham
The Forbidden Wish, Rachel Wadham
Children's Book and Media Review
Stories have been told of Zahra the jinni of the lamp who murdered her queen and destroyed a city. Relegated to the realm of legend, Zahra has been trapped for hundreds of years until Aladdin rescues her from her exile. When the ruler of all jinni bargains to give Zahra her freedom, her only way out is to manipulate Aladdin’s wishes so she can get into the King’s palace to rescue those jinn trapped within. Transformed into a Prince, Aladdin believes he will marry the princess--an act that will allow him to enact his revenge on the man who killed …
The Hero Agenda #1: Powerless, Lisi Hong
The Hero Agenda #1: Powerless, Lisi Hong
Children's Book and Media Review
Kenna is an average girl in a super world. Literally. Everyone she knows—except her mom who is exceptional in her own ways—has a super power. The only thing that makes her feel special is her research, but even that doesn’t help her when the lab she is supervising is attacked by villains, earning her a banishment from the labs. But when one of her supposedly evil attackers saves her life that night, she begins to question the heroes she has always loved and worshipped. Are they really as good as they say? When she sneaks back into the lab and …
The Crown's Game, Jess Verzello
The Crown's Game, Jess Verzello
Children's Book and Media Review
When Russia is threatened by the Ottoman Empire and the Kazakhs, The Tsar initiates the Crown’s Game to find a worthy Imperial Enchanter. Vika Andreyeva is as wild as the elements at her command and has prepared her whole life to serve the empire. Nikolai Karimov excels at manipulating mechanics and has no intention of losing the high-stakes competition. But when the two finally meet, their magic calls to one another and both Vika and Nikolai can’t deny their connection. The rules of the Game, however, are very clear: prove that you are the better enchanter or be prepared to …
The Siren, Jess Verzello
The Siren, Jess Verzello
Children's Book and Media Review
It’s the 1950s and nineteen-year-old Kahlen finds herself the sole survivor of a cruise ship sinking in which thousands of people, including her entire family, have died. The Ocean has preserved her life in exchange for one hundred years of service as a Siren—charged with the task of feeding the Ocean souls and sustaining Her—and after which Kahlen will be given a new life. Kahlen accepts the Ocean’s offer and is transformed into a being of exquisite beauty, a deadly voice, and an indestructible body. She and her fellow Sirens are allowed to live amongst the humans but cannot use …
Kat Incorrigible #3: Stolen Magic, Aylea Stephens
Kat Incorrigible #3: Stolen Magic, Aylea Stephens
Children's Book and Media Review
Kat is finally able to start preparing for her test to become a full-fledged Guardian, but she has to do it in secrecy and avoid causing any problems for Angeline and her marriage to Lord Frederick Carlyle. Not too long into the trip to the Carlyle estate, it becomes apparent that someone intends to hurt Kat or someone in her family--possibly the same person who stole the Guardians’ collection of magic portals. As Kat works to practice her magic and avoid the person who keeps threatening her and her sisters, she solves the mysteries about her family’s past and helps …
After The Ball, Whitney Troxel
After The Ball, Whitney Troxel
Children's Book and Media Review
Kate Kassell is a recent fashion school graduate with a dream to design couturier. However, since her estranged father’s business is selling “knock-offs” of designer fashions Kate is unable to find a job. In an attempt to reconnect with his daughter, Kate’s father Lee offers her a job at the family business. Kate’s stepmother and stepsisters treat her terribly in repeated attempts to get her to quit. When Kate exceeds expectations her stepmother frames her for corporate espionage and gets Lee to fire his own daughter. With some help from her godmother, Kate disguises herself as a new employee named …
Wolves Of Mercy Falls: Sinner, Shelly Darrington
Wolves Of Mercy Falls: Sinner, Shelly Darrington
Children's Book and Media Review
Los Angeles couldn’t be further away from Mercy Falls, Minnesota. Cole St. Clair, though he played an instrumental role in saving the werewolf pack there, is hitting the road, and sunny California is his goal. The official reason for his big move is his attempt to produce a new album, do a webshow, and break back into the rockstar world. His real reason, however, is going to prove a lot more difficult. Isabel Culpepper, former Ice Queen of Mercy Falls, now lives in LA with her mother, as her parents have now separated after the events of the original trilogy. …
The Passion And Perils Of The Insatiably Hungry, Tessa Mcmillan
The Passion And Perils Of The Insatiably Hungry, Tessa Mcmillan
Children's Book and Media Review
Adrian leaves behind her confining family to discover her life’s path in college. Yet homesickness creeps in on Adrian. Her cure? Healthy doses of fresh baked-goods crafted by her own gifted hands. As school progresses, she meets Charlie, a charmingly spontaneous guy who is attracted to both Adrian and her amazing culinary skills. A relationship blossoms, but Adrian can’t avoid some worrying signs with Charlie: his forgetfulness, his inconsiderateness, and his erratic temper. After holding on as long as she can, the two break up. But her old friend, Dale, re-enters her life to bring Adrian love, stability, and inspiration. …
Embassy Row #2: See How They Run, Aylea Stephens
Embassy Row #2: See How They Run, Aylea Stephens
Children's Book and Media Review
After Grace finds out about how her mother died, she becomes more involved with a secret society that has the answers to the questions she has been asking for years. When her brother, Jamie, and his friend visit her on a break from West Point, it becomes clear that Grace isn’t the only one in danger. Her brother’s friend is murdered and she is determined to find out why. Her friend Alexi is accused of the murder, but she is certain that he is innocent and it is a conspiracy to get him out of the way. In the process …
His Fair Assassin #2: Dark Triumph, Whitney Troxel
His Fair Assassin #2: Dark Triumph, Whitney Troxel
Children's Book and Media Review
Sybella found sanctuary at the convent of St. Mortain until they sent her back to the monstrous house of Count d’Albert, her father, and the family that nearly drove her insane. After six months, the convent finally sends her a message, but to her dismay it is not a mission to kill d’Albert. Instead, she is to rescue the Beast of Waroch (one of the Duchess’ knights) who was imprisoned by d’Albert. Sybella knows she must move quickly when her father announces he has men placed within the Duchess’ army that will help him take over Brittany. She plans to …
His Fair Assassin #1: Grave Mercy, Whitney Troxel
His Fair Assassin #1: Grave Mercy, Whitney Troxel
Children's Book and Media Review
After three years at the convent of St. Mortain—the god of death—Ismae is a highly skilled assassin, ready to serve her god and her country. Her assignment, however, is less than ideal. Ismae is to play the part of Gavriel Duval’s mistress. Duval is the Duchess of Brittany’s half-brother, and Ismae will need to be connected to him to gain access to the Duchess’s court. Ismae is meant to weed out traitors and dispose of them, including Duval should he step out of line. As Duval and Ismae work together to keep the Duchess safe, Ismae can find no evidence …
Cruel Beauty, Whitney Troxel
Cruel Beauty, Whitney Troxel
Children's Book and Media Review
For 900 years, Arcadia has been ruled by the Gentle Lord, Ignifex—a powerful demon willing to bargain to grant his subjects wishes, but there are always unexpected costs. Nyx is the result of one of those bargains. In order to have children, her father agreed that one of his daughters would become Ignifex’s bride. The unexpected cost was his wife’s life. Determined for revenge against the Gentle Lord and free Arcadia from his cursed rule, Nyx’s father trained her to seduce, disarm, and kill her future husband. But when Nyx goes to live with Ignifex she discovers there is more …
Ash & Bramble, Whitney Troxel
Ash & Bramble, Whitney Troxel
Children's Book and Media Review
Fairy tales don’t just happen, they are made. The Godmother’s fortress houses hundreds of slaves to create whatever she needs to complete the perfect story: dresses, candles, gingerbread, even glass slippers. With no memories, the slaves serve day in and day out. But a seamstress, Pin, begins to wonder about her life before the fortress and endless hours of stitching. With the help of Shoe, the shoemaker, she escapes the fortress. But the Godmother tracks her down, erases her memories again, and forces Pin into a fairy tale of her own. While the Godmother promises a happy ending, Pin knows …
Newt's Emerald, Rachel Wadham
Newt's Emerald, Rachel Wadham
Children's Book and Media Review
To honor her birthday Lady Truthful’s father shows off the precious and magical emerald that she is to inherit until the event takes an ominous turn and the jewel is stolen. Determined to recover the gem, Truthful heads to London, where with the help of her eccentric aunt, she disguises herself as a man to make inquiries. Her efforts reveal that something more sinister is afoot and with the help of an able former Navy officer, the thief is identified and the chase is on. When the pair is kidnapped and Truthful is unmasked because of her successful efforts to …
Mirrored, Aylea Stephens
Mirrored, Aylea Stephens
Children's Book and Media Review
In this modern twist of Snow White, readers get the perspectives of all the primary characters. Violet is brilliant but ugly enough that her classmates and teachers despise and bully her. She only has one friend, Greg, until he forgets her and starts dating Violet’s worst enemy. While Violet is dealing with losing her only friend she meets Kendra, a witch who can help her change the way she looks and teach Violet how to use her magical gifts. Violet becomes obsessed with using magic to become beautiful, but nothing she does seems to be able to change Greg’s mind. …
The Gold Seer Trilogy #1: Walk On Earth A Stranger, Aylea Stephens
The Gold Seer Trilogy #1: Walk On Earth A Stranger, Aylea Stephens
Children's Book and Media Review
Lee Westfall has a hidden gift that could make her family rich if it wasn’t so dangerous. She has a gold sense that can lead her to gold, things close to the surface or veins of gold underneath the earth. When her parents are murdered, it seems that someone has discovered her secret. To stay safe from her villainous uncle, she goes to find her best friend, Jefferson, who has gone to California after the news of the discovery of gold in California. Lee disguises herself as a boy to avoid getting caught and goes on an adventure across America …
The Modern Mr. Darcy: An Analysis Of Leading Men In Contemporary Romantic Comedy Film, Amanda Rebekah Roskelley
The Modern Mr. Darcy: An Analysis Of Leading Men In Contemporary Romantic Comedy Film, Amanda Rebekah Roskelley
Theses and Dissertations
This thesis is an observation and analysis of male performance in romantic comedy films released between 2005 and 2015. As a lasting genre, rom-com, like all forms of media, has the potential to influence society. Gender plays a vital role in the generic template of these films. Because women are the dominant consumers of this genre, what they observe as gender performance is important. This genre has been dissected under the eye of feminism and female gender performance but the changes in masculinity have been largely overlooked.This paper identifies common characteristics in leading men of this decade's rom-coms. After establishing …
The Lives And Deaths Of Flora Mac-Ivor And Rose Bradwardine: Romance And Reality In Sir Walter Scott's Waverley, Monica D. Allen
The Lives And Deaths Of Flora Mac-Ivor And Rose Bradwardine: Romance And Reality In Sir Walter Scott's Waverley, Monica D. Allen
Student Works
In Sir Walter Scott’s Waverley, Scott presents the problem of romance versus reality. He does this by personifying romance and reality through Flora Mac Ivor and Rose Bradwardine. Flora, with her passion, represents romance. While Rose, a more mellow character, represents reality. Waverley finds that he must choose between them. Rose is a “kindred spirit” to him, while Flora resembles “one of his daydreams.” They embody these ideas through a physical location. Flora’s location is the romantic Scottish Highlands, and Rose’s location is simply her father’s home. Besides location, the figurative deaths of Flora and Rose embody romance and …