Artemis Fowl - the arctic indecent by Eoin Colfer

Artemis Fowl is back for another thrilling adventure. Now this was the first of the Artemis collection I read. Yes it was the 2nd book the the series, but it didn't really make it confusing at all; it fills in a lot of information, so it doesn't leave you stranded. What it did do, is make me want to read the first book; which I did... After getting my mum to buy me the whole collection. Well I say that, but it was my money. I'm just too under-age to buy things online.

Any-who back to business. Artemis is back and Holly is left to keep an eye on our little trouble maker as he is-

Lizzy: evil

Yes, but I as going to say well know for his misdoings.

Lizzy: and that sounds stupid. My way is easier to understand.

Fine! Our evil trouble maker. Is he up to no good? Quite the opposite... Well for most of the story anyway. He has received a transmission from Russia, it tells Artemis that a group of not so happy business men, we shall call them; that they have Artemis' father and want ransom. However we all know things aren't going to go quite to plan. Especially when it's highly likely that the other end won't hold up, on their side of the deal. Not to fear! Artemis will be getting some help from our favourite elf, Holly and annoying Centaur; Foaly.

Where there's an Artemis, there is trouble.

So pick up a copy and find out what happens in the all new arctic ...

Lizzy: I've already read it. It was really good. Not as good as Percy Jackson, which I'm currently reading. But it was good.

You only read like the first 3 or 4 books. Anyway, you really need to finish it.

Lizzy: I will... eventually but I got more Percy Jackson, so it'll take some time.

Thanks for reading 

*Aven*

+Lizzy

Thor: The Dark World

*Warning*

 may contain spoilers

Okay, I went to watch Thor with my friends Saturday and it was amazing. So I'll try to give a review that I think is worthy.

 Having overcome exile and battling his power hungry brother in the first 'Thor' movie, then teaming up with a bunch of crazy, dysfunctional superheroes to protect New York & Earth but mostly New York from an alien invasion led by the same psychotic brother in 'The Avengers', and finally our favourite Mjölnir wielding God; returns to fight an old enemy of the family in 'Thor: The Dark World.'

Chris Hemsworth slips back into his Asgardian armor as he prepares to take on The Dark Elves in this ridiculously complicated story. We start with a flash back to the past with a battle between the darks elves and Thor's grandfather (Narrated by Anthony Hopkins as Odin) . The Asgardians win, of course; saving the universe from total darkness. Then we flash back to the future; where Thor's love interest Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), has discovered some abnormal stuff related to the nine worlds, etc. Anyway while Jane's investigating she stumbles through a rift and comes across a powerful energy source which is in a liquid-esque form that attaches itself to her being.

  

It's not all bad though... She now has a reason to reunite with Thor! Although in doing so; she awakens the dark elves, whom are hot on her heels as it's the energy source they need, to power the weapon which will bring the universe into total darkness.

Thor takes Jane back with him to find out what was wrong with her. Meanwhile the dark elves prepare their attack on Asgard; to find Jane. After the attack, many have been injured or worse... This includes Thor's and Loki's mother who is killed moments before Thor could save her. The elves leave but will soon attack again.

After being forbidden to take Jane and lead the dark elves' leader Malekith (Christopher Eccleston) away to attack him, as Asgard's defences are down. He is left with no choice but to reunite with his unreliable brother; Loki (Tom Hiddleston), who is currently locked away in the prisons of Asgard. Thor must convince Loki to help; though after his mother's death it is a lot easier as Loki wants vengeance. Now... Thor must not only protect Jane, but also foil the plans of Malekith.

After a tiring battle; which doesn't quite go to plan. The group are left with no other choice but to find another way to Earth; which they oh-so coincidently find. They get back to earth and have a huge battle in London. Thor eventually wins of course... Once the battle has died down there are some major plot twists. Which I can't tell you; because it would ruin everything. But if, and when you watch it; you'll probably have a 'what the hell' face.

I thought the film was a beautiful masterpiece for the eyes; in which I mean the CGI was craft-fully done, with amazing skill. Everything looked so real and the sound effects were very precise. There were a lot of comedy moment throughout the film; many from Loki, like just after they escape and he keeps turning into random people; Captain America, being one. I've only watched this film once and I was in complete awe throughout. So I might have made some basic mistakes, but overall I think it was a great experience. I loved it a lot more than the first film, but that had to explain everything about Thor; so it was understandable. There was a great balance of action and plot-development.

If you love superheroes, or you just like aliens and action, what ever the reason; I think you should watch this movie at least once. Unless you really hate the theme/plot of the movie or it doesn't fit your sense of humour, I think there will be at least one thing you'll like about this movie.

I hope at least one of you will be inspired to watch this.

*Aven*



Dragon Orb - Shadow by Mark Robson

*WARNING* 

MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS 

If you don't want to spoil your experience when reading the first book don't read this review until you have read the first book. If you have read the first book or just enjoy spoiler read on and enjoy the review.

The second and one of my favourite books of the Dragon orb series. If you have read the first book then you can probably guess which character this book focuses on more. Yes you guessed it, Pell and Whispering Shadow. 

As book one Firestorm ends with Nolita retrieving her chosen orb after a gruelling challenge of bravery. However as Pell being the stubborn idiot he is, and not wanting to go to the day Dragon enclave had separated from the group and headed to the night Dragon enclave to ask for help with his riddle. What he doesn't know is Segun the leader of the enclave is a power hungry tyrant who wants to destroy all the orbs and end their mission. 

Kira, Elian and Nolita have been told this by Barnabus the day Dragon enclave leader and are in race against time to catch up to Pell. Then our next book starts with Pell flying shadow to the enclave, and the story wouldn't be as fun if Pell made it before he could be stopped. So he has to face the embarrassment of being rescued, and race to the orbs location before Segun can get his hands on it. 

Pell must test his flying skills, bravery and resourcefulness to the limit, as Segun is determined to get the orb even betraying one of his own riders is nothing when it comes to the orb. Pell best keep his eyes open because all is not as it seams.

So I hope you liked the review and if you had read my review for Firesrorm you'll know that Pell is my favourite of the characters so I greatly enjoyed this book. Again beautifully worded always kept me wanting more. Could it be improved? Most likely yes but to be completely honest I think this book is perfect in my mind. I just love how Mark writes and my love of dragons is clouding my decision a little bit but I think this book really does deserve a good review. There is not much wrong with it, it's got the classic evil villain, relatable hero's, great storyline full of adventure and mystery. 

So if I have inspired at least one person to read or even re-read this book I'll be happy.

*Aven*

Dragon Orb - Firestorm by Mark Robson

I first discovered this book at a library except well it was just book two of the series "shadow" so of course it made very curious as to what was in the first and next two books. So after a while my mum finally bought them for me. The book themselves are a bit on the short side with about 300 pages and having a fast reading speed I went through them quite quickly though I re-read them about five times and somehow I always found out something new. It was probably where I read to fast and skipped bits but it was still fun. 

Anyway getting back to the story. The blurb tells us about two of our main characters, Nolita who unfortunately has a lot of irrational fears and as you can probably guess dragons are one of them also with a slight case of OCD. So when a day dragon named Fire shows up on her door step telling her that they are now life partners it's not going to go very well. Our next character is a boy called Elian who has also just come face to face with his soon to be life partner the dawn Dragon Aurora. The dragons tell them of the mission they must complete as it is the Dragons life purpose. So Elian sets off on his journey to meet the Oracle who will set a mission. He then bumps into Kira and her dusk Dragon fang who also haven't be together that long. Then they both meet Nolita and get her to come with them to the Oracle. Where they meet their final companions Pell and shadow the night Dragon. 

The Oracle gives them the mission of finding the four Dragon orbs that will save their world, however all they have to go on is a riddle. Pell who has been riding the longest with a couple of years under his belt immediately appoints himself the leader which doesn't sit to well with the other especially Kira. So from tension within the group to vicious Dragon-Hunters on their tail it's not going to be an easy ride.

I really enjoyed this book series and not just because it had Dragons. No it is beautifully written, very creative and has some very unique ideas presented throughout the book. My favourite character in this book was Pell and his Dragon Shadow I don't know why maybe I found him more interesting than others but I'm sure many would disagree however his personal journey through the books just captivated me.

I really hope I've convinced at least one person to read this book.

*Aven*  

shapeshifter - Finding the Fox by Ali Sparkes

Shapeshifter is a book I've read recently, which I quite enjoyed so I'm going to share my thoughts and hopefully convince you to read it. Shapeshifter it's based in England and is about a boy named Dax who is living with and evil step mum and step sister who is obsessed with the colour pink and dolls. The one day while his step mum and sister are out shop at a shopping centre named the "sphinx" something extraordinary happens. Dax gets the fright of his life and turns into a Fox. Yes that's right a Fox

And as you can guess both a government agent and an ambitious young journalist are on his tail. The agent tells him that he is one of many children with special powers and he's been offered a place at a secret government school where he can scroll, and t learn to control his powers. What is he to do? Stay with an overbearing evil step mother that makes his life horrible daily or risk it all at a government boarding school. Also if he accepts, on no account can he tell anybody, especially the journalist.

Well it would be no fun if Dad didn't jump at the chance now would it. When he arrives at the school, he is treated by an amazing bunch of kids with all sorts of talents, from levitation to telekinesis. Dax fits in just fine until the journalist tracks him down for the juicy story that will kick start her career. Then suspicions begin to rise when Dax begins to wonder who exactly is running the school, and what they want from the pupils there. Suddenly Dax's fox sends a put him on high alert...

I really liked this book and it is a part of a series which is great because the story goes on. Again not everyone will like it but this first book is a real page turner I just couldn't stop reading it. Although in my head I thought of lots of different ways things could happen through the book it still ended beautifully and left me wanting more. Also because I had to wait a least a month before I could buy the next book in the series it was torture. This is a highly recommend book by me and I hope you guys will read this book. Also if this became a movie it would be amazing.

All opinions welcome
*Aven*