Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carrol

I spent two months reading this classic tale of a young girl who went through different odd-ventures in wonderland. Yes, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland took me quite sometime to finish with the whole story since I have to juggle reading with work, video games, internet surfing and among other things. I don’t normally just sit down and grab a book like most people who dedicate their lives into the four corners of every book they read. Though I find this book a little bit inappropriate for my age, I still find Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland interesting and entertaining; one good subject to enhance my vivid imagination.

Side bits About this Book

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland is generally known as Alice in Wonderland because most film and television adaptations were using the said title, instead of its original name. The novel was originally written by an English author Reverend Charles Lutwidge Dodgson under the pseudonym Lewis Carrol in 1865 for a 10-year old girl named Alice Liddell, daughter of Henry George Liddell, the Vice-chancellor of Oxford University and Dean of Christ Church. Reverend Charles Lutwidge Dodgson together with Reverend Robinson Duckworth met Alice with her sisters three years before the book was written. On their journey with the girls, Reverend Dodgson told the story about a bored little girl named Alice who goes looking for some adventures. The girls loved it and Alice Pleasance Liddell asked Dodgson to write it down for her and on November 26, 1864, he gave Alice the handwritten manuscript of Alice’s Adventures Under Ground, with illustrations by Dodgson himself. Hence, the story of the little girl Alice and her adventures was finally published in 1865 carrying the title of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by “Lewis Carroll” with illustrations by John Tenniel.

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland | The Synopsis

Little Alice is getting very bored while sitting with her sister who is reading a book by the riverbank. While trying to sneak a look on the book that which her sister is reading she thought of how useless it is since it doesn’t contain any pictures and conversations at all. The hot day made her feel very sleepy and stupid so she was considering on whether the pleasure of making a daisy-chain would be worth the trouble of getting up when suddenly a White Rabbit with a pink eyes caught her attention. The White Rabbit is running late, who actually took a watch out of his waistcoat-pocket. She hurriedly followed the rabbit until she fell down on a rabbit hole and when she hits the bottom, she finds herself standing in a peculiar room with locked doors of different sizes. Alice notice a small door that leads to a beautiful garden but her current size won’t fit through. When she saw a bottle at the table which is labeled “DRINK ME”, she drinks it and it causes her to shrink enough to fit through the small door. But regrettably, she left the key high above the table; just when he finds a cake under the table with the words “EAT ME” on it. She ate it and the cake makes her grow so tall that her head struck against the roof of the hall. And because she got all frustrated for what she’s been going through, she began to cry and this causes a large pool all around her. When the White Rabbit returns he was startled at Alice that he drops the gloves and the fan he is holding. When Alice took the fan and the gloves and started fanning herself for the hall was very hot, she began to shrink. Alice swims through her own tears and meet a Mouse, who is also swimming on the pool of tears. She started a small talk but could only say something about her cat Dinah, which just offends the poor little mouse. And soon this pool of tears becomes crowded with animals and they all swim to shore and talks about how to dry again. A Dodo suggested for a Caucus-Race and Alice gave the winners some sugar coated sweets. And they ended up talking about her cat which causes a remarkable sensation among the animals.

When the White Rabbit appears again, he asked Alice to go back to his house and get his gloves and fan. When she finds another bottle and drinks from it, she grows so large that she has to stick one arm out of the window and her foot up the chimney. Outside she hears the animals talking and the next thing she knew, they were throwing pebbles at her which turns into little cakes. When she ate it, she began shrinking, then she went out running till she finds herself in a thick woods. And there she met an enormous puppy with large round eyes, and feebly stretching out one paw, trying to touch her.

Moving on to her adventure, she came upon a mushroom and sitting on it is a Caterpillar smoking a long hookah, wherein she was asked with questions that which makes her admits to her current identity crisis. She was even called a serpent by a pigeon when she shrunk too much that she thought her arms and shoulders were gone and she seemed to rise like a stalk out of sea of green leaves.

Then she met an odd looking footman and called it Fish-Footman. The Fish-footman carried an invitation for the Duchess of the house to play croquet, of which he delivers to a Frog-Footman. She enters the Duchess’ house and welcomes herself. She saw the Duchess cook and is throwing dishes and making soup which has too much pepper that which causes Alice, the Duchess and her baby to sneeze violently. The Duchess flings the baby to Alice and let her nurse it a bit while she leaves to play croquet with the Queen.

Stirring on, Alice bumped into a tea party with the March Hare, the Hatter and the Dormhouse. The conversation began rolling; Alice was all the more insulted with all the riddles, stories and remarks of the three beings. So, she left and picked her way through the woods while saying that it was the stupidest tea party that she had ever been to.

To continue with her adventures, she met the King and Queen of Hearts and was asked to play croquet with them. As the game of croquet begins, with flamingos as the mallets and hedgehogs as the balls, the Queen charges more people to death. Then she met a Gryphon who takes her to the Mock Turtle. The Mock Turtle tries to tell her a story about how he used to be a real turtle in school and so on until the Gryphon drags her away for an awaiting trial about a stolen tarts. After her arguments with the King and Queen of Hearts during the ridiculous proceedings, the Queen ordered to behead Alice but the brave Alice wasn’t frightened at all, calling them out as nothing but just a pack of cards. Then Alice’s sister wakes her up and told her she has a long sleep while brushing gently some dead leaves that had fluttered down from the trees upon her face.

“Be what you would seem to be”–or if you’d like it put
more simply–”Never imagine yourself not to be otherwise than
what it might appear to others that what you were or might have
been was not otherwise than what you had been would have appeared
to them to be otherwise.”

Scanning through the book, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland comprises lots of morals, life’s lessons and enchanting courage; the guts to face reality and the daring act of just being yourself and believe in your dreams and what you are capable of. The true beauty and wonders is not measure by what we see thru our naked eyes but what we reckon it to be inside our heart

Broken Wings by Kahlil Gibran

I’m in the middle of reading New Moon by Stephenie Meyer when my cousin bought Broken Wings by Kahlil Gibran as a token for her friend. She was able to finish reading the whole book in about two to four hours and hurriedly jump off to approach me and encouraged or rather urged me to read it before she’ll give it to her friend. She made a major blurb about it, that it’s a great book… a must read for every book enthusiast like me. And I was like, okay let me finish this book first (referring to New Moon) and I’m going to read it once I’m done with New Moon. I have a limited time to check out the book, I was just given five or six days by then since it’s intended to be given to someone else. Days passed, I was done with New Moon and on to reading Ecclipse, the third Twilight installment. I became totally bored with the second or third chapter so I decided to pick up Broken Wings. And thus, fall in love with an old tale of forbidden love affair and produced a bucketful of tears as I tried to contemplate the romance… the misfortune… the heartbreaking story of Selma and her beloved.

I lacked knowledge about the whole story of Kahlil Gibran’s life, but flipping through the pages, I have a notion when referred to Selma Karamy’s lover, that he was referring to himself, I don’t know… just a thought. But if Broken Wings is truly an element of his life’s story, then he must have led a sorrowful life. It’s a tragedy to mislay someone you love the most to someone else, how much more if you can’t do anything to save your beloved right in the palm of your hand. And you must live on to what society have spared a little for you.

Broken Wings focused on Selma and her unnamed lover. All throughout the entire page of the book, the male protagonist wasn’t given a name by the author. Instead, He was the one narrating his poignant love story. And this made me think that the author himself is trying to impart a dose of his history in a poetic tale of love and passion between pages.

I am a tree, grown in the shade, and today I stretched my branches to tremble for a while in the daylight. I came here to tell you good−bye, my beloved, and it is my hope that our farewell will be great and awful like our love. Let our farewell be like fire that bends the gold and makes it more resplendent.

Broken Wings | An Epic Tale of Love

Selma Karamy was a daughter of a wealthy man. She was solely raised by her kind and loving father when her mother passed away. A young man, whom was a friend of his father came to visit them one day and right there and then, they fell in love.

She became a book whose pages I could understand and whose praises I could sing, but which I could never finish reading. A woman whom Providence has provided with beauty of spirit and body is a truth, at the same time both open and secret, which we can understand only by love, and touch only by virtue; and when we attempt to describe such a woman she disappears like vapour.

But a powerful Bishop came to make an arrangement with her father, and that Selma is betrothed to the bishop’s nephew with intent to marry only her richness. Unwillingly, Selma’s father could only shed tears for his beloved daughter’s fate. It was describe in the book that in Lebanon where Selma and her father lived, no Christian could oppose his bishop and remain in good standing or no man could disobey his religious head and keep his reputation.

In some countries, the parent’s wealth is a source of misery for the children. The wide strong box which the father and mother together have used for the safety of their wealth becomes a narrow, dark prison for the souls of their heirs. The Almighty Dinar which the people worship becomes a demon which punished the spirit and deadens the heart.

Selma and her beloved could only anticipate for the best, but neither of them could do anything to prevent the union between Selma and the bishop’s nephew.

We stood up and bade each other farewell, but love and despair stood between us like two ghosts, one stretching his wings with his fingers over our throats, one weeping and the other laughing hideously.

Years went by, the marriage brought Selma a blast of torture and pain. She was in immense sorrow when her father died and left her heart bleeding in silence. Her whole life with the bishop’s nephew is hunted and only death could bequeath her peace and her beloved’s grieving soul in the end.

Yes, I have to admit that this book left me depressed after reading the last page. I cried and felt the pain of which the author is trying to entail. And no, I wouldn’t want to be in Selma Karamy’s shoes. I am truly glad that I was able to marry the person whom I have loved and adore with all my heart. And dear readers, I yearn for your happiness in love as well.

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

I never imagined that I will be blabbing about Twilight here, just that I’ve been lurking all over the web these days, I think there are about thousands of websites, weblogs and wikis dedicated to Twilight and I had to admit that I’m getting pretty sick of this Twilight flu thingy. Well, don’t get me wrong for I am also a little obsessed with Stephanie Meyer’s so-called “imaginary friends”.

My current job, relies mainly on fast internet connection, due to the fact that I had just moved in to a new house, I don’t have a line here in our place yet, the ISP company men will be here by Friday and while I’m using this wireless internet connection device of which I borrowed from Jon and Bambie, I’ll have to temporarily bear the frustrating internet speed here. Whilst waiting for stuff to load on my browser, I kept Twilight in my desk to flip through the pages every now and then during these time intervals. I’m already done reading the PDFs and had possessed a copy of the whole paperback set recently but it is one thing I’d like to go through nowadays, eradicates my boredom as well. You’ll never know how much these pieces of ingeniousness can sneak in regardless of how busy you were.

I had been to Stephenie Meyer’s official website and read her story on how she’d come up with Twilight. It was fascinating yet inspirational; I then remembered the story of which my cousin Fe-ritz had told me the other day about the tale she’d been writing at the moment, it’s quite similar to how Stephenie Meyer had started with Twilight. I really love her story, though it’s nothing like vampires, myths, legends… it’s more on life and reality. I’ll encourage her to finish it just like Stephenie Meyer’s sister Emily. I’ll probably make a review about it here when it’s done. I merely can’t wait!

Twilight and success…

Stephanie Meyer started writing Twilight on June 2, 2003, thus it was originally published in hardback on 2005. Twilight is the first book of the saga which introduces the damsel in distress, Isabella Marie Swan and the vampire protagonist Edward Cullen. This novel merely receives lots of positive reviews from book critics… I wouldn’t question about that. Twilight is seamlessly-romantically astounding! The forbidden love between the predator and its prey, how imperfect-perfect could that be? Not only that this amazing work of fiction charms the critic’s taste but it won several awards as well. New York Times Editor’s Choice, New York Times Best Seller, American Library Association’s “Top 10 Best Book for Young Adults” and “Top 10 Books for Reluctant Readers”, One of Publishers Weekly’s Best Children’s Books of 2005 and USA Today’s bestselling book of 2008.

Twilight:The insignificant book cover?

The cover was design by Gail Doobinin and photograph by Roger Hagadone. Was there any relevance between the book cover and the tale itself? What was the apple thingy doing in there? On the initial part of the book you will be able to find a quote from Genesis 2:17.

“But of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it:

For in the day that though eatest thereof

thou shalt surely die”

The apple on the cover represents the forbidden fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil; it signifies the forbidden love between Bella and Edward. Bella was aware of the fact about good and evil, she has a choice whether to succumb to the temptation to be with Edward forever or stay away from him which personifies the Tree of Knowledge and live a normal “human” life.

Twilight: The Abridgment

Isabella “Bella” Swan, the female lead of this novel moved from Phoenix, Arizona to a small town named Forks which is under a near-constant cover of clouds. She’d live her entire life with her mother Renée and now that she had remarried, she felt the urge to leave and live with her father Charlie in Forks. Bella love the sun and the blistering heat of Phoenix while she felt like she’s banishing herself in a gloomy small town. She detested Forks.

Bella, though was describe as just an average and obviously not a stunner was surprisingly recognizable in Forks High School. There he met the Cullens and the Hales, a family of which will play a significant role in her simple eccentric life. The one she’s most intrigued about is the youngest among the siblings, Edward Cullen. He’s like the most gorgeous creature she’d ever met.

For a vampire like Edward Cullen, Bella is the most fascinating human he has ever met, he can read minds but to his surprise he was unable to read Bella’s thoughts, not to mention that her scent is like his own brand of heroin. Except for his brother Jasper of which hasn’t had time to grow sensitive to the differences in smell, in flavor since he’s the most recent to join their family. Jasper struggles to abstain from human scent.

It wasn’t easy in the beginning for these two out of the ordinary lovers, it was like impossible for them to be  together since Edward is restraining himself in befriending Bella as to keep her from being hurt by him in so many ways. He believes that he’s the world’s deadliest predator; she’d be in constant danger if they’ll be together. But Bella here is like a danger magnet, so Edward has to play as the hero for her.

One day when Bella was nearly crushed by a van, Edward in an impossible swift movement protected Bella leaving her without a scratch. Thus, this scenario caused her to question Edward and his bizarre abilities. It wasn’t long then that she knew the truth about him and his family. A boy, two years younger than her named Jacob told her a story about his tribe, the Quileutes and the Cullens. She was told that Jacob’s family belonged to a family of werewolves and that they were the enemy of the “cold ones”. We used to call them vampires. So moving on with Jacob’s story, his great-grandfather, the tribal leader made a treaty to keep them off their land. Jacob finds this story absurd and that it’s no longer relevant but Bella decided to search for some answers. Jacob’s story somehow fits and this leads her to dig deeper and research about vampires and the likes.

By saving Bella in her nearly death experiences, Edward became so attach to her all the more and it felt like he could no longer stay away from her… so he’s breaking all the rules. He told her the real truth about him and his family and how myth and legend could be misleading in a way. He told her how he’d die and became a vampire like he is now. His real parents died due to Spanish influenza and nearly dying, his foster father whom was asked by her mother to save him got him out of the hospital and made him a vampire. He was the first ever vampire companion of his foster father named Dr. Carlisle Cullen. He told her what he’s capable of and the special abilities of her sister named Alice who can see what lies ahead and his brother Jasper who can sort of control the emotions of the people around him. He told her how he met his foster mother named Esme and his other siblings, Rosalie and Emmett. He told her how they were brought up by Dr. Carlisle Cullen and so much of their history.

Now, Bella spending time with the Cullens on their sanctuary is like spending time with Death himself. A group of unexpected guests visits the Cullens. Bella is on the inapt place at exactly the wrong time. Being the only human in a place crowded with vampires is impossible to conceal. Her scent could easily be recognized and these visitors are not as civilized as the Cullens, they were “human blood suckers”. James, Victoria and Laurent find her as their snack. With all the Cullens standing to protect her against them, they retreated but James “the Tracker” could never leave her alone like that. He’ll find a way to get his hands on her so the Cullens used all their efforts to save Bella in the midst of this unexpected danger.

They later on saved Bella from her supposed to be untimely death and killed James in the end. But will there be a happy ending for Bella and Edward, knowing that both exist as the prey and the predator? What will become of this forbidden love? Will Bella find Forks as her haven or will she be coming home to mommy in order for him to avoid uncanny circumstances such as this near death experiences? Only one thing is for sure, Bella made a decision to be with Edward forever and she’s prepared to die and be one of them.

“About three things I was absolutely positive.

First, Edward was a vampire.

Second, there was a part of him —

And I didn’t know how dominant that part might be —

That thirsted for my blood.

And third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him.”

Yes, indeed that the movie adaptation was oddly-beautiful but it could never be as breathtakingly-exquisite as what reveals behind the pages. Twilight is undeniably mesmerizing.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

It’s been a while since I’ve added a post here. I had been terribly busy with my work and blogging seemed to be fading as my most likely favorite hobby nowadays. Today, I’ll be blabbing about Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, the sequel of J.K. Rowling’s popular bestselling novel which is none other than Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. Sure thing, Harry Potter series is one of the most admired books of today’s generation and Harry Potter will always be an icon of our vivid imagination, a hero in the eyes of the witches and wizards, Harry Potter who triumph over HE-WHO-MUST-NOT-BE-NAMED.

As I’ve mentioned earlier, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is the second novel in the Harry Potter series, the book was published on July 2, 1998, where it had won a prominent Nestlé Smarties Book Prize for the age 9-11 category. It also won the British Book Awards’ Children’s Book of the Year. I wouldn’t be surprised if this book was recognized all over the world since this is so far the best novel ever written for kids.  Even without watching the movie adaptation, you’ll be able to live… love… and laugh with each character as you continue to unknot the mystery behind the witchcraft and wizarding world. If you love the movie adaptation, there is without a doubt that you’ll love this book a hundred times and more. Harry Potter is destined for greatness, that’s how he was described in this tale.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets | The Summary

Harry Potter spent his summer vacation back at the Muggle world, with the Dursleys. Number 4 Privet Drive wasn’t really a place called home for Harry. Both his Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon aren’t fond of him, not even his only cousin Dudley Dursley. He was treated like a house servant, his owl was locked up in its cage and he’s not allowed to use magic, not only because it’s against the rules of the wizarding world but the whole household forbids him to use magic. Uttering the word “magic” is in fact prohibited around the house. What could be worse than that? Harry felt even more isolated when he hadn’t received any letters from his friends at Hogwarts, not even a single letter from Hermoine Granger and Ron Weasley. He later learned that a house elf named Dobby was preventing the letters for Harry to reach him. Dobby warned Harry about the terrible things that could happen to him if he ever returns to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. But Harry couldn’t find the answers from Dobby as to why he must not return to Hogwarts.

Being with the Dursley, Harry felt the urged to be at Hogwarts all the more. Hogwarts is Harry Potter’s home. Due to the fact that Ron had not received any letter from Harry, he together with his brother George and Fred came to rescue Harry, bringing along his dad’s flying old turquoise car. The three of them brought Harry and Hedwig at the Burrow, Weasley’s humble sanctuary. It wasn’t so spacious but Harry was in amazement seeing the magical things they have before his very eyes. Being at the Weasleys for a short period of time brought joy and fun to Harry of which he never had during the time he spent at the Dursleys. He learned about de-gnoming, with gnomes which are nothing like Santa Claus. It was small and leathery looking, with a large, knobby, bald head exactly like a potato. He learned how to travel using Floo powder, though it was tough in the beginning when he’s supposed to go to Diagon Alley but appeared in Knockturn Alley instead.

Harry and Ron was as excited as everyone else to go back to Hogwarts but something or someone is preventing them to get through Platform nine and three-quarters. They missed the Hogwarts Express., so they took the flying Ford Anglia and followed the train. They were almost crushed by the whomping willow when they landed on that tree. The car disappeared before them, while they were brought to Professor Snape’s office for interrogation. They could’ve been expelled for flying the car without permission. But luck is on their side, somehow. The following day, Ron received a howler from Mrs. Weasley —–

“— STEALING THE CAR, I WOULDN’T HAVE BEEN SURPRISED IF THEY’D EXPELLED YOU, YOU WAIT TILL I GET HOLD OF YOU,  I DON’T SUPPOSED YOU STOPPED TO THINK WHAT YOU’RE FATHER AND I WENT THROUGH WHEN WE SAW IT WAS GONE—”

A new teacher named Gilderoy Lockhart will be teaching them “Defense Against the Dark Arts”. Professor Gilderoy Lockhart, Order of Merlin, Third class, Honorary Member of the Dark Force Defense League, and five-time winner of Witch Weekly’s Most-Charming-Smile Award. Girls adore him, but the boys simply aren’t pleased of his charm, especially Harry. When Harry got an accident during the Quidditch match after he was strangely smashed by the rogue Bludger on his elbow, Gilderoy Lockhart came to the rescue, as much as Harry rebuffed his help, he then cast a spell on Harry which caused him to have a deflated arm. Thus, Harry just toddles up to the hospital wing and have Madam Pomfrey treat him a dosage of Skele-Gro. While resting alone in the hospital wing, Dobby appeared again to warn Harry about the terrible things that are about to happen to him. He told Harry that he wasn’t able to prevent him from coming back to Hogwarts by stopping the barrier on Platform 9 ¾. And now he put a spell on the rogue Bludger to hit Harry, just so he wanted Harry to be sent back home.

The Hearthrob Harry Potter: Side Tracked

Ginny Weasley, Ron’s younger sister came to Hogwarts this year. After seeing Harry at King’s Cross, this young Weasley developed a huge crush on our charming hero. She often talks about Harry the whole summer and the sight of Harry in her presence makes her blush even more. And on Valentine’s Day, when Lockhart advanced to make it a special day for everyone, a dozen of dwarfs wearing golden wings and carrying harps, of which Lockhart called as his friendly, card-carrying cupids, were barging into their classes to deliver valentines. One of the dwarfs caught Harry and sang a valentine message for him:

“His eyes are as green as a fresh pickled toad,

His hair is as dark as a blackboard.

I wish he was mine, he’s really divine,

The hero who conquered the Dark Lord”

The message was from Ginny Weasley of course. And Draco Malfoy could only utter, “I don’t think Potter liked your valentine much!” Well, I personally think that Ginny could be the right girl for Harry. Brave, Innocent and sweet, this pair will come a long way if J.K. Rowling will give them the chance. But what do you know, I think they might have been— …I’m not going to spoil you that much.

“I never really gave up on you. Not really. I always hoped… Hermione told me to get on with life, maybe go out with some other people, relax a bit around you, because I never used to be able to talk if you were in the room, remember? And she thought you might take a bit more notice if I was a bit more – myself.”

— Ginny Weasley on Harry Potter (This is not part of HP:Book 2)

The Chamber of Secrets

Moving on with the summary, there have been a lot of incidents lately in Hogwarts but the most fearful one was when they learned that the Chamber of Secrets has been opened once again. Muggle-born or Mudblood students were being attacked and had gone petrified, even Argus Filch’s cat named Mrs. Norris and a ghost like Nearly Headless Nick. It’s been written on the wall,

“THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS HAS BEEN OPENED. ENEMIES OF THE HEIR, BEWARE”

Mostly, everyone blamed Harry, naming him as the heir of Salazar Slytherin since they learned that Harry is a Parselmouth, he can talk to snakes. Being able to talk to snakes is what Salazar Slytherin was famous for, that’s why the Slytherin House has a serpent symbol. But Harry refused to accept this fact since the Sorting Hat placed him in Gryffindor.

On the other hand, history repeats itself. Harry found an old diary owned by T.M. Riddle or Tom Marvolo Riddle. He found out that the same incident happened 50 years ago when Tom was on his fifth year in Hogwarts; the Chamber of Secrets was opened and the monster attacked a number of students, finally killing one. It turned out that the culprit was Rubeus Hagrid who kept a so-called monster under the cupboard. Hagrid was expelled for that particular reason but Harry would never believe what he had found out. And now that this monster is attacking once again, Hagrid was taken to Azkaban as the prime suspect of the current unpleasant incident at Hogwarts. But before he was taken away, he left a message for Ron and Harry,

“If anyone wanted ter find out some stuff, all they’d have ter do would be ter follow the spiders. That’d lead ‘em right!”

So Ron and Harry followed the spiders with Fang, Hagrid’s boarhound pet and came to know a gigantic spider Aragog and his wife Mosag. They learned that Hagrid was innocent after all, Aragog told them the things they needed to know about the incident which occurred 50 years ago. While unraveling the mystery behind the attacked, Ron and Harry found out that Moaning Myrtle was the student who got killed during the time of Tom Riddle, 50 years passed. They also found out about the Basilisk, the poisonous serpent which was responsible of the attacked.

After learning and sorting out their clues, they found out the Ginny Weasley was taken by the culprit. With a slight hope to save Ginny, both went down to the Chamber of Secrets with Gilderoy Lockhart but due to minor circumstances, Harry was separated from Ron and Lockhart. He is destined to face the monster which lurks around Hogwarts and save Ginny alone. Later on something has been revealed to Harry; Tom Marvolo Riddle is actually LORD VOLDEMORT himself. He told Harry that he was the one who manipulated Ginny to open the Chamber of Secrets through his diary. Ginny was able to obtain the Diary because Lucious Malfoy slipped it through her old Trasfiguration book. Harry fought along with Fawkes (Professor Dumbledore’s Phoenix), defeated the gigantic serpent and Lord Voldemort as the 16-year old Tom Riddle. Harry was able to save Ginny in the end; he was also able to free Dobby from his master and freed Hagrid from Azkaban. Harry’s very rare gifts and bravery made him triumphant in all his actions, thus it’s his choices that shows what he truly is, far more than his abilities.

As for me, I simply love this book. It’s well written and J.K. Rowling sure knows how to establish great characters, amazing plot and astounding magical well being.

Goosebumps: Attack of the Jack-O’-Lanterns

Goosebumps, one of my favorite TV show way back my younger years. A hit TV series based on R.L. Stine’s horror blockbuster books. I was given a copy of this paperback as a Christmas present by my BFF, Karen “Kaye” Santos. It was like so long ago that I almost forgot the whereabouts of this book. I just found it two days ago while checking my old bookshelf. It doesn’t incorporate that much of pages, so I never had a hard time allotting some spare time to take a glimpse of what’s printed behind the pages. This book was a fraction of my beautiful memories in the past with my BFF, because this is the very last gift I’ve received from Kaye and If I’m not mistaken, I wasn’t able to talk to her after this was delivered in our house by her driver. “To Kaye, wherever you are, if for some reasons you’ll be reading this, I wanna let you know that I’ve missed you a lot, though time may have passed and things changed between our lives…you’ll always have a place here in my heart. I love you still, my BFF…”

Moving on with the book’s tale, Drew Brockman loves Halloween; it’s her favorite day of the whole year. She can’t wait to trick-or-treat with her best friend Walker. It’s going to be a whole lot of fun for her and Walker but Tabitha and Lee, the neighborhood bullies will never leave them alone. Both loves to play tricks on Drew and even on Walker and they just couldn’t get enough. Good thing, Drew’s former neighbors and close friends, Shane and Shana had arrived to spend Halloween with Drew and Walker. This time, they’ll help Drew get even with Tabitha and Lee. They made a plan to invite Tabitha and Lee to go trick-or-treating with them. Shane and Shana sure know how to get back at them and Drew is just too excited for whatever plans Shane and Shana has for both Tabitha and Lee.

Tabitha and Lee is smart enough to know that by inviting them, a ploy from Drew and her company is expected, obviously what could be the real reason why they were invited to go with them. The impish duo is also preparing a little scary detail for Drew and Walker. To fright both Drew and Walker is most likely the easiest mission to do perpetually for Tabitha and Lee.

Shane and Shana didn’t arrived or something worst could’ve happened to them. Tabitha and Lee showed Drew and Walker a newspaper clipping which contain a few details and images of four people who went missing a few days before. The mischievous pair couldn’t hold a simple grin looking at the terrified face of Drew and Walker. But what if something horrible happened to Shane and Shana? They started trick-or-treating; still Drew is worried sick about her friends.

While checking the candies on their bags, there were two atrocious creatures which were rushing towards them across the dark yard. They were at least seven feet tall, with flowing black robes and a big orange pumpkin heads, carved with evil grins. They almost assumed that it was only Shane and Shana but the powers that these creatures bestowed in front of Tabitha and Lee could never be denied. They were forced to trick-or-treat ceaselessly but it’s getting late and they were all tired. Sadly enough, these creatures won’t let them rest and worst, they’re going to turn Tabitha and Lee like one of them, scary pumpkin monsters. Both screamed and ran through the woods, they were terrified to death. Serves them right, then the two hideous creatures were laughing their hearts out while changing their appearances to Shane and Shana. Walker could almost faint seeing them morph in front of him, but certainly they were aliens and Drew wasn’t able to inform Walker about the real identity of Shane and Shana. Drew and Walker could almost feel at ease in front of the twins, not until they were told about the reason behind the disappearance of those four people. Shane and Shana feed on humans, and they will come back next Halloween to feed again.

The Attack of the Jack-O’-Lanterns was adapted by Carol Ellis, from the teleplay by Billy Brown and Dan Angel, based on the novel of R.L. Stine.

Memnoch the Devil | the Vampire Chronicles

“Memnoch,” he corrected me. “Don’t use the name Satan. Please. Don’t use any of the following: Lucifer, Beelzebub, Azazel, Sammael, Marduk, Mephistopheles, et cetera. My name is Memnoch. You’ll soon find out for yourself that the others represent various alphabetical or scriptural compromises. Memnoch is for this time and all time. Appropriate and pleasing. Memnoch the Devil. And don’t go look it up in a book because you’ll never find it.”

Memnoch the Devil is Anne Rice’s fifth installment for her Vampire Chronicles tale. This novel is claimed to be her best favorite of the Vampire Chronicles. Hence, our adored New Orleans’ vampire hero is back and narrates another peculiar experience he had as a living vampire. This time, Lestat de Lioncourt will have to choose between GOD and Memnoch, the fallen angel, the ACCUSER.

Truly Anne Rice is pure genius regardless of whatever faith she has; here she was able to take us to a world beyond belief of which our simple minds could never fathom. This novel will frighten you…possess you in a second or two…mislead you somehow or the other way around…but most significantly, inspire the life form in us. Yes, Memnoch the Devil will convey all these and more.

This chronicle commenced during the time when Lestat talked to David Talbot (Lestat’s vampire fledgling) about the being that tracks him and how frightened he is on the subject of this particular creature. He was terrified and this isn’t typical for a vampire as powerful as Lestat de Lioncourt. At the same time, Lestat also talks to David about his newest prey, Roger, a big-time gang lord who has a famous televangelist daughter named Dora. Lestat, were able to study Roger’s profile for quite some time and thus knowing her Christ – fanatic daughter turn out to be part of it. All the more, Lestat is aware that he’s falling in love with Dora but this scrupulous being who is following him around scares him the most for his sweet Dora.

Roger appeared to him in a ghostly form after killing him that night; he told Lestat about his possessions and asked him to take care of Dora for he knew that his Death will caused his daughter anguish and scorn from her followers after learning that she is the daughter of one of the earth’s scumbags. Lestat then realized that what he did was wrong, but it’s too late for that right now. He then went to Dora and narrates the detail of her father’s ill-timed death. He told her that he’ll be taking care of her but there is one thing left for him to do, which is to deal with this creature who’s been stalking him all this time. So, he then asked the assistance of his vampire subordinates (David and Armand) to watch out of Dora while he’s gone to confront the greatest fear of his life.

Lestat de Lioncourt meets Satan himself, Memnoch the Devil. Once was God’s most loved and most intelligent archangel. Michael, Raphael and Uriel’s most excellent comrade in heaven who happen to question God’s finest creations and deeds. Yes, he is best describes as GOD’S accuser. He wanted Lestat to be part of his circle of cronies and serve as his lieutenant in hell. Lestat was able to see Memnoch in his beautiful archangel form and in his horrifying God of darkness appearance. Lestat is neither on Memnoch and God’s side but he was able to witness Heaven and Hell through Memnoch.

Memnoch in the beginning was God’s loyal and faithful archangel, chosen to be as one of the best in HIS kingdom, in HEAVEN. He loved GOD more than anything and he cares much on his creations with all his heart. But just like a growing child, full of curiosity, he’s always stuffed with questions on his head. As a result, God sent him to roam on earth and learn from his creations.

God was furious of his deeds after learning that Memnoch wasn’t able to obey his rules and commands. Memnoch slept with a mortal woman which is against God’s orders. He tried to reason out and state his concerns. He even challenged God to walk on earth and be among his creations. God, merciful and mighty as he is ordered Memnoch to go back to earth and bring at least ten souls worthy to stay in heaven with them. Memnoch did as he was told. He roamed around Sheol to find those souls worthy to be brought in heaven. God was pleased when Memnoch returned with several souls worthy to stay in his kingdom. But Memnoch still question God with every single detail that explode on his mind. He could never comprehend his ways and continue to doubt him in most aggravating behavior. God then, asked him to leave heaven and go back to Sheol and Earth. He told him that he’ll be his adversary and be the devil to rule over Hell.

“And until such a day as Sheol is empty! Until such a day as all souls go directly to the Heavenly Gates, you are my Adversary, you are my Devil, you are Damned to spend no less than one third of your existence on Earth which you love so much, and no less than one third in Sheol or Hell, whichever you choose to call it, your Kingdom. And only now and then by my grace may you come into Heaven, and see to it that when you do you have your angelic form!”

On earth he’ll appear as beast in the most horrendous form and never will emerge as the dazzling archangel like he was in heaven as to never confuse these souls in sheol and earth but whenever he returns in heaven, he’ll be in his true angelic form with wings like snow as well as his robes.

All these, was witnessed by Lestat as Memnoch tries to unfold his experiences with the Almighty God. He then showed Lestat the event where God himself was born here on earth and became the son of man. He suffered like most men do and Memnoch this time tried to convince him to go back to Heaven and retrieve his true form as a God. God told him that, this is what he intended to do, to live with his creations, be among them, and suffer with unbearable pain and disrespects. It’s in his plans to leave an unforgettable message for his people. This is his way to show the love he has for his creations. But Memnoch abominate this idea. To see his beloved God in this condition is unbearable. This is not what he wanted him to execute before him. He is God and he thinks this scheme is wicked and unendurable. Lestat saw everything, when people accused God of blasphemy, torturing him, crucifying him. Lestat was in pain seeing God went through all these just for his love of these unworthy souls. He was able to talk to Christ himself, drinking some of his spilled blood and obtain Veronica’s veil. Christ was able to tell him to keep it with all his might and never let go of it. Lestat did as he was told.

Then Memnoch showed Lestat his school, his kingdom…HELL! The atmosphere is agonizing, tortured souls, screaming, crying in an intolerable pain and agony. It’s hell after all. Here, Lestat was asked to stay and teach with Memnoch about God and Heaven. But Lestat could only see the excruciating torment he never had imagined. He can’t stand it, he has to leave, he fled from Memnoch, but it wasn’t that trouble-free to battle with the devil himself.

At last Lestat found himself in the comfort of Dora, Armand and David, without his left eye. During his struggles to flee from Hell, Memnoch plunged his fingers on Lestat’s left eye and it fell on the stairs and was crushed by the dead. And he told everyone his story, and then showed them the veil of Veronica which has the perfect image of Christ.

Dora was held custodian of the veil. It was on the news; people gathered here and there…talking about the angel of the night who brought the veil. Lestat could never get near to Dora. People all over the world are talking about it, scientist and scholars. Vampire of his own kind went to console Lestat for his anguish with reference to the whole event that occurred in the past few days of his existence. He lost his left eye, he lost Dora, he lost the veil, he lost a confidante, he loathed Memnoch and so is God. He felt he’s been tricked and used by these two higher beings to accomplish their campaign among living souls. Thus, he presents himself to swear into this tale as he swear on every word of it from his heart.

“I am the Vampire Lestat. This is what I saw. This is what I heard.
This is what I know! This is all I know.
Believe in me, in my words, in what I have said and what has been
written down.
I am here, still, the hero of my own dreams, and let me please keep
my place in yours.
I am the Vampire Lestat.
Let me pass now from fiction into legend.”

Princess Daisy | Judith Krantz

Judith Krantz is one of those authors who can transform an endearing moment of life, lust and adversity into panache and refine glamour. She and non other can make her characters and readers developed strength with nobility and courage as each page were flipped through an intimate attraction and pure vivid imagination. She has established all these and more as she stripped off the amazing tale of Princess Marguerite Alexandrovna Valensky which will be known to everyone as Princess Daisy.

I had a huge collection of Judith Krantz’ paperbacks and Princess Daisy was the first ever book I’ve bought and read among her novels. I am not much interested on the summary written at the back of the book but I have always the interest to read books about noble men, aristocrats and the likes way back then. Thus, I knew I’d be inspired and remain thrilled at how they deal with life’s unfortunate struggles when it strikes them. Yet, Princess Daisy dares not tried to crush my expectations.

Princess Daisy’s tale unfolds when Francesca Vernon, a Hollywood renowned actress visits Europe for a grand tour with her agent and his wife. She was invited to present the cup to the winner of the Polo finals. Back then, the Mayor understood perfectly clear that Francesca’s participation on the event will make it explicitly special than a mere sporting event. On the other hand, a prominent playboy, wealthy and gracious aristocrat named Prince Alexander “Stash” Valensky is one of the Polo players who will soon be involved with the eternally beautiful and lovely Francesca Vernon.

The two were married and bore a child named Princess Marguerite Alexandrovna Valensky. She was healthy, lively and unquestionably beautiful, having been able to inherit the flawless features of her parents. She was the only child of Princess Fancesca Valensky and Prince Stash Valensky, at least that’s how the world was told. But for the family, Princess Daisy was not born alone; she has a twin sister named Danielle.

Dani was separated from Fancesca and Daisy, after she was born. She was small and weak. She barely survived as a child. Stash was never happy to see Danielle in all that condition. She was diagnosed as retarded and by no means could appear normal before the eyes of the norms. Stash immediately get rid of her and brought her to a foster home, specially taken cared of with all his influence and wealth. Thus, the entire household was informed the death of Princess Danielle, few days after she and Princess Daisy was born.

It wasn’t long enough when Francesca found the whereabouts of her little Dani. She then took the courage to leave her husband and brought Dani and Daisy back to America with her. She was able to brought up the kids all by herself, the best way she could. They lived in a secluded place which no Stash could ever come and get them. She works hard to feed them by collecting driftwood along the beaches, polished and delivers them to a craftsman on a nearby town.

One day, Stash heard the news that Francesca met a car accident, she was dead and the kids needed him for all particular reason. Stash loves Daisy above anything else; he then took this chance to get a hold of his precious child. He brought Daisy and Dani back to London. Daisy lives with him while Dani stays in a foster home, just like the setup they had before when the twins are still babies.

Growing up, Princess Daisy continually visits her sister Princess Dani on her foster home. Stash was also able to introduced Daisy to her half brother named Ram, whom was Stash only son on his first unsuccessful marriage. Ram despises Daisy, he dislike the fact that his father is giving her too much attention more than his; Daisy, the apple of his father’s eyes. But despite all these reactions he gets from Ram, she loves him… she adores every bit of him.

Prince Stash Valensky later then met Death himself on a one fine Sunday afternoon. Leaving Daisy and Ram under the care of his beloved mistress, Anabel. There were no words that describe the relationship between Stash and Anabel but she’s beyond doubt Stash dearest confidante. She took care of Daisy and Ram in the absence of their parents. But there are things that are beyond her control. Ram develops a huge obsession on Princess Daisy. He actually was able to rape his own flesh and blood. Anabel is weak and old, while Ram is strong and powerful; the only thing she could do is sent Daisy away.

It was painful, hurting and horrifying… Princess Daisy fled to America. Thus, began to unravel the real world without a hint of aristocratic figure in her. She was away from all those noble and fallacious world. With her difficulties and hurdles, there’s always Dani whom is left for her to continue on living, persevere and win over adversities.

A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks

“When I was seventeen, my life changed forever… I’m fifty-seven years old, but even now I remember everything from that year, down to the smallest details. I relive that year often in my mind, bringing it back to life, and I realize that when I do, I always feel a strange combination of sadness and joy… This is the story; I promise to leave nothing out.

First you will smile, and then you will cry—don’t say you haven’t been warned…

And so begins a tale of true love, first love, and everlasting love that you will never forget…”

The book narrates the story of a typical seventeen year old young man whom life is bound to soar beyond conviction. He’s name is Landon Carter, the only son of a famous politician in Beaufort, North Carolina. Coming from a wealthy and powerful clan, Landon is expected to cover a good life, especially at school. Being the famed person as he is, Landon is not the emblematic girl – magnet guy. He just dated a girl or two and even avowed that he’d been in love. He goes to a Southern Baptist Church, only to make fun of the preacher and his sermons.

Landon decided to take the ever boring drama class, instead of chemistry. The senior class was commissioned to do the drama play that year. Jamie Sullivan, a sweet and infamous daughter of Hegbert Sullivan (the preacher of the Baptist church where Landon and his family attends to…) will render the part of the angel on the play. Not that they are given any choices or whatsoever…but everyone in town is anticipating that this is going to be a very special event for everybody, especially for Rev. Sullivan.

Landon and his circle of friends are not very fond of Jamie. Jamie seemed to be strange to hang around with, since she likes to read and bring her Bible at all times. For Landon she’s not the girlfriend type. He wasn’t even thinking of befriending the girl. Jamie Sullivan is some sort of….plain!

Landon was elected president for their school’s student council. It’s not like he wishes to be part of it but his father have had high hopes for him and it would be another credit for his college applications. As the voted student leader, he took part on preparing every single detail for their homecoming dance. Everyone were all prepared for the said event, except for Landon. He doesn’t have a date. Given with no other choices, since most hot-beautiful girls were already taken, he decided to ask the Bible bearer Jamie Sullivan to go with him and is expecting to be the laughing stock when the affair will finally be over.

“You have to promise that you won’t fall in love with me!” is the only thing that Jamie could ask in return for going out with Landon on the homecoming dance.

Landon reckons that everything will return to normal after the homecoming episode. He and Jamie will never be seen together anymore, that would be a total relief for him. Of course, he couldn’t get away from being tease and poke fun at by his buddies after the event. But for Landon, they will soon forget about it.

The play is fast approaching; too few people are participating. Dear Jamie is worried sick since her father was the one who wrote it and it is said to be very special for Rev. Sullivan. Jamie then approaches Landon for help. Landon caught off guard, was asked to depict the lead role. It means only one thing…he’ll be with Jamie for the rest of the coming days until the play is concluded. Practices and rehearsals brought them together. Landon finally learns the real beauty of Jamie Sullivan’s world.

They both spent Christmas eve together at the orphanage. It was then when Landon confirms her true feelings for Jamie. He had completely fallen in love to the school’s sole saint. Landon Carter knew that the feelings he had for Jamie is fully irretrievable.

Days passed …the whole thing seemed so perfect for both Landon and Jamie. This is definitely love, be in any form and meaning. LOVE is it! Until Jamie came to tell Landon the secret she and her father kept for quite some time. Jamie Sullivan is dying… she has an incurable leukemia.

The whole thing is too much for Landon to bear. The following days were gravely difficult to tolerate for everyone who heard the announcement made by Rev. Sullivan at the congregation. Jamie and Landon’s schoolmates felt sorry for both but they couldn’t do anything except to pray for Jamie’s recovery.

Jamie once told Landon, “Maybe God has a better plan for me than I have for myself…” Jamie grew weaker in each and every treatment. If only Landon could trade his life for Jamie, but then again, he has to face reality. He asked God for the things that she could do for her sweet Jamie while she’s still with him. Thus, on March 12, 1959 Jamie Sullivan is married to Landon Carter. Landon is extremely happy, though few days after…the person he unconditionally love was taken away from him. He is pleased to ever fulfill Jamie’s dreams and the miracle he’s been praying for finally was answered. Landon Carter was able to grow up like a real man with a purpose, all thanks to Jamie Sullivan-Carter.

Nicholas Sparks achieve to touch a chord in my heart with this one, not only that he wrote it with complete passion and sincerity, I have to agree that his novels are something that you won’t eventually get over with in just a matter of days… weeks… months and even years. I owned a copy of this paperback since December 04, 2002 but in every year that had passed…I never fail to read it over and over again once or twice in a year.

The Addams Family by Jordan Horowitz

Do you know a family or a group of people who lives in a big mansion with bizarre existing practices? Well, I do. The head of the house welcomes his guest with a sword fight. The mother loves tending her roses, only to appreciate the stems and cuts off the blossoms, just for the fact that she finds them ugly. Their son collects signs such as “Bridge Out” and experiment with some secret formula, then shrank to the size of a mouse. And there’s their daughter who loves to play with headless dolls. To sum it up, the entire household is jam-packed with eccentric stuff.

Meet the Addams Family, the creepiest yet lovable family of the entire planet. The book was adapted by Jordan Horowitz from the screenplay, written by Caroline Thompson & Larry Wilson which is also based on the Characters created by Charles Addams. This paperback is comprised with 32 pages with lots of pictures from the 1991 movie.

The story opens up like a normal day for the Addamses’ on their haunted mansion. Granny is fixing her fog machine; Pugsley Addams is with his deviant experiments, Wednesday Addams lost a baby tooth and kept it in a special box crammed with fangs and glass eyes. Morticia Addams is cutting the blossoming roses until the stems are all there is left. Gomez Addams is playing chess with Thing, a crawling hand.

Surrounding the Addamses’ huge residence is a gate which has a mind of its own. There came Tully Alford, their lawyer. Gate isn’t fond of Tully so that morning, Gate closes itself on the tail of the lawyer’s coat. Tully was greeted by Lurch, the giant butler with his usual friendly growl. Then he met up with Gomez and started their sword fight, like what they normally do before a serious meeting.

Tully is after the money of the Addams Family, coincidentally he met Gordon, a man that has a strong resemblance to Gomez’ long lost brother. He then prepared a scheme to have Gordon play the long lost Uncle Fester part so that they could sneak in to the Addamses’ vault with ease.

The entire family was very happy to see Gordon acting the part of Uncle Fester. It was a pretty strange experience for Gordon to be living in the Addams Family mansion but he’ll do what it takes to get his hands on the Addamses’ treasures. Until it finally came to his senses that somehow…somewhere within him…it felt like he is genuinely part of the family. He actually began to appreciate the peculiarity of the family he’s living with.

One day, Tully told the Addamses’ that Fester is the real owner of the Addams mansion. He throws them out and locked the house. They could never believe that their Uncle Fester could do such horrible thing to his beloved family. They rented a motel and move in. Lurch got a job that sells vacuum cleaner door to door and people immediately buy his product just to get rid of him. Puglsey and Wednesday sells lemonade with steam coming out of them. Gomez felt very sad about the whole event. And so, Morticia decided to go and talk to Fester.

Tully and his allies weren’t able to find the vault so they captured Morticia to tell them how to get into the vault. Thing was fast enough to tell Gomez the details about Morticia’s whereabouts. He then went on to rescue his wife. Just when he thought that he was helpless, Gordon instantly helped him save Morticia. A bolt of lightning struck him in the head; he then realized that he is part of the Addams Family. He is the long lost Uncle Fester after all! By Halloween everything was back to normal in the Addams family abode.

Blackwood Farm | The Vampire Chronicles

Though Blackwood Farm is not the very first book which was written by Anne Rice for her Vampire Chronicles saga, this paperback is the foremost favorite of mine. This is when and where I met my greatest vampire hero, Lestat de Lioncourt.

Blackwood Farm tells the story of a young man who seek the aid of Lestat, in order for him to vanquish the existence of his mysterious doppelganger. This mysterious spirit named Goblin is crammed with obsession and consequently became domineering and troublesome as days went passing by.

Tarquin Anthony “Quinn” Blackwood is a pretty young man who lives in Blackwood Farm accompanied by his grandmother “Sweetheart” and Jasmine, a loyal servant who helps run the house. As far as Quinn could remember, his first meeting with Goblin was when he turns 3, it was then which he also knew that Goblin can physically touch him by pushing his hand to have him ruin a birthday cake. The used to be playful spirit became disruptive as they both grew older.

On the latter part of the chapter, Quinn was made a vampire. He was taught that he should feed himself with only people who committed evil deeds. While hunting for “evil doers”, Quinn reaches a wedding full of “evil doers” but he accidentally killed the bride instead. He was beaten by his maker for having done such terrible thing.

The stronger Quinn becomes, the stronger Goblin turn out to be. Every time Quinn feeds himself with human blood, Goblin then attacks him and feed on him, drinking his blood. His assaults are becoming more ferocious each time. Hence, by reading the book about The Vampire Chronicles, Quinn decided to seek for Lestat.

Lestat discovered that Quinn is related to the Mayfair witches. Unable to defeat Goblin, Lestat asked help from Merrick, a powerful witch-turned-vampire from the clan of Mayfairs. It was later on revealed to Quinn that Goblin is the ghost of his twin brother who died soon after they were born. It was also believed that the death of his brother Garwain (Goblin) was his fault. Goblin wasn’t able to leave this world and is persistently desirous of Quinn’s occurrence. He wants Lestat and Merrick to disappear and he hated Quinn the most.

Doing what she is supposed to do, using the corpse of Garwain to exorcise Goblin, Merrick unites herself with the blazing fire and the little boy’s corpse. She takes her spirit and that of the child to the Light and departs this life. She was adored and loved by Lestat, but as much as he wanted to pull her away from the fire, he could no longer save her. There’s only Quinn whom is left for him to attach importance to.

The likes of me reads more on romantic novels, thus this book changes my reading patterns from then on. I fell in love with the most beautiful and the most powerful vampire lead of Anne Rice. At that point in time Lestat filled my dreams with passion and desires. He exists in my world like I exist in his.