SHUTTER ISLAND

Win TWO free advanced screening tickets to Shutter Island! Check it out!
SHUTTER ISLAND

BIG NEWS!

My darling TRQ readers,

I have read your emails! I have read your comments! I have heard your cries! I have not, however, forgotten you. In fact, I am working very hard on some seriously major and awesome new things for TRQ. You will be trilled when you see it, I promise, but in the meantime please bear with us and pardon our virtual dust.

Should you feel the need for your weekly TRQ, feel free to "like" us on Facebook! We'll be posting awesome info on there periodically.

See you in December!

News Update: Hunger Games!

If you've been wondering what the title for the final Hunger Games novel will be, wonder no more! Scholastic announced today that the last book in the trilogy will be released on August 24th under the name, Mockingjay!

What do you think will happen? Will Peeta and Kat stay together or will she and Gale live happily ever after? Leave your thoughts in the comments or on our Facebook!

CONTEST: FREE TIX TO SHUTTER ISLAND

FREE ADVANCED SCREENING TICKETS
FOR
MARTIN SCORSESE'S NEW FILM

SHUTTER ISLAND

ON

FEBRUARY 16-18, 2010

ONLY AVAILABLE FOR:

MIAMI, FL
JACKSONVILLE, FL
TAMPA, FL
WEST PALM, FL
AND ORLANDO, FL

RELEASE DATE: February 19, 2010

SYNOPSIS: From Oscar®-winning director Martin Scorsese, "Shutter Island" is the story of two U.S. marshals, Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Chuck Aule (Mark Ruffalo), who are summoned to a remote and barren island off the coast of Massachusetts to investigate the mysterious disappearance of a murderess from the island’s fortress-like hospital for the criminally insane.

OFFICIAL WEBSITE (with Trailer): http://www.shutterisland.com/

CAST: Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley, Michelle Williams, Emily Mortimer, Patricia Clarkson and Max Von Sydow


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CONTEST ENDS ON

FEBRUARY 15th, 2010


P.S. STICKERS, BOOKMARKS AND BOOKS ALSO AVAILABLE.

Review: Soulless by Gail Carriger

Title: Soulless
Author: Gail Carriger
You'll like this if: You like magic, werewolves, vampires, period films, Victorian London, awesomeness and parasols.

Soulless came to me via a recommendation of one of The Reader's Quill's devoted followers, Jackie. Now if you've followed this website long enough, you know that I've been writing a novel for a while now. So imagine my surprise at reading the jacket of a novel not only set in Victorian London, but also drenched in magical pursuits!

I thought I had died and gone to heaven. Seriously.

Soulless is fun, witty, interesting, sexy and downright funny.

Background on the novel:

Prickly, stubborn 25-year-old bluestocking Alexia Tarabotti is patently unmarriageable, and not just because she's large-nosed and swarthy. She's also soulless, an oddity and a secret even in a 19th-century London that mostly accepts and integrates werewolf packs, vampire hives and ghosts. The only man who notices her is brash Lord Conall Maccon, a Scottish Alpha werewolf and government official, and (of course) they dislike each other intensely. After Alexia kills a vampire with her parasol at a party—how vulgar!—she and Conall must work together to solve a supernatural mystery that grows quite steampunkishly gruesome. Well-drawn secondary characters round out the story, most notably Lord Akeldama, Alexia's outrageous, italic-wielding gay best vampire friend. This intoxicatingly witty parody will appeal to a wide cross-section of romance, fantasy and steampunk fans.

In Short:

Although Soulless may start off a bit slow, it definitely heats up towards the middle. With a bit of magic thrown in for good measure, the novel often reads as a romance novel (See: Lord Maccon), however it is also a lovely representation of Victorian society.

Soulless is a nice mix of fantasy, criticism of society and lethal parasols.

Things I Loved

Alexia - I loved her. Period. Love that she's a spinster, love that she has a deadly parasol, love that she's stubborn. None of these sound like very appealing characteristics to have, but in Alexia it's what makes her awesome.

The mix of fantasy and Victorian mannerisms.

Love the Hives and Werewolves and their respective dynamics.

Love Alexia's parasol.


Thing I Disliked

Could have done with a little less of the insane PDA. Although I don't mind reading it, I think there's something to be said about the tension between two people who are restricted by societal rules. Think Jane Austen. Every time Darcy merely touches her hand we swoon. It's the tension, the wait, that makes us fall in love. I think my main issue with Soulless is that the "falling in love" bit happens too fast. The lack of build up coupled with the seemingly quick overt public (and private) displays of affection seem to happen entirely too fast.


All in All:

If you like period films and fantasy, this is the book for you. However, should you hate romance novels, you might want to steer clear as this one gets pretty steamy.

All in all, Soulless is a fun, smart, charming debut novel by Gail Carriger. Looking forward to book two, Changeless, and all its deadly parasols.

Rating for Soulless by Gail Carriger - A-

P.S. In case you are interested, Gail Carriger has a pretty great website full of Victorian awesomeness. Check it out!

CONTEST: Free Tix to see Lovely Bones

FREE ADVANCED SCREENING TICKETS
FOR
PETER JACKSON'S (The Lord of the Rings) NEW FILM

THE LOVELY BONES

ON

JANUARY 12th, 2010 at 7:30PM

ONLY AVAILABLE FOR:

MIAMI, FL (50 tickets available)
JACKSONVILLE, FL (25 tickets available)
TAMPA, FL (25 tickets available)
WEST PALM, FL (25 tickets available)
AND ORLANDO, FL (25 tickets available)



FREE BOOKS

FREE POSTERS

AND

FREE BOOKMARKS

ALSO AVAILABLE

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CONTEST ENDS ON

JANUARY 11th, 2010

The Lovely Bones
IN THEATERS NATIONWIDE JANUARY 19
RATED PG-13 for "mature thematic material involving disturbing violent content and images, and some language."
VISIT: http://www.lovelybones.com/

First Look at HP: Deathly Hallows!

New footage of HPDH is now available for your viewing pleasure online! Make sure to checkout the awesomeness below!

VARIOUS scenes, super HD + extended/more scenes: Click here!

Can I get an OMG?! Thoughts?

UPDATE: Links have now been condensed to just the new full teaser trailer as it includes all the previously posted videos. Enjoy!

Hunger Games III Pub Date Announced!

In case you're wondering when the third book in the Hunger Games series will be released. We just found out that it will be available in English worldwide on August 24, 2010.

How awesome it that? What do you think will happen in the next book?

Film Review: New Moon

ADVANCED SCREENING REVIEW

Film: The Twilight Saga: New Moon (2009)
Director: Chris Weitz
Writer: Melissa Rosenberg

As you well know, I was fortunate enough to go to the Twilight premiere last year. While I thought the first film was a good first effort, I definitely believed there was considerable room for improvement.

Thankfully, Chris Weitz thought so too.


Here's the skinny on The Twilight Saga: New Moon:

Cinematography

Compared to Twilight, it's much cleaner. Beautiful sweeping angles, tight close ups on the trio (which I'm sure you'll all swoon over) and tinted slightly golden. Nice job all around.

Locations

Honestly, all of you who were concerned that New Moon wouldn't look the same or have the same small town feel as Twilight, you can now rest easy. You can't tell the difference at all. Still has all those gorgeous trees, the Cullen house (albeit different, still lovely)... and as for Bella's home, if you wouldn't have told me that it was in fact a set built in Vancouver I never would have known. One small note: thank all that's holy that they got rid of all those dinner scenes!

Minor Characters

The Cullen clan

Still wish we would see more of them and their individual interactions as we do in the novels. We do have a bit more face time with Peter Facinelli, which was welcomed. Definitely wish our time in the Cullen house had been longer both at the beginning of the film and the end. Also, Nikki Reed... I see you and want to see more of you! Can't wait to watch your story unfold in Eclipse!

The Volturi



When Michael Sheen was first cast as Aro, I was delighted. Beyond delighted in fact. I've loved him in just about every film he's starred in. Except this one. He plays Aro like some wacky, wired eccentric who has a habit of clapping after every other sentence. Very much a let down. Dakota Fanning was, as expected, wonderful as Jane. Cold, distant and rather terrifying. Caius and Marcus, as well as Felix, Alec and Demetri, are just background players (as they are in the novel). Not much to be said about any of them, honestly. Heidi appears for all of maybe four seconds and is gone before you even register what she looks like.

Victoria

Really love Rachelle Lefevre although she doesn't utter one word in the entire film. She's used more as a presence than an actual character. Love the rich new color of her hair. Truly pops on screen. Very cool fight/running scenes with her and the wolves.

Charlie

In my Twilight review, I said that I wasn't completely sold with Billy Burke as Charlie. My opinion has now changed. He's pretty great actually.

Main Characters

Taylor Lautner (Jacob Black)

Oh, Taylor. I went into New Moon an Edward fan and I'm now on the fence! Someone should give Weitz an award for keeping this boy on the franchise. Lautner turns out a surprisingly tender performance. By the end of the film, all you want to do is give the boy a hug. I'm not sure if that would be a hug to comfort him or to grope him. You choose, Twihards. You choose. (In answer to your question, yes there are considerable amounts of shirtless Taylor scenes. Rejoice, teens!)



Kristen Stewart (Bella Swan)

I am speechless. Her performance was heartbreaking. Both break up scenes (Edward and Jacob, respectively) were touching and emotional. In case you're wondering, you know those empty months in New Moon (novel), well they're in the film. Be sure to watch Stewart's face during the sequence. Hollow and broken.

Robert Pattinson (Edward Cullen)

Pattinson's performance in New Moon ranges from sweet and lighthearted to serious and painful. Although in the film Edward is more of a shadow and Bella's personal poltergeist, Weitz has included the character cleverly and rather seamlessly. Pattinson continues, as always, to be sexy.

Ashley Greene (Alice Cullen)

Have I mentioned how much I love this girl? No? Well, I do. So much. Although we got a taste of her in Twilight, we get a decent amount of screen time with this particular Cullen. And boy was it welcomed! Sweet, cute, trendy...Ashley Greene is the perfect Alice. Fear not, Twihards, many of your favorite Alice moments are included in this film version, except for her insistence in needing her own legal yellow Porsche. Funny little lines for Greene in reference to werewolves, as well. Can't wait to see more her in Eclipse and other films! Side note: Can someone please please please style her differently?! Ditto goes for the rest of the Cullens. Hate their wardrobe!

The Wolves



Where to start? While I love the pack as a whole as individual characters they were poorly written into the script. Paul was seriously introduced out of nowhere and was the one to have the "big transformation" first. Whhhhat? A bit annoying really. These boys seem more like eye candy than actual characters.

As for the animation.... sigh. Cartoonish, anyone? Yes/Yes? And HUGE!

All in All

If you loved the novel, you'll like the film as it's pretty true to the book. If you're new to the series, you may be a tad bit lost. Solid B+ for this one guys.

Spoiler:

Ever wonder what Bella would look like as a vampire? You might just be in luck. Regardless, I hope you like cliff hangers! Enjoy!


Review: Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld

Title: Leviathan
Author: Scott Westerfeld
You'll like this if: you love steampunk, are a history/biology geek, love novels such as Oppel's Airbourne, Reeve's Mortal Engines series, Clare's Mortal Instruments series, and, of course, Westerfeld's Uglies trilogy (which is actually more of a saga than a trilogy).

It's no secret that I love steampunk. All you have to do is take one look at the design for this website and you know that! So imagine my delight at finding out that Scott Westerfeld (of Uglies fame) was writing a steampunk novel!

Patiently I waited for the books release, until I could bare it no longer and asked (ney begged) Simon and Schuster to rush me an ARC. Needless to say, I furiously ripped open the little yellow package it came in the minute I found it in my mailbox. That was a bit over a month ago.

I've read it three times since.

After having devoured the 440 pages of the novel not once but trice, I think it's safe to say this book did not disappoint! Read below to find out why!

Background on the Novel:

It is the cusp of World War I, and all the European powers are arming up. The Austro-Hungarians and Germans have their Clankers,steam-driven iron machines loaded with guns and ammunition. The British Darwinists employ fabricated animals as their weaponry. Their Leviathan is a whale airship, and the most masterful beast in the British fleet.



Aleksandar Ferdinand, prince of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, is on the run. His own people have turned on him. His title is worthless. All he has is a battle-torn Stormwalker and a loyal crew of men. Deryn Sharp is a commoner, a girl disguised as a boy in the British Air Service. She's a brilliant airman. But her secret is in constant danger of being discovered.With the Great War brewing, Alek's and Deryn's paths cross in the most unexpected way...taking them both aboard the Leviathan on a fantastical, around-the-world adventure. One that will change both their lives forever.

Book Trailer: Click here to watch!

In Short:
This creative reworking of history is not only clever, but wonderfully suspenseful. Leviathan mixes both reality and fantasy without being overbearing. You don't have to be a history buff to love this novel!

Mr. Westerfeld weaves Deryn and Alek's lives so skillfully that their eventual meeting is completely seamless. The novel also hosts a wide cast of secondary (yet dimensional) characters that add color to Leviathan. Moreover, this book entertains a variety of dichotomies ranging from mechanical technology v. biological advancement to female v. male protagonists, which only add to the engaging nature of the novel rather than distract the reader from the story.

Things I Love:

Allow me to get this out of the way... I LOVE THAT THIS NOVEL IS ILLUSTRATED! Keith Thompson is such a wonderful and talented illustrator. I really hope he continues to feature his work in other published novels. Favorite drawing in Leviathan?



What's remarkable about this drawing is not only the airship, but also what's going on in the foreground. The pickpocket. The police. The man with the eyeglass. As a 19th-20th century aficionado, this illustration in particular plays true to the era.

I love how Westerfeld plays with biology and mechanics and how it's all stemmed in reality. Case and point:


Real Italian walker vs. Clanker invention

Love Alek and his comrades, likewise for Deryn.



Adore all the land and air battles and the sudden appearance of the Kraken! I want to see more of you, Kraken!

Things I Disliked:

In the entire novel, there was only one scene that really irked me. You will find it below.

"Deryn pulled the command whistle from her pocket. The freezing metal burned her lips as she piped a quick sequence, the notes of an intruder alert ringing in the cold air."

I love Deryn. Truly, I do. However, this little section really irritated me. While I understand that she is very loyal to the Leviathan, I truly couldn't stand it when she wouldn't let Alek go.

All in All:

Filled to the brim with air and land battles, political dissidence, bravery, danger and reckless (albeit lively) abandon, Leviathan is one of the best, if not the best, of Westerfeld's novels.

It's lavish illustrations and engaging storyline are equally entertaining for boys and girls, adults and teens alike. Looking forward to book two in the series!

Rating for Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld: A

Playlist for Leviathan:


Get a playlist! Standalone player Get Ringtones



P.S. In case you've missed Scott Westerfeld's tour, a little birdie told me that the Leviathan series will not be a trilogy, but rather a series as S&S plans on printing a detailed illustrated companion to be released in conjunction with the third novel! Rejoice airship and clanker fanatics!

Catching Fire Winners


Out of over 900 entries,

Emma Rodseth

Taylor Youngsky

Nikki from New Hampshire

have won our Catching Fire contest!

Congrats! We hope you enjoy your prize pack!

The winning entries can be found below!



Emma Rodseth:

In terms of a loving, kind, ultimately superior lover for Katniss, I believe Peeta Mellark easily triumphs over Gale. After reading Catching Fire, I was sure of two things. For one, both Peeta and Gale care deeply for Katniss and understand her as a person. Secondly, Peeta’s understanding holds more truth. The day in the house by the lake, Gale is very violent and angry with Katniss. I understand that Gale has strong feelings about the Capitol and the injustice in Panem, but Peeta would never treat Katniss the way Gale sometimes does, because his feelings are all about Katniss--and he doesn't let the Capitol interfere with that. Peeta is deeply in love with her--unquestionably. I think Gale is a great friend for “Catnip,” and has a history of being there for her. The two of them cared for each other and their families through rough times. But I think their admiration for each other can’t compete with what Peeta and Katniss share. His love easily outlasts the rocky, damaged, hurt emotions Gale offers to the world.Peeta is constant, and would make a reliable, loving, funny, kind husband.

Taylor Youngsky:

As far as guys go, you can't get much better than Gale and Peeta. They're both unique personalities but they share one common bond and that is simply that they're madly in love with Katniss Everdeen. They both have desirable qualities. Peeta is sweet, kind, sacrificial, caring, and would willingly give himself up for Katniss. Gale is mysterious, Katniss's best friend, her confidant, her home, and his own person while still deeply loving Katniss. And even though I think at this point I'd go for either one in my own life, it just has to be Gale.

The opposition, Peeta, is a pretty amazing guy, but he's just not for her. He'll always remind her of the Hunger Games and the pain and blood. She'll also remember how she was forced to be with him, all the pain that she caused him, and I think at this point she'll feel like she owes him forever. After all, she was saved and he wasn't. She'll hate herself for that. If they were ever to be together, it would be a tainted relationship. Their personalities also clash. They're completely different people. Peeta is social, kind, always painfully hopeful, artistically enabled, creative, light hearted, thoughtful, and is devoted once he puts his mind to something. Katniss is often impulsive, brutal, grudging, intense, brash, angry, loves intensely, protective, stubborn, strong, respected, and just about every opposite of Peeta. I think their personalities, their likes, and the devotions would clash eventually. Their just too different. They'd fight, become irritated with each other, and it just wouldn't find a peace between the two.

Gale has been Katniss's best friend far before she even talked to Peeta. But we really don't know a lot about him, Katniss doesn't really feel the need to because they are now apart of each other. They work as a streemline team, hunting in the woods in a perfect kind of comradery. She knows him as well as she knows her own bow and arrow and vise versa. The have an intimate understanding, knowlege, and respect for each other. Because of this, Gale knows that Katniss can handle a lot on her own, that she's strong even though she is always doubting herself. He respects her independence and held in his own wants and needs for a long time, just so she wouldn't get hurt. Even though he made her bare a kiss, Gale didn't go any farther to confuse her or cause her pain and withheld his passion until she made up her mind to leave, and he actually had a chance with her. He knows her perspective on marriage and children and he respects that. He knows so much more than Peeta could ever know about Katniss. Gale also brought her a bit of normalcy, calmed her through the turbulence that she endured as the Capitol battered and forced her into a marriage with someone she barely new. Gale is her escape. But in times of difficulty, of pain, they are there for each other. They look out for each other. Each one would willingly sacrifice themselves for each other without a thought. It's instinct at this point. They're supposed to be together, there is no doubt in my mind.

Together, Katniss, Gale, and Peeta have fought against tyranny. But when it all comes down to it, Katniss will always look for her endearing friend and eventually her one love, Gale.

Nikki from New Hampshire:

I just read both The Hunger Games and Catching Fire. I couldn't put them down. After reading The Hunger Games, I was undecided on whether I preferred Peeta or Gale, but once I read Catching Fire I adored Peeta. Gale is quite underdeveloped and seems to be very demanding when it comes to Katniss. I also believe that Katniss feels like she must have feelings for Gale because of their history. They make very good friends, but that's all I can really see them as. I believe that Gale cares for Katniss, but Peeta is so much more developed and three dimensional that I can't help but prefer him over Gale. Peeta also seems completely devoted to Katniss and genuinely loves her. He cares for his family like Gale does his, but Peeta also loves Katniss completely. He doesn't appear to love only some aspects of her personality as I feel Gale does.

I can't wait to read the last book in the trilogy because I adore Peeta and I was couldn't stop reading as I neared the end of Catching Fire. I hope Katniss finally makes her decision between Gale and Peeta and maybe we'll even get to really see who Gale is.

Let us know your thoughts! Is Peeta better suited for Katniss? Has Gale earned the right to be with her after so many years?

Thanks to all those who participated! Be sure to come back soon for more contests, interviews, reviews and prizes!