Mundie Moms

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

The Mortal Instruments Movie Mall Tour: MIAMI!


Tonight's The Mortal Instruments Movie Mall Tour stop was in Miami! I love it when fans post pictures and tweet about what the cast say during their Q&A's so those of us, like myself, who aren't near the tour stops can enjoy each tour stop. THANK YOU to everyone who's been posting pics from each of the stops so far.

 Here are a few pictures that were shared from various fan sites during tonight's stop:





















Picture source: DailyLilyCollins


By far my favorite picture of the night is the one TMI Source shared of Jamie with his book that was made up of all the #JamieIsJace photographs the TMI fandom sent in to Fangirlish, Page to Premiere, TMI Source and myself. You can find out more about that project at MortalInstrumentsLove.com and Erin's post about it here. When we were at Comic Con all together we told Jamie about the book, and he was really touched about it and the project. Tonight at Alyssa with TMI Source presented him with it. I love that Fangirlish took the time to make a book so that Jamie could have something from all the fans. Stop by her page and give her a big THANK YOU!

Picture source: TMI Source

You can stop by our friends over at Red Carpet Endings to watch their video from tonight's signing.

The Mortal Instruments Cast Hits Chicago

Hello All! Tonight we've got a friend of ours, Stacey from Page Turners Blog on MM's to give us a recap of last night TMI Movie Mall Tour stop in Chicago! Stacey was one of the lucky fans who attended last nights event. 


Lily Collins (Clary Fray), Jamie Campbell Bower (Jace Wayland), and Kevin Zegers (Alec Lightwood) took Chicago by storm on their Chicago Mortal Instruments: City of Bones Mall tour stop!

Hi, this is Stacey from PageTurnersBlog.com (head over to PTB for more pics!), and I was super lucky to be get press access for PTB and MMs for the Chicago Mortal Instruments: City of Bones Mall Tour stop.  It was an amazing event held outside of the Rue21 at the Chicago Ridge Mall.  They were great hosts and put on a great event.  I found a couple MM fans before the event started, it was cool to meet some tweeps in real life!

The Cast was awesome and did a 20 minute long Q&A (full video below) with questions provided by fans before the event started.  Jamie, Kevin and Lily seemed to have a great time and it was awesome to see for myself what everyone else had been saying, the cast is amazing!  All three were personable and were totally enjoying the time with their fans.  Jamie was making crazy faces for selfies, Lily was being engaging and asking people's names and Kevin, who was first in line, greeted every fan like they were the first he'd met.  It was an honor to get an up close experience and i'm even more excited for the movie!

Mortal Instruments: City of Bones hits theaters August 21st (and tickets are on sale now in some locations), if you can't wait to get your Shadowhunter fix till then, check out the Official Web Page where you can find your movie tickets, pre-order the soundtrack, explore the Institute and MUCH more, and The Official Tumblr, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.  And you can find Clary on Pinterest and Simon on Tumblr!  And you can always follow mundiemoms.com and PTB on Tumblr for more TMI: City of Bones news and fun.

Full Chicago Q & A



Jamie, Lily and Keven say thank you to Chicago for an awesome event!



Check out the pics we took at the event!


And I also got some Vine Video before the event and of the signing!


Tour The New York Institute

Check this out Shadowhunters! You can now take your own personal tour of the New York Institute. Stop by The Mortal Instruments Movie.com to take your tour. In the mean time, check out these snap shots from the tour.











Here's what Cassie said about it:

So this Inside the New York Institute thing is apparently pretty cool :) Poke around the armory and you can see Isabelle’s stele, her ruby pendant, some seraph blades … and that’s Jamie playing piano in the background.

TMI Movie: Valentine's Circle!

Check it out! The Mortal Institute Movie.com has shared THESE awesome pictures of Valentine's Circle. Well now we know where the Looking In Better Since Our Enemies of 1234 came from. lol I know it's wrong to like them given it is Valentine and his circle, but the pictures are just amazing.







Luke, Jocelyn and Valentine I can see in leather, but I never thought I'd see the day when I saw a picture of Hodge in leather. *snickers* He is sporting that leather with an attitude. Go Hodge!

source

Book Review: Towering by Alex Flinn


Published by: Harper Teen
Released on: May 14th, 2013
Source: arc from publisher to review
3.5 Stars: I Liked It
Purchase from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Add it to Goodreads

At first, I merely saw his face, his hands on the window ledge. Then, his whole body as he swung himself through the window. Only I could not see what he swung on.
Until, one day, I told my dream self to look down. And it was then that I saw. He had climbed on a rope. I knew without asking that the rope had been one of my own tying.


Rachel is trapped in a tower, held hostage by a woman she’s always called Mama. Her golden hair is growing rapidly, and to pass the time, she watches the snow fall and sings songs from her childhood, hoping someone, anyone, will hear her. 

Wyatt needs time to reflect or, better yet, forget about what happened to his best friend, Tyler. That’s why he’s been shipped off to the Adirondacks in the dead of winter to live with the oldest lady in town. Either that, or no one he knows ever wants to see him again.

Dani disappeared seventeen years ago without a trace, but she left behind a journal that’s never been read, not even by her overbearing mother…until now. 

A #1 New York Times bestselling author, Alex Flinn knows her fairy tales, and Towering is her most mind-bending interpretation yet. Dark and mysterious, this reimagining of Rapunzel will have readers on the edge of their seats wondering where Alex will take them next!


I am a huge fan of fairytale retellings. Alex Flinn is an author who I feel has done a fabulous job at giving beloved childhood fairytales an awesome YA spin. I have always loved the story of Rapunzel, and liked what Alex did with this classic tale. She not only modernized the story, she also made it so YA readers who enjoy fairytales would enjoy reading this one, complete with a romance, danger, and mystery.

There's a lot of weird things that have been happening in the quant little town Wyatt has come to stay in. Visitors and teens have disappeared over the years, there's a voice he hears signing deep in the middle of the wood, a story about a tower where a young girl is locked, and the journal of a dead girl he's found. Did I mention he's seen the ghost of the girl who's journal he's reading? That's not all, there's something going on, and he has to figure out what it is in order to save Rachel, himself and the town. Now there are things that if this hadn't been a fairytale would not have worked for this story, but because it is, it's one I sat and read and didn't for once thing what was going on didn't work. 

Wyatt is a character who surprised me. He's not the type of hero I'm normally drawn to, and maybe that's part of his appeal. What he is, is an all around nice guy who is on a mission to solve a mystery, and in the process help Rachel. Given this is a fairytale retelling, he does make a great fairytale boyfriend. Rachel, who like Rapunzel, has been locked in a tower for most of her life and because of that is extremely naive, has an old school way to her talk, and doesn't understand  a lot about modern day way of life, but she's not a stupid girl by any means. She's been sheltered, and yet she still makes choices that prove she's a strong girl who will stop at nothing to fulfill her destiny, and I admired that about her.

Normally things within Rachel and Wyatt's relationship would have bugged me, but again, it worked and made sense with this fairytale retelling. I even like how Alex wrote both of the characters. Rachel and Wyatt together make a great team. I like how they both helped each other. I really loved that the story is told from both their points of views. The setting was great too. The small, middle of the woods, no where town was the perfect setting for this story. Let me just say, the twist that Alex threw into the story with Rachel and her Mama was fabulous! I love it when an author throws me for a loop with their characters. 

When Mama is first introduced into the story, I wasn't a fan of her's what so ever at all. As the story starts to wrap toward the end, I got to see why she did what she did, and I saw her in a different light, and even respected her. I loved how Alex was able to throw in the twist with Mama's character. Oh how I loved the little details. Yes, these two play a role in helping Wyatt solve the mystery. 

I really enjoyed the mystery that fueled this plot line. From the characters, to the town itself and the motive behind character's decision making, everything was in question, and it's not until towards the end of the book does everything make sense. The love, relationships, choices that are and were made both good and bad, etc. I loved not having everything explained to me. I enjoyed feeling like I was trying to uncover what the heck was going on and what happened to some of the characters in this story right along with Wyatt. 

This was a fun, fast paced read for me. I enjoyed it, and can I say how much I love the cover. It's a perfect fit for this story. If you love fairytale retellings I'd recommend picking this one up!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to J.K. ROWLING & HARRY POTTER!


HAPPY BIRTHDAY to J.K. ROWLING & HARRY POTTER!


Doesn't it seem like yesterday the reading world first met Harry Potter? Well today we're all celebrating both Harry Potter and his creator, J.K. Rowling's birthday. Here on Mundie Moms we want to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY Harry Potter!

Check out EW's 33 Great Things About Harry Potter post here.


 Happy Birthday to J.K. Rowling! 

If you ever think you can't do something, J.K. Rowling is a testament that you can do anything if you believe in yourself. I know that sounds sappy, but I seriously admire J.K.'s story and her writing of Harry Potter. Her characters and book series has inspired countless readers around the world, and that in itself is amazing. I personal love that she's proven that it doesn't matter how old your are or what your circumstances are, that you can still achieve your dreams. I love that. 

*images found on google

Waiting on Wednesday #189: Side Effects May Vary by Julie Murphy




By: Julie Murphy
Published by: Harper Teen / Balzer + Bray
To Be Released on: March 18th, 2014
Status: DEBUT AUTHOR
Pre-Order from: Amazon
Add it Goodreads

What if you’d been living your life as if you were dying—only to find out that you had your whole future ahead of you? 

When sixteen-year-old Alice is diagnosed with leukemia, her prognosis is grim. To maximize the time she does have, she vows to spend her final months righting wrongs—however she sees fit. She convinces her friend Harvey, whom she knows has always had feelings for her, to help her with a crazy bucket list that’s as much about revenge (humiliating her ex-boyfriend and getting back at her arch nemesis) as it is about hope (doing something unexpectedly kind for a stranger and reliving some childhood memories). But just when Alice’s scores are settled, she goes into remission.

Now Alice is forced to face the consequences of all that she’s said and done, as well as her true feelings for Harvey. But has she done irreparable damage to the people around her, and to the one person who matters most? 

Julie Murphy’s SIDE EFFECTS MAY VARY is a fearless and moving tour de force about love, life, and facing your own mortality.


This book needs to be in my hands already. Not only does it sound like a great read (which I've been told from reliable sources that it is), check out that cover. It screams READ ME, now! Ooh and that's talk about this cover. What's not to love about this cover. Not only does it have a Ferris Wheel on it (sold), it's unlike any other cover out there. If I judged a book by it's cover (yes I've done that a time or two or more than that) I'd definitely pick this one up based on the cover alone. I'm impatient to read it, as everyone I know who's read has loved it. Also, it's a 2014 DEBUT YA book! Just saying, in case you know, you're big into supporting debut authors and want to add it to your list. Also, I adore Julie, and want everyone to go read her book when it's out, even though I haven't read it. ;) 

Check out my cover reveal post for Side Effects May Vary to read an excerpt from the book. Trust me, you want to. ;)

School Spirits by Rachel Hawkins, Book Review


By: Rachel Hawkins
Published by: Disney Hyperion
Released on: May 14th, 2013
Source: arc from the publisher to review
3.5 Stars: I Liked It
Purchase from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Add it to Goodreads

Fifteen-year-old Izzy Brannick was trained to fight monsters. For centuries, her family has hunted magical creatures. But when Izzy’s older sister vanishes without a trace while on a job, Izzy's mom decides they need to take a break.


Izzy and her mom move to a new town, but they soon discover it’s not as normal as it appears. A series of hauntings has been plaguing the local high school, and Izzy is determined to prove her worth and investigate. But assuming the guise of an average teenager is easier said than done. For a tough girl who's always been on her own, it’s strange to suddenly make friends and maybe even have a crush.


Can Izzy trust her new friends to help find the secret behind the hauntings before more people get hurt? 


Rachel Hawkins' delightful spin-off brings the same wit and charm as theNew York Times best-selling Hex Hall series. Get ready for more magic, mystery and romance!


Being a huge fan of Rachel's Hex Hall series, I was really looking forward to reading her spin off, School Spirits. I loved Rachel's writing style in that series. The wit, snarkiness, and the chemistry between Archer and Sophie was awesome. School Spirits introduces fans to Isolde (Izzy) and that boy she talks to in the mirror, Torin, we first met in Sophie's story. After all Sophie and Izzy are cousins. Though Sophie and Archer are briefly mentioned in the story, this book follows Izzy's story.


Izzy and her mother hail from the well respected Brannick family. The family of female Prodigium hunters. Struggling to come to grips with her sister's disappearance, Izzy almost meets her fate in a vampire job she takes as the story opens up. Now suddenly her mom is making them move to Mississippi where Izzy can get back on her feet by taking on a ghost haunting job, but Izzy for the first time ever gets a taste of what it's like to be a real teenager. Going to high school and learning to blend in is much harder for Izzy than it is hunting down a ghost, now through falling in love for the first time, and we've got a story rip with Rachel Hawkins awesomeness.  



Izzy is such a fun character to root for. She's someone who could easily kick your butt, yet learning to be a "normal" teenager gives her this vulnerability that made me root for her even more. She's determined, a little stubborn, strong willed, intelligent, and at times funny. She makes it easy to like her. Even though her sister's disappearance greatly effects her, she is bound and determined to prove to her mom that she can work along and complete the mission at hand. 

One of the things I love about Rachel Hawkins's story is the chemistry she creates between her love interest. True I missed Sophie and Archer's banter in this book, but Izzy has Torin for that, though it's not quite on the same level, and her love interest Dex. Oh Dex! What I loved about Dex is he is NOT your run of the mill love interest. He is flamboyant, charismatic, and boy does he have a fashion sense he's not afraid to sport. I loved him from the moment I met him. Not only is he secure with who he is, he knows how to get to Izzy. In true Rachel Hawkins fashion she has created another great relationship full of banter, and butterflies, and given a touch of complications. 

There are no such things are blissful, uncomplicated relationships in Rachel's books and I love that. Now that doesn't mean that and Dex and Izzy don't have one of those sigh worthy relationships, because they do. They also have a unique problem that makes it hard for Izzy to really get close with anyone, and that's her job. Now Torin and Izzy on the other hand..... Torin is a character I really enjoyed getting to know more, but there's something about him that intrigues me, and makes me wonder if he really is hiding something. I love his unsolicited advice he gives Izzy, and the banter these two have through out the book. At times it made me laugh, and other times question Torin's motives, and at the same time I couldn't help but love him for what he does for Izzy in the end. 

As much as I love Rachel's relationships, I also enjoy the friendships she creates. Dex has a great group of outcast friends who are part of PMS. I know, stop laughing. This PMS stands for Paranormal Management Society and it's made of Dex, Romy and Anderson, who all welcome Izzy into their group with open arms. I enjoyed getting to know these characters more, and loved the friendships they all had. 

While School Spirits wasn't quite up to par with Rachel's Hex Hall for me, I still enjoyed it, I just didn't love it as much as I loved Sophie's story. I still thought this was a fun, quick read. It that has many of the things I enjoy in a Rachel Hawkins book. I know a few people complained about the ending, but I enjoyed it, because it leaves just enough open that makes me want the next story now, (which sadly I've heard won't happen now). Either way, I don't think there could have been a more perfect ending for School Spirits. 
School Spirits is a fun, entertaining paranormal read, and one I'd recommend picking up. 


Tuesday, July 30, 2013

New International The Mortal Instruments TV Spots


Check out these two new international TMI Movie TV Spots from RoadshowFilms.





Only a couple more weeks and then we'll all become 11 yr old fangirls watching this movie on the big screen.

Fanart Update: Cassandra Jean's Young Circle and CoHF Artwork

Clary Talking to Emma in CoHF by Cassandra Jean

Cassie posted the latest Cassandra Jean artwork updates and WOW, are they gorgeous! The top illustration was Cassie's birthday present. Here's what Cassie had to say on her tumblr:
My birthday present from Cassandra JP — a scene from City of Heavenly Fire! Clary with little 12-year-old Emma.
And then the gorgeous artwork below is Luke! Check out the name of the cafe:

Young Circle art: Luke at Seraph Bakes Cafe.



Young Circle Art! Luke (TMI written by @CassieClare) Luke waiting for someone at the cafe Seraph Bakes in Idris? @TMIScotland came up with the cafe name and I thought it was brilliant. Anyway, random doodle. I can’t bring myself to draw anything more serious today, kinda fuzzy-headed.

Pre-Order The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones Original Motion Picture Score


I am so excited about The Mortal Instruments: City of Movies movie score. Currently on i-Tunes you can pre-order the score and down load Clary's Theme! The TMI movie score is $9.99 and Clary's Theme is $0.99. The score's list:
  1. Clary's Theme
  2. City of Bones
  3. Your Secret is Safe
  4. The Clave's Cures
  5. Pretty Far from Brooklyn
  6. Close the Dome
  7. The Mortal Cup
  8. The Angel Rune
  9. Madama Dorothea
  10. Magnus Bane
  11. Demon Doll
  12. Where's The Cup?
  13. You're a Morgenstern
  14. J.C.
  15. She's Not a Mundane
  16. Valentine
  17. Midnight in the Garden
  18. Vampires and Werewolves
  19. Mortal Instruments
  20. The Portal
I just pre-ordered it and purchased Clary's Theme. I can't wait to hear the entire album. Are you a movie score fan? Is this a score you'll be adding to your music collection?

Sony Pictures Launches the Mortal Instruments E-Shop


License Mag broke the news today that Sony Pictures has launched a The Mortal Instruments e-shop in the UK! Per the report:
Sony Pictures Consumer Products and Bioworld Europe have teamed up with Rakuten’s Play.com to launch a destination e-shop for the upcoming film The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones in the U.K.
The online store, open now in advance of the movie’s Aug. 21 debut, contains a range of product from apparel and accessories to movie replicas and collectibles.
Among the licensees represented in the e-shop are Flash Trash, Bioworld Europe, Laurelle London, Mantiburi, Simon and Schuster, Walker Books, Pyramid Posters, Urban Species, Universal Music and Underground Toys.
“We are very excited about Rakuten’s Play.com being the destination place for The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones in the United Kingdom,” says Greg Economos, senior vice president, global consumer products, Sony. “We have a great assortment of product which will prove to be a success.”
Here's a few of the items you'll find in the Mortal Instruments e-shop:


(Last two image sources: The Mortal Institute)

Fans can find everything from accessories, clothing, books, gifts & more.  What's even more exciting for UK fans, is the shipping is free! Check it all out HERE!

Percy Jackson SEA OF MONSTERS Movie Giveaway!


Percy Jackson fans of long awaited this films release and today I'm excited to help promote the upcoming movie release with a GIVEAWAY!!! Before I share with you what you can enter to win, I want to tell you a little bit about the movie, and share a few clips from the movie with you.

Percy Jackson and Sea of Monsters is scheduled to hit theaters on August 7th, 2013. The movie is based on the book, Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan, and continues the young demigod's epic journey to fulfill his destiny. To save their world, Percy and his friends must find the fabled and powerful magic Golden Fleece. Embarking on a treacherous odyssey into the uncharted water of the Sea of Monsters (known to humans as the Bermuda Triangle), they battle terrifying creatures, an army of zombies, and the ultimate Evil.

The movie stars Logan Lerman, Brandon T. Jackson, Alexandra Daddario, Jake Able, Douglas Smith and Stanley Tucci.

Check out these stills from the movie:






Watch the movie trailer:




Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters Online
Like Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters on Facebook
Visit the official website
Follow @PercyMovies on Twitter and Instagram
Watch the trailer, clips and more on YouTube
Follow on Tumblr

The Giveaway:

One lucky fan will win a $15 Visa gift card, and The Sea of Monsters movie tie in edition book!
To ENTER, please fill out the form below: (US addresses only, the prize pack is courtesy 20th Century Fox & valued at $22.99).
a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Thank you to 20th Century Fox for sponsoring the giveaway

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