Mundie Moms

Monday, June 24, 2013

The Elementals by Saundra Mitchell, Book Review

By: Saundra Mitchell
Published by: Harcout
Released on: June 4th, 2013
Series: The Vespertine #3
4 Stars: I Enjoyed It
Purchase from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Add it to Goodreads

Kate Witherspoon has lived a bohemian life with her artist parents. In 1917, the new art form of the motion picture is changing entertainment—and Kate is determined to become a director.

Meanwhile, midwestern farm boy Julian Birch has inherited the wanderlust that fueled his parents’ adventures. A childhood bout with polio has left him crippled, but he refuses to let his disability define him.

Strangers driven by a shared vision, Kate and Julian set out separately for Los Angeles, the city of dreams. There, they each struggle to find their independence. When they finally meet, the teenage runaways realize their true magical legacy: the ability to triumph over death, and over time. But as their powerful parents before them learned, all magic comes with a price.


A bittersweet ending to a captivating series. I hate saying goodbye to series I've come to love. This is one series I feel like I've gotten to personally know over the course of Saundra writing it, and I didn't want it to end just yet, though I do love the way this book wrapped up everything up. It has closure, and yet it's a little open ended due to the fact it makes me hopeful with all that happens. Not to mention all my favorite characters are back together, as this story is about their children. Well two of them, Kate and Julian.

Kate and Julian are two characters that really intrigued me. It wasn't hard for me to like them both right off the bat. Though their paths don't cross until later in the book, I loved seeing how both of them interact with their families, and how both yearn for something more. Freedom, and to go West. Despite the fact Kate and Julian both inherited gifts similar to the gifts their parents, Kate's being Amelia & Nathaniel, and Julian's being Zora & Emerson, these two have a destiny that seems much more tragic and stronger than that of their parents. They both inadvertently put things in motion that will forever change their lives, and as well as that of their parents. 

I loved the romantic theme through out the book. It wasn't just with Amelia and Nathaniel, or Zora and Emerson, Julian & Kate, but with the notion of up and leaving and heading to Los Angeles to find that destiny and to fulfill that dream that both Julian and Kate separately have wanted. Saundra did an remarkable job with her descriptions of this era. The hardships of owning a farm, what it's like to have boys who head off to war, and one who leaves home, how women are to act in this area, and how life over all was. Life was simplistic and yet hard all at the same time. The way people acted, spoke, and the things they did were just different then, and I loved feeling like I was getting a glimpse back into time with the way Saundra wrote The Elementals. Kate by far was the one character who totally pushed the envelope when it came to doing things that went against the norm of society. Just look at her in the fabulous cover for this book. When most women wore dresses, Kate choose men's trousers. Oh I loved it!

What I loved most about The Elementals is seeing my favorite characters from The Vespertine and The Springsweet. Though they're much older, and this story is about their children, they still play huge roles in what happens, and the gift their children have. I LOVED the chemistry they each have with their love interests, and seeing how that love has unfolded over the years, and how they still interact and are together. It's sweet, and sigh worthy all mixed together. It was wonderful to see how Amelia and Zora's friendship has endured decades via letters they write each other. 


Though there is plenty of danger with having the ability to control different elements (stopping time, life and death etc), there is another danger that comes in the form of a still grieving Caleb from The Vespertine. Seriously, as much as I wanted to not like him in this book, my heart broke for Caleb, as his anger and rage and hatred for Amelia very much controlled his action. Not being to let go of the past, he has become this totally different person, and he's on a mission for revenge. 

What a great series! What great characters. I might be bias, but I loved seeing a few names of characters in here based on friends I know. I couldn't help but love the uptight Mrs Bartow in this book. haha. The Elementals is that bittersweet story you don't want to end, but when it does it makes you sigh with a slight smile on your face. It's a fascinating story set in an exciting time, and given beautiful characters to make it shine. This is definitely one book I'd recommend picking up!

City of Bones Movie Tie In Featuring Jace, Clary and Valentine On Sale NOW at Walmart

Check out this exciting news! Jonathan Rhys Meyers source just posted THIS:


You know there are times it's perfectly acceptable to have, oh let's say 8 copies of the same book right? This book needs to be on my shelf. Check out the cover! Valentine is looking evil. *snickers* I don't know why I'm laughing over Valentine. I seriously never intended to like him in the movie, but that was before they cast Jonathan Rhys Meyers as him, and now it's going to be really hard to hate him, that is until we get to City of Glass, then all bets are off. Back to the cover.... Can we please have one with Magnus!?! I'd buy that one in a heart beat. Actually a cover that features everyone would be even better. #greedyshadowhunterfan

Mundane Monday #187: Will & Tessa

Happy Mudane Monday!


I really don't think this image needs a quote, because the look that Will is giving Tessa says it all, but here's a quote any way. *sigh* 

"...... You are not the last dream of my soul.
You are the first dream, the only dream I ever was unable to stop myself from dreaming. You are the first dream of my soul, and from that dream I hope will come all other dreams, a lifetime's worth. " 
- Clockwork Princess, page 524

Be sure to go VOTE for Will in today's YA Crush Tourney! 


The Mortal Instruments Movie Monday #22: Shadowhunter Clothes Line at Hot Topic

Happy Mundane Monday! The count down is on for the upcoming release of The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones. I know it's felt like forever ago since the movie was announced and now it's theatrical release is less than 2 months away. That means between now and then A LOT of awesome TMI movie related things will be available to fans. You can check out some of the upcoming movie merchandise here.


Last week TMI Source shared some of Hot Topics upcoming Shadowhunter clothes. These look awesome! I think Magnus would even approve. But, once they're gone they are gone! SO that means get these items when you see them, but no fighting in line. lol Unless of course it's over who your favorite Shadowhunter is. ;)

Check out these clothes and read a little of what TMI Source shared with fans last week. Per TMI Source:

Cindy Levitt, VP of Merchandising at Hot Topic, said:


“We just knew everyone was kind of obsessed with it,” Levitt told us. “When you get that fan base first, then you know. It’s so different than when a studio approaches you and you’re like, never heard of it, and this one we’d heard so much about. We didn’t even question it. We’re going to support it.”
The clothing line is a limited-edition so when it sells out it’s gone. But the goal was for die-hard fans of the series to get their hands on it before it sells out.
“I’m afraid we’re going to run out before the film,” Levitt said. “But we’re ok with that, because we can always have t-shirts that kind of chase it up to the film. But I think this collection bought it very tight so that the true fans can get it and then it’s gone. We don’t want it to be all massed out there.”
Levitt also revealed more Mortal Instruments merchandise that will be on sale at Hot Topic, including t-shirts, prop replica cuff bracelets, rings, necklaces, bags, rune-inspired temporary tattoos and steles.
In the movie you can see the actors wearing some of those pieces. “Some of those replica pieces will be there,” she said.
Here are the prices for the clothing line:
  • Clary Dress – $44.50
  • Jace Vest – $54.50
  • Parallel Worlds Dress – $39.50
  • Isabelle Ivory Dress – $49.50
  • Clary moto Jacket – $52.50
  • Raziel Tank Top – $32.50
  • Angelic Power Tank Top – $29.50
  • Shadow World Leggings – $29.50
 Hot Topic ships internationally!

Check out these clothes! I'll take one of each please. lol








Now check out this attention to detail. This one of the things I've loved seeing the most from these pictures. Little details go along way with stuff like this. 





*all pictures are credited to TMI Source

What do you guys think? What's your favorite item? Are you more excited about the movie replica line or the clothing one?

Thank you to TMI Source for sharing these images with us!

VOTE FOR WILL


All right Shadowhunters, we voted for our beloved Jace and won him the tournament previously and now it's our turn to help WILL win it this year!! Head over to HERE and get your VOTE on! We only have a limited amount of time to help WILL win his first round.

pic credit: TMI Source 

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