Upcoming Book Review: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (HP#6) by J.K. Rowling

GAH! I was mortified by the time I finished this book in the series. Did J.K. die and someone came in to write this book for her, or did she just not want to write it and the peeps at Scholastic threw something together, because yuck! Anyway, it wasn't all that bad because it was Harry Potter. But the review is going to be the worst of the series so far.

Excerpt from the book:

The war against Voldemort is not going well; even Muggle governments are noticing. Ron scans the obituary page of the Daily Prophet, looking for familiar names. Dumbledore is absent from Hogwarts for long stretches of time, and the Order of the Phoenix has already suffered losses.
An yet...
As in all wars, life goes on. Sixth-year students learn to Apparate-and lose a few eyebrows in the process. The Weasley twins expand their business. Teenagers flirt and fight and fall in love. Classes are never straightforward, though Harry receives some extraordinary help from the mysterious Half-Blood Prince.
So it's the home front that takes center stage in the multilayered sixth installment of the story of Harry Potter. Here at Hogwarts, Harry will search for the full and complex story of the boy who became Lord Voldemort-and thereby find what may be his only vulnerability.

Visit http://www.mugglenet.com/ for more information.

This Blog is Currently Undergoing Severe Construction Work - Please beware of insane widgets, we tried to poison them, but some activists stopped us.

*****This blog is under a huge reconstruction*****

I just noticed that there is an option to have many different templates now and I have always wanted cool stuff on both sides of my blog. How awesome is that?! Well, the time has come and I'll be reconstruction this blog, don't worry, dark colors will stay as that is what I like, but there may be some new things here in the near future. Oh, and Reviews will always be here so check back often.

Thanks!!!!

And the Winner of My First Ever Blog Giveaway is...

And the Winner of my first ever blog GIVEAWAY is...Lovie!

Thank you to all who entered and I really appreciate you taking the time to look at my blog!

There shall be more giveaway's in the future, I'm thinking every other month or so, we shall see with time. Looking into the future, I'd say that I will hope around genre's to whatever I feel like giving away that month. I like to read from almost all genre's so there's a good chance that the next giveaway will be an entirely different genre, or may be the same. Check back every so often or follow me on Twitter or Facebook to find out what I have in store for the blog.

Lovie, congratulations on winning the lovely new book 'Tempting the Marquess' by Sara Lindsey. Sara's writing is so great and I can't wait for her next book in the Weston's Family Series. I hope that you enjoy Livvy and Jason's story as I have. Please e-mail the address you would like the book sent to:

Thank you!

Twitter:

www.twitter.com/PortlandPaige23

Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/people/Paige-Ray/100000037383677?ref=search

Book Review and Giveaway: Tempting the Marquess (The Weston's Book 2) by Sara Lindsey

Book Title: Tempting the Marquess (The Westons, Book 2)

Author: Sara Lindsey(www.saralindsey.net)

Pages: 296

Publisher: Signet Eclipse

Genre: Historical Romance

(Scale Explanation: 1) Meaning awful, 5) Meaning not good, but not bad, equal, 10) Meaning wonderful)

PLOT - 10

CHARACTERS - 10

BEGINNING - 10

ENDING - 10

FLOW - 10

OVERALL - 10

What I liked about this book:
Where do I begin. This second book in the Weston’s series has totally grabbed hold of me and taken me under. Aside from the steamy love scenes and the cute instances where the Marquess has a hard time hiding his desire for Livvy. Livvy is such a great character and I totally love her. Aunt Kate was such a helpful schemer that I would love to see her in future novels as well, if there is a chance of that. Also, Edward was a doll, an adorable addition to this story. And, my oh my, Jason is scrum-didly-umptuous! I loved his dialogue, only when he let that mask of the marquess fall away. The whole story behind his issues and how Livvy wants to help him is glorious. I loved it! It had a great deal of emotional turmoil that was essential to making this book so amazing! The cover is gorgeous also!

What I disliked about this book:
Nothing, the sadness that the Marquess and Livvy have to go through to find their love is sad at times, but it blossoms beautifully.

Who I would recommend this book to:
Anyone that is a fan of historical romance, anyone that enjoyed Sara Lindsey’s first book, Anyone looking for a beautiful story of ones work to get pass the loss of a very dear loved one.

What I felt the book was about:
Livvy has spent the last 9 or so months at Haile Castle with her Aunt Kate and sister Isabella who’s story was captured in Promise Me Tonight. Aunt Kate states that she is going to her stepsons castle for the Christmas holiday. Livvy instantly asks to go because she wants to meet the Marquess because in Haile castle she has found some poetry by him to his late wife and his late wife’s diary. Meeting the Marquess proves disastrous for Livvy, though she feels as though she chooses to keep pushing to help him get over his mourning period. The Marquess is in deep from the moment he sees Livvy, his male desire is what pushes him to try to stay away from her, but then it also pushes him to want her more. Their battle of wits is intriguing and often ends badly, but at the same time pushing them closer together. It’s such a beautiful story of moving on. Finally, Livvy goes back to London, but takes Edward with her, so that Jason has to go see her to get his son back. Well, Charles, Jason’s brother-in-law from his first marriage, takes Jason out for drinks and dinner and back to his apartment to tell him the big secret about Laura. The secret never gets told as Livvy gets caught outside the apartment dressed in men’s clothing and is taken into custody. Jason goes to find her and takes her home and makes her his. They agree to marry, but the secret still looms. Eventually, Livvy tells Jason the secret and it forces him away for some time. He finally speaks with Aunt Kate and makes the decision to get over his issues and realizes that he truly loves Livvy. The Epilogue was so cute that I teared up from the love shown. I loved how genially Jason spoke with Livvy in matters of the bedroom, it was comical though steamy just the same.

Favorite excerpts or quotes from the book:
""I love you too, pet." He dropped a kiss on her lips. :Gower said that you wished to see me. Were you climbing the ladder because you are in need of some strenuous physical activity? Shall I lock the door?"" - Page 295





And now...
MY FIRST EVER BLOG GIVEAWAY!!!!

I have an extra copy of this book and I would love to share it with the winner of a small contest that I would like to have. Basically, make a comment on this post and I'll enter you to win the book. I'll be using randomizer.org to pick the winner using a number system, ordered by number comment and I'll send it through USPS. A brand new book, that has just been released, that will dazzle your imagination. Anyway, I'd like to close up the entries for this contest on June 15, 2010 at Midnight PST. Just leave a comment and you will be entered to win! Easy as that. Thank you!

Upcoming Book Review: Menage-a-20: Tales With A Hook by Twenty Goodreads Authors

My, oh my, this book has taken me way too long to get through, but it was well worth it to savor each and every story to its full extent. I loved each and every story that I devoured, though some more than others. These talented authors from the On Fiction Writing Group of Goodreads.com are amazing and I can't wait to read what they have in store the next time around.

Excerpt from the book:

"Get hooked" - San Diego Dispatch

"An orgy of many-splendored prose" - Pocatello Times

Life, death, demons, and doughnuts. The perils of love; the perils of hell. Ghosts, TV, and human sacrifice. What do they all share? A group of writers, published and unpublished, with no other goal but to make you gasp in shock. Thirty stories, twenty writers. Prepare to get hooked.

Visit http://www.menage-a-20.com/ for more information.
Aslo visit http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/13591.On_Fiction_Writing for even more information.

Book Review: One Dance With A Duke (Stud Club Trilogy, Book 1) by Tessa Dare

Book Title: One Dance With A Duke (Stud Club Trilogy, Book 1)

Author: Tessa Dare(www.tessadare.com)

Pages: 382

Publisher: Ballantine Books

Genre: Historical Romance

 

(Scale Explanation: 1) Meaning awful, 5) Meaning not good, but not bad, equal, 10) Meaning wonderful)

 

PLOT - 10

CHARACTERS - 10

BEGINNING - 10

ENDING - 10

FLOW - 10

OVERALL - 10

What I liked about this book:
This book was so beautifully written. I thoroughly enjoyed the whole thing. The love scenes were extraordinary and the plot was very thorough. The murder that happens at the beginning of the book that will spur the entire trilogy is very interesting and I feel as though I am going to really enjoy the characters in the next two books just as much as I enjoyed the characters of this first book in the trilogy. I loved the cute Duke of Moreland and his issues and the whole reason why he had been dubbed ‘The Duke of Midnight.’ I loved Amelia’s whole personality, how she thought she was just another speck in the wall that no one cared about and how her thoughts changed as their loved blossomed.

What I disliked about this book:
Nothing I would say that I disliked, but I felt bad at the end when I found out that Spencer’s ward was pregnant. Being so young and unmarried. In that time period it was ruination when something like that happened, but the resolution seems like it will make her happy, so that is what matters. It’s not like that was a bad thing for the book, but it was sad. It was something that had to happen, because there had to be the conflict that brought the ward and the Duke together as family again.

Who I would recommend this book to:
Anyone that likes historical romance, anyone that likes the writing of the wonderful Tessa Dare, and anyone that enjoys a beautiful romance.

What I felt the book was about:
Amelia d’Orsay’s brother is in a plethora of trouble. He gambles and he is really bad at it. He doesn’t know when to walk away. Something that The Duke of Morland likes to tease Amelia about it a lot! Amelia finds out that the person whom her brother owes money to is the Duke of Midnight who is due to show up since it is almost midnight. He shows up right on time and as he is trying to pick out a suiting lady to dance with, as that is his MO, to dance with one lady at every ball at midnight, then to mysteriously disappear, instead of choosing a lady, Amelia charges toward him and takes his hand for the dance. They dance and Amelia sees that he is starting to get wary while they are dancing. He scoops her up and takes her out of the ball. This incites gossip amongst the ton and the two end up spending the entire night together as Leo has been murdered and Amelia goes to help comfort his sister with the three men of the Stud Club. Spencer decides he wants to marry Amelia and they arrange for it to happen way too quickly. The rest is a very fun story in which Amelia tries to find her place in the family that already exists with the Duke and his ward. I love the ending and how Amelia is oblivious to how much the Duke really loves her. What a beautiful ending as the Duke and his ward start towards becoming close again and the Duke lets Amelia in on how much he truly loves her. Oh, and the love scenes are hot and revved up in this new first book of the Stud Club Trilogy by Tessa Dare. I also loved how Spencer teased Amelia with matters of the bedroom, it was cute and reminded me of my husband and his uncanny ability to make me blush whenever he wants with just a few words.

Favorite excerpts or quotes from the book:
"He kissed her. Without warning, without permission. Without even deciding to do it, but simply because he couldn't have done anything else. He needed that breath she was holding. It belonged to him, and he wanted it back."

Upcoming Book Review: Tempting the Marquess (The Weston's, Book 2) by Sara Lindsey

I am in love. This book was beautifully written and deals with the very serious subject of 'Life going on after the death of a very close loved one.' It was a must read and hopefully will be a must read for you all out there. Great book. I will most likely read it again. It was that lovely.

Excerpt from the book:

While Olivia Weston loves matchmaking and romantic novels, she intends to make a suitable match. But first she wants an adventure, and when given the opportunity to visit a reclusive widower living in a haunted castle, Livvy can't possible resist.
After his wife's death, Jason Traherne, Marquess of Sheldon, shut his heart to everyone but his son, and until now he has succeeded in maintaining his distance. But there's something about Livvy-her unique blend of sweetness and sensuality-that tempts him beyond all reason.
Though there's nothing suitable about the feelings he inspires in her, Livvy can't help falling for the marquess. But can she persuade him to let go of the past and risk his heart again?

Visit http://www.saralindsey.net/ for more information.

Book Review: Marked (House of Night, Book 1) by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast

Book Title: Marked (House of Night, Book 1)

Author: P.C. Cast, Kristin Cast(www.houseofnightseries.com)

Pages: 306

Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin

Genre: YA-17+/Science Fiction/Fantasy

(Scale Explanation: 1) Meaning awful, 5) Meaning not good, but not bad, equal, 10) Meaning wonderful)

PLOT - 9

CHARACTERS - 7

BEGINNING - 7

ENDING - 7

FLOW - 8

OVERALL - 7

What I liked about this book:
I liked the interesting new take on the world of vampyres. It’s one that made the book pretty interesting and made it to where I could ignore the majority of the shallowness and crap that made being a teenager suck. I actually liked that it was realistic though, in the way that the teenagers acted and their actions. Even though it was something that I kind of didn’t like, it was something that make the book more believable even though the concept is fantasy.

What I disliked about this book:
As stated above, the shallowness and teenage drama that made being a teenager suck. That’s about it.

Who I would recommend this book to:
Anyone that enjoys books about vampyres, anyone that enjoys YA, and anyone that enjoys a quick read that is also a bit fun.

What I felt the book was about:
Zoey gets Marked as a vampire fledgling at the beginning of the book and her best friend, kind of her boyfriend, and her family all disown her and try to take care of the situation. She leaves her home and goes to see her grandmother even though she knows she only has a short amount of time to get to the House of Night before she dies. For some reason, the fledglings have to be in the House of Night or they will parish. She gets to her grandmothers house and falls and passes out. While passed out, she see the Goddess Nyx and finds out that she is to be someone special in the vampire world. When she wakes up, she is in the House of Night and ready to start her new life. Everyone is weirded out by the fact that her mark is fully filled in already, instead of like the other fledglings who just have the outline of a mark. She quickly makes a few enemies in the Dark Daughters and a few friends in her roommate and her friends. She meets Eric, a boy that is smitten with her at first sight, who used to date the head B of the Dark Daughters. Zoey’s ex-boyfriend visits the school to try to bust her out, but she has no desire to leave now. She finds that she has a strange affliction to blood already and she shouldn’t want it yet. Strange beings are popping up over the school, looking like kids that have died because their bodies had rejected the vampire change. In the end that is a major conflict in which Zoey has to take on the head B of the Dark Daughters and she prevails, but in order to prevail she has to complete a crazy ritual to extinguish some very bad spirits. After the ritual, everyone is shocked to see that Zoey’s mark has collected marks to it. Instead of just a basic mark around her eyes, the mark goes down her neck and her back and she is now the most marked in the House of Night. She is supposed to be something greater.

Favorite excerpts or quotes from the book:
"Actually, since I'm gay I think I should count for two guys instead of just one. I mean, in me you get the male point of view and you don't have to worry about me wanting to touch your boobies."

Upcoming Book Review: One Dance With A Duke (Stud Club Trilogy #1) by Tessa Dare

This was an entirely too fun book to read. I engulfed it in a short amount of time and I steamed over the love scenes, because wow, Tessa does it right! Haha, anyway, this was a beautiful love story that helped set the bar for a really great mystery of who killed Leo. And the small conflict at the end of the book for Spencer Dumarque. Again, entirely too much fun for a book. Just kidding, I loved it!

Excerpt from the book:

A handsome and reclusive horse breeder, Spencer Dumarque, the fourth Duke of Morland, is a member of the exclusive Stud Club, an organization so select it has only ten members-yet membership is attainable to anyone with luck. And Spencer has plenty of it, along with an obsession with a prize horse, a dark secret, and, now, a reputation as the dashin "Duke of Midnight." Each evening he selects one lady for a breathtaking midnight waltz. But none of the women catch his interest, and nobody ever bests the duke-until Lady Amelia d'Orsay tries her luck.
In a moment of desperation, the unconventional beauty claims the duke's dance and unwittingly steals his heart. When Amelia demands that Spencer forgive her scapegrace brother's debts, she never imagines that her game of wits and words will lead to breathless passion and a steamy proposal. Still, Spencer is a man of mystery, perhaps connected to the shocking murder of the Stud Club's founder. Will Amelia lose her heart in this reckless wager or win everlasting love?

Visit http://www.tessadare.com/ for more information!

Book Review: Mistress of Rome by Kate Quinn ***Rabid Spoiler Alert***

Book Title: Mistress of Rome

Author: Kate Quinn(www.katequinnauthor.com)

Pages: 470

Publisher: Berkeley Books

Genre: Historical Fiction/Romance/Drama

(Scale Explanation: 1) Meaning awful, 5) Meaning not good, but not bad, equal, 10) Meaning wonderful)

PLOT - 10

CHARACTERS - 10

BEGINNING - 10

ENDING - 10

FLOW - 10

OVERALL - 10

What I liked about this book:

I loved the time period and the politics and such involved in that time period. Ancient Rome was so full of luxury and outrageousness that it is such an excellent time period to read about. I loved the various relationships that happen throughout the book. Each one is definitely unique to the people involved and the reason why the relationship is even existing. It was such a delicious plot that I devoured the book in a matter of a few days. If not for the common distractions of a normal life, I would’ve sat and read this book in one sitting. I am so compelled to go back and read it again just because it was that good. So, buy it, read it, and leave reviews so that everyone finds out about how amazing this book truly is.

What I disliked about this book:

I wouldn’t call it something that I disliked, but it was definitely something that upset me, even though it added extra juiciness to the already tasty plot. I do understand that it was necessary to have it in the book, so therefore, it is something that I liked even though the actions made me angry. What’s a book that doesn’t make you angry at some point? It adds to the overall experience. When Paulinus gets tangled in Lepida’s web. That’s all.

Who I would recommend this book to:

Anyone and everyone on the planet Earth and anyone that may exist on other planets as well. Anyone that enjoys books set in ancient Rome. Anyone that enjoys a delicious romance tied into a dramatic historical fiction novel. Anyone that reads. (I’m a bit biased, huh?)

What I felt the book was about:

This is going to be so hard to tell a reader what the book is about without giving too much away and wanting to drone on and on about how awesome this book truly was. I want to read the book to the person(s) reading this review just so that they could enjoy every single aspect of the book that I did, but unfortunately, I cannot do that, since you are where you are and I’m sitting in a three-bedroom house in a California desert town of 160 people. So, oversimplified, not giving this novel any justice, here goes:

Thea is a slave to Lepida, they are around the same age, 15, in the beginning. Lepida is a terrible witch and Thea cuts herself and spills her blood just to escape her horrible life, one that she has been given after escaping a slaughter of Jewish people that she was a part of in Judea. She feels very bad about it because she thinks that she was the only one to have survived because she was to cowardice to commit suicide like the rest of the people that lived there. Lepida is obsessed with the gladiator games and Thea goes with Lepida to watch them.

A new gladiator makes his debut that day and makes an impression on the people of Rome, he becomes Arius the Barbarian, though he doesn’t want to be, because he doesn’t want to kill, and quickly gains success, money, and anything he wants, other than freedom, due to his efforts in the arena.

Lepida wishes to tumble with him and learns a frightful fact that Thea and Arius are desperately in love and sells Thea to a brothel in Brundisium. Thea has become pregnant from her time with Arius and therefore only works at the brothel for a few months before she is showing too much to work as a whore, so she is sold to Larcius, a praetor who desperately loved music and the arts. Larcius makes Thea into a singer and she gets to perform in front of the Emperor Domitian.

Domitian becomes smitten with Thea and makes her his mistress. It’s nice at first, but then she goes on holiday with him to Tivoli where he unleashes a side that has been whispered, but Thea hadn’t known it existed. She is subjected to strange abuses, not completely specified, though scary just the same, and they still give the reader that terrifying effect.

Meanwhile, Arius has battled in the arena for 8 years and has made an enemy out of the Emperor. He goes to the arena one day and his only friend, after Thea, is murdered right in front of him. He goes into a rage, angry with everything that the Emperor has subjected to him and at the loss of Thea. After his rage, he starts a fire, and is saved from the halls of the coliseum by Flavia Domitilla, Domitian’s niece. She takes him to her estate where he dyes his hair and grows a beard and portrays a gardener named Stephanus. Unbeknownst to him, Flavia has already taken in Vix, Thea’s and Arius’s son. Thea goes to visit him whenever she can, but that is not very often.

Meanwhile, Lepida has married a very wonderful senator named Marcus Norbanus. He has a son named Paulinus who quickly falls under Lepida’s bewitching spell and has an affair with his step-mother. Marcus and Lepida have a daughter that has epilepsia, her name is Vibia Sabina.

Thea endures 5 years as Domitians mistress and one fateful day that she visits with Vix, she meets Stephanus and it’s one of the most beautiful moments in the book as their love for one another shows in the actions of anyone watching the reunion. Vix finds out that he is Arius’s son and is awestruck because he wants to be a gladiator and he loves the games.

At one point, Lepida finds out that Thea’s body slave has laid with her in her bed after a night with the Emperor to soothe her because she is on the brink of suicide, not wanting Domitian to find out about Vix and Arius.

Domitian makes a pretty public display of throwing her out, but that same night Vix has been brought to the dinner by Flavia to get a small meeting with his mother. Vix storms the Emperor after he lands a few blows to Thea’s face and it is discovered that Vix is her son.

Domitian throws Thea out and takes Vix as his new pet. Thea makes her way back to Arius and they get with Marcus, Paulinus, Calpurnia, and the Empress to devise a plan against the Emperor to get their son back and to get revenge for everything that he has taken from every one of them. Paulinus, due to his exemplary display on the battlefield in Germania, has become the Emperor’s number one man.

In the end, Rome is set straight, I don’t want to give too much away about the ending, because it is colossal. There is also a huge twist that I have not said anything about that gave me the chills, the shivers, made me tremble, tear up, laugh out loud, and feel like something amazing had just happened. It was incredible.

Favorite excerpts or quotes from the book:

There are so many quotes, so many, that I would love to put right here, but I don’t want to give all of it away, or at least any of the important parts of the story. I shall post just one, but believe me choosing the one was hard as hell to choose!

“Arius, Arius, Arius, Arius,I love you. I love you.

“I love the way you rub the scar on the back of your hand when you’re nervous. I love the way you make the sword into a living part of your body. I love the way you burn your eyes into me, as if you’re seeing me fresh every time. I love the black streak in you that wants to kill the world, and the soft streak that is sorry afterward. I love the way you laugh, as if you’re surprised that you can laugh at all. I love the way you kiss my breath away. I love the way you breathe and speak and smile. I love the way you make a dance out of death. I love the confusion I see in your eyes when you realize you are happy. I love every muscle and bone in your body, every twist and bend in your soul. I love you so much I can’t say it out loud in the daylight. I love you. I love you. I love you.” – Page 82

BUY THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!!

Upcoming Book Review: Marked (House of Night, Book 1) by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast

I wasn't too impressed with this book, but it showed an interesting new take on the world of vampires. The review will be easy and short and sweet and to the point.

Excerpt from the book:

Enter the Dark, Magical World of the House of Night.
A world very much like our own, except here vampyres have always existed. Sixteen-year-old Zoey Redbird has just been Marked as a fledgling vampyre and joins the House of Night, a school where she will train to become an adult vampyre. This is, if she makes it through the Change-and not all of those who are Marked do. It sucks to begin a new life, especially away from her friends, and on top of that, Zoey is no average fledgling. She has been chosen as special by the Goddess Nyx. Zoey discovers she has amazing powers, but along with her powers come bloodlust and an unfortunate ability to Imprint her human ex-boyfriend. To add to her stress, she is not the only fledgling at the House of Night with special powers: When she discovers that the leader of the Dark Daughters, the school's most elite group, is misusing her Goddess-given gifts, Zoey must look deep within herself for the courage to embrace her destiny-with a little help from her vampyre friends.

Visit http://www.houseofnightseries.com/ for more information.

Book Review: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (HP#5) by J.K. Rowling

Book Title: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (HP#5)

Author: J.K. Rowling(http://www.mugglenet.com/)

Pages: 870

Publisher: Scholastic

Genre: YA/Science Fiction/Fantasy

(Scale Explanation: 1) Meaning awful, 5) Meaning not good, but not bad, equal, 10) Meaning wonderful)

PLOT - 10

CHARACTERS - 10

BEGINNING - 10

ENDING - 9

FLOW - 10

OVERALL - 10

What I liked about this book:

I hated this book in the beginning, it was so different from the other Harry Potter books that I just wanted to be over with it, so that I could finish reading the whole series. I mean, come on, you can’t just leave one book out of a series. But as I continued reading it, this book actually bloomed into being one of my faves of the entire series, well, from what I have read so far. I loved that the whole story has gotten so much darker and that Harry actually doubted his father as being a good person. This added a new emotional element that rocked the book. I loved the inclusion of some of the events of the past and Sirius Black was his best in this one, since it is his last one, I’m glad he made an impression on me. I was very surprised that this book gained so much as I read through it.

What I disliked about this book:

Like I said above, I did not like this book in the beginning, but after getting over that, I was very happy with it.

Who I would recommend this book to:

Anyone that is a fan of the Harry Potter series. Anyone that enjoys a good YA book that has elements of science fiction and fantasy.

What I felt the book was about:

Harry Potter and Dudley get attacked by two dementors over the summer and Harry has to use magic to save Dudley and himself. He is temporarily expelled from Hogwarts, but Dumbledore works to get him a hearing to discuss if he is truly expelled from Hogwarts. Harry is then taken to Sirius’s family home where everyone is there waiting for him. He is distressed, no one has written to him all summer or anything so he takes out his frustrations on his friends. He finds out a few new things about Voldemort and about the Order of the Phoenix which he can’t yet join because the adults believe he is too young. He goes to the hearing and is able to go back to Hogwarts due to Dumbledore’s intervening ways. He goes back to Hogwarts and they have a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Professor Umbridge who is strange and just wants to put Hogwarts under the rule of the ministry. Rules start to be instated and Hogwarts becomes a prison. Harry starts having strange nightmares and soon he finds out that they aren’t just nightmares, they are actual visions of things that Voldemort has ordered or is doing. One particular dream, Mr. Weasley is bitten by Nagini and Harry saves him just in time. The kids at the school are outraged that Umbridge has been conducting classes to a point where the kids aren’t learning any defense charms or spells. So they decide to create a club which they dub Dumbledore’s Army, to learn defense spells. They meet in a secret room and are soon found out. Dumbledore is supposed to be arrested and taken to Azkaban, but he escapes with Fawkes. There is a mass breakout at Azkaban and Harry keeps dreaming about a tunnel and a room at the Ministry of Magic. Things become very intense as Umbridge continues to take over the school, firing teachers, and putting the kids through hell. Harry has a very upsetting dream that Sirius is in trouble and flees the school with Hermione, Ron, Neville, Ginny, and Luna in order to save him. They go to the Ministry of Magic and have to fight off several Death Eaters and Harry learns that Voldemort has been after a prophecy concerning him and Harry. Harry destroys the prophecy and Dumbledore has to fight of Voldemort. In the end, Harry finds out what the prophecy is and Cornelius Fudge learns that Voldemort is truly back. Hogwarts go back to being under Dumbledore and everyone is cleared of any troubles. Though, Harry is still very much trouble as he has lost his only true person that he believes is anything to him, as Sirius Black has been killed by Bellatrix LeStrange.

Favorite excerpts or quotes from the book:

"Yeah, Quirrell was a great teacher. There was just that minor drawback of him having Lord Voldemort sticking out of the back of his head!"

Upcoming Book Review: Mistress of Rome by Kate Quinn

This book is AMAZING!!! Yes, I did just sing that. At the top of my lungs, because wow. This book is now a cherished part of my most treasured books on my bookshelves. Anyway, I can't wait to post the review and get the word out to everyone that they need to read this book.

Excerpt from the book:

First Century Rome: A world of depravity, blood, and secrets. The ruthless and enigmatic Emperor Domitian watches over all, fearing assassination from every direction...but not from the woman who fascinates him the most.
Passionate, musical, and guarded, Thea is a slave girl from Judea. Purchased as a toy for the spiteful heiress Lepida Pollia, Thea becomes her mistress's rival for the love of Arius the Barbarian. Rome's newest and most savage gladiator. His love brings Thea the first happiness of her life-but their affiar ends quickly when a jealous Lepida tears them apart.
As Lepida goes on the wreak havoc in the life of a new husband and his family, Thea remakes herself as a polished singer for Rome's aristocrats. Unwittingly, she attracts another adirer in the capricious and charismatic Emperor of Rome. But Domitian's games have a darker side, and Thea finds herself fighting for both soul and sanity. Many have tried to destroy the Emperor: a vengeful gladiator, an upright senator, a tormented soldier, a streetwise child, a Vestal Virgin. But int he end, the life of the brilliant and paranoid Domitian lies in the hands of one woman: The Emperor's mistress.

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