A New Year Approaches! So New Savings Abound!

I have made a new coupon code for my Etsy shop! 

Use the code "NEWYEARS2014" for 15% off all purchases of $10.00 or more!

The discount starts today and goes on until January 15th!

My store offers:

- Glitter Posters

-- Posters made up to look like your favorite movie or book character, 

Disney princess and more! Made from sturdy 12 by 12 inch glitter cardstock! 

As of right now, I cannot make any custom items until after January. 

But if you want something done, the price will be marked down for you!

- Handmade Books

-- Journals and mini sketchbooks available!

- Unique Gift Tags

-- A few sets of Phantom of the Opera the Broadway hit musical available! 

As well as a few sets of famous Art Deco artisan, Erte! 

- Vintage Watercolor & Oil Painter's Guides

-- Invaluable help to an aspiring artist!

- Three Headdresses Still Available

-- Purple and sparkly, a fashion statement for a girl, 

or a fierce accessory for a party goer!

- Framed Pictures

-- A few featuring the immaculate and classy Hollywood legend, 

Audrey Hepburn are still available! 

Also, some of the works of famed artist, Christian Riese Lassen, 

featuring all the beauty of the sea, are available right now!

- And more! Visit my Etsy shop today! -

Merry Christmas!

Copyright 2013 by Kara Muller.

"The Nutcracker": Mariinsky Ballet 2007

The Mariinsky Theater. Picture found here.

So I have recently been reading Christmas fairy tales and stories as is my custom around this time of year. And I found my Little Golden Books edition of The Nutcracker. While I enjoyed the illustrations, I thought the story was a bit short and I was a bit perplexed by the fact that they failed to use the original author's name on the cover.

So I tracked it down and found this: "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King" by E. T. A. Hoffmann. And for free. And much shorter than its fourteen chapters would have you think. And it's spaced so nicely on the webpage that I don't have to crane my neck back and forth across the whole screen to read it and I wish all public domain material was like this...  But I digress. The most concise way to summarize the story is to state that it is about a girl who is sometimes called Clara and sometimes called by her original name of Marie, who falls in love with a Nutcracker, who is actually a boy, who is a king of Candyland-Dolls, who has some problems with R. O. U. S.s (Rats Of Unusual Size) or is it actually R. O. U. N. O. H.s (Rats Of Unusual Number of Heads)?

Found picture here.

This is also the man who wrote "The Sandman", which I haven't read yet. He does look like a man who would make up a magical being that puts people to sleep all of the time. I used this picture so I could use that joke and because all of the other pictures looked hideous. (Just read an abridged version of the story: it's about a narcissistic man who falls in love, goes insane, and kills himself. The legendary Sandman is in it; he steals children's eyes.)

Here is a short summary of his life found on the webpage Wikipedia: "Ernst Theodor Wilhelm Hoffmann (24 January 1776 – 25 June 1822), better known by his pen name E. T. A. Hoffmann (Ernst Theodor Amadeus Hoffmann), was a German Romantic author of fantasy and horror, a jurist, composer, music critic, draftsman and caricaturist. His stories form the basis of Jacques Offenbach's famous opera 'The Tales of Hoffmann', in which Hoffman appears (heavily fictionalized) as the hero. He is also the author of the novella 'The Nutcracker and the Mouse King', on which the famous ballet 'The Nutcracker' is based. The ballet 'Coppélia' is based on two other stories that Hoffmann wrote, while Schumann's 'Kreisleriana' is based on Hoffmann's character Johannes Kreisler.

"Hoffmann's stories were very influential during the 19th century, and he is one of the major authors of the Romantic movement."

The Snow Queen.
Picture found here.

As "The Nutcracker" is a very famous ballet I thought I could do with some ballet and proceeded to look for it on Youtube. I've only ever heard of the American version which is all kinds of sweet and sappy fairy tale. 

The one I clicked on was a lot different from what I was expecting. Starring the Mariinsky Ballet and based in St. Petersburg, Russia. Using the famous music of composer, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Since it did premiere there in December 1892, maybe they decided to take a different spin on it. The video was uploaded in June 2013, but it was performed on January 2nd, 2007. 

Trust me, it's endearing.
Picture found here.

It's quite creepy, in a beautiful way. The only thing I could equal it to is Tim Burton, but I know there are many people who would throw up at the very suggestion and chase me around with pitchforks and torches. While all of the costumes were amazing, some were gorgeous and some were freaky and I appreciated the effect Costume Designer, Mikhail Shemiakin and Director, Valery Gergiev were trying to make.

The Nutcracker's mask is terrifying at first and then, for me anyway, endearing after the first two scenes. Someone described Drosselmeier (played by Anton Adasinsky) as looking like Nosferatu which is a pretty apt description of him. Although he is missing his trademark eyepatch but sporting a hump on his back. Not sure what to make of that design or his seeming relationship to the rats. Or at least that Cardinal Rat or whatever that guy is.

Found picture here.

The dancers were brilliant! I particularly enjoyed the woman who played Clara, in this version called Masha (played by Irina Golub), she was magnificent. And the young man who played the Nutcracker (played by either Alexander Kulikov or Leonid Sarafanov) was so cute and sooo young! I was under the impression that they usually had young adults play the part. I felt bad glancing at his junk. (Is this art form too 'high-brow' for me to be making this comment? But it was right there, you can't blame me for looking!)

Overall, it was a great and an unusual performance. It was haunting and spectacular. An interesting take on a traditional holiday classic.

4 out of 5 en pointes.

You can also find it on Youtube, if you prefer to watch it there:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pO1tGHD6zr8

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"The Patchwork Girl of Oz" Book Review

The Patchwork Girl Of Oz by L. Frank Baum

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

"Ojo and Unk Nunkie visit a magician, who uses the Powder of Life to bring a Patchwork Girl to life. But then a terrible accident turns Unk Nunkie into a statue! Ojo must go on a quest to gather the strange ingredients needed to restore his uncle. Joined by Scraps the Patchwork Girl, Bungle the glass cat, and a host of other creatures, Ojo sets off on his travels around Oz."

This is the second book involving Baum's Oz book series that I've read so far, so needless to say, I am reading the books out of order. Not that that matters overmuch, since the plots of each of the books tie up nicely at the end of each and aren't mentioned in the next. If anything needs to be known, it is quickly summarized and then they move on. I wish more authors would do this - it would save me a lot of headaches.

As for the characters, I liked Ojo from the start, even though he sorely needed a confidence booster. Apparently other characters needed to be made more humble. More on that later. The Woozy was kind of useless. The Patchwork Girl herself needed to grow on me, by the end of it I liked her the most and now I'm a Scarecrow/Patchwork shipper. (Does anyone get the feeling that the Tin Woodsman is gay? Oh, just me, nevermind.) One character wasn't explained though: What was with the Mysterious House with its disembodied voice and free bed-and-breakfast deal?

***SPOILER ALERT*** You have been warned (I didn't feel like blocking half of my review).

While I enjoyed this book, I can see how easy it was for Gregory Maguire to turn the rulers of Oz into despotic dictators. I mean, it's a fairyland but no one is allowed to use magic?! That's awful, I thought that was the point of living in a fairyland. And nearly all of Ozma's friends were produced by magical means, so I don't understand how she could hold such a grudge towards it, even with the awful witch who enslaved her and turned her into a boy.

(On that note: Why didn't she stay that way?! She could pee standing up - men will never know how much more free they are because of that slight advantage. I mean, think about it - they can go anywhere, they can make it fun by aiming at stuff, and they're done so quickly! Although they need to wash their hands more - don't think for a minute that no one noticed you guys don't wash your hands! Ewww!)

I'm glad they fixed the Crooked Magician's extreme Rheumatoid Arthritis, but they had to give him something after taking all of his magic away. And it wasn't like he was a bad man with it, or just crap at it, he was doing amazing stuff! Everyone liked his creations: the Patchwork Girl was some much needed sass next to Ojo's downtrodden behavior and the Glass Cat was pretty if not really useful and kind of annoying at times. He was dabbling with things like the Powder of Life! That has to be difficult to make, even for one who is used to practicing magic. Ozma could have used him is all I'm saying.

And then they took the Glass Cat's pink brains out so she would be more humble. How terrible! Instead of waiting for her to mature into a better person(cat?) or develop humility on her own, they took away a physical characteristic of hers to suit their own needs.

And since they went through the trouble of doing that, why didn't they 'fix' the poor Phonograph? His problem was easy, you just switch out his crappy record for a better one and everyone is happy. If I don't see him in the next book, then that means someone destroyed him for doing the one thing he was made to do and that was to try to entertain them, which is sad.

Also, I love how Ozma is slowly putting all of the people she needs to keep an eye on very close by. But since this is a children's book, I'll keep a few of my 'conspiracy theories' and 'observations' to myself.

And Glinda the Good is a bitch! She watched Ojo walk all over Oz to get all this stuff to fix his Uncle who he feared he wouldn't see alive again for at least six years, if ever, only to fail to get all of the items needed when she knew the whole time a simple way to fix his problem.... Oh, wait, that's how she rolls.

View all my reviews

Ozma of Oz says 5 out of 5 stars!

"Wanted" Manga Book Review

Wanted by Matsuri Hino
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

• From the creator of MeruPuri and Vampire Knight, also available from VIZ Media.• 40-page bonus story included (unrelated to Wanted)

• Vampire Knight and MeruPuri combined have sold through over 150k units in the U.S. to date.

• To be previewed and promoted in the August 2008 issue of Shojo Beat magazine.

• Japanese fans have been asking for a sequel.

"In the Mediterranean at end of the 17th century, former songstress Armeria disguises herself as a boy and boards the ship of the pirate Skulls--the man who kidnapped Luce, her first love. Captain Skulls is arrogant, violent, and a skirt chaser! And unfortunately for Armeria, he discovers she's a woman..."

I enjoyed this one-shot of manga. I thought it was beautifully drawn and written. I loved the artwork! I heard that there is a second part to this series, but it hasn't been translated yet? Which is good, because there was a bit of a cliff-hanger at the end.

I enjoyed Matsuri Hino's other work "Meri Puri" which is a four book series and beautifully done.

Overall, I liked it and am looking forward to more!

View all my reviews

Arrr! 3.5 stars out of 5! Arrrg!

"Lion in the White House" Book Review

Lion in the White House: A Life of Theodore Roosevelt by Aida D. Donald
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

"New York State Assemblyman, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, New York City Police Commissioner, Governor of New York, Vice President and, at forty-two, the youngest President ever-in his own words, Theodore Roosevelt "rose like a rocket." He was also a cowboy, a soldier, a historian, an intrepid explorer, and an unsurpassed environmentalist-all in all, perhaps the most accomplished Chief Executive in our nation’s history. In Lion in the White House: A Life of Theodore Roosevelt, historian Aida Donald masterfully chronicles the life of this first modern president. TR’s accomplishments in office were immense. As President, Roosevelt redesigned the office of Chief Executive and the workings of the Republican Party to meet the challenges of the new industrial economy. Believing that the emerging aristocracy of wealth represented a genuine threat to democracy, TR broke trusts to curb the rapacity of big business. He improved economic and social conditions for the average American. Roosevelt built the Panama Canal and engaged the country in world affairs, putting a temporary end to American isolationism. And he won the Nobel Peace Prize-the only sitting president ever so honored. Throughout his public career, TR fought valiantly to steer the GOP back to its noblest ideals as embodied by Abraham Lincoln. Alas, his hopes for his party were quashed by the GOP’s strong rightward turn in the years after he left office. But his vision for America lives on. In lapidary prose, this concise biography recounts the courageous life of one of the greatest leaders our nation has ever known."

At long last, I have finished this biography. I enjoyed it, but I wouldn't call it the definitive work on his life. Anyone can tell that by the short length of it alone.

I feel as if "The River of Doubt" was a better book if only about a very short period of his life. It captured the intensity of that journey and was very well-researched.

This book was also well-researched as the author herself stated in the Acknowledgements section. I got this at a bargain price and was looking forward to reading it. I like Theodore Roosevelt but I wanted to become more educated about him and his legendary status. This book should be used as an introduction to his character. I'm working myself up to his autobiographies. He is a whirlwind of a personality and I want to prepare more before facing it completely.

View all my reviews

I hereby declare thee book worthy of 4 out of 5 stars.

"A Fatal Likeness" Book Review

A Fatal Likeness by Lynn Shepherd
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

"A mystery that explores the dark lives and unexplained secrets of the poet Percy Bysshe Shelley, and his wife Mary, author of Frankenstein.

"In the dying days of 1850 the young detective Charles Maddox takes on a new case. His client? The only surviving son of the long-dead poet Percy Bysshe Shelley, and his wife Mary, author of Frankenstein.

"Charles soon finds himself being drawn into the bitter battle being waged over the poet’s literary legacy, but then he makes a chance discovery that raises new doubts about the death of Shelley’s first wife, Harriet, and he starts to question whether she did indeed kill herself, or whether what really happened was far more sinister than suicide.

"As he’s drawn deeper into the tangled web of the past, Charles discovers darker and more disturbing secrets, until he comes face to face with the terrible possibility that his own great-uncle is implicated in a conspiracy to conceal the truth that stretches back more than thirty years.

"The story of the Shelleys is one of love and death, of loss and betrayal. In this follow-up to the acclaimed Tom-All-Alone’s, Lynn Shepherd offers her own fictional version of that story, which suggests new and shocking answers to mysteries that still persist to this day, and have never yet been fully explained."

Before I get started, I will say that I found this book enjoyable and the writing well done. Otherwise, I wouldn't have finished it and this review would just be a list of exasperated complaints.

However, I do have some nit-picking to do.

I must say that I do not like when a narrative goes back and forth between time periods. Specifically, some time in the past and then the current state of affairs. Now, if that actually means a damn to the story, like it is a major part of the plot, then fine, do that, so long as it is sensible. What the author did here, and I don't know if she does it in all of her work, was irritating because it reminded me that she existed and it didn't move the story along. It seemed to always give information that wasn't necessary to be read and almost seemed like she was showing off her research skills in odd moments. I know there is a narrator and that guy knows everything because we're reading this story 200 years in the future, but having that show up slows the pacing of the story and must of it doesn't help me if the character doesn't know about it.

Also, the mentioning that we, the reader, probably know what happened to the main character because we may possibly have read the first book (I didn't), is annoying. Particularly when the narrator goes, "He did this (but YOU know that)". I know the author didn't want to repeat themselves, but there must have been a more elegant way of doing that.

I found the accents perfect, because I knew where they were from and could read them. I have read some characters with accents and had to have it translated like it was a different language (Dracula, anyone?).

I said it before in one of my updates, but I'll say it again: "I find it funny that the author of a British detective novel would mock the character of Sherlock Holmes - even though her detective wouldn't be able to hold a candle to him: he's both stupid (or at least among these particular clients - the only reason he is getting ahead is because some other detective has done the work for him by writing it down) and overemotionally involved in his cases." The movie about Holmes came out recently, you're British, you're writing about a detective that is logical and has scientific methods, and has a disdain for his appearance (unless it will help a case). Am I really supposed to think of someone other than Holmes? You brought this upon yourself, Ms. Shepherd!

It is interesting that she should choose such a famed and literary family to slander in this book. I'm sure there are Romantic fans out there getting their pitchforks and torches ready. I did love "Frankenstein" (the book); it is one of my all-time favorites. But even still, I only found it somewhat irksome that Mary Shelley's character is besmirched so much in this book. (view spoiler)[I always thought her to be a young woman in love with odd ideals not suited to her time, but not so much child-killing, murderous bitch. (hide spoiler)] She does mention after the epilogue that she made up most of it to make a more interesting story, but it is still plausible. After reading about Lord Byron, it wouldn't surprise me if any of them were just as bad. He was a monster, if not an outright sociopath.

It was a typical detective novel, you figured things out as you went. I was very satisfied with the ending - (view spoiler)[though what was up with that girl dying? You had to have a sad ending, didn't you? (hide spoiler)] Overall, a decent book. I enjoyed myself, but I'm not sure I would read more of Ms. Shepherd's work.

View all my reviews

I bequeath this book 3 out of 5 stars. 

"The School for Good And Evil" Book Review

The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

New York Times Bestseller * Indie List Bestseller * Indie Next Pick * Barnes & Noble Best Book of 2013 * Soon to be a Major Film from Universal Pictures 

"The first kidnappings happened two hundred years before. Some years it was two boys taken, some years two girls, sometimes one of each. But if at first the choices seemed random, soon the pattern became clear. One was always beautiful and good, the child every parent wanted as their own. The other was homely and odd, an outcast from birth. An opposing pair, plucked from youth and spirited away.

"This year, best friends Sophie and Agatha are about to discover where all the lost children go: the fabled School for Good & Evil, where ordinary boys and girls are trained to be fairy tale heroes and villains. As the most beautiful girl in Gavaldon, Sophie has dreamed of being kidnapped into an enchanted world her whole life. With her pink dresses, glass slippers, and devotion to good deeds, she knows she’ll earn top marks at the School for Good and graduate a storybook princess. Meanwhile Agatha, with her shapeless black frocks, wicked pet cat, and dislike of nearly everyone, seems a natural fit for the School for Evil.

"But when the two girls are swept into the Endless Woods, they find their fortunes reversed—Sophie’s dumped in the School for Evil to take Uglification, Death Curses, and Henchmen Training, while Agatha finds herself in the School For Good, thrust amongst handsome princes and fair maidens for classes in Princess Etiquette and Animal Communication.. But what if the mistake is actually the first clue to discovering who Sophie and Agatha really are…?

"The School for Good & Evil is an epic journey into a dazzling new world, where the only way out of a fairy tale is to live through one."

Oh my god! I cannot wait for the next book in the trilogy! I loved it! Everything! Poor Tedros! I don't have a clue what he is going to do!

While reading it I felt bad and sympathetic for all of the characters, but after reading and thinking about I feel much more sympathetic towards Agatha and not so much towards Sophie. She's quite horrible at many different stages throughout the book, but it's understandable.

It was a very clever take on witches and princesses and how fairy tales come about. To a certain degree everything is fairly sad. Just punishments and so forth. There were parts of this book that were downright disgustingly awful to read. They were horrible to each other. I'm not sure I would let a little kid read this, but I guess if video games happen, ehh...

It's a middle school age book so don't expect too much of a deeper reading into good and evil, but it is very enjoyable. I devoured it in a day and I didn't expect to do that.

View all my reviews

Five out of five stars.

My review for the second book, "The School for Good and Evil: A World Without Princes" can be found here.

My review for the third book is coming soon!

Comic of the Week: Dating - "Smiles"

Copyright 2013 by Kara Muller.

Comic of the Week: "It's Offunsive"

Copyright 2013 by Kara Muller

My Ebay: Twilight, Perfume Bottles, and Egyptian Daggers

Check out my stuff on Ebay! I will post more soon! Here are the items for sale now:

SOLD!!!!! Bid on a set of Egyptian Daggers starting at $20.00 plus shipping.

Image copyright 2013
by Kara  Muller.

Image copyright 2013 by Kara Muller.

Two short daggers with an Egyptian motif. Using the figures like that of Osiris and Isis, the rulers of the Ancient Egyptian gods. I think they are merely collectible, meant to be hung on a wall. I have never used them and do not recommend using them as more then just decoration - the blades are very thin and probably wouldn't stand a beating. They are very beautiful in person, with a nice sheen to them. They are approximately 13.75 inches in length with the handle. The blades are about 8 inches in length. They are in excellent condition, though I do not have the original box.

SOLD!!!! Bid on a set of cute Britney Spears Perfume Bottles and Sexy Graffiti by Escada starting at $0.99 plus shipping.

Image copyright 2013 by Kara Muller.

A collection of three small glass bottles that used to hold perfume. They were Britney Spears 'Fantasy' and 'Curious' and Escada's 2002 perfume 'Sexy Graffiti'. They are adorable little bottles. Unfortunately, I do not have their original boxes.

Buy the Stephenie Meyer Book Collection and Poster Collection for $99.98 + shipping.

Image copyright 2013 by Kara Muller.

Image copyright 2013
by Kara Muller.

Stephenie Meyer Book Collection and Poster Collection: Consists of the
- a paperback version of 'Twilight',
- a paperback version of 'New Moon',
- a hardcover of 'Eclipse',
- a hardcover of 'The Second Short Life of Bree Tanner: An Eclipse Novella',
- a hardcover of 'Breaking Dawn',
- a hardcover of 'The Host'.
- four posters of Edward and Jacob.

All of the hardcover books have their dust jackets, have only been read once, and are in great condition. However, the special edition hardcover of 'Eclipse' came with a poster and a set of iron ons with the words 'Team Edward' and 'Team Jacob'. The iron ons are gone, but the poster is still there - it's the dust jacket.

The posters are a one-of-the-kind set of keepsakes made from glitter card stock. Two of them feature the likeness of Robert Pattinson who plays Edward Cullen in the movies and the words 'Team Edward' in cursive font. The other two feature the likeness of Taylor Lautner who played Jacob Black in the movies and the words 'Team Jacob' in playful       all-caps.

Comic of the Week: "Guilt Trip"

Copyright 2013 by Kara Muller.

Nick Pitera Chibi Illustration and "This Is Halloween" Cover

Nick Pitera. Courtesy of Google.
You're welcome.

So I recently discovered this new singer on Youtube, Nick Pitera. He's quite cute and has an amazing range. Also, slightly goofy and fun! And look at that hair!

As is the way with me, I have fallen in love with him! I found all of his stuff, like his Youtube channel, his iTunes page (I have already downloaded all of the songs - he needs to add more), and his Spread Shirt store. 

And I'm not the only one, oh no! He's already got a Facebook fanpage of over 82 thousand people and a street team fanpage devoted to strengthening his career. There is even a Buzzfeed column on him.

The covers I love the most are his One Man Les Miserables video, his One Man The Phantom of the Opera (he even does Christine!), and his version of "Brokenhearted" because that song is awesome in general!

Anyway, I didn't get to spend my October like I had wanted this year - damn work and bills! And damn my friends work and bills! So I created a cute little chibi illustration of Mr. Pitera for the festive spirit of the spooky season! Check it out:

Copyright 2013 by Kara Muller

This is Nick Pitera's version of Disney's Tim Burton's "The Nightmare Before Christmas" song, "This Is Halloween" as can be seen on the "Oh My Disney" Youtube channel:

Comic of the Week: "Happy Halloween!!!"

Copyright 2013 by Kara Muller.

"The Pluto Files: The Rise and Fall of America's Favorite Planet" by Neil deGrasse Tyson Book Review

The Pluto Files: The Rise and Fall of America's Favorite Planet by Neil deGrasse Tyson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

"In August 2006, the International Astronomical Union voted Pluto out of planethood. Far from the sun, wonder why Pluto has any fans. Yet during the mounting debate over it, people rallied behind the extraterrestrial underdog. Disney created an irresistible pup by the same name, and, as one NASA scientist put it, Pluto was "discovered by an American for America." Pluto is entrenched in our cultural, patriotic view of the cosmos, and Neil deGrasse Tyson is on a quest to discover why.

"Only Tyson can tell this story: he was involved in the first exhibits to demote Pluto, and, consequently, Pluto lovers have freely shared their opinions with him, including endless hate mail from third graders. In his typically witty way, Tyson explores the history of the planet recently been judged a dwarf."

I've always had an interest in science and astronomy, but it's one of those things you can't really just have a passing interest in, what with it being so science-y and stuff. Or so I thought....Damn you, Neil deGrasse Tyson for making such spectacular ruminations on our small part of the universe tangible to me! And damn you math and low self-esteem for making me think I could never understand it!

Anyway, back when Pluto lost it's "planethood", I was one of those people joining Facebook groups in protest! I loved Pluto! It was different! Why is science always so mean?!!!!! Picking on the little guy - that's the governments work!

But now I'm more mature, or something, and I can look back on it now and laugh at my naivety. Of course, science changed Pluto's status, science is always changing things and evolving its theories and whatever else scientists do. Probably poke things while wearing fashionable white lab coats and scratch their chins in wonder at the awesome power of the universe. That's why they're humble (for the most part).

I found it fascinating to read about the solar system's history and who discovered what. It was like a refresher course on the things that also float around in our galaxy. The book is also fun with it's comics and letters from angry second graders. An excellent book all around - easy to get into, insightful, funny, appropriate for all ages, and an intellect discourse on what went down when Pluto became a Kuiper Belt object. It's also pretty short and perfect for beach trips and such like. Totally recommend it.

View all my reviews

I demote this book with five out of five stars.

"Interview with the Vampire: Claudia's Story" Book Review

Interview with the Vampire: Claudia's Story by Ashley Marie Witter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

"A richly-illustrated adaptation of Anne Rice's 'Interview with the Vampire', told through the eyes of the vampire Claudia, who was just a little girl when she was turned by the vampire Lestat. Though she spends many years of happiness with her two vampire fathers, she gradually grows discontent with their insistence upon treating her like a little girl, even though she has lived as long as any mortal man...and her lust to kill is certainly no less than theirs..." Adapted and illustrated by Ashley Marie Witter.

I love bookstores! But more than anything, I love walking into a bookstore with nothing particular in mind and then walking out with a gem! I loved this book! It is so beautiful!

The artwork is amazing! I really liked that it wasn't just black and white - the sepia tones with the dashes of red were stunning! It did remind me of the movie at some parts. But I think that was just on my end, because the characters don't look anything like those actors. Just some of the things they said were the same - because they're based on the same book "Interview with the Vampire".

The story is the same as it is in the book, with some embellishing for those who already know who Claudia is. Claudia was never my favorite character, but I did feel pity for her. Granted, I read that story a long time ago and it is still intriguing to me - a child vampire, so powerful and yet so defenseless at the same time.

I don't think this could be used as an introduction to a new reader though. It literally just jumps right in. You have no back story on any of the characters, except Claudia, which is fine for someone who has already read the books, but Lestat and Louis need some explaining. And Armand, come to think of it.

But overall, beautiful book and worthwhile for the Anne Rice fan.

View all my reviews

I give this book the eternal kiss of five stars.

Comic of the Week: A Word to the Wise - Pregnant

Copyright 2013 by Kara Muller. All rights reserved.

Comic of the Week: Adventures With - Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans

Copyright 2013 by Kara Muller.

Bridal Shower Umbrella SOLD!!!

Image copyright 2013
by Kara Muller.

I had already purchased the umbrella from another seller at a craft show that I was attending. I had bought it because I thought it was pretty and I'm a sucker for fluffy stuff.

Image copyright 2013
by Kara Muller.

Anyway, it laid in my room for a few years before I found it again and realized it should have a second life with someone else. It already had some wonderful lace covering it (even on the inside), so I just wanted to perk it up some before selling it.

Image copyright
2013
by Kara Muller.

Image copyright 2013
by Kara Muller.

So I gave it a bit of a crafty face-lift:

* cleaned the handle,
* redecorated it with new flowers on the inside,
* added more of those same flowers to cover up the ugly metal prongs on the end,
* added a huge bow to cover up the metal tip at the top,
* used a tiny bit of bleach on some dark spots

Image copyright 2013
by Kara Muller.

Image copyright 2013
by Kara Muller.

And voila, beautiful once again!

I've called it a bridal shower umbrella, but it can also be used as a prop in a theatre production or what have you!

To buy it, go here to my Etsy store listing. To see more pictures of it, go here to my Facebook page photo album "Projects 2013". Be sure to 'like' my page while you're there and have a great day!