Saturday, October 31, 2015

Weekly Obsessions


The awesome Kelly at KellyVision started posting a weekly post highlighting whatever she happened to be obsessed with that week. I LOVE this idea, so much in fact that I will be doing it myself every Saturday.

BOOK

Cover for The Thousandth Floor by Katharine McGee (goodreads)


I am unsure if this is the actual cover. I've seen it around the internet but nothing officially announced anywhere. Either way, I love this cover. It perfectly captures the synopsis and that splash of red catches your eye. This is one I am highly anticipating in 2017!

Cover of Unrivaled by Alyson Noel (goodreads)


There is something extremely eye catching about the gold dipped strawberry. The synopsis also sounds great. I hope this series is fun, sexy and as exciting as I am anticipating.

TV/MOVIE

The Royal We movie adapation

The Hollywood Reporter has revealed that movie rights for The Royal We have been snapped up. Lauren Graham and Mae Witman are teaming up to produce and Lauren Graham will be writing the script. Mae Witman is in talks to star. This news has me so incredibly happy as I loved this book so much. I am hoping that the extra attention will make the Freddie centric companion novel more of a possibility.

OTHER

BEA and ALA 2016

This is about when my BEA excitement kicks in and I am obsessed with it for the next few months. I am so lucky to be attending both BEA and ALA this year. I have flights booked, hotels (mostly) reserved, and am just waiting to obtain my passes for each of the events. It'll be my first time going to ALA (and have been told that I will love it) so I am very excited. ALA is hosted in Orlando this year and I am so excited to spend a day at Disney World and have drinks with Kelly (from Kellyvision) and see a bunch of other bloggers. Getting to see everyone is my favourite part of events like this so let me know if you're attending either one!

What are you obsessed with this week?

Friday, October 30, 2015

American Horror Story: Hotel - Devil's Night



Halloween episodes are a bit of a tradition with American Horror Story and are always highly anticipated. This year's episode may not have moved the core story momentum forward but did provide a few tricks and treats.

Starting this recap with the usual warnings that.... there will be spoilers. Now let's talk Devil's Night.

This episode is the episode of people (mainly John and Alex) making really poor life choices. Seriously. They make the WORST decisions in this episode. Before we get to that though...

We basically have two main story lines going on this episode. John and the dinner party people literally kill to get invited to, and Alex dealing with the aftermath of finding Holden.

John's Story

We begin the episode with Richard Ramirez (aka The Night Stalker) checking into Hotel Cortez. He informs Liz Taylor that he has standing reservation on Devil's Night (his third year attending) and is shown to his room. Liz Taylor has taken the liberty of checking him into a room that is currently occupied and we end the opening with Richard attacking the husband and wife inside the room in his signature fashion (lots of bringing up Satan, etc). He kills the husband but the wife runs into the hallway. She has a few seconds of freedom before being grabbed by Mr March who greats Richard like an old friend and tells him to finish her off.

A very scruffy (and good looking) John has a phone conversation with Scarlet. Seems she's moved in with her grandmother which, let's be honest, is the best thing that could have happened to that child. Her parents are not exactly in the running for any parenting awards. John is distracted by the insane amounts of blood pouring down his wall from the ceiling though (which, obviously) so he goes to investigate. He goes upstairs where Ms Evers is scrubbing blood out of some sheets but it just keeps reappearing. Turns out Halloween distracts her a little and that her and John have something in common (and not just their current address).

We learn that Ms Evers had a son. One who she dressed up in a cheap ghost costume (eye holes cut in a sheet) for Halloween. While trick or treating she is distracted by her snarky, thinly veiled conversation with another mother who obviously had way more time to make a costume, that she doesn't see her son get kidnapped. Turns out it was a serial killer who took a bunch of boys from the town and that Ms Evers never even got his body back (the killer dissolved the bodies and all she got back was part of his clothing). John can obviously relate to this story and Ms Evers assumes they'll be total bffs after this. However, she is too busy to discuss. She has to get Mr March's table ready for his guests.

John decides to use the computer to check out Ms Evers story. During his search he finds out that the murders took place in the 20's which means Ms Evers should not be alive. John is having a REALLY bad day.

John decides that this day requires alcohol (bad decision number one). He tells Liz about Alex telling him that he was not an alcoholic and that he is actually just a control freak. John is enjoying his double Martini when Aileen Wuornos joins him at the bar. She's played by a nearly unrecognizable Lily Rabe. She is incredible in this episode and KILLS the role (pun intended). She takes a liking to John who thinks she's in a Halloween costume when he recognizes her. They end up deciding to go back to John's room (bad decision number two) after some really uncomfortable flirting. Liz tries to stop him but John is too drunk to care. On their way to John's room Aileen hits him over the head and knocks him out. When he comes to Aileen is crazily screaming at him to stop taking things from her. John replies that he is tied to a chair (which is my favourite line from the episode). During their exchange she reveals that she's not in costume and welcomes him to Devil's Night at the Hotel Cortez before attacking him. They fight and struggle with John getting the upper hand and whipping out his favourite handcuffs to restrain her. He goes through her purse to find a piece of identification showing her legal name as Aileen Wuornos. John rushes down stairs to the front desk to call the police. Liz can barely contain an eye roll at the hot mess that is John right now. It's explained that even if John could make a call (no phones, WiFi, or anything remember) that Liz bets they won't find anything in John's room - Mr March is very protective of his guests. John, even while drunk, recalls that he knows all about James Patrick March. Liz explains what Devil's Night means at Hotel Cortez. James throws an extremely exclusive dinner party and John just so happens to be on the guest list. One second. One second. The guest list is all serial killers. All of them. So, we need to consider something - that our 'hero' may not be a hero. In fact, I am going to say that John is the Ten Commandments Killer. Crazy right? Maybe not so much. We know that you have to be a serial killer to go this party (it's a requirement of being invited) and what if John snapped after the thing with Holden and his family falling apart. He may be blacking out even and not realize it's him doing it. Those phone calls he had from the killer? Nobody else heard them or was there. He could be hallucinating them. I think this is a STRONG possibility.

John takes his invitation and goes to his room to find a fancy tuxedo waiting for him (a gift from Mr March, naturally). Wes Bentley wears the heck out of a tux, just saying. He decides to go to the party (bad decision number 3) and finds that John Wayne Gacy has joined Richard and Aileen. They serve up absinthe which John drinks. Aileen wants to sit near John at the dinner table BUT Mr March shuts that down quick (with Aileen calling him Clark Gable, which BRILLIANT). Everyone takes their seats and we see that Jeffrey Dahmer is already at the table. Mr March holds a toast to their special night and their new guest (seriously, John is a serial killer, 100%). John, showing signs of being intelligent for once, asks who Mr March is. John doesn't believe him when James tells him who he is citing that James Patrick March is already dead. James' reply that John has been at Hotel Cortez long enough to know that strange things happen is what everyone else is thinking. The Zodiac Killer (a faceless entity that waves his gun around a lot) interrupts John's questioning (and gets called out by Richard for giving himself his own nickname). The macabre group goes around the dinner table doing introductions (with Aileen teasing John that Dahmer has a crush on him). John gets handcuffed to his chair by Gacy during this exchange. After,  John does his own version of introductions for each of them which pretty much involves insulting all of them (MY FAVOURITE PART OF JOHN'S STORYLINE IN THIS EPISODE) but still doesn't believe that they are real. He thinks they are actors. The serial killers explain that James March taught them all while they were still alive. Each of them had a run in with James at the hotel and he shaped them all in some manner (so Tristan is not his first pupil). They look to James as a mentor. Once again Evan Peters is diving into this role and is the stand out of the season so far.

Jeffrey Dahmer complains that he is hungry and that he does not want salad while Aileen and Richard decide to have a dance party (I don't even know). Jeffrey doesn't have to worry because James has planned in advance and offers Dahmer a young man as his evening entertainment (which, ewwww). Dahmer immediately gets to work on murdering the poor young man (and it is the most unsettling part of the episode).

Meanwhile, we see Sally flirting with a young business man who just wants to score some drugs. She is eager to assist but instead takes him up to the demented dinner party as dessert. She is exchanging this man for another year of being left alone by James (ghost politics).

This entire episode is dark, and unsettling. It toys with the idea of serial killers having this notoriety and James even toasts this with his speech detailing how they are his definition of American success, how years later people are still enthralled, and that they have left their mark on society (he calls them the greatest killers of all time). Extremely true. It's totally a commentary on how society views these killers.

As the murder group begins to stab Sally's peace offering (with John freaking out) Sally slaps John and we see that everyone but John and Sally has disappeared. Sally tells him that the alcohol was making him hallucinate and that nobody is there. She tells him to trust her and takes him back to his room. We see that the party is still going on as Sally carries John out with Mr March watching them go (Again, he's totally the Ten Commandments Killer, isn't he?!).

Alex's Story

Alex took Holden out of the hotel. She's even brought him home. Holden seems out of place. He allows Alex to give him a check up (the kid has a really low body temperature). Holden complains that he is thirsty, so Alex rushes to get him some juice and has a complete breakdown in the kitchen (that is entirely warranted). When she collects herself enough to go back, she's discovered that Holden has bitten the family dog and is drinking his blood. Holden complains that he doesn't feel good (after Alex freaks out) and that he wants his 'other' mommy. Poor Alex.

Alex takes Holden back to Hotel Cortez and the tyke immediately runs to his coffin bed and Alex is greeted by Countess who offers to answer the questions she must have. Countess explains that Holden is infected with a virus that makes him immortal (putting it in terms that Alex can understand as a doctor). We also learn that Countess herself abducted Holden from the carnival that day (in the most conspicuous outfit EVER). Alex demands Countess change Holden back. Countess tells her that is not possible, but offers to turn Alex into what Holden is for the price her undying loyalty. Alex is not into it and goes to leave, vowing to call the cops. Tristan enters and pushes Alex down (and steps on her face. Rude much, Tristan). Countess tells him to let her go. She muses that Alex will not go to the police because she won't risk her one true love. Tristan takes her words the wrong way (he assumes the 'true love' is Countess herself) and demands to know if Countess is sleeping with Alex too. Jealousy isn't a good look, Tristan.

Obviously, Alex cares more for Holden than anything so she goes back to be turned by Countess (bad decision number four, for those keeping count). Countess explains a little of what happens during the process of being infected (it is apparently painful). We end the episode with Alex being held by the Countess as she takes the final breathes on her journey into immortality.

So, what did you think of Devil's Night? Are you, like me, convinced that John is the Ten Commandments Killer (without realizing it)? I would seriously bet money on it at this point. Is Scarlet basically screwed (perhaps she should stay with her grandmother permanently)? Will we ever find out what happened to Gabriel? I hope so! All in all, a decidedly decent outing this week that did not have nearly enough Finn Wittrock for my liking (fix this ASAP, Ryan Murphy). 

Thursday, October 29, 2015

Underneath Everything by Marcy Beller Paul



Underneath Everything by Marcy Beller Paul
Release Date - October 27, 2015
Publisher Website - Harper Collins
Publisher Social Media - Twitter/Facebook/SavvyReader/Frenzy
Pages - 304 pages
My Rating - 4/5
**received for an honest review from publisher**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis
Mattie shouldn’t be at the bonfire. She should be finding new maps for her collection, hanging out with Kris, and steering clear of almost everyone else, especially Jolene. After all, Mattie and Kris dropped off the social scene the summer after sophomore year for a reason.

But now Mattie is a senior, and she’s sick of missing things. So here she is.

And there’s Jolene: Beautiful. Captivating. Just like the stories she wove. Mattie would know; she used to star in them. She and Jolene were best friends. Mattie has the scar on her palm to prove it, and Jolene has everything else, including Hudson.

But when Mattie runs into Hudson and gets a glimpse of what could have been, she decides to take it all back: the boyfriend, the friends, the life she was supposed to live. Problem is, Mattie can’t figure out where Jolene ends and she begins.

Because there’s something Mattie hasn’t told anyone—she walked away from Jolene over a year ago, but she never really left.

Poignant and provocative, Marcy Beller Paul’s debut novel tells the story of an intoxicating—and toxic—relationship that blurs the boundary between reality and fantasy, love and loyalty, friendship and obsession.
When picking up Underneath Everything I knew to expect a story of a toxic friendship. Underneath Everything more than delivers on this promise, but it also boasts incredible writing, and an unflinchingly look at the complexity of female friendship.

Marcy Beller Paul's prose flows through the book with a dreamy, floating tone. There is also an incredibly sense of urgency and intrigue that is brought forth which combines with the dream like quality deliciously. The lines of reality and make believe are blurred and the writing captures this. Marcy Beller Paul excels at making the reader feel on edge. I was waiting for something horrible to happen. Some even darker twist, some reveal that would shatter everything. This feeling is vital to the overall story but also highlights that rush that would come from being friends with someone like Jolene. You begin to understand why this friendship exists and why Mattie would be, in a sense, addicted.

The lines of friendship and romance are twisted. There is more than a hint of 'something more' between Jolene and Mattie that is felt in every interaction. Female friendships, particularly in high school, often resonate like a romantic relationship. The sting of a 'friendship break up' can feel as crippling as a romantic one. There are whispered secrets shared in the dark, and hopes and wishes revealed. There is something innately intimate about these friendships. This novel captures that feeling effortlessly while showing the darker side some friendships can have.

The most unsettling thing about this book is how easily it is to understand the dynamics of Mattie and Joene's friendship. There are elements that almost everyone will recognize in friendships they have either had, or know of. The authentic nature of the story is what pulls you in, along with the compelling nature of March Beller Paul's writing.

The pacing of this one is a little slower. It builds everything at it's own pace. It is truly a character driven story in every sense. Those who need a breakneck speed plot will not find that here. Those who do read this, however, will be rewarded with fantastic characters, and an newly found author to watch.

A twisted friendship story, reminiscent of the movie Thirteen, that is unafraid to exam the complex nuances not just in teen girls, but in their friendships. It's a story that celebrates these complexities, and one that introduces a sharp new talent in the Young Adult genre. 

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Waiting On Wednesday ....... American Girls


Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

My pick this week is American Girls by Alison Umminger


Here is the Goodreads synopsis
Anna is a fifteen-year-old girl slouching toward adulthood.

Anna has had an excruciating year, topped off with new stepparents and a new school. So, she "borrows" her family's credit card and runs away to LA to crash with her half-sister. But in addition to not being wanted back by her parents, at least not immediately, Anna has to work to pay her way home. Her sister's creepy ex-boyfriend is directing an indie film inspired by girls who come to LA and disappear, literally or metaphorically, and he hires Anna for a seriously macabre research project--to research the murderous Manson girls.

This is not quite the summer Anna had in mind, but it may just be the one that she needs to understand and accept her family, and herself, in a new way. 

In Anna's singular voice, we glimpse not only a picture of life on the B-list in LA, but also a clear-eyed reflection on being young, vulnerable, lost, and female in America--in short, on the B-list of life. Alison Umminger writes about girls, sex, violence, and which people society deems worthy of caring about, which ones it doesn't, in a way not often seen in YA fiction.
This book has been on my radar since I first read the announcement. My desire to read it only increased as I heard more about it, and saw tweets confirming it was incredible. I keep hearing how great the writing is, and the premise sounds perfect for me.

The only thing about this book that doesn't sound amazing? The long wait until it's May release!

Expected release date - May 3, 2016

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Missing Dixie by Caisey Quinn



Missing Dixie by Caisey Quinn
Release Date - October 27, 2015
Publisher Website - Harper Collins
Publisher Social Media - Twitter/Facebook/SavvyReader/Frenzy
Pages - 336 pages
My Rating - 4/5
**received for an honest review from publisher**


**SPOILERS FOR PREVIOUS BOOKS IN THE SERIES**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis
Fighting for redemption…

I've lived most of my life in darkness, beneath the shadows of secrets and addictions. The last thing I ever wanted to do was hurt the only girl I'd ever loved-the one who brought me into the light. In my entire life I'd made one promise-a promise I'd intended to keep. I've broken that promise and now I have to live with the fallout. Dixie Lark hates me, and I have to tell her that I love her. I also have to tell her a truth that might destroy us forever.

Can she love me even if she can't forgive me?

Learning to move on…

Gavin Garrison broke his promise to my brother and he broke my heart in the process. I may never love anyone the way I've loved him, but at least I won't spend my life wondering what if. We had our one night and he walked away. I'm finally beginning to move on when my brother's wedding and a battle of the bands brings us back together.

Our band is getting a second chance, but I don't know if I can give him one. How do you hand your heart back to the person who set it on fire once already? 
If you read my reviews for the previous books in this series you'll know how much I enjoy this series. Caisey Quinn has crafted an addictive love story in a world that is just as addictive. This is one of those series that you want to immediately know how it ends without it actually being over. In Missing Dixie she gives fans the perfect ending to the story that started in Leaving Amarillo and offers up more than a few surprises along the way.

The agonizing wait for the continuation of Gavin and Dixie's love story is one fans have been vocal about. The ending of Leaving Amarillo is brutal, and heart crushing. Loving Dallas offered no peace of mind either. Missing Dixie shows exactly why this had to happen. We needed the events of the previous two novels to get Gavin and Dixie to the point we find them at during Missing Dixie. They each needed to work on themselves before a relationship could be possible between them, and that is what Missing Dixie is about. It's about these two people growing and changing and hopefully finding their way to each other in the process.

Caisey Quinn is quite adept at making you feel the same feelings as the characters. You feel their heartbreak, their frustration, their joy, and happiness. She, through her writing, let's you take the journey with the characters. It's one of the strongest elements of her writing, and it ensures the connection to the characters is felt. It makes you invest in the outcome of the story and the invest in the characters themselves.

Music is a secondary character in this entire series. It's a living, breathing thing that consumes all of them. It's how they relate to things, how they express themselves, and something that binds them together. It's a force all on it's own, and one that is woven into everything. Music has the ability to move people, and that passion is felt here.

This novel, like Loving Dallas before it, is one of second chances. It's not just a second chance for Dixie and Gavin to get things right between them, but for the band too. Leaving Amarillo is just a much of a mess as the relationship between it's members. It's a sharp look at second chances and what it takes to move forward from the past. Having both the band and characters go through similar story arcs raised the stakes for both and made things just a little more complicated which added some urgency to the plot that I really enjoyed.

Calling Gavin and Dixie's relationship complex would be phrasing it mildly. Therefore, it is only fitting that their love story have an ending that is every bit the roller coaster their relationship is. Their own version of happily ever after is perfect for them. It's an ending that is just as complicated, just as hopeful, and just as right as the relationship between Gavin and Dixie.

Caisey Quinn wraps up this fun, sexy series with the perfect ending for this story in more ways than one. The wait to see how Gavin and Dixie's love story would end was made all the more worthwhile because of how satisfyingly their stories were wrapped up. If you like your books with music, steamy sexy scenes, and humour you'll love the Neon Dreams series.

Sunday, October 25, 2015

New To My Book Closet


It's that time of the week again. Time to show you what bookish goodies made their way into my home and book closet (to be saved from the evil book eating cat monster named Aria). This is inspired by the various "mailbox" posts out there (eg. In My Mailbox by The Story Siren, and Stacking the Shelves by Tynga's Reviews).

This week a lovely package from my  arrived. I love taking part and how the smallest things can really cheer you up. Thanks again to 'Hermoine'! *hugs*



Premeditated by Josin L McQuein (goodreads)

So excited to eat the chocolate and I am now super curious about both of the books I received postcards for.

What books made their way into your mailbox this week?

Happy Weekend and Happy Reading!

Saturday, October 24, 2015

Weekly Obsessions


The awesome Kelly at KellyVision started posting a weekly post highlighting whatever she happened to be obsessed with that week. I LOVE this idea, so much in fact that I will be doing it myself every Saturday.

BOOK

Cover for This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab (goodreads)


This cover! THIS COVER! It is stunning and perfect and it makes me want to read this book immediately. It's Victoria Schwab so you know that the inside is going to be just as amazing as the outside!

Garden of Blood and Dust by K.K. Perez (goodreads)

This book deal announcement has me VERY excited. Just check out this blurb released with the announcement and tell me you don't immediately need this book in your life...
A YA fantasy inspired by the legend of Elizabeth Bathory, the world's first female serial killer, pitched as a cross between Maleficent and American Horror Story
Maleficent and American Horror Story?! YES, PLEASE! We all know I love American Horror Story and mixing it with Elizabeth Bathory is going to be AMAZING!

What are you obsessed with this week?

Friday, October 23, 2015

American Horror Story: Hotel - Mommy



Three episodes in and we're starting to get a picture of what is going on at Hotel Cortez and how things work. Before we dive into this week's episode, I am starting this off with a reminder that....There will be spoilers, so read at your own risk.


This week's episode has my favourite opening ever. Tristan is quickly becoming my favourite (for various reasons) and he and James March  interacting together is actually... delightful.

Tristan calls out, while walking through the hotel like it's a runway, trying to make contact with Mr. March again. The camera follows Tristan through the corridors and rooms, and the lighting is pefect for this shot. Tristan lets James know he is a fan by listing off a bunch of facts about the serial killer. James is flattered and their exchange is amazing. My favourtie part.....



Seriously, THE BEST. It appears that James wants Tristan to be a sort of protégé and he wants to teach him the ways of murder. Tristan is a very willing pupil as he now thinks murder is 'awesome'. James tells him about all his secret rooms, torture chambers, and various other unpleasant things. He tells Tristan to put these rooms to good use as they have been quiet for too long. (An aside that has nothing to do with anything - Finn Wittrock looks REALLY good here).

While James is teaching Tristan all about murder, Will is plotting redesign ideas. He and one of the Vogue editors enter the room Tristan is in. Will doesn't recognize him, and Claudia barely does. Will wants to know what happened to Tristan's scar but Tristan is not interested in sharing. Will kicks Tristan out of the hotel, and threatens to call the cops if he hangs around. James March, and Ms Evers on the other hand are only worried about the fact that Will wants to rip out some floors. He tells Tristan that Will cannot be allowed to remodel (not a single room). Tristan tells him not to worry, and there is a murderous twist to his smile as he promises James that he's 'got this'. You're a dead man, Will.

John's wife, Alex, has a storyline involving a sick boy who caught the measles because the mother didn't vaccinate him. The boy has gotten worse and requires hospitalization. Through this we learn that Alex loved Holden the most; even more than Scarlet and John. This explains her checking out of her marriage.  These scenes detailing the aftermath of Holden's disappearance heartbreakingly show the emotions that overcome a parent in this situation. Alex was so distraught that she attempted suicide (and John found her). This family has had so much pain.

Scarlet's insistence that Holden is alive has resulted in family therapy. This time however, John seems very interested in hearing Scarlet out. She tells them all about the room filled with everything a kid could want, the coffin, and how different Holden is now. She makes Alex a potential believer by mentioning that Holden smelled like lavender (something Alex said Holden smelled like).

Claudia is getting ready for bed and (as expected) creepy things start to happen. She crawls into bed, only to be grabbed by someone in the mattress. Turns out that this is where Sally put Gabriel (guess he never escaped) and Gabriel's time in the mattress has made him a little crazy. He claws his way out and grabs the first weapon he can find, and starts stabbing this poor woman while he screams. Gabriel has not had a great stay at Hotel Cortez.

Another Ten Commandments murder has happened. This one to a group of gossip column writers have had their tongues nailed to their desks. Ewww, obviously. John succinctly recognizes this as "Thou Shalt Not Bear False Witness". He heads back to the hotel after asking for everything to be cross referenced, and runs right into Gabriel who is disorientedly making his way out of the hotel (or trying to).

As mentioned, Tristan is quickly becoming my favourite because Finn Wittrock seems to be having so much fun with this role (Evan Peters, too). Tristan, attempting to make good on his promise to James, breaks into Will's room to apologize for his behaviour at the fashion show. Promises that he is clean now. Will is still intrigued about how Tristan lost his scar. Will is looking at the hotel plans, and he realizes that the hotel doesn't match the plans that were filed with city hall. Tristan, taking his queue from Countess, decides that seduction will assist in his plan to kill Will. They begin to make out after Tristan talks about his time in jail (he stole things before he became a big time model). He goes to kill Will in the midst of their make out session, but Countess arrives and gives him a look that clearly tells him killing Will is not allowed.

Gabriel is rushed to the hospital, and is extremely upset. He wants them to know that he didn't mean to kill the woman, he thought he was killing the 'junkie whore' which John takes to mean Sally. Gabriel tells him that it is HER that did this to him (before flatlining) so John rushes back to the hotel to investigate. He finds Sally in the room that Gabriel was in. John begins to question her and Sally tells him that he shouldn't believe a word that a drug addict tells him (which, hilarious Sally). She and John head to her (or maybe his) room and she asks him why he cares so much about junkies, and she mentions that they only hurt themselves. She brings up the Ten Commandments which IMMEDIATELY gets John's attention. What does she know? She obviously is bringing this up for a very specific reason. Does she know who the killer is? Is she involved?

John and her discuss 'Thou Shalt Not Kill' which Sally feels is translated wrong. She thinks it should be "Thou Shalt Not Murder' as sometimes killing can be a righteous act. John accuses her of breaking into his room, she asks if it is an invitation (to which John whips out his handcuffs to arrest her.... he appears to have a thing for handcuffs). At this point things get awkwardly sexual as Sally basically gives John a hand job in the elevator. He pushes her away though and tells her that he wants to help her. She says that she wishes he could. She lures him back in and as they lean in to kiss the (terrifying) Addiction Demon makes an appearance. Luckily for John nothing happens as Sally departs after telling him that they are meant to be. I predict really bad things in John's future though if he continues down this path.

Donovan is getting ready to move out. Iris is happy and has even found some places for them to look at. Donovan is not having it though. He'd rather live on the streets that live with his mother. Iris calls him a drama queen. She thinks he's upset about being dumped by Countess and tells him that Countess never loved him. Donovan, exasperated, tells her that he hates her. He's been trying to show her just how much he despises her but she won't pay attention (and he claims she never did). He is hurtful, and harsh and it just gets worse. Iris brings up all the sacrifices she made while raising Donovan (including kicking out Donovan's father as he was an 'asshole' in Iris' words). Donovan seems to not care about any of her sacrifices though (and he mentions loving his father). He continues to list all the reasons Iris was a bad mother, bur Iris lists why her own list trumps his. She gave birth to him and saved his life. Donovan tells her that he wanted to die. He wanted to get away from her. He says that a real mother would have let him die and grieve instead of trapping him the way she did. He tells her that he is leaving. Iris breaks down and admits she doesn't know who she is if not a mother. Donovan, who twists the metaphorical knife just a little deeper, tells her that if that is true she should kill herself and walks out. Donovan, that is no way to talk to your mother. He looses points for this, and I was totally #TeamDonovan. Not cool.

Donovan approaches a woman who he thinks has had her car break down as he wants to feed. It's Angela Bassett and she tasers him and puts him in the trunk of her car.

Alex visits John at the hotel. She wants a divorce and has brought the papers for him to sign. John gets weepy and practically begs for her to reconsider. Alex says it is for Scarlet's own good, and that she has liked him being away. She may love him but it's better this way. She blames a lot of this on what happened with Holden and how that ripped their family apart when he begs her not to tear their family apart. He gets so upset that she brings him up to his room. She takes care of him. He apologizes for everything that happened (Holden, not keeping the family together, and failing to bring Holden home). They kiss and it quickly crosses over into potential sexytimes territory. Alex slams on the breaks and reminds him of the divorce papers as she leaves. On her way out of the hotel she runs into Holden who greats her with a shiver inducing "Hi, Mommy".

Will and Countess are sharing some really nice wine and discussing their 'relationship'. Will reminds her that he's gay. She tells him that she is referring to more of a business relationship. Will has been having inspiration issues, and hasn't been able to design anything. Countess says that he has to metaphorically (but she means literally, I am guessing) die so he can rise from the ashes. She tries to seduce him, and asks about previous women. He says he's never been into them. As they begin to make out a very jealous Tristan storms in, clearly not pleased at what is going on. Countess tells Will she will be in touch (and also lets him know that he definitely had a sexual reaction to her). She berets Tristan for his outburst, telling him not to be a child. Countess clues Tristan into her plan. She doesn't have money (Bernie Madoff took it all) but Will does. She wants to marry him and after that Tristan can kill him. This delights Tristan who begins to chuckle.

Iris has taken Donovan's words to heart and wants Sally to help her die. She is going to get Sally to give her a drug overdose. This entire scene is heartbreaking as Iris feels she has nothing to live for since Donovan hates her. Sally wants to be sure that Iris won't hang around after as she doesn't want to have Iris haunting her hallways. Iris reassures her that she has nothing to stick around for. Sally seems really happy to be helping her do this (which, big surprise).

Donovan wakes up in a pretty fantastic house and he's having his blood cleaned because he fed on a whole lot of drug addicts. The person who kidnapped him is named Ramona and she is one of the Countess' exes. She was a 'B' movie star in the 70's when she met the Countess. They had a passionate love affair, and Ramona was turned. They lived in bliss until Ramona did the one thing you're NEVER supposed to do - she fell in love with someone who wasn't the Countess. Even worse, she turned him so that she could spend the rest of eternity with him. Countess, who obviously could not let this stand, killed the love of Ramona's life. As vengeance she wants to take the vampire children that Countess made. She wants to use Donovan to gain access to the hotel. Donovan informs her that he and the Countess are no longer together, and Ramona lets him go (as he is useless to her).

Donovan goes back to the hotel as he has nowhere else to go. Elizabeth Taylor berets him for the way he treated Iris and also tells him to stop feeling sorry for himself. Elizabeth actually offers up some great life advice for Donovan and reminds him that Iris really does love him (and that Donovan will never find anyone who loves him as much). This prompts Donovan to go find Iris. The drugs didn't work so Sally has put a plastic bag over Iris' head and tied it so she'll suffocate. Donovan arrives just in time to save her by giving her some of his blood, which is where we end the episode.

This episode was all about parents, particularly mothers (hence the title) and the complexity of those relationships. It also left us with so many questions. Will Mr. March continue to school Tristan in the ways of murder? Oh, I hope so. Did Alex take Holden out of the hotel? Will she and John work it out (not looking so good)? What will vamp Iris look like and will she be fabulous? I think yes. Lastly, now that Donovan is out as a plan, what will Ramona do next? Hide the blonde vampire children, Countess!


Until next week .... enjoy your stay.

Thursday, October 22, 2015

The Rest Of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness



The Rest Of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness
Release Date - October 6, 2015
Publisher Website - Harper Collins
Publisher Social Media - Twitter/Facebook/SavvyReader/Frenzy
Pages - 336 pages
My Rating - 4/5
**received for an honest review from publisher**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis
What if you aren’t the Chosen One?

The one who’s supposed to fight the zombies, or the soul-eating ghosts, or whatever the heck this new thing is, with the blue lights and the death?

What if you’re like Mikey? Who just wants to graduate and go to prom and maybe finally work up the courage to ask Henna out before someone goes and blows up the high school. Again.

Because sometimes there are problems bigger than this week’s end of the world, and sometimes you just have to find the extraordinary in your ordinary life.

Even if your best friend is worshiped by mountain lions.

Award-winning writer Patrick Ness’s bold and irreverent novel powerfully reminds us that there are many different types of remarkable.
Imagine Buffy The Vampire Slayer told not from the perspective of the 'Chosen One', but instead told from the point of view of the random kid in the cafeteria. The one who just wants to pass Math, maybe ask the cute guy or girl who sits behind them to prom, and not have the school blow up before graduation. The one just trying to survive and live their life. That is the premise of The Rest Of Us Just Live Here. Patrick Ness celebrates the notion that everyone is the hero of their own story, and sometimes living takes as much courage and conviction as being the 'Chosen One'.

This is my first Patrick Ness novel, and it absolutely will not by my last. His writing is filled with charm, intelligence and whit. His sharp sense of humour is displayed through the entire novel, and every moment is infused with an insightfulness that makes everything a little more poignant.

This is a novel about life, and the ups, downs, and everything in between that comes with it. Mikey and his friends are just focused on living their lives, and Patrick Ness celebrates the beauty in that. They are flawed, wonderful, caring, hurtful, and everything else that a human being can be. They feel so achingly real because the struggles they face are real and that is perhaps the most compelling aspect of their journey. They could be us, our friends, or the kid across the street. Their story is universal, and one that many will relate to.

This novel takes place during the build up to graduation. A time fraught with anxiety, goodbyes and change. Ness captures all of the excitement and bittersweetness of leaving friends behind, of going off in different directions perfectly. They fiercely hang on to the moments they have left together, and just as fiercely make the most of them. They support each other through all of these lasts, and that is most beautiful part of their story.

One of the elements that truly stands out is the lead in to each chapter. A glimpse at what the 'Chosen Ones' (in this case the indie kids) are doing. The tropes he highlights are done so with a love of the genre, and will immediately resonate with fans of the young adult genre. It's clever and is used to highlight the sheer 'everyday-ness' of Mikey's life. He also uses it to contrast their journeys. Neither journey is more or less important and that is a vital part of the story and message.

Patrick Ness tells a heartfelt, memorable story about friendship and the strength there is in living life. How each of us matter, even if we're not saving the world from the apocalypse. There is incredible beauty in the every day moments and we should embrace those. This is a book for everyone who sometimes feels a little lost, a little confused, and a little unwanted. We may not all be destined to be Buffy, but we all deserve to be the chosen one in our own lives. 

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Waiting On Wednesday ....... Lady Midnight


Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

My pick this week is Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare


Here is the Goodreads synopsis
Los Angeles. It’s been five years since the events of the Mortal Instruments when Nephilim stood poised on the brink of oblivion and Shadowhunter Emma Carstairs lost her parents. After the blood and violence she witnessed as a child, Emma has dedicated her life to to discovering exactly what it was that killed her parents and getting her revenge.

Raised in the Los Angeles Institute with the Blackthorn family, Emma is paired as a parabatai with her best friend, Julian Blackthorn. A series of murders in the city catch her attention — they seem to have the same characteristics as the deaths of her parents. Could the murderer be the same person? And her attention isn’t the only one caught: someone has been murdering Downworlders as well. The Fair Folk make a deal with the Institute: if the Blackthorns and Emma will investigate the killings, they’ll return Mark Blackthorn to his home. The catch: they have only two weeks to find the killers. Otherwise it’s open war between faeries and Nephilim.

The Shadowhunters of the Institute must race against time to catch the killers, even as they begin to suspect the involvement of those closest to them. At the same time, Emma is falling in love with the one person in the world she’s absolutely forbidden by Shadowhunter Law to love. Set against the glittering backdrop of present-day Los Angeles, Emma must learn to trust her head and her heart as she investigates a demonic plot that stretches from the warlock-run nightclubs of the Sunset Strip to the enchanted sea that pounds the beaches of Santa Monica.
I love the Shadowhunter world and am excited whenever Cassandra is set to release a new book. This one is set in present day California which has me even more intrigued. I cannot wait to meet these new characters and see where our old favourites fit in.

The wait for this one feels incredibly long however as it does not come out until March.

Expected release date - March 8, 2016

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

The House by Christina Lauren



The House by Christina Lauren
Release Date - October 6, 2015
Publisher Website - Simon and Schuster
Publisher Social Media - Twitter
Pages - 384 pages
My Rating - 3/5
**received for honest review from the publisher**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis
Gavin tells Delilah he’s hers—completely—but whatever lives inside that house with him disagrees.

After seven years tucked away at an East coast boarding school, Delilah Blue returns to her small Kansas hometown to find that not much has changed. Her parents are still uptight and disinterested, her bedroom is exactly the way she left it, and the outcast Gavin Timothy still looks like he’s crawled out of one of her dark, twisted drawings.

Delilah is instantly smitten.

Gavin has always lived in the strange house: an odd building isolated in a stand of trees where the town gives in to mild wilderness. The house is an irresistible lure for Delilah, but the tall fence surrounding it exists for good reason, and Gavin urges Delilah to be careful. Whatever lives with him there isn’t human, and isn’t afraid of hurting her to keep her away.
The first YA novel from Christina Lauren was, if you recall from my review, not my favourite. I have loved previous novels from this author but Sublime just didn't work for me. I do, however, enjoy ghost stories and that is why I was willing to give The House a chance. While I didn't fall in deep book love with it, The House ended up being a chilling, easy read that would be a fun Halloween treat.

This novel is more unsettling than flat out terrifying. It'll have you jumping at every little sound and noise your house makes while reading it. The psychological aspect of this novel, and how it impacts you while reading, is done extremely well. You will feel the increasing tension and panic that the characters feel. It's the tone and atmosphere that work in this novel above everything else.

In comparison to Sublime, I thought the paranormal aspect of this novel was well presented. It felt organic to the story and things were put in place to allow the 'haunting' to feel natural. Gavin grew up in this house, so it felt normal to him, therefore the reader doesn't question why he wouldn't run away. He never had cause to be scared, and the risk of anyone finding out his living situation outweighed any oddness his upbringing may have had. The entire scenario makes a sort of logical sense. It also makes sense that Delilah would open his eyes, and change his point of view by opening up his world. The answers that we need are given, while the ones we can live without are rightly held back. They give us just enough to make us believe in it, without taking us out of the story.

One element that was missing for me, that I find in abundance in Christina Lauren's New Adult novels, is the character connection. I never really connected to Gavin and Delilah. I am not sure if it's the genre, as paranormal does have less character focus than other genres, or something else. I would recommend other novels from this author to someone before this one, simply because I think there are better examples of their talent.

The other element of the story, the romance, didn't hold the impact I wanted it to as a result of the lack of connection. I appreciated their back story and that they had a history, albeit small and years removed. I think if the character connection had been there, the feelings between them would have resonated a little more. There are some fun, sexy scenes between them, but nothing that left a lasting impression.

A creepy, fun read that is perfectly timed for those looking for their Halloween scares mixed with a little sexiness. Those looking for a little more character focus may not find that her, but those who prefer to have the chills and thrills be centre stage may just enjoy this one more than I did.

Sunday, October 18, 2015

New To My Book Closet


It's that time of the week again. Time to show you what bookish goodies made their way into my home and book closet (to be saved from the evil book eating cat monster named Aria). This is inspired by the various "mailbox" posts out there (eg. In My Mailbox by The Story Siren, and Stacking the Shelves by Tynga's Reviews).

Some amazing goodies made their way into my mailbox this week.



Teen Frankenstein by Chandler Baker (goodreads)
Tell The Wind and Fire by Sarah Rees Brennan (goodreads)
Where Futures End by Parker Peevyhouse (goodreads)

A huge thank you to Penguin Random House (especially @RazorbillCA) and Raincoast Books for these! I am curious about Where Futures End so I was excited to get it. The other two are ones I have been highly anticipating so I am hoping to read them very soon.

What books made their way into your mailbox this week?

Happy Weekend and Happy Reading!

Saturday, October 17, 2015

Weekly Obsessions


The awesome Kelly at KellyVision started posting a weekly post highlighting whatever she happened to be obsessed with that week. I LOVE this idea, so much in fact that I will be doing it myself every Saturday.

BOOK

Cover of Traitor Angels by Anne Blankman (goodreads)


This cover is stunning. I love everything about it. Anne's previous books were amazing and I cannot wait to devour this one. I think it's going to be incredible.

Cover for The Crown's Game by Evelyn Skye (goodreads)


This cover is striking. It immediately catches your eye. The city in the shape of a crown, on the water and a girl running towards it like she's skimming the top of the water. This one has been on my radar since I first heard about it and the cover has only increased my anticipation.

Tile reveal for the A Court Of Thorns and Roses sequel

Bloomsbury released the title to the sequel for Sarah J Maas' A Court Of Thorns And Roses. I LOVED her twist on the Beauty and the Beast tale, and cannot wait to see where the sequel takes the story. The title has left me VERY excited for a cover reveal, and more details about the story itself.


A Court Of Mist And Fury will hit shelves May 2016! I'll be counting down the days!

TV/MOVIE

Goosebumps

I took my niece to see the Goosebumps movie as she is a huge fan of the books. I loved the books and TV series when I was a kid and am delighted that she's so into them (and reading in general). The movie is pure nostalgia for older fans of the series, and the new fans will love it too. It's funny, offers up some 'safe scares' and puts a great twist on the stories fans love. Go see it if you're a Goosebumps fan, and go see it even if you aren't because it's a really fun family movie (for kids who are okay with a few light scares)

What are you obsessed with this week?

Friday, October 16, 2015

American Horror Story: Hotel - Chutes and Ladders



These long episodes are ensuring my recaps are insanely long. #SorryNotSorry but starting this off with a reminder that....There will be spoilers, so read at your own risk.

We start the episode with a few answers to some of my questions from last week. We now know what happened to Max Greenfield (who is apparently called Gabriel) and we also know who is sewing people into mattresses - Sally! Gabriel may have cheated death but Sally will not let that stand. She's sewing him into a mattress and his future is basically that of the poor guy who traumatized the Swedish tourists. Sally tells him it is all his fault for thinking he could cheat death as she starts to sew.

She's interrupted by the Swedish tourist who is still alive (for now) screaming.  Sally is pissed and goes to investigate. At this point I am yelling "RUN BLONDE MAX GREENFIELD, RUN" at my TV. Sally is pissed and snaps at Iris to shut up the screaming woman while snarkingly asking 'did you forget a cop is staying here?' which is my favourite line. The child 'vampires' are feasting, with one of them declaring that the Swedish tourist 'tastes gross'. That's because she's dead. Elizabeth Taylor tosses the body down a very convenient chute (first nod to the episode title). We also find out that the poor guy in the mattress from the last episode ended up in the basement as well.

After feeding the child 'vamps' are being drained of their blood. Are they a filtering system for Countess and Donovan? The 'vamp' children's blood is being decanted for them and when Iris delivers it she asks the Countess to see Donovan but Donovan doesn't want to see her. He quips that he became a junkie to escape from his mother and that Countess has ensured that he never can. So, wait. Does his mean Murder House rules apply for the hotel? You die inside it and you never leave?! Interesting.

Countess wants to go to an art opening but Donovan just wants to Netflix and chill. Countess is all about the hunt though (she's insatiable) and goes without him. She looks sad and wistful about it though, as if Donovan has disappointed her and the look on her face feels an awful lot like a more permanent goodbye than any of the words used.

A dreamy, hallucinatory sequence shows that John is having a very bad time sleeping in room 64. This room is the actual worst. Some of these scenes are fantastic though as the pacing, and camera work make them very unsettling. Especially effective is John creeping up to the closed shower curtain. It's a heart pounding in time with the pulsing background kind of moment and it really works. He wakes gasping in bed and goes to investigate a noise. Of course he sees Holden again and it results in a chase through the hotel with Holden giggling as John desperately calls his son's name. He looses him only to wind up at the bar with Elizabeth Taylor and Sally. Sally tells him that 'weird things go down, especially at night'. Which, no kidding. We also find out that John is a recovering alcoholic. Everyone in this hotel has an addiction of sorts it appears (some more obvious than others). Sally compares getting high, at least at first, to heaven. Getting close to this blinding light. As time went on it became harder and harder to get to that light. She got lost along the way as she tried to climb higher and higher on this endless ladder (title reference number two). She encourages John to 'climb that ladder' as she senses he wants to get lost too and prompts him to tell her about the last day he drank.

In what may be sad foreshadowing John shares the story of a father who accidentally kills his children with carbon monoxide poisoning and as a result kills himself. Will this be John's fate? His son, daughter, and wife killed (or vampires) and it pushes him over the edge? It feels a little like he's headed down that path. That night sent John on a two day bender, and he offered up the carnival trip as a desperate gesture to make amends (and ended with him losing Holden) which we know made things worse. Hence the no drinking. John's story is incredibly heartbreaking.

Back at the police station, John is informed that this killer is tech savvy as he is capable of sending texts that appear to be from other phones (and he immediately clues in that the original text sending him to the crime scene in the last episode was most likely not sent from his wife, but the killer). John is informed he has a package waiting for him and smartly calls in the bomb squad who determines it is not a bomb, but rather a murder weapon. It's an Oscar covered in blood (probably used on one of the previous victims).

Will Drake is holding a fashion show within the hotel, which is a perfect backdrop for it. John goes to meet his daughter, who has a police escort, in the lobby. She is impressed by the hotel, and even more impressed by the fact that there is a party. Will invites John and his daughter, telling John that Scarlet can play with his son. Hold up a second though. Why does Will know Scarlet's name? John never mentioned it (I have rewatched this scene to make sure) so is there something more going on with Will? Am I reading too much into this? Guess we'll find out.

Sally is pissed (a common state of being for her, which fair. I would be too if I was tossed out a building window) that she is not on the guest list for Will's fancy fashion party. She does live there, as she reminds them.

The lights go out and the Countess and Donovan make quite the entrance looking stunning. Donovan points out John, telling her that he's the cop who checked into room 64. Countess comments that he is very handsome, prompting Donovan to reply with this amazing line


I will admit the guys on the show all share a certain look. I wonder if this is meant to be significant and if it was done deliberately. This quote certainly makes it appear so. We will see if it ties into the overall story in any real way, but I am betting it does.

Helllllo Tristan. Nice to meet you. Where you been? His entrance is certainly splashy. Tristan shares the addiction of many at Hotel Cortez and is the bad boy of modelling. He takes drinks from people's hands, attempts to make out with most of the audience (I volunteer as tribute) and genuinely doesn't give any fucks. He makes eye contact with Countess and there is this zap of energy. Both are instantly enthralled with the other (which fair, because Finn Wittrock). Side note that has nothing to do with anything - so happy Finn Wittrock is back. Countess is mesmerized, which prompts Donovan to call her out on it. She replies that Tristan smells like rage, like copper. Yes, Tristan is a very angry person. He also happens to be done with modelling and, as a way to get out of it, slashes his own face with scissors (NOT THE BEAUTIFUL FACE).

Scarlet and Lachlan decide to sneak off during Tristan's spectacle as Lachlan wants to show her something that she has to keep secret. No surprise it's the 'vampire' children in their coffins. Lachlan tells her that nothing wakes them up, only to be proven wrong when he knocks on the lid and Holden opens his eyes. Hmm... I wonder if he is sensing that his sister is there?

For some reason, instead of talking to her brother, Scarlet goes back home? Unsure, but we next see her watching videos of her brother and herself when they were babies in her room.

Tristan is on a rampage. Breaking open doors, tossing stuff around, all to find some more drugs. He starts to go through Countess' things and is interrupted by Donovan who tells him to stop before Donovan makes him stop. Tristan, proving again that he gives zero fucks, tells him to go ahead and call the cops. Donovan has zero patience for Tristan or his tantrums and goes to kill Tristan by choking him (after tasting his blood, of course). Tristan is saved by Countess who cannot hide her crush at all.

Tristan runs out and decides to eat someone's room service that is left in the hall (which, rude) but discovers his sandwich is actually full of maggots. He enters another room and begins to explore, only to be interrupted by Evan Peters who looks like he's stepped out of a black and white movie. He informs Tristan that they are the same deep down in their black hearts, and that he can show Tristan what he has been missing. He calls for someone and it's the maid who has been cleaning up all the blood in Hotel Cortez with a girl who has been tied up. This prompts Tristan to inform them that 'bondage really bores me' before Evan Peters lets him in on the truth. He wants Tristan to KILL the girl. Tells him that it is exhilarating. Tristan doesn't want to do it, so Evan Peters does (to which the maid says 'What a glorious stain') and Tristan runs out of the room and right into Countess.

Meanwhile, John's daughter is taking the bus from their home in the suburbs to the hotel, as her reminiscing has obviously made her want to go find her brother (FINALLY). She finds her way into the room where the vampire children spend their time and Holden is there. He knows who she is, and asks her what took her so long. It's heartbreaking as Holden recognizes that there is a difference in Scarlet that isn't in him. Scarlet wants to take Holden back to their parents but Holden is not having it. He likes it at Hotel Cortez. Scarlet wants a selfie with him at least, but when she gets close Holden tries to bite her as she snaps the picture. She runs and bumps into Sally who has serious dental issues as all her teeth start to rot and fall out (traumatizing Scarlet for life).

Scarlet takes the bus back to her house, to discover her parents are worried as she has been gone 5 hours. She tells that she shook her police escort because she wanted to make sure it was Holden and wanted to surprise them with him. This is where I get a little annoyed. John, your daughter tells you she saw her brother. The same kid YOU saw at the hotel. Instead of believing her and supporting her, YOU YELL AT HER? Not okay. Maybe some of this is his own issues coming out, but still. YOU SAW HIM, JOHN. She is all 'I am not a lying liar. I have a picture' but all that is there is Scarlet with a blurry person beside her. John's wife does let it slip that she blames John for what happened to Holden though. Yeah, this marriage is done.

Tristan is admiring himself in the mirror, and it appears he's been 'infected' by Countess as he is quite happy that the effects of his drug use are gone, and that he is so hot that it prompts him to say that 'I'd do me' as he gazes at his own reflection. Countess admits that their 'condition' means they never age and have a super charged immune system. It also prompts this AMAZING exchange...


She tells him that he's only immortal if he's smart. They begin to have some hot sexytimes as Countess fills Tristan in on the rules of their 'vampirism'

1- No fangs. They prefer to cut instead.
2- Never drink from the dead, the diseased or polluted. So basically fresh, clean blood only.
3- No coffins. Blackout curtains work fine as the sun doesn't kill them, it just weakens them.

Countess tells him that he reminds her of someone almost wistfully. She's obviously lost in a memory but all Tristan cares about is killing Kendall Jenner as she blew him off once at Coachella. Tristan is so current, so NOW, that when compared to Donovan (who is so grunge 90's Kurt Cobain when Countess meets him) he is exciting and new. Countess trades them in so that she always feel the same age is my guess. It's an interesting dynamic and one that I hope might be explored. I think this is the Countess' addiction. She is always looking for the next, new thing. She always wants to feel current and relevant and does that through her lover du jour.

Countess informs Tristan to 'not get caught' killing people and that he should never fall in love (because that is saved for her alone, forever). This basically ensures that Tristan is falling in love with someone else before the season is done and I guarantee the Countess kills her (or him).

This episode is answering a lot of questions about the Countess and her 'virus'. First she was born in 1904 and the person who 'turned' her is even more beautiful than Tristan and a guy (who is apparently long gone now as per Countess). She is kind of blowing Tristan's mind as he is questioning her amidst marathon sexytime sessions.

This 'virus' is very similar to a sexually transmitted disease which adds another layer to this show's theme of addiction. I wonder if there are rules about passing it along, or if Tristan is now capable of infecting anyone he wants to like she is. This could get super interesting.

Donovan comes to break up their sexytimes and tells Tristan he won't last a week. Donovan and Tristan REALLY don't like each other. Countess asks Tristan to leave for a minute prompting Donovan to express his disgust that she's turned Tristan. Donovan insults Tristan and Countess insults Donovan...



Countess tells Donovan that she didn't want to hurt him, and that there is no reason that this has to end badly. She is basically kicking him to the curb for Tristan (lending proof to my theory that she trades them in when the next thing comes along to keep herself feeling current). Donovan protests, tells her that he loves her. Countess just tells him that it's the heartbreaks that make them who they are. He protests again, and reminds her of what she said about the night she turned him. She had said it was the most spiritual moment of her life. He pushes her to tell him that she felt the same about turning Tristan. She tells him that turning Tristan was one of the most erotic moments she's ever experienced, which visibly hurts Donovan. The look on Countess' face as she taps that final nail into their relationship coffin tells us everything about her character without a word. She relishes hurting him. Oh, Tristan. Donovan is PISSED now. I predict Tristan doesn't last the entire season because Donovan is going to be out for blood.

John storms into the lobby and starts yelling at Iris about everything that is going on in the hotel. He's pissed and wants answers. He goes to arrest her for murder or maybe kidnapping (he's not really sure which, he's just unravelling) and Iris quips 'aren't you going to frisk me first' when he whips out the handcuffs. John wants her to tell him all about Hotel Cortez, so sit back because it's story time, nightmare inducing style.

The hotel's origins are as blood soaked as the current going ons. We find out that Evan Peters is actually the gentleman who built the hotel, and that his name is James Patrick March. This is basically American Horror Story's version of H. H. Holmes. He designed the hotel to include hidden chutes, hallways that lead nowhere, secret passages, and all so he could commit murder. Evan Peters is so DIFFERENT from his other AHS roles, and he is KILLING it. He does a phenomenal job and has thrown himself into this character. I love that it was shot in black and white because this character screams black and white. We quickly see that Mr March is addicted to murder (there is that addiction theme again) and that his loving maid (who currently still cleans up the messes in Hotel Cortez) is addicted to him. If Tristan Duffy is right out of American Psycho (or other Bret Easton Ellis novel) this character is right out of a golden age of Hollywood horror movie.

We catch the briefest glimpse of Mr March's wife who is blonde, and he apparently made her watch his kills. However we do see her remove the gag from the victim's mouth saying that she 'liked it' and I don't think she meant the scarf itself. I think she loved every minute of the screaming and that she's actually the Countess. Is he the person who gave her the virus? Doubtful, but I do think she was married to him. He is probably who Tristan reminds her of.

James March has a conversation with a victim about religion and God. The victim taunts that as long as there is God, James will never find peace. James vows that his message to world will be one against religion (basically he vows to kill God) and wants every bible brought to him. Hmm... perhaps these murders are not inspired by the Seven Deadly Sins, but rather the Ten Commandments. We see what could be the first murder in the ones currently haunting John, and since James wasn't careful with not leaving behind clues, he gets caught. The police are at his door so he kills his loving maid, Ms Evers, and then himself. This new information makes me think Murder House rules do apply and that is why they are both still there. Is Mr March the current Ten Commandments Killer too? Or someone copying him? I can't be Mr March if Murder House rules apply because he would not be able to leave.

Story time over with, John claps and tells Iris she should work as a writer for the movies. She tells him that room 64 was Mr March's office, and that it's the heart of the hotel (which is black as the ace of spades) and that he's sleeping in it (so he best get to believing).

John gets confirmation that the gold flecks on the first victim are a match to the Oscar statue delivered to John (just, ewww). John also has an interest in Mr March now, as he puts it together that the murders are in fact inspired by the Ten Commandments.

We end the episode with Tristan picking up a guy using a social media app (Grindr, maybe) and luring him to the hotel with the promise of sex. They make out in the elevator, but the guy is dismayed when Countess joins them in the bedroom. The poor guy is viciously stabbed by Tristan. Tristan offers some blood to Countess who says she'd rather watch. Another potential clue to her being Mr March's wife (he did 'make' her watch, right?). Tristan and Countess start making out over the dead guy's body as Tristan breathlessly tells her 'I want more'. Me too, Tristan. Me too.

You are a saint if you've read this entire thing. Sorry so wordy (blame the almost 2 hour show length). We got some answers, more questions, and lots of blood and sex. Cannot wait to see if any of my theories are right. Did I miss anything? Do you have theories of your own? Let me know in the comments.

Until next week .... enjoy your stay (but maybe avoid room service).

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