Carnival of Souls – Book Review
Contains some spoilers
This is the first Melissa Marr book I have read and because I’m going to have to wait for an age until the sequel of this one comes out I may need to nip back to her Wicked Lovely series (I’ve downloaded Faery Tales and Nightmares as a stopgap).
I have to admit that when I first picked Carnival of Souls
To me this book contains five strong main characters that I really cared about, Mallory, Aya, Kaleb, Zevi and Belias.
The Marchosias is the vicious ruler of this world which has a caste society with street scabs at the bottom. This is a world of Daimons, Witches were thrown out into the human world and only a few now exist as slaves. Once in a generation daimon fighters fight in the Carnival of Souls for their chance to become a member of the ruling caste.
Aya, as a woman, only really has becoming a wife and a breeder open to her until she finds out that there is no rule preventing women from entering the competition. Her former betrothed Belias is pitched against her – that was never going to have a good ending.
Belias, despite having his marriage offer rebuffed, is determined to protect Aya so enters the competition for this purpose.
Kaleb is a Black Mask – hitman for hire and a low caste Cur – he is determined to provide for his pack mate Zevi. He has also been tasked by the Marchosias brother to kill Mallory – a task that becomes impossible for him as he develops feelings for her.
Zevi, saved from the Untamed Lands outside the city is determined to protect Kaleb, he is a skilled healer and speedy. Kaleb underestimates Zevi’s ability to look after himself.
Mallory, lives in the human world. She has been raised by Adam, a witch, who has taught her to fear and despise daimons, not realising that she herself is one, offspring of the Watcher Selah (who although lived with her for her early years has since left) and Marchosias himself. She thinks she is human. Adam who took her in revenge for the killings of his family has grown to love her and makes her train to protect herself. They move constantly. She develops feelings for Kaleb, but believing him to be human decides she needs to keep away to keep him safe.
This book focuses on both the fights and the attempts to get Mallory back to the daimon world. There is danger at every turn for all of the characters, from the Night Market to the Watchers. There are lots of twists and turns, many involving Adam’s sister Evelyn. Aya realises that winning the fight is not going to help her achieve her aim and so she pitches in to support Kaleb. The book ends as Mallory finds out who she really is.
The only real negatives I have to give is that I didn’t really get much of a feel for Marchosias character. At one point he is referred to as Marc by a Watcher which indicates he might not be all bad. It’s got me interested to find out more about him though. I also wanted to find out more about Selah and what happened to cause her to leave. This is a series though so hopefully those anwers are to come.
Poor Mallory and Kaleb are in for a tough test of their relationship in the next book, especially when Mallory finds out exactly what sort of relationship they do have.
Another case of rich worldbuilding and vivid characters. I’m glad I watched the book trailer after reading because it gives more away than I do here. The characters don’t really look like how I’d imagine them but I think this gives the impression that this would make an awesome film.
You can find out more at the Carnival of Souls website – just be warned be prepared to jump If you click on Judgement with the volume turned up – I just did.
I’m going to give it 5 stars on Goodreads.
Thanks to HarperCollins for the ARC – the opinions and love of this book are my own.
If you’ve read it let me know what you thought below.
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The Wizard’s Collection 2 – Box Details – 2.4 Other Goodies
Other Goodies
Sadly I’ve read a lot of reviews from people who don’t own this saying ‘why would you when people probably own the DVDs anyway’. Well I already did, twice over but this is a Collector’s edition and if the wonderful packaging and board books weren’t worth it there are a few extra special features which sealed the deal for me.
Locket
Salazar Slytherin’s Horcrux Locket is created by the Noble Collection and it’s a lot prettier and more detailed than I thought. I think it even makes the sound it makes in the movie when you wiggle the chain (but that’s probably just me). On the Wizard’s Collection website (http://www.harrypotterwizardscollection.com/), where you can cast spells to see the information about the different elements of the box set, the production designer talks about designing the locket down to the snake style pendant clasp on the top. It comes in a black box with gold writing that says Harry Potter Wizard’s Collection and has a liittle Prodcts Inspired by certificate from Noble.
This silvery coloured locket is not that heavy and has a pyramid style perspex front. The background is yellow with runes and writing surrounding a central circle with the Snake S with green diamond scales. The locket does open so I need to work out something cool to put into it. Maybe I should take inspiration from this blogger on Tumblr and add a picture of Zefron – http://voldemortoutbitches.tumblr.com/post/6807535147 – AVPM fans will giggle at this. It can be found in the right hand coloured secret department, just push in to open (make sure you close it again before trying to close the set.
Blueprint Map
This can be found in the top secret compartment and is in a sealed plastic bag that you have to break to open. It is (according to the website) on no tear paper – I’m not going to try it but it is fairly thick and glossy. It shows ‘blueprints’ of Hogwarts from The Deathly Hallows with small images of scenes from the films to show the ‘real’ location. Below as well as a picture of the whole map are close ups of the Owlery and Courtyard.
Cloth Map
This was the item that sold it to me when I saw the stars opening it. A lovely Cloth map of Hogwarts and its surrounds.
It comes with ironing instructions – I’m too scared to do that so if I do decide to hang up think I’ll ask Mum kindly to do this for me. A full picture is above as well as The Whomping Willow and Godric’s Hollow below.
Around the edge are:
• In the corners 4 ‘blowing’ faces in the clouds,
• At the top 2 scrolls with Runes
• In the top centre the Hogwarts crest
• At the bottom centre Harry Potter text
• Across the bottom the 4 Hogwart’s Houses crests
Down the Left hand side are images of (from top to bottom):
• Privet Drive
• King’s Cross
• The Burrow
• Diagon Alley
• Shell Cottage
Down the Right hand side are images of (from top to bottom):
• Malfoy Manor
• Godric’s Hollow
• Ministry of Magic
• Grimmauld Place
• Azkaban
In the central panel are:
• Hogsmeade
• Hagrid’s Hut
• A compass
• Quidditch Pitch
• Black Lake
• The Owlery
• Forbidden Forest
• Hogsmeade Station
• Whomping Willow (made out of the words Whomping Willow and the same as on the Maurauder’s Map)
And of course Hogwart’s School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is at the centre.
WB Studio Tour Leaflet
Now although I’ve already been twice I hadn’t actually seen a leaflet for the tour so was actually a little bit excited by this. It is a third of A4 fold (but 4 sides). The front is the familiar poster with the Diagon Alley picture. The back has a map to the attraction. When you fold it out first you see the Great Hall doors with Secrets Will Be Revealed and then opening it fully shows a map of the attraction with details of what you can find there. It shows the Studio Cafe, Lobby, Studio Shop, Cinema, The Great Hall, The Big Room, The Backlot, Creature Shop, Diagon Alley, Art Department and The Model Room. I am already looking forward to my December visit and hoping that the shop has my desired purchases in stock ready for me to buy myself early Christmas presents.
Concept Sketches
The five 5”x7” sketches by production designer Stuart Craig, who basically bought JK Rowling’s locations to life each have his signature and comes in a white envelope with a sketch of Shell Cottage on the front and Stuart Craig Sketches written across the flap at the back.
The pencil sketches are:
• Side view of Hogwarts Castle – the Boathouse and Dumbledore’s office are visible (shown below)
• Back view of Hogwarts and Hogwarts Bridge (which they’ve now opened for pictures at the Studio Tour)
• The Graveyard
• Gringott’s Bank
• Hagrid’s Hut
Concept Art
I’ve seen some of these at the studio tour and they are beautiful. These coloured paintings are suitable for framing, they are 8”x10” and there is one for each film, as follows.
1. The Chess Set surrounded by fire with the Knight and a pawn on opposite sides of the board and shadows of the trio on the floor.
2. Trees from the forest (an owl is on the branch of one) and then Hogwarts on the lake.
3. The Whomping Willow having just shed its leaves and Hogwarts.
4. A snow covered Hogwarts and the Durmstrang ship (with someone diving off it) on the lake (shown above).
5. The top of Hogwarts (Dumbledore’s office) with 6 Thestrals in the sky. The 6 flying to the Ministry to ‘save’ Sirius.
6. The rock in the sea surrounded by violent waves with small silhouettes of Dumbledore and Harry on top.
7. Dobby’s Grave :o( on the dunes (Here Lies Dobby A Free Elf) with shell cottage and the beach behind (shown below).
8. Hogwarts in flames.
Ultraviolet Copies
In the left side coloured secret compartment is a little scroll with a black ribbon. This contains the codes to the Ultraviolet copies. This is my first experience of Ultraviolet. The top of the certificate says – Ultraviolet for all 8 films, instantly stream and download now. It expands later and says you can download to your computer and compatible devices. You have to create a Flixster/Ultraviolet account which was fairly simple. You have to redeem by early September 2014.
A personal bugbear is that the version of the first film is called Sorcerer’s Stone even though this was the UK copy!!! Grrrr. Philosopher’s already. Also I don’t actually have room to download to my iPad through you can stream via the Flixster app via wifi. Be warned it will take a while to download all 8 to your computer (again this uses the Flixster App on the Mac).
Certificate of Authenticity
This textured creamy 8”x10” certificate shows what number your collection is out of the 63000 produced and 2012 the year of production. I wonder whether JK Rowling was given no 1, Daniel 2 etc. Mine is no 35807. There is a red wax seal similar to that on Harry’s letter in the bottom right but with HP inside.
And that’s it. Yes it is expensive but it is a Collector’s Edition, people have always paid more for collector’s items and you aren’t just buying the films again, you are buying a piece of history. As noted before lots more pictures to be posted on my Tumblr blog – I have daily posts queued until the end of the month and beyond.
Coming Soon (because I’ve got to watch them first): The Wizard’s Collection 3 – The Films and Extra features
I’ve watched the first two parts of Creating the World of Harry Potter (not having owned the Ultimate Editions) at over an hour each so don’t expect these posts to arrive that soon.
3.1 Philosopher’s Stone
3.2 Chamber of Secrets
3.3 Prisoner of Azkaban
3.4 Goblet of Fire
3.5 Order of the Phoenix
3.6 Half-Blood Prince
3.7.1 Deathly Hallows Part 1
3.7.2 Deathly Hallows Part 2
3.8 Bonus Disc
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The Wizard’s Collection 2 – Box Details – 2.3 Books
Today’s post is about the two books that are included in this set. They are the Label Collection and Catalogue of Artefacts.
Label Collection
This is a blue softback book with gold writing. It isn’t a sticker collection but a book of labels collected from across the films presented on shiny paper. So, do I write my name inside the front cover?
The level of detail of these labels to me just demonstrates the immense effort the production team put into creating the world. Many of these we wouldn’t have spotted whilst watching the films but I’m going to give it a go now. There are labels of things I think that are only referred to in the books and not just the films and I’m guessing many they just made up themselves. I’ve chosen to show you Essence of Dittany (useful in cases of Splinching) and the Decoy Detonator.
There are, however, potions labels, ingredients, Honeydukes products, Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes products, Labels from Dumbledore’s memory vials and more – outlined page by page below.
Page 1 – Property of label
Page 2 – From Slughorn’s personal stores – Armadillo Bile Mixture, Wormwood Essence, Blatta Pulvereus, Potion N. 86
Page 3 – Antidote given to Ron – Essence of Dittany
Page 4 – Madame Maxime’s healing potions – Restorative Potions No 2 and 3, No−61042, No-0752
Page 5 – More from Slughorn’s personal stores – From the Apothecarium of Horace E. F. Slughorn, Tincture No 1 Swelling Solution, No. Bezoars, Pepperup Elixir
Pages 6 and 7 – From the Hogwarts store cupboard, 2 different Polyjuice Potions labels, Sliced caterpiller, No-2984, No. 2063, N.25 Belch Powder, Elixir, Aconite
Pages 8 and 9 – Honeydukes products – Pumpkin Juice, Fiery Black Pepper Imps, Honeydukes, Fizzing Whizzbees.
Pages 10 and 11 – More Honeydukes products – Sugared Butterfly Wings, Tooth Splintering Strong Mints, Glacial Snow Flakes, Cauldron Cakes
Page 12 – Slughorn’s Spiced Mead
Page 13 – Knotgrass Mead from Hagrid’s Hut
Pages 14 and 15 – Miscellaneous drinks labels – fizzing tea, parkling Spring Spell Water, Fire Whisky, Ocky Rot, Quintin Black
Pages 16 and 17 – Various product labels – Black cat potato crisps, Elfin sugar crystals, tomato ketchup, Blishen Lighthouse and Blishen’s Safety Matches (Muggle Matches), Spellbinding Nuts from the Three Broomsticks and the Sneakoscope (only for those age 8 or above)
Page 18 – Hogwarts Express Luggage Label, Droobles best blowing gum purchased from the Hogwarts trolley, 100% Pure African Red Pepper Piquant Toothpaste from the burrow
Page 19 – Ron’s ablutions products – two Sleaekeasy’s Scalp Balm and Madame Glossy’s Self-Polishing Shoe Polish
Page 20 – from Ron’s bedroom – Fish Fancies Goldfish Flake Food and Dervish & Banges
Page 21 – YU’M*YU’M authentic Chinese Take-Away from the Quidditch World Cup, McGonagall’s dance class record label Spell-O-Fonix Wizard Waltz, Stills film roll from the Daily Prophet.
Page 22 – From Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes – Weather in a bottle, Extendable Ears,
Page 23 – The Wonder Witch Collection – 2 Wonder Witch beauty potions one stuck on with spellotape, Everlasting Eyelashes, Kissing Concoction, Cupid Crystals, Love is Blind Eye Serum and Crush Blush
Pages 24 and 25 – Products from Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes – Rubby Chicken, Bewitching Transformation, price labels, Fanged Flyer, “Comb-A-Chameleon”, Bombtastc Bomb
Pages 26 and 27 – More packaging from Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes – Jinx-Off kit (includes cloak, hat & gloves, Ten Second Pimple Vanisher, Decoy Detonator
Pages 28 and 29 – Firework packaging – Rocket Crystal Incantation, Boggart Banger superduper flash crackers, size 2 Feathery Flamingo Fuzzer Flame, stock Box Anti-Gravity Hats, Whack Trance Whammy Rocket size 8 and Weasleys’ Famous Unlucky Dip, Fainting Fancies, Fever Fudge, Nosebleed Nougat
Pages 30 and 31 – Vial labels from Dumbledore’s memory cabinet – McGonagall Transfg no 63, Fawkes No 221, T Riddle 08 Set 1972, May 9th 1985, (?) Ludus memoria no 83, Expiatio 1987, (?) Prieritia memoria 1938, (?) Herba 1952, Sybil Trelawny 1982, Filch memoria 1971 No 54, (?) Dolov No 04, (?) Purbia no 460 1922, February 22nd 1992, 9?) Opius memoria No 02 1967 [Question marks are because these were difficult to read so not sure I’ve got them right]
Page 32 – One more from Harry’s Prophecy – S.P.T to A.P.W.B.D Dark Lord and (?) Harry Potter
Catalogue of Artefacts
This Burgundy/Brown hardback book has 5 vertical rows of 4 symbols on the front cover – alternating runes and images within the circles – images are of hermione’s bag, time-turner, ? Castle, Triwizard Cup, Ravenclaw’s Diadem, (?) locket, Snitch, Beedle the Bard label, Deluminator and Deathly Hallows necklace. The Back cover has a gold H outlined on it. The Inside covers are marbled in red, gold, blue and purply on a dark blue background. Then inside again is a green hexagon patterned page. Like the Labels Collection this demonstrates the skill of the props/artefacts team.
Page 1 – Title Page
Pages 2/3 – Harry Potter – [Yellow left hand page] Hogwarts Express Ticket (Platform 9 3/4), Hogwarts acceptance letter envelope, Hogwarts Express Luggage Label, Harry’s wand and glasses, Chocolate frog box. Also images of Harry with Hedwig on his arm and Harry in front of the Hogwarts Express.
Pages 4/5 – Ronald Weasley [Bright Green left hand page] – Ron’s Wand, The Howler, Chudley Cannons Stickers and images of Fred, George, Ginny and Ron, Chudley Cannons bedspread and Scabbers.
Pages 6/7 – Hermione Granger [Pink left hand page] – Yule Ball invitation, Time-Turner and Hermione’s wand. Images of Hermione with Crookshanks and Hermione and Harry in the hospital wing with the time-turner.
Pages 8/9 – Gryffindor Common Room [Red left hand page] – Hogwarts School Exercise Books and Gryffindor Uniform Crest. Images of Ron on the sofa and Harry and Hermione on the floor in front of him and an empty common room showing the stairs to the dorm.
Pages 10/11 – Gilderoy Lockhart [Yellow left hand page] – Books and Framed and autographed photos inc Guide to Household Pests, The Travel Trilogy Voyages with Vampires, also spines of VwV, Wanderings with Werewolves and Holidays with Hags, Arabia type pic, on a broomstick near a pink envelope, in blue robes – also his Defence Against the Dark Arts Second Year Essential Knowledge Test (all about him).
Pages 12/13 – Chamber of Secrets [Dull Bluey-Green left hand page] – Tom Riddle’s Diary with hole and Basilisk Fang. Images of the Slytherin Statue from the Chamber and Harry reading the diary in the common room.
Pages 14/15 – Marauder’s Map [Red left hand page] – Map partially open
Pages 16/17 – Honeydukes [Aqua-Blue left hand page] – Cauldron Cakes, Fizzing Whizzbees, Pumpkin Juice, Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans, Honeydues striped bags and Exploding Bon Bons (Full packaging including labels).
Pages 18/19 – Quiddith World Cup [Bright Green left hand page] – Programme, The Final Ticket, Ireland and Bulgaria flags, poster and Krum Merchandise (outfit). Image of the stadium from above.
Pages 20/21 – [Yellow left hand page] – Triwizard Tournament – Triwizard Cup, Book – Triwizard Tragedies, The Golden Egg (open) and Competitior’s Entry Papers. Image of Harry looking at the open Golden Egg.
Pages 22/23 – Dolores Umbridge [Pink left hand page] – Cat Plate, Cat stationery with letter to Minerva about Harry’s poor behaviour in class, ?Cat Pen, Cat Pin, Proclamation Educational Decree No 119, Progress Report Magical Didactics, Framed (Ministry M frame) of Dolores at her desk tea cup in hand, cat plates behind, O.W.L exam paper.
Pages 24/25 – Potions Class [Dull Bluey-Green left hand page] – Advanced Potions Making Books, older and newer versions also inner page saying property of the Half-Blood Prince, Bezoar Box, A Cauldron, Potions Bottles (N.86, sleeping draught, 73, 74 and two others I can’t read).
Pages 26/27 – Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes [Bright Green left hand page] – nose Biting Teacup, Skiving Snackbox poster, unlucky dip, Screaming Yo-Yo, Fanged Flyer (green snake-like frisbee), Electric Shock Shake, Stock list, receipt, Boxing Telescope, decoy Detonator, Price List, Badges.
Pages 28/29 – Dumbledore’s Office [Yellow left hand page] – Memory Vial Thomas Riddle 1938, Image of Gambon’s Dumbledore next to Memory Cabinet with a vial in his hand. Astrolabe, Red Fawkes Feather, Image of Harry on the Griffen staircase.
Pages 30/31 – Ministry of Magic [Purple left hand page] – Image of Fudge, Minster for Magic Cornelius Fudge’s Chain of Office, Ministry of Magic purple flying memos, Visitor’s Badge No 09018, I.D. Card (purrple front with image of Ray Cattermole inside) , Mudloods and the Dangers handout, Muggle-Born Registration Comission Order No 902-MBRC/ and Rolled The Daily Prophet (weather and zodiac).
Pages 32/33 – Hall of Prophecy [Red left hand page] – Prophecies (97.129 [Harry’s] , 97.130 and 97.131) and Voldemort’s Wand. Images of Harry’s Propehcy Ball and Harry, Ginny, Neville and Luna in the Hall of Prophecy.
Pages 34/35 – Death Eaters [Dull Bluey-Green left hand page] – Three Different Death Eater Masks.
Pages 36/37 – Gringotts Bank [Yellow left hand page] – Gringott’s Bank Ledger, Gold Inkkwell, Bellatrix’s Jewels. Wizard Money (bronze knut, silver sickle, golden galleon), possibly a withdrawal/credit slip, Golden skull, Hand clutching a crystal ball with rings and bracelets. Images of Goblins stood under chandelier, Harry in Bellatrix’s vault on the growing mound of treasure, The dragon bursting from the room.
Pages 38/39 – Deathly Hallows Necklace [Aqua-Blue left hand page] – Background image of the Lovegood’s house with an Image of the Trio with Xenophilius Lovegood drawing the Hallows symbol. The symbol drawing on Tales of Beedle the Bard and the necklace and a sketch of the necklace.
Pages 40/41 – Dumbledore’s WIll [Dull Bluey-Green left hand page] – Dumbledore’s WIll, His copy of Tales of Beedle the Bard, The Golden Snitch (open to show the ring) and the Deluminator.
Pages 42/43 – Hermione Granger’s Bag [Pink left hand page] – Image of Harry and Hermione dancing in the tent, Image of the tent from outside, Hermione’s bag in the middle, Essence of Dittany Bottle, Rita Skeeter’s Albus Dumbledore book, Advanced Rune Translation, two other books, one looks like it could be called Healing Magic.
Pages 44/45 – The Deathly Hallows [Aqua-Blue left hand page] – The Elder Wand, The Resurrection Stone Ring and the Invisibility Cloak (I love the material of this when seen at the studio tour and in the image I’ll show you below). Image of the Three brothers cartoon from the film and of Harry holding the Invisibility Cloak in Year 1.
Here is the snap I took of the cloak material at the Studio Tour too.
Pages 46/47 – Horcruxes [Yellow left hand page] – Salazar Slytherin’s Locket, Rowena Ravenclaw’s Diadem and Helga Hufflepuff’s Cup each with a drawing of the item too.
Page 48 Pink left hand page with Article No 81 The Sorting Hat being placed on Harry’s Head.
Hope you found that interesting.
Tomorrow: The Wizard’s Collection 2 – Box Details – 2.4 Other Goodies
kirstyes 