Friday, March 31, 2017

Beauty and the Beast Live-Action Film

Everyone is super amped up about seeing Beauty and the Beast, the live-action film. But does it live to its high expectations? I went to see the film in regular 2D with my mother on Saturday, March 18th, 2017 and yes, it does live up to the expectation. Image from coming soon.net. 

WARNING: This discussion post contains spoilers about Beauty and the Beast 1991 and 2017 versions. If you did not see both films, I encourage you not to read any further unless you don't mind spoilers. Read at your own risk.


The live-action version of Beauty and the Beast is a re-imagining of the 1991 animated classic. With it's spectacular cinematography, it is also breathtakingly gorgeous and perfectly casted. The choreography is on point! This version invokes emotions that the original version cannot. The film takes place in 18th century France in a small village but we do see scenes of Paris.

The new film has a few addition songs and includes some new scenes which added length to film. The original clocked in at 84 minutes while this version clocked in at 124 minutes. The new film brings a sense of nostalgia and a return back to my childhood. After all, I was only 4-years-old when the classic film was out.

Stephen Chbosky is one of the screenplay writers of the film. For those who don't know who he is, Chbosky wrote Perks of Being a Wallflower and also the screenplay for the film of the same title. Evan Spiliotopoulos is his partner in crime. The screenplay for this film includes more complex layers compared to the animated version. Beauty and the Beast offers a chance for the audience to learn more about the backstories of Beast, Belle and also Gaston.

A magic atlas that can take you anywhere is left by the Enchantress which helps add a layer of Belle's mother and what happened to her. By adding this subplot, it also adds a shared experience that Belle and Beast went through since he also lost his mother. When the Prince lost his mother, his father raised him to be the man he is today. The Prince's sweet kindness died with him when his mother died. Belle is the only one that was able to reignite who he really is.

Image from today.com
In this version of Beauty and the Beast, Gaston's backstory about his time in the war and his PTSD explains more about his charter and why he does the things he does. He is more realistic compared to the classic film. Gaston's character is the perfect foil for the Beast and he also brings out more of the darkness of the plot.

Belle doesn't just like to read books but she also wants to promote literacy like when she teaches a young girl to read. She also is an inventor and creates a washing machine with a horse, rope and a barrel. The village people don't approve of her being an oddity since she doesn't fit into certain gender roles of the time period. Her father, Maurice, is more than an inventor; he is also an artist.

Subtle changes such as having Belle read Romeo and Juliet instead of Jack and the Beanstalk help develop Belle's and the Beast's shared interest in Shakespeare. When the last rose petal falls, the servants become inanimate antiques for a short period of time which causes a sense of shock for the audience. I love the intricate detailing of the re-imagined favorite characters such as Cogsworth, Lumiere, Mrs. Potts and Chip. The line about Monsieur Jean forgetting something comes full circle when he later remembers that he is Mr. Potts. Due to the curse, all the village people forget the Prince and everyone that lives in the mansion. This film closed many plot holes found in the animated classic.

Disney is definitely expanding on the diversity front. LeFou has a gay moment in the film. He pines for Gaston but he also share a dance with another guy at the celebration dance when Le Fou and another man are accidentally pushed together. LeFou is also not a silly sidekick but actually an important friend to Gaston. LeFou is definitely a new favorite character for many.

Image from screenrant.com
Disney also features two interracial kisses, which is the first time an interracial kiss occurs in a Disney movie. Cadenza, the harpsichord, is a new character and also, Candenza and Madame de Gardenrobe are lovers in the film. Lumiere and Plumette share a kiss as well. However, many don't know ethnicity of the Beast's staff until they turn human.

Of course the snow, thorny bushes, wolves, and gargoyles surround the mansion to depict a more coarse and rugged ugly version of what the Prince once had.  However, this is the beauty of Beauty and the Beast. You cannot judge people from the exterior. It's what's inside that counts.

Agathe is a new character added to the film. She lives as an unwed woman and the village ostracizes her because of it. However, she is an important character since she is also the Enchantress who cursed the Prince. She was the one who turned the prince into Beast and erased all the memories of the townsfolk. In this version, she alone can reverse the curse. Because she observed Belle's love for Beast and Beast's love for Belle, she lifts the curse. Belle was too late to share her love with Beast before the last rose petal fell. I guess if Belle said I love you before the last petal fell, Agathe's role wouldn't be as big as it is in the film.

Agathe helps those who are in need like when Maurice was tied to a tree and left to die by Gaston. She takes Maurice into her makeshift house in the forest and nurses him back to health. However, when Maurice returns back to the village, no one believes his stories about Beast and how Belle is a prisoner. No one believes about how Gaston tried to kill him in the woods. Because the only witness is Agathe, the village shuns Maurice just like how they shun Agathe. The village actually shuns anyone who doesn't conform. They treat Agathe like dirt, they want to send Maurice to the insane asylum and they think Belle is an oddity.

The updated version of Belle's ball gown is absolutely gorgeous! I also liked the added pockets to Belle's everyday blue and white dress. The pockets are more useful that the basket. Belle upgrades to a sturdy everyday boot instead of a pair of flats. In fact all the costumes are splendid! Every detail is important from Cogworth's Roman numeral buttons to Gaston's militaristic coat.  The details add more dimension to the story and everything interlaces quite well together.

Image from twincities.com
Overall, the Beauty and the Beast live-action film is sensational! Beauty and the Beast brings a classic to life and is beyond my expectations. This film is a romantic dark fantasy musical for all ages and is still compassionate, curious and open-minded as the classic.

Wednesday, March 29, 2017

Blood Rose Cover Reveal





I was fortunate to read Blood Rose when it was first available in e-book format and I am glad the novel is finally going to be published as a paperback. How stunning is this cover? I am loving this reveal! You can read my review about Blood Rose here.


Published by OfTomes Publishing, the Blood Books trilogy follows the harrowing journey of Avah Taylor, a mortal witch in the midst of a centuries-old war against the immortal vampire species. Avah’s intense journey is fueled by blood, jealousy, betrayal, murder and revenge



Title: Blood Rose (Blood Series #1) 
Author: Danielle Rose
Publication Date: June 21, 2017 (paperback)
Publisher: OfTomes Publishing
Pre-order Links: Amazon | Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:

There’s no wrath like that of a witch scorned.

As one of the only spirit users in her coven, Avah has been chosen to wield The Power, the ultimate weapon against the immortal vampire species witches have been at war with for centuries.

But on the night of her birth rite, Avah’s coven is attacked. Forced to seek refuge among the very beings she’s sworn to kill, Avah vows revenge on those who took her former life from her.

As Avah slowly transitions into a life of blood and war, she realizes everything she’s been told is a lie.


ABOUT DANIELLE ROSE

Danielle Rose holds a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing from the University of Southern Maine. Currently residing in the Midwest, where she spends her days dreaming of warmer temperatures, when she’s not writing, she enjoys pretending she lives in California, spending an embarrassing amount of time at Hobby Lobby, and binge-watching Netflix. Visit Danielle on the Web: www.Danielle-Rose.com.

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Tuesday, March 28, 2017

The Glittering Court Paperback Release Blitz



The Glittering Court by Richelle Mead releases today in paperback format. The Midnight Jewel, a companion novel in Mira's POV, will release on June 27, 2017. Make sure to check out the giveaway for The Glittering Court at the end of the post get caught up with this trilogy.



Title: The Glittering Court
Author: Richelle Mead
Publisher: Razorbill
Publication date: May 3, 2016
Pages: 400
Buy Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository
Synopsis (from goodreads.com):

Big and sweeping, spanning from the refined palaces of Osfrid to the gold dust and untamed forests of Adoria, The Glittering Court tells the story of Adelaide, an Osfridian countess who poses as her servant to escape an arranged marriage and start a new life in Adoria, the New World. But to do that, she must join the Glittering Court.

Both a school and a business venture, the Glittering Court is designed to transform impoverished girls into upper-class ladies who appear destined for powerful and wealthy marriages in the New World. Adelaide naturally excels in her training, and even makes a few friends: the fiery former laundress Tamsin and the beautiful Sirminican refugee Mira. She manages to keep her true identity hidden from all but one: the intriguing Cedric Thorn, son of the wealthy proprietor of the Glittering Court.

When Adelaide discovers that Cedric is hiding a dangerous secret of his own, together they hatch a scheme to make the best of Adelaide’s deception. Complications soon arise—first as they cross the treacherous seas from Osfrid to Adoria, and then when Adelaide catches the attention of a powerful governor.

But no complication will prove quite as daunting as the potent attraction simmering between Adelaide and Cedric. An attraction that, if acted on, would scandalize the Glittering Court and make them both outcasts in wild, vastly uncharted lands…



ABOUT RICHELLE MEAD

RICHELLE MEAD is the #1 New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of the Vampire Academy series and its spin-off series, Bloodlines. Originally from Michigan, she now lives in Seattle, Washington. 

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GIVEAWAY

Enter for a chance to win one (1) of ten (10) copies of The Glittering Court by Richelle Mead (ARV: $10.99 each).

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Enter between 12:00 AM Eastern Time on March 28, 2017 and 12:00 AM on April 5, 2017. Open to residents of the fifty United States and the District of Columbia who are 13 and older. Winners will be selected at random on or about April 7, 2017. Odds of winning depend on number of eligible entries received. Void where prohibited or restricted by law.

Books will be sent by publisher. Nicole's Novel Reads is not responsible for books lost or damaged in the mail. Good Luck!


Top Ten Authors I am Dying to Meet


Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. This week's Top Ten Tuesday asks bloggers post about their top ten authors they are dying to meet. I have been fortunate enough to meet many authors in my life but there are always more fantastic authors I would love to meet in the near future. The following authors are in no particular order.


1. Lisa See is an author I have been dying to meet ever since she published her novel Snow Flower and the Secret Fan back in 2005. In fact, I will meeting her today since she will be visiting one of my favorite indie book stores. Her current novel, The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane came out last Tuesday.


2. J. K. Rowling is an author I want to meet someday in my life time. Not only did she write the amazing Harry Potter series but she has brought life to a open-minded fandom and has brought joy to many Potterheads. Harry Potter and the Wizarding World have special spots in my heart. Not only have I been a fan for over 15 years but Harry Potter is part of my life that I will always cherish. I have made countless memories and met so many people because of Harry Potter. Thank you, J.K. Rowling!


3. Stephanie Perkins is an author I would love to meet one day because I absolutely fell in love with her Anna and the French Kiss companion series. Not only are her short stories cute as well but I am looking forward to her upcoming horror novel.


4. Kerri Maniscalco is an author who knows how to write a good historical thriller. I fell in love with her debut novel, Stalking Jack the Ripper, and I cannot wait to sink my teeth into Hunting Prince Dracula.



5. Julie Buxbaum captivated me with her heartfelt book, Tell Me Three Things. If you love books like The Start of Me and You, definitely check Buxbaum's books. Her upcoming book, What to Say Next sounds like the perfect summer contemporary read.
6. Neil Gaiman is an author I would love to meet. From Coraline to American Gods, Gaiman is a staple author in any household.


7. Stephen Chbosky has written one of my favorite books of all time, The Perks of Being a Wallflower. He is also a screenwriter. Chbosky wrote the screenplay for the film adaptation for The Perks of Being a Wallflower and for the live-action version of Beauty and the Beast.


8. Stacey Lee writes novels that I can relate to. She writes historical fiction and contemporary novels that are diverse and are unique. The Secret of a Heart Note is one of my favorite books she's written. I would love to meet her one day.


9. Stephanie Garber's debut novel Caraval is stunning! I cannot wait to read more novels by her especially the next book in the duology. She is a fantastic storyteller and meeting her would be a dream come true.


10. Naoko Takeuchi is known for her Sailor Moon and Codename Sailor V manga. I have been a high fan of Sailor Moon since the early 90s and I would love to meet the creator of this splendid manga series!



What authors are you dying to meet? Have you meet any of the authors on my list above?

Wednesday, March 22, 2017

Sarah Andersen Big Mushy Happy Lump Event Recap

I am so fortunate to have attended Sarah Andersen's book tour event to celebrate her new book, Big Mushy Happy Lump, on Monday, March 20, 2017. It was the perfect way to start of the first day of spring. The event was held at the Harvard Coop and Cambridge, MA was the first stop on her book tour. I got to the bookstore about 35 minutes prior to the event and there weren't too many people there but literally after 15-20 minutes, all the seats were taken and there was only standing room left.

Sarah's Sarah Scribbles collection of comics have always resonated with me. I can relate to almost every comic that has been posted online or included in books. It's like me in a nutshell. Sarah started the event off with showcasing some of her favorite comics that she drew. Of course she posted the one with how she spends money...mainly on books and the Big Mushy Happy Lump one. My current favorite is the one about the wacky weather we've been having and how the world is dying. The next section was a Q&A. The audience asked some very good questions.

One person asked about the materials she used to illustrate. For the Sarah Scribbles collection, Sarah uses a Cintiq tablet in Photoshop. Normally her comics take 1-2 hour(s) to finish but that doesn't include her 5-6 drafts per idea. She found her style through her inspiration of Ponyo. I can totally see this when looking her comic design for the main character. Also, she loves silly expressive characters.

Sarah has always created comics but she had to decide when to post them online for everyone to see them. In sophomore year of college, she had a lot of stuff happening and she started documenting her life through comics. She also draws comics based on her friends and family as well. Originally, her work was posted on her tumblr. For Sarah drawing comics is similar to keeping a diary.

However, she also likes to illustrate fairy tales. Sarah decided to include a bunny in her comics because she had a childhood rabbit and also the bunny represents a sense of normalcy. Sarah refers to the character in the comics as "her" or "she." This character is Sarah and she speaks for Sarah. It's like conveying the inner self.

When she first started to post her comics online after tumblr, she went with GoComics because she worked with them before and also because they included Calvin and Hobbes comics. Most of her "rejected work" are puns. Perhaps in the future Sarah will release some of these puns online or in a book. Who knows?

After the Q&A, everyone lined up to meet Sarah and to get their books signed. It was a pleasure to meet Sarah and Sarah told me about the different types of printing for her books. Apparently for Adulthood is a Myth, the second printing has the glossy pages. I actually didn't notice that I had glossy pages in my copy of Adulthood is a Myth and matte pages in my Big Mushy Happy Lump book. My life is complete to finally meet Sarah! She is awesome and super nice!

Currently, Sarah is working on her third book of Sarah Scribbles collection. Some of her upcoming comic con appearances include Kansas City Comic Con and most likely New York Comic Con. I hope you get to meet Sarah during the Big Mushy Happy Lump Book Tour!



Monday, March 20, 2017

The Museum of Heartbreak by Meg Leder

Title: The Museum of Heartbreak
Author: Meg Leder
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Publication date: June 7, 2016
Pages: 256
Source/format: Purchased//Hardcover

Rating: ☆☆☆ 

Synopsis (from goodreads.com):

In this ode to all the things we gain and lose and gain again, seventeen-year-old Penelope Marx curates her own mini-museum to deal with all the heartbreaks of love, friendship, and growing up.

Welcome to the Museum of Heartbreak.

Well, actually, to Penelope Marx’s personal museum. The one she creates after coming face to face with the devastating, lonely-making butt-kicking phenomenon known as heartbreak.

Heartbreak comes in all forms: There’s Keats, the charmingly handsome new guy who couldn’t be more perfect for her. There’s possibly the worst person in the world, Cherisse, whose mission in life is to make Penelope miserable. There’s Penelope’s increasingly distant best friend Audrey. And then there’s Penelope’s other best friend, the equal-parts-infuriating-and-yet-somehow-amazing Eph, who has been all kinds of confusing lately.

But sometimes the biggest heartbreak of all is learning to let go of that wondrous time before you ever knew things could be broken.

M Y  T H O U G H T S

Sixteen-year-old Penelope (Pen) Madeira Marx is the curator of the Museum of Heartbreak of the United States of America. She is a romantic waiting to fall in love. When Pen's friends Audrey and Eph have been expanding their social circles beyond their social triangle, Pen has been feeling quite left out. After meeting Grace and Miles, she realizes that she doesn't always have to do thing with her friends all the time. However, Pen seems not to be able to let go.

Meg Leder writes a genuine book about first crushes, friendship and finding one self. I found myself smiling a lot throughout the whole book because it's so light, fluffy and happy. I feel like I am sitting on cloud nine. Leder takes her readers on a trip around New York City. I recognize a lot of places from McNally Jackson Books to the American Museum of Natural History. Pen is relatable and all the characters in the novel are believable. Nothing is over the top and I can see every event happening in a high school setting.

Pen goes through multiple types of heartbreak throughout the book. Heartbreak is defined by absence, loneliness and heightens nostalgia. It's a physical phenomenon, it comes it all shapes and sizes and the biggest heartbreak of it all is letting go.

Each chapter has a sketch of an item from the Museum of Heartbreak. Next to the drawing, there is description of the item and how she obtained the item along with a catalog number. This is a very creative way to title each chapter since each artifact of the museum has significance in Pen's life. Karina Granda did a fantastic job with the cover art. A curation of everything mentioned in the book is summarized through artifacts like pieces of a puzzle.

I also appreciate the pop culture and literary references within the novel such as mentions of Watchmen, J.D Salinger, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Anne of Green Gables, Wuthering Heights, Oscar Wilde and the Dead Poet's Society.

This novel is written in a first person POV except for the last chapter which is sort of out of place since it's written in second person POV. However, the second person POV is the reader being a character from the novel.

The Museum of Heartbreak is a quirky and delightful read full of nostalgia and innocence. From dinosaurs to dark chocolate Kit-Kats, Pen realizes sometimes the best of things are right in front of her. Sometimes heartbreak is necessary before finding the truth and happiness.

Thursday, March 16, 2017

Blood Rose Rebellion by Rosalyn Eves

Title: Blood Rose Rebellion
Author: Rosalyn Eves
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Publication date: March 28, 2017
Pages: 416
Source/format: e-ARC from publisher

Rating: ☆☆☆ 

Synopsis (from goodreads.com):

The thrilling first book in a YA fantasy trilogy for fans of Red Queen. In a world where social prestige derives from a trifecta of blood, money, and magic, one girl has the ability to break the spell that holds the social order in place.

Sixteen-year-old Anna Arden is barred from society by a defect of blood. Though her family is part of the Luminate, powerful users of magic, she is Barren, unable to perform the simplest spells. Anna would do anything to belong. But her fate takes another course when, after inadvertently breaking her sister’s debutante spell—an important chance for a highborn young woman to show her prowess with magic—Anna finds herself exiled to her family’s once powerful but now crumbling native Hungary.

Her life might well be over.

In Hungary, Anna discovers that nothing is quite as it seems. Not the people around her, from her aloof cousin Noémi to the fierce and handsome Romani Gábor. Not the society she’s known all her life, for discontent with the Luminate is sweeping the land. And not her lack of magic. Isolated from the only world she cares about, Anna still can’t seem to stop herself from breaking spells.

As rebellion spreads across the region, Anna’s unique ability becomes the catalyst everyone is seeking. In the company of nobles, revolutionaries, and Romanies, Anna must choose: deny her unique power and cling to the life she’s always wanted, or embrace her ability and change that world forever.


M Y  T H O U G H T S

Anna Arden is a Luminate living in England during the mid-19th century. However, unlike her family, she is barren and cannot wield magic. Because of the fiasco during her sister's debut, Anna is sent to Hungary to live with her grandmother's family.

Rosalyn Eves weaves Slavic mythology with historical fiction within this fantasy. Eves touches upon society of the many classes. The wealthy are able to control magic and dictate who gets to cast spells. The poor, however, live in horrible conditions and do not get a chance to wield magic even if they have the aptitude for it, except the Romani. The Romani have their own branch of magic that they will use in order to help their people.

I find the world building thoroughly fleshed out within Blood Rose Rebellion but at times there is a lot of info dumping. Because I am reading an e-ARC, it is very hard for me to keep referring to the glossary for foreign terms that I do not understand. The novel also has Anna being infatuated with so many guys in such a short period of time. Instalove is prominent throughout the whole book. She literally kisses three guys within the first half of the book.

Rosalyn Eves starts off the novel strong but I found the middle of the book slightly slowed down in pace and it was hard to keep my attention. The character development is flat and I was hoping for more personality, especially from the main characters of the novel. I do applaud Eves transporting readers to Hungary since there are not that many novels set in Eastern Europe. The Slavic mythology, such as stories about the Rusalka, fascinate me since I love reading about folklore from around the world.

Blood Rose Rebellion is a historical fantasy novel that will intrigue readers who love magic and folklore. Blood Rose Rebellion will pique readers' interests especially those who enjoyed Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard and Ruined by Amy Tintera.

Tuesday, March 14, 2017

Top Ten Books On My Spring TBR


Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. This week's Top Ten Tuesday asks bloggers post about their top ten books on their spring TBR list. I am looking forward to reading a lot of upcoming books this spring and there is no surprise that a good amount of them are contemporary reads. Also, I am super excited to say that many of the contemporary books I am looking forward to are diverse and/or are about fandoms/geekiness. The following titles are in no particular order.


1. Always and Forever, Lara Jean by Jenny Han is my most anticipated book this year. I cannot wait to read more about Lara Jean in this novel. This is the third installment to the To All the Boys trilogy. Lara Jean is finally a senior in high school and she has some big decisions about her life.


2. The Upside to Requited by Becky Albertalli is Albertalli's sophomore book and many people are already raving about it. With the diversity, geekiness and unrequited love, this novel is sure to be a favorite of many.


3. Eliza and her Monsters by Francesca Zappia is about a girl named Eliza who is shy, weird and is the creator of a webcomic. This novel seems very fitting for those who love Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell. And for those who don't know already, Fangirl is one of my favorite books.


4. The Crown's Fate by Evelyn Skye is the sequel to The Crown's Game. Join the adventure with Vika, Pasha and Nikolai in Russia once more! I am interested to see what happens next.


5. The Names They Gave Us by Emery Lord is a about faith, love and the ability to cope. Lucy had her summer plans all set until she found out that her mother has cancer. I enjoyed most of Lord's previous books and I am excited to dive into this one.


6. The Wingsnatchers by Sarah Jean Horwitz is the first book in the Carmer and Grit series and is also Horwitz's debut novel. Fantasy and steampunk collide creating a world full of magic about a magician's apprentice and a faerie princess. This middle grade novel is sure to enchant you.


7. Internet Famous by Danika Stone is a fandom extension of All the Feels. Madison manages a pop-culture blog and when real life gets tough, she turns to the internet. She finds someone online to turn to through an internet romance but someone is trying to separate her online and real personas. I adored All the Feels and cannot wait to see what Stone has in store for her fans in this upcoming novel.


8. When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon is Menon's debut novel about a girl named Dimple who just graduated high school. Her parents are urging her to find a husband and little did she know that when she attends a summer program, she will meet Rishi. This romantic comedy is the perfect late spring/summer read with alternating POVs.


9. I Believe in a Thing Called Love by

10. The Best Kind of Magic by Crystal Cestari is a novel that will satisfy readers who love magical realism. Set in the Windy City of Chicago,  Amber can see true love. She can envision everyone's soul mate except her own. This novel reminds me of The Secret of a Heart Note by Stacey Lee.


What books are on your spring TBR list? Do we share any of the same titles?

Monday, March 13, 2017

The Vampire Diaries Series Finale - "I Was Feeling Epic"

WARNING: This discussion post contains spoilers about The Vampire Diaries series as well as the series finale. If you're not caught up with the series, I encourage you not to read any further unless you don't mind spoilers. Read at your own risk. Image from cinefilos.it.


The finale was EPIC and it was the perfect way to send off The Vampire Diaries. I have been a fan of the series since season 2. I have to admit that The Vampire Diaries is one of favorite shows to watch despite people laughing at the fact that I like the series. Sorry but not sorry. Only those who are fans of the show truly understand my feelings of why I love this series so much.

The heartbreaks, the action and the truly twisted plot kept me going. The series had its ups and downs but I ultimately stuck it out until the very end. Many of the story arcs in The Vampire Diaries are intriguing but during the season 5, it became harder to watch. The Travelers arc is probably my least favorite in the entire series and the series was faltering. But then The Vampires Diaries came back to life with the introduction of the Gemini Coven in season 6. All I can say is that Kai definitely amped up the series. However, it was obviously when we reached season 7 that the series was nearing its end. Season 8 is the last season and although I did not enjoy season 8 as much as the first three seasons of The Vampire Diaries, I still hold it dear to my heart. 

The Hell Bell in the final episode (episode 16 aka "I Was Feeling Epic") of Season 8/the series finale is significant. This one object determines what will happen to our beloved characters of The Vampire Diaries. Of course Bonnie saves the day but I was scared. Was she going to live or was going to die? This type of magic is beyond what her body can take. How many times has Bonnie pushed herself to the point where she is stuck between realms? Many. Because this is the finale, there is no way for anyone coming back to life. 

All fans of the series know that if a character dies, there is always a way to come back to life. That's the beauty of the series. You never know when someone is gone for good and there is always twists and turns that will keep you sitting on the edge of your seat. The return of many characters from season 1 is nostalgic. It brings everything to a full circle. 

The sacrifice at the end of the episode with the Salvatore brothers is intense! I knew one brother is going to die and one is going to live but who is it going to be? Of course I knew Stefan would die forever because of his nature. Stefan is now a human and because of his past, he wants to redeem for himself being a Ripper, killing many people but also the death of Enzo and him turning human paved the way to his death. He also blames himself for allowing Damon to complete the transition to turn into a vampire. Stefan only wanted the best for Damon and this is the time to pay back what he owed his brother since the 1800's. Stefan was never truly evil and always had a pure heart. Because he always put others before himself, it was important for him to make the ultimate sacrifice, not only to save the Mystic Falls, but also for Damon and Elena to live out a happy life together. 

However, both brothers wanted to be the one to sacrifice their life. Stefan just outsmarted Damon. I mean Damon compelling Stefan to leave was brilliant but Stefan was one step of the game by making sure he was vervained to avoid compulsion. He even gave the chance for Damon to live a human life. The last act of not only Stefan sacrificing his life but him being the one killing Katherine also made him a martyr. Stefan is one of my favorite characters but it was important for him to die at the end. The impact of the series finale would have not been the same if Damon was the one to go. Also, is it only me but I didn't see the chemistry between Stefan and Caroline. 

The Hello Brother scene is perfect for the ending of the episode since it truly brought the series to a full circle. The first season also had a scene of Hello Brother with the Salvatores. The ending is up to interpretation of what happened to Damon and Elena. However we truly will never know what the writers intentions are with this ultimate scene. At the end, everyone has reached a sense of peace and a life that they deserve after a long run of craziness. Some reached peace earlier and some reached peace later in their lives. It's closure for everyone.


Image from Twitter.com


With every episode of The Vampire Diaries, never set your heart to something until the end. This finale seriously was messed up with the twist and turns but in a good way. I don't know how many times I ugly cried during this episode because I didn't know who we were going to lose for good. With the reunions and the deaths, I didn't know what to think. It was a lot to take in within an hour. 
Is "I Was Feeling Epic" epic enough? I say YES! This truly is the perfect ending to the series but there was closure to the series to the point where it can be a standalone. However, it can also open doors to crossovers to The Originals or another spin off.

The crossover many fans are hoping for is Klaroline. I am a huge fan of the Caroline and Klaus shipping. Because of the one single letter with a 3 million dollar donation from Klaus, there is hope for Caroline to possibly crossover to New Orleans to The Originals. I am being hopeful but I would love to see them rekindle their relationship. After all, the line "However long it takes" in the letter is in reference to what Klaus said to Caroline when he left to relocate to New Orleans.

Image from Twitter.com


So did you watch the series finale to The Vampire Diaries last Friday? If so, what are your thoughts about it? Is it Epic enough? Are you disappointed or did you think it's the perfect ending?