August Google Hangout with James Dashner!

Come join this month’s Google Hangout with James Dashner And Editor Krista Marino as they talk about THE DEATH CURE!

AND…maybe James will read from the much-talked about page 250…

Wednesday, August 31st at 8pm EDT

https://plus.google.com/u/4/b/115020835543123360597/events/csdttftq3cgidth9gopin2d4v1o

Book Review: Never Let You Go by Monica Murphy

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Never Let You Go
Never Tear Us Apart #2
Author: Monica Murphy
Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Released: May 3rd 2016
Review Source: Random House Publishing Group

The second novel in this darkly sexy contemporary series from bestselling author Monica Murphy wraps up an emotionally powerful two-part tale of forbidden love.

The truth hurts, they say—and my pain cuts deep. While I was falling for Ethan, he was deceiving me the entire time. He held a huge secret, protected by his lies. When I discovered what he was hiding, the truth shook my world, threatening to ruin us forever. Ruin me. But I soon realized that what we share can’t be destroyed.

The connection between us is too strong. It always has been. I can’t deny him any longer. And I can’t deny my truth: I’m in love with Ethan.

I don’t want to let him go.

While we’re trying our best to make this relationship work, other forces are fighting against us. My family, who wants to keep me safe. The media obsessed with my tragic past. The public that feeds off of it. Even Ethan’s father—the man who nearly destroyed me all those years ago. He’s doing his best to finish the job.

Despite my love for Ethan, the doubts creep in, clouding my mind. Is he worth the pain? Will our love survive, or will we have no choice but to end it—end us—once and for all?

This is an Adult romance novel recommended for ages 18+ due to sexual content and mature subject matter.

Katherine was kidnapped when she was only 12 years old. She was abused and raped by her abductor and almost killed. Then one day, she was rescued by the kidnappers teenage son, Will. He grew up thinking of Katie often and lost touch and didn't know where she was until she did an interview on T.V. where Will was able to find her again. While his father Aaron is in prison awaiting the death penalty, he still somehow seems to haunt them from inside his prison walls. Even though his own son changed his name to hide away from him, he still manages to find both Katherine and Will and makes their lives hell! It was crazy to read this.

Never Let You Go was a very interesting read. There are two kids going through so much yet come out on top strong. Even stronger when they meet back up as adults and get to know each other on another level. Learning to leave the bad behind and to focus on the future, makes this read heartwarming. They make the best of it together.  Yes, there is hard to read how they end up together and some might not like it as he is a monsters' son. However, Will is nothing like his father and only wants what is best for Katie and protect her at every turn. Just because one person is at fault, the other cannot be at blamed.

This is a sad story that you can feel the emotions of what these characters lived through. The words will break you into pieces. Never Let You Go is a story of loss, feeling constantly in fear of the unknown and having to look over your shoulder. Yet a love story with a happy ending.. If you enjoy stories like this, then you have to read Never Let You Go.

Book Review: Shuffle, Repeat by Jen Klein

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Shuffle, Repeat
Author: Jen Klein
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Contemporary
Released: May 3, 2016
Review Source: Random House

When Harry Met Sally for YA romance readers. This opposites-attract love story is perfect for fans of Huntley Fitzpatrick, Stephanie Perkins, and Jenny Han.

June wants high school to end and real life to begin. Oliver is soaking up senior year’s glory days. They could have coasted through high school, knowing about—but not really knowing—each other.

Except that their moms have arranged for Oliver to drive June to school. Every. Single. Day.

Suddenly these two opposites are fighting about music, life . . . pretty much everything. But love is unpredictable. When promises—and hearts—get broken, Oliver and June must figure out what really matters. And then fight for it.

Oliver and June. I love the sound of those names together. Oliver and June. Those names alone are just meant to be together. Which was not the case when I dived into Shuffle, Repeat. Both Oliver and June's mom were long time bff's. June and her mom just moved into a new house and since June doesn't drive they decided Oliver (who now lives close by) would pick her up every morning for school. This is their senior year by the way. THE year everyone waits for during their high school career. Oliver is all jock and full of school spirit and June is all "I can't wait for bigger and better things" and "high school means nothing."

Their first interaction (and pretty much every interaction actually) will make you swoon. These two could not be more opposite and it only takes a second for them to see that. They soon come up with a game. Each time Oliver makes a great and valid point of why time in high school matters he gets to add a song to a playlist they will listen to every morning. And, each time June makes a solid point as to why high school and the memories you make mean nothing she gets to add a song.

Slowly Oliver begins to unravel June. I. Love. Them. Together. Apart, not so much. At least not June. She's kind of mean at times but you'll understand why and you'll still root for her.

Shuffle, Repeat is the cutest YA story I've read so far this year! It was a fast and easy read, you'll find yourself done with the book before you know it.

Giveaway: Dirtiest Secret by J. Kenner

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We are so excited to share this giveaway with you all! Katie read Dirtiest Secret and really enjoyed it. She will be sharing her thoughts soon! Thanks to Ballantine Books a division of Random House provided us a final copy of Dirtiest Secret by J. Kenner to giveaway to a lucky reader of this blog! Enter below for a chance to win.

Dirtiest Secret

S.I.N. series #1

Author: J. Kenner

Reading Level: Adult

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Released: April 19th 2016

Review Source: Bantam

It was wrong for us to be together, but it was even harder to be apart.

The memory of Dallas Sykes burns inside of me.

Everyone knows him as a notorious playboy, a man for whom women and money are no object. But to me, he’s still the one man I desperately crave—yet the one I can never have.

Dallas knows me better than anyone else. We bear the same scars, the same darkness in our past. I thought I could move on by staying away, but now that we’re drawn together once more, I can’t fight the force of our attraction or the temptation to make him mine.

We’ve tried to maintain control, not letting ourselves give in to desire. And for so long we’ve told ourselves no—but now it’s finally time to say yes.

Dirtiest Secret is intended for mature audiences. You must be 18 or over to enter this giveaway.

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Random House YA Authors Dive Into The DC World!

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Stop everything you're doing and pay extra attention... Are you ready? Positive?! Let's do this! This Thursday morning turned out to be pretty amazing. Last night I remember being on twitter and seeing Leigh Bardugo teased her fans about some exciting news coming along. Little did we know that this morning Random House would be dropping such an epic bomb on us. If you're a DC fan, do we have some news for you! Random House Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, has partnered with Warner Bros. Consumer Products and DC Entertainment to publish official young adult novels featuring four iconic DC Comics Super Hero characters beginning in 2017. 

Excuse me while I freak out!!!

'Wonder Woman' will be written by Leigh Bardugo. 

 'Batman' will be written by Marie Lu.

 'Superman' will be written by Matt de la Peña.

'Catwoman' will be written by Sarah J. Maas.

Basically this equals all my fangirl dreams coming true and my worlds colliding in the most epic way. We are too excited for 2017! 

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RANDOM HOUSE TO PUBLISH OFFICIAL

YA NOVELS BASED ON FOUR DC COMICS SUPER HERO ICONS, BY FOUR BESTSELLING AUTHORS

Wonder Woman™, Batman™, Catwoman™, and Superman™ novels to release beginning in 2017

New York, NY, March 31, 2016—Random House Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, has partnered with Warner Bros. Consumer Products and DC Entertainment to publish official young adult novels featuring four iconic DC Comics Super Hero characters beginning in 2017. Wonder Woman will be written by Leigh Bardugo, Batman will be written by Marie Lu, Superman will be written by Matt de la Peña, and Catwoman will be written by Sarah J. Maas. The four-book deal for world rights was announced today by Mallory Loehr, Senior Vice President, Publisher of the Random House Books for Young Readers Group.

The deal was negotiated by Loehr, Michelle H. Nagler, Associate Publishing Director, Random House Children’s Books, and Dennis R. Shealy, Editorial Director of Licensed Publishing, Random House/Golden Books Young Readers Group. The books will be edited by Chelsea Eberly, Editor.

Each of the four YA novels will feature one DC Comics Super Hero icon, and will embrace themes of good vs. evil, coming-of-age romance, and Super Heroes from unexpected places who have the determination to achieve seemingly impossible dreams.

Wonder Woman will release at the end of August 2017, followed by Batman, Superman, and Catwoman.

This news comes on the heels of the recent publication of Wonder Woman at Super Hero High, the first book in the middle-grade book series by Lisa Yee, which introduces readers to female Super Heroes of the DC Comics universe during their high school years—prior to discovering their full super power potential.

“Wonder Woman, Superman, Batman, and Catwoman have been fan favorites for so long, and it is an incredible honor for us to now have this group of acclaimed young adult authors become part of the legacy—and we know there is a vast audience of teen and adult readers worldwide who will join in our excitement,” says Loehr.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

LEIGH BARDUGO is the #1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling YA author of the Grisha trilogy (SHADOW AND BONE, SIEGE AND STORM, and RUIN AND RISING). Her new YA fantasy, SIX OF CROWS, was a New York Times Notable Book and an ALA-YALSA Top Ten Pick of 2016. The Grisha books have been sold in 30 territories, and the first trilogy is in development with DreamWorks for a book-to-film adaptation to be produced by David Heyman. Leigh was born in Jerusalem, grew up in Los Angeles, and graduated from Yale University. These days, she lives and writes in Hollywood, California. She is represented by Joanna Volpe of New Leaf Literary & Media.

MARIE LU is the #1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling YA author of the Legend trilogy (LEGEND, PRODIGY, and CHAMPION). The Young Elites fantasy trilogy reached #1 on the New York Times bestseller list, and Fox and Temple Hill have bought the film rights. The Legend trilogy has been sold in 24 territories. Born in 1984 in China, Marie’s family left Beijing for the United States in 1989. Marie was an art director in the video game industry but now writes full time. She lives in Los Angeles. She is represented by Kristin Nelson of Nelson Literary Agency.

MATT DE LA PEÑA is a New York Times bestselling and Newbery Medal–winning author. He has penned six critically acclaimed YA novels, including MEXICAN WHITEBOY and THE LIVING, for which he received the Pura Belpré Author Honor Award. BALL DON’T LIE was named an ALA-YALSA Best Book for Young Adults and an ALA-YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers and was developed into a motion picture in 2008 featuring Ludacris, Nick Cannon, and Emilie de Ravin. Matt’s picture book LAST STOP ON MARKET STREET was awarded a Newbery Medal, with illustrator Christian Robinson’s artwork being awarded a Caldecott Honor. Matt received his MFA in creative writing from San Diego State University and his BA from the University of the Pacific, which he attended on a full basketball scholarship. Matt lives in Brooklyn, New York, with his family. He teaches creative writing and visits high schools and colleges throughout the country. He is represented by Steven Malk of Writers House.

SARAH J. MAAS is the New York Times, USA Today, and internationally bestselling YA fantasy author of the Throne of Glass series (THRONE OF GLASS, CROWN OF MIDNIGHT, HEIR OF FIRE, QUEEN OF SHADOWS, and THE ASSASSIN’S BLADE) and the Court of Thorns and Roses series. She wrote the first incarnation of the Throne of Glass series when she was just sixteen. It has since sold in 30 territories, and QUEEN OF SHADOWS won the 2015 Goodreads Choice Award for Best YA Sci-fi/Fantasy. The Throne of Glass series is being developed for television by the Mark Gordon Company, and A COURT OF THORNS AND ROSES is being developed for feature film by Tempo Productions and David Garrett’s Mister Smith Entertainment. A New York native, Sarah lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and dog. She graduated magna cum laude from Hamilton College in 2008 with a degree in creative writing and a minor in religious studies. She is represented by Tamar Rydzinski of the Laura Dail Literary Agency.

Random House Children’s Books is the world’s largest English-language children’s trade book publisher. Creating books for toddlers through young adult readers, in all formats from board books to activity books to picture books, novels, ebooks, and apps, the imprints of Random House Children’s Books bring together award-winning authors and illustrators, world-famous franchise characters, and multimillion-copy series. Random House Children’s Books is a division of Penguin Random House LLC.

About Warner Bros. Consumer Products
Warner Bros. Consumer Products, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, is one of the leading licensing and retail merchandising organizations in the world.

DC Entertainment, home of DC Comics (Wonder Woman, Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, The Flash), Vertigo (Sandman, Fables), and MAD, is the creative division charged with strategically integrating its content across Warner Bros. Entertainment and Time Warner. DC Entertainment works in concert with many key Warner Bros. divisions to unleash its stories and characters across all media, including but not limited to film, television, consumer products, home entertainment, and interactive games. Publishing thousands of comic books, graphic novels and magazines each year, DC Entertainment is one of the largest English-language publishers of comics in the world.

TV News: Watch The Shannara Chronicles Now!

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The Shannara Chronicles 1 Season 2016

Set thousands of years in our future, the story follows three heroes, Amberle, an Elvin Princess, Eretria, a Human Rover, and Wil, a Half-Elf, Half-Human, as they embark on a quest to stop an evil Demon army. Original air date:January 5, 2016

Available to watch on supported devices.

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And if you would like to read the book that inspired this TV series, click below:

Waiting on Wednesday: Sylvain Neuvel's Sleeping Giants

Waiting on Wednesday

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

Sleeping Giants

Author: Sylvain Neuvel

Release Date: April 26th 2016

Publisher: Del Rey (Random House Publishing Group)

An inventive debut in the tradition of World War Z and The Martian, told in interviews, journal entries, transcripts, and news articles, Sleeping Giants is a literary thriller fueled by a quest for truth—and a fight for control of earthshaking power.

A girl named Rose is riding her new bike near her home in Deadwood, South Dakota, when she falls through the earth. She wakes up at the bottom of a square hole, its walls glowing with intricate carvings. But the firemen who come to save her peer down upon something even stranger: a little girl in the palm of a giant metal hand.

Seventeen years later, the mystery of the bizarre artifact remains unsolved—its origins, architects, and purpose unknown. Its carbon dating defies belief; military reports are redacted; theories are floated, then rejected.

But some can never stop searching for answers.

Rose Franklin is now a highly trained physicist leading a top secret team to crack the hand’s code. And along with her colleagues, she is being interviewed by a nameless interrogator whose power and purview are as enigmatic as the provenance of relic. What’s clear is that Rose and her compatriots are on the edge of unraveling history’s most perplexing discovery—and figuring out what it portends for humanity. But once the pieces of the puzzle are in place, will the result prove to be an instrument of lasting peace or a weapon of mass destruction?

Book Review: The Cat Who Came in Off the Roof by Annie M.G. Schmidt

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The Cat Who Came in Off the Roof
Author: Annie M.G. Schmidt
Reading Level: Childrens
Genre: Fantasy
Released: January 19th 2016
Publisher: Random House

  

In the tradition of The Cricket in Times Square comes this charming tale of courage, friendship, and what it really means to be human. This classic, which originated in Holland and has withstood the test of time worldwide, will appeal to readers young and old—and dog and cat lovers alike!

An act of kindness brings shy reporter Mr. Tibble into contact with the unusual Miss Minou. Tibble is close to losing his job because he only writes stories about cats. Fortunately, Minou provides him with real news. She gets the juicy inside information from her local feline friends, who are the eyes and ears of the neighborhood. Tibble is appreciative, but he wonders how she does it. He has noticed that Minou is terrified of dogs and can climb trees and rooftops with elegance and ease. . . . It’s almost as if she’s a cat herself. But how can that be?

The Cat Who Came in Off the Roof is a very surprising fun read. I loved this book dearly. It provided the type of imagination one had when they were young.You know, your imaginary friend... This story reminded me so much of this time period.

This book features an unexpected friendship, in which it's memorable. It's magical. Mr. Tibble becomes more comfortable as he learns more about Miss Minou. I really like the two together. Their friendship was sweet, innocent and brought warmth to my heart. Which is perfect to read to my niece and nephew.

With the help of Miss Minou, Mr. Tiblle was able to save his job but also brought him light into his life. Before he was would be to shy to express his feelings, his thoughts... With her, he was able to open up. This friendship does not turn into any type of romance, which is great for young readers.

The Cat Who Came in Off the Roof is a light read full of friendship and imagination. It's perfect for those looking for a quick read. I would recommend this to parents to read this to their children.

Book Review: Firefight by Brandon Sanderson

Firefight
Reckoners #2
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genres: Science Fiction | Fantasy | Dystopian
Released: January 6th 2015
Review Source: Random House

A #1 New York Times Bestseller Brandon Sanderson, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Words of Radiance, coauthor of Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time series, and creator of the internationally bestselling Mistborn Trilogy, presents the second book in the Reckoners series: Firefight, the sequel to the #1 bestseller Steelheart.
Newcago is free.
They told David it was impossible, that even the Reckoners had never killed a High Epic. Yet Steelheart--invincible, immortal, unconquerable--is dead. And he died by David's hand.
Eliminating Steelheart was supposed to make life simpler. Instead, it only made David realize he has questions. Big ones. And no one in Newcago can give him answers.
Babylon Restored, the city formerly known as the borough of Manhattan, has possibilities, though. Ruled by the mysterious High Epic Regalia, Babylon Restored is flooded and miserable, but David is sure it's the path that will lead him to what he needs to find. Entering a city oppressed by a High Epic despot is risky, but David's willing to take the gamble. Because killing Steelheart left a hole in David's heart. A hole where his thirst for vengeance once lived. Somehow, he filled that hole with another Epic--Firefight. And now he will go on a quest darker and even more dangerous than the fight against Steelheart to find her, and to get his answers.

This story progressed so nicely from the first book in this series. Absolutely great character growth, consistency, and new characters introduced. I liked his one a lot more than Steelheart.

David has grown so much as a character in this book. He’s become more confident in his abilities not only as a Reckoner, but as a person. I am starting to really love him. He has this adorable personality that I just cannot get enough of.

This book, however, is in a completely different setting. I didn’t find it offsetting, though. Steelheart was set in a place of perpetual darkness and uniformed buildings, Firefight was set in a submerged city filled with glowing fruit and bridges.

A lot of things come to light in this book. We get a closer look at just what Epics actually are, without too much being revealed. There is still a high level of curiosity in this book. The subtle love story behind it becomes more prominently present, which I enjoyed. I guess I can be characterized as some sort of hopeless romantic, considering how happy I was about this.

Though there are new characters, a few of the originals are not in this book.They did not get killed off, they’re just not dominant characters within this new setting. I hope they make more of an appearance in the following book, Calamity.

Overall, I really enjoyed the continuation of this story. I loved David’s progression, the new characters, the different setting. To top it all off, it ended in a cliffhanger! So, I cannot wait for the next installment of The Reckoners. This story surprisingly grew on me so much while reading Firefight.

Check out my review for Steelheart (Reckoners #1) HERE!

Book Review: Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson

Steelheart
Reckoners #1
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genres: Science Fiction | Dystopian
Released: September 24th 2013 (originally)
Review Source: Random House

Pre-order the sequel—Firefight—today!

Brandon Sanderson, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Words of Radiance, coauthor of Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time series, and creator of the internationally bestselling Mistborn Trilogy, presents Steelheart, the first book in the Reckoners series, an action-packed thrill ride that will leave readers breathless.
How far would you go for revenge if someone killed your father?
If someone destroyed your city?
If everything you ever loved was taken from you?
David Charleston will go to any lengths to stop Steelheart. But to exact revenge in Steelheart’s world, David will need the Reckoners—a shadowy group of rebels bent on maintaining justice.
And it turns out that the Reckoners might just need David too.
Look for book two in the Reckoners series, Firefight, available in 2015.

This was the first of Sanderson that I have ever read, and I really didn’t fall head over heels for the story. It isn’t a genre that I typically read, but the book as a whole didn’t even leave me wanting more until the very end.

The story is about how this group of people called Epics basically take over the world. They have powers, but are far from being the protagonists. David, the narrator, had his father killed by an Epic, Steelheart. He has intended on getting vengeance since then. That’s when he heard stories about a group of people called “Reckoners” who go around the country killing Epics, and has made it his life’s mission to join them. When he does finally get involved and joins their team, it’s not exactly smooth sailing from the beginning. He, as do the rest of the team, go through their struggles to accomplish an ultimate goal. there is a very subtle love interest throughout the story, but it’s obvious that is not the mission of the book. It is packed full of action and scheming and weaponry. There is a cliffhanger at the very end that actually left me wanting to go on and read the next book in this three-part series.

I just found myself losing interest and feeling like the story had dragged a bit. There were some really good parts and chapters of the book, though. When those did come along, I found it hard to even put it down. So, I have mixed emotions. It’s definitely not in my top five, but it was worth reading to venture out into a different genre. I will be reading book 2 (Firefight), to see how the rest of the story unfolds.

Book Review: Suspicion by Alexandra Monir

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Suspicion
Author: Alexandra Monir
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Mystery
Released: December 9th 2014
Review Source: Delacorte Press | Goldberg McDuffie

"Take The Princess Diaries and add magic, murder and mystery, and you've got SUSPICION. A delightful read!"—Amy Plum, author of the of the international bestselling Die For Me series

"If Alfred Hitchcock had directed Downton Abbey, the result would have been this book. Alexandra Monir takes us on a gripping, nonstop thrill ride with just the right amount of supernatural and an ending that you definitely won't suspect. I devoured it in one sitting."—Jessica Brody, bestselling author of the Unremembered trilogy

Mysterious. Magnificent. Creepy. Welcome to Rockford Manor.

"There's something hidden in the Maze." Seventeen-year-old Imogen has never forgotten the last words her father said to her seven years ago, before the blazing fire that consumed him, her mother, and the gardens of her family's English country manor.

Haunted by her parents' deaths, Imogen moves to New York City with her new guardians. But when a letter arrives with the news of her cousin's untimely death, revealing that Imogen is now the only heir left to run the estate, she returns to England and warily accepts her role as duchess.

All is not as it seems at Rockford, and Imogen quickly learns that dark secrets lurk behind the mansion's aristocratic exterior, hinting that the spate of deaths in her family were no accident. And at the center of the mystery is Imogen herself--and Sebastian, the childhood friend she has secretly loved for years. Just what has Imogen walked into?

Combining a fresh twist on the classic REBECCA with a spine-tingling mystery and powerful romance, SUSPICION is an action-packed thrill ride.

At a young age, Imogen faced a terrible tragedy. While visiting her cousin at the Rockford residence, a terrible tragedy occurred.  The Rockford was supposed to be a magical place for Imogen but now it is a place that hunts her. Imogen lost her parent to a horrible fire accident on the grounds of this place.

Now left as an orphan, Imogen lives overseas. To protect her from the nightmares, Imogen’s guardian keeps secrets from her. But as she turns 18, her past comes knocking at the door. Imogen discovers that the remaining members of her family are now dead. To make things worse, she is next in line to become the Duchess of Rockford. And she is appointed to return to the land she was born. The land of myths, the land of all of her fears. Though warned not to returned, Imogen decides to take the challenge and tries to uncover the truth of her past.

Honestly, I had high hopes for this novel. Though the writing was appealing, I have to confess the more I read, the more I became disappointed. I liked the first 40% of story - it was very The Princess Diary-ish like. Yet the story lacks romance and mystery, it wasn’t thrilling. As I turned the pages, I kept hoping something magical would happen…it never did.

Overall, Suspicion’s pace was good, the writing was pretty but the story itself was… dull. It had potentials but it fell short of the mark.