Book Synopsis- The Demonata: Slawter

Title: The Demonata: Slawter
Author: Darren Shan
Publication Date: November, 2006
Page Count: 233
Type: Fiction
Started On: September 11, 2007
Finished On: September 22, 2007

My Grade: B

1. Why did I decide to read this book?

I decided to read this book to continue on with the Demonata series. This is the third book in the series. I have read the two previous books, and I hope to read the two after this book. I decided to begin reading this series because I loved Darren's previous series, Cirque Du Freak. So far, the books have been enjoyable from start to finish.


2. Plot summary (avoiding major spoilers when possible).




3. What is the setting, and why is it important to the novel?

The book involves two settings. The first, is a small village where Grubbs and Dervish are from. The second, a movie set secluded in the desert. The second setting is very important because the movie set is secluded, anything can go on there and no one would ever have to know. This proves to be a very key element late in the book.

4. Who are the main characters and what roles do they play in the novel?

There are two main characters in the story, Grubbs and Dervish Grady. Grubbs is a 14 year old boy who has already faced the Demonata on a seperate occasion. Dervish, Grubbs' uncle, is an experience Demonata battler and is intent on training Grubbs to fight the Demonata better. Other important characters are Davdia Haym, Bill-E-Spleen,

5. What is/are the main conflict(s) in the novel?

The main conflict in the novel is Grubbs trying to solve the strange disappearances on the movie set. Another conflict is Dervish falling in love with one of the film crew. Along with solving the mystery of the disappearing people, Grubbs must also deal with very cruel actors. Another conflict involves Grubbs and Bill-E's ego's disrupting their friendship. These all add together to create a type of "super-conflict" in the story.

6. Describe the climax of the novel.

7. What is the significance of of the book's title? Is the title appropriate or would I change it to something else?

The books title has a double sided meaning. The most obvious would be it uses the word "Slaughter" mispelled, creating a sinister appearance to the book. The second meaning of the title is that the town where the movie is shot, is named Slawter. I believe the books title is very appropriate. I would not change the title.

8. What is my opinion of this book? Why (give specifics)?

My final grade of the book was a "B." I enjoyed the action sequences throughout the story, although they were few and far between. This book seemed to have alot of "down time", showing the day-to-day life on a movie set. However, when the action did pick up, it was more explosive and gorier than any of the previous Demonata books. This was my least favorite of the Demonata series.

Journals 9/20 - 9/27

Journals

9/20

Which fast food business should open up in Keyser? Which should close?

Well, we definately need a Chik-fil-a to open up in Keyser. It is flat out the best fast food restaurant you will ever eat in. Now, which restaurant should close? Thats simple enough... KFC/Long John Silvers should be forced to close, pack up, and move out.

9/21

Have you ever eaten octopus? Would you?

No, I have never eaten octopus. It sounds absolutely disgusting. You would have to pay me at least $5 to eat octopus.

9/24

Are/Were you nervous to get your driver license?

No, I'm not really nervous about getting my license. I have to get my permit first anyway... Even if I fail the first time I take the test, I'll just keep going back until I pass.

9/25

Is punishing the entire class for the actions of one student fair? Is it effective?

I believe it is totally fair. It is also very effective. We'll see if Jack ever cheats again after I rip into him for making us write out our DOLs.

9/26

Video Games: Which one has frittered most of your life away?

I'm tempted to say Guitar Hero, but there is one game that blows that one out of the water; Runescape. Runescape is a mmorpg which I have played for 5 1/2 years. Wow...

9/27

Video Games: Which game is the most fun to watch other people play?

Well, I really like watching other people play Guitar Hero. It's not really watching them play that I like, however, it's watching how much better I am than them that I enjoy. I don't mean to brag, but I'm the best there ever was.

A Love

A Love

Everytime I looked at you, my heart skipped a beat

The conclusion to each day

I wonder if you knew, my love, that my heart was at your feet

I've never felt a love like that before

A love that made me smile from ear to ear

It was a love like no other, something I had always hoped for

A Love that was joyful without any fear

A Love with no tears, pain or doubt

A Love with souls tender and true

A Love that is beautiful from the inside out

A Love that I found, only in you

Journals: 9/10 - 9/19

DOL's

9/10

Plant these Japanese iris bulbs next to the daffodils, Pam, if you want an attractive display next spring.

9/11

Terry doesn't run very well but he always enters Run For Your Life, a five-mile race held on labor day.

9/12

Neither of my parents is able to take me to the Village Theater to see Oscar Wilde's play The Importance of Being Earnest.

9/13

Adriana, please set those books of SHakespeare's plays on this stand; we'll be using them later in class.

9/14

Shawn said that neither of the singers was professionally trained, but their rendition of "Maria" was stunning.

9/17

Neither my friend nor my sister has the time to address these envelopes; maybe someone else can help.

9/18

Rob told us that the picture has not been hung properly, and it will have to be taken down and done correctly.

9/19

Keiko and I have to order these items: two dozen pizzas, three cases of jice, and, I suppose, enough placemats for everyone attending the festival.



Journals

9/10

Comment on the salty hamburger story.

Is that even legal? Maybe the cop should've noticed the burger tasted odd and promptly returned it. Instead, the oaf continued eating the "salty" burger, regardless of how sick he was getting. What a moron...

9/11

Do you think 9/11 happened as reported or was/is there a sinister conspiracy/cover-up ?

As much as I hate to believe it, I think there was a plot behind 9/11. Many clues point to a government conspiracy. Just watch the Loose Change video, you'll understand.

9/12

Would you consider Britney Spears fat?

No, I wouldn't consider Britney fat. Infact, I would consider her far from fat. Every critic that calls her fat, is probably fat themselves.

9/13

Do you prefer this years enrichment block to last years study hall?

Actually, I don't like either. I would prefer to just read or do homework as opposed to going over stuff I already know. The way it is now is just a waste of time.

9/14

"Cheaters never prosper"; True statement?

I believe it is a true statement. For example, just watch Scarface. That will answer all your questions.

9/17

Is it better for your location to be too hot or too cold?

I would rather it be too cold. When its hot, you eventually get to where you cant take anymore layers of clothing off. When its too cold, however, you can keep adding layers of clothing on.

9/18

Invent a candybar.

I would invent a Happy Bar. A candy bar that will relieve all of your stress and agony. That would be the perfect candy.

9/19

Which item on the McDonalds menu should be permanently banned?

I believe the salads should be banned. They're just a sad attempt to try to become a health-conscious fast food restaurant. McDonalds should just get over it and realize people don't go there to get healthy (obviously).

The Worst Day of My Life

Have you ever had your world ripped apart around you? Has the center of your life ever just been completely destroyed? Empty, hopeless, sad, depressed, lonely. Today has officially been the worst day of my life. Life, as i knew it, has come to an abrupt and terrible halt. 1 1/2 years of my life, for what? A heart filled with pain, a head full of stress and a handful of anger held in my chest? I spent a year and a half building my life up, making it the best i could, and like a rug ripped out from under my feet, my life came crumbling down. Get over it? I cant. Start over? I cant. Theres nothing i can do but sit here and dwell upon my lost dreams, shattered, by the hammer of love. Memories are all that remain. Painful, beautiful, glorious memories. My only option is to move forward, but I'm pulled back, by the memories. Oh the memories. I can't go on, for the sake of sanity I must, but I can't. Theres is nothing to move on towards, everything I had is in the past. Everythings broken, torn, shattered. What can I do?

(Do not take this post as a suicide letter or anything like that, just a painful look back at what once was.)

Book Synopsis- Artemis Fowl: The Lost Colony

Title: Artemis Fowl: The Lost Colony
Author: Eoin Colfer
Publication Date: 2006
Page Count: 385
Type: Fiction
Started On: September 5, 2007
Finished On: September 10, 2007


My Grade: A -

1. Why did I decide to read this book?

The Artemis Fowl series is simply magical. This book, although not my favorite, is another great novel by Eoin Colfer. The cover really drew me into this one, however. The silhouette of a man/creature bursting off the front cover is really an attention grabber. I got this book for Christmas and I'm just now getting to read it. My only regret is that I would've read it sooner.

2. Plot summary (avoiding major spoilers when possible!)

Artemis Fowl is a boy genius, he has written symphonies, constructed scientific theories, and is on his way to a Nobel Prize; a regular child prodigy. Oh, did I mention he has discovered a world of fairies, gnomes and dwarfs and has saved that world on two seperate occaisons? Maybe not your regular child prodigy... This time around, Artemis is needed to save a breed of fairies that were supposedly extinct... demons. Artemis must once again team up with his fairy friend, Holly Short, an ex-fairy police force operative to save the the fairy world again, only this time, he is getting into more than he bargained for. Artemis finds out he's not just trying to save a race, he's trying to stop someone from destroying that race at the same time. Someone just like him, a genius...and it's a female. Fighting peril and puberty, Artemis trys his best to save the demonkind, even at the cost of lives. The lives of thousands of demons, thousands of humans, and the lives of his dearest friends.

3. What is the setting, and why is it important to the novel?

The story takes place in various places throughout Europe, where Artemis has several houses. It the book will also take you on a journey through Taiwan, but I don't think it will be for sightseeing. Finally, the story will blow your mind with another dimension, a "Demonic" dimension. This is where Artemis will try to save the demonkind (obviously). Although it sounds like a vast array of random places, they all tie in very tightly to the main storyline.

4. Describe the main characters and what roles they play in the novel.

Artemis Fowl, a child prodigy, is the main character of the novel. He is a boy in his early teens, and just experiencing the troubles of puberty. He is small in stature with dark hair and piercing blue eyes. Other main characters include Butler (Artemis's bodyguard), Holly Short (a fairy soldier, and dear friend to Artemis), Minerva (another child genius), No.1 Imp, and Lance Abbot (leader of the demon pride). Other characters with key roles are Qwan (leader of the warlocks) and Billy Kong (a notorious thug).

5. What is/are the main conflict(s) in the novel?

There are several outstanding conflicts in this novel. The main conflict in the story would be Artemis attempting to save the demon race. Another would be Artemis's constant trouble with controlling his hormones. Another conflict is Artemis trying to handle himself while working with criminals. This proves to be an important part of the story.

6. Describe the climax of the novel.

Artemis, Holly Short, and Quan somehow have teleported themselves to the demon island. They aren't recieved quite as well as they would've like to have been. As soon as they land on the island, they are attacked by hundreds of blood thirsty demons. They know they need to get back home, but the only person who can get them there is Artemis, who is caught in a deadly battle with the demon leader, Lance Abbot. Artemis is the only chance of he and his friends making it home alive, but can he do it with 100 demons hot on his tail?

7. What is the significance in the book's title? Is the title appropriate or would I change it to something else?

The books title, Artemis Fowl: The Lost Colony, obviously is following the format of the other Artemis Fowl novels. The Lost Colony is very important to the main plot of the story, as that is the "world" he is trying to save. I believe the title is completely appropriate. I wouldn't change the title.

8. What is my opinion of the book? Why?

I really liked this book, it wasn't too long, but it wasn't too short. It stacks up equally with all the other Artemis Fowl novels. Although it follows the central theme of the other stories (Artemis saving the fairy world) it still managed to have all new plot twists. It also brought in a whole new view of Artemis, his struggles growing up. All in all, the book was very good.

Journals 9/4 - 9/7

DOL's

9/4

"Sally, whom did you see at Foxes Pizza last night?" Megan asked after algebra class.

9/5

By the time the Fourth of July parade ended, the light drizzle became a downpour, and few people remained on Main Street.

9/6

In my opinion, Twelve Angry Men is the more powerful play of the two I read last week in English class.

9/7

Tana loaned me a copy of Computer Facts, the magazine that published the article " Computer Graphics."



Journals

9/4

In honor (sort of) of the holiday: What is the worst kind of labor?

I believe that the worst type of labor is painting. I've done many types of labor through my years as a lawn care specialist, and I definately hate painting. It's so boring, especially if it's indoors.

9/5

Should Michael Vick be allowed back in the NFL?

I don't believe Michael Vick should ever be allowed back in the NFL. What he did is completely and utterly disgusting. he should be imprisoned for an extremely long time, forced to do UFC figthing, and never allowed to compete in a professional sports league again.

9/6

Which city/landmark in the "mainland" United States would you most like to visit?

I would really like to visit Indianapolis, Indiana. The main reason I would go there is to watch the Colts play. It would be an especially meaningful trip if they played the Steelers and stomped them.

9/7

Two weeks in: Respectfully grade the new principals.

Honestly, I don't know much about either of the new principals. From what i have seen of them, however, they seem to be very nice. Mr. Saturday seems a little overly nice though, but I can't really complain about that!

Book Synopsis: The Demonata: Demon Thief

Title: The Demonata: Demon Thief
Author: Darren Shan
Publication Date: June 2006
Page Count: 243
Type: Fiction
Started On: September 1, 2007
Finished On: September 4, 2007

My Grade: A

1. Why did I decided to read this book?
The main reason i started reading the Demonata book series is that I loved Darren Shan's previous series Cirque du Freak. After finishing all of the thrillers in the Cirque du Freak series, I thought I'd never again get to experience the pulse pounding world of Darren Shan's mind. Luckily, I stopped at a bookstore one fateful day, and found out Darren had begun publishing a new series, The Demonata. I bought the first 3 books immediately, with this being the 2nd book. I would've published a synopsis of the first book, however, I previously did in 8th grade.

2. Plot Summary (avoiding major spoilers when possible!)
Kernel Fleck has always been different. He sees lights. Multi-colored, transparent, geometric shapes that float innocently in the air for only him to see. All is well in Kernel's world, until a window opens. A window into a world of demons, death, and hell. Kernel's only brother, the one true friend he has, is stolen by a demon and taken back to the demon world, the Demonata. Kernel knows he must pursue the demon to save his brother, no matter how dangerous the journey may be. He must find the one who stole his brother, the Demon Thief. Once in the Demonata, Kernel finds that he's blessed with extraordinary powers, but, will they be enough to fight unthinkable terrors, defeat a demon master, and unmask the Demon Thief? Will Kernel be able to face the ghastly truth of the Demon Thief's identity?

3. What is the setting and why is it important to the novel?
The story takes place in a little village somewhere, it seems, in the midwest. A small peaceful town whose happiness is abruptly ended by the entrance of a demon. The story also transcends between the Demonata (the demon world), and our world. Time does not pass in the Demonata as it does in our world, which is a very significant aspect of Kernel's travels between the two worlds. The Demonata, where magic is thick in the air, is also very important for Kernel, who only needs a little assistance to tap into powers beyond his belief.

4. Describe the main characters and what roles they play in the novel.
Cornelius "Kernel" Fleck is the main character in the story. He is a young boy in his early teens, with shaved hair and a lean figure. He has always been different because he sees "lights", which has caused people to fear him, leaving him a lonely and depressed young man. His only true friend is his little brother, Art, a small baby of maybe a year who has a habit of biting anything that comes close to his face. Other main characters in the story are Beranabus (an ancient magician), Cadaver (a demon), and Lord Loss (a Demon Master, also featured in book 1).

5. What is/are the main conflict(s) in the novel?
The main conflict in the story is Kernel trying to retrieve his stolen brother Art from the demon world. Other conflicts in the story are Kernel trying to cope with magical powers he recieved upon entereing the Demonata. Kernel also is always trying to deal with his mentor in the demon world, Beranabus. Another serious conflict in the novel is the difference in time passing in the Demonata, and time passing in our world. Throw all that together and you have quite the confliction!

6. Describe the climax of the novel.
Kernel has finally tracked down the demon who stole his brother. However, the demon is under the safekeeping of a Demon Master, Lord Loss. To save his brother, Kernel must play a twisted game for Lord Loss's amusement. Kernel is thrown into a different reality (created by Lord Loss) and is told to track down the true thief of his brother, the Demon Thief. He is only given 3 chances, however, and if he names the wrong demon three times, his soul is Lord Loss's...forever.

7. What is the significance in the book's title? Is the title appropriate or would I change it to something else?
The book's title is what the whole book revolves around, Kernel trying to catch the Demon Thief who stole his brother. I think the title is very appropriate for the book. The title, Demon Thief, is actually quite catchy. One of the main reasons I even started reading the works of Darren Shan is the quality of his titles. They really draw you in.

8. What is my opinion of this book? Why (give specifics)?
I was quite pleased with this book. I didn't know if Darren could follow up the first book in the series with another heart pounder, but he definately rose above my expectations. I love how his books' plots are so twisty, taking you up and down an emotional roller coaster. How he can squeeze every emotion into 243 pages is truly marvelous. Which is why I awarded this book with my highly coveted, 5 star rating.