Monday, March 31, 2014

Dear Killer by Katherine Ewell



Dear Killer by Katherine Ewell
Release Date - April 1, 2014
Publisher Website - Harper Collins
Publisher Social Media - Twitter/Facebook/SavvyReader
Pages -368 pages
My Rating - 3/5
**received in exchange for an honest review from the publisher**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis
Rule One—Nothing is right, nothing is wrong.
Rule Two—Be careful.
Rule Three—Fight using your legs whenever possible, because they’re the strongest part of your body. Your arms are the weakest.
Rule Four—Hit to kill. The first blow should be the last, if at all possible.
Rule Five—The letters are the law.

Kit takes her role as London’s notorious “Perfect Killer” seriously. The letters and cash that come to her via a secret mailbox are not a game; choosing who to kill is not an impulse decision. Every letter she receives begins with “Dear Killer,” and every time Kit murders, she leaves a letter with the dead body. Her moral nihilism and thus her murders are a way of life—the only way of life she has ever known.

But when a letter appears in the mailbox that will have the power to topple Kit’s convictions as perfectly as she commits her murders, she must make a decision: follow the only rules she has ever known, or challenge Rule One, and go from there.

Katherine Ewell’s Dear Killer is a sinister psychological thriller that explores the thin line between good and evil, and the messiness of that inevitable moment when life contradicts everything you believe.
Stories that can put you into the mindset of the characters are often some of the best. It's always impressive when a character's voice resonates deeply, and you fall into the story with them. Perfect Killer is one such story, and Kit is one such character. Dear Killer has, at it's heart, a wonderful character, but I had a few issues that kept me from fully loving this one.

Kit is crafted honestly, and wonderfully as a character. Her mind is a twisted, conflicted, emotional place to be in, and Katherine Ewell let's us experience every last part of it. She's captivating, fascinating, and morally ambiguous. Her motives are sometimes unclear, even to herself. It's this aspect of her character that appealed to me and made her different from the other 'serial killer' voiced novels out there.

 Perfect Killer takes the notion of moral nihilism and crafts a well known tale of nature vs nurture. Kit is breed, trained, and conditioned to become who she is when we meet her. The novel wavers and allows us to see the complex emotions Kit goes through, and sometimes glimpse the damaged girl underneath the monster.

The idea of the letters is fascinating. It's the ultimate 'be careful what you wish for' scenario. People have said and done things in anger that they wish they could take back. These letters felt like they came from that place. Something written and sent in a fit or anger, jealousy, desperation. It made me wonder how many people, after having their desires fulfilled, wished for a take back. The letters made everything feel random, and often the reasons present within them felt flawed. A young man asks her to kill a woman who spurned him for example. It made it all the more chilling because of the randomness of it all.

Alex, the young detective on the "Perfect Killer' case was one of my main issues with the storyline. He's young. We're told he's 25-30ish, but he's put in charge of a major case. The 'Perfect Killer' must have had well over 50 victims, and it didn't feel realistic that someone so inexperienced would not have been put on the case. It seemed to be added as a way to create some romance, and dramatic tension. While I liked the push/pull he created within Kit, I wish Alex had been introduced in another capacity.

Kit's unlikely friendship with Maggie provided many tense, dramatic moments. I would have liked this aspect of the novel explored more. Their friendship is too spoilery to really discuss, but it illuminates Kit herself, and the rigid rules she abides by. I

I wish the origins of the mythology behind the 'Perfect Killer' would have been expanded upon more. I wanted to know more about the how, when, and why of it starting. It would have deepened my understanding of Kit, and benefited the story in general. If anything, this was the thing I missed the most in the story.

The ending would have had a greater payoff if the relationships had been expanded on a little more. I felt the story premise itself was sound, the main character richly developed, but it needed a little more fleshing out to truly help the story come together.

Katherine Ewell's writing talent is something I am going to be curious to see develop. I predict she'll have some fantastic books to come, this one just didn't quite connect with me the way I wanted it to. It's a story that held a lot of potential, mainly due to Katherine Ewell's writing, but ultimately ended up leaving me wanting more from certain aspects.

Sunday, March 30, 2014

New To My Book Closet


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

I had a pretty insane mailbox/bookish week! Lots to show you....


If I Lie by Corrine Jackson (goodreads)
Listen To The Squawking Chicken by Elaine Lui (goodreads)
Here and Now by Anne Brashares (goodreads)

I was gifted If I Lie while at my bookclub! Super excited to read it since I've heard amazing things from Jamie (The Perpetual Page Turner/The Broke and Bookish).

From Random House Canada I got The Here and Now, and Listen To The Squawking Chicken for review! I am excited to read both of them! A big thank you to them for the review copies.


Something Real by Heather Demetrios (goodreads)
Forever by Maggie Stiefvater (goodreads)

I borrowed Something Real from Emilie (Emilie's Book World) and Forever from Katherine (The Lady Critic's Library). Emilie has told me nothing but amazing things about Something Real, and I am wanting to finish up Maggie Stiefvater's trilogy in time for Sinner's release this August.


Compulsion by Martina Boone (goodreads)
Black Ice by Becca Fitzpatrick (goodreads)

I got these two ebooks for review. A big thank you to Simon and Schuster for the chance to read these awesome sounding titles.

Happy weekend, and happy reading!

Saturday, March 29, 2014

Weekly Obsessions


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

Here are my obsessions this week. Short and sweet this week!

BOOKS

Cover for The Mime Order by Samantha Shannon (goodreads)


This was revealed over at Entertainment Weekly and I LOVE the cover. It compliments The Bone Season cover quite nicely, and I can't wait to get my hands on this!

The cover for Threats of Sky and Sea by Jennifer Ellision (goodreads)


So pretty right? I love the colour scheme, and the font! This book also happens to be written by an incredibly sweet fellow blogger. Excited to get my hands on this one too.

OTHER

Dorothy Must Die Book Trailer

 

I normally do not like these, but this book trailer is AMAZING! It captures the mood of the book, and teases just enough without giving away the book's secrets. Excited for everyone to meet Amy, and read this book!

Book Expo America Autographing Author List Sneak Peek


As we get close to May (and BEA itself) information is beginning to be unveiled regarding which authors will be attending BEA. We've gotten a sneak peek at some of them, and it's already AMAZING.

Off this list (you can see the full list on the BEA website) I am especially excited about -

Amy Ewing, Amy Plum, Barry Lyga, Chelsey Philpot, Christina Lauren, Danielle Paige, Gretchen McNeil, Heather Demetrios, Jenny Han, Josephine Angelini, Martina Boone, and Rebecca Serle! I am sure they are more, and I am sure that once the full schedule is out, I add many more to this list.

So what are you obsessed with this week?

Friday, March 28, 2014

TV Talk With Kelly - Bates Motel


As you may know Kelly, from Kellyvision, and I are doing TV recaps. We recapped American Horror Story: Coven on her blog, and now we're recapping Bates Motel (season 2) on mine. Please note, this is more our reactions/thoughts than a true recap, and obviously there will be SPOILERS!

Kelly is everything in blue, and I am the other colour (is it brown? Whatever it is).

**********************************************************************************************************

BATES MOTEL - Season 2, episode 3 - Caleb


So Emma has to tell him that they found Bradley’s stuff. She feels awful, and he’s just like “No big deal”. It’s totally the wrong reaction though.

Norman, that reaction is going to make people think you killed her and faked it as a suicide.

Exactly, people will think he knows way more than he’s letting on. He should be concerned. It’s funny that he over-reacted to Ms Watson’s death and he could actually use a little of that emotion now.

Oh, Norma's made a friend! Wow, martinis at almost 11? I would've maybe started with mimosas but go for it, Norma.

Awww, her friend quit the musical, and they are bonding. Norma needs a friend. She might loosen up a bit. Haha, yeah. Mimosas would have been better. I do like this side of Norma though. She needs someone to talk to. BFFs.

Dylan, if your mom never mentioned a brother, there may be a reason for it. Don't let him in the house!

This guy walk up, says he’s your Uncle, and you’ve never heard that your mother’s has a brother….DO NOT LET HIM INTO THE HOUSE! If you don’t know about him there is a reason for it.

Poor Norma! Her nice day was ruined.

Her day was more than ruined. He assaulted her and is just in her house. I would be angry, scared, and having a panic attack. Does she stress clean? That’s kind of funny. I stress clean.

I hate that Norma didn't get any part at all. She was so good.

Awww, Norman is all cute coming up to ask about the play. He’s trying. Poor Norma though. She was good, and she should have at least been in the chorus.

Wait?! Norman knows about Caleb? Does he know that she was abused? I don’t recall if she told Norman. I guess he knows everything. Caleb, you’re dead. Norman is going to kill you.

Oh good, turf war. This may not bode well for Dylan.
‘We’re all going to wind up dead’ ‘Would you shut up’ Um, Dylan, you may want to listen to him. I hope they do not kill off Dylan. I like him. As previously mentioned, he is the sane one. Sadly, we know he’s not in Psycho so he either runs far away, or dies. :(

Townie girl seems like a less good Amber Tamblyn-as-Tibby.

I am not sure I like Townie girl. I like Emma. Norman is awkwardly cute (like he is with most girls). It’s weird to think of Norman as being sweet with girls…*shivers*

I worry that Dylan is going to try and befriend Uncle Caleb.

Dylan obviously doesn’t know what he did right? I can’t see Dylan being okay with him being around if he knows. I hate this guy. He’s making excuse for what he did (we believe Norma right? She didn’t lie?) and acting like it’s nothing. *rage* DO NOT BE FRIENDS WITH HIM DYLAN! Caleb, I will be happy when Norman hurts you (which makes me awful).

I'm surprised Norma's not a little happier at Norman doing something that doesn't involve dead animals.

Right?! She was begging him to get out of the basement. He wants to do something that involves being out of the basement, and not dealing with dead animals. This is good. She should be happier.

I'm also surprised that Emma is doing something for Bradley. Wouldn't her friends do that?i do not want to see the real White Pine Bay. You probably don't either, Norma.

Haha. A Garden Party? The real White Pine Bay? This can only end badly. Emma is a sweet girl, that’s why she’s doing something.

I agree with Dylan. The way to win is not to play. Don't keep killing. They'll retaliate back.

Dylan is smart. It’s a shame they are not going to listen to him though. So they are hiding the body for the people that killed him? I get it, but WORST JOB EVER.

Dylan and Norma's relationship is so different. She seems incapable of having a normal relationship with her kids.

You’re right. Her relationships with Dylan and Norman are both so strange. She tries, but I don’t think she knows how to relate to them in the right way. Dylan is TRYING so hard in this scene to get her to open up to him, to let him understand. Awww.

I love Norma's clothes.

I love peach martinis! That is all.

Well Norma certainly looks lovely. Vera Farmiga is quite pretty. This party is the most awkward. I would need peach martinis. Car accident, huh? Sure, Norma. That’s how your husband died.

Norma's funny. Who knew? I'm glad she's making friends.

These lighter moments, you almost forget that there is a non sane part to her as well. It’s nice that she is making friends though. Both her and Norman need them.

Poor Emma. I wish her memorial had worked out better.

Awww. Poor Emma. She was doing this out of guilt. She didn’t like Bradley (join the club) and feels bad that she doesn’t like Bradley even though she’s ‘dead’. It’s too bad that this didn’t work out better for her. She shouldn’t feel guilty.

Um, does Townie girl have a boyfriend?! Poor Norman. Why does he like these types of girls? DATE EMMA! Silly boy.

Oh, Dylan. I wouldn't be surprised if Norma's bipolar but don't listen to Caleb. He's not good.

Yes, Norma has issues. Issues that were most likely caused by you abusing her, jerkface. He is blaming this on their father? Seriously, Caleb. I am guessing he is talking about their father. I wish Dylan would not talk to him. Dylan is going to give him money for that ‘property’ in Costa Rica, isn’t he?! Ugh.

Ooh, a love interest for Norma! I hope they're all as great as they seem to be. Norma deserves something good.

Oh, I should have realized! He was cast as Norma’s love interest this season. I had seen a picture of him with the casting blurb. Oh, he seems very nice. I hope he’s not a secret jerk. He brought her dessert?! That is adorable. *side note - I love anything raspberry*

Seriously? He's arguing the appropriateness of selling weed at a memorial?

Oh, I can see where this is going. Emma is going to crush on him a bit, right? Sigh.

Emma? What happened to you?

She’s drunk. She wants to make ‘bad choices’ with Weed Guy. Okay, sounds like a plan. Be young and stupid Emma, but be smart. She’s like a kitten. I hope this guy treats her decently.

I hope she has a designated driver. Oh, good. She does.

Norman, seriously? You need social help.

Norman is the definition of socially awkward right?

I don't like townie girl. At all.

Poor Norman. :( She’s awful. WHY DO YOU WANT HIM TO WALK YOU HOME?! Just stop.

Norma, you don't want to be his friend.

Who is this strange guy? This guy who seems to be against this by-pass?

I don't think I'd give Caleb all that money. I don't know what, but nothing good will come of it.

I freaking knew it. Why would you give him that money, Dylan. Nothing good is going to come of this. Dylan is going to end up getting himself arrested or worse.

Hmm. Townie girl's situation is weird.

There is a lot she’s not telling him, I bet. It just seems weird, I agree.

Poor Norma. I can't believe Dylan is taking Caleb’s side.

No he is not a nice guy, Dylan. He lied to you. Do not even tell me that Dylan is going to think Norma is lying. Just stop, Dylan. She is right to be pissed. She is totally right to freak out.

Oh Norman fugue state.

Oh no! DO NOT LIKE! Don’t kill him, Norman. Please. Do not kill, Dylan.

WAIT, WHAT?! WHAT?!

WHAT? WHAT THE WHAT? UM…. I cannot even. Caleb got her pregnant and Dylan is his son?! This show is all sorts of messed up. Caleb is totally dead for sure now. Norman is going to kill him. AHHH! I had to rewind to make sure I heard Norma correctly. WOW!  Dylan is going to be so messed up.

Thursday, March 27, 2014

Follow Friday


Alison Can Read Feature & Follow

Follow Friday is a weekly meme hosted Parajunkee and Alison Can Read. It's a great way to meet new blogger friends.

This weeks question is:

Snap it Time! A picture is worth a thousand words. Anything and anything. Just give us a pic.



My three favourite princesses (AKA my nieces) at Disney World.

Happy Weekend!

My Bucket List



To celebrate the release of Side Effects May Vary by Julie Murphy many people were posting their bucket lists. I loved the idea, and decided to post my own. Harper Collins Canada posted their bucket lists as well, and are totally worth checking out.

Here are just a few things on my own bucket list.....

1 Visit more places in Europe - I've been to Europe a few times, but I want to go back so much it hurts. There is something almost calming about being in England especially that has me eager to go back

2 Take a road trip - I am not fussy on the where/how far/etc. I just want to keep a journal during this. Take a million photos. Stop at weird places. Eat at awesome diners. Blast Taylor Swift music while driving down the highway signing at the top of my lungs. I would LOVE to do this from Las Vegas to Los Angeles.

3 Visit a publishing office - This should be obvious. I would love to take a tour of a publishing office. I am convinced it would be incredibly cool.

4 Beta read a novel - I think this is the coolest sounding thing EVER! I know a few people who have done it and they really liked the experience.

5 Make my own tea - This one should be easy to do. There are plenty of places that let you design your own flavor, allow you to name it, and even design the packaging for it. As someone who loves tea, this would be amazing. I want to do the same thing with wine, obviously.

6. Swim with dolphins - I love dolphins (so much I have a tattoo of one on my back) and have always wanted to swim with them.

What's on your bucket list?

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Once Upon A Time - The Tower



So excited to meet Rapunzel tonight, and hopefully see Neal again.

We're obviously starting in the lost year, or at least the Enchanted Forest. Charming looks very Charming. Oh, the nursery isn't destroyed. Dream, perhaps? Even Charming realizes this shouldn't be there. Ooooh..... Emma looks amazing as a Princess. I love the blue dress. She tells Charming that she's nervous for the ball, and that he should teach her to dance. Awww. *I am having major Daddy Charming feelings*. They are having a really cute moment that is going to be a dream, obviously. They are talking about how Emma's a natural at dancing. He tells her this is all he ever wanted for her. She muses that it's a shame she never got to have it. She tells Charming that he failed her, and it turns into David's worst nightmare. A portal comes out of the wooden wardrobe they sent Baby Emma through, and she says "Goodbye Daddy" as he tries to pull her out of the vortex. *sniff* Poor, David. I do like that this is giving us insight into David though. These are fears he's totally going to have. As Emma is sucked in she tells him not to fail the next one (No pressure or anything).

David wakes in the Enchanted Forest (so the 'lost year') to a very happy Snow. She tells him that she's pregnant and Charming is, obviously, shocked. His fears come out for just a second. He tells her that he is thrilled though, even as he looks terrified. Poor guy.

Storybooke - One Year Later

Regina, Emma, Snow David, and Hook are talking about how to find the witch. Hook jokes that they should just ask if anyone has seen someone with green skin. Charming points out that she'll look like anyone. Emma wants to look for physical evidence at Regina's office (which, excellent plan. Why has this not been done yet?!). Regina doesn't want Henry walking around by himself.  She mentions that the witch has flying monkeys, and it's not safe. Hook has to be his usual self and make a comment about one of the monkeys being Henry's father (sigh, I hate this triangle. I hate this triangle). Regina volunteers to watch over Henry. Emma reminds her to stick to the story while with Henry. She leaves, and Hook tells everyone that there is a witch in their town, and they should go find her.

Elsewhere, Zelena goes to visit Rumple, who is still acting crazy. She muses that he isn't enjoying his cage, or appreciating his jailer. She tells him that he obviously wants to hurt her. She tells him to go ahead and try it. She walks into his cage, and whips out the dagger. Telling him that while she has it, he's basically her slave.

She gets him to sit down. Rumple tells her to kill him basically, chanting 'All the voices in my head will be quiet when I'm dead'. I want Belle to find Rumple, and kiss him better already. She tells Rumple she doesn't want to kill him, but that they must keep up appearances. All Rumple wants to do is spin (according to him, it'll keep the madness away). Zelena pulls him closer, and starts to shave him. It's uncomfortably intimate. Belle should be doing this, not you Zelena. She starts talking about her father. So that means it's not Rumple right? Because otherwise this is even more icky than it already is. She mentions that her father's hands used to shake from drink, or worse. Was her father the wizard? Did Cora have an affair with the wizard? She mentions that her father wanted to put forth a good 'face'. She says that her and Rumple could never do that. They always showed outside exactly what was rotten on the inside. She says they are in a new land, and they can look their best. She nicks him with the dagger and takes his blood on her finger. She's totally going to use it for something right?! She gets up to leave and Rumple calls her on her lies. Says if she wanted to keep up appearances she'd change his clothes (DO NOT GIVE HER IDEAS, RUMPLE). She tells him that she wants something he's searched a long time for, but goes against his nature, and that she can't afford to wait for. So what the heck does she want?!

She next goes to Rumple's shop and meets Belle. She calls Belle Mrs Gold (one day!) and Belle corrects her. Zelena asks if Mr Gold is around. Belle tells her that he died (*sniff, Poor Belle*). Zelena is there to get a gift for Snow. Belle says she has just the thing, and when her back is turned Zelena freezes her. She takes something out of Rumple's safe.

Later, everyone is searching Regina's office. Charming finds some holly berry on the ground. He remembers that the bushes are near the toll bridge (Snowing feels!) and as they are making plans he gets a text from Snow. He has to go meet the midwife. Hook cracks that she's being a little demanding. Emma is not happy. Her look is basically saying "WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY ABOUT MY MOTHER?!" and Hook's like "I mean the midwife" Nice save, Hook. Emma tells him to go to Snow, and that her and Hook will take care of it. Charming seems reluctant, but goes.

Enchanted Forest - One Year Ago

Charming is taking a drink for courage as he loads up his horse for a journey. Robin enters the stable, and they have a fantastic chat. Love this scene and this friendship. More of this please, writers. Robin is living at the Queen's castle, and she gave him golden arrows! Charming says that she must like Robin to have given him those gifts. Robin doesn't seem to think so, thinks she wants him out of her castle, however it's safe for Roland so he's staying put. Right, and I bet you'll be kissing Regina VERY soon, Robin. Robin tells Charming that he looks exhausted. They're sharing Charming's booze (Rum, I bet). Can they be best friends?! Charming tells Robin about his fears. He doesn't know how to shake it, but he needs to be strong for Snow. Robin tells him about this root that is suppose to help you overcome your fears. It's called Nightroot (because it looks like stars). Robin tells him that the area this root is located in is rumoured to be haunted. Charming scoffs, and takes off to get the root.

Storybooke - One Year Later

Snow and Zelena are bonding. Snow is telling the story of her and Charming. David walks in and it is obvious he wants to be anywhere else. Zelena goes to make tea. Charming express his concerns to Snow, and Snow is...well, Snow. She is the eternal optimist. She wants to trust Zelena, and see the good in her. It's Snow's flaw. She's too trusting. Zelena is dropping some of what she grabbed from Rumple's shop into David's tea.

Enchanted Forest - One Year Ago

Charming finds some nightroot, and just as he's about to head back he hears someone calling for help. It's a girl in a tower (aka, Rapunzel). Of course Charming can't resist a damsel in distress and climbs the tower.  It sounds like Rapunzel's been in the tower a long time. She says she's lost count of the years. She asks David if he's a Prince, and he says yes. She introduces herself. Turns out she's a princess, and she left her kingdom for nightroot too. She had some fears about being a ruler. Her brother was to take the crown, but he died, and she began to fear not being good enough. Turns out Rapunzel took the Nightroot, but a witch appeared after she took it. The witch chased Rapunzel into the tower, and now the witch won't let her leave. Charming says he'll free her, but the witch appears as they attempt to leave. It's very creepy. It reminds me of the movie The Ring.

Storybooke - One Year Later

Snow makes a comment about how quickly her pregnancy has progressed (zero to due date in a blink of an eye..haha). David is obviously preoccupied. Zelena mentions Snow mentioned some worries to her, with them loosing Emma and all. She says it'll be good for Snow and the baby to get them all out in the open. David says he doesn't have anything to say, and that they'll get through this together. He drinks the tea after Zelena has them toast to that, and mentions how brave Charming is. Zelena tells Charming he should go and finish whatever he was doing. She can help Snow. David goes off to the forest to look for the holly berries (and Emma I am guessing). She obviously put nightroot into David's tea. EEEP!

Henry and Regina are walking around with ice cream. Henry seems happy. He says he likes Storybrooke. Regina says that the best part of a small town is that everyone knows everyone, like a big family (haha, Regina). Henry confides in Regina that he thinks something more than the case brought Emma to Storybrooke. He doesn't buy that she took him out of school for a job, that's not his mom. He tells Regina that Emma's boyfriend Walsh proposed to Emma and that he thinks that's why they left. He isn't sure what happened, but it's obvious she didn't say yes. Regina asks if Henry liked Walsh. He said he liked that he made his mom happy, and he wants more than just the two of them at holidays. Henry wants a family. Awww. Regina tells him that she's confident he'll eventually have more family than he knows what to do with (haha, isn't that the truth, Regina). Henry longs for a family. I can't wait for him to remember he has his dad (where ever Neal is), Regina, his grandparents, and extended family/friends.

Emma and Hook are searching through the woods for the berries. Emma wants to know what Hook was doing the last year. She says he must have been living one adventure after another until he came to rescue her. Hook says "something like that" and Emma pounces. She wants to know what he isn't telling her. Hook refuses, says that he's given his story and he's sticking to it. Emma is not impressed. Hook wants her to say thank you. Emma says she already thanked him for her memories. He says she should thank him for saving her from a loveless marriage. Emma scoffs. Hook reminds her that Walsh was a monkey, and wants to know if she was seriously considering the proposal. She finally gives in to his questioning and says yes, she was in love, so of course. Emma says that as usual he wasn't who he said he was and she got her heart broken again. Hook says he's glad to hear that she got her heart broken, because that means it still works. He gets all up in her personal space. So wait a second? He claims to love Emma right? Sorry writers, but that line was NOT romantic. He's happy she had her heart broken? REALLY? Sigh. Emma doesn't seem all that into it though. She walks away.They come across a farm house, and Emma makes a funny quip about the irony (because Dorothy lived on a farm).

Back at the farm, Emma is showcasing her amazing bail bondsperson skills. She notices the storm cellar (GO FREE RUMPLE!!) but Hook stops her from going in. It seems like he knows Rumple is in there, and is stopping her from going in. I wonder how much Hook knows, and what he is hiding. He tells Emma they need magical back up. Emma relents and goes to call Regina, but sees she has a message from David.


Enchanted Forest - One Year Ago

The figure starts to climb up the tower, and Charming promises to save Rapunzel. He goes to strike when he thinks the figure is at the entrance, but is knocked back by it to the other side of the tower. He gets up, and is wrapped in Rapunzel's hair by the figure. He yells for it to "get away from" Rapunzel, and it bites back that it is HER. It reveals that it looks exactly like Rapunzel. Charming figures it out. The nightroot makes you face your fear, and it manifests itself as a version of yourself. Rapunzel has to defeat this on her own to overcome her fear. He tells her to fight it, overcome it. He ends up grabbing the hooded figure, and jumping out the tower window. He grabs onto the vines, while the hooded figure grabs onto Rapunzel's hair. Charming tells her to cut the hair, face her fear, and tells her she can do it (basically, typical Charming). She eventually listens, hacks off her hair with Charming's sword, and the hooded figure falls to the ground, disappearing as it falls.

Rapunzel comes down from the tower, and tells the story of how her brother died. He drown trying to save her when she fell into a river. It made her worry she wasn't worthy of being a ruler, being Queen. Charming tells her that her parents love her basically, and they go back to his castle, where her parents are. Did they pick them up on the way? Unclear how her family got to Charming and Snow's castle.

Charming finally tells Snow about his fears. How he was scared to be a father because they lost Emma twice. He says he is not sure how to be a father, especially to a baby. Snow tells him that they'll do this they way they do everything - together. Charming agrees, and says they have a nursery to build.

Storybooke - One Year Later

Charming is searching for the berries, and sees a figure stalking him through the trees. He calls Emma and leaves a message that he thinks he found the witch. He goes to attack but is knocked to the ground for his effort. He manages to get the upper hand and stab the hooded figure. He pushes back the hood to reveal... HIMSELF! The hooded figure looks exactly like David. So obviously the witch did give him nightroot, and David is now facing his fears.

Hooded figure sneers that David is just a 'scared shepherd boy who strayed too far from his farm' and I love this. That has to be a real fear for Charming. He went from a farm boy to a basically being a King. He must have had moments where he did not feel worthy. I love that they are showing us this side of Charming. Hooded figure is taunting David. Calling him weak. The hooded figure is just about to choke Charming to death when Emma's yellow bug pulls up. David admits he is afraid he won't be a good father, but that he'll try anyways and stabs the hooded figure. The sword disappears after though. Where did it go?!

Charming explains what happened and Regina immediately knows it's the witch toying with them. Emma and Hook tell them about the farm house, and Charming wants to go send the witch back to Oz. Heck yes! I can't wait to sing "Ding Dong the witch is dead".

Regina seems surprised that this demon knew David's deepest fears. He tells her that he ended up stabbing it with his sword. Regina tells them that when you face your fears, your true courage comes out. When David stabbed the 'demon' his courage transferred into the hilt of his sword. Emma reacts saying "She stole his courage?" and Regina is quick to say that the witch stole a symbol of his courage, and that symbols can be a powerful thing.

So she took someone's courage. I am guessing a heart, and brains are next. The smartest person is Belle so she's in trouble I predict. The heart? Unsure but I do like the twist of taking the items instead of giving them.

During this we see David's sword hilt appear in Zelena's purse as she is leaving Snow's house. Snow thanks her, and Zelena tells her it's her pleasure and that Snow has nothing to worry about/fear.

The gang goes into the storm cellar (which has a broken lock now and it didn't just before when Hook and Emma were there alone) and Regina immediately knows there is dark magic in the air. The cage is empty, and they muse about what she would keep in a cage. Emma mentions monkeys. Charming says no, not monkeys and turns on the light to reveal Rumple's spinning wheel. He finds some gold that's been spun from straw on the ground to end the episode. THEY KNOW! THEY KNOW RUMPLE IS BACK! Regina's face! Her smile! I LOVE IT! She knows that she has back up now if the Dark One is back. It's like she's thrilled. She's the Evil Queen and it's means nothing but bad things for the Wicked Witch. Hook didn't look surprised though. I don't think he's working for Zelena per say, but I think he knows a heck of a lot more than he's telling. I don't know what he's hiding or why, but it's something.

This wasn't my favourite episode. I did love Princess Emma, and the David stuff (I so wanted him to admit he had that fear) and of course, the set up of the courage/brains/heart thing!

Next week - NEAL IS BACK!! FINALLY! Except the promo was full of angst, and Neal clutching his chest (where his heart would be). Did the witch steal it? Oh no. I think we just discovered who might be the 'Tin Man' in this. I think I am going to need wine to get through next week, but NEAL IS BACK! Oh, and was Belle unfrozen? Or is she still just stuck at the shop waiting? Sad. Hopefully she's fine. We'll see next week.





Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Love Letters To The Dead by Ava Dellaira



Love Letters To The Dead by Ava Dellaira
Release Date - April 1, 2014
Publisher Website - Raincoast Books/Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Publisher Social Media - Twitter
Pages - 323 pages
My Rating - 5/5
**received from publisher in exchange for an honest review**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis
It begins as an assignment for English class: Write a letter to a dead person. Laurel chooses Kurt Cobain because her sister, May, loved him. And he died young, just like May did. Soon, Laurel has a notebook full of letters to people like Janis Joplin, Amy Winehouse, Amelia Earhart, Heath Ledger, and more; though she never gives a single one of them to her teacher. She writes about starting high school, navigating new friendships, falling in love for the first time, learning to live with her splintering family. And, finally, about the abuse she suffered while May was supposed to be looking out for her. Only then, once Laurel has written down the truth about what happened to herself, can she truly begin to accept what happened to May. And only when Laurel has begun to see her sister as the person she was; lovely and amazing and deeply flawed; can she begin to discover her own path.
Dear Ava Dellaria,

I am going to do this review a little differently than I normally do. I don't think you'll mind. See, I was inspired by the use of letters in Love Letters To The Dead, and I thought it would be a fantastic way to showcase one of the elements I loved about your book.

I'll start with a compliment. Everyone likes those right? I love your writing. Your prose is beautiful, and lyrical. Mesmerizingly so at times. You created a voice, and a character using letters, and still managed to convey so many emotions within them.

I kind of knew going in that your book was going to be a sad one. I even made a joke on twitter about the level of crying it would most likely produce (sobbing to full on ugly crying). As sad and emotional as Laurel's story is, it's also really hopeful. Grief is something excruciating to work through, but your novel had little moments of happiness that Laurel tried to grasp. As Laurel worked through everything, I came to want more of those happy moments for her. I hope, however her story continues, that she keeps finding them.

I am someone who can remember exactly where I was when I found out River Phoenix had died. I was 12, I had just watched Stand By Me, and like May was instantly smitten. I was told just a few short months later, by my older sister, that he had died. It was the day after Halloween. It stunned me. This part of the novel could have been me talking....
And then we saw that you had died. Of a drug overdose. You were only twenty-three. It was like the world stopped. You’d been just right there, almost in the room with us. But you were no longer on this earth.

When I think back to it, that night seemed like the beginning when everything changed. Maybe we didn't have the words for it then, but when we found out you’d died, it’s like the first time we saw what could happen to innocence.
You captured with these words the exact feeling I had upon hearing the news. It's even more evident after watching Stand By Me a second time (or in my case a 100th time). After hearing of his death those final moments of Chris Chambers' story are tainted in a way. You can't help but think of what happened just a few years later. Your words managed to say that, and so much more. It sort of felt like you might have felt that way too.

That's the thing, all these people Laurel writes letters to, I think they must have touched you as well. They became characters in your story in their own right. Because of this, I think they inspired you, and their stories stayed with you. It comes across in the care, and heartfelt way you entwine their stories into Laurel's narrative. The haunting way you have her break apart Kurt Cobin's suicide note, and the aforementioned River Phoenix section that stayed with me long after I finished reading. You captured both the allure these people had, and at the same time the tragic sorrow at how short some of their lives were. You captured why they linger still, and fascinate us, in some cases, long after their deaths.

We only get Laurel's perspective, and that makes sense, it is her story after all. However, some of the characters still linger with me. Hannah and Natalie especially. I wonder if they are okay, and while reading I found myself wanting to get inside their head. I wanted to know more about them. Even through Laurel's voice I came to care about them. It impressed me that you managed to create secondary characters that I ended up caring so much about using this format. It's something I worried about before starting your novel, and happily, I need not have.

May is a force that is larger than the novel's pages. She comes to life through Laurel's love for her. As we begin to unravel the mystery of what happened the night she died, my heart sank. Your writing captured not just Laurel's emotions, but what May must have felt in those pivotal moments. I felt like I got to know May just as well as I did Laurel, even it was just only Laurel's version of her. This broken, beautiful girl who maybe had more secrets than Laurel could ever know.

At the end of all this, basically what I am saying is thank you. Thank you for giving me a book that left me feeling everything I felt while reading Perks of Being a Wallflower. Thank you for Laurel, and her heart crushingly beautiful story. I can't wait to read what you write next.

Sincerely,

Kathy

Monday, March 24, 2014

Tudor Tuesdays Sign ups!



I will be hosting Tudor Tuesdays this year, but with a bit of a twist. It'll be TUDOR THURSDAYS (because of the release date of Brazen). Katherine and I have some fun things planned, and we need 5 bloggers to take part in this small blog event.

If you're interested please email me at aglassofwineblog@gmail.com with the heading Tudor Thursdays. Please include a link to your blog.

I'll have sign ups opened for 1 week, and contact people once I've put everything together.





Sunday, March 23, 2014

New To My Book Closet


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

Small mailbox this week, which is awesome because I already have a lot of books to read.

I purchased one e-book this week, to celebrate St Patrick's Day.


See Me by Wendy Higgins (Goodreads)

This is apparently about leprechauns, which is different, so this totally caught my eye.

Happy weekend, and happy reading!

Saturday, March 22, 2014

Weekly Obsessions


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

Here are my obsessions this week. Short and sweet this week!

BOOKS

Heartless Things by Lisa Maxwell (Goodreads)

I love Peter Pan. Surprise right? Well I saw this mentioned in a Publishers Weekly deals announcement and quickly proceeded to FREAK OUT. Why...because just read this....
Gwen and her best friend are abducted to a dark world akin to Pan's Labyrinth called Neverland, but it's nothing like the fairy tale. To rescue her friend, Gwen must decide whether to trust a roguish young pirate or the boy who calls himself Pan. 
Obviously, I need to read this. As soon as possible. I love that Hook is going to be 'young' and it kind of makes Pan sound ominous? Delightful twist. This will be top of my 2016 Most Anticipated List. *sobs because of the long wait*

Finding Paris by Joy Preble (Goodreads)

I found this one and thought it sounded amazing. It's got secrets, a road trip, and two places I totally want to visit.
a teenage girl whose older sister sends her on a scavenger hunt from Las Vegas to L.A., to protect her from a dark secret.
I want this immediately. It's being pitched as Speak meets 13 Little Blue Envelopes which is interesting. Either way, totally excited to get my hands on this sometime in 2015.

OTHER

Elaine Lui Book Signing 

My favourite gossip queen Elaine from Lainey Gossip is coming to Ottawa as part of her book tour. I am thrilled that Ottawa is finally getting a fun book signing, and I can't wait to go. April 8th at the Rideau Chapters location for those in the city, be sure to check it out, too.

Disney Inspired Cocktails by Cody

I stumbled across this by accident. A Seattle based mixologist has created some of the most awesome drinks ever...if you're a Disney fan that is.

Copyright @ Cocktails by Cody Facebook page

The Lost Boy is just one of the MANY drinks you can find on his Facebook page. It appears he'll eventually be releasing an e-book filled with these recipes, and I cannot wait to get my hands on it.

So what are you obsessed with this week?

Friday, March 21, 2014

Starling by Fiona Paul



Starling by Fiona Paul
Release Date - March 20, 2014
Publisher Website - Penguin
Publisher Social Media - Twitter
Pages - 336 pages
My Rating - 4/5
**borrowed from fellow blogger**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis
The dark, seductive conclusion to the thrilling Secrets of the Eternal Rose trilogy!

In the final book in the trilogy, Cass and Luca are back in Venice trying to find the Book of the Eternal Rose to clear Luca's name and keep them both out of prison. But the hunters become the hunted when the Order of the Eternal Rose figures out their plan. Filled with twists and turns, danger and torrid romances, this novel brings the Secrets of the Eternal Rose novels to a thrilling, heart-pounding, sexy conclusion.
Perfect endings to book series are had to come by. They almost don't exist, but if they did Starling would come close. Romance, mystery, and closure are all woven together to create a delicious, and enticingly readable end to what is a well written, and well plotted series.

The level of research into the historical aspects of these novels has always impressed me. The care given to ensure accuracy really comes through in the writing. In a novel filled with mystery elements it would be easy to overlook this aspect but the attention to detail adds another layer to the story. It allowed me to immerse myself into the story fully, instead of being ripped out of it.

Cassandra's character growth when looked at during the coarse of the entire series is wonderful. Her progression from the first book, to the end of the third is almost staggering. Each change is a direct reaction to something that happened, someone in her life, or choices she had made. As a reader, see the consequences of things, and how they impact a character is important, and this might be the element that shines the brightest in this series.

The triangle in this series has never bothered me the way most triangles do, and I fully understand why after reading this installment. The choice was entirely about Cass. Cass and what she needed. Cass and who she had become. She has chosen the suitor who compliments what she wants out of her life, and the one to best help her continue to grow and become WHO she wants to be. No matter what 'team' you happen to be on, I predict many will be unable to find fault in Cassandra's (and therefore the author's) decision. The closure that is given, and the care given to all the characters make it so that it's fitting, and earned.

The ending of Cassandra's story unravels as it should. Fiona Paul takes her time with the story, allowing it and her characters to breath. She is sure to wrap up the plot points from beginning to end, and allow us closure for all the major players. It's satisfying in it's execution, and ties the three novels together entirely.

Saying goodbye to these characters, and the series, was much harder than I anticipated it being. It's a testament to the characterization that I will miss even the secondary characters we've met along the way. Kind magicians, surprising courtesans, and everyone in between. The last few pages left me teary eyed because they perfectly closed Cassandra's journey...this part of it at least.

A novel that is filled with thrills, chills, romance, and one heck of a heroine at it's core. Starling offers up a fitting, perfectly paced ending to a series that easily charmed me.

Thursday, March 20, 2014

Follow Friday


Alison Can Read Feature & Follow

Follow Friday is a weekly meme hosted Parajunkee and Alison Can Read. It's a great way to meet new blogger friends.

This weeks question is:

How have your reading habits changed in the past few years? Did you get interested in a new genre? Do you read more? Less? Why do you think your habits changed, if they did.

The only change in my reading habits since blogging is that I am much more picky in what I read. We have so many choices now, and amazing sounding novels are being released all the time. I feel I am more careful on what I request for review, pick up from a bookstore, and borrow from the library. I want that reading experience to be one that I enjoy, because I could be missing out on another amazing read instead.

Happy Weekend!

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Once Upon A Time - Witch Hunt



Have I mentioned I am glad this hiatus is over? Because, yes. SO MUCH.

ENCHANTED FOREST - ONE YEAR AGO

The Wicked Witch is going through Regina's things. Claims they are wasted on Regina. I'll be the first to admit Regina has some amazing clothes, and jewelry, but this just makes her look jealous and petty. She puts on one of Regina's dresses. She tells Walsh (I assume it's Walsh), the flying monkey, to go let "the Evil Queen" know she's here, and that he doesn't have to be gentle about it.

Awww, cute little Roland is walking around. He's adorable. Snow and Ruby are talking about Regina, and how they hope the change in her sticks. Ruby mentions she is worried about Regina (or rather she would be if Regina hadn't tried to hurt them before). Snow goes to talk to her. Regina is missing Henry (obviously) but she has a plan to get into the castle. She wants to sneak into the castle via the underground tunnels. She wants to go in, lower the shields and let the rest of them in. Solid plan. It actually pays to have Regina on your side.

As this is happening Walsh (flying monkey) comes and reeks havoc. Walsh attempts to fly over to Roland but Regina whisks him away to safety and tuns the monkey into a stuffed toy! She gives it to Roland and Robin is charmed and thanks her (I SHIP THEM SO MUCH RIGHT NOW!). I am very sad they won't remember any of this in present day.

STORYBROOKE - ONE YEAR LATER

Emma put Henry to bed. Tells Charming and Snow that they are helping with the case if Henry asks. She wants an explanation as to what happened. Snow and Charming are clueless. Hook tells them that Regina's spell worked, they went back to the Enchanted Forest. He fills in what he can, but obviously he doesn't know much since he left them almost right away. Emma thinks Regina might be behind this. Snow doesn't think so. She says Regina seems clueless too. For once, it's not Regina.

Charming wants to know how Hook knew to go get Emma. He says a bird brought a note telling him to get Emma, and a vial of memory potion was tied to it's leg. Neither Snow or Charming sent it (although Charming muses that the bird does sound like Snow). Hook is also changing his story. Why the lying?

Grumpy and Happy (I think) come in and tell the group that another dwarf has gone missing. They fill Emma in that people have been disappearing since they've got back. Emma immediately asks about Neal, prompting Hook to be snarky - "He'll turn up, Swan. He always does". Snow is trying to positive. She tells Emma that perhaps Neal didn't get swept up in the curse at all. Emma has had enough. She wants to know what is going on and the only way to get this sorted out is to figure out who cursed them.

ENCHANTED FOREST - ONE YEAR AGO

The group is discussing what just attacked them. Grumpy mentioned is looked like a monkey. Charming brings up that it had wings. Neal wants to know why people are acting like monkeys having wings is normal. Belle says that it's because it is....in one place anyways - Oz. Regina knows Oz exists (!!!! WHAT?!) and says that she is sure the Wicked Witch is taking up residence in the castle. Grumpy wants to know if it's the Wicked Witch of the East or West. Snow is certain both are awful, so does it matter. Grumpy provides what could be my favourite line of the episode 'one you drop a house on, the other you toss a bucket of water at'. Charming wants to know what Regina did to her. Regina says nothing, she's never met her.

Regina is still going into the castle, Snow wants to go to help. Regina says no, she'll lower the shield on her own. Snow seems really protective of Regina here.

STORYBROOKE - ONE YEAR LATER

Ruby puts cinnamon on Henry's hot chocolate, and he wants to know how she knew he liked it. I love that he still loves cinnamon on his hot chocolate. A cute, awkward moment where Emma tries to explain how she knows Snow and Charming. Snow says that she and Emma were cell mates in prison (totally cute, and even Emma smiles).

Regina walks in and sees Henry, and she drops her dish. She knows enough to not go running over to him. Emma tells Regina that they have to talk, now. Emma explains that Henry doesn't  have his memories. Regina wants the story about how Emma and Henry are back. Emma explains the whole Hook thing. Regina claims her innocence. Emma tells her that it has crossed her mind that this might be Regina's way of getting Henry back. Regina laughs, and says she would have given Henry his memories back at least ('I cast curses to hurt other people, not myself').

We see that Robin Hood and his men have crossed over too (yay! He can meet Regina all over again). Little John is hunting a turkey or something and ends up getting picked up and carried off by a flying monkey at the town line.

Emma (and the others) shows up and Robin explains what happened. Emma says it sounds like the monster who attacked her in New York. Hook snips "The monster you were going to marry" (Ugh, can he not? Is he 12?). Charming is incredulous that his little girl was getting married. She tells the group to form a search grid. She realizes she is not getting anywhere this way. She wants to talk to everyone at once- town meeting I bet.

Haha, yup. She has called a town meeting. Tells everyone that they are stuck there because they can't cross the town line. Everyone is asking Emma questions. They want to know who cursed them. They are, predictably, accusing Regina. Regina sticks up for herself, but they are not having it. Archie is being nice though. Regina says she doesn't care about anything except her son so if she did enact the curse, she'd have him. Emma tells her that she is not getting near Henry until they figure things out. Regina is hurt that Emma is siding with them. Emma says she is not sure if she believes Regina. Regina, fed up, says that if they want the Evil Queen, that's exactly who they'll get. She makes an earthquake happen, and disappears in a cloud of purple smoke. I think Emma and Regina are planning something, and this was a set up (fingers crossed). We also get to see that the Wicked Witch is sitting in the crowd at the meeting (without green skin).

ENCHANTED FOREST - ONE YEAR AGO

Regina is going into the tunnels, when Robin shows up. He wants to go with her, to help. Robin tells her that the flying monkey was coming for Regina, not Roland. He says that the Witch wants Regina dead. Robin wants to try to protect her, because she saved Roland. Regina seems surprised he has honour, and he seems surprised that she has a soft spot for children (just kiss already). Regina tells him not to get in her way, and let's him tag along.

STORYBROOKE - ONE YEAR LATER

YES! Emma and Regina are planning something, and working together. They are going to figure out who cursed the town together.

Emma gives Regina the potion Hook gave her. Regina says there is enough to try to replicate it to give some to Henry. Emma wants to know who sent it to Hook, so they are going to make enough to wake everyone up. Give everyone their memories back.

Regina thanks Emma for believing her. Emma says she always knows when Regina is lying, and she knows Regina didn't enact this curse.

ENCHANTED FOREST - ONE YEAR AGO

There is a fire that is powering the spell. Regina tells Robin that she needs to put it out. They reach a trap and Regina tells him it is to keep thieves like him out. Robin tells her that he hopes she's not planning on walking him into one of the traps, because Roland already lost his mother. Regina snarks back, but softens at the mention of Roland and smirks at him telling he that he should have stayed behind in that case. She asks about Roland's mother. Robin says he accidently put her in harms way during a job, and you can tell he feels guilty. They reach a door that Regina sealed with blood magic so it should not be open, because only she can do that. Calling it right now - the Wicked Witch is blood related to Regina (sisters is my guess).

Regina had sealed a crypt behind the door. Her mother is buried there (yup, sister). She tells Robin that she's lost people too. He says he can tell she lost a child. Robin wants to know what happened to the child. She tells him that the child is not dead, just lost to her forever. Robin says that if the witch is powerful enough to break blood magic, perhaps Regina should reconsider. Regina says no (unsurprisingly).

STORYBROOKE - ONE YEAR LATER

Snow is looking at a baby book, and telling Henry about cradle cap. He doesn't care, and is playing his video game. Snow offers to take him to the library because he loves reading. Pretty sure she's not supposed to know that. Henry wants to go though (so he's going to meet Belle).

When Henry runs off, Snow starts talking to the Wicked Witch (except she does not have green skin). She tells Snow she missed the last curse, so everything is strange to her. Snow asks her who she is back in the Enchanted Forest. She tells Snow that she's nobody, that not everyone can be famous like Snow. She mentions she is a supporting player. So she's VERY jealous. Jealous of everyone. Hmmmm. Doesn't she know that the Wicked Witch is well known in our world too? If that's what this is all about, I won't be happy. She tells Snow that she is a midwife, and offers to help. Oh, Snow. RUN AWAY! RUN AS FAST AS YOU CAN! This means only bad things for the baby. Trust me.

The group searching for Little John find him. He's badly injured and they take him to the hospital.

ENCHANTED FOREST - ONE YEAR AGO

Regina tells Robin to keep watch. He has issues with Regina collecting things for a potion. They fight and Regina eventually tells him that it's a sleeping curse (the same one she used on Snow White). He wants to know if she plans on using it on the Wicked Witch. She says no, she intends to use it on someone else (but someone he or anyone else won't miss). I am guessing herself. She is so heartbroken over Henry. Robin says he can't let her do this. He tells her that he knows how she is feeling. She needs to find a new reason to go on. Regina doesn't want to hear it. She wants to go to sleep until Henry wakes her up (like the whole Emma/Henry kiss at the end of season 1). She promises that she is going to take down the shield but after that, she's using the potion. I wonder what happened. Did she not drink it?

STORYBROOKE - ONE YEAR LATER

Regina is brewing the memory potion. Can it be this easy? I doubt it. She tests it on herself, and it didn't work. She's used all the potion, so they are all out of options. Regina says she can't live in this town if Henry doesn't remember her. Emma says they need to find the person who cast the curse to fix things. Emma wants to set a trap. She says that if they lie and say that they are close to making a memory potion, the person responsible will want to stop them. Regina says she knows who to tell - Grumpy. He, of course, runs to Granny's diner and tells everyone (haha, I love Grumpy). The Wicked Witch leaves the diner (so it worked).

Little John is at the hospital being treated by Dr Whale. The monkey bite is nasty and turns you into a monkey (my guess as to Neal's fate? Totally a monkey right now). Monkey Little John crashes out the window and everyone is, understandably, confused.

Emma and Regina are having a stakeout to see who goes into Regina's office. I want them to be best friends. I know what happened with Snow, and there is still a lot to deal with. Apologies and amends, and all that. I just want Henry to have everyone he loves together and happy. I can see Emma and Regina becoming really good friends though. This scene shows that. Regina asks about Henry, and his life in New York, mainly wants to know if he happy. Emma says he is, and that's why it was hard to come back. Emma says she did it because Henry would want her to. She offers to introduce Regina to him again, and Regina declines.

They get the signal that someone is in the room. They go in, and trap the person with Regina's magic. The person disappear in a cloud of green smoke that looks awfully like Regina's purple smoke. Again, they muse that nobody should be able to break Regina's spells (I bet it's a blood thing).

ENCHANTED FOREST - ONE YEAR AGO

Regina lifts the shield, as promised. Everyone goes to storm the castle when Grumpy gives the signal. Regina goes to take the potion and the Witch walks in first, and steals the needle with the sleeping curse on it.

The Wicked Witch introduces herself. Her name is Zelena. Regina wants to know why Zelena is wearing her dress. Zelena is fun! She tells Regina it looks better on her anyways. Regina tells her that she should have never left Oz. Regina wants to know how Zelena broke the blood lock. Zelena says she didn't break it. She says that Cora must not of told Regina about her. She tells Regina that they are sisters (obviously!). Regina says it's not possible because Zelena is green ('And you're rude' Zelena shoots back). Zelena explains that Cora had her first, before she became royalty. I wonder who her father is (anyone but Rumple, please). So Zelena is jealous that Regina got to have a mother, when she didn't. Zelena knew Rumple, and was a student of his like Regina. Some jealousy over getting to cast the original curse. Regina sneers that being chosen to cast the curse was not the best thing in the world. Zelena says she didn't need Cora or Rumple. Regina says that it's too bad they can't see how Zelena turned out, because they are both dead. Zelena seems put out by that. I think she wanted all three of them to suffer. Zelena tells Regina that she's the only one that Zelena really needs. She wants to take away everything from Regina. She wants her to suffer a fate worse than death. Regina tells her to bring it basically. Zelena promises that she will and flies off with a cackle.

Regina frees Robin from the spell she cast on him that kept him in place. Tells him that he was right about the sleeping curse. It's not the answer. She needed to find something else to live for. He smiles and asks what it is. She tells him it's something she hasn't had in a long time - someone to destroy. Evil Regina is fun!

STORYBROOKE - ONE YEAR LATER

Emma and Regina head to Snow's place so that Regina can meet Henry. It's sweet, and heartbreaking. Henry is still so curious. He wants to know why Emma told Regina so much about him (they pass it off like Emma is proud). Regina offers to give Henry a tour, and take him for ice cream. Henry agrees to spend time with her, and they shake hands. Regina looks crushed over all this.

Charming comes and pulls Emma outside with Snow to tell them about the whole people turning into flying monkeys thing. Emma immediately thinks of Neal, and that he might be one too. Emma quips that it wouldn't be the first flying monkey she's dated. Snow's face about this comment. Too funny.

Regina puts it together with the flying monkey comment. She figures out that green smoke and flying monkeys = Wicked Witch. Emma scoffs and is all "She's real too?!". COME ON, EMMA! Keep up. Hook even jokes that as the daughter of Snow and Charming she should not be surprised by this. Emma just wants to know why the Wicked Witch would want to come to Storybrooke.

We see the Witch go to bunker type place (a storm cellar! A nod to Dorothy and Oz) with a plate of food. She puts the food down in front of a cage, and someone inside it grabs her. IT'S RUMPLE!!! He hisses that she never should have brought him back! OH MY GOSH! I am so happy he's back. There is one thing I'll thank Zelena for. She laughs at him and tells him to eat up. She claims they have work to do. I DO NOT LIKE! DO NOT LIKE! FREE RUMPLE! Robert Carlyle is going to have a FUN time with this storyline though because Rumple is straight up crazy.

So I just realized Zelena has Regina's blood from the monkey. She could totally be lying. That would be a fun twist, and I hope that's what is happening. Where is Neal? Can we have him back now please?

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