Review: Murder Trending by Gretchen McNeil

A relatively spoiler-free review. However, some spoilers ahead.

Seventeen, such a lighthearted age. With life to look forward to and a career to follow, you would think Dee Guerrera would be carefree. Instead, she is being hunted. Dee wakes inside a warehouse, with cameras all around her. She knows that the nationwide murder app has found its next victim. This murder app shows footage of Alcatraz 2.0, a high security prison which Dee has found herself in. But Dee decides to take things into her own hands. She will not be a victim, but instead a victor.

Being chased by psychopathic serial killers and murderous inmates, Dee has to try not only survive, but thrive inside Alcatraz 2.0, the deadliest prison on earth. Will Dee find out why she got sent to Alcatraz 2.0 and discover the truth behind this murderous app? You certainly do find out by the books end!

Firstly, one thing about this book is solid character development. Throughout the story Dee grows while forming allies and revealing hidden truths. She does not stay the same throughout, a problem a lot of lesser writers struggle with. Secondly, plot twists and big reveals constantly leave the reader on their toes.

Furthermore, Gretchen McNeil interactively uses the app itself and its comment system within the text to share more information and add to the book’s world-building. While not actually the app, by seeing the comments sections both greatly supporting the app and its carnage, whereas others strongly opposing it, readers are, along with Dee, are given insight into the mindsets of the people and communities within the story’s world, and speaks to a larger commentary on online streaming and fan culture.

Overall, the use of plot twists, character development, and interesting writing style and use of the app’s own comment section brings this book to a ⅘ stars.

The Ghostwriter (Part 4)

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Of course, he had suspected. No not suspected, he had deluded. Every time he thought of who it could’ve been leaving notes on his story, he had been thinking irrationally, but never to the extent of thinking that there truly was a ghost. But Morgan saw it here right in front of his eyes. The three words spiked a horror deep in Morgan.

“Sir”, said with an urging and fear from Morgan’s assistant, Robert, snapping him back to reality. The reality where the business tycoon held Morgan and Robert at gunpoint in Locke Company’s HQ. The normally composed Christopher Locke looked between the search of “James Graves” on the company HQ computer and Morgan, frantically, with a sort of madness in his eyes.

“You shouldn’t meddle, Morgan… You shouldn’t have meddled” Locke said almost hysterically. “I mean, this all- all of this- could have been easily prevented if you had just stuck to making your little stories”

“What are you doing Christopher? I just got lost, like I said-“

“STOP LYING TO ME” Christopher took a deep breath, but one thing was clear, he was hiding something. And it was clear now, to Morgan, what it was.

He gave Robert a look as if to reassure him that he had a plan. He just needed a little more time, and he could get what he needed. “I am not lying to you… Christopher,” Morgan stumbled through his words, “I was merely looking for a new story to write- I’m sure you’ve heard rumors of my supposed, ‘Writer’s Block’ though I’ve always hated that term.”

He moved slowly to enter the flash drive to access the classified files while trying to distract Christopher, “It suggests that something is keeping you from writing, an outside force of some sort, however, I don’t think that’s the case.” Almost there, Morgan thought to himself. He looked to Robert, with whom he had had this discussion multiple times, and looked to him as if to motion him to continue what he knew Morgan meant to say.

Despite the look of sheer terror on his face when facing Christopher’s manic and suspicious expression, Robert seemed to catch on to a wisp of familiarity. “Yes,” Robert stuttered, “it suggests that you have come to the road block yourself, although that’s ovesimplifying it. You cannot blame some outside force for what you have brought on yourself. It suggests that you have to wait for it to fix itself, but the truth is no one is ever facing a ‘block’ of that which they cannot overcome. Especially not when creating stories.”

“This was merely what brought us here, nothing else.” Morgan finished, “Imagine how it felt to hear rumors of how ‘Morgan has lost his talent’ or ‘The silenced series is his last great piece of work'” Morgan continued, “That’s when I had a great inspiration for a new story, one about a mystery regarding one of the most influential persons!” Morgan finished uploading the flashdrive to unlock the classified file.

The information popped up suddenly on the desktop, and Christopher’s eyes widened. “YOU!” He bellowed, “What are you doing!” he shot the gun at Morgan franticly, fearfully, and aimlessly. He rushed to the control panel and attempted to remove the information.

However it was too late, the contrast of the broght control panel against the dimly lit headquarters told Morgan and Robert dire information. Years of undercover and illegal dealings with country heads, terrorists, and enemies. And then, Jimmy’s letter which was dated, “November 23rd, 1989” the day before he had died.

Dear Mr. Locke, you are the admiration and inspiration for many young apprentices, as I once was. The wealth and empire you have built is undoubtedly one of the greatest however, although I had suspected for quite a time now that no amount this large could not be built on the backs on innocents and death. This new information and dealing, although meant to have been hidden from me, your workers, and the public, is too great an evil. I must hand in my resignation and although I would like to thank you, cannot even bring myself to do that.

Poem About Duolingo

“Languages” by Library of Congress/ CC0 1.0

Hey! It's time for your lesson!
Do It!
Keep your streak up, or else....
Fight for the top...
...Or stay in the same league...
...Or drop out.
Learn a new language...
...while having fun!
But just please don't lose all your hearts!

- Me!
It's so relatable.

do keep going

There is a darkness I cannot see yet somewhere deep within I feel it whispers perhaps to me alone do keep going you’re almost real

The voice continues heed my call there is so much I need yet to tell please keep going, do keep going then help others when you’re well

Oh child how you so love to worry can you give you a break tonight you see me only as the darkness not yet knowing I too am the light

The Girl and Her Penny – A Sonnet

Penny’s pitter patter annoys some but

She has grown fond of every single sound,

Lovely tolls from the bell known as her mutt.

And in each moment there is love abound.

Surprising to none, her love for the dog

A love that extends across the realms and

Can weather the storms of rain, wind, or fog.

They have survived changes of life and land,

For nothing could ever tear them apart.

They thrive together and read tales often.

Their chaotic bond can repair the heart

Of any problem, which will now soften.

And forever the girl and her Penny,

May their years and time last eternally.

Two Quatrain Poems

Quatrain 1

May loving hearts know to ache no more 
When they've given a chance
To those who’ve wronged them.
A heart that loves should dance.

Quatrain 2

What if the end of time
Never came to be
What we thought we would see
As a new prime?

~a.o.e

Scout Is Not a Band Kid (Graphic Novel) by Jade Armstrong Review

“Band Music” by Jens Thekkeveettil/ CC0 1.0

WARNING: Some Spoilers!

My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

In this book, there is a girl, Scout that dreams of meeting her favorite author. She tries to find solutions to meet her but she couldn’t find a way. Later, she finds out that her school band is going to the place that her favorite author is giving autographs. Scout joins the band but it is really hard for her to learn the trombone. During this journey, she comes along with unexpected turns and some new friends. Read more to see what happens!

Why I rated 4/5:

I rated it a 4/5 because I loved how Merrin and Scout both like Pristine Wong but they never knew that they both did until they became more close and began to become friends. Also, I really like how they tied up the story because it was nice and it made sense with the main parts. Some books tie up their stories by random endings and it doesn’t make sense. I recommend this book for everyone who plays an instrument because you can relate the story with your life.

Thank you for reading!

– Me!

Roar

My body is shaking 

With anger like never before

Stirring deep inside me 

Where I hear a roar 

 

A strong, suborn lion

A ferocious, fierce, beast

That’s hungry as ever

Now here to feast 

 

It knows my pain well

And gives me the tool

To tear through my life 

With emotion as fuel 

 

Till I’m lost in a whirlwind 

That runs through my ears

And block out the words

I don’t want to hear 

 

I’m stranded, alone

Deserted in demand

Screaming for things

That I don’t understand

 

Feeling rather detached 

Like my heads full of mud

But the pain keeps me going

Like a knife drawing blood 

 

Theirs fire, theirs heat

Theirs contact and burn

Theirs alarm and theirs hurt

Theirs regret and scorn

 

Theirs things things that bubble

And call for a war

Taking over my body

Till all I hear is a roar

-Apricot

Background: This is a poem I wrote about a person in a story I enjoy reading that suddenly feels uncontrollable anger. I wrote because I always enjoy trying to write things from book characters’ perspectives as it helps me to better understand and relate to them. I also thought it could be interesting to try writing about anger since there’s so many metaphors and symbols that go along with the feeling. I hope you enjoyed it and have a happy spring! 

 

Mortal Angel: Prologue

Lucifer: 360 BCE

I couldn’t sleep, as I stared at the dark ceiling of my chambers. I couldn’t take my eyes off her, as I stared into the world above I dreamed of having her close to me. “But that’s a fantasy.” I tell myself that every night but I never let my gaze leave her.

Her white dress billows around her as she dances across the meadow, thinking no one is watching but he was watching her. Her pale ankles danced the night away, her sparkling blue eyes playful, mischievous, yet fierce.

My face turned red, “Why couldn’t I get over it?” I got out of my black bed that was as dark as the night and tugged on a silver robe, and I decided to see an oracle. I flew off into the night. And I blasted through the gates of Hell and into the mortal world.

My dark heart tugged toward the direction of Vallory’s house. But went in the opposite direction of the small but modest house.

When I reached a white stone building full of offerings, I strode in the building and when I reached the chair, I got down on one knee and said “Oh, oracle I must know, Will Vallory ever love me and become my love for all eternity?”

The oracle spoke in a booming and raspy voice “She will always love you but she will break the heart of anyone who she thinks is her one true love!” her voice echoed around me, it took me a while to contemplate this. Then I was seething and my blood was boiling. “WHAT!!!???” I yelled outraged at what this oracle was saying.

“What do you mean she’ll chase me but not me!?” I asked as I spat at the smooth and polished white and gray stone ground.

The oracle tried to look with pity in her light brown eyes, but they gleamed with delight. “What I mean to say is, her heart will always be yours but she’ll chase others.” She spoke softly but the room trembled as she spoke, the wind blew back her chocolate brown hair, and her blue and gold chiton billowed around her.

I grabbed her wrist and twisted it, she shrieked with pain and pulled her close, as I spat at her tanning face. “I’ll make sure that prophecy never comes true.” As I left, I cursed her to go to Hell as a magic mirror.

And then I took off raising my brass and golden wings and soared so high it looked as if I was going to the moon. My short spiky obsidian black hair blew back as my cold ice blue eyes stared into the distance. My skin sparkled with radiance in the moonlight.

I was headed off back to Hell.

I stopped half way there as I stared longingly at a girl with moon pale skin dirty blond hair dancing in the wind, and she danced through the field of flowers. “Poor girl, so sweet and innocent yet fierce and brave, my equal.” I thought, I yearned to fly down and sweep her off her feet and take her into his arms and never let go.

But I couldn’t, at last not yet, but when I could I would make sure I could always have her in his arms.

When I returned to Hell I sent for my top general and best friend. When he came before me, I was on an obsidian throne, I wore black silks and a crown made of obsidian, diamonds, emeralds, and rubies.

I had more in the treasury though, but this one suited my mood. “General,” My voice boomed, I had always been intimidating but the general knew me too well, he still knelt before me.

“Stand, I have an assignment for you.” He stood, I knew he could never speak again, and that’s what made him such a good assassin.

“I need you to kill the oracle. I know that this is no easy task but she has offended me and I need her dead.” I ended this with a snarl but my eyes nearly gave me away.

He met my gaze, his silver eyes flashing. He was a deadly man then, he burst out of the room. My face softened and my posture slouched a little, I gazed at the floor.

When I was in heaven I was the bringer of light, but then I had gotten tired of it. And heaven was just so.. Happy. And I decided to establish a new kingdom and begin with ending the reign of Jesus.

When I had pronounced this Idea he sent me away along with everyone who hadn’t taken a side. He is a selfish man, wants everyone to worship him, and nothing else. When we fell I created my own kingdom and had started to create an army.

I sat up and started to walk back to my room. As I walked the lonely, empty gray halls. I closed my eyes and saw Val’s face, smiling at me, her eyes beautiful, her smile looked as if it was the sun itself.

When I opened them I was in my bedroom. Shelves stuffed with books, and pictures lined half of the room, a wide and thick desk sat in a corner, and in the middle of the room, sat a bed with silky sheets and a dark comforter, the bed posts were made of smooth wood from an ash tree. Sheer curtains hang from the posts. There was room to look at the ceiling and see Val too.

I sat on the bed yearning to be with Val. That’s when I realized that if she can’t be mine, then I’ll make her mine. My face turned into a wicked smile. That arrangement can definitely be made.

ouch

why do I never admit
what I will someday?
make a lie for myself
in a horrible way
and I wouldn’t like to
watch you come tumbling too
with some bleak misfortune,
staring in silent rooms