"Countdown to Mockingjay" Battle

We are pumped up and excited for our next battle ... Are YOU Team Peeta or Team Gale?

But first we need to announce last week's winner.

The votes are in and, if you don't want your children to have nightmares, you should never read them ... Hansel and Gretel!!!  The witch in that story is as bad as they get.

She lures children in with candy and sweetness only to throw them in a cage and fatten them up to eat them!  How did some of these stories ever become "children's classics"?  haha

Now for the next battle:

In honor of the next movie in the Hunger Games series coming out, Mokingjay Part 1, on November 20th ... insert squeal here ; ) ... we will be doing some battles to celebrate!  For this first battle, we want to know who YOU feel Katniss should end up with.


Without further ado ... here are the boys of her heart!

Peeta Mellark

Peeta Mellark is a baker's son in District 12.  He has been in love with Katniss since he was five; however, he did not confess his feelings to her until they were in the 74th Hunger Games together.  

Pros:

He is great with words.  People love him!  He can charm his way into all the District's hearts. He gave Katniss some of the burnt bread from the bakery and that saved Katniss' family from starvation.  He is strong!  Ow! Ow!  ; ) He can throw huge weights around like they are nothing. He is smart, likeable, described as handsome in the books, and an artist.  He loves and cares about the people around him and will only kill out of self defense for himself or Katniss.  Finnic Odair states that Peeta is one of the only truly good people to survive the arena.   If you want to know what your guy is thinking, Peeta should be yours.  He is truthful and will tell what is on his mind.  Through everything, Peeta will go to extremes to keep Katniss alive.  He was the only male volunteer from District 12 in the second movie because he wanted to have Katniss survive.  

Cons:

Although it made Katniss very grateful that he gave her the brunt bread, he did not hand it to her.  He threw it which is kind of lame.  Peeta tells how that is a big regret of his.  Peeta is also not a very good fighter.  He is strong, cunning, and can blend in with his camouflage; however, even his parents did not think he had a chance of winning.  Peeta is a bit naive.  He grew up in a pretty comfortable home and did not always see how bad people had it.  Although he loved Katniss since she sang in school at the age of 5, he did not even talk to her until they had to participate in the Hunger Games together.  Peeta noted he was jealous of Gale before he talked to him.

Quotes:

"I think...you still have no idea. The effect you can have."

"You love me, real or not real?"

Gale Hawthorne

Gale Hawthorne is the heart-throb of District 12!  He is Katniss' best friend and hunting partner.  He is in love with Katniss and is forced to watch how she volunteers for the 74th Hunger Games and does a fake romance with Peeta during the games.  

Pros:

Gale is fiercely devoted to his family.  He will do anything to have them survive.  He is a rebel at heart and a visionary.  Gale also speaks his mind and is truthful.  He hates the capitol and thinks a rebellion would be better than what the capitol wanted.  He is an expert at snares and strategy.  With that skill, he was able to catch many animals for both his family and Katniss'. Katniss and Gale practically live in the woods.  He single-handedly supports his Mom and three younger siblings.  When in the woods, Katniss and Gale laugh together and can forget the world for a split second.  He kept watch and helped feed katniss' family when she was in the Hunger Games.  He will go to any length to protect those that he loves.  

Cons:

Gale can get very angry and very fast.  Katniss is the person who can control it though.  He is unpredictable and reckless at times.  Gale thinks in black and white and does not look at the grey area very often.  Gale also keeps his walls up.  He likes to be the tough guy and it takes a lot for people to actually get to know him.  He does not let people in emotionally.  

Quotes:

"We could do it you know.  Leave the district.  Run off.  Live in the woods.  You and I, we could make it. "

"People are looking to you, Katniss.  You've given them the opportunity.  They just have to be brave enough to take it."

There you have it!  What do you think of these cuties?  Who will it be?  "Team Peeta" or "Team Gale"?

The award for "Best Villain" goes to....

PRESIDENT SNOW

President Snow is the winner - holding the title of the person "no one would want to meet in their life".  I can understand this one!  President Snow would appreciate your vote.  The more you fear him, the more power he holds!  ;)

Now for the next battle:  

Today is Halloween!!!  HAPPY HALLOWEEN!  In honor of this holiday, we are going to do one more "Villain" category.  Tell us which female witch haunted your childhood nightmares!  As a child, or now ... these ladies are scary!  Here is your first choice:

The Wicked Witch of The West

The "Wicked Witch of The West" is the malevolent ruler of the Winkie Country.  We are not talking about the character in the play "Wicked" but the witch from the story, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. 

Pros:

Most of the Wicked Witch's power comes from the creatures she controls.  She has a pack of wolves, a swarm of bees, a flock of crows, and an army of Winkies.  The winged monkeys she has are SCARY!  She strives to get the silver shoes from Dorothy, (yes they were silver in the book), because she constantly wants more and more power.  

Cons:

Dorothy!  She can't kill Dorothy because she is protected by the Good Witch of the North's kiss.  Instead, she enslaves Dorothy and starves the cowardly lion, resulting in her melting from water.  Even though water can kill her ... she haunted my dreams as a little girl!

Quotes:

"I'll get you, my pretty, and your little dog too!"

And now for choice #2:

The Witch in Hansel and Gretel

The Witch in Hansel and Gretel is not the person you would want to meet when wandering the forest.  She illustrates parent's warning, "do not take candy from strangers." 

Pros:

First, she uses her baking skills to lure kids into her cottage.  Once inside, she gives more and more sweets to try to fatten them up.  Yes ... she eats kids!  If that does not make her scary ... I don't know what else will.  

Cons:

Her poor eye sight. The kids were able to trick her into thinking they were still skinny and not ready to be eaten yet.  In general, she was easily tricked and that ultimately was her down fall.  Dying in an oven is not a fun way to go.  This witch scared me immensely as a child.  She was "sweet" and "sourly wicked"!

Quotes:

"Hola, Gretel," she cried to the girl, "be active, and bring some water.  Let Hansel be fat or lean, to-morrow I will kill him, and cook him."

Well there you have it!  Two childhood, nightmare-inducing, horrible witches that kept me up late at night hearing noises coming from my closet and under my bed.  You decide, which witch is worse?  Vote now!

It's Time For Another Battle!

The winner from our last poll is....

William Herondale stole your hearts.  I can’t blame this vote though…mysterious, a huge reader like his love, and described as quite dreamy!

Now for the next battle:

In honor of Halloween fast approaching, we are going to stop with our "heart-throb" guys and do a “Battle of Villains”.  Who doesn't love a good antagonist?  Where would our story be without these villains?!  So VOTE on who makes your skin crawl the most and deserves the award for “Best Villain”.  Here are your choices ...

President Snow

President Coriolanus Snow was the ruthless and tyrannical president of Panem.  He ruled with an iron fist.  He constantly threatened and killed people who stood in his way to holding absolute power over Pamem.

Pros:

Snow possesses total power in Panem’s government and has proven to be a cruel and manipulative dictator.  He has little respect for human life.  Hello! He REALLY supports the Hunger Games!  Great idea … let’s put kids in an arena and let them kill each other.  His weapon of choice is poison.  He is intelligent and cunning.

Cons: 

This crazy ruler does have flaws of course.  He is VERY paranoid that he will lose power.  As a result he tended to kill people, enemies but also his allies.  He has some other flaws but you will have to read the books or see the next movie for further detail. ;)

Quote:

”You fought very hard in the Games, Miss Everdeen. But they were games. Would you like to be in a real war? Imagine thousands of your people, dead. Your loved ones, gone.”

“And may the odds be ever in your favor.” 

Lord Voldemort 

Tom Marvolo Riddle, most commonly known as “Lord Voldemort” or “He Who Must Not Be Named”, is a half-blood wizard and considered to be one of the most powerful dark wizards of all time.  He was a member of the Slytherin house and had many followers known as “Death Eaters” when he rose to power.

Pros:

He opened the Chamber of Secrets and used a monster to attack those with non-magic parents.  He attained immortality during a time as he made Horcruxes.  A Horcrux came from murdering somone.  He did not mind killing anyone, even those of his followers, his army of “Death Eaters”, made of wizards and dark creatures.  To top it off, he can talk to snakes and has one as a pet . CREEPY!  His weapon of choice … his wand! 

Cons:

Dumbledore!  Dumbledore was a wizard that Voldemort always feared.  Of course … HARRY POTTER!  Harry on numerous occasions defeated Voldemort.  For more details…read the amazing books or watch the movies! ;)

Quotes:

“Only I can live forever”

“Harry Potter, the boy who lived... come to die. Avada Kedavra!”

There you have it!  Both villains in different ways ... so vote now! 

And The Winner Is ...

Time is up ... And the Winner of Battle of the Classics is ... Our wealthy gentleman from Pemberley

Fitzwilliam Darcy

As much as I love Mr. Darcy, my heart did break a little bit for Gilbert.  After all, they are my first loves. 

Now for the next battle ....

Battle of the Herondales!

Jace Herondale vs William Herondale

Jace Herondale

Jace Herondale (also referred to as Wayland, Morgenstern, and Lightwood) is described as being tall and muscular, with blond wavy hair and golden eyes.

Pros:
- Jace may be young but he is one of the best fighters the Shadowhunters.  He is always there to defend those who he has come to think of as family.

- He is true to his one true love.  He will do anything for her and never walked away.

Cons:
- The last pro can also be a con.  He still wants to be with Clary even after he finds out some devastating news.  ewwww

- He has daddy issues.  He almost drops everything and everyone he loves because Valentine Morgenstern shows up and tells him he's his dad.

Quote:
"There is no pretending, I love you, and I will love you until I die, and if there is life after that, I'll love you then."

William Herondale

Will is a 17 year old boy who decided to become a part of the shadow world at the age of 12. He is decribed as having dark blue eyes and black hair ... a killer combination.  ; )  He is half Welsh (from his mother's side) and half Shadowhunter (from his Father's side). 

Pro:

- Will is a man of many languages.  He was born in Wales and speaks fluent Welsh and English.  (Oh - and he's from London so he has an amazing accent to go along with those beautiful blue eyes!)

- His Parabatia is James Carstairs, who is slowly dying.  Will will do anything to save his friend.  Even if that means risking his life to get him medicine from Downworlders.

- He is a reader!! Will loves book!

Cons:

- He thinks he is cursed so he pulls away from everyone who tries to love him.  He figures this is the best way for others not to get hurt.

- He is known to have a dry sense of humor and a fear of ducks  Who has a fear of ducks?

Quote:

"I'm Catastrophically in love with you"

Let the fun begin!  Vote for your favorite Herondale!!!

And The Winner is!!!!!

Times up ... and the winner is ... A TIE!!!!

I guess the timeless debate between Edward and Jacob will never be resolved.  Those that are Team Edward, will always be Team Edward. And those that are Team Jacob, will always be team Jacob.  In a way, this is the perfect result.  :)

Now for the next battle: 

Battle of The Classics

Fitzwilliam Darcy VS. Gilbert Blythe

These two are personally my perfect men (besides my husband of course).  As a young girl, no boy could compare to these giants of literature.  Perhaps all of you can help me out with this one.

Fitzwilliam Darcy

Fitzwilliam Darcy - AKA Mr. Darcy - is a wealthy gentleman worth £10,000 a year.  (I read somewhere that would be like $680,000 a year.  I'm not 100% sure if that's correct but if it is, that's a ton of money!)  He is 28 years old and is the inheritor of Pemberley.

Pros:

- Pemberley... need I say more.  I will let the picture do the talking.

- He is loyal to a fault.  All the things that Elizabeth is mad at him for are all thing he did to protect those he loves.

Cons:

- He is prideful or is he prejudice ... I can't remember ... but he's one of them and that is a fault.

Quote:

"In vain have I struggled, it will not do.  You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you."

Gilbert Blythe

Gilbert is described in the books as being very handsome, with dark, curly hair and hazel eyes.  He is tall with a lean build.  He is Ann's schoolmate/love interest throughout the books.

Pros:

- Gilbert is depicted as having a "common sense" view on things.  If you are a dreamer like Ann, you need someone like that in your life.

- The series ends with Gilbert and Ann at 55 and he is still as deeply in love with her as he was the very first day he saw that fiery red head.

Cons:

- He is a tease when he first meets Ann.  He teases her relentlessly and calls her "Carrots" until she breaks her slate over his head.

Quote:

"You know, every day I would pick a different memory of you and play it over and over and over again in my mind, until every hair, every freckle, every part of you was exactly as I remembered." 

Well there you go.  Good luck because I have no clue.  :)

And The Winner is....

Times up ... and the winner is the sexy Dauntless rebel ...

Tobias (Four) Eaton

Oh, let's just post one more because .. well ...he is just so nice to look at!

Now for the next battle ... Introducing the battle that started it all, the age long question Edward or Jacob!!

Battle Of Twilight!

Edward Cullen VS. Jacob Black

I don't know if this will ever be resolved. It seems those that are Jacob fans will forever fight for Jacob and those that are Edward fans will defend him till the end. Well, let's see who we have more of. Are you Team Jacob or Team Edward?

Edward Cullen

Edward Cullen was born June 20, 1901. He was turned into a vampire by his adoptive Father, Carlisle Cullen, in 1918 when he was dying of the Spanish Influenza epidemic in Chicago. Edward was know to be the loner of his family until he meets Bella and falls deeply and irrevocably in love with her.

Pros:

- He's a Vampire. Need I say more.

- He is a man from the past where chivalry was not dead, and his honor is all he has. 

- Who doesn't want a man to sweep you off your feet and swear his undying love for you; and when he thinks he lost you, will not want to go on living in a world without you.

Cons: 

- I found it kinda weird that he sparkles. That was a hard one for me to get over. 

- He liked to watch Bella sleep. I don't care who you are, no one looks good while they sleep. 

Point taken.

Quote:

"I don't want my presence to take away anything from you. If I can help it. I want you to be human. I want your life to continue as it would have if I'd died in nineteen-eighteen like I should have."

Jacob Black

Jacob is a Native American of the Quileute tribe in La Push (near Forks) Washington. Bella describes Jacob as a "happy person" who extends this happiness to the people around him. In the second book, Jacob begins to shape-shift into a giant wolf and becomes part of the Wolf Pack. 

Pros:

- Jacob is a shape-shifter (which is pretty awesome) and can change in mid air.
- He is loyal. He even turns on his own pack to defend Bella and her unborn child.
- You don't have to be dead to be with him!!

Cons:

- He smells like a wet dog. Ewwwww! Not cool. No matter how many times he showers, he will always smell the same.
 - He's dating a baby. Sorry people ... this was just one thing I could not get over. And not any baby but a demon baby who was eating her mother from the inside out.

Quote:

"I'm exactly right for you, Bella. It would have been effortless for us - comfortable, easy as breathing. I was the natural path your life would have taken ... If the world was the way it was supposed to be, if there were no monsters and no magic..."

Now it's your turn vote for the one you love the most. Let the battle begin!!!

And The Winner Is......

Times up! The winner of our Battle of the Vampires is....none other than our Italian aristocrat from the renaissance DAMON SALVATORE!!

HA HA HA Just Kidding...

(sigh) that's more like it!

Now time for the next battle. Get your clicking fingers ready! Introducing ...

BATTLE OF THE MORTALS

FINNICK ODAIR VS. TOBIAS "FOUR" EATON

This is going to be a hard one for me. I love both of our mortal men but for very different reasons. I will do my best to make a case for both of our men.

Finnick Odair

I have to say this man was one of my all time favorite characters from a book. Finnick is a male tribute from District 4 who won the 65th Hunger Games by using a trident and a net against other tributes (a skill unique to District 4's trade of fishing) at age 14. 

Pros:

Finnick is described as being very handsome, muscular, athletic and tall with tan skin, bronze hair, and stunning sea-green eyes. Now people, let's not be like the capitol and love him for his looks. He is also a trusted friend. He even saved Peeta by using CPR to resuscitate him (which Katniss notes as, "one of the things I will never stop owing him for"). My favorite thing about Finnick has to be his quirky sense of humor ... sugar cube anyone?

Cons:

There are not very many cons to go with Finnick Odair but the one that stands out the most is the fact that President Snow prostituted him to wealthy citizens of the Capitol.  This resulted in his reputation of many lovers and even more secrets. And ... well ... that about it.

Quotes:

"There supposed to be for horses, but who cares? They've got years to eat sugar, where as you and I ... well, if we see something sweet, we better grab it quick."

"Oh Peeta ... don't make me sorry I restarted your heart."

TOBIAS "FOUR" EATON

Oh, how I love thee. Let me count the ways ...  one two three FOUR! Four is a member of Dauntless and serves as the instructor to the initiates born outside of Dauntless. He was born in the Abnegation sector but chose to become Dauntless to escape his abusive father Marcus.

Pros:

Okay, let's start off with that tattoo. First off, I am not a huge tattoo girl but there is something about a back tattoo surrounded by all that muscle. ;) At the start of Divergent, Four seemed arrogant. This tends to be the way with Dauntless. However, it's not long before you start to see the softer side ... the selfless side of Four.

Cons:

Besides the fact that he throws knives at people's heads, four is a little temperamental and quick to react without always looking to see the whole picture.  Also ... nope. That's about it. No more cons for Four.

Quote:

"I don’t want to say this, but I feel like I have to. It is more important for you to be safe than right for the time being. Understand? … But please, when you see an opportunity ... ruin them"

Let the battle begin! Vote for your favorite mortal. Hope you will have an easier time than I will in picking your favorite.

Battle Of The Books!

Battle of the Vampires

DAMON SALVATORE VS. ADRIAN IVASHKOV

The thing I love the most about a good book is how lost you get in another world.  The upshot of this is I end up having very non-fictional feelings for fictional characters. I've had so many I lost count!

So here at Tidal Wave we have decided we need to find the ultimate book boyfriend and need your help to find our winner.

Each Week we will be pitting two of our favorite leading men against each other but the winner is up to you so don't forget to vote each week. Round 1 will have 8 "swoon"worthy characters starting this week with my two favorite vampires. The winners from the next 4 showdowns will face each other until we have found our perfect book boyfriend.

DAMON SALVATORE

Damon has been a long time book boyfriend breaking into the scene in 1991 in the Vampire Diaries series, by L.J. Smith. Fans of Damon have been lucky to see him brought to life in the T.V. series played by Ian Somerhalder, who  is the perfect choice to play this devil-may-care character. Although the book and t.v. series have little in common they stuck fairly true to the character of Damon. Let's be honest who wouldn't want to be the girl to bring out the good side of Damon.

Pros: 

Damon is an Italian aristocrat from the renaissance and has been described as having the looks and an Adonis. There basically isn't a vampire power out there that Damon doesn't possess:
Super strength, Healing, Super Speed, Shape Shifting, manipulation the list really goes on and on.

Cons:

Damon seriously doesn't have a moral code, while being a bad boy is a plus, serial killer may not be.

Favorite Quote:

"My brother (...) is a fool. He thinks that because you look like Katherine you're weak and easily led like her. But he's wrong. I could feel your anger from the other side of town. I can feel it now a white light like the desert sun. You have strength, Elena, even as you are. But you could be so much stronger...."
                                                                                                                   - The Struggle-

ADRIAN IVASHKOV

Adrian caught our eyes as the love interest of Rose Hathaway in the "Vampire Academy" series by Richelle Mead. This 6'1" green eyed hottie has always been an underdog in the romance department, his first love Rose cheats on him, breaking his heart, but leaving an opening for alchemist Sydney Sage in the Bloodlines series. For me it was the Bloodlines series that turned my book crush on Adrian into a full blown obsession. Readers start to see through his edgy arrogance and start noticing his vulnerable side, and makes us fall in love with him over & over again putting Sydney's happiness above his own.

Pros:

Adrian is a rare spirit user with the ability to dream walk. Adrian is moroi Royalty, he is the great-nephew of Queen Tatiana Ivashkov.

Cons:

Excessive drinker & smoker, spirit use causes some mental instability.

Favorite Quote:

" I tried to be a better person for her- but it was to impress her, to get her to want me. But when I'm around you, I want to be better because... well because it feels right, because I want to. You make me want to become something greater then myself. You inspire me in every act, every word, every glance. I look at you, and your like... like light made into flesh. (...) you have no clue how beautiful you are or how brightly you shine."
                                                                                                                                   -The Golden Lily -

Let the fun begin, time for you to vote on who you think is the most "swoon"worthy boyfriend. You have one week to vote and get as many other people to vote so your favorite can move on.