Infinite (Newsoul #3) - Final Thoughts

I know it came out last year but I just got around to reading it.  So I am not sure how I feel about the entirety of final book. While I enjoyed it for the most part I did find some of it a bit tedious to read. It has taken me a while to finish it, I even took a break and read something else in the mean time but I had to know how it all ended. So I gave it 4 stars, it really felt like more 3.5 stars but with the insane last quarter of the book, I couldn't bear to give it only 3. While I loved the first in the series immensely and the second as well, I just don't have the same feelings for most of this book.

The only thing that really kept me reading was finding out so much more about the fantastical creatures that have come to exist in this new world of ours. I mean who isn't intrigued by Dragons, Phoenixes, Trolls, Centaurs, Souls stuck in between (Sylph), etc. That was what kept me going. So if you read the first two you have to read this one. (Oh and you have to read the Novella, Phoenix Song, before this...it explains things more) It is a must so you can at least know what happens to our little hero and her love (and her friends).

**SPOILERS**
 
I can't tell you how many times I wanted to smack Ana upside the head for being silly. But I forget she is still very young and this is her 1st (and only) life. Sam...oh Sam, you can't help but love him. He is pigheaded sometimes but he really is a wonderful character. Stef is still abrasive but she cares deeply for her friends. Sarit, I could totally be BFFs with her, she is so genuine. These are the ones that I connect with.

I miss Cris but am so glad that him being Sylph now, has helped Ana communicate with them and know what they want from her. Honestly I just loved how Ana was never scared. Well I take that back, she was always scared but she took that fear and did something with it. She overcame the obstacles, she did what was thought to be impossible. She learned how to communicate with not only Sylph but she befriended a DRAGON, saved/bonded with two young centaurs and had a heart to heart with a phoenix. I can see why Dossam was so smitten with her. She didn't let her differences hold her back. She might be in her first life but she didn't just give up. She didn't just let things happen. She made a stand! She said no! She had the guts to do what was right, even when everyone else just ran away. (yes, that is an altered, yet VERY appropriate, quote c/o Rose, from Doctor Who).

While everyone she knew and loved died around her she still managed to stop a horrible evil, Janan, from taking hold of her world, of her friends. She was given the opportunity to be immortal and live forever with Dossam but she knew why it was wrong and as tempting as that was she still stopped him. She took the "light" from Janan into herself. Instead of becoming greedy with power she sacrificed herself so that her friends could live, they could be reborn and live their one life that they were always meant to have.

Her reward for being the martyr was being reborn. She was allowed to come back. Allowed to have her one true life with Sam. The phoenix gave her that, at least that is how I see it. It is a very sugary ending but it was done well. I don't know what happened to the Dragons (Acid Breath!) but I hope they are okay. I really did start to like them. And I am happy with the final words, "I've been reborn." It isn't "I love you" or anything that lovey. But it is so fitting for her, she isn't a "newsoul" anymore.

10 Seasons...I've given you 10 seasons!

Sometimes I wonder if a show has gone on for too long.  While I NEVER want to say goodbye to my fav characters, there has to be a point where we let go.  Go out with a bang...end on a high note...SOMETHING!

Now granted it isn't the last season, we have confirmation of Season 11 (HOLY CRAP!) and I am happy for that, truly I am.  But because I love these stupid, cheesy characters so much maybe this should be the end...I mean how many times can you overcome the end of the world/evil/each other?!?

If you haven't figured it out I am talking about Supernatural.  Yes I know its silly, yes I know it is tweeny, yes I know its cheesy...no I don't care.  I started watching it around Season 3 or 4.  Then I went back and watched 1 - 3 on TNT reruns (and later on Netflix).  I honestly came across it purely by accident.  After the insanity with splitting Angel and Buffy onto different networks, I really didn't watch much else on the CW (except Smallville).  Wasn't it like the WB before...  Whatever, one day I was home sick and turned on TNT (I think), I watched maybe 5 hours of this crazy (sometimes VERY scary) show about two (attractive) brothers who fight evil.  I was immediately hooked.  I set my (HOMEMADE) DVR to record all the new shows after that.  And its been a wild ride ever since.

**SPOILERS for the Season 10 Finale**

Which brings me to the other night.  It was the Season 10 finale and all I have to say is WTF man?!?  Season 10 has been brain melting so say the least.  Yes I am used to losing fav characters but they effing killed Charlie!  Why?!?!  Was it really necessary to kill her off?!?  Maybe I just have a bit of a girl crush on Felicia Day but still *le sigh*.


Moving on.  Dean is still suffering with the Mark of Cain and REALLY pissed at Sam (and Cas) for lying while trying the help him remove it by bargaining with Rowena who is pretty bat$hit...really can't trust that B...oh and because of the trying to get the mark off, gets Charlie killed...Dean not happy.  So we start off with Dean working a case alone (wonderful).  Sam is still "I will stop at NOTHING to save my bro" and Cas is all "Sam this is a bad idea".  The Mark has Dean 10 kinds of not caring when he "accidentally" (totally not an accident) gets his "partner" (another hunter killed).  He realizes "oh $hit I am losing control" and drops off the map.  Sam goes to find him leaving a very concerned/confused Cas to finish the spell with Rowena.  Which by the way entails finding the forbidden fruit, the golden calf and someone Rowena "loves"...she doesn't love anyone...WTH!?!

I sense sarcasm

Cas then enlists the help of Crowley...can I just say I love Crowley!  He is one of my favs because he is evil but he still has some sort of conscience...and he is flipping hilarious.  All hail the King of Hell.  Now he hates his mum but he is willing to help Cas because although he wont admit it he has a soft spot for the Winchesters (and Cas too I think).
Crowley: "Who summons any more? Couldn't you call?" 
Castiel: "You're not in my contacts list."
Me: *snorting with laughter* Best exchange EVER!

So everything goes sideways (of f**king course).  Dean decides he needs to just die so he summons Death.  I also love Death.  I sound mental but he is a great side character!  Dean says "kill me", Death says "sorry boo, no can do.  The Mark will not allow it."  Plus apparently removing The Mark (and not passing it on) releases some big bad evil into the world called The Darkness which was only defeated before by God and ALL of the Archangels (dammit, half of them are "dead")...you know the whole "let there be light and there was" thing.  Cue Sam somehow finding them (after he finds the HEART WRENCHING note that says "She's all yours" with the keys to Baby *gross sobbing*).  Wait did Dean call him...too much happened. 

So we find out that its not Dean's death that needs to happen (because it really can't) but it is Sam's Death (WTF...no no no no no) because he will NEVER stop trying to save his big bro (oh for crying out loud!). 

Now we are at the point where Sam gives a teary speech after getting his @$$ kicked by Dean. No really, it was really great and when he shows Dean the pics of them as kids with their Mom, so good.  And honestly Mr. Padalecki gave a wonderful performance.  So Dean is all "close your eyes Sammy"...holy $hit he is really going to kill him!  And he swings...and f**king kills Death!

Dammit Dean, you can't just go around killing DEATH...didn't you see that Family Guy where no one can die because Death has a sprained ankle!?!?!?  It didn't end well!  Suddenly things start happening...we flash over to the Scooby Gang  and they have found all the damn ingredients (including someone bat$hit loves) and they completed the spell.  Sam...why didn't you call to stop them?!?!  Or tell Dean what they were doing after you found out what would be released into the world?!?!  Oh right, because you wanted to save your brother...AT ANY COST!

So the spell works The Mark is removed...yay...maybe...probably not.  Then all hell breaks loose...quite literally.  OMG y'all caused the apocalypse...AGAIN!  Lightening is striking all around and WTF, smoke streamers come shooting out of the ground.  I swear to G, I said "Smokey!!!!" In reference to the still unexplained smoke monster from Lost.

Wait for it...waaaaait for it....

The boys run to Baby and in the midst of backing up get stuck in a pot hole!  Are you kidding me?!?!  They fight EVIL and their downfall will be an unmaintained parking lot?!?!  Flash back to the Scooby Gang, Rowena isn't NEARLY as helpless as she made herself out to be.  She freezes Crowley and Cas.  Crowley says something about her not being strong enough and she's like, really?!?  Then  Cas looks down or up...can't remember and his eyes are blood-shot, red, bleeding and he looks primal.  Crowley is still "stuck"...Uh oh!  Cas pulls out his Angel Blade ($hit $hit $hit!) and we flash back over to the Winchesters.  What...what...WHAT?!?!  Did you just f**king kill Crowley!?!? Dammit writers, this is why we can't have nice things!









So the boys are STUCK in a pot hole with this wall of Darkness heading there way.  Sam is yelling "Dean!" which is obviously going to get them "unstuck" while Dean is panicking, flooring the gas pedal. The way the scene is shot I swear I was like "It's like Thelma and Louise!!! Now they just need to grab hands and scream as The Darkness overcomes them!!!" Writers you missed out on an EPIC ending by not doing that, just saying.

*Screaming*

So now we wait...we wait to find out what the eff happened to Cas? Did Crowley live? Can he really die, since Death is dead...?   But he's a Demon soooooo.  What happens when The Darkness overcomes them?  Also, I feel like The Darkness is like The Nothing from The Never Ending Story, they should totally make THAT reference next season. 

I just hope that having The Darkness and Death being well,"dead" allows the writers to bring back all our favs/love to hates (Michael, Lucifer, Chuck/God, Gabriel, etc).

Of course if they all start reappearing I think it would be safe to say its the last season and they ARE going out with a bang.  Give the boys the heroes exit.  Let them go to heaven and FINALLY be free of their burden(s), if anyone deserves it..its them.

  It should totally end with them in Heaven...Sam doing pushups while Dean eats pie.  


**UPDATE** This Parody from Nerdist.com just made my DAY! See it here.

What is happening on TV?!?

Clearly I watch a variety of shows but a few lately have me wanting to scream!

**SPOILERS for any shows listed in the Labels**


FIRST
WTF happened on Game of Thrones last night!?!?  Sometimes I wonder why I still watch it but I truly enjoy my escape to Westeros most Sundays (hello, Mother of Dragons).  Then things like last night happen and I want to strangle people.  I haven't made it through Book 3 yet so forgive me if I was supposed to know any of this.

I flat out yelled at my TV when they arrested Queen Margaery.  Why didn't Tommen say SOMETHING?!?!  Yes of course we as the audience know the Queen lied to protect her brother BUT this is all Cersei's doing, she is an evil vindictive biotch (yet for some reason I still like her, slightly).  But something tells me f**king with Margaery is only going to end badly for Kings Landing.  Her grandmama is going to kick someones @$$ (she is one of my fav secondary characters).  I mean who wouldn't be pissed if their grandson who is part of the Kingsguard AND their granddaughter who is  the Queen are both arrested.  

Then there was the Sansa stuff.  Can I just say...WHY?!?!  Yes, we know that Ramsay Bolton is a sadistic @$$hole but why show him doing that to HER!?! It is bad enough she is being forced to marry this psychopath but showing just HOW evil he is on their wedding night, ugh!  She literally took one of the team.  I thought being with Joffery was bad enough, then marrying her to Tyrion (WEIRD!) but Ramsay is by far the worst!  Sansa has become so strong and I really have begun to admire her bravery in all this insanity so when they got to the room, I was like oh god now what?!?  Then he told "Reek" to stay and watch and I just knew it would be awful and 100% unnecessary!  I almost muted the TV and looked away, I wish I had.

They didn't have to show what happened.  We all knew it wasn't going to be good.  But to actually SHOW him ripping her clothes and bending her over and the sounds.  It was awful! Look I get it is HBO and they can basically do whatever they want BUT at least have a reason for it.  It isn't like we all thought Ramsay was a good guy and this would be a way to show his bad side.  We know he a nutter, elude to what is going to happen and fade to black, the rest was only put in there as a shock factor and it made me mad and a tad bit uncomfortable. 

SECOND
I finally watched the Season (now SERIES) finale of Forever on ABC.  It was so freaking good.  I truly thought Jo was going to find Henry bleeding out on the ground in the subway.  I was thinking maybe when they got the cancellation notification they would give us a proper ending.  "Sorry guys, crazy man was right, the gun killed him. Bye bye now." But no, apparently they thought, just like us, that the show would at least get a Season 2.  So he vanishes and Jo finds his pocket watch *insert dramatic gasp*.  Anyone who watches(ed) this show is probably as frustrated at me with those two.  Just kiss already! 

Anyways she shows up at Henry's door with the watch and Abe is all "Just tell her!" And he says "its a long story" and the credits roll.  WTF!?!?! I mean it is a perfect season ending cliff hanger but f**king ABC canceled the damn show and now I wont get to see how Jo reacts to his "news" or what Henry is gong to do with the now fully conscious yet paralyzed crazy guy.  Surprise, your partner and the guy you CLEARLY love is actually an immortal, would you like some tea?  Stupid networks canceling decent shows but renewing all this reality TV bull$hit *grumble grumble*.

THIRD
Go home Lost Girl you are drunk!  Yes I know this is the final season but so far it has been even more strange than before...if that is even possible.  Yes EVERY series has its "silly" episodes *ahem* "Love & Monsters" *ahem* or "Smile Time" *he's a bloody puppet!*.  But they turned Bo into a cat.  She had furry paws, a tail, she slept in a box...good lord!  And while I giggled every time she had a cat mannerism I wasn't sure why we were doing this.  What was the purpose of turning her into a feline, except for comic relief?  Maybe I missed something. And yes I know her "good luck" from the cat leads her to the Oracles but it was still weird!  And to top all the weirdness off, we don't have Kenzi!  Its the last freaking season, give me back Kenzi!!!!  I know Ksenia Solo is doing other things (OMG she is on Orphan Black *squeee*) but I wish she was still by Bo's side *pouting*. 

FOURTH
Dammit Booth what are you doing?!?!? We finally get these two idiots together and living happily ever after (awww another baby bones/booth) and they eff it all up.  They put Booth in an awful situation and he gets addicted to gambling again. A man threatens Bones and Christine and THAT is how Bones finds out about the "problem".  She has Aubry (who I adore) pay off the bookie and then has a chat with Booth.  He LIED to her!  She gives him the chance to tell the truth and he LIED.  Ahhhhhhhh!  Then she asks him to leave, he freaks and says "I love you" and she says "I don't believe you.  Not anymore."  No no no no no no no!  Why are you doing this to us?!?  Stop torturing the viewers.  First there was the like 7 season flirt fest ending with them having a baby, then Booth basically calls off their wedding because of Pelant (jerk!), then he gets thrown in PRISON and now this!  What the hell writers?!?!  You are killing us!

Arm & Hammer - Truly Radiant

I received three products from Smiley 360 from Arm & Hammer. They were given to me for free  for the purpose of my review. Opinions are 100% my own.

First let me tell you I am fairly loyal to my current dental hygiene products.  I think they work swimmingly so I have a fairly high standard.  Over all the Truly Radiant products worked quite well.  It was a bumpy start but it all evened out in the end.  I feel like the three products used together give you subtle results but results none the less.  They are a little bit less expensive than some of the more well established dental hygiene brands so to me that is also a plus.  I would recommend you try them and see for yourself.

Spinbrush™ Truly Radiant™ Deep Clean Manual Toothbrush
First lets talk about the Spinbrush.  When I hear that I immediately think of  an electric toothbrush.  This is not that, it is a manual brush with a spinning head.  It seems a bit odd at first but once you use it you can feel the difference. I personally did not notice the rotating head moving but I will say my teeth felt exceptionally cleaner.  My old toothbrush did just fine but I feel like this one managed to brush my teeth more efficiently.  If you try just one of these products I would go for this one first. 

ARM & HAMMER™ Truly Radiant™ Rejuvenating Toothpaste
Next we have the Rejuvenating Toothpaste.  This stuff about seared off the first layer of skin in my mouth for the first couple uses.  Okay not really but it didn't feel pleasant.  It wasn't pain necessarily but there was a numbness and my lips felt wrinkly.   I read the ingredients and there is no alcohol so I am assuming it is the minty flavoring maybe was a bit too strong for my mouth.  Since it wasn't actually pain, I used it for a full week just to see and my mouth adjusted to the flavor (I guess) and I no longer had the weird sensation.  Aside from that I thought the product worked great.  My mouth feel fresh and clean.  And it was a lasting feeling, it didn't fade after rinsing.  Also, I swear my smile was a tad bit brighter.  Nothing drastic so it could have been my imagination but I think it was there. So I would give this toothpaste another go. 
 
Truly Radiant™ Whitening & Strengthening Fluoride Rinse
Finally we have the Fluoride Rinse. It was a burst of minty flavor.  It didn't burn my mouth like some other notable mouthwashes do.  It is not unpleasant to use so I can see using it regularly with no issues.  It left my mouth feeling very fresh for a decent period of time but again my lips and gums felt weird.  Not hurt but it felt not right.  The sensation faded fairly quickly so I will continue to use it.

Want to learn more, get a sample, get a coupon??? Check out this link.

Fresh is Fierce

Carefree makes various feminine products.   I was sent a pack of Carefree^® Acti-Fresh^® Pantiliners to try and review.

From their product description, "Carefree^® Acti-Fresh^® liners are designed to deliver freshness, thanks to an 8-hour odor control system. These thin liners feel as soft and thin as a panty, so all you feel is confident."

I don't normally use pads so I never really considered Pantiliners.  I just don't like feeling like I have a "diaper" on.  These, being liners, are very thin.  This would make you think they may not work but they do.  You barely notice they are there.  I usually only wear thongs and they worked well with those too.  I use these usually after intercourse or during ovulation...you know the times when you are "leaky" and end up with damp undergarments.  No one likes THAT feeling.  Also, if you live in the south, like I do, it gets quite toasty.  Having these helps keep you a little drier when you are baking in the heat.  So these were a godsend.  They keep your panties dry and your lady parts feeling fresh (and odor-free). I would definitely recommend them.

I can also see them being useful in congruence with tampons "just in case" but I have not tried that. Either way I find these to be a great little thing to keep with you anytime. 

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I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.