Bookathonic: City of Fae by Pippa Da Costa

Pippa Da Costa - City of Fae  

Expected Publication 7 May 2015

Blurb:

From the moment Alina touches London's hottest fae superstar, breaking one of the laws founded to protect all of her kind, her fate – and the fae – close in.

Below ground, the fae High Queen plots to claim the city as her own and places her pawns, ready for the battle to come. A battle she cannot lose, but for one small problem – Alina. There are four ancient keepers powerful enough to keep the queen in her prison. Three are dead. One remains … And to fight back, Alina risks sacrificing everything she has come to love.

This New Adult urban fantasy is packed with action and suspense and will have you yearning for more forbidden fae romance.

http://www.pippadacosta.com/

Review:

Pippa Da Costa has certainly lived up to our expectations with this new novel - let’s hope it morphs into a great new ongoing series.

Our world now includes a fae population which creates a whole new level to social and political agendas. The two principal characters have strong, well defined personalities which make for good dialogue and a potentially volatile romance.  Melding the two together in an ambivalent relationship gives the story an impression of emerging tiers. Warring personalities combined with warring agendas. The novel provides a fairly small group of supporting characters, put together as a whole, this gives the book the creation of a strong micro-niche of a fae and human London.

The plot brings in to play conflicts that surround their lives, both as individuals but also pressures that include their personal and workplace agendas. These include a reporter, a detective, a queen and a rock god.

To give the novel and incredibly good oomph is the sensational couple of twists that jump out a greet you.  Boo!  Sounds good? What more could we possibly want from an engrossing book?

Just for fun:

I have to say the spider factor is great. Just to put a smile on your face I'll mention a friend of mine was drinking from a tap, a huntsman actually crawled into his mouth and he had to get his hand in there to scoop it out. He had some fun with that - you know spiders have those little additional spurs/hairs on their legs for gripping? Yeh, it hung on to his cheek. He said he got some right funny looks from jumping around with his fist in his mouth. Irony - it was at a railway station... True story

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Twitter: @PippaDaCosta

Buy on Amazon

Bloomsbury Publishing

Bookathonic: Shadow Embraced (1. Haven) by Cheree Smith

Shadow Embrace by Cheree Smith

BLURB:

No escape.

Those words haunt Scar’s dreams. She thinks the creature that terrorises her while asleep isn’t real, but when she’s abducted and taken to a reform school meant to contain creatures too dangerous to function in society, she starts to wonder whether she isn’t some monster.

She turns to an underground fight club full of vampires, werewolves and witches established by the students to control her urges, and who is she kidding, she loves to fight.

When fighters begin to disappear, turning Scar into the prime suspect, she must race to prove her innocence before her true nature is exposed.

The only problem is that she’s not entirely sure she’s innocent.

REVIEW:

This was fabulous!

Although this is an 'academy' style book, it is definitely a bit different with a wild set of very creative monsters.

The characters are well defined and fill out their parts to their fullest extent. There is, of course, the cool girls, who are appropriately witchy and bitchy. The sexy to-die-for guy is as sexy as. There isn't a daggy, submissive bunch but the main character is certainly the full-on misfit.

As with many people who have survived a difficult time at school trying not to be noticed, it sometimes attracts those who find those differences intriguing because of their utter indifference to the sought after attracting rather than repelling. This brings attention from the privileged.

An absolutely great read with plenty of pace and kick-arse action.

If you like action paranormal, this is for you.

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Bookathonic: Sea of Stars (#2 Kricket) by Amy A Bartol

Amy A Bartol
From Goodreads:

Blurb: 

Eighteen-year-old Kricket Hollowell was looking for her place in the world when she discovered that the universe was bigger—and more dangerous—than she had ever dreamed. Now, whisked across space to the planet Ethar, Kricket learns that her genetic ability to see the future makes her a sought-after commodity…and the catalyst for war between her star-crossed parents’ clans. According to Alameedan prophecy, one house will rise to power and the other will be completely wiped out, and Kricket’s precognition is believed to be the weapon that will tip the scales.

A target of both the Rafe and the Alameeda houses, Kricket finds protection—and a home—in the arms of Trey, her Etharian bodyguard-turned-boyfriend. But her visions of what’s to come disturb her deeply, especially since she must discover whether the gift of foresight will allow her to rewrite the future, or if her fate is as immovable as the stars.
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Review: 

4/5 stars

I loved this! I loved the characters, I loved the concepts, and the writing was great with some really lovely prose. I stayed up way too late finishing this one. This second novel stands up in fine form continuing in the same vein as the first.

Kricket is a likable character, and has grown in both maturity and strength.  The support characters create a really great team and lots of fun – adding a nicely honed tone of humor.  And of course, the romantic interest is as sexy as he is noble. The relationship between Kricket and Trey has also matured to an enduring and dedicated love for each other, to the level of ‘my love, my life’. The intimate scenes are beautifully done with a tender quality and delicacy wrapped up with the encompassing love they hold for each other.

The concepts are well done with plenty of innovation in the book which has a few parallels with Scarlett Dawn's Cold Mark series. Don't confuse the two, Cold Mark includes plenty of sexual situations and is a much more mature read, there are simply concepts in the comparison of the national identities of opposed races.  The sci-fi element is nicely blended with the starker values of the class system and aristocracy with parallels to a more medieval period.

The only complaint I could voice is that I found a number of the fight/escape scenes too long and somewhat repetitive.

A fabulous read and I can't wait to get stuck into the next novel is the series. And yes, this novel is a bit of a cliffhanger.

Baw da Baw!!!!!!!!!! 

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Book Courtesy of NetGALLEY

Bookathonic: Review for Decaying Empire (2 Vanishing Girl) by Laura Thalassa

Laura Thalassa - YA and NA Author

Blurb:
When eighteen-year-old teleporter Ember Pierce wakes up in a Los Angeles hospital, she remembers only the basics: she’s been trained by the government as a spy, she’s sent on dangerous missions, and her last assignment—the one that landed her in the hospital—was a setup.

Caden Hawthorne has spent the past ten months of his life grieving Ember’s death. So when she shows up in his room like an apparition, he can’t believe his eyes. But this Ember is different. Her hair is longer, her skin is paler, her gaze is haunted. She tells him what he’s already begun to suspect: someone he trusted betrayed her.

Now, uncertain who is friend and who is foe, Ember and Caden face the toughest mission of their lives—to stay together and survive, as they run from danger toward an unknown future.

Review 

 

This is a tightly put together novel full to the brim with a combination of intrigue, manipulation and betrayal.  The characters display an individuality, which gives them the strength to face their plight, and to work through it whilst trying to maintain a grasp on their sanity.

The plot is made up into a complex framework of personal, political and government conspiracy. Put that together with a mix of desperate circumstances, as the characters are thrown into events far beyond their control.  The principal characters are bound by unconditional love that enables them to face insurmountable odds. They are thrust up against the power of the military that has the ability to dominate, and ultimately destroy their lives.

The bottom line is: who can you trust? The person who you’re in love with, but think they know what’s best for you?  A government you pay your taxes to that are supposed to ensure your liberty and freedom of choice?  The corporation who controls the very essence of your livelihood and job?  Your boss who has control issues? Your peers?

This book is chock full of diverse characters with incredible fortitude, as they face plot upon plot. The reader is led on with trepidation for the characters, questioning the power of both political and personal agendas.

If you want a novel with depth and a plot that keeps you guessing, then this book provides it.

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Bookathonic: Review of Blood Oath by Felicity Pulman

1. Blood Oath (Janna Chronicles)

Blurb:
 
Love, revenge, secrets – and murder – in a medieval kingdom at war.

A young woman, left alone and destitute after the mysterious death of her mother, plants a sprig of rosemary on her grave and vows, somehow, to bring the murderer to justice. But who can Janna trust with the truth? Even the villein Godric, who wants to marry her, and Hugh, the dashing nobleman, have secrets that threaten her heart and her safety.

In a country torn apart by the vicious civil war between King Stephen and the Empress Matilda, Janna needs all her wits and courage to stay alive as she comes closer to those who are determined to silence her forever.

Novel Courtesy of NetGALLEY.com

This novel is exceptionally well written and edited, and equally well researched and is definitely worth a 4.5 stars. The plot has plenty of turnarounds within the mystery and a fine cast of possible suspects. Add to this a dose of romance and we have a well rounded YA historical mystery.

This book is very much a who-dun-nit and together with the historical setting makes a fine read.

The writing style reflects the book’s medieval setting following the invasion of William the Conqueror. England during these times carried on with a constant power struggle of ruling families and this is tightly drawn into the tale. The consistency and depth of research is reflected by the writer's grasp of class distinction and speech patterns during that time. The work gives a good example of the hodgepodge of religious prejudice remaining from the Romans, Saxons and Normans.

The story is based around the YA character’s work as a healer based on herbal lore which leads into acrimonious dealings between the power of the church, the powers of the nobility and ruling classes, bringing forth the overwhelming attitudes of superstition and religion irrespective of class position. The word of the privileged is as good as the word the law.

The only thing I will note in this work that annoyed me is that the principle character from the lower class, is outrageously outspoken, particularly considering her youth. These facets are portrayed in the book as a result of her protected lifestyle and naivety, and I didn’t find any credibility to both her words and actions. No one of that period would be evenly remotely ignorant of their position, place and class – these things were something that was instantaneous with birth, and were endemic to a person’s very life in a time ruled by floggings, the gallows and the hangman.

A great read that I would recommend for fans of P.C. Doherty, Robin Paige, Diana Gabaldon, Robin LaFevers, and Anne Perry.

Goodreads.com

Further supporting reading on Medieval Material from the site of Felicity Pulman: Mediaval Muck & Mumbo Jumbo

Thinathonic - The Thin Man, the true defnition of thin

Starring Myrna Loy & William Powell

 

Ahh for a life of leisure...

Nick and Nora - Alcohol Moments courtesy of Youtube

Happyathonic - Author Robyn Peterman

I have to put this up on the mere whim that I love books that make me laugh out loud.  And I don't care who on the commuter trains hears me.  I just don't care that much on other people's uptight less-than-humorous whims.

The Handcuffs & Happily Ever Afters series from Robyn Peterman is hilarious.  If you like outlandish contemporary comedies, with no subject too crass to mention.  You do, however, have to be comfortable with lots of (possibly) offensive epithets, absolutely lots of abominable dirty language, with loads and loads of slang slinging around.

As you may guess from the title, this series is about romance, and I love the way the series links in common characters from the previous books.  So, this is not a series where the prior books are needed in order to enjoy this merry series.

If you like something a bit different, loads of comic moments that just keep going, then these books are for you.

Here is one of my reviews from Goodreads.com:

This novel is a work of sheer comic genius. I figured I’d put it down at about midnight, when I finished, it was 3:42am. I realise this book won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but for me it was the epitome of hilarious.

I smirked, snickered, sniggered, chortled, guffawed, hooted and cried. It started out a little slow for about the first 8 or 9 pages, and then we hit lift-off.

The characters were varied from charming to the embodied definition of nasty, and both the humour and drama achieved precisely what they were geared to do, keeping the book entertaining and balanced. It demonstrated the ability of people to soldier on in the face of adversity to overcome their human frailty with the support of friends and those who truly love them.

This work launched me off to another galaxy dropping me off at Planet Hysteria. I found it a sublime concoction and look forward to reading more Robyn Peterman.

PS.
Personally my favourite adjective for a nasty slut or vicious cow is: bush pig. (Not sure whether this term is purely Australian, or has come from somewhere else.)
My favourite terms for a males' willy would be: ‘rod and tackle’ and my particular favourite the ‘one eyed trouser snake’.

 Here is the official Goodreads blurb:

HOW HARD CAN IT BE?

 

One happy ending coming right up…

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

What happens when an accountant decides to grab life by the horns and try something new? Apparently a pirate named Dave, a lot of pastel fleece, and blackmail—just to start with…

Visualize and succeed, Oprah said. I was sure as hell trying, even if my campaign to score a job as the local weather girl had ended in a restraining order. Okay, TV was not my strength. But a lack of talent has never stopped me before. Which is why I’ve embarked on a writing career. I mean, how hard can it be to come up with a sexy romance?

Leave it to me to wind up in a group of grandmotherly porno writers who discuss sex toys and apple cobbler in the same breath. Also leave it to me to leak an outlandish plot idea to a bestselling author with the morals of a rabid squirrel. And only I could get arrested for a jewelry heist I didn’t commit—by a hunky cop whose handcuffs just might tempt me to sign up for a life of crime. Maybe I’ve found my calling after all… 

Source: www.goodreads.com/ 

ENJOY! 

Superheroathonic: Margaret Rutherford (Miss Marple No.1)

 Margaret Rutherford's life is one of those that you immediately exclaim 'oh WOW'.  It's unbelievable  that she survived to become a force of nature in her own right.

Margaret Rutherford (1892 - 1972) is probably best know for her film role as the very first Miss Marple.  Here's a great bunch of trailers of the Miss Marple films.  Margaret in a nutshell.  Agatha Christie actually dedicated one of her books to Margaret Rutherford as Miss Marple!!!

Margaret Rutherford (1892 - 1972) is probably best know for her film role as the very first Miss Marple.

As Miss Marple she insisted on wearing her own clothes and refused to be in the films unless her very shy husband, Stringer Davis, performed too.  She married Davis when she was 53yo (waiting 15 years for his mother to die as she disapproved of Margaret), and played Miss Marple in her 70's.  What really gets me, and makes me admire her even more, is her sprightly and forthright manner in the films, and would you believe, canters along on a horse side saddle!  What a bloody trojan.  70 years old!

Before we get on to Margaret's incredible life, here's a little about her very close marriage:

Davis adored Rutherford, with one friend noting: "For him she was not only a great talent but, above all, a beauty."  (Quote from Wikipedia)

In 1963 Margaret Rutherford won an Academy award, a Golden Globe "The VIPs" also starring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton.  Disappointingly, Peter Ustinov collects the award for Margaret, I've actually got no idea why...

Anyway, here's her stunning personal life.  What a lady that embodies the old British saying 'stiff upper lip' and 'carry on'.

Her father was, at that time, from a renowned family and a well known journalist. One month after getting married, he had a nervous breakdown (now more generally understood to be post traumatic stress disorder or PTSD), and admitted into the 'nuthouse'.  At this time in London it was the Bethnal House Lunatic Asylum.  Yep, they really called it a 'lunatic asylum'.  Just the name is enough to send you running very, very fast in a diametrically opposed direction.  You feel like a bout of impending lunacy just from the very title.

Released from the care of the asylum to his family in 1883 he than proceeded to murder his father, the Reverend Julius Benn. By bashing his head in with a chamber pot no less.  Then he proceeded to slash his own throat. with a pocket knife at a Inn in Derbyshire.  Guess the maid got a bit of a shock that morning.   Apparently the knife slashing wasn't too successful and he was once again commited to an asylum, this time the Broadmore Criminal Lunatic Asylum. Bet that wasn't too nice.  After a seven year sojourn at the asylum he was actually, believe it or not, released and reunited with his wife.  Bet that made her day.

To become somewhat incognito, her father William and his wife, moved to India.  When Margaret was three she was returned to live with her aunt in Wimbledon, London, after her pregnant mother hung herself from a tree.

She'd been told her father was dead, so imagine her (elated?) surprise that he wasn't in fact dead, when she was 12yo. He later died in Broadmore Hospital.

Not surprisingly enough, as an adult Margaret had bouts of anxiety and depression, fearing that her parent's mental illness might be hereditary.


All of this material has been Sourced from Wikipedia.
Here's another good source on Margaret:  British Film Institute screenonline

Collective Nounsathonic

I have a passion for saving collective nouns.  They're so curious and often pretty fabulous.

Please feel free to help me out.

I need more more more!!

 

Threat of courtiers (from the court of Henry VIII)
Murder of crows
Parliament of owls
Pod of dolphins
Flock of birds
Herd of cattle
Surfeit of skunks
A faire of fairies
A lick of lesbians (a friend came up with this one - fit for Oscar Wilde in wit value!) 
a congress of gorillas 
gaggle of geese 
swarm of bees
an army of caterpillars
pack of dogs
convocation of eagles
a mob of emus
a pride of lions
a bouquet of flowers
flock of sheep
a clowder of cats
a kindle of kittens



 

Drollathonic: The Master of Droll

For pure quirkyness as the epitome of droll, is my favourite black & white actor, George Sanders (with Oscar Levant a close second).  In my opinion the best example of perfecting the droll is George Sanders' part in as Jack Favell in Daphne Du Maurier's 'Rebecca' with Joan Fontaine and Laurence Olivier in 1940. George is perhaps best known for his award winning role as Supporting Actor for his part in 'All About Eve' with Bette Davis in 1950.

If your keen as mustard, the full movie is on YouTube. 

 Below is my absolutely favourite parts encapsulated already put up on YouTube by someone with impeccable taste:

 

He remained a master of the droll until his death in 1972 with this farewell note:

Dear World, I am leaving because I am bored. I feel I have lived long enough. I am leaving you with your worries in this sweet cesspool. Good luck. 

Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Sanders#Later_years_and_death

Lest We Forget: Redgum - I Was Only 19 (1983)

Brushtail-athonic

REPORT A RESCUE 13 000 WIRES - 13 00 094 737

The other night we found a gorgeous little baby Brushtail possum, which are native to Australia.  Although this particular species is not endangered, all of these beasts are territorial and due to loss of habitat have a hard time.

They are known to love nesting in roofs, love to dig up some bulbs, eat your fruit and, run all over your roof at night, and if tamed enough, will go through your garbage and wander into your home at night for any good ripened fruit.

Between the parrots that take a yummy nip out of every fruit.  Between the possums and parrots, we're often lucky to get a single apple off the tree.

Ultimately, some people trap them and move them away.  Being territorial, they often try to find their way back with disastrous results.

Anyway, to cut a long story short, we called WIRES (Wildlife Information Rescue & Education Service). The little beast slept in the duvet envelope with the duvet.  He was freezing cold when we found him, so I warmed him up down my top/shirt then left him to the duvet.

WIRES are staffed by local helpers who are volunteers, and kindly picked him up in the morning. Apparently he'll be in good company, the WIRES lady mentioned she had three more little ones at home! He will be reared under their tender care until able to be released into the wild.  At this stage, he is 100 - 120 days old.

WIRES BRUSHTAIL FACT SHEET

ORPHANED BRUSHTAIL BELOW

Evermore-athonic: Science is forever.

Can't go past such class as this.  I know it's Facebook, but what the hell.

I fucking love science

Lobster-athonic or should I say Decathonicpod

This is a great quirky site that is fun to add to when something about lobsters gets your goat.  Really though, you need a pic to add.

Lobsters Have Ten Legs

It's blurb is:

A place to share our frustrations about anatomically-incorrect lobster art, toys, apparel, accessories, and knick-knacks

(Ten legs = Eight walking legs and two claws.) 

 

 And here is the final in our series of vintage matchbook covers.  It seems right to end with a clown riding a lobster.

Grave-athonic

Ya!  Diana Graves latest on the Raina Kirkland series has finally hit the scene.
Love this series, one I have on my spreadsheet for books coming out (& yes, I really do have one...).

The Raina Kirkland series is officially named Paranormal Washington.

Give it a go if you like the paranormal/urban fantasy stuff.

This is the Goodreads' blurb from the first novel, Fatal Retribution:

Raina Kirkland is a witch without magic and an elf without grace. She lives in a wondrous world that parallels our own in every way, save for one fantastic detail. Every story ever told, every monster, every god, every demon is spectacularly real!
Even so, Raina seems to live an unremarkable life up until the day her family falls victim to a spree of unauthorized vampire infections. Without government oversight humans are becoming terrorizing blood thirsty murderers all over the Pacific Northwest.
Raina is just coming into her own as a woman when she realizes the police can no longer be trusted to stop this unbelievably violent trend, and she engages in an amazing journey that brings her to her breaking point and beyond.

“Revenge is an act of passion; vengeance of justice. Injuries are revenged; crimes are avenged.”
~Samuel Johnson

Warning: This book contains sex and violence. Suitable for mature readers only.F

Authorthonic - Amelia Hutchins: The Fae Chronicles

I'm finding this series really engrossing, and if you like sexy bad boys, heroes and a bit of graphic slap and tickle then you should enjoy this series.  Obviously it falls in the paranormal category, but it's not your normal fairy stuff and most definitely an 18+ audience.

You can find Amelia's books on Amazon, Barnes & Noble etc, with ebooks, so an immediate download without having to do painful shopping is definitely a big plus.

More about Amelia:  Facebook,  Twitter, Goodreads, Amazon, Smashwords, Barnes & Noble, Booktopia.  Goodreads has loads of reader reviews, so you check that out if you want more info.

Amelia's website:  http://amelia-hutchins.com/

Book blurb source from Amelia's site:

Have you ever heard of the old Celtic legends of the Fae - beautiful, magical, deadly and a love of messing with humans just for kicks and giggles?
Welcome to my world.
What started out as a strange assignment, leads to one of the most gruesome murder mysteries of our times and my friends and I are set and determined to find out who is killing off Fae and Witches alike. 
Couple of problems in the way – I hate the Fae and the Prince of the Dark Fae is bound and determined that I work for him.
 He’s a rude, overbearing egotistical ass with a compulsive need to possess, dominate and control me.
Oh – did I mention that he is absolutely sex-on-a-stick gorgeous and he makes me feel things that I never ever wanted to feel for a Fae…every time he touches me or looks at me with those golden eyes seems to pull me further in under his spell, despite my better judgment.
My friends and I can’t trust anyone and nothing is as it seems on the surface – not even me.

Crapathonic - yeh, waiting for the next book in a series to arrive is completely counter productive

Don't you hate it?  How do publishing houses and authors possibly think this is a good idea?  Lose the respect of your readers, the respect for the series, and the adulation of an iconic author:

Here's an article that blathers on about it...  source:  Huffington Post, 27 Feburary 2014.

 Book series are a wonderful thing, but the wait time between installments can be agonizing. Some authors and publishers have wised up to how impatient we've collectively become, and have applied the binge-watching mentality to books by rolling titles out more quickly. Still, we're lucky if authors like George R.R. Martin get around to penning their books within years of each other, and regardless, the times between release dates has to be filled with something. We recommend supplementing your wallowing with reading related titles, but ultimately, the choice is yours.
Here are the 9 painful stages of waiting for the next book in a series to come out:

Greenpeace-athonic Australia Pacific

Another giant step for mankind.

Greenpeace have made some remarkable achievements:  here are just a few Australian based wins.
Join the mailing list for Greenpeace and see regular updates.  You can add Greenpeace to your Facebook interest groups and offer your regular support with their share posts.
Join your interest with the Greenpeace updates:  http://www.greenpeace.org/australia/en/


Look at these amazing things we’ve achieved together. Let’s celebrate! | Greenpeace Australia Pacific


Help save our beasts

We did it! The giant company behind brands like Head & Shoulders and Gillette - Procter & Gamble - has agreed to stop trashing the rainforest for dirty palm oil. After nearly 400,000 of us around the world emailed P&G’s boss and thousands more campaigned in supermarkets, on the streets and on social media - they listened at last.

This week P&G published a jaw-dropping update on their website: “P&G’s new goals call for ensuring no deforestation in its entire palm supply chain.”

This is huge news. And it’s down to you.

 This month, two more companies, Lend Lease and Anglo Coal, have followed BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto and withdrawn their plans to develop coal terminals at Abbot Point that would threaten the Great Barrier Reef. With the number of proposed terminals now greatly reduced, we can focus on preventing the other mines and coal ports that threaten this World Heritage Area and its precious marine life.

 The European Parliament has backed Greenpeace’s vision for an Arctic Sanctuary. It would create the biggest ever conservation zone on the planet, protecting our oceans from dangerous overfishing and saving other species that thrive in this delicate and pristine environment. There’s a long way to go until it becomes a reality, but this is the clearest sign yet that governments are listening to our calls.

Gitathonic - Mars One

Well, I'm gobsmacked, once again.  I can't believe this guy, the CEO of the company MarsOne, organising a permanent abode on Mars.  He's labelled this as "the single most important event in the history of mankind".  Maybe he forgot the wheel and, most importantly for women, that invention:  the tampon?

Surely he's joking, thinking he is so special, although I must point out he may lack a genetic locus for humour?  What?  He thinks he's more important than say, Dr Ehrlic? Louis Pasteur?  The Curie's (Madame Curie)?  What outrageous arrogance.  I personally don't see Mars as either the saviour of mankind from itself perhaps, or the solution that will save the planet and the environment from gradually eroding away.

Let's face the truth, of course planet Earth won't last forever.

In the immortal words of St Saens, "music is the redemption of mankind" (at least I think it was St Saens, although Wagner did similar themes).

Single most important event in history my foot.  Eat your hat mate, and wash your treacherous mouth out with soap.

Here's some info on the planet Mars.  If you need some help a planetarium is always a good way of getting a grasp of the sky and planets, and also to provide a unique way of observing and understanding planets and their mapping. 

If you prefer not to move from the comfy company of your mobile, there's a great phone app you can get that provides absolutely fantastic opportunities to star gaze.  I use the free app Meteor Shower Calendar - if you do a search for that on Google Play, heaps of apps come up.  The one I use picks out your own GPS co-ordinates, you then point your phone in whatever direction you want, and it will show you graphics of the stars that you're looking at.  Once you've installed the app and set your co-ordinates, the phone doesn't need to be online to do its thing.  Really simple.  As indicated by the name, it also let's you know what meteors and comets are upcoming, and their strengths.

I'm also going to try the free app Night Sky Tools - Astronomy - that's also a point and look app.

Interview with Alix Steel of Bloomberg West with Bas Lansdorp, CEO of MarsOne, 3 April 2014: Bloomberg West TV, 3 April 2014 

 And here's a short doco from Time offered on YouTube:

A One Way Ticket to Mars: Behind the Mars One Project 

Published on Jun 3, 2013

A private space venture plans to beat NASA in getting people to the red planet by at least a decade. The catch? It's a one-way trip. Mars One will now take your application.