The Unwanteds: Book One
In the colourless and repetitious city of Quill, children dread the day of the Purge, in which they're put into three caste division: the emotionless, rule-abiding Wanteds, the capable Necessaries, and the creative and "dangerous" Unwanteds.
Alexander Stowe is trying his hardest to go unnoticed. Unfortunately, he got caught drawing in the dirt as a young child. On the day of the Purge, he is unsurprisingly categorized as an Unwanted. Having no time to even feel sadness, he and the rest of the outcasts are sent to the Death Farm --- a huge lake of bubbling oil that the Unwanteds are forced to jump in.
However, they are pleasantly surprised when the Death Farm suddenly transforms into a place full of colour and music. Soon they find out that this delightful place, contrasting heavily with the monotony of Quill, is called Artime.
Alex and his friends thinks that their isolated utopia is perfect, but what happens when deadly secrets are uncovered that could potentially destroy it all?
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This book is very interesting. It combines both a dystopian society (Quill), and a utopian society (Artime). The story line was intriguing, which kept me reading. In my opinion, however, the writing style could've been better. Overall, it was a fun read and made me jealous of the kids in it!
Rating: 8/10
Alexander Stowe is trying his hardest to go unnoticed. Unfortunately, he got caught drawing in the dirt as a young child. On the day of the Purge, he is unsurprisingly categorized as an Unwanted. Having no time to even feel sadness, he and the rest of the outcasts are sent to the Death Farm --- a huge lake of bubbling oil that the Unwanteds are forced to jump in.
However, they are pleasantly surprised when the Death Farm suddenly transforms into a place full of colour and music. Soon they find out that this delightful place, contrasting heavily with the monotony of Quill, is called Artime.
Alex and his friends thinks that their isolated utopia is perfect, but what happens when deadly secrets are uncovered that could potentially destroy it all?
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This book is very interesting. It combines both a dystopian society (Quill), and a utopian society (Artime). The story line was intriguing, which kept me reading. In my opinion, however, the writing style could've been better. Overall, it was a fun read and made me jealous of the kids in it!
Rating: 8/10
Give a Boy a Gun
Give a Boy a Gun displays the vivid and dreadful events that can occur when a firearm is given to the wrong person, written as a compilation of different quotes from a variety of witnesses and victims.
It follows the struggles and challenges that Brendan and Gary went through in the duration of their high school life. They were bullied, called names, and were treated as outcasts. Over the years, their anger grew so strong and dominating that they decided to commit a school shooting. Their plan was to kill everyone who hurt them and to show them what happens when you push someone over the edge. They planned on shooting themselves after their crime had been executed.
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This book is written on a very sensitive topic and brings awareness to many important and heavily discussed questions. Should guns be so readily available in America, or should adults do a better job of keeping their firearms away from children? Was the shooting a result of pushing the two boys over the edge, or because they had a psychological complication that was not given enough attention?
This book did not (and could not) answer these questions. Everyone has their own opinion and reasoning. I think the goal of the authour was to give us an idea of what leads to such an awful and tragic crime, as well as to bring discussion and raise awareness to the topic. In my opinion, Todd Strasser did a good job on this.
Rating: 7/10
It follows the struggles and challenges that Brendan and Gary went through in the duration of their high school life. They were bullied, called names, and were treated as outcasts. Over the years, their anger grew so strong and dominating that they decided to commit a school shooting. Their plan was to kill everyone who hurt them and to show them what happens when you push someone over the edge. They planned on shooting themselves after their crime had been executed.
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This book is written on a very sensitive topic and brings awareness to many important and heavily discussed questions. Should guns be so readily available in America, or should adults do a better job of keeping their firearms away from children? Was the shooting a result of pushing the two boys over the edge, or because they had a psychological complication that was not given enough attention?
This book did not (and could not) answer these questions. Everyone has their own opinion and reasoning. I think the goal of the authour was to give us an idea of what leads to such an awful and tragic crime, as well as to bring discussion and raise awareness to the topic. In my opinion, Todd Strasser did a good job on this.
Rating: 7/10
~ Eragon ~
Eragon leads a peaceful life in Carvahall, a rural village located in a remote valley. While hunting in the mysterious --- and supposedly cursed --- mountains, he comes across a beautiful blue stone. The villagers strongly oppose keeping it, and Eragon decides on selling it the next time the merchants visit.
A few days later, in the middle of the night, the stone starts humming. Suddenly, a lizard-like creature crawls out of the stone, approaching a frightened Eragon. When he reaches out to touch the seemingly harmless entity, he is left with a glowing white oval on his palm.
When Eragon finds out that the creature is actually a dragon, the last of her race, he is thrown into a whole new world filled with magic, beasts, and adventure.
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Something I did not like was how Alagaesia (the name of the world) was very similar to Middle Earth. Many of its aspects were very similar, if not the same, as what is in The Lord of the Rings. For example, Paolini's elves were almost the same as Tolkien's elves (apart from a few differences). Story-wise, there was an uncanny resemblance to Star Wars.
I also think that there was a lack in character development. I did not really get to know the characters, and I think they were just used to keep the plot going.
Overall, I enjoyed reading it a lot, and I commend Paolini for publishing at such a young age (twenty years old)!
Rating: 7/10
Main characters: Eragon, Saphira, Brom, Arya.
A few days later, in the middle of the night, the stone starts humming. Suddenly, a lizard-like creature crawls out of the stone, approaching a frightened Eragon. When he reaches out to touch the seemingly harmless entity, he is left with a glowing white oval on his palm.
When Eragon finds out that the creature is actually a dragon, the last of her race, he is thrown into a whole new world filled with magic, beasts, and adventure.
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Something I did not like was how Alagaesia (the name of the world) was very similar to Middle Earth. Many of its aspects were very similar, if not the same, as what is in The Lord of the Rings. For example, Paolini's elves were almost the same as Tolkien's elves (apart from a few differences). Story-wise, there was an uncanny resemblance to Star Wars.
I also think that there was a lack in character development. I did not really get to know the characters, and I think they were just used to keep the plot going.
Overall, I enjoyed reading it a lot, and I commend Paolini for publishing at such a young age (twenty years old)!
Rating: 7/10
Main characters: Eragon, Saphira, Brom, Arya.
~ The Tale of Despereaux ~
Reading The Tale of Despereaux was an adventure filled with inspiration, love, fear, and kindness. It's the story of four equally unique characters whose paths collide in a brutal and cruel way.
Despereaux Tilling may be the smallest mouse you have ever seen. With his gigantic ears, small body, and brave heart, he truly was a wonderfully unusual character. He has always been treated as an outsider --- a mouse drawn to music, a mouse who reads books instead of eating them, a mouse who falls in love with a human.
Roscuro lead a typical rat life, his days spent in the utterly black maze of the dungeon. However, he was different. Roscuro, in contrast with his light-hating brethren, was deeply interested in the human world. Of course, this inevitably lead to many troubles.
Miggery Sow, named after her father's prize-winning pig, was sold off as a slave when she was six. In all of her twelve years, no one cared what she wanted. One day, she saw the beautiful princess Pea passing by her master's home. Ever since then, she vowed to become just as magnificent as her.
And finally, there is Pea. Joyful and elegant, she was sincerely fit to be princess. Buried deep within her heart, however, was a strong and dark emotion. It was a deep hatred for the rat that fell in her mother's soup --- the foul creature that caused her mother's doom.
When they meet, disaster soon follows. Read The Tale of Despereaux and discover whether there is a happy ever after to every story.
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DiCamillo beautifully teaches us that every heart contains darkness that continually battles with the light, and that each person has a mixture of both.
Rating: 4/5
Characters: Despereaux, Roscuro, Miggery Sow, Princess Pea
Despereaux Tilling may be the smallest mouse you have ever seen. With his gigantic ears, small body, and brave heart, he truly was a wonderfully unusual character. He has always been treated as an outsider --- a mouse drawn to music, a mouse who reads books instead of eating them, a mouse who falls in love with a human.
Roscuro lead a typical rat life, his days spent in the utterly black maze of the dungeon. However, he was different. Roscuro, in contrast with his light-hating brethren, was deeply interested in the human world. Of course, this inevitably lead to many troubles.
Miggery Sow, named after her father's prize-winning pig, was sold off as a slave when she was six. In all of her twelve years, no one cared what she wanted. One day, she saw the beautiful princess Pea passing by her master's home. Ever since then, she vowed to become just as magnificent as her.
And finally, there is Pea. Joyful and elegant, she was sincerely fit to be princess. Buried deep within her heart, however, was a strong and dark emotion. It was a deep hatred for the rat that fell in her mother's soup --- the foul creature that caused her mother's doom.
When they meet, disaster soon follows. Read The Tale of Despereaux and discover whether there is a happy ever after to every story.
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DiCamillo beautifully teaches us that every heart contains darkness that continually battles with the light, and that each person has a mixture of both.
Rating: 4/5
Characters: Despereaux, Roscuro, Miggery Sow, Princess Pea
~ False Face ~
Welwyn Wilton Katz masterfully weaved together Aboriginal mysticism and the modern-day to create this eerie and peculiar book. The story revolves around Laney --- a thirteen-year-old caught between the rivalry of her divorced parents --- and Tom --- a headstrong Iroquois boy who's struggling to accept his "white" mother and new "white" life.
One day, they uncover an ancient mask within the bog. Join them as they struggle to control the magic of the False Face.
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This book was interesting, but did not intrigue me as much as others. If you're into mystery and aboriginal history, False Face is definitely the book for you!
Rating: 2/5
Main Characters: Laney McIntryre, Tom Walsh
One day, they uncover an ancient mask within the bog. Join them as they struggle to control the magic of the False Face.
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This book was interesting, but did not intrigue me as much as others. If you're into mystery and aboriginal history, False Face is definitely the book for you!
Rating: 2/5
Main Characters: Laney McIntryre, Tom Walsh
~ Zlata's Diary ~
. Traveling back in time is something we can only dream of. However, this book allows us to peek into the life of a young Bosnian girl who's life has been drastically changed over the course of two years.
In 1991, at the start of a brand new school year, we are introduced to Zlata. She skillfully recorded the whirlwind of activities she had gone through and avidly recorded her thoughts in her diary (which she called Mimmy). Zlata was a pianist, a singer, a Madonna enthusiast, and a normal girl overall. She had only a few things to worry about; pop music, boys, her favourite musicians, and where she would be going on the next vacation. It never crossed her mind that her entire life would be transformed in just six months.
I was just starting to enjoy the pure thoughts that were spilled into Zlata's diary, until the Spring of 1992 came along. Serbian artillery positions were set up on the hills directly above her house, and she feared for her family's safety everyday. Without warning, Zlata's bubble of innocence and mellowness bursted. She was introduced into an entirely different world. A world where the sound of gunfire and shelling became normal. A world where her closest friends would die in the same park that they used to play in. A world of war and destruction.
At times, she would have to suffer several hours of pure terror. Her world would melt away into darkness, with only the sound of her pounding heart and ragged breaths to accompany the chaotic clamor of war.
Over the years, Zlata's thoughts only grew wiser and sharper. She described the occurrences around with great depth and emotion, with detail a news report could never imitate. Her voice was brave, her willpower strong, and she faced each day with optimism.
But under her courageous facade, she was a normal eleven-year-old girl who just wanted to live a normal life.
“It looks to me as though these politics mean Serbs, Croats and Muslims. But they are all people. They are all the same. They all look like people, there's no difference. They all have arms, legs and heads, they walk and talk, but now there's "something" that wants to make them different.” ~Zlata Filipovic
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Main Character(s): Zlata Filipovic, Mimmy.
Other Characters: Malik, Alica, Melica, Braco, Seka, Kemo, Alma, the Bobar family, Emina, Samra, Irena, Ivanka, Mirna, Mirna Miso, Mladjo, Neda, Nedo, Radmila, Slobo, Doda, Srdjan, Bokica.
In 1991, at the start of a brand new school year, we are introduced to Zlata. She skillfully recorded the whirlwind of activities she had gone through and avidly recorded her thoughts in her diary (which she called Mimmy). Zlata was a pianist, a singer, a Madonna enthusiast, and a normal girl overall. She had only a few things to worry about; pop music, boys, her favourite musicians, and where she would be going on the next vacation. It never crossed her mind that her entire life would be transformed in just six months.
I was just starting to enjoy the pure thoughts that were spilled into Zlata's diary, until the Spring of 1992 came along. Serbian artillery positions were set up on the hills directly above her house, and she feared for her family's safety everyday. Without warning, Zlata's bubble of innocence and mellowness bursted. She was introduced into an entirely different world. A world where the sound of gunfire and shelling became normal. A world where her closest friends would die in the same park that they used to play in. A world of war and destruction.
At times, she would have to suffer several hours of pure terror. Her world would melt away into darkness, with only the sound of her pounding heart and ragged breaths to accompany the chaotic clamor of war.
Over the years, Zlata's thoughts only grew wiser and sharper. She described the occurrences around with great depth and emotion, with detail a news report could never imitate. Her voice was brave, her willpower strong, and she faced each day with optimism.
But under her courageous facade, she was a normal eleven-year-old girl who just wanted to live a normal life.
“It looks to me as though these politics mean Serbs, Croats and Muslims. But they are all people. They are all the same. They all look like people, there's no difference. They all have arms, legs and heads, they walk and talk, but now there's "something" that wants to make them different.” ~Zlata Filipovic
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Main Character(s): Zlata Filipovic, Mimmy.
Other Characters: Malik, Alica, Melica, Braco, Seka, Kemo, Alma, the Bobar family, Emina, Samra, Irena, Ivanka, Mirna, Mirna Miso, Mladjo, Neda, Nedo, Radmila, Slobo, Doda, Srdjan, Bokica.
~ Banishment At A Young Age ~
To banish or not to banish --- that is the question. Whether it is a good idea to banish a child from their homeland, to let them endure cold nights, let them fend for their own food, let them feel truely alone with only nature to accompany them --- that is the question. Is it worth it to go through all that?
First of all, what does it mean to be 'banished'? Banishment sounds like something that would only take place in medieval fantasies and stories. However, banishment is a real legal punishment. When this punishment is imposed upon a person, they are required to stay out of a certain area (country, city, province, etc).
Let's discuss the dangers of banishing a child (15-16 years old). One big problem is that there will most likely be no one to supervise the person, which means that they could do anything with no one's knowledge. If something bad were to happen to them, who would be there to know? Days could pass without anyone knowing, and the child would most likely be in serious risk of death.
Furthermore, the child would probably be unprepared to live by themselves without the support of an adult. They would have a tough time getting food, starting fires, and enduring the complete solitude. Not to mention having to build/find their own shelter (if one was not given to them), and who knows how long that would take?
Do you think it is more appropriate for an adult to be banished as opposed to a young person?
I believe that banishment is not appropriate in any case, no matter what age the person is. However, in my opinion, an adult is more capable of enduring it if they are sentenced to this method of punishment. Adults have more experience than young people, because they know how to be independent and they know how to survive.
Overall, do you think that banishment for youth is a good idea?
I think that banishment on youth is not a good idea. I believe that there is always an alternative, and that the cons outweigh the pros. However, if certain conditions were met (if there is a supervisor, if the child was properly prepared, etc.), banishment would be a lot safer, and could possibly become a good learning opportunity. A child is given the opportunity to reflect on their actions alone, to clear their mind, and to learn to become a part of nature.
~Jayson
First of all, what does it mean to be 'banished'? Banishment sounds like something that would only take place in medieval fantasies and stories. However, banishment is a real legal punishment. When this punishment is imposed upon a person, they are required to stay out of a certain area (country, city, province, etc).
Let's discuss the dangers of banishing a child (15-16 years old). One big problem is that there will most likely be no one to supervise the person, which means that they could do anything with no one's knowledge. If something bad were to happen to them, who would be there to know? Days could pass without anyone knowing, and the child would most likely be in serious risk of death.
Furthermore, the child would probably be unprepared to live by themselves without the support of an adult. They would have a tough time getting food, starting fires, and enduring the complete solitude. Not to mention having to build/find their own shelter (if one was not given to them), and who knows how long that would take?
Do you think it is more appropriate for an adult to be banished as opposed to a young person?
I believe that banishment is not appropriate in any case, no matter what age the person is. However, in my opinion, an adult is more capable of enduring it if they are sentenced to this method of punishment. Adults have more experience than young people, because they know how to be independent and they know how to survive.
Overall, do you think that banishment for youth is a good idea?
I think that banishment on youth is not a good idea. I believe that there is always an alternative, and that the cons outweigh the pros. However, if certain conditions were met (if there is a supervisor, if the child was properly prepared, etc.), banishment would be a lot safer, and could possibly become a good learning opportunity. A child is given the opportunity to reflect on their actions alone, to clear their mind, and to learn to become a part of nature.
~Jayson
Britannia Mines
A) What Happened?
- ARD became a huge problem that was left with no solution
- it spread into Howe Sound which held the risk of humans consuming it (can cause major health issues), and harming marine life
- ARD is created when metal sulphides (such as pyrite, copper, lead, and zinc) are exposed to oxygen and water
- massive amounts of ARD was created due to so much of the mine being exposed to air and water (210 km of tunnel)
- no one made an effort to stop it, and only started using the "launder" method for economic reasons
- about 600kg of dissolved minerals washed into Howe Sound!
B) Why Was it Ok?
- at the time, very little was understood about ARD and the effect it could have on the environment
- Anaconda, a previous owner of the mine, tried to stop it (they built an outflow pipe and a dam, but it failed in 1980s/1990s) but it was not a success since the ARD was not actually being treated
- the pollution only grew worse when the mine was left with no owner for 30 years
C) How Was It Corrected?
- copper launders were used in the 1930's and 1970's but were mostly used for economic issues (for money)
- government secured 30 million dollars to clean up the pollution in 2001 and assigned Golder Associates to plan the remediation
- got the money from previous owners that could've been responsible for this
- in 2003, the province took control of the majority of the mine and appointed EPCOR to build/operate a Water Treatment Plant
- the WTP (water treatment plant) was built in 2004 and was operating by October, 2005
- the plant removes about 600-700 kg of metal in the water and removes the dangerous minerals in i
D) Why were these environmental concerns fixed now and no longer okay?
- the people of today know much more about the environment and the importance of keeping our Earth clean
- ARD was harming sea creatures and was a potential hazard to human health (could contaminate drinking water)
- many residents around Britannia Beach and Howe Sound were complaining about the ARD
Minor Deity - Poniria
Poniria
Poniria trudged along the gloomy forest, looking for the last ingredient to her elixir.
A snake’s heart is the most important part. To find a serpent is the challenge, she thought.
The quiet hum of the forest is interrupted by a fear-evoking hiss. However, she was the opposite of scared. With one incantation, the serpent lay still and its life was no more. She knelt down beside its carcass, slashed it open with her keen nails, and silently ripped the creature’s heart out.
The twinkle of content in her eyes never disappeared.
Later…
Poniria gently dropped her last ingredient into the pot, resulting in a slight sizzle. The love potion slowly brewed.
As she mixed the concoction, she mentally went through her plan.
She’d visit Olympus, which she was banished from, and request a meeting with Zeus and his companions. From there, she would awe the Olympians with her brilliant potion-making. They’ll be so impressed that they demand the Goddess must be higher up in the ranks.
Eventually, she’ll be known as “Poniria the wise” and she would be well respected.
The young deity laughed to herself, a chuckle mixed with joy and malice.
When she had enough power, she would start to destroy Olympus. The Olympians will pay for banishing her, and they will be too effected from her elixirs to do anything about it.
“Yes,” she whispered. “Olympus will be destroyed.”
At Olympus…
Poniria stood before the door leading to the Olympian courtroom, where the Gods and Goddesses of Olympus sat on their thrones. She took a deep breath and pushed it open, walking into the presence of the divine beings that controlled the universe.
In a deep voice that rumbled like thunder, Zeus said,
“You may begin speaking.”
And speak she did. She presented all of her elixirs, which consisted of a variety of effects. When she concluded, Zeus spoke once more.
“What do you wish to receive for your presentation?”
“I wish to rise in rank, my King.”
The 12 Olympians discussed the matter in hushed voices. A short while later, they all agreed on a decision.
“We’ve enjoyed your potions,” the King bellowed, “However, we cannot fulfill your reque-“
“Please, my Lord!” she interrupted. The Olympians scowled at this disrespectful act. “Let me present to you a final potion. Drink it and every woman you desire will fall in love with you!”
Zeus’s sister and wife, Hera, objected with outrage.
“This is preposter-“
“Let the girl continue,” Zeus said with clear interest, cutting of his wife’s sentence. “Give me the potion.”
Poniria reaches for the love potion, a sly grin plastered to her face. She gives it to Zeus. Her grin grew wider as the large man brought the vial to his lips. With a tip of his head, the purple liquid crept past his lips.
He swallowed the last of it and consequently brought a finger to his temple, as if his head ached. After the little migraine was gone, his now love-filled eyes landed upon Poniria.
“Yes,” he gleefully said. “She is a wonderful girl, and it would be a waste not to accept such talent. She shall live in Olympus once again and she will be known as our ‘Potion Connoiseur’.”
At this, the courtroom was thrown into chaos. Complaints and hollers echoed off the walls. It was music to Poniria’s ears.
The Great Ones have already started to feud. It will only get worse as long as I’m here. My plan has been a great success, Poniria thought.
A success it was, but once you’re at the top, there’s only one way left to go.
Insults and curses were thrown everywhere. Their eyes flickered with irritation, as if they were ready to battle. Fingers were pointed and taunts were shouted.
It was a like an orchestra, with each yell and complaint blending together to create a cacophony of hostility.
And suddenly, out of nowhere, a distinct voice was heard in the midst of the commotion.
“The girl,” a clear, melodic voice resonated throughout the entire room. “Plans on destroying our kingdom.”
All noise ceased, and Poniria felt everyone’s gaze on her.
“Blasphemy!” Zeus said, still effected by the potion.
“But I can tell nothing but the truth, father.” A beautiful girl appeared in front of them all. She was translucent, almost invisible.
The girl was Aletheia, the spirit of truth and daughter of Zeus. Aletheia was not a Goddess nor a diety. She was the personification of truth. Truth was her and she was truth.
At the site of her, Zeus calmed down. Aletheia removed the love potion’s effects, for they were not genuine.
Poniria’s eyes widened. She could do nothing but beg for forgiveness. Zeus gave her pleads no mind.
“Send her to Tartarus to suffer eternally!” the King roared.
Tartarus, the deep abyss that was used as a dungeon of torment, would be where she suffered forevermore.
She aimed to be at the top, but she got nothing but an untimely demise in a place farther from the Earth than the Underworld.
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About Poniria
Poniria (Πονηριά) was the minor goddess of potions and elixirs. She had the ability to brew a potion of any effect, causing her neighbours in Olympus to grow weary. As a result she was forced to live on Earth, separating her from her loved ones, and only allowed to visit every hundred years or so. As revenge, she planned on destroying Olympus. Unfortunately for her, Aletheia sensed her untruthfulness and she got sent to Tartarus. To this day, Poniria suffers her from her punishment.
In Tartarus, she is strapped to the ground, while hundreds of serpents eat her heart, only for it to grow back the next day. This is to symbolize the love potion that she tricked Zeus into consuming.
All characters in this story, with the exception of Poniria, are real Greek Gods/Godesses.
~Jayson
Poniria trudged along the gloomy forest, looking for the last ingredient to her elixir.
A snake’s heart is the most important part. To find a serpent is the challenge, she thought.
The quiet hum of the forest is interrupted by a fear-evoking hiss. However, she was the opposite of scared. With one incantation, the serpent lay still and its life was no more. She knelt down beside its carcass, slashed it open with her keen nails, and silently ripped the creature’s heart out.
The twinkle of content in her eyes never disappeared.
Later…
Poniria gently dropped her last ingredient into the pot, resulting in a slight sizzle. The love potion slowly brewed.
As she mixed the concoction, she mentally went through her plan.
She’d visit Olympus, which she was banished from, and request a meeting with Zeus and his companions. From there, she would awe the Olympians with her brilliant potion-making. They’ll be so impressed that they demand the Goddess must be higher up in the ranks.
Eventually, she’ll be known as “Poniria the wise” and she would be well respected.
The young deity laughed to herself, a chuckle mixed with joy and malice.
When she had enough power, she would start to destroy Olympus. The Olympians will pay for banishing her, and they will be too effected from her elixirs to do anything about it.
“Yes,” she whispered. “Olympus will be destroyed.”
At Olympus…
Poniria stood before the door leading to the Olympian courtroom, where the Gods and Goddesses of Olympus sat on their thrones. She took a deep breath and pushed it open, walking into the presence of the divine beings that controlled the universe.
In a deep voice that rumbled like thunder, Zeus said,
“You may begin speaking.”
And speak she did. She presented all of her elixirs, which consisted of a variety of effects. When she concluded, Zeus spoke once more.
“What do you wish to receive for your presentation?”
“I wish to rise in rank, my King.”
The 12 Olympians discussed the matter in hushed voices. A short while later, they all agreed on a decision.
“We’ve enjoyed your potions,” the King bellowed, “However, we cannot fulfill your reque-“
“Please, my Lord!” she interrupted. The Olympians scowled at this disrespectful act. “Let me present to you a final potion. Drink it and every woman you desire will fall in love with you!”
Zeus’s sister and wife, Hera, objected with outrage.
“This is preposter-“
“Let the girl continue,” Zeus said with clear interest, cutting of his wife’s sentence. “Give me the potion.”
Poniria reaches for the love potion, a sly grin plastered to her face. She gives it to Zeus. Her grin grew wider as the large man brought the vial to his lips. With a tip of his head, the purple liquid crept past his lips.
He swallowed the last of it and consequently brought a finger to his temple, as if his head ached. After the little migraine was gone, his now love-filled eyes landed upon Poniria.
“Yes,” he gleefully said. “She is a wonderful girl, and it would be a waste not to accept such talent. She shall live in Olympus once again and she will be known as our ‘Potion Connoiseur’.”
At this, the courtroom was thrown into chaos. Complaints and hollers echoed off the walls. It was music to Poniria’s ears.
The Great Ones have already started to feud. It will only get worse as long as I’m here. My plan has been a great success, Poniria thought.
A success it was, but once you’re at the top, there’s only one way left to go.
Insults and curses were thrown everywhere. Their eyes flickered with irritation, as if they were ready to battle. Fingers were pointed and taunts were shouted.
It was a like an orchestra, with each yell and complaint blending together to create a cacophony of hostility.
And suddenly, out of nowhere, a distinct voice was heard in the midst of the commotion.
“The girl,” a clear, melodic voice resonated throughout the entire room. “Plans on destroying our kingdom.”
All noise ceased, and Poniria felt everyone’s gaze on her.
“Blasphemy!” Zeus said, still effected by the potion.
“But I can tell nothing but the truth, father.” A beautiful girl appeared in front of them all. She was translucent, almost invisible.
The girl was Aletheia, the spirit of truth and daughter of Zeus. Aletheia was not a Goddess nor a diety. She was the personification of truth. Truth was her and she was truth.
At the site of her, Zeus calmed down. Aletheia removed the love potion’s effects, for they were not genuine.
Poniria’s eyes widened. She could do nothing but beg for forgiveness. Zeus gave her pleads no mind.
“Send her to Tartarus to suffer eternally!” the King roared.
Tartarus, the deep abyss that was used as a dungeon of torment, would be where she suffered forevermore.
She aimed to be at the top, but she got nothing but an untimely demise in a place farther from the Earth than the Underworld.
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About Poniria
Poniria (Πονηριά) was the minor goddess of potions and elixirs. She had the ability to brew a potion of any effect, causing her neighbours in Olympus to grow weary. As a result she was forced to live on Earth, separating her from her loved ones, and only allowed to visit every hundred years or so. As revenge, she planned on destroying Olympus. Unfortunately for her, Aletheia sensed her untruthfulness and she got sent to Tartarus. To this day, Poniria suffers her from her punishment.
In Tartarus, she is strapped to the ground, while hundreds of serpents eat her heart, only for it to grow back the next day. This is to symbolize the love potion that she tricked Zeus into consuming.
All characters in this story, with the exception of Poniria, are real Greek Gods/Godesses.
~Jayson