When it comes to mascot services near me, there are several factors to consider. First and foremost, it's important to determine what type of mascot service you're looking for. Are you in need of a mascot performer for a live event, such as a sports game or corporate function? Or perhaps you're interested in hiring a mascot costume for a special occasion, like a birthday party or promotional event. Once you have a clear understanding of your needs, you can begin researching mascot services in your area. A simple internet search will yield a variety of options, including both local and national companies that offer mascot services. Take the time to read reviews and browse portfolios or galleries to get a sense of the quality of their work.
However, like I said, things get a little better as the story goes on. And it does go on. And on. Let's call it the literary equivalent of a leisurely stroll - with occasional showers of dangling intestines. The more tedious sections are the ones where everyone's just running through the woods as wolves: killing rabbits, licking blood off each other's fur - you know, werewolfy things - but doing absolutely nothing to move the story along. I found myself skimming some of those.
Having finished all 540 pages now yep, I WORKED for this review, guys , I can say that the romance angle does get better - if only because it couldn t possibly have gotten worse, and also because Elena doesn t get tied up and not-quite-raped again. Sink your teeth into the first novel in the 1 New York Times bestselling Sookie Stackhouse series-the books that gave life to the Dead and inspired the HBO original series True Blood.
Take the time to read reviews and browse portfolios or galleries to get a sense of the quality of their work. It's also important to consider your budget when hiring a mascot service. Prices can vary significantly depending on the type of service you're seeking and the complexity of the mascot costume.
EPBOT
Sometimes I like picking up reader-recommended books without reading the synopsis, so I go in to the story blind. It adds a little more suspense, and hopefully makes me approach the book without any preconceived opinions on the genre.
That was the case with Bitten , which - since I got the Kindle copy from my library and so didn't see the cover art - I assumed was a vampire story. Instead I was pleasantly surprised to find a story about the only female werewolf in the world, Elena, trying to make a life for herself away from her kind in modern society.
That doesn't last long, though, as Elena is soon called away from her devoted live-in boyfriend and city life to return to her Pack's home and help hunt down another werewolf-turned-murderer.
Elena's pack has plenty of obvious parallels to Twilight's Cullen family: a supernatural "family" living together in a remote-yet-lavish backwoods estate, a benevolent Alpha father figure who is obeyed without question, and their self-imposed obligation to police others of their kind, "mutts" who have less compunction about killing humans.
It was at this point, though - roughly 50 pages in - that the story started to fall apart for me. Up 'til then Elena seemed like a pretty relatable main character, but by the second night she's hopping into bed with two of her fellow pack mates, without so much as a passing thought to her boyfriend back home. It was really bizarre, with no lead-up, and seemed drastically out of character for her.
Anyway, before much happens, the three play a game of poker to determine which guy gets to sleep with her. (To be fair, Elena seems pretty on board with this.) When one wins, Elena obediently follows him out to the woods, but then starts to have second thoughts. So the guy overpowers her, ties her up, and forces her. (Again, this whole section was like the Twilight Zone invading - I couldn't believe it was the same story!) We're supposed to believe it's not quite rape, though, because after a while the guy says he'll stop if she really, really wants him to, and Elena finds she just can't say no anymore. So hey, SCORE ONE FOR ROMANCE.
I can't decide if the author was trying to emphasize the animalistic nature of werewolves, or if she was honestly trying to write a hot sex scene. I will say that it was so awkwardly written that I was still trying to figure out the mechanics - "wait, wasn't she hanging from her arms a second ago? So how is she lying on the ground now?" - by the time I realized it was over. In fact, it was so rushed and robotic in nature that I think the author just wanted the whole sordid ordeal over with as quickly as I did.
Anyway, I put the book down at this point to look it up, and learned that not only is Bitten primarily a romance (. ), it also has five stars across the board from the vast majority of readers.
(From Amazon's review page. Clay is the-not-quite-rapist. How's that for terrifying?)So, thoroughly confused, I decided to keep going and see if it got any better - or at least made any more sense.
Having finished all 540 pages now (yep, I WORKED for this review, guys), I can say that the "romance" angle does get better - if only because it couldn't possibly have gotten worse, and also because Elena doesn't get tied up and not-quite-raped again. In fact, Bitten is a pretty decent werewolf story that could have been quite good, if only it wasn't afflicted with lots of awkward rushed sex and a protagonist more self-absorbed than your average three-year-old.
It goes like this: Elena has sex with Clay, the-not-quite-rapist. Then Elena spends the next day(s) sulking and hating Clay for being so gosh-darned irresistible. They fight a lot. Then they have sex again - and it's always the super-rushed, mindless, literally-ripping-clothing-off kind of sex. About halfway through the book I started wondering how they had any clothes left, and if maybe Clay wouldn't benefit from some kind of performance aid. (WHAT.) Oh, and then Elena goes back to hating him again - all while rationalizing that her cheating isn't really her fault, it's Clay's for being so gosh-darned irresistible, and ooooh, does she hate him for it. And so on.
If you're starting to think that maybe Elena is a terrible person, then you'll understand why I had a hard time rooting for her. She IS a terrible person, only rarely realizes it, and never does anything to try and change her inherent terribleness.
However, like I said, things get a little better as the story goes on. And it does go on. And on. Let's call it the literary equivalent of a leisurely stroll - with occasional showers of dangling intestines. The more tedious sections are the ones where everyone's just running through the woods as wolves: killing rabbits, licking blood off each other's fur - you know, werewolfy things - but doing absolutely nothing to move the story along. I found myself skimming some of those.
Then, for no other reason than because it would be really, REALLY awkward, the author makes Elena live with her two guys in the same tiny apartment for a while. Elena ramps up the annoyance factor as she continues to waffle between the two men, lashing out at Clay all day while going to bed each night with her clueless-yet-saintly boyfriend. I may have started hoping for a few more dangling intestines at that point.
It would be one thing if Elena knew her own mind and was intentionally playing both men - not something I'd approve of, but at least she'd be acting from a place of strength and independence, as opposed to just being a fickle child with daddy issues (which get SUPER creepy, btw) and a bad case of narcissism. In the end she doesn't so much make a choice as have it made for her, which was, again, kind of disappointing. But at least it finally broke the snipe/sex/sulk cycle, so let's call that a win. (Heck, by that point anything that stopped her whining would have counted as a happy ending in my book.)
There are more books in The Otherworld Series, but since the next one, Stolen, also features Elena, I think it's safe to say I won't be reading it.
So, in conclusion, if you're looking for an edgy shape-shifters' romance filled with adventure, fascinating animal-based cultures, and gripping suspense, then I highly recommend Hawksong , by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes.
In fact, the whole Kiesha'ra series is pretty flippin' fantastic. Enjoy!
For more of my reviews, check out this handy-dandy list. I've even starred some of my favorites there, in case you're just looking for other titles I'd recommend!
That doesn't last long, though, as Elena is soon called away from her devoted live-in boyfriend and city life to return to her Pack's home and help hunt down another werewolf-turned-murderer.
Be sure to inquire about pricing and any additional fees, such as travel expenses or costume rental fees. When selecting a mascot service, it's a good idea to contact several companies to compare rates and availability. This will give you a better sense of the market and allow you to choose the best option for your needs. Don't be afraid to ask questions about the performers' experience and training, as well as any precautions they take to ensure the safety and comfort of the performers. Overall, mascot services near me can be a fun and memorable addition to any event. By taking the time to research and compare options, you can find a mascot service that meets your needs and budget. Whether you're looking for a professional performer or a costume rental, there are plenty of options available to make your event a success..
Reviews for "Mascot services near me: Taking your event to the next level"
1. Sarah - 1/5 stars - I had a terrible experience with the mascot service near me. The mascot they sent was old and worn-out, it didn't look anything like the advertised character. The person inside the costume didn't even bother to entertain the kids properly and seemed disinterested. It was a complete waste of money and definitely not a service I would recommend to anyone.
2. John - 2/5 stars - I was quite disappointed with the mascot service near me. The communication before the event was poor, and they didn't provide any information about the mascot they would be sending. On the day of the event, the mascot arrived late, and the outfit looked cheap and poorly made. The person inside the costume seemed inexperienced and didn't interact with the guests effectively. Overall, I expected more professionalism and quality from this service.
3. Emily - 2/5 stars - I was not impressed with the mascot service near me. The costume was subpar and didn't resemble the character at all. The mascot performer seemed unenthusiastic and didn't engage with the children as I had hoped. The service was overpriced for the poor quality provided. This was definitely a disappointing experience and I wouldn't recommend it to others.