A Writer's Daydreams

Off The Shelf Challenge - 2012

2012-01-14T21:58:00.000-08:00

The old year is done, and the new year is yet to come.

2012 Off The Shelf Challenge is commenced!

I will be reading 15 already acquired books off my bookshelf, assuming they were acquired before January 1st. This year, to make things easier, I have a list of all the books I own that I haven't read yet. And no, I'm not going to post that list here. There are just too many of them to list. Sorry.

To sum up: I am taking part in the 2012 Off The Shelf Challenge hosted by Bookish Ardour. I will be attempting the category: "Trying - 15 books".

Anyone with me?

Off The Shelf Challenge 2011 - Summary

2012-01-14T15:40:00.000-08:00

Long ago, in a time far away, I signed up for the Off The Shelf Challenge at Bookish Ardour. I agreed to read 15 books from my TBR shelf, and then review them all here. If you have been paying attention, you will notice I have reviewed 9 books that were sitting on my book shelf at the beginning of 2011.

Well, as most people can relate to this year, a bunch of craziness happened this year. I wasn't able to blog as often as I'd hoped, but I did manage to read as many books as I normally do. As such, I did read 15 books that were on my bookshelf at the beginning of 2011.

So without further ado, here are the 15 books:

Strange Brew, edited by PN Elrod
Red-Headed Stepchild, by Jaye Wells
The Looking Glass Wars, by Frank Beddor
Spider Bones, by Kathy Reichs
The Vampire Diaries, Volumes 1-5, by LJ Smith
Stray, by Rachel Vincent
The Dark Lady's Chosen, by Gail Z Martin
Dark Haven, by Gail Z Martin
Spellwright, by Blake Charlton
Wicked Lovely, by Melissa Marr
Ink Exchange, by Melissa Marr

And now, on to 2012!

Free Listening!!

2011-11-29T14:31:00.001-08:00

So, now that everyone has had a chance to read my review of "The Alloy of Law", I'm sure that anyone who didn't already own the book immediately rushed out to buy it. Right? Right?

"But wait," some of you whine, "I only enjoy stories that are read to me by amazing narrators! I have no patience for those printed word thingies!"

Well, first of all, they're called books. And second of all, you are in luck, for I was recently informed that The Alloy of Law is also available in audiobook format from Macmillan Audio! Even better: It's read by the AMAZING* Michael Kramer!

If you would like a free sample, you can find it HERE, hosted by the publisher, who graciously offered to let me post this link for your listening pleasure.

Enjoy!

*Totally unbiased opinion. No, really. The man rocks. He is the man who also read Mistborn and The Wheel of Time, among other things.

SONG OF ICE AND FIRE REREAD - GAME OF THRONES

2011-11-28T22:24:00.001-08:00

Mass Market Paperback, 835 pages
Published August 16th 2005 by Spectra (first published August 1st 1996)
ISBN 0553588486 (ISBN13: 9780553588484)
Edition Language: English
Source: Purchased

The Blurb (www.goodreads.com)

Long ago, in a time forgotten, a preternatural event threw the seasons out of balance. The cold is returning, and in the frozen wastes to the north of Winterfell, sinister forces are massing beyond the kingdom's protective wall. To the south, the King's powers are failing, and his enemies are emerging from the shadows of the throne. At the center of the conflict lie the Starks of Winterfell, a family as harsh and unyielding as the frozen land they were born to. Now Lord Eddard Stark is reluctantly summoned to serve as the King's new Hand, an appointment that threatens to sunder not only his family but also the kingdom itself. A heroic fantasy of lords and ladies, soldiers and sorcerers, assassins and evildoers who come together in a time of grim omens.

The Song of Ice and Fire series has been around for awhile. Anything you want to know about the plot, or theories about the characters, or conspiracy theories about parentage, or even what dragons are good for, is available elsewhere. With Game of Thrones on HBO, and the release of the latest book, A Dance with Dragons, I really just wanted to read through the books and refresh my memory. So here are some of my thoughts and impressions on my second read through of this series.

By the end of Game of Thrones, I have some very strong opinions about a few characters. First, Catelyn. I don't like her. I know that mothers are supposed to protect their kids. It's that whole mother bear (or better in this case, wolf) mentality. But every single one of her decisions strikes me as wrong-headed and arrogant. She uses her position as the Lady Stark to get what she wants, from her flight to King's Landing, to the capture of Tyrion Lannister, to trying to take control of her son's army. And especially her treatment of Jon Snow. The kid is, what, 14? And she's still trying to convince her husband to turn him out? I try to get what she's about, but I just can't.

And I feel terribly for Jon Snow. His siblings love him (except for Sansa, who I hate), but his Catelyn treats him like trash and constantly berates him for his very existence. So he joins a legendary band of brothers charged with the protection of the realm, only to find out his legendary band of brothers are actually jerks, and no one likes them or takes them seriously. And The Imp is the one to break the news to him. Poor kid. He just can't seem to get a break.

Which brings me to the other children. The daughters, Arya and Sansa. I love Arya. She's got fire, and she's smart, even for a little kid. Sansa, on the other hand, is a simpering idiot. I can't stand her. She is supposed to be older and more mature than Arya, but her entire existence is consumed with daydreams of chivalrous knights and gallant princes and being a princess. Ugh! And then there's the boys. Theon, while not a Stark, is raised by Starks and is still no one I would want my kids hanging out with. Bran is a cute kid, and I feel for him, but he's not in the book enough to get attached. Robb, though. Robb, I like. He's young, but has honor, and wants to do the right thing. And I love the symbolism of the wolf pups.

I hate most of the Lannisters, but I love Tyrion. It's amazing how someone who is despised from birth can grow up having some sense of honor about him. He's manipulative and lascivious, and kind of a jerk, but I still like him.

Most of the story takes place in The Seven Kingdoms, except for the story of Dany, who is 13 years old. I know that back in the day, girls got married as soon as they were capable of getting pregnant. But I can't get passed the wig-factor of a guy who wants to marry a 13 year old girl. Ew. But Dany is at least interesting. Her brother is a crazy piece of crap that deserved his molten crown of gold (kudos to HBO on filming that scene, by the way), but she's cool.

And now, on to Clash of Kings!

Alloy of Law by Brandon Sanderson

2011-11-27T15:34:00.000-08:00

Hardcover, 320 pages
Published November 8th 2011 by Tor Books
ISBN 0765330423 (ISBN13: 9780765330420)
Edition Language: English
Source: Purchased

The Blurb (www.goodreads.com):

Three hundred years after the events of the Mistborn trilogy, Scadrial is now on the verge of modernity, with railroads to supplement the canals, electric lighting in the streets and the homes of the wealthy, and the first steel-framed skyscrapers racing for the clouds.

Kelsier, Vin, Elend, Sazed, Spook, and the rest are now part of history—or religion. Yet even as science and technology are reaching new heights, the old magics of Allomancy and Feruchemy continue to play a role in this reborn world. Out in the frontier lands known as the Roughs, they are crucial tools for the brave men and women attempting to establish order and justice.

One such is Waxillium Ladrian, a rare Twinborn, who can Push on metals with his Allomancy and use Feruchemy to become lighter or heavier at will. After twenty years in the Roughs, Wax has been forced by family tragedy to return to the metropolis of Elendel. Now he must reluctantly put away his guns and assume the duties and dignity incumbent upon the head of a noble house. Or so he thinks, until he learns the hard way that the mansions and elegant tree-lined streets of the city can be even more dangerous than the dusty plains of the Roughs.

True fans of Brandon Sanderson have come to expect certain things in one of his books. You expect an interesting, original, and cohesive (if crazy) magic system. You expect non-traditional characters. And you expect a certain level of tongue-in-cheek humor. I'm here to tell you, that Alloy of Law did not disappoint.

To start with, we have the same magic systems found in the original Mistborn trilogy, allomancy and feruchemy. However, 300 years after the world ended and was remade, we no longer find true mistborn or feruchemists. No, the mistborn of yore have entered the religious pantheon, and no mention is made of feruchemists. Instead, we have people who either have one allomantic skill or one feruchemical skill, and in rare circumstances we have the Twinborn: those with one allomantic and one feruchemical skill together.

Which brings me to non-traditional characters. In Alloy of Law, the two main characters are Wax and Wayne. Oh yeah, there's that tongue-in-cheek humor, too. Wax is a 40-something sorta-broke lord. Who ran away as a kid to be a lawman. And then came back to be a lord. With no money. Wax, however, is overly observant, always tried to do the right thing, and is pretty smart besides, always good traits to have. His partner, Wayne, however, is also those things. He just hides it better. Because really, who wants to be known as the smart guy? Just gets you into trouble.

I can't remember the last time I read a fantasy novel where the main character was over the age of 25. In fact, it's hard to classify this book as a fantasy. I mean, if you really think about it, it's more like an old western, with gun fights, an evil villain and a damsel in distress. There just happens to be a few magical powers and some fun tech involved, steampunk style.

All in all, this was a very fun read. I can see why Brandon Sanderson says writing this book was his vacation. The book definitely doesn't take itself too seriously, and still manages to tell a really good story that keeps you hooked from start to finish.

My favorite part? Without spoiling too much, the line is Harmony saying "You're welcome."

Reading Meme - Day 15

2011-11-26T12:00:00.000-08:00

Day 15 - Favorite Female Character

Like I said yesterday, picking a favorite is difficult. Fortunately, though, a favorite female character was easier to decide on than a favorite male character.

Alexia Tarabotti, from the Parasol Protectorate Series, by Gail Carriger.

I absolutely love her! She's smart in an age when educated women were feared. She knows her limitations and flaws, and she accepts them rather than fight against them. She has a sense of humor, and excellent fashion sense. She has crazy friends both with horrid taste in hats and amazing sense of flamboyance. And she carries a steampunk parasol capable of defending against even robot ladybugs. What's not to love?

Reading Meme - Day 14

2011-11-25T14:34:00.001-08:00

Day 14 - Favorite Male Character

I went back and forth on this one. It took me a long time to come up with a decision, because as much as I read, my favorite tends to be who I'm reading at the time. However, at much deliberation, a decision was reached:

Harry Dresden, from The Dresden Files Series, by Jim Butcher.

You just have to love a guy with a White Knight Complex. Especially one that doesn't always quite "get it right". But he tries, and his heart is in the right place, and he does whatever it takes to keep those he cares about safe.

Plus, that hat-and-duster look is totally sexy mysterious.

Why Science Fiction has Ruined Me

2011-08-23T12:00:00.000-07:00

Recently, a friend posted a link to a chart. This chart outlined the apparent year that classic sci-fi took place, in comparison to what year it really is. For instance, Back to the Future took place in 2015. That's 4 years from now. Does anyone really think we will have hover-skateboards and flying cars and all that other crazy stuff in 4 years? No. Of course not.

Disneyland was build in 1955, and it had an area of the park devoted to the future. "Tomorrowland" was supposed to represent the way the world would be with the contribution of science, and over 50 years later, we still don't have all the doodads and gadgets imagined back then.

Is it because the technology hasn't developed? Sure. But the big question is WHY hasn't technology advanced as quickly as we'd hoped? Is it because we aren't smart enough? I don't think so.

I think technology hasn't developed as much as was dreamed in the past, because the writers and dreamers of the past never imagined how EXPENSIVE technological development would be.

Think about it. How many science fiction books have you read where money gets in the way? How much would an enterprise like Jurassic Park cost in todays world? Could we do it? Maybe. But it would probably take the entire GDP of a midsize country to get it done.

Why haven't we started colonizing the moon? Cost.

Why don't we have thriving underwater communities? Cost.

Why don't we have electric cars, smooth roads, and a way to travel cross-country in an hour or less? Cost.

Now, I'm not trying to make some economical-political statement. That's not how I roll, and I realize these issues are a lot more complicated than a simple dollar sign. What I am saying, is that being a lover of science fiction has made it impossible not to look at the world today and wish things could be a little different.

Because I know how innovative we can be. I know how creative our scientists and engineers truly are. And I know why most of them stick to doodling on napkins.

Ghost Story by Jim Butcher

2011-08-21T12:00:00.000-07:00

Kindle Edition, 432 pages
Published July 26th 2011 by Roc
ASINB004H4XI0Y
Primary Language: English
Source: Purchased

The Blurb (www.goodreads.com):

Beware Spoilers for the entire Dresden series!

When we last left the mighty wizard detective Harry Dresden, he wasn't doing well. In fact, he had been murdered by an unknown assassin.

But being dead doesn't stop him when his friends are in danger. Except now he has nobody, and no magic to help him. And there are also several dark spirits roaming the Chicago shadows who owe Harry some payback of their own.

To save his friends-and his own soul-Harry will have to pull off the ultimate trick without any magic...

The last scene of Changes was Harry Dresden being shot, falling off a boat, and seeing a white light. When you're reading an ongoing series like this one, you expect a certain level of cliffhanger at the end of the book. You do NOT expect your much loved protagonist to die. So, I was convinced the entire scene was a red herring, and that the next book would open with Harry alive and well.

Boy was I wrong. Harry was very, very dead. And his spirit was sent back as a ghost. It was interesting seeing Harry Dresden, kick-ass wizard, running around with no muscle and no magic. We've always known he was a smart guy, but he's never been in a situation where he was forced to think through his options before running in, guns blazing.

Harry was forced to confront his relationships, and see how much his actions had effected those he loved most. Especially poor Molly. I think her coping with Harry's death was the most heart-wrenching in the book.

Honestly, I was more fascinated by the interpersonal relationships and personal revelations than I was in the mystery. So what if the Corpsetaker was trying to stage a comeback? Who cares about who or what the Fomor are? I know future installments will have a lot to say on the matter. But this book was about Harry. We learned more about his life before we met him in Storm Front.

Because memories turned out to be the source of his ghostly power, we readers had the opportunity to experience many important life experiences Harry has had but not explained. And this leads me to the biggest fear I have after finishing Ghost Story: Harry used his memories to power his spells and fight the big fight. There was no evidence of him regaining those memories in the end. So when Mab brought him back to his body in the end, how much of himself does he remember? I hope he still remembers everything. I really do. But I wonder...

Reading Round-up

2011-08-19T13:50:00.000-07:00

I've done a lot of reading lately, and I haven't been keeping up with the whole "Review every book I read" thing. So, here is a quick round-up of everything I've read in the last couple of months that I haven't reviewed:

The Vampire Diaries By LJ Smith

I borrowed the first 5 installments of The Vampire Diaries from a friend sometime last year. There are a couple of people I know that love the series, in fact. So I borrowed what I could, thinking I would read them and love them as well. Unfortunately, that's not how things turned out. I read the first one, and wasn't impressed. I found the characters annoying and Elena completely unbelievable. But, my friends loved the books, so I kept reading. I read all 5 (I know there's 7 out now, but I only have 5) and really just wasn't all that impressed. I found the story to be one-dimensional and predictable. However, I firmly believe in reading what's popular, just to know what people are talking about, so I'm glad I read them. And, since I've had these books on my shelf for over a year, that's 5 more down on my Off the Shelf Challenge. Only 6 more to go!

Harry Potter by JK Rowling

Considering HP7.2 came out this summer, I decided to reread the series prior to seeing the movie. I'm glad I did, considering I'd only read The Half-Blood Prince and The Deathly Hallows once each. I love these stories. I love how the writing level matures as the characters do. I love how intricate the story is. I love how not everyone comes through in one piece, but we still get a happy ending. It's not perfect. People we love are dead, but life goes on and the survivors make the best out of what they have. There's a reason the Harry Potter franchise is one of the most successful in history, and it's not because it has magic wands. It's because the characters are so very, very real.

The Way of Shadows by Brent Weeks

I freaking love Brent Weeks. I really do. I've met him, and he is friendly and funny and sarcastic (and he has cute freckles*). The best thing about Brent Weeks? He tells a great story. I read the Night Angel Trilogy a few years ago, and something made me pick up The Way of Shadows recently for a reread. I love how Weeks gives all of his characters so many flaws. They are by turns arrogant, ignorant, oblivious, vengeful, hateful, ambivalent and naive, and still manage to show love, honor, faith, and selflessness when the situation calls for it. There are very few stories out there whose main characters not only aren't perfect, but aren't completely good. They get dirty. They make mistakes. And friends and family get hurt because of it. I love reading a story that makes me want to strangle and hug the protagonist in the same chapter.

*I don't really have a crush on Brent Weeks. Not really. I just wanted to see if he's watching… ;-)

Spider Bones by Kathy Reichs

2011-06-14T13:29:00.001-07:00

Audio CD, 0 pages
Published August 24th 2010 by Simon & Schuster Audio (first published 2010)
ISBN 1442304340 (ISBN13: 9781442304345)
Source: Purchased

The Blurb (www.goodreads.com):

When Tempe is called to the scene of an autoerotic death, she has little idea of the tangled chain of events that will follow. Because the man whose body she examines apparently died in a helicopter crash in Vietnam 40 years before. So who is buried in the soldier's grave?

I love the Tempe Brennan books. I have almost all of them on audio, and they are great books for long car rides. Tempe's latest adventure takes her from Canada to North Carolina to Hawaii and back again, and I'm not sure but I think this may be the first case she works that actually spans both countries.

Tempe is called to the scene of a death that takes place in a pond in the middle of the Canadian countryside, and the specifics surrounding that death are a little less than conventional. However, they ID the body as a US citizen, and former soldier, who supposedly died in combat 40 years ago, and who is supposedly buried in North Carolina. The exhumation of that body leads Tempe to JPAC, the military organization responsible for making sure our men and women in uniform make it home, no matter what.

Reichs is great at setting up a multidimensional mystery. I don't want to say too much about it, because I know I wouldn't be able to do it justice without possibly ruining the ending.

There are a few things I will say:

I learned a lot about the military's devotion to ID'ing it's personnel killed in action and making sure they make it home. I actually found myself looking up a lot of the acronyms and reading about the JPAC online.

There was a the usual dry humor I've grown to expect from Tempe. Her lighthearted internal monologue amuses me.

I love the science that is randomly inserted into the story line. You don't see enough real science in books these days. Usually when I read books that have a scientist as a character, the "science" they talk about makes me want to tear my eyes out.

This book didn't have the suspense and sense of danger the last couple had. I didn't really get the feeling that her life was truly in danger that I would have expected. That's not to say there was no suspense, because there was. It just wasn't the "who buried Tempe in a cave" kind of suspense, like what was in the last book.

Overall, I highly recommend the series. It's still going strong and I'm looking forward to the next installment.

And Spiderbones adds a notch in my "Off the Shelf" Challenge. 4 down, 11 to go!

The Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross

2011-06-11T17:53:00.000-07:00

Hardcover, 477 pages
Published May 24th 2011 by Harlequin Teen
ISBN 0373210337 (ISBN13: 9780373210336)
Primary Language: English
Source: From the Publisher via NetGalley

The blurb (www.goodreads.com):

In 1897 England, sixteen-year-old Finley Jayne has no one except the thing inside her.
When a young lord tries to take advantage of Finley, she fights back. And wins. But no normal Victorian girl has a darker side that makes her capable of knocking out a full-grown man with one punch.
Only Griffin King sees the magical darkness inside her that says she's special, says she's one of them. The orphaned duke takes her in from the gaslit streets against the wishes of his band of misfits. Emily, who has her own special abilities and an unrequited love for Sam, who is part robot; and Jasper, an American cowboy with a shadowy secret.
Griffin's investigating a criminal called The Machinist, the mastermind behind several recent crimes by automatons. Finley thinks she can help and finally be a part of something, finally fit in.
But The Machinist wants to tear Griff's little company of strays apart, and it isn't long before trust is tested on all sides. At least Finley knows whose side she's on, even if it seems no one believes her.

Finley Jayne has a good job. She's a ladies maid in a noble house. Of course, it's the third job she's had in three months, but that's okay. She has issues. Like a second personality that likes to hit things. And when the young nobleman of the house tries to rape her, her other self takes over and beats him unconscious. When she realizes what's happened, she runs, and in her panic is hit by Duke Griffin King on a "velocycle".

Finley is then taken to his home, where she meets the mechanical and medical genius Emily, the gentle giant Sam (who happens to be part robot), the American Cowboy Jasper, and the royal psychic Cordelia. There, she learns about things she never imagined, like the Organites Griffin's parents brought up from the center of the Earth. She also learns the true history of her own life, including who her father really was, and how she is truly connected to Griffin.

Finley joins Griffin's little band of super-people in trying to solve the mystery of the Machinist, and how he could be making robots around London come to life and attack people. By the time they solve the mystery, Finley has learned a great deal about life, about the world, about herself, and about her friends.

I want to start by saying I really enjoyed the book. I really did. That being said, though, it had some problems. I was really excited to read it based on the title and the cover art, both of which are absolutely amazing. I expected a lot out of this book because of that, and I think I was setting myself up to be disappointed. I feel there was a lot that could have been done with the story, but in the end, it just missed being the amazing thing I had hoped for.

First of all, the author seemed to be trying too hard with the "steampunk" aspect. I like a good steampunk, but this book seemed to have more random tech gadgets thrown in at odd points just to be more "steampunky" without actually adding to the story at all. I get that Emily was a mechanical genius, but I find it hard to believe someone who was supposed to have been in her late teens would single-handedly invent all of the useful items they happened to need at any given moment with absolutely no prep time. Oh, here, have a flashlight, a voice recorder, a Polaroid camera, and a mechanical cat, I just whipped them up while you all were having breakfast. I do have to give her props for Finley's bulletproof corset, though. That one was unexpected and very cool.

Also, the characters were quite a bit one-sided and shallow, even Finley with her two-sided nature. I kept thinking that less time spent describing some automaton would have meant more time on character development. The most interesting character, to me, was the one with the least screen time, and I think my interest may be unwarranted. Jack Dandy is originally set up as a crime lord and the head of a band of noble-hooligans, and then turns out to be a very polished, educated, and honorable man. I kept wanting to know more about who he was and what he was up to, convinced there had to be some nefarious purpose under it all, but I'm afraid the buildup was all in my head, and not due to any devising on the author's part. I hope that's not the case, but it is my fear.

The mystery was not very mysterious. It's fairly obvious from the get-go who is behind things and what he's trying to do, but I'm willing to forgive on that. I was very confused by the seemingly random POV from the Machinist. It happened once, and was about a page long, and didn't seem to serve any purpose whatsoever.

But, like I said, I really did enjoy the book overall. I read it in one day. The truth behind Finley's dual nature was a very nice twist, and I'd like to see where that goes. I'm very interested to see what is in store for Miss Finley Jayne and her friends in the next installment, though I have my fingers crossed that author learned a lot with this book and will show a great deal of improvement in the next one.

Reading Meme - Day 13

2011-05-24T12:00:00.000-07:00

Day 13 - Favorite Childhood Book

You know what's sad? I don't remember very many books from my childhood. I remember reading some Dr. Seuss around the time I started kindergarten. I remember reading children's encyclopedia's cover to cover in the first grade.

But I don't really remember loving books until I was in Jr. High. Don't get me wrong. I LOVED reading. Did it all the time. I read everything I could get my hands on. I just don't remember actually falling in love with a book before Jr. High, and the first book I actually remember falling in love with was either A Wrinkle in Time or Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Just don't ask me to tell you which one happened first, because I don't remember that.

Reading Meme - Day 12

2011-05-22T13:08:00.000-07:00

Day 12: A book you've read more than once

I don't know if I've actually come right out and said it or not, but I like to read. Not that you couldn't have gathered that from everything you've seen on this blog. So, here's the thing. My husband likes to watch and re-watch movies and TV shows. I do the same thing with books. There are very few books on my book shelf that I've read only once. I even have a lot of my favorites both in book and audio form, just so I can get a story fix more often. And now I have to pick ONE that I've read more than once?

Nope. Not gonna do it. Here's a short list of some series I've read more than once:

The Wheel of Time

Harry Potter

Sword of Truth

Kushiel's Legacy

The Hollows

The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor

2011-05-21T12:58:00.000-07:00

Paperback, 358 pages
Published August 21st 2007 by Puffin (first published September 2nd 2004)
ISBN 0142409413 (ISBN13: 9780142409411)
Primary Language: English
Source: Purchased

The Blurb (www.goodreads.com):

The Myth: Alice was an ordinary girl who stepped through the looking glass and entered a fairy-tale world invented by Lewis Carroll in his famous storybook.

The Truth: Wonderland is real. Alyss Heart is the heir to the throne, until her murderous aunt Redd steals the crown and kills Alyss' parents. To escape Redd, Alyss and her bodyguard, Hatter Madigan, must flee to our world through the Pool of Tears. But in the pool Alyss and Hatter are separated.

Lost and alone in Victorian London, Alyss is befriended by an aspiring author to whom she tells the violent, heartbreaking story of her young life. Yet he gets the story all wrong. Hatter Madigan knows the truth only too well, and he is searching every corner of our world to find the lost princess and return her to Wonderland so she may battle Redd for her rightful place as the Queen of Hearts.

The Looking Glass Wars follows the life of Princess Alyss, from her childhood in Wonderland through her early adulthood in London, England. We meet a variety of interesting characters along the way that one may recognize from Lewis Carroll's books, but not in that "Oh, how cute, a smiling cat" way. More in a "rip a person to pieces while you watch" way.

At the age of seven, young Alyss is having a birthday party when her evil Aunt Redd, possessing the power of Black Imagination, kills Alyss's father, uses her card soldiers to storm the castle, kills everyone she can find, and eventually ends up facing off with Alyss's mother. Alyss's mother sends her bodyguard, the highly skilled fighter Hatter Madigan, through the looking glass (a kind of transport highway) with Alyss before being beheaded by Redd.

Alyss and Hatter are separated when fleeing from Cat, Redd's murderous multi-lived assassin, and Alyss ends up an orphan child on the streets of 19th century London, England. While Hatter spends the next 13 years trying to find her, Alyss has to learn to deal with London society and Wonderland becomes a land filled with darkness, hatred, and fear.

I've always been intrigued with twisted fairy tales. When the video game "Alice" was released many years ago, I was excited because it showed Wonderland as a dark and twisted place. When I read a friend's review of the third book in Beddor's series, I went out and bought this one, and unfortunately, let it sit on my bookshelf for over a year. In that year, Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland was released, renewing my interest in all things Alice.

I finally picked it up a couple of weeks ago, and I am glad I did! This book was an exciting read from start to finish. While it's a YA novel, it still manages to encompass everything from romance to mental disorders, thrilling chases and tea parties. I liked the set up of the relationship between Wonderland and the real world. It amused me to think there was one person sitting on a throne somewhere deciding what inspiration to send along to us simpletons.

Beddor's characters were real and multi-dimensional. For instance, Hatter was more than a skilled fighter, our heroes had many faults, and even the perfect world of Wonderland had a seedy underbelly. I enjoyed knowing that the heroes I rooted for were so much less than perfect, with prejudices and fears of their own.

I am very much looking forward to reading the remaining two books in this series.

And on a related note of excitement: Alice: The Madness Returns will be released in June, and I am very excited about it!

This marks the third book in my Off The Shelf Challenge!

Elantris by Brandon Sanderson

2011-05-10T12:00:00.000-07:00

Mass Market Paperback, 615 pages
Published May 30th 2006 by Tor Fantasy (first published May 1st 2005)
ISBN 0765350378 (ISBN13: 9780765350374)
Primary Language: English
Source: Purchased

The Blurb (www.goodreads.com):

Elantris was the capital of Arelon: gigantic, beautiful, literally radiant, filled with benevolent beings who used their powerful magical abilities for the benefit of all. Yet each of these demigods was once an ordinary person until touched by the mysterious transforming power of the Shaod. Ten years ago, without warning, the magic failed. Elantrians became wizened, leper-like, powerless creatures, and Elantris itself dark, filthy, and crumbling.

Arelon's new capital, Kae, crouches in the shadow of Elantris. Princess Sarene of Teod arrives for a marriage of state with Crown Prince Raoden, hoping -- based on their correspondence -- to also find love. She finds instead that Raoden has died and she is considered his widow. Both Teod and Arelon are under threat as the last remaining holdouts against the imperial ambitions of the ruthless religious fanatics of Fjordell. So Sarene decides to use her new status to counter the machinations of Hrathen, a Fjordell high priest who has come to Kae to convert Arelon and claim it for his emperor and his god.

But neither Sarene nor Hrathen suspect the truth about Prince Raoden. Stricken by the same curse that ruined Elantris, Raoden was secretly exiled by his father to the dark city. His struggle to help the wretches trapped there begins a series of events that will bring hope to Arelon, and perhaps reveal the secret of Elantris itself.

I originally read this after it was announced that Brandon Sanderson was going to be completing the Wheel of Time series after the untimely death of Robert Jordan. Recently, however, a couple of friends of mine decided to pick it up for the first time, and their commentary while reading it made me want to read it again. So, here's some thoughts on my second read-through:

I know this was Sanderson's first novel, so it has some rough patches in regards to the writing and some of the continuity, but it was never enough to jar me out of the story, which is good. On my second read, I found myself enjoying the political aspect a lot more than I had the first time around. Serene's manipulation of just about everyone around her amused me greatly, even though I know it shouldn't.

The foreshadowing in this book is subtle, and I missed most of it my first time through, but this time I found myself wanting to yell at Raoden to stop being so thick-headed and figure it out already!

One of Sanderson's strengths is building a magic system that is complex, elegant, and most of all, original. One of things I enjoyed most about Elantris was it's magic system. Aondor was almost scientific in it's rules, and those rules play a fundamental role in the plot of the story, rather than magic just being something to fill space, like you see in some fantasy novels.

I have to say it: Brandon Sanderson is my hero.

Reading Meme - Day 11

2011-05-09T12:00:00.000-07:00

Day 11 – A book that disappointed you

There was a lot of hype over this book before it was released in 2010, mostly based on the author. I remember reading some of the blurbs and thinking, "Yeah, that sounds kind of cool!" Being the lemming that I am, the more positive hype I saw, the more I wanted to read it. So when it was released, I rushed out and bought it. It took some time for me to get around to reading it, but when I did I was incredibly disappointed. So much so, in fact, that I will most likely review it here at some point just to express my extreme displeasure. What's really frustrating is all the things that made me hate this book are touted by other reviewers as being the reason they like it. And I just found out the sequel was released in January, and I never noticed it. I'm not sure I'll read it.

Green-Eyed Demon by Jaye Wells

2011-05-08T12:00:00.000-07:00

400 pages
Published February 22nd 2011
Primary Language: English
Source: Purchased

The Blurb (www.goodreads.com):

The clock is ticking for Sabina Kane. She has to save her sister from her mysterious captors. And in order to do that, she has to broker a deal between the mages and the vampires before all hell breaks loose.

But as much as Sabina is focused on surviving the present, the past won’t be ignored. Before she can save those she cares about, she’s got to save herself from the ghosts of her past. Because the past is haunting her. Literally.

After the suspenseful cliffhanger of "The Mage in Black", I was expecting quite a lot from the start of "Green-Eyed Demon", and I was disappointed to find that several weeks pass between the end of the last book and the beginning of this one. The team has basically been driving around looking for leads that lead nowhere.

Luckily for everyone involved, however, they do find a lead that leads them to: New Orleans!

There's a lot of sexual tension building between Adam and Sabina, and I understood her hesitation, even if I found it frustrating at the same time. Giguhl is still his snarky self, providing comedic relief at just the right moments, and not surprisingly, deep and thoughtful personal advice when Sabina needs it most.* Additional comedic relief was provided by the New Orleans cast, even if the voodoo priestess and drag queen struck me as a little too stereotypical "New Orleans Experience" at times.

There's a good sense of mystery about this book. I enjoyed the step-wise clue gathering interspersed with Sabina getting pissy and knocking some heads together, even if I was frustrated and disappointed with her mood swings and decision to go rogue later in the book. The final battle in the end was pretty exciting, though, so it made all the frustrations at Sabina's attitude worth it in the end.

When the next volume comes out, I will certainly be reading it, though I can't say if I'm on the edge of my seat for it.

*If you can't tell, Giguhl is my favorite character.

The Mage in Black by Jaye Wells

2011-05-07T16:02:00.000-07:00

Paperback, 326 pages

Published April 1st 2010 by Orbit
ISBN 1841497576 (ISBN13: 9781841497570)
Source: Purchased

The Blurb (www.goodreads.com)

Sabina Kane doesn't have the best track record when it comes to family. After all, her own grandmother, leader of the vampire race, wants her dead. So when she arrives in New York to meet her mage relatives, the reunion puts the fun in dysfunctional. Not only is mage culture completely bizarre, but everyone seems to think she's some kind of 'Chosen' who'll unite the dark races. Sabina doesn't care who chose her, she's not into destiny. But the mages aren't Sabina's only problem. In New York's Black Light District, she has run-ins with fighting demons, hostile werewolves and an opportunistic old flame. Sabina thought she'd take a bite out of the Big Apple - but it looks like it wants to bite back.

"The Mage in Black" opens immediately after the closing events of "Red-Headed Stepchild" with Sabina, Adam, and Gighul fleeing across the country in an SUV, trying to get to the safety of New York City and Mage-Central before vampire assassins catch up to them. Sabina is wary of meeting her newfound Mage family, but is willing to take the chance. Especially considering vampire family is currently actively seeking her head on a plate. She is surprised to find an ally in not only her twin sister, but also an old boyfriend (who, when they last parted, stole a great deal of cash and left her in an awkward position), who happens to be a pretty decent guy. Even if he does run a demon fight club.

Yes. Just like the movie. Only with demons.

Sabina spent a great deal of time throughout this book whining about not belonging and not fitting in and complaining about her life not being like it used to be. I feel like if it were me, I would have been thrilled to find myself surrounded by people that didn't want to kill me, and I wouldn't have spent all my time complaining to anyone who would listen about how unfair everything was. "Ewww, mages are gross, why do I have to do mage things even though I'm half mage and have mage power???"

While it's true there was a person or two that wanted her dead, her inability to trust and work with people ended up causing a lot of heart-ache in the end. More so than would have happened had she just accepted her new role in life.

That's not to say there wasn't a lot of action and suspense. I love me some explosions and demon-fights. There was more than enough mystery over who was behind the intrigue to keep me interested, and Gighul still cracks me up, especially when he meets his soul mate: a vanity demon who changes into, of course, a peacock.

Luckily, the massive cliff-hanger in the end didn't leave me in too much of a lurch, as I had the third installment loaded on my Kindle, ready to go. I might have been slightly upset if not for that.

Red-Headed Stepchild by Jaye Wells

2011-05-06T17:14:00.000-07:00

Mass Market Paperback, 325 pages
Published April 1st 2009 by Orbit
ISBN 0316037761 (ISBN13: 9780316037761)
Primary Language: English
Source: Purchased

The Blurb (www.goodreads.com)
In a world where being of mixed-blood is a major liability, Sabina Kane has the only profession fit for an outcast: assassin. But, her latest mission threatens the fragile peace between the vampire and mage races and Sabina must scramble to figure out which side she's on. She's never brought her work home with her---until now.

This time, it's personal.

"Red-Headed Stepchild" introduces us to Sabina Kane: half-vampire, half-mage, in a world where vampires and mages are not the best of friends. Raised by her grandmother (who happens to be the Super-Queen-Bee of the vampires) to be a first class assassin, Sabina has never really known love of any kind. She has always assumed her grandmother loved her, but was unable to show it because of her position. However, Sabina is forced to re-evaluate that position when her grandmother orders her to assassinate the one person in her life that she can call "friend". Being the good little assassin robot that she is, she carries out her mission without hesitation. It's not until after the deed is done that Sabina begins to wonder. Then she is sent on an undercover mission, where she meets people that force her to adjust her world view completely.

It's all pretty typical stuff. Outcast meets dark and handsome stranger bearing bad news/good news/super secret power/all of the above. Powerful, independent female goes all weak and googley eyed over a man that treats her right. And a bald cat demon.

Wait, that's not so typical is it? Truthfully, there are a lot of Urban Fantasy tropes in this story, but the characters make all the difference. There's a not-so-subtle humor to a centuries old demon trying to play at being a punk kid. I think that without Gighul, the whole thing would have fallen a little flat, but as it was, it came together well in the end, even if there were moments where I had to suspend my disbelief to get through.

Overall, I enjoyed the hell out of it, and immediately went and bought the next two after finishing this one. I think I read all three books currently in the series in 4 days.

And this marks the second book in my "Off The Shelf" Challenge. 2 down, 13 to go!

Shades of Milk and Honey, by Mary Robinette Kowal

2011-03-31T12:00:00.000-07:00

Hardcover, 304 pages
Published August 3rd 2010 by Tor Books (first published July 26th 2010)
ISBN 076532556X (ISBN13: 9780765325563)
Primary Language: English
Source: Won in a drawing at www.rantingdragon.com

LOCUS CHALLENGE: I agreed to review this book before the end of April as a part of the Locus Challenge Giveaway from www.rantingdragon.com

The Blurb (www.goodreads.com):

The fantasy novel you’ve always wished Jane Austen had written

Shades of Milk and Honey is exactly what we could expect from Jane Austen if she had been a fantasy writer: Pride and Prejudice meets Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell. It is an intimate portrait of a woman, Jane, and her quest for love in a world where the manipulation of glamour is considered an essential skill for a lady of quality.

Jane and her sister Melody vie for the attentions of eligible men, and while Jane’s skill with glamour is remarkable, it is her sister who is fair of face. When Jane realizes that one of Melody’s suitors is set on taking advantage of her sister for the sake of her dowry, she pushes her skills to the limit of what her body can withstand in order to set things right—and, in the process, accidentally wanders into a love story of her own.

Jane Ellsworth lives with her sister, Melody, her hypochondriac mother, and her pragmatic father in their family home Long Parkmead of Dorchester. As a family of means, Jane's father has set aside dowrys for his daughters, both of whom were raised with the advantage of education and position. At the ripe old age of 28, Jane has resigned herself to be the spinster aunt to whatever children come of her sister's marriage, whenever that may happen. To compensate for her lack of love interests, Jane has devoted herself to the study of art and glamour, a kind of magic used to enhance music and art.

I have to be honest here. I haven't read any Jane Austen outside of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, and I'm told that doesn't count. I've never really been interested in these 19th century British novels. That being said, I really enjoyed Shades of Milk and Honey. It was a quick read (300 pages, compared to the 1000 page novel I read last), and I found myself rooting for Jane. I wanted her to find happiness, while her beautiful shallow sister was left alone. And when her love came from where she least expected it, I was glad. It wasn't something I didn't see coming, but she didn't see it coming, and that is what matters. So I ended up liking this story more than I expected.

Also, I find myself intrigued by glamour. It seems to be a skill that anyone can learn but few people have a natural aptitude, similar to learning a musical instrument. Jane is one of the gifted, able to weave the threads of glamour with the skill of the masters, lacking only the passion that usually accompanies the truly gifted artists. I like the idea of magic being an every day occurrence, rather than something only those specially blessed can use. If magic were real, I think that's how it would really happen.

Reading Meme - Day 10

2011-03-30T13:25:00.000-07:00

Day 10 – A book you thought you wouldn’t like but ended up loving

I don't normally pick up books that I don't think I'll like. There were quite a few in high school that I was required to read for class that I actually ended up enjoying, though, and my favorite one of those was:

A Tale of Two Cities, by Charles Dickens.

I've even read it a couple of times since high school just for fun. So that's that.

Reading Meme - Day 09

2011-03-28T13:23:00.000-07:00

Day 09 – Best scene ever

How do you choose the best scene ever? There are so many I could name. In fact, since I can't pick the best ever, here are a few of my personal favorites:

Phedre and Joscelin fishing in Kushiel's Avatar.

Mat losing an eye in Towers of Midnight.

Roland finding the Tower in the Dark Tower.

The death of Dumbledore in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

I'm sure I could come up with more, but that's what I'm going with today.

The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi

2011-03-27T12:50:00.000-07:00

Paperback, 361 pages
Published May 15th 2010 by Night Shade Books (first published September 1st 2009)
ISBN 1597801585 (ISBN13: 9781597801584)
Primary Language: English
Source: Purchased from Amazon.com

The blurb (www.goodreads.com):

Anderson Lake is a company man, AgriGen's Calorie Man in Thailand. Under cover as a factory manager, Anderson combs Bangkok's street markets in search of foodstuffs thought to be extinct, hoping to reap the bounty of history's lost calories. There, he encounters Emiko. Emiko is the Windup Girl, a strange and beautiful creature. One of the New People, Emiko is not human; instead, she is an engineered being, creche-grown and programmed to satisfy the decadent whims of a Kyoto businessman, but now abandoned to the streets of Bangkok. Regarded as soulless beings by some, devils by others, New People are slaves, soldiers, and toys of the rich in a chilling near future in which calorie companies rule the world, the oil age has passed, and the side effects of bio-engineered plagues run rampant across the globe. What happens when calories become currency? What happens when bio-terrorism becomes a tool for corporate profits, when said bio-terrorism's genetic drift forces mankind to the cusp of post-human evolution? In The Windup Girl, award-winning author Paolo Bacigalupi returns to the world of "The Calorie Man" (Theodore Sturgeon Memorial Award-winner, Hugo Award nominee, 2006) and "Yellow Card Man" (Hugo Award nominee, 2007) in order to address these poignant questions.

I finished reading The Windup Girl a couple of weeks ago, and I've been thinking about it ever since, which says a lot about the quality of the work. Part of the problem is that I can't decide whether or not I like it. I really like my day job, and this book kind of makes me out to be the bad guy, and I can't really get over that.

That being said, it is an interesting concept. What would happen if genetic engineering were completely unregulated? Would it be possible for a custom-designed pet to get loose and cause the extinction of multiple species on the planet within a few decades? Could biotech companies design plagues to wipe-out food sources to ensure entire countries are dependent on their product for simple survival? In the world of The Windup Girl, all those questions are answered, and not always in the way you would expect.

Honestly, I think the world-building is the most interesting part of this book. I didn't really relate to most of the characters, not because they were shallow or one-dimensional, because they weren't, but because they were so very uninteresting. Anderson Lake is a scheming puss-nugget, but I can't even get up the energy to dislike him. There were three characters I liked. The first one died, the second one was a child we only see in passing, and the third one was a crochety old man trying to get back the fortunes he'd lost in a religious war. And I only like him because of his backstory and his care for the child.

So to sum up, I can't recommend this book. I think it's a good book to have read, but if you're looking for some lighthearted fun or for an intense thriller with a plot that sums up at the end, this isn't it.

The Wise Man's Fear, by Patrick Rothfuss

2011-03-25T11:28:00.000-07:00

Hardcover, 994 pages
Published March 1st 2011 by Daw Books
ISBN 0756404738 (ISBN13: 9780756404734)
Primary Language: English
Source: Purchased from Barnes and Noble
Warning: There may be some very minor spoilers but I'll try to avoid them...

My name is Kvothe.

I have stolen princesses back from sleeping barrow kings. I burned down the town of Trebon. I have spent the night with Felurian and left with both my sanity and my life. I was expelled from the University at a younger age than most people are allowed in. I tread paths by moonlight that others fear to speak of during day. I have talked to Gods, loved women, and written songs that make the minstrels weep.

You may have heard of me.

So begins the tale of a hero told from his own point of view — a story unequaled in fantasy literature. Now in THE WISE MAN’S FEAR, Day Two of The Kingkiller Chronicle, an escalating rivalry with a powerful member of the nobility forces Kvothe to leave the University and seek his fortune abroad. Adrift, penniless, and alone, he travels to Vintas, where he quickly becomes entangled in the politics of courtly society. While attempting to curry favor with a powerful noble, Kvothe uncovers an assassination attempt, comes into conflict with a rival arcanist, and leads a group of mercenaries into the wild, in an attempt to solve the mystery of who (or what) is waylaying travelers on the King's Road.

All the while, Kvothe searches for answers, attempting to uncover the truth about the mysterious Amyr, the Chandrian, and the death of his parents. Along the way, Kvothe is put on trial by the legendary Adem mercenaries, is forced to reclaim the honor of the Edema Ruh, and travels into the Fae realm. There he meets Felurian, the faerie woman no man can resist, and who no man has ever survived...until Kvothe.

I was browsing through Border's one day when a wise old man stopped me in the aisle and asked if I'd read "The Name of the Wind". When I replied that I hadn't, he lifted the book, which I swear he hadn't been holding when he approached me, and placed it in my hands. He said, "You will." And walked away.* Intrigued, I turned to the back to read the blurb, where the opening paragraph caught my attention: "My name is Kvothe. … You may have heard of me." I was hooked, what can I say? I took it home, and left it sitting on my bookshelf for a good 6 months. When I finally got around to reading it, I kicked myself for putting it off so long. I have been anxiously awaiting Day 2 for a little over a year.

In The Wise Man's Fear, we see a lot more of Kvothe at the University. He gets into the swing of classes, and continues to be plagued by the empty state of his purse. He deals a lot with Devi, and gets closer to Denna. His friends prove how much they care for him, and of course, he uses his University access to try and learn more about the Chandrian who killed his family.

But as the blurb indicates, after yet another run-in with Ambrose, he takes a semester off to roam the countryside. And as would be expected, it is out in the world where he learns the most valuable information. He learns how to fight, how to love, and most importantly I think, how dark his soul can become. I really enjoyed his adventures. Tempi was probably my favorite new character from this book. The land of the Adem was interesting, and I got a good chuckle over the "man-mother" comments.

I love Rothfuss' storytelling. Most of the novel borders on poetic. In fact, the interplay between Kvothe and Denna often takes the form of verse (are these two EVER going to stop dancing around each other?). The prologue really got to me, too. I’ve gone back and read it half a dozen times now.

Favorite quote from this book: "I am trying to teach you. Stop grabbing at my tits." I laughed for two days at that.

*You would be surprised how often wise, old men approach me in bookstores.

Pale Demon (Rachel Morgan/The Hollows #9) by Kim Harrison

2011-03-20T12:16:00.000-07:00

Hardcover, 432 pages

Published February 22nd 2011 by Eos (first published February 20th 2011)

ISBN 0061138061 (ISBN13: 9780061138065)

Primary Language: English

Source: Purchased from Hastings

Note: There may be minor spoilers.

The Blurb (www.goodreads.com):

Condemned to death for black magic and shunned, Rachel Morgan has three days to somehow get to the annual witches convention in San Francisco and clear her name. If she fails, the only way she can escape death is to live in the demonic ever after . . . for ever after.

Banned from the flight lists, Rachel teams up with elven tycoon Trent Kalamack, headed for the West Coast for his own mysterious business. But Rachel isn’t the only passenger along for the ride. Can a witch, an elf, a living vampire, and a pixy in one car survive for over 2,300 miles? And that’s not counting the assassin on their tail.

A fearsome demon walks the sunlight, freed after centuries of torment to slay the innocent and devour souls. But his ultimate prey is Rachel Morgan. While the powerful witch with nerves of steel will do whatever it takes to stay alive, even embracing her own demonic nature may not be enough to save her.

I really just don't even know where to start. The book opens with Rachel planning on going to the west coast to be in her brother's wedding and testifying on her own behalf to get her shunning revoked. But we all know by now how Rachel's plans work out. So instead of a quick plane ride out there, we get a cross country road trip.

Trent, it turns out, is on an honest-to-goodness "ElfQUEST" and has to follow all these rules on how to the coast. He never tells anyone what his quest is, but whatever it is, it's important enough to have brutal elven assassins on his tail. So on top of the assassins after Rachel, she's got a lot of dark magic and death threats to deal with.

As fun as this whole road trip was (and it was very exciting), I felt like the plot didn't even really get started until they made it to the coast. So many world changing things happened at the end, it was hard to pick it all out. Ivy saying goodbye to Rachel really got me. I wasn't sad so much as angry, either. It was like Ivy was giving up, and I hated her for it. And you know the thing that made even more angry? Rachel's brother. He never even makes an actual appearance, but he still managed to piss me off.

I loved getting such an in-depth look at life in the ever-after. I have a bit of a soft spot for Al, and he rose to the occasion. I also love Newt, and seeing in to her life a bit was very satisfying. She may be crazy, but she's crazy smart too, and that makes her VERY frightening. She could tear down the world without blinking, and I feel like I need to know more about her.

And on the twist ending? Finding out what Trent was after all along? I totally called it. And I am really looking forward to how that plays out, along with the fallout from the destruction that seems to follow Rachel wherever she goes. I think I read this book in about two or three evenings, and I had a lot going on that week. It was fantastic!

Reading Meme -Day 08

2011-03-19T12:06:00.000-07:00

Day 08 - Your Favorite Work in Translation

Unfortunately, I can't say I've read many books in translation. There were a couple I read in high school, and maybe 2-3 since then. Because of this, my favorite will seem like a cop-out, seeing it's so popular right now:

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

Stieg Larsson tells a riveting tale of familial intrigue and betrayal, and I liked how everything was wrapped up in the end. I've seen a lot of people say they liked the second or third book in the Millenium trilogy better than the first. I can even see why. However, the first book is a stand alone, while books two and three are so interconnected it can be difficult to pull them apart, and that's why I picked the first as my favorite.

Secrets of the Demon (Kara Gillian #3) by Diana Rowland

2011-03-14T12:00:00.000-07:00

Paperback, 310 pages

Published January 4th 2011 by DAW

ISBN 0756406528 (ISBN13: 9780756406523)

Primary Language: English

Source: Purchased from Borders

The Blurb (www.goodreads.com):

Homicide detective Kara Gillian has a special talent: she can sense the "arcane" in our world, and there's quite a bit of it, even in Beaulac, Louisiana. She's also a summoner of demons, and works on a task force that deals with supernatural crimes. Her partners are attractive and smart FBI agents, but they're not summoners, and they're not telling Kara why they are on this special force with her.

To make things worse, Kara has pledged herself to one of the most powerful of demons-a Demon Lord-who helped save her partner's life, but now expects things in return. Meanwhile, she's trying to solve a string of murders that are somehow tied together by money, sex, rock music and...mud. But how can she concentrate on the case when she's not even sure who-or what-her partners are?

Secrets opens on a goth concert in New Orleans, with all the colorful characters from the previous book on an undercover protection detail. The lead singer of a local band received a death threat, and the FBI special task force was called in on the off chance that the threat of a demon pulling the lead singer into hell on stage wasn't just a threat. We immediately see Kara Gillian using her arcane powers to control a demon and get set on the scent of a creature even she had never heard of.

The mystery of this installment was solid. It seemed like every time Kara turned around, someone died, and she had no idea how to stop any of it from happening. There was quite a bit of suspense building up to the final reveal. And I have to tell you, I did not see it coming. I thought I had the whole thing figured out, and it turns out I was wrong, so kudos to Rowland for that.

We also got to see a lot of character development in this book. Kara did a lot of soul searching regarding her relationship with both the Demon Lord Rhyzkahl and sexy FBI man Ryan. Some of her confusion bordered on whining, but I forgave it based on all the juicy tidbits we managed to learn about the objects of her affection. We learned how her aunt changed from her time floating around in the ether and even got some insight into Carl, the creepy morgue tech Tessa is now dating. And most importantly, at least to me, we got to see Kara building friendships with people outside the arcane circle, leaving her less isolated, and in my opinion, better able to do her job.

One negative side-note: Diana Rowland published Secrets under a different publisher than the previous two installments, and while I know there were probably many reasons that went into the switch, I have to say I'm disappointed. The book was filled with grammatical errors and typos that I found very jarring at times. But aside from that, I highly recommend this book.

Reading Meme - Day 07

2011-03-12T12:00:00.000-08:00

Day 07 - A Writer You Don't Like

**I really don't like putting a black mark against someone on the net, but my opinion is my opinion, so take it or leave it. I should have put this disclaimer before the last author bashing I did, so I apologize for that.**

The one writer I know I don't like is Robert Newcomb, author of the Chronicles of Blood and Stone. The first book in the trilogy, The Fifth Sorceress, made me so angry after reading it that I haven't been able to look at any of his other books without cringing. The Fifth Sorceress is a violent and bloody tale of a world where all women are evil and only men can be trusted. Robert Newcomb appears to have some serious hatred of the feminine, and the violence that fills the tale is completely gratuitous. The author even spends a lot of time describing how the evil sorceresses do horrible disgusting things just for the sake of shocking the reader. As I've mentioned before, I can't NOT finish a book I start, but this was one of the few I wish I had.

The Blood King (Chronicles of the Necromancer #2) by Gail Z. Martin

2011-03-11T15:21:00.000-08:00

Mass Market Paperback, 615 pages

Published January 29th 2008 by Solaris

ISBN 1844165310 (ISBN13: 9781844165315)

Source: Purchased from Amazon.com

The Blurb (www.goodreads.com)

The second installment of the Chronicles of the Necromancer. Having escaped being murdered by his evil brother, Jared, Tris must take control of his magical abilities to summon the dead, and gather an army big enough to claim back the throne of his dead father. But it isn't merely Jared that Tris must combat. The dark mage, Foor Arontala, has schemes to raise the Obsidian King...

The end of The Summoner pretty much left us standing in a crowded room, everything having come together, with no idea what to do next. It wasn't exactly a cliffhanger, but it sure left me wanting more. So of course I immediately started on this The Blood King.

The novel begins with a lot of training and planning. We have Tris/Carina training with the Sisterhood. We have Jonmarc Vahanian training Carroway and Kiara in fighting. We have Sarterious and the Vayesh Maru planning how to invade Margolan.

Then, after all the training and planning, everyone splits in to 2 groups, with one group going to wage guerilla warfare in Margolan, and one group simply traveling toward the palace.

The book was long, and not a whole lot happened, to be honest. I love the characters, and I was pleased with the outcome. Typical ending, the good guy wins and the bad guy loses after the bad guy screws up monologuing. But that's not really a spoiler because we all know that's how a book like this is going to win. Honestly, if it was about 200 pages shorter, it would have been a lot more enjoyable I think. There seemed to be a lot of rambling, like the author just couldn't figure out how to get where she wanted to go.

There were some good scenes, even so. The fight in the Sisterhood when Tris began his training. Sarterious discovering the berserker fighters. But all in all, I was a little bit disappointed. I'm still starting the third book though, so we shall see if it gets better.

Reading Meme Day 06

2011-03-07T12:00:00.000-08:00

Day 06 - Your favorite writer

I've already mentioned that it's difficult to choose a favorite. And for the most part, that's true. Except here.

Brandon Sanderson

Need I say more? The author of Elantris, The Mistborn Trilogy, The Alcatraz series, and more. The man hand-picked to complete Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time. Yeah, him. Love him!*

*Yes, I did jazz hands. He's that awesome.

Reading Meme Day 05

2011-03-06T12:00:00.000-08:00

Day 05: A book you hate

I'm going to be honest. I don't "hate" very many books. Most books, even if I don't enjoy them, I am willing to say it just wasn't my thing and move on. That being said, there are a couple that just made me angry to read. I have a minor OCD tick in that I can't start a book and not finish. I just can't. And when I'm reading a book that I think is ter

rible, I can't put it down and walk away. Which makes me angry. There are a couple of these that I could choose from, but some of them could show up later in the Meme, so I'm picking one for each slot.

Conspiracy in Kiev by Noel Hynd

A shrewd investigator and an expert marksman, Special Agent Alexandra LaDuca can handle any case the FBI gives her. Or can she?

While on loan from the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Alex is tapped to accompany a Secret Service team during an American Presidential visit to Ukraine. Her assignment: to keep personal watch over Yuri Federov, the most charming and most notorious gangster in the region.

Against her better judgment---and fighting a feeling that she's being manipulated---she leaves for Ukraine. But there are more parts to this dangerous mission than anyone suspects, and connecting the dots takes Alex across three continents and through some life-altering discoveries about herself, her work, her faith, and her future.

I got the book through a promotional free download from Amazon's Kindle website, and in preparing this post I discovered that Noel Hynd is carried by the Christian publishing house Zondervan. I mention this because the book made me so mad in its awfulness that I wanted to find out if it was, in fact, put out by a mainstream publishing house or instead was a self-published or vanity press kind of set up.

It was bad. The writing was terrible, the story was slow and full of plot holes (I spent a great deal of time yelling "WHY???" in frustration), and the characters are shallow and one-dimensional. That doesn't even bring in the fact that half the minor details in the book were wrong, like the author did some half-baked attempt at research on Yahoo search and called it good.

As an example, the protagonist finds herself in Venezuela, hiding in the jungle, when a diamondback rattlesnake crawls up her leg and she is forced to hold her gun in front of her face and shoot it off her chest. Not only did this snake appear in a part of the world where it shouldn't be, but the protagonist did not have any sort of deafness, blindness, or burns resulting from firing a weapon two inches from her face. Oh, she had thought to herself that if she missed she would only have 2 or 3 seconds to realign the shot and try again. Really?!?

2011 Locus Challenge

2011-03-05T18:10:00.000-08:00

This year I am participating in the Locus Challenge.

Details can be found here:

http://www.rantingdragon.com/2011locuschallenge/

I pledge to this year try to read books from the Locus 2010 Recommended Reading List. Those books will be reviewed here (if they haven't been already).

To date, I have read the following:

The Passage, Justin Cronin

The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms, N.K. Jemison

The Broken Kingdoms, N.K. Jemison

Changeless, Gail Carriger

The Summoner (Book 1 of the Chronicles of the Necromancer) by Gail Z Martin

2011-03-05T17:02:00.000-08:00

Mass Market Paperback

637 pages

Published January 30th 2007 by Solaris

ISBN:1844164683 (ISBN13: 9781844164684)

Source: Borrowed from a friend

The Blurb (www.goodreads.com)

The comfortable world of Martris Drayke, second son of King Bricen of Margolan, is shattered when his older half-brother, Jared, and Jared's dark mage, Foor Arontala, kill the king and seize the throne. Tris is the only surviving member of the royal family aside from Jared the traitor. Tris flees with three friends: Soterius, captain of the guard; Carroway, the court's master bard; and Harrtuck, a member of the royal guard. Tris harbors a deep secret. In a land where spirits walk openly and influence the affairs of the living, he suspects he may be the mage heir to the power of his grandmother, Bava K'aa, once the greatest sorceress of her age. Such magic would make Tris a Summoner, the rarest of magic gifts, capable of arbitrating between the living and the dead.

A friend of mine gave me this book to read after I admitted that not only had I never read it, but I had never even heard of Gail Z Martin. I'm glad she did, because now I am totally hooked!

The story starts by giving a glimpse into Tris' life. We meet his friends, his family, and his enemy, who also happens to be family. It doesn't take long for his perfect happy life to fall apart, however, when he witnesses the murder of his father, mother, and younger sister at the hands of his half-brother. Tris is then forced to flee his home with his closest friends. Together, this band of refugees travel incognito across the country, gathering new allies (and a love interest) when they are needed most, eventually coming to the capital city of a neighboring country under the guise of gathering an army to retake his family's throne.

Honestly, the story is a very typical "journey to oust an evil king" kind of a story, but the characters are real, with all their quirks and faults, and Martin kept the story moving at a quick pace throughout. I'm glad that I knew going into it this book was the first in a trilogy, because I never found myself looking at how much book was left and wondering how they were going to get everything taken care of in so short a time. Especially considering how many new twists were introduced at varying intervals.

One thing I would like to mention: there are quite a few epic fantasy authors that feel the need to outline every second of every day that passes. One of the things I appreciated the most in Martin's writing was the actual passage of time by glossing over the intervening periods of boredom. You know what I mean. The times where your favorite protagonist spends a week waiting to receive a letter, so you get to read a daily account of said protagonist wandering restlessly and picking fights with friends out of frustration. Martin did the reader the favor of simply stating: A week went by. It left a lot more room for action, in my opinion, and is one of the reasons I enjoyed the story so much.

And now back to your regularly scheduled programming…

2011-03-05T16:59:00.000-08:00

I was doing pretty good there for a while. Posting reviews of each book I read and keeping up with, if not daily, at least every other day blogging.

And then, disaster struck.

And by disaster, I of course mean I discovered Dragon Age: Origins on PS3 and was sucked in to a time sink of epic proportions.

This, in and of itself, should not have been such a big issue. But unfortunately, at the same time, my laptop self destructed and I found myself without regular access to a computer. Really, that's the main reason. But I prefer to blame Dragon Age (which I am still playing in anticipation of the release of DA2 later this month). If it weren't for Dragon Age, I would have made the effort to find a computer to use and get some blogs written anyway.

Now, I have a shiny new laptop computer with lots of cool laptop computer-type accessories one would normally take for granted. Like a functioning battery. And programs that aren't at least a year outdated because your OS can't run the newer versions. And the ability to NOT set things on fire.*

So, we now return you to your regularly scheduled programs.

*My laptop never actually started a fire. But quite a few batteries in that model were recalled for just that reason and my computer frequently overheated to the point of being able to scald skin…

Reading Meme Day 04

2011-02-01T12:00:00.000-08:00

Day 04 – Your favorite book ever

I have to pick a favorite??? I don't think I can do that. Every time I look at my bookshelf, I see all these books that I love and have read multiple times. So I'm going to pick one for today. If you ask me again a month from now, I may have forgotten all about this and I'll end up picking something new.

The Order War, by L.E. Modesitt Jr.

The Blurb (www.goodreads.com)

The deadly White Wizards of Fairhaven, wielding the forces of chaos, have completed their great highway through the Westhorns and now threatened the ancient matriarchy of Sarronnyn, the last bastion of order in Candar. The ruler of Sarronnyn appeals to the Black order wizards of Recluce for help. Justen - a young Black Engineer in the city of Nylan - joins the relief force. Despite their success in destroying more than half the White armies, Sarronnyn falls to the White Wizards, and Justen is chased into the most inhospitable desert in Candar.

These trials are but the beginning, for the White Wizards have all Candar in their grasp. Justen must fight both Recluce and Fairhaven, as well as the highest powers of order and the forbidden technology to harness chaos itself in his efforts to halt the conquest of the chaos wizards.

Here's the thing about this book: When I was in Jr. High (?), a guy my dad worked with either quit or got fired and left a bunch of books in his locker. Dad thought I might like them so he boxed them up and brought them home. This was one of the books in that box, and I've read it at least a dozen times. It was the first real fantasy novel I'd ever read. Up to that point I'd been reading mostly hard sci-fi and some lighter fantasy type children's books. I loved the story and the characters from the very beginning and I had no idea that it was part of a larger series. To this day I haven't read a single other book from the Recluce Saga, because I was always afraid that it would ruin it for me.

Strange Brew edited by PN Elrod

2011-01-31T12:00:00.000-08:00

Paperback, 372 pages
Published July 7th 2009 by St. Martin's Griffin
ISBN: 0312383363 (ISBN13: 9780312383367)
Primary Language: English
Source: Purchased

The Blurb (www.goodreads.com)

Today’s hottest urban fantasy authors come together in this delicious brew that crackles and boils over with tales of powerful witches and dark magic!
In Charlaine Harris’ “Bacon,” a beautiful vampire joins forces with a witch from an ancient line to find out who killed her beloved husband. In “Seeing Eye” by Patricia Briggs, a blind witch helps sexy werewolf Tom Franklin find his missing brother—and helps him in more ways than either of them ever suspected. And in Jim Butcher’s “Last Call,” wizard Harry Dresden takes on the darkest of dark powers—the ones who dare to mess with this favorite beer.
For anyone who’s ever wondered what lies beyond the limits of reality, who’s imagined the secret spaces where witches wield fearsome magic, come and drink deep. Let yourself fall under the spell of this bewitching collection!

This anthology contains nine stories as follows:
Seeing Eye by Patricia Briggs
Last Cal by Jim Butcher (The Dresden Files #10.4)
Death Warmed Over by Rachel Caine
Vegas Odds by Karen Chance
Hecate’s Golden Eye by P.N. Elrod
Bacon by Charlaine Harris (Sookie Stackhouse #9.1)
Signatures of the Dead by Faith Hunter
Ginger: A Nocturne City Story by Caitlin Kittredge
Dark Sins by Jenna Maclaine (Cin Craven #1.5)

To be completely honest, I picked up this anthology just for the Dresden Files story. It was a lot of fun, too. But then I read the other stories, and found a couple of new authors that I enjoy. The Jenna Maclaine story was great, and makes me want to go out and try the other Cin Craven novels. The Charlaine Harris novel claims to be a Sookie Stackhouse story, but isn't. It takes place in that world, but there are no cross-over characters. It was really nice to see what's going on outside of Louisiana in that world. Actually, I liked all of these stories. I don't want to go in to each one, because that will be more than anyone wants to read in a blog. Just take it from me, this is a great anthology.

And this marks my first book for the "Off the Shelf" Challenge. I started reading it last year, but I finished it this year, so it counts. 1 down, 14 to go!

Alcatraz vs The Shattered Lens by Brandon Sanderson

2011-01-30T12:00:00.000-08:00

Hardcover, 304 pages
Published December 1st 2010 by Scholastic Press
ISBN: 0439925576 (ISBN13: 9780439925570)
Primary Language: English
Source: Purchased

The Blurb (www.goodreads.com)

Alcatraz Smedry is on a mission to save the day! In his final adventure in the series by bestselling adult fantasy writer Brandon Sanderson, Alcatraz has a lot to prove and, as always, little time in which to do it!

Oh, Alcatraz, how I love thee. Let me count the ways...

What? You don't like that I quoted Shakespeare? Why not? There's a whole chapter in this book where all dialogue is a quote from Hamlet. (That would be Chapter Act V Scene III.) I thought it would be appropriate to get into the mood.

Maybe I should get back to actually reviewing the book. Alcatraz 4 picks up in the middle of Alcatraz getting a lesson on exploding Teddy Bears from Bastille. In true Alcatraz fashion, this of course leads to Alcatraz getting into some trouble. After a lot of crazy antics, and quite a few amusing anecdotes, he manages to get out of it. Most of it, anyway.

This installment in the Alcatraz series adds quite a bit to the background story, namely, information regarding the Talents and the relationship between his parents. We finally get to witness the Librarian armies in action. And characters we know and love get hurt (but not from an exploding Teddy Bear).

I love Sanderson's writing style in these books. He manages to poke fun at just about everything. There's a point where Sanderson brings in his personal rivalry with fellow author John Scalzi, and he even manages a hat tip to his Wheel of Time fans. I honestly love these books. They're non-stop silly fun, and definitely not just for kids.

Reading Meme Day 03

2011-01-28T17:51:00.000-08:00

Reading Meme Day 03: Your Favorite Recent Book

This one is a tough one. There have been quite a few books that have come out in recent months, and quite a few that I've been so excited about that I had to go out and buy it on release day.

The question is, what counts as recent? I'm going to go with 6 months.

What books have come out in the last six months? Quite a few. But which one to pick? Do I pick the latest installment of The Wheel of Time, Towers of Midnight, by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson? Or do I pick the first book in what is sure to be a top-notch fantasy series, like The Black Prism, by Brent Weeks or The Way of Kings, also by Brandon Sanderson? (Seriously, the man writes more than is humanly possible. I'm convinced he's part machine.)

The more I think about it, the more I can't make a decision. All three of the aforementioned books were fantastic, and I've already read each of them twice. So that's what I'm going with. Yep. (*Note: All blurbs and images from www.goodreads.com)

The Way of Kings:

Speak again the ancient oaths,
Life before death.
Strength before weakness.
Journey before Destination.
and return to men the Shards they once bore.
The Knights Radiant must stand again.

The Black Prism:

Gavin Guile is the Prism, the most powerful man in the world. He is high priest and emperor, a man whose power, wit, and charm are all that preserves a tenuous peace. But Prisms never last, and Guile knows exactly how long he has left to live: Five years to achieve five impossible goals.

Towers of Midnight:

The Last Battle has started. The seals on the Dark One’s prison are crumbling. The Pattern itself is unraveling, and the armies of the Shadow have begun to boil out of the Blight.

The sun has begun to set upon the Third Age.

My Soul to Steal by Rachel Vincent

2011-01-28T17:38:00.000-08:00

Paperback, 343 pages

Published January 4th 2011 by Harlequin

ISBN: 0373210272 (ISBN13: 9780373210275)

Primary Language: English

Soul Screamers #4

Source: Purchased

The Blurb (www.goodreads.com):

Trying to work things out with Nash—her maybe boyfriend—is hard enough for Kaylee Cavanaugh. She can't just pretend nothing happened. But "complicated" doesn't even begin to describe their relationship when his ex-girlfriend transfers to their school, determined to take Nash back.

See, Sabine isn't just an ordinary girl. She's a mara, the living personification of a nightmare. She can read people's fears—and craft them into nightmares while her victims sleep. Feeding from human fear is how she survives.

And Sabine isn't above scaring Kaylee and the entire school to death to get whatever—and whoever—she wants.

My Soul to Steal begins about 2 weeks after the end of My Soul to Take, with the high school coming back from Christmas vacation and dealing with the deaths and rumors of the events just prior to the school break. Kaylee hasn’t even spoken to Nash in all that time, and the first time she sees him, his creepy, socially inept ex-girlfriend shows up.

The whole story is very teen angst-ridden, and I usually get annoyed by that. I did while reading this book, too, but it turns out there is a plot-driven reason for all the angst, so I can forgive. And when the whole story is wrapped up in the end, I found myself sad that it was over. I really enjoyed this installment, overall. And I really liked Sabine, even if she was angry and belligerent.

I want to make a small comment on the cover art. The first 3 books were very ethereal, with a girl lost in a haze of color, and it was something I rather liked. It was, in fact, part of why I picked up the series in the first place. And now, this book comes along and we have a girl wrapped in some guys arms, with a much greater focus than on previous covers, I don’t think it fits this book. The first three books focus on Kaylee needing Nash to keep her grounded, and when we finally get a book where Kaylee can pretty much take care of herself and she realizes that she doesn’t need Nash, the cover shows her wrapped up in him. I know it’s nit-picky, but I don’t like it.

Reading Meme Day 02

2011-01-23T19:19:00.000-08:00

Reading Meme Day 02: A Book You Wish More People Had Read

The Blurb (www.goodreads.com)

This book is the magical epic of King Arthur and his shining Camelot; of Merlin and Owl and Guinevere; of beasts who talk and men who fly, of wizardry and war. It is the book of all things lost and wonderful and sad.

You remember that Disney movie, "The Sword in the Stone"? You remember how crazy it was, with a talking owl and a kid turning into a squirrel and a crazy wizard that talks too much? What most people don't know is that movie was based on this book, and when I say based on, I mean it copied the story almost exactly. What's more, that movie only covered the first part of this book, which goes on to become one of the most amazing tellings of King Arthur and his knights that I've ever read. And I really wish more people had heard of it.

In the News...

2011-01-22T11:11:00.000-08:00

Amazon is a thief!

http://www.statesman.com/business/amazon-sues-texas-demands-tax-documents-1196837.html

Okay, maybe not a thief, but whether you love the online retailer or hate them, you can't deny that they are a force to be reckoned with. Personally, I'm not a fan, but I do business with them because it is convenient. I know this is sad. But there you go.

Now, the law states that online retailers must collect sales tax in certain states, including Texas. Logic says that Amazon should therefore be collecting sales tax in Texas. But they don't. This is a violation of the law. But Amazon is apparently above the law, as is evidenced by their unethical business practices in recent years*. So Texas has sent them a bill for uncollected sales tax, which I think is right and proper.

Amazon's response is, of course, to sue the state of Texas. As ridiculous as this sounds, and as much as I dislike Amazon, I have to agree with them on this. Texas is refusing to disclose the paperwork that led to the tax bill. I believe everyone is entitled to an itemized bill, and I don't agree with the state of Texas' argument that since an attorney prepared the paperwork that it is subject to attorney-client privilege. It's just silly to say that every piece of paper touched by an attorney is protected. If that were true, no trial in the country would be public. No court decision. If the President of the United States were a licensed attorney, no bill signed would be public. See? Silly.

So man up, Texas. Show your hand, and take Amazon to task for their blatant disregard for the law.

*Don't know what I'm talking about? Look up the various instances of Amazon deleting material off Kindle Devices without consent or notice, and their strong arm tactics when dealing with publishers.

Challenge!!

2011-01-22T10:39:00.000-08:00

Some blogger friends of mine have recently discovered a new reading challenge, and being the lemming that I am, I'm following in line.

Bookish Ardour's Reading Challenges is hosting a challenge with one goal in mind: Read all those books on your bookshelf that you haven't read yet, rather than running out to the bookstore to buy the shiny new ones. They offer several levels of challenge, and I'm having trouble deciding what level to take on (From their website):

Challenge Levels

Tempted– Choose 5 books to read
Trying – Choose 15 books to read
Making A Dint – Choose 30 books to read
On A Roll – Choose 50 books to read
Flying Off – Choose 75 books to read

Here's my thinking: I currently have 19 books on my shelf, 3 Audiobooks on CD, countless eBooks on my Kindle, and quite a few audiobooks from audible just calling my name. Of the books on my shelf, 14 are actually mine, the other 5 are books my roommate gave me with orders to read them or suffer a long painful death. And there are SO MANY good books coming out this year!

So I think I'll choose Level 2: Trying. With as many books as I plan on reading, I should be able to read 15 I already own, right? Especially if I can count the eBooks and Audiobooks in the challenge.

Oh, and don't worry. I'll review every book I read, even if they are decades old and smell a little funny.

Wish me luck!

Reading Meme Day 01

2011-01-21T07:49:00.000-08:00

Reading Meme Day 01: Your favorite series of books (with more than 3 in the series)

There are quite a few book series that I am currently reading and/or that I have read and enjoyed a great deal in the past. As such, it’s very difficult for me to pick one. So, I’ve picked the one that has affected my life the most:

The Blurb (www.goodreads.com)

The Wheel of Times turns and Ages come and go, leaving memories that become legend. Legend fades to myth, and even myth is long forgotten when the Age that gave it birth returns again. In the Third Age, and Age of Prophecy, the World and Time themselves hang in the balance. What was, what will be, and what is, may yet fall under the Shadow.

Something about this series stuck with me when I started reading it my freshman year of college. My roommate suggested it to me, saying, “I liked the first one, then it got to weird, but I think it’s perfect for you!” So I picked up the Eye of the World, and I was half-way through it when I went out and bought all the others that were out at the time in paperback (book 8, I think). Then, when I had finished reading what was available, I went online in search of like minded people to talk to about them, and I joined a Yahoo Group. There, I made some of the best friends I’ve ever had. Then, because I couldn’t stop talking about them, I got some of my real-life friends hooked, too.

Reading Memes

2011-01-20T07:05:00.000-08:00

Recently, some blogger friends (and probably other bloggers who aren't my friends, by which I only mean I don't know them) participated in a "Reading Meme" activity. I don't know where it came from, or even what it's really called, but I like the idea, so I'm going to do it, too. Yay, peer pressure! For perfect examples of the Reading Memes, you can check out:

http://waitingforfairies.com

http://onapalestar.wordpress.com

So for 30 days, I will post a "Reading Meme", as listed below. But, knowing me, I won't be posting them every day, so it will most likely last longer than 30 days. Enjoy!

Day 01 – Your favourite series of books (with more than 3 in the series)

Day 02 – A book that you wish more people had read

Day 03 – Your favorite recent book

Day 04 – Your favorite book ever

Day 05 – A book you hate

Day 06 – Your favourite writer

Day 07 – A writer you don’t like

Day 08 – Your favourite work in translation

Day 09 – Best scene ever

Day 10 – A book you thought you wouldn’t like but ended up loving

Day 11 – A book that disappointed you

Day 12 – An book you’ve read more than twice

Day 13 – Favorite childhood book

Day 14 – Favorite male character

Day 15 – Favorite female character

Day 16 – Your guilty pleasure book

Day 17 – Favorite trilogy or tetralogy

Day 18 – Favorite book cover

Day 19 – Best ensemble of characters in a book

Day 20 – Favorite kiss or love scene

Day 21 – Favorite fictional romantic relationship

Day 22 – Favorite ending/climax

Day 23 – Most annoying character

Day 24 – Best quote

Day 25 – A book you plan on reading

Day 26 – OMG WTF? plot

Day 27 – Favourite non-mainstream writer

Day 28 – First book obsession

Day 29 – Current book obsession

Day 30 – Saddest character death

Talking to Dragons

2011-01-18T12:00:00.000-08:00

Paperback

255 pages

Published March 1st 2003 by Magic Carpet Books (first published 1985)

ISBN: 0152046917 (ISBN13: 9780152046910)

Primary Language: English

Source: Borrowed from a friend

The Blurb (www.goodreads.com)

One day, Daystar's mom, Cimorene, hands him a magic sword and kicks him out of the house. Daystar doesn't know what he is supposed to do with the magic sword, but knowing Cimorene, he's sure it must involve a dragon or two!

The story opens with Daystar living in a cottage on the edge of the Enchanted Forrest with his mother and leading a quiet existence of chopping firewood and lessons. One day, an angry wizard shows up out of nowhere, and his mother melts him. This comes as quite a shock to Daystar, who had no idea his mother knew any magic at all. His confusion deepens when she refuses to talk about it.

The next day, Daystar comes out of his house to find his mother walking out of the Enchanted Forest carrying a sword he’d never seen before. She gives him the sword, and without so much as a tearful goodbye, sends him into the forest with the sword to prove himself.

He immediately gets lost, runs into a talking lizard, a temperamental fire-witch who can’t control her magic, and an underage dragon. They stumble through the forest, eventually meeting faces we know from previous books and are fumbled through the end of the quest.

This is the first book in the series told in the first person, which is jarring. The narrative is jumpy and from the very first there were little things that just didn’t sit well in my head. Daystar learns little bits and pieces about his origin from the people he meets and almost every bit he learns is different from what we know to be true from previous books. In the beginning, Antorell the wizard is referred to not as the son of the Head Wizard, but the son of Zemenar, but in previous books, that was one and same person. That’s just one example of the many instances of what I considered mistakes. Even some of the characters were so far out of character I didn’t think they were the same people.

I was very disappointed in this, the last installment in the series. I was so disappointed in the congruency errors, that when I finished reading the story, I looked up the publishing dates, thinking this one had to have been written years after the first. A long period of time was the only possible reason for so many mistakes. I was surprised to find that the fourth book was written 6 years BEFORE the first three! That would certainly explain all the errors. I really liked this series, but the last was definitely my least favorite of the four.

Calling on Dragons

2011-01-17T12:00:00.000-08:00

Paperback

244 pages

Published March 1st 2003 by Magic Carpet Books (first published 1993)

ISBN: 0152046925 (ISBN13: 9780152046927)

Primary Language: English

Source: Borrowed from a friend

The Blurb (www.goodreads.com)

Those wicked wizards are back - and they've become very smart. (Sort of.) They intend to take over the Enchanted Forest once and for all… unless Cimorene finds a way to stop them. And some people think being Queen is easy.

The story opens with Morwen being tormented by a man that insists that as witch, she needs to conform to the traditional witchy stereotypes for the health and well-being of everyone. Morwen is not a traditional witch. She’s young, has red hair, wears stylish glasses, walks without a stoop and doesn’t have a black cat. She instead, has 9 non-black cats, and they all have a lot to say regarding just about everything. And if dealing with that weren’t enough, a hungry six-foot tall rabbit named Killer appears in her garden, who promptly turns into a hungry six-foot tall donkey. And then he turns blue. Anything this inconvenient must be thanks to the wizards hanging around again.

Fourteen months has passed since the end of Searching for Dragons, and Cimorene and Mendanbar have settled happily into their married lives and are expecting a baby. But being who they are, they are excited to see Morwen and Telemain arrive with stories of rogue wizards and the chance to go on another adventure. Unfortunately, just when they think it will be an easy fix, they discover Mendenbar’s sword is missing, making adventuring difficult.

I enjoyed most of this story, with one exception. The adventuring and new friends they meet on the way were exactly as expected from reading the previous two books, and the twisted fairy tale humor was also prevalent (Rachel! Rachel! Send down your chair!). However, I was disappointed in the ending. It wasn’t that this story ended on a cliffhanger (cause it does), it was more that the discovery of who stole the sword and why just didn’t fit.

Overall, I still enjoyed to story though, and like the first two, I finished it in just a few hours. I highly recommend these books, and appreciate my friend giving me a chance to read them in the first place.

Searching for Dragons

2011-01-16T12:00:00.000-08:00

Paperback

272 pages

Published November 1st 2002 by Magic Carpet Books (first published 1991)

ISBN: 0152045651 (ISBN13: 9780152045654)

Primary Language: English

Source: Borrowed from a friend

The Blurb (www.goodreads.com)

Cimorene, the princess who refuses to be proper, meets her match in the not-quite-kingly Mendanbar. With the aid of a broken-down magic carpet and a leaky magical sword, the two tackle a series of dragon-nappings.

The story opens with Mendanbar, the King of the Enchanted Forrest becoming more and more disenchanted with being told to be more kingly. In an effort to get away from all the pressing formality of kingliness, he goes for a walk with his magic sword, the symbol of his office. While out and about he discovers a portion of his forest has become a scorched wasteland. Following a mysterious visit from the Head Wizard, he decides to ask Kazul, the King of the Dragons for assistance.

With Kazul’s promotion to King of the Dragons, Cimorene has been promoted from “captive princess” to “Head Cook and Librarian”. While this has helped cut down on the number of knights and princes determined to rescue her (but only a little), it hasn’t really changed her life all that much. She still spends her days cleaning organizing, and of course, cooking large quantities of cherries jubilee.

Unfortunately, when Mendanbar comes knocking on her door, Kazul is missing. Together, they decide to go in search of Kazul. Along the way, they make some new friends, discover new things, and manage to melt a few wizards along the way.

I enjoyed the second volume just as much as the first. I loved Telemain, the magician researcher with trouble translating his technobabble for the rest of the world, mostly because I feel his pain. When you spend all your time engrossed in a subject over most peoples heads, it’s sometimes hard to remember the rest of the world doesn’t speak the same language. And of course, watching the King of the Enchanted Forest find a princess that wasn’t as silly as every other princess he’d ever met was a lot fun, too.

Dealing with Dragons

2011-01-15T18:30:00.000-08:00

Paperback

272 pages

Published November 1st 2002 by Magic Carpet Books (first published 1991)

ISBN: 0152045651 (ISBN13: 9780152045654)

Primary Language: English

Source: Borrowed from a friend

The Blurb (www.goodreads.com)

Cimorene is everything a princess is not supposed to be: headstrong, tomboyish, smart…

And bored. So bored that she runs away to live with a dragon… And finds the family and excitement she's been looking for.

The story opens with Cimorene growing up in a palace with her princess sisters. They are taught to be “proper princesses”, something Cimorene was never really interested in. She didn’t care about the proper way to speak to a prince come to rescue her from an enchantment or the correct volume for screaming when being carried off by a giant. She instead sneaked out to learn swordplay, magic, and Latin. Every time her parents, the King and Queen found out about her latest endeavor, she was called into the throne room and told to stop, because “it just isn’t done.”

When she was 16, she had finally had enough of being told what wasn’t proper, so she ran to the nearby Mountains of Morning and volunteered to become a dragon’s captive princess.

There, she spends most of her time cleaning and organizing dragon treasure, studying Latin texts, learning magic, and cooking large quantities of cherries jubilee. Oh, and convincing the many knights and princes that arrive to rescue her that she really doesn’t need rescuing, thank you very much. And, being the unconventional princess that she is, she and engages in many improper activities such as melting wizards, befriending witches, giving orders, uncovering a wizard plot and generally refusing to be the proper damsel in distress every princess is born to be.

I wish I had discovered this series when I was a kid. I would have loved it back then. I love it now. It’s the perfect story for any girl who is unsatisfied with the status quo in literature, not only showing a strong capable girl who can take care of herself, but also poking fun at all the typical fairy tale themes that show the boys having all the fun. I read the whole thing in a couple of hours, and immediately picked up the next one. I will probably be buying copies of the set for myself to read again.

The Broken Kingdoms by N. K. Jemisin

2011-01-08T15:19:00.000-08:00

Paperback: 416 pages
Publisher: Orbit; 1 edition (November 3, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0316043966
ISBN-13: 978-0316043960

Note: There will be spoilers for the first book, The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms.

The blurb (from www.goodreads.com)

In the city of Shadow, beneath the World Tree, alleyways shimmer with magic and godlings live hidden among mortalkind. Oree Shoth, a blind artist, takes in a strange homeless man on an impulse. This act of kindness engulfs Oree in a nightmarish conspiracy. Someone, somehow, is murdering godlings, leaving their desecrated bodies all over the city. And Oree's guest is at the heart of it.

The Broken Kingdoms is the second installment in The Inheritance Trilogy by N. K. Jemisin, and I have to say, it might be better than the first. I was immediately drawn into the world of Shadow, what once was Sky. The godlings have returned and Bright Itempas is missing. The massive World Tree the grew through the palace and city of Sky when the Gray Lady regained her power has divided the city. And the Arameri are still, inexplicably, in power.

Jemisin’s prose style just gets me. It’s a story told in the first person view, but unlike most stories, Jemisin actually uses Oree to tell the story, complete with pauses, corrections, and thoughts. Like a real person telling the story, Oree will occasionally say, “Wait, I got ahead of myself. Let me go back.” This style makes me feel more connected to the events that are happening, and I feel more invested in the outcome. In the first book, The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms, the story was told by Yiene, and in the end we finally found out who she was speaking to. This story was told the same way, and it was a surprise to me in the end to find out to whom she was telling her story.

I love the characters in this book. Oree is blind, but can see magic like a glowing light, and when there is enough around, she can see her surroundings, like a seeing person with a candle in a dark room. She also has her own magic, manifest in her magnificent paintings, which you find as the chapter headings throughout the book. The godlings are quirky (and everywhere!) and the relationships are real.

I loved it. And I recommend this series to anyone.

You're Not Going to Believe This...

2011-01-07T12:05:00.000-08:00

Have you ever seen a news headline that made you stop and tilt your head to the side like a confused beagle? No? Well, here’s one:

Saudi Arabian officials detain a vulture for espionage…

No, really. Government officials are concerned that A BIRD is a spy for Isreal. I think it’s great that Arab countries think Isreal is sooooo awesome that they have the animal kingdom on their side!

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest

2011-01-03T14:30:00.000-08:00

Publishing Details

Publisher: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group

Date: May 25, 2010

Edition: No. 3

Original Language: Swedish

ISBN13: 9780307269997

ISBN: 030726999X

BINC: 3081300

The Blurb:

Salander is plotting her revenge - against the man who tried to kill her, and against the government institutions that very nearly destroyed her life. But it is not going to be a straightforward campaign. After taking a bullet to the head, Salander is under close supervision in Intensive Care, and is set to face trial for three murders and one attempted murder on her eventual release. With the help of journalist Mikael Blomkvist and his researchers at Millennium magazine, Salander must not only prove her innocence, but identify and denounce the corrupt politicians that have allowed the vulnerable to become victims of abuse and violence. Once a victim herself, Salander is now ready to fight back.

The first book of the year was The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet's Nest, by Stieg Larsson, the third in the series about socially introverted hacker genius Lisbeth Salander. In my opinion, this was the best of the three, though I know several people who would disagree with me.

This installment found Lisbeth Salander not only recovering from the disasters of the last book (The Girl Who Played With Fire), but also in a very precarious position. And as we find out, her position is the center of a national conspiracy spanning decades.

I'm a huge fan of political conspiracy thrillers, and this was a good one. One on hand you have Salandar, and her team of "Idiotic Knights", battling a secret division of Sweden's version of the CIA. Throughout the entire story you can never be sure of who is watching who, or where the next critical bit of information is going to come from. From start to finish, I couldn't put it down. In fact, I read it in less than 24 hours.

I loved this series, and this book in particular, and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a good thrilling mystery.

Welcome to 2011

2011-01-03T14:25:00.001-08:00

Welcome to 2011!!

This year, I will be reviewing every book I read. It's a simple goal. It's also something I've never been able to keep up with.

2010 was a great year. I'm not going to go into all the details. Let's just say it was a good year and leave it at that. I didn't have a lot of free time, so I'm going to blame my lack of blog-age on that. Yeah, busy and stuff.

So, on to 2011. A blog review for every book I read, whether it be a new book, or an old book. And, I'm going to try to post about interesting news stories. Because I have a minor obsession with news and politics, and 2010 was a big year for both and I always thought I was missing something by not trying to start a conversation.

So let's get started.

My Favorite Book of 2009

2009-12-31T20:02:00.000-08:00

I read a lot of great books this year, so it's difficult to pick a favorite. However, there's a book that stands out in my mind over all the others.

Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss

Now, if I'm going to name it my favorite book of the year, I should probably say a little as to why. I have always, for as long as I can remember, been fascinated by story-telling. When I was a kid, my favorite movie was The NeverEnding Story. There was something about the idea of a story becoming real just because you were reading it that stuck in my head. Ever since then I've had this idea that if you could tell a good enough story, it could come to life.

Reading Name of the Wind was kind of like that for me. It was a story that came together in such a way that it felt real. And on top of that was the way the story was told. A harmless innkeeper, Kvothe, is more than he seems, with a past that is beyond believing, and a story-teller hunts him down to get the true story from him, rather than listening to the rumor and exaggeration that always follows heroes of fantasy stories. Kvothe agrees to tell his story, and so the book bounces back and forth between the current setting, where dark things are hinted at in the background, to Kvothe's past, where dark things are faced head on.

And yet, it's more than that. As the innkeeper tells his story, it becomes apparent that his story is based on the stories of others.

But it's more than that, too. His life story centers on a story he heard bits and pieces of as a child, a story that haunts him his entire life.

Through the entire book, I was astonished at the layers that were involved in what was going on. Not to mention how deeply I was sucked in to the story. There was one scene in particular that I noticed my heart was racing and my palms were getting sweaty. My physical response matched that of the main character. It was amazing.

All in all, I feel Name of the Winds was one of the best books of 2009, and it was definitely my favorite.

Happy New Year!

2009-12-31T19:27:00.000-08:00

It's been a pretty interesting year, all told, and as I sit here I find myself considering my accomplishments and failures of the year. A lot of people in the blogosphere and Twitterverse I follow have been doing the same thing, and there's a pretty steady consensus that 2009 was a horrible year, but I have to disagree. I know it's selfish, in the face of all the horrible events that have happened over the year, but I happen to think 2009 was an amazing year.

I started the year with an amazing new day job, with great pay and great benefits. As a result, I've earned more money this year than I've earned in my whole life. Granted, I still don't make a great deal of money, especially considering where I live, but this year I've been safe, comfortable, and happy, at least financially speaking. Don't get me wrong, there have been a few scares. Unexpected financial burdens and medical bills and the like, but overall, things have been good.

Thanks to the great benefits offered by my day job, I have managed to take several paid vacations this year. I've never taken more than a week off of work in an entire year, but this year I was able to travel to see my family, to take some trips with my amazing husband, and to take some time off just to hang out at home.

Don't get me wrong, I also worked hard this year. I had some amazing accomplishments at work. I had one scholarly article accepted for publication, and one abstract accepted for a convention. I wrote more this year than I ever have before (finished three short stories and started two novels). I even got up the nerve to let some people read what I wrote, which is saying something. Somehow, in the middle of all this, I managed to read almost 75 books.

What's on my plate for next year? Right now, I have almost new 30 books on my bookshelf to read (I don't even want to think about how many I have on my list to buy in the next year). I have a goal to finish at least one of the novels I'm working on, and to write several new short stories. Maybe I'll even get up the nerve to submit something. I have a list of things to do a mile long at my day job, and most of those things will help me get published in one capacity or another.

2009 was a great year. And I'm hoping 2010 will be even better.

NaNoWriMo

2009-10-09T17:27:00.000-07:00

As most of you know, National Novel Writing Month, also known as NaNoWriMo, is almost upon us. At this point in time, most people interested in the act of NaNo'ing are scrambling for plot ideas, working on outlines and character bios, and dreaming storyteller's dreams, all in anticipation of churning out a 50,000 word novel in 30 days or less.

Here's a little about how it works:

1. You write 50,000 original words between 12:00AM November 1, 2009 and 11:59PM November 30, 2009.
2. You don't start writing before, or keep writing after, the deadlines.
3. Writing outlines and character bios before the start date are ok, you just can't actually start writing your novel.
4. As far as the novel goes, anything goes. Whatever you want to write about is fair game.
5. No one will read your work (unless you give it to someone to read). To win, you upload your work to the NaNo site, which counts the words, and that's it.
6. If you reach 50,000 words, you win, even if you it's all nonsense.
7. No cheating! But really, it's all on the honor system. That being said, what would be cooler than being able to say, "Hey, I wrote a 50,000 word novel in 30 days!" and mean it?

I think that this year I will be participating in NaNoWriMo. I haven't decided what I want to write about yet. Probably either a WWII love story (of sorts), or some sort of paranormal urban fantasy thriller type story. Normally, I've never been able to participate due to the craziness that is my day job in the month of November, but my job is currently implementing a "no overtime allowed" policy, so I think this year I might just pull it off.

Now all I have to decide is if I want to share what I'm writing with my friends who are also participating in NaNo. I'll probably have to if I want to read anything they write, and they all tell pretty good stories.

I guess what I'm trying to say at this point is that I'm in. Wish me luck!

The City is on Fire

2009-09-01T21:59:00.001-07:00

So, as everyone has probably noticed, LA is on fire. Every year it seems like the second temperatures hit 100 degrees, blazes start up all over the city.

A few days ago, I was watching the news coverage of a fire near Long Beach (I can't remember the name of the actual neighborhood) that had sprung up about two hours earlier. This particular fire had spread incredibly fast, was already burning one home, and several others were threatened. The part that got me was the news reporter kept repeating that this fire was spreading so rapidly because it was in an area that hadn't burned in four years.

Now, that's not a great deal of time, as far as burn zones go. And the fact she was stressing the time over and over made me wonder: has this city become so jaded to natural disasters that four years without one is a long time?

And then, I think the next day, the Station Fire started up, in an area that hasn't burned in decades. Now that's a good chunk of time for brush and other fuel to build up. And as I'm righting this, it is only 5% contained, covering 105,000 acres, with over 50 homes destroyed and 5 people dead.

There is so much smoke in the air, my eyes are swollen and puffy, I'm congested, and I'm coughing a lot. And one of the ones in good shape. I keep checking for news updates on the fires around the city, because although my home isn't anywhere near a danger zone, I think it's important to know what's going on around you, especially when so many lives are being affected.

And I have friends telling me to quite obsessing. It doesn't affect me, so I should pretend it's not happening a mile from my front door. That I can't see flames from the freeway as I drive home.

So it's true. This city is jaded to natural disasters. And that makes me sad.

Mini-Reviews Abound

2009-08-24T21:11:00.000-07:00

Well, after falling off the radar for three weeks, I have returned. I don't have a lot to say, however. Mostly, I just felt the need to post a blog. So, today, you get some mini-reviews of all the books I've finished recently:

1. My Soul to Take by Rachel Vincent: I absolutely loved this story. There are so many paranormal YA novels coming out of the woodworks lately involving love affairs of vampires, or werewolves, or vampires AND werewolves, and one of things I love most about the My Soul to Take series is that there are no vampires. Or werewolves, for that matter. Kaylee sees the shadow of death around those who are about to die. At first, she thinks she's crazy, but she discovers that she is in fact a bean sidhe, what we would commonly call a Banshee. Rachel Vincent writes a gripping tale encompassing young love (it is a YA, after all), unconditional friendship, and dysfunctional family foibles that I just couldn't put down until I was done.

2. Storm Front and Full Moon by Jim Butcher: The first two novels in the popular Dresden Files series, Storm Front and Full Moon are both good quick reads. Harry Dresden if fairly sardonic, which I always enjoy, and is the only practicing wizard listed in the Chicago Yellow Pages. His forays into crime fighting and detective work always land him in the hospital (and he always certain any given situation is going to get him killed), yet he is driven to do the right thing. He is preoccupied with proving to his detractors that he is in fact one of the good guys, while he is constantly being tempted by the dark side. I highly recommend this series.

3. The Age of Misrule by Mark Chadbourne: This is a three-part series taking place on the Isle of Britain during the End of the World. I've read the first two so far, and I must say that Chadbourne tells a good tale, but for me, the story is hard to stick with. The story follows the five Brothers and Sisters of Dragons (and their trusty side-kick, Tom), a group destined in Celtic mythology to save the planet during the Apocolypse. They battle demons while angels sneer in contempt at their humanity, and they screw up a lot. Because, hey, they're only human, right? So, like I said. It's taking me a while to get through them, but I'm enjoying the story pretty well.

4. His Majesty's Dragon by Naomi Novak: This book is one of the free e-books currently being offered through Kindle and other e-book sellers, mostly as a hook to get people into the series, and hopefully, the genre. The story is set in England during the middle of the Napoleonic Wars, with one interesting little twist: Dragons form a division of the armed forces. Navy Captain Lawrence finds a dragon egg on a French vessel during a military engagement, and when the egg unexpectedly hatches, he finds his life turned upside down when the dragon chooses him to be its rider. Novak's prose moves me, and a couple of weeks after finishing this book (and finishing others), I still find myself thinking of Temeraire and his Captain. I will most certainly be purchasing the remaining books in the series.

5. The Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb: Again, this was a free e-book I downloaded through Kindle, and again, I enjoyed it. The story is of a bastard child of the King-in-Waiting, and how he is thrust into the political spotlight simply because of who his father is rather than any effort on his part. He is continually put in difficult situations of other people's making, and he continues to do his best, proving himself an intelligent and honorable boy. And again, I will be purchasing the remaining books in the series. Good call, Amazon, good call.

Bloggers Round-up

2009-07-30T20:45:00.001-07:00

Today I'm going to share my favorite authors to follow online:

Brandon Sanderson
John Scalzi
Lilith Saintcrow
Neil Gaiman
Deadline Dames (Actually several authors, all of whom are enjoyable)
Wil Wheaton
Kathy Reichs
Charlaine Harris

All of these folks post helpful advice for writers wanting to write, amusing anecdotes, and/or information on their upcoming projects.

2009-07-22T22:16:00.000-07:00

Two blog posts in one day? What? Oh, the insanity! I felt the need to add a post in regards to writing in order to balance out the post about reading. In fact, the two are connected.

Here's the deal: I spend a lot of my time reading blogs and Twitter feeds of various authors. I have read at least one thing by all of these authors I follow, and I enjoyed their stories, which is why I decided to follow them. And most of these authors offer occasional bits of advice about writing. Writing advice is another reason why I follow them.

Do you want to know the number one piece of advice I've read? Every single author I follow that has offered advice on being an author has mentioned this one piece of advice at least once. In a way, this particular nugget of wisdom should be self explanatory, and yet there are so many out there who don't think they need to do it. Simply put, it's this: To be a good writer, you have to first be a good reader.

Like I said, it's pretty self explanatory to me. I am a voracious reader. I usually have at least two books going at once. I've even taken to listening to audiobooks while I'm working (please, don't tell my boss). By reading everything I can get my hands on, I expose myself to a variety of writing styles. It takes a lot of practice to be a good writer, and it takes a lot of exposure to the written word.

And so, in addition to writing when I can, I read everything I can, and here I will be posting reviews of what I read. See? It all fits together.

Stephen R. Lawhead's "Hood"

2009-07-22T21:36:00.000-07:00

I've spent the last few evenings reading a fabulous new book. Let me preface the coming review with a bit of personal information about me: I love Robin Hood. Like, I get giddy with joy over every new Robin Hood tale that comes out, movies, from the serious to the ridiculous, (Men in Tights, anyone?), TV shows, mini-series, and books. There's just something that gets me about a single man taking up for a poor, oppressed, overtaxed people, doing what he can to make their lives better.

So, onto the book!

As the name indicates, Hood is about the legendary Robin Hood. But not in the way we remember. The story is set in medieval Wales, shortly after the Norman invasion of England. Anyone familiar with the common Robin Hood mythos will recognize the deviation in that. In fact, the main character's name isn't even Robin Hood. The character's have old Celtic and French names, which can be difficult to read.

And yet? I couldn't put it down.

Bran ap Brychan is the rightful heir to the currently Norman occupied throne of Elfael. This heir wants nothing to do with the throne and spends most of his days doing what he can to aggravate his father, the king. After the king's brutal murder at the hands of an invading Norman army, Bran's first thought is to flee, but is convinced to stay and try to reason with King William the Red to get his land back. When this attempt fails, he again, tries to flee.

A great deal of the story is Bran's personal acceptance of his role in the world and his responsibility for his people. But when he finally steps up to his destiny, he becomes the hero we knew he would become from the beginning.

The story is steeped in (accurate) medieval history and geography. I know this, because I looked a lot of it up online. I like a story that claims roots in the real world. The characters are rich, deep, and just as fickle and conflicted as most people I know, making it much easier for me to connect with them. Even the villians, who aren't as evil as they are ambitious.

All in all, I liked it a great deal, and will be purchasing the sequel, Scarlet.

And as a personal aside, when we were introduced to Friar Tuck and Little John? I squeeled like a little girl.