Good evening readers! I have finished my previous book already- It was one of those kinds of books, the kind you can't set down until you figure out just what happened to that one character and why certain things are happening! Overall, Seraphina was an amazing book that I do recommend to those who enjoy fantasy. A fair warning though- it is heavily filled with vocabulary so it may seem a bit hard to read at first. Once you get used to the wording though, it's a fun entrancing read! Onto my new book though. (Queue the loud sighs of my friends, who are all still unused to my reading speed as they mutter something along the lines of AGAIN?!?)
Yes my friends, I have reached the point of starting another book. This time, the book I'm reading is called Need and it's by Carrie Jones. Our main character, Zara, has been moved up to Maine to live with her step-grandmother after her step-father died and it seemed like all the life drained out of her. I'm really not too far in, and it seems to be a multi-book series, so there are still some strangeties that need to be explained- why is she being followed? Is this pixie thing real? Are the people she's met up in Maine really this crazy? Ah well, either way it's an interesting book so far and even though I feel like I'm getting closer to a seriotypical fantasy book-(Somewhat akin to Twilight- but I like our main character and such much better, along with the fact that im just using Twilight to get you into the mindset of oh it's that kind of fantasy that kind most now high-school girls can admit to having read at one point in their lives.) a farily interesting one at least. I will get back to you soon on how the life of Zara's going, so for now farewell dear readers! Keep on trucking!
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Dragons, a Halfling and Other Predicton Related Spiels
Good afternoon readers! I greet you from the confines of my latest book, where although I am not very far into it I get the feeling that someting big is about to happen. I will start you off with a summary.
Our main character, Seraphina, as a halfling- part human, part dragon. Quite possibly, our dear girl is the only one in existance considering it is very very illegal to even marry a dragon-much less have a child with one. Alas, here she is, a secret to all (excluding Orma her uncle, a dragon himself and her own father- the human of her parental set) with her strange mental problems (called by her as grotesques) in the shape of humans and her slightly scaled body. The terms between the dragons and humans had begun to tense as the treaty approched it's anneverary- and heck it would, considering the prince had just been killed in a rather draconian style and the head of him was nowhere to be found! All in all, life is slightly challenging for everyone (but especially for dear 16 year old Seraphina) at the moment, with people accusing others, the treaty coming apart slowly at the seams within days of renewal, and humans taking a large interest in getting flat out rid of it!
So there is my story so far, and it is at this time where I get to state my predictions- as grisly or unhappy they may be.
My main prediction at the moment, is that Orma, Seraphina's dragon uncle, will be either seriously harmed or killed soon. I know, I know, that's really a sad thing to think about- but it would make a large amount of plot movement for our characters. Considering she is very close to Orma and he holds important information sorces for her, killing off Orma would cause Seraphina to have to search, to find what's going on with her on her own. Through all this turmoil with the dragons and humans treaty as well as the fact that Seraphina might be the only dragon (even if it's only half) with the full ability to understand and create music this would create a great sorce of conflict and lead to great movement in the story.
For today readers, that is all I have to share, as I continue on reading about the lengths Seraphina goes to hide herself and a slowly falling into war land! See you again soon!
(To obtain more information about Seraphina my book, you can look here or here! Enjoy!)
Our main character, Seraphina, as a halfling- part human, part dragon. Quite possibly, our dear girl is the only one in existance considering it is very very illegal to even marry a dragon-much less have a child with one. Alas, here she is, a secret to all (excluding Orma her uncle, a dragon himself and her own father- the human of her parental set) with her strange mental problems (called by her as grotesques) in the shape of humans and her slightly scaled body. The terms between the dragons and humans had begun to tense as the treaty approched it's anneverary- and heck it would, considering the prince had just been killed in a rather draconian style and the head of him was nowhere to be found! All in all, life is slightly challenging for everyone (but especially for dear 16 year old Seraphina) at the moment, with people accusing others, the treaty coming apart slowly at the seams within days of renewal, and humans taking a large interest in getting flat out rid of it!
So there is my story so far, and it is at this time where I get to state my predictions- as grisly or unhappy they may be.
My main prediction at the moment, is that Orma, Seraphina's dragon uncle, will be either seriously harmed or killed soon. I know, I know, that's really a sad thing to think about- but it would make a large amount of plot movement for our characters. Considering she is very close to Orma and he holds important information sorces for her, killing off Orma would cause Seraphina to have to search, to find what's going on with her on her own. Through all this turmoil with the dragons and humans treaty as well as the fact that Seraphina might be the only dragon (even if it's only half) with the full ability to understand and create music this would create a great sorce of conflict and lead to great movement in the story.
For today readers, that is all I have to share, as I continue on reading about the lengths Seraphina goes to hide herself and a slowly falling into war land! See you again soon!
(To obtain more information about Seraphina my book, you can look here or here! Enjoy!)
Sunday, September 22, 2013
So I have decided...
Good evening readers! I hope you all had a good weekend? I know I did. Onto my decision, of a more strange matter.
I make it almost a habit to try my hardest to read a book all the way through, honest I do. I can only recall about a handfull of books I've ever dropped officially in my LIFE. But my latest book, the one I had all the questions on and such, that was just curiouser and curiouser, I finally dropped. I couldn't get into the characters or the kind of fantasy it was. (I guess I DO have a kind of fantasy I don't like, wow weird.) Either way, I feel parting with this book was best for me, ya know? Have you guys ever just had to let go of a book cause even though it was popular/a genere you like/filled with good detial you just couldn't take it?
My new book however, I am actually really interested to begin to read. The book is called Seraphina and it's by Rachel Heartman. A summary of the book can be found here and really, judging by the type of fiction it is I have a feeling I will really like it. I hope our dear Seraphina is as mysterious as she seems!
Goodnight readers!
I make it almost a habit to try my hardest to read a book all the way through, honest I do. I can only recall about a handfull of books I've ever dropped officially in my LIFE. But my latest book, the one I had all the questions on and such, that was just curiouser and curiouser, I finally dropped. I couldn't get into the characters or the kind of fantasy it was. (I guess I DO have a kind of fantasy I don't like, wow weird.) Either way, I feel parting with this book was best for me, ya know? Have you guys ever just had to let go of a book cause even though it was popular/a genere you like/filled with good detial you just couldn't take it?
My new book however, I am actually really interested to begin to read. The book is called Seraphina and it's by Rachel Heartman. A summary of the book can be found here and really, judging by the type of fiction it is I have a feeling I will really like it. I hope our dear Seraphina is as mysterious as she seems!
Goodnight readers!
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Book Transitions- From Old to New!
Hello dear readers, I join you again, bringing absolutely positive reinforcement of my previous book, and some questons pertaining to my new one! Let's jump in and get started shall we?
I am going to start off this post by sugesting my previous book- The Night Circus to everyone who likes fantasy of any kind. Seriously, I'm not joking all of you need to go read this book. Everything about it was 5 stars, from the description, to the characters, to even the story's whimsical orginazation. It was in essence, a perfect book after the last slightly dissapointing book I read. (See here for that review.)
The Night Circus had several important themes in my opinion, all coming together nicely over the course of the book. One theme, (also the one I feel is most important!)is that in end, even if we are considered special and are put up on a pedistal to be displayed for all to see, we are only human. This was reinforced many times throughought the book, espicially in the end when several deaths and 'partial deaths' occured among the characters of the book- several due to regulair old human emotions blinding and changing people to the point where you can see through all the fancy acts and disguises to the real person beneath. You can see that here, in the following quote(I'll try to be the least spoilery I can be- it's harder when I get typing!)(I promise if you read it you'll understand why this event is so important!) :
Onto my next topic! I have begun reading The First Darkness By Mitchel Earl Gibson. So far, (and mind you I'm not even 8% into it yet) there have been 4 murders, 1 suicide and some overall stange disconnectedness that I can't wait to figure out how they all tie together. (It's better than that sounds I promise) There are several main characters from what I can tell, as we keep switching PV's. I do have a decent few questions about it, most along the lines of: "Why am I learning about events happening in 2 completely different time periods? WHAT IS GOING ON?? What what why can Mitchell do that with his mind and spirit that's really cool-" and other nonsense that flies through my brain as I continue to read. I will keep you updated as I read on, and can only bid you a good farewell for now!
(PS: REAAADDD THE BOOK PLEASE IT WAS REALLY REALLY GOOD. (In my opinion that is, you're free to do as you please~!)
I am going to start off this post by sugesting my previous book- The Night Circus to everyone who likes fantasy of any kind. Seriously, I'm not joking all of you need to go read this book. Everything about it was 5 stars, from the description, to the characters, to even the story's whimsical orginazation. It was in essence, a perfect book after the last slightly dissapointing book I read. (See here for that review.)
The Night Circus had several important themes in my opinion, all coming together nicely over the course of the book. One theme, (also the one I feel is most important!)is that in end, even if we are considered special and are put up on a pedistal to be displayed for all to see, we are only human. This was reinforced many times throughought the book, espicially in the end when several deaths and 'partial deaths' occured among the characters of the book- several due to regulair old human emotions blinding and changing people to the point where you can see through all the fancy acts and disguises to the real person beneath. You can see that here, in the following quote(I'll try to be the least spoilery I can be- it's harder when I get typing!)(I promise if you read it you'll understand why this event is so important!) :
"And Isobel herself has been helping to keep it balanced. Helping him. Helping them both. She looked down at the hat in her hands. White lace, caressing black woll, ribbons intertwined. Insepreable. Isobel tears at the ribbons with her fingers, pulling at the bows in a sudden fury."All in all, the book about a magical Circus, a tornament that ends with tragedy, and the interconnecting lives (ordinairy and not) that change one another to the point of no return, was honestly one of the best books I've posted about so far!
Onto my next topic! I have begun reading The First Darkness By Mitchel Earl Gibson. So far, (and mind you I'm not even 8% into it yet) there have been 4 murders, 1 suicide and some overall stange disconnectedness that I can't wait to figure out how they all tie together. (It's better than that sounds I promise) There are several main characters from what I can tell, as we keep switching PV's. I do have a decent few questions about it, most along the lines of: "Why am I learning about events happening in 2 completely different time periods? WHAT IS GOING ON?? What what why can Mitchell do that with his mind and spirit that's really cool-" and other nonsense that flies through my brain as I continue to read. I will keep you updated as I read on, and can only bid you a good farewell for now!
Sunday, September 15, 2013
The Thrill of a Problem
Dear readers, my book has taken a turn for the top, surprise after surprise jumping out around every turn. At the moment, I stand about 75% through the book, and my chapters are skipping back and forth between 2 dates exactly a year apart from one another. The suspense and shock I am currently feeling from this domino effect is powerfull enough to keep me from stopping seriously, only pausing right now to write out this post before I go and marathon the rest of the book!
I will quickly and vaugely highlight the main shock points that are currently effecting me, only in hopes that I can lure others into the book and to possibly even sort my own emotions out about it.
First off, there has been a rather unexpected death. I will elaborate on this no further, other than to connect to it there has also been an unexpected framing as to the pereptrator of said death. Secondly, our fortune reader has made a grave mistake regarding her quickly betrayed emotions, one that could have even bigger domino effect than what I am experincing now. Finally dear readers, I must admit the breaking of a promise has been made, and it now has unforceable consiquences tie onto it as well.
I must leave you with only that, as I continue on into the wonderful story of The Night Circus!
I will quickly and vaugely highlight the main shock points that are currently effecting me, only in hopes that I can lure others into the book and to possibly even sort my own emotions out about it.
First off, there has been a rather unexpected death. I will elaborate on this no further, other than to connect to it there has also been an unexpected framing as to the pereptrator of said death. Secondly, our fortune reader has made a grave mistake regarding her quickly betrayed emotions, one that could have even bigger domino effect than what I am experincing now. Finally dear readers, I must admit the breaking of a promise has been made, and it now has unforceable consiquences tie onto it as well.
I must leave you with only that, as I continue on into the wonderful story of The Night Circus!
Thursday, September 12, 2013
The Setting of Dreams
The Night Circus, my current book, definitely does NOT disappoint so far, especially in the category of setting. It's beautiful description started from page one, capturing me and slowly leading me into the very circus I read about, Le Cirque des Reves. (The Circus of Dreams)
I don't often rave about settings in books, usually I pay more attention to the characters than anything else. (A habit picked up after years of designing my own characters for no reason other than that I could.) This book, however, took a different path for me. We don't see our main characters developed as in usual stories- at least not in my opinion. The setting is prevalent in describing them instead- their surroundings reflecting off them in the monochromatic circus and highlighting their feelings and tastes. The lack of stationary PV assisting in this as well- thought this might bother others in a normal book's settings, it fits in perfectly well here.
One of the beautiful instances of setting description can be found here, within the following excerpt of the book.
"Regardless of it's origin, the food is always delectable. The decor in the dining room (or rooms, depending on the size of the event) is as extraordinary as it is in the rest of the house, in sumptuous reds and golds with art and artifacts from across the globe displayed displayed on every available surface. Everything is lit with glowing chandeliers and copious candles, so that the light is not bright but deep and warm and bubbling."
We don't have usual chapter progression either, often skipping around the years and switching perspectives from inside to outside as the circus comes into being and travels. These time jumps are well paced and small enough that we continue to learn about the main character's life's progression and keep things interesting. I only find myself more and more entwined with the plot as I read on, and cannot wait to see the most likely marvelous ending- there is about a 500% chance that this story will go out with a bang indeed.
Happy reading to all of you, and may your books only intrigue you as much a mine do! Stay tuned for my final words on The Night Circus!
Sunday, September 8, 2013
The Good, The Bad, And The Summary
Hello fellow readers! I would like to start off this weeks post by saying that the following entry in this blog will contain minimal to mild spoilers for the book I recently finished, Outcast By Adrienne Kress. These mostly pertain to the middle-ending of the book, so if you have plans to read it, or are interested I do suggest you don't read what I'm going to be saying. (Information on the book can be found here.)
I'm going to start this review/summary off positive. Outcast was actually a fairly good book for a paranormal romance. It had great potential, and though I did feel it was a bit cookie cutter at the beginning, it slowly stretched out of it's mold and proved me wrong a ton of the time. Riley Carver, our main protagonist, lives in a town where for the past 6 years, beings labeled by the town she inhabits as 'angels' have come down once a year, at around the same time, on the same date, and taken several people from their loving homes and families. This of course, causes quite an uproar within her small southern town- but is quelled by the entrance of some rather greedy minded leaders, just like it would be often in the real world.
Riley however, despises these 'angels' and their every year's taking, but you would too if they took your childhood friend away just a week after you had gotten to kiss him and realized, hey maybe we can make something of this. It had been a year since then and that time had rolled around again- this year Riley stayed home from the usual celebrations. In comes her own predicament- she shot down an 'angel' of her own that was trying to take her- and he turned human! Completely unaware of what she should do, she hides the body in her shed and goes back to bed, even more scared than before.
Gabe, the angel-gone-boy, sheds some problems of his own on her life, but soon after his sudden entrance into her life they all click into the shadows and he fits into the town just like he had before- before being when he last remembered being there, the good old times of 1956. He catches on fast though, re-enrolls in high school, and life goes on. Living with Riley and her parents, Gabe becomes a part of her life and fills it, you know, excluding the part that Riley knows he isn't supposed to be there and that she needs to figure out why he came in the first place.
Between school, an eventful party, secrets, and paranormal mishaps Riley's year forms a confusing but interesting mark on her life- leaving for an interesting story and endearing characters throughout. But here, dear readers, is where I will begin writing my qualms about this book. These mostly have to do with the ending and may be more my opinion than anything, but it is my blog, so onward I charge!
The ending of this book felt, well, to put it plainly compared to the rest of it rather abrupt and a little too inconclusive to me. They end up re-claiming Gabe, they point out the lies the church told and that the priest was really just a scammer after all, and they bring everyone back. Sounds happy right? Not in entirety honestly. Yes, they do regain the people, and Riley regains her childhood friend again to her joy. Alas, they lose Gabe to the angels again- reason being that he 'does not belong to them anymore' and he leaves to let everyone back per the head angels promise. It's the unrealistic 'angels promises' and sudden gratification for very little consequence that bothers me, along with Rileys lack of fighting will to keep Gabe- they worked so hard! They fought together, lived together, even kissed! And we don't know how her relationships with the people she became hidden friends with- the cheerleader, her friend, her the OTHER priest, are affected by the return! All in all, it just feels too 'Virtually perfect ending yay' to me, and it was quite frustrating considering the events threw me for a loop. This kind of ending would be nice for a book getting a sequel, but alas it is not.
In other brighter news, I started a new book today that I rather enjoy! I have begun reading The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. It's plot line is fairly mysterious and enticing- so you can expect my next post to be my ramblings about that~! Talk with you later readers!
I'm going to start this review/summary off positive. Outcast was actually a fairly good book for a paranormal romance. It had great potential, and though I did feel it was a bit cookie cutter at the beginning, it slowly stretched out of it's mold and proved me wrong a ton of the time. Riley Carver, our main protagonist, lives in a town where for the past 6 years, beings labeled by the town she inhabits as 'angels' have come down once a year, at around the same time, on the same date, and taken several people from their loving homes and families. This of course, causes quite an uproar within her small southern town- but is quelled by the entrance of some rather greedy minded leaders, just like it would be often in the real world.
Riley however, despises these 'angels' and their every year's taking, but you would too if they took your childhood friend away just a week after you had gotten to kiss him and realized, hey maybe we can make something of this. It had been a year since then and that time had rolled around again- this year Riley stayed home from the usual celebrations. In comes her own predicament- she shot down an 'angel' of her own that was trying to take her- and he turned human! Completely unaware of what she should do, she hides the body in her shed and goes back to bed, even more scared than before.
Gabe, the angel-gone-boy, sheds some problems of his own on her life, but soon after his sudden entrance into her life they all click into the shadows and he fits into the town just like he had before- before being when he last remembered being there, the good old times of 1956. He catches on fast though, re-enrolls in high school, and life goes on. Living with Riley and her parents, Gabe becomes a part of her life and fills it, you know, excluding the part that Riley knows he isn't supposed to be there and that she needs to figure out why he came in the first place.
Between school, an eventful party, secrets, and paranormal mishaps Riley's year forms a confusing but interesting mark on her life- leaving for an interesting story and endearing characters throughout. But here, dear readers, is where I will begin writing my qualms about this book. These mostly have to do with the ending and may be more my opinion than anything, but it is my blog, so onward I charge!
The ending of this book felt, well, to put it plainly compared to the rest of it rather abrupt and a little too inconclusive to me. They end up re-claiming Gabe, they point out the lies the church told and that the priest was really just a scammer after all, and they bring everyone back. Sounds happy right? Not in entirety honestly. Yes, they do regain the people, and Riley regains her childhood friend again to her joy. Alas, they lose Gabe to the angels again- reason being that he 'does not belong to them anymore' and he leaves to let everyone back per the head angels promise. It's the unrealistic 'angels promises' and sudden gratification for very little consequence that bothers me, along with Rileys lack of fighting will to keep Gabe- they worked so hard! They fought together, lived together, even kissed! And we don't know how her relationships with the people she became hidden friends with- the cheerleader, her friend, her the OTHER priest, are affected by the return! All in all, it just feels too 'Virtually perfect ending yay' to me, and it was quite frustrating considering the events threw me for a loop. This kind of ending would be nice for a book getting a sequel, but alas it is not.
In other brighter news, I started a new book today that I rather enjoy! I have begun reading The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. It's plot line is fairly mysterious and enticing- so you can expect my next post to be my ramblings about that~! Talk with you later readers!
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