M.L.S. Weech's Blog, page 23

Book Review: Demon Slayer Volume 11 by Koyoharu Gotouge

Spoiler Free Summary: Demon Slayer Volume 11 by Koyoharu Gotouge is the eleventh volume in the Demon Slayer manga. The fight against Daki enters its final stages. Every time our heroes feel like they have found a new level, we see the upper Kizuki are still just that much better. No one demon slayer stands a chance, but what if they fight as a team?

[image error]The cover image for this volume was taken from its Amazon buy page for review purposes under Fair Use doctrine.

Character: The development continues here, but this volume is far more about the fight scene (and man is it great). Here what makes the character work is something important: I was genuinely worried about the characters. To make a fight scene great, and to make a character sympathetic, we have to worry for them. We have to be afraid that they hero might lose, and that’s an impossibly high standard sometimes because who goes into a story genuinely expecting the hero to lose. We’ve seen an uptick in side-character deaths, but it’s a rare author (Martin) who’s willing to kill off any character. This means establishing that worry is very hard. I had that from this issue through (I’m currently caught up and eagerly awaiting Volume 22).

Exposition: Once more, we’re seeing an actual fight, so the exposition is pretty much non-existent and not necessary.

Worldbuilding: The worldbuilding doesn’t really shift from the earth-shattering reveal in Volume 10, but I don’t need every volume to have that. This issue is the culmination of an arc, and so all the worldbuidling had been done. That lest us readers sit back and enjoy the show.

Dialogue: That 1980’s cartoon villain banter was still present, but I didn’t mind. There is minimal dialogue in this volume aside from “I can’t believe you’re still alive!”

Description: The art is amazing. The way the breathing forms are done is just wonderful. I love aspects like that, and I intend to steal it at some point (the technique, not the literal names). There isn’t any description via the written word, but the detail of this art is second to none (at least outside of anime/manga).

Overall: This volume ends the fight that started in Volume 9. It’s not the best fight anymore (see later reviews), but it still really holds up. To me, this volume represents the last surge before the final push that begins in Volume 17. From 11 to 17, there is a lot of great stuff, but once you start 17, you better have the rest ready to go. This arc, however, is similarly (if not as) difficult to put down. I love it when a conclusion (even to a chapter) is worth the build up, and this volume is.

Thanks for reading,

Matt

Book Review: Demon Slayer Volume 10 by Koyoharu Gotouge

Spoiler Free Summary: Demon Slayer Volume 11 by Koyoharu Gotouge is the eleventh volume in the Demon Slayer manga. The fight against Daki enters its final stages. Every time our heroes feel like they have found a new level, we see the upper Kizuki are still just that much better. No one demon slayer stands a chance, but what if they fight as a team?

[image error]The cover image for this volume was taken from its Amazon buy page for review purposes under Fair Use doctrine.

Character: The development continues here, but this volume is far more about the fight scene (and man is it great). Here what makes the character work is something important: I was genuinely worried about the characters. To make a fight scene great, and to make a character sympathetic, we have to worry for them. We have to be afraid that they hero might lose, and that’s an impossibly high standard sometimes because who goes into a story genuinely expecting the hero to lose. We’ve seen an uptick in side-character deaths, but it’s a rare author (Martin) who’s willing to kill off any character. This means establishing that worry is very hard. I had that from this issue through (I’m currently caught up and eagerly awaiting Volume 22).

Exposition: Once more, we’re seeing an actual fight, so the exposition is pretty much non-existent and not necessary.

Worldbuilding: The worldbuilding doesn’t really shift from the earth-shattering reveal in Volume 10, but I don’t need every volume to have that. This issue is the culmination of an arc, and so all the worldbuidling had been done. That lest us readers sit back and enjoy the show.

Dialogue: That 1980’s cartoon villain banter was still present, but I didn’t mind. There is minimal dialogue in this volume aside from “I can’t believe you’re still alive!”

Description: The art is amazing. The way the breathing forms are done is just wonderful. I love aspects like that, and I intend to steal it at some point (the technique, not the literal names). There isn’t any description via the written word, but the detail of this art is second to none (at least outside of anime/manga).

Overall: This volume ends the fight that started in Volume 9. It’s not the best fight anymore (see later reviews), but it still really holds up. To me, this volume represents the last surge before the final push that begins in Volume 17. From 11 to 17, there is a lot of great stuff, but once you start 17, you better have the rest ready to go. This arc, however, is similarly (if not as) difficult to put down. I love it when a conclusion (even to a chapter) is worth the build up, and this volume is.

Thanks for reading,

Matt

Announcing the 2021 M.L.S. Weech Book Cover of the Month and Other Book Cover News

Greetings all,

After a few years hiatus and a platform change, it’s my honor to present to you the 2021 M.L.S. Weech Book Cover of the Month!

This new system pits four weekly winners against each other in a winner-take-all poll. This months’ winner is …

City of Time and Magic by Paula Brackston. So the stats aren’t flattering at all. I honestly only had two votes, so I had to break a tie. This is where I need your help. Two years ago, I was getting thousands of votes per competition. The move votes the competition gets, the more legitimized it is. I’ve always been a fan of book covers, and I truly want this award to become meaningful, but I need your help to do that. Please take moment to vote when you see the new poll come up. Please share it with readers you know. Just taking the time to do that will go a long way.

Regardless, this cover is amazing, and I’m proud to put CIty of Time and Magic in the 2021 Book Cover of the Year poll, which will begin in another 11 months.

That’s not the only other winner to announce! The 2021 May Book Cover of the Week polls have been going on for two weeks now, and I have have the pleasure of announcing the winner for week two.

That winner is …

My book, Betrayed, which is available in both ebook and paperback! Now, you can cry bias, and I couldn’t even argue with you. I had four votes, and all four voted for this cover. I’m positive that all the voters are fans or friends of mine. The solution is the same. Vote. That way, your favorite will have a better chance to win.

The Week 3 poll is available right over here, so please take a second to let your vote be counted.

I’d be grateful if you would be so kind as to watch my channel, where I talk about all seven of the covers and why I think they were so cool.

Remember to vote for your favorite through the link I provided above! This means that Betrayed is the second book to make it in the finals for the 2021 May Book Cover of the Month! You guys can choose who wins the title and then support your favorite in the yearly competition (obviously next year)! I hope you’ll participate.

Thanks for reading and watching,

Matt

Visits From A Man Named Nobody 29

// // // // // // // // // // // // // // // // // // // // // // // // // // // //

Eight

April 2, 2027, 3:33 p.m. 

18 Years, 349 Days Ago

Paul plopped down from the wall behind his house and walked through the back door. Bill was there in the dining room. He turned to Paul in surprise.

“Why are you coming in through the back door?” he asked.

Paul froze. He wanted to rush up to Bill and start asking a million questions he’d had from the last time they’d spoken a few days ago. Bill had visited at least another two times since they first met, but this was the first time Bill was at the house before him. 

“It’s a shortcut,” Paul lied.

“No it isn’t,” Bill said. “You’d have to walk a block in the wrong direction to even get to that wall.”

Paul’s mouth froze open. His mother bought the lie when he’d used it, but his mother probably didn’t think about directions. She was happy if Paul was happy. Bill on the other hand, liked to understand things. In this case, the habit was pretty unfortunate.

Paul shrugged. “I just … “ Lying took a ton of effort. “Think it’s cool walking on the walls.”

Bill raised an eyebrow. “And the neighbors don’t mind? Doesn’t one of them have a dog?”

Why on earth does he ask so many questions? “No one’s ever asked me to stop.”

“So what brought this on?” Bill asked. “You were just walking home one day and thought, ‘Gee, I wonder what it would be like to walk on those walls over there?’”

“Sure,” Paul said. It was a lot easier to lie when someone gave you one to approve. 

Bill shook his head. “You’re not that sort of adventurous. What’s really going on?”

“What, you know me for, like, two weeks, and suddenly you know everything about me?” Paul shouted the question.

“Of course not.” Bill’s tone didn’t change a bit. He even kept a gentle smile on his face. 

“But you’re gonna interrogate me like you have some right to? Are you my dad now? You and Mom get married while I wasn’t looking?” The more Paul thought about the questions, the more justified he felt in shouting them.

“What is going on?” His mother’s question came out in a series of slow, emphasized words. She’d come from the kitchen and didn’t look too pleased.

Paul froze again. It was one thing to have a tirade against Bill. Actually, Bill didn’t deserve it either, but it still felt more wrong for his mother getting involved.

“Do you think Paul and I could talk?” Bill stood up from the wooden dinning room chair. Strangely, his tone only became more gentle. 

“It doesn’t sound like you’re talking. Paul, are you being rude?” His mother tried to look at Paul, but Bill used a pair of fingers to gently turn her chin back toward himself.

“Sweetheart, it is your right to discipline your son,” he said. “But I’m asking you to let me talk to him.”

Paul coked his head. Why did Bill talk like that? 

His mom let out a deep sigh. “I’m fine with you two talking.” She looked at Paul. “But if you raise your voice again, I’ll use my right to discipline you until you graduate college.”

Paul’s had sank in shame. “Yes, Mother.”

She backed out of the room as if taking every moment she could to observe Paul’s behavior. 

After she’d been gone a few seconds, Bill turned his attention back to Paul. Those brown eyes of his were so kind. Paul shouted at him, and he just kept that patient tone.

“Why are you so defensive about what you were doing?” Bill asked.

“I’m not defensive!” Paul said defensively. 

Bill smiled at him. “In my experience, I’m the most angry when I’m the most ashamed, embarrassed, or afraid.” 

Paul just stood there in front of the door. 

Bill narrowed his eyes. “If something is bothering you, I’d be honored if you trusted me enough to share it with me.”

Paul just looked down at his sneakers. 

“You’re a good young man,” Bill mused. He sounded like he was talking to himself, but he definitely wanted Paul to hear. “So I don’t imagine you’re ashamed or embarrassed. Besides, what would using the back door hide that you’d be ashamed or embarrassed about?”

“It’s this guy,” Paul muttered. 

Bill immediately stopped talking. He moved back to his chair and took a seat, offering Paul the one next to him. 

Paul sat. “He stands there or rushes out of his house to tell me all about how I’m going to Hell and … other things.”

Bill cocked his head in thought. “So he claims to be a religious person?”

“You’re religious,” Paul argued.

“I’m Christian, which is a religion, but not all religious people are Christian,” Bill explained. “What does he base his opinion of you on?”

Paul shrugged. “I went to his church once. It wasn’t fun.”

“What’s the name of his church?” Bill asked. 

“The Way,” Paul said. 

Bill grimaced. 

“You’ve heard of it?” Paul asked.

The only way Paul knew Bill was frustrated was the odd moment he spent thinking before he answered. “Yes,” Bill said. “What’s this man’s name?”

“Mr. Dorny,” Paul said. 

“And Mr. Dorny has you so worked up, you’ll use parkour to avoid him?” Bill asked. 

Paul shrugged. When Bill said it like that, it felt stupid. It felt cowardly. 

“He’s just super aggressive, and he won’t let me go. He doesn’t, like, touch me or grab me, but he gets in my way and makes it sound like I’m a bad person for not listening.”

Bill nodded. “He lives down the road, the one you’d use to come home from school?”

Paul nodded. 

“Mary!” Bill called her name, and she eventually returned from the kitchen. “I have to take Paul out for just a few moments. We should be back in about half an hour.”

“What’s going on?” she asked. 

“I’ll explain everything, but would you be OK if I waited until after we got back?” Bill asked.

“I’ll explain, too,” Paul chimed in. “It’s sort of a long story.”

Mary looked at Bill. “What are you going to do?” 

Paul looked at Bill. He’d be interested to hear the answer as well.

“We just have to talk to someone,” Bill said. “There’s a disagreement that needs to be resolved. It won’t take long.”

Paul’s mom shrugged and let out a deep breath. “I’ll just wait for the explanation. Just be home before dinner get’s cold.”

Bill nodded and started walking toward the front door. Paul darted after him. Bill seemed to be walking more quickly than normal. Paul had to move at a pace that was one step below a jog just to keep up. He glanced at Bill, whose lips were moving, but Paul couldn’t make out any words. Is he praying?

They moved purposefully out of the cul-de-sac in which Paul lived and came to Mr. Dorny’s house, which was right at the choke point of road. 

Mr. Dorny was outside, sitting in his chair. He saw Paul and smiled. 

“Well it’s certainly been a while,” he said. Something about his tone sounded smug. Paul already wanted to hit him.

“He’s not here to talk to you,” Bill said. “I am.”

“And who are you?” Mr. Dorny asked. He got up from his metal beach chair. The motion looked like a lion getting up after eating a fat zebra. 

Betrayed Is Now Available In Paperback!

Greetings all,

A short but sweet post today! I’m proud to say that Betrayed is now available in paperback!

If you are wondering about the audio version, I honestly have to save up a lot of money for it. You see, I want to be able to pay the narrators up front. I hope to bring both Shawn Compton and Jennifer Wooster back. That depends on a whole lot, but the money is the first part. To help, I’d sure appreciate it if you headed over to Amazon and bought Betrayed or any (or all) of my titles. If you’ve done that, maybe recommend it to your friends?

I still have a goal to sell 189 copies. Why? Well, if I sell that many, I hit #1 in my category. I have more than 1,000 followers here, so that means I only need about 20% of you (less than that actually) to help a friendly neighborhood self-published author out. Would you be so kind?

I’m already hard at work and more than 71% through the discovery draft of Discovered, the final book in the Oneiros Log. So far, I’m very pleased with how it’s coming out. I’m sure there are a few rough patches because of how often I had to stop to get Betrayed out, but that won’t be an issue now that I’m not freaking out over having readers wait years for a book. I’ll always be grateful to you all for your patience.

Thank you all for reading,

Matt

Book Review The Freedom of Self Forgetfulness by Timothy Keller

The cover image for this book was taken from its Amazon buy page for review purposes under Fair Use doctrine.

The Freedom of Self Forgetfulness by Timothy Keller is a book designed to correctly orientate a believer’s thoughts in the correct direction. This book is extremely short. It’s less than an hour to listen to. The book is based on a segment of 1 Corinthians in which Paul declares he doesn’t care what others think. He doesn’t even care what he thinks (1 Corinthians 4:3).

I hesitate to say much more about the content of the book because of how short it is. It’s a lovely sermon, but I found myself thinking, “That’s right, I shouldn’t care … but I do, so how do I stop?”

And therein lies the problem I had with the book. It felt like I read this amazing prologue to a book I’d love to read, only I didn’t get the whole book. My problem is not in understanding how I should think, but in training myself in that correct way of thinking.

That’s what I wish the book had. This book had a beautiful message, but it didn’t have much if anything in the way of actionable guidance. Naturally one should seek scripture, and I am working on it. This book correctly identifies the problems of “anxiety” and “shame” and their origins. I just wish it had the rest of the content.

The basic premise is perfect, but as someone who does struggle with this issue, I wish there was more applicable or actionable information.

The portrait of Timothy Keller was taken from his Amazon author page for review purposes under Fair Use doctrine.

One takeaway I had from this is to constantly remind myself, “God is my judge!” Honestly, that’s helped. Even in what was a particularly stressful time recently, that helped me (or at least I think it did). So this book becomes a call to action for me that lacks the directions after the call is answered.

This isn’t to say the book isn’t good. I enjoyed what I heard. It’s a wonderful message.

Thanks for reading,
Matt

There’s Still Time to Vote For the 2021 April Book Cover of the Month! Presenting May’s Week 2 Cover!

Greetings All,

Before I announce the winner for Week 1 of the 2021 May Book Cover of the Month, I want to take a quick moment to ask you to vote for the overall 2021 April Book Cover of the Month. We have four great covers to choose from, and I’d like all those covers to get the support they deserve.

Now we can move on to May! I still need your help to get this back to the level of support it had a few years ago before I went on hiatus regarding book covers.

So first, let’s announce the winner for week 1.

The cover for The Sunfire King by Sylvia Mercedes is an interesting choice from the viewers. On one hand, it was beautiful color and detail. On the other, it was so busy. I can’t deny that detail though.

But, as one week passes, another begins. So you can vote for your favorite Week 2 2021 May Book Cover of the Month right here!

I’d be grateful if you would be so kind as to watch my channel, where I talk about all seven of the covers and why I think they were so cool. My middle son joined me for this episode, so that was nice of him.

Remember to vote for your favorite through the link I provided above! This means that Sunfire King is the first book to make it in the finals for the 2021 May Book Cover of the Month! You guys can choose who wins the title and then support your favorite in the yearly competition (obviously next year)! I hope you’ll participate.

Thanks for reading and watching,

Matt

Visits From A Man Named Nobody 28

// // // // // // // // // // // // // // // // // // // // // // // // // // //

Paul thought about it. Sure, a part of him wanted to dispute it, but he really was just curious.

Bill smiled before Paul could say anything. “If you’re conflicted about whether or not that was your intent, consider this question: What are you basing your dispute on? It’s a good scientific place to start.”

“Christianity isn’t true.” It was more an answer to Bill’s question than an assertion.

“And how do you know that?” Bill asked. 

“For starters, the world wasn’t made in seven days,” Paul said.

Bill smiled. “And how do you know that?” He put up a hand to gently pause him. “Again, this isn’t nor doesn’t need to be an argument, but the temptation is only there because you’ve declared certainty where there isn’t. It’s extremely odd in the scientific community. We’ll call anything we deem “scientific” a theory, and we won’t promote it to law until it’s proven over and over again through rigorous testing by several experts. But every theory about creation, evolution, the universe is just a theory, and must be because we can’t repeat and test the process.”

“Huh!” Paul said. “I never thought of it that way.”

“I’m not telling you what to believe,” Bill said. “I’m just asking that you not dismiss my beliefs based on your beliefs. I’ll grant you the same respect. I’m happy to tell you why I hold my beliefs, but even the most brilliant minds with the most reasoned arguments still face the exact same struggle proving what they call science as I would proving what I believe is the accuracy of the Bible. Ironically, it all comes down to what a person chooses to believe anyway. But I can believe there is a God and still seek to understand His wonder and this world He created. But there are some questions we can never really know. I just happen to believe that’s because some secrets are meant to stay that way. At least for now.”

“So you don’t think the big bang is real?” Paul asked.

“I think the big bang is a theory,” Bill replied. “While some people might line up to dispute a six-day creation cycle, the big bang theory also has some issues. Have you researched the horizon problem?”

Paul’s face scrunched up, and Bill smiled again. “Questions are beautiful. But they should lead to a desire to find truth. And you shouldn’t stop at any broad or general answer. Look for your answers. I did. That’s exactly why I’m more convicted in my beliefs. I wouldn’t let gaps in the theories stop me from seeing the only answer that could sufficiently fill those gaps. From there, a person just has to seek answers. Christians themselves disagree on the very meaning of the word ‘day.’ But we don’t let small disagreements get in the way.”

“Isn’t the meaning clear?” Paul asked. “I mean, it’s the word ‘day.’”

Bill shrugged. “I think some people are trying to merge popular theory with traditional Christianity. I will admit that is actually not possible. What is possible is to have a belief you hold fast to. I’m not opposed to contrary theories, but I won’t accept those theories as facts because the very scientific nature of the word ‘theory” is something that is testable, but not yet proven.  I think the current synonym is ‘well-substantiated,’ but that’s a far cry from proven.” 

Paul couldn’t keep himself from asking questions. He’d finally had someone right there who wouldn’t vanish in a flash of light and a strange temperature swing. The conversation shifted from creation theory to physics. Then they talked about the Law of Conservation. Paul would mention something about teleportation, and Bill responded by mentioning various mathematical problems he knew existed that were related to things like matter and energy transfer.

“I’m not sure energy could travel very far unless it had an anchor of some kind,” Bill said. “But I haven’t given it much thought.”

“I’m not sure you two realize what time it is.” Paul’s head spun to his mother. 

He looked around. His dinner plate had vanished. Crumbs of the pie his mother made for desert sat on a small plate in front of him. The other dishes were cleared away. The lights were on, and the windows outside were dark. How long had we been talking? 

Paul looked at his Wrist Bit. The device said it was 9 p.m. 

“I’m so sorry,” Bill said. “We’ve completely ignored you.”

Bill’s words caused Paul’s head to swing back to his mother. She didn’t look mad. In fact, she had one of the biggest smiles he’d ever seen. She was beautiful! Well, Paul’s mom was always regarded as pretty, but there was something different about her. 

“I’ll let it slide this once.” The sarcasm was obvious in her tone. “But maybe next time we could all play video games or talk about something that doesn’t require hours of research.”

“Can you come over tomorrow?” Paul asked. 

Bill laughed. “I was hoping to take your mother out tomorrow.” Paul’s mom blushed as Bill spoke. “But I’d love to come by again some other time.”

“I don’t remember saying you could take me out tomorrow,” Paul’s mother said. 

“I see.” Bill put on a fake frown. “I suppose I’ll have to find something else to do. Maybe I can sell these tickets to the ballet and go grab a cheeseburger.”

“I think I like the ballet,” Paul’s mother said. 

“Do you?” Bill replied. “Well I’d love to take you if you’d do me the honor.”

“I think I can allow that.”

Paul opened his mouth and pointed his finger inside as he rolled his eyes. “I’m going to go up stairs.” He rushed over and gave his mother a quick one-armed hug. 

He froze, looking at Bill. “Um … goodnight.” 

The End of Chapter 7

… to be continued …

A 5-Star Review for Repressed!

Greetings all,

This review has actually been waiting a bit, but with all the news I’ve had lately, it just took this long to post it.

Did I mention that Betrayed is finally out!? I’d be grateful if you gave it a try.

Anyway, I’m happy to share this five-star review that was posted on both Goodreads and Audible.

As always, I humbly request that you leave a rating and review on any of the books of mine that you’ve read. It really does mean a lot to me.

In other news, my 2021 April Book Cover of the Month poll is still up. If you like books, click on over and support your favorite.

As always, I’m so honored that anyone chooses to take time to read something that I’ve written.

Thanks for reading,

Matt

Book Review: Devotions from Psalms and Proverbs by Charles Spurgeon

Devotions from Psalms and Proverbs by Charles Spurgeon is a series of devotionals connected to various Psalms and Proverbs. I know that’s obvious given the title, but I need to set up where I’m going.

Most of my “reading” these days is via audiobook. This was no different. With other books that are non-fiction or even fiction, there’s a plot to hold to. At the very least, there are lessons to follow and things to learn. I’m not saying this isn’t true of this book, what I’m trying to convey first is I failed miserably at reading this book. I have several excuses. Luckily, I own it and intend to read it again once I get a few other books read.

However, I will say that I don’t think this is the kind of book you just read. While I certainly struggled with focus while this was on my phone, there are other things that added to this struggle. The one I want to mention is that a lot of what is in this book is so thought provoking and contemplative, that I’d find myself praying or thinking along a different track. By the time I realized I wasn’t paying attention anymore, I was already well into the next devotional.

Naturally, I’d skip back and try to listen again. Spurgeon would say something else, and my mind would fly off on a different track. I’m not actually sure how “bad” that is. A part of me feels that this book is meant to be mulled over and considered. I think one is supposed to listen and try to apply what is being said.

This image was taken from the Christian Hall of Fame of Canton Baptist Temple website in an attempt to represent Spurgeon. This caption is a credit to where the image came from but does not necessarily endorse the site or its teaching as I haven’t studied their site much.

This means the problem is that I was trying to read this like any other book rather than let it be the reflective tool it is. This book takes a single passage and expands on it and basks in it. I loved that, but I’ve since realized that if an author is contemplating or reflecting, the reader will want to do the same.

I want to listen to this again and pause when I want to think about something. I want to listen again and focus on one portion at a time. I want to take that time to think on and apply what’s being said. I just have to do that.

This book is packed with several tidbits that sent my mind off. I just want to take the time to give it due attention. Still if you’re looking for a book you can sink your teeth into, this fits the bill.

Thanks for reading,

Matt