Prex J.D.V. Ybasco's Blog, page 2

Book Spotlight: Rising Shadows by Phillip Blackwater #MiniTour #BlogTour #TheWriteReads

Book Info

Genre: YA Fantasy

Length: 318 Pages

Publication Date: 12th July 2019

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07TJDDWRB/ 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51277980-the-hidden-king 

Blurb

As tension rises between the southern and northern nations of the small continent of Exitium in the world of Anteris, the Elves turn to their eastern neighbors, the Humans, for help. They wish to learn the ways of combat, which they are not accustomed to, for they have always wielded a power far greater than forged steel. The Shards of Creation, mystical artifacts of great and virtually infinite power, have always been their prized weapon, but times have changed. They now face the same threat as the Humans: the southern nation known as the Ethula.

Wariel Ritch, general of the Human army, will take upon his shoulders this burden. But when a shadow of a past long forgotten threatens what little stability is left in the world, he will have to leave everything behind to stop it. Medregal Tergrast, an Ethulan king, dead for a thousand years, plans his return to the world of the living to gain back his former glory and finally fulfill his destiny by gaining control of the Shards of Creation. But is he really the threat people make him out to be?

In the meantime, in the bowels of the Human Kingdom, the reign of Dana Crystaloak is put into jeopardy when people around her start questioning her decisions. If she falls, war could break out across all lands.

About the Author (a charming one!)

“If you found your way here, then you must already know I love to write. I am a fan of fiction, mostly fantasy, sci-fi, and post-apocalyptic (amongst others), and in all its forms, whether it is books, video games, movies, or tv-shows.

The first time I truly realized how much I loved fiction, was through The Lord of the Rings’ movies (like probably a lot of people). Since then, I traveled to so many different worlds: Halo, Mass Effect, Warcraft, Elder Scrolls, Witcher, and Fallout (to only name a few). It made me want to explore my own imagination and see what worlds I could create. This is what led me, among other things, to writing.

What can you expect from my books? I don’t bother myself trying to be a flowery writer, I want my writing to be available to everyone. And what I want above all when people read my books, is for them to have a good time and some fun. This is what truly matters to me.

When I’m not writing, I am: A husband. A father of three cats. Reading, gaming, or watching movies and tv shows. A big hockey fan. And when I’m done with all of that, I’m a big geek and collect a lot of stuff (No, I’m not a hoarder, I swear!).

Full novels will all be available on Amazon, and short stories, artwork, or anything else will all be available on my website: phillipblackwater.com.

You can follow my Twitter (@phil_blackwater) or my Instagram (@phil_blackwater), or register to the newsletter on my website, to know when new stories are available.”

This is from his sites:

PhillipBlackwater.comGoodreadsCover Art (because it’s important to me!)

It’s a cover art that made me stop scrolling my Twitter feed. The proof:

Such an interesting cover. i just can’t recall if I already signed up for this

— prexjdvybasco (@PrexYbasco) August 22, 2022

It saddens me that September went by in a blur and I didn’t manage my time so well. I hope to be able to give this book the review that it deserves very soon and I solemnly swear that I won’t let 2022 end without posting it.

An Action-packed Journey with “The Hidden King” #TheWriteReads #MiniTour

DISCLAIMER: THE WRITE READS PROVIDED ME A DIGITAL COPY OF THE NOVEL THE Hidden king BY E.G. Radcliffe IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW.Book Info

Genre: YA Fantasy

Length: 318 Pages

Publication Date: 12th July 2019

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07TJDDWRB/ 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51277980-the-hidden-king 

Blurb

Hidden truths. Hidden power. Hidden destiny.

On the shores of a rusty sea, in the streets of a starving city, a young man named Áed scraps to build a life for himself and the makeshift family he loves. Scarred by a trauma he cannot remember, and haunted by the brutal damage it left behind, he has no idea of the courage his future will demand.

When tragedy strikes, a desperate Áed risks a treacherous, life-changing journey in his last chance to save the only family he has left – but an ancient legacy smoldering within him is about to turn deadly. Neither he – nor a kingdom – will ever be the same.

About the Author (from her Goodreads profile)

E.G. Radcliff IS A PART-TIME pooka and native of the Unseelie Court. She collects acorns, glass beads, and pretty rocks, and the crows outside her house know her as She Who Has Bread. (Prex: Ok, that made me smile.)

Her Coming of Áed fantasy series was crafted in the dead of night after offering sacrifices of almonds and red wine to the writing-block deities. (Prex: If this isn’t the most interesting profile, I don’t know what is!)

You can reach her by scrying bowl, carrier pigeon, or @egradcliff on social media (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, or Amazon Author Page).

How I went on a journey with The Hidden King Beware. Tread carefully. Spoilers ahead.

In this review, I examine character development, parallelism, sociopolitics (a bit since I’m not a pro), and emotions evoked in E.G. Radcliffe’s The Hidden King. As always, feel free to discuss with me as I am open to any feedback or negation about my review – I tend to overread lol. And apparently, I don’t know how to create an introduction for my reviews so just read on.

Building a fire or Aed’s character development

When Aed’s frustration in giving Ninian a proper burial started a fire, something in my mind just clicked and I had to check the first few chapters to corroborate my hunch. The burning of Morcant gave me immense satisfaction for two reasons: 1) Ninian was rightfully avenged, 2) my lucky ‘hunch’ was right. Even early on, the reader, myself, had been prepared to accept the idea that Aed possessed a special ability. The book cover itself is one (how had I missed that? I had thought it was just a cool book cover lol) and words synonymous with fire pepper the parts when Aed is mentioned. Some of them are:

eyes “red as fire”“Anger and fear both bright and hot…”“A spark of anger burned…” “Something hot and powerful surged within him.”

In the beginning, one would think these were just metaphors to describe Aed’s feelings, a literary device for the readers to empathize with him, but these also foreshadow who Aed is more than the events that prove that he has a significant background. I have already gotten accustomed to YA heroes coming from a special lineage (half demon, half god, half muggle) and I already predicted that Aed is half of something but these descriptions help mold his character so well that by the time it is revealed who he actually is and what constitutes him, my mind is already prepared to accept the idea, subconsciously thinking “Huh! That’s about right! It fits him perfectly”. When in fact, these are carefully planted easter eggs. The power of words!

Aed’s imprisonment in The White City’s dungeons is reminiscent of Edmond Dantes’s experience in The Count of Monte Cristo. Both are imprisoned without trial – Dantes more innocent than Aed of course – both have old companions that make their prison life less bleak, and both escape in feats minstrels could write songs about. However, whereas Dantes takes another identity to symbolize his rebirth, Aed takes it on a whole different level. Talking with Ronan on deciding whether to take the mantle of King, he acknowledges that surviving the dungeons and the torture is the pivotal point of his life as Aed of the Maze and now a successor to the throne. Far from denying who he is and his murky background, he wears it as a reminder. One loaded line that encapsulates his perception of this journey is, “Luck’s a funny word for it.”

I will not delve into Aed’s hands any longer but it is worth noting how backstories including why he has mangled hands, how he came to know Ninian and what happened to his parents are expressed not just by flashbacks but by dreams, conversations, and encounters help unravel and create Aed’s journey.

Parallelism and Irony

The Maze (Smudge) and The White City (Suibhne)

These places are put in stark contrast: one being compared to hell, the other, heaven. By the word smudge, a citizen from The White City can already imagine the hopelessness in the area without going there, and conversely, for the citizens of The Maze, they only imagine hope and prosperity in The White City. Poverty is the norm in The Maze whereas abundance is common in The White City. Aed notes this as he sees the citizens of The White City set aside a basket of bread, fruits, and wine as an offering to the faes. But with the peace and security The White City promises, Aed experiences torture so horrifying that The Smudge looks less bleak in comparison.

Ninian (the sacrificial lamb) and Boudicca (the muse)

Ninian and Boudicca both nurtured Aed. Aed has created a family with Ninian and Ronan and albeit impoverished, they have a place to call their home. On the other hand, Boudicca readily accepts Aed and Ronan to her home, even to the point of using her own connections to protect them. Ninian gives Aed a glimpse of the latter’s background, Boudicca completes it. Aed fiercely loves Ninian. His grief and vigil (two sleepless nights and we get to understand why in the story! That’s great storytelling!) show that very clearly. When he has fond memories of Ninian to remember, Aed creates new ones with Boudicca. He may not love the latter as much as the first, nor was there any indication of a romantic inclination to the latter – save for that sunset in the No-Man’s-Land. The fact that Aed only danced with the two of them is enough for my mind to latch on to the idea.

Ronan (naivety) and Aed (pessimism)

The dynamic between Aed and Ronan is so special to me. They love and trust each other as much as any father and child, who have gone through so much together, will. From the very beginning, it is evident that Aed sees Ronan as his responsibility. What I find more interesting than that though is they look like parts of a whole. Ronan is that curious child who still finds optimism in life and is ready to accept what it can offer despite witnessing a number of horrible events for a child his age. Aed is that man who has been forced to grow up so fast that he takes life as it is, accepting the negative side and treating it as something more natural than comfort. However, in their journey toward The White City, the table turns a little and Aed becomes the more optimistic of the two. The focal point of this dynamic happens when Aed talks with Ronan one on one to discuss his ultimate decision. Ronan becomes more pessimistic as a new challenge threatens their stability and Aed tries his best to explain his side. He needs Ronan to fill that positive side of him.

Manipulation and Sociopolitics

Aed’s ascension to the throne might have looked so easy with hardly a squabble but politics isn’t overt. No doubt this will be further explored in the succeeding novels. For one considered illiterate, Aed shows an innate understanding of how relationships and reputations work. His perception is introduced early on as he gambles to earn some money. This comes in handy as he is given a huge responsibility that people around him, familiar or unfamiliar, find too much for him to handle. How can one from The Smudge lead a whole different society? He hasn’t even had the chance to lead any gang in The Maze – this one is more from my point of view rather than the one explored in the novel lol. Aed’s only claim to the throne is his connection to the former king and the latter’s despicable exploits. Would that suffice?

It is somehow understandable how Elisedd, Boudicca’s stepfather, underestimates him. Elisedd himself has spent years building his own reputation, establishing connections with important people in the Council and here comes a 17-year-old red-eyed someone, from The Smudge no less, who refuses his service.

Once again, Aed proves that he can read people even when letters or characters elude him. He doesn’t cower and faces Elisedd head-on, even outsmarting him in their little powerplay.

Another instance when Aed shows this is how he faces the most despicable character in the novel (it’s a must-read, I tell you) and turns the table on him. His growth from someone who lets things happen to him to one who takes control and delegates that control is astounding. At first, I thought there could be a better way to avenge himself but I realized it’s Aed’s way of showing who has the authority and those in power don’t need to do the dirty stuff themselves.

The feelings The Hidden King evoked

I can’t help but wonder why I keep subjecting myself to works that make me feel several emotions all at once. I shouldn’t let books control me this way. But I digress. With The Hidden King, I grieved his loss, marveled at his tenacity, and celebrated his triumph. Aed’s feelings for Ninian is so raw that his helplessness and frustration can be empathized with. For someone who has seen the underbelly of their society, a spark of optimism and his love for Ronan are enough to push him forward. When he finally strikes against his opponents and is crowned King, I’m one of his avid spectators.

With all the bleakness in The Maze’s atmosphere and the threat looming in The White City, there’s also humor. When Ronan proudly proclaims that he does so many things for Aed and the latter finds it amusing that the young boy speaks for him and when the cab driver tells an injured Aed to keep his blood inside his body are just two scenes that tickle my funny bones.

What do I look forward to in the next installment? I want to know if Eamon is good or bad. Somehow, his father taking all the blame is too contrived. If he ends up being a really good character then I don’t mind. I also find Aed and Cynwrig’s awkward interaction interesting. Best of all, I want to know what Aed does for The Maze and The White City. What makes him different as a ruler aside from his mangled hands, his fae blood, and red eyes? I’m also about to review The Wild Court so I’m going to find out for myself.

Using LinkedIn Learning for 30 Days

These days I’ve been considering taking graduate studies or focusing on continuing development seminars. I have a big passion for writing and would like to study more literature but alas, it doesn’t pay my bills. If I wanted to project my future to be like a renowned writer who only waited for royalties at home, I’d have to be as prolific and as effective as J.R.R. Tolkien, Neil Gaiman or J.K. Rowling. Realistically, I’m not as talented as they are and in terms of practice, my funds wouldn’t allow me to stay at home and work on my piece without thinking about fees and payments. Even J.K. Rowling had a day job before a publisher accepted her series. With all the available learning platforms, I decided to go for LinkedIn Learning. Most of the topics I took were relevant to my current job — it’s not surprising since LinkedIn is where I establish my professional portfolio.

LinkedIn Learning

LinkedIn Learning is not that different from the more popular ones like Coursera or Udemy; it offers self-paced courses with audios, videos, and modules and promises to provide professional certificates after finishing requirements like quizzes or exercises that may help build one’s resume. Since it’s already connected to LinkedIn, it gives a professional vibe to it -bear in mind that I use that term loosely, not saying that Coursera nor Udemy provide less than professional certifications. A LinkedIn user can use the platform for free for about thirty days and can pay for the succeeding months when deemed necessary.

The pricing is relatively cheap as I can choose to opt for Monthly or Annual payments or pay for a specific course.

current price range in PHP ao Aug 2022

My One-Month Experience

I managed to finish 14 courses in the span of thirty days and as mentioned they are all relevant to my current job and the skills I want to focus on. However, I want to highlight that LinkedIn Learning also provides an array of courses for different skillsets and interests. For example, you can see I also took a short course on Making a Web Series and The Surprising Upside of Procrastination (as if I need an excuse to procrastinate).

What I liked about the whole experience is the fact that I can choose to finish a course at my own pace – which is in fact common among other online learning platforms. However, I see the Continuing Development Units (CDUs) I gained from the LinkedIn Learning certificates as added value.

Will I continue to use LinkedIn Learning?

I see the potential of continuing to use LinkedIn Learning and I like the whole payment scheme since I can cancel my membership anytime I want. I have even thought of a better strategy: choosing the Monthly plan and pay for the membership in a less busy month. That way, I can maximize my time on the platform. IIBA Membership is still relatively cheaper but to be honest, I have yet to find the advantage of the Business Analyst community-focused membership. Feel free to negate my unpopular opinion. With LinkedIn Learning, at least I can choose to focus on a skill respective to the job I currently have or the one I want to have in the future. That choice is always attractive.

One year with iPad Pro M1. Now what?

I’m celebrating my M1’s anniversary. And nope, I didn’t buy it for work. I might have bought my laptop, Acer Nitro 5, to have a better experience working from home, which turned out to be a great investment. However, in M1’s case, I was more ambitious.

With this tool, I committed myself to accomplishing the following:

improve my photo and video editing skillscontinue learning 日本語pick up my old sketching hobbyread and blog more often

To help me accomplish those, here are the must-have applications I downloaded on my iPad:

Disclaimer: These apps are free or otherwise stated. I’m also not paid to talk about them.Photo/Video Editing Apps

It would be a dream to be sponsored by Adobe. Being an amateur photo and video editor, I want my apps to be basic and intuitive. I don’t think it is necessary for me to purchase applications that I won’t be using in the long run so free applications like the following work just fine for me:

GoPro Quik. I discovered this two years ago when a good friend lent his GoPro for our motorcycle diaries. I then used the device for the function it wasn’t intended for: recording my Read with Me videos lol. GoPro Quik app enables me to monitor and efficiently edit videos captured by GoPro. It has several lighting effects, music, and even video templates. The latter can turn simple videos look professionally edited. I might be fooling myself here but once again, I’m an amateur in video editing.

Adobe Premiere Rush. I came across this application when I was studying how to use Adobe Fresco which I will get into in a while. Adobe Premiere Rush is a no-nonsense video editing tool that exports 1080p video without watermark–for a free app that is saying something. I have edited 48 videos and posted almost all of them in my various social media accounts. If that doesn’t earn me an amateur content creator badge, I don’t know what will.

Picsart. I’ve been a Picsart user ever since I started submitting articles to WheninManila. It has a great number of free filters and effects. Paying for the app can unlock more features which I don’t find necessary for now.

Adobe Lightroom. I love using this as it enables me to take great pictures of the moon. It helps me adjust exposure and white light balance automatically or manually.

Reading Apps

Before getting an iPad Pro, I used to read on my iPad mini then my iPhone 8 plus. Using an 11-inch device needed some getting use to. I can count the number of times it almost broke my nose when I was reading in bed. Here are the apps I use and they’re pretty basic:

Netgalley. I know I made a promise to create a post about joining a Reading Blog Tour. Ever since joining The Write Reads, I have been given several advance reading copies of novels through Netgalley. To be frank, it’s interface needs some improvement so if there’s an epub version available in the site, I just download and open it with my Apple Books,

Kindle. It is nice to have a Kindle app handy for those ARCs that need a verified Kindle review.

Apple Books. I don’t want to get rid of it. Though may not be the most advanced nor flashy reading tool out there, the simplicity it provides including highlighting or notetaking is enough for me.

Blogging and Journaling Apps

Although my Nitro 5 is what I primarily use for blogging, having an iPad for drafting or logging ideas helps.

WordPress. Of course.

Notes. Being an Apple user for so long, I’ve numerous drafts on my phone, and thanks to the Cloud, I can access them.

OneNote. I can’t deny that Youtube videos almost made me purchase Notability and Goodnotes. The sunk cost fallacy that usually comes with paid applications may ‘encourage’ me to be more consistent in journaling but given my current workflow and how much time I devote to each of my activities per day, I doubt either Notability or Goodnotes would make any difference. OneNote is free and configurable. What I like about it is I can sync my updates. That way I can access my notes using my laptop, my phone, or my iPad whenever I need to … or want to.

Productivity and Organization Apps

Trello. I like how simple it is and how I can log all the tasks and projects I can think of and move them according to their status. Should I want to kick it up a notch with labels, due dates, and checklists, I can.

Forest (paid). This app helps me focus. If you are familiar with the Pomodoro method, you will also like this.

Apps for my other interests

Other apps worth mentioning:

Adobe Fresco. I want to pick up sketching and creating art again for those days when I need an outlet for my overactive imagination. Truth be told, I am more than rusty but I can still learn.

Kanji Q. I have gotten back to studying Japanese again and this app has been one of my favorite learning apps for a long time now. It’s a great tool for learning Kanji strokes.

Chess. The university I went to didn’t have a strong chess team and frankly, I also lost my interest in it- I had that confidence that I was that good. It’s only in December last year when I lost two battles in succession that I started to pick it up again. It’s never my intention to be a pro so I just have casual games.

No doubt, my goals can be achieved without an expensive device. It’s not like something is immediately going to change. An expensive device doesn’t help one become instantaneously productive although Apple took a pretty good shot at it.

A tool is only as good as the hands that wield it.

Like anything else that is a “work in progress” in my life, I have yet to see how much more I can do with this tool.

Meet The Book Blogger

I got this tag from Ellie Mai Blogs and since her responses fascinated me, I shamelessly decided to provide my answers as well.

RulesNominated bloggers can nominate up to ten other bloggers.Use the same questions from the tag.Who is your all-time favorite book character?

Sherlock Holmes? Hermione Granger? Sirius Black? Aragorn? The Baudelaire children? I can’t pick just one. Though I confess being attached to Sirius Black and pissed off at his demise, I don’t really consider him as my all-time favorite book character. I admire Hermione Granger, Sherlock Holmes, and Aragorn but to be entirely truthful, the actors in the movie/series counterpart help bring the characters to life and influence how I like them. Look at Snape! I detest book Snape up to the last Harry Potter book but Alan Rickman, the perfect actor he was, endeared the greasy-haired, hook-nosed teacher to me.

I’m just more attached to the overall narrative of a book and I can’t pick a favorite.

If you were stranded on a desert island, which book would you take with you? (Survival books do not count)

These novels come to mind:

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban – If Sirius could escape from a prison heavily guarded by Dementors, I think I would survive.Any Sherlock Holmes novel or collection – Reading about how Holmes solved a number of cases would definitely inspire me to look at my situation from a different perspective and hopefully I could look for possible ways to survive on that desert island. What’s your most unpopular book opinion?

Many readers share my numerous opinions on the following:

It’s perfectly acceptable to create fanfictions. I think it is a great writing exercise. Granted that the characters and settings aren’t the writers’ original creations, weaving a new plot about these preexisting details still poses a challenge. Googling whether an author allows it or not can be a good practice. Bus, price tags, or movie tickets are great bookmarks. Decluttering my books in January corroborated this idea. At the end of the process, I was able to collect a number of tickets.Unless a review is required, it’s fine not to finish a book. There are so many books in the world and we barely have enough time. It’s counterproductive to try and finish a work that doesn’t check all the marks when one can always use the time to read a more interesting novel or reread a comfort ‘book’. I don’t advocate hating on a DNF book. To fully criticize a work, it must be seen and evaluated holistically.

Perhaps the most unpopular book opinion I have is people love to throw titles of the most challenging read they had, finished or unfinished, and scorn more popular works, to somehow show intellectual superiority.

What’s your weirdest bookish habit?

I often read with a little background noise may it be music or a TV series. I usually play The Big Bang Theory in the background or a Japanese anime when reading a novel. When I have my annual Harry Potter marathon, I also watch Harry Potter movies.

What character would you bring to a family event as your fake partner?

I would bring Sirius Black, announce at the dinner table that he had escaped from prison, watch my family members’ reactions, and then say “Bazinga!”

What made you decide to start a book blog?

I will stand behind this concept until I get older and get tired of blogging: I didn’t start this blog as a ‘book blog.’ This platform is more of a brain dump for me and I just write about things I learn. I often read books and think about them. Sometimes these thoughts want to get out of my head in a form of review otherwise I won’t be able to go to sleep. The first time I posted a book review, I thought it was just appropriate and here we are.

What about reading and books do you love the most?

The idea that I can be transported to any world I want is the most fascinating thing about reading fiction books. Hogwarts, Middle-earth, and Narnia are within reach any time I desire to go somewhere. I wouldn’t even worry about the usual preparations like packing stuff or creating an itinerary. Getting to meet many characters, particularly the memorable ones is a plus.

What is your field of study/desired profession/current profession?

I am currently working as a Business Analyst but I got my bachelor’s degree in Education some centuries ago. Yep, I tend to think I’m immortal so in another century, I will have to update this post.

What are some book recommendations that became your favorites?

Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares comes to mind- a recommendation from Syme. I like it to a certain degree but it’s a bit difficult to classify it as a favorite. Most of the time, I read books based on my personal interest and I can’t remember a time when someone recommended a novel and it got into my top ten. I have a soft spot for Love in the Time of Cholera, though.

What is the book you shove down everyone’s throat?

I can’t recall if I ever did try to force anyone to read a particular book as much as I encourage people in my life to actually read. When I was still teaching (about a century ago, I repeat), I had to require my students to read some short stories or novels but that was more because of the prescribed curriculum. My friends, of course, can always prove my statement wrong – which they’ll be more than happy to oblige.

Thoughts (not part of the tag but something I just want to add):This tag is even more difficult than I thought. It’s fun reading other bloggers’ responses but it’s quite difficult giving my honest thoughts about these questions without giving too much away.Why don’t I remember anything lolFeel free to tag yourself. Time is precious and you don’t have to wait for someone to tell you to do something you already want to do. There’s no shame in that.

The Book Snob Tag

I saw this tag in The Strawberry Post and thought the questions were fun. As always, I’m pretty late in the game but here we are.

1. Adaptation Snob: Do You Always Read the Book Before You See the Movie?

Not always. Whichever comes first is fine. Perhaps it depends on how invested I am in 1) the genre 2) plot 3) characters or (in the case of movies) actors. I remember wanting to read about the Harry Potter books first before actually seeing the movies.

2. Format Snob: You can only choose 1 format in which to read books for the rest of your life.  Which do you choose, Physical books, Ebooks or audiobooks?

I choose ebooks for the following reasons:

Paper deteriorates. Obviously. No matter how hard we try to clean or organize our books, the reality is in the next five years, the book that we currently own will not be in the same state. To save me from the anguish of parting with a book or the trouble of having to declutter in the future, I’ll just have a version that I can store in the cloud and retrieve whenever I want to.Storing ebooks is convenient. As much as I love to touch the pages of a book and no matter how nostalgic the act of sniffing the book is, I think ebooks are here to stay. I like the idea that with a small device such as a smartphone or tablet, I can carry a personal library.As an auditory learner, I’m quite picky with whatever I listen to. I get the idea of audiobooks and I like that I can just play it in the background but some voices annoy me. It may have something to do with pitch or speed. If the piece is rather short, I think that will be ok but with a novel, I might have to have a vast selection of voices to listen to or a preferred voice actor/actress to read all the books that strike my fancy.

3. Ship Snob: Would you date or marry a non-reader?

This is a tough question because I already tied the knot with a non-reader. lol

For the sake of responding to this question, I would. I don’t see anything wrong with dating someone who has a different interest from mine. The cliche ‘we don’t have anything to talk about’ doesn’t apply here. I can say the same thing for readers in a relationship who prefer different genres.

4. Genre Snob: You have to ditch one genre – Never to be read again for the rest of your life, which do you ditch?

Romance. In fact, I don’t actively purchase romance novels. Usually, I get to sign up for some in book tours but I hesitate to spend money on this. When I want to read something romantic, I go for shorter works and will just head straight to Archive of Our Own or Fanfiction.Net. I’m pretty sure I’d miss getting some butterflies in my stomach if I had to ditch romance novels but I know I can get the same effect just by watching animes, looking at my partner, or riding a roller coaster.

5. Uber Genre Snob: You can only choose to read from one genre for the rest of your life, which genre do you choose?

Source

Fantasy. A tough choice since I was choosing among fantasy, science fiction, and adventure. Would I be cheating if I said speculative fiction? According to Writers Write, it’s the genre that covers just about all the genres I previously stated.

6. Community Snob: Which genre do you think receives the most snobbery from the bookish community?

I cannot speak for the ‘community’ since I’m not totally immersed in it, but a number of people I know turn their noses up at Young Adult novels. A hasty generalization on my part but I think those who scorn Young Adult novels are under the assumption that more ‘serious’ and age-appropriate books fit a certain demographic. Subtext: if you’re into it, you’re too childish. Ludicrous and pretentious. As in any interest, it’s a reader’s choice which genre he/she wants to read more from.

7. Snobbery Recipient: Have you ever been snubbed for something that you have been reading or for reading in general?

My response to question 6 stems from an encounter with someone who believed that ‘Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban’ was meant for children. I remember asking myself whether that person actually read the book or only saw the movie, what books she was able to finish, and how the said book made an impact on her life or decision making. Judging is a two-way street.

What are your answers to these questions? Feel free to leave them in the comment section.

Why I think The Carnival of Ash is an outstanding novel #TheWriteReads #UltimateBlogTour

DISCLAIMER: THE WRITE READS PROVIDED ME A DIGITAL and physical COPY OF THE NOVEL The carnival of ash BY tom beckerlegge IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW.Book Info

Genre: Adult Fantasy (Update: Adult Literary Alternative History is more accurate)

Length: 528 Pages

Publishing: 15th March 2022

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1786185008/ 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58438204-the-carnival-of-ash 

Blurb

Cadenza is the City of Words, a city run by poets, its skyline dominated by the steepled towers of its libraries, its heart beating to the stamp and thrum of the printing presses in the Printing Quarter.

Carlo Mazzoni, a young wordsmith arrives at the city gates intent on making his name as the bells ring out with the news of the death of the city’s poet-leader. Instead, he finds himself embroiled with the intrigues of a city in turmoil, the looming prospect of war with their rival Venice ever-present. A war that threatens not only to destroy Cadenza but remove it from history altogether…

About the Author

Tom Beckerlegge grew up in the northwest of England in a house filled with books. Writing as Tom Becker, he won the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize with his debut novel; The Carnival of Ash is his first adult book. He lives in Enfield with his wife and young son.

My Thoughts on The Carnival of Ash

A book usually finds its way on our tabletops, Kindles, iPads and marks its territory with the very first chapter. The Carnival of Ash announced its arrival and demanded my attention when my family and I were stuck in traffic. I remember finding myself laughing at Carlo and Ercole’s first interaction and thinking, this might be the beginning of a good book, and it didn’t disappoint.

The Worldbuilding

How beautiful would it be to actually have a city dedicated to literature and what it stood (or stands) for? I marveled at how I could easily get lost in the streets of Cadenza following the characters that lived there. In my mind, I could picture librarians, scholars, and poets busy in the Accademia, reading, immersed in their studies while self-proclaimed writers, poets, and ink maids loitered the streets.

But all words have their underbellies. It was easy for me to imagine Vittoria’s suffocating tower, Palazzo Nero’s east wing, and the horrifying Lazaretto. I even had to cover my nose when Lorenzo and Borso were talking in the sewers.

Apart from the setting, the politics in The Carnival of Ash is fascinating perhaps because of how closely it represents modern politics but with a twist. Instead of artillery, politicians and their loyal followers set out to compete by means of their best works. The more popular a poetry is, the more influential the author, and bigger the patron. The motivation is the same, however- to reduce their opponents to smithereens.

The Characters

The exaggeration of the characters’ descriptions and consequent demise was not unintended. In fact, the drama surrounding them was carefully crafted and, dare I say, to be expected since they live in the City of Words— such fitting place where every word has a profound meaning. Once you reach that part where Carlo reveals why he wants to be buried alive, let me know if my want to hit Carlo with a book was justified.

The characters focused in the novel, those whose backstories were carefully fleshed out, represent different statures in society. There’s Carlo who comes to Cadenza as an optimistic amateur writer, Vittoria, a celebrated ink maid, who has become desensitized by the amorous letters she writes, Raffaele, the clever plagiarist who used to run errands for a more renowned poet, and Cosimo Petrucci, the reluctant Artifex, the ruler of the city , who has his own scandalous secrets.

And then there’s Ercole, the gravedigger. Even in the beginning, I was already rooting for him as he was wise. His occupation left him with few opportunities. He wades amongst the authors, poets, librarians, and scholars in the city yet still he doesn’t belong in their circle. *Spoiler Alert!* How poetic is it that he survives the Salamanders and The Carnival of Ash, while Cadenza’s great poets, those who used to rule the city, suffered the worst?

I would love to revisit the novel to write more about the binary opposites of the characters but as in many of my projects, the idea is more tantalizing than the actual process. lol

The Structure and Writing Style

The structure of the novel is one of its endearing qualities. Each chapter is called a canto – a word associated with poems and their sections (a City of Words has a number of poets, of course)- and each canto has a number of subchapters. What makes this whole structure interesting is it doesn’t just tell the story in the usual chronological or linear way but may hint that two or three events are happening at the same time, affecting each other. The readers lose sight of some characters from the previous canto but their exploits are reported in or affecting the current one. As a reader, I have to be proactively involved in putting the pieces together.

I confess myself a fan of the literary devices used in the novel. Some of my favorite lines aren’t even that significant or philosophical:

His skull was filled with broken glass, his mouth stuffed with stale cloth.…Vittoria’s bell tower dramatically announced itself……the dank footnotes of the city…

That’s genius!

It’s been a while since I read something so excellent that made me want to write a novel again and read more from the writer and the publisher. There is nothing else to say but give this book a 5-star rating– a rare one from me but it does deserve it.

My Thoughts on Connie Glynn’s “The Rosewood Chronicles: Undercover Princess” #TheWriteReads #UltimateBlogTour

DISCLAIMER: THE WRITE READS AND Penguin PROVIDED ME A digital copy OF THE NOVEL THE Rosewood chronicles #1: undercover princess BY connie glynn IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW.Book Info

The Rosewood Chronicles #1

Genre: YA Fantasy

Length: 441 Pages

Publishing: 2nd November 2017

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Rosewood-Chronicles-Undercover-Princess/dp/0062847821/  

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34042261-undercover-princess 

Blurb

When fairy tale obsessed Lottie Pumpkin starts at the infamous Rosewood Hall, she is not expecting to share a room with the Crown Princess of Maradova, Ellie Wolf. Due to a series of lies and coincidences, 14-year-old Lottie finds herself pretending to be the princess so that Ellie can live a more normal teenage life.

Lottie is thrust into the real world of royalty – a world filled with secrets, intrigue and betrayal. She must do everything she can to help Ellie keep her secret, but with school, the looming Maradovian ball and the mysterious new boy Jamie, she’ll soon discover that reality doesn’t always have the happily ever after you’d expect…

A thrilling world of parties, politics and bad ass princesses, this is the first book in the brand new series THE ROSEWOOD CHRONICLES.

About the Author

Connie Glynn has always loved writing and wrote her first story when she was six, with her mum at a typewriter acting as her scribe. She had a love for performing stories from a young age and attended Guildhall drama classes as a teenager. This passion for stories has never left her, and Connie recently finished a degree in film theory. It was at university that Connie started her hugely successful YouTube channel Noodlerella (named after her favourite food and favourite Disney princess). After five years of publicly documenting her life and hobbies to an audience of 900,000 subscribers on YouTube, Connie closed the book on the Noodlerella project in a bid for more privacy and to pursue her original passions in the performing arts. Connie now writes music and fiction full- time. Follow Connie on YouTube, Twitter, Instagram and Tumblr @ConnieGlynn

My Thoughts on the Undercover Princess

I have seen the formula before. Apart from the obvious fairy tale narrative, Undercover Princess follows a similar pattern to a young adult fantasy series about The Boy Who Lived. Knowing this is a double-edged sword. On one hand, I confess myself impressed with how the plot unraveled. On the other, I can’t help but think of that other text when I see a similarity that sticks out like a sore thumb. Here’s my breakdown of the novel.

Being orphans and having mysterious backgrounds

Our main character Lottie lost her mother at a young age. There is little information about her father but it is evident, her mother contributed so much to how Lottie chooses to perceive the world. She celebrates the memories she made with her mother, their storytellings, the lessons she picked up from them. Her mother or her memory is one of Lottie’s sources of confidence and strength.

We also know of a character who, although doesn’t have any memories of his parents but has flashes of recollection of the night they died, is empowered by stories of them, particularly his father.

Both had to live with foster parents or guardians who refuse to treat them well and constantly remind them how grateful they must be for having what they don’t deserve.

Invited to enter an exclusive school

Lottie has been given a special slot in Rosewood Hall because of her outstanding feat. The process of getting into the prestigious school required her to have outstanding grades worthy of a bursary.

The house system of Rosewood Hall also looks fascinating. I read that living in a house is quite common in England so that’s enlightening. Conch, Ivy, and Stratus are the main divisions of the school; each house represents a virtue that the school values. This means that our heroine gets to participate in house tournaments -sounds familiar?

Penchant for Going out at Night

Perhaps going out at night is a necessary spice in a dormitory life that even in a novel about princes and princesses, one cannot help but sneak out at night, way beyond the curfew, just to investigate something. Are teenagers these days really this adventurous? I’m not sure but as it is her first day at school I thought for Lottie, it isn’t brave but reckless. (I’m an old boring dinosaur so…)

Having three main inseparable characters

Lottie is that naive heroine, Ellie the adventurous one, and Jaime the level-headed. Their fates have been entangled that one exists to support the other (I’m pretty sure Jamie’s relationship with Lottie will improve. It has a good foundation). You have one character who’s a real royalty, one who tries her best to be one, and one who is in between.

Anywhere these three go, they are surrounded by gossip, good or bad.

Wolf in sheep’s clothing

The icing on the cake in the novel is the revelation of who the antagonist of the first novel is. We meet this character in the earlier chapters-nondescript in the beginning, blending in the background with the other royalty, and Lottie finds the enemy within her social circle all along. She has had a series of close calls with this person but since there’s a more sinister-looking other character, this person isn’t on the radar. It puts a different spin to the idiom.

Speaking of the idiom, Ellie Wolf is another wolf in sheep’s clothing for another reason (read the book to figure out why).

It may appear unfair that I have reduced a well-written book into this list of similarities but I cannot deny that I thoroughly enjoyed the novel. I still want to read more about the Partizans and Binah. The twins, Lola and Micky are so hilarious even without trying. I also like the whole princess or royalty training that Lottie has to go through. Given a chance, I’d probably read the second book to learn more about the mysteries in Rosewood Hall.

What I Read in February 2022 – A month for Shoujo and Josei Manga

I could probably read a couple of articles and write, “Here’s what I read this month!” but I know nothing would come out of it. Apart from what’s going on in my country (elections–not my favorite topic to talk nor write about) or in Ukraine and Russia (I’m not equipped to broach this subject), I didn’t read anything so significant to write about in February. Why?

If there was a month for shoujo manga, this would be it. Gushing over 2D characters is not new to me- my first husband is a high school basketball player for Ryonan while my third husband is a former Geo Archon in Teyvat. While people around me celebrated Valentine’s Day, I devoted my entire February reading The Blood of the Lost Kingdom and many shoujo mangas.

In this list, I am only going to be featuring three out of a hundred -not an exaggeration believe me- manga I read.

Pu-jyo and the Beast(Ongoing)

What is it about: The female lead character (henceforth called FL) is infatuated with a wrestler, the male lead (ML), who usually plays the antagonist in wrestling matches.

What I think about it: That doesn’t sound like an unusual shoujo cast of characters. Their concerns aren’t similar to that of an FL falling in love with the hottest-looking guy at school. The only trope it has is that of a beauty smitten by an unlikely person who others perceive as scary. Like the title suggests, it’s like Beauty and the Beast, less the Stockholm syndrome and the singing teacups.

What is it about: The female lead character (henceforth called FL) is infatuated with a wrestler, the male lead (ML), who usually plays the antagonist in wrestling matches.

What I think about it: That doesn’t sound like an unusual shoujo cast of characters. Their concerns aren’t similar to that of an FL falling in love with the hottest-looking guy at school. The only trope it has is that of a beauty smitten by an unlikely person who others perceive as scary. Like the title suggests, it’s like Beauty and the Beast, less the Stockholm syndrome and the singing teacups.

The King’s Beast (Ongoing)

What is it about: It’s a battle between races -humans and ajin (half human-half beast)- and social classes set in the Dawn of Arcana (I haven’t read this manga yet but for those who have, I think you understand the setting. I just read the Dawn of Arcana but I don’t like it as much.)

What I think about it: What I find attractive in this series is the art itself. It is so captivating. I like the FL’s eyes and hair so much. Another reason is the story highlights the inner conflicts in the kingdom rather than revolve around the love story.

Tsubaki-chou Lonely Planet  (Complete)

What is it about: A poor girl who has to help pay her father’s debts (he’s just a guarantor if I’m not mistaken) works for a renowned writer. They sort out their feelings and get through their big challenge: a big age gap.

What I think about it: Having the main characters live together or be in the same space for a long period of time is a trope in many shoujo/ josei mangas and dramas. Coming in, I already knew where the story was leading but the series of events made the journey worthwhile.

You might have noticed that in the list, I didn’t mention most of the FL-ML names. The lousy excuse is I’ve read numerous shoujo and josei mangas that I forgot most of them and I’m too lazy to search for their names. I did you a favor by putting reference links to more information about them so please do the honors of reading more about them if you find them interesting.

Until the next archive.

A Reader-response to Kristin Ward’s “Blood of the Lost Kingdom” #TheWriteReads #Blogtour

DISCLAIMER: THE WRITE READS PROVIDED ME A DIGITAL COPY OF THE NOVEL BLOOD OF THE LOST KINGDOM BY KRISTIN WARD IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW.Book Info

Genre: YA Fantasy

Length: 282 Pages

Publishing: 3rd August 2021

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09289NXN3

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58696750-blood-of-the-lost-kingdom 

Blurb

Mysterious. Hidden. Sacred. Erabel is the beating heart of Dorcha Wood. And its heir has come home.

Fleeing the man who betrayed her, Fiadh returns to her beloved forest, into its heart, to discover her people. And herself. With the aid of Veren, an Aos Sí warrior, she explores her birthright, a world safeguarded from the corruption of mankind. There, she learns the history of a mighty race and the vastness of the power coursing through her blood. 

But beyond Erabel’s boundaries, men are flocking, rallying to an evil lord who covets the strength flowing in Fiadh’s veins. They have their eyes fixed on the lost kingdom of the Aos Sí, and it’s only a matter of time before they breach those borders and come for Fiadh and all who protect her. 
All around her, the world is closing in, as some plot in shadows, and others in the stark light of day.

Author’s Bio from her website:

Kristin Ward is an award-winning young adult author living in Connecticut. A science and math teacher for over twenty years, she infuses her geeky passions into stories that meld realism and fantasy. Kristin embraces her inner nerd regularly, often quoting 80s movies while expecting those around her to chime in with appropriate rejoinders. As a nature freak, she can be found wandering the woods – she may be lost, so please stop and ask if you see her – or chilling in her yard with all manner of furry and feathered friends. Often referred to as a unicorn by colleagues who remain in awe of her ability to create or find various and sundry things in mere moments. In reality, the horn was removed years ago, leaving only a mild imprint that can be seen if she tilts her head just right. A lifelong lover of books and writing, she dreamed of becoming an author for thirty years before publishing her award-winning debut in 2018. Her first novel, After the Green Withered, is one of many things you should probably read.

My Thoughts on  Blood of the Lost Kingdom :

I have a lot of thoughts running in my head but to be concise, I like the first book better than the second and I’m saying this as objectively as I can. Let me enumerate my thoughts following the typical fairy tale structure: negative first, then positive.

Things I’m not a fan of:

What is with Darragh and his “tsk’d” I am not sure if this is for onomatopeia purposes but some sentences could have made this more impressive:

Darragh clicked his tongue in impatience.Darragh snorted derisively.

Was it an editorial decision to keep it because I saw at least two of them?

I also don’t like the guy but we have paragraphs of beautiful writing talking about the different forests and creatures and here we have an antagonist who only gets four letters with an apostrophe. I might be nitpicking at this point, I may be completely wrong, but this is rather inconsistent with the overall writing and ‘sound’ of the story.

Things I’m affected by:

Many chapters of the book are devoted to Fiadh being in awe of her surroundings (I can’t blame her, the description is superb) while getting angry at Krulan and his partner, Rivya, for no reason. I understand that she has led a completely different life before all the events come down on her but couldn’t she ask the one responsible for the answers to her questions instead of getting angry at those people or creatures around her? She has been oblivious to the so-called secret for many years. What’s a few minutes of wait? If you don’t know something is coming, you’re not exactly waiting for it, right?

Perhaps the previous events triggered something in her and I definitely understand that but she is misdirecting her anger and hostility. Rivya didn’t kill her mother, nor did she betray her love.

I might be too partial to the Cu-Sith but Fiadh’s treatment of them, Rivya, in particular, isn’t deserving of their loyalty. The way I see it, questioning how they are bound by their oath is tantamount to asking “why haven’t you killed me yet?” Without their oath and loyalty to Threa and the Great Mother, she’s just another offspring. I expect more character growth from her. She has some big shoes to fill.

What’s amusing is it has taken about 13 chapters or so for Fiadh to get to know who she really is and by that time I finally understood why she is so worked up -granted that Gideon’s chapters have to go in between. She has spent several chapters spewing “Why aren’t you telling me anything?” but once the story is unraveled, she doesn’t want to believe it. What’s more, her treatment of Veren is a stark contrast. Could it be because he is gorgeous (I can only imagine) or is it because this is the one who has the answers to her questions?

What I adore about the book:Erabel, that’s it.

Getting to Erabel and unlocking some of its mysteries have been a treat for me. The lore doesn’t disappoint. I stand by what I said in my review of The Girl of Dorcha Wood. Who wouldn’t want to bathe in a pool with mermaid-like creatures? or interact with Dasha? Eat, sleep and play in an ancient kingdom filled with trees? And a unicorn! That must be enough a reason to be fascinated.

sparks fly!

Apart from that scenes that I like in the novel include Fiadh’s connection with her charming bird, Dasha, Krulan and Veren. They are so intimate that I can feel what Fiadh is feeling as she looks at the horizon through Dasha’s eyes. Krulan’s passion and Veren’s wisdom and aura are palpable. I might be jumping to conclusions here but what they have, in my own judgment is a bond more powerful than love.

I was looking forward to reading more about Krulan and seeing how loyal he was to Threa, what he had to sacrifice and do for the sake of Fiadh’s safety, I can say I am blessed.

gideon’s redemption

You’re surprised just as I am. I mentioned this in my review of the first book but Gideon as the male lead character … is less convincing than Krulan? But he redeems himself in this second novel. His interaction with Aishling is compelling. Here’s a broken man, who has just lost his kingdom, his family, the woman he fell in love with (even when he was hoodwinked), finding purpose in the form of an orphan. He has considered raising her as his own and vowed to protect her with all his might, only to arrive at a conclusion that she can’t be safe staying with him. Their meeting might be short but his anguish is real. This part alone can be a novel plot in itself.

Strong female characters

The series has introduced great female characters. In the first novel, Riona though mortal proves how strong she is by protecting her daughter and taking care of people in need. Her demise doesn’t tarnish her strength as Fiadh’s adoptive mother. We have the Great Mother, Danu. We have the ethereal Threa. But how cool is Kaelari? I would have liked more chapters on Fiadh’s training with her as the latter harnesses her power. Becoming the heir of Danu warrants longer chapters and descriptions than that of eating fruit. They’re going to war after all. Understanding the history behind it is necessary but so is the preparation and equipping oneself. Perhaps this is because of my anime background (Does anyone remember how long Luffy trained?) which conflicts with the narration and how it is intended but I think I won’t be disappointed by her show of strength in the next book. Back to Kaelari– I simply adore how she isn’t simply a black and white character. She played a key part in Erabel’s grim past. Her atonement might not be as simple as helping Fiadh get stronger.

Villains

The villains are getting more interesting as well. We have the Elfen King, Rygeil, who like any great leader, succumbed to the dark side of power. On the other hand, we have the mage who betrayed the Elfen King’s trust. I already knew from the first book that Xander is a key player in all this. Then we have the heirs of Carmun. There’s the explanation for Darragh’s mom’s creepiness.

That Cliffhanger!

The last chapter is spectacular. Finally, all the players in the next war are on the same field! I swear I would really tear Darragh’s face if I could. I welcome the cliffhanger with open arms. It’s the beginning of the end. The display of motivation and power from both sides is so moving. I almost pity Gideon because, among the characters in the scene, he’s the only one who doesn’t understand a thing and is always led by someone else. I hope in the succeeding book, he gets another redemption.

I think this post perfectly encapsulates how immersed I was in reading The Blood of the Lost Kingdom. If you haven’t seen it yet, here’s a clip of me reading the first chapters and how I reacted to the scenes (albeit silently, you can still see my lousy penmanship on some notes).