Jeremy L. Jones's Blog, page 8
December 3, 2019
Althea's Guilty Pleasures
Author's CommentaryTemplum Veneris Chapter 3
What is it about the third chapter in every book I write that just nags on me? Maybe its a case of writerly self-loathing, but the middle part of my first act always seems muddy. There are things that I think are required to fill out the story, but I always get concerned that I get stuck in the details and am not moving the plot forward. I don't know. I report, you decide.
We continue to explore what makes Althea tick. For me, she's kind of reformed femme-fatal. A recovering addict in her own right that is starting to realize how her actions cause pain to others but still can't quite find the will to stop. She's the alcoholic who is already late for his kid's birthday but decides he is going to pull into the bar anyway. He knows he's going to feel really bad about this in a couple of hours but it doesn't matter right here and now.
I'm also spending some time expanding the Ruins of Empire Universe in this chapter. I want to paint the picture of a rebuilt society that's similar to ours but different. One of the biggest challenges I have is trying to imagine how we, as a species, would restructure society if everything went tits-up. I almost wish I could do more world-building on Earth but that's not really where the story takes place. So maybe it's worth lingering here for a moment.
I've said it before and I'll say it again. Writing dialogue between Althea and Viekko is probably my favorite thing ever. Writing Viekko is fun anyway if only because he is a man who has exactly zero fucks to give. But writing he and Althea together just flows so well. When their personalities start bouncing off each other, I understand the idea of 'words writing themselves'. I can clear a couple thousand words without really thinking about it. I'm just transposing the argument into words. In one social media post, I wrote, "If Viekko and Althea were playing Fuck, Marry, Kill, they would choose each other for all three." That's the best way I can describe their dynamic.
And this scene is basically their relationship in microcosm. They so want to bang and they are so close to banging. Unfortunately, every time they are about to, their baggage comes knocking; in this case, literally. When I'm writing these two people together, I imagine two people who would be happily in love if they could just get over themselves and their own shit.
But they can't. And, thus, they find themselves as trapped as the rat in the sack.
What is it about the third chapter in every book I write that just nags on me? Maybe its a case of writerly self-loathing, but the middle part of my first act always seems muddy. There are things that I think are required to fill out the story, but I always get concerned that I get stuck in the details and am not moving the plot forward. I don't know. I report, you decide.
We continue to explore what makes Althea tick. For me, she's kind of reformed femme-fatal. A recovering addict in her own right that is starting to realize how her actions cause pain to others but still can't quite find the will to stop. She's the alcoholic who is already late for his kid's birthday but decides he is going to pull into the bar anyway. He knows he's going to feel really bad about this in a couple of hours but it doesn't matter right here and now.
I'm also spending some time expanding the Ruins of Empire Universe in this chapter. I want to paint the picture of a rebuilt society that's similar to ours but different. One of the biggest challenges I have is trying to imagine how we, as a species, would restructure society if everything went tits-up. I almost wish I could do more world-building on Earth but that's not really where the story takes place. So maybe it's worth lingering here for a moment.
I've said it before and I'll say it again. Writing dialogue between Althea and Viekko is probably my favorite thing ever. Writing Viekko is fun anyway if only because he is a man who has exactly zero fucks to give. But writing he and Althea together just flows so well. When their personalities start bouncing off each other, I understand the idea of 'words writing themselves'. I can clear a couple thousand words without really thinking about it. I'm just transposing the argument into words. In one social media post, I wrote, "If Viekko and Althea were playing Fuck, Marry, Kill, they would choose each other for all three." That's the best way I can describe their dynamic.
And this scene is basically their relationship in microcosm. They so want to bang and they are so close to banging. Unfortunately, every time they are about to, their baggage comes knocking; in this case, literally. When I'm writing these two people together, I imagine two people who would be happily in love if they could just get over themselves and their own shit.
But they can't. And, thus, they find themselves as trapped as the rat in the sack.
December 2, 2019
Checking In With Viekko And Cronus
Writers are an odd lot. You kinda have to be to spend hours talking to invisible people you made up. That is not healthy behavior. Among our psychoses is that most of us hate our own work. It's just a condition born of writing, rewriting, rewriting again, and then looking at it and realizing that it's as good as you can make it, and it's still not as good as some of the books you are reading.
Clearly, I need to read worse books. But that's not the point.
The point is, every once in a while, we create something we dearly love. For me, that is the beginning of chapter 2.
Maybe it's me channeling Chuck Palahuink or the way Viekko's deadpan humor brings some light to a dismal situation. Or maybe part of me identifies with him here. In this scene, we find Viekko in a triple-T recovery program, and it's pretty clear why he's here. Way back in Saturnius Mons when he had to finally come out and admit that he was addicted to the drug, Althea demanded that he enter a recovery program. And he did it, no doubt, for the hint of a chance of a possibility that they could be together. And right here, when Althea's support would be most needed, she has, for her own reasons, abandoned him. If the story doesn't turn here, it's only a matter of time before he relapses. So it's a funny, heartbreaking scene. Maybe that's why I like it.
And then we get a glimpse into Cronus' romantic life. And, as would be expected, it's kinda weird.
For me, Cronus is the logical endpoint of humans disconnected from humanity. He essentially comes from a culture that has tried the synthesize every human need. The result is a man who is a little off-kilter, is plagued with an obsessive personality, and has a deep craving for something 'real'. And for Cronus, someone who's lived in a world that is almost perfectly tailored to him, 'real' means imperfect. Real means 'dangerous'.
He had a taste in Saturnius Mons, and he clearly wants more. And since love, romance, and sex are major themes in this book, one can probably infer what aspect of Cronus' sheltered existence we are going to explore.
Who among us wouldn't pound that button like... er.. nevermind.
If we go back to the idea that people crave a romantic relationship to feel complete, then Cronus has been playing that game with cheat codes. Now he wants to try it the regular way. For Viekko, the first step is to probably let go of Althea, but he's so twisted right now that he couldn't see that if it were on one of the posters in that recovery clinic. So we will see how it goes for both of them.
Clearly, I need to read worse books. But that's not the point.
The point is, every once in a while, we create something we dearly love. For me, that is the beginning of chapter 2.
Maybe it's me channeling Chuck Palahuink or the way Viekko's deadpan humor brings some light to a dismal situation. Or maybe part of me identifies with him here. In this scene, we find Viekko in a triple-T recovery program, and it's pretty clear why he's here. Way back in Saturnius Mons when he had to finally come out and admit that he was addicted to the drug, Althea demanded that he enter a recovery program. And he did it, no doubt, for the hint of a chance of a possibility that they could be together. And right here, when Althea's support would be most needed, she has, for her own reasons, abandoned him. If the story doesn't turn here, it's only a matter of time before he relapses. So it's a funny, heartbreaking scene. Maybe that's why I like it.
And then we get a glimpse into Cronus' romantic life. And, as would be expected, it's kinda weird.
For me, Cronus is the logical endpoint of humans disconnected from humanity. He essentially comes from a culture that has tried the synthesize every human need. The result is a man who is a little off-kilter, is plagued with an obsessive personality, and has a deep craving for something 'real'. And for Cronus, someone who's lived in a world that is almost perfectly tailored to him, 'real' means imperfect. Real means 'dangerous'.
He had a taste in Saturnius Mons, and he clearly wants more. And since love, romance, and sex are major themes in this book, one can probably infer what aspect of Cronus' sheltered existence we are going to explore.
Who among us wouldn't pound that button like... er.. nevermind.If we go back to the idea that people crave a romantic relationship to feel complete, then Cronus has been playing that game with cheat codes. Now he wants to try it the regular way. For Viekko, the first step is to probably let go of Althea, but he's so twisted right now that he couldn't see that if it were on one of the posters in that recovery clinic. So we will see how it goes for both of them.
November 21, 2019
This Is How Our Story Begins
Author's CommentaryTemplum Veneris Chapter 1One of the things that gets me anxious about this book —and there are a few— is where the story starts in the timeline. To this day, I sort of lament that I didn't get the action started a little sooner in Saturnius Mons, but at least it started on Titan. Templum Veneris begins on Earth and we start to explore the lives of the Human Recconection Project since returning from their last mission.
As I read this again, however, I realize that this is where the story has to begin because Templum Veneris is a totally different animal. In a way, this is my first attempt at a love story. Or, at least, one where romantic love is a major theme. It was important to me to depict Althea and Isra dealing with romance, love, and sex in their own worlds before we transport them to the next one.
Isra is always a hard character to write because she feels things more intensely than anyone else. In a way, it's her superpower to read and predict how people are going to react. She has a level of empathy and emotional intuition that far surpasses the rest of the team. But she feels that she can't show it. So when writing Isra, there are always multiple layers to her words and actions which, you know, gets a bit tricky.
In this scene with Joseph, Isra rejects his rather clumsy advances because she feels that love, especially romantic love, is a luxury she just can't afford. Especially right now when she is trying to prove herself and get back into the good graces of the Ministry. But I also try to hint that there is something deeper that maybe Isra can't see at the moment. Because love is also about power and for very good reasons, she's not giving any of hers over to anyone.
Then there is Althea.
Every once in awhile in the last book, I'd drop a hint about who Althea was and what she was like. I'm pretty sure people had a good idea by the end it, but this is the reveal for those that didn't totally understand. Or for those that read the first book over a year ago and don't remember. Stalking her prey through the streets of Arkester, I wanted to show that Althea uses love and romance like a tool. As we are about to see, it's kind of her all-purpose lock-pick kit. Or, even more accurately, its a form of currency.
In that way, she is in the same frame of mind as Isra. She also doesn't feel that a healthy romantic relationship is something she can afford either. The difference is that Althea is compelled by an addiction. So a healthy relationship for her would be like a drug addict with money saved up; the two just cant co-exist and for similar reasons.
So that's the starting spot for two of the characters. Isra and Althea are so alike they are almost two sides of the same coin. I think people, deep down, are motivated by a sense of completeness. And part of that, for most people, is a healthy romantic relationship. But for Isra or Althea to obtain that, they would have to give up something of themselves that they are unwilling to at this point. Either because, in the case of Isra, it would take drive and focus away from her career goals. Or, in the case of Althea, because she lives for that rush; that next high.
And that's where Templum Veneris begins.
As I read this again, however, I realize that this is where the story has to begin because Templum Veneris is a totally different animal. In a way, this is my first attempt at a love story. Or, at least, one where romantic love is a major theme. It was important to me to depict Althea and Isra dealing with romance, love, and sex in their own worlds before we transport them to the next one.
Isra is always a hard character to write because she feels things more intensely than anyone else. In a way, it's her superpower to read and predict how people are going to react. She has a level of empathy and emotional intuition that far surpasses the rest of the team. But she feels that she can't show it. So when writing Isra, there are always multiple layers to her words and actions which, you know, gets a bit tricky.
In this scene with Joseph, Isra rejects his rather clumsy advances because she feels that love, especially romantic love, is a luxury she just can't afford. Especially right now when she is trying to prove herself and get back into the good graces of the Ministry. But I also try to hint that there is something deeper that maybe Isra can't see at the moment. Because love is also about power and for very good reasons, she's not giving any of hers over to anyone.
Then there is Althea.
Every once in awhile in the last book, I'd drop a hint about who Althea was and what she was like. I'm pretty sure people had a good idea by the end it, but this is the reveal for those that didn't totally understand. Or for those that read the first book over a year ago and don't remember. Stalking her prey through the streets of Arkester, I wanted to show that Althea uses love and romance like a tool. As we are about to see, it's kind of her all-purpose lock-pick kit. Or, even more accurately, its a form of currency.
In that way, she is in the same frame of mind as Isra. She also doesn't feel that a healthy romantic relationship is something she can afford either. The difference is that Althea is compelled by an addiction. So a healthy relationship for her would be like a drug addict with money saved up; the two just cant co-exist and for similar reasons.
So that's the starting spot for two of the characters. Isra and Althea are so alike they are almost two sides of the same coin. I think people, deep down, are motivated by a sense of completeness. And part of that, for most people, is a healthy romantic relationship. But for Isra or Althea to obtain that, they would have to give up something of themselves that they are unwilling to at this point. Either because, in the case of Isra, it would take drive and focus away from her career goals. Or, in the case of Althea, because she lives for that rush; that next high.
And that's where Templum Veneris begins.
November 6, 2019
9 Things About: The Adventures of Tom Stranger Interdimensional Insurance Agent
Who do you call when Purple People Eaters are invading your world, or you get rear-ended by a rusted-out demon dimension? Call Tom Stranger, Interdimensional Insurance Agent. And make sure your premiums are paid.
Tom is on a mission to provide excellent customer service to clients. Even if it means braving tentacle monsters, the undead, or (gasp) a Nebraska call center. It's just a day in the life for the Universes most badass insurance agent.
1. Insulting Half Your Audience Is Not Good Customer Service
I wanted to like this book. I did like this book. It was in every way the stupid-fun madcap adventure that it promised to be. It is a story told with fanboyish glee where there are superior Earth dimensions that didn't cancel Firefly, survivability is measured in degrees of Bear Grylls, and uninsured Balrogs wreak havok. And all of it led by Tom Stranger, whose M.O. at every turn is Excellent Customer Service at any cost. My inner 13-year-old boy clapped and squeeled throughout this book. It would have been an easy four or five stars.
Except that the author let his politics creep into the book. Well... creep is the wrong word. He crams it in there like a guy trying to shove a Christmas tree into the back of his Honda Civic. And it pretty much ruined the book for me.
2. This Is How You Ruin A Book:It's remarkably easy to ruin a book. It's a little depressing, actually. You can write 300 pages of an engaging, fun, immersive story and then fuck it up with one page. It goes like this:
Imagine you're at a party and someone wheels out the most lovely cake you've ever seen. As you are admiring it, you notice something and say to the baker, "Wow, that looks amazing. Except... what are those little brown lumps on it?"
"Oh, that!" says the baker with pride, "That's shit."
"Shit?"
"Yep."
"You shit on the cake?'
"Yes, I did!"
...
...
"DON'T SHIT ON THE CAKE!'
The confectionary turds, in this case, are little swipes he takes at liberals. (Note: Not liberal ideas. But Liberals. I'll get to why that distinction matters in a moment) They are done with all the cleverness and nuance of a Fox News-addled uncle at Thanksgiving, and they just don't belong there. There is literally no reason for them. They stick out like... well... A cake turd.
3. Know Your Audience, Dude.
I'm not saying politics has no place in fiction. In fact, fiction gives us a labratory to explore ideas, political or otherwise. But right now, that landscape is a crater-filled hell with danger around every turn and its possible to blunder in without expecting to go there. But this book wasn't supposed to be anywhere near that grim Battlefield of Ideas. It was supposed to be a fun, easy-going adventure where pop-culture refrences abound and we all get to laugh at the absurdity of an insurance agent badass. Then he calls Obama a Marxist for... whatever reason. And everyone who wants healthcare is a socialist. And the main character's cowardly, inept sidekick is a gender studies major who was at Occupy Wallstreet. And in so doing the wonderfully fantastical world he's created comes crashing down and we are reminded that we live in this shitty one where you can't put your groceries in a paper bag without someone randomly calling you a communist. (This is a thing that actually happened to me.)
4. Or If Your Gonna Do It, At Least Do It Well:
You know what, political commentary is a good thing. Expecially political commentary that pokes holes in our own beliefs. Our fractured country would be whole lot better if everyone, especially people on the edges of the political spectrum, could take a minute and laugh at the absurdity of their own beliefs and ideas. Because sometimes the things we believe are kinda stupid when you really think about them. But that trick requires the brilliance and wit of a George Carlin or Bill Hicks. Not fucking Gallagher.
5. Step One, Target The Belief, Not The Believer
Here's how this works. You hold up an idea. You examine it in detail with your audience and you say, "Look at this idea. Isn't it kinda stupid when you really look at it?" Some people will laugh. Some will get mad. Intelligent people who hold that idea true will, hopefully, take the opportunity to laugh at themselves.
As opposed to what the author does, which is this: "Look at this idea. It's different then mine. I don't like it and everyone who believes it is a stupid, stupid head!"
See the difference?
6. Also Fuck You For Assigning A Political Affiliation To Jayne Cobb
The thing that actually annoyed me the most was implying that Jayne Cobb was a libertarian. Apparently, Adam Baldwin (who voiced the book) does describe himself as such. And that's fine. He can do that. I once identified as libertarian as well. Then I grew up and became a cynical utopian.
But implying that the fictional character Jayne Cobb would have shared that belief annoys something deep inside me. For a start, our modern poltics have nothing to do with the Firefly universe so don't even attempt to sully it by trying. And second, if I were to put Jayne Cobb on the D&D scale, he'd be somewhere between Chaotic Good and Chaotic Neutral. That is not an alignment where one finds a lot of poltical labels. Jayne Cobb has only one allegiance, and that is to whoever has the most coin.
Case. Fucking. Closed.
7. How Meta Can You Get?
A quick break from this rant. Adam Baldwin does an amazing job voicing this book, but at some point he is voicing himself as a fictional character who is, in turn, playing a part from a television show that the real Adam Baldwin made famous.
...
You know what, I hope our Dimentional Insurance Policy is paid up because that level of meta could rip a hole in space-time.
8. Again No Reason For It.
Looking through the Goodreads comments, one thing becomes clear. I'm not the only person who feels this way. In fact you could divide the comments pretty reliably between those who enjoyed the book and those who enjoyed the book but was so annoyed by the ham-handed political commentary that they ended up hating it. And it didn't need to be there. The author did not have to drop a deuce on that cake! Even as I write this I find myself getting angry again. Not about the actual lines that ruined the book but the fact that the book was ruined at all. It was a lovely cake! Why did he shit on it!
9. The Verdict ⭐⭐
Strangely, I would still recomend this book. It is a fun book! It's funny and stupid and would have been the perfect palate clenser after a heavy read were it not for the cake turds. In fact I have recomended it to friends, but with a caviate. I've told people, "It's a fun book, but you'll have to overlook the fact that the author is an asshole and takes potshots and liberals." And when I watched their eyes I could see the disappointment.
And that's what really killed it for me. Why alienate your audience like that? The only reason I can think of is so you can endear yourself to the braying donkeys who like people who offend for the sake of offense. And maybe you can build an audience off of there. We suffer from no shortage of them.
But that isn't, as our noble hero constantly repeated, Excellent Customer Service.
Tom is on a mission to provide excellent customer service to clients. Even if it means braving tentacle monsters, the undead, or (gasp) a Nebraska call center. It's just a day in the life for the Universes most badass insurance agent.
1. Insulting Half Your Audience Is Not Good Customer ServiceI wanted to like this book. I did like this book. It was in every way the stupid-fun madcap adventure that it promised to be. It is a story told with fanboyish glee where there are superior Earth dimensions that didn't cancel Firefly, survivability is measured in degrees of Bear Grylls, and uninsured Balrogs wreak havok. And all of it led by Tom Stranger, whose M.O. at every turn is Excellent Customer Service at any cost. My inner 13-year-old boy clapped and squeeled throughout this book. It would have been an easy four or five stars.
Except that the author let his politics creep into the book. Well... creep is the wrong word. He crams it in there like a guy trying to shove a Christmas tree into the back of his Honda Civic. And it pretty much ruined the book for me.
2. This Is How You Ruin A Book:It's remarkably easy to ruin a book. It's a little depressing, actually. You can write 300 pages of an engaging, fun, immersive story and then fuck it up with one page. It goes like this:
Imagine you're at a party and someone wheels out the most lovely cake you've ever seen. As you are admiring it, you notice something and say to the baker, "Wow, that looks amazing. Except... what are those little brown lumps on it?"
"Oh, that!" says the baker with pride, "That's shit."
"Shit?"
"Yep."
"You shit on the cake?'
"Yes, I did!"
...
...
"DON'T SHIT ON THE CAKE!'
The confectionary turds, in this case, are little swipes he takes at liberals. (Note: Not liberal ideas. But Liberals. I'll get to why that distinction matters in a moment) They are done with all the cleverness and nuance of a Fox News-addled uncle at Thanksgiving, and they just don't belong there. There is literally no reason for them. They stick out like... well... A cake turd.
3. Know Your Audience, Dude.
I'm not saying politics has no place in fiction. In fact, fiction gives us a labratory to explore ideas, political or otherwise. But right now, that landscape is a crater-filled hell with danger around every turn and its possible to blunder in without expecting to go there. But this book wasn't supposed to be anywhere near that grim Battlefield of Ideas. It was supposed to be a fun, easy-going adventure where pop-culture refrences abound and we all get to laugh at the absurdity of an insurance agent badass. Then he calls Obama a Marxist for... whatever reason. And everyone who wants healthcare is a socialist. And the main character's cowardly, inept sidekick is a gender studies major who was at Occupy Wallstreet. And in so doing the wonderfully fantastical world he's created comes crashing down and we are reminded that we live in this shitty one where you can't put your groceries in a paper bag without someone randomly calling you a communist. (This is a thing that actually happened to me.)
4. Or If Your Gonna Do It, At Least Do It Well:
You know what, political commentary is a good thing. Expecially political commentary that pokes holes in our own beliefs. Our fractured country would be whole lot better if everyone, especially people on the edges of the political spectrum, could take a minute and laugh at the absurdity of their own beliefs and ideas. Because sometimes the things we believe are kinda stupid when you really think about them. But that trick requires the brilliance and wit of a George Carlin or Bill Hicks. Not fucking Gallagher.
5. Step One, Target The Belief, Not The Believer
Here's how this works. You hold up an idea. You examine it in detail with your audience and you say, "Look at this idea. Isn't it kinda stupid when you really look at it?" Some people will laugh. Some will get mad. Intelligent people who hold that idea true will, hopefully, take the opportunity to laugh at themselves.
As opposed to what the author does, which is this: "Look at this idea. It's different then mine. I don't like it and everyone who believes it is a stupid, stupid head!"
See the difference?
6. Also Fuck You For Assigning A Political Affiliation To Jayne Cobb
The thing that actually annoyed me the most was implying that Jayne Cobb was a libertarian. Apparently, Adam Baldwin (who voiced the book) does describe himself as such. And that's fine. He can do that. I once identified as libertarian as well. Then I grew up and became a cynical utopian.
But implying that the fictional character Jayne Cobb would have shared that belief annoys something deep inside me. For a start, our modern poltics have nothing to do with the Firefly universe so don't even attempt to sully it by trying. And second, if I were to put Jayne Cobb on the D&D scale, he'd be somewhere between Chaotic Good and Chaotic Neutral. That is not an alignment where one finds a lot of poltical labels. Jayne Cobb has only one allegiance, and that is to whoever has the most coin.
Case. Fucking. Closed.
7. How Meta Can You Get?
A quick break from this rant. Adam Baldwin does an amazing job voicing this book, but at some point he is voicing himself as a fictional character who is, in turn, playing a part from a television show that the real Adam Baldwin made famous.
...
You know what, I hope our Dimentional Insurance Policy is paid up because that level of meta could rip a hole in space-time.
8. Again No Reason For It.
Looking through the Goodreads comments, one thing becomes clear. I'm not the only person who feels this way. In fact you could divide the comments pretty reliably between those who enjoyed the book and those who enjoyed the book but was so annoyed by the ham-handed political commentary that they ended up hating it. And it didn't need to be there. The author did not have to drop a deuce on that cake! Even as I write this I find myself getting angry again. Not about the actual lines that ruined the book but the fact that the book was ruined at all. It was a lovely cake! Why did he shit on it!
9. The Verdict ⭐⭐
Strangely, I would still recomend this book. It is a fun book! It's funny and stupid and would have been the perfect palate clenser after a heavy read were it not for the cake turds. In fact I have recomended it to friends, but with a caviate. I've told people, "It's a fun book, but you'll have to overlook the fact that the author is an asshole and takes potshots and liberals." And when I watched their eyes I could see the disappointment.
And that's what really killed it for me. Why alienate your audience like that? The only reason I can think of is so you can endear yourself to the braying donkeys who like people who offend for the sake of offense. And maybe you can build an audience off of there. We suffer from no shortage of them.
But that isn't, as our noble hero constantly repeated, Excellent Customer Service.
October 23, 2019
7 Things About Clipses Awaken
Powered by the solar eclipse, the Clipses are beings blessed with superpowers who roam the galaxy in search of the cure for the Apoptosis disease, which is one of the few things that can destroy them.
But when talented and brash Krill’s sister is killed by a member of the Celestial Council, he is set on a path that will pit him against the people he’s come to know as family.
1. If Samari Champloo and Star Wars Had a Love Child:
At least that's the vibe I got. The art put me in the mind of anime like Champoo or maybe Bleach more accurately. And there's definately an epic narritive feel to it complete with the tragic hero but I'll get to that in a bit.
2. Welcome to the World. Hope You Brought a Notepad:
The world the creators built is both the greatest strength and greatest weakness of this graphic novel. On one hand I have to appreciate the sheer depth of this world. The powers and governing rules regarding the Clipses are detailed. The history is deep. The vastness is astouding. As someone who has had to sit down and world-build I have to tip my hat to this book.
3. But Seriously, Take Notes:
But, as I said, that's also the downside. I feel I would need to sit down and read through this at least three or four more times in order to understand everything that was going on. But, for me, the graphic novel format doesn't led itself well to a lot of exposition. Complex storylines are definatly a feature but I feel like this book had to ease into it more. As it is I felt like I was bombarded with so much backstory and worldbuilding that I had trouble sniffing out the actual story.
4. Say hello to your hero...er villan... you know what? Meet Krill:
I did like the main character quite a lot. Krill has all the hallmarks of a kind of tragic hero. Almost a Darth Vader origin story (if Darth Vader's origin story had been done well, that is. I mean seriously. Could Anakin Skywalker be more of a whiny bitch?) he is a talented and promising student. He was actually born on an eclipse which means he has the potential to grow his powers far beyond most normal Clips. And a member of the Celestial Council went and killed his sister. And now he's got a grudge.
5. So Why Exactly Did They Kill His Sister?:
Short answer; it's complicated.
Longer answer, I really am not sure. We are tossed into a world that is just cooling after some kind of war between the Solars and the Lunars. Krill's sister had something to do with that. Again, I would have to read this a few more times to suss out exactly why.
6. The Tale of the Clipses Continues?
I will admit that the book lost me in a very murky middle but, once it found it's footing again and Krill started his mad dash for vengense, I was hooked again. This is the first book in the series and I have to say I would pick up the second to see where this tale takes us.
7. The Verdict ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Overall, I enjoyed it. Even though the narritive does get lost, the art, characters and, especially the world did a lot of work to keep me interested. Its worth a read for anyone who might get a kick out of a sci-fi superhero graphic novel.
But when talented and brash Krill’s sister is killed by a member of the Celestial Council, he is set on a path that will pit him against the people he’s come to know as family.
1. If Samari Champloo and Star Wars Had a Love Child:
At least that's the vibe I got. The art put me in the mind of anime like Champoo or maybe Bleach more accurately. And there's definately an epic narritive feel to it complete with the tragic hero but I'll get to that in a bit.
2. Welcome to the World. Hope You Brought a Notepad:
The world the creators built is both the greatest strength and greatest weakness of this graphic novel. On one hand I have to appreciate the sheer depth of this world. The powers and governing rules regarding the Clipses are detailed. The history is deep. The vastness is astouding. As someone who has had to sit down and world-build I have to tip my hat to this book.
3. But Seriously, Take Notes:
But, as I said, that's also the downside. I feel I would need to sit down and read through this at least three or four more times in order to understand everything that was going on. But, for me, the graphic novel format doesn't led itself well to a lot of exposition. Complex storylines are definatly a feature but I feel like this book had to ease into it more. As it is I felt like I was bombarded with so much backstory and worldbuilding that I had trouble sniffing out the actual story.
4. Say hello to your hero...er villan... you know what? Meet Krill:
I did like the main character quite a lot. Krill has all the hallmarks of a kind of tragic hero. Almost a Darth Vader origin story (if Darth Vader's origin story had been done well, that is. I mean seriously. Could Anakin Skywalker be more of a whiny bitch?) he is a talented and promising student. He was actually born on an eclipse which means he has the potential to grow his powers far beyond most normal Clips. And a member of the Celestial Council went and killed his sister. And now he's got a grudge.
5. So Why Exactly Did They Kill His Sister?:
Short answer; it's complicated.
Longer answer, I really am not sure. We are tossed into a world that is just cooling after some kind of war between the Solars and the Lunars. Krill's sister had something to do with that. Again, I would have to read this a few more times to suss out exactly why.
6. The Tale of the Clipses Continues?
I will admit that the book lost me in a very murky middle but, once it found it's footing again and Krill started his mad dash for vengense, I was hooked again. This is the first book in the series and I have to say I would pick up the second to see where this tale takes us.
7. The Verdict ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Overall, I enjoyed it. Even though the narritive does get lost, the art, characters and, especially the world did a lot of work to keep me interested. Its worth a read for anyone who might get a kick out of a sci-fi superhero graphic novel.
October 11, 2019
Holy Shit All The Things Are Happening: Part 2!
Ahem...
All right. Gather 'round. These are all the things that are happening:
Somehow in my rush to try and get the word out on every platform I can, I forgot what is probably the most important. Namely, this place where I get up and rant about whatever is on my mind. Mostly books. My books. And other people's books. It's kinda my thing.
ANYHOO!
If you haven't heard, Ruins of Empire #2 is available on pre-order on Kickstarter here:
Or here.
Just click the link. There's a cool video. And seriously, you've only got two weeks to do it.
Or go here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/....
The official Amazon release is on November 15th. For fans in the Boise area, that also means a release party at County Line Brewing. Also, the second season of the Ruins of Empire Podcast starts on November 18th.
Now you might be asking yourself a few questions. Namely...
Why the Fuck Kickstarter?To which I reply, why not? It's an experiment. I've spent over a year now putting on my skimpiest outfits, throwing some glitter on my face, and going out onto that over-crowded street corner that is all of social media. I've had some successes. Some failures. And a lot of lessons learned about marketing in the strange time we are living in.
Now it's time for me to see if any of that work actually paid off. I set a goal that I felt was doable (note doable in italics); ambitious but doable.
But really just trying out a new avenue to get my work out there. There's no right way to do anything anymore, especially in the world of indie publishing. There are just ways that work and ways that don't work. And they differ for every person and their audience. Maybe this will work for me, maybe it won't, but it was worth a try.
So... what if it doesn't get funded? Well, then it didn't work, did it?
In the short term, I will drink a lot and cry. Before you feel bad, that's basically how I begin and end my days, so don't worry. It's normal.
Second, I'll try to get books out to them that wanted them and proceed as planned. And then I will put on the short skirt, rouge up my cheeks, and slap on some kneepads and head out once again.
Again, it's an experiment. And one that is in no way driving me a little insane.
*twitch*
*twitch*
So should I...You should totally go to Kickstarter and check it out. At least see the badass book trailer. The art was from the very talented Angela Vincent, voiced by Your Truly and my wife. And then you totally should pledge a few bucks for a few reasons.
ONE!: Your name in the Acknowledgments section: A kind of living record —a memorial if you will— to those who were brave and crazy enough to help me keep this project going.
TWO!: Autographed Copies. Unless you know me and can hunt me down (they say author is the most dangerous prey), this is probably your one chance to get my drunken scrawl across the title page of your book. I promise I will be half in the bag when I am signing these books.
THREE!: Hardback copies! If you are a fan of the elegant feel of a hardback book (AND WHO ISNT?!), this is the one chance to get one. While I tend to keep paperbacks copies on hand, I will probably not do much with this format. It's bulky, expensive, and appeals to a rather limited audience.
But I'm putting in an order for them so, if hardback is your jam, this is the place. This is the time. Seriously, this shit ends on October 25th, so do it.
DOOO IITTT!
Fine, fine, what about the podcast?Status: In Progress!Recording has already begun, and episodes will start trickling out November 18th. Producer Shaun has returned to help record and produce it. So if you are a fan of me reading my own books to you, it's happening again. Complete with the author commentary and all the other bells whistles and fireworks.
Wasn't There Supposed To Be An Audiobook?Status: ER..UM...IN PROGRESS?Here's the thing. I wanted to throw a bunch of time and energy into the release of Templum Veneris. So we put the whole audiobook thing on hold for now. Is it coming? Yes. When?
Sigh... After today. Probably before next December. Maybe.
It turned out to be a much harder project than we thought, especially for two guys who have other projects and full-time jobs. We've made some progress. There's a lot more to do. It will all happen in time.
Any more questions? Nope? Good!
One more time, here are the dates you need to know.
October 25th: The end of the Templum Veneris pre-release campaign on Kickstarter. November 15th: Official Amazon Release. We party at County Line Brewing!November 18th: Ruins of Empire: Season 2November 19th: - Sometime in 2021: Me sitting pantless in my writing cave arguing with imaginary people. As it should be.
All right. Gather 'round. These are all the things that are happening:
Somehow in my rush to try and get the word out on every platform I can, I forgot what is probably the most important. Namely, this place where I get up and rant about whatever is on my mind. Mostly books. My books. And other people's books. It's kinda my thing.
ANYHOO!
If you haven't heard, Ruins of Empire #2 is available on pre-order on Kickstarter here:
Or here.
Just click the link. There's a cool video. And seriously, you've only got two weeks to do it.
Or go here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/....
The official Amazon release is on November 15th. For fans in the Boise area, that also means a release party at County Line Brewing. Also, the second season of the Ruins of Empire Podcast starts on November 18th.
Now you might be asking yourself a few questions. Namely...
Why the Fuck Kickstarter?To which I reply, why not? It's an experiment. I've spent over a year now putting on my skimpiest outfits, throwing some glitter on my face, and going out onto that over-crowded street corner that is all of social media. I've had some successes. Some failures. And a lot of lessons learned about marketing in the strange time we are living in.
Now it's time for me to see if any of that work actually paid off. I set a goal that I felt was doable (note doable in italics); ambitious but doable.
But really just trying out a new avenue to get my work out there. There's no right way to do anything anymore, especially in the world of indie publishing. There are just ways that work and ways that don't work. And they differ for every person and their audience. Maybe this will work for me, maybe it won't, but it was worth a try.
So... what if it doesn't get funded? Well, then it didn't work, did it?
In the short term, I will drink a lot and cry. Before you feel bad, that's basically how I begin and end my days, so don't worry. It's normal.
Second, I'll try to get books out to them that wanted them and proceed as planned. And then I will put on the short skirt, rouge up my cheeks, and slap on some kneepads and head out once again.
Again, it's an experiment. And one that is in no way driving me a little insane.
*twitch*
*twitch*
So should I...You should totally go to Kickstarter and check it out. At least see the badass book trailer. The art was from the very talented Angela Vincent, voiced by Your Truly and my wife. And then you totally should pledge a few bucks for a few reasons.
ONE!: Your name in the Acknowledgments section: A kind of living record —a memorial if you will— to those who were brave and crazy enough to help me keep this project going.
TWO!: Autographed Copies. Unless you know me and can hunt me down (they say author is the most dangerous prey), this is probably your one chance to get my drunken scrawl across the title page of your book. I promise I will be half in the bag when I am signing these books.
THREE!: Hardback copies! If you are a fan of the elegant feel of a hardback book (AND WHO ISNT?!), this is the one chance to get one. While I tend to keep paperbacks copies on hand, I will probably not do much with this format. It's bulky, expensive, and appeals to a rather limited audience.
But I'm putting in an order for them so, if hardback is your jam, this is the place. This is the time. Seriously, this shit ends on October 25th, so do it.
DOOO IITTT!
Fine, fine, what about the podcast?Status: In Progress!Recording has already begun, and episodes will start trickling out November 18th. Producer Shaun has returned to help record and produce it. So if you are a fan of me reading my own books to you, it's happening again. Complete with the author commentary and all the other bells whistles and fireworks.
Wasn't There Supposed To Be An Audiobook?Status: ER..UM...IN PROGRESS?Here's the thing. I wanted to throw a bunch of time and energy into the release of Templum Veneris. So we put the whole audiobook thing on hold for now. Is it coming? Yes. When?
Sigh... After today. Probably before next December. Maybe.
It turned out to be a much harder project than we thought, especially for two guys who have other projects and full-time jobs. We've made some progress. There's a lot more to do. It will all happen in time.
Any more questions? Nope? Good!
One more time, here are the dates you need to know.
October 25th: The end of the Templum Veneris pre-release campaign on Kickstarter. November 15th: Official Amazon Release. We party at County Line Brewing!November 18th: Ruins of Empire: Season 2November 19th: - Sometime in 2021: Me sitting pantless in my writing cave arguing with imaginary people. As it should be.
October 10, 2019
6 Things About The Edge Of Doom
Durban Chola is the undisputed boss of Starcity’s criminal syndicates. With the two ex-soldiers from the punitive ‘Specials,’ Jaz and Avilon, at his side to provide protection and muscle, there is nobody in the criminal underground that can stand against him.
But when the legendary criminal, Shame Cullen, rises again and makes an attempt on Chola’s life, violence erupts all over the ‘City. Together, they must uncover the truth behind Shame Cullen and defend themselves from the other criminal organizations closing in before it’s too late.
1. It Took A Whole Book To Get To This Point But:It's not to say I didn't enjoy the first book in the Hauspex Trilogy, I did. But it struck me as an infodump. A very well-written infodump but an infodump regardless. Book one introduced us to the characters and told the story about how their fates would become bound together, like chess pieces moving into position. Edge of Doom is the attack.
2. Starcity, the worst place in the Universe:
Starcity or, just 'City as it is often referenced in the book, reminds me of a science fiction Gotham City. Starships and laser blasters and no caped crusader to keep the criminal element underground. The complex, gritty world really provides everything this story needs along with an intriguing villain that is both everywhere and nowhere.
3. The Dread Pirate Shame Cullen:
Okay, sorta kinda spoiler alert, but one of the major adversaries from the first book is back. But they are not who you thought they were. In fact, they aren't who anyone thinks they are. Shame Cullen is everywhere and nowhere. They are behind every plot and every power grab. As far as antagonists go, I love the almost mythical status of this one. It adds that extra level of mystique to this world.
4. What If You Used To Be An Evil Badass?:
The world provides just the right environment for these characters to really shine. There is a lot to love here, but one element I particularly liked was Avilon's development in this book. Assigned to the Specials for a crime he has no memory of, Avilon was always an intriguing character. But now we begin to see that, not only was a horrible person who did a terrible thing, but he was also kind of a badass. Brilliant and capable, the person who Avilon was is everything that he feels that he's not now. And that conflict between wishing he was 'that guy' again and yet being horrified by the crime he committed is really engaging.
5. Awww..Why did you have to... do that... to... er.... that person:
I don't want to give anything away, but the one thing that did get to me a little bit was the rather unceremonious dispatching of one of the characters from the first book. They were never a major feature but I think their fate deserved more. That's all I'll say about that.
6. The Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐: A few issues aside, I really dug this book. Much like the first, it's not a story one can dip into idly, but one that requires the reader's full attention. Preferably with the lights dimmed, some soft mood music, and maybe a glass of scotch. (Or your fancy beverage of choice.) To get the full effect it is necessary to read Trust a Few but, as said before, I think it's worth it.
October 2, 2019
9 Things About The Shamans At The End Of Time.
After being injured on a deadly modern battlefield, Vlad wakes up in a strange land. Civilization has reverted to a hunter-gatherer culture. The people practice mind-expanding religious rites. And, what’s more, he finds himself inexplicably bonded to two girls in the village. But this world is at a turning point, and an aggressive male-dominated village nearby threatens the peaceful place Vlad now calls home. Now he must rely on his military training and his newly-formed shaman powers to protect the people he has come to care for and the women he loves.
1. Stranger In A Strange Land: To be honest, I always cringe a little when I start a story only to realize that it's premise is this: Take modern human person, transport them magically to a different time and place and see what happens!
Because what usually happens is they walk around confused for a few hundred pages until they realize they have to live there forever or they get to go home.
2. A Look Into Human Origins:Confession time, I'm kind of a nerd. And one of the obscure subjects I like to be nerdy about is theories regarding primitive human culture. The exact story about how we went from small ape-like creatures foraging in the savannas of Eastern Africa to ....whatever the fuck we are now, is at the heart of what we are and where we are going as a species. And it seems that the author, Florian Armas, is a bit of a nerd in that regard too. Or, at least, she did some reading on the subject which I dearly appreciated.
3. Hey! You With The Cellphone! You're Not As Smart As You Think:One of the theories she brought up was one I just recently became aware of. I was listening to a talk from a science writer who had spent a great deal of time among the tribes of Papua New Guinea. And he talked at length about how highly intelligent he found the people who lived there and his theory that hunter-gatherer cultures naturally select for higher intelligence. That was actually brought up in this book and was well used and added a layer of authority to this work.
4. Men Basically Ruin Everything:One thing I found a little on the nose was the gender politics discussed in the novel. In the book, Vlad is transported to an ancient land and comes to live in a peaceful matriarchal society that worships the Mother and, in which, women are held in the highest regard. Conversely, the village is under constant threat by a militaristic patriarchal society who worship The Bull and who treat their women as broodmares.
I'm not saying I disagree with any of these ideas. But there was a lot of me mumbling, 'Yeah, I get it. Men are basically the worst.'
5. Except...:Without giving too much away, it is actually a woman, a supreme matriarch that sets in motion a series of events that ruins everything toward the end of the book. So... maybe the real take away is that People Are The Worst. All People. The Worst.
...yeah, I can get behind that.
6. Reader, This Is Vlad. Vlad... Reader:I realize that I haven't said anything about any of the characters. Partially that's because, for me, there wasn't much to say. Most of the other characters were interchangeable for me, I could never really get a unique voice from much of anyone. The main character, Vlad, is the brooding male archetype that romance loves to use. A kind of strong, silent type that is vulnerable deep down but nobody gets to see it except the One Woman who can open his heart.
If romance is your thing, you probably like this archetype.
7. Wait, That's It?:
Again, without giving too much away, the book just ends. Part of the issue is that Vlad never really develops any motivation or goals of his own. He mostly, like I said before, wanders around confused, so there's really no character arch for him to complete. So the book ends with Vlad learning the moral of the story. Which is...
8. Men Are The Worst:Again, I don't disagree with that assessment. But it is a theme. A very, very strong theme.
9. The Verdict ⭐⭐⭐:It was okay. Fans of fantasy romance, especially the romance part, will likely love things that I found annoying. They will also just understand some subtext that is simply lost on me. But I feel there are also issues, particularly toward the end, that are going to leave even the most forgiving fans of the genre feeling unfulfilled.
1. Stranger In A Strange Land: To be honest, I always cringe a little when I start a story only to realize that it's premise is this: Take modern human person, transport them magically to a different time and place and see what happens!
Because what usually happens is they walk around confused for a few hundred pages until they realize they have to live there forever or they get to go home.
2. A Look Into Human Origins:Confession time, I'm kind of a nerd. And one of the obscure subjects I like to be nerdy about is theories regarding primitive human culture. The exact story about how we went from small ape-like creatures foraging in the savannas of Eastern Africa to ....whatever the fuck we are now, is at the heart of what we are and where we are going as a species. And it seems that the author, Florian Armas, is a bit of a nerd in that regard too. Or, at least, she did some reading on the subject which I dearly appreciated.
3. Hey! You With The Cellphone! You're Not As Smart As You Think:One of the theories she brought up was one I just recently became aware of. I was listening to a talk from a science writer who had spent a great deal of time among the tribes of Papua New Guinea. And he talked at length about how highly intelligent he found the people who lived there and his theory that hunter-gatherer cultures naturally select for higher intelligence. That was actually brought up in this book and was well used and added a layer of authority to this work.
4. Men Basically Ruin Everything:One thing I found a little on the nose was the gender politics discussed in the novel. In the book, Vlad is transported to an ancient land and comes to live in a peaceful matriarchal society that worships the Mother and, in which, women are held in the highest regard. Conversely, the village is under constant threat by a militaristic patriarchal society who worship The Bull and who treat their women as broodmares.
I'm not saying I disagree with any of these ideas. But there was a lot of me mumbling, 'Yeah, I get it. Men are basically the worst.'
5. Except...:Without giving too much away, it is actually a woman, a supreme matriarch that sets in motion a series of events that ruins everything toward the end of the book. So... maybe the real take away is that People Are The Worst. All People. The Worst.
...yeah, I can get behind that.
6. Reader, This Is Vlad. Vlad... Reader:I realize that I haven't said anything about any of the characters. Partially that's because, for me, there wasn't much to say. Most of the other characters were interchangeable for me, I could never really get a unique voice from much of anyone. The main character, Vlad, is the brooding male archetype that romance loves to use. A kind of strong, silent type that is vulnerable deep down but nobody gets to see it except the One Woman who can open his heart.
If romance is your thing, you probably like this archetype.
7. Wait, That's It?:
Again, without giving too much away, the book just ends. Part of the issue is that Vlad never really develops any motivation or goals of his own. He mostly, like I said before, wanders around confused, so there's really no character arch for him to complete. So the book ends with Vlad learning the moral of the story. Which is...
8. Men Are The Worst:Again, I don't disagree with that assessment. But it is a theme. A very, very strong theme.
9. The Verdict ⭐⭐⭐:It was okay. Fans of fantasy romance, especially the romance part, will likely love things that I found annoying. They will also just understand some subtext that is simply lost on me. But I feel there are also issues, particularly toward the end, that are going to leave even the most forgiving fans of the genre feeling unfulfilled.
September 11, 2019
7 Things About The Wake Up
Lexi can See the truth reflected in mirrors. She can see the angels and demons we keep inside.
But this is an age where the truth is at odds with the state, and an oppressive new regime has banned the use of mirrors. Those like Lexi who can See are in grave danger, so she hides her ability from the world.
But when she falls for the suave and charismatic Dominic, she finds that those we hold closest to our hearts contain the darkest secrets.
1. The Life of Lexi:The Wake Up follows the life of Lexi from a precocious young girl to a rebellious woman. Not only is she a Seer—which means she can look into a mirror and people change into angels or demons in the reflection—but she comes from a family of glassmakers, which is a dangerous thing to be in this time and place. As she grows up and finds her way in a world increasingly torn apart by a power-mad president turned dictator. Still, she finds love and tries to make a nice life for herself, but the reality of what she is and what she Sees is always there.
2. Totally About Politics, Except It's Not:It's hard to know how to approach a novel like The Wake Up. On the one hand, there's something very topical about the setting of this book. A new authoritarian president is elected. He has hair 'like roadkill,' he talks about 'winning.' There's a reference to building a wall...
3. It's Totally Trump:Or, at least, it's a very, very thinly veiled reference. And it's a clear choice by the author. She could have had an elected dictator with any number of characteristics, but she chose these specific traits. Which, for me, made it difficult to just enjoy the story on its own terms because now it's topical. Now there is a Message. Now I'm reading too much into everything to see the author's commentary on our world.
And it isn't a flattering one.
4. Totally Not About Politics:Aside from the references to modern society, the book actually reads like a fairy story. In fact, in a different setting, I think a lot of the ideas would have worked out well. Especially one of the main premises of the book, where the president bans all man-made reflective surfaces. In a mythical kingdom with a mad king on the throne, I could totally see and get behind an Official Decree Banning All Glass Used For Reflection. But the modern United States? ...That's just too wide a chasm for my suspension of disbelief.
5. Not. About. Politics!:It really isn't. The only thing that the president in this book does is enact law 666 (a bit on the nose, yes?) which bans mirrors in the United States. There is nothing in this book about modern issues regarding race, religion, immigration, the separation of powers, environmental policy, or anything else that the talking heads scream about every night on the news. If it wasn't for the presence of Ronald Plump in the background, one could probably interpret this as an allegory at most.
But at the same time, the story almost needed that baggage because, by itself, the oppressive government didn't seem that bad. It was terrible if your family happens to be in glass making or you hallucinate and see angels and demons in mirrors. But, for everyone else, pretty much America as normal. Unless you firmly hold mirrors as a Basic Human Right, in which... well... okay.
Imagine watching the news, and there is a story about how Kim Jung Un banned mirrors in North Korea. My reaction would probably be one of confusion and mild curiosity but not outrage. That's kind of how I felt about the government in Waking Up.
6. This Is Why Setting Matters:I think this story would have fared far better in its own world with its own rules and its own reality and history. Trying to stitch it to our world seems to make a very confused Frankenstein's monster. The fairy tale aspect and the modern allegory clash like the angels and the demons do in the book, constantly fighting but one never getting ahead of the other.
7. The Verdict ⭐⭐⭐:There are some aspects about this story I liked. I think Lexi was a compelling and sympathetic main character. Some details of the world were unique, and the overall idea was interesting. The execution just wasn't there.
But this is an age where the truth is at odds with the state, and an oppressive new regime has banned the use of mirrors. Those like Lexi who can See are in grave danger, so she hides her ability from the world.
But when she falls for the suave and charismatic Dominic, she finds that those we hold closest to our hearts contain the darkest secrets.
1. The Life of Lexi:The Wake Up follows the life of Lexi from a precocious young girl to a rebellious woman. Not only is she a Seer—which means she can look into a mirror and people change into angels or demons in the reflection—but she comes from a family of glassmakers, which is a dangerous thing to be in this time and place. As she grows up and finds her way in a world increasingly torn apart by a power-mad president turned dictator. Still, she finds love and tries to make a nice life for herself, but the reality of what she is and what she Sees is always there.
2. Totally About Politics, Except It's Not:It's hard to know how to approach a novel like The Wake Up. On the one hand, there's something very topical about the setting of this book. A new authoritarian president is elected. He has hair 'like roadkill,' he talks about 'winning.' There's a reference to building a wall...
3. It's Totally Trump:Or, at least, it's a very, very thinly veiled reference. And it's a clear choice by the author. She could have had an elected dictator with any number of characteristics, but she chose these specific traits. Which, for me, made it difficult to just enjoy the story on its own terms because now it's topical. Now there is a Message. Now I'm reading too much into everything to see the author's commentary on our world.
And it isn't a flattering one.
4. Totally Not About Politics:Aside from the references to modern society, the book actually reads like a fairy story. In fact, in a different setting, I think a lot of the ideas would have worked out well. Especially one of the main premises of the book, where the president bans all man-made reflective surfaces. In a mythical kingdom with a mad king on the throne, I could totally see and get behind an Official Decree Banning All Glass Used For Reflection. But the modern United States? ...That's just too wide a chasm for my suspension of disbelief.
5. Not. About. Politics!:It really isn't. The only thing that the president in this book does is enact law 666 (a bit on the nose, yes?) which bans mirrors in the United States. There is nothing in this book about modern issues regarding race, religion, immigration, the separation of powers, environmental policy, or anything else that the talking heads scream about every night on the news. If it wasn't for the presence of Ronald Plump in the background, one could probably interpret this as an allegory at most.
But at the same time, the story almost needed that baggage because, by itself, the oppressive government didn't seem that bad. It was terrible if your family happens to be in glass making or you hallucinate and see angels and demons in mirrors. But, for everyone else, pretty much America as normal. Unless you firmly hold mirrors as a Basic Human Right, in which... well... okay.
Imagine watching the news, and there is a story about how Kim Jung Un banned mirrors in North Korea. My reaction would probably be one of confusion and mild curiosity but not outrage. That's kind of how I felt about the government in Waking Up.
6. This Is Why Setting Matters:I think this story would have fared far better in its own world with its own rules and its own reality and history. Trying to stitch it to our world seems to make a very confused Frankenstein's monster. The fairy tale aspect and the modern allegory clash like the angels and the demons do in the book, constantly fighting but one never getting ahead of the other.
7. The Verdict ⭐⭐⭐:There are some aspects about this story I liked. I think Lexi was a compelling and sympathetic main character. Some details of the world were unique, and the overall idea was interesting. The execution just wasn't there.
September 4, 2019
8 Things About Iduro
Res, the star of the perpetually popular band, Lo/Res has just announced that he intends to marry Rei Toei, the newest and hottest pop sensation adored by all of Japan. The thing is, she doesn't exist. She is an idoru, a purely synthetic being that doesn't have any presence in physical reality.
Laney is at the lowest point of his life. As a private investigator for the all-reality television network Slitscan, his job is to probe data on the net to find hidden clues and patterns. But when his gift helps him predict but not prevent a suicide brought on by his employer, he is recruited by a new group called Out Of Bounds, a counter-counter journalistic entity that wants to expose how Slitscan exploits a population obsessed with fame and sensationalist news. And his first job is to find what shadowy group must be behind Res' desire to marry Rei.
Meanwhile, the Seattle chapter of the Lo/Res Fanclub has sent Chia to Japan to meet with the Tokyo chapter to find out why the idol of their affection is marrying something that doesn't exist. But she is caught up in a dangerous situation all her own when a smuggler slips something important into her bag at the airport. It is a secret that many are willing to kill for.
The story jumps back and forth between Laney and Chia as they get closer and closer to the other-worldly love between two pop stars, one real and one not.
1. Back to the Bridge?:Okay, I picked up this book because I really enjoyed Virtual Light, and was looking forward to picking up where the characters left off. I felt there was still a lot that was left open both in the story and the world. And there probably is. It just isn't in this book. Despite being part of the series, only a couple characters from Virtual Light make an appearance here. So, at first, I was a little annoyed. But I quickly fell into this book on its own terms.
2: Fame, The Ultimate Illusion:This book really is about fame in all its forms. There's the destructive kind that consumes a young woman's life early in the book and sends Laney on his path. There's the almost religious personality cult that elevates mere mortals like Res into demigod status. There's the heavily engineered form that has created Rei from literally nothing. And there are the multitudes that are drawn to it, either because it's how they eke out a living, or because of a primordial compulsion to follow those with status.
3. The Fame Chasers:The part of this book that I struggled with was the characters. Laney was your basic down-on-his-luck dude trying to find a place in this world and a way to be of service to it. In fact, you could basically switch him out with Rydell in Virtual Light, and I don't think anyone would notice. Chia was just kind of... there. She was a blank slate through which we could see a world of fame-gone-bonkers through the eyes of someone who couldn't see the madness. Oh, and her life was constantly being threatened since she arrived in Japan.
4. Dull...Like a Fox?:It could be argued, I suppose that the other characters were so dim so that Res and Rei could shine through. They are perpetually on the sidelines; I could see their hands guiding events in the way they wanted. So maybe there is a commentary about fame vs. us poor plebs? I dunno, I'll leave that question to the scholars.
5. Fame Is An Illusion:Spoiler alert.... but not really. Well, maybe a little bit. Okay, toward the end, Chia finally gets to meet Res, and it is this compelling moment for a character that basically provides the lens through which we can see the world. Again, there was nothing about Chia that really resonated with me, but there was this moment when he walks in the room, she sees him, recognizes him and the whole facade comes crashing down in front of her eyes. I think anyone who's actually met a famous person they admire has had a similar experience. At least I have. There is this moment of realization where you go, "Oh. Yeah. They are a person. Well, that's a let-down."
6. And That's The Joke, Ted!It's telling that the story revolves around Rei, a computer-generated celebrity (a thing that actually exists now. Becuase of course it does). She is, in a sense, more real than the fame that surrounds her. She can rise above that let-down moment because she's never going to be there. She's like a mass hallucination of our society. Her dreams are the videos people watch. Her image is what people want to see.7. The Shit We Do For Love;Throughout this book, we watch characters put themselves in harm's way for that idea. Whether it's Laney chasing down patterns because it's his job or Chia because she just feels a need to be part of something bigger than her, the book is basically experiencing people doing dumb shit for nothing. But in a good way.
8. The Verdict ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐:Despite its shortcomings, I'll give it a five-star. Because every time I started to waver and wonder if I really liked this book, Gibson would whip out some insight about fame and technology and the characters would be thrown headfirst into another shitstorm. It was a fun, compelling book, so why not?
Laney is at the lowest point of his life. As a private investigator for the all-reality television network Slitscan, his job is to probe data on the net to find hidden clues and patterns. But when his gift helps him predict but not prevent a suicide brought on by his employer, he is recruited by a new group called Out Of Bounds, a counter-counter journalistic entity that wants to expose how Slitscan exploits a population obsessed with fame and sensationalist news. And his first job is to find what shadowy group must be behind Res' desire to marry Rei.
Meanwhile, the Seattle chapter of the Lo/Res Fanclub has sent Chia to Japan to meet with the Tokyo chapter to find out why the idol of their affection is marrying something that doesn't exist. But she is caught up in a dangerous situation all her own when a smuggler slips something important into her bag at the airport. It is a secret that many are willing to kill for.
The story jumps back and forth between Laney and Chia as they get closer and closer to the other-worldly love between two pop stars, one real and one not.
1. Back to the Bridge?:Okay, I picked up this book because I really enjoyed Virtual Light, and was looking forward to picking up where the characters left off. I felt there was still a lot that was left open both in the story and the world. And there probably is. It just isn't in this book. Despite being part of the series, only a couple characters from Virtual Light make an appearance here. So, at first, I was a little annoyed. But I quickly fell into this book on its own terms.
2: Fame, The Ultimate Illusion:This book really is about fame in all its forms. There's the destructive kind that consumes a young woman's life early in the book and sends Laney on his path. There's the almost religious personality cult that elevates mere mortals like Res into demigod status. There's the heavily engineered form that has created Rei from literally nothing. And there are the multitudes that are drawn to it, either because it's how they eke out a living, or because of a primordial compulsion to follow those with status.
3. The Fame Chasers:The part of this book that I struggled with was the characters. Laney was your basic down-on-his-luck dude trying to find a place in this world and a way to be of service to it. In fact, you could basically switch him out with Rydell in Virtual Light, and I don't think anyone would notice. Chia was just kind of... there. She was a blank slate through which we could see a world of fame-gone-bonkers through the eyes of someone who couldn't see the madness. Oh, and her life was constantly being threatened since she arrived in Japan.
4. Dull...Like a Fox?:It could be argued, I suppose that the other characters were so dim so that Res and Rei could shine through. They are perpetually on the sidelines; I could see their hands guiding events in the way they wanted. So maybe there is a commentary about fame vs. us poor plebs? I dunno, I'll leave that question to the scholars.
5. Fame Is An Illusion:Spoiler alert.... but not really. Well, maybe a little bit. Okay, toward the end, Chia finally gets to meet Res, and it is this compelling moment for a character that basically provides the lens through which we can see the world. Again, there was nothing about Chia that really resonated with me, but there was this moment when he walks in the room, she sees him, recognizes him and the whole facade comes crashing down in front of her eyes. I think anyone who's actually met a famous person they admire has had a similar experience. At least I have. There is this moment of realization where you go, "Oh. Yeah. They are a person. Well, that's a let-down."
6. And That's The Joke, Ted!It's telling that the story revolves around Rei, a computer-generated celebrity (a thing that actually exists now. Becuase of course it does). She is, in a sense, more real than the fame that surrounds her. She can rise above that let-down moment because she's never going to be there. She's like a mass hallucination of our society. Her dreams are the videos people watch. Her image is what people want to see.7. The Shit We Do For Love;Throughout this book, we watch characters put themselves in harm's way for that idea. Whether it's Laney chasing down patterns because it's his job or Chia because she just feels a need to be part of something bigger than her, the book is basically experiencing people doing dumb shit for nothing. But in a good way.
8. The Verdict ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐:Despite its shortcomings, I'll give it a five-star. Because every time I started to waver and wonder if I really liked this book, Gibson would whip out some insight about fame and technology and the characters would be thrown headfirst into another shitstorm. It was a fun, compelling book, so why not?
