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Zoe Adams's Blog, page 17
March 16, 2013
Snog? Marry? Avoid? History...
To all who are reading this,
Today is the last day of this wonderful little blogging week. It's been an experience for me, and I hope it has for you.
I've enjoyed sharing my views about the various books that have been on display. Perhaps I have inspired you to pick up one of these books, try a new author, to see if your opinion differs to mine.
I welcome others thoughts, so feel free to drop me a comment. It can be annoymous, or not. I'd love to hear from you.
I'm getting all sentimental now, talking about this past week. And as Alanis Morissette once said, "And isn't it ironic... don't you think?"
History.
It's everywhere, from the foundations of our homes to the very genes that inhabit our body. Most people think history, and they think wars past, going back to the Romans and the Greeks. The whole world is knee deep in rich tales about people and the places they lived. It doesn't have to be boring and dull, with layers upon layers of thick dust. It can be so interesting, and with the right person telling the story, it can come alive.
Here are the last three books I will talk about this week. Thank you for reading. It has been absolute pleasure.
1. The Owl Killers by Karen Maitland.
"England, 1321. Welcome to the Dark Ages. In the heart of the countryside lies an isolated village, where pagan Owl Masters rule through fear, superstition and murder. When a group of religious women ill-advisedly settles outside the village, they awaken dangerous jealousies. Why do their crops succeed? How do their cattle survive the plague? Are they concealing a holy relic which protects them from harm? The Owl Masters cry 'Witchcraft' and sharpen their talons. As torment and hellfire rain down, the women must look to their faith to save them from the darkness spreading across the land. Fear is a question of what you believe. And death alone the answer."
I came across this book on a stall in my local library, describing all about the author. I was intrigued, and so I picked up this book. Published in 2009, it was a riveting read. The superstitious element of the book was well crafted, with engaging characters who weren't what you expected. I didn't know anything about the mysterious Owlman, and so it really made you think. What really caught my attention was how the women were accused of witchcraft, a subject which I wrote abut during my second year of university for a Prose project. It really brings alive the hardships and persecutions that women in England were faced with.
Vivid, well crafted and and extremely informative for a piece of fiction.
I give this: SNOG!
2. Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden.
"A young peasant girl is sold as servant and apprentice to a renowned geisha house. She tells her story many years later from the Waldorf Astoria in New York. Her memoirs conjure up the perfection and the ugliness of life behind rice-paper screens, where young girls learn the arts of geisha - dancing and singing, how to wind the kimono, how to walk and pour tea, and how to beguile the land's most powerful men."
Published in 1998, I took this book holiday after seeing the trailer for the film adaptation. It looked beautiful, and I wanted to read the book before I saw the film. It was the correct thing to do, and is such an enchanting and delightful read, that my copy looks as if its going to fall to pieces the next time I open it. I came into the novel believing it to be true, and was quite upset when I discovered it was fiction. But not for long. Absolutely beautiful. Captivating. I don't have enough words to describe it. It is a rare glimpse into the life of a geisha, all based on historical evidence, and talks given by a geisha who left Japan and made a home for herself in the Western world. Sayuri is our protagonist and you feel so much for her as she goes through the many difficult life changes. Reading it made me want to go to Japan, and have tea in a ceremony, served by a geisha. It's an area of history that has always interested me, and I wrote a piece about a geisha for a Non-Fiction class in my first year of university.
One word to sum up my experiences with Memoirs of a Geisha: evocative.
3. The Island by Victoria Hislop.
"On the brink of a life-changing decision, Alexis Fielding longs to find out about her mother's past. But Sofia has never spoken of it. All she admits to is growing up in a small Cretan village before moving to London. When Alexis decides to visit Crete, however, Sofia gives her daughter a letter to take to an old friend, and promises that through her she will learn more. Arriving in Plaka, Alexis is astonished to see that it lies a stone's throw from the tiny, deserted island of Spinalonga - Greece's former leper colony. Then she finds Fotini, and at last hears the story that Sofia has buried all her life: the tale of her great-grandmother Eleni and her daughters and a family rent by tragedy, war and passion. She discovers how intimately she is connected with the island, and how secrecy holds them all in its powerful grip..."
This book was published in 2005. I read it for my book group in 2011, and it was not one I would normally chose. I wasn't pulled in by the blurb, yet I still wanted to read it. It was set in Greece, a country I love. A country steeped in history and mythology. My name being Greek, I have always had a fasciantion with the country. The novel, however, was lacking. I found the characters a little one-dimensional, even with some of them suffering from leprosy. I didn't want to read about them, or their stories. I wanted to find one person to emphasise with, but found lacking. The story was a little clunky in places. It seemed almost stragetically placed, but wasn't needed. The information finally relayed to us about Crete and its leper colonies on Spinalonga was slightly interesting, but at the same time, a little lacking.
Show More Not a book for everyone, and seemingly hyped up.
I give this: AVOID!
---
Once again, I thank you for joining me on this journey. And I hope you'll come back. I have many more exciting things planned for this little blog of mine.
Yours, with eternal ink,
Zoe
---
Currently reading: Beautiful Redemption by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl
Show Less
Today is the last day of this wonderful little blogging week. It's been an experience for me, and I hope it has for you.
I've enjoyed sharing my views about the various books that have been on display. Perhaps I have inspired you to pick up one of these books, try a new author, to see if your opinion differs to mine.
I welcome others thoughts, so feel free to drop me a comment. It can be annoymous, or not. I'd love to hear from you.
I'm getting all sentimental now, talking about this past week. And as Alanis Morissette once said, "And isn't it ironic... don't you think?"
History.
It's everywhere, from the foundations of our homes to the very genes that inhabit our body. Most people think history, and they think wars past, going back to the Romans and the Greeks. The whole world is knee deep in rich tales about people and the places they lived. It doesn't have to be boring and dull, with layers upon layers of thick dust. It can be so interesting, and with the right person telling the story, it can come alive.
Here are the last three books I will talk about this week. Thank you for reading. It has been absolute pleasure.
1. The Owl Killers by Karen Maitland.
"England, 1321. Welcome to the Dark Ages. In the heart of the countryside lies an isolated village, where pagan Owl Masters rule through fear, superstition and murder. When a group of religious women ill-advisedly settles outside the village, they awaken dangerous jealousies. Why do their crops succeed? How do their cattle survive the plague? Are they concealing a holy relic which protects them from harm? The Owl Masters cry 'Witchcraft' and sharpen their talons. As torment and hellfire rain down, the women must look to their faith to save them from the darkness spreading across the land. Fear is a question of what you believe. And death alone the answer."I came across this book on a stall in my local library, describing all about the author. I was intrigued, and so I picked up this book. Published in 2009, it was a riveting read. The superstitious element of the book was well crafted, with engaging characters who weren't what you expected. I didn't know anything about the mysterious Owlman, and so it really made you think. What really caught my attention was how the women were accused of witchcraft, a subject which I wrote abut during my second year of university for a Prose project. It really brings alive the hardships and persecutions that women in England were faced with.
Vivid, well crafted and and extremely informative for a piece of fiction.
I give this: SNOG!
2. Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden.
"A young peasant girl is sold as servant and apprentice to a renowned geisha house. She tells her story many years later from the Waldorf Astoria in New York. Her memoirs conjure up the perfection and the ugliness of life behind rice-paper screens, where young girls learn the arts of geisha - dancing and singing, how to wind the kimono, how to walk and pour tea, and how to beguile the land's most powerful men."Published in 1998, I took this book holiday after seeing the trailer for the film adaptation. It looked beautiful, and I wanted to read the book before I saw the film. It was the correct thing to do, and is such an enchanting and delightful read, that my copy looks as if its going to fall to pieces the next time I open it. I came into the novel believing it to be true, and was quite upset when I discovered it was fiction. But not for long. Absolutely beautiful. Captivating. I don't have enough words to describe it. It is a rare glimpse into the life of a geisha, all based on historical evidence, and talks given by a geisha who left Japan and made a home for herself in the Western world. Sayuri is our protagonist and you feel so much for her as she goes through the many difficult life changes. Reading it made me want to go to Japan, and have tea in a ceremony, served by a geisha. It's an area of history that has always interested me, and I wrote a piece about a geisha for a Non-Fiction class in my first year of university.
One word to sum up my experiences with Memoirs of a Geisha: evocative.
3. The Island by Victoria Hislop.
"On the brink of a life-changing decision, Alexis Fielding longs to find out about her mother's past. But Sofia has never spoken of it. All she admits to is growing up in a small Cretan village before moving to London. When Alexis decides to visit Crete, however, Sofia gives her daughter a letter to take to an old friend, and promises that through her she will learn more. Arriving in Plaka, Alexis is astonished to see that it lies a stone's throw from the tiny, deserted island of Spinalonga - Greece's former leper colony. Then she finds Fotini, and at last hears the story that Sofia has buried all her life: the tale of her great-grandmother Eleni and her daughters and a family rent by tragedy, war and passion. She discovers how intimately she is connected with the island, and how secrecy holds them all in its powerful grip..."This book was published in 2005. I read it for my book group in 2011, and it was not one I would normally chose. I wasn't pulled in by the blurb, yet I still wanted to read it. It was set in Greece, a country I love. A country steeped in history and mythology. My name being Greek, I have always had a fasciantion with the country. The novel, however, was lacking. I found the characters a little one-dimensional, even with some of them suffering from leprosy. I didn't want to read about them, or their stories. I wanted to find one person to emphasise with, but found lacking. The story was a little clunky in places. It seemed almost stragetically placed, but wasn't needed. The information finally relayed to us about Crete and its leper colonies on Spinalonga was slightly interesting, but at the same time, a little lacking.
Show More Not a book for everyone, and seemingly hyped up.
I give this: AVOID!
---
Once again, I thank you for joining me on this journey. And I hope you'll come back. I have many more exciting things planned for this little blog of mine.
Yours, with eternal ink,
Zoe
---
Currently reading: Beautiful Redemption by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl
Show Less
March 15, 2013
Snog? Marry? Avoid? Young Adult Fiction
To all who are reading this,
Alas, we have reached the penultimate blog post! And you can see that from the title of the blog post, today I will be reviewing some Young Adult fiction. But that sounds a little clunk so we'll abbreviate it to YA for the time being.
YA fiction is a topic for debate. Whilst it is bringing in a mass audience by creating phenomenoms such as Twilight, The Hunger Games and just lately, Beautiful Creatures. Yet it can be critiqued for its plots and writing style. Occasionally, there may be inconsistencies with spellings. Characters sometimes lack a real world vision.
Some YA fiction can be written extremely well. Some say it depends on which end of the market you write for, such as late childrens and early teens or late teens. It can also depend upon the subject of fiction, and more often than lately, I'm finding it hard to get into YA fiction. Whether it's my age, or how I'm writing, and the themes I'm dealing with in my texts.
Nevertheless, here are my choices of YA fiction for today's post!
1. Marked by P.C. & Kristin Cast.
"When sixteen-year-old Zoey Redbird gets Marked as a fledgling vampire she must join the House of Night school where she will train to become an adult vampire. That is, if she makes it through the Change. But Zoe is no ordinary fledgling. She has been chosen as special by the Goddess Nyx and discovers her amazing new power to conjure the elements: earth, air, fire, water and spirit. When Zoey discovers that the leader of the Dark Daughters, the school's most elite group, is misusing her Goddess-given gifts, Zoey must look within herself to embrace her destiny - with a little help from her new vampire friends."Marked was published in Well... What can I say? It's a boring book, playing on the success of previous vampire books. The characters are too stereotypical, especially Stevie Rae and her horsey nature. Not that horses are bad. I can't understand the protagonist Zoey at all. She's fickle and doesn't know what side of the bread is buttered. Often contradictory, she makes judgements on others. I feel ashamed to share a name, albeit a different spelling. I can't emphasise with her in the slightest, especially when she later kisses an older person - a teacher no less. There was no need for the forced blow job in the opening few chapters once we reach the school, which would set alarm bells ringing in my head straight away. And we do not need the ten ton of product placement that is shoved down the readers throats. Neither do we need the "slagging off" of various media stars. And as for the Neo-Pagan vampire rituals... I think they've been watching too many 80's movies...
It sounds too much like the authors are trying to be teenagers once again. I've put myself through ten books from the Casts (a mother and daughter team), hoping they get better. They get worse.
I give this: AVOID!
2. The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong.
"Chloe Saunders has a gift. And that makes her dangerous... All Chloe ever wanted was to be normal. But when she starts seeing ghosts at school, she knows that life will never be normal again. Wen she finally breaks down, she's admitted to Lyle House - a group home for disturbed teenagers. As she gets to know the other students - charming Simon and his ominous, unsmiling brother Derek; obnoxious Tori and Rae, who has a 'thing' for fire - Chloe begins to realise that something strange and sinister binds them all together..."The first book in the Darkest Powers series, Armstrong certainly delivers. Published in 2008, it delivers on action. The characters are well crafted, and Armstrong makes Chloe a convincing teenager, especially when we throw some mystical powers into the mix. You engage with Chloe, and want to know her story. The language is simplistic enough without being boring, yet at times complex enough for an adult reader to understand. It does play on a few stereotypes and miniature plot details that are common in YA fiction, yet this is a clever trick of Armstrong's, especially when we read books two and three.
Already acclaimed for her adult series', she has every right to write for the YA market, and be successful.
I give this: SNOG!
3. Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison.
"There are six things very wrong with my life:
1. I have one of those under-the-skin spots that will never come to a head but lurk in a red way for the next two years.2. It is on my nose.
3. I have a three-year-old sister who may have peed somewhere in my room.
4. In fourteen days the summer hols will be over and then it will be back to Stalag 14 and Oberführer Frau Simpson and her bunch of sadistic 'teachers'.
5. I am very ugly and need to go into an ugly home.
6. I went to a party dressed as a stuffed olive."
Published in 2000, I was given the first four books as a collection at Christmas by my older sister. That was a mistake! I couldn't put it down, and my copy is bloody battered! A laugh-out-loud festival of fiction, the book is light and fresh. There are no vampires, no monsters, but instead a comedic insight into the life of teenage girl, on the cusp of womanhood. No matter how many times I read it, it cheers me up, and makes my stomach hurt from laughing. Georgia, the protagonist, is full of bare faced cheek, and made up words. Rennison doesn't try to preach to her readers. She provides us with fun, and an insight into the teen lifestyle. Yes, we are guilty about thinking about boys when we should be doing our homework, and we do test out make-up products and hairstyles. Families do drive us mad, but I think I would be in a sanitorium if I lived in Georgia's house!
Read this in public and on your own head be it.
I give this: MARRIAGE!
---
Watch out for the last post of the week, on the topic of History!
Yours, with eternal ink,
Zoe
---
Currently reading: Beautiful Redemption by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
March 14, 2013
Snog? Marry? Avoid? Horror...
To all who are reading this,
Today we take a voyage into the dark realms. Where things go bump in the night, where shivers crawl down your spine, and there are dark houses filled with spiders.
Or perhaps maybe not. I suppose it depends on your definition of today's topic.
Horror!
Now horror has changed over the years and many people are becoming desensitised to it. We are supposed to be frightened, scared and startled. Many old the older tales that have origins back from the eighteenth century, and used to be centric of the afterlife, death and evil entities.
Nowadays we can combine many others such as demonic pacts, ghosts vampires, werewolves, witches, and zombies.
There are many defintions of what makes a good horror novel. Some also argue in the case of poetry, such as Edgar Allan Poe. Horror films leave audiences puzzled and often in disagreement with the others around them.
Here are three examples of horror, right here, right now.
1. Let The Right One In by John Ajvide Lindqvist.
"Twelve-year-old Oskar is an outsider; bullied at school, dreaming about his absentee father, bored with life on a dreary housing estate. One evening he meets the mysterious Eli. As a romance blossoms between them, Oskar discovers Eli's dark secret - she is a 200-year-old vampire, forever frozen in childhood, and condemned to live on a diet of fresh blood."
First published in 2004, the book originates in from Stockholm, in Sweden. Naturally, this is where the novel is set. I read this in a few days on holiday and I was pleasantly suprised. I thought it was a typical vampire novel, but it had me scared and ultimately, suprised. There are many twists in the novel, besides the realisation that Eli is 200. Oskar is perhaps the most engaging character. His perspective is intriguing and his innocence is a grear contrast with some aspects of his personality, which really begins to shine through as the novel progresses and as he meets different characters. The ending leaves us hanging, and makes you yearn to read the short story which Lindqvist later published in an anthology.
Nowadays, it is a successful film, and later there was an American remake, which changes things, leaving original fans very disgruntled.
I give this: SNOG!
2. The Secret of Crickley Hall by James Herbert.
"The Caleighs have had a terrible year... They need time and space, while they await the news they dread. Gabe has brought his wife, Eve, and daughters, Loren and Cally, down to Devon, to the peaceful seaside village of Hollow Bay. He can work and Eve and the kids can have some peace and quiet and perhaps they can try, as a family, to come to terms with what’s happened to them... Crickley Hall is an unusually large house on the outskirts of the village at the bottom of Devil's Cleave, a massive tree-lined gorge - the stuff of local legend. A river flows past the front garden. It's perfect for them... if a bit gloomy. And Chester, their dog, seems really spooked at being away from home. And old houses do make sounds. And it's constantly cold. And even though they shut the cellar door every night, it’s always open again in morning..."
Published in 2006, this is just one of Herbert's books. This is gripping and downright thrilling. Compared to its recent television adaptation of the same name, it's fantastic. There is a good balance of intrigue, mystery and suspense. The small chapters are a welcome break from some of the longer, and often give as much information as them. The switch in narrative from 1943 and 2006 are well handled. There was a slight bit of repitition, but you have to remember that occasionally, we get a different perspective, and in this case it ws the youngest daughter, Cally. Often we are told the story through Eve, who has a great deal of trauma to deal with. The dark themes are portrayed well, even with recent cases of abuse that is brought to the forefront of the media.
I would read more of Herbert's texts. He's as good as Stephen King.
I give this: MARRIAGE!
3. Rose Madder by Stephen King.
"Roused by a single drop of blood, Rosie Daniels wakes up to the chilling realisation that her husband is going to kill her. And she takes flight - with his credit card. Alone in a strange city, Rosie begins to build a new life: she meets Bill Steiner and she finds an odd junk shop painting, 'Rose Madder', which strangely seems to want her as much as she wants it. But it's hard for Rosie not to keep looking over her shoulder. Rose-maddened and on the rampage, Norman is a corrupt cop with a dog's instinct for tracking people. And he's getting close. Rosie can feel how close he is getting..."
Now people bear with me! I know I just praised King and Herbert in the same review, but there was something about Rose Madder, published in 1995, I just didn't like. It wasn't as good as other King books, such as Carrie, or short stories, such as 1408. I felt that the reptition got in the way of the story, and occasionally, I had to reread chapters or pages to get a feel for it. I had to put it down for perhaps an hour to get my breath back, and then come back to it. His use of Greek mythology was sometimes confusing, and it felt as though he was using it to fill pages, and that it was too research based. Though, I have to praise his portrayl of domestic abuse, which is not something to be praised! The blows dealt by antagonist Norman felt real. Sometimes too real, especially during the prologue.
King himself once stated that Rose Madder was "a stiff, trying-too-hard novel", and I have to agree with him.
I give this: AVOID!
---
Watch out for tomorrow's blog post about YA (Young Adult) fiction!
Yours, with eternal ink,
Zoe
---
Currently reading: Beautiful Redemption by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
Today we take a voyage into the dark realms. Where things go bump in the night, where shivers crawl down your spine, and there are dark houses filled with spiders.
Or perhaps maybe not. I suppose it depends on your definition of today's topic.
Horror!
Now horror has changed over the years and many people are becoming desensitised to it. We are supposed to be frightened, scared and startled. Many old the older tales that have origins back from the eighteenth century, and used to be centric of the afterlife, death and evil entities.
Nowadays we can combine many others such as demonic pacts, ghosts vampires, werewolves, witches, and zombies.
There are many defintions of what makes a good horror novel. Some also argue in the case of poetry, such as Edgar Allan Poe. Horror films leave audiences puzzled and often in disagreement with the others around them.
Here are three examples of horror, right here, right now.
1. Let The Right One In by John Ajvide Lindqvist.
"Twelve-year-old Oskar is an outsider; bullied at school, dreaming about his absentee father, bored with life on a dreary housing estate. One evening he meets the mysterious Eli. As a romance blossoms between them, Oskar discovers Eli's dark secret - she is a 200-year-old vampire, forever frozen in childhood, and condemned to live on a diet of fresh blood."First published in 2004, the book originates in from Stockholm, in Sweden. Naturally, this is where the novel is set. I read this in a few days on holiday and I was pleasantly suprised. I thought it was a typical vampire novel, but it had me scared and ultimately, suprised. There are many twists in the novel, besides the realisation that Eli is 200. Oskar is perhaps the most engaging character. His perspective is intriguing and his innocence is a grear contrast with some aspects of his personality, which really begins to shine through as the novel progresses and as he meets different characters. The ending leaves us hanging, and makes you yearn to read the short story which Lindqvist later published in an anthology.
Nowadays, it is a successful film, and later there was an American remake, which changes things, leaving original fans very disgruntled.
I give this: SNOG!
2. The Secret of Crickley Hall by James Herbert."The Caleighs have had a terrible year... They need time and space, while they await the news they dread. Gabe has brought his wife, Eve, and daughters, Loren and Cally, down to Devon, to the peaceful seaside village of Hollow Bay. He can work and Eve and the kids can have some peace and quiet and perhaps they can try, as a family, to come to terms with what’s happened to them... Crickley Hall is an unusually large house on the outskirts of the village at the bottom of Devil's Cleave, a massive tree-lined gorge - the stuff of local legend. A river flows past the front garden. It's perfect for them... if a bit gloomy. And Chester, their dog, seems really spooked at being away from home. And old houses do make sounds. And it's constantly cold. And even though they shut the cellar door every night, it’s always open again in morning..."
Published in 2006, this is just one of Herbert's books. This is gripping and downright thrilling. Compared to its recent television adaptation of the same name, it's fantastic. There is a good balance of intrigue, mystery and suspense. The small chapters are a welcome break from some of the longer, and often give as much information as them. The switch in narrative from 1943 and 2006 are well handled. There was a slight bit of repitition, but you have to remember that occasionally, we get a different perspective, and in this case it ws the youngest daughter, Cally. Often we are told the story through Eve, who has a great deal of trauma to deal with. The dark themes are portrayed well, even with recent cases of abuse that is brought to the forefront of the media.
I would read more of Herbert's texts. He's as good as Stephen King.
I give this: MARRIAGE!
3. Rose Madder by Stephen King.
"Roused by a single drop of blood, Rosie Daniels wakes up to the chilling realisation that her husband is going to kill her. And she takes flight - with his credit card. Alone in a strange city, Rosie begins to build a new life: she meets Bill Steiner and she finds an odd junk shop painting, 'Rose Madder', which strangely seems to want her as much as she wants it. But it's hard for Rosie not to keep looking over her shoulder. Rose-maddened and on the rampage, Norman is a corrupt cop with a dog's instinct for tracking people. And he's getting close. Rosie can feel how close he is getting..."Now people bear with me! I know I just praised King and Herbert in the same review, but there was something about Rose Madder, published in 1995, I just didn't like. It wasn't as good as other King books, such as Carrie, or short stories, such as 1408. I felt that the reptition got in the way of the story, and occasionally, I had to reread chapters or pages to get a feel for it. I had to put it down for perhaps an hour to get my breath back, and then come back to it. His use of Greek mythology was sometimes confusing, and it felt as though he was using it to fill pages, and that it was too research based. Though, I have to praise his portrayl of domestic abuse, which is not something to be praised! The blows dealt by antagonist Norman felt real. Sometimes too real, especially during the prologue.
King himself once stated that Rose Madder was "a stiff, trying-too-hard novel", and I have to agree with him.
I give this: AVOID!
---
Watch out for tomorrow's blog post about YA (Young Adult) fiction!
Yours, with eternal ink,
Zoe
---
Currently reading: Beautiful Redemption by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
March 13, 2013
Snog? Marry? Avoid? Shapeshifters...
To all who are reading this,
Once more you join me on the journey into the world of books. So far, I have blooged about Crime, Vampires and Magic. If you joined me for yesterday's blog, then you already know what this is about.
If you read the title, then you will probably know about today's topic. And that is...
Shapeshifters.
Shapeshifters can have many different names and can take different forms. One of the most common is the ability to shape into a wolf, whether by the pull of the moon and the pain of an infectious bite (a traditional werewolf) or by a sense of mind and your own force of will (known as lycanthropy).
Some people even suffer more a condition known as clinical lycanthropy, which is the delusion that they are an animal and have the ability to shift.
The idea of lycanthropy comes from Ancient Greece, where it is belived that King Lycaon, the King of Arcadia, attempted to persuade Zeus to eat human flesh. The flesh of Lycaon's own son. Zeus was thoroughly disgusted and cursed the King to turn into a beast. And that's where lycanthropy comes from.
I use wolves as an example, but there are many others, and can span the globe as myths. Sometimes they appear in childrens folktales and even movies, such as a Prince being turned into a Beast, until he came be loved and accepted, despite appearances. Yes that was Beauty and the Beast!
Let's take a walk on the wild side with this shapeshifting texts!
1. Stray by Rachel Vincent.
"Faythe Sanders looks like an ordinary student, but she's hiding a dark secret: she is a werecat, a powerful supernatural predator. Yet headstrong, independent Faythe resents her power, heading to college to escape her family and her overprotective ex, Marc. That is until a stray - a dangerous werecat without pride or territory - catches her scent. With two werecat girls already missing, Faythe is summoned home for her own protection. But Faythe will do whatever it takes to find her kidnapped kin. She has claws - and she's not afraid to use them."
Published in 2009, Stray is the first in The Shifters series, written for adults. I came across this in my local library and as soon as I saw the word, cat, I had to read it! And I was pretty impressed that I had the same pink leopard print belt as on the front cover. And, I'm so thrilled I did read it. A fast moving plot, the book is thrilling and engaging. Some scenes have difficult themes, but Vincent handles it with a clear thinking and intelligent writing. I felt a certain kinship to Faythe. Whether this was her behaviour or attitude, I was hooked. The were-cat males, or Toms, seem easy on the eyes too, and that makes reading even more fun. Even though my favourite is not Marc, but another werecat, Jace.
It is not often that werecats are seen in fiction, but when they appear, they don't half pack a punch. And Faythe Sanders leaves one hell of a mark. You could almost say, she leaves a pawprint on the page.
I give this: MARRIAGE!
2. Night Play by Sherrilyn Kenyon.
"Bride McTierney has just been dumped via FedEx. There's not much that could ease such a broken heart until Vane Kattalakis wanders into her shop and her life. Their whirlwind affair feels too good to be true. Deadly and tortured, Vane Kattalakis isn't what he seems. Most women lament that their boyfriends are dogs. In Bride's case, hers is a wolf. A Were-Hunter wolf. Wanted dead by his enemies, Vane isn't looking for a mate. But the Fates have marked Bride as his. Now he has three weeks to either convince Bride that the supernatural is real or he will spend the rest of his life neutered - something no self-respecting wolf can accept... But how does a wolf convince a human to trust him with her life when his enemies are out to end his? In the world of the Were-Hunters, it really is dog-eat-dog. And only one alpha male can win."Show More Show Less Published in 2004, this is the second book in Sherrilyn Kenyon's Were-Hunter series, and the eighth book in the Dark-Hunter series (both entwine reguarly). It left a mark on me, and I think what made it that was the characters. Bride is an average girl, a little on the large side. Now I struggle with my weight, so seeing a character find sadness and happiness with that, I was quite pleased. Vane, as a character however, is entirely different. Shapeshifting is a magical art, and that's what he is. His background is a little sad, but all the tragic heros are. The plot is simple enough and straight forward, but at the same time, it's also got its layers of complexity. Some readers may find it strange, but this is perhaps due to the layers of world building.I've read a multitude of wolf texts, but there was something a little lacking. Nevertheless, I would (and have) read more Kenyon.I give this: SNOG!
3. Dark Heart Forever by Lee Monroe.
"Jane Jonas is nearing her 16th birthday and troubled by unsettling recurring dreams where the same mysterious boy her age comes to her, telling Jane that they are each other's destiny. Her mother is increasingly anxious about Jane's disruptive sleepwalking episodes, but for Jane her dream world and reality are about to collide... When she develops a friendship with an enigmatic stranger in town, the blond, uber-cool Evan, it's exciting, it's new, and Jane wants him more than she's ever wanted anybody - until her mystery dream boy gets in the way. Now Jane is caught between two worlds: one familiar, but tinged with romance and excitement; the other dark and dangerous, where angels, werewolves, and an irresistible stranger are trying to seduce her..."Show More Show Less The first in the Dark Heart series, it was published in 2010. Sadly, I was disappointed. The cover promises more than it delivers. The plot is a great idea, but the writing leaves you wanting so much more than what you are given. It falls short, especially when we are thrown into the story, with no explanation. The blurb makes it appear in the higher end of the YA market, but then the problems arise... The characters need fleshing out more, especially when there is a twist with one. A twist that I guessed. Characters can be fleshed out in the rest of the books, but for our heroine, Jane, who claims to be a freak and to be bullied, she needs to stop harping on about her "long glossy hair". It's a classic trick of the YA fiction, and this isn't the first book to try it. There are some niggles with the location and I found myself thinking it was American at times - I noticed a few slip ups with the spelling of "Mum" or "Mom". Actually, I never felt it was clear that where we actually were.This book seems to fill a void with the rest of the "shapeshifting" books of the YA market. Sadly, it doesn't do its job. And neither does the rest of the series, which I tried, and read.I give this: AVOID!---Watch out for tomorrow's blog post about Horror!Yours, with eternal ink,Zoe---Currently reading: Beautiful Redemption by Kami Garcia & Margaret StohlShow Less
Once more you join me on the journey into the world of books. So far, I have blooged about Crime, Vampires and Magic. If you joined me for yesterday's blog, then you already know what this is about.
If you read the title, then you will probably know about today's topic. And that is...
Shapeshifters.
Shapeshifters can have many different names and can take different forms. One of the most common is the ability to shape into a wolf, whether by the pull of the moon and the pain of an infectious bite (a traditional werewolf) or by a sense of mind and your own force of will (known as lycanthropy).
Some people even suffer more a condition known as clinical lycanthropy, which is the delusion that they are an animal and have the ability to shift.
The idea of lycanthropy comes from Ancient Greece, where it is belived that King Lycaon, the King of Arcadia, attempted to persuade Zeus to eat human flesh. The flesh of Lycaon's own son. Zeus was thoroughly disgusted and cursed the King to turn into a beast. And that's where lycanthropy comes from.
I use wolves as an example, but there are many others, and can span the globe as myths. Sometimes they appear in childrens folktales and even movies, such as a Prince being turned into a Beast, until he came be loved and accepted, despite appearances. Yes that was Beauty and the Beast!
Let's take a walk on the wild side with this shapeshifting texts!
1. Stray by Rachel Vincent.
"Faythe Sanders looks like an ordinary student, but she's hiding a dark secret: she is a werecat, a powerful supernatural predator. Yet headstrong, independent Faythe resents her power, heading to college to escape her family and her overprotective ex, Marc. That is until a stray - a dangerous werecat without pride or territory - catches her scent. With two werecat girls already missing, Faythe is summoned home for her own protection. But Faythe will do whatever it takes to find her kidnapped kin. She has claws - and she's not afraid to use them."Published in 2009, Stray is the first in The Shifters series, written for adults. I came across this in my local library and as soon as I saw the word, cat, I had to read it! And I was pretty impressed that I had the same pink leopard print belt as on the front cover. And, I'm so thrilled I did read it. A fast moving plot, the book is thrilling and engaging. Some scenes have difficult themes, but Vincent handles it with a clear thinking and intelligent writing. I felt a certain kinship to Faythe. Whether this was her behaviour or attitude, I was hooked. The were-cat males, or Toms, seem easy on the eyes too, and that makes reading even more fun. Even though my favourite is not Marc, but another werecat, Jace.
It is not often that werecats are seen in fiction, but when they appear, they don't half pack a punch. And Faythe Sanders leaves one hell of a mark. You could almost say, she leaves a pawprint on the page.
I give this: MARRIAGE!
2. Night Play by Sherrilyn Kenyon.
"Bride McTierney has just been dumped via FedEx. There's not much that could ease such a broken heart until Vane Kattalakis wanders into her shop and her life. Their whirlwind affair feels too good to be true. Deadly and tortured, Vane Kattalakis isn't what he seems. Most women lament that their boyfriends are dogs. In Bride's case, hers is a wolf. A Were-Hunter wolf. Wanted dead by his enemies, Vane isn't looking for a mate. But the Fates have marked Bride as his. Now he has three weeks to either convince Bride that the supernatural is real or he will spend the rest of his life neutered - something no self-respecting wolf can accept... But how does a wolf convince a human to trust him with her life when his enemies are out to end his? In the world of the Were-Hunters, it really is dog-eat-dog. And only one alpha male can win."Show More Show Less Published in 2004, this is the second book in Sherrilyn Kenyon's Were-Hunter series, and the eighth book in the Dark-Hunter series (both entwine reguarly). It left a mark on me, and I think what made it that was the characters. Bride is an average girl, a little on the large side. Now I struggle with my weight, so seeing a character find sadness and happiness with that, I was quite pleased. Vane, as a character however, is entirely different. Shapeshifting is a magical art, and that's what he is. His background is a little sad, but all the tragic heros are. The plot is simple enough and straight forward, but at the same time, it's also got its layers of complexity. Some readers may find it strange, but this is perhaps due to the layers of world building.I've read a multitude of wolf texts, but there was something a little lacking. Nevertheless, I would (and have) read more Kenyon.I give this: SNOG!
3. Dark Heart Forever by Lee Monroe."Jane Jonas is nearing her 16th birthday and troubled by unsettling recurring dreams where the same mysterious boy her age comes to her, telling Jane that they are each other's destiny. Her mother is increasingly anxious about Jane's disruptive sleepwalking episodes, but for Jane her dream world and reality are about to collide... When she develops a friendship with an enigmatic stranger in town, the blond, uber-cool Evan, it's exciting, it's new, and Jane wants him more than she's ever wanted anybody - until her mystery dream boy gets in the way. Now Jane is caught between two worlds: one familiar, but tinged with romance and excitement; the other dark and dangerous, where angels, werewolves, and an irresistible stranger are trying to seduce her..."Show More Show Less The first in the Dark Heart series, it was published in 2010. Sadly, I was disappointed. The cover promises more than it delivers. The plot is a great idea, but the writing leaves you wanting so much more than what you are given. It falls short, especially when we are thrown into the story, with no explanation. The blurb makes it appear in the higher end of the YA market, but then the problems arise... The characters need fleshing out more, especially when there is a twist with one. A twist that I guessed. Characters can be fleshed out in the rest of the books, but for our heroine, Jane, who claims to be a freak and to be bullied, she needs to stop harping on about her "long glossy hair". It's a classic trick of the YA fiction, and this isn't the first book to try it. There are some niggles with the location and I found myself thinking it was American at times - I noticed a few slip ups with the spelling of "Mum" or "Mom". Actually, I never felt it was clear that where we actually were.This book seems to fill a void with the rest of the "shapeshifting" books of the YA market. Sadly, it doesn't do its job. And neither does the rest of the series, which I tried, and read.I give this: AVOID!---Watch out for tomorrow's blog post about Horror!Yours, with eternal ink,Zoe---Currently reading: Beautiful Redemption by Kami Garcia & Margaret StohlShow Less
March 12, 2013
Snog? Marry? Avoid? Magic...
To all who are reading this,
Once again, I invite you into the blog which takes a peek into my likes, dislikes and loves in the world of books. A world I'm heavily involved with. A world I always will be with.
Today, in the dock is... Magic.
Now there are a lot of books out there that feature magic and fantasy. Some of the books may be classed as high fantasy (which I'm hoping to talk about another time), and some are often amalgamated with other genres, such as urban fantasy.
Magic, as a topic, is a big business and has been for years. And there will be many more "magical" books to come. What appeals to me about magic, is that anything is possible. Nothing is what it seems. And yes readers, that was the tagline from Labyrinth (1986). Within the realms of magic, the world is your oyster. Or as I used to call it, your toaster.
Let's get this show on the road!1. The Enchanted Riddle by Charlotte Kandel.
"Thirteen years ago baby Daphne was found outside Londons all-girl Orphanage of St Jude. Insecure and emotionally guarded she has grown up longing to fulfil two dreams: to discover her family; and to become a star ballerina. When she receives from an anonymous sender a book containing a tantalising riddle and a magical pair of stockings her dreams of glory and fame are suddenly within her grasp. Bravely and ingeniously following each dangerous magical clue, Daphne soon realises that in the competitive world of ballet discipline and physical hardship are not the only challenges she must face. Daphne is poised to win an audition for the Ballet Splendide in Paris. But will the magic be enough to help her overcome the scheming of others, as well as her own childhood demons?"Published in 2012, I picked this up from my local library. Straight away from the blurb I thought Red Shoes and Black Swan. It was only until I was a few pages in that I realised it was not YA fiction, but Childrens. Nevertheless, I decided to give it a go.I found a few historical inaccuracies, and the plot was boring. the magical element of the entire book is eclipsed by the persistent description of dance. A riddle appears, Daphne recalls it numerous times and somehow the shoes are magic. It has minor psychological themes, which an adult may pick up upon. The description was simple, but could be expanded upon, as well as the characters (Daphne I felt was lacklustre) and their use of dialogue.
Children are smart. We should not dumb down their books. I give this: AVOID!
2. Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone by J. K. Rowling.
"Harry Potter thinks he is an ordinary boy - until he is rescued by a beetle-eyed giant of a man, enrols at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, learns to play Quidditch and does battle in a deadly duel. The reason: HARRY POTTER IS A WIZARD!"
Published in 1997, this was not the first Harry Potter book I picked up. I bought the first three in a "3 for 2" offer in Ottakar's (before it became Waterstones). I had picked up The Prisoner of Azkaban and it wasn't until I was a few pages in, I realised my mistake.I have fond memories of this book. One of my favourites is sitting on the green outside my sisters old house and reading it aloud to older children, to prove I was as good as I said.The entire series grows with the characters. Yes, Rowling takes inspiration from many other sources, particuarly the Latin language, but they keep your attention. You wish the spells were real, and keep you entertained. Diagon Alley is a fantastic location, a place where Harry really understands the extent of the world he has entered, and where the reader is thrown into, exploring with wide eyes like Harry. Yes, the books are aimed at children, but as a teenager, and as an adult, I go back to them. I am still waiting for my Hogwarts letter - I have two cats, and a broomstick. Somewhere.Some may disagree, especially since some say that Rowling "dumbs down" her books and treats the audience as if they were idiots, but as a professional writer, you can see the progression, and the hard work she undertook in writing such a successful series.I give this: SNOG!
3. Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire.
"When Dorothy triumphed over the Wicked Witch of the West in the classic novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, we heard only one side of the story. But what of her arch-nemesis, the mysterious witch? Long before Dorothy drops in, a girl is born in Oz with emerald-green skin. Elphaba, who will grow up to become the infamous witch, is a smart, prickly and misunderstood creature who challenges all our preconceived ideas about the nature of good and evil."
The book was published 1995, but I only came upon it in 2011. Now this find was my mum's who knew I liked the film, The Wizard of Oz. I read the library copy twice over, before getting my own. Later followed the Broadway soundtrack, a trip to the Apollo Theatre in London to see the show, and later, a replica Grimmerie.
What I love about Wicked is the powerful emotion the book can draw from you. I have laughed and cried over this book. I have felt my heart flutter like a bird in a cage, I have felt scorn. Elphaba is naturally talented, and is the heroine I wish I had written. As a teenager and as an adult, she is fierce, strong. Her magic is entirely powerful, as it the entire books. All the places in Oz, all the people we meet, are all magical in their own right. Everything is - from spells to potions to The Clock of the Time Dragon. This book has had a profound impact upon my life.
I give this: MARRIAGE!
---
Watch out for tomorrow's blog post about Shapeshifters!
Yours, with eternal ink,
Zoe
---
Currently reading: Beautiful Redemption by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl
Once again, I invite you into the blog which takes a peek into my likes, dislikes and loves in the world of books. A world I'm heavily involved with. A world I always will be with.
Today, in the dock is... Magic.
Now there are a lot of books out there that feature magic and fantasy. Some of the books may be classed as high fantasy (which I'm hoping to talk about another time), and some are often amalgamated with other genres, such as urban fantasy.
Magic, as a topic, is a big business and has been for years. And there will be many more "magical" books to come. What appeals to me about magic, is that anything is possible. Nothing is what it seems. And yes readers, that was the tagline from Labyrinth (1986). Within the realms of magic, the world is your oyster. Or as I used to call it, your toaster.
Let's get this show on the road!1. The Enchanted Riddle by Charlotte Kandel.
"Thirteen years ago baby Daphne was found outside Londons all-girl Orphanage of St Jude. Insecure and emotionally guarded she has grown up longing to fulfil two dreams: to discover her family; and to become a star ballerina. When she receives from an anonymous sender a book containing a tantalising riddle and a magical pair of stockings her dreams of glory and fame are suddenly within her grasp. Bravely and ingeniously following each dangerous magical clue, Daphne soon realises that in the competitive world of ballet discipline and physical hardship are not the only challenges she must face. Daphne is poised to win an audition for the Ballet Splendide in Paris. But will the magic be enough to help her overcome the scheming of others, as well as her own childhood demons?"Published in 2012, I picked this up from my local library. Straight away from the blurb I thought Red Shoes and Black Swan. It was only until I was a few pages in that I realised it was not YA fiction, but Childrens. Nevertheless, I decided to give it a go.I found a few historical inaccuracies, and the plot was boring. the magical element of the entire book is eclipsed by the persistent description of dance. A riddle appears, Daphne recalls it numerous times and somehow the shoes are magic. It has minor psychological themes, which an adult may pick up upon. The description was simple, but could be expanded upon, as well as the characters (Daphne I felt was lacklustre) and their use of dialogue.Children are smart. We should not dumb down their books. I give this: AVOID!
2. Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone by J. K. Rowling.
"Harry Potter thinks he is an ordinary boy - until he is rescued by a beetle-eyed giant of a man, enrols at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, learns to play Quidditch and does battle in a deadly duel. The reason: HARRY POTTER IS A WIZARD!"Published in 1997, this was not the first Harry Potter book I picked up. I bought the first three in a "3 for 2" offer in Ottakar's (before it became Waterstones). I had picked up The Prisoner of Azkaban and it wasn't until I was a few pages in, I realised my mistake.I have fond memories of this book. One of my favourites is sitting on the green outside my sisters old house and reading it aloud to older children, to prove I was as good as I said.The entire series grows with the characters. Yes, Rowling takes inspiration from many other sources, particuarly the Latin language, but they keep your attention. You wish the spells were real, and keep you entertained. Diagon Alley is a fantastic location, a place where Harry really understands the extent of the world he has entered, and where the reader is thrown into, exploring with wide eyes like Harry. Yes, the books are aimed at children, but as a teenager, and as an adult, I go back to them. I am still waiting for my Hogwarts letter - I have two cats, and a broomstick. Somewhere.Some may disagree, especially since some say that Rowling "dumbs down" her books and treats the audience as if they were idiots, but as a professional writer, you can see the progression, and the hard work she undertook in writing such a successful series.I give this: SNOG!
3. Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire.
"When Dorothy triumphed over the Wicked Witch of the West in the classic novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, we heard only one side of the story. But what of her arch-nemesis, the mysterious witch? Long before Dorothy drops in, a girl is born in Oz with emerald-green skin. Elphaba, who will grow up to become the infamous witch, is a smart, prickly and misunderstood creature who challenges all our preconceived ideas about the nature of good and evil."The book was published 1995, but I only came upon it in 2011. Now this find was my mum's who knew I liked the film, The Wizard of Oz. I read the library copy twice over, before getting my own. Later followed the Broadway soundtrack, a trip to the Apollo Theatre in London to see the show, and later, a replica Grimmerie.
What I love about Wicked is the powerful emotion the book can draw from you. I have laughed and cried over this book. I have felt my heart flutter like a bird in a cage, I have felt scorn. Elphaba is naturally talented, and is the heroine I wish I had written. As a teenager and as an adult, she is fierce, strong. Her magic is entirely powerful, as it the entire books. All the places in Oz, all the people we meet, are all magical in their own right. Everything is - from spells to potions to The Clock of the Time Dragon. This book has had a profound impact upon my life.
I give this: MARRIAGE!
---
Watch out for tomorrow's blog post about Shapeshifters!
Yours, with eternal ink,
Zoe
---
Currently reading: Beautiful Redemption by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl
March 11, 2013
Snog? Marry? Avoid? Vampires...
To all who are reading this,
If you've just joined me on this journey, then welcome. If you read the previous blog, then thank you and welcome back.
I will probably get a lot of stick for this entry. People might say that vampires are not a genre in their own right, but there are a lot of vampire centric books out there. You only have to walk in Waterstones to see it.
Do you think Bram Stoker envisioned what an impact Dracula would have on society? It's not just novels nowadays, its movies and other media.
The truth be told, I was terrified of vampires as a child, but I remember my brother watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer and being immediately fond of Spike (James Marsters). I don’t know whether it was his cruel sadistic Vampire nature, or his dazzling good looks, but whatever it was, it got to me.
Vampires, to me, are sexy, powerful, masterful. They are everything we want to be deep down, and especially if we are too scared or ashamed to actually do something about it. They can fight for anything and take what they want without giving a damn.
I think it’s a popular genre, as we can broadcast our own views and thoughts into these creatures of horror. We can be terrifying, sexy, alluring – everything we aren’t able to be in reality.
Welcome to Vampire Month.Let's get this show on the road!---1. Guilty Pleasures by Laurell K. Hamilton.
"'I don't date vampires. I kill them.' My name is Anita Blake. Vampires call me the Executioner. What I call them isn't repeatable. Ever since the Supreme Court granted the undead equal rights, most people think vampires are just ordinary folks with fangs. I know better. I've seen their victims. I carry the scars... But now a serial killer is murdering vampires - and the most powerful bloodsucker in town wants me to find the killer."The first book in the Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter series, it was published in 1993. The book hooked me in straight away with a powerful heroine, who hunted vampires and raised zombies. There was a great deal of action that felt realistic. Romance isn't a total high priority in the novel, but at the same time, it is still there.A forbidden and sexual chemistry that will be present for more books to come. Speaking of which, I have read all the books to date.I give this: SNOG!2. Dark Lover by J. R. Ward.
"In the shadows of the night in Caldwell, New York, there's a deadly turf war going on between vampires and their slayers. There also exists a secret band of brothers like no other - six vampire warriors, defenders of their race. Among them, none relishes killing their enemies more than Wrath, the leader of the Black Dagger Brotherhood. The only pure-bred vampire left on the planet, Wrath has a score to settle with the slayers who murdered his parents centuries ago. But when one of his most trusted fighters is killed - orphaning a half-breed daughter unaware of her heritage or her fate - Wrath must usher the beautiful female into the world of the undead...
Racked by a restlessness in her body that wasn't there before, Beth Randall is helpless against the dangerously sexy man who comes to her at night with shadows in his eyes. His tales of brotherhood and blood frighten her. But his touch ignites a dawning hunger that threatens to consume them both..."
Show More
Show Less The first in the Black Dagger Brotherhood book, it was published in 2005. It is hot and heavy, packed with sexual scenes with the vampires that stir the primal senses of the reader. Well, this reader anyway. These vampires have the most fascinating names such as Wrath, the titular lead of this book. They speak an Old Language that is familiar to read as it is on the tongue. The action scenes are powerful, full of not only hand-to-hand combat, but daggers and guns. The antagonist sets himself up to appear in later books, so angry witht he world and such.
Ward leaves us wanting more. Much more.
I give this: MARRIAGE!
Show More 3. The Vampire of Highgate by Asa Bailey.
"Kathy Bilic is adopted. Until now, she's had only a vague memory of her real family. But terrifying dreams and visions of her sister Amber are waking her in the night. When Amber starts giving her messages, Kathy gets a sickening sense that her sister is in danger - from a deadly, inhuman source. Kathy hits London to find her sister - but when she arrives at her aunt's house in Highgate, she is actively dissuaded from pursuing the mystery. Undeterred, Kathy's trail leads her through a bloody murder in the British Museum to a charged meeting with the mysterious, hypnoptic Antwain and a final confronation with her sinister father. Before long, Kathy uncovers the full horror of her heritage and her sister's fate at the hands of the Vampire of Highgate."
Published in 2012, I was highly disappointed with this book. The blurb makes you think it is a real rollercoaster ride, but it is anything but. The blurb essentially gives the entire plot away. The language is bland, and the plot plods along, unbothered by its own turning points. It was shameful - a published book it was full of spelling mistakes and incorrect uses of grammar. I felt that I should mark it with red pen!
Show More The characters have little realism. I had no interest in them.Bailey should stick to photography and his other interests.I give this: AVOID!---Watch out for tomorrow's blog post about Magic!Yours, with eternal ink,
Zoe
---
Currently reading: Beautiful Redemption by Kami Garcia & Margaret StohlShow Less
Show Less
If you've just joined me on this journey, then welcome. If you read the previous blog, then thank you and welcome back.
I will probably get a lot of stick for this entry. People might say that vampires are not a genre in their own right, but there are a lot of vampire centric books out there. You only have to walk in Waterstones to see it.
Do you think Bram Stoker envisioned what an impact Dracula would have on society? It's not just novels nowadays, its movies and other media.
The truth be told, I was terrified of vampires as a child, but I remember my brother watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer and being immediately fond of Spike (James Marsters). I don’t know whether it was his cruel sadistic Vampire nature, or his dazzling good looks, but whatever it was, it got to me.
Vampires, to me, are sexy, powerful, masterful. They are everything we want to be deep down, and especially if we are too scared or ashamed to actually do something about it. They can fight for anything and take what they want without giving a damn.
I think it’s a popular genre, as we can broadcast our own views and thoughts into these creatures of horror. We can be terrifying, sexy, alluring – everything we aren’t able to be in reality.
Welcome to Vampire Month.Let's get this show on the road!---1. Guilty Pleasures by Laurell K. Hamilton.
"'I don't date vampires. I kill them.' My name is Anita Blake. Vampires call me the Executioner. What I call them isn't repeatable. Ever since the Supreme Court granted the undead equal rights, most people think vampires are just ordinary folks with fangs. I know better. I've seen their victims. I carry the scars... But now a serial killer is murdering vampires - and the most powerful bloodsucker in town wants me to find the killer."The first book in the Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter series, it was published in 1993. The book hooked me in straight away with a powerful heroine, who hunted vampires and raised zombies. There was a great deal of action that felt realistic. Romance isn't a total high priority in the novel, but at the same time, it is still there.A forbidden and sexual chemistry that will be present for more books to come. Speaking of which, I have read all the books to date.I give this: SNOG!2. Dark Lover by J. R. Ward.
"In the shadows of the night in Caldwell, New York, there's a deadly turf war going on between vampires and their slayers. There also exists a secret band of brothers like no other - six vampire warriors, defenders of their race. Among them, none relishes killing their enemies more than Wrath, the leader of the Black Dagger Brotherhood. The only pure-bred vampire left on the planet, Wrath has a score to settle with the slayers who murdered his parents centuries ago. But when one of his most trusted fighters is killed - orphaning a half-breed daughter unaware of her heritage or her fate - Wrath must usher the beautiful female into the world of the undead...Racked by a restlessness in her body that wasn't there before, Beth Randall is helpless against the dangerously sexy man who comes to her at night with shadows in his eyes. His tales of brotherhood and blood frighten her. But his touch ignites a dawning hunger that threatens to consume them both..."
Show More
Show Less The first in the Black Dagger Brotherhood book, it was published in 2005. It is hot and heavy, packed with sexual scenes with the vampires that stir the primal senses of the reader. Well, this reader anyway. These vampires have the most fascinating names such as Wrath, the titular lead of this book. They speak an Old Language that is familiar to read as it is on the tongue. The action scenes are powerful, full of not only hand-to-hand combat, but daggers and guns. The antagonist sets himself up to appear in later books, so angry witht he world and such.
Ward leaves us wanting more. Much more.
I give this: MARRIAGE!
Show More 3. The Vampire of Highgate by Asa Bailey.
"Kathy Bilic is adopted. Until now, she's had only a vague memory of her real family. But terrifying dreams and visions of her sister Amber are waking her in the night. When Amber starts giving her messages, Kathy gets a sickening sense that her sister is in danger - from a deadly, inhuman source. Kathy hits London to find her sister - but when she arrives at her aunt's house in Highgate, she is actively dissuaded from pursuing the mystery. Undeterred, Kathy's trail leads her through a bloody murder in the British Museum to a charged meeting with the mysterious, hypnoptic Antwain and a final confronation with her sinister father. Before long, Kathy uncovers the full horror of her heritage and her sister's fate at the hands of the Vampire of Highgate." Published in 2012, I was highly disappointed with this book. The blurb makes you think it is a real rollercoaster ride, but it is anything but. The blurb essentially gives the entire plot away. The language is bland, and the plot plods along, unbothered by its own turning points. It was shameful - a published book it was full of spelling mistakes and incorrect uses of grammar. I felt that I should mark it with red pen!
Show More The characters have little realism. I had no interest in them.Bailey should stick to photography and his other interests.I give this: AVOID!---Watch out for tomorrow's blog post about Magic!Yours, with eternal ink,
Zoe
---
Currently reading: Beautiful Redemption by Kami Garcia & Margaret StohlShow Less
Show Less
March 10, 2013
Snog? Marry? Avoid? Crime...
To all who are reading this,
First may I welcome you to this exciting new blog post series, which will run for an entire week, focusing on different book genres'.
The concept of this blog is to do a small three book review, but in the style of the fashion show on BBC3, Snog, Marry, Avoid?
So a very brief explanation of what will happen...
Three books are on the review panel. And depending on my enjoyment of the book, they will get a Snog (a like), a Marriage (love) or an Avoid (a dislike).
Now I do warn you, dear reader, the choices of book are completely my own. So are my opinions. Genres may cross, and I can understand that people may disagree with what I say.
So the genre today is...
Crime!
I decided to start with crime because my mother encourages me to read this genre, and it is Mothering Sunday after all.
Let's get this show on the road!
---
1. The Ice Princess by Camilla Läckberg.
"Returning to her hometown after the funeral of her parents, writer Erica Falck finds a community on the brink of tragedy. The death of her childhood friend, Alex, is just the beginning. Her wrists slashed, her body frozen in an ice cold bath, it seems that she has taken her own life.
Erica conceives a memoir about the beautiful but remote Alex, one that will answer questions about their lost friendship. While her interest grows to an obsession, local detective Patrik Hedstrom is following his own suspicions about the case. But it is only when they start working together that the truth begins to emerge about the small town with a deeply disturbing past."
The first in the Patrick Hedstrom and Erica Falck series, The Ice Princess, was published in 2003, in Sweden. Läckberg is talented. She paints a vivid and realistic picture with her words. There are no issues with translation either.
She is sharp, witty and incredibly descriptive. The opening chapter is harrowing, and yet beautiful, all in the same breath. The book keeps you guessing about the true identity of the killer and it leaves you thinking about it days after.
I give this: MARRIAGE!
Show More
2. Hidden Depths by Ann Cleeves.
"A hot summer on the Northumberland coast and Julie Armstrong arrives home from a night out to find her son strangled, laid out in a bath of water and covered with wild flowers. This stylized murder scene has Inspector Vera Stanhope intrigued. But then another body is discovered in a rock pool, the corpse again strewn with flowers. Vera must work quickly to find this killer who is making art out of death. As local residents are forced to share their deepest, darkest secrets, the killer watches, waits and plans to prepare another beautiful, watery grave."
The third in the Vera Stanhope series, Hidden Depths, was first published in 2007, in the United Kingdom. Now, I didn't know that this wasn't the first, as I came into it from the television series, entitled Vera. This was the first episode aired.
Nonetheless, Cleeves has a talent for painting the scene. The crime scenes leave you puzzled, as you can't figure out who the killer is or what the true motives are. Even when you've seen the television episode, you can't remember who's done it! Vera is a loveable character with a tough nature. Joe, her partner, matches her well.
I give this: SNOG!
3. Paper Valentine by Brenna Yovanoff.
"The city of Ludlow is gripped by the hottest July on record. The asphalt is melting, petty crime is on the rise, and someone in Hannah Wagnor’s peaceful suburban community is killing girls.
For Hannah, the summer is a complicated one. Her best friend Lillian died six months ago, and Hannah just wants her life to go back to normal. But how can things be normal when Lillian’s ghost is haunting her bedroom, pushing her to investigate the mysterious string of murders? With the entire city in a panic, Hannah soon finds herself drawn into a world of ghost girls and horrifying secrets. She realizes that only by confronting the Valentine Killer will she be able move on with her life — and it’s up to her to put together the pieces before he strikes again."
A stand alone book by YA (young adult) author Brenna Yovanoff, Paper Valentine was published early 2013. This book combines crime with the paranormal as Hannah is stalked by the ghost of her best friend, which the plot doesn't really need. The book is not very well planned and is bland. The typical romance of "good little girl meets boy everybody warns against" is a time old classic, but it's boring. The characters aren't well thought out and often behave in ways which aren't true to themselves, or teens of the day. The "master criminal" isn't really a criminal, but a seemingly bored teenage boy. I know its the YA market, but its over simplistic. I could solve this, and I can't normally figure out Scooby Doo!
Show More Show Less I give this: Avoid!Show More Show Less ---Show More Show Less
Watch out for tomorrow's blog post about Vampires, all in celebration of Vampire Month!
Yours, with eternal ink,
Zoe
---
Currently reading: The Ladies' Paradise by Émile Zola
Show Less
First may I welcome you to this exciting new blog post series, which will run for an entire week, focusing on different book genres'.
The concept of this blog is to do a small three book review, but in the style of the fashion show on BBC3, Snog, Marry, Avoid?
So a very brief explanation of what will happen...
Three books are on the review panel. And depending on my enjoyment of the book, they will get a Snog (a like), a Marriage (love) or an Avoid (a dislike).
Now I do warn you, dear reader, the choices of book are completely my own. So are my opinions. Genres may cross, and I can understand that people may disagree with what I say.
So the genre today is...
Crime!
I decided to start with crime because my mother encourages me to read this genre, and it is Mothering Sunday after all.
Let's get this show on the road!
---
1. The Ice Princess by Camilla Läckberg.
"Returning to her hometown after the funeral of her parents, writer Erica Falck finds a community on the brink of tragedy. The death of her childhood friend, Alex, is just the beginning. Her wrists slashed, her body frozen in an ice cold bath, it seems that she has taken her own life.Erica conceives a memoir about the beautiful but remote Alex, one that will answer questions about their lost friendship. While her interest grows to an obsession, local detective Patrik Hedstrom is following his own suspicions about the case. But it is only when they start working together that the truth begins to emerge about the small town with a deeply disturbing past."
The first in the Patrick Hedstrom and Erica Falck series, The Ice Princess, was published in 2003, in Sweden. Läckberg is talented. She paints a vivid and realistic picture with her words. There are no issues with translation either.
She is sharp, witty and incredibly descriptive. The opening chapter is harrowing, and yet beautiful, all in the same breath. The book keeps you guessing about the true identity of the killer and it leaves you thinking about it days after.
I give this: MARRIAGE!
Show More
2. Hidden Depths by Ann Cleeves.
"A hot summer on the Northumberland coast and Julie Armstrong arrives home from a night out to find her son strangled, laid out in a bath of water and covered with wild flowers. This stylized murder scene has Inspector Vera Stanhope intrigued. But then another body is discovered in a rock pool, the corpse again strewn with flowers. Vera must work quickly to find this killer who is making art out of death. As local residents are forced to share their deepest, darkest secrets, the killer watches, waits and plans to prepare another beautiful, watery grave."The third in the Vera Stanhope series, Hidden Depths, was first published in 2007, in the United Kingdom. Now, I didn't know that this wasn't the first, as I came into it from the television series, entitled Vera. This was the first episode aired.
Nonetheless, Cleeves has a talent for painting the scene. The crime scenes leave you puzzled, as you can't figure out who the killer is or what the true motives are. Even when you've seen the television episode, you can't remember who's done it! Vera is a loveable character with a tough nature. Joe, her partner, matches her well.
I give this: SNOG!
3. Paper Valentine by Brenna Yovanoff.
"The city of Ludlow is gripped by the hottest July on record. The asphalt is melting, petty crime is on the rise, and someone in Hannah Wagnor’s peaceful suburban community is killing girls.For Hannah, the summer is a complicated one. Her best friend Lillian died six months ago, and Hannah just wants her life to go back to normal. But how can things be normal when Lillian’s ghost is haunting her bedroom, pushing her to investigate the mysterious string of murders? With the entire city in a panic, Hannah soon finds herself drawn into a world of ghost girls and horrifying secrets. She realizes that only by confronting the Valentine Killer will she be able move on with her life — and it’s up to her to put together the pieces before he strikes again."
A stand alone book by YA (young adult) author Brenna Yovanoff, Paper Valentine was published early 2013. This book combines crime with the paranormal as Hannah is stalked by the ghost of her best friend, which the plot doesn't really need. The book is not very well planned and is bland. The typical romance of "good little girl meets boy everybody warns against" is a time old classic, but it's boring. The characters aren't well thought out and often behave in ways which aren't true to themselves, or teens of the day. The "master criminal" isn't really a criminal, but a seemingly bored teenage boy. I know its the YA market, but its over simplistic. I could solve this, and I can't normally figure out Scooby Doo!
Show More Show Less I give this: Avoid!Show More Show Less ---Show More Show Less
Watch out for tomorrow's blog post about Vampires, all in celebration of Vampire Month!
Yours, with eternal ink,
Zoe
---
Currently reading: The Ladies' Paradise by Émile Zola
Show Less
Happy Mother's Day
To all who are reading this,
Today is Mothering Sunday, a day when we should celebrate all of the things our mothers have done for us, whether we get along with them or not.
My own mother has the viewpoint that 'Mothers Day' has become over commercialised and that we should show our love and appreciation to someone every single day. After that comment, I sincerly hope she likes her gift - I don't do normal, because neither I, nor my mother are normal!
I love my mother dearly. She is the woman who carried me for nine months, fed me, clothed me, made sure I was safe from all the infections and diseases of the world. She brought me into a loving family. She even has her own nickname: Moominmama.
She is my best friend. She makes me laugh when no-one else can, and reassures me that things will get better. She shares my love of musicals, her favourite being Les Misérables. She's the woman who read me The Hobbit when I was a child, and now encourages me to read various crime books. She even wants me to write crime!
She supports my career as a writer and freelancer, and often gives helpful and insightful thoughts into what I'm writing, even if she doesn't truly understand what it is. She pushes me to achieve my best, and only my best, whether this was at school or in my career.
Yes, we've argued. What mother and daughter haven't? At the end of the day, I couldn't imagine a life without her by my side.
She's one in a million.
So today readers, take a moment out of your busy days to thank your mum for everything she has ever done for you. She loves you, as much as you love her.
Yours, with eternal ink,
Zoe
---
Currently reading: The Ladies' Paradise by Émile Zola
Me and my lovely Mum outisde the Poseidon Hotel in Kos (2012)
Today is Mothering Sunday, a day when we should celebrate all of the things our mothers have done for us, whether we get along with them or not.
My own mother has the viewpoint that 'Mothers Day' has become over commercialised and that we should show our love and appreciation to someone every single day. After that comment, I sincerly hope she likes her gift - I don't do normal, because neither I, nor my mother are normal!
I love my mother dearly. She is the woman who carried me for nine months, fed me, clothed me, made sure I was safe from all the infections and diseases of the world. She brought me into a loving family. She even has her own nickname: Moominmama.
She is my best friend. She makes me laugh when no-one else can, and reassures me that things will get better. She shares my love of musicals, her favourite being Les Misérables. She's the woman who read me The Hobbit when I was a child, and now encourages me to read various crime books. She even wants me to write crime!
She supports my career as a writer and freelancer, and often gives helpful and insightful thoughts into what I'm writing, even if she doesn't truly understand what it is. She pushes me to achieve my best, and only my best, whether this was at school or in my career.
Yes, we've argued. What mother and daughter haven't? At the end of the day, I couldn't imagine a life without her by my side.
She's one in a million.
So today readers, take a moment out of your busy days to thank your mum for everything she has ever done for you. She loves you, as much as you love her.
Yours, with eternal ink,
Zoe
---
Currently reading: The Ladies' Paradise by Émile Zola
Me and my lovely Mum outisde the Poseidon Hotel in Kos (2012)
