Noree Cosper's Blog, page 30

Review: A PORTRAIT OF ALATIEL SALAZAR

Premise (Taken from Goodreads): When Gabriel Holland’s beloved Helena vanishes from his life, he journeys to the home of disgraced artist Cristian Salazar, the man he holds responsible for her disappearance and the death of several friends. Once in the town of Carliton, Gabriel finds only malice and mystery in the tales told by the few brave enough to speak ill of Salazar and the sinister Cousin Beatriz. And within shadows, in the guise of night, walks Alatiel, the creature Helena has become. . . .
Disclaimer: A Portrait of Alatiel Salazar is a Gothic Horror novella. It is for a niche audience and not what I am used to reading. So, if you read more of this than i do you may have a differing opinion. This was given to me for a fair review by Steven's publisher Immortal Ink.
The Good:
Writing Style: Mr. Katriel's choice of wording and voice give a very creepy overall feel throughout the book. He sets the horrific ambiance well. The novella is written in a Victorian style which is around the time the story is set in. I would have to say this is my favorite part about the story.
Characters: Even in the beginning which focuses on series of journal entries you can still get a feel for even the tertiary characters. My heart aches for Gabriel and what he has to endure throughout the novel. Alatiel is intriguing and horrifying all at once.
The Bad:
Confusion: This may be because I am used to reading more fantasy, but I never really understood what Alatiel or a few of the other characters were. The is a point in the story where another character tells Gabriel what he knows of them, but this still only gives me a very vague sense. Also there were a couple of times that I got confused at what was going on in the story. Still this may be because I don't read a lot of this type of story. The ones I have to compare to are Dracula and a Picture of Dorian Gray. Those two stories I knew before I read the books, so it may just be me.
Overall: I would definitely recommend this book, especially is you want something to run chills down your spine in cerebral way. There or no cheap thrills in this book.
Be sure to check out Steven Katriel's webpage for a few previews as well as other goodies.

Supernatural Hunting Armory: Compound Bow VS Crossbow

Welcome, fellow hunters. We will be discussing types of weapons used on supernatural beings. Today's topic will be:

Compound Bow vs. CrossbowCreature Type: VampireArrow: Wooden of course
So, you're out hunting that vampire because you have no chance to wait for it to sleep during the day (if it does). You don't want to get close, all that biting and loss of blood, you know. Your armory is open. Choose your weapon.
Compound Bow:
A compound bow is a modern bow that uses a systems of pulleys and cables to bend the limbs.
Advantages: First off, the bow is easier to draw. It doesn't have a crank or lock to worry about. All you need is your arm. The form is simple and light which makes the bow less cumbersome to carry on your hunts. Compound bows have less recoil than that of other bows. The accuracy is good due to a consistent archer point and a string loop system. The arrow sits on a string loop and it is the same point every time. The maximum range is longer for a compound bow. 
Disadvantages: The compound bow takes longer to master. This can be months, even years.
Crossbow
A crossbow is a weapon consisting of a bow mounted on a stock that shoots projectiles, often called bolts or quarrels.

Advantages: The crossbow is relatively quick to learn, you could master it in under an hour. The most difficult aspect is to make sure the bow is cocked perfectly strait so the arrow does not stray. The weight of a crossbow is distributed evenly so you can hold it at your shoulder for a longer period of time. The quarrel can be locked and loaded ahead of time in preparation for your shot.
Disadvantages: Compared to the bow, a crossbow is heavier overall and clumsier to carry around. This can impede you when your on the move after that vampire. The rate of fire is slower and you have to reload and lock the cross bow, unless you have a repeating crossbow.
What weapon will you choose?

Review: EYES OF THE SEER

I first met the author in a twitter discussion that inspired my "Lusting for Bloodsuckers" post.  If you are not, you need to follow @PeterDawes on Twitter. Yes, the author has penned his books under the name of the main character. He said once that Peter felt he needed to tell his own story. Also, check out his blog. It's an excellent read, and an easy way to distract yourself from writing, which I have been guilty of.
Premise (Takend from Goodreads): 

It all started with a murder. Two victims lay dead at the hands of Peter Dawes, but what laid in wait for him was not the sound of sirens or the banging of a gavel. It would turn a doctor into a killer and a man into a monster. 

Follow Peter as he exchanges his blood-stained clothing for tailored suits, his scalpel for fine-crafted daggers, and reinvents himself as the newest vampire-child in a coven of decadent sophisticates. He even takes on the name ‘Flynn’ - a child of red - in honor of his new-found devilish side, and to remove one of the last tethers to his human past.

For four years, Flynn embodies every bit the bloody immortal he was sired to become. Under the reign of his maker, Sabrina, he establishes a reputation as the most feared assassin to ever terrorize the covens of Philadelphia. But the surefooted-steps and quick hands that make him a virtuoso when it comes to killing humans and vampires alike are a mark of the mortal destiny which haunts him even beyond death. And despite his efforts, Peter’s humanity is not as dead as some would prefer.

On the verge of completing their vie for power, Sabrina’s ‘dark-killer’ will suddenly find himself at odds over his devotion to his mistress when an impish sorceress named Monica awakens the hidden powers he was destined to possess. In this world of macabre and shrewdly practical immortal beings, will Flynn’s supernatural gifts be used to orchestrate the wicked deeds of his maker? Or can the cold-blooded nature of a vampire be warmed by the compassion of a Seer?

EYES OF THE SEER is a gripping tale conspicuously authored by Peter Dawes - years later, he's decided to put the story of his life to paper, albeit listed as 'fiction'. (Vampires can't really claim to exist, after all. It would ruin the whole gig.)


The Good:

The Vampires: If you have read my blog about vampires you know I am wanted to see vampires as monsters depicted in novels again. Or if they want to hold onto their humanity, I want to see a struggle. This book gives me both is spades. Though the vampire mythos is standard, because they are depicted as monsters makes it even better.

Voice/Writing Style:  One word comes to mind: elegant. It flows so easily that my eyes devour the next sentence and the next. I can never call my style elegant, but I truly admire those that can achieve this.

Characters: This was defiantly a character focused story and not plot focused. Every character is well defined, even the tertiary characters. I could see their own motivations and. even though the story was in first person, I felt that each character acted like they were the hero in their own story. Peter takes me down to the pit of depravity and then brings the light with his quest for redemption. Monica was sassy and smart and I loved Robin.

Point of View: The story is really a psychological journey of Peter, so I like that is is written in first person. I takes so deep into Peter that we can feel his struggle. Though, i'm a big fan of First Person anyway.

Themes: This book really explores humanity, and the struggle of one's self. Peter struggles reconciling the man and the monster throughout most of the book. Also, on a more subtle level is the question of freedom. Are you responsible for the deeds you have done if you were manipulated? The author presents both of these theme beautifully.

Action: Vampires fighting vampires. Let me just say that this is not a book you should let your kids read. It is dark and it is violent. I love it.

The Bad: I really don't have much to say about this. Yes, the beginning started off a little slow, but it built up to the end, which was well worth it. When I got to the last few pages I wanted more.

Overall: You should buy this book! Seriously this is a hidden jewel that needs more light.

Valkyries: Goddesses of the Battlefield

Note: I'm switching my blogging day to Thursdays. I'm off of work and have time to get it done. Now on to the meat.

This is going to be the first in a series called Supernatural Warriors. You can thank @jessfortunato for this idea. The first in the segment will be:

Valkyries
So, the word Valkyrie means "chooser of the slain." They were these goddesses that worked for Odin in Norse Mythology. (For those that don't know: Odin was the king of the Norse gods. He is the good of war and death as well as poetry and wisdom.) They choose certain men who die in battle to become einherjar and fight for Odin at Ragnarok (the Norse end of the world). When the einherjar weren't preparing for Rgnakrok, they were served mead by the Valkyries in the great hall of Valhalla.
Most of the time, Valkyries are depicted as beautiful women with blond hair, blue eyes, and fair skin. They wear scarlet corsets and carried shields and spears. They sometimes ride winged horses as in the picture above.


One of the most noted Valkyries is Brynhidr or Brunhilde. In the Volsunga Saga she was a shield maiden who had to choose between to kings, Hjalmgunnar and Agnar, to fight for. Odin favored Hjalmgunnar but she chose Agnar. So Odin turned her into a mortal and imprisoned her in a tower where she had to sleep in a ring of fire until a man rescued and married her. This turned out to be Sigour Sigmundson. They go on to have their trials and tribulations. Another version is told in "The Song of the Nibelungs," which I have been told was inspiration for some of J.R.R. Tolkein's work.
Anyway, Valkyries appear throughout various 13th century Norse poems and stories. If you haven't yet, you should check out Norse Mythology. It is full of Epic. What about you dear readers. Do you have any Supernatural Warriors you want me to blog about? Let me know!

Review: NOT EVEN THERE

This is a short story but another wonderful person on Twitter: J. Scott Sharp. You can follow him @JScottSharp.

Premise (Taken from Goodreads): Roger met Libby for the first time and would do anything to be with her. She's beautiful and popular. He and his best friend are not. Quite the opposite. But then his friend tells him a secret and Roger's whole life goes into a tailspin that he may never get out of.

It could be a matter of life and death.

The Good:

Love Triangle: Ah yes, we've seen them everywhere. However, Mr. Sharp provides a fresh view of the love triangle. This time the story comes from the point of view of one of the pursuers not the pursued. I like the take because it let you see in the eyes of someone else.

Main Character: I really enjoyed Roger. I could put myself into his shoes. It really took me back to being in high school (Not sure if that is a good thing). I could also relate to his dilemma over Libby.

The Plot: It was simple which is perfect for a story this length. It did not have anytime to get me confused with other subplots.

The Bad:

Character Motivations: At times I had to question the character motivations fo David and Libby. However, I know this a short story and I could probably understand where they were coming from more if it had been longer.

Overall: This is great short story. I would recommend it to anyone looking for something they can read in one sitting. I'm looking forward to reading more on Mr. Sharp's work.

Hiatus

I started a new job this week. I am taking a short hiatus until I get adjusted to my new schedule. I should be back by next week of the week after.

Star-crossed Romance

I read once on an interview with an agent that the difference between Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance is that the relationships in UF end unhappily. While I disagree with this point for a lot of reasons, I’m going to focus on one: the unhappy part.

Through a lot of series I see the protagonist struggling to form a relationship with one or two (or three or four) love interests. Sometimes, the romance subplots seem to overshadow the main plots of the story. The MC becomes so wrapped up in their thoughts on their messed up relationships that they make stupid mistakes.

Now, I have no problems with a slow build to a relationship. By all means take as many books as you need, but please make it worth it in the end. I don’t just mean hot sex. If you spent five books with the buildup, please don’t break them up in the next book.

To me, maintaining a relationship is more difficult than forming one. Yet, I see a lot of books that almost irrevocably break up the characters. This is usually because the writer feels the reader will grow bored and cannot come up with an interesting conflict unless they are apart. I guess I am saying that I would like to see a conflict that the characters have to endure and stay together, instead of their own arguments driving them apart.

I have seen a few that has relationships that work and still keep us interested, like the Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs. (Well at least where I am. I’m behind on it.) So, I still have hope. 
What are your thoughts on relationships in books? Do you like the on again off again struggle? Or would you like to see other conflicts in relationships

Eclipse

So, many of you are wondering why I named this blog Trip the Eclipse. Well maybe not, but I’m going to tell you anyway.

I have always loved the word eclipse. I have used it often in many of my online handles, like Twitter for example (@velveteclipse if you want to follow me). Now, I have decided to use the word Eclipse to refer to the world of spirits in my books.

Wikipedia states: “An eclipse is an astronomical event that occurs when an astronomical object is temporarily obscured, either by passing into the shadow of another body or by having another body pass between it and the viewer.”

In my book there are two parts to the Eclipse. There is the Upper Eclipse, where the Material Universe obscures Hell. This area is home to spirits of the higher order such as old gods of different pantheons. The Lower Eclipse where the Material Universe obscures heaven. This area is home to spirits such as darker gods, malevolent spirits, and ghosts.

 
This is a rough sketch I made of my cosmology. 
Spirits play a major part in my story. Many of them are the driving forces behind the characters. These spirits have the capacity to gift humans with their powers. This creates a connection strong enough for possible possession.

So, to trip the Eclipse is to enter my world. Welcome. I hope to continue to entertain you.

Vlad Dracula

 Ok, I'm not talking about Castlevania but this Dracula is so cool.
So, I accomplished a great feat last night. I finished reading Bram Stoker's Dracula. I love the story, but I am not a fan of the whole story written in journal form. Besides, who write accents in journals?

Anyway, there are a lot of differences from the book and the movies. The older movies, while keeping with whole Dracula just wants blood thing, are pretty campy. The one with Bela Lugosi has Renfield traveling to the count's home instead of Johnathon Harker. In the book, Renfield only shows up as a inmate in Seward asylum who becomes fascinated with Dracula when he moves in next door.

The movie by Francis Ford Coppola is a different story. Coppola depicts a love between Dracula and Mina that has lasted through lifetimes. In the book, Dracula chooses Mina as revenge for being hunted by her and the others. Despite this, Mina continues to do everything she can to see the creature vanquished. So where did Coppola come up with this?


Vlad Tepes.

Also know as Vlad III, Vlad Dracula, or Vlad the Impaler, he was the historical figure that most believe Stoker based the fictional vampire on. He is known for impaling his victims on stakes to frighten his enemies and warning any transgressors of his strict moral code. He is believed to have killed between 40,000 to 100,000 this way. Quite a lot, but he was in a war with the Ottoman Turks for the Wallachian throne for most of his life. Many Romanians still consider Vlad to be a hero for fending off the Turks.

There is a local legend about Vlad's first wife Jusztina Szilagyi and her death. During a turkesh raid on the castle lead by Vlad's brother Radu (he chose politics over family it seems,) an archer shot an arrow into the bed chamber to warn Vlad of Radu's approach. Jusztina read the warning and threw herself from the tower into a tributary of the Argeș River flowing below the castle, saying she would rather rot and be eaten by the fish of the Argeș than be led into captivity by the Turks. This is where Coppola got the inspiration for the romance between Vlad and Mina.

Castle Bran, also known as Castle Dracula.
I think I prefer Dracula more driven by cunning and revenge than romance, but that's how I'm feeling these days. How about you? Do you like the book or one of the movie versions?

Hauntings and Visitations

Outside of the Pride House (Taken from website)


Last October, my friends and I travelled to Jefferson, TX in search of ghosts. This is sort thing we try to do for Halloween. Yes, I know cliché, but it beats the haunted houses. For the record, I do believe in restless spirits and know that sometimes they can be dangerous. We took precautions.

Jefferson is a small town in Northeast Texas located on the Big Cypress Bayou. It is a stone’s throw away from the Louisianan border. It was considered one of the great riverboat ports in Texas starting in 1845. That ended in 1872, when the Red River Raft was destroyed and the level of Caddo Lake and Big Cypress were lowered so much that riverboat travel to Jefferson were no longer feasible.


Jay Gould signed the guest registry for the Excelsior Hotel
Many actually attribute this to Jay Gould, the river magnate. Legend has it that Gould wanted to bring his railroad through Jefferson but the town leaders refused. So, Gould responded with a curse: “Grass will grow in your streets and bats will roost in your belfries, you decadent port.”

This was a cool photo I got of my reflection over the story of Jay Gould
So, why did we choose this town? Because Jefferson is also the most haunted town in Texas. Seriously, nearly every hotel or Bed and Breakfast has a ghost or five. The most famous ghost is Diamond Bessie, who was murdered by her husband/pimp for her diamonds.

We were going to stay at the Jefferson Hotel, but at the last minute our reservations were cancelled. So, we stayed at the Pride House, which was a stroke of luck for us. The Pride house, documented as the first bed and breakfast in Texas, was built in the 1880’s by George W. Brown and his wife Daisy. Now it is run by a lovely lady named Jenny (Check out her The Pride House Facebook Page page).

Ironically, there is a ghost in the house named Jenny. She was the 15 year old daughter of George and Daisy who succumbed to burns from catching her gown on fire on Christmas Day. There were two other ghosts that we think we had contact with during our stay. One, I think was George and the other was a little girl named Sarah.

I never saw any ghosts or ghost lights. Most of our experience was sound. I’d left my phone in my room to record while my friends and I went to the parlor. While we were away, my phone recorded a rattling. Ok, so here are some of the sounds.

So in the recording you can hear the rattling. At the end is where my boyfriend came in to check the recording. Note his breathing. There was a lack of breathing with the rattling. This one is a little long but I want you to see the difference.


Next, this is when my friends and I were in the parlor. Yes, we were having a semi-philosophical discussion, it was 2 in the morning. You can hear my friends. One asks a question and the other answers.

Next, you can hear a little girl giggle.


We checked. There were no children staying at the Pride house that night. Jenny said that was Sarah and she did that often. During our weekend, we had several other experiences though I did not get them on tape. Mostly, the ghosts liked to chime in on conversations.

This may not be proof for others, since they were not present, but it is enough for me. So, what about you? Have you had any supernatural experiences?