Anna Frost's Blog, page 10
December 30, 2012
Book Rec: I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You
I finally got around to trying out this book. The title is just perfect for the concept.
Blurb from Goodreads:
Cammie Morgan is a student at the Gallagher Academy for Exceptional Young Women, a fairly typical all-girls school-that is, if every school taught advanced martial arts in PE and the latest in chemical warfare in science, and students received extra credit for breaking CIA codes in computer class. The Gallagher Academy might claim to be a school for geniuses but it's really a school for spies. Even though Cammie is fluent in fourteen languages and capable of killing a man in seven different ways, she has no idea what to do when she meets an ordinary boy who thinks she's an ordinary girl. Sure, she can tap his phone, hack into his computer, or track him through town with the skill of a real "pavement artist"-but can she maneuver a relationship with someone who can never know the truth about her?
Cammie Morgan may be an elite spy-in-training, but in her sophomore year, she's on her most dangerous mission-falling in love.
The Good:
Fun concept, fun execution. It's a secret spy school for girls! It's a quick and easy read that flows very well. I was never bored and didn't skim at all. The MC is decent.
The Bad:
The voice is what I'd call typical YA, bubbly first person POV, which lead to suspension of disbelief issues. I don't buy that this typical-sounding teen is a real spy-in-trainning or that she's a genius.
The Picky:
Is it really that hard to find someone to clean up the typos and terrible grammar in the French sentences?
Overall:
Some people will love this one and some people will hate it. I think it depends how willing you are to ignore suspension of disbelief issues.
Blurb from Goodreads:Cammie Morgan is a student at the Gallagher Academy for Exceptional Young Women, a fairly typical all-girls school-that is, if every school taught advanced martial arts in PE and the latest in chemical warfare in science, and students received extra credit for breaking CIA codes in computer class. The Gallagher Academy might claim to be a school for geniuses but it's really a school for spies. Even though Cammie is fluent in fourteen languages and capable of killing a man in seven different ways, she has no idea what to do when she meets an ordinary boy who thinks she's an ordinary girl. Sure, she can tap his phone, hack into his computer, or track him through town with the skill of a real "pavement artist"-but can she maneuver a relationship with someone who can never know the truth about her?
Cammie Morgan may be an elite spy-in-training, but in her sophomore year, she's on her most dangerous mission-falling in love.
The Good:
Fun concept, fun execution. It's a secret spy school for girls! It's a quick and easy read that flows very well. I was never bored and didn't skim at all. The MC is decent.
The Bad:
The voice is what I'd call typical YA, bubbly first person POV, which lead to suspension of disbelief issues. I don't buy that this typical-sounding teen is a real spy-in-trainning or that she's a genius.
The Picky:
Is it really that hard to find someone to clean up the typos and terrible grammar in the French sentences?
Overall:
Some people will love this one and some people will hate it. I think it depends how willing you are to ignore suspension of disbelief issues.
December 26, 2012
Christmas in Japan
Christianity never gained much of a following in Japan so Christmas-as-a-holiday does not exist there. However, Christmas-as-a-commercial-event does exist. Stores decorate and people may buy a few gifts for the kids, send greeting cards, or have a special meal. The "Christmas cake" is a popular item on the 25th. I understand it's usually a sponge cake with whipped cream and strawberries, but there are variants.
"Merry Christmas" becomes "meri kurisumasu" because that's the closest way they can spell/pronounce it. In katakana (the alphabet used for foreign words) it looks like this: メリークリスマス。Obviously there is no kanji for it.
On a funny note, I hear that KFC managed to convince the Japanese that fried chicken is a traditional Christmas meal. Google directed me to a short blog post that explains why, right here.
"Merry Christmas" becomes "meri kurisumasu" because that's the closest way they can spell/pronounce it. In katakana (the alphabet used for foreign words) it looks like this: メリークリスマス。Obviously there is no kanji for it.
On a funny note, I hear that KFC managed to convince the Japanese that fried chicken is a traditional Christmas meal. Google directed me to a short blog post that explains why, right here.
December 18, 2012
Happy Holidays
I hope everybody has fun plans for the next couple weeks.
My wrist seems to be doing better with the new mousepad, but I'm still feeling a bit of strain. Since I will be spending the holidays running from work shift to family event to work shift, my wrist will get plenty of rest. The new year will be a good time to sit down and get writing done. I might even manage to update my blog with real content! ;)
My wrist seems to be doing better with the new mousepad, but I'm still feeling a bit of strain. Since I will be spending the holidays running from work shift to family event to work shift, my wrist will get plenty of rest. The new year will be a good time to sit down and get writing done. I might even manage to update my blog with real content! ;)
December 13, 2012
Writer's Bane
This week I noticed that my right wrist hurts when I'm at the computer. I promptly panicked, because wow do I not want to develop carpal tunnel or any similar injury. I eased off the computer a bit to rest my wrist and bought one of those mouse pads with a gel wrist rest. We'll see if the pain comes back...
November 24, 2012
Current Projects
For the interested, these are my current projects. I hope they will all be published in the near-ish future:
-A Japanese steampunk novel with a genderqueer, crossdressing male as the main character. I'm trying to nab an agent with this one.
-A short story I'd describe as urban fantasy in Japan, with a little girl on girl romance. I'll try to slot in a magazine somewhere.
-A short story meant for an anthology at Musa. It's about a witch girl whose first job is at a nursery home for special people (like grampa werewolf).
In addition, I've recently started writing the third volume of the Kitsune Trilogy. Yep, the third. The second one is wrapped up. When I'm done with all of the above, I'll see if my superhero novella draft is worth salvaging. And after that, who knows?
-A Japanese steampunk novel with a genderqueer, crossdressing male as the main character. I'm trying to nab an agent with this one.
-A short story I'd describe as urban fantasy in Japan, with a little girl on girl romance. I'll try to slot in a magazine somewhere.
-A short story meant for an anthology at Musa. It's about a witch girl whose first job is at a nursery home for special people (like grampa werewolf).
In addition, I've recently started writing the third volume of the Kitsune Trilogy. Yep, the third. The second one is wrapped up. When I'm done with all of the above, I'll see if my superhero novella draft is worth salvaging. And after that, who knows?
