Stella Coulson's Blog, page 2
May 24, 2015
Review of T.M. Smith's 'Opposites', a review by Stella Coulson
A striking cerebral piece of fiction set in a future that is part Utopia, part Dystopia. Innovative and ground breaking work from Author T.M. Smith. Contemporary Science fiction at it's best. Humanity rises from the ashes of near apocalypse and becomes more cerebral and peaceful. Almost perfect but not quite. A future alternate Earth where mankind is almost driven into extinction until a scientist named Dr Smith isolates the Dionysis gene, removing what he considered humanities flaws - violence, savagery prevalent in the gene that produced heterosexuality. Artificial insemination and gene manipulation made the gene almost extinct, but nature always finds a way. Every now and then a child is born with the gene and cast out of the new normal society. Children born between man and woman are deemed 'Outkasts' and those that are heterosexual are known as 'Opposites'.
The universe building is sublime. The History thought provoking and intelligent. The characters are fully dimensional and complex. Aiyan and his sister Aiya and put each into arranged marriages. Aiyan finds love at first sight with his match Kaden. There is instant passion and tenderness between the two men. Try as his sister might, Aiya cannot find an attraction between her and her beautiful fiancée Maeve. To Aiya's relief, Maeve has little romantic feeling for her either, as she lusts after the House's maid. Aiya has her own reasons for the lack of passion for her future other half. She becomes increasingly drawn to Sawyer - Kaden's adopted brother. Orphaned Sawyer was born of Outkasts and was taken into a great House when he saved the life of Kaden. The two brothers Sawyer and Kaden have a strong pure bond and Sawyer's coming out as a 'Opposites' does not change his brotherly feelings for him. This is why Kaden is my favorite character in the novel. His good heart and compassion make him instantly lovable and you can see why Aiyan is so smitten with him. The clever storyline illustrates how love is beautiful no matter the form it takes. Out two 'Opposites' Sawyer and Aiya form a sweet and romantic relationship against all odds. As Sawyer is a good natured guy, I really rooted for the pairs love. Many could learn from this story. It is a powerful piece of modern literature that I couldn't put down. A original, beautiful and profound book.
The universe building is sublime. The History thought provoking and intelligent. The characters are fully dimensional and complex. Aiyan and his sister Aiya and put each into arranged marriages. Aiyan finds love at first sight with his match Kaden. There is instant passion and tenderness between the two men. Try as his sister might, Aiya cannot find an attraction between her and her beautiful fiancée Maeve. To Aiya's relief, Maeve has little romantic feeling for her either, as she lusts after the House's maid. Aiya has her own reasons for the lack of passion for her future other half. She becomes increasingly drawn to Sawyer - Kaden's adopted brother. Orphaned Sawyer was born of Outkasts and was taken into a great House when he saved the life of Kaden. The two brothers Sawyer and Kaden have a strong pure bond and Sawyer's coming out as a 'Opposites' does not change his brotherly feelings for him. This is why Kaden is my favorite character in the novel. His good heart and compassion make him instantly lovable and you can see why Aiyan is so smitten with him. The clever storyline illustrates how love is beautiful no matter the form it takes. Out two 'Opposites' Sawyer and Aiya form a sweet and romantic relationship against all odds. As Sawyer is a good natured guy, I really rooted for the pairs love. Many could learn from this story. It is a powerful piece of modern literature that I couldn't put down. A original, beautiful and profound book.
May 19, 2015
Queen of Swords by Nina Mason Review
The Queen of Swords by Nina Mason, a review by Stella Coulson. A sophisticated but sexy take on the Vampire genre. Was struck by the keen eye to Historical detail of Scottish history,English and Scottish slang/colloquialisms and references to classic Vampire stories, Fae and Vampire Legends. The Author Nina Mason writes with passion and love for her setting and the characters. The world and its mythology is unique and striking. It also rather sexual, which adds, not distracts from the plot. The book's antagonist is Fitzgerald a depraved, twisted Byron figure who puts me in mind of Polidori's 'Lord Ruthven' who has his own three Vampire Brides ( All be it male brides). I actually was intrigued by this aspect. One thinks it would make a fascinating spin off. The two main protagonists are Cat (the mortal Witch) and Graham (The centuries old Scottish Vamp). Cat is sweet and vast intelligent and makes us toot for her. We the readers are invited to glimpse into Graham's world, share memories of his vast years upon this Earth and feel the metaphysical bond between the lovers. Graham has been doomed to watch cat die, over and over again, while he retains the knowledge and waits for her to be reborn. Fitzgerald made a dark pact to make Graham suffer. A supernatural battle of wills, life, love and the immortal soul. A clever and enchanting novel. ***** stars. I'd give this all the stars in the sky. I enjoyed it immensely.
April 27, 2015
Review of AnneElliot's 'Almost'
Anne Eliot's @yaromance #Almost book made cry less than 67 pages in.I knew then that this book would become a favorite of mine. I relate to Jess so much. I am that socially awkward geek girl.Lovely novel. Takes me back to my fragile teen years. Very sweet book that shows a deep insight into its two main characters. I love Jess Jordan because I relate to her on a personal level - creating that mask. I really wish I'd met a guy like Gray Porter back then. As the story unfolds, we follow the pov of both our protagonists. It is written so beautifully that the switch of viewpoints flows smoothly and isn't jarring. The connection as a reader I feel with the characters makes this a story that will stay with me a long time. The story is believable, poignant and is a pleasure to read. Highly recommend Almost ***** stars.
February 7, 2015
My 1st Author Youube Vid hit 200+ Views in 24 hours
5 fave tv sidekick characters vid hit 200+ views in under 24 hours. Thank you
http://youtu.be/ol9MZttbalk
#LostGirl #Buffy #PrincessBride
http://youtu.be/ol9MZttbalk
#LostGirl #Buffy #PrincessBride
Review of 'Georgiana Darcy's Diary'
Georgiana Darcy's Diary: Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice Continued by Anna ElliottMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Fascinating classic novel spin off of 'Pride and Prejudice. The Austen tale is continued by Anna Elliot. This novel centres on the sweet but intriguing character of Georgiana Darcy. Famous of course for being the sister of romantic male favorite - Mr Darcy and of course for having a former liaison with Mr Wickham and him famously using her as a pawn in his game of revenge towards his former friend Mr Darcy. The style of writing is elegant, lovely and pays close attention to the original text. It is a strong sequel and a good read. A must for Austin fans.
View all my reviews
Anna ElliottGeorgiana Darcy's Diary: Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice Continued
January 10, 2015
Thoughts on Polidori
Love Polidori's 'The Vampyre' - One of the the many inspirations for my novella 'Whitby After Dark'. One has to feel pity for the man, surrounded by arrogant genius and phenomenal talent, although he himself possessed remarkable intelligence. It was Polidori's lack of confidence that was his downfall. He possessed talent of his own but felt humbled and shamed among the brilliance of Byron, Mary Shelley etc. If he had Byron's ego, he may have outlived Byron and maybe have succeeded them all by making it into old age and maybe have given us even more brilliant works.
December 11, 2014
Callow Creatures
Why do some women hate on other women? I believe that is the reason why we do not run the world as yet. I don't get it because the women I have as friends are some of the greatest people. I have been stabbed in the back by past friends and sad to say it was predominantly women. Is it that we as a gender may be more prone to Schadenfreude (taking pleasure in the hatred of others)? Yet there are so many women who are the kindest and most trustworthy you can find. Shame on those of my sex who feel the need to sl** shame. I only dislike people if they are jerks and dishonest. Who consenting adults sleep with is their own choice, as long as they aren't 'deliberately trying to hurt someone else' emotionally. That will earn you no favors with me. I have no time for callow beings.
October 10, 2014
Book Thief
Copyright book thefts are the bane of publishers and authors. Contray to popular thought, most authors are not as afluent as readers may think. To my astonishment it is not just the top 20 best sellers who are suffering, but the small publishing houses and indie authors. I found myself a vicim of this alarming trend a year back and to my annoyence, again this week. I urge all authors to make regular searches online to check for illegal downloads of their work. To my disgust I have found several bloggers sharing my work illegally. I am far from a millionaire and I’m saddened by the lack of respect these individuals have for an authors work. Please can those sharing free download links check that the links are alowed by the authors.
April 4, 2014
Death Note review
Re-reading the magnificent Graphic novel series - Death Note
by Tsugumi Ohba. I love both this and its anime series and live action feature films. My taste in books has always been eclectic - From classic Victorian literature,Regency, Science Fiction, Fantasy,Gothic romance, Norse/Greek/Roman mythology,Greek plays, Elizabethan plays,history, biographies, poetry, mysteries, horror, thrillers and graphic novels. Death Note will always will be my favorite anime. Even though I know what is going to occur in episode 25, it still gets to me. I understand Kira'/Light's Pov a little in the first episode, but 'absolute power corrupts absolutely' in Light's case. I wonder how many people would want a Shinigami and a Death Note of their own! Death note still asks many important questions on morality - If we had the power to kill all the bad people in the world, should we? Is giving up our soul to oblivion worth the sacrifice of changing the world? Can the path of good intentions lead a good person to be a worse monster then those he intends to dispatch? L is not only my favorite character in anime, but one of my favorite tv (my case dvd) characters. Intriguing character - Flawed, eccentric, moral and highly intelligent. As different as he was from Light, they also had a lot in common. They were both incredibly cerebral men who wished in their own ways to make the world a better place. Light was L's dark mirror in many aspects. Adored the chemistry of danger and admiration between the warring pair. I found this series fascinating and powerful.
by Tsugumi Ohba. I love both this and its anime series and live action feature films. My taste in books has always been eclectic - From classic Victorian literature,Regency, Science Fiction, Fantasy,Gothic romance, Norse/Greek/Roman mythology,Greek plays, Elizabethan plays,history, biographies, poetry, mysteries, horror, thrillers and graphic novels. Death Note will always will be my favorite anime. Even though I know what is going to occur in episode 25, it still gets to me. I understand Kira'/Light's Pov a little in the first episode, but 'absolute power corrupts absolutely' in Light's case. I wonder how many people would want a Shinigami and a Death Note of their own! Death note still asks many important questions on morality - If we had the power to kill all the bad people in the world, should we? Is giving up our soul to oblivion worth the sacrifice of changing the world? Can the path of good intentions lead a good person to be a worse monster then those he intends to dispatch? L is not only my favorite character in anime, but one of my favorite tv (my case dvd) characters. Intriguing character - Flawed, eccentric, moral and highly intelligent. As different as he was from Light, they also had a lot in common. They were both incredibly cerebral men who wished in their own ways to make the world a better place. Light was L's dark mirror in many aspects. Adored the chemistry of danger and admiration between the warring pair. I found this series fascinating and powerful.
February 19, 2014
'Once Upon a Dream' - 'Maleficent' trailer(s) review
Highly anticipating the may release of the big screen live action adaptation of Sleeping Beauty, focusing on one of Disney most dynamic and enigmatic villains. Loving the 1st trailer. I simply adore the use of Lana Del Rey's 'Once Upon a Dream'. This is simply one of the most perfect trailers I've seen in a long time. My feeling on the 2nd trailer for 'Maleficent' are that it conveys a more lackluster generic Princess movie. This trailer features clips of the original Disney animation at the start. Not loving this trailer as much as the others I've seen. I hope the movie captures the haunting beauty of 'The Once Upon a Dream' trailers. This trailer makes it look too similar to the animated version, which makes it seem pointless. The 1st 30 seconds of this looked way too twee for my personal tastes. That being said, I've loved the other trailer I've seen, which better captured the darker and more enticing aspects of the story. The 'Once upon a Dream trailer' for 'Maleficent' is intriguing and the feel
macabre and delicious. Captures the haunting dark aspects of the 'Sleeping Beauty' tale. The original Disney animation captured the feel of the Grim's 'Sleeping Beauty'/'Little Briar Rose' and the even darker original tale was very different to the sleeping Beauty we know. The name Briar Rose come from Charles Perrault's 'La Belle au bois dormant'. Perrault version was the first to introduce the basis for Maleficent, as the original not not include a Bad Fairy. The Bad Fairy element is kept in the popular Grim Brother's version. If you have not read Giambattista Basile, then you will be shocked at how dark and twisted the tale truly is. Much has been softened and romanticized in later versions. Thankfully the Perrault and Grim's addition of the Bad Fairy add that essential dark element that would have been otherwise missing without her. The Bad Fairy is so iconic because she stands out of the pretty Fairytale and embodies the darkness hidden within. Thus it still is a dark fairytale although more subtle and more palatable to children and moral sensibility. Why was it made more subtle, you may indeed ask, because so many elements of the original are very shocking. The original 'Sleeping Beauty' was Giambattista Basile's 'Sun, Moon and Talia' in where a King and a Queen had their child's horoscope read by wise astrologers who far saw that the baby Talia would be endanger by a splinter of flax from a spindle. Her father ordered that all spinning wheels be banned from his lands. Unfortunately an old woman is unaware and shows the teenage Talia how to use the spinning wheel (she had never seen a spinning wheel before and was fascinated by it). She pricks her finger and falls into a deep sleep. Her parents abandon her in a castle where a King finds her sleeping. He tries to awaken her but instead of finding her help or kissing her as with later versions, he does the unthinkable, he has sex with her while she is sleeping. He then abandons her and returns to his kingdom. Poor sleeping Talia becomes pregnant as a result of her rape by the King. She somehow gives birth to twins. One of the babies tries to feed and not knowing where sucks on his mother's finger, thus removing the flax and Talia is awoken to find two beautiful babies. She calls them 'Sun' and 'Moon'. The King can't get Talia out of his mind and return to rape Talia again but is shocked to find that instead of finding her asleep, she is awake with two babies his then knew to be his own. He confesses to Talia to how the babies cape to exist, that he had sex with her while she slept. The naive sheltered young woman forgives him, beause in those days woman had so little rights and was probably more scared to be left alone rather than focus on the reality that the horrid man had raped her. The King vows to return to Talia and go back to his Castle to meet with his ... Wife (in Perrault's version it is his mother). Yes the king not only raped Sleeping Beauty but he was a married adulterous swine too. I'm sure you think this story couldn't get any more twisted. His wife the Queen, hears the stupid King mention the names Sun, Moon and Talia and the Queen's mind quickly becomes suspicious of her husband.husband. Talia come to their Kingdom and the Queen is understandably enraged, but she does the unforgivable, she orders that the cook kill, cook the twins to her husband. later at dinner, the Queen smiles as the Kings eats his dinner. She feels triumphant as she reveals that he is eating his Mistress and his own children. Talia is kept prisoner and is ready to be burnt alive. The Queen had saved her for last. The King finds the Queen about to burn Talia alive and has the Queen thrown into the flames instead. He is about to order the death of the Cook, but the Cook reveals that it was two lambs and that he had kept the twins hidden from the blood thirsty Queen. The King marries Talia and they live twistedly happily ever after. I wonder if this version with have some of these darker elements, obviously not the rape, but maybe The king In 'Maleficent' will be evil and intending to rape Aurora or marry her against her will.This could be done subtle with the Kings intent rather than have him do the actual act of defiling her. Who knows, maybe Maleficent will be the story's Antihero, a Dark Fairy who saves the young girl from the predatory King. This would be a very original version, if that were to happen. I hope it isn't a straight forward adaptation of the animation and that it shows some depth, creativity and twists on the original Disney storyline. Maybe have Aurora's father be once betrothed to Maleficent and later become at war with him when he cruelly abandons her for Aurora's mother. My first scenario is based on the second trailer's line ''Aurora, there is an evil in this world and I cannot keep you from it.'' hinting at a darkness more evil than her wanting to harm Aurora. Maybe it's Phillip the Prince/King who is the true villein in this. I have written a short story similar to this scenario. In my second scenario, it could explain the Lana Del Rey darkly romantic, once upon a Dream, maybe explaining Maleficent's devastation and being heartbroken by Aurora's Father. I've been altering my story to incorporate elements of the second scenario. The trailers for this reminded me of my version of The Bad Fairy as the antihero who ends up saving the princess from a wicked young king who attempted to defile the sleeping beauty but is stopped by the 'Bad Fairy' who is an outcast from her kind due to her performing darker elements of magics (the story I wrote is called 'Bad Faery'). I will now add a back story of her once being betrothed and broken by the Princess' father. I'm inspired by the trailers. It's not giving much away and yet it conveys so many different emotions. The second trailer does look closer to what it's animated predecessor, which I hope isn't the direction they are going, for it would defeat the purpose of a remake/live screen adaption. I love the scene clips or Maleficent looking like a dark warrior Queen heading into battle. Angelina looks magnificent in this hope it lives up to the dark beautiful haunting majesty of 'The Once Upon a Dream' trailer.
macabre and delicious. Captures the haunting dark aspects of the 'Sleeping Beauty' tale. The original Disney animation captured the feel of the Grim's 'Sleeping Beauty'/'Little Briar Rose' and the even darker original tale was very different to the sleeping Beauty we know. The name Briar Rose come from Charles Perrault's 'La Belle au bois dormant'. Perrault version was the first to introduce the basis for Maleficent, as the original not not include a Bad Fairy. The Bad Fairy element is kept in the popular Grim Brother's version. If you have not read Giambattista Basile, then you will be shocked at how dark and twisted the tale truly is. Much has been softened and romanticized in later versions. Thankfully the Perrault and Grim's addition of the Bad Fairy add that essential dark element that would have been otherwise missing without her. The Bad Fairy is so iconic because she stands out of the pretty Fairytale and embodies the darkness hidden within. Thus it still is a dark fairytale although more subtle and more palatable to children and moral sensibility. Why was it made more subtle, you may indeed ask, because so many elements of the original are very shocking. The original 'Sleeping Beauty' was Giambattista Basile's 'Sun, Moon and Talia' in where a King and a Queen had their child's horoscope read by wise astrologers who far saw that the baby Talia would be endanger by a splinter of flax from a spindle. Her father ordered that all spinning wheels be banned from his lands. Unfortunately an old woman is unaware and shows the teenage Talia how to use the spinning wheel (she had never seen a spinning wheel before and was fascinated by it). She pricks her finger and falls into a deep sleep. Her parents abandon her in a castle where a King finds her sleeping. He tries to awaken her but instead of finding her help or kissing her as with later versions, he does the unthinkable, he has sex with her while she is sleeping. He then abandons her and returns to his kingdom. Poor sleeping Talia becomes pregnant as a result of her rape by the King. She somehow gives birth to twins. One of the babies tries to feed and not knowing where sucks on his mother's finger, thus removing the flax and Talia is awoken to find two beautiful babies. She calls them 'Sun' and 'Moon'. The King can't get Talia out of his mind and return to rape Talia again but is shocked to find that instead of finding her asleep, she is awake with two babies his then knew to be his own. He confesses to Talia to how the babies cape to exist, that he had sex with her while she slept. The naive sheltered young woman forgives him, beause in those days woman had so little rights and was probably more scared to be left alone rather than focus on the reality that the horrid man had raped her. The King vows to return to Talia and go back to his Castle to meet with his ... Wife (in Perrault's version it is his mother). Yes the king not only raped Sleeping Beauty but he was a married adulterous swine too. I'm sure you think this story couldn't get any more twisted. His wife the Queen, hears the stupid King mention the names Sun, Moon and Talia and the Queen's mind quickly becomes suspicious of her husband.husband. Talia come to their Kingdom and the Queen is understandably enraged, but she does the unforgivable, she orders that the cook kill, cook the twins to her husband. later at dinner, the Queen smiles as the Kings eats his dinner. She feels triumphant as she reveals that he is eating his Mistress and his own children. Talia is kept prisoner and is ready to be burnt alive. The Queen had saved her for last. The King finds the Queen about to burn Talia alive and has the Queen thrown into the flames instead. He is about to order the death of the Cook, but the Cook reveals that it was two lambs and that he had kept the twins hidden from the blood thirsty Queen. The King marries Talia and they live twistedly happily ever after. I wonder if this version with have some of these darker elements, obviously not the rape, but maybe The king In 'Maleficent' will be evil and intending to rape Aurora or marry her against her will.This could be done subtle with the Kings intent rather than have him do the actual act of defiling her. Who knows, maybe Maleficent will be the story's Antihero, a Dark Fairy who saves the young girl from the predatory King. This would be a very original version, if that were to happen. I hope it isn't a straight forward adaptation of the animation and that it shows some depth, creativity and twists on the original Disney storyline. Maybe have Aurora's father be once betrothed to Maleficent and later become at war with him when he cruelly abandons her for Aurora's mother. My first scenario is based on the second trailer's line ''Aurora, there is an evil in this world and I cannot keep you from it.'' hinting at a darkness more evil than her wanting to harm Aurora. Maybe it's Phillip the Prince/King who is the true villein in this. I have written a short story similar to this scenario. In my second scenario, it could explain the Lana Del Rey darkly romantic, once upon a Dream, maybe explaining Maleficent's devastation and being heartbroken by Aurora's Father. I've been altering my story to incorporate elements of the second scenario. The trailers for this reminded me of my version of The Bad Fairy as the antihero who ends up saving the princess from a wicked young king who attempted to defile the sleeping beauty but is stopped by the 'Bad Fairy' who is an outcast from her kind due to her performing darker elements of magics (the story I wrote is called 'Bad Faery'). I will now add a back story of her once being betrothed and broken by the Princess' father. I'm inspired by the trailers. It's not giving much away and yet it conveys so many different emotions. The second trailer does look closer to what it's animated predecessor, which I hope isn't the direction they are going, for it would defeat the purpose of a remake/live screen adaption. I love the scene clips or Maleficent looking like a dark warrior Queen heading into battle. Angelina looks magnificent in this hope it lives up to the dark beautiful haunting majesty of 'The Once Upon a Dream' trailer.
