Title: American Gods Author:Neil Gaiman ISBN: B004YW4L5K Reading Level: Adult Genre: Science Fiction; Fantasy Length: 624 pages Binding: E-book, Paperback, Audiobook Published: April 2002 (Reprint) Buy:Amazon
Synopsis:
A storm is coming . . .
Locked behind bars for three years, Shadow did his time, quietly waiting for the magic day when he could return to Eagle Point, Indiana. A man no longer scared of what tomorrow might bring, all he wanted was to be with Laura, the wife he deeply loved, and start a new life.
But just days before his release, Laura and Shadow’s best friend are killed in an accident. With his life in pieces and nothing to keep him tethered, Shadow accepts a job from a beguiling stranger he meets on the way home, an enigmatic man who calls himself Mr. Wednesday. A trickster and rogue, Wednesday seems to know more about Shadow than Shadow does himself.
Life as Wednesday’s bodyguard, driver, and errand boy is far more interesting and dangerous than Shadow ever imagined—it is a job that takes him on a dark and strange road trip and introduces him to a host of eccentric characters whose fates are mysteriously intertwined with his own. Along the way Shadow will learn that the past never dies; that everyone, including his beloved Laura, harbors secrets; and that dreams, totems, legends, and myths are more real than we know. Ultimately, he will discover that beneath the placid surface of everyday life a storm is brewing—an epic war for the very soul of America—and that he is standing squarely in its path.
Relevant and prescient, American Gods has been lauded for its brilliant synthesis of “mystery, satire, sex, horror, and poetic prose” (Michael Dirda, Washington Post Book World) and as a modern phantasmagoria that “distills the essence of America” (Seattle Post-Intelligencer). It is, quite simply, an outstanding work of literary imagination that will endure for generations.
My Rating:
My Review:American Gods was one hell of a labor of love. I've had the book sitting on my bookshelf ever since it was in talks with the big guns in Hollywood that someone might pick it up. Well, a couple of weeks ago it was confirmed that STARZ got the rights and will be making it into a television series. So I decided it was time to read the book rather then let it keep collecting dust. I really enjoyed the story, even the stories within the story, the mythology on how "gods" weren't born in America, but traveled over with the people that came here. And how those gods slowly were forgotten and how new gods, created by the age of technological advancement, started taking over. American Gods is deep, heavy, thought provoking. I enjoyed the variety of colorful characters, gods of old (Egyptian, Norse, Biblical, Indian etc.) in disguise as humans and had fun figuring out who they were with the subtle and sometimes not so subtle hints Gaiman dropped along the way. Shadow, the main protagonist, was a very interesting study that I originally thought was kind of dull but ended up becoming a very well rounded character by the end of the novel. My problem, thus the reason for the 4 star rating, is because, as I stated above, it was a labor of love. There is no doubt that Gaiman is a great storyteller, however, the story got bogged down with tedious details. There were parts I wanted to skip, but then I feared I would miss something big if I did. There were just details within the scenes that could have been cut out. For example, I didn't need to know that someone cooked Shadow bacon and eggs and how it was placed on the plate, and how it was placed on the table and what he poured himself to drink and how he sat down, and how long it took him to eat, etc., etc. Where the hell was his editor? On the flip side to all the unnecessary details, this will, no doubt, be a great thing for the creators of the television adaptation. They have so many details at their fingertips to work with. I will also say that I look forward to seeing how they bring some scenes to life on screen. My favorite part of the story (slight spoiler) is when Shadow rides on the "World's Largest Carousel" and some of the magical creatures that are on this Carousel come to life. How are they going to show him riding a griffin? Or how will they portray some of the gods in their natural form, such as Ganesha (Hindu god, half elephant, half man) or the Egyptian gods Horus & Anubis? I definitely can't wait to see how they make these things come to life! American Gods is a unique tale of gods, those that have been forgotten and those who are fighting not to be. If you have a nice chunk of time set aside to get lost in a story, I definitely recommend it. Even better, this may be worth an audiobook listen. Rest those eyes and let someone else take you on the journey.
best wishes,mia
about the author
Neil Gaiman's work has been honoured with many awards internationally, including the Newbery and Carnegie Medals. His books and stories have also been honoured with 4 Hugos, 2 Nebulas, 1 World Fantasy Award, 4 Bram Stoker Awards, 6 Locus Awards, 2 British SF Awards, 1 British Fantasy Award, 3 Geffens, 1 International Horror Guild Award and 2 Mythopoeic Awards. Full list here.
Title:Sea Change Author:S.M. Wheeler ISBN:0765333147 Reading Level: Adult Genre:Fantasy, Magical Realism Theme(s):Coming of Age, Dark Fairy Tale, Unlikely Friendship Length:304 pgs Binding: Hardcover Published: 18 June 2013; Tor Books Buy:amazon.com
Synopsis:The unhappy child of two
powerful parents who despise each other, young Lilly turns to the ocean
to find solace, which she finds in the form of the eloquent and
intelligent sea monster Octavius, a kraken. In Octavius’s many arms,
Lilly learns of friendship, loyalty, and family. When Octavius,
forbidden by Lilly to harm humans, is captured by seafaring traders and
sold to a circus, Lilly becomes his only hope for salvation. Desperate
to find him, she strikes a bargain with a witch that carries a shocking
price.
Her journey to win Octavius’s freedom is difficult. The
circus master wants a Coat of Illusions; the Coat tailor wants her
undead husband back from a witch; the witch wants her skin back from two
bandits; the bandits just want some company, but they might kill her
first. Lilly's quest tests her resolve, tries her patience, and leaves
her transformed in every way.
A powerfully written debut from a young fantasy author, Sea Change is an exhilarating tale of adventure, resilience, and selflessness in the name of friendship.
My Rating:
My Review: A brave young heroine. An unusual, yet poignant friendship. A harrowing journey of self discovery, perseverance, and how far one would go to save the person they love. Sound intriguing? That doesn't even scratch the surface when trying to describe Sea Change by the extremely talented S.M. Wheeler. However, I am up for the challenge because I have a feeling that for every glowing review there will be some negative ones. Why? I fear that this novel will struggle to find its intended audience while others may pass harsh judgement before giving the story time to unfold and settle. I'm not trying to sound negative or set the book up for failure or insult the intelligence of my fellow readers. But this is a novel unlike anything I have ever read before and with this unique story comes very strong emotions. I can't help but want to protect it and defend its honor. But I need to stop being a mother bear and have faith that Sea Change
can hold its own weight. My job is to explain why I liked it, what I
had issues with, and let others know what to expect before delving in.
Let's start with the premise of the story as that is what drew me toSea Change. Lilly is a young girl of marriageable age when we first meet her. Her parents, Nikolaus and Anna Rosa, where born country folk but worked their way up to nobility status. You learn rather quickly that Lilly's childhood consisted of her parents arguing constantly and the majority of the time it was about her. While some of the servants, in particular Miss Scholastika, try to shield her from the often devastating remarks, Lilly doesn't seem to react like one would expect. Instead of a deeply insecure little girl that feels sorry for herself, Lilly has the maturity of an old soul and seems remarkably unscathed despite the emotional and mental abuse from her parents, specifically her father, who doesn't even consider her his heir. Why? Because Lilly was born with a birthmark on her face, a mark that quite often resulted in her father calling her "hellspawn".
So where does this strength and resilience come from despite years of abuse? An unlikely friendship, one forged by the sea. S.M. Wheeler beautifully weaves in little vignettes of Lilly and her most precious friend Octavius, who just so happens to be a... kraken. Yes, a sea monster that in mythology has been described as gigantic and fearsome and most often the cause of shipwrecks. But in Sea Change, we get to see this legendary sea creature in a whole different light for Octavius is Lilly's true family, her protector, her confidante and loves her unconditionally. As Octavius grows larger, he is forced to hunt further out to sea for his food, sometimes disappearing for a week or two at a time. But when he does not return after an unusually long absence, Lilly knows deep in her heart that something wrong. Her most loyal friend would never abandon her, not like her very own mother. With fierce determination, Lilly sets out on her own to find Octavius, a journey that will change her in ways you could never imagine...
One of the things I loved about Sea Change is how the author creates this sense of magical realism in the beginning of the story and how it transitions into dark fantasy once Lilly sets out to find Octavius. The premise of the story is refreshingly original, but after her hasty, naive bargain with a troll that turns into a violent encounter in order to gain Octavius' whereabouts, I realized I was reading a story that could easily be considered a fairytale. But not just any fairytale. I'm talking about the old Brothers Grimm tales that were often dark, twisted, and frightening, and did not always have a happy ending.
Another thing that I enjoyed is the fact that S.M. Wheeler doesn't spell everything out for readers. For example, Lilly's birthmark was not something revealed right away. There were clues here and there, one such clue being a description of what I at first thought was a bruise on her face caused by her father. But I realized later it was in fact a birthmark: "...Miss Scholastika only rested it against Lilly's cheek, the side of her face where the skin looked darkly bruised, brown and black, swollen." What this forced me to do was slow down my reading and what a great eye opener this was for me. Being a blogger has its good points and bad points and one of these bad points is feeling the need to quickly finish one book so I can move onto the next. I got into this habit of thinking books that I finish reading quickly are the best kind of stories when that is not necessarily true. Sea Changeis one of those novels that if you read it too quickly, you may just miss something. It's the type of book that should be savored and that is exactly what I've been forgetting to do. Just because a story may take more time to read doesn't mean it is any less powerful than others that you can't seem to put down.
I can't go any further in this review without praising the author's writing and boundless imagination. S.M. Wheeler is a master of beautiful, lyrical prose, which ties back into that fairytale feel. There is some great use of personification and similes throughout the story as well. One of my favorites is during the scene when Lilly first meets Octavius. It was on Lilly's 8th birthday that she wandered down by the sea, searching for her bully of a cousin. She was just about to leave when she heard a noise and realized something was being eaten by a seagull. Octavius was only a tiny sea creature then and at the mercy of a hungry seagull. "Crying insults at her, the gull took flight"after she waved it away. I also love how Lilly gave Octavius his name and how the author chose to express it in words: "She looked to him, thinking: eight limbs, gold eyes, both intelligent and merry. It called for something with an ancient but teasing feel. 'Octavius! Or Octavia.--Which would you be?' 'The first one. I like the noises.' Again those arms wriggled with excitement. 'Octavius, Octavius--I'll have a name to tell the sirens when they say I will never grow big, I will say, I must match my long name by growing long. And the selkies cannot eat something with such a strong word-weapon.' He giggled, touched her cheek again. Fascinated with the texture of her skin, she realized. 'Thank You.'"
Even though Lilly is the narrator, I like how S.M. Wheeler uses Octavius as a way to see the world in a different way. When Lilly is older and troubled over her father's reluctance to find her a suitable suitor, mainly because he is ashamed of the mark on her face, Octavius says, "I would parade you in the hall of the monarchs of the ocean if you could breathe water." Or Octavius describing the difference between man hunting wales and how he hunts them. He says: "There are men who hunt those waters for whales--and oh! the pitiful wailing of that proud people when the harpoons strike their sides. It is entirely unlike their war-bellows when I hunt them." Such an interesting way for us as the reader to see things the way Octavius does-- who would have thought that whales could be proud creatures that had their own "war bellows" when battling other sea creatures?
So here is what I had issues with. At first Lilly's journey is exciting, frightening, and even heart breaking. We meet an interesting array of characters, from a troll to a circus master, to a reanimated tailor that can make coats of illusions, to a skinless witch, to bandits. Her journey is fascinating yet hard to witness because the girl with an old soul that seemed so confident in the beginning of the story becomes stripped away. You get to see her naivety and innocence as she makes these life changing (and let's not forget physically altering) bargains and promises in order to win Octavius his freedom. But where the story starts to stutter is the rather long stay with the bandits. In order to help the witch get her skin back from the bandits (truly creepy, she reminds me of the woman in the movie Hellraiser II), she has to gain their trust, and trust takes time. But I think what is lacking is the void of Octavius. The first 50 pages built the foundation of their relationship through memories. Then the last 100 pages is Lilly finding her way back to Octavius. But during her stay with the bandits he is hardly mentioned if not at all. I guess what I am trying to say is, maybe an occasional dream or past memory of him would have helped break up the monotony. I get this is Lilly's story, but a reminder of what she is doing all this for would have helped because I myself was becoming restless. On the flipside of that, perhaps the lack of Octavius being mentioned was intentional by the author. After all, I know her stay with the bandits was a big part of her growth as a character because it was there that she learned how to prepare food, sew, take care of the sick-- all the skills she would need to survive in the world on her own. But I'd also like to think that Lilly's endurance and dedication to saving Octavius is what kept her going when most would have given up.
My only other gripe with the story is the rather abrupt ending. I don't need every book to have a happy ending nor do I need every plot point to be explained and tied up into neat little bows. And sometimes an ambiguous ending can be really thought provoking. However, Sea Change doesn't really do any of those things. It just...ends. I don't really want to say any more and this is NOT to discourage anyone from picking up the novel. Because despite the abrupt ending and the drawn out story in the middle, I still give Sea Change a 4 star rating. It's just THAT good. And while I may not be at liberty to say this, a sequel to Sea Change is being worked on. Whether or not it comes to fruition is something we all will have to wait and see.
Some books are more challenging than others and may require focus and careful reading. Sea Change is one of those books. At times it may confuse you, it may frustrate you, it may even lose you, but I promise if you stick it out, things will start to connect and come full circle. Although Lilly is technically a teenager, I would not recommend this novel for young children. I'm thinking 16 and older due to mature subject matter, disturbing and violent scenes.
"He is my oldest and dearest friend, she would say. A balm to my hurts and a brightness to my day."
--Lilly's thoughts on Octavius
SEA CHANGEBOOK TRAILER
AUTHOR Q&A WITH S.M. WHEELER,Author of Sea Change
1. After reading Sea Change which I found utterly captivating,
thought-provoking, and a bit enigmatic, I wanted to learn more about the
person who wrote such a unique story. But you seem as mysterious as
your novel! Can you tell us a little about yourself and/or your
background?
I am tickled by the words you chose to describe the novel. It's very special to have that kind of reader response. On the topic of myself, there isn't much to tell. I grew up isolated and retain the habits developed in that time.
2. Sea Change has such an interesting premise that
reminds me of the original Brothers Grimm Fairy Tales which were dark,
twisted, and quite often frightening. What inspired you to write this
story? Of all things for Lilly to form an unlikely friendship with, why a
kraken?
The Tales themselves had quite a lot to do with the motivation to write a novel that incorporated just those qualities which you have named. This was a milieu into which Lilly's personality fitted quite well; when you ask how a character develops as a person over the course of a work, the nature of the world should lend itself to the direction you wish to go. The first piece of prose I wrote with Lilly and Octavius was actually set in a contemporary world; that didn't work in the least. I might have gone towards post-apocalyptic or Western, I think (though obviously in the latter Octavius couldn't be a kraken!), but neither of those were my obsession at the time nor utilized the affection I still hold for fairytales and folklore.
For the record, I get questions about inspiration quite a lot, and I find myself answering differently each time. It's quite complicated.
As to the kraken-- good question! This is something I've written about at length elsewhere, but I'm still not sure of my own motivation. This sounds terribly odd and I don't particularly like saying it's all subconscious and whatnot, but that's really the best I have. Well, there's a bit more: it's fun writing about a creature that is all super-flexible limbs, cephalopods are cool creatures, and I think he suits Lilly much as the Brothers Grimm setting does.
3. After I read Sea Change and was doing a little
research, I was surprised to see that it is being listed on many
blogs/sites as Young Adult Fantasy. While I get that Lilly is no older
than 18 in the story, I didn't get the vibe that Sea Change was a young
adult novel. Can you clarify its genre and/or what the book is being
marketed as?
I wrote it while in the "young adult" age bracket but not with the intention of its conforming to YA conventions. Marketing is an interesting topic and one that I leave to the experts. Sea Change is not categorized as a teen book on Amazon.com, so maybe that's the way it's being spun? I don't mind either way except that Wikipedia informs me that twelve years old is the lower limit of the YA demographic and I'd be alarmed if a kid that age asked me to sign a copy.
The fact that I had to check Wikipedia says something about my knowledge base, doesn't it? I'm really not familiar with the genre, though I've read some of the vampire and werewolf books in it (no shame, y'all; I respect Stiefvater's work in particular), which seems to be in a sub-genre of their own with close conformation to certain themes and plot arcs and not useful in comparing Sea Change with.
That was a very roundabout way to say "I dunno", but there you have it.
4. The format of Sea Change is a little different
from some traditional novels in that it does not have chapters. Any
particular reason you chose this format?
Chapters never occurred to me as an option. Sea Change is vastly shorter than my other work, so sectioning it into smaller pieces wasn't intuitive. It's further distinguished from the other project by the continuity between scenes. For me, writing the book was a study in linking one moment closely to the next.
5. As I stated in my
review, I was a bit disgruntled at the abrupt ending of Sea Change.
Without any major spoilers, can you explain why? Is there a sequel in
the works?
There is a potential sequel in the works. I won't make promises, because I feel terrible if I fell through on them. It's a fun project, though, and as of writing this I'm 20,000 words into it. These are good signs. There is a concept for a third book, but it exists currently as a smattering of snippets and a lot of ideas, so the lack of promises goes doubly for that.
The abrupt ending is a symptom of my having done such terribly things to Lilly that she doesn't have the mental or emotional energy to be a narrator anymore. POV characters need to really want something, and by the last scene she's put down that burden. It's my hope that seeing her from the outside will interest readers in the proposed second novel, and further that they will feel affection for the new narrator.
6. What are you working on now?
See above about the potential sequel. I also love taking prompts at my writing journal; those are a good way to loosen up my writing hand after a break, and I'm also lucky to have very intelligent people who are apt to spark inspiration with their suggestions. Meanwhile, there's also a novel in limbo about middle aged lesbians, colonial guilt, and the gradual crumbling of human architecture (literal and variously metaphorical). I really like that one.
Title: Stormdancer (Lotus War, #1) Author: Jay Kristoff ISBN: 1250001404 Reading Level: Young Adult Genre: Japanese Steampunk, Fantasy, Dystopian Binding: Hardcover Length: 336 Published: 18 Sept. 2012; Thomas Dunne Books Buy: amazon.com
Synopsis: Griffins are supposed to
be extinct. So when Yukiko and her warrior father Masaru are sent to
capture one for the Shogun, they fear that their lives are over.
Everyone knows what happens to those who fail him, no matter how
hopeless the task.
But the mission proves far less impossible,
and far more deadly, than anyone expects – and soon Yukiko finds herself
stranded: a young woman alone in her country's last wilderness, with
only a furious, crippled griffin for company. But trapped together in
the forest, Yukiko and Buruu soon discover a friendship that neither of
them expected.
Meanwhile, the country around them verges on the
brink of collapse. A toxic fuel is slowly choking the land; the
omnipotent, machine-powered Lotus Guild is publicly burning those they
deem Impure; and the Shogun cares about nothing but his own dominion.
Yukiko has always been uneasy in the shadow of power, when she learns
the awful truth of what the Shogun has done, both to her country and to
her own family she's determined to do something about it.
Returning
to the city, Yukiko and Buruu plan to make the Shogun pay for his
crimes – but what can one girl and a flightless griffin do against the
might of an empire?
My Rating:
My Review: I was lucky enough to snag an ARC of this book back in August, but because of an unexpected illness, I am just now getting around to reviewing it. And I'm not going to lie, I have never been so conflicted over how to rate a book. I originally gave Stormdancer a 3 star rating, but after really thinking about it and hoping the sequel will help smooth out the kinks, I'm going out on a limb and giving it 4 stars.
First and foremost, I gotta give Jay Kristoff credit for writing such an original story. Set in a feudalesque Japan, this book really is a Japanese dystopian steampunk fantasy. And isn't the cover art absolutely gorgeous???
The story follows Yukiko, a member of the fox clan and daughter of Masaru, who just so happens to be Master Hunter for the Shogun Yoritomo. Although griffins are believed to be extinct, the Shogun sends out his Master Hunter to find one of these mystical beasts. Believing the mission hopeless but unable to say no to the insane Shogun, they are shocked to come face to face with a griffin. They are able to capture the poor beast, but find themselves in trouble when a storm hits. Yukiko finds herself separated from her father and his crew...with only an injured, very pissed off griffin to keep her company. But soon these two wary enemies cannot deny a connection between them and must learn to trust each other in order to survive.
There are so many different elements that have to come together in order to make this story work, and for the most part, Kristoff does a pretty good job making this happen. Since the story takes place in feudal Japan, there has to be some basis for historical and cultural accuracy. Using Japanese names and including a Shogun that rules with an iron fist is one way of accomplishing this. I really liked how the different animal clans were included and described (fox, dragon, etc.). Another way Kristoff helps the reader along is by including a glossary of terms. And trust me, it really does come in handy.
The author uses flashbacks throughout the novel to help the reader better understand Yukiko and her strained relationship with her father. This is also how we learn the significance of the name Buruu and why Yukiko gives the griffin this name. And let me tell you, some of those flashback scenes brought tears to my eyes. Kristoff did a great job with not going overboard with pages and pages of flashback, but at the same time the ones he included were well written and benefited the story and character development.
Here is what I had some trouble with. Kristoff is a truly gifted writer, especially when it comes to description. The way he described the gold masks/apparatuses that the Shogun and the Kazumitsu Elite wear to protect them from the burning glare of the sun and the exhaust fumes polluting the air truly paints a picture in my mind. However, one thing I noticed some other readers/reviewers complaining about is the fact that there is a lot of repetitive description used. And when that happens, readers either want to start skipping parts or find it hard to get into the story. I found myself struggling through the first 60-100 pages. It definitely was not the kind of beginning that grabs you and makes you want to stay up all night reading. However, things do smooth out and come together by the middle to the end of the story and well worth your patience.
I also had issues with abrupt character point-of-view changes. It was more prevalent in the beginning of the book, but there definitely were a few times when I would be in one character's head and then suddenly in someone else's without any warning. I also felt that many of the characters were 1 dimensional despite Yukiko being well rounded. I had trouble with the romance between Yukiko and Yamagata, the personal Samurai guard of the Shogun. Or maybe I should say, lack there of. She meets Yamagata, the boy with green eyes in the beginning of the story for a minute, thinks about him occasionally throughout the story, then in the end....well, I don't want to spoil anything.
Stormdancer really is a unique, original story with a lot of potential. Kristoff had a lot of elements to work with in order to make the story come together and I think somewhere along the way things got a little out of control. But that sometimes happens with the first book to a new series. It's hard to find just the right formula when you are trying to introduce your readers to new mythology, world building, and characters. That's why I give Stormdancer4 stars, because I have high hopes that book 2 in the Lotus War series will smooth out the issues. Afterall, one thing that Kristoff did do well is give us characters that we care about and I absolutely can't wait to see what happens to Yokiko and Buruu in the next installment.
It's been awhile since I did a "Cover Art Friday" and I came across these nifty covers while searching for some ARCS.Pulse by Patrick Carman andTaken by Erin Bowman aren't due out until early 2013. The new year is right around the corner, so why not get a little sample of what's to come???
Be aware that since there is a large gap between now and their publication dates, these covers can change. I will of course keep you posted if they should in the future.
Enjoy!
P.S. I personally can't wait until Takencomes out! :)
From New York Times
bestselling author Patrick Carman, a teen fantasy-adventure of epic
proportions. In 2051, some teens have a “pulse,” the power to move
objects with their minds. Compulsively readable, with thrilling action
scenes and a tender love story.
The year is 2051, and the world
is still recognizable. With the help of her mysterious classmate Dylan
Gilmore, Faith Daniels discovers that she can move objects with her
mind. This telekinetic ability is called a “pulse,” and Dylan has the
talent, too.
In riveting action scenes, Faith demonstrates her
ability to use her pulse against a group of telekinesis masters so
powerful they will flatten their enemies by uprooting street lights,
moving boulders, and changing the course of a hurtling hammer so that it
becomes a deadly weapon. But even with great talent, the mind—and the
heart—can be difficult to control. If Faith wants to join forces with
Dylan and save the world, she’ll have to harness the power of both.
Patrick Carman’s Pulse trilogy is a stunning, action-filled triumph about the power of the mind—and the power of love.
________
TAKEN(Taken, #1)
by: Erin Bowman
Release Date: April 2013
There are no men in
Claysoot. There are boys—but every one of them vanishes at midnight on
his eighteenth birthday. The ground shakes, the wind howls, a blinding
light descends...and he’s gone.
They call it the Heist.
Gray
Weathersby’s eighteenth birthday is mere months away, and he’s prepared
to meet his fate–until he finds a strange note from his mother and
starts to question everything he’s been raised to accept: the Council
leaders and their obvious secrets. The Heist itself. And what lies
beyond the Wall that surrounds Claysoot–a structure that no one can
cross and survive.
Climbing the Wall is suicide, but what comes
after the Heist could be worse. Should he sit back and wait to be
taken–or risk everything on the hope of the other side?
As everyone heads out to celebrate Memorial Day Weekend, I wanted to post the new cover art for debut author Jay Kristoff'sStormdancer(The Lotus War, #1). It's been circulating around the blog world for a few days now, but I couldn't help but post it here as well. The cover is absolutely gorgeous, and the story sounds so unique and fresh, described as a Japanese steampunk novel-- I'd probably do some illegal things to get my hands on an ARC! But as they say, all good things come to those who are patient... Stormdancer hits bookshelves on September 18th, this fall. What do you think?
A DYING LAND The Shima Imperium is verging on the brink of environmental collapse; decimated by clockwork industrialization and the machine-worshippers of the Lotus Guild. The skies are red as blood, land choked with toxic pollution, wildlife ravaged by mass extinctions.
AN IMPOSSIBLE QUEST The hunters of the imperial court are charged by their Shōgun to capture a thunder tiger—a legendary beast, half-eagle, half-tiger. But any fool knows thunder tigers have been extinct for more than a century, and the price of failing the Shōgun is death.
A SIXTEEN YEAR OLD GIRL Yukiko is a child of the Fox clan, possessed of a hidden gift that would see her executed by the Lotus Guild. Accompanying her father on the Shōgun’s hunt, she finds herself stranded: a young woman alone in Shima’s last wilderness, with only a furious, crippled thunder tiger for company. Even though she can hear his thoughts, even though she saved his life, all she knows for certain is he’d rather see her dead than help her.
But together, the pair will form an indomitable friendship, and rise to challenge the might of an empire.
Recently, I had the pleasure of reading The Moon Coin, a children's fantasy novel by the incredibly talented Richard Due. In my review, which can be read HERE, I stated that one of the elements that makes The Moon Coin such a great book is the 22 gorgeous illustrations throughout. The artwork helps bring the fantasy creatures and different worlds to life within The Moon Realm. I am honored to post this unique interview that Richard Due had with his illustrator Carolyn Arcabascio, the woman responsible for creating the amazing artwork in The Moon Coin.
Enjoy!
RICHARD DUE
Richard Due (pronounced “Dewey”) first imagined the Moon Realm while telling bedtime tales to his children. He makes his home in Southern Maryland, where he and his wife have owned and operated Second Looks Books since 1991. The Moon Coin is the first novel in the Moon Realm series. Visit TheMoonRealm.com for more information.
CAROLYN ARCABASCIO
Carolyn Arcabascio hails from Massachusetts, where she lives and works as an illustrator while pursuing her lifelong exploration of words, images, and the magical places where they meet. Visit her website at www.carolynarcabascio.com
From Sketch to Chapter Art, an Illustrator at Work.
For me, getting to work with Carolyn Arcabascio was a dream come true. On The Moon Coin, we worked from a master list of scene options, with Carolyn picking out scenes she liked and making sketches. For the prologue, Carolyn drafted three options. All three were great, but two in particular were spectacular. I first went with option 3 (one of my scene suggestions). I think we spent more time on this sketch and subsequent color drawing than on any other piece. But it never seemed right. At the eleventh hour, I asked Carolyn how hard she’d hit me if I suggested scrapping the thing and instead going with the pinky promise scene you see below (one of her scene suggestions). Carolyn responded: "There would be no hitting involved!" and told me it wouldn't be a problem. You sure can't ask for better than that.
From the Prologue: Bedtime Tales.
Click on image to enlarge.
Richard: Did you make all these sketches in the same location, Carolyn?
Carolyn: Yes, I do all of my work at a drafting table that's situated in a little nook of my apartment in Acton, Massachusetts. There's a bookshelf to my right and a wall of "inspiration" to my left, where I hang prints of other artists' and illustrators' work. On either side of my drafting table are drawers of supplies, and stacks of sketchbooks and old paintings. The drafting table faces a window overlooking a quiet street and the woods beyond it.
From Chapter Two: A Coin of the Realm.
Click on image to enlarge.
Richard: Do you use models when you're sketching?
Carolyn: I use a combination of models and photo references. If I need to work out the nuances of a character's posture and really understand the perspective of it, I'll ask whatever friend or family member is handy to pose for a sketch. Often, I'll get into the position myself or mimic the facial expression I want to portray in order to get the feel of it. And sometimes, if there's a character being portrayed multiple times across scenes, I'll make a rough model of their head out of clay so I'll have it to refer to.
From Chapter Four: To Barreth.
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Richard: When drawing fantastical creatures, do you use bits and pieces of real animals for inspiration, or have you actually seen a wirtle and you're just not telling us? ;)
Carolyn: No wirtles native to Massachusetts, fortunately! When figuring out the look of fantastical creatures, I use photo references of different animals to understand the way the anatomy might work, and then combine features as I see fit and as the story calls for. To understand the wirtle's legs and paws, for example, I referred to a series of photographs of show dogs leaping over hurdles. The severely arched, scruffy back was influenced by photos of hyenas on the prowl. The bone-structure of the face ended up being something of a cross between a cow and a warthog, and I wanted the snout to be bare—kind of gross and raw-looking. Add it all up and, voila! We have a wirtle.
Synopsis:Uncle Ebb was so good at telling his tales of the Moon Realm that sometimes it sounded like he’d been there himself.
As children, Lily and Jasper listened raptly to his bedtime tales of a place where nine moons swirled around one another, each inhabited by strange and wondrous beings: magical lunamancers; undersea merfolk; wise birds; winged dragons; and Lily’s favorite, the heroic, leonine Rinn.
There was only one rule: don’t tell a soul.
But now, years later, Uncle Ebb is missing. Lily has learned the secret behind the tales, and soon Jasper will too. But there’s one big problem. You see, something terrible has happened in the Moon Realm. . . .
Featuring twenty-two stunning full-color illustrations by Carolyn Arcabascio. Volume One of the young adult fantasy adventure series The Moon Realm.
My Review:The Moon Coin by Richard Due is a gem of a children's fantasy novel that I'm, quite frankly, surprised hasn't been picked up by a major publishing company. Then again, isn't that how most great books start out? The first in an upcoming series, the story is centered around 2 children, Lily and Jasper, who receive nightly visits from their Uncle Ebb, which usually results in presents and tales about The Moon Realm. When their beloved Uncle goes missing, the children decide to investigate by snooping around Ebb's fascinating mansion. Jasper, ever cautious, wishes to heed their parents warnings about not entering certain areas of their Uncle's home, but Lily throws caution to the wind, seizing the opportunity to learn more about the ever mysterious life of Ebb. This mischievous, naive behavior is obviously what causes Lily to be transported to Barreth, one of the nine moons in The Moon Realm. And so this is where Lily's adventure truly begins, as she searches not only for a way back home, but what really happened to her Uncle Ebb?
The first thing I loved about The Moon Coin is the way the story sucks you in. The prologue, titled "Bedtime Tales", introduces us to Uncle Ebb and his obvious affection for his niece and nephew. On this particular night, he brings them each a present-- a green dragon figurine for Jasper and fairy for Lily. His tale that night mostly consisted of telling the children the origins of the dragon and the fairy and revealing their true names. From the very beginning, you get the sense that there is more to those figurines that meet the eye and more to Ebb's tales then simple bedtime stories. The prologue not only ensnared my attention from the first few pages but also gave me a feeling of nostalgia. It reminded me of my own childhood, when my mother would tuck me in at night and read me a story. Or those awful times when I would wake up from a bad dream and she would stay with me until I fell back to sleep. And of course let's not forget about those classic movies that centered around a child and a bewitching story in a book, such as The Neverending Storyand The Princess Bride.
I think what sets this book apart from others is the author's ability in creating rich, memorable characters. I absolutely loved Uncle Ebb, even though he only makes an early appearance in the story. His coat with many pockets is a part of his personality that I will always associate him with.
My second favorite character has to be Roan, who is one of the Rinn-- large, cat-like creatures that somewhat resemble lions. I love his bravery while protecting Lily and fighting off the scaramann. His loyalty to his queen, Nimlinn, is commendable, even when she tells him to leave and that his services are not needed. When he refuses to leave her side, she says, "Fools! Greydor will have you all roasted on a spit." Roan's quick witted reply is, "Then I will bring the sauce."
One of the funniest characters that also has a small part, like Uncle Ebb, is Quib, who we meet in the second half of the novel. I don't want to give away too many details, but there is a part where they are "cleaning" the remains off of a freshly killed creature-- very much like what the Native Americans did with the buffalo. Quib loves the job and offered some meat to Lily in which she, "had a terrible time explaining to Quib what it meant to be a vegetarian. He kept saying things like, 'Well, I could spare you a bit o' brains. They're not meat, right?' and 'At least let me ladle on a good heapin' bit o' the grease, eh? No meat in that!'"
Going back to that feeling of nostalgia, there were certain parts of The Moon Coin that reminded me of The Chronicles of Narnia and Lord of the Rings, yet the story still retains its own elements of originality. And let me just say, that is no easy feat. I've read stories before that seemed like complete rip offs. But somehow Richard Due is able to find an equal balance. While I love completely original stories with their own mythology, worlds, etc., there is nothing wrong with being able to relate it to an older piece of literature, especially if it is done right, as it is with The Moon Coin. So I give Richard Due major credit for that!
My original rating for The Moon Coin was at a 3.5, but what bumped the score up to a solid 4 stars were the beautiful illustrations throughout the story by Carolyn Arcabascio. Even though Richard Due is great with his descriptions and character development, sometimes it is hard to imagine what certain things look like in fantasy novels. Arcabascio's illustrations really did help put things in perspective for me. Without them, I think the second part of the novel would have been much harder for me to get through, which is one of the problems I had with the story.
Now to the issues I had with The Moon Coin. While I didn't have too many issues with the plot, I was a bit confused with certain parts of the story. Like in the beginning, for example. I got the sense that Lily and Jasper were living in a modern setting or perhaps slightly in the future. I was good up until the part when they are in Uncle Ebb's mansion and suddenly there are coral reefs for walls, birdfish, "electrimals"-- a term that is introduced by never really explained. My point is, I think Richard Due had this figured out in his mind but did not translate it into words well enough for the reader. What does he mean by Uncle Ebb and his "many illusions"? Is he a magician? For some reason I just had a hard time figuring out what kind of world Lily and Jasper are from-- a futuristic world with robot housekeepers? I think a little more explanation or background for the setting would have been helpful.
An other part that had me scratching my head was right after Greydor, King of the Rinn, reluctantly tells his wife, Nimlinn, that he is unable to help her get Lily safely back to her own world. Lily is in that room when the conversation is going on. She watches Nimlinn and the others give instructions to others as the battle between the Rinn and the scaramann rages on. A second later, one of Nimlinn's loyal subjects tells Lily that Nimlinn requires her presence. WHAT?? That makes NO sense since Lily and Nimlinn are in the same room together. I mean, I could see if Lily was escorted to another room and then Nimlinn sends someone to get her. I just think it was a poor transition from one scene to another.
While I absolutely loved the first half of the book which takes place on the moon world Barreth with the cat-like creatures the Rinn, I had a hard time wrapping my brain around the second part of the story. I was not quite sure what lunamancers were or what the term "peerin" meant. I know the author tried to explain both, but for some reason I had a hard time truly imagining the role of a lunamancer. I was also confused by the people on this new moon world-- I think one of them was described as being as tall as Lily--are they all that same height? Are they little people like dwarves? It felt like the second part of the story moved slower then when Lily was on Barreth, but again, this could be because I had a harder time figuring out this new moon world.
Lastly-- and this is going to be hard for me to say without giving a major plot spoiler-- I felt there was a part towards the end of the story that felt very anti-climatic. I think when readers get toward the end of the book, they will understand what I mean. I really can't say more then that without giving it away!
Overall, The Moon Coin is truly a beautifully written fantasy novel with rich, memorable characters and gorgeous illustrations that brings the Moon Realm to life. From a teacher's perspective, I think this book would grab the attention of children in grades 6th through 9th. But adults like myself will also find this book appealing, especially since it brings back all those nostalgic feelings from childhood. Although I read this story as an e-book, Richard Due has informed me that I am the first reviewer to display the new cover art for the printed version of The Moon Coin! Also, the second book in the series, titled The Dragondain, should be coming out sometime this year. For a better look at the new cover art and more information on the series, visit Richard Due's website at The Moon Realm.
Title:Rook: Allie's War #1 Author:JC Andrijeski ASIN: B004TXR6FG Reading Level: Adult Genre: Urban Fantasy, Futuristic Theme: Seers, Alternate Earth Binding: ebook Length: 400+ pgs Published: White Sun Press; First Edition 25 March 2011 Buy:Amazon.com My Rating:
Synopsis:Twenty-eight-year-old San Francisco native, Allie Taylor, at least thought she was human. Against a gritty and original backdrop of a modern-day Earth populated by a second race of beings, Allie finds out she's a member of an enslaved yet deeply powerful race, whose members believe her to be their most venerated leader, come to end the reign of humanity. With her guide, Revik, a mysterious and deadly seer who acts as her bodyguard and teacher, Allie will come to grips with who she really is, or end up a slave like the rest of her kind...or worse, betray the very people she always thought of as her own.
My Review:JC Andrijeski has taken me on one hell of a ride with her first book in an ongoing series called Rook: Allie's War #1. I have so much to say but am trying to find the words to express how I feel about this story. So let's start with the positives.
First and foremost, Rook: Allie's War #1 is set in a completely fresh, wholly unique world. Andrijeski doesn't take any shortcuts-- the world building is intricate and complex. Not only are we introduced to an alternate Earth where the physical reside, there is a whole world where the non-physical roam, a place where seers --who are enslaved by humans on earth-- can roam freely. The book is filled with original mythology, prophecies, myths, spiritual and physical canons, etc. While there are things going on in this book that are completely unfamiliar, I can see the influence of particular regions and cultures such as India, Egypt, etc. For some reason a movie called Immortal (2006) kept popping up in my head as I was reading Rook: Allie's War #1. Every time the pyramid was mentioned in the book, I kept imagining the floating pyramid in the movie (You can read the synopsis and see the dvd cover art for the movie Immortal HERE).
The story's main characters are well rounded and 3 dimensional. Oftentimes you get a book that has one or the other, a great story, not so great characters, or interesting characters but a mediocre story. That's why I think this book is fully loaded. A great example would be Revik. He has so much back story, everything from his previous life to his ongoing drama with the main villain Terian.
Speaking of villain, let me not forget to mention how creepy Terian is! The fact that he can change bodies when the one he currently is in is damaged...*shudders*
And since we are still on characters, I just have to say Allie and Revik are quite a match! The sexual tension is scorching-- I had to fan myself during one of the scenes near the end of the novel when they are in the backseat of the car and they have a really hot makeout session that nearly gets out of control! >=)
JC Andrijeski is a solid writer. I like that she didn't keep the whole story in Allie's perspective. First person narration can get boring-- I personally like 3rd person, especially when different characters get their turn to tell their side of the story. Andrijeski did a great job with changing up on the point-of-view and narrative form. I at first thought it would be too confusing to jump from Allie's 1st person narration then to Revik's 3rd person, but somehow the author makes it work and keeps it consistent the whole way through the story. What a show off! :)
Now that I have talked about the positives, I want to share some of the drawbacks of Rook: Allie's War #1. The following are not flat out negatives-- I just think there are a few things that could have made this book a smoother read.
I hate to say this because I know some readers detest glossaries in the front of some books, but I believe with the magnitude of this 400+ series opener, a list of key terms would have been a big help. This new world and mythology that Andrijeski creates is SO different from anything that is out there. There are no other books or movies to compare it to; this is not a story about vampires or angels, something familiar we can grasp onto. And that is a good thing, trust me, I'm not complaining about it's uniqueness! But I will admit, there was so much going on and so many new words and phrases being introduced that I had a bit of a hard time keeping up with the terminology. Some sort of reference page to flip back to would have worked wonders!
My other issue is the length of some parts. The scene near the beginning where Revik tries to rescue Allie from Terian, Allie being handcuffed to the car, Allie trying to escape-- I just felt it was way too long. There were some parts that could have been cut down a bit to make the story move along, but again, that is just my personal opinion.
Lastly (these are minor as this could be my own fault) there were a few things that either weren't explained or maybe I missed. Why does Allie get nauseous every time she is around or near Revik? Was it ever explained how Revik and Allie ended up "married"?
I give Rook: Allie's War #1 a 4 out of 5 star rating for its originality, complicated yet fascinating world building and mythology, strong character development, and unique writing style. A glossary of key terms and shortening a few scenes that seemed to go on for pages would have, in my opinion, made the story a little easier to keep up with. Overall, this was a great read and I thank JC Andrijeski for allowing me to read Rook: Allie's War #1 for an honest review. I look forward to seeing how Revik and Allie's relationship develops in the next book in the series called Shield: Allie's War #2!
