by Jane | Oct 31, 2014 | Write Here Write Now
Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas is the third book in the Throne of Glass series. At the end of the last book, Celeana Sardothien discovered that she was really Princess Aelin Galathynius, heir to the throne of Terrasen. Now she has traveled to Wendlyn to meet Maeve, Queen of the Fae to find out what the queen knows about the Wrydkeys, a weapon being used by the evil king of Ardolan. But before Celeana can get the answers she seeks, she is forced into a training program to develop her fae abilities.
Back home, Celeana’s cousin Aedian, whom she hasn’t seen in years, has traveled to Ardolan and met Chaol of the King’s Guard and Prince Dorian. Both Chaol and Dorian seem to have matured since the last book. Chaol is trying to make sense of Aedion’s resemblance to Celeana and where his true loyalties lie. Dorian is trying to forget Celeana and is back to his womanizing ways. Or is he really?
Maas also introduces a coven of witches in this book, who are in serious training for something. An upcoming war, perhaps? And who are they working for?
Heir of Fire is a good continuation of the Throne of Glass series, furthering the story of Celeana, once a notorious assassin and now a royal heir. Read to find out how she accepts more challenges to determine her true fate.
by Jane | Oct 24, 2014 | Write Here Write Now
The Gray Wolf Throne by Cinda Williams Chima is the third book in the Seven Realms series. I continue to enjoy these books greatly. I’m really surprised she doesn’t have a movie deal yet. I have to repeat from my last Seven Realms review that I think it’s the best YA series on the market.
In this installment, Raisa is trying to make her way back to the Fells after her escape from wizard Micah Bayar and Prince Gerard Montaigne. While at Oden’s Ford, she had heard of unrest at home, with a group of people intent on making her sister Mellony princess heir in her place. In addition, having escaped assassins at Oden’s Ford, she continues to meet people trying to kill her.
After meeting with Edan Byrne, Captain of the Queen’s Guard, and his soldiers, she makes her way north, but the next attempt on her life almost succeeds — she is saved only through the efforts of Han Allister, former street lord and wizard, who is also making his way north.
Han feels betrayed when he discovers the girl he knew as Rebecca Morley is really Princess Raisa, but he sticks by her to protect her, as does Amon Byrne. These are the only two people Raisa can trust. She must decide how to lead her country, while protecting herself, but giving up both Han ad Amon for a political marriage.
The Gray Wolf Throne is a roller coaster. The speed with which I go through the Seven Realms books is a testament to Chima’s storytelling ability. Certain things resolve in this book, though many more are left open to tease the reader. I eagerly await the fourth and final book — The Crimson Throne.
by Jane | Oct 17, 2014 | Write Here Write Now
I am not now a regular reading of horror, though that was not always the case. In the 70’s and 80’s, I read Stephen King, Peter Straub, and Dean Kootnz with glee, often discussing the stories with my friends and sharing books. Then, somehow I got out of horror and started reading action/thrillers, followed by a return to my first love, fantasy and science fiction. In the past few years, I have picked up a couple of Stephen King books, but they’re either not as good, or I have just changed.
Having said that, I was recently in my local public library perusing the “New Book” shelf and noticed a horror title. It being October and Halloween season, I decided to pick it up and hopefully, enjoy the type of fright I used to get from books like The Shining or Ghost Story. The book I chose was The House of Small Shadows by Adam Nevill.
This book is the story of Catherine Howard, an antiques dealer specializing in toys. She is delighted when Edith Mason, niece of the late M.H. Mason, tells her that she wants to sell part of the Mason collection of dolls, marionettes, and stuffed wild animals. Catherine is invited to the house of the late collector to conduct an inventory, but while there, she begins to experience some very strange things. The displays she is shown are morbid and macabre, and the visions she had as a child start to resurface and intermingle with her experiences in the house. She also has to deal with the strange behavior of the hostile Edith Mason and the mute, antisocial housekeeper Maude.
While interesting, the book did not scare me or hold many surprises. A short way into the book, I guessed much of what was going on, but had to wade through many more pages to get to the ending I suspected. It was also, in some ways, derivative of other books I have read in the genre. I will say that Mr. Nevill is a good writer and knows how to create a mood. As to the story, it was adequate and might prove scary and suspenseful to some, but not for anyone as familiar with horror as I am.
by Jane | Oct 10, 2014 | Write Here Write Now
I recently started streaming Star Trek: The Next Generation. I was reluctant because I thought I remembered that it wasn’t that good until the third or fourth season. But I started, and it’s not that bad. I know I’ve said this before in other posts, but this time I have something of an explanation. In TNG, there was a lot of disappointment because fans so fondly remembered the original Star Trek and would probably have preferred it to be revived with the original cast. Meanwhile, the producers didn’t want the new series to be exactly the same. They updated the ship, put a Klingon on the bridge, and deliberately had no Vulcan at the science station. Instead, they added Wesley Crusher.
Fans at Star Trek conventions in those days absolutely hated Wesley Crusher. My feelings did not run that deep. He wasn’t my favorite character, but I tolerated him. The fans’ animosity seemed to derive from the fact that the boy had saved the ship too often. Actually, by the end of the first season, he had only saved the ship two or three times, although that is probably too many times for a 15-year-old aboard a ship of competent Star Fleet officers. No matter how smart he is.
In the second season, Wesley stopped saving the ship. Good for him. But also, Riker grew a beard, Worf became head of Tactical, and LaForge Chief Engineer. The producers felt they needed some changes, and they were all for the good. Instead of redoing or relying heavily on old Star Trek episodes (e.g., “The Naked Now”), they moved on and made TNG its own series.
As an ex-psychologist, I know the impact that expectations can have. Like I said, Star Trek fans wanted everything the same. But that wasn’t going to happen. That couldn’t happen. The new show had to succeed on its own. The characters grew, the plots achieved their own momentum, and the show came into its own. It gained a new audience, as well as pleasing the old. What else could anyone ask for?
by Jane | Oct 3, 2014 | Write Here Write Now
Seraphina by Rachel Hartman takes place in Goredd, a world where there is an uneasy truce between humans and dragons. The twist in this story is that dragons can take human form and live among them, though they must be monitored and wear a bell around their necks to identify themselves.
Seraphina is a teenage musician who works in the court and has a dragon named Orma as her friend and tutor. However, she is quite alone. She never knew her mother, her relationship with her father is stilted, and she has no real human friends. Though Orma is her friend, she finds it difficult to relate to him, since dragons have no emotions.
But there are secrets in Goredd. A prince of the realm has been murdered, and dragons are suspected. There are also secrets in Seraphon’s own family. Why does no one talk about her mother? And how did she become so close to Orma? The murder she is trying to solve with the help of a bastard prince, but the family secrets she must keep to herself.
The book Seraphina, while geared toward young adults, has a lot of depth that adults will enjoy. The dragon-human differences and conflict can be metaphors for our own realationships today, both on a macro- and micro-level. Read Seraphina to get a wonderful story but come away with better understanding of human nature.
by Jane | Sep 26, 2014 | Write Here Write Now
Oath of Fealty by Elizabeth Moon is the first book in a new trilogy, progressing on from the Deed of Paksenarrion series. This book picks up from the previous series, but readers will have no problem starting with this book and becoming immersed in the story.
At the beginning of this book, we learn many changes have taken place. A former duke in Tsaia and leader of mercenaries (Phelan), thought a bastard, has been crowned king in the land of Lyanya, and a new King of Tsaia has also been crowned. Meanwhile, Dorrin, a former captain under Phelan’s command, has become the first female duke, and Phelan’s territory has been given to another former captain, Arcolin.
Many challenges face these new leaders. Most of Dorrin’s family has been accused of treason and the illegal use of magic. Dorrin must get past magical traps in order to rule her dukedom, while being on the lookout for family members who have escaped arrest.
Both kings have many adjustments to make, especially Phelan, who has discovered he is not only royal but half-elf. War is looming in the east and there is treachery throughout the two kingdoms. This book takes us through the leaders’ struggles, as they learn what must be done to keep their kingdoms safe.
Oath of Fealty is a good standalone book, but I am still anxious to read the next in the series. Ms. Moon has created some great characters and intriguing situations. She is definitely a leader in today’s fantasy.
by Jane | Sep 13, 2014 | Write Here Write Now
The Exiled Queen by Cinda Williams Chima is the second book in the Seven Realms series, and was no disappointment. Princess Raisa has fled the Fells with Amon, her childhood friend and new commander, and is studying at Oden’s Ford as cadet Rebecca Morley. Meanwhile, the former street lord Han Alister is at Oden’s Ford studying to be a wizard.
Both Han and Raisa are threatened by Micah Bayar and his family, who are also in the wizard school. Raisa can avoid them, but Han must face them since they go to the same school. Han is armed with the amulet he took from Micah, but must still study hard in able to match the Bayars. However, threatened with death, Han must also control his street lord instincts to get rid of them in any way he can.
Although their schools are on opposite sides of the river, Raisa and Han must eventually meet, thus complicating their lives even more. And what of Amon, who Raisa has developed feelings for? Their love is forbidden, but the heart wants what it wants.
I was thoroughly delighted with this book. Chima continues to impress me with her writing. The next book in the series is The Gray Wolf Throne. I can’t wait.
by Jane | Sep 8, 2014 | Write Here Write Now
The Demon King is the first book in the Seven Realms series, and it is excellent. Author Cinda Williams Chima is quickly becoming my favorite writer of young adult fantasy. In The Demon King, there are two protagonists — one, a former street lord called Han Allister and the other, the princess heir of the Fells, Raisa ana’ Marianna. How unlikely is it that the destinies of two such different people should cross? And yet they do.
Han is trying to make ends meet and help support his mother and sister when he meets a young wizard in the country and appropriates his amulet, an amulet the boy should never have had. When he returns to the city, Han finds himself accused of multiple murders.
Raisa’s biggest concern is her upcoming name day and which of her many suitors she will eventually marry. But two of the boys she likes are unsuitable to marry the princess heir — Amon, a childhood friend, now a soldier in the Queen’s Guard, and Micah Bayar, the young wizard who has just lost and important family amulet. But when Raisa decides to leave the castle in cognito to try and help the poor, that is when her troubles really begin.
I have read The Demon King twice now and enjoyed it both times. If you’re into young adult fantasy at all, read this book. The characters are engaging and the plot is suspenseful. The next book in the series is The Exiled Queen, which I will report on in the next couple of weeks. Meanwhile, pick up and enjoy The Demon King.
by Jane | Aug 31, 2014 | Write Here Write Now
Expiration Day is a new young adult novel by William Campbell Powell. It takes place in the year 2049, when the fertility rate has dropped to a disastrous level. It has dropped so far that couples have started leasing robots called teknoids designed to look, talk, and act like children. They go to school, grow up via upgrades by the corporation Oxted, and provide a child’s love for their parents. The only problem is that they are recalled to the factory by age 18.
Expiration Day is told through the journal of Tania Deeley from age 11 to 17. She goes to school surrounded by girls who may or may not be teknoids, including her best friend. The book takes us through her teen years as she learns more and more about teknoids, Oxted, and life. Although this book could be classified as a dystopian future, where many things are hidden, it is really the story of a girl growing up, dealing with the cruelties of youth, as well as the joys. Mr. Powell takes us on quite a ride as we get to know Tania, rejoice with her, grieve with her, and understand her.
Well worth the read, I suggest you pick up Expiration Day today. I, for one, could not put it down.
by Jane | Aug 25, 2014 | Write Here Write Now
Earlier this summer I reported on two genre shows I was enjoying, and mentioned three other shows to be discussed later. Summer is now coming to a close, I would like to report on one of those I did not discuss earlier, The 100. Technically it is not a summer show; I am simply watching the reruns which I did not see during the regular season. Still, I’d like to give my reactions.
The 100 is the story of a world so contaminated that people fled to a space station and have been living there for three generations. But now the resources are running out and the leaders are in a quandary as to what to do. One solution was to send a hundred juvenile delinquents to the surface to see if the Earth is now survivable. (Nice, huh?) This is the story of those 100 kids, plus the people still left on the station.
For various reasons, the space station has lost contact with the people on the surface and are trying to find other ways to solve their problem (none of which are particularly humanitarian). Meanwhile, the people on the surface have their own problems, including some early leadership difficulties, similar to those in The Lord of the Flies, as well as some violent encounters with people already on the surface, people the kids have labelled “grounders”.
At first I had some problems with this series, growing pains, perhaps, and wasn’t sure I was going to continue watching it. But now it has me intrigued. For all their troubles, internal fighting, and indecision about the right course of action, the kids seem to be making it work. The adults, however, are all over the place. I’m surprised they managed to last as long as they have. I would, in fact, be happiest if they never made it to the ground, and the kids reinvented the human race. They’re certainly a lot smarter than their parents.
As for the series, I will definitely be watching the new season when it starts up in the fall. Let the 100 prevail!
