Friday, September 14, 2012

Deeper Wells

Around the House
Sitting at home watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer.  Thank god for Logo to remind me of an inspiration that I missed.  I have always loved everything that Joss Whedon has created.  He has always been an inspiration to me.  The way he writes a story that is quirky, heart felt, and fun while adding tons of dramatic movements.  I think my favorite part of his series is that you can watch just one episode and have a good time or watch the entire season and get a fuller richer story.  It is a hope that I will one day be able to craft stories in just the same way.  I know have added all of the comic paper backs to my order list.  I just need to start buying them to get all caught up on the world of Buffy.  Can you tell I am being all nostalgic for a more fun time of TV shows before the writers strike.

My Thoughts
I am a fan of Charlaine Harris works.  So I read her blogs often.  She has a fun way of pointing out what is wrong with the world in a safe way that makes the reader feel embraced.  She was talking a lot recently about what was going on with people commenting on her Facebook, Amazon, and just general emails.  She made a very good point that I just can't seem to grasp.  She commented that she does not read reviews on websites and dislikes hearing individuals telling her how they wanted her characters to be.  I know the feeling, only I am sitting here craving responses from people.  I want to know what they think of my work and how it makes them feel.  I get how reading reviews can make you crazy just like waiting for reviews can do the same.  I can only hope I have the ability to reach her level of separation from the comments of the individuals and focus on her work of crafting a story she loves.

Sunday, September 9, 2012

Book Series Review: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Around the House
Oh hell what do I say about this week.  I have family issues from a divorce, a wedding, an engagement, and trying to juggle life.  It is a bit rough trying to figure everything out at times.  My aunt says I should take a lot of the more interesting family stories and make them my own.  Let the events of my family inspire stories for the world.  She is convinced that I will make something special.  I am not sure if this is something I want to do, but if I was to do it I know how I would start it.

"It started with a lie.  It was a simple innocuous little lie, but that lie is what started a series of events that made everyone think this life is fiction."

What do you think?  Would you like some family inspired stories to follow.  It actually reminds me of the crazy relationships in the Hunger Games.  I don't know if it is something I want to venture into.  Inspire me that you want to read about a family gone wrong because of the lies of one, and I will start putting it all together for you.

My Thoughts
So in just over the last week or so plowing through the Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins while dealing with a two corporate visits.  As of this afternoon I finally closed the final pages of Mockingjay with a slight bit of sadness to let go of a fun  and moving series.  The first book of the series and the movie held to each other so that I was constantly riveted by new information of her father and the pin while neither were turned down by falling short of expectations.  By the end of the book I wanted to reach out and hug Peeta and Prim for everything they had experienced in the arena.  By the end of Catching Fire I was screaming with rage and terror by the unexpected horrors that Katniss and Peeta where continued to force to endure.  Finally my excitement over flowed when I ripped open the pages of the Mockingjay.  The series itself was masterful written, but the ending left me with an unsatisfied finished.  The series ended on a slightly anticlimactic note.  I wish the final book had held the fun, intensity, and emotion of the first two book.  Definitely a must read series, with just a hint at disappointment.

Rating: 3/5

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Book Review: The Last Apprentice Lure of the Dead by Joseph Delaney

Around the House
I can't help thinking about Hunger Games AHHH!  I also learned recently that the Ronin Warriors have dvd set that is out of stock everywhere cause it is older.  I loved that cartoon series, and now I can not find it anywhere.

My Thoughts
I alway get distressed as a series reaches an end.  I tend to fall in love with characters and Alice and Tom are no exception.  I was surprised after the last one that I fell in love with Grimmalkin as well.  I am surprised as the realist way this work shows the undercurrent of magic that the normal person fails to see while he still manages to address the other "Old Gods" that could have been loved by people in England.  Now we have only two books to go, one from Alice's perspective and the last one from Tom.  I am interested to see how Joseph will tie up all the loose ends of this world.

This portion of the tales focus on the Spook's need to revive his ruined library while the dark are working to restore the head of the Fiend.  This book is the complete set-up for the end of the series,
while most authors that touch this subject to close a series this author as always makes a fun tale that allows you to learn the information while just waiting to get to the next book.  I look forward to seeing how Tom will now deal with the aftermath of dealing with the Vampyre God and stepping into his new role as the Spook of Chippendale.

Rating: 4/5

Book Review: The Demigod Diaries by Rick Riordan

Around the House
Not much to say.  I spent th'is weekend plowing through the first two books of Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games.  I must say I am completely in love.  I just can not put the books down.  I am sitting here staring at the last book in the series.  It is taking everything not to grab another cup of tea and curl up in bed.  I am hoping that Project Runway will distract me.

My Thoughts
I am wondering where Rick Riordan is going next in his mythogical series.  We have all heard the rumors of a Norse Book down the line and Egyptian Book has reached its close.  I am curious were we are going to end up next.  So when I ran across a Percy Jackson and the Olympians and Heroes of Olympus cross over book of Short Stories I was excited.  After going through the table of contents of this short fun book I was shocked to see that he allowed his child to actually write a story that fits into his world.  This is always something that worries me since it takes a leap that the reader will loose the voice they love.  Surprisingly enough while the voice is differnent the perspective is perfect for a new voice to speak in the world, and this story was actually the perfect tie in to bring the series together.

I spent a fun afternoon reading this group of stories as we get ready for the release of the Mark of Athena.  While this collect did not have the fun of Demigod Files, it held the dark tones of the other Heroes of Olympus books.  I look forward to the day when I can sit down and spend the afternoon reading both series front to back including the fun short stories and the dark shifts of the new stories.  Finding more of the backstory of Annabeth is perfect as we lead into the next book.  While this is not a show stopping book it is a great teaser for the rest of the Heroes of Olympus series.  While this book is not a must read to follow the series it does enhance the feeling of the Heroes by reminding you of where all the characters came from.

Rating 3/5