So, a few days ago I discovered that I was a touch anemic. My roommate's sister pointed it out, after I told her about my last month's exhaustion, over-sleeping, lack of appetite, brain fog, and overall disinterest in everything except sleeping.
Then I went to Japan and felt wonderful! I woke up early in the mornings, had breakfast, walked around all day (with chronic pain between my shoulder blades from those damn boots!), ate lots of fish and veggies, slept all night, and generally felt good for the duration of the trip. But when I got home, it wasn't just jet lag that had me so tired. I'd reverted to my old diet of drinking black tea and eating nothing. My brain shut down. I lost interest in reading and writing. No care for anything except my bed.
Insert roommate's sister, who is very astute! She pointed out that I was probably anemic, considering my heavy flows and excessive lethargy. She suggested that I eat some MEAT. My iron-deficiency was a serious problem, and for someone like me a little protein goes a long way.
Thus began the quest to EAT BETTER. And OH MY GOD do I feel better! It's amazing what even a little protein can do in your daily diet. I started buying ground beef and making patties and meatballs, eating frozen mixed veggies, and spreading peanut butter on whole grain bread for breakfast. That's not a lot, and I have yet to eat fish (which is loaded with good stuff), but that little bit made a HUGE difference.
I FEEL SO MUCH BETTER!
And here's the most amazing thing: the better I feel, the better I want to eat. I love this feeling so much that I want it to continue, and grow, and get stronger. Hell, I'm even willing to choke down a tin of sardines if it means feeling this good all the time!
I mean, this isn't some great revelation for most people. It wasn't even that shocking of a news flash to me. But the problem is, the further you fall down that hole of listlessness and disinterest, the harder it is to pull yourself back up. On an intellectual level you know that you need to eat right and exercise in order to feel good. But you feel so bad that you can't bring yourself to care. How do you start the process of feeling better, when you feel bad all the time? How do you get to the point where you're ready to do something about it?
If it wasn't for my recent trip to Japan, and my roomie's sister talking some sense into me, I probably would have continued as I was. Weak, tired, listless...
I needed something to open my eyes. I needed a period of well-being to awaken me to all the advantages of eating right, to have those two feelings for comparison, so I could look back on how good I felt and wonder why the hell I wasn't feeling that good all the time.
Anyway, I'm doing much better now. Slept well, woke up early, ate breakfast, wrote a little (as last night's story and this morning's blog post can attest) and seriously considering a walk outside. Such a lovely day!
I may not be the most productive person, and there are times when low feelings wash over me that no amount of protein or exercise can prevent, but for today it's enough. The real challenge is seeing whether I can keep this up. For the sake of my mental and physical well-being, let's hope I do!
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
MY SOUL TO STEAL is almost here!
2011 is looking to be another great year in YA books!
So many awesome releases, including the next or *sob* last installments in some already well-known and very popular series, sequels to some wonderful 2010 debuts, and a slew of new 2011 debuts that are sure to knock our socks off!
To start the New Year with a bang, check out Rachel Vincent's MY SOUL TO STEAL
(Soul Screamers Book #4)
MY SOUL TO STEAL officially releases on January 1, 2011!
Official blurb:
Official blurb:
YOU WANT MY SOUL AND MY BOYFRIEND?
Trying to work things out with Nash—her maybe boyfriend—is hard enough for Kaylee Cavanaugh. She can’t just pretend nothing happened. But “complicated” doesn’t even begin to describe their relationship when his ex-girlfriend transfers to their school, determined to take Nash back.
See, Sabine isn’t just an ordinary girl. She’s a mara, the living personification of a nightmare. She can read people’s fears—and craft them into nightmares while her victims sleep. Feeding from human fear is how she survives.
And Sabine isn’t above scaring Kaylee and the entire school to death to get whatever—and whoever—she wants.
I DON'T THINK SO.
And check out the book trailer below!
Go get your copy today and start the New Year with a scream!
(I'm sorry...I couldn't resist.)
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Bree Despain's THE LOST SAINT: 10 more days...
Bree Despain's THE LOST SAINT, the sequel to THE DARK DIVINE, releases in 10 days!
It officially comes out on December 28th! Yay!
 |
| I love the covers in The Dark Divine series! I am such a sucker for a pretty cover! |
And to celebrate the upcoming release, Bree is hosting a Countdown Contest on her blog!
THE PRIZES:
1st Place
6" Kindle with WiFi
$10 Amazon gift card
$20 gift card to iTunes
Signed first edition of MATCHED by Ally Condie
2nd Place
Signed first editions of:
6" Kindle with WiFi
$10 Amazon gift card
$20 gift card to iTunes
Signed first edition of MATCHED by Ally Condie
2nd Place
Signed first editions of:
MATCHED by Ally Condie
THE SCORCH TRIALS by James Dashner
BEAUTIFUL DARKNESS by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
3rd Place
Signed first editions of:
3rd Place
Signed first editions of:
THE SCORCH TRIALS by James Dashner
BEAUTIFUL DARKNESS by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
The contest ends December 26th and the winner will be announced December 28th.
(Just in time for the release!)
And to tide you over until then...
Read the Prologue and First Chapter of THE LOST SAINT at RT Book Reviews!
Listen to THE LOST SAINT Soundtrack over at Bree's Blog!
Listen to THE LOST SAINT Soundtrack over at Bree's Blog!
And watch the Book Trailer! It's awesome!
Ramblings of a Teenage Bookworm Giveaway!!
Ramblings of a Teenage Bookworm is giving away 3 YA books of 2011!
How awesome is that?
(very awesome!)
One winner will get to choose 3 books from among the following 2011 releases:
Delirium by Lauren Oliver
Angelfire (Book #1) by Courtney Allison Moulton
Across the Universe by Beth Revis
A Touch Mortal by Leah Clifford
Wither (Chemical Garden, #1) by Lauren DeStefano
Divergent by Veronica Roth
The Iron Queen (Iron Fey, #3) by Julie Kagawa
She's got all the details on her blog, so stop by and check it out:
DESIRES OF THE DEAD Widget Contest!!!
To count down to the release of DESIRES OF THE DEAD
(60 days and counting!)
Kimberly Derting, author of THE BODY FINDER, is hosting a...
...drumroll...
"BIG FRICKIN' HUGE GINORMOUS DESIRES OF THE DEAD WIDGET CONTEST!!!"
Prizes include a signed ARC of DESIRES OF THE DEAD, ARCs of UNEARTHLY and THROUGH HER EYES, signed copies of THE BODY FINDER, swag packs and gift cards!!!
There are a TON of easy ways to earn points!
Contest ends December 31st.
Check out all the details at Kim's blog:
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Beth Revis' ACROSS THE UNIVERSE Contest!!!
Beth Revis is hosting an "Epic Contest Of Epic" on her blog in anticipation of her debut release
ACROSS THE UNIVERSE!
She and Penguin/Razorbill are teaming up to offer 100 Prizes!!!
Yeah, you heard that right. ONE HUNDRED PRIZES!
There will be swag and signed ARCs, watches and buttons, postcards and bookmarks,
and even a Signed Hardcover First Edition of ACROSS THE UNIVERSE!
How amazing is that?
(Very amazing!)
The contest ends December 20th.
For all the details, see Beth's blog: Epic Contest of Epic
My Thoughts on ACROSS THE UNIVERSE:
Of the dozens of books coming out next year, ACROSS THE UNIVERSE is at the top of my Most Anticipated Books of 2011 list. The first chapter is amazing, the cover is eye-catching, and the entire premise is just so fascinating that I cannot wait to read this book! I'm not normally a big fan of science fiction in literature (time travel, advanced technology, space exploration, etc.) but this title caught my attention mainly due to its similarities to FIREFLY.
Joss Whedon's FIREFLY was one of my favorite short-lived television shows: it revolves around a motley crew of disreputable space smugglers living aboard a small, cramped metal ship that is nevertheless very homey and familiar, traveling from planet to planet as they avoid the authorities and try to survive in an east-meets-west style universe.
ACROSS THE UNIVERSE is also about a crew living aboard a ship, and that's what first caught my attention. But the story is not so much about survival in the "running-from-the-law" sense (I'm assuming, since I haven't read the book yet) but about a very long journey--not unlike the Star Trek spin-off VOYAGER--and a murder mystery the must be solved by the two main protagonists.
I also read something about a very strange social order that exists on the ship, different from what Earth-girl Amy is used to. The whole thing sounds so interesting and so different from a lot of YA fare coming out right now, and I've heard so many good things about the book and been blown away by the first chapter, that I know it'll be good. Definitely a must-read for 2011!
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Lisa Desrochers' ORIGINAL SIN Cover and December Debut Contest!!!
Here's the cover for Lisa Desrochers' ORIGINAL SIN
the sequel to 2010's PERSONAL DEMONS!
(which is awesome, by the way!)
 |
| Luc looks pissed, Gabe looks heavenly, and Frannie looks appropriately chesty! |
And to celebrate her last debut contest for this year
she's giving away ANOTHER ARC of
ORIGINAL SIN!!!
How awesome is that?
(very awesome)
Contest ends Dec. 31st. To enter: December Debut Contest
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Miss Pager Turner's Holiday Giveaway!!!
Miss Page Turner is holding an awesome Holiday Giveaway!
One winner will get to choose one book from among six awesome YA novels of 2011.
The Prize:
Unearthly by Cynthia Hand
Delirium by Lauren Oliver
Across the Universe by Beth Revis
Blood Magic by Tessa Gratton
Timeless by Alexandra Monir
Other Words For Love by Lorraine Zago Rosenthal
The contest ends January 3rd.
ORIGNAL SIN Cover-Reveal and ARC Contest!!!
Lisa Desrochers has revealed the lovely new cover for ORIGINAL SIN,
the sequel to 2010's PERSONAL DEMONS!!!
She's also giving away an ARC of the book (which doesn't release until next summer) on her blog!
The cover can be found on the following blogs:
Mundie Moms
The Naughty Book Kitties
Harmony's Radiant Reads
Bloggers [[Heart]] Books
YA Addict
Narratively Speaking
A Good Addiction
Book Chic Club
The Bookish Type
The Naughty Book Kitties
Harmony's Radiant Reads
Bloggers [[Heart]] Books
YA Addict
Narratively Speaking
A Good Addiction
Book Chic Club
The Bookish Type
The contest ends today, so hurry!
Friday, November 19, 2010
Creative Blossoms: Blogoversary Contest!
Creative Blossoms is celebrating its 2-year blogoversary--congratulations!--with a contest!
The Prizes:
Paranormalcy by Kiersten White
Evernight by Claudia Gray
Firelight by Sophie Jordan
Personal Demons by Lisa Desrochers
Evernight by Claudia Gray
Firelight by Sophie Jordan
Personal Demons by Lisa Desrochers
2 winners will be chosen.
The contest ends December 10th.
Check it out: Blogoversary Contest
Friday, November 5, 2010
Zee Gigglah is back...
Yes, that's right. Zee Gigglah is back.
If you don't know who Zee Gigglah is, allow me to explain:
Zee Gigglah is the boyfriend of the guy who lives in the apartment below me.
Now, I love my neighbor--you know, like that book says. He's kind, considerate, and always concerned about the noise level in the building.
At the last house meeting, he approached me and my roommate to inquire about the music. His music, that is. You see, he like to play le musique: pop, techno, ethnic mix--he likes it all. And sometimes, he likes it a little too much. Like, ear-splitting, floor-rattling, oh-my-god-it's-an-earthquake! type of love. So loud, in fact, that he can't even hear us politely banging on his door to complain. But he is super apologetic about it, and immediately turns down the volume. He's great! It's nice to foster an environment where one can feel comfortable talking to one's neighbors.
But he has this boyfriend...
Zee Gigglah.
For some reason, we never met him until the middle of the semester--or, more accurately, we never heard him until then. Our neighbor's roommate, whom we've never met and who never comes to the house meetings, is silent as a ghost. Actually, we didn't even know he existed until our neighbor mentioned him. Apparently, he sleeps during the day and works at night until 5 or 6 in the morning. Or...you know...when the sun comes up.
LIKE A GHOST!
He's a ghost, I'm sure of it.
Aaaaanyway...Zee Gigglah.
Zee Gigglah likes to giggle. Like a little girl on crack. Like a midget on helium. It is so high-pitched and so prolongued that I fear his boyfriend is tickle-torturing him.
And unlike the music, I can't ask him to turn down the volume on his boyfriend. Like, "Hey neighbor, think you could tune down the gigglin' in there...I'm sure it's some kind of fire code violation...hmmm...which one, you ask...oh, I don't know...all of them?"
Wait--do you hear that?
That's right...the sound of silence!
Zee Gigglah is probably taking a nap. For now...
Stay tuned for the latest developments on the Zee Gigglah front.
If you don't know who Zee Gigglah is, allow me to explain:
Zee Gigglah is the boyfriend of the guy who lives in the apartment below me.
Now, I love my neighbor--you know, like that book says. He's kind, considerate, and always concerned about the noise level in the building.
At the last house meeting, he approached me and my roommate to inquire about the music. His music, that is. You see, he like to play le musique: pop, techno, ethnic mix--he likes it all. And sometimes, he likes it a little too much. Like, ear-splitting, floor-rattling, oh-my-god-it's-an-earthquake! type of love. So loud, in fact, that he can't even hear us politely banging on his door to complain. But he is super apologetic about it, and immediately turns down the volume. He's great! It's nice to foster an environment where one can feel comfortable talking to one's neighbors.
But he has this boyfriend...
Zee Gigglah.
For some reason, we never met him until the middle of the semester--or, more accurately, we never heard him until then. Our neighbor's roommate, whom we've never met and who never comes to the house meetings, is silent as a ghost. Actually, we didn't even know he existed until our neighbor mentioned him. Apparently, he sleeps during the day and works at night until 5 or 6 in the morning. Or...you know...when the sun comes up.
LIKE A GHOST!
He's a ghost, I'm sure of it.
Aaaaanyway...Zee Gigglah.
Zee Gigglah likes to giggle. Like a little girl on crack. Like a midget on helium. It is so high-pitched and so prolongued that I fear his boyfriend is tickle-torturing him.
And unlike the music, I can't ask him to turn down the volume on his boyfriend. Like, "Hey neighbor, think you could tune down the gigglin' in there...I'm sure it's some kind of fire code violation...hmmm...which one, you ask...oh, I don't know...all of them?"
Wait--do you hear that?
That's right...the sound of silence!
Zee Gigglah is probably taking a nap. For now...
Stay tuned for the latest developments on the Zee Gigglah front.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Haunted Halloween YA Contest: 2 days left...
A Life Bound by Books & Confessions of a Bookaholic
are hosting an awesome HAUNTED HALLOWEEN YA Contest!!!
are hosting an awesome HAUNTED HALLOWEEN YA Contest!!!
The Prizes:
2 winners will each receive a prize pack with 12 books and swag!!!
That's a lot of books, people.
The contest ends October 31st, so check it out.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Ghost Town is out today!
Today is the release day for Rachel Caine's GHOST TOWN!!!
It's the ninth book in her Morganville Vampires series.
In honor of the release, Rachel is giving away an iPad!
It's the 16GB Wi-Fi edition, valued at $499!!!
Crazy, right?
To enter the contest, go to Bitten by Books and take part in the Release Party:
Misguided Angel is out today!
Today is the release day for Melissa de la Cruz's MISGUIDED ANGEL!!!
And to celebrate the release, Melissa will be chatting LIVE at Bitten By Books.
The chat starts at 12 pm and runs all day and into the evening.
You also have the chance to win FIVE signed copies of MISGUIDED ANGEL!
So check it out: http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=32537
Halloween Memories
Halloween is one of my favorite holidays--right up there with Thanksgiving and Christmas. But there's one thing that Halloween offers that no other holiday does: an excuse to eat unholy amounts of CANDY.
I have such fond memories of Halloween: returning home after a successful night of Trick-or-Treating; spilling my pillowcase of candy onto the kitchen table; sorting the good stuff from the bad; ranking them; and then engaging with my brother in tense trade negotiations, in which we sought to offload our bad stock and gain a few new goodies.
Our parents would be on standby, greedily eyeing our treasure-troves, ready to intervene should a dispute arise (and collect for their services, of course). And when the trading was complete, both parties satisfied with the outcome, we'd race off to hide our candy in super secret hidey-holes. Mine was in a shoebox at the back of my closet. My brother's was under his bed (shhh...don't tell him I told you!).
Our parents would be on standby, greedily eyeing our treasure-troves, ready to intervene should a dispute arise (and collect for their services, of course). And when the trading was complete, both parties satisfied with the outcome, we'd race off to hide our candy in super secret hidey-holes. Mine was in a shoebox at the back of my closet. My brother's was under his bed (shhh...don't tell him I told you!).
Oh Halloween! You are so much BETTER than Easter!
Halloween is one of my favorite holidays--right up there with Thanksgiving and Christmas. But there's one thing that Halloween offers that no other holiday can: an excuse to eat unholy amounts of CANDY.
Sure, you get candy on Easter--chocolate eggs and marshmallow peeps--but you don't get much of them, and what's available is squirreled away in cheap plastic eggs, deliberately hidden from you as part of a ploy to thwart your seasonal candy consumption (if your parents, like mine, thought an Easter egg hunt entailed burying the eggs).
As a child, I spent hours methodically hunting for these capsules of candy, unearthing mounds of dirt and shrubbery in my quest for the sacred Cadbury Creme Egg.
How were my efforts rewarded, you ask.
Well, with the exception of a few meager treats (not nearly enough to satisfy my youthful cravings), I was left feeling disillusioned and depressed. Where were the fonts of Easter sweets, flowing plentiful with candy-colored eggs and jelly beans and chocolate delights? I felt betrayed.
Never again.
Now I don't mean to malign Easter; I'm sure there are many people who genuinely enjoy this holiday. Sadly, I am not one of them. My experiences have forever stained this once beloved Sunday.
Halloween, on the other hand, has always proven pleasant and enjoyable. Without all the work of hunting and digging, Halloween offers children (and adults) a chance to gorge themselves on something that, on any other day of the year, would be considered unwise in such large proportions (fools!).
It's the one day of the year when we are permitted to indulge ourselves--in both candy and costumes (and peep into strangers' homes when they open the door).
Imagine being showered with handfuls of sweets upon uttering the simple phrase: "Trick or Treat!" That's fun and easy!
And the candy you acquire is so plentiful that it cannot possibly be consumed by one person in one night (unless you enjoy tummy aches, sugar rushes and childhood obesity). Spread it out over several days, and enjoy the unique sensation of feeling utterly sick of chocolate after ingesting your 32nd piece of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. There's nothing quite so wonderful as overglutting yourself on candy. No feeling on earth that compares to the feeling of revulsion when you've simply had TOO MUCH.
Truly, Halloween is a modern miracle.
Even those not-so-great candies can yield massive amounts of FUN. You know, those pieces that you don't really want. I call them The Undesirables, and they make great bargaining chips in the post-ToT trading.
I have such fond memories of Halloween: returning home after a successful night of Trick-or-Treating; spilling my pillowcase of candy onto the kitchen table; sorting the good stuff from the bad; ranking them; and then engaging with my brother in tense trade negotiations, in which we sought to offload our bad stock and gain a few new goodies.
Our parents would be on standby, greedily eyeing our treasure-troves, ready to intervene should a dispute arise (and collect for their services, of course). And when the trading was complete, both parties satisfied with the outcome, we'd race off to hide our candy in super secret hidey-holes. Mine was in a shoebox at the back of my closet. My brother's was under his bed (shhh...don't tell him I told you!).
If adults were allowed to beg for candy along with kids, then I would totally be out there this Halloween, costume, pillowcase, and all.
Sadly, it is frowned upon.
I'll have to settle for handing out the candy instead, surreptitiousy sneaking pieces from the bowl and mourning my lost childhood.
Oh, Halloween, how I love thee!
Sure, you get candy on Easter--chocolate eggs and marshmallow peeps--but you don't get much of them, and what's available is squirreled away in cheap plastic eggs, deliberately hidden from you as part of a ploy to thwart your seasonal candy consumption (if your parents, like mine, thought an Easter egg hunt entailed burying the eggs).
As a child, I spent hours methodically hunting for these capsules of candy, unearthing mounds of dirt and shrubbery in my quest for the sacred Cadbury Creme Egg.
How were my efforts rewarded, you ask.
Well, with the exception of a few meager treats (not nearly enough to satisfy my youthful cravings), I was left feeling disillusioned and depressed. Where were the fonts of Easter sweets, flowing plentiful with candy-colored eggs and jelly beans and chocolate delights? I felt betrayed.
Never again.
Now I don't mean to malign Easter; I'm sure there are many people who genuinely enjoy this holiday. Sadly, I am not one of them. My experiences have forever stained this once beloved Sunday.
Halloween, on the other hand, has always proven pleasant and enjoyable. Without all the work of hunting and digging, Halloween offers children (and adults) a chance to gorge themselves on something that, on any other day of the year, would be considered unwise in such large proportions (fools!).
It's the one day of the year when we are permitted to indulge ourselves--in both candy and costumes (and peep into strangers' homes when they open the door).
Imagine being showered with handfuls of sweets upon uttering the simple phrase: "Trick or Treat!" That's fun and easy!
And the candy you acquire is so plentiful that it cannot possibly be consumed by one person in one night (unless you enjoy tummy aches, sugar rushes and childhood obesity). Spread it out over several days, and enjoy the unique sensation of feeling utterly sick of chocolate after ingesting your 32nd piece of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. There's nothing quite so wonderful as overglutting yourself on candy. No feeling on earth that compares to the feeling of revulsion when you've simply had TOO MUCH.
Truly, Halloween is a modern miracle.
Even those not-so-great candies can yield massive amounts of FUN. You know, those pieces that you don't really want. I call them The Undesirables, and they make great bargaining chips in the post-ToT trading.
I have such fond memories of Halloween: returning home after a successful night of Trick-or-Treating; spilling my pillowcase of candy onto the kitchen table; sorting the good stuff from the bad; ranking them; and then engaging with my brother in tense trade negotiations, in which we sought to offload our bad stock and gain a few new goodies.
Our parents would be on standby, greedily eyeing our treasure-troves, ready to intervene should a dispute arise (and collect for their services, of course). And when the trading was complete, both parties satisfied with the outcome, we'd race off to hide our candy in super secret hidey-holes. Mine was in a shoebox at the back of my closet. My brother's was under his bed (shhh...don't tell him I told you!).
If adults were allowed to beg for candy along with kids, then I would totally be out there this Halloween, costume, pillowcase, and all.
Sadly, it is frowned upon.
I'll have to settle for handing out the candy instead, surreptitiousy sneaking pieces from the bowl and mourning my lost childhood.
Oh, Halloween, how I love thee!
Saturday, October 23, 2010
YA Bookie Monster GIVEAWAY!!!
YA Bookie Monster is giving away up to 8 books when she reaches 170 followers!!!
The prize pack includes:
BEAUTIFUL CREATURES by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
FALLEN by Lauren Kate
HUSH, HUSH by Becca Fitzpatrick
THE HOLLOW by Jessica Verday
SWOON by Nina Malkin
INFINITE DAYS by Rebecca Maizel
THE IRON KING by Julie Kagawa
DRACULA, MY LOVE by Syrie James
The contest ends November 10th.
To enter: www.yabookiemonster.blogspot.com
Reading or Breathing Book Giveaway!!!
Reading or Breathing is giving away a copy of Alexandra Bracken's BRIGHTLY WOVEN!!!
Check it out: www.readingorbreathing.com
Monday, October 18, 2010
Lisa Desrochers' October Debut Contest!!!
Yay! Lisa Desrochers is giving away copies of her own book PERSONAL DEMONS and Andrea Cremer's NIGHTSHADE! The contest ends at noon on October 29. Here's the link:
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
STEAMPUNKY BOOTS
THIS IS SO STEAMPUNK.
I LOVE IT.
 |
Bwah-hah-ha! Soon, my daaarlings, you shall be mine. Forever! |
I WANT THEM.
AND I SHALL HAVE THEM.
Soon...very soon.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Early thoughts on THE DEMON'S COVENANT
I'm neck-deep in The Demon's Covenant and enjoying every minute of it. You know how some books come across as sloppily written, flabby and unfocused, and others seem exceptionally tight and clean? Well, TDC is as taut as a bowstring. The prose is so lovely and expressive at points that I can't help being jealous of Sarah Rees Brennan's control. Her description of the Goblin Market and Liannan in Chapters 9 and 10 is so alluring as to draw you in, much like the way Mae is drawn to the fairy lights and magic of the market. It's like a dark fairytale, one so twisted and enchanting that you can't help but wish it were real.
It's obvious that Brennan doesn't just sit down at her computer, bang out a bunch of words, and call it a story. Thought and deliberation went into this scene, as they do in all of her scenes. Her characters are so well drawn as to be almost lifelike, in the sense that you can't predict what they'll say or do. Their reactions are always surprising and genuine, like real people.
And they way she plays with words, it's almost magical itself. The idea of Nick losing his words, or Liannan literally going down in flames, are just delightful to read.
There's something almost circular or self-contained about each scene, as if they were constructed with as much thought and care as the whole story. Each one feels important, reveals something new or furthers something only briefly hinted at before. Not one line of the novel feels out of place or unnecessary, and yet it feels full and rounded as good writing should.
Another reviewer described the plot as a series of layers, cleverly peeled away one at a time to reveal the mystery lurking at its core. But it's so much more than just a well-written mystery with well-developed characters. There is real depth at the heart of this story, real questions about what it means to be human, to be a family, to love.
I'm only about halfway through the book, but I want to savor every clever sentence and characterization. Already I see the set-up building for the final book in the series, The Demon's Surrender, and I can't wait to see how a certain pair of characters develop romantically (and no, I'm not talking about Mae and Nick).
Of course I read the last pages of TDC first and so already know how it ends, but my enjoyment remains undiminished. Simply reading Brennan's prose is a pleasure, and I can easily say that this is one of the best-written books I've read this year, if not one of the best stories.
I just thought I'd share my early thoughts with you, my dear Imaginary Reader. Until we meet again...
It's obvious that Brennan doesn't just sit down at her computer, bang out a bunch of words, and call it a story. Thought and deliberation went into this scene, as they do in all of her scenes. Her characters are so well drawn as to be almost lifelike, in the sense that you can't predict what they'll say or do. Their reactions are always surprising and genuine, like real people.
And they way she plays with words, it's almost magical itself. The idea of Nick losing his words, or Liannan literally going down in flames, are just delightful to read.
There's something almost circular or self-contained about each scene, as if they were constructed with as much thought and care as the whole story. Each one feels important, reveals something new or furthers something only briefly hinted at before. Not one line of the novel feels out of place or unnecessary, and yet it feels full and rounded as good writing should.
Another reviewer described the plot as a series of layers, cleverly peeled away one at a time to reveal the mystery lurking at its core. But it's so much more than just a well-written mystery with well-developed characters. There is real depth at the heart of this story, real questions about what it means to be human, to be a family, to love.
I'm only about halfway through the book, but I want to savor every clever sentence and characterization. Already I see the set-up building for the final book in the series, The Demon's Surrender, and I can't wait to see how a certain pair of characters develop romantically (and no, I'm not talking about Mae and Nick).
Of course I read the last pages of TDC first and so already know how it ends, but my enjoyment remains undiminished. Simply reading Brennan's prose is a pleasure, and I can easily say that this is one of the best-written books I've read this year, if not one of the best stories.
I just thought I'd share my early thoughts with you, my dear Imaginary Reader. Until we meet again...
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
ALPHA is here!
To celebrate the release of ALPHA
Bitten by Books is hosting a Contest!
The Prize:
Full signed sets of the Shifters series & Soul Screamers series!
(including an ARC of My Soul to Steal)
That's NINE signed books, all to one person!
To enter: http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=31160
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Crescendo is coming!
Here is the book trailer for Becca Fitzpatrick's Crescendo!
To celebrate the upcoming release of Crescendo (October 19),
Bitten by Books is hosting a Book and Jewelry Giveaway!
Here's the link: http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=31078
To celebrate the upcoming release of Crescendo (October 19),
Bitten by Books is hosting a Book and Jewelry Giveaway!
Here's the link: http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=31078
Monday, September 27, 2010
FOREVER is coming!
FOREVER!
THE LAST BOOK IN THE SHIVER TRILOGY
BY
MAGGIE STIEFVATER
BY
MAGGIE STIEFVATER
PRE-ORDER A SIGNED COPY HERE!
Boxes are BAD!
WARNING: Major Spoilers for Cassandra Clare's Clockwork Angel!
Has anyone (and by "anyone," I mean ME) noticed that bad things come in boxes in CA?
No, seriously. Allow me to demonstrate:
1) demon energies are stored in a wooden BOX called a Pyxis (according to Wikipedia, pyxis is latin for box)
2) Jem’s demon drugs are kept in a silver enameled BOX
3) Nate finds his mother’s diary pages in her jewelry BOX, which lead him to Mortmain
4) something bad happens to Will when he opens a BOX (possibly the same box that Jace inherits in CoG, if it’s a Herondale family heirloom)
5) Nate kills his aunt with a poisoned BOX of chocolates
No good comes from boxes in this book. People, beware the boxes!
Also, here are my questions about the Pyxis:
- What happens if the demon energies in the Pyxis are simply released into the atmosphere?
- With no use for them, like animating an evil clockwork army, what happens to them?
- Do the demon energies return to their own dimensions, like when a demon is killed in its physical form?
- Or does the demon consciousness immediately seek another vessel, such as a human being?
- Can the consciousness of a demon exist inside a living creature?
- When released from its prison, can the demon energy take on physical form without the aid of another vessel?
I think that the mystery box from Will’s childhood contained the consciousness of a demon, and in opening the box he inadvertently released it. Right into himself. If it’s possible that demons can inhabit the bodies of humans, then Will may have been the nearest vessel on hand. There may be a demon inside him, struggling against his soul (it’s mentioned more than once that demons don’t have souls), fighting for control of his body. This might have led him to hurt someone he loved (possibly this Cecily), forcing him to flee his family in order to protect them. He joins the Shadowhunters so he can spend the rest of his life killing demons, in the hopes that he will defeat his own personal demon. The demon within could explain Will’s cruelty to everyone but Jem (and Tessa) who also shares a troubling demon past and who is in the grips of a demon addiction.
Has anyone (and by "anyone," I mean ME) noticed that bad things come in boxes in CA?
No, seriously. Allow me to demonstrate:
1) demon energies are stored in a wooden BOX called a Pyxis (according to Wikipedia, pyxis is latin for box)
2) Jem’s demon drugs are kept in a silver enameled BOX
3) Nate finds his mother’s diary pages in her jewelry BOX, which lead him to Mortmain
4) something bad happens to Will when he opens a BOX (possibly the same box that Jace inherits in CoG, if it’s a Herondale family heirloom)
5) Nate kills his aunt with a poisoned BOX of chocolates
No good comes from boxes in this book. People, beware the boxes!
Also, here are my questions about the Pyxis:
- What happens if the demon energies in the Pyxis are simply released into the atmosphere?
- With no use for them, like animating an evil clockwork army, what happens to them?
- Do the demon energies return to their own dimensions, like when a demon is killed in its physical form?
- Or does the demon consciousness immediately seek another vessel, such as a human being?
- Can the consciousness of a demon exist inside a living creature?
- When released from its prison, can the demon energy take on physical form without the aid of another vessel?
I think that the mystery box from Will’s childhood contained the consciousness of a demon, and in opening the box he inadvertently released it. Right into himself. If it’s possible that demons can inhabit the bodies of humans, then Will may have been the nearest vessel on hand. There may be a demon inside him, struggling against his soul (it’s mentioned more than once that demons don’t have souls), fighting for control of his body. This might have led him to hurt someone he loved (possibly this Cecily), forcing him to flee his family in order to protect them. He joins the Shadowhunters so he can spend the rest of his life killing demons, in the hopes that he will defeat his own personal demon. The demon within could explain Will’s cruelty to everyone but Jem (and Tessa) who also shares a troubling demon past and who is in the grips of a demon addiction.
CLOCKWORK ANGEL: New Theories and Questions
1) I think Tessa is a demon with a soul, and Mortmain wants to bind her powers through a magical wedding ceremony. Is it settled that Tessa is a warlock? Magnus says she is, but there still seems to be some doubt. Mortmain clearly wants Tessa for her shape-changing abilities, but how will he gain control of them? If she was a demon, he could bind her to do his bidding.
2) Mortmain will use the Mortal Cup to control Tessa. We know that the Pyxis stores demon energies, and Jem says that Mortmain will need a lot more than is in the Pyxis if he wants to animate his entire clockwork army. How can one summon and control demons, store their consciousness in the Pyxis? If he had the Mortal Cup, which Valentine used in TMI to summon demons, then Mortmain could not only collect their energies for his army but also, maybe, control Tessa. If she was really demonic.
3) Will is going to become a vampire. He already has a predilection for biting, and as a bonus he hates vampires. Thinks they can’t feel or love the way humans can. So, of course, he’s bound to become one. On the plus side, he’ll be an immortal like Tessa. On the down side, he’ll no longer be a Shadowhunter like Jem. I don’t foresee any babies in the future for Will and Tessa, just a long and unhappy life as Downworlders.
I find that anyone who has an extended run-in with a certain group of Downworlders usually joins them in the end. Simon was kidnapped—or, rather, ratnapped—by vampires in the first book, then became one in the second. Will bit a vampire in CA, had to drink holy water to purge the tainted blood, and argued with Tessa about vampire souls. Obviously this is all leading in one direction: Vampire Will.
Someone on Twitter came up with an interesting theory: Mortmain becomes a vampire in The Infernal Devices, survives the final epic battle in the third book, and lives long enough to become the villain in City of Fallen Angels. I like that.
4) There’s a demon inside Will, fighting for control of his soul. Epic, I know. If there’s not actually a demon renting a room at the MOTEL WILL, there’s something at least demonic about him. C’mon people, eyes like the night sky in Hell?
5) I have a theory about CoFA and the big betrayal from within. I sent the moderators a post about how I though a demon energy escaped into Will, using him as a vessel of some kind. We know that when demons die, they return to their own dimensions. But...what if their consciousness chooses to escape into another physical form?
Sebastian/Jonathon was born of demon blood, and over the years this blood slowly burned out his humanity. A lot of people have speculated that Sebastian may still be alive in some form, his demon consciousness having returned to a demon dimension once Jace killed him in City of Glass.
What if he lingered?
There were three people present when Jace killed Sebastian: Jace, Sebastian and Isabelle. Either Sebastian escaped into Jace, or he escaped into Isabelle, laying low and biding his time. The summaries for the next TMI cycle mention that the characters will be betrayed by one of their own. My money is on Isabelle, because she’s someone you wouldn’t expect. But Jace is a good choice too; maybe he’ll lose his soul in City of Lost Souls and the others will have to reclaim it from Sebastian who takes control of Jace’s body. It might explain his weirdness in the CoFA excerpt.
2) Mortmain will use the Mortal Cup to control Tessa. We know that the Pyxis stores demon energies, and Jem says that Mortmain will need a lot more than is in the Pyxis if he wants to animate his entire clockwork army. How can one summon and control demons, store their consciousness in the Pyxis? If he had the Mortal Cup, which Valentine used in TMI to summon demons, then Mortmain could not only collect their energies for his army but also, maybe, control Tessa. If she was really demonic.
3) Will is going to become a vampire. He already has a predilection for biting, and as a bonus he hates vampires. Thinks they can’t feel or love the way humans can. So, of course, he’s bound to become one. On the plus side, he’ll be an immortal like Tessa. On the down side, he’ll no longer be a Shadowhunter like Jem. I don’t foresee any babies in the future for Will and Tessa, just a long and unhappy life as Downworlders.
I find that anyone who has an extended run-in with a certain group of Downworlders usually joins them in the end. Simon was kidnapped—or, rather, ratnapped—by vampires in the first book, then became one in the second. Will bit a vampire in CA, had to drink holy water to purge the tainted blood, and argued with Tessa about vampire souls. Obviously this is all leading in one direction: Vampire Will.
Someone on Twitter came up with an interesting theory: Mortmain becomes a vampire in The Infernal Devices, survives the final epic battle in the third book, and lives long enough to become the villain in City of Fallen Angels. I like that.
4) There’s a demon inside Will, fighting for control of his soul. Epic, I know. If there’s not actually a demon renting a room at the MOTEL WILL, there’s something at least demonic about him. C’mon people, eyes like the night sky in Hell?
5) I have a theory about CoFA and the big betrayal from within. I sent the moderators a post about how I though a demon energy escaped into Will, using him as a vessel of some kind. We know that when demons die, they return to their own dimensions. But...what if their consciousness chooses to escape into another physical form?
Sebastian/Jonathon was born of demon blood, and over the years this blood slowly burned out his humanity. A lot of people have speculated that Sebastian may still be alive in some form, his demon consciousness having returned to a demon dimension once Jace killed him in City of Glass.
What if he lingered?
There were three people present when Jace killed Sebastian: Jace, Sebastian and Isabelle. Either Sebastian escaped into Jace, or he escaped into Isabelle, laying low and biding his time. The summaries for the next TMI cycle mention that the characters will be betrayed by one of their own. My money is on Isabelle, because she’s someone you wouldn’t expect. But Jace is a good choice too; maybe he’ll lose his soul in City of Lost Souls and the others will have to reclaim it from Sebastian who takes control of Jace’s body. It might explain his weirdness in the CoFA excerpt.
Team Will vs Team Jem: How old are you?
I'm curious to know the average ages of the Team Will and Team Jem supporters. Do you think age and experience play a role in the way we perceive these two boys?
WARNING: Major Spoilers for Cassandra Clare’s Clockwork Angel
My Opinion:
To be honest, I don't like Will all that much. He's good-looking and witty, to be sure, but he's a jerk! Any guy who implies that the girl he likes is no better than a whore DOES NOT DESERVE HER. I don't care how tortured his past is--I don't care if he secretly *wuvs* her--that kind of behavior is unacceptable.
His cruelty and callousness toward the other Shadowhunters, Henry especially, is totally uncalled for. Yes, Jessamine is rude and insensitive too, and her general disdain for all things supernatural, including her own species, might not endear her to Will. But that's no excuse for the way he treats her or others--you don't see Jem or Henry or Charlotte quarreling with her. Not even Will's solitary affection for Jem discounts his belittling remarks about Henry, who is just as good and kind as Jem (I think he is partial to Jem because they share a demon past). And the way he looks and talks to Sophie makes me acutely uncomfortable with his character.
On the surface, I understand the appeal of the Bad Boy--he's dangerous, sexy, whatever. But the whole idea of wanting to reform the Bad Boy never appealed to me. It seems like an awful lot of work when there are so many perfectly nice, well-adjusted young men around. What's wrong with a good guy--seriously, no reformation work necessary on your part.
Now this is only speculation, but I'm guessing that those who are Team Will are on average younger than those who are Team Jem. I imagine that a young girl (14-18), relatively inexperienced with boys, would be more likely to put up with a guy who treats her badly. Note: I'm not saying that she will, I'm saying that she's more likely to than someone, say, five years older.
One of the reasons I like Tessa is because she doesn't put up with Will's asshattery. That doesn't stop her from liking him or being attracted to him, but it certainly doesn't fill her with love and affection. It’s true that we can’t always control who we’re attracted to, but we can control what we do with that attraction. Either we choose to act on it, or we don’t.
Now an older girl, on the other hand, one with more experience in dating, would probably not put up with someone like Will. Unless she's got, like, really low self-esteem. Jem would be the preferred choice: his kindness, maturity and inner strength are all part of his appeal. A guy who trusts you with the darkest, most disturbing secret of his past instead of pushing you away? Now that’s sexy!
If Will continues to treat Tessa like some worthless downworlder, then he’s going to lose his chance with her. Sexy smoldering blue eyes be damned!
WARNING: Major Spoilers for Cassandra Clare’s Clockwork Angel
My Opinion:
To be honest, I don't like Will all that much. He's good-looking and witty, to be sure, but he's a jerk! Any guy who implies that the girl he likes is no better than a whore DOES NOT DESERVE HER. I don't care how tortured his past is--I don't care if he secretly *wuvs* her--that kind of behavior is unacceptable.
His cruelty and callousness toward the other Shadowhunters, Henry especially, is totally uncalled for. Yes, Jessamine is rude and insensitive too, and her general disdain for all things supernatural, including her own species, might not endear her to Will. But that's no excuse for the way he treats her or others--you don't see Jem or Henry or Charlotte quarreling with her. Not even Will's solitary affection for Jem discounts his belittling remarks about Henry, who is just as good and kind as Jem (I think he is partial to Jem because they share a demon past). And the way he looks and talks to Sophie makes me acutely uncomfortable with his character.
On the surface, I understand the appeal of the Bad Boy--he's dangerous, sexy, whatever. But the whole idea of wanting to reform the Bad Boy never appealed to me. It seems like an awful lot of work when there are so many perfectly nice, well-adjusted young men around. What's wrong with a good guy--seriously, no reformation work necessary on your part.
Now this is only speculation, but I'm guessing that those who are Team Will are on average younger than those who are Team Jem. I imagine that a young girl (14-18), relatively inexperienced with boys, would be more likely to put up with a guy who treats her badly. Note: I'm not saying that she will, I'm saying that she's more likely to than someone, say, five years older.
One of the reasons I like Tessa is because she doesn't put up with Will's asshattery. That doesn't stop her from liking him or being attracted to him, but it certainly doesn't fill her with love and affection. It’s true that we can’t always control who we’re attracted to, but we can control what we do with that attraction. Either we choose to act on it, or we don’t.
Now an older girl, on the other hand, one with more experience in dating, would probably not put up with someone like Will. Unless she's got, like, really low self-esteem. Jem would be the preferred choice: his kindness, maturity and inner strength are all part of his appeal. A guy who trusts you with the darkest, most disturbing secret of his past instead of pushing you away? Now that’s sexy!
If Will continues to treat Tessa like some worthless downworlder, then he’s going to lose his chance with her. Sexy smoldering blue eyes be damned!
Thursday, September 23, 2010
My Predictions for The Infernal Devices
I think Tessa will end up with Will by the third book, and I’ll tell you why.
Like Jace and Clary in TMI, there is some obstacle standing in the way of Tessa and Will’s relationship. I doubt they’re secretly brother and sister, but I’m sure it’s something equally traumatic and seemingly insurmountable. Now, Will clearly likes Tessa and wants to be with her (if their encounter in the attic is any indication), but there is something preventing him from expressing this desire. As a result, Will feels the need to push Tessa away through blatant cruelty and callousness, leading her to seek comfort in the companionship of his best friend, Jem. (Cassandra Clare has mentioned that the next book, Clockwork Prince, will focus more on Tessa and Jem’s relationship as it develops, and hopefully answer some of the questions that were raised by the cliffhanger ending of Clockwork Angel.)
This is only a guess, of course, but I’m assuming that Will’s late night visit to Magnus has something to do with this so-called obstacle that is preventing him from being with Tessa. Why else would he seek Magnus’ help, if not to overcome something that has forced him to keep nearly everyone in his life at arm’s length (with the exception of Jem, who is dying)? Whatever his situation or condition, Will seems accustomed to it or, at the very least, resigned. Until now. The desperation with which he seeks Magnus’ help is being fueled by something, and it seems to me that that something is Tessa. She has only just entered his life, but his attachment to her is strong enough that others have noticed it. I imagine that the next book will chronicle his struggle to overcome whatever this obstacle is, while Tessa grows increasingly closer to Jem, thus forming another obstacle to their relationship.
Jem, on the other hand, has no obstacle to overcome (if we exclude the fact he and his best friend may be in love with the same girl). If he and Tessa are attracted to each other, then there is nothing really preventing them from being together. He has already revealed the terrible secret of his life, trusted Tessa with the truth of his demon-induced illness and addiction. Jem’s problem is one of time—he doesn’t have a lot of it. His addiction is slowly killing him, which Tessa is aware of, and will not have as much time with her as, say, another comparatively healthier Shadowhunter. Of course, the same could be said for Will who, if he remains human, will eventually die as well. The only difference is that he and Tessa will have more years together...hopefully. Thus, the issue of time isn’t really an issue at all when considering obstacles to a relationship. The fact that he is going to die sooner than expected shouldn’t stop them from being together.
My point is that Will has more to overcome if he wants to be with Tessa, and that fact alone is probably why he’ll end up with her by the third book. There is more conflict and angst to be mined from his obstacle than Jem’s, which isn’t really an obstacle at all. Will risks more, struggles more, to be with Tessa, and if he succeeds the payoff will be greater for readers. This was the case for Jace and Clary in TMI, so I’m assuming the same narrative payoff will come at the end of The Infernal Devices in Book 3.
Now I haven’t read the second book in the series, so this is all speculation anyway. Things may change for Jem, new obstacles may arise, or maybe we’ll learn the nature of Will’s problem and realize it has nothing to do with Tessa and his desire for her. I don’t know—I only know what I think will happen. But the one thing I’m certain of: there a still a lot more surprises ahead for the characters of The Infernal Devices, and I can’t wait!
Like Jace and Clary in TMI, there is some obstacle standing in the way of Tessa and Will’s relationship. I doubt they’re secretly brother and sister, but I’m sure it’s something equally traumatic and seemingly insurmountable. Now, Will clearly likes Tessa and wants to be with her (if their encounter in the attic is any indication), but there is something preventing him from expressing this desire. As a result, Will feels the need to push Tessa away through blatant cruelty and callousness, leading her to seek comfort in the companionship of his best friend, Jem. (Cassandra Clare has mentioned that the next book, Clockwork Prince, will focus more on Tessa and Jem’s relationship as it develops, and hopefully answer some of the questions that were raised by the cliffhanger ending of Clockwork Angel.)
This is only a guess, of course, but I’m assuming that Will’s late night visit to Magnus has something to do with this so-called obstacle that is preventing him from being with Tessa. Why else would he seek Magnus’ help, if not to overcome something that has forced him to keep nearly everyone in his life at arm’s length (with the exception of Jem, who is dying)? Whatever his situation or condition, Will seems accustomed to it or, at the very least, resigned. Until now. The desperation with which he seeks Magnus’ help is being fueled by something, and it seems to me that that something is Tessa. She has only just entered his life, but his attachment to her is strong enough that others have noticed it. I imagine that the next book will chronicle his struggle to overcome whatever this obstacle is, while Tessa grows increasingly closer to Jem, thus forming another obstacle to their relationship.
Jem, on the other hand, has no obstacle to overcome (if we exclude the fact he and his best friend may be in love with the same girl). If he and Tessa are attracted to each other, then there is nothing really preventing them from being together. He has already revealed the terrible secret of his life, trusted Tessa with the truth of his demon-induced illness and addiction. Jem’s problem is one of time—he doesn’t have a lot of it. His addiction is slowly killing him, which Tessa is aware of, and will not have as much time with her as, say, another comparatively healthier Shadowhunter. Of course, the same could be said for Will who, if he remains human, will eventually die as well. The only difference is that he and Tessa will have more years together...hopefully. Thus, the issue of time isn’t really an issue at all when considering obstacles to a relationship. The fact that he is going to die sooner than expected shouldn’t stop them from being together.
My point is that Will has more to overcome if he wants to be with Tessa, and that fact alone is probably why he’ll end up with her by the third book. There is more conflict and angst to be mined from his obstacle than Jem’s, which isn’t really an obstacle at all. Will risks more, struggles more, to be with Tessa, and if he succeeds the payoff will be greater for readers. This was the case for Jace and Clary in TMI, so I’m assuming the same narrative payoff will come at the end of The Infernal Devices in Book 3.
Now I haven’t read the second book in the series, so this is all speculation anyway. Things may change for Jem, new obstacles may arise, or maybe we’ll learn the nature of Will’s problem and realize it has nothing to do with Tessa and his desire for her. I don’t know—I only know what I think will happen. But the one thing I’m certain of: there a still a lot more surprises ahead for the characters of The Infernal Devices, and I can’t wait!
Why I Can't Read Mockingjay
Last night I was attempting to explain to my roommate why I cannot read the last installment in Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games Trilogy, Mockingjay. Of course, I'll eventually get around to reading it (it's currently sitting on my bookshelf, gathering dust and staring at me accusingly).
The problem is the ending. I couldn't bear it if the characters that I have come to invest in so deeply died. Or changed in a way that made me sad and unhappy for them. I couldn't handle it if they DIED. That would be the worst, but also ending up alone at the end of the book would be equally bad (like the ending of Libba Bray's The Sweet Far Thing--Gemma embarking on a journy to America, strong and independent but ultimately alone).
A second problem is that I loved the first two books, finished them in one sitting, and waited impatiently for the last. Though I admit The Hunger Games was better than Catching Fire, they were both excellent, addictive reads. I don't want the final book in the trilogy to disappoint, but I also don't want it to end.
And herein lies another problem. It's the LAST book. The end. The finale. The conclusion that we have all been waiting for. That puts a lot of pressure on the author to deliver an ending as good, if not better, than its beginning. But that also fills the reader with a great deal of anxiety, because we want the ending of Katniss' story to be as good as the beginning of it. We want it so much that in some cases (like mine) we're afraid to even pick up the book lest it disappoint us at some point.
At the end of Catching Fire, Katniss is rescued but Peeta is captured. Sweet, sensitive Peeta is taken prisoner by the Capitol while Katniss, who may not have understood the extent of her love for Peeta, has to endure the thought of him being tortured and possibly killed. I'm with Katniss. It's too hard. The idea that Peeta could come out of this story a changed man--no longer the quietly confident, strong, supportive Peeta that we have known and grown to love along with Katniss--fills me with dread. What if all the light, happy things are tortured out of him, and he becomes as haunted and hard as Katniss?
I repeat: I couldn't handle it.
I would put the book down and not return for a very long time, if at all.
There's also the possiblity that my reluctance to read the book stems not from fear of its outcome but from a waning interest in the series. When The Hunger Games first appeared on the scene, it was huge. A surprise seller that had everyone talking. Then came Catching Fire, and by then the fire had not only caught with millions of readers, it had spread and consumed them. The second book became one of the most hotly anticipated YA novels of that year, and though it wasn't nearly as good or ground-breaking as its predecessor, it was still amazing. Many people are still riding that wave of excitment and anticipation, but for some the tide has gone down. Don't misunderstand me, we're still excited, very much so. But we're no longer frantic to finish the series. The fervor has died down, at least among my set, and now we're simply pleased the book is out.
Maybe I haven't opened the book yet because I'm not as frantic to read it as I was for the last two installments. Maybe this is not particular to the The Hunger Games Trilogy, but symptomatic of a larger, more general decline in the YA market. Great books are still being produced, but that initial excitement and enthusiasm have quieted somewhat.
I myself have made a tentative foray into the adult romance genre, though I still partake of adult urban fantasy and paranormal fiction. This may also have to do with age. A lot of YA readers were, at first, young adults. They were satisfied with the PG-13 descriptions of sex and romance, the sweet kindlings of first love and all that nonsense. Now they're older and they want more. More explicit details, more maturity, more R-rated content. It's a good thing a lot of YA writers started out in the adult market and can provide that more mature fare.
But I sincerely hope the boon in urban fantasy and paranormal romance continues, because it's begun to bleed over into the historical romance genre, which I love (regency werewolves and victorian vampires anyone?). I think some YA novels, as a result, have become or will become a little more racy. Or that may have to do with the fact that, as the market continues to boom, many authors are crossing over into YA, bringing with them their racier sensibilities. Whatever the cause, I'm glad. I was getting a little frustrated with the lack of sexy times in the works of some of my favorite authors.
Back to Mockingjay. I know that I will eventually read it, and I'll probably love is just as much as its siblings. But that fear that comes with the emotional investment in characters of fiction is not something that I have experienced much. There are some authors who you know would NEVER kill off their main characters, because those authors are just like you. They want the happy ending and all its fanfare. They want the big fireworks show to celebrate the fact that everyone important survived (City of Glass, I'm looking at you).
And then there are those maverick authors, the ones whose stories you can't predict. There's something slightly more serious about these writers, because you know deep down that they're not afraid to kill off their characters if the story demands it. THEY'RE NOT AFRAID, and that makes them dangerous. No one is safe, not even the protagonist. Not even her soul mate, the love of her life, the man she cannot live without though she doesn't quite know it yet. (Yeah, I'm thinking of Peeta, though Katniss would never describe him is such sticky-sweet, cloying terms, and I'm pretty sure that if he did die she'd survive and go on.)
I think what I'm trying to say is, I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN. And that scares me, because it gives the writer power over my emotions. If Peeta dies, I'll probably cry. And rage. And throw the book out the window, cursing Suzanne Collins from the depths of my soul. Or maybe he'll live and I'll cry, falling to my knees and fervently kissing the ground that Suzanne walks on. "Such a good, kind woman," I'll murmur to myself, tears of joy welling in my eyes, the book pressed lovingly to my heart. "So good."
Either scenario is possible. Scary, right? That's why I can't read Mockingjay. Not yet.
The problem is the ending. I couldn't bear it if the characters that I have come to invest in so deeply died. Or changed in a way that made me sad and unhappy for them. I couldn't handle it if they DIED. That would be the worst, but also ending up alone at the end of the book would be equally bad (like the ending of Libba Bray's The Sweet Far Thing--Gemma embarking on a journy to America, strong and independent but ultimately alone).
A second problem is that I loved the first two books, finished them in one sitting, and waited impatiently for the last. Though I admit The Hunger Games was better than Catching Fire, they were both excellent, addictive reads. I don't want the final book in the trilogy to disappoint, but I also don't want it to end.
And herein lies another problem. It's the LAST book. The end. The finale. The conclusion that we have all been waiting for. That puts a lot of pressure on the author to deliver an ending as good, if not better, than its beginning. But that also fills the reader with a great deal of anxiety, because we want the ending of Katniss' story to be as good as the beginning of it. We want it so much that in some cases (like mine) we're afraid to even pick up the book lest it disappoint us at some point.
At the end of Catching Fire, Katniss is rescued but Peeta is captured. Sweet, sensitive Peeta is taken prisoner by the Capitol while Katniss, who may not have understood the extent of her love for Peeta, has to endure the thought of him being tortured and possibly killed. I'm with Katniss. It's too hard. The idea that Peeta could come out of this story a changed man--no longer the quietly confident, strong, supportive Peeta that we have known and grown to love along with Katniss--fills me with dread. What if all the light, happy things are tortured out of him, and he becomes as haunted and hard as Katniss?
I repeat: I couldn't handle it.
I would put the book down and not return for a very long time, if at all.
There's also the possiblity that my reluctance to read the book stems not from fear of its outcome but from a waning interest in the series. When The Hunger Games first appeared on the scene, it was huge. A surprise seller that had everyone talking. Then came Catching Fire, and by then the fire had not only caught with millions of readers, it had spread and consumed them. The second book became one of the most hotly anticipated YA novels of that year, and though it wasn't nearly as good or ground-breaking as its predecessor, it was still amazing. Many people are still riding that wave of excitment and anticipation, but for some the tide has gone down. Don't misunderstand me, we're still excited, very much so. But we're no longer frantic to finish the series. The fervor has died down, at least among my set, and now we're simply pleased the book is out.
Maybe I haven't opened the book yet because I'm not as frantic to read it as I was for the last two installments. Maybe this is not particular to the The Hunger Games Trilogy, but symptomatic of a larger, more general decline in the YA market. Great books are still being produced, but that initial excitement and enthusiasm have quieted somewhat.
I myself have made a tentative foray into the adult romance genre, though I still partake of adult urban fantasy and paranormal fiction. This may also have to do with age. A lot of YA readers were, at first, young adults. They were satisfied with the PG-13 descriptions of sex and romance, the sweet kindlings of first love and all that nonsense. Now they're older and they want more. More explicit details, more maturity, more R-rated content. It's a good thing a lot of YA writers started out in the adult market and can provide that more mature fare.
But I sincerely hope the boon in urban fantasy and paranormal romance continues, because it's begun to bleed over into the historical romance genre, which I love (regency werewolves and victorian vampires anyone?). I think some YA novels, as a result, have become or will become a little more racy. Or that may have to do with the fact that, as the market continues to boom, many authors are crossing over into YA, bringing with them their racier sensibilities. Whatever the cause, I'm glad. I was getting a little frustrated with the lack of sexy times in the works of some of my favorite authors.
Back to Mockingjay. I know that I will eventually read it, and I'll probably love is just as much as its siblings. But that fear that comes with the emotional investment in characters of fiction is not something that I have experienced much. There are some authors who you know would NEVER kill off their main characters, because those authors are just like you. They want the happy ending and all its fanfare. They want the big fireworks show to celebrate the fact that everyone important survived (City of Glass, I'm looking at you).
And then there are those maverick authors, the ones whose stories you can't predict. There's something slightly more serious about these writers, because you know deep down that they're not afraid to kill off their characters if the story demands it. THEY'RE NOT AFRAID, and that makes them dangerous. No one is safe, not even the protagonist. Not even her soul mate, the love of her life, the man she cannot live without though she doesn't quite know it yet. (Yeah, I'm thinking of Peeta, though Katniss would never describe him is such sticky-sweet, cloying terms, and I'm pretty sure that if he did die she'd survive and go on.)
I think what I'm trying to say is, I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN. And that scares me, because it gives the writer power over my emotions. If Peeta dies, I'll probably cry. And rage. And throw the book out the window, cursing Suzanne Collins from the depths of my soul. Or maybe he'll live and I'll cry, falling to my knees and fervently kissing the ground that Suzanne walks on. "Such a good, kind woman," I'll murmur to myself, tears of joy welling in my eyes, the book pressed lovingly to my heart. "So good."
Either scenario is possible. Scary, right? That's why I can't read Mockingjay. Not yet.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
MY NEW BLOG!
Dear Imaginary Reader,
I have a new blog. That is all.
Sincerely,
Germaine
P.S. It's so pretty!
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