April 30, 2009 at 11:40 pm (fiction, review, theology)
Tags: Jacqueline Carey, Kushiel, masochist
I originally picked up this series because there was a line on the front cover of Book 1 Kushiel’s Dart from Robert Jordan essentially complimenting the intricacies of the series. I mean, hey, if Jordan liked it, it MUST be good. He didn’t fail me either. Set in a world pretty darn close to our own, well, our own in the 1600’s maybe, this intricate fantasy piles on intrigue, politics, espionage, theology, and an extremely healthy dose of masochism. You weren’t expecting that last bit, were you?
While love (in ALL its forms) is a prominent theme in this series, it is not brimming with those flowery (and horrible) phrases that induce vomiting. i.e. throbbing, heaving, bosom… that’s about all I know. You get the picture. When sex is mentioned, its very much the whips and chains version…somehow this is done in a way that is neither offensive, too much, or even a highlight of the book. The main character just happened to be a masochist, that’s all, hell, she’s a gods chosen masochist. Nope, not something I’m in to, you don’t need to be either, that’s just a fair warning for all of you. While the main character may be a bit… different, she is also one of the best and most interesting spies I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading about.
The characters in these books are intricate, involved, and extremely real. The conflicts are both involved and involving, and more then once I had no idea where it all was going to end up.The parallels to our world are fantastic, especially involving religion. Everything is so familiar, yet so blatantly different that it seems all the more real. This has become a near and dear series to me. I’ve only read through book 3, so far, and haven’t lost interest yet.
Leave a Comment
April 29, 2009 at 11:41 pm (Uncategorized)
Tags: Memoir, review, Stephen King, Writing
I’m nearly 10 years behind in the review of this book. If you haven’t yet read King’s On Writing, it’s past time to get to it. If you aren’t interested in writing but are interested in the life of the author (even a little bit) pick this one up.
The first half of this book cover’s the life of Stephen King. Guess what? It was interesting. Actually, it wasn’t just interesting, but laugh out loud funny in quite a few parts. I have always imagined that this man had come from some blue blood New England family, when it’s the complete opposite. King has worked his butt of to get where he is and that makes me appreciate him a great deal more then I did. The incite that he provides into his experiences is worth the read.
I’ve read quite a few How-To books on writing. Yes, I know, it doesn’t exactly show here. I try to keep things nice and casual. This book is one of the best. His explanations are the no holds barred advice that writers need to hear. He also includes examples of good editing and admits where he has his own problems. This is probably the only book on writing that I’ve come across where the other admits that he doesn’t poop (sorry, King, I try to keep the site PG) gold bricks on the first go around.
Again, even if you don’t give a damn about writing, the family stories in this book are priceless.
Mr. King, I doubt you’ll ever read this blog, but if you do, I need to say thanks for finishing this book!
Leave a Comment
April 29, 2009 at 11:25 pm (Uncategorized)
After over 6 months of inaction, I am happy to say that I am back to continue this blog. Life has been a little bit crazy, but when it’s all said and done, that’s what makes it interesting.
I’ve kept up with my writing (and reading) and have a few things out being reviewed (and hopefully accepted) my magazines and such. Now… on to the reviews! If anyone has any suggested reading or would like an opinion on a book, feel free to ask. New books = happy me!
Leave a Comment
