Art focus…
**“The job of the artist is always to deepen the mystery.” Francis Bacon **
…in which case the artists who created the artwork below are certainly doing a good job!
Looking at cover art. Because I love it. Because it deserves recognition. Because it’s the first thing that catches your eye when you’re inundated with choice!
I wanted to focus here on some of the cover art that has adorned editions of Apex Magazine. I love art, I’m certainly not a connoisseur and I couldn’t discuss with you all the finer points of some of the art shown below. I simply know what I like and I like these.
The artwork featured below is all courtesy of Apex Magazine. Their website is here if you want to check them out. Also, check out this post at Little Red Reviewer for more information.
I love these pictures, I would definitely hang them on my walls – these might not be your favourites as I do tend to sway to the fantasy side but there are plenty more to stop and look at.
Firstly, look at this lovely picture. Its absolutely gorgeous. It makes me think of Alice in Wonderland and every time I look at it I notice something new. Keys hang from the upper branch and a curtain swept aside reveals a tiny little door that leads to somewhere amazing (I just know it does). I realise that curiosity killed the cat but I really want to know where that door leads to…
Dolls – they’re scary right? And does one of those teddy bears in the picture below have only one beady eye – a la cyclop’s fashion? Are you people trying to give me nightmares? Clowns and dolls aren’t enough – now we have to have scary cuddly toys!
Now just feast your eyes on this picture – I simply love the curly horned guy in this picture – I actually want to be his friend! Make him smile, a nice cup of tea tea and a little bit of sympathy! Really though, does he look forlorn to you? Plus, how fitting is this picture – I’m currently reading Beauty by Robin McKinley and I can’t help thinking of this picture as I’m reading along.
The issue below right has a stunning cover – designed undoubtedly as a reflection of the fact this it was a special Shakespeare edition! Tragic and haunting. I’ll be reading Twelfth Night soon – yes, not exactly Romeo and Juliet – but come on, it’s Shakespeare.
And, finally, for me, this one. Raised by lions perhaps and she has the scars to prove it!
Words of Radiance by Brandon Sanderson, readalong week 1
2 April 2014
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Brandon Sanderson, Dab of Darkness, readalong week 1, Stainless Steel Droppings, Words of Radiance
Today marks the start of a 10 week readalong of Brandon Sanderson’s Words of Radiance arranged jointly by Dab of Darkness and Stainless Steel Droppings. This is a very gentle readalong. Only roughly 100 pages a week and it’s going to be awesome so I really hope you’ll all consider joining in – it’s an amazing way to read a book like this in conversation with so many people (schedule here). Anyway, this week’s questions have come to us via Liesel over at Musings on Fantasia. I can’t wait, so, here goes: (Oh, fyi – spoilers below, they’re like spren, if you read this they will pop up all over the place – readingspren!)
1. We basically get the same prologue from the first book except from Jasnah’s POV. She tells Gangnah that her father’s assassin walked on the wall, and it’s ignored. We also see the Parshman leaders immediately take credit for the assassin. What did you make of it all? Insights? Impressions? How will this affect the story going forward?
I thought this was really quite eye opening – it certainly gives the reader a good idea of why Jasnah is so determined to find out about the Parshmen and Szeth. It’s also interesting that Jasnah’s assertion that Szeth walked on the wall was basically ignored. These people really have forgotten all about binding!
2. Andolin and Shallan are unofficially engaged. How do you see this relationship panning out?
I have a good feeling about this (so no doubt it’ll all go pear shaped). I think that Andolin and Shallan could be really good for each other. Andolin needs something to ground him a little and I think Shallan will do just that. Also, he concentrates a lot on running around in fairly fickle company with a constantly changing string of partners – although, that being said, I like him and I think he’s changed already since the beginning of the story. He had a shock about his father and has seen the right in that scenario. By the same token Shallan hasn’t always been the most straightforward of characters. I didn’t really like it when she went to work for Jasnah just in order to steal from her. But, again, I have come to like her and I think the two of them could become a winning team.
3. Kaladin wants to keep his Radiant powers a secret for as long as possible. How successful do you think he’ll be? How long will he remain hidden? Do you think he’ll succeed in training the thousand?
I think that Kaladin will succeed at everything! Of course I’m having a tiny little Kaladin crush so I could be slightly biased. I don’t blame him for wanting to keep his powers secret – once word of that gets out it will be ‘a big thing’. People don’t seem to realise that there’s already Szeth out there with similar powers so Kaladin could almost be looked upon as the ‘first’ one since the Radiants. It could turn into one of those really terrible moments where everyone chases you out of town with pitchforks and torches or he could be put on a pedestal – neither would be really helpful. Plus, he’s got rather a terrible history of everything being taken from him to date so it’s no surprise that he wants to hold onto this.
4. Jasnah thinks Shallan’s spren is a Cryptic, as opposed to an Honorspren which is what Syl is. What do you think is the significance of this? What does it mean for Shallan? For Kaladin?
I love this whole spren thing. It’s just so intriguing and it kind of makes sense that Shallan’s spren is different. I like the idea of a cryptic spren. This spren seems to see things in a different way, nothing is simply straightforward. Although, there is all this talk of one spren thinking that the other spren have been dishonourable so you can’t help thinking that maybe Syl will not like this cryptic spren? Like maybe the cryptic spren have given something away? There was mention by Shallan’s spren of something along the line ‘no lies without truth’, or, I don’t think I’ve phrased that very well, but I think the spren was trying to say if you have one you have the other. Maybe the cryptic spren think that truth is all a matter of perspective. I also wondered why certain types of spren attach themselves to certain types of people? Like Syl being a Honorspren attached to Kaladin – who, as we know is full of honour. Did Shallan attract this Cryptic spren for a reason – she was after all planning on stealing from Jasnah and did tell a few lies along the way, although she had her own justifications??
5. How will Kaladin accomplish all of the tasks Dalinar has laid on him? Do you think Dalinar’s plan with the duels will work to stave off civil war and help unite the high princes?
Did I mention that I’m very fond of Kaladin? No?? Well, I think he’s excellent. I love this character. And, yes, I think he can accomplish all these tasks. I think he’s the type of character that thrives on responsibility and tasks against the odds. Plus, it’s an excellent idea to use the bridgemen and infiltrate them into the protection of the King and Dalinar. After all, they’re going to have their own commitments and bonds and after everything that’s happened they have to start seeing Kaladin as something good. As to the plans with the duels I was completely taken off guard with that. It almost seems a bizarre plan – basically looking at using one person to undermine all the highprinces. Seems tricky not to mention there is always the possibility of Andolin not beating everyone – however, having thought about it, it is quite a cunning plan. Let’s face it, even if Andolin starts to hold duels and wins a few shardblades people will start to take notice. Also, there is always a chance that Sadeas will challenge him and it would be so satisfying if Andolin kicked some Sadass butt! (I called him Sadass on purpose!)
6. After the incident with the ship, do you think Jasnah is truly dead? Predictions?
I don’t think she’s dead and I hope that I’m right. There seemed such a lack of detail – it feels somehow like a foil. I don’t know how and I’m probably wrong but I’m thinking that maybe Jasnah had somehow conjured that scene. I’m probably off with the detail but to kill off Jasnah at this point, for no particular reason or moving on of the plot, seems very unSandersonlike.
7. What are your first thoughts/impressions of Pattern? How do you see his and Shallan’s relationship developing?
I can’t dislike Pattern. It’s a bit like when Shallan first started to draw and then see the cryptics – I just didn’t think they were threatening. I also think it’s interesting that Jasnah thinks the cryptics have driven Shallan to seek her out and train her. If they were really bad wouldn’t they try and keep her away from any other influences. Perhaps they want to help. I don’t know!!
Looking forward to everyone’s comments which will no doubt put me back on the right track!
Don’t forget to stop over all the others.
Gateway books/authors
This week’s topic on the Broke and the Bookish is: Top Ten “Gateway” Books/Authors In My Reading Journey:
- A fairytale book that I had when I was young. I can’t remember the name of the book but it contained about 10 fairytales including Rapunzel, Beauty and the Beast and Rose Red and Snow White. I loved that book and clearly it encouraged my love of this type of story.
- At the same time as the above I had another story book – same publisher and with 10 stories (I so wish I could remember the name of this book!) The stories were all illustrated with simple black and white pencil drawings and I literally could read this over and over again as the stories were all unusual and maybe even slightly scary. For example, there was a story of a young child sat at a table drawing characters. Unfortunately she wasn’t very good at drawing and the people she drew came alive off the page and told her off and chased her for drawing their legs uneven, or eyes different sizes. Definitely an unusal set of stories but I loved them and they encouraged my liking of the bizarre and fantastical.
- Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien- one of the first books that really hooked me on fantasy. With so many great books out there is would be folly not to read fantasy!
- Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell – I mention this because I read it when I was about 14 and loved it, literally couldn’t put it down for about 4 or 5 days – I think it was one of the first stories that grabbed my attention so much that I basically forgot about the world outside.
- Daphne DuMaurier – I love her writing and her book Rebecca became the first book that I dipped into relentlessly and reread on about 4 occasions – a real comfort book.
- Jane Austen and the Bronte sisters – encouraged my love of the classics and made me want to dig out more in a similar vein.
- Arthur Conan Doyle – undoubtedly made me want to read more mysteries.
- Prince of Thorns by Mark Lawrence – one of the first fantasy books that I read that would be considered grimdark. Gave me a desire to read more stories with flawed anti heroes!
- Neil Gaiman – without doubt brings out my inner child. I love his books.
- Diana Gabaldon and Philipa Gregory who led me to pick up books with a historical/fantasy aspect.
Which books stand out for you as pivotal reads that led you on an unforgettable journey?
The Boy with the Porcelain Blade by Den Patrick
31 March 2014
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Den Patrick, The Boy with the Porcelain Blade
I was really looking forward to this book and fortunately it didn’t disappoint. The Boy with the Porcelain Blade is a fantasy novel with a mystery at it’s heart set in an almost gothic environment. The story centres on Lucien de Fontein. Living within the walls of Demesne which is a castle with four major houses around the central keep that hosts the reclusive and largely unseen king. The story is brimming with abductions, assassination attempts and internal politics.
Lucien is one of the Orfano, which I think translates as orphan. Orfano are provided a special status, courtesy of an edict of the king, and the major noble houses are required to take them in and raise and train them as nobles until they are of an age to choose which house they wish to serve and petition for adoption. The Orfano are something of a mystery. Detested, feared and tormented by the large majority of people they suffer from deformities. In Lucien’s case the absence of ears. Others have poisonous spines or missing limbs – some are so misshapen that they can barely function and live on the outskirts of society.
At the start of the story Lucien is undertaking his final test where he faces one of his main tormentors – Giancarlo. Over the years Giancarlo has humiliated Lucien at every opportunity. Unfortunately things go a little too far in the latest test culminating in… no, no, no! No spoilers!
The story is told in a split timeline. We follow Lucien aged 17 and then in alternate chapters we jump back to Lucien’s childhood. I enjoyed this style although there were occasions where it grated a little being sucked out of the main story.
In terms of the characters there is the sinister Majordomo who appears and disappears quite often at the most opportune moments. Rafaela, the object of attraction for Lucien and the other Orfano, Dino and Anea in particular. There are the nobility who spend their time scheming and coming up with new ways to use the Orfano in their political maneouvering. But, aside from all of that is a much darker story of abduction, in the dead of night. Young women being snatched from their homes for some terrible purpose.
I thought this was a very good debut. Lucien makes an interesting protagonist. Tormented and lonely. Desperate for acceptance. At times rash. Young and in love. Curious and a bit of a slave to his emotions which undoubtedly gets him into a pickle at times.
In terms of criticisms. The Orfano are a puzzle throughout and this is deliberate on the part of the author. It makes the mystery more sinister and adds to the tension. But, I felt there was a lack of background and I wanted more information in that respect. It didn’t spoil the read for me but, like Lucien, I have a major curious streak.
I’m counting this book to my 100 books in a year challenge and also entering it under ‘fantasy’ for Stainless Steel Droppings Once Upon a Time event.
The Gospel of Loki by Joanne Harris
Just finished reading the Gospel of Loki by Joanne Harris which I absolutely loved! Now, I do like JH and have read quite a few of her novels so you could be forgiven for thinking that I went into this ready to be swayed into easy delight, but, I would have to disagree! In fact I would say quite the opposite. I went into this as someone with only the most basic knowledge of norse mythology and expecting to be a little overpowered by it all. On the contrary I found this to be a fun, easy to read retelling of norse mythology with a difference.
The difference of course is that Loki is the narrator and as we all know – he’s a little bit tricky. Just a teeny bit. The fact that he’s known as The Trickster probably gives this away a little.
Excellent writing and first person narrative make this story just flow. The plot, basically watching how Loki was persuaded by Odin to leave Chaos and join him and the other Gods on Asgard and thereafter watching him bring a little bit of chaos to their world. He was never really part of the in-crowd, though how he tried (or not)! The story follows him on his journey to notoriety. Starting off with fairly small time pranks – albeit usually ending with his impending death – that he then wriggles out of in one way or another and ultimately culminating in his betrayal of Odin and Asgard. The driver for the story is Mimir’s prophecy ending in Ragnarok and concluding with a huge battle that sees the death of so many favourites.
Okay, how reliable is Loki as a narrator. Well, lets just say he’s putting his stamp on these stories and it shows but it’s such good fun to read in this way. JH clearly not only knows a little of Norse mythology but has enjoyed herself in these retellings and it shows. Basically Loki isn’t really the nicest of guys and yet reading his gospel he’s a bit of a charmer and you just can’t help finding yourself in his corner! And why not? If Odin brought chaos into the heart of his home what did he really expect (that is of course if you believe that Odin seduced Loki to join in the first place).
Now, what I know about norse mythology could probably be written onto the top of a pinhead. So, an in-depth knowledge is definitely not needed to read this book. In fact it’s a very accessible way of reading about this mythology, told not only in an entertaining way but also with a modern voice. It’s easy to picture and not only that but reading stories about the mythology that are so entertaining somehow makes them that much easier to remember. It’s probably just my tiny brain but even though I enjoy mythology I usually find that my mind becomes too tangled up with all the names, worlds, powers, wives, sons, mistresses, etc, etc. I don’t know why but the Gospel of Loki just unravelled that mystery a little for me. I’m probably not quite ready to embark on a career in lecturing but I definitely feel like I’ve got a bit of a grip on this now!
There are the characters you expect to see and are no doubt already familiar with such as one eyed Odin and hammer wielding Thor, Freyja and Freya and then others that I wasn’t familiar with such as Idun and Baldr. And, obviously, as you’re reading from Loki’s point of view none of these characters come across in the best light. Squabbling, petty, vain, air headed, easily led and fickle!
I was probably a little uneasy going into this. It felt as though it would be a series of short stories contained in one volume and I expected to be constantly referring back and forwards but I was very pleasantly surprised. Yes, you could say this is based on a series of short escapades but they all follow on and read together they tell a linear tale and they do this in a winning style that is fun and fast paced.
I’m submitting this book as part of Stainless Steel Droppings Once Upon a Time event under the heading of ‘Myth’
It also counts towards my 100 books in a year count.
Books and travelling with Lynn 