Daughter of the Sun

Okay, so I have a new favourite book…

The book in question is Daughter of the Sun, the second in a series of loosely-connected books all set in the same fantasy world. The series is called Tales of Inthya, and the author is Effie Calvin. The series is very much wlw, with romance between women taking centre-stage.

I haven’t read the first book in the series yet (apparently it’s about princesses who fight dragons and fall in love, according to this magnificent tumblr post and its accompanying infographic) even though it sounds awesome and I will be reading it very soon. (The princesses-fighting-dragons-book is The Queen of Ieflaria, for those who are curious. You can find a listing of all the books in the series on Goodreads, here.)

Daughter of the Sun, on the other hand, is about a paladin named Orsina who is on a mysterious quest, and who travels the land ridding it of evil and chaos. She defeats a chaos goddess named Aelia, and believes her dead. But unbeknownst to Orsina, Aelia has survived. When Orsina comes across her, wearing a slightly different face, she believes Aelia to be a mortal woman escaped from her abusive family, and offers to escort her to wherever she is going. They end up falling in love during the journey – but Aelia fears that if Orsina discovers her true identity, things will not go well, to say the least.

So, what did I like about this book? Well, it’s really cute and fluffy, but at the same time, it does a good job of keeping up the ‘what happens if Aelia is discovered?’ tension. Both Orsina and Aelia are likeable characters in their own right, and Aelia’s slow transformation, as she comes to learn more about mortal life and falls in love with Orsina, is delightful to behold. The ending is also very satisfying, even though it left me wanting to know more about what happened next. I await the promised sequels with great anticipation!

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Queens of Geek

A while ago I read a fabulous YA book by Swoon Reads author Jen Wilde, called Queens of Geek. The book is about three friends – Charlie, Taylor, and Jamie – who are attending a big pop-culture convention in the United States. The book is told from two points of view: Charlie’s, and Taylor’s.  Charlie was the female lead in the breakout indie movie of the summer and is attending the convention to do a panel on the movie, while her two friends have come along for the experience of attending a major convention. Charlie broke up with her obnoxious male co-star six months ago, but circumstances are forcing them to deal with each other. Meanwhile, Charlie’s new crush, a female Youtube star, is also attending the con. A lovely f/f romance unfolds.

Then there’s Taylor. She’s crushing on the third member of their friendship group, Jamie. One of the notable things about Taylor is that she’s on the autistic spectrum,  and this isn’t played for either laughs or tragedy. I’ve seen a number of characters in TV, film and literature that are supposed to be autistic, whether explicitly or not (for some reason, most of them seem to be crime-solving detectives or irritating geniuses). The character of Taylor, however, comes across as a real person, even though she has her quirks. I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a positive portrayal of an autistic character, before. It made for an interesting read.

The book finishes with a happy ending for all the characters. Overall, the tone of the book is pretty light and fluffy – but I like happy books, and I’m a fan of pop-culture conventions and their shenanigans, so I enjoyed the book a lot. Additionally, the characters and story were interesting enough to keep me hooked despite the light tone. I enjoyed this book enough that I’ll be keeping an eye out for Jen Wilde’s next book when it comes out next year.

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Every Heart a Doorway

Recently I read Seanan McGuire’s latest book, Every Heart a Doorway. It tells the story of Nancy, a teenage girl who found a doorway into a magical world, and spent considerable time in that world – before being kicked back into the world she’d come from, through no fault of her own. The story starts with Nancy arriving at Eleanor West’s Home for Wayward Children, a school for children who found magical worlds of their own – and lost them. As the story develops, it becomes clear that Nancy no longer fits into the world she came from, and that sending her to Eleanor West’s Home for Wayward Children is her parent’s last-ditch effort to ‘fix’ her, even though the last thing Nancy wants is to go back to the girl she was before.

Up until this point, I thought I knew where this story was going – yes, I thought, Nancy will get to know her fellow Wayward Children and find a place where her quirks are accepted, and slowly learn to live with being back in the world…

At which point the plot took a sudden left-hand turn and totally defied all my expectations, plunging me into a morbid murder mystery that kept me absorbed right to the very end.

The two things I most liked about this story were Nancy’s outsider status, and the deconstruction of the ‘child finds a portal to a magical world’ story trope. Firstly, Nancy is doubly an outsider – not only has she found herself back in a world where she no longer belongs, but she has to contend with being the ‘new girl’ at Eleanor West’s Home for Wayward Children. This outsider status is portrayed in a way that evokes real feeling. Secondly, the story addresses all kinds of questions that aren’t normally answered by the ‘child finds a portal to a magical world’ story – such as, what happens when they have to go back to the real world? How do they deal with being a stranger to their family and friends? And most importantly, do they ever return to the magical worlds that they came to think of as home? Seanan McGuire addresses all of these questions and more.

I would definitely recommend this book.

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Wordcount update, plus the Lynburn Legacy

First of all, my word count for my Norse mythology story is progressing:

Secondly, I want to talk about Sarah Rees Brennan’s Unmade, the final book in the Lynburn Legacy trilogy. SPOILERS AHEAD.

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Sarah Rees Brennan and the Lynburn Legacy trilogy

Having already read the first book,  I read the second book in the Lynburn Legacy trilogy yesterday, Untold. I’d enjoyed the first book, Unspoken, but it didn’t fully reel me in right until the very end. Untold was different – from the very beginning, I was totally absorbed in the world within, desperate to find out what would happen next. Untold didn’t disappoint, keeping me hooked until the cliffhanger at the end. Now all I need to do is get hold of a copy of the last book in the series, Unmade.

 

There’s a lot that I like about the series: I like the protagonist, Kami, who refuses to back down in the face of terrible threats while being fully aware of the potential for those threats to become realised. I like her love interest, Jared, because he is interestingly tormented (I’m sorry, but he is) yet simultaneously entertaining and well-written. Another thing I liked was the relationship between supporting characters Angela and Holly, which at the end of Untold is poised on the edge of becoming a mutually romantic relationship (if only they can sort out what exactly is going on between them). And I liked how ruthlessly wicked the antagonist is, and how his wicked ruthlessness contrasts against the unsentimental ruthlessness of his wife, who is trying to do the right thing while he is trying to do the wrong one (and the similarities and differences between them despite their being on opposing sides).

 

In addition to reading Unspoken and Untold, I’ve also been reading the author’s blog and tumblr. Sarah Rees Brennan is an entertaining and thought-provoking writer, and I was charmed and delighted to discover that she is a fellow Diana Wynne Jones fan (which automatically raises people in my esteem, because Diana Wynne Jones). I look forward to reading more books by her.

 

In the meantime, I would recommend her short story The Queen of Atlantis for anyone who feels like reading something thought-provoking and bittersweet.

 

 

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Update

Current word count:

I’ve had I’m Not Your Hero by Tegan and Sara stuck on repeat while I work on my current writing project; the chorus just fits my protagonist so well.

I found this resource for writers today; it has a heap of advice on different aspects of writing and publishing, and looks really helpful.

Also today, I read the book Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan. It’s the first in a trilogy, and basically it’s about a girl who has an imaginary friend who she talks to inside her head – only to discover that her imaginary friend is real when he moves to her town, and the two of them share a magical telepathic link. There’s a lot of other stuff in there as well, like magic and a murder mystery, but that’s the basic gist. I haven’t read the other two books in the trilogy yet, so I can’t say where the story goes from here.

I’ve never read any of Sarah Rees Brennan’s work before, but I stumbled across her tumblr by accident and ended up reading quite a bit about some of her novels, and was curious enough to try Unspoken. I thought it was pretty good; it definitely enlivened an otherwise unremarkable train ride. The ending really hooked me, and now I need to see what happens in the second book, Untold. (The full list of stories in this series can be found here on Goodreads.) I may not get around to it straight away, though.

 

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Some of my favourite books

Given that I’ve reached 18,000 words and have lots of other things I need to do, I’ve decided to put my writing project aside for the moment. There’s a certain inertia there anyway, which usually means that I need to take a break and let my subconscious come up with new material.  In lieu of writing about my story, I decided to post a list of some of my favourite books.

• The Tiffany Aching series, by Terry Pratchett.
• The Dark Angel, by Meredith Ann Pierce. I first read this when I was about fourteen. It’s a dark gothic romance fantasy novel, and the first in a series, although I like the first novel best. I still can’t make up my mind whether the sequels count as fantasy, or weird sci-fi.
• So You Want To Be A Wizard, by Diane Duane. I love this series!
• Rivers of London, Ben Aaronovitch. (Well, alright, I actually have the edition entitled Midnight Riot, because that was cheaper and smaller than the alternate title.)
• I, Lucifer, by Glen Duncan. Ever heard the phrase, ‘so sharp you’ll cut yourself?’ That’s Duncan’s Lucifer to a tee. The basic premise is that the Fallen angel himself is given a second chance, in the body of a mortal man. Will he take that chance and put it to good use? Or will he misuse it?
• The Double Life of Cassiel Roadnight, by Jenny Valentine. I’ve read good things by this author before, but this book is my favourite of hers. It’s a YA mystery revolving around mistaken identities, and the ending is electrifying.
• The Last Unicorn, by Peter S. Beagle.
• The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
• Black Orchids and The Silent Speaker two-in-one volume,  Rex Stout. I’m not usually one for crime & mystery stories, Sherlock Holmes aside, but I adore Rex Stout’s Nero Wolfe books. The writing is sharp and clever, and the characters and use of the English language are just as good as the plot itself. These books are two of my favourites.
• The Shambling Guide to New York City, Mur Lafferty. I’ve talked about how much I like this book before: the answer is a lot.
• The Harry Potter books. Obviously.
• Modesty Blaise, Peter O’Donnell. Modesty Blaise is sort of like a female James Bond, except that she’s the former head of an international crime syndicate (she retired several years before, with oodles of money) and always works with her partner-in-crime and right-hand man, Willie Garvin. Bored of their jet-setting lifestyles, the duo is offered the opportunity to dive back into the action when they’re recruited for a mission by a member of the British Secret Service. There is an entire series of these novels, and they’re frankly awesome.
• Good Omens, by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett.
• The Draco Tavern, Larry Niven. A collection of stories all revolving around the owner of a bar that caters to humans and aliens alike, The Draco Tavern is entertaining and thought-provoking.
• Protector, Larry Niven. Probably my favourite Larry Niven novel.
• Whipping Star, Frank Herbert. Oh, the shortcomings of inter-species communication! I find this book hilarious, but YMMV.
• The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress, Robert A. Heinlein.
• The H-Bomb Girl, Stephen Baxter. A story of time-travel set amid the cultural revolution of the sixties.
• Dealing With Dragons, Patricia C. Wrede. Sharp and entertaining subversion of fairytale stereotypes, and an excellent plot. The first in a series.
• The Chrysalids, John Wyndham. I first read this at about nine years old. It made a profound impression on me. It’s still one of my favourites.

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Fangirl

I’ve had this novel sitting on my Kindle for a while now, waiting to be read. I originally downloaded it as soon as it was released, having read some good reviews about it. I’d originally heard about it on the tumblr of artist Noelle Stevenson (aka gingerhaze on tumblr) who was responsible for the charming artwork. Yesterday, I finally got around to reading it.

Fangirl (by Rainbow Rowell) is the story of Cath, who’s just starting her first year of college. Cath isn’t good with people, preferring to spend her time writing  immensely popular Simon Snow fanfiction (Simon Snow being a fictional series about a teenage wizard – hmm, why does that sound familiar?) Meanwhile, her twin sister Wren has decided that they should live separately for the first time in their lives, so that in addition to dealing with all the changes of attending college for the first time, Cath is trying to do it all without the support of her sister. Enter her roommate, Reagan, who’s tough and knows exactly what she wants, and Reagan’s apparent boyfriend, the friendly and ever-smiling Levi.

Eevery review of Fangirl that I read noted two things: one, that Cath is immersed in her writing and fandom to the point where it is effectively the most important thing in her life (as a BNF, or Big Name Fan with a popular following, Cath has many fans of her own who read her fanfiction stories with the same fervour that they reserve for the original material); and two, Cath clearly suffers from social anxiety, and her condition is treated with great respect and understanding.

Reading the book, I found I didn’t relate to it as much as I had hoped to: had I read it about ten years ago, on the other hand, I probably would have identified with Cath on a deep level. While I feel that this is a book which can be enjoyed at any age, it’s most relatable to the ‘just started college’ audience it’s aimed at. As a slightly older reader, Cath’s experiences of college produced more of a sense of nostalgia than a sense that the author was writing for people like me. For people who are within the right age bracket, however, I can see how the themes of first love/first days of college/finding one’s identity would hit home in a very satisfying way: Fangirl is, at its heart, a coming-of-age story.

Overall, I would recommend this book as an excellent way to pass the time: Cath’s introspective viewpoint was strangely compelling, and once I got past a certain point, I couldn’t put the book down. The characters were all very real and engaging, even the ones I didn’t like all that much ( such as Wren, or the guy in Cath’s writing class), and the problems that Cath was dealing with felt immediate and important, even the small ones. I enjoyed this book, and I hope that other people do, too.

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My Top 5 Media Containing Loki, Norse God of Mischief

I’ve noticed that these days, the character of the Norse god Loki – patron god of chaos and trickery – has been popping up in various media. The Avengers and Thor films have probably gotten the most attention, given their popularity, but they’re hardly the only media to feature everyone’s favourite trickster.

I’ve always been a fan of Loki and his unpredictable ways, so I’ve put together a list of my five favourite media containing the mischievous god, in no particular order.

Odd and the Frost Giants.

This novella by Neil Gaiman, well-known as a master storyteller, is about a young Viking boy named Odd, who meets a bear, an eagle, and a fox in the woods. These are no ordinary animals, though: they’re gods who have gotten themselves into a bit of trouble, and may need Odd’s help to get them out of it. While he’s not the main character in this novella, Loki’s characterisation strikes me as true to the myths.

Young Avengers.

For those unfamiliar with the world of comic books, the Young Avengers comic tells the story of a group of teenage superheroes who have banded together to face a common threat. Well, a group of teenage superheroes, plus the teenage trickster god whose assistance they reluctantly accept, on the grounds that they can’t afford to refuse it. Kid Loki (as he is generally known to fans of the series) is entertaining, has some of the best lines in the comic, and keeps readers guessing when it comes to his motives or what side he’s really on..

Loki: Agent of Asgard.

Starring Young Avenger’s Kid Loki all grown up, Loki: Agent of Asgard catalogues the young trickster’s daring exploits in the service of his home realm, Asgard. Displaying the same wit and humour exhibited in Young Avengers, this comic promises to be one of Marvel’s more popular ones. So far we’re only up to issue two, but I’m already hooked.

Eight Days of Luke.

Credited with being the inspiration for Neil Gaiman’s American Gods, this book was written by acclaimed children’s/young adult writer Diana Wynne Jones. While it’s difficult to summarise this book without giving anything away, it tells the story of a lonely boy named David, who makes an exciting new friend named Luke. From there David is drawn into the trouble pursuing his new friend, and unknowingly meets a number of characters from Norse mythology. Eight Days of Luke is an engaging and accessible read, and both David and Luke come across as thoroughly sympathetic characters – even if, as David eventually observes, Luke has done some appalling things and will go on to do more.

The Gospel of Loki.

For years I’ve been craving a book that retells Loki’s mythological adventures in the novel format, and my wish has finally been granted. Chocolat author Joanne Harris has written a companion to her Runemarks series, retelling the Norse myths from Loki’s unreliable but engrossing perspective. I admit that I’ve only just begun reading this books, but so far, it’s a good read, and Loki’s characterisation feels true to the Norse myths while keeping me entertained.

 

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The Shambling Guide To New York City

About this time last year, I bought a book called Redshirts by John Scalzi. By the time I was halfway through it I thought, “this is undoubtedly going to be my favourite book of 2012.” It was. I went on to buy two more copies as gifts for people, and Redshirts is one of my favourite books.

Why is this relevant? Because a couple of days ago, I bought this book called The Shambling Guide To New York City, breaking my rule of no more books until I finish reading all the books I’ve currently got and haven’t read yet (six pieces fiction that I bought, a small box of books I was given for my birthday last year, aaand… at least three non-fiction? There are also two Sherlock Holmes novels that should be in that list, but I don’t know where they’ve gone, so they don’t count.) The Shambling Guide To New York City is engaging, witty, and interesting, with a heroine who’s clever, non-judgemental, and likeable.

It tells the story of Zoe, who after a romantic-relationship-gone-foul costs her her career, lands an unusual job with a publishing company – unusual, because her new responsibilities involve writing travel guides for supernatural beings, or ‘coterie’. Zoe finds herself dealing with a new professional circle of beings who are strange and dangerous, some of whom view humans not so much as fellow beings as tasty snacks.  Zoe’s pretty tough and resourceful, but even so, she finds herself ill-prepared for the new and perilous world she’s entered. In a world full of ravenous zombies, incubus coworkers, and deadlines that need to be met even while she’s doing her best to stay alive, Zoe had better hope she learns fast. On top of everything else, there’s a new and greater danger about to hit New York’s supernatural community…

There are a lot of reasons why I like this book. The writing is witty and accessible, its central premise fascinating, and the central character herself is a refreshing break from the stereotypical, two-dimensional ‘strong heroine’ I usually see in urban fantasy works. Zoe is tough, and clever, and thinks on her feet, but she’s dealing with new experiences that she doesn’t have a handle on yet, and despite her innate strength she’s still a vulnerable human being with her own weaknesses. Another thing I like is that while Zoe is tough, and resilient, it’s not at anyone else’s expense – she’s assertive, sure, but she doesn’t put anyone down, and she’s pleasantly open-minded and non-judgemental about the people she deals with and the situations she finds herself in. Most of all, Zoe feels like a real person, rather than a character; always an indication that the author knows their craft.

Apparently this books is the first of the Shambling Guides series, so I look forward to eventually seeing more of Zoe. I would whole-heartedly recommend this book to anyone who likes urban fantasy, but would like to see it through a fresh perspective.

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