Try
Reblogged from Derrolyn Anderson
Marwa Ahmed
I will think of something later.
SPOILER ALERT!
Yet another book with great potential that is ruined by a stupid MC.
Okay so I will just start with the things I liked then I'm going to rant. A lot.
Things I liked:
1. Puck.
He is really fun, even when he is fighting. I love his sense of humor, his confidence, his saracasm. I am quite fond of him and I want to see him more in the sequel.
"Oh, we're playing nice now? Shall we have tea first? Brew up a nice pot of kiss-my-ass?"
“Ladies and Felines,” he stated grandly, grasping the doorknob, “Welcome to Tir Na Nog. Land of endless winter and shitloads of snow.”
2. Grimalkin.
I love that cat. I love his wicked sense of humor, and most of the time he seemed to be the only one actually using his brain.
Oh I can't wait to see what he is planning for Meg.
3. The World
I really like the world and the courts. I am fascinated by everything, the mythology, the courts, the creatures, the politics. Just all in all amazing.
"A warm breeze blew into the closet, carrying with it a shocking assortment of smells—smells that should not be together in one place. Crushed leaves and cinnamon, smoke and apples, fresh earth, lavender, and the faint, cloying scent of rot and decay. For a moment, I caught a tang of something metallic and coppery, wrapped around the smell of rot, but it was gone in the next breath."
"In the scattered moonlight, faeries danced and sang and laughed, calling out to me from a distance. Satyrs whistled tunes on their pipes, piskies buzzed through the air on gossamer wings, and willowy dryads danced through the trees, their slender bodies waving like grass in the wind."
What I didn't like:
1. Insta-love
When Meg and Ash had that dance, I liked it. I saw the chemistry. I could see the potential. I liked how they started off slow, but then out of nowhere, they are fallen for each other. And then this happen:
"“Are you crazy? I couldn't leave you to that thing. Now, come on.” I took his hand, tugging him off the post while glancing nervously at the frozen dragon. “Let’s get out of here. I think that thing just blinked at us.” His fingers tightened on mine and pulled me forward. Startled and overbalanced, I looked up at him, and then he was kissing me. I froze in shock, but only for a moment. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I rose on my tiptoes to meet him, kissing him back with a hunger that surprised us both."
Uhhh, guys? May I remind you that anyone might come and kill you right now? that you are IN DANGER? COULDN'T YOU FIND A BETTER TIME?
But you know what? Never mind. Just kiss her while you are supposed to be running. No big deal. It is not like the whole freaking faery world is in danger or anything. Nah it is cool.
*sighs* I hate when any writer uses that. Everyone is like "Awww" and I'm like "NO. You should RUN, not kiss! What the hell?"
2. Meghan
Oh, don't get me started on her. Such a freakin' idiot. Good God, I can't deal with her. This book was fun, nothing special but I liked it. I liked Meg in the beginning, she is strong, patient, she obviously loved her brother, and I didn't get why people called her stupid, but after a while I was painfully aware of the reason.
“I have been thinking,” Grimalkin announced, leaping onto a rock. I glared and bit down a sigh, cursing his timing. The cat plowed on without notice. “Perhaps we should rethink our strategy,” he said, looking at each of us. “It occurs to me that charging headlong into Machina’s realm is a singularly bad idea.”
Oh, REALLY? Why, I never thought of THAT!
"“Well.” The cat sat down and licked his back toes. “Given that he keeps sending his officers after us, I would guess that he probably knows we are coming. Why did he kidnap your brother in the first place? He must have known you would come after him.”
“Overconfident?” I guessed. Grimalkin shook his head."
WHY CAN'T YOU SEE THAT IT IS A TRAP?
"“I have a theory.” Grimalkin stood, waving his tail. “I think I might know another way into Machina’s realm. You are welcome to join me.” “A theory?” Ash crossed his arms. “We can’t break plan on a hunch, Cait Sith.” “Even if the way you are going leads straight into a trap?” I shook my head. “We have to risk it. We’re so close, Grim. We can’t turn back now.”"
Yes you can. For God's sake, listen to him.
"I knelt to face Grimalkin eye to eye. “Come with us. We need you. You’ve always pointed us in the right direction.”"
If he does, THEN WHY DON'T YOU LISTEN TO HIM?
God, I can't believe that Ash and Puck went with you in the first place. It was a stupid plan from the beginning.
Okay, now that I think I'm done ranting, I realize how bitchy I sound so I just want to point out that I actually liked the book, it wasn't that bad, when I wasn't rolling my eyes because of Meg I actually enjoyed, so I will try the next book because this series does look like it has potential to be awesome.
One last thing: If you read this book, you would notice that I didn't include Ash in any of the lists and that's because I don't care for him either way. I haven't got to know a lot about him in this book. So, so far I'm Team Puck.
2.5 Stars
1
The BBA Jihad, or: Why This Is Getting Pretty Bloody Ridiculous (A How-To Guide for Authors)
Problem:
Someone just gave all your books one star ratings.
Solution:
Do nothing. Calling attention to it will only make it worse.
Protest:
"But it isn't fair! They didn't read the book!"
Rebuttal:
You don't have any way of proving that, though. Unless the person wrote a review saying, "Nyah, nyah, I didn't read the book but this author sux LOL!" that is.
Seriously. Don't push this. It isn't that big of a deal, and making a big fuss will only make you look like a jerk. If your book doesn't completely suck, you'll eventually get some positive reviews. Try giving out some ARCs for some fresh ratings. Just don't try to bribe people into uprating your books.
---
Problem:
You got caught bribing people into uprating your books.
Solution:
Admit it. Deleting the evidence is pointless because by now people have undoubtedly taken screenshots. Apologize for your error. Don't be surprised if the positive reviews you bought are removed.
Protest:
"I wouldn't have had to do this if people actually rated my books fairly!"
Rebuttal:
Fair doesn't always mean positive. If it did, the NYT best sellers list would be a mile long. Kind of defeats the purpose.
---
Problem:
Someone just wrote you a negative review.
Solution:
So you're not perfect. Oh well. Life goes on. Again--do nothing.
Protest:
"But they didn't finish the book/didn't read the book/read the book knowing they would hate it anyway!"
Rebuttal:
Honestly? Who cares? The worst fate a reader can condemn an author to is obscurity. At least if someone posts a negative review, other people will get wind of your book.
---
Problem:
You just offended someone with your behavior as an author.
Solution:
Apologize. Nicely. Not passive-aggressively. Actually mean it; be sincere.
Protest:
"But it wasn't my fault!"
Rebuttal:
Not gonna lie, it's usually going to be at least partly your fault.
And what will it hurt to apologize? Think of it as an exercise in humility.
---
Problem:
You just got caught doing the exact same thing as before, even though you already apologized.
Solution:
Well, this is tricky. Because once is a mistake (maybe) but multiple infractions kind of make you look like an asshole.
Apologize. Again, be sincere. People's bullshit-o-meters will be on high alert now. If you don't mean it, just stay quiet. Lie low. Maybe in a year or two (some) people will forget.
Protest:
"The meanie trolls are harassing me, though! They won't believe me! Blah blah blah butthurt blah blah blah authorrage!"
Rebuttal:
Close the computer and rethink your choice of profession.
---
Problem:
You just got caught stalking/harassing/victimizing your readers.
Solution: At this point, you're pretty much a lost cause. You've been blacklisted by all the blogs that matter, and anyone who picks up your book is going to be warned away by someone in the know. Also, what you're doing now is potentially illegal, so you've opened up the door to law enforcement getting involved.
Protest:
"I am a vigilante warrior of justice righting the wrongs inflicted by these bully trolls against me and other authors!"
Rebuttal:
No, you're not.
Someone just gave all your books one star ratings.
Solution:
Do nothing. Calling attention to it will only make it worse.
Protest:
"But it isn't fair! They didn't read the book!"
Rebuttal:
You don't have any way of proving that, though. Unless the person wrote a review saying, "Nyah, nyah, I didn't read the book but this author sux LOL!" that is.
Seriously. Don't push this. It isn't that big of a deal, and making a big fuss will only make you look like a jerk. If your book doesn't completely suck, you'll eventually get some positive reviews. Try giving out some ARCs for some fresh ratings. Just don't try to bribe people into uprating your books.
---
Problem:
You got caught bribing people into uprating your books.
Solution:
Admit it. Deleting the evidence is pointless because by now people have undoubtedly taken screenshots. Apologize for your error. Don't be surprised if the positive reviews you bought are removed.
Protest:
"I wouldn't have had to do this if people actually rated my books fairly!"
Rebuttal:
Fair doesn't always mean positive. If it did, the NYT best sellers list would be a mile long. Kind of defeats the purpose.
---
Problem:
Someone just wrote you a negative review.
Solution:
So you're not perfect. Oh well. Life goes on. Again--do nothing.
Protest:
"But they didn't finish the book/didn't read the book/read the book knowing they would hate it anyway!"
Rebuttal:
Honestly? Who cares? The worst fate a reader can condemn an author to is obscurity. At least if someone posts a negative review, other people will get wind of your book.
---
Problem:
You just offended someone with your behavior as an author.
Solution:
Apologize. Nicely. Not passive-aggressively. Actually mean it; be sincere.
Protest:
"But it wasn't my fault!"
Rebuttal:
Not gonna lie, it's usually going to be at least partly your fault.
And what will it hurt to apologize? Think of it as an exercise in humility.
---
Problem:
You just got caught doing the exact same thing as before, even though you already apologized.
Solution:
Well, this is tricky. Because once is a mistake (maybe) but multiple infractions kind of make you look like an asshole.
Apologize. Again, be sincere. People's bullshit-o-meters will be on high alert now. If you don't mean it, just stay quiet. Lie low. Maybe in a year or two (some) people will forget.
Protest:
"The meanie trolls are harassing me, though! They won't believe me! Blah blah blah butthurt blah blah blah authorrage!"
Rebuttal:
Close the computer and rethink your choice of profession.
---
Problem:
You just got caught stalking/harassing/victimizing your readers.
Solution: At this point, you're pretty much a lost cause. You've been blacklisted by all the blogs that matter, and anyone who picks up your book is going to be warned away by someone in the know. Also, what you're doing now is potentially illegal, so you've opened up the door to law enforcement getting involved.
Protest:
"I am a vigilante warrior of justice righting the wrongs inflicted by these bully trolls against me and other authors!"
Rebuttal:
No, you're not.
1
The Golden Lily - A Review
Much better than the first book. There are some scenes that were really boring, but overall it was good. Syndey was frustrating at times but I can definitely see some huge development in her. I still want to shake some sense into her little organized head. I also like Adrian more than I did in book 1. He almost sounded like the old one in VA but much more mature.
As for Eddie, Jill and Angline, I'm not looking forward to read about yet another love triangle.
3.5 Stars.
Oh, and I really hope to see Lissa in the next book, I hate how her relationship with Jill is pretty much non-existent. And I want to see Christian too, of course.
Review of Game of Thrones
"When you play the game of thrones, you win or you die."
Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. The world building, the complex characters, the plot. Everything.
This book is dark and sinister and brutal; it is full of violence and sex and even a hint of the supernatural; it is full of merciless characters with many sides, characters who are honorable and noble, ones with a lust for power greater than anything, ones that die for doing the right thing and other honored for doing the complete opposite. And they all have their dirty secrets, and they all get screwed in the end. None of them is safe, Martin is not afraid of killing any of his characters if he finds it necessarily.
"There are no heroes, in life the monsters win."
The magic element, the myths, the ancient stories, the Seven Houses.. The whole world building is detailed and fascinating.
I love this book and enjoyed every minute reading it.
I don't know what else to say other that, if you are a fantasy fan, you should have to read this.
I can't wait to read the next book.
4.5 Stars!
Oh and Joffery, I hope Sansa stabs you in the throat soon.
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Blockquote Tag & Sync Updates
Today we have something for all those of you who love tags. Some time ago we've added a spoilers tag and now it's time for a blockquote tag.
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Reblogged from BookLikes
Patrick Stewart for Amnesty International
Reblogged from Debbie's Spurts
3
2
28%
"Five shall go west to the goddess in chains,
One shall be lost in the land without rain,
The bane of Olympus shows the trail,
Campers and Hunters combined prevail,
The Titan’s curse must one withstand,
And one shall perish by a parent’s hand."
Vote for this book as "Non-fiction" and "Debut Author"
Join me in voting this book in the goodreads Choice Awards 2013, in categories of "Best Debut Goodreads Author" and "Best Nonfiction".
Screenshots of my votes (I actually did not have anything in mind for either category as not a bug nonfiction reader and would have no idea which author debuted on goodreads):
Not my brilliant spurt of imagaination, originated with Lobstergirl at https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1499741-important-note-regarding-reviews?page=123#comment_86192680
Reblogged from Debbie's Spurts
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