Entries Tagged 'Paranormal' ↓
June 2nd, 2008 — Books, Paranormal
Twilight is the second book in Stephanie Meyer’s saga about Edward, Bella and Jacob. One thing I like about finding this series when the last book is about to be published, is that I get to read the story quicker. And anyone who knows me, knows I like to read the ending first — though I wouldn’t read the last book first to read the ending — I just read the ending of each book first. I’m so bad! Still, I like that I don’t have to wait very long to read book 4, which is coming out soon.
Meyer states in a video interview on Amazon that book 4 will close the story, but she doesn’t eliminate the idea that she might write more of this type. Her next book after this is sci fi.
If Twilight is about finding true love, and New Moon is about losing true love, then Eclipse is about choosing true love. Stephanie Meyer
In this book Bella’s father encourages her to date Jacob, since Edward has taken off for parts unknown, and Bella is a wreck because of it. Jacob has his own problems, known to Bella, but unknown to her father. Edward, who still loves Bella, has the idea that he must protect her from himself and from the life she would lead (or not lead) as a vampire.
Along the way the reports of her death are greatly exaggerated; we learn more of Alice’s power and its limitation; Edward decides to offer himself up as a vampire sacrifice to the vamps in Italy (who are not animal vamps) since he can’t imagine living without Bella; Bella has to go to his rescue; we learn more of the back stories of the other vamps; and…and…and…
We know it will turn out good, since there is still book 3 (and book 4).
I found the book a little contrived. The story was interesting. Let’s just get on with it! I give it a 2.5.
What do you give it? On to book 3…
Karin
Related Articles
Related Stores
May 23rd, 2008 — Books, Paranormal
Outside of the fact that twilight is one of my favorite times of day, I was intrigued by an article in our paper a couple of weeks ago or so mentioning this author and her books. There was something about the fact that one of her books outsold one of the Harry Potter books, which seemed intriguing in itself. I’d never heard of her.
So, I gave the article to College Girl (now graduated.) Then I encouraged her to follow up on her, which we did via the library.
Lo and behold, there is a 4th book in the series coming out this summer, and a movie that will be coming out soon also. Somehow it seems fitting that the actor who plays Edward in the book (and therefore cannot die) played Cedric Diggory in the Harry Potter books (and was sadly killed to the sorrow of the Diggory fans.)
In a matter of days CG had read two of her books and is on tap for the 3rd. She said it took her about 100 pages to get really interested.
I would say it interested me from the beginning, but the beginning is very hard to read due to the author’s style of choppy sentences — a string of incomplete sentences making up a sentence. It slows me down and is aggravating. I didn’t notice it later in the book, perhaps because there is more dialogue.
Basically it is a high school love story between a girl and a high school (albeit older) vampire. Throw in a few Native Americans who warn her (and thereby tell her before Edward tells her himself) a lot of overcast and dreary weather, divorced parents, a vampire tracker and assorted other characters, and you get the basic picture.
If Twilight is about finding true love, and New Moon is about losing true love, then Eclipse is about choosing true love.
Stephanie Meyer
The author defines the difference between vampires who feed on humans and vampires who feed on animals. It is an interesting premise.
What is there about vampires lately? Twilight is not nearly as complex as the Dresden Files. It hasn’t the humor. But I did like it, and I will read the others. I will likely start the second book today.
Have you read any of this series?
Karin
Related Articles
Related Stores
May 19th, 2008 — Books, Just thinking, Paranormal
Harry Dresden is back in the Dresden Files series in the newest caper Small Favor (The Dresden Files, Book 10)
.
I can’t say I follow all the byways. I read nearly every word or I’d miss something, but because he has set up a sort of parallel universe I’m not always catching nuances. Sometimes another book adds some of the backstory in a way I find I understand it better. And I haven’t read the first 9 books all in order (it isn’t really necessary as there are enough allusions to other characters and their place in the story in each book.)
I really enjoy the narration of the main character, Harry. We get inside his head where there is plenty of cynicism, a lot of caring, and some interesting ways to handle evil.
This is sort of an apocalyptic series of good vs. evil with assorted vampires, archangels, evil spirits, and other literary and Biblical allusions, such as the fearsome Gruffs in this book (as in Billy Goat Gruffs). That one tickled my fancy!
I enjoy the humor.
At one time in my life, a shapeshifted, demonically possessed maniac crashing through a window and trying to rip my face off would have come as an enormous and nasty surprise.
But that was pretty much in the past. (p 102)
There is an entire website devoted to those who love the series and the various things (such as time lines and ages) that the fans are figuring out for the rest of us.
In the meantime, you could do a lot worse than spending some time in this series. There are godly believers; agnostics; atheists; a police officer in charge of paranormal with a developed sense of responsibility for her charge, the city of Chicago; and even a crime lord who has redeeming qualities. It is certainly thought provoking. There’s not a lot of gratuitous gore and what there is often happens to the bad guys. It’s not a series that would keep me up at night. I don’t expect any of these non-human characters to meet me in an alley.
Karin
Related Articles
Related Stores
September 7th, 2007 — Books, Paranormal
Tonight I was ripping in the audio book into my MP3 player.
Disc 6 ends with Chapter 13e
Disc 7 beings with Chapter 13i
it is missing 13f, 13g, and 13h.
Sure enough, I went to the book and it is missing from p 258 beginning with There were more dementors…to page 265 They managed to cram…
I called Books a Million where we had purchased it, and the man said it was the first they had heard of it. If I hadn’t been ripping them in and paying attention, I would never have caught it.
Do you have the audio book? You might want to check to see if you are missing the same section.
I wonder if all of them are missing this section and I wonder if it corresponds to the pages missing in some hardcover books.
Karin
Related Articles
Related Stores
July 26th, 2007 — Books, Guest writer, Paranormal
I loved this review from Times Online
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
By J.K. Rowling
Reviewed by Alice Fordham
Death and vengeance hang over this book from the outset.
Readers know that this is the last episode and that resolution will come only with heavy losses, besides which Rowling has hinted strongly at a bloodbath. As a consequence, the first hundred pages will be turned with whitened knuckles, and Rowling ruthlessly exploits this belly-gripping anxiety.
The opening chapter introduces us not to our beloved heroes, but to Voldemort, massing his forces, humiliating and murderous as ever. The first scene of action and danger is a spectacular stunt, involving no fewer than 15 of the good guys in mortal peril. It is testament to Rowling’s gifts that her readers know, love and will be able to recite the family history of all 15 - and would be sorry to see them go.
Every casualty - fretted about by millions for the last two years - has great impact and bad news, of which there is plenty, comes at moments of high drama. Strong nerves will be required for this first section, when every edifice seems to fall to the Dark forces.
The Deathly Hallows
Readers know that this is the last episode and that resolution will come only with heavy losses
Background
* Harry mania…and there may be more
* Is is Harry ever after for Potter?
* Potter breaks previous sales record
* Wizard day for biggest book event
Related Internet Links
* Watch Screen Online - Harry Potter special
* Visit the Times Online’s Harry Potter topic page
* Order Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows online
Of course, there are always healthy doses of Dark magic in Potter books, but gradually, even in times of brittle peace, we realise this one is going to be rather different. Harry and his pals, in case you haven’t been frantically re-reading the first six books for clues, must set out on an expedition to find pieces of their arch-enemy’s soul. As Hermione reveals the arrangements she has made to give her parents new identities, and even Ron contemplates the sacrifices to be made, it becomes clear that this is to be no boarding-school book in disguise. They are dropping out of Hogwarts in earnest, and there will be no Quidditch, no pumpkin juice and no Blast-Ended Skrewts.
With this, Rowling sets herself a difficult task. Her convoluted fantasy plots have in the past been leavened with wit that revels in the imagined detail of the wizarding world. From Bertie Bott’s Every-Flavoured Beans to Romilda Vane and her love potions, school life had endless charm to offset its increasingly gruesome goings-on. In this book, Harry, Ron and Hermione spend a lot of time on their own, camping in damp and cold bits of Britain. Unable to communicate with their sweet and scatty friends, and cut off from what remains of their families, they have some dark times.
And yet, I do not think that any fan will be disappointed. Much as everyone loves the Pensieves and the Polyjuice potion, the real appeal of the Potter books has always lain in the characters. The queueing, the excitement, are not just because we must know what happens, but because we love Harry and the rest, and are touched over and over again by the strength of their friendship. We have watched them grow up, felt their flaws and admired their bravery, and will willingly read about them through their times of trouble, even without the distractions of Hogwarts. Rowling’s genius is not just her total realisation of a fantasy world, but the quieter skill of creating characters that bounce off the page, real and flawed and brave and lovable.
The book, then, is as much a journey into the mysteries of the characters as a linear narrative. We learn much more of Dumbledore, and his murky past. We had not heard the last of Snape. Ron’s mettle is severely tested and Hermione’s courage stretched to its limits by the dismal frustrations of their mission. Although some may find the lengthy explanations required tedious, I think that more will be grateful for the satisfaction of seeing every piece of the puzzle fit together.
There is some gentle politics. As the Ministry becomes ever Darker, Rowling includes a description straight out of a totalitarian fantasy. Giant black statues of wizards seated on thrones made from the bodies of Muggles adorn the entrance to the Ministry of Magic, along with the slogan MAGIC IS MIGHT. Muggles and half-breeds are persecuted and Hermione is vindicated in her long-ignored campaign for the well-being of downtrodden members of the wizarding world. The message of tolerance and consideration is not especially subtle, but it is neither surprising nor jarring to find it in a series of books with so pointed an ethical dimension to the narrative.
There will also be, for those who are looking for it, a religious undertone. In the climax of a storyline that began when Harry’s mother produced strong magic by sacrificing her life for him, acceptance of death leads, in one case, to a new form of life. People will interpret this as they choose.
On the flyleaf Rowling quotes from Aeschylus’s final play in the great Orestes trilogy. The finality of death, in that tragedy, closes a horrible cycle of revenge and allows a final peace. Although readers may be distraught at all the slaughter, Rowling knows the importance of peace after the cataclysm. We have been a long way together, and neither she nor Harry let us down in the end.
Related Articles
Related Stores
July 25th, 2007 — Books, Paranormal
For those of us who would like to discuss the book without spoiling it for those who haven’t read it, use the comment section to this post. It can only be read by clicking on the comments, so if you haven’t read the book, come back to this section later!
What parts of the book did you find interesting? believable? scary? did you like what happens to the characters, the one(s) who die/don’t die? how about the epilogue?
Karin
Related Articles
Related Stores
July 21st, 2007 — Books, Just thinking, Paranormal
The HP book was very satisfying, even though I’ve read only the ending, a little of the beginning, and a little more of the ending.
I won’t give it away.
Unfortunately I stayed up to 3:30 am and I am paying for it this morning. Groan. But it was worth it. Yes, I could have waited until today, but why? The middle of the night is quiet, with no one making demands on me, so I had uninterrupted moments to read.
9 yo was weaving, she was so tired, but she wanted to read some with the big kids, and she did. 11 yo went straight to bed at midnight; she was exhausted. One of the 20-somethings went to bed at 4:30, but she didn’t begin to read until about 3:30. Everyone is just now beginning to stir somewhat.
Very satisfying!
If you’ve read it, we can email vs. writing at my blog. Here, just let me know if you find it satisfying too. JKR is vindicated as a storyteller. It was not disappointing and had just enough twists.
ps 9:13 pm one of the 20-somethings has finished the book. He also felt as I did. I heard him saying to the others as they left for dinner, that he almost cried when it was over. Why, they said, was it sad? I didn’t hear his answer, but I’d say because it is poignant, a relief that it is satisfying, etc. Both of us liked the epilogue less than the book, but hey! that’s all I’m gonna say.
Karin
Related Articles
Related Stores
July 20th, 2007 — Books, Friendship, Paranormal, Quotations
My kids are all ready to go, from age 9 to 21, plus assorted other 18 to 20-something year olds, including two who are driving up from about 3 and 5 hours south of here. We are having a reading party all night, even for the non-HP fan, who is going in costume but will keep himself occupied during the night just to be part of it.
College girl and her friends worked for the past few months coming up with what they would wear, then executing it with fabric, paint, etc. I helped with CG’s main finishing details yesterday, then she painted it today.
So, who knows if any of the endings online, including the supposed whole book, are real or not? I liked the idea of guesstimating from the cover designs. That might work.
I’m reading the end first, but I know if I don’t like it, I will rewrite the ending in my mind, at least, and definitely in a pretend book 8, for the new pretend post-HP series, or as some other person suggested a prequel with details about HP’s father and his fellow wizards.
And what about Europe, has the book debuted there already today (tonight for them, since they are 6 hours ahead of us, or 7 or 8?) And if so, where are the spoilers?
This seemed like an apropos quote:
A man is only half himself; his friends are the other half. Joseph Newton
Karin
Related Articles
Related Stores
July 18th, 2007 — Books, Guest writer, Movies, Paranormal
These are CG’s predictions. They’ve morphed over time. What are yours?
I’d like to think Snape is not evil. Grown son thought, at one point, Snape wants to take over from Voldemort.
I’d like to think that Sirius and Dumbledore show up for the final show down.
JKR better not kill off any of the good friends. I will feel personally cheated. I would apply for a money back guarantee. CG doesn’t see how she could do that and still have a theme park open. Who would go?
Have you got a book on order? Will you go in costume? Are you the designated stander-in-line?
Karin
Snape is a DE through and through!
Harry is not a Horcrux.
Gryffindor objects: The sorting hat and sword are also not Horcruxes. They’ve been under AD’s nose and he would have noticed.
It is not Rowena Ravenclaw’s wand. It’s got nothing to do with Ollivander.
Nagini is also not a Horcrux.
RAB = Regulus A. Black
Voldemort will die.
Harry won’t die.
Lupin is going to live when JKR had planned originally to kill him off.
A Weasley will die. Possibly two. After all that’s 9 mainish characters. I doubt it’ll be the twins or Ron, though I’m not saying they won’t. [Don't you love how CG covers all bases?]
Helga Hufflpuff’s cup is located at Godric’s Hollow.
A Horcrux is located at Hogwarts.
Slytherin’s locket is on Kreacher or located at one of the Black properties.
The final battle will be fought in a previously known location mentioned in the books.
Harry’s scar and parsel tongue abilities will remain after LV’s destruction.
I’m betting on something foul happening with Percy. Like he’s a DE or death or something.
Rufus Scrimgeour will lose face.
Fudge will make an appearance.
Dobby will totally kick Kreacher’s ass again.
Dobby will say something brilliant.
Harry and Ginny don’t dance at Bill and Fleur’s wedding.
Snape is evil.
Draco will pull a Snape on the trio and Harry will do a Dumbledore thing and trust him.
Bellatrix will be killed by Hermione or Neville.
Neville will not be at the final confrontation with LV and Harry.
I hope Luna will help with Horcruxes. Neville too. I, however, can’t see her writing that.
Somebody will get possessed. Possibly Harry.
Lily and James are still dead.
Voldemort is not Harry’s dad, uncle, brother, cousin, or relation.
Voldemort will not die from a Killing Curse.
Harry might get hit with another AK and survive.
#12 will be their base of operations. Possibly the Chamber of Secrets.
What are those Secrets? The basilisk is only one… mmm Horcrux?
SPEW will be demolished.
The last word is not scar.
Related Articles
Related Stores
