Friday Flash Fiction

Amy C at Romance Book Wyrm and Dottie atTink's Place have come up with the idea for a Monday Morning Flash Fiction challenge. Each Monday a new picture prompt will be posted and if you choose to participate - you publish your Fiction Flash  on Friday - 350 words, give or take. Below you can find the picture posted last Monday:

Let's rescue Mark from his predicament, described here. I felt like returning to him and continue his story although I admit that pic made it a bit tricky (but I persevered ;-)).

Mark woke up in complete darkness. He had to. Somebody was slapping his cheeks time and again. He lay on a flagstone floor, very hard, cold and uncomfortable, feeling as if a herd of elephants had stomped on him and left him trodded into the ground. His head was one big hot ache, his limbs just tangles of sore muscles and his neck...a throbbing pain radiated from it, a pain very difficult to locate but also very disturbing. Overall not one of his better mornings. Was it a morning, though? It was difficult to say.

"Mark, boy, wake up, speak to me."

Mark jerked. It was lord Dreane's voice, a deep, low rumble he would recognize everywhere. After some more slapping he finally managed to groan something unintelligible - with his mouth completely dry, he couldn't pronounce a word. Lord Dreane guessed what his problem was; he left his poor head in peace for a moment, disappeared into the darkness and returned with a cup full of cold water.

"Drink boy, slowly..."

The water was like a balm for his parched lips and throat. It tasted a bit metallic but still felt like heavenly bliss. Mark drank all of it greedily.

"Can you speak now?"

"Yeah, I suppose...thank you, sir."

"What were you doing here, all alone? Why did you look for me at all?"

Mark head was still throbbing like mad but the questions made him remember his mission and Lilian and the secret library...he braced himself, winced and tried to catch lord Dreane's eyes to gauge his mood.

"You...won't like it sir."

A short, stiffled laugh was the last reaction he would expect.

"Do you think I am enjoying myself here, Mark? Being a guest in a house infested by the worst bunch of vampires I've seen in the whole century? Come on, spill it, nothing can be worse than that. We are wasting time."

"Aye, we are, I am sorry, sir. Your daughter...your youngest daughter, Lilian disappeared yesterday."

Lord Dreane became still and Mark knew that he got his fullest attention. After a moment of uncomfortable silence he plucked up the courage to continue.

"She disappeared after...after entering your secret library, sir. I am also very sorry to admit I helped her."

"Oh, really.You helped her how exactly?"

"I...picked the lock for her, sir."

"You did what?" Lord Dreane sounded utterly perplexed and even a bit awed.

"She...I was forced to pick the lock, sir. It was difficult but I managed to do so. No damage done, though. Sorry, I...she made me. I deserve to be punished, sir."

For some time neither of them said a word. Mark was grateful for the darkness around him for the first time because his master couldn't see him blush. Finally lord Dreane started to talk.

"So my youngest daughter finally made her first move. With your rather unwilling help. I am impressed that you managed to pick my lock, I really am. It bodes well. Very well."

Mark didn't know how to react but no reaction was expected - Lord Dreane just continued his quiet musings:

"Lilian...I did expect it a bit earlier but I think 22 is not bad, not bad at all. I do not intend to punish you, Mark; in fact I should thank you and I hate to say you punished yourself in the most severe manner by coming here and falling into the clutches of that vampiress. Brave but reckless, even stupid of you. I suppose you are still unaware of the consequences of your meeting but I'm afraid the fate of my daughter is more important right now, if you would forgive me for saying so...wait a moment...I need my orb...such unplanned trips can end up in a disaster...we must act right now...here it is..."

Mark noticed a ball of faint light, undoubtedly held by his lordship, which started to twinkle and spin. Then two creatures emerged from it, one bigger and one smaller. Both of them were winged and sparky like faeries. The bigger creature, emitting soft, white light, sat on the floor peacefully; because of her Mark was able to see his surroundings clearer. It was a grim view - he was undoubtedly lying in the dungeons. Lord Dreane inclined his head politely and the fae curtsied.

"What's your wish today,  my lord?" asked the smaller one.

"I need you to track my youngest daughter, free her, transport to my library and report immediately back unless I am busy."

"As you order, my lord."

The small fae, cocked her head, twittered something to the bigger one softly and they both laughed like mad. The sound was simply spellbinding - like a peal of the finest crystal pendants, struck with a golden spoon. Mark would love to listen to it forever but it ended pretty quickly; the bigger fairy took the ball from lord Dreane's hand and both of them disappeared in a little cloud of smoke.

"Stupid, cheeky fae", muttered lord Dreane.

Mark wanted to ask what the fairies told each other when he sensed somebody's presence. It was like  sweet, aromatic perfume drifting from one direction, a scent so enticing that it was impossible not to follow. Despite his pains and aches Mark got up and went toward the source of the scent immediately, his arms outstretched, his mouth grinning.

"Mark!"

Lord Dreane's shout did nothing to slow him down because slowing down was simply out of the question. The most wonderful person was waiting for him in the darkness and he know perfectly well where, even though he couldn't see a thing. After a while a pair of arms found and embraced him, making him feel good, warm and secure, envelopping him in the best scents he'd ever smelt...a melodious voice murmured his name...He recognized the voice. It was her. He snuggled into her body covered by the familiar velour dress, welcoming those soft, feminine curves. Finally something went the way it should. She came to rescue him. She came to make him feel better. He wanted to thank her but he didn't know her name. Feeling rather uncouth, he decided to ask.

"What's your name?" he whispered into her ear, blushing profusely.

The answer came from behind, uttered in the rumbling, angry tones of lord Dreane:

"Lara, you monster! Release him right now! Leave him alone, you bad vampire!"

Lara hissed and closed her arms around Mark even thighter, really binding him to her. She was freakishly strong and it hurt a bit but he didn't mind. She answered back but so quietly that only Mark was able to hear it. One single word which made his heart jump with joy.

"Never."

Review: Frostbite: A Werewolf Tale by David Wellington

Book info:

Book form: e-book mobi format

Genre: paranormal fiction, dystopia

Target audience: adults

I stumbled upon this book (but with slightly different title - Cursed) on Mel’sRandom Reviews blog, featured as her Throwback Thursday meme which proves that when you want to find new good books it’s worth visiting around. Thanks Mel!

Synopsis:

A young woman, Cheyenne Clark, is heli-hiking in an underpopulated area of the northern part of Canada, apparently looking for some traces of a strange animal. Although she is well prepared for such rough conditions still she gets lost, falls into a river and almost drowns. Half alive, with most of her possessions either destroyed or gone, she tries to find a shelter, not an easy thing in the Canadian wilderness. When the night falls the animal she was tracking finds her. And scratches her leg with its fangs.

From that point the life of Cheyenne changes dramatically – yes, she becomes a werewolf herself, no surprises here taking into account the title. Now she must face not only the werewolf who turned her against her will into a monster (well, he hasn’t planned that much either) and now wants to kill her for her own good but also her associates who hadn’t taken such a turn of events into account. Or perhaps they had. Anyway they are as dangerous to her as to her prey now, having some silver bullets at their disposal and a lot of experience under their belt...

What side will her boyfriend take – a man who has been actively hunting a werewolf half his life? What will Cheyenne do with her little furry problem- will she be able to accept her new, very limited life? Or maybe a silver bullet in the head will seem a far nicer solution?

What I liked:

Although I managed to cram the whole story into a very short synopsis it doesn’t mean that the book is short or simplistic. Quite the opposite in fact. And I enjoyed it immensely.

First of all the narration is full of surprises. Werewolf’s life was made a tad more difficult than usually in PNR books– here such a creature must change into a monster whenever the Moon rises, no matter what phase, so practically most of the nights. The characters’ stories are also a bit more complicated – no easy falling in love, plenty of problems, no slick solutions. As soon as you think you know everything there is to be known about the trio of main heroes: Cheyenne, her boyfriend, Bobby Fenech, and Montgomery Powell, the werewolf who turned Chey into a monster, the author adds some more info making you scratch your head and wonder. I did like it very much – scratching, thinking and reading :-).

The characters are well-rounded indeed and their actions – always psychologically viable and fully justified...of course when you get the whole picture. So no sooner than by the end of the book. I really sympathized with Cheyenne and Powell (but for different reasons) and even enjoyed a more rough, cruel and blood-dripping image of a werewolf. If you are (like yours truly) dead tired and bored stiff with those fluffy, pinky, cloying romances featuring unvaryingly handsome and well-muscled guys who just happen to have a bit more beast inside than an average human being but otherwise are simply loving and cuddly try this one. I am sure you will find it refreshingly scary.

I also liked the ending but I must mention there is a lot of violence in this one. Although the scenes are not overly graphic, they do sound real enough to make you cringe. It has a point, though, a very good point, showing that a monster is as monster does. Add to it some political background (like the real reason why the Canadian government were so interested in seeing all werewolves dead) and you get a surprisingly intricate and original story. One you would like to continue (yes, it is a series as far as I know).


Finally the cover - I find it very appropriate. Simple and scary.

What I didn’t like:

There was just one minor detail – I really couldn't figure out what the role of Dzo was. If you haven't read the book - Dzo is a magical entity, a musquash/muskrat spirit, looking like any human male (with some quirks but who doesn't have them, after all) but  being anything but human. First difference - he can hang out with shape-shifters without being considered by them a prey, even when they change their form. He follows Powell and helps him from time to time but we are not told why or to what end. Just because both are lonely? Secondly Dzo claims he has been living for not mere years or centuries but rather millenia - allegedly he saw Neandertals (yes, the author apparently believes in evolution) and Paleo-Indians, inhabiting Canada. Thirdly he is a vegetarian...but actually I am  surprised he has to eat anything. He also can appear and disappear at will, having strong affiliation with running water. Perhaps after reading the second installment this character will be made clearer to me.


Final verdict:

Definitely a kind of paranormal story I like and appreciate: honest, perhaps a bit closer to some classic fairy tales about werewolves ( I really sometimes saw Chey as the Little Red Ridding Hood of a kind) but also gritty and real. I am really looking forward to the second part, entitled Overwinter!

Review: The River of Time series (Waterfall, Cascade, Torrent) by Lisa T.Bergren

Book info: 
Source: borrowed from a friend
Genre: historical fiction, fantasy, romance, christian fiction
Target audience: YA


Synopsis:

Gabriella (Gabi) and Evangelia (Lia) Betarrini are two American teenagers who are leading truly exceptional lives. Not only their mother is an archeologist, specializing in Etruscan culture and history like their late father, but also the girls have an opportunity to spend almost every summer in Tuscany, Italy. Are they happy? Not at all. In fact they hate most of it. Why? No company of peers, let them be Americans or Italians, no funny parties or discos, getting up early in the morning just to go to another excavation site…little money…hard life for any teenager.

One day, however, everything changes. Their mother discovers an old Etruscan tomb called tumulus (or rather several tumuli but one really special) with some strange frescoes. The girls go secretly inside, place their hands on the walls in places strangely shaped like their own palms and bam – they time travel together to the fourteenth-century Italy. They land in the middle of a skirmish because at that time Italy was a country torn by civil unrests; they are forced by circumstances to join a little local war between two cities, Firenze and Siena. It only reflects of course a larger power struggle between Ghibellines and Guelphs, two factions that kept Italy divided and devastated during the greater part of the later Middle Ages…

Soon enough they fall in love with handsome knights, the cousins Forelli, Marcello and Luca (ok, Lia starts falling for Luca only in the second part but still) but they can't help asking themselves whether such an infatuation makes sense at all. Will the medieval times satisfy them? Will they want return to their mother and contemporary America after some time? Will they decide to stay and lead a totally different style of living?

What I liked:

I agree it was a nice, pleasurable read, full of adventures from the very beginning. Each chapter holds new surprises, daring twists and serious decisions.


If you like Christian fiction, then I think you'll be pleased with the progression of Gabi's faith. If you don't  like elements of Christian fiction then I don't think you'll be bothered at all because the whole God issue is hardly overly pushy. The presence of Christian elements is very subtle in all three parts and we even get one defrocked priest who doesn't belong to any church. While Gabi slowly comes around to embracing the idea of God and God's plan, the story stands just fine on its own. Taking into account the fact that the narration takes place in a very religious era in Italy it worked for me.

What's more...the romance was well written for YA novels although I really wasn't impressed by either Marcello or Luca; I am just content we were spared these obnoxious love triangles. I liked the fact that the author presented the dark beauty of the castle as well as the color and vitality of Siena and Firenze. We even have some glimpses of the contrast between the wealthy and poor but the whole difference wasn't pronounced enough in my opinion. 

Finally I enjoyed the fact that Ms Bergren didn't skimp over the violence and danger of that era. Gabi and Lia have to adopt very quickly and luckily both girls are no saints - they are willing to kill, maim, and impart mob justice that would be unimaginable in modern times. On the other hand both girls are subjected to terrifying, dangerous experiences straight from any Robin Hood movie (like being locked in a cage and left to starve to death in public) - small wonder they strike back without compunction.

What I didn’t like:

Ok, I’ve been accused time and again that I overanalyze YA books (and other books as well) and I think too much about quite unimportant issues. Such unfounded accusations, I know ;-) overanalyzing, who, me?

 I did have issues with the series, mainly stemming from the time-travel narration twist. I admit, time travel is a very difficult plot device to pull together; only few sci-fi authors managed to present it in a way that persuaded me. Unfortunately Mrs Bergren is not one of them. Instead of listing my grievances this time I decided to ask some questions and let my readers answer them or not (of course providing they’ve read the series) as they wish and judge my own approach. Here are the issues that bugged me most while reading this series:

· Gabi and Lia need each other to travel in time but they never ask why it works only for them – why not for their mum or anybody else? How come they are so special? How come they never question it?


· Gabriella arrives to the medieval Italy alone, without a horse, dressed like an ordinary contemporary teenanger – jeans, t-shirt etc. so hardly donning a  proper attire of a high-born Italian female of that time but Marcello immediately assumes she is a lady of noble birth. Why not a peasant or a merchant girl, though? What exactly made him think she was a lady? Her pretty face? Her demeanour?


· Gabi choses her side of the conflict very quickly just because a certain young man caught her fancy (Marcello) and the opponents are led by an old sadist with bad teeth and even worse breath. She never tries to find out more about the Ghibellines or Ghuelphs – what their aim is, who they represent, who is their real leader, what politics they want to implement etc. Isn’t it a bit naïve, even for a YA book? Neither her parents, scientists after all, nor her younger sister question her choice either…


· Gabi and Lia can communicate with the medieval Italians almost instantly; it is explained that their parents made them read Dante in original version some time ago…isn’t it a bit improbable, though? Similarly their own language (American English) is indentified by some nobles after a while...well, didn't 14th century Britons speak rather differently than contemporary Americans?


· How come Gabi and Lia knew how to return to their medieval beaux without any clear indicator of which era you are traveling to, just counting seconds? Similarly how did they manage to get back to modern times America without missing some years or even decades? Pure luck?

· Why Marcello or Luca never asked their beloved Gabi and Lia to tell them more or even show them their times and their country, so modern America ? Too busy? Not curious enough? A bit afraid?


· Both girls seemed to miss comforts of life while camping in modern-day Italy with their mum but they rarely mention lack of current water, electricity, Internet, sewage system, toothbrushes, antibiotics and such while living in the medieval times. Too busy? Too infatuated to notice?

· Gabi decides to return to save her father, killed in a road accident, but never really ponder over the long-term consequences of her deed (like creating a second reality or disturbing the time continuum) – neither her nor other members of her family. Why? Too busy saving Siena? 


· Marcello has suffered several painful losses too – for example his older brother died prematurely as a result of torture and long imprisonment– but somehow he never suggest  saving anybody in the same way his fiancee brought back her dead father…so go back in time, grab him and run. Why?

Final verdict:


A nice series but one I am left conflicted about. There were some fragments which I truly enjoyed but I must admit it was also a bit too shallow from time to time. I suppose younger readers (like in their teens) might like it better than adults - it is definitely YA stuff.


What I discovered:

Yes, this series made me dig for some history tidbits I didn't know and I am grateful - grazie!. Here is the result:

"Where do the names  "Guelph" and "Ghibelline" come from?

Image via Wikipedia

The names "Guelph" and "Ghibelline" appear to have originated in Germany, in the rivalry between the house of Welf (Dukes of Bavaria) and the house of Hohenstaufen (Dukes of Swabia), whose ancestral castle was Waiblingen in Franconia. Agnes, daughter of Henry IV and sister of Henry V, married Duke Frederick of Swabia. "Welf" and "Waiblingen" were first used as rallying cries at the battle of Weinsberg (1140), where Frederick's son, Emperor Conrad III (1138-1152), defeated Welf, the brother of the rebellious Duke of Bavaria, Henry the Proud. Conrad's nephew and successor, Frederick I "Barbarossa" (1152-1190), attempted to reassert the imperial authority over the Italian cities, and to exercise supremacy over the papacy itself. He recognized an antipope, Victor, in opposition to the legitimate sovereign pontiff, Alexander III (1159), and destroyed Milan (1162), but was thoroughly defeated by the forces of the Lombard League at the battle of Legnano (1176) and compelled to agree to the peace of Constance (1183), by which the liberties of the Italian communes were secured. The mutual jealousies of the Italian cities themselves, however, prevented the treaty from having permanent results for the independence and unity of the nation. After the death of Frederick's son and successor, Henry VI (1197), a struggle ensued in Germany and in Italy between the rival claimants for the Empire, Henry's brother, Philip of Swabia (d. 1208), and Otho of Bavaria. According to the more probable theory, it was then that the names of the factions were introduced into Italy. "Guelfo" and "Ghibellino" being the Italian forms of "Welf" and "Waiblingen". The princes of the house of Hohenstaufen, being the constant opponents of the papacy,  "Guelph" and "Ghibelline" were taken to denote adherents of Church and Empire, respectively. The popes having favoured and fostered the growth of the communes, the Guelphs were in the main the republican, commercial, burgher party; the Ghibellines represented the old feudal aristocracy of Italy. For the most part the latter were descended from Teutonic families planted in the peninsula by the Germanic invasions of the past, and they naturally looked to the emperors as their protectors against the growing power and pretensions of the cities. It is, however, clear that these names were merely adopted to designate parties that, in one form or another, had existed from the end of the 11 C."

Source: http://www.san-miniato.com/guelphs.htm

Silent Saturday

Friday Flash Fiction

Amy C at Romance Book Wyrm and Dottie atTink's Place have come up with the idea for a Monday Morning Flash Fiction challenge. Each Monday a new picture prompt will be posted and if you choose to participate - you publish your Fiction Flash  on Friday - 350 words, give or take. Below you can find the picture posted last Monday:

This pic actually made me willing to continue the story of Lilian, a girl who liked reading too much and was as curious as a cat. It means I am leaving poor Mark from the last week flash in the clutches of that vampiress for the time being. I might return to him, I might not - we'll see.


Lilian was reading about a girl completely lost  in an alien word. A girl whose only defence was her pentagram amulet and who could talk only with butterflies. A girl who came from a country where she could walk around  naked undisturbed and landed in a country where being naked was the wretched fate of the lowest of low. Nobody understood her anguish, nobody cared. Lilian felt wetness on her cheeks - tears of that unknown creature who couldn't even introduce herself so nobody could call her a proper name. So lonely, so homesick it hurt.

Lilian wanted to stop reading, the whole story being too depressive to suit her vivacious character, but she couldn't do it, trapped in a compulsive urge to turn one page after another. She felt some danger approaching but even then she couldn't put her book down. The girl she was reading about felt some danger too but she at least could face it. Somebody was looking for her, asking strange questions in a barbaric language she didn't understand. She stopped breathing and Lilian did the same.

A woman envelopped in a long, voluminous cloak was standing before them both. The unknown girl pressed her hands to her chest with the pentagram clutched between them on a long chain. She was afraid but she was also curious and desperate for any help. The woman eyed her in a calculating manner and then took her elbow and led her along a dark, shiny river. The girl followed her meekly and her butterfiles were circling around them as if checking the route. The girl asked the butterflies if it was safe and some of them answered it was too dark to tell anything. One, however, a moth with large wings, told her they were going toward a building with many lights so perhaps it was not safe but certainly exciting. The girl didn't understand what 'exciting' meant.

Lilian felt her ache, insecurity and determination to break free and return home. She could relate - she also wanted to break free from that horrible book but she couldn't find a way out. When the girl with the cloaked woman were entering the building and the butterflies were flying madly around Lilian felt a sudden pain and the enchanted book flew out of her hands. She gasped, half in surprise, half in relief.

Mini review: Vampire Empire Book Two: The Rift Walker by Clay Griffith and Susan Griffith

Book info:

• Paperback: 300 pages
• Publisher: Pyr (September 6, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1616145234
• ISBN-13: 978-1616145231
• Genre: steampunk, pulp action
• Target audience: YA

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

Princess Adele struggles with a life of marriage and obligation as her Equatorian Empire and their American Republic allies stand on the brink of war against the vampire clans of the north. However, the alliance's horrific strategy for total victory drives Adele to abandon her duty and embark on a desperate quest to keep her nation from staining its hands with genocide. Reunited with her great love, the mysterious adventurer known to the world as the Greyfriar, Adele is pursued by her own people as well as her vengeful almost-husband, senator Clark who wants to be emperor at all costs. With the human alliance in disarrray, Prince Cesare, lord of the British vampire clan, seizes the initiative and strikes at the very heart of Equatoria.

As Adele labors to bring order to her world, she learns more about the strange powers she exhibited in the north. Her teacher, Mamoru, leads a secret cabal of geomancers who believe Adele is the one who can touch the vast power of the Earth that surges through ley lines and wells up at the rifts where the lines meet. These energies are the key to defeating the enemy of mankind, and if Princess Adele could ever bring this power under her command, she could be death to vampires. But such a victory will also cost the life of Adele's beloved Greyfriar.

The Rift Walker is the second book in a trilogy of high adventure and alternative history. Combining rousing pulp action with steampunk style, the Vampire Empire series brings epic politcal themes to life within a story of heartbreaking romance, sacrifice, and heroism.

What I liked:

Adele is getting more mature and she learns to make her own choices – always a good thing in any novel. Vampires change their tactics (ok, prince Cesare changes them to tell you the truth and he has some brilliant ideas despite being a monster so overall I warmed up to him despite his murder at the end) and make alliances previously unheard-of. Characters who were supposed to be white hats in the first part got gray hats or even black hats this time – I liked that very much, especially as it concerned some of court politicians. Good moves.

The world building was exquisite although this time we see more of Africa and less of Scotland or London. Still it was a nice trip, especially as it featured the Abu-Simbel temple of Ramsesses and Amun – I would love to visit that site myself. The steampunk factor was not as pronounced as in the first part but it was felt there nevertheless. Farenheit blades are great. ;D I would fancy one.

The plot was fast-paced with some really nice scenes (the meetings between Adele and senator Clark were actually my favourites), the narration smooth and interesting although not to the very end. Why not ? Read the next section to find out.

What I didn’t like:

The closer the plot drifted to those cheesy Zorro movies and indeed, pulp fiction, the less enjoyable it became to me. Rescuing Adele right from the altar at the last possible moment, right after vows? Oh dear, please, it was done to death; it’s enough to remind that fabulous scene from Shrek 01 where the Donkey flies through a big glass window (exactly like our Greyfriar) on a she-dragon (not exactly like Greyfriar who is a vampire and can fly on his own) and shouts: “I have a dragon and I won’t hesitate to use it!” As an ironic, tongue-in-cheek pastiche it worked perfectly well for me; as a serious, big, fat and romantic plot device – not at all. In fact, in my very humble opinion, it was an insult to Adele’s and Gareth’s intelligence and their ability of strategic planning – they could have orchestrated the whole kindnapping a lot better. 


Unfortunately after that scene everything went pretty much downhill. Greyfriar proves time and again that the South is not for vampires and the second part of this book is not for more demanding audience. It is heartbreaking to write it  but so I felt. Not even Flay who, next to Cesare, is indeed my favourite black character of this series (if you haven't read the first part - she is a powerful vampiress in love with Gareth and also a woman spurned by him), could rescue it. Not really. I also hated the fact that Gareth was so weak while travelling in the South. I liked him better while in Scotland.

What I found downright funny (beware: spoilers and some nasty PG remarks ahead – highlight and read at your own risk!):

Ok, so we have this big, teary romance between the princess and her vampiric beloved. They  missed each other terribly and they finally meet after a long time in extremely romantic circumstances – he saves her from being married to an American brute she doesn’t love, right? After that they run away together and spend a lot of time alone. Aaaaaaaaaaaaand...he kisses her. Only. Oh, wait, they also cuddle a bit on the same bed and yes, he treats her as his private emergency food storage so he drinks her blood. Still, nothing untoward passes between them because…well, the authors seem very inclined to tiptoeing around that issue as if it was one big hot piece of coal, to be treated with utmost care, preferably to be avoided completely. Honestly... I know it is an YA book but even in such novels these things are at least mentioned, if not vaguely described. At the very end Gareth is princess Adele’s official consort and still they only cuddle…and kiss…and cuddle some more... and drink deeply.

My conclusions? Gareth must be homosexual or a saint or he simply cannot perform. Maybe all these three are true who knowns...anyway I found it silly and spurious.Poor Adele. Poor series. Poor eunuch vampires. Sigh. Strangely enough this books are  written by a husband-and-wife team...
Final verdict:


A good YA novel but also, in my opinion, one definitely worse than the first part which I truly enjoyed.  I am still willing to read the third and the final one but I must admit I am a bit wary now. The Rift Walker fell a bit short of my expectations so I wonder what solutions the authors will chose to finish the series.

Image via Wikipedia

A brief history of alchemy - part one

Photo Credit: Gerik Zayatz, Creative Commons
Toth with the head of an ibis

Everything begins in Africa...

I love alchemy. To my own surprise I found out not so long ago, writing a review of a book with alchemy elements, that I haven't tackled this subject yet. I was thinking about changing that as soon as possible and here you go: this essay starts a series in which I will try to explain my infatuation - why alchemy, mentioned  in scientific or fictional books, makes me always very interested and excited.

Alchemy is a very old art and/or science but its origins are, surprisingly, traceable. I love etymology so please, bear with me. The word “alchemy” itself offers an explanation too good to omit. It found its way to English from the Old French “alquimie” and the Medieval Latin’s “alchimia” but its real source is Arabic and ancient Greek. Both languages renders it respectively as al-kimia (الكيمياء) and chemia (χημία). It might be derived from a version of the Egyptian name of that African country, which was, in turn, based on the Ancient Egyptian word kēme (hieroglyphic Khmi, black earth, so a fertile ground of the Nile plains as opposed to deadly bare desert sands). There is another school of thought, deriving the word from the Greek chumeia meaning “mixture” and clearly referring to the act of mixing drugs so a kind of ancient pharmaceutical industry or the word khumos, meaning 'fluid'. Of course, as it is often with such ancient terms, the etymology problem still remains open. Personally I would incline towards the Egyptian derivation. Let me explain why.

As every student learning ancient history knows, Egyptians used to mummify their deceased in order to ensure them an eternal afterlife. They were very proficient in these techniques and I believe such practices gave rise to chemical knowledge far surpassing our wildest guesses. What's more, there was a great Egyptian adept king, named by the Greeks “Hermes Trismegistus” (so Hermes the Thrice Great) who is supposed to be the very founder of alchemy. We know preciously little about him – he seems to be a Hellenistic Egyptian mix of Hermes the Greek god guiding the souls to the Underworld (called also a psychopompos, conveyor of souls) and Thoth the Egyptian god of record keeping, wisdom and scripture. Toth was one interesiting character by the way - he served as the vizier (prime minister) to Re or Ra, King of the gods, being  Mr. Science, the Answer Man, and divine Secretary-in-Chief of the Egyptian pantheon. A nerd but also a trickster (his other animal symbol was a baboon) and a god of magic (professor Dumbledore from "Harry Potter" would seem like just a local amateur conjurer compared to him).

Hermes leading Euridice back to Hades

Small wonder Hermes Trismegistus was considered a deity of its own. Reputedly he lived about 1900 B.C. and he was highly celebrated in the ancient word for his wisdome and skill in the operation of nature (thus such a grand name). Unfortunately, from the works attributed to him, only a few fragments survived to our time. Everything because of one Roman emperor.

 The third century A.D. seems to have been a period when alchemy was widely practiced, but also during that century, in the year 296, Emperor Diocletian (a very bad guy for early Christians too) sought out and burnt all the Egyptian books on alchemy and the other Hermetic sciences, and in so doing destroyed all evidence of any progress made up to that date. I am not sure why he did it. We do have some pieces and excerpts from the Emerald Tablet , the Asclepian Dialogues and the Divine Pymander. They were preserved in the Latin language by Fianus (?) and translate into other languages in the sixteenth century.

The famous Emerald Tablet (Tabula Smaragdina) of Hermes is the primary document of alchemy. There have been various stories of the origin of the tract, one being that the original emerald slab upon which the precepts were said to be inscribed in Phoenician characters was discovered in the tomb of Hermes by Alexander the Great. I assume the adjective “emerald” concerns the colour, not the material. Most likely the tabled was etched on a sheet of green glass (also a very costly thing at that times) or perhaps a slab of jade or other green semi-precious stone. Real emeralds simply never come that big and ancient people didn't know how to identify them in a fault-proof way. Of course that fact never prevented spreading the "real emerald" legend. In the Berne edition (1545) of the Summa Perfectionis, the Latin version is printed under the heading: "The Emerald Tables of Hermes the Thrice Great Concerning Chymistry, Translator unknown. The words of the secrets of Hermes, which were written on the Tablet of Emerald found between his hands in a dark cave wherein his body was discovered buried."

From that document comes the famous alchemical rule, saying “That which is above is from that which is below, and that which is below is from that which is above, working the miracles of one.” The other rule states that “all things were from one” so “the structure of the microcosm is in accordance with the structure of the macrocosm”. Taking into account our current state of science you must admit these were quite revolutionary, truly modern ideas. I should also mention the fact that there are many versions of this short document: Isaac Newton, Georgio Beato, Sigismund Bacstrom, Madame Blavatsky, Idres Shah, Dennis W. Hauck each of them rendered it a bit differently; if you want to compare these just follow this link.

Artist's impression of the Emerald Tablet

The goals alchemists are universally famous for were the transmutation of common metals into Gold or Silver and the creation of a “panacea” or remedies that supposedly would cure all diseases and prolong life indefinitely. Some of alchemists also tried to find a universal solvent but often such goals were intertwined. Of course these were not the only uses for the discipline they remain the ones most documented and well-known. Many fiction authors used the quest for the Philosopher’s Stone, a legendary substance that was believed to be an essential ingredient for either or all of those goals, as a linchpin of their stories. They also popularized the picture of an aged, slightly sinister, black-robed wizard, brooding over the crucibles and alembics to discover the formula for the Elixir of Life. However, alchemy has been something far more than an outlet for a few eccentrics who liked to play with occult in their dotage. Men and women who proclaimed themselves alchemists were concerned with things spiritual rather than temporal such as riches and gold. Their writings and the accounts of their lives prove that they were inspired by a vision of perfect human society, freed from disease and the limitations of warring faculties, both mental and physical. To appreciate and understand their visions, it is necessary to trace the history of their philosophy. I will try to give you a rough guide in the next part and I promise to keep it as short as possible. I hope you will enjoy it!

My sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alchemy

http://www.alchemylab.com/history_of_alchemy.htm

http://www.sibyllineorder.org/magical_studies/ms_alc_history.htm

http://www.economist.com/node/18226821

http://www.experiment-resources.com/islamic-alchemy.html

http://www.3rd1000.com/history/alchemy.htm

http://www.alchemywebsite.com/timelin2.html

Mini review: Lana Halliday – a short story by Lulu Sullivan

Why I read it: I was contacted by the author - thank you very much! - and she asked me to read and review her short story; it was provided  free of charge in exchange for an impartial opinion. That fact, of course, didn't influence my review in any way and I wasn't compensated in any form for writing it.  As always the pleasure was mine.


Book info:

Form: e-book, pdf format
Title: Lana Halliday
Author: Lulu Sullivan
Genre: mystery, comedy, 
Target audience: pretty much everyone


Synopsis:

Lana Halliday meets her friend, Ronnie, for tea. He is recovering from a broken heart and, like any good friend, Lana lends her sympathetic ear to him and learns about the whole business in great detail.

Ronnie happened to be engaged to a delicate and elfish but rather mercenary girl called May. You might know her type - a girl every male around feels honour-bound to protect because she seems to be such a dainty, sweet, helpless little doll. Of course usually she is anything but. Clever May broke her engagement with Ronnie as soon as she found out no well-paid job was waiting for him despite having a rich, well-connected uncle. She also kept her engagement ring because it came with a huge, expensive diamond. To add insult to injury, she took the diamond out and had it set in a tiepin; then she gave it to her newest boyfriend, Peter Maddox Peters, a popular writer. Sweet, wasn't it?

Ronnie is being in dire straits now – he bought that diamond by fabricating a cheque with his uncle's signature (one zero more, one zero less, who cares?) and now he must face his anger unless he can reimburse him, which of course is not possible. Ronnie would love to have that diamond back, sell it and return the money but he is hardly a man equal to the task - his poor efforts lead to an incarceration. Our blonde Lana has to intervene, as she would do anything for a good friend wilting in jail…especially as she is enjoying every moment of it!

What I liked:

Lana Halliday was a girl after my own heart – clever, devious, not afraid of getting dirty, always there when her friend needs her the most. I like her fierce loyalty and recourcefulness.

The sense of humour – as always Ms Sullivan made me laugh. I do appreciate it more and more. Thank you!

The cover is nice!

What I didn’t like:

I know it sounds silly but this story was simply too short. I want a big fat book featuring Lana Halliday! Pretty please!


Final verdict:

If you like reading short stories with kick-ass heroines do go for it! If you prefer longer books - there is still Brightwing out there waiting for you!

Musical Monday, 19 of September

Welcome to Musical Monday! 

What great songs never make you bored ? What songs do you eagerly return to? Would you like to share?  Here is my pick for this Monday - Seal and his old hit: 'Crazy'. For all crazy people out there - enjoy!

Seal: Crazy lyrics




In a church,by the face,
He talks about the people going under.

Only child know...

A man decides after seventy years,
That what he goes there for, is to unlock the door.
While those around him criticize and sleep...
And through a fractal on a breaking wall,
I see you my friend, and touch your face again.
Miracles will happen as we trip.

But we're never gonna survive, unless...
We get a little crazy
No we're never gonna survive, unless...
We are a little...

Cray...cray...cray...

...Crazy yellow people walking through my head.
One of them's got a gun, to shoot the other one.
And yet together they were friends at school
Ohh, get it, get it, get it, get it no no!

If all were there when we first took the pill,
Then maybe, then maybe, then maybe, then maybe...
Miracles will happen as we speak.

But we're never gonna survive unless...
We get a little crazy.
No we're never gonna survive unless...
We are a little...
Crazy...
No no, never survive, unless we get a little... bit...

Oh, a little bit...
Oh, a little bit...

Oh...
Oh...

Amanda decides to go along after seventeen years...

Oh darlin...
In a sky full of people, only some want to fly,
Isn't that crazy?
In a world full of people, only some want to fly,
Isn't that crazy?
Crazy...
In a heaven of people there's only some want to fly,
Ain't that crazy?
Oh babe... Oh darlin...
In a world full of people there's only some want to fly,
Isn't that crazy?
Isn't that crazy... Isn't that crazy... Isn't that crazy...

Ohh...
But we're never gonna survive unless, we get a little crazy.. crazy..
No we're never gonna to survive unless we are a little... crazy..
But we're never gonna survive unless, we get a little crazy.. crazy..
No we're never gonna to survive unless, we are a little.. crazy..
No no, never survive unless, we get a little bit...

And then you see things
The size
Of which you've never known before

They'll break it

Someday...

Only child know....

Them things
The size
Of which you've never known before

Someday...
Someway...
Someday...
Someway...
Someday...
Someway...
Someday... 




I must admit the lyrics are overall a bit unclear but the chorus message is 100% true, at least in my case...I hummed along to that tune while taking my first flight ever totally on my own. I was a bit scared but I survived. :)

Mini review: Aftermath (Sirantha Jax 05) by Ann Aguirre

Book form: mobi (Kindle) format ebook
Author: Ann Aguirre
Title: Aftermath
Genre: sci-fi/fantasy/romance/space opera
Target audience: adults

Synopsis 
(if you haven't read the previous parts you might be spoiled, it is a series after all, sorry):

Sirantha Jax went AWOL and managed to rearrange the beacons, making the Grimspace quite unrecognizable to anybody but herself. She saved her whole civilization from the invasion of murderous, flesh-eating Morguts but also over 600 innocent people died, stranded in Grimspace because of her intervention. Now she has to undergo a trial for it - and her life might be at stake.

March and Velith are helping her find a good lawyer but ultimately it's her personal fight to stay sane and to tackle the survivor's guilt which matters the most. March leaves before the trial begins; he has to look for his orphaned nephew. It is evident he and Jax are growning apart almost despite their best efforts to stay close to each other. After Sirantha's release she and Velith Il- Nok travel to Gehenna where they say their good-byes to Adele, a friend of both. We get to know more about Vel's past romance with Adele. After some time of rest Sirantha wants to do something positive to counter-balance all the deaths, caused by her. She has two concrete projects on her mind.

The first one concerns a little Mareq creature called Baby-Z. It was another casualty, killed accidentally by Sirantha, but his DNA sample was preserved. Now it is being cloned in order to return it to its home. The other project concern Loras - a La'hern so a kind of elf who comes from a race which doesn't have a will of his own anymore due to human intervention. Sirantha promised to help him and now is financing the whole research which might lead to finding a cure for all La'hern.

All nice and good but will it be enough?

What I liked:

This one was truly a character-driven adventure. Yes, you got it right and yes, it is possible; at least Ann Aguirre can make it happen. Almost all her characters are fully-fledged and seem completely alive and still they get plenty of action! Easy? Well, not exactly...

We  finally get more information about March, Hit, Adele, Doc and March's nephew, but most of all Vel. Sirantha’s path from an anti-heroine and a boobs-flashing rebel to a self-aware, courageous, mature woman is very impressive. The best thing is she owes a lot of her newfound dedication and maturity to the strong, loyal bounty hunter, Velith, who looks like a big bug in a chitin body but is one of the best aliens I've encountered in sci-fi books - really the more you know about him the more you cherish him. He is wise, supportive, undemanding, able to defend himself, full of good ideas and loyal - could you wish anything more in a prospective partner? So what he isn't exactly human-handsome?


What's more, Ann Aguirre is an amazing story teller - she can keep you occupied all the time. She started with this crazy sci-fi Grimspace world but what she really has given us are unforgettable characters, a fantastic, very original vision and a gripping story. It can appeal to lovers of different genres.

What I didn't like:

Well, the book seemed to me divided artificially into two parts: the trial of Sirantha and her trip to planet Mareeq, to deliver Baby-Z2 to his parents. I wish both parts were longer and more developped; that way Jax's story arc was just too extended. Also sometimes I was a tiny bit annoyed by all these messages and letters.

The cover: cheeesy...definitely worse than the content, believe me.

Final verdict:

If you don't have anything terribly against this mix of genres do read this series, it is worth it! I just hope the final part will be as good as the frist five!

Aguirre says that Jax is going to get her HEA (happily ever after) in the last book (Endgame) that's going to be published next year - that seems clearly to indicate some sort of resolution with March. I'm very interested to see how this one works out and how other mysteries will be solved like the real identity of Edun or the fate of Jael (no, I don't think he died in prison, b*****d).

Silent Saturday

Friday Flash Fiction

Amy C at Romance Book Wyrm and Dottie atTink's Place have come up with the idea for a Monday Morning Flash Fiction challenge. Each Monday a new picture prompt will be posted and if you choose to participate - you publish your Fiction Flash  on Friday - 350 words, give or take. Below you can find the picture posted last Monday:

I decided to continue the previous story of a stubborn girl called Lilian who was as curious as a cat and got immersed in a dangerous book a bit too deep for her own good...the first part can be found here and the second is right below - enjoy!

Mark went to his quarters as he was told but with a heavy heart. There was no point waiting behind closed door for a stupid girl who clearly didn't want either his help or his advice, no point whatsoever...wine made it a bit easier too but still he was feeling deeply uneasy about the whole affair. In the morning he heard on the grapevine really bad news: Lilian was nowhere to be found. She didn't sleep in her bed, she didn't attend breakfast, nobody has seen her since yesterday. At noon the search turned into a frenzy. Mark finally plucked up the courage, went to the secret library and started shouting Lilian's name and pounding on the door with his fists. Nobody answered and no sound could be heard apart from the frantic beat of his heart. Without picking the lock again he knew something had gone terribly wrong and he had just one option left - inform Lord Dreane, Lilian's father, the owner of that weird and dangerous place.

Mark got the address of Lord Dreane's friend from the butler. He had to reveal a part of his story in the process but, taking into account the panic concerning the fate of Lilian, everything went relatively quickly. Nobody would dare ask too many question and delay the rescue of little Miss. The butler agreed curtly that Lord Dreane was their only and best chance. A young, fast mare was given to Mark in order to get to his lordship as soon as possible. The mare did a wondrous job - she covered the distance like a wind and in less than three hours Mark was knocking at the door of Mr. Sweeney's estate, enquiring about his master.

The door was answered not by a servant but by a fine lady; seeing her Mark was left speechless. She was rather tall and curvaceous, she wore her long hair loose and her dress was, as far as he could judge such things, expensive if not downright showy - very low cut at the front, dark red or black, it was difficult to say in the twilight of the hall. Mark had a distinct feeling that the lady exposed rather too much of her breasts so he kept his eyes demurely on the floor, just sneaking a peek now and then. Not that the view wasn't pleasant, because it undoubtedly was, but he had other worries right now on his mind and he didn't want to get distracted.

" Excuse me my ladyship for this intrusion but I am looking for..."

"What's your name?"

Her voice was husky and low but very melodious in a rather dreamy way. A voice to sing you a lullaby or to tell you a story before your sleep...in short a bedroom voice. Mark made an effort to focus again on his current predicament.

"My name is Mark, my lady, and I was sent with the message for Lord Dreane concerning..."

"How old are you?"

There was something wrong but he couldn't put a finger on it - that damned dreamy voice was distracting him very efficiently, making him want to close his eyes, to float off, to...he clenched his fists so tightly that he punctured flesh with his own nails, drawing blood. Pain helped to return to reality, though.

"I am twenty-four my lady and I wonder whether you could alert Lord Dreane to the fact that..."

"Twenty-four. What a nice age to be. Give me your hand, Mark, and worry naught, Lord Dreane will hear your message soon. I will take you to him in a moment."

Before he knew how to react she was holding his hand and, as soon as they touched, he stopped worrying or in fact thinking about anything at all. All he could see was this beautiful lady, smiling at him, carressing his hand intimately with her thumb. How could he missed the fact that she was so enticingly scrumptious? All he wanted to do was to gaze longingly at her full, milky-white breasts, exposed just for him, listen to her voice...

" Oh dear, look my lad, you injured yourself", she breathed and then raised his hand, as if she wanted to kiss it, and started licking the bloody crescent marks his nails had left. Mark closed his eyes and gasped with pleasure although licking turned quickly into sucking and biting, making his injuries even larger and more bloody. He didn't mind. He came closer to her splendid bosom not even remembering how he moved his feet. The scent of her made him dizzy - she smelled of vanilla and chocolate, mead and roses, a warm autumn evening and heather, a campfire under stars and sweet summer wine...She let his hand drop.

"Let me kiss you a welcome, Mark," she whispered in his ear.

"What a great idea" , he murmured dreamily, feeling her pressed into his body, her lips already caressing one side of his neck. He embraced her with his arms, keeping her head as she positioned it, feeling a rush of hot excitement as she nuzzled him and then broke his skin with her teeth. He was so pleased, so happy that he never noticed when he drowned into soft, velvety darkness and saw no more.

What do you think? I do admit it is the hottest scene I've written so far! This pic had a bad influence on me...what's more I enjoyed writing it! Bad, bad cat!

Mini review: The Cambridge List by Robert Clear

Why I read it: I was contacted by Melissa (Books and Things) - thank you very much! - and she asked me to read and review this novel; it was provided by the author free of charge in exchange for an impartial opinion. That fact, of course, didn't influence my review in any way and I wasn't compensated in any form for doing so.  As always the pleasure was mine.

Book form: e-book, epub
Title: The Cambridge List
Author: Robert Clear
Genre: dark comedy, thriller
Target audience: adults.

Synopsis:

James Connor, a young English teacher in one of many Cambridge language schools for foreigners, is being seriously depressed. Not only his job is tedious to the extreme and not exactly well-paid but he also can’t find anything better. He desperately wants a change. Flanoxiride, a new anti-depressant developed by one of his flatmates, a PhD biotech student, still not tested on humans due to lack of funds, seems to be his chance to turn over a new leaf. He has nothing to lose, doesn’t he?

Soon enough he is able to hear a beautiful tune in his head, sung by a woman. He knows that probably something is not entirely right with him but the tune is so enticing he doesn’t want to interfere – it’s better to hear that than his students’ poor English, right? The woman sang about existence itself – of stars and galaxies, atomic and subatomic life. Who wouldn’t want to listen to it? After a while James has a whole Greek pantheon in his head – Hera, Athena, the Muse (like in Homer’s Iliad), all of them. They have a plan concerning James – they want him to kill five people who defy Greek deities the most and whose names are on an appropriate list. James will be the human agent or  “wessel” of Olympians’ wrath. Call it a promotion.

Very conveniently, the first victim, Harriet Mason, happens to be James’s previous academic mentor, a monstrously fat woman and a lecturer in Ancient Greek who hates men (or so people think). That way we find out more about James’s classic studies at Midsummer College and the hidden plot which prevented him from obtaining a hard-earned degree and starting a very promising scholar career at the Faculty. Small wonder gods themselves had to intervene. ;) As the story unravels it seems that the Cambridge University’s Classics Study Division hides more unpleasant secrets than any decent mafia…or Greek tragedies. Small wonder- after all, believe it or not, classics is the study of death and sex…

Will James carry out that grim task? Will a young reporter, Wendy, help him? Will gods be appeased?

What I liked:

The premise was perhaps not the most original one (Greek gods have been featuring a lot in different nowadays) but it certainly was presented in a refreshing way. Hera, Aphrodithe and the Muse (a.k.a Muesli, the teenage single mother of four) were fun to read and had a lot of character.

All other deities were presented in a very human manner – they quarrel and fight, they swear and plot, all in poor James’s brain. If you think it is a bit too homey you should read the Greek myths themselves in which gods were exactly like these presented here: true, they used another language but, by and large, they remained a mirror reflection of their worshippers, not above stealing, raping, murdering and killing, even women and children. It’s obvious Mr. Clear understands Greek mythology rather well.

What I didn’t like:

Two-dimensional characters. If James was supposed to grow up and shoulder any responsibility as an assassin or a sociopath he didn’t let it be seen (sly dog).

Sometimes the sense of humour, which was supposed to be dark, became too close to those lavatory jokes, dealing with any secretions a human body can excrete. Not my kind of fun (but undoubtedly appealing to some dumb teenage boys), I prefer something a tad more intelligently dark. Giving you a hint I do not recommend eating anything, even the best dark Lindt chocolate with cherry filling and a dash of chili, while reading some parts of this book – your gag reflex might still surprise you rather nastily. When I come to think about it you might actually think twice before visiting the lovely and ancient town of Cambridge, England. I am not sure the reputation the author gave that place in his novel was fair but it was certainly horrible. And a bit funny too.

Finally there was a lot of swearing in this one - too much in my view. If it was supposed to make the atmosphere even more hilarious (imagine Hera saying to Dionysos something like: “I could f*****g well wring you clean”) it failed. It made the dialogues between gods merely ludicrous.

Final verdict:

A book with good scenes and ideas but also one that failed to impress me. Not my type of humour, not my kind of fun. Pity, because I do like mythological variations and thrillers.