Musical Monday, 12 of December

Welcome to Musical Monday! 

It's Monday: do you need something dynamic with a strong rythm to help you start the new week? Here you go: Storytime by Nightwish. Enjoy!

Lyrics

'Twas the night before,
When all through the world,
No words, no dreams
Then one day,
A writer by a fire
Imagined all Gaia
Took a journey into a child-man's heart

A painter on the shore
Imagined all the world
Within the snowflake on his palm
Unframed by poetry,
A canvas of awe
Planet Earth falling back in to the stars

I am the voice of Never-Never-Land
The innocence, the dreams of every man
I am the empty crib of Peter Pan
A silent kite against the blue, blue sky,
Every chimney, every moonlit sight
I am the story that will read you real
Every memory that you hold dear
[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/n/nightwish/storytime.html ]
I am the journey,
I am the destination
I am the home
The tale that reads you
Away to taste the night
The elusive high
Follow the madness
Alice, you know once did

Imaginarium, a dream emporium
Caress the tales
And they will dream you real
A storyteller's game
Lips that intoxicate
The core of all life is a
Limitless chest of tales

I am the voice of Never-Never-Land
The innocence, the dreams of every man
I am the empty crib of Peter Pan
A silent kite against the blue, blue sky,
Every chimney, every moonlit sight
I am the story that will read you real
Every memory that you hold dear

I am the voice of Never-Never-Land
The innocence, the dreams of every man
Searching heavens for another Earth

What do you think?

Review: Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel

Book info:
Form: e-book, mobi format
Genre: historical fiction
Target audience: history geeks, adult and young; other readers as well


Synopsis: 

England in the 1520s. Relatively young Henry VIII has a family-related problem - a wife much older than himself and no male heir. Should I say more? His story of love and marriage with Anne Boleyn has been done to death – you might choose between books, movies, plays, you name it. This time it is presented from the point of view of Thomas Cromwell - a man of humble background who starts as a blacksmith’s runaway son and a mercenary; then he rises to become one of Henry VIII’s top advisers and courtiers. But the king is volatile: one day tender and kind, the other day impatient and even murderous. Cromwell helps him break the opposition, but what will be the price of his triumph?

What I liked:

First let me just say that the scope of this novel is simply immense. I was totally awed that Hilary Mantel set out to describe the whole tumultuous period in English history, not focusing on just on Henry, Anne, the court and the plotting but showing also the struggle faced by those behind the scene - simple people like a mad village prophetess or a little French thief, Christophe, who asks Cromwell for protection and a job…those huge proclamations or big meetings between the rulers are here too but the most important scenes are described by Cromwell, sitting alone at his desk, thinking and reminiscing. It was spell-bounding, like watching a real-time strategy game, not like a boring history lesson.

The narration is hardly linear – you must pay attention and let the book take you forth and back but I must say in my case the effort paid off. From time to time I felt as if I was sightseeing the 16th century England.

Thomas Comwell painted by Hans Holbein via Wikipedia

The novel was very well researched and rather detailed but it didn’t spoil my reading pleasure. Thomas Cromwell –what a main character! The word ‘three-dimensional’ doesn’t do him justice – not really. Small wonder I simply couldn’t get enough of him. He was a charmer and a bully, both idealist and opportunist, astute in reading people and a demon of energy: an honest person but also a consummate politician (say: liar), hardened by his personal experience, implacable in his ambition and cunning. Very human, very flawed, completely ruthless but not to those who are weaker than himself. He lacks principles but it is actually an advantage if you live in a period when people with principles are being beheaded for them.


Finally Henry and Anne…those two have been portrayed time and again from every angle - most often he is the beast (big, fat and red) and she is the beauty (dark, delicate, feminine). Well, not in this book. Anne is definitely one of the baddies here – cold-hearted, false, overly ambitious, cunning and selfish to the extreme, especially considering her treatment of her pretty sister, Mary. I did start pitying the king as he was portrayed here – he fell in love with such a snake of a woman.

What I didn’t like:

As I mentioned above the novel is long and complex. If you don’t have enough time for it (like at least several days, I am not kidding), don’t start it – it is not a flaw, just a warning- because then you will be forced to drop your reading and the return is not exactly easy – think about the return of the king in LOTR and you might get an idea how difficult exactly it might be. ;)

I did try to pay attention but still sometimes I had trouble with distinguishing characters, especially that there was a number of people called Thomas, Anne, Jane, Mary and Henry (in that one it seems that indeed every man is called  Tom, Dick or Harry). From time to time somebody is referred to by his or her name and other times by his or her title. That's why it happened I had some trouble keeping track of who was saying what and to whom.

Final verdict:

I recommend this book to all fans of good historical fiction, no matter how many versions of Henry VIII's story you have read/heard/seen. However, if you happen to suffer from low boredom threshold or you are being busy you might find Wolf Hall quite a challenge. This book demands your full attention not unlike a king or a queen.

Anne Boleyn the evil queen via Wikipedia

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. Here is the picture posted this Monday:

I am still a bit ill but the devil in me couldn't have missed such an ocassion...which means I am definitely better. ;-) Oh well, judge on your own.

Thera knew she had to return that book to the library. It was already like two weeks overdue. She was sure she would have to pay a fine even though that new, totally hot and as hunky as hell intern librarian clearly fancied her. She smirked remembering his chocolate eyes with long, velvety eyelashes which measured her up and down. Or his wide shoulders. Or elegant hands with long, slender fingers. Other girls talked about him as well. Like 24/7. Ok, let's try some damage control - with him being on duty she definitely stood a chance.

First the right make-up - not too much but enough to emphasize her assets. Then the right clothes. She put on a rather tight blouse and the shortest hip skirt she could find, both items taken straight from her younger sister's wardrobe. The kid was smallish but fortunately plump enough to wear the same size. Almost. And Thera attended the same school so their uniforms were similar...Finally dark brown stockings, matching the skirt and ending right below the hem. They must have been a good choice - every male passing her had his eyes glued to her legs. Some of them frowned, some smiled, other wolf-whistled but nobody was left indifferent. On the other hand most girls looked right through her as if she was made of glass. Great. She knew that look only too well - in the humble opinion of other females she was too attractive to live -the most sincere compliment another girl can pay you without actually saying a word.

Thera entered the library like a model would enter a catwalk - ramrod straight, swaying her hips, pouting her lips. And froze. The hunky specimen of librarian male hotness was nowhere to be seen. Gone to a gym or being on a date? Hiding somewhere in a corner? Powdering his perfect nose in the toilet? She looked around. Nobody. Thera cussed but luckily not too loud. An elderly woman wearing bejewelled spectacles emerged from behind one of the shelves and met her gaze. She felt her chances dwindling to zero. Where did that ridiculous old crone come from? Oh right, from behind the shelves...

The old crone appraised her shortly and smiled.

"Hello my dear. What can I do for you?"

Die, just die, you are so old nobody will notice anyway...thought Thera viciously.

"Er...hello, Mrs...Ms...well...hello, nice to meet you and I want to return a book..."

The woman smiled showing dainty, sharp teeth.

A pretty lousy smile, cheap dentures...commented Thera in her head.

"It's Mrs. Raffle and nice to meet you too. Please, give me your name and put the book on the desk."

"Thera Jones."

Stuff yourself with it.

"Oh dear. Miss Jones, could you spell your first name for me, please? There seem to be at least four different students called like you but I am sure the spelling will clarify everything."

Oh dear? Do me a favour...

"Yes, of course. It's T-H-E-R-A."

"A nice name. I'm afraid the book is overdue and you will have to pay a fine, pretty name or not. Unless..."

"...unless?"

UNLESS?

The librarian reacted immediately, as if she waited for that simple word. She grabbed Thera's hand and pulled her closer without missing a beat.

"Unless you agree to volunteer and work here for twenty hours after your classes. I think you might be the right person but to be completely sure I must see your reflection in our mirror - as simple as that. Do step behind the counter and follow me, my dear...yes, take this book of yours with you if you like and please, don't pretend to be shy, with such clothes on nobody would believe you anyway...this way please, just stand and watch."

Dazed but curious, Thera followed the library woman. Soon enough she was positioned before a large mirror, over two meters long and at least two meters wide. Why library people needed such a thing at all? It was their working place not a freaking changing room in a...Thera looked and froze for the second time. Her reflection didn't look right. Her back was on fire and her both hands emitted kind of blue thunderbolts. The most surprising thing, though, floated above her head. A fire crown. Good heavens. Somehow she didn't feel flattered. She knew she was hot but a fire crown seemed to be a bit over the top...surely there were prettier girls who deserved it, even in this school...

All of a sudden the hunky librarian guy she had hoped to meet and wrap around her little finger joined her. Or rather joined her reflection in the mirror. He put his arm round her waist, smiled and said:

"She will most definitely do, my lady."

Thera fell to the floor in a faint.

The Hermetica of Elysium by Annamarie Banks

This book was provided by the author's publisher via my lady Blodeuedd's excellent blog in return for an honest review. I haven't been compensated for writing the said review in any way and the fact that the book came free of charge didn't influence me either. 

Book info:

Publisher: Knox Robinson Publishing
Pages: 400
To Be published: December 8 2011

Form: e-book, pdf format

Genre: historical fantasy, adventure, hermetical

Target audience: YA and adults alike

Synopsis (starting with a quote):

  

“Other shining, untarnished minds have come before us, lighting this path to understanding. But the sword of fear and ignorance has cut down their mortal forms, dissolving them as time does to all of us, to dust. Yet, their minds remain on paper. Their thoughts come to us in ink and parchment, packaged in tiny receptacles of light and wisdom.”

Spain, the dark years of Inquisition led by Torquemada. Nadira, a young Muslim slave girl and her owner, Sofir, a rich Spanish converso (so a Jew who conversed to Christianity) are one night accosted by some sailors (or rather pirates). These men ask specifically for Nadira; they brought with them a dying young man, which had been beaten by them to almost death. They think he doesn’t understand Spanish so they make Nadira speak her native Arabic to make him divulge his secret – the location of a certain book. The man is obstinate and doesn’t tell them anything so, after more beating, they leave him with Sofir, thinking he is dead. And he indeed dies after one more day but he also reveals to Nadira that a man named Henry has the book. He implores the girl to tell that to his little brother, Robin. Why was that book, any book in fact, worth such a sacrifice, though? Where is that Robin? One of these questions is solved very quickly.

Robert Longmoor, Baron Montrose of Scotland visits Sofir to collect the body of his elder brother, tortured to death. As he can’t read , he takes Nadira with him by force - she is fluent in several languages and he must find his brother’s book and read his letters. Although the girl remains a captive, her new master treats her with kindness and dignity. Because of him Nadira gets involved in a chain of adventures that exceeds her all expectations…she becomes important to many curious, rich and ruthless people. Will she find a worthy place in the world or remain the plaything of the powers that be? Will her strengths prevail over her weaknesses? What will she learn? Will Robert survive?

What I liked:

-          The subject matter - it is about a hermetical book for heavens’ sake!!! A very old book from Egypt, written in several languages, most probably an ancient text, coveted by many alchemists! How not to adore such a premise? It reminded me of The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco, one of my all time favourites! In fact I suppose the idea of an edible book was taken straight from that novel! Still I didn’t mind – not at all!

-          The narration was quick-paced and as lively as I like. The book managed to keep me interested till the very end.

-         Plenty of knights in their prime, one pretty girl and no insta-love! No insta-lust either! A love triangle? Absent again! Well done and, as you see, it can be done!

-         A kick-ass heroine who is not only of Arab descent but also, despite being a slave, doesn’t want to follow her mother’s fate and remain despondent all her life; she takes difficult decisions but never ones which would be too stupid for her to live. By the way usually in such books  it is a Saracen master and a Christian slave; here we have an Arab girl,  a Jewish master and a Scotsman…not bad!

What I didn’t like:

-         In short small inconsistencies. They can ruin even the best premise for me. For example the main heroine, Nadira, once states that she wants to return home to Morocco and several pages later she says ‘to Marrakech’. I am not sure whether they were known by their contemporary names in the 15^th century. Oh well, you know me…incurably anal…

-         It is not a flaw but it bugged me: Richard Longmoor was a kind of prominent scholar while his younger brother, Robert, couldn’t read an write at all…correct me if I am mistaken but if you were a Scottish laird who decided to spend some hard-earned coin on exclusive education, hiring a private tutor in the shape of a monk, you would make sure both of your precious sons got at least some basic schooling… I would understand if Robert knew ‘only’ Latin or ‘only’ Old French/Norman but the fact that he could barely sign his own name and couldn't read in any language left me perplexed…what did young Master Robin do when Richard had his lessons? Chased skirts? Shot crows? How come his father didn’t intervene?

-    I would wish for some three-dimensional baddies...

Final verdict:

Despite some quibbles I did enjoy this book and I would love to read the second part of this series. Alchemy gives me always a powerful tug and this book was based on some alchemical texts...how could I resist it?

Image via Wikipedia

Review: Soldier (Duke’s Obsession 02) by Grace Burrowes

Book info:

Form: e-book, Kindle format

Genre: historical romance

Target audience: adults 

Why I read it:

Oh, really mum, not my fault, not at all. Bad influence, nothing less, that's the beginning and the end of it. First I've seen a very good review, written by Blodeuedd, and got curious...then I decided to start the series in the middle, exactly as Melissa (BaT). Oh well...

Synopsis:

 The titular soldier, Devlin St. Just, is an illegitimate son of a duke and a retired English colonel, lately returned from the Iberian Peninsula war .Well, illegitimate or not, every Austen heroine would drool over him and their mamas would be plotting a whole campaign worth at least two Bonapartes and one Nelson to have him as their son-in-law. He is handsome and well-conected and evidently single and you know these country matrons, ferocious and cunning like hell. He was granted a title and an estate in Yorkshire. Unfortunately the estate is neglected and with it come other duties as well – like taking care of another illegitimate child, sired by the previous owner - it is an unruly little girl called Bronwyn (Winnie) living in a cottage with her cousin, Emmeline (Emmie) Farnum. 

 Well, Emmie needs taking care of as well but her problems are a bit different- she is a 25 years old spinster who earns her living by baking bread and pastries for the local community. However the same people who order her tasty buns and cakes ostracize her for being, like Winnie, a child born on the wrong side of the blanket. Actually women in her family have a bit of reputation and Emmie is anxious that Winnie, when older, might be tarred with the same brush. When St. Just clearly won over by the child's innocent charm, offers to take care of Winnie, it seems like an excellent idea. Even the most excellent ideas can backfire, though. Will Emmie be prepared for unexpected complications in her life?

  

What I liked:

Grace Burrowes is an award-winning romance writer. I am happy to say all of these awards have actually been well-deserved. Like in the case of books penned by another clever romance-writing lady, Courtney Milan, here we have an actual plot. It might be not exactly a maddeningly brilliant one but it can engage a reader pretty efficiently and I admit Ms. Burrowes develops it with more intelligence and wit than an ordinary romance book writer. Well done!

The whole narration is turning around Devlin, Emmie and Winnie, her underage charge. Devlin is handsome, strong, brave, caring and soft-hearted; a great friend, brother and lover; Emmie is a warm, hard-working country girl who knows how to take care of herself and hers; Winnie is a mischievous, precocious but troubled child who has yet to learn who to trust and likes wandering on her own. As the narrative develops you find out that that trio really complement each other. Burrowes also deftly handles their relationships with the secondary characters - the friendship between Devlin and Douglas, Lord Amery, between Devlin and Hadrian, the local vicar and Emmie’s admirer, between Emmie and Hadrian and the loving relationship between Devlin and his brother, Valentine. Building these bonds was a real strength of this book.

The main hero, Devlin, is a huge asset - in fact the biggest one - of this book. A former soldier, he suffers of severe PTSD and he struggles day in day out to stay more or less normal, sober and responsible. It is 19^th century so nobody even thinks of providing any treatment for veterans like him. It is a very poignant fight, especially that we get some glimpses of close-to-reality war atrocities as he reminisces about Napoleonic wars – Devlin’s version of events is not sugarcoated by patriotic dross or any other propaganda and I enjoyed it very much. He admits to many crimes which in times of peace would earn him the capital punishment and during war brought him orders for services and admiration of his general and underlings. He is bitter, angry and horrified by the same time – he fears he turned from a soldier to a killer – in other words a fully-fledged character, as multi-faceted as you like.


What disturbed me a bit:


One negative remark and connected to history so pertinent to the book I suppose - I really don't know whether the author was aware of the fact that her sympathetic hero shares his name with one of French Revolution leaders - Louis Antoine Léon de Saint-Just, often called only Saint-Just. It wasn't a nice guy - neither saint nor just. It's enough to say he was the closest confidant of Maximilien Robespierre and served with him as one of the commissioners of the powerful  but notorious Committee of Public Safety. Like his fictional counterpart, Delvin, he was also a skillful soldier - dispatched to the army during its rocky start in the French Revolutionary Wars, Saint-Just imposed discipline that was stunningly severe but he was widely credited for the army's subsequent success. In the capital, he supervised the arrests and prosecutions of many of the most famous figures of the Revolution, spearheading the movement to execute King Louis XVI. Ultimately Saint-Just himself was arrested in the violent episode of 9 Thermidor and executed the next day with Robespierre. By that time his cruelty had earned him general hatred. Every time I read "St. Just" I had to shake my head and remind myself it wasn't the French Saint Just I was reading about. I know, it is not really a flaw and it might concern nerds only but still...Ok, the history lesson is over, time for some entertainment.

Titillating factor:

Sex scenes are described in minute detail – limbs, smells, sights and sounds. It is definitely adult stuff but nothing out of ordinary for readers of romantic fiction. Romance with Emmie is soothing Devlin’s nerves and other urges as well ;) so he indulges himself. Not to mention the fact that Emmie keeps him well-fed and vigorous. Definitely hot even if a bit fluffy book. Well, the cover is the best proof I suppose. I hate it.

What I didn’t like:

My first complaint - the ending. Everything was just a tad too perfect. All problems of the main characters – miraculously solved. In other words a HEA ending – inevitable and clearly visible, even from afar. I would welcome some change and, whereas theoretically, I have no objection to HEA as such (THEORETICALLY I said!), I would like the ending to be a little bit ambiguous, with more bitterness and grit mixed in. What’s more I think the author overused insignificant secrets simply to prolong the story – it was really frustrating especially as the mystery was pretty easy to solve almost from the beginning. As I've already mentioned mystery, let's progres to my biggest gripe.

The love interest of Devlin, Emmeline Farnum is a stupid, vapid cock tease of a woman. As you see, she simply wore on my nerves, that lady did. Firstly she was so hung up on her ‘secret’ that it made her the most infuriating romance character I’ve met so far. Ok, perhaps at the beginning she had a very good reason to hide her unsavoury past from Devlin but, after all, things between them progressed pretty quickly and she found out some of his secrets very early on. It seems, however, she has never heard of an honest exchange of information and/or trust-building. She lied through her teeth most of the time, allegedly for the greater good of her juvenile charge, and then cried bitterly over her own shortcomings but didn't stop lying anyway. Some consistency, please? You can't have PMS all the month darling so take your pick. 

Secondly, she was also that type who wants to eat a cake, have a cake and, most possibly also sell a cake to her neighbour. Well, what would you think of a woman who initiates sex and the next day she is really inconsiderate and angry about it (it happens almost every time they go to bed) because, well, she shouldn't have done it and oups, she did it again and she enjoyed herself but hey, she shouldn't have done it and oups she did it again... At the end I started to wonder what the hell Devlin saw in her at all. Certainly not her brains. Well, who needs a romantic fiction heroine with brains - is she a zombie or what? ;) I bet in real world a man would grow suspicious of her and would stop believing her pretty soon. It would serve her right.

The last complaint - Devlin is actually interested in cooking to the point that he can quote complicated recipes from memory. Who is he supposed to be, a nineteenth century version of Jamie Olivier? I found it rather difficult to swallow especially that before Emmie appeared on the horizon he had never been shown cooking on his own. In fact, I can hardly imagine an officer perfecting his amazing apple tart with cinnamon in the free time between a cavalry charge, killings and a bit of rapine. A major snort…

Final verdict:

This was an easy read with a typical “he wants her/she pulls away/they have secrets” plot but definitely better than ordinary romance. The surrounding characters were fun and the ending – satisfactory if you like those syrupy HEAs. I started in the middle of the series, unsure about the writing skills and the palatability of the whole book but I suppose I will read the other two installments as well. Consider it the highest of praise. ;)

Guest review: Breathless by Lurlene McDaniel, written by rameau

Hello everybody, I have a treat for you today.
Please welcome very warmly rameau, who kindly agreed to
publish her last review on my blog. Her reviews might be also found on other blogs and on Goodreads of course. In my humble opinion they are definitely worth reading.




Ok, let me present the book in question:


Target group: YA and older people as well (approximately 12+)
Genre: contemporary fiction
Hardcover: 165 pages
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers; 1 edition (May 12, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 038573459X


Synopsis (from Goodreads):
What is the toughest request anyone can be asked to fulfill?
Travis Morrison is a champion diver and one of the most popular kids at school. On the first day of summer vacation, while boating on the lake with his friends, Travis attempts a silly stunt dive that goes wrong. He fears he has broken his leg. Instead, his trip to the hospital reveals he has a rare form of cancer, and to save him, the doctors tell his parents they must amputate. In an instant, Travis’s life and the lives of everyone around him are forever changed. 

Travis is determined that he and only he should decide the course of his life. He has a plan, but he can’t carry it out alone. Will he convince one of his friends to fulfill his most important request? 

Lurlene McDaniel tackles a controversial subject, probing the issues of personal choice and quality of life.

This is how I think about my life: Before I got sick, endless possibilities. After? No possibilities.

Travis has his whole life ahead of him, then he doesn't. A broken leg starts a vicious cycle of hospitalisation, out patient treatment, pain, medication, remission, and relapse. Pain changes him. It changes the people around him. It changes everything.

There's a lovely author's note in the beginning to warn those who find the word euthanasia a trigger. I for one would have loved to read this story without knowing the outcome. I would have liked to have been brought to the conclusion silently, surreptitiously. I would have liked to have been convinced despite my reluctance. 

I guess that's the problem. I never was reluctant. I can understand wanting pain to end, wanting to choose that moment for themselves, I can understand choosing dignity. I was a convert, before the preaching started. 

That just leaves the delivery itself for me judge. 

McDaniel chose four alternating first person present voices to tell this story. I can see why she would want to make the voices and feelings of Travis' sister, girlfriend, and best friend as strong as his. His illness doesn't just concern him, it affects everyone around him differently. I can also understand—now that I've read the ending—why the author would want to fade away all differences between those different voices, but it doesn't help when I'm in the middle of the story and have to turn back pages just to see and remember who is talking. Was it Travis or Emily talking to Darla? The girls are talking about Travis but is this his sister or girlfriend? So, yes, I can understand the value of the ambiguity. I just hate when it's used to justify gimmicks. 

This also might be part of the preaching to the choir effect, but I didn't find the storytelling particularly poignant. The closest I came to tears was when Coop casually accepted his lot in life, not when Travis was ready call it quits. 

Thanks a lot, rameau, it was my pleasure! Now what do you think of the subject matter of this one? I found it difficult but interesting.

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. Here is the picture posted this Monday:

I am a bit ill so it will be a very quick flash and unrelated to the previous story. I am sure some people are grateful for that ;).

Peace and quiet. Finally. The storm which had broken seven days ago and raged ceaselessly over the island quieted on the eighth day in the morning. Exactly as she had predicted. Too bad nobody wanted to believe her. They never listened. They had to die.

The bodies of people and animals, houses reduced to heaps of debris, furniture, everyday objects and tools - all of it was swept into the sea. The island was clean and naked because even most of bigger plants weren't able to withhold the raw force of the storm, apart from several young, pliable tekka trees which grew around the temple. She was sitting beneath one of them, exhausted but alive, with last flowers she could find in her hand. She positioned herself exactly in the middle of the circle, looking at the shiny, silvery full moon and the sea, so beautiful, now, aquamarine and enticing, its surface almost smooth with just little cute wavelets. A beast pretending to be a tame, playful kitten. She knew plenty about the deception. People used to prentend around her a lot. She smiled.

Knowing the future and also your own fate had good and bad side. Disadvantages were insignificant but  numerous and painful, like small sharp stones in your sandal. If you were a gifted seer you had to be careful while speaking to the others. People usually didn't appreciate the truth, especially if they could do nothing to change it. As a born seer, she had been compelled to tell only the truth. Accordingly, she had been meeting with ridicule since she started to remember anything.

Women on this island were known as chatterboxes but she rarely indulged in such luxury, even as a child.  Still people resented the fact that she knew more about them than even themselves. They used to throw dung and stones at her. They used to call her names, spit with disgust at the mere sight of her, turn around and walk away as soon as they got a glimpse of her white robe. She never had friends and didn't know her own family - her mother disowned her right after the birth, horrified at the mere prospect of bringing up a seer. Even her fellow priestesses avoided her company as if she was a leper. Her presence, although forced by gods, was barely suffered. She scared visitors away; as a result the whole temple has been impoverished. Nobody liked being made poorer.

 One big advantage was the lack of sorrows; if not for the voice telling her two steps in advance, assuring her the ordeal was temporary only, she would have ended her life many years ago. However, when you are sure what will happen, there is no need to choose your options or dither about anything. She knew she would be taken, collected like a sun-ripened fruit after the end of all life, by a divine messenger from the sea. She knew there would be a disaster of massive proportions and then she will be rewarded. She tried to warn others against her better judgement - in vain. What has to happen, will happen. Now she knew she should wait - just a little bit longer. The moon seemed to smile at her - finally one friendly face around.