tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36220478815637280322024-03-13T14:13:07.617+08:00All Books Great and SmallA blog that reviews books without giving away the plot!Erica Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15341348947925952115noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622047881563728032.post-79692905378867063212010-03-21T00:09:00.008+08:002010-04-10T23:59:29.448+08:00Drawing a Blank by Aaron Ehrenhaft<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Drawing-Blank-Tried-Mystery-Dreams/dp/0060752548?ie=UTF8&tag=staofosi-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Drawing a Blank: Or How I Tried to Solve a Mystery, End a Feud, and Land the Girl of My Dreams" height="320" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0060752548&tag=staofosi-20" width="216" /></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Drawing-Blank-Tried-Mystery-Dreams/dp/0060752548?ie=UTF8&tag=staofosi-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank"></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=staofosi-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0060752548" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" />It was time for another change up. Somehow, this book reminded me very much of the Man in the Ceiling by Jules Feiffer. It had similar themes of escapism and the whole nice ending thing working for it. Only, there was a lot more light-hearted moments in this one.<br />
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The story is about a boy and - as the subtitle says - how he tried to solve a mystery, end a feud, and land the girl of his dreams. Seems like a pretty 2-dimensional kind of story with one dimensional characters doesn't it? Well, let me tell you it is not. You learn about random things like Bentham's Panopticon and words like misogynist and misanthropy. Teenagers, especially the guys would enjoy this book.<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=staofosi-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0060752548" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /><br />
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This is a book that you want to pick up after a long day at work or at school and chill out and read just to relax and laugh. People who love utterly random and slapstick humor will enjoy this book. And if you have this thing for accents, well, let's just say, " Well, what are you waiting for? Pick that book up!"Erica Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15341348947925952115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622047881563728032.post-4067454590089207802010-03-16T13:08:00.005+08:002010-03-16T22:25:50.484+08:00Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcLhpX5447T1QvnvxKAhL85Giqgt-NWv84SizPTGwlwMpN3NcRteRt-Hwoc4cTBGkfJewYgEK60INgYkijfqxGpsT0Q2LnNJn8NDzxM40auWrppVRZXBX2D4KC88nE8PL7iM9oBebog5w/s1600-h/N&C.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 194px; height: 258px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcLhpX5447T1QvnvxKAhL85Giqgt-NWv84SizPTGwlwMpN3NcRteRt-Hwoc4cTBGkfJewYgEK60INgYkijfqxGpsT0Q2LnNJn8NDzxM40auWrppVRZXBX2D4KC88nE8PL7iM9oBebog5w/s320/N&C.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449236495109231698" border="0" /></a>This is by far the most psychologically and emotionally distressing book I may have ever read. Don't get me wrong though it was an excellent read and extremely immersive. However, it is definitely not something you read and expect to have a pleasant night sleeping. I've had really disturbing dreams for two nights in a row as is.<br /><br />What's great about it is the concept of the book. In the world of the book, the people that were considered the 'slave-race' and discriminated were those with white skin and fair hair whereas the brown-skinned people were the ones in charge. I had a paradigm shift just reading it and I'm not even African American. What more if a white man picks this book up to read.<br /><br />Basically the story is about two children - a Nought and a Cross - called Callum and Sephy growing up in a society where hatred and discrimination among both races run rampant. But how can they take control of their lives and be together if the society they live in is so immersed in their own feelings of hatred and helplessness?<br /><br />Experiencing racism that you associate with the blacks through a white man's eyes gives one a lot of food for thought. It also makes it a very painful read because you're experiencing the character's pain. I think that's why I could not sleep because I felt so distraught and the impact the book made was so immense that it manifested itself in my dreams.<br /><br />Usually, I try to keep a post about a book as objective as I can. However, as I have mentioned, it is written through the characters point of view and the scenarios and outcomes were so realistic and well-thought out I may as well have been reading an actual biography.Erica Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15341348947925952115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622047881563728032.post-42081227487090883672010-03-15T23:51:00.003+08:002010-03-16T22:27:27.058+08:00I Have Not Stopped Reading...I just have yet to write. I'd just like to welcome Alicia to All Books Great and Small. I was very surprised to see we had yet another follower in our ranks! A small victory but a victory nonetheless. *wild cheering in background*<br /><br />I have read a whole bunch of books while I was away in Australia. Even now as I am back in Malaysia. Just need to find the time to write in between all the normal routines that keeps food on your table. Will get to that soon.Erica Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15341348947925952115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622047881563728032.post-56750585890172443152009-06-13T20:40:00.000+08:002009-06-13T20:40:00.688+08:00The Gods of Amyrantha by Jennifer Fallon<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXq17w-nWk7dnI-rZkWGYlxuaiKOKlUZKNDYhxvkXDt6ckvDqpwiiftssusjr7cr-5m8G2wIsoQCQdnKTK1OKlqQWcTAIqLSxe19iwiQPSUlZjVbyL1xf4Yj2xNzbf6DCvLG2ojhZFrhE/s1600-h/gods.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 197px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXq17w-nWk7dnI-rZkWGYlxuaiKOKlUZKNDYhxvkXDt6ckvDqpwiiftssusjr7cr-5m8G2wIsoQCQdnKTK1OKlqQWcTAIqLSxe19iwiQPSUlZjVbyL1xf4Yj2xNzbf6DCvLG2ojhZFrhE/s320/gods.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346756849661248082" border="0" /></a>And the plot thickens... like mash potato gravy and just as yummy. Did I also mention that Jennifer Fallon herself has seen the review of <span style="font-style: italic;">The Immortal Prince</span>? All us people at All Books Great and Small feel very honored to have had it featured in her blog. Check out her <a href="http://www.jenniferfallon.com/">website</a>! It's awesome!<br /><br />We last left the story at the point Cayal saves Arkady from certain death. The second book starts off with a prologue giving the us readers a taste of the Immortals' cruelty and a stark look at the nature of their ability to heal unconditionally adding urgency to the fact that the Immortals must be killed. What was ironic was that in this same prologue, one can see the cruelty that humans possess.<br /><br />Arkady and her husband Stellan are exiled to the capital of Torlenia ironically, for helping the crown prince get out of trouble. In the meantime, Jaxyn Aranville, Stellan's lover, is making plans to move in on the throne which are not going as smoothly as he would like it because Diala, another immortal posing as Stellan's niece, is one up on him because of her marriage to the crown prince. As they both make their move to dispose of any other heir to the throne, Stellan and Arkady suddenly find themselves under arrest for high treason. The millenia old question then remains... will mere mortals be able to find a way to rid themselves of the machinations of the Immortals?<br /><br />Another sleepless night worth spending. The Gods of Amyrantha keeps you on the edge of your seat, breathless in anticipation of what will happen next. This is a series that is worth following closely. The Immortal Prince was captivating and this second instalment has yet to disappoint! A beautifully woven tapestry of words!Erica Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15341348947925952115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622047881563728032.post-50327802685582436482009-04-29T23:30:00.006+08:002009-04-29T23:58:26.122+08:00Naked by David Sedaris<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY7vzme8JtNih-cVSRHxbWwL82bTsyoFlgdPyDtlEVxj-GrhlOnDJiRK-YMO8XypUGPbAIbEdNz9HbcGDyDDKhnq-bKTWU5GS3PeFx_BgRaR2F1AF_FzOYtEpWUHvcHn_8WFtxmQHsoD8/s1600-h/naked.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 131px; height: 207px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY7vzme8JtNih-cVSRHxbWwL82bTsyoFlgdPyDtlEVxj-GrhlOnDJiRK-YMO8XypUGPbAIbEdNz9HbcGDyDDKhnq-bKTWU5GS3PeFx_BgRaR2F1AF_FzOYtEpWUHvcHn_8WFtxmQHsoD8/s200/naked.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299766853475583058" border="0" /></a> Finished this one last month. I finally have a little time to write about it. I'll be blunt. It was twisted, cynical and utterly mind boggling. That being said, I think it was a pretty good read! Naked is a collection of short stories detailing parts of Sedaris's life. Though some of the incidents he talks about are fairly mundane, his take on them creates this bizarre twist. He takes you through his world of constant hitch-hiking (he refuses to drive in Chicago), kids and X-rated reading material, making friends with the physically challenged, the harmless white lies that all parents (especially dads) tell their kids, and... wait for it... nudist colonies. Reliving his life was quite the experience. Though his brand of humor doesn't quite suit my taste (as I only found one of his stories particularly humorous), those who enjoy cynicism and sarcasm at its twisted best would do well to pick up this book. Our latest addition to the team, (Bagus) would be a great example.Hakanai-hanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698407802827878446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622047881563728032.post-22776929344936413012009-04-24T23:18:00.004+08:002009-04-24T23:30:09.145+08:00Feature: The Farseer Trilogy by Robin Hobb
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuwYhST9wImM65LZQ74_gVXJSffY6OZKT3Hsd_8wDOMKrT8uztea4jkXTnR4SyQ9b8zODy8F2lWXY_oLblQkq5zwq-atXkU65rfzJlJQe7eisN9crFMe06P4dLVOdePdi1lWvFwC2x-Tw/s1600-h/apprentice.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 170px; height: 284px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuwYhST9wImM65LZQ74_gVXJSffY6OZKT3Hsd_8wDOMKrT8uztea4jkXTnR4SyQ9b8zODy8F2lWXY_oLblQkq5zwq-atXkU65rfzJlJQe7eisN9crFMe06P4dLVOdePdi1lWvFwC2x-Tw/s320/apprentice.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328279328120857746" border="0" /></a>
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</w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Cambria Math"; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:1; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-format:other; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:0 0 0 0 0 0;} @font-face {font-family:Calibri; panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:swiss; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-1610611985 1073750139 0 0 159 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-priority:1; mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin-top:0cm; margin-right:0cm; margin-bottom:10.0pt; margin-left:0cm; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; 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mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0cm; mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-style: italic;">This week All Books Great and Small will be featuring a very special book review written by Bagus Wibadsu Sosroseno. It's also our first review of a trilogy! Enjoy...</span>
<br /></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">When it comes to the high-fantasy genre, there are only a few books that dare to break the boundary set by the late J.R.R. Tolkien; that is to say, most fantasy books somewhat adhere to some unwritten rules when it comes to the storyline and the characters; and can be quite clichéd.</p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>And <i style="">The Farseer Trilogy </i>is one fine example of a story that broke that boundary. Set in a fantasy region of the Six Duchies, enter Fitz Chivalry, a bastard son of Prince Chivalry, who was supposed to inherit the throne to keep the Duchies united. Raised as both an embarrassment of the royal bloodline and a threat to the throne, Fitz is thrown right in the middle of an uncomfortable political situation. On top of that, The Six Duchies, throughout the whole story arc, is being raided by the mysterious Outislanders, whose sole purpose seems to be the destruction of all the <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyBAfsUxDPENGAYZVah9cK9L0yoBQxrttjQU04C5qGgiTLonFk1866XiwX1SkE9as0a1oPnWPNzDJimCwVve3_cuFCuzHHw_CBRkAoqaoAiGcRCrWxJLAnqJcf-JXP3HPQiCzQ7-lwHRQ/s1600-h/royal.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 172px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyBAfsUxDPENGAYZVah9cK9L0yoBQxrttjQU04C5qGgiTLonFk1866XiwX1SkE9as0a1oPnWPNzDJimCwVve3_cuFCuzHHw_CBRkAoqaoAiGcRCrWxJLAnqJcf-JXP3HPQiCzQ7-lwHRQ/s320/royal.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328279407546166290" border="0" /></a>Duchies.</p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>The most intriguing part in the book is reading about Fitz, the main character, trying to grow up amidst all the drama and politics surrounding him since his childhood. <span style=""> </span>And, like normal people, Fitz underwent plenty of painful moments, and we are not spared by the author when it comes to tear-inducing dramatics. At times the story can be really painful and depressing, and you can’t help but feel sorry for Fitz, and you’ll find yourself silently saying, “You can do it Fitz!” In the end, Fitz emerges as a hero that is scarred both mentally and physically, and his ultimate triumph is sacrifice.</p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>The supporting characters in the story are a marvel to look at, too. Each and every character in the story has a big role to play. What seems like a minor character in the first book, <i style="">Assassin’s Apprentice</i>, may turn out to be a really major character in the second, or the third. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p style="font-family: georgia;"> </o:p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTtk_OGVH4is_Qx-ZSjg9iknR26g-TOxZKb1GnpI0YQvEQnwTWCSkwKiXUCs_LVCmAsvlxI7tHkPUJ_ZkQff0uR_ANTa6BmubBg8wVd_f2i1mNTz3GB6RCoqfFEVjmzr55OombdG5YEKs/s1600-h/quest.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 168px; height: 277px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTtk_OGVH4is_Qx-ZSjg9iknR26g-TOxZKb1GnpI0YQvEQnwTWCSkwKiXUCs_LVCmAsvlxI7tHkPUJ_ZkQff0uR_ANTa6BmubBg8wVd_f2i1mNTz3GB6RCoqfFEVjmzr55OombdG5YEKs/s320/quest.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328280139054976370" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">This trilogy (</span><i style="font-family: georgia;">Assasin’s Apprentice, Royal Assassin, Assassin’s Quest) </i><span style="font-family:georgia;">is a great read. It is </span><span style="font-family:georgia;">way up there in terms of character development (which is really rare in the realm of high-fantasy), and the author leaves nothing, </span><i style="font-family: georgia;">nothing</i><span style="font-family:georgia;">, undone. The ending, though I won’t spoil it, is also different, if not a bit on the tragic side. Go and buy it, if you haven’t already</span>.</p> Erica Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15341348947925952115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622047881563728032.post-27395509281712655562009-04-19T14:52:00.007+08:002009-04-19T16:29:00.810+08:00The Immortal Prince by Jennifer Fallon<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqLGdHL6w4DSxl-UQP8bm3fihPmkpDDRzzWLXjf8UXxvDwcALQtRi3cPphK7Y4MNsesMm4Dl4Mt4e2voTP3tpzUS7BfKj0lGqsbsAPJs1S-ILGD6lGcs14fM5LlbIrGWgxCqSjh__f1g4/s1600-h/immortal.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 181px; height: 295px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqLGdHL6w4DSxl-UQP8bm3fihPmkpDDRzzWLXjf8UXxvDwcALQtRi3cPphK7Y4MNsesMm4Dl4Mt4e2voTP3tpzUS7BfKj0lGqsbsAPJs1S-ILGD6lGcs14fM5LlbIrGWgxCqSjh__f1g4/s320/immortal.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326314680946866898" border="0" /></a>Okay, okay can't tell a lie...<br /><br />This book is awesome! Character driven, an elegantly complex plot and a unique concept - learning about immortals. You couldn't ask for more! Jennifer Fallon is one of the greatest fantasy authors of this age. The Immortal Prince is the first book in The Tide Lords, her first four book series.<br /><br />The story begins with an immortal, Cayal, looking for a way to die. He murders seven people for that sole purpose and is sentenced to death, to his utmost disappointment, by hanging.... The executioner who beheads people was on vacation. Arkady, the Duchess of Lebec and historian, is then sent in to prove that he is lying about being immortal. Things start to get messy and she helps him escape from prison. It is then she discovers Cayal is telling the truth and is forced to confront it. When she does, she discovers the complexities of being immortal and their ruthless ambitions to rule Amyrantha through a religion or an existing government - it's more effective and a lot less of a hassle.<br /><br />This is a great book for all fans of adult fantasy. the characters are complex an intriguing and drive the plot to unexpected twists and turns. Expect to empathize, pity and hate these seemingly inhuman immortals. Oh... expect to stay up late reading this book...<br /><br />And stay tuned for the review of her second book: Gods of AmyranthaErica Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15341348947925952115noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622047881563728032.post-36751167344230258202009-02-15T01:31:00.000+08:002009-02-15T02:28:56.721+08:00Lord Loss by Darren Shan<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQlUbqhC_ftty9Ri3wwj0wWoBN_xsRf0dPgSGz0TLC_0ihUD8L0rR-dV_lP0v9n4j_Hb-5faV4vo00W5a5XJLJgqAbMQ6DdX8_SPz1Qzcv8FwvqLNe9ren-hk1WeOcJ4ra1E9I5_qeQ3E/s1600-h/n120230.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 198px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQlUbqhC_ftty9Ri3wwj0wWoBN_xsRf0dPgSGz0TLC_0ihUD8L0rR-dV_lP0v9n4j_Hb-5faV4vo00W5a5XJLJgqAbMQ6DdX8_SPz1Qzcv8FwvqLNe9ren-hk1WeOcJ4ra1E9I5_qeQ3E/s320/n120230.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302721342845902962" /></a>A highly thrilling and fun read. The story line makes the book really difficult to wrench from a person's hands. It ain't scary regardless of all the warnings you see on the back of the book but it is gruesome and bloody at the right parts. Enter Grubbs Grady, an average adolescent who changed his name TO Grubbs (?). He finds himself dealing with mundane issues like peer pressure and getting back at his bossy older sister. However he eventually gets a nagging feeling that all is not as it should be when his family starts doing things that are completely out of character. A suspicious invitation to a fluffy ballet performance (which he violently rejects as any self respecting guy does) that ensures that his absence from home causes him to hang it all and try to figure out what on earth is going on. When he gets home and opens the door, all hell breaks loose... literally.<br /><div><br /></div><div>This book is a good starter into the darker side of fantasy and hell. Good fun. It's the first book in the 10 volume Demonata series.</div>Hakanai-hanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698407802827878446noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622047881563728032.post-14832221403223216112009-02-08T03:00:00.000+08:002009-02-10T00:13:45.617+08:00The Black Tattoo by Sam Enthoven<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4I2N4iWyCl1wwW_TqOMvqWe7bwzgE5O7zhdlsD_VvqxL4SMWB6nVTndCDCd42mM-CHgozF5AwNTA-UyZDiF0gXyWH6U8a8oftYUJU4bJQ0MGdsRJMalhSfg4WmQZZVvGldlVug129SnY/s1600-h/Black+Tattoo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 185px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4I2N4iWyCl1wwW_TqOMvqWe7bwzgE5O7zhdlsD_VvqxL4SMWB6nVTndCDCd42mM-CHgozF5AwNTA-UyZDiF0gXyWH6U8a8oftYUJU4bJQ0MGdsRJMalhSfg4WmQZZVvGldlVug129SnY/s320/Black+Tattoo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299773782516091714" border="0" /></a>In addition to being attracted by really cool book covers, I happened to be attracted by tattoo designs as well. Not that I'll ever get one in this lifetime. I think I'll leave the permanent skin marking thing to the brave souls out there clamoring for one.<br /><br />That said, this book was particularly intriguing. You'd think that with a title like that the story line would go along the lines of the protagonist being born with this tattoo which gives away the fact that he is of noble birth or has some super fantastical power and how he has to deal with the responsibilities or consequences for having such a mark.<br /><br />Wrong! You will be pleasantly surprised by the unusual plot of the story. I mean, it's still a good versus evil theme ultimately, but I guess conceptually and character-wise, this book wins my vote.<br /><br />The story is set in London of the future. The villain: The Scourge. Three young heroes must set out to destroy The Scourge or the world risks being annihilated. Sounds cliched I know, but I wouldn't want to give a good story away.<br /><br />Young adult readers would enjoy this book very much, especially if you're into supernatural powers and stories about demons.Erica Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15341348947925952115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622047881563728032.post-23414662430217990342009-02-07T03:16:00.006+08:002009-02-07T03:28:27.000+08:00Currently Reading: Feb '09<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY7vzme8JtNih-cVSRHxbWwL82bTsyoFlgdPyDtlEVxj-GrhlOnDJiRK-YMO8XypUGPbAIbEdNz9HbcGDyDDKhnq-bKTWU5GS3PeFx_BgRaR2F1AF_FzOYtEpWUHvcHn_8WFtxmQHsoD8/s1600-h/naked.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 131px; height: 207px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY7vzme8JtNih-cVSRHxbWwL82bTsyoFlgdPyDtlEVxj-GrhlOnDJiRK-YMO8XypUGPbAIbEdNz9HbcGDyDDKhnq-bKTWU5GS3PeFx_BgRaR2F1AF_FzOYtEpWUHvcHn_8WFtxmQHsoD8/s200/naked.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299766853475583058" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGdA3giuR74zbfMUu-cTJfn4cs5puaYtLKxvTNLcq2mStXQhBLbJJBcs50nu2Utz00wY-kM69p1bHAbRGOpWg6SzLUHEUsfkajrAXqxFaEu2oxbG4Y64doqKxls1KnPNYeVbKAqUBUxE0/s1600-h/LOTW.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 131px; height: 204px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGdA3giuR74zbfMUu-cTJfn4cs5puaYtLKxvTNLcq2mStXQhBLbJJBcs50nu2Utz00wY-kM69p1bHAbRGOpWg6SzLUHEUsfkajrAXqxFaEu2oxbG4Y64doqKxls1KnPNYeVbKAqUBUxE0/s200/LOTW.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299766856396985202" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold;">Hakanai Hane </span> <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj71FOR4N6e33j37DKoq6hv97WFEsHG4UKzu2fRdCKxE3VI3urqzvAPHr8ixCWDguq1bu0Gf0JfynqDnTyeNvPU0VAEowGmT7Lhxk2lS7K09-o5ZPblkdIdje1UFTvpN1ObspCJFW-azWY/s1600-h/9780060556068.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 126px; height: 182px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj71FOR4N6e33j37DKoq6hv97WFEsHG4UKzu2fRdCKxE3VI3urqzvAPHr8ixCWDguq1bu0Gf0JfynqDnTyeNvPU0VAEowGmT7Lhxk2lS7K09-o5ZPblkdIdje1UFTvpN1ObspCJFW-azWY/s320/9780060556068.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299768116261211330" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> <br /> Eri</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">ca T</span>Erica Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15341348947925952115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622047881563728032.post-55340768776531677072009-02-06T12:31:00.004+08:002009-02-10T00:13:38.542+08:00Pawn of Prophecy by David Eddings<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtrGb95UMlcczxlEyaGd0WSBHyAi4Mzp4rlB7kg5tu0r_w3p-1yBDl_o2F9NftvFeszDzrlaD8zNGOwIeSTiArJZxGfyMQ2ryxh7hCC86Ku39CuWdyc2hPWBxMZOGHY2ife9MPNa8x7d0/s1600-h/k1667.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 140px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtrGb95UMlcczxlEyaGd0WSBHyAi4Mzp4rlB7kg5tu0r_w3p-1yBDl_o2F9NftvFeszDzrlaD8zNGOwIeSTiArJZxGfyMQ2ryxh7hCC86Ku39CuWdyc2hPWBxMZOGHY2ife9MPNa8x7d0/s320/k1667.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299544917461396818" /></a>The boy Garion had spent his whole life in the confortable safety of Faldor's farm with his Aunt Pol who seems to be at the center of everything that goes on in her domain, the kitchen. He got into all sorts of mischief as a child but as he got older he began to wonder who his parents were, what the strange, pale circular mark on his palm means, and started feeling possessive about a childhood friend of his who started to blossom in interesting ways. However, a visit to a neighboring town with the incorrigible old rogue, Mister Wolf, changed Garion's life faster than he can say the names of the seven Gods. He suddenly found himself in the middle of a quest with Mister Wolf, Aunt Pol, Barak and Silk against an enemy that he knows nothing about. The frustrating thing is that nobody seems to want to tell him anything... What on earth is going on?<p>This is definitely one of my all time favorites! It was the first adult fantasy book I'd ever read and I remember finishing a book or two from this series in a day. If you want to start reading something in the fantasy genre, this would be a great book to start off with. Eddings' humorous writing makes the characters a fascinating and lovable lot. This is the first book of the Belgariad series. A MUST READ!!!</p><p>*A word of warning to those who have read tonnes of fantasy novels and have not read this one. You will find it extremely cliched. However just bear in mind that this book was written in the 1980's.</p>Hakanai-hanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698407802827878446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622047881563728032.post-35267422692893920122009-02-06T10:29:00.002+08:002009-02-10T00:15:31.823+08:00Priestess of the White by Trudi Canavan<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsjF_V18r0_5pNs6ag-volPDPV1yz6qvZdoCdUkq6VfoLiBM3qWHuKOqBNpnOvjGo_zHF-sPen9ak0N4lu70Ya8OGuE3AqG4hFLqJvoCK7CH15netVun-Tu-eb8DHSBerKb0pFhemgTz0/s1600-h/n139524.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 202px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsjF_V18r0_5pNs6ag-volPDPV1yz6qvZdoCdUkq6VfoLiBM3qWHuKOqBNpnOvjGo_zHF-sPen9ak0N4lu70Ya8OGuE3AqG4hFLqJvoCK7CH15netVun-Tu-eb8DHSBerKb0pFhemgTz0/s320/n139524.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299535989920911090" /></a>The Gods are fairly silent in the reality to most of us but in this book, the religious representatives of the people, The White, see their five Gods on a periodic basis. This is a world where Dreamweavers are being persecuted and feared by the Hanian people that they offer their healing services to. It has everything from a community of flying people and underwater dwellers created and favored by one of the gods, forbidden love, a mysterious cult from the south with sorcerous leaders clad in black that, according to hearsay, recruits followers by conducting religious orgies among other sacrilegious activities, and mysterious, powerful sorcerors on the run from the persecution of the White. It makes you wonder, whose side these people are on. And why do these five supposedly benevolent Gods instruct the White to destroy a people at one point or stay their hand at the next? And are they truly the only survivors of the great war between the Gods that happened once upon a time?<p>The great thing about this book is the way she wrote about the numerous and complex main characters that make this fantastic world go round. She introduced them all fairly early in the story. I normally go ballistic when authors keep you on tenterhooks about one character for the first third of the tale and then suddenly decide to switch to a completely new one during the second third. It throws me off but I have to admit, it makes the book all the more difficult to put down. I enjoyed how everything connected and lent itself to the mystery surrounding some of the more enigmatic characters. All in all a good read. This book is the first in Canavan's second trilogy, Age of the Five. For those who are just starting off in the fantasy genre, you might no want to try out this book just yet as it's a little heavy.<br /></p>Hakanai-hanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698407802827878446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622047881563728032.post-45218772234780342672009-02-04T10:15:00.000+08:002009-02-10T00:15:26.928+08:00A Lick of Frost by Laurell K. Hamilton<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9FRrXf5cOpK_W8y9r_O-1vrAgopZfwV4jjHaFEb48VsA36AFp4Ld_diqT0eYVNgJaG0pKBubCLBhQLuH_k006qGI0viUg99bFsOoMkIDQQJjjdSnl6lkc11x4Ke_eDpKP6bk2me6tlLM/s1600-h/Img100.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 195px; height: 260px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9FRrXf5cOpK_W8y9r_O-1vrAgopZfwV4jjHaFEb48VsA36AFp4Ld_diqT0eYVNgJaG0pKBubCLBhQLuH_k006qGI0viUg99bFsOoMkIDQQJjjdSnl6lkc11x4Ke_eDpKP6bk2me6tlLM/s320/Img100.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298021338750262482" border="0" /></a>This book is the 8th installment in the Meredith Gentry series. As a fantasy novel, it falls heavily into the romance genre as the book is chock full of authorized promiscuity in the faerie world. Faeries are normally potrayed as whimsically beautiful, ephemereal, magical creatures or as extremely sexual beings who commonly take it in their heads to seduce (mainly) the heroine or hero of the story for their own evil(?) or enigmatic purposes. This tale of course plays on the latter except all the seduction takes place between faeries. Our heroine, Meredith Gentry, is the half-human, half Unseelie daughter of the deceased Prince of the Unseelie court. She has always been caught up in the drama and politics between the various faerie factions but as the years go by, each encounter seems more perilous than the next. Thankfully, her Darkness and Frost are always there by her side to support her. This time around, Meredith has to secure her throne by following her sadistic Aunt's (The current Queen of the Unseelie) terms and deal with a horrible and unexpected accusation made by the Seelie King through human laws against her bodyguards. What makes this turn of events terrifying is the fact that the King had tried to kill her before... For those who love both the romance and fantasy genre, this book is definitely for you. It provides a good blend of both genres as it has all the spice of sizzling sex yet it retains the wonder and mystery of magic. All in all a great read!Hakanai-hanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698407802827878446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622047881563728032.post-32926111042460291832009-02-03T04:30:00.002+08:002009-02-10T00:15:13.573+08:00The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCGnxFA_-nzd2xnsW6P_p9twwjP9TWLktVwsvSqNVQ2igkZ-uXdfcQmVAjJJgVn1ITSoAq6DE6GqvSG9Dl9bdY_djlGTf2FJmGHGga2jaMgS70Ynh3fcH4QvbIHJOi4bAOlfn4z83xwZ8/s1600-h/phantom+tollbooth.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 191px; height: 281px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCGnxFA_-nzd2xnsW6P_p9twwjP9TWLktVwsvSqNVQ2igkZ-uXdfcQmVAjJJgVn1ITSoAq6DE6GqvSG9Dl9bdY_djlGTf2FJmGHGga2jaMgS70Ynh3fcH4QvbIHJOi4bAOlfn4z83xwZ8/s320/phantom+tollbooth.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298273375787187938" border="0" /></a><blockquote></blockquote><div style="text-align: center;"><blockquote>There was once a boy named Milo who didn't know<br />what to do with himself - not just sometimes, but always.</blockquote></div><blockquote></blockquote>It's really wonderful to be able to revisit old books, especially those that you have read as a child. However, this book in particular, seems to transcend any age group.<br /><br />What's so amazing is that when you go back to this book as an older version of yourself you tend to appreciate the clever way it was written even more. Mr. Juster has cleverly taken concepts from Math and English and created a whole adventure out of them, sharing with the reader, his sharp wit and wonderful sense of humour.<br /><br />So pick that book up and be immersed and visit the Island of Conclusions, escape the doldrums the Kingdom of Dictionopolis, meet Tock a watch dog in more ways than one, and encounter the ongoing, heated debate about the supremacy of numbers and words and join the Mathemagician for some (-) stew. Endure all the perils, excitement and more, of going on a crazy quest to restore order in an equally crazy world by looking for rhyme and reason.<br /><br />A reccommended read for preteens to young teenagers and for all the adults who would like to stroll down memory lane and be entertained by this marvellous weave. I love how this book unexpectedly changes your point of view on our seemingly mundane world.Erica Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15341348947925952115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622047881563728032.post-21137555635783233722009-02-03T01:55:00.002+08:002009-02-03T02:13:31.912+08:00Check this Out!<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thecutestblogontheblock.com/" target="blank"><img src="http://www.thecutestblogontheblock.com/images/gifs/twlight-my-husband.gif" border="0" /></a></div><br />For all you Twilight fans out there: Found this on <a href="http://www.thecutestblogontheblock.com/index.php">The Cutest Blog on the Block</a>. I think it is absolutely hilarious. This site has got some really cool backgrounds and more Twilight blinkies that can be added to your blogs. Go and check it out!Erica Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15341348947925952115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622047881563728032.post-44486909645362666372009-01-31T03:28:00.003+08:002009-01-31T03:46:19.759+08:00The Wish List by Eoin Colfer<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2DxynxOws0EhR1APJe7f2ZPK2QD1hrZeWilRagnunfR26yF5JNfWnxwTENr-BL0jR5gxopeqvMtOyDzohya4E1P1L6y-4w_S1xEgK0I6K9r1dE4hwKtdNNSYEimR_BCTeLATR0_Z3SPY/s1600-h/161858__wish_l.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 275px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2DxynxOws0EhR1APJe7f2ZPK2QD1hrZeWilRagnunfR26yF5JNfWnxwTENr-BL0jR5gxopeqvMtOyDzohya4E1P1L6y-4w_S1xEgK0I6K9r1dE4hwKtdNNSYEimR_BCTeLATR0_Z3SPY/s200/161858__wish_l.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297175031502555714" border="0" /></a>A great concept for a wonderful story. Mr. Colfer turns the conventional into the unconventional with his approach and concept of Heaven and Hell. If you've read Artemis Fowl at some point you will see what I mean.<br /><br />'The Wish List' revolves around a young teenage girl named Meg Finn who, by some unfortunate twist of fate, gets herself blown up and splattered on the furnace while trying to save the life of an old man whose house she was planning to rob with her "friend", Belch Brennan. She then finds herself travelling to the Pearly Whites but finds herself neither here nor 'down' there. What's a girl to do to get into Heaven?<br /><br />The characters are likeable and disagreeable. But that is the element that makes the story a fun and gripping read. I liked it because it reminds you of how valuable your life is and so, to live it to the fullest with no regrets to hinder your happiness without going all soppy on the reader. For young adult to adult readers.Erica Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15341348947925952115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622047881563728032.post-49243266197003133392008-12-04T10:46:00.006+08:002009-02-10T00:15:21.194+08:00The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWeO1cRvHE2BAIxqAjK7IlsyEqWCbYUx8Jfu5-AZlRZety040GxLPJLI-Tir_eJdAwokFdW1mGUIqEm1kniA362vaqSmG6iSkTobIyG0AZxlCTA48_q6Bxp09DOhczBzLt79LVSbsSFmI/s1600-h/graveyard-book.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 199px; height: 255px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWeO1cRvHE2BAIxqAjK7IlsyEqWCbYUx8Jfu5-AZlRZety040GxLPJLI-Tir_eJdAwokFdW1mGUIqEm1kniA362vaqSmG6iSkTobIyG0AZxlCTA48_q6Bxp09DOhczBzLt79LVSbsSFmI/s320/graveyard-book.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283175921357877090" border="0" /></a>This has been the latest Neil Gaiman book to hit the bookstores. I must say that I quite enjoyed this book for the darkness it possesses. Well, looking at the cover that should be fairly obvious. That aside, it had an unusual feel to it. It's probably the environment in the story that I'm not used to. After all, how many books are set solely in a graveyard?<br /><br />The story revolves around Nobody Owens or Bod who unwittingly wanders away from being murdered along with his family into a graveyard where, its ghostly inhabitants decide to hide him and raise him. This book covers the different aspects and issues that Bod faces while living in the graveyard undetected by normal people. "How is that possible?" you ask. My suggestion: read the book.<br /><br />Readers won't be disappointed as it is spooky as the name suggests. Do not expect a horror story though, murder is a horrendous deed. Also, this is a book meant for older children, say anywhere between preteens to early teens so don't expect to read something like 'Stardust'. If you're not a young reader, "The Graveyard Book" is meant for people who like unusual concepts and witty story-telling and for those who have not lost their inner child.Erica Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15341348947925952115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622047881563728032.post-23527764661671560272008-11-24T01:27:00.005+08:002009-01-31T03:23:57.136+08:00The Good Side of Bad BooksI found this article, The Good Side of Bad Books (click <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/booksblog/2008/nov/21/bad-novels-fiction">here</a> to read), on a blog that I read that reviews book covers called <a href="http://nytimesbooks.blogspot.com/">The Book Design Review</a>. I know how with the time constraints we have these days, we fear picking up a book that is so bad it's an absolute waste of time reading it. However, this article does put a fresh perspective on bad books, there are things you can learn from them too.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3oUE42E9AmIGT75PLRkj4Z7D_vWutZsWFI3HPH_YtJgl_gUGLHsO6SuVEHchcWo93ZIEHR8-isWY_JNd5UI5G_yLBXqExL0k9gfknzWN3xOaIYZEZtzVVuVm8GX2H2Qcf3IMeq0VxfBk/s1600-h/P1010116.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 249px; height: 188px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3oUE42E9AmIGT75PLRkj4Z7D_vWutZsWFI3HPH_YtJgl_gUGLHsO6SuVEHchcWo93ZIEHR8-isWY_JNd5UI5G_yLBXqExL0k9gfknzWN3xOaIYZEZtzVVuVm8GX2H2Qcf3IMeq0VxfBk/s320/P1010116.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275757831409099794" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" >The informal book reviewer plying her trade.</span><br /></div><br />I guess being an informal book reviewer, this puts things into perspective. I mean, you probably have to read the bad before you know what's good, right? However, I do agree with Stuart Evers that bad books are probably books that don't cater to what the readers want in general.<br /><br />So before any of us starts believing in book ratings or reviews by the general public, why not pick up that book and try it out for yourself to see how accurate that book review is. Then you'll know who to turn to for advice on books to read.<br /><br />I know that sentence is probably counter-intuitive to what I am doing this blog, however, as a reader, I do feel that you need to explore your options instead of shutting them out. Even though Hakanai Hane and I prefer to read fantasy, we also try to read books from other genres to.<br /><br />That being said, we'll be striving to keep you posted with book reviews and recommendations that are fair and accurate to what we <span style="font-weight: bold;">think</span> you would like in a book. We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for following this blog thus far.Erica Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15341348947925952115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622047881563728032.post-4414455236413320262008-11-04T23:47:00.003+08:002009-02-10T00:15:37.553+08:00Heir Apparent by Vivian Vande Velde<div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic; color: rgb(192, 192, 192);"><blockquote>"This book is dedicated with affection for<br />but no patience with<br />those who would protect our children through<br />humorless moralizing and paranoia about fantasy"</blockquote></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXChJ35DHjAPNbIcE34DlZ5S4lX66S5moHOKvUOZN9vDQmPDGZ4ZMHOBFInPeHkq4MarOZDD2YEe0pubUNXXZi2S8PECMHgcgdc117vq8m1nzcqQnhyphenhyphenru_zAqVCi_awF7MwOC98hzBewQ/s1600-h/heir.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 181px; height: 276px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXChJ35DHjAPNbIcE34DlZ5S4lX66S5moHOKvUOZN9vDQmPDGZ4ZMHOBFInPeHkq4MarOZDD2YEe0pubUNXXZi2S8PECMHgcgdc117vq8m1nzcqQnhyphenhyphenru_zAqVCi_awF7MwOC98hzBewQ/s320/heir.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264813346275294690" border="0" /></a>Hmmm... An intriguing dedication to kick-start a highly entertaining read. The story kicks off with Giannine Bellisario, who is grumpily on her way to redeem her gift certificate given by her dad for her birthday. You'd think that any teenager would be thrilled by a gift certificate to a virtual reality gaming center of the future where total immersion games exist.<br /><br />Not so, first her indirectly asks her about what she wants for her birthday, via his secretary. Next there's a disturbance by members of Citizenz to Protect our Children (CPOC) outside the gaming center she's headed to AND the bus's artificial intelligence isn't letting her get down because she's under-aged. What else could go wrong?<br /><br />Plenty, as Giannine finds herself trapped in the total immersion game Heir Apparent - thanks to equipment damage by a CPOC rampage. As if things couldn't get any worse, Giannine's life is at stake. The only way to get out of total immersion - with the equipment damaged - is to win the game. Easy right? Of course... not, Heir Apparent has multiple permutations that lead to its successful completion.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Will she get out in the end? What do you think?<br /></div><br />This book is reccomended for readers who like good strategy and understand the world of role playing games. It's quite fascinating how fantasy can be woven into a technologically advanced setting. Readers will notice clashes in olden (fantasy) and modern day culture; especially where parent-child relationships are concerned.<br /></div></div>Erica Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15341348947925952115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622047881563728032.post-5369033736340462082008-10-17T01:41:00.009+08:002009-02-11T04:19:10.251+08:00Dragon Haven by Robin McKinley<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWHni7jxvyYSsTX334RCe4EVp8_xBuPWpIB2mbz1c6abUhHAwdKDc7GGnmtSZPxbnqPJhZokKG5S1wjmEEtvj-nhGzr9Nesc4YJw3hSM8UQ8RZqhWjOyEb90B46BVO3xV3ceaH76Cl_FM/s1600-h/Dragon.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 162px; height: 260px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWHni7jxvyYSsTX334RCe4EVp8_xBuPWpIB2mbz1c6abUhHAwdKDc7GGnmtSZPxbnqPJhZokKG5S1wjmEEtvj-nhGzr9Nesc4YJw3hSM8UQ8RZqhWjOyEb90B46BVO3xV3ceaH76Cl_FM/s200/Dragon.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261841574850967410" border="0" /></a><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">The story takes place in the modern world with one exception: Dragons DO exist. Our main character, Jake, is the son of the director of an institute that studies these mysterious beings. It just happens located in a 5 million acre reserve called Smokehill. The only difficulty with this job is the almost non-existence of dragon sightings. Imagine trying to study a creature of mammoth proportions that you can't even see amidst debates on whether or not these creatures should be exterminated due to their </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">potential</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> for harming humans. Life goes on as usual for Jake until one day, he comes across a dying dragon. Next to her is the corpse of a man, a poacher. And one of her babies is still alive...</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">What I liked about this book was the way this story was written. It gave me the feeling of a close friend confiding in me and pouring out his/her deepest, darkest secret. This story also gives an unusual take on dragons. I think this is probably because of how McKinley took dragons from their Midieval fantasy setting and planted them in the modern world where everything is settled pretty much through politics, lawsuits, money and - in the right situation - guns. This makes the story completely devoid of good old fashioned, sword-clashing wars/fight scenes and 'Chosen Ones' destined to rid the world of evil. However, as a person who enjoys reading books over and over again, this book would not be listed in my list of repeats. And if you thoroughly enjoy stories with the classic fantasy plot, </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:georgia;">this might not be the book</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> for you.</span></span>Hakanai-hanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698407802827878446noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622047881563728032.post-2043285785978922002008-09-03T02:07:00.012+08:002009-02-06T11:26:19.860+08:00Artemis Fowl: The Eternity Code by Eoin Colfer<a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi77oEoG08Lto2bfjU-4dGSpikaX3j94OLULAl7j-eEH8rxDvHmeMpEphfQybJKxBUYhZDBTLcx_hqdgEjL_Iua5Lrzj6RT3HzvBc6agW3yLUROylfliuwhe0LAcOy_-vJif-oNu9Gdv-I/s1600-h/Artemisfowl3.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 163px; height: 263px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi77oEoG08Lto2bfjU-4dGSpikaX3j94OLULAl7j-eEH8rxDvHmeMpEphfQybJKxBUYhZDBTLcx_hqdgEjL_Iua5Lrzj6RT3HzvBc6agW3yLUROylfliuwhe0LAcOy_-vJif-oNu9Gdv-I/s320/Artemisfowl3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241493371617342674" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:georgia;">Artemis finds himself in trouble once again - no thanks to his evil scheming. His genius knows no bounds when he figures out a way to create a mini computer far more advanced than human technology based on his exposure to fairy technology. When a business deal - to sell off the computer - where he supposedly has the upper hand goes wrong, Artemis finds his life in peril and must race to save Butler's life and protect the secret of the existence of fairies. To do this he must call the fairies for help but at what cost?</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:georgia;">As usual Artemis Fowl is fast-paced, unpredictable and thoroughly entertaining. Be intrigued as you enter the world (and mind) of this boy genius. And... try not to sit on the edge of your seat... though that may be quite impossible.</span><br /></span></span>Erica Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15341348947925952115noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622047881563728032.post-60113796167784734962008-08-25T04:00:00.010+08:002009-02-10T00:18:09.114+08:00Abarat by Clive Barker<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXegrR3uqxymj9pHjZMIXOOK9IQQ2MAAlsQlQrcFDiGisUE0Oa_a59tZvi2PV5_o7FropSjqeXnk7HtIBLNG2nJ_Xn4MMnOg_weU13moCeLDzJkDm3hW25XGAzhoH8zF2oymp4e7Zbj98/s1600-h/9780006513704.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 169px; height: 263px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXegrR3uqxymj9pHjZMIXOOK9IQQ2MAAlsQlQrcFDiGisUE0Oa_a59tZvi2PV5_o7FropSjqeXnk7HtIBLNG2nJ_Xn4MMnOg_weU13moCeLDzJkDm3hW25XGAzhoH8zF2oymp4e7Zbj98/s320/9780006513704.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241493972994741090" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 102);">An excellent read that blurs the barrier of time and space. It has absolutely nothing to do with quantum physics and everything to do with ingenious creativity. Our young heroine, Candy Quakenbush, doesn't quite fit in with the community of Chickentown, whose lives are built completely around - you guessed it - chickens, and more chickens. However after a series of extraordinary events, she gets thrown into the weird and wonderful world of Abarat where time is a place and miracles are possible. The catalyst? A history project.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 102);">This book is recommended to all fantasy junkies who are tired of the usual "I am the Chosen One?" plot where one man/woman is destined to save a kingdom/race/religion from oppression/evil/enslavement/or worse! XD. Abarat is a true gem among books as Barker is an amazingly descriptive writer and the creator of the unimaginable. The world of Abarat catches you in a choke-hold and makes you believe that it is somewhere out there in the real world. A MUST READ!!!!!</span>Hakanai-hanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698407802827878446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622047881563728032.post-33295130327438396122008-07-09T23:33:00.015+08:002009-01-31T02:54:00.351+08:00Artemis Fowl: The Arctic Incident by Eoin Colfer<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx1ycqA3aei3ggv3uqrPohxMswW0_rhnBS9EaRo3u_7LjlcZNO13_r-OSOPB3EhEvOEd90VeDlmHkbKH65JPVDhHas_urS8OxbRw17dOXjZpJPRISggC57iipPFBtmqAJB88OWBvP0QI8/s1600-h/n54518.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 177px; height: 271px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx1ycqA3aei3ggv3uqrPohxMswW0_rhnBS9EaRo3u_7LjlcZNO13_r-OSOPB3EhEvOEd90VeDlmHkbKH65JPVDhHas_urS8OxbRw17dOXjZpJPRISggC57iipPFBtmqAJB88OWBvP0QI8/s320/n54518.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252626777664866962" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Successfully having survived the bio-bomb, narrowly, Artemis Fowl receives news that his father is still alive, unfortunately, in the hands of the mafia. Meanwhile, underground someone is</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" > aiding a revolt against the LEP Recon and is planning to take</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> control of Haven City, but who? As events take a turn for the worst, Artemis and Holly realize that they may need all the help they can get... by joining forces.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Learn more about Artemis and his cleverly wrought plans in this great sequel as he battles the Arctic cold and the pre-conceptions the LEP Recon have of him. May his anti-heroism reign!</span><br /></span>Erica Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15341348947925952115noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622047881563728032.post-32854204077462893992008-06-25T02:09:00.019+08:002009-02-06T11:28:10.792+08:00Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqUL9T4BDmpRK3ioUO94IQG2hMH9yVPLz6L2MJm88HdRwQ4iT4iomFGWMdy07RZcIhIv6fn_bQZc0QDl5GBwT7RwKqnB4t0GKQ4P61PaY67YLo1osJfUQW0HSkUswDvoJ_EkeDXdfqIMI/s1600-h/artemis.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 276px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqUL9T4BDmpRK3ioUO94IQG2hMH9yVPLz6L2MJm88HdRwQ4iT4iomFGWMdy07RZcIhIv6fn_bQZc0QDl5GBwT7RwKqnB4t0GKQ4P61PaY67YLo1osJfUQW0HSkUswDvoJ_EkeDXdfqIMI/s320/artemis.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252627889782391042" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">This is the first book of the misdemeanors of Artemis Fowl. This 12 year-old criminal mastermind has discovered that fairies do exist and is hell bent on parting them from their gold by hook or crook (preferably the latter). He kidnaps LEPrecon officer, Captain Holly Short, as a means to realize his elegantly evil plan. Unfortunately for him, the fairies won't go down without a fight...</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">This book features a great blend of "underground" technology and magic. The characters are highly witty and memorable. Although Artemis is a villain, I assure you that you will be charmed by his wicked humour. Recommended reading!</span><br /></span>Erica Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15341348947925952115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3622047881563728032.post-46807124161109757302008-06-09T03:42:00.012+08:002009-02-11T04:19:14.916+08:00Instead of Three Wishes: Magical Short Stories<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij2H_HrSvn_2qttAqlAR2fr_6MIzANgPu4obnKmXsX3Kgj7EhknE_Yxa6qdfIAHuxqfXy_-8BwrEE7GXPBtS_SfcUKHG65JZOdh4FBE3UpSRTMcERl7_WAZgK8oC0DdinOtvIKIUZYldg/s1600-h/51SR1H60PPL._SL500_AA240_.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 222px; height: 222px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij2H_HrSvn_2qttAqlAR2fr_6MIzANgPu4obnKmXsX3Kgj7EhknE_Yxa6qdfIAHuxqfXy_-8BwrEE7GXPBtS_SfcUKHG65JZOdh4FBE3UpSRTMcERl7_WAZgK8oC0DdinOtvIKIUZYldg/s320/51SR1H60PPL._SL500_AA240_.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252627621608076114" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:verdana;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 102);font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">This book contains a collection of really lovely, magical short stories that provide a great twist from the usual fairy-granting</span>-<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">wishes business. </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">From leprechauns and cockroaches, to portraits and pastries,</span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">it is one of my</span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">favourite fantasy books of all time</span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">which I have reread oodles of times.</span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The stories have a way of lingering i your mind for days</span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">and one story</span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">fascinates</span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">you a</span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 0);font-family:verdana;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;">fter another. Megan Whalen Turner has a magical way of crafting her stories that leaves you feeling enraptured and uplifted as you immerse yourself in her stories.</span><br /><br /></span>Erica Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15341348947925952115noreply@blogger.com0