A Brother’s Price

A Brother’s Price

by Wen Spenser

Chapter One

Well, that first part was strange.  An alternate world where woman are in charge, and men are “sold into marriage,” because they are so rare.  Not only that, but it’s done western style.  I’m in for a ride I see.  Still, it only seems strange so far.

This chick in the ditch Jarin and Heria are going to save–totally the love interest for Jarin in the story.  I predict that now, lol.

And the evidence keeps on piling.  She is totally going to fall in love with Jerin.

A western with swords and queens and princesses.  I didn’t see that this woman would have been important.  I thought she might be a rogue something or other.  I guess this could be good for Jerin.  He may get to marry up because of it.  I was also skeptical throughout this chapter, until I got to this last bit.  It’s clear this is a fantasy story.  I’m wondering if this started as a thought experiment.  At first, I thought it was going to be feminist propaganda, but this isn’t that at all … at least, it doesn’t seem that way.  In either case, I’m going to keep reading.  So good job, Spencer!

Chapter Two

The famous, infamous Whistlers, huh?  What’s that all about?

What an interesting moment.  I couldn’t see this scene played by men.  Not really.  Clearly feminine, but not one I know all that well.  Talking about boys, but in the detached way men do, but still with an element of playfulness that is typically female.  This world is definitely interesting.  Spencer has definitely gotten me to suspend my disbelief, because I’m totally into the plot.

Yep, this is totally a fantasy … that near sex scene. Haha!  Maybe I was wrong about the “love interest” thing.  I’m not sure this world works that way.  He’s totally got these sisters’ attention though.  He’s got to get a good marriage out of this deal!

Chapter Three

Well, I guess women still tend to be paranoid.  That chase was dramatic, mostly because Ren was freaking out!  She’s not a Down with Love girl!

Something crazy is going on.  Would those women really do that to their husband?  Doesn’t seem plausible.  Maybe it is though, I don’t fully understand this world yet.

Wowza.  It’s kinda hot in here right now.

Chapter Eight

So, the reason there are no notes for chapters 4-6 is because the power went out today, I’m too lazy to write them by hand, and the book is WAY too good to take the time to jot.  Typing is so much more convenient.  If you’ve been reading along with me, you wouldn’t have wanted to stop to read this commentary.

Jerin has just made his first public appearance.  Many stares.  He’s got to marry Ren and her sisters.  That’s the only way.  Where the heck is Halley?

Chapter Nine

Nothing but dead ends, and leads going no where.  I must be missing something.  Still entertaining (even after taking a few weeks off from reading it).  I like that there are action sequences like this throughout the book.  It really keeps my interest.  I’ve never heard of grapeshot before.  Cool.  Good to know.

Chapter Ten

This book is a little wicked in places.  These princesses stealing kisses from Jerin.  Total fantasy, and something I expected out of this book.  In fact, it was the ONLY thing I expected out of this book.  There was a little woman-power propaganda thrown in to boot, but it was amusing.  This whole book is amusing.  And it’s one obstacle after another.  Trini, the hold out … but she does have a good reason.

Let’s face it.  We all know Jerin’s going to end up marrying the princesses.  The Whistlers are going to get their brother’s price (maybe even more), and be catalyst to the recovery of the stolen cannons.  The only thing that remains a mystery to me who is behind the cannon stealing and how does it tie in?

Chapter Eleven

Well, it’s good that Halley is alive, and that she approves of Jerin … but … does SHE have anything to do with the stolen cannons?  She’s close by.  Is she “undercover?”  Hrm.  Many things to consider.  Also, will this letter be enough for Queen Mother Eldest?

Chapter Twelve

Okay, so maybe this can be a (straight) man’s fantasy too.  Hah!

I KNEW things were going too well.  Keifer!  DAMN HIM!

Yeah, totally a man’s fantasy too there at the end of the chapter.  I didn’t think we’d get to the marriage this early in the story.  I guess things turned out alright, but now I’m wondering what this has to do with everything else.  This betrayal of Keifer’s has to be connected to the stolen cannons by something.  And Halley is involved in some way.  Maybe she already knows all this and is already at work against it?

Chapter Thirteen

A romance turned action, but we knew there was going to be SOME action.  Jerin escaped his kidnappers.   I think Cira is Halley.  It makes so much sense, and Spencer was basically SHOUTING it in the end of this chapter.  Kij, Keifer’s sister, was also his lover.  Joy!  Haha.  I hate to say it, but this sorta reminds me of Twilight.  Not that there are glittery vampires or anything, but the main story is a romance … the action is thrown in for kicks.  Let’s see how serious it’s going to get.

Chapter Fourteen

“‘We can start a new trend.  One wife per husband.’”  Wen Spencer, you are the master of timing.  I’m glad this joke found a nice spot–I wasn’t expecting it!

Chapter Sixteen

A nice ending.  Personally, I think Stephanie Meyer can take some notes out of this book.  It’s definitely a romantic adventure that doesn’t fail to deliver on the epic portion of the story.  So much happened there at the end, I wasn’t sure I had guessed it right.  Alas, I had and all’s well that ends well!  The role reversal was interesting.  I’m not sure it was altogether realistic, but I was totally into Spencer’s world.  I wish there were more stories to come from here, but I don’t think there will be.

Now I need to decide what to read next!

American Gods (II)

American Gods

by Neil Gaiman

First of all, his name is pronounced GAY-man.  I’m saying this more to remind myself than anyone else.  I always pronounce it G’EYE-man.

Second, I’m reading this book on my shiny new Nook!  So I may pepper this commentary with my reading experiences on the device as well.  I’m rather excited about BOTH the book and the nook.

Caveat, and Warning for Travelers

Gaiman just said what we WANT people to do in our books.  Our setting is very familiar to us, and we want people to seek out the various points in Lowell we highlight and exploit.  I’m glad he’s taken liberties.  Of course, all authors (of fiction or otherwise) take liberties.  It’s part of the game.

Part One | Shadows

Chapter One

Totally NOT what I was expecting in any way, shape, or form.  I knew next to nothing going into this book.  A stray word from Rhiannon here and there.  I have yet to read HER commentary, but for the most part, I remained ignorant of the plot … and I still am, in a way, because I’m not sure what’s going on.

Shadow is out of jail for doing something mysterious.  He’s being stocked by the strange Mr. Wednesday, “although given the weather, it might as well be Thursday, eh?”  Mr. Wednesday knows that Shadow’s wife died in a car crash DAYS before Shadow got out of the clink.  Despite his being suspicious, I still have a feeling I’m going to love this character.  And last, but not the least mind boggling, this scary chick who eats people with her vagina.  Yeah, nice one there Gaiman.  You’ve fulfilled every “gay man’s” worst nightmare, there.

Chapter Two

Rhiannon said something about liking the way Gaiman explains religion in this book.  I think I just got the start of it in the end of this chapter.  When that “kid” and his posse pick up Shadow after his wife’s funeral.  “The new paradigm,” have I heard THAT more than once in recent times.

I have a feeling this book is going to be REAL Neil Gaiman.  This is not a children’s story.  Not in any way.  Teenager, maybe.  I’d allow it, but I can see a LOT of parents being too prudish to let their kids read this.  Luckily, I have two sisters who will allow me to influence the reading of my niblings.

Chapter Three

Creepy!  Both the dream of the museum of dead gods and Laura, Shadow’s dead wife!

Interesting imagining of the immigration of gods!  I like it!  Must keep reading though.

Chapter Four

I’m still not sure what is going on in the story yet.  I don’t know who is good, bad, or what the point is.  Let’s see what I DO know.

[Rhiannon: I was thinking this through the whole book, but somehow it didn't irritate me that I didn't know.  I think it's because of Shadow's patience and ride-it-out attitude.  It was sort of zen being inside his head after being in my high speed nervous head all the time (and I don't even have HALF the worries Shadow does)]

I know that Shadow is working for Mr. Wednesday, and he’s “going to be killed” (I put it in quotes, because I don’t think it’s really going to happen) by Czernobog.  Currently, they are in the latter’s house with the three Zorya.

[Rhiannon: I didn't really think he was going to be killed either, but it was a weird gut feeling.  I knew Czernobog meant it, but I just figured Wednesday would weasel Shadow's way out of it.]

These “Coming to America” things are interesting, but I’m not sure what they’re leading to yet.  Rhiannon was quite right to be confused in the beginning of this story.  There is a lot going on, but not a lot being revealed.

Chapter Five

FINALLY!  We get some MEAT in the story.  First Mr. Wednesday robs a bank in a way I never would have thought to–nor would be brave enough to try.  Then we get to the House on the Rock and to this carousel (which is genius), and we’re suddenly before all the gods!  The next chapter is sure to explain a few things.

[Rhiannon: The carousel IS genius!  I want to go to Canobie Lake and try this!  Let's make a date this summer.  We can take Emily again!]

Chapter Six

Okay, so this is new gods against old gods, and Shadow’s quest to bring his wife back to life.  Got it.  It took a hundred and twenty pages, but we got there!  Now let’s see how he plans to DO it.

[Rhiannon: brilliant summary.  By the time I got there I kept thinking something else was supposed to happen other than those two things.  I was sort of right...]

Chapter Seven

Ah, so THAT’S what gay sex with a “god” is like.  A djinn … with fire cum.  As I was contemplating the possible fate of this character, Rhiannon informed me that he does appear in the book again.  Hrm.  So, what the point of these interludes after the chapter?  They are amusing, but distracting from the plot.  Maybe that’s the point … or maybe it WILL all come together.

[Rhiannon: I honestly don't remember if he shows up or not!  Do not quote me on that ]

Chapter Eight

Hrm, so Mad Sweeney is dead.  The coin Laura has is important … maybe that is why she has come back from the dead.  A LOT of people don’t trust Mr. Wednesday.  For SOME reason, I still really like him.  I dunno.  First impressions are lasting.  He charmed me.  What can I say?

Where are they off to?  Maybe we’ll get to find out what’s going on in the next part. Haha!

[Rhiannon: Haha.  Hahahahaha.  Maybe!]

Part Two | My Ainsel

Chapter Nine

Is Shadow meant to be a sacrifice of some kind? Or is he going to be Wednesday’s new “junior partner?”  Both?

Poor Shadow.  I’m not sure bringing Laura back to life is a good idea.  I’m also afraid for his life … and it has nothing to do with him getting his head bashed in.

Rhiannon is right; Sam IS cool! I hope nothing bad happens to her because she won’t cooperate.

Chapter Ten

What a quaint little town Lakeside is.  This cold seems like the calm before the storm though.  It’s too … quiet.

Why can’t Shadow keep that name in his mind?  Who are they going to see in Las Vagas?  It’s still too quiet.

Is this mysterious guy in the charcoal suit “RAM?”  That would explain why no one remembers him … except, somehow, Mr. Wednesday.  It can’t be though.  He seems to be on the side of the “old gods.”  Hrm.  Who could he be?

At the end of this chapter, I find myself, again, wondering what on EARTH is going on.  In a fun way though.  There are LOADS of possibilities.

Chapter Eleven

I know at the end of that it said that Mulligan was in love with Marguerite.

Okay, there is a LOT of pissing in this book.  Just sayin’.  And the gods can see Shadow’s dreams?  What exactly IS Shadow?  This was a strange dream as well.  Did he call the thunderbirds?

I’m highly amused that the “Easter Bunny” is a large, voluptuous woman.

“‘Scared my grandmother so much she nearly had kittens.’” HEEEEEEEEEEhehehehehe!

So … a girl had “disappeared” every winter for the past couple of years?  Is this god related?  Is this WINTER god related?  Is Sophie just reading into things?”  I ask again, what is going on?

That interlude was sad.  The twins who never see each other again until death.  It was kinda long though … *scratches his head as if he hadn’t said that last part*

Chapter Twelve

I’m not sure who Whiskey Jack is supposed to be, but I think we’ll see him again.  That “behind the scenes” stuff was weird/cool.  LOVED the “spider”/search-bott reference.

Okay, so does Marguerite know something?  What about her son, Sandy?

What’s this?  Mulligan has a girl out of state now?

Hrm.  Who/What was calling to Laura then?  Mr. Wednesday?  A menace we have yet to meet fully?  That weird guy that Shadow kept “forgetting?”  Is HE Mr. World?

As much as I was skeezed out by Bilquis’ man eating vagina, no one deserves to die like this. *Frown* I hope that tech-boy gets Shadow’s fist up his @$$.

Sam is Marguerite’s sister!  Whaaaat?

HAH! Laura got a job?  That’s … amazing.

Chapter Thirteen

Mr. Wednesday is dead.  Odin, King of the Norse gods is dead.  He did say something about being brought back with enough attention.  Shadow is very good at focusing his attention on something he wants … like the snowstorm he created.  Maybe Mr. Wednesday is counting on Shadow to “reimagine” him, and that’s why Shadow got hired.

That interlude was like the suicide of a god.  Unless the gods were too young to know back in 14,000 B.C.

Part Three | The Moment of the Storm

Chapter Fourteen

Could this vigil have something to do with bringing Wednesday back?  What is “the center?”

The center of America.  Hrm.  Places that are the opposite of sacred, and the center is the lowest of the low.  DOESN’T sound good, people!

Yeah, sleeping in the same building with new gods in them seems like a bad idea under ANY circumstances!

Low Key is Loki … ah, so DEATH is on the way!  Why is he on the BAD guys side?  He better be doing something covert … or come around.  He seems like a nice enough guy.  What’s this whole vigil business, and when is Shadow going to hop to it?

So Shadow will be tied to a tree for nine days.  Will Shadow actually die from this?  At least he’s “comfortable?”  What?  Naked, tied to a tree?  Will Laura be around for any of this?  Will Laura EVER be brought back to life? Who killed Laura Palmer?

Chapter Fifteen

What did that Elephant headed god just do?  This CAN’T be just a hallucination.

So Laura IS coming!  I like this squirrel.  Did she just spit out maggots?  And now Shadow is dead.  Hrm.

Chapter Sixteen

What the ..?  He chooses NOTHING?  What does that mean?  Mr. Wednesday is his father?  He is the son of a god?  I thought Wednesday said gods (for the most part) shoot blanks?  Shadow must be an exception of some kind.  There’s 120 pages left.  Shadow CAN’T be done and gone.

Chapter Seventeen

Does that mean Laura is back to life?  What’s with Town’s clocks and why is Shadow bleeding?  I’m back to just being completely confused … it’s so interesting though.  I can’t guess what might happen.

Easter is supposed to save the day?  I like Easter … she’s hawt.

Laura is in the car with Town … I feel bad for Town.  And who was that that walked in on Mr. World at the end?  Who exactly IS Mr. World supposed to be?  Should I know at this point?  I mean, he’s the leader of the new “gods,” but is there any more to it?  His lips were sewn shut?  Why?  Gaiman is going a GREAT job at keeping me on my toes.

Chapter Eighteen

Yeah, that’s what sucks about dying.  You go and come back to life and have all the bumps and bruises to deal with.  Almost makes you wish you had just stayed dead.  Although, Whiskey Jack DID say they were coming after Shadow anyway.  Might as well get it over and done with.  C’mon.  Y’all KNEW he was coming  back!

Wait … Easter blushed at Shadow’s nakedness?  Shouldn’t she, like, want to jump his bones?  Whatever happened to Wednesday’s eye?  Was that still in with his clothes?

What. A. BITCH! Haha!  She killed him.  Laura freakin’ killed him!  I mean, I was expecting it, but that was just … the dog’s bollocks!

*I* wanna ride a thunderbird … an not vicariously through Shadow!

Holy shit, what?  Loki is Mr. World!  You know, I remember someone saying something about him “playing driver” but I didn’t know what they were referring to, because Gaiman is a master at distraction!  Woo!  This is awesome!

Ah, well, he didn’t come right out and say it was Loki like I thought he was going to.  He might as well have though.  Saying he was in prison with Shadow coupled with the whole driver bit earlier … it’s quite obvious now.  Unless I’m wrong, but I don’t think so.

Since Laura’s “life” isn’t permanent, will the thunderbird Shadow is riding be able to help?  Does either of them want that at this point?  I don’t think Shadow would want her back.  If I was Shadow, I wouldn’t.  Oh!  Especially not if it means KILLING a thunderbird.  I don’t like that at all!

Well, now … I wasn’t expecting that.  Laura killed Mr. World/Loki.  Spectacular.  Kinda turns me more in favor of her revival.  Only I don’t want to have to MURDER and thunderbird.

“I was the sacrificial lamb.” “No, you were the Judas Goat.” <–That is humor.

Laura is gone for good.  As it should be.  I realized something here.  When Mad Sweeney is killed because Shadow snatched the wrong coin, I had a feeling it was Mr. Wednesday he was afraid of.  That makes sense now, because it was Laura (who Wednesday killed to get out of the way) who changed a LOT of what went down.

Part Four | Epilogue: Something That the Dead Are Keeping Back

Chapter Nineteen

What in the world did Shadow just realize?  What about Wednesday’s eye?  Can that help bring him back?  I still want him back too.  He was a jerk, but I liked him.  He’s just doing what he thought he had to do to survive … er–get power as gods again.

P. S. I like how some chapters are very short, and others are EPIC!

Chapter Twenty

We found Alison, dead.  Who put her there?  Hinzelmann?  He’s got to be some kind of god.  Why where the buffalo guy, thunderbird, and Whiskey Jack together?  Were the girls sacrifices to them?

Ah, sacrifices to Hinzelmann.  Makes sense.  At least he’s gone now, and almost everything is wrapped up nice and neat.  I knew Mulligan was going to end up with Marguerite.

Well, there goes Sam and Shadow ending up together … Sam has found herself another girl.

See, we knew Czernobog wouldn’t kill Shadow!

Postscript

Great ending.  All loose ends tied, and the story has been a wild ride.  I could barely guess a thing in this story, and I liked that.  He kept me on my toes, threw major curveballs, but EVERYTHING made sense.  I think most fantasy lovers will appreciate this book.

Lastly, I totally forgot that I was supposed to be making comments about the Nook!  Haha.  The Nook disappeared to the story.  That’s saying something about the story AND the device.  I love it.

Night of the Soul Stealer | The Last Apprentice Book 3

Night of the Soul Stealer

by Joseph Delaney

I’m reading this book because the first two were great … and I need another fantasy before I choke someone!

Chapter One: An Unexpected Visitor

Uh oh, looks like we’re dealing with a jilted, former apprentice in this book.  Poor Alice.  The Spook is always dumping her.  I hope she comes back … like she did in the last book.  She HAS to!

Chapter Two: Farewell to Chipenden

Alice WILL be nearby.  We’re going to get to find out all about Meg and Emily–YAY!–and what could it be that Morgan THINKS the Spook owes him?  Off to Mam and Dad’s!

Chapter Three: Home

Eap!  Now I’m worried.  This doesn’t sound fun.  I’m glad I chose to read this book now.  This is how I feel about the cold weather we’re having here in New Hampshire.  I wonder if Delaney wrote this book in winter?  I hope dad doesn’t die soon … cuz that would be really sad.  Delaney is also setting us up for Alice to do something silly again.

Chapter Four: The Winter House

Wow.  This book is so GOOD!  I’m totally drawn in in the best way!  What’s with Meg?  Is she good or bad?  What’s with Morgan?  Is that who is looking down on the house from above?  Why can’t Tom go to town?  Is the Spook going to be doing the shopping? SO MANY QUESTIONS!

Chapter Five: What Lay Beneath

Hrm.  So Meg’s sister is laying in a SUPER-witch’s pit in the cellar.  Meg might get her memory back … this sounds like a bad combination.  It’s kinda cool that Tom doesn’t have to do the errands all winter back and forth from town … but this snow sounds terrible.  *peers at the piles outside his window and sighs*

Chapter Six: A Nasty Piece of Work

What are you doing to me Delaney?  You make me sad and suspicious of Meg.  You make me feel terrible for Alice, and then you go a pull a final line like that?  Morgan needs a good punch in the nose as well!

Chapter Seven: The Stone Chucker

Good gravy that was awesome!  The ax, the stones, the lighting the tree on fire!  Brilliant!  And ending it with Alice showing up … talk about perfect.  Once again, Delaney manages to side track me, and I totally didn’t see that coming.  I was so sad about Alice’s predicament, I forgot to look for clues!

Chapter Eight: The Stone Chucker’s Return

Poor Spook.  These books are just getting worse and worse for him.  Tom really has his work cut out for him.  At least the boggart is dead.

Chapter Nine: Intimations of Death

Yay, Alice saves the day!  Of course the doctor and nurse were wrong.  There’s TWO more books after this one … he COULDN’T be dead.  Well, I guess he could–but I can’t see how it could get better without him.

Chapter Ten: Bad News

I knew this was going to happen.  I just didn’t think we were going to find out until the end of the book.  I thought the whole adventure would be over the winter, and he’d come back to his father’s grave.  Turns out it’s much sooner.  Way to subvert my expectations, Delaney.  I love what you do to me.

Chapter Eleven: Mam’s Room

That may have been the saddest thing I’ve ever read.  Poor Tom!  He’s smart though, I wonder why Mam left him her room.  There’s probably something in there that’s going to help us.  And I hope Morgan hasn’t stolen Dad’s soul … the title of the American suggests it.  I wonder if we’re going to get to see Mam’s homeland.  That would be … scary.

Chapter Twelve: Necromancy

Jeez.  That chapter could have been the CLIMAX of the book.  I love how Delaney does that.  He brings you to climax after climax, and they only get better throughout the book.  I love this.  Noted.  I can’t wait to see what the Spook has to say about all the magic Morgan just did.  How are they going to save Dad?  Where is Alice?  She’s GOT to be with the Spook.  Or, maybe she’s with Mam.

Chapter Thirteen: Trickery and Betrayal

Had to stop reading to note: Meg just called Tom “Tom” not “Billy.”  Something’s up!

Climax after climax.  Meg has got the Spook imprisoned, and her blood-thirsty sister is on the loose.  Where is Alice?  Will Morgan end up being one to help the Spook?  Hrm.

Chapter Fourteen: Snowbound

You know, I had a sneaking suspicion about the Spook being Morgan’s father when we heard that thing about him always loving Morgan’s mother.  I forgot where that was though … SO MUCH HAS HAPPENED!

This is getting all so complicated.  This is how Delaney is a genius.  He gives us a bite of predictable story, the explodes it in a million directions, making the reader wonder where all the chips are going to fall.  How will Tom defeat Morgan and save his father?  How will they deal with Meg?  How will they rescue the Spook?  “Questions … questions that need answering!”

Chapter Fifteen: Down to the Cellar

Hrm. I’m starting to get suspicious.  Maybe Morgan doesn’t have all the powers Delaney wants us to think he has.  I’m not sure, but Delaney is REALLY pushing this Dad getting tortured thing.  So much so, that I feel like it’s only a distraction from what’s really going on.  Maybe I’ll figure something out when I finish the chapter.

Well, I’d be angry with you too, you dolt!  Ah, I know you’re doing it for your father, but your father is dead.  There’s nothing Morgan could do that could really harm him I don’t think.  Once the Spook is on his feet again, this Morgan shite will be all sorted out.  Come on, Tom.  “Don’t be daft!”  Although, I think binding Meg is a GREAT idea.  Nine out of Ten OR Ten out of Ten.  It’s worth the risk.

Chapter Sixteen: Up to the Attic

I wonder how Tom is going to get out of the cellar.  Maybe Morgan.  I don’t see Alice coming back in the night.  Maybe Mam, but Mam is gone.  Hrm.

Chapter Seventeen: Home Truths

Well, that was unexpected, haha!  The Spook saves the day!  Now all we have left to deal with is Morgan … who is NOT the Spook’s son.  So I guessed wrong.  Delaney did that on purpose.  He’s distracting us from something else.

Chapter Eighteen: The Chapel of the Dead

Tom is caught.  Someone is going to have to save him YET again, haha.  I’m ready to sort out Morgan.  I DON’T think Alice sent him to a trap … it’s not like her.  All the suspicion around Alice is just a red herring.

Chapter Nineteen: The Round Loaf

Nothing new to add.  Golgoth just showed up … MAJOR bad guy, and Tom is all tied up.  Gotta go find out what happens!

Chapter Twenty: Golgoth

Good lord, if it ain’t one thing it’s another.  Now the feral witch Marcia is after him.  Unless … somehow … she’s there to RESCUE Tom … you never know! *shoves nose back in book*

Chapter Twenty-One: The Trap

Hehe! That was an easy guess.  Although, I could have easily been wrong in THESE books.  Delaney fakes me out SO much.  I don’t think Alice is going to be allowed by to Chipenden with Tom and the Spook, but, you never know.  STRANGER things have happened!

Chapter Twenty-Two: For the Best

After this scene I have more hope than ever that Alice will be allowed back with them.  However, there is still some doubt.  I HOPE so!  And what about Mam?  Are we not going to see her at all?  MAYBE I’ll be lucky and get BOTH my wishes in the next and last chapter

Chapter Twenty-Three: Back to Chipenden

YAY! Got BOTH my wishes! w00t!  Haha.  Sorry.  What an interesting ending.  BOTH Alice and Tom are going to do something BIG for the Country.  The way Delaney writes about Tom’s duty to server could almost be used as military propaganda.  I’m really interested in reading the next book now.

The last pages written by “Tom Ward” say something about sorting out 3 covens of (39) witches … could be fun!

Wagner on the Brain

For a while now I’ve been looking to get into some music of the “Classical” nature.  Over the passed year a series of mystery movies have been aired on PBS: The Inspector Lewis Mysteries.  It was Music to Die For (in series two of the show) which turned my attention to Wagner.

A-Hunting We We Go

Although it has been a couple months since I saw the episode of Inspector Lewis where Wagner is a motif, last night, the desire to know more struck me.  So off to Google I trot, then over to Wikipedia and read Richard Wagner’s page.

Then I realized:  isn’t it wonderful that I could do this?  In the late hour last night I had the desire to delve into the world of Wagner, I suddenly found myself walking down the epic path.  The internet is such an amazing thing.  It allowed me to hunt down the knowledge I was craving.  Well, I’m still craving.  However…

Seek and Ye Shall Find

Der Ring des Nibelungen is a series of four operas that tell one grand tale–the story of the ring of Alberich.  The plot: a ring of power is created and fought over for generations.  Sound familiar?  I thought so too.  I continued reading and found out that Tolkien wanted no association to be made between his epic Lord of the Rings and Wagner.

It is true, they drew from the same myths to create both their tetralogies, but even I believe it a case of coincidence that both stories feature a ring of supreme power.  I’ve thoroughly read the Lord of the Rings twice, and while perusing synopses and librettos of Der Ring des Nibelungen that seems to be where the similarities end.

The Beginning of an Obsession

This is only the beginning, I fear.  These opera aren’t anything to sneeze at.  Like I said, it’s a series of four, and the final opera (Götterdämmerung–The Twilight of the Gods) is reported to take up to six hours to perform.  The recording I’ve attained is nearly fifteen hours from the start to finish.  Plus I have to read the libretto translation just so I know what’s going on.

So far, the music is utterly addictive.  I haven’t been able to stop listening.  Last night I read a little of the translation while listening … it was amazing.  Quite a storyteller Wagner was.  I could see some of the myths he drew upon, and was very pleased with the pictures my imagination came up with.

I think I’m going to have to read the translation away from the recording at some point as well.  I feel like this magical series of opera have shown up right on time.  This might not be the last time you get to hear about them.  I suggest you go give it a listen.  Even if you don’t get into it as much as I have, it’s still worth your time.  The highlights will probably suffice for you though, haha!

Curse of the Bane | The Last Apprentice Book 2

Curse of the Bane

By Joseph Delaney

C’mon.  You knew after I read the first one and commentated, I’d have to do it for every other one as well.  This is a great memory tool for me, and I hope it gets at least one or two of you interested in the books I tare through.  It might even ward you away from not so good books.

This book, I’m 98.764% sure will be fan-freakin’-tastic.

Chapter One: The Horshaw Ripper

More courage than in the first, we’re back in action with Thomas binding his first boggart.  Awesome.  I can’t wait to get into the meat of this book.  The premise is promising.  I can’t wait to see how they plan to outsmart The Quisitor.  And what of the Bane?  I have a feeling we’ll find out in the next chapter.

Chapter Two: The Spook’s Past

What’s this?  The Spook has an Alice too?  We’ve got to find out more about this!

Chapter Three: The Bane

I really like the way the Spook answer’s Thomas’ question about God.  Wise, honest, and it leaves the choice up to the reader what to believe while still making it perfectly clear what he, himself holds to be true.  This is one of my goals as a writer.

Chapter Four: Priestown

*Sigh* Of course Alice is a prisoner of the Quisitor.

Chapter Five: The Funeral

It wouldn’t be a great adventure if we didn’t go see Father Cairns.  Alice will be saved, rest assured people.  He has to.  Those are the rules for books like this.  It’s the journey to the great rescue that’s rewarding!  Woo!

Chapter Six: A Pact With Hell

What a jerk!  Of course, we had to get Tom really on his own–without the Spook.  It wouldn’t be Tom’s tale if we hadn’t!  Very “anti-Catholic” sentiments here.  I can appreciate them.

Chapter Seven: Escape and Capture

The Spook is captured.  I see we’re going to find out more about Brother Peter in the next chapter.  I’m glad Andrew is with Tom … maybe he’ll explain a few things.  *nudge nugde, wink wink*

Chapter Eight: Brother Peter’s Tale

Well, of course the Spook won’t be alone when Tom ends up bringing him into the catacombs–which we all know he will!  Therefore the Spook won’t die there.  That is, even if there was such a thing as a curse.

Chapter Nine: The Catacombs

Where the devil are the Spook and Alice then?

Chapter Ten: Girl Spit

The title of this chapter gave it away.  I knew Alice’s return was eminent.  I’m glad for it too.  Alice and Tom make a great team.

Mr. Delaney has a quality in his storytelling I wish to capture–I even have a note of it written on the back of my bedroom door: subvert expectation.  He somehow gets the reader thinking in one direction, sometimes many other directions, and surprises the reader with what actually happens.  This is storytelling at it’s best.  Always exciting.  I can’t stop reading …

Chapter Eleven: The Spook’s Trial

The Spook can’t be all washed up.  No way.  The sad part is … I’m really not sure.  Mr. Delaney managed to dupe me with his straightforwardness throughout most of the last book.  Then snuck that rouse on me at the end.  This time there seems to be many truths going on.  I’m not sure what to guess.

My gut tells me the Spook is going to be alright by the end.  Just like it did when I wasn’t sure about Alice.  Not to mention, there’s four books come after this one.  The Spook can’t be all washed up!  Hope, my friends, we have hope!

Oh yes, and thank goodness Brother Peter is sentenced to go to the catacombs!  Tom can save him now!  Unless of course, Tom can’t save him.

Chapter Twelve: The Silver Gate

Damnit Alice!  Why do you have to be so … weak?

To make the story interesting, Joseph.

Chapter Thirteen: The Burning

I don’t think it’s so much good can come out of evil … more that good and evil aren’t so black and white.

Chapter Fourteen: Dad’s Tale

Did we not figure out Tom’s mother was a witch in the last book?  Maybe not in so many words, but there were definitely strong hints.  No great shock!  Haha.  I mean, the conversation between Mam and Alice … that was a huge clue.

Chapter Fifteen: The Silver Chain

Tada!  Mam’s officially come out.  I like all this loot Tom keeps getting.  Makes me want to quest even more.  Also glad to see the Spook starting to recover.

Chapter Sixteen: A Pit for Alice

Maybe I’m heartless, but wouldn’t you put Alice in the pit?  I mean, just until you figure out a way to kill the Bane.  Then let her out and deal with whatever comes next.  If she’s going to be a jerk about it, then put her back.  If she’s going to continue being good–and a bit smarter–in the future, then let her go.

Chapter Seventeen: The Quisitor Arrives

Mr. Delaney, are you really going to make me hold out on Alice again?  We know she’s good.  The Spook is silly for mistrusting her.  She’s going to end up a GREAT ally.  I suppose if she remains on the edge of the story, the trouble she causes does make for good story.

Chapter Eighteen:  Nightmare on the Hill

That IS a nightmare.  Of course, that may be his mother’s true form, but I don’t think that will end up being the fate of his family. If there is a real threat of this , I don’t see it coming into the plot for another couple of books yet.  It was already in the first book … give the family a break!

Chapter Nineteen: The Stone Graves

The best part about this chapter is that I guessed it was going to come to this … then, Mr. Delaney through me off.  He brought us down to the catacombs the first time, and subverted my expectations.  I wasn’t expecting to end up down there again after the Bane was free.  It’s all coming down to the wire, and it’s all going to depend upon one moment–where Tom is going to do the right thing and save everyone!  Woo!

Chapter Twenty: Mam’s Letter

Heh, you’re not alone Tom.  I’m starting to feel that way about me and my “great adventure.”  And my name means light bearer … there are a lot of us

Chapter Twenty-One: A Sacrifice

Well, that’s all fortune telling is really.  Intelligent guessing.  I wonder how Alice brought him back to life … and what the repercussions of that will be.  Probably something in the coming books.  This series has many of the elements I desire for the books we’re writing.

Chapter Twenty-Two: A Bargain’s a Bargain

The question still stands.  I can’t wait to see what comes of Alice.   I can’t wait to see Meg and maybe Emily.  I really should read another book before launching into the third one though.  But what?

This book was another amazing chapter in the training of Thomas Ward.  Bravo Joseph Delaney.  You’ve got me good and addicted.

Revenge of the Witch | The Last Apprentice Book 1

The Last Apprentice: Revenge of the Witch

by Joseph Delaney

I was in Barnes and Nobles the other day, and they have this display up for the holidays where they’re asking you to donate a book to a kid for Christmas.  What you’re supposed to do it pick up a bookmark, which has the first name and age of a child.  Then you get a book, stick the bookmark in–pay for the book–and they send it to the kid.

I wasn’t intending to donate a book, but I wanted to get a closer look at the bookmarks.  The first one I pick up if for: Joseph age 14.  Immediately I think to myself, what would I choose to give my fourteen year old self to read.

Destiny was set in motion; I had to find the perfect book for this boy Joseph.  I started with kids classics.  I wanted to give the kid something great to read.  Then I thought about it from his/my fourteen year old self’s opinion.  The classics became uninteresting.  So, since the kid was a teen, I went over to the teen books.

After about a half hour of gazing futilely at oceans of sappy teen-romance, an over abundance of varying vampire series, and a cornucopia of emo fiction; I find this book–the first book in the section that visually appears worthy.  I pick it up.  I love the dark style of the art.  I read the back of the book, scan through the novel, and take one last look at the cover.  It was then I noticed the author’s name.  Joseph Delaney.

That was that.  To a Joseph, from a Joseph, by a Joseph.  I grabbed a copy for Joseph age 14 and one for myself–I had to read the book now too.  And to the Joseph age 14, if you ever happen upon this website, I hope the book turns out to be as great a read it looks!  Here’s to our shared adventure.

Chapter One: A Seventh Son

Nice set up about a cowardly boy.  This is going to be a tale about finding yourself.  It also has the potential for some really interesting magic scenes.  Me likies.  Although, I’ve read about the whole seventh son of a seventh son before in Terry Pratchett’s Equal Rites.  Except the way Pratchett plays on this myth is an eighth son of an eighth son of an eighth son becomes a wizard.

So, Tom is going to become the Spook’s apprentice.  I really like that the magical protector of the area is called the Spook.  I tend to enjoy the rural medieval style fantasies such as these.  Very nice set up, don’t you think Joseph?

Chapter Two: On the Road

The Spook is a really entertaining character.  The tropes of master and student well illustrated.  It’s time to face your fears head on.  The differences between ghost and ghast was neat as well.  I always thought of them as the same thing.  I like it when words have clear separate definitions.  Synonyms are hardly ever 100% the same.  Ah, the richness of language.

Also, there is an new reason this book seems to be fate.  Tonight I was talking with Rhiannon about how I was starting to see “things” around my apartment, at work, even when going for walks.  They’re “shadow figures” (for lack of better terminology); I can make out some details, but they’re clouded.  Sometimes I see a sunny little girl.  Sometimes I see a tall dark man.  Sometimes it’s just flashes of light or patches of blackness.  I don’t know what it is, but it’s very similar to the ghasts described here.  They don’t try and communicate with me; they’re just there.  Weird, and cool.

Chapter Three: Number Thirteen Watery Lane

Wow.  Joseph, he even managed to fool me.  I wasn’t expecting it to be the Spook in the basement.  I should have though.  I usually pick up on those kind of things.  Haha.  I really like Tom as a main character.  Even though he is scared out of his mind, he is very brave.  He faces his fears when he has to, and has a mind analytical enough to figure things out under pressure.  I identify with that.  Good show Mr. Joseph Delaney.  So far, you’ve got me hooked.

Chapter Four: The Letter

I’m really identifying with this character.  The way he thinks he and his mother are the same is very much how I see my mother and myself.  Only, I wish she knew the similarity as much as Tom’s mam seems to.

Chapter Five: Boggarts and Witches

I enjoy chapters like these; when you’re learning along with the protagonist.  It really defines the realm which the story is told in.  Chapters like this also tend to have a lot of clues in them.  The Spook has given Tom a myriad of warnings, made him make a promise not to go into this garden after dark and never alone, and never to try as see the living witch.

Using my “reading into things” superpowers, here’s what I can sniff out:  the living witch is going to do something that’s going to require Tom to go into the garden alone at night–possibly kidnap the Spook.  Tom will have to face the two dead witches before getting to her.  The boggart will probably be a challenge for Tom at some point, but I’m not sure if it will be connected to the witches ordeal.

Chapter Six: A Girl With Pointy Shoes

The way Tom thinks makes me happy.  He’s smart, he can deduce things, and he’s self reflective.  His thoughts match my thoughts as a reader (for the most part).  Insights on the plot are a little different.  Although, Tom does smell trouble ahead by realizing his mistakes in making the promise of Alice (who I think is the niece of the living witch).

I can’t decide whether Alice will end up a love interest–yes, I realize they’re thirteen–or if she’ll end up an nemesis.  We have the potential for both here.

Chapter Seven: Someone Has to Do It

Okay, so Tom DOES have the ability to make really silly choices.  I was starting to think he might be infallible.  Kinda glad he isn’t.  He’s still thirteen years old. Haha.

Chapter Eight: Old Mother Malkin

So I was wrong about the circumstances, but I was so right about him breaking all those promises.  I mean, come on though … that one was a duh!  The cakes will probably free the living witch at which point she’ll impart her revenge on the Spook.

Oh, so NOW you realize how foolish you’ve been Tom.  Nice goin’.

Nope.  Either Bony Lizzie took the children, or Mother Malkin did … who I think might be one and the same.  Also, children stealing totally reminds me of Hocus Pocus.

Alright, he’s got me convinced they can’t be one person (Mother Malkin and Bony Lizzie).  I believe that Alice might be being manipulated.  Don’t be fooled Joseph!  I think that the author had the Spook tell Tom to stay away from girls with pointy shoes because of a prejudice.  Alice seems alright.  I believe her.

Chapter Nine: On the Riverbank

To quote Stephen King: “Sometimes, dead is better … “

Chapter Ten: Poor Billy

Not yet convinced Alice is bad, but I could be pulling a Joey at this point.  I have over read into things a couple of times already.  I’m glad I’m reading a simpler story.  It is reminding me that basic plot-lines can be just as riveting as complex ones.  I should keep that in mind when we’re ready to chop stuff from the book we’re writing … aka, phase three.  Also, I don’t think Tom imagined seeing the Spook.  I think the Spook has just been watching the whole time to see how he’ll react, “since he decided to get himself in this mess,” is how I hear him putting it.

Okay, so the Spook wasn’t watching.  Haha.  I’m curious though … if he wasn’t watching, then wouldn’t he be more angry at Tom?  He was pretty short earlier in the book, now he’s got some patience.  I mean, I like it … it just seems out of character.

Chapter Eleven: The Pit

She’s only a young girl people!  She’s being manipulated.  Sorry folks; yelling at the voices in my head telling me Alice is bad.  I still think she’s good, but the men–with pipes, tweed, and reading specs–sitting in leather armchairs around the library of my mind, disagree.

The simplicity and straight-forwardness of this story is amazingly done.  It’s like Disney movies.  Clean, creative, with subtle layers of deeper story within the main drama for more advanced readers.

Chapter Twelve: The Desperate and the Dizzy

Figures, I decide to read before Rhiannon comes over, and I have to stop JUST as Alice is getting possessed by Mother Malkin.  Grr.  Joseph, our pal sure has my attention now!

Alright, this guy is playing me like a harp.  It’s certain now.  He’s writing for readers like me.  I haven’t just been reading into things.  He WANTS me to make these assumptions.  If you’ve read this chapter, then you know what I mean.  It’s not easy to make everyone an equal suspect for possession like this guy just did, Joseph.  I, seriously, have no idea who it could be.  I do know that the Spook needs to come and save the day though!  Or Mam.  Or both.  I’m still holding out on Alice as well.  I want her to end up being good … but the evidence is mounting against her.

Chapter Thirteen: Hairy Pigs

Joseph Delaney is a master: plain and simple.  I didn’t see that coming.  He had me properly distracted.  Genius.  I love books that subvert my expectations in such an amazing way.  I’m also glad the Spook nor Mam had to come save the day.

Chapter Fourteen: The Spook’s Advice

Awe!  See.  I knew she was “good” all along.  Tom’s got a friend for life in Alice.  I have no choice, Joseph.  I have to buy the next book in this series.  A-ma-zing.

The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane

I came to read this book quite by chance.  Recently, I’ve made some changes in my life.  I’ve quit some bad habits, and cut back on some others.  Also, I’ve taken on a couple of new habits.  One of them is reading more than one book at a time, which coincides with another habit, and that is: reading new authors.

I chose this book off the New Releases shelf at Barnes & Nobles, because of the cover.  The title was good, and I liked the mystery it provoked.  I read the back of the book and it was mine.  I know we shouldn’t judge books by their cover, but this time it worked out in my favor.

I got home and started thumbing though the book.  It’s about Salem!  THE Salem; Salem Massachusetts.  The funny thing is, I’ve been looking for a good “Halloween” book.  Last year I read “The Portrait of Dorian Grey” by Oscar Wilde, which was great.  This year, I feel the perfect book has fallen into my lap.

Let’s get on with it, shall we?

Part I: The Key and Bible

Prologue

Way to go Miss Katherine Howe!  You managed to pull me RIGHT into this story.  I took a peak at chapter one, and I see the date jumps from 1681 to 1991.  Are we going to be jumping back and forth in time? Oh, I do hope so.  Spectacular imagery, I could smell the swamplands in that area, and you didn’t even describe it.

Chapter One

Persimmon (had to look this word up): orange fruit resembling a plum; edible when fully ripe.

The way Connie is panicking reminds me of Rhiannon.  This is good.  Authors should remind us of people we know.  It helps us get closer to the characters.  I’m with you Connie!

Interesting.  We’re going to be looking at Salem as if the witchcraft was real, but from the journey of a Harvard graduate student.  Awesome.  Also, Connie’s blonde friend (didn’t quite catch her name) puts a nice contrast against Connie’s dark features.  And the way the relationship is described…I wonder if these girls are going to do magic.  They remind me of Elphaba and Galinda.

Chapter Two

Coterie – clique: an exclusive circle of people with a common purpose.

Huh, now Connie is starting to sound like me.  The relationship she has with her mother reminds me of the one I have with my father.  I bet they come together in this book.

Chapter Three

The Northshore IS pretty, Ms. Howe.  One of the prettiest places in the world–that’s my humble opinion.

Lots of information here!  As a writer as well as a reader, I appreciate this chapter.  There’s no way she’s going to be able to give away this house.  That memory, and the strangeness of Chilton’s question earlier on.  They’re connected.  This is part of the premise;  this house.

If she’s selling this house, then she’s selling it to ME!

Let the magic begin.  It’s quite clear Granna wasn’t the Puritanical.

Get a key; have an interlude.

Interlude

Everybody loves a courtroom drama.

Chapter Four

What does Chilton know?  Is he a witch?  Is Connie just nosy?

Me thinks Sam may end up a romantic-type interest.

Well of COURSE Dane was a witch…that’s why we’re reading.  Hah!

Chapter Five

It’s a unique thought for me to think some people accept that magic WASN’T believed in in the past.  Howe presents a chapter here where her protagonist discovers the witchcraft in Salem was really believed in by the people who lived there.  To me, that’s a ‘duh.’  No offense.   Sure, most likely someone was lying about something to cause all the commotion, but the people had to believe it was happening in order for that many people to die because of it.  On another note, these symbols are interesting.

Chapter Six

All I can think of after reading this is Elvira, Mistress of the Dark and her great aunt’s recipe book.

Interlude

I wonder if we’re going to find out that Connie is related to Deliverance?

Chapter Seven

Why do I think Grace knows more about this than she’s letting on?  I wouldn’t be surprised if she didn’t though…she’s rather ditsy.  That may be purposeful though.

If Connie doesn’t get it on with Sam…I’ll be unhappy.  I hope he doesn’t die.  I have a feeling someone’s going to die.

Chapter Eight

Good.  I’m glad Connie is on the same page as the rest of us now.  I still don’t trust Chilton.

Chapter Nine

The key leads to the book.  That’s for sure.  So Chilton doesn’t have it, but he knows something.  Grace knows something too.  Even more now, I think Connie is related to Deliverance.  Wherever the trail ends, that will tell us what happened to the book.  It’s probably buried in the back yard.  Maybe near where the mandrake or belladonna is?

Chapter Ten

Awe; love.  I was just chatting with Rhiannon about this.  Sam is your typical New England handy-man hunk.  If this is true, then Sam might have a hidden past of some sort.  Maybe I’m just over thinking this.

Interlude

Intriguing.

Chapter Eleven

Did Prudence kill her parents?  Why isn’t Connie asking this question?  She’s the one looking at Salem as if the magic was real.  She’s the one looking for a spell book.  Could this be the Almanack?  Plausible.  So, why ISN’T Connie asking these questions?  She’s supposed to be smart, not just throwing tantrums.

Chapter Twelve

Thanks mom (Grace) for pointing out the obvious!  Apparently, Connie needs it.

I like how Connie has these people around her who can translate Latin and knows a bit of easy Greek…but that’s just the thing.  Alpha and Omega, that’s pretty standard.  Most educated at Connie’s level should know that–especially with Connie’s field of expertise.  Why is Howe making her character dumb?  She started out so smart!

Interlude

Either the book doesn’t stay in this library of sorts…or Chilton is part of this library and he has it.  Or knows about it and wants to know where it is.  Yeah, after the beat down he gave Connie, I’m convinced he’s not innocent.

Chapter Thirteen

Oi, Ms. Howe.  I really like your book so far, but Connie is being silly.  She should suspect something here!  I’m also wondering why you brought the philosopher’s stone into this.  You used it in the same sentence as the word “riddle” and all I can think of is Harry Potter now.

Okay, so she’s figured it out about the almanack, great.  How come she totally missed the alchemy connection with Chilton and the book the earring woman showed her? Huh? HUH!  Come on, Connie’s not supposed to be this dense!

Chapter Fourteen

Well, at least she’s on the trail of this book now!

I’m sorry, I just have to say: why talk about Sam if we’re not going to see him?  You took me out of the moment Ms. Howe!

Granna was cool!

Part II: The Sieve and Scissors

Chapter Fifteen

Now that’s what I’m talking about Ms. Howe.  Part II starts of fantastically.  Connie has finally put together the pieces I’ve been waiting for.  She still doesn’t suspect Chilton yet, but there’s time.  Although after thinking about him and alchemy yet again, she should have stretched the thought further.  Alas, I’m satisfied now.

Chapter Sixteen

Okay Connie, you’re nervous.  Do you suspect him yet?  You know magic is real.  You know Chilton is crazy into alchemy.  He’s call the book a “book of shadows,” and he’s very interested in it.  You’ve got to know by now!

Chapter Seventeen

No luck with her suspecting Chilton so far.  I’m starting to think Chilton can’t know where the book is.  If he did, then why would he make Connie go on this goose chase?  Is he trying to convert her to something?  I think it’s more believable that Chilton is power-hungry and afraid of dying, so he wants the book to use it’s magic.  However, the way Chilton was acting in the beginning of the book…this seems long planned.  Who is this guy!

Jeez, Connie was kind of a jerk to her mother getting off the phone.  By the way, Grace is awesome…and she knows what this book is…what her mother was…what they are.

Chapter Eighteen

Magical maladies are always fun.  I’m glad Ms. Howe is true to New England.  Mike and Linda are typical middle class parents.  Love it.

Interlude

I don’t quite get the point of these interludes.  They are telling a great story–which I would like more of–but I don’t think they’re really adding anything to the main plot of the book.  Connie doesn’t get to see any of it in any way, and it jumps back and forth through time in the Puritanical world.  Don’t get me wrong, there’s some great writing here…I just don’t see how it’s lending itself to the rest of the story.

Chapter Nineteen

About to embark on this next chapter when I had a realization.  We know that the Dane women were all named after cardinal virtues.  Deliverance, Mercy, Prudence…could it be that Connie (short for Constance) is related because of that?  YES!  Check it out, we have Connie’s mother, Grace, and then we have Granna whose name is Sophia.  Now Sophia may throw you off, unless you know Greek OR have studied a bit of about Gnostic philosophy like I have.  Sophia means “wisdom.”  I suspected Connie had to be related to Deliverance because it makes sense and good story, here is evidence (albeit circumstantial) to my theory.  I can’t wait ’til Connie tracks the family to herself!

Now we’re getting somewhere.  That was a nifty bit of magic.

Chapter Twenty

Well, now everyone knows everything.  We’ve just got to find the book and let the action happen.  I hope Sam doesn’t die.  I’m not entirely sure he won’t.  The husbands of the Dane women don’t seem to last.

Wow.  The way Grace presents magic in this chapter is nearly how I’d like us to present it in our books.  What she says about the book being just paper with ink on it, the real magic being inside.  Intuition.  Yeah.  I really like Grace.  I’m glad to see I figured out the name thing before we were told explicitly!

Interlude

So there’s interludes every other chapter from here on out.  I still don’t understand the point of them.  We know what ends up happening to Deliverance…unless it’s not what we think.  Then in that case, why doesn’t she give a hint to that earlier on.  They’re just slowing the story down for me at this point…and it should be picking up.

Chapter Twenty-One

Alright.  Let’s get this party started.  Oh wait.  Another interlude!  COME ON!

Interlude

These interludes don’t add anything to the modern section of the story.  Sure, it’s great, and I’d like a whole BOOK from this perspective, but it’s only taking away from my enjoyment of Connie’s story.  Why put this here?  I just want to get to the action.  I want to see Connie kick Chilton’s butt!

Chapter Twenty-Two

Sam had a nose ring?  WHAT?  Oi, another interlude.

Interlude

I’m reading this last interlude and thinking to myself, gosh this would have been great if it had happened earlier in the story.  It would be even better if Connie made all these connections.  I see that she doesn’t have to in order to do what she needs to do in the final chapter to come, but it would have been better story telling.  With a little rearranging, these interludes would have worked.  Right now, they are just in the way.

I enjoyed the ending of Deliverance’s story, but I still don’t see how it adds to the modern day plot-line.

Chapter Twenty-Three

A little different than I expected, but not bad.  I don’t think the parallels she tried to pull off with Deliverance and Connie’s stories worked out.  When Chilton says the philosopher’s stone is the rock to build the world on, mirroring Deliverance saying that Mercy was the stone, it just feel flat for me.  I noticed it, but it just didn’t seem connected.  However, I did think the whole spell part was wicked awesome.  I wish there was more of that!

Postlude

Nice, neat ending for Connie.  Another attempt at pulling together a point about the philosopher’s stone and the Apostile Peter, but I wasn’t really interested.

Overall, I’d give this book an average rating.  I enjoyed it, but I won’t read it again.  I had a lot of unfulfilled expectations.  That usually doesn’t happen when I read.  Even saying all this, I’d still read another book by Katherine Howe.  I like her ideas.  I just think they missed the mark some-of-the-time in this book.

The Neverending Story

This is my favorite cover to the book.

The Neverending Story by Michael Ende

This book is one of my favorite books of all time.  This will be the seventh time I’ve read the book, and I plan on doing this article as sort of a running commentary.  This was the first real book I ever read, and I think it set the course for the rest of my reading (and writing) career.  I hope to draw inspiration from it, and heartily enjoy it yet again.  Lord knows my copy is well worn.

Prologue

In the few pages that begin this book Ende manages to sum up everything I’ve ever felt for books.  He sparks my imagination with his words, and makes me love stories even more.  I can see a lot of where my love for books comes from.  This was a great first book.  Something I look forward to coming back to again and again in my life.

I – Fantastica in Danger

I like how Ende arrives at a scene a moment before the characters who carry the scene show up.  It’s like zeroing in on this first page.

You know, if you analyze Ende’s use of Bastian in the beginning of the book from the perspective of a directer of the stage, then you have some interesting bit of information for a writer.  He has his main character fall in love with the book “The Neverending Story” within the book.  I once listened to a commentary to “Victor/Victoria,” and Julie Andrews recalls a worry about whether or not the movie’s audience would buy her “man” persona.  The director said something to the effect of: “they’ll buy it, because the other characters in the movie buy it.”  And indeed, that is how things went for “Victor/Victoria” (I recommend this movie if you haven’t seen it).  I think one of the reasons it is so easy for me to get into the story within “The Neverending Story” is due to Bastian’s excitement about it.  As a writer, I think that may be important.  Characters should be excited about their own stories.  It helps the reader’s enjoyment of the book.

It’s interesting how Ende ends this first chapter: “But that’s another story and shall be told another time.”  He ends the book that way too.  It means different things at both points though.  In this first chapter it could be translated as “But I digress.”  In the end of the book, the final line being this said same, it’s more “The end, alas, or is it?”  Poetic.  It also makes me feel like I haven’t began the real meat of the story yet.  As if the last 27 pages was a playful sketch, and now the artist is ready to begin painting.

II – Atreyu’s Mission

In chapter two, again with the thoughts of Bastian.  The book practically interprets itself!

III – Morla the Aged One

And again Ende uses the line: “But that’s another story and shall be told another time.”  Now I’m just interested in counting.

AURYN (movie version)

Oh, how I want to sob with Atreyu and Bastian!  I do love how Ende makes use of AURYN throughout the book.

The way Ende’s mesh of Bastian and Atreyu’s story interweave is stunning, and an inspiration to my style of writing.

IV – Ygramul  the Many

In the first few pages of this chapter I discover why I am so taken over by books.  If you want to think about it psychologically that is.  This book being the first real experience I’ve had with books.  Bastian decides to continue reading, because Atreyu wouldn’t give up something he started.  Very often my writing reflects something I’ve read.  I can take on styles of the writers I read.  I’ve always taken on those attributes I like in other writers.  Writers are very much like chefs.  We serve up a dinner of words and deeds and thoughts.  We share ingredients with each other – grow from each other – and sometimes we create things that are remembered.  Yet another reason I so love this book.  This is also (probably) why I can’t bare not to finish a book (unless it is exceptionally terrible).

Ende really makes the reader feel things, even in his descriptions.  I can hear the bell of the luckdragon’s voice…oh so calming.

V – The Gnomics

Engywook and Urgl are two of my favorite characters of all time.  I once had a pair of hamsters named after them.

It’s always these two who make me remember the first time I read the book.  I remember walking into the Pollard Memorial Library in Lowell.  I was eleven years old, and it was the first time I’d wandered out of the children’s section and into the stacks.  It was like going into the forbidden zone.  The only copy of the book they had was a large print, and the book was unnaturally swollen.  I was so proud of myself when I finished it.  I think it took me a couple of months.   This was a fine beginning to a noble career as a devoted devourer of books.  Yet, it wasn’t until three years later that I started taking my reading seriously – one of the few things I can legitimately thank my father for forcing on me.

VI – The Three Magic Gates

My only dilemma after reading this chapter is which of my niblings (nieces and nephews) to give this book to.  By the by, I just discovered the word “nibling.” I needed a gender neutral word, because I have only one niece and two nephews.  I love the invention of new words, and this one is still unofficial.  Use it people, it’s a good one!

VII – The Voice of Silence

I’m starting to think I AM Bastian, and Taftka is my Fantastica.  Btw, he said it again.  That makes three since the beginning of the book.

VIII – The Wind Giants

I wish the old movie had kept better faith in the book.  This chapter melts seamlessly into the next, and it’s one of my favorite chapters.  Rumor has it there will be a remake of the movie in 2012.  We’ll see how that one works out.  Of course, they may get it wrong again, but I have faith.

IX – Spook City

I am very bewitched by this story this time around.  More so than ever before.  I’m right there with Atreyu and Bastian, and I’m seeing myself reflected back at me.  I want this for my books.

How can I stop reading now? The Nothing is closing in and I have a seat on…

X – The Flight to the Ivory Tower

I’ve noticed a lot of similarities to what I am writing and this book, but there are times when I blatantly disagree with what Ende is saying.  In a lot of ways he brings me into the book, it’s chapters like this that he reminds us this is a book…that’s what I don’t believe in.

You know, I can’t say I was dragged out of the story.  I just shot through this chapter.  Loved it.  I just don’t agree with some of Ende’s explanations.  I’ve got similar things going on, but for different reasons…and different outcomes too.

XI – The Childlike Empress

This is where the movie really starts to deviate from the book, and where the book starts to get REALLY good.  When I say the “movie deviates from the book” here, I mean the movie ends here.  I remember the particularly incredulous feelings I had when I first got to this chapter.  I was so psyched the story went on…and I couldn’t help but turn the page and continue reading.  Still can’t.

XII – The Old Man of Wandering Mountain

Odd, I don’t think this character made it into the movies until movie three.  It is rather sly how the Childlike Empress convinces Bastian to give her the name.  I think I would have believed sooner though…I’m like that.

XIII – Perilin, The Night Forest

I like how they bastardized this chapter in the movie – trying to make a nice tight, feel good, Hollywood ending (no offense Hollywood).  Sorry, for a book-nerd like me, chapters like this are gold gently etched with words.

XIV – The Desert of Colors

Grograman–my favorite character, hands down.

I’ve noticed, in many ways, Ende’s characters are tragic.  Following my other analysis, this is very much akin to the kind of stories I write.  It seems I’m coming full circle, making the connections, picking up my story and bringing it to Earth, renewing Fantastica again with my Taftka.   I’m very glad I began this series on books with this book.   It’s fitting, and the book is down-right brilliant.

This book also supports one of my theories on what makes good fiction: food.  Lots and lots of food.

Awe, I always feel bad for Bastian here.  I think I figured it out right away though, the first time I read it.  Of course, some of those memories are clouded.  I can’t be sure, but I like to think I knew was was going to be the outcome of the next chapter.  Especially with a title like this:

XV – Grograman, the Many-Colored Death

Ou, I don’t think I’ve understood this chapter before.  Most exciting is it’s subject matter this time around: time.  Love the idea that time only exists when it is created.  Instant past, present and future.  Everything is always.  I <3 this book.

This chapter is most existential.  Rhiannon doesn’t like existentialism so much – at least not by it’s plain and simple definition in reality.  However, I think, put in plain words such as these (speaking of wishes, where they come from, and how they work) she understands them as truth.  It goes to show you the same truths can be lies with the wrong words.

Wow.  This chapter startlingly resembles my life.  I’ll only put it in simple terms here, maybe I’ll write a full blog about it later.  Bastian’s transformation (his wishes) are very much like mine have been.  When I was in Middle School I found some courage and came out of my shell.  Then I discovered how much people liked my stories and I wanted to be known for them, and loved because of them.  To see this happen to Bastian and me not realize it before…I’m a little frightened what the rest of this book holds.  Will it show me how to succeed over the trials of today?  Will I glimpse places I am headed?  Or am I just taken over by the spell of this book, yet again?  You decide.  I’m going to…

XVI – The Silver City of Amarganth

You know what I find amusing?  They took away Atreyu’s green skin for the movie.  If they had only known then, that the token green skin of the Wicked Witch of the West (which was ADDED for “The Wizard of Oz” movie) would turn into Elphaba – epic dark heroine to many of us – lmao.  Maybe they’ll keep him green in the remake…if they know what’s good for them.  Oh, did you guys know there’s a “Wicked” movie in the works?

There is really no use of me thinking of the movies anymore.  Even though the city made it into the movie, nothing is the same about it minus half the name (they just called it “The Silver City” in the movie).  I don’t recall a lot of the specifics from this point on.  Bastian has had an adventure with the Lion, then the Thousand Doors, now he’s had a battle, and he’s joined Atreyu and Falcor.  I hope we get a nice juicy plot that’s not soley existential (as these past few chapters have been).  However enjoyable, they are still tedious in a novel.  I’ll be fine if we get a good plot in the next chapter.  Otherwise, it’s just episodic…gosh, I hope I don’t lose interest.  I love this book.

XVII – A Dragon for Hero Hynreck

Reading Bastian’s story I discover something very much like the way I write.  Ende’s describing the process here.  I get the event, place, person (whatever) into my head – I get the idea – and then figure out how that idea relates to the plot, my characters and everything else in the story I’m writing.

Four times and counting.

XVIII – The Acharis

You know, I think Bastian realizes something about the magic in everyday life that I was trying to convey in this blog I wrote the other day.  Love it when stuff like that happens.  Little coincidences.

Bastian’s memory loss.  I disagree with this.  This is definitely a point where my writing differs from Ende.  I mean it all works very well here, and I’m compelled by the story and it’s action.  But COME ON…you give the kid ultimate power in a fantasy world and you make it cost him his mind in order to learn a lesson?  Can’t you just let the kid have fun?

As for the Acharis and Shlamoofs…I find this point a bit clouded.  Why did the wish turn out wrong?  Maybe I’m supposed to think that at this point, but I’ve been disagreeing with Ende for this whole chapter.

XIX – The Traveling Companions

In this chapter things start to pick up for me again.  Bastian gets to ride Falcor, but he’s still on about the whole memory loss thing.  At least, in this chapter, there is more of a threat.  Bastian has a purpose again.  That is what annoys me about the memory loss.  Ende still hasn’t told us the real reason Bastian is losing his memory.

In the end of this chapter a great host of creatures join Bastian’s party.  I just had to use a dictionary because this sentence lead me to a disturbing initial image:  “[...]a stag with golden antlers who walked erect and wore a Prince Albert.” Stag, erect, and Prince Albert…anyone else thinking what I’m thinking?  Hah!  In this case, a Prince Albert must be referring to a “man’s double breasted coat.”  Thanks Google, for clearing that up!

XX – The Seeing Hand

Finally, the chapter I’ve been waiting for since we left the Silver City.  I believe this is part of the second movie…the castle made it in at least.

Well, the whole cast and setting made it into the movie, but I’m sure none of this plot did.  I think I’ve realized fully what I don’t like about these chapters too.  The same thing I didn’t like in the Harry Potter books – the angst.  Bastian is very full of angst in this chapter, and I so often feel I’d have no reason to feel angst in worlds like Fantastica.  I just want to smack Bastian up side the head, because I made the mistake he just made with Atreyu and Falcor.

The End?

Well, no.  The book doesn’t end here.  I am, however, ending (and posting) this review.  I’ve grown a lot while reading this book.  I used to be the kind of person to read multiple books at a time.  Keeping up with each story was just as easy as keeping up with multiple television show plots.  Pretty easy.

For some reason, my senior year of high school, I decided I’d only read one book (all the way to the end) at a time.  I decided this because I wasn’t finishing some of the books I was reading, and I wanted to make myself.  I think this may have been a bad choice.  To go back to the television analogy:  when a show gets bad, I usually stop watching.

I believe the ultimate reason I chose to do this was out of respect for the author.  However, I no longer view reading as a chore.  I love reading.  I used to love reading more.  I want to free my reading habits, and start finding the time to get to all the books I want to read.  I have too many dry spells…too many times where I’m not reading at all.  By doing this, I will always have something interesting to read.  And the books I never finish…well, no offense to the author…it just wasn’t for me.

The end of “The Neverending Story” isn’t for me.  I’ve been complaining for a great many chapters about how much I disagree with Ende’s choices.  I hate what he puts Bastian through, and I think I always have.  My vaguest memories of the book are the final chapters.  I can never get through it.  It’s all cake up to Silver City, but soon after it all goes down south.

I still consider this one of my favorite books of all time…if not THE favorite.  I just can’t stand the end of the book!  I’ll keep a bookmark in it, just in case.  However, I think I’m moving on as well as changing my reading habits.  Thanks book!