This week was Tyson’s first stint away. It was only four days, instead of the usual week, but it’s still been weird. For a couple that has spent almost every two days together since they met, it’s a weird feeling. We’ve been living together for over four years, and not having him around has just been… odd.
It’s also interesting how our dogs have responded. I completely expected his dog (the beagle) to pine for him and try to hunt him out. And I didn’t think that mine (an American Staffy) would not really care at all… he’s a bit of a sloth-dog. But, on the first night it was MY dog that struggled to settle down. He would normally come to bed, fall asleep and then be impossible to move. Every single time I shifted, almost breathed, he would get up and re-situate himself. Yet, after that night, he settled and the Beagle started hunting for her father. Not during the day, but at night, she’s been sitting in the window crying. It’s certainly been an interesting experiment to see how our dogs react without us around.
Now to see how we go for the next few years of our lives…
‘… losing hold of my original and better self, and becoming slowly incorporated with my second and worse.’
Victorian London is the setting for The Strange Case of Doctor Jekyll and Mr Hyde (1886), Stevenson’s famous story of conflict between dual personalities: one good, and one ruthlessly evil. Other eerie tales in the volume are: The Body Snatcher (1881) inspired by the case of Burke and Hare; Markheim (1885) where a murderer meets a sinister smiling stranger; and The Bottle Imp (1893) in which an imp has the dubious power to grant the onwer’s every wish; also, The Weir of Hermiston (1896), an unfinished romance.
This was my first introduction to Robert Louis Stevenson. I bought it a while ago, because I wanted to read some classics and feel cultured. It proceeded to collect dust on my shelf while I pursued other obsessions. But, after reading this, I must say, I think I waited too long. Although sometimes the writing was a bit more convoluted than I am used to, and I often had to pause and reread aspects of the story to wrap my head firmly around the wording, I enjoyed every moment of it. And yes, I feel like I expanded on my cultural understanding and knowledge (a fallacy I am sure).
I was impressed by the many nuances and styles which Stevenson employed in these five tales. Of course, I had heard of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde and was reading this work simply for that recognition. But, as the tales unfolded and the variety of ways in which Stevenson could write came to light, I found that I was enjoying myself more and more. The symbolism and meanings throughout the writing have left me feeling like I probably missed something crucial at one point, but it’s also given me an appreciation for a series of stories that I will be able to read again and again and again, discovering something new with every page turn.
Title: Rise of the Blood Author: Lucienne Diver Series: The Latter-Day Olympians #3 Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Easy reading, Mythology, Paranormal fantasy, Strong women Pace: Fast Format: Novel Publisher: Samhain Publishing Year: 2013 5th sentence, 74th page: If they (or an agent for them, since I hadn’t yet been struck by lightning or another freak storm) were behind the note, what was the purpose?
Weddings can be war.
Great. Tori Karacis’s face is on the front of yet another tabloid “news”paper, linked to Hollywood hottie Apollo Demas. It was ONE dinner, and she was pissed with him at the time. But that’s the least of her worries. Just before leaving for her cousin’s destination wedding in Delphi, she learns that her arch nemeses, Zeus and Poseidon, have escaped police custody.
Despite looking forward to seeing Detective Nick Armani in a tux, her bad pre-flight jitters are confirmed when Apollo, with his sexy new co-star on his arm, boards the same plane. A plane that a freak storm nearly tears out of the sky.
What awaits them atop Mount Parnassus is even more deadly. A prophecy, a kidnapping, and a bloodletting that stirs up the mother of all trouble—literally. Rhea is awakened, and she’s none too happy with her offspring for losing their usurped dominion over the Earth.
The Olympians have fallen. It’s time for the Titans to rise again. Which means it’ll be a bad day for anyone standing in their way.
Product Warnings Bloodbath or blissful union…either way, the stakes are high in this destination Delphi wedding high atop the peaks of Mount Parnassus. Passions will flare, Titans will rise, monsters will awake, blood will boil and some will spill.
Every time I open one of the Latter-Day Olympians stories, I know that Tori has managed to find herself in trouble. Of some kind. Again.
Normally that trouble starts of pretty minor, but very quickly expands into a cacophony of danger that she is trying to escape. While working on her relationship with Nick. And ignoring her attraction to Apollo. And being a good bridesmaid to her cousin. Gaea’s attempt at revenge and rising not only tends to put a bit of a spanner into these plans, but it is also the catalyst for a very large change in Tori’s life. One that is going to be really interesting to follow in Battle for the Blood.
Rise of the Blood also helps to reveal a little more about Tori’s ancestral history. We know that she is a descendant of one of the Gorgons, but it turns out that she’s also a descendant of Pan. Which explains so much about her brother, although, it is obvious Tori inherited her many interesting traits from her other ancestor. I love the total chaos that Tori’s family creates. Not just in her life, but the insanity of their love and roles in life. Tori is still very much the outcast, but you can see where she gets her crisis handling from. After all, the only family that is more chaotic than Tori’s is the Olympians themselves. Something that is a huge driver in the final battle of the story.
Although this novel does sort of end with an epic battle, it also ends with Tori finally making a decision about who she is going to choose. Nick or Apollo. It’s the very last scene of the story, so whether it sticks or not will be seen in the next novel. But, it’s definitely a tale that I’m looking forward to reading.
Title: The Girl in the Steel Corset Author: Kady Cross Series: Steampunk Chronicles #1 Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Steampunk, Strong women Pace: Fast Format: Novel Publisher: Harlequin Teen Year: 2011 5th sentence, 74th page: He smiled ever so slightly.
In 1897 England, sixteen-year-old Finley Jayne has no one… except the “thing” inside her.
When a young lord tries to take advantage of Finley, she fights back. And wins. But no normal Victorian girl has a darker side that makes her capable of knocking out a full-grown man with one punch…
Only Griffin King sees the magical darkness inside her that says she’s special, says she’s one of them. The orphaned duke takes her in from the gaslit streets against the wishes of his band of misfits: Emily, who has her own special abilities and an unrequited love for Sam, who is part robot; and Jasper, an American cowboy with a shadowy secret.
Griffin’s investigating a criminal called The Machinist, the mastermind behind several recent crimes by automatons. Finley thinks she can help and finally be a part of something, finally fit in.
But The Machinist wants to tear Griff’s little company of strays apart, and it isn’t long before trust is tested on all sides. At least Finley knows whose side she’s on even if it seems no one believes her.
This was my first ever steampunk novel. I decided to find one for the Popsugar reading challenge, and I’m so glad that I did. My life (and my personal library) have been changed forever. I’ve always had an interest and love for the steampunk subculture, but it’s always just been a passing interest. Now that I’ve read this book, it’s more than a passing interest, it may grow into a full blown obsession to be quite frank. The mentions of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde and Journey to the Centre of the earth have also further increased my To Be Read pile.
Cross’ characterisation throughout The Girl in the Steel Corset was fantastic. The characters were real, multi-dimensional and fascinating. Each ‘misfit’ has some amazing powers. But these are tempered by their personal flaws, insecurities and problems. It isn’t about a series of characters that are perfect and we’d all aspire to be, they are young adults that are trying to find their way in life, and just happen to have some incredible powers instead. Which was then further supported by a great style and technique of writing. It was humourous, enjoyable and accessible. Yet, there was a sense of purpose and seriousness that helped to draw you into their battle. It made the book almost impossible to put down and an absolute pleasure to sink my literary teeth into.
Most stories have a good love interest. After all, it tends to raise the stakes and cause extra conflict for the characters – both internal and external. And creating a love triangle just helps to heighten this experience. The fact that Cross includes two fantastic triangles that both explore two sides of each woman certainly helps to build that suspense. The competition throughout is fierce, and although there seems to be a little equilibrium reached towards the end of the story, the incredible open-ended conclusion shows that there’s still a few battles to fight. Both inside and out.
Title: The Strange Case of Finley Jayne Author: Kady Cross Series: Steampunk Chronicles #0.5 Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Steampunk, Strong women Pace: Fast Format: Novella Publisher: Harlequin Teen Year: 2011 5th sentence, 74th page: Their destination was a small shop with a bright blue awning and sign that read Chocolatier.
Finley Jayne knows she’s not ‘normal’. Normal girls don’t lose time, or have something inside them that makes them capable of remarkably violent things. Her behavior has already cost her one job, so when she’s offered the lofty position of companion to Phoebe, a debutante recently engaged to Lord Vincent, she accepts, despite having no experience. Lord Vincent is a man of science with his automatons and inventions, but Finley is suspicious of his motives where Phoebe is concerned. She will do anything to protect her new friend, but what she discovers is even more monstrous than anything she could have imagined.
This was a great way to start the Steampunk Chronicles series. It introduces Finley, her strange affliction and her strong sense of loyalty. It’s also how she got the job that started her journey into the band of misfits. It also highlights her sense of loss and confusion in the world. How she doesn’t quite fit, and that although she is loved, she doesn’t really belong anywhere. Even when she saves the day and creates strong relationships with her employers, she still leaves to start anew.
Another really fun aspect about Finley’s journey and her personality is the way in which she rubs up against the class system. Although it is not overt, throughout she is cynical and mocking towards those of a higher class. It is obvious that some of her mother’s mentality has rubbed off on her. And although Finley tries to be a “good” girl, she is unable to keep the feelings of rebellion out of her thoughts and actions.
The Strange Case of Finley Jayne may have been a great introduction to Finley, but it also had a great villain. A steampunk villain who married obsession with technology and had the skin crawling on my arms as he tried to unfold his nefarious plans.
Title: Burning Castles Author: M. Rickert In: Under My Hat (Jonathan Strahan) Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this) My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Fantasy, Witches Pace: Medium Format: Short story Publisher: Hot Key Books Year: 2012 5th sentence, 74th page: It’s important not to be late.
Young Marissa believes her mother is a witch, but she also thinks her mother is lying to her about certain things. What Marissa believes to be memories of the past keep intruding on the present. As they go to meet the elderly mother of her mother’s boyfriend, some things come to light that may change everything.
This was kind of a dark short story. Especially compared to the majority of the others throughout the Under My Hat anthology. Most of the stories were humorous, cute and left me smiling. This story didn’t so much leave a smile as a look of bewilderment on my face when I turned the last page.
One of the things that I did love about this story was the fact that sometimes the most fake individuals actually end of creating the real thing. In this case, the witch who constantly talks about her past lives has a daughter who is plagued by dreams of her past life. Which just leads to a multitude of problems in their relationship, and the fore mentioned bewildered feeling.
Past lives and reincarnation is a cornerstone of many beliefs, including Wicca (modern day witchcraft). So I loved the way in which it was played with throughout this story. The smell of fire and smoke is representative of murder, and the smell of the mother has a lingering double meaning when you close the last pages on this slightly twisted (but very enjoyable) story.
Title: Princess in Pink Author: Meg Cabot Series: The Princess Diaries #5 Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!) My Bookshelves:Chic lit, Easy reading Pace: Fast Format: Novel Publisher: Harper Teen Year: 2003 5th sentence, 74th page: I didn’t know my generation was the Materialistic Generation.
Princess Mia is dreaming about the prom – and contending with a hotel workers’ strike – in the fifth, supremely hilarious episode of Meg Cabot’s Princess Diaries. This time, Mia’s in the pink about the upcoming Albert Einstein H.S. prom, and she’s crossing her fingers that Michael will ask her to go. (They’re in love, so why wouldn’t he ask her, right?) But during Seven Minutes in Heaven at her b-day party, Mia learns that Michael is not the prom-going type. Good grief, what’s a princess to do?
To make matters worse, Grandmere has gotten a busboy fired due to a mishap with her pooch, Rommel, at a swanky restaurant, so when all of the city’s busboys go on strike, it causes a chain of events that result in Grandmere crashing at Mia’s mom’s place, her pal Lilly Moscovitz picking up a picket sign, and the prom being brought to a screeching halt.
Thankfully, staunch yet boy-wise Grandmere has a plan to change Michael’s mind and put everything back on track, making Mia the happiest “prom princess” on this side of the Atlantic – and readers more starry-eyed than Molly Ringwald in her prettiest pink frock.
I really wasn’t bothered by my prom. Actually, I thought it was kind of lame and didn’t really want to go. I went to the dress shops once, got annoyed and used a hand me down dress. But, for us, it was a compulsory experience, and my high school boyfriend, for whatever reason, actually wanted to go. Which is probably why I couldn’t quite understand Mia’s obsession with going to prom with Michael was, well, so obsessive. Having said that, I also didn’t quite understand why Michael was so completely against it and convinced that the entire thing is lame and pathetic. Maybe something about not being American?
The experiences of American teenagers is a completely foreign experience / idea to me, especially the idea of being in a school so big that you don’t know everybody (at least in your year). So it’s always fun to read about it in stories. And, tracing Mia’s thoughts as she tackles what is a very real experience for some, and princess lessons, and a psychotic Grandmere (and best friend) is just entertaining and enlightening. Even though I’m sure not every American teen has similar experiences…
Lily managed to almost make me blow my lid in this story too. A teenager who runs her own protests and causes a city-wide strike against inequality. You’d think that I like that, but she is a little too pushy and a little too dismissive of everyone else’s feelings – including Boris’. But, the part that I did love the most was even Mia was annoyed at her for this and actually spoke up. She might not yet be self-actualised, but she’s certainly on her way to being a little stronger and more independent.
Title: Project Princess Author: Meg Cabot Series: The Princess Diaries #4.5 Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!) My Bookshelves:Chic lit, Easy reading Pace: Fast Format: Novella Publisher: Harper Collins Year: 2003 5th sentence, 74th page: OUR TENTS!!!!!!!!!!
What on earth is that princess up to now?
Most princesses would prefer to spend their spring breaks in Gstaad, or some other equally unpronounceable European hot spot.
Not this one, though. Hammer in hand, Princess Mia embarks on an epic adventure for one so admittedly unhandy: along with her cohorts from school, she’s off to build houses for the less fortunate. It doesn’t take Mia long to realize that helping others—while an unimpeachably noble pastime—is very hard work. Will her giving spirit prevail? Will the house collapse due to royally clumsy construction? And most importantly, will Michael stop working long enough to kiss her?
As someone who grew up camping, I don’t think that there’s anything funnier than a city-slicker trying to camp. At university I remember teaching some of my friends how to pitch a tent – a skill that I had taken for granted. Which is probably what made me laugh so hard throughout Project Princess. The shock and unpreparedness that some people experience when camping is certainly akin to what Mia felt. The fact that she didn’t even really know that she was going to be camping just made it all the more entertaining and interesting.
One of the things that I did find annoying about this story though is Mia’s single minded obsession with Michael. Yes, we’ve all been there and it was kind of cute, but it was starting to grate on my nerves towards the end of the story. After all, she is a talented and independent girl who just wants to do things that involve her boyfriend. To be fair, probably something I would do at that age. Which is likely why it bothered me so much.
Throughout the series so far Mia has promoted her love for and obsession with Greenpeace and conservation. The allure of nature has been a large calling card for her throughout the story, but when she actually has to spend time in it, it becomes a much more realistic world. One that she maybe isn’t so keen to immerse herself in once she leaves high school.
Title: Valentine Princess Author: Meg Cabot Series: The Princess Diaries #4.25 Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect) My Bookshelves:Chic lit, Easy reading Pace: Fast Format: Novella Publisher: Harper Collins Year: 2006 5th sentence, 74th page: It’s just… I’m not used to having a girlfriend.
Valentine’s Day means flowers, chocolates, and all-out romance.
That is, it usually means those things. But when you’re Princess Mia, nothing happens the way it’s supposed to. For one thing, Grandmere seems determined to prove that boy (or Michael, as he is commonly known) isn’t the right one for the crown princess of Genovia. And Mia isn’t having much luck proving otherwise, since Michael has a history of being decidedly against any kind of exploitative commercialization (Valentine’s Day, as it is commonly known).
Boris can declare his love openly to Lilly, and even Kenny comes through with a paltry Whitman’s Sampler. So why can’t Michael give in to cupid and tell Mia he loves her – preferably with something wrapped in red or pink and accompanied by roses – in time to prove he’s Mia’s true prince?
This is even shorter fluff than the rest of the Princess Diaries books. And by fluff I mean, mindless, happy, easy reading. It’s cute, it’s funny, and like the rest of the stories so far, this left me with a smile on my face, reminiscing about when I was a teenage girl thinking every drama was the end of the world. Of course, I didn’t ever worry about my boyfriend’s forgetting valentine’s day, and I certainly didn’t have to worry about being a princess. And the media. Bleugh.
As always, Mia is a slightly over-wrung basket case. This time, it’s over her first valentine’s day with Michael. Whether he will get her a gift, whether they will do something together, whether she should get him a gift. And, as usual, she lets her Gradmere influence her and this leads to all kinds of other chaos. I’m sure that at some point, later in the series, she will stop doing this and realise that her not-of-this-world grandmother doesn’t really help her be a normal American teenager… maybe MUCH later in the series.
The thing that actually annoyed me most about this story was Lily. I loved her archaic and independent attitude in the movie. She was difficult and pushy, but she also finally let Mia shine. She doesn’t do this so much in the book series. Maybe it’s because I personally love the idea of a day dedicated to love (regardless of its shady origins), but her dismissal of Mia’s feelings, and her inability to see why the day is such a big deal was kind of irritating.
Title: Princess in Waiting Author: Meg Cabot Series: The Princess Diaries #4 Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Chic lit, Easy reading Pace: Fast Format: Novel Publisher: Harper Teen Year: 2002 5th sentence, 74th page: In fact, between that and the whole not-thinking-Michael-suitable-consort-material, she’s laying it on so thick, I fully blame her for my zit – even though it’s gone now, thanks to the miracle of modern dermatology.
Never before has the world seen such a princess.
Nor have her own subjects, for that matter. Mia’s royal introduction to Genovia has mixed results: while her fashion sense is widely applauded, her position on the installation of public parking meters is met with resistance.
But the politics of bureaucracy are nothing next to Mia’s real troubles. Between canceled dates with her long—sought—after royal consort, a second semester of the dreaded Algebra, more princess lessons from Grandmère as a result of the Genovian parking—meter thing, and the inability to stop gnawing on her fingernails, isn’t there anything Mia is good at besides inheriting an unwanted royal title?
Princess in Waiting follows Mia’s first foray into the political world of Genovia and details her many responsibilities as princess. As always in the world of Mia, even with the best of intentions, not everything goes perfectly and she is constantly putting her foot in it. The added complications of her new love life and diabolical grandmother just makes it more fun and entertaining.
At the end of Princess in Love, Mia is finally able to be with the boy that she’s madly in love with (but, she’s fourteen, so that term is a little overwhelming for me… but anyway…). So, now that she has the boy, she is racked with insecurity. After all, they kissed, and then she left the country for over a month. I’m a lot older than Mia and I’m still racked with romantic uncertainty. After all, who hasn’t wondered why their significant other chose to be with them? And add that to her own insecurities… Mia’s romantic neurosis take on a whole new, entertaining level. Which of course brings forth her other self-esteem issues. And she spends the entire story wondering why he likes her and what her talent is.
If Mia’s own talent for getting herself in trouble isn’t enough, her Grandmere continues to throw a spanner in the works. Everytime Mia is on top of her experiences and thinks she has everything under control, Grandmere decides to get involved for some diabolical reason. Primarily throughout this book it’s about sabotaging Mia’s relationship and encouraging a new one.
As with the first three books, Princess in Waiting left me smiling at the sweetness of the story. It also made me remember what it’s like to fall in love for the very first time.
This week was Tyson’s first stint away. It was only four days, instead of the usual week, but it’s still been weird. For a couple that has spent almost every two days together since they met, it’s a weird feeling. We’ve been living together for over four years, and not having him around has just been… odd.
Title: The Girl in the Steel Corset
Title: The Strange Case of Finley Jayne
Title: Burning Castles
Title: Princess in Pink
Title: Project Princess
Title: Valentine Princess
Title: Princess in Waiting
Earth and Skye 