jaymi elford
This was a very interesting book. Really, it was. It's told in the first person and is about a woman who's trapped in a Labyrinth. She's being chased by doors and we follow along as she searches for the mythical center. But it's the writing and the way the story is structured that makes this book so interesting. The writing is painfully structured, as if every word was CAREFULLY chosen. In some places the story reads more like a poem than modern-day prose. The structure, folds in on itself and doubles back... as if it were the labyrinth itself. I chose to read this book because it fits into my goal of reading more fiction than non-fiction.
Disclaimer: I received an eARC in exchange for a review.
Witch Hunt is the first in a new series by SM Reine. I have several of her other books but haven't gotten to them yet. I'm glad I decided to hit this book first. It features a male protangonist, which you don't see too often in urban fantasy settings. Cèsar Hawk's a witch working for a “secret” government society that helps keep the paranormal under wraps and patrolled. Right from the beginning of the book Reine sets us into the action and it never lets go from there. We're treated on a 2-hour romp (it took me only two hours to read this book) through Cèsar's life as he hunts down help in discovering a murder mystery that turns out to be a set up for a wider arc.
The world felt real and yet had great elements of the fantastic. Cèsar isn't just some guy who runs around thinking like a “cop” or with his genitals... he actually cares and has depth that comes out through the book. And it's a real fun read.
Bottom Line: Want a quick and fun read in the urban fantasy genre? Try this one out.
Personally, I think this book would have worked better as an essay. Part One, Tools, was the best (and shortest) part of this book. Cameron gives you seven tools to use to “write” your size down to whatever you want. The second part mostly works as a big long pep talk, that walks readers through various Scenarios of what-if. While I enjoyed reading about how people used their writing time to shape themselves into the person they wanted to be... I thought that dedicating two-thirds of the book to the pep was a bit too much.
Disclaimer: I received an eARC from netgalley.com. However, there was so much good in this book that I went out and got my own copy so i could add notes.
This book took me almost 6 months to read. For someone who goes through books in a day, that's rather impressive. Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself is one those books that has the power to change your life on a deep level. At it's core, Breaking the Habit is a seven step meditation process that can help you change yourself so that what you want in your reality matches inside your body. However, 2/3rds of the book has to provide so much neuroscience and background information that the power this book has gets lost.
Dispenza's work seems solid, which is why I think he front-loads the science up front. Once you get past the slow chapters that remind myself of BioChemisty classes, the chapters that outline the meditation show you the power that this book contains. Dispenza even gives you the full meditation scripts in the Appendices and breaks the meditations down in four one-week chunks so that you know the changes can take affect.
I wish i could say that this book is for everyone. It was meant for everyone, and I do believe that. But if this book takes forever to read, then the power behind what it encourages people to learn does get implemented. This book requires a deep commitment and the desire to work at change. If you want a change that takes hold and stays in place, then this is a program for you.
Disclaimer: I received a ePub ARC through netgalley.com
Lichgates, the title alone made me think about Dungeons and Dragons and battling the evil lich. Turns out this story is farther from the cookie-cutting world that many RPG in. Boyce does an amazing job at creating a world filled with magic, wonder, and fantasy that is set in a small pocket of our own planet, Earth. Our protagonist Kara sets out on a hike that will forever change her. On her walk, she finds herself wandering through a magical gate, called a lichgate, that takes her from our world into the realm of Ourea, and fulfilling the role of Vagabond.
Kara then meets strange peoples, both helpful and harmful, as she learns what it means to be a Vegabond. She also learns how to let go of hurtful things in her past and how to overcome adversity. She grows, falls in love, and does whatever is asked of her in the hopes that good may triumph.
The story intrigued me. But the world of Ourea kept me going. Boyce created a well rounded and extensive world to place Kara and her friends in. The idea of using a grimoire as teacher and companion was well done and makes me wish I had one of my own. The story, kept me reading and I'm already looking forward to reading book two of this series.
I've read Judith's other book on chakras, which is a great introduction and was looking forward to seeing how this book differed. This book contains good info on the psychology of chakras, human development patterns and how we can grow children with better and stronger chakras, and lots of info on the ways chakras can become “blocked.”
With all this good stuff, this book still was a hard read for me. While it contains great information on chakras (as well as some introductory info), the parts on diagnosis and dis-ease made me a bit depressed. It was hard to read through the various ways that we can have our chakras blocked. In every chakra chapter, I kept trying to relate my own experiences and knowledges to each thing being talked about.
I do want to recommend this book to my parent-to-be friends, as it may help them understand their little one's development stages better, and to anyone who wants to learn more about chakra systems and how they may interact with psychology.
My friend Sanjay recommended this to me, after I announced my dad had cancer. I immediately bought a copy but then put off reading it due to being nervous. I started it today and finished it a few minutes ago. This is one of the most important books I've read this year. So important, that I bought a copy for dad.
Disclaimer: I received a eARC from netgalley in exchange for this review.
I love the Geekomancy series. Smartly written, filled with tons of pop culture (and geek!) references, each story is just a delight to read. And when I got to read this story I squealed. I knew we'd be in for a treat. And I was right, this “side quest” was fun.
I've seen other reviewers give this story weird and mixed reviews; saying that they didn't get this story or how it fits into the series. The key to understanding this narrative is in the description. “side quest.” Like a small interlude of a D&D campaign, Attack the Geek, gives us a rip roaring good trip through the world of Ray Reyes. The world in this tale broadens to include many of the other supporting characters. They all come together to snark, fight, and work together to defeat the quest's “big bad.” And Ree, Eastwood, Grognard, and Drake survive and manage to take it down.
However, like all side quests, this story does have it's twists and turns, and I wonder how the revelations in this book will play out in the greater series for Ree and her stalwart companions.
Bottom Line: Geeks rejoice. Crossing geek references and urban fantasy magic, Attack the Geek is a heck of a good story. Read it and smile along with the references for this side quest isn't just a short story!
This is definitely a short history of myth. There are seven chapters that take the reader on a quick tour of the “invention” of myth from neolithic stages to today. Although this was a brief read, and condenses a lot of info into a small book, it's easy to follow and see where our patterns of thought developed throughout time.
Disclaimer: I received a eARC of this anthology from netgalley.
Lovecraft and his works hold a special place in my heart. So when I got a chance to review one of Datlow's latest anthologies I took it. This is the 2nd Lovecraftian anthology Datlow has edited. Datlow says in the introduction, “I had three goals in choosing stories: the first, as usual, was to avoid pastiches; the second was to use stories that have not been overly reprinted in the many recent mythos anthologies; third, I wanted to showcase Lovecraftian-influenced stories by at least some authors not known for that kind of story.” And she hit the mark because this book is really entertaining.
The stories in this tome vary in the decades they write about. There's some steampunk flavored stories, there's some noir, and there's some weird futuristic sci-fi. However, they all share one thing, they celebrate Lovecraft's works through his monsters and the horrible things they do to us as mortals.
Bottom Line: Love anthologies? Love Lovecraftian style prose and monsters? Need a break from those novels you've been reading? Get this book. The stories within will entertain you, gross you out, and long for the good old days of reading Lovecraft for the first time.
OMG... took me a week but I have finished the first three books of Wraeththu. I was gifted this collection so it counts as one book and one third towards my summer goal of reading all the Wraeththu books that I have in my possession. (I have 2 more left.) I was a bit surprised at the way this trilogy came out. I knew it was about a hermaphrodite culture supplanting humankind but when I first heard about it, I thought it was going to be another race that came from the stars. Instead, the Wraeththu are the next evolution of humanity. Each book tells the story from the first person pov of a particular wraeththu (also called har). The stories were well laid out and drew me in. What was even better is that thru the three books there was also an actual story arc that progressed towards a very unexpected but wonderful ending. I'm looking forward to reading the next two books and seeing how this world and the characters within progress beyond. The only thing that disappointed me about Constantine's series is that the earth in the books bears almost no resemblance to our reality. The lands all have different names and it was impossible to try and figure out where in our world it takes place. Maybe one day I'll ask her and find out. Other than that minor annoyance, a very impressive trilogy to start the summer with.
This story, follows the life of one Joey Harker, a Walker. Joey's been born with the gift of being able to move through time/space and into other Earths. This is the story of how he learned to use his gifts, find his place amongst infinite worlds, and become a hero. A highly fun read and had a surprisingly high amount of depth to it. I totally loved the story.
My friend Taylor loves the Dresden series. Gushes about it even. So, after seeing the box display for Butcher's books at Barnes and Noble, I decided to take the plunge; and found it enjoyable. It's not the best writing in the world but it works. Butcher's Harry Dresden is a cross between a urban warlock and a old fashioned gumshoe and the writing shares the same feeling. It's got all the elements I like in a good plot. Humor, supernatural occurrences and a main character who's got flaws that make him more real. The story reads at a quick pace and while I'd have liked scenes to run a bit smoother, overall this was a fun read. Good thing I have book two on the shelf waiting.
Disclaimer: I received an eARC of this through netgalley.com.
The Raven Cycle series have quickly become one of my favorite fiction settings. Maggie Stiefvater created a world where magic, science, tarot cards, and growing up amongst these feels normal. Blue Lily, Lily Blue is the third book in this cycle where Blue, Gansey, Adam and the rest of the “raven boys” seek to unravel the mystery in where an old King was buried. The book picks up where the last one left off, with Adam learning more about his connection to Cabeswater and helping the mystical area heal itself. Blue is still torn between her passions and worrying about her mother, who went missing.
I loved the budding romance and relationship between Blue and Gansey. They steal looks from one another, brush the tips of their fingertips when they can, and hold late night phone discussions that are short and sweet. This book introduces a few new characters into the mix, Professor Malory, and Piper Greenmantle, Colin Greenmantle's wife. Piper and Colin's scenes are filled with snarky discussion and helps us to understand their strange relationship.
Of course, Stiefvater ends this book on yet another great cliffhanger... which makes me long for and hope for the next volume in this great series. I've also started following Maggie's twitter feed and it's been exciting to watch her create what I hope is to be The Raven Cycle tarot deck. If I can't live in the world of The Raven Cycle, perhaps owning a tarot deck could be the next best thing.
I think I'm falling in love with Maggie Stiefvater's The Raven Cycle series. The Dream Thieves is book 2 in this series and it takes off from where the first left off. Blue, self-proclaimed anti-psychic, lives in a world of magic. Where she and her friends from an all boy school are on the hunt for the grave of a long lost king.
In this second tome, the book focuses on Ronan, the self-destructive one of the bunch, and the shy but changed Adam. The two boys are growing into their powers and seem to be tied to the Cabeswater area. They learn how to use their powers for good (and some bad) and in the end, they grow stronger in their abilities to help the group.
Like I said, I love this series. Stiefvater's language is magic and so is the world of Henrietta. I love that this story combines a hero's journey with tarot and magic. As a tarot reader, it pleases me to see the cards used correctly. It's also fun to sneak peeks into Blue's family house and watch their banter together.
The only thing I'm disappointed in is that it's going to be a bit of a wait for the next book.
Bottom line: if you love stories filled with magic, hope, tarot, and adventure buy this book.
Another book borrowed from the library and devoured very quickly. Absolutely stunning and left me speechless. A story about a girl, who's trapped in a world of “giants” and how she learns how to become her own woman with the help of a fairy.
Disclaimer: I received an eARC from netgalley.com. However, I had already purchased my copy of this book, so I'm basing my review off the purchased copy.
Underwood takes us 6 months into the future with the second installment of his Ree Reyes series. In Geekomancy, we're introduced to pop culture style magical system that works off all things geek. Our heroine Ree Reyes, a hopeful screen writer, gets clued into the fact she has talent. In Celebromancy, we catch up with Ree as she finally gets a break on her first manuscript for a series called Awakenings. When the lead actress is attacked by something invisible, we see just how powerful Celebromancy is. As a bonus, the starlet is infused with that sort of magic, and has taken a liking for Ree. So, it's up to her and her growing “scooby” gang of those in the know, to protect the star and solve the mystery.
What I liked: I liked the smart, snarky humor of the book. This series is definitely getting better as it progresses. Ree reminds me of myself and many other geek girls I know. She's smart, pretty, and seems real. I loved that we got to see more types of “-mancy” in this book besides just Ree's geeky style. I also liked that this book takes on a modern romance stance with Ree having feelings for both girls and boys. Oh and the geek references were toned down just a tad bit in this book, making it less like a NaNoWriMo geek reference and more like a well-rounded series that is coming into it's own.
What I didn't like: Hmm, Ree doesn't seem to have a better grip on her magical talent. This book is set 6 months after the events in the first and it doesn't seem fair that she's still a fledgling after all this time. We're introduced to the more movie-style magics but it doesn't seem like she's grown much in her own styles. I hope that she's given someone in the know to help her advance a bit more.
Bottom Line: If you likes your books filled to the brim with geeky and pop culture references and a heroine who has flaws and a kick ass attitude, then this book is for you.
Disclaimer: I received an eARC from netgalley.com in exchange for a review.
A Study in Silks is the first in a new series from Emma Jane Holloway. In this book we're introduced to the infamous Sherlock Holmes's neice, Evelina Cooper. She is attempting to get into Society highlife during an alternative steampunk/urban fantasy London Victorian period. Murder occurs, and she decides to try her hand at the whole detective gig.
I liked that this book sort of extends and pays homage to the original mysteries of Doyle's world. In this series, we're reintroduced to the characters as they are a bit older (wiser?) and mature. Eveline's character grows on you and her attraction to magic, while in the infant stages, has a lot of promise behind it.
The writing is a bit dry at times, which is common for books trying to tie into the past linguistics. But once you get beyond the oldish vocabulary and vernacular, there's a rich world full of interesting characters, magic, and intrigue.
This was a fun read and those who like their mystery with a bit of magic and steampunk will enjoy this series. Sherlockians who are purists, need not apply. Looking forward to the mischief and mystery that this series will offer in the future.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC from the publisher. No review was expected, I am choosing to review this in the hopes more people find and read this important book.
I went to the Seattle ALA in January for a book signing of my own. While there I carefully avoided the grabby-hand syndrome of taking ALL the books. I allowed myself a small selection. The cover grabbed my eye, and when I opened the book to reveal verse, I slipped a copy into my bag. I'm so glad I did.
Nikki has been through A LOT. Born to a mother with schizophrenia, a father who wasn't sure how to be a dad, and an older sister who did her best to help raise her... trauma was a huge part of her growing up. She found a small voice at six and began writing down her thoughts, stories, and poems. Anything to help her deal with her life and the demands of growing up in the 50s and 60s.
This book is beautifully written in verse. I found myself identifying a lot with what she had to say. Surviving traumatic experiences is rough. It does erase a huge part of the moments we grow up in. This book helped me see where my own memory gaps are and taught me that writing continues to be an important method I have to healing myself. I can only hope to write a poignant memoir as Nikki Grimes has.
Thank you so much for writing this book. It has helped me, and I wish I could give you a massive hug.
The third book in the Otherworld series, this tells the tale of the youngest of the three fae/human sisters, Menolly. She's a vampire who was turned by a horrible sire. While I was excited to read this book, it took me almost a week to finish it. As with the other two books, the book structure was the same. Introduce the character and background, get them into some spooky action, have them seek a new alliance to help, go thru something where they had to pay a price, quickly vanquish a foe they built up to be bigger than they really seemed and end happily. This is all fine and good but... I was hoping for a bit more. Maybe now that we've got the round robin intros out of the way the next trilogy will be a bit different in structure and more on actual story. Who knows, guess I'll try and find a used copy of the 4th book out at powell's.
Some Good Advice!: Allen's approach to managing yourself and your world is very good advice on how to be more productive and satisfied. This book is filled with practical, hands-on ideas, tips, tools, and techniques for more effective self-management. Many of us feel overwhelmed and out of control in today's fast-paced world. This book and the book [[ASIN:1434322580 Understanding: Train of Thought]] are great ways to get a handle on all that “stuff” in our lives and figure out how to better manage the flow of information that never seems to stop. Five stars all the way!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this for review from netgalley.com.
This is a hard book to categorize. It's not really a “zombie” book, but there's elements of it there. It's not really a coming of age book, but there's bits of it there too. Contaminated tells the story of Velvet and her sister Opal, as they struggle to remain together after the Contamination, an event that left their parents sick with a disease. Velvet is sure she'll find here mother and ends up doing so.
The first part of the book is about Velvet's struggles as she tries to keep the 3 of them together. As her mother is contaminated, no one wants them around. Her neighbors kick them out of their house, Opal's school creates rumors to get her out, and Velvet is unable to handle the burden of working a job and taking care of three people. They are forced to leave the town and head towards their old house.
This story of struggle, of doing what matters despite the odds and what's expected, is a great story to write. Velvet is doing her best... and succeeding. I'm not sure that Garner knew this when writing this story, but it's an important tale to write. Of what struggles we go through just to survive.
The second part of the book is where things devolve again. Another outbreak happens and the Contaminated are rounded up. Only people who can speak are spared. With the help of her new friend Dillon, they learn that Velvet's mom can talk by removing the collar. Things end with a glimpse of hope but not much.
There is a lot of good and bad in this book but it's Velvet's strength to keep going... despite how everyone feels about her mother that makes this book so strong and what kept me reading. As always when there's a cliffhanger ending, I can only hope that the next book gets written and this isn't any different.
Disclaimer: I received an eARC of Making Magic by Briana Saussy from netgalley.com for an honest review. However, the author is a friend of mine.
It all starts with a story. In this case, we're treated to Golden Locks and the bear people. You may think you know how this story goes, and ends, but you don't. That's the beauty of magic. This is the magic Briana Saussy teaches us to remember. Magic is everywhere. It's in the food we eat, the activities we do during the day, and the sacred times we spend with others. As adults, we forget about the magic surrounding us.
Making Magic teaches us to remember our own magic. The book blends the myth of Golden Locks in with daily activities and actions which help us to bring back our own power, our own magic. Each chapter takes a singular topic, relates it back to the myth, and then explores how the topic relates internally and externally (or through the everyday and the extraordinary). Bri includes two rituals for each chapter, one is a short internal dose of the topic, while the next blends the topic into a more concrete way. You are invited to interpret words and play with the material as you see fit. This is, after all, a book for you to rediscover, remember, your own personal magics.
What I liked: I love how Bri weaves the ordinary and extraordinary together. We are all magic and the path of a “magician” is a personal one. Making Magic doesn't include lists to memorize, or spells, or hard rituals to follow to the letter. She allows the reader to experience and explore the material she presents— to blend it into their own personality and style. Making Magic doesn't contain definitions... not even one on what magic is. “Magic is a wild animal” she writes, “it resides in the places we always are.” This book guides you into the a deep connection of what magic can be. How you personally define it, where it appears in your life, and helps bridge tight connections between yourself, story, and Nature.
Caveat: This book teaches you to discover your own personal magic. It requires a lot of imaginative play and experimentation. This is not a book for those who want to know the lineage of magic being taught. Bri does tell you her credentials; however, she knows that the most powerful magic comes from within the individual's own self, mind, and practices. If you aren't into “unverified personal gnosis” methods, then you might want to skip this book.
Bottom Line: Are you ready to remember your magic? Want to bring magic into every aspect of your life? Bri's book will help you develop a personal connection you the magic you forgot as a child.
Disclaimer: I received an eARC of this book from netgalley.com.
I find the idea of personality types intriguing. Part-science and part-divination, these 16 types can give us insight into how we think and navigate our daily lives. As a writer, being on top of my creative game is important. Enter, Creative You by Otto Kroeger and David B. Goldstein. This book helps creatives understand aspects of their personalities and creatives focus their energy, gain information, make decisions, and implement projects.
Creative You has 3 parts: Part one introduces the building blocks for the MBTI personalities. There's even a quiz to quickly walk readers through uncovering their own personality. Part two delves deeply into each of the 16 personalities from strengths to weaknesses. This section also gives valuable information on boosting creativity. Finally, Part three contains various essays on how to further enhance your use of personality types in a working world. There are chapters on collaboration, how to match your creative outlet, and even some sections on helping to uncover children's creativity types.
What I liked: This book is jam packed with information. It's well organized and easy to dive right into how the MBTI can help creative people attain their goals and work with others. I never thought about breaking apart the 4-part codes into a two part sub-section that can can further teach me about how I operate. Part 3 pulled the personality types into the working world and shares tips and tricks on navigating various issues. The glossary of terms in the back was very helpful in distilling everything down to manageable chunks.
What I didn't like: With so much information, I felt like I had to keep a chart open at all times to refer back to. There's so many acronyms that one can get lost in them. Yes, the authors added names for each type, but I found they didn't refer to those much when discussing the interaction between each type. As I read through the book, I also got lost in learning about each personality types. I feel like I needed a few more subsections to help guide me along. I also wish they'd have given all the 2-type pairings a little bit more airtime, rather than the 4 stronger creative bits.
Bottom Line: Curious about that intersection between psychology and creativity? Want to know how the MBTI influences you on a creative level? Then this is the book for you. It's a great read and has lots of useful information.