The Big Book Musical Tag [Original]

It was some time since I last did a book tag, but none really called to me. So why not make my own? This is a tag I came up with while listening to some musical numbers such as ‘Wide smile, High Style/C.B.’, ‘When the chips are down’ and other great numbers. I ended up daydreaming about my favourite books getting a musical but since I do lack some means, I thought a book tag would suffice. For now.

So,

YOU ARE PUTTING TOGETHER A BOOK MUSICAL!

Who doesn’t love a musical version of one’s favourite books? So why not make your own? Every question presents you with one or more choices for what book or set of characters would probably make the best of the musical song trope. All you have to do is imagine how their song would be like, and you’ll know if you’d want to see and hear that or not.

(OBS! You are allowed the pick several answers, as the songs can vary a lot depending on the singer (ex. with the “I Want” – song can be either from a protagonist or an antagonist and therefore changes the whole concept)

 

|Introduction/Opening Song| This song will set the premise of the story but also work as a kind of synopsis (example; “Harry Freaking Potter” from A Very Potter Sequel or “The Gospel Truth I from Hercules). Which book would have an awesome introduction/opening song number? 

Okay, Imma be a bit obvious here and pick The Dark Prophecy by Rick Riordan.  Why? Because the book actually starts with Apollo/Lester recounting the events in the previous book like a gospel/epic with Calypso adding helpful background choir (“A pathetic mortal! Most worthless of teens!”)

 

|”I Am” Song| This is a song to introduce a protagonist (or antagonist), with themselves singing about, well, themselves. Thus establishing their characteristics, role and motivations (examples; “One Jump Ahead” from Aladdin). Which character would have a great “I Am”- song?

 

This was a bit of a tough one to pick, mainly because there are so many lovable anti-heroes that’d make a great “I Am”-number. But I’d like to see Denth and Tonk-Fah from Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson introduce themselves to princess Vivenna with a song number. Considering that their introduction was “hi we’re your kidnappers” and their weird sense of humour, it’d actually be hilarious to see these mercenaries trying to convince a conservative princess about their questionable profession through a song.

 

|Parental Love Song|  Nothing’s like a mother’s love. Or father’s. However it is, the parental love song is, usually in most animated musicals, some kind of lullaby where the parent sings about their love, faith, hope and dreams they have for their child, the protagonist (“Deliver Us/The River Lullaby” from Prince of Egypt or “Every Mother’s Pray” from Quest of Camelot). Which fictional parent would have the best ‘parental love song’ number?

I can think of quite a few parental characters whose lullabies would probably stir the hearts of listeners. I decided I’d love to hear a song from Offred from A Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood to her son. Either as she fled with him, or a song praying for his well-being as she is in confinement.

 

|’I Want’ Song| This song can be sung by either the protagonist or the antagonist, it can be either inspiring (“Part of Your World” from The Little Mermaid) or more darker and obsessive (“The Room Where It Happened” from Hamilton). Which character would perform the best “I want” song?

This one wasn’t exactly a hard pick for me– there’s nothing more I want in life than a song of longing and (lost but found) dreams by Molly Grue from The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle. Her anguished speech when she meets the unicorn has always stuck with me, especially as years go by and still no unicorn has come to me…

 

|The Friendship Song| This song number is sung usually by two or more friends together about their friendship and how great they are together (ex. ‘Babkak, Omar, Aladdin, Kassim’ from Aladdin The Broadway Musical). Which book characters would together make the best ‘Friendship song’?

For this one, I’m choosing the absolutely fabulous duo of Niccolò Machiavelli and Billy the Kid in The Secrets of Immortal Nicholas Flamel-series by Michael Scott.Yes, the characters are their historical counterparts. It’s actually revealed that Billy the Kid is the one that inspired Machiavelli to live and care, while he himself is a figure Billy looks up to. So I need them to sing together and for each other. Please.

 

|The Villain Song | Time for the introduction of the main antagonist(s) of the story. The villain song can vary from being just an “I Am” or “I Want” song, but could also be the villain singing while trying to recruit someone (example “Be Prepared” from The Lion King). Which villain would probably have the most iconic villain song? 

So this one is obviously the harder choice. Who to pick? There are so many villains that you just know would make iconic villain songs. I know that I love villain songs with ‘style’, a bit of humour and a very dramatic and self-confident(/absorbed) villain. So I’m picking two very underestimated villains, Set from The Red Pyramid and Setne from The Serpent’s Shadow from The Kane Chronicles-series by Rick Riordan. Both are the poster-immortals of “Affably Evil” and are both very dramatic (especially when it comes to outfit/style choice so kudos to them).

 

|Crowd Song| This number is a big group singing a song together, and a must for every musical. The song is usually meant to show the conflict in which the big part of the characters are in direct consequence to, and their different attitudes to it. Examples are the several “Facade” songs from “Jekyll & Hyde” in which the people sing about society’s questionable norms. But it can also be a way to just introduce a larger set of characters and the environment the main character is in (ex. “Fixer Upper” from Frozen or “That’s How You Know” from Enchanted). Which book would probably introduce the best crowd song?

A crowd-song about and from the dangerous court of Caverna in A Face Like Glass by Frances Hardinge would be a great way to establish the lethal position that Neverfell finds herself in. I’ve read a lot of books which talks of “dangerous courts” but in the end only romanticises them, whereas Caverna’s actually makes you wish you’d never have to go there, ever.

 

|”I Am Becoming” Song| This song is a character development, or sanity-slippage, song where the character who sings this is developing in character as they sing it. Like stated, it could either be inspiring (“Let It Go” from Frozen”) or more on the sanity-slippage side (“No Good Deed” from Wicked). Which character would have the best “I am becoming” song?

Why do I make such hard questions? There’s plenty of wonderful character developments that could make for great songs. However, after marginalizing my choices (not an author or book I’ve already picked etc…) I remembered Leo Kall from Kallocain by Karin Boye. I absolutely loved his moment at the end where, where the villainous protagonist walks out into the snowy night, suddenly feeling at peace for the first time in his life.

 

|”The Hero Sucks” song| Like it says on the tin, this song is usually sung by the story’s antagonist about, well, how much the hero sucks (ex. ‘Shiny’ from Moana/Vaiana). Which antagonist from a book would do the best “The Hero Sucks”-musical number?

Prince Regal in Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb would deliver quite a ruthless one to Fitz, in a more ‘down to business’ manner than just ridiculing. Trying to drown the boy at the same time would heighten the effect though.

 

|”The Villain Sucks” song| Oh, so the villain thinks they can give the hero a piece of their mind and get away with it? ‘The Villain sucks’ song is sung by one or several protagonists about the story’s antagonist(s) in a not so flattering manner (ex. “The phony king of England” from Robin Hood). Which character(s) would best put the villain in their place through a song?

 

All though Kaladin, Shallan, Adolin, Renarin, Dalinar, Hoid et cetera would line up to give Meridas Amaram a piece of their minds in The Stormlight Archive series by Brandon Sanderson, it is Jasnah Kholin who’d deliver the death-blow in an epic “The Reason You Suck”-song to Amaram in Oathbringer.

 

|(In)love Song/Duet| The two protagonists, or at least one of them, realizes they have feelings for the other, and sings them out! They might sing with each other, sing about each other from distances, or do a solo (example “I Won’t Say I’m In love” from Hercules or “I don’t know how to love him” from Jesus Christ Super Star). Which character(s) would do a great number about being inlove? 

So obviously we need a love duet where Sophie and Howl from Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones sing about each other as they start to realize their feelings. Sophie would make a great “I won’t say I’m in love” kind of number that I never realized I need. 

 

|The Villain Love Song| Sometimes even evil has loved ones. Whatever it more of a destructive, creepy “stalker with a crush”-type or a redeeming love for the hero(ine), this song number is the villain singing out about his deranged passion, usually containing creepy and threatening implications that’ll make you understand why it’s a VILLAIN love song (ex. the classic ‘Hellfire’ from The Hunchback of Notre Dame). Which villain/antagonist would have the best ‘Villain love song’?

My vote for this one is clear; Christopher Carrion from Abarat: Days of Magic, Nights of war by Clive Barker. Best would be if it took place in the scene in the second novel of the series. The heroine trapped in a dream, awakens in a strange mansion. She desperately tries to flee from him out in a blizzard, while he pursues her with the option that she can join him or perish. I can almost hear the chilling and creepily possessive song.

 

|The Counterpoint Duet/Duet Of Difference| One might sing how beautiful life is, another follows how depressing everything is. One sings of hope, another of despair. The Countrpoint duet is not a confrontation song as the two usually are not singing against each other, just singing the same song but contrasting in the lyrics (they can even be at different locations). The point is to show the contrast between two characters (ex. ‘My eyes’ from Dr. Horrible). Which two characters in a book would have the best counterpoint duet?

Hilarious one would be the counterpoint duet about the wannabe pirate king, Captain Kennit, and his followers in The Liveship Traders by Robin Hobb. Why? Because throughout the whole series, Kennit’s actions make him misunderstood in the REVERSE way. People don’t see him as the wannabe dictator and conqueror he thinks himself as, but as a saviour and liberator.

Kennit’s right-hand man: “Oh there stands our hero, noble plans to liberate ~”

Kennit, standing alone by the prow: “My right-hand man I shall decapitate ~”

 

|The Dark Reprise| Sometimes an upbeat, positive song sung previously can take a dark turn. It can be sung by both the same character or some other character, indicating a downer character development, making a contrast between the hero and villain, or just a darker turn on the story (ex. ‘The Last Day Of Summer’ in The Lightning Thief has a dark reprise of ‘Good Kid’). Which character would have the best ‘Dark reprise’ in a book? (PS. Hard time coming up with an answer? Think about a previous answer (ex. ‘I want/am’ song), which character in the same book would do a dark reprise of it?

Oh, there are so many good options, I’m actually gonna go with the Sleepless from Edgedancer by Brandon Sanderson. From a fun and goofy song about a subject he brought up earlier in the novella, to a nightmare fuel reprise near the end. Kids, always ask yourself why a person ask a specific question.

 

|Grief Song| It’s the tear-jerker number where a character (usually the hero) sings about their losses, maybe about a break-up or another character’s death (ex. ‘It’s Quiet Uptown’ from Hamilton). Name a book/character that would have the best ‘Grief song’.

Oohhh so many. I mean, how many book scenes haven’t broken hearts and shattered dreams? Since Gullstruck Island by Frances Hardinge is my latest read that tore out my heart and smashed it into a thousand pieces, several times, I’m going with it. There are so many options to which part should be made into a song, but honestly, the end with a ‘letting go’ kind of song for her massacred people would probably have a whole audience in tears.

 

|Massive Multiplayer Ensemble Confrontation/Finale| Alright, not really the trope name but we’re gonna have the final confrontation in our musical be a big crowd song with multiple characters coming together and singing through the climax. It can be like a triumphant or dark reprise (ex.  “Facade reprise 4” in Jekyll and Hyde) or just a final confrontation between heroes and villains (ex. “The Son of Poseidon” from The Lightning Thief, which is also a triumphant reprise of the previous “I am”- song). Which climax in a book would make the most epic number?

The Fire Chronicle (and its ‘successor’) by John Stephens has everything a finale would need in one of its climax scenes– a mob song part, a ‘desperate-call-for-saving’ part, the goodbye, and the choice which will make the point-of-no-return.

 

|Final Love Duet| Ah, the great finale. The conflict is solved and now the loved ones can be united and live happily ever after (until the author publishes a new spin-off series). Which characters would have the sweetest and best final love duet together? 

A satisfying but emotional end with Aliena and Jack in The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett is all I need. 

 

And I Tag YOU!

Book Review: Gullstruck Island

Title: Gullstruck Island

Author: Frances Hardinge

Publisher: MacMillan Children’s Books, 2009

Genres: Middle-Grade/Ya, Fantasy, Adventure

Three Word Description: Not As Expected

Goodreads Rating: 5/5

 

 

“On Gullstruck Island the volcanoes quarrel, beetles sing danger and occasionally a Lost is born . . . In the village of the Hollow Beasts live two sisters. Arilou is a Lost – a child with the power to depart her body and mind-fly with the winds – and Hathin is her helper. Together they hide a dangerous secret. Until sinister events threaten to uncover it. With a blue-skinned hunter on their trail and a dreadlocked warrior beside them, they must escape. Can the fate of two children decide the future of Gullstruck Island?

Discover a dazzling world, a breathtaking heroine . . . and an incredible adventure. For on the island of Gullstruck nothing is exactly as it seems!

With a cast of larger-than-life characters, this is a richly imagined adventure no child will be able to put down – or ever forget!”

***

I want to laugh at this summary. I cannot remember the last time I stumbled upon such a misleading description of a book. Sit down people, I’m gonna tell you about this book that I didn’t give 5-stars on Goodreads because of “an incredible adventure”. It is the work Gullstruck Island that truly is not what it seems. 

Oh so you got this book, thinking it’d be like it ‘says on the (back)-tin’?

 

I went into this book, thinking I’d be focused on Frances Hardinge’s creative work and how it has developed from this book, which was published in 2009. Instead, I found myself trapped on an emotional rollercoaster which would shoot out in anger and dip down in despair. Oh, they promised you wouldn’t forget the story alright. But they never told you why.

This isn’t a story of just two sisters escaping from a mysterious assassin and uncovering a secret. The first part of the book may think this is what it’s building up to, albeit a bit slow. And then it completely escalates. I was debating on whatever or not to reveal the very core theme of this novel, as I myself prefer to know as little as possible. However, I really want with all my heart that everyone should read a middle-grade/YA fantasy that deals with such a horrifying subject. The main theme of this novel, is in fact Genocide. Gullstruck Island corporates the genocide which took place in colonial time, during the Holocaust, throughout history and can be found even in the future from when it was written.

Hardinge’s work is really not meant for just kids and teens. The book is written in such a way, from characters, writing style and plot, that anyone can ‘enjoy’ it. Enjoy however is not the word that really describes the number of times I chocked on tears or had to pace in anger. This book was great by any means, by all which I will soon be going through, but it’s not something you’d sit down on a couch with and a nice warm cup of tea to feel cosy. This is a book that’ll constantly have the kettle boiling in order to make yourself Camomille tea to calm your nerves. 

For throughout the majority of the book I was filled with such an overwhelming mix of anger, desperation and grief. Despair is perhaps the best word; utter despair. I cannot count the number of times I had to put down the book, to enter my imagination where I could reach Gullstruck Island myself. Where I could grasp at every villain, every impassive character, every single background character that revolted at a people and whispered rumours of them with no regards for the consequences. This despair completely filled my imagination of me shaking, punching, shouting at every character that allowed these horrible things to happen.

---

” ‘I never thought I would hear you shouting. It doesn’t suit you. It makes you ugly.’

Grief was ugly. Rage was ugly. Fear was ugly.

‘You made me ugly,’ “

---

Of course, it was far from just the theme and how well it was handled that made this book great. No there were so many things that made this book just so good. For a start, we have the main characters; Arilou and Hathin. And from the beginning, you’ll find out that they’re not all that they seem. As for all Hardinge’s books, I can see that characters and their development is not a challenge for the author. Her young heroine Hathin develops such determination and courage that I was immensely inspired by her, yet at the same time, my Big Sister instinct wanted me to do nothing less than wrapping her in blankets and murder everyone who hurt her. But in all, Hathin is my latest addition to ‘favourite heroines of all time’.

---

“You are dust, her eyes said. You are dirt. You are nothing. Why do you bother surviving? Why are you still alive?

I am the dust in your eyes, was the answer in Hathin’s look. I am the dirt that will bury you. I am the nothingness waiting to open up under your feet. And I can hold on longer than you.”

---

 

Knowing Hardinge from her later books, plot-twists and tiny but extremely significant details, is just what I expected and was rewarded from her. However what really stuck with me is how the world creation has such an important meaning for everything in the story. It’s learning a culturally-‘affected’ saying earlier, only for it to later break your heart (as an example). The existence of gods and beasts are ever-present but in such a way, that you’ll understand that Gullstruck Island could just be any Pacific island. The magic and deities are much to these islanders as deities and mythical creatures are to believers today. And there’s no proof they don’t exist, especially not when you can feel their wrath. I really wish I could go into more details, but as always, these reviews are spoiler-free.

And of course, it’s always necessary to discuss the antagonists. By Gullstruck Island’s theme, you may have guessed what type of villains you may find. However, what really stuck with me here was how frighteningly real Hardinge’s villains were here. Not mythical, immortal, impressive or anything like that. No, the villains are the indifferent men and women, the angry mob, the man who never thinks of an ethnic group as people, and a woman who can play with some children and then not hesitate to murder other. If you think no villain can top the amount of hate that Dolores Umbridge in the Harry Potter-series amassed, you’ll find her match in Gullstruck Island (and in the opinion of one who hasn’t read the HP books, her ‘better’). There’s a villain with such unspeakable cruelty that it wasn’t the ‘love to hate’ category they would go. No, this villain fits in the ‘I don’t even want you to breathe inside this book’.

***

So would I recommend this book? With all my heart. Like I’ve made pretty sure throughout this reviewing (which I’m writing while I’m still devastated) that this is not a ‘light’ read. This isn’t the book you read when you expect to be transported to Narnia. Gullstruck Island is painful, it’ll make you angry and it’ll drink your tears. But it’s also beautifully written and will spark your own imagination, perhaps make you see nature in an entirely different light. Most importantly, it teaches readers of all ages about the horror of hate-crime and genocide.

 

Book Review: A Face Like Glass

Title: A Face Like Glass

Author: Frances Hardinge

Publisher: Pan Macmillan Children’s, 2012

Genres: YA, Middle-Grade, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Dystopian

Three Word Description: Out-of-the-Rabbit-hole, Creative, Wonderful

 

“In the underground city of Caverna, the world’s most skilled craftsmen toil in the darkness to create delicacies beyond compare—wines that remove memories, cheeses that make you hallucinate, and perfumes that convince you to trust the wearer, even as they slit your throat. On the surface, the people of Caverna seem ordinary, exc12ept for one thing: their faces are as blank as untouched snow. Expressions must be learned, and only the famous Facesmiths can teach a person to express (or fake) joy, despair, or fear—at a steep price.”

Enter Neverfell, a twelve-year-old girl with such a dreaded face she must hide it behind a mask. One fateful day after chasing a run-away rabbit, Neverfell finds herself outside of her care-taker’s home and around people of the higher society in Caverna.

***

Honestly, I don’t know where to start with this review. This book had me hooked from start to finish, couldn’t possibly release it. Ever since I read The Lie Tree by Frances Hardinge did I fall in love with her writing, and despite this being her earliest works I’ve read, it did NOT disappoint.

Loving a book and trying to convey that feeling into words is probably one of the things I find hardest as a reviewer. What can I say without spoiling anything? How can I possibly make you feel what I feel, for you to start reading it? I feel like I’ve tasted something so delicious yet I can only describe that foreign taste to you. With a language that lacks the words, and a shotgun to my head unless my words travel too close to the truth. Alas, I shall make a try.

Describing why I loved the story is kind of hard without spoiling anything. However, I can tell you that it’s never fully predictable with so many twists and turns in the plot. I can almost hear Hardinge, whispering to herself as she outlines the plot– “we’re all mad here”. For there are some elements that would make this a re-telling of ‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland’, however the book differs so much that I honestly think the comparison is unfair. Perhaps what the novel’s closest adaptation to ‘Alice in Wonderland’ is the entire spirit and feeling of the classic.

Like Alice and her adventures in Wonderland, the story follows mainly the perspective of Neverfell who is new to Caverna, her own Wonderland. Since the world outside her confines is almost as much a mystery to Neverfell as for us readers, it’s a great way for Hardinge to build up her world and plot with Neverfell’s guides as the reader’s guides as well. Considering the weird and fantastical properties of most things in Caverna, I wouldn’t want it any other way.

And then there’s the concept. The whole deal with humans being unable to work their face muscles into facial expressions is just one of the bizarre things about this novel. However, it has a very important and symbolic meaning for the novel’s theme– our right to express ourselves. Where the rich crowd to the trendiest Facesmiths for a delicate new Face, must the working class be content with the Faces of the aristocracy’s choosing. But it’s not only the Faces that matter in this story. Keep everything in mind, for anything can turn out to be Chekhov’s Gun.

Although the story may sound grim, it actually has plenty of humour and light-hearted moments. All from a character being forced to chase and stop our heroine from licking a wall, to two mortal enemies comically trying and failing to have each other assassinated in one scene. This novel is one of those bizarre mixes of light-hearted humour, then a sudden murder from nowhere occurs and you don’t know how to classify it. After all, this book is meant for younger readers, and I think it’s brilliant that Hardinge managed to make a certainly darker Middle-Grade/YA novel without being too heavy on the ‘grim’ side. Kids and teens aren’t stupid, they can perfectly understand elements and subtext in the book that makes one truly see what a dystopian it is.

And then we have the characters. Every single named character has a distinct personality and felt so… Intriguing. Unique in their own way. A heroine navigating the dangerous underground city. A grumpy Cheesemaker and caretaker. A villain with a personality for each of his brain-halves. An ambitious but divided friend. A powerful patron that creates forgetting Wines. A mysterious woman with a smile from Neverfell’s past. And a crafty Kleptomancer that steals for the chaos it will bring. But most dreaded of all are the mapmakers of Caverna.

There’s so much I wish I could talk about these, but I will constrict myself to focus mostly on the main character Neverfell.

The main character will no doubt make some readers frustrated with her in the beginning. She is young, naïv and has been alone with a grumpy old man for seven of her twelve years in a cavern full of cheeses. Of course she was terrible at dealing with life in the upper city-circles at the beginning. She’s extremely gullible and believes everyone to be sincere, at the beginning not even fathoming that one would lie or deceive her. However, Neverfell’s view on the world and others in the start is a very important part of her character. The following character development is, by consequence, very satisfying. If you have ever read Hardinge’s other books like The Lie Tree, for example, you’ll know how perfectly she writes a girl’s raw emotions.

I never had a problem with Neverfell has the main character (but I read other reviews to understand how people feel on different areas), because Hardinge didn’t enforce Neverfell’s naïv views as a dogmatic truth to how the world is. Neverfell never means anyone harm and doesn’t even hesitate to save others, but for her character development means understanding who is in need of help, and who isn’t. She is naïv, but she is the first one who is ready to risk her skin for someone considered lower than her, because she cannot understand their corrupt world view. Like I’ve stated before, I’ll value a character and book much higher if the hero or heroine is greatly flawed in the beginning and gets to actually grow as people.

Of course, it’s also important to remember what we should all be judging books by– the villains. And Hardinge delivers in this one. One of the villains I’ll mention here, ‘The Grand Steward’, is such a dreaded character that even I as a reader would never want to be face-to-Face with. He never hesitates to kill everyone and anyone he suspects of treason. Hell, you only need to stumble as a servant and he will have your head. Despite having lived for centuries, he himself is in one way, dead from the start. As he never lets his guard down, he takes turn letting his brain-halves sleep, resulting in different personalities depending on if his left-eye or right-eye is open. Which eye is open can, therefore, determine your chances of survival when meeting him. Not only did I really enjoy this character as a villain, his and Neverfell’s strange relationship, a coldhearted tyrant and a naïv but honest twelve-year-old results in some great character dynamics.

***

In summary, it’s not exactly a shock that I LOVED this book and I’d strongly recommend anyone to give it a go! x

(Super) Exciting Book haul

So today I visited the lovely Science Fiction bookshop in Stockholm’s Oldtown, planning to buy like two books I’ve been meaning to buy for some time. And then I couldn’t stop myself. I had prepared a big budget when buying, but I maaaaay have been a little too…generous.

Mum, if you’re reading this– I’m so sorry but I regret nothing. 

Below are the books I bought, but know this; I prefer knowing as little as possible before starting a book, so there’s no synopsis of the stories, instead it’s about my experience with the author/previous books.

 

 Shadow Captain by Alastair Reynolds [x]

This. This is the first book I saw when entering, and immediately a bell rang. I knew this cover design. I rush forward, and I almost choke when I realize that this is a sequel to a book I never thought would get a sequel. And I had no idea it recently came out!

Shadow Captain by Alastair Reynolds is the sequel to Revenger, the second book I reviewed when starting this blog (my review here)! I absolutely loved this book, it wasn’t perfect but god was it clever and so… subtle. The story follows our main character ‘Fura’ Ness as she runs away with a sister to work on a spaceship, but they end up attacked by the fretted Bosa Sennen. Together with what could have been just another Alpha Bitch™ character, Fura goes on a journey to escape the men sent after her from her father, while trying to save her captured sister.

I don’t want to read the synopsis of this second book, but let me tell you; Fura Ness is what Holly Black tried to make Jude in The folk of the Air and Marie Lu tried to make Adelina in The Young Elites. Also, it’s one of those rare Female p.o.v. YA’s with not a single love interest and zero focus on romance.  Read it. 

Skyward by Brandon Sanderson [x]

Ah, yes. If you’ve been following this blog for some while you will be quite aware who Brandon Sanderson is. If you’re new– I’m just gonna be brief with you. In my religious love for books, he is a god of SciFi/Fantasy. I love his books, but mostly I get so intimidated starting one book because they’re just so… sacred to me. But now I got my hands on this ScFi of a girl and her dragon spaceship who’s gonna fight aliens.

 

 

A Veil of Spears by Bradley Beaulieu [x]

The third instalment in The Song of the Shattered Sands series, I’ve been unable to read it when it came out due to studies. But now I don’t have any excuse at all! This series is wonderful, set in a fictional world inspired by the Islamic golden age but with elements of the pre-Islamic Middle East, one girl is set on destroying twelve kings. The book series starts with a gladiator fight with our main character Çeda, and you realize immediately it’s gonna be bloody brilliant. This series is what I always recommend anyone who was disappointed in Throne of Glass – series by Sarah J Maas. 

 The Winter of the Witch by Katherine Arden [x]

Another book in a series, also the third instalment, this was one series I was expecting to be disappointed in. But Arden completely surprised me with her first book because I actually adored it. She just captured that feeling of eastern fairy tale perfectly. I’m european, so I saw a lot of russian and slavic (sometimes inspired) old animated movies as a kid, and reading this book series felt like I was once again watching one of those. And just look at that cover. So perfect, so wonderful.

 

 Gullstruck Island by Frances Hardinge [x]

Frances oh Frances, wherefore art thou such a great author? I’ve read three of her books and LOVED every single one; The Lie Tree, A Skinful of Shadows and most recently read A Face Like Glass. Like my most recent read, this is not set in a fantasy world with… Volcanoes? Like I’ve said, I prefer knowing as little as possible before reading a book, and this is no exception. But like Brandon Sanderson, this is an author I will probably never be disappointed in.

I’ve done ‘A Song & a Book’ for both The Lie Tree and A Skinful of Shadows to give you an idea of the books. A review of A Face Like Glass will be up very soon!

 Fly by Night by Frances Hardinge [x] 

You think I can walk past the shelf with all of Hardinge’s books and pick just one? HAHAHAH what do you take me for. I’ve heard such great things about this book that I can’t wait to start reading it! All I’ve gathered about this book without reading the description is that there’s a sassy little girl, a murderous goose and some kind of con-artist..? Honestly, what more do you need to know before reading it?

 

 

Are any of these books on your TBR? Have you read any? Or are you just curious about authors or series– don’t hesitate to leave a comment! x

A Song & A Book #60

Today’s song is;

The wolves will chase you by the pale moonlight
Drunk and driven by a devil’s hunger
Drive your son like a railroad spike
Into the water, let it pull him under

And the book I chose for this song;

“This is the story of a bear-hearted girl . . .

Sometimes, when a person dies, their spirit goes looking for somewhere to hide.
Some people have space within them, perfect for hiding.

Twelve-year-old Makepeace has learned to defend herself from the ghosts which try to possess her in the night, desperate for refuge, but one day a dreadful event causes her to drop her guard.

And now there’s a spirit inside her.

The spirit is wild, brutish and strong, and it may be her only defence when she is sent to live with her father’s rich and powerful ancestors. There is talk of civil war, and they need people like her to protect their dark and terrible family secret.

But as she plans her escape and heads out into a country torn apart by war, Makepeace must decide which is worse: possession – or death.”

Thursdays Top 4

I found this wonderful weekly meme at Ally Writes Things blog (it was also she who created it), and just had to join in! Every week there’s a new topic where you’ll give your top 4 answers 🙂

This week’s topic is: Best Villains, and since I love villains, it’s gonna be impossible hard to narrow it down to just four. So instead I’ve chosen 4 categories, and picked 4 villains for each!

#1: Best Fantasy Book Villains

Kennit from The Liveship Traders by Robin Hobb (art), Lord Ruler from The Final Empire Brandon Sanderson (art), Luke Castellan from Percy Jackson and The Olympians by Rick Riordan (official art by viria), The Dire Magnus from The Books of Beginning by John Stephens (art).

#2 Best SciFi Book Villains

Eli from Vicious by V.E. Schwab, Broadgirdle from The Golden Specific and The Crimson Skew by S.E. Grove, AIDAN from The Illuminae Files by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff, Limelight from Calamity by Brandon Sanderson.

#3 Best Children’s Books Villains

The Beldame from Coraline by Neil Gaiman, Katla from Brothers Lionheart by Astrid Lindgren, The White Witch from The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis, Captain Hook from Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie.

#4 Best Non-Animated Villains

The Shattered Mirror from The Snow Queen by H.C. Andersen, The Lie Tree from The Lie Tree by Frances Hardinge, Dorian Gray’s self-portrait from The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde, AIDAN from The Illuminae Files by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff (yeah he gets an extra credit).

T5W – Ravenclaw Book (Characters)

“Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,
If you’ve a ready mind,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind.”

This week’s topic so happens to be books that represent your Hogwarts house. However, I decided to do my own little thing and instead pick characters that would share the same Hogwarts house. That’s because I have a confession, and that is that I haven’t read Harry Potter… I know, shame. But that series is so hyped that it is the most intriguing to me. But I’ll get to it, one day… So it was pretty hard to pick books that would fit, so instead I chose to pick characters (from books, although some may count as books for Ravenclaws).

I did the test like twice before, and got Ravenclaw (if I remember correctly). Did the test now again, and got Ravenclaw again, so I trust that’s my house. Plus, I relate  a lot to this house since I’ve always had a deep love for learning, science and discovery, plus creativity and individuality (like when I was little I always wanted to do something that was uncommon here). So it’s little surprise that I mostly relate to characters who’re Ravenclaw or share traits with the house.

Top 5 Wednesday is hosted by Sam and Lainey on this Goodreads group.

5. Jack from The Pillars of The Earth by Ken Follett

“Nevertheless, the book gave Jack a feeling he had never had before, that the past was like a story, in which one thing led to another, and the world was not a boundless mystery, but a finite thing that could be comprehended. ”

Jack is clearly Ravenclaw. He has a desire for any kind of knowledge, just for the sake of knowledge, and a deep desire to create something original and magnificent. He’s intelligent by nature, but was underestimated as a child due to his somewhat ‘absent’ look and appearance (which is another trait he shares with many of his fellow Ravenclaws).

4. Hoid from The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson

“The purpose of a storyteller is not to tell you how to think but to give you questions to think upon.”

There are several worthy Ravenclaw candidates in this book, so I’m doing a little ‘honorary mention’ here (as I don’t want to mention the same book twice) and that goes to the royal cousins Jasnah and Renarin Kholin, who are both awesome. But I chose to go with Hoid as he is not only one of my favorite characters of Sanderson’s books, but also as he represents most of his books.

Probably Sanderson’s most mysterious character, he would have actually made it to the 2nd place had it not been for that we actually don’t know enough to properly sort him. He could probably go as much into Slytherin (especially after his little “warning” speech to Dalinar near the end of WoR) but for the most part, he reveals traits that fit within the Ravenclaw house. His alias is a hint for the start, but the way he acts and talks makes him sound very “Ravenclawy”. He says intelligent and witty comments, his words usually hide a much deeper, secret meaning and wisdom. Not to mention the fact that Hoid loves to philosophy whenever he gets the chance (and with anyone). And although we don’t know whose side he’s on (if anyone’s), he’s not shown to be villainous or manipulative of the others (he’s actually more “maneuvering” in his behavior to get people to do what he wants, and that actually helps them).

Plus don’t forget that Hoid slanders other characters in both books for sacrificing other people like resources for their personal ambition, which is a very Slytherin trait. Just because you might have a secret agenda or ambition doesn’t mean one automatically becomes a Slytherin. Many examples show that the sorting hats sort after who we want to be as much as who we are.

3. Lord Henry from The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

“Pleasure is the only thing worth having a theory about,” he answered in his slow melodious voice. “But I am afraid I cannot claim my theory as my own. It belongs to Nature, not to me. Pleasure is Nature’s test, her sign of approval. When we are happy, we are always good, but when we are good, we are not always happy.”

The cynical and manipulative Lord Henry may appear as the typical popular Slytherin student, but when analyzing his character (which I actually had to do for an essay), one will realize that he’s actually a Ravenclaw.

Lord Henry shows a philosophic and scientific interest in humanity’s darker nature, but never acts on it himself. He lacks any ambition nor, as stated, any desire to act out what he says or just any goal with what he does. Instead, he charms himself and his immoral ideas into other people’s heads with witty and philosophical comments, then proceeds to observe them like a scientist observing a lab-rat.

In that way, Lord Henry demonstrates the more villainous traits (although he’s not exactly a villain in the book) of a Ravenclaw who just happens to have gone too far. From the mind of a Ravenclaw, his character is very interesting to analyze…

2. Faith from The Lie Tree by Frances Hardinge

“She had always believed deep down that science would not judge her, even if people did.”

Faith’s deep love for discovery and science makes her a clear candidate for the Ravenclaw house. She’s also feeling a bit of an outsider due to this love that is not considered ‘proper’ for a girl in her time period, but Ravenclaw house is famous for accepting and welcoming the little “odd” ones. Although she later demonstrates traits that could fit her into Slytherin, Faith is still a Ravenclaw at heart.

1. Raptor Red from Raptor Red by Robert T. Bakker

“A pair of fierce but beautiful eyes look out from the undergrowth of conifers. She is an intelligent killer…”

Yes, the first place for a Ravenclaw goes to a raptor. But there’s a reason for that.

For her, the Ravenclaw traits are the very thing that’s vital for her life. She’s an intelligent killer who uses her experiences to survive, but also highly developed problem solving and creativity. The Utahraptor exhibits the Ravenclaw traits at their “core”, why they are important for beings to survive and, most importantly, develop.

 

What are your picks for this week’s theme? Got any editions of your own? Agree or disagree on how I sorted any character? Comment below! ❤

 

 

 

A Song & A Book #42

Today’s Song Is;

Never was a cornflake girl
Thought that was a good solution
/…/
Rabbit, where’d you put the keys, girl?

And The Book I Chose For This Song Is;

“Faith Sunderly leads a double life. To most people, she is reliable, dull, trustworthy – a proper young lady who knows her place as inferior to men. But inside, Faith is full of questions and curiosity, and she cannot resist mysteries: an unattended envelope, an unlocked door. She knows secrets no one suspects her of knowing.”

Book Tag #Ghibli Heroines

After I found this wonderful tag created by Kate and, you know, how can one not do this? I absolutely love Ghibli and its heroines, and the questions for this tag are great! The first Ghibli movie I watched was Laputa, I think. Or it was Spirited Away, but I was so terrified during the pig-scene that we had to turn it off… Glad though that I watched it a few years later :’). And you can’t ask me of my favorite, that’s just cruel.

THE RULES:

• Please pingback, rather than link to her as Kate@Melting Pots and Other Calamities. She will only know if you’ve done this tag if you pingback.
• Tag as many people as you want. Ghibli movies aren’t as popular as Disney or Pixar, so be careful that those you tag are at least somewhat familiar with Ghibli.
• You can use examples from books, movies, TV shows, anime/manga, and webcomics.
• As this tag celebrates heroines, please name either a piece of fiction or a female character, if you’re able.
• Have fun!

Nausicaa, Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind: (Even though this isn’t technically Ghibli, it’s still marketed that way). Nausicaa is a princess in a post-disaster world. She is compassionate and brave, a daring explorer who is capable and selfless.  Name a strong female leader. 

 Aliena of Shiring in Ken Follett’s historical novel The Pillars Of The Earth is no doubt one of (or the) most inspiring character. Already as a young girl she shows signs of a strong woman inside of her. Despite all the horrors and struggles she goes through the years, she always stays/becomes a strong leader.

Sheeta, Castle in the Sky– Although Sheeta may have a quieter demeanor than other Ghibli heroines, she is not a damsel in distress. She’s royalty, but doesn’t stay on the sidelines; she is involved, kind, and despite a sad past, hopeful. Name an inspiring member of royalty. 

Princess Sarene from Elantris by Brandon Sanderson arranges herself a marriage to strengthen her home-country politically. But when she arrives to find said prince ‘dead’, she doesn’t just sit around and wait for someone else to fix both her old and new countries problems.

 

Satsuki and Mei, My Neighbor Totoro- Before Anna and Elsa, before Lilo and Nani, there was Satsuki and Mei. Satsuki  was incredibly young when their mother was hospitalized, and wi their father at work, she has to take care of Mei. And Mei is only four, with a big imagination. Name a pair of siblings (or two friends who act like siblings). 

Raptor Red and her sister from Raptor Red by Robert T. Bakker may be different and not always on agreeable terms, yet they love each other will always choose to stay together.

 

 

Kiki, Kiki’s Delivery Service– Kiki has to go off on her own to live alone, as is the custom among witches. She goes through many things that newly independent young adults face, like money problems, finding a place to stay, job searching, and loneliness, before finding her way thanks to her special abilities. Name a female character who has supernatural gifts.

Door from Neil Gaiman’s Neverwhere has probably one of the most unique and coolest powers I’ve ever read about. She can actually open doors to anywhere. How cool and useful isn’t that?

 

Gina and Fio, Porco Rosso- Gina and Fio are both heroines in this film, and they couldn’t be less alike. Gina is a young woman who is very feminine, a singer and a restaurant owner. However, she is very resourceful and capable. Fio is a teenage mechanic who is independent, goes against the flow, and isn’t afraid to get her hands dirty. She may be one of the best mechanics of her time. Name two inspiring heroines; one who is unabashedly feminine, and another who is more of a tomboy. 

Blushweaver from Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson is proud of being an attractive woman, plus resourceful and clever. Vasilisa from The Bear and The Nightingale by Katherine Arden is in her society’ standard a tomboy.

Angel, On Your Mark- On Your  Mark is a music video that Ghibli helped a music group with. It may not have much of a story, but it’s beautiful and interesting, and not may people are aware of its existence. Name an underrated heroine. 

Oh you know, for a question like this you could just start rambling up plenty of characters. But I decided to go with Faith from The Lie Tree by Frances Hardinge. Seriously, more people need to talk about this book. Not only is the whole concept great, but Faith is such a wonderful character and I loved to see her grow and not to mention when she learns to view the world and people differently. Plus, this book has a wonderful feministic message that I actually did not see coming at first.

Shizuku, Whisper of the Heart– Shizuku is an eighth grade student who can’t quite focus on school as much as on her favorite books. However, through encounters with an ambitious boy who seems to have a likely chance at meeting his goals, a cat who rides trains, an antique shop owner, and a cat statue called The Baron, Shizuku is determined to meet her own goal and become a writer. Name your most relatable character. 

Shallan Davar from The Stormlight Archive – series by Brandon Sanderson is one of my all-time favorite characters. For example, we both share a love for science and are considered ‘silver-tongued’ thanks to our brother(s). And I also just relate to everything she does and says.

 

San, Princess Mononoke- San has been raised by wolves her whole life. When  humans begin to invade her home forest to make towns and use the resources for themselves while killing the spirits and animals within, San refuses to let it be. She takes a stand and becomes the village’s  greatest obstacle. She is such a force to be reckoned with that they even give her a name; The Princess Mononoke. Name a female character who is physically strong.

The person that immediately popped up in my mind was Clarisse La Rue from the Percy Jackson – series by Rick Riordan. She’s a great character who starts off as a bully, but shows more and more depth as the book progresses and grows as a character thanks to the support of people around her (but also learning to support others).

Chihiro, Spirited Away– At the beginning of Spirited Away, Chihiro starts off as a whiny, spoiled ten year old girl. However, during her time working at the spirit’s Bath House, she discovers parts of herself she didn’t know she had. The story is about her finding the strength she already had but was unaware of. Name a character who has an amazing character journey.

Okay how could I not mention Malta Vestrit from The Liveship Traders by Robin Hobb for this one? In the beginning she acts spoiled, whining and immature. But just like Chihiro, she finds herself in a situation that makes her not only grow as a person, but also find the strength in herself.

Haru, The Cat Returns– Haru is a typical high school girl; kind, clumsy, and a little forgetful. But she soon finds herself involved in events that are out of her control. In a way, it is because of her normalcy that she can find her way out of her situation and become stronger because of it. Name a female character who may not have any supernatural abilities herself, but is memorable anyway.

In a world of gods and metal benders, Steris from the Mistborn series by Brandon Sanderson may not have any specific powers herself nor being some kind of kick-ass fighter. But her peculiar personality will make you remember (and love) her. She is just crazy prepared for everything, quote (or as much of it as I remember) “If you asked her to kill a fly, she would burn down the house to make sure the job is done”. No doubt one of my all-time favorite female characters.

Sophie, Howl’s Moving Castle– Sophie doesn’t think much of herself for a lot of the story. She doesn’t think she’s pretty or memorable, especially when compared to her younger sister, Lettie. It gets even worse when she’s cursed to look like an old woman. When she finds a new life that involves the mysterious wizard Howl, a fire demon, Howl’s apprentice, and many others, she is shown to be resilient and intuitive. Name an emotionally strong character.

Irene from The Invisible Library series by Genevieve Cogman always stays professional and focuses on the task ahead (despite the many predicaments she finds herself in). Plus, she may recognize her feelings, like an attraction, but won’t let them get the best of her (and saves the reader from an instalove or unnecessary romance subplot).

Ponyo, Ponyo- Ponyo is  one of the youngest Ghibli heroines at only five years old. But she still  gets a lot done, including becoming human, discovering things, finding a best friend, and saving the world. Name a hero who happens to be a child.

The wonderful children’s classic The Snow Queen by H.C. Andersen (who also wrote the book Ponyo is loosely adapted from) has little Gerda who goes on a journey to find her best friend Kai, who had been taken by the snow queen. She’s the ultimate innocent cinnamon roll of all cinnamon rolls.

Arrietty, The Secret World of Arrietty- Arrietty is a Borrower; she is tiny and survives by stealing small things that humans  won’t miss. Yet she’s curious about the human world, and does braver things than most humans would be incapable of doing, despite her tiny size. Name an unlikely hero.

For this one, I pick a certain woman in Joanne Harris’ Runemarks, who through the first part of the book is kind of just a ‘statist’, background character. That is, until she gets tired of how she is treated and steps up to take something back that belonged to her. Unknowingly, that action lets her stop the villains and save the heroes.

Nahoko, The Wind Rises- Nahoko has tuberculosis during World War 2. However, she doesn’t allow this to cripple her, and enjoys life to the fullest anyway, which includes painting and falling in love. Even being placed in a sanitarium doesn’t break her. Name an inspiring character with some sort of obstacle. 

Samirah Al Abbas from Magnus Chase and The Gods Of Asgard series by Rick Riordan struggles with the prejudices people of all worlds have of her. In the ‘mortal’ world, or Midgard, she faces islamophobia because of her religion, while in the other eight worlds (especially Asgard/Valhalla) she faces prejudices from people because of Loki being her father. Yet, she stays strong and holds on to her dreams. She even shows forgiveness for the people that want her to fair ill.

Kaguya, The Tale of the Princess Kaguya- in a time where women were expected to follow social norms such as blackening teeth, shaving eyebrows, and being forced into arranged marriages, Kaguya refuses to play along. She would much rather be outside, dance, and play with friends. Name a female character who challenges social norms.

Caris from Ken Follett’s World Without End, which takes place in the 14th century, who dreams of being a doctor and fights the patriarchy with her every breath. She’s smart, quick-witted, kind and just a wonderful and strong woman.

 

Well, that’s that :D! Agree, have any opinions on the answers? Don’t forget to comment!

I tag (yes, I will actually start tagging people);

@booksarelife987 @toomuchofabooknerd @bookbastion @velleochor @paceamorelibri @remivfoliage @swordsandspectres and @blamethechocolate ❤

And Anyone else who wants to do it :D! x

 

 

Book Tag #Guardians Of The Galaxy

It was quite a while since I did a book tag, and I found this new one on Booktube created by G-Wizzel Books. Plus, gotta celebrate that my exam went great so reached my grade goal 😀

Questions:

1. Star Lord – An unlikely hero

Captain Kennit from Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb 

Okay, he is far from a hero, but for some, he’s one truly. The selfish pirate who dreams of being king and is ready to dispose of anyone who might stand in his way (including those closest to him), accidentally becomes a liberator/freedom fighter which I find as the most hilarious thing ever.

 

 

2. Gamora – A lethal weapon of a character

Nightblood from Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson

What do you mean this question isn’t literal? Anyway, Nightblood is a talking sword who can possess you and devour your soul. But on the bright side, all he wants to do is destroy evil. On the other hand, because he’s a sword, he doesn’t exactly know what evil is…

 

 

 

3. Drax The Destroyer – An unpredictable character

Loki from Runemarks duology by Joanne Harris

Okay do I really need to explain myself on this one? It’s Loki, and whatever he appears in Marvel’s Cinematic Universe to Neil Gaiman’s American Gods,  or whatever he’s a hero or villain (or more usually, neither) there is but one thing that is always true to his characterization – don’t trust him.

 

 

4. Rocket Raccoon – A character with killer strategies

David Charleston from The Reckoners Trilogy

Whatever it’s a plan that has been developed in ten years to something cooked up in a minute, David always has a plan. Although he’s seen as a person who’s all ideas seem to spring up from the depth of Chaos, David actually always has a plan based on strategy. Even though with the ‘killer’ part it isn’t always certain if it’s about their enemy, or themselves…

 

 

5. Groot – A bad ass character with a big heart

Faith from The Lie Tree by Frances Hardinge

Ohh this was a really tricky one, I had so many on my mind. But in the end I chose Faith from The Lie Tree, because I love her and this book so much and feel like I haven’t raved about this enough. Faith begins the book as a naïve, but certainly not dumb, and sweet girl. But as the book develops, she starts change and to set plans in motion to get what she wants. She no doubt grows to be a true bad ass, but at the same time she still has her big heart, even though it lacks its innocence…

 

6. Mantis – A friendly and powerful side character

X from Magnus Chase and The Sword of Summer

A half-troll that died fighting animal cruelty, friendly is the least you could say of him. And except being very strong of course, he has other attributes for power…

 

 

 

7. Nebula – A character that puts their mission before their family

A Certain HE from Nothern Lights by Philip Pullman

If you’ve read the first book I have no need to explain myself, and you’ll know of whom I’m talking. Currently on the last, and am still not sure if he’s going to be a villain or an anti-hero, but in my eyes, he’ll always be a villain because of what he did by the end of Nothern Lights. 

 

 

 

8. Yondu – The annoying character that you cannot help but love

Vivenna from Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson

Well that was that about not trying to mention the same book twice in a tag. Oh well, at first I kinda liked her, but nothing special. Then she became a bit annoying as she was very conservative and judgemental towards others, without realizing it. But remembering that she was brought up as a princess and future queen, it was only natural. And then came ~Character Development~!

 

Additional Questions for the fans

of the GOTG comics (these are not mandatory if you don’t read the comics): Haven’t read the comics but will do them anyway 😀
9. Adam Warlock – A character that thinks they are a god

Lord Ruler from The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson

Though this one is actually quite a justification. Lord Ruler is THE Big Bad in the book who you just really don’t want to meet, spontaneously or planned. He’s not a fun type, trust me.

 

 

 

10. Angela – A character who is different from the rest of the squad but is a vital member

Adam Scattergood from Good Omens by Neil Gaiman

Adam is the leader of the ten-year-old squad (+ doggy from Hell) who is still quite different from the others in his little gang. First, he is blonde. Second, he’s the Anti-Christ.

 

 

 

 

So that’s that! Feel free to do it as well :D! ❤