Thursday, May 17, 2012

Review of Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore





Synopsis: "Eight years after Graceling, Bitterblue is now queen of Monsea. But the influence of her father, a violent psychopath with mind-altering abilities, lives on. Her advisors, who have run things since Leck died, believe in a forward-thinking plan: Pardon all who committed terrible acts under Leck’s reign, and forget anything bad ever happened. But when Bitterblue begins sneaking outside the castle—disguised and alone—to walk the streets of her own city, she starts realizing that the kingdom has been under the thirty-five-year spell of a madman, and the only way to move forward is to revisit the past.

Two thieves, who only steal what has already been stolen, change her life forever. They hold a key to the truth of Leck’s reign. And one of them, with an extreme skill called a Grace that he hasn’t yet identified, holds a key to her heart."


My Review: Well hmmm, its hard to decide what to say about Bitterblue. It definitely won't be to everyone's liking. You will spend a good portion of the book as confused as Bitterblue, but what else should you expect when visiting a kingdom that was run by a mind altering mad man for years. I think it shows Kristin Cashore's talent for writing when you can feel so much a part of the story. I also think she has a fantastic talent for characters, each is so individual, has their own history and their own story line within the book. You also can't tell who is the "good" and who is the "bad" people. She also does a great job of making sure to bring all three books together in this final book of the trilogy. Bitterblue is a character that I have grown to love, she has such strength and determination, she could easily sit back and let things happen in her kingdom but she decides to take a more difficult and active role as queen. But of all the new characters in this book I have to say that I fell in love with Death, maybe its the book lover in me or maybe its the cat lover or maybe something different all together but I adore Death! All in all I thought it was a great story, difficult to take and confusing to muddle through but worth it in every way.


My Rating: As I said above, this book is not for everyone, its not a simple, easy, happy or romantic book that many YA readers enjoy.  As a HUGE Kristin Cashore fan I anxiously awaited this book for a few years and was not disappointed.  It was written more in the style of Fire, which is my favorite of the trilogy so I clicked with the book just fine.  I give it rating of Four Paws.

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Wednesday Writing

So Wednesday is my official writing update day. I have so many story projects going on and I need a push to get some done. So I will be trying to post each Wednesday about how my writing adventures are going (and I may need a swift kick in the pants by you guys sometimes).




Current Active Project:

Princess Bs - 32,131 words
A story about a woman, recently divorced and returned to her home town to figure out what is next. She encounters an old friend and spends a weekend with him and his daughters. Feelings that are long since buried are rising up again, but are her recent loss and his current life going to stand in the way of their happily ever after?



Other Works in Progress:

The New Old Home - 17,193 words
Everyone dreams of winning the lottery, but what would you do with that money? That is the question presented to Natalie, when she is at the lowest point in her life, she is presented with an opportunity to make any normal person's dreams come true, but all those winnings can't give her what she wants most.

Tamlyn Marie's Grace - 12,072 words
Think Cinderella only with a matchmaker ;)


The Last Mountains - 15,352
A equine shapeshifting family is being hunted to near extinction and the young new leader must go against all her lessons and approach the elite council for aide. Will they help her? How will she keep her family's traditions and values alive, let alone her herd?


Night Rider - 17,229
Alice is a recent high school graduate who is a very accomplished competitive rider in Hunter/Jumper, Dressage, and Western/Rodeo. Her parents had arranged for her to attend a private college on the east coast geared specifically to equine professions. However, Alice wants to focus on her studies in English Literature. When she arrives at the college she hides her riding abilities, but can she keep her talent and love of horses hidden?



Other Ideas Plotting:
Bloodsoar's Story
A pegasus struggles through life, ejected from the herd, near capture by humans.

The Assassin's Assassin
A student learns what the school is really teaching and sets out to destroy those who support the program.
Angel Story
Angels battle out an age old feud in a parallel world

 
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So it's been a few weeks since I posted a Wednesday Writing due the the fact that I am training my replacement (well cover) in the office and have limited time on the computer.  But the good news is that I will be able to work on some of my hand written stories while she is learning (I just have to remember to grab them in the morning HAHAHA I am sooo not a morning person).  Oh which reminds me I need to jot down that really weird dream I had last night, could make for a really different story!
 
 
Hope you all have a great Wednesday full of inspiration!

Monday, May 14, 2012

Monday Reading List & Meet Me On Monday










Its Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Shelia at Book Journey. Share what books you have finished in the last week, are currently reading and what might be coming up next!






What I Read Last Week:
Links will take you to my review



Currently Reading:

Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore - Nook - on page 119 of 437
Frost Kisses by Kailin Gow - pb - on page 45 of 284
On Falcon's Wings by Lisa Yarde - Nook - on page 242 of 749


Next Books to be Read:


Catundra by Stephen Cosgrove - Childrens/Bedtime stories
Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden - May Book Club
Liberty: A Lake Wobegon Novel by Garrison Keller- Mount TBR Challenge
Under Camelot's Banner by Sarah Zettel - Arthurian Legend Challenge




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Meet Me on Monday


So I found this fun little meme I thought would be great to add so people get to know me a little better (and discover my strange little quirks). Meet Me On Monday is hosted by Acting Balanced where 5 questions are posted each week for us to answer about ourselves and share with all of our readers.

Acting Balanced
 
And now for this weeks Questions:
1. Finish this sentence - The best thing about this past weekend was...
                                            Having the hubby back home after a few days away.
2. When company drops by unexpectedly what do you serve?  
 
 
                                            Gosh is company ever expected? It seems like our door is always swinging open unexpectedly. Usually we let guests serve themselves, but if they are staying for dinner we can run to the market (only a block away) or pull something out of the freezer, or sometimes I can convince hubby to make a delicious pasta dish.
3. How old were you when you got your first cell phone?
                                            Umm 20ish maybe? I grew up in an area where cell phones don't work and didn't get one until Hubby gave me one for christmas.
4. Where do you blog?
                                          Here, obviously LOL!

 
And Number 5 is for you to answer -  If you have inside plans for a weekend but it ends up being beautiful outside do you change your plans?



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Wow another weekend that absolutely flew by, gosh we really need to add a day to them don't we?!  It was so busy but I have nothing to show for it other than my first sunburn of the season haha! Since Hubby came home we had a lot to do this weekend, including restocking our fridge and freezer, taking Niko for a walk and of course stopping to get some Del's (a special summer treat here in RI).  We also drove up to MA for an adoption event for Niko's rescue. It was great to be able to meet the local foster mom and support the rescue.


Hope you all had a great weekend and have a fun week!