tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5967290150160365182024-03-14T00:35:52.223-04:00Chasm of BooksAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194622037669027644noreply@blogger.comBlogger748125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-596729015016036518.post-10489954913595390632015-12-09T00:00:00.000-05:002015-12-09T00:00:05.053-05:003 Reasons to Read Blackhearts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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You saw my <a href="http://chasmofbooks.blogspot.com/2015/11/blackhearts-delicious-novel.html" target="_blank">review for <i>Blackhearts</i></a> a few months ago. There was a twitter giveaway in November and you guys basically flipped when you saw it (my inbox was filled with hundreds of emails because of it). We're closing in on <i>Blackhearts</i>'s release. It's just two months until it hits the shelves (February 9th, 2016) and I couldn't be more excited for y'all to read it. After stumbling upon it last year, I kept an eye on it until <b>finally</b><i style="font-weight: bold;"> </i>I met Miss Castroman is person. She's extremely kind and it's been a pleasure to meet and speak with her.<br />
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So what is <i>Blackhearts</i>? When speaking with Miss Castroman, one of the first things she'll probably say (when describing the novel) is that it's Blackbeard pre-pirate. So what can you expect from pre-pirate Blackbeard?<br />
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Let me tell you one thing: <i>Blackhearts </i>isn't anything you'll expect. And that's okay. As a book blogger though, I'm here to help you guys determine whether or not a book is for you. I've been wanting to draw more attention to <i>Blackhearts</i> and (after watching some youtube videos) decided that I could help accomplish both tasks by compiling a list.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">1. You enjoy a novel inspired by other tales.</span></b><br />
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This is probably a given but let's just take a moment to talk about this because this is probably the crux of <i>Blackhearts</i>. I don't know much about Blackbeard except that he's supposed to be a pretty fierce pirate. That's about it. But I'm pretty sure that this novel is 100% opposite of every tale you've ever herd of Blackbeard. Perhaps I'm wrong, but I think this is going to catch any Blackbeard-lovers out there off guard. Some will love it. Some... not so much. That's how these things roll.<br />
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Personally, I loved it because <i>Blackhearts</i> leaves a lot of room left for character development. Hopefully we get to see the rest of Teach and Anne's story. (Please, Simon & Schuster, we need this.) <i>Blackhearts</i> isn't really about a pirate, but not every pirate started life as a pirate. What better way to attribute his fall from society than to a tragic love story? We've seen it in enough stories that have lasted the test of time.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">2. Nicole Castroman's writing is delicious.</span></b><br />
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I'll admit that I was actually somewhat hesitant to describe <i>Blackhearts</i> this way when the thought first occurred to me. I foolishly worried about the people who would disagree, but you know what? Who freaking cares? <i>Blackhearts</i> is the first book I've ever read that was completely wonderful to just read not necessarily because I couldn't stop (although that's also true) but because I truly enjoyed every word. To this day, I'm not certain what it is about Castroman's novel that made me react this way, but about half way through I didn't want the book to end. I was enjoying just <b>reading the words</b> too much to care what else was going to happen.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">3. Teach and Anne are as lovable as Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett.</span></b><br />
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Again, I hesitated to utter this opinion aloud, especially to the blogging community, but then I figured, who freaking cares? Why do we love Darcy and Elizabeth? Who knows? The reasons are endless. The love story is timeless. Well, if you enjoyed watching those two fall hopelessly in love, then I feel that it is no spoiler in saying that watching Teach and Anne will be just as enjoyable and amusing. And this isn't a spoiler because the official synopsis freaking says this:<br />
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From the moment Teach and Anne meet, they set the world ablaze. Drawn to each other, they’re trapped by society and their own circumstances. Faced with an impossible choice, they must decide to chase their dreams and go, or follow their hearts and stay.</blockquote>
If you can't draw that conclusion from those sentences, then you haven't read enough YA novels. I honestly can't think of any love stories currently floating about the YA market that are quite like Teach and Anne's.<br />
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Now, I can hear someone about to complain, saying that every YA book has to have a love story, and why do the male and female leads always have to fall in love, and blah blah blah. While I feel that claim is somewhat legitimate, I also feel that it also isn't. There are definitely some novels that could benefit from a little less of it, and sometimes the love story is just there for the sake of having one. I don't usually have a problem with that, but I know others do.<br />
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Lets take a step back now though and think about history and some of the greatest tales of our time. Love is a powerful emotion and can be found at the heart of many stories. Used correctly, a love story is the basis of a fantastic novel in any genre for any age group. Whether or not the actions are right or wrong, people have done and still do crazy things in the name of love. When this type of love story is the basis of your novel, executed correctly, it is the best motive you can give your characters. Teach and Anne fall into this latter category and I applaud Miss Castroman for it.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194622037669027644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-596729015016036518.post-22515504802093177882015-11-26T14:34:00.001-05:002015-11-26T14:34:31.504-05:00Happy Thanksgiving - I'm Going Self-Hosted!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Things have been mighty quiet on the blog front for the past month. In the past year, Chasm of Books has undergone quite a few changes but this is one of the biggest. After nearly three years of blogging on Blogger, I've finally made the decision to move to self-hosted WordPress using <a href="https://www.nosegraze.com/services/hosting/" target="_blank">NoseGraze's hosting and maintenance</a> services! <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Why Move?</span><br />
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I've been contemplating moving to WordPress off and on for probably about a year so far. I've been lucky enough to have some awesome designs while I've blogged on blogger, but blogger isn't as easy to customize as I would like with my level of knowledge and I really feel like Wordpress has the power and capabilities I'm looking for and will help take Chasm of Books to the next level.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">When Do You Get to See It?</span><br />
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While everything won't be fixed, I'm going to get quite a few articles fixed up over the weekend. If everything goes according to plan, you'll all see the new site some time next week.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Is there Anything You Need to Know?</span><br />
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Definitely. Until I get all of the reviews set up, the review tab will be a bit empty. Getting the reviews all set up is one of my first priorities but it will take some time before everything will show up in there. Have no worries though, you should be able to find anything I've reviewed in the past by using the search bar.<br />
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Until I go through every blog post on the blog (over 700 of them!), some of the formatting will be off and a few pictures may not be showing up. If you see any of this, let me know and I'll resolve it as soon as possible. <br />
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Chasm of Books will also have a homepage! This is definitely one of the new features that I'm most excited about. As I get settled into using Wordpress, you may see some changes but I'm hoping to get anything that will drastically change the site resolved over the weekend.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Giveaway</span><br />
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Over the last month there's been a <i>Blackhearts</i> giveaway on Twitter! Yesterday was the last day to enter and the winner was chosen earlier today. There'll be a few more giveaways for Castroman's debut novel, some on Twitter some on the blog. The next one will be international so keep your eyes peeled!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194622037669027644noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-596729015016036518.post-48432033798493963002015-11-02T10:00:00.000-05:002015-11-13T12:04:01.380-05:00Blackhearts: A Delicious Novel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<center>
<b>I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review. No compensation was given, offered, or taken to alter the opinion forth with.</b></center>
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It has been far too long since last I've posted here but, to be honest, I've been a bit busy with school, work, and life in general. This also happens to include some reading as well. Those reviews will appear at some point, but for now we're going to talk about <i>Blackhearts</i> by Nicole Castroman.<br />
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Two months ago, I was able to get my hands on a copy of the 2016 release and shortly thereafter, devoured the novel. I don't typically say things like this, actually, I've never said this about any novel: <i>Blackhearts </i>was delicious to read. There is no other way to say it. Castroman effortlessly engaged me in the world of <i>Blackhearts</i> and had me completely sucked into Anne and Teach's stories.<br />
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The closer I came to finishing <i>Blackhearts</i>, the more I wished it would never end. I was enjoying the writing, the setting, and the characters far too much for any type of resolution the author had in store for me. Of course, like all excellent novels, <i>Blackhearts</i> does have quite the ending. In fact, it shocked me. Nicole left me completely speechless, so of course I had to tell anyone who was awake at the time about the great injustice that had just been wrought upon my soul.<br />
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Quite frankly, Anne and Teach remind me of Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy in many ways. While their relationship is distinctively different, I can't help but draw a comparison between Castroman and Austen's literary characters. I am in no way implying one is like the other, but <i>Blackhearts</i> did pleasantly remind me of Austen's novel and that couldn't be a higher compliment coming from me. (You should know that <i>Pride & Prejudice</i> was the first novel that I ever finished and wanted to reread immediately.)<br />
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Castroman is definitely an author to watch in the coming years and I am hoping to see much more from her. Lets cross our fingers that she signs on for another novel. I need a sequel.<br />
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In celebration of this absolutely delicious book, I'm excited to host a giveaway for it! You can enter to win your very own signed ARC and <i>Blackhearts </i>bookmark months before the novel's release. Just <a href="https://twitter.com/Chasm_of_Books/status/661196135877378048" target="_blank">head on over to twitter and enter to win</a>!<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194622037669027644noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-596729015016036518.post-6001701245330410342015-10-15T00:00:00.000-04:002015-10-15T00:00:00.050-04:00Cover Reveal: Grudging<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.rockstarbooktours.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYxdWM21kXVCAzB7knHf1ikpnOHeSP6I_9_ct8ctHHt1jT2LvRbO-0Cs5JggbzZ8N21dD-G_CeiPy1hknSP_WjMqwolyCBJeruh08CGI-stf37Ute1vbPpl-uqaXymHFouK1NXsntmZCs/s400/cover_reveal_rockstar.png" width="336" /></a></div>
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It's cover reveal time on the blog. I don't know much about this novel, but the synopsis caught my eye. Let me know what you guys think of the synopsis and the cover in the comments and don't forget to enter the international giveaway for one of three ebooks of <i>Grudging</i> by Michelle Hauck.<br />
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Now, let's get to the cover reveal...<br />
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Publication Date: November 17, 2015
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Published by: Harper Voyager Impulse
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Buy It: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B010LU8ZQO/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B010LU8ZQO&linkCode=as2&tag=twchonbo-20&linkId=VWTUDVZD5M22762O" target="_blank">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/grudging-michelle-hauck/1122494167?ean=9780062447159" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a> | <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/grudging/id1013980749?mt=11&ign-mpt=uo%3D4" target="_blank">iBooks</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25815723-grudging?ac=1" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
A world of chivalry and witchcraft…and the invaders who would destroy everything.<br />
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The North has invaded, bringing a cruel religion and no mercy. The ciudades-estados who have stood in their way have been razed to nothing, and now the horde is before the gates of Colina Hermosa…demanding blood.<br />
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On a mission of desperation, a small group escapes the besieged city in search of the one thing that might stem the tide of Northerners: the witches of the southern swamps.<br />
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The Women of the Song.<br />
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But when tragedy strikes their negotiations, all that is left is a single untried knight and a witch who has never given voice to her power. And time is running out.<br />
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A lyrical tale of honor and magic, Grudging is the opening salvo in the Book of Saints trilogy.
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<span style="font-size: large;">About the Author</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrqCqP6zMRH2WQBha6z5SSkITUqlvNERMUB7VAOyDDERmj-ROYPmzwqSTQ22NyJzx0iSzhpNw8pPX8NHrhB7wMZ6laR-3RA725iJlf4GsEGCLTiweXMVWTjpWdXme8diCp6Mja9IV-sfY/s1600/michelle_h.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrqCqP6zMRH2WQBha6z5SSkITUqlvNERMUB7VAOyDDERmj-ROYPmzwqSTQ22NyJzx0iSzhpNw8pPX8NHrhB7wMZ6laR-3RA725iJlf4GsEGCLTiweXMVWTjpWdXme8diCp6Mja9IV-sfY/s320/michelle_h.png" width="299" /></a></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Michelle Hauck lives in the bustling metropolis of northern Indiana with her hubby and two teenagers. Two papillons help balance out the teenage drama. Besides working with special needs children by day, she writes all sorts of fantasy, giving her imagination free range. A book worm, she passes up the darker vices in favor of chocolate and looks for any excuse to reward herself. Bio finished? Time for a sweet snack.<br />
She is a co-host of the yearly contests Query Kombat and Nightmare on Query Street, and Sun versus Snow.<br />
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Her epic fantasy, Kindar's Cure, is published by Divertir Publishing. Her short story, Frost and Fog, is published by The Elephant's Bookshelf Press in their anthology, Summer's Double Edge. She's repped by Sarah Negovetich of Corvisiero Literary.
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<a href="http://www.michelle4laughs.com/" target="_blank">Website</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/Michelle4Laughs" target="_blank">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Michelle4Laughs" target="_blank">Facebook page</a> | <a href="http://michelle4laughs.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">Tumblr</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6692215.Michelle_Hauck" target="_blank">Goodreads</a><br />
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Please be aware that Chasm of Books is not responsible for distributing the prize and is not privy to any information you enter into the rafflecopter form, nor is it liable for the use of any information provided therein.
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<script src="//widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194622037669027644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-596729015016036518.post-22499021915789197862015-10-08T00:00:00.000-04:002015-10-08T00:00:00.768-04:003 Autumn Activities Only Booknerds Understand<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's a special time of year for booknerds and book lovers of all shapes and sizes. It's autumn and nothing enlivens the book community more than this: my favorite season of the year. (This is, of course, excluding drama of any kind.)<br />
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Cool days and colder nights, bookish marathons of epic proportions, these are the life-giving events of autumn. The cold season even allows us to pull out our <a href="http://storiarts.com/collections/scarves/products/dracula-book-scarf" target="_blank">Dracula</a> and <a href="http://www.wbshop.com/category/wbshop_brands/harry+potter/scarves+hpcaascarves.do?nType=2" target="_blank">Harry Potter</a> scarves. This is the time of year we all sit down and make our very Halloween-specific to-do lists. We get into the decorating just like any other person, but we celebrate with books and book-related movies. This isn't to say we don't celebrate with non-bookish things, but we get to take full advantage of a whole other aspect of the waking world that too many others miss out on.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">1. We express our love for <i>Harry Potter</i>.</span><br />
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No one can tell me they don't at least get the urge to pop <i>Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone</i> in just so they can see this scene. You know, the part where the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher comes screaming into the great hall in the middle of the Hogwarts feast? (He instilled a lot of confidence in his defense abilities.)<br />
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Every year I contemplate rereading a <i>Harry Potter</i> novel or two and find myself listening (or purchasing) a soundtrack. I now have every soundtrack except for the second one (<i>The Chamber of Secrets</i>). With Halloween suddenly upon us, witches and wizards and other traditional Halloween monsters are brought to the media forefront, what better way to spend your free time than to spend time at Hogwarts? It's good for the soul.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">2. We get the urge to read a classic.</span><br />
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Just about every year since I've read the darn novel, I've contemplated rereading <i>Dracula</i> by Bram Stoker. I have yet to read anything else like it and am rather fond of Stoker's book. While it may not be particularly frightening, this is a monster classic that can't be ignored. Even if you haven't read the novel yet, I'm sure you've thought about it - contemplated the action.<br />
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Sometimes we just don't get to every book on our list though, which leads us to other avenues in order to fulfill this desire. Every year since I saw the movie for the first time, I have made it a tradition to watch <i>Dracula</i> with Bela Lugosi on the very night of Halloween. Since their release, I have also added <i>I Am Frankenstein</i> and <i>Dracula Untold</i> to my list of October movies as further tribute to the classics that inspired it all.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">3. We concoct specialized reading lists.</span><br />
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We've all made them. Some years we get ambitious, sometimes we don't; but every booknerd out there has journeyed into the hazardous land of Halloween-book lists at some point. Of course, these all look different for each of us as our criteria for holiday novels can be as unique as the DNA strands in our bodies... Too much? You get the point though.<br />
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I'm hoping to get through a few Halloween-specific novels this month, one of which has been on my list since it's release in 2013.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdc-Vir0HnENJEmNE2CAaNuOvriFFypgbJArQ7jw6tGm2ToSKOfojYR8xE3aXDFxDLlLF577ih5H15nC8hTSsZKD00u70eOfUAY-mf_sTwJyvyJlkOfRNNkOuzVL7oZrc7JgP2fu7vzvs/s1600/Black+Spring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdc-Vir0HnENJEmNE2CAaNuOvriFFypgbJArQ7jw6tGm2ToSKOfojYR8xE3aXDFxDLlLF577ih5H15nC8hTSsZKD00u70eOfUAY-mf_sTwJyvyJlkOfRNNkOuzVL7oZrc7JgP2fu7vzvs/s320/Black+Spring.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">How will you be celebrating Halloween and enjoying the autumn months this year?</span></div>
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<a class="blsdk-follow" data-blsdk-type="button" href="https://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/chasm-books-5724049" target="_blank">Follow</a><script>(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = "https://widget.bloglovin.com/assets/widget/loader.js";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, "script", "bloglovin-sdk"))</script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194622037669027644noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-596729015016036518.post-79947283179763685092015-10-07T00:00:00.000-04:002015-10-07T00:00:04.895-04:00October 6th: The Day Books Stole My MoneyWhen I awakened this morning, I only planned on purchasing two novels. As the morning progressed though, I began to realize that basically every novel I've been waiting for this year was released today. Am I exaggerating? Yes. What began with two books soon expanded to encompass five. I've purchased three of these novels. Today was a busy day in the book world so let's take a moment to breathe and look at these sparkling books as well as a couple of other novels that took me by surprise.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAPoNwmvfR_I1HZ2gNfupwWMOFCQDN0ifCoteHg_MblMempsjACrYpasnJbuXyx1YDRzkn1XisI0dAKz_GPJrdTpczzDvttUZl_c1THMQkSsqzZwaGrgqOLkHc8wsTsFABUsA3Nvx6O0s/s1600/A+Thousand+Nights.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAPoNwmvfR_I1HZ2gNfupwWMOFCQDN0ifCoteHg_MblMempsjACrYpasnJbuXyx1YDRzkn1XisI0dAKz_GPJrdTpczzDvttUZl_c1THMQkSsqzZwaGrgqOLkHc8wsTsFABUsA3Nvx6O0s/s320/A+Thousand+Nights.jpg" width="211" /></a><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span id="freeText8199774044234415017">Lo-Melkhiin killed three
hundred girls before he came to her village, looking for a wife. When
she sees the dust cloud on the horizon, she knows he has arrived. She
knows he will want the loveliest girl: her sister. She vows she will not
let her be next.<br /><br />And so she is taken in her sister's place, and
she believes death will soon follow. Lo-Melkhiin's court is a dangerous
palace filled with pretty things: intricate statues with wretched eyes,
exquisite threads to weave the most beautiful garments. She sees
everything as if for the last time.But the first sun rises and sets, and
she is not dead. Night after night, Lo-Melkhiin comes to her and
listens to the stories she tells, and day after day she is awoken by the
sunrise. Exploring the palace, she begins to unlock years of fear that
have tormented and silenced a kingdom. Lo-Melkhiin was not always a
cruel ruler. Something went wrong.<br /><br />Far away, in their village,
her sister is mourning. Through her pain, she calls upon the desert
winds, conjuring a subtle unseen magic, and something besides death
stirs the air.<br /><br />Back at the palace, the words she speaks to
Lo-Melkhiin every night are given a strange life of their own. Little
things, at first: a dress from home, a vision of her sister. With each
tale she spins, her power grows. Soon she dreams of bigger, more
terrible magic: power enough to save a king, if she can put an end to
the rule of a monster.</span></i></blockquote>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYqIrFu_sH0_TeXdYy1mqRvfXSnZ511Lo4KfbtEiITX4n9xOwEXTqRAYaDXuHjZoWKEBe8pGixK7CT5l3E-B7BPV00AKmeBtzywMohWjFk4JMVSb4rwsx8SrM1B-WNZx9Wr2sOzF1nERc/s1600/The+Tournament+of+Gorlan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYqIrFu_sH0_TeXdYy1mqRvfXSnZ511Lo4KfbtEiITX4n9xOwEXTqRAYaDXuHjZoWKEBe8pGixK7CT5l3E-B7BPV00AKmeBtzywMohWjFk4JMVSb4rwsx8SrM1B-WNZx9Wr2sOzF1nERc/s320/The+Tournament+of+Gorlan.jpg" width="212" /></a><br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span id="freeText15120299910533900247">When Halt and Crowley
discover that the ambitious Morgarath has been infiltrating the Rangers
in order to corrupt the Corps, the young Rangers travel north to find
Prince Duncan, seeking a royal warrant to stop Morgarath before it is
too late. By weakening the Rangers, the most powerful force in support
of the King, Morgarath plans to steal the throne. <br /><br />Yet when Halt
and Crowley arrive in Gorlan, they discover just how close Morgarath’s
scheme is to success. Morgarath has a plan to discredit the Prince and
alienate him from his father. At the same time, the Baron of Gorlan has
been conspiring to win the trust and admiration of the Council of Barons
to further his plan. If the young Rangers are to prevent the coup from
succeeding, they will have to tread a dangerous path, which leads them
to a thrilling climax at the annual tournament at Gorlan, where a series
of bitter duels must be fought and won.<br /><br />This origin story brings
readers to a time before Will was an apprentice, and lays the
groundwork for the epic battles that will culminate with <i>The Ruins of Gorlan </i>and <i>The Burning Bridge</i>—Books 1 and 2 of the Ranger’s Apprentice series.</span></i></blockquote>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqaDw88yEa3-AdKLRyOvbikD0BHlAk6Ra7Yz6M4g_MHJkE0vmdtDG9vTu9i7K7dl7B2pQJ0akCTJevcg9LWtKLlxWj4Z3vN7rrBWWcsRndA0OkFMVlP-fDsGUGVt-IAsnWpYWRmtFn64I/s1600/A+Madness+so+Discreet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqaDw88yEa3-AdKLRyOvbikD0BHlAk6Ra7Yz6M4g_MHJkE0vmdtDG9vTu9i7K7dl7B2pQJ0akCTJevcg9LWtKLlxWj4Z3vN7rrBWWcsRndA0OkFMVlP-fDsGUGVt-IAsnWpYWRmtFn64I/s320/A+Madness+so+Discreet.jpg" width="211" /></a><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span id="freeText598833406420019555">Grace Mae knows madness.<br /><br />She
keeps it locked away, along with her voice, trapped deep inside a
brilliant mind that cannot forget horrific family secrets. Those
secrets, along with the bulge in her belly, land her in a Boston insane
asylum.<br /><br />When her voice returns in a burst of violence, Grace is
banished to the dark cellars, where her mind is discovered by a visiting
doctor who dabbles in the new study of criminal psychology. With her
keen eyes and sharp memory, Grace will make the perfect assistant at
crime scenes. Escaping from Boston to the safety of an ethical Ohio
asylum, Grace finds friendship and hope, hints of a life she should have
had. But gruesome nights bring Grace and the doctor into the circle of a
killer who stalks young women. Grace, continuing to operate under the
cloak of madness, must hunt a murderer while she confronts the demons in
her own past.<br /><br />In this beautifully twisted historical thriller, Mindy McGinnis, acclaimed author of <i>Not a Drop to Drink</i> and <i>In a Handful of Dust</i>, explores the fine line between sanity and insanity, good and evil—and the madness that exists in all of us.</span></i></blockquote>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBeqAsby12nHYdzXoyny-xQqx_317uQ0iAl7GfH20zIGD24JII0NO1quc9gpo4AjxTgygskevh9_rW86IOiZ3Twh8noQAPnK3yE548LcMBOSvwVHfD-kDbxtnrqoxxfsLFCPodmffUFvc/s1600/Spinning+Starlight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBeqAsby12nHYdzXoyny-xQqx_317uQ0iAl7GfH20zIGD24JII0NO1quc9gpo4AjxTgygskevh9_rW86IOiZ3Twh8noQAPnK3yE548LcMBOSvwVHfD-kDbxtnrqoxxfsLFCPodmffUFvc/s320/Spinning+Starlight.jpg" width="211" /></a><br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span id="freeText16597398431092887379">Sixteen-year-old
heiress and paparazzi darling Liddi Jantzen hates the spotlight. But as
the only daughter in the most powerful tech family in the galaxy, it's
hard to escape it. So when a group of men show up at her house
uninvited, she assumes it's just the usual media-grubs. That is, until
shots are fired.<br /><br />Liddi escapes, only to be pulled into an
interplanetary conspiracy more complex than she ever could have
imagined. Her older brothers have been caught as well, trapped in the
conduits between the planets. And when their captor implants a device in
Liddi's vocal cords to monitor her speech, their lives are in her
hands: One word and her brothers are dead.<br /><br />Desperate to save her
family from a desolate future, Liddi travels to another world, where she
meets the one person who might have the skills to help her bring her
eight brothers home-a handsome dignitary named Tiav. But without her
voice, Liddi must use every bit of her strength and wit to convince Tiav
that her mission is true. With the tenuous balance of the planets
deeply intertwined with her brothers' survival, just how much is Liddi
willing to sacrifice to bring them back?<br /><br />Haunting and mesmerizing, this retelling of Hans Christian Andersen's <i>The Wild Swans</i>
strings the heart of the classic with a stunning, imaginative world as a
star-crossed family fights for survival in this companion to <i>Stitching Snow</i>.</span></i></blockquote>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxgzOYhl7KmjGFCkixnAHvZ7dB2sQkuShmNOgkaZQyM4HVSNOFaBi4NTqycSjsLJaGvmf_a0ecXkgcW5deOEXWo-7W1TndInDYQIM2Z_lYoPCWLHs5HPuNV97ov0o90MYW9bI6WbmyVTA/s1600/The+Sword+of+Summer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxgzOYhl7KmjGFCkixnAHvZ7dB2sQkuShmNOgkaZQyM4HVSNOFaBi4NTqycSjsLJaGvmf_a0ecXkgcW5deOEXWo-7W1TndInDYQIM2Z_lYoPCWLHs5HPuNV97ov0o90MYW9bI6WbmyVTA/s320/The+Sword+of+Summer.jpg" width="210" /></a><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span id="freeText10622296931619064880"><i>Magnus Chase has always
been a troubled kid. Since his mother’s mysterious death, he’s lived
alone on the streets of Boston, surviving by his wits, keeping one step
ahead of the police and the truant officers.<br /><br />One day, he’s
tracked down by a man he’s never met—a man his mother claimed was
dangerous. The man tells him an impossible secret: Magnus is the son of a
Norse god.<br /><br />The Viking myths are true. The gods of Asgard are
preparing for war. Trolls, giants and worse monsters are stirring for
doomsday. To prevent Ragnarok, Magnus must search the Nine Worlds for a
weapon that has been lost for thousands of years.<br /><br />When an attack
by fire giants forces him to choose between his own safety and the lives
of hundreds of innocents, Magnus makes a fatal decision.</i><br /><br /><i>Sometimes, the only way to start a new life is to die . . .</i></span></blockquote>
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The internet didn't just explode with the novels above; everyone had something to say about the reveal of Stephenie Meyer's novel, <i>Life and Death</i>, which is a gender-swapped version of <i>Twilight</i>. Some will hate it on sight. Others, like myself, will eventually read it out of pure curiosity. I shamelessly admit it. Sometimes the beast cannot be caged.<br />
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With the release of <i>Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone</i> illustrated, I had to check it out at my local B&N so I could examine it. It's taller than I expected (to my disappointment), but the illustrations are beautiful. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyJ27DzL3ds5ZQ21QFU4XIJqh8vaP_NQYc9GxKZY0cJ5VpZjG3MbU78N6_LDdHQm_rheqDOb2JIaDqM9v6Vd16YIyJfprIKXF-mseM3ON62_MwutLvKAtHkrvAO4eZ5SBeVL44fLU8PtI/s1600/Life+and+Death.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyJ27DzL3ds5ZQ21QFU4XIJqh8vaP_NQYc9GxKZY0cJ5VpZjG3MbU78N6_LDdHQm_rheqDOb2JIaDqM9v6Vd16YIyJfprIKXF-mseM3ON62_MwutLvKAtHkrvAO4eZ5SBeVL44fLU8PtI/s320/Life+and+Death.png" width="214" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrqvScKzBRh1EzFI1_dFHP-KdLEId9IkYqBSEzOUHTzjI9TtwCPHRMeUa3u6escd9yKbqEAGprqZFs9w8Jh6ecT2Vdc5pPOF306ZLgOinUJMnwDFUcsBCLeRDIU8jovYUqqT1Vzgkcyo0/s1600/Hp+Illustrated.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrqvScKzBRh1EzFI1_dFHP-KdLEId9IkYqBSEzOUHTzjI9TtwCPHRMeUa3u6escd9yKbqEAGprqZFs9w8Jh6ecT2Vdc5pPOF306ZLgOinUJMnwDFUcsBCLeRDIU8jovYUqqT1Vzgkcyo0/s320/Hp+Illustrated.jpg" width="268" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Are you looking forward to any of these books?</span></div>
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<a class="blsdk-follow" data-blsdk-type="button" href="https://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/chasm-books-5724049" target="_blank">Follow</a><script>(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = "https://widget.bloglovin.com/assets/widget/loader.js";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, "script", "bloglovin-sdk"))</script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194622037669027644noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-596729015016036518.post-6235227311193793312015-10-05T00:00:00.001-04:002015-10-05T00:00:00.380-04:00Review: Dark Disciple | The Jedi Council's Corruption<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjllRmEYnOsPcwIyynCs2pFQV4YIHFN2quma5SwXy1vZ9ZZlr6Sr7cF__z7_vz1RY9g3yXZUiJPFSvgjMnX9qoL3FhdNuJDgyEYHEyiANILxSMov0nph22dvti93Q6sFjcDLsQ_V-wmqL0/s1600/Dark+Disciple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjllRmEYnOsPcwIyynCs2pFQV4YIHFN2quma5SwXy1vZ9ZZlr6Sr7cF__z7_vz1RY9g3yXZUiJPFSvgjMnX9qoL3FhdNuJDgyEYHEyiANILxSMov0nph22dvti93Q6sFjcDLsQ_V-wmqL0/s320/Dark+Disciple.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>Dark Disciple</b></span> by<b><span style="color: #a64d79;"> Christie Golden</span></b><br />
Narrated by <span style="color: #a64d79;">Marc Thompson</span><span style="color: #a64d79;"></span><span style="color: #a64d79;"> </span><br />
Published by <span style="color: #a64d79;">Random House Audio</span><br />
Format Reviewed: <span style="color: #a64d79;">Audiobook </span><br />
Publication Date:<span style="color: #a64d79;"> </span><span style="color: #a64d79;">July 7th</span><span style="color: #a64d79;">, 2015</span><br />
Genre: <span style="color: #a64d79;">Science Fiction</span><br />
Time:<b> </b><span style="color: #a64d79;">11 hrs, 11 min</span><br />
Reviewed by: <b><span style="color: #a64d79;">Stephanie</span></b><br />
My Rating: <span style="color: #a64d79;">5 of 5 stars</span><br />
<a href="http://www.audible.com/pd/Sci-Fi-Fantasy/Dark-Disciple-Star-Wars-Audiobook/B00ZAURNZA/ref=a_search_c4_1_1_srTtl?qid=1443973258&sr=1-1" target="_blank"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: inherit;"><b>Buy It</b></span></a>
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<blockquote>
<b><i>Based on unproduced episodes of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, this new novel features Asajj Ventress, former Sith apprentice turned bounty hunter and one of the great antiheroines in Star Wars history.
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<i>The only way to bring down the Sith’s most dangerous warrior may be to join forces with the dark side.
</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>In the war for control of the galaxy between the armies of the dark side and the Republic, former Jedi Master turned ruthless Sith Lord Count Dooku has grown ever more brutal in his tactics. Despite the powers of the Jedi and the military prowess of their clone army, the sheer number of fatalities is taking a terrible toll. And when Dooku orders the massacre of a flotilla of helpless refugees, the Jedi Council feels it has no choice but to take drastic action: targeting the man responsible for so many war atrocities, Count Dooku himself.
</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>But the ever-elusive Dooku is dangerous prey for even the most skilled hunter. So the Council makes the bold decision to bring both sides of the Force’s power to bear—pairing brash Jedi Knight Quinlan Vos with infamous one-time Sith acolyte Asajj Ventress. Though Jedi distrust for the cunning killer who once served at Dooku’s side still runs deep, Ventress’s hatred for her former master runs deeper. She’s more than willing to lend her copious talents as a bounty hunter—and assassin—to Vos’s quest.
</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Together, Ventress and Vos are the best hope for eliminating Dooku—as long as the emerging feelings between them don’t compromise their mission. But Ventress is determined to have her retribution and at last let go of her dark Sith past. Balancing the complicated emotions she feels for Vos with the fury of her warrior’s spirit, she resolves to claim victory on all fronts—a vow that will be mercilessly tested by her deadly enemy . . . and her own doubt.
</i></blockquote>
Up until <i>Dark Disciple</i>, every Star Wars novel I'd read this year hadn't met certain story line expectations. With every other novel, I've been more invested in the Star Wars lore than I was the story lines. While I appreciated the need for such devices, they were never anything to get excited over. <i>Dark Disciple </i>changed this for me. While it's reach in Star Wars lore is somewhat more limited, Golden's novel successfully enriches the Star Wars universe and delivers an all-enveloping plot line - something I was beginning to doubt I'd see in a Star Wars novel.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Ventress & Vos</span><br />
<br />
I haven't watched all of the <i>Clone Wars</i> cartoons, so this may have limited (or perhaps increased) my enjoyment; however, I felt that the portrayal of each character I already knew was spot on. Of course, Marc Thompson's narration only increased Golden's engulfing powers throughout the novel. I have always enjoyed Ventress, feeling that she had an edge of Sith-type ruthlessness that Count Dooku lacked. Golden did an excellent job capturing Ventress and realistically depicting her personal journey.<br />
<br />
Vos was a completely new character for me but I couldn't help but instantly like him. The Jedi Council already knows that Vos tows a dangerous line along the Jedi path (whether they admit this or not), and foolishly takes advantage of his willingness to continue doing so. All of the warning signs are present from the beginning of the novel. They want Vos to team up with Ventress in order to assassinate Dooku. At first, it seems like Vos is just the man for the job.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The Path to the Darkside</span><br />
<br />
I have always enjoyed Sith from the Old Republic era for one very specific reason: the Sith are far more powerful. While characters like Darth Vader and the Emperor can never be replaced, no one can truly say that they're power and aura are anywhere near the likes of Sith Lords such as Revan. Without spoiling anything, I'm going to go ahead and say that a particular character had a surprising charisma about them as they journeyed down their dark path. I didn't quite expect this from them, but I loved the turn of events. This character's attitude and behavior reminded me of Sith Lords from the Old Republic era. While this character isn't near as powerful, they had that aura even after everything was said and done. You get the sense, that this character has the possibility of obtaining a lot more skill and power than they already possess. This by far, was my favorite aspect from Golden's novel. To clarify, I wasn't surprised by the path they took; I was surprised by the vibe they possessed.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Unknown Paths</span><br />
<br />
Probably about 60% into the novel, I had reached a point where I was wondering what in the world Golden was going to do. At this point, it became clear to me that Vos and Ventress either had to leave the Council behind completely and disappear into space for the Golden's plot to keep unfolding on it's current course, or they had to part ways.<br />
<br />
Ventress and Vos are an interesting pair. Together, the master becomes the student and the student becomes the master. While this brought the story down a fascinating path, it did bother me a bit. Vos is a Jedi master, yet at times it seemed like his own Jedi training in weapons and the force was mediocre at best. I've come across this attitude quite a bit this year in Star Wars novels (with the exception of <i><a href="http://chasmofbooks.blogspot.com/2015/05/review-red-harvest.html" target="_blank">Red Harvest</a></i>). The Jedi are almost always portrayed as weaker than the Sith in every way. You could use the argument that perhaps Jedi abilities have atrophied over the years due to complacency, but this seems a gross disservice.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The Jedi Council</span><br />
<br />
More likely, I feel like Vos's personal journey is more of a reflection on the imperfections of the Jedi Council itself. Their teachings aren't necessarily to blame; it's their attitude, which is mostly reflected by Mace Windu. In <i>Revenge of the Sith</i>, Anakin calls the Jedi Council arrogant and points out their flaws. <i>Dark Disciple</i> reveals just how flawed and arrogant the Council had become. With the exception of Yoda and Obi-Wan, the Council (especially Windu) is reluctant to make any sort of compromise on many issues. They are arrogant enough to believe that if you send a Jedi already walking on the edge of the Jedi code to team up with a former Sith-acolyte in order to assassinate another person, that said Jedi won't experience ill-effects. Even Yoda doesn't seem to even blink at Obi-Wan's expressed concerns over this decision. The Council didn't even stop to consider what effect this may have on Vos.<br />
<br />
What's even more sickening about the Council is that they made a huge exception for Vos at probably the 75% mark as well as at the very end, that they never would have made for Anakin (and I'm talking before Anakin sided with Sidious). I was satisfied with their decision, since it was sort of like them indirectly taking responsibility for their error; but the Council did so reluctantly (at great prodding from Obi-Wan), making them look extremely hypocritical and idiotic with how they treated Anakin. This is probably exactly what Golden was going for since this only feeds into the downfall of the Jedi.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I Loved It</span><br />
<br />
<i>Dark Disciple</i> absolutely blew me away. It gave insight into Vos and Ventress's characters as well as the Jedi Council itself. Marc Thompson's narration had me hooked from the very beginning and served the novel extremely well. Golden could not have asked for a better narrator.
<br />
<br />
<a class="blsdk-follow" data-blsdk-type="button" href="https://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/chasm-books-5724049" target="_blank">Follow</a><script>(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = "https://widget.bloglovin.com/assets/widget/loader.js";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, "script", "bloglovin-sdk"))</script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194622037669027644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-596729015016036518.post-8441671807584819062015-09-28T00:00:00.000-04:002015-09-28T00:00:02.103-04:00Review: The Jedi Doth Return | R2-D2 Steals the Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0qldj2R57ucKrH8jRtNtUZwLBNBytrSkrt9CuXRHKuuKjxELp9uK79IuC3b8E5NjqoedJh99yzA1kcuRWaFVdC6bXeZ8X6QTZ0P21giTKLU3eFTJLfVehgkJBPVDxp3XoXqNW8zstTbQ/s1600/The+Jedi+Doth+Return.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0qldj2R57ucKrH8jRtNtUZwLBNBytrSkrt9CuXRHKuuKjxELp9uK79IuC3b8E5NjqoedJh99yzA1kcuRWaFVdC6bXeZ8X6QTZ0P21giTKLU3eFTJLfVehgkJBPVDxp3XoXqNW8zstTbQ/s320/The+Jedi+Doth+Return.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>The Jedi Doth Return</b></span> by<b><span style="color: #a64d79;"> Ian Doescher</span></b><br />
Narrated by <span style="color: #a64d79;">Daniel Davis, Jonathan Davis, January LaVoy, </span><span style="color: #a64d79;">Jeff Gurner, </span><span style="color: #a64d79;">Marc Thompson, and Ian Doescher</span><span style="color: #a64d79;"> </span><br />
Published by <span style="color: #a64d79;">Random House Audio</span><br />
Format Reviewed: <span style="color: #a64d79;">Audiobook </span><br />
Publication Date:<span style="color: #a64d79;"> </span><span style="color: #a64d79;">July 1st</span><span style="color: #a64d79;">, 2014</span><br />
Genre: <span style="color: #a64d79;">Science Fiction</span><br />
Time:<b> </b><span style="color: #a64d79;">3 hrs, 35 min</span><br />
Reviewed by: <b><span style="color: #a64d79;">Stephanie</span></b><br />
My Rating: <span style="color: #a64d79;">3 of 5 stars</span><br />
<a href="http://www.audible.com/pd/Sci-Fi-Fantasy/William-Shakespeares-The-Jedi-Doth-Return-Audiobook/B00JV2SZMS/ref=a_search_c4_1_1_srTtl?qid=1443400079&sr=1-1" target="_blank"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: inherit;"><b>Buy It</b></span></a>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span id="freeText4908903445339056707">Hot on the heels of the New York Times best seller William Shakespeare’s Star Wars comes the next two installments of the original trilogy: William Shakespeare’s The Empire Striketh Back and William Shakespeare’s The Jedi Doth Return.
Return to the star-crossed galaxy far, far away as the brooding young
hero, a power-mad emperor, and their jesting droids match wits, struggle
for power, and soliloquize in elegant and impeccable iambic pentameter.
Illustrated with beautiful black-and-white Elizabethan-style artwork,
these two plays offer essential reading for all ages. Something Wookiee
this way comes!</span></i></blockquote>
<br />
The first <i>Star Wars </i>trilogy has ended. As always, Ian Doescher did a wonderful job capturing the more comedic vibe from the first <i>Star Wars</i> trilogy. I enjoyed this much more than I did <a href="http://chasmofbooks.blogspot.com/2015/09/review-empire-striketh-back.html" target="_blank"><i>The Empire Striketh Back</i></a>, what with R2-D2's internal monologues. If nothing else about this audiobook appeals to you, R2's narration will. It's sassy and sarcastic. It also felt quite appropriate, what with C3PO's one-sided responses from the movies, and added a lovely dynamic, especially during the first hour or so while they were rescuing Han Solo from Jabba.<br />
<br />
Rather than R2-D2, the single moment that makes this entire thing worth the time is when Luke learns that Leia is his sister. We never really get a feel for Luke's reaction in the movies, which is fine but odd at the same time. In <i>The Jedi Doth Return</i>, Doescher does explore is reaction, which was humorous and utterly appropriate at the same time. Luke is horrified with himself and his internal monologue basically outlines what the audience is thinking - Shakespeare style of course.<br />
<br />
The narration was enjoyable and Darth Vader's reflection was quite appropriate as well, which I would imagine was probably tricky to get right with this particular style while trying to stay true to him.
<br />
<br />
<a data-blsdk-type="button" target="_blank" href="https://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/chasm-books-5724049" class="blsdk-follow">Follow</a><script>(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = "https://widget.bloglovin.com/assets/widget/loader.js";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, "script", "bloglovin-sdk"))</script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194622037669027644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-596729015016036518.post-62959195915884275242015-09-25T00:00:00.000-04:002015-09-25T00:00:00.993-04:00Last Song Before Night: A Story 8 Years in the Making<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.rockstarbooktours.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.rockstarbooktours.com/" border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSCQENF8_I74f_bENTqCz3h0ciMXP3CuSWREzPQEPRuyqD73Odp1Ou0ifDXgO6j3ELApHabuaHoo9Ytxdlf16YayHBvCvFNY04Cz-bn2mPeVXtQ_BN0ayzIU98LoejrC8mqG4KNl-JcMA/s640/lastsong.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I've been anticipating the moment I could share this with you guys for quite some time. I'd never heard of <i>Last Song Before Night </i>before learning that Rockstar Book Tours was looking for blog tour stops. After I read the synopsis, I simply knew that I had to try to get a spot. Everything about this book, from the synopsis and beginning chapters (which you can <a href="http://www.tor.com/2015/08/19/excerpt-last-song-before-night-ilana-myer/" target="_blank">read at Tor.com</a>) to the cover drew me in. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I'll be honest, I didn't read the answers to any of my interview questions until I began formatting this article. I'm thrilled with some of the answers she gave both as a reader and a writer; this interview really has something for both (which was the goal) and I very much enjoyed getting a peek into <i>Last Song Before Night</i>'s journey. My thanks goes to Rockstar Book Tours for letting me in on the awesome blog tour, to Miss Myer for answering my questions, and to Tor for giving us the chance to read this novel!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Don't forget to stick around for the giveaway. Three finished copies of <i>Last Song Before Night</i> are up for grabs so make sure you enter the giveaway, and check out the other tour stops.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIn46dOKrRrxZk66xR7GuPQ38r_lFfqqdyZpJAQTgTgmSQJEg8kX2WPkcWMboyzPrirD402iuczY2EuG8pKTx8ygMUGRHjA5O-wurk_q_3n0vID0aD6iR96WbK5xwrmJ9-tIsGX2jN9MI/s1600/Last+Song+Before+Night.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIn46dOKrRrxZk66xR7GuPQ38r_lFfqqdyZpJAQTgTgmSQJEg8kX2WPkcWMboyzPrirD402iuczY2EuG8pKTx8ygMUGRHjA5O-wurk_q_3n0vID0aD6iR96WbK5xwrmJ9-tIsGX2jN9MI/s320/Last+Song+Before+Night.jpg" width="212" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 20.02px;"><b><span style="color: #a64d79;">Last Song Before Night </span></b><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">by </span></span><b><span style="color: #a64d79;">Ilana C. Myer</span></b></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 20.02px;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 20.02px;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">Published by </span>Tor</span></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 20.02px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 20.02px;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">Publication Date: </span>September 29th, 2015</span></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 20.02px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 20.02px;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">Pages: <span style="color: #a64d79;">416</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/last-song-before-night/id979149689?mt=11&ign-mpt=uo%3D4" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 20.02px;"><b><span style="color: #a64d79;">iBooks</span></b></span></a><span style="color: #a64d79;"><b> </b></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 20.02px;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">| </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 20.02px;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/last-song-before-night-ilana-c-myer/1120919265?ean=9780765378309" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 20.02px;"><b><span style="color: #a64d79;">B&N</span></b></span></a> | </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 20.02px;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23848103-last-song-before-night" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 20.02px;"><b><span style="color: #a64d79;">Goodreads</span></b></span></a></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 20.02px;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"> | </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 20.02px;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #a64d79; line-height: 20.02px;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0765378302/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0765378302&linkCode=as2&tag=twchonbo-20&linkId=5JRV4EWCODLGXO5A" style="color: #6aa84f; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>Amazon </b></span></a></span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 20.02px;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">| </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 20.02px;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Last-Song-Before-Night-Ilana-Myer/9780765378309" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 20.02px;"><b><span style="color: #a64d79;">The Book Depository</span></b></span></a> | </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 20.02px;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780765378309" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 20.02px;"><b><span style="color: #a64d79;">IndieBound</span></b></span></a></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 20.02px;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"> | </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 20.02px;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #a64d79; line-height: 20.02px;"><a href="http://us.macmillan.com/books/9780765378309" style="color: #6aa84f; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>Macmillan</b></span></a></span></span></span>
</span></span>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>A high fantasy following a young woman’s defiance of her culture as she undertakes a dangerous quest to restore her world’s lost magic.
</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Her name was Kimbralin Amaristoth: sister to a cruel brother, daughter of a hateful family. But that name she has forsworn, and now she is simply Lin, a musician and lyricist of uncommon ability in a land where women are forbidden to answer such callings—a fugitive who must conceal her identity or risk imprisonment and even death.
</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>On the eve of a great festival, Lin learns that an ancient scourge has returned to the land of Eivar, a pandemic both deadly and unnatural. Its resurgence brings with it the memory of an apocalypse that transformed half a continent. Long ago, magic was everywhere, rising from artistic expression—from song, from verse, from stories. But in Eivar, where poets once wove enchantments from their words and harps, the power was lost. Forbidden experiments in blood divination unleashed the plague that is remembered as the Red Death, killing thousands before it was stopped, and Eivar’s connection to the Otherworld from which all enchantment flowed, broken.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>The Red Death’s return can mean only one thing: someone is spilling innocent blood in order to master dark magic. Now poets who thought only to gain fame for their songs face a challenge much greater: galvanized by Valanir Ocune, greatest Seer of the age, Lin and several others set out to reclaim their legacy and reopen the way to the Otherworld—a quest that will test their deepest desires, imperil their lives, and decide the future.</i></span></blockquote>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">Interview</span><b> </b></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Let me just say that <i>Last Song Before Night</i>’s synopsis had me hooked from the moment I read it. What was the inspiration behind the novel?
</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Thank you, Stephanie. By the way, any devotee of <i>Lord of the Rings</i> is all right with me! (<b>Good to know. I shall remember this, Miss Myer.</b>)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">There were multiple inspirations for <i>Last Song Before Night</i>, like ingredients in a stew. There was my encounter with Celtic myth, specifically with their idea of poets who wielded power in society. There was my longtime fascination with the troubadours of medieval France. And binding these was my complicated relationship with writing--this unreasonable thing I needed to do, that dictated every life choice and meant I was working in a dead-end job and living in a basement apartment with roommates. Exploring this need to create, through the vehicle of mythology and fantasy, was my original inspiration.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Are there any authors who have directly or indirectly helped you keep going when you may have wanted to give up? Or did you never hit that point with this novel?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Because the book was so many years in the writing—I was building a journalism career and doing whatever I could to pay bills at the same time—there were many times when after a long forced break from the novel, I’d feel disconnected from it, unable to see what had drawn me to work on it on the first place. Every time this happened, I would read the entire manuscript again from the beginning. The outcome was always the same: I would be reminded why I was writing the book in the first place.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>What was your approach to writing and revising? Did you develop the characters first? The world? Plot?
</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I’d say it all developed pretty simultaneously. I started with some ideas for the world, a few characters, and started plotting out the story. I’d plot a few steps ahead, write, repeat. Most of that first draft survives only in bits and pieces throughout the final novel—I revised it several times.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>How long did it take you to write <i>Last Song Before Night</i> - from the planning stages/first draft to the final product?
</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It took seven years to write <i>Last Song Before Night</i> from beginning to end, then a year or so more of revisions.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>I don’t generally read excerpts, but I took the opportunity to read part of the first chapter. Right off the bat, it looks like there are quite a few moving parts in <i>Last Song Before Night</i>. Can you reveal any additional information about the characters or the book that the synopsis doesn’t offer?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Your perception is right—there’s a lot going on. One thing I delight in is surprising the reader, so I don’t want to reveal much. But I will say that <i>Last Song Before Night</i> is a journey in more than one sense—the characters end up in places that are not apparent at the start.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>There is a lot to look at with the book’s cover. Personally, I adore it and it really sets quite the tone for the novel. Do you feel like it’s an accurate representation of your work?
</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I could not have been luckier with the cover—sometimes I have to pinch myself. It is absolutely accurate in terms of atmosphere, almost to an eerie degree.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>You may have already answered this next question somewhere but, if you have, I couldn’t find the answer. Can we expect a sequel or series of novels, or is <i>Last Song Before Night</i> a standalone novel?
</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The answer is: Both! <i>Last Song Before Night</i> is an independent story with its own beginning, middle, and end—but it is also the first of a trilogy.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">About the Author</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk_-_5R5dN6eM5-1Q6nh-HhwcBdSbK3vhSHt7_NHnpjwr8yNZy6Nye3F0Djd1CkPnwUvCILdN-zElIpH_NDgdYadZ4J8TxvYZ7n6IXi-KyOaCtoTQnYfq7K1eCne-qnKQCVb1MDuL3FYQ/s1600/IlanaCMyer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk_-_5R5dN6eM5-1Q6nh-HhwcBdSbK3vhSHt7_NHnpjwr8yNZy6Nye3F0Djd1CkPnwUvCILdN-zElIpH_NDgdYadZ4J8TxvYZ7n6IXi-KyOaCtoTQnYfq7K1eCne-qnKQCVb1MDuL3FYQ/s320/IlanaCMyer.jpg" width="238" /></a></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Ilana C. Myer has written for the Globe and Mail, the Los Angeles
Review of Books, Salon, and the Huffington Post. Previously she was a
freelance journalist in Jerusalem for the Jerusalem Post, the Jewish
Daily Forward, Time Out Israel and other publications. She lives in New
York City.
</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Ilana was born in New York but grew up in Jerusalem,
Israel, where she spent her teen years haunting secondhand bookstores in
search of books written in English—especially fantasy. It was in one of
these shops that she discovered David Eddings and realized that epic
fantasy continued after Tolkien, and from there went on to make such
marvelous discoveries as Tad Williams, Robin Hobb, and Guy Gavriel Kay.
</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Since learning to read, Ilana had decided she would
write books, but during college in New York City was confronted with the
reality of making rent, and worked as a receptionist, administrative
assistant, and executive assistant where she on occasion picked up dry
cleaning. She afterwards found more fulfillment as a journalist in
Jerusalem where she covered social issues, the arts, and innovations in
technology, and co-founded the Middle East environment blog, Green
Prophet. It was during these years in Jerusalem, on stolen time, that
Last Song Before Night took shape.
</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>She writes as Ilana Teitelbaum for various outlets,
but decided early on—since the days of haunting bookstores, in fact—that
“Teitelbaum” was too long for a book cover. “Myer” is a variation on
the maiden name of her grandmother, whose family was exterminated in
Germany. It is a family with a long history of writers, so it seems
appropriate to give credit—or blame—where it’s due.
</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://twitter.com/IlanaCT" target="_blank">Twitter </a>| <a href="http://ilanacmyer.com/" target="_blank">Website</a> | <a href="http://ilanacmyer.com/" target="_blank">Blog</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/10613509.Ilana_C_Myer" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></span> </div>
</blockquote>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u>Week One:</u></b></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">9/21/2015- <a href="http://www.librayofabookwitch.com/" target="_blank">Library of a Book Witch - Interview</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">9/22/2015- <a href="http://bookandlatte.com/" target="_blank">A Book and a Latte - Guest Post</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">9/23/2015- <a href="https://atrailofbooks.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">A Trail of Books Left Behind - Review</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">9/24/2015- <a href="http://www.workingforthemandroid.com/" target="_blank">Working for the Mandroid - Review</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">9/25/2015- Chasm of Books- Interview
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><u><b>Week Two:</b></u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">9/28/2015-
<a href="http://galleywampus.com/" target="_blank">Galleywampus - Review</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">9/29/2015- DanaSquare - Guest Post
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">9/30/2015- <a href="http://www.ficgal.com/book-club" target="_blank">Fic Gal - Review</a></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">10/1/2015- <a href="http://theunofficialaddictionbookfanclub.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Unofficial Addiction Book Fan Club - Interview</a></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">10/2/2015- <a href="http://www.historywomanperspective.com/" target="_blank">History from a Woman's Perspective - Review</a></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>*</b>Please be aware that Chasm of Books is<b> not responsible </b>for distributing
the prize and is <b>not privy to any information you enter </b>into the
rafflecopter form<b>, nor is it liable </b>for the use of any information
provided therein.*</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a class="blsdk-follow" data-blsdk-type="button" href="https://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/chasm-books-5724049" target="_blank">Follow</a></span><script>(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = "https://widget.bloglovin.com/assets/widget/loader.js";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, "script", "bloglovin-sdk"))</script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194622037669027644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-596729015016036518.post-12235552775569148432015-09-24T20:54:00.000-04:002015-09-24T20:54:00.232-04:004 Fantasy Stand-Alone Novels for Your Book ClubYou all probably remember my recent blog post in which I suggested <a href="http://chasmofbooks.blogspot.com/2015/09/5-fantasy-series-perfect-for-your-book.html" target="_blank">5 Fantasy Series for Your Book Club</a>. There's another side to that list though. Not everyone likes to read series. Not everyone wants to get quite that involved. Some people just like story hopping, so stand-alones can be far more preferable to series. Didn't think I'd leave the rest of you hanging there did you? Due to the nature of fantasy novels, it can be quite difficult to find one that doesn't belong to a series. Every once in a while though, even this series lover needs an open and close deal. I'll go ahead and admit that compiling this list has made me want to find more stand-alone fantasy novels. It was extremely hard to find 4 fantasy novels off my shelf of 300 read books that didn't belong to a series. This is a problem. Therefore, if you have any recommendations, please let me know in the comments!<br />
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1.<br />
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Thirrin Freer is a princess. Thirrin Freer is a warior. After losing her father, she is forced to make shaky alliances with neighboring kingdoms (all of which aren't human) in order to defend her kingdom. I'll admit that I'm cheating with this one, but it's for a good reason. While <i>The Cry of the Icemark</i> isn't really a stand-alone, it verily well could be. The second book is more of a companion novel as it's about, Thirrin's children and takes place approximately fifteen years after <i>Cry of the Icemark</i>. The author does include new or at least uncommon creatures, but she also uses more common ones like werewolves in interesting ways I hadn't seen before or since. These different dynamics and the question of who Thirrin can truly trust will keep a conversation going without a problem.<br />
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Will has lost everything and now he's looking for revenge. Sadly, I can't seem to find enough places to recommend this novel. <a href="http://chasmofbooks.blogspot.com/2013/08/arc-review-of-will-in-scarlet.html" target="_blank">Will in Scarlet</a> dips into Robin Hood just enough to whet your appetite. It has had me searching for a retelling or spin-off of Robin Hood since I read it. Your book club will be all too excited to watch Will on his journey with the Merry Men, and Robin Hood himself, who isn't quite who they'll expect.<br />
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I am a fan of Delacorte Press, so I get excited when I find a novel published by them. Rowan Rose lives in a quiet village, that is until the men who rode into the mountains didn't come back. No one is quite sure what happened up there, but the men awakened something. And it's come down the mountain to hunt. This is yet another novel I can't recommend enough. The writing style is absolutely perfect for the premise and <a href="http://chasmofbooks.blogspot.com/2014/10/review-glass-casket.html" target="_blank">Templeman clearly knows what she's doing</a>. This novel had me looking over my shoulder at night, but I couldn't seem to put it down. There's a twisted love story in the background and your friends will be on the edge of their seats as they fight to read fast enough. It'll become a competition of who can figure it all out first.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMRcjR5v7wI4UgYfkKrAZt27g6wcmjMNLKRTQUhVusWD4IgpGXrXUTAAwhGqoJoAjufMcQt_iD1L7k9hcZFQFIpxkvC_RkhnofdVivYIJPi6IkdzF2UCR8NeFQquvKWQt_oZBA9NQ68S4/s1600/The+Beast+Within.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMRcjR5v7wI4UgYfkKrAZt27g6wcmjMNLKRTQUhVusWD4IgpGXrXUTAAwhGqoJoAjufMcQt_iD1L7k9hcZFQFIpxkvC_RkhnofdVivYIJPi6IkdzF2UCR8NeFQquvKWQt_oZBA9NQ68S4/s320/The+Beast+Within.jpg" width="246" /></a></div>
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You've seen Disney's <i>Beauty and the Beast</i> right? You know Belle's story, now it's time to read The Beast's. Valentino takes the time to show us who The Beast was before his curse, and exactly why he suffered with it for so long. It's not a pretty picture. I'm sure your book club will love discussing the startlingly dark (but not too dark) nature of this novel. I was fascinated by The Beast's journey from beginning to end. Valentino answered the question that perhaps we've all asked after watching the Disney movie: <a href="http://chasmofbooks.blogspot.com/2014/07/arc-review-beast-within.html" target="_blank">why exactly did the prince become The Beast</a>?<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Will you be suggesting any of these novels? What fantasy novels have you found to perform well in book clubs?</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194622037669027644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-596729015016036518.post-820882320454298522015-09-22T00:00:00.000-04:002015-09-22T00:00:10.578-04:00It's time to Walk on Earth a Stranger<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.rockstarbooktours.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.rockstarbooktours.com/" border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMpUTBUKpTlF214BR6ajqupLEya-JtIL4U1UFiuaMc5DiEqwBln35q7WA80DB6LEF8pHbaZ4qgReoSnJdveWSascgnH3m87gnihF5RQ070waYXmjIDrblTvub-O9_xkP16MEzb98krOGY/s640/WOEAS_Banner.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Today, on this lovely almost-fall Tuesday, we have quite a few books journeying out into the wild world, ready to meet readers' hands. I've reviewed two already, and I'm happy to share yet another novel with you. I haven't read it yet but I've been in love with the cover since I first saw it. The colors they chose are absolutely stunning and seem to match the premise.<br />
<br />
Just to help you decided whether or not you want to read the novel, I get to share <a href="https://docs.google.com/viewerng/viewer?url=https://s3.amazonaws.com/photo.goodreads.com/documents/1428681616books/17564519.pdf" target="_blank">chapter one</a> with y'all, <b>and</b> it's annotated by the author which is super cool if you ask me. If that isn't enough, here's a review from <a href="http://www.myfriendsarefiction.com/walk-on-earth-a-stranger-slow-paced-yet-incredibly-captivating" target="_blank">Kristen @ My Friends are Fiction</a>. Don't forget to stick around and enter the giveaway for a paperback set of the <i>Girl of Fire and Thorns</i> series. For now though, go forth and read the synopsis.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiRo2AUJlBcIXe0Nf4CoAV3kkpjqRHsC-PSvhgtZhog4Ox5OFwLTX8xQCjBex0vtK9byMkcj_XdLBTE7SElVS7TY1KdqoQhK6t-ruNSOWk7hpHrfj3gcEO3IZhSk5dQbsUw1ccijSLEbw/s1600/WALK+ON+EARTH+A+STRANGER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiRo2AUJlBcIXe0Nf4CoAV3kkpjqRHsC-PSvhgtZhog4Ox5OFwLTX8xQCjBex0vtK9byMkcj_XdLBTE7SElVS7TY1KdqoQhK6t-ruNSOWk7hpHrfj3gcEO3IZhSk5dQbsUw1ccijSLEbw/s320/WALK+ON+EARTH+A+STRANGER.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20.02px;"><b><span style="color: #a64d79;">Walk on Earth a Stranger </span></b><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">by </span></span><b><span style="color: #a64d79;">Rae Carson</span></b></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 20.02px;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></span></span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 20.02px;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">Published by </span>Greenwillow<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Books</span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 20.02px;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 20.02px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 20.02px;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">Publication Date: </span>September 22nd, 2015</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 20.02px;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"></span></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 20.02px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 20.02px;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Pages</span></span>: <span style="color: #a64d79;">448</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 20.02px;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span></span></span><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/walk-on-earth-a-stranger/id954558591?mt=11&ign-mpt=uo%3D4" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 20.02px;"><b><span style="color: #a64d79;">iBooks</span></b></span></span></a><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b> </b></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 20.02px;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">| </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 20.02px;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/walk-on-earth-a-stranger-rae-carson/1120977496?ean=9780062242914" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 20.02px;"><b><span style="color: #a64d79;">B&N</span></b></span></a></span> | </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 20.02px;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17564519-walk-on-earth-a-stranger?ac=1" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 20.02px;"><b><span style="color: #a64d79;">Goodreads</span></b></span></a></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 20.02px;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"> | </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 20.02px;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #a64d79; line-height: 20.02px;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0062242911/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0062242911&linkCode=as2&tag=twchonbo-20&linkId=W5ZEVDYXLY2B3V5G" style="color: #6aa84f; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>A<span style="font-family: inherit;">mazon</span></b></span></a></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 20.02px;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span id="freeText14851806196834376458">Lee Westfall has a
secret. She can sense the presence of gold in the world around her.
Veins deep beneath the earth, pebbles in the river, nuggets dug up from
the forest floor. The buzz of gold means warmth and life and home—until
everything is ripped away by a man who wants to control her. Left with
nothing, Lee disguises herself as a boy and takes to the trail across
the country. Gold was discovered in California, and where else could
such a magical girl find herself, find safety? <br /><br />Walk on Earth a Stranger,
the first book in this new trilogy, introduces—as only Rae Carson can—a
strong heroine, a perilous road, a fantastical twist, and a
slow-burning romance. Includes a map and author’s note on historical
research.</span></i></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Rae Carson is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the acclaimed Girl of Fire <br />
and Thorns trilogy. Her next book, Walk On Earth A Stranger, will be available September 22, 2015. She lives in Arizona with her husband.
</blockquote>
<a href="http://www.raecarson.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 20.02px;"><b><span style="color: #a64d79;">Website</span></b></span></span></a><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b> </b></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 20.02px;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">| </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 20.02px;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://twitter.com/raecarson" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 20.02px;"><b><span style="color: #a64d79;">Twitter</span></b></span></a></span> | </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 20.02px;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/raecarsonbooks" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 20.02px;"><b><span style="color: #a64d79;">Facebook</span></b></span></a></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 20.02px;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"> | </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 20.02px;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #a64d79; line-height: 20.02px;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4074051.Rae_Carson" style="color: #6aa84f; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>Goodreads</b></span></a></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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It's the best part of the blog post now, the giveaway details. Sadly, the giveaway is only open to U.S. residents. It ends on 9/30 at 12 AM EST. Please be aware that Chasm of Books is not responsible for distributing the prize and is not privy to any information you enter into the rafflecopter form, nor is it liable for the use of any information provided therein.<br />
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<a class="blsdk-follow" data-blsdk-type="button" href="https://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/chasm-books-5724049" target="_blank">Follow</a><script>(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = "https://widget.bloglovin.com/assets/widget/loader.js";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, "script", "bloglovin-sdk"))</script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194622037669027644noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-596729015016036518.post-85968628381660531492015-09-21T00:00:00.000-04:002015-09-21T00:00:09.044-04:00Review: Falling Kingdoms | Help Me, I Fell in Love with Barbarians<div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzgDaV8HzNnBgr-Ie0nBrRX3pMYGQaOUws4IUiJ2arP_EP4jJuj5PIdLHMDE0QDYjaS9i_hOgqNQshSTVtJUnoQRQo-u2bCIElM9JA9xmzoB09zH5FZ1ooc5HEiHjN9Z1a_XL6FNl5NNU/s1600/Falling+Kingdoms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzgDaV8HzNnBgr-Ie0nBrRX3pMYGQaOUws4IUiJ2arP_EP4jJuj5PIdLHMDE0QDYjaS9i_hOgqNQshSTVtJUnoQRQo-u2bCIElM9JA9xmzoB09zH5FZ1ooc5HEiHjN9Z1a_XL6FNl5NNU/s320/Falling+Kingdoms.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20.02px;"><b><span style="color: #a64d79;">Falling Kingdoms </span></b><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">by </span></span><b><span style="color: #a64d79;">Morgan Rhodes</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 20.02px;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">Narrated by <span style="color: #a64d79;">Fred <span style="font-family: inherit;">Berman</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 20.02px;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">Published by </span>Razorbill</span></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 20.02px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 20.02px;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">Format Reviewed: <span style="color: #a64d79;">Audiobook</span></span></span></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 20.02px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 20.02px;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">Publication Date: </span>December 11th, 2012</span></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 20.02px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 20.02px;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">Genre: </span>High Fantasy </span></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 20.02px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 20.02px;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Time</span>: <span style="color: #a64d79;">11<span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;">hrs, 35 min</span></span></span></span></span></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 20.02px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 20.02px;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">Reviewed by: </span></span><b><span style="color: #a64d79;">Stephanie</span></b></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 20.02px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 20.02px;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">My Rating: </span>5 of 5 Stars</span></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 20.02px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #a64d79; line-height: 20.02px;"><a href="http://www.audible.com/pd/Sci-Fi-Fantasy/Falling-Kingdoms-Audiobook/B00AI4S6DQ/ref=a_search_c4_1_1_srTtl?qid=1440462048&sr=1-1" style="color: #6aa84f; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>Buy It</b></span></a></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 20.02px;"> </span></span></div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: left;">
<i>In a land where magic has been forgotten but peace has reigned for centuries, a deadly unrest is simmering. Three kingdoms grapple for power—brutally transforming their subjects' lives in the process. Amidst betrayals, bargains, and battles, four young people find their fates forever intertwined:<br /><br /><b>Cleo:</b> A princess raised in luxury must embark on a rough and treacherous journey into enemy territory in search of a magic long thought extinct.<br /><br /><b>Jonas:</b> Enraged at injustice, a rebel lashes out against the forces of oppression that have kept his country impoverished—and finds himself the leader of a people's revolution centuries in the making.<br /><br /><b>Lucia:</b> A girl adopted at birth into a royal family discovers the truth about her past—and the supernatural legacy she is destined to wield.<br /><br /><b>Magnus</b>: Bred for aggression and trained to conquer, a firstborn son begins to realize that the heart can be more lethal than the sword. . . .<br /><br />The only outcome that's certain is that kingdoms will fall. Who will emerge triumphant when all they know has collapsed?</i></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: large;">35 Hours and I'm Hooked</span><br />
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When I first <a href="http://chasmofbooks.blogspot.com/2013/09/review-forbidden-kingdoms.html" target="_blank">started <i>Falling Kingdoms</i> in 2013</a>, I could hardly stand a single main character. Everyone but Jonas was completely awful in some way or another. I made it almost 200 pages in and decided that I was done with it. Over the past two years though, this series's covers have lured me in and my friends gave me the final push I needed. I read this and the second and third novels in one week; that's approximately 35 hours of audio.<br />
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I fell in love with the series this time around. I still didn't really like anybody though. Lucia was annoyingly innocent and naive. Magnus and King Gaius were horrible. Jonas was fine but hardly in the novel. And I just didn't like Cleo. However, their personal relationships are complicated. Magnus and Lucia are siblings but not. Jonas is in such deep pain that he is willing to risk his entire kingdom for vengeance. Cleo is in pain because of multiple people and decisions made by herself and others.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Bear Trap</span> <br />
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I don't understand how Rhodes did it, but I was thoroughly invested in these characters by the end of the novel. Rhodes lets the bad guy win. A lot. She puts the characters in impossible situations. She kills characters that you don't always know that you liked until they're dead. She let's the main characters love and care for people, then rips them apart in the most painful way possible sometimes. This series is very much character driven and Rhodes uses it to her complete advantage.<br />
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The consequences of certain decisions are pretty clear from the moment a decision is made. King Gaius can't be trusted but people trust or ally with him anyway. He has no respect for anyone and will use anyone in his path to his advantage. He doesn't love or care for anybody. He claims to but his actions say otherwise. Watching characters trust him was almost infuriating. The entire time, I was just hoping someone would see the danger I saw before it was too late. They didn't though. The never did and some people got what they deserved, but most of them didn't deserve Gaius or Magnus. Some of the characters that died, didn't deserve death; and some people who lived didn't deserve life.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Close Your Eyes, Children</span><br />
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The biggest lure with <i>Falling Kingdoms</i> was the world building. It's high fantasy, but it's barbaric. Absolutely barbaric. I wouldn't recommend this world for the faint of heart. It's fully developed and dangerous. I admire Rhodes for it. It's clear that it has a dark history, made darker by its current inhabitants. Sometimes it's like all humanity is lost. Everyone could die and this world would be better off for it. There is hardly anybody left worth saving.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Evil Narration + Tragedy = Perfection</span><br />
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As far as the narration goes, Fred Berman did a great job. I think he does a perfect King Gaius and has the perfect voice for such a barbaric setting. I've heard better narration but Berman's voice was pleasant to listen to and I don't have any complaints.<br />
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If you haven't read <i>Falling Kingdoms</i> yet and claim to love high fantasy, then it's time to give this series a shot. It was a long held suspicion of mine that this would be the case and it has been confirmed. I can see tragic things coming before they happen when I read this series, but that never lessens the impact. It doesn't not make you gasp or gape. This series will destroy your bookish heart in a very good way.
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<a class="blsdk-follow" data-blsdk-type="button" href="https://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/chasm-books-5724049" target="_blank">Follow</a><script>(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = "https://widget.bloglovin.com/assets/widget/loader.js";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, "script", "bloglovin-sdk"))</script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194622037669027644noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-596729015016036518.post-59675654504566547162015-09-17T00:00:00.000-04:002015-09-17T00:00:07.127-04:00ARC Review: The Scorpion Rules | Enough with the Goats Already<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbR0_f9yWzhyA0YnqHBcLhg-BZpYuQG9p-7kgqgy3hWtlMJiwaHjWElpr2wISLPIAK3x9UvvOt55V3BGJd8TAShkfDSMw4av2qZ0d4EjAG8Tsiv0VOFcECRk8_m0tahsbd72nxCD5xl5U/s1600/The+Scorpion+Rules.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbR0_f9yWzhyA0YnqHBcLhg-BZpYuQG9p-7kgqgy3hWtlMJiwaHjWElpr2wISLPIAK3x9UvvOt55V3BGJd8TAShkfDSMw4av2qZ0d4EjAG8Tsiv0VOFcECRk8_m0tahsbd72nxCD5xl5U/s320/The+Scorpion+Rules.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<b><span style="color: #a64d79;">The S<span style="font-family: inherit;">corpion Rules </span></span></b><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">by </span></span><b><span style="color: #a64d79;">Erin Bow</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Published by <span style="color: #a64d79;">Margaret K. McE<span style="font-family: inherit;">lderry Books</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Format Reviewed: <span style="color: #a64d79;">eARC </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Publication Date: <span style="color: #a64d79;">September <span style="font-family: inherit;">22nd</span>, 2015</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Genre: <span style="color: #a64d79;">Science Fiction, Dystopian</span> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Pages: <span style="color: #a64d79;">3<span style="font-family: inherit;">84</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">Reviewed by: </span><b><span style="color: #a64d79;">Stephanie</span></b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">My Rating: <span style="color: #a64d79;">3 of 5 Stars</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-scorpion-rules-erin-bow/1121648972?ean=9781481442718" target="_blank"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>Buy It</b></span></a></span>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span id="freeText3767444123480112269">A world battered by
climate shift and war turns to an ancient method of keeping peace: the
exchange of hostages. The Children of Peace - sons and daughters of
kings and presidents and generals - are raised together in small,
isolated schools called Preceptures. There, they learn history and
political theory, and are taught to gracefully accept what may well be
their fate: to die if their countries declare war.<br /><br />Greta
Gustafsen Stuart, Duchess of Halifax and Crown Princess of the Pan-Polar
Confederation, is the pride of the North American Precepture. Learned
and disciplined, Greta is proud of her role in keeping the global peace,
even though, with her country controlling two-thirds of the world’s
most war-worthy resource — water — she has little chance of reaching
adulthood alive. <br /><br />Enter Elián Palnik, the Precepture’s newest
hostage and biggest problem. Greta’s world begins to tilt the moment
she sees Elián dragged into the school in chains. The Precepture’s
insidious surveillance, its small punishments and rewards, can make no
dent in Elián, who is not interested in dignity and tradition, and
doesn’t even accept the right of the UN to keep hostages. <br /><br />What will happen to Elián and Greta as their two nations inch closer to war?</span></i></blockquote>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>I received this ARC from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for
an honest review. No compensation was given, offered, or taken to alter
the opinion forth with.</b></div>
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The UN is in charge. In other words, it's your worst nightmare. Apparently, the entire world is so busy fighting (or trying not to fight) that no one cares to try to overcome the UN - where the great tyrannical leader holds utter destruction over their head like an axe ready to cut the head off a chicken before dinner. This doesn't make any sense to me, but I suppose that's the nature of war in someways. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Part where I admit I DNF'd the Novel...</span></div>
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After reading the killer prologue, I had high hopes for <i>The Scorpion Rules</i>. I wanted to like this book, but after reading half of it I still found myself bored and still waiting for things to pick up.<b> </b>The only character I felt any real attachment to was probably Elian and that's not the greatest measurement since I felt Elian to be a bit flimsy. He's tough, but he couldn't seem to make a firm decision as to what he wanted to do. He's written well, but his character gets on my nerves.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Get Thee Hence Greta</span> </div>
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Greta was really out of things. I didn't hate her but she annoyed me. How can everyone to choose to follow someone who can be so oblivious? Don't get me wrong, she can be quite the presence when she wants, but she had a habit of rolling over that bothered me. If you knew someone was going to kill you, wouldn't you try to escape? I don't freaking care if you're a princess and you're a "Child of Peace." Why would you not want to try to escape? If you know your surroundings and captors so well, why wouldn't you at least try to work out a plan? In a lot of ways, Greta was brainwashed. I have a hard time with brainwashed characters. Especially in dystopian settings.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Human or Robot?</span></div>
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The world building was a bit confusing. It took me about half of the novel to grasp what little bit I did, and I still think I'm missing stuff. Are the Swan Riders human or not? They have wings apparently but the author writes them like they're human. The facts seem to contradict each other and even after half the novel, there wasn't anything that definitively explained what they were. I understand their role/job, but am confused as to whether or not they are human or robot. Maybe the author did this on purpose but I like to know whether or not the characters are dealing with humans. Personally, I thought it was weird that Greta was so attached to Abbott - who's a robot I guess.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Please, No More Goats</span> </div>
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There are a lot of ideas that will interest other people, but I had a hard time wrapping my mind around it all, and the story wasn't entertaining enough to hold my interest. You can tell the author knows the world she's writing about very well. Life at the Precepture is extremely well developed. The children make their own clothes, grow their own food, and care for a bunch of goats. Still there's a horror that lingers in the background. I did particularly like the spiders that electrocuted people. Don't ask me why, but they added an eerie effect to the setting. I have spiders. No you're giving me a spider than can crawl on me, stay on me, and electrocute me? No thank you.</div>
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All the same, I can only read about goats for so long and there are a lot of goats.</div>
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<a data-blsdk-type="button" target="_blank" href="https://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/chasm-books-5724049" class="blsdk-follow">Follow</a><script>(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = "https://widget.bloglovin.com/assets/widget/loader.js";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, "script", "bloglovin-sdk"))</script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194622037669027644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-596729015016036518.post-63959857591843793832015-09-15T00:00:00.000-04:002015-09-15T00:00:04.027-04:004 Novels I'm Reading this September that You Should TooI have quite a few novels I'd like to get read this month. I find myself in a reading mood lately, which means I am in an ambitious mood. Luckily for me, I've made quite the dent in my Autumn TBR list already and am <a href="http://chasmofbooks.blogspot.com/2015/08/8-novels-on-my-fall-reading-list.html" target="_blank">feeling rather satisfied with my reading progress</a> as of late. To add to my excitement, most of the novels on my list this month are all non-obligatory. Everyone needs to make a short term reading list every once in a while, so let me know what your list is looking like for this month.<br />
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Because I am a relatively responsible person, I'll start with my remaining review copy, <i>The Scorpion Rules</i>. It's set to be released on September 22nd (the same day as <i>Never Never</i>) so I'll be finishing it this week before the review is scheduled to go up. It has a killer prologue that will make you never want to put it down.</div>
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<i>Prince of Thorns</i> is yet another book I'm hoping to come back to this month as it's different from some of the other books I have on my bookshelf and it's another cover that keeps drawing my eye. It's relatively short so I'm thinking that it won't take long to read once I set my mind to it.<br />
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Of course, I have to include <i>Legacy of Kings</i> on this list. It's a recent release and something I've been looking forward to since I bought it. After reading all of the <i>Falling Kingdoms</i> novels and <a href="http://chasmofbooks.blogspot.com/2015/09/review-queen-of-shadows.html" target="_blank"><i>Queen of Shadows</i></a>, I needed a bit of a break from such involved stories (and I anticipate <i>Legacy of Kings</i> to be very involved).<br />
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<i>Blood and Salt</i> releases September 22nd. I have my copy pre-ordered (<a href="http://bookiemoji.com/2015/08/book-review-blood-and-salt-by-kim-liggett/" target="_blank">I blame Bookiemoji</a>) and am really excited to read it. It's not fantasy. I'm honestly not sure what it is at this point, but it interested me so I snagged a copy. From what I understand, I think it's more of a thriller, but I honestly I haven't familiarized myself with it that much so don't quote me. I just knew that after reading Crystal's review, that I had to give it a try.<br />
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Release-wise, October is a busy month with <i>Ice Like Fire</i>, <i>The Tournament at Gorlan</i>, <i>A Madness So Discreet</i>, and I'm sure many others, so I'm really hoping to knock these novels off my list as well as some others that have been sitting around for far too long.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">What's on your list this month? Are there any books I need to bump up on my priority list?</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194622037669027644noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-596729015016036518.post-90565124729777303212015-09-14T00:00:00.000-04:002015-09-14T21:21:41.355-04:00ARC Review: Never Never | Peter Pan the Killer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0W3etDVX_rpHuD2SoFbMcRUlSD95gpx3aHoB7OrKnKft0ouhg6k140pLPfWn_jA_NmpHbBhTd14iT7ZDFejp-h58ZOrf0nhzgxGpmhWYxeNcF7AfDf-fwacDbac1sDwg_bVS3kHCTqY0/s1600/Never+Never.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0W3etDVX_rpHuD2SoFbMcRUlSD95gpx3aHoB7OrKnKft0ouhg6k140pLPfWn_jA_NmpHbBhTd14iT7ZDFejp-h58ZOrf0nhzgxGpmhWYxeNcF7AfDf-fwacDbac1sDwg_bVS3kHCTqY0/s320/Never+Never.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<b><span style="color: #a64d79;">Never Never </span></b><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">by </span></span><b><span style="color: #a64d79;">Briann<span style="font-family: inherit;">a</span> Shrum</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Published by <span style="color: #a64d79;">Spencer Hill Pr<span style="font-family: inherit;">ess</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Format Reviewed: <span style="color: #a64d79;">eARC </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Publication Date: <span style="color: #a64d79;">September <span style="font-family: inherit;">22nd</span>, 2015</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Genre: <span style="color: #a64d79;">Fantasy</span> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Pages: <span style="color: #a64d79;">368</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">Reviewed by: </span><b><span style="color: #a64d79;">Stephanie</span></b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">My Rating: <span style="color: #a64d79;">3 of 5 Stars</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/never-never-brianna-shrum/1121739760?ean=9781633920392" target="_blank"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>Buy It</b></span></a></span>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span id="freeText101571274305232080">James Hook is a child who only wants to grow up.<br /><br />When
he meets Peter Pan, a boy who loves to pretend and is intent on never
becoming a man, James decides he could try being a child—at least
briefly. James joins Peter Pan on a holiday to Neverland, a place of
adventure created by children’s dreams, but Neverland is not for the
faint of heart. Soon James finds himself longing for home, determined
that he is destined to be a man. But Peter refuses to take him back,
leaving James trapped in a world just beyond the one he loves. A world
where children are to never grow up.<br /><br />But grow up he does. <br /><br />And thus begins the epic adventure of a Lost Boy and a Pirate.<br /><br />This
story isn’t about Peter Pan; it’s about the boy whose life he stole.
It’s about a man in a world that hates men. It’s about the feared
Captain James Hook and his passionate quest to kill the Pan, an
impossible feat in a magical land where everyone loves Peter Pan.<br /><br />Except one.</span></i></blockquote>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>I received this ARC from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for
an honest review. No compensation was given, offered, or taken to alter
the opinion forth with.</b></div>
<b> </b> <br />
Don't let the cover or even the mention of Peter Pan fool you, this is a tale of a villain. <i>Never Never</i> is split into three parts. When the novel begins, James Hook is a boy dreaming of adventure and adulthood. Pan eventually convinces him to come to Neverland and <b>from there, Hook quickly looses his innocence.</b><br />
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Pan is very much a child yet not all at once. He is wicked and cruel. But he doesn't necessarily understand or care to comprehend the consequences of his action. He is the perfect example of a spoiled child who is used to getting everything he wants without any resistance. Resistance is met with rage and cruelty. A violent tantrum. Turning Peter Pan into a wicked creature, seems to be quite popular right now and Shrum takes full advantage of it by making him even more wicked than I've seen before.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i> "Don't say that word, James Hook. We don't speak of mothers here." There
was raw pain and venom in his eyes when he said this, and James was
taken aback. </i> </blockquote>
<br />
<b>Part two consists of James becoming a man.</b> He isn't supposed to grow in Neverland but, however impossible it may seem, Hook does. This leads us to question: when do we actually grow up? Is it just the physical appearance and disbelief in magical things as suggested by Pan? Or is it as one of the Lost Boys said, experience? Perhaps, it's a combination of both. Forced to leave Pan and the Lost Boys, Hook begins his journey as a pirate and takes his place aboard a pirate ship. Now that he's finally left Pan, he attempts his escape from Neverland, desperate to see his family again.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>And James once again looked on with tightly wound muscles and wide eyes
as they once again approached the dreadful shores of Neverland. James
was overcome with a black rage, and his muscles began to quiver.</i></blockquote>
At this point, he's left most of his childish tendencies behind, but still retains a few as well as his good heart. I particularly enjoyed Hook's character. He's constantly conflicted because Neverland challenges the principles of right and wrong. It's a dream land, so do people really die? Pan is a boy but he's clearly been alive long enough to have obtained wicked habits that children clearly don't have. The same is even seen in one of the Lost Boys. Hook hates Pan, but can't bring himself to kill the boy no matter how close he gets.<br />
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Here is where Hook begins to fall in love and quite the love story it is. I didn't expect it at all. When the novel begins with 12 year old James Hook, <b>I expected a rather innocent novel. Pan challenged this belief; the love story completely obliterated it.</b> Hook desperately loves Tiger Lily, a girl imagined by Pan himself. She exists in Neverland because of Peter Pan. I'm sure you can all imagine the implications behind that detail.<br />
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As part two closes, Hook has lost everything he's ever cared about. He has witnessed part of the life Pan stole from him in London, and the life he imagined for himself in Neverland is painfully ripped away. All because of Pan. Hook has given up all hope of happiness and leaving Neverland, trapped because of a boy called Pan.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>The deepest circle of Hell is kept for Brutus, Judas, and Peter Pan.</i></blockquote>
<b>Part three is the villain at his finest</b> - if you will. Although, at this point both Captain Hook and Peter Pan are equal parts villain. Hook manages to retain a few shreds of honor but he's obsessed with killing Pan. It is the one and only important thing left to the pirate now. Captain Hook has become exactly what Neverland planned for him. Where this may have tortured Hook before, he has come to a grim acceptance of the fact.<br />
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Honestly, I came to be has annoyed with Pan as Hook was. Even in light of both characters' villainy, I was constantly betting on Hook's obsession to kill Pan. I disliked Pan nearly as much as Hook did and wished the boy would die, if only so I didn't have to read about his arrogant smile or cackle one more time.<br />
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<i>Never Never</i> had my entire body tensed for a good part of the novel. Whether it was because they were traipsing through the woods or because Hook was making a terrible decision, I couldn't peel my eyes away from the making of a villain. If you ever asked how Captain Hook came to be, this is an excellent answer. After all, villains are made aren't they? It's a decision they make but they also tend to experience traumatizing things. <i>Never Never</i> is the account of a young boy who became a villain.<br />
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<a class="blsdk-follow" data-blsdk-type="button" href="https://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/chasm-books-5724049" target="_blank">Follow</a><script>(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = "https://widget.bloglovin.com/assets/widget/loader.js";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, "script", "bloglovin-sdk"))</script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194622037669027644noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-596729015016036518.post-45313966618131714622015-09-12T00:00:00.000-04:002015-09-12T00:00:03.473-04:00When Book Reviews Sold Books & A Look at Upcoming ContentWe're nearly half way through September. I'm not quite sure how that has happened, but we're here none the less. I've been working hard to get the ideas flowing and reading all of the books so I can share new content with y'all. I have quite a few blog posts planned already (now I just have to write them) and am excited to share them with you.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Behind the Scenes </span><br />
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Not too long ago, I announced my intentions to <a href="http://chasmofbooks.blogspot.com/2015/08/blog-updates-old-content-becomes-new.html" target="_blank">revamp a lot of my old content</a>. I have over 500 articles to comb through and (in some cases) figure out what in the world I'm going to do with them. This remains a cause that I am dedicated to and I've been making some progress. Slow and steady wins the race though. As always, if there's an old blog post you find that you'd like to see revamped, definitely let me know and I'll bump it up on the priority list.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-hmn-bcdlUsW76aYp9vMtuzWiwy6bOHUXIFW6MfRqHu-XjuLBKtlBMPw2IjrrPl8jhcJmLoqrSw2c52i2YvvgmSNlgYASltfaqaeslIoT1FLwNoqJoFBmSZjNqJGzSV8o3U2agsyLCWk/s1600/Last+Song+Before+Night.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-hmn-bcdlUsW76aYp9vMtuzWiwy6bOHUXIFW6MfRqHu-XjuLBKtlBMPw2IjrrPl8jhcJmLoqrSw2c52i2YvvgmSNlgYASltfaqaeslIoT1FLwNoqJoFBmSZjNqJGzSV8o3U2agsyLCWk/s320/Last+Song+Before+Night.jpg" width="212" /></a>Some of you may be wondering: what does this project actually entail? For more recent reviews, this mostly entails bringing the format up to date and making sure everything looks uniform (which takes an unbelievable amount of time). For older reviews, sometimes I need to fix things up and that requires a lot of rewriting in addition to any formatting issues. So far, with the discussions I've revamped, I had to totally rewrite it all. It's a lot work, but it's a labor of love and I've been happy with the finished products.<br />
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Besides the updates, I have a couple of interviews in the works (I have to get some interview questions out today) and am looking to inquire about more. I'll be participating in the <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23704941-last-song-before-night?ac=1" target="_blank"><i>Last Song Before Night</i></a> blog tour, which I'm super stoked for. You can look for my leg of the tour on 9/25.<br />
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Of course, there's also the <a href="http://chasmofbooks.blogspot.com/p/read-alongs.html" target="_blank"><i>Heart of Betrayal</i> read-along</a> to look forward to this November. Additionally, I'll be hosting <i>Falling Kingdoms</i>, <i>Rebel Spring</i>, and <i>Gathering Darkness</i> rereads. Those are still in the works so keep your eyes peeled for details as they emerge.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Literacy Statistics</span> <br />
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Perhaps you've heard of <a href="https://www.grammarly.com/plagiarism-checker" target="_blank">Grammarly</a>. I'm a fan. I don't use any of their services, but they keep my Facebook feed entertaining. As a book lover, I find reading statistics and such quite interesting. Grammarly recently released an infographic detailing their study of global literacy, which is a bit depressing. You can find all of the details below. (You can also see their statics on <a href="http://chasmofbooks.blogspot.com/2014/12/writing-skills-are-impacting-your-career.html" target="_blank">how writing impacts your job</a>.)<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Articles to Check Out</span> <br />
<br />
I've been pretty good at reading blogs and such lately so here are a few to entertain you when you're done here.<br />
<ul>
<li>I don't often read book reviews, so this one for <a href="http://bookiemoji.com/2015/08/book-review-blood-and-salt-by-kim-liggett/" target="_blank">Blood and Salt</a> from Bookiemoji comes highly recommended. It made me pre-order a copy.</li>
<li>Don't forget to check out <a href="http://www.happyindulgencebooks.com/2015/06/23/the-sacred-lies-of-minnow-bly-by-stephanie-oakes-review/" target="_blank">Happy Indulgence's review of <i>The Sacred Lies of Minnow Bly</i></a> as well. If you're following me on twitter, then you know that this review sold the novel to me. I started reading it almost the second I got it. (Ebooks people.)</li>
<li>I'm set to review <i>The Scorpion Rules</i> next week on the 17th, but here's a review from <a href="http://www.myfriendsarefiction.com/review-of-the-scorpion-rules-by-erin-bow" target="_blank">My Friends are Fiction</a> to entertain you in the mean time.</li>
<li>If you haven't already, and if you're looking for a podcast that's entertaining and sounds great, try <a href="https://senpaicoasttocoast.wordpress.com/2015/08/30/podcast-episode-10-concurrency-of-evangelion/" target="_blank">Senpai Coast to Coast</a>.</li>
<li>You've all heard of Humans of New York. Welcome to <a href="http://www.tor.com/2015/09/11/orcs-of-new-york-humans-of-new-york-parody-harry-aspinwall/" target="_blank">Orcs of New York</a>.</li>
<li>For anyone looking for a bit of advise here's <a href="http://www.elleandcompanydesign.com/blog/2015/3/31/how-to-get-first-time-visitors-hooked-on-your-blog" target="_blank">How to Get First-Time Visitors Hooked On Your Blog</a></li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Are there any great articles I should check out? Has a review ever made you buy a book?</span></div>
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<a class="blsdk-follow" data-blsdk-type="button" href="https://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/chasm-books-5724049" target="_blank">Follow</a><script>(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = "https://widget.bloglovin.com/assets/widget/loader.js";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, "script", "bloglovin-sdk"))</script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194622037669027644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-596729015016036518.post-80806919013944142622015-09-10T00:00:00.001-04:002015-09-10T00:00:01.037-04:005 Fantasy Series Perfect for Your Book ClubWhile I've never been a member of a book club, every once in a while I come across a series of novels that I know without a doubt would be perfect for one. Enjoying a novel or series doesn't necessarily mean either is the perfect book club choice. There needs to be something of substance to talk about that perhaps not everyone will agree on; and even if you do all agree on certain things, the perfect series/novel has enough facets that there's still something left to discuss beyond, "I agree." Let's face it, not every series or novel has this quality. There are quite a few books that I love, but I know that all of them wouldn't make for the greatest discussion.<br />
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Therefore, I've compiled a list of series that would be great for any book club. My goal here is to stay away from series that are common place - meaning that I wanted to suggest series that you may not have seen on a list like this before, as well as young adult series that haven't been adapted into a film. With that said, I'll be excluding <a href="http://chasmofbooks.blogspot.com/2013/04/review-of-harry-potter-and-sorcerers.html?spref=tw" target="_blank"><i>Harry Potter</i></a> and <a href="http://chasmofbooks.blogspot.com/2013/04/review-of-hunger-games.html?spref=tw" target="_blank"><i>The Hunger Games</i></a>, but would like you to know that they would also make suitable choices for a book club in need.<br />
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1.<br />
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Who isn't interested in <a href="http://chasmofbooks.blogspot.com/2014/05/review-assassins-blade.html" target="_blank">the story of an assassin</a> who's been caught? Questions abound. How was she caught? How can a trained assassin not avoid capture? What would drive someone to choose that life? The <a href="http://chasmofbooks.blogspot.com/2013/08/review-throne-of-glass.html?spref=tw" target="_blank"><i>Throne of Glass</i></a> series has morphed into something much larger than what the first three novels presented. When this series started, it was <a href="http://chasmofbooks.blogspot.com/2013/09/review-crown-of-midnight_12.html" target="_blank">solely about an assassin</a>; as it has progressed though, <a href="http://chasmofbooks.blogspot.com/2014/08/arc-review-heir-of-fire.html" target="_blank">new layers and characters</a> have been introduced. While not every change is welcomed by all, the continued exploration of character relationships and the evolving series plot give readers a lot to think and talk about. There will be plenty of conflicting opinions to keep a discussion interesting and, as I'm sure most will agree, there will also be <a href="http://chasmofbooks.blogspot.com/2015/09/review-queen-of-shadows.html" target="_blank">plenty of reasons</a> to keep you and your fellow book club friends united. <br />
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While the <i>Falling Kingdoms</i> series and I had <a href="http://chasmofbooks.blogspot.com/2013/09/review-forbidden-kingdoms.html" target="_blank">a rocky start in 2013</a>, I have come to fully embrace it in all its barbaric glory. Some readers (like me) may see a lot of things coming, but the character driven plot will keep everyone fully invested. The sometimes taboo subject matter sunk within a fully developed world is great for spirited discussions with peers. Whether or not everyone likes the characters, they won't put the series down until they see the twisted story play out. Warning: you may not be able to slow everyone down enough to read one book a month.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCqowvDJDMI8S4S0lGGMiCQhKfX-GKiGaYGyJboK4mDWG04cLHtN0GtbqoSw_rrSdhDGU6tfQYVx3PcpSVguFG_uvZ7AujwnuvTQkPzLPnO-BoF-IPao3kwIphtwwGdodocjdAgLsyrak/s1600/The+Hobbit+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCqowvDJDMI8S4S0lGGMiCQhKfX-GKiGaYGyJboK4mDWG04cLHtN0GtbqoSw_rrSdhDGU6tfQYVx3PcpSVguFG_uvZ7AujwnuvTQkPzLPnO-BoF-IPao3kwIphtwwGdodocjdAgLsyrak/s200/The+Hobbit+2.jpg" width="128" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX5LBzJSI56fkfGw5Ep6PURuQhIM8XEcor6S1DnU1LOuTEAiNRqm-_gTWw9yJfM8ckQjgDTl2wayhb79TiNY26icV7jTBdxVKPQeM_q3TdF97AA1vLXKz8QzYydl2Ax80jLnA0wi4MpFc/s1600/The+Lord+of+the+Rings+Trilogy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX5LBzJSI56fkfGw5Ep6PURuQhIM8XEcor6S1DnU1LOuTEAiNRqm-_gTWw9yJfM8ckQjgDTl2wayhb79TiNY26icV7jTBdxVKPQeM_q3TdF97AA1vLXKz8QzYydl2Ax80jLnA0wi4MpFc/s200/The+Lord+of+the+Rings+Trilogy.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
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You've seen the movies, now it's time to read the books. <a href="http://chasmofbooks.blogspot.com/p/tolkien.html" target="_blank">Tolkien</a> has built a world ripe for discussion and questions and I wouldn't be a good blogger if I didn't include <i>The Lord of the Rings</i> trilogy on this list. It may take a bit longer to get through than some, but every book club needs a few books built for the long haul. Anyone who claims they like books, should give <i>The Lord of the Rings</i> a chance at least once in their reading lives. The epic story is particularly great for discussions on themes such as: loyalty, friendship, good and evil, and even redemption. <i>The Hobbit</i> is technically a standalone novel, but you can throw it in with <i>The Lord of the Rings</i> trilogy for good measure. This also happens to be one of the few series that you can put down for months but pick up again later with very few repercussions. <br />
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It's not often that you see gargoyles take the front and center in a novel. At least, I haven't heard of that many. In <a href="http://chasmofbooks.blogspot.com/2013/06/review-of-beauitful-and-cursed.html" target="_blank"><i>The Dispossessed</i></a> series, their existence and the specifics of <a href="http://chasmofbooks.blogspot.com/2014/05/mini-review-marcos-story.html" target="_blank">their past and present</a> restraints keeps readers curious. The historical setting perfectly suits the content and <a href="http://chasmofbooks.blogspot.com/2014/05/arc-review-lovely-and-lost.html?spref=tw" target="_blank">the demons</a> will have you looking over your shoulder as you read before bed. (Perhaps you shouldn't read these before bed...) Additionally, the romance (if nothing else does the trick) will have you clamoring for more, effectively entrapping you in a never ending cycle of, "Just one more chapter."<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkBzfKgzxPDVjJiKd-C7h10CUo6EJQ_tCMpPa9XGjvL1NpmI9AnPYLd-JIVzF9kF4-Zg1K7n8pl4u4lnyeN_YH_9eBqaphU429cQlUBEJmd8y7o6P8kzHIBtKm92fcGwTa9KVE2i7jqZw/s1600/Cinder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkBzfKgzxPDVjJiKd-C7h10CUo6EJQ_tCMpPa9XGjvL1NpmI9AnPYLd-JIVzF9kF4-Zg1K7n8pl4u4lnyeN_YH_9eBqaphU429cQlUBEJmd8y7o6P8kzHIBtKm92fcGwTa9KVE2i7jqZw/s200/Cinder.jpg" width="131" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyO8rtApXbbAYyqUoVFjlw989j267P1zYvWyzbW824_j_S52T3Z79QudqpKR-HXe8Jl7O-fBjZrVpekI2ZaL6hMqYPivCjdlQIjsJ-xicpdTQoQORXInMC0cRxOHqwea1xTpHmeu0wiJk/s1600/Scarlet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyO8rtApXbbAYyqUoVFjlw989j267P1zYvWyzbW824_j_S52T3Z79QudqpKR-HXe8Jl7O-fBjZrVpekI2ZaL6hMqYPivCjdlQIjsJ-xicpdTQoQORXInMC0cRxOHqwea1xTpHmeu0wiJk/s200/Scarlet.jpg" width="133" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKgwUk6WK2vtpvfA9I1DePV8Qim-tCBgQDztqdE98L82_1tMEgkhVxZBGWa7G-x3qMITioIAjrvU9cSmiK_3CyEZypb9t79q4fMYx3xmLFUGvh6fuIpBevi-n_RCIL21GH-GfWXJxQDrw/s1600/Cress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKgwUk6WK2vtpvfA9I1DePV8Qim-tCBgQDztqdE98L82_1tMEgkhVxZBGWa7G-x3qMITioIAjrvU9cSmiK_3CyEZypb9t79q4fMYx3xmLFUGvh6fuIpBevi-n_RCIL21GH-GfWXJxQDrw/s200/Cress.jpg" width="144" /></a></div>
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It's not every day you get to read a <a href="http://chasmofbooks.blogspot.com/2013/03/review-of-scarlet_21.html?spref=tw" target="_blank">sci-fi take on Cinderella</a>, Little Red Riding Hood, and Rapunzel. The novels featured here are just three in a series of five (with the last novel, <i>Winter</i>, releasing this November). The technical aspects of <i>The Lunar Chronicles</i>, will have your book club in a type of awe as it complicates the relationships between the characters, who each come with their own set of special issues - <a href="http://chasmofbooks.blogspot.com/2015/02/review-fairest.html" target="_blank">some bigger than others</a>.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">What books have you read with a book club? Have you ever thought of starting one yourself?</span> </div>
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<a class="blsdk-follow" data-blsdk-type="button" href="https://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/chasm-books-5724049" target="_blank">Follow</a><script>(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = "https://widget.bloglovin.com/assets/widget/loader.js";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, "script", "bloglovin-sdk"))</script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194622037669027644noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-596729015016036518.post-61719627733434715712015-09-07T00:00:00.000-04:002015-09-09T12:30:39.779-04:00Review: Queen of Shadows | Only Justice Remains<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsKC3zJFd5r_hSEXuRCmg9RW5U2FdsrCMj7L2m8UwBemxF5NZXJXohNgwn-BIgPbbsfcNEu0tt0hO4vToEAz9WMPdqtxgb2hftbF0g58aVkX75pj5IEvnjime0pTXxcqrHpyX1QQIprME/s1600/Queen+of+Shadows.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsKC3zJFd5r_hSEXuRCmg9RW5U2FdsrCMj7L2m8UwBemxF5NZXJXohNgwn-BIgPbbsfcNEu0tt0hO4vToEAz9WMPdqtxgb2hftbF0g58aVkX75pj5IEvnjime0pTXxcqrHpyX1QQIprME/s320/Queen+of+Shadows.jpg" width="210" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<b><span style="color: #a64d79;">Queen of Shadows </span></b><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">by </span></span><b><span style="color: #a64d79;">Sarah J. Maas</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Published by <span style="color: #a64d79;">Bloomsbury USA Childrens</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Format Reviewed: <span style="color: #a64d79;">Hardcover </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Publication Date: <span style="color: #a64d79;">September 1st, 2015</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Genre: <span style="color: #a64d79;">High Fantasy</span> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Pages: <span style="color: #a64d79;">656</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">Reviewed by: </span><b><span style="color: #a64d79;">Stephanie</span></b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">My Rating: <span style="color: #a64d79;">5 of 5 Stars</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/queen-of-shadows-sarah-j-maas/1121116385?ean=9781619636040" target="_blank"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>Buy It</b></span></a></span>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span id="freeText1422729098763445961">Everyone Celaena
Sardothien loves has been taken from her. But she's at last returned to
the empire—for vengeance, to rescue her once-glorious kingdom, and to
confront the shadows of her past . . .<br /><br />She will fight for her
cousin, a warrior prepared to die just to see her again. She will fight
for her friend, a young man trapped in an unspeakable prison. And she
will fight for her people, enslaved to a brutal king and awaiting their
lost queen's triumphant return.<br /><br />Celaena’s epic journey has
captured the hearts and imaginations of millions across the globe. This
fourth volume will hold readers rapt as Celaena’s story builds to a
passionate, agonizing crescendo that might just shatter her world.</span></i></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;">Peel Your Eyelids Open</span><br />
<br />
There aren't many novels that have me up late at night, sacrificing precious hours of sleep in order to see what happens next. In fact, I could probably pinpoint the exact series that have made me do this. Without fail, the latest installment in the <a href="http://chasmofbooks.blogspot.com/2013/08/review-throne-of-glass.html?spref=tw" target="_blank"><i>Throne of Glass</i></a> series (true to the rest of the novels) had me up late reading. Again.<br />
<br />
<i>Queen of Shadows</i> was a whirlwind of fear, not because of the actual events so much as because I know what Maas is capable of, and nothing was off limits here. Anyone could have died. Anything could have happened. I was so invested in learning how things played out, that I didn't have time to contemplate what would happen next. I couldn't read fast enough. I've enjoyed every novel in this series, but there is no doubt in my mind that Maas's skills have grown exponentially while she's been writing this series. <i>Queen of Shadows</i> never took a break. There was hardly any down time and what did consist of down time for the characters, did not translate as down time for readers. Everything was always moving, whether it was the personal relationships, the politics, or physical battles.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Assassin's Past</span><br />
<br />
Celaena (Aelin) came back a queen and we finally get to see her and Arobynn interact now that she has matured and learned a few things. Arobynn probably excited me the most about this book because I was so eager to see his role in Celaena's new life. There was never a question of how he would act per se, so as much as what he would use against her and his role in the big picture. Every mistake I thought she was making with him, wasn't a mistake. Every time he showed up, I would dread what he was planning for the characters. We saw what he's capable of in <a href="http://chasmofbooks.blogspot.com/2014/05/review-assassins-blade.html" target="_blank"><i>The Assassin's Blade</i></a>. That novel was heart-wrenching because of Arobynn, so I consider my worries to be legitimate.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">On the Matter of Growth and Conflicting Questions</span><br />
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Chaol left me extremely frustrated at the end of <i>Heir of Fire</i>. He still refused to accept Celaena as Aelin, so that was definitely a huge arc for his character. Chaol was resentful and angry for a lot of the novel, not really because of anything Celaena did - he was angry and resented himself. It was exactly the arc he needed. I wouldn't necessarily say he grew so much as he accepted himself, others, and the reality of the past, present, and likely future. I had higher hopes for him in the first two novels of this series. I hoped he would be more, but as much as I want to like Chaol the way I did before, I don't. <a href="http://chasmofbooks.blogspot.com/2013/09/review-crown-of-midnight_12.html" target="_blank">He stuck by the King of Ardalan's side</a>, silent for too long and has experienced the consequences of that decision - consequences that are more emotional than physical. That decision was fatal and changes how he'll be perceived for the rest of the series. <a href="http://chasmofbooks.blogspot.com/2014/09/heir-of-fire-chapters-37-58-spoilers.html" target="_blank">He chose the king over the person he claimed to love</a> and that's hard to come back from.<br />
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Manon Blackbeak. If you want to talk about growth, then you need to look at dear Manon. I did enjoy her POV much more in <i>Queen of Shadows</i> than in <a href="http://chasmofbooks.blogspot.com/2014/08/arc-review-heir-of-fire.html" target="_blank"><i>Heir of Fire</i></a>. She's constantly questioning her world in this novel. She has multiple people trying to tell her what to do in some form or another, and that isn't good when an Ironteeth witch is already feeling conflicted. Manon was just a lethal as before but her eyes have been opened and knowledge is power. I'm really interested in seeing how her story line develops and collides with Aelin's. They both have a lot in common and I look forward to them seeing that common ground.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Closing Old Wounds</span><br />
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Surprisingly enough, Maas didn't devastate with <i>Queen of Shadows</i>, which is actually refreshing. Everything isn't perfect but I feel like our characters have received a reward they deserve after four novels of complete pain and devastation. They're still not out of the woods. People are hurt but everyone has a clear determination that they didn't have before. Maas actually gave further closure not just to Aelin's wounds, but also wounds (known and unknown) that other characters have endured. I'd dare say that a lot of justice was dealt in this novel. I am left, content but eager for the next installment. <br />
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And to anyone who hasn't yet read <i>Queen of Shadows</i>, I think that you're going to be extremely satisfied with how Maas handles everything. Also, if you haven't read it yet, what are you waiting for?
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<a class="blsdk-follow" data-blsdk-type="button" href="https://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/chasm-books-5724049" target="_blank">Follow</a><script>(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = "https://widget.bloglovin.com/assets/widget/loader.js";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, "script", "bloglovin-sdk"))</script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194622037669027644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-596729015016036518.post-36113949878695234642015-09-03T00:00:00.000-04:002015-09-09T12:31:25.407-04:00Review: The Empire Striketh Back | In Which I Squirm Awkwardly <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>The Empire Striketh Back</b></span> by<b><span style="color: #a64d79;"> Ian Doescher</span></b><br />
Narrated by <span style="color: #a64d79;">Daniel Davis, Jonathan Davis, January LaVoy, </span><span style="color: #a64d79;">Jeff Gurner, </span><span style="color: #a64d79;">Marc Thompson, and Ian Doescher</span><span style="color: #a64d79;"> </span><br />
Published by <span style="color: #a64d79;">Random House Audio</span><br />
Format Reviewed: <span style="color: #a64d79;">Audiobook </span><br />
Publication Date:<span style="color: #a64d79;"> </span><span style="color: #a64d79;">March 18th</span><span style="color: #a64d79;">, 2014</span><br />
Genre: <span style="color: #a64d79;">Science Fiction</span><br />
Time:<b> </b><span style="color: #a64d79;">3 hrs, 25 min</span><br />
Reviewed by: <b><span style="color: #a64d79;">Stephanie</span></b><br />
My Rating: <span style="color: #a64d79;">3 of 5 stars</span><br />
<a href="http://www.audible.com/pd/Sci-Fi-Fantasy/William-Shakespeares-The-Empire-Striketh-Back-Audiobook/B00IZJ8QTK" target="_blank"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: inherit;"><b>Buy It</b></span></a><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Hot on the heels of the New York Times best seller William Shakespeare’s Star Wars comes the next two installments of the original trilogy: William Shakespeare’s The Empire Striketh Back and William Shakespeare’s The Jedi Doth Return. Return to the star-crossed galaxy far, far away as the brooding young hero, a power-mad emperor, and their jesting droids match wits, struggle for power, and soliloquize in elegant and impeccable iambic pentameter. Illustrated with beautiful black-and-white Elizabethan-style artwork, these two plays offer essential reading for all ages. Something Wookiee this way comes!</i></blockquote>
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To begin, <i>The Empire Strikes Back</i> is my least favorite movie out of the Star Wars movie trilogies, so it came as no surprise that <i>The Empire Striketh Back</i> turned out to be my least favorite of Doescher's works from the first trilogy.<br />
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The narration was just has impressive as it was in <i><a href="http://chasmofbooks.blogspot.com/2015/06/review-verily-new-hope.html" target="_blank">Verily, A New Hope</a></i>. I honestly didn't expect anything new in this audiobook, which isn't necessarily be a bad thing since I really enjoyed the first one. I was wrong to have this expectation (or lack thereof). The narration had an extremely surprising change, something I couldn't have predicted.<br />
<br />
Chewbacca sang.<br />
<br />
No, I'm not even kidding. Chewbacca sang as did some of the other characters. It was actually quite awkward and slightly embarrassing when they did. (I'm not <i>that</i> comfortable with my nerdiness. My first instinct was to turn it down so no one could hear it.) The singing doesn't necessarily take away from anything but it doesn't really add anything either. It seems like it was sort of thrown in there to mix things up, but it oddly works with the style of the play. Otherwise, there isn't much to note about <i>The Empire Striketh Back</i>. If you're looking for something short, entertaining, and extremely nerdy go ahead and pick this one up.<br />
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To recap: I wasn't blown away by <i>The Empire Striketh Back</i>. It left much of the same impression on me as Episode V always has: awkward at moments but all made worth it by the appearance of Darth Vader himself.<br />
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<a class="blsdk-follow" data-blsdk-type="button" href="https://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/chasm-books-5724049" target="_blank">Follow</a><script>(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = "https://widget.bloglovin.com/assets/widget/loader.js";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, "script", "bloglovin-sdk"))</script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194622037669027644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-596729015016036518.post-66516571228461999362015-08-27T00:00:00.000-04:002015-08-27T19:30:14.647-04:008 Novels on My Fall Reading ListWe're almost 9 months into the year and I've completed my Goodreads reading challenge! It was rather low but it's been nice to not have <a href="http://chasmofbooks.blogspot.com/2014/12/why-im-lowering-my-goodreads-challenge.html" target="_blank">so much pressure</a> this year and, while I haven't tackled every novel I hoped to quite yet, I've been pretty happy with what I've managed to read. I've read some truly awesome books this past year and am looking forward to reading many, many more.<br />
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With the year winding down, there are quite a few novels that are either new to my list of musts or novels that I have been waiting <i>all year long</i> to read. I am very confident in my ability to read all of these novels before the year ends. Perhaps this will even give y'all a few ideas as to what to read next as well. If you've read any of the books on this list or are looking forward to any of them, let me know!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">High Fantasy</span></div>
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I recently finished <i>Falling Kingdoms</i> by Morgan Rhodes, which some of you may remember as a novel <a href="http://chasmofbooks.blogspot.com/2013/09/review-forbidden-kingdoms.html" target="_blank">I tried and originally abandoned in 2013</a> (around the same time of the year too). A couple of friends convinced me to give it another try and I'm now hooked. Plus, the covers are absolutely beautiful (<i>Rebel Spring </i>and <i>Gathering Darkness</i>). Right beside them is the equally magnificent cover belonging to the fourth novel in Sarah J. Maas's <i><a href="http://chasmofbooks.blogspot.com/2013/08/review-throne-of-glass.html" target="_blank">Throne of Glass</a> </i>series, <i>Queen of Shadows</i>. I have been looking forward to this novel since before I finished <i><a href="http://chasmofbooks.blogspot.com/2014/08/arc-review-heir-of-fire.html" target="_blank">Heir of Fire</a></i> last year. It's going to be fantastic.<br />
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I started <i>Prince of Thorns</i> last year but put it down. Much like <i>Falling Kingdoms</i>, I don't think I was quite ready to appreciate the type of story it is. I also recently read something about it that makes me want to at least finish the first book in the series. Plus, like <i>Falling Kingdoms</i>, I adore the covers to this series.<br />
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As for <i>The Tournament of Gorlan</i>, I'd forgotten it was releasing this year until I was compiling this list. Rest assured that it <b>will be mine as soon as I can get my hands on it</b>. I am a ridiculous <i><a href="http://chasmofbooks.blogspot.com/2013/08/review-ruins-of-gorlan.html" target="_blank">Ranger's Apprentice</a></i> fan and will read anything written by John Flanagan. Fans of the series have been hoping for books during Halt and Crowley's early years and the time is nearly upon us.<br />
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I absolutely adored <i><a href="http://chasmofbooks.blogspot.com/2015/04/review-snow-like-ashes.html" target="_blank">Snow Like Ashes</a></i>, and the novel left me clamoring for the sequel. I'll definitely be acquiring the novel at some point this year (*cough* in October). I have high expectations for Raasch. Then again, I have high expectations for all of the high fantasy novels on this list.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sci-Fi/Fantasy</span></div>
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<i>Winter</i> is the last novel in <i><a href="http://chasmofbooks.blogspot.com/2013/03/review-of-scarlet_21.html" target="_blank">The Lunar Chronicles</a></i> series and I have no doubt as to its quality. Marissa Meyer has a way with words. She's built a fantastic world and I'm excited to see how she resolves the series. </div>
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I've been talking about <i>The Dinosaur Lords</i> for months and didn't get a chance to read it when I had it last; however, I really want to have it read this fall. The cover is epically cool and what I did manage to read was intriguing. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What novels are on your fall reading list?</span></div>
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<a class="blsdk-follow" data-blsdk-type="button" href="https://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/chasm-books-5724049" target="_blank">Follow</a><script>(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = "https://widget.bloglovin.com/assets/widget/loader.js";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, "script", "bloglovin-sdk"))</script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194622037669027644noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-596729015016036518.post-84055576396684687732015-08-26T00:00:00.000-04:002015-08-26T00:00:05.031-04:00August Wrap Up: Glancing at the Past, Looking to the FutureThe end of August is upon us. This month has flown by and has had some very pleasant developments. If you follow me on twitter, you already know that <a href="http://chasmofbooks.blogspot.com/2013/09/review-forbidden-kingdoms.html?spref=tw" target="_blank">I gave <i>Falling Kingdoms</i> by Morgan Rhodes another chance</a> and now adore the series. I've already finished the first novel and am currently reading the sequel. At this rate, I'll probably have the third novel read before the month is over (which is fantastic for my TBR pile). With my change in attitude for this series, I'm planning on giving <i>Prince of Thorns</i> by Mark Lawrence another chance. I always planned to but I think now is the time. After finishing <i>Falling Kingdoms</i>, I have gained a new appreciation for these ruthless, despicable characters that authors write.<br />
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In the mean time, the <i>Jurassic Park</i> read-along is almost over. It'll be ending this Monday with a review for the entire novel. If you haven't read the discussions, it's not too late. You can read them <a href="http://chasmofbooks.blogspot.com/p/read-alongs.html" target="_blank">anytime you decide to dive into Crichton's novel</a>.<br />
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As I reflect on my autumn reading list, it's clear that this season is all about high fantasy, but more on that tomorrow. This last half of the year has some very epic releases headed it's way what with the release of <i>Queen of Shadows</i> by Sarah J. Maas and <i>Winter</i> by Marissa Meyer, compounded with the release of <i>Ice Like Fire</i> by Sarah Raasch and <i>Frozen Tides</i> by Morgan Rhodes. I'm sure there are more novels releasing that will be fantastic as well, so please tell me what novels you're looking forward to. I'm currently trying to decide what my next Star Wars novel is going to be; therefore, if anyone has any suggestions at all, please let me know (I've been eying <i>Aftermath </i>by Chuck Wendig, but mostly because Marc Thompson narrates it). I'm excited to share my review of <i>Dark Disciple</i> with you in the coming weeks. though since it is very high on my favorite novels of 2015 list. I did not expect what it delivered. And, boy, did it deliver.<br />
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For now, it's time to give some disappointing news. I was graciously given a review copy of <i>Rebel Mechanics</i> by Shanna Swendson and received it from the publisher via Netgalley. <span style="font-family: inherit;">N<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.0200004577637px; text-align: center;">o compensation was offered, given, or taken to alter my opinion.</span> </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtAk1QnxOfis-hyilIBg2jdD34Hm0s5FazS9f1YzNstmrDhbk74Y0IHfhTN0zXQyWqk8hpUMcpWWWwFwyPSmF86CHui5MadFMPZNnfP2ksmuDru1IHK8a3Ha8dJNAz2naD2BnnHwQT8Kk/s1600/Rebel+Mechanics.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtAk1QnxOfis-hyilIBg2jdD34Hm0s5FazS9f1YzNstmrDhbk74Y0IHfhTN0zXQyWqk8hpUMcpWWWwFwyPSmF86CHui5MadFMPZNnfP2ksmuDru1IHK8a3Ha8dJNAz2naD2BnnHwQT8Kk/s320/Rebel+Mechanics.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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After multiple attempts, I finally had to put it down. Unfortunately, the writing didn't suite my tastes and I felt it to be a bit immature. The dialogue didn't feel real. The main character immediately came off as ungrateful, and the book felt too fantastical without anything to really ground me. The setting shifted quickly and it was difficult to keep track of things. Honestly, I just don't think that this novel was for me. The cover is fantastic with all of the different layers, but I just couldn't really invest myself into the novel. You guys might have a better time of it than I did, but this didn't work for me.<br />
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Now that we've covered that, it's time to compile a list of articles I think y'all should read.<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="https://pagesunbound.wordpress.com/2015/08/21/discussion-post-do-negative-reviews-really-get-attention/" target="_blank">Do Negative Reviews Really Get "Attention?"</a></li>
<li><a href="http://nellieandco.blogspot.co.uk/2015/08/why-feature-recent-posts-sidebar.html" target="_blank">Why are You Featuring "Recent Posts" in Your Sidebar?</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.elleandcompanydesign.com/blog/8-ways-to-enhance-user-experience" target="_blank">8 Ways to Enhance Your Website's User Experience</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.publishingcrawl.com/2012/11/20/the-fine-art-of-story-resonance/" target="_blank">The Fine Art of Story Resonance</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.starwars.com/news/9-creatures-in-the-star-wars-universe-wed-like-to-keep-as-pets" target="_blank">9 Creatures in the Star Wars Universe We'd Like to Keep as Pets</a></li>
<li><a href="http://us3.campaign-archive1.com/?u=cdd0d036e9531dd416bf945b3&id=4ed9eb652d" target="_blank">Dragging Characters through the Wringer</a></li>
</ul>
We've covered books and blog articles you should read, so what's next? Writing of course. I don't talk about this often here, but just to touch base with y'all about it. I am set to go into another round of revisions for my work in progress, <i>Traitors & Tyrants</i>. You can get more details at <a href="http://createandimprove.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Create and Improve</a>, but suffice it to say that I'm excited to enter this next stage in the writing process, and to make further headway with a story that is near and dear to my heart. It has warped and twisted in ways I never would have expected, but that's the writing process for you.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So what have you been reading lately?</span></div>
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<a class="blsdk-follow" data-blsdk-type="button" href="https://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/chasm-books-5724049" target="_blank">Follow</a><script>(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = "https://widget.bloglovin.com/assets/widget/loader.js";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, "script", "bloglovin-sdk"))</script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194622037669027644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-596729015016036518.post-12640047712014181752015-08-24T00:00:00.000-04:002015-08-27T19:30:27.493-04:00Arrogance Leads to Severe Mistakes: Iteration Five<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBt5FeZeWA2O4sKZrE4BULqr4YY6kvMJNKWifS0RjZUPUMqsPQTnvLqijbcywjtmlTCBETEEbpsnPPB91Bt-gddjE9z5ynCVGJHnSHWF17kCDM2QPXYnMr9kh7LrjMtk2p1HjQZ8bUmPA/s1600/Hunting+Velociraptors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBt5FeZeWA2O4sKZrE4BULqr4YY6kvMJNKWifS0RjZUPUMqsPQTnvLqijbcywjtmlTCBETEEbpsnPPB91Bt-gddjE9z5ynCVGJHnSHWF17kCDM2QPXYnMr9kh7LrjMtk2p1HjQZ8bUmPA/s640/Hunting+Velociraptors.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: center;">
<i>Flaws in the system will now become severe.</i></blockquote>
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When last we left, <a href="http://chasmofbooks.blogspot.com/2015/08/the-perils-of-obsession-iteration-four.html" target="_blank">the park was still recovering from a system shutdown</a>, but things hadn't reached total disaster yet. Yes, the T-Rex has already attacked but power was restored. People have died but everything isn't quite as dire as it could be. The fences have been repaired rather quickly, and no one particularly cares that Nedry and Regis are dead because no one liked them anyway. </div>
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<b>Now comes the part where things begin to escalate beyond repair.</b> You could say we've already reached that point, but there is still that glimmer of hope that perhaps they could repair the park. Perhaps they could save lives if only they could get the fences up in time, and the T-Rex back in its own paddock. Grant and the kids are still in the park but, by the end of iteration four, they seem to have escaped the worst of it. They are well on their way back to the control room and lodge.</div>
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Iteration five begins with Muldoon and Gennaro finding a T-Rex kill and, shortly there after, Nedry's body. This enables them to obtain the weaponry needed to dart the T-Rex. Things are beginning to look up for the park's management. At this moment, Crichton reveals two key points: both the T-Rex and Muldoon are hunting at the same time. </div>
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Throughout this part of the novel, Crichton frequently cuts back and forth between Grant and the kids, and Muldoon and the others. He even goes so far as to show a sort of <a href="http://chasmofbooks.blogspot.com/2015/08/a-line-of-dominoes-iteration-one-and-two.html" target="_blank">cause and effect</a> relationship between some events. Without them even knowing it, Muldoon is desperately close to finding Grant and the kids. They could already be back inside the control room if only they had motion sensors near the river. With this fact, Malcolm takes the opportunity to remind us that only 92% of the island is covered by the motion sensors, implying that Grant and the kids as well as the T-Rex must be within the last 8%. While this is nothing earth shattering, <b>it's just another factor showing Hammond that his system is imperfect.</b> He was <a href="http://chasmofbooks.blogspot.com/2015/08/control-is-illusion-iteration-three.html" target="_blank">never in control</a>. What he considered a minor problem has turned into a key factor in their inability to gain control once more.</div>
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Now comes the part I've been waiting for the entire novel: the aviary. I won't go into it much here but suffice it to say that while it's short, I think it'll definitely succeed in making your heart pound. It's a new development, one I know I certainly didn't expect when I first read the novel. Just when Grant and the kids have survived this encounter though, the freaking T-Rex rears its ugly head again. This time however, Crichton shows us something new. It's disgusting. It's unaccounted for. It shows us that perhaps the T-Rex is not the stupid lug Hammond and the rest would have us believe.</div>
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After achieving some success in their latest goals, Arnold and Muldoon are in for a major curve ball. The systems go down, again. Even with it being broad daylight, everyone begins to panic the second the lights go out. Muldoon, calm as ever, opens the shades but it's more than apparent that things will not power up so easily this time. Unlike before, Muldoon knows exactly what're they're up against.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"Fine. Then go with everybody to the lodge." Muldoon turned away. "That's it, everybody. Now </i>move<i>."</i><br />
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<i>Hammond whined, "But what are you going to do to my animals?"
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<i>"That's not really the question, Mr. Hammond," Muldoon said. "The question is what are they going to do to us."</i></blockquote>
They literally sat and watched the last of their power go out without the slightest ability to prevent it. We begin to understand that the park employees had a grace period. For hours they had a chance to truly fix their problem and they completely missed it. <b>Even now though, Hammond is more concerned about the dinosaurs than he is for his still-missing grandchildren and his own life.</b><br />
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Crichton has reserved the true terror embodied by the velociraptors up until to this very point. For the entire novel, Muldoon has made audible and inaudible comments about how good it is that the raptors haven't escaped. He has mentally gone over how terrible it would be if they did. And his fears are realized. They are out because Arnold and the rest were so arrogant as to not even go over every single detail to make sure the park was running as it should on the most basic level: it's electricity. This one oversight, this one mistake, will cost them. It has already cost them. In short, iteration five is nothing more than a complete escalation of events. They've traveled up hill. Crichton has reached the peak of the novel's crisis. Now everything will have to come crashing down and people will certainly die in the process.</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: left;">
<i>They listened to the radio. "It sounds like a war out there."
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<br /> "The raptors got out," Hammond said.</i></blockquote>
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<a class="blsdk-follow" data-blsdk-type="button" href="https://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/chasm-books-5724049" target="_blank">Follow</a><script>(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = "https://widget.bloglovin.com/assets/widget/loader.js";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, "script", "bloglovin-sdk"))</script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194622037669027644noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-596729015016036518.post-12370420254945903472015-08-17T00:00:00.000-04:002015-08-17T00:00:07.231-04:00The Perils of Obsession: Iteration Four<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYX4_qg0SnR76CR6gASRF3_6oxx1EaHuOi-UU7HiZj4M6TEaho8fGW_POLafHwQx9yu3dr9p0o4i-n0zg4qMLpyeQBJD_d8Obx5ERMy0FhKXmSQAMrIGHO6jkqilV3T7zLrmH46i2Wmgg/s1600/Mr.+Arnold+doesn%2527t+care.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYX4_qg0SnR76CR6gASRF3_6oxx1EaHuOi-UU7HiZj4M6TEaho8fGW_POLafHwQx9yu3dr9p0o4i-n0zg4qMLpyeQBJD_d8Obx5ERMy0FhKXmSQAMrIGHO6jkqilV3T7zLrmH46i2Wmgg/s640/Mr.+Arnold+doesn%2527t+care.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: center;">
<i>Inevitably, underlying instabilities begin to appear.</i></blockquote>
We've talked about how all evidence of disaster was lined up from <a href="http://chasmofbooks.blogspot.com/2015/08/a-line-of-dominoes-iteration-one-and-two.html" target="_blank">the very beginning in iteration one and two</a>; and we've gone through the Park's creators' issues with <a href="http://chasmofbooks.blogspot.com/2015/08/control-is-illusion-iteration-three.html" target="_blank">being in control in iteration three</a>. Tragedy, worse than they've ever seen has struck. Dr. Hammond's own grandchildren are in danger, one man is in dire need of surgery, and three more men are considered missing. Five of these people are the first guests Hammond's park has ever seen.<br />
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Iteration three left us without power. Literally. All systems were down in one form or another. Nedry, the only man able to quickly fix it all, is missing. The only weapon of any use against a T-Rex is missing. And the two tour cars are parked right outside of the T-Rex paddock. This isn't the makings of a disaster at all.<br />
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The T-Rex's brutal attack is memorable but Ed Regis is probably the most horrific traitor from the entire sequence. We all understand that the T-Rex is going to attack. We expect it. It is, after all, a dinosaur. Even after we see the T-Rex gripping what should be an electrified fence, the first sense of horror from this scene stems from Ed Regis, head of public relations. The man leaves two young children alone, waiting to see if they will be killed by the dinosaur. He doesn't spare a thought for them until he is lying wedged in a crop of rocks, safe for the moment. His fate is well-deserved. This act of cowardness is only topped by John Hammond himself.<br />
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As the night goes on, Mr. Arnold finally sorts through part of Nedry's mess and gets the power back on. With this also comes the park fences. Once Muldoon finally gets a vehicle, he sets out to pick up the stranded tourists. He is unsurprised by what he finds: a leg and a vehicle flung across the road. He looks for the kids and is satisfied that they are at least alive but is unwilling to search the park for them in the middle of the night (not that I blame him). Gennaro comments that Hammond will be angry when he tells him, but Muldoon blankly informs the lawyer that Gennaro will be telling Hammond, not him.<br />
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Hammond isn't even upset. It's disgusting how unphased he is by the revelation that his own grandchildren are missing, lost somewhere inside the park, amongst dinosaurs that could easily devour them. His reaction?<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"Oh, I'm sure we'll find them. After all, I keep telling everyone, this park is made for kids." [...] "We've had a little breakdown from the storm or whatever, and as a result we've suffered a regrettable, unfortunate accident. And that's all that happened. We're dealing with it." </blockquote>
Let's point out two things here. None of their problems are remotely related to the storm. And, two, what does the park being made for kids have anything to do with the fact that they could be hunted and killed by any dinosaur that fancies it? Hammond is wildly out of touch with the problems he's facing or he is in denial. Probably both. Once again though, his obsession with control is manifested in the statement: "We're dealing with it."<br />
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The man has just had his entire park system shut down by a man he trusted with every single major park function. The very man who built the systems they are currently using just brought chaos raining down on their heads. Hammond should be worried about any further repercussions from Nedry's work; I know I would. Instead, he is blaming the security shutdown on the storm. The programmer is the reason his grandchildren are in danger and Hammond won't acknowledge that.<br />
<br />
Despite the knowledge that the kids went off into the T-Rex paddock, Hammond responds with an <i>I told you so </i>answer: "this park is made for kids." Just because a roller coaster is made for kids doesn't mean you don't worry if one falls out of their seat in the middle the ride. Yet, this is the equivalent situation at Hammond's park and he is ignoring the problem, wordlessly telling himself that everything is under control.<br />
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As if this exchange weren't enough though, Hammond completely forgets about the two people he should be most concerned about and throws a fit over the safety of his dinosaurs. The T-Rex has found its way into the sauropod paddock and Muldoon (wisely) refuses to go after it until daylight. He quickly shoots down Hammond's every suggestion, reminding the owner that he is the reason why they don't have the necessary power to tranquilize the T-Rex so they can safely get it back into it's own paddock.<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"It's your park, Hammond. You didn't want anybody to be able to injure your precious dinosaurs. Well, now you've got a rex in with the sauropods, and there's not a damned thing you can do about it."</blockquote>
So where does this leave us? Dr. Grant and the kids are still stuck in the T-Rex paddock, desperately trying to avoid the adult and the juvenile. Malcolm desperately needs a doctor. The T-Rex has gone and made a kill. And park repairs are still underway. All the while, Mr. Arnold keeps reaffirming that they "have the park"; and Hammond is singularly obsessed with saving his dinosaurs, therefore blatantly ignoring the danger from which half of his guests are still suffering.<br />
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<a class="blsdk-follow" href="https://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/chasm-books-5724049" target="_blank" data-blsdk-type="button">Follow</a><script>(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = "https://widget.bloglovin.com/assets/widget/loader.js";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, "script", "bloglovin-sdk"))</script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194622037669027644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-596729015016036518.post-11576137303455767352015-08-11T21:35:00.000-04:002015-08-11T21:35:00.497-04:0010 Authors I've Read From Most <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm not usually one for memes of any kind but this week's topic (hosted by <a href="http://www.brokeandbookish.com/2015/08/top-ten-authors-weve-read-most-books.html" target="_blank">The Broke and the Bookish</a>) spotlights author's from whom I've read the most books. Since I know it's interesting for me to see what authors other people enjoy, I decided to pop in on this one. Now, the image above isn't exactly a true representation, mainly because some of the novels counted here are actually short stories which were later bound together in one novel. Behold the true count:<br />
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<b>Rick Riordan, 15:</b> This actually surprises me every time I see him as one of my most-read authors. I've continued to enjoy his series (<a href="http://chasmofbooks.blogspot.com/2013/10/review-house-of-hades.html" target="_blank">despite my complaints</a>) and am still looking forward to his latest novel, <i>The Sword of Summer</i>.<br />
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<b>John Flanagan, 13:</b> Mr. Flanagan is in the unique position of being the one author I've read the most novels from in a continuous series. I actually need to read most of the <i>Brotherband Chronicles</i> seeing as I own it (everything that's been published thus far at least). His <a href="http://chasmofbooks.blogspot.com/2013/08/review-ruins-of-gorlan.html" target="_blank"><i>Ranger's Apprentice</i> series</a> is fantastic and definitely a favorite of mine. I like seeing him as one of the top authors on this list.<br />
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<b>Tony Abbott, 12:</b> Ah, a look back at my childhood. <i>The Secrets of Droon</i> remains <a href="http://chasmofbooks.blogspot.com/2014/05/8-series-to-give-your-kids.html" target="_blank">one of my highest recommendations for children</a>. This series was a significant building block when it came to developing my love for reading.<br />
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<b>Dean Hughes, 10: </b>I'm <a href="http://chasmofbooks.blogspot.com/2014/06/5-novels-for-reluctant-historical.html" target="_blank">not a big reader of historical fiction</a>, but his <i>Hearts of the Children</i> and <i>Rumors of War</i> series were fantastic. The latter takes place during World War 2 and the former is a sequel series which takes place during the 1960s.<br />
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<b>Cassandra Clare, 9:</b> Most of these were the <a href="http://chasmofbooks.blogspot.com/2013/08/review-of-runaway-queen.html" target="_blank">Magnus Bane short stories</a>, which I read individually instead of waiting for the novel bind up. I'd started reading them before the hardcover release was announced so it was cheaper for me to keep buying them instead of waiting and spending $20 as well as sacrifice precious shelf space. Honestly, most of them were a bit of a let down. If you're going to read anything from Clare, I'd suggest that you start with <i>The Infernal Devices</i>, simply because it's been her best series so far.<br />
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<b>Tracey West, 8: </b>I've only read West's <i>Pixie Tricks </i>series, but it was a beloved favorite from my childhood and the first series I ever read (and completed). I remember the day my mother gave the series away... I still wish I had it.<br />
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<b>Stephenie Meyer, 7:</b> Ah, the pre-blogging days. What is there to say? Yes, <a href="http://chasmofbooks.blogspot.com/2013/04/review-of-twilight.html" target="_blank">I read it</a>. Moving on.<br />
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<b>J.K. Rowling, 7: </b><i>Harry Potter </i>for the win. I read this series later than some but I'm glad I went back and read some novels that I was actually told I didn't need to. (How could you say that about <i>Harry Potter</i>? People <a href="http://chasmofbooks.blogspot.com/2014/05/top-ten-tuesday-re-readable-series.html" target="_blank">need to read them</a> all.) No one who has touched the world of Hogwarts can say it isn't a magical place to read about (no pun intended).<br />
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<b>Brandon Mull, 6: </b>Hello, <i>Fablehaven</i> series. We're talking about one of the best middle grade series ever published. I can't even tell you how happy I was when I found out he was writing a <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25377505-dragonwatch?ac=1" target="_blank">sequel series</a>. I tried his <i>Beyonders</i> series and it wasn't bad, I just couldn't get into it.<br />
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<b>Kiera Cass, 6: </b>Ah, yes. <a href="http://chasmofbooks.blogspot.com/2013/07/review-of-elite.html" target="_blank"><i>The Selection</i> series</a> is my fluff series. I'll probably read anything from it because it is (generally speaking) a relaxing and quick series to read.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Who are some of the authors from whom you've consumed the most novels? Have you read any of these series?</span></div>
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<a class="blsdk-follow" data-blsdk-type="button" href="https://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/chasm-books-5724049" target="_blank">Follow</a><script>(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = "https://widget.bloglovin.com/assets/widget/loader.js";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, "script", "bloglovin-sdk"))</script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194622037669027644noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-596729015016036518.post-89328562801877933722015-08-10T00:00:00.000-04:002015-08-10T18:36:17.884-04:00Control is an Illusion: Iteration Three<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: center;">
Details emerge more clearly as the fractal curve is redrawn.</blockquote>
From the moment the fourth iteration began, the minds behind Jurassic Park begin to outline all of their control procedures, and the park's first guests are already doubting the safety of the park. They contend that the park employees/founders are dealing with formerly extinct animals and have no idea how to really control them, let alone have the ability even if they did have the knowledge.<br />
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Their belief in their control is verbally manifested in the statement, "They are not free at all. They are essentially our prisoners." <b>Even the name of the island's center of operation, "the Control Room," shows their irrational belief that they control the happenings of the park.</b> They admit that there are a few details here and there that they need to fix, but the biggest obstacles have been passed. Those concerns are no longer concerns or, in the case of breeding, never were concerns because they are in <b>control</b>.<br />
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At this point, Crichton gives us a few nods back to the novel's introduction when <a href="http://chasmofbooks.blogspot.com/2015/08/a-line-of-dominoes-iteration-one-and-two.html" target="_blank">Doctor Carter tried to save one of the park's employees</a>, further illustrating the point that life can't be controlled. Dr. Grant, Ian Malcolm, and Dr. Sattler all go to the velociraptor holding pen where they are hunted by the dinosaurs. Of course, the hunt fails because of the electrified fencing, leaving the group to remark on their speed, coordination, and the smell of decay left by the dinosaurs. Crichton then gives us another nod as to the origins of the employee's death through the critical eye of Malcolm himself, while illustrating one of the park's biggest issues.<br />
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<i>"I'm told large predators such as lions and tigers are not born man-eaters. Isn't that true? These animals must learn somewhere along the way that human beings are easy to kill. Only afterward do they become man-killers."
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<i>"Yes, I believe that's true," Grant said.
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<i>"Well, these dinosaurs must be even more reluctant than lions and tigers. After all, they come from a time before human beings-or even large mammals-existed.[...] So I wonder: have they learned, somewhere along the line, that humans are easy to kill?"
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<i>The group fell silent as they walked.</i></blockquote>
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Immediately following this is a conversation between Dr. Wu (the geneticist behind the dinosaurs' creation) and Hammond. <b>It shows us three important things.</b> As far as creating "real" dinosaurs, this is as close as they'll probably ever get. Second, they still don't have real dinosaurs, a fact Hammond seems to overlook. And thirdly, even Dr. Wu has no respect for the dinosaurs so he has no problems purposing a new "version": domesticated dinosaurs.<br />
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<b>The park has problems but nearly everyone in charge of keeping things safe is disillusioned, in love with the idea of control. </b>They believe that because they have created the dinosaurs, that they are somehow not living creatures, not truly at least. They created them. Only they control how many dinosaurs are on the island. They even determine the chemical boundaries of the dinosaurs' lives since they have made them lysine deficient. It is this false belief that might just be the greatest danger of all. You can't fix something or prevent something you refuse to acknowledge as a threat or problem.<br />
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What follows during the park tour is an account of the many dangers InGen has encountered while building the park and the eventual moment when Hammond, Dr. Wu, and Ed Regis all realize that their control couldn't have been more fabricated. <b>Muldoon is pessimistic about the park</b> and believes the dinosaurs should all be destroyed. His internal monologue recounts when they discovered the dilophosaurs was poisonous and just how lethal the velociraptors are, as well as the subsequent safety measures InGen took. He even recounts how well some of the most dangerous dinosaurs on the island are able to escape. (This further explains why the guest lodge had been altered so seriously.) For Muldoon, getting Hammond to enact each new safety measure was like pulling teeth. It wasn't until tragedy struck that the owner relented and allowed even the smallest amount of lethal equipment onto the island.<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>In the end, two specially built laser-guided missile launchers were kept in a locked room in the basement. Only Muldoon had the keys to the room.</i></blockquote>
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The shocking fact is that even with clear evidence in front of them (as if the many near-death and fatal experiences the workers had weren't enough), <b>Hammond and the rest still refuse to believe that they were never in control</b>. They know that the dinosaurs are breeding. Dr. Grant has even given them the answer. Yet, they are still hemming and hawing about its impossibility.<br />
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Of course, we end this iteration at the very moment we've all waited for: the power has gone out. The guests are sitting in front of the T-Rex paddock, like a Thanksgiving meal, and Dennis Nedry, the man responsible for the catalytic, is nowhere to be seen. Tragedy shows Muldoon as the most sane person on the island, as he isn't willing to wait for another person to die before he acts. All communications are down. <b>The fences are off.</b> And we don't expect to see Nedry back any time soon.<br />
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