This is a Periodic Post of Newness:
I am going to check out a "Black Butler" book. I have heard good things about anime books, and I want to find out for myself. Wish me luck!
FYI:
I will not be posting about Insurgent for a while. I am unable to finish it, and I have to return it to the library because it is overdue. I repeat: expect no post on Insurgent for a while. I do hope that those who are reading this enjoy! ☺☺☺
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
Feel free NOT to read this post (It is a test)
Both posts are
very good. My writing has improved since I started blogging. Some of the
mistakes that I made in earlier posts were not present in later posts that I
made. In the post “The Twist Behind it All”, I made one spelling mistake in the word scholarship
(spelled it with an “e”) and two
grammatical mistakes. In the post “Wizards are NOT what you think they
are” I only made one mistake,
and that was with a hyphen between the words “well” and “known”. As well as
this, in the “wizards” post I’ll call it, I added a hook, to get people interested. I don’t
like the hook at the beginning
of the “twist” post, as much as I do the “wizard” post, because you can’t
relate to it as well.
One thing that I
struggled with during this experience was getting around to posting comments to
other people’s blogs. I think that it would be much easier to just follow other
people’s blogs, if you could somehow figure out how to do that. I would usually
just post comments on Sunday when I had time to do so. One of my strengths was
coming up with witty titles that take on some sort of ambiguity, or are “so
true”. I also made some good hook statements or phrases when I wanted to make
the post fun to read. My reading goal for this year was 15 books. I read 10
during the trimester. I would say that I met my goal, mostly because it is not
the end of the year yet, and I still have time to read 5 books, just not this
trimester. I have been finding myself reading more and more challenging books
as the year has gone on. As well as this, I am branching out into graphic
novels, and Anime books.
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
This is a Complete Post...
This post as stated in the title, is about my completion of a book, and trilogy. The Brotherband Chronicles, was the trilogy, and the book was called The Hunters. This series had a very simple base, and a very complex plot, resulting in a final battle at the very end of the entire series. As well as this, each book led into the next, but had a separate plot itself. Each book could have been described to have a regular mountain plot. The series as a whole is a "w" type plot.
As the book begins, one of the boys, Ingvar, is having trouble coping with a wound. To compound this, a prisoner, whom is giving them information, escapes, and someone must track him down. During the next part of the book, they make the journey to Raguza (the pirate haven) and get caught at a couple of ports, forcing them to take the wild-water rift. Eventually they do make it, but the final battle is probably the most intense part of the story.
I really liked the way each event appeared. There was no real pattern to the story, and it kept you guessing throughout. I would rate this book 4/5 stars. Thanks for reading, and have a nice day.
PERIODIC POST OF NEWNESS:
I have started reading the book Insurgent. Hope to continue posting on it.
As the book begins, one of the boys, Ingvar, is having trouble coping with a wound. To compound this, a prisoner, whom is giving them information, escapes, and someone must track him down. During the next part of the book, they make the journey to Raguza (the pirate haven) and get caught at a couple of ports, forcing them to take the wild-water rift. Eventually they do make it, but the final battle is probably the most intense part of the story.
I really liked the way each event appeared. There was no real pattern to the story, and it kept you guessing throughout. I would rate this book 4/5 stars. Thanks for reading, and have a nice day.
PERIODIC POST OF NEWNESS:
I have started reading the book Insurgent. Hope to continue posting on it.
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
This is a set up...
I just finished the book: The Wizard Heir. It had a very satisfying end. I really want to read the next book in the series now. The book had a complex chain of events all leading to a trap, in which you and the characters know is coming, but neither you nor the characters know what it is. The book has a cliff hanger type ending that causes you to need to know what the next event could possibly be.
My favorite part of the book was when you find out that some of the main characters whom died were never actually dead, and there are more types of people, including elictors (those who absorb magic). Each new event leads to a chain of other things, while everything is still unpredictable. I really think that it is a good fantasy novel.
If you want to read this novel, read The Warrior Heir first. This is the sequel to that book, and is a direct continuation, from a new point of view. Even more is revealed about the old characters, even as new characters are introduced to the plot.
My favorite part of the book was when you find out that some of the main characters whom died were never actually dead, and there are more types of people, including elictors (those who absorb magic). Each new event leads to a chain of other things, while everything is still unpredictable. I really think that it is a good fantasy novel.
If you want to read this novel, read The Warrior Heir first. This is the sequel to that book, and is a direct continuation, from a new point of view. Even more is revealed about the old characters, even as new characters are introduced to the plot.
Periodic Post of Newness:
I am now reading the book: The Hunters . Now I am finished and you can go.
Sunday, October 20, 2013
Wizards are NOT what you think they are.
Halloween is fast approaching, and I feel that now would be a good time to talk about wizards. Most people know about Harry Potter in some way shape or form. Whether it be the movies, the books, or word of mouth, it is known. Right now, the picture of "Wizard" you get from that book is completely different from the picture of "Wizard" you get from The Wizard Heir (in which I have not finished yet). Each has its own unique qualities, and both are alike in some ways. Now for the compare and contrast segment.
What's Alike:
There are some things that a wizard cannot be without ☺. Both my book and the Harry Potter series, wizards have magic, but that's a give in. In both book series, the wizard must speak charms to do the most powerful magic. As well as this, wizards must be trained in both series. That is where the similarities end.
Harry Potter:
I'll begin with the more well known series of books. Many know that wizards in this book must have a wand to use magic. This wand aims, and controls the magic in most ways. In this book, there are just wizards, witches, and muggles (non-magical people). You would find out that you are a wizard if you have magic, or don't have magic. In the series, wizards can also specialize into other fields of magic, like sorcery, for-seeing, and transfiguration. There are also schools dedicated specifically to wizardry in this series.
The Wizard Heir (The Heir Chronicles #2):
This lesser known series of books puts a completely different spin on how wizardry works. The largest difference is that wizards have a specific weir-stone that allows them to work magic through words. As well as this, there are three more classes. Weir (Wizards), anawizard weir (non-wizards whom bear a weir-stone) and anaweir (regular people). Many of the wizards consider themselves higher than all others.in this book, and don't care about regular people. They don't use wands either; just words. There are more types of magic as a whole in this series.
Thank you for taking time to read this, and keep reading!
What's Alike:
There are some things that a wizard cannot be without ☺. Both my book and the Harry Potter series, wizards have magic, but that's a give in. In both book series, the wizard must speak charms to do the most powerful magic. As well as this, wizards must be trained in both series. That is where the similarities end.
Harry Potter:
I'll begin with the more well known series of books. Many know that wizards in this book must have a wand to use magic. This wand aims, and controls the magic in most ways. In this book, there are just wizards, witches, and muggles (non-magical people). You would find out that you are a wizard if you have magic, or don't have magic. In the series, wizards can also specialize into other fields of magic, like sorcery, for-seeing, and transfiguration. There are also schools dedicated specifically to wizardry in this series.
The Wizard Heir (The Heir Chronicles #2):
This lesser known series of books puts a completely different spin on how wizardry works. The largest difference is that wizards have a specific weir-stone that allows them to work magic through words. As well as this, there are three more classes. Weir (Wizards), anawizard weir (non-wizards whom bear a weir-stone) and anaweir (regular people). Many of the wizards consider themselves higher than all others.in this book, and don't care about regular people. They don't use wands either; just words. There are more types of magic as a whole in this series.
Thank you for taking time to read this, and keep reading!
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Periodic Post of Newness
This week's book: The Wizard Heir. This book is a fantasy book that I have been looking foreward to reading. It is the second book in the series, and a continuation of The Warrior Heir. This book so far has been great, and I can't wait to finish.
Once again, this book has great characters, whom each have an intricate storyline, and interact with each other very well. The main character, Seph, is a wizard, and has no training what-so-ever. He finds another boy, Jason, and they rise to the challenge of teaching themselves attack charms, and other important things to learn. Hope to post more soon!
Once again, this book has great characters, whom each have an intricate storyline, and interact with each other very well. The main character, Seph, is a wizard, and has no training what-so-ever. He finds another boy, Jason, and they rise to the challenge of teaching themselves attack charms, and other important things to learn. Hope to post more soon!
Sunday, October 13, 2013
Another Satisfying Victory
I have recently brought home another victory over a book. Yes, I have finally finished Ender's Game, which I have been waiting to talk about for ages. It has an interesting twist at the end, and that is something that I will reveal later at the <<<---SPOILER ALERT--->>> at the end of the page. This one was a false alarm. Also: note that this post is on theme and development. It will be more insight on what was really going on, than a recommendation, but I still think that you should read it. ☺
I believe that the main theme behind this is: one can always be loved, and likewise, one can always be hated. Ender has many friends, and many enemies throughout the book. You can tell by the way he thinks about them. I am going to start with the basic, and closest lave and hate that Ender has. Both of these people are within his family. Valentine and Peter Wiggin. Valentine loves Ender enough. that she wants to protect him, and also, she is the only one to remember his birthday. Peter, is the polar opposite of Ender, and Valentine. He wants to kill Ender at the beginning of the book because of jealousy. Peter also, is manipulative, because of his smarts. Ender is smart, but not manipulative.
Now let's get to Ender's friends and enemies at the Battle School. He has many friends, and just as many enemies, but I'll just name a few. I'll start with his enemies. Bonzo Madrid is the worst of these, followed by some of the other commanders of different armies.Bonzo specifically goes after Ender in one chapter. During this event, a fight takes place. The fight is set in the showers, when Ender is alone. Ender ends up winning the fight, and then on top of it, makes sure that Bonzo doesn't mess with him again. Now I'll get to his friends. All of these people were described thoroughly, and are major components of the story. Some of these are Alai, Bean, Petra, and many others that help him throughout the story. Each of them comes to help him at the end of the story.
I believe that the main theme behind this is: one can always be loved, and likewise, one can always be hated. Ender has many friends, and many enemies throughout the book. You can tell by the way he thinks about them. I am going to start with the basic, and closest lave and hate that Ender has. Both of these people are within his family. Valentine and Peter Wiggin. Valentine loves Ender enough. that she wants to protect him, and also, she is the only one to remember his birthday. Peter, is the polar opposite of Ender, and Valentine. He wants to kill Ender at the beginning of the book because of jealousy. Peter also, is manipulative, because of his smarts. Ender is smart, but not manipulative.
Now let's get to Ender's friends and enemies at the Battle School. He has many friends, and just as many enemies, but I'll just name a few. I'll start with his enemies. Bonzo Madrid is the worst of these, followed by some of the other commanders of different armies.Bonzo specifically goes after Ender in one chapter. During this event, a fight takes place. The fight is set in the showers, when Ender is alone. Ender ends up winning the fight, and then on top of it, makes sure that Bonzo doesn't mess with him again. Now I'll get to his friends. All of these people were described thoroughly, and are major components of the story. Some of these are Alai, Bean, Petra, and many others that help him throughout the story. Each of them comes to help him at the end of the story.
<<<---SPOILER ALERT--->>>
At the end of the book, ender is actually in command school. He works with Mazer Rackam, whom was thought to be dead. (Twist #1) He then begins work in simulators. All of his friends from the battle school whom were aparently graduated into pre-command school, are actually also there. (Twist #2) The third and final twist is when the computer simulated game that Ender and his friends were trianing on turned out to be a link to the real bugger war, in which Ender won.
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
This book keeps Dragon on...
Armies and war are common. Armies and wars between children are not so common. Now in this book, Ender is the commander of his own army at the battle school. The Dragon army. This army is the best in school, and the school is ruining the game in order to make Ender's army work harder, and become better than any other. The odds are stacked against him battle after battle.
Speaking that I am only one chapter into the dragon army's beginning, I can't tell you much. I can say that the battle game is being rigged by the teachers, and the teachers are using a computer to make sure everything is correct. The one thing that They haven't estimated for however, is the computer's ability to make it so that Ender and his army aren't too tired, and fed up with the school.
Still, the Dragon army has won seven out of seven games that they were given in the past 7 days. Not only this, but they won an eighth game on the seventh day. The battle school never assigns an army to a battle once per day, or even twice per day. Something is definitely going on, and I can't wait to find out.
(P.S.: I think this is how they control gravity in the battle room, and the battle school.)
Speaking that I am only one chapter into the dragon army's beginning, I can't tell you much. I can say that the battle game is being rigged by the teachers, and the teachers are using a computer to make sure everything is correct. The one thing that They haven't estimated for however, is the computer's ability to make it so that Ender and his army aren't too tired, and fed up with the school.
Still, the Dragon army has won seven out of seven games that they were given in the past 7 days. Not only this, but they won an eighth game on the seventh day. The battle school never assigns an army to a battle once per day, or even twice per day. Something is definitely going on, and I can't wait to find out.
(P.S.: I think this is how they control gravity in the battle room, and the battle school.)
Saturday, October 5, 2013
The "Ender's Game" of the World as We Know it
I am about halfway through the book Ender's Game. So far, this book has been intense. There have been conflicting feelings, anger, love, and most of all, what is really going on. It is beginning to have twists that suggest that things aren't as they seem. These these plot twists are interesting, and suggest different things.
Speaking that I am only halfway through the book, I can't tell you how this is all going to come together, but it is becoming interesting already. Ender has been sent to a battle school for geniuses. His brother and sister are also in the plot, but at a different place: Earth.
The book skips details that are not important to the story-line. It does however continually come back to the same thing all of the time. That is the bugger war, and if the war will really happen or not. That is what Ender is training for after all. Hope to post again soon!
Speaking that I am only halfway through the book, I can't tell you how this is all going to come together, but it is becoming interesting already. Ender has been sent to a battle school for geniuses. His brother and sister are also in the plot, but at a different place: Earth.
The book skips details that are not important to the story-line. It does however continually come back to the same thing all of the time. That is the bugger war, and if the war will really happen or not. That is what Ender is training for after all. Hope to post again soon!
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
Periodic Post of Newness
I've heard good things about this book. Ender's Game hath been on thy list of reading for a while now. (I am in a "Shakespeare" mood today). This book is science fiction, which is one of my favorite genres. Thy hath been waiting to read thou book for a while. It was recommended, and now, I finally have it.
Ender's game is supposed to be about the government training super geniuses so they can fight off and alien race that is trying to exterminate the human race. They call these aliens Buggers. Most of the training takes the form of games. Ender wins all of the games. This essentially makes him a super-genius. He has a brother who wants to kill him because of jealousy. This book I believe will be very interesting. I hope to update soon. ☺☺☺☺☺
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
I need a book.
Quick! Somebody help me! I have no book right now, and I need sugestions. Here is a list of things that I like. Feel free to recomend any thing. Ignore the goodreads widget that tells what I want to read. I need something to read now.
I like:
I like:
- Science Fiction
- Fantasy
- Novels with long titles.
- Series
- other books that have interesting names.
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Androids with a Side of Aliens
Everyone loves some good Science Fiction, no?
My most recent book, Feedback turned out to be as good as I thought it was going to be. So I am now in the mood to give a report on how it turned out. There were parts that I didn't like as much, as there are in most books, but overall, it was a great read.
Robinson Wells crafted this book in a very unique way that continues his first book, Variant. If you haven't read that one, you can't read this one. The story is full of discovery, and Benson and Becky know exactly where to find things out. The little town that they could see from the third floor windows of the Maxfield Academy. The town is filled with people with implants. What?! For those who want to read these books, I'm trying not t reveal too much information about what is in this town. It would ruin the story otherwise ☺.
There is always a way to escape, no one knows it though. The kids with implants can't leave town, and there is seemingly no way out of it either. So when Becky is kidnapped to go back to the academy, Benson leads a head on assault against it. In other words, he goes back and tries to save her, and then tells the rest of the people at the town to get underground where they can't be tracked.
That is the least of his worries when he gets trapped.
I loved this book, but I am warning you, you have to read it's counterpart for it to all make sense. The story seems to hurtle you through a series of events. It's fast paced and exciting. If you want to know just how exciting I think it is, then you will have to read it yourself.
My most recent book, Feedback turned out to be as good as I thought it was going to be. So I am now in the mood to give a report on how it turned out. There were parts that I didn't like as much, as there are in most books, but overall, it was a great read.
Robinson Wells crafted this book in a very unique way that continues his first book, Variant. If you haven't read that one, you can't read this one. The story is full of discovery, and Benson and Becky know exactly where to find things out. The little town that they could see from the third floor windows of the Maxfield Academy. The town is filled with people with implants. What?! For those who want to read these books, I'm trying not t reveal too much information about what is in this town. It would ruin the story otherwise ☺.
There is always a way to escape, no one knows it though. The kids with implants can't leave town, and there is seemingly no way out of it either. So when Becky is kidnapped to go back to the academy, Benson leads a head on assault against it. In other words, he goes back and tries to save her, and then tells the rest of the people at the town to get underground where they can't be tracked.
That is the least of his worries when he gets trapped.
I loved this book, but I am warning you, you have to read it's counterpart for it to all make sense. The story seems to hurtle you through a series of events. It's fast paced and exciting. If you want to know just how exciting I think it is, then you will have to read it yourself.
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Periodic Post of Newness/A Series of Several Events
I have recently started the book entitled: Feedback. This book is a sequel to a book called Variant which I have also posted about. I figure: why not combine two posts into one? I am halfway through the book already. Variant left me with a cliffhanger, and I just had to find out. You can read both reviews at these links, but please, read my post first, then try the book for yourself. Feedback Variant .
I had and still have high expectations for this book. Benson Fisher is back in his adventure, and (Spoiler alert: if you don't want to find out the end of Variant, or are reading it now, skip this paragraph) finds out that the androids were conected to humans. How odd. The campfires were actually coming from another compound, parallel to the Maxfield Acadamy. The story continues nicely until he finds out even more about the acadamy, and how it works. People from book one are reintroduced as human, and Becky, Benson's girlfriend is kidnapped by the acadamy to get a dreaded implant... scary music plays in background. What will happen next? I'll have to tell you later cause I'm not finished.
Feedback, being a sequel to another book, has to follow a logical series of events that happens after the events in Varient. Each and every new event has a new twist on the original plot. However, the main theme is still to escape Maxfield into the real world. They seem to be testing new, super-human androids, that can still interact in the real world. But only teenagers. Why teenagers? I guess I'll have to just keep reading. To all of my fellow readers out there: Keep reading, and see what happens.
I had and still have high expectations for this book. Benson Fisher is back in his adventure, and (Spoiler alert: if you don't want to find out the end of Variant, or are reading it now, skip this paragraph) finds out that the androids were conected to humans. How odd. The campfires were actually coming from another compound, parallel to the Maxfield Acadamy. The story continues nicely until he finds out even more about the acadamy, and how it works. People from book one are reintroduced as human, and Becky, Benson's girlfriend is kidnapped by the acadamy to get a dreaded implant... scary music plays in background. What will happen next? I'll have to tell you later cause I'm not finished.
Feedback, being a sequel to another book, has to follow a logical series of events that happens after the events in Varient. Each and every new event has a new twist on the original plot. However, the main theme is still to escape Maxfield into the real world. They seem to be testing new, super-human androids, that can still interact in the real world. But only teenagers. Why teenagers? I guess I'll have to just keep reading. To all of my fellow readers out there: Keep reading, and see what happens.
Monday, September 16, 2013
I Feel For You
It is time to talk about character's feelings. We all know that characters have feelings toward other characters in books, and we also know that that affects the story. Love stories have different feelings in them than books that are all action all of the time. The Warrior Heir does a great job of interweaving the feelings of characters.
Several of the main characters are introduced towards the beginning of the book, each with separate feelings toward each other. The main character, Jack Downey is one of the most fully developed characters. He is followed by his aunt, Linda, Mr. Hastings, the assistant principal at his school, and some other friends, like Will, and Fitch.
Jack's thoughts about each of the other characters reveal traits about them. For instance, when he finds out that his aunt is what is known as an Enchanter, and what her power is, he realizes how manipulative Linda is. That was only one of her many character traits. Mr. Hastings helped Jack train to become the warrior that he was. He was revealed to be a leader/boss. The book even said that he liked to be in control of most situations.
As well as these two, other characters are introduced and characterized throughout the book, creating more people to keep track of as the story progresses.
I really liked the book because of the characters. There are even more things to like about it. You just have to find out for yourself.
Several of the main characters are introduced towards the beginning of the book, each with separate feelings toward each other. The main character, Jack Downey is one of the most fully developed characters. He is followed by his aunt, Linda, Mr. Hastings, the assistant principal at his school, and some other friends, like Will, and Fitch.
Jack's thoughts about each of the other characters reveal traits about them. For instance, when he finds out that his aunt is what is known as an Enchanter, and what her power is, he realizes how manipulative Linda is. That was only one of her many character traits. Mr. Hastings helped Jack train to become the warrior that he was. He was revealed to be a leader/boss. The book even said that he liked to be in control of most situations.
As well as these two, other characters are introduced and characterized throughout the book, creating more people to keep track of as the story progresses.
I really liked the book because of the characters. There are even more things to like about it. You just have to find out for yourself.
Sunday, September 15, 2013
When in doubt, use magical sword.
Thus begins the update on the Warrior Heir.
Since the book has begun, the main character, Jack, has done many things. Some inside, and some outside of his town. Lets see what each of these things are, and how they affect the storyline.
3. Training with Assistant Principal: Simply as said. Training in magical arts of swordsmanship with the Assistant Principal of the School he goes to. This character also happens to be a wizard.
All of these events are leading up to something big, and I am just waiting to uncover them.
Will update soon.
Since the book has begun, the main character, Jack, has done many things. Some inside, and some outside of his town. Lets see what each of these things are, and how they affect the storyline.
- Soccer tryouts: Seemingly normal, no? WRONG! After forgetting to take his medicine before school, Jack becomes more powerful than before. He goes to soccer practice, and does very well. Unfortunately, he also looses some sort of power on another character, Garrett Lobeck. This flat character (who was "rolled flat" at tryouts) has come up a couple of times since then.
3. Training with Assistant Principal: Simply as said. Training in magical arts of swordsmanship with the Assistant Principal of the School he goes to. This character also happens to be a wizard.
All of these events are leading up to something big, and I am just waiting to uncover them.
Will update soon.
Thursday, September 12, 2013
The Periodic Post of Newness
A new invention, courtousy of me, will now allow you to find out what I am reading. Presenting: The periodic post of newness :) .
These posts are only pereodic, and will only be posted when I start a new book. They will also provide a description of what it is like so far.
The new book is: The Warrior Heir. This book is interesting because it features wizards, wariors, and other interesting people. However, it is set in present day time, and is not probably what I think it is going to be. I am reading it anyway. I hope post a review later.
Check it out in the Mason Public Library. Link
These posts are only pereodic, and will only be posted when I start a new book. They will also provide a description of what it is like so far.
The new book is: The Warrior Heir. This book is interesting because it features wizards, wariors, and other interesting people. However, it is set in present day time, and is not probably what I think it is going to be. I am reading it anyway. I hope post a review later.
Check it out in the Mason Public Library. Link
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Why Yes, I would like to know where I am...
Some books allow you to find out what the setting is using discreet details that would otherwise make no sense. In the book Divergent, this is what the author does. In other words, you don't know where you actually are until you've been reading for a while. Then it all suddenly makes sense.
Divergent gives you a distinct setting at the very begining of the story. This is an abandoned city, with factions in it. Using details from the text, you can gradually figure out that the city is actually Chicago in the future. You also have to have a background knowledge of Chicago to know that it is the city being described.
As I said before, the setting is revealed using discrete details. There are several of these, but missed the first few, and had to go back and figure out how they came into the story. The first cue that this is set in Chicago: trains that run above the streets. In today's world, they are called els. The second cue is the huge marsh. Things can change over time, and since this book is set in the future, I am predicting that Lake Michigan actually becomes the marsh in this book. Cue numero tres: there is a chasm in which a waterfall is falling into. There are two rivers in Chicago that could be falling into it, fed by the marsh/lake Michigan. The fourth and final cue (which is what I found out the actual setting from) is the John Hancock building, one of the tallest buildings in Chicago. The Willis tower was also hinted at (which I just realized as I was writing this).
Putting all of these details together allowed me to understand where the book was actually stationed, and also to pick up on details that I may have missed later in the book, like Millenium Park, The Bean, and some other great places that I have visited.
You can even compare pictures of the fron cover of the book, and the Chicago skyline to see how similar they actually look.
Divergent gives you a distinct setting at the very begining of the story. This is an abandoned city, with factions in it. Using details from the text, you can gradually figure out that the city is actually Chicago in the future. You also have to have a background knowledge of Chicago to know that it is the city being described.
As I said before, the setting is revealed using discrete details. There are several of these, but missed the first few, and had to go back and figure out how they came into the story. The first cue that this is set in Chicago: trains that run above the streets. In today's world, they are called els. The second cue is the huge marsh. Things can change over time, and since this book is set in the future, I am predicting that Lake Michigan actually becomes the marsh in this book. Cue numero tres: there is a chasm in which a waterfall is falling into. There are two rivers in Chicago that could be falling into it, fed by the marsh/lake Michigan. The fourth and final cue (which is what I found out the actual setting from) is the John Hancock building, one of the tallest buildings in Chicago. The Willis tower was also hinted at (which I just realized as I was writing this).
Putting all of these details together allowed me to understand where the book was actually stationed, and also to pick up on details that I may have missed later in the book, like Millenium Park, The Bean, and some other great places that I have visited.
You can even compare pictures of the fron cover of the book, and the Chicago skyline to see how similar they actually look.
Thursday, September 5, 2013
The Twist Behind it All
Today's twist: The internet on my computer is back up unexpectedly:)
This makes me want to talk about plot.
The book Variant has a huge twist at the very end, making you have to read the next book to find out what is really going on within the text.
The book starts when Benson Fisher gets a scholership to the Maxfield Acadamy. The seemingly normal school is in New Mexico, and is surrounded by first, a wall, then a razor-wire fence. Why would a boarding school need this kind of thing? Because they want to keep the students in. For some strange reason, they want all the students, each of whom who has no family or friends, to stay within the school grounds.
The plot quickly blossoms into a full blown mess when Benson figures out that there are no teachers via Becky, the receptionist/leader of orientation. From her, he also finds out that there are cameras and mics in each room, but not outside. There are also doors that automatically lock, and supply elevators that are in each room, filled in the morning with that day's needs. This all seems very fishy.
Throughout the story Benson finds out more and more startling details about the Maxfield Acadamy. One of them being that there are androids among the people there. The school, obviously not wanting anyone else to know, gives him whatever he wants. Still, he eventually shows everyone that there are robots, and very nearly gets sent to the dreaded detention.
Towards the end, he escapes, and then, the final twist...
Here is a book trailer. Enjoy.
This makes me want to talk about plot.
The book Variant has a huge twist at the very end, making you have to read the next book to find out what is really going on within the text.
The book starts when Benson Fisher gets a scholership to the Maxfield Acadamy. The seemingly normal school is in New Mexico, and is surrounded by first, a wall, then a razor-wire fence. Why would a boarding school need this kind of thing? Because they want to keep the students in. For some strange reason, they want all the students, each of whom who has no family or friends, to stay within the school grounds.
The plot quickly blossoms into a full blown mess when Benson figures out that there are no teachers via Becky, the receptionist/leader of orientation. From her, he also finds out that there are cameras and mics in each room, but not outside. There are also doors that automatically lock, and supply elevators that are in each room, filled in the morning with that day's needs. This all seems very fishy.
Throughout the story Benson finds out more and more startling details about the Maxfield Acadamy. One of them being that there are androids among the people there. The school, obviously not wanting anyone else to know, gives him whatever he wants. Still, he eventually shows everyone that there are robots, and very nearly gets sent to the dreaded detention.
Towards the end, he escapes, and then, the final twist...
Here is a book trailer. Enjoy.
Sunday, August 25, 2013
"Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore"
This summer, I read Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore.
It was an interesting mix between modern day life, and other things beyond what we can see with our own eyes. It had many central ideas one of them being that technology is becoming more prominent in our world, and that it should be used for the good of everyone. That comes from the fact that google is a major part of the book, and one of the main characters works there. Also, kindles and nooks, and all of those e-readers come into play at later times in the book. Multiple times throughout the plot, technology, whether it be video games, or computer programing, introduces itself to the plot.
As the plot unfolds, so does the technology, sometimes quite literally. One of the gadgets used in the book is a book scanner. This scanner happens to be made out of a pizza box, a camera, and not much else. Another gadget used later in the book is Google's super computer, which takes up an entire room, and is probably smarter than the average human. E-readers appear more than once throughout the course of the book, and actually cause some of the conflict in the middle of the book.
Several of the characters develop into complex beings throughout the book. These include the guy telling the story, genius googler, Kat Pontete, Mr. Penumbra, the owner of the bookstore, and some other friends, and visitors to the Mr. Penumbra's. Each of these characters develop differently, and intertwine with the narrator's storyline. Starting with Penumbra, each character meets (or is contacted by) the narrator, and you learn more as the plot unfolds.
I really liked this book because it was funny, modern, and just appealed to me. It had a great storyline that traveled from San Francisco to New York City and back again. It had references to other books and places within it. The book also provided insight on technology, like kindles, and talked about computer programing. All modern things. The book also revolved around a cult, which focused on getting the key to eternal life through codex viate. I would have rated it a 4.5 out of 5 stars because of it's humor and good plot.
Here is an article that describes the book better than I. Though I did think that it was very good, goodreads.com has a more unbiased look at the book.
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