Audiobook Review: Bloodmage by Stephen Aryan
Posted on April 21, 2016 13 Comments
A review copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Mogsy’s Rating (Overall): 3.5 of 5 stars
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Book 2 of The Age of Darkness
Publisher: Hachette Audio (April 12, 2016)
Length: 16 hrs and 5 mins
Author Information: Website | Twitter
Narrator: Matt Addis
After the great time I had with Battlemage, and given my fondness for epic fantasy audiobooks, I decided to switch formats for the second book of the Age of Darkness series and give Bloodmage a try in audio. I was pleased to find that it worked very well, even though the sequel is a very different kind of story from its predecessor.
Bloodmage takes place in the aftermath of the first book, and some months have passed since the great battlemage war. However, the world still lives under dark times, and they’re about to get even darker. A string of disturbing murders have put the city on high alert and the Guardians of the Peace tasked to investigate are baffled by the strange way the victims were killed. At one of the crime scenes, Guardian Byrne finds a corpse entirely drained of life. Soon after, he takes on a protégé named Fray, who is also the son of his former mentor and a powerful magician still learning to master his talents. Together they search for clues to find the killer, and discover that pieces of the puzzle may actually lie in the past.
Meanwhile, Choss, a champion fighter, is involved at an arena where one of the gruesome incidents took place. The incident has not helped the tensions in the underworld, where a secret war has been brewing between the bosses, and soon the violence will spill into the streets unless someone steps up to do something about it. In the shadows, powerful forces are playing a different game, and an undercover agent named Katja in town spying for her foreign queen. A group of dissidents have been plotting against the monarch, and Katja must infiltrate their ranks and disrupt their bloodthirsty plans before they can come to fruition.
Like I said, compared to the first book, Bloodmage takes the story in a very different direction, and with the exception of a few returning faces from Battlemage who play very minor roles in this one, this sequel also stars a whole new cast of characters. If you’re wondering if this makes it possible to read Bloodmage on its own as a standalone, the answer is yes. In fact, this is the second epic fantasy sequel I’ve read this year that follows this trend and I am hoping it will continue; this makes the books so much more accessible and removes the barrier for new readers who might want to jump right in, if the description of Bloodmage piques your interest.
In essence, this book reads and feels much like a murder mystery, so that the tone and style is pretty far removed from Battlemage. The scope of the story is not as vast and there are far less sweeping battles. Instead, almost all of the clashes in this book are carried out on a more local scale—and they’re more personal. Depending on the type of story you were expecting, this can either be a positive or negative thing. I feel we get to know the characters on a deeper level in this book, but we do lose the some of the “epicness” of the setting and conflicts that I love so much in Battlemage. Since it takes time for a mystery to unravel and other conspiracies to play out, the pacing of Bloodmage also feels more gradual and controlled, so that if you liked the powerful momentum of Battlemage you might find the sequel slower and more subdued in comparison.
Personally, I might have preferred the energy of the first book more because I can’t help but be drawn to fast-paced action. On the other hand, I also love a good mystery on occasion, so Bloodmage also appealed to me in this sense. Ultimately, which book works better for you will come down to a matter of taste, but I must also add that this is worth reading if you enjoyed the first book, since here you will get to experience the fallout from its ending. Characters in Bloodmage still speak of the final showdown between Balfruss and the warlock in hushed whispers of awe, transforming the events of the first book into something like legend. And even though the returning characters from Battlemage appear or are mentioned only briefly, it was still interesting to catch up with some of them and see what they’re up to now, especially Talandra and Vargus.
I’m also happy with my experience with the audiobook. I’ve heard good things about narrator Matt Addis from his performance for the audio edition of Battlemage, and he has taken up the role again for the sequel. He does a great job with his tones and inflections, helping distinguish different speakers which is very helpful in a story with a relatively big cast.
Now I’m extremely curious to see what the final installment of the trilogy will bring. Will book three, Chaosmage, be another standalone-type story? Will it tie everything together, drawing from both Battlemage and Bloodmage? What tone will it take and what kind of surprises will it have in store? I’m definitely looking forward to finding out.
Story: 
| Performance: 
| Overall:
Week 3: The Lies of Locke Lamora Read-Along
Posted on April 21, 2016 15 Comments
“Come along on an epic adventure! Flights (of fancy), accommodation (ethical) and food (for the imagination) included. Poison not guaranteed. All travel is at your own risk. Late nights, sore eyes, and an overwhelming desire to spend hours in the kitchen creating something wonderful may ensue. All belongings are the responsibility of the traveller; travel will not be reimbursed if limbs are lost to sharks, or hearts to thieves.”
You are cordially invited to join The Lies of Locke Lamora read-along. Our itinerary is as follows:
- April 7th: Prologue and Book 1 – hosted by Imyril at X+1
- April 14th: Book 2, Ch4-6 – hosted by Imyril at X+1
- April 21st: Book 2, Ch7-8 – hosted by Wendy at The Bibliosanctum
- April 28th: Book 4 and Epilogue – hosted by Lisa at Over the Effing Rainbow
1. Camorr is clearly a man’s world. One of the three female characters who could hold any sway was cruelly fridged, while another remains notably absent. Will Sabetha swing in to save or seize the day? What are your thoughts on Donã Vorchenza’s role?
Wendy: I’d like to think Sabetha will show up, but that seems too obvious. I’m not at all happy with how Nazca was used and abused, but I am a bit happier with the introduction of the Spider and hope that she will play a powerful foil to either Locke or the Grey King. Or perhaps end up on Locke’s side, though potentially without her realizing it. Based on how things ended up after the Grey King revealed his hand, I feel like the Spider is playing the role of Obi-Wan Kenobi now. #OnlyHope
Tiara: Well, I was hoping to see the one female bastard, but I doubt it at this point unless she appears at the end. As for Nazca, if the goal is to wipe out his line, which started with his wife, it’s unfortunate, but it makes sense. I felt some kind of way about the whole horse piss thing. I mean, you killed her. You were going to get the proper response no matter what. But her death seems to be symbolic of a bigger rage in Raza, since he started this ruse years ago, that won’t be satisfied with simple deaths. Do I wish she could’ve been saved? Yeah, but he would’ve had to go a different direction with some of his plot points for that to happen because keeping her alive wouldn’t have made sense in the context of what we’re given with the exception of possibly making her turn on her father, which would’ve been yet another way she would’ve been considered fridged. I think it’s really cool that the Spider has turned out to be the exact last person you’d expect it to be. I feel like that whole scene with her should’ve had the soundtrack to The Godfather playing in the background. I do feel she’s going to be beneficial to Locke in some way, but in the end, she’ll probably be left shaking her fist and yelling, “If it wasn’t for those meddling kids!”
2. Apprenticeships, fighting, farming–the Gentlemen Bastards have undergone some significant training (save for physiking!) and testing. What do you think of Chains’ teaching methods. Do you think he adequately prepared them for their future in Camorr?
Wendy: I think Chains did an amazing job of setting them up to succeed, not only by letting them learn all of these things, but by encourage a bond between them with the understanding that we all have weaknesses that can be countered by others if we work together. It’s Wonder Pets at their finest! I wish I could send my kids to Chains for some useful education.
Tiara: A good game is one where you can take various roles and not be caught out there without a backup plan. He made sure they had the skills that they needed to to make the game their own. Knowledge really is power and you never know what knowledge and skills might come in handy, especially when you’re a thieves and have to think on the drop of a dime.
3. Pour out a forty for those lost. Share your thoughts on the passing of the Bastards and Barsavis.
Wendy: I’m not upset to see the Barsavis gone, save for Nazca, who turned out to be far more reasonable, rational, and capable than her introduction implied. There was so much potential for a great character there, and I loved the peek at the friendship between Nazca and Locke. I wanted to get to know her better and see that she was truly a threat that the Grey King had to remove for his success, rather than just an object in his way–but alas, this is not her story. As for the twins and Bug. Well:
Tiara: I can’t ever have nice things, especially when it comes to twins. This is like the third book this year where I’ve become attached to twins for things to go so horribly wrong for them. *cries for all her twins* And my heart, Bug… As for the Barsavis, this end seemed inevitable. Power is always usurped usually by force and violence. As it was pointed out, Capa Barsavi’s own reign was filled with misdirection and misdeeds until he got what he wanted. I feel terrible for them, especially his wife and daughter. I’m going to insert another Macbeth quote here because it’s fitting: “Vaulting ambition, which o’erleaps itself and falls on th’ other.” It’s a circle, and it goes around and around.
4. Everything in this book has been a series of long cons. Do you think taking the Capa’s throne is the end game for the Grey King? Or is there still more in store?
Wendy: I want to say yes, but then I feel like that’s a trap. I’m not sure if Capa Barsavi was the end game for the Grey King, or maybe someone is actually pulling the Grey King’s strings, or… in other words, Lynch has done a good job with the twists and turns to make me doubt every speculation and conclusion I come to.
Tiara: Doubtful. I think this is about revenge plain and simple, and I think he plans to bring the city to its knees for whatever misdeed it’s committed against him. This is his own intricate game. We see a whole interlude about it and how people who hold on to their hate explode in the most violent of ways. The could be an alluding to Locke’s own angry turn, but I have a feeling this is about both of them. It kind of reminds me of one of my favorite games. The plot of it is about a boy who’s father is killed, and he goes to avenge his father’s death only to learn that his path is following the murderer’s own path of revenge because the boy’s father wronged him. Revenge is another thing that cyclic and never-ending.
Book Review: Sleeping Giants by Sylvain Neuvel
Posted on April 20, 2016 28 Comments
A review copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Sleeping Giants by Sylvain Neuvel
Mogsy’s Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Genre: Science Fiction
Series: Book 1 of Themis Files
Publisher: Del Rey (April 26, 2016)
Length: 320 pages
Author Information: Website | Twitter
The concept behind Sleeping Giants is amazing. I also love epistolary novels. But all the same, I wavered for days after finishing this book, pondering how I should phrase my review. On the one hand, I had a fantastic time reading it, a fact made even more obvious by the fact that I devoured all 300-ish pages in a little more than a day. Still, for all its wonderful themes and ideas, the novel is inherently flawed in several ways, and as much as I admired the format, I also thought it greatly limited the story in what it wanted to accomplish.
To call its premise awesome and unique though, is a huge understatement. Say what you will about Sleeping Giants, but you can’t deny the insane amount of thought and imagination that went into it. The mystery presented by its opening chapter is irresistible by itself, beginning with something as innocuous as a young girl riding her new bike near the woods in her home town of Deadwood, South Dakota. One moment, Rose Franklin is having a great time pedaling through the forest, and the next, she’s falling into a large square hole in the ground that wasn’t there before. When the rescuers come to get her out, they peer down to see an incredible sight: little Rose, lying cupped in the palm of a giant hand made of a strange metal shot with glowing turquoise light.
Scientists and researchers are baffled by the discovery, which is dated to be thousands of years old—far older than it should be. Despite efforts to unlock its secrets, not much progress is made, and the hand is stored away, its mysteries shelved for the next seventeen years.
But now, interest is stirring again. Dr. Rose Franklin, the very same girl who “found” the hand all those years ago, has grown up and become a brilliant physicist. In a strange twist of fate, she is assigned as the lead scientist to direct a top secret team to try and once more study the giant artifact, with much greater resources and technology at her disposal. Overseeing this entire project is a nameless benefactor with seemingly bottomless pockets and friends in high places. Almost the entire story is told through interviews with this mysterious man as he collects progress reports from Dr. Franklin and her colleagues, even though it’s clear he already knows a lot more than he’s letting on.
For those who go into Sleeping Giants without knowing about the format, the experience can be decidedly jarring. It was distracting even for me, and I knew full well beforehand that the entire book was going to be made up of interview transcripts, journal entries, and other documents. Part of this is due to my high expectations for this type of novel; I’ve read a lot of them in the last few years and I realize it’s a format that’s hard to pull off, but when it works, it can really enhance the atmosphere and impact of a story. There are many challenges of course, and out of all the epistolary-style books I’ve read, only a few have come close to overcoming them. Mainly, I think this format creates a huge distancing effect between the reader and the people in the story. Because you can only hear what they say and not know their thoughts and feelings, you sacrifice a lot of the intimacy and personal connection with the main characters. In Sleeping Giants, I found this to be the main issue, because I simply did not feel emotionally invested enough in our mystery interrogator, Dr. Rose Franklin, Kara, Ryan, Vincent, or any of the other major players to care all that much about their ultimate fates.
The second issue relates to how much information a story needs to convey. The interview format is not very well suited to this, especially when a lot of description (and scientific detail) is involved. You end up with characters going on huge monologues loaded with scientific jargon, making the book’s conversations feel forced and unnatural, which to me is kind of defeating the point of the interview structure in the first place. The info dumping is even more awkward when it’s in the form of an oral report or diary entry, so what you have essentially is a character going, “I’m doing this, now I’m doing that, and okay, now I’m going to shoot these three bad guys in the face…oh, how I wish you could see all this!” Despite attempts to make the dialogue sound more organic, some of the action sequences read more like a farce, killing any kind of mood intended.
Still, I don’t want to make it sound like I didn’t enjoy this novel, because I did. I loved the story, despite my skepticism that this format was the best way to tell it. The main plotline is engaging and addictive, and the term “unputdownable” comes to mind. The first half of the book, with its mysteries and puzzles, was the hook that sucked me in. The second half, where we start to get into the meat of the story, is a lot more complex and suspenseful, exploring the ramifications of Dr. Franklin’s discovery as well as its impact on global politics and humanity’s place in the universe. Just think of the significant ways something like this can change our world and affect everything else we do in the future. Pardon the pun, but…this is big.
So, should you read Sleeping Giants? Well, if its premise sounds awesome to you, then yes, for all that is good and holy, yes, yes, YES. If unconventional styles of storytelling aren’t your bag though, you might want to be approach this one with caution. I personally find the interview/oral diary format restricting for THIS particular story, though I also admit to being a reader with finicky tastes when it comes to epistolary novels. If you love a great tale though, and don’t care what shape or form it takes, then I would recommend this one heartily. Sylvain Neuvel’s imaginative debut has captured my full attention, and I’m excited to see what the sequel will bring.
Waiting on Wednesday 04/20/16
Posted on April 20, 2016 24 Comments
“Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine that lets us feature upcoming releases that we can’t wait to get our hands on!
Mogsy’s Pick
The Waking Fire: The Draconis Memoria by Anthony Ryan (July 5, 2016 by Ace)
Anthony Ryan returns with the first book of a brand new saga following his hit epic fantasy Raven’s Shadow trilogy. Even though Blood Song remains my favorite book of that series, I’m interested to see what he has in store for readers next. Plus, who can say no to dragons?
“Throughout the vast lands controlled by the Ironship Syndicate, nothing is more prized than the blood of drakes. Harvested from the veins of captive or hunted Reds, Green, Blues and Blacks, it can be distilled into elixirs that give fearsome powers to the rare men and women who have the ability harness them—known as the blood-blessed.
But not many know the truth: that the lines of drakes are weakening. If they fail, war with the neighboring Corvantine Empire will follow swiftly. The Syndicate’s last hope resides in whispers of the existence of another breed of drake, far more powerful than the rest, and the few who have been chosen by fate to seek it.
Claydon Torcreek is a petty thief and an unregistered blood-blessed, who finds himself pressed into service by the protectorate and sent to wild, uncharted territories in search of a creature he believes is little more than legend. Lizanne Lethridge is a formidable spy and assassin, facing gravest danger on an espionage mission deep into the heart of enemy territory. And Corrick Hilemore is the second lieutenant of an ironship, whose pursuit of ruthless brigands leads him to a far greater threat at the edge of the world.
As lives and empires clash and intertwine, as the unknown and the known collide, all three must fight to turn the tide of a coming war, or drown in its wake.”
Audiobook Review: Crimson Son by Russ Linton
Posted on April 19, 2016 8 Comments
Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Superheroes
Publisher: On Demand Publishing (June 13, 2014)
Information: Website | Twitter | Goodreads
Tiara’s Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
A review copy of this book was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Narrator: Mitchell Lucas | Length: 9 hrs and 53 mins | Audiobook Publisher: Russ Linton (March 23, 2016) | Whispersync Ready: Yes
19-year-old Spencer Harrington is the powerless son of the world’s strongest Augment (a superpowered being) known as Crimson Mask. Two years prior, Spencer’s mom was abducted by the supervillain Black Beetle, and ever since her abduction, his father has kept him hidden away in an ice bunker located in Antarctica. Spencer’s dad is a hero, but they have a complex, almost antagonistic relationship with each other. Spencer blames his father for his mother’s disappearance and for never being there. Spencer’s dad has control issues and believes that he has to micromanage every bit of Spencer’s life when he is around for his safety. When his dad leaves the ice bunker for more supplies, Spencer comes under attack and is thrust into the world that his father has mostly tried to keep him safe from, and he has to learn to rely on his own wits to find out what happened to his mother and to make peace with his father.
I have a weakness for superhero stories that portray a superhero’s personal life instead of focusing just on the hero while relegating their family to the background. You’d think that their familial relationships would be some of the most important and intricate relationships in their lives, and often, it’s rarely touched on or touched on in a way that supports only whatever the hero has going on. These relationships have to be some of the most complicated relationships that heroes have, and this books explores this in its own way. Spencer is a likable, sarcastic kid (and just like a kid he can get really annoying at times), and while he may not have powers, he has skills that are handy, showing that a hero doesn’t always have to have godlike powers to be useful. Spencer’s father does seem to truly care for his son, but his work has left him distant and controlling, and it felt perfectly understandable that Spencer would resent his father, especially in the wake of his mother’s abduction. Situations like that bring about tough questions such as why can his father save others but could not save the most important person in their lives?
This book was infused with humor, angst, and action. Spencer is pulled in deeper and deeper into his father’s world and learns that things aren’t so simple as he once thought they were. There’s something always going on in this book, but it does manage to still give readers a good sense of the characters and various relationships are explored throughout the book aside from Spencer and his family’s. This book takes time to process emotions and thoughts rather than skimming over them, and it really capitalizes on Spencer finding personal strength. The book is told from other point-of-views aside from Spencer’s, but Spencer’s story is told from first person where the others are not. This may be jarring from some readers, but regardless, the other sections are well-written and absorbing. Spencer can read a little younger than he is. This feels like a coming of age story, but I would think that maybe Spencer is a little too old for that categorization. Then again, we can all hit a late spurt.
The narration didn’t work for me. Mitchell Lucas wasn’t a bad narrator, but I found him to be a bit monotonous. Emotions I was expecting from passages just weren’t there, and it hampered my enjoyment of the book because it took me a while to look beyond the narration and focus on the story. I don’t know if Lucas is a new narrator. This is the first book I’ve read by him, but I think with a little more time and practice, he could be just fine. And it could’ve just been his reading for this particular book. Sometimes, I find that one book isn’t representative of a narrator’s talent and have revisited my thoughts about certain narrators after hearing more of their work.
This is an underdog story filled with familiar emotions in a superpowered setting. Comic book fans that enjoy X-Men or Superman will probably get the most enjoyment from this. The story is familiar and it has that comic book feel that appeals to comics fans. However, lovers of genre fiction and people who aren’t particular about genre fiction can enjoy this story as well with it’s easy, engaging story line.
Story
Performance
Overall
Book Review: Almost Infamous by Matt Carter
Posted on April 18, 2016 13 Comments
A review copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Almost Infamous by Matt Carter
Mogsy’s Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Genre: Science Fiction, Superheroes
Series: Book 1
Publisher: Talos (April 5, 2016)
Length: 328 pages
Author Information: Website | Twitter
If you’re a fan of comics and are looking for a clever, humorous, and merciless riff on the superhero genre, then Almost Infamous is most definitely the book for you! Matt Carter’s novel is a wildly entertaining, satirical take on the characters and worlds we imagine when we picture the Marvel or DC universes, and as a twist, his protagonist is a horny, uppity teenage supervillain.
To get a sense of the zaniness you’re in for, just take a peek at the book’s first few pages, featuring a “Brief History of Superheroes.” Super powers—whether you were born with them, cursed with them, granted them as a result of radioactive freak accident, changed by a gene-splicing experiment gone wrong, and so on and so forth—are just a common fact of life. Superhumans are real. Oh, and by the way, so are Atlanteans, Lemurians, magicians, aliens, demons, golems, mortal gods who walk the earth, and pretty much every kind of power-endowed beings you can think of. All real.
Over time, these powered-individuals have altered the course of history and changed the face of the earth. Some of them have used their abilities for good. Others, not so much. In 1969, the conflict between the “good guys” and the “bad guys” came to a head, kicking off the War on Villainy. After more than twenty years of fighting, the Heroes eventually prevailed, neutralizing the last real threat. With supervillains more or less eradicated, people of the world today live in relative peace and safety, watched over by an international superhero team called the Protectors.
All that changes the day eighteen-year-old Aidan Salt decides to put on a cheap homemade costume and an old motorcycle helmet, dubbing himself the supervillain Apex Strike. However, his first act of villainy goes completely wrong, and soon after, he is captured by the Protectors. To his surprise though, instead of locking him away, the superheroes make him an offer: a chance to participate in a secret operation called Project Kayfabe. The world has not seen a real supervillain in decades, and superheroes are gradually losing their relevance. They need Apex Strike and others like him on a fake supervillain team in order to stage elaborate mock battles and kick start their popularity once more, showing the world why it still needs its heroes.
This is where the description of the book is a bit misleading, because it makes it sound like Aidan was just handed the job. In reality, dozens of supervillains are vying for a spot on the this team, and the first part of the novel is actually a hilarious reality show-type competition, where the “judges” of Project Kayfabe put their “contestants” to the test before narrowing the field down to the final seven. It was not at all what I expected when I picked up this book, and it was fun and exciting to meet all these other supervillains (all with powers ranging from the very cool to the very ridiculous) and then trying to guess who will end up making it to the end of the trials with Aidan/Apex Strike (whose spot on the team is a given). The results were entertaining and sometimes surprising.
The best part about this book is the world that the author has created. As a nod to the superhero comics we know and love, it feels instantly familiar, but at the same time it’s also offbeat and unique. Matt Carter makes a lot of pop culture references and parodies superhero movies and comics to great effect. I especially loved the little flavors that were thrown in, like the “Supervillainy 101” anecdotes inserted at the end of each chapter. I always say that it’s the little things like that which make a huge difference, and this case, they help Almost Infamous stand out from other superhero novels that don’t spend near as much time and effort on the world-building.
Perhaps my only criticism is the protagonist. Some characters and I simply start off on the wrong foot. Most of the time, through growth and development of the character, I end up warming up to him or her, but sadly this was not the case for Aidan Salt. He is spineless. He is naïve. He is unambitious. He chose to be a supervillain, because being a superhero is too much work and he’s just too lazy. And the only reason he wanted to become famous is because he thought that would help him get laid!
Now, one can argue that Aidan isn’t meant to be likeable character. For fans of underdogs and anti-heroes, I can see some appeal there. Personally though, his attitude was just too much to take, and there were certain juvenile, repulsive things he did (like spying on the girls while they were showering, for example—ugh) that I just couldn’t look past. In spite of his evolving character arc and the major changes he goes through, he just never grew on me, which was a shame. Still, that was probably the only damper on my experience. You’d think not being able to connect with the main character would be a pretty big issue, but in fact it was only a minor hiccup, for I ended up falling in love with so many of the other characters and enjoyed the refreshing diversity of the cast. The storytelling is great, and I sped through the intensely fast-paced and action-filled plot.
Almost Infamous is a quick, solid novel that does exactly what it sets out to do: to be one hell of a fun read! Highly recommended for fans of superhero fiction and comic book lovers, especially if you enjoy the gritty stylings of comics like Garth Ennis’ The Boys. I had an absolute blast with this dynamic tale of sex, drugs, and supervillainy.
Coloring Book Review: The Time Chamber by Daria Song
Posted on April 17, 2016 15 Comments
Welcome to a new feature at The BiblioSanctum, where every month (or so!) I’ll be featuring and reviewing an adult coloring book. I first became attracted to the hobby because I love all things pretty and colorful, but whether you see it as a form of escapism or a social activity, there’s no denying adult coloring books are becoming an increasingly popular trend. As I begin my journeys through coloring, I’d like to share my thoughts and experiences along the way.
Today, I’ll be looking at…
The Time Chamber
My thanks to Random House via Blogging for Books for providing copies for review.
Since the coloring book craze took off, you can’t go anywhere without seeing them. The market has become so saturated, and these days I’m finding it harder and harder to seek out the quality books, with beautiful and interesting designs, clean line art, and good general presentation overall. That’s why I’m so surprised that The Time Chamber hasn’t gotten more attention. Of all the adult coloring books I own, this one ranks among the best and it’s become one of my absolute favorites. I can literally spend hours just admiring the gorgeous drawings.
OVERVIEW:
Like a lot of adult coloring books, The Time Chamber is the “standard” size, with square pages measuring 9.8 by 9.8 inches. As soon as you pick it up, you can tell that it’s sturdy. Illustrations are printed front and back on bright and good quality heavy-weight paper, its thickness perfect for color pencils and gel pens (which I used in my examples). I have not tried anything heavier than markers, but I personally wouldn’t recommend them, if you don’t want to risk the color bleeding through the page (one of the downsides of having illustrations on both sides). The book is also bound in a way that won’t allow you to lay it open flat, which might make coloring some of the 2-page spreads difficult, but you might be able to get by if you press down hard on the binding or bend the book backwards to loosen the spine. One thing I want to add is that the book also comes with a really nice dust jacket. Overall, I love the presentation; it would make a nice looking gift even if you just handed the book as is to your recipient, and on the first page is also a nice dedication area where you can write their name and yours.
Another cool thing about The Time Chamber is that there’s a story. It’s a short and simple one, but it’s a narrative nonetheless, about a red-haired fairy who lives in a clock who one days decides to explore the great wide world, starting with a little girl’s room just beyond. The fairy is enchanted by everything, and all the little trinkets and knick-knacks that belong to the girl are huge and wonderful to her. This definitely feels a lot more sophisticated than the text in many other coloring books I own, which are typically bland instructions or other throwaway comments. I love how this coloring book can also double as a story picture book, one you can maybe read to a child while you both enjoy the pretty illustrations.
At the end of the book is also a helpful visual index, which shows you smaller versions of all the spreads.
ILLUSTRATIONS:
Of course, the best part are the beautiful pen-and-ink illustrations, rendered meticulously with crisp, clean lines. The artist and author Daria Song is from Seoul, Korea. She holds a Masters degree in fine arts and has won many awards, including the Kyung Hyang Arts Contest. Her art has been exhibited in galleries all over Asia, and now she’s bringing all that magic into The Time Chamber.
I cannot praise the art in this book enough. Every page is a feast for the eyes, with gorgeous designs that are very finely-detailed and intricate. Each page could easily take hours to color, especially since some of the smaller areas will require a lot of patience and care. I love the style, and it amazes me that Song can turn even the most mundane of objects, like a hairbrush or a hand mirror, into something that looks very magical and exotic. A lot of the artwork has an Asian flavor, like the drawings of pagodas or the designs on vases.
I also really liked that there was a good variety of illustrations. There’s very little repetition of designs, and every page brings something fresh and stunning. Believe it or not, I’m even reluctant to color some of the pages, because I’m worried that I wouldn’t be able to do the art justice. It is just that amazing and beautiful. Beginner colorists might want to try with something less complicated and daunting, but I also think there will be something for everyone in The Time Chamber, no matter your skill level. Highly recommended!
And now…time for more examples!
Sunday Musings: Representation Matters
Posted on April 17, 2016 11 Comments
More than once here at BiblioSanctum, I have complained about or praised a book for its lack of or inclusion of diverse characters. I write reviews where I am compelled to point out where diversity shines or fails. Why? Because I can’t help but notice it.
Because it matters to me.
It matters to me that I’ve spent much of my childhood rarely seeing myself as the hero. I love Luke Skywalker, but why does he and people who look like him get to save the galaxy while people who look like me get left at the wayside, or worse?
“When I go to the movies, read books or comics, or watch television shows, I am acutely aware of the fact that I rarely survive apocalypses, I’m the first to die — especially if I get a close up, it’s unrealistic to have me live in the same part of town as dragons. I am a slave, a thug, a maid. I’m just a token, a sidekick, maybe even an exotic girlfriend.”
I wrote that after seeing the movie Annie with my daughters–a film I was determined to take them to the second I could because here was a chance for them to see themselves on the big screen and know that they could have a happy ending too. “She looks like us,” they said, the first time they saw the trailer. I’ll joke about the many, many tropes that exist in the various forms of media I partake of when it comes to people of colour. I’ll laugh about the thesaurus GRRM undoubtedly consults when he wishes to describe the people from the other side of his world in Game of Thrones.
But when I heard my children say those words, I burst into tears. That’s how much it meant to me that my daughters could see themselves in the hero portrayed on the big screen. Because, lucky for them, they are still young and naive and innocent and have not yet come across those who would rather reduce or erase their presence with completely ridiculous excuses like “historical accuracy.” Historical accuracy my ass. And while you’re at it, writers, do your research and learn that women can exist in historical fantasy without rape being your go to method of dealing with them.
Yeah it makes me a little angry, these excuses that try to tell marginalized groups what our place is and should be in society thanks to a complete lack of empathy from those who make the excuses. The lack of understanding when LGBTQ groups protest Another Dead Lesbian, or Black people have to explain why “#AllLivesMatter” is part of the problem, or queers, women, or PoCs need campaigns to let their voices be heard, or PoCs ask why characters of their own culture are replaced by others, or their entire culture is appropriated for the sake of entertainment. Discarded. Set aside. Refrigerated in order to advance the main character’s story. A main character who isn’t us.
Oh yes, times, they are a’changing. But not fast enough to truly represent the society we live in now. Now kids can look up to Rey and Finn as their heroes in the new Star Wars, but we still have to fight to keep heroes of a different shade and gender and ability and sexuality in the spotlight and explain that diversity is not a “trend.”
Representation means something different to each of us, but by no means are we saying that Luke Skywalker doesn’t deserve to be the hero that he has been to so many. It just means that we’d like to see him share that spotlight. It means we want to be the hero too.
Not my kid, but you get the point.
An Artificial Night Read-Along Week No.2
Posted on April 16, 2016 8 Comments
We’re journeying through the third book in the October Daye series. If you’re interested in joining this Read-Along, visit the SF/F Read-Along group for more information and to join the discussion.
“October “Toby” Daye is a changeling-half human and half fae-and the only one who has earned knighthood. Now she must take on a nightmarish new challenge. Someone is stealing the children of the fae as well as mortal children, and all signs point to Blind Michael. Toby has no choice but to track the villain down-even when there are only three magical roads by which to reach Blind Michael’s realm, home of the Wild Hunt-and no road may be taken more than once. If Toby cannot escape with the children, she will fall prey to the Wild Hunt and Blind Michael’s inescapable power.”
Week 1: Saturday 9th April, Chapters 1-7, hosted by Over The Effing Rainbow
Week 2: Saturday 16th April, Chapters 8-17, hosted by Books By Proxy
Week 3: Saturday 23rd April, Chapters 18-24, hosted by Lynn’s Book Blog
Week 4: Saturday 30th April, Chapters 25-End, hosted by Over The Effing Rainbow
1. Toby makes her journey to Blind Michael’s realm with the aid of the Luidaeg – who is back and on form and has, as yet, decided to hold off on killing Toby. What did you think of Toby’s journey by candlelight and her first encounter with the Wild Hunt? What do you think this favour is going to cost her with the Luidaeg?
I found Toby’s journey really fascinating, and I was just as surprised as she was when she realized that she’d been transformed into a child. The whole angle with Blind Michael and everything being basically a children’s game to him is such an interesting spin on The Wild Hunt.
2. As a prisoner of Blind Michael, Toby encounters a disturbing number of altered and transformed children and, assisted by Quentin, discovers the children who are yet to be toyed with. What were your thoughts when Toby discovered these child monsters and other detainees? Do you think there is any hope for them? And what did you make of Quentin’s bargain with the Luidaeg?
To be honest, Toby’s encounter with the children was more horrifying that I thought it would be. Up to this point, I knew that Blind Michael altered the children in some way, but I hadn’t really been expecting just how horrifying they’d become in his care. I want to take the warning and think that maybe the children can’t be saved who have been with Michael for some time. At the same time, though, I hope they can be saved. I feel like if they can be saved that maybe they could be blessed with some semblance of a normal life with the help of the community. Children are resilient if nothing else, and while it would take some time, I think they could be okay… if they can even be saved at this point.
Quentin’s bargain with the Luidaeg struck me as very simple, too simple even. I mean, i know he said he has nothing else to give, but it sounds like she was bending her own rules in her own way to give Toby the help that she needed while in Blind Michael’s knowe. I feel like telling Toby not to turn around wasn’t so much to protect Toby from something more than it was to allow Quentin to not be caught. I don’t know if she could have truly known that Quentin was with Toby, but that seems to make the most sense for telling her to not look back.
3. In spectacular style, Toby swoops in and relieves Blind Michael of his prisoners and vows to put an end to his evil ways. How do you think Blind Michael will react when he discovers Toby and the children are missing? What do you think Toby will do for those she left behind?
Toby didn’t play by the rules, and I don’t think he’ll forget that. As it’s mentioned over and over again in this section, children believe in fairness and not much about what’s right. He seems to have a way of hunting Karen in her dreams, so I’m going to assume that since he doesn’t leave his knowe except for once every hundred years, that he’s going to use that against her in some way. And who knows… maybe he will outright hunt her himself. Then again, knowing Toby, she’ll make herself easily accessible by trying to go back. I really do think she will find a way to help the other children, so he might only have to wait her out until she’s back on his lands.
4. Whilst straying into the forests within Blind Michael’s realm, Toby encounters Acacia whose revelations regarding Blind Michael and her own daughter are nothing short of astounding. Were you expecting this? What were your thoughts and reactions?!! How does this change your view of the characters involved?
I really wasn’t expecting to hear that Luna isn’t actually a kitsune or that she was a daughter of one of the firstborn. That opens up a whole host of other questions including how and why Luna’s taking that form. Does it have something to do with the kitsune that Toby keeps seeing in her dreams about Karen? What transpired to make her leave (aside from wanting to grow roses)? What is her relationship with Acacia like? That is a pretty big secret to hide all these years, and I really want to hear an explanation. It also would explain why Luna was acting stranger than normal given them circumstances. I wonder if she worried that Toby would find out her connection to Acacia. Also, does this mean that Lily knows about Luna’s heritage? She directed Toby toward her. At first, it seemed a bit strange that she did and a bit strange that Luna had all this information. Sylvester’s reaction made sense now in context as well.
5. Toby seems to have escaped Blind Michael’s clutches – for now! – and is currently enjoying the company of her Fetch, May. What do you expect will happen from here? Do you expect her to pursue Blind Michael to the end? And what are your thoughts on Toby’s sentient portent of death and its implications for her future?
I do expect her to try to get the children back because that’s what Toby does. She is noble–some might call it stupid–in that way. I can’t say that I blame her. There’s something about the innocence of children that makes you want to rescue them. Other than that, I’m not sure. Obviously, she’s not going to die or if she does, she’s going to come back some kind of way or face near death (more than usual) maybe? We’ll see where this goes!
Cruelty always came easier to the children of Titania; the only survivors of Maeve’s line are the ones who let themselves learn how to become monsters. Titania’s children are cold and hard and beautiful. Maeve’s children are hot and strange and come in every shape imaginable. Oberon doesn’t claim most of his descendants, leaving them to the mercies of their mothers. Those few races that he does claim . . . those are Oberon’s children. And Oberon’s children are heroes.
* * *
Sometimes I think the Luidaeg never ends a conversation; she just puts them on hold until you come back into range.
* * *
“Children’s games are stronger than you remember once you’ve grown up and left them behind. They’re always fair, and never kind. Remember.”
* * *
Children don’t care about good or evil; all that matters is that you play fair and follow the rules.
* * *
There’s nothing more stubborn than youth, with the possible exception of old age.
This book gets 37894783 million points for using my favorite Shakespeare quotes from A Midsummer Night’s Dream! “If we shadows have offended…”
Rosemary and Rue by Seanan McGuire (October Daye #1)
Rosemary and Rue Read-Along Week No.1
Rosemary and Rue Read-Along Week No.2
Rosemary and Rue Read-Along Week No.3
Rosemary and Rue Read-Along Week No.4
A Local Habitation by Seanan McGuire (October Daye #2)
A Local Habitation Read-Along Week No.1
A Local Habitation Read-Along Week No.2
A Local Habitation Read-Along Week No.3
A Local Habitation Read-Along Week No.4
An Artificial Light By Seanan McGuire (October Daye #3)
An Artificial Light Reader-Along Week No. 1
The BiblioSanctum 