Tuesday 22 May 2018
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Ambrosia of The Purple Booker.
To play along just do the following:
The Burning Maze by Rick Riordan.
Rick Riordan has forever earned a bump up on my reading list whenever his books are published because I implicitly trust him to deliver a story that I’ll enjoy … even if enjoy mean that my nails won’t survive the encounter and I’ll probably have some angst-issues for the foreseeable future. But what else is new, you know of my slightly destructive reading/favourite authors habits.
So this book is dedicated to the muse of tragedy, which should be warning enough, but sometimes even the dedication is part of the deception or already part of the story. And well … let’s just say this dedication is warranted and I’m still not really okay with the why and how and the circumstances. There better be a very good reason and/or solution. Because tragedy in its Greek origin (and I’ll hold the author to that) means that the thing that happens is the only way and couldn’t be prevented as opposed to the popular use of the words tragic and tragedy, meaning that something is very sad/dramatic and catastrophic. And frankly, I don’t (yet?) see the inevitability of the thing that happens. Nor it’s function apart from that confused, angry sadness. I suppose that’s one way to instil terror and anxiety in readers.
Apart from that, this book was as entertaining and well-written as ever and I was again quite taken with the characters (new and old). There were the patent humour and Apollo’s charming self. He’s not exactly beginning to accept his situation but maybe getting more and more used to it. His character arc is definitely one of the most complex ones in this by now massive universe and I look forward to accompanying him on his journey in the following books.
Do you have a word that you notice has a different meaning as used by the public than how you think of it? I still think we should use the word tragedy more sparingly … Let’s hear from you about your words and teasers in the comments.
To play along just do the following:
- Grab your current read
- Open to a random page
- Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
- BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
- Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
The Burning Maze by Rick Riordan.
The Burning Maze – Disney-Hyperion |
Before I could argue, she took a flying leap out of the broken window—which was a pretty good metaphor for her general approach to life.
— Chapter 27
Power makes good people uneasy rather than joyful or boastful. That’s why good people so rarely rise to power.
— Chapter 44
Rick Riordan has forever earned a bump up on my reading list whenever his books are published because I implicitly trust him to deliver a story that I’ll enjoy … even if enjoy mean that my nails won’t survive the encounter and I’ll probably have some angst-issues for the foreseeable future. But what else is new, you know of my slightly destructive reading/favourite authors habits.
So this book is dedicated to the muse of tragedy, which should be warning enough, but sometimes even the dedication is part of the deception or already part of the story. And well … let’s just say this dedication is warranted and I’m still not really okay with the why and how and the circumstances. There better be a very good reason and/or solution. Because tragedy in its Greek origin (and I’ll hold the author to that) means that the thing that happens is the only way and couldn’t be prevented as opposed to the popular use of the words tragic and tragedy, meaning that something is very sad/dramatic and catastrophic. And frankly, I don’t (yet?) see the inevitability of the thing that happens. Nor it’s function apart from that confused, angry sadness. I suppose that’s one way to instil terror and anxiety in readers.
Apart from that, this book was as entertaining and well-written as ever and I was again quite taken with the characters (new and old). There were the patent humour and Apollo’s charming self. He’s not exactly beginning to accept his situation but maybe getting more and more used to it. His character arc is definitely one of the most complex ones in this by now massive universe and I look forward to accompanying him on his journey in the following books.
Do you have a word that you notice has a different meaning as used by the public than how you think of it? I still think we should use the word tragedy more sparingly … Let’s hear from you about your words and teasers in the comments.
Tuesday 15 May 2018
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Ambrosia of The Purple Booker.
To play along just do the following:
Royals by Rachel Hawkins.
In anticipation of a certain event next weekend … and because I flipping loved the idea when Rachel Hawkins posted about it way back when. Even if it has a screaming pink cover.
Daddy’s princess, I’m going to be a princess when I grow up, and several other princess dreams of little girls, how wonderful. Unless you’re actually the sister of the girl becoming a princess because then all the press attention and whatnot can quickly become a real nightmare. Exactly what happens to our protagonist Daisy when her sister becomes engaged to the crown prince of Scotland and thus catapults her fairly normal Floridian family into the spotlight of the yellow press all over the world. Bye, bye goes Daisy’s quiet and nerdy summer, hello sudden crash course in aristocratic etiquette and customs. Everything seems to go horribly wrong from the very beginning; good thing that the queen can’t actually order spontaneous beheadings and incarcerations.
To add insult to injury the younger brother of the fiancĂ© and his troupe of friends are not called the Royal Wreckers for nothing. And one of them is ordered to show Daisy the ropes to prevent her from causing (perceived) irreparable damage to the crown. Miles is certainly up to the job in terms of title and knowledge, but if you ask Daisy he more than makes up for that by lacking in the human and social department – or does he? Much sniping and hilarity for the observer/reader ensue.
I’m mostly happy with this book and quite enjoyed Daisy’s and Miles’ antics. In fact, I would have loved more of that as it felt as though their page time together was not quite enough. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed Daisy’s misadventures with the problem prince and her best friend … I still hope that those two will reconcile after that club incident. But more #Maisy would have been much appreciated. Even if they mostly used their time to snap at each other. Book two will seemingly centre on other characters, but I really hope we’ll see these two again.
Are you planning on watching the wedding this weekend? My friends and I are planning a group event complete with scones and possibly cucumber sandwiches. Let’s hear about your plans and teasers in the comments!
To play along just do the following:
- Grab your current read
- Open to a random page
- Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
- BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
- Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
Royals by Rachel Hawkins.
Royals – G. P. Putnam’s Sons |
“What thing with my face?” Miles asks, doing exactly that thing. It’s this lifting of his chin and tightening of his jaw that makes him look like he’s about to oppress some peasants, and I point at him.
“That thing.”
Glaring at me, Miles steps a little closer. “This is just what my face looks like.”
“That is unfortunate,” I say.
— Chapter 24
“Lucky bugger.”
“Because Greece or just because he’s not here, staring at ponies?”
— Chapter 32
In anticipation of a certain event next weekend … and because I flipping loved the idea when Rachel Hawkins posted about it way back when. Even if it has a screaming pink cover.
Daddy’s princess, I’m going to be a princess when I grow up, and several other princess dreams of little girls, how wonderful. Unless you’re actually the sister of the girl becoming a princess because then all the press attention and whatnot can quickly become a real nightmare. Exactly what happens to our protagonist Daisy when her sister becomes engaged to the crown prince of Scotland and thus catapults her fairly normal Floridian family into the spotlight of the yellow press all over the world. Bye, bye goes Daisy’s quiet and nerdy summer, hello sudden crash course in aristocratic etiquette and customs. Everything seems to go horribly wrong from the very beginning; good thing that the queen can’t actually order spontaneous beheadings and incarcerations.
To add insult to injury the younger brother of the fiancĂ© and his troupe of friends are not called the Royal Wreckers for nothing. And one of them is ordered to show Daisy the ropes to prevent her from causing (perceived) irreparable damage to the crown. Miles is certainly up to the job in terms of title and knowledge, but if you ask Daisy he more than makes up for that by lacking in the human and social department – or does he? Much sniping and hilarity for the observer/reader ensue.
I’m mostly happy with this book and quite enjoyed Daisy’s and Miles’ antics. In fact, I would have loved more of that as it felt as though their page time together was not quite enough. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed Daisy’s misadventures with the problem prince and her best friend … I still hope that those two will reconcile after that club incident. But more #Maisy would have been much appreciated. Even if they mostly used their time to snap at each other. Book two will seemingly centre on other characters, but I really hope we’ll see these two again.
Are you planning on watching the wedding this weekend? My friends and I are planning a group event complete with scones and possibly cucumber sandwiches. Let’s hear about your plans and teasers in the comments!
Tuesday 8 May 2018
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Ambrosia of The Purple Booker.
To play along just do the following:
The Season by Sarah MacLean.
This book almost has a double historical feeling to in as it’s not the newest of all with a publication date from 2009 … which in terms of literary development seems like an age ago considering all the great books published since then. But let’s not get into the discussion of when and how a book becomes dated. Especially not when the book in question has a historic setting.
This is a perfectly pleasant read about three Regency Era debutantes who have a decided antipathy against their prescribed societal role and gender restrictions of the time. Added in is also a slight deductive game of crime solving. And sweet blossoming friends to more romance.
This book has all the trappings to be really entertaining and a great read that you can cruise through on a sunny afternoon. Or a rainy one, maybe that would have added a little more atmosphere. That would be my sole point to critique: the fact that I somehow didn’t feel totally transported back to the time even tough the balls and the dances were all there. A little more scenery and props might have gone a long way here. I also would have liked for the story the run a little longer than the moment where it ends now. Just to get more information about the characters further proceedings.
How do you treat books that are a little aged? I realised with this one that I seldom read books that are older than four years or so. Unless they are books that are a lot older. The middle-aged books seem to have a difficult standing on my shelf. Weigh in with your thoughts and teasers in the comments.
To play along just do the following:
- Grab your current read
- Open to a random page
- Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
- BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
- Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
The Season by Sarah MacLean.
The Season – Orchard Books |
'Alexandra, there are plenty of young women who would happily assume your position, standing on that platform, 'suffering' through a fitting for that dress.'
'May I suggest any one of them take my place?'
'No.'
— Chapter 1
'Because we have' — Ella ticked off the qualities on her fingers as she spoke them — 'cleverness, a fresh eye for the problem, curiosity, superior instinct — as proven by my hunch that Montgrave was involved from the beginning — and' — She paused dramatically — 'the most important thing of all.'
'Which is?' Alex asked.
'Desire to prove that we can.'
— Chapter 19
This book almost has a double historical feeling to in as it’s not the newest of all with a publication date from 2009 … which in terms of literary development seems like an age ago considering all the great books published since then. But let’s not get into the discussion of when and how a book becomes dated. Especially not when the book in question has a historic setting.
This is a perfectly pleasant read about three Regency Era debutantes who have a decided antipathy against their prescribed societal role and gender restrictions of the time. Added in is also a slight deductive game of crime solving. And sweet blossoming friends to more romance.
This book has all the trappings to be really entertaining and a great read that you can cruise through on a sunny afternoon. Or a rainy one, maybe that would have added a little more atmosphere. That would be my sole point to critique: the fact that I somehow didn’t feel totally transported back to the time even tough the balls and the dances were all there. A little more scenery and props might have gone a long way here. I also would have liked for the story the run a little longer than the moment where it ends now. Just to get more information about the characters further proceedings.
How do you treat books that are a little aged? I realised with this one that I seldom read books that are older than four years or so. Unless they are books that are a lot older. The middle-aged books seem to have a difficult standing on my shelf. Weigh in with your thoughts and teasers in the comments.
Tuesday 1 May 2018
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Ambrosia of The Purple Booker.
To play along just do the following:
A Crown of Wishes by Roshani Chokshi.
There is a very vocal part of me that is also very susceptible to catching the travel bug. And whenever I can’t actually go I can at least comfort myself with imaginary travel. This weekend I packed my bags and off to not-quite-India I went.
This is the second book set in this universe, but reading The Star-Touched Queen is not entirely necessary to understand this one. It makes you appreciate certain scenes and references more and would be spoiling to an extent to read the other way around, but apart from that, they are independent.
The two protagonists are more or less polar opposites in their character and outlook, but they, in essence, share the deep desire to be acknowledged and remembered. I loved how Gauri is the fighter with smarts while Vikram in the clever thinker with faith. They are, of course, perfect partners to compete in the most fantastical tournament which offers the most unreal prize as it is limited only by the winners’ imaginations: a wish. This has its own double-edged blade quality, as you might imagine, especially if the judge of the tournament is a god who makes up the rules as he sees fit.
A rich and deep narrative with just the right amount of mystery and humour that will have you wishing for sumptuous meals and luxurious clothing while at the same time challenge you to outfox the smaller and bigger riddles and quests. I could have stayed in this world a while longer to savour all its wonder and sights. But the story is well-rounded and told in exactly the manner it called for, even if I’m going to have a hard time to let these characters go.
Do you have a preferred travel destination, imaginary or otherwise? Share them and your teasers in the comments.
To play along just do the following:
- Grab your current read
- Open to a random page
- Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
- BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
- Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
A Crown of Wishes by Roshani Chokshi.
A Crown of Wishes – St. Martin’s Griffin |
“I was disarmed by your beauty.”
“You were disarmed by a swift kick.”
“That too.”
— Chapter 4
Chivalry demanded that he should inquire after the Princess’s well-being. Then again, when the princess in question had tried to kill him and probably would try again the next chance she got, perhaps chivalry should be ignored.
— Chapter 6
There is a very vocal part of me that is also very susceptible to catching the travel bug. And whenever I can’t actually go I can at least comfort myself with imaginary travel. This weekend I packed my bags and off to not-quite-India I went.
This is the second book set in this universe, but reading The Star-Touched Queen is not entirely necessary to understand this one. It makes you appreciate certain scenes and references more and would be spoiling to an extent to read the other way around, but apart from that, they are independent.
The two protagonists are more or less polar opposites in their character and outlook, but they, in essence, share the deep desire to be acknowledged and remembered. I loved how Gauri is the fighter with smarts while Vikram in the clever thinker with faith. They are, of course, perfect partners to compete in the most fantastical tournament which offers the most unreal prize as it is limited only by the winners’ imaginations: a wish. This has its own double-edged blade quality, as you might imagine, especially if the judge of the tournament is a god who makes up the rules as he sees fit.
A rich and deep narrative with just the right amount of mystery and humour that will have you wishing for sumptuous meals and luxurious clothing while at the same time challenge you to outfox the smaller and bigger riddles and quests. I could have stayed in this world a while longer to savour all its wonder and sights. But the story is well-rounded and told in exactly the manner it called for, even if I’m going to have a hard time to let these characters go.
Do you have a preferred travel destination, imaginary or otherwise? Share them and your teasers in the comments.
Tuesday 24 April 2018
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Ambrosia of The Purple Booker.
To play along just do the following:
Son of the Dawn by Cassandra Clare and Sarah Rees Brennan.
The saying concerning growing with its tasks might primarily refer to character (and possibly the liver) but I’d also say that the heart grows with its tasks. Not in actual size, mind you, as that might soon become rather problematic … you know what I mean. However, no matter how many additional Shadowhunters and Co. will find their way into my reader’s heart, the original TMI (and TID) cast will always, always have a special place there.
It was really neat to catch a glimpse of Mini Alec, Jace, and Izzy before all the horribleness actually catches up with them and already get a whiff of the people they’ll grow up to be. Clearly, a well-honed sense of irony/sarcasm like Jace’s has to be grown organically and the roots are clearly already visible in his ten-year-old self. As are the beginnings of Izzy’s fierceness and independence.
That leaves the matter of the “punched right in the feels” parts of the framework. I really shouldn’t have been surprised, especially not about the tearjerker right at the end. But there I was, silently sniffling in my tissue (because I have at least – finally, you might say – learnt to keep those with me when I read my favourite heart-wrecking authors).
I’m extremely happy that there will be shorts about the Shadow Market and its surroundings coining out every month now leading up to the publication of Queen of Air and Darkness. The previous cooperation stories have been a total delight to read and I think these will be up to the task in terms of entertainment value and tear-levels.
If you were to choose a glimpse into a favourite character’s undocumented past, who would it be and which defining scene would you like to read about? Share your ideas and teasers in the comments!
To play along just do the following:
- Grab your current read
- Open to a random page
- Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
- BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
- Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
Son of the Dawn by Cassandra Clare and Sarah Rees Brennan.
Son of the Dawn – Shadow Market Enterprises |
The boy’s glance up at his face was shocking, the flare of twin suns in what was still almost night. They were not the eyes of a soldier, but a warrior.
— Page 55
Isabelle loved her big brother, but sometimes she despaired about their future demon-hunting endeavors. He was so bad at remembering her cool military-style signals.
— Page 67
The saying concerning growing with its tasks might primarily refer to character (and possibly the liver) but I’d also say that the heart grows with its tasks. Not in actual size, mind you, as that might soon become rather problematic … you know what I mean. However, no matter how many additional Shadowhunters and Co. will find their way into my reader’s heart, the original TMI (and TID) cast will always, always have a special place there.
It was really neat to catch a glimpse of Mini Alec, Jace, and Izzy before all the horribleness actually catches up with them and already get a whiff of the people they’ll grow up to be. Clearly, a well-honed sense of irony/sarcasm like Jace’s has to be grown organically and the roots are clearly already visible in his ten-year-old self. As are the beginnings of Izzy’s fierceness and independence.
That leaves the matter of the “punched right in the feels” parts of the framework. I really shouldn’t have been surprised, especially not about the tearjerker right at the end. But there I was, silently sniffling in my tissue (because I have at least – finally, you might say – learnt to keep those with me when I read my favourite heart-wrecking authors).
I’m extremely happy that there will be shorts about the Shadow Market and its surroundings coining out every month now leading up to the publication of Queen of Air and Darkness. The previous cooperation stories have been a total delight to read and I think these will be up to the task in terms of entertainment value and tear-levels.
If you were to choose a glimpse into a favourite character’s undocumented past, who would it be and which defining scene would you like to read about? Share your ideas and teasers in the comments!
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