Tuesday 23 January 2018
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Ambrosia of The Purple Booker.
To play along just do the following:
Tarnished City by Vic James.
Be careful what you wish for, it might just come true. I distinctly remember that for the first book I said that I hoped for a more prominent role for a certain string pulling character. (Look here if you don’t believe me.) Well, let’s say I’m now equally happy about said more prominent role and also even more puzzled about what is going on and who has which motives. But in a really good way!
I’m not sure what the twists per page ratio is for other famous series but I’d bet that this one is quite high up among them. It’s probably all going to make sense at the end (or not, depending on where you stand) but I’m quite lost in this twisty labyrinth of allegiances and personal motives. And let’s not forget about debts and other enmeshments.
I was a little – or at one point a lot – thrown by the almost parenthetic death(s) of previously not-unimportant character(s). I understand that this is part of that almost feudal and basically heartless society yet I would have liked for a little more personal impact at least. This felt a little too just touched upon. I could have done without some of the details but that, too, adds to the overall impression of the society in this series. And also shines a spotlight on humanity in general. Or that part of us at least that has a destructive hive mentality because as horrible as it is, the events unfolding don’t seem unplausible if you take away the fantastic aspect.
There is also a host of new characters introduced in this book while others from the previous one take more of a backseat. I usually don’t like this practice too much (getting better at appreciating it though) but in this case, it not only made sense, it elevated the whole narration in my opinion. And I care quite a bit for whom I call the desolate castle thistle. Someone else has so fallen from grace I’m not sure if or how they could ever recover. Almost like they did a 180 while another character proved to live up to a feeling I had about them not being a totally lost cause. As I said: So!many!twists! I love it.
As my wishing worked out so well last time, I’ll attempt it again as I sure hope to a) uncover a certain string pulling character’s motivation and b) find out the story of said stubbornly brave thistle. I found several dates for book three but they seem to converge in summer 2018. Personally, I’m hoping for an early summer this year.
Have you ever had a bookish wish answered in the follow-up novel to an almost spooky degree? What was it and how did it feel for you? Share experiences 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!
Tarnished City by Vic James.
 |
| Tarnished City – Pan Books |
‘I would say I’ve missed you,’ he said, raising a hand and lightly pushing the blade away from his neck. ‘But Mother instilled in me that a gentleman never lies.’
‘You’re no gentleman.’
— Chapter 6
She used to think ‘courage’ was a reckless, slightly stupid thing. She understood it a little better now. It was doing what was right, even when every shred of self-preservation screamed against it.
— Chapter 10
Be careful what you wish for, it might just come true. I distinctly remember that for the first book I said that I hoped for a more prominent role for a certain string pulling character. (Look here if you don’t believe me.) Well, let’s say I’m now equally happy about said more prominent role and also even more puzzled about what is going on and who has which motives. But in a really good way!
I’m not sure what the twists per page ratio is for other famous series but I’d bet that this one is quite high up among them. It’s probably all going to make sense at the end (or not, depending on where you stand) but I’m quite lost in this twisty labyrinth of allegiances and personal motives. And let’s not forget about debts and other enmeshments.
I was a little – or at one point a lot – thrown by the almost parenthetic death(s) of previously not-unimportant character(s). I understand that this is part of that almost feudal and basically heartless society yet I would have liked for a little more personal impact at least. This felt a little too just touched upon. I could have done without some of the details but that, too, adds to the overall impression of the society in this series. And also shines a spotlight on humanity in general. Or that part of us at least that has a destructive hive mentality because as horrible as it is, the events unfolding don’t seem unplausible if you take away the fantastic aspect.
There is also a host of new characters introduced in this book while others from the previous one take more of a backseat. I usually don’t like this practice too much (getting better at appreciating it though) but in this case, it not only made sense, it elevated the whole narration in my opinion. And I care quite a bit for whom I call the desolate castle thistle. Someone else has so fallen from grace I’m not sure if or how they could ever recover. Almost like they did a 180 while another character proved to live up to a feeling I had about them not being a totally lost cause. As I said: So!many!twists! I love it.
As my wishing worked out so well last time, I’ll attempt it again as I sure hope to a) uncover a certain string pulling character’s motivation and b) find out the story of said stubbornly brave thistle. I found several dates for book three but they seem to converge in summer 2018. Personally, I’m hoping for an early summer this year.
Have you ever had a bookish wish answered in the follow-up novel to an almost spooky degree? What was it and how did it feel for you? Share experiences and your teasers in the comments!
Tuesday 16 January 2018
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Ambrosia of The Purple Booker.
To play along just do the following:
One Dark Throne by Kendare Blake.
Siblings can be a real pest sometimes and they enter into the most dangerous arguments, one might even call them battles. Or so I’m told (precious, difficult, only-child, while we’re at the throwing cliches around stage). But I really think that the people who can love you best are also the ones who can hurt you the worst. Blood relation or not.
This is the second book and I originally had this also down as the final book, but surprise, there will be two more. This second book picks up the pace even more as the ascension of the queens gets up to speed and rivalries run high. Such a violent tradition cannot survive without bloodshed. And not without those upholding this tradition more than likely no matter the cost. I was surprised at myself for how easily I shifted sympathies at first and then really filled my pity cup. None of the three girls deserves what happens to them and how they deal with the situation is as much nurture as it is nature. And possibly a little extra magic. I especially loved those mysterious aspects and kept wondering which powers might be at work there. Whether they are sinister or just fateful.
The supporting characters do a really good job at supporting not only their chosen queen but also the plot in general. Some more than others. I felt that there was a slight imbalance toward two care-giving parties, but that at the same time reinforces that the third didn’t get much say in the keeping of their charge. Great plotting and construction overall. Not to mention the writing. So if a twisty, slightly dark (the title doesn’t lie), and gripping fantasy-mystery-thrilling read is something you enjoy and you haven’t started this series yet, I highly recommend picking up the first book and reading straight on through the novella (not before the first book!) and then this one. The third book is scheduled for September (wait, have I written that before – September is already beginning to look crowded).
What are your sibling rivalry experiences, own or observed? Share 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!
One Dark Throne by Kendare Blake.
 |
| One Dark Throne – HarperTeen |
“What stories?”
“Nonsense, mostly.” Genevieve waves her hand. But Natalia frowns. Nonsense becomes truth if enough mouths repeat it.
— Chapter 1
“But remember that you thought the same of Billy when he first arrived.”
“Aye, but what are the chances of me being wrong twice?”
— Chapter 13
Siblings can be a real pest sometimes and they enter into the most dangerous arguments, one might even call them battles. Or so I’m told (precious, difficult, only-child, while we’re at the throwing cliches around stage). But I really think that the people who can love you best are also the ones who can hurt you the worst. Blood relation or not.
This is the second book and I originally had this also down as the final book, but surprise, there will be two more. This second book picks up the pace even more as the ascension of the queens gets up to speed and rivalries run high. Such a violent tradition cannot survive without bloodshed. And not without those upholding this tradition more than likely no matter the cost. I was surprised at myself for how easily I shifted sympathies at first and then really filled my pity cup. None of the three girls deserves what happens to them and how they deal with the situation is as much nurture as it is nature. And possibly a little extra magic. I especially loved those mysterious aspects and kept wondering which powers might be at work there. Whether they are sinister or just fateful.
The supporting characters do a really good job at supporting not only their chosen queen but also the plot in general. Some more than others. I felt that there was a slight imbalance toward two care-giving parties, but that at the same time reinforces that the third didn’t get much say in the keeping of their charge. Great plotting and construction overall. Not to mention the writing. So if a twisty, slightly dark (the title doesn’t lie), and gripping fantasy-mystery-thrilling read is something you enjoy and you haven’t started this series yet, I highly recommend picking up the first book and reading straight on through the novella (not before the first book!) and then this one. The third book is scheduled for September (wait, have I written that before – September is already beginning to look crowded).
What are your sibling rivalry experiences, own or observed? Share your thoughts and teasers in the comments!
Tuesday 9 January 2018
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Ambrosia of The Purple Booker.
To play along just do the following:
Tower of Dawn by Sarah J. Maas.
The saying is about a reader living a thousand lives as opposed to only one certainly rings true and this also has quite a few perks … and pitfalls. Living a thousand lives in my case also means suffering from quite a bit of anxiety regarding the fates of several characters, relationships, and not to mention whole worlds in general. It’s also quite a task for my memory because keeping all the people, their arcs, and relationships straight is definitely not nothing. Especially if you’re prone to forget even your parents’ birthdays.
I dived back right into this universe, which not only has an ever-growing cast of characters but with this book also expands to a whole new continent. Usually, I wonder what else is going on in the rest of a story’s universe, what the continents are like, the countries and people living there because in most books you only get a glimpse into a very limited part of the world. Granted, if you’ve got the page count this series does, you’ll be able to include quite a bit more. At first, I wasn’t too sure if I’d be as interested in Chaol’s story if the (rest of the) main cast of the series was not present in the book (which was supposed to be a novella and then apparently demanded to be a full-length novel). Rest assured that I was quickly cured of that doubt. I missed a certain fire-breathing b*tch queen and her retinue and was always pleased when they were mentioned or at least alluded to yet at the same time the plot of this book is so vital to the series and picks up quite a few loose ends I had not really paid much attention to that I didn’t feel like I could have done without this book.
And just when I thought that the stakes for this world were already high enough, even with quite a bit added in the course of this book, I so wasn’t ready for that big (and I mean gigantic) extra threat that suddenly gets heaped on top of everything. I am massively afraid of the next book and how all this is supposed to ever be resolved without too many casualties (I have no illusions that we’ll get all of them through this) let alone having the world mostly intact and not under the rule of … one of those threats … or just a big black abyss, really.
So, book seven is scheduled for September. Either my nervous ticks will have solidified into full-blown paranoia by then or at least my nerves will have recovered (not likely, I’d have to stop reading altogether). I’ll have to draw a character chart to keep all those people straight I think. I was quite pleased with myself that I remembered one of the minor characters from the first novellas enough to recognise him in this book but I’ve probably missed quite a few other references. Hats off to the author with this vast and vivid imagination and huge thanks to her and her publisher that we get to share it.
Do you have a method to keep on top of huge character casts? Especially within longer series if you don’t have time to re-read the whole thing prior to a new publication? Share your methods 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!
Tower of Dawn by Sarah J. Maas.
 |
| Tower of Dawn – Bloomsbury Children’s Books |
It’s hard to love one another, when we will one day contend with each other. Love cannot exist without trust.
— Chapter 24
“If Hasar hated you, I don’t think you’d be alive right now.”
Gods above. This was the woman she’d befriended.
— Chapter 40
The saying is about a reader living a thousand lives as opposed to only one certainly rings true and this also has quite a few perks … and pitfalls. Living a thousand lives in my case also means suffering from quite a bit of anxiety regarding the fates of several characters, relationships, and not to mention whole worlds in general. It’s also quite a task for my memory because keeping all the people, their arcs, and relationships straight is definitely not nothing. Especially if you’re prone to forget even your parents’ birthdays.
I dived back right into this universe, which not only has an ever-growing cast of characters but with this book also expands to a whole new continent. Usually, I wonder what else is going on in the rest of a story’s universe, what the continents are like, the countries and people living there because in most books you only get a glimpse into a very limited part of the world. Granted, if you’ve got the page count this series does, you’ll be able to include quite a bit more. At first, I wasn’t too sure if I’d be as interested in Chaol’s story if the (rest of the) main cast of the series was not present in the book (which was supposed to be a novella and then apparently demanded to be a full-length novel). Rest assured that I was quickly cured of that doubt. I missed a certain fire-breathing b*tch queen and her retinue and was always pleased when they were mentioned or at least alluded to yet at the same time the plot of this book is so vital to the series and picks up quite a few loose ends I had not really paid much attention to that I didn’t feel like I could have done without this book.
And just when I thought that the stakes for this world were already high enough, even with quite a bit added in the course of this book, I so wasn’t ready for that big (and I mean gigantic) extra threat that suddenly gets heaped on top of everything. I am massively afraid of the next book and how all this is supposed to ever be resolved without too many casualties (I have no illusions that we’ll get all of them through this) let alone having the world mostly intact and not under the rule of … one of those threats … or just a big black abyss, really.
So, book seven is scheduled for September. Either my nervous ticks will have solidified into full-blown paranoia by then or at least my nerves will have recovered (not likely, I’d have to stop reading altogether). I’ll have to draw a character chart to keep all those people straight I think. I was quite pleased with myself that I remembered one of the minor characters from the first novellas enough to recognise him in this book but I’ve probably missed quite a few other references. Hats off to the author with this vast and vivid imagination and huge thanks to her and her publisher that we get to share it.
Do you have a method to keep on top of huge character casts? Especially within longer series if you don’t have time to re-read the whole thing prior to a new publication? Share your methods and teasers in the comments!
Tuesday 2 January 2018
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Ambrosia of The Purple Booker.
To play along just do the following:
The Book of Dust: La Belle Sauvage by Philip Pullman.
Happy New Year, everyone. May it be lucky and joyful and healthy and full of wonder and books and everything you wish it to be. I used the quiet time between the holidays to savour a book that has been on my reading pile since its publication in October. However, I knew that I would need some quality reading time for this with nothing to interrupt. An eight-hour train ride seemed like a good start … I regularly forget that public transport is not completely advisable for readers who are prone to emotional outbursts.
I read His Dark Materials when they came out in German (I also had them all in their first edition until I lent the second and third to someone and they didn’t give them back – don’t do this, it’s absolutely detestable) and after reading this what is effectively a prequel but also so much more, I really want to read them again. This time in English to hopefully catch even more of that beautiful language the author uses. Lyra was one of my most prominent childhood heroes and now getting this expansion of her story is like a gift I never considered necessary yet I now wouldn’t want to miss it for the world. It is an epic adventure in its own right full of daring and danger but also surprisingly light and with a good ounce of humour at times. The German title is a little more descriptive in calling this “Across the wild river”, which at the same time might give you an idea of the story while also being absolutely misleading. Saying anything about the story would be a vast injustice to everything that cannot be told so to avoid that I won’t say anything more about it. Apart from once again admiring that word magic in the narration itself. A master wordsmith indeed.
If you are not familiar with this fantastic alternative universe, I cannot recommend it enough. I’m trying to figure out if recommending starting with this book would make more sense than starting with the original first book because then you’d read them in their chronological order but maybe wouldn’t catch the references. Quite difficult. Maybe I’ll have an answer once I’ve read Northern Lights (also known as The Golden Compass. Don’t get distracted by the movie. Unless you’re looking for examples of how-not-to-adapt-a-book-to-screen.).
Would you read books in their internal chronological order or their publication order if given the choice? Share 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 Book of Dust: La Belle Sauvage by Philip Pullman.
 |
| La Belle Sauvage – David Fickling Books |
At one point he seemed to be showing the moon to Lyra, pointing up at it and holding her so she could see, or perhaps he was showing Lyra to the moon; at any rate he looked like a lord in his own domain, with nothing to fear and all the silvery night to enjoy.
— Chapter 10
I was looking for something. Now I’ve found it, I shall go home.
— Chapter 23
Happy New Year, everyone. May it be lucky and joyful and healthy and full of wonder and books and everything you wish it to be. I used the quiet time between the holidays to savour a book that has been on my reading pile since its publication in October. However, I knew that I would need some quality reading time for this with nothing to interrupt. An eight-hour train ride seemed like a good start … I regularly forget that public transport is not completely advisable for readers who are prone to emotional outbursts.
I read His Dark Materials when they came out in German (I also had them all in their first edition until I lent the second and third to someone and they didn’t give them back – don’t do this, it’s absolutely detestable) and after reading this what is effectively a prequel but also so much more, I really want to read them again. This time in English to hopefully catch even more of that beautiful language the author uses. Lyra was one of my most prominent childhood heroes and now getting this expansion of her story is like a gift I never considered necessary yet I now wouldn’t want to miss it for the world. It is an epic adventure in its own right full of daring and danger but also surprisingly light and with a good ounce of humour at times. The German title is a little more descriptive in calling this “Across the wild river”, which at the same time might give you an idea of the story while also being absolutely misleading. Saying anything about the story would be a vast injustice to everything that cannot be told so to avoid that I won’t say anything more about it. Apart from once again admiring that word magic in the narration itself. A master wordsmith indeed.
If you are not familiar with this fantastic alternative universe, I cannot recommend it enough. I’m trying to figure out if recommending starting with this book would make more sense than starting with the original first book because then you’d read them in their chronological order but maybe wouldn’t catch the references. Quite difficult. Maybe I’ll have an answer once I’ve read Northern Lights (also known as The Golden Compass. Don’t get distracted by the movie. Unless you’re looking for examples of how-not-to-adapt-a-book-to-screen.).
Would you read books in their internal chronological order or their publication order if given the choice? Share your thoughts and teasers in the comments!
Tuesday 19 December 2017
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Ambrosia of The Purple Booker.
To play along just do the following:
Schnauze, es ist Weihnachten by Karen Christine Angermayer.
International book time – haven’t done that in a while. However, I thought I’d share one of my favourite holiday books of the past years with you even if it’s not available in English (quote translations by me). The title in German has the wonderful ambiguity that “Schnauze” refers to an animal’s snout but is also used as an exclamation to shut up. So you can read it as “Shut up, it’s Christmas”.
The book is divided in 24 chapters so you can read them as an Advent calendar until Christmas Eve (which in the evening has the main event in terms of presents in Germany). And the first time around, you get to open up the pages because they are bound in a special way that seals the individual chapters. The story is simple yet complex and very, very heart-warming: Bruno, the dog, is very happy and content with his lot. Until Soja arrives at his house to spend the time until Christmas as her family is going on a trip. Soja is different from Bruno in every other way imaginable. You see the problem is … Soja is a C.A.T.! In the same house as Bruno! And not only that, she is also into such ridiculous things as sports, healthy eating, and she talks all the time. Conflict is sure to follow.
How Bruno and Soja survive the 24 days in December, how they argue and fight, find differences and similarities, and finally even develop an understanding and friendship that will support them for another couple of books is such a wonderful tale that I return to this book every Christmas season. Even if I no longer have the pleasure of getting to cut open the pages. But the humour and love and the beautiful illustrations that fit so well to the characters and their friendship adventure delight me each time anew.
I wish you all a very happy Christmas, a wonderful time with loved ones, and lots of fulfilled wishes, if you celebrate. In any case, have a great time and let me know which books you wish for or discovered 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!
Schnauze, es ist Weihnachten by Karen Christine Angermayer.
 |
| Schnauze, es ist Weihnachten – cbj Verlag |
Soja has designed an Advent calendar for Bruno – all by herself! There is no chocolate inside but something sooooo much better!
Well, Bruno didn’t like day one all too much. But today is day two, he’ll like that one.
Maybe.
— Chapter 2
What do you do when you have absolutely no idea what to gift to the other? Especially if it’s supposed to be perfect?
— Chapter 19
International book time – haven’t done that in a while. However, I thought I’d share one of my favourite holiday books of the past years with you even if it’s not available in English (quote translations by me). The title in German has the wonderful ambiguity that “Schnauze” refers to an animal’s snout but is also used as an exclamation to shut up. So you can read it as “Shut up, it’s Christmas”.
The book is divided in 24 chapters so you can read them as an Advent calendar until Christmas Eve (which in the evening has the main event in terms of presents in Germany). And the first time around, you get to open up the pages because they are bound in a special way that seals the individual chapters. The story is simple yet complex and very, very heart-warming: Bruno, the dog, is very happy and content with his lot. Until Soja arrives at his house to spend the time until Christmas as her family is going on a trip. Soja is different from Bruno in every other way imaginable. You see the problem is … Soja is a C.A.T.! In the same house as Bruno! And not only that, she is also into such ridiculous things as sports, healthy eating, and she talks all the time. Conflict is sure to follow.
How Bruno and Soja survive the 24 days in December, how they argue and fight, find differences and similarities, and finally even develop an understanding and friendship that will support them for another couple of books is such a wonderful tale that I return to this book every Christmas season. Even if I no longer have the pleasure of getting to cut open the pages. But the humour and love and the beautiful illustrations that fit so well to the characters and their friendship adventure delight me each time anew.
I wish you all a very happy Christmas, a wonderful time with loved ones, and lots of fulfilled wishes, if you celebrate. In any case, have a great time and let me know which books you wish for or discovered in the comments.
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