Book Review | "To All the Boys I've Loved Before" by Jenny Han

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“I wonder what it's like to have that much power over a boy. I don't think I'd want it; it's a lot of responsibility to hold a person's heart in your hands.”

What makes a good story? Is it the craft, the style, or the storyline? Do we read for the characters? Do we read for the thrill? Why do we keep picking up that bound stack of pages?

I ask because I’m not entirely sure why people picked up To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before.

*Warning* this is an unpopular opinion.

Using the gift of words, Lara Jean writes letters to her crushes as a way to finally put to rest the feelings fluttering inside her. She’s written them to the guy at camp, her first kiss, and even her sister’s boyfriend. What was an innocent act of catharsis turns into a sinister plot when all those letters somehow get mailed to their prospective recipients.

So what would you do?

Great concept. I clicked right away to get this guy from the library and gushed with everyone else when Netflix announced the movie. I practically bounced on the balls of my feet when I walked back, book in hand from the library hold shelf, and an afternoon free to read away. And then I turned the page.

I’m not going to knock the idea. I think it’s great and original. The problem is everything else, including the storyline.

“When someone's been gone a long time, at first you save up all the things you want to tell them. You try to keep track of everything in your head. But it's like trying to hold on to a fistful of sand: all the little bits slip out of your hands, and then you're just clutching air and grit.”

I’ll first start with the voice. As a writer, you have to stay true to your age. I understand that Han played Lara Jean as an innocent younger voice. The character stays home a lot, crafts, and reads, but in my opinion, that’s not an excuse to write your character as a twelve-year-old. And what are you saying about the rest of the world that stays home, writes and reads a lot? When the little sister is a stronger character, you’ve got something to be worried about.

Lara Jean, and this could all be an unpopular opinion, was not a likable character for me.

I won’t even start with Peter and Josh. *eye roll* Seriously… what is up with those two. I get Peter stays friends with his ex, but he reads as an entire asshole the whole time. Which really plays poorly with Lara Jean’s decision in the end.  And Josh… I’ll let him sit in the same pool as Peter. I don’t know what I would have done in his shoes but playing the hurt victim isn’t even close.

Now, let us talk about the writing style. Not my thing again. I find that most YA contemporary tends to have a lack of meaty substance. No clue as to why writers suddenly lose all sense of a good story. I know they exist because I’m listening to an amazing version right now. Going back to my topic of description, writers stop describing their character’s world. As readers, we know what an average home might look like, but what makes Lara Jean’s home so special? What images are plastered on the walls or smells drift through the rooms? I need more. More feel of the wind as the rain rolls in. Something to dive into and get lost.

In addition, the dialogue was straining. Not enough conflict to draw a reader in and make them want to know why Lara Jean isn’t going to the game. There needs to be a reason for every word uttered. It’s another chance to develop the character and allow the story to become its own creature.

“Do you know what it’s like to like someone so much you can’t stand it and know that they’ll never feel the same way?”

So you may ask…. Why did I place the next book on hold? I have no idea. *palm to face* To be honest, once you move past the letters, the story plays out overdone writing tropes. Nothing was really resolved in the end. Lara Jean never really grew, let alone the other side characters. I really liked her little sister though. And maybe I just love to torture myself. I will give To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before 3 stars.

I’m reading One of Us is Lying for book club right now. I’m curious to see where it might lead because so far I’m hooked. Keep an eye out on my instagram feed or check back here next week for a full break down.

Happy Reading

Love Kait

Reading Challenge: 75/100

 

Book Review | "The Light Between Oceans" by M. L. Stedman

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“Perhaps when it comes to it, no one is just the worst thing they ever did.”

Books are supposed to pose the hard questions. Give minds an idea to ponder. Nothing is black or white, because humans are not black or white. Books can paint a world never imagined. Sit you down in the center of it all to play a part. And then sometimes, books can paint the wort side of humanity to make you ask yourself - “Is it really wrong?”

The Light Between Oceans paints a picture of despair and hope, asking the hard question of would you do the same? I think we can’t really judge from our perspective. Time in the 1920s is not what we know. Orphaned children were not treated with even the small sliver of care they are today (and that’s saying a lot). So when you read this book, look through the eyes of those telling the story, and not your own.

A couple lives on an island, isolated and alone. Their job is to the ignite the lighthouse every evening. One day a dead man washes ashore with a crying baby. Isabel, whose already lost three births, sees the child as a sign from God, a chance to be the mother nature would never allow her to be. What harm could be done? The baby would be put in an orphanage because no mother would dare abandon their infant. But all stories have many sides and no one is free from grief.

“When it comes to their kids, parents are all just instinct and hope. And fear.”

From the first line, I was lost. Stedman paints a gentle picture of Western Australia, weaving in and out the details carefully between the lives of the characters. Her words are soft, never going for the drawn-out texture, but taking her time to feed tidbits throughout. I would say this is her biggest strength. I’m not from Australia, yet now I walk away seeing this whole new world in bright generous strokes.

Descriptions don’t need to be flashy or all at once. I’ve heard of writers taking pride in spending a whole page on describing a horse. A single horse people. But do readers want to be slowed down by such a common image? I personally do not. For such detail to be painted, there has to be something pretty darn special about this horse.

Description is proportional to time. The longer you spend writing out a picture, the slower the story will progress and you take a risk your audience will be tired of waiting to get the story rolling. Today’s readers have the gift of the internet, we don’t need to completely lay out the basics like a stream. So wait. Say it was a stream, move on and save those moments for the imagery that really matters. The differences that make your world special.

“There are times when the ocean is not the ocean - not blue, not even water, but some violent explosion of energy and danger: fierceness on a scale only gods can summon.”

Do not read this book if you don’t want to cry. Life doesn’t have happy endings and someone must always suffer. That’s the real message of the story. Not the questions asked about the baby. Not the choices made by the characters. But the real fact, that no matter what happens, someone will get their dream and someone will be left to grieve.

Stedman brought to life the pain of life. She didn’t sugar coat the delivery, or follow it up with ‘now everything worked out in the end.’ I appreciate this. I appreciate the raw life of the matter and character development. Stedman stuck with what her characters would do and never once let them change just to give the story a chance. She asked the hard questions of her characters and let them play it all out. Something very important. As writers, we can never let our own thoughts and desires take over to control the story just for what we want. If that character would go down the dark alley, even though we know what waits for her on the other side, that character must go.

Even in this story, we can see the Hero’s journey. Weird right? That something so far from fantasy would have the same elements of a classic story structure, but that’s the point - it’s a classic story structure. We have the initial journey of receiving the baby. Tom, the reluctant hero to choose the journey, and Isabel ready to jump right in. Multiple thresholds to overcome and the final Ordeal and choice before we reach the resurrection.

“Soon enough the days will close over their lives, the grass will grow over their graves, until their story is just an unvisited headstone.”

Not everything about The Light Between Oceans was great. Sometimes the characters came across wrong, instances where Stedman might have tweaked their responses slightly. The ending was a little wonky, and ultimately I think could have been left out. The extra chapter muddled the whole picture instead of letting the reader's mind ponder everything. I didn’t need to see the overall life ending choices. I would say more but that would give too much of the story away.

Essentially, I learned that American audiences need the full picture. We want to see how everything is wrapped up all with a bow. No loose ends. Other countries prefer that open-ended version where there are still questions to ponder and audiences can paint their own outcomes.

All in all, I really enjoyed the entire read. I give the book 4 stars. The writing was soft and gentle, just enough prose to feel the craft but not enough to bog down the emotions and journey of the story. I really wish there were more books by Stedman, but alas this is her only one. Till next time.

Love Kait and Happy Reading.

Reading Chlalenge: 73/100

 

Book Review | "Vicious" by V. E. Schwab

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“You must make time for that which matters, for that which defines you: your passion, your progress, your pen. Take it up, and write your own story.”

Hello, my reading family.

Today I get to share my recent 5 star read with you guys. Not only was this book amazing, I also get to meet the beautiful V. E. Schwab in a month - which is a good thing because I need the sequel now. I feel bad for all the poor souls that had to wait five years. Yes, you read that right… It took Schwab five years to get the sequel out there. From watching her on Instagram, I don’t think the delay was due to a lack of imagination. She has so many books out, each one I can’t wait to devour.

Until then, let us start by talking about this lovely.

Jumping between the past and the present, two college friends become bitter rivals after one fateful night that landed Victor in jail. Ten years later, released or not, he’s on a mission to exact revenge. All the while, Eli, who stumbled on a scientific discovery that ended in death, has played the heroic boy next door. As we meet a ragtag group and discover the importance of life and love, we might learn that not all villains are made the same.

Vicious is the perfect blend of dark and dirty. Melding the world’s of X-Men and Batman, Schwab creates a fantastical adventure.

“I have a hacker, a half-dead dog, and a child. It’s hardly an arsenal.”

And I need more now.

My number one love about Vicious, besides how vicious it is *pun intended*, is Schwab’s attention to the little details during her descriptions. There’s a scene where she describes the ice in Victor’s glass. A tiny minute picture that grounds the reader immediately into the moment. Her details paint a glittering landscape coinciding with the characters as well. Victor felt like the villain, floating above the large city and looking down searching for his prey.

Writing stories that weave in and out between times, and Schwab doesn’t just do two times, is not something to be tackled lightly. There is a balance of releasing information that lets the reader get enough for the ride but also not jumping back and forth too much where they become lost and can never catch their breath. Schwab walks the line, really pushing the moments to the limit. But in her case, it works.

There were just a couple of times where I didn’t like it.

I will start with a caveat….. Vicious needs more than one read. The small details people. I was so caught up in the story, I’m sure I missed something. Even Victor and Eli’s relationship needs close attention. The hate between the two is more than jealousy - I think Victor’s relationship with his parents is a very huge clue. His relationship with Eli is just a carbon copy.

Anyways. Moving on.

Schwab doled out the information a little too quickly. We’re left guessing right at the beginning, that’s how she hooks you. But when a question is brought up in the present, Schwab immediately takes you to the past and provides the answer. I personally like to be left guessing a little longer. This can all be personal preference and was not a big enough problem to change my rating.

“He wanted to care, he wanted to care so badly, but there was this gap between what he felt and what he wanted to feel, a space where something important had been carved out.”

After all, this analyzing and deducing, I can’t figure out if Schwab is a plot or pantser writer. She has a story strongly built around the characters but with a great plot based ending. Also, the reason I dub her a master and one that I will study with a fury. Here is one time that I finally read a writer that is like me. Something important since I was worried readers would hate my style.

What more can I say? If you haven’t picked up a Schwab book yet, you might want to now. She has a lot of projects in the works - yay for all of us.

Now off to read A Light Between Oceans for book club - which will also be the next book I review. I’m curious to see what it’s all about. I’ve heard so many different opinions.

Happy reading my lovelies.

Love Kait

Reading Challenge: 70/100

 

Book Review | "Mistborn" by Brandon Sanderson

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“How do you 'accidentally' kill a noble man in his own mansion?"

"With a knife in the chest. Or, rather, a pair of knives in the chest...”

This is that one time in life where not remembering my husband’s Amazon password is a killer because now I can’t check how much we have left in gift cards. Maybe I can just slide in purchasing the next book without him noticing…. I mean, there are so many books on my shelves. Would he even see another one?

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, he would.

Epic fantasy is a beast I’ve rarely tackled because the genre takes so much commitment. First, there is the struggle of finding just the right book. Second, each book takes a lifetime to read - though I know a lot of us prefer longer books because we get a lot for our money. And finally, third, one series goes on forever. I gave up with Wheel of Time after the fifth book.

Mistborn came highly recommended and at first, I thought there were only three books. Sadly, I was mistaken. Still, I went through with giving the genre a try. It was the least I could do after spending all that time watching Brandon Sanderson’s lectures online. If this guy is going to teach me how to be a stronger writer, I need to know what his writing looks like.

So here I went…

And it was everything I expected. Epic fantasy takes forever to set up. You might think this will lead to better character development, stronger backstory, something worth all the extra effort, but it doesn’t. I’ve seen well-done character development in 300 pages. What is up with all the length then? Could Mistborn have been condensed into a smaller story?

Yes and no. Yes, if you are looking at it solely for story and characters. The length doesn’t lend anything in those two areas. Sanderson even adds in a character well into the story that does fine with a shorter development period. Honestly, I like him more than even the protagonist, Vinn.

Epic fantasy is about one thing…. world building. Why writers and readers enjoy the genre is because they can fully immerse themselves into a fictional world. There is time to notice the little nuances: how people gain sustenance, political structure, religion, magic system, transportation, education. The list can go on for days. Writers can create a world and place readers inside to play. Slower moments are featured to showcase this realm instead of just jumping into the plot. Which does not mean that you need to write an epic fantasy to create a fictional world. J. K. Rowling did it all in the confines of middle-grade structure.

Attention to detail is what makes epic fantasy so hard. You have to build this entire iceberg while only sharing a tiny portion of it to the world. All that hard work will mostly stay locked in a vault never to be seen. So if you want to be an epic fantasy writer, know what you are getting yourself into.

After this long-winded explanation, I’ll get to my point. Mistborn took a long time to set up. A huge difference from the fast-paced YA books I’ve been reading. But, I stuck with the book knowing that this is due to genre and not writing. The world building is top notch. I can see clearly what Sanderson built but I really don’t care too much because world building isn’t something I’m too interested in - unless you’re on a spaceship. Then, taking into account character development, we have an average book in my opinion.

“...Do you stop loving someone just because they betray you? I don't think so. That's what makes the betrayal hurt so much—pain, frustration, anger... and I still loved her. I still do.”

What marks Mistborn as a good book is the well-done plot line. There are many story arcs that come together nicely at the end without too much foreshadowing - one of the hardest tricks to play as a writer. It’s this balancing act to ensure your reader knows enough to not feel betrayed in the end but not too much to give the entire story away. Towards the end, I was turning the page faster and faster. I also appreciate how Sanderson rewards the readers who pay close attention to the little things.

*hint, hint*

Though I won’t say that Sanderson is amazing in this regard, he did write a female protagonist well enough. She was like his prose, to the point without a lot of flare. Vinn was believable enough that I wasn’t stuck on her too much but without enough finesse for me to say that she’s an amazing protagonist. Many times her internal monologue came across harsh and annoying. In honesty, I would have preferred Kelsier to be the sole protagonist but alas, we can’t always have what we want.

After watching Sanderson’s lectures, I will say that this is a great example of ‘seeing through the stained glass window’. There’s no pretty prose to sweep you along. At points, the scenes were so straight to the point that you didn’t get enough grim from the story to fully immerse yourself into the world. We see the mists, they are a huge part, but did we feel the mists? We were told about the mists. My imagination did not runneth over with great description. Another fine line to walk as a writer unless you want to be that literature stain glass writer that focuses on word choice instead of story.

So if you haven’t noticed, yes I will be getting the next book. When I will read it, that is another story because my TBR list is growing out of control. I have a problem people. I don’t even know if there is time to read all the books I want in one lifetime. The hardest part is that more amazing books are coming out all the time. There are at least 6 books coming out in the next 12 months that I’m dying to read. Do you have one on your radar? Let me know in the comments below.

And before I forget…. 3.5 stars for this one.

Happy reading

Love Kait

Reading Challenge: 68/100

 

Book Review | "The Art of Starving" by Sam J. Miller

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“The strongest people aren’t the ones who are born strong. They’re the ones who know what it’s like to be weak, and have a reason to get stronger. The ones who’ve been hurt. Who’ve had things they love taken from them. The ones with something to fight for.”

Book club is a curse and a gift. It can be stressful: figuring out what book to read next, going on the whims of others, and taking wild chances. Such was the case when we sat there, three in a group, trying to keep the YA book club alive and fighting to find something interesting. One of us mentioned the Hugo Awards. And why not? So we scrolled and searched and researched till we came upon a gem that seemed weirdly placed on a list made up entirely of sci-fi books. “There has to be something sci-fi about it,” we all said. So, The Art of Starving became our wild chance.

I don’t think I would have ever glanced at this book otherwise.

And it would have been a sad day because we need more books like this in the world.

The Art of Starving centers around Matt - a boy struggling with life since his older sister decided to disappear one night. Question is, what made her leave? Matt is determined to discover the truth. First stop, the bullies that make his life a living hell. Their ringleader was the last to see his sister before she left. In his search, Matt learns that the less he eats, the more heightened his senses become making him the man he always wished to be: strong and sure. Eventually, his abilities lead to acceptance in the group making him wonder, why did his sister really leave?

I personally struggle with books based around LGBTQ characters. Most of the time the characters become unrealistic creations forced into a story because authors feel a need to fill a hole that they don’t have any clue about. Relationships become unrealistic, arc types overdone, and the natural flow of human nature, in general, is gone. After reading The Art of Starving, I finally feel that a good version can be created. All it takes is someone who understands the content - which introduces the fact that, yes, our author is gay.

Wow oh wow… he did it right. No surprising.

“I used to imagine Better was a place you could get to. A moment when I would look around and see that Everything Was Fine. But that’s not how this works. Being better isn’t a battle you fight and win. Feeling okay is a war, one that lasts your whole life, and the only way to win is to keep on fighting.”

Take note my readers. The world is clamoring for diverse reads, diverse characters, and diverse topics, but it might not be your place to deliver it. There is a trend now with authors throwing in diversity for the sake of diversity and not understanding one cent of the topic. Take Artemis for example. In my opinion, there was not one reason behind Weir making his protagonist an ethnicity that he has not a shred of idea about. So what happened….? The character and culture felt butchered and poorly created.

Now, look at Miller - a man that understand the nuances of being gay and used that to create a believable character that readers could love and stand behind. The message was honest, beautiful, and fully formed.

We don’t just need diverse reads, so don’t let the idea turn you off from writing. No matter our background, origin, or faith, we all have something to share. My point is, don’t make a character one way or throw a topic in just to check off the diverse box. Do your research, delve in deep, and then take the plunge.

Yes, Miller did a fantastic job but there is still the elephant in the room. Nothing in this book is sci-fi. Even if you go on the premise of Matt’s otherworldly ability when he starves himself, it reads as a mental delusion than sci-fi esck plot. I even want to say that’s what Miller intended. Not once does his actually ‘abilities’ feel anything other than delusions from lack of food. So, then why was this nominated for a Hugo award? The world may never know.

Everything about The Art of Starving screams award-worthy…. just maybe not the one award genre writers can be a part of.

“The greatest power comes from love, from knowing who you are and standing proudly in it.”

Miller pulls off a story of a lifetime, especially shocking since this is his debut book. On top of that, he throws in multiple topics that I think would send other writers spinning in circles. I’ve read those books - most of the time you end up with unanswered questions. Miller throws in LGBTQ relationships, coming out of the closet, ethnicity, single motherhood, job loss, eating disorders, etc. The list keeps going. But through it all, Miller stays truthful to his character and weaves each part into a heartfelt story for every age. I’m honored to have gotten to read the story and I walk away with a different idea of the world around me.

All in all… I give this story 4 stars. Well written, well crafted, and a read I beg everyone to try. I’m super excited to read Miller’s other book - which just happened to come into my radar before I even knew about The Art of Starving.

Happy readings.

Love Kait.

Reading Challenge: 65/100

 

Book Review | "How to Stop Time" by Matt Haig

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“Whenever I see someone reading a book, especially if it is someone I don't expect, I feel civilization has become a little safer.”

Thank god this was a book club pick. If not for the need to finish the entire thing, I believe this would have been thrown out and considered a lost cause.

The story introduces Tom, a man with a long past - a very long past spanning over 400 years. Having a medical condition that slows his aging, Tom has lived many lives always running from people who view him as a freak or a devil. Flipping between the present day and his history, we begin to see how our pasts drive us, staying true to ourselves, and the importance of what it means to live.

I really don’t think it helped I picked this up after War Storm. I went from a pretty average YA written novel to one of strong lyrical prose. As Brandon Sanderson would say, “You can really see the stained glass window with this one.” But, in truth, the prose was so heavy I couldn’t see past the words to the story underneath. I stuck with it, as I was forced to, and found a heartwarming, eye-opening story underneath it all.

You just have to remove a few layers first.

So seriously, stick with this thing.

I don’t think you’ll regret it.

At least I hope not…..

“It is strange how close the past is, even when you imagine it to be so far away. Strange how it can just jump out of a sentence and hit you. Strange how every object or word can house a ghost.”

How to Stop Time is not a masterpiece of plot - a sign that Haig is probably a discovery writer. Some of the plot twists pop out of nowhere, which isn’t the worst but might leave a sour taste in your mouth. In honesty, Haig’s attempt at mystery leaves a little to be desired. What makes this book a masterpiece is his ability to throw in the hard life questions without you noticing. Multiple times I had to stop for a moment and think about what he’d just written in the most casual way. There were questions and thoughts that I think we all have but that have never been said out loud.

Haig’s superpower is his ability to weave the scenes in and out. To flow the information and bring up thoughts and philosophical quandaries without pausing. While reading, you don’t feel like your being lectured to. Instead, you feel deep inside the head of a lost wandering man who's trying to figure out his own role in a world that has destroyed him for centuries.

Which doesn’t mean that Haig’s casual name-dropping throughout the book works though. How likely are you to be in these places at just the right time to meet say, F. Scott Fitzgerald? I can believe Shakespeare and Chaplin, but the rest not so much.

Eventually, I was so deep into the story that when I turned the last page my heart sunk. I fell in love with Tom. I fell in love with Rose. And I saw the struggle of each character and their own fears. So yes, the story isn’t about plot. It’s a character-driven narrative filled with beautiful insight into the world we live in.

As you can guess, I quickly changed my rating on this story and it’s now at 4 stars. There are still some items that I would have preferred played out differently and I don’t like how long it took to get into the story. I feel many readers will end up putting this down. And that’s why I beg you to stick with it until the end.

Happy Reading

Love Kait

Reading Challenge: 59/100

 

Book Review | "War Storm" by Victoria Aveyard

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“Cal is built from his father’s dreams, and Maven from his mother’s nightmares.”

War Storm….

The ending to an epic battle of power and blood.

And a book I will not admit is part of the series.

There’s a lot to this book. Like the others, we are dropped in where the third book leaves off. Cal has just decided to go for the crown instead of Mare. And this, besides the political and war drama, is the premise of the entire book. Everything revolves around whether they will return to each other, even, I would say, the other characters.

“I walked away from his offer. From him. I was torn apart by another betrayal—Cal’s betrayal, but also mine. I love you is a promise we both made, and we both broke. It should mean I choose you above all else. I want you more. I need you always. I cannot live without you. I will do anything to keep our lives from parting. But he wouldn’t. And I won’t.”

And boy are there other characters. Aveyard decided to add everyone and the kitchen sink - which I think was the worst idea. Do not add people to pull the plot forward. Especially if you only let them have a chapter or two. The biggest disappointment was Cameron. She isn’t a POV at all in this book which proves that she was used as a plot tool in the last book. Such a disappointment. I was promised her story, and though we see a somewhat happy ending, nothing is entirely resolved.

I may disagree with everyone on the planet, but Mare stole my heart and having to waste my time on so many other characters I could care less about ruined the last two books for me. Aveyard set a promise that this was Mare’s story. She breaks this promise in the last two books. If instead, she had added additional POV from the beginning, she would have had more leeway in adding and subtracting later. Still, I stand firm that if you want to add a POV you need to add it throughout the book - not thrown in a part of the way allowing only a small glimpse into the character’s mind.

Rant is now over….

I was holding that in for the entire read.

It’s hard to say that this story was boring. A lot happens and we get a few, very obviously foreshadowed, plot twists. How else was this expected to end? Only a bloody war could be the ultimate deciding factor. The fault lies in its length. (Another reason to have stayed with one POV… ok really done now) Aveyard goes so nitty gritty into the war maneuvers and strategy, not something you will expect when starting the series. In essence, she lost the tone of her series and ended on a very low note.

Such a low note. You will see what I mean when you get there.

Sometimes, I even wonder why I picked this series up when I’m handed that to walk away with.

What I will give Aveyard an award for is her ability to stay true to Mare the entire story. Through all the books, she never lost Mare’s true character and I can see she made the hard choices. Except for the end. Ok, no spoilers. Also another round of applause for the second mountain scene. Excellent little nugget there - you’ll know it when you arrive.

All in all, I loved the first two books of this series. If I had to give an overall rating, I would go for 4 stars. Now for War Storm, we will dip down to 3 stars. I hate to do it, but she gets what’s delivered. I do look forward to whatever else she decides to write.

Happy Reading Everyone!

Love Kait

Reading Challenge: 58/100

 

Book Review | "Furyborn" by Claire Legrand

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“We all have darkness inside us, Rielle,” he said, his voice rough. “That is what it means to be human.”

Social issues are becoming the forefront of every conversation, and though I agree that these topics need to be discussed, not everyone makes decisions solely to ask the questions. I don’t know the reason why Legrand covered a few more taboo topics in her book, but I didn’t even recognize their significance because for me the inclusion of a masturbation scene seemed natural. I appreciate that she doesn’t shy away, or even that the editor let her include it, in this world where natural human instinct is no longer being kept secret. So, a long round of applause.

And really this delves right into my thoughts about Furyborn. The story is different. I struggled with explaining why… but then I look at the above comment and realize that's why. Instead of hinting, fading to black and forcing the reader to make assumptions, Legrand lays out her scenes bright and bold. Female sexuality is blatant. Homosexuality is hinted as a plot. The general idea that females can be powerful as well as physically superior. My thoughts are that this wasn’t done to make a statement. Everything was laid out because to Legrand, and many of us in the world, this is a natural mindset.

I wasn’t brought up to believe a certain way about things. Instead, my mind formed it’s own conclusion on the world. Many times my husband reminds me that the average person does not think the same way I do. For once, here was a book forged into the mindset of my own thoughts.

To be clear, for those that tend to ask authors - no, this is not a clean book, though I don’t even know what the definition of clean is.

Now to the actual synopsis. Furyborn is set millennia apart. One world, a noble with power that could be the savior in stopping the gate from falling, unleashing those sentenced to purgatory for crimes in the past. The other, a killer set to keep herself and her family alive until she must help those she kills to save her mother. And through it all, one source of control bent on revenge to a war that took power and life from them.

Throughout the book, we jump between the two protagonists.

To be honest… I almost put this book down never to return. I HATED the beginning. For a solid two days, I kept sighing loudly and grunting out each sentence. I cursed the book club for agreeing to read it. Sometimes book clubs do save the day, and because I must finish books for the meeting, I trudged on. Boy am I glad I did. After page 70 the whole thing takes a major upswing.

Legrand created a massive learning curve for her readers. She isn’t nice about it either, letting us slowly dip our toes into the water and test out our thoughts. No. We are thrown right in left to either sink or swim. Well, I sunk, but luckily a little life saver came along and pulled me to safety. There is no way someone could say that she shows her iceberg. That thing is kept firmly under wraps. Legrand slowly doles out the information piece by piece until you finally place all the puzzle pieces together and form a picture.

Clue - make sure to pay attention to the excerpts at the beginning. They hold more information than you would assume.

Overall, I loved this book. Rielle and Eliana are excellent characters. Eliana is more developed in my opinion, and I really appreciate her tone. The seemingly bad character is the one we are forced to love - though I didn’t find it hard. It poses the question of what would you do in her situation. Rielle felt repetitive in her plot. A lot of the same thoughts and action not repeated, but played out over and over. Her development lends more to personal relationships. There is a large emphasis that the story really revolves around her, which might be the reason she falls flat. The reader expects more, especially after the way she enters the story. Where the plot is going, I think that she will have a more developed role in the next book.

So much happens in this book, your suspension of belief might be a little stretched. Most authors choose to make one topic the stretch but Legrand adds in a whole system. I love her take on angels. These are not your grandmother’s angelic creatures. They are dark and sinister and just the way I like them. Some people complained that her magic system needed to be explained more, but I was fine with going along for the ride. The story doesn’t need it to be enjoyed. I did just fine though I’m also one that doesn’t require every detail of a world mapped out.

So if you want an action-packed story, with time travel, magic, angels, and love, then grab this one from the shelves. You might hate me after when you have to wait a year for the next one. I know that I hate myself. A year is too long. My overall rating is 4.5 stars and only because the ending fell flat. Plus, there was a scene that made no sense, or at least I missed how we got from point A to point B.

Happy Reading.

Love Kait

Reading Challenge: 55/100

 

"Beautiful Ruins" by Jess Walter Book Review

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“At peace? Who but the insane would ever be at peace? What person who has enjoyed life could possibly think one is enough? Who could live even a day and not feel the sweet ache of regret?”

Or the sweet ache of turning the last page knowing that the story is over, and you need to go and live your real life.

Walter has a gift that I’ve seen in only a few authors. He has an ability to weave a story from a multitude of perspectives yet leave you as if you read it through the eyes of only one soul. Just breathtaking. I had to put the whole thing down and stare out the window until I felt the shock wear off and I could breathe again.

How did he do it?

Yes, I won’t say that it worked the entire time. From the start, it was really hard to tell where things were going to go. A bunch of characters are thrown in right at the beginning. We think it’s going to be from the perspective of a set few only to realize that their roles are more as background actors to the main stage. But if that wasn’t enough, we are thrown into new roles in the middle and must accept their part to be played. And to top it off, that one character, briefly mentioned now, plays a massive role though not told out as long as you would have liked.

Does this feel like a whirlwind yet, because it stays that way for the whole wild ride?

Hold on though, because when you get to the end and you see what Walter was trying - maybe sit with it for a while - the beauty of the story comes alive and you realize that you just witnessed a masterpiece.

“I think so, too. I know I felt that way. For years. It was as if I was a character in a movie and the real action was about to start at any minute. But I think some people wait forever, and only at the end of their lives do they realize that their life has happened while they were waiting for it to start.”

So at the start, we think the story is about all of these characters, but it really comes down to the two introduced from the start, Dee and Pasquale. Maybe I’m breaking my own rule of no spoilers, but I think this might help you to make it through. I don’t want you to suffer like I did sitting there and wanting more Claire but realizing that she just isn’t the one to make the real dramatic plays. Her character comes out more as background noise.

And there comes one of my biggest complaints. Why so much when the real story isn’t centered around every characters’ backstory? Do we really need to see Claire’s boyfriend drama played out, Alvis’s war wounds, or Shane’s ACT lifeline? Seeing it all done, I think the answer is yes. I feel the drift from the core components was the point. The idea of look, 50 odd years later and all of these lives are changed because of what happens, and, that in some way, we are all the same. All needing the same wakeup call.

Walter throws real life in your face. There aren’t happy endings. It’s messy and the decisions we make can’t always be easy and it just isn’t going to be a fairytale. The guy sometimes can’t get the girl but that doesn’t mean life still isn’t beautiful and fulfilling. Walter covers so many topics that at times it’s overwhelming. But that is life.

I read the reviews and they aren’t entirely the best. But, I get where people got lost. First off, the marketing department didn’t do the greatest job. It’s The Village all over again. You think you’re heading into a scary thriller only to discover there was always a way out, it’s just a sham. Beautiful Ruins goes through the same pains. Luckily, I read the genres and didn’t fall into the trap of cover and name. This is not a light summer read. This is hard, dirty, and may make you cry. That or throw the book in anger.

“His life was two lives now: the life he would have and the life he would forever wonder about.”

And, because I must always talk about craft at some point in my reviews, I’ll cover Walters stunning choice of words. I don’t know how he did it - and I think I can say something on this topic since I’ve been to the Italian coast and Rome - but each time I opened this book, I felt Italy coming back to me all over again. It was marvelous. Lifted from your seat, you’re set in the glittering waters before the Hotel of Adequate View. Turn the page and you can find yourself in the dark pillbox after a hike, sun catching the corner of a hand painted image. But, then in the next instance transported in time to the realities of current day show business.

Maybe this will make you read the book, maybe not. We all have things that touch our hearts and come at the right time in our life. I think this book was meant for me right now. I will give it 4 stars. Though I loved every moment, a few things rubbed me wrong. Walter went on a limb with some of his choices, but certain things like the book chapter and such just fell flat. If you do decide to read it, I hope you get as much out of it as I did.

Love Kait

Reading Challenge: 49/100

 

"Brightly Burning" by Alexa Donne Book Review

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“Stella, you're going to have to let me in so I can kiss you again.”

Cringe.

Groan.

Put the book down and wonder why you picked it up.

Oh right… because you were the one to convince the book club to read it. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, this was my fault.

Being honest, Brightly Burning isn’t the worst book to ever get published. I could start a long list. You don’t even have to look far, just see my review before this one. What this book does have are painful moments where you wonder what in heavens realm made you pick it up.

That’s because it was supposed to be a retelling of one of your favorite classics Jane Eyre. And to top it all off, it’s set in space. What could possibly go wrong?

Loss of all oxygen wrong.

Set in a future where a colony of ships orbit an abandoned Earth covered in ice. Survivors who’ve fled the doomed ice age dream that one day its surface will be habitable again. But, hundreds of years later, ships have begun to fail and everyone questions if the surface will in fact ever melt.

So then we have Stella, who I think is actually a pretty badass chick. Holding all the characteristics of the original Jane - also extremely strong-minded - she’s not only an engineer but she can kick butt in the literary realm as well. Left on a ship considered to fail next, she leaves it in hopes of a better life as a governess on a haunted ship. Is any of this ringing a bell yet? I hope so because it’s a play by play of the original minus the spaceships yadda yadda.

I will make a confession though…

I didn’t know going into the book that it was a retelling. It wasn’t until the end with a well-placed fire that I finally went “wait a minute”. Sorry if you haven’t read Jane Eyre. There’s a fire at the end.

Now we have Stella but the enjoyable parts end there. Hugo is not a believable Edward. Honestly, he’s the worse. The one-liners and immature character arc make you want to cringe. There are no redeeming qualities. Run away now.

Then we have the age limit on this book. Yes, I’m placing a limit. You should not be above a certain age when reading this. I have nothing wrong with books being written for younger audiences - in truth, we need more - but the enjoyment as an older reader is just not there. The maturity and overall conflict aren't developed properly. At one point we have Stella’s male friend, who’s clearly written as having feelings for her, running off to help her reunite with her lover. During the whole thing, I’m waiting for some declaration of love, but he does nothing. Nothing. What guy just follows along and helps the girl he likes to find her love? No one! Hence no conflict.

Also, it looks like Donne kept all the social constructs of the 1800s. We have the social decorum, male friends that are just friends, and social hierarchy. We all know how the story will eventually play out, there are no surprises, so spice it up a little and adapt it to the actual time period you are setting it in. All of this lends to the younger tone. The antagonist at one point says - and this is when they are just kissing -  that if he doesn’t leave he’ll do something he’ll regret.

*cue eye roll*

I thought for a time this was a series, which was fueled on by the way it read. The ending wrapped up way too quickly and felt rushed. Nothing special happens either. We don’t get this well thought out reunion that I felt was done in Jane Eyre.

Again this isn’t the worst book. I’m going to give it 2.5 stars because I think the premise was well done and being in space is always a winner for me. It just needed more work. Will I be reading anything else by Donne… probably not.

Love Kait

Reading Challenge: 47/100

 

"Artemis" Book Review by Andy Weir

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“On a scale from one to ‘invade Russia in winter,’ how stupid is this plan?”

Houston…. It’s very stupid.

So I might be a little mean, but I’m going to use the quotes from the book to help me make my point.

Point 1: This book is drier than moon dust.

If you want to know how a scientist writes a book, look no further.

But come on…. Weir literally fell into the trap. Just because someone is an engineer does not mean they lack the imagination to pull off some colorful whimsy of showing not telling. Being good at math does not mean you can’t use your eyes to describe what the world looks like instead of shoving Artemis’s theoretical existence down reader’s throats. It’s grey, it’s hard living on the lunar surface, but what makes your story so different?

“A clumsy, awkward success is still a success.”

Not really Wier. Not really.

I need to include before I go further that I have not read The Martian. I really wish I had before jumping into this one. I feel then my point would have been better made. But…. I have seen the movie so I’m going to use that and some research that I did before writing this review.

In The Martian, a gentleman is left on Mars. So, to survive and not go crazy, this gentleman had some interesting internal conversations with himself. Cool. It works with the storyline. Something that a guy stranded alone would probably end up doing. The internal dialogue of a girl on a lunar space city…. doesn’t entirely work that well.

Essentially, Weir took the character from The Martian, placed him on the moon, and shoved him into a girls body. Yup, you heard me right….

Point 2: Guys cannot successfully write a female perspective.

“The city shined in the sunlight like a bunch of metallic boobs. What? I'm not a poet. They look like boobs.”

Case in point. Yes, this is Jazz everyone. A pre-teen boy. Oh, excuse me…. I mean a 26-year-old female living on the moon.

I appreciate that guys want to try a new perspective. Female writers do it to them all the time. But for some reason, when most guys attempt a female protagonist, they miss crucial wavelengths that allow their character to come across as female. I think it’s also very funny that Weir credits a bunch of female friends - this even includes his girlfriend - in helping him to achieve his success in capturing Jazz.

*Face. Palm. Groan.*

Weir, girls don’t obsess over sex like you’ve protrayed in the book.

On top of this very poorly executed decision, Weir also decided to be cool and make his protagonist not only female but also of Saudi Arabian descent. Salt on the wound. I get that we need more diverse characters in this world, something that more readers can connect to, but Weir, as a white male of the upper class, might not be the best one to deliver this. I’m going to take us back to the first thing I learned in writing class…. write what you know. And I’m pretty sure Weir doesn’t know either one of these things.

So Weir’s an author now. He’s made it big. The Martian took him far. He’s quit his job and can write full time. Sorry to say but I think it might have been a one trick pony.

Artemis is the story of one brave smuggler given the opportunity of a lifetime because all she wants more than anything in the world is to have her own private shower. So, in the middle of her grand payout, something goes terribly wrong, and what was just a job turns into a life-saving endeavor.

The story was very interesting. I like where he went with things, even if at times I struggled to follow him down the rabbit hole. Not everything he presented makes sense. Example… his need to put on repeat that the city could never leak oxygen. One and done man. That’s all we needed. At times, Jazz just seemed very unbelievable in her abilities. We get it, she’s smart, but if she’s smart enough to spend a few hours browsing electrical engineering schematics and become a master at it…. Ok, maybe you see what I’m trying to say. It just takes a lot of going along for the ride to fully get into the story.

I was originally going to give this 1 star. Seriously, that is how much I hated this book. The ending though boosted it up half a star. I was pleasantly surprised and did find myself turning the page pretty quickly. So if you can make it that far you will definitely be in for a nice surprise. Good luck though, I think you might need all your strength to stick it out. The only reason I did was because this was for book club.

Love Kait

Reading Challenge: 45/100

 

"Obsidio" by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff Book Review

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“Every story needs its hero. And its villain. And its monster.”

Are you the hero, the monster, or the villain??

What a way to end a series. All flash bangs and fireworks aside, this ending was about as near to perfect as you can make them. Another five stars. Not that you guys weren’t anticipating that.

Sorry, I’m not more of a mystery.

Obsidio starts where we’ve left - stuck between an endless void and an enemy bent on killing everyone. Question is, which way do you turn? Well, clearly not open space because that will get you nowhere but a quick death. So the crew turns back home, hoping that there will be something left to save.

And all told in the lovable dossier style that we’ve come to love. There are some new added elements, including a small comic style section that I personally loved. Also, a little more surveillance footage, which is a bummer, but hey, you can’t win them all.

“You believe there is always an alternative. Always a chance for a miracle. But I told you once before that miracles are statistical improbabilities. There is no such thing in real life.”

Obsidio (The Illuminae Files)
By Amie Kaufman, Jay Kristoff
Buy on Amazon

Side note *What is it about Aidan quotes that make them so good?*

If there are any questions about this series coming back, I think the ending answers that. A resounding ‘NO’. Sad though. I love these characters andI’m hoping that I might see them one day in film. Just sending that out into the universe now.

I love how you never really know what is going to happen in the end. Yes, we know a few characters who live. It’s all given away in the first two books, but the rest was left up for grabs. Since I’ve never read these authors before this series, I wasn’t really sure if they were going to be the happy ending kind or not. I’m not telling you which it is… you’re just going to have to read this series to find out. Guess what though, it all works out in the overall story.

My only negative would be on the new characters. No surprise, the first two books were based around two different love interests. If you expected something else… well, that sucks. I appreciate that Kristoff and Kaufman stuck with it, but the two new characters fell a little flat for me. I can’t be surprised. These two authors have pulled off numerous characters with excellent personalities. To make something entirely new again, well you had to give somewhere. Again, it could just be me.

I really don’t have more to say. I don’t want to go into extreme depth and give the story away. If you haven’t jumped in yet, what are you waiting for? This is the new series of our lifetime. Something I think the book community will be talking about for a while. Starting another countdown till their next series comes out. I think I only have a year right???? While I wait I can start venting on the book I just finished, which will happily be the next book review. Be prepared for that. Until then… happy reading.

Love Kait

Reading Challenge:

 

"Sky In The Deep" by Adrienne Young Book Review

There are some books that grab hold, wrap around your bones, seep into your core, and never let go.

“Breathe Fire.”

Sky In The Deep stole my heart. I’ve seen Young’s interviews on the book, I’ve heard her say the words, but nothing really prepares you for the emotions of family, love, and her father found on every page. Forget that... every word. I’m already trying to see if I can fit in a reread, not only because I’m not ready to leave the Viking clan, but also because I feel that I missed so much in the first read.

“And the glacier inside of me cracked. It roared as it broke and fell into the icy water around my heart.”

I was so skeptical picking up this book. The ARC reviews have been fifty fifty. But I’ve followed Young for a while on Instagram and wanted to give my full support. Something kept telling me this book would be good. Out I went in the first week and bought the darn thing and good thing I always listen to my gut.

Sky In The Deep is a story about a girl, simply put. Every five years, two clans, set to hate each other by the gods they worship, come to fight in hopes of gaining honor in the eyes of their gods to reach the sacred heaven in death. During the fighting, Eelyn sees her brother who died five years previous. In search of answers, Eelyn is captured only to discover that the world she knows is about to change.

True to form, I had no idea what to expect from this book. I knew it had Vikings, it was about family and love, but I never read the synopsis. I had no idea what to expect. That left for a great ride. The beginning starts out so strong, throwing you right in the battle, hearing and feeling every slash and thrust of the blades. Young does an excellent job portraying these scenes. I’ve said it before, writers can lose their readers in battle scenes, but Young holds you close really getting you into the moment.

What I love is the subtleness that Young uses in her writing. It’s not that she hides what’s going to happen, there’s you’re typical foreshadowing, but she slides it in not blaring loudly in your face. When it finally plays out - and yes she did go there - you don’t feel it’s just another overdone ploy. Instead, everything is natural.

On top of that, even with her moodiness, anger and sullen teenager ways, you have to love Eelyn. She’s a fierce warrior and I think in my top fictional characters list.

I do have a negative comment. I really wish I didn’t but I can’t lead you astray without giving a warning. Sometimes Young’s writing can be a little disjointed. Many times Young lost me in the story. I would be at point A, but then, out of nowhere, the character would be at point B. It was almost as if I missed an entire paragraph. It could have just been me, but it happened too many times not to mention it.

Ugh.I’m putting this book down feeling lost and broken and wanting more. I’m glad this isn’t a series - I feel like I’ve jumped into too many to keep them straight - but I really don’t want to say goodbye to Eelyn or Iri or Fiske. At least her next book is in the same world, supposedly a companion novel. I’m really curious who’s going to be in it. Now, I just need to wait a year. There’s always the title reveal to get excited about. Till then I’m sending all my willpower to urge Young to write faster. Either that or I’ll find a way to bug her on Instagram.

Love Kait.

Reading Challange: 39/100

"Children of Blood and Bone" by Tomi Adeyemi Book Review

“As it fades, I see the truth - in plain sight, yet hidden all along. We are all children of blood and bone. All instruments of vengeance and virtue. This truth holds me close, rocking me like a child in a mother's arms. It binds me in its love as death swallows me in its grasp.”

Hello world and welcome to another edition of I can’t tell you a thing. I wish I could, but you’re just swell outta luck.

Joking aside, the thing I most want to complain about… I can’t. I think it ruins the whole book because instead of focusing on the story, you sit there the entire time trying to figure out what Adeyemi meant. What I will tell you is, under pain of death, don’t read the author’s note until the end. Or better yet, don’t read it ever.

Why you might ask????

It will just ruin your entire life, which in turn will ruin the premise of the book. It’s been decided that inside of a written letter at the end of the book - which everyone would then end up reading - she should have said it in an interview.

I can see what Adeyemi was trying to achieve. There are some beautiful moments, a million quotes and thought-provoking scenes to bring it there. The story alone is pretty decent. But it all comes into question with that note.

“I teach you to be warriors in the garden so you will never be gardeners in the war.”

Now back to the actual story.

Children of Blood and Bone is about the struggle of regaining power, which is magic in this case, in a world where it’s far off balanced. One day, all magic has been wiped out, leaving those without it lost and enslaved to the current ruling class. Zelie, a child at the time, loses her mother to the deadly change and in essence has no idea what to become where she is marked with one of magic blood. When a scroll is discovered that could possibly bring magic back, it becomes a race for those that want power and those that hope it never returns.

This is an action packed story with intensive world building and told through the eyes of three characters. A mix of African and Roman culture, Adeyemi really went for it. I think this would be stunning on screen. And I really wanted to like it, I promise. There was just something lacking for me. A disconnect of sorts.

“They don't hate you, my child. They hate what you were meant to become.”

Maybe it’s just me, but I felt an immaturity to the characters that I don’t often get when reading YA. Being older, I appreciate when characters leave their teenage annoyances at the door. Not saying that these characters didn’t, I just felt this whining come through that set my teeth on edge.

The biggest standout, and one reason I kept reading was Inan. His character is well developed and adds a complexity to the plot and story. His wants were apparent. His struggle really felt through the words. Zeile was also well done, but Amaria, which I know a lot of people liked, was downright a waste of paper. Her POV was not needed and really created a lopsided story. For almost the whole story she was with Zeile which required a retelling of scenes, and her input didn’t add much. Then on the flip side, you’ve got Tzain the brother, a very important character on the quest, and we hear nothing. If we needed Amari then maybe we should have had Tzain. I can see where she could be very important in the next book, but we could have added her in then. I know a lot of writers that add in a new POV on the next book.

In terms of world building, I wouldn’t say this was a fantastic creation. Everything was a little too cookie cutter. We had a beachy town, a desert, and a jungle oh my. We jumped around in so many towns that we never got to settle and appreciate what Adeyemi had to offer. I’m very thankful we had a map, and it was in an excellent location for access. Great job. I think this could be another reason I struggled to become grounded in the story.

I think what Adeyemi was trying to achieve was very commendable. For a debut book, it has a lot of good points. This was an undertaking and one that she did well with. I am excited for the next book because I think, with all the feedback and experience, it’ll be well done. I’m also really curious to see where the story goes. There is kind of a bet in book club. I really hope I win. But now we have to wait until next March. My overall rating is 3.5 stars.

Love Kait

Reading Challenge 36/100

 

April Flash Fiction

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Hello Everyone. I'm a little behind on my reading - too much moving and travels - so I decided to post my flash fiction from April instead. I hope you enjoy it. 

Love Kait

Week 1:

His mother had told him to never play with his food.  But what was the point of the hunt if you couldn’t have a little bit of fun?

She stood dripping in white and water. Jano would have passed her if it wasn’t for the dress. He had almost given up for the day, but it was so bright against the rotting ships, only Jesus could have missed it.

Dinner, thought Jano.

They were hungry. No one had appeared in weeks. All the small animals, bunnies or the like, were gone. Killed to extinction after Jano and his pack had made the same washed up appearance as the girl.  

Is it a girl? Jano questioned. Tender, but not much there.

Her first cry was low. Jano had rounded a ship, ghosting across the gap to the next one. It was just enough. Let her know that she wasn’t alone. It sent her circling, whipping at the whistle of the wind between the wooden cracks.

The sun was setting, the world turning from brown to dead orange. If this took much longer Jano would never be able to get the food back. There were new terrors in the dark. Things that even he would never want to meet face to face. If only she had arrived earlier. The games he would have played.

Jano sighed. He came around the bow of another ship, there were plenty on the beach. The girl had stopped, staring out into the water to where Jano assumed was her loss of freedom. She had to know that she would die. But maybe the thought had never come to her before his fangs clamped on her throat.

Week 2:

Food. Once a day it falls, wafting down with the current, drifting slowly till it's snatched mid-drop by awaiting bodies. It's the only time no one hides behind their makeshift hideyholes and dugouts. When you're desperate enough, you'll go out. Starvation can make anyone forget about the Eye.

Except for Max. He waits patiently, sitting behind his brownstone wall, its sides covered in green growth from all the moisture. His stomach grumbles. It's been a few days and waiting any longer will slow him down. The growth tickles his side when he moves. Still, he waits. That's his plan. Waiting. Most go right away, hunger covering fear. Max waits for the last moment, right before everything hits the bottom and is lost.

But today the drop is late.

Why? thinks Max. Is there a motive behind the delay?

Then everything happens in an instant. Food falls down in loads. A frenzy of bodies attack, snatching and darting. They shove each other, desperation fully kicking in.

Max senses it first. The empty sky above. No watching Eye sits hovering, a pool of white and brown. No unseen voice counting out the droves that have appeared.

Now he must go.

The first few pellets are beginning to crash on the pebble floor. Max moves. One bite and then another. It tastes amazing. He can feel the movements from above. Every last one of them must be out, he thinks. But as it's said, nothing good can last forever.

Like a freight train, the presence slams into them all. They can feel it's glare. It hangs there, locking onto the mob assembling. Could they have been fooled? Lulled into comfort by the food? Max, halfway through his third pellet, drops it all and swims faster then he thought possible. He must make it to the brown wall. He has to make it. The Eye can't see him, know that he’s here. His only chance lies in the mass of bodies frantically trying to make their own escape.

Once all the fish vanish from sight, the little girl gives up her counting and goes back to playing with her toys.

Week 3:

Her hands groped across the brick, leaving her fingertips raw. They could track her with a single drop of blood, but she didn’t care. Nothing would matter if she could find it in time.

A scream cut her heart like a knife. They were getting closer. Was she even in the right place?

Growing up she had been told the stories over and over. Their last hope. Freedom only given when all was lost. A door to get them all out. And now the time had come. There was no more hope for her, she was marked. She couldn’t wait for the others. What if there weren’t even others?

The air stirred. She could now hear wings beating. She pushed harder. Brick sliced skin and then gave away. Just a sliver, filled with white glowing light. Digging in, she felt the edge of the crack and tugged; once, twice, three times. Thud. She was too late. One of them had arrived.

No, she thought. With a guttural scream, she pulled feeling the brick edge slice her hands to the bone. Finally, the sliver budged and white light spilled out. The creature shied from it giving her just the second she needed to dive in.

Not knowing what to expect on the other side, she braced for the landing. Soft ground dampened the jolt. She had made it to paradise.

Week 4:

Knock.

Go away.

“Ace are you in here? We need you for the final dress rehearsal.” Karry’s voice floods the small confines of my tour bus. She’s blocking the only way out. I wish there was a place to hide. The cabinets would never fit me and the bathroom is no refuge. Cramped. Smelly.

“Fine Karry.”

Why didn’t I leave for that pizza when I had the chance? And now I know. I squirm under the rigid gaze that has come up the steps to land on me, leather seat giving away my shift of unease.

“Two shows in and I’m already dealing with this?” This being me, something she confirms with a gesture to my slutched, trying to appear calm, body. “The owner wants full dress too. Wants to make sure he’s getting what he paid for.” Her words fall flat at the end, eyes glancing to the locked cabinet fastened where a set of bunk beds used to reside. I don’t follow the glance. I know what’s there, locked tightly. I haven’t determined yet if that’s for my protection or its.

Nothing more needs to be said. I will her to leave, and she does. No surprise. Karry never wants to be in here with it. I want to leave too, but for some reason I’m drawn, never leaving the bus unless the fine woven caplet is resting on my shoulders.

Time to begin the ritual. First stop, the mirror. I’m combed and clean, the usual average man. Not the appearance of the platinum selling, sold out stadium tour rock star that I am. Next is the voice. I always have to check. Just a few notes to know. As usual, they are short, raw and plain out screeching. The point has been made.

The key slides in. It turns like butter. No creaking, no catch, it’s all too easy getting past the confines that enclose the cape. It shimmers even without a drop of light to refract off, looking like a thousand pounds but weighing more like feathers. One, two, three. I’m ready.

This time the mirror tells a different story. I’m the one glowing, if from fame or magic I can never tell. I look like a million dollars, old street clothes replaced with black leather pants and a white t-shirt. It all blends nicely with the shimming gold cape. But now comes the real test. A cough and sputter, will it work again? Deep breath and I go.

Our Trip to Boulder, Colorado

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What a whirlwind life has been but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Just four days after moving into our new home, Chris and I headed out to Colorado to visit some friends and see another part of the country. Most of my travels have been very close to the coast. Except for the 7 day and 3000-mile road trip we took from Florida to Washington, this was the furthest inland I'd ever been. Boy, could I tell. 

What do you mean there’s no massive body of salt water nearby?

Even my three months in Indiana didn’t feel as claustrophobic as Colorado.

My first impressions, minus the surprisingly smooth landing in a notoriously turbulent airport, were downright horrible. Sit for a moment and picture Colorado in your mind. For people who've already been, you don't count. You fly into the Denver airport and...

Wait a minute??? Did they take a wrong turn and land us in Kansas???? I thought they said Colorado had mountains? Unless you drive to the Rocky Mountains, the rest of the place is a flat prairie. I'm talking zero trees and a whole lot of grass. I was shocked. Colorado is off my places to possibly live bucket list now. By the end, I did start to see the beauty of the place but maybe that was due to the large amounts of sun I was getting. 

Colorado can be beautiful, it’s just not for me.

One thing to note, something I'm sure isn't news to most, is that Colorado is dry. Aka... its hell for me. I was sick for the majority of the trip and lived in front of my friends' humidifier. My lungs just opened in that moist air. If you're from a humid state then be prepared. Most of the time it was 10% humidity and I'm still dealing with the affects. Some stores carry little tabletop humidifiers and I suggest, before you even feel the pain, that you buy one and just leave it. 

And in case you all ask, the elevation was well... So I thought I was going to walk out of the airport and pass out. I planned for it, bracing as the doors opened. In truth, I felt fine the first day. I couldn't even tell. For most of the trip, it was that way. Only when we hiked did my heart race and I became short of breath. I think my body took it harder coming back down to sea level.

As a trip, I highly recommend the visit. Maybe plan things directly in the mountains if that is what you're looking for. But there is just so much to do there as you'll see from the extensive list below of top places we saw. There wasn't even time for us to see the caves that our friends bragged about. I guess we'll just have to plan another trip.

Flat Irons Hike

When we talked with our friends about the visit, there were only two things we demanded to do; rocking climbing and hiking. At first, I was a little disappointed that our friends had picked such a short hike. It was supposed to only take 1 hour up and 1 hour down. I'm used to the 8-mile hikes Chris and I take in Washington. Boy, was I happy at the end that it wasn't any longer. This is when the elevation hit me hard. At the end, I wanted to collapse. 

We hit the trail for peaks 1 and 2. It follows a break between the two peaks to come out on top of one. Which peak we ended up on, I have no idea. The trail has steep parts, but it's the rocky footing - you see what I did there - that gives the most problems. Multiple times we were sliding and slipping. And true to form, we even had to do a little rock climbing. I guess our friends thought they could kill two birds with one stone. Don't worry, the stone is worn down from use and it's only 5 hand holds up. The view is breathtaking once you reach the top. We went during the week so we got the added bonus of a very quiet trip. Pack a snack and sit for a while but beware that it can get windy and cold at the top. We're talking over 7,000 feet up once you're all said and done. 

Rock Climbing

Ha.... and they thought we went rock climbing. Nope. 

We decided to stay a little closer to their apartment and go with the EVO Rock + Fitness Gym instead of the one in Boulder. The place was superb. I wish we could pick it up and place it here in Issaquah. Not only was the bouldering section spacious with lots of options, the gym itself had some awesome equipment. Mixed between a Crossfit gym and rock climbing, there was something there for everyone. Make sure to explore since the day pass lets you access everything. We even found some slacklines to occupy part of our time.

Pearl Street

And because every trip must have some sort of shopping, I need to find a bookstore everywhere, our friends took us to Pearl St. in Boulder. An open-air mall style shopping, the place is filled with small and brand name stores. And you guessed it... I found that bookstore. 

    Boulder Bookstore

Three stories tall, the shop is in an antique building. So many sections to my heart's content, I ended up losing my friends to my endless wandering. A girl has got to see everything. They host a lot of events so you never know what goodies you might find. They even have used/sale books throughout the store and yes, I bought a book. That and stickers and pins. 

    Fior Gelato

Bookstore and ice cream... oh my. One of our friends is vegan and she begged us to try her find of the century. She could never steer us wrong. The owners were trained in Italy to create their gelato and my goodness, the chocolate vegan gelato tasted just like icing. I ended up not going here once, but twice. Yes ma'am, I dragged everyone back.

The Wild Animal Sanctuary

The highlight of the whole trip. There are no words that I could use to fully explain the feelings I had getting to visit this amazing haven for so many mistreated animals. I was balling at one point. Not only can I now say I've walked on the longest boardwalk in the world, I've now heard lions in real life. The sound is nothing like you would expect.

Because animals don't view the sky as territory, the owners built a boardwalk so that visitors would not disturb the animals. I actually felt like I was able to get closer because of that - or maybe it was the fact that I had a telephoto lens with me???? Case in point with how close I got to this man in the picture. If you have the time, go. This place is just amazing. And they run it with no government funding, just donations. I do wonder if they're run by a Clemson grad though. If you want to know why, click the link and you'll see. 

Celestial Tea Tour

I said we did a lot. Who likes to sit at home? And kudos to you for sticking with me this long. If it took you a while to get through, it sure took me a while to write. 

Anyways...

Trying to drink more tea in my life, I couldn't say no to a tea tour. Boulder is where Celestial Tea Company started, and it was very cool to see behind the scenes of their own tea packaging plant. Oh the smells. It was a lot of fun. Not only do you get to wear a hair net, and maybe beard net in Chris's case, on the free tour, but there is a tea tasting at the beginning. Then at the end, you can peruse their factory store, and trust me you'll want to. Their tea is way cheaper, so find a way to take some of that goodness back home with you. 

University of Colorado Boulder

Last but not least, the university visit. Our last day and where do we end up but the campus. I love seeing where other kids go to school. I can now boast almost ten campus visits. And per the usual, we did the stadium visit. UF is still the best. Make sure to check out the restaurants around the campus too. We found an awesome Pho place and even a Mexican-Indian fusion restaurant

Love Kait