Sunday Salon: Finishing and some changes

I’m on the verge of finishing a book (Bending Towards the Sun) and meanwhile I’m thinking of actually doing some changes to this blog. I also have a personal blog but am not using it, that’s on a paid host so I figured, since I’m investing so much time on this book blog I should move it to my paid server.

It’s easier said than done. So I’ll see what I can do in the meantime, let’s hope I can get some reading done today.

What’s everybody reading today?

Sunday Salon: Halfway Through :)

I’m halfway through on some books this week. Maybe today I could try and finish at least one:

Pope Joan – Donna Woolfolk Cross

Bending Towards the Sun – Leslie Gilbert-lurie

these two are catching my attention the most. They’re very interesting! also, I started a bit last night on Dark Hours – Gudrun Pausewang which caught my attention too but it was very late at night and my eyes were closing.

So! what’s everyone else reading today?

Sunday Salon: Can I finish?????

There’s been a conspiracy around the house where I’m just now allowed to read. It’s not very nice. In fact it’s making me turn into an evil hag by the name of Baba Yaga. However! whatever reading I can muster up for the Sunday Salon will be the following:

When Christ and his Saints Slept – Sharon Kay Penman – 200 or so pages left. I can do this!!!

Contagious – Scott Sigler – this one is getting so bloody good I can’t put it down..until I get interrupted..

Those two are my main focus right now. I’ll post again if there’s something else on the reading menu.

Also another note, I haven’t forgotten the lovely comments made over the past few days! sorry I haven’t been around! this is just to let you guys know you are not forgotten!

So what’s on your reading menu today?

Sunday Salon: Review of The Light of Burning Shadows

The Light of Burning Shadows

WOOT! I managed to get my goal done before midnight tonight! Two books done from my reading pile! yay! Anyway to start, before you decide to pick up this book, I strongly recommend reading the first one of this series, called A Darkness Forged in Fire, as the second one picks up right where it ended.

In this second book, we find the Konowa and his Iron Elves in persuit of his old squad of the original Iron Elves while at the same time, finding the next star and where it plans to land. However there’s a race to get the fallen star, as the Shadow Monarch (an elf witch) also has her sights to reach it for her quest towards absolute domination.

As with various fantasy epic series I’ve read, there are different story arcs in this plot. You have the main plot; to stop the Shadow Monarch. Then you have Konowa’s quest, which is to free him and his Iron Elves from this dreaded Blood Oath and to also recruit back his original Iron Elves army. Then you also have the interesting plot of Renwar, a soldier in the Iron Elves who has trouble with visions, and hears voices. He realizes he is different from the rest of them and wants desperately to end his Oath and free himself from his agony. True, this may seem like a lot to read, but it’s not confusing or muddled. Everything is clear and easy to understand so you won’t get lost while reading because eventually it all ties together in the end.

I loved this book. Although I sort of had to go back and jog my memory a bit I loved the action and the doses of comedy mixed into this story. There is plenty of action so you will not be bored with this book. I find it interesting this nice mix of cannons and muskets with magic and swords. It add a uniqueness to this type of fantasy story and in some ways it reminds me a lot of the Sharpe series (which I enjoyed reading as well). There were parts in the story where the dreaded realization hits you and you’re blindsided with a giant revelation or a surprise. I’ve been blindsided at least two or three times reading this book. Plus the ending was a total cliffhanger and I couldn’t believe it ended that way and I had to reread the last few pages to make sure I got it right (but I still couldn’t believe it ended like that)

I find myself very attached to some of these characters (I usually do with several characters while reading fantasy). You actually follow Renwar more in this story as he’s central to what’s been happening, and you see how he develops as a character. I like Yimt. He provided the comic relief but you knew he loved his squad and cared for each of them in his own way. It was too bad you don’t really read much of Konowa (not like the first one) as I like him a lot (he reminds me a lot of Richard Sharpe of the Sharpe series) but he’s changed and not necessarily for the better.

Overall a really good book. The plot moves quick and to the point. Unlike some series where when you reach the “middle point” of the series everything stands still then the series start to drag. Not with this one. You’re taken to the next stage with more surprises in store. I can’t wait for the third one.

I give it a 9 out of 10.

Sunday Salon: More Finishing up to do.

I love Sundays. I get to catch up on reading and it’s a great day to stay in (it’s raining). Today I plan on finishing up some books and trudging along in some other ones:

Finishing up:

The Light of Burning Shadows – Chris Evans

The Blue Notebook – James Levine

Trudging along:

The Sweet Far Thing – Libba Bray

When Christ and his Saint Slept – Sharon Kay Penman

Getting started (not sure if I will read today):

Intertwined – Gena Showalter

So what’s everybody reading today?

Sunday Salon Finish and Playing Catch Up

I have lots of reading to do. This week I couldn’t do much (living in a house with three needy men and two needy boy kitties is very difficult!) and I was getting a little moody as it felt as if I wasn’t reading AT ALL. So! for this Sunday I’m going to play catch up and try and finish some books:

Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr (need to finish)

Dark Time – Dakota Banks (almost there!)

The Sweet Far Thing – Libba Bray (catching up)

When Christ and His Saints Slept – Sharon Kay Penman (catch up)

the rest is all up in the air. Need to read a lot for Sunday! *hangs up do not disturb sign and locks door*

Sunday Salon: Review of The Other Queen

The Other Queen

Alas!!!!! the last novel in the Tudor series by Philippa Gregory. I pat myself on the back for finishing all of these books within a year. If there was a reading challenge on her works, I would have passed with flying colors! Sounding like a total fangirl all I have to say is I love her books. I love the rich history and how it’s all being weaved into a plot that just takes you back as if you’re really there in the Tudor court. So. I’ve been proud to walk through this court through the eyes of many wonderful characters. Except for Robert Dudley. He stinks. Okay. *Turns off fangirl mode*

The Other Queen focuses on Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots and Elizabeth I’s rival. You read the story through the eyes of Queen Mary, and her two hosts/jailors: George and Bess Talbot (who are also newlyweds). As the plot progress, you notice George falling in love with the Queen, and Bess becoming the green eyed monster. In the meantime Queen Mary is busy plotting to get her seated on a throne to rule France, England, and Scotland.

The plot starts very slow at first. It didn’t really capture my attention as Gregory’s other books. I did not really warm up to any of these characters. When you’re reading from Mary’s point of view she’s always referring to her past, and other characters (Bothwell, for example). It’s a little hard to follow as I’m not very well versed in this era of history. Here I am sitting wondering who are these people Mary keeps on talking about. You get the hang of it after a while but it’s a little frustrating and you feel a little lost. lso, you get the feeling you’re on a yo-yo as you read this book. First the rebels are coming. Nope they’re not. Oh Mary’s going to this house. Nope she’s going to this one. Oh yes Mary will have her throne. Nope she’s just going to this other house for now. It was sort of tiring reading like this throughout the book.

Once you get the know the three characters and as the plot slowly progresses, this is where it gets messy. I started to like Mary a lot first, and I started sympathizing with her. Considering I didn’t like Elizabeth to start with (when reading The Virgin’s Lover), Mary was a very romantic version of a Queen and reminded me of a little bit of Catalina (from The Constant Princess). I was neutral towards Bess, and George, he’s a sweetheart! you can’t help but know he’s a giant big teddy bear that needs a big squeeze. Towards the middle of the book, when Mary starts plotting more, and George falls in love with her, my opinion changes. Bess just can’t shut up about money, and gets mildly irritating. On top of that she’s a jealous harpy but you can’t really blame her. She’s up against a Queen. George still reminds loveable, but a little on the dumb side. Queen Mary, she started becoming a lying twit. Towards the end, everything shifts again. I didn’t like Mary anymore. The spoiled brat. I admired Bess for her strength but just wished she would shut up about her lands and money. George, well, I’d have to say he brought it all on himself even though he’s still a sweetheart. The plot works well with these characters, as all three of them develop and you see them change drastically.

Aside from the slow plot, I think it’s the characters that managed to saved this book from being set aside. They grabbed my attention, albeit not as quick as I hoped. Perhaps I had too many expectations. However it could be because I don’t know much about this era of history and perhaps a bit of background research would have helped me. Overall, not one of Gregory’s best work but it’s an all right read.

I give it a 6 out of 10.

Sunday Salon: Halfway stuff to finish, a mammoth book, and a ho hum one.

I love Sunday Salon I make it a point to stay at home and try to read as much as possible. This week it hasn’t been that great reading wise. It seemed as if I didn’t have time to even read a line or two. It’s frustrating! so! I am going to read like a student cramming for exams except I’ll be enjoying it.

Today I’ll be reading:

The Other Queen – Philippa Gregory (halfway done)

Benny and Shrimp – Katarina Mazetti (halfway done)

The Sweet Far Thing – Libba Bray (Going to read 200 pages of this mammoth novel)

The Templar Legacy – Steve Berry (this one is dragging. Ho hum. I’ll finish it nevertheless)

What’s everybody reading today?

Booking Through Thursday 8/20

Today’s Booking Through Thursday question is:

What’s the best book you’ve read recently?

- Oh! well that’s a bit of an easy one! I’d say Night of Flames by Douglas W Jacobson would be one of the best books I’ve read. Aside from my love for books based on World War II, this book was just filled with thrilling action and enough drama to make a lasting impression on me. I almost wanted to say The Godfather as one of the best books I’ve read however, the spelling errors really sort of took the fun out of it. (They were pretty bad too).

So! what’s the best book you’ve read?

I won I won! and a reading update

Omg thanks so much Sheila @ Bookjourney! I won a $15 gift certificate from a contest she was having!!!! I’m so happy! *hugs and purrs going your way*

On another note: I haven’t opened my Philippa Gregory The White Queen envelope yet. I think it’s about time don’t you? it’s sitting pretty with its’ bright red sticker saying: “Do not open until Aug 18, 2009″ well..what day is it today? yeah thought so. However I am reading The Other Queen right now and I want to finish the last and final Tudor novel before moving onto the Plantagenets.

I am also almost finished The Lie by Fredrica Wagman. I will be reviewing it soon.

Thanks again so much!!!!!! *hugs all*