Friday Finds #13 10 responses

After how busy I've been the past few weeks, I resolved to slow down my book intake. Thus, I only managed to acquire three new books this week. I am/was inordinately excited about two of these though!

1. Elegy Beach by Steven R. Boyett

I've been waiting for the release of Elegy Beach to read Ariel. I thought the two would best be read back-to-back. Now that I have both in my possession I'll be reading them before long--I've been very curious about Boyett ever since I read Dies the Fire. Genre: Fantasy/Armageddon. (Purchased from Borders with a 40% off coupon.)

2. Liar by Justine Larbalestier

I have to admit that my eye was drawn to Liar due to the controversy surrounding the cover (for the full story: Larbalestier, page 1 and page 2; or the Publisher Weekly article). However it was the idea that snagged me. I've always been intrigued by unreliable narrators and Liar takes that idea to the maximum level: what if your narrator admits to being a compulsive/pathological liar, what can you believe as a reader? Originally I was worried that Liar wouldn't fit into BLA's scope, but depending on how you choose to read it, it'll fit nicely. Expect a review up this weekend, because I finished this one the day I bought it. Genre: Young Adult/Fantasy. (Purchased at the university book store.)

3. The Dead and the Gone by Susan Beth Pfeffer

I really have no idea what this book is or is about. It was cheap on the bargain table and has Armageddon/apocalypse elements. I'm such an easy mark. Genre: Young Adult/Armageddon/Science Fiction. (Purchased from the university book store's bargain table.)

Statistics:

Total # of Books: 3 Genre Breakdown:         Fantasy - 2         Young Adult - 2         Armageddon - 2         Science Fiction - 1

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Review: Kristin Cashore 5 responses

Title: Fire Editor: Kristin Cashore Format: TC Available Formats: Kindle, Sony eBook, Audio Download, Audio CD Page Count: 461 Genre: Fantasy/Young Adult Publisher: Dial Pub. Date: October 5, 2009 ISBN-13: 9780803734616 Series: A novel in the Grace universe Rating: 10 of 10

Summary:
Fire gets her name from her hair. After all, the shade of her hair contributes to her terrible beauty. Fire is a monster and her unnatural beauty and coloring comes from that fact. Being a monster also ostracizes Fire from society. Of course, it doesn't help that her father was one of the most feared men in the kingdom, Cansrel. He had the ability to enter the minds of others and twist them to his own devices. So can Fire. But Fire does not want to be a second Cansrel...

TL;DR Version:
Anyone who loves unique, strong female protagonists must read this book. Both Graceling and Fire have raised Kristin Cashore up into my favorite authors because of her beautifully rendered protagonists (each unique from the other, both strong in their own way) and interesting world. Do not hesitate to read either book. Although, if pressed, I'd say Fire is a bit deeper than Graceling, I'd recommend reading in order all the same.

Review:
Fire is a companion novel to Graceling. In fact, the events are set prior to those in Graceling. Both are set within the same universe, but in two entirely different kingdoms. In Katsa's world there are Graces; in Fire's there are monsters.

Cashore really shows her talent at writing female protagonists with Fire. To prove Graceling wasn't a fluke or a stereotyped 'tough girl' protagonist, she creates a completely unique, but equally independent and strong protagonist for Fire. Fire's dillemas are entirely different than Katsa's. Fire is more feminine and more sexually mature, but equally ostracized.

Part of what I loved about Fire's story and dilemma was the relationship with her father. In fact, it was my favorite part. Cansrel was an evil man, but he loved his daughter in his own way and she loved him. The reconciliation of Fire's love for her monstrous father, his death, and the legacy he leaves her is riveting.

Like Graceling, Fire has a strong plot of romance. Fire has a pre-established relationship with Archer (who has stronger feelings for her than she does for him) and a growing relationship with someone new. Again, Cashore writes the romance perfectly. Fire doesn't lose herself while falling in love. I can't speak highly enough of Cashore's skill for managing this in both her debut novel as well as her second. I've seen veteran authors who can't as skillfully paint and design a relationship. Cashore doesn't even show an inkling of these problems. Instead she's crafted two romances that, unlike so many books, contributes to the plot rather than overriding it and are utterly memorable.

Really, though, Fire reduces me to a quibbling ball of "Go read this book now." Fire is a must-read.

Cover/Title/First Line Critique:
I love how well matched the cover of Fire is to Graceling. Both are elegantly beautiful and enticing. They look beautiful together in my shelves. (I hope Bitterblue, too, matches this well!) Though I was less specific with Graceling, I'd like to say that the hint of strength and war in both covers (dagger in the Graceling cover and bow in Fire) matched with a gentle femininity (Katsa's eye reflected in the dagger and Fire's lips and chin) are just gorgeous and perfect for the stories. And the first line is difficult to put down: "It did not surprise Fire that the man in the forest shot her."

Rating: 10 of 10 [Learn more about the rating system?]
I bounced between 9 and 10 for Fire (and when don't I debate with myself, you ask?). I ended up deciding that because these books truly stood out amongst everything I read this year, Fire deserved the 10. It's deeper, darker than Graceling, but keeps all of Graceling's strengths. I'll be eagerly looking forward to everything Cashore publishes in the future.

This book was a gift.
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Results: Quasi-Secret Giveaways 3 responses

Quasi-Secret Giveaways: Graceling and Interworld

If you were watching Twitter or read the entire Monday post, then you know about the quasi-secret giveaway for Graceling. All commentators from the Monday Coming Attractions post and the Graceling review were pooled, randomized, and one was selected.

At the same time, there was a purely Twitter-hosted contest running. Anyone who RTed (re-tweeted) the original tweet was entered to win a copy of Interworld by Neil Gaiman and Michael Reaves.

Want to know who will be taking the books home home?

Winner of Graceling:
Donna of Fantasy Dreamer's Ramblings

Winner of Interworld:
@ooh_books of Ooh...Books!

I'll be sending out an email shortly to the winners. The winners have 3 days to respond before an alternate is chosen.

Thank you to everyone who commented and participated! Be aware that I plan to do more giveaways like this, on Twitter, and through Facebook in the future--so keep watching!


Note: For the sake of spam-avoidance, I removed the previous post saying that Book Love Affair was now available to fan/follow on Facebook. [ Click here to read the rest! ]

Review: Kristin Cashore 11 responses

Title: Graceling Editor: Kristin Cashore Format: TC Available Formats: TP, Kindle, Sony eBook, Audio Download, Audio CD Page Count: 471 Genre: Fantasy/Young Adult Publisher: Graphia Pub. Date: September 7, 2009 ISBN-13: 9780152063962 Series: A novel in the Grace universe Rating: 9 of 10

Summary:
Katsa accidentally killed her cousin when she was 8 years old. This is her "Grace"--a talent above human abilities--that manifests physically in her the two colors of her eyes: one green and one blue. Unfortunately, because she is the orphan niece of the king, she is forced into the role of carrying out the king's dirty work. Often Katsa is treated no better than an attack dog. However, this is not the life Katsa wants and when she befriends a prince Katsa begins to realize that she can make her own choices after all.

TL;DR Version:
Partially, Kristin Cashore reminds me of Tamora Pierce, with her strong and lovely heroines who don't quite fit into society's rules (and don't care to, either). This is a stunning novel that I recommend without reservation and, in fact, will probably begin to force upon my friends.

Review:
Graceling is absolutely stunning. In fact, I'm so stunned that I don't quite know where to begin with my review.

Katsa, the protagonist of Graceling, is deeply close to my heart. I can not express adequately how refreshing a this female protagonist was for me. Gifted with fighting and a restrictive life she believes the worst of herself. The tale that emerges is a coming of age for her, but also a battle against doing what is expected (and sometimes wrong) against finding your own feet in the world. Katsa's journey is heartbreaking and rings utterly true. What I loved most about Katsa was this truth. She remains true to herself and her own beliefs through the entire book despite the opinions of others. Although part of this is entirely personal, I love that Katsa does not want children or a husband. This decision is just as difficult for Katsa (socially speaking) as it is our current world.

Additionally, I should say that I love every supporting character. Po, the hero; Raffin and Bann; Oll; Bitterblue--I want to see all these characters again, but if I don't, then I think I could be content because the story they got was so fantastic. (As a note, Cashore is currently working on the third novel in the universe titled Bitterblue and Fire is already available as a sort of prequel or companion novel.) One of the aspects of Graceling that particularly impressed me was the incredible handling of the relationship between Po and Katsa. It can be difficult to balance a truly independent heroine with a love interest, but Cashore does it perfectly. Po is--and I'm sorry to anyone who loves the trope--not the ordinary alpha male hero. Instead, he's a compliment to Katsa's skills, abilities, and beliefs rather than someone she can concede to without losing herself. There isn't any concession in their relationship, because they balance each other. And if that sounds dull, just trust me when I say that it absolutely isn't for a moment.

If one can criticize anything in Graceling it would be the universe not being developed quite enough. However, I found that the 7 kingdoms are easy to understand and provide a sort of canvas for the real content of details to be painted upon. Primarily, the idea of "Graces", these abilities that no average human can match, is fantastic and layered. A Grace may be something useful (such as fighting) or it may be utterly useless (such as being able to twist completely at the torso) or so specialized most people wouldn't deem them useful (such as swimming). Regardless, Graces are outcast in most kingdoms, with few exceptions. In these kingdoms, any child that manifests a Grace must be sent to the king. After deciding if the child's Grace is useful or not the child is then either put into service of the king or sent home to be looked at warily by neighbors.

Cover/Title/First Line Critique:
The cover of Graceling is gorgeous and elegant. I liked it well enough to invest in the hardcover, even after the paperback had been released. I'm glad I did so now. The title and first sentence surely convey the books content and tone: "In these dungeons the darkness was complete, but Katsa had a map in her mind."

Rating: 9 of 10 [Learn more about the rating system?]
I was debating the rating for a long time. I was leaning towards an 8 for quite awhile, but--in the end--I feel that Graceling deserves the 9. After all, any author I want to follow compulsively certainly has earned it. I have the highest hopes for Fire and Bitterblue--thankfully I have Fire, but I doubt it'll tide me over until Bitterblue's due date is announced!

This book was purchased from the university book store.
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