Review of the Scrolls

Radiant Darkness by Emily Whitman

2012-01-25T23:35:00.000-06:00

After watching Clash of the Titans, which I reviewed below, I started thinking back over some of my favorite Greek myths. When I was a freshman in college, I took Classical Mythology for one of my electives. I'd already studied the ancient stories, but it was very interesting to be in a room with other people who were just as inspired by them as I was. Over the years, I've looked for retellings of my favorites, including the stories of Psyche, Persephone, and Briseis. I've managed to find a few which are really quite good. This particular book is one of those.

Radiant Darkness by Emily Whitman is a 2011-2012 Eliot Rosewater nominee. At 270 pages, it isn't a very long book (I read it in only a few hours), nor does it spend much time truly growing the characters, but it was still quite enjoyable. In this story, you hear Persephone's side of things, including how she really ended up as Queen of the Underworld and what the pomegranate had to do with everything. Before reading this book, you should probably look up the basic points of the myth here. It might help you understand the background for why Persephone wants everything set straight.

One reason this book strikes such a chord with me is that it gives Hades a chance. While he still has a selfish side, one which Persephone has to face a time or two, the love he feels for his young wife is also very evident. In the ancient myths, the tales of Zeus' indiscretions are everywhere. Even Poseidon has his fair share. Aside from Hades "abduction" of Persephone, are there really any other tales about Hades chasing after young women? Not that I'm aware of. He didn't find married women...he went and got married himself.

Really the only issue I have with this book was how easily it wraps up in the end. I won't say too much because I don't want to spoil it for anyone, so I'll just leave it as this: just a tad anti-climatic? Don't get me wrong, I love happy endings! Adore them! However, the happy endings usually go down for me a little better when there's more of fight to get to it. Granted, I'm sure it didn't help matters that I knew the basic storyline long before I read the book...

Overall, this was a wonderful retelling and well worth the Eliot Rosewater nomination. Perhaps Persephone could have been a little quicker on her toes here and there, but all things considered not bad at all. Mrs. Whitman does a wonderful job at taking the young goddess of spring from hating eternity to looking forward to every minute of it.

Happy Reading!

Clio

P.S. If any of you are interested, this is a wonderful poem all about Hades and Persephone.

The Return of Persephone - Alec Derwent Hope
Gliding through the still air, he made no sound;
Wing-shod and deft, dropped almost at her feet,
And searched the ghostly regiments and found
The living eyes, the tremor of breath, the beat
Of blood in all that bodiless underground.

She left her majesty; she loosed the zone
Of darkness and put by the rod of dread.
Standing, she turned her back upon the throne
Where, well she knew, the Ruler of the Dead,
Lord of her body and being, sat like stone;

Stared with his ravenous eyes to see her shake
The midnight drifting from her loosened hair,
The girl once more in all her actions wake,
The blush of colour in her cheeks appear
Lost with her flowers that day beside the lake.

The summer flowers scattering, the shout,
The black manes plunging down to the black pit --
Memory or dream? She stood awhile in doubt,
Then touched the Traveller God's brown arm and met
His cool, bright glance and heard his words ring out:

"Queen of the Dead and Mistress of the Year!"
-- His voice was the ripe ripple of the corn;
The touch of dew, the rush of morning air --
"Remember now the world where you were born;
The month of your return at last is here."

And still she did not speak, but turned again
Looking for answer, for anger, for command:
The eyes of Dis were shut upon their pain;
Calm as his marble brow, the marble hand
Slept on his knee. Insuperable disdain

Foreknowing all bounds of passion, of power, of art,
Mastered but could not mask his deep despair.
Even as she turned with Hermes to depart,
Looking her last on her grim ravisher
For the first time she loved him from her heart.

Clash of the Titans (2010)

2012-01-25T02:55:00.001-06:00

**WARNING: This review contains spoilers for the movie. If you haven’t watched it, then be prepared that I give certain things away.**

Retellings are always rather interesting things. After all, one never quite knows what to expect when confronted with them. Sometimes, the attempt is astonishingly good, and other times you’re left wondering where the original tale was hiding. Clash of the Titans, the 2010 remake of an earlier movie by the same name, tells the story of Perseus. As a demi-god, he possesses certain godlike abilities, but faces the choice of either mortality or immortality. Other well-known demi-gods included Hercules and Dionysius. However, as is often the case when Hollywood creates an action adventure from an ancient myth, things come out a little jumbled.

Perseus, in the old stories, was never the son of a fisherman…And his mother didn’t die in the sea. In fact, most of his story revolves around a man chasing after his mother. He ends up being sent off on a wild goose chase so that said man can have an easier time pursing Danae (his mother). And Perseus never had it out for Zeus…In fact, Athena and Hermes helped him out with his challenge/wild goose chase! Basically, the movie made it seem like he was fighting against the gods the entire time. Wrong.

Also, I’m really starting to dislike movies where Hades is portrayed as some evil demon out to eat everyone and make the world a place of misery and discontent. Maybe it’s because we have this image of him taking the place of the Devil. He wasn’t. Just like Zeus is nothing like God. In fact, of the three brothers, Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades, the god of the underworld was perhaps the least worrisome for women the world over! The only tale we have of Hades going out and capturing a woman was when he fell in love with Persephone and proceeded to marry her. From the lack of any other tales, we can assume that the Greeks saw him as being fairly faithful to her. So, as soon as I realized that the bad guy was, once again, Hades, I knew the movie wasn’t going to be as good as it could have been. Hollywood has this tendency to view ancient peoples and cultures through modern lenses…That never really works.

On another note, what was this whole thing with Hades being the creator of the Kraken? Basic mythology question: where does the Kraken live? Answer: in the ocean. Therefore, who has control over the Kraken? That would be Poseidon. (And technically, the sea monster was named Cetus and it never actually states whether it was a Kraken or something else entirely, like a giant octopus.) Perseus wasn’t sent after the Kraken, or whatever it was, because Hades had killed his adopted family…He just happened to be passing through Argos when everything went south for the city. Cassiopeia, Andromeda’s mother, claimed her daughter was more beautiful than the Nerieds (daughters of the sea king Nereus who often traveled with Poseidon), which is what led to the whole sacrifice-your-daughter-to-the-ferocious-sea-beast. As fate (hahaha) would have it, Perseus happened to have just slain Medusa, and so had her head. Even funnier? He was invisible to the monster because he was using Hades’ helm. Explain to me again how this is all Hades’ fault?

One of the more confusing relationships in the story for me was the inclusion of Io…Wasn’t she turned into a cow? As in, a literal mooing, grazing bovine. And, from what I understand, the myths never had her interacting with Perseus at all. In fact, the legends say that she was eventually reunited with Zeus and she bore him a son. From that child, almost a dozen generations later, would come Heracles. All in all, that part of the movie wasn’t necessary.

And then, when Andromeda offered to marry him, he turned her down…By this point, I wasn’t sure whether to yell at the screen or simply bang my head on the desk. Not only is Perseus supposed to marry her, he’s also supposed to turn her previous suitor to stone using Medusa’s head! Even Troy did better than this with keeping the basic storyline intact…And that’s saying something!

Overall, the movie seemed like an excuse to portray Hades as a terrible person and everyone else as simply victims of his plotting. Sound familiar? How about Disney’s Hercules? At least in that movie, though, he had a sense of humor and a head of blue hair. The only really good parts of this movie were some of the creatures and landscapes. Visually, it was quite interesting, but intellectually, it fell far short of what a Greek myth should have been. Don’t mess around with the ancient stories…If you do, rename the characters or something. Otherwise, all you’re doing is insulting a classic myth, one which generations have studied and appreciated. The tale of Perseus is packed full of action and adventure…Clash of the Titans is more like a hodgepodge of half a dozen myths. And yes, I understand that time restraints, etc. create the need for condensed stories…but this wasn’t condensed. This was butchered.

If all you’re looking for is an action adventure movie, and you don’t really care how accurate the story is, then Clash of the Titans wasn’t too bad. In fact, the acting was very well done for all that the writers didn’t give a very good script. The list of actors includes Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes, and Sam Worthington. But, the best acting in the world can’t save it from what the plot itself was. Therefore, if you’re like me and expect to watch a recognizable retelling of an ancient Greek myth, this isn’t what you’re looking for. You’d have a better chance watching Troy.

When Christ Comes by Max Lucado

2011-08-24T17:48:00.005-05:00

I have loved Max Lucado's books for quite some time, and this particular one is no exception. It was first printed in 1999, although I only recently discovered it. The entire focus of the book is the end times and what will happen when Christ comes back for His children. While he spends a little time focusing on what will happen to unbelievers, Lucado's goal is to remind the children of God what awaits them when the trumpet sounds.

Going all the way back to my childhood, I have loved thinking about what heaven might be like. While I don't dwell on it every day, I do try to remind myself of what is out there, just beyond the unseen horizon, fairly often. This particular book allowed me the chance to dream of what is coming. I can't help but smile when I remember how close we all are to the end. Not that anyone knows when that will be, but He told us it would be soon, and so it shall. Might that mean another millennium could pass prior to the glorious day? Sure. But that's still soon in the grander scheme of eternity.

I earnestly recommend this book for anyone who is questioning their life and why they are here. In it, they will find a wonderful future, if they are willing to accept the gift they are being so freely handed. Don't let the world make you forget what is waiting just around the corner... After all, none of us live forever. I would rather be looking forward and upward with joy then shrinking along, hoping the end doesn't come tomorrow.

Please, please, please pick up this book, When Christ Comes: The Beginning of the Very Best by Max Lucado, or another one of his many, amazing, books! It could change you life, most definitely for the better!

God bless and happy readings!
Clio

Labyrinth (1986)

2011-07-13T13:28:00.016-05:00

Sometimes, the most amazing finds are actually fortuitous accidents. I've experienced quite a number of those over the last few months, and this most recent one makes me laugh every time I think about it. Labyrinth is one of those movies you turn on and think, "Oh my gosh...Am I going to even make it through the first fifteen minutes?" Before you know it, however, the credits are rolling and you're shouting at the screen that it can't be over yet!

Labyrinth can claim both Jim Henson and George Lucas, as well as many others, for its creation. The movie is made up primarily of puppet characters, although they don't make it as cheesy as it sounds. Also, as someone who has performed as a puppeteer quite a number of times, they do a really fantastic job of it. In the lead role as Sarah Williams is Jennifer Connelly, who did a wonderful job even though she was only fourteen when they filmed it. Playing opposite her as the antagonist/(fanservice) love interest Jareth, King of the Goblins, is David Bowie. And while a movie filled with puppets tends to elicit groans and eye rolling, Bowie, to some people, redeems the whole thing.

The whole plot of the movie revolves around Sarah's hasty wish that her half-brother would be taken away by the goblins (mainly because he won't stop crying and she's in a snit because her step-mother yelled at her for being home late). She realizes, belatedly of course, how much she loves her little brother when the goblins really do show up and Toby disappears. Then David Bowie walks in. If you were getting bored, you aren't any longer! There he stands in his poofy hair, eye makeup, and tight pants. She begs him to bring her brother back, and he tells her he can't. However, she can run his labyrinth if she cares about the boy that badly. He gives her thirteen hours to complete her mission. Then he leaves her standing on the edge of his kingdom. Did I mention the pants?

She, of course, makes friends and pushes her way through, going farther then he'd thought she could. After confronting the Bog of Eternal Stench, dancing with the Goblin King inside a bubble, and then facing down a massive mechanical goblin, she makes her final stand against the goblin city. Even when Jareth sends his army up against her, she still thwarts them, making her way to his castle. As she stands, ready to demand her brother back, he makes one final offer (which makes every fan girl swoon). He says, "I ask for so little. Just fear me, love me, do as I say, and I will be your slave." Que swooning.

Being the heroine, she, of course, turns him down, saving her brother as the castle crumbles to pieces around her. And every fangirl in the audience is looking around, wondering where the happy ending is.

I really enjoyed this movie, so I went to look for fanart/fanfictions dealing with it. What I found was an amazing webcomic on deviantArt. Pika-la-Cynique has drawn a cross-over comic, including such diverse movies as Phantom of the Opera, Pirates of the Caribbean, Lord of the Rings, Sweeny Todd, Twilight, Howl's Moving Castle - to name a few. Go here to check it out - Girls Next Door.

David Bowie wrote and performed several songs in this movie, including Dance Magic Dance, Within You, Underground, and As the World Falls Down. While they are most definitely songs from the 80s, they are still really fun to listen to (and watch). Click the links to watch them on YouTube for yourself.

There are a few pieces of foul language, but nothing like what most movies have now. I would consider this a good family film for those who have children ten and older. Granted, you might not agree with me, but that's how I see it. This is one of those movies I just keep watching, and no, I'm not a fangirl...I promise you I'm not!

As a preview, here's a page from the webcomic -->

Zen Shorts

2011-06-29T22:31:00.011-05:00

Well, I seem to be doing many new things on here, so why not a children's book? This story is one of the neatest I've ever seen. While I'm not Buddhist, I can still appreciate much of what this book teaches children. Zen Shorts, by Jon J. Muth, is a beautifully crafted and illustrated tale about three children and a panda named Stillwater.

Abby and Stillwater

Michael, Abby, and Karl quickly become friends with their new neighbor, who just happens to be a giant panda. Each of the children have special times with the bear, and in the process, they all three learn something new about how to interact with others. This story is a wonderful one for parents to use when teaching their own young ones how to handle certain situations. Philosophical, but not overly so, this is simply an awesome book.

Karl and Stillwater

Marked as good for K-4th grade, I would even recommend it for teens. Sometimes we all need to be reminded in a kind and caring way that we are not the center of the universe, and that there are many others all around us who deserve our love and attention. I hope you all enjoy this book as much as I did!

Happy Reading

!
Michael and Stillwater

Mirotic (DBSK) and Lucifer (Shinee)

2011-05-23T19:11:00.006-05:00

Under the influence of my friend's suggestion, I decided to make a few comments about two rather interesting music videos from the K-Pop world. Mirotic (DBSK) and Lucifer (Shinee), when played side by side, offer several points for comparison. I am not approaching this comparison from a negative standpoint, which I feel must be pointed out for my own self-preservation. However, when fans begin to notice certain similarities between the videos, questions arise. Was Shinee created as a recreation of or younger sibling to the older DBSK? Were the two videos meant to look so very alike?

Mirotic (2007-2008) is a video full of concrete and hard edges, with a dance so aggressive that it makes most viewers sit back in their seats. However, that aggression is softened by taking the viewer away from the hardcore dance number and into each of the members "inner worlds". Lucifer (2010) also has a very forceful dance number, full of moves which probably took quite a few practices to perfect. Again, each member of the group has their own moments with the camera. Both of these videos play on the fact that one way to build tension is to introduce a bit of something, move away from it slightly, then come back and show portions of it again. Many movies take advantage of that principle, creating a connection between screen and audience.

While Shinee's image is not on quite the same level as DBSK, they are quickly moving towards it. Replay (2008) was softer, more childlike, while Lucifer, only two years later, is very futuristic. One of their other popular songs/music videos, Ring Ding Dong (2009), is a interesting mix of the earlier and later styles. Hello (2010), which was released later in the year, seems to have backed them off slightly from their harder appearance in Lucifer.

DBSK, which has recently gone through a break-up, came back early this year with Keep Your Head Down. While only Yunho and Changmin returned as part of the original group, the song and video are very reminiscent of what all five were used to putting out. Different from Mirotic, yet still similar, the hard edges and evident emotion create, once again, a hit for this hurting group.

Both Shinee and DBSK have large followings, which is understandable. I myself am a fan of both groups. Perhaps the two groups were indeed created to be similar, but, at the same time, obvious difference are apparent. DBSK, from what I can gather, has always been a vanguard to other Asian countries (Japan, Taiwan, and China), while Shinee doesn't yet give off that vibe.

I can only pray that the ten men in these two groups are keeping themselves healthy (physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually). Being in the entertainment industry anywhere, but especially in Asia, is not an easy life. Whether or not the creative directors are purposefully creating similarities really isn't the point here. What I feel must be said is this: while amazing music videos and songs are great, the well-being of the singers is much more important. I'm sorry that this post has gotten so off track, but I felt that some of these things needed to be said. Please keep both Shinee (Onew, Minho, Key, Jonghyun, and Taemin) and DBSK/TVXQ/Tohoshinki (Yunho, Changmin, Junsu, Yoochun, and Jaejoong) in your thoughts and prayers. They work as hard as they do for us, their fans.

Stay safe boys! I'm praying for you all!
Clio

A New Holmes

2011-05-20T21:47:00.006-05:00

Skimming through Netflix's list of "watch instantly" t.v. shows and movies can be quite an interesting experience, and every once in a while you stumble upon something totally unexpected but amazing. That is what I would call this particular British television series. Sherlock is a contemporary crime drama based on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's famous contribution to literature. In the world of the television show, Sherlock Holmes is a consulting detective who is viewed as a freak by many but who doesn't seem to care. The Holmes of the 1800s apparently does not exist in this alternate world, which is a little strange for a Doyle fan, but is made believable through the inclusion of other characters from the stories. Dr. Watson, Mrs. Hudson, LeStrade, and Moriarty all make appearances in the first season.

When I first began watching, my hopes were for a very House-like Holmes. After all, Laurie's portrayal seems to have created the modern day persona for the historical counterpart. While there are similarities between House and Holmes, however, this series allows him to resemble the book's ideal a little more. Brilliant, bored, and bursting with energy, he meets Watson in the first episode and immediately drags the Afgan war vet into the present case. From that point on they are fast friends.

Season one, which can be viewed on Netflix, is only three episodes long, which is a little depressing, but not distressing. Enough information is given in those four and a half hours to leave you a little exhausted. The characters are well acted, and the story lines are close enough to the original to make the buffs happy. From my vantage point, there's enough going on to keep just about every crime drama fan happy, as well as allowing the literary types to see a favorite in the modern day.

Overall, it was very entertaining and I can't wait to see the next season's three episodes. Apparently, three clues have been given by the network: "Adler, Hound, and Reichenbach." And for any fan of the great detective, therein lies his greatest moments! Granted, it IS a crime drama, so there are dead bodies and a bit of foul language, so be careful who watches with you.

Hope you all enjoy it as much as I did!
Clio

What's Your Rashee (2009)

2011-04-16T09:20:00.004-05:00

Imagine that you are a young man, living contentedly in Chicago. Now imagine you get a phone call from your parents. When you arrive at the airport, you realize something. They did not call you home because something was wrong with your father. No, they called you back to India because they want you to get married. In ten days. What's even worse? Everything's been arranged, except for the girl. In less than two weeks, he has to meet and propose to a young woman so that he can inherit money from his grandfather. Why does he need the money so quickly? So that his brother doesn't lose a finger or two to the local loan shark/gang boss.

Now, all that sets you up for your standard romantic comedy. However, this is Bollywood, which means long, beautiful productions and random dance numbers. Also, many movies which are made in India have twists to them which make the film more interesting. This one has one of those, too. In order to cut down on the number of girls he has to meet, he decides to only see twelve girls, one from each rashee (sun sign). Here comes the Bollywood part: each girl looks exactly the same (Priyanka Chopra manages to pull off all twelve girls, making them all different). A song was written to go with each girl, so you can recognize them fairly quickly if they appear again on screen. When Yogesh, the main character, asks his grandfather about the similarities, the older man tells him with a smile: that's the face your looking for, so you see it in all of them.

I loved this movie! It was very imaginative; creative in a way most Western movies never quite manage. The scenes were well put together, and the characters were all very well played. The only thing I would have changed was at the end. Instead of just rolling credits, I would have brought the eleven girls who didn't get picked back, only being played by different actresses. In that way, the idea that he had made them look as they did could have been emphasized.

Overall, this movie was amazing, and definitely one for most viewers. There might have been a few curse words, but if they were they were translated out in the subtitles. Even if you don't like Bollywood (or have never seen a Bollywood film), you should check this one out!

This is the end song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3KgTsE_YqQ&feature=channel_video_title

Clue (1985)

2011-04-07T00:52:00.008-05:00

I haven't yet reviewed an older movie, so I thought I'd go ahead and give it a try. I can remember playing Clue (or one of its many adaptations) going all the way back to early childhood. While we didn't play it very often, it was always fun when we did. I was first introduced to the game in movie format when I was a freshman in college. Not long after seeing it for the fist time, I went and bought a copy. It's one of those movies which keeps you laughing, and guessing, the whole way through.

Even though it was filmed in the mid-80s, several of the actors still familiar. Tim Curry as Wadsworth the Butler and Christopher Lloyd as Professor Plum are perhaps the two most recognizable. Another interesting feature of the movie (the DVD version, at least), is that you're given the option of watching either a randomly selected ending or all three of them in a row. My recommendation is to watch them all, mainly because it makes the movie even funnier.

A nice part about the movie is that it gives each of the characters a back story, as well as explaining why they are all in an old house together with multiple types of weapons. As they move through the house, looking for a murderer, more people begin dying. This builds the suspense, but it also allows for more explanations at the end.

The big question in the movie is the same as in the game: who killed whom, with what, and where? As the body count piles up, those questions become even more important. I have personally watched this movie over a dozen times, and am still intrigued with each subsequent viewing.

I would highly recommend this movie to anyone who loves the game or who just appreciates murder/comedies.

I hope you enjoy!

Beastly (2011)

2011-03-25T20:58:00.010-05:00

When I saw the trailer for the movie Beastly, I was quite excited. I'm sure there are other adaptations floating around, but the only two I have ever personally seen are Disney's and an older, live action version. My appetite whetted, I paid my money and sat down to view what I hoped was an interesting and creative retelling. I must say, I was not disappointed.

Prior to seeing it, I had heard some people were lumping it into the same category as Twilight. While this made me leery, it did not keep me from going. I am SO glad that I followed my own counsel! I do not think I have ever seen such an amazingly creative retelling of any traditional fairytale. There was enough of the original storyline left to keep me from feeling as though I was learning a completely new fable. This allowed me the chance to enjoy the newer portions with more focused attention.

The grittiness of New York is apparent early in the movie, which only serves to create a believable backdrop for the rest of the story. The witch, played by Mary-Kate Olsen, has a presence which allows you to both fear and appreciate her. In this modern tale, she carries more weight than the older versions grant her. It was also nice to see Vanessa Hudgens step away from her now ubiquitous role in High School Musical (and its many sequels). Lindy, who is hardworking and friendly, carries that weight of responsibility which any self-respecting Beauty must. Taking care of her father is her number one priority, even when her father seems to care little for her.

While this is definitely geared more towards female viewers, it does not come across as purely a chick flick. After all, the main character is a young man who has been taught all his life that appearance is everything. Without it, what do you have left? When he's finally forced to confront himself and who he really is, he manages to not only grow as a human, but he begins to become human. An interesting point about this version which I haven't really seen in many of the other adaptations, written or otherwise, is that he also seems to really appreciate the new freedom he's being given.

Dark as it is, I loved this movie. Only minor foul language, most of it at or near the beginning, keeps it from being pretty perfect. The actors and actresses did wonderful jobs creating an environment where all you want to do is root for the hero. If anyone in the audience grew up with Disney, the ending should be fairly obvious, but who doesn't like a finale like that every once in awhile? You'll walk away with a warm feeling in her your heart.

Hope you like it as much as I did!

Bread and Roses by Bruce Watson

2011-01-08T09:54:00.003-06:00

The United States has long been termed "the melting pot". In New York city alone more nationalities have lived near one another than in perhaps any other nation in the world. These men, women, and children, many of them our own ancestors, left their homelands for a better life in the "land of the free."

I have spent several years researching the labor movements of the Industrial Revolution, which seemed to feed off the millions streaming through Ellis Island and other ports of call up and down the Atlantic Seaboard. This particular book, however, draws your attention several miles away from New York City. Beyond Boston lay the mill town of Lawrence, Massachusetts. This town, as many other industrial towns before and since, can lay no claim to a prior village or city. It was created out of the very earth itself to serve one purpose and one purpose only: the creation of textiles.

The blood which flowed through its citizens veins included Irish, British, German, Lithuanian, Syrian, French Canadian, Italian, and Polish. As is often the case in such instances, the groups stuck closely together, keeping their long time enemies at arms length. However, that all changed for a brief piece of time in the early 1900s. January 1912 saw the beginning of a strike which would change the face of the textile world. The cause? Loosing two hours worth of pay, a total of $.32. Most were already struggling to feed their families and keep their cramped tenements warm through the harsh New England winter.

Mr. Watson does a fine job in weaving a story out of facts and figures, giving modern readers the chance to view, in some small way, what their own ancestors perhaps went through. We are often quick to romanticize portions of the past, harking back to the "good old days." He shows, in his own way, how blessed we are to live when we do, even though we have many problems of our own. His reporting brings to life the tragedy and exhilaration which were an everyday part of the strike which would come to bear the name "Bread and Roses."

I would highly recommend this book for anyone interested in learning more about the volatile strikes of the early 1900s, as well as the immigrants and the struggles they faced in the New World. As a historian, I loved reading it. There were moments when I would have argued with certain of his assumptions, but only a few, which is quite good for such a work.

Happy Reading!

Winner!!

2010-11-30T21:45:00.002-06:00

I haven't been reading and posting, partially because I've been writing! NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) just ended for me, folks, and I'm SO excited! I wrote 50,000 in a month and am now fully and completely exhausted. My novel is something I am very proud of, even though I can't actually look it full in the face yet...That will come with time, or so I am told.

I just felt the need to share!

Another Movie Review: Alice in Wonderland

2010-11-05T00:42:00.008-05:00

I've already done one, so why not do another? Because I was so harsh on Dragonball Evolution, I decided to review a movie which I actually really enjoyed. I've heard plenty of negative reviews about Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland, but I fail to understand how people could walk away truly unhappy with this film. Granted, it's dark, but it's Burton. You should be expecting that when you walk into the theater and sit down. He's the genius who made such masterpieces as Edward Scissorhands and Beetlejuice, after all. He doesn't do ponies and rainbows, for which I'm very grateful.

Many of the issues, if I'm reading the reviews correctly, seem to stem from the idea that there was a weak storyline or that the story wasn't imaginative enough. To me, the storyline was quite interesting, although perhaps not as convoluted as some of his others have been. Straightforward is not always a negative thing to have, especially when one is trying to create an understandable plot in an hour and a half.

As to imagination, I think a few things have to be kept in mind in relation to that. First off, it isn't a retelling of the original Disney Alice in Wonerland, but a look into that little girl's future. Her life has changed quite a bit since she fell down that hole the first time, and she believes that Wonderland was just a dream. However, her father has since died, her sister is married to a lying cheat, and her own mother is going along with a plan to see her younger daughter married off to a pompous twit. If I were standing in her shoes, I would a little out of sorts. Looking at the story in this light, the upheaval which is seen in Wonderland begins to make sense. Because that world is, quite honestly, the personification of Alice's psyche at any given time, the destruction and pain which it is feeling can be connected to something concrete: her life.

Alice being forced to face her fears, both in Wonderland and in her own world, showcases the point that running away from something never solves anything. It was only when she faced her issues head on, making her own stand on the topic very clear, that she was able to feel confident and sure of herself. And she had help, some of it quite unexpected, when she took a risk and a stand for what she thought was right. In the end, she comes away stronger than when she started and ready to begin a new adventure.

Based on these observations, and just the sheer beauty of the film itself, I would give this film two thumbs way up. Some of the characters, including Anne Hathaway's White Queen might seem a little forced and out of place, but that is the personality of the woman she plays. She's almost devoid of emotion, whereas the Red Queen is brimming with it. Again, even this possible negative makes sense when viewed in this light.

I'm sure there are those out there who will think I'm over-analyzing this film, but I would disagree. When it comes to literature or film or any other form of expression, the artist comes through whether they want to or not. Therefore, the item in question cannot be without a deeper meaning or intent. We are human and biases will always exist in those things which we put ourselves into.

Hope you enjoy this truly amusing and, at moments, strange movie. Tim Burton and Lewis Carroll would have gotten on splendidly, in my opinion! Throw in a bit of J.M. Barrie, and you would have had an unstoppable trio!

Clio

P.S. Besides, who doesn't love the Cheshire Cat? His smile is enough to make me grin ear to ear!

Movie Review: Dragonball Evolution...

2010-11-03T20:05:00.004-05:00

I know that this was originally meant to be a blog about books, but I feel compelled to share my opinions about the movie "Dragonball Evolution." I found it in the five dollar movie bin at Walmart and I honestly should have left it there. I grew up watching Dragonball and Dragonball Z on Toonami. They were, after Sailor Moon and Gundam Wing, my introduction to anime and manga. Now I'm being given one of the worst adaptations of any tv show or book I have ever had the misfortune to see! Rarely do I foam like this, but something about it just ticks me off.

They use the words "dragonballs" and "chi", other than that the only thing which sticks to the original (amazing) plot line are the names! As soon as the movie started, I knew it was going to be a little different, but it only got worse from there. The movie was given its name to sell and that's it! And, obviously, that didn't go so well since it ended up in the bin at Walmart!

I'm sorry for being quite this angry, but I'm always very protective of original works when a remake or retelling is on the table. Some movies turn out great and I can only applaud the makers...Others, like this one, just make you want to gag and throw things at the t.v. I bought it, shame on me, but I wouldn't recommend anyone else do so. While I like certain of the actors, the acting itself is, quite frankly, terrible, even for a comedy. The story itself was weak, and the character development left much to be desired. True DB and DBZ fans will recognize who the characters represent long before names are mentioned, and they do stay true to type, but that's about the only good point in the entire movie.

I am quite disappointed...I give this movie two thumbs down and really hope that someone else remakes it someday. And does it the right way. Even Avatar: The Last Airbender was done better than this...

Clio

Bride of the Water God by Yun Mi-kyung

2010-09-22T21:23:00.006-05:00

This wonderful manhwa (or Korean manga) is one of the best I have ever had the pleasure of reading. The story itself is based on one of Korea's oldest myths, that of the Yula River god Habaek. In this particular interpretation, a young woman, Soah, is chosen to be given as a bride to the temperamental deity, which the villagers call a sacrifice. Set adrift in a small boat on the lake, she is sucked through a whirlpool, only to surface in the land of the gods. Saved from drowning, she learns that she will, indeed, wed the water god.

Following Soah and Habaek through their trials is a very moving experience. It does not take long at all for one to fall madly in love with many of the characters which are presented, both deities and mortals. Soah is not a wilting wall flower, as some other manga characters have become in recent years, but a strong woman who will stand up for what she believes (even if she doesn't know how that will affect her own life).

As of the moment, this series is over 80 chapters long and still going. Full of amazing artistry and beautiful plot weaving, this is one manga which I will continue with until the, hopefully, happy ending. Really, there isn't much more to say other than to point out the lack of, I believe, any and all scenes which are questionable. I think it is pretty clean for a romance story, which is saying something in our world today.

Please read this series! The author has truly done an amazing job...

Happy Reading!
Clio

In Between by Jenny B. Jones

2010-07-21T21:13:00.005-05:00

Enter Katie Parker: mom in prison, living in foster care, unrepentant drama queen. Enter the Scotts: empty nest, hidden hurts, Mad Maxine. This rather interesting trio reside in In Between, Texas, which is small enough it doesn't even have a McDonald's. What do you get? A whole heap of chaos with a few lessons thrown in.

Katie Parker has grown up tucking herself in at night and eating microwavable meals. That is until her mother is busted for pushing drugs...Ending up in the system is not where she would have picked to be, given the choice. Since she wasn't, she makes the best of it, picking up a few self defense lessons along the way. Moving to In Between, Texas, doesn't make her feel any better about herself. After all, she reasons, why get comfortable when they're only going to move her on again soon, anyway? Her new foster parents, however, don't let her off the hook quite that easy, though. Being the new daughter of the senior pastor of In Between Community Church was not something she had been prepared for. After a few bad choices, she finds herself in the wrong place at the wrong time. Will her new family keep her or send her back? She's sure she knows the answer, but soon finds herself proved wrong. Dead wrong. They're keeping her and she has to re-earn a trust she'd never learned to appreciate. Life takes on new meaning, however, as she finds that she really does have a place in their home and in the hearts of the church she is now unknowingly becoming a part of. And then, of course, there's Mad Maxine, who had her license revoked...by the whole town, and who rides her tandem bike through the Burger Barn drivethru on a regular basis.

I must say, I truly enjoyed this book. I enjoy good Christian fiction, but that is quite hard to find nowadays, apparently. Most books that are published under that heading seem to have had all references to God added after the story was finished. Therefore, when I can find a book which has obviously had God in it from the beginning, I am quite thrilled. This book was just such a one. I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a story about someone who is just trying to figure life out. Katie Parker found herself in In Between, Texas, living with the Scotts, their monster of a dog Rocky, and Mad Maxine for a reason. As the wise old turtle in Kung Fu Panda just loved to say, "There are no accidents!" Amen to that!

The first in an ongoing series, In Between is an Elliot Rosewater Nominee for 2010-2011. Not sure why that surprised me, but it did...God can work in mysterious ways sometimes, and I'm always glad to notice those instances.

I hope you enjoy this wonderful book! Happy Reading!
Clio

Evermore by Alyson Noel

2010-07-21T20:46:00.005-05:00

When I first picked up Evermore, I was rather afraid I was holding a Twilight knockoff. I needn't have worried. The similarities between this book and the other end with the basics: a girl meets a hot boy who just happens to be more than he seems. Oh, and don't forget, he falls madly in love with the heroine. However, Ever Bloom and Bella Swan really do share nothing else in common. Ever, who lived through the accident which killed the rest of her family, can see, hear, and talk to dead people, as well as read the thoughts and auras of everyone around her. This book, the first in The Immortals series, promises great things and, for the most part, it delivers.

Ever Bloom, living in Laguna Beach with her father's twin sister, is faced every day with the emotions and most intimate thoughts of those around her. Once a peppy cheerleader whom everyone envied, she now hides behind sunglasses, her iPod, and hooded sweatshirts. Going to a new school doesn't solve all her problems, though. Sure she makes new friends, but they're just as much misfits, in their own ways, as she is. And then there's Damen Auguste, whom everyone wants to know and who seems to take great pains to get to know her. For some reason, however, he is one of the few people who can quiet the cacophony of voices she hears in her head. So, against what she considers her better judgment, she allows herself to believe that he has a place in her life.

The rest of the story revolves around her facing the past, a past which extends much farther back then she could ever dream of. Also, she meets an old foe who will apparently stop at nothing to remove her from the picture...again. Can Ever change her own destiny? Will she learn the true meaning of letting go? And why do red tulips keep appearing out of thin air?

As I said, I wasn't really expecting much when I first cracked this book, but my opinion quickly changed. I actually couldn't put it down...I finished it in only a few hours. Not a hard read by any means, this is still one which any young adult who appreciated the plot behind Twilight, if not the whole series, would find quite enjoyable. In all, the author is planning six books for the series. I hope the rest are written with as much thought as the first one.

Hope you all enjoy! Happy Reading!
Clio

Alice in the Country of Hearts by Hoshino Soumei

2010-07-19T10:54:00.006-05:00

Alice in the Country of Hearts (known in Japan as Heart No Kuni No Alice), is a series of graphic novels which are based off a Japanese dating simulation game of the same title. Following the basic idea of Lewis Carroll's well-loved Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass, this series details the journey of Alice Liddell, who has been taken from her world into Wonderland by a mysterious man known as Peter White. Many of the characters she proceeds to meet are based off the well-known roster of Wonderland, such as the Mad Hatter, the Queen of Hearts, the Cheshire Cat, the March Hare, and The Twins. There are also a few faces which might take a little longer to place, such as the Caterpillar and Time. Aside from Alice, the Queen of Hearts is the only other female character who truly interacts in this particular world.

Alice, as an outsider, has something which none of the other characters possess: a heartbeat. In place of a heart, they have a clock, which ticks away inside their chest and which allows that role to be recreated once they die. Only the major players in the story have recognizable faces, although Alice seems able to tell the lesser figures apart. Living in this version of Wonderland is treated as a game, where there are replacements if you fall. Because of this, those who dwell there are very cavalier about human life and its value. Alice is quite distressed by this and attempts to change how such things are viewed, which does seem to succeed where certain of the characters are concerned.

Not for younger readers, this series focuses on how fragile life is and how important friends are, or should be, to one another. Alice, however, must also face the face that the "normal" from her world is not necessarily considered "normal" in theirs. In this, the reader is shown how cultures can clash and misunderstandings can take place quite easily. Wonderfully drawn, with characters who you either love or hate, this ongoing series is one which I hope continues to be translated for a North American audience. While bloody at certain points and exhibiting a few examples of unnecessary foul language, the overall story is a nice one.

I would recommend this to older teens and young adults who are looking for a slightly more grown up version of Alice in Wonderland. While not exactly the same as the orignal, it is a lovely reinvention of a time honored classic. These modern retellings are becoming quite the rage and I'm happy to say that this particular one does not fall nearly as short as some of the others.

Happy Reading!
Clio

Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev

2010-07-15T10:56:00.005-05:00

In this amazing story, young Beatrice Shakespeare Smith invites you into a world unlike anything you've ever known. Having grown up in the Theatre Illuminata, Bertie finds that one too many pranks can get you into a heap of trouble. Her mischief finally places her in a very tight position: either she find a way to be useful in the theater, or she will have to leave it. That, however, is much easier said than done, for this particular theater is run by a magic which needs no human assistance. How, then, is she to find a place for herself?

In this book, you will meet characters from innumerable plays (in fact, every play ever written has a place in the Theatre Illuminata). The characters play one role and one role only: their own. A passage from the book's flyleaf states it very nicely: "Beatrice Shakespeare Smith is not an actress, yet she lives in a theater. She's not an orphan, but she has no parents. She knows every part, but she has no lines of her own. Until now." Bertie learns, quite by accident, just how powerful one's words and actions can be when surrounded by magic. Taking control of an out-of-control situation gives her the opportunity to show the rest of the theater just how important she really is. With the assistance (and, often times, hindrance) of certain other characters, including Nate the Pirate, a few fairies from A Midsummer Night's Dream, and the air spirit Ariel from The Tempest, Eyes Like Stars truly does shine for its originality in including old favorites.

This is a lovely story about a girl who must discover her own place in the world, all the while dealing with the day to day distractions that we all face. Complete with comedic relief in the form of Cobweb, Moth, Mustardseed, and Peaseblossom, this book would be a great addition to any fantasy lover's library. Just be prepared, the ending leads you straight into the sequel: Perchance to Dream. But that is a review for another day.

Highly entertaining, with just enough romance to make you sigh for more, I recommend this book to those who like the works of Tamora Pierce or who enjoyed the ideas behind Inkheart.

Happy Reading!
Clio

Larklight: A Rousing Tale of Dauntless Pluck in the Farthest Reaches of Space by Philip Reeve

2010-06-07T21:35:00.008-05:00

In Larklight: A Rousing Tale of Dauntless Pluck in the Farthest Reaches of Space, Philip Reeve introduces his readers to a nineteenth century full of "aether ships" and alien races, all of which dwell right in our very own galaxy. Looking back into history, he showcases the intense interest so many people once had towards Alchemy and its "principles". This book, the first in an ongoing series, follows a young man named Arthur "Art" Mumby and his siser Myrtle into the great unknown after their home, Larklight, is attacked by giant white spiders. Landing on the Moon, they meet a group of pirates, led by the young Jack Havock, whom they travel with all over the galaxy. Battling more spiders and uncovering their sinister plans for the solar system, this small group sets out to save the universe.

Written in prose reminiscent of Lemony Snicket, Larklight keeps one reading, for you never know when you might run across a footnote detailing some hitherto unknown fact about deep space or its inhabitants. When reading, you almost wish you could meet some of the pirates or the Mumbys, for they come across as intelligent and personable beings. It is also quite fun to see how, even though Art and his sister dislike each other immensely at times, they look out for one another when things turn sour.

This book is a good read for those who enjoy intergalactic-type stories more on par with Star Wars. Also, it mixes enough of the true Victorian period into the background to keep you connected to the real galaxy. Rather reminiscent of Disney's movie Treasure Planet, this book keeps you laughing as you follow Art and his friends across space and back, feeding hover hogs and killing spiders as they go. A great read, it will keep you entertained!

Happy Reading!
Clio

Toads and Diamonds by Heather Tomlinson

2010-06-03T22:06:00.004-05:00

In Toads and Diamonds by Heather Tomlinson, we are invited to enter the world or two sisters, both of whom are given a gift (or is it a curse?) by the snake goddess Naghali. One sister, with every word, brings forth radiant gems and fragrant blossoms, the other speaks lucky toads and the goddess' very own messengers: snakes. However, not everything is as it seems, for while the jewels and flowers seem a lovely thing to have, they cause untold problems for one sister, while the other realizes in the end just how powerful and important the serpents truly are.

Filled with colorful characters, and oftentimes equally compelling scenery, this story is one which looks back to India's Mughal Empire for inspiration. The diverse religious beliefs, and the tensions which they caused, are echoed in the world of the Hundred Kingdoms, where one side is polytheistic and the other monotheistic. Written in such a way as to give you both girls stories evenly, Daribani speaks in one chapter, Tana the next. While this might not suit some readers, the story manages to flow fairly steadily along, with no points where one truly loses the point of the story.

This book presents a beautiful world and a tale which showcases a few rather important truths. (1) All that glitters is not gold: Daribani realizes that, while being able to bring forth lovely and precious things might seem grand, only a person bearing pure motives can do right with them. (2) Everything has a purpose: Tana must learn to look beyond what others think of her gift and find how truly useful it is.

Overall, I give this book two thumbs up. I would recommend this tale for anyone interested in the mythology or history of India, for it truly does feel as though you are reading some forgotten portion of the Mahabharata. Also, fantasy buffs should give this book a go, for the world Mrs. Tomlinson has created is stunning in a subtle, winning sort of way. A wonderful read and one which any young adult or adult would enjoy.

Happy Reading!
Clio

For All the Tea in China: How England Stole the World's Favorite Drink and Changed History by Sarah Rose

2010-05-21T21:46:00.004-05:00

I have not yet written a post about a non-fiction book. Indeed, I had decided not to do so. However, when I picked up this book and began reading, I felt that it needed a blog entry. I am a historian by choice, although I love a good fantasy more than almost anything, and this book was a wonderful example of what a historical book can be. At only 245 pages, this book is small and an easy read for those who do not like long, technical treatises on things relating to the past. Ms. Rose has done a lovely job of detailing the history of tea and how England, or more precisely the East India Company, took control of the trade.

The book focuses on one, Robert Fortune, and his trips into the Chinese interior in search of tea seeds and plants. This act of botanical espionage resulted in tea plantations in the Indian Himalayas, where the climate is similar to that which is found on certain of China's mountains. During his trips, he was always accompanied by at least one Chinese servant, who would assist him as much as possible. The book details certain scrapes which these servants managed to get into during their trips, showcasing how truly dangerous his travels were.

Each chapter focuses on a particular place during a particular year, which allows the reader the opportunity to look things up chronologically without much hassle. My only concern, and she addresses this at the end of her book, is that Ms. Rose does not use any type of footnotes or endnotes. She declares that her book, while non-fiction, is to be viewed as popular history, and not an act of scholarly research. However, as any historian will tell you, footnotes are more protection for you than anything else. Using them allows the reader to know where certain statements came from so that they cannot blame you of being too critical or positive when no evidence is provided. Beyond that one issue, though, I could few problems with this book.

Well written and focusing on a fascinating point in history, this is something which any student of the Victorian era (or tea drinker, for that matter) could open and find vastly interesting. To think, tea might never have reached its level of popularity without, as Ms. Rose calls it, "one of the greatest acts of corporate espionage in history."

I really think this true life historical adventure will please you!

Happy reading!
Clio

The Fire Rose by Mercedes Lackey

2010-03-15T20:31:00.007-05:00

In my search for new and interesting takes on old favorites, I ran across this little gem quite by accident. The Fire Rose, published for the first time in 1995, takes you back in time to the San Francisco of 1905-06. Rosalind Hawkins finds herself suddenly alone in the world when her father dies, leaving her penniless and destitute. Being the daughter of an academic, and an academic herself, she is unsure exactly what her new role in Chicago society will be. However, this issue does not last for long, for she receives a request from California which wets her curiosity. Apparently, a reclusive and studious railroad baron is in need of a governess to teach his two children. Boarding a train, she heads west. It all proves to be a ruse, though, for when she arrives, she finds that there are no children. Indeed, there are only two people in the house aside from herself! Her new employer assures her that he did not bring her all the way across the country for any purpose which would be deemed inappropriate. He has, he insists, a need for an interpreter, and, as she is highly qualified in medieval languages, she seemed the perfect candidate. Jason Cameron has her read to him, night after night, from archaic and often strange tomes, all relating to magic in some way, shape, or form. In her thirst for knowledge, she reads these texts and finds herself drawn into a world which she was not quite prepared for. Within this world dwell creatures which she had only ever dreamed of, including, it would seem her employer himself, for he is no mere man, but a Firemaster who had attempted a transformation which had left him with the bodily shape of the loup-garou, the werewolf. Sinister beings and friendly faces alike mark her new life on the West Coast. Will she survive this new knowledge or will she be consumed by a new found power?

This is a book which fairy tale lovers or history buffs would both enjoy. Lackey weaves a tale with such sureness that one begins to wonder if dragons and unicorns might truly exist. Touted as a new and creative version of Beauty and the Beast, the book delivers wonderfully. Written in flowing prose, it gave wonderful descriptions of the magical world which she had crafted for her audience. Perhaps therein lay the only flaw which I felt this book possessed. There were times when the amount of description was a little heavy, and a slight amount of editing would have been helpful. The only reason I say this is because the lists and amount of information detracted from the beautiful way in which she wrote. Ms Lackey weaves a truly wonderful tale and I am looking forward to the next of her retelllings.

Happy Reading!
Clio

Belle by Cameron Dokey

2010-01-26T19:21:00.005-06:00

The next book that I bring before you is one that I picked up, along with several others, because they were all put together as part of a series. Belle is one of a number of books which make up a group of retellings collectively titled as "Once Upon a Time." These books are all famous tales which most of us have grown up knowing from the Disney movies. The other tales include stories about Sleeping Beauty, Mulan, Anastashia, Rumplestiltskin, Cinderella, and Rapunzelle.

This particular book promised great things, stating that it was going to take the old tale and give Belle a new talent: woodworking. Her special gift is that she can see what the wood holds inside itself. This means that she doesn't merely carve the wood into what she wants, but what it desires to be. As in most other versions of this tale, she has several sisters and their family falls on hard times, forcing them to move to the country. Near their new home is a wood, full of magic, both good and bad. Belle's father falls into the company of the Beast during a storm, but during this encounter he comes across a piece of legend which many did believe truly existed. Through the rest of the book, Belle and the Beast must overcome their differences so that they might acheive a happy ending.

One of the few issues that I have with this story is that the book takes much too long, in my opinion, to bring Belle and the Beast together. Of 200 pages, perhaps fifty are devoted to their interactions. The book itself is well crafted, and I can find little fault in the way that it is written. The tale of Beauty and the Beast, however, is perhaps my favorite of all the fairy tales, and I feel that more attention should have been paid to Beauty and Beast as a couple.

Overall, I would definitely recommend this book to any teen (or adult) who enjoys retellings of older stories or who is a fan of Disney and its princesses. Happy ever after is not a bad thing, nor is a girl's wish to find that. Don't ever let anyone tell you differently!

Happy reading!
Clio

Polly and the Prince by Carola Dunn

2010-01-16T14:47:00.010-06:00

This is another one of those rather wonderful modern regency romances. It follows, just as Regency Buck does, the ideas behind such interesting authors as Jane Austen and the Bronte sisters. With a twinge of romance, these books allow you that warm and fuzzy feeling without having to worry about who might be reading over your shoulder.

Published in 1991, Polly and the Prince opens with what I like to call "the run-in". There are certain books that make this type of beginning seem trite and overused: this is not one of them. Polly Howard falls down a set of stairs, just as I have (although I have never been carrying a loaf of bread and bottle of turpentine at the time), right into the main man's arms. Kolya is one of those wonderful regency heros who is full of fun and yet handsome and intelligent all at the same time. Not exactly who he seems, you can't help but cheer for him as he pursues his friendship with Miss Howard. His broken English only endears him to you even more, for what woman wouldn't feel the need to help him when he starts talking in a Russian accent, only every once in a while getting "the" and "a" in the proper places?

Overall, this book is well written and the characters are extremely likeable, for the most part. The only concern I have with this sort of book, and most people probably won't care at all, is that some of the story seemed a little rushed. Everything just happened so quickly. That is perhaps one reason why I like Jane Austen's books so much. In Persuasion, Anne Elliot and Captain Wentworth were estranged for eight years, and in Pride and Prejudice, Darcy did not fall in love with Elizabeth Bennet willingly (the words "kicking and screaming" come to mind). However, Kolya and Polly manage to make you believe that love did really grow as quickly as this story implies, and who am I to say nay? Love at first sight must surely be a very interesting process, even if you only live in a book.

I would recommend this book for anyone with a love for regency, romance, or a happy ending. Also, Polly's younger brother Nick is quite the interesting squirt, who is always into something...

Happy reading!
Clio

Crocodile on the Sandbank by Elizabeth Peters

2010-01-13T10:15:00.006-06:00

This is the first in a series of books about a very interesting woman by the name of Amelia Peabody. We first meet this woman, who seems much more like a 21st century female than a 19th century one, in Rome, where she has traveled on her way to Egypt. Her father, a scholar by trade, has recently died, leaving his only daughter the bulk of his surprisingly substantial fortune. Every male in her life, from brothers to solicter, seem to think that the only way for her to continue with her life is to marry. Miss Peabody proves them all wrong when she decides that travel to such a historic country as Egypt is just what she wants most. Reaching Rome, however, brings its own issues. Her companion, who was merely engaged so that Amelia would have someone to be amused by, is taken ill and is therefore unable to continue. The day is saved, however, by another Englishwoman who herself has fallen on hard times.

This is the state of things when the two reach Egypt and begin to live the life of two adventuresses. We quickly meet many of the main characters in this historical mystery, from two brothers who have a dig at Amarna, to a cousin of Eveylin Barton-Forbes (the young Englishwoman with the rather heavy name who Amelia befriends in Rome). These people and more all take a lively part in the drama that unfolds in the sorching desert landscape that is the Egypt of archaeologists.

However, there is more. Throw in a mummy who seems determined to kidnap Evelyn and you have quite the mystery before you. Join the thirty-something Amelia Peabody and her group of new friends on this expedition into the Land of the Nile; you will find yourself wholly enthralled.

Overall, the book is quite full of interesting historical truths. I have spent quite a bit of time studying Egypt and other ancient cultures, and the tale which Ms. Peters weaves of the place of the pharoahs is full of wonderful moments from the Egypt which such people as Carter and Maspero knew. This particular book focuses on the town of Amarna, which was the capital of the country under the rule of the heretic king Akhenaten. This man is perhaps best known not for his politics or military campaigns, but for his wife and his son/son-in-law. Nefrititi was considered one of the most beautiful women of the ancient world and her daughter was married to none other than King Tut. Amarna, then, is a very interesting place in and of itself, but adding in the events of the tale here created only seems to make the lost city come even more alive.

I truly enjoyed this book, and anyone, be they mystery lover, amateur historian, romantic, or a combination of all three, will love this book, too. Welcome to the world of Amelia Peabody; your life will never quite be the same again!

Happy reading!

Clio

Regency Buck by Georgette Heyer

2010-01-06T22:23:00.010-06:00

I have come to you again, although this time with a book just a little older than the last. I am a fan of Jane Austen and her regency romances. Due to the fact that I have read most of her books several times, I went searching for something similar. What I found was a book by Georgette Heyer titled Regency Buck, which was originally published in the 1960s.

There are some regencys which I have begun and are destined to never be finished. Their one main flaw? The inability to read them without laughing hysterically at the language! Some books hand you sentences, supposedly out of the mouths of men, which do no more than set you off on a laughing fit that only putting the book aside will end.

However, with all that said, this book is far superior to those. Granted, there is still some of the strange phrasing, but that I can readily attribute to the time period being attempted. The story itself is one of those interesting tales about a girl who, along with her younger brother, is placed into the power of a stranger when her father dies before she reaches her majority. She and her brother travel to London to meet this guardian, only to find that he is not terribly much older than themselves. Throughout the course of the story, you are introduced to all manner of people, some of whom you come to like and others whom you would heartily like to see take a dip in the Thames.

One of the best things about Ms. Heyer's book is that she manages to keep you in suspense through the whole about who it is that is trying to kill off Miss Taverner's brother...And even though you might have your suspicions, you'll want to wait till the end to cast your final judgement.

All in all, it was a very enjoyable read, and one which I feel would do very well for someone who is a true Austenian. That is truly one of the problems for a fan of a deceased author...There will be no more books!

I hope you enjoy this wonderful modern day regency!

Clio

Crown Duel by Sherwood Smith

2010-01-01T19:52:00.008-06:00

For this, my first actual review post, I have picked a book which is actually one of my favorites in the area of young adult literature. I first picked it up a number of years ago when it was suggested by a friend. She did not steer me wrong!

Crown Duel (Sherwood Smith), published in 2002, is actually a compiling of two stories, one a sequel. They detail the life of the provincial Countess Meliara and the struggle that both she and her country face on and off the battlefield. The first tale covers the years of outright war, while the second focuses more on the life she must learn to lead when "peace" is finally declared.

This is not a story of only one genre, but many, with villains around every corner and allies in some of the most unlikely of places. Meliara must learn that first impressions are not always what they seem, be they positive or negative. In this world of magic and danger, the old adage, "Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer," does seem to hold a measure of truth.

The two books combined create quite a few pages of reading, but if such tales strike your fancy, then you will soon become enthralled with the characters and their lives. Time will fly by, let me assure you.

I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did!

Clio

Welcome to Review of the Scrolls

2010-01-01T19:41:00.001-06:00

In this blog, I will attempt to be a good reviewer and let you know what is on the shelves of our nation's libraries and bookstores which I have found to be worth reading. I cannot guarantee that what I write and what you think will always agree, but I suppose that I can let you know a little about myself so that you are prepared.

I am a person who loves a happy ending. If I find a book which does not possess one, I will probably end up giving a negative review. If you are one of those people who enjoys a good cry, then perhaps this is not a good site for you. I will never completely slam a book, much as I might want to at times, but neither will I tiptoe around an issue when I find it.

This then is the place for those who love reading but who often find themselves, much like I have, hunting for a good read without a review to stand on. (One of my biggest issues with Amazon is that there are certain books which are given no description at all...Not too great a thing in the larger scheme of things, but still annoying when you are in a hurry.)

Therefore, Review of the Scrolls will be a place for others, who, like myself, have a desire to be made aware of whether a book is worth reading before actually picking it up.

Enjoy! I know that I will!
Clio