Read Part 1 here. My shoot continued to droop as I felt lost without my seed. What
was I supposed to do now?
Before I could fall further into despair, I was hit with
another, completely foreign sensation. Did all living things get taken by
surprise one thing after another? Was this what living was? Never knowing what was going to happen
next?
The sensation, or rather, sensations, came from the base of my
shoot. I felt wriggling and tickling movements come from below. I panicked at
first, terrified that the rest of me was going to fall apart just as my seed
had.
But, oh! A delicious, rich, wonderful feeling came tingling up
through my shoot from the base. Mmmm, it was so satisfying. I hadn’t known how
empty my little being had felt until that empty space was suddenly filled with
delicious….something!
My shoot straightened. I felt strength coursing through my
little self and suddenly I found that I now had the energy to return to my
original task of pushing through the wet darkness that surrounded me.
What had changed? As my shoot kept feeling stronger, I looked
back down to where my seed at been. What had been a scene of tragedy only a
little while before now made me wiggle with joy. I had now had tiny little roots
sticking out into the sticky goop. They must have been what was itching so
horribly, my seed was holding them back! Once they were freed, they had begun
to bring all of that delicious strength into the rest of me.
So, my seed had not been sacrificed in vain. I looked at the
broken seed pieces with great reverence for a moment, and then, bravely, I
turned my attention back up to where I was pushing my shoot through the
darkness. It was time to see what lay beyond this dark little world of tragedy
and triumph, it was time to step into the great beyond.
I am a major history nerd, so historical fiction is right up my alley. My favorite book is "Pearl Maiden" by Sir Rider Haggard, an author who wrote historical fiction that is both riveting and deep.
I mention Haggard, because "Behold the Dawn" very quickly brought his medieval book "The Brethren" to mind. Coming from me, considering BTD to be similar to one of his works is a huge compliment to Weiland.
The setting to BTD felt gritty and authentic. It was hot, sweaty, dusty, and bloody. I did occasionally have a hard time picturing the landscape, but the characters were often on the move, thus leading to ever-changing landscape.
The characters; such a fantastic cast of characters. Some grew more than others over the story (I fell in love with the sidekick), while others were consistent, providing a balance and steadiness that kept the others in line. The protagonists were appropriately human, they felt fear, anger, hurt, betrayal, guilt, etc. You felt what the characters felt very deeply.
The villains! Aha! One of the only things that can make a good set of protagonists even better is an equally well-written cast of villains. Weiland did a masterful job at this. I shivered and despised these villains more than I do for most writers. Well done!
This book was wonderfully lengthy, I appreciate it when a writer values their readers enough to give a very long book. There is just a depth of entering into the story that cannot happen in shorter titles. Also, there were moments in this book that could have been handled with far less class, but thankfully, Weiland is a classy writer. I appreciated the way she handled a few subjects with dignity and grace.
My one critique of this book was that during the fighting scenes, I was often confused as to who was standing where, and how the action went down. I had to reread those scenes and play them through in my mind. It is not a major hindrance however, and everything else was well done.
At one point in this book, Weiland put in a "plot twist" of sorts that angered and saddened me deeply. I took to social media to complain, and like the mature adult that I am, I took a break from reading the book. Before, I mentioned how much BTD reminded me of Sir Rider Haggard's "The Brethren". Amusingly enough, the same thing happened to me years ago when I read TB. I was convinced something terrible had happened. In agony, I threw the book down and began to cry. I had invested far too much of my soul into that story to see it end so. My brother picked up the source of my sorrow and read a few pages past where I had stopped. "Keep reading." He said. I did, and sheepishly discovered that all was in fact well, and I had merely thrown in the towel too early. I bring this story up, because I literally did the exact same thing with Behold the Dawn. That "plot twist" that left me outraged? Aha, ha, ahem....keep reading.
A satisfying ending, should Weiland ever do a follow-up book featuring the same characters, or perhaps starring the sidekick (I'm rooting for Option 2), I will eagerly devour it. I recommend this book to fans of historical fiction, sweet romances, and redemption.
I was privileged to get an advanced reader copy of this book. I was a big fan of Orphan's Song, and I am eagerly looking forward to more books in this series.
Songkeeper was definitely a middle chapter in the saga. You are left with more questions and unresolved problems than answers.
In terms of character development, I think this was a great book. Both Birdie and Ky came into their own more firmly, even if their lives are full of chaos right now. They are both admirable heroes.
Birdie has a humble strength that is refreshing. She's not the cliche "I'm tough and nothing can hurt me) sort of female lead that has grown overused in both book and movie circles. Birdie is young, innocent, vulnerable, and yet, all of those qualities are a foundation for this quiet strength and steadiness that is the beginning of someone great.
Ky is my hero. He is my favorite character and already added into the Character-Hall-Of-Fame in my heart. He is completely selfless, so incredibly brave, and wise beyond his years. He's the sort of character that never gives up, even if they are bleeding out. Ky is the Captain America of the Songkeeper Chronicles. I love this boy so much, and I can't wait to see what Gillian does with him.
I found several new characters to be interesting in this story as well. Gillian did a good job of creating a colorful new cast of characters that fit in with the current cast very well. Also, a shout out to the concept of the Saari people riding lions. That was purely amazing.
The ending was not as great as I had been anticipating. According to Gillian, the end scene was deeply meaningful to her and some of her best writing. In plain honesty, I felt that the ending was far too fast. Without giving any spoilers, suffice it to say, this book needed a strong ending in order to compensate for the climax that left you hanging. I understand that sometimes a scene may carry a very personal attachment for the writer, but I did feel what I believe Gillian was trying to convey. For the insane roller coaster I had just been on, I needed more time and details than she gave me in order to process the emotions. To sum up, I was disappointed in the final scene.
I am committed to this series, so while out of the two books Orphan's Song is by far my favorite, I still highly recommend Songkeeper. Like I said, it is a middle chapter without resolve, but still an engaging adventure and the continuation of growth for the characters we love.
If for nothing else, read it because reading about Ky's character will make you a better human being.
Who Will Keep the Song Alive? Every generation has a Songkeeper – one chosen to keep the memory of the Song alive. And in every generation, there are those who seek to destroy the chosen one. When Birdie's song draws the attention of a dangerous Khelari soldier, she is kidnapped and thrust into a world of ancient secrets and betrayals. Rescued by her old friend, traveling peddler Amos McElhenny, Birdie flees the clutches of her enemies in pursuit of the truth behind the Song’s power. Ky is a street–wise thief and a member of the Underground—a group of orphans banded together to survive . . . and to fight the Khelari. Haunted by a tragic raid, Ky joins Birdie and Amos in hopes of a new life beyond the reach of the soldiers. But the enemy is closing in, and when Amos’ shadowed past threatens to undo them all, Birdie is forced to face the destiny that awaits her as the Songkeeper of Leira. Book one of the Songkeeper Chronicles. I am not as big a fan of the fantasy genre as many of my fellow writers/readers are. I often find myself feeling overwhelmed sometimes by the number of strange places and creatures, un-pronounceable names with impossible spellings, and weird rules that govern the world. However, when I do come across a work of fantasy that is handled with grace and intelligence, I enjoy myself immensely. Orphan's Song was one of these such gems from the fantasy genre that both surprised and delighted me. Gillian Bronte Adams created a lovely world of fantasy that was not overwhelming, un-pronounceable, and even though there was the cliche of "the chosen one", Adams created such a compelling and unique role for Birdie that I didn't care. The story pulled me in from the very first sentence - They were coming - until the very last sentence, which I will leave unmentioned to avoid spoilers. The characters were each well-rounded and unique, both heroes and villains. Birdie was a sympathetic character that I loved immediately, and never once did she frustrate me like oh-so-many dramatic and sarcastic heroines. Ky was instantly my favorite. His compassion and desire to protect instantly made him appealing. And his street smarts? I really geek out over skills like that. Amos....oh Amos. Half of the time I wanted to hug him, and the other half I wanted to hit him over the head with Rapunzel's frying pan. My reaction tells me one thing- Gillian Bronte Adams hit the nail on the head with this character. I cannot write a review about this book without mentioning the key feature: The Song. The Song was what wove this book together beautifully into a rich and compelling story. Adams did such a beautiful job describing the Song and how it affected the various characters. I have had moments where my mind is overtaken with a piece of a song or a melody that maybe I have heard before, and the music surrounds me like a warm, spring wind. I could connect with the characters in the moments that the Song was being sung. And as for Birdie's ability to know who is approaching (bad or good) based upon the song, well, I have often said that life would be so much easier to predict if we just had a constantly running soundtrack. I enjoyed every moment of this book, it never lost my interest. And guess what? The next one, Songkeeper, is going to be released next month! I highly recommend that you read Orphan's Song before Songkeeper is released. If you want to find out more about the author, you can check her out on her blog, Facebook, or Twitter! If want to purchase Orphan's Song, check it out Amazon. And here's a sneak peek of Songkeeper just to wet your appetites. I don't know about you, but this cover just sends chills down my spine, those lions are practically leaping off of the page. Want to find out more about Songkeeper? And if you're already sold, awesome! You can be one of the first to get it because it is available for pre-order on Amazon.
Funny, charming, totally awesome and yet humble, Owen Grady was one of the greatest aspects of Jurassic World. Chris Pratt owned this role like nobody's business, making Owen into a instantly likable guy who you were rooting for from minute one.
He was real. His facial expressions of sheer terror, intense determination, and utter disgust made his face like a moving landscape. This is a guy who reacted pretty rationally and normally to the nightmarish situation that we only visit in, well, movies.
Best Moments
He's the alpha for a group of raptors. *mic drop* I was really feeling a bit of Hiccup from How to Train Your Dragon coming through in this moment. It was really special.
There is a gentleness in his actions, even though he is dealing with dangerous animals. It reveals this character's tender heart.
The chaotic scene when one of the pterodactyls has Owen pinned down, and in a massive explosion of adrenaline, Claire takes it out with a machine gun. The look of utter astonishment and intense admiration on Owen's face it just priceless. It says, "I am SO attracted to you right now!"
Leading the raptors into battle. Even in the movie Owen realizes just how incredibly awesome that moment is. If you watch carefully you can see a hint of his smile right before he revs up his engine and begins the chase.
Best Quotes Claire- "What kind of man shows up to a date in board shorts?" Owen- "It's Central America. It's hot."
Claire- "The park needs a new attraction every few years in order to reinvigorate the public's interest. Kind of the like the space program. Corporate felt that genetic modification would up the wow factor." Owen- "They're dinosaurs. Wow enough. Claire- "Not according to our focus groups. The Indominus Rex makes us relevant again." Owen- *chuckles* "The Indominus Rex?" Claire- "We needed something scary and easy to pronounce. You should hear a four-year-old try to say "Archeaornithomimus". Owen- "You should hear you try to say it."
(now I REALLY want to hear a four-year-old try to say Archeaornithomimus.)
Claire- "So, you can pick up their scent can't you? Track their footprints?" Owen- "I was with the Navy, not the Navajo."
(he's so not full of it, he's hilarious)
Owen- "You'll last two minutes in there, less in those ridiculous shoes." (Hallelujah! Someone pointed out the idiocy of that poor woman's footwear.) Claire *removes belt, rolls up sleeves, ties blouse* Owen- ? "What is that supposed to mean?" Claire- "It means I'm ready to go." Owen- "....okay."
(Yeah, I don't get it either buddy.)
Owen Grady is bigger than merely an awesome protagonist, he also represents the voice of reason and the balance in this movie. Jurassic World was more than just a movie about a dinosaur escaping and going on a rampage. Many deep political and spiritual questions were actually raised in this movie. The different characters voiced many views to one very basic question: how do we value life?
Claire, despite meaning well, had very little connection or regard for the people or the animals at the park. Everything was a number, an asset, or a liability in her mind. They were items that she could control, regulate, and predict. Owen serves a guide to lead her to both an understanding and respect for people and animals. She is a changed person by the end of the movie.
Hoskins has a great admiration for the power and strength of the animals, but he has no regard for their life or for the life of the people at the park. He literally smiles at some of the footage of people screaming in terror as they are literally being picked apart by flying dinosaurs. Even Misrani, who desires for people to enjoy his park, is disconnected from the fact that the scientists in his lab are creatingnew lives. Creatures who live, breathe, and think, and not just park attractions. It is only after a murderous monster has been created that Misrani realizes the callous attitude and lack of responsibility he has displayed.
Owen Grady is the character of reason who has a proper value and respect for life; both for the animals and the humans. He is the alpha of the raptors, he has a relationship with them, but he is also aware of the fact that they are animals with separate instincts that he cannot control. He sees these creatures as living animals who should not be used, like Hoskins desires. Nor can they be controlled, like Claire believes.
His priority of life is people first, then animals. Owen is the first one to call for the park to be closed. He warns against sending a team out after the Dinosaur with non-lethal weapons. He heads out into danger to help Claire retrieve her nephews without a second thought. Throughout the movie, Owen protects Claire and the boys as if they were own.
All of the death and destruction that happens in this movie is the direct result of failure to value life. Owen provides many solutions and all of the perspective in this movie as he has a correct view of life and how to treat it. At the end of the movie, he and his people are still standing because of who he is.
He's no Romeo making lovey dovey speeches beneath a balcony. He's not going to keep quiet about ridiculous fashion choices. He'll run for his life from angry dinosaurs and then punch the people responsible.
This guy will show up to your first date in board shorts with a bottle of tequila. He'll laugh when you say something stupid and call you on the carpet when you are dead wrong. When you ask him "So what do we do now?" He'll grin like a kid and reply, "Probably stay together. For survival."
But so long as that guy in board shorts is Owen Grady, there is no way you can lose.
What aspects did you love about Owen Grady? What thoughts did you have after seeing Jurassic World? What would you have changed? What was your favorite part? You can tell me in the comments, or you can connect on FacebookandTwitter
What is one of the greatestelements of a good story?
It's as obvious as the nose on your face: good characters.
He may be a sad, strange little man. But he's one of my favorites!
A good character consists of someone who brings emotion out of you. A good character is a protagonist that you cheer for with all of you heart. A good character is an evil villain that causes you to grind your teeth and sends shivers down your spine. A good character is someone who begins as an unlikable, worthless individual, and ends as one of your best friends.
We were in love with this scoundrel from minute one, still, he was arguably a better person by the end.
A good character stays with you for longer than the amount of time you spent between the pages of their book. A good character rises up in your mind as you live your everyday life. A good character enables you to draw parallels between them and other individuals you meet in reality.
A good character is your friend even when you are 100 years old.
A good character becomes a friend, an ally, a family member, or an enemy.
"Which one am I?" We don't really know at this point, Loki, but we still love you. <3
A good character can make or break a story. Even a story with a somewhat dull plot can keep your interest if you are deeply in love with the character. We are instinctively drawn to root for persons who capture our interest and connect with our own hearts.
This is the beginning of a new series of mine in which I will explore some of the greatest characters in both books and movies. Characters, even fictional ones are a great way to connect with other people in your own world. The fact that two people are drawn to the same character can be a link that can lead to communication and friendship.
Great characters can bring us together, great characters can divide us, a great character can change our lives forever; and a great character can reveal the best and the worst parts of who we are as people.
Join me as I share about some of my favoritecharacters. And who knows? Maybe they are your favorite as well....
....and this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
Unless you live on Hoth, you have likely seen the new Star Wars : The Force Awakens trailer by now.
And seen this amazing poster.
You've probably heard the rumors circulating about Luke Skywalker. Why isn't he on the poster? Why isn't he in the trailer? The conclusion that many have reached: Luke Skywalker is the new Sith Lord.
Whoa folks! Shut down your hyperdrives for a moment and think. Does it actually make sense for Luke Skywalker to become the new and highly improved Dark Side baddie?
I had thought I could simply hide in an asteroid and let all of the speculation fly right by me; but after reading one particular article I decided, no more! It is time to put this theory to the test.
Let's probe the galaxy just a bit to examine what we know.
The Number One Word for Movie Trailers is "Misdirection"
The fact that so many fans have come up with the exact same theory that Luke will be a Sith Lord leads me to believe one thing.
"It's a trap!"
Movie trailers are made to get us hooked, and to freak us out about potential plot twists. This leads to a frenzy of activity and hubbub that only creates better movie sales. It's not sneaky, it's good business. And we fall for it every time.
Will there be a plot twist in this movie? Of course there will, but likely it will something that none of us saw coming.
Luke Skywalker is the hero for the original trilogy.
Don't freak out Han Solo fanatics, I love that scruffy-looking nerfherder as much as the rest of you. But it is obvious, Luke is the starring character for Episodes IV-VI. Star Wars is a story about a struggle for freedom told through the eyes of a young kid who discovers he has a much larger role to play than a simple farm boy from Tatooine could have ever imagined.
A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi is the story of Luke's journey with his friends from farm boy to Jedi and leader. Luke is the knight-with-shining-lightsaber that everyone roots for.
Luke Skywalker has become a cultural icon who began a movement that represents the hearts of GENERATIONS of fans! Star Wars has accomplished the incredible feat of connecting with each new generation since it first appeared on the screen in 1977.
To suddenly knock that pillar known as Luke Skywalker out from underneath the millions of fans would be a very dangerous step. Like, more dangerous than assuming that your battle station is impregnable even with an open vent large enough to fire into.
Luke Recognizes His Own Weakness
Luke's story arc in the Originals is brilliantly done. A New Hope begins with Luke as a raw youth, full of eager enthusiasm and a bit of natural talent, but little else. He has the ignorance of inexperience, "I'm ready for anything!" This line basically sums up his entire attitude during this movie.
By The Empire Strikes Back Luke has calmed down a bit. The responsibility of leading a rebellion has tempered his actions somewhat, but he still has a fair amount of confidence. This confidence is shaken during his training with Yoda at Dagobah. And it is here that an incredibly pivotal scene takes place.
The Cave.
Luke is given Force vision/test when he enters a cave and encounters "Darth Vader". Upon defeating Vader, Luke is horrified to see that Vader's decapitated head is really his own head, with his own face staring back at him.
Some people believed this was foreshadowing the reveal that Vader is Luke's father. The Star Wars fan who wrote this article believes this is foreshadowing the idea that Luke will become just like his father Vader.
I always took this scene at face value (my apologies for this pun). This was a warning for Luke- Beware, this is what you are fully capable of becoming. It's a shocking and scary reminder of how truly vulnerable and human Luke is.
Luke doesn't really have time to fully digest this idea because he is soon faced with another bit of news: his friends are in danger!
Luke's two biggest motivations in his life are (1) to become a Jedi like his father and fight against evil (2) protect his friends. While his objective to become a Jedi came first on the timeline, it's pretty obvious that his priorities have shifted, since he puts his Jedi training on hold in order to help his friends.
Yes, yes, Yoda and Mr. Obi-Wan Force Ghost are very concerned. This kid is in over his head and he doesn't realize it. Those of us who have now seen the Prequels know the potential danger of acting out of fear of losing someone you love. What the heck! We wouldn't be in this mess if Anakin hadn't freaked out and made horrible choices in the past.
But, a fact that is rarely ever focused on in Star Wars is this: Love is the most powerful "force" in the world. The Jedi of old rather skipped over this idea, preferring to keep themselves unattached and emotionless. After all, emotions are messy and could get confusing, better to steer clear altogether. It might sound noble, it might even sound practical, but really, I think it became a major factor in their downfall.
Luke travels to Bespin where he confronts his arch nemesis Darth Vader. This would have been an excellent time for a good old Han Solo warning, "Don't get cocky kid." Luke thinks he's all that and a bag of lightsaber crystals. Guess what kid, you are about to get your rear-end kicked!
A confrontation with Vader ends with Luke clinging to a platform, down one hand and a lightsaber.
And now! The Big Reveal!
Jumping Jawas! Now Luke's entire world has been shattered, as if bleeding out and clinging to a platform isn't enough. The guy whom he thought he was safe to hate has just announced that Luke is his own offspring. And here it comes, "We can rule the galaxy as father and son." Well played Vader, you missed the play-catch-in-the-backyard stage of fatherhood, why not skip on ahead to the galaxy domination stage?
It sounds tempting. Reunite with Daddy, take down the Big Bad Emperor, and rule the galaxy!
It's here that Luke shows he was paying attention on Dagobah. He was just clearly shown how weak he is. And right now he is as vulnerable, both physically and emotionally, as he has ever been!
What does he do? The most intelligent thing a human can do under these circumstances.
He lets go of his hold on the platform and allows his body to free fall into open air. Oh. My. Wookie.
In that single moment, in making that single decision, Luke shows some of his greatest strength: he knows his own weakness and vulnerability.
Anakin Skywalker feared being weak and powerless. He sold his soul to the Dark Side in order to gain power in order to control his circumstances. He gave in trying to run from his own weakness, which as you and I both know, is impossible.
The Jedi Order fell largely because of their foolish pride in believing themselves to be invincible and above the rest of the galaxy. They were so blinded by their vanity that they missed a Sith Lord taking up residence right beneath their nose.
In this moment, Luke shows more maturity and understanding than Anakin and the whole Jedi Order put together. His choice to get the heck out of there enables Leia and Lando to rescue him and get away before Vader can mess with his brain anymore.
The Empire Strikes Back ends with a beautiful picture of Luke, now with a mechanical hand, wrapping his arm around his friend (twin sister) Leia. They both feel broken and they both have suffered a loss. But there is an incredible bond and a shared strength that each of them possess. This scene sets the stage beautifully with lots of foreshadowing for The Return of the Jedi.
Luke Knows His Strength
The Return of the Jedi happens many months after The Empire Strikes Back. During that intermediate time, Luke has come full circle. He has dealt with his anger and grief about the past. Now, he is peaceful and thinking about the future. That doesn't sound like future Sith Lord material to me, now does it?
Luke shows his focus and purpose in the calm and confident way he rescues his friends from Jabba the Hutt. The author of the Sith theory article I read brought up the fact that Luke killed a lot of Jabba's friends (it was actually Leia who killed Jabba). Luke's actions at Jabba's palace and barge were compared to Anakin's enraged massacre of the Sand People village in Attack of the Clones.
How is that even a comparison? Luke negotiated and gave Jabba chance for a peaceful resolution. Jabba refused and tried to feed Luke to a Rancor. When that didn't work, Luke and Co were going to be fed to a Sarlacc. And Luke had the audacity to fight back against the people trying to kill him and his friends? Luke dared to take out a few evil minions with his lightsaber, the minions who were shooting at him? Yeah, that's totally like Anakin's crazed and out-of-control murder spree of both innocent and guilty Sand People. Luke's actions weren't born out of revenge, if he had wanted revenge he would have killed everyone in Jabba's palace upon his arrival.
But where does the truth of Luke's allegiance really reach a climactic point? When he is brought face to face with the Emperor, Mr. Big Boss himself.
It is here that Luke is put to his biggest test, inthe scene when we get the full 3D view of Luke's strength and character.
And it is here that I am most convinced that Luke Skywalker remains a Jedi.
It is here that the author of the other article went wrong in his interpretation of Luke's realizations of his power.
All of the scenes in the new Death Star are a battle both physical and internal for Luke and Vader. For Luke it is hate for the Emperor/Dark Side, and love for Vader his father. For Vader, it is hate for the Emperor/Dark Side and what he himself as become, jumbled up with admiration and longing for this boy, his son, who is exactly what Vader wishes he could have been.
Luke does wrestle with the Dark Side, we all watch it happen. He does react out of anger, who wouldn't when the people you love most are threatened? It's a commonly known fact that you should never bring a fella's sister into a heated confrontation if you want to come out alive.
But it all comes down to that moment when Luke has defeated Vader and the Emperor is convinced his plan has worked. Luke looks down at his father's severed mechanical hand, and then looks at his own. Right here, in this moment, Luke sees just how powerful he has become, and just how powerful he could be if he embraced the Dark Side. It's all right here before him, ready and waiting for him to make the choice.
But looking at his father, Luke sees the truth that Anakin missed.
Darth Vader may have been technically more powerful than Anakin Skywalker, but Darth Vader is more machine than man. His desire for power and control stole his ability to have control over anything, and it cost him everything and everyone he loved. In the end, Vader's choice defeated its purpose.
Luke knows what he is capable of becoming, but he sees the cost and knows his choice will only lead to misery and the loss of everything he loves.
The Emperor steps forward, delighted that he has ensnared a new apprentice.
"Good. Your hate has made you powerful. Now fulfill your destiny and take your father's place at my side."
Luke throws away his lightsaber and practically smiles at the Emperor.
"Never. I'll never turn to the Dark Side. You've failed your Highness, I am a Jedi, like my father before me."
Oh crud! What have I created?
I suppose we should really thank the Emperor, without him, Luke might not have been forced to get so tough. But thanks to himself, the Emperor is now looking at the most frightening thing he has ever witnessed.
A Jedi who is driven and strengthened by love, the one force stronger than hate.
Oh boy! Better kill that thing FAST!
"Young fool, only now, at the end, do you understand....your feeble skills are no match for the power of the Dark Side!"
Father! Please!
"You have paid the price for your lack of vision....now young Skywalker, you will die."
The Return of The Jedi (Anakin Skywalker)
And here you have it: Luke's ultimate victory. His purpose, his vision, and his love is what redeemed Darth Vader and overthrew the Emperor. This is not the work of a Sith Lord. This is the work of a knock-out Jedi who is wise beyond his years.
You were right about me. Tell your sister....you were right.
Welcome to the world of a universal cure. Gordon Harding didn’t ask for the life he has. He didn’t ask to be orphaned. He didn’t ask to go through life with cancer. And he certainly didn’t ask to be pulled into a future world without warning–a world where every human being is controlled by means of a medical implant. And when he learns that he’s the only one who can destroy the base of operations, he’s faced with an impossibly painful choice: either hide and let the world decay under this mysterious futuristic force, or rescue humanity from oppression, knowing that there’s someone out there who is willing to use any means necessary to stop him. Pennington has done it again folks! Implant is my first venture into the genre known as dystopian, and it was a lovely first step. I feel a bit sentimental here, as Pennington'sFirmamentseries was my first venture into the genre of scifi. She is an amazing author whom I respect and support greatly. In truth, for the first two-thirds of the book, I expected to be posting a very different review on here. The story was rather slow, and I felt that there were some loopholes in the plot which did not make sense. I held on, however, because I loved the characters. Pennington did a magnificent job of creating three unique and well-rounded characters to take the spotlight. None of the characters read like a typical "hero", or "knight in shining armor". They were fallible, annoying, and even physically fell short of what most would consider to be hero material. I loved all three for those very reasons. With these characters, Pennington captured what being a hero actually means in a very real sense. She appealed to my human side, as opposed to my superhuman desires. Gordon was not what you would call endearing, attractive, or even fun. And yet, you found yourself identifying and rooting for this scrawny kid who can't run for more than a few seconds without feeling like he's going to die. He whined, he was angry, he made poor choices, and he was incredibly insecure. But when the chips were down, Gordon Harding came out a hero. Doc. I had a very distinct "Han Solo" flavor come to mind whenever Doc was around. Gruff and cynical, his persona was that of someone untouchable. But in brief flashes of vulnerability, you saw the heart of gold beneath Doc's dingy shirt and jacket. In the end, Doc came out a hero. Neil Crater. I'm not intentionally keeping up with the Star Wars theme here, but Dr. Neil Crater was about as "Luke Skywalker" as they come. Passionate and eager, he felt things deeply and was angered when others didn't appear to care as much as he did. He was the fuel to the fire that kept the Rebels alive. He could be annoying and act like a know-it-all, but when it was all said and done, Dr. Neil Crater was a hero. As I said, the characters kept me going. And when I reached about the two-thirds mark of the book, my faith paid off. Pennington did not disappoint me at all. Plot twists! A sudden change of pace, and a beautiful binding of all loose threads and plot holes. A show-down with a wonderfully creepy villain fulfilled my reader's desires entirely. I was privileged to help Pennington out with some of the marketing for Implant. I am so thrilled to have had even a little part to play in this project, and I am so proud of Pennington for her skill as a writer. Check Implantand Pennington's other works out on Amazon. Also, you can find her on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, and her blog.
For all his years as a slave, Jace has known nothing but the hatred people hold for his mixed blood--one half human, the other half the blood of a race considered monsters. Always, he is the outsider and quickly learns it is better to keep to himself. Yet, when his volatile ryrik blood leads him to do the unthinkable, he is thrown into a world of violence and bloodshed.
Forced to become a gladiator, Jace finds more and more of his heart dying as his master works to break down his will not to become the monster everyone believes he is. When a stranger interferes with his master's harsh punishment, Jace's world is upended yet again. But with it comes the possibility of hope that has long since died. Could the man possibly hold the key to escaping the hopeless darkness that is Jace's life? Is there such a thing as life beyond the cruelty of slavery?
See where Jace's story all began . . . It has taken me forever and a day to get this review up. I actually won a copy of Half-Blood in a photo contest weeks ago. Then I had to read it (a very dangerous concept, reading a book for pleasure when you are desperately trying to finish high school). And finally I had to review it. But here it is now in all of its rushed glory. *Tears and wailing*, oh Jace! Bless your heart, you poor baby! I wanted to reach into the words on the page and grasp the face of this gentle-hearted young man and sob, "You are not worthless! There is such a thing as love, and light! Hang in there sweetheart, Elom is sending help!" I may have to reread some parts from Resistanceand The King's Scrollswith Jace and Kyrin. I need to read the moments where he is given a chance to show how truly gentle and caring he is. And I especially need the moments when Kyrin refuses to give up on him, or reaches him with a gentle word or touch. It's that or therapy, so I figure rereading the books is cheaper. Regardless of all of the pain this book brings to your poor heart, it was so neat to finally get a deeper glimpse into Jace's background, well, his soul really. Knight forcing you to endure Jace's suffering only made him all the more real a character, and it only made the other books seem richer. I have an even greater appreciation for who Jace is, and who he will continue to become. And I am so shipping Kyrin and Jace even more than I ever was before! Let's hope we get some more relationship developments in the next book, Samara's Peril. Check out the fantastic author Jaye L. Knight on her website, Facebook, and Twitter. And check out the other books in her Ilyon Chronicles on Amazon. There is also more Ilyon fun here.
On their way back to Earth from the newly discovered world of Kainus Ge, the Surveyor rescues the personnel of a malfunctioning science station. Young medical assistant Andi quickly befriends the newcomers, particularly the charming captain, but things get complicated when the scientists offer the impossible--a way to improve the barren planet and the lives of all its inhabitants. There's only one problem: their solution requires the Surveyor to enter the one area of the galaxy which is off-limits to travel. As the Captain struggles with his decisions, Andi and her father become suspicious of the “accidents” that keep happening on the ship. Could it be coincidence, or is someone trying to sabotage their mission? Can they uncover the truth in time to stop the Captain from wrecking his career and losing his ship forever?
Does the end justify the means? That's really the big moral dilemma presented in Machiavellian. You would think that it might be something of a cliche, but Pennington does a fabulous job handling the question.
There are a lot of raw emotions in the characters carried over from In His Image, particularly by Andi. This gave the book a great feeling of continuity and really made the series feel well put together.
Again, Andi is very real to life as she struggles with a situation where truth and her emotions are colliding.
I will say this, I am about ready for another book, and even more than that, I NEED A ROMANCE! I am about ready to start a petition to get fella for Andi.
Check out Machiavellian on Amazon and read my reviews for Radialloyand In His Image.
It was supposed to be a routine check of a parched planet. That was what Andi expected when she joined the small exploration team, but when their shuttle crash landed, the unthinkable happened — they encountered intelligent life. Now stranded on the strange world, the team accidentally angers the iron-fisted leader of the village, and the compassionate intervention of a young native named Elasson may be all that's keeping them alive. Their shuttle seems beyond repair, the oppressive heat is sapping their strength, and the local ruler is determined to execute them. Can Andi help find a way to escape before it's too late?
This book is probably my least favorite of the Firmament series, with Radialloy being my top favorite. That fact has nothing to do with poor writing, I just hate sandy deserts. Trust me, this is book you want to read in air conditioning.
I love how normal and real to life the character of Andi is. She is very intelligent and resourceful, and yet, she has a very humble attitude about herself. She loves her people deeply, and earnestly desires to know the truth.
However, desiring to know the truth and actually figuring out what truth is are two very different things. One of the very best features of this series is Pennington's skill at weaving very difficult questions about morally gray areas. Or, in the case of this book, what to do when what you believe and know to be true seem to be contradicted by what you see or experience. These books force you to think.
I loved the character of Elasson in this book. He is sweet, intelligent, and has a very caring heart. I loved the way Pennington wrote how he and Andi bridged the communication gap of two different languages. I personally love languages and have spent a great deal of time trying to imagine how I would communicate with someone when there is a language barrier. Even as I was reading this book I was coming up with ideas of how Andi could express herself to Elasson.
One thing that did bug me about this book was I could not tell for sure if two characters had fallen for each other or not. I feel like it was maybe hinted at, but perhaps I am just suffering from heat stroke. Applause to Pennington once more for upsetting my ego, and I thought I was so great at smelling out a romance!
All in all, In His Image is a fantastic book and very vital to the ongoing Firmament series. Check it out on Amazon! And check out my review for the first book in the series, Radialloy.
