Yikes! It's been awhile!

Time to brush off the dust and explain where I've been for the past decade or two!

In short, I've been busy. I'm in school again and working full-time, so between the two I have (unfortunately!) had very little time to read for pleasure outside of my assigned textbooks or devote to writing much outside of academic papers. I also have yet to post a review from ages ago, so I'll have to refresh my memory and post that at a later date, perhaps over my Christmas/New Year's break when I actually have some downtime!

My apologizes to anyone out in the ether who has been actually following my blog; however, rest assured to the two or three of you tuned in that I have not abandoned this little nook of mine. I hope to get some time at least over the holidays to hopefully catchup on some much-needed personal reading and/or creative writing, so stay tuned!

And Happy Thanksgiving! :)

If you have read past book reviews or know anything about me, you will know my (healthy) adoration for Anne Rice and, more particularly, her devilishly fantastic Vampire Chronicles series. I just finished the fourth book in the saga, The Tale of the Body Thief, this morning. I gave myself some time to absorb what I read but seem to have reserved the same thoughts I have had throughout reading the novel: I didn't like it very much. I was hesitant to admit that until about half-way through the book. How could this be? After all the praise I've given the past books and how much I adore the series, you would think I would willingly accept and love the fourth book. But I didn't. And, even hours after finishing it, I still don't.

This being said, I had some judgments even after the first several pages, which I will not conceal in my book review. In a sort of prologue at the beginning of the book, the character Lestat revealed that--unlike past tales of the Vampire Chronicles--The Tale of the Body Thief would be set in the modern day (awww, boo!) and that the reader would not encounter many of the other lovely vampires in Rice's world such as Marius (ugh!) or Armand (NO!). After all, this is Lestat's story of this day and age and has nothing to do with the others. I couldn't disguise my disappointment even then, and I cannot now. It carried with me through the entire book and, as such, took me quite longer to read than it should have.

As I read each chapter, I couldn't help but yearn for the works of Anne Rice's past. Where was the rich history? the captivating vampire stories of the past? the roman vampire, Marius; the wise teacher? the beautiful and darkly sinister Armand? where were the other vampires BESIDES darn Lestat?!? The Tale of the Body Thief--especially after coming off the high that was The Queen of the Damned--is, simply put, lackluster. I hate admitting there were moments that I was almost bored. Anne Rice's writing is much more exquisite, poetic, and certainly exciting when NOT set in the modern day period. It is still engrossing, do not get me wrong, but there was definitely techniques lacking in this Vampire Chronicles story.

And lest we come to it: the story. Not very propelling. From the very beginning, what's to come is too obvious. The reader knows Lestat all too well at this point, and before the character James even comes into the picture, we know Lestat will switch bodies with him. This is a given. How can a vampire like Lestat deny the opportunity to be human again if just for one day? Furthermore, what reader does not early on suspect that James has no intentions of returning Lestat's vampire body back to him?!? Forgive me Anne Rice, but your readers aren't fooled and we are certainly not stupid.

Ah, well, I cannot be too hard on one of my favorite writers. She still can conjure up a scene in the reader's head like no other, as far as I'm concerned. But it is sad to note that The Tale of the Body Thief left a sour taste in my mouth, due to both the above grievances mentioned, as well as the very last chapter. (You've been forewarned!)

I cannot accept, after all of Rice's previous descriptions regarding David Talbout and his personality and opinions, that he ever truly wanted to be a vampire. I can believe that Lestat would make him one regardless, because he's a selfish twit, but that David would forgive Lestat in just a matter of days and actually be excited about his new life as a prince of darkness is totally absurd and goes against everything the readers have come to understand about his character. This is one technicality of Anne Rice's world that I cannot forgive her for. If she always intended David Talbout to become a vampire, she should have dropped hints to the reader to illustrate that he was genuinely interested in doing so. Otherwise, it does not only come as a shock to the reader that David has become a vampire but it becomes a total farce that he willingly accepts his new life without much protest. Hmmmm. Poor character development? I'd say so, Ms. Rice!

In conclusion, I can forgive her for The Tale of the Body Thief, but here is hoping that the fifth book in the Vampire Chronicles would be more to my liking and will bring us back into the kind of storytelling fans love so much about Anne Rice.

On the eve of a very nice Easter Sunday, I finished Patrick Rothfuss's debut fantasy novel, The Name of the Wind. I use the word "fantasy" loosely, because it doesn't entirely fit in that genre. It's part fantasy, part thriller, part mystery, part comedy (yes, the book is filled with a nice touch of wit!), and more. On the one hand, it's very much a fantasy story...the made-up languages, the ancient stories of Rothfuss's world's beginnings, the young orphan destined for greatness...yet, it also pokes jabs at the fantasy genre itself and deviates from the typically overdone Tolkien and Lewis plots. In simplest terms, it's, as I've already indicated in my previous post, a refreshing take on the genre. By the end of the almost 700 page epic, you realize that this story is only just getting started. It's exciting storytelling, written with plenty of humor, and Rothfuss has a unique hold on his characters and where the story is headed.

At the center of Rothfuss's world is a young, red-haired man named Kvothe (sounds similar to "quote"), who casts a very mysterious spell over the reader. Is he good? Is he evil? Just who is he? We are left with clues dropped here and there about the heroic deeds he has done, as well as the dark and sinister crimes has has supposedly committed but--as with all delicious stories--nothing here is in black and white. As with any other work of good fiction, I loved the languages Rothfuss created and the realistic setting of the University, a major portion to Kvothe's tale. (Spoiler Alert: The Archives? So COOL! I loved that in itself and am dying for more scenes set to that backdrop! I'm excited for Kvothe to spend more time in that area.) I enjoyed the rustic, harsh "feel" of the author's world (though the parallels with Middle Earth are obvious); any similarities, however, cannot be entirely the fault of the author. Unfortunately, we as readers are always too quick to judge other writers' work, which brings me to my next point...

Though the plot outline held my attention, I went into The Name of the Wind with a lot of doubts. About 60-70 pages into the story, I almost didn't want to continue it, not because the writing was poor or that the characters weren't interesting but that, like the majority of the fantasy stories we read, I expected the same "outcome" that so often occurs... Kvothe would become a hero, he would defeat somebody or something evil, his parents would be dead and he would meet a father figure to guide him to his destiny, blah blah blah. Aragon, anyone? And, as a reader who judged that conclusion too quickly, that is my own fault. The Name of the Wind isn't Lord of the Rings and Kvothe is definitely not another Aragon. In short, I'm glad I stuck with the material and kept on reading, remaing with Kvothe on his journey. He's a fiery personality who becomes more interesting and more complex with every chapter. By the end of the book, you really don't know Kvothe at all, and that's one of the major points that makes The Name of the Wind a terrific read!

The book is filled with some fascinating back stories that weave with the present backdrop, and they are written with such conviction and bravado that Rothfuss captures extremely well for a first time writer. The Name of the Wind is the first in a trilogy, a story that has been 13-14 years in the making. Needless to say, if you pick up the book and read it from cover to cover, it shows.

I won't say it's in my top five of the fantasy genre (to pick the most overt category the novel falls into), but I will say it's one of the more unique in the genre that I've read in quite awhile. Wholeheartedly, that's really saying something for a genre that has become practically stale by the same stories and, for fantasy lovers like myself, it leaves us desperate for something more. Rothfuss delivers that, and it's much welcomed!

If you enjoy fantasy or just want something different to read, check out The Name of the Wind. It's a book very difficult to sum up in a few paragraphs. It's something you just have to read to believe.

BOOK: The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss

I recently began reading The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss, a rather lengthy, dense, epic fantasy novel that's gotten a lot of praise the past few years. However, I had never heard of it. When I was at the library, I just happened to glance in the direction it was located and the title caught my eye. It's a good thing, too, because otherwise who knows if I would have ever discovered it.

After opening the first page, I could easily sense the Lord of the Rings parallels. The made-up names and certain dialect, even early descriptions of the fantasy world it's set in reminded me a little too much of Middle Earth. However, my skepticism and doubts have slowly drifted away. I'm delighted to find it more and more it's "own" story rather than a J.R.R. Tolkien knockoff. It's an excitingly fresh take on the fantasy genre and, although, I am only at the beginning pages of the story, I intend to follow it through with far less suspicion than before. For a first time writer, Patrick Rothfuss's ambitious saga (this is the first of three intended books; the second has yet to be released) is pleasantly surprising and shows intentions of breathing new life into a beloved genre that's been sadly mocked by the same tales being retold.

To be continued.

Tonight I finished the third book in Anne Rice's The Vampire Chronicles series entitled The Queen of the Damned. If you have already read my previous reviews on the other two books, you will probably not be surprised to hear that I was not disappointed. Not in the least. To the point, I did not want the book to end, and I have not felt that way for a long time. Probably since the time when I was consumed by the magical world of Harry Potter. You can say what you will about popular writers and popular books. Like Anne Rice and her dark, seductive vampire stories, these are the kind of books that speak to readers on an extremely diverse and far-reaching level. The Vampire Chronicles is a series I have quickly grown to love. I dare say, it is reeling towards becoming my favorite fantasy series and, quite frankly, I did not think anything could top Harry Potter in the fantasy genre. Not for me, anyway. Those books touched me on so many levels, but Anne Rice took it even further for me. I'm quite obsessed with these characters, these complex, touching, frightening vampires. But I am veering off course here...!

The Queen of the Damned. What an ambitious book! So many new characters, such a vastness and ever-expanding realm into Rice's vampire world, and what a rollercoaster ride for her readers! I did not want to get off; hence, the reason I took such a slow time reading it. I do not get easily excited reading books, unfortunately. I am not too easily swept away into other times, places, locations, or minds but, this time, I had several points of view to divulge and several locations to encounter.

RIGHT: Daniel pleads with Armand to give him the Dark Gift; Image copyrighted to original owner

The Queen of the Damned begins where The Vampire Lestat left off. It was wonderful to see all the usual vampires I have grown to love...Armand (of course, my absolute favorite!), Lestat, Louis, Marius. But the book takes so many twists and turns that I could never have imagined or dreamt! Warning: Spoilers Alert! Case in point, Daniel ("the boy" from The Interview With the Vampire) becoming an actual vampire AND by Armand of all people! Or the whole subplot about the twin witches, which becomes a pivital part of the plot. Or how, in Anne Rice's world, the vampire originally was born. Fascinating! And the killing of virtually ALL the vampire race. By the end of the book, there is only a small group left, and they form a coven at the end of the novel which I absolutely adore. All these lovely characters living together under one roof, despite their differences and past wars with one another. They love and appreciate each other, despite it all, and unite as brothers and sisters. Just the kind of ending any die-hard Rice fan would want.

Anne Rice's writing style continues to thrill and excite me and leaves me in awe. The images she is able to draw up to her readers only comes to fruition in The Queen of the Damned and, boy, does she deliver! From the first page, you are swept up and never let go. It left me thirsty for more. Rice paints a vividly rich tapestry of complex, brooding characters, a vastly picturesque backdrop, and a fantastical history that only the best fiction writers can capture (and sustain!) You believe her story. I cannot wait to step into the next book in the series and reenter that disturbing, frightening, yet, strangely exotic and intoxicating world.

I'm enraptured and thrilled to bits by all these YouTube Q &A videos author Anne Rice has been doing lately on writing. I love her advice, her honesty, her style. She is a writer I adore both as a reader and aspiring writer. If you consider yourself a writer, you should watch these videos. I will post them here from time to time, mainly when I need some encouragement or to get the creative juices flowing. :)

Thank you, Anne Rice!!!

Hello everyone,

After a too-long-break, I'm back! I finally was able to get to the library over the weekend and checked out two large books to dig into. I'm so excited! I've been itching to get back into my reading and writing for the past few months, but life has been so crazy it has proven more difficult than I would have thought.

Nevertheless, I'm back and will have another book review coming! For now, I'm just going to enjoy the ride of this novel I just began this afternoon.

Stay tuned. :)

I have not posted anything in awhile, mainly because (unfortunately!) I have not had any time lately to read or write for pleasure.

The past month and a half I have been prepping and studying for the GRE. The only reading I have done has consisted of arithmetic, analogies, geometry, and sentence completions. Not exactly stimulating, let alone satisfying, material. :(

Anyway, I'm taking the GRE on December 26th. And I should, hopefully, have my writing sample for graduate school completed and sent out by then, too. Then I should finally be free again to pursue my writing and enjoy a good book (or several!)

To be continued...

I finished Possession this evening after what was an altogether stimulating, difficult, and comprehensive maze through Victorian and postmodern England (and literature, above all else!) It's still too early to digest fully all that the book entails. I strongly believe it will probably take a very long time to understand and grasp it all, but I thoroughly enjoyed the "scholarly" experience. For the first time, I felt like I was privileged to read something.. Like I was a part of some high literacy club fit to handle an intensely tough intellectual novel..though it isn't entirely so. Perhaps it's as a result of the academic backdrop or the Victorian poetry or the author's extensive vocabulary and expressions. (It's every one of these facets and more.)

There is no way to fully decipher Possession without its captivating scholars, these sophisticated British characters of the past and present, who "feel" flesh and blood. I sit here at my desk and am utterly devastated that these "Victorian poets", Randolph Henry Ash and Christabel LaMotte, do not actually exist. How can this be? Does the reader not construe dozens of their "poems",  flip through parts of "stories" they've written, pore over their "love letters" exchanged in secret that discuss their admiration for one another and, also, their crafts? How can Roland Mitchell, a struggling post-PhD student, or Maud Bailey, a feminist PhD professor, be, merely, fictional characters when they discuss their academic minds so entirely and convincingly that the reader wishes they could travel to London or to Lincoln to hear these two lecture? How can secondary characters James Blackadder, Mortimer Cropper and Lenora Stern not be real scholars when we study their "papers", skim their "footnotes", and are made privy to their extensive list of "academic achievements"? How is Possession actually, simply, made up? (If you read the book or have already done so, you will immediately understand what I mean. The idea is ludicrous! And, yet, there lies the truth.)

While I cannot admit to liking every bit and piece of the novel, I must give kudos to author A.S. Byatt. Her writing style is phenomenal, her research into the academia landscape even more so, and the excellent poetry and rich literature that she produces in the novel (to an excessive degree, no doubt!) is jaw-dropping. While there may exist other writers who could have dreamed up the romantic scenario in Possession, I cannot think of another author remotely equal to Byatt who could produce the encompassing literary research and byways she creates. Possession is an unsurpassed example that is, undeniably, Byatt's alone!

RIGHT: The film version of Possession (2002). Maud Bailey and Roland Mitchell inspecting poet Christabel LaMotte's grave.

Having shared all this, I cannot say I could re-read the book again anytime soon. There is just too much to absorb and learn from this enlightening experience, both as a reader and an aspiring writer. I recommend it immensely to anyone who enjoys scholarly writings and poetry (and also is a writer, published or unpublished! Byatt will inspire you if nothing else, believe me!) but, as I have noted in my previous post, Possession is not for the faint of heart. It is truly for a select group of readers; there's no other way of suggesting so. There is much to understand in terms of the poetry and academic papers, which interweave with many other underlying themes and goings-on in the novel. It's certainly befitting for any reader to tackle Possession and, while your experience may differ from my own, it's well-worth the exploration and intellectual discoveries that lay within the text and the harboring spaces inbetween.

Side Note: I was intrigued to read Possession after watching the 2002 film version starring Gwyneth Paltrow, Jeremy Northam, and Jennifer Ehle. What a difference! I will expand upon this in another entry...