Book Review: The Seven Realms

The Seven Realms

By Cinda Williams Chima

I have been wanting to review this series for a long time. It has turned into one, if my top, favorite series of all time. Cinda Williams Chima molded a genre that can typically be overrun with what feels to be a standard set of cliches. She took over the YA Fantasy and made it her own. Chima does not follow the "standard set of cliches"that has started to muddle down the YA-Fantasy genre. Instead she gives each character, twist, drama, and plot-loop a breath of refreshing air only to then take it right back out of the reader from each of the intense, emotional, and nail-biting punches within the story. So far in my reading experience, there is no other book or series that has so many well blended and well balanced elements together and done so well.

The series The Seven Realms takes place in the Seven Realms, a fantasy world split into seven different kingdoms. It is a land filled with magic, history, and a terrible war. But the main focus narrows in on the Queendom of the Fells and the political plots, the hidden past, and the destructive romance between two characters and the people connected to them.

I cannot fully review each book because of the chance that spoilers would be given.This is a series people need to take the time to read without anything given away. This review will look more so at general aspects of the book overall as a way to tempt people to come in a read. Because some details will be overlooked it will hopefully entice people to go out and see about the first of the series. Because that will be the best way for you to learn anything that will come from this review.

General: As previously mentioned, this series is phenomenal. It is something that takes you by your shirt and shakes you. You are thrown into a dramatic world where each chapter leaves you as breathless as a cardio workout does. There are so many secrets, twists, and moment of overwhelming emotions it feels like it would be difficult to keep up. But the switching POV of the focus characters, the detailed writing, and the focus on movement and feeling makes everything work. The reader doesn't get suffocated or confused to the point they are drawn out of the story. Chima plays each move as delicately as moving a chess-piece. You feel that everything has been strategically placed and the author did not feel lost in her work. The movement and decisions are clear, focused, and always well-placed. It is a surprise how detailed the book is and how it never, once, falters from the main point. Any detour from the plot always comes back in the most tantalizing or unexpected way.

Plot: It is amazing how something that by summary sounds cliche and simple and overdone can be done in a brand new amazing way. It is a fantasy romance story concerning magic, racism, and war. It is a blend of realistic characters and action. The story follows a former street lord named Han and a warrior princess named Raisa. Due to mistakes, misunderstandings, and unforeseeable twists the two are thrown together and need to resolve a hatred that has been poisoning the land for over a thousand years. With everything collapsing around them, the two form an unbreakable bond that just may be everyone's saving grace.

Demon King: "When 16-year-old Han Alister and his Clan friend Dancer encounter three underage wizards setting fire to the sacred mountain of Hanalea, he has no idea that this event will precipitate a cascade of disasters that will threaten everything he cares about.

Han takes an amulet from one of the wizards, Micah Bayar, to prevent him from using it against them. Only later does he learn that it has an evil history—it once belonged to the Demon King, the wizard who nearly destroyed the world a millennium ago. And the Bayars will stop at nothing to get it back

Han’s life is complicated enough. He’s the former streetlord of the Raggers—a street gang in the city of Fellsmarch. His street name, Cuffs, comes from the mysterious silver bracelets he’s worn all his life—cuffs that are impossible to take off.

Now Han’s working odd jobs, helping to support his family, and doing his best to leave his old life behind. Events conspire against him, however. When members of a rival gang start dying, Han naturally gets the blame.

Meanwhile, Princess Raisa ana’Marianna has her own battles to fight. As heir to the Gray Wolf throne of the Fells, she’s just spent three years of relative freedom with her father’s family at Demonai Camp—riding, hunting, and working the famous Clan markets. Now court life in Fellsmarch pinches like a pair of too-small shoes.

Wars are raging to the south, and threaten to spread into the high country. After a long period of quiet, the power of the Wizard Council is once again growing. The people of the Fells are starving and close to rebellion. Now more than ever, there’s a need for a strong queen.

But Raisa’s mother Queen Marianna is weak and distracted by the handsome Gavan Bayar, High Wizard of the Fells. Raisa feels like a cage is closing around her—and an arranged marriage and eroded inheritance is the least of it.

Raisa wants to be more than an ornament in a glittering cage. She aspires to be like Hanalea—the legendary warrior queen who killed the Demon King and saved the world. With the help of her friend, the cadet Amon Byrne, she navigates the treacherous Gray Wolf Court, hoping she can unravel the conspiracy coalescing around her before it’s too late."

Characters: The substance of the of any book. Character is an area where Chima excels. She takes the standard character of a main male and a main female and throw them into drama that leads them fated to keep meeting. The idea feels safe and cliche, but the people are anything but. They have become real figures that go through monstrous and fantastic events. Without these figures, the story (while good) would not shine near as much as it does now.

Han Alister: The main male of the series and would probably be considered the main character too. He is a former streetlord trying to start over in his life and do good. But his fate seems determined to make things difficult for that well-meaning goal. He feels to be a rather conflicted character, but one who is accepting of that. He is not a pure light in the book, he is a young man with dark characteristics and a dark past. He is dangerous and is often described as wicked (modern term = bad boy). He is willing to do anything for love and friendship even if it means to kill. And though he would rather avoid dark paths, he doesn't weep over less than righteous actions he must face if it means something better for someone else. This is a man who will get his hands dirty but still feels like he deserves good in life, and he will take that good if he can. Strong, intelligent, a bit sarcastic, devilish, but has a very sweet and protective side this is a character that feels like he should be boring but is anything but. He charms everyone around him along with the reader. Be careful ladies, you might just get swept off your feet along with everyone else.

Raisa ana'Marianna: The main female of the series. She is a princess with a bite and a flirting streak a mile wide. She desires freedom and to be a warrior more so than a princess. But she accepts her role and wants to become the best queen the Queendom has ever seen. She loves her people and her family and is willing to do anything to keep everyone safe. She is lady-like and poised when she needs to be, but rough and tricky like her warrior family (father side) as well. She is a blend of politics and beauty with power and a sense of the wild within her. She goes after what she wants with a purpose, and perhaps a sense of naivety, but it is always for the best of others. And when something is targeting her she will always makes the toughest, but usually the best, choice that will do the most good for all. Though she has a desire for freedom and a partnership with actual love, Raisa is not someone who will simply cry and wait for any hero to rescue her. She is no ordinary princess and anything but a damsel. She is out to save herself and thousands of people and if needed, she is more than willing to do it on her own. Move over ladies of the romance genre, there is a new girl in town and she knows how to throw a punch.

These are the two main focused characters and what is so interesting is that the book follows both of them. Almost every other chapter switches from one POV to the other so you are totally immersed in both of them before they finally meet. These characters call for you to read more. You need to know what happens to them. 

Romance: Despite this being a fantasy/romance book, the love between the main protagonist are not the only love that is highlighted. Characters are shown to dearly love family despite the trouble and exhaustion they bring. Each character loves their friends and comrades who protect them and help become driving forces in such a bleak world. And there is love for the land and people. Many are willing to sacrifice everything for the Queendom out of pure loyalty and love. Love is what started all the sorrows and distasteful hate, and love is the only remedy for it.

But this doesn't feel like a stereotypical teenage romance despite how poetic I painted the picture. Chima gives it more meaning than that. And she also gives it less. Both of the main characters Raisa and Han are not the pure-hearted, misunderstood heroines and heroes of other books (at least not with romance). Both of them have had lustful flings and are physically burning for each other. Yet there are others...but why doesn't this feel like a sloppy, aggravating love-triangle that we may get in other types of YA fiction?

I think it is because of the way Chima writes. The love isn't happening to please the readers. This isn't a love to try and have the reader fit themselves into. This love belongs to each of these characters and each of these characters are feeling all the joys and pains that come along with it. Despite there being lustful connections and passion driven moments, all feelings on love feel anything but shallow.

The romance is also a perfect dramatic force that opens up floodgates for betrayals, battles, heartbreak, racism, and epic reveals.

Strengths: There are a lot of strengths within the series. Most focus on the previous mentioned categories such a plot and characters. 

1) The writing is fantastic. This will be bias since I am not fond of 1st Person Point of View. Because she keeps it 3rd Person it becomes a winner for me. But she does not keep it focused on Han. The chapters switch from following Han to following Raisa until they finally connect. This allows for the plot and the world to expand more. There is just not only one primary focus character. We are introduced to different customs, people, and drama because of this. It also makes the writing very well balanced. The moment one might feel a little tired of following Han and his misadventures we are taken to Raisa and her political warfare and suffocating life. It keeps the pace going very smoothly and everything very interesting.

2) There are so many secrets within the series it is almost impossible to remember them all, and yet you find yourself able to because each one is so vital to the story that moves it forward. It is impressive to see so many twists and turns within a series and have them all work together and not completely overwhelm everything else. It is like a soap opera, but better.

3) It is fun to get cliches that are woven into something brand new and powerful and fun. The dramas, romance, and characters are so powerful but realistic to the world they are in. There are flaws and internal-conflict within so many of the character that isn't for the purpose of making them attractive, but to just be a human in a world that feels like it is losing its humanity.

4) Racism. Sounds a bit weird, but the fact that the hateful racism is so thick and full of aggravating ignorance it just makes the book better. I wanted to start screaming at the characters and different moments for what they were doing to each other when everything around them was starting to fall apart.

5) The constant need to pull my hair out. This is not a book for those who want a simple, laid-back read. Once you start you are invested and you start to physically react to what is happening. My cousin and myself would talk to the book, make faces, scream, and get ready to pull our hair out. I don't know of many that can constantly make a reader react so often. Very big compliments.

In all honesty, there could be a long list of things I found very strong within the writing and the book. But I am afraid I would start to dip into the spoilers and we simply cannot have that, can we?

Weakness: In all honesty, there are not too many weakness I can speak of for the series. Each book is very well formulated and structured but filled with a lot of emotion and drama. However, to be fair I can say there are a few things that were not as perfect (though still close) to everything else.

1) This is a personal one of mine, but there were times I literally had to put the book down to take a breather. The drama and the intense emotions could be suffocating and there were times I was getting teary-eyed. When you feel so connected to the characters and when they are going through so much pain and betrayal it can actually hurt to read. Though a talent, I will admit I was emotionally drained reading at times and wanted to throw the book down and scream in misery for what was happening.

2) At the end, there did feel to be some loose ends. These loose-ends cannot be specified without spoilers, but there are some items that are not yet resolved and some characters who have not really met their true potential. However, I can't a 100% call this a weakness because of how the book worked overall. It wouldn't make sense if everything was tied up with a clean bow at the end of such a series. But while fitting, some might be a bit unsatisfied with that. I believe Chima, however, has said there are many stories within the Seven Realms and only one of them has been told.

I feel like I am being a bit biased because I am so fond of this series. But I simply struggle in finding really any more weaknesses (as if what I mentioned were actually weaknesses at all). This series was quite near perfection that it I don't see how I could ever dissect it deep enough to find flaws to bring up.

Cover: This might seem like a shallow attack at a lot of genres for the YA age group. However, every time I am in Barnes and Noble and I am just overwhelmed with the mundane blandness I see on most every single cover that is there. Each one appears to have almost the exact same cover with minor differences. Even within the Fantasy genre it feels like I am being stared back by a perfect teenage model (drawn or otherwise) who appears flawless and stunning. As if it is the outer beauty of the person which is most important about the contents within the book. Of course, this is not the case with each one and nor does every one of the covers with a person give off a shallow impression. However, it doesn't show for much originality.

Chima's covers are stunning. I was attracted to each cover by the graphics, the colors, the placement of everything...it feels like a work of art that fits in with the story and  what is happening within the cover. The cover not only grabs my attention in a sea of the same but it makes me question. What are these objects? It doesn't match the title of book (like a crown for king or queen) so what does it mean? It draws me in instantly and makes me want to touch it on top of reading it. Which is another smart thing that is done with the covers; they have texture. Perhaps not as much as some others may have but there is another that it feels different from others and it feels like the words and the item on the cover are trying to break free. If that alone doesn't earn a peek at what lays within (or at least a gander at the summary) I don't know what cover will.

The Author: Chima herself is also a standout figure when concerning the desire to read her books. While she might not be the most in-touch author with her audience (I have not done near enough research to make such a bold claim yet) she is definitely opening up opportunities for her readers to feel connected with her. On her website she has a section made for growing, potential writers filled with articles and questionaries for the most famous of questions. But in them she not only answers them, she can really get down and explain them. She goes in to explain the payment an author receives and even does example math for readers to get the idea. She doesn't just tell, she even shows when talking to her fans. It feels as if she knows how important this dream is for so many and is helping out as much as she possible and fairly can. It is a big plus when the readers allowed to feel a connection with the author outside of their writing. To know that they are looking out for those who are following in their footsteps. It really stands out and just makes me want to spread the word of her books and who she is.

There is also so much time and passion given to each book of her series. It feels like one of the most thought out series I have had the pleasure of reading. Much like Rowling, there is so much that happens in the first book or from history that intertwines everything that happens afterwards. Nothing should be overlooked when reading each book of the series. I must take my hat off to her for just how many details and connections were in the series. I feel it is one thing to write a book (that alone is rough) it is another thing to write one that is great and it is another thing entirely to write one that is fantastic. And to me, Chima has written a fantastic book.

To learn more about Cinda Chima Williams and her series please check out her site: 

http://www.cindachima.com/index.htm

Overall: I would rate the series 5 out of 5. The characters, plot, writing style, and emotion from beginning to end was pretty much near perfect that it would feel like a disservice to give her anything less.

I look forward to reading her first series The Heir Series which is going to be the next review I will do.

Book Review: Split Second

Books are a huge passion of mine. They are an inspiration, a joy, and just plain wonderful. Since they are so important to my life, and to many others who have a passion for writing (and yes, reading), I thought it would be a great thing to give a try reading, reviewing, and critiquing books.

I have found that it is much harder than it looks. Those who are able to tantalize another reader to trying out a book or warn others of flaws without giving much away is difficult. Much like any form of writing, it takes time and a lot of practice and editing to get it right. But, hopefully this first try will provoke some of you to pick up the following series!

Split Second

An FBI Thriller

By Catherine Coulter

Now, this might be an awkward place to start. This is actually a book  part of a series, the "FBI Thriller" series. However, Ms. Coulter's books can be read out of order. While many of the crimes and characters and plots can connect to each other and/or reappear, each book is very stand alone.You can start from the middle of the series and be able to understand what is going on with total ease. However, there is a chance that you might be mildly spoiled of previous books if you do so.

I'll start with the series over all.

Each book is following a very serious case. Typically a killer/killers or missing persons. The crimes can be incredibly dark, twisted, and powerful. These are more adult books and deal with crimes that some might not enjoy reading about. The cover to your left is the very first of the series and deals with a gruesome murder, stalking, betrayal, and paranoia. These dark themes are in most every book and though the details aren't typically overwhelming, these are not light-hearted stories. 

The series reminds me a lot of Criminal Minds. It typically focuses around a small group of FBI agents who will be sent across the nation to solve heinous or government-threat crimes. After the first book, it usually follows Detective Dillion Savich, an agent that specializes with computers and computer databases. He has even created a specialized computer system that helps in solving cases (MAX). He is the lead of the team and is highly respected and very intelligent. The team will always have Lacey Sherlock (her actual former-last name, SPOILER: She and Dillion are married right after Book 2: The Maze) and a few members that might weave in and out of the series.

There are usually at least two mysteries per book. Sometimes they are separate and sometimes they are connected together. And sometimes you're not even aware there is a second one till later in the story. But they usually meet up and the resolution can be a wild and spectacular twist or a soft, tense release. But the different mysteries don't take away or buttheads with each other.

Within each book there is always romance. In most all, it is between someone who has become involved in the case (as a victim, by chance, etc.) and another agent (one who, mentioned before, weaves in and out of the series). This most always has sexual tension and, yes, eventually sex. However, the main focus remains on the story and the crime. These moments do not typically take away from the plot nor the characters. The relationships are built up on and, while a bit fast, follow well with the story and how each character is set up. The relationships also have a lot of mystery and tension to it as well and intertwine great with the dark-plot of the story.

But the story does not just have intense drama and sexual tension. Sarcastic and witty humor are blended in on top of the adult romance and the dark crime. Ms. Coulter brings in some other genres and balance them nicely to make what is happening feel realistic. It does not all follow one genre and one genre alone. Because the content can be very heavy, adding in humor or some sweet flirty moments between characters adds a very nice contrast that gives the reader a moment to breathe.

Now, despite the content, the writing style is very easy to read and understand. Ms. Coulter does not have her sentences drag out. They are usually short and sweet and make the story flow. Her writing style for this particular series is very much action-based, but it is not all dialogue. This is something I find impressive because in so many advice articles, classes, and books that dialogue and movement is usually key for action stories. But I find that she brings in far more movement and tense slow silences rather that fast pace action. Of course, she has plenty of explosions, pop in your face moments that take you aback as well.

Ms. Coulter works very well with simplicity. Simplicity is her weapon of choice with her writing style and she uses it very well. This is not, typically, a series that will require a whole lot of thought even as you are working with the detectives to solve the crime. Though you are immerse in the story, you're still part of the audience, watching all of this happen.

Now, there Ms. Coulter is one of my favorite thriller-writers. I really have loved each of her FBI stories and get a lot of amusement and excitement from them. However, to be fair there are some negatives.

Warning, there might be some general spoilers following:

1) While the crimes themselves are very different, emotional, tense, and scary...the subplots are typically predictable. Now, some might like this. I don't have a problem with it, but others might not enjoy the fact that they can predict a lot about the romance or the characters.

2) She'll kill off people, she'll make you feel worry for each character because you really grow to love and care for them. However, she very rarely has a very sad/bad ending. I have not read every book in the series as of yet, but I have read most. And though I LOVE happy endings, there might be some of you who would appreciate a bit more dark realism and sad endings. You more than likely won't get a hardcore one in her books. But, I must say, while the endings will typically be happy, the middle content typically will not be.

3) This is a negative I find with a few different series and it is more of a lack of research and is mainly the book covers. I don't like it when the covers do not have the number the book in the series. True, it just takes a few minutes of research, but it is just a pet-peeve of mine and her books don't have it either. So if you are starting right from the middle, you might not realize it till you start to read the other of the books.

4) This is another thing some people might be split upon, but she will give you a nice background on characters that might or might not have a huge part in the story as a whole. I happen to like this. In real life, the people who might just be a witness to something still have a life and a story. Ms. Coulter likes to tell you about them for a paragraph or two. Some might not like this, maybe finding it pointless to the story and the characters were created just to see the car drive off or something like that. Some might be thrown off, expecting to have another character that would have a lot more to do with that story than they turn out to have.

5) Although it is in not in every book, Ms. Coulter can bring in the occult or something dealing with magic or religion that some might not consider real. If this is ever brought into a book, some might find it a bit confusing and takes away from the story over all that deals with something so serious. Dealing a serial killer that really can give you goosebumps and then be reminded of something almost fairy-tale-like become a negative. I will say, sometimes she works with these themes very well and sometimes it feels to fall a little short.

But overall, I would highly recommend trying her FBI Thriller series. If you enjoy thrillers, crime, drama, and not very complicated pieces of literature these are great entertaining books. Perfect for any day.

Now onto Split Second.

Summary from book flap: "The FBI's Savich and Sherlock are not comforted by the fact that the vicious serial killer they're hunting shares DNA with the notorious Ted Bundy. Meanwhile, Special Agent Lucy Carlisle learns her family tree may also be tainted. At least, that's how it appears when Lucy finds a skeleton in her grandmother's attack. Could it be her long-lost grandfather? This discovery of a ring sewn into the body's trouser cuff leads to revelations about her grandmother's obsession with the ornament and a mysterious group called The Protectors. While all this makes little sense to Lucy, she inuits that her discovery is tied to the killer who has Savich and Sherlock in his crosshairs. And only she can save them...."

Snippet of 1st Chapter by Catherine Coulter:

"Georgetown, Washington, D.C.
Tuesday night

Nonfat milk, Fritos, and bananas, Savich repeated to himself as he pulled into the parking lot of Mr. Patil's Shop 'n Go. It was after eight o'clock, and Savich was on his way home from a hard workout at the gym. He felt good, his muscles relaxed and warm, and he looked forward to playing with Sean, maybe with his new video game, Wonky Wizards. He breathed in deeply, enjoying the bite of fall in the air. He looked up at the low-lying clouds that promised to bring showers in the next couple of hours. Nonfat milk and Fritos and--what else?

There was only one car in the parking lot, which wasn't unusual at this time of the evening. A strange play of rapid movement behind the store's large glass window caught his eye. He pulled the Porsche to the far side of the parking lot, out of the line of sight, got out, quietly closed the door, and walked to the edge of the window. he could see a man inside, his face flattened in a leg of pantyhose, standing in front of the counter, pointing a Saturday night special at Mr. Patil's chest. Mr. Patil, who wasn't more than five five with lifts in his shoes and was at least seventy-five years old, looked petrified. He could hear the man yelling at him, but couldn't make out what he was saying. Then he saw a customer. At the end of the counter stood a man about his own age, wearing a bright red Redskins sweatshirt, jeans, and glasses.

Savich felt his heart seize.

Pressed against the man's legs were two small children, a boy and a girl. His hands were wrapped around their shoulders, hugging them tightly against him. Each child held an ice- cream bar, now forgotten.

Keep it together. He couldn't call 911, and take the chance of sirens freaking the guy out, not with kids still in the line of fire. He quickly ran around to the back of the Shop 'n Go and heard the engine running before he saw the Chevy Impala, tucked in the shadows off the parking asphalt. He saw a woman in the driver's seat, leaning in toward the passenger's side to get a partial view inside the store. Since she wasn't wearing panty hose on her head, she obviously wasn't slated to join the actual robbery; she was just there to drive the man in the store out of here. Savich couldn't see the license plate. No matter. She hadn't seen him. Good.

Forget her, let her get away. He crouched down and ran back around to the front of the store. He held his SIG at his side and began whistling. He opened the door and called out, "Good evening, Mr. Patil," and the man in the panty hose whirled around, his gun leading, as the little girl yelled," He'll hurt you!"

The man froze for the longest instant of time in Savich's memory. Savich saw the father grab the children and hurl them to the floor, and then he fell over them while Mr. Patil hefted a six-pack of beer the man had brought to the counter. Then Savich's SIG was up, and he fired. The rule was always to fire only when you intended to kill, but the bullet didn't go into the man's chest, it went into his shoulder. The man screamed, fell hard to his knees, clutching his shoulder, and the .22 went flying."

As you read, the story starts off rolling fast. You're (re-)introduced to Agent Savich who is thrown into one of the first mysteries of the book. But the main focus is this serial killer who is murdering woman and has a connection to an infamous killer Ted Bundy. Now, this man is NOT from a previous book nor is he fiction. Ms. Coulter uses an actual serial killer. You do not need to read up on him to understand anything in the book, a general snypopis of his crimes is explained. The serial killer is a sort of copy-cat killer of Ted Bundy and is very twisted in their reasons for the killings.

The FBI unit led by Dillion Savich is on the case to find this killer and put a stop to him. Within his team is his wife Lacey Sherlock, Lucy Carlisle, and Cooper McKnight. But before they are able to get a proper start to the investigation, Lucy get's the shocking phone call that her father has suffered a heart-attack.

For a few chapters it is about her life after losing him and the agents concern for her and their investigation. Things are growing slow and worrisome until Lucy discovers a shocking secret and the agents get DNA from their killer. Twists and turns abound for this book!

There are four to five mysteries in total for Split Second. It feels like it has much more than Ms. Coulter's typical books. Usually there are two to three.

The serial killer is the main focus of the book. Interestingly enough it starts off on the second chapter with this investigation. And what a terrifying start it is. You're placed within the mind of the first victim and are instantly involved in the capture of this twisted individual. The serial killer mystery is heart pounding and heart wrenching and keeps throwing so many surprising twists you won't be sure which way to look.

Lucy discovers her grandfather's remains in the attic of her grandmother's house. You, and Lucy, know from chapter three who the killer was (again in a heart wrenching way) but not the why. But the discovery of the body isn't until towards the early-middle of the book. A body is known about but unable to be found.

A mysterious ring found on the grandfather's body. This is the key to the many troubles that start to follow Lucy around and has a special ability that most are prepared to kill for.

How the whole book starts off is the next biggest mystery. An attempted robbery gone wrong or something else? You will watch as Detective Savich solves this attempted murder while balancing having another killer after his life.

Now onto the main things I really enjoyed about this particular book.

Positives (minor SPOILERS ahead)

1) The killer in this book is great. The twists and turns and frustrations are played out great. You're built up to really, really just loathe them and their insanity then right towards then end you start to feel pity! It was done very well and their crimes and actions were sickening and horrible. It made for a good mystery story. You keep reading to make sure they meet their justice and you feel terror and want to scream at the pages when they approach their victims. (btw: just because I say they don't assume it is more than one or less than one.)

2) The background mysteries are really fun. While they might not be the best side-mysteries of hers overall, they are tantizling enough that you just want to know what is going on. What I really liked, and what just made me keep reading in a frustrating 'gah! gotta know!' manner, was how she would bring it in then go back to the main mystery for chapters and chapters then BAM you're reminded about it. And you are reminded in a way that makes you want to forget the other mysteries and then BAM you're back in another. It was fabulously horrible. It really forced me to keep reading it, but in an enjoyable way. I think being "fabulously horrible" should be exactly how a mystery/crime thriller should be.

3) This goes a bit with the 2 point but the build up of tension is done well. It is something I don't think I have ever been disappointed with Ms. Coulter's work. She knows just how long to draw something out before turning your attention to another thing, bringing it back to the focus again, and then resolving it. Now, I will admit sometimes the finish off isn't as good as it feels like it could've been, but typically they are done really well and always so much fun to read about. They also provide a break between the main typically heavier crime.

This will be a good time to transition into the negatives the book posed. While I enjoyed the crimes and the main villain greatly. I found that there were plenty of aspects in the book that was lacking.

Negatives (minor SPOILERS ahead)

1) Remember how I mentioned above about a magic or occult theme may be introduced into the story? Well it is in this book and it falls a little short for me. What the magic is is really fun and how it is connected to one of the different crimes (won't say which one) is very cool. However, something feels lacking in how this "magic" is used throughout the book.

2) The summary is very misleading this time. Typically it isn't, but the summary makes something feels like a big point but I honestly can't even remember it being mentioned.

3) I had issues with the main female of this book, Lucy Carlisle. I found she was a bit flat and was overshadowed by the rest of the characters in the book. She was almost too normal in the sea of some pretty interesting people (like Savich and Sherlock). And the outstanding quirk/flaw she had was more frustrating than interesting. She has trust issues with those around her and keeps lying despite the fact she understands it would be better in the long run to tell the truth. However, she seems to keep things going in a circle or dragging on because she simply does not want to tell those who care about her what she is going through. This could've been a fun quirk, however, I feel like I didn't get a positive impact from it and it hindered me in connecting with Lucy.

4) I was a bit thrown off by Savich's character in this one. Or at least a bit what was happening around him. It might be hard to put into words, but for some reason it felt like there were just constant opportunities for him to cheat on his wife. It is not in his character too, but it felt like more woman were hitting on him and something about the wording in his reaction felt like he was tempted to. I didn't like this since this is really not Dillion Savich that I've known for about...I think this might be the 16th book. So that was a turn off.

Overall, this might be my least favorite of the series so far. It is not a bad book by any means, but it doesn't seem to match some of the great ones like The Maze or Riptide. I feel like with one of the main characters lacking and the magic-theme not reaching its full potential it left a lot to be desired. But it is certainly not something to be passed over if one was to start the series. There were plenty of positives about it that would give a people a lot of enjoyment.

I would rate this book about 2.5 out of 5 stars, but the series over all would have to at least be a 4 out of 5.

I recommend this book and the series to older teens (maybe 17) and above. There are some very dark themes and some sexual tones that would not be appropriate for anyone much younger than the given age.

If you just want a laid back and entertaining book too read, I would recommend this book and series. It is easy to get into, easy to follow, and easy to read. This is not a dramatic-headache book and feels like it could easily be turned into a movie. You want a book you could read probably within less than a week and a good escape? You like mystery and crime? You enjoy some pretty believable and fun romances? Go for the FBI Thriller series!

If you are interested in any of Catherine Coulter's work along with getting some snippets of the first chapters, please check out her website: http://www.catherinecoulter.com/

Finding the Good Enough

Insecure Writer's Support Group--November Edition

Better later than never, right? Just been a hard few weeks so I am a bit behind.

A little bit ago, my teacher for Technical Editing mentioned a good, professional writer can see when something is good enough. And that sounds pretty spot on, in my opinion.

Writers can go through so many editions, rewrites, editing, double-checking, and overall suffering from the lack of perfection. But I don't think a work in process can ever really reach the level of perfection. I'm not sure that level exists for anything in the world. If one was to constantly aim for that they will never be ready to let go of their project.

17, 50, 98 editions and years later and it's still not to the level you want....it's because one hasn't been able to see the 'good enough' and move on. Can anything really ever be perfection? As covered in a previous post, I just don't think it can. An author will just need to know when the project is good enough to submit.

And just because you send it off doesn't mean that it is gone out of twitchy fingers forever. We all know it takes an astronomical amount of luck to get accepted by agents/publishers instantly. You will probably have time to keep learning and to edit a little. But during Spring, I listened to a short-story author speak at the school and he said that there are works that have been published that he could've gone over multiple times, forever perhaps. But he had sent it in and it was published and it was very well received.

OK, I think we can all agree that there needs to be a time where you say "alright, that's good enough" but how on earth do you get to that? If anyone knows an actual answer, please share! I can only assume it is just about training and just pushing the project away.

Perhaps it is just about getting excited or impatient and sending the work in? Though that sounds a bit risky, it does give you a chance to branch out and try to get it read. But if you're rejected, you just started the learning process early and maybe you will be lucky enough to be told what is wrong.

But what if you don't want to send something in before you know that you have reached that good enough? Well, there is the pickle. It could be very personal and whenever you feel that you are ready, however that moment might not hit everyone.

I would say, you probably should rewrite the story more than three or four times and shouldn't re-edit more than MAYBE seven (overall). Once you start reaching those numbers, you might want to step back and start sending them in. In general, if these numbers make you uncomfortable, I would keep it all under the number 10. UNLESS you really do need to completely change up your story, you shouldn't be going overboard like that.

Now is this the right now? More than likely not. This is just my personal opinion.

In truth, I think you must set up a personal limit. Tell yourself you will NOT go over 10, 12, 15 editions or rewrites. Once you reach that number, you will let it go. Maybe you will come back to it, maybe it will be accepted and publishing, or just maybe you need to step back from it for a while and move on to another project.

Now, just to let you know, I am not saying be lazy or not try. Work hard on your project. Give it the love and attention that it deserves. If this is your dream, work hard to make sure that you reach that dream.

Just don't let the haunting thought of perfection control you from ever sending out your work. Just take a deep breath and take the plunge into sending things out once you think you have reached "it's good enough".

Don't Compare, Be Inspired

Insecure Writer's Support Group--September Edition

This past week, my good friend and myself started to talk about writing. We're both working hard on our series and trying to get them complete and out into the world. She is quite a bit further than myself and is progressing at a level I wish I could accomplish now.

But, I was surprised when she said she didn't feel like she was doing near enough. This is a girl who is working full-time, about to get started her semester, dealing with crazy family adventures, and life in general. And she STILL has a work in progress that is being written with great care, emotion, and time. Yet she still felt like it was not enough.

She was comparing herself to another author who would lock himself up for weeks and do nothing but write, hours a day, non-stop.

It didn't seem right to me. She is such a talented, incredible writer who is writing on a full-time schedule and she still doesn't feel like it is enough.

Being a writer, new to the field, is very hard to see the greatness you have in your hands. I think most everyone compares themselves to someone else. I know I have! Back to Christopher Paolini--the guy got his story out when he was younger than myself. How can I not compare myself to that? How can I not feel lazy when he got a best-selling, movie inspiring book so young? Or the fact that my friend is so far ahead when we started at around the same time?

You can't do this. It pressures you in a way I don't think is healthy. You're comparing yourself to someone different, with a different life, from a different time and it is not fair to you or your work.

If you have a life outside of writing, don't sacrifice it (job, family, health, school, etc.). By doing that you will probably hurt yourself and, in turn, your writing.

If you feel too pressured you're going to rush, you're going to lose your writing style, and you will add even more time to your schedule because you will have to go back and rewrite AGAIN.

You need to be who you are as you write. You also need to be fair to yourself. Not everyone works the exact same. Some work great on a tight schedule and under pressure. Some don't. Some are able to get hours in of writing during a full life-schedule and some can only get in thirty minutes. Some authors had nothing to do but write and the majority of people today have everything to do except write.

Don't let your confidence be shaken in who you are as a writer because others write more. Instead, you need to be inspired from their accomplishments. That author get published younger than you? Take it as a healthy challenge to get just a bit more time set aside for writing.

There is a difference between feeling pressured by comparing yourself to an author and being inspired by them. I need to stop thinking I'm not a hard-worker because I am not finished with my first book. My friend needs to stop thinking she isn't one because she doesn't lock herself up to write. And others need to stop thinking that they are less of a writer if they don't get something accomplished by a certain time.

We all have our own personal beat. Don't try to copy someone else's if it really doesn't work for you.

Another little advice to go with this: Don't be afraid to go to someone on occasion to get an ego-boost! You certainly don't want to make a habit of it, because as writers we need critiques to progress and evolve. However, it is because we are writers that we need to get some compliments about something that we are doing.

Writing is a difficult task, even if you're doing it just for fun. This is something that takes hard-work and  a lot of emotion. It is very easy to get lost and down because of how long it is taking to write something to the fact the work is getting rejected. Go to a friend, family, or fellow writer and ask if they can just tell you the good things about your work for that day.

Sometimes, the critiques and things that need to change or what we need to do to get better overwhelms us and overshadows what we're doing great on. So go out there and take in some positive feedback. You deserve it.

How to Write...

...when you simply don't want to.

 

Cause man, there are times I just DON’T want to write. I don’t mean a writer’s block, there are ideas there…but no drive to write them down. And it’s not just about my novel. I just feel lazy to do useful stuff. I won’t go and read and review blogs, write my fanfiction, write updates for my own blog, etc.

There is just simply a sense of laziness where I just feel like I don’t even want to pick up a pencil. The things on TV or YouTube just sound so much more intriguing. Even things that would typically inspire me to write just don’t shine like they would typically.

It’s like a whiny pre-teen saying “the world doesn’t want me to!”. Thank goodness, I realized instantly it was my own fault, but even that didn’t get me to writing anything.

So what to do when there is no drive to attempt to do any writing?

In truth, I’m not a 100% sure myself.

This round, I had to just let it pass on its own. Forcing myself to get into a writing mood, to think of a new post for the blog, even going and reading & reviewing….it didn’t work out. It certainly made me feel pretty bad about not doing anything, but even that didn’t move me enough.

It just had to happen when it was meant to happen.

But first a question; is it a real bad thing to not want to write?

At first, I would say “OMG YES” because it is emotionally taxing to not do your passion. I feel like I am missing out on opportunities. Deadlines and goals I had made for myself are slipping away. I’m being far too lazy for it to be beneficial.

However, there is another side to this.

Let’s look at it from a physical stance. Anyone who works out and does sports probably knows you gotta have at least one day of rest so you don’t damage your body. And your body can give you signs that it needs to stop. Perhaps this was my mind telling me it needed a break.

After all, you can’t look at the same thing every day and catch something new. A break just might be needed to find the things you were missing.

After this “lazy break”, I am finding new sides to my story, finding awkward things I had missed over, inspired to write about it in this post…and it is possible all of this is coming through because of stopping.

But, I will be the first to admit I don’t think I went about it the best way. I think I went a few weeks without any type of progression with my writing. If it was a Writer’s Block, yes it would stink, but it would feel more like I was sick. This, as a mentioned before, feels like I was just lazy and didn’t even try to become inspired.

Taking a break is one thing. Letting it work itself out isn’t that bad either. But I’m not sure if I made enough of an attempt to get over this lazy hump. I was simply too lazy to try.

So, in simple terms I always think it never hurts to try…even when you really don’t want too. Even just a sentence or two that you might scrap later, it is still something you did and tried for. If that is all you can manage that one day, well, you had a good shot!

I think it should be done, not because I am anti-lazy or having a pity-fest about my lack of writing, but because you never know what will be the thing to re-ignite the writing spark.

I’ll leave off with a quote from Writer’s Digest;

“One thing that helps is to give myself permission to write badly. I tell myself that I’m going to do my five or ten pages no matter what, and that I can always tear them up the following morning if I want. I’ll have lost nothing—writing and tearing up five pages would leave me no further behind than if I took the day off.” -- Lawrence Block (June 1981)

Always try. I don’t think there is ever a loss to trying, but there can be great loss in not.

Awards!

Thanks to the wonderful and generous Candilynn Fite, I have been given the Booker, Be Inspired, Liebster, and Fabulous Blog Ribbon!

For the Booker Award:

The Rules: This award is for book bloggers only. To receive this award the blog must be at least 50% about books (reading or writing is okay)

Along with receiving this award, you must also share your top five favorite books you have ever read. You must award 5 bloggers, with booky blogs you adore.

My Top Five

This is hard, I am unsure if these are for sure my top ones or not. But these are some I really love and strongly urge for those who have not read them to read them! They are in no particular order and some are more based on author and series.

Small Steps: The Year I Got Polio by Peg Kehret

The FBI series by Catherine Coulter

The Seven Realms series by Cinda Williams Chima

Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling

The Hobbit by J.R. Tolkien

Thank you so much for these. This means just so much. I really can't express how much this means! 

Randi Lee

Katharina Brendel

Andrea Teagan

Gina

Simon P. Clark

Sunny Smith

There are so many people out there that has such great, wonderful blogs! Hope everyone enjoys the awards!! And thank you, Candilynn Fite again for these! They mean so much!