I succumbed

I've been thinking, World of Books December 11, 2013 Comments: 3

If you’ve been wondering where I’ve been lately and what I’ve been doing, the answer is home, watching Vampire Diaries.

Yes, I watch teenage vampire soap operas it seems. And make no mistake, it’s a soap opera type of series.

I can’t help but be reminded of Penny in Big Bang Theory getting addicted to a video game. I have a bit of a geeky taste, yes. I adore Big Bang Theory and laugh my heart out watching it.

I also love science-fiction and fantasy and can talk about books and movies from both genres while also knowing the difference between Star Wars and Star Trek (I do get lost in the variants and generations a bit though when they stray from Captain Janeway, Captain Picard and Captain Kirk).

But to get back to the point – I got addicted to Vampire Diaries. Luckily for me, I’m half-way through season 4 and I won’t watch season 5 until it’s finished but that won’t take me that long as four combined.vampire

I feel a bit stupid as I stopped reading books at some point because the story just got winded (the same happened with The House of Night books, which if they ever get turned into a series, will also be a teenage vampire soap opera.

Anyway, the story and characters have gaping holes at some points and you feel like tearing your hair out, but it somehow just works and sucks you in. I don’t even want to go into all the violence and alcohol that might actually sound more than tempting after watching this (I know the whisky they keep drinking is certainly tempting me).

Still, I can’t help it – I spend all my free time watching it and enjoying every moment. 🙂

Luckily there is not much left so I’ll be back to my regular life soon. And keeping time with my read-along.

That is definitely a telling sign, I don’t even read because I need to watch this.

Addicted.

N. K. Jemisin: The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms read-along, #1

Book review, World of Books December 2, 2013 Comments: 9

I am so glad I got convinced into doing this read-along as well because the book has got me seriously hooked. 🙂

This week’s questions were brought by Susan from Dab of Darkness.

Beware, spoilers lurk below.

1) We’ve met our narrator, Yeine. What are your first impressions? Do you like the chosen form of story telling so far? 
Actually, yes I do. It’s obvious at some point in the future the fight for the throne has gotten bad and she kingdomis suffering for it and while doing that remembering how it started. I like the little interludes where she tries to find some clearness of mind. It makes you like her from the start – how hard she tries despite thinking she’ll die soon (or lose all her memory).

2) Yeine essentially has two families – the Darre (her father’s people) and the Arameri (her mother’s people). What do you think of her two halves? Do you think one will win out over the other within Yeine?

I’m thinking if one wins it might be Darre. But if she can harness the best of both worlds, that would be great. I mean she’s already doing it. And it seems to be going well so far.

3) We meet the Enefa, the enslaved gods. Which do you wish to know the backstory to the most? What do you think of their enslavement?

I’m still not sure how that came about, I wonder if it will get better explained later on. It’s certainly a very strange twist. I think I’ll go with Nahadoth because it seems there is some kind of love in that story. I mean, the jealousy is certainly there…

4) Nahadoth finally catches up to Yeine and his first words and actions are mysteries to her. Gibbering or meaning? 

Of course there is meaning to that. We just don’t know what it means because Yeine doesn’t know what it means. Hopefully we will.

5) We’ve met the competition for the unspoken throne – Lady Scimina and Lord Relad. How do you think they will complicate Yeine’s life?

In unpredictable ways. I hope Scimina doesn’t turn to Darre which seems to be what Relad thinks. Or if she does, Yeine stops her smartly. I can’t even begin to guess what’s on Relad’s mind which makes me wary of him. There might be some bad possibilities in that.

6) The Enefa obviously want something from Yeine. What do you think that is and how do you think Yeine will react to their wants? 

Well, if I were to guess, I’d say she might have something to do with freeing them. I don’t see any other reason why they would be so very interested otherwise.

Since  Yeine strikes me as  reasonable and fair, if what they plan to do is honest and doesn’t hurt innocent people, I think she’ll go with it.

See you next Monday!

In the meantime, go check what my fellow readers wrote:

Dab of Darkness

Books without any pictures

On Starships & Dragonwings

The Little Red Reviewer

Violin in a Void

Many a True Nerd

Nashville Book Worm

 

 

Today I’m ashamed to be a Croat

I've been thinking December 2, 2013 Comments: 35

It seems we are a nation that is either intolerant of differences or generally doesn’t care at all.

Croatia had to vote today on a referendum whether it will be put into our constitution that marriage is a union between a man and a woman.

So, after today, we are going to have an additional clause in it, saying exactly that.

To think that I live among smart, tolerant people was obviously a serious judgment error on my part. Because it seems 65% of voters today think it’s okay to limit the right to marriage. That is, 65% of the 38% of people who actually care one way or the other. As that was the percentage of voters today – 38%.

My heart aches knowing that I live in a country where this can happen and no one can do anything about it (too many idiotic things allowed, leading to such a stupid outcome).

The most incredible thing is that none of the arguments why limiting marriage would be ok is actually based in logic, Catholic religion or common human decency. But the other side kept bringing those up like it were, and now it seems to have worked.

I do wish I lived someplace else where things like this don’t happen and people actually listen to common sense. Aren’t hypocritical. Mean. Or just plain stupid.

Still, it hurts. And I feel ashamed.

So, if anyone has a job offer anywhere that isn’t Croatia, I would be more than willing to consider it.

Scott Lynch: The Republic of Thieves, the final thoughts

Book review, World of Books November 25, 2013 Comments: 15

Our adventure  in Karthain is at an end but it seems there are many more awaiting us in the future. 😉

This week’s questions were brought to us by Allie:

In Espara:

1. The Republic of Thieves:  It’s the first and final performance!  What did you think of the play?  Were you entertained, or eager to get on with the rest of the story?  Also, how do you feel about how the play fits in the novel, in terms of the story and the characters who images (2)play the parts?

It was fun but at this point I was very eager to get to the Karthain part of the story. It was fun to read about Espara though and I think the whole interlude fit nicely into the story. But that’s it for me, it was just an interlude to get to the more interesting part. 😉

 

2. The Other Performance:  Of course, the GB and company had another important performance to get through—the one that ensures none of them end up hanged!  What was your favorite part of this scheme?  Do you agree with their plan for dealing with Moncraine’s treachery?

I don’t think there was anything else they could have done about Moncraine. But that whole performance was worthy of theater! It was such smart thinking on their feet and under true duress, I was very glad to see it succeed. Best part? I’m not sure – possibly the one where Sabetha and Locke get the unexpected lecture…

 

In Karthain…

3. The Election:  It seems Lovaris was indeed the final trick, and the election is over.  Are you satisfied with how things turned out? Do you wish that the election had focused more on the political problems of Karthain, or are you satisfied with the mudslinging and pranks that went on between Locke and Sabetha?

I’m satisfied. With everything. I didn’t think Lynch would pull another stand-off between Locke and Sabetha (like we had in the beginning of the book) but he had, and I’m glad he did. I think that works best for the dynamics of the duo. No one getting the upper hand.

 

4. The War: Do you have any speculation on what specific issues might have escalated the two Bondsmagi factions rivalry into this kind of violence?  What do you think the surviving Bondsmagi will do next, with all their gathered money and knowledge?

I knew the faction wanted to take over power but I thought it was only political. I didn’t understand that both parties would actually aim to kill the opponents. I didn’t see that coming at all, and  for the surviving Bondsmagi, I have no idea what they will do or where will they go, but I think they lost an important player at the end of the story.

Why it escalated? Because the faction wanted to gain more power and basically take over the world?

 

5. Patience: Given the final revelation that Patience does hate Locke for what he did to the Falconer, what do you make of her behavior towards Locke throughout the book?  Do you think her plan of vengeance is well suited to Locke?  What do you make of the Black images (1)Amaranth story now, as well as the prophecy she threw on top?

Oh hell! Can I just say that I didn’t feel bad at all by the end of the book and her downfall. She really got on my nerves with that whole “I’m so much better, stronger and smarter than you Locke and I’ll basically ruin your life with what I’m about to reveal”.

I don’t trust her – especially since she explained why they called her the Seamstress. I think whatever she knew about Locke’s future, she made it sound in a way that would fit her machinations and sound bad for Locke.

And speaking of her predictions, I know she couldn’t have foreseen her own future but how did she miss the Falconer’s?! Because she interfered with it?

 

6. The Epilogue: Speaking of vengeance, do you think the Falconer’s vengeance against his mother was merited or excessively cruel, given the circumstances?  On that note, how do you feel about the Falconer’s transformation and possible status as a continuing villain?

After what she did to Locke’s state of mind and after her arrogance and conceit, I’m fine with it. It’s obvious she also had her fingers in Falconer’s fate so it seems she’s actually a bad guy (woman). Also, I don’t think there was much else he was able to do at that point.

As for Falconer being the villain, well, it’s SCARY AS HELL. Honestly, the anger and power in him, I’m scared for Locke. Albeit, if we listen to Patience, it will take some time for Locke to find and lose the 3 things, so he might be fine for quite some time yet (before the silver rain). I think the Falconer will go after the Bondsmagi first.

 

7. Wrapping up:  Thus ends the third book in the Gentleman Bastard sequence.  How do you think it compares with the first two?  In the end, do you prefer the Espara storyline or the Karthain storyline, or did you like them both equally?

I wish the guys would finish an adventure richer than when they started with which shouldn’t be that difficult as they are always poor in the beginning. But no, that doesn’t seem possible it seems. 🙂 At least no one is dying this time around…

Of course I prefer the Karthain storyline, Espara was fun but the real stuff was happening in Karthain.

Final thoughts: Honestly, I felt kind of stupid Jean had to point it out to Locke (and me) that they better run for it, as someone will probably invade Karthain asap. 🙂

Check out the final thoughts of my fellow Gentleman readers:

Tethyan Books

Violin in a Void

Over the Effing Rainbow

Genkinahito’s Blog

Lynn’s Book Blog

The Little Red Reviewer

Joma’s Fantasy Books

Coffee, Cookies and Chili Peppers

Theft and Sorcery

Dab of Darkness

 

Hunger Games: Catching Fire (the movie)

World of Books November 20, 2013 Comments: 10

I was very lucky to win tickets to the Croatian premiere of the movie so I watched it yesterday. For the first time. I believe there will be another movie date for the same movie in the near future. 😉

I guess that tells you enough of what I think of it. 🙂

katn

I’ve read the books quite some time ago (I do think I’ll be reading them again) and loved them. Now I watched the first two movies of the series, I can say I’m happy with how much they are sticking to the story and that Jennifer Lawrence deserved the Oscar she received.

The movie is a ride from the start to the finish, even the parts where the story is not action-packed, it’s either emotionally or atmospherically strong.

Jennifer brought the Katniss from the book to such unbelievable life that I actually understood more of the book character while watching the movie, than I did when I was reading it. The same parts that is. In the end, I understood that Katniss is a force to reckon with just because she is a girl who wants to love her life in peace with her family and will do anything to protect them (I wonder if she would be Scorpio, I don’t remember if the date of her birth is given in the book).

Katniss is an incredibly well written character and very different from what we as YA readers are used to. And Jennifer brought it all to life as if she was born to be Katniss.

I find it difficult to put my thoughts into words as I’m still reeling from the movie. The bad thing? I know what to expect in the next movies and I’m scared of the emotional backlash it will cause. The good thing? I get to see 2 more movies

peeta

starring these wonderful actors. And they are all truly great in the way they brought the book to life.

The most incredible thing? The life-like feel of the movie. The fact that you can see Effie’s make-up the way it would look up close if you were standing there. People generally looking like they would if you saw them  on the street. The slow turn of the tides, caused by Katniss being Katniss. I wish I could say more on that subject but it would spoil the future films for the people who haven’t read the books.

If you have a chance, do read them. The background will be better explained and the politics around the story will start to take shape.

And speaking of politics, Donald Sutherland made sure President Snow is portrayed in perfect unison with the book. Masterful!

Just watching the two of them acting and interacting (Donald and Jennifer) makes it a worthwhile trip to the cinema.

If you’ve seen the movie, do let me know what you thought. 🙂effie

P.S. Honorable mentions for being great in bringing characters to life go to: Woody Harrelson for Haymitch, Elizabeth Banks for Effie, Jena Malone for Johanna, Sam Claflin for Finnick and of course, Josh Hutcherson for Peeta.

 

Scott Lynch: The Republic of Thieves read-along #4

Book review, World of Books November 18, 2013 Comments: 19

This week’s questions were provided by Andrea, The Little Red Reviewer.

It’s becoming obvious we’re heading towards the end, I feel a bit raw with this week’s discoveries.

Let’s start with the Espara timeline.images (2)

1. We finally know why Sabetha dies her hair, and that’s so disturbing even the Thiefmaker under Shade’s Hill was disgusted by it. Too dark for this world? Or just right?

Nothing is too dark for this world it seems. But it was almost vomit-inducing. Seriously?! How do people come up with these ideas?! And I would guess it might not have been an actual idea of Mr. Lynch, unfortunately, I wouldn’t be surprised if something like that actually happened during human history.

Hope they burn in hell.

2. The “Asino” brothers are drunken idiots, but they’re not blind. What did you think of the little rendezvous they helped arrange for Sabetha and Locke?

Yaaay! They have good hearts and teenage hormones. Those aren’t mutually exclusive, the heart just might not have time to do its job under all that wine most of the time. 😉

3. Locke managed to get everyone out of the Boulidazi mess we discussed last week . . . what do you think of this latest  Boulidazi complication?

A little rock in the road. 🙂 After the kiss, I think this will be easy. Then again, it might blow up in their faces. Who knows with Mr. Lynch…

And back to Karthain (I’m jumping around in time here, leaving the most important bits for last)

images (1)

4.Time is flying, and the election is getting closer. Desperation calls for cheap tricks. I think my favorite so far is Sabetha’s special roof guards. What’s your favorite election dirty trick so far?

That was brilliant! Ingenious! I think this is my favorite trick. Because it’s funny.

5.There’s a mole in the Deep Roots. Was that person’s identity a surprise to you? And how did you like Locke’s method of identifying the person?

Well it wasn’t surprise once they caught him – it was obvious he was going to be the double agent for Sabetha. I must say I expected Locke to figure it out sooner. The method was good, but I really thought it would be easier for him to figure it out. Oh well, he did have other things to think about…

6.What’s so important about this Lovaris fellow? The election is right around the corner, so why introduce someone new so late in the game? 

Who is Lovaris? I know I read the name and now I can’t remember who he is. Shit. I need to go check.

Oh, yes, I remember. Well, by the end of those two chapters, it seems he is an unwilling participant in a ploy of Locke’s. Possibly. I love the fact that his name makes me think of someone looking for money (lova means money in slang Croatian).

7. It’s so nice that Locke and Sabetha can finally have some nice, normal dinner dates. He even cooks her dinner! But that sneaky Patience, always interrupting everything! Finally, she promises some answers. that’s nice. what, Locke is WHO? Locke is a WHAT? How much of it do you believe?

Basically all, except the fact he is actually the White/Black Amaranth. Or an actual Bondsmagi. Whatever happened, I think he is another person from what Patience thinks. I also agree with Jean when he says she twisted the information she gave him so it would sound as awful as it did.

I’m really scared about reading the end. 😦

 

Here is what my fellow readers had to say about it all:

The Little Red Reviewer

Over The Effing Rainbow

Dab of Darkness

Tethyan Books

Lynn’s Book Blog

Genkinahito’s Blog

Theft and Sorcery

Joma’s Fantasy Books

Impromptu giveaway

World of Perfume November 14, 2013 Comments: 5

This will be short and sweet (I hope).

As the winner of Sigili Electra never claimed her decant and I also found two small decants I don’t need, the first person to claim one of these, wins. I know, it’s not the usual type of luck, but at least this way I know the winner will know about winning. 🙂

So, you can choose one of these, and the first comment for one wins. Basically, the first person gets to choose and there are two winners:

Choice 1: 10 ml decant of Sigili Electra

Choice 2: 5ml of Jasmine et Cigarette by ELdO and 2ml of Orange Star by Andy Tauer (plus 2 samples of my choice)

Black is my new favorite color

Perfume thoughts, World of Perfume November 13, 2013 Comments: 17

And not only because I have a new perfume love called Black. 😉

This is more of a side note, but after years of trying to fix my wardrobe so it’s not dark and colorless, and now after actually succeeding, I again feel the need to wear black specifically. Other dark colors are as good as bold colors, but it’s black I crave and black I feel good in.black pure

Back to Black. 😉

As with most Puredistance perfumes, (in the beginning) no one actually knows what are the notes. Except the perfumer of course (Antoine Lie – I had  already joked on account of his last name but decided it might be inappropriate).

Anyway, what I wanted to say is, we all depend on our noses. And in order for other noses not to influence what mine smells, I was very good in avoiding all the reviews so far. Now I’ll be able to go and read what other people smelled.

So what do I smell?

It starts feeling masculine (which I love!), I would call it fougere-like with lavender + something else reminding me a bit of HdP Veni with the warmth and cardamom and dryness. There is some kind of a herb that makes it smell a bit medicinal but there are definitely more spices wafting around a boozy note I imagine rum should smell like.

It is a lightly boozy, woody, ambery concoction where you can tell that the base holds more of the lovely, oozy notes – you know, dark, mysterious and thick (like patchouli, camphor?, and I would say oud).

You can see here the smoke you smell

You can see here the smoke you smell

Because there is a smokiness appearing after the initial blast passes.

And then tobacco hits you. 🙂 You better be prepared because it’s not for the faint of stomach. OK, so I’m being overly dramatic, but I did smell it on a day my stomach was feeling queasy and I can tell you, tobacco is not good for your stomach.

Now that you know what richness of notes this perfume is, I can tell you, it’s a pleasure wearing it. It comes close to its name. It fits with the image of an athletic man wearing a black sweater that flatters his figure. And makes you look repeatedly.

I just hope when I wear Black, the black sweater will flatter my figure too. 😉

My sample was provided by Puredistance.

And now I’m no longer sure what my favorite Puredistance is. I love I, Opardu and Antonia, but M and Black make me swoon.

Scott Lynch: The Republic of Thieves read-along #3

World of Perfume November 11, 2013 Comments: 22

This week’s questions were provided by Lynn and you can tell by the questions that the story is seriously heating up. 😉

1) The election competition.  Sabetha isn’t wasting any time throwing pranks at Locke and Jean.  Mostly it seemed fairly harmless, or at least not overly serious, until they were kidnapped and put onto a ship and taken out to sea.  What did you make of Sabetha’s latest plan? And what did you think about the way she executed it?images (2)

She seems to be approaching the competition much more seriously than the guys. At least, as the guys were before they were kidnapped. I think they are going to approach this better now and retaliate in an ingenious (or at least I hope so) way.

2) During the escape overboard and Jean’s rather subtle nose dive into the water – I was curious about the lights Locke saw deep in the water when he was performing his rescue – Locke thought they looked different once he was under the waves which I suppose they would but he also had the feeling that he was being watched?  Do you think this relates back to the Eldren or some other presence? 

I certainly hope so! 🙂 There’s never enough Eldren references/information if you ask me. 😉

3) Given that Locke hadn’t seen Sabetha for five years how did you think their first meeting together went (well, it wasn’t strictly speaking their first meeting of course – were you surprised that Jean and Locke hadn’t figured out that the woman pickpocket was Sabetha?) and also what did you make of Jean and Sabetha’s reaction to each other?

Yes and no. They did figure it out in the end, didn’t they? I just can’t help but get frustrated that Locke keeps thinking that his feelings for her should be taken into account when she approaches a job that entangles Locke as well. I don’t think he understands Sabetha well – we don’t either, and I wonder if by the end of the book we might get some more information on her. I can tell we’re missing some important bits on her life.

4) So, the gang have arrived in Espara and already the plans have gone wrong through no fault of their own!  Jail for a year plus lose a hand for slapping a noble?? What do you think of the justice system in Espara and how does this bode for the gang? 

Should it be called “justice” system?! 🙂

I certainly didn’t expect such problems on their arrival. But it was fun seeing how they dealt with it and rather quickly at that. Talk about some intelligent ingenuity!images (1)

5) The acting company are finally coming together and we’re watching the gang as they try to read, act and grab the best parts – are you all ‘happy face’ with the whole theater scenes or, sad face!  Also, I can’t help feeling like this whole story-line is a step out of character for the gang.  Any ideas of how it will play out??

I’m glad they are trying to get good parts in the play and it seems not all of them are such good actors! 🙂 Didn’t see that coming!

I have no idea how will it play out, I admit I didn’t think they would be able to free the leader of the troupe. Yes, yes, I know, I shouldn’t doubt them but I did. So it’s obvious my guesses are not exactly realistic. 🙂

6) We are also being introduced to a number of new characters, particularly Moncraine and Boulidazi.  What are your first impressions of these two and the other new characters in the Company and any particular likes or dislikes so far?

Actually, I’m not giving them much thought. I just see them as additional characters for the story-line Mr. Lynch needs. 🙂 And for giving flair to the “stale” theater world of Espara. 😉

7) The rooftop scene and the apology.  How did it all go so wrong?  And how will Locke get out of this latest fix with Boulidazi?

He, he, he, it went so wrong because Locke still hasn’t learned to listen well. 😉 At least, that’s how I saw it.

As for Boulidazi, first thing that crossed my mind is that they might play it as an incestuous thing. But since that’s what occurred to me, I’m pretty sure it will be something completely different. But get himself out of it, Locke certainly will. 😉 (I sound like Yoda now)

Until next week’s reading adventure, enjoy other people’s thoughts:

Lynn’s Book Blog

The Little Red Reviewer

Just Book Reading

Over The Effing Rainbow

Many A True Nerd

Joma’s Fantasy Books

Genkinahito’s Blog

Dab of Darkness

Violin in a Void

Theft and Sorcery

Coffee, Cookies and Chili Peppers

Booky Pony

I wish I could write

I've been thinking, World of Books November 10, 2013 Comments: 21

I think many voracious readers actually think this.

I love reading so much and my imagination works overtime (especially when I’m asleep or resting) so I can’t help but wonder if my imagined scenarios might make for a good reading.writing

It’s just that I am no writer. I neither have the knowledge nor the discipline (especially the discipline).

I do wish though that I could write about all these things I enjoy reading about so much. The romance, the thrilling stories, the paranormal characters, the post-apocalyptic society, the friendship, the bravery, the tragedy of personal traits…

There are so many things I enjoy reading about that fill me with enormous anticipation and happiness and that put a smile on my face. I often wish I could return the favor by doing the same.

It’s just, I am no novel writer.

I tend to express myself in short sentences and even explain things to people in short and (hopefully) concise speech. I hate long explanations, writing long essays or anything that requires more than several sentences to be communicated.

Basically, I’ll never make a good novel writer. I just I wish I could though…

What good is interesting imagination if it can’t be put into words…