Stormdancer (The Lotus War #1), Jay Kristoff

Lately I've felt apprehension when reading the first book in the series, especially when I know it will be epic and ages before the next one comes out.  Such a trial, I know, yet it happens more and more lately.  Kristoff has created a immensely polluted steam-punk world of Japanese beauty, samurai warriors and one soulfully fierce girl who tries to save it all.   Stormdancer did not disappoint in the least.

I can admit googling quite a few words towards the beginning and found most of them owning to a Japanese blade of some sort.  Which only foreshadows gruesome fight-scenes that I have grown to expect from the many video games played in my time.  I had a slightly weary time in the first part of this new world of Shima, but once our heroine found her footing, the pace and plot were quite enjoyable.

The dialogue between our heroine, Yukiko and Buruu, the thunder-tiger was hilarious and I cannot wait to read what they have in store for us next.

I kept having this random thought that I would love to see Buruu and Iorek Bryninson meet.

I can't imagine what they would talk about. Or what Lyra would have to say to Yukiko, but I bet it would be mind blowing...and bloody.

So now, I guess I'll just wait until...Gods save us...there isn't a release date yet? This is exactly what I mean...

Be afraid Mr. Turkey, we come for you.

November 22, 2012,

Such an unexpectedly beautiful day in the Willamette Valley.  After days of intense rain and sunshine, we enjoy a day to be outside and exercise before the feast (at least the men in my family do).
Every year, we head down South to Salem and enjoy a family game of Futbol at Willamette.  This Turkey Bowl year the teams family versus friends was amicably ended in a tie.

After our game in Salem, our day took us further South to the Mackenzie River in Eugene to my aunt and uncle's spectacular new home, for a feast with family that has been far to long to enjoy.  

After dinner, my spitfire gramma said to my cousin that the one unclaimed plate was really where my departed grandpa sat.  I caught eyes with my lovely cousin across the table and felt that pull of something.  Whether it be my grandfather, or someone else in our pretense, we are thankful.  Thankful for our happiness, health and love for each other.  

I am thankful for so many things in my life, but for those immediate few that weren't able to hear it from my lips today, I miss you and am thankful for you too.  

Clay Heartbreak

There once was a great love affair under various plants, shrubs and a porch. It began when Mr Stoney gnome met Bucksome Gnoma from Levenworth, Washington in August of 2008.  Stoney lived a very solitary life during the the past decade until he finally found a worthy companion.  Occaisonally Bucksome Gnoma would venture off to cavort with the neighbor gnome Gerald, but for the majority of their gnomance, their love was true. 





 Then one day, another gnome came onto the scene.

 

 


As a young and sometimes clumsy gnome-child, unfortunate things can happen to clay-like creatures. Thus ends the existence of Stoney Gnome.  He is beyond repair, which is a tragedy because he sustained fixable damage from the Big Yellow Dog a few winters back.  Alas, these injuries we cannot mend.





  I have yet to tell Bucksome Gnoma.  She has taken a short break from the outside and is keeping company indoors with the monkey candlesticks. It just so happened to be the day before tragedy struck.  I hope that someday she will heal her poor harlot heart and find a clay soul to love again.  Until then, I have it in mind to hit up the antique store from whence Stoney came in hopes to distract the widowed Bucksome Gnoma.    I'd hate to break the news to her until after the holidays are through.

Got Leaves?

Anyone who thinks that the city of Portland leaf clean up program is not needed, needs to take a look at the Eastmoreland neighborhood lately.  Seriously look at this car.  Just wanted to get that off of my chest.

Kresley Cole's First Stab at YA

Kresley Cole
Poison Princess

3.5 Stars.  Oh Kresley - I truly wanted to give you five on it, but I have to say I eeked out that ½ star because I love you.  The beginning and the end were what saved you.  The middle, I just found lacking and a bit sluggish. This book seems to be quite polarizing on the star votes on Goodreads, but I felt overall it was enjoyable and a nice new paranormal spin on the end of days!

I have seriously read everything Kresley Cole has written.  As a big fan of YA, I thought to myself - Kresley - check, Apocalypse - check, Tarot themed story - Why the heck not?  With the unique Arcania plot, it is all there, but I just felt the middle dragged a bit.  For the characters, Jackson was pretty awesome.  I loved Jackson with his swaggery cajuness.  Is that a word?  As one of the last few women on earth, who wouldn't want some roguish, handsome swamp boy to save your day?  Mais Yea, I’d say toute les femmes! (view spoiler)[But Evie! Put your big girl pants on and go evil empress already!! (hide spoiler)]

I will definitely be checking out the next installment, which I’m sure I’ll have to wait an entire year or more for, but hopefully by then Empress Evie will rock the poison and snag her Cajun!  But hopefully, she does that in the reverse order.

http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/392549-molly">View all my reviews

Necromancing the Stone has no Joan Wilder in it.

Necromancing the Stone
by Lish McBride

Throughout the entire time I enjoyed this book, I kept thinking -
"There should be more books with gnomes."



I'll be blunt. This book was incredibly random, funny as all get-out and I loved every minute of it.  I chortled so often, my husband made a comment that it couldn't really be that funny.  But it was! One moment this book takes us to an attractive sasquatch UPS deliveryman, soliciting the help of our reluctant necromancer to a Canadian minotaur taking bets on a home-front gnome wrestling match.  I've always been partial to dry-whit but this, Ms. McBride, just raised the bar another level.

All randomness aside, what I enjoyed the most was our protagonist's friends development. In Hold Me Closer Necromancer, we are introduced to Ramon, Frank and Brooke; slacker fast food employees extraodinaire.  Ramon is quite possibly the root cause of my public outbursts of laughter; but the situations in which Frank finds himself in are priceless. Both Ramon and Frank find themselves at the mercy of their new paranormal lives, however, both thrive and are able to support our awkward necromancer Sam find his way.

 I eagerly await the next installment, and of course, more tall tales of how a gnome can earn his cap.