REVIEW: THE AFFINITY BRIDGE

Apologies my dear friends for being so absent and neglectful of my blog. Work has been busy (I'm really hoping to win the lottery so I can quit and spend more time writing!) and I started my creative writing course which is bringing up lots of ideas but sadly no secrets on how to write the perfect book ;)

I've still been reading away...and this is the latest, which I couldn't help but pick up what with its steampunk feel. Even though it was published a few years ago I'm going to review it anyway. So here we are....

The Affinity Bridge

Author: George Mann
UK Publisher: Snowbooks
UK Release date: 2008
Genre: Steampunk, science fiction

Summary (from Goodreads): Welcome to the bizarre and dangerous world of Victorian London, a city teetering on the edge of revolution. Its people are ushering in a new era of technology, dazzled each day by new inventions. Airships soar in the skies over the city, whilst ground trains rumble through the streets and clockwork automatons are programmed to carry out menial tasks in the offices of lawyers, policemen and journalists. But beneath this shiny veneer of progress lurks a sinister side. For this is also a world where ghostly policemen haunt the fog-laden alleyways of Whitechapel, where cadavers can rise from the dead and where Sir Maurice Newbury, Gentleman Investigator for the Crown, works tirelessly to protect the Empire from her foes.

... Once again, I picked up the book based on its cover. Well, old habits die hard. I love the idea of Victorian London, which the book certainly built up with a steampunk feel - cue the laudanum addiction, airships, and horse drawn carriages. We follow the main characters, Sir Maurice and Miss Hobbes, as they investigate an airship crash where all the passengers had been tied to their seats and the pilot was missing. Some of the ideas are a little stereotypical and cliche, but I still liked it.

The plot moves very quickly keeping you on the edge of your seat, albeit wondering how one man can take quite so much physical abuse whilst the chief of police comes out completely unscathed. There were a number of twists and turns in the story as well as a final twist in the epilogue, however some parts of the ending felt a little forced trying to tie up all the loose ends and numerous subplots.

Despite its minor flaws, I'm a very forgiving reader and would definitely read the others in the series.

Rating: 4*

NEW 'FOREVER' COVER ART

Thanks to 'Down the Rabbit Hole', I discovered that the new cover for Maggie Stiefvater's book 'Forever' has been unveiled. And it looks so cool. Well, this is the US version anyway.

I don't imagine the UK cover art will be quite as cool, but I'm still looking forward to it coming out.

What do you think of the new cover?

WARNING: RANT AHEAD

Well, I finally posted off my short story submission. With barely a whisker of time to spare. I admit I would have liked to have sent off two stories, or at least spent a lot more time on the story I did send off. It was probably more rushed that it should have been.

* Warning: rant ahead... I'm struggling working full-time, and then coming home and motivating myself to write, when I really just want to sleep. With the school term started again, my job's getting more stressful trying to organise so many events. With all the budget cuts, it means I've got to take on more work. At the moment I'm organising at least 11 different events, one of which is a one day a week-14 week programme for disengaged young people. Now my boss has suggested setting up work experience placements for 20 young people with moderate to severe learning difficulties, which is no mean feat making sure it works! Unfortunately I don't think this job will let me have the energy to write in the evenings. Sometimes I go to bed worrying about my job. Normally I read loads as well, but I've been too tired to read much either. Eek.

I'm not sure this is a good enough 'excuse'. I'm sure if I worked part-time or not at all, there would be another reason for me being rubbish at getting writing done. I just really need to pick up my motivation and get going again. Hopefully the short writing course I'll be going to will help me feel more confident about my work.

I just finished Shiver, so will let you know my thoughts next time. Definitely good though!

Despite my rant about not being motivated to write, I would still like one or two pen pals. I used to have one when I was younger which I really liked. She used to send me little gifts, and I want to pay these little favours on to someone else. Plus I have so much cute stationery I want someone to send it to! PM me if you're also looking for a penpal!! (Just because I wanted to post a pic...here's some of my lovely stationery!!)

SHORT STORY COMPETITION

Sorry I haven't posted for so long...it's been my first week back at work after my holiday, so it feels like I've had some sort of mental trauma and exhaustion.

During my holidays, I started writing a short story based on 'Departures' for a competition on 'Mslexia'. I really must spend tomorrow finishing this so I can send it off in time. I'm not expecting to win the competition. Its not that I'm pessimistic, just more realistic. Its only my second short story since school (which was 10 years ago, eek!). But it was good to have a focus and theme for a story, and with this one I didn't plan it at all, I just improvised as I went along. I guess you could say I was a 'pantser', is that right?

I was also a good girl and did some exercise...me and my partner Dani cycled round Hampstead Heath in London.... (it kind of makes up for all the biscuits I scoffed!)

Now I'm reading Shiver, which is interesting. I really like the little details, like the temperature for each new chapter. I'm going shopping this afternoon, and I think I sadly must avoid buying too many books, because I just can't afford to buy more and more and more. :( I will definitely have to set myself up properly on a bookswap! Does anyone else bookswap? Would you recommend it? Or do you just buy all your lovely new books?

Over and out, for now, hehe!

THE BOOK BLOGGER HOP

In order to find more book bloggers, I've decided to join The Book Blogger Hop. It is a weekly event hosted by Jennifer at Crazy For Books.

The Hop is a fantastic way to get your blog noticed more and visit some other cool blogs that you didn't know about before, make new friends, support each other, and generally just share our love of books! If you want to join, visit Jenn at 'Crazy-for-Books'!!

This week's question is:

Do you judge a book by its cover?

Absolutely yes! Aesthetics are important...it's like food. Food should look good as well as taste good. Who doesn't fall in love with a gorgeously decadent french pastry while its still sat in the shop window?! Whilst a beautiful cover won't guarantee a good read (we all know the saying), it can certainly help you decide which book to read next. In most cases you will pick up the general feel of the book through the cover. You know if it's going to be a feel good summery book, or a dark thriller. If I'm in the mood for something that will give me a bit of a scare, I'm not going to pick up something all pink and flowery. A good cover draws you in, makes you want to find out more. Its the start of pulling you in. The start of the journey. It can be the start of a beautiful piece of work.

Here are some gorgeous starts to a book...

* Paranormalcy

* Fallen

* Matched

* Nevermore

What about you? What are your favourite covers?

BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS

Starting my own blog, and reading everyone else's has made me realise that I'm way behind on my reading. Bad me. A while back I was spending far too much money on books, so I had to try and kick the habit for a while. Meaning that I had to get my books from my local library, which sadly isn't very well stocked or organised. I've found different books from the Morganville Vampire series in three completely different sections of the library. And for some reason the first book in any series always seems to be missing!?! Its a mission just trying to find what I want! I'm only just reading Shiver (let alone Linger), Fallen, The Vampire Academy series and so on... I really need to catch up on what I've been missing.

So this is what I think I should start with:

* The rest of Rachel Caine's Morganville Vampire series

* The Hunger Games

* The Vampire Diaries

* Paranormalcy

* Clockwork Angel

Let me know what books would you recommend within the YA/paranormal romance/Urban Fantasy genre?

What are your favourite books?

What are you reading at the moment? ....

REVIEW: TEMPEST RISING (JANE TRUE #1)

Tempest Rising (Jane True #1)
Author: Nicole Peeler
UK Publisher: Orbit
UK Publication date: 2010
Genre: Paranormal, fantasy, romance

Summary (from Goodreads): Living in small town Rockabill, Maine, Jane True always knew she didn't quite fit in with so-called normal society. During her nightly, clandestine swim in the freezing winter ocean, a grisly find leads Jane to startling revelations about her heritage: she is only half-human.

Now, Jane must enter a world filled with supernatural creatures alternatively terrifying, beautiful, and deadly- all of which perfectly describe her new "friend," Ryu, a gorgeous and powerful vampire.

It is a world where nothing can be taken for granted: a dog can heal with a lick; spirits bag your groceries; and whatever you do, never-ever rub the genie's lamp.

Review: When I first came across this book, it was undoubtedly the cover that caught my eye - it looks so cool. (I'm bad I know.) Whilst the cover suggests a cutesy/goth YA book, the content is a whole lot more sexual and explicit. Which would explain why the book has its own warning on the back.

Jane True is twenty-something, living in a small coastal town with her ailing father. She has the tortured background that seems to be a common feature of YA novels: her mother disappeared when she was a child, she looks after her father, and she is ostracised by the community because of a tragic event that blighted her past.

After finding a body in the sea, Jane becomes embroiled in a supernatural world she never knew she existed. The plot follows Jane as she learns about the gnomes, nahuals and succubi living around her and discovers she herself is a halfling, since her mother was a selkie in the form of a seal. With her new love interest, vampire Ryu, they investigate why so many halfings are being killed off. There is plenty of action especially in the second half of the book, although as a whole it is well paced and fast moving. The first half of the book sets up a lot of the context and world building, which may have dragged a little in this book, but will set the scene for the rest of the series.

Jane's character and her inner dialogue, often her libido, is sassy, funny and realistic, voicing thoughts we all have but wouldn't necessarily share. There are a number of pop culture and literary references which might slow the reading if the audience doesn't get the reference, but I admittedly just skipped over them (yes, again, I'm bad).

The relationship between Jane and Ryu is very steamy and sexual; not that I mind a bit of sex. There is a limit on how much is necessary and realistic - personally I can't imagine many people would be in the mood after fighting in a big battle and getting choked to near death. The relationship itself lacks chemistry and substance, which may be down to the fact that we know little about Ryu, other than he is a vampire and investigator, and therefore have little investment in him as a character. Building on his character would definitely have helped carry the story and their 'hot-for-it' bond.

Anyan, a barghest/dog, keeps popping on along the way to watch over Jane and help out in desperate times. He's one you certainly want to find out more about.

Despite its minor flaws I enjoyed reading the Tempest Rising and imagining the world that Peeler sets up. Its not the kind of book I would necessarily want to re-read, but I would buy the second book, Tracking the Tempest, to see what happens next in Jane True's world (and hope that perhaps there is a little more to Ryu than meets the eye).

If you enjoy UF with a big dollop of sex on the side, then I would add this to your list next time you go to the bookstore.

Rating: 4*

KEEPING FOCUSED

I shamefully have to admit that, yes, I do decide what to read next by looking at the book's cover. I'm a sucker for a cool cover image. Like this one for Nicole Peeler's book...

So, on a different note, I've kinda got distracted from my original novel. I've now started 2 other short stories. I can't tell if this is a good thing or a bad thing. I know I need to focus on getting one thing finished, but my mind wanders and I do get bored easily. I think its helping developing my own writing and style, but I don't want to end up with a tonne of unfinished stories and nothing to show for it.

Just how do writers keep focused on one thing...!?

NEW READING

Just got some new books...Trudi Canavan's 'Princess of the White' and Lemony Snicket's 'The Bad Beginning". I loved reading Trudi Canavan's Black Magician trilogy, and I'm hope this series will be equally as good. As I loved watching the film 'A series of unfortunate events', and generally books are better than the film version, I thought it might be inspiring for my own writing.

I've got to a bit of a sticking point with my novel. I've got to about 4,800 words so far...but I'm thinking too much about it all. I just need to write and see what comes out. Maybe some reading will give me the break I need.

INSPIRATIONAL AUTHORS

Having finally decided to write my first novel, last night I went to my first Authors talk organised by Lisa at the 'London Writers' Cafe'. Being completely new to the world of writing and publishing, it was really interesting to hear from three very different authors who have each had very different experiences of getting published. Crime writer, Leigh Russell, talk passionately of how she submitted her work direct to a publishing house and within weeks was contacted for a meeting with them. Sue Moorcroft was very honest about the hard work needed to make a living from publishing short stories and novels. And finally, Karen Mahoney explained how she approached American agents to publish her urban fantasy, Iron Witch, which I can't wait to read! Fiction Editor at Blue Door Books, Laura Deacon, gave her perspective on reading manuscripts and taking on new authors. She is obviously very passionate about books, reading and new writers - I just hope that every publisher is the same!

So as a start to my writing, here is a short poem. I hope you like. let me know what you think...