So, with the introduction of the Icecarls in the last book, I thought Nix would spend a bit more time in the world that shouldn’t exist outside the Castle. I mean, they got giant narwhals, Shield Maidens and other things that have learned to live without sunlight. Nope, we’re going to go skipping back to the Castle. Even with Nix’s world building, the Castle is still rather stereotypical with its magical hierarchy and politics. At least the outside world is new and different. (Giant narwhals, […]
If George Lucas Asks You To Write a Kid’s Series
I guess you’d do it. I mean, I have prequel shaped wounds that time will never heal, but I still wouldn’t turn down getting George Lucas a glass of water if he asked for it. I mean, I might get a second glass to dump over his head while screaming “Han shot first!” But I would still make sure he wasn’t parched first. But being commanded by one of your idols to do something maybe isn’t the best way to get the creative juices flowing. […]
Addams and Eves against mankind?
The second book in Atwood’s Madd Addam trilogy traces members of a group called God’s Gardeners both before and after “The Great Waterless Flood,” i.e., the pandemic that destroyed mankind. The chapters bounce around to the different characters, years before the pandemic, and show their previous lives leading up to the destruction. The first novel followed Jimmy in his life in the compound, but these characters are the other half, the less privileged from the pleeblands. But as time goes on, connections between these two […]
I see where we were going with this one, it just didn’t get me there.
I really WANTED to fall in love with Nimona. It seemed like such an obvious pairing: Nimona the impulsive young shapeshifter with a knack for villainy and Lord Ballister Blackheart, a villain with a vendetta. These two setting off to prove the heroes aren’t always heroic? Done. But… I only liked this one and caught myself more than once skipping ahead to “get on with the story”. What were my problems? Inconsistent backstory and inconsistent characterizations. From the beginning we learn that while students at […]