Inside Look: Elizabeth Haydon and The Symphony of Ages series

Hey book lovers! I hope you're all ready for another rendition of "Inside Look." Today I'm focusing on American fantasy writer Elizabeth Haydon.

I chanced on "Rhapsody," the first book in her Symphony of Ages series, in the library. I was still in high school at the time and voracious for new authors to read. While browsing the library shelves, I saw the title and started walking past. I'm glad I stopped and went back. The cover art was intriguing and reading the inside flap really sparked my curiosity.

I fell immediately in love with the book.

What makes Haydon's writing so unique is that it's not strictly fantasy. There are no wizards or overt amounts of magic being used. Okay, there are dragons, but they are a part of the lore she has created for her world. Fantastical elements are present, but she writes as if such things are part of our reality. Nothing seems out of the ordinary.

Another strong element of Haydon's books are the characters. The skill with which she developed her characters is one to be envied by all writers. Some fantasy writers find it hard making their characters believable and seem real. Haydon does this with ease. For example: the main protagonist, Rhapsody, is pretty much a natural beauty. She has blond hair, green eyes, is petite, etc. What automatically jumps to mind when you hear that description? I think of the dumb blond stereotype. But, Haydon gives Rhapsody flaws. She does not see herself as beautiful or even moderately attractive. In the first novel she undergoes a transformation of sorts that enhances her beauty and allure ten fold. She thinks she is a freak because she misreads the reactions people have when they see her.

Rhapsody is also a very strong character. She went through a lot of terrible things as a child and is forced to face dangers beyond compare as an adult. I can see these qualities in real life people and a connection is easily formed to this fictional character.

Haydon is also very good at keeping you in suspense. She had a large and intricate story to tell. Like any good writer, she spread it out through three novels ("Rhapsody," "Prophecy," "Destiny") and I didn't even know for sure who the main bad guy was until she revealed it in the plot.

Another thing Haydon does is tease her readers. Rhapsody travels with two companions, Achmed and Grunthor. Throughout the series you can see that there's more to Rhapsody and Achmed's relationship than just friendship. Haydon throws hints and scenes in the series, but never gives enough to quite satisfy her readers. I'm personally rooting for the two of them to be together because, as she states in the series, they are opposite sides of the same coin.

If you'd like to learn more about Elizabeth Haydon go to http://www.sffworld.com/interview/29p0.html to read an interview she did back in the 90's. I'm trying to get in contact with Haydon to conduct my own interview. When that happens, I will post the interview for you to read. Below is a list of the novels in the Symphony of Ages series. They are linked with pages from amazon.com of the book descriptions.

Come back on Wednesday to read about an author taking a different turn on a classic story that will have you skipping on the yellow brick road.
~Nepenthe

Symphony of Ages series:
-Rhapsody: Child of Blood
-Prophecy: Child of Earth
-Destiny: Child of the Sky
-Requiem for the Sun
-Elegy for a Lost Star
-The Assassin King

Inside Look: Fantasy and Patricia A. McKillip

Fantasy novels and the entire genre are close to my heart. I started reading the genre at a young age and fantasy novels are the ones I still turn to when I'm looking to read for fun. It's disappointing that the genre is frowned upon. Fantasy writers are just as great as traditional fiction writers and non-fiction ones as well.

My personal favorite has further deepened my love of the genre and influenced my own fiction writing style. I discovered her in the summer during the 7th and 8th grade while in a Target. I was going to a summer camp and needed all those camping provisions. My mom, being the somewhat frugal lady she is, decided Target was the place to go. While walking down the book aisle I happened across her book by chance. I ended up reading the novel 20 times that summer.

The author to whom I refer is none other than Patricia A. McKillip. Some of you may not have heard of her or read any of her work. The first book of hers I chanced upon is "The Forgotten Beasts of Eld." When I returned from summer camp I immediately went to my local library, searched her name and left carrying a stack of all the books of hers the library had.

What's so fascinating about McKillip is her style of writing. I have yet to come across another fantasy author (or any others in different genres) who come close to the eloquence of her writing. It's really in the way she describes her fantasy worlds that draws me in. She looks at the world through a unique filter. Instead of relying on the usual cliches most writers tend to use, she re-invents standard images, putting a new spin on the mundane.

One of the most eloquently written books of hers is "Song for the Basilisk." The main character doesn't know who he was only who he is now, a bard on a mystical island. His past suddenly rips apart the world he knows and now he travels back to the city of his birth to face the tragedies that bound him in lies and secrets. With music being a strong element within the story (hence the title) some would expect it to be the usual drab talk in the language of music. Gladly, McKillip gives readers a new way to see music, describing songs through the types of scenes the music invokes within the imagination.

She actually does this a lot. A short fiction piece of hers, "A Matter of Music," delves deeper into the realm of music and songs. Some other works that come to mind where she invokes music include "In the Forests of Serre," and the Riddle-Master trilogy.

Which brings me to my next topic. Vengeance. Whether by accident or not, a lot of McKillip's works focus on characters who seek vengeance for various reasons. In the Riddle-Master Trilogy, the last book "Harpist in the Wind" deals entirely with Morgan's (the main character) revenge on the harpist Deth for tricking him and almost killing him. The novel I mentioned earlier, "Song for the Basilisk," is about the main character, Caladrius, seeking revenge on the Basilisk for destroying his family. Some other novels with vengeance themes: "In the Forests of Serre," "The Forgotten Beasts of Eld," "Ombria in Shadow," and "The Book of Atrix Wolfe." To further explore this theme of vengeance go to http://home.earthlink.net/~mflabar/VenVance/McKillip.htm

For first time fantasy readers, McKillip is a great author to start out with. I recommend "The Forgotten Beasts of Eld" as the first novel of hers to read. Aside from the Riddle-Master Trilogy and the Cygnet and Moon-flash duologies, all of McKillip's books are stand alones. Once you read one though, you wish that she did sequels to some because you want to know more, what happens after, etc.

I hope you decide to give Patricia A. McKillip a chance because her novels are a joy to read. I've listed below the novels of hers I've read and linked them to amazon.com description pages. On Monday I will continue with fantasy and take a look at another female author who has also been an influence to my writing and is a joy to read. See you then!
~Nepenthe

Riddle-Master Trilogy:
-The Riddle-Master of Hed
-Heir of Sea and Fire
-Harpist in the Wind

Cygnet Duology:
-The Sorceress and the Cygnet
-The Cygnet and the Firebird

Stand Alones
-The Forgotten Beasts of Eld
-The Book of Atrix Wolfe
-The Tower at Stony Wood
-Ombria in Shadow
-Winter Rose
-Od Magic
-Song for the Basilisk
-Alphabet of Thorn
-Harrowing the Dragon
-The Changeling Sea
-The Bell at Sealey Head
-In the Forests of Serre

Book Review: Starvation Lake

Mystery novels can be hit or miss. Rarely have I found one of quality, and it is even more rare that I find one that blows me out of the water. The intricacies of Bryan Gruley’s “Starvation Lake” hooked me right at the beginning, and I couldn’t put the book down until I discovered the ultimate plot twist of the mystery.

One of the hardest things about reviewing this book is not revealing the ending. After 150 pages, I would not have guessed the shocking revelation. For that I must applaud Gruley for keeping his mystery opaque, not translucent. A little background of the story is necessary, so here’s what I can tell you.

The main character is Gus Carpenter. He’s a journalist working for his hometown newspaper in Starvation Lake, Mich. after suddenly leaving his prestigious job at the Detroit Times. A snowmobile owned by the town’s famous hockey coach, Jack Blackburn, washes up on the shores of a nearby lake, Walleye. The kicker is that Blackburn and his snowmobile went down in the watery depths of Starvation Lake. Questions are raised, the local sheriff’s department investigates and secrets of the past are dredged up.

Not much to go on, I know, but the more I say, the more likely you are to figure out where the story is going.

Gruley is a new author on the shelves in bookstores, and he’s making a large splash with his first novel “Starvation Lake.” His writing skills may not rival those of bestseller Stephen King, but Gruley has talent. He embeds smaller mysteries in the larger one, keeping a reader’s interest until the final tell all.

The characters he has created could be everyday people one meets on the street. I love the nuances and struggles all the characters go through. The writing catches the reader’s attention, but it’s the story content that keeps you reading.

“Starvation Lake” is an intriguing novel that really delves into the small town mentality. Everybody in the story, from Gus to the local bigfoot hunter Perlmutter, has a secret or two. Small town people enjoy gossiping, so it’s important to keep one’s mouth shut before the whole town knows the inner-most demons one is carrying around. Here’s the kicker: these small town folks are happy keeping their secrets. Nobody wants to stir up the muck at the bottom of the lake, so to speak.

One of the best examples of not wanting to stir the muck stirring is in the running of the daily newspaper, the Pilot, of Starvation Lake. Owned by a larger company, the Pilot is supposed to be a “family” newspaper full of stories about the high school’s wrestling match or the new Marina. The big guys upstairs immediately pull any stories dealing with sex scandals, murder or fraud in the town. It’s funny to read this because, being from a Chicago suburb, it’s expected to read controversial news of that caliber.

Gus is constantly fighting to pull away from the small town mentality. As the editor of the Pilot, he’s caught between a rock and a hard place: to run a story by the big guys first or just say to hell with them.

At times I wanted to yell at Gus, to tell him that he should run stories because they were true, and to not care if the muck gets stirred.

This is a great book for anybody and I think it will help people, especially all of the Chicagolanders on campus, to understand how small towns work and why they like to keep low profiles, pretending everything is dandy. Also, the book addresses a very serious issue that lies at the core of the whole mystery.

To find out more, go to the local bookstore and order a copy. “Starvation Lake” is worth it.

~Nepenthe

MISTAKE

There has been a misunderstanding about one of my blog posts. The post entitled "New Books to Read" is all summaries of the novels from their dust jackets EXCEPT for the first paragraph in italics. The summaries are not of my own writing nor have I read them personally. I only found some interesting new releases and advertised them here.

~Nepenthe

Inside Look: Science Fiction and Frank Herbert

Science Fiction, though I don't read it as much as other genres, has a uniqueness that most don't have the time to discover. It's sad that genres such as science fiction were (and still are) frowned upon by the "literature" community. The higher ups prefer great works of fiction that deal with "real life" so to speak.

I've had difficulty finding good science fiction books or authors. Only one author/series has caught my attention and comprises my entire sci-fi reading experience. That author is the one and only Frank Herbert.

Never heard of him? Shame on you! His "Dune" series is a prime example of wonderful and detailed works of science fiction. Better than Star Wars. Yes, you heard me correctly, better than Star Wars.

Dune is an intricate series. Herbert has ultimately created an entire new universe with its own set of physics laws, religions, cultures, etc. His characters span generations and the writing is that of a master of the craft. He mapped out the history of this universe; there were wars that affected the present of the novel, changing the culture. It's breathtaking when you grasp just how detailed Herbert was with his series, just how meticulous and dedicated he was.

As a result, though, the novels are very thick, difficult to read. They are not for the casual reader looking for something to read while tanning in the summer or to curl up with in bed. I suggest only the most dedicated readers who are looking for a challenge pick up the Dune series. And even for those who are dedicated readers, be warned, you won't finish one of the novels in a day. It will take time to sift through all the information in the text. After all, you have to erase almost everything you know of our world in order to comprehend the world of Dune.

Unfortunately, Herbert died after he published the sixth book in the series. But the Dune name has not died. Herbert had kept detailed notes of the Dune series and what he was planning to add to the series. Now Brian Herbert, his son, and Kevin J. Anderson have taken up the Dune mantle, continuing the story. Though the style of writing is not exactly like the elder Herbert, B. Herbert and Anderson have tried to stick to the format of Herbert's originals being as detailed as he was.

And now, for your reading pleasure, is the list of the novels in the Dune series. The titles are linked to amazon.com so you can read the summaries. I've also listed them in chronological order with prequels first.

Legends of Dune:
-The Butlerian Jihad (Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson)
-The Machine Crusade (Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson)
-The Battle of Corrin (Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson)

Prelude to Dune:
-Dune: House Atreides (Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson)
-Dune: House Harkonnen (Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson)
-Dune: House Corrino (Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson)

Classic Dune:
-Dune (Frank Herbert)
-Dune Messiah (Frank Herbert)
-Children of Dune (Frank Herbert)
-God Emperor of Dune (Frank Herbert)
-Heretics of Dune (Frank Herbert)
-Chapterhouse: Dune (Frank Herbert)

The Grand Climax:
-Hunters of Dune (Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson)
-Sandworms of Dune (Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson)

Heroes of Dune Trilogy:
-Paul of Dune (Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson)

Other:
-The Road to Dune (Frank Herbert, Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson)

I hope you all enjoy Dune as much as I have. It's a wonderful sci-fi series and the only series of the genre that I've read. Look for my post on Friday about an award winning Fantasy author that influenced me to make Fantasy my favorite genre of literature.
~Nepenthe

Book Review: Little Bee

To say that I loved Chris Cleave’s “Little Bee” feels like an understatement. Having spent the past few years catching up on all the novels my favorite authors have written, it has been a while since I came across a new author that has caught my fancy. Almost every book I’ve reviewed in the past is incomparable to “Little Bee.”

The whole story is shrouded in mystery. Not much is given to a potential reader when looking at the inside flap. Two women’s lives collide: one makes a difficult choice, a choice that should never have to be made. The story starts when, two years later, they meet again. That’s all I’m going to tell you, because after reading “Little Bee,” I realize how crucial the secrecy is.

As the two women, Little Bee and Sarah O’Rourke, are introduced, I felt like a young child again sitting cross-legged in kindergarten, waiting eagerly for the teacher to tell us a story. This feeling is one of the strongest elements of Cleave’s novel. We’re not outside observers with no connection to the characters. Little Bee is talking to us directly when she tells her story. Cleave uses the first person narrative style to pull the reader in as close as he or she can get. We are now sitting cross-legged in front of Little Bee, hanging on her every word.

Sarah tells her story differently. Unlike Little Bee, she doesn’t talk to us directly, but is more commentating on her past and present. Still using first person, Cleave is more traditional with Sarah’s parts. She never references the reader directly. Instead, she pulls away from herself and the reader. It’s hard not to connect with her; Sarah is a dynamic woman, compelling in her daily life. She’s an average woman I could pass by on the street. It’s only when I take time to know her does she shed that average title.

What struck me as most astounding about “Little Bee,” is that Cleave is a man writing in first person from the persona of two very different women. And he did it extremely well. That’s the mark of a truly great writer.

Readers often glance over little details such as a man writing in a woman’s voice. This skill is taken for granted. My challenge for all who read this is to write a paragraph in the voice of the opposite sex; only through doing it will one be able to understand the great difficulty writing in the other gender’s voice can be.

Cleave’s natural talent for writing clearly shows. The attention to detail in almost every sentence is exquisite. I didn’t notice any clichés. Then again, if they were there, they were heavily embedded in the rest of the prose—that’s the type of writer Cleave is. His word choices are elegant and precise; his sentences have rhythm, flowing naturally into the next. Reading the story gave me a feeling of effortlessness on Cleave’s part. It’s like he simply sat down in front of his keyboard and just typed, start to finish.

“Little Bee” is one of the best books I’ve read in a long time. Right away, the story catches the reader’s attention. Time is forgotten as the reader delves deeper into the mysteries and magic inherent in the novel. This book is one I will recommend to everyone I meet. I will sing its praises from the rooftops, because that’s the type of story “Little Bee” is.

~Nepenthe

Book Review: High Voltage Tattoo

Tattoos, considered body desecrations by those who don’t understand the culture behind it, are another form of art. People who swear off tattoos and say they are permanent blights on the skin or marks of a strange and rebellious generation have difficulty understanding the temptation and motivation behind tattoo junkies.

To all the tattoo heads around the world, being inked is a form of outward expression in an unconventional way. Stephen King chose literature, Kat Von D chose tattoos.

In her first book, “High Voltage Tattoo,” Von D delves into her own motivations behind turning herself into a living canvas. She also takes a look at how the craft is done and how she has made tattoos for celebrities, rockers, pro-skaters and other everyday citizens.

Only part of the book centers around Von D’s personal story about the path she took to getting her first tattoo and how she became a renowned tattoo artist. The rest of the book takes a closer look at tattoo culture in general. Using her tattoo parlor in Las Vegas as an example, the “L.A. Ink” star breaks down the art of tattooing. She gives a behind-the-scenes look to readers, talking about how she started her parlor and the tools tattoo artists use. Von D also explores different techniques used in creating a tattoo, walking through the steps for tattoo virgins.

The most appealing parts of the book are the design and layout. As a piece of non-fiction, most would expect the book to be dry with the same boring textbook-like layout: small printed words in Times New Roman with a sparse scattering of poor quality, pixelated pictures.

Get ready for a shock to the system, because the minute the cover is opened, a glamorous world of gothic style, mixed with parchment-esque paper design and stunning colored images, is ready to blow the reader’s mind. Every page is a new adventure for the reader. Along with the text Von D has included snapshots of her past (old family photos, drawings she did as a young girl) and quotes from a variety of different sources. While the writing is presented in an organized manner, the other graphics are thrown onto the page like glitter on a poster board. Surprisingly, this style works.

Along with the actual design, another appealing part of the book is the pictures of tattoos, including Von D’s and others. After her autobiography, Von D breaks down, in several pages, all the tattoos she has on her body and explains the significance or story behind them all. Some of the other people featured in the book, such as the cover band Steel Panther, show off an assortment of their tattoos and Von D breaks down how the work was done.

An interesting take on tattoo art and culture, “High Voltage Tattoo” is a must read for all enthusiasts in this form of expression and those thinking about joining the culture or getting their first tattoo. Although it might not be the ultimate reference book about tattoos, it’s a good start for those who are curious. Read the text to learn more and enrich your visual world with the saturation of pictures, graphics and a whole lot of tattoos.

~Nepenthe

DISCLAIMER NOTICE

DISCLAIMER: Unless otherwise noted, ALL posts labeled "Book Review" are the product of Nepenthe. They are not taken from an outside source, but the opinion of N.
~Nepenthe

New Books to Read

Looking for the next book to read while snuggled beneath bed covers, soaking in the tub or just to pass the time while sitting around? Already a month and a half into the new year, there have been a multitude of new books and authors published in the US. Some are bestsellers, others small fries that don't get enough recognition. Being a supporter of the underdog, I've listed below a few new books worth reading that may not be publicized as much as the big "blockbusters."
~Nepenthe

Eclipse by Richard North Patterson

Damon Pierce’s life has just reached a defining moment: a gifted California lawyer, he’s being divorced by his wife and his work often seems soulless. Then he receives a frantic e-mail from Marissa Brand Okari—a woman he loved years ago—and decides to risk everything to respond to her plea for help.

Marissa’s husband, Bobby Okari, is the charismatic leader of a freedom movement in the volatile west African nation of Luandia, which is being torn apart by the world’s craving for its vast supply of oil. Bobby’s outspoken opposition to the exploitation of his homeland by PetroGlobal—a giant American oil company with close ties to Luandia’s brutal government—has enraged General Savior Karama, the country’s autocratic ruler. After Bobby leads a protest rally during a full eclipse of the sun, everyone in his home village is massacred by government troops. And now Bobby has been arrested and charged with the murder of three PetroGlobal workers. Still drawn to Marissa, Pierce agrees to defend Bobby, hoping to save both Bobby and Marissa from almost certain death. But the lethal politics of Luandia may cost Pierce his life instead.

Culminating in a dramatic show trial and a desperate race against time, Eclipse combines a thrilling narrative with a vivid look at the human cost of the global lust for oil. Here is Richard North Patterson at his compelling best, confirming his place as our most provocative author of popular fiction.

Fool by Christopher Moore

"This is a bawdy tale. Herein you will find gratuitous shagging, murder, spanking, maiming, treason, and heretofore unexplored heights of vulgarity and profanity, as well as nontraditional grammar, split infinitives, and the odd wank . . . If that's the sort of thing you think you might enjoy, then you have happened upon the perfect story!"

Verily speaks Christopher Moore, much beloved scrivener and peerless literary jester, who hath writteneth much that is of grand wit and belly-busting mirth, including such laurelled bestsellers of the Times of Olde Newe Yorke as Lamb, A Dirty Job, and You Suck (no offense). Now he takes on no less than the legendary Bard himself (with the utmost humility and respect) in a twisted and insanely funny tale of a moronic monarch and his deceitful daughters—a rousing story of plots, subplots, counterplots, betrayals, war, revenge, bared bosoms, unbridled lust . . . and a ghost (there's always a bloody ghost), as seen through the eyes of a man wearing a codpiece and bells on his head.

A man of infinite jest, Pocket has been Lear's cherished fool for years, from the time the king's grown daughters—selfish, scheming Goneril, sadistic (but erotic-fantasy-grade-hot) Regan, and sweet, loyal Cordelia—were mere girls. So naturally Pocket is at his brainless, elderly liege's side when Lear—at the insidious urging of Edmund, the bastard (in every way imaginable) son of the Earl of Gloucester—demands that his kids swear their undying love and devotion before a collection of assembled guests. Of course Goneril and Regan are only too happy to brownnose Dad. But Cordelia believes that herfather's request is kind of . . . well . . . stupid, and her blunt honesty ends up costing her her rightful share of the kingdom and earns her a banishment to boot.

Well, now the bangers and mash have really hit the fan. The whole damn country's about to go to hell in a handbasket because of a stubborn old fart's wounded pride. And the only person who can possibly make things right . . . is Pocket, a small and slight clown with a biting sense of humor. He's already managed to sidestep catastrophe (and the vengeful blades of many an offended nobleman) on numerous occasions, using his razor-sharp mind, rapier wit . . . and the equally well-honed daggers he keeps conveniently hidden behind his back. Now he's going to have to do some very fancy maneuvering—cast some spells, incite a few assassinations, start a war or two (the usual stuff)—to get Cordelia back into Daddy Lear's good graces, to derail the fiendish power plays of Cordelia's twisted sisters, to rescue his gigantic, gigantically dim, and always randy friend and apprentice fool, Drool, from repeated beatings . . . and to shag every lusciously shaggable wench who's amenable to shagging along the way.

Pocket may be a fool . . . but he's definitely not an idiot.

The Women by T.C. Boyle

Having brought to life eccentric cereal king John Harvey Kellogg in The Road to Wellville and sex researcher Alfred Kinsey in The Inner Circle, T.C. Boyle now turns his fictional sights on an even more colorful and outlandish character: Frank Lloyd Wright.

Boyle's account of Wright's life, as told through the experiences of the four women who loved him, blazes with his trademark wit and invention. Wright's life was one long howling struggle against the bonds of convention, whether aesthetic, social, moral, or romantic. He never did what was expected and despite the overblown scandals surrounding his amours and very public divorces and the financial disarray that dogged him throughout his career, he never let anything get in the way of his larger-than-life appetites and visions. Wright's triumphs and defeats were always tied to the women he loved: the Montenegrin beauty Olgivanna Milanoff; the passionate Southern belle Maud Miriam Noel; the spirited Mamah Cheney, tragically killed; and his young first wife, Kitty Tobin. In The Women, T.C. Boyle's protean voice captures these very different women and, in doing so, creates a masterful ode to the creative life in all its complexity and grandeur.

Drood by Dan Simmons

On June 9, 1865, while traveling by train to London with his secret mistress, 53-year-old Charles Dickens--at the height of his powers and popularity, the most famous and successful novelist in the world and perhaps in the history of the world--hurtled into a disaster that changed his life forever.

Did Dickens begin living a dark double life after the accident? Were his nightly forays into the worst slums of London and his deepening obsession with corpses, crypts, murder, opium dens, the use of lime pits to dissolve bodies, and a hidden subterranean London mere research . . . or something more terrifying?

Just as he did in The Terror, Dan Simmons draws impeccably from history to create a gloriously engaging and terrifying narrative. Based on the historical details of Charles Dickens's life and narrated by Wilkie Collins (Dickens's friend, frequent collaborator, and Salieri-style secret rival), DROOD explores the still-unsolved mysteries of the famous author's last years and may provide the key to Dickens's final, unfinished work: The Mystery of Edwin Drood. Chilling, haunting, and utterly original, DROOD is Dan Simmons at his powerful best.

Fade by Lisa McMann

SOME NIGHTMARES NEVER END.

For Janie and Cabel, real life is getting tougher than the dreams. They're just trying to carve out a little (secret) time together, but no such luck.

Disturbing things are happening at Fieldridge High, yet nobody's talking. When Janie taps into a classmate's violent nightmares, the case finally breaks open — but nothing goes as planned. Not even close. Janie's in way over her head, and Cabe's shocking behavior has grave consequences for them both.

Worse yet, Janie learns the truth about herself and her ability — and it's bleak. Seriously, brutally bleak. Not only is her fate as a dream catcher sealed, but what's to come is way darker than she'd feared....

Book Review: Very Valentine

With Valentine’s Day only a couple of days away, it’s only appropriate that this week’s reviewed book deal, in some way, with love and romance. Searching through lists of upcoming releases, one book really stuck out from the rest. Only released a week ago, “Very Valentine” by Adriana Trigiani is a must-read for anyone interested in a little romance, family bonds and finding the courage to be the little guy in a world full of big business.

Valentine Roncalli, an Italian American woman living in Manhattan, has a problem: she just broke up with her longtime boyfriend, quit her teaching job and now makes custom wedding shoes and resides in an old building with her grandmother. On top of all her other worries, the shoe business is on the brink of ruin, weighed down by the large debt the company owes. Now throw in a dash of family drama, top it all off with a hot hunk of an Italian chef and you have one hell of a story.

One of the greatest strengths of the novel is the dominant female character of Valentine. She’s a middle-aged woman who seems to be living a life of whimsy, but, as the story is told through her point of view, the reader can see she is following her dreams. Throughout the novel she struggles with her relationship to the admittedly older, smokin’ Italian chef Roman Falconi, whose very name melts her like butter. Both are committed to their professions, yet the undeniable attraction forces them to find a way for the relationship to work. Valentine can’t believe she found such a perfect man, and blinded by her infatuation, doesn’t realize just how forgiving she is for missed dates and empty promises. It’s hard not to side with Valentine and feel the same woes. One might even start to feel that heavy weight of responsibility that she takes upon herself to keep the family shoe company in business. Trigiani, author to a multitude of other works, is apt at creating sympathetic characters: there are no real villains; in the real and fictional world everyone’s human.

Another praise for “Very Valentine” are the strong family ties throughout. The Roncalli’s consist of Valentine’s parents, her grandmother, two sisters, a brother, the assortment of in-laws and a multitude of nieces and nephews. As a heavily traditional Italian family, they enjoy throwing parties and having other such gatherings for any occasion. In the first chapter, immediately the reader is enmeshed with the Roncallis, learning their quirks and some family secrets. Even in the fictional world, families aren’t portrayed as perfect, but the Roncallis seem to rejoice in their flaws. Fights can be brutally verbal, but at the end of the day, they still love each other. The sheer strength Trigiani portrays the family having is astounding. They stand tall; they lean on each other in times of need; no matter what, they are all there to give support.

At points in the novel, the action dies away and stalls. It can be hard to keep reading at those times, but the best option is to put the book down, walk away from it and come back at a later time when you are refreshed and ready to start reading again. This is not a novel that captivates wholly from start to finish. It’s enjoyable to read the little bits of history Trigiani has Valentine recalling, but the transitions can be weak for some and almost non-existent for others. It’s endearing to note that, like the characters, the book has its own flaws.

The first book in a trilogy revolving around Valentine, her quirky family and wacky love life, “Very Valentine” is, overall, a very enjoyable novel and a recommended favorite for all to read.
-Nepenthe

Book Review: Team of Rivals

Abraham Lincoln is known as one of the greatest presidents the United States has seen. His rise from the backwater prairies of Illinois as a circuit lawyer to the highest position in the country seemed almost impossible if not improbable. Historians and writers have explored the reasons behind Lincoln’s success for years, covered every angle, but Doris Kearns Goodwin’s newest book “Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln” takes a different look at the nation’s most powerful men.

There’s an old saying that advises one to keep friends close, but enemies closer; Lincoln is the embodiment of that saying. After taking the presidency, Lincoln needed a strong and dependable cabinet. Having come from the periphery, Lincoln was unknown, untried and had little political support. Instead of choosing people who supported him throughout his campaign, Lincoln went with four men who all held a grudge against him, who all desired his newly acquired position. Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War, despised Lincoln when they first met in the courtroom in 1855 and treated him with contempt. Salmon P. Chase, Secretary of the Treasury, thought he to be Lincoln’s superior, resenting him for taking the position he thought rightly his. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, was positive of his nomination for president when Lincoln stole the stage and saw his position in Lincoln’s cabinet his chance to make the president a figure head, leaving him in charge. Edward Bates, Attorney General, came out of retirement for the candidacy, but when he lost, he vowed to decline any cabinet position offered. All four men had plans to bring the new president down, and all four grew to admire and respect the tall, lanky man whose ambition was to change the country.

Goodwin explores the complexities of Lincoln’s cabinet and his presidency, making “Team of Rivals” stand out from the other Lincoln literature with her in depth analysis of the complex interpersonal relationships and personal motivations of each man. Instead of focusing on purely political or bureaucratic stories, which are dry and cause eyelids to droop, this piece of nonfiction takes the opposite road, studying the mortal men who shaped the country. Chase was undeniably an ambitious man who sought to receive recognition with a passion unrivaled and would use anyone to his own advantage. In him are the old puritan ways that helped found the country and the makings of a dangerous man. Seward, undoubtedly also an ambitious man, craved the presidency and sought to undermine Lincoln at every step.

Goodwin’s ability as a writer to take such a political endeavor and turn the book into a narrative is unparalleled. Her passion for the topic shines throughout the pages; she turns a dry topic into one of almost epic proportions, keeping the reader anxious, wondering what’s next. Rather than seeming as cold, dry cut men from history books who have accomplished this deed and that, Lincoln and his cabinet are shown as real people who suffered, had their hopes dashed, found joy and lived. There are times where even a great narration can get tough to read through, but stick with it, the whole story is ultimately rewarding.

Downside to the book is the length. Trying to find a nice, quick read of maybe 200-300 pages? Don’t read this book. If a 1,000 page book is not daunting, then go the nearest library and check out “Team of Rivals” immediately.