Hard Magic by Larry Correia

Larry Correia's website

Book 1 of the Grimnoir Chronicles Series

Imagine if around the early 1900s, history began to veer off from the course ours took... What if the Titanic never sank because of the efforts of one man? Or if airships became a preferred way to travel for most countries? Or if people were the cause of the Dust Bowl? What if all of this was because an emergence of people with special powers?

The story begins with us meeting Jake Sullivan, former war hero, convict... and a Heavy, meaning that he can manipulate gravitational forces. He's recently been released from prison early, but the catch is that he has to help the FBI catch Actives who're breaking the law. But on his most recent assignment, he'll find more than he bargained for... and that perhaps the government has been lying to him.

When I originally saw the cover of this book at work, I was immediately drawn in by the interesting cover art, and who wouldn't be? It's a very noir/gothic design, and the description on the back describes a steampunk/magical version of our world, where things have kinda gone to hell, just in a different way than things have in our world. I ended up buying it in Mass market paperback because I needed something new and interesting to read, and boy was I surprised (in a good way!)

The beginning is a little slow, having to give some backstory to establish the world and certain characters. Each chapter gives the reader an account of magic usage, or of something going on in the times to best help set up the scene. Once I got to the real first chapter, I was brought in immediately by the action and pace of the book. It went right into a fight/chase scene like everyone likes to read, without spoon feeding you too much information, but handing it to you in skillful ways so that you know what you need to to understand.

Personally, I wanted MORE information about the magic powers and all, and I was pleasantly surprised to see that there is a dictionary at the end of the book (before the preview of one of the author's new books), and it describes different powers, the differences between Active and Passive (which is kind of explanatory, but offers more information to clarify).

The main character is Jake Sullivan, but many other characters weasel their ways into your heartstrings, especially that of Faye. She's a bubbly girl who you want to succeed, and who you get to see blossom throughout the book. While there are deaths throughout the book, most of them are nameless characters, or characters that there isn't too much rapport with.

Overall, I would say read this book and you won't be sorry. It's a thrilling book, and let me tell you the ending was not expected at all, unlike some great books out there.

GO READ IT!

Final Report:
Hard Magic by Larry Correia
593 pages
$7.99 (In Store)
$6.52 (Online)
9/10

Available at your local Barnes and Noble or at Barnes and Noble Online

Music Monday - Soundtrack for the Wheel of Time by Robert Berry

Robert Berry's website

I first discovered the Wheel of Time in Middle School, believe it or not. I had a friend that I met at school and on the bus who was into the books, so he lent them to me and I devoured the first 5 or 6 books, then I think I even bought the 7th.

In high school, a friend of mine who was also in love with the books told me about this cd and how awesome it was, and burned me a copy. At first I didn't really know what to think. Instrumental music wasn't really my forte at the time, but I did give it a listen. Right away I fell in love with track 8, the Winespring Reel, and to me it sounded like something that would be played in a bar/inn at the time, with people dancing and drinking. Slowly, one by one, I started to fall in love with the other songs. They really do embody the feel that Robert Jordan gives in his book, so kudos to Mr. Berry.

There are a few tracks with singing, Including the first track, A Theme for the Wheel of Time, as well as Ladies of the Tower, and the Aiel Approach. While I do like tracks 1 and 11, the Aiel Approach has grown on me in many ways. As a music major, I've had to study gregorian chant, and that's what this reminds me of. To me, I see the Aiel as having an oral tradition background, possibly because of their migratory patterns and moving everything on their backs so paper and books would be hard to bring with them. (But that's just my opinion)

I think my absolute favorite pieces are: Song for Moraine, The Winespring Reel, the Game of Houses, and Voyage of the Sea Folk. There's just something about these pieces that really gets me going, or at least my imagination going. I literally see a regal Queen walking into her throne room in the Game of Houses, with courtiers looking at her, judging her, looking for weakness. I'm weird, I know, but it's what I see.

Track List:

1. A Theme for the Wheel of Time
2. Return to Emonds Fields
3. Song for Moiraine
4. Traveling the Ways
5. Spears and Buckler
6. Dream Walker
7. The Knowledge of the Wise Ones
8. The Winespring Reel
9. The Halls of Tar Valon
10. Search for the Black Ajah
11. Ladies of the Tower
12. The Game of House
13. Voyage of the Sea Folk
14. Heart of the Wolf
15. Journey Through the Waste
16. Lan the Warder
17. March of the Trollocs
18. Rand's Theme (Fanfare for the Dragon Reborn)
19. The Aiel Approach (Dahl of a Chant)

Final Report:
Soundtrack for the Wheel of Time by Robert Berry
54 minutes
$16.99

Available at Barnes and Noble online

Splintered by A.G. Howard

A.G. Howard's Website

I picked this book up in the break room when it arrived as an A.R.C., and honestly while the book teaser intrigued me, the cover also captured my attention. They say don't judge a book by it's cover, but who could pass up something this pretty?

It started off fairly slowly, laying down the backstory of the main character, Alyssa, who is a many-times descendent of Alice Liddell, the inspiration for Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland. There is a family curse that has passed through the female line where the women can hear bugs and flowers talking to them. Alyssa is taken care of by her father since her mother is in a mental hospital because of she can talk to flowers and bugs, and because (as we find out), she attacked Alyssa when she was younger. The reader can feel the very real fear that Alyssa has that she too is going crazy, and when she finds out that the doctors want to give her mother experimental treatment to try and cure her, she takes charge and tries to find out more about why the females in her line are cursed...

Her desire to fix her mother and herself lead her to find a way into Wonderland, where she finds out that the original Alice created much destruction when she was there, from creating an ocean with her tears, etc. The Wonderland that we see now is much different from the whimsical version of Carroll's book, or of any of the movies. It's lead for us to believe that a small child would not see the horrors of what Wonderland really looks like, so her account to Carroll was seen through the eyes of a naive child. (This is slightly conflicted later, but you'll see). Before she leaves for Wonderland, she finds several items that had been passed down through the female line, and that her mother left for her to find. When she takes them with her, they end up being crucial to her finding out the terrible truth behind her family curse, and about herself.

I don't want to spoil any of the surprises (of which there are MANY!!!), so I won't go into too much detail, but the ending of the book is fantastic, and one that I didn't see coming at all. Alyssa is forced to make several hard decisions, as well as harder her resolve (like all good protagonists) in order to succeed in her quest.

While at time the book did get a little confusing for me, so that I had to read over certain passages a few times, I did like it overall and was saddened when it ended. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good fantasy novel with a bit of mystery added into the mix. It's a great book for teens and adults, and not too quick of a read, which is always important for me.


Final Report:
Splintered by A.G. Howard
377 pages
$17.95 (Hardcover)
$10.98 (online Hardcover)
$9.99 (Nook)
7/10

Available at your local Barnes and Noble and Barnes and Noble online  for purchase

Music Mondays - Zz Ward

Hey friends, how are y'all doing this Monday? I thought of another way to spice things up here on my blog, and that's by recommending/reviewing new music for y'all. To kick it off, I'd like to start off with the artist Zz Ward.

Zz Ward's website

I first discovered Zz Ward when I saw her cd at my store when I was walking through the department. I was intrigued to hear what she sounded like because a lot of the artists on our Discover endcap are not well known, but are really good artists/groups. I looked her up on iTunes, and quickly fell in love with her music and her lyrics.

The first song I fell for is the first song on the album, as well as what the album is named after, Til the Casket Drops. It has a great rhythm, and as soon as she begins singing, we are treated to a melodious, smokey voice. This is actually a love song, where she's telling her love that she will be by his side until one of them dies. (Doesn't sound romantic, but it is). After hearing this song, I immediately purchased the entire cd, and prepared my ears for what I assumed would be an amazing experience, and I was not left down!

My next favorite song takes things down a notch tempo wise, and it is Last Love Song. Instead of a love song or hate song, instead it's a song reminiscing on all of the things and plans that will never happen, now that the couple is no longer together. I personally resonate with this song a lot, being recently single, and find that it says all of the things that I had trouble putting into words. The song is not too difficult to play on the guitar, if one is so inclined to learn it. Last Love Song guitar chords

Song after song we are treated to hit after hit. Honestly, there's not one song on the cd that I don't like. I do have preferences of which ones I listen to the most, but literally every song is a hit. The last song that I actually listened to, weeks after I got the cd, is the last song on the album, 365 Days. It's a great breakup song about a girl who is not going to put up with her partner's crap anymore, so she kicks him to the curb. Literally throwing his stuff out of the window onto the street  below (and I know I'm not the only who's ever fantasized about doing this to someone, even if it's not a lover/partner/etc.)

I recommended her to someone once, but they said she was too country for their tastes. I personally do not feel like she is country. I find her more of a mix between Pop Rock/Blues/Soul, but that's just my interpretation. She's listed as Pop Rock at the store, but that's neither here nor there.

I would recommend everyone to look her up and listen to her music, even if they don't like all of her music, there must be one song they like! Another think that I like is that she is VERY good in person, as well as in studio recordings.

Track Listing:

1. Til the Casket Drops
2. Put the Gun Down
3. Blue Eyes Blind
4. Home
5. Crying Wolf (featuring Kendrick Lamar)
6. Save My Life
7. Last Love Song
8. Lil Darlin (featuring The O'Mys)
9. Move Like U Stole It
10. Criminal (featuring Freddie Gibbs)
11. If I Could Be Hear
12. Charlie Ain't Home
13. 365 Days

Final Report:
Til The Casket Drops - Zz Ward
45 mins
$10.99 in store
9/10

Available at your local Barnes and Noble, or online at Barnes and Noble.com - Zz Ward

Film Fridays! - Wreck it Ralph

Welcome to a break from your regularly scheduled book review! Now introducing FILM FRIDAYS, where I review a movie that i've recently seen, or just one that I really like. To start us off, I'm going to begin with Wreck it Ralph.

I had the misfortune to miss seeing this movie in theaters, which is a little sad since I live a mile away from a movie theater, which is literally within walking distance from my work. But since I prefer to go see the first showing (because it's cheaper), I usually choose to sleep in on the days that I can go to the movies.

Overall, I did enjoy this movie quite a bit. I found it charming and entertaining, even for adults. The story was new, and a breath of fresh air in my opinion. The writers took a villain and turned him into a hero, showing us that not everything is as it seems. It's a good lesson for children on how to not judge a book by it's cover.

It was fun to see the throwback graphics at the beginning, as well as seeing the different characters from older video games. I liked the way that the older characters moved like they would in a video game of the time, whereas the newer characters had better range of movement. I did feel as if the add of the space character, Sergeant Calhoun, was random, at least until later in the game. My favorite character is probably Vanellope because no matter what, she wants to be herself. Even when the other characters in her game give her mess about being a "glitch".

There were quite a few twists and turns throughout the movie, probably the greatest being the backstory to King Candy. That was something that I was NOT expecting in the least. There were quite a few hilarious moments for me in the movie. I think the support group was very funny, especially Satan asking to be called "Satine". And when Ralph interrogates Sour Bill by licking him, I lol'd for real.

There were also quite a few moments that tugged on my heartstrings, which I did not expect at all. I think the best one is near the end, when Ralph decides to save the day at the risk of everything for him. Though when the characters of the games talked about being unplugged, that really got me, which was one of those odd moments where you sympathize with a fictional character, or characters, and then feel very silly. It did make me reminisce about the older video games that I used to play, and how hard it is to find them these days for cheap. It's almost like they are more expensive than they originally were. (random tangent, sorry)

Once again Disney has made another good movie, but who expected anything else? It's Disney for pete's sake!

Final Report:
Wreck it Ralph
101 minutes
$19.99 - $26.00 (DVD)
$29.99 - $39.99 (Blu-Ray)
8/10

Available on DVD or Blu-ray at your local Barnes and Noble or Barnes and Noble online

Clean by Alex Hughes

Yesterday I finished the science fiction/fantasy book Clean by Alex Hughes. It is labeled to be the first in a series called "Mindspace Investigations"

Alex Hughes website

On the author's website, it calls this a dystopian thriller, which I agree with. Essentially the story opens around 40 - 60 years after what is called the "Tech Wars" where either technology went amok (similar to terminator), or people hacked into technology and went crazy. Many people in North America died because of all our technology, while other countries with less technology weren't hit as bad. Extraordinary people with gifts of telepathy, telekinesis, etc. stepped up to save the world and shut down the awol technology, because somehow the telepaths/et. al have a "Mindspace" that does not function well with technology, and vice versa. Anyway, the reader finds out that the telepaths/et. al formed a Guild to police their own, train them, and find them jobs.

The book opens with the main character, a telepath, about to conduct an interview on a murder suspect. We find out that he is a high level telepath, and that he was kicked out of the Guild because of his drug habit (that he still struggles with daily). He works with a female detective, Isabella Cherabino, to help her solve crimes with his skills as a telepath. While investigating a string of murders, he finds out that they were committed by at least one member of the Guild, a telepath/teleporter, but possibly two. He and Cherabino have to find out who is committing the murders, and fast, because the next person to die is going to be the main character.

Overall I found the book pretty easy to read. It gives you enough information in the beginning to understand the differences in the world (cars that can fly, people who can read minds, etc.) and also the lack of major technology (the internet). The main character, who remains unnamed throughout most of the book, is relatable because of the trials that he does through with his drug addiction. It is an interesting, psychological view into those who struggle with drug addiction. It talks about how he deals with his addiction, meeting with his sponsor, and even how by falling off the wagon, he has lost the trust and respect of people that he works with.

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy with a hint of science fiction in it. It was an easy read and made me want to continue on in the series and see how the characters develop.

Final Report:
Clean by Alex Hughes
340 pages
$7.99
Score: 8/10

Available at your local Barnes and Noble for purchase

Lit Blind Date - Matched by Ally Condie

I am FINALLY getting around to my Literary Blind Date thing set up by The Literary Glutton http://litglutton.tumblr.com in February. Mainly because I’ve been a little too lazy to actually write my review, but also because I’ve been a little lazy too. But I just finished a huge research paper, so I’m riding the energy drink high!!!

My book blind date was submitted by Sarah of http://thepilotthepoetthephysic.tumblr.com and she’s Canadian, which is AWESOME! (sorry love Canadians), and it’s Matched by Ally Condie. 

The funny part about all of this is that I had just read the book about a week prior to receiving my blind date, and was wanting to review it for a book review blog that I want to start, but just haven’t gotten around to it yet (i procrastinate… too many funny cat photos online!) Okay so on to the review:

From the get go, the book started off in an intriguing way. It enticed me to keep reading, though one you figure out they are going to a ceremony where their ideal mate is being found for them, I had an inkling that her neighbor and her were gonna be chosen. (I’m cynical like that). I found the descriptions very informative without getting too bogged down with details, which is good in a teen book. There was enough information for me to really enjoy the book without getting in the way of the plot. 

Basically it’s another post apocalyptic world where people are encouraged to do what they need to do for society, whether it’s learn how to sort people or how to care for crops. Disobeying the government has harsh consequences (which we find out later in the book), and they have ways of controlling the population with a set of three pills: a blue (helps you sleep), green (calms nerves), and red (unknown!) pills. 

Frivolity is frowned upon, even to go so far as to wearing dull, similar clothes, and eating food that only meets your nutritional needs. Special occasions allow for fancy food and dress, but that is it. Kids go to school until they are chosen for a job around age 17/18. At age 17, you go to a banquet and find out who your life partner will be. This is to ensure the best breeding. You find out later that they train kids in school to work on sorting patterns, and the best people go to the center where they pick out the male/female matches. People live to the age of 80, then decline rapidly and die the night of their 80th birthday. In the society, there are only 100 poems, the best ones chosen to not be destroyed. There are only  a few songs still around, and free time is limited to allowed activities.  Physical activity is monitored severely, but allowed.  

Anyway, cut to after the ceremony, and the main female, Cassia, has been told she is to marry her neighbor, Xander. Yet when she is examining her match chip (to just find out more about him), she is shown another’s photo, a guy in her town named Ky. 

Cut to an official coming to her, telling her that it was a mistake and that she is still partnered to Xander. Cassia is suspicious, but trusts the official. It turns out that when she picks hiking for her free time, Ky is in her group and they form a bond. He starts teaching her the alphabet, and how to write. Eventually they start to fall for each other, but Cassia finds out that the officials know and test her. 

In the end, Ky is taken away and Cassia annoys the government, so they ship her family off to another area. She is determined to find Ky, even if it means standing up to the government and getting in trouble. We find out that the red pill is not a death pill (like is hinted and what i thought), but in fact wipes peoples memories back a few hours if not a day. (I can’t remember). We also find out that there are people who it does not effect, one being Xander, and that he is quick to not mention it so that he’s not taken away. 

Overall I found it a good read. Was a little slow at times, and sometimes I found that passage of time too vague. But it was interesting and made me want to finish the series, even if it’s not RIGHT away, like many other books I love. I’d give it a 7 out of 10 for me. It was pretty original in some aspects, though I am getting a little tired of the mass wave of post-apocalyptic books that is flooding the teen sections right now.

Final Report:
Matched by Ally Condie
366 pages
$9.99
7/10

Available at your local Barnes and Noble for purchase