#Nowreading Rin Chupeco's The Girl from The Well

#BOOKHAUL!, DreamWalkers and A Whole Lot of Nothing

Aren't they PURTY?

Still have a ton of new books but I'll introduced them to you gently. 

Anyway, have been busy editing Wolf at the Door (WATD) especially since contract is being negotiated and I haven't time to continue with DreamWalkers but will go back to it after. Meanwhile, I'm thinking of changing The Wolf Series into the Oathbreaker Series, considering the book isn't really about the wolves but about the Waerloga....strange how things can hit you at the last moment. 

And I just changed the title on Goodreads. So WATD is Oathbreaker #1. 

I'm not editing much of the book just a little here and there, change some weird sentences or catch a few more typos and misspellings if I can. 

I really need a good editor. It would help if I have another set of eyes to catch things that I didn't. 

In DreamWalkers, it's weird how as an author you would have your own favorite character. Someone who despite not being a main character, you love just the same. Sure enough, like a parent, you would have a favorite child but...in DreamWalkers, I didn't expect Yohan to be my favorite. Sure he will be a big part of the story but...It's not surprising that Medea would be the most confusing character for me, I just don't really get her because my personality is so very different from her and writing her has its ups and downs and sideways while Sen, my second favorite, is actually pretty easy to write about that I'm worried that he would come off as boring. Don't get me wrong, I don't consider him boring, but he's so entrenched in Asian customs and traditions (Japanese, where everything is suppressed and understated) that I'm afraid he would come off as staid and...boring. To me he is fascinating, all that rock-steadiness and Japanese restraint hiding an ocean vastness of will and passion and I give him little moments-subtle-moments where I try to give hints of that intensity and bring it out, especially in his interactions with Medea. But Sen is also respectful, quiet, a flowing river underneath a mirror surface type and I'm afraid I wouldn't do him justice. And I'm afraid that my readers who aren't Asian will not be able to relate to him...

It's like when an Asian movie is remade by Hollywood,  a change in values and traditions change the whole look and feel of the movie. Sometimes what we Asians consider powerful emotionally or scandalous isn't a big deal for other people and I'm afraid of such meaningful actions from Sen would pass people by because they don't get it. They don't get him.

Or am I thinking too much or being an Asian snob?

Yohan, my favorite, would most definitely be a crowd pleaser, not only because he's the not-so-typical bad boy type--sort of--but because he is passionate and he acts on said passion. Not that he's reckless, because he's not. But he's the type to say rousing speeches and lead men while Sen is the one who stands behind the throne and whispers secrets and quiet advice. Both boys are intense but while Yohan has the burn-to-ashes intensity of the sun, Sen is the steady light in the dark that guides you home. 

So, which would you prefer? 

P.S: Boo is doing great. He's eating a lot, napping like the world is going to end and basically creating a mess wherever he goes like cats do. 

Happy with his progress. *thumbs up*

Picked up a lot of titles this month.

And this is only what I'm currently reading. Not my whole haul. 

#amreading

Summary:

When Camille was six years old, she was discovered alone in the snow by Enrico Vultusino, godfather of the Seven—the powerful Families that rule magic-ridden New Haven. Papa Vultusino adopted the mute, scarred child, naming her after his dead wife and raising her in luxury on Haven Hill alongside his own son, Nico.

Now Cami is turning sixteen. She’s no longer mute, though she keeps her faded scars hidden under her school uniform, and though she opens up only to her two best friends, Ruby and Ellie, and to Nico, who has become more than a brother to her. But even though Cami is a pampered Vultusino heiress, she knows that she is not really Family. Unlike them, she is a mortal with a past that lies buried in trauma. And it’s not until she meets the mysterious Tor, who reveals scars of his own, that Cami begins to uncover the secrets of her birth…to find out where she comes from and why her past is threatening her now.

Thoughts:

*spoiler alert*

How to say this.

I liked it, and loved some parts of it. The mythology is awesome (the snow white twist), the world-building complicated and layered...which was the problem for me. It was too layered and the author sort of just dumped information on us and hoped we understood. Sure you can relate some events in this world to our world for ex; the REEVE or the magical revolution as the, I'm guessing, Industrial Revolution.

I'm still half-convinced there was a prequel or something. No?

Anyway, the world called New Haven, is controlled by the Seven Families, like I said, they're kind of like the vampire mafia. And there are Jacks (which I'm not really sure what, maybe shapeshifters) and the Twists (people that has their Potential twisted by hate or rage) and then there are the fae.

Cami, or Camille, our heroine was a foundling, an orphan found in the snow by the head of the Vultusino family. She is adopted into the family and grew up along with his son, his heir, Nico.

Keep in mind that this is a version of Snow White so you already know the gist but I'm not saying that there are new elements in this story: for instance, the vampires, like Papa Vultusino and Nico, ghouls, mere-humans, magic users like Cami and Cami's friends Ruby (Red Riding Hood) and Ellie (Cinderella). There will be an evil queen, there will be the huntsman etc.

The pace of the story is okay, I guess, the pacing is pretty fast, you get to know everybody also pretty fast and you get the story, also pretty fast. It's twisted and dark and kind of harrowing at times as your imagination finally grab a hold of the world.

It kind of reminded me of Labyrinth in a way, you know, that movie with David Bowie as the Goblin King?

I was disappointed that we didn't get more Nico though, I was interested on how he went from heir to Head of the Family. Why he was often gone.

And I'm intrigued by how Lili St Crow created the difference between Nico and Tor, how they switched placed in the middle but then we totally see who was on Cami's side and not so much.

Well, will I read this book again? yes, yes I would. Is it flawless? Nope.

But still, an interesting (though not so original, at least on the White Queen part) read. Give it 3/5 stars.

am reading next

Summary: 

To survive in a ruined world, she must embrace the darkness…

Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a walled-in city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten. Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred ofthem—the vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself dies and becomes one of the monsters.

Forced to flee her city, Allie must pass for human as she joins a ragged group of pilgrims seeking a legend—a place that might have a cure for the disease that killed off most of civilization and created the rabids, the bloodthirsty creatures who threaten human and vampire alike. And soon Allie will have to decide what and who is worth dying for…again.

Enter Julie Kagawa's dark and twisted world as an unforgettable journey begins.

#amreading

Just finished this book last night. I gave it a 4/5 stars. 

Summary:

He makes good girls...bad. 

Dante Walker is flippin’ awesome, and he knows it. His good looks, killer charm, and stellar confidence have made him one of hell’s best—a soul collector. His job is simple: weed through humanity and label those round rears with a big red good or bad stamp. Old Saint Nick gets the good guys, and he gets the fun ones. Bag-and-tag.

Sealing souls is nothing personal. Dante’s an equal-opportunity collector and doesn't want it any other way. But he’ll have to adjust, because Boss Man has given him a new assignment:

Collect Charlie Cooper’s soul within ten days.

Dante doesn't know why Boss Man wants Charlie, nor does he care. This assignment means only one thing to him, and that’s a permanent ticket out of hell. But after Dante meets the quirky Nerd Alert chick he’s come to collect, he realizes this assignment will test his abilities as a collector…and uncover emotions deeply buried.

Thoughts:

** spoiler alert ** 

Truly enjoyable. I picked up this book because I was just tickled about how an anti-hero Dante Walker is. Of course as the story progressed he grew a conscience and then a heart and it was heartbreaking and rewarding to read about. 

The story itself is excellently paced with dips and highs that hit you hard. There were tears as I read Dante's POV who can be a dick of the highest order but can also be the biggest sweetheart. He's damaged (of course he is) and he doesn't apologize for any of his attitude or bad behavior. I find it interesting on how continually torn he is about 'work' and 'feelings'. 

I like Charlie though her agreeing to the contract was kind of a, "huh, really?" moment for me. She's a smart  girl and yes, a beautiful soul without being perfectly, annoyingly, good but I thought she would question the 'contract' part. 

Of course, the addiction part of the contract make sense too.

But this book wasn't just about the 'love story' between Dante and Charlie, but it was also about family (that bit of when Dante came home and saw his mom on top of the stairs KILLED ME. SOBS GALORE) and friendship and what you do when you love someone, the limits you pushed when you want to protect them. 

Charlie and Annabelle and Blue. Charlie and Blue and Charlie's grandmother. Dante and Charlie's grandmother and Charlie. Dante and Charlie's grandmother. Dante and Annabelle. Dante and Blue. 

The relationships, even the friendships were real and complicated and yet extraordinarily simple at times; Blue and Dante's brohate relationship, Annabelle and Dante's smack talking contest. 

There wasn't clear manipulation of our emotions though you feel for the characters. 

There is no prolong angst though yes, there were hard and sad moments. 

I have to say though, eventhough Charlie and Anabelle and Dante are made of awesome, my heart belonged to Blue, so the ending slayed me.

I hope in book two, Blue would be a Liberator, 'cause that would be awesome.

Am now reading this book.

Summary:

When Camille was six years old, she was discovered alone in the snow by Enrico Vultusino, godfather of the Seven—the powerful Families that rule magic-ridden New Haven. Papa Vultusino adopted the mute, scarred child, naming her after his dead wife and raising her in luxury on Haven Hill alongside his own son, Nico.

Now Cami is turning sixteen. She’s no longer mute, though she keeps her faded scars hidden under her school uniform, and though she opens up only to her two best friends, Ruby and Ellie, and to Nico, who has become more than a brother to her. But even though Cami is a pampered Vultusino heiress, she knows that she is not really Family. Unlike them, she is a mortal with a past that lies buried in trauma. And it’s not until she meets the mysterious Tor, who reveals scars of his own, that Cami begins to uncover the secrets of her birth…to find out where she comes from and why her past is threatening her now.

Thoughts:

** spoiler alert **

The world-building is...well, I'm still confused about it, the beginning was kind of jarring for me though the author did manage to pile in the character introduction there. But it was also filled with loads of information that was unfamiliar but the author made it seemed like we should know this already. Was there a prequel that I should know about?

Anyway, what's interesting to me is that by cover and by explanation is that this seems to be a twist on Snow White...if Snow White was a magic-user or something. And her friends Ruby (Red Riding Hood) and Ellie (Cinderella) are also magic-users and is in the same school as her.

Lili St Crow's story tend to go dark so I'm interesting on how she'll twist the old fairy tale stories that we all know and love.

I am intrigue by how Cami got her scars and where she comes from and her relationship with Nico, the heir to the Vultusino (I get the impression that they are like the Supernatural mob) throne. 

Cami speaks with a stutter and as such is often frustrated with herself, she also use a lot of gestures to get her feelings across and her relationship with Nico, a sullen, difficult and volatile boy who grew up with her as her brother. Their relationship is sweet and the fact that Nico's name is one of the words that she hardly ever stutters on is extra sweet. I love it. 

Though Cami is pampered, the Patriach of the clan is hard on Nico. He is very strict and is not hesitant on doling out corporeal punishment which doesn't seem to do much now. Nico seems to expect his father's anger, his disapproval. And his father can't seem to be kind to him although he does love him. Cami knows this. And Nico although he won't say it, yearns for his father approval. 

Cami seems to be the only thing they have in common these days. 

Anyway, back to reading. 

#amreading

"Idris leaned back in his chair and attempted to cross his legs, but was hampered by the chains on his ankles. He bent over to investigate and fell out of his chair. The chains on his wrists that were bolted to the table kept him suspended, hanging at an odd angle. He twisted to try to pull himself back into his chair and somehow got the chains tangled up. I wasn't sure how he managed to get into that pretzel-like position. 

It took real talent to be that inept."

-Shanna Swendson Enchanted. Inc #5-Much To Do About Magic

*snort* Oh, Idris. You art a wonderful villain. 

Shanna Swendon's Enchanted.Inc is one of my favorite series: it's light at most times and fun, funny and exciting. 

It tells a story of Katie Chandler, an ordinary woman who found herself not so ordinary at all. She is, in fact, an immune, a person who has an, what else, immunity to magic, who can see through veils so she was recruited by MSI: Magic, Spells and Illusions. A company who is often referred to as the 'microsoft of magic'. You see, when you can do magic it also means that magic can also be done to you so having an immune on the payroll has its advantages: they can check contracts just in case there were some fancy veiling on some points, they can detect any magic or curses or see through illusions in meetings or on a product. Mostly, what they do is verify. 

What I like about Kate is that even though her immunity give her a leg up, so to speak, but most of the time, she deals with problems with common sense and strength of will, cunning and simply by being smart. You'd be surprise how far those personality traits brought her to the attention of the boss; Merlin.

Yep, Merlin, the one and only. 

Then there is Owen Palmer. Owen is a powerful wizard, kind of like a grown up Harry Potter. He has movie star looks, book smarts, street smarts, and magical power to go on for days. He has his layers, from the shy and unassuming man to the intense and powerful wizard. He's the head of the Research & Development department, yeah, he's basically a nerd, the magical equivalent of a tech nerd. His job is to take old spells and adapt them to modern times. He's an orphan (I KNOW) and there's been some foreshadowing about his mysterious pass, some dark secret about his parents ( I'm thinking there's a Darth Vader type in here somewhere). Since he is so powerful, he was brought up under the hands of his foster parents who is firm and strict with him. I'm guessing ethics and morals and rule are hammered into his head as soon as he can understand words. Because of his upbringing, he doesn't really get that he's hot, and he's really shy. He blushes every time a woman speaks to him ( adorable) and he usually likes to stay in the background. But when he's focused on something, he tends to be scarily obsessive about it. 

Then there is Phaelan Idris. He starts as being the villain although further down the road we know there is someone else pulling his strings but I find him to be so deliciously funny. Idris has no morals and also no ethics whatsoever. The term villain doesn't really suit him because he usually doesn't mean to be bad, he just ends up that way because, well, he doesn't really think that what he's doing will hurt anybody. And to be fair, he usually uses his spells such as influence spell for the silliest things. Once he used it to influence people to dance ala cabaret at the streets just to greet Kate. He also has the focus and concentration of a squirrel, he gets distracted by everything. He's silly, and often times annoying rather than evil. Not to say that his spells doesn't create trouble for Owen and Kate, it does, it's just that...well, if you read the books, you'll understand what I mean. 

I'm reading the 5th book now and having fun.

I took a long nap today and this is the first time I opened my laptop for the day because my eyes were so tired. 

#amreading

Am half-way through this. So far so good. Am loving the cover and the idea behind the story. I mean come on, a ghost hunter and a ghost? You can't get more star-crossed than that. I'm glad I found out this book now because the second book is already out and I have it!

New Books!