Arthurian Saga - Book 1

The Crystal Cave
By Mary Stewart

 

Synopsis:

Who was Merlin? Was the famed magician of Camelot & King Arthur's court really a sinister, all-powerful being from another world? Was he truly a Prince of Darkness? Or was he a man with the passions of other mortals? A man with unique intelligence & unusual gifts? Why was he so feared? How did he come by his occult powers? Why was the crystal cave so important to him?

5th century Britain is a country of chaos & division after the Roman withdrawal. Born the bastard son of a Welsh princess who will not reveal to her son his father's true identity, Myridden Emrys--or as he would later be known, Merlin--leads a perilous childhood, haunted by portents & visions. But destiny has great plans for this no-man's-son, taking him from prophesying before the High King Vortigern to the crowning of Uther Pendragon & the conception of Arthur--king for once & always.

Source: Goodreads

My rating: 4.2 / 5

My Thoughts:

Presently, my TV series addiction is the BBC's Merlin. I've seen adverts in relation to this for years but never thought the show could be my kind of thing, that was until I subscribed to Netflix and it appeared as a recommendation. How have I deprived myself of the awesomeness of Merlin for so long??!!!

TV Series, being what they are, eventually end (unless they're EastEnders and then they're never ending!) and alas, I'm coming to the end of series 5 but I'm just not ready to let it go! And so, I've been researching into books relating to the Arthurian Legend. One of the most recommended series is the Arthurian Saga trilogy by Mary Stewart so I thought of giving it a try...

The Crystal Cave is essentially the build up to the birth of the future King, Arthur's. Merlin learns more about his powers of the Sight, which are both awed and feared by many other kings in this time of war. As Crystal Cave is the first book in the trilogy, there was a lot of narrative and worldbuilding, which at times became tedious to read. However, I completely understand that this is essential for a fantasy series so I wasn't too bothered about that.

To my delight, Merlin retains the wit and dry humour shown by Colin Morgan on the BBC. His risk taking and easy going personality kept the story going and I loved reading about his many adventures, especially his banter with his servants. Ideally, I would have liked Arthur to have made an actual appearance in this book (their TV bromance is hilariously adorable) but Crystal Cave is like a prequel to Arthur's story; the battles leading up to his birth and how important his arrival was to Merlin's destiny and therefore, the future of Britain.

"The gods only go with you, Cerdic, if you put yourself in their path.""Well, all right, but some of them have mighty big hoofs to walk over you with. Do you want Christian burial?""I don't really mind. I suppose I'll work my way up to Christian baptism fairly soon, if the bishop has his way, but till then I've not signed on officially for anyone."

I was surprised to learn that Merlin himself is, or was, a prince. On the TV show, he's portrayed as Arthur's servant boy but in this book he is seen a far more powerful light. To have a claim to the throne but not consider it twice is not something most people could do but it becomes clear that Merlin is unlike most people. Once I learnt more about his nature, his generous and straightforward personality, I wasn't surprised at this, indeed I doubt it had even crossed his thoughts until the King pointed it out!

Overall, the crystal Cave was a very interesting read and I'm now proceeding to book two. Although, I would like to know how much of the book, the TV show and Disney's Sword in the Stone movie is based on actual history? Has anyone read / watched any of these? Any thoughts?

Favourite Quotes:

"Because they are not for me. I have feared for other men, but never in that way for muself. Not yet. I think what men fear is the unknown. They fear pain and death, because these may be waiting round any corner. But there are times when I know what is hidden, and waiting, or when - I told you - I see it lying straight in the pathway. And I know where pain and danger lie for me, and I know that death is not yet to come; so I am not afraid. This isn't courage."He said slowly: "Yes, I knew you had the Sight."

Hello!

It's been quite some time since I last posted on my blog. I left because the entire appeal of blogging had disappeared. I just didn't feel like blogging anymore. I ended up repeating myself again and again, once here with a review, then on Goodreads and then amazon. Plus, I started reviewing for Dark Faerie Tales and I just didn't think I had the time to maintain my own blog too. 

So why have I come back now, you ask? Well, I realised that I don't read any poems so I randomly started researching short poems (baby steps!) and I came across a beautiful poem that I just had to share... 

Remember
By Christina Rossetti

Remember me when I am gone away,

Gone far away into the silent land;

When you can no more hold me by the hand,

Nor I half turn to go, yet turning stay.

Remember me when no more day by day

You tell me of our future that you plann'd:

Only remember me; you understand

It will be late to counsel then or pray.

Yet if you should forget me for a while

And afterwards remember, do not grieve:

For if the darkness and corruption leave

A vestige of the thoughts that once I had,

Better by far you should forget and smile

Than that you should remember and be sad. 

Source: The Times

What do you think of it? What are your favourite poems? 

Review of Graceling

Before sharing my review I would like to let you all know that this will probably be my last review on this blog for a while. This is because I am now reviewing for Dark Faerie Tales blog, leaving little time for my own!

Graceling
(Graceling Realm #1)
By Kristin Cashore

Synopsis:

Katsa has been able to kill a man with her bare hands since she was eight - she's a Graceling, one of the rare people in her land born with an extreme skill. As niece of the King, she should be able to live a life of privilege, but Graced as she is with killing, she is forced to work as the King's thug.

When she first meets Prince Po, GRaced with combat skills, Katsa has no hint of how her life is about to change. 

She never expects to become Po's friend. 

She never expects to learn a new truth about her own Grace - or about a terrible secret that lies hidden far away...

Source: Goodreads

My rating: 4.8 / 5

My Thoughts:

How have I not read the Graceling series before now? This is a brilliant read and if you haven't had the good fortune to read it yet, you must do so at once!

The story is based on a young girl/lady, who has an ability, or as its more commonly known, as a 'grace' for killing. Or that's what she always thought. Her uncle, King Randa realised the importance of her gift and used Katsa as his own personal assassin. The longer Katsa works for her uncle as his thug, the more uneasy she becomes with what he requires of her. Soon she creates her own group of people who secretly help rather than hurt, and along her way encounters Prince Po (what a name!), and the adventure begins.

I loved the concept of Graces, and it made me think, if I could have any Grace, what would it be? The power to excel in fights, heal others, foresee storms or mind read perhaps? A Grace is essentially a super power, but obviously there are downsides. 

Katsa's power of being a human killing machine, albeit with a conscience, means that very few people want to be around her, and because she has a very short fuse, she doesn't allow herself to have any friends either because she's afraid of hurting people close to her.

Katsa is one of my favourite literary characters ever. Being a tomboy is one thing, but Katsa takes it to another level. For example, one day she gets so fed up of having to comb her hair that she crops it just like a boy to make life easier. Katsa is so practical and sometimes machine-like that at times I would actually burst into laughter. The first time she starts crying with emotion, she's genuinely worried why her eyes are leaking!

I've gone on about Katsa, but there were lots of other awesome characters in this book too, especially Po; who is beyond adorable, Bitterblue, the stubborn little princess, and Raffin- the science crazed prince, who is also Katsa's best friend and cousin.

It goes without saying that I will definitely be reading the rest in this series and if I haven't convinced you yet, read some of my favourite quotes below!

Zed (:

Favourite Quotes:

"True. But you're better than I am, Katsa. And it doesn't humiliate me." He fed a branch to the fire. "It humbles me. But it doesn't humiliate me."

She shook her head disbelieving. "No one in this inn has any privacy."
"My sense of them is faint, Katsa. I cannot sense everyone down to the ends of their hair, as I do you.”
She sighed. “What an honor, then, to be me…”

“I’d rather strengthen my mind against you,” she said, “than knock you out every time I have a thought I don’t want you to know.”
“Yes, well, and I’d prefer that also, believe me. But I grant you permission to knock me out, if ever you need to.”
“I wish you wouldn’t. You know how impulsive I am.”
“I don’t care.”"

She cried like a person whose heart is broken and wondered how, when two people loved each other, there could be such a broken heart.

Review of Unhinged

Unhinged (Splintered #2)

By A.G. Howard

 

Synopsis:

Alyssa Gardner has been down the rabbit hole and faced the bandersnatch. She saved the life of Jeb, the guy she loves, and escaped the machinations of the disturbingly seductive Morpheus and the vindictive Queen Red. Now all she has to do is graduate high school and make it through prom so she can attend the prestigious art school in London she's always dreamed of. 

That would be easier without her mother, freshly released from an asylum, acting overly protective and suspicious. And it would be much simpler if the mysterious Morpheus didn't show up for school one day to tempt her with with another dangerous quest in the dark, challenging Wonderland - where she (partly) belongs. 

As prom and graduation creep closer, Alyssa juggles Morpheus's unsettling presence in her real world with trying to tell Jeb the truth about a past he's forgotten. Glimpses of Wonderland start to bleed through her art and into her world in very disturbing ways, and Morpheus warns that Queen Red won't be far behind.

If Alyssa stays in the human realm, she could endanger Jeb, her parents, and everyone she loves. But if she steps through the rabbit hole again, she'll face a deadly battle that could cost more than just her head.

Source: Goodreads

My rating: 4.5 / 5 !!!

My Thoughts:

After Splintered #1, I knew this series would be epic. I listened to the audiobook version of the first book and physically read the second book in this series and it makes a lot of difference. When listening to a book being read I paid greater attention to dialogue. In my mind each character's appearance was based heavily because of the narrator's voice and tone. Whereas, when reading I paid more attention to the narrative, imagining the characters as they were described and using my own imagination to 'hear' them speak. After reading book 2 I think I'll go back and physically read the first book again, just for that reading experience.  

I am entirely Team Morpheus! His cunning, cocky nature and countless half truths should be infuriating but he brings the spark into the story and it wouldn't be the same without him. Some of my favourite scenes were because of Morpheus' eccentricities and his witty comments. In Unhinged, we see a more vulnerable Morpheus.' Alyssa also comes to realise that she holds her two knights to completely different standards and tries to give Morpheus the benefit of the doubt rather than immediately thinking the worst of him (but in most cases he still somehow screws up!) 

"So what kind of hat is that?" I ask, unable to resist. He's adorable when he's showing off his wardrobe - like a puppy doing tricks. Although I remain cautious, knowing in the blink of an eye he can become a wolf again.

Annoying factor:
Jeb! He irritated me for the first half of the story, when his passion for art was overtaking his life. Then he wonders why Alyssa is tempted by 'Mort'. As the story progressed Jeb went back to being the irritating Mr goody. I do like him, I just prefer Morpheus and wish Jeb would disappear (in the nicest way possible of course). 

We also see Alyssa battle with her netherling side. She thinks that because she's already beaten Red (book 1), everything is fine and she can go back to her human life. Pretending to be normal might have worked if it wasn't for the constant warnings from the bugs and flowers, her nightmares of a deteriorating wonderland and her chaotic art, which seems to take a life of its own. She can try to deny it all she wants but Alyssa has changed and she discovers that in order to be win and save Wonderland, she needs to embrace both sides of herself.  

I should trust Alyssa's mum but for some strange reason I can't bring myself to do so. She's always keeping secrets, and is far too good at pretending and preying on weaknesses. I have this odd hunch that she's still after the crown...

There are a gazillion other characters that I could talk about but this review would then be as long as the book. Special mention to Rabid the crazy-skeletal-rabbit-creature. Like all the other Wonderland characters, he is mad, odd and creepy but I love the way he talks, his loyalty to Queen Alyssa and how he brings in the cuteness factor. 

AG Howard outdoes herself with this crazily believable world and its fantastic characters, so much so that I can't imagine why someone would doubt Wonderland's existence! Her attention to detail astounds me, ensuring that each aspect of the story is perfectly explained so that the reader feels like they're part of the adventure too. 

It goes without saying that I am now going to read Ensnared. Although I might need to sleep for a while since I'm finishing this review at 4am!

Favourite Quotes:

"You'd do well to reacquaint yourself with their true nature. It might remind you of your own."

But what if he's wrong, too? How can being half of something be better than being whole?

No one knows me well enough - really knows me - to jump to my defense when rumors abound.

"You didn't leave me," I utter in disbelief. "I thought you would leave me."He releases my dace and looks out the opposite window while rubbing his hand on his jeans to wipe off my mascara. "Nonsense. I stayed for the car."

"...For the only way you'll be able to defeat Red is by learning to be merciless. Compassion has no place on any battlefield...magical or otherwise."

Weighed down by all the secrets I've been carrying for almost a year, by all the new ones piling up, I stare at myself in the mirror, hoping to find something other than the dress to like. Because right now, I'm not my favourite person.

He bites his lower lip, a gesture so minute I might've imagined it. "Nothing can break the chains you have on my heart. For you are Wonderland."

His gaze locks on mine, and the bottomless depths flicker - like black clouds alive with lightning. For that instant, I'm bared to the bone. He looks inside my heart; I look inside his. And the similarities there terrify me.

"Little blossom trapped in between, wearing malice like a queen; hide the truth, be cruel and tart, still all the more, you rule my heart."

I am mad, and I embrace it. Madness is part of my heritage. The part that led me to Wonderland and earned me the crown. The part that will lead me to dace Red one final time, until only one of us is left.

Teaser Tuesday - 10th March 2015

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of A Daily Rhythm. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read

• Open to a random page

• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

• Share the title & author too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

This week my teasers are from The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas.

If you follow me on twitter, you will know that I adore the BBC's episodes of The Musketeers tv series. Absolutely fantastic! In light of the show, I thought I'd read the book and share some quotes I adore.

Athos, according to his system, neither encouraged nor dissuaded him. Athos believed that everyone should be left to his own free will. He never gave advice but when it was asked, and even then he required to be asked twice."People, in general," he said, "only ask advice not to follow it; or if they do follow it, it is for the sake of having someone to blame for having given it."

"I confess to you, d'Artagnan.""And I give you absolution beforehand. You see I am a good sort of a man.""Do not jest about holy things, my friend."

Synopsis:

One of the most celebrated & popular historical romances ever written. The Three Musketeers tell the story of the early adventures of the young Gascon gentleman d'Artagnan & his three friends from the regiment of the King's Musketeers-Athos, Porthos & Aramis.

Under the watchful eye of their patron M. de Treville, the four defend the honour of the regiment against the guards of the Cardinal Richelieu, & the honor of the queen against the machinations of the Cardinal himself as the power struggles of 17th-century France are vividly played out in the background.

But their most dangerous encounter is with the Cardinal's spy. Milady, one of literature's most memorable female villains. Alexandre Dumas employs all his fast-paced narrative skills to bring this enthralling novel to a breathtakingly gripping & dramatic conclusion.

Source: Goodreads

Have you read this book or watched the TV series? 
Is it something that interests you?

Don't forget to share a link to your TeaserTuesday in the comments below.

Zed (:

Review of Alice and the Fly

Alice and the Fly
By James Rice

 

Synopsis:

A spellbinding debut novel by an exceptional new young British talent. 

This is a book about phobias and obsessions, isolation and dark corners. It's about families, friendships, and carefully preserved secrets. But above everything else it's about love. Finding love - in any of its forms - and nurturing it. 

Miss Hayes has a new theory. She thinks my condition's caused by some traumatic incident from my past I keep deep-rooted in my mind. As soon as I come clean I'll flood out all these tears and it'll all be ok and I won't be scared of Them anymore. The truth is I can't think of any single traumatic childhood incident to tell her. I mean, there are plenty of bad memories - Herb's death, or the time I bit the hole in my tongue, or Finners Island, out on the boat with Sarah - but none of these are what caused the phobia. I've always had it. It's Them. I'm just scared of Them. It's that simple.

Source: Goodreads

My rating: 4.6 / 5

My Thoughts:

This is the kind of story that haunts you even after you’ve finished reading it. I first thought that the main character was a girl because of the attention to detail, the thoughtful and quiet personality. Only when he introduced himself as Greg did I realise that this boy was rather odd. 

The book is written from two perspectives: Greg's entries in his journal, which are interspersed with the Detective's interviews. Greg has been advised by Miss Hayes to write his thoughts in a journal, in an attempt to help him overcome some of his issues, and by reading these we glimpse a snapshot of Greg’s day, his obsession with Alice and his unusual habits.

Each interview is conducted with someone linked to Greg, such as his classmates, family members and teachers so that the Detective can learn more about Greg’s personality. The interviews take place after an 'event' unknown to the reader and the journal entries all lead up to this same 'event.' This mixture of journal entries and interviews, past and present, kept me guessing as to what actually happened, though I had my suspicions earlier on. With each interview, the reader is given another clue about the event but it’s not until the very end that the gruesome details are fully revealed.

How can I describe this book and do justice to the amazing writing? Honestly, I've never read anything like it. The detail in which James Rice captures Greg’s episodes and the panic that suffocates him is surreal. Clearly, Greg has issues and violent outbursts, but from his journal entries it’s near impossible not to sympathise with his character. He has no friends, his family treat him like an embarrassing burden and he is constantly bullied at school, referred to as ‘psycho.’ He tries so hard to be normal but it is almost like his body doesn’t listen to his brain. On numerous occasions, Greg tries to speak up and prove he is normal, but he can't bring himself to speak, and it's sad to see how his silence always makes things worse. 

As you might have guessed, Greg is the fly from the title of this book. I thought this was a most appropriate likeness, given that Greg is always hovering near Alice in a stalker-like fashion so that no one notices him and those that do just get annoyed by his existence. 

The only problem I had with this book was that I became a tad bit bored during the middle of the story because I felt that the build up was being dragged on longer than necessary. Alice and the Fly was a powerful read opening my eyes to the extremeness of some people’s phobias. Although it isn’t a book I plan to re-read given the depressing nature of the story, I will be looking out for further releases by James Rice because his writing style for his debut novel was amazing.

Zed (:

To finish off, I'd like to ask some questions to my friend (and sole book club member) Bird to see her take on this read:

1. What was your rating of Alice and the Fly?

4/5

2. Favourite scene / chapter?

I don’t think this is a book that you could say you really liked or didn’t like. It’s beautifully written, very moving and difficult to describe.

But the interactions between Greg and Alice really stood out for me, particularly the one with the two of them at the park.  Despite the serious and dark subject matters there are some really moving parts of the book.

3. What didn't you like about this book?

Although he is surrounded by people, Greg feels alone and isolated. You get a glimpse of the cruelty and unkindness young people can leash on those who they deem weird or different then them. He shrugs off the hurt and pain, almost as if he’s resigned to it as his fate. But what I found most disheartening was the desertion-like sentiment he experienced from the two people who should have been there for him- his parents.

4. Apart from Greg, who shocked / surprised you the most?

I was shocked to find that despite the apparent aloofness he experiences from his own family, I found I didn’t judge them. Through Greg’s naïve insightfulness you gain an understanding of their own struggles and demons.

5. Three words to describe Greg?

Isolated, haunted, honest

Favourite Quotes:

It's not people so much that bother me. It's Them. I heard once that a person is never more than three metres away from one of Them at any time, and since then I can't help feeling that the more people there are around, the more there's a chance that one of Them'll be around too. I know that's stupid.

It doesn't bother me silence. People talk too much.

And even if I didn't smile back at you at the time, imaginarily or realitarily, it didn't matter, because even through my sickness and my shaking and my headaches and my chattering teeth I kept smiling for the next three days.

'I can't bump into her,' Mum said. 'Not like this.'I couldn't work out why. Mum was wearing her heels and her hair and makeup were perfect. She looked beautiful. She kept repeating the word 'No,' over and over, under her breath. 'No, no no, no, no.' Then she turned to me and said, 'Just promise me, if she sees us, just promise me you'll try and be normal.'I didn't reply to that because I didn't know how to reply, I didn't know how I could promise something I had failed to do my whole life.

This is what happens when I don't see you. this is what always happens to pure perfect things, given time. Circumstances change. People change. The world moves on and I am left behind.

I've been pulling out my eyelashes. It's a new habit. Dr Howard advises against it. She says it's a problem, but not such a problem, considering my other problems. 

Teaser Tuesday - 24th Feb 2015

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read

• Open to a random page

• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

• Share the title & author too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

This week my teasers are from an ARC of Challenger Deep by Neal Shusterman.

Above the arch of the main hatch is a sign burned in wood that reads You are not the first and you will not be the last, and I marvel at how it makes me feel both insignificant and singled out at the same time. (Page 20)

The captain looks at me and shakes his head in disappointment. "Lie down with dogs, get up with rabies," he tells me unsympathetically. I don't think that's the actual expression, but I get the point. 

Synopsis:

Caden Bosch is on a ship that's headed for the deepest point on Earth: Challenger Deep, the southern part of the Marianas Trench.

Caden Bosch is a brilliant high school student whose friends are starting to notice his odd behavior.

Caden Bosch is designated the ship's artist in residence, to document the journey with images.

Caden Bosch pretends to join the school track team but spends his days walking for miles, absorbed by the thoughts in his head.

Caden Bosch is split between his allegiance to the captain and the allure of mutiny.

Caden Bosch is torn.

A captivating and powerful novel that lingers long beyond the last page, Challenger Deep is a heartfelt tour de force by one of today's most admired writers for teens.
Source: Goodreads

   

What are your thoughts from reading the above? 
Would you continue reading?
Don't forget to share a link to your TeaserTuesday in the comments below.

Zed (: