I'm so sick of being... sick. Stupid head cold that won't go away and in fact, just got worse. Worse enough to keep me grounded yesterday and I couldn't even do my homework that desperately needs to get done because my brain was so foggy from the snot and the medicine trying to deal with the snot.
So I slept, and read a little, but mainly slept. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
So much of the country has a snow/ice day today. I hope if you do, you have some hot chocolate and a stack of good books to get you through it.
So, new book! (But I checked a new one out, so that's still 23 left to read.)
Theodosia and the Serpents of Chaos by R. L. LaFevers
I wanted to like this book, and I liked large portions of it but... there was something about it that kept me from loving it, but I can't quite figure it out.
Basic Plot: Theodosia's parents run the Museum of Legends and Antiquities in early twentieth century London. A lot of the artifacts her mother brings back from Egypt are positively broiling with evil curses. Only Theodosia seems to notice, so it's up to her to break and nullify them. Then there's something really cursed that lots of people want and gets stolen and there's intrigue and pre-WWI politics afoot.
The good: I liked the different societies vying for the Heart of Egypt. I liked the different countries vying for various digs in Egypt. I liked how it touched on Egyptian nationalism, was true to the time period and thought it was bad, and how there weren't over-arching lessons about colonialism that would have been totally anachronistic. (There were plenty of places for them.) At the same time, it shied away from the issue enough to not be totally offensive to the modern reader (Theo's parents are pretty focused and were most concerned about how it would mess up their digs.)
The bad: The historical-ness just seemed... off. As did the British-ness, but I can't say why exactly. Something about Theo's voice just seemed... off...Hmmmm... (I know, that's totally descriptive!)
Now, for an old review (9 more to go!)
Emako Blue by Brenda Woods
So, the book opens at Emako's funeral and then flashes back from the beginning of the school year to her death. Emako was a charismatic girl from the wrong side of the tracks that touched everyone she met. But, the book was way too short. You didn't get a good sense of how she touched these people and right when you were almost starting to care about her, she dies. 50-100 more pages and I think I would have really liked it, but it just ended too soon, before I was emotionally invested, so eh.
In The Reincatnationist, Rose looks into a mystery that is thousands of years old. But unlike other books dealing with ancient historical mysteries, she focuses on an ancient pagan mystery. It was a refreshing change from all the Christian and Knights Templar stories that have proliferated in the past decade. It centers around a dig site outside of Rome where the last Vestal Virgin was buried alive after she breaks her vows and becomes pregnant. The book’s main character, Josh Ryder, has been having flashbacks to past lives for the past few years after a near death accident. Upon visiting the site, Josh knows he has been there before and believes that he knows who the woman’s skeleton they found is. She holds the secret of the Memory Stones. Death, thievery, and mayhem follow and soon Josh is intent on helping people that he believes he knew in previous lives. There is a madman who wants the stones and though he does not want people to die, getting the stones is more important that everyone. The present day story is interspersed with flashbacks of Josh and a few other characters to ancient Rome and to the US in the 1880s. It is a gripping tale although some of the plot lines were left dangling at the end of the story. Yet it does all come together to make a complete picture surrounding past life regression and the memory stones. The premise was interesting and delves into an area not often discussed in Western literature (or at least not that I have read). I hope that this will spawn other stories of its ilk.
Samurai: Heaven and Earth, Volume 2, Chapter 3: Lust and Lies
Writer: Ron Marz
Artist: Luke Ross
Colorist: Rob Schwager
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
I am astounded by this series and can’t wait for the rest of it. Shiro the samurai has completely captured my heart and imagination.
In Lust and Lies, Shiro and the Arab have washed up on the desert shore. Because Shiro has saved the Arab’s life, he continues to help him as part of repaying his debt. There are again scenes of a loving life with Yoshiko in Japan as Shiro remembers the good times. The two set off to find where Yoshiko has been taken with Shiro determined to get her back at any cost.
Yoshiko is taken to the harem of the pasha and is able to communicate in French with the first wife. She learns that she will spend her life in the harem and is subject to the whims of the pasha. While trying to escape, she runs into Don Miguel who tries to force her to come with him. This is Yoshiko’s chance for revenge and she takes it. She will make Don Miguel pay for what he has done to her and Shiro.
One of the things that makes this series so visually arresting is the contrasts between worlds. On one page you have the burning sun of the desert, on another the cool gardens of Japan overhung with cherry blossoms and on another the inside view of a harem. Of course, the artwork is stunning and so realistic that you feel you’re inside those contrasting worlds.
Samurai: Heaven and Earth, Volume 2, Chapter 2: Land and Sea
Writer: Ron Marz
Artist: Luke Ross
Colorist: Rob Schwager
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Once again Ron Marz and Luke Ross have created a believable and stunning adventure.
In Land and Sea, the samurai Shiro along with the Arab he has forced into helping him hunt for Don Miguel Ratera and Yoshiko who have boarded a ship bound for Vera Cruz. The two leave Barcelona and board a ship headed for the Americas.
Once they are on board and halfway across the ocean, Shiro finds that the ship Yoshiko was on was captured and the people on it taken to Egypt to be sold. Frustrated at being stuck on a ship with no way out or to Yoshiko, he battles the crew and jumps ship taking the Arab along with him.
Meanwhile Yoshiko is sold to a pasha and taken away to a harem where she will live out her days. Don Miguel is also sold to the same pasha. Will he find a way to the harem?
It’s a marvelous adventure on the high seas and across the blistering desert sands. The art is amazing, especially the scenes on the ocean. I don’t know how they make the sea look so real but it’s fantastic. You get the feel of a stormy sea, big waves and movement. It’s incredible.
Samurai: Heaven and Earth, Volume 2 # 1
Writer: Ron Marz
Penciller: Luke Ross
Colorist: Rob Schwager
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
In a prior post, I raved about Samurai: Heaven and Earth and this next comic in the series is no disappointment.
The samurai Shiro is back and still hunting for his lost love Yoshiko. He’s arrives in France after a dangerous ocean crossing only to be reunited for the briefest of seconds in the Hall of Mirrors before being wrenched apart by an evil Spaniard who is determined to have Yoshiko for himself. He takes Yoshiko prisoner and they sail away on a ship.
Shiro is sworn to avenge himself on the Spaniard and get Yoshiko back. He forcibly enlists the aid of the Arab slave trader who sold Yoshiko in the first place to help him find the Spaniard. They travel from Spain to Egypt and encounter many adventures including pirates on the high seas. Talk about your swashbuckling tales!
The artwork is astounding and I can’t say enough about it. The story has you on the edge of your seat and rooting for Shiro while the artwork has you right in the midst of bloody battles, on the ship, swimming for your life and walking across the desert sand. Stunning, stunning, stunning!
Samurai: Heaven and Earth is simply magnificent
