Writing is so subjective, I think everyone would have a different opinion about which parts of this book they agree with and which parts they don't. TWriting is so subjective, I think everyone would have a different opinion about which parts of this book they agree with and which parts they don't. The only part I've seen basically universally agreed upon is to cut as many adverbs as possible.
Having said that, what I enjoyed most from reading this book was seeing my similarities, in terms of putting myself out there creatively in my teen years (though mine was with stand-up comedy rather than writing like King), and also in terms of how I craft a story, even though I'm years of experience behind him. Of course, there are things I disagree with him on, like writing is some mystical talent that you either have or you don't and the only people who can improve their standing are "competent" writers.
I honestly expected more from this book because of all the rave reviews I'd heard. I might have liked it more if my expectations were lower. But it did have some interesting conversation points that I was glad to discuss with my husband, because we have different opinions about character vs. plot....more
I read this book without having read the first two, but having seen the first two movies. At the end of the second one, I'd decided I didn't want to wI read this book without having read the first two, but having seen the first two movies. At the end of the second one, I'd decided I didn't want to wait until the next movie to find out what happened. So I picked up the Kindle edition.
I found it relatively easy to follow, with only movie knowledge, with only finding a little difficultly remembering who was who with the minor characters when their names came up. Reading the story was engaging and kept me interested, wanting to know more. And the conclusion made sense and worked for me....more
I bought the Kindle edition of this book a little while after the author interviewed me on her web site, having enjoyed conversations with her on FaceI bought the Kindle edition of this book a little while after the author interviewed me on her web site, having enjoyed conversations with her on Facebook.
From the title, I expected more 'fantasy' in the book, in the way of magical creatures or special powers, but only two of the five stories really included that. Needless to say, those were my favourites (book 2 & book 5).
Even so, once I got into the first story, I quite enjoyed it, and it made me want to read more. I liked the way Serenity used various settings, and she did an excellent job with the Australian character in the first story. As an Australian myself, I really appreciated that.
Most of the stories leave on cliffhangers that leave you wanting more (and having to decide for yourself where they might have gone), though the stories don't really link together until the final book. But I was really happy with how it ended.
I picked this up on Amazon during a 99c sale. At about 23% into the kindle version of this book, I almost put the book away, thinking I wouldn't enjoyI picked this up on Amazon during a 99c sale. At about 23% into the kindle version of this book, I almost put the book away, thinking I wouldn't enjoy the rest of it. I don't really read new adult fiction and the love-at-first-sight stuff bothered me. I know it's fantasy fiction, but I still like realistic depictions in my fantasy.
I was also bothered by how aware Arianna seemed to be of human things, despite having lived all her life until that point as a mermaid. I felt like this was later explained somewhat by her conversations about language, but it was still difficult for me to accept.
There were also issues with poor editing (grammar, typos, and people constantly giving each other puzzled looks), but despite these issues, I found the story to be a relatively easy read, and I was pulled in to what would happen next.
With the way the story ended, I may even decide to pick up the sequel when it's released....more
I first came across Kristen Duvall through the LJ Idol competition in season 6. She's one of the earliest friends I made in the game, in part because I first came across Kristen Duvall through the LJ Idol competition in season 6. She's one of the earliest friends I made in the game, in part because I had come to enjoy her non-fiction stories about her life. I just loved her humour and attitude. As time went on, she started writing fiction, too, which was very different from tales of her life, but also enjoyable. I think all but one of the stories in this collection are stories I recognised from the competition, though naturally they have been edited in some way or another since I first came across them.
What I noticed about this collection is that Kristen has a knack for portraying children and young adults in her stories, though not all of her protagonists can be classified as such. I think the reason they stood out for me is because I don't really write those age groups myself. There is a good variety of tales in the collection, from horror, to dystopian, to paranormal, to fantasy, and other variations of speculative fiction.
My favourite stories in the collection were: * The Price You Pay - I just love the way Kristen deals with the poorest people in her fiction, and this is a good example of that. Though this works well as a stand alone story, I would love to see it expanded upon in a novella or something even longer. * Fire in the Sky - a brilliant dystopian world where it is prophesied that the sun will explode, and everyone believes it. * Two of a Kind - it can be a little torturous to read about the pain experienced by the characters, but it's really well told. * Devils and Darlings - this is one of the more disturbing child protagonist stories. * The Trails I've Walked - because when I read it the first time, and again now, I felt like it could really be a true story.
There are actually a few pretty disturbing stories, about the sickest humans you can imagine (especially in The Chosen One), and if you knew Kristen, you'd probably wonder how someone who seems so innocent could come up with such ideas, but I think that's part of what I love about them. I couldn't write stories like that, but I'm impressed that she can disturb me in such a way. Oh, and I also really liked at how well she wrote her mother characters, being a mother myself. I felt like I could really connect with them and their experiences.
Lastly, I liked that Kristen included excerpts from her upcoming novels. I'm particularly excited by the Princess and the Piper one. The excerpt is such a great teaser and I can't wait to read the full story.
**N.B. Kristen is a good friend of mine, and she included me in the acknowledgements of the book, so feel free to disregard my review if you're not a fan of seeing friend reviews....more
I was given a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. I accepted initially because a) the author is from my home state in I was given a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. I accepted initially because a) the author is from my home state in Australia, and b) the blurb intrigued me.
Though it did take me a while to get through this book, I found it thoroughly engaging. The opening was excellent, with the main character, Rasputin, setting out to plan the perfect suicide. Events transpired so that wouldn't take place, and over the course of the first two chapters or so, we discover there are a couple of characters with some interesting abilities. I don't want to go into too much detail and spoil the story so I'll leave it at that.
There were a couple of particularly long Rasputin chapters that took me a while to get through -- not really because of the content, but more because I found it hard to have the time to sit down and read that much. I like to read chapters in one sitting if possible, but I couldn't do that with those ones (the difficulty of having children and a busy life!)
Also, though necessary, I did find the scenes where Rasputin was in his head a bit difficult to read because of all the imagery and description. I don't think it hurt the book or the story, it just doesn't tend to be what I usually like reading.
The Cain chapters were shorter and thus easier for me to get through. I found once I finished a Rasputin one, I pretty much immediately read the Cain ones. He was a really curious and intriguing character. Overall, I just wanted to find out more about both of them and what was going on. I really enjoyed the mystery aspect.
Of course, it didn't hurt that much of the book was set in Perth, Australia, in places I know reasonably well and have been to! I thought that was pretty cool. I'm sure anyone who has been to UWA will like the fact it's a prominent setting in the book. Brett Adams does pretty well in describing the layout and atmosphere for readers who've never been there, though.
The only negative comment I really had to say about the New York aspect was a reference to "New Idea," which is an Australian magazine. It felt out of place in that setting (but New York was only a small part of the story).
The ending worked really well for the story, including the epilogue. I know epilogues aren't always useful, but this one was, and I'm glad it was included.
I hope I'll get to read more from this author in the future. It really was a worthwhile read!...more
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