Book Review of Daedalus by Matt Verish

Sorry folks will write a new blog soon. For now you'll have to be satisfied with a nice book review.

5 stars in a 7 star system.

* * * * *

Daedalus (Interstellar Cargo Book 2) by Matt Verish


Plot: A space “pirate crew” of sorts, trying to get by in a hostile universe where enemies lurk everywhere.
An old theme but cleverly brought with believable characters. Clearly “Daedalus” by Matt Verish was a part two in a series, but it worked well enough as a stand alone not to frustrate the reader (me). There were enough mentions of previous events that were intriguing in such a way that curiosity is sparked to read what went on before. A definite plus in a series.
Pacing-wise, I would have liked to see a bit more speed at the beginning, and less haste at the end, though. I would have liked to read more about the alien planet described, and the ensuing race against time while the hero had to try to save the day, but it didn’t detract from the overall tale. I enjoyed it!

Protagonists: The fearless Captain Musgrave was funny and likeable, although he was hinted to being ruthless, which I didn’t really notice until I was a third into the story, and even then it was a single event. This seemed somewhat out of place to me, but this might be due to not knowing the previous story.
Camaraderie between the main character was there, and yet wasn’t. I was often left to wonder if they could co-exist...but again that might be due to the same problem of this being a sequel. There was definitely history there, which explained the friction. Regardless I rooted for them all, so apparently it didn’t matter as much as I would have thought.

Romance: There is some. Not as in ROMANTIC romance, but a love interest. Which was sweet, and added to the story, despite the “interest” being a bit too unreadable for her own good. I would have liked to discover more about her motivation and such, but that is the “romance reader” in me, I know, and perhaps not the thing for this kind of story.

Overall impression: A fun ride that kept my attention, entertained me, and made me want to turn the next page to see what would happen. All great ingredients for a good book, I would say. Definitely a “must-read” for space opera fans, but also an interesting diversion for the average reader.

Review of "The fire King"

Remember that rather nice interview a little while ago, author C.S. Marks. Well, I finally got around to reviewing one of her novellas. So here it is:

The Fire King by C.S. Marks

On my own Star system of 1-7 this one rates a 5

* * * * *


With the Fire King, Marks managed quite well to captivate this reader's attention, despite the fact that due to its historical significance there was little in the tale to remind me of the original Trilogy, which was a bit of a pity.
Still, Marks' ever eloquent prose swept me along in the tale, like before, and even though Aincor, the main character, wasn't as likeable as I would have liked, it was accurate in regard to references I remember from the series.

The lead was a powerful character, consistent--albeit frustrating at times--and led me toward a climax that was satisfying, yet sad in a way.
I regretted that some of the other characters in the story weren't as fleshed out, but allowances have to be made for novellas, I fear. There are only so many pages after all. Also, a lot was descriptive prose, rather than actually being there, which took some from the experience. Still, since it is basically a historical story that provides the reader with background information for Alterra, it is easily forgiven.

Violence was mild, and tastefully done, as always.

Conclusion:
A solid installment into C.S. Marks' Alterra series, and a must have for the diehard fans and fantasy lovers.

If you want to check it out for yourself here is the link to The Fire King

Or the old fashioned way: http://www.amazon.com/The-Fire-King-Alterra-Histories-ebook/dp/B00AIBCBJE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1388340082&sr=8-1&keywords=C+S+Marks+fire+king

I hope you'll check it out.

Too few hours

Song of the day: “Some nights” by Fun. Good song. Impressive, strong, and well…fun.

First of, a bit of good news. I got my Publisher’s Weekly review, which I will post tomorrow, or the day after, because I haven’t completely figured out when I’m allowed to. I could probably post it today, but since I’m not sure, I’ll wait a bit. I gotta say: He/she liked it! At least that is what I got reading the review. It was clear that the reviewer really read through it, hit all the highlights, and seemed to appreciate them. There were a few points that he/she criticized but for most any criticism he/she then added a redeeming quality that negated said criticism. So I was reading it and went “criticism, this and that, followed by that and more” getting depressed, only to pep up from some rather wonderful compliments. And that went up and down, time and again. I was not good company during that reading session, then did a weird sigh kinda thing, hopped up and paced around like an idiot for a bit, and then spent the remainder of the afternoon talking about it. Hah. I’ll stop talking about it now, because you’re going to read it yourself soon enough.

I do know that I can totally use this review in future query letters to publishers, and agents. Gotta love something good that you can put in those letters. It’s gotta mean something, that’s a fact. Gawd, I wish I could post it today, just to show off, you know…ah well. Next time.

What happened otherwise. Well, this morning I had a rather wonderful kick boxing session of a solid fifteen minutes. Yeah, I know, who’s got time for a workout, but I just had to. I really really needed to blow of some steam, kick some butt and…well, just get my blood pumping a little. Went through the whole session at top speed, so that worked really well.

There was a session in the yard, of course. Gathered about four pounds of broccoli, which I’m really going to have to prepare for supper one of these days…soon anyway.
Also sawed down a tree, which had to be processed. Didn’t completely get to finish that, but it’s out of the way at least.

Tenant is being a tad difficult again, making a racket about drinking, (as usual) but the nurse who comes by every two days or so, said she was doing a little (very little) better, so maybe she’s sneaking in an extra bit here and there without us noticing. She does seem a little clearer, and she did enjoy the pies I made, so at least she enjoyed that part of her birthday.

Did some good editing, considering the writing has been over and done with since Saturday. Yep. Everything that had to be added to Chicago Hope is there, and now all we need is to edit it…three or four times!

Sally is not doing well. We’re looking to have her check out by a doctor, rather than take her to hospital. At the moment she is signed in at some sort of charity organization which had promised to come by to check out how she was doing, but since she’s been waiting for more than three weeks now, we’re looking into different options. At the moment she is constantly dizzy and can function really badly.

Was at the pharmacy the other day, and finally caved and got myself a couple of heels especially designed for people with Plantars Faciitis. Have been wearing them for two days now, and I gotta say that it doesn’t feel bad. Even yesterday. I wasn’t even ready to chop the darn thing off at the end of it.

In case you’re wondering, yesterday was market day, of course. Despite the fact that we decided to cover all our bases by loading part of the load into the trailer, we had the spot t the beginning of the plot, meaning that we could basically unload and set up at the same spot, instead of spending more than two hours unloading, and two and a half hours loading. Much better, in particular since we have way to much stuff to be hauling it all back and forth. *sigh*
As usual, during market day, I spent two to three hours in the restaurant (apparently the table I occupy is already being called my table, hah) working on reading through the new material and adding a page to another manuscript when I couldn’t find any holes in Chicago Hope that needed to be filled. Sure, the edit is going to take at least another month, if not more, but at least this part is done. Yay.
But anyway, market-wise it didn’t go all that bad. We sold more than expenses, at least, and there appeared to be an increase in folks coming out there.
Had a rather wonderful chat with three people from Scotland. They thought it incredibly warm, while I was standing there feeling the chill. *sigh* Turns out that at the moment they’re lucky with forty degrees in the North of Scotland, never mind eighties. In the summer their top temps are 60s for crying out loud. But anyway, we talked a nice long time. They thought I was from the UK, which is a nice compliment, all things considered. They even bought a doll, because she collected them, and spent he free time sewing clothes and making hair for the old dolls they try to buy at all markets. They were very friendly, which is always great. I gotta say that I like that part about market days. You get to meet the most varied type of people.

Once we got home, the car had to be unloaded, of course, and then it was time to eat (though as usual I wasn’t really hungry. Never am after a day like that. The hunger sets in later) which was good, because big brother had made white endive with rice on the side.

The dogs were nicely bonkers, too, seeing as we were gone so long. But then, I spent the majority of the evening taking off ticks (seriously, an anti-tick bath. Soon!) which they absolutely love. Some of them will actually come sit beside me to have me take the darn parasites off.

Empera is showing some improvement. Not much, mind you, but at least enough for us to have to keep her locked up or else she might damage herself by walking around to wildly. Silly dog is flopping all over the place.

I had planned on eating meat today, but I just didn’t manage to make time. After we came from the yard, the time had gotten away from us, forcing me to rush through a shower (I was sweaty as heck) stuff my face with an apple pancake that grandpa made for me, and then had to go to the doctor’s to have my head checked. Still puss stuff coming out, so he’s caved and is putting me on antibiotics, darn it. I’m giving it five days. If it hasn’t stopped pussing by then, this old carcass better start doing it solo, because that’ll be all she wrote for my cooperation. Grrr.
Did friggin’ hurt again. The doc really puts strength into squeezing the skin out, damn. Nothing as bad as that first time, however, thankfully.

Did some Spanish, which isn’t enough yet by far, considering I haven’t even done half my homework yet. Where are the friggin’ hours going, darn it?

What else? I don’t have a clue. Considering it is already past one in the morning, I really have to get to bed. It’s been a long friggin’ day.

Life goes on

Song of the day: “Rapper’s delight” by the Sugarhill gang, which I’ve had in my head before, and undoubtedly will again.

So yeah, didn’t sleep well yesterday because I woke early from a rather fretful dream where supposedly I was trying to check out the Abna results, but the texts were all gibberish, and I was already slowly waking up, telling myself I wasn’t going to sacrifice sleep over this, and stubbornly tried to sleep on…only to give up at eight thirty and turning on my computer. And yes, like I said yesterday, we’re IN THE NEXT ROUND.
How awesome is THAT?!

And what’s better, I got my first two editorial reviews (feedback) on why it got through. They were wonderful, except for a mention of some typos there was basically nothing negative about either of them, one was even rather raving, and I’m, like, THRILLED! Both reviewers want to read what will happen next, so I would say that’s a definite compliment.

But enough about that, it is back to we’ll see of course, so let’s see what else has been happening.

Well, there were huge loads of laundry, of course, in particular since the bad weather prevented it from drying. But yesterday the whole lot was finally dry, so that was a lot of folding to do.
Gawd am I happy that the weather turned. Sure, it’s a lot colder now, but at least we have sunshine during the day again. Yay.

Went into the yard to harvest a load of broccoli again, along with two fresh lettuces and three huge, gorgeous cauliflowers that we immediately ate for supper along with a nice big batch of potatoes and cream. Yummy. It was wonderful down there? So green, so beautiful, even with the load of weeds that we should start getting out of there some day soon.

Tenant didn’t do so well yesterday, the post hospital blues started, I fear, in particular since we are not able to give her the same luxury treatment as she got there. Makes it all a lot less fun, for her. Same goes for today. We are actually a bit worried, and happy that she has an appointment at the GP tomorrow morning.

There were edits. Not as many as I would have liked, but edits nonetheless. However, focusing was rather hard tonight, what with the discovery of the review, so today we did even less. *gasp* Ah who cares, what’s another day, right?

Flu-wise, stuff is looking up. Slowly but steadily this old bag of bones is getting better. Cough is receding a little, bones hurt a little less, and energy levels get a little higher. Even managed a short jog today, so yay! It was so nice to momentarily exert myself again (regardless of the occasional coughing fit I caused, hah) and do something physical after almost a month of semi-inactivity.

Had an appointment this morning with a woman who has agreed to try and teach big brother and me some better Spanish. Yep, we decided to give it a shot. Seriously, nothing is quite as annoying as not being able to make yourself understood, and this woman is willing to take us on, so we might as well try. This will mean lessons for two hours a week, every Wednesday for the next month, starting next week. Guess we’ll have to see how that goes, too, huh?

Had to do some groceries in regards to mom’s b-day on Friday. She’s having friends over, so she asked us to pick some stuff up in town. Since we had to go there anyway, we volunteered for it.
I even got her a present. Hah.

Sally fell this morning, cutting up her leg, so when we go to the GP with tenant tomorrow, we’re taking her along as well, because the blood isn’t clotting properly. Gotta be careful with stuff like that after all. While caregiver and I see to that in the morning, big brother and grandpa are heading to the village to get bread for dog food.

Worked a bit on the window for the future kitchen. Got all the frame sides sawed, now so the next time we can start putting them together. It’ll look good, I think. And it’ll be sturdy.

The dogs...well, they're their usual wonky selves, making nuisances of themselves. In particular Knight II who has, at the moment, an over abundance of energy (I blame the bad weather) goo thing we went for a jog, because he needed the exercise.

Well, I’m tired, and I can’t think of anything else that is remotely interesting (there might be something, but for the life of me I can’t remember) so I think I might be ready to start heading to bed. Like yesterday, I didn’t sleep all that well this night. I woke up from some wonky nightmare of gaping wounds that freaked me out, so I lay awake for more than an hour trying to get that imagery out of my head. Where the heck that came from, I have no clue.

Okay, I’m off.