Lately some of my thought have been making me feel old before my time.
Today, for example, I drove past a teenage boy with shoulder length hair but his hair was one length all round. The front of his hair was basically just hanging over his face. My first thought was "How the fuck can he see anything?" then I thought, "I don't get kids these days."
I'm not even 28 yet but sometimes feel like an OAP with some of the thoughts that run through my head about today's 'yoof'.
Later on tonight, as I was thinking "I need to blog this", I drove past another young guy with what could only be described as a reverse mohawk! He had longer hair at the sides and back with a big shaved line running right down the middle of his head. With this one my first thought was "WTF is that?"
Same goes with clothes. I get young women (well girls basically) getting in my taxi wearing barely there clothes and I find myself thinking "What is she wearing?" and "Why would she leave the house dressed like that?"
Wednesday, 28 July 2010
Friday, 7 May 2010
Death's Daughter by Amber Benson
For the last few years I'd been in a state of bliss - living under a self-imposed Forgetting Charm, because I so did not want to go into the family business. What I wanted was a glamorous career in New York City and the opportunity for a normal life - buying designer shoes on sale, dating guys from craigslist, Web surfing for organic dim sum for my boss. And then my father's Executive Assistant, a faun named Jarvis, shoed up to tell me that my dad had been kidnapped.
Good-bye, Forgetting Charm. Hello, (unwanted) responsibility. Not only am I expected to step into the CEO slot on the company Board, but I have to "prove my worth" by competing against the Devil's protege - who's so hot in more ways than one. The contest involves finding three (why is it always three?) objects of power. In Hell.
One of them is this adorable puppy - who happens to be a hellhound. The others are turning out to be not much fun. All this so I can take (unwanted) charge of Death, Inc.
My name is Calliope Reaper-Jones, and I'm ... Death's Daughter.
To my knowledge, this is Amber Benson's first solo foray in the author world. She co-wrote The Ghosts of Albion series (on my Amazon wishlist) with Christopher Golden. She's also an actress, producer and director, in short she's a busy girl.
I enjoyed Death's Daughter, it was a bit slow to start but once it was actually into the storyline, the pacing picked up a bit. The characters are fun and I enjoy Calliope's relationship with her family, especially Clio, her younger sister. It's like most people's relationships so easy to relate to.
The storyline is fun. We get to follow Calliope to Hell and back as she completes her 3 tasks as well as dealing with family issues. Just so she can reluctantly take charge of her father's company and therefore save him and find his kidnappers and also save her family's lifestyle at the same time (if you read the book you'll know what I'm talking about here).
The ending was fun but sort of anti-climactic, I felt. Definitely worth a read though and I'll be buying the second book Cat's Claw.
Book Depository: Death's Daughter
Amazon UK: Death's Daughter
Tuesday, 4 May 2010
Yet another driver rant
Haven't done a book review in ages but I thought I'd get another rant off my chest. I hate bank holiday Mondays because the Sunday drivers are out .... again! As if it's not bad enough to get stuck behind them on a Sunday, we now have to put up with them on Mondays too.
First off, we have some idiot pull out in front of me at a roundabout. Seriously? You can't possibly wait an extra TWO seconds for me to get off the roundabout?
Then we have some complete eejit who gets in the outside lane at a roundabout to go straight across, I'm going right so I'm in the inside lane. Fuckwit in the outside lane then proceeds to go straight across the roundabout nearly hitting me instead of going ROUND the ROUNDabout! The clue is in the feckin' name!!!
First off, we have some idiot pull out in front of me at a roundabout. Seriously? You can't possibly wait an extra TWO seconds for me to get off the roundabout?
Then we have some complete eejit who gets in the outside lane at a roundabout to go straight across, I'm going right so I'm in the inside lane. Fuckwit in the outside lane then proceeds to go straight across the roundabout nearly hitting me instead of going ROUND the ROUNDabout! The clue is in the feckin' name!!!
Monday, 15 March 2010
Review: Halfway to the Grave
Halfway to the Grave (Huntress book 1) by Jeaniene Frost
Half-vampire Catherine Crawfield is going after the undead with a vengeance, hoping that one of these deadbeats is her father – the one responsible for ruining her mother’s life. Then she’s captured by Bones, a vampire bounty hunter, and is forced into an unlikely partnership.
In exchange for help finding her father, Cat agrees to train with the sexy night stalker until her battle reflexes are as sharp as his fangs. She’s amazed she doesn’t end up as his dinner – are there actually good vampires? Pretty soon Bones will have her convinced that being half-dead doesn’t have to be all bad. But before she can enjoy her status as kick-ass demon hunter, Cat and Bones are pursued by a group of killers. Now Cat will have to choose a side … and Bones is turning out to be as tempting as any man with a heartbeat.
First off I liked the characters. Bones and Cat work well together and there's a nice chemistry between them. Cat's mother and grandparents are kinda off putting but they're not main characters so I can deal with that.
My main problem with this book is Bones' language. The author seems to overuse any words she sees to be English, sometimes, in my opinion, out of context. It bugs me to the point that I'm still wondering whether I want to read the next book or not.
Overall, it's a great book and a great read. As I said Bones' voice can get annoying after time but it wasn't annoying enough to get me to stop reading.
Half-vampire Catherine Crawfield is going after the undead with a vengeance, hoping that one of these deadbeats is her father – the one responsible for ruining her mother’s life. Then she’s captured by Bones, a vampire bounty hunter, and is forced into an unlikely partnership.
In exchange for help finding her father, Cat agrees to train with the sexy night stalker until her battle reflexes are as sharp as his fangs. She’s amazed she doesn’t end up as his dinner – are there actually good vampires? Pretty soon Bones will have her convinced that being half-dead doesn’t have to be all bad. But before she can enjoy her status as kick-ass demon hunter, Cat and Bones are pursued by a group of killers. Now Cat will have to choose a side … and Bones is turning out to be as tempting as any man with a heartbeat.
First off I liked the characters. Bones and Cat work well together and there's a nice chemistry between them. Cat's mother and grandparents are kinda off putting but they're not main characters so I can deal with that.
My main problem with this book is Bones' language. The author seems to overuse any words she sees to be English, sometimes, in my opinion, out of context. It bugs me to the point that I'm still wondering whether I want to read the next book or not.
Overall, it's a great book and a great read. As I said Bones' voice can get annoying after time but it wasn't annoying enough to get me to stop reading.
Thursday, 4 February 2010
Review
Storm Glass ~ Maria V Snyder
With her unique magical abilities, Opal has always felt unsure of her place at Sitia's magic academy. But when the Stormdancer clan needs help, Opal's knowledge makes her the perfect choice - until the mission goes awry.
Pulling her powers in unfamiliar directions, Opal finds herself tapping into a new kind of magic as stunningly potent as it is frightening. Now Opal must deal with plotters out to destroy the Stormdancer clan, as well as a traitor in their midst.
With danger and deception rising around her, will Opal's untested abilities destroy her - or save them all?
This is the first book in Maria V Snyder's Glass series, although Opal appeared in the last in the Study series, this is her first book. We also meet some familiar names from the study series.
It follows Opal Cowan, a glassmaker with budding magical abilities. She's struggled through her first four years at the magic academy. When the Stormdancer clan need help she's called in as a glass specialist.
The characters work well together and the story flows well. The action isn't too heavy and is spread apart sufficiently to keep your interest.
I definitely recommend it. It can be carried on from the Study series or read as a standalone.
With her unique magical abilities, Opal has always felt unsure of her place at Sitia's magic academy. But when the Stormdancer clan needs help, Opal's knowledge makes her the perfect choice - until the mission goes awry.
Pulling her powers in unfamiliar directions, Opal finds herself tapping into a new kind of magic as stunningly potent as it is frightening. Now Opal must deal with plotters out to destroy the Stormdancer clan, as well as a traitor in their midst.
With danger and deception rising around her, will Opal's untested abilities destroy her - or save them all?
This is the first book in Maria V Snyder's Glass series, although Opal appeared in the last in the Study series, this is her first book. We also meet some familiar names from the study series.
It follows Opal Cowan, a glassmaker with budding magical abilities. She's struggled through her first four years at the magic academy. When the Stormdancer clan need help she's called in as a glass specialist.
The characters work well together and the story flows well. The action isn't too heavy and is spread apart sufficiently to keep your interest.
I definitely recommend it. It can be carried on from the Study series or read as a standalone.
Wednesday, 3 February 2010
Book covers
Not being able to keep a series looking in order in my bookcase annoys me. It annoys me when a series suddenly changes to hardcover. I know this is a good thing 'cos it means the author is getting more readers which I'm happy about but from a purely selfish point of view, it ruins my pretty shelves!
It also annoys me when a book comes out a lot bigger than the others. Mary Janice Davidson's Undead series and Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark Hunter series come to mind here. It's not that the books are thicker or anything, they're taller and wider so look out of place on my shelves. The main reason this bugs me is that there's no reason for doing this. It means nothing and it also makes it look like a kids book because the writing is freaking HUGE in it!
The main thing that's bugging me lately is book cover designs getting changed midway through a series. That really pisses me off. Why the sudden need to change it if there's nothing wrong with it? This is in no way an author thing since not a lot of authors have a say in the cover.
One series springing to mind right now is Kelley Armstrong's Otherworld series. Book ten has not long been released and apparently the UK publishers think it's time for a revamp ... why? I know loads of people who LOVE the UK covers, even more so than their own country's covers so why the need for a revamp? There is none!
Publisher's suck sometimes!
It also annoys me when a book comes out a lot bigger than the others. Mary Janice Davidson's Undead series and Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark Hunter series come to mind here. It's not that the books are thicker or anything, they're taller and wider so look out of place on my shelves. The main reason this bugs me is that there's no reason for doing this. It means nothing and it also makes it look like a kids book because the writing is freaking HUGE in it!
The main thing that's bugging me lately is book cover designs getting changed midway through a series. That really pisses me off. Why the sudden need to change it if there's nothing wrong with it? This is in no way an author thing since not a lot of authors have a say in the cover.
One series springing to mind right now is Kelley Armstrong's Otherworld series. Book ten has not long been released and apparently the UK publishers think it's time for a revamp ... why? I know loads of people who LOVE the UK covers, even more so than their own country's covers so why the need for a revamp? There is none!
Publisher's suck sometimes!
Monday, 1 February 2010
Books
I eventually plan on doing some book reviews up here but for now I think I'll recommend some series to read.
The Otherworld series by Kelley Armstrong
There are ten books so far and one anthology. The series is based in present time and focuses on supernaturals living in human society.
Southern Vampire series by Charlaine Harris
Anyone familiar with True Blood may know this series. But the TV programme is absolute pants so don't judge the books by that. The series is about Sookie Stackhouse who is a telepath trying to cope with the burden of being able to read people's minds. Vampires are out in the public and living amongst us, Sookie gets caught up in their business after getting involved with one of the vampires.
The Kitty series by Carrie Vaughn
Follows the werewolf named Kitty through her life as a radio presenter.
The Shifters series by Rachel Vincent
The trials of the American werecat pride. It mainly follows Faythe, the youngest child and only daughter of the Alpha.
Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs
Shifter Mercy Thompson lives a quiet life as a VW mechanic until she becomes involved with her werewolf alpha neighbour.
Morganville Vampires by Rachel Caine
The town of Morganville in America is run by vampires and only the local residents know about them. College student Claire gets accidentally caught up in the vampire politics when she attends school there.
Hollows series by Kim Harrison
Since 'The Turn', all supernaturals have been living as part of our normal society. This series follows one witch Rachel Morgan and her vampire and pixie partners.
Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead
Set in the Vampire Academy and follows Rose Hathaway, a dhampir training to guard her Moroi best friend.
That's not all but most of my favourites all in the same genre.
The Otherworld series by Kelley Armstrong
There are ten books so far and one anthology. The series is based in present time and focuses on supernaturals living in human society.
Southern Vampire series by Charlaine Harris
Anyone familiar with True Blood may know this series. But the TV programme is absolute pants so don't judge the books by that. The series is about Sookie Stackhouse who is a telepath trying to cope with the burden of being able to read people's minds. Vampires are out in the public and living amongst us, Sookie gets caught up in their business after getting involved with one of the vampires.
The Kitty series by Carrie Vaughn
Follows the werewolf named Kitty through her life as a radio presenter.
The Shifters series by Rachel Vincent
The trials of the American werecat pride. It mainly follows Faythe, the youngest child and only daughter of the Alpha.
Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs
Shifter Mercy Thompson lives a quiet life as a VW mechanic until she becomes involved with her werewolf alpha neighbour.
Morganville Vampires by Rachel Caine
The town of Morganville in America is run by vampires and only the local residents know about them. College student Claire gets accidentally caught up in the vampire politics when she attends school there.
Hollows series by Kim Harrison
Since 'The Turn', all supernaturals have been living as part of our normal society. This series follows one witch Rachel Morgan and her vampire and pixie partners.
Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead
Set in the Vampire Academy and follows Rose Hathaway, a dhampir training to guard her Moroi best friend.
That's not all but most of my favourites all in the same genre.
Drivers
So I've come to realise that there are a lot of drivers in my hometown that, although they know how to make a car stop and go, they don't know how to actually drive.
The simple task of using a junction, whether leaving them or entering them, is beyond the majority of Irvine drivers.
Using a roundabout is also challenging to them. As are pedestrian crossings, amazing how many drivers I see flying over zebra crossings when there's people waiting to cross.
Is this an worldwide phenomenon?
The simple task of using a junction, whether leaving them or entering them, is beyond the majority of Irvine drivers.
Using a roundabout is also challenging to them. As are pedestrian crossings, amazing how many drivers I see flying over zebra crossings when there's people waiting to cross.
Is this an worldwide phenomenon?
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