Willow by Julia Hoban

Genre: Young Adult
Copyright: April 2009
Pages: 329

Seven months ago, on a rainy March night, sixteen year- old Willow’s parents died in a horrible car accident. Willow was driving. Now her older brother barely speaks to her, her new classmates know her as the killer orphan girl, and Willow is blocking the pain by secretly cutting herself. But when one boy - one sensitive, soulful boy - discovers Willow’s secret, it sparks an intense relationship that turns the “safe” world Willow has created for herself upside down.

Told in an extraordinary fresh voice, Willow is an unforgettable novel about one girl’s struggle to cope with tragedy, and one boy’s refusal to give up on her.

Willow is one of those books that you think about long after the last page has been turned. It's a beautifully written uplifting story of hope despite the sensitive subject matter of self-harm.

I couldn't put this book down, it spoke to me in more ways than one, not just because I have family friends with daughters who cut and not just because I've experienced the level of grief that leaves you wishing for complete numbness. It's the passage through and around grief, it's the love story, it's about the healing power of love, and it's the fact that Julia Hoban does an amazing job making this as 'real' as it is!

Willow is written in 3rd person, giving the reader unique insight into Willow’s psyche. Willow is overwhelmed with grief, guilt, and loneliness and she's convinced that her brother blames her for her parents' death, but my thoughts are; when you are in a world of emotional pain, the reality of what you believe and what 'is' becomes blurred. Willow doesn't cut to deal with her feelings, she cuts in order to not feel. Willow's need for numbness resonated in me.

It was like there was this extraordinary pain just knocking at the door of my consciousness - this overwhelming, extreme sensation, and I knew that if I let it in, I would go under.

... the physical pain that I was causing was better than the best drug the hospital had. It was just forcing everything else out. This pain, this physical pain, was flowing through my veins like heroin, and I was numb, immune to the rest of it, I couldn't feel anything but the pain, and I knew that I had found a way to save myself.

The changes in Willow's relationship with her brother David, brought about by the death of their parents, brought me to tears and the scenes where Willow watches her brother break down and sob, touched my heart. These were powerful scenes that rang true and showed much of Willow's personal journey. Guy is also wonderfully portrayed; he's sensitive and caring and he is the one person who really knows Willow, knows her secrets. Their blossoming romance is full of uncertainty, tenderness and hope.

Willow doesn't realise that she's crying until Guy takes his hand and reaches over to wipe away her tears. And she knows then that she was right about her brother, that it takes unbelievable strength to feel this kind of grief, and she doesn't know if she can handle it, because it really hurts, hurts more than the razor ever could.

Willow is raw and honest and revealing, it's a story of hope and I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Teaser Tuesday

MizB of Should Be Reading hosts this cool weekly event. Grab your current read. Let the book fall open to a random page.

Share (2) “teaser” sentences from that page. Share the title & author of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR list if they like your teaser. Please avoid spoilers!

"Listen to me girl. There'll be no limit if you give value for money, but a knife's blade where you least want it if you don't!"

Garlands of Gold by Rosalind Laker ~ page 27

Mailbox Monday

Thank you to Marcia at the Printed Page for hosting Mailbox Monday every week.

I won The Actor and The Housewife by Shannon Hale over at My Reading Room.

Many thanks to Crystal for holding this awesome competition, be sure to check out her blog for great reviews and more giveaways.

I purchased Willow by Julia Hoban from the Book Depository UK, read it the day it arrived and absolutely loved it. My review for this YA novel will be posted next so stay tuned.

Another purchase from the Book Depository, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. I'm looking forward to reading this YA fantasy!

What Are You Reading On Monday

A weekly event hosted by J. Kaye’s Book Blog to discuss your reading week ~ the books you've read and those you plan on reading in the coming week. This has been a productive week for me catching up on reviews, click on the links below if you've missed the review posts during the week. I didn't get much reading done but I'm in the middle of some wonderful books so I'm quite happy. This week, more reviews to come and hopefully a bit more reading, it is school holidays so we'll have to wait and see. ************ Books Completed Last Week: DARK DESIRE by Christine Feehan - review coming KISS ME, KILL ME by Lauren Henderson - review coming ************ This Week's Reading List: SILK DREAMS by Diana Groe - page 175 GARLANDS OF GOLD by Rosalind Laker - page 28 THE SECRET by Julie Garwood DIME STORE MAGIC by Kelley Armstrong THE GUERNSEY LITERARY AND POTATO PEEL SOCIETY by Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows (audiobook) - chapter 10 ************ See my reviews for DEAD AS A DOORNAIL by Charlaine Harris NIGHT PLEASURES by Sherrilyn Kenyon SHADOW KISS by Richelle Mead WHAT KATY DID NEXT by Susan Coolidge WILLOW by Julia Hoban - review up next ************ Don't forget my June competition for the soon to be released Branded by Fire by Nalini Singh is international!! Ends 3rd July.

Dead As A Doornail by Charlaine Harris

Southern Vampire Series Book 5 Copyright: 2005 Pages: 295 For a little book, Dead As A Doornail sure has a lot going on; kind of a 'whodunit' meets a series of unfortunate events. It's yet another entertaining installment, delving deeper into the paranormal community of Bon Temps and Shreveport. A sniper is targeting 'shifters', someone tries to burn down Sookie's house, Sam's injured, Calvin's hospitalised, Tara's acting strange & Sookie is technically on her own. Although Sookie is without a partner in this book, it's getting rather crowded on the love front! Eric, werepanther leader Calvin, werewolf Alcide, Bill, Sam & weretiger Quinn are all vying for a place in Sookie's heart or pants ;-) I was a little lost with the introduction of fairies, Claudine & Claude, but the tongue-in-cheek explanation that Claudine is Sookie's fairy godmother and Claude, well he's just a fairy, literally, set me straight. Sookie's thought "He doesn't swing in my direction, but he's a treat for the eyes" cracked me up. Werewolf politics play a big part in this book; the contest for packmaster of the Shreveport werewolves really creeped me out and Alcide took a nosedive in my popularity poll. Not much else to add, this is indulgent fun ~ bring on Definitely Dead

Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead

Vampire Academy # 3 Genre: YA Urban Fantasy Copyright: November 2008 Pages: 444 Hidden away, St. Vlad's Academy isn't your typical boarding school: it is a place where vampires are educated in the ways of magic and half-human teens are trained to protect them. However all isn't fun and games as the fierce and deadly vampires, the Strigoi, threaten to close in on the student body... courtesy of Penguin Razorbill's brand new Vampire Academy Website

When I discovered the Vampire Academy series earlier this year, and read the first book, I have to confess I wasn't sure I was going to continue with the series because I had an issue with spelling errors and typos. Months passed but Rose and Lissa's story kept popping into my mind so I picked up Frostbite which I loved and straight after, Shadow Kiss. What was I thinking ... not continuing with the series is no longer an option, I am completely hooked. I can't say much about the plot without giving away major spoilers for those of you who haven't started this series, so I'll just say ... get a move on ... you are so missing out. Once again Richelle Mead does a brilliant job with character development. Rose's growth, as a teenager on the cusp of adulthood with some very real physical and emotional challenges experienced, feels true and appealing. The love between Rose and Dimitri blossoms but once again 'the path of true love never runs smooth.' I enjoyed Lissa's involvement in the book and we get to know Christian and Adrian more, both of whom I really like. We were introduced to Adrian in Frostbite, as a rebellious and cocky, 'spirit-user' but we see a slightly more vulnerable side of him in Shadow Kiss.

Favourite Quote:

You will lose what you value most, so treasure it while you can

This book has a lot of heart and emotion, I was completely absorbed in Richelle Mead's writing and I'm definitely emotionally invested in the characters and the outcome. I take my hat off to Richelle Mead for maintaining the emotion, the suspense, and the pace throughout Shadow Kiss but most of all for the unpredictability that has me waiting for Blood Promise with bated breath!

So, just 3 more books in the Vampire Academy Series, Blood Promise (August 25th), then book 5 and 6 coming 2010.

The good news is Richelle Mead has been contracted to write 6 more books in a brand new series possibly with Vampire Academy characters. You can find out more on Richelle's blog Even Redheads Get the Blues (but watch out for spoilers) or visit her website for info on her YA and adult series. See my reviews for Vampire Academy and Frostbite

Night Pleasures by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Dark Hunter #3 Published: 2002 Pages: 336 "Just because you can doesn't mean you should." - Acheron Parthenopaeus She is Amanda Deveraux, a conservative accountant yearning for normality in a family of witches and psychics, with a twin sister who hunts vampires. Amanda finds herself the target of an attack meant for her twin, and wakes handcuffed to a sexy, blonde stranger. He is Kyrian of Thrace; a Dark-Hunter, an immortal warrior who traded his soul for vengeance upon his enemies. Kyrian spends his eternal days hunting vampires and daimons, his current target is the sinister & deadly daimon Desiderius. And this is their story ... Amanda - "Oh God, I just kissed a vampire!" Kyrian - "Oh Gods, I just kissed a human!" What I love most about these books is the weaving of Greek mythology into the story. Ok the sexcapades are great but I find the mythology completely captivating. The story of Kyrian's tortured past is heartwrenching, as was Julian of Macedon's story in Fantasy Lover. In Night Pleasures we get to re-visit Julian and Grace and their growing family, and Grace's best friend, Selena from book 1 is one of Amanda's sisters. I love tortured heroes, and Kyrian certainly fits the bill and while I didn't have the same emotional connection with Amanda (I found her a bit ditzy and annoying), the chemistry between the two is hot enough to melt an entire polar icecap . I also really liked Nick, Kyrian's squire & of course Acheron, the leader of the Dark-Hunters. The selfless sacrifices Acheron makes for the Dark Hunters has me intrigued and I'm dying to know more about his mysterious relationship with Artemis. Night Pleasures isn't quite up there with Fantasy Lover, the epilogue is terribly cheesy but Sherrilyn Kenyon certainly ramps up the danger elements in this book, and I'm very keen to get to Night Embrace; Talon's story. While this is listed as the 3rd book in the series, it's the 2nd full-length book (Dragonswan, book 2, is a novella of 86 pages which doesn't appear to have much, if any influence on the series). Sherrilyn Kenyon is an international phenomenon and one of the founding authors of the current paranormal craze. Writing as Kinley MacGregor and Sherrilyn Kenyon, if you'd like to read more about this wonderful author, visit her amazing website. I particularly enjoyed reading about how the Dark Hunter series came about. Sherrilyn was researching vampirism for an article, when "she realized that the oldest tales for it went back to ancient Greece. In that instant, she remembered that Apollo was the god of the sun and of plagues and that Artemis, his twin sister, was the goddess of the moon. The entire concept of Dark-Hunter was born and it would be forever tied to ancient Greece." See my review of book 1 - Fantasy Lover

Teaser Tuesday

MizB of Should Be Reading hosts this cool weekly event. Grab your current read. Let the book fall open to a random page. Share (2) “teaser” sentences from that page. Share the title & author of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR list if they like your teaser. Please avoid spoilers! Did she think he was dead and it was his damn soul haunting her? What went on in the head of a treacherous woman? Dark Desire by Christine Feehan - page 16

What Are You Reading On Monday

A weekly event hosted by J. Kaye’s Book Blog to discuss your reading week ~ the books you've read and those you plan on reading in the coming week. After being at Royal Reviews last week hosting the fantabulous Emily Bryan, I have some catching up to do this week, lots of reviews and hopefully some reading & blog visits. I think google reader went into melt-down at 1000 + posts, forgive me if I missed you this week! ************ Books Completed Last Week: WILLOW by Julia Hoban - 5 star read - review coming DEAD AS A DOORNAIL by Charlaine Harris - review coming WHAT KATY DID NEXT by Susan Coolidge ************ This Week's Reading List: DARK DESIRE by Christine Feehan SILK DREAMS by Diana Groe - page 35 KISS ME, KILL ME by Lauren Henderson - page 100 THE GUERNSEY LITERARY AND POTATO PEEL SOCIETY by Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows (audiobook) - chapter 5 ************ See my reviews for MAGIC IN THE WIND by Christine Feehan Reviews still to be done NIGHT PLEASURES by Sherrilyn Kenyon SHADOW KISS by Richelle Mead ************ I completed the 2009 Childhood Favourite's Challenge hosted by Lynda The Holistic Knitter just in the nick of time (ended 21st June.) THE BLACK STALLION by Walter Farley THE HOUSE AT POOH CORNER by A.A. Milne THE MAGIC FARAWAY TREE by Enid Blyton WHAT KATY DID by Susan Coolidge WHAT KATY DID NEXT by Susan Coolidge ************ Last but not least - Don't forget my June competition for the soon to be released Branded by Fire by Nalini Singh is International!!

What Katy Did Next by Susan Coolidge

Katy - Book 3 Published: 1886 Pages: 178 Sarah Chauncey Woolsey was an American children's author who wrote under the pen name Susan Coolidge. She died in 1905 and is best known for her classic children's novel What Katy Did (1872). The fictional Carr family was modelled after the author's own, with Katy Carr inspired by Susan (Sarah) herself, and the brothers and sisters modelled on Coolidge's Woolsey siblings. Two sequels follow Katy as she grows up: What Katy Did at School (1873) and What Katy Did Next (1886). Two further sequels were also published: Clover (1888) and In the High Valley (1890) - wikipedia This is another one of my mother's books that I also loved as a child. The totally adorable cover shows a picture of Katy and Ned on the Grand Canal in Venice. I can't locate book 2, What Katy Did At School so I've gone straight to book 3 which takes place 3 years after Katy Carr leaves Hillsover boarding school and returns home to Burnet. Katy cares for a neighbour's daughter, Amy Ashe, while Mrs Ashe cares for her nephew who is stricken with Scarlet Fever. After many months, a grateful Mrs Ashe asks Katy to accompany her and Amy on an extended holiday to Europe. What follows is a travelogue through England, France and Italy and the reader is given glimpses of the growing love between Katy and naval lieutenant Ned Worthington, Mrs Ashes's younger brother. The glimpses mind you, are little more than fleeting mentions, we are talking 1880's children's story (wouldn't want to sully a young girl's mind lol) I particularly loved Katy's journey through 'story-book' England. Katy had a penchant for visiting places she had read about in novels, one such being 'Wimpole Street'. "That is the name of the street where Maria Crawford in Mansfield Park, you know, 'opened one of the best houses' after she married Mr Rushworth. Think of seeing Wimpole Street! What fun!" Another nostalgic read; adorable, outdated and slightly 'kitschy' story but nonetheless thoroughly enjoyable and I just scraped in by the skin of my teeth with completing the Childhood Favourites Challenge. See my review for the first book in this series, What Katy Did.

Magic In The Wind by Christine Feehan

Genre: Paranormal Romance
Series: Drake Sisters # 1
Copyright: 2003
Pages: 103

"Sarah's coming home." Ever since Damon Wilder sought refuge in Sea Haven, he's heard the same breathless rumor pass the lips of nearly every local in the sleepy coastal town. Even the wind seems to whisper her name - a reverie so powerfully suggestive that it carries the curious Damon to Sarah's clifftop home, and seeks to shelter him there. But Damon has not arrived alone. Two men have tracked him to Sea Haven, and into the shadows of Drake House, where Sarah hides her own secrets. And danger- as well as a desire more urgent than either has ever known- is just a whisper away... book cover

I must admit I had concerns that this little book, at only 103 pages would fail to deliver but Magic in the Wind packs a powerful punch! The story really does live up to its title, a magical tale, beautifully written. Suspense, romance and mysticism; what more could you want? Hmm ... more pages.

This is the story of Sarah, the eldest of the extraordinary Drake sisters. There are seven sisters in the Drake family, each gifted with magical powers; Sarah, Kate, Abigail, Libby, Hannah, Joley, and Elle. It is also a story of love and tolerance, not only between the sisters but also the quirky residents of Sea Haven. A wonderful combination, love and magic but the whole 'prophecy' had me hooked from the start.

Sarah is such a fascinating character as is her love interest, Damon Wilder, that they deserved their own, full sized novel. This one did leave me wanting more, but I still really enjoyed reading it and at least I have the rest of the series to look forward to -

The Twilight Before Christmas
Oceans of Fire
Dangerous Tides
Safe Harbor
Turbulent Sea
Hidden Currents (coming June 30, 2009)

Captivating & enchanting, I think I'm going to fall in love with this series.

Christine Feehan has ten sisters & three brothers and couldn't resist writing a book about the magic of sisters.

To learn more about this author and the Drake Sister series visit Christine Feehan's website

Want To Be A Royal Reviewer?

Royal Reviews is looking for more happy bloggers to add to the team! Currently, we are looking to fill volunteer spots for a couple of permanent review bloggers (minimum 3 reviews per month) and multiple guest bloggers (no minimum reviews). We would also love to host friendly authors (like Emily Bryan) who would like the opportunity to showcase their quality fiction to potential readers with a promo week at Royal Reviews. If you are interested or would like more information, please email royalreviews(at)bigpond(dot)com

Teaser Tuesday

MizB of Should Be Reading hosts this cool weekly event. Grab your current read. Let the book fall open to a random page. Share (2) “teaser” sentences from that page. Share the title & author of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR list if they like your teaser. Please avoid spoilers!

But Willow's already decided that it's too dangerous to speak to him. She thinks back to the other day - how does she know that when she's done talking, when she's laid herself bare before him, that he won't turn to her and say something as clumsy, as blunt, and as painful as that girl in the lab?

Willow by Julia Hoban - page 61 I only got this in the mail today but I was so excited my reading list went out the window and I've started on Willow.

What Are You Reading On Monday

A weekly event hosted by J. Kaye’s Book Blog to discuss your reading week ~ the books you've read and those you plan on reading in the coming week. Don't forget I'm at Royal Reviews this week with historical romance author Emily Bryan. The very generous Em is giving away a book a day during 'Emily Bryan Week' so come say hello, and throw your hat in the ring to win one of her books. I'll try to catch up on comments & reviews next week. ************ Books Completed Last Week: NIGHT PLEASURES by Sherrilyn Kenyon SHADOW KISS by Richelle Mead MAGIC IN THE WIND by Christine Feehan WHAT KATY DID by Susan Coolidge ************ This Week's Reading List: SECRETS by Julie Garwood SILK DREAMS by Diana Groe DEAD AS A DOORNAIL by Charlaine Harris (audiobook) WHAT KATY DID NEXT by Susan Coolidge ************ See my reviews for THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON by F. Scott Fitzgerald ROYAL BLOOD by Rona Sharon

What Katy Did by Susan Coolidge

Published: 1872

Pages: 178

This book was my mother's when she was a young girl, passed on to me & enjoyed numerous times as a child and now re-read in adulthood for pure nostalgia. It's battered, the book jacket is torn & worn, the story is out-dated but I love this childhood favourite just because it was one my mum adored. Katy Carr was not a bad girl, but she was a very impulsive and thoughtless girl, and this led her, and the younger members of the Carr family who followed her lead, into many scrapes. Aunt Izzie who helped Dr Carr with his motherless children was very prim and proper and thoroughly disapproved of Katy's behaviour... Disobeying Aunt Izzie's order not to ride on the new swing, Katy did so and met with a bad accident. It was thought that she might never walk again. Then followed many miserable months of pain and inactivity before Katy, with the help of all the family and especially Cousin Helen, regained her courage and learned to be patient and thoughtful for others. - book jacket This is such a sweet story and while hideously out-dated, it certainly made me smile to think how many young girls given this book were encouraged to model themselves on Katy's reformed character. Set in a small town in the late 1800s the story begins with an introduction to the six Carr children, their kitten, and their best friend Ceci as they make a trip to 'Paradise' - "wild and endless and full of adventure as any forest of fairy-land" - the children's secret picnic place in the marshy thicket near their house. They argue over which path to take to Paradise; Pilgrim's Path & the Hill of Difficulty, the Path of Peace or Sassafrass Path and as usual Katy, the eldest of the Carr children has her way. The descriptions of the Carr children and their escapades are enchanting; Katy, Clover, Elsie, Dorrie, Joanna (John) & Phil are captivating characters & actually quite believable and I was kept entertained with the spats & pranks, recitals & games. One day Katy is late to school, in a terrible temper and a spate of trouble all because she hadn't bothered to sew in the string of her bonnet & her father quotes her this - (one I'd heard many times from my own grandpa!)

"For want of a nail the shoe was lost.

For want of a shoe the horse was lost.

For want of a horse the rider was lost.

For want of a rider the battle was lost.

For want of a battle the kingdom was lost.

And all for the want of a horseshoe nail."

When 12 year old Katy falls from a swing & is bedridden for years, she is inspired by her invalid cousin Helen, to strive to be the sweet natured, uncomplaining, bed-bound "heart of the family."

While I know this story had a serious underlying moral tone in its time, I thought it very entertaining & found myself laughing at the quaint Victorian theme of self-sacrifice and humility helping little girls grow into good women.

Psst!! Emily Bryan is coming to Royal Reviews

This week I'll be spending most of my time at Royal Reviews. We have had some wonderful theme weeks of late and this week I'm very excited to be hosting our very first author week with historical romance author Emily Bryan. I promised Emily royal accomodations, and as her entourage includes a Duchess and a Viscount, the move to 5 star 'digs' is very fitting.

Please come and say hello, join the fun, show some love & make Emily feel welcome (through comments) and each day you can throw your hat in the ring to win one of Emily Bryan's wonderful novels.

Royal Blood by Rona Sharon

Genre: Historical Fiction

Copyright: 2009
Pages: 490
Book Source: Courtesy of Author

Synopsis:
In the Tudor Court of 1518, your friends and enemies can be one and the same... During the annual celebration of the Order of the Garter, Sir Michael Devereaux arrives in King Henry VIII's court on a mission for his benefactor. The celebration's endless feats and sumptuous women delight the charismatic newcomer, who becomes captivated by the enigmatic Princess Renée of France. But evil, it seems, has followed Michael to the court. Shortly after his arrival, an unknown killer claims several victims, including the Queen's lady-in-waiting, and the powerful Cardinal Wolsey asks Michael to help with the investigation. As he searches for the killer, Michael is haunted by disturbing images of the victims—flashes of violence that lead him to doubt his own sanity. Michael soon realizes that the key to solving the crime is connected to both the Pope's Imperial vault in Rome and a mystery from Michael's own past—revealing a secret that is so damning, it could forever alter the future of mankind. - book cover

Rona Sharon's superb imagery and meticulous historical detail brings 16th century Tudor England to life; the author takes you back in time, to the intrigue, colour, splendor, & treachery of King Henry VIII's court.

This is a unique story in a familiar setting with a cast of historical figures; King Henry, Queen Katherine, Cardinal Wolsey, Cardinal Campeggio, the Dukes of Buckingham and Norfolk and of course the main characters, Michael & Renee.

He is Michael Devereaux, heir of the Earl of Tyrone, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, on a mission for his benefactor, and hoping also to make a name for himself in the royal court.

She is Princess Renee de Valois , sister to the Queen of France, and daughter of the previous King. Savvy to the ways of the court, fiery, shrewd and determined, Renee is on a mission of her own, a woman who refuses to submit to the established conventions of her time.

These characters are brilliantly drawn with a wonderful depth, the sexual tension is palpable, the banter & distrust between the pair is believable and I found Renee's relationship with her tiring woman Adele, quite endearing.

I loved the hints of paranormal woven into the historical tapestry of the first half of the novel & in the second half, the vampire mythology really comes into its own, working remarkably well in the historical setting.

So what is it that baffles me about Royal Blood, and why am I finding it so difficult to put into words? The story is slow to build, I liked the descriptive prose in the first half of the book but I loved the pace of the 2nd half. The last 250 pages race along at a page-turning pace but the descriptive writing changes, it almost felt as though I had read 2 different stories.

"...a Rennes lawn smock, woven of gossamer-fine thread and spangled with gold fleurs-de-lis whose ruffled cuffs would peek from the gown at the wrists; a scarlet satin kirtle, petticoat, linen squares to stuff inside Renee's stiff bodice to create the de rigueur illusion of a spectacular bust; and a low-cut gown of shimmering ruby taffeta and black velure." - page 141 - (*sigh* spectacular)

 

 

The Bordeaux jerkin, the gilt-trimmed black velvet doublet, and the camlet shirt hit the floor one after the other. Enjoying her eyes on him, gliding and caressing with patent appreciation, he set his fingers to unlacing the points of his hose. "Only think, so far we have cruised along the coastline. Wait till we sail into the deep waters. You may meet a sea monster there." - page 343

 

"The blunt head of his hot lance was couched at the ravished cleft in her armor , but he withheld his sortie." - page 346 - (just wasn't keen on these descriptions)

All in all this was a unique and enjoyable read, I do recommend it, and I will definitely read more from this author. A big thank you to Rona Sharon for my signed copy of Royal Blood. Rona's 4th novel, featuring the Borgia family is due to be released in 2011.

If you'd like to know more about this author visit her website

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Published: 1921 Copyright: 2007 Pages: 32

My Rating: 3 stars - short story 4.5 stars - movie

Inspired by a comment made by Mark Twain ~ "Life would be infinitely happier if we could only be born at the age of 80 and gradually approach 18" ~ the short story of Benjamin Button was born. This is an odd, kind-of-sad, fairy-tale like story, short in pages and on descriptive detail and character development. While a unique story, I found it quite a stark, blunt tale of prejudice, disillusionment and rejection. Obviously you have to consider that this was published in 1921 but frankly I much preferred the movie to the short story which you can download for free here. Set in Baltimore, the story begins in the 1860 as Roger Button rushes to the Maryland Private Hospital for the birth of his first child, only to discover his newborn is a full-grown, walking, talking old man, complete with beard, crotchety nature, & many of the health issues of the aged. (let's not think about the logistics of that!) With horror & embarrassment Roger takes Benjamin home expecting him to shave, dye his hair, eat baby food and play with baby toys. Benjamin eventually discovers he is aging backwards, he begins work for his father, marries the beautiful Hildegard & enjoys a degree of happiness, but as his wife ages & he grows younger, Benjamin becomes disenchanted, yearning for freedom. The majority of the story is really about the lack of acceptance from not only society but Benjamin's own family. In the film, Benjamin is born in 1918, an average sized baby with wrinkles and old-man health issues. While in the story Benjamin grows younger both physically and mentally; in the movie, he ages mentally as he grows physically younger. Abandoned by his father on the steps of a boarding house for the elderly, Benjamin is cared for by the good-hearted Queenie. Benjamin grows and flourishes surrounded by the wisdom, love, and acceptance of Queenie and the other housemates. He departs for a life of adventure on the sea, returning to once again meet Daisy, a little girl he he formed an emotional connection with as a teenager. Daisy is the emotional pivot for Benjamin throughout the tale, a passionate love affair blossoms into tender romance but you'll have to watch this one yourself to see what else is in store. Daisy, a dancer and free spirit recalls much of Benjamin’s life from her deathbed which obviously makes you aware of the bitter-sweet ending but does nothing to detract from the visual and emotional impact of the film. Unlike the short story, I loved this warm, sentimental love story which features Brad Pitt as Benjamin, Cate Blanchett as Daisy and Taraji P. Henson as Queenie. While it shares only a title and a basic premise with its literary source, the movie is a tender, poetic piece of story telling with attention to detail. Mind you at almost 3 hours long, there is plenty of time for detail.

Teaser Tuesday

MizB of Should Be Reading hosts this cool weekly event. Grab your current read. Let the book fall open to a random page. Share (2) “teaser” sentences from that page. Share the title & author of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR list if they like your teaser. Please avoid spoilers! "I specifically remember we both promised never to drink from any man's goblet of wine. From the looks of you, Frances Catherine, I'm thinking you broke your word." page 118 ~ The Secret by Julie Garwood