Destined- to Beat My Expectations

Destined is the latest installment in the House of Night Series by the mother daughter team of P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast.  Destined is the ninth in the series, following Zoey from being marked a vampire through her journey battling evil and darkness at her vampire school The House of Night.

Now I classify this series as a great daytime soap.  (see my view on book reviews) No this series isn’t going to bring world peace, and no I don’t see it being required reading in any literature class, but for a good light fast read- this is good.  The series as a whole- is not great- but something about it keeps me coming back.  Kind of like as much as I try I can’t totally get over the fascination with Samantha Brady…

I am not giving away the story, because honestly, if you haven’t been reading- well don’t start on this one.  Like I said, this is book NINE- trust me, you will want to start at the beginning.  

HOWEVER if you have been reading, and like me, have found the last few books a bit weaker than I was hoping for- this one may bring you back into the fold.  Although the titillation of the first three isn’t back yet, the story is a BIT stronger.  The actions of Zoey and her friends are at least more believable than some of the silly mistakes they continued to make in the past few books. 

The characters are becoming slightly interesting again, partially with the addition of a few, again I can’t give away names- trust me you won’t want me to, but let’s just say they were definitely needed- I had almost given up on this series, some others I know had, so if that is you-  it is worth another look.  (But a word of warning- 9 books are a big commitment for simply ok writing) 

Besides, it’s cold outside- what is better than a great new bubble gum book?

In My View - Books VS Movies

Being a writer has allowed me a similar perspective on books versus movies.  Both I love, both I admire and view equally as pieces of art.  Challenges and victories brought to life either on the page or the screen created by someone, usually unknown, behind a keyboard.  

 As a reader, I see books differently than I do movies.  Movies are a short version of fantasy time- a quick high if you will- allowing the viewer to escape into another visual dimension. 

Books however, are more of a new high completely.  The reader finds a connection with characters, pieces of their own hidden selves, within the folds of the page.  Characters can change the way a reader views the world, and even more so, can change how they see themselves.  The book ends however, leaving the reader without a drug.  Thus they disappear into the dusty corners of the corner bookstore in search of the next story.  

We read from before we can decipher the written word.  Children can open a book and be inspired by the pictures they see, telling their own tale, simply spinning it out of thin air.

When we dive into a series, it allows the reader to keep getting the hits from the same source.   The reader gets attached to characters, completely building the entire mental picture of what the setting looks like and if the story is written well, waits patiently for the next installment in the series.

Now, books are not all world changers- there are some that are simply for entertainment, a great action movie if you will.  Others are fluffy entertainment, like a hit television series, and then there are others. 

 

They are the ones that are not great, but still entertaining.  They hook the reader and keep them coming book after book, even though very little traditional quality writing is involved.  They are the soap Opera’s of the book world.  The Days of Our Lives, that seems to never end and even though we mock and make fun, the viewers keep watching, secretly recording their little pleasure, or watching it in the dark after everyone has gone to bed.  

As I begin diving into book reviews, you will find I classify books in that way- comparing them to a classic movie, a hit television series or simply- a guilty seductive soap.  Please keep in mind, I believe all of these have a place and a position on the shelf of the bookstore near you- after all- everyone deserves a little escape now and then.

Experiencing History- First Hand

As we grow closer to Halloween, we are invited to more and more events where we have the opportunity to dress as someone else.  Wear another s shoes if you will, just for a few hours. 

This weekend I attended a fantastic night of historic themes.  Costumes were to be relevant to history of the area.  I of course, did a little research and found a fantastic inspiration in the “hidden” or less talked about history of my conservative state’s “Red Light” district. 

According to my research, not only was the oldest profession present here, it thrived.  In fact, a much northern town closed the last establishment in the mid ‘80’s.  Oh no, not 1880’s but the 1980’s.  I was fascinated with the groups that were beginning to try to piece back the history lost after more proper history was chosen to preserve.

It was settled.  I was going as a painted lady, a woman of the night, a girl for hire if you will.  I pulled up the old photos I could find on line and collected my petticoats, velvet skirts, little boots and stockings. 

The night of the event I was sure I wouldn’t be the only one with such a sassy idea.  After all, it was the oldest profession, and if there was mining- there were brothels.

Little did I know I was the only one who went out on that proverbial limb.  My observations of the crowd got me to thinking- No one in the room would have ever entered a brothel if we had been back in the day.  I was surrounded by upstanding citizens of the community, people who if we flipped a switch and moved us all back into the 1800’s, wouldn’t have given me the time of day.

I looked around, realizing a great deal of the people here wouldn’t either.  I didn’t know them, they were strangers to me, but my attire left nothing to the imagination to who or what I was dressed as.  And I was treated as such.  Now, no one was mean, or rude, but it was with great effort that the woman smiled and the men kept their eyes on my face.  It was if I had walked through the door to 100 years prior.  I was the woman in the room that everyone noticed, but pretended not to.

It was a empty feeling, a strange energy of loneliness and wondered…

Is this what every woman in this profession felt like walking into the general mercantile?  I knew the answer- yes.  My life tilted slightly in empathy for those who we pass on the street and ignore, the homeless, the wretch, even the occasional whore.

I went to the event focused on having a great time wearing a slightly edgy costume and having a great time.  I left having a great time, loving my fantastic costume and took home a little more tolerance-  Now that is a successful night.