The biggest mystery about this book is why anyone bought it. This is such a case of the "Emperors Clothes". Lots of people liked it because they were supposed to like it. If you bought this book, I would not suggest you read it; instead keep it in the bathroom where it can be used as substitute toilet paper in case the occasion arises where you run out of your usual stock.
There are several reasons I found this book subpar:
1. The main “bad guy” was a static, flat character, who suddenly became evil when it was convenient. He was like a minute man bad guy; one minute he was happy and go lucky, the next he was crazy. There was absolutely no time spent to the psyche of the main bad character. We were simply told he was bad. There was no depth of character.
2. The events that happen in this murder mystery are sooooo cliché. The main male character gets shot at in the woods, but the killer fails to finish the job—despite, the mail-male character going back to his familiar room back in his cabin where—I might add—the killer had access to. If the killer was as “cunning” and “evil” as the author would have us believe, then why is shooting at the main male character the best thing he can come up with? Why can’t he plant some sort of poison in their coffee. Seriously. They drank so much coffee in the book I felt a caffine high just by flipping through the pages. I am pretty sure that they end up drinking coffee in the majority of the chapters. If the killer would have poisoned the coffee it would have been all over.
3. It lacked excitement. And the action is almost non-existent. There are no real pursuits, or interesting and dynamic fight scenes. Or scenes where the main character has to use his incredible wits to get out of a sticky situation. Or any cognitive “chess play” between the killer and the main characters. In fact, the killer at the end simply picks up the main male character and points a gun at him. Why didn’t the killer do that from the beginning? Maybe, the killer is a bit of a softy—but wait, he did ravish his sister…so, basically, the killer was inconsistent, and consequently, not believable.
4. The only believable character, and likeable character, is the old man. But he is so long windy that it makes the beginning of the story drag on. I did not care for any of the other characters in this book. They were all cold-hearted individuals who cared little for anything around them. The main male is focused solely on his career, and will just about enjoy himself with anyone of the opposite sex (I think the writer was probably living vicariously and must not get much action at home). The main female character is brilliant and foolish all at once. She has the intellect and brains to hack computers, but she does not have the insight to realize she is about to get raped. The second time it happens, she was asking for it. Yes, yes, I know that was part of her plan, but if she would have simply gone to the cops and pulled the DNA of her shirt, it would have been a done deal. Yes, she would have got another case worker, but they certainly would have gotten a lot of media attention over the event, which would have ensured she would have gotten some acclaimed guardian.
5. If Dragon breath girl was really so smart, she would have answered normal questions and not been declared incompetent to begin with. I really had a hard time with this one. There is no way should would have been declared incompetent and at the same time be operating at such a high intellectual level. No way. Not possible. Even if she ignored everyone in the world, her basic ability to get and keep work far surpasses many people in America.
6. This book uses sensitive topics such as rape, incest, and pedophilia to hype up the book. Instead of a real, compelling novel—one that makes you think about something a different way—the author prays on the emotions of readers, who relate to these horrible things, and the author uses these emotions to push the book. This is something that amateur writers do to the hundredth degree. Amateurs want to create a compelling and stirring novel, so they often use the most dramatic events they can think of. Rape is the amateurs default. It is like that scene from the “Office” where Michael Scott is at his impromptu class. Michael constantly acting like he has a gun because “nothing tops a gun” (Please excuse the TV show reference). Instead of create a human interaction that is dynamic and powerful—one than takes more than then figuratively making your characters bend over—the author goes with the classic rape. Go to a basic creative writing class in college. I bet you that at least a quarter of the stories written will be about abuse, rape, or incest.
I could go on, but why should I. The book is so terrible that I feel I have wasted my time even writing about it. If you bought this book, return it. If a friend gave it to you, then end that friendship. If you won it at a free book giveaway—well, just keep in mind that you get what you pay for.
About Me
- S.B. NIXON
- S.B. Nixon has a Bachelor’s of Arts in English, and is an avid student of ancient cultures and regions. Traveling is one of his main hobbies and, consequently, he has spent much time outside of United States. He is fluent in the Spanish language, and conversant in several more. He has moved more times then is old, and has lived on the East coast almost as much as the West Coast. Above everything, he is most passionate about the art of writing.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Book review for Pathfinder by Orson Scott Card
I typically don’t care for books that gloss over action sequences, nor do I care for books that are bogged down in the science of a book or are constantly explaining each character’s logical sequence of thought. This book did both and, surprisingly I loved it.
The characters were believable, the situations were plausible, the set up was dynamic, unique, and impressive. Orson took on such a big idea, I was sure that he would not be able to maintain consistency throughout the novel. He not only was constant with each characters individual powers, he did so in such a way that made them extremely believable.
My hat goes off to Orson. Very well done. I am excited to read the second book in the series. Best science fiction book I've read so far (bear in mind, I don't read much sci-fi).
The characters were believable, the situations were plausible, the set up was dynamic, unique, and impressive. Orson took on such a big idea, I was sure that he would not be able to maintain consistency throughout the novel. He not only was constant with each characters individual powers, he did so in such a way that made them extremely believable.
My hat goes off to Orson. Very well done. I am excited to read the second book in the series. Best science fiction book I've read so far (bear in mind, I don't read much sci-fi).
Monday, October 4, 2010
Book Review of Dan Well's I am not a Serial Killer
I enjoyed this great book. It was a quick read that pulled a reader in and kept their attention. The characters are interesting, the relations are dynamic, and the plot points were unique. Dan does a great job of moving the story along as well as leaving enough details behind to keep the situation and the scenario real.
I eagerly wait for the release of the second book: Mr. Monster.
I eagerly wait for the release of the second book: Mr. Monster.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Book Signing in Layton UT
Another great book signing. Sold 11. Special thanks to Tami and Will at Barnes and Noble in Layton. I've enjoyed working with all the CRMs in Barnes and Noble, but I was especially impressed with Tami (who, I actually believe is the assistant manager). Thanks for all of your hard work.
Also, I met a man who works for Fox 13 news in the advertising department. After a very interesting conversation that started with the topic of gladiators but ended up with the topics of zombies in the last days, I was thinking about throwing an advertisement spot on television. Hmmm? Things to consider.
Also, I met a man who works for Fox 13 news in the advertising department. After a very interesting conversation that started with the topic of gladiators but ended up with the topics of zombies in the last days, I was thinking about throwing an advertisement spot on television. Hmmm? Things to consider.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Movie Review of Gladiator
Problems with the Movie 'Gladiator'
Please don't think that I am tearing into the "Gladiator" just to be tearing into it. I hate people that find every little flaw and over inflate it. The "Gladiator" is a good movie that I enjoy, but as far as a historical movie of gladiators--it is about as far from accurate as possible.
Almost everything you see in the movie is incorrect—from the fighting styles and amour, to the percentage of those killed in the arena to the group battles.
First and foremost, Romans saw gladiator bouts as a religious rite--a sacred act where the blood of the living fed the dead. This religious bout was called a Munus. Only 1 in 10 gladiator fights ended up in death--not every combat as seen in the movie "Gladiator." When a gladiator was injured, he would sue for mercy by lifting up one of his fingers to the sponsor--usually the pinky. If the gladiator was killed, the sponsor would have to buy the gladiator, and for this reason, the sponsor very rarely chose death. The 'thumbs up' as a sign of 'let him live', as seen in so many movies and art, is wrong. Instead the sponsor would make a rising gesture with both hands; this makes sense, because the losing gladiator would be on his knees.
If, however, death was chosen, the sponsor would use his right hand and thumb to point at his left shoulder. The losing gladiator would then stay perfectly still and let their opponent stab down the meaty part of the shoulder, which is next to the neck, and down into the heart, killing them instantly. This totally changes the whole perspective of gladiators. These warriors let themselves be scarified--they let themselves be ritually killed. The less fear they showed in death--as they believed--the more they honored themselves and the Gods.
Gladiatorial combat was also seen as a sport--not a blood bath of irrational killing. A fight between gladiators was arranged so that each would have an equal chance of victory--same with group battles. If one side was had a higher chance of winning then the other, the crowd would hiss and holler until the sponsor rearranged the combat.
A gladiator typically fought 6 matches a year and served a 3 to 5 year contract, which means that the average gladiator had a 18-30 chance of death. This is a relatively low percentage of death, especially when compared to a Roman soldier, who had a 50% chance of death over a 20 year career.
After a gladiator's contract would expire they would very often become trainers for new gladiators. They might also become body guards, trainer of body guards, or join the army. Unlike soldiers, Gladiators were sometimes allowed to marry and many of them had wives.
Although some gladiators were disobedient slaves or people of conquered nations, many of them were once Roman citizens who sold their freedom for a chance of glory and money. Gladiators were set apart from society and were very loyal to their own kind. In the past, many scholars thought that this separation was meant to disgrace or scorn them, but new evidence suggests that these fighters were greatly honored and revered in life and death. In Ephasis, a gladiator graveyard was found along a path to an important religious site. This suggests that they were honored for the sacrifice.
Gladiator training was not as brutal and harsh as Hollywood likes to depict. It was more akin to modern athletes that trained for popular sporting events. Each gladiator represented a huge investment by their owners; consequently, Gladiators had some of the best doctors, cleanest conditions, and most well rounded diets than most individuals of antiquity.
The phrase 'We who are about to die salute you' is a common phrase that is seen in just about every gladiator bout ever filmed by Hollywood. This, however, was an oath that sea fighters of the Naumachia took—not fighters in the arena. In fact there are only two accounts where this phrase even appears, both times it is before an Epic gladiatorial battle.
Please don't think that I am tearing into the "Gladiator" just to be tearing into it. I hate people that find every little flaw and over inflate it. The "Gladiator" is a good movie that I enjoy, but as far as a historical movie of gladiators--it is about as far from accurate as possible.
Almost everything you see in the movie is incorrect—from the fighting styles and amour, to the percentage of those killed in the arena to the group battles.
First and foremost, Romans saw gladiator bouts as a religious rite--a sacred act where the blood of the living fed the dead. This religious bout was called a Munus. Only 1 in 10 gladiator fights ended up in death--not every combat as seen in the movie "Gladiator." When a gladiator was injured, he would sue for mercy by lifting up one of his fingers to the sponsor--usually the pinky. If the gladiator was killed, the sponsor would have to buy the gladiator, and for this reason, the sponsor very rarely chose death. The 'thumbs up' as a sign of 'let him live', as seen in so many movies and art, is wrong. Instead the sponsor would make a rising gesture with both hands; this makes sense, because the losing gladiator would be on his knees.
If, however, death was chosen, the sponsor would use his right hand and thumb to point at his left shoulder. The losing gladiator would then stay perfectly still and let their opponent stab down the meaty part of the shoulder, which is next to the neck, and down into the heart, killing them instantly. This totally changes the whole perspective of gladiators. These warriors let themselves be scarified--they let themselves be ritually killed. The less fear they showed in death--as they believed--the more they honored themselves and the Gods.
Gladiatorial combat was also seen as a sport--not a blood bath of irrational killing. A fight between gladiators was arranged so that each would have an equal chance of victory--same with group battles. If one side was had a higher chance of winning then the other, the crowd would hiss and holler until the sponsor rearranged the combat.
A gladiator typically fought 6 matches a year and served a 3 to 5 year contract, which means that the average gladiator had a 18-30 chance of death. This is a relatively low percentage of death, especially when compared to a Roman soldier, who had a 50% chance of death over a 20 year career.
After a gladiator's contract would expire they would very often become trainers for new gladiators. They might also become body guards, trainer of body guards, or join the army. Unlike soldiers, Gladiators were sometimes allowed to marry and many of them had wives.
Although some gladiators were disobedient slaves or people of conquered nations, many of them were once Roman citizens who sold their freedom for a chance of glory and money. Gladiators were set apart from society and were very loyal to their own kind. In the past, many scholars thought that this separation was meant to disgrace or scorn them, but new evidence suggests that these fighters were greatly honored and revered in life and death. In Ephasis, a gladiator graveyard was found along a path to an important religious site. This suggests that they were honored for the sacrifice.
Gladiator training was not as brutal and harsh as Hollywood likes to depict. It was more akin to modern athletes that trained for popular sporting events. Each gladiator represented a huge investment by their owners; consequently, Gladiators had some of the best doctors, cleanest conditions, and most well rounded diets than most individuals of antiquity.
The phrase 'We who are about to die salute you' is a common phrase that is seen in just about every gladiator bout ever filmed by Hollywood. This, however, was an oath that sea fighters of the Naumachia took—not fighters in the arena. In fact there are only two accounts where this phrase even appears, both times it is before an Epic gladiatorial battle.
Book Review for Flecks of Gold, by Alicia Beck
BOOK REVIEW FOR FLECKS OF GOLD
BY ALICIA BECK
I was able to meet Alicia Beck at a book signing in Salt Lake City. She is a very nice as well as persistent individual. I just finished reading her book entitled Flecks of Gold, which I rather enjoyed. I have both good and bad things to say about the book.
First the good: She uses and describe magic in a way that I have never seen before. It is rather logical but yet creative. She certainly displayed a great level of creativity as well as depth in her descriptions and use of magic (major props to her). She also had decent character development as well as a quick moving plot. The action was well described as well as believable. I also enjoyed the twist at the end; it was done in such a way that was believable.
The Bad: Bandits are her default problem. Whenever she needed a problem--she resorted to bandits. Her main character also changed too much from beginning to end to be completely believable. Without any training, she quickly becomes the most powerful magician in the whole magical kingdom. And, ironically enough, she uses magic more than her supposed magical counterparts. The love story was done well enough by the end, but it is completely unbelievable in the beginning. The two main characters don't really have any good moments in the beginning for him to be so in love with her throughout the book. She is is really quite obnoxious in the beginning--almost to the point where it is too much to take.
Overall, I enjoyed the book and would recommend it.
BY ALICIA BECK
I was able to meet Alicia Beck at a book signing in Salt Lake City. She is a very nice as well as persistent individual. I just finished reading her book entitled Flecks of Gold, which I rather enjoyed. I have both good and bad things to say about the book.
First the good: She uses and describe magic in a way that I have never seen before. It is rather logical but yet creative. She certainly displayed a great level of creativity as well as depth in her descriptions and use of magic (major props to her). She also had decent character development as well as a quick moving plot. The action was well described as well as believable. I also enjoyed the twist at the end; it was done in such a way that was believable.
The Bad: Bandits are her default problem. Whenever she needed a problem--she resorted to bandits. Her main character also changed too much from beginning to end to be completely believable. Without any training, she quickly becomes the most powerful magician in the whole magical kingdom. And, ironically enough, she uses magic more than her supposed magical counterparts. The love story was done well enough by the end, but it is completely unbelievable in the beginning. The two main characters don't really have any good moments in the beginning for him to be so in love with her throughout the book. She is is really quite obnoxious in the beginning--almost to the point where it is too much to take.
Overall, I enjoyed the book and would recommend it.
Successful Book Signing
Successful Book Signing
Most people just rattle off helpful things. I decided to instead make a list. Somethings will work all the time, other things will work only a part of the time, and still other things will work every time.
Two Weeks Before
__Attempt to have article published in local newspaper
__Attempt to have announcement on radio station
__Post schedule on Face book
__Post a sign for upcoming signing in book store
__Hand out Pass “alongs” for the cashiers
__Call bookstore to follow up
__Contact
Week Before
__Call and confirm with bookstore
__Find out number of books ordered
__Post ad on craigslist
__Post Newspaper add
__Make personal invites on social media such as Facebook
Day of
__Load car with signage
__Will need at least two large signs and possible several arrows to point the way
__Make sure to have business cards
__Take a big bag of pens
__Take a table cloth
__Candy
__Take balloons
__Pass out fliers on local cars that advertise free writing seminar
__Pass out fliers on local cars that advertise book signing
During
__Be sure to invite them to join on facebook or other social networks to share their thoughts
__Become interested in their book clubs. If the opportunity arises offer to visit book clubs.
__Give a presentation on the historical context of book
__Give a presentation on how to write and be published
__Have giveaways: Free pens, free magnets
__ Collect emails for a raffle where they can win posters, or free books
__After the signing thank those who left their email and invite them to join your blog
After
__Send thank you card to the bookstore
Most people just rattle off helpful things. I decided to instead make a list. Somethings will work all the time, other things will work only a part of the time, and still other things will work every time.
Two Weeks Before
__Attempt to have article published in local newspaper
__Attempt to have announcement on radio station
__Post schedule on Face book
__Post a sign for upcoming signing in book store
__Hand out Pass “alongs” for the cashiers
__Call bookstore to follow up
__Contact
Week Before
__Call and confirm with bookstore
__Find out number of books ordered
__Post ad on craigslist
__Post Newspaper add
__Make personal invites on social media such as Facebook
Day of
__Load car with signage
__Will need at least two large signs and possible several arrows to point the way
__Make sure to have business cards
__Take a big bag of pens
__Take a table cloth
__Candy
__Take balloons
__Pass out fliers on local cars that advertise free writing seminar
__Pass out fliers on local cars that advertise book signing
During
__Be sure to invite them to join on facebook or other social networks to share their thoughts
__Become interested in their book clubs. If the opportunity arises offer to visit book clubs.
__Give a presentation on the historical context of book
__Give a presentation on how to write and be published
__Have giveaways: Free pens, free magnets
__ Collect emails for a raffle where they can win posters, or free books
__After the signing thank those who left their email and invite them to join your blog
After
__Send thank you card to the bookstore
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)