Insignia - S.J. Kincaid

Soon to be a trilogy, Insignia was honestly one of the greatest things I pulled off the Teen-Fantasy shelf at Barnes and Noble in a very long time. I found it during one of my B&N day trips where I had fully intended to go in and peruse. I saw the cover, opened up the novel, and read the summary on the jacket. My initial thought was, “It's another one of those books.” You know, the classic whether to save the world or not, spiel. So, I did what everyone does, I started to read the book right where I stood.

It is World War III and the enemy is winning. These days, war is no longer personal; it’s all digital and virtual. Government hardly exists and the world is broken into two major factions: the Indo-American Alliance and the Russo-Chinese Alliance. Mega-corporations drive the factions; everything is a commodity these days. Especially the war.

The corporations sponsor certain Combatants – soldiers in the war. The wars are fought in space, using machines. There is no actual loss of life. The Combatants are young, elite fighters, who wield the war machines in virtual space. There is only one public face to the soldiers, however. Elliot Ramirez is the handsome, charismatic, combatant who fights under the alias: “Ares.”

Our protagonist, Tom Raines, is miserable. For years, he has hopped from casino to casino with his unlucky, gambler of a father. Tom’s only purpose in life is to make sure they have a roof over their heads and food in their bellies. While his father loses money, Tom goes out and makes it. Scrawny, unattractive, and poor, Tom does what he does best: he plays video games. He is a skilled, brilliant gamer, and knows it. So, he takes to the arcades in casinos and earns his survival. He’s missed so much online school that his teacher threatens to contact social services. His father’s paranoia keeps them off the grid, which inhibits Tom from consistently attending his classes. Tom’s skill in-game and out-of-game as a con artist gains the attention of someone rather unexpected.

The 14 year-old draws the attention of a General. The man approaches Tom in an arcade after watching the boy complete a military simulation. He offers the struggling teen the chance of a lifetime: to become a Combatant. Tom’s father heatedly objects to the idea, skeptical of the corporations that drive society. Tom, however, can’t pass this opportunity up – his chance to be important. He would be a super-human war machine, with the tech skills he could only dream of. Tom finds himself at the Pentagonal Spire, an elite military academy, training to be a member of the Intra-Solar Forces. This new life has everything Tom could ever ask for, but at what cost? Was his father right to keep them off the grid?

Insignia is not just for techies, gamers, or boys. It’s fast-paced, witty, precise, hilarious, heart wrenching, and all around brilliant. I’m so excited to see what the second book has in store for us, not to mention the rest of the series! Insignia is very reminiscent of a much beloved book The Ender’s Game, but should be treated as its own, because the two are also very different. I absolutely loved this book. The entire story took me by surprise. Every single character seemed important in a specific way, which tickled me. No one felt superfluous.

I don't think I truly did the book justice. I really enjoyed it and thoroughly recommend it to anyone who wants a fun read. It’s quite the page-turner. I bought it after Chapter 1 and finished it as the sun was coming up that night. It was worth every minute.

Read more about the characters, backstory, and keep up-to-date on the series by checking out S.J. Kincade's own blog! It's quite fantastic!

Happy Reading!

-- Isabel

Months of Absence

Erm... Hello, Internet!

How are you? Well, I hope!

I'm well aware of my absence since Star Wars Day. While I fully intended to continue, I just lost some motivation. I felt as if none of it mattered - all in all, I got bored of myself. And then laziness clutched at that fault, clambered up, pitched a tent, and settled in. One of my best friends reminded me of my absence a little while ago, and I thought maybe I should make my way back.

Slowly, but surely, I intend to start posting reviews again. I realized that I've been posting about books I love or enjoyed, at the very least. I want to diversify that, so I will try to write about books I haven't enjoyed or hated (in some cases).

This will not be constant. I cannot assure you of a schedule or consistency. There will be lulls, silence, and for how long, I cannot say, but I can only say that there will be some. All I ask is patience. This is not only a blog of reviews, this is an archive of my literary history. It takes me time to remember what I liked or disliked, whether the plot truly belonged to the book I'm remembering, whether I enjoyed it at all, maybe if I even finished the book/series.

I wish everyone the happiest of Holidays. I hope to see more of you in future.

Happy Reading!
-- Isabel

Happy Star Wars Day!

Why Read?

"The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go."

– Dr. Seuss, I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!

"Isn't it odd how much fatter a book gets when you've read it several times? ... As if something were left between the pages every time you read it. Feelings, thoughts, sounds, smells...and then, when you look at the book again many years later, you find yourself there, too, a slightly younger self, slightly different, as if the book had preserved you like a pressed flower...both strange and familiar."

– Cornelia Funke, Inkspell  

"Everything in the world exists in order to end up as a book."

– Stephane Mallarme

"A children's story that can only be enjoyed by children is not a good children's story in the slightest."

– C.S. Lewis

"Until I feared I would lose it, I never loved to read. One does not love breathing."

– Harper Lee, To Kill A Mockingbird

"Do not read, as children do, to amuse yourself, or like the ambitious, for the purpose of instruction. No, read in order to live."

– Gustave Flaubert

"Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers."

– Charles William Eliot

"We read to know that we are not alone."

– C.S. Lewis

"'A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies,' said Jojen. 'The man who never reads lives only one.'"

– George R.R. Martin, A Dance With Dragons

"It is only a novel... or, in short, only some work in which the greatest powers of the mind are displayed, in which the most thorough knowledge of human nature, the happiest delineation of its varieties, the liveliest effusions of wit and humor, are conveyed to the world in the best-chosen language."

– Jane Austen, Northanger Abbey

All of these quotes are from the phenomenal site Good Reads, where I have only skimmed the surface of 1,307 quotes about reading. These are all reasons why I love to read, as well.

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There's a theorist named Evgeny Morozov who writes about something called "net delusion." This concept is that the world's population has become naive with the invention of the Internet. People believe the Internet can fix anything, is stronger than anything, has power over anything. Morozov pities those of us who believe that sites like Twitter and Facebook can overpower government or tyranny. I, like Morozov, pity those who believe in the absolute power of the Internet.

The Internet is only as powerful as the people who use it. Those who wield the power of the Internet have the power to make change. Just as the invention of the printing press. Alone it holds no power. When a printer uses the press, only then is there power in the object. The printing press began a revolution around the world, just as the Internet has. They are mere catalysts in a human's evolutionary curiosity. "Guns don't kill people. People kill people." Well, certainly guns help in killing people. But, this is true. It is a tool we use. The printing press is a tool we use. The Internet is a tool we use.

Books are tools we need. Without them, there is too much untapped knowledge. Is it naive of me to think that books have power? Am I one of Morozov's delusional people? Can I sit here and say that one of the necessities of life is to read, and in reading one becomes powerful? I am, albeit, biased. But, when reading, a reader gains a more enlightened mind. A reader gains knowledge. If "knowledge is power," then the Internet is powerful. But, those who control it are even more so.

Excuse the tired ramblings of a weary college student. I found myself in need of an outlet of sorts. Perhaps this makes sense... Perhaps it doesn't. Perhaps I'll return to this post and edit the living day-lights out of it... Perhaps not.

"A person is a fool to become a writer. His only compensation is absolute freedom." – Roald Dahl

Happy Reading!

-- Isabel

Manga/Anime Corner!

Welcome to Manga/Anime Corner again! This time I am going to recommend a lighter manga/anime and a darker one. Both are manga and anime. While I typically prefer the Japanese voices, I happen to really like the English Dubbed voices of both anime. So, this time around, I cannot give a “Subs v. Dubs” recommendation. All right, here they are!

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Ouran High School Host Club­ – Bisco Hatori

Both an anime and a manga, Ouran High School Host Club is a fun romantic comedy for guys and girls alike. Ouran is a satire, overall. It pokes fun at the stereotypical male characters girls are supposed to like. And it is downright hilarious!

The series follows Haruhi Fujioka, a scholarship student at Ouran Academy. Ouran Academy is an extremely prestigious high school, where only the richest attend. Their unofficial motto is “Lineage first, wealth a close second.” It is very rare when an exceptional “commoner” is granted a scholarship. When looking for a quiet place to study, Haruhi stumbles into the Ouran Academy Host Club.

A Host Club is a group of men who entertain women with conversation and drinks. Host and Hostess clubs are very popular in East Asian countries. The Ouran Host Club is a group of six male students. Each student epitomizes a male stereotype found in Japanese manga/anime.

Tamaki Suo is the princely, flamboyant, and narcissistic founder and president of the Host Club; Kyoya Otori is the secretive, pragmative, megane (glasses) vice-president of the Host Club; Hikaru and Kaoru Hitachiin are the mischievous, childish, twins in the Host Club; Mistkune “Honey” Haninozuka is the Lolita, sweets-addict, and eldest member of the Host Club; Takashi “Mori” Morinozuka is the protective, quiet, tall, and second eldest member of the Host Club. What is Haruhi to do when she meets all of these strange men? What happens when she accidentally smashes an $80,000 vase in the clubroom? Is working as a Host the only way to pay off her debt? Don't they realize that she's a girl?

Back Row: Kyoya, Mori (with Usa-chan), Tamaki
Front Row: Kaoru, Haruhi, Hikaru, Honey

The anime only spans 26 episodes (a rather short anime), and the manga is only 18 volumes long (a rather short manga). There are two seasons in the anime. A 3^rd season was rumored, but hasn’t been produced. There is a live-action drama and film, which I haven’t seen. The anime ends rather abruptly and very differently than the manga. To find out what happens, I suggest reading the manga for answers. Despite the ending, I adored the anime! Every episode had me cracking up and smiling. And, guys, don’t be afraid of it! I know quite a few men who really enjoyed it, too! Initially, Ouran is really weird… But, you grow accustomed to it!

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Cowboy Bebop – Keiko Nobumoto (anime) / Hajime Yatate (manga)

The 1998 award-winning anime, Cowboy Bebop, is actually one of the greatest anime I’ve seen. Granted, I say that about a lot of things on this blog… Cowboy Bebop truly is brilliant. With only 26 episodes and one movie, this show caters to everyone. Men and women alike will love this show. It’s science fiction, film noir, Western, and crime fiction all in one. The music is reminiscent of the 40’s-60’s with its jazz and southern tones, but also the 50’s-70’s early rock style. The animation is awesome for a 1998 show. The voices, both in Japanese and English, are perfect for each character.

The year is 2071, and the entire Solar System is accessible through hyperspace gates. The explosion of a test hyperspace gate, in 2022, severely damaged the Moon. The survivors abandoned Earth and colonized other planets. Now, Mars is the central hub of human civilization. However, it is also the hub of interplanetary crime syndicates. Those syndicates have an influence over the government and the ISSP (Inter-Solar System Police). In order to regulate the corruption, a bounty system – similar to one in the Old West – is established to deal with crime. Those involved are aptly named, “cowboys.”

Our main characters are aboard a ship called the Bebop, owned by a man named Jet Black. An ex-ISSP detective, Jet turned to bounty hunting to pursue justice. Despite his gruff exterior, Jet is protective and caring man. His partner in crime is a man named Spike Spiegel. Spike is an easygoing, skilled pilot and a master of hand-to-hand combat and firearms. While hunting for their next paycheck, the two encounter Faye Valentine – a novice, bounty hunter with a gambling problem and debt – and Edward – an eccentric computer genius and master hacker. As they pursue various criminals, the Red Dragon Crime Syndicate keeps popping up. Will Jet and Spike get involved in something far bigger than a little bounty? Who is this mysterious Julia woman? Will they keep the corgi?

From Left: Jet, Spike, Faye, Ed, and Ein.

The manga was written after the anime aired, but still is enjoyable. I started and finished this show in less than a fortnight (2 weeks). I can’t even begin to tell you how fantastic Cowboy Bebop is. I’ve remained pretty vague in my description of the show because the characters will be elaborated on when you watch the show. Both the Japanese and English voices are perfect for the characters. Ladies: Spike is unbelievably handsome no matter what language he’s speaking. Gents: Spike is unbelievably bad-ass no matter what language he’s speaking. Everyone: Cowboy Bebop is unbelievably awesome no matter what language they are speaking.

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Both anime can be found on AnimeReady.com, JustDubs.net, AnimeCrazy.net, and various others. Manga can be found on CityManga.com or MangaFox.com. Ouran can be found on YouTube in high quality in both languages. It was posted by FUNimation and is completely legal.

Don't forget to do your best to support the artists, too. Give both a try! They’re tons of fun!

Happy Reading and Watching!

-Isabel

Phobia of the Day

Chromophobia - Also Chromatophobia. Fear of colors.

Courtesy of phobialist.com

Tamora Pierce, 2: The Circle Universe

Will contain SPOILERS of sorts.

I welcome back an author I consider to be stellar. Tamora Pierce is back with 3 series this time. Rather significantly fewer than the 5 in the Tortall Universe, but not any less well written or interesting. I happen to love the Circle Universe almost as much as the Tortall Universe. This time, these 4 protagonists must be read chronologically, as I review them. There will be spoilers. There is no way to avoid them.

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The Circle Universe:

Initially set in Emelan, a powerful country in this world, the Circle Universe begins in the city, Summersea. As a port city, Summersea is both a stronghold and the capitol of Emelan. Again the world is structured very similarly to that of the Middle Ages in Europe. Summersea has a monarchy, court, nobility, knights, and such, just as Tortall does. (Click here for the Tortall Universe).

Again, magic is a normal thing is this world. Although not everyone possesses magic, it is common and accepted in society. Winding Circle is a temple-city just outside of Summersea, where there is a center for those with ambient magic go to study. It is just as prestigious as the Lightsbridge University for Academic Magic. The temple serves as a school for the general population as well. But, once the students turn 16, they must become a novice of the Living Circle (the pagan religion of Emelan) or leave the school.

The Series:

Sandry’s Book (1997), Tris’ Book (1998), Daja’s Book (1998), Briar’s Book (1999)

The Circle of Magic – 10 year-old’s Sandreline “Sandry” fa Toren, Trisana “Tris” Chandler, Daja Kisubo, and Briar Moss (formerly known as Roach) are introduced to the reader. They are all “ambient mages” – they are all able to use magic externally. Niklaren “Niko” Goldeye, a powerful mage, discovers these four and puts them into a cottage aptly named, Discipline.

Dedicate Rosethorn and Dedicate Lark run Discipline Cottage - they are two rather opposite women. Where Dedicate Lark is soft and kind, Dedicate Rosethorn is rough and commanding. Discipline serves as a home to “special cases” in Winding Circle. Generally, it is for students who don’t get along with others during their education.

There the four learn about their strange abilities: Sandry is able to manipulate thread and fabric; Tris is able to manipulate the weather; Daja has an affinity to manipulate fire and metal; Briar is able to manipulate plant-life. Niko pairs them with teachers, but can everyone get along? Can a noblewoman, a street-rat, a Trader (a trading race despised by most), and a merchant realize their potential and set their differences and pride aside? Can they master their uncommon magic and earn the respect of the adults they encounter? Can they protect themselves, let alone those around them? Perhaps… Perhaps not.

Magic Steps (2000), Street Magic (2001), Cold Fire (2002), Shatterglass (2003)

The Circle Opens – Four years after Sandry’s Book, Winding Circle finally acknowledges the four young mages. With their respective teachers, Briar, Sandry, Tris, and Daja decide to travel around the country. There each find a mage they can teach. Suddenly becoming teachers themselves, the four protagonists struggle to balance their own studies with that of their new students.

In Summersea, Sandry finds a 12 year-old boy, Pasco Acalon, with dance-magic. When a serial killer preys on a rich trading family, Sandry and Pasco work together to defeat the mages and their deadly weapon, unmagic – the absence of magic and life itself. Can their lively magic defeat something so sinister and life-less?

Briar finds a stone-mage named Evvy on the streets of Chammur. But, the sponsor-woman of the Viper Gang has her eye on Evvy. Briar must protect his pupil from the lady’s greed, but also help his teacher with assisting the sickly locals. Can Briar maintain a battle on two fronts?

Daja travels north to Namorn, where she finds twins with magical talent. Nia has an affinity for carpentry and woodwork, and Jory has an affinity for cooking. When someone is setting fires throughout the city, Daja takes it upon herself to help Bennat Ladradun – head of the firefighters – keep Namorn from burning to the ground. Can Daja protect her new friends from the fiery threat?

While the other three branch out, Tris encounters a man named Kethlun “Keth” Warder, a glass mage who “lost” his ability when struck by lightning. After the incident, Keth is able to mix lightning and glass. However, there is a murderer on the loose, and Keth’s glass spheres contain visions of the killer’s work. Keth accidentally creates a living glass creature and refuses to indulge his magic anymore. As Tris tries to convince Keth of his ability, she tries to uncover the identity of this murderer. Can Tris hunt down this murderer without getting killed?

The Will of the Empress (2005)

The Will of the Empress – Sandry’s cousin, the Empress of Namorn, has been begging for her little cousin to visit her for years. Finally, Sandry agrees to see her cousin, but there’s a slight catch. Sandry’s uncle requests that her three mage-friends join her. After years of being apart, the foursome is no longer as chummy as they once were. Now adults, they each carry secrets that, years ago, they once would’ve shared with each other.

Sandry expects a quick visit with her cousin, and then return home to her Uncle in Emelan. But, her Empress cousin has other plans. The four soon find out that the will of the Empress is considered law here in Namorn. If they are to escape, Briar, Sandry, Daja, and Tris must set aside their qualms and learn trust each other as they once did. But, it is easier said than done. Can they repair what was lost?

Tamora Pierce has announced the following book is in the works. The series will be called The Circle Reforged. No word, yet, as to how many books she intends to write for this segment of the story.

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Another book describing what Briar, Evvy, and Rosethorn encounter in Yanjing and Gyongxe, is also in the works. An audio book called Melting Stones was released in 2007. It was in Evvy’s perspective as she goes with Rosethorn to determine the source of weird phenomena on an island. This has also been released in book-form since. My sister quite liked it!

Tamora doesn’t seem as though she'll stop writing any time soon. And as long as she writes, I will read whatever she publishes. Give her a try! You may find her books to be your cup of tea! If the Circle Universe isn't your style, try out her Tortall Universe. Perhaps Alanna might be more to your liking.

Happy Reading!

-Isabel