tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85751910247556111092024-03-05T13:26:56.882+05:00The Speculative DailySwimming on the tides of Speculative Fiction in Electronic and Print FormFantasisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13603016033215500577noreply@blogger.comBlogger66125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575191024755611109.post-16785062013040768322014-10-21T18:53:00.000+05:002014-10-21T18:53:15.200+05:00Book Review|| Polly Wants to Be a Writer<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b>Blurb:</b> I suck. I'll never make it. I get writer's block every ten seconds, every day, all the time. I should give up. I can't even finish any of my own stories. I truly suck. I'm sorry for wasting your time. Maybe I'll be a nurse like my mom or sell farm equipment like my dad. Whatever! I'm going to go home and tell Scrum I wish he was dead and get on with my life. In the wake of her parents' separation, Polly, a fifteen-year-old wannabe writer, comes face to face with her inner dragon, a truculent, impatient creature named Scrum who is a talented but frightful critic of her writing. With the help of Ms. Patience Whitford, a literary dragon trainer and leader of a global writing guild, Polly faces the almost impossible task of going beyond her good ideas to finish a publishable piece of fiction. All the while, Polly and Scrum become entangled in a dangerous scheme that threatens the future of every writer on the planet<br />
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<b>Amna's rating: 5/5</b><br />
The fate of every writer is at stake. And it's taking all of 15 year old Polly’s determination to forget that and concentrate on her short story. *Blink*. Another literary dragon wiped of the map. Getting really hard to concentrate on her story now.<br />
"You suck, you’ll never make it," the distracting snide voice breaks in again. She knew she should have muzzled her dragon before getting started on her first draft.<br />
<i>Oh the trials of a writer.</i><br />
Brilliantly creative with memorable characters, Thomas’s hybrid novel is a one of a kind. Who would have imagined a cross between a writing guide and an exciting urban fantasy narrative. Well, Laura did and she made it work brilliantly.<br />
The storyline is, simply put, awesome. Dragons- check. Despicable Villains- yes. Unique Characters- you've got them. A perfect story ready...But it doesn't end there.<br />
Oh, the writing advice. I have never read any thing like that before and trust me I have read a lot of books and articles on writing. With long arguments either claiming that writing cannot be taught or with detailed step by step procedures you are better of skipping, writing guides are just about the most useless things you can get your hands upon. That is before <i>Polly </i><br />
Written by a writer experienced in pretty much every writing related field, the advice within is priceless. This is a journey which catches up to you and takes you along in an unstoppable flow. This is a book which gets you writing. This is a powerful book.<br />
The plot is captivating, to say the least. Urban fantasy with dragons and calculating villains keep you hooked on to the book till the very end. Fast paced, funny and serious at appropriate moments, this is perhaps the only writing guide which is actually readable. You learn loads without being overwhelmed. The idea of training your literary dragon is obviously so much more cooler than 'countering writers block'. And Laura knows it.<br />
The best part of this book are the characters which was specially epic for me as I always judge a book through the characters. Reading about Polly is as if the book revolves around you, for any aspiring writer. You see her face similar inner turmoil but this time you have Ms Whitford a qualified dragon trainer at your side to help out. Every character is perfect for its role and there are no extra, unnecessary characters. Motives are clear and everyone is determined to get their way creating mass conflict.<br />
With no unnecessary dialogues or details, the book never lags.It is a seamless read as you don’t have to work through it. As Thomas says she writes in a way that the words don’t exist.<br />
As an aspiring writer this book really jolted me back to my writing and to appreciate the fact that I AM a wannabe. This may seem *cute* to read but upon reading Polly Wants to Be a Writer you'll get what I mean. This is a book I have nothing but praise for.<br />
<b>Recommended:</b><br />
<a href="http://speculativedaily.blogspot.com/2014/01/author-interview-laura-michelle-thomas.html">TSD's Interview with Laura Thomas</a><br />
<a href="http://laurathomascommunications.com/">Laura's Website</a><br />
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<b>Check Out:</b><br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18640242-polly-wants-to-be-a-writer">Polly on Goodreads</a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Polly-Wants-Be-Writer-Published/dp/1460228197/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1413899375&sr=8-1&keywords=polly+wants+to+be+a+writer">Polly on Amazon</a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12057071593678772697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575191024755611109.post-43086434804369224872014-09-14T16:12:00.002+05:002014-09-14T16:12:42.470+05:00Upcomming Book Reviews by TSD<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Joseph Delaneys's Spook's: A New Darkness </h3>
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Really excited about reading and reviewing this one, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/146374.Joseph_Delaney?from_search=true">Joseph Delaney</a> being one of my favourite authors. Review to come soon!</div>
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<i>A chilling new trilogy from the author of the internationally bestselling The Last Apprentice series! Tom Ward is an apprentice no longer—now he is a fully fledged spook battling boggarts, witches, and other creatures of the dark. This three-book arc will introduce brand-new readers to Joseph Delaney’s haunting world, and delight longtime fans.<br /><br />Tom Ward is the spook, the one person who can defend the county from ghosts, ghasts, boggarts, witches, and other bloodthirsty creatures of the dark. But he’s only seventeen, and his apprenticeship was cut short when his master died in battle. No one trusts Tom’s skill, not till he’s proven himself. And a fifteen-year-old girl named Jenny knows more about the three mysterious deaths in the county than Tom does. She is a seventh daughter of a seventh daughter and she wants to be Tom’s first apprentice—even though a female spook is unheard of. Together, Tom and Jenny will uncover the grave danger heading straight toward the county, and they’ll team up with a witch assassin to confront it.<br /><br />A New Darkness begins a three-book series that will introduce new readers to Joseph Delaney’s deliciously scary imagination and delight his longtime fans. A New Darkness is perfect for every reader who loves thrills, chills, action, and adventure-no prior knowledge of the Last Apprentice series necessary! </i></div>
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Read TSD's <a href="http://speculativedaily.blogspot.com/2014/02/author-interview-joseph-delaney_14.html">Interview with Joseph Delaney</a><br />
Check out <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18460033-spook-s?from_search=true">A New Darkness on Goodreads</a><br />
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Hunting by Andrea K. Host </h3>
<span id="freeText16118871497520641685">If you enjoy books with strong female protagonists, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4493935.Andrea_K_H_st">Andrea Host</a> is the author for you! Review, by Elvenarya, to come soon<i>.</i></span><i><span id="freeText16118871497520641685"><br /></span></i><br />
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<i><br /><br />Ash Lenthard doesn’t call herself a vigilante. She’s merely prone to random acts of derring-do, and occasional exhibitions of tomfoolery. Her friends, the Huntsmen, have never stepped over the line while patrolling the streets of Luinhall.<br /><br />That was before the murder of Ash’s beloved guardian, Genevieve.<br /><br />Now, Ash Lenthard is out for blood and even when the hunt sends her to the palace, on a collision course with a past identity she would do anything to forget, Ash cannot, will not, back down.<br /><br /> </i><span id="freeText16118871497520641685">Read TSD's <a href="http://speculativedaily.blogspot.com/2014/08/author-interview-andrea-k-host.html">Interview with Andrea</a></span><br />
<span id="freeText16118871497520641685">Check out <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13456081-hunting?from_search=true">Hunting on Goodreads </a></span><br />
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Crown Duel- Sherwood Smith</h3>
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Crown Duel was a highly entertaining and refreshing read. I am longing to pen down my feelings about this one. <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/12350.Sherwood_Smith?from_search=true">Shewood Smith</a> has done an amazing job!</div>
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<i><br /><br />A deathbed promise to their father sends a daring girl and her brother off to war. Filled with intrigue, romance, and magic, this spellbinding novel is a dramatic coming-of-age story about a girl who rises from impoverished beginnings to take command of her own fate.</i><div style="text-align: left;">
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Interview with Sherwood Smith Upcomming</div>
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Check out<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8464112-crown-duel"> Crown and Court Duel on Goodreads</a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12057071593678772697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575191024755611109.post-59469268636953659092014-08-22T16:53:00.002+05:002014-08-22T17:29:10.479+05:00Book Review|| Percy Jackson's Greek Gods<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span 13.333333969116211px="" 21.46666717529297px="" color:="" font-family:="" font-size:="" georgia="" left="" line-height:="" serif="" text-align:=""><i>'A publisher in New York asked me to write down what I know about the Greek gods, and I was like, Can we do this anonymously? Because I don't need the Olympians mad at me again. But if it helps you to know your Greek gods, and survive an encounter with them if they ever show up in your face, then I guess writing all this down will be my good deed for the week.' So begins Percy Jackson's Greek Gods, in which the son of Poseidon adds his own magic--and sarcastic asides--to the classics. He explains how the world was created, then gives readers his personal take on a who's who of ancients, from Apollo to Zeus. Percy does not hold back. 'If you like horror shows, blood baths, lying, stealing, backstabbing, and cannibalism, then read on, because it definitely was a Golden Age for all that.' Dramatic full-color illustrations throughout by Caldecott Honoree John Rocco make this volume--a must for home, library, and classroom shelves--as stunning as it is entertaining.</i></span></div>
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<b>Amna's Rating: 3/5</b></div>
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This book promised much. Knowing that it would feature the long-awaited Percy first person narration, it probably got fangirls all over the world excited.</div>
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Except for the fact it wasn't a Percy book.</div>
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I mean sure Percy was 'supposed' to narrate it but it didn't really have the feel we have come to expect of a Percy Jackson book (atleast before Heroes of Olympus). It's witty, sarcastic, entertaining but it would be better suited if it had been narrated by Rick Riordan( Chief Scribe at Camp Half-Blood as he likes to call himself). Percy... I don't know, he seemed kind of forced. If it had been Percy he couldn't go through what happened to Tantalus and the lot without adding some sarcastic comment based on his own experience with them.</div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Don't get me wrong, I am a major fan of PJ (thankfully not a mind-numbed fangirl) and that's why it annoys me to find him telling a story which fits in with the rest of the series like a <strike>glove</strike> potato sack</span></div>
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There were a lot of contradictions with the original series. I know, I know greek myths have lots of versions but if you are making it a Percy book atleast stick to the ones used in the books, especially the ones which had an impact on the plot. Hestia giving up her throne in favour of Dionysus was important the The Last Olympian, it taught Percy about yielding when necessary and if that didn't happen, he wouldn't let Luke be the hero of the prophecy and Kronos would have probably come to power, defying the whole purpose of the series. Not giving Hestia a throne in the first place in this companion book was not a cool idea. Other contradictions include Dionysus's past and Zeus's captivity.</div>
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Otherwise, it was an okay-good book. It weaves through the Olympian's backgrounds effortlessly making you absorb a lot of cool info. The stories are interconnected seamlessly and for a book without any plot or characters, it keeps you reading nicely. PS. that wasn't an insult, it isn't supposed to have a plot as it is mostly follows up on important events related to the major olympians but it is much cooler than a factfile. </div>
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It's a decent read if you want to know about Greek mythology and I would have rated it more if it hadn't been labelled as a PJ book because that really spoiled it.<br />
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It's written in the typical easy- flowing Rick Riordan style which is easy on the eyes and leads you in a chatty way through various important events in a oh-theyre-not-so-important way.</div>
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The illustrations were pretty cool but had little to do with the reading experience.</div>
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<b>Cut to the chase:</b> pretty interesting book on the olympians and their history but not a PJ book, though if you are a Rick Riordan fan then there aren't a lot of reasons not to read it as it is somewhat entertaining. Just don't think of it as <i>'omigosh! its the last Percy narrated book the author's gonna ever write and just before Blood of Olympus eek!</i>'' (or whatever fangirls do)</div>
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<b style="text-align: left;">I Liked:</b></div>
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<li>The easy flowing style characteristic of Rick Riordan</li>
<li>Interconnection between stories</li>
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<li>A forced Percy POV</li>
<li>Contradictions</li>
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Check it out on <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20829994-percy-jackson-s-greek-gods?from_search=true">Goodreads</a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12057071593678772697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575191024755611109.post-80544693323523089282014-08-03T22:46:00.000+05:002014-08-03T22:46:13.414+05:00Author Interview|| Andrea K Höst<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHKVAJFCPaFJuv1avuUOrX1Cfl_Z6N1mSmeGTYasWEEpIGa-_UedAyRfdLb0DsOHhYW9LuKQ9_P3sP1go4uOx4A14zXRsP6gNLK1qdYQeWKQtiSjSmz6b6J66RYH-CPtF6HXgxVZUS_io/s1600/andrea.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHKVAJFCPaFJuv1avuUOrX1Cfl_Z6N1mSmeGTYasWEEpIGa-_UedAyRfdLb0DsOHhYW9LuKQ9_P3sP1go4uOx4A14zXRsP6gNLK1qdYQeWKQtiSjSmz6b6J66RYH-CPtF6HXgxVZUS_io/s1600/andrea.JPG" /></a><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4493935.Andrea_K_H_st">Andrea K. Host</a> is the author of the Silence of Medair series along with several <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/4493935.Andrea_K_H_st">other books</a>. Even if you don't read self-published books this one is definitely a must- read.</i><br />
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<i>Born in Sweden and raised in Australia, she currently lives in Sydney. She writes fantasy, but wanders occasionally into science fantasy. Her novel "The Silence of Medair" was a finalist for the 2010 Aurealis Award for best fantasy novel. </i><br />
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<i>Andrea was kind enough to spare some time to give us an interview about publishing and publicizing books. Writers, read up, there are some really helpful tips in here!</i><br />
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<b>TSD: After having bad experience with a publisher (<a href="https://sites.google.com/a/andreakhost.com/the-glacier/">details</a>), you decided to self-publish ‘The Silence of Medair’. The decision was proven to be a good one as the book went on to be a finalist for the <a href="http://www.aurealisawards.com/">Aurealis Award</a> for Best Fantasy Novel 2010. When you made the decision to self-publish, did you know that your book would make it?</b><br />
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Not at all. It was a huge and delightful surprise for me to make the finals of the Aurealis. At the same time 'making it' as a writer covers a lot of different goals. I think my first fan letter, my first positive review – not to mention my first royalty cheque – were also little 'making it' milestones for me.<br />
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<b>TSD: How was your self-publishing experience? Did the pros outweigh the cons? Would you recommend it?</b><br />
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<b>Andrea: </b>I really enjoy self-publishing. It's had very few negatives for me, and for the most part has involved gradually building a readership and being buoyed up by support.The decision to self-publish is an individual one – different people want different things out of their writing – but for anyone who likes a hands-on approach, who can take the long-term view on gaining a readership, or who just wants to get their work out there, there's not a lot of reasons to not self-publish.<br />
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<b>TSD: You take out time to reply to emails. How does that affect your relationship with your readers?</b><br />
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<b>Andrea: </b>I guess that depends on how well I answer the emails! Getting mail from my readers is a special experience for me – hearing how my stories have touched people, or just being asked for more. I always feel a little daunted trying to draft a response, but I hope that I don't come across as too much of a prat in my replies!<br />
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<b> TSD: What do you find to be the most successful technique of publicizing your books?</b><br />
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<b>Andrea: </b>Free first book in a series. There is nothing that compares.<br />
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<b>TSD: What aspect of your writing are you most proud of?</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd6jjoj-c7xsBNf8jMrB25WV9_EuOo5W-f0l4pUG6qLgX3avbNtT_vvJoFwgF_QxM_VcDSa65fzEP0SuWR_mO8q4otwFSvZCOq4JhBQbd_iia_CrzTDge3Kc5krEe4bVrZZUoSe30cgGM/s1600/13456081.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd6jjoj-c7xsBNf8jMrB25WV9_EuOo5W-f0l4pUG6qLgX3avbNtT_vvJoFwgF_QxM_VcDSa65fzEP0SuWR_mO8q4otwFSvZCOq4JhBQbd_iia_CrzTDge3Kc5krEe4bVrZZUoSe30cgGM/s1600/13456081.jpg" height="400" width="260" /></a><b>Andrea: </b>Gosh – that's a difficult question! I like messing with expectations. Not plot twists so much as building my worlds just a little bit left of centre. I particularly like to write egalitarian worlds, giving my female characters challenges that don't revolve around what women are and aren't allowed to do in a restrictive culture. While stories about coping with restrictive cultures, and stories about "a girl can do that too", are both important, these particular narratives almost completely dominate stories revolving around women. I like to read – and write – stories exploring different challenges for my female characters.<br />
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<b> TSD: Do you think all your hard work and determination paid off? Where do you see yourself in 10 years?</b><br />
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<b>Andrea:</b> I think that I'm really lucky that the internet and e-readers came along and gave me all these opportunities. The past few years of self-publishing have definitely given me plenty of emotional highs – and a nice income supplement as well.<br />
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I'd love to be writing full time in ten years, but even if that's not the case, I hope to see myself with, well, ten more books out! A book a year is about my speed. No matter what the future holds with the constantly changing face of publishing, I know I'll want to keep on writing.<br />
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<i> Thank you Andrea for taking out the time=)</i><i> We'll keep reading as long as you keep writing!</i><br />
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<b>Additional links:</b><br />
<a href="http://www.andreakhost.com/">Andrea's Website</a><br />
Check out <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9837154-the-silence-of-medair">The Silence of Medair</a><br />
Check out <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13456081-hunting">Hunting</a><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12057071593678772697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575191024755611109.post-4966483174188488492014-06-12T20:25:00.000+05:002014-07-17T18:04:04.916+05:00Author Interview|| Gina Damico<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b>About Gina Damico</b></div>
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I grew up under four feet of snow in Syracuse, New York. I received a degree in theater and sociology from Boston College, where I was active with the Committee for Creative Enactments, a murder mystery improv comedy troupe that may or may not have sparked my interest in wildly improbably bloodshed. I have since worked as a tour guide, transcriptionist, theater house manager, scenic artist, movie extra, office troll, retail monkey, yarn hawker, and breadmonger. I live in Boston with my husband, two cats, and a closet full of black hoodies</blockquote>
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TSD: Thank you for agreeing to do this interview. Can you start by telling us about your books and who you wrote them for?</b><br />
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<b>Gina</b>: I am the author of the Croak trilogy - CROAK, SCORCH, and ROGUE - which are about a teenage girl who finds out that her uncle is a grim reaper, and that it's her turn to learn the family business. I don't know that I wrote them "for" a specific audience, but rather wrote them in the style and voice that I think is fun to write - lots of snark, plenty of excitement, and even some heartbreak along the way. I guess I just knew that there would be an audience out there for some funny, dark, deathy adventures.<br />
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<b>TSD: Nowadays, YA is a very popular genre. Did you grow up reading YA? What are your opinions about the conditions of the genre at present?</b><br />
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<b>Gina</b>: I read all kinds of things growing up - some books primarily targeted towards teens, but also plenty of classics and TONS of Kurt Vonnegut. And I think YA is in a wonderful state at the moment. There's something for everyone, and there are so many talented authors out there. It's really a very exciting time to be writing.<br />
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<b>TSD: Which character do you connect most to? Do you base your characters on real people?</b><br />
<b>Gina</b>: I suppose I connect most to Lex - she's sarcastic and spunky, and I like to think of her as a younger, much braver version of myself. Unlike Lex, however, I don't go around punching people. As for inspiration for my characters, I sort of pick and choose from all sorts of places. I take a little bits from people that I know, then mix them in with other fictional characters, celebrities, you name it. They all come together in a delicious character stew. Mmmm. Stew.</div>
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<b>TSD: How does you’re the idea of the afterlife you have created communicate to your younger readers?</b><br />
<b>Gina</b>: One thing that I've really enjoyed is hearing from my readers about how my books have affected their view of the Afterlife--or that it got them even thinking about it at all. I didn't set out to prompt this sort of discussion--and I don't even know if I believe in it myself -- but It's such a wide open unknown that it's fun to hear about what other people envision.<br />
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<b><br />TSD: Advice for aspiring writers</b><br />
<b>Gina</b>: Let other people read your work. It's the hardest thing in the world to do, putting your words out there for others to judge, but in the end, hearing other people's feedback is an absolutely necessary part of writing. Just bite the bullet, throw some pages at them, and run! (Just make sure you come back to listen to what they have to say.)</div>
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Thank you so much Gina, you have really inspired us a lot.</div>
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You can buy Gina's book Croak( Croak Trilogy#1) from:</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Croak-Gina-Damico/dp/0547608322">Amazon.com</a>|| <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Croak-Quality-Gina-Damico/dp/0547608322/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1402586486&sr=8-1&keywords=croak+by+gina+damico">Amazon.co.uk</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780547608327">IndieBound</a>|| <a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/Croak-Gina-Damico/9780547608327">BookDepository</a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12057071593678772697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575191024755611109.post-35900134143365860462014-02-15T00:00:00.000+05:002014-02-15T00:00:32.010+05:00Author Interview || Joseph Delaney<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b>About this author</b><div>
Joseph Delaney is a full time writer living in Lancashire, in the heart of Boggart territory. He first got the idea for the Wardstone Chronicles series when he moved to the village where he lives now and discovered there was a local boggart - ‘a man like me needs boggarts around’. He made a note in his notebook ‘a story about a man who hunts boggarts’ and years later when he had to come up with an idea at short notice developed this into ‘The Spook’s Apprentice’, the first book in the series. <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2330711.The_Spook_s_Apprentice">The Spook's Apprentice</a>, <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17426629.The_Spook_s_Curse">The Spook's Curse</a> and <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17426189.The_Spook_s_Secret">The Spook's Secret</a> have all been shortlisted for the Lancashire children's Book for the Year Award. <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2330711.The_Spook_s_Apprentice">The Spook's Apprentice</a> is the winner of both the Sefton Book Award and the Hampshire Book Award.</div>
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<br /><b>The Speculative Daily: Thank you for agreeing to do this interview. Could you start by telling us a little about yourself and your books?</b></div>
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<b>Joseph Delaney</b>: The ‘Wardstone Chronicles ’is the story of an apprentice, Tom Ward, being trained by a spook to fight the dark. They deal with ghosts, ghasts, boggarts and lots of witches who drink blood and crunch bones. <br /><br /> I was a teacher of film and media studies before becoming a full-time writer. But I began my working life as an apprentice in a factory. I carried a tool bag for an older engineer but we didn’t fight the dark. We just repaired machinery.<br /><br /><b>TSD: Which books inspired you to start writing?</b><br /><br /><b>Joseph: </b>Every time I read a great book I think ‘I wish I’d written that’. There were so many – far too many to list. But I enjoyed ‘The Lord of the Rings’ and ‘Dune’ both of which probably influenced my writing. They certainly inspired me!<br /><br /><b>TSD:</b> <b>Nowadays, YA is a very popular genre. Did you grow up reading YA? What are your opinions about the conditions of the genre at present?</b><br /><b>Joseph:</b> When I was growing up there was no such category as ‘YA’. I got my books from the local library which had a children’s section although I really wanted to borrow from the adult library! I used to read two books a week from about the age of six. The ‘YA’ genre is thriving and some of its books can be read by much older people. Recently when I signed a book for a teenager she said: “It’s not for me. It’s for my mum!”</div>
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<br /><br /><b>TSD: The movie for ‘Spook’s Apprentice’ is scheduled for release early next year. How involved are you in the filming process? Is it going to stay true to the book and what are your expectations?</b><br /><br /><b>Joseph:</b> I have not been involved in the filming process that much. They asked me a few questions and I visited the set in Vancouver and watched Jeff Bridges in action. It has gone through a process of three directors and even more screen writers. It took eight years from my signing of the contract to the post production of the film. It is different from the ‘Spook’s Apprentice’ but it will be a good action film and Jeff Bridges will be a good convincing Spook.<br /><br /><b>TSD: With a book a year, you must have a very busy writing schedule. Do you still find time to read? Which books have you recently enjoyed?</b><br /><br /><b>Joseph:</b> My schedule is busy but I still read a lot from a range of genres. Recently I have read:<br /><br /><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20745447-the-wool-trilogy?bf=500&from_search=true">The Wool Trilogy</a> Hugh Howie<br /><br /><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20746221-the-riddle-of-the-sands?bf=500&from_search=true">The Riddle of the Sands</a> Erskine Childers<br /><br /><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18831.Success?bf=500&from_search=true">Success </a>Martin Amis<br /><br /><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/249863.The_Green_Man?bf=500&from_search=true">The Green Man</a> Kingsley Amis<br /><br /><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3759.Goldfinger?bf=500&from_search=true">Goldfinger </a>Ian Fleming<br /><br /><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/457228.Butcher_s_Crossing?bf=500&from_search=true">Butcher’s Crossing</a> John Williams<br /><br /><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18635085-the-luck-uglies?bf=500&from_search=true">The Luck Uglies</a> Paul Durham <br /><br />(This last one was a proof copy. It is published in July 2014)<br /><br /> <br /><br /><b>TSD: In the “Curse of the Bane” the body of the Quisitor who burns ‘witches’ floats showing that he is the evil one. As a former educator, do you leave subtle lessons in your books for the benefit of young readers? If so, how do you manage to balance the part meant for pure entertainment and the one which is meant to teach your readers something?</b></div>
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<b><br /></b><br /><b>Joseph:</b> I don’t deliberately leave any lessons at all in my books but they probably do reflect the way I think. I am just trying to tell an interesting story and scare my readers.<br /><br /><b>TSD: You completed an apprenticeship just like your protagonist Tom Ward. Do you see other similarities between him and you?</b><br /><br /><b>Joseph:</b> There are a few. For example my mother believed in duty. I hated being an apprentice but she made me go to work on cold rainy mornings. That’s what Tom’s mam does too. He has to work with the Spook and fight the dark whether he wants to or not!<br /><br />You can buy Joseph Delaney's book "The Revenge of the Witch (also published as The Spook's Apprentice)" from</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Last-Apprentice-Revenge-Witch/dp/0060766204">Amazon.com</a> || <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Revenge-Witch-Last-Apprentice-Quality/dp/0060766204">Amazon.co.uk</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780060766207">IndieBound</a> || <a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/Spooks-Apprentice-Joseph-Delaney/9781846576898">BookDespository</a><br /> <br /><br /> <br /><br /> </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12057071593678772697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575191024755611109.post-60754849315551160942014-02-02T18:37:00.000+05:002014-02-02T18:37:29.200+05:00Amazing|| Photography<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12057071593678772697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575191024755611109.post-73339286000577992162014-01-27T01:18:00.002+05:002014-02-07T19:57:11.656+05:00Author Interview|| Laura Michelle Thomas<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b> Laura Michelle Thomas</b> is an author and professional copywriter and ghostwriter. She has been mentoring young writers in workshops, camps and courses since 2007. More recently Laura formed a communications company through which she fosters the development of young writers worldwide through quality contests, conferences, blogging, books, and educational resources. She has been kind enough to give us an interview about her book <a href="http://laurathomascommunications.com/books/">Polly Wants to Be a Writer: The Junior Authors Guide to Writing and Getting Published</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqvwUjnOJ77A68xIWf9g4KBW7wSonZ76L8PjwXIYf8NGSI7JY9JA7EN6sza82rOp9DTgqLphH4vhxvrRoEp8rZBENaLCoN7pu-Y4K4uVFGagpZ65eub2U2JtnaYvrxSB4Wfu9lLVU7Qws/s1600/LauraThomas_02-200x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqvwUjnOJ77A68xIWf9g4KBW7wSonZ76L8PjwXIYf8NGSI7JY9JA7EN6sza82rOp9DTgqLphH4vhxvrRoEp8rZBENaLCoN7pu-Y4K4uVFGagpZ65eub2U2JtnaYvrxSB4Wfu9lLVU7Qws/s1600/LauraThomas_02-200x300.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a><br />
<b>The Speculative Daily: Can you tell us what this book is about and who you wrote it for?</b><br />
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<b>Laura Michelle Thomas:</b> Polly Wants to Be a Writer is a YA fantasy novel based on the materials I used to teach an eight-week short story workshop for young writers in which the students go from having no ideas on the first day to a fully polished short story of no more than 2,000 words that is ready to submit to a publisher. Several of my students have gone on to publish the stories they wrote during this class, and what is most helpful to them is walking with me step-by-step through the writing process: from idea to formatting and submission. Readers will be able to do the same as Polly, a fifteen-year-old wannabe writer struggles with the same issues. <br />
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<b>TSD: What inspired you to write your book?</b></div>
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<b><br />Laura:</b> Not what, who. I talk to aspiring young writers, writing teachers, and parents with talented literary kids every day. Everyone needs realistic advice about becoming a professional writer. I simply cannot help them all individually, so I wrote a book that will.<br />
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<b>TSD: What was your biggest obstacle during the writing process? How did you overcome it?</b></div>
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<b><br />Laura: </b>Time and space. Writing a novel on speculation (which means that you work on your book for almost a year and have no idea if you will sell a single copy) is very risky, so I always put my paid writing work first. I had to make a choice this year to put my novel first. I have to remake that decision every day. Hiring a talented team of young freelancers to help me serve my copywriting and ghostwriting customers was a really smart thing to do.<br />
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<b>TSD: What advice do you have for writers who are thinking about writing a novel?</b></div>
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<b><br />Laura:</b>If you are serious about getting a book into reader’s hands, be realistic. Are you really ready for a major project? Have you had success publishing and getting paid for smaller pieces of work? If not, try that first. However much time and effort you think it is going to be, multiply that by ten. Also, be sure that you understand the different stages of the writing process. They are all different and will challenge you in different ways. Knowing your inner dragon (that voice in your head that tells you that your writing sucks) and how to use him will truly help if you do decide to tackle a big project like a novel.<br />
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You can buy Laura's book 'Polly Wants to Be a Writer' from<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Polly-Wants-Be-Writer-Published/dp/1460228197/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1390767206&sr=1-1&keywords=polly+wants+to+be+a+writer">Amazon.com</a>|| <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Polly-Wants-Be-Writer-Published/dp/1460228197/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1390767196&sr=8-1&keywords=polly+wants+to+be+a+writer">Amazon.co.uk</a><br />
<a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781460228197">IndieBound</a>|| <a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/Polly-Wants-Be-Writer-Junior-Authors-Guide-Writing-Getting-Published-Laura-Michelle-Thomas/9781460228197">BookDespository</a><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12057071593678772697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575191024755611109.post-69497562542535291512014-01-19T20:12:00.002+05:002014-01-19T20:19:36.383+05:00Amazing|| Photography<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwBJa_kD-pbLWzrOV_PYRpYqal9w3SMxjzLF_0CZRtwtCdy_Kbf2leTxuBE3qizPvFf-WyzOE8_cXwIIAWMsZR_f5QsSG4vV7U3L7q5R_BbccHySJjqWaHLp9WCUCBhrH67-SMuxBxvBg/s1600/stumble.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwBJa_kD-pbLWzrOV_PYRpYqal9w3SMxjzLF_0CZRtwtCdy_Kbf2leTxuBE3qizPvFf-WyzOE8_cXwIIAWMsZR_f5QsSG4vV7U3L7q5R_BbccHySJjqWaHLp9WCUCBhrH67-SMuxBxvBg/s1600/stumble.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
Since this is a very small version of the real picture, it doesn't do it much justice.<br />
To see the full sized image click <a href="http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/7Xoj7j/epod.usra.edu/.a/6a0105371bb32c970b0147e17a3198970b-pi/">here</a>.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12057071593678772697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575191024755611109.post-29007953994144503432014-01-12T21:07:00.001+05:002014-02-07T20:00:44.491+05:00Author Interview|| Michelle Sagara West<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Michelle Michiko Sagara is a Japanese-Canadian author of fantasy literature, active since the early 1990s. She has published as Michelle Sagara, as Michelle West and as Michelle Sagara West. She lives in Toronto and is employed part-time at Bakka. She was generous enough to take time out of her busy schedule to answer our interview questions.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUZtWlNGKXQ1C5_JBtrck0kg4Gqf9xJNNra3AUo-5twcfV8w5u6nL_0Wb8whQeZTCbtweV0rxpnIpyijkdO9wRcZCE1Mc9RxzpG__oCI7Dokaa3cLuPB3GaX3P4P0tHMHT7bOz-fA54ug/s1600/michelle+sagara.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUZtWlNGKXQ1C5_JBtrck0kg4Gqf9xJNNra3AUo-5twcfV8w5u6nL_0Wb8whQeZTCbtweV0rxpnIpyijkdO9wRcZCE1Mc9RxzpG__oCI7Dokaa3cLuPB3GaX3P4P0tHMHT7bOz-fA54ug/s1600/michelle+sagara.jpg" height="320" width="238" /></a></div>
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<b>The Speculative Daily</b>: <b>What inspired you to start writing? </b><br />
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<b>Michelle Sagara West:</b> Like most writers, my inspiration for writing is a direct result of my love of reading. Books were like entire pocket worlds for me as a child; I loved them. I loved the stories and I loved the words. Sometimes I had to struggle with the words to understand and appreciate the nuances they contained--but unlocking them always opened up new avenues for me as a reader, and new ways of seeing both myself and the world around me. <br />
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I wanted to write books at a very young age--I thought, at the time, books were all made by hand, and I was frustrated because my writing and drawing didn't <i>look </i>like a real book. <br />
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But eventually I understood off-set printing, and printing presses, and publication, and at that time, I started to write, because I wanted to tell a story that readers would fall in love with, just as I’d fallen in love with the stories of others. <br />
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<b>TSD</b>: <b>What were the major hurdles in getting your novel published and publicised? </b><br />
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<b>Michelle</b>: The major hurdles for me were writing and revising a novel. This isn’t as simple an answer as it at first seems. Writing for yourself is a simple act of creation; it’s not so much an act of communication. You understand how you think; you understand who your characters are. But when you’re writing for other readers you need to make certain that some of that knowledge is actually on the page. Too much, and it slows the story down; too little and it becomes confusing and possibly even seems pointless.<span style="background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #3e454c; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14.079999923706055px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br />
But learning to write is very individual, because literally no two published writers I know work the same way. Each of us has a process that works for us. Some are heavy outliners. Some can’t outline at all. Some write long, detailed character sketches; some learn about the characters as they write them. There’s no right way to write a novel; there’s only the way you’ve discovered that works for <i>your </i>novels - and so much of that is stumbling around in the dark looking for glimmers of luminescence. But that was the hard part, for me. In 1991, when my book was published, publishers accepted unsolicited (i.e. unagented) books, so I sent my book to Del Rey books. The editor liked my writing, but didn't like some elements of the book, and asked to see anything else I had either previously written or would write in the future.<br />
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There’s no right way to write a novel; there’s only the way you’ve discovered that works for your novels - and so much of that is stumbling around in the dark looking for glimmers of luminescence. <br />
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<b>TSD</b>: <b>Do you base your characters on real life people? </b><br />
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<b>Michelle</b>: I don’t base most of my characters on real life people, in part because some of the stuff the characters go through is so personal it could wind up being awkward. And I don’t really do character sketches before I start to write. This doesn’t mean that there’s anything at all wrong with character sketches. Some people find them necessary--and writing is really all about finding your own process. <br />
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<b>TSD</b>: <b>How do you deal with writers block? </b><br />
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<b>Michelle</b>: Writer’s block is interesting. Until I started working on two projects simultaneously, I used to think that I had stretches in which my creative brain was on strike. But I discovered that while it might take me 6 hours to write 400 words in one book, I could switch projects and write 1500 words in two hours, and I began to realize that sometimes the slowdown - or even the dead stop - was very much based in individual projects. Sometimes I can’t move forward because there’s something wrong with what I’ve just done, and I’m too close to it to see it. <br />
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When I first started writing, I couldn’t have worked on two projects simultaneously. But the way through, for me, was to set a minimum number of words that I had to write during a writing day--and to write those, no matter how long it took. This was probably as much fun as it sounds. </div>
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We thank you Michelle, for taking out the time to talk to us about your journey as an author. There were some great tips for aspiring writers.<br />
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Our favourite from Michelle's books are the Chronicles of Elantra series (yes all nine of them !) and next in line to read is "Silence" book 1 of ' The Queen of the Dead' series. Reviews for Cast in Shadow is going to be put up soon, so stay posted.</div>
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Click on any of the following links to buy book 1 of Chronicles of Elantra :</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Cast-Shadow-The-Chronicles-Elantra/dp/1480528420">Amazon.com</a> || <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cast-Shadow-Chronicles-Elantra-Book-ebook/dp/B0058W7Q8Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1389542536&sr=8-1&keywords=cast+in+shadow">Amazon.co.uk</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/Cast-Shadow-Michelle-Sagara/9781480528963">Book Despository</a> || <a href="http://www.indiebound.org/hybrid?filter0=cast+in+shadow&x=-1008&y=-92">Indiebound</a></div>
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Want us to interview your favourite author? leave a comment</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12057071593678772697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575191024755611109.post-3531763631806579342014-01-10T13:26:00.000+05:002014-01-20T20:12:35.945+05:00Some Awesome Libraries|| You Don't See These Everywhere<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKObmAF94S15o4E1zJrHySFk_oOeWalbb5Anw4ZeW3Z091sKf885FWC0_IJPZ_xmmaRN_y9v3rHg2V0d1qgPWBI8Y-ZfcFYXQ4O-aRUsOv29OvhNIuJ8qdBwzl8Pn5IdDfb4lq5qQPgbI/s1600/03Janub-Sina-Egypt-Matador-SEO-940x628.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKObmAF94S15o4E1zJrHySFk_oOeWalbb5Anw4ZeW3Z091sKf885FWC0_IJPZ_xmmaRN_y9v3rHg2V0d1qgPWBI8Y-ZfcFYXQ4O-aRUsOv29OvhNIuJ8qdBwzl8Pn5IdDfb4lq5qQPgbI/s1600/03Janub-Sina-Egypt-Matador-SEO-940x628.jpg" height="266" title="" width="400" /></a></div>
<b>1) Sacred Monastery of the God-Trodden Mount Sinai- Egypt</b><br />
This one is our favourite because of its unique design, one you could imagine to be similar to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Library_of_Alexandria">Great Library of Alexandria</a>. It is home to some of the world's most ancient manuscripts written in different languages of which Greek and Arabic are prominent. Due to its religious importance a small town has grown around it.<br />
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2) <b>Centrale Biblotheek- Amsterdam</b><br />
Giving the warm effect of a perfect library, Centrale Bibliotheek is the place to relax amidst books of whatever genre you like. Strange, really, that such designs aren't more common since it seems so fitting for a library.<br />
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3) <b>Stuttgart City Library- Germany </b><b> </b></div>
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Wow,this is one cold library! Even the books and visitors don't bring any colour to this 'White Wonder'.The neutral theme and intense brightness lower the ratings of this one otherwise the sheer amount of books in this 5 storey building is simply amazing. It has a grand feeling to it that few buildings can claim to match. </div>
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<b>4) Library of Congress- USA</b><br />
Boasting a collection of over 32 million books in some 470 languages, the Library of Congress is one of the largest libraries ever. Apart from printed material much of the library's data is stored electronically. A copy of 'Old King Cole' measuring 1/25"x1/25" has such tiny pages that they can only be turned over with the help of a needle.<br />
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<b>5) The Trinity College Long Room- Ireland</b><br />
Can you imagine how awesome it must be to walk through this room. Books as far you can see, crammed in their shelves just waiting for you to pick them up. Ahh...Bliss. Housing 0.2 million of the main library's 6 million books, it is part of Ireland's largest library. With marble busts, thousands of rare books and an ancient harp, it is a major tourist attraction.<br />
The Jedi archives in the Star Wars movie bears close resemblance to the long room but officials declined to take any legal action.<br />
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<b>5) Stockholm Public Library- Sweden</b><br />
With tens of thousands of books and even more audio books, CDs and sound recordings, the library is one of Stockholm's most notable buildings. In the 'International Library' section, containing material in other languages, Arabic, Persian, Spanish and Russian are the most notable languages. With a friendly, self-serve atmosphere, you could spend the entire day just looking at the books.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">“In a good bookroom you feel in some mysterious way that you are absorbing the wisdom contained in all the books through your skin, without even opening them.” - Mark Twain</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12057071593678772697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575191024755611109.post-83585586118402713992013-05-11T01:12:00.001+05:002013-06-08T16:09:45.413+05:00Dialogue in Consciousness || Understanding Reality ( Well, trying to, at any rate)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
What is reality? Is it an illusion, a creation of sensory perception, a projection of our minds which has no existence of its own. Or is it independent of human experience. This has been one of the foremost questions I have had for a while now and have sought to theorize and frame answers now and again. Not that any possible explanations can be verified due to the nature of the subject.<br />
The following is an article I found while aimlessly searching the net and was astounded by its relevance and insight. I don't agree a hundred percent with this but still, some of the explanations within this piece match closely with my own personal theories so here goes enjoy:<br />
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Dialogue in Consciousness</div>
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1. What is the difference between a concept and Reality? </div>
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a. A concept is a thought of a separate object together with a name or identifier of the object.</div>
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b. Thoughts begin to arise in early childhood. The infant's mind contains few concepts whereas the sage's mind sometimes may contain many thoughts but the sage always sees directly that separation is an illusion.</div>
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c. Without thoughts, there are no objects (e.g., in dreamless sleep, under anesthesia, or in <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fe4f988a-1acc-4b93-807f-4050dfbaf1dc" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d54b1906-1924-4022-9544-5dc3c913122d" grcontextid="samadhi:0">samadhi</span>) because, by definition, an object is the thought of it.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
d. Reality is not a thought. Rather, It is absence of separation.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
2. What is meant by true and untrue concepts?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
a. A belief is a concept which contains the concept of attachment.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
b. A belief that cannot be verified by direct seeing is always subject to attack by a counter-belief. Therefore, it must be constantly reinforced by repetition of the belief. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
c. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="eb5ad4a9-1a06-496a-be78-d93e5fd02141" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5f20c939-38a8-4ef4-baf9-bd6e74a49b30" grcontextid="Since:0">Since</span> Reality is absence of separation, It cannot be perceived. Therefore, concepts cannot describe Reality (but they can be true, see g and h below).</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
d. Example: A material object by definition is separate from other material objects. Therefore, material objects are not real. The belief that material objects are real is constantly reinforced by materialistic culture, and is sustained only by a failure to see the distinction between objects and Reality.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
e. Although concepts cannot describe Reality, they can point to Reality. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
f. A pointer is an invitation to see directly the distinction between an object and Reality. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
g. If a concept asserts or implies the reality of any object, it is untrue. If it negates the reality of an object, it is true (but not a description of Reality). A true concept can be a useful pointer to Reality.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
h. Example: The concept that material objects are not real is true, and is a pointer to Reality.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
3. What is the world (the universe)? </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
a. The world (the universe) is the collection of objects consisting of the body-mind and all other objects. The world appears to exist in time and space.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
b. However, time and space are nothing but concepts. They are not real.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
c. Time is the concept of change. Since all objects change, all objects are temporal concepts.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
d. Space is the concept of extension (size and shape). Since all objects are extended in space, all objects are spatial concepts. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
4. What are polar, or dual, pairs of concepts?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
a. Thought always results in inseparable pairs of concepts (dual pairs) because every thought has an opposite.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
b. <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="086c502a-cfac-476f-8edc-3b88ff7f344d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5ef8702b-3f3a-45d6-b335-c1d327ac1aa4" grcontextid="Reality:0">Reality</span> is apparently split into dual pairs by thought. However, no thought is real since Reality cannot be split. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
c. The result of apparently splitting Reality into dual pairs of concepts is called duality. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
d. The two concepts of a pair are always inseparable because the merger of the opposites will cancel the pair.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
e. Example: "I"/not-"I" is a dual pair of concepts. If the "I" and not-"I" merge, neither concept remains. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
5. What is Awareness/Presence?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
a. Awareness/Presence is not a concept or object. It is what is aware of all concepts and objects. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
b. It does not change and It has no extension so It is <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7243ce23-7937-4694-b29b-80bf8587c5fb" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c8ac2b66-2f48-4126-9ce2-c35ee44e092d" grcontextid="time-less:0">time-less</span> and space-less.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
c. However, It is said to be space-like because all concepts and objects are said to appear in It.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
d. The terms “Awareness/Presence” and “Reality” are equivalent conceptual pointers.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
6. What are We? </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
a. We are not a concept or object because We are what is aware of all concepts and objects.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
b. Therefore, We are Awareness/Presence.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
c. Because the body-mind and the world are objects, they appear in Us--We do not appear in them.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
d. We do not appear in the body so We are not contained or restricted by it.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
7. What is existence? </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
a. An object is said to exist if it is believed to be separate from Awareness/Presence. It then also appears to be separate from other objects.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
b. Existence is only apparent because Awareness/Presence always remains <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="72a89e2b-fe26-4344-b7b1-0cd8432b10da" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d225a64c-13a8-4b69-b2ce-4c4c5e039a6b" grcontextid="unsplit:0">unsplit</span>.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
c. The <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="24f65a30-8013-4922-b0e9-46f345efe080" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="23d53d16-2d5d-426a-9293-a92c133d62f0" grcontextid="apparently:0">apparently</span> real existence of objects is called illusion (Maya).</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
d. The sage, being only Awareness/Presence and knowing only Awareness/Presence, knows that he/she is not separate from anything.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
8. What is the "I"-object?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
a. When an "I"-concept is believed to be separate from Awareness/Presence, it is said to exist as an "I"-object.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
b. However, <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="96d00413-f9d2-43d7-896b-f922874abf5e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a8346286-e7d7-4470-b3e8-74e84603f8e0" grcontextid="clear:0">clear</span> seeing shows that there is no "I"-object.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
c. We are not objects and We do not exist as objects. We are Reality (Awareness/Presence). </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
9. What is it that makes other objects seem to exist?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
a. Whenever the "I"-object appears to arise, the not-"I" object also appears to arise.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
b. Then, <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e7c65d41-4404-426a-bc4e-ce44d72ce7d7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="145477a2-5b92-4eb6-9efd-380f2945a843" grcontextid="desire:0">desire</span> for completion also arises, including the desire for the not-"I" object.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
c. But, because fear/desire <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2654ea20-1fdb-47ff-b03e-597d1fcb5539" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="95e9a932-cfb6-4730-a024-dd241f0ae265" grcontextid="form:0">form</span> a dual pair, whenever desire arises, fear also arises, including the fear of the not-"I" object.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
d. Thus, the not-"I" object seems real.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
e. Thought also splits the apparent <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="63b636dc-f978-43f6-acae-96cd0fe46209" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ce7a543e-f6f6-4ca4-8889-3d6672b550fe" grcontextid="not:0">not</span>-"I" object into a multitude of apparent objects, and fear/desire makes them all seem real. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
10. What is the true nature of all objects?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
a. All apparent objects arise in Awareness/Presence.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
b. Because physical space and time are apparent objects, they also arise in Awareness/Presence.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
c. No apparent object is separate from Awareness/Presence. Thus, all apparent objects consist of Awareness/Presence.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
d. Objects are not real as objects but they are real as Awareness/Presence.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
e. Awareness/Presence welcomes/loves all apparent objects that appear in It.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
11. What is the personal sense of <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="33072eef-80b0-4626-94b5-56572621b592" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="97bc0f35-4d9d-4e36-be55-6cd63ac013f6" grcontextid="doership:0">doership</span>? </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
a. Along with illusory "I"-object, arises also the sense of personal doership.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
b. However, since there is no "I"-object, there is no doer, no thinker, no chooser, and no observer.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
c. Therefore, "we" have no control. Thus, whatever happens, happens. Whatever doesn't happen, doesn't happen.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
12. If there is no doer, how do things happen? </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
a. Everything that happens is only an arising in Awareness/Presence.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
b. Only one arising is present at any moment. No other <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d5db7b47-4776-4abd-bf95-a659b30c5ed5" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1408e153-e0aa-4c50-b9fc-50d29f743a05" grcontextid="arisings:0">arisings</span> are ever present to affect the <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="059b831e-0f40-48ab-adc4-a5dbd2789005" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1408e153-e0aa-4c50-b9fc-50d29f743a05" grcontextid="arising:1">arising</span> that is present.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
c. Since no arising is present to affect the <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="388d86e4-9b45-483a-b1ce-74a92c132fee" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6e1115de-1707-42f2-839b-0ac7d0a2be69" grcontextid="arising:0">arising</span> that is present, there can be no law of cause-and-effect.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
d. The concept of causality, i.e., that one event causes another event, is only an arising in Awareness/Presence.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
e. Since causality is only a concept, "I" can never do anything.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
f. Because "I" can do nothing, neither can "I" choose. Thus, free will is nothing but an empty concept.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
13. What is suffering? </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
a. The feeling of being separate is <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a1d22d78-122e-45e8-a133-a84ad5722368" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f071a1b5-4d98-47b4-ae88-eaa9b4bd16f5" grcontextid="an:0">an</span> <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3e7f335f-2cc7-401b-b343-e82255f82038" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f071a1b5-4d98-47b4-ae88-eaa9b4bd16f5" grcontextid="arising:1">arising</span> that carries with it a sense of shame for feeling isolated, alienated, lonely, and disconnected.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
b. The sense of free will is <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="aed932f5-aa52-48fa-b4eb-490d959a4834" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f9e9676e-80f7-4d6a-be19-e4f6480d4131" grcontextid="an:0">an</span> <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a01aeb63-bbcf-49f2-958f-bdc567215e8a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f9e9676e-80f7-4d6a-be19-e4f6480d4131" grcontextid="arising:1">arising</span> that carries with it the feeling of personal responsibility for "my" past and "my" future.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
c. The sense of personal responsibility is <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="72cdd9a8-fffb-4ee3-9630-2965a0f1b0e8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a56abeb8-aed6-45b7-a38a-c09542e4cd36" grcontextid="an:0">an</span> <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="685e87db-669d-4443-9100-3ca1e14b9a08" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a56abeb8-aed6-45b7-a38a-c09542e4cd36" grcontextid="arising:1">arising</span> that carries with it guilt and regret for "my" past and worry and anxiety for "my" future.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
14. What is awakening (enlightenment)? </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
a. Awakening is the realization that I am not separate and I have never been separate. Therefore there is no shame.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
b. Awakening carries with it the realization that I do nothing and I have never done anything. Therefore, there is no regret, guilt, worry, or anxiety.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
c. Awakening is the awareness that Reality, which is what I am, has never been affected by any concepts.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
d. Awakening is the awareness that my true nature includes a sense of Welcoming/Love.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
15. What can we do to awaken? </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
a. Since direct seeing shows that there is no doer, there is nothing that the "individual" can do to awaken.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
b. Since awakening transcends time, no practice that occurs in time can bring about awakening. Thus most practices do not bring about awakening.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
c. However, direct seeing can bring about awakening because direct seeing is timeless seeing.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
16. Does this mean that there is no hope for the sufferer? </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
a. Definitely not. There are many practices that will lead to less suffering. However, like all other actions, they are never done by a doer since there is no doer. Therefore, "we" cannot do them. If they happen, they happen. If not, they don’t.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
b. Example: To see that there is no “I”, look inward for it and see that there is none. See also that everything that happens, including all thoughts and feelings, happens spontaneously so there can be no doer.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
c. Example: To see that no object exists, look and see that all objects are nothing but <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="75bf283f-5104-43a1-a494-b632efd105e0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8acae801-46c1-4911-908a-b9b06c8d6d4b" grcontextid="arisings:0">arisings</span> in Awareness/Presence. Then, look and see that no object could ever bring "you" peace. Finally, see that nothing can affect You who are Awareness/Presence/Presence Itself.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
17. What else can we do?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
a. We can go inward and downward and feel the breath. This takes us out of the head and the thinking mind and puts us in the body and the senses.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
b. We can practice mindfulness and see that our attachments and aversions are nothing but <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e89d33ec-d8dc-48fc-a30e-4418c0efc295" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9eef6386-caa2-4cab-b1bd-67bce1bf08d7" grcontextid="arisings:0">arisings</span> in Awareness/Presence.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
c. We can become aware that all objects are nothing but <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c49d5346-91cc-4339-9c8b-9ee6a31c6b24" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="61a598b8-f603-44b2-b187-8d46b88c57cd" grcontextid="arisings:0">arisings</span> in Awareness/Presence and therefore cannot affect Us.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
d. We can see that there can be no suffering in pure Awareness/Presence.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
e. We can trust Awareness/Presence, which is our true nature.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
f. We can rest in <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8a593853-d31e-4f14-b66a-d9a026865370" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3346fcb0-8fce-4354-a306-e992aad61064" grcontextid="Awareness/Presence:0">Awareness/Presence</span>, which is our home.</div>
<br />
<br />
This piece is taken from the following link:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://faculty.virginia.edu/consciousness/Dialogue.htm">http://faculty.virginia.edu/consciousness/Dialogue.htm</a></div>
Fantasisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13603016033215500577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575191024755611109.post-91049804558767945172013-05-08T19:51:00.000+05:002013-06-08T16:10:27.324+05:00The Holographic Universe: Reality or Fantasy? You decide<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<span class="GingerNoCheckStart"></span>Does Objective Reality exist or not? Maybe the following discussion by Michael Talbot will shed some light on this quandary.<br />
<br />
In 1982 a remarkable event took place. At the University of Paris a research team led by physicist Alain Aspect performed what may turn out to be one of the most important experiments of the 20th century. You did not hear about it on the evening news. In fact, unless you are in the habit of reading scientific journals you probably have never even heard Aspect's name, though there are some who believe his discovery may change the face of science.<br />
<br />
Aspect and his team discovered that under certain circumstances subatomic particles such as electrons are able to instantaneously communicate with each other regardless of the distance separating them. It doesn't matter whether they are 10 feet or 10 billion miles apart.<br />
<br />
Somehow each particle always seems to know what the other is doing. The problem with this feat is that it violates Einstein's long-held tenet that no communication can travel faster than the speed of light. Since traveling faster than the speed of light is tantamount to breaking the time barrier, this daunting prospect has caused some physicists to try to come up with elaborate ways to explain away Aspect's findings. But it has inspired others to offer even more radical explanations.<br />
<br />
University of London physicist David Bohm, for example, believes Aspect's findings imply that objective reality does not exist, that despite its apparent solidity the universe is at heart a phantasm, a gigantic and splendidly detailed hologram.<br />
<br />
To understand why Bohm makes this startling assertion, one must first understand a little about holograms. A hologram is a three- dimensional photograph made with the aid of a laser.<br />
<br />
To make a hologram, the object to be photographed is first bathed in the light of a laser beam. Then a second laser beam is bounced off the reflected light of the first and the resulting interference pattern (the area where the two laser beams commingle) is captured on film.<br />
<br />
When the film is developed, it looks like a meaningless swirl of light and dark lines. But as soon as the developed film is illuminated by another laser beam, a three-dimensional image of the original object appears.<br />
<br />
The three-dimensionality of such images is not the only remarkable characteristic of holograms. If a hologram of a rose is cut in half and then illuminated by a laser, each half will still be found to contain the entire image of the rose.<br />
<br />
Indeed, even if the halves are divided again, each snippet of film will always be found to contain a smaller but intact version of the original image. Unlike normal photographs, every part of a hologram contains all the information possessed by the whole.<br />
<br />
The "whole in every part" nature of a hologram provides us with an entirely new way of understanding organization and order. For most of its history, Western science has labored under the bias that the best way to understand a physical phenomenon, whether a frog or an atom, is to dissect it and study its respective parts.<br />
<br />
A hologram teaches us that some things in the universe may not lend themselves to this approach. If we try to take apart something constructed holographically, we will not get the pieces of which it is made, we will only get smaller wholes.<br />
<br />
This insight suggested to Bohm another way of understanding Aspect's discovery. Bohm believes the reason subatomic particles are able to remain in contact with one another regardless of the distance separating them is not because they are sending some sort of mysterious signal back and forth, but because their separateness is an illusion. He argues that at some deeper level of reality such particles are not individual entities, but are actually extensions of the same fundamental something.<br />
<br />
To enable people to better visualize what he means, Bohm offers the following illustration.<br />
<br />
Imagine an aquarium containing a fish. Imagine also that you are unable to see the aquarium directly and your knowledge about it and what it contains comes from two television cameras, one directed at the aquarium's front and the other directed at its side.<br />
<br />
As you stare at the two television monitors, you might assume that the fish on each of the screens are separate entities. After all, because the cameras are set at different angles, each of the images will be slightly different. But as you continue to watch the two fish, you will eventually become aware that there is a certain relationship between them.<br />
<br />
When one turns, the other also makes a slightly different but corresponding turn; when one faces the front, the other always faces toward the side. If you remain unaware of the full scope of the situation, you might even conclude that the fish must be instantaneously communicating with one another, but this is clearly not the case.<br />
<br />
This, says Bohm, is precisely what is going on between the subatomic particles in Aspect's experiment.<br />
<br />
According to Bohm, the apparent faster-than-light connection between subatomic particles is really telling us that there is a deeper level of reality we are not privy to, a more complex dimension beyond our own that is analogous to the aquarium. And, he adds, we view objects such as subatomic particles as separate from one another because we are seeing only a portion of their reality.<br />
<br />
Such particles are not separate "parts", but facets of a deeper and more underlying unity that is ultimately as holographic and indivisible as the previously mentioned rose. And since everything in physical reality is comprised of these "<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="bee0766d-9e2b-48b4-9daf-dc979567e1ba" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f1c79ce1-bfb2-4fc1-8c53-343fb9199758" grcontextid="eidolons:0">eidolons</span>", the universe is itself a projection, a hologram.<br />
<br />
In addition to its phantomlike nature, such a universe would possess other rather startling features. If the apparent separateness of subatomic particles is illusory, it means that at a deeper level of reality all things in the universe are infinitely interconnected.<br />
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The electrons in a carbon atom in the human brain are connected to the subatomic particles that comprise every salmon that swims, every heart that beats, and every star that shimmers in the sky.<br />
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Everything interpenetrates everything, and although human nature may seek to categorize and pigeonhole and subdivide, the various phenomena of the universe, all apportionments are of necessity artificial and all of nature is ultimately a seamless web.<br />
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In a holographic universe, even time and space could no longer be viewed as fundamentals. Because concepts such as location break down in a universe in which nothing is truly separate from anything else, time and three-dimensional space, like the images of the fish on the TV monitors, would also have to be viewed as projections of this deeper order.<br />
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At its deeper level reality is a sort of superhologram in which the past, present, and future all exist simultaneously. This suggests that given the proper tools it might even be possible to someday reach into the superholographic level of reality and pluck out scenes from the long-forgotten past.<br />
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What else the superhologram contains is an open-ended question. Allowing, for the sake of argument, that the superhologram is the matrix that has given birth to everything in our universe, at the very least it contains every subatomic particle that has been or will be -- every configuration of matter and energy that is possible, from snowflakes to quasars, from bluü whales to gamma rays. It must be seen as a sort of cosmic storehouse of "All That Is."<br />
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Although Bohm concedes that we have no way of knowing what else might lie hidden in the superhologram, he does venture to say that we have no reason to assume it does not contain more. Or as he puts it, perhaps the superholographic level of reality is a "mere stage" beyond which lies "an infinity of further development".<br />
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Bohm is not the only researcher who has found evidence that the universe is a hologram. Working independently in the field of brain research, Standford neurophysiologist Karl Pribram has also become persuaded of the holographic nature of reality.<br />
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Pribram was drawn to the holographic model by the puzzle of how and where memories are stored in the brain. For decades numerous studies have shown that rather than being confined to a specific location, memories are dispersed throughout the brain.<br />
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In a series of landmark experiments in the 1920s, brain scientist Karl Lashley found that no matter what portion of a rat's brain he removed he was unable to eradicate its memory of how to perform complex tasks it had learned prior to surgery. The only problem was that no one was able to come up with a mechanism that might explain this curious "whole in every part" nature of memory storage.<br />
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Then in the 1960s Pribram encountered the concept of holography and realized he had found the explanation brain scientists had been looking for. Pribram believes memories are encoded not in neurons, or small groupings of neurons, but in patterns of nerve impulses that crisscross the entire brain in the same way that patterns of laser light interference crisscross the entire area of a piece of film containing a holographic image. In other words, Pribram believes the brain is itself a hologram.<br />
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Pribram's theory also explains how the human brain can store so many memories in so little space. It has been estimated that the human brain has the capacity to memorize something on the order of 10 billion bits of information during the average human lifetime (or roughly the same amount of information contained in five sets of the <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="37fc6f07-d688-4c18-a977-562ba01f9ff9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7ee46745-ce56-4cf6-b711-be0aa10e4369" grcontextid="Encyclopaedia:0">Encyclopaedia</span> Britannica).<br />
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Similarly, it has been discovered that in addition to their other capabilities, holograms possess an astounding capacity for information storage--simply by changing the angle at which the two lasers strike a piece of photographic film, it is possible to record many different images on the same surface. It has been demonstrated that one cubic centimeter of film can hold as many as 10 billion bits of information.<br />
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Our uncanny ability to quickly retrieve whatever information we need from the enormous store of our memories becomes more understandable if the brain functions according to holographic principles. If a friend asks you to tell him what comes to mind when he says the word "zebra", you do not have to clumsily sort back through ome gigantic and cerebral alphabetic file to arrive at an answer. Instead, associations like "striped", "horselike", and "animal native to Africa" all pop into your head instantly.<br />
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Indeed, one of the most amazing things about the human thinking process is that every piece of information seems instantly cross- correlated with every other piece of information--another feature intrinsic to the hologram. Because every portion of a hologram is infinitely interconnected with every other portion, it is perhaps nature's supreme example of a cross-correlated system.<br />
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The storage of memory is not the only neurophysiological puzzle that becomes more tractable in light of Pribram's holographic model of the brain. Another is how the brain is able to translate the avalanche of frequencies it receives via the senses (light frequencies, sound frequencies, and so on) into the concrete world of our perceptions. Encoding and decoding frequencies is precisely what a hologram does best. Just as a hologram functions as a sort of lens, a translating device able to convert an apparently meaningless blur of frequencies into a coherent image, Pribram believes the brain also comprises a lens and uses holographic principles to mathematically convert the frequencies it receives through the senses into the inner world of our perceptions.<br />
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An impressive body of evidence suggests that the brain uses holographic principles to perform its operations. Pribram's theory, in fact, has gained increasing support among neurophysiologists.<br />
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Argentinian-Italian researcher Hugo Zucarelli recently extended the holographic model into the world of acoustic phenomena. Puzzled by the fact that humans can locate the source of sounds without moving their heads, even if they only possess hearing in one ear, Zucarelli discovered that holographic principles can explain this ability.<br />
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Zucarelli has also developed the technology of holophonic sound, a recording technique able to reproduce acoustic situations with an almost uncanny realism.<br />
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Pribram's belief that our brains mathematically construct "hard" reality by relying on input from a frequency domain has also received a good deal of experimental support.<br />
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It has been found that each of our senses is sensitive to a much broader range of frequencies than was previously suspected.<br />
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Researchers have discovered, for instance, that our visual systems are sensitive to sound frequencies, that our sense of smell is in part dependent on what are now called "osmic frequencies", and that even the cells in our bodies are sensitive to a broad range of frequencies. Such findings suggest that it is only in the holographic domain of consciousness that such frequencies are sorted out and divided up into conventional perceptions.<br />
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But the most mind-boggling aspect of Pribram's holographic model of the brain is what happens when it is put together with Bohm's theory. For if the concreteness of the world is but a secondary reality and what is "there" is actually a holographic blur of frequencies, and if the brain is also a hologram and only selects some of the frequencies out of this blur and mathematically transforms them into sensory perceptions, what becomes of objective reality?<br />
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Put quite simply, it ceases to exist. As the religions of the East have long upheld, the material world is Maya, an illusion, and although we may think we are physical beings moving through a physical world, this too is an illusion.<br />
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We are really "receivers" floating through a kaleidoscopic sea of frequency, and what we extract from this sea and transmogrify into physical reality is but one channel from many extracted out of the superhologram.<br />
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This striking new picture of reality, the synthesis of Bohm and Pribram's views, has come to be called the holographic paradigm, and although many scientists have greeted it with skepticism, it has galvanized others. A small but growing group of researchers believe it may be the most accurate model of reality science has arrived at thus far. More than that, some believe it may solve some mysteries that have never before been explainable by science and even establish the paranormal as a part of nature.<br />
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Numerous researchers, including Bohm and Pribram, have noted that many para-psychological phenomena become much more understandable in terms of the holographic paradigm.<br />
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In a universe in which individual brains are actually indivisible portions of the greater hologram and everything is infinitely interconnected, telepathy may merely be the accessing of the holographic level.<br />
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It is obviously much easier to understand how information can travel from the mind of individual 'A' to that of individual 'B' at a far distance point and helps to understand a number of unsolved puzzles in psychology. In particular, Grof feels the holographic paradigm offers a model for understanding many of the baffling phenomena experienced by individuals during altered states of consciousness.<br />
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In the 1950s, while conducting research into the beliefs of LSD as a psychotherapeutic tool, Grof had one female patient who suddenly became convinced she had assumed the identity of a female of a species of prehistoric reptile. During the course of her hallucination, she not only gave a richly detailed description of what it felt like to be encapsuled in such a form, but noted that the portion of the male of the species's anatomy was a patch of colored scales on the side of its head.<br />
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What was startling to Grof was that although the woman had no prior knowledge about such things, a conversation with a zoologist later confirmed that in certain species of reptiles colored areas on the head do indeed play an important role as triggers of sexual arousal.<br />
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The woman's experience was not unique. During the course of his research, Grof encountered examples of patients regressing and identifying with virtually every species on the evolutionary tree (research findings which helped influence the man-into-ape scene in the movie Altered States). Moreover, he found that such experiences frequently contained obscure zoological details which turned out to be accurate.<br />
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Regressions into the animal kingdom were not the only puzzling psychological phenomena Grof encountered. He also had patients who appeared to tap into some sort of collective or racial unconscious. Individuals with little or no education suddenly gave detailed descriptions of Zoroastrian funerary practices and scenes from Hindu mythology. In other categories of experience, individuals gave persuasive accounts of out-of-body journeys, of precognitive glimpses of the future, of regressions into apparent past-life incarnations.<br />
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In later research, Grof found the same range of phenomena manifested in therapy sessions which did not involve the use of drugs. Because the common element in such experiences appeared to be the transcending of an individual's consciousness beyond the usual boundaries of ego and/or limitations of space and time, Grof called such manifestations "transpersonal experiences", and in the late '60s he helped found a branch of psychology called "transpersonal psychology" devoted entirely to their study.<br />
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Although Grof's newly founded Association of Transpersonal Psychology garnered a rapidly growing group of like-minded professionals and has become a respected branch of psychology, for years neither Grof or any of his colleagues were able to offer a mechanism for explaining the bizarre psychological phenomena they were witnessing. But that has changed with the advent of the holographic paradigm.<br />
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As Grof recently noted, if the mind is actually part of a continuum, a labyrinth that is connected not only to every other mind that exists or has existed, but to every atom, organism, and region in the vastness of space and time itself, the fact that it is able to occasionally make forays into the labyrinth and have transpersonal experiences no longer seems so strange.<br />
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The holographic paradigm also has implications for so-called hard sciences like biology. Keith Floyd, a psychologist at Virginia Intermont College, has pointed out that if the concreteness of reality is but a holographic illusion, it would no longer be true to say the brain produces consciousness. Rather, it is consciousness that creates the appearance of the brain -- as well as the body and everything else around us we interpret as physical.<br />
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Such a turnabout in the way we view biological structures has caused researchers to point out that medicine and our understanding of the healing process could also be transformed by the holographic paradigm. If the apparent physical structure of the body is but a holographic projection of consciousness, it becomes clear that each of us is much more responsible for our health than current medical wisdom allows. What we now view as miraculous remissions of disease may actually be due to changes in consciousness which in turn effect changes in the hologram of the body.<br />
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Similarly, controversial new healing techniques such as visualization may work so well because in the holographic domain of thought images are ultimately as real as "reality".<br />
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Even visions and experiences involving "non-ordinary" reality become explainable under the holographic paradigm. In his book "Gifts of Unknown Things," biologist Lyall Watson <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fd65078c-a83c-4f69-a57c-17d6b2ddc6ea" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5bc3402e-0120-46fa-936f-9595bd1278f6" grcontextid="discribes:0">discribes</span> his encounter with an Indonesian shaman woman who, by performing a ritual dance, was able to make an entire grove of trees instantly vanish into thin air. Watson relates that as he and another astonished onlooker continued to watch the woman, she caused the trees to reappear, then "click" off again and on again several times in succession.<br />
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Although current scientific understanding is incapable of explaining such events, experiences like this become more tenable if "hard" reality is only a holographic projection.<br />
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Perhaps we agree on what is "there" or "not there" because what we call consensus reality is formulated and ratified at the level of the human unconscious at which all minds are infinitely interconnected.<br />
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If this is true, it is the most profound implication of the holographic paradigm of all, for it means that experiences such as Watson's are not commonplace only because we have not programmed our minds with the beliefs that would make them so. In a holographic universe there are no limits to the extent to which we can alter the fabric of reality.<br />
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What we perceive as reality is only a canvas waiting for us to draw upon it any picture we want. Anything is possible, from bending spoons with the power of the mind to the phantasmagoric events experienced by Castaneda during his encounters with the Yaqui brujo don Juan, for magic is our birthright, no more or less miraculous than our ability to compute the reality we want when we are in our dreams.<br />
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Indeed, even our most fundamental notions about reality become suspect, for in a holographic universe, as Pribram has pointed out, even random events would have to be seen as based on holographic principles and therefore determined. Synchronicities or meaningful coincidences suddenly make sense, and everything in reality would have to be seen as a metaphor, for even the most haphazard events would express some underlying symmetry.<br />
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Whether Bohm and Pribram's holographic paradigm becomes accepted in science or dies an ignoble death remains to be seen, but it is safe to say that it has already had an influence on the thinking of many scientists. And even if it is found that the holographic model does not provide the best explanation for the instantaneous communications that seem to be passing back and forth between subatomic particles, at the very least, as noted by Basil Hiley, a physicist at Birbeck College in London, Aspect's findings "indicate that we must be prepared to consider radically new views of reality".<br />
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Fantasisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13603016033215500577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575191024755611109.post-79081184479526182282013-02-06T16:23:00.003+05:002013-02-06T16:23:59.263+05:00Alchemist by Paulo Coelho|| Review by Maira Salman and Amna Gillani<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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PAULO
COELHO'S enchanting novel has inspired a devoted following around the world.
This story, dazzling in its powerful simplicity and inspiring wisdom, is about
an Andalusian shepherd boy named Santiago who travels from his homeland in
Spain to the Egyptian desert in search of a treasure buried in the Pyramids.
Along the way he meets a Gypsy woman, a man who calls himself king, and an
alchemist, all of whom points Santiago in the direction of his quest. No one
knows what the treasure is, or if Santiago will be able to surmount the
obstacles along the way. But what starts out as a journey to find worldly goods
turns into a discovery of the treasure found within. Lush, evocative, and
deeply humane, the story of Santiago is an eternal testament to the transformation
power of our dreams and the importance of listening to our hearts.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmP4blcdSN0XOCT1UVJlD0slGsVmmKVni5E-h8d-2MQERxRzUHv3MM_rIJlPcg5Nf8wTwycMW-1KoK8c3PtnanDmJ_1gvig-3sHZPCl5OZsTlWKkCKSmKxVpxbBOxYeLI7LNQLC9daVtI/s1600/paulo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmP4blcdSN0XOCT1UVJlD0slGsVmmKVni5E-h8d-2MQERxRzUHv3MM_rIJlPcg5Nf8wTwycMW-1KoK8c3PtnanDmJ_1gvig-3sHZPCl5OZsTlWKkCKSmKxVpxbBOxYeLI7LNQLC9daVtI/s400/paulo.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
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Deeply philosophical, a literary
marvel and simply unputdownable, Paulo Coelho's radiant masterpiece
will undoubtedly leave his readers spell-bound. "The
Alchemist" is an epic Odyssey as a young shepherd struggles
to surrender to his heart's desire. His awakening recognition of his
Personal Legend( i.e. destiny) led him to sacrifice his family's love. Blindly
following his dream, heedless of the dangerous implications, he commences his
voyage to the pyramids of Egypt in search of spiritual and literal treasure.
Directed by an eccentric monarch, he gambles all his life's work to undertake
a perilous expedition only to be manipulated by various
individuals who portray loyalty. Losing his
carefully accumulated wealth in a in a sea
of moment's distraction, Santiago is engulfed in a sea of
despair threatening to drown him in tides of self pity. But he did
not fall prey to it. In order to compensate for his inexplicable loss he
is forced to earn his living through scrubbing crystal.</div>
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Santiago is in a midst of
omens portraying his complicated destiny evoking a spiritual awakening in both
him and the reader. His dream was to Santiago what water is to survival, what
majesty is to an eagle and what inspiration is to an artist .Profound and
inspirational, thorough and expressive, compelling and comprehensive,
Paulo Coelho's work is a must-read for all book lovers.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Highly Recommended.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12057071593678772697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575191024755611109.post-68973186234855582732013-02-02T22:59:00.000+05:002013-02-02T22:59:14.852+05:00Master of Art|| Neil Buchanan's Majestic Paintings<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Neil Buchanan ,an incredible artist with tremendous talent and potential, whose show <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art_Attack">Art Attack</a> taught me all I know about art. The perfect show to instill creativity in children, Neil not only teaches to make amazing, handy things out of waste material and scratch but also teaches the most amazing art techniques from drawing to painting that simplifies art for amateurs. I could not possibly imagine a childhood without illuminating my days with Art Attack and it was greatly appalling for me and my sister to find out that the show would no longer be aired in our country.<br />
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A few of Neil's astounding artwork is displayed below.Get ready to get mind-blown.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12057071593678772697noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575191024755611109.post-68005927215348707232013-01-30T20:18:00.003+05:002013-02-02T22:29:03.227+05:00Mind-blowing Trick<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
DO NOT SCROLL DOWN.<br />
Okay I want you to think of a shape...any shape e.g. a square. Don't think of a square though.<br />
Now think of another shape e.g. square but NOT a square.<br />
Put the first shape inside the second shape.<br />
Now you have to concentrate on your shape with all your will-power.<br />
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You thought of a circle and a triangle, didn't you?</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12057071593678772697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575191024755611109.post-35636089552887913962013-01-24T19:58:00.001+05:002013-01-24T19:58:58.665+05:00Pick of the Week|| Portuguese Village Built Among Rocks<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="background-color: ; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">Monsanto is a beautiful village built in the Portuguese countryside.Featuring narrow streets carved from rock and granite houses squeezed between giant boulders, it looks like a real life Bedrock. </span><br style="background-color: ; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: ; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">At the top of the 400 feet high hill stands a very old square built fortress / castle. The castle played an important role in Medieval times when the Templars Grand Master built a castle which withstood several battles including the Napoleonic invasions. In 1938, Monsanto was bestowed the most "Portuguese town in Portugal."</span><br />
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<img alt="" height="448" src="http://dailycool.net/wp-content/uploads/image/12April/Monsanto/monsanto3.jpg" style="background-color: #f0f0f0; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-width: 1px; border-style: none solid solid none; margin: 0px; padding: 8px;" width="598" /></div>
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<img alt="" height="396" src="http://dailycool.net/wp-content/uploads/image/12April/Monsanto/Monsanto5.jpg" style="background-color: #f0f0f0; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-width: 1px; border-style: none solid solid none; margin: 0px; padding: 8px;" width="598" /></div>
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4<img alt="" height="350" src="http://dailycool.net/wp-content/uploads/image/12April/Monsanto/monsanto6.jpg" style="background-color: #f0f0f0; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-width: 1px; border-style: none solid solid none; margin: 0px; padding: 8px;" width="598" /></div>
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<img alt="" height="397" src="http://dailycool.net/wp-content/uploads/image/12April/Monsanto/Monsanto7.jpg" style="background-color: #f0f0f0; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-width: 1px; border-style: none solid solid none; margin: 0px; padding: 8px;" width="598" /></div>
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<img alt="" height="399" src="http://dailycool.net/wp-content/uploads/image/12April/Monsanto/Monsanto11.jpeg" style="background-color: #f0f0f0; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-width: 1px; border-style: none solid solid none; margin: 0px; padding: 8px;" width="598" /></div>
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<img alt="" height="452" src="http://dailycool.net/wp-content/uploads/image/12April/Monsanto/Monsanto13.jpeg" style="background-color: #f0f0f0; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-width: 1px; border-style: none solid solid none; margin: 0px; padding: 8px;" width="598" /></div>
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<img alt="" height="449" src="http://dailycool.net/wp-content/uploads/image/12April/Monsanto/Monsanto14.jpg" style="background-color: #f0f0f0; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-width: 1px; border-style: none solid solid none; margin: 0px; padding: 8px;" width="598" /></div>
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<b>Source=http://www.stumbleupon.com</b></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12057071593678772697noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575191024755611109.post-21220140348740687902013-01-22T20:30:00.000+05:002013-01-23T22:18:52.345+05:00Bartimaeus's Journal|| New Addition by Jonathan Stroud<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><a href="file:///C:/Users/osama/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img align="left" border="0" height="221" hspace="12" src="file:///C:\Users\osama\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.jpg" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_1" width="158" /></a> Bartimaeus- one of the best books ever
written, not only in my opinion but of millions, just a look at its incredible
4.36 rating at <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59268.The_Bartimaeus_Trilogy_Boxed_Set">Goodreads</a>. One which leaves one with an unexplainable,
simply overpowering desire for more and more......and more!In order to sate, to an extent, the craving for more material about Bart, Jonathan Stroud has shared Bart's Journal with us on his blog. Read part of the journal below.</div>
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As
part of my current charge I have been instructed to provide an occasional
journal of my recent activities<span class="style5">*</span>. Since my most
trivial thoughts are suffused with rare insight and the ringing clarity of true
wisdom, this is a good deal for you. So here we go, then. Listen and be
enlightened.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i> (*I avoid the term blog, since
coincidentally this word is also the name of a repulsive sub-caste of
foliots, characterised by ooze, fleshy folds and gills of blue-grey
gristle. Think slugs, but with worse personalities. Magicians send them to
harass their enemies in their sleep; after a night of tormented dreams, the
sleeper wakes to find his bed-clothes crossed with trails of slime… Where
was I? Oh, yes – this being the case, I'll stick with journal if you don't
mind.)<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>.<br />
*I'm not one for exact timekeeping, since (a) time doesn't exist in the
Other Place, (b) I'm never sure whether to use the Gregorian, Julian,
Egyptian or Mayan calendars. So don't expect exact days or months. Or
centuries, for that matter.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="text-align: center;">Monday*</b></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">In Other Place. Did nothing.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">Yep, same again. Saw a few nice whirling colours and things. That's it.
Easy, this journal lark, isn't it?</span></div>
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<b>Thursday</b></div>
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Still nothing. Long may it continue.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>*Dangerous
because any verbal hiccup while giving me my orders would break my bonds
and uncage my savage wrath. Ooh, gave myself a bit of a shiver writing
that. That's literary talent.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<b>Friday</b></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">Well, it didn't. Today summoned painfully to earth by a short fat English
magician with a dangerous stammer*. She's got some kid sidekick (in
adjacent circle) to do her talking for her; a wise precaution. Through
him I got my orders. She fears attack by her rival, the so-called
'Archmage of Tunbridge Wells'. I am to guard my master's property and her
person. Am currently....read the rest </span><a href="http://www.jonathanstroud.com/bart_journal.html" style="text-align: center;">here</a></div>
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Fantasisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13603016033215500577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575191024755611109.post-52615274363893276602013-01-19T19:27:00.003+05:002013-01-19T19:35:49.588+05:00The Clock Strikes Twelve by Patricia Wentworth|| Poem and Review by Obsidian Fury<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; text-align: justify;">The Paradine family has gathered to celebrate New Year's Eve. Alas, when the clock strikes twelve old Mr. James Paradine, the patriarch, is found murdered. Yet, he seemed to invite his demise when he accused a family member of disloyalty. Now, Miss Silver must unravel the mystery of troubled love and sudden death.</span><br />
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<em style="background-color: color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">The clock strikes twelve<br />All the people cry 'O Hell!'<br />A bomb's been flung<br />On the family interests which has wrung<br />Out the secrets, mysteries, unsolved fantasies<br />Claimed shame, and fame, but who's to be blamed?<br />Defiance, Distrust, Diabolical schemes<br />Are being coaxed in their heads...<br />And all this time,with that sardonic pride<br />Awaits the one in the Study room...<br />He can wait all he wants... but who's to come?<br />Don't bet all your cards<br />Till the clock strikes twelve<br />And more than one man cries 'O Hell!'</em></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">The
Paradine family has gathered to celebrate New Year's Eve. Alas, when the clock
strikes twelve old Mr. James Paradine, the patriarch, is found murdered. Yet,
he seemed to invite his demise when he accused a family member of disloyalty.
Now, Miss Silver must unravel the mystery of troubled love and sudden death.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Review:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">So the queer idea
is that I'd devoured this lush descriptive read about 2 years ago. Having read
and re-read it at various intervals I found it interesting every time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">There's the
dominating, sardonic Mr James Paradine, a tall tower of resolution and that
unbeatable personality you find in the 'rich' blooded men... All the characters
are introduced in a flow with the central mystery *bang bang*'in in with a
finality. There's nothing more to say except that the Clock Strikes Twelve is
no wonder a fantastic read when you really want to sink in with a cup of coffee
and of course, the read itself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">The story and its
highly developed individuals, the clues... all add up to the Miss Silver
'thing' =)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I especially like the so realistic way
the writer portrayed the ever-closing knit of distrust, shock, suspicions they
experienced as the book proceeded. And other more unexpected surprises... <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Though frankly
the appearance of this 'dowdy serenely knitting governess' only made its way in
thru about half the book; I'd really have preferred lesser of the sometimes
boring details, and more of that zing... <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Anyhow, I've no
remorse and by the end of the way, in fact, I'm glad I read this art.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12057071593678772697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575191024755611109.post-58145712210620969922013-01-16T23:20:00.000+05:002013-01-16T23:21:49.282+05:00Heroes of Olympus|| Best of Character Art <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Heroes of Olympus. Loved by readers because of Mr. Riordan's humorous yet gripping writing style and of course the great character art. Have a look at some of the best yet.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>No.1</b> Hera </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2qV_JKmH89AdUNGQ-9hg9cmVikxaOA94IXiAtan_kUIg4C1KWMGZEMjbXsBXSyJuQYOi6s2ED4OmfxS9lMbPF9UaH4G32PQ8LRaYFXQZHqQnhXrIYydz2xAR04M8LTxyErkwu2JUKsNM/s1600/hera+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2qV_JKmH89AdUNGQ-9hg9cmVikxaOA94IXiAtan_kUIg4C1KWMGZEMjbXsBXSyJuQYOi6s2ED4OmfxS9lMbPF9UaH4G32PQ8LRaYFXQZHqQnhXrIYydz2xAR04M8LTxyErkwu2JUKsNM/s400/hera+2.png" width="267" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>No.2</b> Arachne</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDu7iN-qKT-LVt56OY-6756XlWqftPf_wxleteV9orx0kuVyFuNQ-imALU2YTpzPALvXqAE5hDZCu50o5qp3qrKpJ4nSycF5FV3vpha2-BlguUe8TccuHMGcwFiLJ4RKASG0wz7kZC0MI/s1600/arachne2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDu7iN-qKT-LVt56OY-6756XlWqftPf_wxleteV9orx0kuVyFuNQ-imALU2YTpzPALvXqAE5hDZCu50o5qp3qrKpJ4nSycF5FV3vpha2-BlguUe8TccuHMGcwFiLJ4RKASG0wz7kZC0MI/s400/arachne2.png" width="267" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>No.3 </b>Ella the Harpy</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkdRX2-PMMTJ8wWhlX2j0VjYtdFPw41OdqYc6KZZcN6XiaaMAbKOf03XyLtrmAawfoGpM7T83HmJrLPEfrgFREv29fuTqD4b_Z-uEFM1cOJDfMgN789GlYDK7Uq2AIPynIJsVlHGpgGO4/s1600/Ella_harpy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkdRX2-PMMTJ8wWhlX2j0VjYtdFPw41OdqYc6KZZcN6XiaaMAbKOf03XyLtrmAawfoGpM7T83HmJrLPEfrgFREv29fuTqD4b_Z-uEFM1cOJDfMgN789GlYDK7Uq2AIPynIJsVlHGpgGO4/s400/Ella_harpy.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>No.4 </b>Festus the Dragon</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHKkuJgxOHeyZ2joISTFwI0aveoi0o_3o97JTGaUsN31dUJr27gjEJBEsMId7eoLC04h6svxciwkfqLJfwoNLlCbHEj9SvzuxIoe5O9B1zTltkcK5BruqnKI6BAO5QXRz4yObVJAYNYXo/s1600/festus2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHKkuJgxOHeyZ2joISTFwI0aveoi0o_3o97JTGaUsN31dUJr27gjEJBEsMId7eoLC04h6svxciwkfqLJfwoNLlCbHEj9SvzuxIoe5O9B1zTltkcK5BruqnKI6BAO5QXRz4yObVJAYNYXo/s400/festus2.png" width="262" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>No.5</b> Aphrodite</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_fenW8k9VZNfMgnHdlHod6XIBPDNy0gtigNBY18CEOghksL1PWlnbJMIEO3TvNdgiX0qXLjoEIzvsWds7qyrNE8r48RhwcKOAIKwtiG6rUJQtTLOhPmjaTCUy2lJebVl5n8soxb3xBJk/s1600/Aphrodite-288x430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_fenW8k9VZNfMgnHdlHod6XIBPDNy0gtigNBY18CEOghksL1PWlnbJMIEO3TvNdgiX0qXLjoEIzvsWds7qyrNE8r48RhwcKOAIKwtiG6rUJQtTLOhPmjaTCUy2lJebVl5n8soxb3xBJk/s400/Aphrodite-288x430.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12057071593678772697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575191024755611109.post-54125092624020144012013-01-15T20:20:00.002+05:002013-01-15T20:20:44.899+05:00Kane Chronicles|| Best of Character Art<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Rick Riordan's character art is gaining popularity at a fast rate. See the best of Kane Chronicles Character Art.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold;">1. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Anubis</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBDEkx1oEEsWIOklAwiE0GPAnNwLuvlVps3f24bkIXoXZt9v8bKK7RhwhWNNIVM6S-_GPoH0x5XP-g2t-kQta6t91mE0uyWzRuW9NNsrd84dijqmmZ565gS-GGRZRZXssjSaicLTnLzFo/s1600/419157_10150673212408909_101778495_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBDEkx1oEEsWIOklAwiE0GPAnNwLuvlVps3f24bkIXoXZt9v8bKK7RhwhWNNIVM6S-_GPoH0x5XP-g2t-kQta6t91mE0uyWzRuW9NNsrd84dijqmmZ565gS-GGRZRZXssjSaicLTnLzFo/s400/419157_10150673212408909_101778495_n.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>2. </b>Isis</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjheMwsx-lYaGNnfxA-v_i2yT4-4alwDfr7nnEmfWyR6MT5RzKDeX2IBFl39cgYN7E-d8eTEylzIWPUc2DRb9cV06ittcBuvBsvHETK3ipvmasQ4IazyqEu0pnZXf93twPWZs1MWSfWDjI/s1600/isis2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjheMwsx-lYaGNnfxA-v_i2yT4-4alwDfr7nnEmfWyR6MT5RzKDeX2IBFl39cgYN7E-d8eTEylzIWPUc2DRb9cV06ittcBuvBsvHETK3ipvmasQ4IazyqEu0pnZXf93twPWZs1MWSfWDjI/s400/isis2.png" width="271" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>3.</b> Zia Rashid</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3iMSVQkARGnUoxvjwwzzlamDuo-bBkmdqK88QGYVV9u1gNUL1HH9RS5p4Oa-IiafT96lzdc08xaybzkpVk0js9RV9jIL6t8FRA6h3jd3pwXkgrxPukojd0dAe6VKQqRilrJSgo4JP-qE/s1600/529871_10150876630618909_823360319_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3iMSVQkARGnUoxvjwwzzlamDuo-bBkmdqK88QGYVV9u1gNUL1HH9RS5p4Oa-IiafT96lzdc08xaybzkpVk0js9RV9jIL6t8FRA6h3jd3pwXkgrxPukojd0dAe6VKQqRilrJSgo4JP-qE/s400/529871_10150876630618909_823360319_n.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>4.</b> Ra</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM053is-O9nejxq9zNeF4bQagJbSsbY8drgzb2yKGH6lTO9mBk-PVV29IhUwA2CK6OdKhJiDO5SMO_HbyFeZcDQD-vASXIvIIOc5N4F6iy26HCYo6W8oVhMSwhC_2j49SFcvFczbXaddo/s1600/Ra.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM053is-O9nejxq9zNeF4bQagJbSsbY8drgzb2yKGH6lTO9mBk-PVV29IhUwA2CK6OdKhJiDO5SMO_HbyFeZcDQD-vASXIvIIOc5N4F6iy26HCYo6W8oVhMSwhC_2j49SFcvFczbXaddo/s400/Ra.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>5.</b> Horus</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZLxgGbQmV4DsfiCruE_Iyi1UOHeRA-qmeLsH3RhXyKfa8WebdK_Iab_KyKNEYRBdsCSoI8xOsJSSW9SOjzvZYzlaTkvzCttbY51YD7sQEUgGZ8Rr2AgogSm4IgctCYdwdmb-ZRcccxfY/s1600/horus2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZLxgGbQmV4DsfiCruE_Iyi1UOHeRA-qmeLsH3RhXyKfa8WebdK_Iab_KyKNEYRBdsCSoI8xOsJSSW9SOjzvZYzlaTkvzCttbY51YD7sQEUgGZ8Rr2AgogSm4IgctCYdwdmb-ZRcccxfY/s400/horus2.png" width="267" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12057071593678772697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575191024755611109.post-16026707365019139972013-01-14T19:54:00.002+05:002013-01-14T19:54:59.518+05:00Blackveil by Kristen Britain ||poem by Obsidian Fury<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Blackveil, despite entering some reader's hate list, managed to get a rather impressive 4.11 rating on <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8396337-blackveil">Goodreads</a> Perhaps this is the moment to share an artistic if not enthusiastic poem about Blackveil written by Obsidian Fury.<br />
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Etherea in the breeze,</span><br />
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">of a tainted realm,</span><br />
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">the silvery moon,</span><br />
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">its sheen the power of the realm,</span><br />
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">the dreary depths of Blackveil,</span><br />
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">a journey time will only tell,</span><br />
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Sir Karigan G'ladheon... 'Ur simply awesome'I wanna yell!</span><br />
<br style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;" />
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Traversing across a landscape, </span><br />
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">once the heart of all the Eletian Race,</span><br />
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">its foundations of moonbeams,</span><br />
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">that had shone and bathed the pool in the south leaf, but then,</span><br />
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">his greed, his unearthly madness, driven by lust and promise of power,</span><br />
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">his name itself a black heart of stone,</span><br />
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">the restrains of the man he once was, are no more,</span><br />
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">corporeal sentience whisked into the waning future,</span><br />
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">a wrath of darkness, a wreath of tainted magic, behold the future, beheld by Sacoridia,</span><br />
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">12 lights in the shadows, 12 driven to the tainted land,</span><br />
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Half the dozen of them Eletions, their hearts brimming with sorrow, with fearful hope,</span><br />
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">of what is left of the heart of their once land,</span><br />
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">of what, of who await them in Blackveil, though for them it still glows with the light of Avarith.</span><br />
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">The rest, half of them again venturing by order, for glory perhaps but not of their own will power,</span><br />
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">and then the three who remain,</span><br />
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Are the Legendary Green Riders,</span><br />
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">the blood of their heroic predecessors flowing in their veins,</span><br />
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">bolstering their spirit, giving power to their dreams,</span><br />
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">gifted by pure magic, bearers of the winged brooches,</span><br />
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">cloaked in the Green of their legacy,</span><br />
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">with hearts of gold, truly brighter than the bright moonlight that once shone in murky depths of the feared realm,</span><br />
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">One of them, hankers to volunteer his own life,</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">One of them, the bearer of endowment to talk with the wild life,</span><br />
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">The last among, her honor lies in her heart,</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Well aware of the lurking in the dark landscape,</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">she prepares to venture on the unforgettable journey,</span><br />
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">for tis her birthright.</span><br />
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">For she is Sir Karigan G'ladheon,</span><br />
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Green Rider.</span><br />
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Green Rider.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12057071593678772697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575191024755611109.post-84896188890155895042013-01-14T18:12:00.002+05:002013-01-14T18:15:24.054+05:00Cover Art|| Belgariad by David Eddings<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
2013 starts with the 5 book fantasy epic by David Eddings, Belgariad. The reviews will be up soon but incredible enjoy these book covers till then.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12057071593678772697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575191024755611109.post-1259331108229388662012-12-03T04:13:00.000+05:002012-12-03T18:56:56.496+05:00The Black Company by Glen Cook || Book Review<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some feel the Lady, newly risen from centuries in thrall, stands between humankind and evil. Some feel she is evil itself. The hard-bitten men of the Black Company take their pay and do what they must, burying their doubts with their dead. Until the prophesy: The White Rose has been reborn, somewhere, to embody good once more. There must be a way for the Black Company to find her... So begins one of the greatest fantasy epics of our age—Glen Cook's Chronicles of the Black Company.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had heard alot about the Black Company, it kind of has the status of a classic in fantasy literature andd with good reason.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I started out reading the book, the first thing I noted was the names of the characters which were very reminiscent of Joe Abercrombie's books, the use of personality adjectives and nouns like Silent, Goblin,Darling etc as names.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Starting out the book underwhelmed me with talk of vampires and were-panthers, but as I went deeper the real and more deeper issues of soldierly camaraderie and brotherhood started coming to the forefront. The prose is excellent, and is worth of the tag literature, the writing may have been better than a number of books being published nowadays, Cook's vocabulary is vast and he uses it to his advantage. There were quite a number of catchy lines.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The characterization is impeccable, each of the characters feels like a real person of flesh and blood, with his own fears and hopes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The relationship between the two wizards One-eye and Goblin is one of the more interesting ones, with their constant bickering and show of animosity which isn't quite as deep rooted as the two would like to show.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The philosophy of evil as being a relative term and depending on where one stands is analysed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is much of military tactics and stratagems alongside a few assassinations. The magic is also a constant factor though it isn't the most interesting part of the book, because it takes its presence as granted and there is no explanation or root of its origin and nature.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The book was published a very long-time ago and so must be excused a few weaknesses.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Overall the book was a very worthwhile expenditure of time, totally engrossing and enjoyable.</span></div>
Fantasisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13603016033215500577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575191024755611109.post-16005301875466520282012-11-30T21:58:00.001+05:002012-12-01T23:10:38.934+05:00Mark of Athena<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Book Review by Elvenarya abd Obsidian Fury<br />
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<i><span lang="EN-GB">Annabeth is
terrified. Just when she's about to be reunited with Percy—after six months of
being apart, thanks to Hera—it looks like Camp Jupiter is preparing for war. As
Annabeth and her friends Jason, Piper, and Leo fly in on the</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Cambria, serif;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Cambria, serif;">Argo II</span><span lang="EN-GB">, she can’t blame
the Roman demigods for thinking the ship is a Greek weapon. With its steaming
bronze dragon masthead, Leo's fantastical creation doesn't appear friendly.
Annabeth hopes that the sight of their praetor Jason on deck will reassure the
Romans that the visitors from Camp Half-Blood are coming in peace.</span><span lang="EN-GB"><br />
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And that's only one
of her worries. In her pocket Annabeth carries a gift from her mother that came
with an unnerving demand:<span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Cambria, serif;"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Cambria, serif;">Follow the Mark of Athena. Avenge me.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Cambria, serif;"> </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: ];">Annabeth
already feels weighed down by the prophecy that will send seven demigods on a
quest to find—and close—the Doors of Death. What more does Athena want from her?</span></span><span lang="EN-GB"><br />
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Annabeth's biggest
fear, though, is that Percy might have changed. What if he's now attached to
Roman ways? Does he still need his old friends? As the daughter of the goddess
of war and wisdom, Annabeth knows she was born to be a leader, but never again
does she want to be without Seaweed Brain by her side.<br />
<br />
Narrated by four
different demigods,<span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Cambria, serif;"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Cambria, serif;">The Mark of Athena</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Cambria, serif;"> </span><span lang="EN-GB">is an unforgettable journey across land and
sea to Rome, where important discoveries, surprising sacrifices, and
unspeakable horrors await. Climb aboard the</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Cambria, serif;"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Cambria, serif;">Argo II</span></i><span lang="EN-GB"><i>, if you dare....</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Epicness
unleashed... not without its share of awesomeness courtesy of my favourite
characters in the world Rick Riordan has crafted.</span><span lang="EN-GB"><br />
<br />
Percy - just as
cool as a son of Poseidon could get.<br />
Nico - stays for a
far lesser time than I would've liked, but I'm not complaining.<br />
A new surprise
entry into my Favourite list - Leo Valdez... I'll just say he's some hot stuff,
not a bad boy yet but too good for himself. ;)<br />
<br />
The rest...<span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Cambria, serif;"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB"><br />
Hazel and Frank tie
up somewhere in the middle tier of the Seven Demigod List...<br />
Someone, unsurprisingly, has taken the official
bottom list.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Cambria, serif;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-GB"><br />
<br />
So Mark of Athena:
full of expected and yet unexpected surprises, new gods... new maniacal,
obsessive gods... or not.<span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Cambria, serif;"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB"><br />
Overall, though I was really tempted to give it
FIVE stars, I had to remind myself the reason as to why I can't, and it did the
trick. Some fans are in for a boring surprise.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Cambria, serif;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-GB">This time, the Percy 1st-person POV, I
sorely missed.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Cambria, serif;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-GB"><br />
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I guess pretty much
large part of this amazing book is quotable - more or less revolving around Leo
Valdez - Hot stuff...<br />
Oh, and these demigods have added, yet again, a
ship/tank/Argo II/'colossal-worth of adventures and run-ins with enemies... and
some friends. And where there aren't much enemies... they make 'em. =D</span><br />
<br />
It's action-packed.<span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Cambria, serif;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-GB"><br />
It's thrilling.<br />
It's a tornado-whirling,
sea-crashing, fire-breathing, transforming ride.<br />
With a crazy goat
bent on singing Old Mc Donald<span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Cambria, serif;"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB">(with weapons in place of animals. Naturally!<span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Cambria, serif;">)</span></span><span lang="EN-GB"> things will
never be the same after this trip's over.</span></span><span lang="EN-GB"><br />
<br />
The infectious humour
and the sweet, sweet absurdity, a much-loved of this awesome teen writer's
writes, left me rolling my eyes and grinning like Coach Hedge when he's allowed
to fire 'em ballistae.<span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Cambria, serif;"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB"><br />
And the narrations... Oh WOW! Of course, the
narrations belonging to two of my Favourite characters only of course. Read to
find out.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Cambria, serif;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-GB">The
mini plots were amazing as always with the encounter with Echo and Narcissus
and the fight in the hypogeum leaving me laughing and fearing for the heroes’
life simultaneously (the later not so much in the former's case).</span><span lang="EN-GB"><br />
Brilliant setting,
snappy dialogues and the depth of emotion in the characters won my heart enough
to make me ignore the few dragging flat parts in the book(something I never
came across in the Percy Jackson Series). This series is definitely darker than
its predecessor, the threat more real and the team's fears and challenges
dogging their footsteps all the way. Its hard to see all have them making their
way through unscathed. That, coupled<span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Cambria, serif;"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB"> with the cliff-hanger ending- makes
me await The House of Hades with great anticipation.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12057071593678772697noreply@blogger.com0