Review: The Pledge - Kimberly Derting

Series: The Pledge #1

Genre: Dystopia/YA

Pages: 336

Published: November 15, 2011

Publisher: Simon and Schuster

Source: Galley Grab

In the violent country of Ludania, the language you speak determines what class you are, and there are harsh punishments if you forget your place—looking a member of a higher class in the eye can result in immediate execution. Seventeen-year-old Charlaina (Charlie for short) can understand all languages, a dangerous ability she’s been hiding her whole life. Her only place of release is the drug-filled underground club scene, where people go to shake off the oppressive rules of the world they live in. There, she meets a beautiful and mysterious boy who speaks a language she’s never heard, and her secret is almost exposed. Through a series of violent upheavals, it becomes clear that Charlie herself is the key to forcing out the oppressive power structure of her kingdom.

My thoughts:

This was a book that is hard to put a genre on, by the things we learnt, well by the sound of languages I would say it takes place on our little planet. But it can also just be that she used those words to make it feel more like home. It has such a fantasy feel to it, but then they got technology, so let's just call it dystopia/fantasy/sci-fi. 

The world is interesting and ruled by queens with powers. No male can take the throne in this world. I like it. And this country has its on set of rule that is really stupid, in a good way. If someone talks to you in another language and they have a higher status then you are not allowed to look at them. If you do then you die. Cruel, oh yes, crazy, indeed. It's done to keep the masses separated. I do love a good wicked world and this one that keeps the classes with their own kind is fascinating. 

Sure there was one thing that bugged me, it seems it was only a couple of 100 years ago since it was set in motion. And people only speak their own language or the one under them. And they can't learn the higher up. And the languages are completely different, that means the language first used had to be really different from each other if people can't understand each other. Because I could understand words here and there easily with languages close to mine. Because yes even it they kill everyone with an ear for languages then should not some still be left, or are people too stupid? We just do not know. I'd really like to get to the bottom of the language situation. But I did not let it bother me. 

Back to the story, Charlie is our heroine and it does not take a doctor to get why she understand all languages. She is obviously of the old Royal family. Sure it takes a long time for the book to spit it out, but it's obvious from page 1. She meets a handsome stranger called Max, and they got romantic tension sizzling around them. 

The book is also filled with that question who she is (well we know this), who wants to use her, can she get away, and the danger when rebels are attacking the kingdom; queendoom, sorry Queen. I do like that the danger and tension keeps the pace going and it is a good book, and interesting book too. It is the first in a series, but it ends. And no cliffie, well there is a cliffie, but it is that sort of cliffie that you do not know if it will turn out to be a cliffie or not. But since there is a book 2, it sure will. Even if this book ends happily then all hell is sure to break lose later. 

Conclusion:

A good world, that is all I want sometimes, and I got that here.

Cover:

 pretty

Review: When Josie Comes Home - A.E.Stanton

The New West

Genre: Dystopic Western

Pages: 59

Published: October 2011

Publisher; Musa Publishing

Source: For review

The future’s a wonderful place to be if you were considered worthy -- until a huge solar flare slagged the world computers. Now, over two hundred years later, the unworthies are all that’s left of humanity, and they’ve reverted back to the old, old ways.

Josie escapes from the forced sexual slavery of Horsetown, vowing to return with help to save her sisters. Ten years later, she’s not home -- but her youngest sister, Sadie, insists Josie will return, with her Hero along to help save the day.

The Gambler’s in Horsetown for reasons all his own. Who is he? What’s he really here for? And what will happen if he’s in town When Josie Comes Home?

My thoughts:

First I must comment on my recent ebook reviews, there is a simple reason (well ok got to borrow the library e-reader), but mostly cos the short stories I have read lately have been written by Gini Koch, but under different names.

This short story is set in the future and in a town called Horse Town, where any woman can be had, if you pay. Whether the woman want or not. It's a horrible town where the women are slaves, and they all wait for the fable Josie to come back home and free them. She was the only one who got away. But before we meet Josie a Gambler comes to town, what is his plan? Will Josie ever come back? The title does say it all, yes she will come back.

It did work well as a short story, really well actually. I got into the story and I was happy that it had a conclusion. Sure it would also have worked well as a longer story. I liked the future it showed and this town was truly horrible. Josie's sisters were also interesting as they and the Gambler have center stage in this story.

Review: The House of the Wind - Titania Hardie

Genre: Historical Fiction/ Contemporary fiction
Pages: 528
Published: October 27, 2011
Publisher: Headline Review
Source. For review

A legendary ruin. An ancient mystery. Will unveiling the past transform the future? San Francisco, 2007. Madeline Moretti is grieving for her fianc_¨. Nothing brings her joy any more, and Maddie's grandmother, a fiery Italian, sends her to Tuscany to heal. Here, Maddie is immersed in the mystery of a ruined villa. Destroyed centuries ago in a legendary storm on the Eve of St Agnes, it has been known ever since as the Casa al Vento - the House of the Wind. Tuscany, 1347. Mia hasn't spoken since her mother's death, and lives in silence with her beloved aunt. One dark night, a couple seek refuge in their villa. Used to welcoming passing pilgrims, Mia is entranced by the young bride's radiance and compassion, but mystified by her reluctance to reveal even her name. Where has she come from, and why must her presence be a secret? Centuries apart, each searching for a way to step into her future, Mia and Maddie will be haunted by the myth of the woman who walked unscathed from the ruins of the House of the Wind.

My thoughts:

This book alternates between 2 POVS. First there is Maddie in the present day who has lost someone near to her, and she is just slowly moving along She will go to Italy and stay with friends and that is where the second POV comes in.  in 1347 a young woman lived at the place she visits and they are connected in some other way too, but that takes a while to know since we need to know young Mia's life first. The title comes from the woman Mia meets, a woman who is fleeing from a cruel fate.

I am a bit torn when it comes to this book, some chapters moved so slowly and I was not interested at all. it was a slow book at times, and it took me quite some time to get into the book. And even when I did that I liked Mia's story more. Sure it was sad that Maddie lost that special someone, and we read how she went to Italy, but she did not stay long, and most of her parts were about the legal case she was involved in as that was her job. The Mia parts were much more interesting, first with the mystery woman who comes with a man, who was she? We learn that. And the how the Black Death sweeps through Italy and Mia is in the middle of that, and all the time while reading I wonder if she will survive. Because first there is the Black death who is going to kill plenty, then there is a lot of other factors too. So those parts were just better. The flow was faster too.

That is why I am torn, I just liked some parts in this book better than the rest. I was bored at times. And I did not feel that Maddie got to learn about the past either. Or was it we who was supposed to learn?

Conclusion:

If it sounds interesting then it might just be the book for you.

Cover:

It works for this book, not a fan though

Review: Asenath - Anna Patricio

Genre: Historical fiction, YA

Pages: 224

Published: Sep 2011

Review by Anachronist

Synopsis:

The novel is a creative version of the life of Asenath, the Egyptian wife of Joseph, the son of Jacob and Rachel from the Bible. You might remember him – he had a coat of many colours and was rather disliked by his half-brothers – and you most likely won’t remember her, as she is mentioned once, as his wife and the mother of his two sons. We are given just a name and still the author managed to fill all the gaps with her vivid imagination.

Asenath, according to Ms. Patricio, is an adopted daughter of a Heliopolis priest; before that she was a low-born peasant called Kiya; after an attack of foreign invaders and the death of her parents her life altered beyond recognition. Still her sad experience stayed with her, making her life as an aristocratic lady rather difficult. However, the same experience helped her find the love of her life – seeing a slave lying on the ground in scorching sun she didn’t hesitate and let him drink some water. The same slave later would become the Vizier of Egypt and her husband.

What I liked:

 It was a nice story and a book rather pleasant and easy to read. Written in the first person narrative it is a compelling tale of a stunning success of a simple peasant girl and a simple Hebrew slave – from rags to riches, nothing less. The book is geared definitely toward the Young Adult market and I suppose these readers will appreciate it the most, especially if they have read some Bible stories as well and are acquainted with Joseph.

What I didn’t like:

 As I said, the fact that it is clearly an YA position influenced the way it was told. In my humble opinion it was too sanitized. Asenath/Kiya’s slavery time is glossed over; the authoress also kind of forgot that the initial intention of Joseph’s brothers was to kill him; only after the intervention of the eldest one, Rueben, who seemed to be the most level-headed and responsible at that time, they agreed to spare him and sell into slavery (the Elohist version) . The rest of them were mad of jealousy and hated Joseph’s guts just because he dared to be the favourite of his dad.

I would also like to see more Egyptian court life and less teenage angst. I know the book was written from Asenath’s point of view but it would be more complex if another narrative voice was added and a new perspective with it.

Finally let me say that many details of everyday Egyptian life seemed surprisingly modern. Asenath’s childhood friend proposes during an official function, kneeling before her…I am not sure it was done that way in ancient times. Asenath gets married dressed in white with a veil…not sure about that either. The pharaoh appologizing to his subject - well, very unlikely, he was the living god. In other words – if you want to find out more about the culture of ancient Egypt, it is not the right book.

Let me also add that the story of Joseph's near seduction by his master's wife bears a marked similarity to the Egyptian story of the Tale of Two Brothers, which was popular at the time of Pharaoh Seti II (roughly 1200-1194 BCE).  It has also been suggested that there are similarities between the rise to power of Joseph, and Manethos' tale of Osarseph, who was Syrian born, and rose to be Vizier of Egypt, beginning his career under Pharaoh Merenptah and his son Seti II. Indeed the name Potiphar (Joseph’s master) may even be a version of Merenptah's name (Poti = Ptah, Phar = Pharaoh). The "seven lean years" has been taken to refer to a Middle Eastern famine documented at that time.

Final verdict:

I liked the novel but only for its entertainment factor. The historical background was like that of any Disney movie (The Prince of Egypt anyone?) so not impressing at all. Still kudos for finding an interesting topic and an original heroine.