Review: Mistborn: The Final Empire

Firstly, let me apologise for the lack of updates to this blog in the last couple of months. I was busy busy busy in America, and I haven’t had an internet connection for the past few weeks. I’ll post a couple more updates from my time at the Niagara Falls and then Cedar Point on July 4th, and I have a backlog of books to review.

Now to the review!

Title: Mistborn: The Final Empire

Author: Brandon Sanderson

ISBN: 978-0-575-08991-4

First Published: 2006

Blurb:

THE MISTS RULE THE NIGHT… THE LORD RULER OWNS THE WORLD.

FOR A THOUSAND YEARS THE ASH FELL.

For a thousand years, the Skaa slaved in misery and lived in fear. For a thousand years, the Lord Ruler reigned with absolute power and ultimate terror, divinely invincible. Every attempted revolt has failed miserably.

YET SOMEHOW HOPE SURVIVES.

A new kind of uprising is being planned, one that depends on the cunning of a brilliant criminal mastermind and the courage of an unlikely heroine, a Skaa street urchin, who must learn to master Allomancy, the power of a mistborn.

What if the prophesied hero had failed to defeat the Dark Lord? The answer will be found in the Mistborn trilogy, a saga of surprises that beings here.

Review:

As I have probably said before, I am quite a big fan of Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time series. After learning that Brandon Sanderson would be writing the remaining books in the series after Mr. Jordan’s death, I began to follow him on Twitter and read his blog. I had never heard of him before, but trusted that Mr. Jordan’s widow would know what was best.

And so when I saw Mistborn: The Final Empire in on the shelves in the shop, I had to buy it. And how glad I am that I did.

Perhaps the most engaging thing about The Final Empire is the unique magic system. Magic users, known as Allomancers, ‘burn’ reserves of metal for different effects. For example, pewter strengthens the body, tin enhances the senses, and bronze manipulates the emotions of others. The most exciting metals are steel and iron, allowing the Allomancer to push and pull nearby metals for weapons and travel. It sounds a little complicated at first, but Sanderson does an excellent job at giving the reader information about Allomancy in easy to digest chunks without resorting to exposition.

Whilst Allomancy is the main selling point, a novel cannot be a success based just on its magic system. This presents another unique element in The Final Empire; its emphasis on character over plot.

The plot is very engaging and well-paced, revolving around a small group of thieves attempting to overthrow the thousand year reign of the Lord Ruler, but it is the personalities of these thieves that keep you hooked.

The protagonist is Vin, an initially suspicious, timid character who blossoms, thanks to the charismatic Kelsier, into an intuitive and confident woman. There is a strong sense of watching her grow, and it helps the reader’s empathy enormously.

The aforementioned Kelsier is likely to be a favourite character of many. Always smiling, confident to a fault, but learning not to be so rash, Kelsier is the driving force of the team, and also of the plot.

Each of the other members of the team of thieves has his own personality, and it is the way these personalities clash and blend that make the novel such a great read. Every character is fleshed out and easy to identify with, and you can’t help but root for this crew of vagabonds in their quest to bring an end to the Lord Ruler’s reign.

I would recommend this book to any fantasy enthusiast looking for something a little bit different. Sanderson’s style is unique and engaging, and I for one look forward to getting my hands on the rest of the books in the Mistborn trilogy.

Ratings:

Character: 10/10

Plot: 10/10

Style: 10/10

Overall: 10/10

Review: Interview with the Vampire (1976)

Title: Interview with the Vampire

Author: Anne Rice

ISBN: 978-0-7088-6073-1

First Published: 1976

Blurb:

In a darkened room a young man sits telling the macabre and eerie story of his life… the story of a vampire gifted with eternal life, cursed with an exquisite craving for human blood.

Review:

A few months ago, I happened to catch the film adaptation Interview with the Vampire on TV. It really fascinated me, the way that it deals with death and immortality, and the decadence that is inherent with vampirism. The film was enjoyable, but the book it is based on is on another level.

The main character, Louis, relates his tale to a young interviewer. His perspective on the (un)life of a vampire is one that I’d never seen before, and one that I found intriguing. He saw his transformation as romantic and tragic, coupled with the constant guilt whenever he killed. He exhibits a distance from his new life that allows him to analyse everything that happens, and it makes for very interesting reading.

All the main vampires in the novel have their own distinct personalities. Lestat epitomizes the dandy, seducing his victims and seeking luxury, Claudia exhibits elements of both Louis and Lestat, with some fascinating insights into the problems of being trapped as a 5-year-old girl for eternity, and Armand is “Gentleman Death”, mysterious and seductive. The combinations of these personalities make for exciting conflicts, and really gives the reader a sense of what it is like to be a vampire.

The plot is exciting, and there are many points in the novel where I couldn’t put it down; when Louis and Claudia finally leave Lestat, the episode in the Theatre des Vampires, the encounter with the barbaric and mindless vampires of Eastern Europe, and the final actions of Louis avenging Claudia.

The vampire mythology is cleverly used, and explained well. There are no long instances of exposition, and the reader learns more about what being a vampire really involves alongside Louis. The constant need to avoid sunlight, the nightly urge to feed, the sexuality of the vampires are iconic, and does a much better job at entertaining the reader than Stoker’s depictions in Dracula. Indeed, Rice’s novel reverses what occurs in Dracula by telling the story entirely from the vampire’s perspective. It is disturbing that they feel entirely human, yet something more.

Anne Rice’s style is as seductive as her characters. Louis, the narrator through the whole novel, is eloquent and insightful. Her language is sophisticated, but not so difficult as to exclude the reader. She does an excellent job at giving Louis a voice that spans centuries, from the seventeenth through to the present.

Interview with the Vampire is a novel that I would recommend everybody read at some point in their life. It is not simply a ‘vampire novel’, but an insightful exploration of death, immortality, morality, and sexuality. And whilst Louis may come off as a little angsty at times, none of the vampires sparkle.

Ratings:

Character: 9/10

Plot: 9/10

Style: 10/10

Overall: 9/10

And now for something completely different…

I thought I’d take a break from my reviews and make a post about something completely unrelated.

Today is one of celebration and commiseration, tears of joy and tears of disappointment; Results Day. I honestly have no idea how well I’ve done this year. There have been a lot of ups and downs in regards to studying. Hopefully more ups than downs, but again, I’m not entirely certain. If the coursework results I’ve had back so far are anything to go by, I’ve managed a 2-1. I’d be happy with that, but I don’t want to get my hopes up.

It’s also that time of year where I’m sure every student tells themselves “I’ll try harder next year.” I know I do. I plan everything out in my head. “I’ll do this many hours of studying a day. I’ll read  x amount of critical work per week. I’ll finish all my coursework at least so many days before the deadline.” Then the new year arrives. I start out with good intentions, do some wider reading, I’m really interested in the course. Then a couple of weeks in it wanes. As the work begins to pile up I’m less motivated to do it. But this year, I’ll try harder. Really.

But I’m rambling. Back to results. It’s the exams I’m worried about. At the time I felt good about what I’d written, but now I’m having doubts. I’m sure it’s just nerves talking. I hate exams. I don’t see the point in them at all.

[/rant]

They really don’t represent the capabilities of anybody. Being asked to write about at least five texts in three hours without referring to them is unrealistic. Not only do we have to remember relevant quotes from the texts themselves, but also relevant critics. And the topics are completely unknown. True, we can guess what kinds of themes will crop up in exams, but it’s still asking a lot. In what real life situation am I ever going to have to write about a text where I can’t have access to it and therefore have to do it all in three hours from memory. That’s all exams are; memory tests. I’ve never learnt anything during an exam. It’s just regurgitation.

I much prefer coursework. I don’t mind the extra work it involves since I can take my time over it. I can read extra things to fill gaps in my knowledge, or build on what I already know. I can revise what I’ve written to make sure it’s the best way to put what I’m trying to say. I actually learn things when I write essays that I didn’t know before writing them. Exams don’t offer that.

[/end rant]

With that off my chest, I’m leaving in ten minutes to collect my results. Wish me luck!

Book Review: Girl with a Pearl Earring

Title: Girl with a Pearl Earring

Author: Tracy Chevalier

ISBN: 978-0-00-723216-1

Published: Harper Collins, 1999

RRP: £7.99

Girl with a Pearl Earring, by Tracy Chevalier

Blurb:

When Griet becomes a maid in the household of the painter Johannes Vermeer, she thinks she knows her role: housework, laundry and the care of his six children. But as she becomes part of his world and his work, their growing intimacy spreads tension and deception in the ordered household and, as the scandal seeps out, into the town beyond.

Review:

Girl with a Pearl Earring falls under historical fiction, and is an excellent example of the genre. It is based around the painting of the same name by Johannes Vermeer, one that shows, as you would expect, a girl with a pearl earring. It is well-written, well-researched, and an intriguing novel.

The plot is fairly simple. Griet is a sixteen-year-old girl who has to work as a maid for the Vermeer family due to her father being unable to work as he was blinded in an accident. She is tasked with looking after the six (soon to be seven) children, doing the laundry, and other duties. However, when the master of the house takes an interest in Griet, the tension ramps up to an exciting climax at the end of the novel. Girl with a Pearl Earring applies to Vermeer’s painting a romantic conception. It is perhaps its simplicity that makes the plot so effective. It is easy to follow, and sweeps the reader along gently and with great skill.

The characters are realistic and varied. Griet, as the main character and the narrator of the novel, is likeable, if a little strange and prudent. Her psychological journey through going to a new home and falling in love with the master of the house is highly intriguing and very satisfying.

The two love-interests of the novel, the painter Johannes Vermeer and Pieter the butcher, are equally likeable, but both extremely different. Vermeer is fascinating and protective over Griet, but the reader knows he shouldn’t act on his feelings for her. Pieter, on the other hand, is less fascinating, but may ultimately be better for Griet. Both Griet and the reader have to come to their own conclusions over which man she should choose.

The women of the house form the main antagonists of the novel. Tanneke is a fellow maid, and has a changeable disposition towards Griet; she is easily offended and highly loyal her mistress. Maria Thins is the elderly matriarch-type of the house, and appears to help Griet in a very strict way. Cornelia, one of the young daughters, is spiteful, and it quickly becomes apparent that this is the character we are to hate most. Catharina is Vermeer’s wife, and distrusts Griet. She is the one that Griet must step carefully around; she is her mistress, and her master’s wife. All of these characters have their own agendas that either help or hinder Griet during the course of the book, and make for some rather surprising developments.

The style of the novel is excellent. It is not split into chapters, but there are frequent breaks between scenes that allow you to pick up and read at your leisure. The language is appropriate to the genre and the time in which the novel is set (1664-1676), yet not archaic. There are some intelligent and poetic metaphors used that bring the world to life without getting bogged down in the details.

Overall, an excellent book that I would recommend to anybody interested in modern literary fiction, art, or dangerous romance. It is an enjoyable and intriguing read.

Ratings:

Character: 9/10

Plot: 9/10

Style: 9/10

Overall: 9/10

Book Review: Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell

Title: Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell

Author: Susanna Clarke

ISBN: 978-1-4088-0344-8

First Published: 2004

Blurb:

It is 1806, the Napoleonic Wars are raging, and most people believe magic to have long since disappeared from England – until the reclusive Mr Norrell reveals his powers and becomes a celebrity overnight. When another practising magician emerges, the young and daring Jonathan Strange, he becomes Norrell’s pupil and the two join forces in the war against France. But Strange is increasingly drawn to the wildest, most perilous forms of magic and soon he risks sacrificing not only his partnership with Norrell but everything else he holds dear.

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, by Susanna Clarke

Review:

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell is a delightful novel that is truly unique. Set in the early 19th Century, and emulating the style of period, it is triumph of imagination and research.

The novel is an alternative history, set in England over a decade spanning 1806-1817. Clarke’s research is astounding. She includes historical figures such as the Duke of Wellington and Lord Byron amongst her expansive cast of characters, and they act just as you would expect. The use of footnotes and extensive references to books about magic make it possible that there is a hidden history of magic in England, and it is readily believable.

Norrell and Strange are polar opposites. Norrell is secretive, reclusive, and stubborn, whereas Strange is open, outgoing, and stubborn. The two complement each other very well, and the way their relationship develops is one of the key plots in the novel. The supporting characters are all very believable, and fleshed out well.

There are rather a lot of sub-plots that are equally important. Whilst reading the novel through, it is a little hard to see how they all link together. As the novel draws to a close, however, all these links are neatly tied up whilst still allowing room for rather interesting interpretations. As a result of the many plot-points, the novel is rather long at just over 1000 pages. The plot can feel a little slow in places, but it is a book that should be digested slowly. Whilst not a page-turner throughout, the slower parts are very enjoyable for leisurely reading.

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell has a grand scope, but it is not epic fantasy in the way that The Lord of the Rings is. It reads more like a book by Jane Austen (Clarke does an excellent job at both emulating and parodying the writing style), but with magic and fairies mixed in. Indeed, Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell is the epitome of historical-fantasy.

I would recommend the book to anybody interested in fantasy, and even those who aren’t. If you’ve read nineteenth-century novels before, then you’ll have a special appreciation for Clarke’s mastery of language and style, but it isn’t required to enjoy it. It probably isn’t suitable for younger readers, since the plot does get a little confusing, and some of the language is a little advanced. Anybody from teenagers through young adults to older readers will enjoy this novel.

I haven’t come across another book like Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, but I will keep my eyes open for more from Susanna Clarke. She has written short stories based in the same world, so there is scope for wider reading that I will look into. Overall, a fantastic book that will stick in your mind long after you’ve finished it.

Ratings:

Character: 10/10

Plot: 9/10

Style: 10/10

Overall: 10/10

Nearing the End

It’s Wednesday, and the last week of the semester. That means it’s the last week of lectures for my second year at university. I have no idea where the time’s gone.

I handed in my creative writing assignment this morning. We had to select a text and edit it, along with annotated notes and an analysis of why we did what we did. It was quite an enjoyable assignment. Since it’s what I wouldn’t mind doing as a career in the future, it was good practise and it was fun (well, as fun as far as coursework goes). I also got the formative essay I wrote for Victorian and Decadent Literature back today. I got 68, which is nearly a First. I’ve been given some good advice on how to improve, so hopefully I’ll be prepared for the exams in May!

Now I need to concentrate on revising for my French oral exam on Friday. It’s only my MOMD (Module Outside Main Discipline), but it still counts for 20 credits, so I hope I’ll do well. And after that, revision time! I finish exams before the end of May, which is great, and my exams are nicely spread out.

This afternoon I’m going to go and see Alice in Wonderland with the two greatest people ever. I may or may not write a review on it, depending on how strong an opinion I have on it. I’ve heard mixed things about it, and I’m worried that I’ll be disappointed. But I’ll go in with an open mind and have fun.

I wrote this post mainly because I noticed I hadn’t updated the blog for a couple of weeks. My life’s been pretty busy recently, and so I haven’t had much time to read for fun, hence no reviews for a while. I’m about 150 pages from the end of Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, though, so expect a review soon!

Confidence in My Abilities

I’m in a brilliant mood today.

Not only is sunshine filling my room, but I got my results back from my Creative Writing assignment, and they were better than I had expected.

I know that I could have worked a lot harder on my portfolio than I did, but at the time I was very stressed and just wanted to get it out of the way. At most I was expecting a low 2-1.

However, when I looked at the results sheet, it said I got 70%, which means I got a First! True, it’s right on the border, but still, a First is a First. I was shaking with excitement when I left the office.

I’ve read through the feedback, and it only served to boost my confidence further. The poetry lecturer here is Luke Kennard, a very talented young poet who’s been published a fair few times. It was really encouraging to know that he thinks my poetry was strong and effective. I was also happy with the comments on my prose, and it makes me realise that I do have a reasonable amount of creative talent.

Now I know what I can do when I only put in what’s required, I’ll try to over-achieve from now on. If all goes well, I’ll be graduating with a First!

Am I getting ahead of myself? No, it’s just ambition. Yay!

Results, Birthday, & No Films

This week has been interesting, if a little quiet.

It’s the third week of my semester at university. On Monday, I got my results back from my French Tandem module, and did better than I expected. I wasn’t expecting a lot. But I came away from the office rather happy with myself.

Wednesday, I stayed on campus after my morning lecture (I’m coming to the conclusion that studying Wilde at 9am really isn’t good for me) and went to the LGBTQ coffee meeting. It was fun, and I met a few new people. I stayed with people until about 16:30, when I finally got home and pretty much collapsed.

The next day I had my Editing seminar, where we got split into our ‘editorial teams’. Essentially, these are groups of five of us who have to work through poetry submissions and select some to put into an anthology. Having read through them, it’s going to be harder than I thought. Sadly, none of them seem to jump out at me as being a poem with potential. It might take a few read-throughs with a fine-tooth comb to pick out the ones that need the least work. I’m not lazy. It’s just that the vast majority are pretentious crap.

That evening, my housemate and I went out for a pub dinner and a few drinks. Well, a lot of drinks. It was a fun night with just the two of us. A ‘bonding session’, if you will. I’m sure all kinds of dark secrets were told that neither of us can now remember. Alcohol lubricates the tongue, as it were.

And then we come to today. I spoke with my parents on Skype. They’re doing well. As are the cats. Cookie (aka Derek) is the youngest at about 4 months old, and had the snip on Tuesday. It’s not made any difference to his boisterous behaviour at all; even when he came home from the vet’s he was bounding around and generally annoying the older cats as usual.

It’s Dad’s –th birthday on Wednesday. He and Mum are going to Las Vegas for a few nights to celebrate. On his actual birthday they’ll be going on a trip around the Grand Canyon in a helicopter. It should be an experience for both of them, especially Mum since she’s afraid of heights.

This evening I decided that I’d go to the LGBTQ film night, where they’re screening ‘Paragraph 175′, a documentary about the persecution of LGBTQ people during the Holocaust. Sadly, only four people turned up, and then the staff at the Guild couldn’t find the remote control for the projector. Typical. So we decided to leave it for the night. It’s a shame, since I rarely go to these things.

Oh, and it snowed quite heavily whilst I was out. It was bizarre to get back from campus to find the ground covered in a light dusting of snow. It’s nowhere near as bad as it has been, but still surprising how much has settled.

Anyway, now that I’ve bored you enough, I’ll leave this update and get on with some reading. And maybe some writing. I’ve got some ideas itching to get out. Farewell!

Wilde, Editing & A Good Book

The second week of my second semester is over. Yes, my weekend has begun, and will last until Wednesday next week. It might sound attractive to have only 4 hours of lectures per week, but when I’m spending over £3k for the year, it’s more than a tad irritating.

So I fill my time with independent studying. That’s probably what the university wants us to do, and this semester is much more fun. I have completely fallen in love with my Victorian and Decadent Literature module, and also am really looking forward to beginning my assignments for the Editing module.

This week, we studied The Picture of Dorian Gray, one of my favourite novels. My seminar tutor happens to be one of the leading Wilde experts, and I’m very happy to have him teaching us. Things I’ve learned so far about Wilde’s time is that though homosexuality acts were outlawed, there appeared to be a great number of people who were known homosexuals. I’ve also found out, somewhat to my disappointment, that Wilde wasn’t quite as witty or original as he made out. He reused a lot of his work throughout his career, and wasn’t adverse to literally cutting and pasting pages of other people’s works when giving lectures. His witticisms were never just ‘off-the-cuff’ either; apparently he would spend hours refining to make them in the quotations we know so well today.

The lecture this morning on Editing was a little less exciting, but still interesting. We practised editing a piece again, though I always seem to be put with the group that doesn’t want to do any work. Hopefully I’ll be lucky when our editing teams for the assignment are finalised.

In other, non-university-related news, I’ve been reading more of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, and interesting book by Susanna Clarke. It’s just over 1000 pages long, but I’ll hopefully finish it by the end of next week, and then I’ll write a review. I’m thoroughly enjoying it so far, and I’m looking forward to reviewing it.

This has seemed like a fairly random post, and in all honesty it is a random post. It’s been nearly a week since my last update, and I’m determined this year to post more regularly, even if I haven’t got anything in particular to say.

A Very Hectic Week

It’s been a while since I posted a blog purely about my life at university. A possible reason for this is that the Christmas holidays have only just ended. Another reason might be that I just haven’t done that much worth talking about.

This week is an exception.

I landed back in the UK at 8am on Friday morning. I didn’t get back to the house until about 10am, after a £30 taxi ride from the airport. I then slept for a few hours to try to get over some of my jetlag.

The next day, I went into Birmingham hoping to buy a new laptop. My parents had given me the money for it as a Christmas present. However, the shop I went to buy it at, and the only in the area that I could get to, had sold out, and wouldn’t have any more in stock until the next week.

So my first plan after arriving back in the UK had failed.

I had a deadline on Wednesday to finish my Creative Writing coursework; 2000 words of prose with a 1000 word analysis, and 100 lines o poetry with a 1000 word analysis. I hadn’t done much work over the holidays, so this meant I had to catch up. Needless to say I didn’t finish until the afternoon of the Tuesday. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday morning encompassed the most stressful time of my life. I nearly broke down, but struggled through to succeed in handing my essay on Wednesday morning.

Wednesday also marked my first lecture of the year; Victorian and Decadent Literature. It was a fantastic seminar, and my tutor is incredibly well-versed in the subject. He’s practically the leading expert on Oscar Wilde and his time period. I can’t wait for next week’s.

Thursday was the start of my next Creative Writing module; Editing. This was something I was really looking forward to; after all, I’d like to be an editor when I graduate. This seminar was less exciting than the last. The subject matter is all good and interesting, but the lecturer is one of the dullest. I don’t understand how she can talk for two hours and not actually say anything. But still, I’m looking forward to doing the coursework project this semester.

This week, a couple of friends and I have also been looking for a house for our final year. We spent five hours on Monday morning trapsing around the student village before finally finding one we liked. And it’s amazing. It’s much closer to campus than the house I’m in at the moment, and it’s in the centre of everything. We signed the papers this very afternoon, which was a scary, exciting and expensive activity.

Afterwards, my friend and I went into Birmingham. We both had irresitible cravings for McDonalds, and I wanted to see if I could buy my laptop. Second time lucky. I managed to buy it, turning today into a very expensive day, but a very productive one.

Let’s hope the rest of the semester is less stressful, but keeps me just as busy.