For what little I read of the first of a trilogy, It was definitely something I wouldn't finish. It has the same plot as most young adult novels with fancy names. The typical, main female character is thrown into something they don't care for and it seems like everyone is out to get them in one way or another. Examples being how the 2 other heirs are trying to kill her, all the Arani (?) hate her, and the gods want to help her for a price. Then the reason to go to Sky was to figure out her mothers murder. So, at least there's a lot going on in the story... For not getting far, I do wonder if she resolves all the questions it opened.
Then the whole thing with the Nahadoth and how he was chasing her but then kisses her before he "dies" was where I had to draw the line. I even did some research and found out it was originally called "The Sky-God's Lover". So you can already guess what one of the plot points are. As much as I love fantasy, this wasn't my cup of tea. I enjoyed Divergent more than this one, actually. Especially since the main characters always have more to offer in the end because of some connection.
But thinking of it as a young adult reader who is eager to read something with magic, action, and romance, then this is a good read. It's like fanfiction, where it's just a guilty pleasure that young readers can enjoy. It's not bad, in fact it is written better than most young adult novels I have read. The concept, however, is very cliché no matter how much she dresses it up.
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
The World of Oz: Slinkle
The task was to create a fictional environment in the world of Oz.
On the border of Winkie Country, between Futterbudget and Tottenhots, is the small town of Slinkle. The town was full of sloths who would sometimes move in ways that seemed like those of a slinkie. They tumbled and rolled in slow motions, almost carefree of the wonders of the other places in Oz. It was small, dull, with houses made of leaves and roads made of wood. The houses were all close to each other, making what seemes like a 5 minute trip at normal speed a 2 hour trip. They held slinklections, which were their way of having elections. They happened every 10 years and every citizen had to participate. However, they weren't really elections, as there was only one job and one candidate: the "Head Slink", or rather, the one who oversaw the town. The only candidate had to be related to the last.
The elections are happening today, and the candidate happens to be the young "Slinsquad", who wanted to be a soldier than a politician. He couldn't back out, he was chosen by the Elder Sloth. He didn't quite remember how he ended up as the candidate, he had 4 brothers and a sister who were much more qualified and wanted the position more than himself. Why couldn't he be a soldier, he questioned every night since his choosing. He even taught himself combat. He was getting better at it. He was finally .5 seconds faster than he was 5 years ago. It was like he was practically speeding across all of Oz. So why couldn't he be a soldier?
He would express his displeasure to his father and would always get the same response: sloths of Slinkle weren't made to be soldiers. Through the many years of establishment, not once has the town had to fight or put anyone in jail. They didn't even have a jail.
It all changed when a little girl named Dorothy skipped into their little town with a black dog to her left and a man on her right. He was strange looking, Slinsquad had never seen someone of their kind. The townsfolk of Slinkle had very few guests and didn't know how to react. They rolled away from the new creatures and would look towards Slinsquad to see if he would act. What was he to do? Half of him was scared to make contact with these guests. The other half, however, was elated to learn more of the outside world. Maybe they could tell him of soldiers.
He approached them, showing off his newfound speed. "H-Hello!" he managed to stutter. "Welcome t-to Slinkle. I-I-I'm-" He stopped himself. It was rude to not have the guests introduce themselves first.
The girl looked puzzled. Unsure if he had stopped speaking or was just pausing. For a moment they all stood in silence.
"Well, I'm Dorothy." the girl spoke up, "And this is Toto and Scarecrow." She motioned to the other two that accompanied her. She looked at the sloth with wonder. "And you are?"
He jumped a bit, "S-S-S-Slinsquad." He forced a couch to clear his throat.
"Nice to meet you!"
"Do you know where Futterbudget is?" The lanky straw filled man asked.
"F-Futterbudget?"
"Yes."
The sloth looked quizingly behind himself, to the other citizens.
"We got lost and are trying to find our way back." Dorothy begged.
He turned back to the guests, "You d-didn't pass it on your way here?"
"We don't think so."
"I-I-It's not too far from here." He pointed a hand out to the direction they came from "It's a-actually that w-w-w-way."
"Oh!"
"Are you sure?"
"Y-Yes"
The two looked at each other. "It was much appreciated, Slinsquad. Thank you!" They turned on their heels and began to skip to the entrance.
"W-Wait!"
Class Writing
On the border of Winkie Country, between Futterbudget and Tottenhots, is the small town of Slinkle. The town was full of sloths who would sometimes move in ways that seemed like those of a slinkie. They tumbled and rolled in slow motions, almost carefree of the wonders of the other places in Oz. It was small, dull, with houses made of leaves and roads made of wood. The houses were all close to each other, making what seemes like a 5 minute trip at normal speed a 2 hour trip. They held slinklections, which were their way of having elections. They happened every 10 years and every citizen had to participate. However, they weren't really elections, as there was only one job and one candidate: the "Head Slink", or rather, the one who oversaw the town. The only candidate had to be related to the last.
The elections are happening today, and the candidate happens to be the young "Slinsquad", who wanted to be a soldier than a politician. He couldn't back out, he was chosen by the Elder Sloth. He didn't quite remember how he ended up as the candidate, he had 4 brothers and a sister who were much more qualified and wanted the position more than himself. Why couldn't he be a soldier, he questioned every night since his choosing. He even taught himself combat. He was getting better at it. He was finally .5 seconds faster than he was 5 years ago. It was like he was practically speeding across all of Oz. So why couldn't he be a soldier?
He would express his displeasure to his father and would always get the same response: sloths of Slinkle weren't made to be soldiers. Through the many years of establishment, not once has the town had to fight or put anyone in jail. They didn't even have a jail.
It all changed when a little girl named Dorothy skipped into their little town with a black dog to her left and a man on her right. He was strange looking, Slinsquad had never seen someone of their kind. The townsfolk of Slinkle had very few guests and didn't know how to react. They rolled away from the new creatures and would look towards Slinsquad to see if he would act. What was he to do? Half of him was scared to make contact with these guests. The other half, however, was elated to learn more of the outside world. Maybe they could tell him of soldiers.
He approached them, showing off his newfound speed. "H-Hello!" he managed to stutter. "Welcome t-to Slinkle. I-I-I'm-" He stopped himself. It was rude to not have the guests introduce themselves first.
The girl looked puzzled. Unsure if he had stopped speaking or was just pausing. For a moment they all stood in silence.
"Well, I'm Dorothy." the girl spoke up, "And this is Toto and Scarecrow." She motioned to the other two that accompanied her. She looked at the sloth with wonder. "And you are?"
He jumped a bit, "S-S-S-Slinsquad." He forced a couch to clear his throat.
"Nice to meet you!"
"Do you know where Futterbudget is?" The lanky straw filled man asked.
"F-Futterbudget?"
"Yes."
The sloth looked quizingly behind himself, to the other citizens.
"We got lost and are trying to find our way back." Dorothy begged.
He turned back to the guests, "You d-didn't pass it on your way here?"
"We don't think so."
"I-I-It's not too far from here." He pointed a hand out to the direction they came from "It's a-actually that w-w-w-way."
"Oh!"
"Are you sure?"
"Y-Yes"
The two looked at each other. "It was much appreciated, Slinsquad. Thank you!" They turned on their heels and began to skip to the entrance.
"W-Wait!"
Class Writing
The meals at Slinkle consist of various amounts of leaves
and chutes, slightly decorated on a wooden plate. The citizens use their hands
to consume their meal, as there are no forks or spoons in the town. A bucket is
passed around the suspending table that hangs in each house by vines,
containing water for the family to sip out of. You must not take short gulps or
pass on the bucket when it is your turn. It may never come back to you again.
It is considered rude if you don’t take your time with the bucket. The sloths
may be slow but they take extra precaution when they eat.
The sloths jumble their words but aren’t really sure what to
speak of. The kids speak with each other about school and the candidate for
“Head Slink”, wondering what he is like. “I have never seen him!” says one of
the children. The father stops himself mid bite to look at his son, “You just
passed him when I took you to school.” Finishing his bite.
The “palace”, or the home that the citizens claim to be, is
just a bit bigger than the homes of the other sloths. Not too small but not big
enough to belittle it’s habitants. Things in the town stay roughly the same so
the citizens do not feel less or more than another. It’s 2 floors, instead of
one. Vines are wrapped together to create the floor of the second floor and
openings push sunlight into the palace. This is more of a place for the Head
Slink to work and meet. Not much “Furniture”, if you can call it that. They
mostly sit on the floors, which is dirt and bark from the local trees. Some
prefer to sit on a small sheet of wood of their own. There isn’t really
anything elaborate about the home. No fancy wares. However you are greeted by a
lanky sloth who will guide you around the palace.
Who has power?
The Head Slink: someone who oversees the town for 10 years
ad is chosen by the Elder Slink. The candidate must be related to the last.
There is only one candidate chosen and they are vote on by the citizens of the
town. Not that it matters, as they are only confirming the candidate as the head.
Who is weak?
Most are equal in the town. They try not to create a
hierarchy. Most consider those who are from the outside as strange.
Who wants to be powerful?
Most of the descendants want to, as it is a right of passage
to be chosen by the Elder. It is considered a great honor.
Who has magic?
No one in the town.
How is the world
affected by magic?
They tend to stay away from such things but it is
unavoidable when it comes to outside sources. The citizens do not like to
dabble with guests who appear magical in anyway. They must stay wary, afraid
that something will change their lifestyle.
Ritual?
The citizens “eat out” occasionally. Meaning they will go to
other families homes and share a meal. It’s a way for the citizens to stay in
touch with each other. A way to keep the town like a small family. It rotates
around and it’s never just one family sharing with another. There could be
multiple families who join another. Sometimes that calls for them to join
together outside and enjoy a meal and company in the open. Somewhere where the
families can chat and enjoy the company of another.
Tuesday, January 13, 2015
Divergent
I will be updating the post as I read it.
Chapters 1 - 13
The concept that a series of tests will tell you the faction you belong to is interesting. It's something that has the feel of fantasy but also reality. Not only because it is a reflection on life and it's archetypes, but because I fear the future may become like this. A place where everyone is separated. The same thing is in Hunger Games, where people are placed into sections and are separate in class. However, life was like this before, and it still is. No matter how we feel things have changed, we can't escape separation.
What I found most interesting is the factions are different archetypes. The kind with the kind and the smart with the smart. Everyone adopts one singular way of life. That's what actually makes the story so powerful. Everyone is stuck in this way of living and once they are coming of age, they get to choose to stay with their family in their faction, or transfer to the one that they show more personality in. For Beatrice, or rather Tris, she showed qualities in multiple factions. However, this is seen as dangerous and she must keep quiet about it, which makes her choice in a faction difficult. She's more real.
I like to think about it like High School. Where everyone has their little groups of friends that are all the same and don't really venture out of it. However, there are students who don't feel they fit in just one group and bounce around to friends from different cliques. I can say that as I was one of them. Someone who moved around because I had friends in these different groups and connected with each of them, despite them being different from each other. The story it self is so real but feels very sci-fi. That's where I stop, as I feel the story has so much potential but isn't taking full advantage of the depth it possesses. I hope to see the book take an interesting twist that it literally makes me fall to the floor in pain, just like Tris getting punched around by Peter.
Class Discussion
Type - A persona, such as a salesman or and orphan, in which a trait is magnified to create a character.
Stereotype -A pre-concieved notion that was developed based on how a type has been rendered. It has not been observed.
Archetype -
Creating a Character
Wheel of Fortune
Dominate Trait: Authority
Opposite Trait: Follower/Doubt
Complimentary Trait: Intelligence
A person who believes they must enforce a way of thinking. However it is not always good, and rather a gamble. A bit bipolar, where their personality can differ time to time. I can see them as a police officer, as they have a set of rules and laws to follow and enforce, a sense of Authority. Not quite ruling, like a boss, but still smart. They may lead, but are more of the following type, as seen on how they treat those in and outside the profession. They lead those outside, but follow the ones internally. This is why they are not a leader.
When confronting someone in a store, possibly shoplifting, they are quick to capture the suspect but aren't brash enough to take them in. They question witnesses and the suspect themselves to make sure there isn't a misunderstanding, warning each of them the consequences of lying. He examines the store and the gestures of those he speaks to. As much as he would hate to take the young one to the station, he knows he must. It was something he was told to do, no matter what. He takes the shoplifter, hesitating, but then with reassurance and a bit of force. The kid questions, proclaiming how it wasn't his fault. "It wasn't me. It wasn't me." The cop's mind spins. What should he do? What can he do? He was trained to know what to do in these situations. Told by his superiors. He knew the kid was lying, they all do. He couldn't let him break him, he was smarter than that.
Chapters 1 - 13
The concept that a series of tests will tell you the faction you belong to is interesting. It's something that has the feel of fantasy but also reality. Not only because it is a reflection on life and it's archetypes, but because I fear the future may become like this. A place where everyone is separated. The same thing is in Hunger Games, where people are placed into sections and are separate in class. However, life was like this before, and it still is. No matter how we feel things have changed, we can't escape separation.
What I found most interesting is the factions are different archetypes. The kind with the kind and the smart with the smart. Everyone adopts one singular way of life. That's what actually makes the story so powerful. Everyone is stuck in this way of living and once they are coming of age, they get to choose to stay with their family in their faction, or transfer to the one that they show more personality in. For Beatrice, or rather Tris, she showed qualities in multiple factions. However, this is seen as dangerous and she must keep quiet about it, which makes her choice in a faction difficult. She's more real.
I like to think about it like High School. Where everyone has their little groups of friends that are all the same and don't really venture out of it. However, there are students who don't feel they fit in just one group and bounce around to friends from different cliques. I can say that as I was one of them. Someone who moved around because I had friends in these different groups and connected with each of them, despite them being different from each other. The story it self is so real but feels very sci-fi. That's where I stop, as I feel the story has so much potential but isn't taking full advantage of the depth it possesses. I hope to see the book take an interesting twist that it literally makes me fall to the floor in pain, just like Tris getting punched around by Peter.
Class Discussion
Type - A persona, such as a salesman or and orphan, in which a trait is magnified to create a character.
Stereotype -A pre-concieved notion that was developed based on how a type has been rendered. It has not been observed.
Archetype -
Creating a Character
Wheel of Fortune
Dominate Trait: Authority
Opposite Trait: Follower/Doubt
Complimentary Trait: Intelligence
A person who believes they must enforce a way of thinking. However it is not always good, and rather a gamble. A bit bipolar, where their personality can differ time to time. I can see them as a police officer, as they have a set of rules and laws to follow and enforce, a sense of Authority. Not quite ruling, like a boss, but still smart. They may lead, but are more of the following type, as seen on how they treat those in and outside the profession. They lead those outside, but follow the ones internally. This is why they are not a leader.
When confronting someone in a store, possibly shoplifting, they are quick to capture the suspect but aren't brash enough to take them in. They question witnesses and the suspect themselves to make sure there isn't a misunderstanding, warning each of them the consequences of lying. He examines the store and the gestures of those he speaks to. As much as he would hate to take the young one to the station, he knows he must. It was something he was told to do, no matter what. He takes the shoplifter, hesitating, but then with reassurance and a bit of force. The kid questions, proclaiming how it wasn't his fault. "It wasn't me. It wasn't me." The cop's mind spins. What should he do? What can he do? He was trained to know what to do in these situations. Told by his superiors. He knew the kid was lying, they all do. He couldn't let him break him, he was smarter than that.
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