Troy

Adele Geras

B/B+

{Summary found on Wikipedia.com} :  The plot focuses on several women of Troy, and they range from powerful rich maidens to the servant girls who live in the town. The women all suffer in emotional ways with the decade long war at the center of their pain. Orphan sisters Xanthe and Marpessa live in Priam’s palace as maids and surrogate daughters to Andromache and Helen, respectively. Andromache is Hectors wife and mother to Astynax whom Xanthe cares for like her own child. Marpessa “sees” the gods meaning when they come to visit only she and a few select others can see them. Marpessa keeps to herself because she knows by telling people she sees the gods they will label her disturbed like Hector’s sister Cassandra.

The story picks up steam when Eros hits Xanthe with a silver-blue arrow, while she is working in the Blood room. The Blood Room is a place where the fallen soldiers are taken to be nursed back to health. Xanthe falls in love with Alastor, who then impregnates Marpessa all because of the desire of Aphrodite, who longs for any entertainment other than the war. Polyxena, a friend of the two sisters , is hopelessly in love with Iason who is hell bent on being with Xanthe. All of these love affairs have one thing in common. They are about to be thrown into a tail loop towards the end of the war.

In another subplots, Andromache rues the day her husband Hector is slain on the battlefield. She blames his younger brother Paris for the war because he is said to have stolen Helen from her husband the Greek king. She convinces herself that not only Helen is a trollop but that her ultimate goal is to bed Hector himself.

Intertwined in these complex love triangles are visits from the gods themselves. Artemis, Mars, Poseidon, Ares, and Pallas Athene appear in visions to reveal their plans to the characters- and to the reader-but each person they visit does not remember the conversation shortly after it happens.

Geras fills in the holes between each of the subplots with gossip from the servants of Priam’s palace. They serve as the Greek chorus and converse among themselves with how lazy Helen is or how estranged from her family Andromache is. Eventually the story winds down with the inevitable wooden horse and sack of Troy.

Geras shines as a storyteller and multi subplot manager. She carefully scripts each plot to tell the inner feelings of the Trojan woman. The reader knows how the story ends (the rape and pillage of Troy) but what keeps him reading is the interest in the characters dreams and ultimate futures. I continued reading because I wanted to see how Aphrodite excused her ill fated attempts at bringing passion to the servants lives. I read because I wanted to find out the how Andromache handles both tragedies that befall her. I kept reading because Geras has scripted a damn fine book.

Ideally everyone should read this book but advances YA readers and Adults themselves will have a better appreciation of the book. The book is told from the viewpoint of the people of Troy, which is something you don’t see very often. Several parts of the book are violent especially the details of the sack of Troy. There are no detailed sexual situations except of course for Paris leering at all of the servants and Marpessa meeting Alastor in the woods. However, there are some situations where its obvious the characters are about to have sex but Geras refrains from glorifying the actual act. Marpessa contemplates having an abortion when she discovers she is pregnant which is something parents may have to decide if that?s an issue they want their kid reading about.

The book is written with so much emotion that’s its easy to get lost in the feelings of the Trojan women and not notice the hours slipping away. Geras major strengths are her character development as several of the characters take a surprising turn at the end of the book. For example I thought I knew how the Helen character was going to be portrayed but Geras surprised me. The realism of the tale is enchanting and I marveled at the way Geras wove raw human emotions of lust, friendship, love, hopes, dreams, and utter despair.

The Book of Mordred

The Book of Mordred by Vivian Vande Velde

by Vivian Vande Velde

Before this novel the most I’d heard about King Arthur and the knights of the round table came from the 1998 movie Merlin (directed by Steve Barron and starring Sam Neill), the Whoopi Goldberg movie A Knight in Camelot, and our readings in English class, including “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.”

This was an interesting book and gives even more insight into the life of people and mythology from these times.  The writing style and voice is not quite to my liking, but I enjoyed the book more when I got to the part narrated by Keira. (This book is divided into three parts, each narrated by a different woman [Alayna, Nimue, and Keira] who was important in Mordred’s life.  They take us on separate adventures.)

The part with Nimue is very interesting. I did not imagine a blonde-haired witch with the habit of second-guessing herself for Merlin’s wife, and I didn’t like how Nimue got between Alayna and Mordred. I was really routing for that couple.

As the inside cover summary warns, this is a different interpretation than the usual Arthur legends.  It is a focus on the villain, Mordred, not so much a villain in this version, and actually a part of the knights of the round table.  I liked this alternative look at the dashing rogue, but I was looking for a little more depth in his reasoning and the factors that contributed to tipping points in his thinking and actions.

But things are definitely different.  From HomeschoolBuzz.com: “Lancelot is not a hero, and Mordred is simply a misunderstood, strong, charismatic, and likeable old fellow.”  And new characters are introduced.  You probably didn’t recognize the names Alayna and Keira, they’re new, and so is an evil wizard named Halbert.

(Details about the ending are hidden below, stop here to avoid plot spoilers!)

The Glass Word

by Kai Meyer

Completing the trilogy of the Dark Reflections series, The Glass Word reveals all the mysteries readers wondered about.  My biggest concern was: How could that entire world be enslaved?  Except for Venice the alternate view of our Earth seemed almost devoid of life, and at first even the Venetians weren’t too worried.  Now in The Glass Word we meet people from Czechoslovakia, the sea, and Egypt and hear of others elsewhere when Summer is freed.

I particularly liked the concept of Summer and Winter trying to find each other.  And the fact that Junipa was okay in the end and did not give in to the Light.  Her and Merle’s travels through the mirrors will certainly be interesting.  I hope Vermithrax, the great obsidian lion, finds his people.  I enjoyed his character, so strong, almost nothing could hurt him, and he was a guiding strength. 

It was nice to have defined the exact parameters of the epic battle between the Light and good forces.  Finally the story makes sense!  I still don’t get the relationship between Lord Light, Lalapeya, and Merle.

One thing though, that I’m sure readers everywhere scratched their heads about: why did Serafin have to die?  Was it too inconvenient to have him around anymore?  Is a happy ending too cliché?

Anyway a very interesting book.  A mixed bag of ideas that give one pause.

Singer to the Sea God

by Vivien Alcock

Excellent book.  I read it a while ago, but from my memory of it I loved the pacing and excitement and ideas.  As an ardent mythical-story lover, this is gold.

“It is said that if one stares at the head of Medusa, he or she will turn to stone, but Cleo, not believing the legend, does just that and is instantly turned into a statue! Now her brother Phaidon and uncle are on a grand adventure that takes them through ancient Greece as they attempt to turn Cleo back into a mortal. Will Phaidon’s song to the sea god have the power to bring Cleo back to life?” ~ InternetBookList

Oh dear, no picture to be found.  I may have to scan in my copy and upload it.

Une autre fable par Jean de la Fontaine

Le Loup et le Chien
I have discovered a book of fables by Jean de la Fontaine that my sister used in college.  It is surprising and thrilling to find that I know many of the tales from childhood, I just didn’t know the author.  Now I can read them in French (fairly well) and marvel at the rhyme that was lacking before.

Un Loup n’avait que les os et la peau,
      Tant les chiens faisaient bonne garde.
Ce Loup rencontre un Dogue aussi puissant que beau,
Gras, poli, qui s’était fourvoyé par mégarde.
       L’attaquer, le mettre en quartiers,
       Sire Loup l’eût fait volontiers;
       Mais il fallait livrer bataille,
       Et le mâtin était de taille
       À se défendre hardiment.
       Le Loup donc l’aborde humblement,
Entre en propos, et lui fait compliment
       Sur son embonpoint, qu’il admire.
       « Il ne tiendra qu’à vous, beau sire,
D’être aussi gras que moi, lui repartit le Chien.
       Quittez les bois, vous ferez bien:
       Vos pareils y sont misérables,
       Cancres, hères et pauvres diables,
Dont la condition est de mourir de faim.
Car quoi? rien d’assuré: point de franche lippée;
       Tout à la pointe de l’épée.
Suivez-moi: vous aurez un bien meilleur destin. » 
Le Loup reprit: « Que me faudra-t-il faire?
- Presque rien, dit le Chien: donner la chasse aux gens
       Portant bâtons, et mendiants;
Flatter ceux du logis, à son maître complaire:
       Moyennant quoi votre salaire
Sera force reliefs de toutes façons,
       Os de poulets, os de pigeons,
       Sans parler de mainte caresse. » 
Le loup déjà se forge une félicité
       Qui le fait pleurer de tendresse.
 Chemin faisant, il vit le col du Chien pelé.
« Qu’est-ce là? lui dit-il. – Rien. – Quoi? rien? – Peu de chose.
- Mais encor?  - Le collier dont je suis attaché 
De ce que vous voyez est peut-être la cause.
- Attaché? dit le Loup: vous ne courez donc pas
Où vous voulez? – Pas toujours; mais qu’importe?
- Il importe si bien, que de tous vos repas
       Je ne veux en aucune sorte,
Et ne voudrais pas même à ce prix un trésor. »
Cela dit, maître Loup s’enfuit, et court encor. 

A rhyhmic translation of the last few lines:
“It ought to be a precious price
Which could to servile chains entice;
For me, I’ll shun them while I’ve wit.’
So ran Sir Wolf, and runneth yet.”
~ www.jdlf.com

Release: Brisingr, Sept 20

So, the third book in the Inheritance series came out this weekend.  I don’t know if there was a book event or not, sadly I was busy working. :(  But here’s an excerpt on msn.com for your reading pleasure:

Excerpt: Fantasy novel ‘Brisingr’

Cover of Brisingr

The Battle of the Labyrinth

The Battle of the Labyrinth
by Rick Riordan

Awesome! More rip-roaring fun from author Rick Riordan in this 4th book of the series. Here’s an author who really shines in the gradual culmination of a larger plot; his individual books shine on their own yet move smoothly toward the final goal. I love all the mythological facts and quirks he includes in the story, plus the trip through America’s greatest places.

lol, found this snippet of conversation on Book Dweeb’s blog:
___________________________
kawzmikgirl Says:
Apr 8, 2008 at 11:04 pm

Is this series REALLY worth my time? LOL No, but really. Is it good?

Team Edward!
———

Book Dweeb Says:
Apr 8, 2008 at 11:41 pm

You HAVE to check out this series if:

a. you like mythology at all
b. you like funny things
c. you are breathing

So, yeah, it is REALLY worth your time.

Oh, and…Team Jacob!
_____________________________

That was back in May when the book came out. I think it’s so funny how the Twilight series unites readers everywhere…
I love Book Dweeb’s blog, his/her critiques are informative yet succinct, telling me what I want to know. For instance, the next book I check out will be “Dragon Slippers” by Jessica Day George, a recent post. :)

Summary of Battle of the Labyrinth: “Even Camp Half-Blood isn’t safe, as Kronos’s army prepares to invade its once impenetrable borders. To stop them, Percy and his friends must set out on a quest through the Labyrinth — a sprawling underground world with surprises and danger at every turn. Along the way Percy will confront powerful enemies, find out the truth about the lost god Pan, and face the Titan lord Kronos’s most terrible secret. The final war begins . . . with the Battle of the Labyrinth.”

Crispin: At the Edge of the World

Crispin: At the Edge of the World
by Avi

Oh my goodness. Could this book be any more unfortunate? So depressing! How did the decision get made to kill off Bear, Crispin’s one link to reality on earth? And this book felt like one giant segue; they talk about going to the ‘edge of the world’ and then in the very last few paragraphs, “Well, I guess we’re going to the edge of the world.” Like that wasn’t already determined… can we get to some substance to match the title already?

What this book does have are good glimpses of life in the olden days of England. That part was very interesting, talking about the different regions, how people move around, the conflicts with France.

Maybe the last book will wrap everything up and actually make sense.

the Chronicles of Narnia

by C.S. Lewis

I started this series a while ago, at the wee age of 12 or so, the age when every young person picks up this series with delight. But I didn’t fall rapturously in love with it. I had this weird thing against chintzy old stories of English kids, like Narnia and another book called The Amulet (which I refused to read, and still have not read to this day, maybe it’s next).  But this summer I decided to finish it.

I found the rest of the books very interesting and full of scintillating story details and frankly transparent views on religion.  My favorite books in the series are The Horse and His Boy and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.

In The Last Battle, the end was slightly shocking when it was revealed that the children had died and entered heaven.  I’m glad C.S. Lewis let one of the true-hearted Telmarines into heaven, but he was still very biased against people of different religions.

All in all this is a very creative series and one necessary to read because it is such a famous series in literature history.

The Hero and the Crown

The Hero and the Crown
by: Robin McKinley

Love it love it love it! This was a precursor to The Blue Sword, also a very good book. What surprised me the most was how different they were. I like parts of this one better, but there are parts of the other book I wouldn’t give up either. I don’t like the beginning of The Blue Sword, I thought it was like mid-1800’s, and then the whole scene and mood changes throughout the book, which I found very confusing.

In The Hero and the Crown I hate how inevitable everything seems to be. She just had to fight the dragon by herself, she just couldn’t recover, she had to go up the staircase for centuries, she had to come back at the very last minute. Also, why did king Arlbeth have to die?

I do like how the author handled Aerin’s mortal and not-quite-mortal sides, and the fact that Aerin could live a full life and still go back to love Luthe. I was really dreading her final decision.

It would be interesting to read a story continueing this one, where we get to see how strong Aerin’s magic really is. Now that I’ve read this book I want to go back and read The Blue Sword, a lot of things will make more sense. But I still advise that you read the Blue Sword first, then The Hero and the Crown.