"Angel's Flight" By Nalini Singh

Angel's Flight is a collection of 4 short stories that fit into the world of Nalini's second series. We do not see, in any of them, much of either of the main characters Elena and Raphael, as the stories are ones based around things that are "back ground" stories in the main books. Thing's that we may hear hint's of but not get the actual details.
The first one, "Angel's Pawn" is about Ashwini, and her her irritating Cajun vamp as they visit the territory of Nazarach. An Angel who to a woman with the sixth sense like Ash, feel's like death and pain.
It's great because you never get to actually meet Janvier in the books. Only hear about him. So it's nice getting to see what he's like. It's a bit hard to place the timing of when the story happens, but I think it's just before the first book, "Angel's Blood".

Second story, "Angel's Judgement" is of Sarah, Ellie's best friend and Guild Director, and Deacon when they first meet. If that's not enough to entice you, I say 'You'll never guess what his job was before they got together.' Something about Slaying......!?

Third, "Angel's Wolf" is about Noel. A vampire that we meet in the second book who was found brutalised by the evil person. It's a miracle that he survived, and last we hear of him is I think in the beginning of the third book when Raphael tell's Elena that he's sent him to work for the Master Angel of Louisiana for a while, as it was a good place for him to heal. "Angel's Wolf" tell us what happens to Noel once he get's there. Something which I have been quite curious about for a while, and which made buying the book worth it almost all on it's own.

Last but not least is "Angel's Dance. This one is more a short Novel then a short story really, and takes up just over a third of the book. Not that I'm complaining. It is about how Galen first came to be one of Raphael's people, and how he and Jessamy -the Angel's Keeper of History- came to be together. A fact that is even less mentioned then anything about Noel. The only hint of it is when Elena see's him going in to visit her and draws the conclusion that they must be a couple. You also get to see what Raphael's Archangel Tower and the territory around it looked like four hundred years ago. Not to mention a glimpse of what it was like to be in his court only a century after he'd come into his power. We see Aodhan before whatever happened happened. It's nice to know he was once an innocent youth.
And if anyone was interested in finding out how Michaela rose to power, or who the Archangel who came before her was, then that's in there.

All around, good stuff.

"The Magicians of Caprona" By Diana Wynne Jones

You can tell I have had nothing much to do but read these past couple of days, since this is going to be my 3rd post in 30 or so hours.

The Magicians of Caprona is a very entertaining story that starts -note I say starts- off a bit like Romeo and Juliet, with to very respectable feuding families. But it's not about romance at all. It  focuses on the younger members of each family as they try to stop the adults from being stupid, and Chrestomanci is once again left with a big mess to clean up.

If it were juice I would have dipped in a straw, and sucked steadily down to the last dregs. Barely pausing to breathe.
I live for books.

"Charmed Life" By Diana Wynne Jones

This book is actually a few books ahead of "The Pinhoe Egg" in the Chrestomanci series that I posted about around a week back. It's the first one that Cat comes into in fact.

In contrast to the Pinhoe egg, this is not one of my favorite Diana books. This was actually the first time I've reread it. Not because it's a bad read or anything, but because of Cat's sister, Gwendolen. She's a nasty piece of work. I tell you.
And I don't like the way Chrestomanci deals with the whole situation. It's not one of his best moments..

One thing that is fascinating is that you see in detail a lot of Chrestomanci's dressing gowns. Quite amusing really. I'd almost forgotten just how extravagant they all are. By the time the other books come around, Cat has gotten somewhat used to them, and does not notice them so much.

"Black Maria" by Diana Wynne Jones

This is another book by Diana. One that I had put off reading for a while, because the title and cover promised that it would have a dark theme to it. I try to stay away from books like that, with psychological war fair and so on. My own brain doesn't react well to it.
But, I am out of money and new books to read. So, thinking of how I have yet to read a book by Diana that was actually mentally damaging, I went into my sisters room yesterday to pick it up.
And it was ok.
It did have a little scary bit with a ghost, (don't worry, that's not a spoiler. He gets mentioned in the first chapter) but even that can't really be classified as scary.

It will never be one of my favorite books, mainly because it's not my type, but Diana certainly demonstrated with it her ability to make engaging even that which you thought wouldn't interest you.

The Pinhoe Egg. by Diana Wynne Jones

Dianna was a genius with pen and paper as far as I'm concerned. (I use the word 'was', because sadly she passed away last year.................... A moment of quiet in respect.....................)

I have yet to read one of her books that I didn't like, and 'The Pinhoe Egg' is my favorite of the lot. 

Hmm, I'm having trouble describing what I liked about it without giving away spoilers, so I'll start by saying the simple things and hopefully that will put some wind in my sails.

• It's aimed at a younger audience, but it's enjoyable for everyone.
• Her writing stile is simple but engaging. It has a steady rhythm to it that manages to remain constantly "new" yet not overwhelming. 
• It's part of the Chrestomanci series about Chrestomanci who is a very powerful enchanter, who's job it is to police other magic users so that the don't misuse it.
  'The Pinhoe Egg' is about Erik Chant - aka Cat - who is in training to be the next Chrestomanci.

I would definitely recommend it to anyone. 

And that's pretty much all I can say about it I think without turning this into a spoiler version.

The Fellowship of the Ring. by J.R.R. Tolkien

Two days ago, (I didn't have a computer on me at the time, so I wrote what I thought down on a note book. Which I will now copy onto here.) I finished reading Part 1 of "The Lord of the Rings", and I tell you it was a bite and a half.
It took me 5 days to finish. Though even with the fact that it had small font, usually that size of book would only have taken me 2, maybe 3 days at most.
Having said that though I did enjoy it very much.

For years, people have been telling me that it is a great book but really hard to read, and that Tolkien rambled on a bit about scenery etc., taking ages to get to the point.
I did feel this a bit as I was reading. Though I think it does make sense, as he originally made these books as a place for his made up language (the eleven language) to exist. In a sense the world and the culture of the people where more important then the main characters.
In opposition to that theory however, there was a jarring note when it came to directions. To give you an example; In the beginning when the four hobbits are going through the Old Forest, they start off facing East, then turn 'right' towards North.
If you are facing East and turn right, you are going South.

This, among other things, makes me think that Tolkien was a person who "heard the words" (in his mind as he read) rather then saw the pictures that they represented.
What I mean, is that when reading most people(as far as I know most people) picture what is happening in their mind. This way, it can be almost as though they are watching the story rather then reading it.
Tolkien on the other hand was, I think, among those who enjoyed the flow of the words and how they formed ideas. - As I am not one of these people, I'm not rightly sure how it works. -

I must admit, the way he strung the words together was beautiful. Lord of the Rings is one story which I wouldn't mind getting in audio. Though usually I like to read the book myself, I have a feeling that it would be great to listen to.

I loved his songs. One person who told me about the books described them in the same category as his long descriptions of the scenery's, but I loved them. I could almost hear the people singing.
Every time I came to the songs, I would sing them out loud just to hear them, and they would make their own rhythm on my tongue. No effort required on my part.
-Side Note. Maybe Tolkien would have been able to become a great Bard if those things were still around.-

As to the movie, I haven't seen it in a while, but I still think it is one of the best book based movies ever to be made. And maybe Tolkien's slow but steady pace had something to do with that.

NightSeer by L. K. Hamilton

This book is the Debut Novel by one of my favorite author's.
I've been curious for some time about it, and so when I saw it at the book store I couldn't resist.

I am Happy to say that I liked it very much. The only problem I had with it was that it didn't really feel finished to me, and I know it doesn't have a sequel.
I would like to see a bit more of the relationship between Keleios and Lothor. Also, I would like to see him defend his actions in the beginning of the book a bit. Because under all that devil-may-care attitude, I think he does have his reasons, (what is happening back home for example) and I think he actually does care for her very much.
Otherwise yeah, I loved it.

For Love and Mercy.

“For love and mercy, I give you this coin.” I told the young girl standing in front of me. Her eyes widened as she took it, and no wonder, it was no ordinary coin that I gave her. “You know what this is?” I wanted to be sure.

“I, I do.” She said. Her eyes never left the coin.

I was satisfied. “Then take it. Take it and use it well.”

The girl, who was also one of the only trustworthy spies I had left, bowed, and made her exit.

The man who stood behind me shifted his weight. I knew he wasn’t certain of my wisdom in doing what I had done, but he said nothing, so I let it pass as well. I was certain.

                                                       

I left the Queens rooms, still trembling. My heart was beating so fast I could barely breathe. Not to mention I wanted to cry. I have no idea how I made it back to my rooms. Only that I got there.

Once I was out of view I let myself cry a bit, then I collected myself.  The Queen had entrusted me with something beyond precious, and if I was going to guard it as she wished, then preparations had to be made.

First things first, I wrote a letter to my sister. I didn’t say anything out right. I asked about how things were going at home, hinted that perhaps spying wasn’t the work for me after all and that maybe I’d find some other work. Then I said that I had a friend who was looking to travel in the direction of home, and would my sister like to house them for a couple of nights.

Anyone who didn’t know me would think nothing of it. My sister however, did know me, and knew that I loved being a spy. I would never give it up. And cows crap on the “friends coming to stay” nonsense. A spy made enemies. I would never tell anyone, not even those I most trusted, where my loved ones lived.

The next couple of my days were spent at the markets, buying food and plain but worm cloths for travel. I also took out what money I could carry from the bank and secured a place on caravan that was going the way I wanted.

I noticed some people trying to trail me, but not for nothing was I one of the crowns youngest spies. I’m certain that I didn’t let them see me at anything of importance.

It was on the third day that anything of interest happened. It was early morning, and I was putting last minute touches on my packing when there was a knock on the door. It was Lester. I didn’t wait for him to say anything, just slammed the door in his face.

“Now, that’s not very nice love.” He called through the door.

“I haven’t been your love in a long time.” I called back as I fastened the straps on the pack I was taking, and did a last check to make sure I hadn’t forgotten anything. It didn’t bother me that he was at the door of my room. I had other ways out.

Then a knock came from the wall behind my bed, and another from my sealing.

I stowed my bag out of sight. Gods curse him if he made me late for my caravan. I yanked the door open, “What?”

“Touchy.” He was leaning on the frame of my door, an easy smile on his lips.

I glared at him. His smile widened, “Can’t old friends come see each other once in a while? To see how you’re doing and all?”

“If you were coming for a friendly visit Lester, you wouldn’t have had me blocked in.” I said.

He shrugged. “So tell me what you’ve been up to these past couple of days.” He said.

Something clicked in my brain, “It was you who set the watches on me.”

He shrugged again.

“You’re falling in standards Lester. Time was you’d never have been scared to do work yourself. Especially if you know you can do better, and those that trailed me were defiantly not up to our standards.”

“You’re right. But I also respect your abilities Bella, and you would have seen my face from a mile off. No?”

We stared at each other for a minute. Then I let out a breath, “I’m not up to anything, I threw those trackers because I wanted to do my shopping in peace. I think I have a right to that.” I said.

Lester’s eyes narrowed “Don’t play with me Bella. You’re one of the only people here left who is still working for the Queen without being a double agent. I know that she talked to you two days ago, and that you haven’t sat still since. Talk.”

I nearly laughed. “Lester, you know better than anyone where my loyalties lie. As I recall, it was a dispute on that matter which ended our relationship.” But I opened the door wider, “Why don’t you come in at least, tell your other friends to come in as well. We can have another healthy argument about it, since it seems I can’t get you to leave.”

He called to his friends out of hiding as I took my special cups down and filled then with drink. I noticed that one of the men was one that had been set trail me these past two days. He was looking less than happy at having to had to listen to two people insult his work.

We all sat around the table, I raised my cup “To honesty, and the future.” I said. Then took a big gulp of the drink to show it wasn’t poisoned.

They echoed me and drank. I smiled at Lester. He frowned at my happy smile, then jumped as his friends slumped in their seats. He tried to stand and curse me but the potion took effect and he keeled over onto the floor instead.

The drink hadn’t in fact been poisoned, but in case of something like this ever happening, I had recently taken to painting a powerful sleeping draft onto the insides of half of my cups. They wouldn’t wake for at least 5 hours.

I stared at Lester for a moment, “You didn’t learn all of my secrets while we went out old friend.” I shook my head. Lester was a friend no more, and I had a job to get on with.

I shouldered my pack and walked out my door. It didn’t matter that Lester and his friends would wake there. I had long since gotten rid of anything that could be used against me or my Queen.

                                                       

I watched Bella approach the two guards in my scrying bowl. They stiffened as she approached, but she held out the coin I had given her. They eyed it, and were confused, understandably, but since the coin was also spelled to burn the hand that held it unless I had given it to the holder willingly, they did not question her.

Into my baby’s rooms she went. The crown princess was awake, giggling at the magical bubbles her nurse maid had left floating above her to keep her happy.

Bella approached her, and immediately started crooning a Lullaby. She mixed in with it a soothing magic that had Ariel asleep within minutes.

I watched her open her pack and take out clothes and a cloth that common Mothers might use to dress their little ones.

She took Ariel’s fine silks off her, and replaced them with the ones she had brought. The blanket was magic. As soon as my babe was swaddled in it, she disappeared.

I could only tell where she was from the curve Bella’s arms made as she lifted her.

I let tears fall as she neatly put away the clothes my baby had been wearing, and cried out right when she made an illusion to go where my babe had been. It looked just like my Ariel as she was when she was sleeping. It would be hours before someone noticed her missing.

I wanted to run screaming from my rooms “Child thief!!” It was not fair, seeing as I had asked Bella to do this for me, but I didn’t want my baby to grow up not knowing me. Only the knowledge that I could not protect her stopped me.

I watched Bella leave the rooms with the invisible Ariel in her arms. I knew that I could not have chosen a better guardian and Mother for my child.

New directions in Life. Ski, Books, or other work.

Ok, so this post isn't a story or a review.
Just, me.

It's been a year since I finished High School. Over a year, really.
I don't wont to go to Uni, that much I'm sure of.

As for what I want to do with my life, well, I know I want to do something with books.
That's one reason I started this Blog. It would be great if I could do something to do with that, but there isn't much in the way of jobs in that area.
'round the beginning of this year, my Mother got fed up with my doing almost nothing but eat and read, and she told me to get a job, or go to Uni.

So I began looking for jobs.

This was around the beginning of April.

Right before that though,(in February) I had tried to start a book club in order to find people here in Malaysia who love reading as much as I do.
It didn't go well. A few people expressed interest, but did not come.

I sent out applications to Ski resorts in New Zealand to begin with. Living in Malaysia, I have had as much of Summer as I want, and I loved to ski as a kid.
I would love the chance to do it again. I also considered going on a Ski instructor course. That would be the experience of a life time as far as I'm concerned.
But it is very expensive, even without considering how much getting my own ski gear and feeding myself for 10 weeks with no income.
I could get out a lone, but I'd really rather not do that unless I had no other choice what so ever.
Plus, you know, I haven't skied since I was 12. I think. 13 at most.
Even that wasn't any professional stuff.
So I decided to do that maybe next year, once I've had the chance to save some money and hopefully done some more skiing practice in the mean time.

But the question arose, what if I didn't manage to get a job in a Ski resort? There were hundreds, or for the bigger places thousands, of applicants every year to get a job at the ski resorts and not half that many positions.
What was I to do? Sit on my but until the Northern half of the world went into winter and try them? It would be even harder for me to get work there, because I'd need a permit.
My goal of going getting an instructor qualification seemed suddenly to be so so far away.

Maybe if I got normal seasonal work for a few months I could at least save some money, then I could tackle the problem of getting work up north for their winter when that time got here. That problem would be there weather I got work in a NZ ski resort or not. I thought, one bridge at a time.
So I also sent in some applications for seasonal work.

Here is where that reading club comes in. ( I know that it must of seemed really random earlier, when I mentioned for no apparent reason a book club that didn't go anywhere.) Over the past week, and especially the last two days, I have suddenly run into a whole lot of people who love the idea of a book club.
I was all for trying that again. I hadn't heard back from any of the people that I'd sent an application to, except for one rejection, and after all, the direction of books is where I really want to go in life.

Here is where the twist comes in.
I woke up this morning to an e-mail from one of the seasonal work places saying they want more information, such as when I'll next be in their area.
Hopeful sign?
Maybe. But now the question is, do I want to go and do seasonal work, or do I want to pursue the reading and writing part of my life.
Seasonal work would mean that I get to save some money, and maybe do the ski course next year, but if I go now, I might be giving up the chance to create some friends that are interested in the kind of thing that I am interested in.

So which way do I go?

The one thing that is clear is that I need to work on this blog allot more. I shall make it a rule from now on. I must not pick up a new book until I have spoken of it on here.

I am reading 'The Fellowship of the Ring' right now. (For those of you who live with your head stuffed under a pillow, that's the 1st book in 'Lord of the Rings'. And if you're still lost after I say that, then I say "Congratulations! Your time machine works brilliantly. Welcome to the 21st century.) So I should be doing a post on that in 2 ~ 3 days at most.

Sincerely, if perhaps not articulately,
Saaski