On My Wishlist #7

This is a fun weekly event hosted by

Carolyn at  Book Chick City,

 and runs every Saturday.

Each participating blogger features books 

s/he hasn't actually bought yet,
but desperately wants to read,

because the plots sound so very fascinating!

These books can be either newly-published,

to be released in the near future,

or they might have been in print for several years.

In my particular case, any books I place

on my wish list are strictly the print versions,

since I do not read ebooks. 

Here are my choices for this week!

The Swan Kingdom

Zoe Marriott

Trade Paperback, 288 pages

Published by Walker Books, Ltd.

March 5, 2007

Genre: YA Fantasy

From the Goodreads Synopsis

When Alexandra’s mother is slain by an unnatural beast, shadows fall on the once-lush kingdom. Too soon the widowed king is entranced by a cunning stranger — and in one chilling moment Alexandra’s beloved brothers disappear, and she is banished to a barren land. Rich in visual detail, sparked by a formidable evil, and sweetened with familial and romantic love, here is the tale of a girl who discovers powerful healing gifts — and the courage to use them to save her ailing kingdom.

When I first saw this book,

I fell in love with the gorgeous cover!

So I know I will try to buy itas soon as I possibly can!!

This is the UK cover, by the way.

The story promises to be just as enchanting as the cover,

too, since it's a classic 'hero's quest' tale,

only, in this case, the 'hero' is a heroine.

Just my cup of tea!

The Seraph Seal

Leonard Sweet,  Lori Wagner

Trade Paperback, 384 pages

Published by Thomas Nelson

April 12, 2011

Genre: Science Fiction, Christian Fiction,

Religious Thriller

From the Goodreads Synopsis

Using the four horsemen of the Apocalypse to symbolize the four Gospels, four transcendentals, and four forces of the universe (air, water, earth, and fire), Sweet and Wagner weave a fast-paced, end-times tale of good vs. evil and the promise of a new dawn for humanity.

Set in 2048, when planet Earth is suffering from the damaging effects of years of misuse and abuse, cultural history professor Paul Binder receives a mysterious letter that leads him to examine a lost 2nd-century Diatessaron manuscript. Ancient prophecies, cryptic letters, and strange events set him on a course to uncover the missing clues that could lead humanity into a new age. Each character embodies elements of the four horsemen in a race to save the world from total destruction. Layered with forgotten symbolism from the ancient, Jewish, and Christian traditions, the novel is a type of engaged fiction in which the main character's lost journal serves as a guide to the reader in interpreting clues and understanding the novel's conclusion.

This one sounds so very fascinating!

I love the subject matter,

since I've long been interested in

the spiritual riddles of the universe.

This novel also contains a lot of action,

and speculation regarding mysterious manuscripts

and end-of-times angst.

Just the thing for me to get lost in!!

And I have to say that this cover is very striking!

Ruby Red

Kerstin Gier (Author)

Anthea Bell (Translator)

Hardcover, 324 pages

Published by Henry Holt & Co.

May 10, 2011

(first published January, 2009)

Genre: YA Science Fantasy

From the Goodreads Synopsis

Gwyneth Shepherd's sophisticated, beautiful cousin Charlotte has been prepared her entire life for traveling through time. But unexpectedly, it is Gwyneth, who in the middle of class takes a sudden spin to a different era! Gwyneth must now unearth the mystery of why her mother would lie about her birth date to ward off suspicion about her ability, brush up on her history, and work with Gideon, the time traveler from a similarly gifted family that passes the gene through its male line, and whose presence becomes, in time, less insufferable and more essential. Together, Gwyneth and Gideon journey through time to discover who, in the 18th century and in contemporary London, they can trust.

I've had my eye on this one for a couple of weeks now.

The cover is absolutely luscious!

I love it even though red is not usually a color

I'm attracted to (except at Christmastime).

It's really all that elegant,

Art Nouveau scrollwork that I find so

aesthetically pleasing!

The plot sounds so very exciting!

I adore the combination of romance and time travel!

I like the new twist given to the theme

by Gier, too -- the idea of "a time travel gene"

is quite interesting.

So, what wonderful books are you all

wishing for this week?

Book Review:The Angel Factory (first novel for the "Speculative Fiction Challenge 2011")

This challenge is hosted by Magemanda at Floor to Ceiling Books.

I have just found out about it, too.

Luckily, I had already started reading a book

that qualified for inclusion in this challenge!

Without further ado, I hereby present my review.

The Angel Factory
Author: Terence Blacker
Hardcover, 224 pages
Published by Simon & Schuster Children's
Publishing, September 1, 2002
Genre: YA Science Fiction, Dystopian
Literature


This is, at first glance, a simple tale of how a twelve-year-old boy, with a maturity and intelligence beyond his years, comes to suspect that his family is just "too good to be true", and then sets about attempting to uncover the truth about their lives. 

Aided by his misfit friend, Gary Sanchez, known as "Gip", Thomas Wisdom (what a transparently allegorical name!) tries to get into his father's computer.  They succeed, only to discover page after page of mysterious numbers, which, of course, turn out to be part of a coded document.  Gip ventures the theory that Thomas's parents might be CIA operatives, pointing to a rather humorous, suspicious clue -- in the Wisdom's bathroom, of all things. 

The coded document is soon deciphered, and Thomas finds out, to his dismay, that he's adopted.  Predictably enough, he reacts with intense rage, calling the Wisdoms his "former parents".  

It goes much further than that, however.  Thomas and his family go on vacation ("on holiday", in British parlance), flying from London to Santa Barbara, California.  There, Thomas has a rather surreal, quasi-mystical experience, discovering that his adoptive parents and only sister are really 'angels'.   They aren't really angels, though, as it turns out.  This is the name they have given themselves.  They were actually created at 'the angel factory', and are really beings from another world, part of "The Project", an extraterrestrial plan to save humankind from what they see as certain planetary annihilation.

The only problem is human free will.  Once he finds out what's really going on, Thomas  will do everything in his power to thwart the implementation of The Project. 

This is obviously not a new theme, but it's handled very skillfully by Blacker.  I would add that the philosophical implications of this novel would be better suited for older young adult readers, as well as adults. 

Despite his skill, and the fact that I found this book to be a page-turner, I was somewhat disappointed by the novel's length, as well as its anticlimactic ending.   The Project, after all, had some rather sinister underpinnings, but these were never fully exploited.  The womb-like atmosphere at the Angel Factory, for instance, was eerie, in spite of its apparent peacefulness.  Individualism was blotted out, and the group mind, known as 'The Presence', prevailed.   This should really have been developed further. 

The book's plot premise is that of every dystopian or utopian novel -- a too-perfect world, in which free choice is not allowed expression, is a frightening one, in spite of a cocoon-like atmosphere in which there is no danger, no risk, no adventure, and therefore, no war or evil.  Thus, I find echoes of such novels as Aldous Huxley's Brave New World,  as well as George Orwell's 1984, in Blacker's tale.  I also see a reference to Arthur C. Clarke's Childhood's End, which is far more chilling, and Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451.  The novel has also been compared to Lois Lowry's The Giver.

This book is a fast read, since the tension builds up as Gip and Thomas conspire to disrupt the angels' plan.  Unfortunately,as I have already pointed out, the plot falls flat toward the end.  I was expecting a more dangerous turn of events, with a more gradual buildup to an explosive climax. 

The characters of Thomas and his friend Gip are the strongest ones in the book, which is as it should be, since they're also the main ones.  They are compared and contrasted on several points -- Thomas has a perfect life, with the perfect parents and sister.  Gip, on the other hand, has no father, and a drunken nymphomaniac for a mother.  He's frequently left on his own.  Also, he has a limp.  Together with his unkempt appearance, this leads to his being frequently bullied.  His secret weapon is his keen intelligence, a quality he shares with Thomas, although he's also more streetwise than the rather sheltered Thomas.

I was somewhat disappointed with Thomas's adoptive parents and sister.  They are not fully developed; in fact, they come across as stereotypical 'goodie-two shoes' characters.  I suppose that's their function, or perhaps that's how Thomas sees them.  He does think they're too perfect, after all. 

Rendle, the math genius, is an interesting, as well as poignant, character.  I didn't like the fact that, once his purpose in the plot was fulfilled, he disappeared.  I would have wanted him to be much more involved in subsequent events.  Also, his disappearance makes no sense, in light of the ending.  Instead, it remains as a loose end, having no place in the story.

All in all, I thought the whole premise of the book, although not entirely an original one, had potential.  It's really too bad that the author did not exploit it to its full extent.


MY RATING:

Speculative Fiction Reading Challenge 2011

I have just found another fabulous reading challenge!

This one is hosted by Magemanda at Floor to Ceiling Books,

and I wouldn't miss it for the world!

I love reading practically anything (except horror) 

that takes me out of this boring reality anyway,

so this shouldn't be too hard!

The minimum amount of books to be read is 12.

This challenge started in January, 2011,

and will end in December, 2011.

For the rest of the rules, and to sign up,

just go HERE.

But wait a minute...

Just what is "speculative fiction", anyway?

To quote Wikipedia:

Speculative fiction is an umbrella term encompassing the more fantastical fiction genres, specifically science fiction, fantasy, horror, supernatural fiction, superhero fiction, utopian and dystopian fiction, apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction, and alternate history in literature as well as related static, motion, and virtual arts.

^{Well, I'm out as far as the horror genre is concerned,}

^{but I have no problem with the rest of the ones mentioned!}

^{(You can access the complete article HERE.)}

^{Here are some titles I'm interested in.}

^{They're not listed in any particular order.}

^{The Unicorn Sonata - Peter S. Beagle}

^{Magician: Apprentice (The Riftwar Saga #1)}

^{Raymond E. Feist}

^{Lyonesse: Suldrun's Garden (Lyonesse #1)}

^{Jack Vance}

^{The Green Pearl (Lyonesse #2)}

^{Jack Vance}

^{Madouc (Lyonesse #3) - Jack Vance}

^{Woman On the Edge of Time - Marge Piercy}

^{The Lathe of Heaven - Ursula K. LeGuin}

^{Vulcan! (Star Trek TOS) - Kathleen Sky}

^{The Asteroid Wars (The Asteroid Wars #1 - #3)}

^{Ben Bova}

^{Starcrossed - Josephine Angelini}

^{The Vampire Stalker - Allison van Diepen}

^{Nightshade - Andrea Cremer}

On My Wishlist #4

This is a fun weekly event hosted by

Carolyn at  Book Chick City,

 and runs every Saturday.

Each participating blogger features books 

s/he hasn't actually bought yet, but desperately wants to read,

because the stories sound so very fascinating!

These books can be either newly-published,

to be released in the near future,

or they might have been in print for several years.

In my particular case, any books I place

on my wish list are strictly the print versions,

since I do not read ebooks. 

Here are my choices for this week!

The Hunt of the Unicorn

C.C. Humphreys

Hardcover, 341 pages

Published by Knopf Books

March 8, 2011

(first published February 28, 2011)

Genre: YA Fantasy

(By the way, I love the gorgeous cover!!)

From the Goodreads Synopsis

Elayne thinks the old family story that one of her ancestors stepped through a tapestry into a world of mythical beasts makes a great fireside tale. But she lives in the real world. In New York City. And she's outgrown that kind of fantasy.

Until she finds herself in front of a unicorn tapestry at the Cloisters museum and sees her initials woven into the fabric. And hears a unicorn calling to her. And slips and falls—into that other world.

The Map of Time

Felix J. Palma

(translated by Nick Caistor)

Hardcover, 624 pages

Published by Atria

Expected Release Date: June 28, 2011

(first published, in Spanish, Oct 15, 2008)

Genre: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Historical Fiction

(This cover reminds me of the one

for Clockwork Angel, by Cassandra Clare.

I love the style of both!

Maybe they're by the same artist.)

From the Fantastic Fiction Website Synopsis

Set in Victorian London with characters real and imagined, The Map of Time is a page-turner that boasts a triple play of intertwined plots in which a skeptical H. G. Wells is called upon to investigate purported incidents of time travel and to save lives and literary classics, including Dracula and The Time Machine, from being wiped from existence. What happens if we change history? Félix J. Palma explores this question in The Map of Time, weaving a historical fantasy as imaginative as it is exciting...

El Mapa del Tiempo

Felix J. Palma

Trade Paperback, 628 pages

Published by Algaida Editores

November 2, 2010

Genre: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Historical Fiction

Special Note

Since this book was originally published in Spanish,

I intend to get that edition as well!

For some reason, Amazon gives a different

publication date for the Spanish edition.

(Yes, I am that much of a book addict...)

The Vampire Stalker

Allison van Diepen

Hardcover, 272 pages

Published by Point

June 1, 2011

Genre: YA Paranormal Romance

From the Goodreads Synopsis

What if the characters in a vampire novel left their world--and came into yours?

Amy is in love with someone who doesn't exist: Alexander Banks, the dashing hero in a popular series of vampire novels. Then one night, Amy meets a boy who bears an eerie resemblance to Alexander. In fact, he is Alexander, who has escaped from the pages of the book and is in hot pursuit of a wicked vampire named Vigo.

Starcrossed

Josephine Angelini

Hardcover, 496 pages

Pubhlished by HarperTeen

May 31, 2011

Genre: YA Paranormal Romance

(I think this cover is sooo beautiful!)

From the Goodreads Synopsis

Helen Hamilton has spent her entire sixteen years trying to hide how different she is—no easy task on an island as small and sheltered as Nantucket. And it's getting harder. 

Nightmares of a desperate desert journey have Helen waking parched, only to find her sheets damaged by dirt and dust. . .  and when Helen first crosses paths with Lucas Delos, she has no way of knowing they're destined to play the leading roles in a tragedy the Fates insist on repeating throughout history.

Toward the Gleam

T.M. Doran

Hardcover, 481 pages

Published by Ignatius Pres

March 1, 2011

Genre: Fantasy

(I love this cover as well!)

Special Note

This book is being recommended to Tolkien fans!

That puts the seal of approval on it, as far as I'm concerned,

since I absolutely love the works of that author!!

There's also a giveaway of this book

on Goodreads!

From the Goodreads Synopsis

Between the two world wars, on a hike in the English countryside, Professor John Hill takes refuge from a violent storm in a cave. There he nearly loses his life, but he also makes an astonishing discovery — an ancient manuscript housed in a cunningly crafted metal box. Though a philologist by profession, Hill cannot identify the language used in the manuscript and the time period in which it is was made, but he knows enough to make an educated guess — that the book and its case are the fruits of a long-lost, but advanced civilization.

So what books are on your wishlist this week?

Waiting on Wednesday #7: Heaven's Shadow

This is a weekly book meme, hosted by

Jill at Breaking the Spine,

which features future releases that we book bloggers

are eagerly anticipating!

My pick for this week is Heaven's Shadow,
by David S. Goyer and Michael Casutt. 

Heaven's Shadow

David S. Goyer & Michael Casutt

Hardcover, 416 pages

Published by Ace

Expected Release Date: July 5, 2011

Genre: Science Fiction

From the Amazon Synopsis

Three years ago, an object one hundred miles across was spotted on a trajectory for Earth's sun. Now, its journey is almost over. As it approaches, two competing manned vehicles race through almost half a million kilometers of space to reach it first. But when they both arrive on the entity, they learn that it has been sent toward Earth for a reason. An intelligent race is desperately attempting to communicate with our primitive species. And the message is: Help us.

This certainly sounds intriguing!

I also think it has a definite Star Trek influence,

and that's enough to get me interested,

since I love the series (the original one, that is)

as much as I love The Twilight Saga!!

Besides, I haven't read any terrific SF

in quite a while.

I've been too busy with YA paranormal romance!

So, this would be a nice change of pace.

Now, just when I'll be able to read it is

another matter entirely...

But it will look nice at the top of

my astronomical TBR pile!

So what book are you waiting on this Wednesday?

radio tales of the strange & fantastic

Another great website for old science fiction and fantasy in mp3 is Radio Tales of the Strange & Fantastic (RTSF). Universe, a 1941 novella by Robert Heinlein, published in 1951 as a popular paperback and already familiar to the public when it aired as an episode of X Minus One. On May 15, 1955, the audience listens to an exceptionally curious young man, Hugh Hoyland, who encounters a mutant leader and learns the ship's true purpose when taken to the bridge and shown the Universe. The story is an excellent allegory of purpose and falling into purposelessness and the drive to "finish the trip," as Hoyland put it. A complete script of George Lefferts' radio adaptation is available here and widely departs from the novella's plot. Are you a loyal believer or a heretic? Universe is well done, highly entertaining and a must listen at RTSF!

isaac asimov's foundation in mp3 audio

Thanks goes to SFFaudio for a link to 1973 BBC3 radio adaptation of Isaac Asimov's Foundation Trilogy. Isaac Asimov began writing the Foundation series in 1942. "The first four stories were collected, along with a new story taking place before the others, in a single volume published by Gnome Press in 1951 as Foundation. The remainder of the stories were published in pairs by Gnome as Foundation and Empire (1952) and Second Foundation (1953), resulting in the "Foundation Trilogy", as the series was known for decades." An excellent production in audio .mp3 a direct link is available here!

great moon hoax of 1835

The New York Sun, founded in 1833 as a penny press paper, catered to a wide audience with narrative style and a cheaper price. On August 25, 1835, the first of six articles appeared  in the paper that became known collectively as, "The Great Moon Hoax".

The first article brought increased sales and entertainment. Supposedly, the series was reprinted from a science journal in Edinburgh, Scotland, which had already ceased publication. Articles reported "discoveries" by astronomer Sir John Hershel at new observatory in South Africa. Writing style of the day can also fascinate today's reader. A nice treatment of the hoax at Universe Today provides following description of the man bats (pictured). "...They averaged four feet in height, were covered, except on the face, with short and glossy copper-colored hair, and had wings composed of a thin membrane, without hair, lying snugly upon their backs from the top of the shoulders to the calves of their legs.”

On April Fool's Day, 365 Days of Astronomy produced a great podcast of Moon Hoax, which makes for great listening! A tip of the hat goes to Universe Today for the link. Museum of Hoaxes website provides complete treatment and worth a visit. It's free sci-fi from 1835!

THE 45TH ANNIVERSARY "STAR TREK" CONVENTION!!!!!

FOR CRAZY OBSESSED "STAR TREK" FANS!!!!

(Hey, that's me!!)

Creation Entertainment celebrates the 45th anniversary

of this great, highly imaginative series!! 

The convention will take place at

The Rio Suites Hotel

in Las Vegas, from August 11 to 14, 2011!!!

Here are some of the guests attending:

Of course, there will be many more guests,

from the various versions of the ST series., 

such as Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes,

Kate Mulgrew, J.G. Hertzler, Robin Curtis,

and many others.

I happen to prefer the classic version, so that's why I have

highlighted characters from it.

Sadly, some classic series actors are no longer with us, like

James Doohan (Scotty), Majel Barrett Roddenberry (Nurse Chapel),

and DeForest Kelley (Doctor McCoy) ....

There will be many exciting activities, naturally!!

William Shatner and Patrick Stewart will be live on-stage, there will be

a gala celebration, a writers' workshop (with SF writer David Gerrold),

and many more events!!

How I wish I could go!!!!  Alas, I cannot!  I am totally

Earth-bound....I don't have the necessary

Federation credits to attend....

For all you lucky Trekkers that will be able to beam over to Vegas,

you can obtain further information

HERE.

LIVE LONG AND PROSPER!!!!!