I shall tell you a myth. Would you want a dream where you can fix mistakes, regrets of your past; where you can have a happy life, a fulfilled dream? There is a way to get this dream...but the cost is dear. If you want to remain in the dream and not face the cruelty of reality, forever, you will have to give your life to the dream weaver. She will give you an eternal dream with everything you've ever wished for, but in return, she will take your life. The moment you decide to stay in the dream, you will die in the actual world.
Wednesday, 31 October 2012
Tuesday, 30 October 2012
A kingdom or Love?
Yes, yes, I know. You don't need to remind me. I know I've commited a crime...I didn't blog yesterday. But...I couldn't stop reading. "Duyên Kỳ Ngộ" was such amazing tale that I couldn't pull myself out of it. I was drunk in its beauty, its anguish, its sadness, its sorrow...and its bittersweet love. I even shooed away my family. I glared at anyone who dared to approach me. No wonder a critic once said chinese literature is a powerful drug that could make you forget one's self. I believe I've lost it already. I can't do anything. I can't think of anything but its world. When it was sweet, it took my heart. When it was bitter, I lost my soul. *sigh* I'm afraid I'm an empty shell now. There is only one remedy to this illness, which is to complete these two books fast, real fast. Hopefully then, I could swim ashore, swim away from its clinging vines.
Would you choose to have a kingdom, to live as the most powerful man in a prosperous country of gigantic size, with everyone on their knees before you? Or to live as a free man without duty of a huge kingdom on your shoulders, without power or status, but with the love of your life, the other half of your soul?
Poor the prince (he's now the king). He had a chance. He met her first. Yet he let her go in pursue of the throne. He chose the life of a king, one with a lonely road ahead. He chose to marry a daughter of a highly-respected family to gather political supports. But on the night of his wedding day, after...well, performing husband duty, he sneaked away to meet his love, and gave her his heart before she went away. Sad, isn't it? Bitter, isn't it? As for beautiful or sweet? I don't know.
Would you choose to have a kingdom, to live as the most powerful man in a prosperous country of gigantic size, with everyone on their knees before you? Or to live as a free man without duty of a huge kingdom on your shoulders, without power or status, but with the love of your life, the other half of your soul?
Poor the prince (he's now the king). He had a chance. He met her first. Yet he let her go in pursue of the throne. He chose the life of a king, one with a lonely road ahead. He chose to marry a daughter of a highly-respected family to gather political supports. But on the night of his wedding day, after...well, performing husband duty, he sneaked away to meet his love, and gave her his heart before she went away. Sad, isn't it? Bitter, isn't it? As for beautiful or sweet? I don't know.
Sunday, 28 October 2012
Oh...how can one survive in the time of the past when one is such a pathetic poet.
Just like Heaven is a sweet, endearing romance fiction. I'd thought it was a clean romance which definitely isn't Quinn's writing style. But no. She managed to squeeze in an erotic scene near the very end, albeit too swift and too rushed. It feels like Marcus and Honoria succumed to their primal instincts...out of the blue. They were such tame creatures; I would never have thought they had the guts. This story wasn't wild, hot, erotic or passionate, yet it was a darling, all the same. Humour was aplenty. I grinned and giggled and laughed out loud for the whole length of this book. It's a lovely read on a breezy day with a glass of iced lemon tea on your side and the wind chime clinking on the windows. Just like heaven, don't you think?
I'm reading Duyên Kỳ Ngộ (sort of equivalent to "Fate" or "Destiny"). It's been very good so far. I'm very impressed. I didn't expect much from it since, to me, A Mạch Tòng Quân was a masterpiece, beyond anycomparisons. But it turns out to be rather brilliant and engrossing. The proses and metaphors were poetic, beautiful, fresh and soothing. It's about a girl of the age of 24 in our modern time who, one day, woke up in the body of a 6-year-old girl some time in ancient China. This type of theme has become quite a popular theme in literature and media. I've read and watched quite a few of them. Not all are good, but if it's a success, it will become a great masterpiece.
*giggle* Imagine me leapt through time and went into the past. I would never be able to survive for one day. The main focus back then for women was the art of composing poems, playing antique instruments and doing calligraphy. There's not a poetic bone in my body, nor are the other traits. Unless...I was in the body of a person who was the keeper of books, parchments and scrolls. I don't think I'm very fond of ancient literature. It's...rather dull, actually. I would miss modern writing terribly. And I would sit and read untitl I rot. Hopefully then, I would return to my true body, eh?
I'm reading Duyên Kỳ Ngộ (sort of equivalent to "Fate" or "Destiny"). It's been very good so far. I'm very impressed. I didn't expect much from it since, to me, A Mạch Tòng Quân was a masterpiece, beyond anycomparisons. But it turns out to be rather brilliant and engrossing. The proses and metaphors were poetic, beautiful, fresh and soothing. It's about a girl of the age of 24 in our modern time who, one day, woke up in the body of a 6-year-old girl some time in ancient China. This type of theme has become quite a popular theme in literature and media. I've read and watched quite a few of them. Not all are good, but if it's a success, it will become a great masterpiece.
*giggle* Imagine me leapt through time and went into the past. I would never be able to survive for one day. The main focus back then for women was the art of composing poems, playing antique instruments and doing calligraphy. There's not a poetic bone in my body, nor are the other traits. Unless...I was in the body of a person who was the keeper of books, parchments and scrolls. I don't think I'm very fond of ancient literature. It's...rather dull, actually. I would miss modern writing terribly. And I would sit and read untitl I rot. Hopefully then, I would return to my true body, eh?
Saturday, 27 October 2012
A break
I've decided to spend some time on a light-hearted book for a respite before venturing to A Mạch Tòng Quân - book 2. Somehow I sense a very sad, sad story coming; better to do some emotional fortification.
I chose Just like Heaven by Julia Quinn this time. Quinn's books have always been delightful, although the sequence of events in her stories is usually quite repititive. But it doesn't matter to me; I love her books, all the same.
This is also a lovely, however, quite slow-paced book. During the first one-fifths of the book, there was no progress, just a gagle of girls sitting about composing poems, swooning over a man, dreaming of marriage, and planning for a tea party. At the moment, I have yet known if the heroine is beautiful or not. Still I'm eager to get back to the book. I think it's starting to transfer into another phase.
I chose Just like Heaven by Julia Quinn this time. Quinn's books have always been delightful, although the sequence of events in her stories is usually quite repititive. But it doesn't matter to me; I love her books, all the same.
This is also a lovely, however, quite slow-paced book. During the first one-fifths of the book, there was no progress, just a gagle of girls sitting about composing poems, swooning over a man, dreaming of marriage, and planning for a tea party. At the moment, I have yet known if the heroine is beautiful or not. Still I'm eager to get back to the book. I think it's starting to transfer into another phase.
Thursday, 25 October 2012
A Mạch Tòng Quân...such an amazing book
I've given up my plan to move on to Princess. Yesterday I made the mistake of trying to take a peek at one of the books I bought. Oh, come to think of it, have I told you how snugly and beautifully they sit on my bookshelf? Nothing could compare their beauty, I swear.
But I digress. Sorry. Its name was A Mạch Tòng Quân. It's about this girl whose name was A Mach, who masqueraded as a country lad to avoid all the dangers that could befall a lone girl. She was trying to run away from the raging battlefields, but it was either she herself made a mistake of being pulled into the war unwittingly, or the god degreed her fate that she had to be involved in it, regardless of her interest. Wherever she's running to, someone or something had to drag her back. My belief is that part of the reasons is because she couldn't shirk her responsibility to her trusted comrade and her duty to her homeland. A Mach, by some trickery on her part, manipulated people into believing that she was a lad (a beautiful one), not a lass. Still, beauty is never easy to be hidden away, A Mach, therefore, charmed a bunch of guys into fearing that they had developed some sick interest in pretty guys. It's so funny to read when it comes to these parts. There was this particular guy who practically avoided her gaze whenever he talked to her, and blushed bright red when he saw her smile. Sweet, isn't it? I love this book. The writer is so adept at war strategy. Her working mind is at such a level that you can't help but admire...wistfully, for you know you could not match such wit, such intelligence even in another million years. She weaved the story into constant battle modes while interlacing subtle plots into it that wouldn't make you feel bored, instead, causing to crave for more. I declare I'm addicted to a point that no medication could help me wean it off. This book is worth the world's recognition. However, very few chinese literature are licensed and translated into English. I wish you could read it, too. It's such an amazing book. But one bad news is...I'm afraid this is one of those that will not end with a happily-ever-after. I pray it's not going to be too tragic. I can't bear it.
But I digress. Sorry. Its name was A Mạch Tòng Quân. It's about this girl whose name was A Mach, who masqueraded as a country lad to avoid all the dangers that could befall a lone girl. She was trying to run away from the raging battlefields, but it was either she herself made a mistake of being pulled into the war unwittingly, or the god degreed her fate that she had to be involved in it, regardless of her interest. Wherever she's running to, someone or something had to drag her back. My belief is that part of the reasons is because she couldn't shirk her responsibility to her trusted comrade and her duty to her homeland. A Mach, by some trickery on her part, manipulated people into believing that she was a lad (a beautiful one), not a lass. Still, beauty is never easy to be hidden away, A Mach, therefore, charmed a bunch of guys into fearing that they had developed some sick interest in pretty guys. It's so funny to read when it comes to these parts. There was this particular guy who practically avoided her gaze whenever he talked to her, and blushed bright red when he saw her smile. Sweet, isn't it? I love this book. The writer is so adept at war strategy. Her working mind is at such a level that you can't help but admire...wistfully, for you know you could not match such wit, such intelligence even in another million years. She weaved the story into constant battle modes while interlacing subtle plots into it that wouldn't make you feel bored, instead, causing to crave for more. I declare I'm addicted to a point that no medication could help me wean it off. This book is worth the world's recognition. However, very few chinese literature are licensed and translated into English. I wish you could read it, too. It's such an amazing book. But one bad news is...I'm afraid this is one of those that will not end with a happily-ever-after. I pray it's not going to be too tragic. I can't bear it.
Wednesday, 24 October 2012
Glorious
Oh, heaven! Glorious! I've received all of the books I purchased today. Quite at the same time. Amazingly coincidental, isn't it? I'm swirling around like a madwoman with delight right now. How I want to devouur them all, but I'm still reading The Duke and plan to read Princess, also by Gaelen Foley, next. After that, I will heartily relish them.
There is a character, partial antagonist, in The Duke, who I find share quite the same extreme and insanely passionate temperament with Ido in Eon and Eona. The unfortunate thing is that they also share the same fate: eventual death. Dolph was his name. At first, I misjudged him for someone who was just obsessed with Belinda's beauty. But when he died he revealed a passionate, somewhat twisted love for her. He readily issued a duel challenge to Robert to fight for his honor (if there was any left) and his Bel. If Ido was passionate about power, this man was passionate about his love for Bel, to a fault. Passion is admirable, but in those men's cases, it was their downfall. Why is that? Ido desired power to the point that he would stop at nothing to possess it, even if it meant taking advantage of the girl he possibly loved. As for Dolph, his lust and love for Bel drove him to take hectic measures, such as throwing her father into the Fleet, inadvertently causing her to be raped by the warden; bullying the school where she worked as a teacher to dismiss her, resulting in cornering her into the path of a courtesan. They both inevitably hurt the one they cared about with their passion. The conclusion I've drawn is that this so-called passion is more of an unhealthy obsession, and should, therefore, have a brake to it. Today, despite my elation, I mourn for you, Dolph...sorry but I can't seem to recall your last name. No offence.
There is a character, partial antagonist, in The Duke, who I find share quite the same extreme and insanely passionate temperament with Ido in Eon and Eona. The unfortunate thing is that they also share the same fate: eventual death. Dolph was his name. At first, I misjudged him for someone who was just obsessed with Belinda's beauty. But when he died he revealed a passionate, somewhat twisted love for her. He readily issued a duel challenge to Robert to fight for his honor (if there was any left) and his Bel. If Ido was passionate about power, this man was passionate about his love for Bel, to a fault. Passion is admirable, but in those men's cases, it was their downfall. Why is that? Ido desired power to the point that he would stop at nothing to possess it, even if it meant taking advantage of the girl he possibly loved. As for Dolph, his lust and love for Bel drove him to take hectic measures, such as throwing her father into the Fleet, inadvertently causing her to be raped by the warden; bullying the school where she worked as a teacher to dismiss her, resulting in cornering her into the path of a courtesan. They both inevitably hurt the one they cared about with their passion. The conclusion I've drawn is that this so-called passion is more of an unhealthy obsession, and should, therefore, have a brake to it. Today, despite my elation, I mourn for you, Dolph...sorry but I can't seem to recall your last name. No offence.
Tuesday, 23 October 2012
Man, It's so insanely erotic. But I like it.
Sorry but I think I'll blog very briefly today. You see, I just can't take my eyes of The Duke. I'm totally enthralled, helplessly fell under its spell. All I say for now is that the book is awfully erotic. It's embarrassing to confess...but it made me feel warm all over.
Another thing I'm sure is that The Duke is woefully understated. It deserves a higher rating and a wider arch of audiences. It's not only plain, one-sided romance, but also has a true story behind as its background, exploration on the historical and political aspect to a certain extent. Needless to a say, it was an enchanting book and should deserve more attention.
Went to the bank. *shaking head* I don't know if I should blame Play-Asia or the banking system in my country. They told me that I would have to wait for a period of about 60 days or so until the money could be returned to my account. Great. Just exactly what I hope for, eh? I lost my patience and went ahead to order the last patch of my books. Now I've purchased a total of 32 books. They should be enough to gratify my irritation. My little sister said that purchasing this many books at once is really...foolish. Not exactly her words, but that was her implication. She believed I would never finish reading them. My little sister underestimates me. Can't blame the girl. She doesn't know the true intensity of my passion for books. 32 books? In my own language? Just a dessert. Not even a main-course dish, my dear.
Another thing I'm sure is that The Duke is woefully understated. It deserves a higher rating and a wider arch of audiences. It's not only plain, one-sided romance, but also has a true story behind as its background, exploration on the historical and political aspect to a certain extent. Needless to a say, it was an enchanting book and should deserve more attention.
Went to the bank. *shaking head* I don't know if I should blame Play-Asia or the banking system in my country. They told me that I would have to wait for a period of about 60 days or so until the money could be returned to my account. Great. Just exactly what I hope for, eh? I lost my patience and went ahead to order the last patch of my books. Now I've purchased a total of 32 books. They should be enough to gratify my irritation. My little sister said that purchasing this many books at once is really...foolish. Not exactly her words, but that was her implication. She believed I would never finish reading them. My little sister underestimates me. Can't blame the girl. She doesn't know the true intensity of my passion for books. 32 books? In my own language? Just a dessert. Not even a main-course dish, my dear.
Monday, 22 October 2012
I loathe Play-Asis. I'll have none of you ever again.
The Duke by Gaelen Foley is my reading now. I'd thought it would be just like any other books by Julia Quinn and Julie Garwood, easy to read. So much for my expectation. This book, although a romance fiction, has a higher level of literary standard. It hasn't made my reading easy or quick so far. Either that or my literate sense has become muddled due to somewhat lack of sleep. You see, there are a lot of poetic metaphors. But when you don't see exactly what they are, it doesn't help with your imagination at all. If I read slowly, savoring these picturesque proses, I'm sure I can merge my mind into its dreamland as I've always done while reading. Still, when I'm on a spur of unrestrained curiosity, I'm afraid I'll shed whatever little patience I possess just to see what is on the next page. *shaking head* I know I have to force myself to slow down, but I can't seem to command myself to do that. So what should I do? I'm at my wit's end. *hands clasping*
I'm totally fed up with Play-Asia. I first made my order on 25/9, then canceled it on 11/10 because: first, the tiring, unnecessary process of authorizing my credit card stretching on and on; second, when they finally seemed to accept its authenticity and my ownership, an email sent to me, claiming there was not enough fund in it, hence the transaction failed, which infuriated me beyond measures since they charged me once already; third, I made a query over this problem, all they said to me was that they didn't charge me at all and that they were SORRY for me having problem with my credit card. Indeed. As if it's not enough, I have to wait since then until now for my held fund to be released. And I still am waiting. Having run out of patience, I decided to check things up with the bank directly, they said no refund had been made. Then I went home and made a query again, all I got was "It's up to your isssuing bank to release your fund...this and that, blah blah blah..." Several days later, still nothing. I asked them again, the same answer was sent to me. Tomorrow, I will have to make another trip to the bank. I pray that all will be well and I can get my money again. If not, I have no idea what to do next. Play-Asia obviously is shirking their responsibility to customers who canceled their orders. I don't expect any help at all from them. No doubt if I ever bother to ask again, they will send me the same answer with a lecture on how banking works as a bonus for my trouble. I swear I'll never ever have anything to do with Play-Asia in my whole life.
I'm totally fed up with Play-Asia. I first made my order on 25/9, then canceled it on 11/10 because: first, the tiring, unnecessary process of authorizing my credit card stretching on and on; second, when they finally seemed to accept its authenticity and my ownership, an email sent to me, claiming there was not enough fund in it, hence the transaction failed, which infuriated me beyond measures since they charged me once already; third, I made a query over this problem, all they said to me was that they didn't charge me at all and that they were SORRY for me having problem with my credit card. Indeed. As if it's not enough, I have to wait since then until now for my held fund to be released. And I still am waiting. Having run out of patience, I decided to check things up with the bank directly, they said no refund had been made. Then I went home and made a query again, all I got was "It's up to your isssuing bank to release your fund...this and that, blah blah blah..." Several days later, still nothing. I asked them again, the same answer was sent to me. Tomorrow, I will have to make another trip to the bank. I pray that all will be well and I can get my money again. If not, I have no idea what to do next. Play-Asia obviously is shirking their responsibility to customers who canceled their orders. I don't expect any help at all from them. No doubt if I ever bother to ask again, they will send me the same answer with a lecture on how banking works as a bonus for my trouble. I swear I'll never ever have anything to do with Play-Asia in my whole life.
Sunday, 21 October 2012
My Victory
My stomach is upset. Serves me right for eating too much rich food in one day. Anyway, I had a straight talk with my mother. Guess what? She finally agreed. Come January, I'll officially enrol for the distance learning course. I'll do Level 3 in Abnormal Psychology, Forensic and Criminal Psychology, and Psychology Studies. They cost about 1170 British Pounds. Expensive, don't you think? But if you compare it with the cost for studying abroad, this amound is a nugget. I guess it's fair enough. I will have to start collecting and purchasing text books and reference books since the only public library in my city takes a long time to commune from my place. *sigh* I still continue to work, but will devote less time to it.I've never studied psychology before. According to my friends, I understand it's a very complex and tough field of study. I pray to God that I'll be competent enough to pass the final exams.
I'm still reading the Lion's Lady. Oh, it's one of the best romance fiction I've read. So delightful and refreshing. I'll share with you some of the quotes I've taken note of:
I'm still reading the Lion's Lady. Oh, it's one of the best romance fiction I've read. So delightful and refreshing. I'll share with you some of the quotes I've taken note of:
Christina turned to go to the door. "If you give me one or two promises, I'll wed you Saturday", she said.Man, there are a lot more. But I can't type every single one of them here, so let's content ourself with this much teaser, eh? *winking. Buy the book and read. I'm sure you will enjoy it. So far I've enjoyed it so very much.
Lyon shook his head. The little innocent still didn't understand. Promises or not, he was going to marry her.
"Well?" she asked.
"What promises"
Christina turned and found Lyon standing with his arms folded across his chest, waiting. His manner seemed condescending to her. "One, you must promise to let me go home when my task is done here. Two, you must promise not to fall in love with me."
"One, Christina, you aren't going anywhere. Marriage is forever. Get that little fact in your head. Two, I don't have the faintest idea why you wouldn't want me to love you, but I'll try to accommodate you."
"I knew you'd be difficult. I just knew it," Christina muttered.
The door suddenly opened behind her. " Well, why didn't you tell me it wasn't latched?" Aunt Harriett demanded. " Did you get this misunderstanding straightened out, Christina? she asked.
"I have decided to marry Lyon for a little while."
"A long while," Lyon muttered. The woman was as dense as fog. Lyon felt like shaking her.
She was so enchanting. Her smile of pleasure made Lyon feel at peace again. Christina looked quite mesmerized. Lyon watched as she reached out and tore a leaf from the hedge, then began to twirl it between her fingers as she continued to sway to the music. He thought she didn't even realize what she was doing. Her gaze was directed on the gentleman singing the song, her manner relaxed, unguarded. Lyon knew she wasn't aware she was being watched, either. She wouldn't have eaten the leaf otherwise, or reached for another.
"Sir, which one is Princess Christina?" Andrew asked Lyon, just as Rhone started in choking on his laughter. Rhone had obviously been watching Christina, too.
"Sir?"
"The blond-headed one," Lyon muttered, shaking his head. He watched in growing disbelief as Christina daintily popped another leaf into her mouth.
"Which blond-headed one?" Andrew persisted.
"The one eating the shrubs."
"Be gentle this night," she instructed Lyon. (his aunt was asking Lyon to be gentle with his bride on their wedding night. I'm sure you know what she meant *eyes twinkling*.)
"I shall."
It was Christina who gave the promise. Both Lyon and his aunt looked at her.
"She means me, Christina," Lyon said dryly.
Saturday, 20 October 2012
Love Christina and Lyon. They are such an adorable pair. Very refreshing.
As predicted, Princess Tan Nguyet ended tragically. I don't want to relive it, too depressing.
I'm reading The Lion's Lady by Julie Garwood now. It's such a delightful book, a balm to my aching heart. I have so much fun reading it. I love how all the characters in Julie's book are so unique in their own way, the way Christina and Lyon are portrayed. The most enjoyable thing is their banter. So witty, so hilarious. Although, I admit I'm holding a grudge against them. How come they all look like Greek Gods and Goddess coming alive. Really.
I just received three books out of my orders of 30 books. I'm anxiously waiting to hold them in my arms. Those 3 books are sitting so fittingly on my bookshelf. I caught myself admiring them all the time. I don't plan to read all these books I bought in succession. They are Chinese literature, therefore, of similar genre and style, equally sharing a touch of tragedy and drama. I'm easily bored, so I'll switch back and forth between Chinese and Western fiction.
I found out my father secretly bought an expensive ipad without telling ME for almost a month. As if I would care for his money. There's no need to hide. Right, I know it's childish of me to say such thing. It's because I didn't bother to talk to him. I'm pouting right now.
I'm reading The Lion's Lady by Julie Garwood now. It's such a delightful book, a balm to my aching heart. I have so much fun reading it. I love how all the characters in Julie's book are so unique in their own way, the way Christina and Lyon are portrayed. The most enjoyable thing is their banter. So witty, so hilarious. Although, I admit I'm holding a grudge against them. How come they all look like Greek Gods and Goddess coming alive. Really.
I just received three books out of my orders of 30 books. I'm anxiously waiting to hold them in my arms. Those 3 books are sitting so fittingly on my bookshelf. I caught myself admiring them all the time. I don't plan to read all these books I bought in succession. They are Chinese literature, therefore, of similar genre and style, equally sharing a touch of tragedy and drama. I'm easily bored, so I'll switch back and forth between Chinese and Western fiction.
I found out my father secretly bought an expensive ipad without telling ME for almost a month. As if I would care for his money. There's no need to hide. Right, I know it's childish of me to say such thing. It's because I didn't bother to talk to him. I'm pouting right now.
Friday, 19 October 2012
Princess Tan Nguyet by Quynh Dao
After Eona, I picked out a book that was written by a very famous Chinese writer, Quynh Dao, and translated in my native language. It's thick, but without any complication in language, I read it fast. There is only about one-thirds of the book left.
Quynh Dao is a very well-known author as well as script-writer in China. Many of her books were turned into TV shows, and any actors or actresses who were lucky to be chosen to act in her film tend to rise in fame very quickly.
I usually don't pick out her books. I swear all of her books can make you cry your eye sockets out. Her story is always dramatic and tear-jerking in the extreme. And the typical theme is about the women's role and unfairness in the past. Her emphasis is on the women's strength, not on their ability to kick ass or changllenge verbal fights, but in a more quiet, gentle way, more feminine; their ability to endure, to forbear any harsh, cruel circumstances that befell them with as much dignity as possible. It maybe foreign to any of you who do not live in Asia. I'm an Asian. I've studied and read many books of our history. Many of them feature the despaired life of women who were expected to think of nothing other than living the settled life of a collared dog, treating their husband as lords, showing total obeisance to them, devoting their life for raising children. So I'm quite accustomed to this type of fiction. You may find it too sloppy or maudlin. But please don't judge this type of literature as unworthy, as weak. It's tough to live in that time as a woman. Even if you were a free woman, even if you came from a noble family, in the end, your fates still lied on the decision of your bound family. Women were nothing much better than statues. Something to adorn household. Something to strengthen male's prowess and ego. Wherever they want to put you, you cannot move away. Otherwise, if the husband was the burtal sort, they could be beaten to death without being changllenged by laws, since the men held absolute control over their women. It was unfair. It was sexist. It was discrimination. But it was what really happened. Quynh Dao's novels relive there life, giving us insights on women's strength shown in their own brave way. They were not badass like heroines in today's fiction, who can wield a sword, summon a powerful magic to annihilate any obstacles on its path. No. Quynh Dao's novels are realistic. There's nothing dreamy about them. No illusion.
The book I'm reading now is Princess Tan Nguyet. I don't know the original name. Anyway, Tan Nguyet means the eclipse moon. The symbol of purity. And that is what she was. Her thoughts, her soul...her love was pure. She loved with a pure intensity, with a fire that could not de doused by cold water. The problem is she chose the wrong man to devote her love. She fell in love with a man who was old enough to be her father. A man with a wife and two grown children, both of whom were older than Tan Nguyet. For him, she threw away her title, her legacy...even her honor. She endured every insult, humiliating insinuation thrown at her feet. She accepted them all for her beloved's sake. She loved without doubts, without questions. She loved without thinking of her self, always his needs came first. It may seem foolhardy, but I can't help admiring her subtle strength. If it was me, I would have thrown a fit, lashed acidly at any one who dared insult me, and run away with the man I loved instead of heading back to the nest of dangers to bear punishment.
All in all, this is a good book, a wonderful love story, but also very depressing. My head is terribly aching now. After this one, it will be a long time until I can pick another of Quynh Dao's books. That's the reason why I rearely read her book. It's not because they are boring or anything, it's because they are so sad, and not always end in a happy ending. I fear this is one of those.
Quynh Dao is a very well-known author as well as script-writer in China. Many of her books were turned into TV shows, and any actors or actresses who were lucky to be chosen to act in her film tend to rise in fame very quickly.
I usually don't pick out her books. I swear all of her books can make you cry your eye sockets out. Her story is always dramatic and tear-jerking in the extreme. And the typical theme is about the women's role and unfairness in the past. Her emphasis is on the women's strength, not on their ability to kick ass or changllenge verbal fights, but in a more quiet, gentle way, more feminine; their ability to endure, to forbear any harsh, cruel circumstances that befell them with as much dignity as possible. It maybe foreign to any of you who do not live in Asia. I'm an Asian. I've studied and read many books of our history. Many of them feature the despaired life of women who were expected to think of nothing other than living the settled life of a collared dog, treating their husband as lords, showing total obeisance to them, devoting their life for raising children. So I'm quite accustomed to this type of fiction. You may find it too sloppy or maudlin. But please don't judge this type of literature as unworthy, as weak. It's tough to live in that time as a woman. Even if you were a free woman, even if you came from a noble family, in the end, your fates still lied on the decision of your bound family. Women were nothing much better than statues. Something to adorn household. Something to strengthen male's prowess and ego. Wherever they want to put you, you cannot move away. Otherwise, if the husband was the burtal sort, they could be beaten to death without being changllenged by laws, since the men held absolute control over their women. It was unfair. It was sexist. It was discrimination. But it was what really happened. Quynh Dao's novels relive there life, giving us insights on women's strength shown in their own brave way. They were not badass like heroines in today's fiction, who can wield a sword, summon a powerful magic to annihilate any obstacles on its path. No. Quynh Dao's novels are realistic. There's nothing dreamy about them. No illusion.
The book I'm reading now is Princess Tan Nguyet. I don't know the original name. Anyway, Tan Nguyet means the eclipse moon. The symbol of purity. And that is what she was. Her thoughts, her soul...her love was pure. She loved with a pure intensity, with a fire that could not de doused by cold water. The problem is she chose the wrong man to devote her love. She fell in love with a man who was old enough to be her father. A man with a wife and two grown children, both of whom were older than Tan Nguyet. For him, she threw away her title, her legacy...even her honor. She endured every insult, humiliating insinuation thrown at her feet. She accepted them all for her beloved's sake. She loved without doubts, without questions. She loved without thinking of her self, always his needs came first. It may seem foolhardy, but I can't help admiring her subtle strength. If it was me, I would have thrown a fit, lashed acidly at any one who dared insult me, and run away with the man I loved instead of heading back to the nest of dangers to bear punishment.
All in all, this is a good book, a wonderful love story, but also very depressing. My head is terribly aching now. After this one, it will be a long time until I can pick another of Quynh Dao's books. That's the reason why I rearely read her book. It's not because they are boring or anything, it's because they are so sad, and not always end in a happy ending. I fear this is one of those.
Thursday, 18 October 2012
Bye bye Eona, Kygo...and Ido
So that's it. It's ended. My head is still spinning and pounding. I'll have to take some painkiller pill later.
Part of me is thrilled. Part of me is elated. Then another part of me is sad and feels like "hey, it's not enough. Give us some more. An epilogue wouldn't kill, eh?" The pace of the story was straining and bursting at the same time, especially the parts where the final events were unfolding. I was edgy the whole time I read. I snapped at whoever coming near me, disrupting my reading space.
There was the horrible moment when I thought not only Ido died, Kygo would, too. I was scared and furious beyond questions. I thought, "What the hell? Is Kygo going to join Ido, leaving the earthly plane for the so-called spiritual enlightenment? Leaving Eona all alone?" Then, at the very LAST moment, she released my dread, freeing my built-up anger and anxiety. Kygo lived. So did Eona. A good number of people died, though. Just as Ido did. The ending was ambiguous. More an opening than an ending. Many things still remained unknown including the fates of many people, except the fact that Kygo was once again the legitimate Emperor. And Eona was his true true love and Naiso, his truth bringer. Ido and Sethon were no longer there to bully people. I should say "good ridden to bad rubbish" to both of them. Yet, I cannot make myself say that to Ido. For all his flaws, a place in my heart opened to him. Perhaps it was only pity or regret that I felt for the man. But it was sad, all the same. Therefore, I mourn for his lost.
Just as I thought, Ido was still power hungry. He wanted power till the very end. Being destroyed by his own ambition, I wonder if he is proud of his own death, the way he died. God only knows if he considered it an epic ending. Everything about Ido is extreme. As he remarked, he wouldn't settle for middle ground. He was too proud to do that. It's either living as the most powerful man, or died, not living as nothing. Maybe, in the deepest recess of his heart, his true desire and love for Eona were there. But he denied it, deeming it as weakness. If Eona can not stand next to him as Dragoneye Queen, his coordinator in power, the woman who is equal to him in power lust, then he wouldn't want her. She would soften his heart, and that is the last thing a man like Ido could ever want. The snide things he said to her at the end...I don't know if they were true. Maybe because his own heart was so dark and clouded that he couldn't see through what he really wanted. Maybe he noticed the change in him, and wanted to thwart it by grabing at whatever that could convince him that he was still the same person, the man who was in control, the one who knew what he desired. Too many maybe. These are just wistful thoughts that keep me from being convinced that he was hollow to the core, preventing me from despising him. He's already dead. I don't want to hate him.
What will happen to Eona and Kygo is up to your own imgination. My wild guess is that Kygo will break all laws of convention and tradition, and announce Eona as his Empress. Eona is not royalty, hence the highest position she could hold as the Emperor's women is Concubine. Eona deserves way better than that. Marrying within the same bloodline is not healthy, anyway. It limits the gene pool, doesn't it? It's not healthy at all. Moreover, it's obvious the guy is head over heels in love with Eona; "You are a queen to me, Eona", he said that himself. He even placed her personal interest above his concern for his fate and the land. Kygo should destroy the concubine system and settle with Eona alone. If he truly loves her, he must do it. What women would be happy sharing her beloved? I wouldn't, for sure. Besides, Eona should be enough to continue the royal line. If she ever bears a daughter, I believe she will be the next Mirror Dragoneye since it is a hereditary trait. That is if the dragons are willing to share their power with the humans who had enslaved them for so long.
Too many things unresolved. And I remain confused over many things. Still, I'm glad I've chosen thoses books to read. They are too awesome to be missed out. I love Eon and Eona. I wish to god Alison Goodman will decide to write a sequel for this series. I know it is a duology, but it doesn't hurt to hope for a third book, right?
Part of me is thrilled. Part of me is elated. Then another part of me is sad and feels like "hey, it's not enough. Give us some more. An epilogue wouldn't kill, eh?" The pace of the story was straining and bursting at the same time, especially the parts where the final events were unfolding. I was edgy the whole time I read. I snapped at whoever coming near me, disrupting my reading space.
There was the horrible moment when I thought not only Ido died, Kygo would, too. I was scared and furious beyond questions. I thought, "What the hell? Is Kygo going to join Ido, leaving the earthly plane for the so-called spiritual enlightenment? Leaving Eona all alone?" Then, at the very LAST moment, she released my dread, freeing my built-up anger and anxiety. Kygo lived. So did Eona. A good number of people died, though. Just as Ido did. The ending was ambiguous. More an opening than an ending. Many things still remained unknown including the fates of many people, except the fact that Kygo was once again the legitimate Emperor. And Eona was his true true love and Naiso, his truth bringer. Ido and Sethon were no longer there to bully people. I should say "good ridden to bad rubbish" to both of them. Yet, I cannot make myself say that to Ido. For all his flaws, a place in my heart opened to him. Perhaps it was only pity or regret that I felt for the man. But it was sad, all the same. Therefore, I mourn for his lost.
Just as I thought, Ido was still power hungry. He wanted power till the very end. Being destroyed by his own ambition, I wonder if he is proud of his own death, the way he died. God only knows if he considered it an epic ending. Everything about Ido is extreme. As he remarked, he wouldn't settle for middle ground. He was too proud to do that. It's either living as the most powerful man, or died, not living as nothing. Maybe, in the deepest recess of his heart, his true desire and love for Eona were there. But he denied it, deeming it as weakness. If Eona can not stand next to him as Dragoneye Queen, his coordinator in power, the woman who is equal to him in power lust, then he wouldn't want her. She would soften his heart, and that is the last thing a man like Ido could ever want. The snide things he said to her at the end...I don't know if they were true. Maybe because his own heart was so dark and clouded that he couldn't see through what he really wanted. Maybe he noticed the change in him, and wanted to thwart it by grabing at whatever that could convince him that he was still the same person, the man who was in control, the one who knew what he desired. Too many maybe. These are just wistful thoughts that keep me from being convinced that he was hollow to the core, preventing me from despising him. He's already dead. I don't want to hate him.
What will happen to Eona and Kygo is up to your own imgination. My wild guess is that Kygo will break all laws of convention and tradition, and announce Eona as his Empress. Eona is not royalty, hence the highest position she could hold as the Emperor's women is Concubine. Eona deserves way better than that. Marrying within the same bloodline is not healthy, anyway. It limits the gene pool, doesn't it? It's not healthy at all. Moreover, it's obvious the guy is head over heels in love with Eona; "You are a queen to me, Eona", he said that himself. He even placed her personal interest above his concern for his fate and the land. Kygo should destroy the concubine system and settle with Eona alone. If he truly loves her, he must do it. What women would be happy sharing her beloved? I wouldn't, for sure. Besides, Eona should be enough to continue the royal line. If she ever bears a daughter, I believe she will be the next Mirror Dragoneye since it is a hereditary trait. That is if the dragons are willing to share their power with the humans who had enslaved them for so long.
Too many things unresolved. And I remain confused over many things. Still, I'm glad I've chosen thoses books to read. They are too awesome to be missed out. I love Eon and Eona. I wish to god Alison Goodman will decide to write a sequel for this series. I know it is a duology, but it doesn't hurt to hope for a third book, right?
Wednesday, 17 October 2012
Lord Ido...What's really in that heart of yours?
I've made very little progress in my reading today. I expect to finish Eona by the end of tomorrow though.
The disturbing thing I found from what I've read so far is about Ido. For the whole length of Eon, I spent my time fuming at him and rejoiced in his failure at attempting to rape Eona. But in book 2, there's some changes in his regard to Eona. Yes, he was still the same guy: arrogant, overly confident, pompous, dangerous, complex...and dark (in spirit)...and sexy. The not so very typical bad guy in fiction. The problem is there had been no gentleness in him. Not at all. But in Eona, there were moments when he showed her what seemed to be curiouly close to tenderness, such as:
I know that Ido will die in the end, from the reviews. So much for being spoiler free. I bet those readers couldn't restraint themselves from remarking on Ido. He is a very compelling character. One moment you thought you've figured everything about him, that he's the very child of Satan (or even the Satan himself.). Then there's something in him that pulls you towards him. An irresistible antagonist. I'm torn between despising him and wanting Eona to show him a teeny bit of, if not love, then tenderness. I'll have to decide what I feel about Ido when I find out about his true intention in the end. Is it really love? Or is it just a ploy? Is he a man in love with a woman? Or is he still the same man who lusts after power?
And now is about Ryko. He is such a grugding man. He sure knows how to hold a grudge. I understand his rage over Eona's irresponsible decision in healing Chart without asking his permission. But he's still angry at her for healing HIM. Oh, man. Why are you such a stubborn man? The girl didn't know about the consequence in using her power to heal. She didn't dare use it, but YOUR girl insisted on her doing that. He sulked and sulked. And whenever a person got close to Eona, he warned them away from her by accusing her power and annoucing her a liar. It's not like Eona wanted to force her healing on him. Those times she compeled him was due to her unability to control her power. Besides, their link was so closely connected that, whenever she used her power or in rage, Ryko got dragged into the tornado of her power. I know he hated being helpless, but he should be a bit more considerate towards the girl. She's only 16. I was a real bitch when I was 16. Eona was way better, more thoughtful, considerate and compassionate than me at that age. It's not as if because she was born a dragoneye, she should be a paragon of wisdom since the moment she came out of her mother's uterus. She's just a human. And humans are prone to make mistakes, even if in Eona's case, her mistakes usually resulted in dear consequences. Oh, and the Chart guy was annoying too. Smartass. Do you want to be a cripple forever? There's a high chance that once Eona is able to control her power, she can restraint from using compulsion on them. If there's an opportunity given, you should take it, young boy. Sometimes, you won't get to sit around and ponder on whether you should take it. Opportunity runs along the track of time. It will pass you by if you hold back. Yeah, Eona sure deserved a stern lecture on her belief in right and wrong, and that she should have sought your consel and aggreement before deciding to do anything that may affect others greatly. But it was out of good intention. The girl was kind-hearted. And very very young. Teach her slowly. Don't shower her with blame and accusation. Poor Eona. Really. I find myself defending Eona all the time while the other readers are of the same mind with Ryko. I wonder if it's because I'm just as bad as how people thought of Eona. I myself did many stupid things that...hurt people around me, too. But these actions weren't out of malice. Maybe they were reckless and foolish, but I, like Eona, never meant harm to others. I feel close to Eona, and I want to support her through the end.
Kygo is as polite as ever. I wish he would act more recklessly like Ido. But he's still cool, nonetheless. Boy, Eona is such a lucky girl.
The disturbing thing I found from what I've read so far is about Ido. For the whole length of Eon, I spent my time fuming at him and rejoiced in his failure at attempting to rape Eona. But in book 2, there's some changes in his regard to Eona. Yes, he was still the same guy: arrogant, overly confident, pompous, dangerous, complex...and dark (in spirit)...and sexy. The not so very typical bad guy in fiction. The problem is there had been no gentleness in him. Not at all. But in Eona, there were moments when he showed her what seemed to be curiouly close to tenderness, such as:
And there were some of the other scenes, too. You see. I'm so confused. My first impression of him conflicts with this new-found change in him. On top of it, I'm not entirely sure if it's out of pure love, no matter how dark and twisted it seems, or merely a device to lure her into uniting with him to strenghten his power.- Telling her he liked her hairstyle when she let it loose. And when she tried to provoke him by tying it, he said he liked it that way, too.- He made a lightning glass, then made a small bow and gave it to her as "a gift to the lady" .- Cupping her cheek hesitantly when she cried and told her that she was too tender and then tried to kissed, not by force, until Kygo jumped into the picture.- shielding her from the hot stones raining down from the sky from a certain devastation.- not forcing her into doing anything she didn't like.- when Eona rebuked "What do you know about love?", his answer and the detailed scene was like this:His eyes flickered. "I know that love is about power, too. Who gives, who takes. Who is willing to risk showing their true self." The intensity of his expression sent heat crashing through my body. He bent his head, running his thumb across the rope-cut around his wrist. "You have forced your way into my Hua, Eona. Changed me. First, by your power - then, just by who you are." He raised his head and there was no guard upon his expression. The raw need caught my breath. " You have seen me at my worst and at my weakest. Let me show you my best. Help me save this boat and everyone on board like a true Dragoneye." I gaped at him, unable to force my mind past the avowal of love. For that was what it was, wasn't it? Yet Lord Ido did not love anything except power.
I know that Ido will die in the end, from the reviews. So much for being spoiler free. I bet those readers couldn't restraint themselves from remarking on Ido. He is a very compelling character. One moment you thought you've figured everything about him, that he's the very child of Satan (or even the Satan himself.). Then there's something in him that pulls you towards him. An irresistible antagonist. I'm torn between despising him and wanting Eona to show him a teeny bit of, if not love, then tenderness. I'll have to decide what I feel about Ido when I find out about his true intention in the end. Is it really love? Or is it just a ploy? Is he a man in love with a woman? Or is he still the same man who lusts after power?
And now is about Ryko. He is such a grugding man. He sure knows how to hold a grudge. I understand his rage over Eona's irresponsible decision in healing Chart without asking his permission. But he's still angry at her for healing HIM. Oh, man. Why are you such a stubborn man? The girl didn't know about the consequence in using her power to heal. She didn't dare use it, but YOUR girl insisted on her doing that. He sulked and sulked. And whenever a person got close to Eona, he warned them away from her by accusing her power and annoucing her a liar. It's not like Eona wanted to force her healing on him. Those times she compeled him was due to her unability to control her power. Besides, their link was so closely connected that, whenever she used her power or in rage, Ryko got dragged into the tornado of her power. I know he hated being helpless, but he should be a bit more considerate towards the girl. She's only 16. I was a real bitch when I was 16. Eona was way better, more thoughtful, considerate and compassionate than me at that age. It's not as if because she was born a dragoneye, she should be a paragon of wisdom since the moment she came out of her mother's uterus. She's just a human. And humans are prone to make mistakes, even if in Eona's case, her mistakes usually resulted in dear consequences. Oh, and the Chart guy was annoying too. Smartass. Do you want to be a cripple forever? There's a high chance that once Eona is able to control her power, she can restraint from using compulsion on them. If there's an opportunity given, you should take it, young boy. Sometimes, you won't get to sit around and ponder on whether you should take it. Opportunity runs along the track of time. It will pass you by if you hold back. Yeah, Eona sure deserved a stern lecture on her belief in right and wrong, and that she should have sought your consel and aggreement before deciding to do anything that may affect others greatly. But it was out of good intention. The girl was kind-hearted. And very very young. Teach her slowly. Don't shower her with blame and accusation. Poor Eona. Really. I find myself defending Eona all the time while the other readers are of the same mind with Ryko. I wonder if it's because I'm just as bad as how people thought of Eona. I myself did many stupid things that...hurt people around me, too. But these actions weren't out of malice. Maybe they were reckless and foolish, but I, like Eona, never meant harm to others. I feel close to Eona, and I want to support her through the end.
Kygo is as polite as ever. I wish he would act more recklessly like Ido. But he's still cool, nonetheless. Boy, Eona is such a lucky girl.
Tuesday, 16 October 2012
My monologue
From the moment I woke up to now, I've been drowned under the giant mounds of work. Nothing exciting, just hours and hours of the same rhythmic sound of paper rustling, the groaning of printing machines, keyboard typing and people rumbling. Other than that, I spent most of my precious minutes of freedom desperately trying to snatch a few pages of reading. Thus, I don't have much to talk about what I've read.
Come to think of it, other than blogging about my reading of the day, I rarely talk about anything else. Sound lonely to me...Maybe I really am. Regardless of my being a big fan of romance, I don't have any interest in involving in a relationship myself. Perhaps I fear changes. I've been alright all by myself. I'm not sure about the prospect of introducing another person into my life. At least not for now. Not yet.
No doubt many of my cousins who are of the same age as me, living in the countryside, are already planning their engagement or...wedding. Some of them even asked me about my soon-to-be groom when I was at their house for a visit last year. For goodness' sake. I'm only 24. Though it seems to them 24 is an awfully late age to settle down. At my age, I should be worrying about bearing children like a rabbit, and not talking about female independence. Oh, I don't get me wrong. I don't scorn the idea of marriage...I rather like it, actually. Still, I want to take it slow. Let it be natural as how it should be until I meet the right person. I don't want to go to any gathering or meeting. I usually feel very awkward and giddy when I am in a crowd. Hmmm, the worse thing of all is my tounge stucks to the roof as my mouth and my mind goes all blank when I talk to a male, be it a stranger or an acquaintance. I'm not a person without wits. But when I am in that trance, I am no different than an airhead. Oh, that is if someone try to provoke me, I suddenly become very eloquent, confident and all fired up. Ready for battle stance, you know.
*blushing* Man! It's so embarrashing to carry on a monologue on this topic. All the more emphasis to my loneliness. Wonder why I suddenly launched into such a talk. Maybe because there is nothing else to discuss.
I've been choosing on which books to buy. My original intention was to buy a stack of 10-12 books or so. Then it jumped to 20 books. And now it's increased to 35 books. But there's no way I could buy all 35 books. I don't have enough money and I promised to buy PS3 games for my little sister. I guess I will have to pick some of them out to reduce the number. It will be a painful experience.
I've noticed I'm having some problem with the usage of prepositions. I should revise it. I know I've been using them all wrong.
Come to think of it, other than blogging about my reading of the day, I rarely talk about anything else. Sound lonely to me...Maybe I really am. Regardless of my being a big fan of romance, I don't have any interest in involving in a relationship myself. Perhaps I fear changes. I've been alright all by myself. I'm not sure about the prospect of introducing another person into my life. At least not for now. Not yet.
No doubt many of my cousins who are of the same age as me, living in the countryside, are already planning their engagement or...wedding. Some of them even asked me about my soon-to-be groom when I was at their house for a visit last year. For goodness' sake. I'm only 24. Though it seems to them 24 is an awfully late age to settle down. At my age, I should be worrying about bearing children like a rabbit, and not talking about female independence. Oh, I don't get me wrong. I don't scorn the idea of marriage...I rather like it, actually. Still, I want to take it slow. Let it be natural as how it should be until I meet the right person. I don't want to go to any gathering or meeting. I usually feel very awkward and giddy when I am in a crowd. Hmmm, the worse thing of all is my tounge stucks to the roof as my mouth and my mind goes all blank when I talk to a male, be it a stranger or an acquaintance. I'm not a person without wits. But when I am in that trance, I am no different than an airhead. Oh, that is if someone try to provoke me, I suddenly become very eloquent, confident and all fired up. Ready for battle stance, you know.
*blushing* Man! It's so embarrashing to carry on a monologue on this topic. All the more emphasis to my loneliness. Wonder why I suddenly launched into such a talk. Maybe because there is nothing else to discuss.
I've been choosing on which books to buy. My original intention was to buy a stack of 10-12 books or so. Then it jumped to 20 books. And now it's increased to 35 books. But there's no way I could buy all 35 books. I don't have enough money and I promised to buy PS3 games for my little sister. I guess I will have to pick some of them out to reduce the number. It will be a painful experience.
I've noticed I'm having some problem with the usage of prepositions. I should revise it. I know I've been using them all wrong.
Monday, 15 October 2012
Eunuchs. Men sure had in tough in these time.
Eona, so far, has been engaging. But what I find so puzzled is over the changes in its characters, especially Ryko's attitude. It's as if Ryko in Eon and Ryko in Eona are completely different people. He was perpeptually sullen, harsh and rude toward Eona. He jumped at every chance he got to accuse and brand Eona as a liar in public, even in front of Kygo. The nerve. Others also joined in the campaign to throw all the blame on Eona's shoulders.
1. Eona refused to heal Ryko due to the chaos in the energy world and her unability to control her power. Dela, however, insisted on Eona trying to heal Ryko by using threats and accusation to invoke Eona's conscience and guilt. And so she did...successfully but at a dear cost. As expected, Eona bore the blame.
2. By healing Ryko, Eona inadvertently bonded her Hua with his, allowing her to control his energy, his will. Ryko raged and raged over her decision to heal him. He said he would rather be dead than be a dog waiting for its master to kick on the shin. Again, Eona was the one to blame. My opinion is Ryko deserves to be kicked on the shin.
3. Prince Kygo accused Eona as being the bringer of doom in lieu of good fortune. He claimed that because Eona appeared at the arena where she shouldn't have been, she awoke her UNLUCKY dragon, igniting the whole chain of misfortunes and chaos. My butt. The truth is that regarless of the dragon's awakening, his uncle would still try his best to snatch the throne from him. Lord Ido would still kill the other dragoneyes for he was a man of bottomless ambitions. The country would still fall into shambles. The gears were already in motion whether Eona was there or not. Yet he and the others blamed everything on her shoulder as if she's the one who did all these things. It's you guys' responsibilities, not only Eona's.
Jeez, I'm so fed up with these people. They were so unfair, and rude. There are always reasons behind. Why didn't they put themselves in Eona's position. I, for one, certainly would not run around telling everyone in my path everything in my head. I'm the cautious sort of person. Just like Eona, so I can relate more to her. Besides, she'd had a very tough childhood. She had more reasons to be reserved and be wary of people. It's her survival instinct. They would have done the same things had they been in Eona's shoes. But these hard-headed people wouldn't listen to reasons. In the end, they thought of Eona as no more than a failure, a skilled liar. Poor Eona. Despite all her flaws, I'm still on her side. I just pray she will have a chance to display her talent, her prominent power, show these fool what a cool girl she really is. I'm still reading the first half of the book, so I'm hoping something amazing would happen.
I wonder if Alison Goodman has taken too much advantage on the eunuch system of the ancient Chinese. Almost 80% of male population who made appearance in Eon and Eona were eunuchs. It's true that all men who took positions in the harem were eunuch, for their priority was to serve the court ladies since it wouldn't do to have men roaming around the women's precinct. But there was no need to have the imperial guards and even scholars cut. They only worked in the king's precinct and were not allowed any passages to the harem. Fighting requires a lot of male power, in other words, sun power. It would have served the purpose so much better by keeping these men whole and all, right. Sacrificing them just further reduces their vitality. From what I've read from Chinese literature and watched from their historical movies and tv-shows, only the harem guards were eunuchs. Imperial guards and scholars weren't required to be cut. A certain number of chosen eunuchs would be trained in the art of fighting to be elite eunuch guards for both the king and ladies at all time. Normal guards would have limited access to the palace.
Anyway, it's rather disturbing to see eunuchs everywhere and so few normal men. The world would come to an end if there were no men to spread their seeds, eh? *giggle* Such vulgar talk. If my mother knew what I blogged daily, she would be appaled and shriek. Lol.
1. Eona refused to heal Ryko due to the chaos in the energy world and her unability to control her power. Dela, however, insisted on Eona trying to heal Ryko by using threats and accusation to invoke Eona's conscience and guilt. And so she did...successfully but at a dear cost. As expected, Eona bore the blame.
2. By healing Ryko, Eona inadvertently bonded her Hua with his, allowing her to control his energy, his will. Ryko raged and raged over her decision to heal him. He said he would rather be dead than be a dog waiting for its master to kick on the shin. Again, Eona was the one to blame. My opinion is Ryko deserves to be kicked on the shin.
3. Prince Kygo accused Eona as being the bringer of doom in lieu of good fortune. He claimed that because Eona appeared at the arena where she shouldn't have been, she awoke her UNLUCKY dragon, igniting the whole chain of misfortunes and chaos. My butt. The truth is that regarless of the dragon's awakening, his uncle would still try his best to snatch the throne from him. Lord Ido would still kill the other dragoneyes for he was a man of bottomless ambitions. The country would still fall into shambles. The gears were already in motion whether Eona was there or not. Yet he and the others blamed everything on her shoulder as if she's the one who did all these things. It's you guys' responsibilities, not only Eona's.
Jeez, I'm so fed up with these people. They were so unfair, and rude. There are always reasons behind. Why didn't they put themselves in Eona's position. I, for one, certainly would not run around telling everyone in my path everything in my head. I'm the cautious sort of person. Just like Eona, so I can relate more to her. Besides, she'd had a very tough childhood. She had more reasons to be reserved and be wary of people. It's her survival instinct. They would have done the same things had they been in Eona's shoes. But these hard-headed people wouldn't listen to reasons. In the end, they thought of Eona as no more than a failure, a skilled liar. Poor Eona. Despite all her flaws, I'm still on her side. I just pray she will have a chance to display her talent, her prominent power, show these fool what a cool girl she really is. I'm still reading the first half of the book, so I'm hoping something amazing would happen.
I wonder if Alison Goodman has taken too much advantage on the eunuch system of the ancient Chinese. Almost 80% of male population who made appearance in Eon and Eona were eunuchs. It's true that all men who took positions in the harem were eunuch, for their priority was to serve the court ladies since it wouldn't do to have men roaming around the women's precinct. But there was no need to have the imperial guards and even scholars cut. They only worked in the king's precinct and were not allowed any passages to the harem. Fighting requires a lot of male power, in other words, sun power. It would have served the purpose so much better by keeping these men whole and all, right. Sacrificing them just further reduces their vitality. From what I've read from Chinese literature and watched from their historical movies and tv-shows, only the harem guards were eunuchs. Imperial guards and scholars weren't required to be cut. A certain number of chosen eunuchs would be trained in the art of fighting to be elite eunuch guards for both the king and ladies at all time. Normal guards would have limited access to the palace.
Anyway, it's rather disturbing to see eunuchs everywhere and so few normal men. The world would come to an end if there were no men to spread their seeds, eh? *giggle* Such vulgar talk. If my mother knew what I blogged daily, she would be appaled and shriek. Lol.
Sunday, 14 October 2012
Man! Too much violence.
I initially planned to launch into a long long talk about Eon - Eona. But my anticipation in reading Eona has caused all my thoughts to fled away. So I'll just talk briefly about how I felt at the end of Eon.
The last 20% of the book was both slow and fast at the same time. Everything suddenly got into motion. In only one night, all the dragoneyes were killed brutelessly, the Pearl Emperor (the newly crowned king - aka prince Kygo) had to run away from his own palace and went in hiding, the king's harem was destroyed, his mother, sisters, little brother all died...and Eona, at long last, sucessfully called on her dragon. Yeah, I do share the same annoyed sentiment over Eon's stubborness to accept her true self, Eona. She had unwittingly subdued her dragon by denying Eona. But we can't exactly blame her, can we? I do know of the unfair treatment and horrible fate of women in the old times of Asia. They suffered from the males' aggressiveness and violence as a display of their male prowess. Eona, who had spent her life as a young girl, understood such fear. She is the type of person who in whatever situation always seeks to live. She, therefore, understandably tried to grab at whatever chance she could to shed away her miserable life as a girl. She didn't want to live at the mercy of men. She wanted to be in control of herself and have power. We can see why she did her best to hide the fact that she couldn't summon her dragon power. The girl was terrified. She only wanted to be a typical dragoneye, never asked to be the first Mirror Dragoneye in 500 years. She was involuntarily pushed into the dangerous game of politics, became the hope of the King, the Prince, and the Resistance force. She didn't choose it. She was chosen by destiny. Hence, I believe we should give the young girl some space to accustom to such a leap in status, power and responsibilities. Ryko, Dela and Prince Kygo expected too much from Eona. So when they found out the truth from Eona, they got violent and angry. Prince Kygo almost killed her. Jeez, the bull. Ryko glared at her all the time and gave her cold shoulders. Even Dela lashed at her verbally. Everyone blamed her without thinking about Eona's situation and dilemma. I feel terribly sorry for the girl.
Imagine my bewilderment when I read Eona summary. Of course, I already knew there would be romance in Eona. Still, there was nothing romantic in Eon. Nothing at all. That is if you count violent scenes in which these potential suitors hit our girl, Eona without reserves as romantic. Really, this love triangle springs out of nowhere.
Eon was filled with violence, and bloodshed. So if you are ones who cannot bear violence and extreme love-hate relationships, then I don't think these books are your cup of tea.
The last 20% of the book was both slow and fast at the same time. Everything suddenly got into motion. In only one night, all the dragoneyes were killed brutelessly, the Pearl Emperor (the newly crowned king - aka prince Kygo) had to run away from his own palace and went in hiding, the king's harem was destroyed, his mother, sisters, little brother all died...and Eona, at long last, sucessfully called on her dragon. Yeah, I do share the same annoyed sentiment over Eon's stubborness to accept her true self, Eona. She had unwittingly subdued her dragon by denying Eona. But we can't exactly blame her, can we? I do know of the unfair treatment and horrible fate of women in the old times of Asia. They suffered from the males' aggressiveness and violence as a display of their male prowess. Eona, who had spent her life as a young girl, understood such fear. She is the type of person who in whatever situation always seeks to live. She, therefore, understandably tried to grab at whatever chance she could to shed away her miserable life as a girl. She didn't want to live at the mercy of men. She wanted to be in control of herself and have power. We can see why she did her best to hide the fact that she couldn't summon her dragon power. The girl was terrified. She only wanted to be a typical dragoneye, never asked to be the first Mirror Dragoneye in 500 years. She was involuntarily pushed into the dangerous game of politics, became the hope of the King, the Prince, and the Resistance force. She didn't choose it. She was chosen by destiny. Hence, I believe we should give the young girl some space to accustom to such a leap in status, power and responsibilities. Ryko, Dela and Prince Kygo expected too much from Eona. So when they found out the truth from Eona, they got violent and angry. Prince Kygo almost killed her. Jeez, the bull. Ryko glared at her all the time and gave her cold shoulders. Even Dela lashed at her verbally. Everyone blamed her without thinking about Eona's situation and dilemma. I feel terribly sorry for the girl.
Imagine my bewilderment when I read Eona summary. Of course, I already knew there would be romance in Eona. Still, there was nothing romantic in Eon. Nothing at all. That is if you count violent scenes in which these potential suitors hit our girl, Eona without reserves as romantic. Really, this love triangle springs out of nowhere.
Eon was filled with violence, and bloodshed. So if you are ones who cannot bear violence and extreme love-hate relationships, then I don't think these books are your cup of tea.
Saturday, 13 October 2012
I grieve for you, Lord Brannon
Eon is a story that is very deep, dark, complex with a hint of violence and tragedy merged in it. This style of writing isn't often found in young adult fiction. They are usually so much more light-hearted. But somehow, through her mastery skill, Alison Goodman bravely and successfully weaved an amazing tale of a sixteen years-old girl masqueraded as a twelve years-old boy to participate in the competition choosing an apprentice for a Dragoneye lord, which since the beginning of time had been forbidden to women.
My heart feels raw with sorrow and sympathy to the characters who lived in this book: Eon - Eona, Lord Brannon - her master, Chart - Rilla, Lady Dela - Ryko and many many others. They are so real that tears pricked at my eyes whenever any of them suffered either from physical or emotional harms.
I'm really glad that Eon and its sequence, Eona, are very thick books. That way I'll have a chance to linger in their world for a longer time. But the emotional overloads in it put such a strain on my heart. I think of Eon's world day and night, every minute of my walking awake, hence, very distracting. Still, I welcome it, for I will hold it more deeply in my memory.
Poor Brannon. A man in his early forties whose enerygy had been almost drained from practicing Dragoneye magic for twenty-four years. A man who couldn't even walk with the help of others was secretly in love with his apprentice, Eon (or Eona). But for ambition, he destroyed her body, turning her into a cripple so that others wouldn't dare look at the cripple for fear of ill fortune to find the shadow of a girl in the garpb of a boy. He loved her, yet couldn't do anything about it, even until the day he died from being poisoned. *sigh* Now I understand why there's a saying that in the moment of death, you don't regret of what you did, but of what you didn't do.
So much sorrow. My chest is constricting, tightening its hold on my bruised heart. For now, I grieve for Lord Brannon for unable to voice his love and act on it, in the end, bringing with him only a baggage of guilt and regret to his own grave.
People remarked on the slow pacing of the book due to the detailed world-building. I concede my agreement on this point. Nevertheless, her colorful drawing of the world, her insight and research on Chinese myths and customs were brilliant, enticing you until you have to use every effort in you to break your focus apart from it. Therefore, I don't accuse her of the slow-pacing, but instead, applauding her skillful use of words to paint such a beautiful tale.
Eon's action, although, most of the time is driven and governed by fear and distrust, yet is a very believable character. Not everyone is born with self-assurance and self-confidence or is privileged to a life of education, absolute obeisance and courtesy like Elisa in The Girl of Fire and Thorns. Elisa is better and a more likeable character, still I choose Eon over Elisa. Perhaps I feel closer to Eon than Elisa. Elisa is too perfect, too awesome, I think.
My heart feels raw with sorrow and sympathy to the characters who lived in this book: Eon - Eona, Lord Brannon - her master, Chart - Rilla, Lady Dela - Ryko and many many others. They are so real that tears pricked at my eyes whenever any of them suffered either from physical or emotional harms.
I'm really glad that Eon and its sequence, Eona, are very thick books. That way I'll have a chance to linger in their world for a longer time. But the emotional overloads in it put such a strain on my heart. I think of Eon's world day and night, every minute of my walking awake, hence, very distracting. Still, I welcome it, for I will hold it more deeply in my memory.
Poor Brannon. A man in his early forties whose enerygy had been almost drained from practicing Dragoneye magic for twenty-four years. A man who couldn't even walk with the help of others was secretly in love with his apprentice, Eon (or Eona). But for ambition, he destroyed her body, turning her into a cripple so that others wouldn't dare look at the cripple for fear of ill fortune to find the shadow of a girl in the garpb of a boy. He loved her, yet couldn't do anything about it, even until the day he died from being poisoned. *sigh* Now I understand why there's a saying that in the moment of death, you don't regret of what you did, but of what you didn't do.
So much sorrow. My chest is constricting, tightening its hold on my bruised heart. For now, I grieve for Lord Brannon for unable to voice his love and act on it, in the end, bringing with him only a baggage of guilt and regret to his own grave.
People remarked on the slow pacing of the book due to the detailed world-building. I concede my agreement on this point. Nevertheless, her colorful drawing of the world, her insight and research on Chinese myths and customs were brilliant, enticing you until you have to use every effort in you to break your focus apart from it. Therefore, I don't accuse her of the slow-pacing, but instead, applauding her skillful use of words to paint such a beautiful tale.
Eon's action, although, most of the time is driven and governed by fear and distrust, yet is a very believable character. Not everyone is born with self-assurance and self-confidence or is privileged to a life of education, absolute obeisance and courtesy like Elisa in The Girl of Fire and Thorns. Elisa is better and a more likeable character, still I choose Eon over Elisa. Perhaps I feel closer to Eon than Elisa. Elisa is too perfect, too awesome, I think.
Friday, 12 October 2012
Eon...oh, Eon...
Eon...oh, Eon...You are absolutely amazing. I wonder why I've missed the book for all this time. I'm sure it's as awesome as the Empire Triology by Raymond E. Feist.
The background of the story is based on a combination of Chinese and Japanese culture. The fantasy aspect leans more heavily on Chinese myths while court customs, ways of dressing and inner structures of the Imperial Palace with sliding doors and certain parts are more on the Japanese. As for shadow men, they certainly come from ancient Chinese tradition. I think it's rather cruel, to destroy these men's lives for the sake of the court ladies. For no real men were sanctioned to walk in the realm of the King's inner court in which every woman resided were considered His women, His property. Hence, extreme measure was taken by sacrificing these men's vital parts, turning them into creatures who could not function as a true man, in other words, safe for His ladies. Men had it tough in those times, I have to say. Suffering from poverty would equal to being sold as slaves...or worse to the court and turned into shadow men. Living as such for the rest of their life, not as a woman...not as a man. How could they live, I wonder? But they had to...if not for anything, then for survival's sake.
Anyway, the book was so intriguing that I grugdingly admit it's even better than the Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson. I'm sorry Rae. I love your books with all my heart. But Alison Goodman is one step ahead of you in world building. And I'm afraid it's overshadowed your books.
That damned Play-asia still hasn't released my fund. I want to use the money to buy books, but I'll have to wait until then. Curse you.
The background of the story is based on a combination of Chinese and Japanese culture. The fantasy aspect leans more heavily on Chinese myths while court customs, ways of dressing and inner structures of the Imperial Palace with sliding doors and certain parts are more on the Japanese. As for shadow men, they certainly come from ancient Chinese tradition. I think it's rather cruel, to destroy these men's lives for the sake of the court ladies. For no real men were sanctioned to walk in the realm of the King's inner court in which every woman resided were considered His women, His property. Hence, extreme measure was taken by sacrificing these men's vital parts, turning them into creatures who could not function as a true man, in other words, safe for His ladies. Men had it tough in those times, I have to say. Suffering from poverty would equal to being sold as slaves...or worse to the court and turned into shadow men. Living as such for the rest of their life, not as a woman...not as a man. How could they live, I wonder? But they had to...if not for anything, then for survival's sake.
Anyway, the book was so intriguing that I grugdingly admit it's even better than the Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson. I'm sorry Rae. I love your books with all my heart. But Alison Goodman is one step ahead of you in world building. And I'm afraid it's overshadowed your books.
That damned Play-asia still hasn't released my fund. I want to use the money to buy books, but I'll have to wait until then. Curse you.
Thursday, 11 October 2012
Play-Asia is SHIT. Don't buy from them. They suspect their customers as potential criminals.
Wow, can't decide whether it's because Sarah's Child was so engaging that I read non-stop or because I wanna get rid of it to move on to Eon...but I'm done reading the book. As for its rating, I think I'll give it 4 star. I'm usually a very generous rater. For books that I hate I give them 3 stars. I don't dare use 1 or 2 stars.
I like Sarah's Child just fine...but not enough to propel me forward to the other two books of the series. They are in fact stand-alone books, only sharing characters who appeared in the first one.
Now is the big confession...I really really HATE the male protagonist, Rome Matthews. He's the biggest jerk in the planet. Logan shall have to step down from his throne to give the sit to this Rome. He won the title completely. The greatest jerk ever lived. I suppose the whole plot of this story was based on how big an asshole he was, thereby we shouldn't blame him too much, huh? For he was just doing his part. At the very least, he tried to redeem himself a little at the end of the book.
I found myself overwhelmed by loads of emotions in Sarah's Child sometimes. Because Linda Howard told the story in spontaneous points of view. The two sets of mind which clashed with each other and went in different directions. You will have to keep track of them to figure out how their misunderstanding and rejection actually came from thoughtfulness for each other's comfort. Silly, but still fun to read...until a certain breaking point when the king of the jerks refused to acknowledge that he's going to be the father of a very adorable child, Sarah's daughter. This part was agonising and infuriating. Sarah was so compliant to his selfish demands that I really wanted to swing a baseball bat against their two empty heads...I pray I won't make a homerun since it will be gruesome and bloody.
I just canceled my order on Play-Asia. They suck suck suck. I can't tell you how upset I was over their awfully slow process and trash service. I made my order on 25th September. Look at the calendar to see what date it is today and you will know why I am so angry. After waiting for a long time and sending them scans after scans of proofs for my identity and credit card, they rejected it, making excuses like there's not enough fund in it. Of course there's not enough. They charged me already. If they tried to charge me for a second time, it wouldn't be enough. I made my query, but their answer didn't hit the mark of my question. They dodged it. And then what's with trouble with authorising my card? AGAIN? They didn't answer that either. *shaking my head* What BULLSHIT! Trust me. I swear I will never ever buy anything from this rubbish play-asia. I should have known better and went to buy from amazon marketplace instead. I got what I bought after only two weeks. Their service was awesome. Play-asia is shit.
Oh! And you know what, the greatest thing of all is that I will have to WAIT again for my held fund to be released. Fabulous! How delightful, huh?
I took up writing again. It's fun.
I like Sarah's Child just fine...but not enough to propel me forward to the other two books of the series. They are in fact stand-alone books, only sharing characters who appeared in the first one.
Now is the big confession...I really really HATE the male protagonist, Rome Matthews. He's the biggest jerk in the planet. Logan shall have to step down from his throne to give the sit to this Rome. He won the title completely. The greatest jerk ever lived. I suppose the whole plot of this story was based on how big an asshole he was, thereby we shouldn't blame him too much, huh? For he was just doing his part. At the very least, he tried to redeem himself a little at the end of the book.
I found myself overwhelmed by loads of emotions in Sarah's Child sometimes. Because Linda Howard told the story in spontaneous points of view. The two sets of mind which clashed with each other and went in different directions. You will have to keep track of them to figure out how their misunderstanding and rejection actually came from thoughtfulness for each other's comfort. Silly, but still fun to read...until a certain breaking point when the king of the jerks refused to acknowledge that he's going to be the father of a very adorable child, Sarah's daughter. This part was agonising and infuriating. Sarah was so compliant to his selfish demands that I really wanted to swing a baseball bat against their two empty heads...I pray I won't make a homerun since it will be gruesome and bloody.
I just canceled my order on Play-Asia. They suck suck suck. I can't tell you how upset I was over their awfully slow process and trash service. I made my order on 25th September. Look at the calendar to see what date it is today and you will know why I am so angry. After waiting for a long time and sending them scans after scans of proofs for my identity and credit card, they rejected it, making excuses like there's not enough fund in it. Of course there's not enough. They charged me already. If they tried to charge me for a second time, it wouldn't be enough. I made my query, but their answer didn't hit the mark of my question. They dodged it. And then what's with trouble with authorising my card? AGAIN? They didn't answer that either. *shaking my head* What BULLSHIT! Trust me. I swear I will never ever buy anything from this rubbish play-asia. I should have known better and went to buy from amazon marketplace instead. I got what I bought after only two weeks. Their service was awesome. Play-asia is shit.
Oh! And you know what, the greatest thing of all is that I will have to WAIT again for my held fund to be released. Fabulous! How delightful, huh?
I took up writing again. It's fun.
Wednesday, 10 October 2012
I'm a bad girl
I'm a bad bad girl who deserves to be punished. And I'll take it on the chin.
I've missed out blogging for two days. In my defense, I was up to my elbows with work. By the time I realized, it's already too late. On top of it, I was still in bad form due to a bad case of stomachache.
Anyway, to sum it up, I worked for the better part of my days and was allowed a very very small amount of reading. I've completed The Crown of Embers. The book was fabulous. I was dazed and I am still...I miss Hector so much, but he was taken by the Inviernos, waiting for his queen to come to his rescue which he'd rather she wouldn't do. Hector...*sigh* he is the man of my dream. What girl wouldn't want him, you tell me ???
I had planned to read Eon right after that. But I decided to take a detour and am currently reading "Sarah's Child" by Linda Howard. Yes, it's romance. Hey! Don't you dare scorn at me. Romance fiction isn't trash and has its own mercies. But I admit, this book has a very dubious and twisted sense of morality. Hmm...but I don't care. What I need right now is a healthy dose of romance before I venture to Eon's world. The book is very thick and, as I've been led to believe, there is no romance in it. For any budding romance at all, I will have to wait for Eona (book 2).
I'm saving money to buy a batch of fiction, mostly written by Chinese authors. If you ever want anything romantic, dramatic, epic and tragic at the same time, read Chinese fiction. They are quite famous for this style of writing. I may have disagreements with the Chinese's barbaric behaviors toward Japanese, but I have nothing against Chinese literature.
I've missed out blogging for two days. In my defense, I was up to my elbows with work. By the time I realized, it's already too late. On top of it, I was still in bad form due to a bad case of stomachache.
Anyway, to sum it up, I worked for the better part of my days and was allowed a very very small amount of reading. I've completed The Crown of Embers. The book was fabulous. I was dazed and I am still...I miss Hector so much, but he was taken by the Inviernos, waiting for his queen to come to his rescue which he'd rather she wouldn't do. Hector...*sigh* he is the man of my dream. What girl wouldn't want him, you tell me ???
I had planned to read Eon right after that. But I decided to take a detour and am currently reading "Sarah's Child" by Linda Howard. Yes, it's romance. Hey! Don't you dare scorn at me. Romance fiction isn't trash and has its own mercies. But I admit, this book has a very dubious and twisted sense of morality. Hmm...but I don't care. What I need right now is a healthy dose of romance before I venture to Eon's world. The book is very thick and, as I've been led to believe, there is no romance in it. For any budding romance at all, I will have to wait for Eona (book 2).
I'm saving money to buy a batch of fiction, mostly written by Chinese authors. If you ever want anything romantic, dramatic, epic and tragic at the same time, read Chinese fiction. They are quite famous for this style of writing. I may have disagreements with the Chinese's barbaric behaviors toward Japanese, but I have nothing against Chinese literature.
Sunday, 7 October 2012
Saturday, 6 October 2012
No spirit
I'm still in no spirit to blog, but at least I'm not a zombie.
Reading the Crown of Embers now. It's awesome. Rae Carson is amazing. And Hector is the best hero one could ever wish for.
Already dreading the last page of the book.
Urgh, I feel like someone is shaking my head with a vengeance. God help me!
Reading the Crown of Embers now. It's awesome. Rae Carson is amazing. And Hector is the best hero one could ever wish for.
Already dreading the last page of the book.
Urgh, I feel like someone is shaking my head with a vengeance. God help me!
Friday, 5 October 2012
Thursday, 4 October 2012
Sorry Mom. My Mother Bear.
Business seems to be picking up, so I'm getting more work...and less reading.
Today is my mother's birthday, but we didn't talk to each other. To be exact, I didn't talk to her. I know. I know. I'm a shitty ass. *sigh* I so hate everything.
Finished Kiss of Frost today. All I have to say is Jennifer Estep sucks at writing romance. There's the SUPPOSED tension, but somehow I didn't really feel the electric pull. I'm sure you know what I'm talking about. I'm not compelled to moan and swoon like an air-headed girl. Though I did feel something. A warm, fizzy feeling. Something with a PINK aura, I guess. And yes, it's still enough to make me go to the next instalment in this series, Dark of Frost that I'm reading after blogging and work.
I confess I'm upset over the heroine. Sometimes she just...you know, acted like a bitch. Very foolish and inconsiderate, not to mention, too nosy. I reckon it's the detective trace. But Jennifer didn't do a very good job at portraying Gwen into someone with a very keen mind. Instead, we get the very nosy girl who is so into other people's secret into which she has no business to poke her nose. On top of all these problems, there's way too much repititive writing. I know she wants to remind us of which and which. However, when she does that all the time, these recaps are not there to remind you. They are there to piss you off. COMPLETELY.
For someone who is supposed to be so smart, Gwen is sooo slow in figuring things out. Facts with supportive proofs are right there, plain as day. But Gwen just went in a totally different direction. Funny how she thought only who she knew would have any reasons and intention to kill her. Isn't your suspicion usually targeted at a stranger and not at a friend? Oh well, if the guy in question is supercute, you wouldn't consider him as a possible murderer, right?
Logan is quite a reformed rack. Let's give him a chance, shall we, ladies? *wink*
Today is my mother's birthday, but we didn't talk to each other. To be exact, I didn't talk to her. I know. I know. I'm a shitty ass. *sigh* I so hate everything.
Finished Kiss of Frost today. All I have to say is Jennifer Estep sucks at writing romance. There's the SUPPOSED tension, but somehow I didn't really feel the electric pull. I'm sure you know what I'm talking about. I'm not compelled to moan and swoon like an air-headed girl. Though I did feel something. A warm, fizzy feeling. Something with a PINK aura, I guess. And yes, it's still enough to make me go to the next instalment in this series, Dark of Frost that I'm reading after blogging and work.
I confess I'm upset over the heroine. Sometimes she just...you know, acted like a bitch. Very foolish and inconsiderate, not to mention, too nosy. I reckon it's the detective trace. But Jennifer didn't do a very good job at portraying Gwen into someone with a very keen mind. Instead, we get the very nosy girl who is so into other people's secret into which she has no business to poke her nose. On top of all these problems, there's way too much repititive writing. I know she wants to remind us of which and which. However, when she does that all the time, these recaps are not there to remind you. They are there to piss you off. COMPLETELY.
For someone who is supposed to be so smart, Gwen is sooo slow in figuring things out. Facts with supportive proofs are right there, plain as day. But Gwen just went in a totally different direction. Funny how she thought only who she knew would have any reasons and intention to kill her. Isn't your suspicion usually targeted at a stranger and not at a friend? Oh well, if the guy in question is supercute, you wouldn't consider him as a possible murderer, right?
Logan is quite a reformed rack. Let's give him a chance, shall we, ladies? *wink*
Wednesday, 3 October 2012
DOUCHEBAG are EVERYWHERE
DAMN the boy. What? He thinks HE's the best of the best? Acting all highty mighty. Only HE is allowed to do a good job. Only HE is allowed to have new ideas. That stupid stupid douche. You're a douchebag. A jerk. The one with a very very hideous mind in the whole world.
He throws snide remarks at me all the time, making me the BAD GUY who always do a poor job, who always stole other people's ideas. Excuse me. Not everyone wants to gloat about what he's been planning to do. I've secretly prepared my project for a long time, waiting for it to be perfect then annouce it. And when it's the right time, that rubbish guy stole my spotlight and presented exactly what I had for my project. Hey, YOU are the one who stole my ideas. And you shove that ridiculous accusation at ME??? He even said he just worked for fun and never wanted to accept the fee for extra and overtime work. That is because you come from a wealthy family. Every expense of yours is covered by your parents. You are a damn pampered and spoiled kid who thinks he knows everything. You are a boy. Act like a gentlement for once, will you? Or you'll never get married. Who would want to marry a BRAT who talks and rattles too much. JERK!
The book I sooo want to read is here now. I can't wait to read it. But I think I'll wait until I finish the Mythos Academy series first. The ps3 game, Rune Factory - Tides of Destiny, I bought for my sister, has arrived. Great.
I tried to buy some other games for my sis on Play-Asia about a week ago. The funny thing is they haven't accepted my payment yet. Guess why? Because they're afraid I'm some sort of electronic criminal who buys things online using a fraud credit card. For the love of God, let me pay or just let me cancel the order. They've asked me to give them proofs which include scans of credit card back and front and something with my signature. Now they want me to give them a scan of my passport and something with my billing address on it. The next thing I know they probably will want the shots of my MUG taken like how the police do to new prisoners. I should have bought from Amazon Marketplace. They are only 3 or 4 dollars more expensive, but their service would be so much prompter and faster. Play-asia's service is crap. Just say the word already. You think I'm a criminal, Yes? How about calling the cops to capture me. Just because I'm a Vietnamese, doesn't mean I have to cheat to get things. I have a job. I have my own income, for god's sake. Don't you dare look down on Vietnamese. Or do you want us to join in the feud between you and Japan. Yeah, you are Hongkong, not China. But isn't it about the same thing???
Today I only have complaints. Not much fun to read, huh :P
He throws snide remarks at me all the time, making me the BAD GUY who always do a poor job, who always stole other people's ideas. Excuse me. Not everyone wants to gloat about what he's been planning to do. I've secretly prepared my project for a long time, waiting for it to be perfect then annouce it. And when it's the right time, that rubbish guy stole my spotlight and presented exactly what I had for my project. Hey, YOU are the one who stole my ideas. And you shove that ridiculous accusation at ME??? He even said he just worked for fun and never wanted to accept the fee for extra and overtime work. That is because you come from a wealthy family. Every expense of yours is covered by your parents. You are a damn pampered and spoiled kid who thinks he knows everything. You are a boy. Act like a gentlement for once, will you? Or you'll never get married. Who would want to marry a BRAT who talks and rattles too much. JERK!
The book I sooo want to read is here now. I can't wait to read it. But I think I'll wait until I finish the Mythos Academy series first. The ps3 game, Rune Factory - Tides of Destiny, I bought for my sister, has arrived. Great.
I tried to buy some other games for my sis on Play-Asia about a week ago. The funny thing is they haven't accepted my payment yet. Guess why? Because they're afraid I'm some sort of electronic criminal who buys things online using a fraud credit card. For the love of God, let me pay or just let me cancel the order. They've asked me to give them proofs which include scans of credit card back and front and something with my signature. Now they want me to give them a scan of my passport and something with my billing address on it. The next thing I know they probably will want the shots of my MUG taken like how the police do to new prisoners. I should have bought from Amazon Marketplace. They are only 3 or 4 dollars more expensive, but their service would be so much prompter and faster. Play-asia's service is crap. Just say the word already. You think I'm a criminal, Yes? How about calling the cops to capture me. Just because I'm a Vietnamese, doesn't mean I have to cheat to get things. I have a job. I have my own income, for god's sake. Don't you dare look down on Vietnamese. Or do you want us to join in the feud between you and Japan. Yeah, you are Hongkong, not China. But isn't it about the same thing???
Today I only have complaints. Not much fun to read, huh :P
Tuesday, 2 October 2012
Logan. You are a BLOODY jerk...And you KNOW it.
It's my plan to take a quick nap now, but if I do, I'll have trouble sleeping later. May as well do the blogging now and read or sleep later.
Continued my silence compaign, no good result has been yielded. If this silencing thing isn't going to work, I'll change my strategy to BULLYING... And begging as the LAST resort.
I've read over the first 20% of the 2nd book, Kiss of Frost, and still nothing new. Most of what I read was recap. That is if you count the various french-kissing scenes between Logan and his Amazon girlfriend as new material. Seriously, the guy is such a douche, the biggest jerk hero on the planet. He's the sort of hero who spins from being the knight in shining armour to a BLOODY jerk who makes out with whatever girl in front of the very one he cares so much about. Anyway, courtesy to Vic. I borrowed the cussing word from him.*grin*
I've noticed that Jennifer Estep really LIKES to repeat her writing. I swear I've read about her description on Gwen's, Vic's, Nike's eye colour and Gwen's homecoming dance's dress colour as "a peculiar or a curious shade of colour in between violet and grey, the colour of twilight" for what must be 10 times or even more in the first book. I bet the same description is going to haunt me for the whole length of book 2 and 3 also..and may be book 4 as well. There are many other repititive writing, but I don't bother to list them out here. It would feel like I have to read them all over again just by writing. Quite depressing, I tell you.
Logan isn't a much beloved hero. In fact, I think he's downright the embodiment of girls' nemesis. I'm sure the guy did what he did only to drive Gwen away from him...not with any pleasures or satisfaction at all I assure you. The guy is as much in love with her as she is with him, but he wouldn't admit it. He's trying desperately to push the unsettling truth away by twisting it into something ugly and hurt the girl he loves. A very funny perception. Regardless, did he need to put on the makeout-in-action act whenever he's near Gwen? Poor girl. Her heart is all bruised and her charisma's starting to be affected. So far, I'm afraid she's lost her cool. She's helplessly spinning for him and moping around hoping the guy would suddenly change his mind. Jeez, where's your spirit, Gwen? Tough it up! Tell the guy what a douche you think he is and tell him that you will never ever give him the time of your day anymore. That I'm sure would perk him up A LOT like his ass is on fire. *snickering*
The problem with Jennifer Estep's storytelling skill is that her story IS too expected and easily predicted. I've already seen many of the events that Jennifer paintakingly trying to keep in hiding until the very moment coming. Such as the mystery and the mastermind behind it in Touch of Kiss, I found it out even before the story got to any imporatant parts and my suspicion and theory were confirmed at the end of the book. For now, I know who Oliver's secret crush is. I'm splurting it out now, so if you haven't read this book, steer clear of the spoiler, okay.....It's Kenzie. Yes, both of them are guys. Don't know about Kenzie's side, but it's enough a fact to deduce that Oliver is gay.
*sigh* Imagine my dissappointment for wish of a possible drama, love-triangle...I have absolutely nothing against homosexuality, just so you know. I just...kind of wish his love interest was Gwen. That would fire the romance up to a new level. But no. I knew what the answer was the moment Gwen had a blurred image of someone with BLACK hair. Linking that with his irrating attitude towards her (probably sensing her as a possible RIVAL) and his worry when he saw her touching his notebook and when she told him she knew about his secret crush gives you the ultimate answer. It's not something strange for an author to colourize her group of casts by adding a gay or lesbian couple into the picture. Therefore, I made my guess in no time.
Got my coloured-pencil box today. Yay! The box is bent due to the impact during delivery, but thank god, all the pencils are fine. The colours are gorgeous. The tips of the pencils are soft, giving out vivid colours without the need for straining your wrist . Anyway I'm pleased with what I bought. It deserves my money. Though I have to say, It's freaking expensive.
Continued my silence compaign, no good result has been yielded. If this silencing thing isn't going to work, I'll change my strategy to BULLYING... And begging as the LAST resort.
I've read over the first 20% of the 2nd book, Kiss of Frost, and still nothing new. Most of what I read was recap. That is if you count the various french-kissing scenes between Logan and his Amazon girlfriend as new material. Seriously, the guy is such a douche, the biggest jerk hero on the planet. He's the sort of hero who spins from being the knight in shining armour to a BLOODY jerk who makes out with whatever girl in front of the very one he cares so much about. Anyway, courtesy to Vic. I borrowed the cussing word from him.*grin*
I've noticed that Jennifer Estep really LIKES to repeat her writing. I swear I've read about her description on Gwen's, Vic's, Nike's eye colour and Gwen's homecoming dance's dress colour as "a peculiar or a curious shade of colour in between violet and grey, the colour of twilight" for what must be 10 times or even more in the first book. I bet the same description is going to haunt me for the whole length of book 2 and 3 also..and may be book 4 as well. There are many other repititive writing, but I don't bother to list them out here. It would feel like I have to read them all over again just by writing. Quite depressing, I tell you.
Logan isn't a much beloved hero. In fact, I think he's downright the embodiment of girls' nemesis. I'm sure the guy did what he did only to drive Gwen away from him...not with any pleasures or satisfaction at all I assure you. The guy is as much in love with her as she is with him, but he wouldn't admit it. He's trying desperately to push the unsettling truth away by twisting it into something ugly and hurt the girl he loves. A very funny perception. Regardless, did he need to put on the makeout-in-action act whenever he's near Gwen? Poor girl. Her heart is all bruised and her charisma's starting to be affected. So far, I'm afraid she's lost her cool. She's helplessly spinning for him and moping around hoping the guy would suddenly change his mind. Jeez, where's your spirit, Gwen? Tough it up! Tell the guy what a douche you think he is and tell him that you will never ever give him the time of your day anymore. That I'm sure would perk him up A LOT like his ass is on fire. *snickering*
The problem with Jennifer Estep's storytelling skill is that her story IS too expected and easily predicted. I've already seen many of the events that Jennifer paintakingly trying to keep in hiding until the very moment coming. Such as the mystery and the mastermind behind it in Touch of Kiss, I found it out even before the story got to any imporatant parts and my suspicion and theory were confirmed at the end of the book. For now, I know who Oliver's secret crush is. I'm splurting it out now, so if you haven't read this book, steer clear of the spoiler, okay.....It's Kenzie. Yes, both of them are guys. Don't know about Kenzie's side, but it's enough a fact to deduce that Oliver is gay.
*sigh* Imagine my dissappointment for wish of a possible drama, love-triangle...I have absolutely nothing against homosexuality, just so you know. I just...kind of wish his love interest was Gwen. That would fire the romance up to a new level. But no. I knew what the answer was the moment Gwen had a blurred image of someone with BLACK hair. Linking that with his irrating attitude towards her (probably sensing her as a possible RIVAL) and his worry when he saw her touching his notebook and when she told him she knew about his secret crush gives you the ultimate answer. It's not something strange for an author to colourize her group of casts by adding a gay or lesbian couple into the picture. Therefore, I made my guess in no time.
Got my coloured-pencil box today. Yay! The box is bent due to the impact during delivery, but thank god, all the pencils are fine. The colours are gorgeous. The tips of the pencils are soft, giving out vivid colours without the need for straining your wrist . Anyway I'm pleased with what I bought. It deserves my money. Though I have to say, It's freaking expensive.
Monday, 1 October 2012
Waiting for a verdict to be issued
I'm in discord with my mother. That pretty much sums up my day. Other than that, I spent my day working and reading.
Afore talking about the new book I'm reading, there's something I found exceedingly irritating in Significance that I have to splurt it out. Otherwise, it will choke me to death. Maggie in Significance was a very insensitive, inconsiderate and selfish girl. People and Caleb kept swooning how amazing, sweet and adorable she was but I didn't see any of such traces in her. There were two other guys who also happened to be madly in love with her (jeez, the girl doesn't deserve all the attention), and she snapped at them and humiliated them everytime she spoke to them. Shelly Crane probably attempted to build an image of a strong girl who can fend for herself against guys. But...hey, they were sweet, kind-hearted, harmless guys who may have made some silly mistakes in the past. Perhaps Chad, one of the guys, bad-timingly broke up with her right when she needed him most. However, the guy had more reasons to do that and he didn't know what happened to Maggie, and she didn't bother to listen to his explanation only until the very last moment when she invaded his privacy without his awareness and permission by the mean of reading his mind. Poor Chad, really. That proves how grugding Maggie was. As to Kyle, his only mistake was to harbour some secret love for Maggie for two years. Guess what Maggie's reaction was when she found out Kyle's feeling... She wanted to HURL. Man, the girl was and is still a major annoyance. She will live forever in my memory as someone I want to slap senseless.
Well, I guess that's quite enough. I can breath somewhat easier.
Touch of Frost is more entertaining than I expected. The heroine is one of those self-acclaimed detectives who cannot restrain her own curiosity and loves to dig out others' secret. Thus she snoops about places she shouldn't be. And the consequence is that she was dragged into some paranormal mystery and almost got herself killed if not for the Spartan hero who had followed her into the dark for what intention God ONLY knows. So far so good. But one of the things that irked me was that the author made repititive writing for quite a few times. I'm sure I have good enough memory to remember what just happened in, say, the last three pages. She even reminded us about the heroine's rare ability for what must be three or four times during the first 10% of the book. Gosh, it was annoying.
I cannot yet form an image of the hero. He made very spare appearance in this book and for only about a few lines to a few pages at most. I figure Jennifer Estep wanted to focus the story around the heroine first and didn't want to make the romance into something like Insta-love. This I approve. Besides, I'm quite hooked into the mystery to care much for the romace. Though it does add some spices to the story.
Now I'm starting to have much more expectation than I previously had. I hope Jennifer isn't going to fail me. I saw lots of low rating for all the books in this series. Let us pray.
Oh, right, I just received an email from Oxford College informing me that I do not need an IELTS certificare to enrol. I think I don't even need to send them any documents of my prior education, either. All that's left to solve is the MONEY. My parents piss me off. Yeah, I know how wrong and bad that sounds. But they keep asking me to WAIT, WAIT, WAIT...and then WAIT some more. Ok. So I'll wait until the day I die. If only I have my own budget. It sucks depending on people for your future. Especially when the people we're talking about are your own parents.
Afore talking about the new book I'm reading, there's something I found exceedingly irritating in Significance that I have to splurt it out. Otherwise, it will choke me to death. Maggie in Significance was a very insensitive, inconsiderate and selfish girl. People and Caleb kept swooning how amazing, sweet and adorable she was but I didn't see any of such traces in her. There were two other guys who also happened to be madly in love with her (jeez, the girl doesn't deserve all the attention), and she snapped at them and humiliated them everytime she spoke to them. Shelly Crane probably attempted to build an image of a strong girl who can fend for herself against guys. But...hey, they were sweet, kind-hearted, harmless guys who may have made some silly mistakes in the past. Perhaps Chad, one of the guys, bad-timingly broke up with her right when she needed him most. However, the guy had more reasons to do that and he didn't know what happened to Maggie, and she didn't bother to listen to his explanation only until the very last moment when she invaded his privacy without his awareness and permission by the mean of reading his mind. Poor Chad, really. That proves how grugding Maggie was. As to Kyle, his only mistake was to harbour some secret love for Maggie for two years. Guess what Maggie's reaction was when she found out Kyle's feeling... She wanted to HURL. Man, the girl was and is still a major annoyance. She will live forever in my memory as someone I want to slap senseless.
Well, I guess that's quite enough. I can breath somewhat easier.
Touch of Frost is more entertaining than I expected. The heroine is one of those self-acclaimed detectives who cannot restrain her own curiosity and loves to dig out others' secret. Thus she snoops about places she shouldn't be. And the consequence is that she was dragged into some paranormal mystery and almost got herself killed if not for the Spartan hero who had followed her into the dark for what intention God ONLY knows. So far so good. But one of the things that irked me was that the author made repititive writing for quite a few times. I'm sure I have good enough memory to remember what just happened in, say, the last three pages. She even reminded us about the heroine's rare ability for what must be three or four times during the first 10% of the book. Gosh, it was annoying.
I cannot yet form an image of the hero. He made very spare appearance in this book and for only about a few lines to a few pages at most. I figure Jennifer Estep wanted to focus the story around the heroine first and didn't want to make the romance into something like Insta-love. This I approve. Besides, I'm quite hooked into the mystery to care much for the romace. Though it does add some spices to the story.
Now I'm starting to have much more expectation than I previously had. I hope Jennifer isn't going to fail me. I saw lots of low rating for all the books in this series. Let us pray.
Oh, right, I just received an email from Oxford College informing me that I do not need an IELTS certificare to enrol. I think I don't even need to send them any documents of my prior education, either. All that's left to solve is the MONEY. My parents piss me off. Yeah, I know how wrong and bad that sounds. But they keep asking me to WAIT, WAIT, WAIT...and then WAIT some more. Ok. So I'll wait until the day I die. If only I have my own budget. It sucks depending on people for your future. Especially when the people we're talking about are your own parents.
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