Amy | Lost in a Good Book

News and Reminders

05 Apr 2013 Leave a comment

Not exactly new news of any real importance but exciting all the same. I have so much to remember at this end it helps if I keep reminding someone else beside myself. So this weekend I am going to a writer’s festival which is going to be amazing! Two days of listening to speeches and talks about all things reading and writing. I will try and keep you updated on the wonderful things I am hearing about but if that doesn’t happen you will be sure to hear of my adventures after the fact in a far more structured and professional manner no doubt.

Next week, possibly Wednesday, I am doing another cover reveal so be on the look out for that, all terribly exciting there. Also do not forget in a couple more weeks Kerry Letheby is doing a guest post for her tour. You can keep track of where she will be here, and check out her other appearances and share the love around.

Speaking of sharing the love, a reminder I have now got Facebook and Twitter, so if you haven’t already started following either of them pop on over so you can see some different and interesting book related goodies that don’t make it onto the blog.

That may be all for now, I hope you all have a wonderful weekend (I know I will!) and read something spectacular.

Artemis Fowl and The Eternity Code (#3) by Eoin Colfer

05 Apr 2013 2 Comments

by Amy in 5 Stars, Artemis Fowl Series, Junior Fiction, Young Adult Tags: artemis fowl, eoin colfer, fantasy, five stars, junior fiction, young adult

Published: April 27 2003
Publisher: Puffin Books
Pages: 329
Format: Book
Genre: Junior Fiction/Young Adult Fantasy
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ – 5 Stars

Artemis Fowl has constructed a super-computer from stolen fairy technology. In the wrong hands it could be fatal for humans and fairies alike. But no need to worry. Artemis has brilliant plan. He’s not going to use it; he’s just going to show it to ruthless American businessman with Mafia connections. His bodyguard, Butler, will be with him.
What could possibly go wrong…?

The more I read of Mr Fowl and his antics the more I enjoy them; and by enjoy I mean adore and have messed up thinking and a headache trying to figure out what is happening or about to happen. It is glorious! We begin with Artemis trying one last hurrah before going straight and as soon as soon as he begins, chaos ensues. Taking us slightly back to book one we see more fairy technology being adapted for Artemis’ use as he tries to sell modified technology. This, of course, unintentionally attracts the attention of the LEP and as things begin to go wrong, the old gang arrives to join the adventure. Is it really an Artemis book without them really? There is clearly a developing connection between Holly and Artemis, their friendship has been growing as we saw previously, but this time we see how far it has come.

What was great about this book was that we see a couple of Artemis’ failings. I think I mentioned in the Arctic Incident review that it was good to see his unnatural calm and control shaken, but this time it was less shaken than suddenly outsmarted and seemingly beaten, though by his exterior it is hard to tell how this affects him, which is why Colfer lets actions do the talking. This act of being outsmarted naturally never lasts long for Artemis and new plans are formed, but those brief moments where he is on the back foot are always a small delight.

There is added drama and suspense in this book for more direct and personal reasons than before, but naturally nothing Artemis can’t deal with. The LEP assistance is always great with the wit and sarcasm it brings, and you often wonder what would happen if there weren’t there, but as we saw from book one, Artemis makes thing happen when he wants something and he would easily adjust.

There are so many great intricacies in this book that I would love to rave about but alas, spoilers, and anything I want to mention I fear has a chance of ruining something. I will say this: what Artemis knows, and what Artemis thinks of, I am fairly certain he has already thought about before we have even had time to register the initial cause of why he is thinking it. There are times I think he knows them before Colfer sometimes as well, but if Colfer is let in on the plans, he hides them ridiculously well, always eager to just spring something on us.

Based on the events in this book I am eager to see what the next book deals with. I think more LEP exploration based on the conclusion of this, but I am sure our dear Artemis, who is growing older and more clever and charming and adorable by each book, will not be far away for long.

Artemis Fowl and The Arctic Incident (#2) by Eoin Colfer

03 Apr 2013 Leave a comment

by Amy in 4 Stars, Artemis Fowl Series, Junior Fiction, Young Adult Tags: artemis fowl, eoin colfer, fantasy, four stars, junior fiction, young adult

Published: May 6 2002
Publisher: Puffin Books
Pages: 288
Format: Book
Genre: Junior Fiction/Young Adult Fantasy
★ ★ ★ ★ – 4 Stars

Someone has been supplying Class A illegal human power sources to the goblins. Captain Holly Short of the LEPrecon Unit is sure that the person responsible is her arch-enemy, thirteen-year-old Artemis Fowl. But is he? Artemis has his own problems to deal with: his father is being held to ransom and only a miracle will save him. Maybe this time a brilliant plan just won’t be enough. Maybe this time Artemis needs help…

After Artemis’ attempts to restore his family fortunes using ransom and blackmail, his focus shifts to finding his father. Held up in a prominent boarding school Artemis, now thirteen, devises a plan to escape and track down his missing father. Using the skill and sly wit we’ve come to know and love from Artemis he is soon on his way to rescuing his father with Butler ever present at his side.

In a different style to that of the previous book, Artemis has no interest in tracking down the People, however this does not mean they are not looking at him. There is something suspicious going on underground and with the events of the past still present in the LEP’s memory, the finger is pointed in Artemis’ direction. This suspicion brings Holly and Artemis together once more as she intercepts his travels and for the first time takes him down into her world where it is soon revealed that there is something a lot bigger and sinister going on than they first thought.

One of the things I really enjoyed in this story was that the underground world of the People was explored to a greater extent, and not just as a connection to Artemis’ story. As a civilization and a race Colfer weaves this wonderful image of their world and how it operates. We are invited into their world starting with the greater picture, we see their laws and issues, and their daily routines, and we get to see how they live as a society. With this extensive look and separate storyline we are also introduced to new characters such as the pixie Opal Koboi, more goblins and a sinister Frenchmen to name just a few. It is not all new faces however, with plenty of familiar faces both above and below ground; dwarf criminal Mulch Diggums, technology whiz centaur Foaly, and LEP Commander Root return with Holly, as do a few others, each with the humour, quirks, and unique personality that we grew fond of the first time around.

As these two worlds overlap to help each other solve their own mysteries, they do so with a growing trust and a cautious but more cooperative and friendly partnership than they had in the past. As much as I liked the humour and interactions between characters in the first book, I do think when both sides are cooperating and being friendlier it makes for very different comments, wit, and interactions; not necessarily better, but different. Either way it is really unfair to compare them side by side, they are a progression of a story rather than separate works really, both were really enjoyable reads. The great thing I’ve found about Colfer’s writing is you can enjoy reading about Artemis’ world on its own, you can enjoy reading about the People’s world on its own, and some how it still manages to get a little bit greater and more enjoyable when the two worlds collide, no matter whether it is friendly or not.

What I like most about these books, it isn’t just the wit and the irrepressible charm these characters have in their own individual way, and as much as I adore the writing style Colfer has, what I love most in these books is mainly Artemis. There is something about that boy that makes you love and be in awe of this kid and how he logically thinks things through, plans everything and knows everything that needs to be known at the time. Though we do get to see a new aspect of Artemis in this book, it is great watching him squirm ever so slightly in an environment he is not used to. He begins to grow as a person and we see this as he shows a more moral side, and he becomes less of an evil schemer as others take the reign; this works especially well since most of the action involved in this book is based around the LEP world. He has not changed completely mind you, there are some classic Artemis moments when he is in his element, but seeing the new side was a treat.

There are twists and turns as always in Colfer’s narrative and we get to see action from everyone’s point of view which is always a great thing. Colfer does not just switch between characters as the story progresses, he lets us experience the same event from everyone involved. This is a brilliant choice because each character offers so much, and is so complex in their own right that usually any time anything is happening it is the work of every one throwing something into it. Artemis’ brilliance and cunning excelled in this book. As I say, you get to see a different side of him, but not so much you can forget the calm, calculated thirteen year old who is so meticulous no matter what his circumstances. I do hope he stays this way through the remaining series. A brilliant read, as funny, action filled and cleverly created as the first, and it is certainly a great stepping stone into book number three.

Fairy Tales by Hans Christian Andersen

02 Apr 2013 1 Comment

by Amy in 5 Stars, Birthdays, General Tags: birthday, fairy tales, five stars, hans christian andersen

Published: October 22nd 1998
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Pages: 376
Format: Book
Genre: Fairy Tales
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ – 5 Stars

Happy Birthday Hans Christian Andersen!

I have to admit, most of my favourite fairy tales come from Hans Christian Andersen. I’m not against the Grimm Brothers by any means, but I know what I like with Andersen, with the Grimms I generally think they are all pretty good but I wouldn’t know an absolute favourite.

This favourite for Andersen is of course The Little Match Girl. I think it is one of the most beautiful and heartbreaking stories, and yet by the end Andersen brings in his own version of happily ever after which was nothing like I had ever seen before.

Knowing the Grimm’s work, I thought Andersen was greater, there was more than princesses, more than forests and enchantments; instead there were conceited kings, and there were ducklings, soldiers in love, silent mermaids, admirable princes: each with their own stories about love and sorrow and justice. There was no attempt to make life fall into place, there was no real justice for those who did wrong, and not simplistic and easy happily ever after to sooth the senses after the tragedy that had been experienced. This is why I admire Andersen so much, possible without meaning to he provides a happily ever after of simple happiness than orchestrating love and marriage and vengeance disguised as justice.

I knew more Andersen fairy tales growing up than I did Grimm, sure I watched the Disney versions of Cinderella, Snow White and knew the story of Hansel and Gretel, but at the end of the day Red Riding Hood scared me, and the idea of a prince saving me from my family, or defeating a witch had no real interest to me; the messages in The Ugly Duckling, or the Steadfast Tin-Soldier did more for my than warning me to stay on the path or defeating a witch in an edible house.

Andersen was on track to do a lot of things before he started writing fairy tales; he began working as a weaver’s apprentice before moving into the world of acting. There he discovered he had an excellent soprano voice he was accepted into the Royal Danish Theatre. This however did not come to anything as his voice changed, but this seemingly unfortunate turn of events in fact started Andersen on his writing journey. After being told he would make a good poet by a fellow company member, Andersen took this to heart and began writing, his first novel The Ghost at Palnatoke’s Grave being published in 1822.

The first fairy tale he wrote was called The Tallow Candle, in the 1820s and told the story of a candle who did not feel appreciated. He worked on many short stories as well as theatre pieces and poetry, but it is his collection of fairy tales that have made him well known in the long run; though as soon as I can track down these other works I have every intention of reading them.

The immortal fairy tales we know today were first published in 1835 consisting of nine tales, including The Tinderbox, The Princess and the Pea, Thumbelina and The Little Mermaid. New stories were added in later installments in both 1836 and 1837, however like it is with most works of genius, these did not sell well and Andersen went back to novels to get by.

His personal life is fascinating, he was a friend of Charles Dickens, and his life was filled with misfortune and great opportunities at the same time. If you really want to know more about what a troubled yet brilliant person Andersen was you can read his autobiography The Fairy Tale of My Life: An Autobiography. There have been a few film versions of his life as well, though some more fanciful than others.

Andersen paved the way for Kenneth Grahame and A. A. Milne and their stories, and Lewis Carroll and Beatrix Potter would also take their inspiration from him as well. From slow beginnings it is astonishing how loved and well known his works are, even more so than those he was known for most in his early years.

April 2nd is celebrated as International Children’s Day which I did not know until now. Reading his fairy tales are such a joy and are so moving and emotional at the same time, just as all good stories should be. Where would the world be today without the selfless little mermaid, or the child who spoke against a king, or even the simple prince who judged royalty based on a legume?

You can read a range of fairy tales from a range of authors and backgrounds at SurLaLune. It is a great website where you can find out about variations, histories and general amazing things about fairy tales we know and love, as well as those we’ve never heard of before.

Authors and April 1st.

02 Apr 2013 Leave a comment

by Amy in Rambles Tags: april fools, authors in movies, john green

As April 1 ends and we all breathe a sigh of relief that we escaped being fooled. Not all of us are so lucky, and not just by friends, no no, but by media and personalities whom we trust and believe they’d never steer us wrong. With Facebook and Twitter allowing access to fans in a more direct manner, celebrities and companies can trick us in very creative ways. What is worse I feel is when you do not realise you have been fooled, it isn’t until a few hours later when it finally clicks that you feel foolish.

My experience was when author John Green posted on Twitter that he had been given the role of Augustus Waters in The Fault in Our Stars Film. Being a day ahead I wasn’t aware that the US had hit April yet so I was still trusting. Alas ’twas not so and I was fooled; I had been going so well all day too. I had but one hour remaining and I was out, fool free for another year. But this is not a post about being fooled, well not entirely. It got me thinking, are there cases where authors are actually allowed to act in their own films? Surely this is possible, directors slip themselves into their works all the time, being on Hitchcock watch is one of my favourite games while watching his films. I did a search and I managed to find this great article by Michelle Orange – Getting in the Act: 11 Novelists Who Found Their Way Into the Script. It is a few years out of date but interesting nonetheless. Not being actors themselves they are typically cameo appearances, not huge speaking roles like John was aiming for; but for fans of authors and the books from whence these pictures came, spotting a familiar face, or having these fun facts are just an added joy in enjoying the film version of their beloved book (or, as it were compiling a list of complaints about a film ruining their book interrupted only by spotting the familiar face).

There are many authors who do not approve, and many who do, of where films have taken their cherished and slaved over works, and I can’t say even if they did a bang up job, I would be putting my hand up to be cameoing into anything I had written either. This feeling may be a common occurrence which could account for the fact I could only find this list of 11. There may be others I have yet to discover, and now I know it is possible I shall keep an eager eye out in future.

I hope you are already enjoying April, how did we get to month four so soon I don’t even want to think about, I hope you were not fooled too much and I hope you managed to find time to read something spectacular.