Review for Wren by Ericka Clay

Wren by Ericka Clay

Wren, by Ericka Clay, is a young adult story on the rebel side. She has nothing good to say about her mother and is a clear supporter of individuality and expression, though one could argue that her devil-may-care attitude isn’t original at all; it is simply another way to see one’s sordid teenage years. But, her sordid years aren’t like many experience.

The reader is left to create Wren’s world almost completely. It is a bit disconcerting wondering if she is in an apartment building or a small house in the hills or maybe her family lives in a trailer park by the lake. I want to be left to my imagination when reading, but I need more setting to get a feel for where I am. Like I have said in previous reviews, it is important, to me, as a reader to have a sense of place.

It wasn’t until page 3 of Chapter 1 that I started to care for the character, at least on some minute level, and it is because I feel that I can identify with her. She is tough, confused, and living within a shroud of lies and mess. She stands out from the rest and seeks to find the loneliest, quiet place to be with herself. Wren seems much more human as a character as she discloses her fantasies of wearing preppy clothes.

 It’s not weird, either.

The language is a bit rough for what I would consider for a young adult, so it isn’t something that I would choose for my teenage child. While I want my children to explore other sides and understand the world from another point of view, the language is more appropriate for an adult audience. Additionally, it isn’t readily apparent what is at stake here. Is it Wren’s mother’s predicament that is the wrench in the gears, or is this just a story about living through hardship? I continue to wonder as I read about Wren’s memory of her Aunt.

Though, there are some things about Wren that are admirable. She sticks to who she is while being open to the other sides of herself, and she definitely isn’t the stereotypical female. She could be a real hero for teenage girls (if only she hadn’t agreed to sell drugs).

Some nostalgic and charming moments are present: Wren and Mareck share a single bicycle ride in The Yard and the scent of Travis nearly coaxes Wren into spilling her recent past.

But mostly, I am sad. I am left with the image of Mareck leaving Wren to fight her nemesis alone, the feeling that if only she were prettier and she could afford different clothes, maybe he would like her more. I think of her “sister’s torn up face” and a decision to sell drugs just to be able to have something better. But, this is the reality for a lot of young women, isn’t it?

Ericka Clay has a flare for storytelling, and I am interested in reading more of her work.

Check her out here: Tipsy Lit

And here: Read Wren

Review for Dies The Fire by S.M. Stirling

Dies The Fire- S.M. Stirling (2004)

A ROC Book

Paperback- 7.99

ISBN- 0-451-46041-3

Apocalyptic Science Fiction with Sword and Sorcery Fantasy

Does the fire die out? What started it in the first place? What is the fire, anyway? Is it a literal fire? Is it the spark in the electricity of our modern world?

First of all, I love a book that has a map. I know exactly where I am, how far apart things are, and the scope of the world I will soon be a part of. S.M Stirling writes in third-person limited, giving the reader a glimpse into the minds of Juniper Mackenzine (Lady Juniper) and Mike Havel (Lord Bear). Though these two do not meet until the third part of the book, their destinies are heavily intertwined.

The Change is never explained in the book, but it isn’t needed. S.M. Stirling provides character explanations for why electricity, engines, and even weapons no longer work. The people who have survived the chaos, raids, and hunger must learn how to survive a new way. Various groups of people are seen surviving to the best of their abilities, but it is Juniper’s country home that lures so many. She is a witch of traditional values, and it is her inner strength and the bonds of her people that allow them to persevere.

“There were simply things you couldn’t think about too much, or you’d lose the will to live.”

Think about how you would get water and food for dozens. How would you clothe and house people in a safe environment? How could you possibly keep children and your loved ones safe from criminals turned Lords? Surely, there would be those who seek to take control of a new world. It wouldn’t be difficult for these past criminals to take advantage of the weak. Soon, an army is created, and the next thing is to force a tax and loyalty. There is nothing to stop those from maiming, raping, and murdering the families who will not play by their new rules.

In Dies The Fire, there are no rules. Each group must create a set of regulations for their own people, and they have to demand that they are respected to keep moral high and to avoid fear and uncomfortable feelings that could lead to an uprising of sorts. Juniper, along with her clans folk, welcome newcomers onto their land. Through plenty of sweat and even death, her people can find a way to work the land to survive the seasons. But, the world is bigger than the Mackenzie Clan, and soon, they would have to venture out of the unfinished palisades.

Mike Havel, or Lord Bear, as his mates come to call him, is the leader of a group of savants who are equipped with all the right skills and know-how to form a powerful force of “helpers.”

“I should start thinking about the longer term, a little. Once things hit bottom, they’ll have to start up again–but in a new way, or a very old way. A strong man is what’s needed, leadership, and something to believe in. Someone has to build on the ruins. Ken was right; we’re back in the age of legends and heroes. A dirty job, but someone’s got to do it.”

Thieves, cannibals, and rapists are the least of their worries, though they have their scars to prove their worth in battle. Their ability with swords and bows is unmatched (as they have regular training sessions), and their engineers and blacksmiths have provided ample and effective armor and weaponry.

“Lord, Mike, this is America. You know how many tens of millions are cars are sitting’ around, with every wheel on half a dozen sword blanks? All I had to do was be careful to keep it cool so’s not to lose the temper, straighten is out with a sledgehammer, file an’ cut it to shape and do the hilt ‘n guard–guard’s brass strip from the engine grille of the truck–then grind the blade to the right cross-section and hone on the edge. Didn’t take more than a day. Astrid’s pa helped a good deal, and some books on old-time cavalry I got, so I’m working’ on one for each of us.”

S.M. Stirling’s novel is clear and convincing. He seems an expert in aviation, Wiccan rites, survival, and early weaponry. Not once did I question the information offered, and he did something for me that I value heavily in a book that I read: he offered a new point of view … a new way to think about myself and the world I live in. I was only pulled from the story one time … page 561 of the paperback has a sentence with a repeated word … “with with.”

I saw myself in Lord Bear and even Lady Juniper. Mike’s a-lister Astrid reminded me of my younger self- daring, mischievous, and a lover of mythology. It is she who defines the tone of the Bearkillers. I often wonder how I would handle life post-apocalypse. It is a fantasy I dwell in often. To consider how one would handle crime in a world without law helps us all to understand how important it is to stay true to the good, no matter the cost. Sometimes you have to do the dirty work. Sometimes you have to let your soul wither a little. But, you always have to uphold honor, duty, and respect.

I reside in the world of speculative fiction, mostly, and to me, this book is right up my alley. It is written well and delves deeply into a world rebuilt. I have learned to care a great deal for Mike, Juniper, Signe, Astrid, Dennis, Eiler, and of course, little Rudi. I think you will too.

“Merry met, and merry parting, and merry meet again.”

Character Development- Grim

Grim is an 18 year old female living in a city of chaos.

She has never seen the sun.

The only family she knows is her brother. They survive by doing deeds for the gangs. Her life hasn’t been easy, and she hardly understands love or kindness. She has been shrouded in darkness all of her life. There are only a select few that have been trapped as she has that do good will just for the sake of helping others. She doesn’t see them often because she is ashamed of the things she does to survive.

She has a love interest. He is a member of the gang, and she wants to get away from everything, but she knows he probably won’t come with her.

She doesn’t even know how to get out. She doesn’t even know what is beyond the gates. But, she imagines it is better. There is a “person” on one of the track taxis that she speaks with when she can sneak a ride through. He is able to give her little snippets of life on the outside. It isn’t much better, but there is safety. Although she doesn’t care much for her life, there is something inside of her that wants to venture away from what she knows to discover more.

An opportunity presents itself. She must give up everything she knows and what little bit of security she has. Doing this means that the gangs will find her and do terrible things to her and her brother, but it is her best shot, and when she has the opportunity, without consulting anyone else, she takes it.

She finds something that is worth very much to a lot of people. But, how will she use it? How will it affect her world? What did the person on the track taxi tell her? There is the issue. I just can’t get there. Every time I consider it, it eludes me. What is she hiding from me?

…. …. …. …………. …………… ……….

……………….

That’s it!

She doesn’t know. She doesn’t know either. All she was told was to find the thing and who to bring it to. She doesn’t know why or what they will be able to do, but it was enough to give her the hope she needed to act.

It was something to hold onto. Maybe it is a joke. Maybe it is a ploy. Maybe it is a trick… but it is something. A little bit of light in her world of darkness.

I guess I will discover what the thing will do and who the person is she has to take it to when she does.

Onward!

Journey to Writing #8

Last time, I made the decision to go back to my second novel rather than continue on with the third one that started. It was just supposed to be a short story (#3), but the whole story started to unfold very quickly, and my fingers moved fluidly getting the new characters’ stories out. It was going places that were interesting enough to make me want to do little else.

Still, the people in the second novel called me back … and I’m glad they did. I feel right at home with them. I am rereading through the first 22,000 words, taking notes, editing, and making changes where needed. I am up to Chapter 5, and so far I am feeling pleasantly shocked about the story. I love those moments when you read something you wrote and you say to yourself,

“I wrote that?”

It’s so good that it’s hard to believe that came out of me. Why, as writers, do we do this to ourselves? Why do we doubt our natural ability to paint with words? Sure, sometimes it might take one hundred sentences to get one great one, but that’s just a part of the craft … partly because out minds have been trained so long against their innate creative impulses, but being the unique species that we are, sometimes we can overcome that conditioning and pour out something truly moving, and I feel I have done that in the first few chapters, at least. If you want to read it and give me some feedback, that would be wonderful…

As much as I fell in love with my first novel, it’s starting to feel second rate to this one. It’s a hard thing to admit, but it’s definitely a good thing!

Now to wait for some Mommy time to really get back into the stories. It isn’t exactly easy to become someone else and go someplace else when your 2 year old is on your lap playing ABC mouse on a split screen.

This is what happens when Mommy tries to write when kiddos are up:

Journey to Writing #7

I am here to take a little break from writing chapters. I wrote a little over 2,000 words last night in a new Untitled novel that I have currently dubbed, “The Klops.” I am into the second chapter, and everything is going well. But, I am plagued. Not just by the story but by the fact that is the 3rd novel, and I haven’t finished the 2nd. Something in me wants to go forward with this one, but I am worried that the stories will mash-up in a way that I don’t think will be natural. So, I come here to work through my thoughts on this.

I opened up the 2nd novel, “Tickets to See the Sun.” I have been through it a few times, editing and changing things that needed to be clarified, so I am not sure how far I had made it into editing. I had an excel spreadsheet somewhere… hmmm … where did that go? It has been a while since I have opened it up. Such is my life. Passions come and go.

So, I wil have to start the novel back over at Chapter 1. There are currently 22,000 words, so editing up to a point where I start writing raw again will take some time, but I have time, and I need the story to be refreshed in my mind. There were also some issues in the work that needed to be resolved. I should really start a character journal on my main characters to get to know them again. They have been gone from me for so long… or have they?

I guess I made up my mind. Time to get back to Patrick and Grim. I need to see them through … now only if I knew where they were going. I think that is why I put them away for as long as I did. Where they were headed wasn’t really making sense to me. Time to make sense of this. Time to let them lead me.

That’s not my bunny …

That’s not my bunny ….

Journey to Writing #6

It’s the end of another long day. Sure, there are only so many hours, but there are never enough to go around. Somehow, I managed to get everything done that needed doing (with the exception of some household chores), but I won’t bore you with the details. They aren’t of any consequence anyway, and what is the point of letting it take up residence in my mind more than it really needs to?

So, writing. Yes. What now? The last few days have been a whirlwind of roles and business. I closed one door in my life before it was slammed on my fingers. Actually, a site that I was editing and moderating for decided to go in a very different direction than I was interested in going with them. It is unfortunate, but before that door even closed completely, another one opened. Now to replace moderating, I am taking commissions for graphic design work. Besides Dark Tower Design, an online design company (who is considering going brick and mortar) discovered my talent and after a trial run, I have been given another job. I am looking forward to the pace picking up. While I am not writing for this job, I still get to create.

But, something is definitely missing. The days that I go without saying what I need to say are the roughest. I haven’t worked on my story any more- it is begging for attention. I have not written an article in close to a week. I haven’t even had time to read much of anything except textbooks on design and typography. At least it is something. Life is just too busy sometimes. But, there is a balance. We must remember.

Something will give sooner or later. In the meantime, I just have to keep going towards the one thing that I really want: to write and to write well.