Reviewing the Evidence - Diary of a Wimpy Vampire: Prince of Dorkness

Title: Diary of a Wimpy Vampire: Prince of Dorkness (US Link)
Author: Tim Collins
Genre: humour, paranormal, vampire, ya
Series: Wimpy Vampire (#2)

A few starting notes:

This is the sequel to the funny and entertaining 'Diary of a Wimpy Vampire' - since I enjoyed the last one, I decided to give the second book a go. As it's a sequel I'll go by my general rule of thumb for reviewing sequels - the blurb dictates the level of spoilerage for previous books. This means that the only plot details for previous books that I divulge are of the same nature as those found in the blurb for this book - it just seems fair to me.

Premise:

Nigel Mullett, the wimpy vampire, records a second year of life as the undead. Things are never plain-sailing when it comes to being stuck at the awkward age of 15; no matter how long you've been in school for, it all comes around again. And there's his barmy family, girls, and weird school-mates to deal with - nothing is ever easy.

Best bits:

This has the same tongue-in-cheek humour as the first book, focussing on the melodramas of teenage life, which don't go away simply because you're undead. The tone is great because Nigel is so grimly serious about the most ridiculous of things.

I personally really liked the addition, in this book, of the topic of vampire romances - which Nigel even tries his hand it! It's that sly, satirical humour that Brits do so very well, and made me smile.

The book is quick and readable, with funny cartoon-like illustrations and a diary format that splits the entire thing into short sections. Again, if you have one of those bizarre creatures, a tween or teenage boy, to force books into, it might be worth sticking the wimpy vampire series under their nose nonchalantly - might work, you never know.

Not so great bits:

I did find some parts - relating to new school-mate Jason in particular - quite predictable, but then I live on a constant diet of paranormal novels, so might have warped my brain to the point where nothing really surprises me anymore.

I can't help but feel like there's more potential for hilarity in Nigel's family, and his long past, than Mr Collins has unlocked. An opportunity missed perhaps.

Verdict:

This is fun and funny - a light-hearted take on the vampire craze that made me smile at more than one off-hand comment. Might even tempt the reluctant reader.

It's alive! :)

Hello the lovely peoples of the interwebs! Just thought I should let you know that the 'Victor Frankenstein' trailer, released by 20th Century Fox, has landed - complete with a winning combination of Daniel Radcliffe and James McAvoy. Looks like it might actually bring something new and fresh to the Frankenstein story (and if you haven't read Mary Shelley's original, then I highly recommend it,) - here's hoping it'll be a good 'un!

Reviewing the Evidence! - Printer's Devil Court

Title: Printer's Devil Court (US Link)
Author: Susan Hill
Genre: Horror, historical fiction, ghost story

A few starting notes:

This is a novella from modern master of the period ghost story, Susan Hill - author of similarly spoopy (I'm sorry purists - I, of course, mean spooky) tale, The Woman in Black.

Premise:

Hugh Meredith is a medical student at the turn of the last century (I think - it's never made all that clear to be honest,) when his fellow students suggest something which usually ends so well - raising the dead. Cue poop hitting fan and ghostly goings-on.

Best bits:

The atmospherics are pretty damned awesome here - this is something that Susan Hill can do. Gothic setting? Check. Shiver down my back? Check. Ghosties? Check.

It's also illustrated - giving it an authentic-style old-timey feel in its mimicry of the old plate illustrations in Victorian/Edwardian books/periodicals.

The entire thing is inherently readable - short, illustrated, and gothic. Awesomeness.

Not so great bits:

There's no excuse for the degree of typos folks, there's just not. You say there are two other doctors and then name three? It will jar you right out of the story. It's just not on, and I hope it's different in other editions.

The time-frame is never made all that clear - and I have some time perception issues that would've benefitted from clarity. Also, what level of technology and setting are we supposed to be imagining? Time period makes a difference when you're writing historical fiction - you can't leave it all fuzzy-wuzzy and up in the damned air!

Also, given the subject matter, I would've expected some mention of Mary Shelley - whose book Frankenstein was definitely in print at the time in which this is set; bit of an ever-loving heffalump in the room.

Verdict:

I enjoyed this - if it wasn't for the practical problems (typos, fuzzy time-periods, etc.,) I would've looked on it far more kindly, but it is inherently a very good book. Any fan of gothic horror and/or ghost stories will love it.

Nerd Church time!

Hello my lovely nerdy peoples! For this week's edition of Nerd Church I will just leave you with this beautiful quote:

“Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?”

Words to live by, if ever there where some. Keep looking for inspiration in the pages bookworms, and happy reading!

Original image courtesy of debspoons at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Friday Fics Fix! - Poetry Edition!

For this week's Fix of the Fics you crave, I decided to select some poetry fics - just because I felt like it, to be perfectly honest with you lovely people. I like poetry. I (cautiously) like fan-fiction. Why not explore a smooshing of the two?

I'll try not to let it get too disturbing.

So, your Fics...

The White of Winter by Bucky da Bae Barnes

OK, so this is a little dramatic. But it's pretty cool, all in all. I like people who are brave enough to write a sonnet about Bucky Barnes (Avengers/Captain America fandom) and his conflict with identity issues - write on dear author! Write on!

Always by SuzanneSuperFan

This is a love poem from the Harry Potter fandom. As you may imagine, it's about Snape and Lily and makes use of two of the most beautiful lines in English literature. (Potter fans know what I mean.)

For You by Darth Soror

This is a poem based on the beautiful film Tim Burton's Corpse Bride (one of my favourite films from now until forever.) The poem is actually quite well-written - not a literary prize-winner by any means, but not to be sniffed at all the same.

I Believe by StorySongs

OK, at first glance this is perhaps nothing special. But read it again. And again.

Do you see it? Maybe you don't but I think it's actually bordering on brilliant. But then, poetry is a very subjective thing (and Sherlockians are notoriously odd...let's face it.) I think it's actually really good this one - a battle cry merging urban betas with poetic tradition. Still just me? OK...I'll shut up now.

And, just because it made me smile, I give you a Pirates of the Caribbean poem entitled My Peanut by Scotland's Fiery Rose. I shall be back next week with more fan-fiction to keep you insane!

Reviewing the Evidence Time! - Sweet Evil

Title: Sweet Evil (US Link)
Author: Wendy Higgins
Genre: paranormal, romance, ditzy, angels, ya
Series: The Sweet Trilogy (#1)

A few starting notes:

So, this was a random library haul selection - according to the blurb there were angels and much ditzy goings-on, according to the cover there was a freaking huge red dress and a bloke staring moodily over a girl's shoulder, so I decided to give it a shot.

Premise:

Anna Whitt is a girl from Georgia (the state, not the country,) who is a little quirky. She's the ultimate good-girl, a rule follower to a T. Except she also sees other people's emotions - and can remember being born...and the time before she was born. Inevitably, she meets a dude that's a little bit quirky like her - bad boy Kaidan Rowe - and everything turns into this whole angels/demons complicated thing.

Best bits:

Anna is actually likeable - something not to be sniffed at in YA paranormal romance. Sometimes she can be a little stupid - but she is 16, and does require plot-points to happen, so we can excuse her the slip-ups. Although I have to admit, I would've attempted to get in touch with my biological parents at about the point where my senses got hyper-charged - not several years later. She's worryingly un-curious about herself.

The whole angels and demons set-up is quite interesting, and managed to keep me reading - which is what you want really.

The whole book is entertaining and enjoyable, and I read it in a couple of days. It draws you on through the story, and doesn't require any deep levels of attention to enjoy.

Not so great bits:

Anna's modesty bugs me. I don't like her statement about dressing modest because she understands how difficult it is for teenage boys to deal with their hormones. Let them deal with them. Dress however the hell you want - it's for you, not them. Women should not have to consider what blokes think of their clothing - it doesn't matter.

There's a bunch of issues that are touched upon or referenced: abortion, drinking, drugs, adoption, suicide, lust, sin, rape, etc... Because it's angels and demons based there's a lot of pondering the nature of sin etc. etc. It's also religious in places (no big surprise,) which may not be to everyone's taste. I personally found the preoccupation with Anna's 'virtue' more than slightly annoying - particularly as for a book that's so prude-y in its attitude, it never seems to stop mentioning sex.

I also think the romance would've been better off more subtly nuanced and that demons weren't blamed for everything that could possibly go wrong, but that would be asking a bit much I suppose.

Verdict:

It's enjoyable, it's different - it does (occasionally) make you think. It's also an easy read for the train. I liked it - I may even consider reading something by this author again - but it's a take-it-or-leave-it kind of book.

Nerd Church is in Session...

...let me talk to you about Luna Lovegood.

Original image courtesy of debspoons at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Luna as a Harry Potter character is a fan favourite - and I adore her. Because she taught us that what makes us different can make us such incredibly beautiful people. She's the dreamer, the lover, the pure soul - and she remains so even through all the s**t that Hogwarts throws at her. She doesn't sweat the small stuff, and is unflinchingly loyal and a shoulder whenever anyone needs her.

In the films, Luna is played by the equally beautiful Evanna Lynch - who has battled through anorexia to become one heck of an actress, and an inspiration. Her accent is also really pretty :)

So, amongst the other many, many things that Harry Potter taught us, is that the weird kid? She rocks, has been through hell (Luna saw her mother die when she was a little kid,) and is still one of the most observant and naturally incredible people you will ever meet. Luna is a symbol for all of the dreamers and the different ones, the ones who don't quite fit in (even in a school full of witches and wizards) - you are beautiful, and people will see that eventually.

Hope you enjoyed this week's small slice of Nerd Church - finding the deep and meaningful stuff in the books and stories that we all love :)